Evening Star Newspaper, November 8, 1925, Page 46

92 THE EVENING STAR| With Sunday Morning Edition. WASHINGTON, D. C. SUNDAY......November 8, 1825 THEODORE W. NOYES...Editor The Evening Star Newspaper Company 11th St. and Pennsvivania Ave. New York Office 1‘\0 )2 }} 1 |n4|’5! Buropean Ofice 16 Regent St.. London. The Eveninz Star, with the Sunday mor nx edition. 13 delivered by carrigrs within ho city at 60 cents por b dajly only. th: S | “ A went by mail or Tllection 18 made by Maryland and Virginia. aily and Sunda 1yr. $K40: 1 mo.. Daily only 1yr $6.00° 1 mol. A Sunday onls 1y 0 11 All Other States. $3.00 1yr 1y unday oniy. e Member of the ! The Associated Prass he use for repubin hes credited to 1t © wise An Era of Prosperity. A Dpicture of material prosperity never before equaled in this country or any other is drawn in a review of economic conditions th United States Secretary Herbert Hoover ©of the Department of C Amerfcan people higher scale and than any oth ing on a higher have ever done for tha boasting. Many factors enter tion which the this high material plane States, and {ts diverse industries and agricul: ture, 1s well nigh self-sus It is &0 situated that it is largely free from the competitive race in armaments, which have weighed heavily on other Its L provided f protect industry, agri- and it vigorous p: aided greatly winning that fifot, this country was devastated not at all. During the war industries and agriculture were working at a high pitch. The swing of the pendulum in the immediate post-war period brought about a reaction, during which agri- culture suffered greatly at first, though business of all fell off and unemployment The country appa has weathered successfully the slack times in by mmerce. The living a greater comfort are on n v people. They are liv ale than Ame ns before. An occasion rather than for e ksgivin into the equa- American on The United extent places because of its g aining. peoples vl culture ws n Lak labor have a for Although took in con kinds W ently, however and is going ahead again “The greatest of constru tlon operations on record the characterization of the building activi ties fn the United States by Sec Tloover. He estimates that this work of con 1ction represents an in st- ment during the year of $6,000,000, 000, and adds that for the most part it is calculated 1o meet the permanent and growing needs of the Nation. The volume of retail trade is enormous, greater than in any other year. The prices of farm products are up, and the return to the g than in any other The interr dustry, trades volume is etary farmer is vear since ation of agricultu ail trade. the building 10 capital in the pros perity of a people is axiomatic. Asa rule no chain than its weakest lin cconomic conditions he re labor 2 is stronger The peport this country made by tary Hoover, therefore, is. par- larly pleasing. It shows the en- tire country and the people as a whole well fed, well clothed, and with hous- ing facilities improving almost mo nd their transportation 1& excellentls in mentarily fac The world to ted that lities operat ne an aid to other parts. America’s y food thstand sing power is providing for n other lands, notw ing the protective tarlff wall. Secre. t Hoover calls attention the fact that a period of greater stability in ths monetary svstems of the world has developed. America looke to other countries to buy her surplus prod- uets, and as the rest of the world im- proves materially, this country should benefit thereby. ———— Plotters threaten the life of Mus- us @ssisting to promote his as a man of rage, A good »w to use his enemies ctator knows as well as | ends. B Blaming the Colonists. »hn Yortescue, English his- torian, in writing a series of papers concerning the time of George III, is presenting the case of the American War for Independence to his readers terms that will not serve to strengthen the grasp of the “hands across the sea” of later years. First off, he s that Americans were “a very curious stock,” with Virginia and North Carolina chiefly settled by ras and New England by fanatics. On this basis he proceeds to the fol- lowing summary of the revolutionary enterprise of the colonists: Some kind of an agreement might nave been reached but for w revival of the dormant revolutionary spirit in New England. That was the real trouble. For the revolution spirit is 1 which desires anything rather than an_amicable settlement, and which relies only on violence and in- timidation and believes only force can suppress force. There was much blundering on the English side, but on the American there was deliberate mischlef and malice engineered by men of the usual revolutionary type, and this made » peacetul end of the dispute _impossible. The British at length, but too late, resorted to force. They were threatened with secession from the empi Americans them- selves, where confronted with a like secession, employed exactly the same remedy. The issue was in principle identical n both cases. The attempt of Mr. Fortescue to draw a parallel between the Ameri- can War of Independence and the Civil War of eighty-five vears later is {llogical and unwarranted. The former was fought on the principle that “taxation without representation §s tyranny.” The latter was the re- pult of a difference of view regard- ing the nature of the compact entered fnto by the colonists in forma- tan g & federsl unian in the inter an ass 't in the World War, and | have lacked full verity. so closely con- { try. It is virtuall sperity in one part is | sity. § pretation of the Constitution that bound the States into a nation. Description of the American colo- nists as fanatical plotters against Brit- ish soverelgnty, preferring force to settlement of differences, is a gross misreading of historical facts. The colonists wished to secure certain concessions from the British govern- {ment. They wanted to be repre- sented in the lawmaking body which imposed taxes upon them. They pro- tested against oppressive measures adopted by the government at Lon- don. In the Declaration of Inde- pendence numerous violations of the “inulienable rights” of the colonists were cited. Had the British