Indianapolis Times, Volume 33, Number 288, Indianapolis, Marion County, 12 April 1921 — Page 9

PRESIDENT HARDING L ASKS CONGRESS FOR L PEACE DECLARATION H / (Continued From Page One.)

which the world's recovery must gr*-at hulk o* the President's comHnlcatlon was devoted to domestic Bairs —to the “National problems far Bg pressing to be long neglected.” That, ■ said, at the outset. was the purpose I which he had ealled this extraorI lary session of the sixty-seventh ConI isa. I Che President took up these great naI nal questions one by one in detail I d recommended: I Che redaction of governmental rxpendlI Revision of the present taxation sysn with its “unbearable” demands, inLd#hg repeal of the excess profits tax. ?!arly adoption of a tariff that will fford protection for American industries nd American agriculture from foreign umping. Early enactment of legislation providlg for a national budget system. Placing the railroads on a footing where jey can pay their own way. Freight ates and cost of operation both must ome down. (This part of the President’s speech reiterated the often expressed Republican opposition to Government Iwnership.) ■Development of a greater merchant msBe. ■Development of radio and eeye comninications as an aid to increasing ■cerican world commerce. ■The continuation and development of frmy and Navy air service as separate ■titles. I Creation of a department of public wellire under which all welfare projects ■mid be consolidated and coordinated. ■Coordination of ail the agencies of seller relief under a single directing head, Brecommended in the Dawes report. ■The text of President Harding’s mesBge to Congress follows in part: B**Members of the Congress: You have Ben called in extraordinary session to Bve your consideration to na:io::a! probIms far too pressing to be long negieetB. We face our tasks of legislation Bd administration amid conditions as Ifficult as onr Government has ever Bntemplated. Under our political system Be people of the Fnited States have larged the new Congress and the ne.w ■ ministration with tiie solution—th reRjustmenls. reconstruction and restora■n which must follow in the wake-of war. I “It may be regretted that we wer n so lly prepared for war's aftermath, so lit - le made ready to return to the ways of leaee. but we are not to be discouraged. Indeed, we must be the more, firmly resolved to undertake our work with blah nope and Invite every factor in our citizenship to join in the effort to find our onward way again. American people have appraised and with that tolerance and which go with understanding will give to us the influence of derate nubile opinion which ultimate!* H imes the edict of any pouiar governsj it. They are measuring some of the ■ h necessities, and will Join in the S3 sand take which is so essential to B re-establishment. B p lrst in mind must be the solution vi >ur problems at home, even though B e phases of them are inseparably Hed with our foreign relations. The procedure in every government is his own house in order. ■H know of ro more pressing problem Hmie than to reef riot our national pi Hit tires within limits of onr naH,r lift the burdens of war taxati% M the shoulders if the American peo■pp can not be unmindful that e-on-Is a m ich-employed cry. most frestressed In pre-election appeals, it Is ours to make if an outstanding ever-impelling purpose in both V? ■tion and administration. The unretendency to heedless expenditure B the attending growth of public inextending from Federal auHrtty to that of State and municipality, B including the smallest political sul>Hraicn. constitute the most dangerous Base of government today. The nation ■nnot restrain except in its own activlBs.rbnt It can be exemplar in a wholeboe reversal.

