Evening Star Newspaper, July 13, 1923, Page 6

€ THE EVENING STAR, With Sunday Morning Edition, WASHINGTON, D. C. FRIDAY. ....July 13, 1923 THEODORE W. NOYES........Editor The Evening Star Newspaper Company Ney Chi pean Office: Tower Bulldi :16 Regent St., Lond The Evening Star, with the Sunday morning tion, s delivered by carriers within the city 4t 80 cents per month; daily only, 45 cents per wmonth; Sunday only, 30 cents per month. Or ders may be sent by ‘mail, or telephone Main 5000. Collection fs made by carrlers at the end of each mouth. Rate by Mail—Payable in Advance. Maryland and Virginia, All Other States. Dally and Sunday..1 yr., $10.00; 1 mo., 85¢ Dally only : : 5 Sunday only. Member of the Associated Press. The Associated Press is exclusively entitled to the ‘uve for republication of all news dis- patches credited to it or not otherwise credited fn this paper and also the local news pub- tished ‘herein. Al rights of publication of herein are also reserved. —_———ee — The British Declaration. Premier Baldwin's speech in com- mons yesterday on the subject of Ger- man reparations puts the case in a most diplomatic manner, and in terms which should work out to a better situ- ation in Europe. There is no threat of @ breach of the entente. There is no suggestion of direct and exclusive negotiations between England and Germany. The policy of France in adopting direct measures of territory occupation is questioned, but not de- nounced. Hope is expressed that repa- rations may be effected through differ- ent measures, particularly by ascer- tainment of the capacity of Germany 10 pay by means of an international commission. Fears of a break in the entente are allayed by this discreet and consider- ate pronouncement by the head of the British government, even though France may not relish it; may, indeed, seek to reject it and pursue the course of the past half year. Indeed, so adroit is Mr. Baldwin's statement that it would seem impossible for France 10 g0 on without, in effect, assuming responsibility for a rupture of the en- tente if that should come. But it is not a question of where lies the responsibility for the maintenance of the allled front. It is & question of how Germany can be made to pay ade- quately, and how the economic sta- bility of Burope can be restored. Pre- mier Baldwin holds that this can be done best and most surely through submission of the question to an inter- national commission charged with de- termining Germany's capacity to pay and the terms of payment. Words of positive assurance to France of a comity of purposes are not lacking. As for example: We are as determined As any of our ailies that Germany shall make repa- rations for the damage done in the great war up to the fullest extent of rer capacity. We have never wavered on this point. I do not believe that our people ever will. Indeed, we g0 further and we are ready, as we have sald on many occasions, and as was repeated in Paris in January last, to use every measure to compel Ger- many to pay up to the amount of her capacity. Nor is there lacking a word of criti- olsm of the present Ruhr policy of the continental allies: The French and Belgiun govern- ments assure us that their sole ob- ject in occupying the Ruhr is to se- “ure payment of reparations. If that is so, the difference between us is one of method rather than of aim. But we are convinced that indefinite con- tinuation of this state of affairs is fraught with grave peril. Germany: herself appears to be going fast to- rd economic chaos, which may it- e1f be succeeded by social and indus- trial ruin. The danger from these conditions lies not alone or primarily in the di- rection of German suffering. On that score Premier Baldwin leaves no ques- ton. The danger from German col- lapse, he points out, is certain to react upon the economic health of Europe at large, and of the world as well. He says, “It is not too much to say that the recovery of the world is in danger, and that the peace for which so many sacrifices were borne is at staki Naturally there will be feeling in France against the British proposal. The situation there is difficult. The government cannot relinquish its Ruhr program on its own initiative without putting itself in jeopardy at home. It was this fact that made the British premier's statement so fraught with peril for the solidarity of the entente. But between the embarrassment of a change of policy and the danger of a break in the alliance France cannot conceivably hesitate in her choice, un- less it be the purpose of the govern- ment at Paris to maintain the con- tinental leadership at the risk of a gen- eral collapse and possibly a renewal of war. ————— Farmers are being urged to with- hold wheat from the market in order to enhance prices. The farmer has been known to assert that people ought to be severely dealt with in Chicago and elsewhere for engaging in somewhat similar transactions. ——— London Punch is said to be looking for a new editor. Persiflage relating to European politics becomes a more difficult enterprise every year. ———— Street Lighting Plan. The electrical department of the District has done its duty well in making up its estiraate for the fiscal year of 1925 and in planning for the better lighting of the streets. The astimate, according to the news, con- tains an item of $450,000 for replace- ment of street lights as the first in- stallment in a five-year program which would call for the expenditure of $1,390,000 to bring street lighting in the District up to date. Under the current appropriation act only $20,- 000 is available for replacement. It is {d that the estimate contains the item of $650,000 for gas, electricity and the upkeep of street lamps. The current appropriation for these pur- poses is §472,000. Whether the Com- missioners find it practicable to in- clyde the street lighting plan a: evolved by the electrical department in the estimates which they will thes b R THE EVENING STAR — ! proposed gxpenditure for carrying out the plan, are matters for the future. Poor street lighting in the Capital has been the subject of complaint by many clvic bodies and the reasonable- ness of the complaints is known to everybody. There is & public demand that the capital's streets