Evening Star Newspaper, January 5, 1927, Page 8

THE THE EVENING STAR/|sclence is not limited to men whose |serene now in the relations between Vocation it {s. It is the avocation of With day Morn Edition. g Wi Sanday Moming Blitlen. |, considerable mumber of men tch and not rich. At the instant one re- g S calls the London hat hant wh ndon merchan! 0 ‘WEDNESDAY...January 5, 1927 |made o magnificent discovery in microscopy by which magnification THEODORE W. NOYES. ...Editor [ was very much increased. A sclen- g tific or other Intellectual hobby gives The Evening s‘"‘;l‘"sn‘!”'m"“’ a man some sort of inner-man or I 11th St. and Pennay] spiritual growth, which is satisfying o By S R in itself, inspires study on direct and St. London. | collateral lines and helps the man who fs making himself wiser, to take g: fi-emhhgmc:l"lr?gr-l’m?fl'; a clearer and fairer view of all the §he Sity At 60 centa por month: dafly only. | things of life 45 cen ger month: Sundays nnl{ 20 cents er month. Orders may be sent by mail or elephone Main 5000, Collection is made by carrier at end of each month. : 14 Regent England. e Siion e . Removing a Traffic Evil A campaign to curb the reckless driving of light commercial vehicles mo., 78¢| I8 under way in Washington. Ob- mo- 88| servation of the handling of these vehicles covering a period of several weeks has shown that no single class mo. 31,90 of street user contributes more to 38c| traffic hazards than the carelessly op- erating delivery wagon. Pedestrians must run for their lives, passenger entitled | gutomobile traffic is brought to a ‘atchies credited t0 | virtual standstill, and signals are vio- ted in this paper and also the local news piblished Berein” Xl righia of publication | lated while these rushing, darting of special dispatches herein are also Sarwt s itiotyvers ot whiloh iave) mens ingly heedless of all responsibility, American Rights in Nicaragua. |ply the streets of Washington. Disclosure of the concern of the| Through the campaign of The Star, United States Government regarding |t0 Which business leaders, the police the situation in Nicaragua, where a|and authorities heartily subscribe, ef- revolutionary movement is in prog- ress against the established regime, |Pected. No firm, if it was apprised 1has been made in the course of state-| of the fact, would tolerate reckless- inents from the highest sources. It is | ness and boorishness on the part of inade plain that the United States re. | its employes. The same principle ards the situation In that country as | holds true of the drivers of the firm's {nimical to American national defense | @utomobiles, who are in a position and trade interests, and has moved to | Dot only to cause serious injurles to protect them by landing marines. | the public, but to heap indignities on The fact has been somewhat over-|the other users of the streets. Jooked that in 1914 a treaty was| In order to bring about an elimina- signed between the United States and | tion of the traffic hazard created by ~icaragua whereby the latter govern- | these vehicles it will be necessary for ment granted to the United States in [ the public to co-operate. Business perpetuity exclusive rights for the|houses have no way of ascertaining construction, operation and main- the conduct of their drivers after tenance of an interoceanic canal|they start on a run, except for an in- across Nicaraguan territory, and also | éfficient system of supervision or an leased to the United States for a term | accident which will bring the driver of ninety-nine years certain islands in | into court. Hundreds of cases of the Caribbean Sea to enable it to pro- recklessness and bullishness are never brought to the attention of the firm which employs these drivers. It is for the purpose of securing an immediate and effective check-up that merchants with large or small fleets of trucks ask that any person wit- Official opinion has been expressed | nessing carelessness on the part of that the success of the revolution in | thelr drivers report the fact immedi- Nicaragua might ultimately threaten | 8tely to them. In this way ft is :e' the rights granted to the United Heved that the situation can spon be States by the treaty of 1914. This {g | controlled. denied by a spokesman in this city for | Of course, this appeal to “he x:“b“fi the revolutionary party of Nicaragua. | fr 8id in ridding the city of a trafiic It must, however, be assumed that the | €Vl Which has assumed large pro- American administration has specific portions is not to be contrued‘as an Riiowledge upon which to base: its | invitation to amateur trafic wizards @eclasation b pollcy intithe jexplicti| 0 Almagine that'they observe all kinds torms that have been employed, No|Of Violations by light commercial ve. overt act has been’ committed yet.] Ditles when' a Teasonsble viewpolmt This Government, however, is fustified | Would disclose no violation \\'hme\crt. in taking into account the fact that| ORIy reports of bona ’l”e cases o ome of the reasons advanced for the |Tecklessness gnd hoedlessneas s licited and there are enough of this revolutionary movement in Nicaragua | 5¢ ith the S the lliiea thon ot e fikEaarican | R €0Acbep istcants DItky W snfluence in the affaiis of that state, | Problem until Washington once monli ' t a w In addition to the comcern of the | FeSumes its normal aspect o el United States Government regarding | FeEulated trafio city. its own rights under the treaty of E ey v 1914, it is pointed out that all Ameri- Efficient Fire Drills. can interests in Nicaragua would be| An excellent example of school dis- threatened by revolution and the con- | cipline was afforded yesterday when sequent anarchy in that country. The | a blaze occurred in one of the local dominant commercial interests there | schoolhouses and the 350 children in are American. Nationals of this coun-| response to the fire drill signal try have heavy investments in lum-| marched in orderly and quiet manner ber, fruit and mercantile lines.