Indianapolis Times, Volume 38, Number 204, Indianapolis, Marion County, 1 December 1926 — Page 6

PAGE 6

The Indianapolis Times HOY W. HOWARD, President. BOYD GURLEY, Editor. WM. A. MAYBORN, Bus. Mgr. Member of the Scripps-Howard Newspaper Alliance * * Client of the United Press and the N’EA Service * * * Member of the Audit Bureau of Circulations. Published daily except Sunday by Indianapolis Times Publishing Cos., 214-220 W. Maryland St., Indianapolis * * • Subscription Rates: Indianapolis—Ten Cents a Week. Elsewhere—Twelve Cents a Week * * * PHONE—MA in 3500.

No law shall be passed restraining the free interchange of thought and opinion, or restricting the right to speak, write, or print freely, on any subject whatever.—Constitution of Indiana.

AND YET AGAIN Two months have passed since there came from the prison cell of one D. C. Stephenson, once political czar of Indiana, the cry that he could furnish documentary proof of corruption in elections and in high places. Whatever the Marion County grand Jury may have found, or not found, in its probe of these charges is immaterial. For if there was needed any proof to convince the public that there was a basis of truth behind that blatant cry from a cell, denominated by the Attorney General of this State as an attempt to “blackmail his way to freedom, ’ it has been furnished by the continual effort to thwart and block the inquiry of the jury. From the very start, the jury seems to have been significantly unfortunate in securing the presence of witnesses it desired to question. First there was the hasty departure from this city of Mildred Meade, once the confidante of Stephenson. She remained away from the city, so securely hidden that even her own family did not know her whereabouts. Then disappeared one Julian, the former business partner of the convict, who remained away for weeks, his wife proclaiming each day that she did not know where he was. He came back after weeks of travel in distant parts, appearing just after an electibn. There were those two former officials of the secret hooded order who were sought for weeks, and who mysteriously disappeared from their homes in this city and as mysteriously were brought back. And now the head of one of the great utilities finds it convenient to leave his business and to lose himself so completely that his secretary says that she does not know where he is. The grand jury, quite by coincidence, of course, is desirous of asking him a few questions. The public will be less technical than the courts in asking questions. It will waive some of the barriers thrown about a court inquiry and ask why it happens that those sought by this inquiry find that they have business outside the State when they are wanted here. The public will, and rightly, ask whether there is any connection between these absences and the meeting of the grand jury—and will, possibly unfortunately and probably wisely, form its own conclusions. Were not these disappearances enough, it may be well to recall the incidents following the explosion of the Stephenson charges. The public has not forgotten that for five days no state official denied any charge, but that the power of the Governor was turned toward preventing a visit to Stephenson by six State Senators in whose name a permit had been asked. The public still remembers that the board of trustees of the penitentiary hastily met at the bedside of one of its members and formally passed a resolution approving the act of Warden Daly in refusing admission to any newspaper man of the State or to the Senators, although a peculiarly selected Federal officer found no difficulty in gaining admission, nor did this Julian, who became a fugitive after his conversaton with the convict. The public remembers, also, that there was no demand for any investigation until it was forced by Col. Theodore Roosevelt, who refused to speak until such a pledge had been made and given. These are but a few of the things which the public still has in mind and which the Legislature may find most interesting. At least it is presumed that the Legislature will take some such interest, purely in the way of preventing repetitions. It might with good cause investigate the conduct of the board of prison trustees and the reasons for passing a rule which had not found necessary until Stephenson became a convict and which has, apparently, been applied only in his case. If it should fail to take official action, the people will not wait for court proceedings upon which to form their Judgment. They have other evidence which will probably be just as satisfying in reaching their own verdict.

