Evening Star Newspaper, December 12, 1926, Page 62

THE EVENING STAR < ‘With Sunday Morning Edition. Sk WASHINGTON, D. C. SUNDAY......December 12, 1026 */""HEODORE W. NOYES. ... Editor The Evening Star Newspaper Company Business Office: 11th St. and Pennasivania Ave Xeg Tork Offce: 10 R Aiine. v ower Bi : Buropean Office’. 14 Regent St.. London. England. Sunday morn- with he Sunday morn. U5 enta wThe Evening Sta Rate by Mail—Payable in Advance. Maryland and Virginia. Enn- and Sundas. Ails oniv . unday only All Other States and Canada. Relland souoay 1 Sunday only Member of the Associated Press. The Associated Press is exclusively entitled 10 the use for republication of all news dis- atches credited 1o it or not otherwise cred: tad in thia paper and aiso the local new published herein. All rights of publ of apecial d a herein are also reserved Make the Warning Definite! In the course of his address in the Senate yesterday in explanation of his bill to authorize the inimediate acquisi tion of all the lands within the Mall- Avenue triangle for public building purposes, Senator Smoot sounded a formal warning to those who are in- terested in property within that area of the intention of the Government to secure it. This warning was inspired by information that certain property owners are now undertaking to make leases at considerably more than the former. rates, with the idea that the iIncreased rentals would be taken into consideration in any condemnation proceedings that may follow. Senator Smoot expressed the belief that no court would take consideration of such Increases in lease rates after the pub- lic has been given notice that the Government is going to buy the prop there is an open switch. That is the prescription of the law and the order of the Interstate Commerce Commis- sion. It is being slowly observed. The process of automatic stop installation should be hastened by such narrow escapes from disaster as that one just reported from Altoona. R No Bad Faith at Pearl Harbor. A remarkable echo of the testimony in the Fall-Doheny trial in this city comes from Tokio. A newspaper.pub- lished at the Japanese capital, citing the testimony of a naval officer con- cerning the strategic importance at- tached to the establishment of an ofl reserve at Pearl Harbor, Hawali, notes that this move was made in the same year as the Washington conference on the limitation of naval armaments, and declares that “America was guilty of double dealing in so far as the spirit in which the arms limitation conference was called is concerned.” There was, of course, no double deal- ing In the action of the United States seeking to create a fuel reserve sta- tion in the Pacific while it was pro- posing a reduction of naval arma- ments, and the Toklo newspaper's complaint falls to the ground. There was nothing in the discussions at the Washington conference that hore upon the question of supply bases. ‘The purpose and effect of that confer- ence was to find a formula or ratio of naval strength as a check upon com- petitive armaments. Kach signatory power, while agreeing to the ratios es- tablished, was left perfectly free to adopt any means possible to make their respective naval armaments as highly efficient as possible. Possession by the United States of the Hawalian group is unquestionably a material advantage for national de- fense. It would be an advantage of great moment if this country were en- gaged in an offensive warfare, a con- tingency which can be set aside as ut- terly improbable. Those islands were acquired by the United Stas~3 as a means of protection. Were they owned by Japan or anf other nation they would be utilized §s a naval base, erty. It is entirely proper that there should be formal announ: ment of th Government's intention. But that no- tice should be definite and explicit. and it should be written into law im- mediately. As a matter of fact the “Intention of the Government” to take all of the Mall-Avenue triangle for building purposes has been under- stood for more than a quarter of a century. The “dead hand” of eventual pre-emption has lain upon that prop- erty. Improvements have been check- ed and values have been lessened by veason of thil prospect of eventual public appropriation. The time has now come when action is about to be taken. All the plans are ripe for execution. The chairman of the Public Buildings Commission formally states the program in the Benate and requests legislation. That 48 in its way a notification.. But it is not binding. It cannot be regarded as such unless legislation' is promptly had. The other day a member of the House of Representatives, fully ap- proving the project, expressed doubt whether it could be taken up for ac- tion at this session, foreshadowing another postponement and a further protraction of the period of uncer- tainty. There is, of course, no justification for any attempt to inflate the values of this property through arbitrary rent increases. No owner of property In that section is warranted in seeking to. gain an advantage through the _Government necessity by mulcting _present lessees in heavier rates. It is not just to the public interests or to the non-owner users of the property. Senator Smoot’'s warning should check this procedure if it is in practice as he declares. But the fact remains that the owners of this property have for many years been suffering from the threat of condemnation and they may with some justification be skep- tical as to the immediacy of action, sc .often has the project been postponed in the past. The best and safest and most busi- nesslike course is for Congress to pass this bill at once, putting it on the calendar of required legislation for this session, and thus by a definite dec- laration of the Government's intent put a stop to any price-boosting ma- feuvers that may be now in progress or may be contemplated. The remedy for any such schemes for swelling the cost to the Government lies with the Government itself. - The wealth of a few prominent cltizens Is coming to be estimated by the number of divorces and breach of promise suits they can afford. R ] The Dead Hand on the Throttle. Here is another argument for the Automatic train stop: An engineer on the Pennsylvania Railroad was killed by being hit on the head by a freight car a short distance out of the