Evening Star Newspaper, December 25, 1926, Page 8

{ 8 ‘With Sunday Morning Edition. WASHINGTON, D. C. SATURDAY. . .December 25, 1926 THEODORE W. NOYES. . .. Editor The Evening Star Newspaper Company 116n st 4l Pennayivania Ave New Yark' fice: 110 Eagt 42nd 8t Chicago Office: Tower Building. Euzopean Office; 14 Regent St.. ESadon. England. The P ith the Sunday marn- o renin St miih e Sty AT city wt' 60 cents mont] R - ol porcminh: BindiyE ey, 5, et 5 . ‘i tiephone Main 5000, Collection is made by carrier at end of each month. Rate by Mail—Pasable in Advance. Maryland Irginia. All Other States and Canada. P24y and Sunday..1yr. $1200: 1 mo. .‘ZE Dalty only . 7. "$8.00: 1 m Sindasony 111 e 34.00: 1 m Member of the Associated Press. il TH ciated Press s exclnively entitl 0 the b fn’{}demnme.fi«n DA mows di {iatrhes cowdited to it or mot atherwiss "ored. ed in this paper and aleo the local mews wublished hersin. Al riehts of publication ©f wpecial dispatches herein are also reserved The Voice of Immortal Truth. ‘Washington's Christmas ‘was ushered in last evening by a cere- mony that has become an institu- tion, the lighting of the living Christmas tree in Sherman Square and the singing of carols. The Pres- ident of the United States turned on the lights at the tree. A multi- tude gathered to witness the illumi- nation and hear the singing. The true Christmas spirit pervaded the More and more definitely, despite distractions and digressions from the real meaning of Christmas observance, the celebration of the birth of Christ is established in this country. Differences of faith do not lessen the recognition of the signif- icance of the occasion. The prin- ciples of righteousness typified by the life of Him who came more than nineteen centuries ago as a Savior | are reaffirmed and made part of the lives of millions. Christmas has become to a great extent a social festival, made so by the development of the: custom of exchanging gifts, which has its origin In the offerings of those who visited the manger at Bethlehem when the star in the East shone forth to announce to mankind that One was born who would light the way to the truth. Perhaps there are many who think more of this aspect of Christmas than of the spiritual meaning of the day. There may be some to whom that signif- fcance does not appeal. But for most men and women Christmas has its very special message of comfort, of cheer and of insplration for better living. The teachings of Christ are not denied. There are differences of faith, but they do not lessen the universal recognition that He who was born at Bethlehem more than nineteen hundred years ago spoke and lived the truth, that He came for the good of mankind, that His life and His sacrifice laid the founda- tion of a religion that has brought humanity to its highest develop- ment. Faith in a leader is the esuence! of victory. Faith in a teacher is! the essential of progress. The faith | in Christ that has prevailed for; nineteen - centuries grows constantly | and steadily, though churches may differ in details of ritual, though dogmas may be assailed, though con- flicts may arise out of fanatical adherence to cult forms. For the Christ life was simple in its truth and His teachings were plain In their application to the daily lives of men and their force is un- diminished by the passing of time. “Merry Christmas” should mean the joy of living under the light of the star that betokened the birth of One who spoke to all mankind for all time in terms of righteous- ness. RS oo Many serious problems assert them- selves in our modern civilization, one of the most recent being that of mas-| Colleges will be founded to combat | tering the latest motor regulations for making a left-hand turn. At 0 There is no use writing to Santa Claus for enough ready cash to offset the December communicition from the income tax collector. ——————— i The Death of Emperor Yoshihito. | The death of the Emperor of Japan. Yoshihito, which is just an- nounced as having occurred early | today at Tokio, has been long fore- shadowed, for he has been in ill health for several years, in such ill health indeed that he has been in official retirement kincg November, 1921, with his eldest son, Hirohito, serving as regent. Recently an acute illness supervened to end a clouded life. Yoshihito ascended the throne July 30, 1912, at the age of thirty-three. He actually reigned only nine years. Then a mental condition developed which rendered his continued discharge of duty im- possible, and Hirohito, who was only a little more than twenty, was in- vested as Empetor in fact, though not by title. Hirohito tukes the crown as Japan's one hundred and twenty- and his passing was immediately | subjected to the influence of a pollcei announced by radio, a truly astound- | station. They should be given space : ing departure from the customs of the Far East, signifying the change that has taken place in Japan in recent years. But there will be no change in the ritual of his burial. The ancient solemnities will be rigidly observed. The body of the late Emperor will lie in state at the Imperial Palace, at Toklo, for at least fifty days, during which time numerous religious ceremonies will take place. The funeral will be held ¢ about two months hence. The court will remain in mourning for a year and the actual coronation of Hiro- hito, though he will be Emperor in fact in the meantime, will probably not take place before November, 1928, nearly two years hence. Thus will the old practice be preserved, even as this morning at Tokio the cere- mony of investing Hirohito with the imperial office consisted of the trans- fer of the sacred treasures symbolical of his sovereignty, consisting of a sword, a mirror and beads. These treasures, which are actually replicas of originals safely deposited in shrines, are venerated as having descended from the gods. Inasmuch as ‘Hirohito has been ruler in fact for several years there will probably be no change what- ever in political conditions in Japan as a result of the Emperor's death and the transfer of the title. The new ruler is progressive, fully aware of the obligations of Japan as a member of the modern family of