shall not be poorly lighted, and there is a general desit 2 that Washington shall be as well lighted as any other city. There are many persons who belleve that the American capital should. be the best lighted of American cities. In recognition of the general com- plaint against the dimness of many of the streets at night and in conformity with the wish of citizens that the city shall be lighted in a modern way the electrical department has prepared a plan with estimates for putting it into effect. It may be that all that is hoped for will not be realized at this time. There are so many branches of the local government needing an increase of funds to keep their work abreust of the city's growth that it is perplexing where all the money is to come from, 1t is also known that the director of the budget can swing a wicked axe. Whatever shall befall the street light- ing plan it must be Kkept in mind. Persistence pays and we shall get the kind of city lighting we want if we insist on it. There is an old saying which runs something like this: “If we fail now, try, try again.” Ringside Radio. A woman's scream from the ring- side; the monotonous counting of a referee, thrusting into oblivion the as. pirations of former World Champion Jess Willard to “come back,” were heard by hundreds of residents of ‘Washington last night, although they were more than 200 miles from the ac- tual scene. The radio made it possible for thousands in all parts of the coun- try to follow the big fight in New Jersey. A vivid picture of the pre- liminaries and of each round of the fight itself came in distinct tones out of the air. The cheers and roars and groans, and even the impact of some of the blows, were audible. So the radio has come into a new use. Not many months ago the ad- dress of President Harding to Con- gress was radioed from the floor of the House of Representatives across the continent, and hundreds of thou- sands of persons “listened in." But last night was the first time, it is said, that residents of Washington have been able to loll in comfortable chairs at home, and at the same time be present, through one of their senses, at a big prize fight. The reformers apparently have over looked a bet. Through their efforts moving pictures of prize fights, which were expected to be a source of mil- lions of revenue to the fight promoters and the principals. have been pro hibited. The transmission of such pi tures in interstate commerce was banned a number of years ago. But now fight fans are to “sit in" at the ringside, as it by the use of their ears. How soon an attempt will be made to suppress these audible pictures of prize fights is, of course, merely a matter of conjecture today. But as Congress does not meet until next De- cember a federal law dealing with the matter cannot be enacted for nearly six months. The radio fans, therefore, should be able to get an “earful” of a were, on Labor day, if such an event is finally scheduled. For a number of years efforts have been made to bring about the enact- ment of a law to prohibit the inter- lon horse races and other news of the | “sport of kings.” Many hearings have been held before committees of Con- | gress. but so far no such law has been iput on the statute hooks. The anti- prize fight moving picture act went through with a rush. A North Dakota man with whiskers seventeen feet long was asked in Chi- cago why he wore them. “To see how {long they would grow.” was his an- swer; which perhaps is as good an ex- cuse for eccentric whiskers as any. ————————— Monkeys are not credited by re- sponsible sclentists with assisting peo- ple to remain young. All they do is to get people interested In evolution. Something to talk about as they grow old. ——————— John Barleycorn continues to get & great deal of advertising to the effect that though without recognized head- quarters on land he has numerous branch offices at sea. ——— Prohibition interests are confident that any presidential prospects en- joyed by Gov. Smith of New York can be securely bottled before next sum. mer. ————————— Barking Dogs. A dog-barking case was dismissed in the Police Court the other day. The charge was that several dogs, whose names were not made public, had dis- turbed the peace of a neighborhood by barking at night, The complaint was not lodged directly against the dogs, but against thelr master, that being the legal way of dealing with such matters in the Police Court. There was testimony that the dogs did bark | at night, and witnesses sald that thelr slumber was broken. But the dogs ‘were not convicted. It seems to be as natural for dogs to bark as for men to talk, and it is most unusual to meet a dog that barks as persistently and as aimlessly as some men talk. It is belleved that when @ dog barks at night he feels a sincere conviction that he has a mes- sage for mankind in his neighborhood. It may be that he is telling it to the world that he has seen a stranger in the alley who smells like a suspicious character, It may be that he is saying with all his might, “I have heard a noise which makes me belleve that all is not right”" It may be that he be- lieves he has been elected as the town crier, and is telling the townspeople that cats are prowling in the dark. Some folk may not consider these things as serious matters, but in the dog's judgment they ere mat _ Dempsey-Firpo or Dempsey-Wills fight ‘ | state transmission by wire of the odds | the budget bureau will approve the!dog with deliberation, premeditation, | malice aforethought and all that would disturb the peace of a neighborhood. If he does create disturbance it is be- cause of his zeal in the performance of what he understands to be his duty. It might be that some man who speaks the language of dogs could suggest to them that they put the soft pedal on their splendid volces after 10 o'clock, that the neighbors' graphophones and plano-players can have the fleld to themselves. If cats are allowed to sing at night—and it has been found dim- cult to discourage them in their tune- ful efforts—it would be ungenerous to deny to a dog the gratification he finds in broadcasting his announcements at midnight. It is & difficult question. e William P. Dillingham. Willlam Paul Dillingham, senator of