Evening Star Newspaper, May 28, 1924, Page 6

o THE EVENING STAR With Sunday Morning Edition. WASHINGTON, D. C. ‘WEDNESDAY.....May 28, 1924 - THEODORE W. NOYES. .. .Editor The Evening Star Newspaper Company Business Office, 11th St. and Pennsylvania Ave. New York Office: 110 East 42nd Chicago Office: Tower Duilding Earopean Office: 16 Regent St., London, England. The Eveniog S th the Sunday morning edition, fs delivered by carriers within the city per month: daily only, 43 Sunday oniy, 20 cents’ pe ¥ be sent by mail or t Colleetion i3 made by car ¢h month. phone Main 5000, Tiers at the end of ¢ Rate by Mail—Payable in Advance, Maryland and Virginia. Dally and Sunday..1yr., $8.40; 1 mo., 70¢ Daily only $6.00 ; 1 mo., 50¢ Sunday only. 40} 1 mo., 20¢ All Other States. Dally and Sunday.1 yr., $10.00; 1 mo., 85¢ Daily oaly . J1¥r, $7.00:1mo, 60c Sunday only 1yr, $3.00;1mo. Member of the Associated Press. The Awsociated Press is exclusively entitle to the use for republication of all news di patches credited o it or ot otherw ai In this paper and also the locul news pub. liahed Terein. All rights of publication of epecial dispatches herein are also rese — e Senator La Follette's Position. Senator La Follette of Wisconsin, in a letter to a constituent made public today, answers the question which has been uppermost for weeks in the minds of the politicians, both Demo- crats and Republicans, whether he is likely to head a third party ticket in the presidential campaign. He asserts that private monopoly controls the of- ficlal machinery of both the Demo- cratic and Republican parties; that the people demand the elimination of monopoly, the downfall of the corrupt political bosses, the adoption of truly progressive principles and the repudi- ation of those great campaign con- tributors who have in the past “bought up” both parties. The approaching Democratic and Republican conventions, he says, will show whether either of the two old parties can or will purge itself of the evil influences which have long dom- inated them. If this is not done, Sena- tor La Follette says, “The people will find in the coming campaign effective means, independent of both these old parties, to take back control of their government and make it truly repre- sentative.” This statement can only be con- strued as indication of the senator's intention to head a third party. It is not likely that either the Democratic or Republican party will plead guilty to Senator La Follette’s indictment, and certainly will not attempt to write a platform calculated to receive his full indorsement. It seems very probable, therefore, that the senator is getting ready to set up an independent party. He is apparently unmoved by the handicap of lack of an organization. Indeed, in the same statement he warns progres- sives away from the Farmer-Labor convention which is to meet in St. Paul June 17, charging the Farmer- Labor party to be tinctured with com- munism. If Senator La Follette does lead a third party movement the whole as- Peat of the presidential campaign will change with a possibility of the elec- tion of President and Vice President being thrown into Congress. o Death Traps. A place in Newark, N. J., called a hotel was burned vesterday morning and six people lost their lives. They were trapped on the top floor by the flames, three in one room evidently seeking the safety exit. The building had been made into a rooming house over a store downstairs. The floors and partitions were of wood. It was a fire-trap. The bullding department of the city inspected it on the 30th of April last, when the license expired. ‘The fire and health departments had also inspected it. The reports on file indicate that all provisions of the law/| had been met. A renewal of the license would have followed in due course, and meanwhile the hotel was being used. ‘There are hundreds of just such places in this country, buildings that are in use as dormitories, lodging houses and socalled hotels, where many thousands of people sleep, and where the safeguards against fire are so slight as to be negligible. The space 18 subdivided into cubicles by thin boarding. The floors are of wood. In some cases the stairways are not only wooden, but the space heneath them {8 used for storage of inflamma- ble materials. On the outSide, where the laws are observed, are metal fire escapes, but, as this Newark fire shows, flames may spread so quickly within that these outlets cannot be reached. Are there any such places in Wash- ington, flimsy, inflammable rooming houses where transients are stowed away closely in conditions to make a holocaust possible at any time? This question should be answered at once by a thorough inspection of all the places that pass as hotels and lodging houses. A high standard of security should be established. If under the present laws In force here a death trap like that at Newark can be used for the housing of numbers of people the laws should be changed as speedily as possible. A dark horse too early mentioned ‘ceases to be one. = o i War Waves. Much has been heard recently about the invention of a terrible agency of warfare, a death-dealing ray capable of destroying armies, cities, instan- taneously. An Englishman claims to have perfected,such a device, and is at this moment dodging an injunction in an effort to negotiate for the dis- posal of his secret to a French cor- poration. He is frankly in the market for the highest bldder. Another Eng- Iishman has been reported as invent- ing such a ray—if the word invention can be epplied to the ray and not the means of producing it. There have been reports also of & German sclen- tist who has worked out a scheme of wholesale destruction by vibratory means. Thus far there is nothing tangible in the premises. Laboratory tests, it appears, have been made of the device of the first-mentioned inventor in ing of a small electric lamp from a short distance by a special motor without wires. This test has been de- clared to be inconclusive, not war- ranting the payment by the British government of the immense sum de- manded. If such a ray has been discovered, and the means of producing it on a large scale invented, warfare in