Evening Star Newspaper, June 8, 1924, Page 40

THE .EVENING STAR With Sunday Morning Edition. . WASHINGTON, D. C. SUNDAY..........June 8, 1024 THEODORE W. NOYES. .. .Editor ‘The Evening Star Newspaper Company Office, 11th St. and Pennsylvania Ave. 77 New York Office: 110 East Chicago Oftice: Tower Buflding. Buropean Office: 16 Regent §t. Tondon, Hagland. | The Evening Star, with the Sunday morning edition, is delivered by carriers within the per_month: daily only, 45 : Bunday ouly, 20 cents per © be sent by mail or tele- . Collection s made by car- Tiers at the end of each month. . Rate by Mail—Payable in Advance. Maryland and Virginia. Daily and Sunday..1yr., $8.40: 1 mo,, 70c Daily only . $6.00; 1 mo., 50c Sunday only . $2.40; 1 mo., 20¢ All Other States. Daily and Sunday.1 yr., §10.00 ; 1 mo., §5c Daily only ......1¥r. §7.00:1mo, 60c Sunday only ....1yr., $3.00;1mo. Member of the Associated Press. The Associated Press is exclusively entitled to the use for republication of all news dis- vatehes credited (0 It or not otherwise credited in this paper and also the local news pub. lished ‘herein. All rights of publication of erein A Session of Inequity. Congress has adjourned after a ses- sion of six months. It has not been a satisfactory session, from either the local or the national point of view. Washington, to whom the national egislature stands as the law-making #nd appropriating body, has particu- Ar reason to feel that the six months ave been ill spent. The National ‘ apital has been treated with an ut- r disregard for the equities, with in- \ifference to the principles of repre- ntative rights which should be rupulously observed by the . aking body. A community denied participation i1 any degree in the making of its ws, in the raising and spending of » taxes, should be protected by its gislature from injustice. Washing- n has not been so protected. It has en denied a voice in its own defense. has been subjected to ruthless puni- e treatment, with small under- :,anding of its requirements and its i stential resources and its actual con- ibutions to its own maintenance. When in 1878 Congress undertook to - tablish the affairs of the District on basis of equity, providing a new rm of government and a means of 1 eeting expenses, it did equity for the wpital community. In consideration the fact that the city’s plan en- iled a larger measure of outlay than her cities, that it could never be- me the seat of great industrial es- + blishments, with cohcentrated val- and giving employment to large imbers of people, and also in view of e fact that the government itself, cupying a large part of the local ea and prospectively owner of an creasing share of the territory with- t taxation, adopted a plan of ex- nse-sharing which was fair to both the National Capital partners. That in was maintained for miany years, 4 Washington, as a result, grew 0 a city of which the American peo- s were proud as their city as‘well the city of the Washingtonians: At no time since the organic act of 8 was adopted have the people of ushington failed to pay a just meas- i e of taxation. They have uncom- iningly met increases of this bur- n, have been willing, indeed, to in- se it beyond the point permitted tardy and grudging developments thorized by Congress. Nevertheless, disposition has developed, and of © years has prevailed persistently !+ the face of repeated disproof, to te the people of Washington as tax- dgers, as unworthy beneficiaries of leral bounty, as fatteners off the na- mal purse. The result of this feeling, wholly iwarranted and defiant of unassail- Jle demonstrations that Washington s been normally and adequately xed for its own support, has been a 1ccession of assaults upon the basic cinciple of the act of 1878, first in zemption, item by item, of particular “-atures of municipal activity from 1e cost-sharing range, then in reduc- on of the percentage of total cost to e paid by the government, and finally he definite abandonment of the ratio rinciple which has been the safe- mard of Washington against exces- ive taxation through unchecked and xtravagant measures of public im- wrovement. Now it is estimated that as a result f this latest action, despite the grant f & considerable, but yet inadequate, ump sum of federal funds, the Dis- rict tax rate upon the basis of full aluation—a basis that rarely is to be ound elsewhere—would be increased ‘or the next fiscal year by about 33 »er cent. Washington has had no oice in this. It has been, in fact, lenied a hearing. This new measure 1as been adopted aribtrarily, without egard for the equities, and with no roesibility of appeal by the District ‘or immediate reconsideration. In this situation Washington's de- mand for the right of national repre- sentation, for the right to participate in the making of its own laws and the disposal of its own money, the right of American citizenship guaranteed in the fundemental law of the nation is strengthened in reason as it will be strengthened in insistence and force. —_——— When oil stocks go down impres- sions will inevitably differ as to whether the movement is a matter of matural retribution or merely one of the customary market variations that serve to make Wall street interesting. — e { Avocations. 