Evening Star Newspaper, December 25, 1930, Page 8

"~ A—S8 THE EVENING STAR With Sunday Morning Edition. WASHINGTON, D. C. THURSDAY...December 25, 1930 THEODORE W. NOYES. . .Editor ‘The Evening Star Newspaper Company ey o ST New York Office: 110 East 42nd 8t. icago Office: Lake Michi .. an Ofice; 1 nt St.. London, Rate by Carrier Within the City. o Lvenine Star . .45¢ per month enis Sunday ‘Star ays) . 60c per month *"65¢ per month s Sc_per copy n made at the en each month. ders may be sent in by mail or 'elephone [Ational 5000. Rate by Mail—Payable in Advance. Maryland and v“l‘a"“ Ffls and_Sun 00; 1 mo., only . junday only 84 00: 1 mo.. 1mo. All Other States and Canada. {ly and Sunday..1yr. $12.00: 1 mo., $1.00 ily only yr.. $8.00: 1 mo., id¢c unday only oc Member of the Associated Press. The Associated Fress is exclusively entitled to the use for republication of all rews dis- atches credited to it or not otherwise cred- Dublished ‘herein All ¥ soecial dispatches herein e Expert Research for Fiscal Inquiry. ‘The proposal considered by the special Piscal Inquiry Committee of the House to engage the services of some expert in taxation who will conduct even further researches into the reasonable- ness and adequateness of Washington's tax burden is indicative of the commit- tee's desire to get the facts and all the facts before making any decision re- garding their interpretation. If the ex- pert is to check the Bureau of Efficien- cy's work in this regard the question arises as to who will check the checker. But it is believed that the committee is more anxious to follow the very desir- able method of having the sdme ground covered by two separate and distinct agencies, in order to compare the re- sults, than it is to discredit the findings of the Bureau of Efficiency. ‘The investigation contemplated by the committee, provided, of course, that the investigating agency is qualified and is left unrestricted as to the facts that must be considered, would be helpful to the District'’s cause. The fiscal rela- tions issue must be settled on the basis of facts. Once the facts are fully and fairly obtained and presented, Wash- ington has no reason to fear the out- come. Some of the members of the commit- tee found fault with the Bureau of Ef- ficiency for its inclusion of the mythical “taxables” of the Federal Government, for purposes of comparison only, in computing various per capitas for Washington. The lengthy questioning | by the committee members of Mr. Murphy of the Bureau of Efficiency, and, later, of Auditor Donovan, failed to shake either of these experts in Sheir repeated statements that only by conceding such a basis could fair per capita comparisons be made. It is hardly fair, however, to the bureau to label the committee’s attitude in this connection as criticism. There may have been a differenee of opinion, but as the bureau took great pains to pre- sent the per capita comparisons with and without the- inclusion of Federal *taxables,” the committee was entitled to draw its own conclusions from either one. With or without the Federal o the news s of publication of re also reserved. Teceived by Chair- investigating Communist ac- tivity as the cause of these failures were inspired by suspicion without any tangible proof. It is not at all improb- able that such & pernicious enterprise is under way. It is perfectly well known that the Communists of America, in- spired largely by the bolshevik Com- munists of Russia, wish to break down business and Government institutions in this country. If they could under- mine confidence in the banks these subversive agents of chaos would prob- ably do so. It may be impossible to establish any specific case of malicious rumor-mon- gering leading or in any degree con- tributing to these bank failures. The one who hears and passes on a ! report of the unsoundness of an insti- | tution may be innocent of any really mischievous motive, although he is participating in a harmful procedure. The law constitutes the spreading of such reports without justification or for personal profit a criminal offense. Probably very few people know this fact. Again, probably very few who spread rumors of bank weakness do so for profit, even though they may be with- out justification. Whatever may be the outcome of these inquiries now in progress the wide advertisement that the investigation is under way is wholesome, for it serves to spread abroad the fact that it is dangerous and possibly criminal to circulate rumors of bank weakness even though they do not result in financial disaster. B — The Greatest University. In commenting to the House the other day upon the value of the Voll- behr collection, purchased by Con- gress and a part of which has been placed on exhibition’ in the Library of Cangress, Representative Moore of Vir- ginia recalled that “in his own time" the Library was housed in the Capitol “and contained but a comparatively small collection of books.” Mr. Moore noted that the Library had a very small beginning indeed, with Mr. Jef- ferson appointing as the first librarian John Beckley of Virginia, who received two dollars a day for the days he ac- tually worked as librarian. Mr. Beckley was also the clerk of ‘the House, and neither of his tasks was in those days a killing job. All of this was by way of emphasis upon the remarkable growth of the Library as an institution that is main- tained for and by all the people. It long since has outgrown its original function of collecting reference data for the members of Congress alone. One of Mr. Herbert Putnam’s ideals, during the more than thirty years of his li- brarianship, has been to further the work of scholarship throughout the United States through the medium that is offered by the Library, and Con- gress has more than once shown its sympathetic attitude by generous ap- propriations, such as that.which went for the purchase of the Vollbehr col- lection. “When,” says Mr. Putnam in his annual report, “in addition to provid- ing $180,000 for the increase of the Library for the current year the House and Senate voted unanimously to set aside $1,500,000 for the purchase of the Vollbehr collection * * * it was strik- boldings, Washington's per capitas are entirely adequate. ‘The per capita basis of compariscn is Ehe only one practical, and there can be o real comparison without considera- tion of the vast tax-exempt property in Washington that, in the cities with which Washington is compared, would be taxed. The only method by which the Federal Government's fictitious tax- ables may be disregarded is by disre- garding entirely the tax-exempt prop- erty in this city, for the upkeep of part of which