■'KJKF. RFJ'Ot.ttflt ■t kpesditfre. B‘Tbi> staggering lend of vnr debt mast for in orderly funding and irradliquidation. AVe shall hasten the soand Hid effectively In lifting the i J burdens if we strike resolutely at ex■ndlture. ■ “Our current expenditures are running ■ the rate of approximately five billions ■ year and the burden is unbearable. Hiere are two agencies to he employed Jl correction: One is a rigid resistance ■ appropriation and the 'dhor is the Llnnat economy in administration. Let U have both 1 have already charged ■partm*Pt beads with this necessity. T htire Congress will agree; and both and the Administration may ■feiy count on th" support of all rightcitizens, because the burden is R Ira. estimates of receipts and exrendl■res and the statements to the conBtion of the Treasury which the PecHtary of the Treasury is prepared to ■resent to yon. will indicate what revenues must be provided In order to carry kn the Government's business and nie“t ks current requirements and fixed debt Btargs Tnlec s there are striking cuts ■n the important fields of expenditure, freed pta from intertial taxes cannot safely be permitted to fall below S4.fiOO.OOO.<K)O fen the fiscal years 1922 and 1923. This frrould mean total internal tax collections of about one billion less than In ■920 and one-ha If billion less than in ■921. I “The most suhstantial relief from the ■ax burden must come for the present Irnm the readjustment cf internal taxes. r™ rhich have become unproductive and are n artificial and burdensome as to defeat their own purpose. A prompt and thor-augh-going revision of the internal tax laws, made with due regard to the protection of the revenues. Is. in my Judgment, r requisite to the revival of business activity in this country. It is earnestly hoped therefore, that the Congress will be able to enact without delay a reHbon of the revenue laws and such MWcgeney tariff measures as are necesto protect American trade and in■stry. ■‘lt is of less concern whether Internal or tariff reneion shall come KJ • than has been popularly imagined, ■cause we must do both, but the prae■al course for earliest accomplishment 20 readily suggest itself to the Con ■3 s. IVe are committed to the repeal excess profits taxes and the abolikn of iniquities and unjustifiable ex--3P erations in the present system. country docs not expect and will ■t approve a shifting of burdens. It is Bare interested in wiping out the necesHty for imposing them and eliminating Bnfusion and cost in the collection. ■ roes emergency ■akie j i: w< rHEKT. ■ "The urgency for an instant tariff enactment, emergency in character and knderstood by our people that it is for the emergency only, cannot he too much femphasized. I believe In the protection af American industry, and it is our purpose to prosper America first. The p.-'y-ileges of the American market to the foreign producer are offered too cheaply today and the on much of our own productivity is the destruction of our leif-relianee, which is the foundation of ,ha independence and good fortune of our teopie. I “Moreover, imports should pay their Bfr share of our cost of government. ■ • • Today American agriculture ■ menaced, and its products are ■FX to prewar normal, yet we are enour -fundamental industry Brough the high cost of transportation ■pm farm to market and through the ■tux of foreign farm products because offer essentially unprotected, the market in the world. It would be fA r to err in protecting our basic Industry than paralyze our farm tit's in the world struggle for rei exchanges. POUCT ■ PKOTEC TKj.Y. maturer revision of our tariff ■vs should be J>aaed on the policy of resisting that selfishness which greed, but ever concerned with

that productivity at home which is the source of all abiding good fortune. * * * There Is little sentiment in the trade of the world. Trade can and ought to be honorable, bnt It knows no | sympathy. While the delegates of the nations at war were debating peace : terms at Paris and while we later de- | bated our part In completing the peace, ! commercial agents of other nations were | opening their lines and establishing their I outposts, with a forward look to the mor- | row's trade. * * * j “Avery important matter is the estabj lishment of the Government's business ion a business basis. There was toleration of the easy going, unsystematic method ! of handling our fiscal affairs when indii rect taxation held the public unmisdful of the Federal burden. But there is knowledge of the high cost of government today and high cost of living is \ inseparably linked with the high cost of government. There can be no complete I correction of the high cost of living unj til the government’s cost is notably reduced. ! COMMENDS NATIONAL BUDGET SYSTEM. “Let me heartily commend the enactj merit of legislation providing for the nai tional budget system. j “I have said to the people we meant to have less of government in business as I well as more business in government. It J is well to have it understood that busl- , ness has a right to pursue Its normal, 1 legitimate and righteous way, unlmped- } ed, and it ought to have no call to meet ; government competition where all risk jis borne by the public treasury. There ' is no challenge to honest and lawful business success, but Government approval of fortunate, untrammeled business does not mean toleration of restraint of trade or of maintained prices by unnatural methods. • * * deflation has not REACHED THE MASSES. “One condition in the business world may well receive your Inquiry. Dellation has been In progress, but has failed to reach the mark where it can be proclaimed to the great mass of consumers, Reduced cost of basic production has been recorded, but high cost of living has not yielded in like proportion. "I have asked the Federal Trade Commission for a report of Its observations, and It attributes. In the main, the failure to adjust consumers cost to basil’ production costs to the exchange of., ini formation by ‘open price associations’ f which operate, evidently, within the law, to the very great advantage of their members and equal disadvantage to the consuming public. Without the spirit or haste in accusation of profiteering, some suitable inquiry by ( Congress might speed the price readjust ' ment to normal relationship with helpful- ; ness to both producer and consumer. ‘LA measuring rod of fair prices will satisfy the county and give us a business revival to end all depression and i unemployment. , "It is little to be wondered that Illconsidered legislation, the war strain, ; Government operation in heedlessness of : cost, and the conflicting programs, 01 the lack of them, for restoration have : brought about a most difficult situation. ; made doubly difficult by the low tide of ' business. All are so intimately relati that no improvement will be permanent ; until the railways are operated efficiently at a cost within thst which the traffic l can bear. I “If we can have It understood that Congress has no sanction for Government | ownership, that Congress doejj not levy 1 taxes upon the people to cover deficits In a service which should be self sustaining. I there will be avowed foundation on which to build.

