Evening Star Newspaper, October 5, 1926, Page 8

THE EVENING STAR, WASHINGTON, D. ©, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 5, 1926. THE EVENING STAR ‘With Sunday M ot WASHINGTON, D. C. TUESDAY. .. October 5, 1926 THEODORE W. NOYES. The Evening Star Newspaper Company Editor T4 Re Englan Evening St with the Sunday morn o edition. ix Anlliered by carriers, = ihe dty ‘at 60 crnte per month, dajly oL cents per mont iy AL Orders may_be sent by mail ar lephone Main 5000. Collection is mada by earrier at end of each month Rate by Mail—Payable in Advance. Maryland and Virgioia. S o €9.00: 1 mo. 7 Iu!xu only .. 1yr $300:1mo 28¢ All Other States and Canada. Dally and ~.1yr., $12.00: 1 mo., $1.00 ng on .vs‘.md'f llivrr.s«no 1mo. 78¢ unday only dyrl $400 1mo. 35¢ Member of the Associated Pre: The Associated Press is exclusively entitled to the use for republication of all news dis- atches credited to it or not atherwise cr ted in this vaper and also the locs!l no n o) e All rights of publ of special dispatches e America’s Good Samaritan. In his address at the opening of the Red Cross Congress President Cool idge styled the work of that organi zation “only one example of the Innumerable results of American tdealtsm.” Tlo bespoke for it the unanimous and sustained support of the people of this country, to keep it ready at all times for its operations in behalf of stricken humanity. John Barton Payne, chairman of the Red Cross, expressed the belief thet the maintenince of a pe: ce-time strength of more than 3,000,000 mem- bers was a tribute to the organiza- tion and to its active and influential chapter workers. The American people, by foining the menbership, attest to thelr confidence in the effi- clency and the fidelity of those who constitute the ~permanent working forces of this great agency of mercy. In a few weeks the annual roll call will be sounded—that is to say, the roster will be once move passed among the people of the country for their signatures and for the payment of the membership fee of one dollar. To the extent that they respond the work of the organization can proceed. It can answer every call for help. And there are many calls of which the country at large is not fully aware. In the event of a great disastel such as that which recently befell the State of Florida, when a hurri- cane of unprecedented violence crash- ed in from the sea and smote a large area with devastating force, the Red Cross is first in the minds of the stricken region and occuples promi- nently the attention of the people of all the States. But there are many other occasions for its service which do not attract notice. Thus Chairman Payne noted in his speech'vesterday that during the fiscal year which ended June 30 last there were sixty- two domestio disasters alone which called for Red Cross service and which required the appropriation of $278,- 497.84 from the organization’s own treasury, above public subscriptions. Only a few of these were noted be- yond the immediate fleld of the mis- fortunes. Readiness to respond at any mo- ment to a call for help is the watch- word of the Red Cross. It is as pre- pared as s a hospital to succor an in- dividual sufferer from disease or accl- dent. The work of the Red Cross, however, is always done on a large acale. It is the Natlon's *“ambu- lance.” To keep it properly equipped for this readiness to serve, to enable it to meet any need, large or small, to permit it to function as the coun: try's Good Samaritan, is the duty of the people of all the States. Just at present there is in evidence an fllustration of the best working of the Red Cross in the presence of dis- The winds had scarcely ceased to blow in violence over the State of Florida before the Red (ross was in action. It w: on the ground before the people had recovered from their i g lierein are also rese aster. first daze of d Tt orgunized the relief works, Lrought order out of disorder. assured the supply of necessities. established hospitals for the treatment of the injured and the sick. With the “stored momentum' of its experience and its orgnnization it got under headway immediatel There can never be a reck the value of this immediate succor. No controversial disputes regarding the extent of the disaster or the need of relief measures in Florida should lessen the willingness of the people of the country to supply the funds necessary to carry the people of that suffering State over their present emergency. It is evident that there is still urgent need of aid there, de- spite the optimism of the business interests of the State. The people of the country have confidence in the Red Cross and will answer the sum mons which it sounds. B Time years go on Judge Landis like a “czar” than an “easy influence is mellowing. As looks less boss." an - Fire Prevention Is Easy. Fire prevention is merely a matter of ordinary care. . The great majority of fires come from causes that can be avoided by the simplest precautions. Cleanliness is one. Order s another Frequent inspection of premises is another. Observance of the most ele mentary rules of safety 18 a fourth. The owner of a valuable machine does mnot allow it to deteriorate through lack of attention. He keeps ft oiled, free from rust, clean of grit. Tie watches it constantiy and makes #t capable of doing the work assigned to It. In just the same manner the owner of a business keeps it free from clogging trash, rids it of dangerous combustibles, adopts fire preventive appliances. He keeps his business establishment prepared for fullest effi cfency at a minimum of risk from fire The householder who is considerate of the safety of his family likewise keeps his premises free from trash that may cause fire. He inspects his home systematically to make certain A that there are no fire-making corners, no loose electric wires, no exposed matches. He runs his house as he should run his motor car, or as the business man runs his shop or store or factory, on the basis of security. Most fires are due to the careless- | ness of people who have nothing at | stake, who throw lighted matches or smoldering cigarettes or cigars aside indifterently. 