Evening Star Newspaper, December 19, 1924, Page 6

i THE EVENING STAR e ‘With {-nfiy ?lom_in: mm WASHINGTON, D. C. December 19, 1924 THEODORE W NOYES .Editer The Evening Star Newspaper Company Bustness Office, 11th St. and Pennsylvania Ave. New York Om. 0 East 43nd St Chi Office: Tower Building. Salee X6 Segent London England. The Eventag Star, with the Sunday mornisg edition, s delivered by carrterx within (he 60 cents per month: daily emly, 43 feate per month: Rusdey eniy. 20, cente pu month. Orders may be went by phone Main 5000. Collection {s made ticte at the end of each month. Rate by Mail—Payable in Advance, Maryland and Virginia. Dally and Sunday. .1 yr. $8.40; 1 ma,, 70c Dally only. +.1yr., $6.00: 1 mo., §0c Bunday only.......1yr, $2.40; 1 mo, 20c All Other States. Dally and Sunday.1 yr., $10.0 Dally only. Sunday only. 1 mo.. 86¢ Member of the Associated Press. The Associnted Press is excineively entitled fo the ‘nas for republication of ail news die- atches eredited to it or net etherwise credifed 5 this paper and also the local news pub lisied “herein. Al righ publication of apectal ats o _reserved. The United States and Japan. Yesterday the Secretary of State, in @ departure from precedent, gave an expression of the pleasure of the American Government at the selec- tion of Tsuneo Matsudaira by Japan as Ambassador at this Capital and of belief that “we can look forward now to the most cordidl relations with Japan.” At the same time there came a dispatch from Japan to the effect that Premier Kato, speaking at a po- litical dinner, stated that the Japanese government has declined with thanks e intimated intention of the United States of sending the American fleet in a visit of courtesy to Yokohama after the Hawailan maneuvers of 1925. This declination, the premier explained, was In order to remove misgivings entertained by a certain section of the Japanese people, al- though, he went on to say, the Ameri- can Government ‘“has been kind enough to offer due explanations of the motives of the proposed maneu- vers in the hope of securing a proper understanding by the Japanese peo- ple.” Japanese objections to the proposed Hawalian maneuvers next year have been based upon an utter misunder- standing of the reasons for this plan. The naval assemblage at Hawail is not in any way inspired by apprehen- sion on the part of the United States on the score of Japan's intentions or feelings toward this country. Hawail is American territory, was acquired by annexation definitely as a part of the system of national defense, as a naval outpost for use in case of an attack Ly a forelgn power. lield at other points off the Ameri- can coast without arousing fears or suspiclons on the part of foreign na- tions. The United States has a Navy and that Navy has certain bases. Hawaii is one of them. The fact that ft lies in the Pacific and that Japan is a major naval power in the Pacific «does not warrant avoidance of its use the maintenance of naval efficiency. Nor simply because of a present strain in the relations between the United States and Japan, due to a misunder- standing in that country of the mo- tives for certain actions by this Gov- ernment, should there be any change of policy in respect to the naval train- ing. The United States does not acknowl- cdge that there is cause of friction between the two governments. It is seeking in every way possible to pro- mote amity. Witness the unprece- dented expressions of the Secretary of State in respect to the newly named Ambassador of Japan. Witness the tender of a ceremonial visit of cour- tesy and friendliness by the Ameri- can Navy following the maneuvers. The declination of that visit of honor is not to be interpreted as a discour- tesy, but as an acknowledgment by the Japanese government of appre- hension of further misunderstanding by the people of that country. It is painfully evident that certain Japanese factions are seeking to arouse a spirit of antagonism toward the United States among the people of Japan. Premler Kato is doubtless | trying to allay asperities. He is facing a problem of domestic politics. For- tunately the United States is in no- wise disposed to add to his difficul- ties by pressing unwelcome attentions and at the same time is expressing its complete satisfaction with the cholce of Japan's new representative at this Capital in advance of his arrival. —————————— Publicity as to income tax returns is less irritating than candid revela- tion of the manner in which a few of the incomes were arrived at might easily become. —————— Russia has removed the ban on vodka. Trotsky's reported illness must De taken seriously and not as a pre- text for obtaining prescriptions from the doctor. ——————— Sclentists are not yet convinced that the moon is uninhabitable, but the speculation is valueless so far as the housing problem is concerned. Poisoned Alcohol. Denunciation of the prohibition en- forcement authorities for the practice of putting poison into alcohol to make it unfit for beverage use, which was expressed yesterday at a hearing be- fore the Senate subcommittee, cannot be fustified by the fact that much of <ais aleohol finds its way through il- legal courses Into use as & beverage. The fact that such potations are made potsonous in conformity with the law Zices not place responsibility for deaths That may occur from them upon the prohibition enforcement organization. It is estimated that about 60,000,000 gallons of alcohol are withdrawn an- nually from the warehouses for indus. trial purposes and turned over to per- mit holders. Before it is so transferred it 19 denatured to make it unfit for | consumption. Leaks occur &fter leav: .7 g the warchouse to the extent of, Maneuvers are | about 6,000,000 gallons a year, and most of this, it is said, falls into the hands of bootleggers. These lawbreak- ers employ skilled chemists who en- deavor to extract the poison. They cannot get it ah out, and so a large quantity of toxic drink is sold and consured, and some of it causes death, | Those who steal or by trick obtain this poisoned alcohol for the purpose of selling it as drink are the ones who