crown, with all its preceding blunders of co- lonial administration, adopted a con- | ciliatory course even after the fram- ing of the Declaration, it is doubtful whether the Revolution would have ben successful. Brutally oppressve moves and the carrying of the war by the British into the Southern terri- tory united all of the colonists in a determined effort to secure that for which they had declared in prin- | ciple—a complete separation of gov- ernment | British historians have as a rule {dealt with the revolutionary chapter in a spirt of consideration for the | 500d faith of the colonfsts as Brit- ish subjects up to the time when | oppressive measures became infol- |erable. The stubbornness of King George TII 1s blamed by them as the compelling, inciting cause of the se- cession. This present attempt to ascribe the Revolution to the fanati- cism of the Northern colonists, with- out justification and without prin- is a new and an unwelcome contribution to history. e American Educational Center. Dr. John C. Merriam, president of the Carnegie Institution, in address- ing the Vassar College alumnae con- vention here the other evening, sald that Washington stands pre-eminent in the cities of the country as u seat of lear 15 und educational advance- Time w not many years ago, when that statement, though pleasing (o the cars of Washingtonians, would Today, how- ever, it is recognized as true hy edu- throughout the country, and more and more true as time passes. Washington, indeed, is developing now with great rapidity in respect to its educational advantages to students of all grades and in all lines. This does not relate particularly to the local educational system, superior though it is, save in respect to equip- fault which now heing tardily corrected through a wisely liberal policy of appropriations. Nor does it relate particularly to the insti- ciple, ment cators ment is tutions of learning located here, excel- lent and progressive as they are. Washington is an educational center, a seat of learning, mainly in conse- quence of the presence here of men and women of scientific and intellect- ual accomplishments, engaged in re- search as well as in teaching, making this city their place of activity because of the widely varied Government works now in progress. Dr. Merriam in his talk to the Vas- stated that there are more investigators and instructors in the National Capital than in any other American city. But, he went on to state, Washington should never be a college town, and is not a place for undergraduate work because of the preponderance of highly intel- lectual events constantly occurring which work to the disadvantage of students, who should be surrounded by an atmosphere of calm and qulet for the proper and uninterrupted pur- sult of their studies. This points to the true role of the National Capital in the educational work of the coun- - a graduate univer- udents may learn here, may advance themselves in their studies researches without joining “classes,” without matriculating in any institution. They are in the atmosphere of progressive thought as sar alumnaze and well as of productive research. The Government of the United States is in itself a school. Its person- nel has, especially within the past few decades, come to include people of skill and achievement in a wide variety of intellectual activities. Its scientific staffs comprise veritably | the best minds in the country on spe- cial lines. Though from time to time | it loses some of its best workers be cause it cannot hold them against competition with small scale of | I t retains to a surprising degree | the loyul services of those to whom achievement and performance are sufficient reward regardless of mone- tary compensation. Increasingly Washington is attract- ing residents who are bent upon study and cultural development. In art, in musie, in letters, it offers a rich store. The rate of this progression is grow- ing. It is a city of comfortable living conditions, It lacks the nervous pulse of & commercial center. It is ideally suited to the requirements of the stu- dent. Exception might be taken to Dr. Merriam's question as to the fit- ness of Washington as a collegiate city, for it surely is more conducive to student calm than are many “col- lege towns” that are both seats of learning and centers of industry. However, it suffices to note his com- prehensive and accurate description of the National Capital as pre-eminently the American educational center. s Navy offic regard Col. Billy Mitchell as an ace who is trying to play the deuce. its 1s r———. Street-Widening Proposals. The Washington Board of Trade, adopting the recommendations of a committee, has urged the widening of several streets in the downtown area or business section, in addition to those that have been already proposed by the Commissioners for this treatment. These are Sixth street from Louistana avenue to Massachusetts avenue, Tenth from F to Massachusetts ave- | nue, Twelith from New York to Massachusetts avenue and from Pennsylvania avenue to E, Fifteenth from New York avenue to K street and Thirteenth from Pennsylvania avenue to E. All of these streets are in the area of traflic congestion. They re at present too narrow for the THE SUNDAY STAR, WASHINGTO volume of travel. The recent widen- ing of Thirteenth street has greatly improved conditions without hamper- ing pedestrian traffic. And yet it has not been completed, as the Board of Trade's recommendation of its further widening in the short block from Pennsylvania avenue to I street in- dicates. It now presents the spectacle of a broad thoroughfare suddenly nar- rowed at the junction with the city’s main artery. This work of street widening must be continued ®o long as parking is permitted in the streets. The presence of lines of cars either parallel or angylar to the curbs is an element of danger in the narrow streets that with few exceptions constitute the highways of the business section. The rapid increase of traffic in this city requires additions to the moving vehicle space. These changes are cost- 1y, but they are essential unless the streets of Washington are to be abso- lutely freed of