nations, is of peaceful inclination and intensely concerned in the wel- fare of the Japanese people through the development of their industries and the solution of their domestic problems. The Verdict at Canton. At Canton, Ohlo, yesterday a firy convicted Pat McDermott of first de- gree murder in participating in the slaying of Don R. Mellett, newspaper publisher of that city. This is the first result of the prosecution that has been undertaken to solve and punish one of the most dastardly crimes ever committed in this country. Mellett was slain because he had engaged in an effort to clean up the town, to expose and end an evil combination of officlals and underworld denizens who had flouted the law and had made Canton a sink of iniquity. At first the crime was not attacked with vigor. It was necessary for the governor of the State to intervene with the ap- pointment of special prosecutors. Suspiclon fell upon several people and finally through the confession of one of the participants in the conspiracy, who, hé claims, withdrew just be- fore the shooting, several men were indicted. One of them, he who was yesterday convicted, was long in hid- ing, but finally was surrendered by ! his relatives with whom he had taken refuge and was put on trial. His de- fense was vigorous, being a general denial of any share in or knowledge of the plot against Mellett's life, to- gether with an alibl. The jury refused to accept the alibi and disbelieved his own story, and rendered the verdict of “guilty.” Then it adopted, for a rea- son which has not been explained thus far, a recommendation of mercy. This recommendation may, if the verdict is sustained, save McDermott's life by limiting his sentence to im- prisonment for the remainder of hls! dayse. Other men are to be, brought to trial and unless there is some new development of evidence they will prob- ably be convicted, for it would seem ; that the State has laid its hands upon those who were engaged in the crime. ‘Their motive appears to have been the elimination of one whose fearless ex- posures had become a menace to their; safety and had certainly interfered with thefr lawless activities, Boot leggers, gangsters, gunmen and gamblers were the objects of Mellett's fearless attacks. Had he lived he probably would bave brought to light the whole wretched intrigue. His death, however, did more than his persistent efforts to redeem Canton. He fell a martyr in a cause and his sacrifice was not in vain, ———————— the theory of evolution. A difficult part of the educational system will be that of restraining the college boys from monkey shines. ——— Uncle Sam has one great asset with which to meet any military situation which might arise—his remarkable and well demonstrated ability to work fast in an emergency. o A Central Police Establishment. Consideration is being given by the District Commissioners to the recom- mendation of Maj. Hesse, the super- intendent of police, that a central police station be provided, to house the first and sixth precinct stations, the Detective Bureau, the Traffic Bureau and the House of DePention. This proposition is timely, inasmuch as there Is in immediate prospect a clearance of the lands in which the first precinct station, the Traffic Bureau and the House of Detention are now located, and some provision must be made for them in the near future. It is undoubtedly desirable to cen- tralize certain of the police activities. The so-called “headquarters,” or cen- tral police office, comprising the fourth Emperor. +He is & young man of great promise, of high character and exceptionally broad education. He recently made a tour of the world with his wife, the Crown Princess, in the course of which he visited this country, where he made 2 most agreeable impression. The late Emperor's reign com- passed the period of the World War and it is by some belleved that the strain of that unhappy time was a factor In his illness. He devoted Limself assiduously to his duties and not yield until his condition became such that it was necessary another should assume the re- sponsibilities which attached to the office and rank. Contrary to a long-established custom, the facts of the Emperor's lust illness and of his death were Detective Bureau, need not necessarily be located within the Municipal Build- ing, though it should be placed within close range. Consolidation in stich an establishment of one, perhaps two, of the precinct stations might be de- sirable. The close relation of the Traffic Bureau with the Police Depart- ment suggests that it likewise be in. cluded in such a central establish- ment. But it may be doubted whether it 1s desirable to locate the House of Detention in the maln Police Depart ment structure. ‘The House of Detention Is not to be regarded primarily as a prison. It is a place where women and children held under surveillance or for their own security are maintained pending ac- tion and deternmnation of their cases. Some of them are offenders. are merely unfortunate victims ircumstances, There are many chil Some | said. of | showed up yit THE EVENING STAR, WASHINGTO. THE EVENING STAR |made known promiptly to the world |dren, and they surely should not be| jfor recreation. The ideal House of Detention, in fact, should be far separated from the central police establishment, in a quiet place. This is a detail, however, which should not lessen the urgency of con- sideration of the general plan to con- centrate thé administrative police and traffic work in a building that will by its situation afford a maximum of convenlence and service. Shortly after the holiday recess, it is expected, Congress will pass the pending bill for the acqufSition of all the Mall- Avenue triangle lands, and the District will be faced with the prospect of an early ouster from the quarters it has occupled for some time for two of its buredus. 