the United States from Vermont, is dead. His death will be deeply re- gretted by his colleagues, who loved and respected him. It will be regretted also by the peuple of his state, who conferred upon him the highest honors in their power, and by the people of the National Capital, in whose interest Senator Dillingham labored for many years as senator and member of the District of Columbla committee. Admittedly a conservative, there was no suggestion ever made that “the interests.” His honesty and in- tegrity of purpose were never ques- tioned. He was a senator of the United States in all that term implies. In per- sonality hie was kindly, courteous, un- hurried, a clear thinker and never to | be rushed off his feet. Senator Dillingham was the oldest member of the Senate in point of years, and the third oldest in point of service at the time of his death. Sena. tor Knute Nelson of Minnesota, who died & few weeks ago, was his senior in years by ten months. Senator Page of Vermont, who voluntarily retired from the Senate March 4 last, was his senior by cleven months. The old order is passing. It is not clear whether statesmen abroad who engage in after-dinner duels are not to be commended for adopting a form of finale likely to! create less world agitation than un- limited after-dinner speaking. Anthracite operators and miners are not compelled to complicate proceed- ings by stopping to study out how and to what extent the great unorganized brotherhood of ultimate consumers shall be recognized. | The prestige of weaith is shown by {the fact that when John D. Rocke- feller gives away a nickel or a dime he | can get an article in the paper about it, the same as when he gives away two or three million dollars. ———— Enough opposition is being developed to one or two of the recently developed candidates to enable them at least to assume that they are being taken seri. ousl Having been arrested in connection { with oil promotion, Dr. Cook is forced to decide that he is not any luckier with fuel than he was with ice. The privileges of royalty may assert themselves even after centurles elapse. Even the mummy of King Tut gets a long aumrper vacation The popular demand for speeches enables a statesman to do some of his best work when he is on a summer vacaticn. Antique art fakers prefer to operate in America where the percentage of imitation money in circulation is not 50 large. SHOOTING STARS. BY PHILANDER JOHNSON The “Do-as-You-Please” Freedom. As usual, the summer brings An anthem of the free. Once more the gay mosquito sings, “The world was made for me. And so, disdainful of the laws, T romp without misgiving, And say that I do so because The world owes me a living. ‘Greatnes: “Who In your opinion is the great- est American?” “It's a delicate question,” replied Senator Serghum. “If greatness de- pends on what a man actually does for his country a lot of us statesmen toil- ing in the ranks should come in for notice, If it depends on keeping your- self in public attention before and after death we'd all have to retire in faver of P. T. Barnum.” Jud Tunkins says some people buy books merely for the purpose of leavin' ‘em {n the hammock to convey the im. pression that they have highbrow tastes. Surfeited. “Anybody playing. this new game ‘Pung Chow’ in Crimson Gulch' “No,"” answered Cactus Joe. “Three- Finger Sam, who 18 now sheriff, went up in the alr the first time he heard it mentioned an’' forbid it. He says “punk chow” is all he had all the time he was In the Army.” Calling s Halt. When some reformers persevere They hinder things that should he done. They want the world to stop and hear Them tell just how it should be run. Sarcastio Lady. “Do you regard the attacks of our oratorical friend as successfully dis- puting the Darwin theory?” “No," replied Miss Cayenne, "Some. times T almost think he proves it.” The Sportive Existence. “Life is a lottery.” “Yes," replied Mr. Chuggins. “Even a plain person like myself keeps ‘watching the price sign at the gaso- line station to see whether a luckier number won’t come out.” “Most of us is jes like Senator Dillingham was controlled by | CAP Golf enthusiasts Brig. Gen. Fries of the chemlcal war- fare service to make war on the earthworms which persist In digging up the links and piling little heaps of dirt in the way of the very useful and Industrious golf ball. The gen- ‘al, himself & golfite, says that It is eapparent that earthworms are the cause of the prevalling unrest, If not the wave of crime. He argues, thero- fore, that to polson them with war gas will lessen profanity and,tend toward the peace of the world, re- gardless of the league of nations or the world court. In fact, to slay the “worm” will be a form of co-opera- tion with Commissioner Wayne B. Wheeler. have challenged * ok ok ox Do the golfers know that they are endangering the prosperity of the na- tion in their attitude on man's best friend, the lowly but Indispensable earthworm? It was asserted by sci- entists 150 years ago that “without worms, the earth would soon become cold, hard-bound, void of fermenta- tion and, consequently, sterile.” It is the diligent earthworm to which the credit erroneously given to the “busy bee"—the loafer—really be- longs. Charles Darwin made u study of earthworms and found that in an acre of good soil there were 53,000 earth worms. He counted them—took a census. These 53,000 worms puss ten tons of sofl through their bodies in a year. They thus bring to the surface, every fifteen years, & new layer of rofl, three inches deep. In addition. they grind up the stones and convert them jinto soil. * £k Mr. Darwin never heard of the en- thuslastic golfers of Washington, but iMere 18 his message to them, when they find fault with the tiny ridges of the busy earthworms “When we behold turf- covered expanse, we should remem- ber that its smoothness, on which ro much of its beauty depends, is mainly due to all the Inequalities having been slowly leveled by worms. “It is a marvelous reflection that {the whole of the superficial soil over any such expanse has passed, and {will agaln pass, every few years, through the bodies of worms. The plow is one of the most ancient and most valuable of men's inventions; {but long before he (man) existed, the {land was, in fact, regularly plowed |by_earthworms. “It may be doubted whether there jare many other animals which have played so important a part in the his- tory of the earth as have these lowly organized creatures.” * o ox ox Scientists say that there is no doubt Ibut that the gases which kill men will kill all the earthworms of the golf course; but that, ‘n the following year, all the grass may die, and by {the end of the second year the grass {be superseded by barren, waste land. There is also danger that the gas waves may roll over adjacent farms and damage agriculture for miles around, thus laying the golfers liable ;m heavy damage suits. | * K ok X a wiu GOLFER. SPARE THAT WORM! Golfer. spare that sotl! Touch hot the brave earthworms! In day and night they toil Aud I'll protect thelr derms. In_wisdom nature plannec Millions of worms To plow the sterile Thy gas, I beg you, That meadow. smooth and sof: Whose verdant putting green Has cheered my soul wo oft ‘Would ne’er again be seen. Golfer, forbear thy gas! Go The earthworms The weevil in a Earthworms, thy Oh. general, leave the spot For when worms tur thy Thy aword by pens be foughs Bok Peace Offer Arouses Varied Emotions. A “genuine move for international peace.” That about sums up the views of the varlous editors who have ana- Iyzed the offer of Edward W. Bok of an “American peace award of $100,- 000" to whoever presents the best practicable plan whereby the United States can co-operate with other na- tions for the achlevement and preser- vation of world peace. Whether thera can be any such plan devised Is, of course, a subject on which there are many views, But the motive which actuated Mr. Bok 1s recognized every- where. The New York Call presents the soclalist viewpoint in “no more pro- duction for private sale and enrich- ment; all production for use and e joyment. No more trade and invest- ment rivalries. Therefore, no need of armaments. Peace! We will never get this through the heads of the ‘menators, but ‘we hope to have it un- derstood by the masses in time.” The New York World insists there already “is a way” to prevent wars in the person of the league of nations, and assorts “nothing substantial stands in the way but the selfishness of political plotters for partisan or personal ad- vantage, and the politicians will move quickly enough If the voters beckon. By resolution and by unity the people Who want peace can put through this ‘practical plan’ to further their great cause.” However, as the Philadelphia Public Ledger sees the outlook, “we are out of the politics of Europe, but not out of the world. When co-op- eration is possible we must have an American policy and a program of our own, and not accept the place and the obligations and duties assigned to us.” Tt must be accepted that “Mr, Bok’s offer of a prize will be an incentive to deeper thought on,the subject,” argues the New York Tribune. “This roblem not for statesmen alone, but for all those who long for world security, and for world progress un- troubled by the clash of arms. The answer may be found in some un- expected quarter, Mr, Bok's prize may greatly stimulate popular inter- est in the problem it sets and help materially in developing a solution for the latter,” The Boston Globe, on its part, is convinced “irrespec- tive of the success the plan may meet with in getting us into the league of nations it will meet with much success as a leaven in the public mind.” Resorting to somewhat sar- castic _suggestions, the New Haven Journal-Courier declares ‘“the cyni- cism of the offer hits us a-midrift Manifestly Mr, Bok has lost all faith in thé brain power of the Senate, s0 he must turn to that of the masses under stimulation of a handsome fee. We almost suspect that Mr. Bok h made his fortune too easily or is soon to publish another book The Hartford Times is impressed some- thing alor the same line, although 1t'2fso holds “the seheme is a good one for its publicity value if nothing more. It will set thousands of pe to thinking about how we can ter the league of nations, and that is the first necessity for actually get- ting in.” . ‘Warmly indersing the motive actu- ating the offer, the Christian Science b e T though it “hopes that it w! som H more than an academic suc- mthlu But it fc m.tm unless the Fphery oeful carries his Droject be of mers (n- WASHINGTON ITAL KEYNOTES BY PAUL V. COLLINS "|of 5 cents a loaf, but today it is 9 EDITORIAL DIGEST D. C, FRIDAY, J Bpeaking of President Harding's itinerary in Alaska, the press dis- patches tell us that he will go from Juneau to Beward, “which Is a three- day voyage.” Bhips cross the Atlan- tic in less than six days. Thence he will_take the government rallroad to Falrbanks, “a two-day journey.” Trains take four days to cross conti- nental America from New York to San Francisco. Aluska s a country of magnificent distances. * o ok x The Treusury experts are amazed at the continued Investment of the public In automobiles and other luxu rles in the past year. The records show $128,000,000 paid to the govern- ment In taxes on sales of automoblles and accessories in the last eleven months.- This is an increase of $35,- 000,000 over the previous year and indicates a total buying amounting o $3,000,000,000 for automobiles alone. Taxes for the summer months are double what they were for corre- sponding months of last year. More is being spent for candy and other non-essentials than ever be- fore. Even the farmers are accused of spending, although maybe they are confused with ‘“rural population,” which includes not merely farmers, but all who do not live in cities ex- ceeding 2,500 population. It fis In- consistent with known conditions of agriculture to report that farmers are spending for luxuries when it is no- torious that the farms are not “break- ing even” on expenses. It s in the reglons of high wages that spending is running riot. * ok ko | With wheat selling at $1 a bushel in Chicago, the Mississippi valley farmers realize about 70 cents a bushel on the farm. It costs about $15 an acre to raise wheat and the crop averages about fourteen bushels per acre. Fourteen times 70 cents is 80, making the net loss $5.20 per acre. Perhaps that is why some “ex- perts” are figuring out