Indianapolis Times, Volume 39, Number 233, Indianapolis, Marion County, 6 February 1928 — Page 4

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SCRIPPS-MOH'AJtD

Hoover’s Move Now. Theodore Burton’s statement on the presidential situation in Ohio crystallizes the favorite son-Hoover issue there and puts the next move up to Hoover himself. Hoover immediately should enter the Ohio contest. The Burton statement is a clear exposition of how the favorite son strategy is being employed to shut off consideration of any other candidate except Senator Willie and repose in Willis as agent for certain snrewd and designing politicians absolute control of the important Ohio delegation at the Kansas City conventon. The fact that Willis is not considered seriously as an actual presidential possibility by any one but Willis himself is one of the most obvious aspects of the whole situation, viewed nationally. That Willis himself considers he has a chance is possible only through a case of super-egotism unequalled in present-day public life. From not one single solitary section of the United States, outside of Ohio, has there been even the faintest intimation that Willis would glean so much as one delegate. Yet in face of that, Willis arrogates to himself all the importance of a real contender and attempts absolutely to bar any other name from consideration in Ohio's pre-convention affairs. The ponderous way in which the Ohio Senator appraises himself has its amusing side. For ego such as that always is laughable. But amusing though that phase may be, the other elements are serious. If Willis, or rather those employing him as their pawn, is allowed by a process of default to accomplish his program of self-glorification, and the plan to hold the Ohio delegation around him works out, a tremendous power in the nominating convention will have been generated for such uses as the notorious Harry Daugherty (who is active in Willis’ behalf) and others may desire. Daugherty, Warwick of the Harding convention, is the man who was described by Willis himself on the floor of the United States Senate as being as “clean as a hound’s tooth.” One very obvious, and, in fact, the only way of breaking up the sinister favorite son game in Ohio, presents itself. That is for the Hoover men to come out in the open, place a set of Hoover delegates in the field and give the rank and file of Ohio voters a chance to express themselves. Burton, one of the State’s most powerful and respected Republican leaders, has pointed the course of action. If the Hoover people now vitalize what Burton has expressed, the ridiculousness of the Willis ego will be revealed. If on the contrary the Hoover leaders fail to act and thereby permit the Willis game to be won by default, they can count on nothing but hostility from the Ohio delegates in the Kansas City convention—and the great mass of Hoover sentiment that now exists in Ohio will have no outlet of expression. Up to now, Hoover, a member of the President's Cabinet and busy with the many details of his office, has been entirely passive. The time for a passive attitude is over. In practical politics the man must seek the office or the office never will find the man. The President and the Press. President Coolidge’s speech Saturday night dedicating the new National Press Club building in Washington is likely to be the subject of widely varying Interpretations. Appropriately enough, his text was, in effect: “What should be a newspaper’s role in this country in matters affecting its national and international policies and relations?” Already a difference of opinion seems to have arisen on the exact meaning of his answer. Some of the correspondents reporting the event apparently sensed a back-handed slap at that section of the American press which, on occasion, has been critical of certain phases of our foreign policy. Others interpreted the address simply as an appeal to the newspapers of the Nation to dedicate themselves to truth and “faithful public service,” Another view is the one this newspaper prefers to support, not only because the text of the President’s speech as a whole bears out this view, but because any other journalistic ideal ultimately would prove calamitous in the extreme, both for the Nation and the people. “The newspaper,” the President said, “ought to be the supporter of efficient local administration and wise statesmanship. In international affairs it should cooperate with its own government and extend to foreign interests a tolerant and sympathetic candor.” It is this last sentence which, it seems, is being variously interpreted that the President meant to imply that newspapers should "yes” the government in its dealings with foreign countries, right or wrong, we do not for a moment believe. That, more than any other single factor, was what made the world war inevitable. The European press, often subsidized or otherwise controlled by the various governments, “yessed” the criminal stupidities of their own diplomats and statesmen, though often manifestly wrong, until public opinion had so crystallized into bitter hatreds that the governments could not have prevented war had they tried. Fortunately for us, it would be difficult for such a situation as that to develop in this country, because ours is a free press. Our public has presented tq ifr all sides of every important question and for that reason it generally may be relied upon to reach just and reasonable conclusions. Nowhere is a one-way press more dangerous than in the handling of foreign relations. Wars are the results of mistakes in that field. It should be perfectly clear, therefore, that for a newspaper to “yes” its government on a stand it honestly believes to be wrong, would be treason of the rankest and vilest sort. Its duty, of course, both to Its readers and to its country, is to leave no stone unturned to bring the statesmen responsible to see their mistake and to rectify it as soon as ever they might. Does the President hold contrary views? We do not believe for a moment that he does. The press, he said in his speech, should be devoted to justice and truth. “It ought to contest with our universities as an influence for education, and match the pulpit in its support of high moral standards.” Which sets a lofty ideal for the press of the country, and one which would be betrayed were the newspapers to lend their support to wrong actions.

