Indianapolis Times, Volume 39, Number 185, Indianapolis, Marion County, 12 December 1927 — Page 6

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A Fine Suggestion Let it be hoped that the commander of the American Legion will press his fine suggestion that a poll be taken within the membership of that body on the matter of prohibition. No other group of citizens has a greater right to express themselves on public question, if there is to be conceded any gradation of rights and responsibilities. The members of that body for the most part were not in the United States when the Eighteenth Amendment was added to the Constitution. They were in France in the uniform pf soldiers, fighting and offering their lives to defend the country and the constitution. The charge is often made that there would have been greater difficulties than were encountered in the ratification of the prohibition amendment had these young men, most of them voters, been back home. That may or may not be true. All that is true is that these voters were not at home where any influence they may have been able to ..exert could be exercised. The chances are that had they been at home the division of sentiment would not have differed greatly from that of the men and women who were here and did express themselves. But an even greater service could be rendered by the Legion by showing what the sentiment of its membership is at present after a decade of experienc with eonstitutional'iprohibition and the Volstead act. A poll within the Legion would furnish a very accurate test of public sentiment, for the members of that body furnish the most representative group of citizens and sentiment within the Legion would probably be a very accurate index to the general sentiment of the Nation. The men who belong to that organization are now at the age where they exercise sanity in decision. They furnish the bulwark of public sentiment. They are at the age when they determine public sentiment. Such a poll would be removed from any charge of being political in its inception. The leaders of the prohibition movement recognize that there is still a grave question of public sentiment to be considered. At the recent convention of the Anti-Saloon League there was a decided breach as to future tactics. The majority of the leaders favored the continuance of political pressure to secure enforcement and more legislation. That makes the question one which other groups of citizens can most appropriately consider as one of policy in government. About the only definite conclusion that has been reached is that the saloon will never return. Aside from that there are very many who doubt the wisdom of the present system, with ‘its corruption of government* its widespread violations, its general destruction of respect for all law by the disrespect for this law. There are very many citizens who are not at all interested in bringing back legalized alcohol who believe that the rule of Volstead has had some by-products which are destructive of good government and which are tearing down an orderly government. A poll within the legion might give some light. It could be conducted so that its verdict would furnish a guide to public sentiment. It would have given light on a question that needs light. There can be no greater contribution to good government than making laws conform to the wishes of the majority. The commander of the legion had an idea. It was too good to be stopped or squelched.

The St. Louis Decision In cases where it has been announced that the loser will appeal to the United States Supreme Court, the decisions of lower Federal Courts are generally of doubtful significance. The decision of United States District Court of Eastern Missouri in the ten billion dollar valuation battle between the Interstate Commerce Commission and the railroads is an exception. y It is an exception because the three Federal judges who unanimously made it flew in the face of Supreme Court precedents, and sided with the I. C. C. experts. The commission contended that the railroads should be allowed to collect rates to pay 6 per cent on approximately what it cost to build them. The railroadr, speaking through a small terminal road in St. Louis, argued that they should be allowed to earn 6 per cent on what it would cost to reproduce then at present high pricei. !*ne d'.erence between applying the two principles to the valuation of the railroads is about ten billion dollars. For the public utilities of the country as a whole it is about thirty billion dollars. Conclusive court approval of the reproduction cost theory would entitle the public utilities of the country to collect about two billion dollars more annually in rates than at present. The United States Supreme Court, in a case involving the Indianapolis Water Company, approved the reproduction cost theory. The Interstate Commerce Commission decided that the adoption of such a principle In fixing railpoad valuations would be a stupendous blunder, and ■tade a decision to that effect in order to present the question to a high court again. When the high court decision was announced in

The Indianapolis Times (A SCRIPPS-HOWARD NEWSPAPER) gowned and published dally (except Sunday) by The Indianapolis Times Publishing Cos.. 214-220 W Maryland Street. Indianapolis. Ind. Price In Marion County. 2 cents —lO cents a week; elsewhere. 3 cents—l 2. cents a week. B °YD GURLEY. ROY W. HOWARD. W. A. MAYBORN. Editor. President. Business Manager. PHONE—MAIN 3500. MONDAY. DEC. 12. 1927. Member of United Press, Scrlpps-Howard Newspaper Alliance. Newspaper Enterprise Association Newspaper Information Service and Audit Bureau ol Circulations. “Give Light and the People Will Find Their Own Way ."—Dante.

