Evening Star Newspaper, May 18, 1926, Page 8

THE EVENING STAR ‘With Sunday Morning Editi — 2 WASHINGTON, D. C. TUESDAY.. ..May 18, 1926 ' i THEODORE W. NOYES. . ..Editor The Evening Star Newspaper Company Office Chi Offis T‘“ Buildi Chicago ‘ower Bul Buropean Office. 13 Resent St.. London, England. East ‘The Erening Star. with the Sunday morn- Ing edition. is delivered by carriers within the aty at 60 cents per month: daily onlv. 45 cents per month: Sunday only, 20 cents er month. Orders may be sent hy mail or elephone Main 5000, Callection is made by carrier at the end of each month. - Rate by M yable in Advance. Maryland and Virginia. Daily an. 1 yr.$0.00: 1 mo.. The Daily only 1 yr..$6.00: 1 mo.. B0e Bunday only 1 ¥r.83:00: 1 me.. 26 All Other States and Canada. Daily and Sundas.1yr.$12.00: 1 mo.. $1.00 Dailv only ..... 1yr. $8.00°1mo’" T8 Sunday only 1.1l 1yr] $4.00:1mo. 33¢ Member of the Associated Press. The Associated Prese s exclusively ertitled 10 the use for ~epublication «f all news dis- atches credited 1o it or not otherwise cred- ted in thie paner and also the local news published h Al rights of publication of spec hes herein‘are also reserved. = = B, Keeping Up Coal Prices. Warning is given by the Retail Coal Merchants’ Al ion, now in ses sion in Washington, that the public need expect no reduction in coal prices during the coming Summer months, and that if next Fall there should be a suspension of operations in the bituminous fields) (presumabiy an acute situation would result. This is not news. Almost immediate- Iy upon ending of the anthracite strike announcement was made that the customary Spring reduction in the price of hard coal would not be ef- fective this year. The public is fully aware that the price of coal is being kept up and is satisfied that the coal trade is bending all its efforts to the end that the price shall continue to be kept up. What the public does not know, and would like very much to know, is why the price of coal should be so high. 1In the absence of any other explanation which seems reasonable, the public is convinced that it is being called upon to pay the costs of the strike in the anthracite field and of uneconomic conditions in the bituminous flelds. So far there has not been produced any acceptable evidence that it costs more to produce and market coal to- day than it cost a year ago, but the prices of both anthracite and bitu- minous are higher. 1f this condition is not the result of profiteering, if there is any sound economical reason why coal should cost more in 1926 than it cost in 1925, the public would like to know it. The retail coal merchants have made an announcement that coal prices are not to be reduced, but they have not told why they cannot be reduced. If their hands are clean in the matter, as they claim they are, they can in no way better serve their own interests than by a frank statement which will make their announcement sound less like a ukase. Some one is getting the ex- cess profit represented by the higher price of coal. 1If the retail merchants are not getting it, or sharing in it, let them teil where the excess profit is going. A plea is made by the retail mer- chants that the Government should not interfere with their business. That plea would meet a much mere sym- pathetic reception from the public and from legislators if accompanied by explanations rather than by mandates. The public wants the Government to give business a square deal, but it wants a square deal from business in return. Tt feels that it is not getting a square deal in the matter of coal prices. It does not know, and in the absence of a truthful exposition of the entire coal situation it has no way of knowing, whether the fault is with the retailers, with the mine owners or with middlemen. What the public does know, al least what it feels, is that it is being stung, and none of the smart is taken out of the sting by the bald announcement that prices of coal are not to be reduced. ——rate— There are depressing intimations that in financing their primary cam- paign the Pennsylvania Republicans have forgotten their party's devotion to the principles of econom: e Philadelphia continues to agitate the subject of beer and light wines in poli- tics, in spite of the fact that Smedley Butler, the main expert, fs absent from the jurisdiction. oo Promoting Navy Morale. The House takes up as unfinished business tomorrow the bill supported by the Navy Department and prac- tically unanimously recommended by the naval affairs committee to do away with the friction that has long existed between line and staff officers of the Navy and to do justice as regards pro- motion and pay to the staff corps where promotion has been very much slower than in the line. A test vote a week ago showed that there is overwhelming sentiment in the House in favor of this measure and nothing should be allowed to pre- vent its immediate passage in order that the Senate may have the meas- ure in plenty of time to get it worked through the legislative stages before Congress adjourns. It is the general opinion in the Navy that the passige of this meas- ure will prove very helepful in build- ing up the morale and in greatly in- creasing the efficiency of the entire service. This measure now comes up in the House after long and careful study covering a period of more than three years and after mature deliberation by the committees with specialized knowledge of naval affairs. The long-existing - misconception that staff officers do not share the same risks as officers of the line has been explained away and it is now recognized that the staff performs spe- cialized and essential duties to con- trol successfully the functions of ves. sels at sea and of naval establish- ments ashore and to protect the per- sonnel from disease and epidemics in forelgn ports, as well as in shore es- jablishments, @nd ag well as 1o give’ medical and surgical attention to the sick and wounded. The history of the service shows that the medical officers, supply offi- cers, civil engineers and officers in the construction and chaplain corps have made for themselves a nota- ble record. Congress now pro- poses to give them equal opportunity for promotion at the same time with officers of