'The matter is of immediate importance and should be pressed to speedy conclusion. et Ice Cream at Forty Below. “Carrying coals to Newcastle” has long been an expression of the acme of superfluity. But the transport of fuel to one of the chief fuel produc- ing centers of Great Britain is no more seemingly needless than an en- terprise just reported from Circle, Alaska, where, with the thermometer at forty degrees below zero, ice cream, sent from Seattle as a Christ- mas delicacy, sold “like hot cakes” at $1.76 a quart. Ice cream at forty below! It sounds fantastic. Yet as a matter of fact ice cream is not rated for its good- ness aitogether because of its tem- perature. It has a quality apart from its merg frigidity. Once upon a time it was considered a Summer dish. Now it is a twelve-month treat. Perhaps there were some at Circle, with the thermometer at forty below, who had never eaten ice cream before. Maybe some of them had the experience of the character in one of Oliver Wendell Holmes' novels— he wrote only two—who, upon eating ice cream for the first time, experi- enced that agonizingly sharp pain in the temple that comes from indis- creet haste in absorbing the frozen condiment. He thought he was going to die, stretched himself upon the floor, and bestowed his worldly goods upon his favorites. Then the pain passed and he found, to his astonish- ment and chagrin, that there was nothing whatever the matter with him. Recollection does not go to the point of what happened regard- ing the property. Perhaps there have been some such misadventures at Circle. But it may be believed that the next shipment of ice cream from Seattle is even now being eagerly awalited, regardless of tem- perature and price. | DAY, DECEMBER 25 192 —_— ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS BACKGROUND OF EVENTS | BY PAUL V. COLLINS. Santa Claus is actually coming to all veterans of the World War who hold certificates of adjusted compen- sation, but he sends word that he will be a week later than Christmas. He cannot get to the soldiers until January } 1. Then if they hang up their socks or something, in the mearest bank, they may find In them loans amount: ing to $85 per thousand-dollar cer- tificate, provided the particular certifi- cate is'two years old. Since the first of such certificates was issued Janu- ary 1, 1925, and the clerical labor delayed others, from day to day, only comparatively few will be “ripe” on New Year day, but from that date on many will mature into loanable securities daily. The situation is a new one in American finance, and is viewed from different angles, according to the standpoint of the viewer. * k k k In lieu of a cash bonus which the soldiers had expected, they received from the Government theseertificates of adjusted compensation—so called— measured according to length of serv- ice and the age of the veteran at the time of thé issuance thereof. The certificates are actually paid-up en- dowment Insurance, maturing in 20 years, or upon the death of the holder, if death comes sooner than 20 years. The total number of the certificates issued 1is 3,048,932, with an average face value of $1,029 each, making a total face value of $3,137,668,062. At the end of the first two years after issuance, they have a loan value of 81% per cent of their face; and, as is usual with insurance policies, the loan value Increases as they become older. The total loan value maturing in 1927 ;\(‘Jlsll ‘lwlgi’:gZ,gflfi,Sli: in 1928, $370,910,- : in 1929, $482,048,654; 590, g in 1930, $590, The figures mean that the amount stated for “loan value” is the total then loan value, less whatever shall have been previously borrowed. For example, if'the maximum of-1927 be actually borrowed, and nothing more be borrowed until 1930, then in 1930 the net loan value would be the $590,- 2,000,000, making the loan value Ll approximately * % ok . All Federal National banks are au- thorized to‘lend a veteran 8%% per cent of the face value, in 1927, and take the certificate as security. They must not charge more than 6 per cent interest, and nobody is permitted (under penalty of $109, pavable to the veteran) to charge anything for “'serv- ices” In securing such a loan. The banks may take the veteran's note for not to exceed six months, and the interest cannot be collected in advance; it must be made collectible when the note matures. If the maker of the note defaults in payment upon maturity, the bank must hold the defaulted note and security six months, interest continuing to accrue, and at the end of the six months the bank may forward note and certificate security to the United States Veterans' Bureau, when “the director may, in his discretion, accept the certificate ) New York has splendld art muse- ums, great libraries, fine musical or- ganizations, good churches and fa- mous college facilitles. Yet most of the talk circulated through the prov- inces is about the night clubs. T e Hints that Nicholas Longworth may be a candidate for the United States presidency should not be too lightly considered. Nicholas. comes from a lucky State. PR, Divorce proceedings promote mel- ancholy doubt as to whether eminent movie people are as cheerful and en- tertaining at home as they are on | the screen. o Summer is referred to as “the fool- ish season.” Various balls enliven the Winter and demonstrate that tem- perature does not limit folly. R e i they may preferable be, to lini. Somber though they are artistically Navajo sweaters. ! SHOOTING STARS. ! : BY PHILANDER JOH 1 There Must Be a Santa. ‘Who is Santa Claus? He is the man who gives to each worthy cause, Helpful to each who lives. He is the man who serves To better humankind; Whose purpose never swerves i From purpose well designed. | So, Man of Power Great, - i In your endeavor pause And listen, while we state That You are Santa Claus! Paternalistic Prestige. “George Washington was the father {of his country.” ! “He was,” answered Senator Sorghum. But parental authority is one of the problems of the present.” An Unhappy New Year. On New Year eve I thought to touch A jollity polite. The couvert charges were so much They spoiled my appetite. Jud Tunkins says a Christmas carol takes you back to the good old days when people sang from the heart and carried no hip flasks. Art and the Myth. | Zhe Christmas frolic has survived to date, In joyfulness a factor. Yet he who Santa would impersonate Is mostly a bum actor! Quiet Holidays. “How did you celebrate Christmas?” asked Mesa Bill. “Quietly,” answered Cactus Joe. “I