Evening Star Newspaper, July 26, 1927, Page 8

8_. THE EVENING STAR With_Sunday Morning Editlon. WASHINGTON, D. C. TUESDAY.... July 26, 1927 THEODORE W. NOYES....Editor put an end to the career of the gang leader and his henchmen. That part of Illinois has been much in the news for several years. Near by is Herrin, a few years ago the scene of a mine-strike massacre. For many months martial law pre- vailed in the county. State troops were used. The courts were helpless, because of the enrollment of a large part of the population in one or nother of the contending organiza- tions. Convictions were impossible on acccunt of the terrorism that pre- vailed. Now, at last justice has been done. While there may be appeals from the present verdicts.they are likely to stand, and perhaps in a few months this man, who has so long Jefied and outraged the law, will pay the penalty for his crime, while his associates go to life imprisonment, which should never be mitigated. —— e M. Tardieu and the Debt. M. Tardiey's latest outbreak in favor of debt cancellation is notable chiefly for its lack of any constructive con- tribution toward settlement of the question and for its reiteration of time-worn arguments that one might have long since concluded were laid safely away on the shelf. M. Tardieu asks indignantly, “Who won the war, anyhow?” and, inferring that it cer- tainly was not the United States. takes us roundly to task for Europe's poverty resulting from a war which lasted fifty-two months, of which this Nation spent thirty-two in neutrality and the remainder in military activity. The conclusion to be drawn is that l?nd the United States maintained this néu- trality throughout the war, or had the United States entered the conflict at its inception, then there might have been force in the argument that France should pay her debts. As it is, the United States should shudder In shame for ever having broached the subject. M. Tardieu speaks as a politiclan and not as a statesman. His words carry no weight as a spokesman for France. His assertion that “No French government will ever take the respon- sibility of binding France for sixty- two years” may be a good prophecy, but the man on the street is entitled to the same guess. M. Tardieu does not commit his government to a policy which directly contravenes one al- ready laid down by its accredited rep- resentatives. Coming from M. Tar- dicu, who has always opposed debt settlement, his statement should cause no more excitement than would a declaration by former Representative John Philip Hifl of Marylahd to the effect that “This country demands beer. Prohibition cannot last.” —aor. An Unheeded Warning. Some time ago the American Auto- mobile Association broadcast a warn- ing to motorists of the dangers of “giving a lift" to those who seem to feel that they have but to raise their hands to receive free transportation along the roads of the country. The other day in the South a man and his wife failed to heed the warning. They picked up three men who asked for a ride. Today the man lies dead while t:o woman is confined to a hospital with a bullet through her mouth. How much advice on a subject like this does the American public need? Is it necessary to go over the whole long list of death, injury and assault to impress upon those who drive au- tomobiles that their kindly natures must be subordinated to the exigen- cies of modern transport; that young boys who beg rides are potentially beggars and takers of more serious things in the future; that there is a legion which travels over the coun- try by means of lifts; that criminals make use of this method of travel to conceal identity, and that all and sundry, even if they do not steal or attack, do not possess one ounce of appreciation, and that it is a losing game from start to finish? ‘There are busses and street cars and trains between almost all towns or villages in the United States. They are public carriers designed to trans- port the public at a nominal rate. This should be a satisfying reflection to every motorist who ignores the upraised hand of a would-be beggar, and if this is not enough, they should recount to themselves the many true | stories of attack and murder that have been experienced by those foolish motorists who did stop to pick up strangers. The infaliible rule of | safety on the road is to stop for no one at any time. Perhaps this is cynical advice, but it is advice basged on the deaths and unspeakable experi- ences of thousands of motorists. Stop for no one and enjoy with your loved ones the gifts of a long and trouble- free life. ————r———————— Tex Rickard may have more to say about the prize fight when he gets through checking up the receipts and distributing the pay envelopes. —————————— Indiana’s Pandora Boxes. Indiana now has two Pandora boxes, the black boxes belonging to former Klan Dragon Stephenson, now serv- ing a life term for murder of 1 wom- an. Previous efforts to find the true inwardness of the ex-dragon’s rela- The Evening Star Newspaper Company! Business Offico: Pennavivania Ave. Nt Bork Sfive 110 Eant $2hd 8L, Ehicarg Office; Tower Bulldine. Eurovean Offico: 14 Rexent St. London Enciand The Evening 3tar with the Sunday morn- ing edition is delivered by carricrs within the city at 60 cents per month: daily only 45 centa ner month® Sundavs only. 20 centa oL month,, Orders aing he sent b mail or elephone Main 5000 Collection is made by carrier at end of each month Rate by Mail—Payable in Advance. Maryland and Virginia. E 00: 1 78 g and, Sender, 4o R0 me: e 1 vr. $300° 1 mo.’ 2Be Siindav only All Other States and Canada. alle and Sunday.lve $1300:1 mo. $1 ally only ... vr.. $8.000 1 mp. Sunday only 11111 vl $4.00° I mo! 00 Member of the Associated Press. The Associated Press 18 exclusively entitled 10 the une for republication of all news dis Datehes credited 10 it or not otherwise ered- ited in this paper and also the local news nubhished herein Al rights of nublieatio of special dispatches herein are also reser Market Site Selection Urgent. Regardless of the fact that in the opinion of the chairman of the Public Buildings Commission the need for a new Department of Justice Building is not as urgent as that for other structures and that consequently no immediate move will be made to se- cure