Evening Star Newspaper, June 20, 1929, Page 30

GLIMPSING THE FAR EAST BY GIDEON A. LYON. Member of American Jourmalists Party Touring Orient as Guest of Carzegie Endowmeht for International Peace. ‘TOKIO, May 15,1929, NASMUCH as on two successive days we have been givem a close-up view of what the Japanese government is doing to promote the silk in- dustry and trade, I am going to combine the two reports into one, so that this letter will cover the happen- ings of both Tuesday and Wednesday. That will enable me to catch in my correspondence from Japan, and when I retire tonight, in an hour or so, I will have a perfectly’ clear conscience on the score of my ‘Wiary.” Yesterday ‘morning our schedule, as 1o had been given to us, called for *visits to factories.” But there was the usual delay in get- ting off, so that we went to only one factory and that was really not a factory at all. It was the Imperial Japanese Sericul- tural Experiment Station. That sounded rather dull, but it proved to be far from dull. The station 15 situated away out beyond the * present _city limits and we drove there in a drizzle that had a tendency to_tinge the day with sadness. In a rather cold reception room we were served with the customary small cups of green tea, and then taken off to inspect the station. In a very few minutes we saw what a vitally impor- tant work is bemg conducted at this place. Silk is Japan’s greatest staple of export and manufacturing use. It is to this country what cotton used to be to the Southern States of our country. If the silk worms do not thrive, if a parasite gets at them and infects them, or if the mulberry trees are blighted or frosted things go bad in Japanese finances. On the other hand if the mulberries thrive and yield large crops of leaves and if the worms are sturdy and prolific of silk and the quality smiles. So it is that the sericulture station is working at a problem that vitally affects Japanese welfare. It is study- ing methods of improving the ‘“mul- berry bush,” around and around which Japan circles industrially. It is graft- ing and experimenting, hunting down the evil bugs that blight the buds, seek- ing to find counter pests that prey on these wicked ones and testing out soils Mr. Lyon. is good. Japan prospers. and to find the best possible growing con- ditions for the food-supplying plant. Heavy Toll Taken by Frost. Just 1 passing it may be mentioned that a severe frost that hits the mul- berry may cost Japan heavily. For example, on the nights of April 24 and 25, 1928, frost did damage to the mul- berry crop estimated at more than twenty-five million yen, or about $12,- 500,000. Rather a high price to pay for a couple of nights of chill. If the mulberry leaves are not forth- coming in sufficient quantity the silk worms can not get sufficlent nourish- ment. So the problem in Japan is to keep the crop of both leaves and worms up to mark. On the latter side the sericultural experiments are of high value, A constant effort is being made to improve the quality of the worms, to increase their sturdiness, in order to make them more immune to disease, to increase their silk-producing capacity and to improve the quality of the fila- ment. Much has been done in the way of cross breeding, between the Japanese and the Chinese worms, the former being more hardy and the latter pro- ducing better silk. Thus a hybrid stock has been created, that approaches the ideal of strength and quantity and qual- ity. But the Japanese experimenters are not satisfled. They must go on, not merely to maintain the high stand- ard, but to improve it. After a view of the exhibits in a small museum which told this story graphically, we went to another section, where the worms were being fed. Actual- ly we were shown only the baby worms, just hatched, and aiready at work nib- bling at chopped mulberry leaves. These were four days old and were squirming about on the piles of green “fodder” in a lively manner. They were about three- sixteenths of an inch in length. Even- tually they grow to about three inches, or three and a half. In this “nursery” the temperature was kept to a good pitch, to prevent the chilling of the