are guilty of murdernus practice, not those who in execution of the law seek to render it unfit for potation. It is astonishing that an attempt is made to fasten the blame for deaths from this cause upon the enforcement unit. Every person who deals in de- natured alcohol, having stolen it, or secured it by bribery, is guilty of mul- tiple crime, of theft, of corruption, of flifcit selling and of dealing in a mate- rial that he knows to be dangerous to , Auman life. Upon him and upon the | chemists whom he employs to ‘“re- nature” the alcohol rests the responsi- | bility for deaths that may occur in the course of this fllicit traffc. | | To call the act of poisoning the al- | cohol, that if the laws were observed | would never reach human consump- { ton, an act of murder Is to condone | by shift of blame the really murderous acts of those who steal and sell know ingly liquor that is deadly. Lean Pickings for La Folletites. All signs point to a hard Winter in patronage affairs for the La Follette- ites in Congress and their faithful co- workers at home. President Coolidge sent to the Senate yesterday 40 nomi- | pations of postmasters in Wisconsin, not one of them suggested by Senator La Follette or any of his follovers in | the other branch of Congress. Senu- | tor Lenroot, Senator La Follette's op | ponent in Wisconein, stood sponsor for them all. | Thus having been barred from par- | ticipation in party councils in the { Senate, along with the La Follette sympathizers In that body, the “La Follette group” in Congress find them- selves struck a blow in the spot where it hurts most—on the patronage nerve. The administration is carrying the war into Wisconsin with & vengeance, | amid loud shouts of approval from onlookers among the regular Repub- licans. It is said that the aggressive action i not to stop with Wisconsin, how- | ever. The party managers are report- ed to be intent upon making it un- popular to be @ La Follette follower throughout the other Northwestern States where the regular Republicans made such striking gains in the No- vember elections. This policy will be in sharp contrast with the way Sena- tor La Follette has been dealt with in the past by the regular factions. For- bearance with his party irregularity and efforts to placate him marked the course of the old-line leaders in the past. While Senator La Follette has the personal friendship of many of these leaders it would seem that from now on it will be @ case of “here's where friendship ceases” when it comes to question of patronage for the Senator and his political associates in the Northwest. _— . A December Fog. ‘Washington has rarely had so dense a fog as that which enveloped it this morning. The mist came suddenly, and In such volume as to obliterate landmarks within a narrow range of vision. In places it was impossible to see buildings across the street. The condition was suggestive of London's “particular” visitations, though this local fog lacked the so-called black quality of that of the British capital, which 1s due to the presence of fine particles of soot emitted by the count- less open fireplaces which there con- stitute the chief form of domestic heating, Such a fog is a serious handicap to all traffic. Luckily this fog today came after the heavy morning rush of vehicles, else there would doubtless have been many more accidents than those that were reported. The fog not only obscures the view, but causes a slippery condition of the pavement, which makes driving a matter of dif- ficuity. Despite the greatest care ma- chines will skid in such circumstances. Luckily Washington has few of these heavy fogs. Located as it is close to the river level it might readily be the scene of frequent de: mist formationa. But owing to some favora- ble combination of air currents it is relatively free from the disabling con- ditlon. In London, where the fogs are frequent at this time of year, serious losses result. It is estimated that the regent heavy fog in the British cap- entailed a loss of at least 3 0,000. ——————— References to the “smoking habit” among women call attention to the fact that many a woman smokes a cig- arette with something of the same air of caution with which a boy holds a lighted giant firecracker. Smoking is not always a habit. It may be only an affectation. “Ma" Ferguson will appoint men to office. This is a tactful political move. Men are easier to boss than ‘women. ——a e More Elbow Room. ‘The House Office Bullding Commis- sion has decided to recommend to the appropriations committees the en- largement of the office accommoda- tions of Representatives by the addi- tion of 375 rooms to the building to be located in the present spacious court of the structure. Every member of the House has reason to complain of lack of office accommodations for the transaction of the ever-increasing vol- ume of the business of his constitu- ents and the country. When the. present bullding was planned it was wisely foreseen that in time it would outgrow its housing capacity, and it was expected that the great court in the oenter of the four wings, while serving to add light and alr for the present, would ultimately be utilized as for an addition such as that now recommended. At present many scores of members are restricted to one room for their clerical force, must dictate their correspondence d recetve visitors and study legisla- on ucder. such conditions where \ THE EVENING STAR, WASHINGTON, D. C., FRIDAY, DECEMBER 19, 1924 THIS AND THAT BY CHARLES E. TRACEWELL. often they can selves think.” The enlargement will furnish every Representative with at least two office rooms, one of which can be devoted to the typists and other workers. Light and air will not be materially cur- talled, as the closest walls between the old and proposed new structures will be separated by 65 feet. It is hardly necessary to say that the improve- ment will be classed as a strictly “eco- nomical” proposition and will meet with general favor. “hardly hear them- Julius Kahn, Washington learns with the deepest regret of the death in San Francisco yesterday of Representative Jullus Kahn, who has sat