Evening Star Newspaper, January 12, 1925, Page 6

YTHE EVENING STAR ‘With Sunday Morning Edition. "WASHINGTON, D. C. MONDAY......January 12, 1925 AHEODORE W. NOYES. . . Editor “The Evening Star Newspaper Company Wusisess Office, 11th and Penasylvania Ave. Ne#w York Office: 116 East 42nd. St. X (;nlexo Officé: Tower Autiding. Taropean Office : 16 Régent 8t:,London, England. The Evening Star, with the Sundey morning sgition, ia dellvered By carriers’ within the 1ty 3t 60 cents: per month: dAlly only, 43 #ents per onth; Sunday only. 20 centy per _ienth. -Ordets mmy #ent by mail or tele- Phoos Main 5000. . Cellection In made by car- rlers at the end of month, * Rate hy Mail—Payable in Advance, Maryland and Virginia. Daily and Sunday..1yr., $8:46; 1 mo., Toc Daily only Sunday only 1€, $2.40} 1 mo., 20¢ All Other States, Daily and Suday,1 Daily only. . CSuhday onl Member of the Associated Press. The Associated Préss is exclusively entitled to the use for republication of il news dis- Paiches credited fo It ar uot ot 1se credited »3p this paper and aiso the . Jocs news pub- isaed berein. " AN “righte of pibieation of #pecinl dispaiches hereld are alsp rpserved. A Housing, Price-Fixing Problem. The bearfngs which began today on the proposcd new rentalslxing law will devélgp, . the “facts upon. which wmq and fal# fegislatioh by Cengress may be based. Few legislative prop- ositi6ns affecting “fore = vitally the physical well being, the personal, prop- erty .and constitutional rights of the -Washingtonian have been considered by the District’s legislature. within a decade. There {s.a housing problent and also a price-fixing -prohleni to be solved. . The -recent housing census by the volice, cdupled- with -other pertinent infarmation. on the ' same subject ¥"hich bas been collected, will make it clear Whether the war-time conditions of housing .shortage remailn pr have been bettered or have .grown worse. The ascertained relation of people to he housed. fo the-suitable housing ac- commodation available for. their use <will help to suggest the most effective Femedy for the disclosed evil. If a sérious housing shortage, cre- ating the utilized opportunity to ex- tort excessive rents, is discovered, how will -Congress correct this evil condi- ton? (1) Something may be gained by such legislation or by -such absten- tion from legistation as will encour- age a maxifium of.the 65,000 real es- tate owners of:‘thc District to rent bouses or.rooms that are rentable and 1o build’ small houses for cheap rental on unimproved - land or vacant lots. (2) Something may be gained by active co-operation - of the Government in helping- to remedy the housing short- age which it created when' it brought to the Capital over 100,000 war workers to assist in svinning the war. Tt recognized this obligation and un- «dertook to build dormitories and room- ing hotels to help to house Govern- “ment employes, & war project checked by the armistice. Seeretary Hoover makes the apt suggestiorr that if Con- ®Tses will pass the bill which provides for’the official housing 4 Government- owhed bulldings of the departments how in rented quarters the Govern- ment will release for dwelling use sev- eral large privately owned apartment structures. (3) But ¥ feither, 6f both, of these devices will saffice to so swell the housing supply as to. secure through competition rental charges that are ressonable, thén Congress will, as the only other alternative; deprive the owners of property, renited or to be rented: of owners' control; and either through " an equitablé rentals-fixing tribunal or through a hostile punitive commission compel reasonable rents. It the conditions are such thdt the Government must in peace time com- mandeer the property of individuals in order t6 house suitably and cheapiy. its employes, Congress may be relied upon to accomplish this seizure with the absolute minimum of violation of he equities and of American rights guaranteed- by -the letter or aseured Dby the spirit of the Constitution. it these conditions are found to exist Congress may decide that the bighTénts evil may be checked by an equitable price-fixing tribunal, provid- ing a kind of compulsory arbitration between lapdlords and tenants, like that which Secretary Hoover might be imagined as organizing to prevent the = Washington householders of small .means, - including low-salaried Goyernment employes, from freezing in. widwinter on account of excessive mnd extortionate prices of coal. Fair- ventals fixing fs classed by some au- thorities as on the same basis as the yricefixing of coal or bread or the wages of labor. ..If" Congress finds some peculiar oFintinality in Washington property ‘owners or landlords or bankers on ac- | count of which the community must | forfeit its claim' to the same equitable | -onsidération that would be bestowed by fts Legislature upon any other American .community, then justifica- tion for more drastic. punitfve legisla- tion, even in peace.time and per- manently, may be found. In this con- nection vicious findncing through the pyramiding of trusts, with resulting extartionate rents, bas been attributed o Washington, with the suggestion that. Washington ‘bankers, through their control of local finarcing, could have prevented this evil. Undoubtedly the joint committee ~will examine thoroughly this charge ‘and the: reply of the Bankers' Asdoclation that the trust-pyramiding evil.is. imported, not local, and that this unsound financ- ing-is. not. by «the local banks. All ‘Washirigton appeals to Congress for such necessary gction as will segre- ate, check and plnish-this evil with- out ‘flieting undeserved Injury upon thescommunity 4§-.a whole, - /The President and, Congress in so shaping rentals’ legislation as to ‘as- sure fair play ‘and a minimum of un- avoidable injury to everybody will find it easier to protect sympathetical- 1y the tenant than {o do:éven-handed -justice to the landlord. In our com- “unify there are so many more of us WH® ‘are tenants than landlords, and 50 small & frmction of those who are lzndlords are profiteers, that popular “ sympathy with the oppressed tenant is widespread and dominating. The task of Congress will be to give de- served protection to the tenant in such fashion as to