the future will be unspeakably horrible. The frightfulnesy of the great war will be mildness in comparison. Natu- rally this thought comes that war on such a basis would be impossible, be- cause it is very effective. Yet that was suggested when the superengines of destruction were developed only a few years ago. If an Englishman can and has found a way of creating and directing a de- structive ray of the force and range claimed for this present death-dealing agency others surely can and will do as much. There is no monopoly on in- ventiveness. But there is ground for questioning the fact itself. If this man has actually found means of creating and controlling such a terrible force he has certainly acted in a manner to cast doubt upon his good faith. The mere announcement of the discovery impugns his integrity. His willingness to bargain for its control, to go shop- ping for the highest bidder, weakens faith in his accomplishment. Scientifically, however, there is no valid ground for doubt that vibratory forces may be found and harnessed capable of wholesale destruction. The ‘wonders of radio are only now unfold- ing. Constantly new achievements in the use of what was some time ago called the Hertzian wave are advanc- ing. Inventors by the tens of thou- sands are studying and experimenting and new accomplishments are of fre- quent record. Literally no one knows the possibilities. ——— The Berlin Bear Garden. Yesterday the German Reichstag became a ‘“bear garden,” like the Par- liament at Vienna in former times, when the sessions there were frequent- 1y enlivened by hostilities. The occa- sion was the opening of the assembly, the first meeting since the election. The Communists were the chief dem- onstrators, with the extreme National- ists a close second. The former screamed objurgations at certain mem- bers of the Reichstag as their names were called, notably Ludendorf, while the Nationalists vented their anger upon the members of the left. The chamber was a pandemonium during practically the entire session, and after adjournment the Communis singing the “Internationale, their opponents countered “Deutschland Uber Alle: Perhaps after this exhibition of cat- calling and epithet-throwing and com- petitive singing the Reichstag will set- tle down to business. But there is ground for some apprehension. The feelings on the extreme right and left are exceedingly bitter. These two fac- tors, Communists and Monarchists, are implacable foes. The center may be able to hold the balance. But mean- while a ministry must be organized, and President Ebert is meeting diffi- culty in finding a man to form and lead it. Nobody seems to want the job of chancellor. Interest in German affairs outside of that country is mainly confined to the question of whether the Reichstag will ratify the Dawes reparations plan and thus start the process of set- tlement which is so essential to Euro- pean peace, and therefore to world stability. As for the Monarchists and Communists, they may be left to con- tinue their fight for advantage, with but little concern beyond the German boundaries save as that single ques- tion is affected. The presence of these two extreme wings in the Reichstag is in itself a safeguard against the dom- inance of either. In other words, Ger- many is not likely to “go bolshevik” through adoption of the Communist with program, "or ‘go junker” through a monarchical reaction. But Germany must get down to business in the mat- ter of reparations. A workable, equita- ble plan has been proposed. A plan more acceptable, more easily fulfilled by Germany, is improbable. ‘The New York man who committed suicide by inhaling carbon monoxide from the exhaust of his automobile at least enabled the motor to function as a death dealer without endangering the general public by reckless driving. Tt is conceded by Mr. McAdoo that there may be enough competition in the Democratic national convention to provide an excuse for the delegates to get together and become acquainted. Berlin politicians look to the future rather than to the past. and are will- ing to try enything except the ex- kalser. The German government continues to be & prolonged cabinet crisis. Park Commission Bill. - The Senate bill to create & commis- sion to provide for the systematic and continuous development of the parks and playgrounds of Washing- ton has been passed by the House by a declsive vote. All proposed amend- ments to limit the term of the com- mission and to reduce the amount which it may spend were voted down. A few changes relating to the member- ship of*the commission were made, but it s believed that the Senate will agree to these modifications. The bill should do much for the Capital. The commission is authorized “to acquire such lands es in its judgment shall be necessary and desirable in the District of Columbia end edjacent aereas in Maryland and Virginia,” and may ex- pena $1,100,000 & year for this purpose. An amendment to limit ‘the term of the commission to twenty years was voted down, end another amendment to reduce the sum which the commis- sion may spend to $600,000 & year was also rejected. The original bill provided that the commission should consist of the Sec- retary of the Treasury, Secretary of ‘Waer, chairmen of the House and Sen- ate committees on public bulldings and grounds and the Engineer Com- missioner of the District, and an amendment adopted by the House pro- vides that instead of the chairmen of the public buildings and grounds com- mittess the chairmen of the House THE EVINIITHG STAR, WASHIN and Senate District committees shall be named. It shall be the duty of the commission to preserve forest and natural scenery in and adjacent to the District, to provide for systematic and continuous development of parks and playgrounds, to conserve the stream flow of Rock Creek and other creeks 1nd prevent pollution of the Potomac, the Anacostia and tributary creeks near the Capital. This measure has been in the mak- Lag for a long time, but a distinct im- pulse was given the proposal by the Anerican Civic Association and the copamittees which were organized un- der* its auspices in fifty cities for the puryrose of making future Washington