Evening Republican, Volume 59, Number 76, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 20 April 1917 — Page 2

COST OF THE GREAT EUROPEAN WAR PLACED AT 66 BILLIONS

Almost the Equal of One-Third the Entire Wealth of the United States Is Swallowed Up—May Reach $100,000,000,000 by Next Year—Along With This Loss of Substance Goes Frightful Loss of Life.

London. —A careful estimate of the total wealth of the United States at the beginning o\ 1917 places It at a little above $200,000,000,000. A careful estimate of the cost of the war down to the beginning of the spring , campaign is $60,000,000,000. In other words, almost exactly onethird of the total wealth of the United States, by far the richest country in the world, has been swallowed in the voracious naaw of the war monster. As a matter of fact, this does not nearly represent the total cost of the war to the world. Aside from the expenditures of Great Britain the dependencies representing the outlying empire have all incurred tremendous costs hy tbtiir part in the war. The j United S’-Ktes added more than onehalf to its annual expenditures for the j fiscal year 1916-17, chiefly by reason of the war. All over the world countries have been increasing their expenditures in order to carry their part of the burden which the war has laid ■upon the worl^uiWh&the; greater part of them havd'tmen suffering and are more or less Impoverished because of the dislocation of economic processes, i And there is yet. by common consent In all probability at least aqother year of war ahead. If the struggle continues to the spring of 1918 its cost to belligerents and neutrals will by that time probably be estimated as high as $100,000,000,000. Appalling Human Losses. Along with this loss of substance *oes a frightful loss of human resources ; millions of the best manhood of the most highly developed and productive countries.

\ It is Impossible to realize the meaning of the figures which attempt to suggest what the war Is costing. Statesmen of Great Britain, France and Germany have recently been warning their peoples that after peace is declared the war basis of expenditures wilt have to go on for yet a long time. It will be impossible immediately to demobilize the. armies and return them to the business of production. The restoration of something like normal conditions will probably require, in the -view of those authorities, as long a time as the length of the war itself. Of course as the process of demobilization goes on and conditions are restored more and more toward lha.nor.. mal the extraordinary expenses will be in progressively diminishing volume. The wisest men, the ones in possession of the fullest Information on which to base judgment, shy at every attempt to lead them into discussion of the situation which the European world will have to cope with after the war.

Bonar Law's Reassurance. Bonar Law, chancellor of the British exchequer and a cool-headed man of affairs, who has no disposition whatever to fall into panic, has repeatedly admitted that England’s rate of expenditure could by no means be carried on indefinitely, though he has always coupled this with the reassuring insistence that Britain and her allies could stand the strain longer than their enemies, and that therefore-they were bound to win. ——. ■' - - At no former time in .the world's history was war so much a question of economic power as now. The one Justifiable and really worth while parallel which history presents to the struggle is of course found in the wars of the French revolutionary iand Napoleonic periods. Bonar Law hns assured the British nation that in the opinion of himself t and his colleagues in the government ithe empire will as easily bear the buridens of the war as it did those imposed by the Napoleonic struggles. Indeed, the example which was furnished by the Napoleonic struggles, of how great nations absorbed over a peiriod of years the tremendous losses caused in such a struggle, is the one ■thing which furnishes reassurance and encouragement to European statesmen as they contemplate the burden which they are piling up for the future to bear.

After the Napoleonic wars England pretty steadily reduced from year to year the principal of its debt, and by successive reorganizations was able also greatly to reduce the rate of interest. The marvelous increase of the expansion of commerce, the great development of the mercantile marine, the profitable opportunities for foreign investment that were afforded by the development all tyver the world not only of British colonies but of independent countries provided , Britain with the opportunity to rehabilitate itself. But the experience of France following die Napoleonic era was different. France did not possess a great overseas empire whose development gave 1t opportunities for great profit. Neb ther did France become a great Industrial country during the era of the factory systems development to Anything like the extent England did. Finally, France did not apply Itself ip the assiduous English fashion to wiping out the Napoleonic war debt.. France, in short, lived chiefly with-