the Indianapolis case, the Public Service Commission of Massachusetts announced that it could not, in fairness to consumers, follow the reproduction cost principle laid down. And now the judges of the Missouri Federal Court, who probably shared the norm%l anxiety of judges to agree with United States Supreme Court rulings, have decided against the reproduction cost idea. That means that the valuation question will go back to the Supreme Court with a perfect record of disagreement with the principle announced in the Indianapolis case. That may suggest to the Supreme Court justices the possibility that they erred in approving the fantastic reproduction cost theory which, if finally sustained, would unjustly saddle an enormous burden on consumers. The League Stops a War It was long after midnight. One by one the palace lights in Warsaw blinked out until a solitary window was left to blaze in the shadowy pile. A sentinel in the great square paused a moment from his measured tread and observed that it was the window of the marshal’s study. Inside Marshal Pilsudski, Poland’s Mussolini, was pacing the floor. There was a look of extreme anxiety on his face. His hands claspe dand unclasped behind him, though now and then he varied the gesture by taking a quick, nervous tug at his military mustache. “Shall I mobilize all Poland tonight,” was the thought that ran through his head, “or shall I hold off until tomorrow and appeal to the league.” . For the tenth time he stopped by the side of his desk, picked up a handful of dispatches and read the one on top of the pile. The Lithuanians, the message said, were reported mobilizing along the Polish frontier, likely with the intention of striking before the Poles could move. What should he do? To hold off might mean invasion and he would be blamed If caught napping. Tramp, tramp, back and forth across the study floor, paced the marshal. All night he walked, pondering. But with the dawn came a decision. He would appeal to the League of Nations. But for the league there would be no alternative to war. His first duty was to Poland. He could not afford to take chances. But (,here was the league. And If Lithuania did strike meanwhile, Poland would at least have right on her side, while Lithuania would become the aggressor nation. Yes, he would risk it. He would wait and appeal to the league. Telegraphing to Geneva at once, the marshal followed in person as quickly as he could make arrangements. While Premier Waldemaras of Lithuania, watchful of Pilsudki’s every move, did likewise that he might present his country’s case. Thus it came about that last Saturday night, Dec. 10, at Geneva, there was a hastity called meeting of the league council ai'd the two countries—Poland and Lithuania—made~peaoe. They agreed to restore formal diplomatic relations, long since broken off, and settle their quarrel that way instead of on the field of battle. Now this is not a resume of a plot of European intrigue taken from some lurid book of fiction. It all happened as related. Here, then, is a clear cut, out and out victory for the League of Nations. Had there been no league there almost certainly would have been war, perhaps another world war, as the great powers flocked to support one side and the other. The league is not a perfect thing. No one claims it is. But it has already saved Europe from several small wars and, by stopping these, who knows but that it has saved Europe and the world from another Armageddon? It has justified its existence a dozen times over. Os that there can not be the slightest doubt in the minds, at least, of reasonable, reasoning, unprejudiced persons Just as government, though often none too good, is better than no government at all, the league has demonstrated that some form of world cooperation for peace, however imperfect, is infinitely preferable to international anarchy with all the nations striving each to get the drop on the other in some war which they feel is unavoidable because no machinery exists to stop it. j