CHECKED, AT LEAST The effort to load up the lighting plants of this city with a valuation of more than fifty-five millions of dollars has been checked, for a time, at least. The Public Service Commission decides that It will not stand for the subterfuge of a purchase by a new-born corporation of two other corporations as a means of evading the law in regard to merging competing public utility plants. That much has been gained by the fight made against this rather brazen effort to put a mortgage upon the future of this city by a hasty Issue of stocks upon which the people will he compelled to pay dividends and interest. Just what would have happened had not the corporation counsel of this city hurled his grave charge of a conspiracy dating back to the election of two years ago and the definite charge that corporation gentlemen gathered the sizable sum of $19,000 with which to impress the present Governor with such a sense of friendship that they could place friendly men of pliable minds upon that commission will be a matter of conjecture. It Is at least significant that the Attorney General asked for a dismissal of this suit of Lawyer Rucker two hours before the commission dismissed the appeal of the light companies and set forth as a reason why no judge should inquire into it, that dismissal. * That does suggest that at least the Public Service Commission, represented by the Attorney General, did not desire to meet the City of Indianapolis on this charge. Those who may feel elated over this temporary victory should not be lulled into a false sense of security. The men who have their eyes upon the light bills of this city as a pleasant pasture upon which to graze and take for themselves the fattening millions of profit in juggling securities and in inflating values, will not easily forsake the quest. The law says that when two companies are merged, their value shall not be in excesg of the colnblned capitalization of the units. That does not satisfy the men who are working for a combination of the two companies. Nor can

it be imagined that with huge profits in sight that they will consent to abandon the field. The merger of the two companies is a consummation which is to be desired. It is costly and wasteful to support these two companies which are engaged in the same business of furnishing a necessity. It is costly and wasteful to permit two companies to occupy the city streets. The city should have but one partner in the business of furnishing power and light and that one partner should tje an honest partner, not one so loaded down with obligations that it is compelled to disregard the public interest. The whole theory of regulation contemplates monopoly, but it is a regulated monopoly ,in which there is but. a fair return from actual investment. The law never contemplated the protection of regulation for frenzied finance and watered stocks. It never purported to turn imaginary dollars into real ones and then take those real dollars from the pockets of the people. As the matter now stands, scheming men tried to foist a huge debt burden upon this city by an illegal trick. It is some consolation to know that the scheme lias been checked. But that very victory should be a warning to the civic associations and to the citizens generally that the danger is always present. On the other side are the lawyers with political influence and power. The best expert engineers are at the disposal of the corporations. Their power is fast and extends to secret places. On the other is simply the right of the people of this city to be free from extortion, even if legalized. There is more need now than ever before to be alert and watchful. When millions are to be gained, there will always be a battle to take them. WIIAT IS THE MATTER WITH CONGRESS? George Huddleston, picturesque and independent Congressman from Alabama, speaking before the Baltimore Open Forum on the subject, “What Is the Matter With Congress?’’ said, in part: “The chief trouble with Congressmen is their constituents. The Congressman is rare who does not rejoice in opportunity to do the fine and noble thing, but the man who does them generally doesn't stay in Congress. “The voters would elect a man to a permanent place in Congress if he could get the streets of his district paved with gold—from the pockets of the residents of other districts—and if he doesn't do something of the sort It Is used against him at election time. “Congressmen should no more be expected to give up their daily bread for principles than business men should be expected to take stands that would wreck their businesses for the public good.” Bill the bailiff says these divorce suits always show the seamy side. What this country needs is a well-defined foul line for Charleston dancers. Wells wrote “The World of William Clissold.” Now some American might write one about “The World Court of William Borah.”