stopped two bootleggers and an auto- mobile bandit. They were so used to being held up that they knew exactly how to behave.” The Radio Bore. He talked across the radio On subjects very grave. We switched him off an hour ag And murmured, “Let Him Rave “Riches,” said Hi Ho, the sage of Chinatown, “may make it hard for a man to pass through the ‘Needle .' But they often make it possible to jump the entire wall.” “De public,” said Uncle Eben, “likes to be humbugged, jes' as Barnum But dar ain’t no humbuggers as smart as Mr. Barnum."” Black shirts are favored by Musso- | H and note, cancel the note (but not the certificate) and pay the bank in full satisfaction of its claim, the amount of the unpaid principal due it, and the unpaid interest accrued, at the rate fixed in the note, up to the date of the check issued to the bank. The director shall restore to the veteran, at any time prior to its maturity, any certificate so accepted, upon receipt from him of an amount equal to the sum of the amount paid by the United States to the bank in cancellation of his note, plus interest on such amount from the time of such payment to the date of such receipt, at 6 per centum per annum, compounded annually.” ERE I Section 503 provides that ‘‘no cer- tificate shall serve as security for a loan, except upon the exact terms provided in the act. Any negotiation, assignment or loan made in violation of any provision’of this section shall be held void.” None but national banks may make such loans on cer- tificates. It is reported that some loans have been made by Washington banks prior to loan availability next Satur- day. All such are vold, and even if the banks relled on the maturing of the 20-year endowment policy, the “certificates,” the only way they could collect the “frozen asset” at the ma- turity would be to sue the heirs. 1t is also reported that in «w few | cases the bankers have misunderstood conditions and have actually loaned the face value and taken the certifi- cate, Their possession of the certifi- cate is unlawful and the security is vold, according to Veterans' Bureau i | Walter Damrosch's unique infiuence in the musical education of America is warmly appreciated in comment which has followed the announcement that the famous director will retire from leadership of the New York | Symphoriy Orchestra to devote his time to broadcasting his thoughts on music by radio. 4 “An irrepressible teacher of the ospel of good music™ is the estimate 56 the St. Louls Post-Dispatch. “In aropping his heavy tasks as conductor of the New York Symphony,” con- tinues that paper, “Damrosch is only lightening his armor. He is still the apostle of good music. His voice will still be heard in far-off places. telling the heroic tales of the Wagnerian operas and explaining the music with which they are immortally knit. “There are few who have contrib- uted as much as he has to the de- velopment of musical culture in_this country,” says the Providence Jour- nal. “Not merely as conductor for the Symphony Society, but as an en- lightening interpreter of music and as an inspiring force to ambitious students, the service he has rendered has been unique. The steady growth of American appreciation of music is, perhaps, due more to his devoted ef- { fort than to any other individual fac- {tor or any other personal influence. There is no exaggeration in the Sym- phony Society’s declaration that the retirement of Dr. Damrosch ‘marks the end of a musical era.’” 2 “His enthusiasm for Wagner's music,” in the opinion of the Philadel- phia Public Ledger, “made Mr. Dam- rosch one of the foremost interpreters of the works of the great German master. His lectures on the Ring operas did more than any other one thing to bring ‘to music lovers an appreciation and understanding of these and the other Wagner music dramas. There are many, many thou- sands in this city who will remember his concerts as among the happiest memories of their lives.” The Ports- | mouth Morning Sun declares “he has done much for music, for the best music, not the second best. He has not only held the baton for 40 years {and more,” continues the Sun, “but he has always held it high. One of the finest things he ever originated was the afternoon symphony for chil- dren, when he played, told them what it meant, and caused them to love, appreciate and understand musiec.” * K Kk Nothing in the musieal world can exéeed the importance of the fact ¢ officials, since the loan is not made according to the law’s provisions. On the other hand, a recent confer- ence of bankers Iindicated the bankers’ conservative suspicion of the language providing for the Government’s tak- ing up the defaulted loans, It says: “The director (Veterans' Bureau) may, in his discretion, accept the certificate, etc.” “In his discretion?” Suppose he decides arbitrarily not to so ac- cept, what recourse has the lending bank? Or suppose some general finan- cial conditions make it undesirable for the director to take up the certificates? Shall the banks “hold the bag”? A study of paragraphs (e) and (f) of the same section (503) shows that the director has no such liberty to play fast and loose with the lenders. (E) provides that if the veteran dies be- fore maturity, “the director shall thereupon cancel thd note and pay the bank.” (F)provides that if the veteran has not died and has failed to pay his note, “the director shall cancel the note and pay the bank.” The Imme- diate obligation of the Government to refmburse the lenders is absolute. An appropriation of $100,000,000 is al- ready in the hands of the director for that purpose, and it is inconceivable that any Congress would dare default in good faith by refusing to make ap- propriations from year to year to cover requirements, since in the end such sums are payable under present obligations. R All loans must be made from the bank to the veteran; there is no other source, although it has been argued that if the banks refuse to accommo- date the veterans Congress should change the-law to establish the Vet- erans’ Bureau, with the support of the Federal Reserve Bank as the national bank for all veteran borrowers, using the appropriations already provided and to be