Evening Star Newspaper, May 22, 1925, Page 6

THE EVENING STAR With Sunday Morning Edition. WASHINGTON, D. C. FRIDAY..........May 22, 1825 THEODORE W. NOYES. .. .Editor The Evening Star Newspaper Company Busings Office: i Sutt SR e Aoy, “:“‘ Bt Tondon, Eng! Tho Fiveni , wifh the Sunday mom- ing .auon,‘"xé ga"?fum' by enrflaz within ® city 84 60 cents por month: dafly only. Sl et Tl i ol ‘5‘1’ ain 5000, '&u.monhu made by K B end of esch mont! per el Mail—Payable in Advance. land and Virginia. Dat B s oe: Suaday only . .00% Member of the Associsted Press. The Associated Press is exclustvely entitled o the use for republication of all news dis- Datches credited to it or not otherwise cred- te this paper and also the local news Berein. Al rights of publication dispatches herein are also reserved. Our Extravagant Administration. Addressing representatives of Ameri- can business, Becretary Hoover of the Department of Commerce pictures the administrative system of the United States, sometimes referred to as the greatest business in the world, as a “swamp of bad organization.” Be- cause of “bad organization,” he says, the Government is costing the people millions of dollars in waste and ex- travagance. Mr. Hoover's criticism of the admin- istrative system of the Federal Gov- ernment is sound. The overlapping and duplication of work, resulting in increased overhead expendituresy are enormous. But' the Federal adminis- trative system is a development of many years. New departments, new bureaus, new commissions have been set up to meet the needs of govern- ment as they arose. The Federal Gov- ernment is today dipping into affairs in a manner never dreamed of in the early days of the republic. Partly these activities of the Government are due to abuses by private business. They have been established by the legislative branch of the Government in order to get fair play. Others have been set up through the efforts of so- called ‘“reformers.” However they came about, these agencles of govern- ment are here. They are the people's business, since the people have to pay for them. They should be made as ef- ficlent and as economical as possible. One of the easiest and most often repeated assertions is that the Govern- ment can do nothing efficiently. Ef- ficlency exists only in relative degree, and the critics of Government ef- ficlency have in the back of their heads greater efficiency by private business. The management of private business has the advantage arising from the need and desire to save and spend its own money economically and to the best advantage. The same in- centive for economy and efficiency does not exist in a Government agency. There is much to be said, however, for an administrative service that acts honestly and builds solldly. The Gov- ernment of the United States has to its credit great achlevements; it has in its service many honest and efficlent officers and employes. The criticism should lodge against the structure of the system rather than against the Government, and it Is to the structure that Mr. Hoover has directed atten- tion. Congress is responsible for the struc- ture of the governmental system, and it is the part of Congress to correct mistakes in structure. For months a commission composed of members of ‘both houses of Congress, and headed by a representative of the Chief Execu- tive, struggled over a plan of re- organization of the executive depart- ments and independent bureaus. A bill was prepared and was introduced in the last Congress. It will be intro- duced agaln, and Republican and Democratic leaders have given assur- ance that it will be consldered. The great difficulty is to get Con- gress to cut deep enough to perform a comparatively perfect operation. Jobs and politics are the stumbling blocks. Departmental jealousies and strife help to make the tapk of Con- gress harder. No Government agency likes to have its wings clipped, to be made subordinate to another, to have its personnel curtailed or its funds reduced. The period of heavy taxation through which the country is now passing, however, puts a strong lever in the hands of those who are urging reform of the administrative system of government. A reorganization of the Government departments and bu reaus and commissions, with an ap- preciable saving of money and increase in efficlency, would be immensely popular. The volce of Secretary Hoover, ralsed in demand for more economicul | willam Jennings Bryan's activities and efficlent structure of the adminis- | trative system, is the voice of the ad- ministration. in different form, the demand of the President for greater economy in gov- ernment. —————— Admirers of Pershing would like to see him Ambassador to France, con- ent that he would be as welcome in time of peace as he was in time of war. ————— A Record School Budget. A school budget of $13,553.863 s asked by the Board of Education, of which $4,388,750 is for the prosecution of the building program. This is the largest requisition ever made in the District for public instruction, exceed- ing the appropriation made for the coming fiscal year by $1,465,526. While this is an enormous sum, be- yond any in experience, it is to be re- membered that it represents an en- deavor to catch up with the arrears caused by vears of comparatively meager appropriations for the schools. The educational system of the Distriei has indeed been checked to the point where extraordinary expenditures are necessary to bring it up to require- ments. But it does not follow that the Corn missioners will submit the entire re- He has made again, and | quisition to the Budget Bureau for its consideration. They arc charged un- der the law with the duty of preparing the estimates and must shape those for the schools along with those for other branches of the municipal ad- ministration. The Board of Education naturally hopes that {ts figure may be adopted as it stands. It has hereto- fore sought authority to present its estimates directly to the Budget Bu- reau, but unless and until the law is changed it cannot do so, and it