FARE AND FREIGHT COSTS MUST DROP." I “Freight carrying charges have mounted higher and higher until commerce is ; halted and production discouraged. Railway rates and cost of operation must be reduced. "Congress may well investigate and le,t the public understand wherein our system and the Federal regulations are lacking In helpfulness or hindering in restructions. The remaining obstacles which are the heritage of capitalistic expioita tion must be removed and labor must Join management in understanding that the public which pays for the public to be served and simple justice Is the right and will continue to be the right of all j the people. | “Transportation over the highways Is | little less important, but the problems I relate to construction and development, and deserve your most earnest attention, because we are laying a foundation for a long time to come and the creation is very difficult to visualize in its great possibilities." • • • “There is begun anew era in highway : construction, the outlay for which runs tar into hundreds of millions of dollars Bond issues by roads districts, counties i and States mount to enormous figures, and the country is facing such an I outlay that it is vital '.hat every effort be directed against wasted effort and unjustifiable expenditures. • * CALLS WASTE ON ROADS SHOCKING. “I know of nothing more shocking than I the millions of dollars of public funds wasted in improved highways, wasted T>e- ■ cau-e there is no policy of maintenance. The neglect is not universal, but it Is very near to it. There is nothing that Congress can do more effectively to end this shocking waste than to condition all . Federal aid oa provisions for inaiu- ! tenance. i "It is not necessary to say It to Congress. but I have thought this to be a befitting occasion to give notice that the United States mean* to establish and j maintain a great merchant marine, j “Our differences of opinion as to a ; policy of upbuilding have been removed by the outstanding fact of our having builded. It the intelligent and efficient | administration under the existing iuus makes estabiished service impossible, the executive will promptly report to you. “It is a proper time to invite your attention to the importance of the question of radio communication and cables. To meet strategic, commercial and political needs active encouragement should be given to the extension of American-owned and operated cable and radio service * * * “Private monopolies tending to prevent the development of needed facilities should be probed. Government-owned facilities, wherever possible, without unduly interfering with private enterprise jor Government needs, should he mndo j available for general uses. Particularly , desirable is the provision of ample cable jand radio services at reasonable rates for i the transmission of press infitter, so that 1 the American reader may receive a wide : range of news, and the foreign readet i receive full accounts of American aetiviI ties. * * • ' "Practical experience demonstrated the. ; reed for effective regulation of both domestic and international radio operation ; if this newer means of inter-communica-tlon Is to be fully utilized. “Aviation is inseparable from either j the Army or tiie Navy and the Government- must. In the Interests of national defense, encourage its development for I military aud civil purposes. I “It has become a pressing duty of the ; Federal Government to provide for the i regulation of air navigation ; otherwise Independent and conflicting legislation will : be enacted by the various States which will hamper the development of aviai tion. “I recommend the ■ enactment of legls- ! lotion establishing a bureau of aeronautics in the Navy Department to eentral- ! ize the control of naval activities in ! aeronautics and removing the . restrictions on the personnel detailed to aviation in the Navy. I "The army air service should be continued as a coordinate combatant of the ; Army, and its existing organization utilized in cooperation with other agencies of the Government. TOUCH ON SOLDIER RELIEF LEGISLATION. “The American people expect Congress unfailingly to voice the gratitude of the Republic in a generous and practical wav to its defenders in the World War, who j need the supporting arm of the Government. Our very Immediate concern Is for the crippled soldiers and those deeply needing the helping hand of the Government. Conscious of the generous intent of Congress and the public concern for the crippled and dependent, I invited the services of a volunteer Committee to Inquire into the administration of the Bureau of War Risk Insurince. the Federal Board of Vocational Training and other agencies of Goyermnept In oar-jug for the