parked cars. That day seems remote, and meanwhile the trafic is growing. These recommendations to the Com- missioners are worthy of considera- tion for reference to Congress with approval for action at the next ses- sion. However great the cost may be, if such work is undertaken immedi- ately it will be economy to do it now. Later the cost will be greater. The present is the proper time to adjust the city's driving spaces to the needs of the traffic. P The Fags of the Faculty. School officials of an Indiana county have announced that teachers—men and women allke—who smoke are go- ing to be dlscharged. It is -possible that, after {ssuing this faculty-purify- ing ukase, the same officials went home, ate too many doughnuts for supper, did a little gossiping about the neighbors and retired to sleep be hind closed windows. Every one of these things is exactly as bad for health and for mgrals as is the use of clgarettes, and the school board, with as much propriety, might have threatened with the loss of their jobs any teachers who indulged therein. “France is the only dying nation on the face of the earth now, and it i3 a childless nation largely because of nicotine,” declared the school super- {ntendent of the county in question. It is so easy to put two and two to- gether und get six for an answer. Without in any way advocating the use of tobacco, it can be mentioned that, to the mind of this superintend- ent, there might have occurred other lands, Germany, for instance, where smokingr is as common as in France and which is a most fecund natfon, now on the upgrade, not to mention China or Burma. Many will admit that tobacco does little real good and much real harm. But to try to regulate the private lives of employes as to non-intoxicat- ing stimulants or sedatives is in ex- actly as poor taste as trying to spec- ify what articles they shall and shall not eat, and usually about as success- ful as repulsing the tide with broom or with kingly gesture. e ————— Predictions that Loeb and Leopold would soon be at liberty have not heen fulfilled. Since accomplishing the extraordinary task of saving their lives Mr. Clarence Darrow has had his own publicity affairs to attend to. ————— Composers and music publishers in- sist that radio ought to pay rovalties. The air has brought forward one form of industry in which the ultimate con- sumer cannot be made to pay all the expenses. —_—t—— It the Prince of Wales falls off a horse a few more times he may be tempted to adopt an American custom and get himself an electric exerciser. ———— The promise of & return to America. will be kept by Caillaux. France is not quite sure that his return will be in an offictal capacity. —_—————————— Political forecasters are already busy with speculations as to what Col. Billy 1s going to do with all his publicity. SHOOTING STARS. BY PHILANDER JOHNSON. Infinitesimal Ego. The world is a wealth of delightful impressions. Today we are here and tomorrow we're gone. We give and we take. and concessions Are strange, but we smile as the story goes on. The demands The struggles for pelf are but minor digressions. A Sunset today and tomorrow a Dawn Are things in themselves prompting humble confessions That Fates play the game, and a man’s but a pawn. Advanced Ideals. lobbyist?"” ““We don’t need him any more,” an- swered Senator Sorghum. “A lobbyist was @ comparatively low-salaried man. 1 wouldn’t think of assoclating with anybody less distinguished and im- portant than a propagandist.” Jud Tunkins says friend in need” instead of handing out advice reaches for his check bgok and says, “How much?” Sense of Gratitude. “You never catch any fish?” “I don't want to. I'm grateful to them for giving me the pretext of a fishing trip for a holiday. The Snowbird. The snowbird 1s a happy elf. In Winter he enjoys himself. He never frets his little soul About the rising cost of coal. The snowbird is a festive fowl. Through figures he need never prowl, ‘While man, a biped most abject, Exclaims, “What good is intellect?” “Dar ain’ no Santy Claus,” said Uncle Eben, “which makes it more obligatory foh you to git busy an’ not let his absence be noueed.“' D. C., NOVEMBER 8, - EVERYDAY RELIGION 'BY THE RIGHT REV. JAMES E. FREEMAN, D. D., LL. D., Bishop of Washington. The Source of Power. Genesis 32:28.—“And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jucob, but JFsrael: for us a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed.” Phillips Brooks discovered a young man in his study one morning care- fully examining the, titles of the books on his shelves. “What are you looking for?” he asked, to which the young man responded, am trying to find the secret of your power.” “You will not find it on the shelves of my library,” the great preacher added, He drew from more secret sources the power that made him one of the greatest prophets of his time. & ek Balzac once sald “Genius is inten- sity.” This may be one definition, but enius is a difficult thing to define. he sources of inspiration and power are too subtle to lend themselves read- ily to definition. Compelling influences that shape our thoughts and regulate our conduct we are clearly consclous of, ut to describe their processes is ‘The incident from which the above text is taken illustrates in a dramatic way the great transition that took place in the life of a man. He had come to what might be called “the parting of the ways"; behind him were the abandoned influences of home life; before him stretched a future full of uncertainty and mystery. He was fac- ing a critical situation.” At this junc: ture he had a remarkable experience that proved the turning point in his career. In the long watches of the night he had a visfon in which he experienced conflict with unseen forces. In his great struggle he cried out, “I will not let thee go except thou bless me.” Hitherto his name had been Jacob, the Supplanter. In re- sponse to his appeal the answer came, “Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel; for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men and hast prevailed.” T From this singular experience he went forth a changed man with a new vision of the possibilities of