|out of doors, unaware that the alarm Furthermore, American citizens are|was a real one until they saw the greatly interested in the financial set- | engines arrive and prepare for action. tlements now being made between the | The fire itself was of no moment, be- Nicaraguan government and its cred- | ing quickly extinguished, but it might ttors. Certain collections of customs | have been of serious nature and in under an American official serving the | any case the children might have been Nicaraguan government by an agree- | thrown into a panic with grafe con- ment between that country and the | sequences. United States, effective though not in| Fire drills are held in the public the form of a treaty, are being applied | schools frequently enough to habitu- for the reduction of this debt. ate the children to quick and orderly The fact that no move has been |response. As on board ship passengers made by this country for the comple- | ré summoned {o their boat stations tion of the .canal project does mot|by & whistle signal at least once on Jessen its rights or the grounds for its T"T’&' voyage, so the pupils are regu- concern regarding the possibility of | 12TV the repudiation’ of its treaty agree.|ciplined escaps from the bullding. ment in Nicaragua by a revolutionary | Unfortunately, not ail of the school- organization. Though dormant, that|bouses of Washington are safe in right is still of the highest value, sery. | Fespect to fire, or, in fact, with regard 1ng s a protection against any other | to @xit facilities. Some of the older power utilizing the Nicaraguan route | 0o Were bullt when thers was/mo for canal purposes. The United States ;‘:’;‘“:;:""”“"“ S may eventually elect to exercise the privilege of canal construction. Its| DY means of thess firs drills ':’ suthority to do so must not be put in | Children are made to r"";“ g jeopardy, and 1t is entirely within its | [A1INE Quietly into line an e S 10 nbiguand Mt Selviige by | T IR SIORGY Bty m”n“" ] wctions which are to be interpreted as ::;:Eb"’,:.dh‘l’;‘t::;e:fip;h‘:h e un insurance against. repudiation By | LU ung quiet obedlenco. 1o order. T | Even the littlest ones are thus man | aged efficiently. They rather relish the occasional signals and the exer- cise of marching out, only to march back again, for these movements ef- fect a change in their routine. In yes- terday's case there would have been no danger had they kept their seats, but the course of safety calls for the immediate emptylng of the bullding in which there i3 any fire whatsoever and the school principal in charge of this particular bullding wins com- mendation for her promptness and for the efficiency with which the drill was executed. s Rate by Mail—Payable in Advance. Maryland and Virginia. Dafly and Sund Daily only . b Member of the Associated Press. tect the Panama Canal and the con- templated Nicaragua Canal, in addi- tion to the right to establish a naval base in the Gulf of Fonseca. For these rights the United States agreed to pay to Nicaragua $3,000,000. ——————————— The threat of war with Mexico is’ one incident of history that repeats itself at very brief intervals. Gifts to the Smithsonian. The riches of the Smithsonian Institution have lately been augment- ed by two notable private collections. The latest of these is the mineral ¢ol- lection of Col. Washington A. Roeb- 1ing, builder of the Brooklyn Bridge, which has been given to the Smith- sonian by Col. Roebling’s son, John A. Roebling. It consists of about 1,500 mineral species, nearly all that e so far known, and was accom- panied by an endowment of $150,000 for its maintenance. A few days prior to the Roebling gift the Smith- wonian recelved from Capt. John Don- nell Smith of Baltimore a botanic li- Mercenary advantages are said to be involved to an extent that makes the clash between Diaz and Sac look like a highly financed personal altercation. fective results are confidently ex- put through the motions of dis- | | the city hall and the statehouse. This, in itself, is a matter of no moment to the people of the country outside of New York. But it has its significance in national politics, es- peclally in view of the governor's statement in the course of his in- augural address that he is in a recep- tive attitude toward a presidential nomination. The “Smith for President" boom is not to be weakened by a family quarrel. Whether the governor has changed his position through per- suasion that he was wrong in his first proposal from the point of view of the welfare of the people of Greater New York, or by other arguments connect- ed with the drive for delegates for 1928, which is now getting under head- way, is undetermined. But the fact| remains that an incipient breach has been closed, and all is now serene at Tammany Hall and the delegate hunt proceeds. N Radio for Police Work. If present plans mature the Wash- ington police will soon have a radio broadcasting equipment that will en- able it to give warning promptly to other cities that criminals have escaped from this District and are “wanted” here. The radio has hereto- fore been used in New York and De- troit for this purpose and has proved effective in helping to round up fugi- tives. Communication is to be had with the police authorities of those citles for detailed information as to the radio practice. Heretofore the wires have been used for sounding an alarm that a lawbreaker has fled the jurisdiction. But the wire, swift as it is, has its| limitations. It reaches only the police | authorities to whom a message is ad- dressed. The radio reaches every- body. It, of course, may reach the fugitive himself and give him warn- ing. But it is to be assumed that he knows the police are searching for him and that every effort is being made to catch him. Thus the radio only adds to his fear of capture. It may perhaps shake his nerve to real- ize that hundreds of thousands of peo- ple are aware of his flight and in- formed of his appearance. This equipment, it is estimated, will cost about $25,000. An appropriation for that purpose should be made to enable the Washington police to be in a position to broadcast their needs and thus enlist the services of all the police forces in the country In the search for fugitives. —_————— Uncle Sam is represented as eager for money, when, as