infilct @ minimum of deéstruétion ‘or deprivation of prop- erty values without just compensation upon the 65,0000 real estate owners of the District, and to violate as little as possible the constitutional rights and to debase to a minimum degree the permanent constitutional status of all ‘Washingtonians, including tenants, landlords and home-owners alike. The State Department Change. Disappointment {s the first reaction from the announcement that Charles E. Hughes will retire from public life on the 4th of Mareh. He will relin- quish the office of Secretary of State, which he has so ably filled since the Gth of March, 1921, maintaining there- in the highest traditions of American statesmanship and rendering services of greatest value to the country in his administration of the foreign rela- tions, 1t was generally hoped, and with some. confidence expected, that Mr. Hughes would continue. in that office. ‘Now he aiinounces - his inten- tion to retura to private’life, to the practice of law, in which he is one of the ablest exponents in this country. Speculation as to the finally deter- mining cause of this decision involves many considerations. It is surmised | that Mr. Hughes is dissatisfied with the trend of- judgment in the Senate with Tegard to certain aspects of the foreign pelations of the United States. The Senate is a co-ordinate factor in the dealings of this Government with other powers. If-has the final word on treaties. It may do much to shape the foreign policy of the country. It may do much to thwart the policies of the administration. But it is not in consonance with Mr. Hughes' character to accept as a reason for his determination to re- linquish the cares and burdens of one of the most responsible offices in the Government & disposition to avoid dis- putation of differeénce of opinion. Hé has, as he States in his letter to the President, devoted 20 vears of his lite to public service. He feels that it is no longer incumbent upon him to sac- rifice his'time and energy when op- portunity still presents itseif for work in a profession. which he loves. ‘Washington particularly regrets the prospect of Mr. Hughes’ departure trom official life, for it will deprive the Capital of a resident who has be- come a cherished citizen of the com- munity. During his service on the Su- preme Court and his nearly four years of duty at tie head of the State De- partment Mr. Hughes has entered into the life-of the Capital with keen in- terest for its welfare: He has made a host of friends who view him as neighbor. - Their ‘hope is that here- after Mr. Hughes will spend much of his time here, as it is the hope and con- fident .expectation. of all that he will contiive to be actively engaged in public labors for the advancement of the country. Au Revoir to Jusserand. ‘Washington's tribute to Jules Jean Jusserand, retiring Ambassador of France to the United States, given Saturday night in the form of a testi- monial banquet, was a remarkable ‘demonstration -of esteem and affeetion for the representative of a foreign government. It was a sincere and spontaneous manifestation of the re- gard in which Jusserand is held after more than 22 years of service at this capital. It was, as Speaker Giilett said in his opening remarks, an unofficial testimonial, yet participated in by the highest offictals of the Government in presence and in written messages. By a striking coincidence it was just 100 years ago that Lafayette was acclaimed by the American people on his second visit to this country and vias given high honors of reception by the American Government. Thus in the span of a century the names of Lafayette and Jusserand are linked, in a most worthy assoclation. It is'the duty of an Ambassador to represent his own country. To the ex- tent that he understands the people to whom he is accredited, that he en- ters fnto their life and is able to in- terpret them in all their reactions, he renders the highest service to them as well as to the government and the people for whom he is the deputy. Jules Jean Jusserand has been from this point of view the ideal Ambagsador. He has established a record for the longest term of serv- ice ever spent at this Capital by a foreign diplomat. He has made, how- ever, & morse valuable record in evok- ing on the eve of his departure such a significant expression of sentiment from the representatives of the Amer- ican people at-the Capital as that of Saturday night, which will stand con- spicuously in history, though unofficial in character. i ———————— The departure from public service of Secretary Hughes on March 4 will add a touch of-serious regret to an oecasion of general rejoicing. —— ——— Insistent reminders of the expense of the recent war should have their effect in stimulating efforts to prevent |another one. e Restore the Army Blue! Secretary of War Weeks says that the uniforms worn by soldiers on duty on the streets of the National Capital during the Harding funeral cere- monies were disgraceful; that he looked across the street at the Marine Corps’ detachment in their blue dress clothes, and that-the difference was humiliating to Army men. Many persons, both in the Army and in civil life, will agree with Secre- tary Weeks. Soldlers, still clad appro- priately for the active campaigning which ceased six years ago, do suffer sartorially in comparison, with marines and even with sailors when compelled to wear for gala occasions clothihg as tully inappropriate as elaborate dress uniforms would be for medern trench waitare, . The remedy is easy. All'that needs to be done'is to resume tie use of the former biue dress uniform of the Army.” This would require’ an addi- tional appropriation, but appropria- tions are made every day for far less valuable purposes. The specifications and regulations for this garb are still A 4 0 : in existénce. They were rendéred temporarily and indefinitely inopera- tive when the United Statés entered the war. Thié was wisely done; it put a vastly augmented Army into the oné needful costume, and saved héavy ex- pense on'the part of temporary officers In purchasing regalia for which they would never have use. In fact, the | regulatory process was positive as well as negative, in that it was speci- fied that the fleld