Indianapolis Journal, Volume 52, Number 356, Indianapolis, Marion County, 22 December 1902 — Page 4

TOE INDIANAPOLIS JOURNAL, MONDAY. DECEMBER 22, 1002.

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THE DAILY JOURNAL

MONDAY. DECEMBER 22, 1902. I Telephone Call (Old nnd Sfw)t :afces OfT.ce....:LT3 Editorial Kooms. ..X TERMS OF SUBSCRIPTION. IT CARIUEK INDIANAPOLIS and SUBURBS. ilr. Sunday Included. 50 cnti per month. aS)y. without Sunday. 4 cents per month. undy. without dally, tZM per yr. ,ins copies: Dally.. 2 cents; Sunday. 5 cents. I BT AGENTS EVERYWHERE. s.lly, per week. 10 cents. ally. Sunday Included, per week, IS cents. unday. per issue. 5 cents, j BY MAIL. PREPAID. Sally edition, one year f"n sn1 Kuntiav. one vear 'Mn.i.r nnlr. one vear 2.50 REDUCED RATES TO CLUBS. Weekly Edition. r cnnf. rni V T Vi CCIllS 'a K1t cents tier month for periods less than a )ear. No subscription taken for less than three no n ins. REDUCED RATES TO CLUBS. Subscribe with any of our numerous agents or end subscription to JOURNAL NEWSPAPER COMPANY. Indianapolis, Ind. Persons sendinr the Journal through the malls ,i th United States shcuM p Jt on an eight-page t a twelve-race paper a l-ceit stamp; on a sixlen. twenty or twenty-four-jage paper, a 2-cent tamp. Foreign postage Is i.'.ually double these rates. I All communications Intended for publication in '.his paper must, in oraer to receive attention, be ecomapnled by the name and address of the -rlter. I Rejected manuscripts will not be returned un-rast-re : Inclosed for that purpose. I Entered as second-class matter at Indianapolis, Ind.. poatotnce. THE INDIANAPOLIS JOIUXAL Can b found at the following places: NEW YORK As tor Hcuse. CHICAGO Palmer House, P. O. News Co., 217 Dearborn street: Auditorium Annex uoiti. Dearborn Station News Stand. CINCINNATI-J. R. Hawley & Co.. Arcade. LOU13VILLE C. T. Deerlng. northwest corner nt Third nn.l JefTemon streets: Louisville Book Co.. 2Ö4 Forrth avenue, and I'.laufeld Bros., 41West Market street. ST. LOUIS Union New Company. Union Depot. WASHINGTON. D. C Rlggs House. Ebbett He-use, Fairfax Hotel, Willard Hotel. DENVER. COL. Louthaln & Jackson, Fifteenth and Lawrence streets. DAYTON, O. J. V. Wllkle, 33 South Jefferson street. COLUMBUS, O. Viaduct News Stand, 381 High street. At the rate people are reported to be purchasing Christmas goods Santa Claus cannot take the packages down the ordinary chimney, but must use the front door. Most American citizens would be Indig nant if the government of the United States should undertake to overawe by physical force a weak government like that of Venezuela, undeserving as It Is. It is predicted that the chances for the passage of Senator Quay's etatehood bill are not so good as he claims. The making of States without sufficient or unfit populations does not commend itself. It is now considered certain that a new government Department of Commerce and Industry will be created at this session of Congress, the head of which will be a member of the Cabinet, making nine mem bers. It Is also reasonably certain that the first secretary f the department will be George B. Cortelyou. To the House committee taking testi mony In the Butler election case In St. Louis one official testified that six men were allowed to register six times each. and that the Democratic officials who per mitted this laughed at It as a great Joke. The Democratic sheriff who succeeds the Prohibition sheriff in Portland. Me., has caused it to be understood that those who will, sell liquor discreetly and not keep dives will not be molested. Thus ends the much-advertised enforcement of the pro hibitory law in Maine. It is stated that the anti-Tom L. Johnson Democrats of Ohio have selected President Ingalls, of the C, C. C. & St. L. Railroad Company, as their candidate for Governor to oppose Johnson. It is understood that Mr. Ingalls did not vote for Mr. Bryan in 1900 nor the Tom L. Johnson ticket last fall. It may calm the agitation of those people who are certain that Great Britain and Germany are in Venezuela to violate the Monroe doctrine to know that both governments have recently given the President the most absolute assurances that they hare no Intention of interfering with the strictest construction of the doctrine. As a result of five weeks consultation between the engineers and firemen of the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad and the officers of the road, the men got an in crease of wages aggregating $600,000 a year. During the long discussion the old wage schedule was gone over, item by item, and every one settled on a friendly basis. This is better than striking. The ministers of Hamilton. O., having decided that It Is wrong to encourage be lief in the myth of Santa Claus, there will be no Christmr.s trees in the churches of that city this year. No doubt every one cf the ministers was taught to believe In Santa Claus when he was a child, and the fact that he outgrew the harmless superstition when he grew older shows that it did not hurt him. As Great Britain and Germany have admitted their willingness to accept arbitration in the Venezuelan affair by asking President Roosevelt to act as arbitrator it is difficult to see how they can decline his suggestion to submit it to The Hague tribunal. However, if the President consents to act It will be a remarkable instance Of the head of a government accepting a difficult duty under embarrassing circumstances. The Monroe doctrine never was as strong, as well understood and as well respected by Kuropean governments as it Is to-day. The London correspondent of the New York Tribune wires: "The Washington government, by its ttatesmanllke management of its relations with Venezuela and the Kuropean power, has commanded the confidence of strong and weak states and retained Its paramount authority over questions relating Ao tropical America." The City Council of Boston, with an enormous bonded debt and a high rate of taxation, has just voted to issue bends to the amount of Xa).0u) for bathhouses, gymnasiums and playgrounds. When the debts of other cities and the freedom with which city councils vote to increase) them are considered Indiana taxpayers have abundant reason to be grateful to the late Hon. William II. English for his efforts which resulted in placing a constitutional limit upon county and municipal Indebtedness. Public opinion In England is strongly cciinst the alliance with Germany In the