provided for covering de- faulted loans. ‘The large city banks, when not in- spired with patriotic sympathy with the struggling veterans, may refuse to accommodate them. The loans are too small to be attractive from a banker's standpoint. Banks in small cities will hardly dare defy local Influences demanding the co-operation. Where a veteran owes his grocer or clothier, or desires to make a purchase, payable with the loan, the request for the loan will be urged by creditor or salesman, even without fee, and while the banker might turn down the soldier, as he s not a depositor, the merchant who will receive the cash is a depositor, whom the bank cannot afford to offend, since the loan is legally made, is absolutely safe, being guaranteed by the Govern- ment. o The interest cannot exceed & per cent, and banks are now getting 61 per cent, so the bank might lose half of 1 per cent per annum. (How much has the veteran lost by his service in defending the Nation?) Farmers may borrow at 51 per cent, through the Federal Land Banks. Last fortnight the Government had occasion to bor- row $200,000,000 and offered 3% per cent bonds. It was deluged with of- fers amounting to $1,096,000,000 at 3%. Since it assumes all risks on the vet- erans’ loans, it s asked by leading vet- erans why it should not lend its own money at cost (3% per cent), especially if the bankers are dissatisfied with 6 per cent. ER . There are some financiers who “view with alarm” the relief of the soldlers, on two grounds: (a) the in- flation of currency by some millions will upset the market and inflate prices of all commodities. Other finan- clers'laugh at the {dea that what sum will be paid the veterans can possibly amount to enough to affect general trade. (b) The veterans will spend the money recklessly. They will make the $85 average to go to Parls next September to the Leglon convention. They need guardians, and what bet- ter guardians than bankers who do not want to bother with $85 loans? The average age of veterans now is about 35 years.» Guardians needed? On the other hand, there is always ment insurance will wear it out in | driblets, doing no substantial good. { With an average age now of 35 years {in 18 years the average veteran will have reached the peak of his earning power, if he is débendent upom his hands mainly for production. Mental work does not become Oslerized so early. Hel as a matter of general soundness in thrift all veterans are advised and urged not to surrender thelr policies (certificates), but to keep them intact, either for their dependents or for themselves as old age endow- ments. (Copyright. 1926, by Paul V. Collins.) . Career of Walter Damrosch Praised Upon His Retirement that Walter Damrosch, dean of Amer- ican conductors, has resigned as con- ductor,” observes the Louisville Herald-Post. “And most significant is the Damrosch explanation. It is not advancing years, nor is it dis- agreement with the financlal backers of the orchestra. The thought in the Damrosch mind, the urge, the purpose is to devote the remaining years to educating the American public in music through the instrumentality of the radio. Always it has seemed that the interpretative talks, such as it was the Damrosch custom to offer his audiences, were worth in them- selves the price of admission, and Bave-especial stamp and character to the entertainment.” Damrosch is described by the Brooklyn Daily Eagle as “more than simply a conductor, a performer on that great instrument that we call an orchestra, more than an inter- preter of musical works. Hundreds, perhaps thousands, of the boys and girls to whom he brought the love of music have become grown men and women,” the KEagle continues; ‘“they form today a body of sound taste and - true appreciation. In producing this group, now grown, Mr. Damrosch played the true edu- cator in the classic senge of the word—he ‘drew forth’ the spirit.” The Watertown Daily Times re- marks that ‘“‘his reminiscences form a most interesting history of the development of music within the last four decades. -Through all his vears, he has maintalned the high standards of the New York Sym- phony Orchestra. He has been faith- ful to the old German and Austrian composers who -added so much to the beauties of music—to Beethoven, Schubert, Schumann, Haydn and others of that school.” He was “always a discriminating artist, an ambitious and enthusiastic nromoter, a stickler for the ethics of his profession,” states the Kansas City Star, yet that paper recognizes “a mind and spirit open to the evo- lutions of his time.” The Star re- calls that “it was only after he had blazed the way with his own orches- tra, carrying German opera to many cities of the country, that Wagner was properly recognized by the man- agement of the Metropolitan com- pany.” The New York World pays the tribute that “the things he has done were not done by one who was only a musician, but one who was also a man and a great one—one who has that rich- human quality that tran- scends technical brilliancy and speaks to something deep inside of us™ * first payments on automobiles or use | the danger that eating into an endow-{ In the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries people had time to live, though they lacked automobiles, tel phonés, movies, the radio and bath- rooms. It was possible to read a new book in a leisurely, browsing way, be- cause a dozen other were not heing published on the same day. Music could be enjoyed in the home, because there were not so many symphonlies and operas to attend. The theater of- fered fewer plays and theater-goers were able to see a favorite play sev- eral times and savor it critically. Samuel Pepys records in his fa- mous diary that he saw the “Tempest” at least six times with- in six months. Yet the problem of earning a living existed then as now. An account of the domestic and social life of a musical English family of the eighteenth century is given by Clementina Black in her book “The Linleys of Bath,” with an introduction by George Saintsbury. The beauty of different members of this large fam- ily has been immortalized by Reynolds, Gainsborough and Lawrence. * K ¥ Thomas Linley, a singing master, and his