must take its chances with other District bureaus and departraents. Any tendency to Increase the esti- mates because of the bellef that Con- gress will continue the policy of financing the District on the lump- sum basis and will therefore be in- clined to be “liberal” with the Capital municipality to the extent of allowing it to spend freely of its own tax money, regardless of the height to which such free expenditure may raise the tax rate, is to be checked by the Commissioners. They must proceed upon the assumption that the sub- stantive law, which provides for a definite proportionate division of the cost of the District between the Fed- eral Treasury and the local taxpayers, will be maintained, desplte the de- partures of the past two fiscal years. Volunteer Diplomats. Embarrassment has been caused the Government of the United States by the speeches and interviews of Ameri- cans in Paris who have sought to create the impression there that the official action looking to the adjust- ment of the war debts lacks the in- dorsement and support of thd people of this country, and who have deprecated any move toward collection. These un- official diplomats have made more difficult an already difficult task. For while officlally France is ready to take up the discussion with a view to an ar- rangement, the unauthorized, personal statements made by eminent Ameri- cans cannot fail to create a sentiment in that country that the Government of the United States is acting in an unsympathetic and greedy manner. No private citizen of the United States has the right to speak for the Government or for the people of this country. A man may state his own opinions, as such, upon any subject under diplomatic discussion, though in 80 doing he risks his personal prestige rather than that of the government of his nationality. When at home he is perfectly free to express his judgment upon a question of diplomatic discus- sion. When abroad, however, he should remember that foreign opinion does not readily differentiate between official and private view: In this war-debt question there is no ground for doubting the prevalling American sentiment. The Govern- ment's action in bringing the debt question to a head is backed by a de- cided public opinion that the obliga- tions should be formally acknowledged and placed upon a practical basis of payment. Any statement made abroad to the contrary, by however eminent an individual, is a misrepresentation that cannot be too strongly refuted. Mischievous propaganda is being conducted at the French capital by Americans who have more in their mind than the relief of France from its debt burden. Some of those who are thus publicly questioning the good faith or the public backing of the Government’s collection move are doubtless sincere in their belief. Others, however, there is reason to fear, are using this question for the purpose of forwarding the cause of international- ism. Despite these embarrassing med- dlings the Government will go forward with its program of discussions lead- ing to an adjustment. It will not be checked by the intrusions of a few tourists and trespassers upon the fleld of diplomacy into a question that should be left strictly to official han- dling. Repudiation of their views has been prompt, though not specifically official, and doubtless by this time the French government {s fully eware of the fact that there is no warrant for hope of a change of American policy in this particular. —————————— Statisticians are at work to show that Mr. Volstead provided the United States Constitution with its most ex- pensive amendment. The point is not significant, as the present theory of the world with reference to Uncle Sam is that money is no object. ——— et Opposition developing in France to war in Morocco may be regarded by the German people as @ good start in the direction of @ general anti-mili- tarist policy on the part of their neigh- bor. — et Always an adroit debater, Col. Bryan has the gift of claiming a great deal of popular interest, no matter how often he chooses to change the sub- Ject. ——— America’s Great Controversialist. Those who are inclinied to scoff at in the fight against evolution as a teaching In the American educational system would do well to recall that contest, controversy and conspicuous performance are Mr. Bryan's long suit, and that he is simply running true to form in taking and holding the stage of public attention. It was nearly 29 years ago that Mr. Bryan first really took the plat- form, with a speech ‘at the Demo- cratic national convention at Chicago. He advocated the free and unlimited coinage of silver by this Government at the ratio of 16 to 1 independently of other nations. That was not a particularly new idea, but Bryan gave it a form of statement that caught the public mind and that won him the nomination for President. From that time he has by variously adopting propositions of a challeng- ing character kept himself constantly in the public eye. He cannot be ob- scure. It is contrary to his nature to be unheard. When there are no questions of public moment under debate, he expounds the glories of Florida to groups of prospective in- vesters In its soil and climate. As a protagonist, Mr. Bryan takes on the character uf « crusader, al- ways ready to charge in full panoply of war. IMe mever spares himself. He is never unready, It may even THE EVENING STAR, WASHINGTON, be said that he sleeps in armor, with sword in hand. This evolution trial in Tennessee is just to his liking. As s prelimi- nary to the legal engagement, he is now on tour lecturing, debating and variously talking. Nobody knows better than he how to collect rays of public attention. And he will go to Knoxville for the great fight lit- erally one of America's best known counsel. It is a great gift that Mr. Bryan possesfes, and however much men may differ from him on policies and isms and ologles, they must give him credit for a remarkable capacity for publicity. He cannot be ignored. He wlill never lapse into desuetude. Should he live tl'nt