Venezuelan affair. Even the St. James Gazette, an uncompromising Conservative

organ and usually a thick and thin supporter of the government, has an editorial on "The Blockhead Blockade." in which it says: "It is intensely galling to British national pride to feel that the government of the country has permitted itself to be dragged into an adventure profoundly dis tasteful "to the majority of the British peo ple at the arrogant summons of the German empire. "We are not accustomed to be the cat's-paw of another state." There Is reason to believe that both powers win welcome any honorable way out of the situation they have created. TIME THE HEVISEIl OF JtDGMEXTS. Judge Daniel Walt Howe's book, "Civil War Times," Just issued, presents facts showing the great change of sentiment and Judgment which comes with the lapse of years. For instance, the battle of Chickamauga was regarded by the North as a severe Federal disaster. The early dis patches of General Rosecrans to the War Department, sent while Thomas was yet repelling the assaults of the Condefcratw, and others which followed convinced the North that its cause had suffered a defeat little short of disaster. These reports greatly depressed the loyal people. At the same time General Bragg informed his government that the bloody battle was one In which the Confederates gained very lit tle If anything. The intervening years and such facts as Judge Howe presents show that the Confederate commander was right. The purpose of General Bragg was to cripple the Federal army, seize Chattanooga and push his operations far north. He was stopped by the battle of Chlckamauga. In that battle the Confederates lost 18.096 of the G0.5SD men engaged, or nearly 30 per cent. With such a loss all the plans of Jefferson Davis and Bragg had to be abandoned. The aggregate Federal force was 57.800, and its loss was 16,170, or a little less than 28 per cent. This was a heavy loss, but an. army on the defensive, which has thus 'suffered could yet repel a much larger army than that of Bragg after hid heavy loss. Very naturally. General Bragg did not make a serious attack upon the in trenched Federals after the battle. Thus considered in the light of what Bragg purposed, and of his heavy loss, Chlckamauga was very much of a Federal victory. Again, If any man or set of men should seriously advocate a Northwestern repub lic In order to leave New England out in the cold they would be regarded as luna tics. Nevertheless, it Is a fact, which Judge Howe recalls, that among those hos tile to Lincoln's administration and policy were men who advocated such a scheme, and the speech of one exalted leader in his party is quoted showing that he advocated such a sectional division of the North. It would to-day be a difficult task to find a man in the whole country who Is not for the Union as it stands, or a party which does not glory in the Union of the States 'as the first essential to the existence of the government of this continent. The clearer apprehension of all the conditions and the masterful logic of events seem to correct the misapprehension and biased opinions prevailing during the crises which come in the affairs of nations, and, Indeed, of the world. There is good reason to be lieve that if the South had won Its inde pendence and the Northwestern republic had been formed the subsequent necessities of the little republics would have forced them to the old union with its constitution. FORCED LOANS. It is said at Washington that If the Venezuela case is submitted to arbitration the results will be embodied in a treaty to be signed by Venezuela, which, besides providing for the settlement of present demands, will provide for the security of foreign interests against vexatious and extortionate interference hereafter and will make special provision for the protection of foreign residents of Venezuela from forced loans. Such a treaty would be welcomed by all foreign nations, and if it should be brought about through the instrumentality of the United States it will bo a great victory for American diplomacy. At present the powers are only demanding reparation for past offenses, but if, in addition to this, they succeed in getting guart antees for the future they will be doubly successful. Without such guarantees, Venezuela, after settling the present claims, might soon resume her old practices and compel the powers to make new demands. The practice of exacting forced loans from foreign residents is a peculiarly offensive one and has never been resorted to by any but Latin-American states. It is, of course, a species of robbery and makes a clear case for the recovery of damages. Venezuela has - resorted to it more than once towards foreign residents of all nationalities. Forced loans from American residents of Mexico came very near bringing on a second war between the United States and that country. Mexi co has got beyond that sort of injustice and semi-barbarism now, but fifty years ago she was no better than other LatinAmerican states. In his annual message of 1S5S, ten years after our war with Mexico, President Buchanan said: Mexico has been in a stato of constant revolution ever since it achieve! its in dependence. One military leader after an other has usurped the government in rapid succession, and the various constitutions from time to time adopted have been set at naught almost as soon as they wore proclaimed. The successive governments have afforded no adequate protection, cither to Mexican citizens or foreign residents, against lawless violence. The trouble Is that this fine country, blessed with a productive soil and a benign climate, has been reduced by civil dissension to a condition of almost hopeless anarchy and Imbecility. It would be vain for this government to attempt to enforce payment in money of the claims of American citizens, now amounting to more than $10,000.000. against Mexico, because she Is destitute of all pecuniary means to satisfy these demands. Our claims against Mexico at that time were larger than are those of Great Britain and Germany combined against Vene zuela. President Buchanan went on to say in his message that "remonstrances against these grievances have been addressed without effect to the Mexican government;" that there was no adequate protection in Mexico for American citizens, and that "this state of affairs was brought to a crisis in May last by the promulgation of a decree levying a contribution pro rata upon all the capital In the Republic between certain specified amounts, whether held by Mexicans or foreigners. Our minister to Mexico protested against this as a forced loan. One American citizen refused to pay it, but his property' was seized to satisfy the amount and he was banished from the country. Our minister's protest being unheeded, he left Mexico and diplomatic relations with the country were suspended. President Buchanan said: "Abundant