in Congress from California for nearly a quarter of a century. He had been elected to the House of Representatives 13 times, the voters of his district expressing their confidence in him anew only last month, despite his illness, from which {he had bean suffering for several months. He was practically the unani- mous choice of the people of that Qi trict, whom he had served faithfully for so many years, Their confidence and esteem ware shared by all his as- sociates in Congress. His personal qualities caused Mr. Kahn to be sincerely beloved by his colleagues, and by all with whom he was associated. He was, however, not merely a genial man, with the ability to make and hol friendships. He was possessed of an ability above the aver- age, a capacity for hard work, e keen. ly intelligent understanding of public Guestions and, ebove all, an ardent patriotism. Although a native of Ger- many, he was daring the great war one of the stanchest of Americans in his service for victory. The country owes Julius Kahn much for his aid in securing the enact- ment of the selective service law at the outset of the participation of the United States in the war. As member and chairman of the House committee on military affairs he had labored for the military preparedness of this coun- try for emergencies. He was a vigor- ous advocate of citizen training for possible military duty. His vision was broud in respect to the country’s obli- gation in its own defense. A kindly man, an energetic legisla- | tor, uncompromising in his devotion to the highest principles of public and private righteousness, Julius Kahn was one of the outstarding figures in Congress. Iliness seized him at the height of his powers as a statesman, and in his death the country suffers a heavy loss. —————— It is the duty of the Weather Bu- reau at this time of year to predict 8snow. A prophet may be highly es- teemed for his sense of duty and yet most appreciated when he goes wrong. —————— Business is warming up, so that there is no hope that the Congres- sional Record will introduce cross- word puzzles to assist statesmen in whiling away leisure hours. ———— America is establishing a position as a land of courteous hospitalities, where members of the Russian nobility may temporarily forget their home troubles. —— Whatever discldsures may be made, there will never be any doubt that Mr. Forbes of the Veterans' Bureau was a liberal host and a joyous enter- tainer. ———— Those French “Communists” should be required to take a special course in the history of their own country. Rum smugglers are bringing the submarine again tc attention as a habitual outlaw. —————— SHOOTING STARS. BY PHILANDER JOHNBOX. A Quadrumination. This “Evolution’s” something great. It fascinates the mind. How much it would facilitate Life's unremitting grind Could men ancestral skill revive As we our tasks pursue, And with Four Hands our work con- trive, Instead of only Tw Time Saving. “I was surprised at the way you agreed with all the arguments of that caller.” “I was busy at the moment,” an- swered Sefator Sorghum. “It was easler to agree with him then take the trouble to find out what he was talking about.” The Seat Slammer, I used to hate the man who slammed ‘The seats in a the-ay-ter. His presence now is in demand. He makes our comfort greater. For, when the noise, as he draws near, From floor to celling reaches, Perhaps he shields the modest ear From {ll-considered speeches, Jud Tunkins says it's easy to say “shop early,” but hard to break through the line and get to the coun- ter before the store closes. Permanent Debate. When campaign taik no more expands And days all prosperous dawn, The foes in politics shake hands; The people quarrel on. Force of Habit. “Why do you say so many unkind things about Wall Street?"” “I dunno exactly,” answered Sena- tor Sorghum. “Folks can't live with- out conversation, and that line of com- ment seems safe and customary.” Attitudes. The statesman loves the populace And telis of our sagacity, 8o long as voters join to place Thelr faith in his capacity. But when, defeated, he must view Another's luck sensational, He thinks the populace is due For labor educational. “Friendship ceases in a poker game,” said Uncle Eben, “but it comes right back to life when de losers feels Now is the time for all good men | to read “A Christmas Carol,” by Charles Dickens. The time has gone by for them to come to the ald of their party. Every man and woman who has reached the age of 21 years ought to malke it a point to read this greatest of Christmas stories at least once a year. Just before Christmas {s the best time. Now it instills some of its spirit into a reader. Whether he be young or old, rough or gentle, sophisticated or innocent, the overflowing hearti- ness of the great master story teller will enter into his heart. It is practically impossible for one to read “A Christmas Carol” without aocquiring_some genuine enthusiasm for the Yuletide. Even If he be a modern old Scrooge, a man bored with Christmas gifts and pained at the giving of them, the rude genlality of the great Dickens will stir some- thing within him. . Try it, all you who have not rea the “Christmas Carol” for many years, who perhaps remember it as some thing read by the teacher back in that class room of the days of long ago. Especially if you feel sort of out of Joint at this season. If jostling through crowds of shop- pers has “got your goat” and made you express the wish that Christmas were good and over, go read “A Christmas Carol,” and get back some of the joy that once was yours at this time of the year. “A Christmas Carol” will do anything can. LI ‘The atmosphere of a great story is one of its greatest assets. _Plot, con- structlon, sentence structure, these and other qualities, count for much, but unless a story manages to build up a certain atmosphers of its own it becomes a lifeless sort of thing, after all. ‘The story lacking this intangible, though very real, quality, usually Known as atmosphere, may be a cracking good tale, with a plot better than any O. Henry ever devised, dia- logue cerrying you along faster than a Dumas