1f such a spark falls | upon trash a blaze starts, perhaps to burn unnoticed for a tme, until it | bursts into a destroying flame. Out of office windows go the fire-making matches and “smokes.” Intd® side- { walk gratings they fall. The other day u passerby dropped such a spark into a pool of gasoline in front of a Mling station in this city and a blaze resulted that caused the death of a ! man. Cleanliness and good order are the best safeguards against fire. If there is nb trash to ignite, the carelessly thrown match or cigarette will find no fuel. It may be impossible to train every person to be scrupulously care- ful about matches or smokes, but the first rule of safety should be learned by all who are responsible for busi- ness and domestic premises, to keep them free from fire-making materials exposed to chance ignition. 1f everybody cleaned up the prem- ises and if everyboay constantly in- spected the electric connections and if everybody extinguished every match and cigarette or cigar after use, fires would become so infrequent that the work of the Fire Department would be rarely needed. The sound of the siren would be so rare in the streets of the city that it would cause a sen- sation when heard. - e T Hearst vs. Smith Again. Willlam Randolph Hearst has split his ticket. The New York publisher- politician has announced his support of Representative Ogden L. Mills, Re- publican nominee for governor, and of Justice Robert F. Wagner, Demo- cratic choice for Senator. Mr. Hearst’s support of Mr. Mills is based, he says, on the Republican nominee’s brains, courage and de- mocracy. Ile belleves that Mr. Mills would give an economical government to New York State, which Mr. Hearst inststs Gov. Al Smith has failed to do. Mr. Hearst's opposition to Gov. Smith is nothing new in New York. His most serlous break with the governor, outwardly at least, came a year ago, when Hearst supported Hylan for Mayor of Greater New York, and Smith jtook up the cudgels for Mayor Walker. What Mr. Hearst sald of Gov. Smith at that time and what Gov. Smith replied constituted a mud- slinging epic. ‘These mutual expres- sions of regard seem to preclude any possibility of Hearst supporting Smith in this campaign, or in 1928, when the governor is expected to make his great push for the Democratic nom- ination for President. What Gov. Smith did to Mr. Hylan and Mr. Hearst in last year's cam- paign s still fresh in the memory. He mopped up. It is possible that Hearst's support may carry some Democratic votes to Mr. Mills’ sup- port. It is also possible that his sup- port will pry loose some Democratic votes that otherwise would go to ‘Wagner, for there are many Demo- crats in New York who do not follow Mr. Hearst on general principles. What influence he wields is through his publications, rather than through any political organization. Republicans in New York profess to see in Hearst’s support of Mr. Mills an asset. His support of Justice Wag- ner for the Senate against Senator Wadsworth they count very little, be- lleving that Wagner would have re- celved in any event the votes that Hearst might influence. Mr. Hearst differentiates between the two Republican candidates head- ing the party ticket on the ground that Wadsworth is a reactionary, while Mills is a real Democrat at heart. It is very doubtful. however, whether he will be able to induce the voters in any appreciable number to follow him in his characterization of the two men. Ie opposes Senator Wadsworth, too, on the ground that as Republican leader of New York he has allowed affairs to slide, lacking energy the desire to straighten things out. Here is an argument, in- deed, to win votes from the Demo- \tie ranks for Mills. Tt may be r to Mr. Hearst why Democrats hould wish to build up Republican leadership in New York, but there s a reasonable doubt as to the value of | his contention among the Democrats. or ¢ On second thought Senator Borah, | \while still insisting on enforcement of law, recognizes the demand for “government of the people, by the | people and for the people.” . A Week End Lull in Crime. w York policemen dread the early morning “shift” of duty, which be- gins at midnight on Saturday and ends at inine Sunday. It is known in police circles as the “busi- est trick of the week,” being prolific of hold-ups and other crimes. There- | fore, it with no particular de- light that of the captains was summoned to headquarters Saturday evening and assigned to the job of deputy inspector for the night for the entire big town between the river: comprising Manhattan and the Brons To his surprise, and that of all others at headquarters, the period passed without a single offense against the law. For nine hours New York was peaceful. Now the police are wonder- ing what happened to cause this luil in lawlossness. Recently a new law went into ef- fect in that State which materially increases the penalties for various forms of crime. TUnder it the aver- age term for offenders is lengthened, the remissions of sentence, for good behavior and on parole, are lessened, and altogether the prospect for the lawbreaker is made much more gloomy. This law, in effect only a few weeks, has already had a de- {cided effect upon the criminal rec- ords. It is possible that the Sunday morning quietude in Manhattan and the Bronx was due to the new prac- tice. Again, this may have been merely a chance armistice. In a lately published magazine Clar- am. was, one ence A. Darrow, the lawyer, who fig- ures frequently in court as counsel for the defense in notorious cases, I presented for public consumption an article which declared that there is no *“crime wave” in this country, that lawbreaking is not on the increase, and that the present system of pun- ishment for crime is all wrong. It should be curative and not punitive. It should be milder and more consid- erate of the lawbreaker. To this statement of the situation there is bound te be a general dis- sent. The public will not accept the hypothesis that there is no moré crime in America than the increase of the population justifies, or that milder penalties are desirable to cope with the normal percentage of of- fenses. On the contrary, there is a definite and deepening bellef in the fact that crime