the line who are their co- temporaries. All friends of the naval service are heartily supporting this legislation, R Obey the Traffic Lights! An appeal for strict obedience to the automatic traffic lights on Six- teenth street and Massachusetts ave- nue has been made by Director Eldridge, who in recent tours of in- spection has observed a tendency on the part of motorists to use the amber caution signal for the green go signal. The trafMc director calls attention to the fact that the amber light flashes for a period of only five seconds and that it is consequently no hardship for the automobile driver to wait until he gets the proper signal before pro- ceeding. Success of the light system depends almost entirely upon the degree of co- operation given by the motorists. As the lights are now timed so that it i possible to go from one end of each thoroughfare to the other without a stop, there is apparently no incentive to attempt to “‘beat the lights.” Speed- ing between signals results only in a stop at the next block set of lights and a start on the amber signal means that the motorist will have to proceed at a slower pace if he wishes to go through without further stops. Except for the violation of the am- ber signal the majority of motorists here are complying with the edict of the lights. There are some, of course, who turn on the red signal when turns should be made only on the green and others who deliberately drive across green light traffic. This class, however is fortunately in the minority and can be eliminated entire- ly if the police and courts will co-oper- ate in a campaign against violators. A significant phase of the situation created by the automatic light instal- lation in Washington is that many motorists, believers in the efficiency and safety of the signals, constitute themselves into a self-appointed polic- ing committee to see that they are obeyed. Boos and jeers are the por- tion from these citizens when a stupid or careless driver runs against the signal. On the stupid kind this prob- ably has a beneficial effect, but on the other kind a stiff fine or prison sentence will be the only remedy. The traffic office has done a splen- did work with the automatic signals. In no other city is precisely the same plan used whereby every intersection throughout the entire length of the system is cleared for the passage of automobiles running at a normal rate of speed. Visitors from other cities, when informed of Washington’s non- stop automatic lights, at first raise their eyebrows and display incredul- ity, but when taken out for a demon- stration thelr attitude changes to one of amazement and congratulation. With this in mind it is distinetly up to the motorista here to co-operate heartily so that the maximum of safety and benefit can be obtained from a unique and thoroughly prac- tical system of traffic signals. i An Investigation dealing with a past waste of money frequently causes ap- prehension of a present waste of money. o Williamsburg. The President’s speech at Williams- burg on encroachment by the Federal Government on “the rights and au- thorities of the States,” and on rule by minorities, must have had a famillar sound to the spirits of early Amerl- cans dwelling in the old town—if spirits do dwell at Willlamsburg. The President used the word ‘“encreach- ment,” which literally means to croe, or hook, rights. The epithets which earlier patriots favored were “tyrant” and “‘usurper.” At one end of the main street—call- ed Duke of Gloucester street after Queen Anne's eldest son—is a granite marker with bronze tablets inscribed: The Old Capitol. Here Patrick Henry first kindled the flames of the Revolution by his resolytions and speech against the Stamp Act, May 29-30, 1765. Here, March 12, 1773, Dabney Carr offered, and the House of Burgesses of Virginia unanimously adopted, the resolutions to appoint a committee to correspond with similar committees in the other colonies—the first step toward the union of the States. Here, May 15, 1776, the Con- vention of Virginia, through resolu- tions drafted by Edmund Pepdleton, offered by Thomas Nelson, jr., adve- cated by Patrick Henry, unanimously called on Congress to declare the col- onies free and independent States, Here, June 12, 1776, was adopted by the convention the immortal work of George Mason—the Declaration of Rights—the first written constitution of a free and independent State ever written. On another tablet is inscribed: “Members of the House of Burgesses who at the Raleigh Tavern May 18, 1769, and May 27, 1774, entered into an association against the importa, tion or purchase of British manufac- tures.” Then follow the names of 149 Virginia patriots. When the President was at Wil- llamsburg he probably thought—and it s a good bet that he was told— that Willlamsburg is nearly as old-as Plymouth. It was decided in 1699 to move the capital from James Town t6 a place seven miles away. Before it came to be seat of government of Virginia, after the loss by fire of the last statehouse at James Town—which was in October, 1698—the place had prospered under the name of Middle Plantation—a palisaded town on the narrow neck between the James and York rivers and midway between those rivers. When Middle Plantation was decided on as the seat of govern- ment a new town was surveyed and named in honor of King Willlam. Middle Plantation goes back to about 1632 and white men frem James Town no doubt trod its site before the Pilgrims landed at Plymouth. The man who patented the land was Dr. John Potts, who was a physiclan and saw that the site was more wholesome than James Town. '+ Closely, following Dr, Potts were other land patentees to the site of, and land close to, Willlamsburg, and among the names of those pioneers are preserved those of Lieut. Richard Popeley, Capt. Robert Higginson, John Clark, Edward Wyatt, George Wyatt, Stephen Hamiin, George Lake, Henry Tyler—an ancestor, of President Tyler—and Richard Kempe. ——e— An Important Measure. Alarmed at the failure of the bill providing for the elimination of the Michigan avenue grade crossing to re- celve consideration from a subcommit- tee of the House District committee, the Michigan Park Citizens' Associa- tion voted last night to take imme- diate