word hier as the Capital of the United Statws. In support of the plan written inte legislative form in the current bill the American Civic Association, in the course of its convention at Wash- ington in March, adopted resolutions in whi~h was set forth that “Washing- ton has lost areas vital to its park sys- tem bocause Congress has been slow to act.” The association said that “When it is required to add a single lot or acs"e to the park system so much circumlavution is required that it is hardly remarkable that one plot after another lvas been put to private uses by its owner.” There is a sertiment that the growth of Washigyrton shall be regulated by a program which will extend to the new Washi'ngton the general princi- ples of the original plan of the city. Various iruportant national associ: tions, as tihw> American Civic Assoc tion, American Institute of Architects and the Gaiden Club of America have recently urged that the growth of ‘Washington be directed in agreement with the plas of the city founders, ———— Seventeen naen sentenced to death for grafting under the soviet govern- ment will malce a busy day for the executioner. T'he method is rather rough for a soe ial system inaugurated with so many #dealistic claims. e There 18 no dearth of political leader- ship in America, European crities to the contrary, potwithstanding. Too many leaders, etich with an obstinate following, may constitute an embar- rassment of intedlectual riches. -—aon—s. As was feared would be the case, ar- rangements were made to do a litte profiteering on the soldiers’ bonus long before the soldier was ready to collect it. —ate Motorists must keep their license plates with sufficient neatness to en- able the police to read them. This Is one phase of the clean-up, paint-up movement that will have authoritative backing. e News that another Republican dele- gation will vote to nominate Calvin Coolidge creates no stir. Only a dele- gation intending to-do otherwise could claim attention as a novelty. So much discussion of “closed shop'” has arisen on Broadway that the casual ghserver may find it hard to decide whether the American theater represents art or a labor problem. s i A few defeats do not prevent Car- pentier from being popular. There is such a thing as personality in the prize ring as well as on more serious platforms. r———— A President can always depend on enough opposition in Congress to pre- vent him from being pictured to the country as an autocrat. SHOOTING STARS. BY PHILANDER JOHNSON, More Investigation. ©Oh, where is the queen of the May? A May day is long overdue. The skies are not gay, but persistently gray ‘When we know that they ought to be blue. While we're studying things that go wrong, It's time to look into the facts ‘With a protest so strong, very learned and long On the way that the weather man acts. You may say that it fsn’t his fault; But that makes a difference small, As the storm clouds aseault all the heavenly vault And the rain drops continue to fall. ‘We're aware that he isn’t to blame. He's an innocent prophet at most. But a victim we claim and we say, Jjust the same, It's the weather man's turn for a roast! The Brass Band. “You do not care for the brass band at a convention?” “It reminds me of human fickle- ness,” explained Senator Sorghum. “The members of the average band are just as happy end contented while playing ‘Farewell, Forever,’ as they were while playing ‘Hall to the Chiet." " Ever Voting. ‘We are e voting nation. ‘We vote on questions vexed, And then make preparation For the vote that's coming next, At $14 Per Day. “Aren’'t you going to paper your walls?” “No, indeed,” answered Mr. Cum- rox. “We don't propose to hide our ability to afford large areas of genuine plasterin, Jud Tunkins says crime is gettin’ to be so common he hopes it'll soon be unfashionable. < Improvement, “Divorces are sad affairs.” “And yet,” ventured Miss Cayenne, “they frequently show better tastéand ‘dscernment than the marriages did.” ‘Uncomplaining. The farmer says he wants relief ‘While homegrown fare he munches. ‘The city person hides his grief And hits the dairy lunches. “Stid o’ learnin’ by experience,” said Uncle Eben, “some of us git kind of attached to our mistakes an' go on TON, D. C . Mussolini Depicts Italy’s Rebirth Rescue of Nation From “Caste” of Politicians Reviewed— World Views. BY EDWARD PRICE BELL. (Special Dispatch to The Star and Chicago Daily News. Copright, 1024.) ROME, May 28.—“When we sup- pressed manlacal and disastrous strikes in Italy, partieularly in the postal and other public utility services, there was an outery in some duarters that we were trampling upon liberty,” sald Sig. Mussolini, in continuing his discussion of the Fascist movement and its accomplishments in Italy. “Upon what liberty? If we were trampling upon liberty, we were trampling upon no liberty except that of the labor azitators to overthrow the state, to enslave the people, to destroy industry and commerce, to threaten our peninsula with famine and to wipe out the priceless heritage of genera- tions of Italian valor, culminating at Vittorio Ventao. To that sort of liberty fascismo is, verily, an enemy. And let it be remembered, in con- nection with all this, that when we struck at the monstrous pretensions of the walking delegates we did not offend honest labor; we lifted up honest labor's heart from the Alps to the Tonian Sea. “It is_sald that fasclsmo is aristo- cratic. So It is. It belleves in a civil- ization of high ethics and high culture. But in what respect is the spirit of a people, of the common people—I never flatter them — dissoclated in sym- pathy from high ethics and hig ture? scismo’s aristocracy aristoera of the spirit, the aristoc- racy of order, of law, against the tumult of the instincts and of popular passions. Charges against me and against fascismo of hostility to the workers are grotesque. Fancismo’s Attitude Toward Labor. “Work! Who works more than T, With dozens of committees coming into this room every day and with appeals continually flung on my desk reflecting the urgent needs of the 8,000 com- munes of Italy—appeals, by the way, not for the ‘liberty’ our opponents de- clare our