an appropriation for that con- struction, the matter of the relocation of the Center Market, on the site of which the Justice Building is to be placed, should be pressed for action at the next session of Congress. Senator Smoot’s judgment regarding the relative importance of the Justice Building probably will govern, as it Is based upon knowledge of the de- partmental conditions. Other offices mre less suitably housed at present, and unless there is to be an imme- diate start on all of those contem- plated for the permanent housing of the Government's activities some must walt until the latter part of the general program. For it is the policy of the Government at present to spread the constructions over a period of years. Experience has shown that there will be some delay in decision as to the proper location of the market center. The matter has not been defi- nitely taken in hand outside of the effort made last Winter to secure au- thorization for the Commissioners to purchase a site in the northeastern part of the city for the Farmers’ Mar- | ket. The Department of Agriculture has jurisdiction over the Center Mar- ket as now established. It has reached no conclusion on the subject of the new location. Congressional action will be needed to effect the puiciase of a site, if a new building is to be erected, or the making of arrange- ments for the transfer of the retail market to another situation if it is to be maintained as a private or semi- private institution. That it will be ousted from its present location within a few years is certain. Public con- venlence demands its replacement elsewhere. There should be no overlapping of these matters. It having been defi- nitely concluded that the present site of the Center Market is the most suit- able for the Justice Building, the course of wisdom is to act now in ad- vance of appropriation for that struc- ture to permit a clearance of the site as soon as the funds are made avail- able for it. The history of public building construction in Washington teaches this lesson. There is already in evidence delay due to failure of co- ordination of public building plans. If the new Internal Revenue Office is pressed vigorously, the Farmers’ Market will be ousted without pro- yision for its relocation. It is just as well, therefore, to insure a definite site for the Center Market without delay. The market, indeed, should go to its new site as speedily as it can be effected’ so that by the time the Government is ready to take posses- sion of the area chosen for the De- partment of Justice Building it will have been vacated and the way will be clear for prompt construction, the public meanwhile having uninterrupt- ed market service at the old site and at the new. This is the course of ®ood business and should be followed, with definite action at the next ses- sion of Congress for the relocation of Center Market at the most convenient roint that can be’found. ——eee ‘There was once a very fleeting play called “Tin Pajamas.” It may suggest & costume which pugilists in fear of foul blows may insist on modifying for the prize ring. ———————————— Justice at Last. A jury at Benton, Ill, yesterday returned a verdict of guilty against three men accused of murder, sen- tencing one to death and the other two to life imprisonment. Thus ends a trial that has occupied the atten- tion of the country for some days and that s perhaps the final climax of a series of crimes that have made a section of Illinois notorious for several years. The man condemned to die, Charles Birger, was a gang leader, a power in the community, a cause of con- stant disorder. He had a well or- ganized force of lawless men under him. His principal occupation of late, it would seem, was bootlegging. He was faced with competition and gang warfare prevailed for a time. The story of the crime for which ‘these sentences have just been dealt out is a complicated one. Perhaps| the full inwardness of the case will never be known. The evidence on which Birger and his associates were convicted was given by a member of the gang, who turned State's evi- dence, and it Is likely that he did not reveal all. A feud prevailed between Birger's gang and the mayor of West City, 11, and on the night of De- cember 12 last, a motor-car load of men appeared before the mayor's ihouse and he was called to the door. where he was shot to death. But there had been other crimes. Birger had maintained a roadhouse out in tions to political affairs in the Hoosier State have been fruitless. Now, how- ever, Stephenson has' disclosel the lo- cation of his two black boxes and they have been turned over to the prose- cutor of Marion County, in which the Capital of the State is located, and thelr opening has set loose many troubles. Ever since his conviction for mur- der Stephenson has heen negotiating for release, He has threatened to tell the story of his political relationships. That he has tried to buy his freedom with his silence is gencrally belleved. No deal to that effect, however, was made, and recently he revealed through a former secretary the where- abouts of the two containers. It is not known whether any Dbargain was struck. It is certainly to be hoped that no arrangement was made whereby this man should be set at liberty in reward for revelations, how- ever important they iight be. Tt is understood that many Indiana politicians are very much concerned the country, the scene of desperate deeds, It was besleged by rival ngsters and burned. The muMer over the contents of the black boxes. The prosecutor who hias been examin- ing them says nothing beyond the THE EVENING STAR, WASHING = e ——— are “Interesting” and “valuable.” Re- port goes that the boxes neld a large number of autographed photographs of men eminent in Indiana affairs, some with inscriptions indicative of the high esteem in which they held the former Klan leader. If public ex- pectations are justified there .s enougi material in those two boxes to blast the reputations of a number of men, it not to lead to successful prosecu- tions. A political everturn in Indinna is quite possible in consequencs of the lifting of these two black lid: B One-Arm Driving. Good advice t¢ motorist-spooners was given in Police Court recently when the judge, after imposing a fine, said, “Driving