a matter of fact, he is only anxious to have the books balanced. all around so that business can proceed in a spirit of friendly confidence. ———————— The income tax blank comes along immediately after the first of the year, but tactlessly neglects to in- clude a picture of holly wreaths and a few words of cheery greetipg. ———————— The Anti-Saloon League undoubt- edly wins one big point permanently. Nobody ever wants to see a saloon again. ——r Philadelphia is now wondering whether “holding a sesquicentennial” is a polite synonym for “holding the bag.” st ‘When a revolutionist government is “recognized,” it is liable to reduce or have its face lifted, so that it soon looks like a stranger. ————————— The Borgias were expert poisoners, but behind the time. They never thought of wm?d alcohol. SHOOTING STARS. BY PHILANDER JOHNSON. Static. There comes, perchance, a word from Mars And silvery songs from distant stars, And salutations from some race Tn friendliness through boundless | P space. Discordant are the tones we hear. They clash and quiver, tillsthe ear Grows weary. Yet we hope some day ‘The din so dire will clear away. A message we may then command ‘Which we at last can understand. And 3o our fears and sorrowings And all the doubt that terror brings ‘With threats of sullen grief or strife May be the static in each life, Which, understood at last, we'll prize As music from eternal skies. A Duty Discharged. “When you first ran for office, were you a reformer?” ““Yes,” answered Senator Sorghum. “I denounced all kinds of iniquity in terms that ought to persuade every- body to be good. “And when you were in office?” “If people refused to take my ex- cellent advice, I couldn't regard it as my fault.” Appropriate Music. “Do people still sing ‘Landlord Fill the Flowing Bowl? “Some of them do,” answered Uncle Bill Bottletop. “But it's a mistake. ‘What they ought to sing 1s ‘I Want to Be an Angel.’"” The Necktie Habit. The necktie that his wife for him once bought Brought jeering laughter from the office crowd. By novel patterns has his eye been caught. brary of 1,§00 volumes, many of them yare and all of them splendidly bound. ‘With these books Capt. Smith gave to the Smithsontan his collection of more than 100,000 plant specimens, many of which were not in the Na- tional Herbarfum. The library and herbarium were accompanied with en endowment for their upkeep. The collections of Col. Roebling and Capt. Smith are valuable aids in the sclentific study of mineralogy and botany. They are desirable additions to the Smithsonian’s collections and the fund for their maintenance is also a help to the institution. It is likely that tew persons beyond the friend-circles of Col. Roebling and Capt. Bmith knew that they rode the polentifio hobbles revealed by their 0w $o4he Bmithaenian, Anterestin.ag cloud was dissipated, All 18 when he SAYS ‘Eloased 1o MeshERN MMMO‘*\!' Gov. Smith Changes His Mind. Recently Gov. Smith of New York proposed a plan for the regulation of rapld transit matters within the State under which the jurisdiction over the New York City transportation prob- lems would be vested in a State com- mission. Opposition to this proposal jwas immedlately expressed by the | mayor of Greater New York, and his views were supported by leading mem.- | bers of Tammany Hall A confllet| between the governor and the mayor| ' 0at makes some waa. i1 DEOSHEOE. 1T mAyor made a | PAREera et o) violant?” | “They want the best accommoda- trip to Albany a week ago and had a ' 2 heart-to-heart talk with the governor, 'ions the town affords. We've got a fine new jail and a bum hotel.” Yesterday it was announced that the “After a politician has shook hands In gaudy garb he struts, exceeding proud. Again she shops for him. His taste, she thought, ‘Was reprehensible and far too loud! Jud Tunkins says there's no use contradicting the decrees of Fashion. Even a Christmas tree goes out of style in a week. Getting the Best. of these THIS AND THAT BY CHARLES E. TRACEWELL. It might seem a far from a re- cent talk given over radio broadeast. ing station WRC to the novel, “Fram. ‘arsonage,” by Anthon: published in 1661, > e e inability of the average man to sy “No,” however, is what bridged the gap. Men were just as “easy” then as they are now when it comes to signing papers. “Oh, it doesn’t mean anything!” was what ' they were told then—just as it 1s what they are told now. The signa- ture on “the dotted line,” which is wanted So much, never means any. thing—until settiement time, Then it means a whole lot. Rev. Mark Robarts, in “Framley arsonage,” discovered this for him. self, just as many a man finds it out today after he has weakly signed his name, not because he wanted to, but because he hesitated to offend Some one he never cared a whoop for in the first place. The gentleman who gave the recent radio_talk used the slogan “Read Be- fore You Sign!” And there is only one better, and that one is: Never sign at all! PRI Mark Robarts was an_ambitious young man who undoubtedly aspired to be a bishop, although he never ad- mits as much, even to himself. When he got an invitation to a Ruse party at Chaldicotes, the an- cient family seat of Mr. Sowerby, he must go, forsooth, for no better rea- son than that Harold Smith would be | af; there. Smith, it was widely rumored, would be in the next ministry, and could give his friend, Mark Robarts, some pre- ferred position in the church. Undoubtedly! So the ambitious Mr. Robarts hot- footed it to Chaldicotes, despite the wishes of Lady Lufton, his patroness, and his dear wife, Fanny Robarts. Lady Lufton, a wise old lady, had no use for Mr. Sowerby, for that gen- tleman had inveigled her son, the young Lord Lufton, into signing vari- ous and sundry “bills,” which, falling due, left the lord “holding the bag,” as the saying is. Sowerby was not a bad fellow in his way. His way was simply an expen- sive one, and he found it necessary to get Joans from his friends. ter he had mulcted Lord Lufton for a big sum he had to hunt up an- other victim. On looking over his acquaintances, he saw that Rev. Mark Robarts would just about do. Mr. Sowerby was a shrewd judge of human nature—one