cause now undoubtedly exists for a resort to hostilities against the government still holding possession of the Mexican capital." He said that but for the hope of a change for the better he would have asked Congress to grant the necessary power to the President to take possession of a portion of Mexican territory, "to be held In pledge until our Injuries shall be redressed and our Just demands satisfied. We have already exhausted every milder means of obtaining Justice. In such a case this remedy of reprisals is recognized by the, law of nations." In his next annual metsage, that of 1S39. Iresident Buchanan: asked Congress to give him power "to employ a sufficient military force to enter Mexico for the purpose of obtaining Indemnity for the past and security for the future," and he also recommended "that authority be given to the President to establish one or

more temporary military posts across the Mexican line in Sonora and Chihuahua." If Congress had acted on these recommendations the United States would be in a poor position now to deny the right of foreign powers to seize the territory of any American state as a means of enforcing the payment of just demands. It is highly probable that President Buchanan's urgent recommendations for a second invasion of Mexico, which would have resulted in a further large acquisition of territory from,. that country, were made in the interest of the South and as a means of diverting public attention from the slavery question, which was then assuming threatening proportions. The Mexican war cloud blew over, and after a few more years of turbulence constitutional government was established. For thirty years past there have been no forced loans upon foreign residents in Mexico, and under the enlightened administration of President Diaz during the last eighteen years the government has made such progress that it is not likely ever to resort to such methods again. If Venezuela can be induced to "swear off" from forced loans from foreigners an important point will be gained in the interest of peace. CAUSE OF INDUSTRIAL DEPRESSION I. a II BAT II It IT A IX. While the labor of this country was never more fully employed than at the present time, it is remarkable that in Great Britain so many men have not been out of employment at any time in ten years as now. At least that is what the returns of the British Board of Trade show. The struggle for employment is becoming intense, and it is estimated that half a million of men usually employed are now idle, without any immediate prospect of getting employment. Tne Wkm soldiers recently released from tne army which was in South Africa can find no employment. In London and other cities governing boards have made appropriatlons for public works not now needed in order to give employment to those who are in distress. The New York Times, commenting on these conditions in Great Britain, attributes them t: the policy pursued by labor unions in establishing a minimum wage which is as much more than poor workmen can earn as it is less than good men 6hould be paid, and by doing as little work for a day's pay as possible. If the New York Times is correct, the rule of the union has made It impossible for British manufacturers to compete with outside producers, consequently one after another of the great industries of Great Britain have dried up and surrendered their foreign trade to the competing industries of the United States, Belgium, Germany and France. There is probably a great deal in this. The attempt to get the most money for the least work, whether made by labor unions or individuals, will make goods expensive. It is probable, however, that the Times; as the zealous champion of free trade, has not taken into consideration all the factors which are responsible for the loss of employment. Great Britain is a free-trade country. Therefore, if she cannot compete in the foreign markets with her competitors, how can Great Britain retain the do mestic trade? There is no barrier to keep foreign competition out of England so long as she adheres to free trade. The abuses of their power by unions may be- a contributing caure, but the putting of all her competitors on the same terms in the British home markets must, in the nature of things, be a much more effective agency In the destruction of British manufacturing interests and the loss of employment to so many people. If the British people and the free-traders desire to charge the responsibility of their depression and lack of employment to the alleged folly of labor unions they can do so, but the mass of people who trace effect to the nearest and most natural cause know that it is free trade that has brought the present industrial misfortunes to the British people. A Washington dispatch says that "an emphatic and authoritative denial" was given at the German embassy to the various reports in circulation that Germany was anxious to acquire Margarita island, off the coast of Venezuela. This denial simply reiterates the statement of Dr. Von Holleben, the German ambassador, a little over a year ago. He said: You are without doubt aware that at regular intervals reports appear in the newspapers to the effect that Germany ls trying to acquire coiling stations, or a foothold of ome kind, in South America or in the West Indian waters. These reports are started again and again by our enemies, who don't like to t,ee us on too friendly terms with the United States. I can tell you now that I am officially authorized to state that Germany has no such purpose. I want to deny now, once for all, these ever recurring reports in an emphatic and unqualified way. In the face of such explicit assurances as this it is hardly fair to impute sinister pur poses to Germany. Major General Corbin's speech at the C xland Chamber of Commerce banquet Saturday night was chiefly notable for the strong indorsement he gave to the army organization bill now pending in Congress. The bill embodies Secretary Root's plan, which General Corbin said "has the advantage of being helpful in every direction and hurtful in none." General Corbin expressed the orinion that the passage of the pending bill would place the army organization and the Administration of military affairs on a better basis than they have ever t been before. Major General Young does not allow his position as an army officer to prevent him from publicly Indorsing the administration policy In the Philippines. In his speech at the Cleveland banquet he said that both Its military and civil policy had been based on humanitarian motives, that "the suc-v cess attending the administration of the commission under the presidency of Govoxor Taft has been truly wonderful, and