is on the increase and that the cure lies in swifter and stiff- er punishments. Surely the coincidence of the new order of the law in New York State and the remarkable lack of crime dur- ing the most lawless period of the week, just noted, will strengthen the public bellef that sharper penalties, more quickly applied, constitute the cure for the crime evil, and that un- less and until such penalties are pro- vided by the law and applied by the courts there will be an increase of crime out of proportion to the popu- lation growth, Mr. Darrow to the con- trary notwithstanding. et William H. Fowler. For thirty-seven years William H. Fowler was connected with theaters in Washington. As a boy he served at the old Bijou, near the market, famous for a time as the successor of the Ford Theater on Tenth street, where Lincoln was slain. Then more than a quarter of a century ago he went to the National Theater, where he remained in various capacities un- til he was recently seized with the illness which yesterday resuited in his death. In all those years ‘‘Willie” Fowler, as thousands have come to know him affectionately, studied the public comfort and convenience and served the patrons of the theater with skill and exceptional consideration, He ‘was for a long time to many merely a form behind the window of the box office, always courteous, always help- ful. Then his responsibilities were enlarged and he becgme the manager of the house, and as such he con- tinued to grow in the esteem of the public. There are few men in Wash- ington with so wide an acquaintance as he enjoyed, or with so many warm friends. Placed in a position of fre- quent contact, he won confidence and affectionate regard. His death has come suddenly, untimely. His years were not many, as the ages of men g0, but they were full years, active and prosperous and spent in a public service, conscientiously performed. And the grief that the people of this his native city feel is shared by count- less members of the theatrical pro- fession, to whom “Willie” Fowler was a friend. e Pugilism would be a more satis- factory sport if there were less talk about the betting odds. A ring fight threatens to become merely an elab- orated demonstration corresponding to that of the stock ticker. —— . Russia’s financlers look to America for loans. They should be persuaded to promise that they will devote no further fortunes to the exploitation of magnificent ballets and spectacles. — e Damage done to the Florida play- ground by storm will be speedily uti- lized by the realtors as the rebuilding proceeds. A ‘“Greater Florida” may be contemplated as a matter of course. ———- European statesmen often say they cannot understand the intricacles of American politics. Many American voters hint at the same confession. e A warm wave brings less resent- ment since it provides sunshiny days for the base ball fans to watch the bulletins. oo Five days' work for six days' pay will leave each worker one full day, not counting Sunday, In which to re- pair his fiivver. — . SHOOTING STARS. BY PHILANDSR JOHNSON. On the Way. Good times coming! We hear the old refrain! The fifing and the drumming Are sounding once again. We welcome the oration. The bands begin to play. There's joy throughout the Nation, With Congress on the way! For foot ball and the like; A dinner of Thanksgiving And then we'll have to strike The pace that rests the muscle, But thrills the intellect, ‘When Congress has to tussle The whole world to correct! Utilities. “Do you think there money used In politics?” “‘People vote pretty much as they * think,” sald Senator Sorghum. “There isn't so much money actually used; but there is a whole lot wasted.” Identification. The witness with becoming grace— His testimony rankles— Declared, “I couldn't see her face; 1 knew her by her ankles.” | | A tew more weeks of living | is much Jud Tunkins says friendship de- pends on a good memory for favors and a forgetfulness of unkindness. Hi Ho, the sage of Chinatown, says money used in politics is but infinites- imal compared to money wasted. Amending Process. In many a statute there's a flaw Which leaves it fragile, so they say. When many people scorn a law, It's time to patch it up some way. “A ukulele,” said Uncle Eben, “looks to me like a simple instru- ment invented foh a man dat is too lazy to carry a bass fiddl ! zens in THIS AND THAT BY CHARLES E. TRACEWELL. ‘Templeton Jones broke the news to his wife just before dinner. “I am going on a diet of bread and water,” he said, modestly. “You are going to do— what?” gasped his wife, with a sinking feel- ing, as she recalled the flne roast just about ready to come out of the oven. “You have read about these De- partment of Justice fellers trying it out, to see if it is injurious to sen- tence bootleggers——"" “‘Yes, but for heaven's sake, what do you want to do it for? You are not a lawyer, or a bootlegger, either——"" “Your catagory is not flattering to the legal lights, my dear,” grinned Jones. “But why shouldn’t I try it out? “Because I have worked hard to make you a nice roast, for one thing,” retorted Mrs. Jones, with some heat. Her lesser half smiled complacently. “It won't hurt me to go without my dinner tonight, since I am going to eat bread and water for two weeks.” “You will die. I read an article by a physical culturist who said that rats fed on white bread died quicker than those who got no food at all.” Rats!” scoffed Temp Jones. ‘“‘Seriously, you aren't going to do such a foolish thing, are you?” “Certainly. I am too fat, anyway. Do you know how much I weigh? One hundred and ty pounds, flat.” “Fat, you mean. “Just so. Bread and water ought o reduce me pleasantly and effec- tively to my proper weight of 150.” 