of those clever men who ate too clever for their own good in the long run. But, it must be confessed, he held on a long time, thanks to ‘easy marks"” such as Robarts. Little did the clergyman suspect when he was invited to the “party” that the only reason he was askeq was to be “hit for a loan.” be‘:?h, Lord, what fools thess mortals * ok k% There is a lesson here for every man. Since it is easier to learn it in a story than in some bitter experience of real life, we reprint here for the remainder of this space the story as told by Anthony Trollope: On that evening before Robarts went away Sowerby asked him to come up to his bedroom when the whole party was breaking up, and there got him into an easy _chalr, while he (Sowerby) walked ubp and down the room. “You can hardly tell, my dear fel- low,” said he (referring to his court- ship of an heiress), “the state of nervous anxiety in which this puts Y “Why don’t you ask her and have it done with? She seems to me to be fond of your society.” “Ah, it Is not that only! There are wheels within wheels.” And then he walked once or twice up and down the room, during which Mark thought that he might as well go to bed. “Not that I mind telling you every- thing,” said Sowerby. “I am infer- nally hard up for a little ready money just at the present moment. It may be—and indeed 1 think it will be—the case that I shall be ruined in this matter for the want of it.”" “Could not Harold Smith give it to i vo “‘Ha, ha, ha! You don’t know Harold Smith. Did you ever hear of his lend- ing a man a shilling in his life? *¢ * Look you here, Mark! I would do more for your little finger than for his whole hand, including the pen which he holds in it. It is deuced hard, isn’'t it? I must give up the whole game if I can’t put my hand upon 400 pounds within the next two days.” Mark sat silent and wishing that he was in his own bedroom. He had an idea that Mr. Sowd@rby wished him to produce this 400 pounds, and he knew also that he had not 400 pounds in the world, and that if he had he would be acting very foolishly to give it to Mr. Sowerby. ~But, nevertheless, he felt half fascinated by the man and half id of him. fter some more conversation, in which Sowerby leads up to his game, the tale is continued by Trollope as follows:) “Now, I'll tell you what, Mark. If you'll assist me at this strait I'll never forget And the time will come around when I may be able to do something for you.” “I have not got a hundred—no, not fifty—pounds by me in the world.” “Of course, you've not. Men don't walk about the streets with 400 pounds in their pockets.” “What is it you want, then?” “Why, your name, to be sure. Allow me to draw on you at three months. Long before that time I shall be flush enough.” And then, before Mark could an- swer, he had a bill stamp and pen and ink out on the table before him and was filling in the bill as though his friend had already given his consent. “Upon my word, Sowerby, I had rather not do that.” “Why? What are vou afraid of?” Mr. Sowerby asked this very sharply. “Did you ever hear of my having neg- lected, to take up a bill when it fell due??’ Robarts thought that he had heard of such a thing, but in his confusion he was not exactly sure, and so said nothing. “No, my boy, I have not come to that. Look here, just you write “Accepted, Mark Robarts,’ across that, and then you shall never hear of the transaction again, and you will have obligated me forever."” “‘As a clergyman, it would be wrong of me,” sald Robarts. “As a clergyman! Come, Mark, if you don't like to do as much as that for a friend, say so. But don't let us have that sort of humbug. Come, old fellow, you won't throw me over when Iam so hard pushed?” Mark Robarts took the pen and signed the bill. It was the first time in his life that he had ever done such an act. Sowerby then shook him cor- dially by the hand, and he walked off to his own bedroom a wretched man# WASHINGTON OBSERVATIONS BY FREDERIC WILLIAM WILE. Edgar Allen McCulloch, chief jus- tice of the Supreme Court of Ar- kansas, is said to be slated for the vacant place on the Federal Trade Commission. The vacancy is allo- cated to a Democrat and Judge Mc- Culloch is of that persuasion, like most good Arkansans. Senator “Joe” T. Robinson, minority leader in the Senate, receives credit for bringing the Little Rock jurist's name to President Coolidge’s atten- tion. It is some time since a South- erner has been a member of the Federal Trade Commission. Judge McCulloch, who, if appointed, would succeed Huston Thompson of Colo- rado, is a Tennesseean by birth, but began practicing law in Arkansas 43 year$ ago. He has been on the Su- preme Court bench of the State since 1904 and its chief justice since 1909. His term expires in 1928. * K ¥ ¥ An observer with an eye more discerning than this writer possesses sends word that Coolidge economy apparently extends to such uncon- sidered trifles as the flag that flaps over the White House when the President is in residence there. Said witness deposes and affirms that as he was standing in line on the White House lawn New Year day he dis- covered to his astonishment that the starry banner atop the Executive Mansion bore unmistakable signs of recent repair. On the third white stripe from the upper edge of old Glory there was a patch possibly a foot long. It had been put on so re- cently that its whiteness was con- spicuous compared to the rest of the stripe. Inquiry in exalted quar- ters reveals that the White House has two flags. One is hung out when the skies are fair. Presumably the patched symbol of our liberties was flung to the breeze on New Year day in the expectation of bad weather. * ¥ %k X Not in years has so reasoned and ringing a plea for national defense been heard on Capitol Hill as Senator Hiram W. Johnson's denunciation of unpreparedness on January 3. Al- though the California Progressive read from a prepared manuscript, he was in Bull Moose fighting form and held the attention of the Senate from start to finish of a two-hour speech. Some politicians think that Hiram is casting a roving eye in the direction of Republican national honors in 1928, despite the