people have lost, but for aid in {mproving the living conditions and safeguarding the health of the masses. Work 1 regard as the highest virtue of man and as the most powerful mani- Testation of the health of a people. Itallan workers were among the ori inal Fascistl, and today fascismo has a strong majority of them, together with small bourgeolsie who are nearer to the Working class than to what you call the middle class. But 1 prefer that fascismo's attitude toward labor should be deduced from its conception of the state, hich b to no one unless to th who serve it; and the square- cornered, firm, solid, unruffied Italian Worker serves his country no less than does any one else. Your creed of liberty embraces the economic field? “1’4m for the greatest economic Iiberty, The strong state does not in the least mean the state that wishes Yo do everything for itself and by it- self. On the contrary, I am convinced that the stronger the state the great- er is the effective liberty within which the economic life develops. Economic enterprise has as much need of liberty at home as of security abroad.” Clearing the Ground. “Fascismo has been destructive as well as constructive?’ “Oh, yes. It had a great fabric to erect—the fabric of 4 new Italy—and the bullding site was badly cumbered. It was cumbered by the debris of so- clalistic and demagogic wrongs and fallures. Unwarranted privileges, cor- rupt politics, bolshevistic madness, uneconomic laws, called for removal House rent ordinances were confi cating property, paralyzing bullding and opening before tens of thousands of people the prospect of no roof to cover their heads. Radical laws and regulations shielded strikers. Confis catory inheritance dutles were ¢ couraging thrift and small property and driving capital out of the cou try. All thes hts, these Poct-war _deposits, fascismo. . swept from the building site of Italian na- tional life—not always, perhaps, do- ing its work too tenderly—befol commencing the erection of the new state.” “What are some of the constructive achievements?” “Italy's budget balanced: war fet- ters on liberty and property broke: confiscatory land legislation scrap- ped; limited suffrage granted to wom- en: rellgion reintroduced into the public schools; majority rule asserted GOver coalescing minoritles; tax dodg- ers rounded up; paper circulation de. creased; popular savings enormously death duties abolished in the interest of the family EToup; out- flow of Itallan capital stopped: inflow of forelgn capltal started; the lira appreciated; lubor given the eight- hour day: value of government se- curitles enhanced; rallroad traffic aug- mented; strikes abolished and unem- ployment reduced almost to the .van- ishing point. Effects of Immigration Laws, “Italy s tranquil. Italy is working. The equal of her stability is scarcely to be found in Furope. Yet the Ital- Comes to Cats’ Defense. Humane League Head Takes Issue With Writer. To the Editor of The Star: I have had sent to me the untrue and exaggerated statements made by Rev. Noel J. Allen with regard to cats. It is sent me as coming from your paper. Mr. Allen evidently does not know anything about cats, he is simply their enemy. If he knew more about them, he would not write such ridiculous statements. I have kept cats all my life, and have been president of a large hu- mane soclety for twenty-three years. I get letters from all over the coun- try, and even from across the ocean. If anybody knows anything about cats, T ought to, from the many re- ports and letters I get weekly, and I am amazed at the statements made by Mr. Allen. I have known, in the course of my life, just one cat among the thousands I have known person- ally and heard of, just one that ate its young, but I never have known of a cat killing a child by its poisonous breath or mutilating the corpse; fn fact, I have had cats brought to our headquarters several times that were taken from rooms where their owners had died alone, and the cats were found shut up in the rooms with the dead bodies nearly starved, but the bodies were untouched. One case hap- pened recently where two beautiful Angora cats were found in_the room with a man and wife who had taken gas, and they were lying dead in the room, but the cats had no§succumbed to the gas and were still living, and we had difficulty in getting them and in bringing them to the league. I get many letters from lonely women whose only companionship is their cats, and thése cats are as loving and companionable as anybody could wish. Comparing them to the men and boys: who shoot and kill birds, the former are greatly in the majority. When birds are extermi- nated, if they ever are, it will be by men and not by cats. 1 have.recently, ascertalned by lét- ters of inquiry, that in Massachusetts there are 138,000 combined licenses i8sued, and of these about 90,000 give the privilege of hunting. Any ‘boy between the ages of fifteen and eight- een, on application for a license ac- companied by a letter from parent or guardlan, can get a license simply by paying the fee of $1.50. Mr. Win. throp Packard writes me: “There mo test as to mentality or ability to saything plse; 1an people are grievously taxed. Pro- portionately to their economic possi- bilitles they are bearing a greater tax burden than any other people in the world. Our economic situation, and consequently our living conditions, are made worse by foreign immigra- tion laws, which Wiminish our capac- ity for finding work for our people. “What is your opinion of the Im- migration policy apparently fore- shadowed In America?" Sig. Mussolini was standing when I asked this question. He fixed his dark brown eyes upon mine, lifted his right hand, and said slowly and sol- emnly: “I should think it very sad if Amer- fea shut her gates against the people who produced her discoverer. Selec- tive immigration He stopped, sat down and bent over a paper on his desk. One knew what he meant. He meant that, as Italians see it, propgsals not based upon the principle of ‘selection for fitness, but based upon the principle of race or m"llmnn]lty, seem to find favor in Washington. Thoughtful Italians re- gard. themselves and Americans as