ex-soldiers, sailors and marines of the World War. * • * “This committee has recommended, and I convey the recommendations to you with cordial approval, that all Government agencies looking to the welfare of the ex-service men should be placed under one directing head, so that the welfare 9f those disabled saviors of our civilization and freedom may have the most officient direction. It may be well to make such an official the director general of service to war veterans and place under his direction all hospitalization, vocational training, war insurance, rehabilitation and all pensions. “The immediate extension and utilization of the Government's hospital facilities in the Army and Navy will bring relief to the acute conditions most complained of, and the hospital building program may be worked out to meet the needs likely to be urgent at the time of possible completion. "The whole program requires the most thoughtful attention of Congress, for we are embarking on the performance of a sacred obligation which involves the expenditure of billions in the half century before us. “Congress must perfect the policy of generous gratitude and conscientions administration must stamp out abuses in the very beginning. We must strengthen rather than weaken the moral fiber of the beneficiaries, and humanize all efforts so that rehabilitation shall be attended by respiritualization. “During the recent political canvass the proposal was made that a department of public welfare should be created. It was indorsed and commended so strongly that I venture to call It to your attention and to suggest favorable legislative consideration. “I assume the maternity bill, already strongly approved, will be enacted promptly, thus adding to our manifestation of human Interest. • •

URGES LAW AGAINST “BARBARIC LYNCHING.” “Somewhat related to the foregoing human problems is the race question. Congress ought to wipe the stain of barbaric lynching from the banners of a free and orderly representative democracy. *t • I am convinced that in mutual tolerance, understanding, charity, recognition of the interdependence or the races, and the maintenance of the rights of citizenship lies the road to righteous adjustment. “It is needless to call your attention to the unfinished business inherited from the preceding Congress. The appropriation bills for army and navy will have your early consideration. “Neither brunch of the Government can be unmindful of the call for reduced expenditure for these departments of our national defense. The Government is in accord with the wish to eliminate the burdens of a heavy armament. The United States ever will be in harmony with such a movement toward the higher attainments of peace. But we shall not entirely discard our agencies for defense until there is removed the need to defend. We are ready to cooperate with other nations to approximate disarmament. but merest prudence forbids that we disarm alone. “The naval program which had Its beginning la what seemed the highest assurance of peace can carry no threat after the latest proof of our national unselfishness. The reasonab'e limitation of personnel may be combined with economies of administration to lift the burdens of excessive outlay. “The War Department is reducing the personnel of the army from the maximum provided by law in June, 1020, to the minimum directed by Congress in a subsequent enactment. When further reduction is compatible with national security, it may wel! have the sanction of Congress. *o tliat u system of voluntary military training may offer to our young manhood the- advantages of physical development. discipline and commitment to service and constitute the Army reserve In return for this training. “Nearly two and a half years ago the world war came to an end, and yet we find ourselves today In the technical state of war, though actually at peace, while Europe is at technical peace, far from tranquility and little progressed toward the .hoped for reloration. “It ill becomes us to express Impatience that the European belligerents are not yet in full agreement, when we ourselves have been unable to bring constituted authority into accord in our own relations to the formally proclaimed peace. "Little avails in reciting the causes of delav in Europe or our own failure to agree. Bnt there is no longer excuse for uncertainltles respecting some phases of our foreign relationship. In the existing League of Nations, world governing with its super powers, this republic will havu no part, 'there can he no misinterpretation, and there will be no betrayal of tha deliberate expression of the American people In the recent election; and, settled In our decision for ourselves, it is only fair to say to the world in general, and to our associates in war in particular that the league covenant can have no sanction by us. "The aim of associate nations to prevent wnr, preserve peace and promote civilization, our people most cordially applaud. We yearned for this new Instrument of Justice, but we can have no part in a committal to an agency of force in unknown contingencies; we can recognize no super authority. "Manifestly the highest purpose of the Longue of NSriona was defeated in linking It with the treaty of peace and miking it tiie enforcing agency of the victors of the war. International association for permanent peace must be conceived solely ns an instrumentality of Justice, unassociated with the passions of yesterday, and not so constituted as to nttempt the dual functions of a political Instrument of the conquerors and of an agency of peace. There can be no prosperity for the fundamental purposes sought to be achieved by any such association so long os It Is an organ of any particular treaty, or committed to t tie attainment of the special alms of any nation or group of nations.