a car with your arm around a young lady is all right as long as the car is not moving.” It every Washington swain will fol- low his honor’s admonition, there will be a good deal less zigzagging on the stréet, a good deal less damage to lampposts, trees, parked automobiles and such, and a good deal more money in the pockets of those who would much prefer to spend it on flowers or candy than on supporting the court system of the community, Washing- ton is no different from any other city in its difficulty with this phase of motoring, but the police here are de- termined to break up the practice that so surely adds to the hazards of the use of an automobile. So it is up to all those lovingly inclined couples to take heed and to conduct the affairs of the heart in carriers that meed no more attention than the old porch nammock. ——ve—e Monaco, one of the loveliest spots on the Mediterranean, appeals to the ar- tistic eye with irresistible charm. It would be a dwelling place for a poet whose dreams can be financed. Ru- mors that Secretary Mellon has pur- chased the principality may enable the world to forget the “man who broke the bank at Monte Carlo” and appreciate the sheer beauty of the place and forget what novelists refer to as the “monotonous voice of the croupler” saying, “Rien ne va plus.” . In honoring a great avidtor dim- culty presents itself. Almost every form of compliment of which the hu- man mind is capable was employed in the case of Lindbergh, who used none of the familiar strategems in spotlight grabbing, and is therefore the harder to meet in competition for fame, remoms Few men are absolutely in earnest when they express a willingness to relinquish political ambitions. Prince Carol no doubt thought he was, but events will probably prove the con- trary. ——————— One of the penalties of greatness is the impossibllity of keeping even an honestly earned vacation from being forced into politics. One of the obli- gations of eminence is that of “mak- ing conversation.” ————————————— The world will hope that discussions of naval superiority will rest at Geneva and never, under any circum- stances, be brought to a tryout on the high scas. ————e ————— In addition to bearing the expense of the flight with Chamberlin, Mr. Levine has generously insisged on do- ing most of the worrying. et —— English Channel swimmers have be- come so numerous that vaudeville is likely to find the supply in excess of the demand. et SHOOTING STARS. BY PHILANDER JOHNSON. Distinction. A friend have I; a gentle friend; an honest friend and true, ‘Whose great achievements will extend to heights attained by few. And every day his mail is great, from salesmen who persist. He sighs, “It is the hand of fate. I'm on the sucker list.” “Nobody seeks me for advice in mold- ing a career. Each letter shows Investments nice to make me rich next year. Each missive is a salesman’s plea, a chance not to be missed— And this 1s what fame brought to me. I'm on the sucker list.” Ever Practical. “Do you believe in evolution?” “Not in public,” answered Senator Sorghum. ‘“What's the use of trying to flatter a simian public that doesn’t know what you are talking about and can never be expected to vote?"” Juvenile Aspirations. “You may be President some day.” The small boy smiled and said “Nay, nay!" A motor cop I'd rather be And hit the speed that pleases me.” Jud Tunkins says another thing he likes about an aviator is th#t he does his stuft in the open sky and never stops to figure on the proceeds from ringside seats, Hardships of Reformers. The chap who fights because of deep conviction Is soon accused of moral dereliction. But an admiring crowd stands ‘round and hollers For those who don the gloves and fight for dollars. “Let ‘us respect our ancestors,” sald Hi Ho, the sage of Chinatown, “and rejoice that they were content to fly kites instead of becoming ‘stunt avia- tors,’ thereby risking an -early limit to their bestowal of wisdom on the world.” Matrimonial Myth. “I wouldn't marry the best man in the world,” said Miss Cayenne. “Why?” “Because, after consulting with many married friends, T have decided there isn't any such animal.” Really True Fish Story. Now, here is a veraclous lay, ‘Which I make bold to scribble. I went a-fishing yesterday, And never got a nibble!” “What dey calls a leader,” sald Uncle Eben, “is a man who talks up trouble an' den leaves de rough work " SDAY, JULY 26, 1927. THIS AND THAT BY CHARLES E. TRACEWELL. DId you ever start out with a chip on your shoulder? Madder than a wet hen, as they say back where we came from? Determined to tell several persons and firms just what you thought of them? or, if not so belligerent, equally de- termined not to allow anything to be put over on you? Ready to call the bluff of any in- dividual or institution that did not tfeat you exactly as you felt you should be treated? Well, we were in just that frame of mind the other hot day, so we know exactly how you felt about it, ‘We had several pretty speeches all framed up in our mind, our secret purpose being not to be caught in the predicament of past adventures, when the right thing to say had been thought up an hour too late. “If you can say the right thing at the “ight time, u're a man, my boy!” as Kipling might have said. R Imagine our vast disappointment when we were met at all turns by complete courtesy, smiling persons of both sexes, glad acclaim, total kind- ness! 7 Well, you could have knocked us down with a feather. The first place we visited small eating place, where we h been for months. liked the shop, but the last time we had been there, the waitress had made us do the walting. When the meal finally came, we had lost our appetite. What is more harassing than to sit, and sit, and sit? To wat~h persons who come in later get their “eatments,” as Octavius Roy Cohen says, and finally leave, while you, yourself, sit in solitary state, try- ing to pretend indifference? By the way, it may interest sticklers for purity in speech, whatever that is, to know that recently in reading Spenser's ‘“Faerie Queene” we came upon the description of the dwarf at- tending the Lady Una, and this old master of English said that the dwarf was carrying a bag of ‘“needments’ for the said lady. It is known that in some.of the Southern States there exist