No Libel for Kaiser Wilhelm the Second, former monarch of Germany, will live in history as the royal personage who ran away more consistently than any king in the annals of his country. He started his sprinting performances when, seeing that the German army was beaten, the “supreme war lord” with bag, baggage, money and jewels, dashed across the frontier into Holland. He has been runing ever since—running away from the verdicts of the historians, running away from the playwrights who depict him as he really was and Is. No so long ago when the famous historian, Emil Ludwig, presented a Bismarck play entitled "The Dismissal,” the exile at Doom sought to get the German courts to enjoin any actor portraying him on the stage. But he lost, as the courts quite rightly held that “historical figures can object to their presentation on the stage only if they are libeled, which they can never be by historically authentic portraiture.” This taught the ex-kaiser nothing. So he is at it again. In Berlin there is being performed to packed houses a play entitled “Rasputin.” In one scene there are simultaneously shown in their respective palaces, the ex-kaiser, Emperor Francis Joseph of Austria and Czar Nicholas of Russia all on their knees praying the God of Mercy to crown their respective armies with success. Wilhelm objects and, objecting, has taken the matter into the courts. 'The gilt is off his imperial gingerbread and he is always making desperate attempts to put it back. Now will somebody please come forward with a song entitled, “They Didn’t Believe Him When He Told Them He Was Going to Whittle for a While?” i" Judging from the trouble a couple of gentlemen are having getting seats in Washington, you’d almost think it was publicity for a prize-fight. Booth Tarkington predicts that the skirt will disappear within fifty years. What an optimist Mr. Tarkington is! A Chicago society' woman offered her left ear for sale. Well, what use has a lady for an ear, anyway? > ,

THE INDIANAPOLIS TIMES

M. E. TRACY . SAYS: “War Depends in a Large Measure on Keeping People Apart, on Preventing Them From Talking With Each Other, on Feeding Them HomeMade Propaganda and Teaching Them the DocK trine of Distrust

No less than 409,000,000 Europeans breathe a little easier this week than they did last week. The reason is that Poland and Lithuania have agreed to talk things over. The agreement was brought about by the League of Nations, and is hailed rightly as a real triumph. The Polish-Lithuanian border was nothing less than a smoldering bomb. It represented just about as dangerous a spot as did the AustroSerbian border thirteen years ago. If Poland had attacked Lithuania, Russia would have felt called upon to come to the latter’s rescue, in which case France would have had no choice but to support Poland. From that point any man of intelligence can go on with the story. 000 Peace Habit Urged The significance of what the League of Nations has done lies in the promise of what can do more than anything else. Given half a dozen precedents of this kind, and nations will form the habit of going to Geneva before they fly at each other's throats. Sucli a habit represents ninetenths of the struggle for peace. War depends in a large measure on keeping people apart, on preventing them from talking with each other, on feeding them homemade propaganda and teaching them the doctrine of distrust. St St St Lindy Going to Mexico Colonel Lindbergh will go to Mexico. He will go as an ambassador of progress. Ambassadors of progress are better than those of politics, for progress depends on accord more than anything else. Progress is bringing people together in spite of their prejudices and traditions. The thought of international peace owes quite as much to such men as Columbus, Fulton, the Wrights and Lindbergh as it does to statesmen. Asa matter of fact, it did not come into existence until men had learned to trade and travel. Before the year 1800 governments were regarded as exclusively instruments of protection for their people through war. Only within the last century did iVen arrive at a point where they could contemplate them as instruments of peace. 000 Homage to Genius This country is still appreciative of genius, as was shown by the honor paid Mme. SchumannHeink on her farewell appearance and on Colonel Lindbergh when he visited Congress. Both these events occurred Saturday. They are typical of the times and the spirit of the times. In spite of what people say, America still has bouquets for its retiring artists, as well as for its daring pioneers. 000 Valley Disappointed The Lower Mississippi valley is disappointed at President Coolidge’s plan of flood control. It is expected the Federal Government to take charge of the work and pay the bill. Instead of that, it finds the President recommending that affected States and districts bear a large share of the" cost. Men familiar with the situation—bankers, editors and merchants—say this is well-nigh impossible. The President approaches the question of flood control as though it were one of reclamation, while the Lower Mississippi valley looks upon it as one of relief. The distinction is important. Reclaiming land for people to' settle one one thing. Protecting land already settled is quite another. The Government would not be creating new value -n the .ower Mississippi vallley through fly-d control, but coi serving value which the people of that valley had already created, and of which they were deprived through disaster.