WILL WORLD FOR ; NATION ASSOCIATION. I “The American aspiration, indeed, the world aspiration, was an association of cations, based upon the application of justice aud right, binding us in confer once and cooperation for the prevention I of war and pointing the way to a highei j civilization aud International fraternity jin which all the world might share. In rejecting the league covenant and utter | ing that rejection to our own people, and I to the world, we make no surrender of jour hope and aim for an association to j promote peace In which we would most heartily Join. \Ve wish it to be conceived in peace and dedicated to peace, and will relinquish no effort to bring the i nations of the world into such fellowi ship, not in the surrender of national I sovereignty, but rejoicing in a nobler j exercise of it In the advancement of .u- ---! man activities, amid the compensations of peaceful achievement. “In th" national referendum to which I have adverted, we pledged onr efforts toward such association, and the pledge will he faithfully kept. In the plight, I of policy and performance, we told the American people we meant to seek an early establishment of peace, q’he United States alone among the allied and associated powers continues In a technical state of war against the central powers of Europe. Thi* anomalous condition ought not to be permitted to continue. To establish the state of technical peace without further delay, I should approve a declaratory resolution by Congress to that effect, with the qualifications essential to protect our rights. Such action would be the simplest keeping of faith with ourselves and could In no sense be construed as a desertion of those with whom we shared our sacrifices in war, for these powers are already at peace. “Such a resolution should undertake to do more than this, to declare the i vtate of pence, which all America craves. It must add no difficulty In effecting, with just reparations, the restoration for which all Europe yearns, and upon which the world’s recovery must be founded. Neither former enemy nor ally can mistake America’s position, because our attitude as to responsibility for the war and the necessity for Just reparations already has had formal and very ! earnest expression. "UNIVISE TO STATE ' FUTURE POLICY." | “It would be unwise to undertake to make a statement of future policy with respect to European affairs In such a declaration of a state of peace. In correcting the failure of the executive, In | negotiating the most important treaty In 1 the history of the Nation, to recognize the constitutional powers of the Senate, we would go to the other extreme, equally objectionable, If Congress or the ! Senate' should assume the function of the ! executive. Our highest duty Is tha i preservation of the constituted powers of each, aud the promotion of the spirit of cooperation so essential to our common welfare. “It would be idle to declnre separate treaties of peace with the central powers on the assumption that these alone would be adequate, because the situation is so involved that our peace engagements cannot ignore the old world relationship and the settlements already affected, nor Ig to do so. la preserving our

INDIANA DAILY TIMES, TUESDAY, APRIL 12, 1921.

SUMMARY - “The surest procedure in every Government is to put Its house in order." “I know of no more pressing problem at home tliftn to restrict our national expenditures.’’ “The most substantial relief from the tax burden must come for the Jresont from the readjustment of Internal taxes and the revision or repeal of those taxes which have become unproductive and are so artificial and burdensome as to defeat their own purpose.” “I believe In the protection of American Industry and It Is our purpose to prosper America first.” “Reduced cost of basic production has been recorded, but high cost of living has not yielded In like proportion.” "J have thought this to be a befitting occasion to giro notice that the United States means to etsabllsh and maintain a great merchant marine.” “In the existing Leagne of Nations world governing with super powers, this republic will have no part.” “Onr Tery immediate concern Is for the crippled soldiers and those deeply needing the helping hand of the Government.’’ Congress ought to wipe the ta*t of barbaric lynching from the banners of a free and orderly, representative democracy.”