the inhabitants are taxed. So to disregard it would be not only unfair but absurd. ‘There may be other bases of com- parison, however, that will appeal to the committee as showing the actuel sfhount in taxes paid by the residents of Washington without any considera- tion given to the presence here of the Federal Government. Some expert in the economics of taxation may be able to work out a system that will show what Mr. A, the average citizen of Washington, pays in dollars and cents for taxes in comparison to what Mr. B, the average citizen of Baltimore, pays. In neither case will the presence of the Federal Government in Washington be considered. That seems to be what the committee is after. The results will be wvery interesting. [P — ‘The small boy is quite as happy listen- ing for the honk of Santa’s horn as he ‘was listening for the sleighbells. The sge of Iimagination never ceases for youth. Having woven present materials into & fabric of fancy, it is useless to seek to patch it with reminiscences which once seemed so picturesque. ——te————— The Evil of Bank “Whispers.” In connection with the closing of two Jarge New York banks investigations mre in progress with a view to dis- closing if possible how far these mis- fortunes were due to “whispering cam- paigns.” Chairman Fish of the House of Representatives committee investi- gating Communist propaganda has started an inquiry into the matter In consequence of the receipt of communi- cations which specifically charge that radical agents have been engaged in spreading false rumors about banking institutions and that such rumors have already led to the closing of banks in Florida and Ohio. The assistant attor- ney general of New York in charge of the State Securities Bureau is prosecut- ing a research into these reports. Bank runs are almost invariably the result of “whispers” alleging the in- stability of these institutions. Such re- ports pass quickly without publication, spreading far to undermine public con- fidence. The old adage that ill tidings travel faster than good is borne out by this phenomenon of almost spontaneous suspicion. In such circumstances as have prevalled in recent months, with business in a depressed state, with stock market prices below normal, with idle- " mess unusually prevalent, the conditions are favorable for mischief-makers if they wish to precipitate bank troubles. ingly demonstrated that Congress earnestly desires to make its Library- one of the greatest reference libraries in the world and a center for scholarly research.” ‘That this conception of the Library is shared by an increasing number of private citizens is demonstrated in the lengthy list of valuable gifts recelved by the Library during the past year. Of these the most substantial has been the grant from the Guggenheim Fund for the Promotion of Aeronautics, with an endowment for the establishment and maintenance of a “Chair of Aero- nautics” This becomes another ad- dition to the increasing list of chairs and endowments which serve more than ever to make of the Library the great American University, while the various “projects” undertaken by the Library are destined to broaden its feld and scope far beyond any national boundaries. o The President’s “Merry Christmas.” President Hoover'’s “address” last evening on the occasion of his illumi- nation of the community Christmas tree in Sherman Square was adequate even though it consisted of only thirty-seven words. He merely expressed his sense of privilege in joining in the community effort and in wishing all Americans a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. That sufficed. A longer speech would perhaps have been irksome to those assembled on the scene, and those ‘who listened in by radio in all parts of the country. Christmas, indeed, epeaks for itself. The most eloquent acknowl- edgment of the occasion is the briefest. —— ——at——————— It is agreed the statesmen should have holidays. Yet it is feared that many of them will spend the time playing goif or reading detective stories. e ————————— Political complications are such that it is impossible to call it a Norris-Lucas feud and let it go at that. Meritorious District Legislation. It is an accepted fact that only non- controversial District measures have a chance of being enacted at the present short session of Congress. There are many meritorious pleces of legislation that come within this category, but probably none of them exceeds in po- tential benefits e Capper-McLeod safety responsibilty bill for motorists. This measure has passed the House, re- ceived a favorable report from the Sen- ate District Committee and is now on the Senate calendar. It would amount almost to a calamity if Congress should adjourn without giv- ing the District the manifold benefits of this law. Characterized as the “finest motor legislation ever put on the statute books” the safety re- sponsibility bill, which is sponsored by the American Automobile Association, has proved a boon in the twelve States and the Province of Ontarlo, Canada, that have already adopted it. No State in which it is ‘operative has expressed the slightest dissatisfaction It is quite possible that these two|with it, and it may be confidently recent failures in New York and others|predicted that before the end of mext in different parts of the country were|year the roster of States in which it is due to “whispering” campaigns. Again | effective will be materially increased. they may have occurred through nat- ural causes, or bad management, or,!administer. It provides for the elimina~- ad- tion of the insolvent reckless motorist; an‘ don't Just 50, & I8 Quite pos~ BOA af the same Lime imsures ’ the dishonesty of befily ‘The law is simple and is easy to Qnancial ol | L el THE EVENING STAR, WASHINGTON, D. C, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 25, . ——— e Y N DA, A e e S | responsibility and satety on high- ways. It is separate in its ent from the traffic code, but its penalties for non-compliance are even more severe. Frankly aimed at the reckless insolvent minority, 1t does not touch the great body of careful, considerate motorists, and therein lles its greatest merit. The compulsory insurance law in Massachu- setts, which has had such a rocky road to travel and which is even now under fire, with the prospect of aban- donment in favor of a safety respon- sibility measure, penalizes the majority for the sins of the few and its weak- ness in this respect is conceded even by its proponents. It is this weakness, which is not possessed by the safety measure, that threatens its existence ir the one State that has attempted it. No controversy has developed over