unkindness of fate when he attempted it in 1920 and 1924. Stranger things have happened than that an aspirant to the presidency should win popular favor on the is- sue of national defense. So it is just possible that Johnson has pitched a subtle hat into the ring with his cru- sade for an adequate Army and Navy. His home fences are in a little better shape than they were some tln:le back. Hiram failed to keep “Sam’ Short- ridge from returning to the,Senate, but Johnson's power in California it- self was re-established at the recent elections, wherefrom his candidate for governor emerged victorious. * ok Kk American missionaries have for generations been trylng to convert “the heathen Chinee” and other Ori- entals, and now there are to be re- prisals from the, unbelieving East. The Nishi Hongwangl, the most pow- erful and influential Buddhist sect, plans the establishment of a strong Buddhist church in the United States, and the conversion of Westerners to the faith of Japan. Burma and Siam. governor had changed his views, and would not urge a State-commission | mebbe a thousand times,” said Uncle Eben, “you kind o’ doubt his sincerity jurisdiction over city transit. Thus a . Europe is also to be invaded for that purpose. Announcement of the proj- ect emanates from Count Sonyu ishi Hons- wangl. Count Otanl visited the West- ern world last year and was warmly welcomed by religious leaders of ail denominations. He does not contem- plate the time when Buddhism will supplant_Christianity in the United States. But he is strongly of opinion that there’s need for his faith on the part of many Americans, particularly because Buddhism is tolerant of other religions and merely asks the same tolerance in return. Count Otani is building a cottage-home in Kioto, Japan, to serve as a retreat for Americans and Europeans who care to study Buddhism. * oK K X Who are the fleld marshals in the renewed campaign for farm relief? They are half-a-dozen in number and will be in command on Capitol Hiil more or less incessantly during the remainder of the session. “Sam” Thompson, president of the American Farm Bureau Federation, ranks as generalissimo. He is an Illinois banker, a Methodist deacon, 62 years old and a dirt farmer. Another Illinoisan in the high command of the farm-relief forces is George N. Peek, chairman of the ‘“‘Committee of 22,” representing 11 corn-belt States. Peek was once the $100,000-a-year president of the Moline Plow Co. at Moline, IIl. During the war he was commis- sioner of finished products on the War Industries Board. Uncle Sam gave Peek the distinguished service medal for war service. Peek’s right-hand man s Chester C. Davis, native Jowan, one time Rooseveltian, and later a farm editor in Montana. It was as commissioner of agriculture for Montana that Peek functioned at Washington during the original Mec- Nary-Haugen fray in 1924. Other lead- ing farm relievers are Willlam Hirth, editor of the Missouri Farmer and boss of the Missouri Farmers Associa- tion; Frank W. Murphy, Minnesota lawyer and landholder, and chairman of the board of the American Council of Agriculture, and William Settle, president of the Indiana Farm Bu- reau Federation. EE Muscle Shoals, the Nation's eternal white elephant, is doomed to undergo another siege of neglect and delay. ‘The scheme is to re-enter it in the joint congressional committee to which it was sent last year. That committee, of which Senator Deneen, Republican, of Illinois, is chairma has reported in favor of the bid sul mitted by a Southern power company to lease Muscle Shoals for 50 years. But powerful Senate groups headed by Senator Norris of Nebraska (whoj favors Government operation) and by Senators Underwood and Heflin of Alabama (who favor making the plant chiefly available as a producer of farm fertilizer) are said to marshal enough votes between them to send the whole project back to committee. Muscle Shoals legislation this session is practically out of the question. * k x X ‘Washington politicians are greatly intrigued by the news that,Gifford Pinchot is pulling up stakes at Harris- burg on January 17 and promptly replanting them at the National Cap- ital. His declared purpose is to make war on ‘“the interests,” which he is led to believe are planning raids on the natlonal forest reserves and on the country’s natural water resources. The cattlemen and sheep-raisers, with designs on Western forests for grazing purposes, and the “electric monopol- ists,” with an eye on the power re- sources of the United States, are ear- marked as the particular 'objects of Pinchot’s vigilance and opposition at ‘Washington. The retiring Governor of Pennsylvania owns:- a commdious home here. It will be his battle head- quarters during the remainder of the co! nal session. £0opyrighs. 19324 EVENING STAR, WASHINGTON, D. ¢, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 5, 1927. Politics at Large By G. Gould Lincoln. ‘When Gov. Al Smith of New York tossed his hat into the ring for the Democratic presidential nomination in 1928 dusing his inaugural address New Year day it was scarcely a surprise. If any one doubted that Gov. Smith was a candidate, however, his doubt has been set at rest. It is true that his announcement was to the effect he was a receptive candidate rather than an aggressive candidate. He an- nounced that he was, so to speak, in the hands of his friends. Gov. Smith is the idol of the North- ern Democracy. It remains to be seen to what extent he can gather a follow- ing in the South and the West. To- day he is the outstanding figure in the Democratic party the country over. Four times elected governor of the Empire State, the party there has un- der his leadership smote the Repub- licans hip and thigh. Thousands of Democrats the country over are ask- ing if he s not the Moses to lead the party nationally out of the wilderness which has engulfed it since 1920. Democrats In all sections*are weary of being out of power. If they believe they can win with Smith, even though they do not like his wetness or the fact that he is a Catholic, they may rally to him. * ok ok K The Governor of New York has the advantage today of having struck the first blow. No other Democrat has yet had the temerity to go as far as he has in the race for the prize—the presidential nomination. Others have shrunk so far from admitting that they would like to head the ticket in 1928.