Al- toona Station; the conductor, noticing that the train failed to halt at the usual point, pulled the emergency cord, thus notifying the brakeman, who shut off the power and set the brakes. Many cases of this sort have hap- pened, engineers dying at their posts through natural causes or by acci- dent. In some of these instances col- lisions have resuited. Occasionally it occurs that on no other theory than a dead engineer is a catastrophe to be explained. It has been proposed as an offset against this possibility to put a third man in the locomotive cab to replace whatever the possible object of future military or naval dperations. To neglect them, to fail to establish there auxillaries adding to the defensive strength of the naval establishment, would be a failure of national duty. There is no connection at all be- tween the Washington conference, held as it was in the open after a pub- lic summons or invitation by the Pres- ident of the United States, and the un- heralded transactions leading to the establishment of a fuel reserve at Hawaii. That these came about in the same year is merely a coincidence. Both, in fact, were reactions from the Great War, which had ended so short- 1y before. Had the Washington conference sought upon the American initiative the complete disarmament of all the powers represented, a move looking to the secret establishment of a naval fuel reserve at Hawali would have been an act of bad faith. But so long as it was proposed only to lessen naval armaments and to establish a definite ratio by which future increases would be governed, there was no inconsist- ency, no impropriety in any move that would utilize every national asset to the end of making the navies thus restricted most highly efficient and de- pendable as means of defense. — et The defendants in the IHall-Mills case suffered agonies of humiliation and suspense and were finally found innocent. The guilty ones escaped with no hardship whatever. The ways of Justice have improved with civilization, but are still far from infallible. v —e—— ‘The illness of the Emperor of Japan is at least reported in the press. In the ancient days of seclusion even this degree of famillarity with so august a personage would not have been permitted. — e Pistols by Mail. On Friday afternoon an effort was made in the Senate to secure consid- eration of a bill, already passed by the House, declaring non-mailable pistols, revolvers ‘and other firearms capable of being concealed on the per- son. Several Senators objected and the bill went over. One of them said: 1 think the bill is bad policy and ineffective. I think all the laws de- nying law-abiding people the posses- sion of firearms and the right to transport them result only in dis- arming law-abiding citizens to the great advantage of the criminal classes. * ¢ * In New York State the Sullivan act has disarmed the law-ablding citizens, and it is not per- ceptible that any criminal has been impeded in the least in his activitie; It is & wrong principle of government, The reason why the Sullivan act has failed in New York to prevent the armament of the criminal classes is twofold. First, it remains possible for any criminal to buy a weapon in the adjoining State of New Jersey Second, he can get a gun through the mails .with little delay. That act is comparatively ineffective because of the lack of co-operative action by the States and the lack of Federal law such that which is proposed in the pending bill. As a matter of fact the law-abiding people are not denied the right of personal armament for defensive pur- potes by any measure that has ever been proposed to the end of lessening the pistol evil in this country. All the proposed legislation of this char- acter has contained provisions for the purchase of firearms by persons of good repute. It has never been pro- posed to stop manufacture, but mere- ly to make it more difficult if not im- the engineer when disabled. That would entail a very heavy expens in the long run much greater than the cost of installing an automatic stop system. A third man, moreover, would rarely serve to avert a collision through a mistake of signals by the engineer in charge or a mistake of judgment. For the consequences of such lapses of vision or of judgment come too quickly for any effective re- placement. The only certainty of safety for trains lies in the installation of a sy tem of automatic stops whereby the steam is cut off and the brakes are applied whenever an engine enters; zone of danger, an occupied. bl nck or & stretch of tyack oB possible for a criminal or & would-be criminal to obtain possession of a gun, while permitting others to arm themselves for defense with only a slight delay and difficulty. Any one who is skeptic on the score of the utilization of the malils for the procurement of weapons for criminal purposes should consult the advertising columns of a certain class of periodicals which appear to spe- clalize in this line of business. Dozen: of announcements of “pistols by mall” are printed, and almost all of them on the “C. 0. D.” basis. The post- masters are made the collecting agents for the gun vendors. A post card addressed to the advertiser THE SUNDAY: talning a deadly weapon, an un- marked package, the contents of which are undisclosed. A person ordering it pays the bill at the gen- eral delivery window and takes his gun for such purpose as he may have in mind. Inasmuch as gun supplies are abundant and easily available in all citles, it is obvious that this trafiic of pistols by mail is not for legitimate uses. There is no possible way of identifying the purchaser, as there is at a shop where the weapon is sold over the counter. It is to stop this tradic which®is so dangerous that the bill now pending in the Senate is proposed. It should be put upoam its passage at the next opportunity. Ob- jections to it on the score of mis- understanding should be watved. Per- sistent objections inevitably lead to the thought that there is a desire to prevent any blockade that will lessen the business of the makers of weapons. o Yuletide and the Y. W. C. A Another Washington dream Is on the point of becoming true, to the consequent civie, social and archi- tectural betterment of the National Capital. A year ago the Young Women's Christlan Association was in the midst of