tale, yet its total effect will be somehow lacking. Atmosphere, in a story, is the fine bloom of the personality of an author upon the.printed page. The essence of the man, as it were, has carried over from the immaterial mind to the matertal paper and ink. Somehow the reader gets more than the words. He “reads between the lines,” as the saying s, deriving a subtle yet no less real pleasure from what he does not read than from what he actually gets from the type. Probably thers never was a writer of fiction who managed to put him. self Into his stories with better ef- fect than Charles Dickens. It is never obtrusive, however. Dickens did not bow betore his readers, or lug in his morals on a silver platter. Yet the man is woven fnextricably through the warp and woof of hie books. The hearty epirit which on catches from the “Pickwick P and from “A Christmas Carol” longs {n them by divine right. The Dickens who wrote them was the Dickens who thought nothing of taking a 15-mile walk before dinner. He loved all the romance, the poetry, the happiness and sadness of the Christmas time. Even as he was heartier in his phy- sical habits than others, so his spirit was more Inclusive, leading him often to sentimentality on the one hand and to sublimity on the other. * ok % “Marley was dead, to begin with. There Is no doubt whatever about that. The register of his burial was signed by the clergyman, the clerk, the undertaker and the chief mourn- er. Scrooge signed it. And Scrooge’s name wae good upon ‘Change for any- thing he chose to put his hand to. Old Marley was as dead as a door nail."” Such is the lugubrious beginning of IN TODAY’S it 1t |a detail which only a real the merriest, most touching Christ- mas story ever written by man. Dick- ens wrote many Christmas tales, but none ever approached “A Christmes Carol.” It made a “hit” upon its publi- cation, and its fame has increased through the years. Certainly it scarcely appears pos- sible to “write a better Christmas story. The reason for this, aside from the genius of the author, is that when it was written the true spirit of the English Christmas was at its heighth. Since that day there has been a gen- eral decline in the heartiness and genuineness of the celebration. With many today Christmas has lost all real significance, and has become a mere exchange of gifts, and even that not done in the right spirit, but in a spirit of outdoing each ot But there is hope for each one and all of us, if only we elders will read anew each Christmas time Dickens’ carol, recelving from the genuine fount a bit of the true Christmas spirit, Yes, Marley was dead, leaving old Scrooge to carry on. “Oh! but he was a tight-fisted hand at the grindstone, Scrooge! a squeez- ing, wrenching, grasping, scraping, clutching, covetous old sinner! Hard and sharp as fiint, from which no steel d ever struck out generous fire; ret, and se’-contained, and soli- tary as an oyster.” The old .. arted out “bah” and “humbug” when others wished him merry Christmas. He told the solici- tors for a charity “where to get off,” and generally acted like the icicle he was. When the boys stooped down to sing through the keyhole of his office door “God Bless You, Merry Gentle- man, May Nothing You Dismay,” Scrooge chased them ruler. * x % % This was the man who later faced Marley's ghost, bearing its great chain of cash boxes, ledgers and purses, and who was offered a chance of salvation. The introduction of Christmas past, the ghost of Christmas present and the ghost of Christmas yet to be was genius could have handled successfully. Through Its mechanism Dickens took Scrooge back to old times and old places and showed him, by con- trast, just what a mean old cuss he had grown to be. The reader, too, meets the unfor- gottable Bob Cratchit, Tiny Tim and old Fezziwig and all the company the master creates for him. The Scrooge wakes up—but he is not old Scrooge any longer. Bpirits, or dreams, it makes no difference, he has seen the light. It is not here as with the miser in an old French play, who “leans against a post and grows generous,” as the stage directions. sald. The conversion of Scrooge was gen- uine, and 80 impresses the reader. We rejoice with Scrooge, the new Scrooge as he leans out his window Christm morning, able to join in the celebra- tion. “He dressed himselt ‘all {n his best,’ and at last got out into the street. The peopls were by this time pouring forth, as he had seen them with tha ghost of Christmas present; and walking with his hands behind him, Scrooge regarded every one with & delighted smile. He looked so frre- sistibly pleasant, in a word, that three or four good-humored fellows said ‘Good morning, sir! A merry Christmas to you!" And Scrooge said often afterward that of all the blithe sounds he had ever heard those were the blithest in his ears.” Scrooge became as good a man as the good old city knew; and though some laughed at him he let them laugh, for his own heart laughed; and that was quite enough for him, “And so, as Tiny Tim observed, God "bless us, every one!" SPOTLIGHT BY PAUL V. COLLINS. President Coolidge recommended in his last annual messags to Congress that the remaining French spoliation claims be pald. They amount to about $4,000,000 or $5,000,000. A bill to make such settlement was introduced in the Senats December 6, 1923, by the late Senator Lodge, and was referred to the committes on claims, which reported it favorably, with certain amendments. It is now on the Senate calendar and will come up for consideration shortly after the holidays. * ® * % In the history of law, there are many cases long drawn out, in which all litigants died long before a de- clsion was reached; probably there are few precedents of that nature more distinctly demonstrating the tenacity of claims than this of the French spoliations. All incidents on which the claims rest occurred prior to 1800. The claims have been before Congress for at least 120 years, and have been argued by all the leading Jurists and’ statesmen in_ American history, from Jefferson to Hughes, in- cluding Chief Justice Marshall, Daniel Webster, Henry Clay, Edward