uniform would thenceforward be regarded as suitable for any and all oceasions. The Army is now down to peace- time strength, Its dress uniform still exists, evidenced by the fact that White House aides and milltary at- taches of embassies must be provided theérewith. From what can be léarned it is evident that even thé many of- ficers who do not possess it would wel- come a ‘better suit,’ while.a change ot clothing for special occdsions -has the morale of enlisted men, The Ma- ineg1). dprhfes hegh found Neneficial m!or the motorman was the conductor, THIS AND THAT Dog" might be the title of this story, since it involves the awnership of a canine, its home and what the two 1adfes kmew or aid not know about it all. The conductor couldn’t solve it. Maybe you can. In the light of subssquent events observers wished they had noticed when the short wom, nd the tall waoman boarded the street car, run- ning cityward that cold Winter morning. All they can remember is that the Gog, a fluffy black fellow, with bright eyes gleaming out of a mass of hair, got on the car far uptown. Whether the ladies came in with him or not nobody remembered after- ward, not even the conduetor. The conductor was-the materman, either way you choose to put it, for rine Corps appreclates this fact. The officers of the Navy have had thelr dress uniforms re-established by regu- lation. One of the first things the | British war office set ahout after the conclusfon of hostilities was the grad- ual resumption, beginning with the Household Troops, of the costly and widely varfed dress uniforms worn by the various branches and individual regiments, and this at a time when Britain was pretty hard up. It was not regarded by any one, official or taxpayer, as an extravagance, nor, viewed in the correct light, was it one. The blue dress uniforms of the United States Army are comparatively simple, and vary but little throughout the service. To give that Army a “best suit,” something enjoyed by men in almost every other walk of Iife, would call for an additional appropria- tion for the enlisted men and for per- sonal expense on the part of the com- missioned personnel. But both the public which pays for one, and the individuals who shoulder the other, would rejoice in the restitution of the traditional “Army blue.” —_— et In the suit against Ibanez alleging defamation of the King of Spain it may be found impossible to find a penalty, in case of conviction, that will outweigh the value of the adver- tising. — e That ancient suggestion of bringing | the ex-kaiser to trial was disposed of quietly without going to the trouble of bringing in the allenists. —_—rae——— The office of Ambassador to Great Britain is coming to be regarded as a great training school for American statesmanship. e — There is no way of being sure that the suppression of drug traffic will en- tirely eliminate certain wild dreams that have been more or less evident in international politics. — e —— When a Republican Senator attacks the present administration and a Dem- ocratic Senator defends it, those who have hoped for the effacement of party lines find renewed encouragement. ———w——— Germany Is said to be meking strides toward prosperity in spite of her ais- advantages. It may occur t6 her citi- zens that their affairs would be in much better shape if years ago they had disregarded the imperial family and selected a harnessmaker as head of the government. * ————— SHOOTING STARS. this was a one-man car, one of the type which some people prefer and otheérs how! about. The terrier evidently belonged to the former group. He wagged his tail vigorously, running up and down in the aisle as If seeking some one. As far s could be ascertained, no biped pald the least bit of attention to the little dog, which continued to sniff up and down, until at last it at- tracted the attention of the motor- man. “Whose dog 1s that?’ inquired the motorman, pivoting on his controller handle. The conducto} glared back Into the recesse: Passengers 0 the crowded ecar manifested slight interest in the problem of the dog, leaving the sub- Jject to the combined motorman and conductor. That worthy, for some reason or other dimly understood at the time, seemed perfectly willing, even anxlous, to probe the thing to the bottom. Now dogs are permitted to ride In Washington street cars free of charge, if In the keeping of a pald passénger. In some other cities canines are denied admission to street cars, and in still others the owner must pay a dog fare. % * o “Who owns that dog?’ repeated the conductor. The motorman eved the crowd, as his car plunged downtown. Nobody sald a word. The black dog, sensing that he was the center of attraction, in that dumb, mysteri- ous way of animals, began to cavort as much as the crowded alsle would allow him. “I'll have to put him off,” said the motorman. In this verdict the con- ductor agreed. The two men spoke with but a single voice, so perfectly in accord were they upon the course of action to be pursued. “We will have to put him off, then,” was the verdict At this point the short woman ac- tively entered the scenc. She had been sitting quietly by the window, her fellow Dassenger in the seat being a staid business man who never once during the course of this drama of daily life gave the slightest evi- dence that he heard a word or saw a bit of the play. “Don’t put him off,” suddenly spoke up the short woman, her pale face gleaming with apprehension. The motorman turned his eyes front, w that the way was clear, then turned around. “I8 he your dog, madam?” asked the conductor. “No, he is not my dog," she re- torted, her faded blue eyes gleaming with even more apprehension. “But if you put him off here, he will not know where he is, and will be lost. “L can't help that,” said the hard- “The Mystery of the Small Black| BY CHARLES E. TRACEWELL. hearted moforman. got oft.” ~ “And “He will Have to then. he will be taken up by her“and asphyklated, or said. th woman, bitterly. “Why don't you let him ride around with you till you come, uok,-ufi;, when you can put him off, whete he got on?’ The soft-Negrted conductor, who must have been a -dog fancler, re- lented. ¥ “Well,” he'sald, “I'll do that.” * % x % The black pooch all this time had been nosing around through the car. Remember, the short woman had at no_time spoken to him., Yet no sooner had she ceased speak- ing to the motorman than the adg clambered over the legs of the in- different business man, and curled himself comfortably at the feet of the woman. . Was it her dog? ‘. Not as far as any one could The woman merely looked out window, paying no attention to dog_at her feet. Then the tall woman actively be- came a participant in the happenings of the hour. She was unusually tall for @ woman, but her perfect form prevented her from seeming too tall. Her cheeks gleamed with the real blush of nature, not the kind that is put on out of a tiy box. £ ; Opening her handbag, the tall lady, who sat in the second seat from the front, and three seats ahead of the short woman, took out therefrom a bit of bread, and, turning half around, offered {t to the dog. The black fellow arose from his place at the feet of the short woman, scrambled again over the feet of the passive gentleman, and ranm to the bit of bread. This he ate greedily. The tall woman smoothed her hair showing under the edge of her thim- ble hat, then reached down a languid hand. This she bestowed upon the tangled hair of the little dog, giving it several gentle pats, which the dog seemed to appreciate, although he still kept smelling her handbag for more bread. Did this woman own the dog? * %k % The car was down in the business district now. work with picks, chipping out the ice from the street as if it had been asphait. The short woman had to leave the car, but before she did so spole to the conductar. “You will the the take the dog around with yo and let him off when you get back to the place he got on?" she Inquired of the motorman, “Yes, ma'm,” placated the con- ductor. “I'll take him clear around. “He 18 too nice a dog to fall into the hands of the dog catcher,” smiled the lady. “Yes, ma'm,” agreed the motorman. The car went on, and on. It came the turn of the tall lady, the lady with the dark hair and she pink cheeks. ¢ -4 8he walked forward to the door, sat down on a seat up frout, pulled « plece of paper and pencil out of her handbag, started to write, When she finished, she handed the slip of paper to the motorman, and then alighted without a. word, or a backward glance st the dog. The motorman spread paper, and read: The dog lives at ing & number. ‘Well, I'll be jiggered!” he gasped. “One woman said to take it back up- town, now this one says to leave it downtown! Say, who does this dog belong to, anyway out the H street,” WASHINGTON OBSERVATIONS BY FREDERIC WILLIAM WILE In the lghtning fashion in which he is plugging holes in his administra- tion, “Cautious Cal” is upsetting an- other Coolidge legend. Never in White House history was there less slowness of decision than the past week has recorded. McKenna quits the Supreme Court, and Stone is named for the vacated place the same BY PHILANDER JOHNSON. A Serious Moment. Although we lead a merry pace Or one of usefulness, Our steps, whatever path we trace Unto one end must press. Howe'er your efforis you extend In any chosen line Of work or thought, friend, You're going to resign. some day, oh, When first you tossed your toes in play, A baby much admired, Fate had decreed that one fine day From earth you'd be retired. 80 let's be useful while we can, Be Fortune harsh or fine. This rumor waits on every man: “Some day you must resign.” Studying Popular Taste. “Are you going to participate in any investigations “I don’'t know,” answered Senator Sorghum. “Investigations don't seem to be so very popular any more. I'm wondering whether I can’t in some way work in on this extraordinary | interest in cross-word puzzles.” Elevations. A very subtle question runs Through hints of forelgn querrels; Now, shall we elevate our guns, Or elevate their morals? Jud Tunkins says the world is un- doubtedly getting better, only e lot of the people in it insist on being be- hind the times. U. S. Cabinet Seance. Mysterious tunes are straying! With feelings all perplexed ‘We wonder while they're playing ‘Who's going to come out next. Remembrance. “She used to say she would never forget him.” “She never does,” said Miss Cay- enne. “She sends for her alimon: with absolute regularity.” 3 Music and Oratory. Ttaly! Italy! Mother of art! In politics oft you will make a new start. Andante—Allegro—all movements you wy, But somehow your music awry. - is going Italy! Italy! Center of song! Debates have been going pecuiiarly . strong. We hope that conditions ere long will be right To let you just sing and not have to recite. . “The troyble 'bout bein' yoh own | boss,” said Uncle Eben, “is dat.you is liable to show all yob authority by givin' yohse't holidays.” day., Warren's appointment as Stone’s successor would probably have been announced simultaneously except for the temporary opposition of the Mich- igan delegation. Hughes shocks and stuns the Nation by resigning from the Secretaryship of State. The White House bulletin that contains those tidings also proclaims that Kellogs comes home from the London embassy to head the State Depart ment. Of course, none of these things happened, or eéven happens, with the suddenness that appears on the sur- face. Nevertheless, President Cool- idge is revealed as a man of Swift action. It is an attribute not popu- larly assoclated, with him, even though experts like Frank Stearns say it is constitutional and characteristic. ® % * % No- farewell token bestowed upon Ambassador Jusserand has afforded him greater pleasure than a silver loving cup given him by the members of the celsbrated Roosevelt “tennis cabinet.” It reached the retiring French envoy at Christmas time and is inscribed: “A token of lasting friendship.” Then follow the names of the ten men who constituted “T.R.'s" unofficial household. Some of them, like Col. Roosevelt himself, have passed on; others are still prominent in American public life. The list in- cludes Theodore Roosevelt, Jules J. Jusserand, Robert Bacon, Assistant Secretary of State, 1905-8; James R. Garfleld, Secretary of the Interior, 1907-9; Herbert Knox Smith, deputy commissioner of corporations, Depart. ment of Commerce and Labor; George von Lengerke Meyer, Postmaster Gen- eral, 1007-9; Lawrence