its campaign to evect a new, adequate and permanent home for itself. Today this building, sit- uated at the corner of Seventeenth and K streets, is nearing completion and to say that comment on its ex- ternal appearance is generally favor- | able 1s no more than the simple truth. The pleasing exterior, ample size and convenient location, however, are but indications of the additional op- portunities for community service which will be offered through the | completion of the structure. With headquarters housed heretofors in | this, that and the other place, always | cramped for room, the Y. W. C. A according to conservative estimates, has had individual contacts with 15, R00 girls and women. There are to- dAy in Government service 27,000, not | to mention all those in commercial and industrial occupations. The new building can offer to many | more than the number heretofore served such facilities as clubrooms, playrooms, classrooms, assembly hall, gymnasium, bowling alleys, swimming pool, showers, living and rest rooms, cafeteria, lunch counter, tearcom and roof garden. The cost of the new home is $700,000. Of this sum $430,- 000 has been subscribed and two- thirds is in hand. The balance must come either from those who a year ago responded to the call for “A Christmas Gift for Capital Girls” or from those who have up till now not given. The association has indicated that it would prefer to have it the latter. The more persons who have a share in such a vital undertaking, the more successful is it likely to be and to continue. At no time is a check for such a purpose more ap- propriate or more welcome than just before or just after the greatest holi- day of the year. —————————— The United States Senate is evi- dently preparing to call renewed attention to itself as possessing the world's greatest collection of inter- rogation points. ———. There are citizens who, if pre- vented absolutely from using money in politics, would feel that wealth itself had lost most of its real in- terest. ———————————— SHOOTING STARS. BY PHILANDER JOHNSON. Advantage of the Impalpable. Old Santa Claus is but a myth, And this is fortunate. Conditions now are burdened with Embarrassments too great For one who ventures forth today ‘With reindeer hitched unto a sleigh. The auto horn alarms the crowd. The flivvers wildly crash. In vain the copper's warning loud Seeks to avert a smash. Only a myth could now contrive, In all the tumult, to survive! A Spelibinder. “Do you admire Wagner's music?” “I do,” answered Senator Sor- ghum. “He's a true spellbinder. I know of no other man who could compel people to listen so atten- tively, regardless of what was being said.” Foreign Fascination. The tenor singer is a bird Who is with close attention heard. He warbles in a lofty key To win applause from you and me. He sings in French and Russian ways, In German or Itallan phrase. It his plain English were to thrill We'd laugh and say, “That's only Bil” Jua Tunkins says some of his relations wish him a “Merry Christ- in a tone that seems to imply of holiday happiness than an assumption on their part of a for- giving disposition. When Winter Comes. “Where are the snows of yester- year?” quoted the poet fancier. “Why, ask ®o trivial a question?” rejoined Mi Cayenne. “What I want to locate are this year's rain- coat and umbrella.’ - “I no longer throw prayers at a joss,” sald Hi Ho, the sage of China- town. “I send my humble post cards to & radio station.” Early Shopper. “Shop early!” is the battle cry. These bargains are no jok And good 0ld Dad is heard to sigh, “I did so. Now I'm broke.” Freedom of Opinion. “Why don't you run for office?” “I don't want to embarr: my wife,” answered Mr. Meekton. “She couldn’t vote for me without being a hypocrite.” “A fool” sald Uncle Eben, “Is STAR, WASHINGTO) D. 0, DECEMBER 12, 1926—PART 2. EVERYDAY RELIGION BY THE RIGHT REV. JAMES E. FREEMAA’, D. D, LLD, Bishop of Washington. RELIGION AND LIFE. That religion is unrelated to the practical things of life seems to be the popular conception of our age. Men and women seem to think of religion as something that belongs in an en- tirely separate compartment of their mind, only to be recognized on cer- tain occasfons and in certain settings. This is particularly true of our youth. To them religion speaks a language altogether uncommon, and in some instances hardly understandable. Its chief concern, as they conceive it, is with another world. That it has any ifmmediate or practical bearing upon life now and here, or that it is a work- able system, does not occur to them. There s little, if anything, in the teachings of Jesus Christ to confirm such a conception. It was said of Him that He “went about doing good.” He was constantly dealing with individual and group problems. He went out of His way to heal the sick or to bring comfort and solace to a home over- shadowed with grief. When He was criticized on one occasion for an act of mercy He quietly responded that He had “made ‘a man every whit whole.” It was the whole man and not some segregated part of him that He dealt with, It was the whole of life in all its relationships and experi- ences that He sought to restore to the fullness of health and happiness. The value of a certain place in which we exercise our devotional habit is clearly obvious. A church with its hallowed associations and its quickened friendships constitutes in itself, where rightly used and recog- nized, an agency of great importance. To it we retire from time to time for ual refreshment and renewal for tasks, To it we go for the more solemn and sacred services that are intimately related to our homes and firesides. All this we clearly recognize. On the other hand, it is a dangerous thing to think of the church as the only repository and exponent of re- ligious truth; or, again, to think of ourselves as reaching higher spiritual levels only when In its stimulating at- mosphere. A church that restricts religion or delimits its expression is certainly out of consonance with the teachings of Christ. On one occasion Jesus told the story of the man to whom had been given a talent of great value—a talent to be used in the world’s markets. When the time came for its return its pos- sessor told with what care he had safeguarded it. ITe had carefully put it away and “wrapped it in a napkin.” ‘With