8 Dr. John Huston Finley, speaking to the graduates of George Washing- ton University, dealt in part with the subject of recreation, a matter which ‘has always been much in the minds of people and has now become a public question. He said, “It is going to be a far more difficult task to teach men and women how to use their leisure hours rightly than it has been to teach them how to work efficiently.” The ability is not with all of us rightly to divide our work time, play- time and rest time in the way to do us most good. Most men strive to do this, and many think they do it, and perhaps if they use their playtime in & way they think best for them, pro- wided it is lawful, there is no appeal from their decision. It would seem that with the man who works indoors. Jaw, | employer is thinking of passing him his play scheme should take him into the open and involve physical exer- cise. Most men accept this principle and a good many follow it. Some men not only take their play in the open, but play in @ way to exercise the muscles and the mind. They go in for games, as golf, tennis, base ball and rowing. Many take to motoring, which has some things to commend it, but does not quite answer the need for exercise. Some men go fishing, but that is rather an intellectual than a physical diversion. Some men take as hobbies a dalliance with natural sciences and interest themselves in birds, plant life and the history of rocks. This is a diversion into which a man may put considerable exercise. With it he maey pleasantly engage his mind, and ought to do himself good if we agree that acquisition of facts and practice of the faculty of observa- tion are good for a man. It is rare now to hear a man say, “I never take a vacation,” or “I have not had a vacation in thirty years.” Such statements used to win com- mendation. The misguided one was praised for his industry and “atten- tion to business.” We ridicule the no- vacation man today. If he exists at all he looks older than his years would make him, his health is “failing” or at least it is “poorly,” his body is weedy and his temper sour. He is apt to be a most unlikable fellow. There are those of us with an over- fondness for play and an underfond- ness for work. They may be very likable fellows and are lusty in health and spirits, and are nearly always young, but the current installment on the home is apt to be overdue and the groceryman is becoming impatient. If | this happy fellow draws a salary his over when he might be promoted. There is the fellow who lives with his work, carries it out to lunch with him and takes it home. Sometimes he is & great success in life and is pointed out to young men as @ model of in- dustry, but in general terms he is a rank failure, Scrapping the Budget System. When the United States adopted the budget system it was hoped that the haphazard method of appropriation for government needs had been ended, that there would henceforth be & scientific balance of the Treasury books, with expenditures and obliga- tions no more than equal to revenues. But, unfortunately, Congress is not observing the system, is, in fact, save in routine measures of appropriation, ignoring the budget principle and ap- propriating in special lines in excess of the program founded upon prospec- tive income. An illustration occurs in the matter of the postal pay bill which passed in the last days of the session, adding approximately $68,000,000 to the cost of the postal service. No pro- vision was made for the additional revenue necessary to meet this ex- pense. It would have to be met out of the general funds of the government. The President has vetoed the bill on the ground that it imposes too heavy a burden. Undoubtedly it would be fair to re- adjust the postal salary scale, but that should not be done as a special meas- ure while other branches of the gov- ernment service are denied increases. The postal scale of pay has been ad- justed three times since 1918. The general departmental scale of pay has, save for the bonus, not been read- justed in very many years. This question, however, does not rest upon consideration of the gpecific needs of the postal service. Of pri- mary importance is the consideration of the general public welfare. Con- gress has against the veto of the President passed a bill for a bonus to the soldiers of the late war, entailing an immense obligation upon the Treas- ury. At the same time it has reduced the tax revenues of the government materially. Tax reduction was urged upon Congress as a measure of public relief, but that reduction was con- tingent upon the absence of any ma- terial additions to the expenditures. Congress has seen fit both to reduce revenues and to pass a number of ex- pense-entailing bills regardless of the budget balance. This postal pay bill is one, and had the session lasted a little longer doubtless others would have been laid upon the President's table calling for heavy outlays. The budget system is worthless if it does not work, if it is to be ignored in the large measures while followed only in the routine items of federal main- tenance. It is, in fact, no budget sys- tem at all if to please a faction or a party, or to avoid displeasing groups, bills are enacted which are certain to impose heavy drains upon the Treas- ury for which no funds are certain to be supplied. If the carefully balanced proposals and recommendations of the budget bureau are to be thus ignored Congress might better definitely aban- don the system and frankly return to the old plan of unregulated appropria- tions. —————————— Preparations ere now going on among attorneys in the Franks case for the most shocking line of investi- gation that has yet been brought to the attention of the public. e ———————— In commenting on President Cool- idge es a safe man, Henry Ford knew what he was talking about. So far as the G. O. P. convention is concerned no man could be safer. —_———————— The winner of the Bok contest, hav- ing failed to enlist the interest of Con- gress, must' be content with the re- flection that half @ prize is better than none. —————— How to Get Tax Reduction. Rules regarding the payment of the income tax under the changed condi- tions effected by the new law are sus- ceptible of statement in clear and un- mistakable terms. The basic principle is that the tax payments for 1923, due this year, are reduced by 25 per cent. Those who have already paid the tax in full will receive a rebate of one- fourth by a check of the government. Those who paid a quarterly install- ment on the 15th of March will receive nothing in return. If they plan to continue quarterly payments they will make their June 16 payment just one- half of the amount paid in March, and henceforth on September 15 and De- cember 15 they will pay 25 per ceat billp for the September and December payments will be stated in the amounts actually due, and .no deduc- tions will be- made from them. Those Jjust rendered for the second quarter ‘were made and mailed before the tax- reduction law was