thnologically the two youngest na- tons of the worli—both old stocks modified by Innumerable foreign in- cursions, both melting pots, but both retaining unimpaired their raclal pri- malities. Such Italians feel that neither ~Italo-Americans nor thelr brethren at home have done anything to forfelt American confidece in them as American citizens. Quite the contrary is the belief, and by way of proof one is reminded of the record of Italo-American soldiers In France and of Italian soldiers on the precip- itous battlefields of the Alps. Italy Too Small for Its People. “Slg. Mussolini, we should like very mueh to have vour honest view of tiits immigration matter.” “It 18 a matter of deep interest and real importance to Italy. Our emo- tions are enlisted because of our his- torical and cultural relations with America, and because of our nation- alistic {dentity. Vast numbers of ltalians have gone to America, have become loyal American citizens, have fought for America, and_yet know and love Italy. These Italo-Amer- icans, as we regard them, are an in- valuable link between our civiliza- tions and a force for the integration of the world. Those of our citizens who g0 to America and return to us an Influence for Italo-American anding and whatever promotes such understanding is a beneficent thing for both countries, “We are by no means ignorant of Amerfea’s difficulties {n respect of im- migration. Her right and duty to protect herself against undesirable allens are clear. Italy certainly would not dream of asking her to accept imm ts likely to burden or embarrass her. We do not want to send our diseased or insane or dan- gerous peoplo to the United States It is of sound Italians we are thin ing when we discuss immigration with your country. Our peninsula is too small, too rocky, too hilly, too mountainous, pport_our 40,000,- 000 and their increase. Only a third of the little land we have is tillable and we possess few mineral resources. Turn Naturally Toward America, “In a word, we are subject to great and growing emigratory pressure and our people naturally turn toward Co- lumbia. They are good workers, sen- sible folk, orderly by nature, healthy in mind and body, heirs of a long and triumphant historical struggle. They will be a source of strength, not of weakness, to any soclety they join. We feel it strange that any one's on immigration fn America should appear to favor Germans, for example, over Italians. Only the other day Americans and Italians ere fighting together to defeat Germanic tyrann: Besldes, there is much greater ial unrest in Ger- many and much more bolshevism than there is in Italy, I do not wish to say anything harsh about the Germans or about any other people. Neither do I wish to be understood as suggesting that America should admit fewer Germans within her gates. I merely am inti- mating that I should find it hard to reconcile any American immigration proposals more favorable to Germans than to Italians with what I conceive to be a rightful appreciation of the virtues of my fellow countrymen. Italy's need for larger opportunities for her people was greatly increased by her material sacrifices in the gen- eral struggle r freedom. ‘This struggle not only wrecked our eco- nomic life, but put upon our tax- payers a_debt burden amounting to more than six-tenths of our national wealth, I have confidence that full discussion, attended by mutual sym- pathy, will result in a happy settle- ment of the Italo-American immigra- tion_problem.” “You would say a sense of dignity lies at the core of nationality?" “Absolutely. Without a sense of dignity there s no nationality. With- out a sense of dignity, indeed, there is no individuality. (Signor Mussolini's story of tha Fascist movement will be continued in tomorrow’s Star.) Aroused By Bonus. Veteran Unable to Understand Action of Congre To tve Editor of The Star: It is charitable to assume that some day we may know some really good rea- son why the bonus allowance was grant- ed despite the President's veto and re- gardless of the attitude of a majority of the veterans themselves who were op- posed to the idea of “tipping” American soldiers for patriotic service to the na- tional family and unwilling to lend themselves to the imposition of a crush- ing additional tax upon the already overburdened. Amongst all my Army associates with whom I have discussed this bonus gratuity I know of but one who held it in favor. It is regrettable that those ‘who objected had not the lever of or- ganization such as was exerted by those who worked for the mercenary grab. 1 belleve that there are today 2,000,000 ex-service men who would be glad to round out their service records in the office of the adjutant general in Wash- ington by the honorable citation that they declined to take the bonus in recog- nition of their help in saving their own and thefr nelghbors’ homes from con- flagration. uring the present and coming trou- blous days it seems to many that they would rather wear a little true-blue button of “Bonus Declined” than that of any other token of American distinc- tion. ‘There are those who would prefer the ‘Treasury certificate, and if that com- pensates them by all means let's dismiss the debt, but at the same time remind them that it is shifted to their families and friends and their children for a lifetime or so. Let's have an enrollment of service ‘men who want to save the country a bil- lion dollars by refusing to be tipped. JOSEPH GRAY KITCHELL. would-be hunter simply goes to the town clerk, demands a license, pays the fee, and gets it.” Cannot these men who are so deeply interested in birds so that they make exaggerated statements against the very necessary cat turn some of their attention to greater restrictions on the licensing of boys to go out hunt. ing? It seems to me it would be do- ing more good. Sincerely yours, MRS. HUNTINGTON SMITH, 7 WEDNESDAY, MAY 28, 1924 Politics at Large BY N. 0. MESSENGER ‘The fai med and justly celebrated “dark horse” is coming into his own these days in Democratic presidential politics. “The woods are full of them.” 