Evening Star Newspaper, April 20, 1926, Page 8

B8 THE EVENING STAR With Sunday Morning Edition. WASHINGTON, D. C. TUESDAY........April 20, 1826 THEODORE W. NOYES. . ..Editor The Evening Star Newspaper Company Business Office: 11th St jivania Av New Fork' Ofice: ‘110, East 20d cago Office: Tower Buildi: Furopean Office: 14 Begent St.. England. st The Evening Star, with the Sunday morn Ing edition. fs delivered by carricrs within the city at 60 cents per month: daily only. 5 cents per month: Sunday only. 20 cents Fr mon Orders may be sent by mail or elephone Main 5000. Collection is made by carrier at the end of each month. Rate by Mail—Payable in Advance. Maryland and Virginia. Daily and Sunday....1yr. $0.00° 1 mo.. aily only .. 11151868100 1 mo. unday only 1°-7€3.00: 1 mo.. All Other States und Canada. Daily and Sunday.1yr.. $12.00: 4 mo. $1.00 ally Sniy o %08 1o 30e Sunday only [0 13r. $1.00:1mo. 35 Member of the Associated Press. The Associated Press is exclusively cntitled 0 the use for republcation of all news dis- patches credited to it or not otherwise cred- ited in this paper and also the local news published herein. All rights of publication ©f special di rein 160 reserved. Citizenship and the Vote. With “Citizenship in America is not a private enterprise but a public func- tion” as his text, President Coolidge has appealed to the women of the United States, through one“of their largest and most representative or- ganizations, more fully to exercise the first function of citizenship, the”elec- toral franchise. In addressing the Daughters of the American Revolu- tion last night, the President urged upon them the importance of taking a leading part in arousing public sen- timent to the peril that arises when the average citizen fails to vote. Once the United States led the world in “getting out the vote.” Today it lags behind many other nations in participation in national elections. Only about one-half of the qualified voters in this counry go to the polls. In 1920 out of 27,000,000 votes cast only thirty-seven per cent were those of women, newly enfranchised by con- stitutional amendment. The President said: 1f the people fail to vote a govern- ment will not be developed which is their government. The whole system of American Government rests on the ballot box. Unless citizens perform their duties there, such a system of Zovernment is doomed to failure. The lethargy of the qualified voters at election time has been often noted and the evils, actual and potential, of this indifference to the highest duty of citizenship have been clearly shown. Appeals to the people to discharge this duty have not vet aroused them to the point of registering their wishes at the polls. Some participate only in primaries, ignoring the elec- tions that follow. Many do not even vote at the primaries. In communities that are rated as pelitically “one- sided,” where a single party has a large predominance, only & small per- centage of the possible vote is cast, makirg the “one-sidedness™ even great- er. Rarely does the final voting equal the registration, and the registration is never complete. No enactment of law can compel electors to exercise the suffrage. Laws have been proposed to punish recre- ant voters by taking away their bal- lots, for a time. They have not been favored and their enactment is not to be expected, in this country. The Daughters of the American Revolution do not as an organization participate in politics. They are all, however—save those who reside in the District of Columbia—voters, and, as such, it is their duty, as patriotic cit- izens, to exercige the franchise, in whatever States they live, what- ever the political conditions there- in, however unequal the parties, how- ever hopeless may be the minority. They are maintaining in thelr organ- ization the principle upon which the American Republic was founded. They are striving to influence all American women, and all American men as well, to higher patriotism in daily life. They should mow, in giving full heed to President Coolidge’s words, make as one of the foremost precepts of their creed of citizenship the slogan, “To vote is the first duty of citizenshi; to abstain from voting is to fail in the maintenance of that for which the Revolution was fought and won by the founders of the Republi — —————————— Many Ttalian citizens are beginning to rezard Mussolini's career as a test of how long & political boss can last even under the most favorable condi- tions. S Ty The Memorial Bridge. Building the Memorial Bridge has begun and dredges are cutting into Co- lumbia Island from the river and mak- ing ready for constructing one of abut- ments. Cofterdams will be sunk to hold the river out of the excavation, and the estimate is that the diggers will go fifty feet through the mud, sand, gravel, deposits of the centuries, to reach the rock that underlies this reglon and on which the abutments and piers of the bridge will rest. When the ex- cavators reach the rock they may continue to dig and blast, for the upper rock may not be as hard as needed. On the river and the Washington and Virginia shores is being assem- bled equipment for building the bridge and in a few days the work of put- ting down the cofferdams and digging through the river bed for a founda- tion for the piers will begin. For months the bridge builders will work below the bottom of the river and be- tween the bottom and the surface of the river. After several months, per- haps within a year, the granite piers will rise above the river and our people will mark the progress on the bridge from week to week. When the plers rise high and the spans take shape people will begin to read and talk of the coming dedication of the bridge. Historians will tell how long ago it was that Washingtonians and a few members of Congress began to talk of the desirability of a me- morial bridge between the Capital and Virginia and a smooth carriage road to Arlington. ‘When the Memorial Bridge idea was conceived, it was as a memorial 9 the men who served in the Civil War and as a symbol of the reunion of the North and South States. The years passed and memories of the Civil War grew dim and were over- lald by memories of other wars. The reunion of the North and South be- came