Evening Star Newspaper, January 14, 1925, Page 6

4 THE EVENING STAR With Sunday Morning Edition. WASHINGTON, D. C. WEDNESDAY. .January 14, 1925 THEODORE W. NOYES The Evening Star Newspaper Company Business Office, 11th St. and Pennsylvania Ave. New York' Office: 110 Ohfeago Ofice: Tower Rullatng. Tean Omfite: 16 Regent St., London, England. morming carrfers within the onth;dally only, 48 s only, 20 cents per month. Orders ma, by matl or tele- phone Maln 5000. Collection i3 made by car- riers at the ead of cach month, ail—Payable in Advance, vland and Virginia. Iy and Sunday..1yr., $5.40; 1 mo. .1¥r, $6.00; 1 m, 1¥r,$2.40;1m conts per n tates. r.. $10.00; 1 mo., §5 7.00; 1 mo., 6 0;1mo, itlod news dis. credited wa pub of with th ible r ange in per of the 60-40 rtion plan to the lump- avowed purpose Nation in Capital ex- penditure. “from three to five million llars a year for the next 25 years,” ¢ vastly more than the amount in- volved in the Nation's conceded sur- plus debit Why should not considered What itive law the two bills be eparately on their merits? g in respect to excuse failure to act and immedi- upon it The congressional joint committee on District surplus found and reported (1) the existence of a free surplus in the Treasury to the credit of the I trict of $4,671,196.97, (2) the existence of certain District credits amounting 5.46 to be added to this surplus, (3) the existence of certain credits of the United States amounting to $233,- 30751 to be subtracted from this sur- plus and (1) the existence of a net bal- ance of $1,438,154.92 legally and moral- Iy due the District from the United States after all legal and equitable ad- int congres- he District tax but a concrete 1) The authoritative certificate of the Controller General of the United States. (2) The report of the offic ants of the congressional joint com- mittee, of the Treasury accountants and of the auditor of the District of Columbia. (3) An; ing t 1 account- of the conditions creat- surplus demonstrates its con- te existence and the definite obliga- legal and equitable, attached er tion, to it. (4) Analysis of the District auditor's figures of net surpluses or defleits in District tax revenue under the organic act of 1878 for the fiscal years 1900 the same in 1903, recognized hat there could be and would be such things as surplus revenues of the Ristrict by directing that the ad- vinces which it was then making to meet District tax deficits should be “Yeimbursed to said Treasury from fime to time out of the surplus re ehues of the District of Columb (6) After District deficits had been vonverted into surpluses, Congress ( Ycognized the existence of such sur- pluses in the Tr by applying portions of these surpluses to the ayment of alleged ancient indebted- sses of the District to the United States, by law specifically transfer- ring to the United States sums from “the amount in the Treasury of the Tnited States to the credit of the Dis- trict of Columbia.” (1) The United States has recog- nized credit items in its favor accru- ing from deficits in District tax rev- enue created by the operation of the half-and-half law and has reimbursed itself from District revenues with in- terest for advances to meet these def- Seits. Tt cannot, legally or equitably, refuse to recognize the corresponding debit items in the shape of surpluses of collected and unexpended District taxes. The legal and moral obligation thus demonstrated to exist, is equitably satisfied only by the application of the surplus in accordance with the half- and-half law, under which it was ac- cumulated to meet the District’s half of the expense of neglected municipal needs of the war time, which neglects permitted its accumulation. Applica- tion of the surplus under any other ratio is unequitable. In relation to his ward, the tax- paying Capital community, Uncle Sam us trustee has absolute power. He is protected from loss or risk by pos- sesslon of all the assets and securi- ties of the Nation-Capital combination. 1He controls absolutely every cent of the money contributed for Capital ynaintenance by both parties, local wnd national. He has undivided and despotic power to fix the amount of Jocal tax contribution, to decide by what method of taxation it shall be alsed, to collect it and to spend it. o tax-paying Capltal community is on incidental “contributor under com- pulsion, with no power or control even of its own tax money at any stage and whose sole function in re- spect to taxation and its financial status is to petition and to pay. Under these conditions the Nation in sury abuse of the Nation's despotic power will be viewed as excessive. The Nation's obligation in respect to the tax surplus is, under these con- | ditions, debt of honor. The obliga- tion of Nation to Capital is not weakened, but infinitely strengthened by the fact that the impotent District cannot enforce it. e America Not Grasping. Terms of the accord reached for payment of the costs of the American army of occupation and our war dam- age claims ought to satisfy our Euro- pean friends that this country is not a grasping creditor, bentupon having its pound of flesh and regardless of the consequences to others. The American Government stood firm as a rock for recognition of the justice and legality of these claims and of its right to share in reparations pay- ments for their satisfaction, but with recognition of that right accorded there was an immediate softening of the American position and a spirit of accommodation which resulted in a speedy and happy settlement at Paris. We are told in press dispatches that delegates attending the finance min- isters’ conference were amazed at the rapidity with which things moved as soon as Great Britain joined the con- tinental nations in subscribing to the American view. The settlement does not give the United States all it claimed, nor all we were entitled to receive. The wrin- cipal sums were scaled down and pay- ment was spread over a long period of years, but the concessiond which brought about the settlemsnt were freely made, not wrung froint us. And therein lies a lesson for Europe which may be applled’ to settlements which must