life. However we muy regard the incident, the after career of thix man was in demonstration of the power he had re ceived. Doubtless the criticalness his situation compelled him to dis- cover to himsel a power he had hith- erto not reckoned with. Selfishne: and self-seeking had denied him the sources of spiritual strength. There is nothing which men seek for more assiduously than power. Iven the acquisition of wealth and materfal things cannot compare with It. To be ablo to prevail and to exer- clse an influence in situations that call for unusual strength of character, nd to be a force in the shaping of wman destiny is a *‘consummation devoutly to be wished.” When Marshal FFoch was asked con- cerning the secret of his power over men he declared that he had found it in his daily habits of prayer. Some- thing had come to him that he was incapable of describing, but it was a power that men readily and gladly recognized. In secret places, even amld the strife and turmofl of war, he had sought and had revealed to him sources of strength that enabled him to direct and control vast bodies of men. * ok k% We are living in a time in which the development of vast material forces is so conspicuous that we seem to be immune to the appeal of things spiritual. To many of us the things of religion seem remote and impracti- cable. As applied to the common things of everyday life spiritual ele- ments seem to have littie of practical value. Over against this resides the fact that we are having demonstra- tiona all about us of the reality and incalculable power of unseen and in- visible forces. The very air itself has come to be the medium by and through which we transmit our mes- sages from continent to continent. God is making himself, in our genera- tion, more manifest to the world. More und more those who think deep- ly about the great problems of life re realizing the need of wider rec. ovgnition of those mighty and potential spiritual forces that are valuable only to those who will seek and use them. To feel that we are in partner- ship with God, or, as the apostle puts it, “partakers of the divine nature,” lends to all life in any sphere a con- sclousness of power that is irresist ible. The practical value of deep re flection upon things spiritual and the cultivation of & wholesome religio life is clearly demonstrable. o Tenny son was not dreaming as a poet when fore things are wrought by prayer than this world dreams of.” The biggest task we have in hand today 13 the making of character. And the making of character calls for the recognition and utllization of that which can transform the weaker and baser things of life and convert them into forces and Influences for good. (Copyright. 1025.) AMERICANISM IN GRAND OPERA BY FREDERIC J. HASKIN. Critfeism has been directed at the producers of grand opera in this coun try, notably at the Metropolitan Opera Co. of New York, to the effect that American singers and composers are discriminated against and foreign ar- tists and art favored, that American artists who do break in are paid small- er salaries than are paid foreigners, ind that grand opera is usually sung in a foreign language when it could and should be translated into English. Otto H. Kahn, president of the Me- tropolitan Co., has answered these critielsms in a brochure just made public by the organization which he heads. In substance he says they are preposterous, and that the American public gets the kind of opera and a personnel of artists that it wants and will support. This is,4n effect, the answer that is made to critics of the movies and the legitimate stage—the cash custom determines what is produced for him for art, which is long, is as fleeting as time if it is not supported at the box office. What possible motive could there be. asks Mr. Kahn, for an organization founded by Americans, situated in America, dependent for its existence upon the patronage of the American public, administered by a board of directors, all of whom are Americans, to serve foreign art rather than Amer- ican art? “The policy of the Metropolitan Opera Co. and the way in which it conceives its functions and its duty are quite plain and clear,” continues Mr. Kahn. “They are: First, to make every effort to give opera in the best possible manner, according to its judgment and ability; second, in order to accomplish that purpose, to bring here the best available talent from everywhere, and, third, things being equal, to give preference to American art and American artists over foreign art and foreign artists. The Metropolitan Opera does not be- lieve itself called upon to lower its standards for the sake of proving its Americanism, nor does it feel that by doing so it would best serve the cause of art in America, or please its patrons, or even be able to retain their patronage.” Same Policy Followed Flsewhere. The present general manager of the Metropolitan is a foreigner, Giulio Gatti-Casazza, but Mr. Kahn says that the same policy was adhered to in the past when the manager was an Am ican, that it was followed by the Bos ton Grand Opera Company, which was organized and administered by a board it is being followed by the Chicago Grand Opera under the management of Illinois American " Also a similar policy, he says, is being followed by all of the great or- chestral organizations of the country- the Philharmonic and the Symphony Soclety of New York, and the or- chestras in Boston, Philadelphia, Rochester, Cincinnati, Cleveland, De- troit, Minneapolis and San ¥ran- cisco—all of which engage foreign singers and virtuosi, according to their qualifications, side by side with Americans. g ) As to the salary a singer receives, that does not depend upon his na- tionality or name, or even reputation, but upon his qualifications and the degree of favor and interest which the public indicates toward him. Mr. Kahn does not discuss the salaries paid artists, whether foreign or Amer- ican, now appearing at the Metro- politan, but he says that when Ger- aldine Farrar was there she received a higher salary than was paid any other woman singer, and that Mie. Nordica and Mme. Eames, Americans both, headed the salary lists in their day. It