that the farm- ers are buying automobiles and other luxueles. Of course, it sounds big when statisticians tell us how many billions of dollars the farmers get for their crops. It is like the expla- nation which a certain clothier gave for the very attractive price he put on the suit of clothes on the bargain counter. The clothes cost $17.14 a suit, but he could afford to sell them for $12.98 because of his “great vol- ume of business.” ek Hurrah! Salute the flag! It no longer protects the crews of Ameri- can ships, and when the question is asked, “Who won the war of 18127 it is answered on the Leviathan, “The British.” But hurrah! “The flag is still there!” There was a food riot in Berlin and thousands of hungry Ger- {mans were looting groceries and the |||\;xrkels. overturning the stands of the money changers and scattering marks—and remarks—about - promis- cuously. There was one male Bar- bara Frietchie who flung up Old Glory |ullll shouted 1 “I have a lot of canned goods from Chicago to sell on commission, and. therefore, I consider that my shop is American territory.” , ,Too bad if he didn't know the rest of the challenge of brave Barbara Frietchle, that he might have ex- claimed: Shoot, If you must, this eld “hot dog.' But spare, aiready, the Yank's canned hog R e Flour takes another tumble in prices and reaches its lowest level in eight years. Within that elght years bread was sold at the general price cents. Flour is the principal ingre- dlent of bread. Sugar is down 2 cents a pound wholesale, as compared with last Februa: How much retall? (Copyright, 1623, by P. ¥. Colline.) that the practical politician in the | | hostile camp is already waiting to | deal to whatever proposition he may put forth a staggering blow.” The Binghamton Press also emphasizes that two things are emphasized by the Bok offer. “One is that the great majority of intelligent Americans realize the necessity for America's jactive participation in a plan for world peace. The other fact is that | the American government, with the best will in the world, has done noth- | ling of any constructive importance to insure peace.” Directing attention | to the second clause of the offer, the Waterbury Republican inststs, “ini much as the winner of the award must get his formula past the Sen- ate_before he can collect more than half the prize. the futility of his un- dertaking will be at once apparent. No matter what it is, Mr. Lodge, for example, will be for 1t ‘in princinle,’ and Mr.' Brookhart and Mr. La Fol- lette will he ardently against it. In other words, In their own separate manners, all'three will be against It. The Roanoke World-News, indors- ing in the abstract the nosition of the Republican, asserts “the man who wins the second half of the Bok award will have earned a leading place in the hall of fame, To get any sensible wcheme of international co- | operation through the Senate seems {out of the question. Meanwhile, all {luck to Mr. Bok iIn his unselfish_ef- fort to find a plan to stop war.” Yet, by “splitting the prize,” the Reading Tribune conslders Mr. Bok “has con- tributed much toward world peace,” even though the Senate and Presi- dent should reject the plan, The Norfolk Ledger-Dispatch also feels that a way may be found, although it thinks the league plan the best, while the Mobile Register argues “not until the question of world peace is re- moved from the realm of politics can we hope to make much progress to- ward international accord.” So far as the Youngstown Vindicator is con- cerned, it questions that “a money prize is likely to bring results” and the Milwaukee Sentinel suggests “the only way to prevent war is to make people quit fighting. Sees Many Ways to Use Half Million Dollars While Mr, Bok's $100,000 for an American world peace plan is waiting for somebody to come along and claim it, he, or in fact anybody, might give civilization a push forward by of- fering some other prizes. Half a mil- lion dollars would be well spent for a practicable plan to make people stop asking whether it is hot enough for you on days when it is. Another half million might profitably be awarded to the person presenting a practicable plan for persuading peo- ple ta have all holidays come on Mon- day, as Labor day does, sa as to give 2 wesk end instead of an isolsted ay, ¥y A round million would not be too much for a device which would pre- vent people from representing every |«datl difference of opinion as a head-on col- lision between liberalism and conser- vatism, Then there should be a long series of literary prizes, as a prize of $100,000 for a method of making un- intelligible poetry the victim' of spontaneous combustion and a prize o 8280.000 for some Way of dropping an ibition upon gay book nvi.wor is about te hail an_ordinarils |85 Bill Circulates {trade union circles, with a view to de- i termining how loyal the union members i mect with union approval. | tor goods or services ULY 13, 1923. Rail Income Explained Law Does Not Guaraatee Earn- ings, Says Writer. To the Editor of The Btar! 1 was much interested in the special article which appearcd In the Issue of The Btar for Bunday, July 8, writ- ten by John Edwin Nevin, and printed under the heading of “Spacter of U. B Control Stampedes Rail Heads." Your speclal writers on rail- road toplcs are always so accurate In their statements of fact with respect 0 the rallway industry, and I have always found them so fair and impar- tial in their dealings with railway matters, that I feel emboldened to bring to your attention an inaccurate statement in this speclal article by Mr. Nevin. The first sentence in the fourth paragraph reads in part as follows: “Repeal of the KEsch-Cum- ming act, which guarantees railroad earnings,” etc, It 18 a_‘common misapprehension that the Bsch-Cummins act does in fact guarantee rallway earnings. That such is not the fact can easily be ascertained by reference to the transportation act itself, section 15-A of which provides that freight and passenger rates shall be so fixed by the Interstate Commerce Commission | as to provide for the rallways, “as nearly as may be.” a fair return on the value of their properties. The amount required as a fair return on such value is not, however, guaran- teed to the