evident self-satisfaction he gave it back to its owner with the proud assertion that it was unimpaired and uncontaminated. Jesu: recognition of this indifferent use of an imparted gift seems severe and yet it is just and wholly equitable. He could not think of life in terms of self-sa’istac- tion or self-gratification. It was only as a man brought his spiritual gifts and virtues into service and contact with the world of human concerns that they proved useful to himself or to his fellows. When Prof. Willlam James suggested that the test of all things and of all gifts, mental, spirit- ual and other, was their adaptability and efficiency, he applied it with tell- ing force in the case of religion, “Will it work?" was the question, which I8 only another way of saying, “Has it a practical value when applied to hu- man needs and human problems? This same great professor, in a no- table book entitled “Some Varieties of Religious Ixperience,” gives elo- quent testimony as to the worthiness and_efficlency of religion when ap- plied to the stern problems of human life. More and more we are being compelled to realize that if our Chris- tian religion s to contribute in a large way to the solution of the mighty and surging problems that confront us on every hand, it must be translated in terms of conduct that will be understood in market place and drawing room, as well as within the confines of some sacred bullding. Secular journals more and more are addressing themselves to this impor- tant matter. In a recent editorial in the Manufacturers’ Record its distin gulshed editor, under the caption “Am I My Brother’s Keeper?” makes an urgent appeal for a nation-wide revival of what he calls “old-fash- foned prayer-meeting religion.” His interpretation of “prayer-meeting re- ligion” is by no means limited or re- stricted. He says “religious principles are practical and helpful in every aphere of action’; we need a revival of that religion which will make any man or woman strive in every act of life to do that which, on the great judgment day, they will wish they had done.” He sounds the warning that until we as a people accept and live such a religion “there will be strife where there should be peace; there will be strikes and lockouts and murder where there should be co- operation and harmony; there will be hatred where there shpuld be friend- ship and love.” Such serious admo- nitions as the ones quoted are con- stantly coming from high-minded lay men, and the secular press itself is more and more becoming the medium of religious expression. We constant- ly recur to Chesterton’s phrase, “Re- ligion has not been tried and found wanting, it has been tried and found difficult.” We shall have fewer doubt- ers and skeptics among us when we interpret the things of our religious faith in the more practical and under- standable terms of daily habit and practice. NEW PASSPORT RULES EFFECTIVE BY FREDERIC J. HASKIN. Two months’ trial of the new pass- port regulations of the Department of State, whereby American consular of- ficers are issuing passports to Amerl- can cltizens in foreign countries, point to their success and value. Under the old system Americans had to file their applications at consular offices, but the actual issuance of the passports was in Washington. This resulted in vexatious delays. Not infrequently the delays worked actual hardships upon the applicants. Now the traveling American, or one temporarily resident in another coun- try, if he needs a new passport for any reason, gets it immediately upon filing his application at an authorized con- sular office, if he is entitled to it under the law. The change was made possible b the act of Congress of July 3, 1926 Not all consuls are authori: passports. The law leaves it to the discretion of the Secretary of State to designate those who may exercise this authority, but a large number have been so designated—sufficient to care for the needs of Americans in all parts of the world. It As not known the ekact number of passports that have been issued under the new system, as the figures have not been segregated as yet. rom January to November, inclusive, of the current year, however, a total of 167,602 passports were issued, indi- cating a probable issue of more than 175,000 for 1926. This total compares with 172,099 for 1925 and 146,378 for 1924, and the increase over last vear especially may be indicative of a speeding up incident to the new regu- lations. Not all Americans can get passports at consulates, any more than all con- sular officers can issue them. Those who benefit by the speeded-up service must be indubitably entitled to this governmental favor, and they are list- ed in four classes. There are five classes of Americans who must wait until thelr applications have been for- warded to Washington and approved there. The Preferred Classes of Citizens. The preferred classes are: Native citizens to whom departmental pass- ports have been issued or who have been included in departmental pass- ports subsequent to January 3, 1918, or who, subsequent to October 1, 1926, are identified by service passports is- sued to or fncluding them; native and naturalized citizens whose registration at a consulate is valid at the time when the application is filed and has received the approval of the depart- ment; naturalized citizens to whom departmental passports have been is- sued, or who have been included in such’ passports, subsequent to Janu- ary 8, 1918, and against whom the presumption of expatriation under the law of 1907 has not arisen, and citi- zens not included in the foregoing three groups, in certain emergency cases, but the emergency must be very real and clearly established. The five classes who are required to file their applications and await action in Washington, as under the old sys- tem, are clearly defined in the regula- tions, but they include everybody who thinks he is entitled to an American passport, but who cannot qualify in any one of the four preferred groups. 