such a commonplaca that only a few orators used it as a theme. The Memorial Bridge idea languished or flourished by turns. Then came a time when the reclaimed marshes of the Potomac became one of the much:traveled and much-visited parts| of the city and when hundreds of acres of new graves were made at Arlington. The bullding of roads. re- building of old roads and their dedi- cation as memorial highways added sentimental interest to the proposed bridge and added very much to it as a practical measure. et The Age of Directors. Annual meetings of the stockhold- ers of great corporations are seldom marked by lively incidents. They are usually somewhat perfunctory ses- sions, with the reading of reports, the presentation of statistics and the un- exciting balloting for directors by shareholders present or by proxy. But the latest meeting of the United States Steel Corporation, one of the greatest in the world, departed somewhat from this placid procedure and developed a query regarding the age of the board of directors, which may mark a move- ment for the retirement of some of the elders and their replacement by younger men. There was some expec- tation of an increased dividend, and it may be that disappointment on this score, caused by the announcement of no change, inspired one of the stock- holders to remark: Isn’t the United States Steel Corpo- ration in danger of being outclassed by other corporations headed by younger men? Isn’'t it possible that the directing heads of the United States Steel Corporation are too old, in view of the staid and solld policies of the management? Inquiry developed the fact that the aggregate age of the fifteen directors of this corporation is 954 years, or an average of sixty-three and a small fraction of years each. The senior member is eighty-six years of age, the head of the corporation is seventy- nine, and the others range down from seventy-four to forty-eight. This baby member of the board Is the son of the eldest. In the matter of corporation man- agement length of years is usually regarded as an asset rather than a liability. Conservatism is a charac- teristic of age. In every large organi- zation there is a perennial conflict be- tween the younger and the elder minds, and as a rule the mean is one of reasonable progress and safe ad- vancement. The institution that is governed wholly and exclusively by either the slowness of conservative age or the speed of youth is headed for trouble. In the corporation in question, which has had a remarkably successful career, it would seem that the average of sixty-three years is rated as safe and sound and suffi- ciently progressive. The Convention City. More than sixty-two thousand visitors have been brought to Wash- ington by the local convention bu- reau since its inception eleven months ago, according to a report just issued. It has cost approxi- mately $14,000 for the organization and promotion work and it is esti- mated that a sum in excess of $3,000,000 will have been spent here by the visitors when the last of the conventions now booked by the bu- reau for the near future ends its ses- sions. It has long been the ideal of civic organizations in Washington that the National Capital should become the foremost convention city of the world. This goal is slowly but surely being reached. Visitors by the thou- sands and tens of thousands are streaming into this city. More thou- sands are contemplating the trip, either in personally conducted tours or individually, and all this tends to boost the Nation's Capital as a con- vention city, because each visitor carries back to his home town an impression of Washington, the beau- tiful. ‘Washington has ample facilities to entertain and house almost any num- ber of tourists. It is used to big things and does things in a big way. Its hotels are as good as, if not better than, those of any comparable city, its parks are models for the entire United States, and its buildings and shrines are rich in historic intergst. In addi- tion to these it is the home of the President and the seat of the Govern- ment. What better, more interesting or more instructive attractions can be offered by any other city? B As a promoter of true democracy the radio manages to sandwich a seri- ous address by the President of the United States between a sentimental tenor solo and a brass band. e European diplomacy has succeeded somewhat in making Uncle Sam as a creditor feel the embarrassment that is ordinarily supposed to rest with the debtor. R Forest Week. This is American Forest week, and its observance will be marked by a number of meetings. Some of those in Washington have been and will be held under the joint auspices of the ‘Washington public schools and the United States Forest Service. At each meeting the school children will be addressed by some one who is acquainted with trees and who un- derstands the important relation be- tween trees and people. The perpetuation of forests and in- crease in the area given to foed and timber trees is an economic question of high significance. It is clear that progress has been made during” a quarter of a century in conserving forests and replanting denuded for- est land,.but reforestation has not caught up with forest destruction and the demand for forest products is still making inroads on forests. The problem of forest loss by fire is being grappled, but statistics show enormous loss year by year from for- est fires.