own rights and contracting our future relationships. “The wiser course would seem to be the acceptance of the confirmation of our rights and interests as already provided and to engage under the existing treaty, assuming, of course, that this can be satisfactorily accomplished by such explicit reservations and modifications as will secure our absolute fredoin from inadvisable* commitments and safeguard all our essential Interests. “Neither Congress nor the people needs my assurance that a request to negotiate needed treaties of peace would be as superfluous and unnecessary as it is technically Ineffective, and 1 know in my own heart that there is none who would wish to embarraJS the chief executive,in the performance of his duty when wi are all so geare to, turn disappointment aud delay Into gratifying accomplishment. “Problem* relating to our foreign ro intions bear upon the present and the future, and are of such a nature that the all important future must be deliberately considered, with greater concern than mere Immediate relied from unhappy conditions. We have witnessed, yea, we have participated in the supremely tragic episode of war, but our deeper concern Is the contlnuingMife of nations and the development of civilization. “We must not allow our vision to be Impaired by the conflict among ourselves. The weariness at home and the disappointment to the world have been compensated in the proof that this Republic will surrender none of the heritage of nntlonalitv. but our rights in international relationship have to be asserted; they require establishment In compacts of amltv ; our part in readjustment and restoration cannot be ignored aud must be defined. NECESSARY BEFORE WORLD AN I’RtK HKD. “With the super-governing longue definitely rejected and with the world so informed, and with the status of peace proclaimed at home, we may proceed to negotiate the covenanted relationships so essential to the recognition of all the rights everywhere of our Nation aud play our full part in Joining the peoples of the world In the pursutts of peace once more. Our obligations In effecting European tranquility, because of wars involvements, are not less impelling than our part Jn the war Itself. This restora tion must be wrought before the human procession can go onward again. We can be helpful because we are moved by no hatreds and harbor no fears. Helpfulness does not mean entanglement and participation In economic adjustments does not mean sponsorsnlp for treaty commitments which do not concern us, and In which we will have no part. "In an all-impelling wish to do ; umost and best for our own republic to>u maintain its high place among naSions. and at the same time make the fuile<t offering of justice to them, I shall Invite In the most practical way the advice of the Senate, after acquainting it with all the conditions to be met and obligations to be discharged along with our own rights to be safeguarded. I’rudence in making the program and confident cooperation in making it effective, can not lead us far astray. We can render no effective service to humanity until we prove anew our own capacity for cooperation in the co-ordination of powers contemplated in tiie constitution, and no covenants which Ignore, onr associations iu the war can be made for the future More, no helpful soelety of nations <sin be founded on Justice and committed to peace until the coveuants ro establishing peace are sealed by the nations which were at war. To such a uioispilshmont to the complete r<-establishmeut of pence and its contracted relationships, to Ihe realization of our aspirations for nations associated for world helpfulness without world government, for world stability on which humanity's hopes are founded, we shall address ourselves, fully mindful of the high privilege and the paramount duty of the United States in this critical period of the world.”

City Purchaser Is to Speak in Buffalo Centralized city purchasing will be discnss"d by City Furchasing Agent Dwight S. Ritter in two Eastern cities next week. Mr. Itltfer will leave Thursday for Toronto, Canada, where, on Saturday and Sunday, he will attend a meeting of the executive committee of the National Association of Furchasing Agents to discuss plans for the association’s annual convention, to be held in Indianapolis Oct. 10, 11, 12 and 13. Monday evening he will speak before the purchasing agents' association and city officials of Buffalo, and Tuesday noon before the Chamber i of Commerce of Rochester, N. Y. Air Omnibus to Carry More Than Two Tons LONDON, April 12.—An sir omnibus i being built for the air ministry by the Bristol Company. It will be ealled “The Tramp,” and will be capable of carrying about two aud a half tons. It will lie used mainly for carrying spare parts from one aerodrome to another. The bus will have four engines, each of 220 horse power and the frame is specially built for carrying freight. The machine will have three deqks. It will not travel at a great speed, but Is Intended to be a sort of “goods are train”— a modification of a Pullman. Tell Volstead Beer Cures Only Thirst WASHINGTON, April 12.—The only “ailment” that real beer will cure Is “thirst,” prominent physicians today advised Congressman A. J. Volstead, father of the famous dry regulation act bearing his name. Manufacture of real beer, as contemplated under the ruling of former Attorney General Palmer, is unnecos' sary, tiie physicians wrote Volstead. Secretary of Navy’s Nephew Wins Prize CAMBRIDGE, Mass., April 12.—Edwin C. Penhy, nephew of the new Secretarj of the Navy, has been awarded a detur at Harvard University, where he is a sophomore. A detur is a book given as • prise to the man who for the first time achieves a position in the first group of scholars.