wife, Mary Johnson, produced a family of twelve beautiful, gifted children. Clementina Black tells the story of their lives. Thomas Linley, not being well-to-do, felt the necessity of making his numerous children self- supporting as early -as possible, so he trained them as musicians and en- abled them to use thelr musical tal- ents to earn a living. Elizabeth Ann Linley, subject, with her brother Thomas, of one of Galnsborough's most appealing portraits, became the wife of Richard Brinsley Sheridan. She was a popular singer before her marriage and was courted, honorably or dishonorably, by many men of fashion, Emma, Lady Hamilton, mis- tress of Lord Nelson, was at one time a servant in the Linley family and fell in love with Samuel Linley. When he died of a fever at sea she was in- consolable—for a time. Thomas Lin- ley, the younger, produced oratorios and cantatas, which were lauded as equal to Handel's. ‘He was drowned while boating when he was only 2 Indeed, the Linleys seemed to be marked for early death, and thelr 0ld mother outlived them all. Out of the 12 children only the two eldest daughters have left descendants. L I R #The process of cutting up old Eng- lish country estates for villa sites goes on in fiction as in fact. Archibald Marshall began lamentingly to record the decay of the landed proprietors in “The Old Order* Changeth,” the last of his Clinton series. In “The Allbrights” he continues the story, but more cheerfully. The Allbrights wn land—meadows, foregts, hills, val- leys. They see the signs of the times and adapt themselves accordingly. They go in, elegantly, for real estate development. They cut off pleces of land here and there, put up handsome villas, and sell or rent them to good advantage. - Their daughter’ marries the young architect in charge of the villa building; their son studies archi- tecture and learns to put up more villas. So, instead of grumbling about taxes and becoming dally more and more land poor, the Allbrights, though reducing their land and their landed importance, are becoming more and more prosperous capitalistically. * K K ok A little more logic would sometimes save one from thuch bitterness. This s what impresses a reader of “Up From Methodism,” by Herbert Asbury, a great-great-nephew of Bishop Francis Asbury, the principal founder of the Methodist Church in America. Herbert Asbury was brought up as a Methodist in a small Missouri town, where Methodistical narrowness and taboos made life a nightmare of op- pressive gloom. Prayer and church going were almost the only allowable amusements, and even laughter was considered a sin. What was prac- tically espionage existed on the part of the more rigid religious practition- ers toward their less strict neighbors. Hypocrisy was everywhere. So Mr. Asbury reacted, perhaps not unnat- urally, against all formal religion. He ays: “I find myselt full of contempt for the church, and disgust for the forms of religlon. * * * Never since the night of my ‘conversion’ have T gone into a church to worship.” His denunciation of all churches is most bitter. Yet it seems as though what he experienced and rebelled against in his youth were small-townish rather than specifically Methodism. of course, as Methodism was the prevail- ing religion of the town, it was inex- tricably bound up with the spirit of the town. Narrownessand intolerance are manifested under many forms, with or without the assistance of churches. * % ok K Fdgar Wallace turns off detective stories with as great apparent ease as a natural orator makes after-dinner speeches. There is considerable sim- tlarity among his different plots, but he never lacks startling situations and rapid, swiftly changing action. “The Strange Countess’ shows all his usual qualities. The countess is an im- postor and very unscrupulous. There ere also a_ villain in the form of a doctor, and, of course, a charming heroine and a clever detective. The imprisonment of the heroine in a desolate cottage in the country, where she encountars a shocking surprise, feals to the denouement. * x % - “The Nobel Prize Winners in Literature,” by Annie Russell Marble, discusses in 16 chapters the biog: raphies and literary achievements of the reciplents of the Nobel prizi in ['terature. The influence of the writers upon the literature of their own countries and upon world liter- ature is also analyzed. A chrono- logical list of Nobel prize winners In literhture with bibliographies of their works is appended. The first chapter gives the history of Alfred Nobel and the provisions of his will which founded the various Nobel! orizes. * x k% Carolyn Wells keeps the publishers busy with her detective and mystery stories. Only a few months ago *“The Bronze Hand” appeared, and now comes “The Vanity Case,” a tale of murder staged in a Long Island town. It reads like a sensational newspaper story and is so ke many sordid real- life crime accounts that it has a familiar air. One reviewer writes of it: “Why such books should be written, and why, having been written, they should be published, is a problem that one reviewer cannot pre- tend to solve.” * % ¥ ) The Sahara Desert, Bagdad snd Wyoming are combined in the collec- tion of very ephemeral sketches put out by Mary Roberts Rinehart under the title of “Nomad's Land.” De luxe dinners in the desert and visits to the Sphinx and the Pyramids are not as thrilling adventures as are to be found in “The Sheik” or in “Beau Sabreur,” but Mrs. Rinehart tells her story always with so much humor and personality that the book is very readable. * ¥ ¥ ¥ As tourists went trooping through Glacier National Park last Summer, stay-at-homes were able to read of its beautles in the recent book of Agnes C. Laut, “Enchanted Trails of Glacier Park.” Miss Laut has made several trips through the park, both by the regular motor route and on foot guer the tralls and up some of the peaks. This book of hers.is not merely descriptive, but is full of most Indian legends and history. intes One s devoted to “The Old Oregon BY FREDERIC J. HASKIN. Q. Of what are the pads used on foot-ball suits made?