be made in the future. The American Government, reflecting the sentiments of the American people, will never be lacking In generosity when dealing with friends on a fair and frank basis. But ingrained in the American character is hatred of belng “done,” and nowhero will be found a people more “hard boiled” when we suspect some one is trying to do us. Dispatches from Paris today fore- shadow an early revival of official dis- cussion of interallied debts, probably to be led off by a formal statement by the British government clarifying fon with respect to the s owed it by the continental nations and reducing to more specific form the Balfour proposal that Great Britain will ask no more from its debtors than is sufficient to satisfy its obligations to the United States. In this there is nothing which will not be welcome to this Government. The Amétrican Debt:funding Commission is prepared at all times to carry on negotiations with the debtor nations, 2s ready to be generous to debtors as it is to be firm for American rights. ————————— Get Out and Coast. There is but one thing to do when a community’s highways and byways, especially the latter, are in the condi- tion under which those of the Na- tional Capital lie at present. That is to get as much enjoyment out of the situation as is humanly possible. Few complaints from youngsters have been heard, and few will be in connection with future falls of snow and accumulations of ice, the pros- pects of which, according to scientific observers, goose-bone and animal-fur prophets, and the law of averages, are excellent. In fact, it has been suspect- ed that some juveniles are tempted to add to their nightly devotions & short prayer to Jack Frost. The squeak of the iros od . run- ners and the shrill cries with which youth seemingly best enjoys itself are heard in many favored spots every night. To the oldsters it is recom- mended that they leave the fireside and the radio or bridge table, bundle up, beg, borrow or even buy sleds, and get out and get in it. Lying flat on one's stomach and whizzing over the frozen crust, or even coasting in a more sedate and dignified posture, is calculated to bring back youthful thrills to a sur- prising degvee. The trudge up again to the starting post brings into play muscles around the center of gravity and in the back of the legs that the owner has forgotten all about. Yell if you feel like yelling, It will do you good. City coasting is dangerous; no doubt of that, end particularly so for per- sons out of practice and not so limber as they once were. But in the out- skirts and the suburbs lie many a roadway having & safe slope and end- ing nowhere in particular. It is a sim- ple matter to climb into the family bus and to locate one of these, or, in the course of a single evening, to visit several. Grown-ups will find that sleds have improved since their youth. They steer better and they seem, at least, to go much faster. Those who took advantage of last night's conditions, with the perfect surface, the starlight, alone almost sufficient to ses by, and, later, the big moon just past its full, are not likely to forget it soon or to fail to repeat the performance. It is surprising how good something hot or nourishing, or both, tastes after an hour or.two of sliding, and how sound is the sleep that follows. ——r—t— The stock market remains optimis- tic, but the experienced Wall Street man, if disinterested, is giving the same old edvice good for every year and every month in the year, “Now is the time Not to speculate. ———————— The most appropriate answer to the well known query, “What's the mat- ter with Kansas?” now seems to be “I beg your pardon.” The Murder Traffic. Baltimore is starting e campaign against promiscuous personal arma- ment, with a city ordinance in view prohibiting the sale of deadly weapons. So many murders and hold-ups have occurred in that city that it is realized that pistols can be too easily obtained. The other day, to demonstrate the readiness with which such implements as henevolent despot should and will he just, considerate and sympathetic o the last degree. Scrupulous fair- yiess should and will be observed in exactions from the impotent local taxpayers, and no precaution to pro- tect their eguities and. to.prevent of death could be secured, a reporter for one of the local newspapers went about among the shops, and in 30 minutes had bought four guns at low price In each case the only formality attend- ing the purchase was the giving of a Dpame-end en eddress-for record pur- THE EVENING STAR, WASHINGTON, THIS AND THAT BY CHARLES E. TRACEWELL. poses. One shopkeeper apologised for asking the name and address, saying: “This won't get you in trouble; We need {t in case you should happen to lose your gun or somebody steals ft." Another shopkeeper, stating the price originally at $6.50, cut the rate to $8, and then because business had been bad during the day let the buyer have the gun for $5. Anything to make i sales! t The same situation exists in Wash- Mgton. It is possible for any person to get a gun and ammunition at al- most ary hour without the least diffi- culty, without formality, and cheaply. Any crook can arm himself if he is not already armed. Any person in- tending to commit murder, inflamed by passion or drink, can get the means for killing. Any one with in- tent to take his own life by shooting can do so, with no delay. A Dbill is pending in Congress pro- hibiting the transportation of deadly weapons through the mails. If it should pass it will not be effective so long as the local laws permit sales. By munici pal ordinances—and in case of the District of Columbia by act of Con- gress—the sale of such weapons should be prohibited save under strict regula- tion to insure that they do not fall into the hands of irresponsible, crim- inally minded persons. Then the pro- posed act prohibiting transportation would be an effective supplement. Washington has been seeking a per- fected pistol law for years without result. It needs it as it needs protec- tion against disease and disaster and fire. A poli intained to check and capture criminals. Yet in the windows of shops all over town