action. A committee was ap- pointed to confer with Representa- tive ZihIman with a view of stress- ing the importance of the measure and obtainipg hearings on the project. Passed by the Senate moro than one month ago, this bill has been lying unheeded in the House. It provides for the construction of a viaduct for the roadway over the railroad tracks at one of the most dangerous traffic points in the city. Thoroughly in harmony with the plan of the Com- missioners to eliminate one grade crossing a year in the District until the menace to human life in the form of unprotected crossings is removed, and backed by civic bodies and cit- izens generally, the delay in taking up the bill is inexplicable. Although there has been some pro- test from property owners in the vicin- ity of the proposed viaduct, it is in- conceivable that a small minority should be able to hold up action on a measure that is patently in the inter- ests of the public weifare and the sav- ing of life. The Senate, when it passed the bill, took all of these matters into consideration and there appears to be no apparent reason for the delay in the House. Congress should not close its pres- ent session until this bill has had full chance for action. Every day the potentialities for accident and death at this danger spot increase and Con- gress should not tolerate such a con- dition within the borders of the Na- tional Capital. ——e The seriousness of the situation at Warsaw cannot be underestimated. Differences in language stimulate a sense of levity in the minds of the uninformed. A list of names unpro- nounceable by the average reader hinders seriously a clear and rapid analysis of conditions which may prove of warld importance. Differences of vecabulary represent differences of customs and thought. A universal language may vet be necessary. RS s Whenever anybody writes & maga- zine article about the killing pace of American politics, Uncle Joe Cannon and Chauncey Depew permit them- selves a smile, while Elihu Reot no doubt is tempted to take the idea up as a matter for serious discussion. B e The glory of reaching the North Pole is unquestionable, although the precise practical inducement for the enterprise must remain more or less obscure until Science has explained the human benefits to be attained. e One form of relief to which the American farmer is immediately en- titled is an end to the cystom of rep- resenting him as a person who chews a straw, whittles a stick and drawls the hours away in futile illiteracy. o Settlement relating to matters con- nected with the strike is not quite complete, but Great Britain has at least taken care of the so-called *‘civil war” and the alleged “revolution.” ———— e Amundsen finds that even a great traveler must have his disappoint- ments. He reached the North Pole, but he missed the ice cream festival in his henor at Nome. ———— -t Some arrangement should possibly be made to relieve the young Chinese student, Wan, from the necessity of regarding being tried for murder as his life work. ave— A check to crime might be more easily secured if plain, decent living could be rendered as picturesquely in- teresting as recklesa law violation. ——satee. Italy hails D’Annunzio as the world's greatest. political dramatist and Mussolini as the world's greatest actor. —— e SHOOTING STARS. BY PHILANDER JOHNSON, The Prophet. ‘We're bourd to have the June da; In spite of all the chill, The mocking bird at noonday Sent greetings from the hill. Faith in your sense unerring Soon silenced all my doubt. 1 knew that things were stirring For you to sing about. Glorious Sacrifice. “Many a man would be willing to give his life for his country.” “True,” answered Senator Sorghum. “But methods of doing so differ. Too many of us show an inclination to talk ourselves to death. Sequel. The cruel war is over; Our cause long since was won. As to investigations, The fight has just begun. Jud Tunkins says a man who loves dumb animals shows a kind disposition and also caution in selecting friends who never contradict his opinions. Individualist. “Do you enjoy dancing.the Charles- ton?” “Very much,” answered Miss Cay- enne. 'd rather risk stepping on my own feet than take chances on a clum- ay partne The Eternal Primitive. The pushcafrt plods its patient way ‘Where motors come and go. The old hand organ stops to play In spite of ra-d-i-o. “Everybody makes mistakes,” said Uncle Eben. “If you kin persuade enough people to make de same mis sake 1t furna ioto & fashion,™ THE EVENING BT ), WASHINGTON, THIS AND THAT BY CHARLES E. TRACEWELL. Recently we spoke of the joys of gardening, len only yard square.” ntended, not as a pun, but as a sim- ple statement of fact. The s ler the garden the more intensive cultivation one can give it, with better results per square inch, everything else being equal, than in the large garden. ‘The charm of the little garden is such that a series of books has been written upon it. Usually, however, by the term “little garden” is meant a plot of ground that would seem large to most of us. There is a dearth of literature cov- ering the average city bagk vard. To- day many euch gardens, real ‘“little gardens,” are not more than 18 by 60 feet, and we know some not half that long. Perhaps the standard Washington dooryard (rear) is about 20 by 65 feet, with a concrete path running down one side, sometimes through the mid- dle of the yard. There are two main lines of treat- ment of such a space, either to group annuals and perennials in borders along the fence, or to turn over all or a considerable portion of the tract to beds. The exact treatment will differ, of course, according to whether the path is at one side or in the center of the yard, but in general the border plan usually will be found the better both from an esthetic and a practical standpoint. * o x % In the small garden one knows every inch of his ground—something that is impossible in a large one. Thus the very earth takes on a familiar char- acter, and we get the most joy out of what we are at home with. In cultivating the small place, the gardener soon comes to know every pebble that adorns the ground. New “rocks” that work their way to the surface during the night are greeted as strangers, to be cast