—H. S. B. A. Belglan sponge rubber is used in the shoulder, kidney and knee pads and in the headgear. This has been found superfor to the piano felt for- merly used, and it is also said to be much lighter, . How many licensed broadcasting stations are there?—M. N. A. The Department of Commerce says there are 640. Wticies Q. What is the thickness of the steel armor plates used on the naval battleships?—E. H. M. A. They are from 12 inches to 18 inches thick. Q. When pruned?—H. T. A. Dead wood should be removed whenever discovered. Other pruning should be done as new growth is start- ing. Many evergreens do not start growth from old wood, so the pruning should not be severe enough to re- move all the growing shoots from any branch. Q. Which will weigh more, dry sand or wef sand?—T. H. R. A. The weight of dry sand ranges from 90 to 110 pounds per cubic foot. The welght of wet sand ranges from 118 to 129 pounds per cubic foot. ’;hould evergreens be Q. When was the first horse car run in New York City?—E. B. A. It was in 1832, and it was on the Fourth avenue line, running from Prince street as far as Murray Hill, Q. In what perfod was the ice age included?—C. A. A. The great ice age occurred at the beginning of thé Pleistocenc pe- riod. During this ice age there occur- red several glacial periods marked by the extension of the ice sheets, sepa- rated by several interglacial periods marked by partial disappearance of the ice. Q. Which is the most harmful, pipe, cigar or cigarette?—F. J. A. A. Wherever tobacco smoke strikes, it leaves a deposit of oil of tobacco, which cortains a small percentage of nicotine, a deadly poison. Smokers of cigarettes inhale the smoke into the lungs, where the oil of tobacco is de- posited. In pipe smoking the oil of tobacco forms a coating on the chan- nel of the pipe, so that the more the pipe is used, the stronger does the smoke drawn into the mouth become. The oll of tobacco is deposited in the mouth and absorbed into the. system. In the smoking of cigars the .oil of to- bacco is burnt up as the cigar is con- sumed, so that little is absorbed into the system. From the above descrip- tion it may be concluded that ciga- rettes are the most harmful of the three, because the smoke passes over the greatest surface of membrane. On the other hand, it must be added that a cigarette is a shorter smoke than a cigar. Q. Is it dangerous to use the milk of a cow that has been with cattle suffering from hydrophobia?—D. F. A. Cows suffering from this disease usually stop giving milk in the first stages of it; hence there is very little danger of contracting hydrophobia from milk. Q. Who designed the White House? —R. D. M. A. The designer of the White CARLSBAD CAVERNS HAVE VAST AREAS New National Monument Draws Visitors in Increasing Numbers to Wonders. Carlsbad Caverns, N. Me: Uncle Sam’'s official scenic for the past three years, has gained such popularity since its setting aside as a national monument in October, 1923, and its extensive exploration by the National Geographic Society, that it now draws more visitors than some of the great American caves known for many decades. Highways leading to the national monument have been improved, and during the month of August this year 3,248 persons visited the caves, according to information reaching the National Geographic So- clety's headquarters here. A communication to the society from the late Dr. Willis T. Lee, who con- ducted its explorations, described the vast underground fairyland. “About half a mile from the foot of the shaft,” wrote Dr. Lee, “we en- ter the part of the cave reserved as a national monument and soon pass beneath the natural opening. This opening, far above us, which seems so awesome at the surface, appears from the floor of the spacious cavern like a small gnd very inconspicuous aper- ture. Here we give it scarcely a sec- ond thought and pass on to the more impressive features which appear at each turn. Few Rooms Explored. “As we proceed we gradually make our way.deeper and deeper into the earth. For nearly a mile, or a' dis- tance almost equivalent to that from the White house along Pennsylvania avenue to the Capitol, in Washington, we traverse a passage of astonishing dimensions. The walls are very ir- regular, approaching -to within 100 feet of each other in a few places, then receding in lateral chambers many times that width. At the side of the passageway are many alcoves opening into rooms, few of which have House was James Hoban, born in Ire. land about 1765. He came to the United States, settling in Charleston, 8. C., and later in Washington, when the city was first being laid out. He worked for the Government for ‘the greater part of his life. He is chiefly known for his work in connection with the White House, which he alsc rebuilt after the burning in 1814, Q. What was the origin of the polonaise?—M. T. A. The Etude says that this Polish national dance is a promenade rather than a dance. It did not originatc in Polish folk songs and dances, but was first played and danced at the court of Henry III of Anjou in Krakau, when the nobility defiled before him at his ascension to the throne. Q. What is the Arabic word for “fate”?—C. R. A. The Arabic term symbolizing fate or destiny is “‘quismat,” which is An- glicized as “kismet."” Q. How many letters are posted in a year that never reach their destina- tion?—D. L. A. For the fiscal year ended June 30, 1926, the dead letter service re- ceived 24,056,928 undeliverable letters, an increase of 2,724,696, or 12.7 per cent over the number handled in the preceding year. This large increase is probably due to the change in postal rates, on account of which many direct mail advertisers malil their advertising matter under seal that formerly went third class. Users of postcards and private malling cards also now use sealed envelopes. This malfl, when un deliverable, was formerly disposed of by postmasters, but now is sent to the dead letter service. Q. Do the rings on a rattlesnake f'pn.’emctl_v the age of the snake’— . J. W, A. They do not. The Biological Sur vey says that the rattlesnake acquire from two to four rings a year, usually three.” Under normal conditions one ring is added each time the snake sheds its skin. The young rattler is provided with a single button at birth and within a few days it sheds its skin and commences feeding. TIn about two months it sheds its skin for the second time and then the first ring of the rattle is uncovered or added. This has been growing under the old skin, and its pressure was apparent in the swollen appearance of the tail at the base of the original button. The last seven or-eight vertebrae fuee to- gether shottly after birth and form a composite bone known as the “shak- and it is around this bone that each cap or ring of the rattle forms. Q. Are there any museums in the world specializing in folklore?