'fhe politiclans in looking over the pasture where potential can- didates are in the open do not see one that is likely to make the running, in their opinfon, and feel that perforce they must ultimately cast about for a dark horse. * ok Kk Willlam G. McAdoo continues to gather In delegates—and so does Gov. Alfred E. Smith of New York—but the politicians do not see either of these avowed candidates getting the requisite two-thirds. They are only likely to have sufficient votes to make it possible for either one to kill off the other by withholding one-third of the conventfon. * ok ok ok Now threatens more trouble for the Democratic and Republican national committees, against the time when their treasurers will start “passing the hat” for campalgn contributions. Con- gress is after them with a proposed law to require full publicity of all glfts to the committees, which is cal- culated to dry up many sources of contributions “available in the past and curtail the free flow of cash in others. The most far-reaching attempt to curb corrupt practices in politics campaigns thus far at ted 1s con talned In the amend to postal salary bill in th nate la Monday, which was adopted una It requires th 4 committees of all parties to make a public statement every ten days dur- ing the progress of the campaign of the names of all contributors a the amount of their offering. In the past a public accounting was rendered in the close of the campalgn, but it is pointed out that by that time the damage was done. * Kk ¥ X Another drastic feature of tha pro- posed new law is that the wording of it will prevent evasion of the, law limiting contributions in the time- honored practice of splitting up con- tributions under several mames. In this law severe penaltfes will attach if they “get caught at it.” ublic i3 likely to glve its full if Congress passes the law it_applicable to the coming campaign for the general elections Testimony was adduced in the o hearings to show that the practic has prevailed among certain corpoi tions of contributing heavily to ca: palgn funds, with the specific exp: tion of receiving favors at the hands of officials. More than that, in order to make sure of “standing in" with the officials the same corpora- tions would sometimes give equally to both leading parti * ox % % The legitimate expenses of national campalgns have increased greatly in recent years and the !mpending cam- paign will require the expenditure of vast sums legitimately. After all is said and done, why should a citizen be afrald to be identified as aiding his party to success if he believes its policies are best and safest for the country and its candidates most worthy? He is playing for his own interests in supporting his party, as he thinks, and he ought to be willing to pay as he pla and be not afraid to have it known, * o ok % Democratic women are intent upon making a determined effort in the Democratic national convention for a vigorous plank on legislation affect- ing women and children. The Na- tional League of Woman Voters has some planks which it hopes the Demo- atic party will adopt. Mrs. Emily Newell Blair, vice chairman of the Democratic national committee, com- mends them, but thinks that the Democratic party should adopt still stronger plank: “While 1 am not able to speak for the platform committee,” says Mrs. Blair, “nor predict what planks will De adopted at the national convention, vet I belleve I can speak upon what the Democratic women want. I am sure they are urgent for a stronger international policy than thatadopted by the League of Woman Voters. * x ok % “The league's plank,” declares Mrs. Blalr, “does not even declare for the Harding-Hughes proposal for inter- national relations, but advocates a vague policy for participation in ‘in- ternational conferences. The women in the Democratic party would be dis- appointed Jf their party did not adopt & plank promising more definite for- eign relations than suggested in the league's plank. “The league's statement that the Democratic platform of 1920 contain- ed all but one of the woman voters' planks, while the Republican plat- form of the same year had but five of the eleven shows the respective atti- tude of the two parties toward legls- lation affecting women and children and good government in general.” * X X X New York political gossip has it that Willlam G. McAdoo, if he finds he cannot make the grade for the nomination, may attempt to swing his forces to Senator Carter Glass of Virginia, and that this possibility is a menace to Gov. Alfred E. Smith's prospects. On the other hand, it is sald there is very grave doubt of the ability of Mr. McAdoo to turn his entire following over to any candi- date hailing from the south, owing to the perennial opposition of north- ern democrats to accepting & south- ern candidate. Senator Glass, In a speech in Phila- delphia last Monday, said some very nice things about Mr. McAdoo, pre- dicting his nomination. “The Virginia senator was very skeptical about his own nomination, even in event of the failure of Mr. McAdeo to secure the nomination. *x X ¥ % The New York World, one of the leading Democratic dailles of the country, which has been insisting all along that Mr. McAdoo should not and cannot be nominated, came out yesterday In editorial support of either Senator Glass or Senator Rob- inson of Arkansas, the Democratic Senéte leader, as available presi- dential timber. * % ok % The Republicans are still “up in the air’ over their vice presidential possibilities. “Somebody from west of the Mississippi” seems about all they can agree upon when looking the field over. The definite impression prevails among Republican politicians that Gen. Charles G. Dawes cannot be prevailed upbn to become a candl- date for the vice presidential nomi- nation, although he is a wide favorite with many Influential Republican leaders. Former Gov. Frank O. Lowden {s another prime favorite, although there are hints that he does not warm up to the proposition very ardently. However, there is little doubt h might reient if it were suggested that he was “drafted.” * Ok ok % It is likely-that the prospective new chairman of the Republican na- tional committee, Wiliam M. Butler of Massachusetts, will spend most of his time in Chicago during the cam- palgn for the election. It is recog- nized that the battle will be fought flercely in the middle west and north- west, of region Chicago is the ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS BY FREDERIC J. HASKIN Q. Please give number of members of Congress, divided as to Repub- licans and Democrats?