enacted. One who wishes now to discharge the full remaining obligation for the year, paying three-quarters in one, has simply to subtract from the “un- paid balance” stated on his bill sthe amount paid in March, and send a check for the remainder. Thus, if the total tax for the year is $100, and $25 was paid in March, to settle the ac- count for the year in full now & check for $50 is te be sent to the collector. This is a simple proposition which should not lead to any confusion. On the installment plan of quarterly pay- ments, pay one-half of the stated June installment and henceforth pay what is stated on the bills rendered in Sep- tember and December. To discharge the whole tax in one payment draw a check for the difference between the amount now due, as stated, and the amount paid in March. o — The Prohibition party’s presidential and vice presidential candidates are H. P. Farris of Clinton, Mo., and Marie C. Brehm of Long Beach, Calif. A great many of us will not be able to remember this fact six weeks hence, unless they can introduce new &nd positive ideas on enforcement. ——ee————— The political forecaster seldom has an easier job than that offered by the G. O. P. convention. In fact, the en- tire election seems to present such obvious probabilities that many prophets rather favored letting a third party figure in the guessing in order to make it harder. It is the privilege of the United States Treasury not only to make a gratifying announcement, but to have it accompanied by the assurance that there are still further advantageous modifications of the tax-collecting sys- tem in contemplation. ————r——————— Among those present at Cleveland will be Uncle Joe Cannon. Uncle Joe never made great pretensions to music, but if the convention choir should start “We Cannot Sing the Old Songs" he may make an effort to join in the chorus. —_————— Plutarco Calles is called “the Lenin of Mexico.” The phrase may be a valuable campaign slogan, but will prove a large order in the matter of making good with his constituency. —_— e In any situation involving a prob- lem as to public revenues and ex- penses, one solution is invariably prompt in suggesting itself; that of a tax increase. ————————— London financiers tried to keep up the price of rubber, which was not chummy. America uses more automo- bile tires than any other nation. Any one who regards the American Congress as unwieldy and impetuous should take a look at the Reichstag. SHOOTING STARS. BY PHILANDER JOHNSON. Fishing Season. Everybody's fishin’ In his own especial way. ‘Waitin' long an’ wishin’ Through a pleasant summer day. Fishin' fur a catfish An’ dreamin’ 'bout a whale Fur this fish an' fur that fish, Till the light begins to fail. Everybody's fishin® In a muddy stream or clear. ‘We study each condition As in hope we persevere. Fishin’ fur a dollar, Or fishin® fur a smile— Take off your coat an’ collar An’ go fishin’ fur & while! Worse Than the Comedy. “Don’t you think it wrong to make a joke of prohibition “I do,” answered Senator Sorghum; “but I think it worse for & bootlegger or a dry agent to pull a gun and make a tragedy of it.” In politics the use of cash ‘We'll virtuously skip, Save when, perchance, some bellhop rash Holds out and claims a tip. Jud Tunkins says with plasterers getting $14 a day he thinks maybe it's a lucky sign when his small boy in- sists on playing in the mud. ‘Theories. Each theory that comes to view. Delights our eager minds anew. A few survive time's ruthless test But many more forgotten rest. Of turtle serum once we learned; And expectation fondly turned To hopes of the amphibian group. But turtles still are kept for soup. Our ancestors were very sure Of merit in the blue-glass cure. ‘We do not find the sunny beam Assisted by e color scheme. Yet as new theories arise, We greet them all with hopeful eyes And vow, although they cure no ill, At least we've had a pleasant thrill. Safety First. “What was the idea of taking that revenue agent in charge and not al lowing him to leave Crimson Gulch?" “Don’t get the notion that we're tryin' to interfere with the law.” re- Joined Cactus Joe. “We kind o' like that chap, but on lookin’ him over we decided he was most too young to be trusted offhand with & gun. So fur his #ake an’ that of us pedestrians we de- cided to have him linger a while an’ let us coach him a few hours every day in a shootin’ gallery. The Deadly Debate. A studious man may have a plan To benefit & nation, But finds his best endeavors can Be killed by conversation. “I likes to hear a speaker use long words,” -sald Uncle Eben. “Even if I don't git much out of 'em dey soun's like he was givin' me credit foh bein’ . SEarty® L Too Much Private Ju dgment May Not Be Best for Humanity BY THOMAS R. MARSHALL, Former Vice President of the Unifed States, - Is it true, as has been charged, that Americans know mo such thing as moderation ‘of political thought? Are we either ultra-conservative or radical in our views? Do we push our principles to the-utmost and ig- nore danger signs, unconsciously ap- proaching at times the verge of ruin or remaining s0 clésely within the safety zone as to hazard our welfare? I shall not undertake to answer these questions. 1 merely wish to present for discussion criticism all of us must have heard at one time or an other. Curopeans who are in the habit ot using intoxicants have frequently expressed the view that Americans would be better off if they abstained. The use of liquor is not a moral ques- tion with these critics. They seem to have reacheq the conclusion that there is something exhiliarating about Ameriocan air which serves as a tonle and that the stimulation which comes from liquor is not needed by us; in fact, that it is superfluous and per- hape detrimental rather than bene- fiolal. Their views have made me wonder whether there may not be something climatic which leads us o excesses. 