means of committing crime are dis- played openly to sale and can be ob- tained without the least trouble and with small expense. A drugsgist showing in his store win- dow a bottle of cyanide of potassium, arsenic or strychnine, with & label reading, “Sure death to human beings,” would be arrested. Yet a deadly weapon may be shown and offered for sale to any potential murderer, burglar or footpad without the least risk of punishment or ques- tion. The tragic absurdity of this d crimination in favor of the most use- ful tool of the crook and the murderer has not yet been recognized, 2 force is v ot The previous occasion on which Mr. Charles E. Hughes relinquished a very high office was for the purpose of putting him In line for a presiden- tial nomination. It is, of course, en- tirely too early to speculate on whether there is a possibility of his- tory repeating itself, only a little more slow! o After hearing about the drama’s rough dialogue, Mr. Dawes may feel compelled to refrain fro any rhetorical impulse which might be construed as competitive. He no longer ventures even to mention Helen Mari reports —_—r e When the vetoes become a sufficient- ly familiar incident in governmental affairs it can be managed as a rule without leaving any hard feelings whatever. ——r—.———————— It will be & quiet inauguration, so far as outward appearances are con- cerned. But in view of numerous of- ficial changes the inward agitation will be tremendous, ———r———————— Germany’s motto ever since the war has been, “let the conversation pro- ceed with as little interruption as possible on my pert,” e r— In the course of time Col. W. J. Bryan may become reconciled to evolution even as he did to Wall Street. ————————— SHOOTING STARS. BY PHILANDER JOHNSON, Concealments. Just a little masquerade Nearly every day. Smiles may be to order made As we work or play. Frowns are formed to terrify Weakness or unworth; Our true selves we oft deny In our grief or mirth. Life would be, indeed, perplexed If our friends should know All our little moments vexed As they come and go. ‘We are honest, unafraid; Yet we must display Some slight touch of masquerade Nearly every day. Hard to Regulate. . “I understand some of your con- stituents think you are not working hard enough.’ t's hard to strike a happy me- dium,” rejoined Senator Sorghum. “If a man's idle he's criticized, and if he gets too busy he's criticized still more.” As Affairs Go On. Farewells are sad. The heart inclines When hearing them almost to sob; But every time one man resigns Anothier’s ready for the job. Jud Tunkins says such is the power of Nature there's no way of getting a snow drift for parking overtime. Righteous Avowal. “Are there any bootleggers in Crim- son Gulch?” No," answered Cactus Joe. “We're for law enforcement, and we don’t let any bootleggers hang around here. And what's more, every time we hear the still at Snake Ridge is gettin’ busy we organize a posse an’ punish them evil doers by confiscatin’ their stuff.” Phenomenon Explained. The price of wheat is very high, Meat's an expensive dinner. Each year brings forth new reasons why Ham sandwiches grow thinner. “Us humans,” said Uncle Eben, “would be right lucky if Nature let us look after our own housin’ prob- lems same as a clam or an oyster.” Hint for Successful Living. From the Baltimore Sun. 1 The way to be a success i8 to begl: by envying tho-right peoplay . As the horse scents the battle afar, 50 the booklover reads of the great snle of odds and ends of books to be staged bright and early the next morning at a big department store. All the fascination of bargain hunt- ing combined in his imagination with his fondness for books, so that the resulting mixture was a curlous com- plex of physical and mental stirrings. Men, as well as women, are given to the lure of bargains, despite what the comic stories say. Else why the crowd of men gathered at the auto- mobile auctions on Pennsylvania ave- nue? Or why those solemn groups of gentlemen at the “auction sale this day?” No bargain hunter displays more avidity than the man searching for a bovk bargain. Not only is he spurred on by his undylng faith that some time he is golng to pick up a rare old first edition of some sort. Also, he feels sure that he 1, at the least, get a valuable work for a ridicu- lously cheap price. He remembers a previous sale of “hurt books,” when he picked up the memorial edition of Seneca’s “Morals,” the $7 edition put out by Harper on the 100th anniversary of that firm, for 48 cents! Reluctantly, then, he left five other copies of that beautifully printed work go begging on the table—and has spent the time ever since in kick- ing himself for being such a fool. He should have bought all of them and given them to friends who would have appreciated them. Seneca, grand, old Roman, gone abeg- ging on a department store table, and none so poor to do him rever- There' was all the picty and wit of a great man, splendidly printed on the finest paper, bound in board covers, a large copy, huddled with a heap of good-for-nothing books. The ladies rushed by on the search for dress goods, the ladies rushed by on the hunt for silk floss, the ladles surged by on the hunt for remnants. Seneca’s mind, the best part of him, after all, attracted nary a lady. He was more deserted than on the fate- tul day, centurles ago, when the prize booze-hister of the empire, one Nero, ordered the philosopher to make away with himsgelf, “Go glve yourself a dose of polson, Seneca, ro calmly told his old friend, the teacher of his youth. Quletly Sencca retired to his coun- try estate, quietly drank the neces- sary amount of hemlock, or what- ever the fashlonable poison was at that time in Rome. Why did he do it? Because that was the way they did things in those days. “When in Rome, do as the Romans do,” and Seneca was & good Roman, one of the best. Besides, when the emperor told you to move, you moved. Times have changed since then— thank God. i Suppose the thing had to be Gone over again today. Suppose Nero would send a little letter to Seneca, saying, “Go give yourself a do: of poison.” Seneca would calmly light a clgar- ette, turn to the royal messenger boy, and state ero to 8o chase himself.” Nero then would resort to the law. He would ask for an Injunction against Seneca, to prevent him from refusing | al bidding. eneca, in his turn, would seek legal advice. Let me see,” he would ruminate, “which lawver shall I retain for my defense? Ah, thers is old Tinctus Maximus, sly old boy! Yes, Tinctus is just the man. Did he not last year successfully argue the very opposite The Future of By FRANCIS Editor's Note.