- Even in small wood tracts in the closely settled East, Spring and Autymn fires attributed to in- different campers and smokers cause THE large property destruction and the property destroyed is of the kind which takes years to replace even when effort is made to replace it. It is desirable to devote a short season every year to telling peuple, especially young people, about the need which the country has for trees and to telling people about the habits and needs of the trees. I’erhaps in every audience addressed by a trce advocate is a boy or girl who re- solves to study trees. Thus tens of thousands of tree partisans may be brought into being every year. This will help trees and the human race and it will also help the youth in Who.m interest in trees is developed. The trees are an interesting subject and if a man becomes interested in any phase of nature it is probable that he will do good to ais own mind. In order to make observations and comparisons, which, as a general thing, improves one's understanding, a man does not have to travel far. Trees for him to work on are near home, just as interesting as any far- off trees. In the Washington region scores of genera and species of trees are growing. It is a job needing a good deal of mental exercise and de- termination to learn the names of these trees, the vulgar and ecientific, names, and to identify them by leaf or seed or by their bark and habit. To recognize each of the twenty or twenty-odd oaks, the several kinds of pine and the different forms of birch and beech takes longer than to write about it. Ignorance of such things {s so dense that many men do not know the leaf of a white oak, red oak or black oak. They excuse themselves on the plea that it 's not useful knowledge. A man often holds that the only useful knowledge is that which he has acquired or which concerns his own job or business. R The silence of President Coolidge has been exaggerated. He can speak fluently and at length when he chooses, although as compared with the elo- quence in Congress his expression necessarily appears limited. ——————— Statistics as to the number of people kept busy by Henry Ford are frequent. ly presented. The figuresare large, even though they do not include those engaged In dodging at every street crossing. e R “Citizenship,* says President Cool- idge, “is not a private enterprise, but a public function.” This is true for the voteless District of Columbia as well as for the rest of the country. e e———— A patient investigation s being made by Farmer Harry Thaw to dis- cover what assistance the night clubs of New York can be to American agri- culture, FHSIE R —— ‘Warnings ere being issued by many societies to Gen. Andrews that his first glass of beer has been the beginning of many a man's downfall. ————— The forces of nature are often the foes of sentiment. The cold wave is no respecter even of the cherry blooms in Potomac Park. — s apee. Canada resents the {llicit importa- tion of intoxicants from the United States. The sentiment for reciprocity has its limitations. SHOOTING STARS. BY PHILANDER JOHNSON Laugh That Masks a Tear. It's kind o’ hard to laugh, these days. ‘The end of every jest An acrobatic flop portrays ‘Which indicates unrest. ‘With lethal weapons boys attack Their parents, just for fun; ‘Wives put their husbands on the rack Or keep them on the run. The poor old toiler fears his “bess.” The “boss” is in despair Because the typist has grown cross And doesn't seem to care About the prospects of the biz— In 81l this mundane bluff The most depressing feature is The wildly comic stuff! Investigations. “We have been having many investi- gations.” “And we'll have some more,” an- swered Senator Sorghum. “We want every evildoer to understand that even if he can't be punished he'll suffer the embarrassment of having his name in the papers.” Naming the Baby. They named the baby ‘““Washington.” He proved a child mendacious. The one they named ‘‘Napoleon” ‘Was neither brave nor gracious. ‘To use the names of heroes dead For babes should be unlawful. ‘We hope they’ll prove alike. Instead, The contrast may be awful. Jud Tunkins says a girl with a lip- stick and a powder puff can always vamp some man, even if she has to wait for one who is nearsighted. Benefit of Comparison. “I understand you are going to Eu- rope.” “Yes,” answered Miss Cayenne. “Nothing makes me apprecidite my home in this country so much as an occasional trip to Europe.” Supply and Demand. “I hear that the peach crop is a failure out your way.” “It is,” answered Farmer Corntossel. “I favor the rumor. Peaches have just as good a right to get scarce and expensive as anything else.” Frost. ‘When gentle Spring comes round this way Old customs still prevail; Especially those of folks who say, “The fruit crop’s going to fail.” “Anybody,” said Uncle Eben, “kin make enough bootleg money dese days to leave him uncomfortable foh life.” Pedestrian Perils. From the Portland Express. Walking is good exercise, . Mayor says, but the han.lthb&lm for walking is not the cross-walks. EVENING STAR, WASHINGTON, D. C, TUESDAY, THIS AND THAT BY CHARLES E. TRACEWELL. ‘The subject of eyesight conserva- tion is of especial interest to readers. It is sad to reflect upon the fate of those booklovers who, once used to using their eyes, must be content with reading with their finger: are such an “eye-minded” race that the very ‘physical act of looking at the printed page is pleasurable. When this is combined with the feel of a book in the hand, the booklover is in his heaven, and all's right with the world. It is largely for these purely per- gonal reasons that every one who likes to read should have a library, however small, of his own, in order that he may enjoy books to the full. Endowed public libraries have their place, and we would say nothing against them. On the contrary, only praise is their due. They should not, however, and certainly their libra- rians would be the last to ask fit, militate against the possession of home il les. 4 V:;a like to see a home with books n it. Indeed, can a house be a home with- out books? There is something about & shelf of books, if it be only one shelf, that bespeaks true culture and refinement. There is no need for put- ting undue stress upon the matter. As the radio speaker said the other night, the fact that one sees so much prosperity on every hand “simply shows that it is much easier to get money than culture or re- finement. This will be a pleasing thought to all who have somehow failed in amass- ing much of this world's goods. The second part, however, must be as steadfastly held in mind. It will pot do to pride one's self upon a righteous inability to make a lot of money, unless he take care, at the same time, .0 make a few for- ward steps along the roads labelec “True Culture” and “Real Refin ment."” R He cannot take these steps unless he will read books, newspapers, magazines, and he cannot read un- less he uses his eyes, then. 8o eyesight conversation comes in. ‘The eyes are perhaps the most in- teresting combination of toughness and fragility in the whole