the natives are rapidly learning the true

object of government, and the great benefits the United States has conferred on them." THE HUMORISTS. Two Shakes. A month or more ago he took My hand In his. and shook and shook. Cut now, that he's elected, he Shakes, not my hand, alas! but me. Brooklyn EaRle. The Trouble Tbl Yenr. Life Is real, life Is earnest. And the giave s not Its goal; Its great aim. thou sadly- learnest. Is to get sufficient coal. Washington Star. Athlrat for Knowledge. Judge. "Say, pa?" "Well, what?" "If the shortest days ot the year are In December how can February be the shortest month In the year?" After the Elopement. Brooklyn Life. He I was afraid that, after all. you wouldn't be able to manage that roie ladder from your window. She I wouldn't have been able to If it hadn't been for papa. lli Regrettable Remark. Chicago News. Orowells (at the theater) Mrs. Neighbors cer tainly does look charming to-night. Mrs. Gro wells Yes. She has a husband who likes to see her dressed decently and isn't too grouchy to ray for it. The Rare Truth. Philadelphia Press. "The Idea of your telling her she had teeth like pearls." "What's the matter with that?" "Why, she hsn't any teeth that sh3 can really call her own." "Well, neither have pearls." It Annoyed Her. Chicago Tost. "Yes, the widow is perplexed." "How is that?" ' She doesn't know whether it means that her husband was a good man or she is a vixen." "I don't understand." "When he died the papers said that he had gone to a happier home." IVot Mucli Retter. Philadelphia Tress. T understand you've been giving everybody the Impression that I was drunk the other night." "Why, my dear man, you were comparatively sober." "Uut you told some people I was as drunk as I could be." "Not at 11. I said you were as sober as, could be." . INDIANA EDITORIAL NOTES. Old Mr. Caleb Powers, of Kentucky, was rnmmraHvelv a vonne man when he heran ?He tried r thJ mfrSr of aibei vin rr,. pmI,oi murder of CJoebel. Vincci nes commercial. senator Beveridge thinks a majority or those who wish the rights and privileges of statehood should at least be able to speak United States, and the country gen erally approves his view. Muncle fotar. The citizens of Lawrence county are talking of dividing the county into two counties and calling one of them Lehigh. There is some trouble between the north and the south and the south wants to secede. Co lumbus Republican. The strike commissioners are to get 54,000 each, except those receiving government salaries. It was worth the money to bring out some of the conditions of labor, of which even the operators seem to have been Ignorant.Terro Haute Express. The President says: "Every man must be guaranteed his liberty and his right to do as he likes with his property or his labor. so long as he does not Infringe on the rights of his neighbors." This Is eminently sound and logical, but there are any num ber of people who refuse to accept it as sucn. south Bend Times. If Senator Hanna secures the reinstate ment of Gen. Jacob Smith, as the press dispatches state ls his Intention, he will perform a service that should be performed and which will tend to popularize him even further with his countrymen, the great ma jority of whom are ardent admirers of the brave and efficient officer. Terre Haute Tribune. A telegram says school teachers of some of the Indiana rural districts, headed by tri tpnrhers of Hamilton rnnntv hav J started the organization of a union. Where the teachers have a difference with the township trustees they will strike and the organizers might have added, "will lose their Jobs." Striking is a different proposition when done by public servants. Elk hart Review. Kentucky Is hustling to make a good showing of her products at the world's fair in St. Louis. It strikes us that they had better be hustling to improve their laws and home rule. Who would think of migrating to Kentucky to live and raise a family under the present countlng-out bal-lot-box stuffing and shotgun policy? If they want to encourage Immigration and the in vestment of capital in that State, and have their mines developed and manufacturing Interests established in their midst they had better change their politics at once. Shelbyville Republican. The Reporter says that certain people who would not let the gas company's inspectors inspect their mixers "admitted that they were getting the amount of gas they paid for, and their gas was accordingly turned off." That is about the size of it. If you are getting what you pay for, you are committing a heinous crime and the gas company, which gets the bene fit if you don't get what you are paying ior, snuts on your supply as a punishment. The gas company has developed singular ideas of the eternal fitness of things. Logansport Journal. THE ARNOLD CONFESSION. It Author Not In n Position to Com mand Sympathy. Baltimore American. The American publishes this morning the concluding Installment of the confession of Samuel Bland Arnold, one of the con spirators In the plot to kidnap President Abraham Lincoln and convey him inside the Confederate lines and place him In the custody of the Confederate government. Few statements more remarkable than this have ever been published in this country, and none ever attracted more attention. Its procurement by the American constituted one of the greatest Journalistic feats cn record, breaking, as it did, a silence of more than a third of a century and giving to the world the very first statement made by any of those who. directly or Indirectly, were concerned In the death of our first martyred. President. Historically, the docu ment ls of inestimable value, revealing a side of that deplorable occurrence never I before known Mr. Arnold's statement has been published by the American because of its news and historical value, and. now that It is con cluded, we deem it no more than proper to say that the American does not concur in the assertions made nor does it feel any sympathy ior ir. Arnold. That he was in nocent of any part in or knowledge of the plot to assassinate Abraham Lincoln we do not doubt. But by his own confession he was directly implicated In a plot to kidnap the Ill-fated President. That plot was nothing short of a conspiracy to overthrow the United States government at a time when it was struggling for existence by abducting Its chief executive, rendering powerless the hand and mind of that one man who did more than any other to preserve the Union. That was striking at the very root of government, and. to use plain terms, was little less than treason. Of that offense Mr. Arhold was unquestionably guilty, and. considering the perturbed state of public sentiment at tne lime, he was un commonly lucky to have escaped with his life. This being the case, Mr. Arnold never had valid reason to complain of the treatment accorded him In the military prisons at Washington and on the Dry Tortugas. He draw a pretty strong- picture of some

