Indianapolis Times, Volume 36, Number 211, Indianapolis, Marion County, 13 January 1925 — Page 4

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The Indianapolis Times ROY W. HOWARD, President, r*tlX F. BRUNER, Editor. - WM. A. MAYBORIC, Bus. M*r. MeniSer 'of the Scripps-Howard .Newspaper Alliance • * • Client of the United Press',' the NEA SefWce and the Scripps-Palne Service. • •. * Member of the Audit Bureau of Circulations. | '. f*2 Published dally- except Sunday by Indianapolis Times Publishing Cos.. 214-230 W. Maryland St., Indianapolis * • ‘SubscriptHM*“Rates: Indianapolis—Ten Cents a Week. Elsewhere—Twelve Cents A Week. * * * PHONE—MA In 3600.

As I lire, saith the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked.—Ezek. 33 : ll. ~ - The most happy ought to wish for death.—Seneca. DANGEROUS! BEWARE! fFrFI HE Bulletin of the American Bureau of Shipping says the i j great danger of Government ownership and operation of ships is—what do you think? Notf that it will be costly to the country. Not that the ships will be badly managed. Oh, no, nothing like'that. . V. The great danger, the Bulletin says, is in the increasing Sufficiency of our Government’s shipping board. This, coupled with increasing freight and passenger rates, might soon make the Government ships actually profitable. That would be all right, the Bulletin continues, except that the “radieal element” would be sure to notice it. They would use it as an admittedly “strong” argument for other forms of Government ownership, among which railroads are mentioned. This would never do, because “only those with socialistic tendencies will admit that public operation of such great utilities Would be'f of-the best interests of the people.” In othe?, Words, if the facts are dangerous, then down with she facts! With respect to Government ownership and operation of merchant marine units, against which this newspaper can see no good reason, there are other things to consider besides the possibilities of the Government making a profit. , In the first place, so long as peace reigns this country can get along very well without any American merchant marine at all- Even our captains of industry can invest their dollars and make a good return in other lines of business. Asa matter of fact, most of them do so anyway. Foreigners carry the bulk of our foreign trade efficiently and at rates American shipping men don’t generally want to try to beat. But in case of war things would be different. A war might arise in which neither the British nor any other great shipping nation would be on our side. Then the Government Would need American merchant ships, to help out the Navy, to carry American goods, in submarine infested seas, to transport troops and supplies. It would need facilities for building ships. All these it would need in a hurry. How can our Government be sure of having the right type of ships, trained sailors of American nationality, shipyards and shipping supplies at hand in case of war, unless to some extant it is in the shipping business itself? POLITICAL QUESTIONNAIRES nr ND now it is proposed to do away with an institution in a£>J politics- Representative Thiel of Lake County proposes shat the political questionnaire be put out of business. He avould make it unlawful to ask candidates where they stand On jpublic of any other kind.of questions, 1 * Pi&ting the questionnaire out of business would be a death blow to many reform organizations which keep themselves before the public largely by announcing how candidates did or Sid not answer questions. Os course, Questionnaires are embarrassing to most candidates. They are intended to be. They don’t permit dodging. Sind candidates hate to be pinned down. They -don’t like to go |m record, because if circumstances should cause them to change jheir minds it would be embarrassing. Going on record also tramps their style when it comes to carrying water on both Shoulders, a balancing feat in which most politicians are projfhient. Seriously, nothing should be put in the way of the voters Snowing everything they can about a candidate. On the other %and, public officials should bo free to exercise their best judg^ We-’ don t believe the with honest convictions yill hesitate s!ate his convictions. . -