Everett, Edward Livingston, Caleb Cushing, Rufus Choate, Hannibal Hamlin and Charles Sumner. All these have sup- ported the claims, in princlpls, and contended that by our 1801 settlement with France for violating in 1793 our 1778 treaty of alliance with her, by offsetting the rights of private citizens whose ships were captured by France in retaliation, our Gov- ernment assumed France's obligation to pay the damages 80 sustained. x % Xk X ‘When Lafayette came to the ald of the American colonles at the be- ginning of our revolution, France was at peace with Great Britain, al- though a traditional enemy. In 1778 our Ambassador to France, Benjamin Franklin, concluded a treaty of al- liance with that country, whereby France entered our war against Great Britain. In that treaty we guaran- teed perpetual alliance in protection of France's American possessions (in- cluding her West Indlan islands) against all aggression. That had direct reference to a future war be- tween France and England. In that same treaty France was given ex- clusive right, in case of war, to use our ports with prizes or for supplies. ‘War broke between France and most of Europe when Louls XVI was beheaded by the French revolutionists in 1793. In 1798 the United States, un- der pressure, made a secret treaty with Great Britain, giving her equal rights In our ports. This questionable conduct on the part of our Govern- ment aroused the bitterest feeling in France, and Napoleon ordered the Prench navy to prey upon American commerce, wherever found. Our own navy retallated, and preparations were made for war, but war WAas never declared. * ok K % It was argued that her aid in our revolution had cost France $280,000,- 000, in addition to many casuslties. In answer, it was .contended by Americans that Louls, XVI's govern- ment had not come to our aid for the sake of setting up a free repul lie, but merely to cripple her old enemy; hence she was fighting her own warfare, not ours. Our treaty of 1778 with France had obligate us to join with France even against all Burope, but President Washing- ton had promptly issued & proclama- tion of neutrality when the English, the Netherlznders and Austrians at- tacked her, on the groynd that the treaty would involve us in a sulcidal war. From that experlence came Washington's later solemn warning to “avold entangling siliances.” In 1798 Congress formally abrogated the treaty, against the protest from France, that it could not be cancel- ed without the consent of both parties. The honorableness of this viola- tion of the treaty has been the sub- ject of debate for more than a cen- tury. In revenge for that abrogation and the secret treaty with England, France captured more than 600 American vessels belonging to pri- vate owners, and when our Govern- ment backed these owners In their claims against France; Talleyrand, Napoleon's premier, offset them with a demand for indemnity for the vi- | olation of our treaty of alllance, The two governments agreed to a convention postponing the final set- tlement for eight years, but in ac- cepting this conventfon, Napoleon in- serted a provise definitely stating that the claims should offset each other, and our Senate accepted that settlement. Hence the private clalmants set up the claim that since their rights had been used by our Government to affect a settlement of Napoleon's claim for violation of the treaty, that was tantamount to assuming the obligation to pay the original claimants, since the Constitution pro- hibits taking private property for public use without just compensation. * ok kK President Polk, in 1846, vetoed a bill to pay the claims, basing his veto partly on the fact that Congress had not pald them in the time when men were living who knew the facts, and partly on the then state of the Treas- ury and the existence of the Mexican War. President Plerce, In 1855, vetoed a similar bill, on the ground that our purchase of Louisiana from France, notwithstgnding our earlier conven- tion with Napoleon (wherein we off- t the claims of France. for our vio- lation of the alllance, with our pri- vate citizens’ right, in the spoliation clatms), France had reopened and re. assumed the payment of all “debts’ to our citizens. There is, today, a technical dispute as to the difference between acknowledged “debts” and spoliation claims. President Cleveland vetoed a blll to pay the claims of marine insurance com- panies and personal underwriters, and cited the vetoes of Presidents Polk and Plerce in his own support. President McKiniey and President Roosevelt signed appropriations pay- ing some of the spoliation claims, and President Taft strongly urged their settlement. * % %k & In 1388 Congress established a Court of Claims, with power to adjudicate the justice of the French spoliation accounts, but the decisions of that court, when favorable to the claim- ants, were merely advisory upon Con- gress—not mandatory to pay them. Only 20 per cent of the claims pre- sented to the court were proved. More than half the present claims —in amount—are those of Insurance companies, and the opposition is fo- cused mainly upon recognizing the equity of paying these companies. The ground is taken by the opponents that the insurance compan! had charged premiums of from 12 to 60 per cent of the value of cargo and ship, because assumed exactly the risks which t the losses. They have no equity, refore, It 19 away with a! VITAL THEMES Unions Smash Unlawful Strike. BY JOHN L. LEWIS. President Lewis of the Unmited Mine Workers’ Union Mas recently disqualified 10 striking umlons in the anthracite district for am un- lawful strike. He herowith sets forth his reasoms for Ms drastio action. The action of the International Unlon In revoking charters of some ten local unions for going on an il- legal strike in the anthracite fleld is in accordance with the sound public and contractual policies of the or- ganisation. This action automatical- ly suspends from membership some twelve thousand mine workers who, for two weeks, have been engaged in an unauthorized and unwarranted strike contrary to the provisions of the wage sgreement with the