body economy. Composed of almost gelatinous mat- ter, sensitive to the slightest grain of dust, they yet are able to serve most of us more or less loyally for a life- time and endure the buffets of vari- ous fates, including, at times, more or less ferocious blows from fists, balls, ete. The protection of our most precious eves by means of the lids, eyelashes and eyebrows is a triple-plated mas- ter stroke of the Creator. With most persons this threefold shield suffices to carry the eyes, called the windows of the soul (with some correctness), into old age in perhaps keeping with the other organs. The involuntary muscles, slight but efficlent, which bat the eyes, are enough to save most from too fre- quent reception of bits of cinder, hair and other foreign matter. The eyelashes with most are long enough and thick enough to deflect minute flying objects. Public Curiosity “These two structures form the chief | 7p AMERICAN DRAMATIST. | @ ho reliance of the eyes against the inimi- cal goal throwing of their opponents, modern dust and dirt. There is still an inner guard, how- ever, the tear ducts, which, in most eyes, are able to flood the sensitive surfaces and wash out, after a brief time, the unwanted object. * ok ok X Those who are unfortunate enough to possess eye sockets of more open character and thin or practically no lashes must use their intelligences to save their eyes. Such persons must always remem- ber, upon a windy day, to keep the eyes somewhat closed. They should assume a mysterious look, brought about by the closing of the eyes until Just able to see. Above all, such readers must never allow themselves, in such a situation, to be induced to suddenly open their eyes very wide, not even to look at yonder pretty lady. One moment of such unwariness is enough to give the lurking grain of dust opportunity to dart into his eye, whence it will be dislodged with difficulty, such will be the sensitivity, 9 cases out of 10, of his inner eye structure. So much for foreign bodies. Other dangers to which eyes are commonly subject include reading too small type, sitting in poor light and too persistent use. The use of small type in any form of printing is to be deplored. Usages which writers are not always able to counteract often bring their work be- fore the public in a form hard to read. In selecting books, everything else being equal, the volume with the largest type should always be chosen. Especially is small print on a semi- opaque paper iniquitous. Headaches often result from its perusal. Sitting in a poorly lit room at night is hard on the eyes even when one fs not reading, because the eyes are on a strain in the mere act of looking around, although the fact may not be consclously realized. Too persistent doing of fancy work by the ladies is trying on the eyes, and should be varied by other pur- suits, although we cannot recommend smoking as an alternative. For the easy relief of the common types of eye troubles, including over- night reddening and soreness, there is no remedy in the world equal to plain hot water. Simply close the eye, dip up a hand- ful of warm water, to begin with, and splash it on to the closed eye, opening the lids from time to time. Keep this up for some minutes, gradually al- lowing more hot water to pour into the bowl. The object is to get the water as hot as the tissues can legitimately stand, but at the same time not to allow it to become hot enough to scald the eyelids. This is an important point, and should not be overlooked. A treatment such as described, every half hour in severe cases, and three or four times a day in less troublesome, will often avert a trip to the oculist. Always finish up by a generous splashing of cold water. This treat- ment is suggested here as the result of long experience. Aroused As to Philippine Situation The appointment by President Cool- idge of Carmi A. Thompson of Ohio to make a speclal investigation of conditions in the Philippines started general discussion of the Philippine problem. The Importance of the mission is unquestioned, though a number of Democratic newspapers doubt Mr. Thompson's qualifications for the job and some see danger in possible influence of American rubber interests on his work. “President Coolidge’s appointment of Mr. Carmi A. Thompson to make a thorough survey of conditions in the Philippine Islands ought to result in disclosing the truth or falsity of the various reports rendered in recent years by self-appointed investiga- tors,” observes the Providence Bulle- tin (independent), which goes on to say: “It is not to be a political in- vestigation. Rather the apparent purpose is to analyze conditions more carefully from the economic stand- point, giving particular attention to commercial, industrial and agricul- tural expansion in the future.” * X K ok The TUtica Observer Dispatch (in- dependent) considers that the *“im- portant thing about the appointment is the evident desire of the President to get to the bottom of facts of con- ditions in the islands,” and the Fort ‘Worth Record Telegram (independent Democratic) praises President Cool- idge for having gone at this matter “with his usual directness.” The Salt Lake Deseret News (independent), re- calling that “for the past four years there has n_continuous warfare between Gov. Gen. Leonard Wood and the Filipino political leaders,” says it 18 expected that the investi- gations by Col. Thompson will have the effect of clearing the situation and determining more definitely the future policy of the United States toward this important outlying do- main.” While approving the sceking of all possible information on the “natural resources and development possibil- ties of the archipelago,” the St. Paul Dispatch (independent) feels also that “it is equally desirable that the ad- ministration and the Congress should take stock of the political situatios in the Philippines.” n1 * K kK As to whether the proper man has been chosen for the important mis- sion there is some disagreement. The Norfolk Ledger Dispatch (independ- ent Democratic says no available sources of information have “indi- cated why a ‘lame duck’ politician from Ohio should be selected to make an economic survey that would require a staff of specially trained men,” and the St. Louis Post Dispatch (independent) remarks: “What Mr, Thompson's qualifications are for this responsible mission to the, Philippines the public does not know. Perhaps Mr. Coolidge does. If he does,” suggests the Post Dis- patch, “it seems an excellent oppor- tunity for him to break away from the taciturn tradition and take the public into his confidence.” The Charleston Evening Post (in- dependent Democratic explains that Me Thompson “is described as a close friend of Gov. Gen. Leonard ‘Wood, who is head of the military administration of the Philippines, and he was secretary to’ Mr. Taft when he, as Secretary of War, made his tour of the islands for President Roosevelt.” 