Average Congressmen Go Along at Moderate Pace

P WASHINGTON, Jan. 13.—There Igs'e members of Congress who drink. [lfhero are members who gamble. ItChere are members who lead a hecjtlc and hilarious life. In the courtfoom of a little Michigan county meat, a Congressman’s wife recently gild the world about it, and it must | But don't get the notion that she res describing the normal life of (Washington, D. C., particularly the [normal life of a Congressman and | hi*' wife. There arenas many kinds [fti Congressmen as there are kinds [2f •- her citiseps and the great stararity of them a?e simple, homi4oy[ing, law-abiding men,, with,; the sort [of wives that such men naturally [would choose. They lead a reasonjSbly interesting existence, traveling [life’s pathway at a very modtrate' •Members of Congress receive f7,600 a year, and the greater pait of them live within that Income. The hmrgin between *7,600 and what It costs to live in this city of high rents and expensive groceries Is too small to permit one to travel what is called the cock-tall circuit or help Support Washington’s limited number of cabarets. If the cabaret owners depended on Congressmen for their living, they’d wear no more diamonds than postoffice employes. • There are, of course, many rich men in the House and many more ich men in the Senate. They live expensively In Washington, just es ©icy do at home. Some of the House ?hembers live in expensive hotels, while some of the Senators, sure of at least six years’ residence in Washington, buy themselves expensive homes. But these are the exceptions. ; Certain family hotels situated close to the Capitol furnish the rule for I these exceptions. In one of these prtels alone there are

a man and his wife costs about $220 a month, ’t'he social life enjoyed by most of the congressional families centers around these hotels. In the case of those living at the largest of the hotels the week’s social calendar includes a card party Thursday night, a dance aSturday night and a lecture or musical recital Sunday night. That is to say, the card party, dance and lecture, all informal affairs, are there to be enjoyed by those inclined to attend. Smaller dard parties, luncheons and dinners among themselves, pretty much as would be the case of a similar group of people living in any other American oity, large or nodi,: furnish relaxation on occasion. Then there are the theaters and the movies and the continual succession of musical events ijatgtujgl to, Washington. For social life on a larger scale, there is the Congressional Club, composed of members’ wives, with its own attractive clubhouse. There is the annual reception tp the rest of official Washington given by the wives who make their home In the hotel. There is the annual reception given them at the White House and an occasional reception by some member of the Cabinet. Some members of this particular group extend their social life well beyond the circle indicated. Most of them do not. ~R must be remembered that the average Congressman spends a good deal of time at his work. Perhaps you don’t admire your own Congressman to any great degree, but this you shouia know: If he is an average member he puts in pretty full days of labor and a good many nights. hummed up, a Congressman’s life isn’t all beer and skittles—if by skittles is meant the sort of high living now being described by one particular congressional pair whose divorce case is engaging the public’s patten tiocu. Their case is the excepTbe case of the others related hfrawith & the rule.

NAVY DEPARTMENT HAS ROW WITH WEATHER BUREAU i & v - * . ' ....... M •... - a* v - v* . ... * V s * '■ / -- - -

in a Polite Way the U. S, Official Forecasters Have Been Toid What They ' Don’t Know Would Fill a By CHARLES P. STEWART, JfEA Service Writer WASHINGTON, Jan. 13.—1n a polite way, the Navy Department has |old the weather bureau that what the latter doesn't know about the weather would fill a large book. It happened as a climax to the lengthy argument the department and the bureau have had over the question of long distance forecasts. The weather, proclaimed the naval hydrographic office, after investigating the subject, can be foretold accurately a year in advance. Some way of doing it may be discovered later, rejoined the weather bureau, but it can’t be done now, by any means known to science. We have discovered the means already, insisted the hydrographic office. It can be done by a study of ocean temperatures. So many other considerations enter into weather .forecasting, contradicted the bureau, that a study of ocean temperatures, by itself, can’t amount to much. A Hard Smack So far a*; publicity is concerned the bureau has had the best of this dispute. Through numerous bulletins, pamphlets and books it has set forth its side of the case. The hydrographic office,, lacking adequate for expressing itself in print, hasn’t generally been heard. Recently, however, It began issuing a little leaflet called the “National News Service.” Lieutenant Commander George E. Brandt, assistant to Capt. Frederic B. Bassett, hydrographic office chief, is editor. The latest of these leaflets takes a slap at the weather bureau, the smack of which can be heard a mile.