the proposed District law. On the con- trary, few pieces of legislation have had the support accorded it. sioners are whole-heartedly in favor of its passage and the trade and civic or- ganizations in Washington have likewise stamped it with their approval. It is up to the Senate to do the rest. May it be done at the earliest opportunity. e The New Rediscount Rate. Results of far-reaching financial im- portance are expected to flow from the action of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York in reducing the rediscount rate from 21¢ to 2 per cent. The latter figure becomes the lowest rate in the history of the Federal Reserve System. Its avowed purpose, acknowledged by bankers to be a constructive move of the first magnitude, is to promote “cheap credit” with a view to continued revival of general business conditions. Hopes along these lines are steadfastly cher- ished, even though, thus far, anticipated effects have not flown from the “easy money” policy pursued by the Federal | the “Collected Poems of Robe: The Commis- | THIS AND THAT BY CHARLES E. TRACEWELL. Claus have left us a copy ‘Will Santa. Ao bt We doubt it very much, for the book has just been put out by Henry Holt & Co., and is not known to the average purchaser of books. Besides, people do not buy poetry for gifts as they once did. Many of us who once read poetry daily now hold it as a thing apart, only occasionally buying a new book of verse, much as men and women once bought an occa- sional copy of the Atlantic Monthly to place on their living room tables, in order to feel themselves literary. Most of us safely out of the twenties fail to include poetry in the daily read- ing. Perhaps one of the most curious mental quirks is that few women read poems at all. Poetry is read mostly men. yYou will not find one woman out of 10,000 who has read Walt Whitman's “Leaves of Grass.” If any lady says Walt is not poetry, select something else, we counter with the assertion that not one woman in a thousand reads Emily Dickinson. Women are realists, and the minds of such do not ordinarily appreciate poetry, which is, in essence, the groping after illusion, romance and things-as- they-should-be. It is man, the male, who mostly writes poetry, and it is man, the male, who largely reads it. Therefore it is safe to make the generalization that this Christmas, as all past Christmases, such poetry books as are given will be from men to men. % The poetry of Robert Frost of New England is peculiarly manly, although not devoid of the feminine love for beauty, which prevents all great poetry from being too intensely masculine. ‘The writer here has read very little of Frost; that is the reason he hopes Santa Claus loves poetry. But he is a man who must be read, if one expects to keep up with modern poetry. There are only a few necessary ones, after all, bank of issue throughout the economic crisis. In the securities market authorities look for certain improvement in conse- quence of the new rediscount rate. The New York Times reflects the view that the reduction would produce a further decline in the yleld on prime invest- ments, such as bankers’ bills and “Gov- ernments”—that is, United States se- curities—which, in turn, will force banks to direct their attention and funds to other sections of the bond market for investment. Nothing could more graphically illus-, trate the “key” influence the American money situation wields than today's word from Europe. France, whose financial position in the world is second only to that of the United States, with a gold reserve of 52 billion francs—$2,- 000,000,000—is gratified by the new York Federal Reserve Bank’s rediscount move. It is apparently regarded in Paris as an indication that American dollars and French francs may soon be rolling together to the relief of less fortunate countries in need of loans. ‘The Bank of France, to that end, is expected shortly to follow New York's lead and reduce its own rediscount rate from 2'2 to 2 per cent. In all prob- ability, New York feels, the Bank of England rate will be maintained at a higher level than those at New York and Paris. Sterling would thus be strengthened and the drain of gold from London to other centers arrested. ‘The historic action of the principal Federal Reserve Bank is a timely of- fering to the American financial world. Business is bound to enter upon the rew year in a spirit of solidly revived hope because of it. ——— Unemployment is another way of spelling “hard luck.” The man who be- lieves in the old idea of making the effort to get work may meet with dis- couragement, but he will be one of the first to be accounted’ among the lucky when human effort is needed, as beyond doubt it will be. —_— e Unemployment insurance might help the situation by assisting the mep who make it their business to sell policies. e . SHOOTING STARS. BY PHILANDER JOHNSON. Mind Made Up. 'Way off yonder in the snow Santa Claus, as time went slow, Worked away and asked no rest. Little folk he loved the best, ‘We speak loudly 'and declare ‘That posterity is our care, But old Santy, all sincere, Makes youth happy once a year. So when leaders shout aloud And assume to move the crowd, I go on my way because | I shall vote for Santa Claus. Seeking Appreciation. “Are you going to educate your sons to become United States Senators?” “I am,” answered Senator Sorghum. “And also my daughters. The only way for a man to be honestly appreciated by his own family is to let it under- stand the trials he has been through in order to make an honest living.” Jud Tunkins says that it is wrong to tell the public how much loot a criminal gets away with. It makes crime begin to look like a regular business with market quotations and the rest of the machinery. Timely Request. Old Santa Claus, since you're the chief Of Happyville, we all agree, Please get a bunch of farm relief And hang it on the Christmas tree. Among Small Boys. “Didn't I tell you not to ‘play with the bad boy across the street?” “We weren't playing. That boy's mother said the same thing to him about me and we were holding an indignation meeting.” “If you speak what is untrue,” said Hi Ho, the sage of Chinatown, “you will find difficulty in speaking truly. For the truth is sensitive and avoids those who treat it with discourtesy.” Year. We're playin’ the game called “Numbers” And we're sure we'll find, when the play is done, That the luck which so frequently slumbers Goes with “1931." “Chillun dat don't believe dar is any Santa Claus,” said Uncle Eben, “may find mo' happiness dan chillun dat thinks Santy has forgoet believe dar is mo’ little rd i in_any generation. At the time it is difficult to