1In the opinion of the Watertown Daily Times (independ- ent), “There is no disposition on the part of the administration to dis- credit Gen. Wood. On the contrary, the investigation is designed to aid him in the administration of affairs in the islands, and to give him a per- manent policy.” * ok ok ok The new investrgation “should be carefully watched,” the New Or- leans Item (independent Democratic) believes, “lest it be misused for the benefit of particular interests.” Assuming this to be the thought that has been aroused in the minds of Senators, the Little Rock Arkan- sas Democrat (Democratic) declares: | “The appointment arouses the Sen- -| dependent), ate's curosity. Senator Pat Harri- son introduced a joint resolution calling for a probe by a joint con- gressional committee. If the United States is going to turn the Philip- pines, or any part of them, over to the rubber industry, the Senate wants to know something about it. ‘Which is reasonable enough.” x4 &0 The Philadelphia Public Ledger (in- on the other hand, in- quires: “Does Senator Harrison ex- pect to put a joint congressional com- mittee on the trail of every emissary from the White House who may go forth to gather information for the President? Or does he merely hope to make a little trouble?” The Akron Beacon-Journal (Republican) contends that “any partisan effort to read a political muystery into the proposed mission to the Philippines is politics pure and simple.” The Waterloo Tribune (independent Republican) sug- gests that ‘“perhaps the President would prefer that rubber for Awerican use be grown under the American flag,” and further asserts that “‘Amer- icans interasted in growing their own rubber would also prefer the presence of the American flag in their develop- ment work.” Discussing “the ec nomic value of the Philippine Islands, the Glendale News (independent) de- clares, “If these islands can be made to produce part of the supply of rub- ber and coffee used in the United States, and the prosperity of the Fili- pinos cam be increased in the process, all parties concerned would be bene- fited.” - s It is the presence of rubber in the situation that causes some papers to fear that the truth may be stretched a little to fit in with the ambitions of these who would develop rubber plantations in the islands. ‘“Whether it would be of greater economic value to the United States to continue the existing status of the Philippines or to change it by working toward the establishment of an independerft and free state ought not to be consid- ered,” affirms the Miami Daily News (Democratic), declaring further that “the essential question as it appears to unprejudiced Americans is whether or not the Filipinos are ready for freedom.” Says the San Bernardino Sun (independent Republican), *Pres- ident Coolidge about a year ago plain- ly told the independista junta that their failure to co-operate with Gov. Gen. Wood in good government of the islands, under the constituted authority, was evidence of incapacity for self-government and was un- favorably impressing the American people.” e Referring to the possibility of ef- forts being made to convince the Fili- pinos that it might “prove desirable for the islands to retain their Ameri- can tles, both on economic and pro- tective grounds,” the Newark News (independent) declares, “We cannot force them to forego the independ- ence solemnly pledged without writ- ing ourselves a promise-breaking na- tion"—an opinion in which many papers concur, among them the Buf- falo Evening News (Republican), ‘which says, “When the Filipinos are ready for independence, the United tSl:bnel should be ready to grant it to em. Unbeatable. From the Buffalo Evening News. Base ball and Walter Johnson are with us again and both are going strong. soe—s Iy . In Tennessee, ‘T00. From the Nashville Banner. If Ananias were living in Nashville, he would probably come right out and say he entirely understood the new traffic ordinance. —— et . Spring Hope. From the Boston Transcriph Don't be discouraged. April may yet go out ’llln a lamb stew, APRIL 20, 1926. NEW BOOKS AT RANDOM LG M. Montrose J. Moses. Little, Brown & Co. THE ROMANCE OF THE AMERI- CAN THEATER. Mary Caroline Crawford. Little, Brown & Co. To enterprise of every sort thers come stated points of pause for the securer placing of the next step of advance. This is true of all business, o politics and soctety and religion, of letters and art. These perlods of overlooking and review result in the shedding of outworn parts, in the tightening up of that which remains after such elimination, in a more compact and capalle fronting upon a present of fresh demands and upon a future that will certainly discard the lumber of successive pasts. * kKK Such time of pause appears to have come around again to the business of the American theater. Conventional drama at the present is facing o many departures from even ite im- mediate past that, clearly, it is es- sential to gather up the outstanding features of the hour for a new ap- proach to the problems of tomorrow. Let us look at some of these new aspects of dramatic purpose and agency. There is first the moving picture. Shaken at the start by the spectacu- lar and popular advent of this novel instrument of entertainment, the established theater has to a degree reconciled itself practically and hope- fully to the vigorous claims of this lusty rival for general acceptance. Out from the moving picture is emerging the radio playlet. At pres- ent “the voice of the silent drama.’” stands at the threshold of experiment. Crude and faulty as it still unde- niably is, nevertheless upon it a great ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS BY FREDERIC J. HASKIN. Q. What Is the largest price pald on rse race?