All ‘Guesswork’ nr“| L. MITCHELL, official If I United States Weather LZlj* Bureau forecaster, Is authority for the statement that long-range weather predictions are, at present, an impossibility. He declares that to prognosticate weather more than a few days in advance is the vaguest kind of guess-work. "Long-range weather forecasting is an interesting field,’’ Mitchell said, “and it Is a shame vre have neither the time nor money to devote toexhaustive research. Some day we may have —and this may result in great benefit to mankind. “But right now it is out of the question. Too many factors —ocean currents, air currents, ice floes, mountain ranges and what-not—affect weather conditions to make accurate predictions possible even a month in advance. “As to predicting weather for a coming season or year—it can’t be done. Some day, perhaps—but not now.

True, the bureau isn't mentioned by name but it's easy ito read between the lines. * rjr ' -r The leaflet is as official as it can be made. It bears the hydrographic office imprint and the name of Lieutenant Commander Brahdt, and what it says appears under the signature of Secretary of the Navy Curtis- D. Wilbur—“written especially for National News Service.” Starts in July Secretary Wilbur tells flrst of the oceanographic researches to be begun by the Navy next July—the Maury Resprachr. aE called “in honor of the late Lieut. Matthew F. Maury; the pathfinder of -.the seas, whole pioneer work in the study at. the ocean enrich -the commerce of .Ahe nation and made his name famous throughout the world.” ! Them ••*- ■■ “It is hoped,” writes the Secretary, “that we are now on the threshold ! of scientific knowledge regarding the weather from which we can predict unseasonable conditions a year in advance.” * Which is exactly what Chief Charles F. Marvin of the weather bureau says can’t be dope—at any rate, by the method the. hydrographic office proposes. True, Secretary Wilbur expresses only a hope, but— : "Meteorologists are agreed,” he continues, "the weather is born on the ocean. A study of the temperature, salinity and circulation of the ocean waters will supply the necessary information for making predictions with confidence.” That’s definite and positive enough? Besides, the secretary says "meteorsologists are agreed." The weather bureau folk emphatically do not agree. Does tjie secretary imply that they’re not meteorologists? And what meteorologists does he mean? He tells. Means More Money “Long range weather *predictionß,” he says, “are being made more. Ofless successfully now In India* tbia Scandan avian countries and South America. . It behoove us to do the same thing if we would take advantage of idle opportunities within our grape. When we learn we shall serve large jj sums tb agricultural and commercial interests.” Meaning that the United States weather bureau had better wake up? ABd if anybody wants it still plainer than that, “The weather bureau,” observes Lieut. Commander Brandt, “is too busy-getting out weather forecasts to study the weather.” Saving Money Any method of transit which saves time has a very large economic importance. Our finest example is that of the more expeditious transmission of banking documents through the air mail. The saving in interest as the resnlt of this establishment results in indirect saving of many times Secretary, P* Commerce Ho#er, before House Committee on jg-erstat* and Foreign Commerce.

THE INDIAN AROLI& TIMES.

RIGHT HERE IN INDIANA By GAYLORD NELSON

Towers Mi— | ICHAEL J. GLENN, Inspector of traffic, proposes traffic towers on Meridian from Ohio to St. Clair Sts. They would be controlled in unison by the officers at Ohio St. The proposed towers would speed northbound traffic during the rush • • hours as they would ga far toward NELSON the reforestation of downtown Indianapolis. Os course mechanical regulation must be adopted for Mteridian and Other thoroughfares very soon. However before any new system is installed the whole subject should be studied. Our present automatic cops suffer from a bad case of variety. They are in the center of intersections, on the curbs, hanging overhead, and groveHng under foot. Some are gaunt and cadaverous; others short and squatty. Some flash commands in words; others merely wink vari-colored eyes. It would be a convenience to motorists if the cdty would standardize on a single type. Variety is the spice of life, but variety in automotic policemen is a mustard plaster for traffic. Remorse Gs— lEORGE FRAZER, confessed bandit, was sentenced at _J Marion, Ind., Saturday. The young man admitted participation in the Upland State Bank robbery and other depredations, for. which he drew ten to twenty-five years in the State reformatory. While confined in the police station he has been closely guarded because he vowed if he could get hold of a gun he would blow his brains out.” Now that it Is too late to be of any particular use to him he suffers a bad attack of bitter regrets. It would be an interesting experiment from the scientific—not humane—standpoint to furnish the young man the desired weapon. Criminals often become penitent. Usually, however, not while penitence would be unprofitable and inconvenient. Only when they are arrested and convicted is the spiritual •oil prepared to bring forth a bountiful crop of penitence—which generally withers when exposed to freedom. True repentence is one of the greatest moral forces for the betterment of man.It ha* lifted some sinners to Spiritual heights and to lives of usefulness. But true repentance comes not from the Idle caperings of old remorse awakened by a court conviction.