into the outer darkness of the alley. Strange as it may seem, the small garden gives the worker more to do, although at first blush it might seem to work out the other way around. In the large place much that might otherwise be done is necessarily left to take care of itself, which it usually does very well, it must be confessed. The small garden, however, is so small that all that otherwise might have been ullowed to go unattended gets its full share of attention. Thus mulching, which oughy to be done with regularity, may be done in the small place, wher in the larger garden time is often wanting for it. Cultivation, stirring of the soil, or mulching, is one garden act that many persons do not seem to take much stock in, but if they will investigate they will find that every authority in the ocountry advocates it. Those who like to “potter around” in, thelr gardens—and these get the most pleasure out of it, since they have the true garden temperament— will mulch the soil regularly with an earth mulch simply because it gives them something to do. Indeed, there comes a period in the well regulated garden when cultiva- tion is about the only activity required, aslde from watering now and then. Insects have been sprayed to death long ago, plants are coming along nicely, but the flowers are not yet out. Then, if ever, come the mulching days. * ok Kk % “Mulching Days.” Surely, if some composer would glve us an opera by that name every gardener would go to hear it. And what a varlety of songs he might give us, singing the praises of the floral favorites! The dust mulch alone is almost suf- ficlent to bring many flowers to per- fection without the addition of any fertilizer whatsoever. The require- ment is not just something to make bother, but a real help, for mulching breaks up the capillary attraction be- tween the water in the air and water in the sofl, thus preventing evapora- tion of the precious moisture at the roots. Besidos this fundamental begefit, constant cultivation of the ground around plants, whether vegetable or flower, does a variety of services which need not be gone into here. You will find them enumerated in all the books, the garden magazines and in many of the seed catalogues. The fact that mulching gives the ardent gardener something to do, however, has never heen mentioned before in print, so far as we know. What is life except a stirring around by us human animals, a con- stant cultivation of the soil of our own likes and dislikes, a perpetual movement to prevent boredom from?| claiming us as its own? Even the born gardener might find himself slightly ennuied if he could not perpetually find something to do in his garden. He need never lack for employment, however, if he will simply do what ought to he done. Let others laugh at him for “poking away at the dirt.” The greatest stu- dents of soil culture in the country, eminent professors at the big univer- sities, are behind him to a man. “With the Department of Agricul- ture at my back, I should worry,” says the gardener. ® ® The intensive cultivation of the small place augments garden disas- ters, it is true, for it is a sad thing to have some one steal one of your two irises. Had he taken six of 150 blooms, it might have been different. In the first jnstance, 50 per cent of one's irises go at a clip, whereas in the latter the percentage is consider- ably smaller. In this respect the large garden wins. Certalnly being de- prived of one's favorite flowers by a thief is not one of the delights of gardening. ‘With ordinary good luck, however, the flowers in the little garden will escape the hands of the marauder, and the owner will be enabled to enjoy them all 8pring, Summer and Autumn. In the little garden, the man or woman who likes to have everything look just 80" may attend to every detall, 8o that the place is immaculate. ‘Thus bamboo stakes used to prop up gladiolus and other flowers may be given annual coats of cheap green paint. A really beautiful green paint may be purchased for the sum of 10 cents at the stores which deal in articles selling for that and half that price. With it pieces of lath commoniy used to group around growing plants may be dressed up to look very “snappy.” In the small place, parti 1y, such attention is necessary if one wants to make the most hat he has, for every m lies open to be taken in at a glance. With this care, and the use of intelligence, no one need be ashamed of a small garden, “even if it be only a yard square.” BACKGROUND OF EVENTS BY PAUL V. COLLINS. The Hepi snake dance is a prayer for rain. Within six hours after the dance for the edification of Congress- men last Saturday afternoon, the rain poured as it had not rained before, for many weeks. This led to the story told by a noted ethnologist who has studied the Indian dances. He was visiting the Hopis in Arizona some vears ago and there he witnessed a snake dance. While it was in progress with all the enthusiasm of the older Indians, he noted a black cloud looming over the mountains. After the dance, he and a few companions were forced to seek shelter in a schoolhouse when a tre- mendous _deluge . broke. When the torrents had slackened, some of the Hop! chiefs came along and were con- gratulated upon the success of their snake dance prayer, whereupon they answered rather morosely that they had prayed for a gentle drizzle to last two or three days and here the gods had sent them a gully-washer! * Ok k¥ There has been much variance in the explanations as to why this visi- tation of the Hopis under the chaper- onage of Senator Cameron. It has been inaccurately stated that it was to offset efforts of the Indian commis- sioner, Mr. Burke, to forbid further observance of the ancient Indian dances, for, according to the report, intense efforts were being made by certain missionaries and their church people to stop the barbaric customs in the interest of the Christianization of the red men. This is emphatically de- nied by Commissioner Burke. About three years ago the commis- sioner of Indian affairs issued a circu- lar to all Indians appealing to them to stop thelr great waste of time through almost uninterrupted attend- ance upon festivals, dances, rodeos and fairs, and to stay at home attend- ing to_thelr