SOME POLITICAL PROGNOSTICATIONS ' By N. 1).. Cochran ■ Samuel S. Koenig is president of the New York County Republican Committee and one of the leading Republicans in New York State. He says that the defeat of U. S. Senator Wadsworth means that the wets were licked. Wadsworth was a Republican, but also a fearless wet. He was one of the ablest of the Old Guard Senators. He was also boss of the Republican organization in the State. Running against him in the late campaign was Robert Wagner, a Tammany Democrat and an avowed wet. In order to punish Wadsworth for not obeying orders of the Anti-Saloon League, the dry Republicans put an independent Republican dry candidate In the field against Wadsworth. The result was the election of the Democratic wet and the defeat of the Republican wet. The drys made no gain, because the wet Tammany candidate was elected. But they defeated Wadsworth. The purpose was to convince other Republicans that whoever defies the bosses of the Anti-Saloon League is doomed. From now on, says Koenig, the wets must depend upon the Democratic party for revision of the Volstead law, and the Democratic Solid South is dry and will remain dry. Hence, he argues, the wet cause is lost; at least for years to come. On the face of it, there is something to his argument. It all depends upon whether the clerical Republican politicians from Ohio who control the AntiSaloon League can keep the tight grip on the Democratic party in the South that they have had during the past two Democratic national conventions. If they can hold their grip through the Methodist and Baptist churches, -which are the strongest in the southern States, then nobody but a prohibition Democrat can be nominated in the next Democratic national convention. If the defeat of Wadsworth frightened other Republican wets, then the chances are that the AntiSaloon League and the Methodist Board of Temperance, Prohibition and Public Morals will dictate the Republican nomination and write prohibition into the platform. If they can control both party conventions, they will win, of course; for there is little or no chance for a third party. In the cat-and-dog fight at Madison Square Garden in 1924, something over 300 votes in the Democratic national convention were controlled, directly or indirectly through the Ku-Klux Klan, by> the AntiSaloon League. Getting back of McAdoo they had enough votes to prevent the nomination of Governor A1 Smith; and at the election to landslide the Democratic party almost into oblivion. Inspired to renewed activity by their defeat of Senator Wadsworth in New York, the shrewd politicians of the Anti-Saloon League have now mapped out a program which contemplates control of both party national conventions and dictation of the presidential nominees. If this happens, the Republican candidates will be elected; for the Anti-Saloon League generally winds up on the Republican side on election day, when both candidates are satisfactory. To play their presidential game successfully they don’t need the Democrats after the nominations are made. So Koenig’s analysis is sound, unless the unexpected happens and the Democrats of the South get away from Wayne AVheeler. The pity of It is that National elections should be determined on the one issue. However, we ll have to put up with it until we get this prohibiting thing out of our system one way or the other, or until Big Business quits backing the Anti-Saloon League lobby financially.

THE INDIANAPOLIS TIMES

Tracy Modern Facilities Make Failures of Big Exposition,

IJy M. E. Tracy The Sesquicentennial, which came to a close yesterday, turns out to be a $20,000,000 failure. This does not mean that the American people have grown unpatriotic or lost interest in the history of their country. They have merely soured on expositions. The World’s Fair is not what it used to be even fifty years ago. People not only travel about more, but they can see and learn more without traveling at all. No sooner is a discovery made or an invention put on the market than it is tjpscribed in the newspapers and displayed in the movies throughout the country. People can ,sit in their homes and keep better informed about what is going on than their grandfathers could by traveling across continents and overseas. In addition, they can travel across continents and overseas twice as fast and at half the expense. Modern means of communication and transportation have killed the world’s fair.