The Indianapolis Times (A SCBEPFS-HOWARD NEWSPAPER) Ownd and published daily (except Sunday) by The Indianapolis Times Publishing Cos.. 214-220 W. Maryland Street, Indianapolis, Ind. Price in Marlon County. 2 cents—lo cents a week; elsewhere, 3 cents—l 2 cents a week. BOYD GURLEY, ROY W. HOWARD", FRANK O. MORRISON, Editor. President. Business Manager. PHONE—MAIN 3500. MONDAY, FEB. 6, 1028. Member of United Press. Scripps-Howard Newspaper Alliance, Newspaper Enterprise Association, Newspaper Information Service and Audit Bureau of Circulations. “Giv6 Light and the People Will Find Their Own Way.”— Dante.

When Diplomats Fail Assistant Secretary of State William R. Castle, discussing the functions of the United States Department of State, is quoted as having told an audience that war is a punishment of diplomacy’s failure. Nothing truer ever was said. Wars are just as truly the result of diplomatic incompetency, somewhere along the line, as a head-on collision between trains is the result of somebody opening the wrong ( switch, sending the wrong message, or failing to do something which should have been done. Ernest L. Bogart, professor of economics at the University of Illinois, alter a painstaking analysis, estimates that the World War cost $337,946,179,607. On top of that, 9,998,000 people were killed and another 20,000,000 wounded, mor? than 6,000,000 so badly as to be maimed for life. To this add the incalculable human anguish, mental and otherwise, that always accompanies war, and you will have just a faint appreciation of ttie “punishment” dealt out to the people of our time for the failure of their diplomats. And still here in our country we give little re#.’ thought to the composition of our diplomatic service, or for that matter, to the personnel of our Government as a whole. Sometimes we have at the head of our State department a statesman eminently qualified to fill that post with wisdom and distinction. At others, the party which happens to be in power pays of. a political debt by naming to that office a politician who knows next to nothing about foreign relations or how to conduct them. Ambassadors and ministers are named to speak for us in foreign countries in much the same haphazard way. Embassies and legations abroad are altogether often treated as plums to be passed around to politicians who have done the party a good turn and who have the necessary money to spend from $30,000 to $60,000 a year out of their own pockets, entertaining. Similarly, our political bosses get together in a back room somewhere and draw up a ticket for us to vote. And we go ahead and vote it, without stopping to think that there may be among the candidates men who may one day decide for us the stupendous question of peace or war. The answer to all this, of course, is to pick the most capable men the Nation affords, both for Washington and abroad. War truly is a drastic punishment for the failure of our diplomats and statesmen, but let us not forget upon whose back the punishment falls the hardest. Asa reminder, just have another look at the statistics above. Ladies! Ladies! “The country practically is divided into two groups, those who want adequate national defense, and those who do not,” says Mrs. Alfred J. Brosseau, president general of the Daughters of the American Revolution. “The groups who work for it actively and persistently are classified by at least some of the other side as mliitaristi” Mrs. Brosseau was speaking before the Women’s Patriotic Council of National Defense, attended by representatives of thirty-four societies, In session in Washington. She might have gone on to say that those in her own group regard those whose chief aim is seeking peace, rather than greater armaments, as pacifists. For instance, Mrs. Brosseau herself said, “It also is high time that the good, unsuspecting American citizen took off his rose colored spectacles and viewed the out-and-out pacifist in his true light.” Another speaker remarked: “The year 1924 saw a strong movement under way to enlist the women of America in a movement the aim of which was to strip America of all means of defense.” tt tt tt And there you are. Recently there was held in Washington a similar conference of patriotic women, on the cause and cure of war. Many of these, equally as sincere as the members of the patriotic societies now gathered, expressed belief that the country inevitably is being led Into war by the militarists, who visualize an avaricious world ready to pounce upon America, and who believe that new conflicts are inescapable. “Pacifist” and “militarist” are not pleasant epithets. This newspaper has no wish to quarrel with any of the good and sincere ladies who hurl these terms at each other. But it does lament the absence of some common ground, and ventures the suggestion that genuine good might come of a calm and dispassionate exchange of views between the two groups of which Mrs. Brosseau spoke, each of course to credit the other with a sincere desire to do what is best for the ultimate good of America and mankind. And as for this newspaper, if it continues as ij has to advocate every measure it believes will minimize the chance of new wars, it hopes it will not be labeled “sedition monger,” or be “torn limb from limb,” as one woman recommended for those who disagree with her. An Ohio bank embezzler said he had to have the finest radio on the market. The radio simply is going to ruin lots of people. The deaf New Jersey minister who disappeared took along the family bank roll of $l5O. Deaf but not dumb. An eastern professor laments that the picturesque oaths of the olden days are no longer heard. We only can advise the doctor to take up golf. The way to conquer a wild horse is to look him in the eye and then ride, says Hughlette Wheeler, cowboy sculptor. We’re content just to look him in the eye. * Several physicians have come to the conclusion that the thymus gland causes crime. This gland can be worn down a lot, however, by application of the back of a hair brush. Colonel Lindbergh had “a private lunch” at the American legation in Bogota. Well, he had to fly a long way to find it. Even if you never score a victory you can always beat a retreat.