gardens and farms, as does the white man, so that they ocould produce & larger share of their It was an effert merely to teach them thrift and eivilization. It was not an attack upon any of their In- dian religious rites. It had no refer- ence to the Hopis nor to other South- western Indians, but as some of the circulars got into Hopi hands they were 80 misconstrued as to be taken as an effort to forbid the “barbaric dances” in the interest of Christi- anity, which is entirely disclaimed by Commissioner "Bu‘rk:, ‘There appeare nothing in the dances shown before the Capitol last Satur- day that could give offense, beyond a feeling of repulsion by white men against holding snakes in the mouth "or even of handling the writhing crea- tures so freely, This is the verdict not only of the Congressmen and oth- ers who witnessed the dances, but of officlals of the Indlan Bureau who did not witness the exhibition, and also of sclentific ethnologists who likewise declined to view the unique exhibition. The ethnologists did not refrain from any sense of shock, since the .| ceremony was familiar to them, but rather with a feeling of regret that the day had arrived when even real Hopis would consent, for the first time in history, to show the sacred dances off of the reservation and apart from the spirit of true reverence. What a sacrilege! exclaim the ethnologists. Never before had that been done. How have the sacred rites become commercialized! It was somewhat the spirit of the captive Israelites in Babylon, say the sclentists, which echoed in the astonishment of those who appreciated the sacredness of the religious dances of the Indians, when they knew that the rites were given for the enjoyment of “profane” Congressmen and other whites: “For they that carried us away Olptl\;; roqulre':d of us a song, lsnd they that wasted us required of us mirth, -flu. ‘Sing us one J the songs of Zion' SBEL i “How shall we sing the Lord's Songs in a strange land?" The ethnologists point to the fanat- iclsm of the conquistadores of Mexico, who ruthlessly destroyed all litera- ture and scientific records of the Aztecs and Toltees soon after Cor- teg's conquest—records now held priceless. The faiths of the Hopi Indians were not wholly barbaric, say the scientists. They believed in the in- sible, omnipresent spirit, the Cre- ator; they prayved wih faith in His beneflcence. They were grateful for His blessings of food, of water, of game, of peacs The Hopis espe- cially were peaceful and agricultural. Their name means *“The Peaceful People.” * k¥ * The dance has ever been man's original form ef worshipful expres- sion. King David himself danced be- fore the ark, though he scandalized his wife by his vehemence. It is explained by ethnologists that it was in that spirit ef expression of wor- ship that the snake dance, the corn dance and buffalo dance, not only of the “Peaceful People,” but of many. other tribes of “original Americans,” have been observed. * * %% True, there are other dances which were not so unobjectionable from the white man’s standpoint. The sun dance, with which the Indians used to worship the Deity through recog- nizsing His presence in the blazing luminary, has long since been discon- tinued. It was cruel self-torture in- flicted in stoicism. There were dances to appeal for fertility in all its forms, which are utterly condemned as de- grading, but both ethnologists and the officials of the Indian Bureau declare that these are no longer practiced by any tribe. Only the older generation of In- dians hold to full faith even in the dances that are retained. The younger men who have come into contact with civilizatlon—including some, at least, of the dancers of last Saturday before the Capitol—no longer consider the sacredness of their dances; even in the Hopi reservation the customs are maintained mainly for commer- cialism and profit. * K ok Scientists give assurance that the fangs of the rattlesnakes are not re. moved from the reptiles nor are the snakes doped or charmed. An edu- cated Indian told of having witnessed a tragedy In nature which threw some light on how the Hopis learned the method of handling deadly snakes with impunity. He had seen a rattle- snake upon the desert, above which several swallow-tail kites were flut- tering. Both the snake and the birds were greatly excited. Finally, & kite darted down and seized the snake in the middle of its body and flew away, the snake writhing helpless. In the same manner, the Indian seizes the snake and it becomes helpless, A scientist tells this story: Certain travelers owned a dog which had a great knack of killing snakes, but onecq, when it seized a rattler, the snake struck the dog before it could be shaken to death. The dog im- mediately ran to a creek and buried its head in wet sand, holding it there some seconds. The- dog's instinct saved its life. The Indians claim to have a secret potion which makes them immune from snake bites, and it is their custom to follow every snake dance with a bath and a doge of this secret potlon, which g their explanation of their immunity. (Copyright. 1926, by Paul V. Collins.) Domes, Human and Others From the Savannah Press. " College education requires costly pulldings, but it not, to Garelog t0an 0 Vavd 1o, o 18, 1926 NEW BOOKS AT RANDO LG M. SMARANDA. Lord Thomson of Car- dington. George H. Doran Co. Smaranda of Smarandaland. A lady and a land calculated by very name to revive the fanciful imagination of those writers who not so many years ago rioted in scenes of glamourous ad- venture through the tangled states of Southeastern Europe. As for the reader, the mere sound of this title sets him off in the pleasurable antici- pation of, say, another “Prisoner of Zenda” or one of its kind. Right at the door, however, he is pulled up be- fore the declaration that “Smaranda’ is not fiction at all. In its main body, literal fact, instead. Not a welcome thought. One had hopes of something else in a time so packed with facis of record—i's all dotted, {'s all crossed— and no shadow of chance for the least leeway of fancy. It is Lord Thomson who sets us off on the right foot here. He goes on to say that out of a voluminous and rambling body of personal reminis- cence on the part of his