Decorative Steel A British woman has discovered how to color steel, how to make it glitter like gold, shine like silver or take on the appearance of stained wopd. This promises to open up a whole new market. For many years it has been known that ornaments, buttons, buckles and similar things could be made from steel cheaper than from any other substance. Inability to color it has proved the one big difficulty. With the secret of coloring/ steel discovered, it may be employed not only to take the place of bone, horn and other substances for decorative purposes, but of wood in the trimming of houses and the making of furniture. Salvaging Scrap Iron Steel is refined iron, and iron is supposed to constitute 5 per cent of the earth's volume. f The use of iron has become so widespread that we scrap 20.000,000 tons of it in this country each year. Scrap iron not only represents monumental waste, but has become a veritable nuisance. Hay wire, rusty nails, old stoves, automobile fenders, broken up machinery and a multitude of other worn out parts and pieces clutter dumps, vacant lots and roadsides from Boston to San Francisco. But hero again science comes to the rescue. American engineers have discovered an electrical process by which scrap iron can be dissolved and collected in almost pure form at a cost which makes it commercially practical. Changing Trends Life is being changed and improved by work that.lnterests us too little. Events of the future are being shaped by forces that we scarcely notice. More often than not, the real nows of the day is to be found in some three-line item. If we would know what is shaping the future fifteen or twenty years hence, what will alter the course of nations, what will break the gigantic Industries of today and set up others In their place, what will dej termine values and investments for the next generation, read stories of scientific progress, of trade and production changes. Too Many Diamonds Three great diamond magnates have Just arrived in South Africa, the object of their visit being to induce the South African government to limit the diamond output. They fear a collapse of the market because of the vast number of diamonds which independent diggers are finding in the alluval fields. "Something must lie done to alter the present situation.’’ says Solomon B. Joel, a director of the De Beers Syndicate. “The alluvial diggers are actually producing more tjan the great mines. If this continues, a collapse in the idustry, which provides the South African government with $15,000,000 annually, la sure to come and the country wifi have to take care of hundreds of starving people.” Yes, Indeed, and things of a discouraging character will happen in places that are half way around the world from South Africa. Thousands of Americans have bought diamonds, not as ornaments, but with the idea that they represent safe and increasing value. A collapse of the diamond market would touch the pocketbook of each and everyone of them. It would leave sore spots in every capital in the world, bitterness and suspicion that might easily lead to international trouble. Kellogg on Limb Brltiish, Dutch and American oil interests showing willingness to comply with the Mexican law, Secretary Kellogg finds himself out on a limb. Either big business lacks faith in what we can do for it, or “hollered” more than it was hurt. The chances are that big business thinks it can come pretty near to sucking the lemon dry in fifty years and prefers to take a guaranteed concession for that length of time rather than stage a doubtful suit for permanent title. The question of rights that may be involved hinges on the question of profit, and the smaller profit that is sure has its attraction. Where was Edgar Allen Poe’s poem, “The Raven,” first published? Poe was living in New York City in 1845 when he wrote “The Raven” and it was published in the New York Evenjng Mirror, where he was working. Other papers throughout the world copied it and Poe became famous.

Fifth Week of Opera Season in Chicago Features Premiere of American Opera

The fifth week of the Civic Opera season at the Chicago Auditorium will be made notable by the world premiere of Charles Wakefield Cadman's American opera, ‘‘The Witch of Salem,” which will be sung in English Wednesday evening, Dec 8. The week maintains the superb high standard set by the first four weeks, for it will bring first hearings this season of several favorite operas with repetitons of some of the most popular performances given earlier this year. It will start full-tilt next Monday evening with a presentation of “La Cena Delle Beffe” (“The Jest"), the spectacular opera which aroused a storm of enthusiasm when it was presented as a novelty at the end of the third week. The closing days of the fourth week are particularly interesting, for instance, on Thursday brings the season's first "Barber of Seville,” with the great American baritone, Richard Bonelli, in the title role for the first time In Chicago, and with Toti Dal Monte Maria Claessens, Charles Hackett, \ ittorio Trevisan and Vlrgilio Lazzari; Moranzoni conducting. This rollicking work remains one of the most popular in the repertoire although it was the first giand opera ever heard in America, having been introduced from Italy via London more than a century ago. Friday evening introduces the first double bill of the season, “Cavalleria Rustlcana" and "I Pagliacci," sung by a spectacular array of talent. In “CavaUeria Rustlcana," Rosa Raisa, Dorna Doone Jackson, Aroloo Lindi and Desire Defrere will take the principal roles: Moranzoni conducting. In “I Pagliacci” will be Eide Norena, Fernand Anseau and Sesare Formlchi; Weber conducting. Saturday matinee, Dec. 4, will bring a repeat performnace of "La Boheme,” with Mason, Pavloska, Cortls, Montesanto, Pelese and Lazzari; Polacco conducting. Saturday evening, Dec. 4, "The Daughter of the Regiment" will he repeated at popular prices, with Toti Dal Monte, Charles Hackett, Edou-