'he extra flesh makes you look like an executive, or something. Didn't you buy that gray suit to look like an executive? You know you did!" Mrs. Jones was accusing, but Jones smiled. “I'll take three slices of bread and two g'asses of water,” he ordered, re- lentlessly. * ok ok ok Jones said grace in his best serious manner, then reached for the bread. Taking a slice, he proceeded to eat it gravely. “Not bad,” he commented. “How many slices did you say you wanted?” asked Mrs. Jones, as she carved the leg of lamb. Mrs. Jones always carved, for it made Jones nervous to attempt it himself. Be- sides, the slices he cut were more in the shape of slabs. Jones always snl({ that there are two things no householder ought to do himself, paint his own roof and carve. In attempting the first, one was likely to fall off, and while doing the second the roast was liable to the same fate. “How many slices?” calmly in- quired Mrs. Jones, poising a steam- ing, odorous cut of meat on the big fork. ~ It was just the sort Jones liked, thinly cut, appealing at once to the sense of sight and the sense of smell. “None of that,” replied Temp, with a slight pause after the first word. “Bread is both food and drink to me.” “Why drink all that water, then? Jones had, indeed, drunk three glasses of water already, and as yet had not started on his second plece of bread. “There is no limit,” he defended, ‘“‘on the amount of water one may drink in this game.” “Has it regular rules and every- thing?" “Not yet, but if it keeps up ft will have.” E Jones leaned back from the table much in the condition of the famous lamb “that was so full it could not pull another blade of grass, baa baa!" “Bread is very filling,” he an- nounced. “You walt until bedtime.” * Sure enough, Jones felt terribly “empty” later in the evening. “I'm golng to eat some more bread,” he said. “Is that allowed?"” inquired his wife. ““Oh, sure, just so it is bread.” Templeton Jones ate two slices with real satisfaction. “A great food,” he commented. “The staff of life. I'll bet a fellow could live forever on it.” The next morning steaming coffee and his favorite breakfast food falled to lure him from the path of recti- tude, self-chosen. He stuck to his bread and water for lunch, despite the gibes of his asso- ciates, and went home with the deter- mination of a_martyr. At least, that was the way Jones felt such a person would feel. “Are you hungry?” was his wife’s greeting. i “Not a bit of'it,” grinned Jones. But Mrs. Jones knew her man. * kK “I am going to serve your bread and water by courses tonight she announced, after Templeton had said grace with more than usual fervor. “Here {8 some nice soup, Which is nothing but hot water, flevored with a little tomato,” she grinfied. “Fla- vors have no food value, you know.” “Of course not,” smiled Jones, tak- ing a spoonful of well flavored water. “This coffee is practically nothing but water,” went on Mrs. Jones. “Eminent scientists say it has no food value whatever; that it is merely stimulative. One can’t call stimulants “Certainly not,” agreed Jones, scien- tifically. “Here i8 some nice macaroni,” went on Mrs. Jones. “It is just bread in another form.” “Of course,” away. “Here is a nice glass of milk. Milk, as you know, is 90 per cent water. The remainder is so small, in com- parison, that we will agree not to count. it.” Jones was too busy to reply. “For dessert,” went on Mrs. Jones, “we have ice cream, which is only milk in another form. You can have a glass of that home brew, too, if you want it. Beer is liquid bread, the old brewers’ advertisement used to say. Oh! and L almost forgot—you can have all the bread you want, of course.” said Jones, eating rs But Jones didn’t want any. New Army Chief of Staff Called Idealist as Citizen Selection of Maj. Gen. Charles P. Summerall as the new chief of staff of the American Army is looked upon by the people of the United States as a fitting _reward for an officer who was a brilliant factor in the victories of the World War, He is praised as an idealist and a gentleman in his re- lations to civic life, and the belief is expressed that he will perform his duties with great efficiency and be a constructive force in national de- fense. “is not the policy of our coun- maintain_a strong standing says the Pittsburgh Chronicle Telegraph, “but, thanks to the pro- vision of the national defense act, we are gradually building up a citizens’ reserve force which renders a great professional army unnecessary. Our Government rightly insists on quality in the rank and file and the most able leadership at the top. This should be assured under Gen. Summerall's ad- ministration.” The New York Times quotes former Secretary Baker as having said of the present new chief: “I am happy to testify to his splendid gifts as a soldier and his humane and gracious gifts as a man. He fought relentless- Iy, so that he was sometimes called the Cromwell of the American Army, but he added to this stern quality a consideration for the welfare, physical and spiritual, of his men, which made him an ideal commander. * X kX X The Times adds that “it was as a fighting and far’sighted corps com- mander that Gen. Summerall came under Secretary Baker's observation in France. During an offensive, Sum- merall always exhibited the aggres- sive spirit and tenacity that charac- terized Grant from the Wilderness te Appomattox.” Of the officer s suns quent career that paper remarks: “He had the good will of representa- tive citizens. They recognized his in- terest in their affairs and testified that the co-operation he had shown in civic matters had been ‘a real in- spiration.’ “Gen. Summerall, we believe, is a man with a spirit of idealism,” de- clares the Chicago Tribune, “and with the courage and drive to get the best out of what is given him. The only recompense for the microscopic size of the United States Army is that it shall be as highly trained, as efficient- 1y organized, as thoroughly equipped as any in the world, and that behind it shall stand a great body of eiti- zens who have had some amount of military training. This is the theory of the national defense act. It takes a strong man to carry out the theory. Gen. Summerall is such a man, a leader of men, a general officer with a fighting record.” * * k “The President doubtless was in- fluenced,” according to the San An- tonio Express, “by the fact that Gen. Summerall is senior on the active list. He has evinced much initiative and resourcefulness, and is impartial toward all arms of the military es- tablishment. He is deeply interested in the Army's training activities, and during the past few months this work has recelved his attention. Citi- the 2d Corps Area have learned that Gen. Summerall is as much a foe to militarism as to a blind extreme pacifism, which would leave the country unprepared against an emergency.” The St. Paul Pioneer Press believes that his selection gives “new recog- nition and responsibility to a fine officer”; that “the record of his ac- tivities in France reads like a history of a congidergble part of 'American participation in the war. He com- manded the Artillery brigade of the 1st Division,” continues that paper, “in its memorable action at Cantigny. Promoted to the rank of major gen- eral, he led the 1st Division through the bloody triumph at Soissons.” The Ploneer Press refers to his leadership at St. Mihtel, “a difficult military op- eration,” and at Meuse-Argonne, where the division “worsted parts of eight of the enemy's crack divisions in seven days of heart-breaking but victorious nru‘ggle.