1In these cases the consular officer for- wards to the State Department, along with the applications, full explana- tions of the reasons he has refused to approve the issue of or to issue serv- ice passports. A consular officer is not authorized to make a final refusal disposing of an application, that au- thority being vested only in the Sec- retary of State. The new regulations have made no change in the rules under which the eligibility of an applicant for a pass- port is established, Some Americans think there is needless red tape about the procedure they must go through in order to get their Government's credentials which enable them to travel abroad, and some even object to the necessity of getting passports. But the rules are necessary under the law. A passport is required before an American can_ enter certain for- elgn countries, and an American who ever gets in a jam abroad will be ex- ceedingly glad he has documentary evidence of his citizenship. Most_of the objections that are heard, however, are to the visa fees that must be paid in order to travel in certain countries. These fees, it should he remembered, are fixed by the laws of those countries. They vary from 60 cents for Monaco, which is visited by most speculatively in- clined Americans and some sightseers, always terrible satisfied wif hisse'f; which makes him lool de mo’ brings in a few hours & package gone foalighs® . ) to $10 for a number of countries, and it is estimated that visas cost the AVSIAKe-ARSriGHD traveler §30, in ad- ‘dition to the cost of his passport, which is $10. This expense may, in-some in- stances, amount to a far more con- siderable sum. One American who traveled two years in Europe had 30 pages of visas on his passport, and they had cost him $1,975.59. Free Entry Some Places. But there are some countries where neither passport nor visa is required, and others that do not exact a fee for the visa. Americans can travel in Canada, Mexico (if entering direct from the United States), Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Haiti, Honduras, Paraguay and Uruguay without passports, and hence without visas. They may also enter the Free City of Danzig with- out passport or visa, if entry is made from the sea, and they may make a transit visit of less than eight days in The Netherlands without a visa. No visas are required by Belgium, Estho- nia, Liberfa, Panama, Siam and Swit- zerland. No visa fees are required by Costa Rica, Denmark, Finland, Ger- many, Guatemala, Japan, Salvador and Sweden. These are the latest data compiled by the State Department, and are be- lieved to be authentic, but Americans who are planning to travel abroa: order to avoid any possible mistak should make Inguiries of the consular agents in the United States of the countries to be visited. The passport business is one that has increased materially as a result of the World War. Prior to the war Russia and Turkey were the only countries requiring passports of alien visitors, and the United States issued only about 10,000 passports a year. ‘Two clerks in the passport division of the Department of State sufficed to take care of that. Now, with 175,000 a year, 60 clerks are regularly em- ployed, and in the rush season the force is increased to 95 or 100. ““The form of the United States pass- port was recently changed for the greater convenience of the traveling public,” says J. Klahr Huddle, chief of the passport division. “The pass- port is now a booklet, to fit the pocket or bag, about 4 by 6 inches, with 32 pages. The cover is red, with gilt let- tering. A valid jassport when issued has the signature of the Secretary of State, the seal of the Department of State’ and a photogaph and personal description of the beare Americans who want passports, and who are not familiar with the laws and regulations, should go to the clerk of any United States court, or of a State court authorized by law to naturalize allens, to a United States consular officer or to the passport divi- sion of the Department of State in Washington. In this way they will avold error, save time and probably spare them- selves no little nervous excitement and mental anguish over the so-called red tape procedure. YOUR CHILD IN SCHOOL By Dr. Frank W. Ballou, Superintendent of Schools. Washington, The story of the small boy, who, after writing the sentence “I have gone home” 100 times for his teacher, said to her when he had finished, “Naw, I'm through writing ‘I have went home,’” {llustrates better than a lengthy treatise the difficulty faced by those who teach the mother tongue. This difficulty is particularly great in the early grades, where it is the teacher's task to lay the foundation for all the education that is to follow. Since the function of language is the communication of thought, the point of view in the teaching of English should be that of language as a tool, means to an end, the end being the intelligent communication of thought through symbols that are in general use. Now the child comes to school with a knowledge of some of these sym- bols. It may be correct. It is .prob- ably incorrect in many instances. Thus the teacher has a double task. She must establish correct usage and she must eradicate incorrect forms which already are becoming habitual. It is here, at the very beginning, that the teacher must instil the habit ot oorr:ct “1'17 o: th:hEntl;lh lan- guage by cultivating. the pupil’s ear &0 that he shall be sensitive to mis- Capital Sidelights ‘The coming into the House of Rep- resentative John J. Corcoran as suc- cessor to Senator Harry Hawes adds another to the already long list of for- mer secretaries to members who got the virus of legislation Into their blood 80 that ambition led them to become members in their own right. For a decade Corcoran has been one of the best known, most efficient and popula employes about the Capitol. His stor: is an inspirational one for Young America of the Oliver Optic type— “From Clerk to Congressman."” He started in here as secretary to ‘Gumshoe Bill” Stone, famous Mis. sourian, who was a power in the Sen- ate. He has been right-hand man to Harry Hawes, who won prestige as one of the ablest men in the House in recent years. Other former secretaries now in Congress Include: Senator Harris of Georgla, who was secretary to former Senator A. 8. Senator La Fol- lette, who was long his father's adju tant; Representative Wallace White of Maine, a grandson of former Sena- tor Frye, whom he served as secre- tary when Senator Frye was President Representative Frank secretary to Senator dgar Howard of mer secretary to the am Jennings Representative Charles Crisp _of