be sure who they are. There can be little doubt about Frost, and Masefield, and Dickinson, and Bridges. We include the latter on account of his great finale, “The Testament of Beauty,” completed and published short- ly before his death. To read at least some poetry is the mark not only of an educated man, but of one who is determined not to let his birthright of education get away from him. Perhaps few persons, in the hulla- baloo of life, realize just what this birthright amounts to. We are all so used to universal education, as it is called, that we fail to realize that thou- sands upon thousands of persons “ex- 'd” to it are not in fact drawn into its spirit. ‘Thousands upon thousands of boys and girls solemnly translate their Cae- sar, but never work up to the slightest curiosity about Roman iife or manners, never feel any urge to read Gibbon's “Decline and Fall,” never know that Seneca is the name of a philosovher and not just the name of a tribe of American Indians. » Education is thus seen to be morzl than translations, “getting” one's les- | sons, knowing the names, dates and | 50 on of persons and events, being able | to tell the names of the English Kings. ‘True education is something of which its possessor may be proud, for it is an attitude of mind, rather than a mental or physical possession, and often enough it comes about through no personal merit, but merely because one happened to be born into home where others had that attitudeof mind. * k ko In this state of mind poetry plays a distinguished part. It is the oldest before they wrote in any other form. The fact that they could make words sing, skip, jump and even leap like the waves of the sea seemed to them an In all the early na- tions of historic import the poets as- sumed places of importance, and be: came traditions in their own right long before any considerable body of prose was developed. Since those days singers with words have developed many a quirk and fancy, but singing is still singing, 'Fgelry-mnk- ing is still poetry-making. The mind of man goes back to it as naturally as his hands do to fishing or hunting. It is in the blood, and, contrary to many, it is not feminine but intensely masculine. One of the finest things that a little poetry, read every now and then, does for the average man, is keep his mental blood stream, if one may call it that, clean and pure. It filters this blood, fills it with the vitamins A, B, C, and helps keep the brain cool and the feet warm. ‘To read poetry, if only now and then, makes a man feel better with him- self. Have you not ever become ashamed of yourself, especially in re- gard to a failure to read good books? There are perhaps few persons who do not so lament, at some time or other in thelr lives. Practical living must take precedence of fancy living, often to the detriment of the better things of life. And then time itself steps in, and com- pletes the deterioration, unless one is careful. ‘These {inevitable consequences are a part of life and living. There are an amazing number of people, both men and women, of the best education, as education goes, who permit themselves to become weaned gradually from the things which they once held to be es- sentials. Let us admit that many things which youth regards as essentials are not really so. We wouldn't give a whoop any more whether we “made” a college fraternity or not. But we would be sorry if we so far lost our taste for poetry that we were unable to appre- ciate good verse when we read it. So we force ourself, occasionally, to pick up Tennyson, and refresh ourself with that finest of lIyrics, “Crossing the Bar,” a lugubrious but fine thing, in its | “*H way. The greatest lyricists are at hand, always ready to give their instant relief from the severity of prose. Prose is common sense, verse is capriclous, way- ward; that is why the latter has its in- tense appeal to certain natures. ‘Those who once fancied themselves amateur poets are the ones who mostly should keep in touch with that element in their nature. There are few young men of women who wholly escape the urge to write verse. Often they turn| out small poems of amazing worth. The hopeless amateur is the oldster! But we leave him to the mercy of the editors. We are concerned only with the man who once liked to write verse but gave it up because he realized that he could not do it well enough to suit himself. Himself! Herself! Of such is the kingdom of the individualist, and to him or her poetry means a great deal. Some of it should be read often, at least every now and then, in order that the mind and heart may be refreshed by the exaltation which this form of writing, when supremely well done, alone fur- nishes. The best written prose can exalt, too, but the exaltation of the best poetry has a flavor of its own. It is a quality singing around, above and be- tween the words, the harmonics, as it were, of words, words above words. Listening to this melody, the reader forgets time and place and might well be one of Homer’s listeners, or belong to the band of those who, so many, many years ago, heard the angels singing. Turmoil in Spain Appraised As an Effort to Modernize Although the recent revolt in Spain seems to have been quelled, opinion is widespread that it has weakened the foundations of the throne still further and the world is not writing “finis” yet to this chapter in Spain’s history. ‘That the events have again focussed attention on Alfonso himself is clear. Estimates of his power and his person- ality vary. Says the Richmond News Leader: “The King has no strong grip or: the affections of the people, and the other members of the royal family have rone whatsver. Now and again the King will rush through Madrid in a motor car, or gamely appear at a place where threats have been made against him, but usually ne follows his pleas- ures or remains in the hideous old castle. Leadership he has not displayed, end loyalty he therefore need not ex- pect.” On the other hand, the Baltimore Evening Sun declares that because of his great courage, “Alfonso has been idolized by his subjects, and through the | sheer force of his personality has held 2 restraining hana over a tempestuous kingdom. But courage is not his only bid for popularity,” continues the Sun, caying: “He possesses what often goes with it, a high sense of sportsmanship. He is a skillful rider, a good polo player and a good shot. He is an enthusiast of the turf and, during his reign, horse racing and horse breeding have ad- vanced materially in his kingdom.” He 1is pictured by the Hartford Daily ‘Times as “at heart a jovial, generous leader,” who might ‘“be to make concessions to his detractors, did he not realize that in his country that would be interpreted as a sign of weakness and would speed his total eclipse.” The Newark Evening News voices “a_little regret at the sad straits in which the Cebonair Alfonso finds himself. So few kings are left us, and fewer still of the decorative type of Alfonso, who looks s0 well in a bathing suit,” it concludes. * K K k¥ “To blame the King of Spain is just a matter of looking for a goat,” thinks the Green Bay Press Gazette, which describes Lim as “but an individual who has inheritcd, i3 common with others, an age-old system that is fast fading out. He has had little to do with the actual ruling of Spain,” this paper points out. However, the present King and his father, the “two Alfonsos, have ‘Suc- ceeded in mainto’ning the monarchy for more than 50 years,” as the New York Evening Pos. declares, and it will be maintained “so long as the army re- mains loyal to the government.” 