—F. C. F. A. At the present. time members of Congress are divided as follows: Rep- resentatives—Republicans, 225; Dem- ocrats, 207; Farm Labor, 1; Socialist, 1; independent, 1. Senators—Repub- Hoawie; (81 Daniceatal 43; Farm La- or, 2. Q. Will you be kind enough, to state whether radlo waves will go through silver’—E. V. W. A. Silver is the best conductor that can be obtained. Q. Why s the bark on most trees ridged lengthwise’—M. F. A. The forest service says that the diameter growth of the tree splits the bark into vertical lines, causing the lengthwise ridges. Q. What kind of thread should be used to sew base balls?—W. G. H. A. The thread used in sewing the best grade of base balls of one make is the best sea isle cotton with a silk finish, and beeswax Is used on ft after the needle is threaded. The balls are hand-sewed. Q. When was the first old folks home founded?—R. S. H. . A. Accounts are not very definite concerning the es! first_home exclusively for the aged In England in early days and in Ge any at the end of the seventeenth tury there were hospitals to which the aged and infirm could Suc a hospital was founded by s s near Winchester, England, in 1136, and another, the Coningsby Hospital at Hereford, was founded in 1614. Q. What is the inscription on a post office to the effect that nothing stops the faithful mail carriers in the performance of their duties?— HV.T A. The New York City post | bears the following inscription: ther snow nor rain nor he: gloom of night stays these carriers from the swift completion of their appolnted rounds.” Q. What causes some asparagus to have a bitter taste after it is cook- ed?—J. L. A. The Department of Agriculture saye that it is gegerally supposed that the bitter taste is due to slow growth, hot weather while growing. and im- proper fertilization. This, however, is a moot question. Q. How many American soldiers lost. their eyesight in the world war? A. There are 688 men who lost one eve or the sight of ono eve in the world war, and sixty-six who lost both eves or the sight of both eves Q. What has become of the Kan- sas Court of Industrial Relations?— s 3. H. A. The Kansas Court of Industrial Relations is still functioning and may be addressed at the State House, Topeka, Kans. Q. How long does it take to dril an ofl well about 1500 feet deep?— A. The Bureau of Mines says that an ofl well about would usually he drilled by the standard ble tool method in about sixty davs provided the formations to be drilled are of moderate hardness. This is based upon the time of the beginning of the rig to the final com- pletion of the well. Q. H.OH. A. Empress Fugenie dled at Mad- rid, Spain, on the 12th of July, 1920. IN TODAY’S Is Empress Eugenie alive?— 1,500 feet deep | During her_exile sho resided prin< cipally at Parnboroush shire, o i , Hampshir Q. Why doesn't all the fruit om & o ripen at the same time’—H. H. A. There are several reasons for this. In some instances this will be a characteristic of c varietes. The exposure of the sun is another factor, fruits being directly «xposed ripening first. Thers is also some Aff- ence in the fruit where th. fryit grown In clusters. It is intcresting to note that the center one will ripen in advance of the others. Thi- {s be- cause it is fertilized with poilen be- fore the others are. Q Is the “king's s to enlisting fiction or 1 A. The king's or queen a shilling given by a recruit to a recruit, was until 1789 ceptance cons {listment in the Q. Please tell me the names of the sons and grandsons of Benjamin Har- rison, one of the signers of the Declaration of Independenc M. H. C. A. Benjamin Harrison, the signer of the Declaration of Indepcndence, had three sons, Benjamin Hurrison of Berkeley, whose son was also named Benjamin Harrison; sccond, William Henry Harrison s vas John Scott Harrison, and thirdly, (8} rison w his gra was twenty modern This valuable wood into wider use in modern ing, particularly in such decks and pi constantly expo er. Teakwood worms do not e dowed this woc oil which kee either offensive destructive te oming ild- or pofsonous do largest artifistal on the face of the Q. What is the defense structure earth?—T. M. A. The Great W greatest barrier b extends for about north of China partly formed tf Q. Who s using cartoons or fanciful pictures to illustrate titles in moving pictures?—C. L. B A. Harry Myers is credited with the innovation, having drawn such cartoons to illustrate titles for mov- ies of which he was both director and star. Q. Is it true that the fi duces light without heat?—T. G. 1. A. A sclentist who has experi mented with problems of light pro- ductfon informs us that the firefly gives off no heat which can be de- tected. An infini 1, degreo "ot 11 of China is the v _man and s in the which it ted fiv pro- the light is known to be p combustion and the: combustion withou simply has, as a 1 chine, a_much any machine man make, It shows what enormous pos- sibilities of improvement tiwre are in our own methods of light produc- tion, en able to (Readers of The Evening Star should send their questions to The Star I formation Bureau. Frederic J. Hask Director, 1220 North Capitol stre only charge for this servic stamps for return postage.) SPOTLIGHT BY PAUL V. COLLINS The twentleth anniversary con- ference on child labor is in session at the Washingtori Hotel. The Sen- ate is about to consider an amend- ment to the. Constitution (already passed by the House) as follows: “Section 1. The Congress shall have power to 1imit, regulate and prohibit the labor of persons under eighteen vears of age. “Section 2. The power of the sev- eral states {s unimpaired by this ar- ticle, except that the operation of state laws shall be suspended to the extent necessary to give effect to leg- islation enacted by the Congress.” Some of the promoters of this legis- lation want the United States to adopt child protection as radical as