O. Murfay, As- sistant Secretary of Commerce and Labor, and Controller of the Cur- rency; Phillp Lee Phillips, chiet director of maps, Library of Congress; Gifford Pinchot, chief forester, and Beskman Winthirop, Assistant Secre- 1907-9. One of the significant signs of the new International times is the party which the George Wakhington-Sul- grave Instittion is giving in New York on January 29 in_honor of Timothy A. Smlddy, Irish Minlster to the United States: It waen't so long ago that it would have been almpst treasonable for an Anglo-American triendship organization to lionizé:an exponent of Ireland Libre. A special committee, consigting of a hundred of the most distinguished men in-the United Statés, is in. charge of the reception and dinner to be tendered Prof. -Smiddy. Among _them is Admiral Sims, who has rubbed Erin the wrong way on more than ofie &x- plosive occasion. Charles M. Schw. Rabbl Wise, Vincent Astor, Otto Kahn and Dwight W. Morrow—Pres| dent Coolldge's chum at Amherst—are among the prime movers in the fune- tion. # * ¥ x K Charles Beecher Warren -of Mich- igan, President Coplidge's new Atto ney General, ~prabably earned his spurs with the administration at the Cleveland national convention last June. . Warren was chosen by the Butler high command to be chalrman of .the resolutions committee. The Michigan- delegation, In whicli the State organization was paramount, protested Warren's choice, but he had the backing of the White House, which was monarch of .all it sur- veyed. Warren came Straight to’ the convention from a conference -with Vresident Coolidge and remafned in unbroken telephonic connection with the Ixocnuv&llnslon until the plat- form was falt accompli. Insiders credited Warren's astuteness at a psy- | chologieal moment for the fact that the platform, after being read by him to the convention, went through strictly according to program. There Wwas 4 moment when Albert Jeremiah Beveridge of Indlana threatened to throw an eloquent monkey wrench into the Coolidge-Butler-Warren ma- chinery. But the smooth and suave Detroiter moved too expeditiously, and Beveridge lay low. * * k% Col. Alfred Willlam Bjornstad; U..S. A, whose promotion to a brigadier generalship is being held up &t the b hest of enator Davis Elkins of West Virginia, has had one of the most dis- tinguished careers ever achleved by our modern generation of younger military officers, though not a West Pointer. He was a voluntcer in the Minnesota National Guard during the Spanish-American War, and during six years' service in the Philippines engaged in no fewer than 34 battles and'actions. In 1911-12 he was Amer- lean military attache in Berlin. When we entered the World War Bjornstad orgarized and directed the 16 training camps for officers, which produced the original 25,341 officers of the Natlonal Army. Later, as a commander of*the 13th Brigade, he participated in all of Pershing’s major engagements in France. For the past five years Col. Bjornstad has commanded at Fort Snelling, Minn. He wears distin- gulshed decorations of honor from the United States, Great Britain and France. Bjornstad has just turned 50, # ; Calvin _Cooliage *is" working for the house a tenants of Washington ments engendered in him time of ténancy, as his induction by the light of “Cal's” penchant quarters throu, litical life, talking and nd apartment from senti- by a lffe- Almost as legendary Into the presidency a kerosene lamp is for simple living o ghou: his early po- eneratlons of American boys yet unborn probably will read of the $32-u-month half-house the Coolldges long occupied at North. ampton and the $1.50-a-day room he lived 1n at the Adams House, Boston, While in the Massachusetts Senate and while lieutenant governor and governor. So the thrifty Vermonter knows the virtues of modest housing and the rights of humble renters like Government employes. On no purely local Washington issue has President Coolldge spoken with such férvor as he has in connection with the bill to curb rent-gouging in the District. Perhaps, when the time comes, he'll 8o to.bat as vigorébusly on behalf of national representation in Congress :nd l:lo electoral college for the di ranchised denizens of U ; square 10 miles, e * k% ¥ Every letter carrier and postal employe in the land for more than a generation has been inspired by the career of “Eddie” Morgan, postmaster of New York, who has just sorted his last mall after 62 years of contlnu- ous service in the postal branch. Morgan, born in Michigan in‘1885, began life as a pdrrier’ when he was 18 years old and was oh_duty New York post office contintpusly/ until January 5, 1925. Morgan the country's biggest post office rise from & two-story cottage to the gi- gantic institution it is today, with more than & million square feet of floot 'space in its various divisions and branches. Roosevelt appointed aum. postmaster of New York in 1807, Taft reappointed him, and Harding gave himshis old position after he had been out of it during the Wilson administration. Morgan once said: 1§ a mystic charm about the o when one. falls “inftuence, takes complete possession of the faculties and mo- nopolizes all that a man has in the way of endeavor and enthusiasm.” (Copyright, 1925.) f E% | Colored men were at| FLOWERS For the Living Rln;_[_a‘rdfler ‘ BY HUGH FULLERTON. One day tn 1907 1 was in the office eirly and a friend namted Jacks ap- peared, accompanied by a tall, dark complexfoned, preternaturally solemn appearihg person who had much the look and manner of Rameses 11 with his wrappings off. Jacks introduced s and Rameses sajd he was seeking a job writing base ball in Chicago nd had worked in South Bend. “It requires thought,” 1 sald. “Let's g0 get a beer and talk it over. “I don't drink,” sald Rameses, tones from the tomb. “Youll mpke one hell of a sports writer if you don't,” 1 remarked cas- ually, the chief requisite of a sport writer of those days being & cast- steel stomach. The effect of my remark was amaz- i6ig., The solemn face grew more sol- emn and the big, wistful eyes turned slowly toward his friend as he said: You son of a gun, you told me to tell him that.’ When we reached the Steuben 1 learned his name wasn't Rameses 11 at all, but was Ringgold Wilmer Lat@ner, who has made two laughs row where one grin sprouted be- or d who has become omne of the world's best known humorists. 