Georgia, secretary to the late Speaker Crisp, and who later served as parlia. mentarian of the House; Representa- tive Clarence Cannon, form to the late Speaker Champ Clark, who also served as parliamentarian; Representative Addison Smith of Idaho, who served a former Senator; Representative Willlam R. Johnson, formerly an employe of the House folding room. Another new member of the House, Representative Harry L. Englebright, who comes from Nevada City and suc- ceeds the late Representative John E. Raker, used to tag after his father through the Capitol corridors and in the House chamber when his father was a member during the regime of the late Speaker “‘Uncle Joe” Cannon. He now represents one of the largest | congressional districts in the country with two-thirds of its area under Fed. eral reserve. *** A veteran student of Government comes back to the House in the per- son of Representative Frederick W. Dallinger of Massachusetts, who served in three Congresses, and who entered the lists against Senator Gil- lett. When Mr. Dallinger graduated from Harvard in 1893 he carried off the highest honors in political science. He is author of a book on “Nomina- tions for Klective Office in the United States.” L “‘Belleve it or not,” Representative John Garner of Texas, the fiscal men- tor of the Democrats in the House, who is author of the tax reduction bill that has stirred up so much partisan bickering, is one member of Congress who dislikes publicity. He is complet- ing 24 years of consecutive service. claims the all-time record for intro- ducing the smallest number of bills in the House of any member during the last quarter of a century, having averaged not more than two bills a session during all that time. He never wrote a speech in his life; those he makes are all extemporaneous. He never has a speech reprinted from the Record and sent out to his constitu- ents. L Just now the appropriations com- mittee is holding the center of the stage, having made the best record in the entire history of Congress for having the big supply bills so well in hand for prompt action thus early in the session. Chairman Madden gives a large share of the credit to the earnest and efficient services of the force of committee clerks, under the leadership of Marcellus C. Sheild, who has been sitting at Mr. Madden’s side in the House while the Post Office and Treasury appropriation bill has been under discussion. For 18 years Mr. Sheild has been a clerk in the appropriations com- mittee and for the last 10 years he has been in charge of the office, which prepares all of the big appropriation bills, which during his service have totaled upward of $40,000,000,000. And yet Shelld confesses that as a boy making penny change in a candy shop he was s0 inaccurate that he finally lost his job because at the end of the month there was not enough sal- ary coming to him to make good his shortages. He has served under five chairmen of. the appropriations com- mittee—two Democrats, Fitzgerald and Sherley, and three Republicans, Tawney, Good and Madden. He has been so good on this job that although first appointed by a Minnesota Re- gubllun he was continued in office y & New York Democrat and is now considered a fixture on the job. —_— takes. And just here the home may come to the aid of the schoo! Public opinion demands that the public schools provide thorough in- struction in the English language. ‘What might be termed a good “work- ing knowledge” of the language is one of the essentials of good citizen- ship. To be a good citizen presup- poses that one knows the tongue in which he will hear and read the things that will inform him of the laws and customs of the land where he is earning his livelihood and re- celving the protection of its govern- ment. Very often the amount of this knowledge is an indication of one's education. Nor must we lose sight of the fact that it is also a standard ‘by which the individual who 1s not a mutive of the United States may be judged for his inter- est in his adopted country. The business of the school is, with- out doubt, to establish a standard in essential matters of English —usage and, having established this standard, to see to it that the pupil adopts it and uses it in every class, in every soclal hour together, in all extra- school activities. The habit of correct speech—not stiff or formal, but cor- rect as to essentials—should become fixed very early. Formerly the practice observed in the teaching of English was to pro- pound a multitude of grammatical rules and definitions that were learn- ed readily enough, but were not as- similated and applied. This method overlooked the inability of the small child to apply many different rules to new situations. It also negl the fact that ou the classroom incorrect speech was used because of the impression given children that correct speaking was wholly artificial. Educators, realizing at lagt the fu- tility of expecting children to do what they in all probability would not do, Began the movement in the direction of the other extre: All rules were banished, English henceforth was to be taught in & commonsense manner through imitation. But this method soon was found to have its faults. Children did not master the language from mere practice, and the peda. gogle pendulum swung partly back- ward to where it now is and to where it probably will remain. s Finally, when we can convin teachers that “the English of the e tire school is the business of the en- tire schdol,” to quote, Mr. Thoma: and that teachers of all subjects should insist on clear, accurate and correct expression of thought, as is done in France, and when we can that correct usage in their other , in social life and in the busi- orld, then and then only will ;).n blem of the English teachers {Bomsrirai Todo. MEN AND AFFAIRS BY ROBERT T. SMALL. ‘While there is a disposition in some quarters to justify the use of the abbreviation Xmas as a substitute for Christmas, there is a very general belief that good taste demands the use of the word Christmas at all times Prominent ministers in various sec- tions of the country are making a quiet but effective campalgn against the abbreviatiod. It has unquestion- ably grown in use during the past few vears and Instead of standing as a svmbol for Christmas has come to be regarded as a definite