is also pointed out that as com- pared to seven American singers who were engaged at the Metropolitan un- der the management of the American, Grau, there are now under the Ttalian, Gatti-Casazza, more than 30 American singers, and, in addition, a considerable proportion of the chorus and most of the ballet are Americans. Gatti-Casazza has thus far produced nine operas and one ballet by Ameri- can composers. “It is no fault of the Metropolitan, adds Mr. Kahn, “that no opera by an American composer, though no pains were spared in the rehearsal and pro- duction of such works, has yet suc- ceeded in holding the interest of the public sufficiently to be included in the permanent repertoire. It is neither publicists nor managers, but the audi- ence, with whom the verdict rests in the final analysis, and whose judg- ment is controlling. Not an Opera’ Language. In explaining the policy of having operas sung in the language to which they are composed Mr. Kahn de- dclares that every opera loses by hav- other | of New England Americans and that | ing the text to which the music is set twisted into the sound and rhythm of | a different lang: and, furthermore, that English ix not an opera language, in its very essence and spirit it does not lend itself to the inanities and flowery sentimentalities of many of the texts of the older operas. Some of the things in thosc texts are so utterly trivial or downright silly that It sung in Lnglish they would strike the American audience as iudicrous. An illustration of this may be found in “Madame Butterfly,” in one scens of which a character asks another if he will have a high ball and the an- swer is “Yes, but make it light,” or something to that effect. Sung in English that invariably gets a good laugh out of part of the audience— and it is not intended for comedy. Ttalian is ranked as of all languages the one best adapted for singing, and | especially operatic singing, and many American artists prefer it. Efforts were made to persuade Caruso to learn to sing in German some of his roles | in the Wagnerian operas, and he tried | conscientiously, but he could not mas- ter the task. When he appeared at German opera houses he sang in Ital- tan, while the rest of the company sang in German. Sentiment for English. However, Mr. Kahn says that those advocating opera sung exclusively in English voice a sentiment which de- cerves and demands sympathy and respect. “I hope they will succeed in estab- Hshing organizations in New York and other cities which will be devoted to the realization of that purpose and which at the same time will be much needed training and testing ground: | for American singers. Oscar Hammer- | stein tried to do %o for a few months {and failed. My associates and 1 tried it at the Century Opera House and failed. Still others have tried and fail- ed. Yet the attempt ought not to be siven up, and 1 for one shall be will- ing and glad to co-operate if a sound- ly planned, intelligently directed and responsibly sponsored effort is again undertaken toward that end.” Mr. Kahn concedes that it is true that there is far from sufficlent oppor- tunity for the plentiful young stage talent of this country to obtain stage routine, acquire a repertoire in prac- tice and find operatic engagements, and he says that there should also be | ways and means devised for making | it attractive for American composers |to engage in the more ambitious | forms of composition, such as operas and symphonies. No Jazz Opera. Some time ago there was a report that Mr. Kahn was about to sponsor the production of a jazz opera, but he says it,was unfounded. To him the very name juzz opera is a con- tradiction In termns and in its literal meaning is quite unthinkable. “‘American opera ought to have, as much as the reality has, our own at- mosphere, idiom, tang and character- istics,” he says, in expressing the hope that some of those who now devote thelr telents to producing jazz dance music and song will tackle more important and more exacting tasks and try their hand at opera. “Such an_opera wiil probably con- tain some of the motives, rhythm and characteristics of jazz, but whether it does or not is immaterial. The main question is: Has the work got musical merit? Does the composer have something to say, and does he say it in the manner which to him is the natural and spontaneous way of expressing himself? Barbers Bobbing Up. From the Louisville Courier Journal. Five years ago there were 5,000 hair dressing shops in the United States, now there are 22,000. And it is no mystery how they bobbed up. e Chicago’s Second Story. From the Indianapolis Sunday Star. Chicago may provide an upper- deck street for use of its numerous second-story workers. Minds and Voices. From the Flint Sunday Journal. The less of it they have, the more people seem obsessed with the incli- nation to speak their mind. The American Throne. From the Boston Traveler. Thrones aren’t worth much these times, but it's different with a seat on the Stock Exchange. Fragile. From the Greensboro Daily Record. Theoretically it ought not to difficult to smash an egg corner the market or elseylere. be in ey 1925—PAR'T 2. Capital Sidelights | The thousands who visit the Smith- sonian Institution and its museums each year, even old Washingtonlans, and few Government officials know the real origin of our great national collections. The nucleus of our va- rious art, anthropological, zoological, ethnological, archeological, industrial, historical specimens and memorabila may be sald to have been started by the Columbiun Institute for the Pro- motion of Arts and Sciences, a Wash- ington learned soctety of 1816 to 1838, with John Quincy Adams and John C. Calhoun among its early presidents. Its museum occupled a large room in,the Capitol, and included articles of natural history, antique art and American history. Then followed, in 1840, the National Institution, with Joel R. Poinsett as president, which had the use of the large upper hall in the Patent Office Building for its museum.' Here were sathered extensive collections donated to the institution, including the mu- seum of the Columbian Institute and also a larfe part of the