1 hate to use the éxpression “has become,” because he always was, only At took a long time for the world to discover how funny he fs. Also ft took us & long time to convince editors, We who lived with him knew, but it was discouraging busi- ness going around and telling editors. “This fellow Is the funniest guy in the world,” and then have them put on pained expressions and try to be polite. We almost lived together for a dozen years, around base ball teams, and I learned a lot about him; got under the mummy mask of that sol- emn appearing face and discovered a great big, sensitive, loyal boy heart. The editors never could see him or his stuff. We peddled it to most of them and acted as press agent for him. They read it, looked pained and said 1t wouldn't do, Honestly I got to thinking I was & blt crazy, for after laughing until 1 was sick at his @grolleries the editors sald his wit was commonplace and his humor all wrong. Then Charlie Van Loan took the stuff, crammed it down an unwill- ing editor's throat and Lardner, al- most in a day, became the most Dop- ular and most imitated humorist in the country. Now some of the imi- | tators are imitating the imitators who imitated hin The reason Lardner's wit and hu- mor have such & wide appeal among the people at large {s that it is =o true. His first “You Know Me, AL" storles were almost verbatim report- Ing of arguments between Ping Bodie, Jacques Fournler and Frank Smith of the White Sox worked into yarns. Perhaps the clevation of the brows of six well known editors who re- fused to touch the stories prevented tiem from realizing how keen and analytical Lardner's insight into men and motives is. The finest compli- ment ever paid & writer was pald bim by Jack Hendricks, now manager of the Cincinnati base ball team. Jack came to me when Lardner's first stories were appearing and asked: “Say, who is this big stiff Lardner who s writing that stuff?” “Why?" I parried “Weil,” said Jack, “I've a notion to bust him on the jaw. FHe has baen in my trunk steallng some of my old letters.” Ring's in i meeting with Cohan is typical of him. A friend went to Cohan and said Lardner wanted to meet him. Cohan dodged. “For heaven's sake keep him away,” he pleaded. But finally one night at a banquet, Ring cornered the great thealrical mhn. “Mr. Coban” he said, slowly and solemnly, “T've been wanting to meet you for some time. You've been In the theater for twenty years. You know everything is to know about the theater. You're the one man who can tell me what I want to know. Mr. Cohan, how the hell does a guy get on the water wagon?" Cohan had a friend waiting for him outside, to whom he sent the tollowing word: “Go on home. I just met a live wire. I'm going to spend the night with him.” Thereupon he became one of Ring's greatest admirers. He even tempted Lardner to write a play, which was 80 funny Cohan laughed himself sick and didn't present it. Lots of people know Ring: vet 1 doubt whether any save a few who have llved close to him understand him. He is a very proud, very sensi- tive fellow, easily wounded, although few suspect it. He {s very loyal to old friends, and hates hypocrisy and sham, turning the point of his bitter satire at those who deal in bunk and who ring false. He is unusual—and likes unusual people—if they are interesting. He hits our weaknesses and bears down too hard sometimes on the-lancet of wit, with which he reveals the in- nards of his victims, but if he hurts us, he is sorry. Ring is a big, lovable, loyal fel- low, and sometimes, I think, a bit addened, because some of his idols have broken. He has only one habit I never can forgive. He used to wait until after a hard night, and then order ' sardines and black tea for breakfast. George M (Copyright, 1924.) VITAL THEMES Swinging Into a Big Year. By GEORGE E. ROBERTS, Formerly Director of the United States Mint. Not only bull markets on all the stock exchanges of the country but many other evidenc ed by this far-sesing developing which offers such a sound guar antee for good times The business world has entered upon the new vear in a spirit of con- fidence not manifested hitherto since the great war. The world is inspired by a bellef that better times are in sight. Prosperity results from balanced relations between the industries. The strength and weakness of the modern {industrial organization both 1fé-in the fact that-all of us have become spe- clalists, each deing some one thing, whioh may have little direct relation to his own wants, and depending upon supplying his wants by exchanging products or services with others. This sysiem of exchanges is the fun- damental thing in modern society. 1t enormously. increases the productivity of; iidustry; the .existing population could be sustained In- the. state of comfort-to which it is accustomed without this system: but if from any dause the system is thrown out of balance, s0 that the exchanges are not easily made, industry necessarily slows down. It is then that we have bad times. & The bslance may be disturbed by, overprodaction tn certain lines,’ crop failures or various occurrences af- fecting the purchasing power of great numbers of people, but the most calamitous of such disturbances is {war: It makes “enormous demunds upon some-of thé industries, disrupts wBtAbIINE trade relations and most serfously disturbs price relations. When the war s over all of these re- lations must be renewed or read- justed before the even and regular flow of the éxchanges can again take there | "ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS BY FREDERIC J. HASKIN Q. How miany of the ‘Washington high schéol puplls are whita- and how many are colored’—E. B, A. On November 1, 1924, 9,216 of the pupils in the public high schools wers white and 3,055 ecolored.- About one- fourth of thé population of the Dis- triot 18 colored and about one-fourth of the high school pupils are of that race. ‘Q. On automobile tires T have no- ticed this statement—passenger cars keep dnflated t6 65 Ibs. or 46 kgs. trucks 80 Ibs. or 56 kgs. Kindly tell me what kgs. means.