word known and pronounced as “Exmas. Even the beautiful old greeting of v Christmas’ often is rendered | Xmas.” This seems to have been the straw to break the camel's back. The protest has been spon taneous. There is no doubt that the letter X long has stood as a symbol for Christ largely because of its meaning in the Greek alphabet. It has been accepted in the ecclesiastical world, but as no one ever has thought of speaking or writing of Christ as “X" there would seem to be no warrant for the use of Xmas instead of Christmas. Certainly it smacks of hurry, of ir- reverence; perhaps just a little of commerclalism. Christmas admittedly is one of the loveliest words in all the English language and it should not be lost, or even threatened, by a utili- tarian abbreviation. One of the most interesting visitors in Washington recently has been Sir Hugh Denison, high commissioner for the commonwealth of Australia, who makes his headquarters in New York. When Australia follows the precedent of Canada and the Irish Free State and raises her representative in this country to the diplomatic rank of Minister, that representative will take up his abode in the National Capital. There is rather a general belief in diplomatic circles that Sir Hugh him- self may be the first Australian Min- ister. Australia is a very little known country, yvet it has so much in com- mon with the United States it has been strange that travelers from this country and American commercial in- terests have failed to give it greater attention. Australia has virtually the same territory as the United States and lies below the Equator in_virtu- ally the same position the United States occuples north of “the line.” Australia’s sub-tropics are in the northern part of the country, while here they are in the south. As large as the United States, and almost as rich in natural resources, the Australian commonwealth never- theless is inhabited only by about 6,000,000 people, or slightly less than the population of the city of Greater New York. Austrdlia, however, claims the highest grade population in the world. And it Is being guarded by immigration laws and regulations which make those of the United States seem amateurish in compari- son. Four million of the 6,000,000 people of Australia have individual savings bank accounts Australia is building a federal capital, largely Fifty Years Ago In The Star The electoral complications of 50 years ago elicited numerous proposed remedies for the diffi- Electoral cumelI cn;lltmntlnrl Con. gress in the counting of Reform. ™\ ote for President and Vice President. The Star of De- cember 6, 1876, thus discusses one of these measures: “In view of the complications which have grown out of the system of elect- ing a President and Vice President by means of an electoral college, it is pretty generally agreed that the pres- ‘ent methods should be abolished and that hereafter those officers shall be elected by a direct vote of the people. Senator Morton's plan for a constitu- tional amendment, while it may not be the best that can be desired, is un- doubtedly a vast improvement on the present awkward method. Briefly, it provides that each State shall be di- vided into districts equal in number to the number of Representatives to which the State may be entitled in Congress, and that the person having the highest fiumber of votes in each district for President shall receive the vote of that district, which shall count one presidential vote; that the person having the highest number of votes for President in a State shall receive two presidential votes from that State at large; that the person having the highest number of - presidential votes in the United States shall be President, and that the foregoing provisions shall apply to the election of the Vice President. One objection which might be raised to this plan is that it ignores majorities in the same ‘way that. the electoral college system does. A majority of 10,000 in a dis- trict would count no more than a ma- Jority of 1, and this holds true of the electoral system as regards State ma- Joritie: ‘While there may be some valid objections to a direct vote for presidential candidates, a system based on this principle would doubtless be generally acceptable. * * % On the night of December 5, 1876, fire destroyed the building housing the Brooklyn Theater, Brooklyn indsmklyn. N. ]Yq an persons lost Holocaust. their lives. The Star, discussing this tragedy in its issue of December 7, says: “The inquiry naturally arises why this great loss of life occurred. We are informed by those acquainted with the position and surroundings of the Brooklyn Theater that the theater buildipg embraced within its walls the post office, the police station, the Sun- day Sun office and Deitrich’s Hotel. 1t was literally inclosed in a hollow square, the audience reaching their seats through a hallway leading to planned after Washington. Australia is the largest customer for American automobiles. Loyal to the core to the crown of England, Australians, never. theless, are more like Americans than even the Canadians. The soldiers of Australia and New Zealand were the forelgn “buddies” of the doughboys on the western front. Australia wants always to work with the United States in keeping vigil for peace in the Pacific. Although the recent imperial con- ference in London was hailed far and wide as marking a radical departure n the status of the British empire, * was in fact but a formal setting down on paper of the already expressed and rigidly understood relations of ' the British dominfons to the British era- pire. . For years these dominiona have had their complete freedom. They have been at Iiberty to remain in the empire or to withdraw from it without molestation or recrimination. That the dominions have expressed anew their voluntary allegiance to the British crown—not the British govern- ment-—means a stronger solidarity than ever before, for the British em- pire today is based upon good will and mutuality of interest rather than force or attempted force. That the status of the dominions is not new, however, is best evidenced by the fact that Canada had selected her own Minister to the United States before the imperial conference was called. Ireland, too, had sent her Minister to Washington, as a symbol of her complete freedom