an- thraclte operators and contrary to the specific orders of officers of the union. Thelr action was in every ro- spect {ndefensible and has been large- 1y caused by an irresponsible element who must be made to feel a sense of obligation which membership in the union imposes upon every individual member. The United Mina Workers belleve {n the principle of collective bargaining and in preserving the sanctity of wage contracts. Its pro- gress and growth over a perlod of some 34 years has been based upon adherence to such principles and pol- icles. Aside from the protection to which the employers are entitled, the public interest Is deeply affected, as an unwarranted {nterruption affects the stabllity of the coal market both as to production and price. Mutual confldence between the contracting parties and the public at large is es- sential to the growth and perpetuity of any trade union and the present officers of the United Mine Workers will punctiliously discharge their ob- ligations in this respect. The over- whelming number of the members of the United Mine Workers are loval to their organization and to their contracts. Such incidents as re- cently occurred in the Scranton dis- trict are the result of the efforts of individuals of sinister designs and motives. In any event, those taking part in such unwarranted procedure must be made to feel the weight of their union’s displeasure and the mor- al influence of the organization will continue to be exercised in a man- ner that will command respect for established practices and rightful ob- ligations. (Copyright, 1924.) Defends Esperanto. International Language Would Be Curbed by Divided Views. To the Editor of The Star: Your paper published lately an item ent you by the Associated Press en- titled “Ido Is Universal Language Proposed.” A person not already versed in the subject of international language might be led to suppose from this item that Ido is a real novelty. In fact, it dates from the year 1907. The most important matter in relation to this language is, however, that it is a mere proposed substitute for Es- peranto, & language which dates from 1887 and which has already attained such world-wide acceptance that it may be found in use in every country of the globe. For practical purposes it is evi- dent that a language to be interna- tional should be uniform throughout the world, and that to propose two or more such languages is equivalent to an abandonment of the idea of maximum {nternationality. The ri- valry between these two languages (and still other languages have been proposed) has resulted In the deci- sion by the American Radlo Relay League to adopt Esperanto as its officfal international langu. and the radio assoclations of other coun- tries have agreed to the same con- clusion. The League of Nations a sembly, September 20, 1924, recom- mended unanimously that the states members of the league grant to Es- peranto for internatio communi- cation the treatment and charges in force for telegraphic and radlo com- munications in national languages. Other authorities have recommended that Esperanto be adoptéd because it is s0 much more generally in use that the attempt to substitute any- thing else would delay the adoption of any international language, when there is urgent need that one be adopted for present use. This view of the matter is the one which ap- peals most to the judgment of the general public, to which rival clatms of theoretical superiority of one lan- guage over another are of little in- terest. As to the claims set forth in the ftem In question that Ido is “the most perfect language in existence,” it may be sald that the characteristics stated of Ido are those of Esperanto, with the exception that Ido departs from uniformity and simplicity where Esperanto does not do so. B. PICKMAN MANN. Would Give Annuity To Employes’ Widows To the Editor of The Star: 1 have read with interest your editorial concerning the proposed in- crease of annuity to retired Govern- ment employes. There is a matter which, 1t seems to me, ought to be taken care of ahead of everything else and that is to make provision tor the widows of the deceased re- tired employes. As the matter stands now a man might spend 30 years in the service of the Government, be retired with an annuity under the provision of the law, die within 30 days after retirement and have his wife left with no means of support, though during his 30 years of service she might have done her part faithfully in the home. An amendment to the law provid- ing for the continuation of the an- nuities to the widows of retired em- ployes where the widow has reached the age of 60 at the time of her husband's death, or providing for the continuation of such annuit! ‘where the widow has reached the age of 50 and was married to the deceased employe for 10 years or more pre- ceding his death, would appear to be an equitable and a humane move. FRANK G. CAMPBELL. e argued, In asking the Government to relmburse them. It would not be Just, they argue, merely to deduct the premium paid upon an individual ac- count and then recoup the difference in the loss, aince the companies col- lected high premiums upon the whole mass of business, upon the ordinary insurance principle that the mass of premiums would cover the total losses with & margin of profit. ‘Whether their calculations were cor- rect or not, the Government is not obligated to guarantee such risks, say the opposition members. It is noteworthy that the claime draw no interest, and the lost interest, covering a century andé & quarter, would have amounted to four or five times the primcipal. * (Copyright, by Payl V. Colligs.) ) ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS . BY FREDERIC J. HASKIN Q. Approximately how much clay 19 used In executirg the model of & statue such as that of Jeanne d"Arc in Meridian Park, Washington? —C. BE. D. A. Anna Hyatt massed on to the framework of an earlfer statue of Jearne d'Aro 335 tons of clay. This way¥ 2 life-size model, practically similar to the statue In Washington, lal;upt that this one is larger than e. Q. How many people and cars are cared for at the Washington tourist camp during the son?