that of China, India and Japan—or even New Zealand. * Xk Ok ‘The control of child labor is a question of dollars and sense. The lower the earning power of the parents, the higher the mortality and illiteracy of their children. Ten states have more than 10 per cent of their children ten to fifteen years old at work in mills or mines, and these states have high percentages of fgnorance and squalor. Alabama has 24.1 per cent of her children earn- ing wages, and her {lliteracy is 16.1. Mississipp! has 25.5 per cent at work and her flliteracy is 17.2. South Carolina has 24.4 per cent of her children at work and her census {l- literacy is 18.1, while by the Army test, it was found that over 60 per cent of her white soldiers could not read por write. None of these states protect their children on a par with any European country. * ok ok X Practically all Europe forbids labor in factorles of children under four- teen years of age. Soviet Russia pro- hibits working children under sixteen years of age. Indla has a six-hour per day law for children under fifteen years; China has an eight-hour per day limit for children under seven- teen years and prohibits night work in factorfes by boys under seventeen years and by girls under eighteen years—as do nearly all Furopean nations. Only about a quarter of our states so protect girls from night ‘work. * % ok Xk The agitation for federal regulation of child labor (supplementing but not prohibiting state legislation), be- gan In 19806, by a bill introduced in the Senate, but it took ten years to pass the first law on the subject. That law (in_1916) was adopted through the personal urgency of President Wilson, who appeared un. announced at the Capitol a few days before adjournment to urge the pas- sage of the_child iabor bill introduced Dby Senator Lodge. Three days before it went into ef- fect, 1917, the enforcement Was en- jolned in’ North Carolina, and nine months later, the Supreme Court, by a decision of 5 to 4, held that the provision forbidding interstate or for- elgn commerce in goods made by child labor was an illegal exercise by the federal government of its power to re; te commerce. “Fhereupon Congress, on February 24, 1918, passed another law putting a special tax on goods in interstate or forelgn commerce made in fac- torles employing child labor. This, too, was held to be an unconstitu- tional exercise of taxing power, for power to tax is power to destroy. * ok ok x The federal government no powers except what are expressly surrendered to it by the states, through the Constitution. It is clear that since child labor legislation is under the present limitations of th Constitution the only way that situation can be relieved is th an amendment The platforms of both the leadinz political par wve indorsed (1916) he federal c of child labor, Presidents Wil Hard idge have ur it which Congress desires are not higher than states already hav legislation. Thirt x states prohibit child labor under eighteen years of age, and twenty-nine under twenty- one years. This does not refer 1/ farm labor, and it is not the inten- tion of Congress to interfern with children working on farms—espe clally on the farms of their parent: There is no demand that childre reared in ldleness, but oniy that the shall not be enslaved in hazardous or oppressive toil, beyond reasonable safety and health precautions, nor to the prevention of a fair schooling. * Xk * In his address at the child labor conference last evening, Representa- tive Israel M. Foster of Ohio, chalr- | man of the House committee on the * judictary, outlined the scope of the proposed legislation. He sald that a foderal law would never prevent a state from enacting its own restric tlons, provided they were at least as protective of the child as the min mum standards of the federal law. age, education and physical standards ‘While forty-five states have a nom nal minimum age for work in fac- torles, only twenty-eight have = min|- mum of fourteen vears for both fac- tories and canneries, which was the standard of the two former federal laws. Federal law will never affect child labor except in such industries as deal in interstate and forelgn com- merce, hence there will still be need of state legislation to deal with in- trastate conditions. Although previous federal laws did not set up educational and physical standards, tRirty-eight states now have such tests; hence, in order 1oy equalize conditions of competition be- tween states, the new federal laws will probably follow the leads of the majority of the progressive states. All enforcement of the laws will be in the hands of state officials, under general inspection of the United States child welfare bureau of the Department of Labor. Hence, en- forcement will not greatly add to ex- pense. ntrol The s to_establish most of the through state IR A ‘When the data for the last census ‘were gathered—in January, 1920— as it was midwinter, there was no farm work active and so the sta- tistics of children engaged on farms and in canneries were not complete. More than a million child workers of ages between 10 and 14 years were found. Three-fifths of these were agricultural workers, but there were 437,000 in factories, canucries and minés, and, in addition, there were tens of thousands under ten years, some as young as five or six, doing sweatshop labor ten to twolve hours a day. Marching _four abreast, American child laborers, apart from farm work- er: ildren of the oyster can- neries, the sweatshops and factorias— constitute an y" seventy-one miles in line. No flags! No_bands with stirring martial music! Rolling kitchens few and lagging! Marching in review past the White House and Capitol, at the pace of an all-day march of Regulars, through day and night, starting at dawn on Monday, the last straggling fours would pass after sunset Tuesday. Congress caused the capture of Coxey's army because it was out of bounds and upon the grass. There are members of Congress now whq would halt the children's crusade, that the little soldiers might stand | “at ease,” or even break ranks and | forage some of life's blossoms. Gen, | Humanity orders “Fall out!” | ~(Copyright, 1024, by Paul V. Colline}