Government collections then in Washington. The latter, however, in 1843 were placed under the custodianship of the com- missioner of patents by the joint libra- ry committee of Congress. By its act of incorporation the collections of the National Institution were to become the property of the Government when its charter terminated in 1862. Congress in 1848 created the¢ Smith- sonian Institution to carry out the provisions of the will of James Smith- son, an Englishman, who in 1826 be- queathed his fortune to the United States to found in the City of Wash- ington, under the name of the “Smithsonian Institution,” an estab- lishment for the “increase and diffu- sion of knowledge among men.” The institution, in co-operation with the Library of Congress, maintains a sci- entific library of 366,000 volumes. By the act of Congress in 1848 the Smithsonlan Institution was made cus- todian of art and natural history. Im- mediately the collection of natural his- tory specimens through all Govern- ment agencles and surveying expedi tions to the then Far West was be gun. Delay in completion of the Smithsontan Buflding retarded the ac- ceptance of the Government collec- tions in the Patent Offico until 1858, ind those which had belonged to the National Institution were recelved in 1862. The older, or brick, Museum buflding was completed in 1881 From the Centennial Exposition of 1876 4n Philadelphia the Smithsonian obtained a large part of the foreign exhibits in the useful arts, as well as many domestic exhibits—amount- ing in all to 100 carloads. These were placed in the brick Museum bullding upon its completion. Thirty vears later the new granite Museum building was erected and in this the Roosevelt collection was displayed. Then afi opportunity was given for effective organization of the depart- ment of fine arts, or National Gal- lery of Art, donations to which now amount to more than $10,000,000 in value—with still other notable col lections awaiting the time when adequate space can be had for prop- |erly’ housing and_displaying these art treasures. The present quar- ters of the National Gallery of Art, in the granite museum buflding are already not only overcrowded, but important collections are still crated and stored in dark corridors and basement storerooms The most notable unit in the Gallery of Art is the Freer collections of Ori- ental and American art, which are by far the ost important collections within their particular fields in exist- ence and which are valued at several milifon dollars. The Freer collection and the specially designed building which it occuples, which cost $1,000,- 000, were the gift to the Government of the late Charles L. Freer of De. troit, Mich. After purchase of the George P. Marsh collection of etchings, engrav. Ings and books on art, the national | collection lagged for three score years, juntil the bequest of Harriet Lane Johnston, in 1906, which includes a number of portraits of British mas. ters. Other important acquisitions have Leen the Ralph Cross Johnson {collection of paintings by Italian, French, English, Flemish and Dutch masters, and the Willlam T. Evans collection of paintings by cotemporary American artists, now considered the most complete and most important in { the world in its particular field. The late Senator Henry Cabot Lodge, as a member of the Board of Regents of the Smithsonfan Institu- tion, thoroughly aware of this situ- ation, was fathering a bill for erec- tion of & new building in the Smith- [slonian group, specially designed for proper display of the Government's art collection, when he died. Senator {Reed Smoot of Utah, chairman of {ihe Senate committee on public | buildings and grounds, is also well are of this nzed and Congress will be appealed to at the incoming ses- sion to appropriate funds for & per- MEN AND BY ROBERT When Representative John of Texas, militant leader Democracy in the House of sentatives, nominated “Nick” Long-| worth for President of the United States at the Alfalfa Club dinner ir Washington this week he did it with all the earnestness that was in him. 1t really wae a striking token of th esteem in which the new Speaker-t be of the House is held by the per sonnel of that body, regardless of political afliations. “I believe in my soul,” sald Mr, Garner, “that Nick Longworth is of presidential timber.” Naturally, Mr. Garner of Texas would never be found out ou the fir- ing line helping to elect Mr. Long- worth of Ohio to the presidency, but what he meant was that ho would re- spect the new Speaker a presi- dential candidate, and would feel, in the event of his election, that the | country was in safe hands. The ‘0dd part of all this is that Mr. arner is not alone in his estimate of ck.” “There has been talk of him in many different circles | of Washington life. Nick virtually has | been a resident of Washington for the last quarter of a century. Me is as thoroughly well known as any man in public life, and has had the faculty of making friends with the least cf fort on his own part. Unless all signs | fail there will be u better spirit in the House of Representatives under his rule in the Speaker's chair than the country has known for the past 50 years. The clder Democratic members of the House are on as intimate terms | with the new Speaker as the leaders of his own party, and will feel as free to go to him on any legislative pro- posal or program One thing Nicholas Longworth has done is completely to bury the “jinx of being the son-nlaw of greatne It was commented at the Alfalfa din- ner that he had gone forward more rapidly since the death of Col. Roose- velt than was possible before. It is not to be overlooked that the honorable Mr. Longworth hails from Ohlo, the new “mother” of Presidents. * ¥ k X This story should be told on Ray | Baker, one-time director of the mint, | but now grooming himseif for a full fledged senatorship from his dear old Nevada. It ought to concern that| beautiful Javender landaulette, or whatever style of car it in which | Ray often graces the streets of the Capital. But unfortunate! it is about a mere New Yorker, and there- re may not cause o mu ment. The story is told by Hamilton