friend, “Gen. Y—— of the British Army,” he has himself compiled that which seemed to him to possess a permanent value to both statecraft and military theory, with only such concessions to the clearly romantic flair of his friend as were necessary to fill out the man to a measure of his own reality. A fair conclusion, this, as it turns out. For if the clement of romance had been deleted from this Gen. Y—— the very best of him would have been thrown away, leaving only that of which there is already too much in the heavy and prosaic treatment bf Lord Thomson concedes in explanatory story that both Smaranda and Smarandaland, while not exactly unadulterate figments of the imagination, are nevertheless pre sented under such disgulse as the subtler and better informed of readers will be likely to penetrate with ease. Now everybody aspires to be both in- formed and subtle. So here at the out- set is a fine fillip to Interest and a bition. And for a long time one's u; der mind feels around for Smaranda- land—for its boundarles, its features, its neighbors, its story and its politi- cal history—trying to sort this coun try out from its uneasy and squirm- ing sisterhood of Balkan states. As for Smaranda herself, one soon gives her up as one must abandon the chase of any genuincly elusive female of every species. And it is not long be fore both of these quests sink away before the greater attraction of Gen. Y——, diplomat and military expert by title and special mission. * k¥ % These adventures in diplomacy and war and friendship fall by ture into three parts. There i the easy and intimate confidence of the dial Beyond this is a handful of sketches—historic moments set down, or leading figures, or ancient cities, each soaked in its heritage of years and old eustom and peculiar tlook. The third part cofers a Tale of Western Thrace.” And this ste declares Lord ‘Thomson, was 's last literary work,” For soon thereafter he passed out, somewhere—the details of final If a man or his wife dies, can the survivor draw upon funds in a Joint bank account?—S. M. L. A. A joint bank account unless especially limited at the time of mak- ing the deposit gives to either party the right to withdraw any or all of Q. the funds, and in the case of the death of one person the other would be entitled to withdraw the funds. pertia Q. What fs the correct meaning of “carillon”?—M. L. B. A. A “carfllon” is the name given to a set of bells so hung and arranged as to be capuble of being played upon either by manual action or by ma- chinery, as a musical instrument—i. e., so as to give out a regularly com- posed melody in correct and unvary- ing time and rhythm in contradistinc- tion to the wild and frregular music produced by change-ringing on a peal of bells hung to swing ig_ the more usual manner. Q. Should clusters of lights or single electric lights be used for street light- ing?-H. L. P. A. in cities the most widely favored method of lighting consists in the use of single-light ornamental standards mounted at heights of from 14 to feet and spaced opposite each other at distances of from 60 to 120 feet An increase of efficiency is secured by the use of lamps of 600, 1,000, 1,500 or 2500 candlepower instead of 3, 4 or 5 light cluster: Q. Does the moon rise and set daily at the Poles”—C. B. McF. A. The Naval Observatory says that at either Pole the moon is above the horizon continuously for about two weeks, and then below the horizon continuously for about two weeks. At the Arctic and Antarctic circles there are some vears when for a few davs in each month the moon dges not set, and a few days in each month when it does not rise; otherwise at these circles it rises and sets daily. In the polar regions, during the Winter months, the moon is generally above the horizon when it is full and below the horizon when it is new, and the reverse is the case during the Summer months. Q. What eight occupations employ ‘l]he m people in this country?— . H. A. Farming claims the most work- ers. Then workers are listed in re- gard to number as clerks, servants, salesmen and saleswomen, carpenters, machinists, teachers and coal mine op- eratives. Q. How fast did the Continental Glacier come down and how long did it stay?—J. G. A. The Continental Glacier traveled at a rate varying from 7 feet to & feet & . day, and oc 1 20 feet. The length of | has not vet been definitely asce scientists. It covered the U States as far as northern Penn: nia, Ohio and into Kansas and ) braska. Q. If a ball on a putting green is hit and moved by the bail of another player playing to the green, can it be replaced?—W. C. 8. A. If hit by an opponent’s ball, yves. In match play the replacing of the destination vazue and troubling. All is ed is that the demise came v day that ‘“‘the first Labour ministry of Great Britain assumed office “He was, according to cus- tom, arrayed in a black frock-coat, an ancient garment he had ceased to wear for years. To him this sable mantle symbolized discretion: it put a stralt-waistcoat on his ideas, and wrapped the old Adam in a shroud.” Poor defunct Gen. Y—! ¥ i But, alive, Gen. Y—— was a joy of entertainment and _stimulation. Listen to him on May 15, 19 ““The raln. has been pou n all day on dogs and diplomats alike; the for- mer yawn in archways and on door- steps, the latter wear galoshes and pay mysterious calls. 