“ * * * “He was given command of the 1st Division,” according to the Buf- talo Evening News, “just in time to direct the work of that famcus organi zation which started the Germans on the retreat that never ended until the armistice. Gen. Summerall proved himself to be one of the most capable American officers developed during the war.” The New York Sun states that “the selection of Gen. Summerall by the President and Secretary of War from so distinguished a list of eligibles is a tribute to his service as an officer. He had served in the Boxer War in China, fought in both the West Indies and the Philippines, and he won the Distinguished Service Medal and D tinguished Service Cross for his bril- liant work in the World War. Dur- g his stay at Governors Island he has had the good fortune to prove his ability as a military administrator and at the same time his popularity as an American gentleman.” The Milwaukee Journal commends Secretary Davis for ‘“cutting through Army politics and appointing Gen. Summerall. Promotion through ‘pull’ has always been a factor in the Apmy.” continues that paper. “It dogged the footsteps of Lincoln in the first years of the Civil War, until he put it down to save the Union. It cropped out so holdly under Roose- velt as almost to disrupt the Army. Now Secretary Davis sets a precedent t meritorious service in the is to be rewarded by what the officer holds the dearest thing of all—promotion.” The Kalamazoo Gazette also be- lieves that “the appointment of Gen. Summerall as the chief of staff will be regarded by the country at large and by the majority of professional military men as a fortunate choice,” and “besides placing a capable and distinguished officer at the head of the Nation's land defense organiza- i'tion, it comes as a final answer to what laoked very much like ‘Army politics.’” In the absence of any press- ing reasons for doing otherwise, Sec- retary of War Davis and the Presi- dent apparently have preferred to follow the established custom of mak- ing selections according to senfority THINK IT OVER The Cost of Ignorance. By William Mather Lewis, Prosident George Washington Univeraity. Education is the most nearly uni- versal enterprise in the United States today. More than twenty-three mil- liap children are enrolled in public schools and one million eight hundred thousand in _parochial and - other private schools. Five hundred and fifty thousand young people are in the colleges. Millions are taking ex- tension and correspondence school courses. Trade schools are found everywhere. It is safe to say that one-third of the people in the United States today are participating in some branch of formal education. And still the educational needs of all our people are not satisfied. There are still nearly five million in the United States above the age of 10 years who can neither read nor write. Our form of government will never function properly as long as hundreds of thoysands of voters cannot read the names upon the ballots. Indus- trially, illiteracy detracts from the na- tional wealth. The late Secretary Lane stated that the illiterate worker was worth 50 cents a day less than he who could read and write. On that basis illiteracy will cost us sev- eral hundred million dollars this year. Let us get all the children in the schools and thus increase the wealth of our community. (Copyright. 1928.) Simpler Days. From the Baltimore Evening Sun. ‘When Ug and Ogg fought in pre- historic times, ringside seats were not at a premium. One Reason. From the Waterbury Democrat. The reason you have two ears and one mouth is because you seldom learn anythipg with yeur mouth. L O TN - 4 e G B ona et B SR A TR A = il e ot B e S i i e O RO B i S P e o i e B P P B LRI e P e P e L PR R e e e e e NEW BOOKS AT RANDOM LG M. “THE RED GODS CALL.” C. E. Scoggins. The Bobbs-Merrill Co. Romantic invention, downright. Yet, no finer fiction than “The Red Gods Call” has come this way in many a week of pretty steady reading to gather up news items on the passing books. But is this fiction, after all? Let's see. It has a theme as real as a man's shoes, if not so wholly obvious as these. One, too, that evervbody claims as his own. Just dreams, to be sure, this theme, but existence would not be Ilivable without the sting and urge and pull of dreams to send one's spirit out on_gleaming quests such as change and distance promise lives too little daring to fare out upon the hazards of actuality. The real adventurers are few. The vicari- ous ones are all the rest of us. Tor dreams are to men what wings are to the bird, what sunbeams are to the sod. They are the priceless posses- sion of every man. So, Messrs. Kip- ling and Scoggins have no corner on the “Red Gods,” no monopoly of that “spring-fret” under which every mother’s son of us chants: “We must go-go-go away from here On the other side the world we're overdue!” And If these gods be real they are here going to guide this author right. ‘That's the business of Providence— to watch the feet of the young men. Let's see. Away with Scoggins we go, under the Red God Call, away down into Guatemala. No fiction about this region. Here is an actual land, set in between lines of latitude and longi- tude, bounded by seas and bordered by other authentic countries. A place substantiated by