1 can attribute some strange things in American life to nothing else. * ok % % Consider for a moment our relig- ious activities. One of the reasons for the cleavage from the mother church was the insistence of certain men upon the right of private judg- ment. They professed to Delleve that God alone was Lord of the con- sclenoe, and argued that church councils could net constrict the opin- ion and judgment of mankind with reference to the etgrnal vqrifies. This is no time in which to ralse any controversial question between ocon- tending theorists of faith. and T am not seeking to do so, but merely to comment. My own opinion is that life is large enough to suffer and permit all divergent vie on theological questions to exist unhampered. We are recreant to our traditions if we seek to ostracise or to punish any- body politically, economically or so- cially for faith of any kind. ™ But, whatever may be said about the right men to have private judg- ment upon religious questions, that right was first promulgated by men who were students of the subject. Whether their visw was correct or incorrect, justified or unjustified, it remains true that the right of private judgment has passed beyond the point where the judgment is express- ed by men who understand all the ramifications of the controverted question. Persons who do not know the sixth commandment have fixed opinions, as they say, on involved theologic ~ questions ~ which _have arisen out of the text of Holy Serip- ture. 1Is it the atmosphere of America that enables persons who would not recognize the plan of salvation if they saw it on display to express unqualified views upon’ all religious questions and to defend themselves on the ground that they have the right of private judgment? As a matter of fact, there can come to the world as much evil from ignorant, unthinking, cocksure, private judg- ment as came to it through the nar- row-minded construction of men who spught power. x x x % ‘We bave manifestations of this right of private judgment in the political affairs of the republic. It is no longer needful to make a study of the Constitution mor expertly to interpret its phraseology. Many Americans really believe that they are living under a government in which anything can be done if a suf- ficient number of people desire it to be done. They are imbued with the idea that the private judgment of men who have never studied the Con- stitution and know nothing about the limitations and restrictions embodied in it hdve a right to determine what shall or what shall not be done, pro- vided there are enough of them. The Constitution has become a companion Yolume to the ten commandments. If it intereferes with their judgment, they assume that by the right of Private judgment they can disregard its terms. Men of {nfluence are open- ly lending aid and comfort to violat- ors of the prohibition amendment. Their slogan seems to be: *Resis tence to tyrants is obedience to God." Prohibition to them is a limitation upon the liberties of a people, and therefore lacks binding force. Theirs 48 not a sound, thoughtful view of the liquor question: it is not an at- tempt to solve it; it is merely the exercise of that private judgment which holds the indlvidual to be larger than the state. Is this due to an_exhilarating air which is as In- toxicating to men as the liquor they used to drink and now talk about? * % % *x In the business world ‘are men— not so many, however, as in the past, thank God!—who, by the exercise of what they call their private judg- ment, spend waking hours and sleep- less nights in figuring out schemes to avold the law. They are not bad men, not necessarily dishonest men, but the air or something has intoxi- cated their minds with the idea that they have a right to do anything which will lead to success in their business affairs. And in other phases of American life this doctrine of the right of private judgment is running riot. We have no measuring rod which all_men agree should be used in measuring all men's affairs, in- cluding their own. We have a pri- vate yardstick for our own affairs. * * % % Maybe the European is right with reference to the nonadvisability of the use of intoxicants by Americans as being unnecessary and injurious. Perhaps, too, we ought to be some- what more moderate in the exercise of our constitutional and inalienable right of private judgment. Would it not be a good thing for all of us to sgber up and not to form our judg- ments and base our conduct upon our own opinion, but rather consider the views and arguments of men who are more expert than ourselves on the various problems which our complex life has produced? I am for reason everywhere and always. He who shows me I am wrong is my real triend. 1 care nothing for the com- mendation of one who does not know whether my course was right or wrong. 1 wish all of us could inform ourselves about the thing that we pro- pose to do by learning from men who know more about it than we do. This would probably change fn most in- stances our private judgment of which we are so proud and boastful. (Copyright, 1924, by Twenty-first Century Press.) IRELAND’S ECONOMIC PROGRESS BY FREDERIC J. HASKIN. Most of the news which the Amer- ican people have had from Ireland in the past few years has concerned political controversy, guerrilla war- fare between the factions, bomb out- rages, assassinations and other vio- lent happenings. The Irish Free State, neverthlesss, has not devoted all of its efforts to strife. Some con- structive work has been going on and trade and production have found place between riots. The Department of Commerce al- ways maintains a discreet silence concerning the political affairs of a foreign nation, but takes keen inter- est in_its industrial and commercial life. In the reports which come to that department from old Ireland may be found nothing relating to the fighting, but much which shows that the Irish Free State is making prog- ress toward an independent ecomomic status, Labor Unrest Decreases. The latest reports show that there is less labor unrest in the Emerald Isle than there has been In the last two vears, and this despite the fact that large numbers of soldiers have been demobilized. Demobilization of soldiers caused labor unrest in prac- tically every country in Europe after the war. It is a usual phenomenon following a war, especially in an old