1In the opinion of the Louisville Courier- Journal: “It is the army that makes 2nd unmakes goverrments in Spain, like the Praetorian Guard of ancient Rome.” As to Spanish revolutions, the Kansas City Star says: “Republicanism in Spain, it may be feared, is rather more ot a rallying cry than a practical faith.” The St. Louis Post-Dispatch remarks: “Spanish revolts, so far, have been characterized by lack of ccherence, by premature explosions in one sector be- fore the forces of another were ready to move, oy pledges: to join in rebellion that were not fulfilled. The nation is in the grip of medievalism, and it is trying to make up several centuries in a few days,” declares this paper. “When the Castilian forgets that he is superior to all other Spaniards, when Galician fraternizes with Andalusian, when the wild men of Aragon awake to the fact thltcthe earth is moving, when h ipanish revolution,” asserts the Cleveland Plain Dealer. * k k% “Not forms of government, but the kind of men who conduct government and the kind who support r- mine success,” says the Grand Rapids Press, as it points out that “for a republic there must be a bedrock of st el T S unselfish Spain doesn’s pear to have the ingredients developed as yet,” is the verdict of this journal. “Nevertheless, like the constant drop that may wear away a stone, the re- publican agitation in Spain may ulti- mately achieve its end or affect a real | modification of the present system,” suggests the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. “Like other Latin countries, Spain is a volatile land. Its people are given to seething,” notes the Chattanooga ‘Times, which states that the life of the kingdom has been, in recent years at least, one of almost perpetual political turmoil. Trouble in Spain, like trouble in China, has largely come to be taken for granted,” according to the judgment of this paper. ‘The recent uprising, “like the recent upheavals in the Spanish-American countries of South America, seems to have its basis in economic distress,” observes the noke World-News, noting that “the Latin temperament reacts to such conditions by revolution; the Anglo-Saxon temperament at the ballot bo: As the Savannah Morning News sa; “Revolutions do not usually come to fruition during good times; everybody is too well satisfied, or at least those who are dissatisfied are in the minority, and the weight of pub- lic opinion is against them. But in times of stress, of general unemployment, when men and their families are hun- gry, political leaders find it easy to round up large numbers of dissatisfied persons, and when much of the public takes neither side, it sometimes is pos- sible to make a minority seem a major- ity, and obtain a change of form of government or of personnel in charge of government.” Many editors find food for though in the comparsion between the grandeur of srdn of an earlier day and the condition of the country in modern times. Says the Columbus Ohio State Journal: “The picture of Spain im- periled on the brink is a dramatic one. Once the world’s greatest power; once the richest nation; once the most dom- ineering, now is in its dotage and trembling before the onslaught of a few rowdy upstarts, who may succeed in capturing the fancy of most of the people left in this declining monarchy. She has a grand life and, now that she is ill, we may sympathize with her, sentimentally, as we would sympathize with any fallen power.” Drawing a similar picture, the Al- toona Mirror declares: “Modern Spain is merely the shadow of the former mighty empire, a shadow of her former greatness. For a considerable period she has been declining. She furnishes a vivid illustration of the fact that sinning nations are as liable to punish- ment as individuals who transgress the moral law.” The Milwaukee Sentinel believes that Spain’s poverty “is a poverty of enter- prise and energy. Generations of an- cestors, who lived easily on the fruits of the New World, bequeathed to the present an unhealthy sloth,” this paper asserts. But the Chicago Daily Tri- bune, predicting that “the Spani people will not-remain outside of the modern age,” forecasts “adjustments to come, either from a moderate re- gime or sooner or later by a destructive explosion.” So also the Atlanta Jour- nal, which is convinced that “what- ever the outcome of the current situa- e T Lt people who are spl in letters and art will not rest content with mediocre politics.” Taught b! Experience. From the Cleveland News. National Council finds that last- minute Christmas shopping is mostly done by hi nds and fathers. They must find ways of kolding cut money eventually. “ O — Jazz Concert. Prom the Asheville Times. ‘The concert. of h | time is usually out of luck. 1930. The Political Mill By G. Gould Lincoln. ‘The harder Robert H. Lucas, executive of | form of writing. Men probably rhymed | director of the Republican National Committee, seeks to drive Mr. Norris and _“others like him” out of the G. O. ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS BY FREDERIC What do you need to know? Is there some point abopt your business or per- sonal life that puzzles you? Is there something you want to know without delay? Submit your question to Fred- P., the more difficult it seems!eric J. Haskin, director of our Wash- to be to separate them from the party. | ington Information Bureau. He is em- Since Mr. Lucas in his appearance before the Senate Campaign Investi- gating Committee suggested that he would be glad to see Mr. Norris vote with the Democrats in the organization of the next Senate, Senator Norris has announced he has no intention of voting with the Democrats and inti- mates that hs will vote as a Republican. He insists, indeed, that he is a Repub- lican par excellence. And now Senator Borah of Idaho, another of the insurgent group in the Senate, has come out even more forcefully to proclaim that he is not going to with the Democrats. These insurgent leaders do love the Republican party. There seems no doubt about that. Even Representative ‘Will Wood of Indiana, chairman of the Republican _ Congressional ~ Campals Committee, has not succeeded in shak- ing them loose from the G. O. P, though he dubbed Senator Norris a ‘consummate demagogue” and declared that “too many people today are mas- querading as Republicans,” which seemed to include Mr. Borah and other progressives, * K kX If Mr. Lucas and Mr. Wood had come out with strong demands that Senator Norris and Senator Borah show their devotion to the G. O. P. by voting with regular Republicans in the organization of the next Senate the insurgent leaders might have waved away these demands impatiently. But the denunciation by the regular Republican leaders of these insurgents has had an opposite effect. ‘Who so strong now in their Republican- ism as Mr. Norris and Mr. Borah? Perhaps the attacks by Lucas and Wood after all, will result in uniting the Re- | publicans once more against the Demo- cratic foe. It would be a joke, indeed. if the insurgents felt they must show their party colors by sticking to the Republican leadership in Senate organ- ization. Certainly if they broke away and voted for the Democrats they would lend color to the charges now made against them that they are not Republi- s. For it will not do for the insurgents to turn down their party while they are under fire. They could do so with im- punity as long as the Republican leader- ship was content to watch their political antics and say nothing. But when the insurgents are openly charged with desertion and with being no longer mem- bers of the Republican party they don't like it at all. e Perhaps the ifisurgents will decide in the end to support candidates of their own choosing in the organization of the Senate. They might put forward Norris, for example, for President pro tempore of the Senate against the reg- ular ~Republican nominee, probably Senator Moses of New Hampshire. Their action would tie up the Senate so far as organization is concerned. The Democrats will not have a majority in the next Congress, nor will the regular Republicans. Yet a majority must vote for Senate officers in order to elect them. Senator Norris, having been scored by Representative Will Wocd as ths latter was leaving the White House, i mediately declares in an interview that he considers that President Hoover has had a hand in the plot to defeat him | for the Senate, and now to eliminate him from the G. O. P. It does not seem possible that Senator Norris or any one if Mr. Norris had been defeated. Norris voted and spoke against the election of President Hoover. But to Mr. Norris it appears that the President is disloyal to his party if he should think of op- posing Norris for re-election to the Senate. But the Nebraska Senator goes had something to do with the litera- ture which was sent at Mr. Lucas’ ex- pense to Nebraska last Fall to be used against Norris, There has been nothing to prove that the President had a hand in this matter. Mr. Lucas stated em- phatically last night from his home in Louisville that President Hoover ‘“nor any one in the White House had any knowledge or were ever consulted about my action in connection with Senator Norris.,” - * ok % . The mistake that Mr. Lucas made was in acting secretly in the maltter of sending this literature into Nebraska. It has given the insurgents a handy argument against him. They are using it to the limit. If President Hoover backs up Mr. Lucas and insists that he be kept on the job as executive director of the Republican National Committee, Mr. Lucas’ critics will transfer in part their attacks from Lucas to Mr. Hoo- ver. They will~insist that the Presi- dent condones secret and undercover | action against his political foes, just | because he holds on to Mr. Lucas. The | insurgents will do their best to make | the issue one of undercover politics i rather than one of actual loyalty to the Republican party. Senator Norris’ de- sertion of the party in 1928 they mini- mize, However, if many of che Repub- lican leaders follow the course of Rep- resentative Will Wood 2.nd open fire on Mr. Norris, and seek to put him in the renegade class, it will be difficult to avoid the desertion issue after all. Mr. Lucas, in his latest statements, makes the test of loyalty to the Repub- lican party support of the party’s presi- dential ticket. He differentiates be- tween Mr. Norris and Mr. Borah, be- cause of Norris’ support of Smith while Borah was supporting Hoover vigor- ously. “I have no quarrel with any member of the Republican party, pro- gressive_ or otherwise, Who supports presidential candidates,” says Mr. Lucas. * K K % ‘The only “Republican” member of the Senate today who supported Al Smith openly in 1928, outside of Mr. Norris, is Senator Blaine of Wisconsin. Blaine, like Norris, went all the way over to the Democratic nominee. He went over be- fore Norris did, as a matter of fact. The senjor Senator from Wisconsin, Rob- ert M. La Follette, jr.,, did not commit himself one way or the other in the presidential race that year. He worked for the re-election of progressive Sena- tors, whether Democratic or Republican. It seems that Mr. Blaine must be the subject of Mr. Lucas’ opposition as well as Senator Norris. It is a fact that all the rest of the progressive Republicans did not bolt the Republican ticket. Sen- ator Brookhart of Iowa, for example, was one of the most ardent campaign- ers for the presidential ticket, along with Senator Borah. The attempt to isolate Norris from the rest of the progressive group—and Blaine—and to hold him up as a de- serter of his party is politically wiser than some of the other things which Mr. Lucas has done. The man on the street can understand a charge of de- sertion. 