—N. D. A. The following are perhaps the best known: Nordic Museum, Stock- holm; Museum of Velkerkunde, Ber lin, and the Museum of Popular Tra ditions in Paris. The resources of our free Informa- tion Bureau are at your service. You are invited to call upon it as often as vou please. It is being maintained dy The Evening Star solely to serve you. What question can we answer for you? There is no charge at all except 2 cents in stamps for return postege. Address your letter to The Evening Star Information Bureau, Frederic J. Haskin, Director, Washingto: chamber may appropriately be likened to the glorified wigwam of the great wolf god, Sihnav, who in battle used petrified trees for arrows. “‘The third and smallest of the three rooms is subcircular in outline and 1s 160 feet long by 140 feet wids ‘The middle room is about three times this size, and the first one much larger. No measurements were made of the larger rooms. “The chambers about the wigwam are separated from, the master room by curtains and partitions of gleam- ing onyx formed by deposition of lime carbonate from waters dripping from the roof. The great dome is so high i that it is only dimly illuminated by | the torches. | “"Most of the ceiling is covered with dripstone. Thousands of stalactites hang singly, in doublets, in triplets and in groups. They range from a few inches to lengths representing the entire height of the room and in diam- eter from that of a small pencil to masses many feet thick. In some places they hang so thickly that they coalesce at the top, forming spin: masses weighing thousands of tons. Vast Room Unfolds. “The most spectacular part of the tavern is reserved as the final scene of an eventful trip. Leaving the wig- wam, we retrace our steps for a short distance, climb a steep hill, make our way laborious at snail-ltke pace through heaps of fallen rock and over ledges where the guide patiently shows the bewildered climber which foot to put forward in order that the next step may be taken safely. Afte) & half hour's struggle we enter the big room. “I doubt if a name more appropri ate than big room could be found for this remarkable opening. It is more than half a mile in length and will probably average many hundreds of feet in width. The sides recede in places to such great distances tha: our lights failed to illumine the walls. A few side trips revealed alcoves un interrupted for hundreds of feet, bu none of these has been thoroughly ex plored. “Repeated effort was made to obtain some concrete idea of the height of the irregularly arched ceiling. In & few places the rocks above us were revealed by the torches, and it was estimated by several members of the party as more than 200 feet above us. In other places even the spotligh from a strong electric torch failed to plerce the gioom, and no ceiling could be discerned. “The big room has astounding pro portions. Had I been told before en been explored. “In most places the walls are rough and jagged, where masses of rock, now lying én the floor, have fallen. But in a few places the walls are rela- tively smooth, having been polished by waters which flowed through this passageway ages ago. “There is relatively little dripstone lin this part of the cave. And vet every now and again, as a beam of light is directed into the darkness, one is star- tled at the sight of a snow-white fig- ure perched on some rock, like the proverbial ghost on a tombstone. ‘These are stalagmites, built up by the slow dripping of water charged with carbonate of calcium from the lime- stone of the roof. A few of these stalagmites, like Yeitso's Pillar, have been built up into magnificent fluted and ornately decorated columns, as if supporting the ceiling of a vaulted cathedral of vast dimensions. “‘A ‘little more than a quarter mile beyond the natural opening we enter the spectacular part of Carlsbad Cav- ern. Here we find chambers of un- believable dimensions. Our way leads ever downward, over enormous jagged blocks of limeéstone fallen from the roof. . “The chambers in this part of the cave are several hundred feet wide, and the vaulted celling so far above us that in some places we are not able to see it, much less estimate its height. It seems like gazing upward on a| cloudy night. Our fecble lights only magnify the void. | 1 Wonder of Shinav's Wigwam. “At the foot of a great heap of rocks 700 feet below the surface at the entrance three large chambers | open off the main hall. The largest may be called Shinav's Wigwam in honor of the kingly, warrior of Navajo mythology. Because of its size and the glory of fts-decoration this great tering it that an open space of such great dimensions was to be found un derground, I should have doubted my informant's word as frankly as many v.\fi my readers probably will doubt mine.” Peace at Christmas Tide BY ANNE CAMPBELL. To hearts that turn at Christmas time Toward happy days of yore, To hearts that yearn at- Christmas time For joys that are no more, As once Thou sent to Bethlehem Thy Messenger of Peace, Send Thou Thy choicest gifts to them. And bid their travafl cease. For hearts that wake on Christmas da; Yy To loneliness and woe, For hearts that break on Christmas day, Thou hast a gift. we know, Oh, touch them with Thy healing hands, And make it very plain, Within Thy blest, Thy holy lands, Their dear ones live again. To hearts that grieve at Christmas tide For dear, remembered years, To hearts that weave at Christmas tide A pattern dim with tears, 8end down Thy Christmas angels now, Their tender words to say, And b:ru:h each saddened, careworn = W ‘With peace on Christmas day! (Copyright. 1026.)