° William Gibbs McAdoo of Cali- fornia, Georgia and intermediate sta- tions has maintained a discreet silence regarding his plans for the future, al- though former Secretary Meredith of the Department of Agriculture, in an interview in New York recently, de- clared that he was the logical candi- date. There are those who say that Mr. Meredith has an idea he may be the residuary legatee of the McAdoo dele- gates in the national convention if it becomes apparent that the former Secretary of the Treasury cannot win. Gov. A. Vic Donahey of Ohio has in- sisted in season and out that he is not a candidate for the Democratic nomination, notwithstanding the ef- forts of some of his friends to start a boom for him at a dinner given here by Representative Martin Davey of the Buckeye State. Senator James A. Reed of Missouri, the great in- quisitor of the Senate, who has given the party the slush fund issue against the Republicans, also has denied he is a candidate, though admitting that his friends may work for him. Gov. Albert C. Ritchie of Maryland has trumpeted his State’s rights issue abroad, but has said nothing about being a candidate. There are ‘pos- sibilities” who continue to maintain a discreet silence regarding 1928, among them Senator Robinson of Ar- kansas, Democratic leader of the Sen- ate. XK K The frank admission by Gov. Smith that he is a receptive candidate may have the effect of hastening other as- pirants for the nomination to declare themselves. But whether it does or not, the governor’s announcement is a distinct challenge to the fleld. Moreover, it will be considered a dis- tinct chailenge to the dry element in the party. Those Democratic Séna- tors who have been willing to discuss the statement made by the govern now view the approaching Democratic national convention as a contest be- tween the wets and the drys. Out- side of wet Democratic Senators who are strongly in favor of the nomina- tion of Gov. Smith, like Walsh of Massachusetts and Copeland of New York, there appears to be a decided feeling in the Senate that the wet jssue will do more to kill off the candidacy of Gov. Smith than any other issue, not excepting the religious issue. Possibly that is because they themselves are drys and have ob- served a long line of dry victories in the immediate past. The dry element so far is pinning its faith either to McAdoo or to Dona- hey, with Meredith as the dark horse in case neither of them is successful. One thing appears certain: The dry organizations of the country are out to do their utmost to keep a wet, whether Gov. Smith, Gov. Ritchie or Senator Reed, from winning the nomi- nation. If they can so maneuver that both the Democrats and the Repub- licans nominate dry candidates for the presidency, ‘tlhey will have accom- hed their end. p“lsn some dry quarters there is talk of dividing the wet strength in the convention. It may be strategy to boost another wet, Senator Reed for example, as Senator Caraway of Ar- kansas has recently done, for the nomination. Get the wets fighting among themselves and a vietory for the drys will be all the more certain. A year ago, and even later, Gov. Smith declared he did not wish to be a candidate for re-election as Governor of New York or for the Senate agalnst Senator ‘Wadsworth. He desired, he said, to retire to private life and give attention to the business of laying up a competence for his family. But he never said that he would not be a candidate for the presidential nomination in 1923. Indeed, there s not the slightest doubt that he has had the bee in his bonnet ever since the last Demo- cratic national convention when he rolled up a great block of votes and stopped Mr. McAdoo's triumphal march, * % K K Senator Reed of Missouri has come into his own in the Senate. He is the most carefully watched man on the Democratic side of the Sen- ate and today seems to have the greatest amount of influence among his colleagues. He demonstrated this only a day or two ago when he went into conference with them and, by force of his arguments and his leadership, won them over to sup- port & motion to send the creden- tials of Col. Frank L. Smith of Illi- nols to the privileges and elections committee if and when Col. Smith presents himself at the door of the Senate for admission. Prior to the strong stand_taken by the Missouri Senator the Democrats were divided as to what should be done about swearing in Col. Smith if he came to take his seat under appointment of Gov. Len Small. Some of them were leaning strongly towarg per- mitting Smith to take the olth of office and then seeking to expel him. Now it is said that not more than four Democrats would vote to seat Smith immediately. The Missourl Senator has two months of the present session of the Senate to increase his hold upon his party still further and sifx months in the session which begins next December. He is dynamic, inde- pendent and regarded by. many as the greatest orator of the Senate today. Political strength rolls up like a snowball or wanes as quickly as the snow melts, depending very largely upon questions of the hour and the position the political leader takes upon them. Report of the death of Samuel Adams, for many years a stanch worker for the Republican cause, has brought regret to his friends af Re- ‘publican national headquarters here. Mr. Adams was a native of Westfleld, Mass., but for many years had lived in Virginla. He was a loyal supporter of Presient Coolidge and d 1924 prsidential volun! ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS BY FREDERIC J. HASKIN. Q. What part of the money raised by the sales of the tuberculosis Christmas seals is Tnt in the State that raised 1t?>—W. w. A. The Soclety for the Prevention of Tuberculosis in Washington informs us that 95 per cent of the tuberculosis Christmas seal money goes to the State in which it i{s raised, while the remaining 5 per cent goes toward the national fund for the control of this disease. Q. What did Dorothy ,Mackaill do l'(w}eta(ne starting her scresfi career?