a perfectly plain geography, by a history of its own, by a present capab'e of being checkes up at every point. Look at this veri- fying sketch: ‘“Mountains. One of those places that God forgot to finish —10.000 feet up and no way to get down. Old when the Spaniards cam; old when Christ was born; nobods knows how old. Ball courts, 200 feet between walls, where they played a game like basket ball. Platforms for sacrifice, where they cut men's hearts out so their crops would grow. Pal- aces and temples—empty these 2,000 vears.” The sketch includes the pre: ent. Here are the people—Ma: Spaniard, Latin American — not s much a blend as layers out of different pasts. Here is business-—oil, asphalt, the United Fruit farms raising ba- nanas for the States. ‘And here is revolution—one today. another tomor- row. These not so much the result of political or economic discontent as they are the effect of racial insta- bility of temperament. As for actu- ality, you see, this picturc might have been made by yesterday's sclentist with the genius of artistry upon him as well as the spirit of exact truth. * ok ok ok And who, or what. makes a going concern of this business? Who ‘car. ries on here? Chiefly Uncle Ben Murchison. And we may as well right here that you are, upon ha ing read this story, oing to invite Ben Murchison to step out and go along beside you for the good com- pany that he is bound to be long after you have passed on away from “The Red Gods Call.” Gettin’ to be an old man now, but soundly ripe like a good apple. Wise, understand- ing, an old trouble maker down in that inflammable corner of the world, an anxiety to the authorities at home lest he get the U. S. A. into an un- seemly attitude—well, Gen. Ben Murchison could carry out almost any adventure single-handed. But, beside him here, there is Buck Press. ley come down from Milo, Ind.. under the spur of that tormenting and fam iar “spring-fret” that Mr. Kipling tells about. It is Buck who tells the story. And thege are others here— the excitable people who live here— scal plaving the oil game, an old Spanish family with a lovely daugh- ter. But it is. mostly, Buck and Ben. Around these, revolutions swing, in- industry plays its outwitting game, love is not entirely absent from the situation—for Buck is a young blade who can’t keep his mind forever on fighting duéls and regular war bat- tles, on looking after asphalt conces- slons and the like of all this. From start to finish there is a tremendous to-do of exciting action. But. hap- pily, all of it steps off in tune with the place in its past and its present, with the people in their temperament and outlook, with the individual in his special brand of nobilitv on the one hand or of rascality on the other. Here is a really captivating story whose foundation is plain geographv —a place and its people. To this is added an individual artistry that evokes the glamour gf Guatemala, its contrast of mountain and mesa and creeping jungle, the last a sinister thing burying ancient cities deen be- neath its centuries of growth. There is an actual evocation here. You feei that glamour and that curiously bale- ful jungle spirit. The artist makes fine use here of the medium of con- trast—that burfed Guatemala with the present, that anclent people with those of todav, the country itself with Milo, Ind., the home of Buck Pres ley, with its wide streets and white structures and clubs and conimunity centers, all up to the minute in Mid- west progress. So we have here a genuine adven- ture—fiction, we call it—whose every thread is reality., A delightful reality. too, set out in a ‘manner as little like the stilted stuff of most storv writing ; as can he imagined. Tndeed. this fan’t writing: it's just talk—stralght, spiey, vernacular. picturesque talk. R wanders as tall does, breaks off and starts In again, lauehs, steps aside to gather in somethine 1lone the way. but it ndeer leaves its real course, after all. A most lifelike performance, vou see. T helieva I'm being extravagant—seemingly extrav- agant—about_this romance. “But you read it: vou'll see. T couldn’t go to bed for the thing, and sleeping is my strong point. * K %k ¥ A month ago T had a book by T. Willard describing the 30-vear passi of a man to excavate the ancient cities of the Mavas. “The City of the Sacred Well” brought out dra- matically and beautifully the buried life of these anclent peoples. A deenly interesting book on subject that is now stepping freely into the onen of a.rather general considera- tion. Two weeks ago. or thereabout. T had Wallace Thompson's “Rainbow Countries of Central America,” a book which covers not only that ancient life but ene that looks out upon the present of this region. A markedly_ competent and useful sur- vev of the country itself, its re- sources, its people, its economic and nolitical life, its growing ideal of a United States of Central Americ1, An exceptionally well conceived. well pro- jected study of fine distinction. These two hooks, together with this romance of adventure. “The Red Gods Call." are calculated to set those same gods calling to vou and to me. Certainiy are they of a quality and a sum to spur general interest to an ardent pitch over the romance of Central America, whether this romance Is pictured by the scientist, the pub- licist and travel writer or by the in- spired story-teller himself. e Often. From the L-SUtre Wews. Of courwm moliticians know there are two si®%h v every questiom: don't they take HtH Q. How much meat is exported from the United States?—A. L. G. A. During the period of eight months ending August, 1926, there were 339,300,106 pounds of meats and meat products exported. The total value of these was $70,262,783. Q. When was the provincial flag of Massachusetts adopted?