long, he will be found on the r (rum and in the public gaze & qu.rter of a century hence, or & halt century, for that matter, whatever may be the most stirring controversial question of the Aay. ———— The Servite of Citizenship. The bonors paid yesterday to the late Commissionar James F. Oyster were in no sense perfunctory. They ‘were sincere tributes to & man who gave himself unstintedly to his com- munity, sacrificirig his strength and even his business fortunes for the sake of Washington’s advancement. A native son of the District, he loved #t devotedly, and was ever eager and ready to 'serve it. In the hour of his death this spirit of devotion to the community which he displayed for many decades was recognized and ap- preciated by those for and with whom he labored. Devotion to the public service is not a rare characteristic, but opportuni- ties to manifest it come to but few in any community. James F. Oyster was ever ready for duty. In the days of his full vigor and health he was depend- able for any duty. He worked willing- ly on civic committees, in volunteer organizations of the District residents seeking betterment of conditions, in societles and assoclations that aimed at the development of the Capital. He gained the confidence of his assoclates by his strict integrity and his single purpose of getting resuits for the wel- fare of the community. An example of such service to Wash- ington is an inspiration to the younger generation of citizens. The rewarde of public duty of tkis character are small in pecunlary terms, when there are any rewards at all. The chief compensation comes in a consciousness of services well rendered and of the ap- probation of fellow citizens. Yester- day climaxed the expression of that approbation in the case of this man ‘who gave himself without reserve and without thought of personal advantage to the cause of the Washington of the citizen’s highest ideal. ———— Commissioner Humphrey evidently thinks the Federal Trades Commis- sion may have been overzealous in the past, but will scarcely be reconciled to Senator Borah's idea that it stop working altogether. . ————r———————— It has been decided to relax the re- strictions for court gowns in London. “Britons never will be slaves”—except now and then, like every one else, to Fashion. s ————— The Prince of Wales is able to as- sure his family that the English are having a much pleasanter time in South Africa than the French are hav- ing in North Africa. Ethyl as motor gas may produce dangerous fumes, but it is not likely to cause as much damage to health anlti comfort as the material that provides the bootlegger's smoke screen. ————————— SHOOTING STARS. BY PHILANDER JOHNSON. Protest. My typewriter sits with a glare; Its keys look like teeth grinning there, But the laugh is sardonic end grim That expands as the twilight grows dim. And it says, “Do you think that you ought Thus to keep me fed up on your thought Like a sawmill or sewing machine As I try to explain what you mean? “Oh, think of the hills and the wave And the rest that a toiler must crave. I am weary in ribbon and key— Why don’t you have pity on me?” Easier to Handle. “Are you going to take part In this discussion of evolution as something not in harmony with the literal teach- ing of the Bible?” “I may feel obliged to,” answered Senator Sorghum, “if it gets to be one of the issues that affect a public man's popularity. Evolution is something that everybody can express an opinion about. If Scilence has got to furnish a subject for controversy, I'm glad we picked on Darwin and let the Einstein theory alone.” Streets and Buildings. ‘The land we swiftly journey through Of quietude bereft; And every town we travel to Looks like the one we left. o Jud Tunkins says he's glad his father didn’t let him run away to sea to become e pirate. It has got so a pirate {sn't any better'n an old- fashioned bartender. Transmutation. The farmer and fisherman labor to bring The food which we all, deem a blessin’; With envy he wonders what prices they'll bring ‘When they get to be delicatessen. Making a Distinection. “Are you in favor of pitiless pub- HUeity?” “In government,” replied Miss Cay- enne, “but not in bathing suits.” “Moses was a great lawgiver,” said Uncle Eben, “but he lived too early to say sumpin “helpful 'bout de trafiic regulations,” o S 'THIS AND THAT BY CHARLES E. TRACEWELL. ‘There has been a disposition recent- 1y in some quarters to laugh at the urge for self-improvement which seems to Rave smitten the American g;o‘ptla. ‘We ought, rather, to be proud This craving is set forth, at greater :o:n‘i:'l::e‘:zfih' in scores of advertise- gazines, appeals wherein the reader is exhorted to take some great course of instruction which infallibly will improve his mental, physical or moral texture. He is urged to replenish his will power, to acquire the muscles of a Samson, to learn how to make people do what he wants, to double and treble his salary in less than a year, to secure by mere reading the tfable manners of the best people. He 1s assured that if he will sub- scribe to the course in question, and falthfully apply himself, he will be able to blossom as the rose, and do such deeds as will heartily astound his former self. ‘The best part of it, according tc the ad. dellciously easy, so absurdly stmpl Any one with ordinary intelligence, he is told, can turn the trick. Not work, but play—that is the appealing slogan of these courses in self-lmprovement, which the great Amerfcan public has swallowed with avidity, and continues to demand with a holy determination to grow better and better. “Try them in the privacy of you. own home,” the reader is advised by the advertisement of the lessons, which picture to him the benefits sure to be acquired on easy terms by pleas- ant application. Grow strong, become a public speaker, develop an iron determina- tion, learn to box, learn to do almost anything the heart of man craves— and you will be happy. * % X % Al this is not something to laugh at, it seems to me, but rather a tendency of which the American