—D. A. Miss Mackaill was formerly a dancer at the Casino de Parls, Paris. Later she appeared in the Ziegfeld Follies. Q. Is it cold enough in Australia for ice skating?—N. N. A. At no time of the year is it pos- sible to skate on ice in any division of Australia. Q. Hows many people in the United States carry life insurance?’—P. B. A. It is estimated that about 54,000, 000 people carry insurance. The amount of life insurance in force is about $75,000,000 Q. Does the astronomical day begin at noon or at midnight?>—W. R. W. A. Astronomers formerly began the day at noon, but recently it was de- cided advisable for the sake of uni- formity to use the same day in astro- nomical work as is used in_civil life and commencing with 1925 all the national almanacs began the day at midnight. Q. How tall was Walter Heffelfin- ger of Yale and what did he welgh?— H. W. McA. A. He was 6 feet 3 inches tall and weighed 227 pounds. Is it a fact that negro never be bred out?—O. L. A. The Public Health Service says that, according to the Mendalian law of inheritance, negro blood or any that, according to the Mendelian law supposed to show up in the offspring according to a definite and rather complex plan. It occasionally hap- pens that an offspring has a flare- back to previous generations. This is called atavism, a recurrence or a tendency to recur to an ancestral type or to any ancestral trait, deformity or disease after its disappearance for two or more generations. The cause of this reversion is not known. Negro blood can never be completely bred out, but it can become so attenuated as to be impossible to detect. blood can W. Q. Has any foreign nation paid its war debt to the United States in full>—G. M. Q. What material is used to make cane seats?—R. J. B, A. The outer hard part of rattan is used. Q. When was “The Mikado™ first produced?—R. 8. F. A. The first production of “The Mikado"” occurred in London, March 14, 1885. It was shown at the Savoy Theater. Gllbert and Sullivan wrote the opera. Q. What kinds of fur are tmported from China?—E. M. B. A. According to the Fur Trade Re- view for November, 1928, over 12,- 700,000 pleces of fur were imported into the United States from China during the first half of 1926. Of this total 6,000,000 were goat and kid skins; squirrel, 2,200,000 odd, and weasel over 1,200,000. . How old was John Singer -;arsen: at the time of his death?— A.” The artist was 69 years of age Q. How long will an ordina: il sack last?>—C. 8. G. S A. The average life of an ordinary malil sack Is between five and seven years. Q. In colonial days did women ride cross-saddle?—O. M. D. A. Mme. de Reldesel, wife of Gen. de Reidesel, was an exception to rule, in that she *“rode horseback like man.” Q. Where 1Is Pawnee Rock?— B. R. B. A.” One of the early landmarks was Pawnee Rock on the old Santa Fe Trall, in what is now Barton County, Kans. This glant rock standing ou the level plain was a noted spot, fo® the trail ran near its base. It proe vided a place of rest and safety foe many a_traveler. In later years thig landmark was disappearing. The Woman's Kansas Day Club resolve§ to save the historic spot and secured a deed for the Rock and five acres surrounding it. On Kansas day, 1909, the women presented this deed to the State. This was done with the condis tion that the State spend $3,000 for improvements. Q. How long would it take to travel to the sun by train?—B. R. K. . Dr. Paul W. Merrill, astrono- mer at the Mount Wilson Laboratory, Pasadena, computed that an express traln would take 200 years to reach the sun from our earth. Q. Is there an original of “My Old Kentucky Home"?—C. S. S. A. The home described in Stephen Foster’s song is Federal Hill, a man- A. Cuba has paid her war debt of $10,000,000 to the United States in full, together with all interest due. Q. Where are the champlon Hol- stein cows in the United States?— M. E. L. A. The Bureau of Dairying says that the champion milk-producing Holstein cows are owned by the Car- nation Farms, Seattle, Wash. The champion butterfat-producing Hol- stein cows are owned by the Min- nesota Holstein Friesian Company, Mankato, Minn. Q. How long has been known?—E. C. G. A. Crystal gazing was practiced by the ancients. References appear to it in the literature of the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. There were similar practices among the native tribes of North and South America, Asia, Australia and Africa. crystal gazing Criticism of the appointment by President Coolidge of Cyrus E. Woods to the Interstate Commerce Commis- sion comes from many quarters and develops varying points of view. Other coal-producing sections object to the selection of a member of the commis- sion at the instance of Pennsylvania; many of those who comment condemn the whole idea of applying what the Milwaukee Journal calls “regional de- sires and political expediencies” to the rate-making commission, and the part played by Mr. Woods in the Pennsyl- vania primaries of last Summer is not overlooked by his opponents. “The selection of Mr. Woods for this responsible post,” the Pittsburgh Chronicle Telegraph frankly states, “is the result of the concerted movement, originating in Pittsburgh, to secure representation for this State in the railroad rate-making body. Mr. Woods is admirably equipped by natural abil- ity and training for the position of In- terstate Commerce Commissioner. His distinguished diplomatic career was preceded by. years of service in the State Legislature. As lawyer and busi- ness man He has achieved success. It is good to know that his talents and experience are to be enlifted to the further advantage of the public service.” The Harrisburg Telegraph is con- vinced that “opposition to the confir- mation of Mr. Woods is not unselfish at any point. It is all very well for those who keep in the background,” continues that paper, “to talk about factionalism and politics and all that sort of thing, but these same interests forget that they draw attention to their own selfish interests when they point out these objections to Mr. Woods."” In