country where work is relatively scarce in proportion to population. After serving under arms for several years and being engaged in destruc- tion, it is difficult for the soldier to lay down his arms and turn to pro- ductive pursuits. He chafes against the restraints of civil life, finding them in a sense more confining than military discipline. It will be remembered that imme- dlately after the armistice there was such widespread unemployment in the United States that President Harding found it necessary to call a national conference on the subject. This had not been the case after the American civil war, because the country was newer then. To take care of the unemployed soldiers Con- gress gave them bonuses in the form of land grants. The change from fighting armies to the fighting of In- dians and nature on the frontier was not so much a change as the trans- ition from military ranks to little farms in highly cultivated districts or to factories and desks, Soldiers Find Work. Ireland has no new land to grant to discharged soldlers, and Irish sol- diers bave the reputation of enter- taining a hereditary preference for contest rather than for more peaceful pursuits. Nevertheless the Irishsol- diers who now are being disbanded in large numbers in relation to the pop- ulation are quietly finding employ- ment and helping to build up their new nation. The number of registered unem- loyed at the first of the year in the Frion Free State Is reported as 33,543, of whom 26,024 were men, On March 1 only 29,039 unemployed were regls- tered, of whom 23,652 were men. As 'the Irishman is essentially an independent type of man who doesn't relish registering anywhere, It is known that most of the unemployed have not sent in their names to the However, it _ls est- ted that not more than | re ut of work In the whole Free St Most of these are agricultural borers. Ecomomic Improvement Expected. A general improvement in Irish Free State economic conditions is ex- pected ‘throughout the yesr. The important in Ireland and it Is on the increase. Last fall there was a widespread shipping strike which paralyzed trade of all kinds, but since its settlement business has picked up rapidly. The position of the Irish farmer is better than it has been for some time. During the first quarter of 1924 the exports of the Irish Free State to Great Britain amounted to 12,222,713 head of cattle, an increase of 4,000 head over the number ship- ped in the first quarter.of 1923. The recovery of this important industry has increased the purchasing power of the Irish farmer and this, in turn, has given a general briskness to trade all through the commonwealth, as the farmer is in a position to buy the things he needs. Strong Purchasing Power. General trade of the Irish Free State started off briskly this year. January showed an unfavorable trade balance in the sense that more goods ‘were imported than exported, but this indicates a strong Irish pur- chasing power. January imports amounted to approximately $17,000,- 000, showing an unfavorable balance against the Free State of between $5,000,000 and $6,000,000. Most of the trade is carried on with Great Brit- ain and with Ulster. War and separation never stops trade. Great Britain is the principal customer of the Irish Free State and her principal market. In the twelve months ended with March of this year, the Free Staters sold to Great Britain and Ulster, their hereditary enemies, goods to the value of some $200,000,000. Goods to practically the same value were purchased by the Irish Free State from Great Britain and Ulster in the same period. From the United States the Irish Free State purchased goods to the value of nearly $1,500,000 in the twelve months ending with March. Sales to this country were slight, amounting to only about $100,000. The principal exports ©of the Free State are live stock, beer and spirits, textiles, hides and skins. Leading imports from all sources are wheat flour, automobiles, cotton goods, wearing apparel, hats, shoes, tilizers, woolen goods and e equipment. Each year the Irish Free State expects to grow stronger economi- cally and increase her trade with the outside world. There is a strong demand for new direct ship lines between the Irish ports and the United _States, particularly the gulf ports whence naval stores, cotton- seed meal and other southern prod- ucts are wanted. Raftraads Lese Memey. Irish government-controlied radl- Ways are being operated at a deficit, but there is 2 bill now pending be- fore the Dail Eireen, the Irish Par. liament, which would consolidate the big lines with some of the smaller and weaker ones. It is believed that by making one big operating com- pany economies would be . effected and better service rendered. A sub- sidy of some $250,000 annually is pro- posed in the measure, This would run for ten years until the companies e R e saces o y conditd in the 2 a that the age-old strife will be oetecdud A IsdHEX SAd Mamerii Capital Sidelights BY WILL P. KENNEDY. No matter who is nominated at the national conventions you can be sure of one thing that long-time, tried- and-true employes of the House are going to see that the wheels of the convention machinery continue to run smoothly. No matter who may be presiding officer or keynote orator as the conveptions roll along, de- pendence for the truck-horse work of these conventions is placed upon these veterans in service. Of course, most every one knows that the general rules for each con- vention are the same as those of the national House of Representatives, but the voting public and even the delegates to the conventions are in blissful ignorance of the real hard work that is carried on by these few dependables. It is generally admitted that there will be something akin to a riot at the Democratic convention in New York for admission and that thou- sands will seek to enter, using all sorts of Influence and excuses, who will be unable to get by the door- keeper. It's the meanest sort of job to try to stem this tidal wave, but Joseph J. Sinnott, now in his fortieth year as ‘an employe at the Capitol, faces the task without a tremor, for