BETTER BOOKS ARE BEING READ, REPORTS SHOW Sugary Tales of Romance and Luxury No Longer Popular. WAR BRINGS CHANGES WASHINGTON, D. C.—That Americans, since the war, have been reading more books and better books than they did before. Is an assertion for which a great deal of support cau be found. Reports of book sales show that the typical popular novel, sentimental and romantic, no longer sells in enormous numbers as it did a few years ago, but that several substantial classes of books are selling in much greater numbers than usual. Especially is this true of novels of a better class, both domestic a;id imported, of technical and vocational books, of books about the peace conference and the state of the world generally and of travel books. Likewise the Boston Public Library recently reported a much larger circulation of books for 1920 than for 1919, and It also reported that books of a better class were in demand, thus confirming what the sales records show. The American woman Is the great reader of fiction. The candy-fed flapper of a few years ago revelled iu sugary tales of love and marriage, in which everything was sweet and beautiful and happy. She had led a soft life, and saw 110 reason why It should not continue to be a dream of luxury and contentment. I Then perhaps she went Into war work, i became a nurse or a canteen worker, saw death and misery. Perhaps her own i fiance or brother was a victim of the war. : If she has an ounce of Imagination that girl's taste In literature will have changed. Life no longer looks so sweet and simple. She sees that It Is complicated and even terrible in spots. She wants truth rather than pipe dreums. And what Is true of her is even more true of the man who bore a part of the fight. He Is not so often a reader of fle- ; tlqn. What he has gained usually Is a | sense of the economic and social prob- : lenis that burden the human race. He j often becomes an eager reader of books ] which discuss these problems, and there ! have been many such since the war. a | few of them reaching large circulations — ' circulations such ns books on economics and politics never before obtained lii this country. The man back from the war is often la

Ten Dollar Sale of Coats and Dresses For Women A'j Fhe Rest Out and Misses. ] 1111 l | [iml wll|\ Our Own Close to W /Jj | v Stock Regu--600 Garments §p|j 1111 \||f lariy Priced at the Majority — ||i|\ jjjS sls, $16.50, Brand New — ° m^ Extra Space—Extra Salespeople The DRESSES —Crepe de chine dresses —Side drapes FfmJM —Tricotine dresses -Semi-tailored effects —Tricolette dresses Tins-1 tracings —Taffeta dresses 1 tracmgs —Overdrapes —Eyelet embroidery —Silver gray —Belgian * PlfffiTffljM —Platinum —Copen —Navy —Mrs. Harding blue, Beautiful styles that‘forecast authentic versions for summer. \ * or the matron —models for the miss SIO.OO The COATS J\ 188 -VJ, jjjffj —Cape coats —Velours Mp |pP —Tuxedo coats —Silvertones n Ejohnny 5 coats -Tricotines / / —Sport coats —Serges / / —Wrappy coats —Polo cloths v I > I A There are clever drop-shoulder models, set-in sleeve models, J l l straightline models, inverted pleated models, box coat models, belted models. Such beautiful and wanted colors as rose, Copen, fjffl sand, Belgian bine, beige, Pekin, tan, Harding blue, plaids and W others. The styles are becoming for matrons and misses. Sale price . • SIO.OO THE Wm. V BLOCK CO.