in herself, while Great Britain became a world empire, its its domains, its irtvestments, its every interest reaching all -over the world. Yet the genius of the French people. though they went about it in an entirely different way, proved just ns capable of taking enre of the obligations handed over to it from the Napoleonic period as did that of the English people. New Heritage of Freedom. If England emerged from that struggle firmly possessed of an empire and colonies and commerce extending to all the continents and all din? seas, France emerged with a new heritage of freedom, of something like real npjmrtunlt.v. with a redistribution of its Land and wealth, which vested the average French family with a power of productiveness quite beyond anything that had been dreamed of or had been possible under the old regime of bourbonism and feudalism. If England gained in substance, France improved in spirit. If England was able to go about paying off its debts, France was able to increase its producing capacity so greatly that the burden of Us debt was borne without difficulty and without interfering ■with a vast and continuous enhancement of the national wealth.

Is it possible that this expedience of Europe following the Napoleonic wars may he repeated after the present European struggle? For answer to tills question men with visions of the future have little difficulty finding an affirmative; and they justify their confidence by pointing out that this war is as truly a war of emancipation as were the struggles that begun with the French Revolution. If the revolution wrenched France anjl the continent generally away from the institutions of political feudalism and spiritual repression, the present war will, if its event be fortunate, liberate the world from the Institutions of political militarism and industrial feudalism. __ If the land of France was democratized as to its ownership as a result of the revolution the instruments of factory production, of transportation, of finance, developed since the revolution, will be socialized as a result of the present struggle. If. the revolution brought not only to France but to the rest of fiurope a juster distribution of political power, the war of today will bring a fairer distribution of the products of the -world’s industry, a wider recognition of man’s rights In the pursuit of liberty and happiness, a great sharpening of intelligence and widening of educational opportunities. Following the Napoleonic wars the big dominating fact in the economic development of the nineteenth century was the rise of the factory system of -production and the development of modern means of transportation. Following the present war it may confidently he expected that there will be further and no less significant advances in the methods of production, currying to all the world the. benefits of those big, highly organized and intensely efficient units whose growth

PRETTY PRINCESS

Princess Beatrice, daughter of King Alfonso of Spain, born July 22, 1909. It is noticed that her features resemble stro’vgly those of tier father.

THE EVENING REPUBLICAN, RENSSELAER, IND.

has particularly marked the more recent industrial evolution in the United States and Germany. American Republic Is Model. In the direction of nation building, of peopling and utilizing for the common benefit of men the unused places of the world, the master achievement of the nineteenth century, was the building of the American republic. To the twentieth century’s aspira-■ lions in this same direction is reserved the privilege of making a truly great nnd modern nation" out teeming, essentially democratic millions of Russia; of developing Africa and Bouth America as the eighteenth and nineteenth century dev eloped America ; of buUdlng great European communities in Australia, in South Africa. in East Africa, in the Niger nnd Congo basins and in North Africa; of directing the Occidentalization of China, with its vast and capable population and almost limitless resources; of building a group of great, powerful, efficient democracies on the foun du t ions that are already firmly laid in the republics of South America. Along with this political development will go an industrial advance whose measure and results must be judged by projecting into the future tl»e gains of the last century. Your industrial democratic thinkers point <>u t a I ways that the rate of this-ad-vance is constantly being accelerated. Science is more and more coming ta the re-enforcement of invention. Productive capacity is growing at a pace that moves with the expansion of intelligence, the improvement of educational methods, and everywhere there is insistence that educational systems must, in the new era, be so improved that the intellectual potentiality of mankind shall be brought to hear upoh the problems of the race as never before. Europe Bears Strain .Well.