he i8 to be chief doorkeeper. Mr. Sinnott is now a minority em- ploye of the House and assistant to the Democratic whip, who with his co-opération has made a wonderful record. “Joe" Sinnott has been an official at the last eight Democratic conventions. He was chief doorkeep er in San Francisco four years ago. He has the reputation of knowing more public men than any one about the Capitol. Mr. Sinnott has been assistant whip for twenty-five years. When he was elected doorkeeper of the House at the same time Champ Clark was clected Speaker and Oscar Under- wood, now a candidate for the nomi- nation for President, was elected House leader, they insisted that Mr. Sinnott continue the two jobs of doorkeeper and assistant whip. *F ¥ ¥ ¥ Then there is “P. 1" Haltigan, known throughout the entire United States as “the man with the tireless voice.” He is reading clerk of the House—has been for thirteen years— and will be reading clerk at the New York convention, just as he was four vears ago at the San Francisco con: vention. Hlfi remarkable feat at the “Golden Gate" convention of going through forty-four roll calls with no great change in his voice or seeming fatigue in spite of the tremendous strain for three days and three nights won for him unstinted commendation from the delegates and the press of the coun- ry. There were fully 15,000 persons in that convention, but notwithstanding that tremendous attendance and the bitter partisanship “P. J.” was at all times able with his superb voice to drown out insipient disturbance and to maintain order while reading. Dur- ing the roll calls there was abso- lute quite so that you could hear a pin drop. * % ok x Kenneth Romney, now cashier of the House, who held that job through efficient service during both Demo- cratic and Republican regimes, is to be one of the four tally clerks at the Democratic convention. The other three are former Capitol employes during the Democratic majority. Romney was tally clerk at the San Francisco convention and took the forty-four roil calls. His coworkers in the New York convention will be A. R. Canfield, formerly a tally clerk in the House; W. C. Van Cleve, for- merly journal clerk, and E. G. Sher- rill, former notification clerk. * X % ¥ The parliamentarian of the New York convention will be Representa- tive Clarence Cannon of Elsberry, Mo., who was parliamentarian while Champ Clark was Speaker of the House and for a time under Speaker Gillett. He served as parliamentarian at the San Francisco convention. Representative Cannon has been clerk of the Democratic caucus of the House of Representatives in the last four Congresses. He is editor of two editions of the Manual and Di- gest of the House of Representatives, author of “A Synopsis of the Pro- cedure of the House” and of “Pro- ceudre in the House of Representa- tives,” published by resolution of the House. He is also editor and compiler of the precedents of the House by act of Congress. * kR Similarly, the parliamentarian at the Cleveland convention of the Re- publican party will be Lehr Fess, now parliamentarian to Speaker Gil- lett. He was parliamentarian at the last Republican convention in Chi- cago. He has been parliamentarian of the House for five years. During his term about 3,000 points of order have been decided. He has prepared two editions of the manual and digest of the rules, annotated— and has had charge of this work dur- ing the revision of the rules which was a big issue when the House re- organized for this session. More than 100 precedents have been established W hile he has been parliamentary ad- viser to the Speaker. Mr, Fess has ten large scrap-books full of the proceedings of the House when these precedents were estab- lished during the last five years, for ready reference in deciding new par- liamentary problems as they arise. EE Representative John Philip Hill of Maryland, who claims divided honors with Representative George Holden Tinkham of Massachusetts as leader of the “wet" forces, has the additional distinction of being chairman of the largest committee in the House, albeit unofficial committee. This is e commities on modification of the Volstead act, which has the names of sixty members printed on the com- mittee letterhead. * ok kX On occasions a little bit of friendly pleasantry is as potent in Congress as sirup is in catching files. During the closing days of Congress, Repre- sentative Edgar Howard of Nebraska, who considerably resembles his long- time friend, Willlam Jennings Bryan, was peeved because legislation was not enacted for the farmers as he opined it should be. He was making points of order that prevented the orderly procedure of business. Finally, House Leader Longworth walked smilingly from the Repub- lican side across to Representative Howard on the Democratic side, and taking a carnation from his own but- tonhole placed it in the bottonhole the Democratic objector. Howard :: once withdrew his point of order. This action was especially appropri- ate because Howard was author of an “Ode to the Carnation” on Mother's day. * k% * 2 It remained for Representative Har- ry C. Canfleld of Indlana to show his colleagues a new way to hold a dis- trict in line, When he reached Wash- ington he found here many residents of his district holding Important in the federal servjce and in Poe ‘business and pl’o(a.ll?n‘l lite of the National Capital. Many of these men did not know each other. So e R to Aine Wit Al and t m Yow ha has & Canfeld Club ta Wi ington, MEN AND BY ROBERT Two of the must important officers of the Republican national convention at Cleveland can attribute their prom- inence at this time to the fact that they have no current association with the United States Senate. The Senate is going to be about as popular at the Cleveland conclave as (en. Grant was in Richmond. Yet it is less than two years ago when Frank W. Mondell, who is to be the permanent chairman of the con- vention, felt very much aggrieved be- cause he was defeated in his ambition to sit in the upper house of Congress. | It he had succeeded in that quest he | would not hold the honor which the party is about to bestow