WEEKLY BOOK REVIEW— Checking Up on New Fiction and Other Books

By Walter I>. Hickman Have been asked to introduce readers of this department to some of the new books. I have carefully gone over the new books that I have received and have scanned the list of the new publications in order to take care of this request! There are many important new books of fiction, others that are very popular and others which should have more popularity. In the list of publications of BobbsMerrill Company of this city I will call your attention to the following: “Galahad,” by John Erskine; “Private Life of Helen of Troy,” by Erskine; “The Royal Road to Romance," by Dick Halliburton; "The Chinese Parrot,” by Earl Derr Riggers; “An Autobiography of Abraham Lincoln," "The Book Nobody Knows" and "The Man Nobody Knows,” by Bruce Barton. I especially recommend "Galahad” and the Haliburton book of travel. Both will make Ideal Christmas presents as well as corking good reading at all times. Houghton-Mifilin Company has a

Questions and Answers

You can set an Miswor to an question of fact or information hy writing to The lmlian-uiolla Times Washington Hureaii. l.'m V -tv York Ave.. ton. I). C.. iii<-iosine 2 eents in stamtH for reply. Medh-al. letral and marital advice cannot be 'iven nor can cxU-tided research he undertaken. All other euestions will re<-eive a personal reply. Unspied renueets cannot he answered. All letters are confidential. —Editor. How tall was Rudolph Valentino? Five feet eleven inches. Does Rett Turpin, the movie actor, wear a glass eye? No, but he is cross-eyed. From what book was the motion picture "Blood and Sand" dramatized? From Vincente Blanco Ibanez's book of the same name. What is a “iio-decision" bout in prize fighting? One that is held in a State whose boxing Jaws prohibits the rendering of a referee’s or Judges . decision There have been several championship battles fought in States having the no-decision law. In such battles the only way the challenger can win is by a knock-out, or a foul. What is the difference between an optometrist and an optician? An optometrist is one who practices optometry, which is the measurement of powers of vision in gen eral as to acuteness of perception of form or color or the extent of the field. An optician is one who makes or deals in optical instruments or eye glasses. When and where was John Dryden born? John Dryden, dramatist, poet and critic, was born at Aldwinkle, a village of Northamptonshire, England. Aug. 9, 1631. How high is the Eiflel tower in Paris and why was it erected? It was erected for the Paris exposition of 1889. It stands in the Champ de Mars, and is 984 feet high. How fast is tlie use of automobiles growing In the United States, and which states have the largest increase? According to the Bureau of Public roads, there were 19,697,832 motor vehicles registered in the first six months of 1926, an Increase of 1,927,141 over the corresponding period in 1925. States showing the greatest increase are Florida, 76.2 per cent; Michigan, 24 3 per cent, Mississippi, 21.0 per cent; Arkansas, 19.0 per cent and Oklahoma, 16.7 per cent. Increases between 14 and 15 per cent are reported by Georgia, Idaho, Nevada and North Dakota. In what months do hurricanes occur in the West Indies and Gulf of Mexico? A study of hurricanes since 1887 was made by the United States Weather Bureau a few years ago, and it was found that In this period

Here Is Florence

"'"’if" / ;

Florence. Moore

At the Murat this week, Florence Moore is getting laughs, and lots of them, by doing just about what she wants to do in the farce, "She Couldn’t Say No.” ard Cotreuil; Frank St. Leger conducting. followed by Ballet Divertissements with Serge Oukrainsky and Miles. Ncmcroff, Shermont, Samuels, Chapman and the Corps de Ballet; Sabino conducting. On Sunday afternoon, Dec. 5, the Suburban special performance will be devoted to Verdi's spectacular and melodious opera “Aida” with a great cast of stars—Claudia Muzi, Cyrena Van Gordon, Aroldo Lindi, Biacomo Rimini, Alexander Kipnis, Virgilio Lazzari and Corps de Ballet with Miles. Nemeroff and Shermont; Polacco conducting. Monday evening, Dec. 6, brings the first repetition of "La Cena