—T. T. S. A. The highest money brought in on a §2 ticket of which we find record was by Wishing Ring, at Latonla In June, 1912. He paid $1,800 to $2. Q. Is ethyl gas more volatile than ordinary gasoline?—I. J. H. A. It 1s not more volatile but has less tendency to detonate or knock. This property is contributed by the tetra-ethyl lead. Q. Is there ever a rainbow at night due to moonlight?—J. McD. A. The so-called lunar rainbow, or moon rainbow, is well known, though not very frequently seen, owing to the relatively feeble light of the moon. Q. Does all tobacco contain the same amount of nicotine?—D. B. H. A. The percentage of nicotine varies with the kind of tobacco and with the district In which it is grown. Our domestic ‘“cabbage-leaf”” brand con- tains from .94 to § per cent of nico- tine. This is on the authority of the United States Department of Agri- culture. The French department of agriculture states that it finds 2.2 to 10.5 gr. in tobacco examined by their experts. Q. Please give the names of the varfous colleges that make up Oxford University.—M. K. A. They are All Souls', Balliol, Brasenose, Christ Church, Corpus Christi, Exeter, Jesus, Keble, Lincoln, Magdalen, Merton, Newton, Oriel, Penbroke, Queen's, St. John's, Trinity, University and Wadham. —_— Q. Why did the United States send troops to Siberia during the World War? 1 was a member of the exped!- tion, but have never known why I was there—W, A. H. A. The report of the Secretary of ‘War says that in the Summer of 1918 unseen audience waits tremendously excited that by means of hearing and imagination alone so much of genuine dramatio effect may be secured. And only vesterday the newspaper, quot- ing high scientific authority, prom- ised a near day when the eve, too, will respond to the radio, when this hidden audience will not only hear the radio drama but will see it also. Then, in the comfort of old shoes and a companionable pipe the man of the house may sit at home in a full en- joyment of the theater. The radio drama will then be a matter of the family living room for those who, either from choice or necessity, em- ploy this mode of playgoing. Again, the American drama—both the opera and the play—is pushing hard against the old European impor- tations upon which it has so long de- pended. Young American playwrights already have a substantial number of stage successes to thelr combined account. These are in the main drawn from the native soil. They embody the drama of our own institu- tions and aims. They project our own opportunities potential of both success and fallure, They are repre- sentative of this country in its con- ditions and growth. Native actors are competently delivering these playe. A striking proof of this has come out in the current season when a group of American girls at the Metropolitan Opera House demon- strated triumphantly to both au- diences and critics their capable ar- {tistry. Interesting, too, at this point to recall that a great foreign com- poser found in the soil of America material for the lovellest of his sym- phonies, found it in one of the negro spirituals. Once more, the American theater has spread amazingly beyond the established conventional playhouse. In every city the “little theater” is becoming an institution, serving a new dramatic purpose, the technic of its art modified to meet its deeply social intent. Schools and colleges have their theaters nowadays as com- monly as they have their study halls and laboratories. Churches are lean- ing toward this means of appeal and | suggestion, remembering tardily that old religious ceremonies are the real source of the drama itself. Communi- ties have their plays and pageants— each a clear medium of mew con- tacts, new neighborhood understand- hlll;s, a new spirit of closer co-opera- tion, Such, sketchily presented, are a few of the tremendous and striking influences that are beating upon the American drama. Some of them are already fairly fixed. The greater num- ber are still on trial, subject to many iremakings. Their ~character and their number indicate clearly that to the American theater has arrived one of those periodical moments of accounting applied to that which this institution has already achieved, and to that also which, from all present signs, it may reasonably be expected to achieve In*the immediate future. * ok *x From two sources come simultane- ously just such a survey and summary of the American theater as the situ- ation requires. The first of these is ‘a product of the long experience of Montrose Moses in critical dealings with the art of the drama. The second is a careful and competent study by Mary Caroline Crawford along similar lines—a study for certain of whose parts the author pays direct tribute to the helpful service of Mr. Moses himself. Fifteen years ago Mr. Moses gathered into a single volume a general survey of the American drama. Critical and philosophical in spirit, the purpose of this early study was to refute the commonly accepted idea that there was in existence no suych thing as an American drama. On the contrary, according to the find- {ings of this author, there was an American drama, very much alive and in a condition of growth that needed but slight intelligent encour- agement for its lusty fruition. Soon after the issue of this study, new sources of information on the subject were opened up. Libraries and in- dividuals had succeeded in uncovering a deal of neglected first-hand informa- tion on the early American theater. Following this trail the author six years after its issue revised *“The American Dramatist.” And now, nine years after that revision, he has in effect written a new book on the thea- ter—a book covering a vital period in the history of the American drama. This period covers protest, a. breaking away from set conventions, the open- ing of new channels of dramatic ex- pression, the adoption of new theories of the purpose and technic of the theater. In a word, this last issue of “The American Dramatist” adds to the historic substance of this subject the content of the ‘“revolution” also