Government Accused Three serious charges have been made against Federal Government during the last few weeks. First, it is charged that prominent Americans have been shadowed by the. diplomatic servwhile abroad. second, it is charged that President Calles not only subsidized political groups and revolutionary factions unfriendly to the United States, but that he set aside a large sum of money for four Senators. Third, it is charged that the navy department has suppressed reports of bombing tests in which airplanes demonstrated their superiority to sea-going vessels. These charges are serious. They touch the bedrock of loyalty, not to say common honesty. If any Senator of the United States has been, bribed or offered a bribe by a foreign government; if any prominent citizen has been spied upon by the diplomatic service while abroad, and if any department of the Government is suppressing news in order to safeguard its appropriations, not only Congress, but the entire country . ought to be told all about it.

L - ■ - iQOPTTP.a j-

(Bluffton Banner) (Democratic) Much talk of a State police force—men appointed for the good of the party—to roam over the State and catch chicken thieves and nail bank robbers in the act of looting country monied institutions. The plea, coming from those who would have the jobs, is that the country works under a. great hardship by lack of protection, while the cities are guarded by an ample and efficient police force. Still we read of more bank robberies in the principal cities of the State than we do in the country districts. One at Indianapolis yesterday. A State police force, as advocated, would give one man to about three counties—the smaller counties, at least—and just what good this one fellow could do the woman whose chicken coop had been robbed, and in halting a bunch of bank bandits its hard to conjecture. The forefe could always be relied on in campaign times, however. About like the auto police and the oil inspectors. As the days come and go, the opposition to Frank C. Dailey as the Democratic candidate for Governor, vanishes into thin air. The come-on boys who hoped to have a candidate that could be easily handled when it comes to handing around the offices, are gradually coming to the point where they think that is just what the people do not want. If the Democrats are successful there is the hope that Indiana will be cleaned up from the top down, and Mr. Dailey seems to hit the popular fancy. The opposition to Mr. Dailey has had a weak heart from the very beginning, and the doctor sees no improvement. (Kokomo Dispatch) (Democratic) It is gratifying that the United States Senate has by substantial majorities refused to seat Frank L. Smith of Illinois. The action of the Senate cart not be construed into an encroachment upon States rights, because no commonwealth of this Union has the right to choose its congressional representatives by corrupt practices. The flagrant disregard of decency in the conduct of the campaign of Smith deserves a national reprimand—else as a country we would be guilty of contributing to the prostitution of all our principles of Government. The Senate should also be congratulated for its recognition of the Reed investigating committee as a legally constituted probe commission. The further fact that

F |OIO|T blallll'

/ ( The Rules 1. The idea of letter golf is to change one word to another . and do it in par, a given number of strokes. Thus, to change COW to HEN, in three strokes, COW, HOW, HEW, HEN. 2. You can change only one letter at a time. 3. You must have a complete word, of common usage, for each jump. Slang words and abbreviations don’t count. 4. The order of letters cannot Se changed.

RIEIAIP i_o_A D_ R_ _o__o Ro o K BlololK

A Modem Atlas

What Other Editors Think

the Reed committee has been authorized to continue its work, proves promising to the public. Everyone, regardless of politicalaffiliations, is demanding that the rottenness which has become so malignant a growth at the very foundation of our Government be disclosed and rooted out. More and more the realization grows, that democracy in America depends upon whether we as a nation are equal to the task of curing the curse of corruption which now besets us in all departments of our affairs from the National Government on down. The challenge is to every citizen In every walk of life, and the answer depends upon the individual voter. It certainly is discouraging to Hoosiers to note that one of its Senators, Senator James E. Watson, voted to administer the oath to Smith though such action is true to his record of defending those charged with fraud or excessive campaign expenditures, and that the other of its Senators, Arthur R. Robinson, did not have the nerve either to vote for or against him. It is to be hoped that the United States Senate will take the same view of Vare’s election that it has taken of Smith’s. RashvHle Republican D. C. Stephenson, who claims he has been punished in the Indiana State prison to satisfy vindictive ’ political vengeance rather than for any infraction of prison rules, has let loose anew “broadside” that will expose the “political mounte-barks” in Indiana and drive them from power, he says. It’s difficult to have any patience with Stephenson, because he once had a chance to tell all he knew about Indiana’s political rottenness and failed. Undoubtedly he was countering for a chance to improve his own situation, but he failed and perhaps has now come to a realization he will best serve his own interests by giving the proper authorities all the information he has. It is said that Stephenson has in his possession thirty-one contracts, alleged to have been entered into with State and local