One of the marvels of these times is the fact that Europe is able to bear the strain so well. But for khaki everywhere and girl bus drivers London would look not particularly different from the London of normal times. Everywhere one hears people inquiring witli wonderment and almost awe, “How does this people carry the load with so little evidence of strain?” Doubtless the answer will be found in the fact that n-n appraisal of property accumulations does not include the value of the new “days’ works” that every 24 hours brings to the world. ~ ~~

The war is being paid for in great part day by day, month by month. Waste is turned from its peace channels to war channels. War-compels the community to save; to waste less in the ordinary ways in order tlpit it may waste more in guns and shells and battleships and mines and all the paraphernalia of war. A philosopher once said that if all the constructions and plants of the eartjh’s surface might be conceived a'a being destroyed in one cataclysm while leaving intact the human race in its present stage of intellect and adaptability, a single generation would see those structures restored in far more useful practical form, and mankind would be better for the privilege of that one sweeping reorganization. Not many people will want to see the experiment tried. The present war is near enough to the universal cataclysm. But to the extent that it shall teach men to utilize more effectively the power contained, in this great stream of human energy, flowing pffst file undeveloped dam site of each successive today, it will have made human effort more important and accumulated property less so. The chief wealth of the world, after all, is its people. Europe is learning this... It is getting ready for great social reforms after the war that will en a hie 'it by. a better u t iliza ti on of its human resoueges to make up the losses it is now suffering, and. by the economies it is effecting in Its daily life it is paying as it goes for li large share of the war’s cost.

‘MODEL MAID’ WINS BACK PAY

Euphrosina Weigert of Brooklyn Worked and Waited Twelve Years for $2,068.71. New York.—Trial of an action before Justice Cropsey in the supreme court in Brooklyn, through which Miss Euphrosina Weigert won a verdict of $2,066.71, revealed her as the “model servant” so much talked of and so conspicuous by continued absence. The testimony showed that Miss Weigert was content to wait 12 years for her wages and was delighted with ; the. Interest dispiayed“by- her employer," who took lwr “occasionally” pn excursions to the cemetery and on \these trips bought lunch for her. In 1902 she. entered -Che employ of 'Mrs. Josephine Prentice of 14. r > Ean- ■ cock street, -who died October 22. 1915. A year after she had entered this employ' her wages were increased from $lB a month to $22. She §aid that in 12 years she-received hut $171.1X1.

SAFETY PIN IN ENSILAGE

Not Discovered Until' Autopsy Was Held on Dead Cow in California. Marysville, .Cnl— Owing to the fact that a valuable cow, owned by Emery Coe of Allen township died under peculiar circumstances, which baffled vet-, erlnary surgedns', an autopsy was held which disclosed the fact that the death was caused by a safety pin, which Wasopen, being imbedded in her heart. An eight-inch piece of No. 11 wire was also removed from her stomach. It is believed that the aftimal swallowed the safety pin while eating ensilage. i ” ♦ ,

BLACK WALNUT IS CAREFULLY HANDLED

LOGS ARE CAREFULLY LOADED ONTO CARS.

Black walnut lumber is now in great demand for making handles for guns and for various other wooden Implements. The Illustration shows how the logs are louded onto ears in Kentucky.

EIGHT HOUR QUERY

WHAT RAILR OAD EMPLOYEES ACTUALLY OPERATE TRAINS? Official Interpretation Anxiously Awaited by Nearly 1,500,000 Employees — Eight-Hour Law Raises Puzzling Question. What persons employed by the railroads are actually engaged in the operation of trains? An official interpretation of this question is” anxiously awaited by nearly 1,500,000 railroad employees. But just who is the proper federal official to make this interpretation, no one seems to know at this time. Officials of the interstate commerce commission say they have no authority in the matter. The whole trouble is due to the passage of the eight-hour law. This law contains a provision which says that the eight-hour day shall apply to all persons “actually engaged in any capacity in the operation of trains used for the transportation of persons or property on railroads,” But it is very vague as to how to ascertain just what employees aye “actually engaged.” A. B. Garretson, chief of the conductors’ brotherhood, says that the new law applies to telegraphers and yard switchmen. That is his personal opinion of the matter. Some of the railroad officials here say they are not so sure that it applies to the telegra-