that had already set in to mar the full value of the book written nine years ago. The new study demon- strates that a new American theater has arrived. “The revolution had come to stay; the methods of the old manager were doomed; the actor, the scenic _artist, the director, took on new meaning. Distinctive plays alone appear in this consideration. The dramatist himself here becomes but a part of a legitimate develop- ment, the American is made up of individual contributions and here are named the influences that have served to check the native flow of the dramatic art in this country. A com- plete summary of the essentials of the-drama in America, a finely pro-| portioned view of the influences that have wrought efficiently in this direc- tion. Many personalities come and go here In objective exemplification of the author’s general argument. Along similar lines, yet with the diffeence that a slightly different of ‘would secure, that o] tic aspect an of the roman of the American theater would- pro- the Czechoslovakian armies operating in Siberfa were -threatened with de- struction by hostile forces apparently organized by and often largely com- posed of enemy prisoners of war. It ‘was of importance to the Government of the United States that assistance be rendered and Russia aided to re- gain control of her own affairs and own territory. As Japan and the United States were the only. two divi- slons in a position to act In Siberia in sufficient force to accomplish the pur pose sought, the Government of the United States proposed to Japan that each country send a few thousand men to Viadivostok. The government of Japan consented. The command of the forces was given to Maj. Gen. William S. Graves. The purpose of continuance of American troops in Stberia was for maintaining an artery of trade in the operations of the Si berian railroad. Q. How long have we had brick pavements?—H. W. L. A. A clay product closely resem bling our present-day brick was emong the earliest materials used for paving streets and roads. The first brick pavement constructed in this country, however, dates back no further than 1872, and to Charleston, W. Va. belongs the distinction of having been the first American city to employ brick for paving. Q. What is the “load” machinery?—A. M. A. The load is the output of or de mand upon a machine, usually meas ured efther in terms of current de- livered or of power delivered. A loud may be light, heavy, normal, full half excessive, etc., according to the output of the machine at the time considered. of electric Q. When tea introduced England?>—M. C. C. A. The Dutch East India Compan: introduced tea into Eurcpe in 151y from China, and it is said that it was first imported from Holland into Eng land about 1650. It was not until century later that the price fell such a point that the common peopis of England were able to use it freelv into The keynote of the times is efficier service. In supplying its rcaders it a free information bureau in Wasl ington The Evening Star is living u to this principle in deed and fact. W are paying for this service yrde that it may be free to the public. Sul mit your queries to the staff of pert whose services are put at u disposal. Inclose 2 cents in stamps cover the return postage. Addres The Evening Star Information Ru reau, Frederic J. Haskin, director Washington, D. C. n BACKGROUND OF EVENT BY PAUL V. COLLINS. The ratification of the Lausanne | treaty with Turkey, made in 1923, will come before the Senate this week, according to Senator Borah, chair- man of the committee on foreign re- Ilallan!. The fact that a strong pro- test from 109 bishops has been filed gives the question of any treaty with the Turks unusual importance. The protesting churchmen point to the horrors committed by the Turks against the Armenians and other Christians within their power, not only during the World War but be- fore and since the war. As summed up in an editorial quoted in the pro- test originally published in the Living Church—an Episcopal periodical—the record is as follows: Thirty thousand Christlans killed in_ Cilicia in 1909. Nearly 1,000,000 Armenians (report of Gen. Harbord) and 250,000 Greeks (report of Mr. Morgenthau) killed dur- ing the World War. Thirty thousand Armenians butch- ered at Alexandropol in 1920. (Re- port of a Bolshevist commission.) Twenty thousand Armenians butchered in Cilicia in 1921. (Re- port of American relief workers.) Butchered and burned, 100,000 Greeks and Armenians in Smyrna in 1922. (Consul General Horton.) Expelled from their homes and robbed in 1923, 1,500,000 Greeks an Armenians. 3 They now hold in their harems as slaves 100,000 Christian women and children—some estimates put the number at 400,000. The supporters of the treaty re- ply that these alleged facts do not make a case proving that, without any treaty relations, this country would be in a better position to de- fend the Christian survivors who re- main in the power of “the unspeak- able Turk” than we would under a treaty of peace and amity. The whole matter, therefore, becomes a question of expediency or policy. * kK * From the bishops’ protest is quot- ed the following: “We should be as solicitous for the performance of our moral duty as for the protection of our material rights. “We are asked to resume friendly relations with an avowedly unrepent- ant and anti-Christian government which destroyed a million inoffensive men, women and children; expelled from their ancestral homes over a million and a half, and is now hold- ing in slavery in Turkish harems tens of thousands of Christian wom- en and children. “We cannot forget that over a mil- lion Armenian refugees and exiles are now a people without a country —while their own homeland lies de- serted under Turkish domination; that thousands of Armenians fell in the field of battle in defense of our common cause, and that Presi- dent Wilson and President Harding made solemn pledges to Armenia. “We feel that failure on our part to fulfill our moral obligations to Armenia, to the extent of our op- portunity, would be equivalent to a condonation of the Turkish crimes, and to a ratification of methods and facts which are abhorrent to all who love rightepusness and judgment.” The protest is headed by