peoples who use many straight - Elizabethan words. It is interesting to discover that the writer of the popular stories of negro life is thus so close to old English in his use of words, * oK ok With a mighty wrench, let us get back to the subject. When we came to our eatinz place this merry, fateful day, the propriete who never before had known we ex isted, suddenly took our breath away by greeting us with a large smile, “Glad to see you." he said. Under this soothing ministration, we wilted perceptibly. Staggering to a seat, we gave our order to a pretty blonde waitress, heartily agreeing with Miss Anita Loos in her world-famous statement that “gentlemen prefer blondes." The order came in no time at all. It tasted fine. “This is something like,” we mur- mured. BACKGROUND OF “What did you say, sir?" asked the waitress. “Oh, nothing, nothing,” rejoined we. Let us admit to a sneaking fond- ness to be addr as “Sir” in public. None of our rel . as yet dis- covered, what we consider highly im- portant, that we in some meas- ure at least grown up. * K Kk The big moment, however, was to arrive as we pa 1 the cashier and handed in our check. The gentleman who had greeted us upon our entrance there waiting for us. ack Dempsey is paying for this,” sald we, handing over a bill. Our host grinned befittingly, testimonial to our astuteness, said: here have you been, Mr. Trace- well? You haven't been with us for a long time?” The height of our ambition had been reached—to be recognized and spoken to by name in a Washington store! We were so dumfounded, eke pleased, by this flattering reception, that we do not yet know how we got out of the place, or just exactly what we said. To our best knowledge and belief, we acquitted ourself creditably. Anyway, the money Jack won for us was just as good as the lunch, and this is saying a great deal. * K K x The next plice we went was our family bank. ‘We have been banking here for a dozen years or so, but nobody knows us yet. Let us insist on that “yet.” But after the miracle of the lunch- room, anything may happen. Perhaps some day we will walk into that bank, and find the president standing on the stairs. We hope he is standing at the bottom, for if he should s: “WEky, good morning, my dear Mr. Tracewell—" well, we doubt, would say, “Glub,” or “Awk. as the characters do in the so-called “funny pietures,” and go plunging down to our doom, This day, however, nothing so ex- cruciating happened. The president did not greet us. nor did the board of directors. Perhaps they were all in a conference, But every one was very pleasant. We transacted our business with dis- patch and ease, mainly due i, the gentle smiles and good common sense of a little lady behind a counter. (Yes, also a blond.) ‘The chip on our shoulder grew beau- tifully less, until by the time we marched out the broad front door it was entirely gone, Our private belief is that if there were more pretty little ladies replac- Ing grouchy gentlemen behind count- ers, and in offices, the. business of Am would increase two-fold. The United States Chamber of Commerce might send out a referendum on this. * K K % So we went up the Avenue in a happy framé of mind, as almost al- ways happens when one sots out de. termined to be insulted. He who flies the'ocld flag of the Colonies, “Don’t tread on me,” is apt to inspire respect, shall we say, and therefore get smiles. EVENTS in and BY PAUL V. COLLI&S. Gov. Gen. Wood of the Philippine Islands announces that one of the principal objects of his coming to the United States at this time, after an absence of six years following his assuming the governorship, is to in- augurate a movement to raise a fund of $2,000,000 with which to improve the means of curing leprosy in the islands. It is proposed to institute in- tensive scientific research at the Cu- lion leper colony, with the aim to stamp out the disease throughout the world. Sclence has accomplished miracles in eradicating yellow fever, and largely overcoming tuberculosis. It has discovered that without the mosquito to carry the germs of yel- low fever, and the rat to carry the germs of bubonic plague, those dis- eases do not spread. What are the contributing factors to the spread of leprosy, and how can it be treated? It comes from contact—but how? There is no longer any serious ques- tion as to its curability. In fact, despite the popular prejudice, the idea that leprosy was incurable was not held even in the most ancient times. * ok koK The earliest mention of ley recorded in Leviticus, xiii: * Lord spake unto Moses and Aaron, saying, when a man shall have in the skin of his flesh a rising, a scab, or a bright spot, and it be in the skin of his flesh like the plague of leprosy, then he shall be brought unto Aaron the priest, or unto one of his sons, the priests. * * * If the raw flesh turn again and be changed unto white, he shall come unto the priest, and the priest shall see him and behold if the plague be turned into white; then the priest shall pronounce him clean that hath the plague; he is clean.” So the disease was curable from its earli- est recognition, or at least the diag- noses were under suspicion. Nevertheless, throughout the cen- turies, the general world has held the belief that leprosy was hopeless, well as contagio and the victims at the time of Christ were compelled to warn all passers that they were “Un- clean!” and in many cases were ban- ished to hide in graveyards—aban- doned to die. Even in modern days, to be banished to a leper colony was to leave hope be- hind. Now there has been advance in science; there is a specific remedy in chaulmoogra oil derivatives. Gen. Wood—who is an Army surgeon—be- lieves that within 10 years, with in- tensive scientific handling and re- search in the Philippine Islands, the disease can be driven entirely out' of the islands. are 12,000 cases in the islands, of which 5,20 patients aro in the leper Island of Cu- lion under freatment. It costs the Philippine government 2 per cent of its gross revenue to care for the lepers —$800,000 a year. The governor adds: “Now we are trying to raise a cou- ple of million dollars to enable us to establish laboratories, obtain better equipment and secure the services of research men. In that way what we are doing in the Philippines, where the