'The man who tries to be both Democrat and Republican at the same In the end he takes a back seat, even though the end be postponed. The Democrats are laughing up their sleeves over the present ructions, in the Republican ranks. Their one hope is that the split in the G. O. P, has not come too early. If it holds until 1932 the Democrats feel Teasonably assured of electing their candidate for President—perhaps Gov. Roosevelt of N . If the Republicans have their troubles over by the end of 1931 it will be a real d.uupr.lumene to the Democrats. One indication, however, that the troubles among the Republic- ans may last is found in the increas- Ing gossip about presidential candi- dates of the G. O. P. other than Mr. Hoover. Already the rumor is abroad that friends of Ambassador Charles G. Dawes are “looking the situation over.” And the talk of Calvin Coolidge as a presidential possibility has cropped up again. Mr. Hoover looks still to the rgreat else in the country could imagine that | Mr. Hoover would have shed any tears | further and implies that the President | ployed to help you. Address your in- quiry to The Evening Star Information Bureau, Prederic J. Haskin, director, Washington, D. C., and inclose 2 cents in coin or stamps for return postage. Q. What has become of the tri-motored plane, Josephine Ford, in which Byrd flew over the North Pole and later made a good will flight around the country?—G. C. H. A. It is at the present time in a hangar at Dearborn Field (Henry Ford's Field), Detroit, Mich. Q. How tall is the Metropolitan bari- tone and cinema actor, Lawrence Tib- bett?>—R. I. B. A. He is 6 feet 1 inch tall. ead out in a thin " D. 8. A. The surface tension-of water is greater than that of ofl, hence the lat- ter is drawn out into a thin film, Q. What are the prospects of my getting a job if I take a course in Jjournalism?—A. 8. P, A. Marlen Pew of the Editor & Publisher says that 10,000, or perhaps 15,000, young Americans are preparing themselves this year for a career in some form of journalism and that in his opinion the writing and editing profession will not absorb that number. He adds that never in his experienc has he encount:red so many jobless newspaper men and women as at pres- ent. Your chances of getting a job, however, might be better than the aver- age if you have friendly newspaper con- tacts or connectios Q. What is an ergatokrat?—R. M. A. An ergatokrat is one who be- lieves in ergatocracy. This is a new term recently coined to describe the new political philosophy of the Left- Wing Socialists. It is derived from the Greek word “ergates,” meaning a worker, plus “kratia.” meaning rule or govern- ment. Briefly, it means administration of the workers, for the workers, and by the workers. Q. On what date was the Maine blown up in Havana Harbor?—J. G. A. February 15, 1898. United States in 1920?2—E. K. A. The total amount of fire losses for ;lil; 1;:2! 1929 is estimated at $422,- Q. Is the State House at Annapolis, Md., the original one?—F. W. A. The present State House is the third one which has stood upon the same site. The foundation of the first one was laid 30, 1696. consumed by fire in 1704. was completed in 1706 and used for 66 years, when it was replaced by the present building in 1772. Q. When was the first workmen's compensation act passed in the United States?—A. H. A. The first legislation on the sub- ject of workmen’s compensation in the United States was a co-operative insur- ance law in Maryland in 1902. How- ever, this law was declared unconsti- tutional in 1904. The first compensa- High]ights ont HE BULLETIN, Sydney: Poet—But I -beg you—I put my whole mind into this poem! Editor—And I tell you we're not buying blank verse!! . * X x ¥ Headphones Asked for Baby's Drum. Sentinel, Wood Green (England): Customer (in toy shop)—I want a drum for the baby! And can you give me a pair of headphones with it?" Assistant—Headphones. What for? Customer—So the baby can hear it and the rest of us can't! * ok ko | Theater Owner’s | Son Well Seated in School. Fliegende Blaetter, Munich.—The theater owner’s son went to school for the first time. Father—Well, Fritz, where did they put you? Son—Not bad. Orchestra, second row on the right. * % % New Police Chiet Gentleman and Attorney. El Tiempo, Bogota.—Among the new appointments which the director of the national police has just made we re- mark with pleasure that of the illus- trious Dr. Jose Maria Uricoechea Mon- toya, who has been nominated to ex- ercise the office of prefect of police in the capital. Dr. Montoya, in addition to being a perfect gentleman, is a dis- tinguished attorney, and so will know how to give to this branch of the public administrative functions an intelligent handling and dignified = character. Furthermore, his reputation for industry and diligence in his undertakings pro- vides a favorable augury that he will bring energies and interests to his new work that will insure success in all its ramifications. Dr. Montoya, young, ca- pable, legally trained and courageous, is Jjust the man to be our police commis- sioner. * K K K Hitler Classed as Lunatic and Actor. El Sol, Madrid—Adolph Hitler, the head of the National-Socialist party in Germany, has been classified as a luna- tic by some and as an actor by others. In reality there is hardly any difference between these two classifications. In- sanity and a desire to appear on the stage are phenomena frequently ap- pearing in one and the same subject. There are certain kinds of mental dis- order which are characterized by vari- ous subtle hypocrisies and displayed in the more vulgar ostentation of play- acting. When a man is obsessed with the idea that he has been appointed to lead & people out of a wilderness, though he has derived this conception of his duty from most improper premises or without - sufficient justification, he is not likely to exhibit much reticence or modesty in acclaiming his mission or pursuing his self-contained program. Most modern mental patients are the products of the demoralizing literature they read, and just as many loftily writ- ten and politically ingenious books are dangerous, as are the vilest and ab- surdest sensations published both in books and in the so-called “romantic” periodicals. It is scarcely necessary, therefore, to differentiate between a Hitler crazy and a Hitler acting a part. He is simply a personal exposition of the fallacious doc- trines he has absorbed from all srts of dubious sources. His racial stock pro- vides simultaneously a fertile soil for morbid projects and the innate desire to chm?mn them before the public. Yet fundamentally that which distin- men like Hitler is not so much dementia, nor yet assumption, but rather a predominance of vulgar instinctg. ‘The German race is in epitome one of the chief examples of potency of primitive iptings, both in the in- dividual and in the multitude. It is easily swayed by its crude emotions and ;lmedfln: gener; in tll:: hm::h :l:t any de: . 0 W sophisti- oo oF Teveatonary. ey No moth ever flew into the flame with more insistence and devotion than the avel Ge! is with every new and modern wave of po Q. What was the fire loss in the| J. HASKIN. eral of them were held unconstitutional —notably that of New York, by the fa. mous Ives decision. The New York Constitution was then amended and another law passed. Congress in 1908 passed a law providing for a plan of. compensation for accidents incurred by Industrial employes of the United Stat Q. Are rubber trees being grown in California?