1 wrote to Smaranda telling her she possessed one great advantage over all other hu man beings, * * * for while breath was in her body she would be spared the greatest of all afflictions—being parted from herself.” But S8maranda has a way of appearing—at Paris in war time, in peace conference times, in many a serious moment when Gen. Y—— must needs leave the heavy affairs of war and troubled govern- ments to say a word to, and about, the lovely Smaranda. A fearless and frank man, Gen. Y——, saying what he thinks about nations at war, and governments at’ wit's end, about fee- ble leadership and mistaken patriot- ism. Under this astonishing frank- ness one_ wonders how he dared so much. Yet—the reflection follows that he died out of his dangers. Sagacious Gen. Y—! EEE “We have talked a lot about Su- preme Command in time of war; now we shall want a Supreme Intelligence to make the peace. What a pity it is that really first-class brains keep out of politics! Perhaps it is because they hate the dirt, or the publieity, and all the ignorant eriticism that goes with it. I am a resigned be- liever in democracy, but it certainly breeds prigs, an unduly high propor- tion of men and women with a mis- sion to manage every one else except their own unruly tongues and pens.” Wholly unfair to quote this ex- traordinarily brilliant man, this smil- ing philosopher, this tender friend, this soldier and diplomat, just here and there. There is only one thing to do with him—that is to sit down with him some day in a following of this dlary and these sketches that embody some of the most vital of immediate concerns about men and governments—about Smaranda, too. Adventure of the real sort is this “Smaranda.” LI OUR DEBT TO FRANCE. New York: Published by the Wash- * ington Lafayette Institution. “Our Debt to France” presents one side of the question about which there has heen so much of divided opinion and controversy. Here are seven discussions upon certain fea- tures of our debt to France, given by professional men and members of Congress. Under these discussions the history of French aid to America at the time of the Revolution is reviewed in eloquent detail. The service of Lafayette to this country is portrayed again in the light of what both France and this son of the country did for the young Amer- jca. Coming forward "toward the present, there is projected a picture of French and American relationship at the outset of the war and a statement of our loans to that coun- try prior to the armistice. The whole sums to a clear historic statement, to an equally clear statement of the financial situation between the two countries and to a unanimous de- cision as to the ethical obligations in the case. To be sure, this is but one side of a matter that has caused a sharp separation of ideas within parties and among the people themselves. And, except for the spirit of controversy that now and then animates one or another of these assembled champions of ¥France in its rights to American support, the study as a whole constitutes a complete survey of the conditions upon which the sentiment of these advocates of France rests with so much of conviction and impassioned eloquence. An admirable book for the study of one side of a punlnfi and important question, whose ful content must be a matter of deep interest to every patriotic American zealous for the fair dealing of his own towar 'd-an old and tried ball {s optional with the player whose ball has been moved; in medal play it is mandatory. Q. Are carborundum sharpening stones mined or pressed’—E. B. ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS BY FREDERIC J. HASKIN. For important business streets| Pascal, Agrippe, Democrates, Spencer, Tolstoi, Shakespeare, Socrates, Aris totle; atheists—Huxley, Eplcurus, Pro. tagoras, Nietzsche, Lucretius, Hegel, Shaw, Haeckel, Bentham; deists—Vol- taire, Descartes, Erasmus. Q. How long and where is the Speedway of New York City?—A. 3T, A. The Spedway extends from the 155th Street viaduct north 3 miles. Its roadway is 95 feet and total widths including sidewalks are from 5 to 150 feet. Nearly 5 years were spent in building the road and it cost the city $3,000,000. Recently automobiles were permitted the use of the Speedwa Q. What.is the two-thirds rule *hat the Democrats are talking about now? —T. W. D, A. A long-estzblished rule of the Democratic party provides that in national conventions a candidate to be nominated for President must re- ceiva the votes not merely of a ma jority, but of two-thirds of the dele gates in the convention. A majorft vote nominates {n Republican national conventlons, and some prominent Democrats are now advocating ihat their party abrogate the two-thirds rule. Q. Under the new auction bridge rules when is a revoke established” F. E A. Not until the revoking player or his partner leads or plays to tha cceeding trick. No revoke penalty ay be claimed after the next en- suing cut: nor if the revoke ocecur during the last hand of the rubber after the s as heen agreed upon nor if there has heen a draw for any purposa in connection with the next rubber. a term Q. What is meant by Chek: T frequently see in articles relating to M. AR to the secret service of a. The name is formes letters of the Russiar ainaya Komissia Russia’~ A It r Soviet Russ from the initi words Chrezvycl Q. When was the first wireless com- pany organized’—P. O. R. A. The first commercial wirelass telegraph company was organized in England and incorporated in July, 1897, Q. When were copper cents or pen nies first coined in this country A. Vermont was the first State to issue copper cents, granting the authority to Ru ir., make money fo vears in June, the same year Connecticut ized the coining of 10,000 pounds in copper cents. Q. In reading about reference to “The Moxa.” it?—A. T. F. A. “The Moxa" is a cure for rheu matism. It originated with the Chinese. Small cones of a native cot ton wool are placed on the skin and are then ignited. Those of Japanese who cling to the older meth ods of relieving rheumatic ailments still resort to this searing of the skin Japan 1 fi What Take advantage of this free service 17 you are mot one of the thousands who have patronized the bureau since its establishment we want you to start now. This is a service main tained for the benefit of the readers of The Evening Star and we want you A. The Bureau of Standards says that carborundum sharpening stenes are molded. Q. Please name some great men who were Infidels.