phers. A member of the interstate commission sized up the matter iu the following statement: “The whole question centers around an Interpretation of the words facto* ally engaged in any capacity in the operation of trains.’ Just who will make that interpretation I do not know. Fda unt believe the interstate commission has the power to do it. The whole trouble is due to the hasty preparation of the law. Some branch of the government should have been given power under the law and then there would have been no trouble. “According to the way I read the law, I do not believe the commission to be appointed by the president has the authority to interpret it. But some official of the government has got to decide who are actually engaged in the operation of trains, or else there will be more trouble between tiie railroads and their em- - . ■ The various classes of railroad employees and their numbers are as follows : Class of Employees— Number. General officers “’IS Other officers •••••• •••••• General office clerks * Station agents ••••■•• Other station men Conductors Other trainmen v' ‘S’iS Carpenters “Mg Other shopmen Section foremen •■••••• Other trackmen Switch tenders, crossing tenders and watchmen Ji.Bia Telegraph operators and dispatchEmployees—account floating . equip- . «TYAftt- . . . . .-i . All other employees and laborers.. 232.249 Total 1,710,296

Plan Uniform Cars.

Uniform ears for freight on railroads, is about to follow the use of all lines in common by the government. An official has just stated that there were difficulties to he overcome, due to the fact that different companies built different types of wagons to suit their own requirements, and that some companies’ stock was superior to that of others, but now that the arrangement has been made the common user has come to stay, no inntter whether company operation of the lines is reverted to or not. And, with, common user, there will necessarily arise a demand for standard types of wagons which, being standardized, will be readily built and repaired by all railroads.

New German Locomotive.

Germany is trying a new style of locomotive capable of a speed of 68 miles an hour, according to the New York Times. It is to be used for heavy passenger service on the Bres-lau-Dresden and Breslau-Berlin lines.

Employees Save Millions.

Employees of the Pennsylvania railroad prevented the destruction by fire of more than $14,000,000 worth of property In 1916, according to the report of Its Insurance deoartmenL

THREE PROJECTS IN PANAMA

Part of Scheme for Defense of Canal Under Consideration —First Is Military Railroad. Three important railroad projects as part of a defense scheme for the Panama canal have .been under consideration for some time and present conditions are likely to hasten their completion. First of these is the building of a military railroad connecting de Toro with the ruined fort of San Lorenzo at the mouth of the Chagres river. The latter point, which figured prominently in the history of the isthmus under Spunish rule, commands the entrance of the Chagres river which admits of easy approach by water to the Gatun locks. As a fortified position it would also have to be reckoned with by any military expedition directed at the cities of Colon or Panama. The primary object in the construction of the road is the rapid transportation of troops and military equipment from Fort Sherman to San Lorenzo in case hostilities were attempted by way of the Chagres. The road will be six to eight miles long and will be of fivefoot gauge, the standard in use on the Panama railroad. The road will be part of an elaborate defense scheme uud will cost from $750,000 to SBOO,000.

Two other roads are projected which are not primarily,of military character, but would be useful in case of hostilities. The Panama national assembly has a bill under consideration providing for the construction of a railroad in the province of Chiriqui extending from the town of La Conception through Divala to a point in the bay known as Charco Azul to be determined on later. The line will be a branch of the Chiriqui railroad now in 'Opera tlitn.'' It IS expected to add greatly in the industrial development of Chiriqui, one «f the richest und most fertile sections of the country. The assembly is also considering the construction by the United States and Punama jointly of a series of ruilroads and highwuys connecting the cities of Punama and Colon with points in the interior. Such roads, it is believed, would help the growth of the cities as well as the development of the interior. Under the provisions of a proposed bill Panama is to pay 50 per cent of the cost of construction uud the executive is authorized to treat with the United States government through a special mission.