railways. If they do not earn that amount, they, and not the government, stand the loss; if they earn more than 6 per cent on their value, they are re- quired to return one-half of the ex- cess over 6 to the government Treus- ury. That there has in fact been no guarantee of rallroad earnings since the act was passed is Indicated by the fact that in 1920 the rate of return on rallway valuation was only one- third of 1 per cent: in 1921 it was 3.31 per cent; in 1922 it was only 4.14 per cent. Yet during this period, the so-called “fair return” was 6 per cent, down to March 1, 1922, and since that date has been fixed by the commission at 5% per cent. Clearly there can have been no guarantee of railroad earnings when the rallroads were falling o far be- low the falr rate of return. Final proof of this matter, if any were needed, may be found in a recent speech made by Senator Albert B. Cummins, one of the joint authors of the law, made before the state legislature of lowa, at Des Moines, on April 11, 1923. In this speech occur the following passages: “I have never heard it alleged that 6% per centum upon capital was more than a fair return under the conditions which existed in 1920 and for two years thereafter, and I pause only to observe with respect to this proviso that it Is not in any possible scnse a guarantee. 1 shall speak presently on that part of our system of government which deals with a fair return. I repeat that neither in words nor in effect is this proviso a guarantee. “The net operating income of all the rallroads in the United States for the year 1920 was about one-half of 1 per cent upon the value of the property rendering the service, as fixed by the Interstate Commerce Com- mission; in 1921 it had advanced to a little more than 3 per cent. and in 1922 it had advanced still further to about 4 per cent. It has never been claimed by any one, however much given to misrepresentation, that the Fovernment is in any wise respon- sible to the raliroads for the differ- ence between these net incomes and the fair return as fixed in this pro- viso, or as subsequently fixed by the tate Commerce Commission.” truly yours. JULIUS H. PARMELEE, Director. Bureau of Rallway Economics. Within Union Circles. | An experiment is being made in Seattle with a $5 bill. It has been framed with a leather case, with cellu- loid sides, that its identy might be kept distinctive, and started on a journey in are to their principle that they should confine thelr patronage to shops and firms that employ union workmen or | A record of the bill's travels has been kept, and up to the present it has been exchanged more than 100 | times without leaving union circles. It | s traveling so rapldly that a new cather case has become necessary o protect it from wear. 1¢ & coin which has been widely cir- culated could talk it would tell of an enormous amount of work that it has mads possible, and of a huge volume of goods that has changed hands through | its_instrumentality. The Seattle $5 bill has been confined to trade union circles, but the ordinary bill or coin is not exclusive. It has been hailed as the greatest of demo- crats, since it draws no lines of class, Creed, race or color, but mingles with | every sort of people. Rich and poor, | aristocrats and proletarians, the mighty and the lowly, take it to themseives when it comes their way, without the slightest hesitation. Only rarely is the question asked if It is tainted, It is wel- come, whatever its record may hav been, unless it has been stolen. And | since it cannot talk, once the thief gets it into circulation there is slight prob- ability of its returning to the rightful owner.—Pittsburgh Post. Naming New School Buildings. To the Editor of The Btar: There has been much sald about naming the new achool buildings, names of people who have done something for Washington being preferred. Why not call one of the new school | buildings “The Lookwood." after Mary 8, Lockwood, and Belva Lock- | Wwood? Both of these women were residents of Washington for more than fifty years. Mary B. Lockwood was the found- er of the Daughters of the American | Revolution, she also wrote a boo on Washington. She blazed the way of the first trail to the beautiful bullding known as “Continental | Hall.” Belva Lockwood was the first woman admitted to the D. C, bar, and the first to practice before the Su- preme Court of the United States. Mrs, Briggs, (Olivia) was another woman who lived in Washington. She wrote for many years for varieus newspapers, when woman corre- spondents were looked upon as weak- 5. She wrote well and was about first_° Washington newspaper writer, YThe Briggs” is not a bad name for a school building either. All bufldings and parks in Wash- ington are named after men. ls it not about time some of her splendid Women are remembered by naming some building or park for them? N. C. JENNINGS. { | i House Mail Delivery Promised. The Btar: 1 bt %‘llc.mlgue.o! "The Star of July | 10, under the caption, “Letter Dellv- ery to Homes Asked,” the Post Office officlals are quoted as saying that the residents of the northeastern wsection of the city were never prom- ised a house to house service, and in order for this to be established the da?lnmen! would have to send an inspector, who, going over the route, would first have to find whether the territory in question met the re- uirements of the postal law, and then make the necessary recommen- jon *. Four years ago a representative of the Post Office Department came ov took an inventory of the mail sit ation, and very soon afterwards an order went forth, presumably from those in_authority, t! house delivery would start November 1, that year, and that the old free delivery boxes them in use d at once be discontinued. f re s & matte: | | public jscribed by ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS By Frederic J. Haskin Q. What kind of shade trees are the ones that have the fan-shaped leaf, 1ike the trees on part of 1dth street?—D. L. G. A. The forest they are glnkgo trees. of tree was imported from that country previously taking it from China. In both of those coun- service suys This specles {tries it has been cultivated for cen- | turles as a sacred tree in temple groves. 