the Nashville Banner, the Presi- dent’s choice has a champion outside his home territory. “Mr. Woods seems to be a man of ability,” says the Ban- ner. “He undoubtedly has had ex- perience in public affairs'and enjoys much prestige. His political career has been mostly or entirely in the dip- lomatic service. He was Minister to Portugal and later Ambassador, first to Spain and later to Japan. Presi- dent Coolidge evidently holds him in high esteem. Pennsylvania has felt herself long slighted in not having a member of the commission. The de- velopment of opposition by friends of the retiring commissioner makes it certaln that whether Woods is con- | firmed of not, Cox will never be reap- pointed.” * K oK % “Sectionalism should not be consid- | ered in appointing members of the sists the New Bedford Evening Stand- ard. “If this wholesome rule has been broken in the choice of Woods it has been broken, too, if reports are cor- rect, by Senators who are expected to oppose him on the ground that a com- missioner should have been chosen from the Southwest, to look out for the _— serving as a llalson officer between Chairman Butler and various groups. He was a tireless worker, his friends say, a most convincing talker, and his sincerity was so evident at all times that even the most recalcitrant ended by accepting his views. At one time Mr. Adams was a can- Cyrus E. Woods’ sion near Bardstown, Ky. Q. How may skyscrapers has New York City?—S. D. R. A. The term is a flexible one, but there are more than 1,000 buildings in New York which might well be termed “skyscrapers.” Find_out whatever you want to know. There is no room for ignorance in this busy world. The person who loses out is the one who guesses. The person who gets on is always the one who acts upon reliable information. This paper employs Frederic J. Has- kin_to conduct an information bureau in Washington for the free use of the public. There is no charge, ezcept 2 cents in stamps for return postage Write to him today for eny facts you desire. Address The Ewening Star Information Bureau, Fredbric J. Has- kin, director, Washington, D. C ) Appointment Develops Varying Criticism interests of that region. Opposition on that ground gave Senator Reed of Pennsylvania a clear invitation to re- ply_that, in magznitude, the interests of Pennsylvania are the more impor- tant.” The Standard, however, citing criticism on broader grounds, remarks- “It is sald that he was manager of the Pepper-Fisher primary campalgn in Pennsylvania, and that he has been counsel for coal interests that have been parties to an important rate case that the commission was trying. One wonders whether the President is run- ning into another Warren case.” “Reduced freight rates on anything are not objectionable, of themselves,” observes the Sioux City Daily Tribune, “but as conditions now are organized in railroad affairs. favoritism of that kind cannot be granted except at the expense of other sections and other in- didate for the post of Secretary of Ag- riculture. When the representation was made to him that, because of geographical and other conditions, an agricultural executive must com from Middle Western teritory, he at once withdrew his candidacy. Presi- dent Coolidge, it is said, had a high regard for him and his vision on the :lfll\lll;l.rll lflllll“:n. and at different imes made investigations along this lins. terests. Non-compensatory rates on Pennsylvania coal would be unfair to coal operators in lowa, Wvoming, Kentucky, Virginia and elsewhere.” The Tribune objects to “giving a new club to the Pittsburgh Coal Co. and im- mediate associates.” The Chicago Trib- une agrees: “They understand these things in Pennsylvania. Tllinois, on the other hand, is chronically under- represented in important governmen- tal positions. The result is that when governmental bodles have important decisions to make. deeply affecting the interests of Illinois, we are generally on the outside looking in.” “There are 11 members of the com- mission,” the Omaha World Herald points out. “All of them were ap- pointed from Atlantic seaboard States Pacific seaboard States,. the Great Lakes States and the Gulf States More than half the country—all that portion which does not touch water, and of which Nebraska is the heart. 18 unrepresented. And it is this unrep- resented section, persistently and out- rageously discriminated against, that stands most in need of representation on the great and powerful body which controls the rates and services of the raflroads.” The Huntington Adver- tiser declares that “this appointment is a deliberate attempt to pack the commission to further the selfish pur- poses of a section.” R Objecting to “regional desires and political expediencies,” the Milwaukes Journal holds that “the rate-making commission seems to be drifting into dangerous waters,” while the Worces- ter Evening Post believes that 4 commission should not be made a foot ball of politics or a trading asset in dealing with Senators.” Praising Mr Cox, the retiring member, the Cleve- land Plain Dealer says “he chanced to claim New Jersey as his home at a time when the President had promised the next appointment to Pennsyi- vania.” “Mr. Woods is unqualified by tra/3a- ing or experience,” contends the Paul Fioneer Press, and the Charles- ton Dajly Mail declares that “the fact that he is from Pennsylvanla, a State in a contentious mood on the coal rate question, would appear to make it in- appropriate that he should become & member of the commission.” The Louisville Times states that “the fact that Mr. Woods took part in the no- torious primary in Pennsylvania, ac- cording to estimate and belief, would of itself disqualify him in the view of reasonable observers.” In appointing Mr. Woods, the Dayton Daily News believes, the President ‘“paved the way for determining just how strong he is with Congress since the Novem- ber election.” The New York Evening World adds: “The Senate, which is a little shocked over the expenditures in Pennsylvania, will now have the opportunity of passing on the pro- priety of placing the manager of one of the candidates in a position of high reaponsibility.”