things that were done that might have been

left undone; but. taking ail In all. these things appear to have been established by the Arnold confession: lhe assassination of Abraham Lincoln was the direct corollary of the plot to kidnap him. in w hich latter Mr. Arnold was a principal. lhe alleged barbarities to which he was objected at Washineton were mild and onsiderate measured by the doubt which men existed of his innocence. iuc Aunufcrts ue mm v state prisoners appear to have fared fully "a "u. ii not Detter, as uui me army ui- i fleers stationed there. i- inally, Mr. Arnold was liberated. Really, we can see it in no other light than that the author of this remarkable confession has cause to congratulate himself on account of the leniency of our government. The story is, however, before our readers, and each one is free to estimate it as pleases him. THE ELASTIC CURRENCY BILL. A Journal Header Gives) His Ilensona for Opposing the Measure. To the Editor of the Indianapolis Journal: The House banking committee's "elastic currency" bill appears to be a misnomer. It ought to be called "a bill to inflate the currency." It is only half elastic. It provides for expansion, but not contraction. Neither the small tax levied, nor the 5 per cent, denoslt renuired will insure the retirement of redundant circulation after nc reai temporary neeu nas passeu. a mo 'emergency" circulation is llaely to meet one emergency only: It will go out and stay out, and that will end the -elasticity," until the speculative banks can get an other "reform" of the same size 50 per cent, of asset currency being advocated by Controller Ridgely. inis um puts a premium on loose banning. "Come easy, go easy" would apply to the disposition of this extra full circulation, despite the fact that it is a first lein on the banks' assets; and that fact weakens tne depositors security for the benent oi the bill holder. Under the present system of requiring collateral for circulation no national bank can make a bad failure. The worst of them pay depositors over 50 per cent. Why? Because the denosited fifnds more than cover the circulation (being at a premium) and all the bills receivable and other tangible assets go to protect the depositors. Under the proposed bill a bad ly managed national bank might fail and not pay depositors 15 cents on the dollar; and If the "elasticity" were doubled, as is advocated, such bank might not pay them anything all the available assets being ex hausted in protecting the holders of the y0 per eent. of uncovered circulation. This is making progress like a crab. It smacks too much of "wild-cat" banking to commend itself to careful financiers. lhe term "elastic currency" is misunder stood and abused. There is no need of more money In the aggregate. The per capita circulation in the United States is ample, in fact unprecedentcdly large. What is wanted, if anything, is elasticity in the distribution of this money, so that its circulation may most easily respond to the demands of business. That we have as I shall show below. For the proper conduct of business mone tary stability is required. The value of the money should be stable, and, therefore, its volume should not lluctuate, for the law of supply and demand applies to money the same as to all commodities, and other things being equal, the volume regulates the value. In the nature of things the commodity side (as distinguished from the money Bide) is a variable and unknown I mtiui in me commercial problem, iience i there 3 a11 the more necessity that the money factor be a flxed or known quantity, It ls hard enough for buslne8a men to forecast tjje fUture when considering the ever varying commodity side, but if they were equally at sea on the money side they might wen inrow up tneir hands In despair, for no question can be solved that has all unknown factors. 1 would euctrest. In conclusion, that our banking system, national as well as other kinds, already has an automatic means of elasticity in the distribution of our cur rency. This is by the use of bank credit in the national and common method of rediscounts. It has long been the custom, for instance, for a Western bank at cer tain seasons to rediscount some of its bills receivable to its New York corresnondent. at the current Eastern rate, taklntr credit ior me same and drawing checks against this Increased balance as occasion required. When the temporary demand subsided this loan on collateral would be repaid so as to stop tne interest. Thus the money "flowed" back and forth over the sea of commerce automatically and under the natural law of trade, which is the law of supply and demand. What more do we need? Conservative