peo- ple can be more or less proud. It is, reduced to the simplest terms, the age-old search for happiness. It 18 not a Ponce de Leon groping after eternal youth, although gometimes it partakes a bit of that famous adven- ture, but is, rather, a search for more fundamental things. No one can be truly happy, in this world, if he feels a definite lack. To be happy, one has to have more or less the self-satisfied feeling natural to some individuals, who fondly imag- ine themselves about-perfect. These thrice-happy mortals usually are termed “conceited” by those less fortunate in self-regard. Maybe they are conceited, but, at the worst, they are happy. One has to have a good opinion of himself to be happy. As long as he suffers from any conscious realization of shortcoming he will have, in the “back of his mind,” a restless feeling that all is not well with him. Just let him start on a course of betterment, whether individually or in company with others, the bane of the inferfority complex begins to lift, and he becomes enthusiastic and so happy, to some degree, at least. The mere studying satisfies. If it were not so, who would ever undertake any self-improvement? Where, do you suppose, would certain schools get their long list of students, who, year after year, willingly tie themselves down to long hours of mental application, after they have worked all day earning thelr iving? A truthful but cynlcal observer, perhaps more cynical than truthful— for there is a Larger Truth they over- look—might tell them that their striv- ing and straining will be to some ex- tent wasted, since, of 1,000 matricu- lated, only 500 will finish the course, and, of the 500 to be graduated, only 200 will actually make future use of WASHINGTON BY FREDERIC Senator Spencer’s death recalls that mortality in the United States Senate has been extraordinarily heavy during ing the eight years since the World ‘War. No fewer than 23 Senators in that period passed away while in office. The grim roll is as follows: Newlands (Nevada).. James Brady (Idaho). Stone (Missouri). Gallinger (New Hampshire). Hughes (New Jersey)... Tillman (South Carolina). Martin (Virginia). (Alabama). Penrose (Pennsylvania Knox (Pennsylvania).. Crowe (Pennsylvania) Watson (Georgia). .. Nicholson (Colorado) (Minnesota). Dillingham (Vermont) Colt (Rhode Island).. Brandegee (Connecticut). Lodge (Massachusetts). McCormick (Illinois) Spencer (Missourl) * ok kK May 28 will be “Cantigny day.” The seventh anniversary of the first real battle fought by American troops in France will be celebrated at a dinner in Washington by the Society of the 1st Division, A. E. F. Gens. Pershing, Lejeune and Ely will speak. As to our Army’s triumphant baptism of war at Catigny, Gen. Pershing’s offi- cial report says: Tactics had been suddenly rev- olutionized to those of open war- fare, and our men, confident of the results of their training, were eager for the test. On the morning of May 28, 1918, the 1st Division attacked the commanding German position in its front, taking with splendid dash the town of Cantig- ny and all other objectives, which were organized and held stead- fastly against vicious counter at- tacks and galling artillery fire. Al- though local, this brilliant action had an electrical effect, as it dem- onstrated our fighting qualities under extreme battle conditions and also that the enemy’s troops were not altogether invincible. * K ok % Death last week of the first coun- selor of the Mormon Church, Charles ‘W. Penrose, puts Senator Reed Smoot of Utah in line for promotion in the high command of the Latter Day Saints. Already one of the leading apostles of the church, Smoot has often been mentioned as a possible successor to Herbert J. Grant, the president of the Mormon organization. By custom and seniority, the presi- dency usually goes to the ‘“president of the quorum of the 12 apostles,” an office occupied by Apostle Rudger Clawson. Senator Smoot is the rank- ing apostle. - If Apostle Clawson should now be named first counselor, Smoot would become president of the quorum, and his line of succession to the presidency of the church would be fixed. * ok ok X Newspaper men at the Capital have colned a timely description of Eresi- dent Coolidge’s recent dictum that the country ought to take its mind off of Washington for a while. They say the President has *“declared a mora- torfum on news.” * % ok ¥ Anybody who has cause to spare his fingers or his right hand, for vac- cination or other reasons, will do well, if he knows Secretary Jardine, to the gtreet is that the whole thing is so | take when be, what they have acquired at such pains. It is all true. And yet such an ob- server would overlook the funda- mental truth, that the other 800 ac- tually were made happler by their desire to better themselves. * ok kK To sneer, even: covertly, at thie desire upon the part of the D‘OPM, shows a lack of understanding, as wel s the bad heart of the sneerer. One of the poorest exhibitions I remember ever having seen along this line occured in a magazine about a year ago, in an article “panning’ the District of Columbia. After assiduously rapping various features of life as it is lived in this, our city, the writer went out of his wi, to sneer at the Government clerks, giving, as an instance, the following heinous facts: That - hundreds of Government workers lived in small houses and thad the temerity to study hard after |4:30 o'clock! ‘What was very much to the credit of such workers, the writer of the article referred to, held up for ridi- cule. By just what mental slant he man- aged to do so, I have forgotten, if I ever knew, for I am hopelessly of the opinifon that the Government workers deserve praise for living in the best houses they can afford, and having enough “pep” and determina- tion to want to better themselves. Some years ago I heard a woman Government worker, at a meeting, make the statement that the clerks wanted larger salaries, not just for the sake of more money, but prin- cipally for the increased opportunities it would give