THE INDIANAPOLIS TIMES

BRIDGE. ME ANOTHER (Copyright, 1928. by The Ready Reference Publishing Company) BY W. W. WENTWORTH

(Abbreviations: A—ace; K—king: Q—queen; J—Jack; X—any card lower than 10.) 1. When you hold K X X in player’s hand, and small cards in dummy, how do you finesse? 2. State two reasons why Boy Scouts should become good bridge players? 3. When you hold A J X in dummy and K X X in declarer’s hand, how do you finesse? THE ANSWERS 1. Lead small from dummy. 2. They learn to signal and to give truthful information. 3. Play K first, then lead small to finesse Jack.

Times Readers Voice Views

The name and address of the author must accompany everv contribution, but on request will not be published. Letters not exceeding 200 words wIU receive preference. To the Editor: The action of our city council again has made Indianapolis the laughing stock of the nation and their “so-called” election of Ira Holmes is just another cause to show their dumbness. In the first place Holmes was appointed by Mrs. Duvall, probably under stress. In the second place Mrs. Duvall never really was mayor, for the simple reason that Duvall himself was not a fully qualified mayor, therefore, by his resignation Mrs. Duvall only could inherit a sort of mayor de facto position, as that was all Duvall had to his credit. In the third place, the resignations of Duvall and his wife were announced simultaneously, the time on both envelopes was stamped 9:01 a. m. They should at least have had sense enough to have had Duvall resigned first and let the people know he had resigned, then Mrs. Duvall could have inherited his title of mayor de facto and nothing more. She in turn could have appointed Holmes as a mayor de facto. Now, the city council, under the conditions, probably had the right to call the office of mayor vacant and to insist that one of their number be elected mayor pro-tem for a period of ten days, after which they elected Mr. Slack. The majority claim now that they had no right to do so. My own opinion is that the whole thing be settled by a special election, the expenses of such election to be borne by these arrogant seceding councilmen and John L. Duvall. My hope is that, under any condition, Mr. Slack wins. S. J. MENZE. 1715 Central Ave. To the Editor: Is the “Times Reader” who would like to see others comment on watermeters and rates fearful of being boycotted by the water company, inasmuch as he does not publish his name? At one time my rate was s2l per annum, but was raised to $26.96 a few years ago. I was told in reply to a letter that if a xneter were installed it probably would not exceed $lB for the year. As my plumbing is in good condition and I do not wish to skimp on water, I do not propose to change or risk an advance. Quite a while ago the press informed us that Mr. Geist of the water company had paid cash for $7,000,000 worth of Florida property and from the same source we learn that “he does not intend to sell the canal, as he is going to hand it to his children as an inheritance.” Ouch! Did he ever purchase the State-built canal, or receive it as a gift from liberal city council, or was it just "commandeered”? The matter I am sure was brought up at least once in our council, but not followed up. Another question is, should our gas and electric companies, which have specified rates and no competition, be permitted to compete with our merchants in other lines unless their charters or franchises allow them to do so? And why should | our transfers be limited to thirty minutes only. Have the citizens no say at all? CHARLES H. KRAUSE SR„ 647 E. Drive, Woodruff Place.

FT I IRIE hlellalt

The Rules 1. The idea of letter golf is to change one word to another and do it in par, or 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 can not be change.