—This is the first of a series of four articles on the Philippines by Mr. Loomis, who has had a varied and distinguished career ' as Journalist, international law: diplomatist and Assistant Secretary of State. The second article will be published tomorrow. . I think no one can spend a month or even less in the Philippine Islands without being deeply impressed with two important and salient facts, that is—First, the vast potential value of those islands in an economic sense to the people of the United States, and, second, the very substantial benefits which have accrued to tho people of the Philippine Islands through Ameri- ocan occupation and government. The value of the Philippine Islands to a country such as the United States, which has, one may say, in spite ot itself, become a world power with dispersed and far-flung interests, not only depends upon the economic de- velopment of {he islands, but is close- Iy interwoven with their political sig- nificance and their relation to the whole of the rapldly emerging new problem of the Asijatic tropics. Resources Are Enormous. The Philippine Islands are very slightly developed in the matter of agriculture, mining and manufactur- ing industries. The resources and po: sibilities of the Philippines as a pro- ducing area for tropical products of all sorts are enormous. The time will come when the people of the United States may have to rely, to a large extent, upon the output of the Philip- pine Ielands for certain food products. The timber resources are vast and there is reason to believe that the islands are very highly mineralized. White races can live in the Philip- pine Islands. The mountain resorts are delightful and healthful and are unequaled in the Asfatic tropics for their salubrious and agreeable eli- mate. If the Philippine Islands be- longed to Great Britaln interest in them on the part of the British peo- ple would be keen, widespread and persistent. Unfortunately for the United States and for the Filipinos as well, the in- terest of the American people in the Philippine Islands seems steadily. to have diminished since the suppression of the Aguinaldo revolution and the withdrawal of the military govern- ment and the bulk of our troops. This is thoroughly unfortunate because a situation has slowly developed in th& islands which ought to receive the thoughtful and earnest consideration of every intelligent and loyal Ameri- can. Cannot Ignore Problem. The problem which confronts us in the Philippines is one which we have no right to shirk, and is one which we cannot long ignore. The disturb- ing and ubiquitous question of the hour in the Philippines has to do with the controversy raging around the agitation for so-called independence, ‘which is belng carried on by a group of professional politicians in Manila. These polticlans are making inslstent appeals to the people of the United States, which are likely to be mis- leading and which are largely based on speclous arguments. The inde- pendence campaign has been carried on with public fungds and comprehends a costly effort in the islands and in this country in favor of independence. If the American people will only take enough interest,in the matter of their relations with the Philippine Islands, and recall what those islands have cost them and what their future im- portance and significance may be, 1 do not think they will give undue heed to the noisy efforts of .the shouters for political independence. We acquired the Phillppines by con- quest, which meant the expenditurs #¢ American lives and monex, We also slde? Who better to defend me now?" The supreme court of Rome would refuse Nero the injunetion. The royal blackguard would then mount his imperial limousine and, disregard- ing all speed laws, “kill and run” at every block. Seneca would turn back’ to his study, having successfully won his right to remain living, and, looking out over the slushy streets of Rome, where the snow lay in heaps and drifts, murmur: “Centuries hence thess works of mine will appeal to men of my tem- perament. Ah, essays of mine, where will you be 2,000 years hence?” But even he could not foresee the modern department store! * x * % The booklover, with these reminis- cences in mind, ambled down to the store at 11 o'clock, thinking that he was early enough to Pick up a few more book bargains, . He did not reckon with the women this time. Casually he walked past the dress goods, behind which shop girls atood at attention, serving now and then a woman customer. What was that crowd of women farther down the alsle? What were they doing there? His heart began to sink. He feared the worst. The ladies were going in for literature! Above the struggling mass of women surrounding those tables a banner stuck up. It was in the form of a placard afiixed to a standard, and on that placard he read “Books, 38 cents.” The book bargains he was seeking, then, were in there some place, he knew full well, for the sign said they were. The ladies lined the tables four deep, pushing and clutching. Out of the mass, from time to time, a de- termined woman would push, holding fast to four or five volumes, A tanned soldler stood helpless there, not daring to move toward the tables. His khakl suit showed signs of service. He was & Sergeant, a sergeant with a taste for books. The look in his eyes was one of de- termination mixed with chagrin. He had come to find a book or two, and he was going to leave with a book or two—but just how he was going to achieve that result he did not know. The manual at arms made no provision for this contingency. ‘A woman broke away from the group—an opening gleaned through the ranks. It was as when clouds break apart for an Instant, revealing