problem is not by any means in- surmountable and a close study of*it ‘more practicable than anywhere else, can be turned to a gkeat blessing for the entire world and all humanity. I}, have this work very much at heart. The money we raise will be spent un- der the supervision of the Public Health Service—that means under Government supervision; and all for new construction and endowment pur- poses. The current expenses of the colony will continue to be defrayed from public revenues.” The committee in charge of raising the fund is headed by Gen. Harbord, with offices in the Metropolitan Build- ing, New York. * ok ok X How remote is the leper question from America? Quoting from an ar- ticle by Dr. O. E. Denney, surgeon of the Public Health Service: “That leprosy now exists in the United States and has existed here for a great many years is a truism which seldom occurs to the average person until newspaper headlines attract at- tention to some unfortunate person who {s afflicted by the disease. Then after a few days of hysterical atten- tion to the subject, the question drops again into temporary oblivion. * ¢ A conservative estimate of the prev- alence of leprosy in continental United States places the number at approximately 1,200, ® ® * It is prob- been confused with other df with which it has symptoms “llsef:;: mon; furthermore, leprosy has not been consistently reported to health officials, and the public records must of necessity represent but a surface scratching. Then, too, physicians in many instances have hesitated to make & report of known cases be- causo of the unwarranted hysteria that would have been provoked by the report of the presence of a case of leprosy in a neighborhood where no suitable facilities existed for isolation and treatment, Sometimes this method of dealing with lepers has been most humiliating to the leper and disgraceful to the community.” * K x x Thirty years ago, Congress w: asked to provide Teans for caring for the lepers, but not until February, 7, did Congress fake action pri ing funds for a National Home for Lepers. Even then it was for a “home” rather than a hospital for their cure. The State of Louisiana was far ahead of the Federal Government in taking steps to meet the situation, for in 1894 the State appointed a board of control to provide a home for Louisiana lepers. Most leprosy is found in the Gulf States, and probably more in Louisiana. than ‘elsewhere. By an appropriation made in 1900, a State leper home was provided near New Orleans, at Carvill When the provision was made in 1917 for a national home for lepers, great difficulty was found in obtaining a site, for all localities fought against having the “unclean” victims in their Rmeighborhood, until the Government bought the Louisiana State home, In 1923, Congress appropriated $645,000 h which to enlarge the capacity and equipment of the home. This in- stitution is under the charge of the United States surgeon general and the Sccretary of the Treasury. It con: of a farm of 338 acres, and buildings with a capacity for 42: ients. The treatment is largel ased upon doses of oil of chaulmoo- gra—the vilest ofl known, according to patients who have taken it. The dose at first is only two or three drops a day, but it gradually increases to 120 drops or more. The treatment includes a plenty of nutritious food, with wholesome exercises. and avoid: ance of brooding. For the edification of students who seek higher learning, it is noteworthy that the vocabulary of the disease and its treatment covers such gentle words as “iododihydrochaulmoogric acid and its ethyl ester.” When that fails to cure, resort is taken to strong doses of “4-chaulmoogrylaminopheny- larsonic acid.” Perhaps that is why Gen. Wood hopes that with intense research in the very heart of leprosy the science will he simplified, which would be $2,000,000 well invested. * ok Kk x There are three kinds of leprosy, of which only one is generaily known to the public. The use of chaulmoo- gra ofl in its crude state was intro- duced in Hawaii some years ago, but the speclalists of the United States Public Health Service are seeking a means of administering its “ethyl esters” hyperdermically, owing to its sagreeable effects when®taken into e stomach. “It is quite clear from the results heretofore published,” says Dr. J. T. McDonald, superintending physician at Kalihi Hospital, Hawaii, “that al- though there is a therapeutic agent (or agents) in chaulmoogra oil, of marked value in leprosy, none of the attempts to isolate or identify this agent has led to conclusive results.” The United States Department of Agriculture Bureau of Plant Industry i3 now co-operating with the Public Health Service by raising the chaul- gra tree, of which specimens Yave been imported from India. (Covyright 1927, by Paul V. Collins.) o A Warning Example. From the Lynchhurg News. Mussolini wants an army of 5,000+ 000 men by 1935. If he wants it for offensive Dpurposes, he migh reflect that the Kaiser had more. —aon—s. On the Upgrade. From the Los Angeles Times. ‘Things must be getjing better. This week a gang of Chicagd gunmen went NEW BOOKS AT RANDOM LG M. Like glove to hand, so does the bulk of modern poetry fit the mood and circumstance of Summer reading. It comes out, as a rule, in little volumes, each as thin as a uneeda biscuit. A full score of them would not put a penny of excess baggage toll on one's parcel-posted belongings. This is a bit of good luck, since without extra cost it offers change and variety of reading to the loafing half hours of vacation time. To such material ad- vantage of light weight by scales there is commonly added also a cor- responding lack of burden upon the mental and emotional equipment of the reader. Gathered up to serve a book purpose from occasfonal print- ings in papers and magazines, each volume communicates an effect of lightness and inconsequence that, it is safe to say, gives no fair measure of the effort lying back of its pro- duction. Reading these little books, one marvels at the pertinacity of the poet, at his unbreakable will to sing and to go on singing, no more con- cerned than a bird over audiences and popularity and money returns of the best-seller stripe. No other work- man in the world is apparently so free from anxieties about either