upon him. Representative Theodore E. Burton, too, was once of the Senate, but the fates thought better of his future and sent him back to the House of Repre- sentatives in 1920, Mr. Burton has the unique distinction of having served first in the House then in the Sen- ate and then In the House again. Many representatives have graduated into the ranks of the senators, but it 1s rare indeed that any ever start at_the bottom of the congressional ladder after having once been at the top. | Yet if Mr. Burton were of the Sen- ate today, he would not have the hon or of sounding the keynote, the trum- pet call of the Grand Old Party in this fateful year of 1924. The word went forth some two months ago that the Senate would have to take a back seat at Cleveland. The Senate had gone too far. It was no longer popu- lar with the people. When the late President Harding announced that he believed the Executive should keep his hands off at the Capitol, the Sen- ate exalted itself bevond all belief. Now, so far as the Republican party convention is concerned, it is being ground in the dust. Mr. Mondell had a remarkable record in the House of Representa- tives, where he saw his first servic in 1895. During the twent vears that followed he was absent from his place on the floor on only two or three occasions. He was known as one of the hardest workers in Congress and rose to be the recog- nized leader of his party there. An ambition to serve his state in the Senate had held the representative for many years. In 1922 he decided to make his bid against Senator Ken- drick. It was a bad year. however. There had been a swing back from the remarkable Harding sweep in 1920 and Mr. Mondell was defeated. Mr. Mondell voluntarily gave up the place he might always have had in the House and thus became a “lame duck” in a rather extraordinary fash- fon. The compensation for not being elected to the Senate has come 1o him unexpectedly in_being chosen permanent presiding officer of the na- convention—one of the most 1 honors a party can give * % % % The country-wide barrage which the drys have laid down against Dr. Nich- olas Murray Butler, president of Co- lumbia University, in a;determination to make an “example” of him for his audacity’ in attacking the Volstead act and the whole gdheme of prohibi- tion as it exists today, recalls the story that Tommy Brahany, who Heard and Seen There was held here last week the national oratorical contest, in which seven secondary school orators con- tested for premier speaking honors of the land, their subject being the Constitution of the United States. That meeting, in which President, Coolldge, Chief Justice Taft of the| Supreme Court and many other im- portant personages took part, is now history The speeches in honor of the Con- stitution have been said, the prizes won, the event concluded. It was a most interesting gathering. not only that final night at Memorial Conti- nental Hall, but the days leading up to it. The seven contenders in the con- test were representative high school boys and girls, and the newspapers throughout the land which partici- pated in the affair are to be congrat- ulated as well as the winners and the other participants. * * % The contest was not all serious work. Like in many affairs of import, there were moments and happenings of a humorous turn. Perhaps the best story in conmnection With the contest came from the west. John Mortimer Dallam, 3d, was the Philadelphia representative in the oratorical contest. Several weeks before the culmination an account of the seven national participants was sent out to newspapers. Out In the west, it developed, some of the editors did not seem well ac- quainted with the system, common in the east, of placing “2d” and “3d" after the names of children. The west is a comparatively new coun- try, it must be remembered, in com- parison with the east. Here is the way the name was sent out: John Mortimer Dallam, II1 Evidently some .of the editors in the west were at loss just exactly what to make of that, for here is the way it got printed: John Mortimer of Dallam, TIL * * * Then there was a man from a cer- tain state that will be nameless here for evermore. He had seen something about the national oratorical contest “in the papers,” and suddenly got enthusias- tic, evidently. First it must be recalled that this was weeks and weeks after the na- tion-wide contest had opened. Pre- liminaries and subpreliminaries, and sub-subpreliminaries had been held throughout the country. Schools had competed against schools, towns against towns, states against states, great geographical zone against zone,. The seven na- tional contenders had been selected. One even was on his way to Wash- ington. Then along comes a letter, which read something like this: “Dear Sir: 1 have béen reading about the ora- torical contest in the papers, and I believe I would like to enter it “I have won prizes mysel? in ora- tory, and would like to enter the contest. Please let me know how to go about thij i * % Contest officials were somewhat concerned about the number of peo- ple who asked for tickets who stat- ed that they wanted them “up fronmt" on account of being somewhat deaf. It seemed to officidls that nearly the whole of Washington was hard of hearing, judging from the state- ments made in thejr letters. The point of it was that the writers were evidenly sincere and were in. no sense seiting up claims of partial deafness in an endeavor to get good seats. It was interesting to note AFFAIRS T. SMALL served under President Wilson at the White House, used to tell his chief and always got an uproarious re- sponse. It seems that John Redmond had come to this country to lecture and raise money to free Ireland, and on the occasion in question he was addressing an audjence in South Bos- ton, which is more Irish than Cork The audience was in a ferment of ex- citement. It had listened to the speaker with a rising ire against the British, and as the impassioned Red- mond concluded every man-jack in the tumultuous assembly would have vo.unteered to swim the Atlantic Ocean, if need be. to get the British king and throw him to