-■ ■■ Weekly Book Review •-■■ ■ Cupid Applies Same Rules to Love Making in Cottages as in Palaces

’ By WALTER D. HICKMAN *r~. i ~ -•-- •. t‘ rTSJTQhfgJ, is the day when the I( j] patron of a ..pUtiliq * V? library, aska for a “good ;.6Ve story.* .. With, the .coming of the movie, the Little Theatre, luncheon clubs, the radio and other thought producing mediums, the patron of fiction no longer merely craves a good love story. Today the public Is demanding brairts and realism in its fiction. The best sellers prpVe my point. Such a condition you will find in Arthur Train’s "‘The Needle’s Eye," recently published by Charles Scribner’s Sons, New York. Train hag taken a stiff problem for consideration—the emotional, physical and social effect upon the son* and daughters of the richest men of the country. The central character is John Graham, the son and heir of the head of the banking house of Grafiiam & Cos. The problem is, not so much the effect of unionizing or attempting to unionize the coal fields of the Grahams but rather the effect that such a movement had upon John and the others associated with him. And yet John became rather socialistic (not too much) because Rhoda McLane, who rebelled against, conditions that great wealth caused in the home of her parents, influenced him. Rhoda was not wild for night life, but she had the idea that she should be a sort of a Joan of Arc for the “suffering coal minora’’ during a fight over unionizing the Graham coal mines. Rhoda found l ‘Bill’Butler ■ EHE old iron derby, steel rivets and aII, as been dragged from the t, .moth balls by William M. Butler, M a 8 8 a c h vsetts’ new Senator. We wired Bill to ask ■A him whether he ?|lt| was too busy to y/j Bps answer. As you remember, he managed the Coollidge campaign and was in a position JBSf 10 know a fusl ; SraH a* derby was & fair

Dress | . ESTERDAY, with appropriate • Y ceremonies, the oath of office L±J was administered to the Governor, Lieutenant-Governor \ and reporter of the Supreme Court —the matter a woman. A large crowd from all over the State assembled to witness the ceremony, This is customary for ah inauguration Is a significant public event. ('■ i Consequently for the time being the central figures in the event are of more than ordinary news-interest, and muoh is printed about them. The attire to be worn by the reporter of the Supreme Court was minutely described several days preceding tjje function. Hat, shoes,; hose, frock, received painstaking! reportorial attention. Her dress was important news. Not,.a line appeared describing the appared of the Governor 1 or Lieuten-ant-Governor. Their dress was of no public Interest. As far as the news stories disclose these equally prominent actors in the Inaugural drama might have taken the oath clad in bath-robes, barrels, or goose flesh. q Despite their political equality the inauguration reveals there still exists a gulf between the sexes ih their attitude toward clothing. Woman’s dress is news. Man's clothes are not, unless no appears in public without ’em. Tho political reporter of the fuure will have a merry time unless he takes & course in dress-making. Questionnaire I—: EPRESENTATIVE JOHN W. THIEL of Lake County will , J introduce a bill making it a felony to ask a candidate how he stands on a question or to mail him a questionnaire. He believes these promise-extract-ing devices tie a legislators’ hands. The victim Is thus prevented from exercising his own judgment on measures. Doubtless the questionnaire practice has become a political nuisance. No sooner does a sterling patriot announce for dog-catcher or constable than the bombardment begins. His promise is solicited on every proposed measure of public policy—from painting the town pump green to the League of Nations. He answers because an easy promise helps In the heat of the campaign. It’s only afterward the promise gets nasty and haunts plm. Suppressing questionnaires would perhaps relieve the mental anguish of candidates. Still voters are en titled to know how office-seekers stand on public questions. They’ll never know until they ask. Candidates don’t commit themselves until prodded. Their natural pose is the Straddle. Candidates can throttle questionnaires and promise-solicitation with-_ out statutory help. The waste-bas-" ket always yawns in receptive mood. However, it’s easier to substitute a State law for lime in the backbone. The Paradox Many, if not most of the lame ducks, are performing a strange miracle—singing swan songs.—Senator AsHurst (Dem.), Arizona.