worms, which are sensitive. See Filaments Spun. Time did not permit us to follow the worms to the point of their final fail- ure of appetite, when they are ready to spin. We had to jump across the process to see the testing work, in spinning the filaments from the’ co- coons, which are immersed in basins of hot water and when their outer coats melt sufficiently, their tiny threads are gathered and carried by a most in- genious method to a winding reel. Girls with the most deft of fingers il Present that 1316 G St. Closing Out Friday A Group of DRESSES 1250 and 1'7-50 29.75 to 69.50 not exchangeable b Remnants of the Season were C‘ily Club Bl&g. | the rigid stendards. . . . for Friday JneorHagea , g((ms | 821 Fourteenth St. N.W. WASHINGTON'S LEADING FURRIERS & Saturday another Big Reduction. E Our Reg. $2250—$1895 & $16 Summer DRESSES All Reduced to 3.95’ All crisp new Dresses in all the leadin, new. shades and styles. Sleeveless models, Sunburn backs, Vee Necks, Scarf Trimimed models. bui they are mostly piain; cne-piece styles. ALL SIZxS. Clors Maz Heaveniy Blue, Orchid, White and Nr.oy. A Special Lot of PRINTS sleeves in attraeti slsin' colors: ostly Materials *, -Silk Serge, Silk Pique, Flat Crepes and Georgettes. 102 Pink,, Nile, combinations @) attend these and other keep ' close tab on strength. They are - cleverness evokeqd our sincere tion. To our ‘eyes the spider-like threads were practically invisible. To these g women "they were as clear and distinct as ropes. - . Strength, uniformity, évenness, purity —these are the objects of e: enta- tion “at this important ot of the silk . industry. The government finds the very best worms and the best food for them and supplies the silk growers with this “raw material” But it does not stop there. It insists upon a high standardization of the product, and to that end has enacted a law governing the silk trade and establishing a plant to insure that all raw silk offered for export shall be led according to It was to visit that establishment that our party went today to Yokohama. It takes about forty minutes by elec- tric train to pass the ‘eapital to the port. We were just a little late this morning, less than usual. A re- machines. the Tecor experts, whose admira- ness men awaited us and hastened us to the silk “conditioning house,” where the system of inspection and testing is conducted. After the usual cup of tea in a large and imposing reception room —-this new building, a splendid example of the replacements that have already brought Yokohama out of the ashes to a state of high prosperity, has another reception room, reserved for the em- eror when he visits the establishment, in which he is greatly interested—we went forth to inspect the plant, under the guidance of Mr. Miyazaki, one of the staff, a most competent and en. thusiastic guide, with excellent English and a thorough knowledge of the silk business. Pass Through Tests. 1 made a good many notes as we went along. It will not be possible to tran- scribe them, for the processes they re- late to are rather too technical for con- densed statement. Suffice it to say that the law requires all silk proposed for ex- port to be examined and tested and “conditioned” before going forth. -The exporter pays the actual cost of the tests, the government conducting them. The silk passes through no less than eight different tests, for weight, -for fineness, for evenness, for strength, for cohesion of the fllaments, for certain defects, five of them “minor” and six “major.” Machinery of almost unimaginable delicacy and intricacy, manipulated by girls with perfection of touch, consti- tutes the mechanical equipment. But back of these remarkable machines, which deal with silk filaments as read- ily as other machines deal with steel beams, lles a profound knowledge and a marvelous skill. And all this is to the end that Japanese silk, when it strictly up to the standard, so that Japan will continue to hold the mar- kets it has won in the course of the past few decades. 