national bankers do not ask for or approve such an inflation of the currency as this bill proposes. The banks which would take quickest advantage of it wouia De nrst to aouse it. Those who are carrying speculative securities to the limit would doubtless welcome this sort of elasticity," as a present relief and soon hand up their plates for more! Of course the mouth and maw of Wall street are insatiable. The appetite for speculation grows by what it feeds on. Our currency and banking system should be so conducted as to promote the legitimate interests and industries or the country, letting the plungers and the parasites take care of themselves, As a currency reformer from way back. I and as a member Of both national monetarv i .1 t t-ii l . : conventions, I believe the present asseteiastic currency agitation to be an arti. nciai demand ior an impractical reform. B. B. JOHNSON. Richmond, Ind., Dec. 21. UNIONIZING SCHOOL-TEACHERS. The Movement at Chlcaero and It Far-Ileachlntr PoaalbllitleN. To the Editor of the Indianapolis Journal: By far the most significant and the most far-reaching event in the realm of organ ized labor for the last ten years, if not the last twenty-five, ls the unionizing of the teachers of the public schools of Chicago The immediate occasion of this was the rejected demand for higher wages. While casting aDout ior a remedy the ubiquitous walking delegate appeared and KU IT crest frl wie organization oi a laDor union and going at once into the Federation of Lnhor. At first the suggestion was made tentative ly, ana an tne eany steps were confidential and only to those who could be trusted with the secret. There had been for a long time an organization of the teachers of the city known as the Federation of Teachers. wnuse oujeci was cnieny social. This was to hold a stated meetinsr earlv in Nnvom. ber, and the walking delegate managed to nave present as many as poss ble of thnp who had been charmed with the sch organizing a teacners- labor union and going into the federation of Labor, and thus compelling the granting of their demands tnrougn tne macninery or organized labor i i l, . 1 . v ivetrpiufi iuc piujtci as mucn as possible from the Older teachers, and esneriallv frnm tYif nrinrlnals anil -icclctont i , . V -wiaiii l'illicipals. When, therefore, after the ordinary rtiitin. l-kitalnoea rt o msntin . a. i . . . . ' viuiuai v routine business of a meeting was through It was a genuine surprise to many, and to none more than to the president of the association, that a resolution was introduced to go as a Doay into tne federation of La bor. The resolution called out a fierep do bate, somewhat personal at times, show ing that women can be quite mannish If they set about it. But the resolution was adopted by a majority of more than two to one, and the Federation of Teachers h. came a laDor union ana a member of the f ederation oi i-aDor. one immediate resuit was the resignation of the president"! ana later ner wunarawai irom the organization known as the Federation of Teachers, if anything-of it remained after this action oi tne majority, in th s she wa Joined by most, if not all, the principals and assistant principals present, and later the withdrawals have gone on until it i estimated that not more than two-thirds of tne s.&w teacners oi Tne city are Jn the labor organization, with the other third not members of any organization unless th-v shall claim that the attempt to carry the Federation of Teachers Into the camp of the Federation of Labor was void and that they remain in possession of the organiza tion ana an it stooa ior. This action of these teachers is significant as showing the trend of thought towards labor organizing.", ine .National Federa tion of Labor, at that very time in convo cation at New Orleans, not only hastened to welcome this new organization into fra ternal icnowsnip, out passed resolutions inviting scnooi teacners everywhere to unionize and become members of the Federation of Labor, to receive all the benefits of suth a combination and to assume all its obligations, thus ignoring the traditions of organized labor from the beginning that brain workers are not laboring men, only tnose wno wont wnn tneir hands and only sucn oi tnose as oeiong to unions being en titled to be so classified. This new depart ure of this representative body of organized labor means much every way. Henceforth preachers and lawyers and doctors, as well as the managers of railroads and factories and banks, may become members of the Federation of Labor, an may the hired men on farms and the hired women in kitchen. But these new relations have brought to 1 these teachers new conditions which are. to