—W. O. A. The librarian of the Massachu- setts Historical Society says: “I do not find a record of the adoption of any provincial flag by Massachusetts, but I do find a resolve passed by Massachusetts on_ April 29, 1776, among several resolves relating to the encouragement of seamen to enlist in the colony sea service: ‘Resolved, That the uniform of the officers be green and white and that they fur- nish themselves accordingly, and the colors be a white flag with a green pine tree and an inscription, Appeal to Heaven."” Q. Please settle this question for me: In placing the guests at a dinner party, at which all of the guests are “coupled off,” should the lady be placed on the gentleman's Jeft or right>—M. R. A. A woman is seated at the table at the right of the man who takes her to dinner. Q. What work contains the follow- ing quotation: “Delay of justice is injustice”?>—F. M. A. It may be found in “Du Paty,” by Walter Savage Landor. Q. Can a Chinese, Japanese or negro, when born in the United States, become President of the United States if elected to that office?—D. M. N. A. A nativeborn person of Chi- ngse, Japanese or negro ancestry is eligible to be President of the United States if so elected. d Q. Are cigarette ar_ashes good for potted plants”—L. F. R. A. Authorities say jhat the use of cigarette and cigar asies as a ferti- lizer for potted plants is of no par- ticular good. Q. 1 often see the major scale of musie this wa; 's{"" do. T also see it: do re mi fa sol la “t1” do. Will you please tell me which is correct?—L. M. A. Both of the scales you give are correct. The first one was the original scale, the “ti” having been adopted to avoid any confusion which might result from the consonant *'s” being used in two pl s in the scale. Q. How large an organization is the National Safety Council’—A. B. A. 'Phere are 70 community safety councils_affiliated with this organiza- tion. The United States is said to have more organized accident preven- tion associations than any other na- tion in the world. It is estimated that organized accident prevention ef- forts have conserved the lives of more ‘than a hundred thousand persons dur- ing the last 11-month period. New Turkey's “birthday” of its new civil code, and Yesterday was marked the abandonment of the last tie to the Koranic law. It was the fulfillment, yesterd: Jof the pledze of the Young Turks, made at the Lausanne conference with the allies in July 1923, that the Turkish re- public would appoint European ad- visers from countries not involved in the World War, who would decide what, tem of civil law could best be formulated to take the place of the pld Koranic law, based on the Mohammedan Koran. The advisers, selected from Hol- land, Sweden. Switzerland and Spain, met in Jul: 4, and have been working on the problems ever since. In the end, they adopted the Swiss code, which has been in operation in Switzerland since 1907. But few minor changes were found necessary to fit it to Turkish conditions. It was glven preference over the French Napoleonic code, or the Italian, be- cause more modern and because it has been tried out in a republic com- posed of various nationalities— Swiss, French, German and Italian. The Swiss code was the product of 15 years' evolution and study before adoption in Switzerland in 1907. * ok kK For several vears the Turks have desired to modernize their laws. The old vil code, adopted in 1869, w based upon Moslem ideals, with the caliph, the head of the Moslem re- ligion, In_supreme power. of church and state there meant that the church control was absolute in Turkey, and theoretically supreme in Pan-Islam, although its power out- side of Turkey was more or less mythical. The Turkish claimed in October, 19 tempt was immediately republic was pro- and an at- undertaken { to revise the old code to fit the new, This was found so intricate a 3 la: needs. ta that it v at abandoned, and the Swu { proved by the Assembly February to go into effect Monday, October 4, 1926. All connection with the church is eliminated, and Turkey, for the firsg time in history, takes its place as & true democracy, eager to become wholly modernized. * K K K While the allies held their confer- ence at Lausanne in July, 1923, the United States had no part in that con- ference, but held a separate confer- ence the following month, agreeing upon the terms of a new treaty with !{he Turkish republic, but that treaty awaits action by the Senats of the | United States and by the Turkish As- sembly before it can go into effect. Turkey's approval is unquestioned, since the terms are identical with terms she has already accepted as to other powers; she awaits acceptance by our Senate. The outstanding features of that Turco-American agreement provide that, while extraterritoriality rights or “capitulations” are abolished, thefr équivalent is established, as explained by Judge Jasper Brinton, a member of the Harbord mission to Armenia in 1919 and justice of the Court of Appeals, Mixed Courts of Egypt: Judge Brinton states: “In matters of personal status and family law (in- cluding all questions concerning mar- riage, matrimonial regimes, divorce, judicial separation, dowry, paternity, filiation, adoption, personal capacity, majority, guardianship, trusteeship andvinterdiction) and in respect to the law of testamentary or intestate suc- cession to movable property and the distribution and liquidation thereof, the non-Mussulman nationals shall be subject exclusively to the jurisdiction of the national tribunals or other na- tional authorities of the United States or of the competent state, territory of possession thereof sitting outside Turkey. Under_extraterritoriality an Amer- jcan in Turkey could be tried or enter into litigation only before an Ameri- an consul or court in Turkey; now the difference is that the court can- not sit in Turkey, but may try the case anywhere else—in Athens, Rome, Washington or in any of the States of the United States. Not Turkis laws, but American laws, appty to Ameri- can preperty or family relations in Turkey, or will apply if the Senate ratifies the American treaty of Lau- sanne. It is the Swiss civil code which went into effect yesterday; the Puilw 1 wholly > ode . ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS BY FREDERIC J]. HASKIN. The union | BACKGROUND OF EVENTS BY PAUL V. COLLINS. Q. Can you inform me if glycerin will rot rubber?—F. K. S. \ A. The Bureau of Standards says that glycerin has no effect on rubbe but may have a slight softening a tion if absorbed by the rubber com- pound. Ofls are more readily ab- sorbed, and iIn time have a marked softening action, which weakens the rubber. Q. Which is correc or “hiccup”?