the wolves. As was his custom at the conclusion of his prepared addresses, Mr. Red- mond took a step toward the front of the platform and explained that he Was ready and anxious to answer any question that any one in the audience might propound as to the status of the Irish cause and the fight for freedom. There was an awkward pause. No one answered. Mr. Redmond fook a second step toward the front of the platform and said that surely some one in the audience must have in the back of his head some question which he would like answered At last a rather small man toward the rear of the hall arose, and in a piping voice “Misther R ask y mond, I would like to e a question or two.” ahead, my good man." said the speaker. Misther Redmond.” sumed. “what 1 v the man re puld like to know is what you have been doing over there with all the money we have been contributing all these years to free Ireland. How much of it has gone for salaries. how much of it has gone for entertainment, how m of it has gone for expenses, much—-" But he got no further. A big raw- boned patriot from some particularl green spot on the Emerald Isle aros behind the heckler. Above his head therc flashed « chair. It crashed on the unfortunate questioner and he disappeared in a heap. There was riotous applause and cheering. Then Mr. Redmond took another step toward the front of the platform “And now," said he, “would any one else like to ask a question?” And so Dr. Butler's friends had bet- ter take heed ¥ % %k At last an occupation has been found for the cheer leaders at the colleges and universities. These care- fully trained young men who amuse the crowds and put pep in the team &t foot ball and base ball games con- stitute a distinct college profession But what to do with the “profes- sion™ after college vears, or during the summer vacation? That has been the problem. But two youths in delphia have solved it. They are < themselves out as cheer lead- or pep-givers in the various drives that are being made for funds for s and other charities. 1t is said that their status as ama- teurs may be questioned when they return to college in the fall, but for the time being, they say they should worry. Life is coming easy and has a golden lining. fomornt, o4, b Conmolidated Press Av socistion.) Fifty Years Ago In The Star hunters were as eager ago for physical me- mentos of nota- Summer Effects bie Nnsraopsaes as they are to- Sold at Ametion. 4.y This was illustrated on the occasion of an auc- tion sale of the personal effects of Sen- ator Charles Sumner, which took place at his former residence at Vermont ave- nue and H street. The Star of June 3, 1874 says: “At 10 o'clock the rooms on the first floor were crowded with a large throng of persons, many of them be- ing from Boston, New York, Phila- delphia and other distant points. Nearly one-half of those present were ladies. A large number of newspa- per men were present making notes of the more important sales. At 10 o'clock Mr. Latimer opened the sale in the kitchen, washroom and coal cellar, and disposed of kitchen ta- bles, cooking utensils, stoves, a lot of coal and wood, coal hods, an ax, shov- el, etc., to different parties at good prices. He next proceeded to the dining room. Many of the articles in this room were purchased by Mr. James Wormley, whose purpose it is to use them in fitting up a ‘summer dining room’ in his hotel. A carved walnut, marble-topped sideboard was knocked down to him at $200 and a carved walnut extension dining ta- ble at $130. In this room a dilapi- dated fly brush went for $4.50, a wal- nut picture rack for $20 and two wal- nut easels at $11 and $7.50. A small scrap basket was sold to Mr. George T. Dunn for $4. “In the library the walnut office desk went to A. M. Howe for $170: walnut bookshelves to Fred Douglass at $7 each; a walnut bookcase with glass doors to C. C. Beaman of New York, formerly private secretary to the senator, for $150; another wal- nut bookcase to Miss Boutwell, a daughter of Senator Boutwell, for $61; a Turkish lounge to Mrs. Pitts for $35; a walnut armchair uphol- stered in green damask, to Fred Dou- glass for $26; a et of teapots to Mr. Beaman for $21, and six small walnut brackets to Mrs. Wilbur for $4.50; & lot of sideboard ornaments, such bookracks, rural picture frames, brackets, call bells, etc., sold at good prices. “In the -parlor fifty-five yards of Wilton carpet were sold to Mrs. Bev eridge at $3.25 per vard. One large gilt-edged French plate mirror went to Freeman Clarke for the compara- tively moderate sum of $193.50. One walnut bouquet table was knocked down to Mr. Morse for 321, and one sheepskin rug went to Mr. Starr for §7. The articles comprising the gilt parlor suite upholstered in_silk bro- catel was sold separately. Mr. James Wormley got the center divan with- out_the pillows for $60. Mr. George T. Dunn secured one of the pillows for $13, and the others averaged about the same sum each. A receps tion chair, beautifully upholstered, was bought by a lady from Boston for $37. In ‘this room a carved wal- nut card table commanded as high a price as $60, while a Buhlwork ar- moire to a Boston lady for $145. In this connection it may be stated that this Boston lady had made a number of purchases and gave no other name in buying except ‘Boston’ A emall gilt and china card receiver in the parlor sold for $28. “When our report closed the arti- cles in the lower hall, consisting of twenty-two vards of Lrussels carpet, a large Persian rug, a Swiss cuckoo clock, a Fsench plate mirror and a walnut hatreck, were about to be sold. The tall musical ci.% in the hall was not offered for sale, it being under- stood that it has been sold at private sale for the extragrdinary sum o $3,000. 1t was related of this musica clock that just prior to Mr. Sum- ner's death it executed a dirge. It also plays a short air a few minutes Souvenir half a century that.about thia.time a canvention. was hcln:bholfl here in. the .Interest .of he hard of hearing, - thos® CHARLES E. TRACEWELL X before striking, and although not es- remarksble in appearance, pectally Jts'mechanism 15 sa{d to be very com« Plicated.”