say the least, perplexing. First there comes the question whether or not they may work with "scabs." The traditions of organized labor forbid this, but they are at least temporarily restrained by the semi-official statement of Judge Gray, the chairman of the anthracite mine commission, that the commission will decide that, so far as mining Is concerned, the "scab" or the non

union miner must be not only not moiesieu. but he must be protected in his inalienable rieht to wnrk If it tnWes fin armv to do it. aiIU " anyoouy must ita n. i union man. Reasoning that If that is to become law as to miners It must soon oecomc law as to teachers and all others, they have, at least for the present, concluded to postpone going on strike to drive out the nonunion teachers. But they are confronting even a more se rious condition. Their sole purpose In unionizing was to secure, through the machinery of organized labor, an advance ir. wages. To date the obdurate school au thorities have not heeded their demands and they seem to defy their threats; wages nave not been advanced and do not seem likely to be. To strike or not to strike is now the question. Now that they can command all the "sympathy" that Is necessary to insure success, the duty to striKe seems almost imperative, or they have unionized In vain. To the suggestion that to. strike now, in midwinter, would turn thousands of children into the streets, most of whom are the children of the poor, and many of them the children of union men. their brothers, the answer Is they are not to be held responsible for consequences. Any strike, they say. means disaster to some body. The great anthracite coal strike has fallen heaviest unon the noor. many or Jtetf-s? ?he pulpit and the press in most cases, and tne poor - are provided for without censuring the striker who would not work or let others work. They see no reason why their demand for higher wages ought nbt.be enrorced by a strike, especially since tney have the assurance of enough "sympathetic strikes" to make it a success, hence -a strike seems "Inevitable unless the authori ties relent and come to terms;" otherwise they are apt to confess that they were unionized In vain. They are also broucht face to face with a possible, if not a probable, condition. By the terms of the compact they are Douna to go out on a svmnathetic strike whenever ordered to, and now they are supposing the strikers should be brewers; how wouia it Iook, they ask, for a body of school teachers to go out in sympathy with a body of brewers. But. embarrassing as it seems, not one has been known to suggest disobedience if the demand be made. But these conditions, all reached in less than six weeks, mean much more than appears on the surface. They mean the early mononolv of "everv valuable industry by organized labor, whose very existence de pends upon restricting the number or tnose who may learn trades or professions and I work at them In noace. it is notning to oreanlzed labor what is to become of the millions thus driven away from lucrative callings to pick up odd jobs as tney can una tnem. or to steal or starve, mougn these submerged people constitute more than nine-tenths of the people who want io work. The outcome of this unionizing of I teachers will be watched with intense in terest and much solicitude. This opening the doors of organized labor to the pro fessions as well as to trades, and to unskilled workinemen as well as to the skilled, and to women as well as to men, has no limit to Its possibilities. The hired man on the farm is as eligible to member ship as the shoveler or the teamster, ana the hired woman in the kitchens is as eligible as the school teacher or the stenog rapher, and all are bound to "sympatnize If commanded to. It school teacners wno are employes of municipalities may strike to enforce a demand for higher wages, J wny may not ine cierns in governmeni oi- i flees, and enforce their demand through the picket and the boycott and the sympathetic strike? Am I not riKht In saying this unionizing of teachers signifies much and is far-reaching? u. L. fcLL. Indianapolis, Dec. 20. GRADE CROSSINGS. (CONCLUDED FROM FIRST PAGE.) now reconstructing its western city sys tem so that the northwest division could find Quicker access to the Union Station around the Belt road and the Peoria divi sion tracks. -v KENTUCKY-AVENUE VIADUCT. The construction of a viaduct at Ken tucky avenue is regarded as the proper treatment of the question of this crossing because by it all the tracks going west may be grouped and crossed at one time. The other grade crossings must be pro vided with subways, viaducts or safety gates, as the emergency may require. The expected counter proposal of the rail roads may be regarded as an ccceptance of this plan in a general way, but the rail roads will advocate before the tribunal an enterprise of great magnitude, both to them and the city. The request for the closing of Meridian street was made by them once before before the adoption of the city charter. The roads then asked the closing of this street and for permis sion to build a viaduct in the alleyway east of Meridian street. This proposal, it is understood, ls to be renewed, accom panied by a development of the idea of fifteen years ago, that will make it now ap pear colossal. The Union Railway Com pany now owns much property north and south or the tracks and east of Meridian I street. It is nronosed tn onnir all the i . . r . zr . --- -- . property south of the Union Station to South street and between the first alley east of Meridian street to Capitol avenue. The acquisition of this area would settle for generations, it is believed, the terminal questions that may arise before the railSSLS',. lnÄ?0"s- " K fc' . awaw maw a A v v w J all this property subject to the outcome of the dealings with the city. The closing of Meridian street has always .met w Ith a violent protest, but this is to be met by the companies with a proposal to purchase enough land between the Union tracks and Georgia street to open a street forty or fifty feet wide and to construct a viaduct the full width of the street from Georgia street to South street. This plan wouia give an south-bound deliveries a sure, safe crossing either . from Meridian, Pennsylvania or Delaware street. The crossings at Pennsylvania and Delaware streets are not to be disturbed because of the proximity of the freight houses and In stitutions depending on switches. NEW UNION STATION PLAN. This plan may be regarded as the new Union Station plan. The congested con ditions are such that the lines travers ing the city must provide more commodious quarters for the future. The scheme to make use of all the land from Louisiana street to South street and from Capitol avenue to the alley east of Meridian street would involve a much larger investment of money and would represent a much greater one, as the railroads now own fully onehalf of the area. The train sheds would be extended south 300 feet, east 250 feet and west to a nolnt hevond what 1 nrw th eround occunied bv the Vnndalia frpltrht I nru i . ... i I vnrjj.. xiim x trims i aula V-Ullljiail), ll understood, is under obligation to remove I . i i . ji Ä i , . i i mis urjjvi aim is trying 10 acquire a perfect title to the ground, which was originally deeded with a reservation clause. The scheme contemplates rearrangement of the terminal facilities in connection with the elevation system and rapid transit possible with it and ultimately the construction of a new Lnlon Station commensurate with the future needs of the city. The construction of a subway at Capitol avenue is an incident to the new Union Station terminal plan, and is necessary be cause the traffic arrangements would not nermit the crossinc of tho track at p-rade Such is believed to be. in general, the terms which will be advocated before the mayor s commission. The city administra tion is not committed to viaducts nor to elevation, but to both. Th purpose of Mayor Bookwalter is to solve the grade crossing protlem to the best interests of all concerned. The plan proposed, from an engineering standpoint, crmits the use of present switches, permits the continued use of grade tracks for access to the freight depots that are west of East street and which, if forced to another locality, would entail hundreds of thousands of uollars cost additional to shippers for drayage cnarges. it is oenenciai to the railroads in allowing them to make faster time, with no danger to human life or to property. Th3 continuance of the West Side tracks at grade is required largely because of the established institutions feeding these lines and the fact also that traffic crossing the tracks may be amply protected by safety gates operated by watch towers. In railroad official circles it is understood that, except for trivial details, the railroads believe the two plans combined will be the basis of a settlement of the grade crossing question. It is also understood that the Pennsylvania Company and the Big Four look upon this as the ideal solution. Will Abolish Grade Crossings. CLEVELAND, Dec. 21. Work will be begun In the spring to rid the city of Cleveland of 115 grade crossings. The estimated cost of the work is $10.000,000. Ten years will be required to do the work. There are seven railroads concerned In the expensive I improvement.