them and their families. It was and is true. Up to a cer- tain sum, money does enable one to have more, to actually be more. After that, and_over that sum, it is but surplus. It is only in this sense that the average person can heed the biblical injunction not to lay up treasure uppn this earth. * x x % Even in a rich country such as ours it must never be forgotten that thousands upon thousands have not been -born to the best. Despite widespread schools and other cultural influences, thousands of our countrymen live and die with- out ever having known that such a man as Jullus Caesar ever lived. Shakespeare, to them, is scarcely more than a name; literature, art, interior decoration, landscaping, mu. sic, only so many words. They know such things exiss, just as most of us have mental conceptions of subma rines, but they have not experienced have been aboard an undersea vesse Most every man finds himself in this boat, at” some time or other, no matter what his position in life. One may be familiar with the literature of all the world, and recognize every melody of every great master, yet not be physically perfect. Contrast these pictures: A horny- handed son of tofl, perusing in 2 mag- azine an advertisement of a course in good English. “I ain't literate,” he tells himself, reading. He pictures himself standing on’ a platform, per- fect words, perfectly said, flowing from his mouth to please and astound the multitude. . . . A literary son- of-a-gun, reading an advertisement of fa course to turn & man of ordinary physique into a ‘“strong man.” He dréams of himself a year later, deliv- ering the knockout blow to a tough specimen of the genus homo sapiens. Each man, I he never sends off the coupon, Js the better for his mental pictures, and, If he takes the course he will get some good out of it. The fact that he sees the lack, and wants to improve, is what counts. OBSERVATIONS WILLIAM WILE sees that sturdy Kansas statesman coming along. Jardine, presumably as an inheritance from his cowpunch- ing and plowboy days, has a grip of fron. When he shakes hands with u you know what a vice feels like. me persons who were introduced o Jardine ut a luncheon party this week forsook the honor of a fare- well handclasp. * %ok % Stories of Gen. Miles are still mak- ing the rounds. Not long ago a group of clubwomen converted the old Indian fighter's stable in Washington into a tea room. The stalls in which he kept three favorite horses were turned into booths for tete-a-tetes. Some one suggested it would be a quaint idea to name the booths after the horses which used to inhabit them, provided Gen. Miles remembered. what they were called. Years had elapsed, but the general's memory had not faded. When he was asked to name the horses, he said without hesita- tion that they were Golden Pebbles, Denver and Gen. Wool. Those are now the titles of the booths. * ok ok ¥ Woodrow Wilson devotees are lam- basting the Post Office Department for failing to commemorate the War Pres- ident on_any of the new postage stamps. It appears that ever since he passed from the scene efforts have been made thus to honor Wilson's memory. Meantime, Warren G. Hard- ing has been so immortalized; Nathan Hale's portrait put on a ¥%-cent stamp; three “Lexington” and two “Norse' commemorative stamps issued, and a set of three “Walloons™ placed in cir- culation. Wilsonlans are wondering whether their hero will have to wait as long for philatelic recognition as Admiral Dewey. Sampson, victor of Santiago, was honored by the Post Office Department for 25 years, his stamp_portrait having only recently been displaced by Deweys. * ¥ ok ¥ Blessings of the United States Gov- ernment have just been given to a project which for the first time will link South and North America by alr. It consists of a commercial airplane service for regular transport of mails, freight and passengers between Co- lombia and Key West, via the Panama Canal, Guatemala and Cuba. Post- master General New is particularly in- terested in the scheme, which is the child of American enterprise and capi- tal. Its establishment is in full line with the intentions of the Coolidge ad- _ministration_to strengthen the ties that unite the republics of the three Americas. (Copyright, 1925.) Hair and Legs. One of the professors at Columbla contends that long-legged men are the brainiest. If they also happen to be red-headed they will be all the more brilllant. But it i{s contended that there are definite reasons why long legs and large brains should be associated in the same body and one of the big colleges is even now mak- ing a servey to either confirm or re- fute this theory. When somebody commented upon Abraham Lincoln’s length of legs he said that they were long enough to reach the ground and that was all that mattered. A great many eminent scholars are lean and possibly their legs look longer by |reason of their thinness. That may have started the professor on his argument. ‘But, anyhow, it seems |that long legs and flery hair are physical endowments to be proud |0t ~ios Angeics Timess . - them personally, any more than we D. C, FRIDAY, MAY 22, 1925. Outlawry of Bolshevism As a Means to Peace To the Editor of The Star: ‘We are hearing constantly a great deal about outlawing war, a large and desirable undertaking if it can be ac- complished, requiring much time, pa- tience and diplomatic skill, but there is a first and long step toward it which can be taken with little delay. ‘The United States has practically al- ready outlawed Soviet ‘Russia by re- fusing to recognize the band of mur- derers and robbers who control it and who krowing they cannot malintain thelr abominable system along much longer, are making desperate efforts in many countries by lavish expenditure of money and cunning propaganda to foment discontent and revolt among the ignorant and criminal classes, hop- ing to bring on revolutions which will drag the whole world down to their own level of crass socialism and athe- ‘T where lies prostrate unhappy Rus- s Now if Great Britain, France and Germany will