prestige or profit as is the poet—any poet of any time. Such common ek- clusiveness of attitude may be the natural result of a cumulative experi- ence, since poetry has ever been a matter of general indifference and neglect Nobody reads poetry, practi- cally nobody. There is no time for it. Moreovér, its emotional source is little understood, its meanings are elusive and obscure. Just what the poet means by this and this and this, no one knows, no one cares. Even when words do_sing together in pleasing tunes and cadences—why, if one is looking for music there are always the radio returns from the Palais d’'Or and the Hofbrau and such. No, cer- tainly, there is neither time nor taste for poetry. However, poets continue to write. And here is— A LITTLE BOOK OF AMERICAN VERSE. Compiled by T. A. Daly. . David McKay Co. In friendly gesture of invitation, Mr. Daly here swings wide the door to admit us to that succession of American _troubadours who have chosen deliberately the open ways of good cheer and laughter rather than the dark road of lamentation. To good purpose he has made use of the time sequence in this presentation. There- fore, the procession leads off with Fdward gs and his “Yankee back round 1776. It inor Wylie, a few steps her offering, “A Little Joke,” plucked straight from the flourishing plant «wf modern sophistication and protest. In between these two, stretches a long line of notables in the art of poetry, from the old Puritan himself to the new exponent of free thought and free verse. Such an arrangement permits an orderly view of the growth of humor in verse, and an equally clear picture of the changes that have come over the spirit of the comic muse within the period of this succession. A concrete case of com- parisoh lies in a poem by Ralph Waldo Emerson and one by Mr. Daly him- self. The first is “The Humble-Bee,” written in 1803. The second is *'On the Road to Arden,” a poem of yester- day or the day before. Both are in- spired by the song that the bee has to sing. One is a soliloquy, a re- strained happiness its key. The other is a story drawn out of the idling vagrancy of a poet by the roadside. Little things, both, but the essence of change in mood and tune between the past and present of American poetry is all here. One meets with surprise alopg this way. Here is Longfellow glorifying “Catawba Wine.” One is sure that' today he would be a stern prohibitionist, because of his conven tional New England stripe. On the other hand the “Eulogium on Rum” by one Joseph Smith, in 1789, rings true to Joseph Smith, no matter about his date. Another astonishment, among many, is to come upon Am- brose Bierce, man of the brilliant mind and the wry smile, here in this compdny of lighter songsters. Read- ing, one finds him still in his habitual mood of sardonic laughter, and feels better for meeting him again un- changed. It gives verity to the whole and accounts for some other inclusions here that upon the face of things appear to be a bit questionable. How- ever, there is no doubt about the good service rendered by this compilation, a good service to current readers and an even better one to him who may be inspired to expand and complete the work for which Mr. Daly has so competently opened the way and set the pattern. e SELECTED POEMS ON WOODROW WILSON. Edited by C. B. Mc- Allister. Dean & Co. Here is a volume of poems pro- jected primarily in devotion to ideal- ism generally. The special mission of the little book is, however, to pay direct tribute to the memory of a great man, Woodrow Wilson. From of material, flowing spon- sly from all quarters toward this -goal, about 60 poems find place here, These, as one, bear directly upon the qualities and gifts, upon the attitude and outlook, upon the deeds and words that proclaim the statesmanship, the political sagacity, the love of peace, the international friendship and good will of the war President, Woodrow Wilson. From one and another of these points of approach, .or -from all of them to- gether, the service of this public man is recognized and applauded in song. The keynote of the whole is, however, not material, but affection and homage instead. The volume is of emotional source. It is drawn from the springs of love and praise and gratitude rather than from the cool waters of intel- lectual calculation and judgment. A more potent thing, too, by virtue of this fact. Wilson as leader, as cru- sader, as high idealist, as man of peace, as watchman on the tower, as prophet—as all these does he here stand. Then there are lamentations over his passing and visions of a world better for his having been. “Lament of the Players” is a touch- ing little thing. that you may see today in the passage of Keith's Theater in Washington, along which Mr. Wilson used every week to make his way to the box habitually occu- pied by him. The spirit of the whole is fine and beautiful, a thing of com- municable quality that every one is the better for possessing. As verse it is good, and not so good, like all verse. Yet, who is to say? Who Is to pass upon it in academic mood? No one, let us hope. It is sincere, spontaneous, whole-hearted. ‘What more could it be? To the lovers and friends and admirers of Woodrow Wil- son this book of verse will be looked upon, without question, as a thing to have and to hold by virtue of its essence of appreciation and homage. * K ok ok SAYINGS IN VERSE. J. Adam Bede. The Stratford Co. Keen understanding, plain good will, a leaning toward the homely side of life and a tuneful' way with words—these come together in a pleasing partnership by way of “Say- ings in Verse.” A busy man, this poet, concerned with many a matter of general interest and concern. So it is conceivable that in moments of ease his thoughts swing off in rl and measures just to suit themselves. It must be a beautiful gift for one to possess. Here are tributes, in song, to Abraham Lincoln and Theo- dore Roosevelt and “Old Joe Can- sweet by-and-by Old ‘There is, besides, a Q. When will the White House re- pairing be completed?—V. W. M. A. It will be finished In approxi- mately one month Q. Are overtures ludes to operas?—T, C. A. Overtures have been written as independent orchestral compositions, but the overture has usually been composed as a prelude or introduc- tion to an oratorio or opera. Q. Is a thunderbolt lightning or thunder?