a gleam of the glorious sunshine The sergeant made a dive for the hole, wedged himself determinedly close to the counter. Flying after him, found an_opening, too, close by his side. The stacked, sprawled, thrown, buddled, tossed. They had been stacked neatly at the beginning of the sale, but later had been sprawled around by the feminine booklover. They had been thrown and tossed, and huddled hither and yon. Big Wooks, little books, books that had proved failures, as far as sales were concerned, books in blue covers and books in red covers, books that had gone out with the authors’ hopes and the publishers’ benedictions, and landed up here, at last, high and dry on a counter that tomotrow would hold corsets The booklover, seeing his Army friend triumphantly emerge with three big books, made a valiant effort to select something. His mind .was hazy, he looked frantically, turned over book after book, finally selzed upon a big blue one, held it aloft xlnl xi‘nzly"‘ to the clerk. “I'll take this! he cried, in-grea relief. “Tll take this onet" = oo the booklover and ‘anded books were the Philippines B. LOOMIS. acquired them by purchase and through the Instrumentality of a just and honorably negotiated treaty. We have undertaken to hold and rule these islands until such time as they may have, in our judgment, become thoroughly fitted to constitute and carry on a republican form of gov- ernment. We, and not the Filtpinos, are to be the judges of the time when independence may: be given and of the degres of fitness which the Filipinos have achieved for becoming a self- governing nation. Govern or Get Out. In the meanwhile, we are, in effect, face to face with a very simple, ele- mental problem—either we must gov- ern the islands well, strongly and firmly, of else get out of the Islands and leave the Filipinos to their own devices. Through the efforts of a compara- tively small number of Filipinos who are residing for the most part in Ma- nila, and by reason of the mental flab- biness of sentimentalists in this coun- try, an anomalous condition exists in the Phillppine Islands today. We have neither thorough going American rule, nor have the Filipinos themselves complets control of the island gov- ernment: Ths governor general has been shorn of too much authority, but he is still vested with heavy responsibil- itles. Bxcessive power has been put into the hands of the Philippine legis- lative bodies by the Jones law, passed during the Wilson administration for trl;sg‘?&\firnmafm':t the islands and the on o eir relation United States Government . - A Hénrt-Breaking Task. Gen. Wood's fmmediate predecessor in office apparently believed that he would be the last governor general of the Philippine Islands, and he, therefore, allowed himself to be strip- ped of important prerogatives. Gen. Wood's effort to regain the powers which properly belong to the execu- tive have resulted in the unpleasant condition which has existed for the last 18 months. The governor general has faced the existing difficulties and the hampering consequences of mis- rule which he inherited with calm- ness and imperturbable patience. He is striving loyally and arduously, in a self-effacing way, to do a vastly im- portant task, and T am afraid that the people of this country are not giving him due credit for his personal sacri- fices, nor do I think they begin to un- derstand the ultimate significance of his efforts in the Philippine Islands. He is taking a long look ahead, During the administration of Fran- cis Burton Harrison as governor gen- eral of the Philippines much of the good and solid work which had been accomplished by the Americans was undone. American teachers and Americans employed fn the scientific departments of the Gevernment and in other branches of the public serv- ice, where character as well as talent were needed, have been discharged in large numbers. There has plainly been a retrograde movement in offi- cial lite. Inefiiciency now. marks the public service under the lax legis- lative rule imposed by native poli- ticians. Corrupt appointees have been placed on the public pay rolls and bureaus have been stuffed with unnecessary employes, while the efficlency of the public service has, as_a whole, steadily declined. English is no longer well taught in the schools, and in daily life there is a noticeable disposition on the part of many Filipinos to treat Amer- icans in a rude and even contemptu- ous way. Persistent efforts have been made to humiliate Gov. Wood -and his entourage and to make life as ynpleasant for them as.possible, ! Politics at Large Btanding lke & lone pine In the Senate, Senator Borah of Idaho is still contending for an extraordinary sesslon of Congress for the purpose of affording relief to farmers and to the agricultural situation. He is vir- tually alone in this contention, for his colleagues do not agree with him as to the necessity for the calling of the next Congress in advance of the oconstitutional date. Senator Borah is used to standing alone, however, when. his mind is made up on a question, as shown by his independent record in politics and legislation. The judgment of the great majority in Congress is that there is no necessity now existing or in prospect for the calling of an extra session. * Xk Xk X Senator Borah, with a trace of fine SArcasm, contrasts the solicitude which was showered upon the farmer vote in the last campaign by the candidates for public office. “I do not recall any time in the history of our country such a deep-seated affection to any particular class of voters as seem to be manifested toward the farmers In this last campaign,” he says. “All candidates paid particular attention to their needs and to the conditions which seemed to environ them, and the most specific pledges were made to treat their conditions after the election was over. Large amounts of money were sent into ag- ricultural States from the manufac- turing States for the purpose of ad- vising the farmers as to their ills and as to what should and would be done immediately after those who were candidates were placed in power. Indeed, the campaign turned in a large measure upon this question