1 asked our guide if rayon was hurt- THIN IS wear 7 8 , 815 Silk, s0c up. HICKORY B s .. GIRDLES . SHIR ception committee of Yokohama busi- | sho reaches the foreign user, shall measure | Latest Fashion Display-of Brassieres, Dress Shields, Garter Belts, and Girdles by Hickory NOW is the best time to become fully acquainted with the style and loveliness of Brassieres, Dress Shields, Garter Belts, and Girdles of latest Hickory creation. Famous for comfort and correct style. Here are the most important underthings that you t . with a sew beauty, @ new style flair. Be sure to seethis exhibizion—now whileyourfavoritestore hasacompletedisplay. Os Fi Sabric ing Japan's silk industry. He pjl.{ Teplied that it was helping n;?y‘ he said, 15 educative, getting en wearing near-silk first and then desir- ing the real a . Japan is herself Zr;ducln. rayon goods in large quanti- and is exporting them to compete with foreign-made rayon groduou. +Silk Industry Prospers. * Il not givé any export s, Later I may get down to statistics, .but for the present it must suffice to sy that Japan's silk industry is-in good-condi~ tion, despite recent wide fluctuations in the price of raw , which is the staple. It is felt that there is & steady general improvement. 8o much for silk. Fascinating as the subject is it must yleld to other mat- ters. At Yokohama today we saw the upgrowth of the newcity, a better city n the old one that was so completely swept by the fire of September, 1923. In order that.the people of the harbor city shall not forget that visitation a museum has been established in- which relics and scenes of the disaster are wn. Today was a very gala occa- sion in Yokohama, it being a “saint’s day” of note and a half-holiday had been given to the people, who swarmed in the streets, thousands of them going to the earthquake museum and gazing at the gruesome mementoes and the graphic panoramic representation of the catastrophe. I do not know just what they got out of this show that was of any particular value to them, but they seemed to enjoy it, young and old. We also went to see a commercial museum, which showed samples of Yokohama's and Toklo's products, a showing that gives substance to the claim that Yokohama will in a- few years, when its new breakwater is fin- ished, be one of the world's most im- portant ports. A Our social schedule during these two days has included a garden party given by the vice minister for forel affairs and Mrs. Yoshida at their official resi- dence, formerly one of the “detached” imperial palaces. Store Closed All Day ‘Saturday, June 22 || ; Annual i Outing Barber & Ross, Inc. Cor. 11th & G Sts. ‘to | which ':l!’ a igirus Hickery Grdl, ck and front, genui Hickory Soppor wp. Hickory Bramiere, 5a¢, 3 end up. Rubber pancied weight Hickory, Girdie. - Propere tension length gareen, 506, $1 and L Ahove: Hickory Slip-omstyle Girdle, *50c, 81 o GARTER TERES . DRESS LDS < ®Hickory Gerters: proper-sesiiog loagth ‘ALL NEW.H.“KGRY CREATIONS ON EXHIBIT NOW AT YOUR: FAVORITE STORE MICKORY SANITARY LIW 4R TEIA AND COVER. ORY “~-ow-, ADJUSTABLE 12, BABY NEEDS L APRONS." MICR~ -Al FAMCY GARTERS, MICKORY: 1V !fl’l w ‘!"'_AID REELL ¢ ASTEP” 2 COMPANY and the rain generously ceased and the sun _king shone for the occasion, brilliant affair in a gar- den of extreme beauty and was attend- ed by the elite of Tokio. We were ts of honor, and two of us treated e capital society with a vision of high bats, one of which was not myself. Japanese Dinner Guests. Last evening we were entertained at a “Japanese er” at the Maple Club by the officers of the Nippon Yusen Kaisha, or Japan Mail Line, on one of whose steamers we came to Japan. There were about 50 present, including ourselves. We sat as before on cush- lons, crossed our legs as best we could, and made the best possible use of our chop sticks. And we had as before the attendance of a number of attractive geisha 15, who waited on us and danced for us and sang for us and made the place . very , gay with color and laughter, and bade us good night with the grace of queens. : I have forgotten to mention that our You can purchase a new Roosevelt*8” ‘388""“‘ Cash $4934 I;;r Month A. C. Moses Motor Co. 1522 14th St. N.W. Phone Pot. 861 Property Qwners » If you own property that you would like to exchange, see me. I may have listed just the class of property you want. Over 25 years’ experi- ence specializing in exchanges. 