—W. D. N. A. Agnostics—Kant, Montaigne, to get your share of bencfit from it Send your questions to us. Inclose ¢ cents in stamps for return postage Address The Evening Ktar Informa tion Bureau, Frederic J. Haskin, d rector, Washington, D. C. Byrd’s Dramatic Flight Made Profound Impression on Public Comdr. Byrd's dramatic flight to the North Pole in an airplane made a profound impression on the public mind, both as a feat in Arctic ex- ploration adding laurels to the tradi- tions of the American Navy and as the most convincing of many recent demonstrations of the practicability of heavier-than-air craft. Coming just ahead of the voyage over the Poie by Amundsen in his dirigible, the Byrd achievement was peculiarly gratifying to his countrymen. “All the world will acclaim his act, all America_will be proud of him, all Virginia will glory in his pluck, his perseverance, and feel at one with him in the glow of satisfied ambition,” de- clares the Lynchburg News, as it finds dramatic force in the story that “from bovhood Byrd had dreamed of the moment that was his when he landed at Kings Bay, 15 hours after he set out from that spot in hope and determination to make that dream at last reality.”” The Wichita Beacon says “there is a vicarious pride today in the heart of every American,” while the Nashville Banner records that “this latest triumph of an American flyer was achieved, as the others have been, by the exercise and display of unusual courage and ability.” * k¥ X While Byrd's accomplishment “seems but one of a myriad of dar- ing exploits,” the Flint Dally Journal asserts, “It is more; it is one &f the greatest achieveménts of history, enough to make a young officer, as- piring to fame for himself and his risk his life in an attempt s by no means certain of out- com Viewed in connection with the whole “process of discovering the North Pole,” the Schenectady Gazette refers to the long history as “‘one of the great sagas that will always serve to help breed the man-child capable of moral discipline and all kinds of achievement.” The trail to victo: the Atlantic City Press records. marked by the bones of ill-fated ex- peditions that lie in Arctic waters, or in snow-lockéd mounds. where the moaning gales are their eternal requiem.” The winning of the “Arctic handi- cap also impels the Bellingham Herald to remark that “the Far North still holds much of transcendent interest: is fllled h mystery and lure for the explorer,” but that “the airplane and airship have been developed to the point where there is little chance that its mystery will be locked up much longer.” A “The greatest import of the feat,” argues the New Orleans Item, “is its demonstration of the effectiveness and adaptability of the plane. Tt is to be hoped that the demonstration will not be wasted upon the Nation or its of- ficials.” Noting furthermore that “a polar jaunt may be undertaken in confidence, and with no further dis- tress than if the course were along a Government mail route.”” the Akron Beacon Journal concludes that ‘“the airship has arrived.” The Albany Evening Journal similarly points out that “Byrd accomplished in 15 hours by plane a_journey that took Peary $ months by ship_and dog sled whtle the Dayton Daily News, won- dering what the “future holds for North Pole tourists and adventurers,” is oconvinged that “the outstanding worth of his exploit, fmln time, 18 the assertion of the reliabllity of the airplane.” o ““Thus_the spirit of man, the Atlanta Journal, “destined for the sky, takes unto itself wings on earth and adventures the wide reaches of the air, as ages ago it made for a then harted sea. For humankind as :'-wuuuazwn-.mw. Comdr, Byrd has scored glorfously.” this the Chicago Daily that he undertook what “required rare pluck to undertake, and also sound judgment to seize upon favor able opportunities. To further credit the Kansas City Journal places that fact that while “others who fail ed had courage, Byrd had that and i addition the indispensable something the magnificient ‘sine qua non.” which wrested success from the same cond tions that overcame his predecess Byrd and his companion, Benneti. as it appears to the Little Rock Ar kansas Democrat, “figuratively burn ing their bridges behind them. made one grand gamble and won,” for they “made no_proviston for failure—sue cess was their only goal-—and, may it be said to their everlasting credit. thev ‘got away with it.” " Americans “went over the top ahead of representatives of all other nations, as has been the case in so many other instances,” and the Hartford Times credits it to “bold ness, skill and scientific knowledge." The New York World's tribute to Byrd is that “the care with which he had made everything ready in advanes was as fmportant a part of his exploit as the intrepidity of the final dash.” * kK * Reviewing it as a part of the history of air exploits, the Passaic Dafly Herald states that “an American was the first to flv. another the first to cross the Atlantic in a seaplane, still others the first to span the world by air.” The supreme test in this feat. according to the Utica Observer-Dis patch, was that “to land meant al most certain death in the wreckage. or if a safe landing‘were accomplished, the chances would be against another take-off.” Linked with the exploit of Admiral Peary, the Champaign News.Gazette makes the flight “part of the glorious record of the United States Navy." To Byrd himself the Providence Journal pays the tribute of recognizing his per severance, as throughout his career he “never abandoned his determina- tion to achleve a name for himself in the Arctic.” The Knoxville Sentinel recalls that “long hbefore he reached the Pole, Comdr. Byrd had a notable record. The annals of the Navy De- partment,” continues “show that he has received 17 cita- tions for services above and beyond the call of duty, 4 of the citations being for acts of personal heroism.” A probable result of the advance that has been made, as recognized by the Cincinnati Times-Star, is that In doing ews feels “from the air the authentic mappink of the globe should be completed with. in a reasonable period,” for, as viewed by the Salt Lake Deseret-News, thia fiight “Is but the beginning of active conquest of hitherto inaccessible re glons.” The San Bernardino Sun re- fers to the geographical and scientific knowledge which will be derived from this and other expeditions. and ex presses the fear that they “may also gather material for internationa! strife,” as it declares that “out of the discoveries are likely to arise econ- flicting_claims of national ownership of territory.” Useful. From the Fort Wayne News Sentimel The early cantaloupe is certain to be useful for the manufacture of a couple of ash trays, even if you can’t eat it. s A Worse State. From the Lynchburg Advance. Aw, go ahead and list your prop- erty for taxes! It might ba worse. Tou might have none to list.