—A. H. 8. A. This stands for kilograms, a measure of weight in the mertic sys- tem. The directions are given in both avbirdupois and metric measure since the tires bearing them are used both heré and abroad. Q. Where did the custom of watch night on the last night of the old year originate?—P, H. . A. It has Been the custom from time immemorial to maintain watch on the night preceding ary great event. References to this are found in the Gospel of Mark xiv.87, Psalms cxxx.f. The watch night services for the new year were popularized Ly John Wesley, founder of the Metho- dist religion, and by the Moravians, with whomn Wesley was at one time affiliated. Q. In_checkers, sory?—M. F, W. A. According to the rules of check- ers it is compulsory for a player to jump his opponent if he has the op: portunity. is a jump compul- Q. Can a base ball be thrown that will hop?—R. M. S A. There is a fast ball thrown by a right-hander, side-arm pitcher which will hop. The ball upon leav- ing the pitcher's glove goes straight and then hops up higher. Q. Is helfum more elastic than air? Is it dangerous under high compres- slon?—D. V. L. A. Helium is a gas, less inert than air. The expansion and contraction is greater than air. ¥From the e of heat the gas expands, and from the effect of cooling it contracts. Hellum is not dangerous under any conditions. Q. Could an American officer re- duce the rank of an officer under him?—J. W. A. An officer could not be reduced in rank by his immediate superior. A recommendation would be made to the War Department that this be done.. In time of war the general of the Army could probably reduce the rank of an officer. but this is gen- erally done by the War Department upon due consideration. Q ¥or whom named’—E. P. H. A. Albuquerque, N. Mex., was named for the Spanish Duke of Albuquerque, who visited that spot in 1703 to 1710. 1 was Albuquerque Q. In the early ygar's of the fourteenth century what kinds of time were used by composers?—D. L. O. A. At this perfod there were in use three kinds of time—lively, moderate and slow, so-called. These correspond to allegro, andamte and adaglo. Q. What State has the largest road bullding program?—G. T. A. One of the largest’ if not the largest, is that of Illinois, where a $100,000.000 road bond authorization was passed at the recent election. get =ome data re- dance halls—W. T. G Q. Where can garding public i ! The decision of Willlam Jennings Bryan to join the American Associa- tion for the Advancement of Science has furnished basis for conjecture, misgivings and fun in the editorial | sanctums of America. Reports sald that in sending the check for the |35 membership tee, cation, Col. Bryan neglected the de- tail of affixing his signature. That point gave more sport to the editorial reflections. “The fact that Mr. Bryan falled to sign the check covering his fes for membership In the American Associa- tion for the Advancement of Science. declares the New York Herald-Tri- Dbune, “or even the fact that Mr. Bryan applied for membership at all, is per- haps the least relevant piece of news that could possibly be sent out re- garding the annual meeting of that body. But its dispatch is simptomatic {of a public attitude which still re- quires a Mr. Bryan to make sclence interesting.” In the opinion of the Baltimore Sun: “Mr. Bryan undoubt- edly belongs in the association if an- nounced {ntentions count for any- thing. He has been a leading exponent of what ha offers as a true theory of man’s biological relation to the earth’ other inhabitants. That s, he s a would-be scientist himself and sctive in the advancement of the particular brand that he favors. That ought to entitle him to membership in the as- soclation. The present members are by no means in agreement on all questions and the Introduction of ad- ditional discord will do no harm.” * % *x ¥ “Despite the fact that his check arrived unsigned,” says the Savannah News, “it was taken for granted that Wil n Jennings Bryan was sincere when he forwarded the paper to pay his membership fee in the association, many of whose members earnestly defend the Darwinian theory of the ‘survival of the fittest,’ or ‘natural selectioh.’ The apparent comment is that Mr, Bryan is applying this late in life for information about scien- tific progress. Mr. Bryan's mind s not scientific. He doesn't depend on cold reasoning to win sugh-victories place. This process of reorganization and readjustment has been going on for the last eight years. Agriculture was stimulated by the war. Not only dld the prices of farm products rise, but the prices of farms Tose to correspond, and many persons bought and went into debt for farms on this basis. Any situation based upon war was necesarily temporary, and when the prices of farm products fell “farm values' fell with them. Furthermore, the prices of what the farmers had to buy did not decline in like manner, mainly because wages are the chiet factor in the prices of everything but farm products, and wages do not necessarily fall. Hers wa§ an 'unbalanced situation; the fariaing ‘Hopulation being unable to take “its *accustomed quantities _of Jmafufact@red godds, with the resuit ‘that employment in the factories has been irregular. "This has been the case not only in the United States but alk_over the world. " The' Settlethent of the reparations question has revived industry in Eu- rope and strengthened the purchas- ing power of thosg populations, and the rise,in prices of fatm products has increased the purchusing power of the agricultural populations, with the result that the normal relation- ships which produce prosperity over the world are approximatety resorted. Busitess men everywhere récognize the Improved eonditions and are-plan= | ning accordingly. The great lesson of this experience is that all groups £14 .issses are vitally interested in cach oner's prosperity. (Copyright, 1925.) with his appli- | A. A report by the public dance hall committee of-the Sax Franclsco Cenfer of the California Civic Leagus of Woman Voters s to be found In the Tuly-August, 1924, issues of Parks and ReorBations, published at Minot, Dak. - Tt takes up general considera- tions involved in a comprehensive dance hall policy, covering a his torical summary of the dancs, the psychological considerations and svs- tems of regulating dance halls. Q. Flow many Mormons ara there in the United States?”