—H. 8. A. Lightning is always accompanied by thunder, so it may be said to be both. The term is usually employed to describe a lightning stroke that has hit some object and caused damage. Q. Who sald “To love her is a Iib- eral education”?—B. E. H. A. In the forty-ninth number of “The Tatler” Richard Steele says of Lady Elizabeth Hastings, “To love her is a liberal education.” Q. How are the names Nungesser and Coli pronounced?—R. E. A As nearly as the French pro- nunciation may be indicated they are: Noon-zhes-sair and ko le (o0 as in doll —1i as e in leaf). Q. How does the mileage of the rail- roads in this country compare with countries abroad?—P. R. A. The traffic manager of the Penn- sylvania Railroad says that our rall- road mileage—over 250,000 miles— would more than girdle the earth ten times. It is greater than the total mileage of all the rallways of Eng- land, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Can- ada, France, Germany, Italy, Austria, Belgium, Sweden, Switzerland, Argen- tina, Japan, Austra'ia and South Af- rica. The balance still remaining is more than twice that of China, Q. Wera Mobile and Biloxi ever the capital of Louisiana?—E. C. W. A. Mobile was the capital of the French_Province of Louisiana until 1720. For several years also in the early part of the eighteenth century Biloxl was the capital of the French territory in this part of North America. Q. When was the Bargello in Flor- ence built>—F, B. F. A. The Bargello in Florence, Italy, was built in 1260 as a palace for the podesta or governor of the city. At present the collections of the Museo Nazionale are housed in this building. Q. What is the cruiser strength of the United States as compared with England?—L. 8. G. A. According to the latest avaflable figures, the relative cruiser strensth of these two countries, Including cruisers built, building, authorized and appropriated for, is as follows: United _States, 18—155.000 tonnage; Great Britain, 64—387,410 tonnage. Q. How tall was Peter the Great?— G. A M. A.H. R. H. Prince Nicholas of Greece in his new book, “My_ Fifty Years,” says that in the Cathedral at Roskiide, on one of the central pil- lars, called “The Kings' Column,” are marked the heights of several Dan- ish Kings and some of their guests Emperor Alexander ITI, who was over six feet in height, found the mark in- iways the pre- -ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS BY FREDERIC J. HASKIN. dicating the helght of Peter the Great. It was “a good twelve inches above the Emperor's hea Q. How many wild animals have hee;: killed by the Mississippl flood?— G. E. A. It 1s impossible to estimate with the slightest degree of accuracy the damage done to the wild life in the Mississippi flood area, although the destruction _has_ undoubtedly been enormous. The Blological Survey eg. timates that about 50 per cent of the ground-dwelling fur and game aniraals in this region have been lost. Q. Are the first buildings erected in New York still standing?—B. A. J. A. Historlans say that the first buildings in Manhattan were located where No. 41-45 Broadway now ;t;lméil. They have long been demol- shed, Q. Were the sentences given Mrs. Ruth Snyder and Judd Gray com- muted? If so, why?—T. M. A. The sentences of Mrs. Ruth Sny- der and Henry Judd Gray have not been commuted. An appeal has been filed in each case, however, which automatically stays date of execution until such time as the Court of Ap- peals passes on the matter. Q. How many libraries are thers in the United States?—A. M. A. About 3,000, Q. What is the significance of the bees that appear as an emblem on Napoleon’s personal possessions?- W. H. C. A. The significance of bees as emblems on Napoleon’s possessions 8oes back to the discovery of the tomb of Childeric at Tournal, in Bel- gium, in 1655. Among the relics were 300 small golden models of bees. These were removed to Paris, and when N: poleon was crowned emperor, a cen- tury and a half later, he chose these bees for the decoration of his corona- tion mantle. Q. When was printing invented?— R. E. K. A. Printing 1s said to have been dis- covered in China during the Siu dynasty, and in 593 A.D. an edition of the classics was first printed. Movable types were Invented by a blacksmith Pi Sheng in 1152 A.D. Metal types were invented by Gutenberg about 1450. Q. How deep fs the deepest well In the world?—J. S. N. A. The deepest in the world Is Olinder Well, No. 96, in Orange Coun- ty, Calif., which is at present down to 8,000 teet. Gen. Robert E. Lee said: “The thor- ough education of people is the most efficacious means of promoting the prosperity of the Nation.” These words of the distinguished Southern general are mone the less true now than when he spoke them. Our Washington dn- formation bureau is one of the great- est agencies for the distribution of frce information and educational data in the world. Its services are free to readers of this paper. All you need to do is to send in your query, together with 2 cents in stamps for return postage. Address The Evening Star Information Bureau, Frederic J. Has- kin, director, Washington, D. C. Another great sporting event on English soil has resulted in victory go- ing to an American participant. This time the game was golf, and the win- ner Bobby Jones of Atlanta, who for the second time in two years captured the open golf championship at the his- toric St. Andrew’s course. The Amer- ican press is naturally enthusiastic over this victory. As expressed by the Atlanta Journal, in Jones’ home city, Jones is among ‘“the immortal few who achieve the impossible.” The Atlanta Constitution thinks “his marvelous record is not based altogether upon the knowledge of the game. It is based also upon his nerve, his coolness of head even in the face of adverse conditions and circum- stances. ‘The Nashville Banner sees in Jones’ victory“another bit of evidence that he is the most remarkable golfer that the game has ever produced in this country or abroad,” and the Roanoke World-News is thrilled that “this amazing youngster of clear eye and sure hand not only repeated but low- ered his last year's record,” thus shattering not only the British open mark “but, according to golf experts, that of any major tournament on