of the Conde N cations, and probably the hero is on of the Westchester-Blltmore set. In any event, the young Americ Garner of the Repre- | an | ile had country held @ hand turned against he appr threw with 1o ¢ chine”” manded. startle, find, and thoroughly examined by t stuble. increasing | .. | stable, car, stable, of his martial dignity. and decisively. | mean anything and would make | for of ports AFFAIRS T. SMALL. in question came home from Europe not a wonderful in Belgiam on the purchase, the young autois: so long ago bringing with hiw Minerva roadster, made and costing about §16,00¢ Naturally proud of his ent fo Island into the oad ho be hi As hed the owner of the han back his coat and displaved nall degree of pride, a stur “Be you the owner of ti m: the minion the lJaw de hoof trial spin down in Lo not progressed fi when at a cross-r ¢ “I am,” replied the driver. our paper: the case were ¢ the somewli papers” rned but at last were producer Meantime the owner be more 1u eved. ejaculated ar Adihe looking for cor a stoler he ¢ that's what “What kind of ecar was it aske: the motorist, thinking thereby to es tablish a quick “Ford ‘coop’, with allbt, to s snapped absolutely no y the least the con Jessening New York and New voted “wet” once more. Of course, it d The old iteent endment has been written ast inte the Constitution 1t Jersey thorougk will come out yeurs to get it there twice as long to get it to the most optimisti But the New York New Jersey wets get ction out of going for the men damp as the the way if only th over. Probably what the wets are hoping for is a nulli tion the amendment and the Volstead through _son of non-enfor ment Representative Pl Hill of Maryland, cha ine beer maker of the all ce lar Le: virtually ation who Atlant whole could are as cc that pion American has the best United & it ckin Mr. Hill is « trying to cheer of that far on “oas up the downcast wets at last re considerable with W succes Fifty Years Ago In The Star The following paragraph in The Star of November 1, 1875, reads oddly now in respect to the con- New York 4 i cluding sentence when Subways, onc thinks of the nu have merous subways that been bored through th n- hattan rocks since that time: “New York City is certain to have rapld transit at last. The subscription | to the stock of the Manhattan Rall-| way Co. was all taken within an hour afier the books were opened. This i5 to be an elevated road of two or more tracks on the plan of the |restlesness—c present Greenwich street line, and is| to be completed from the Hall | to Fifty-ninth street in two vears.| An underground road below Forty seventh street, on the plan of the one | in London, has been found imprac- | ticable, owing to the beds of rock ly-| {ng under the heart of the city | abroad 2, 1875, beginning to appreci- | afte the responsibil- “American _consuls The Star of November Nervy Consul ity and dignity of 8t Tangier. %, *\oettion. The pasha at Tangier, Morocco, recently | impressed all the camels there to con-| vey some goods for the Sultan to Fez. | Among these were animals belonging | to Italfans, Englishmen and Ameri-| cans. The Italian consul protested | and the camels of his countrymen were returned. The American and British_consuls made similar applica- tions, but the pasha refused them, sayin ‘“Why, u nsuls are like so many monkeys! Whatever one does | all the rest must do.” The American | consul general at once called upon | the British consul to ask if he would manent, adequate, properly designed home for this great treasury otm:rt. * ok ok % Old timers in Washington hav telling interesting stories au‘mf’:"?f.'; famous “boy” Congressman of 40 vears ago, George A. Post, since fa- mous in railroad circles, who died last week. Post served in Congress in 1883-85, when he was 29 years of age. Despite his youth, he won recognition for his political ability from the Dem- ocrats in both wings of the Capitol. When President Cleveland made Senator L. Q. C. Lamar of Missi i Secretary of the Interior, the wanted to appoint Post as his g jant. But Cleveland would not let Lamar hire a great lawyer to prose- cute land fraud cases, saying that be- cause of the scandal in the Republic- an administration over hiring speclal attorneys at a big price, Lamar must get some lawyer in his department to handle the land cases. This meant he must get a very able lawygr as his assistant secretary. Attorney General Garland then of- fered young Post an appointment as judge in a Western Territory, which the youth promptly refused because of his high respect for the judiciary and his feeling that he would be a misfit on the job. He sald: “Tll quit politics, go home, practice law, po: bly, or enter business, and see if I cannot make a career for myselt in which T shall not be dependent upon patronage or pull.” He did succeed in this determina- | tion. He was president of the Rail- way Business Association of the Unit- ed States from 1909 to 1918, and held other important posts, including the chairmanship of the American rail- road appliance exhibition in connec- tion with the international railroad congress in Washington in 1905, He was also national counselor of the United States Chamber of Commerce. ke Dr. William M. Jardine, Secretary of Agriculture, is much pleased with the first big flower show: given under his administration, and Mrs. Jardine has done much to popularize the un- nual chrysanthemum exhibition b naming some of the new seedlings in honor of prominent persons in Wash- ington society. Dr. Jardine is also proud of the progress made by his department in showing the food producers of this country how to beat the Old World producers at their own game, in thetr own specialties. As an illustration, he points out that much superior “Swiss cheese” is now ‘“Made in America,” and that the famous ‘“Roquefort cheese,” formerly made only from the milk of sheep in the dank natural caverns of the south of France, is now made from cow’s milk in sani- tary, up-to-date American dairy estab- lishments. Moving pictures are being made of these achievements of the Depart- ment of Agriculture, by direction of Dr. Jardine, as part of the new edu- cational