of the agricultural problem. It is con- ceded that had the agricultural States taken any particular view other than that which they did take the result vould have been entirely different. ow, it is said conditions have whol- ly changed, that there is no longer need for considering agricultural problems. A very well organized and widespread campalgn is going on to convince the farmer that his condi- tion is entirely satisfactory. He is now advised that his troubles are either imaginary or such as are remedying themselves. How difterent to the anxious promises of a few weeks ago." * X k¥ Senator Bruce of Maryland is one of those who think that some of the farmers' woes are in part imaginary or exaggerated, although there are many of his colleagues who take s+ sue wtih him on that attitude and believe they are equipped with mate- rial to sustain their own position. Senator Bruce, who is regarded as one of the deep thinkers of the Sen- ate, calls attention to one feature of economic life wWhich is a subject of frequent discussion in the current treaties upon economic questions. He cites the growing disposition of the farmers In the Wetsern sections of the oountry to lay all of their trou- bles upon the Government and to rush to Unéle Sam for relief with all kinds of fantastio remedies. Sena- tor Bruce thinks that this disposi- tion is local and claims that New England, the Central States and the South do not share in this propen- sity. * ok * In the Senate the other day Senator Bruce said it was charged over and over again that the ills of the West- ern farmers was due to oppressive railway rates. Bill after bill was in- troduced last sesslon, some of the most grossly arbitrary character, to reduce railway rates in the farmers' interest. He recalled that Daniel Willard, president of the Baltimore and Ohlo Railway Co., had testified be- fore the Senate committee on inter- state commerce that if the entire net revenue, $132,000,000, derived by all the railways in this country In 1923 from the carrlage of agricultural produets of every description were turned over excluslvely to the corn and wheat farmers of this country it would signify an increase of only 4 cents a bushel on what they had re- oHved for their corn and wheat. He picked out another economic fact by stating that railway rates have gone up less than anything else in this country since the World War, due en- tirely to the fact of economy, effi- clency and sagacity in the manage- ment of the great raflway systems, headed by the ablest men in the land. Senator Bruce contends that as the farmers are not only the most nu- merous, but the most powerful, ele- ment of our voting population, their fate, so far as it 1s controlled by po- litical agencies, is largely In their own hands. Senator Borah has con- tended that the tax bill of the farmer has gone up from six hundred million dollars to one billlon, whereupon Senator Bruce pointed out that the general expenses of the Government have gone up within the past 10 years to upward of three billion dollars. A reduction of taxes can only be brought about, Senator Bruce insisted, by the exercise of a political power and in- sistence which the farmer is in a bet- ter condition to exercise than any other man in the land. kK K K Senator Borah in his plea for aid to the farmers pointed out that when the raflroads get into trouble, as they did at the close of the war, they come to the Government for ald and they receive material benefit. Sup- porting his plea for an extra session of Congress to take up the farmers’ problems, he pointed out that it action is pastponed until the begin- ning of 1926 the country will be again facing an election “We shall be legislating under the influence of another vote-getting program,” ho said, “we shall be leg- islating from a standpoint of ex- pedlency. We shall deal with it as men are wont to deal with a situa- tlon where political exigencles con- front them. There is just one time to deal with these problems which require sclentific investigations, whioh call for study and care and some courage and some determina- tion, and that is just as soon as we oan do so after wo have been given the power to do so.” * k Kk ¥ In the current and impending changes In the diplomatic posts, President Coolidge {8 recognized as exercising the spirit of civil service rather than purely political consid- erations in his appointments up to date. That is to say, he is making transfers of Ambassadors for the good of the service and the strength- ening of the American diplomatic body rather than for political pre- ferment. Politicians are wondering if this is to mark a new era in the diplomatio service. For vears po- litical considerations have . largely ruled diplomatic appointments, es- peclally in ambassadorships. This was the subject of much criticism abroad, where important diplomatic posts have been filled on the basis of merit and long or dis- tinguished service. Many American thinkers have contended that this country should build up a distinct diplomatic class of men, especially trained in the acts of diplomacy. Yet there have also been those who supported the so-called “Yankee shirt sleeve” diplomacy and pointed out successful exponents of its efcacy. 2 * * % * The retirement from public life ‘of Secretary Hughes for the purpose of rehabilitating his private fortune through the practice of law is likely to call renewed attention to the ex- penses incurred by officials in serv- ing the public at personal sacrifice Secretary Hughes declared at the meeting of the American Bar Asso- ciation in Atlanta last Monday that he 13 out of public life and has no thought of candidate for the That dee- ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS BY FREDERIC J. HASKIN Q. When was the Bank of Columbla organized?—V. M. A. This was the second bank estab- lished through charter of the Mar: land legislature, December 28, 1793. The bank was first located at the northeast corner of Twenty-ninth and M streets, then moved to the north side of M street between Wisconsin and Thirty-fourth street. The first bank established was the Bank of Alexandria. Q. Why was Massachusetts avenue closed to traffic between Ninth and Tenth street on the night of Decem- ber 16th?