1t is particularly suited for use as a shade tree, wince It grows quite rapidly, has beautiful foliage. 18 symmetrical in shape, and is free from attacks of injurious fungi and insects. Q. What purpose does the Temple of Fame at Arlington national ceme- tery serve?—H. A. L. A. This Temple of Fame was erected to the memory of eminent military leaders who were not buried in the cemetery. Q. Is there a course provided for colored people to play golf on in the District?—B. C. A. Colored people may play on the cou West Potomac Park, on Mondays. Q. Why was a monument erected to the destructive boll weevil?—L. R A. The citizens of Enterprise, Ala., erected a drinking fountain in the center of the town as a memorial to the fact that after the boll weevil destroyed their cotton crops, other crops were Introduced which brought greater prosperity. a white American A. The Department of Agriculture says that the color of the true Ameri- can Beauty rose is a soft red. A vartety of rose known as Frau Karl Gruschkl is a species advertised by some people as the white American Beauty. This rose blooms monthly, but is seldom successful unless grown | in a greenhouse. Q. How are the stars counted?— A M A. The Naval Observatory says that photographs have been made of the entira heavens, showing stars as faint as the seventeenth and eighteenth magnitudes. By means of these photo- graphic plates it is possible to count or estimate the total number of stars of sufficient brightness to form images on the plates. Q. 1s aluminum as light as paper of the sume thickness?—K. L. A. Aluminum is heavier than paper. Q. What are the proper proportions for an American flag?—H. F. M. A. Taking the hoist as a standard, the proportions of the flag, as pre- the executive order of 29, 1919, 1.0; fiy 1 s. Taft on October (width of flag), hofet_of union, 5 width of each stripe, 0616. President are: Holst (length), 1.9 of union, 0.76: 1-13; diameter of each star, Q. What led t the Methodist South?—J. O. G. A. Dr. James Osgood married for the second time. a slaveholder. Inthe General Conference, held in 1844, the the formation of Episcopal Church that ! Japan, | ;year of the marriuge. it was declared that “thls would greatly embarruse the exercise of his office as an itia- erant general superintendent, if not in some places, prevent It” It we« resolved that “it {s the sense of this General Conference that he should de xist from the exerciwe of this office » long s this Impediment remains " Southern delegates protested that this was _extra-judicial _and _unconstit: tlonal. A division of the churchesand property and the formation of i Methodist Episcopal Church South re sulted. Q. What was the most expensive drink ever known?—A. P. B, A. Aesop, son of Clodius Aesopu- digsolved in vinegar a pearl valued $40.000. in order to have the satisfa. tion of consuming the most expensive drink ever known. Q. What kind of gas i used in to bailoons?—A. P. A. Tlluminating gas is used Q. How are_salted pistachio nuts prepared?—N. H. A. Blanch the nuts by immersine in boiling water and then rubbing off the skinx. *Put in & pan with one ta blespoonful of butter to each pound « nuts, and put in the oven, stirrine consgtantly until the nuts are well buttered. Remove at once from the fire and mix with fine salt—half te spoonful to each pound of nuts. Salted whole pistachio nuts are more com monly known than the salted pista chio meats. They are prepared b: boiling the entire nut. shell and all in a brine water for about five min ‘utes, Drain and when cold they will be found to be covered with salts eryatals. | Q. What is the addgess of Barnard | College?—F. F. A. Barnard College i« 118th and Broadway., New located at York city | Q. What countries have the great- est railroad mileage?—J. M. A. The United States has the great- est mileage; Ruseia is kecond; Can ada third Q. Of the peonle whose names= an pear in “Who's Who." how many at tended college?—I. C. i A. Tt iz estimated that more thar 172 per cent of these persons attended | college and about 60 per cent are col lege graduates. Q. Did Oliver Wendell Holmes fight in the civil war?—D. D. G A. He served three years and was wounded three times. “When muster ed out he had the rank of captain Q. Is the expression “petered out a proper one?—C. C. M { A. In the sense of having become exhausted, the term is given in die- tionaries. They do not vouch for its usage. saying that it is colloquial The term has a very definite meaning. which no other words convey =o read ily. and it Is quite possible that for this reason the term will be recog nized as good English 1 | (Persons desiring information are ca tioned to ask only questions of fact. Ad vice on legal matters, domestic relations and financial investments cannot be gi: en. Inclose 2 cents in stamps for retur: | postage. Address your letter to The Sta Information Bureaw. Frederic J. Has- cin, director North Capitol street.) Urges Strong Reasons Why America Should Avoid European Politics The United States was right in keeping “free and uncommitted” as to European affairs, in the belief of Eliot Wadsworth, assistant secretary of the Treasury, who recently returned from a successful diplomatic mission to Europe. Such a policy, he belleved, will not only aflow America to remain “strong.” to handle its own business effectively, and avoid entanglement of European politics in political cam- paigns here, but also will enable this nation eventually to prove of great- est benefit to Euvrope itself. The situation over the Ruhr is one| of the recent major difficulties which | which Mr. Wadsworth feels this gov-| ernment has escaped. a situation which would have caused this gov- ernment to declare itself, thereby aligning America, and bringing, or at least tempting, foreign influence in American political campaigns. Helped Fund Huge Debt. Mr. Wadsworth was special rep- resentative of the State Department to negotiate payment to this country of the $245,000,000 bill for the Amer- ican army of occupation on the Rhine. He went to Paris and brought back an agreement satisfactory to all—provided Germany pays. Through his experiences abroad with the al- lied representatives of FEurove, Mr. Wadsworth obtained first hand infor- mation on the situation