LIGHTING TRAINS AT NIGHT

Axle-Driven Unit System Appears to Be Most Sensible Device-Car Made Independent. When you ride in an up-to-date railroad train at night you invariably notice the electric illumination. Once — in our grandfathers’ day—lt was produced by the evil-smelling oil lamp. Then we had, and still do have to some extent, the gas-lamp supplied by a high pressure gas tank supported under the coach: But toduy we find all the best railroad passenger coaches equipped with electric lights. There are three systems for securing this modern light. The storage way calls for a very large battery on each car which has to be charged at terminal stations, a cause of no Inconsiderable delay and bother. Another device is calied the head-end system, where there is provided a special electric generating equipment' on the engine for supplying the lighting energy needed by the cars trailing along behind. This is cumbersome and so open to other objections that the pluu is seldom adopted. What appears to be the-most sensible device is the axle-driven unit system, which makes each car an independent unit, goes about, its own business, charges its own battery en route and is In every way sufficient unto itself. The operating department handles cars and trains oblivious of lighting problems, as it has only to couple the cars and airhose. There are no special switching of cars, no interference and no delay.

Homeopathic Dose.

Wederly—The only way to , cure yourself of loyesickness is to run away. ' Singleton—Run awnyi Wedqrly—Yes—with the girl.

Couldn’t Help It.

* “That is a very loud rtng I saw Bill Bangs wearing.” ‘flow can It help being loud when a brass band goes with it? - ,

MAKES MANY MOTIONS

Gene Packard Has Mastered Galaxy of Curved Slants. Pitcher's Stock in Trade Consists of Straight Overhand, Side Arm, Side and Underhand and Straight Underhand. Five different pitching motions blend in making Gene Packard’s pitching repertory a baffling proposition for hostile batters. Because he has delved into the depths of the curving craft, has mastered this galaxy of slants and is gifted with unlimited gameness, the wee southpaw oTThe Chicago Cubs ranks among the best in the rnajoia and is now running “Jim” Vaughn a close race for the “star” role on Manager Mitchell’s staff. Packard’s stock in trade consists of the straight overhand, side arm, side and underhand, cross-fire and straight underhand deliveries. Because of his unusual number of deliveries Packard is well fortified against right-handed batters as well as the left handers. -Like most -Southpaws; he has the Straight overhand motion, and with this throws a big drop curve patterned after that which made Pfiester invincible against the New York Giants of other years. In addition, he boasts a remarkable change of pace. He can snap the ball over the plate or he can hook it across the middle, using only the tantalizing floater.that made Bucker famous. Batters who faced Packard in the Federal league, as well as those who have looked oyer his benders in the National, say that this crossfire is

Gene Packard.

about the hardest thing in the business to solve. It is especially puzzling to the left-hander, for the reason he doesn’t know whether the ball is going to break away or into hijn. Packard also throws the crossfire with an underhand motion, and has a delivery that is so quick and snappy that a man at the plate hardly has time to see what is to be thrown. His fifth method of flinging is a plain side arm ball that is heaved from the shins to the head.

METHOD TO REWARD PLAYERS

Cornell Adopt* Unique Plan to Recognize Work of Athiete3 in Winning Various Games. Cornell university has adopted a new method of rewarding football and baseball players for winning games, which has been indorsed by the athletic council of the Ithaca institution. The privilege of wearing a miniature gold football on the watch chain or fob will be given to wearers of the football C after a season in which the team has won both the Michigan and Pennsylvania games. Gold baseballs may be worn similarly as a reward for the winning of six out of nine baseball games from Pinee ton, Yale, Michigan and Pennsylvania, provided that the six victories include two over Pennsylvania.

GABLE HOUSE AT DARTMOUTH

Structure Will Have Accommodation* for Thirty Visitors—Nominal Fee Will Be Charged. Dartmouth college will conduct “The Gable House” by means of the athletic council and It will have accommodations for 30 men. It is intended to meet the needs of visiting athletes. It Includes single rooms, a large living room and assembly quarters, as well as a conference room for use of Coaches. A nominal fee for lodging will be charged and rneqls will be served at the college commons in a separate dining room.

WOULD RESIDE IN CINCINNATI

Manager Christy Mathewson to Make Ohio City His Home After Training Season End*. —-r Christy Mathewson has decided to become a citizen of Cincinnati, and will make his home there after the training season ends. He promised to. move to the Ohio ‘ town at the start of the winter, and got in bad with the Redland fans bjr remaining in New York.