—M. D. 8. A. The report of Col. Sherrill shows that during the last fiscal year 13,821 cars, with 44,356 persons, were registered at the tourist camp, the average length of stay being two days. Q. What i t e 0f the yellow spot In the eye?—E. O. M. A. The circular yellow spot called “macula lutea” and known, after its discoverer, as ‘“the yellow spot of Sommerung,” i3 about one-twentleth of an Inch In diameter. The only mammals in which it exists are man and monkey. It is the ares of most distinct vislon, a circumstance which may partly be accounted for by the fact that it Is singularly fres from blood vessels, which curve around it and apparently avold it. Q. Is the saxophone used in mill- tary bands?—D. S. A. Before 1350 the saxophone was officlally adopted as an instrument in use in French military bands. The saxophone is used in practically all military bands. Q. What relation is Thomas Meighan's wife to Blanche Ring?— J. 8 H A Frances Ring Meighan Blanche Ring Creel are sisters. Q. Has an airplane ever been launched from a dirigible?—C. W. A. This was done at the reoent air races at Dayton, when & small Army messenger plane hooked under the car of the Army dirigible TC-6 was launched. Not oniy ocan a plane be launched from an alrship but it can return to its perch by means of an automatio attachment. Q. Did the story of Atalanta’s Raoe by Byron originate with him?— E L C A. The story .of Atalanta’s Race was not concelved by Byron. It Is contained in Greek mythology and mentioned by Ovid in his Meta- morphoses. Q. Please tell coftee tree.—E. ML A. Tho coffee tree when native and mething about the ! develops a height of from 18 to 20 feet. Under cultivation the tres is kept short and generally grows from 4 to 6 feet high, to increase the crop and facllitate picking. There are generally two or three main harvests in a year but the shrub bears to a greater or less degree all the year around. Coffes trees produce for from 10 to 20 years and sometimes longer. Q. How long have thers been coats-of-arme?—J. F. M. A. Heraldry was established in the twelfth century. Early bearings were eimple in character and were gen- erally chosen so that they might sug- gest the name of the bearer. Q. Is there any danger of the Con- federate Memorial on Stone Mountain being damaged by erosion?—P. D. T. A. At first it was feared that the memorial would ultimately be de- stroyed by erosion. The State geol- oglst, however, estimates that every 100,000 years the process of erosion would affect the memorial to the amount of one {nch. Q. If the head of Lincoln, by Gutzon Borglum, in the Capitol, at Washing- ton, were placed on a figure what would the proportions be?—W. 8. A. This head of Lincoln, in the ro- tunda of the Capitol, is a head in scale to a standing figure 28 feet high. Q. Where is Irak?—M. A. K. A. Irak and Mesopotamia arse the ame. It lles west of Persia, and 1 pital is Bagdad. Q. How many poorhouses are there in the United States and how many persons are taken care of by them? —C. G. A. In 1923 there were 2,353 public almshouses in the United States and 2,223 of them reported Inmates to the total number of 78,090. Q. When wss thn freedom of the press first established?—E. H. A. The constitutlons of Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland and North Carolina all adopted in'17 declarations of any legislative au- thority in favor of the liberty of the press. With the adoption of Article I, amending the United States Constitu tion, in 1791, the principle of a fres press and free speech was for the first time written Into the organic law of an important nation. Q. Why was the “h” added to the name “Pittsburgh”?—T. P. A. The addition of the letter “h” In the speiling of Pittsburgh goes back to the renaming by Gen. Forbes what had been Fort Duquesne. Wi the departurs of the French from Fort Duquesne, which they fired be- fore leaving, the first thought of the English conquerors was to rename the placs in honor of Wiillam Pitt, st that time—1758—prime minister of England. The English took posses sion November 25, 1758. Whils Forbes’ | spelling of the name has been repre sented varfously as “Pitts-Borough’ and “Pittsbourgh” he always added the “h.” Q. Where and when did the cross word puzzle originate?’—I. A. K. A. Puzzles may be traced far back Thelr origin s not definitely know: Cross-word puzzies became popular a. few decades back, and are probably an evolution of some of the many puzzles known to the ancients. They have run for many years in the Bun day magazine section of the New York World. Q. Should a baby be placed ia the sunshine when asleep?—P. H. A. The Public Health Service says that a baby's eyes and head should from the direct sunlight. This {s just as important while he Is siceping as while awake Q. What kind of a tres i fayetts elm?—B. 8. H. A It ia the same as the Englis elm. At one time such elms we. planted to honor Lafayette, Q. Is it cruel to leave a hor: without exerciss in a stall for while?—G. A. B. A. The Humane Soclety says th keeping a horse in a stall for a length of time is considered an u: necessary cruelty to animals, aud ic held a violation of the law. the L: Q. Who wrote the Princeton song “Orange and Black”?—G. E. E. A. The words of the song were written by Clarence B. Mitchell of the class of ‘89. The tune is “Sadie Ray,” arranged by Ernest Carter. Q. When does the Supreme Cour: convene?—J. M. Y. A. The Supreme Court mests ir October and holds sessions till May with recesses as ordered. Q. Are American citizens allowed to patent things in Canada and In South America’—F. G. R. A. Citizens of the United States are permitted to secure copyright registration and take out patents Canada and also in the following South American countries: Chile, Bo- livia, Brazil, Ecuador, _Paraguay, Uruguay. Q. To settle an argument will you tell me whether a green light is : sign of danger on a railroad?—C E. V. A. The safety division of the In terstate Commerce Commission sa. that in most cases green lights sl nify safety; however, a few rallroads use the green lights for a cauti signal and white lights for clear signal or safety. Q. What causes the heavy rain- fall in India?