there. He is secretary of the American debt com- mission, authorized by Congress to fund the war debts of the allies ‘o jthis country and participate in the now famous negotiations which re- i sulted in funding the British debt, the largest financial transaction in the history of the world. Forelgn interest in American do- mestic campaigns, Mr. Wadsworth believes, would threaten, had this government chosen the course of rat- ification of the Versailles treaty “Supposing for a moment,” ex- plained Wadsworth, “that the United States had officlally taken part in the discussion and confer- ences of the past three years, then surely our representatives ‘would have been forced to align the United States on one side or the other of the great questions which have been considered, questions Involviag Euro- pean national policies of the most in- tricate and changing nature. These representatives, in an effort to bring about results, must have taken de- cisions and thrown the influence of the United States in favor of or against the plans suggested. Must Have Publie Support. “European statesmen are quite aware today that even a very high official of this government must ulti- mately depend upon the approval of ! public epinion to make his acts ef- fective, In a situation which changes almost from day to day how could any American representative know what publie opinion would support? In fact, how could there be any in- telligent public opinion when it is difoult even for men on the ground to follow developments and under- stand what is back of them? The difterent attitudes taken by England on the question of reparations and the Ruhr under three ministries which rapldly followed each other is a good example of the difficulties which would confront this country in determining its cours “Suppose again,” he added, “that the United States through its official representatives had committed itself for or against the present action in the Ruhr; that stand could not fail to become a political issue in the next campaign. 1f would be an issue upon which the votera could not be fully informed, and yet the ult of the voting would be of paramount fmportance to the nations of Europe who would be affected. What na- tion. with its interests at stake, could resist the temptation of taking part in such a campaign?” Could Not Be Mandate. “That is one of the old arguments against the official presence of the United Stgte of Hurope; and eniy to make it more finl e Rubr as & typloal s in the political arena|i: would be constantly injected into ou: | elections “Such issues could not be clean-cut and the result of the election could rarely be considered as the judgment of a majority regarding them. The very issue most discussed in a can paign might be settled or completely changed between election day and inauguration. Campaigns must bs fought largely on domestic questions Party issues, the personality of the candidates or the running of a strong man on an independent ticket would have predominant influence on the re {sults. Few if any administrations could fairly consider an election as & | mandate covering our policy in Eu j rope for four years. | “There are domestic problems factng fus at home which are not too smal! to keep the best men that can be found for high government office am ply occupied. Our national finances taxes, the prosperity of the farmer industrial relations, railroads and shipping are a few of the many ques tions which press for constructive settlement. We alone can solve then We can ask no help from outside, no: do we intend to. The voters must de cide every so often into whose hands they will intrust the affairs of this nation. ‘Whoever may be chosen should represent the choice of the people, based upon home question and not upon any theoretical actio which may or may not be taken Europe. Critical Period for Nation. “In many ways this is as critical time for the United States as it s fc any other nation. ' | | grossed in the spectacular happenings |in Europe. I do not belittle our sel fish interest in the result of those happenings, but T feel deeply that our action as American citizens should ba controlled by what is best for the United States in the management of its own affairs. The United Stat Wadsworth continued, solvent nation. No such developme has ever occurred before in the world No such democratic government has ever existed. We are a great ex periment, and a very syccessful one We see great nations which for gen erations had been looked upon A+ stable bevond question struggling to day in a crisis which may wreck their government, finance and industry. and turning to us for help, “The world needs the United States needs us at our very best, strong in government, sound in finance and in- dustry, The broad sympathy of the American people, together with ar energetic, ever present desire among American business men to build up and not tear down, must give assur- ance that others will not suffer, but will benefit as we achieve social ad vancement and prosperity. “By keeping ourselves free and ur- committed, by keeping strong, b: handling our own business efficientiy we are, in the long run, conservink and building up a force which has and will prove of untold benefit in the re-establishment of Europe.” Backs Star’s Stand On Needless Noise To the Editor of The Star: On behalf of a long suffering public. allow me to heartily indorse your edi- torlal In Monday's Star, entitled ‘Needless Nolse Personally, how- ever, 1 feel that it was not half severe enough ‘to fit the gravity of the case Apparently nothing whatever s done by ‘the police to enforce the ordi- nance agalnst the use of muffler cut- outs, Why should some irresponsible 0y ‘or man on motor cycle or truck be allowed to disturb and annoy miles of peqple, simply because he likes the noise of his engine? Probably not more than 50 per cent of all the trucks in the city have any muffler at all on them, not to men- tion the continual use of cut-outs on the other 60 per cent, A little personal survey will quickly confirm this fact. ‘While on this subject, why should not the ordinance against excessively nforced, 1 ]lmokm[ cars be have seen the traffic officer prom- ent street intersection completely obscured by smoke g