FIRE AT THE PROFYLAEUM

A LOSS OF 97,000 OX III IMHNG AM) Ft Il.MSIIIMiS. ..... n.,Hin Valuable Paintings Belonging to me Association Destroyed Wort f the Salvage Corp. A fierce fire broke out in the Propylaeum. on East North street, yesterday afternoon at 2:15 o'clock, and before it was ex tinguished a loss of J7.0UQ had been suf fered. Many of the valuable paintings lit the main hall of the building became fool for the flames, which swept up the main stairway, and were totally destroyed. The flames were confined to the rear of th building and in this way burned away tho stairways leading from the first cellar to the auditorium on the third flaor. The f.re also burned away the woodwork In the rear rooms on the third floor. The audi torium was only damaged by smoke and water. The flames were extinguished be fore the' had reached lhe tnterlor of lhe big hall. No one was in the building at the tlm the fire was discovered. The theory advanced by the janitor and members of the fire department is that the fire originated from an overheated air duct in the subcellar where the furnace is located. The Janitor was at dinner when the fire was discovered. lie said when he left the building at 12 o'clock he was careful to bank the fire in the furnace. He said there was but a slight fire when he left and he was careful to see that no stray coals could fall from the mouth of the furnace to the floor. He closed the door of tne furnace and adjusted all the draft cocks. The building was locked by the Janitor when he left and no one had entered during his absence. At 2:15 o'clock a little girl living in the vicinity saw smoke pouring from under the window sills. She ran to Crawford s drug store and told several men that a fire was raging in the Propylaeum. At first the child was - not believed, but a few minutes later when the nre apparatus turned into North street the seriousness or the child s warning was apnreciated. When the firemen reached the building and broke in the front door the place was clouded with smoke. No progress couia be made until Captain Newman and the members of his salvage corps worked tneir way throusrh the smoke and succeeded in opening the air ducts. When the smoke had partly abated the firemen were con fronted with a fierce fire in the rear or the building. The flames were then making great headway up the main stairway and it seemed that the entire building wouia be consumed. Chief Coots immediately sent in a second alarm, which brought additional hose companies. A number of lines of hose were turned In from the rear of the building, while ten lines were run through the front entrance. The firemen, after extinguishing the flames above the cellar, found that the fire was eating its way through the rafters between the ccllmg or the main floor and the floor above. This wert the naH. This worked a hardship, as the firemen ere anxious not to throw any water on I vnliiahlA nil nalntln hnrifflnp in ttlA The clouds of smoke, however, penetrated every room In the building, and many of the valuable furnishings were Boiled in tnta manner. The huge, old-fashioned clock standing in the main hall was within ten feet of the flames and was blistered and put out of working order. The clock is valued at S500. as it is a relic. The members of the salvage corps succeeded in covering the furniture and lhe large paintings in tne side rooms and these were unharmed. The salvage in this respect was said to be considerable. During the course of the fire a number of directors of the Women's Council came on the scene. When the firemen 'vere ready to quit the building arrangements had been made for a directors meeting to consider the insurance. The Janitor said that the Rev. Edward A. Cantrell, of the People's Church, was to have held a meeting in the building at s o'clock. While the fire was burning several members of the congregation came to the building Intent on getting Inside. An hour after the fire Mrs. May Wright Sewall, president of the Propylaeum Asso ciation, called a meeting of the directors at her home on North Pennsylvania street. It was decided to Invite Charles E. Coffin to act as adviser in matters of adjusting the insurance. The directors yesterday evening went over the building and viewed the ruins. Another meeting win be neia this morning at 10 o'clock, at which time Mr. Coffin will be present and assist the women. Mrs. Sewall said last night that In her opinion the loss to fhe building would ap proximate X7.0UO, tne loss rtrst mentioned by the firemen and salvage corps. She said the fire coming at this time would work much embarrassment to both the I members of the association and the large , . . u 1 . numoer ui yuung ucupte vwiu imu iubuq arrangements to hold their holiday festivities in the building. On account of the fire these functions will have to be held In an other building. Mrs. Sewall said that at the meeting to be held this morning err ort a would be made to find suitable halls where the young people can carry out their orig inal plans for Christmas entertainments. The offices or the iropyiaeum wm te opened this morning In the office of Dr. E. F. Hodges, New York and Meridian streets. After a few daya they will be removed back to the Propylaeum. The Propylaeum was dedicated on May 8. ibW. The building, ground and furnishings cost J30,0u0. The enterprise was the result of the Women's Council, whose members were of opinion that on account of the numerous women's clubs in this city a suitable home should be erected. The Propylaeum Association then organlzed and made arrangements for tte erec tion of the building. Chancen In Social Dates. As a result of the lire at the Propylaeum a number of social functions which were to have been held there during Christmas week will be given at other places. The dance which was to have been given at the Propylaeum to-night by Mr. and Mrs. Walter L. MUHken for Miss Bybee and Miss Howe will be given at Brenneke'a instead. The Service Club dance for the benefit of the Girls Industrial School. which was to have been given at the Propylaeum next Wednesday night, will be given at the German House. Other changes will be announced later. For nellef nf the OrRanlsntlon. ,u. rltnr nf th Tnillinannll. inn..lTo tbe Edltof be Indianapolis Journal. I t Vi Ava hundred or tnnrc ll'nmen The five hundred or more women of tha Fropylacum have for nearly fifteen year creditably maintained a most worthy public Institution. It has been of Incalculable benefit to the charitable, literary and social elements of our population, as well an ornament to our city, known all over the land, and a unique monument to the enterprise of the women of Indianapolis. It was built by women and managed by them, always without pay In the discharge of their duties and often at much sacrifice of time and strength. More than one able banker has pronounced their financial management without a parallel! By economy and wise administration thry paid off a debt before it was due In the very midst of one of the most painful panic the country has ever known. Their misfortune today will cripple them sadly. Coming as it does at the initial moment of the Christmas holiday festivities, when probably every night of the season was to be a night of engagement, charitable or social or literary, with profit and expected enjoyment to the Propylaeum, its patrons and guests, the loss is a triple one and peculiarly hard. In view of this will not the Journal, always in the lead of what is sincere and creditable in the city, head a movement for the relief of the Propylaeum? To that end the undersigned will be one of five, ten or more persons to pay over to tha Journal a sum sufficient to secure and tender to the association such quarters by way of Urge hall and otherwise as may seem suitable nd acceptable, temporarily, for the use of their tenants and patrons, until the ITopylaeum building can be restored. Mothers and fathers who have had the supreme satisfaction of seeing their daughters attend social functions at a place fne and secure from the slightest posiblllty of objection along any line may well respond to a call like this, to y nothing of the public spirit involved. For one I will gladly pay to JluO Into the Journal's hands. In connection with others, in order to aave this commendable enterprise the loss of patronage otherwise Inevitable and avoid any possible dispersion of its clubs and gatherings. HUSBAND OF ONE OF THE MEMBERS. Indianapolis, Dec 21.