—J. M. 8. A. Rubber plants that are native to dry regions ar> being tested in Cali- fornia, in the coast districts as well as in the interior vallevs. Several dry- country rubber planis are knawn in Mexico, while others are reported in South America, Atrica and Madagascar, The production of rubber from the Mexican quayule plant (Parthenium argentatum) has been investigated care- fully by a private corporation and the stage of agricultural practicability is believed to have been reached in Cali- fornia. The quayule rubber plants in d California amount, at pres- ent, to several hundred acres. Q. Please explain the origin of the Gobelin tapestry industry—F. L. A. The Gobelin tapestries originated in the work of a former dyer, named Gobelin, who in the fifteenth century came from Reims to Paris, the family having discovered a marvelous scarlet dye which attracted great attention. In the sixteenth century to the manufac- ture of dyes was added the manufac- ture of tapestry, which founded the fortune of the family. Some of the family were granted titles of nobility and some became leading statesmen of | France. In the reign of Louis XIV, the government took over the Gobelin ‘tap- estry manufactures and they remain a state activity. Q. Are Sea Scouts a part of the Boy Scouts organization >—W. M. G. A. They are. These boys wear the blue uniform. For the most they are associated with the regular Boy Scout troops. Q. Which one of the many marches written by John Phillp Sousa is his favorite?—J. C. A. Comdr. Sousa says that if he has any preference at all he would name “Stars and Stripes Forever” This march earned him $300,000 in royalties. “The Washington Post March” has had the largest sale of any of his eompo- sitions, but he sold it outright for $35. hQ‘, g there a typical American City? A. Some time ago the Literary Digest called Zanesville, Ohio, the typical American city, but recently the na- tional Child Health Council, after con- sidering the qualifications of 80 com- munities, gave Mansfield, Ohio, this honor. It stated that it named Mans- field because of its location, the back- ground of its population, the agricul- tural communities surrounding it, its history, and its railroad transportation. Q. How many concerns are there that manufacture electrical machinery?— A. There are about 5000 manufac- turers of electrical machinery, appa- ratus and supplies, including those in closely allied line Q. Will hogs eat tomatoes>—W, T. A. When fed with other kitchen refuse, hogs will usually eat them, but they do not like tomatoes and will not eat themrin quantities. he Wide World_ Excerpts From Newspapers of Other Lands latter people the ives of their ambitions are far less energetically pur- sued and are far less discernible, The French temper their proclivities with a certain decorum and consideration en- tirely lacking in German political and social procedures, * kX X% Shakespeare Neglected At School He Once Attended. Shakespeare Pictorial, Stratford- upon-Avon.—One of the boasts of King Edward VI Grammar School, Stratford- upon Avon, is that Shakespeare was a pupil there, and a brass tablet com- memorates the fact. Some like to think that he was a teacher, too, during those years of early manhood, when his move- ments are untraceable, Yet this school, in such a town and with such traditions, seems to neglect the cuit of Shakespeare. The medal, presented by the late Miss Marie Corelli for annual Shakespearean essays, could be given for three years only, because interest waned. One never hears of the school qua school attending the festival performances, although there is no bet- ter method of studying Shakespeare’s works than by seeing them performed. And there is certainly no finer way of enriching a boy's knowledge of English than by becoming acquainted with Egfl;espelre if it can be done without lom redom. Other schools come long distances to attend these performances and find en- joyment in them, too. In America this taste is cultivated, and the brief visit of the Festival Co. is accepted as a gra- cious act of Providence. Only in Strat- I(g:a-';xpon-Avon is the opportunity neg- ‘There is little intercourse between town and school, though they should be complementary, the one to the other. A certain number of scholarships are granted anually, as the endowment di- rects, but when does the school meet the town in sport? In this connection the example of the Duke of York in es- gloglsu‘hrl‘ggwl cll:p ‘where pubu:] school 'Wn boys meet on equal terms might well be followed. Stratford Mop is a part of Stratford life; yet it is out of bounds for boarders. One might agree with that in the eve- nings, but there are periods of the day when a boy who comes to Stratford- upon-Avon for his scholastic life might well expect to see something of this relic of medieval England. There is a governing body of 18 mem- bers, but when did all of them assemble together? Some local governors are even too disinterested to attend the annual Speech day. And the Borough Council, which sends four representatives, never bothers to ask what is being done or |3(t undone. ———— Courage and Confidence. From the Pasadena Star-News. 1t is not typically American to whine and become despondent in the face of difficulties or temporary reverses. This country, from the earliest Colonial days, has ‘“come up through great tribula- tion.” The pioneers had no easy life. The generation preceding this one did not have its lines laid along channels S0 smooth as those accessible to the present generation. Think of the tur- moll and strife just before the Civil War. Contemplate the terrible devasta- tion appertaining to and resulting f) that lnmnzflne‘ strife. pon the problems of reconst economic diffici i, Consider distress and hardship and misfortune attendant m the panics of 1873, 1893 and 1907. pto oL ] n an has persisted through the ‘The good shape, as compared with depres- slon periods and panics of the past. ‘The American people of the past went through periods of economic distress with courage, fortitude and confidence in the future. Those who live today may look back and see that the courage and confidence of the past was justified. For after each period of a few lean years there were many usly fat e @lznu—u #h same and supréin- fi tes Germany is amang the Prench, yet among years. History repeats itself. There will be many years depreasion; Which 15 20w its end. tion acts were passed in 1010, but sev- SAMREN ISR & SoARARIALT caABRELY