rec- ord The Dayton Daily News in friendly comment pictures “the heart of Dixieland” as “pulsating with pride in the glory which has come to the young Atlantan,” and this paper calls it “a very thrilling episode,” with the honor passing “to one who richly merits it.” “Jones record is the more remark- able because his triumph at St. An- drew’s follows so closely upon his comparatively poor showing in an American championship match,” re- marks the Williamsport Sun, which | credits the player with having written “golf history” at St. Andrew’s. v the Winston-Salem Sentinel: “Fight- ing to overcome an age-old supersti- tion that once an athleto is defeated he can never come back, and facing the knowledge that no modern golfer has ever won the great British open championship twice in succession. Bobby Jones pitted his drives and putts against the best the world had to offer,” and swept through the field “to a sensational victory.” ki The Norfolk Ledger-Dispatch claim: that, “like Irvin Cobb's ‘old Judge Priest,” Bobby Jones didn't have to come back, because he ‘hadn’t gone nowhere,’ " even though there were those “who didn't fail to say when Bobby was eclipsed by Tommy Ar- mour recently at Oakmont that the great artist had seen his best days and hereafter would be found among the also rans,” and this paper expects to ce him *“occupy the pinnacle of fame in this conspicuous world sport for a long time yet."” One thing that must be remembered in estimating the victory is that he wrested it “on what is regarded as the most difficult links in the world,” says the Lowell Evening Leader, and the Lincoln Star also discusses the “tor- tuous fairways and the puzzling | greens of the famous old St. Andrew's | course of England,” upon which Jones | “fought his w: through four gruel- ing rounds. The Oakland Tribune { thinks there “have been few such ex-' hibitions in any tournament,” while the Decatur Herald paints a verbal picture “of the champion, alone on an enormous green, surrounded by hun- Bobby Jones Gets New Place in Hearts of Hi is Countrymen waukee Journal describes this throng as one “which would itself have beaten lesser men,” as it came “crowd- ing around him after every stroke, driven away by attendants that he might have the bare room he needed,” and the Springfield Republican sa “the championship, as Jones main tained his triumphal progress, seems to have become less a tournament than a riot, with a mob of thousands crowd- ing and running everywhere to catch a glimpse of such a hero as the game has never seen hefore.” * Kk ok ¥ The personal qualities Jones are likefied by many papers to these of Col. Lindbergh. “When vie- is won by men of the Robby Jones or Charles Lindbergh type their laurels are not envied,” says the Anniston Star, calling these voung men “among our best ambassadors abroad," a thought voiced also by the Roanoke Times, which rejoices that, “like Lind- bergh, Bobby Jones is an international ambassador of good will.” The Miami Daily News believes the successful outcome of Bobby Jones' effort “is another evidence of the divi- dends which clean living pays—the fruits of patience and sustained effort as directed toward a_definite goal.” The Buffalo Evening News finds “no pomp or swank to either of them." Concerning the score made by the winner in the champ wag 285, the Jersey “That is six strol ever been made in a Briti championship and one stroke better than the American open rec: That kind of golf is a fi in the cap of America's rt p e e New York World finds “the degree of skill and concentration which can hole putt after putt. as Jones did, phenom- enal,” and the New York Sun, though it says “probably there never wi never will be such a thing as perfect 8olf," declares that “Bobby Jones has come very mear to it.” The excit ment that was in the air during hi laying is emphasized by the Youngs- own Vindicator, which describes it as so “intense that even the engineer on the trains passing the golf course stopped to watch him.” of Bobby Pacific Relations Create Problems The Institute on Pacific Relations, which is just now holding its prelimi- nary ons in Honolulu, is confront- ed by a difficult and a delicate task. 1t is composed of representatives of the various nations facing on the Pa- cific Ocean, and its main purpose 1s to solve problems in which those coun- tries are vitally interested. Some of these nations are not pre- happy at the moment. ad odor with certain of her China is torn by internal Russia neighbors dissensio; Great Britain, Japan and the United States are ally interested in the adjustment of all problems affecting their interest, and one might suppose their influence would be decisive under different conditions. However, one thing is distinctly en- couraging. The habit of holding con- dreds of alien observers, his sole de- pendence in his own skill and perfec control of nerves under difficulty,” which, it says, §s “a picture to raise cheers. The Omaha World-Herald credits him with having won “under the stress of the keenest competitive play, with every possible factor work- ing against him.” One of the strains of the event was the fact, noted by the Utica Observer- Dispatch, that “Jones drove between walls of spectators” attracted by the playing of the American. The Mil- inland seas,” with reminiscent poems of moods' that have come out of the day and the night, out of Spring and Summer—out of all those secret places where the actual life of the most of us is carried on, usually in direct opposition to that which appears on the outside. - Good for the rest of us ferences, which seems to be growing, is very much of an improvement upon the expensive and destructive habit of fighting. It is greatly to be hoped that the habit of adjusting their conflicting in- erests by conference and conciliation Il continue to grow until it becomes a fixed feature of the world’s diplo- matic business. A certain book which in many re- spects is based upon the experience of mankind suggests that there is safety in a multitude of counselors. We lieve that statement is the concrete expression of a great truth. The more the nations practice it, the more likely are they to prosper.—The Altoona Mirror. —— Plenty of Them. From the Nashville Banner. These days a cat may look at a king it he can find but b