withdraw the recogni- tion they have unwisely extended to the Soviets, chiefly for economic and trade considerations, the Soviet go: ernment will very shortly fall to pieces. Is not this an opportune moment for them to take such action? The time seems ripe for it and each one of them has ample reason for making such a chapge. The Soviet government lied in the most brazen fashion to the Mac- Donald government In Great Britain, denylng the propaganda they were carrying on, and now the irritation then engendered has been so increased by a_repetition of the same offense the Baldwin government has been forced to give them a sharp rebuke and warning. They have stirred up the same bad feeling in France by the same tactics there, and Hindenburg is known to be hostile to them in Ger- many. With such conditions existing, it is not probable that if our Government would approach those of Great Britain, France and Germany, with .e sug- gestion that they withdr. . their recognition and stand with us In open condemnation and reprobation of bol- shevism and all its works, is it not certain that the rotten fabric they have raised must fall to pleces? government in Europe can long main- tain itself if these great powers with- out striking a blow should join the United State in the attitude it has taken toward the bolsheviks. There ::;:ngr:n :mny lroghaulu of their ¢ downtall, come of them. UF retuREihen Would not the course suggested be entirely fasible? Put into effect, there is every reason to believae that the civilized world without hloodshed and without prolonged suspense will be relieved from the menace and incubus which has so long hung over it, uni which will make anything ltke uni versal peace impossible as long as they continue. Is there anything more important in the world situation than the elimin- ation of bolshevism; and is there any other way of bringing it about short of war? ARCHIBALD HOPKINS. The Proposed Official Flower To the Editor of The Star; Official flowers have’ been adopted by the people of nearly every State in the Unfon. All of them are out- of-door flowers, and the majority are native wild flowers. The District of Columbia has many beautiful wild flowers, and it would be very appro- priate to adopt one of them as the official floral emblem. . It is quite possible that the recent proposal to adopt a hothouse variety as the official flower was in part the result of fear that the selection of a native flower would lead to its ex- termination. The movement to pre- serve our wild flowers is most praise- worthy and deserves our undivided support. However, in this case there appears to be no occasion for appre- hension. I am firmly convinced that the choice of a native flower as our emblem would lead the people of the District to protect it, espectally if the people are permitted to have a part in the selection. If those who proposed a hothouse flower did €o with the deliberate in- tention of selecting a flower that would not be disturbed, they should be commended for accomplishing their purpose most successfully. Surely there is no flower more suited to be “let alone” than the American Beauty rose. It {s not an American flower, and many fanclers will main- tain that it is not a beauty. The stiff, ungainly stem is expensive to buy. Even the florists, who have reaped profits from it in the past, are discard- ing it for more satisfactory varieties. Those who have tried to grow it know from experience that it does not do well in the garden. Of course, if we desire to give out the fmpression that we are different from all other people and that the District of Columbia is purely formal, artificial, dead, then it would be ap- propriate to adopt a hothouse flower. On the other hand, if we want to make known the truth that we are real people, we should select a flower that will represent us truly; a flower that belongs here because it chooses to grow here naturally or because it flourishes in the hearts and gardens of the people, JOHN P. SCHUMACHER. A Border Pact. An important conference is being held in El Paso between representa- tives of the Mexican government and our own for the purpose of working out a border pact which will be mutu- ally satisfactory. The hope is that efficient agreements for co-operative handling of the problem of smuggling may be arrived at, and it is obviously to the best interests of both nations that such should be the case. The tide of {lifcit articles back and forth across the Mexican border has been growing in size and importance, es- pecially since this land put into effect restrictive regulations regarding im- migration. There are other matters, too, which could be handled with more speed and ease than has been the case hitherto. Though it is apparently difficult to be certain, there is every reason to belleve that the enforcement of our antf-narcotic laws has been and is be- ing made tremendously difficult be- cause of a flood of drugs which pours into this country from Mexico. The extent of the border in miles and the wildness of the country through which it runs have alike contributed to make it a paradise for drug smugglers, but the task of the oMcers would be great- Iy lightened by the conclusion of the right sort of agreements with Mexico. The alien proposition is likely second to that of drugs, but it is important in its own right.—Nashville Banner. Moth Balls. “The air was redolent with moth balls.” This sentence sticks out like a sore thumb from -the Associated Press ac- count of the inauguration of Presi- dent Hindenburg. It is explained in the context that there were many old bespangled uni- forms in German households. These had been laid away on or about November 12, 1918. Perhaps some of the then occupants gl‘.lzat:rgwm eor:’ulent to n‘:t Qhel;r'l. e: saved away, after the m}h.tni let “formula, “Thrift, thrift, Ho- 0. ‘When the uniforms and the mo- narchical colors were lald away in 1918 there was a shrewd idea in the German mind that they might come in handy . And. so they used moth balls.