winner in Sabatini’s “Bellarion.” Here is a ri.aster story teller, and he ’has given the world a most fascinating character. Esther Forbes is represented upon tHe Houghton-Mifilin list with “O Genteel Lady.” There is lot of talk about “Mohammed." by It, F. Dibble, on the list of The Viking Press. I haven't read it as yet, but there v is suTe lot of talk ahout it. Hope to tell you much about this one at some other time. Regardless of how young or how old you are you will surely treasure “Winnle-the-Pooh,” by A. A. Milne. Here is a book of real joy and beauty. Should bo in every home that loves books. Published 'by Duttons. Will Rogers has anew book out called “Letters of a Self-Made Diplomat.” It is the regular Will Rogers stuff, but at times he takes himself very seriously, little too much so, it seems, in this hook. Published by Albert and Charles Bont. Some Thought E. P. Dutton sends me this interesting item:

not one storm of known hurricane intensity had visited the West Indies and Gulf regions during the months from December to May, inclusive. November .aw only two hurricanes in nearly forty years and there were six in June. Not all of the November and June storms reached American territory. July saw less than a dozen hurricanes In the last forty years, and only part of them reached the shore. The real hurricane season •starts in August, reaches its peak in September and ends in October.

(JjfHE wise investor period" Q_y ically has his investment holdings analyzed by an in" vestment banker--a service • i we are pleased to extend to \ any holder of securities without obligation. * -T Fleiclier American Affiliated with The Fletcher American National Can*

Delle Beffe” with the same great cast as on the occasion of its premiere—Claudia Muzio, Antonio Cortis, Luigi Montesanto, Virgilio Lazzari, Giovanni Polese, Polacco conducting. Tuesday evening, Dec. 7, tuneful and melodious ' < *La Sonnambula” will be given for the first time this season, and will mark the season's first appearance of the popular tenor, Tito Schipa, with Toti Dal Monte and Virgilio Lazzari; Moranzino conducting. Wednesday evening introduces the world’s premiere of the native opera “The Witch of Salem,” with Eide Norena, Irene Pavloska, Augusta Lenska and Charles Hackett; Weber conducting. Thursday evening “The Jewels of the Madonna” will be repeated with the same great and familiar cast— Rosa Raisa, Augusta Lenska, Forrest Lamont and Giacome Rimini; Moranzoni conducting. Friday evening the Auditorium will be dark, as the company will be in Milwaukee for a performance of "Tristan and Isolde.” Saturday matinee, Dec. 11, brings a repetition of "Aida” with the star cast that has become familiarly identified with the great show opera. Saturday evening, Dec. 11, “Lucia di Lammermoar” will be sung again with Toti Dal Monte and Tito Schipa, Ballet; St. Leger concfucting. Sunday matiness, Dec. 12. will bring the season’s first performance of Von Flotow's melodious and ever popular "Martha” with Edith Mason, Tito Schipa, Virgilio Lazzari, Vittorio Trevisan; Moranzino conducting. Indianapolis theaters today offer: Florence Moore, in "She Couldn’t Say No,” at the Murat; "Ben-Hur,” at English’s; “Hello-Goodbye," at Keith's; “Clowning Around” at the Lyric; Fred Ardath at the Palace; "Sparrows.” at the Circle; "The Great Gatsby,” at the Ohio; “Upstage,” at the Apollo; ‘‘The Buckaroo,” at the Isis; “The Whole Town's Talking,” at the Colonial; burlesque at the Mutual and new show at the Uptown.

Lovers of Beethoven, recalling the world’s loss in this cemetery of his death year, will welcome the recent addition to the stimulating Today and Tomorrow series of "Orpheus or the Future of Music,” by W. J. Turner (Dutton). “It is my belief,” he says, "that the profundest, most fundamental note in music, so far, has been struck by Beethoven. There is nothing in the music of any other composer which his does not comprehend. But his, on the other hand, has anew foundation to which no other music reaches." Mr. Turner’s use of the analogy of the fundamental note which each of us carries within him, and which gives to each of us his value in the harmony of the universe, is most interestingly developed.