out that the miners didn’t want a Joan. So her -personal excursion from her own set Was.--a- failure. - ~ ■' ; 'or . • ■ £ r Not Sympathetic-v: - ; -Personally, I am not SympAthetlc over men and women who, although in earnest for social and Industrial reform, haven’t the brains or the experience to do the real job of changing Industrial conditions. Rhoda simply became the blind tool of certain selfish Interests of so-called reform. It is this human but oruel study of Industrial and social conditions that makes “The Needle's Eye” a commanding piece of t new fiction. While John Grahf m had his millions, many of em : he came to this conclusion, “Capital was essential to progress.” At times. Twain Indulges in some, masterful characterization, such as Thornton Graham and Shiras Graham, the greatest old Roman of ’em all. Shiras, who had millions, made an unsuccessful attempt to leave fifty millions toward perfectinggland treatment for old men. The Idea was silly even to the scientists.' Here is some smart fun. Right now the world is interested in just how rich anyone person' should be. The idea seems to be—• how much can the other fellow get when the pie is cut. Train knows humap nature In the shops, in thecoal mines, in the director’s room, in the drawing room and rn the school. Much Action Human nature creates action and.'that is just what Train, permits to,' be done in his hew novel. He Is a master at this sort of thing. Train has given uis flesh and b’ood characters. They seem to live out-! side of the story book. You seem to know them by theory if not by fact. ‘ Indianapolis being the headquarters of the United Mine Workers of. America, figures in this story. l“ grapt at the very beginning that; the leaders of this organization will, have a different idea of the questions in controversy than the author has. And yet Train has given us real characters bucking up against real industrial problems. I am going to recommend “The Needles Eye” as splendid reading. I am afraid to call it worth while, but it is just the same. Obtained my copy for review from

This Is Quite a Trick for a Novice

CN iv.r;.v , / if e ge& \ \ V \ / } Falun* off ru. 1 \ \

Inauguration Date Just Happened

Timet Washington Bureau, litt New York Ave. ASHINGTON, Jan. 13—Bevy cause the first Wednesday in t- March, 1789, happened to fall on the fourth day of the month, the regular terms of American Presidents have ever since that time begun on March 4. There is no*other special reason why inaugurations need be held on that date rather than on March 1, or March 5, or even in January or February. In recent years there have been numerous measures introduced in both Houses of Congress designed to change the inauguration date tb a day earlier in the year in order to cut short the life of congressional sessions participated fn by large numbers of lame ducks. Pending at the present time before the Senate -is Senator Norris’ proposal providing for inauguration early • in January. Though Norris proposes 'to amend the Constitution in order to accomplish his purpose, it is worthy of note that other dates which were fixed at the same time .that the “first Wednesday in March” Ask The Times 1 You eh ret an answer to any question of fact or information by writing to The Indianapolis Times Washington' Bureau, 1322 New York Ave.. Washington. D. C.. Inclosing 2 cents in stamps for reply. MeHfcal. legal and marital advice cannot be given, nor can extended research be undertaken. All other questions will receive a persona’ replv. Unsigned requests cannot be answered. All letters are confidential—Editor. Are rural mail carders forbidden by the Postal regulations to engage in any outside business? No, they can engage in any othnr business that does not interfere wil-h their duties, provided it does not require soliciting in which they might attempt to interest their patrons oh their route*. The Pc** Office Department would also prohibit any occupation fdr carriers Trf which their positions would give them unfair advantage over compete itorw. What is the correct way to wear a Masohfc ring? The pr&.nd Secretary of the Ma-. sonic .Order' here in Washington sayß. ithere is no correct way of such, rings; the wearer can wear the' ring to suit himself. How long will it take a 40-watt ; electric bulb to burn on© kilowatt? „ Twenty-five What Is the area of the an- ; thracite coal fields of Pennsylvania? j About 484 square miles in four • narrow fields the Northern, or Wyoming; the Eastern Middle, or Lehigh; the Southern, and ihe. Middle Western.