—G. W. S. A. The estimated number of Mor- mons in the United States {s 604,082 Q. Where and what is the Portal of Peace?--D. V. H. A. The Portal of Peacs is a massive concrete structure in the form of 2 gateway. It is located at Blaine, Wash., and was dedicated September 5, 1921, in honor of the peacs between ithe United States and Canada, which had lasted for more than 100 years without a break. The memorial which cost $40,000, stands 100 yards from the international boundary where the 49th parallel meets Boun- dary Bay. Q. What is & blind tulip—L. V. M | A. The Department of Agriculture | says that a blind tulip is one which has reached flowering size and does not flower. Blindness in commercial bulbs may be dus to various caus such as too high temperature at the time when the plants are rooting This sometimes occurs when the plants are forced Almost without exception, a tulip bulb of proper size and ordinary firmness has a flower it, and if properly handled will pr | duce that flower. Q. Why is the quarter or half map: | visible in daylight?—W. J. D. A. The Naval Observatory savs when seen by an Indirect glance of the eve, the moon by day is often mis- taken for a small white cloud. The visibility whether of moon or cloud is due to the same cause. Each reflects | to the e of an observer noticeably more suniight than comes from an equal area of the surrounding sky The larger the illuminated disk of the | moon, the more noticeable the moon by day or night; and this applies par ticularly to the time betweéen first quarter and last quarter. Q. Have coins ever been made of platinum’—K. L. G. A. In colnage, platinum was first used In counterfeits of gold coins From 1828 to 1845 a bona-fide plati num coinage was struck in Russia, the | coinege containing some 2 per cent of |iridium. A three-ruble plece | worth $2.32 of our money, but at | present value of platinum it wou bring $35. Q. Was the Continental currency re deemed by the reorganized Govern- ment?—J. R. T. A. The Treasury Department that the various issues of Contine currency were neyer redeemed by the United States as recognized under the Constitution. By the act of August 4, 1790, it was receivable at the Treas- ury In subseriptions to a loan at the rate of $100 in Continental money $1 in specie. By the act of March 3 1797, 1t was declared that said money should be recelvable as above until December 21, 1797, and no longer. says (Hove you a question you want ai- swered! Send it to The Star Informa- tion Bureaw, Frederic J. Haakén, director, Twenty-fist and C streets northwest. The only charge for this service is 2 cents in stamps for retu posta Bryan’s Move to Join Scientists GivesFood for Editorial Thought s he has won. He has depended or the rotundity of his voice, the maz- |netism of his stage presence, and he has not won his victories among men who are accustomed to reason and to | accept the results of logic, but among those who are swayed by emotions who accept gesture and rounded period and emphasis of delivery for the expression of facts. When he read that Mr. Bryan had sent In a check for his membership fee in the sclentific assoelation but had forgot the detail of signing his name, som bedy sald, ‘How llke Bryan, to ove look the essential thing “Whether Mr. Bryan now desires to learn what science has to teach hir for the whole truth’s sake or in ti belief that sclence will fail to d more than convince him In his most belfe? that there is nothing in evolution, can make no difference.’ remarks the Fort Wayne Journal Gazette. “There is a great deal fc Mr. Bryan to learn.” According to t Des Molnes Tribune News: “There may be some good come from tl new membership, in friendliness and better understanding. Mr. Bryan will find nothing personal to object to in the scientists. He will learn they are not Godless men, careless of th future, or seeking to lead young boy and girls astray. He will find many of them have boys and girls of their own.” % will no longer be possible 1o say,” observes the Springfleld Republi- can, “at least for a time, that the members of the association are unan- imously on the side of the evolution theory, Mr. Bryan will be in the minority; in the association, but not of it; as it were. Perhaps he will find fellow members who agree with him. If so it will not be surprising if eventually we hear of a move- ment that political and economic redicals will recognize as ‘boring from within.' On the other hand, Mr. Bryan's intensive study of the sub- ject, in the heart of the enemy's coun- try, may lead to his conversion. For, after all, the welght of the argument is against him, and he is a man of intelligence.” “We. hate to state this horrible thought,” declares the New York World, “but can it be that thé old- time religion has fallen down on Wil- liam Jennings? Can it be that doubts begin to assail him—that mayhap there is something he doesn’t know about evolution? Can it be that after & pefiod of enlightenment, he might change his mind?’ Interesting news this, remarks the EI Paso Herald “indicating that Mr. Bryan, finding himself out of the news, may have hired a press agent to think up some clever stuff to put over.” I In the view of the Columbia Record the answer is simple. Col. Bryan, says the Record. “has followed the program of ‘Senator Sorghum'—if you can't lick 'em_Join 'em! and despite i far-flung ‘Campaign against the Darwiniay theory' of evolution, Mr. Bryan has joined the army of scient- ists who have been the theory's chief exponents and-defeaders.” “Our own guess,” says the Spring- field Union, “is that Mr. Bryan is not converted to evolution and®doesn't want to be. On the other hand he is remaining true to his traditions. He likes to go into and go about the enemy's country. As an exhorter he is never at his best when sSpeaking to those who believe in himy As an apostle of peace, he dearly ‘loves a fight. As a candidate he always liked -to §0 into. the enemy's country where he could get far more spectators than votes. As & .politician he always liked ~ to raise a row in a convention. He doubtless wants to join the Associa- tion for the Advancement of Science to get an audience and make a# 't He is our Don Quixote.” “It f