932-36 Investment Bldg. Main 334 Fashioned of fine, soft feeling brown or ‘black kidskin over our famous Melba last. Trimmed with sun tan kidskin. Walking weight soles and solid leather heels. Smart. ly dresses the foot with comfort. Si to 9. Widths AAA to C. 313.50 Stetson Shoe Shop of Raleigh Haberdasher 1310 F Street Second Floor Bargains 55 Spring Coats Friday $ $59.50 Ensembles Friday $926.95 $49.50 Smart Dresses Friday $29.50 and $35 Dresses, Friday 20 Cloth Ensembles ' Friday $RQ.95 $25 Dress Ensembles Friday $0.95 First Fi loor Bargains $3.95 Bags, Friday .50 Silk Slips & Frild-y 175 Silk Dresses Friday $4.85 PRSI ke SN 5L $3.00 Silk Scarfs Friday $3.50 Silk Fiber + Sweaters, Friday 31 a5 $2.50 Silkc Undies Friday luncheon. yesterday was tendered to us by-the America-Japan Soclety at the Tokio Club, & very handsome affair, at- tended by some of the most active members of the business and profession- al community at the capital. And just 8o today at Yokohama we were enter- tained at lunch by the business leaders of that city, with perhaps a hundred and fifty present. This affair was hela in the clul Yokohama 8 largest finane two more days, And so have passed filled with information, filled with en- tertainment and replete with valuable contacts with the men who are making Japan grow in stature as a nation. (Note: Another of Mr. Lyon’s letters will appear in The Star tomorrow.) TROPICAL FLANNEL SUITS $25 en_a charge account EISEMARNS, T & F 1214 F St. Queen Marie Plans Visit. BUCHAREST, Rumania, June 20 () —Queen Marie will leave early next week for Jugoslavia to visit her daugh- ter, Queen Marle, who is awaiting accouchment at Bled: She will be gone about 20 days, in. the course of the trip visiting Zagreb and the Dalmatian ‘coast SUMMER ART SCHOOL Commercial Art—Interfor Decoration— Design. Children’s ciass. Low LIVINGSTONE, 1333 F ST. N.W. Met. 2883, ‘RELIEF FROM CURSE OF CONSTIPATION A Battle Creek physiclan says,| “Constipation 1s responsible for more misery than any other cause.” 1l But immediate relief has been A tablet called Rexall tablet attracts water from the system | into the lazy, dry, evacuating bowel called the coion. The water loosens the dry food waste and causes a gentle, thorough, natural movement without forming & habit or ever increasing the dose. | Stop suffering from ccnstipation Chew a Rexall Orderlie at night. Next day bright. Get 24 for 25c today at the nearest Rexall or Liggett Drug Store. Advertisement. —_——— WATCW AND CLOCK EPAIRING R Clockis Called For - Delivered - Guxanteed e 1214 F St. Friday and Saturday . . . 2 Days! OUR (] ANNUAL JUNE SALE of Smart Silk Hosiery 1,200 Pairs Regular $2.50 Picot-Top Silk Chiffon kiose At the Amazingly Low Price COME EARLY Extra Sales Ladies to Serve You! 1214 F St Again Friday—By DAINTY 19 3 Pairs for $3.50 EVERY Fashionable Summer Shade OMEN wait for this great June event to replenish heir entire season’s supply at STUPENDOUS SAVINGS. 1200 pairs of finest quality, silk chifion, picot top hosicry, purchased from prominent manufac- turers, offered you tomorrow at a price far below what you expected to pay for similar quality. Every pair is perfect . . . brand-new . . . of finest quality. HERE ARE THE NEW SHADES Flesh...Skin:..Sun Tan...Champagne. .. Biscuil lure...Evenglow.. . Mystery...Lido Sand. ...Alligator. .. Moonlight. ..Dove Grey... A BUY ENOUGH FOR VACATION AND ALL SUMMER WEAR Special Request SuMMER DRESSES Just in time for your vacation wardrobe . .. the smartest . .. the choicest . . . the prettiest styles yow've seen . . . AND ONLY . .. OR $8.95 EACH ONCE again our main floor dress de[;art- ' ment scores with a selection of Sum- mer frocks that will create unusual selling, Friday! When you see these dresses you'll / hardly imagine ‘you could secure such OUTSTANDING fashions at so low a price. Beautifully made of 'lovely new fabrics by the better dressmaking houses in the country. MISSES’ SIZES — WOMEN'S SIZES— * LARGER SIZES THE FABRICS— Silk Crepes Wash Silks . Dainty Chiffons THE STYLES— One and Two Piece Effects Ensembles Sports Sfyl-y - Street Fashions