— iohita Beacon, ;i ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS BY FREDERIC J]. HASKIN Q. What did the bird fountain cost | at the John Dickson Home, pre- sented recently by former Amebussa- dor Jusserand?—J. H. A. Its cost, exclusive of foundations and plumbing, was $3830. The stone used was Crazanne Anteor, imported from France. The piece used for the fountain was left from another build- en Grant ever live on T D. D. . 205-207 I street was the home of Gen. Grant when he was| elected President of the United Stat and also for 10 days after he was in-| augurated. It then became the home of Gen. Sherman and later Mayor Matthew G. Emer: | Q. cabinets, especially that of England, resign and then turn right around and run again? Why don't they keep the | offices If they like them?—J. E. P. A. The responsibility of the British cabinet s collective, therefore when the prime minister is defeated in a | particular policy, his colleagues resign | with him. Upon the retirement of the prime minister the cabinet is dis- solved, although the members may | again unite under another head. If, | however, the defeated cabinet thinks it | still represents the popular will, it| can ask the King to dissolve the House of Commons and order a new election. Q. How did the expression “curtain lecture” originate?—M. C. A. Such admonition or fault-finding between husband and wife was sup- | posed to be given in the privacy af- forded by beds hung with oldfash- foned bed curtains. Q. Please describe George O'Hara, the movle actor—N. H. A. He is 25 years old, unmarried, has black hair and blue eyes and is | known as the boy with the Jjack Barr more face and the Jack Dempse Q. What constituted an Army corps in the Union Army during the Civil War?—J. C. W. A. Tt comprised from 19 to 20 thou- sand men, including two, three and even four divisions. Q. How much has the percentage of people living in citles increased since 1910>—B. A. B. A. In the United States in 1910 the population living in cities of more than 2,600 was 46 per cent. At present it is approximately 50 per cent. Q. Was George Washirigton consid- ered an expert rider’—C. A. A. Thomas Jefferson referred to him as the best horseman of his age. Q. How high does the earth's at- mosphere extend?—C. J. A. The exact height of the earth's atmosphere s not known. Some esti- mates, based on the calculated heights of shooting stars when they first be- come luminous, place the limit at which atmosphere has a density suffi- clent to produce any observable ef- fects at about 200 miles. Very little oxygen {s present in the alr at a height of 110 kilometers (68.31 miles). There is none at a height of 120 kilo- meters (74.52 miles). Q. Are there any Aztecs in Mexico now?—A. T. C. A. The Aztecs {1habited Mexico at an early period. Some of their d scendants still reside in outlying vil- lages near the City of Mexico. Q. When did the Russian monarchy terminate, and who are now at the . W. G. head of the government?- | Lecn Tr | trade, se— v ‘Why do members of the foreign in Russia with the revolution of} March 12, 1 The constitution was,| however, not adopted until July 4 1923. The president of the council of people’s commissars i Alexis Ll Rykov; vics sidents of the councll,] K A. D. Tsiurupa, pre mier of Ukraine; M. D. Orakhe will, premier of Transcaucasia; ' ubar, premier of White Ru Commissar for arm vy, sky; commissar for foreig nid Krassil; commissar foreign affairs, Ge commissar for transportat Tudzus commissar 1o A. Bruikhanov; finance. skolnikov labor, V. B L ar for posts mirnoy Q. How far is Gulf of Mexico A. It is on 110 miles from ti Q. What is th condensed and M. A. Tt is a difference and method of prep: ed milk is prese before evaporating. porated milk is made by evaporating part of the water and preserving by heat after the product is in the final container. Q. Who hung the light in the Old North Church on the night of Paul J.o orleans from the G sissipp! River, ugag content tion. Conden adding sugar Revere's ride’—N A. His ident s not definit termined. Some authorities sa the sexton of the church, Rober man, was the ma friend of Ri the lant, Q. Arer —J.R. H Rickenbacker? A. He is about driver of prominer War. He went member of the motor car staff, but was soon transferred to the A Q. Does pellagra develop in couns tries where corn is not eateg?—P. T, A. Cases have been reported in England, where maize is not eaten. Q. What is the Paul test?—W. T A. This s a test which will prevent the long quarantine of smallpox sus- pects. It consists in the inoculation with the suspicious atter of the rabbits cornea, cock's wattles, etc, Smallpox pus provokes a pecultar action not obtained with the use of any other substanc -1 Q. Do Chi 4 Americans do?—M. C. C. A. It is said that Chinese players confine themselves chiefly to building up a strong defense, while Americans and Europeans adopt offensive tactics, Q. Do toads cause warts?—B. S, A. This is a mere tradition which has no foundation in fact. He was a motor (Did you ever write a letter to Fred- eric J. Haskin? You can ask our In- formation Bureau any question of fact and get the answer in a personal let- ter. This is a part of that best purpose of this mewspaper—service. There is no charge except 2 cents in stamps for return postage. Get the habit of asking questions of The Star Informa- tion Bureau, Frederic J. Haskin, di- was terminated A. The monarchy rector, Twenty-first and C strects northwest.) Quick and Haggard Linked In Fiction and Farming The death of Herbert Quick in this country and that of Sir H. Rider Hag- gard abroad, almost simultaneously, recalls to American observers the sin- gularly parallel careers of these two men of Tetters. Quick wrote of pioneer days in the Middle West, and Haggard, the Englishman, produced stories with scenes laid among the builders of South Africa. Both were experts in agriculture and contributed to the ad- vancement of rural life and work. A coincidence is suggested by the St. Louis Post-Dispatch in the fact that two well known authors, English and American, “should have died within five