within the empire. Australia may be the next to follow suit. South Africa may take a similar step. The United States will welcome these new friends among the nations of the world. When, during the World War, it he- came the general custom in the Army. and out of it, to sreak of second leutenants as “shave-tails,” few of the thousands of persons who used the term had any idea where it came from or what it meant. Perhaps they have been enlightened by the testimony of Edward L. Doheny, the California ofl millionaire, at his trial with former Secretary Al- bert B. Fall for alleged conspiracy to defraud the Government. Telling of the adventures of some of his early days in the West, Mr. Doheny among other things said: “I worked as a book agent. Then I went on an expedition ordered by Maj. Gen. Pope to take shave-ail mules to New Mexico.” All of which may or may not ex- plain many things. A very fine ofl painting of Mr. Fall recently has been hung in the main corridor of the Interjor Department Building. It has taken its place in the gallery which contains the por- traits of other former Secretaries, in- cluding Ethan Allen Hitchcock, John Barton Payne, David R. Francis, Wal- ter L. Fisher, Richard A. Ballinger, James Rudolph Garfield (the “Jim. mie” Garfield of the Roosevelt ten- nis cabinet) and Cornelius N. Bliss. (Copyright, 1926.) This and That By Charles E. Tracewell. The Dresden china cat was out by the trash barrel, sitting on a nest of papers which he had made for himself from material gathered from the re- ceptacle, Perhaps- the Dresden china cat de- serves a word of explanation. He is, in truth, not made of china at all, either Dresden or otherwise, but is a real, live animal. Bl ’ . He is so called because of his re- semblance to some of the china fig- ures one sometimes sees gracing old- fashioned mantels. These figures usually have a bow of pink or blue china ribbon around’ their neck: The Dresden china cat of Esstee alley wears no bow, being a reg- ular tomcat who would scorn such an effete attempt at decoration. He him- self is his own decoration. His head is twice as large as that of Jack Spratt, and perfectly round, and his body round at all points. He is mostly of a creamy white color, but has splotches of cocoa brown and gray at various points, and his tail is tiger. Sitting in his bed of papers at the back gate a 6'o'clock, before it had become really light, -his great green eyes, perfectly round, glared through the early morning gloom. ; * ok ok K ‘What was the Dresden china cat doing at Jack Spratt's gate? This was the question which Jack put to himself, the moment he de- scended to the kitchen, after a night of repose on his big L Now there was no way that Jack could see the strange cat. - The door was shut and the blinds down. But Jack knew he was there. Hé raised himself on his hind legs and stretched out his forelegs against the door, rat- tling the-key in the lock. “Meow!” said Jack Spratt, meaning, as plain as day, “Let me out.” * b4 It was no sooner said than done. Jack sauntered out on the porch, his tail swelling visibly as he descended the steps cautiously. It was at this juncture that Jack's friends first saw the Dresden chin cat. But Jack had known he was there all the time; thanks to his mar- velous gift of smell. Half way down the walk he stopped. The strange cat, of unusual size made no attempt to leave his nes but glared defiantly in Spratt's direc tion. The latter, being a gentleman of leisure, could appreciate his atti- tude in the matter. The china cat, however, was violat- ing a law of catdom. What right had he to roost in Spratt's back yardl, and look longingly at the house, a® if to say, “Hello, there, bring me out some of that fine grub that Jack ‘Spratt gets to eat. I read about it in the and around the rear of the first circle. At the end of this the stairs com- menced leading to the upper circle. Experienced theatrical people concur that the loss of life was entirely con- fined to the upper circles and to those on the stage that attempted to save their wardrobes before making their escape. Manager Ford's theory is that the fire was burning for some time in the scenery above the stage and the carpenters endeavored to ex- tinguish it before any alarm was given—a ceiling piece of scenery screening it from the audience and actors for a while—but the carpenters cut away the ropes at last and the burning material fell upon the celling plece and ignited it and the rest of the scenery nearest the stage. At this idently occurred, | with a frantie, frightened crowd. The lower floor was soon cleared, but the smoke impeded and finally suffo- cated those in the upper circles some time before the flames reached where they fell. “Manager Ford says that this is but the second insta nited States of a loss of life by the burning of theaters. The first was the Rich- mond Theater, in 1811, and the cause there was very similar to the Brook- n horror. Tt is understood that in this city, since the Richmond fire, ‘nearly 10, 000,000 auditors have visited places of ms'emam n’:d ::rturrm wlthnutdulne slightest en ing, and in the uun‘gantry it might be claimed that & thouzand million have been en- tertained without ~ mishap, paper and thought <I would® drop around for a bite. Jack resented this mute appeal. Jack could eat all the meat the re- frigerator held, and more, too, so had none to spare for loafers such as the Dresden china cat. “Meow-ow,” gurgled Spratt, warn- ingly. . “Yow-ow,” moaned the Dresden china cat, without budging. * ok ok Upon this battle cry, Jack leaped to the fence and walked along it to a position directly above the curious- Iy colored stranger. Jack had learned the advantage of being above one’s enemy from Capt. Kidd, he of the.inky black tail, who had so assaulted him with great suc- cess last Summe . Here was Jack’s chance to try out the strategy, and he meant. to: make the most of it. He glared down upon the Dresden china cat, who suddenly seemed to realize the weak position in which he found himself. Uttering low cries of deflance, the Dresden fellow slowly arose andy edged out through the wire fence to the alley. Once there, he gave Jack Spratt a look of great contempt—and then walked away. Jack sniffed the keen Winter eir, victor of a bloodless battle, still mas- ter of all he surveyed.