—A. F. B. A. The Police Department says that that block was closed on Decamber 16 because the body of Samuel Gompers was lying In state at the American Federation of Labor head- quarters. Q. TIs a licensed amateur allowed to send while neighbors are trying to hear radio programs?—P. S. A. The Department of Commerce says that at the present time ama- teurs are licensed to operate stations at all hours with the exception of 7:00 to 10:30 p.m., and during church services on Sundays. Q. What makes my hands swell when they get cold?—E. H. A. The Public Health Service says that the temporary swelling of hands after being exposed to the cold is due to sluggist circulation caused either by the cold or by weak heart action Q. What other hotels are under the same management as the Waldorf- Astorfa?—J. H. A. The Boomer-du Pont proper include the waldorf-Astoria, Hotel savoy, New York City; the New Wil- lard, Washington; the Bellevue-Strat- ford, Philadelphia; Hotel Windsor, Montreal; Savarin restaurants, New York, and Louls Sherry, New York and Paris. Q. When Peary was at the North Pole, which way did his compass point?—M. H. B. A. In the Northern Hemisphere the compass needls points in the direction of the north magnetic pole. As the north geographic pole, which is the pole described by Peary, is not in the same location as the north magnetic pole, the compass still pointed in the direction of the latter when Peary reached his destination. Q. What battle was it in which Mollie Pitoher took the place of her husband?—R. L. C. A. The battle in which Mollle | united 1s Malay, while in the ubper parts of the North the prevalling language is Lao. - The languages of the hill tribes {nclude the following: Shan, Khmer, Muhso, Lishaw, Yao, Kuwi or Kivi, Kaw, Meao, Kache, Lawa, Yuan, Moo, Lu, 8am-Sam, Sakai. Karien. Q. Where 1s the monument to "An Amiable Child" <M. F. G, A. Rider's Guide to New York City says: “Between Claremont and Gran: Tomb is a child’s grave marked‘dy & tombstone bearing the quaint. In- soription: ‘Erected to the memery of an amiable child, St. Clair Polloch; dted 15th of July, 1787, in the fifth year of his age. Man that is born of woman is of few years and full of trouble. He cometh like a flower and 1a cut down; he fleeth also as & shadow and continueth not’. The child was the nephew of George Fol- locl a New York merchgat, whe at one time owned Claremont.’ Q. What is the School of:Military Cookery?—D, E. V. 7 1 A. This is #n institytion of Alder- shot. The purpése i3 the trmining of men of the tegular army millitig, im- perial yeomanry and volunteer: force as practical cooks. Q. Where s the “Vi m- othrace?-M W. P, SoERioCo A. “The Victory of Samothrace' (popularly called “Winged Victgry”) 1s in the Louvre Gallery, in Paris The figure was found in 1863. It was broken into hundreds of frag- ments. Those hava Leen carefall There are no modern pleces except. the wings Q made? Where i P, W, A, Willet's china is< ‘mot now manufactured Willet Co went out of businsks some 10 or 15 years ago. Lenox, inc.,, Trenton, N, J is now the only, manufacturer of bal leek ware in ‘this country. s balleek ehin Q. Should milk be sweet or sour to make butter at home?—J. C. A. The Bureau of Dalrying says that for making butter on the farm it is best to have the eream mildly sour. Cream that is to be churned should be warmad to a temperaturs of ahout 75 degrees Faihrenheit In the evening. This will usually make nildly sour the following morning. Befors being churned it should be d to 8 chur & temperature and 1 at that same temperaturs at t two hours befors the protess of churning begins. The proper churn ing temperature varies with the seasons the year, etc., and it is found neces- sary to churfl cream at a higher tem- Pitcher is said to have taken her hus- band’s place was the battle of Mon- mouth. Q. Where was the first Indian school in Arizona?—C. B. A. It was at San Tan. This was a Government day school opened for Pima Indian children on the reserva- tion February }5, 1871. Q. In the foot notes of the “Arablan Nights" it frequently gives dates as being so many years after “The Flight.” What is referred to?—J. M. W. A. The flight referred to is the de- parture of Mohammed from Mecca to Medina to escape persecution. This is the starting point of the Mohammedan era, although the exact day of de- parture was uncertain. Q. When was Shackleton knighted? —>M. G. A. Sir Ernest was knighted by 1909. Henry Shackleton King Edward in Q. What language is spoken by the people of Slam?—E. F. W. A. Slamese is spoken throughout Central Siam, in all parts of the South except Pat i Montoa, in orthern Siam along the river banks as far up as_the confines of the Korat Mon- ton. In Pgtanl the common language perature during the Winter than dur- ing the Summer months. The proper temperature is such that the churning period will occupy about 30 minutes. Usually this fs from 55 degree to 65 degrees in Summer and 60 degrdes to 70 degrees in Winter. Q. Where was “The Messiah” first performed?—J. L. G. A. The firet performance of this oratorio by Handel was given in Dub- lin April 13, 1742. Q. How many vibrations of tone s an organ?—S. P, A. The range of an organ, writes an authority, computed in the num- ber of vibrations of the tones pro- duced, is from 16 to §272. That of the pianoforts {s from 27 to 4,136; the violin from 82 to 1.044. (Frederic J. Haskin is employed by this paper to handle the inquiries of our readers, and you are invited to call upon him as freely and as often as you please. Ask anything. that &s a matter of faot and the authority will be quoted you. There is no charge for this service. Ask what you want, sign your name and.ad- dress and inclose 2 cents in stamps for return postage. Address The Star In- formasion Bureaw, Frederio J. Haslkin director, Twenty-first and £ streets northwest.) WASHINGTON OBSERVATIONS BY FREDERIC WILLIAM WILE Why Kellogg? Probably no ques- tion has been asked so often in Washington slace last Saturday, with the single exception of -that which seeks to fathom the mystery of Mr. Hughes' almost precipitate