search of anew occupation, too. His old place is not open tq him, or his ideas have changed; be aims at something higher. This man is an eager reader of books on technical and vocational subjects. Perhaps the greatest change which may be noted Is that the American people are no longer so proud of their own country, and that they are more and more willing to read books which criticise or satirize it. A little glance backward is necessary to appreciate the significance and extent of this change. Americans have always been taught and lave tended to believe that the United States possesses the greatest civilization on earth, and that If not perfect, it Is nevertheless nearly so. This feeling grew liter the Civil War with the new national consciousness which sprang Into being at that time. It grew still more after the war with Spain, when the United States won an easy victory over an old European nation and thereby became a world power. Until the last few years, American writers have never criticised American civilization or American society as a whole. The tone of our literature has always been one of solf-congratulatlon. What criticism we have had has come from abroad and was very badly received. Matthew Arnold, the famous British critic, wrote a very fair account of American civilization, setting forth its faults with great insight. Ills book was received with rage in this country and he was loudly denounced. The same treatment was accorded a number of other foreigners who tried to write their honest opinions of America. Now this criticism from abroad has largely ceased. We have been visited In the past few years by more foreign authors than ever before in our history, but most of them have not criticised us at all, and those who have done so, have used the utmost caution and politeness. The reason for this is that we mean money to foreign authors. lecturing in this country has become their favorite method of making a fortune. And tiie American market for their books steadily grows. Nobody is going to make fun of the fat boy as long as he has the candy. LESSONS LEARNED IN WORLD WAR. But the fat boy Is beginning to make fun of .himself. Although most of our soldiers came hack from the war singing the praises of home, yet some of them seem to have realized that In some respects European civilization is ahead of ours. Then, too, the disillusionment which has followed the war, because It did not accomplish any of the high Idealistic purposes for which it was ostensibly fought, has doubtless intensified this crltclcal attitude. At any rate, for the first time books have been written by Americans and read by Americans which criticize America sharply and even bitter-

Veteran Honored Gplonel Timothy J. Moynahan, a veteran of the famous “Fighting SixtyNinth,” has been appointed national executive chairman of the United Ex-Sol-diers’ organization. ly. One novel which Is a satire on small town life 1n America has become a best seller. Five years ago our novels always represented the American small town as an idyllic picture of sweet content. A certain critic, who regards American democracy as a failure and the American civilization us the most backward among the great powers, has achieved since the war, a popularity such as perhaps no American critic ever before enjoyed. This same critical tendency has even penetrated into Congress. A recent congressional report, for example, points out that American ranks tenth among civilized countries in its educational institutions.

and adds that this Is a sad state of affairs since the success of democracy depends largely upon education. Similarly, the revelations of the draft boards with regard to ill health in this country have been fully set forth and appreciated in Congress. All of this criticism taken together presents us with a different picture of America from that which our fathers carried in their minds. It shows us a country physically great, wealthy and highly developed Industrially, to be sure. But it also shows us a country in which there Is a great deal of poverty and a very low average of health and education among the poorer classes. It shows us a country In which It is hard for any one to get a really good, liberal education. It shows us a country which, in literature, painting, sculpture and pure science, lags far behind almost every other country of the same class. Aboye all, they tell us, this is a country In which the art of living, of enjoying life, is not understood, and where the pursuit of wealth for its own sake has become almost the universal occupation. These critics doubtless exaggerate. Some of them certainly overlook our strong points In their eagerness to show up our weak ones. But there seems to be a growing feeling taht all of thia criticism Is healthy. An individual who regards himself as nature's ultimate masterpiece, who seems to think that there is little room In him for improvement, and that every one else ought to use him as a model, is not generally admired. Such an individual is not apt to grow and improve. On the contrary, he usually inspires tha feeling that he has some hard bumps coming to him, and needs them. Announce Discovery of Seasickness Cure BRUSSELS, April 12.—Dr. Nolf, a professor at the University of Liege, announces that he has discovered an absolute cure for seasickness by the use of belladonna and atrophine. Seasickness, according to the doctor, has its origin in a nerve In the interior ear, which causes dizziness. The two drugs quiet the nerve and the funny feeling disappears. Move on Foot to Form New Party in Mexico MEXICO CITY. April 12.—A movement has been started in the Chamber of Deputies to form anew political party. This block will fight the Liberal Constitutionalists. now in control. The new group. It is said, will include Socialists, Cooperists. Independents and possibly the Reactionists.

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