Rev. Willlam T. Manning, Bishop of New York, and signed by 108 other bishops, including Bishop James E. Freeman of Washington. * ok % * Senator Borah has answered the bishops in a letter, in part, as fol- lows: “There are good and wholly suffi- cient reasons, as it seems to me, why ratification should be had. But if 1 were seeking the views of others as a guide, 1 should feel compelled to give great consideration to the views of Americans living and hav- ing interests in Turkey. “They are, so far as I know, all in favor of ratification, and urge speedy action. Our religious, educa- tional and business interests com- bine in asking that the treaty be ratified. They feel that it is neces- sary for their protection, and their arguments in support of their con- tention seem to me to be conclusive. ¢ ¢ ¢ Jt will be remembered also { that the leading powers have all con- cluded treaties with Turkey. The pending treaty with the United States protects our interests, re- liglous, educational and business, as fully as the interests of other na- tionsare protected. * * * It would be nothing less than folly to stand out and refuse to make a treaty be- cause we cannot get a better treaty than other powers are willing to ac- cept. By such a course, we would imperil our interests throughout Turkey. “If it be said that we should have — duce, that the feminine touch would be likely to insure, Mary Caroline Crawford gives a most interesting and scholarly treatment of this sub- ject. Both books serve to pro students and readers with the full racter and growth of the Am drama up to its readiness for next step. a more desirable treu best treaty we can s time, and we shall <00 better treaty by making t thereafter seeking to than by refusing ratification and breaking off all treaty relations Whatever there is in this treaty wholly to our advantage, and in no respect to our disadvantage as against no treaty. In my opinior we neither condone the past no compromise the future. * * *“To refuse friendly relations with all peoples who reject Christianity is not only unthinkable as a practical course for the Government to pursue, but I had always supposed that the great object of Christianity in internation: affairs was to establish friendly tions, not only with other Chri nations, but with the anti-Christian nations, that they might be brought into touch with the teachings of Christianity and thereby be induced to accept its benign precepts. Can we be of any possible service to our own people in Turkey or can we hope to have any influence in shaping policies along humanitarian or religious lines in that particular region of the world if we break off all relationship?" * ¥ kX In a second letter to Senator Borah from Bishop Manning, replying to the Senator’s answer, as quoted, the bishop says, in part: ““We oppose the ratification of the treaty, not because the Turks are nor Christian, but because of the brutal inhuman and anti-Christian conduct toward those to whom we have given solemn pledges and whom if the treats is ratified we shall basely betray. * * I have before me a letter which has apparently the approval of the State Department, by a missionary advo cating the treaty. This Christiar missionary intimates that if we should reject this treaty, the gentleman Turks will ma the remaining 100,000 Armenians in Turkey. That ar. gument reveals in its horrible naked ness the true character of the Turk ““The interests of Robert College and Constantinople College are no doubt important, but the causes of right and Jjustice are infinitely more important. Better a thousand times that these colleges should disappear than that the United States should enter into a shameful and unrighteous treaty.” pcur s one and improve ft is SR The United States was never at wa with Turkey, nor did we sever diplo- matic relations, but Turkey severed such relations with the United States within two weeks after we had de clared war against Germany. Turkey not only severed relations with us, but contended that by that severance all our treaties with her were abro; To that contention the United Sta has consistently refused recognition At the Lausanne conference between Turkey and the allies the United States was not concerned in the settle ment of war damages claimed b: allies, for we had not been at war with Turkey. At the conference we were represented by Ambassador Richard ‘Washburn Child from Rome, High Commissioner Admiral Mark L. Bris- tol from Constantinople and Minister Joseph C. Grew of Switzerland. Two treaties were there signed, Au gust 6, 1923, subject, of course, to Sen- ate ratification, according to our Con stitution. They are the treaties still awaiting settlement in the Senate. The treaties provide for a mixed claims commission to adjust all claims. ‘They provide for “the most favored nation” treatment of diplomatic of ficers of the two nations, but all ex traterritorial rights of Americans in Turkey, to be tried before American consuls, in case they e charged with any offenses against Turkish laws, are abrogated; the accused must face Turkish courts, even without at tendance by our consul. Americans may possess property, such as is pe mitted to other foreigners, and may engage in any occupation, not fe bidden foreigners by Turkish laws “They shall be entitled to the same protection as that accorded to the na- tionals"—which incites Ambassador Straus to remark: “The treaty proposes that Ameri cans shall have the same rights in Turkey as the natives. The irony of this is that the natives have no rights. I congratulate the Turks on having written the best one-sided bargain In international treaty-making.” The Living Church editorially adds: “Possibly it is true that the Amerl- can Government could not negotiate a better treaty wih Turkey. Burkey is the one national left that is perfectly willing to engage again in war and she knows that the rest of the world is not. The obvious alternative, then, is.to negotiate no treaty with Turkey at all. ' A A Yesterday's cables brought the news that Turkey has mobilized several classes of her military reserves, in an- wide | ticipation of immediate war with Italy and Greece, though the news falled to explain what had cocssioned the casus belli. (Copyright. 1926, by Paul V. CoDNIL,