—D. S. A. The heavy rainfall in India is caused by the monsoons or winds blowing part of the year from one di- rection, alternating with winds from the opposite direction. The soutn- west monsoon blows from April to September and is surcharged Wwith vapor from the Indlan Ocean. It condenses In torrents on the heights of the Chats and forms the rivers which flow to the east. (Readers of The Evening Star should send their questions to The Star In- formation Bureau, Frederic J. Haskin, Director, Twenty-first and C streets northwest. The only charge for this service is ¢ cents in stamps for return postage.) Conservatism Adds Another Triumph at German Polls Another victory added to the ban- ner of conservatism throughout the world is seen by American editors as the result of the recent elections in Germany. Defeats administered alike to the reactionary monarchists and radical communists many view as a step toward stability, which will eventually bring to the republic a two or three party system. Indorse- ment by the German people of the Dawes plan llkewise is seen. “Hope, rather than despalr, is the note struck by the German Reichstag elections,” in the opinlon of the Springfleld, Mass., Republican, which says: “If liberalism has falled to tri- umph, still reaction to monarchy and absolutism has been cheaked on the one side, while a plunge toward rev- olutionary chaos has been averted on the other. The republic in Ger- many has now survived six tempestu- ous years. It enjoys the prospect of surviving six more.” It was evident from the returns, in the opinion of the Loulsville Courier-Journal, “that the German people favor the Weimar constitution over the plan of the na- tionalists for a gradual return to monarchy; that they prefer a con- tinuation of the Dawes plan rather than a modification of it; that they indorse the proposals of those lead- ers who have championed entrance into the League of Natlons as the hope of Germany’s return to pre-war status as a nation. “The German people have voted for the continuation of the policy of good faith on reparations, which Chancel- lor Marx has followed,” says the St. Paul Dispatch. “They have intrench- ed the government against the mo- narchical reaction. They have sent Ludendorff and his absurd fascist party packing.” What the reich needs, the Chicago Daily News thinks, “{s a stable government pledged to peace and economic reconstruction according to the main principles of the experts’ program. A new coali- tion committed to such & policy should be the first result of the re- ory.” The News believes There wetw no -concrets specifio issues of moment before the v’::nn of Germany in the Reichstag elections, but it is not too muck to say that the existence of the repub- lic end, hence, the peace of Europe was at stak * ok R ¥ “The elections have given Germany surer footing and surer direction,” the Dallas Journal believes. “They have relegated Ludendorff to an impotent sta d have raised a Verboten sign inst the Kaiser and h: They should mean & new day for Ger- many, whose dawning will be follow- ed by steady progress toward na- tional restoration and economic sta- bility. Republicanism s at the steer- ing wheel, evidently for a long stay of it.” Therels a feeling in Germany, in the opinion bf the Oakland Tridbune, “that, at leasy, there is a foundation upon which a structure may be bulit. and with the growth of this feeling national thought is being directed in definite channels.” As a result of the elections, the New York World belleves “Chancellor Marx is not delivered from the problems of a coalition. But he does find him- self with a coalition that can number as few as four parties—parties simi lar in policy and parties still with votes enough for a majority. That is a better position than any moderate leader has occupled in recent months The Relchstag which governed Ger many during most of 1934 was electsd in the month of May. It was elected a week before France went to the polls, and when the prediction was general that Polncare would win victory for his policy of aggression. Germany's vote at that time was predicated on a false assumption. Now Germany votes agaln, votes in the light of all that-has‘happened since last May, and votes for peace in Eu- rope, the republic and the Dawes plan.” EEE For the present, as the New Or- leans Times-Picayune sees the results, “Germany must muddle along under a government too weak, thanks to its precarious parllamentary support. to fumction efficiently or to carry on along & stranght and definite line. The rise of two powerful and oco- herent parties from the ruck of the milling factions probably will come later.” The Richmond News-Leader belleves: “The friends of the Dawes plan will be in power and will hold to that agreement. But the outcome, while encouraging, does not indlicate that the economic policy of the reich is established or that the political situation is stabilized. The reaction- aries are prevented for the present from destroying the republic, but the coalition is not given power to strengthen the republican institutions materially.” The election involved a foreign and a domestio issue, according to the view of the New York Times, which observes: “The election was a test of sentiment on the Dawes plan and on the question of republic or mon- archy. The verdict on the foreign is- sue may be considered as sufficiently emphatic. The other question re- mains about where it was. The Ger- man people ‘want peace abroad. On the future of its own government it will wait and s In the latter state of mind there is little cause for Im- medlate concern. No doubt it would have been better for Germany and for the European state of mind as a whole if the Germax people had given an emphatic indorsement to the three parties whose loyalty to the republio is unquestioned. Apparently the elec- tors thought that as long as friendly relations with the allles are main- tained they might indulge themselves the luxury of saying wiat they think on & falrly academic subject llke republic or monarchy.”