New Books at Public Library New books of fiction at the Public Library Include: “Slave Ship," by Btary Johnston; “Toe Pearl Lagoon,” C. B. Nordhoff; “This Above All,” Harold Speakman; ‘‘Plumes,” Laurence Stallings. New books of religion, sociology and economics Include; “Youth and the Bible,” by M. A. Striebert; "Intellectual Worker and His Work,” William MacDonald; “Czechoslovakia,” edited by Josef Gruber. New books of lierature, essays, poetry and drama Include: “Best British Short Stories of 1924”; “Best Plays of 192824”; “Literary Spotlight,' ’edited by J. C. Farrar; “Stories From the Midland,” The Midland; . “My Dear Cornelia,” S. P. Sherman; “Songs jof the Sea and.. Sailors’ Chanteys,” edited by, Robert Frothinghamy "Aren’t We All, a Comedy,” Frederick Lonsdale. , \ New books of architecture include: “Your Future Home,” Bureau of Minnesota In3 ....

was stipulated, have since, been altered by mere act of Congress. In July, 1788, the Constitutional Convention, learning that the Constitution had been ratified by the requisite number of states, adopted a resolution calling for the election of the flrst President. The resolution provided that the States should choose their electors on the flrst Wednesday of January, that the electors should cast their votes on the flrst Wednesday of February, and that the President should take office on the first Wednesday of March. The poor facilities of communication and travel, were, of course, the chief reasons why a month was permitted to elapse between each of the successive steps in the selection of the President. In fact, the allowance of time was found to be wholly inadequate, and Washington, at. his .Jhome In Mount Vernon, did no, learn of his election on “the first Wednesday of February," until well after March 4th. He arrived In New York, which was then the seat of the government, nearly two months late and was not inaugurated until April 30.' | Washington began his second term on March 4, ?J.793, and left office Mar jh 4, 1797. His failure to “make connections’" for. his ceremony cut short his term by one month and twenty-six days, and he is to this date the only President to serve two full terms wl o did not serve exactly eight years. Congress many years ago, on Feb. 2, 1887, changed the other two dates fixed by the constitutional convention and provided that the electors should cast their votes on the second Monday of January and that the votes should be formally counted on At Miami tlful estate of the { vJlil many wonderful aire manufacturer

YOU’VE SEEN , some great pictures this past season— And the lineup of coming attractions at THE CIRCLE is a startler— Beginning Sunday, we offer one disferent from all the rest — It’s the story of a wonderful girl \ who found romance and thrill in the high mountains of the West. It FIRST NATIONAL PRESENTS “FRIVOLOUS SAL” and Wonder Surrounding Program COMING SUNDAY AT THE

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the second Wednesday of February, Only that part of the early resolution referring to the first Wednesday in March has not been altered, except that the definite date was substituted for the day of the week. , Though little prospect Is now seen for the early adoption of amendments which would move the dat* of Inauguration forward, there are but few arguments presented in support of the present method, and many, based largely on the ehange in transportation and communication facilities, advanced in support of the earlier date. Tom Sims Says The silent drama seems to be having a very hard time securing a silent audience. Stretching the truth rains It. The boy of today seems to want to leave auto tracks on the sands of time instead of footprints. We know a man whose home Would be much happier if she hadn’t married such a cross husband. The only man who can say your head is dirty and get away with it is the barber. You never will realize your object in life if it Is objecting to work. —: r All that stands between us and a hot time Is the rest of this winter. ' The income tax blanks are being mailed out. Utopia is a land where* you can leave the income tax blank* blank. Education is almost as expensive as ignorance. • - ;ir Times are so bad some pftopld haven’t bought a single newJ'Mltp all winter. ' Shock absorbers on autoe would be better if the driver could wear them. - Isn’t It funny what a woman will show to hide her age? Some movies call a spade a spade. That’s all right. But others call A spade a plow. The man who takes good care of his health at home never will have to - go somewhere for it. (Copyright, 1925, NEA Service, Inc.)