days of each other, after lives that were equally fruitful and wonderfully similar in product, both literary and in the line of public serv- fce.” The Post-Dispatch adds that “these two careers exemplified a happy combination of contribution to romance, without which life would lack one of its best savors, and the country prosperity, which is the basis of general well being.” The useful- ness of Quick’s life also is emphasized by the Canton News, which presents this estimate of his services: *“Farm boy, teacher, lawyer, journalist, au- thor, editor and Federal official, he contributed more to the betterment of rural life than any other of his time. No other author has given us the homely picture of the West's up- building to equal his. His help to agriculture and &;1‘; );eop!e was great.” * * . “He didn’'t find his vocation until late,” explains the New York Times in an outline of Quick's career. “He was 41 when his first book was pub- lished; more than 60 when ‘Vande- mark’s Folly,” followed the next year by ‘The Hawkeve,’ made his fame. In these he puts flesh upon the dry bones of documents and archives. These books are crowded with life, charac- ter, incident, with whole processions of 'salient minor figures. They are rich in natural humor. They smack of the soil and the crops. Thelr home- ly fidelity and their breath of poetrs— what a wealth of matter, with suf- ficient art, the memory calls up?”” Of Haggard’s work the Times remarks: “It is doubtful whether Kipling at the height of his popularity ever reached an audience as large as that which palpitated over ‘King Solomon’s Mines’ and ‘She,’” the latter not inconceivably immortal in more senses than one, on her own modest level in literature.” Mr. Quick is described as a “combi- nation of the worker and the dream- er” in a tribute from the Sioux City Tribune, which observes: “Close friends of 30 years ago would not have been surprised had he attained fame in the law or in politics, but they little expected him to attract national at- tention as a writer of fiction.” The San Antonlo News calls his a busy and many-sided career, continuing: “As a_member of the first Yederal Farm Loan Board he had much to do with establishing that system, an un- something to the betterment of farm- ing,” remarks the Raleigh Observer, “he will be m widels known as the author of a couple of novels that came along at the time the great African continent opened up to the world.” The Spi fleld Republican comments: “He told stories and told them well; for the rest he was a sturdy British squire, who made himself an authority on riculture, rural problems and emigra- tion, and might have been a good ministrator if a romantic imagin had not kept his prolific pen at work.” There “may have been greater nove ists than Haggard, but few may boast his {nfinite variety and bountiful im- agination,” declares the Norfolk Ledger-Dispatch. Describing the English writer author and prophet, the Louisville Courier-Journal says: “A quarter of a century ago he wanted the British rural population to own their small acreages. At that fime he was also working for government credit banks, parcels post for small crop deliveries and co-operative marketing societies: all of which have since largely come into effect.” The Cleveland. Plain Dealer adds that he will “be remem= bered for one fine novel, for another fairly good novel and for his erudite treatises on agricultural economics.” as First Women’s Suffrage Organization Is Dead The Sons and Daughters of Temper ance is an organization that first can ried the banner af prohibition through. out the country. Perhaps it has died a natural death, but its passing should ‘have had commemoration in manner that marks the passing of another pioneer organization—that organized nedrly 75 years ago by Mrs. Susan B, Anthony and & few kindred spirits in promotion of the cause of woman suffrage. The women have been nearly three-quarters of a century in securing the ballgt, and they have secured this privilege now mainly be- cause of the fact ithat the original Susan B. Anthony organjzation was not ridiculed to death. It was the brunt of the satirists of the day. One may yet remember the Nast cartoons in Harper's Weekly, Nast made a specialty in ridiculing the national woman's suffrage movement, and Mrs, Anthony shared the hopors with Boss Tweed. z The survivors of the priginal organ. ization held a dissolutlon meeting in New York a few days ago, at which the final rites were read. Mrs. Carrie Chapman Catt had become- president of the organization and her hands laid the wreath. Tha old Natlonal Woman's Suffrage; Association had battled its way throigh many storms, and now that all thd great things for dertaking close to his heart. As a story teller he had few equals in his day.” * ¥ kK The Providence Journal believes “Quick was engaged less with his story than with an honest craftsman’s efforts to place his native country in enduring record.” The Chicago Daily News praises his production of “a tri- logy based on Iowa history, thus set- ting an example of the use the novel- ist can make of the excellent native themes that are so plentiful.” “The writers of America, no less than his public, are grieved by his de ure,” says the Kansas City Post. “He won a real fame with his storles because they were good stories and because they were true to the life they depicted,” the Des Moines Trib- une observes. “A genuine American novelist, taking his theme from the soil,” adds the Oakland Tribune. ‘While “Rider contributed which it fought haye come to the women of the Nation, the reproach stands that so few of them are exs ercising the privilege that has beem placed in their hands.—Charlotte Ob- server. Isolation Is Passing. From the Baston Herald. In a world already using ocean, air and ether for exchange of thought and thing, “national isolation” will soon be impossible. High Life Abroad. From the Philadelphia Public Ledger. In soclal geometry the eternal tri. angle continues to be circumscribed by certain fashionable circles in Greay Britain, . b