Best Sellers Following is the list of the six best sellers in fiction and nonfiction in Brentano’s New York stores for the week ending Nov. 27. Fiction “Galahad.” John Erskine. BobbsMerrill. "Reve'ry." Samuel H. Adams. Boni & Liveright. "Introduction to Sally.” "Eliza- , both' I)oubleda.v-Pace. "Early Autumn." Louis Bromfield Stokes. "Orphan Ansel," Elinor Wylie. Knonf “The Casuarina Tree." Somerset Many ham. Doran. Nonfiction "Beniamin Franklin: The First Civilized American." Phillips Bussell. Brctano’s. "Story of Philosophy." Will Dura.'! t Simon & Schuster. "Translations ami Tomfooleries," G. Honiara Shaw BrentanoV "The Captive," Edouard Bourdet. Brentano e "The Book of Marriage." Count Kevserliiiß. Hareourt Brace. "Georgo Washington: The Image and the Man." W. E. Woodward. Bflnt A Ltveright.

DEC. 1, 1926

Work Further Advice on Taking Out No Trump Bid Given,

By Milton Work Yesterday’s article contained two hands which raised questions as to whether they justified the holder in taking out a partner's No Trump, the intervening adversary having passed. These two hands were: 1. Sp.: Ace-King-Jack-x. Ht.: Acexx x. Dia.: King x-x-x. Cl.: x. 2. Sp.: Ace-King-Jack x. Ht.: Aca-x-x. Dia.: King-x x. Cl.: x-x-x. The main point in these hands Is whether a No Trump should be taken out with a four-card major suit. It should not be, unless the hand con tains the unusual combination of great strength in the four-card Major, side strength and a blank suit, or a menacing singleton. The two hands above given have exactly the same high-card strength and the same strong Spade suit, but the takeout advisable in No. 1 (which fulfills the three requirements named), would be unsound in No. 2, as it has a good No Trump distribution. At one time there was considerable doubt among expert players concern- j ing the advlsabilli> of taking mil partner’s No Trump with a four-card Major, regardless of whoft the balance of the hand might be; but experience proved that, except in the most unusual cases, the fourcard take-out does not work satisfactorily. The No Trumper, with exactly three cards of the take-out suit, is very apt to allow it to stand. When this happens, the contract is played with a total of seven trumps in the combined hands, leaving six for the adversaries. Under such conditions, as one adversary is apt to have four trumps, it is generally much more difficult to make four of the Major than it would have been to make three No Trumps. For this reason, taking out with four-card Majors, even with as strong a suit as AceKing Queen-x, is generally unwise unless a blank suit or a worthless singleton suggests serious danger for the No Trump. The honor-score take-out (that is, a take-out made so as to obtain an 80 —or 00 —above the line) is the only other type of fourcard Major take-out which is advisable. With a four-card Major in which every < ard is an honor, and with such side strength that oppo site to a No Trump, game is obviously assured at either declaration, the certainty that the honor-score will be materially greater with the Major than at No Trump, makes the take-out advantageous. The pointer for today is: Do not take out your partner’s No Trump with a four-card Major, unless the Major is very strong and the hand contains additional strength and a blank suit or weak singletonor unless, with four honors in onJ hand, the side strength assures, Major game and a higher honorcount. During the last few days it has been explained that a Major takeout should be made with strength, and should not be made with weakness; hut what minimum strength is required to justify it has not been stated. To illustrate this, four hands are given which will be discussed tomorrow; the question in each being whether, after a No Trump by partner and a pass by Second Hand, Third Hand should bid two Spades. 1. Sp.: King-Queen-x-x-x. Ht.: x-x-x. Di.: x-x. C’!.: x-x-x. 2. Sp.: King-Jack-x-x-x. Tit.: x-x-x. Di.: x-x. Cl.: x-x-x. 3. Sp.. King-10-x-x x. Ht.: x-x-x. TM.: Queen-10. Cl.: Ace-Jack-10. 4. Sp.: Jack-10-x-x-x. Ht.: Ace-x-x. Di.: x. Cl.: Ace-Jack-10-x. (Copyright National Newspaper Service) Work, the recognized authority on auction bridge, will answer question') for Times readers who write io him in care of The Times, including a self-addressed stamped envelop*.