You can set an answer to an; question of fact or information by writing to The Indianapolis Times Washington Bureau. .1322 New York Ave., Washington, D. C.. inclosing 3 cents in stamps for reply. Medical, legal and marital advice cannot be given nor can extended research be undertaken. AU other questions will receive a personal reply. Unsigned requests cannot be answered. AU letters are confidential.—Editor. What are the largest snakes known? The reticulated pythons in the Philippine Islands whieh measure a little more than thirty feet in length and fifteen inches in diameter, on the average. Where and by whom were the first watches made? The first watches were made very early in the sixteenth century. Peter Hale, a clock maker of Nuremberg, Germany, is usually credited with the invention. What is the word for sunrise in the Navajo and Cherokee languages? In the Navajo it is “quaia,” and in the Cherokee, “nuta pikalukun.” When and by whom was Oxford University, England, founded? It is said to have been founded in 872 by King Alfred. What nation of ancient times led the world in the production of great athletes? Greece. —- From where did the word “dago” originate? It is a perversion of the Spanish “Diego,” which is a common proper name. It went from Spanish into Portuguese and into Italian and finally into English. How many executive departments has the United States Government? Ten: State, Treasury, War, Postoffice, Justice, Navy, Interior, Agriculture, Commerce and Labor. What proportion of birth are male and female? There are no very complete data on the ratio of births between male

officials, which are the basis for his threatened “expose.” Attorney General Gilliom. who is made a special target by Stephenson in his latest statement, replied with considerable heat, referring to the ex-dragon of the Klan as “brutal and vile a murderer as the State has ever known.” Mr. Gilliom, who was unusually active in the first grand jury investigation of corruption charges a year ago, says nothing about obtaining the evidence which Stephenson claims to have. A year ago he apparently was more interested in protecting somebody than he was in gathering information regarding flouting of the law. Prosecuting Attorney Remy of Marion County is equally as disinterested. “I will be glad to hear anything Stephenson has to say or offer,” he is quoted as saying. Judging from the tone of the interview, the prosecutor seems not. the least bit concerned whether those guilty of violating their trust are punished. He said he would hear it (Stephenson’s evidence) if “they bring it in.” It would be extremely interesting to know just who “they” are. The prosecutor is the people’s representative, and if he is not interested in seeing their rights are protected, who may be expected to guard them? From the very first there seemed to be lacking the proper enthusiasm on the part of public officials who should have been anxious to see justice done. Some newspapers, also, have been parading before the public as in favor of a thorough clean-up politically, but behind the scenes have been working with those who have hampered the investigation. It is not a question of “willingness” on the part of the public prosecutor; neither is it a question of his passing on the evidence to be presented. The grand jury is the judge of the evidence and should have the final word as to its worth. The present grand jury in Marion County has demonstrated it has a "mind of its own” and may have again in this instance.

Questions and Answers

and female for the whole human race. In 1925 for the United States there were 966,973 male births as compared to 911,907 female births in the birth registration area of the United States (exclusive of stillbirths). Some recent studies made in England indicate that the ratio oveiNithe world at large Is approximately 50-50. What was the cost of the Woolworth Building in New York City? Including the site, it cost approximately fourteen million dollars. Are hot or cold applications better to reduce inflammation? Both methods have been successful. How often do goldfish spawn and how many eggs are hatched at a ■time? Once a year. There are about twenty-five to fifty eggs in the spawn, about half of which hatch. What will remove paint from glass? Steel wool, used as an abrasive with strong ammonia water will most always succeed in removing such spots. What is the content of a whole hen’s egg? Refuse (shell), 11.2 per cent; water, 65.5 per cent; protein, 11.9 per cent; fat, 9.3 per cent, and ash, .9 per cent. What Is the rule governing a fielder’s choice in baseball? When a fielder, after handling a batted ball, elects to try to retire a base-runner instead of the batter, the play is known as a fielder’s choice. In case the runner is retired, or would be retired but for an error,, the batter is charged with a time at bat, but no hit. If the runner is not retired, and no error is made, the batter is charged with a time at bat, but no hit, provided he swung at the ball, and he is credited with a sacrifice hit, provided