drive. join him in resenting the language used, but he declined to do so, when the former at once demanded a full apology, telling the Sultan’s minister for foreign affairs if it was not made by a certain hour he would haul down his flag and cross over to Gibraltar to await the order of his Government. The apology was forthcoming, and to avold further trouble the pasha re- leased all the camels he had im- pressed.” | Post Office A letter writers just Illegible today and @ it ably always have | Letters. {1 ulle as long as people take pen in hand hastily or ignorantly. | In The Star of November 2, 1875, is| the following: “The astonishing number of 3.640 797 letters found their way to the dead | letter office during the last fiscal year,! and the total amount of drafts,| checks and money contained in them | amounted to about $3,500,000. All but | about $400,000 of this amount was re turned to the parties to whom it be-| longed. There is @ lesson conveyed | in this statement which letter wr would do well to heed. M: 80 astray because they nisdirected | and the parties to whom they are ad dressed cannot be found. It fre quently happens that the envelope is | destroyed, in which case if the name and address of the party for whom the | letter is intended are not given in the letter itself, the letter will never reach its destination. Hence the importance | of always giving this address either at the beginning or the close of the letter. The envelope should also he superscribed in a legible hand and to) bear not only the name of the party | addressed and his post office, but the | county and State as well. There are, | for instance, no less than 44 post| offices In the United States bearing the | name of ‘Washington,” or ‘Washing- | ton Corners,’ etc., and it therefore follows that should any one sending a letter to Washington omit the name | of the State or the District, it would | be likely to travel about for months before reaching its destination. Care- less persons would save themselves a great deal of loss and vexation by observing these simple rules.” ‘These rules are just as applicable today as they were half a century 1go. * % The germ theory of disease causa- tlon and transmission was not far Foul Waters and ‘:‘.13:;.“‘.",’-;7"3.23“."..‘.‘: Public Health. there were glim- truth. merings of this tertained, however, especially in regard Some strange views were en- to the nature and means of the com- munication of malaria. In The Star of November §, 1875, is the following: “The theory that many diseases are communicated by germs floating in | rather than to att, | the best lines. “There among the you Thus complain recently social o noted ch deprecatine s in Amer this spelled s that ever In the To disaster. changing which I have written before restlessness J see the the bLetter things, changes For, the churchman [0 me rea faction with the blished of Lincoln had not been satistied with his lot in life, woi he ever have been President of the United States? Hardiy, I am sure all will admit P res! W g restless und mal of his ds vet is, one story. And, so T churchman frien we should encourag on Europear issue with m when I say that this restlessnes npt to curb it, for out of dissatisfaction es develoj ment, advancement and human pros ress, sStrangely enough, to me, restl ness indicates a striving after better things; not retrogression. pathway to indolence, ~in und mora breakdown is so smaoth, so easy «f access that those seeking to its path do not « restlessnes The way is made easy 1t them. But when the ¢ tion are accused of res seems 1o me we shoul condition the stirring that we should take aright. Strangely enough, we see all about us, without realizing it, the spirit of restlessness in all walks life. Industry is working towa mass production; the corporations are merging, financial interests are forti fying themselves with vastly inereas ed resources—all in preparation for a period of achievement, which h manity is preparing itself to accept with understanding. T up the and everywhe ithin their pages the urge to re ess—in the form of advertisements of specialf training courses cz Jated to Lette the earning capacity of the indlvid ual, to improve his life-station to_uplift his living conditions. Everywhere is the urge to dissatis faction with things as they are, and it is a good urge, or it means tha we are to be dragged out of our rut of self-satisfaction and that we are to be driven into mew exertions advancement of the Natfon as whole, Yes, a bit 11 too of our gener lessness see in the ambition, and same the da of dissatisfaction s good thing, not an evil. Before i crises in history there wus g dissatisfac and we of American birth and residence mas well congratulate ourselves that the dissatisfaction here is individual rather than political All activity may be directed alors: Why not take advan tage of the dissatisfaction among the young. my churchman fried complains’ of, and see to it that it ix directed inward, to the end that the better ment which grows from it may be exhibited first from within the in dividual and then by the mass? PR a rs to be gaining ific world. The the atmosphere ay ground in the sci Maryland State Board of Health has recently instituted inquiries among medical men as to the effect of ‘Jones Talls and the Basin’' in Baltimore on the public health, and find, strange td say, many leading physicians who ex press the opinion that instead of en genderire disease the falls and basin are actual aids in the prevention of malarial maladies; and thet the germs of disease, coming in contact with the sulphuretted hydrogen with which the water of the basin is charged are wholly neutralized. It would be strange it what has been looked upon so long by the Baltimoreans as a first-class nuisance should prove to be a bless. ing in disguise, after all.” Tt was not until it was known that the malarial germ was carried by the mosquito that the true effect upon public health of foul waters, in which the insects breed, was ascertained. Sulphuretted hydrogen may have an effect upon the propagation of mes- quitoes, but it certainly did not in jtselt lessen the malevolence of the disease germs.