—F. J. W. A. The term “hiccup” s generally preferred, according to authorities. “hiccoughs’ Q. What is the height of President Coolidge, and how tall was Danfel Webster?—W. C. A. President Coolidge is & feet 10 inches. This was also the height of Daniel Webster. Q. What was the first fraternity in the United States?—J. J. H. A. The first American college fra- ternity of which there is a record was the “Flat Hat Club” that appeared at the College of Willlam and Mary in 1750 and continued in existence until after 17 It was secret, lit- erary and soclal. The oldest Greek letter fraternity in this country now in existence is the Phi Beta Kappa, organized in 1776. Q. Will vou please tell me whether McCarty had his neck broken or was it a blow to the heart that killed him in his fight with Arthur Pelky? w. A. In the McCarty-Pelky fight the former dled efght minutes after an apparently light blow had been d livered in @ clinch. The coroner's jury decided that no blow had been struck, but that death was due to hemorrhage of the brain, probably caused by a previous injury. Q. Is it true that wood should be cut at a specific time of the year to make it more durable?--C. E. G. A. The Forest Service says that many of the theories which have been advanced regarding the durability of wood attribute too much importance to the time of cutting. As a matter of fact, the time of cutting has very little effect upon the durability or other properties 1f the timber fis properly cared for after it is cut. The method of handling posts, poles and logs at different times of the year, however, does influence their dura- bility. Letters are going every minute from our free ihformation bureau in Waah- ington telling readers whatever they want to know. They are in answer to all kinds of queries, on all kinds of subjects, from all kinds of people. Make use of this free service which The Evening Star is maintaining for you. Its only purpose is to help you and we want you to benefit from it. Get the habit of writing to The Eve- ning Star Information Bureau, Fred- eric J. Haskin, director, Washington, D. C. ish Assembly adopted the Italian criminal code last March 1, modified by the addition of the death penalty. which is -not lawful in Italy. It is recognized that the Italian criminal code is the most advanced in Euro pean criminology. The judiclary committee of the Assembly is now favoring the Ger- man commercial code, consisting of 600 articles. The American Bar As soctation and Chief Justice Taft may be able to show why American codes and court procedure are not even considered by the Oriental Turks, who, though noted for their procras- tination, are now awakening to the need of modern speed in justice, while Chief Justice Taft and other high authorities concede the dilatoriness and congestion of American courts and are seeking remedies therefor in progressive America. Our delegate to the Lausanne con- ference, Mr. Grew, said: “Upon the administration of justice, more perhaps than on any other factor, will depend the economic future of Turkey and its friendly re- lations with other countries." Judge Brinton describes with great respect and approval his observations of Turkish courts in operation * ok x % Turkey under President Mustapha Kemal Pasha since has made great efforts to become modern in every way. President Kemal procured a law making reforms obligatory in dress, as he recognized the psychology of costume, For a man to wear a fez is a crime punishable with fine and imprisonment, but if he became argu- mentative or obstreperous about it he is summarily hanged. The harem and plural marriages are abolished, but, according to Turks, they had bheen abolished by practide vears ago, except among peas- ants. It was formerly legal for a man to have four wives and as many concubines as he could support; be- sides, temporary marriages were 1thorized, no matter how brief. But the high cost of Nving made it im practicable, it is declared, to main- tain more than one wife, except that peasants made their many wives work in the fields and become sources of income, surer than livestock. Divorce now becomes restricted by law, where it was before a matter of masculine whim. Not only were there decrees gbol- tshing the fez for men, but also doing away with the veil of women. The veil has never been a mark of Moslem religion: it was simply a style or cus- tom, derived from the Byzantine people, whom the Turks conquered. The Turkish women of the country retain the veil, especially when they visit_towns or cities, but that is due to shyness and custom, and & modi- fled vell is now adopted which can be quickly dropped when a man ap- proaches and thrown back over the head when they are free from mascu line inspection. But the mouth and hair aré particularly protected from observation; they follow the behest of Abraham; that the hair of woman shall be her crown and glory. Public schools are being established and compulsory education of all chil- dren is enforced. Foreign merchants are required to see that half of thei employes are native Turks, and th complain that while that would be sat isfactory otherwise, the Turks remain in their employment only long enough to get training in allen methods and then set up for themselves in compe- tition, and a new set of employes must be taken on and trained. Bih s The Turks are extremely suspicious and jealous of foreigners. They pre- fer the French, Russians and Ger- mans, in the order named, but dislike the Greeks, the English and Itallans —and also the Americans, for the Americans have aided the Armenians and Greeks, which proves that they must be enemles of Turkey. President Kemal Pasha s delegat- ing power to others as rapldly as practicable, and it is sald that he de- sires to retire, being 46 years old— which is equivalent to 60 in the Occi- dent. In special token of the new order, a fine statue of President Mustapha Kemal Pasha was unveiled in Angora, the capital, yesterday. It had cost $200,000, and its existence {n Turkey w,:’ah ‘:mflmm; at the olden religious on of a image. oslem law w péctures ’n: Owoviats. 10%8. w Paul V. Collins.)