DEC. 12, 192 T

Times Readers Voice Views

The name and address of the author must accompany every contribution, but on request will not be published. Letters not exceeding 200 words will receive preference. Editor of the Times: Few things have got under my skin so much as the discussion, pro and con, of the Gilliom case. Here, say some, is a man who has bioken the law and must suffer the consequences. These fail to take into account the spirit of the law Others, more moderate, insist the attorney-general had a moral right to break a law to sove the life of a loved one. And of these tw* opinions, it seems to. me th&i the latter is the wiser, laurJ just. Who, after all, who lays claim to a grain of intelligence, can fail to see the underlying reasons for law, which is the preservation of human life and the esti blishment of order. Mr. Landon evidently thinks that Gilliom had no legal right to do as he did. Does he think he had a moral right to do so? Which way would society suffer more; by the death of a useful member; or the disobedience of one of its mandates? Would not a legal right in this case make a moral wrong? Human laws are neither sacred or permanent. They change, as men, with time. What was right fifty years ago is a crime nowadays. Mr. Gilliom is in the right. Furthermore, we need men in office who don’t follow their noses. THEODORE SALMOND, 220 ff N. Capitol Ave, 1

Mr. Fixit Vermont Street Resident Makes Second Complaint About City Failing to Collect Ashes; Improvement Is Promised.

Let Mr. Fixit, The Times’ representative at city hall, present your troubles to city officials. Write Mr. Fixit at The Times. Names and addresses which Assistance in getting ashes collected was extended a west side resident today by Mr. Fixit, Dear Mr. Fixit; I wrote to you quite a while ago asking you to help us to have an ash man to take away ashes. Well I got them emptied up one time, but they haven’t taken any away since. Will you please investigate why we can not have an ash man to collect our ashes regularly each week as winter is here and we need an ash man all the time. MR. AND MRS. C. E. 1618 W. Vermont St. Collection Superintendent Truly Nolen has taken up your complaint. He promised the ash man will not miss you again. Dear Mr. Fixit: Last spring the contract was let for the permanent improvement of Economy St. Has the job been cancelled? MUDBOUND. It appears “Mudbound” is doomed for another winter. A. D. Bowen received the contract July 13 and was to complete the work, Sept. 15. Bowen said the weather prohibits construction in the winter and everything will be delayed until spring.

Old Masters

I saw him once before, As he passed by .the door, And again The pavement stones resound, As he totters o’er the ground With his cane. I know it is a sin For me to sit and grin At him here; But the old three-cornered hat, And the breeches, and all that, Are so queer! And if I should live to be The last leaf upon the tree In the spring, Let them smile, as I do now, At the old forsaken bough Where I cling. —Oliver Wendell Holmes: From the

he bunted the ball; if, however, in the judgment of the scorer the batter could not have been retired at first base by perfect fielding, he is* credited with a base hit. On what day of the week did June 1, 1902 fall? Sunday. How can chewing gum be removed from linoleum? Freeze it with a piece of ice and scrape carefully. Do sharks follow a ship when there is a corpse on it£ sharks follow all snips for thg garbage, but cannot detect the presence of a dead body on one. What are the names of Viola Dana’s sisters? Shirley Mason and Edna Flugarth. Flugarth is the family name of the three. To whom was the contract for building the Coolifige dam let? To the Atkinson-Spicer Company, 1315 Edward Ytildoy Bldg., Los Angeles. Cal. MANY CONVENTIONS SET Bureau Announces 14 to Be Held in November Nexl Year. With a record of fourteen conventions in Indianapolis in November, the convention bureau of the Chamber of Commerce announces four major sessions for 1928. Grand Lodge of the Knights of Pythias will bring 1,500 members here Oct. 3-4. About 1,000 persons will attend the Indiana Dowling tournament, April 7 to May 4. Nearly 800 will attend the convention of the Associated Master Barbers of America jn October. Master Photo-Finishers of America session in November will have 1,000 delegates. Many other convention dates are being set. \