flight from the Secretaryship of State. Why Frank Billings Kellogg as his successor? Why not one of a dozen men Whose names emerge when the political cross-word puzzlers explore the hori- zontals and the verticals among the Republican availables? H O I have been sitting in at an un- official confabulation wherein the theme of “Why Kellogg” was under frank dissection. The resultant and amazing consensus was that there are perhaps not as many men as can be counted om the fingers of two hands who measure up to the high standards Involved. There was general agree- ment that the process of elimination is a far simpler task than a selec- tive draft of Americans big enough, in talent, capacity and background, to be Secretary of State. It was found possible to muster a roll of fairly ac- ceptable mediocrities. But a canvass of eligibilities revealed an amazing poverty of genuine material. * k X ¥ Custom and tradition have settled that our ministers for foreign affairs shall be men learned in the law. International law is so_essentially of the warp and woof of diplomacy that our Presidents seldom, if ever, go out- side of the legal profession for’ thelf premiers. So the conclave which eat in judgment on “Why Kellogg?” came speedily to the conclusion that Mr. Coolidge's choice was at least In hon- est accord with settled practice. There was almost as early unanimity of view that Charles Evans Hughes, who was himself without interna- tional experlence or background, demonstrated that probably any high- grade lawyer, to paraphrase the Na- poleonic quip about the fleld mar- shal’s baton that reposes in every soldler’s knapsack, carries diplomatic genius in his brief case. * % % % Thus, none of the confabulators challenged the possibility that Kel- logg, like Hughes, may one day also leave the Department of State laurel- crowned. But discussion became dis- tiatly liveller when participants trot- ed out names of men manifestly well equipped for. Hughes' mantle. The one on whom the jury’ was most ready to agree is Herbert Hoover. He was deplcted as the man tower- ing head and shoulders in interna- tional experience over any American of his time. The world has been Hoover's field In a quite literal sense. He was a mining engineer success- ively in Mexico, Canada, Australia, Italy, Great Britain, South Africa, India, China and Russia. Then he fed Europe. War and peace brought him into intimate, Sometimes violent, contact WIth the statesmen of both hemispheres. He is a member of thé World War Foreign Debt .Commis- sion. He would make up for lack of deep famillarity with the finer points of international law by bring- ing to the portfolio the priceless ex- perience of his 20 years abroad. * ok x % Men are saying that President laration is taken seriously by the politicians. It spoiled an interesting story from France, where the Sec- retary’s retirement was Cconstrued as presaging his re-entry iato poli- fi.hm’-s—-m Coolidge needs a Secretary of State who can work harmoniously with the Senate. The confabulation there- upon opined that in George Wharton Pepper of Pennsylvania, George Hig- gins Moses of New Hampshire or Ir- vine Luther Lenroot of Wisconsin the Senate contalns at least three men of commensurate stature. Pep- per and Lenroot are lawyers and members of the foreign relations committee. Moses is not a lawyer— he is an editor—but he has served as American envoy at a foreign cap- ital, is a power in the foreign rela- tions committes and speaks French. An American Secretary of State who speaks French 1s a rare bird. Hughes, with all his skill, does not. * ok % % If Calvin Coolldge wanted for his cabinet chief a distinguished Repub- lican, who himself was once within reach of presidential glory and is a lawyer, the confabulation decided he could have gone farther than Frank Orren .Lowden, former Goverpbr of Illinois, and done worse. Thers was a loud chorus of sentiment that Low- den, by training, temperament and native ability, undoubtedly hes in him the making of a great Secretary of State. He Is Western, too, like Kellogg, his supporters adduced, if it be .true that geographical pond: tions weighed in the decision th made the Minnesotan Hughes' suc- cessor. Lowden is much traveled, too. * % X % Some one broke in with: “Why not Nicholas Murray Butler?” The erudite president of Columbia University has the international situation at his tongue's tip as have few Americans of his day and generation. His ac- quaintance with world statesmen has long been wide and intimate. He has a strong claim on the gratitude of the Republican party, in which he has done wheel-horse service for 40 years. Coolidge thinks high of Butler; con- sults him periodically on domestic and forelgn affairs. Then, because & uni- versity president now had bounded into the picture, another confabulator chirped up, and safd: “Why mot Herbert Spencer Hadley?" The for- mer Governor of Missouri, now chan- cellor of Washington University at St. Louis has & trust-breaking record ef the same sort that gave Frank Kel- logg his early fame. As Attorney General of Missour!, Hadley sugcess- fully prosecuted the Standard Ofl, the railroads, the harvester, insurance and lumber trusts and the races track gamblers’ combination of St. Louls. His Republican escutcheon shone so brightly in 1912 that. he narrowly missed being heir to the Taft-Roose- velt Presidential feud. * % x @ A suggestion of surpassing boldness threw the confabulation into & high confusion. It wae to no less an effect than that incomparably the best man in the Unmited States to be Sedretary of State.'is Calin Coolidge’s late Democratic opponent for the Presi- dency—John W. Davis, No one present questioned Davis’ towering talént for the post. _Evervbody questioned whether the Republican party and our politically minded country at_ large could absord such a shock. Two of the confabulators, upon recovering consclousness, calmed the ruffiled waters. Quoth one: “Well, why not Davis? Grover Cleveland made & Republican, Walter Q. Gresham, Sec- retary of State in 1893.” And apother: “Aren't the million or two Democrats who voted for Coolidge entitled to some Tecognition?” - (Ot MY e l