FIOIUIL JL_O JUL f aTTI _E_A_k_k blallil

Gosh! We’d Forgotten All About That Fellow!

psra THERE AIKT

THE STORY OF CIVILIZATION Rome Burns During, Nero’s Reign Written for The Times by Will Durant

1. THE EMPERORS TJERHAPS it was through mod- * esty that Augustus left a serious flaw in his masterly reorganization of Rome. What was to happen when he should die? How could some safeguard be raised against the chaos of rival ambitions that might be released by his death? On what principle was the head of the Roman state hereafter to be chosen? He solved the problem for a generation, and passed it on to his successors. Before his death he persuaded the Senate to associate with. him, in full participation of his powers, Tiberius, the son of his wife by ner earlier marriage; seldom has impartiality gone to such lengths again. It was an interesting deviation from hereditary monarchy: the emperor need not accept the whims and freaks of heredity, transmitting his power now to a genius, now to an idot; rather he would choose from amongst his aids one who seemed the best fitted to rule; and would train him carefully by precept, example and participation, before death could make a sudden break in the continuity of administration. tt tt tt EVERY system of government has been tried, and every system failed: men do not like to be ruled. A monarchy unbuttressed with hereditary sanctions, passing from

BlufTton Banner (Democratic) John E. Fredrick, of Kokomo, has announced his candidacy for the Democratic nomination for Governor. Mr. Fredrick is a manufacturer of Kokomo, is president of the State Chamber of Commerce and was one of the six candidates for United States Senator two years ago. He has a large acquaintance throughout the State and had he entered the campaign earlier, would have been a formidable candidate. He will poll a heavy vote, in all likelihood. This gives the party some half dozen men from whom to select a man who can carry the party to victory next November. Rushville Republican (Republican) E. E. Neal, editor of the Noblesville Daily Ledger and vice president of the Indiana Republican Editorial Association, has addressed a letter to the Republican press of the State entitled, “What Kind of a Man Has a Right to be Governor of a State?" The pamphlet was mailed on the eve of Governor Jackson's trial on a charge of conspiracy to bribe. Its purpose is apparent because it deals solely with the life of the Governor of Indiana. The motive is obvious—to influence public sentiment in favor of the Governor and create the impression that he has been and is being persecuted. Os course, the Noblesville editor is not seeking an answer to his question, “What kind of a man has a right to be governor of Indiana?" But since he has asked it and the question is directed at no one in particular, we are going to take the liberty to answer it. In the first place, no man has & right to be Governor of Indiana if there is the least question regarding his integrity. No man has a right to be Governor of Indiana if he is accused of violating the law he is sworn to uphold. No man has a right to be Governor of Indiana,, who, when charged in grand jury indictments with offense, seeks to hide behind the statute of limitations. No man has a right to be Gov-

family to family too quickly to establish that prestige of tradition which keeps mediocrites safe on the throne, could survive and succeed only through the maintenance of a high level of ability by each ruler in turn; it demanded a continuous coincidence between titular and natural supremacy. Tiberius seemed to have all the ability required; but he lacked the skillful grace with which his stepfather had saved the Senate's face, and had secured the advantage of one-man rule without sacrificing the support of the community. He went about his business with uncongenial resolution, issued decrees, and ably carried on the reforms and enterprises of Augustus. But he i.mored the Senate and the assembly, angered his enemies by his success, and lost the favor of the populace by reducing the state expenditure on gladiatorial games. He spent his last years in misanthropic isolation at Capri, and died there, in 37 A. D. f respected and hated by all who knew him. He had not troubled to name a successor; and when the news came that he was dead the senate, as if to prove the incompetence of which Tiberius had suspected it, chose a great-grandson of Augustus, nicknamed Caligula, as emperor. Caligula frolicked recklessly with his power, made his horse a consul, and spent millions in debauchery.

What Other Editors Think

ernor of Indiana, who, when facing a charge of conspiracy, endeavors to delay his trial while professing a desire to have an early hearing. No man has a right to be Governor of Indiana, who, when charged with law violation and acquiesces in the selection of a special judge, moves to obtain a new judge because the first judge rules unfavorably on motions to throw the case out of court. No man has a right to be Governor of Indiana, who. when he is a candidate, follows the dictates of a minority group instead of the party by which he is nominated. A man. to be Governor of the State of Indiana, doesn’t have to be born in a log cabin. A man, to be Governor of Indiana. doesn’t hav e to be a member

Questions and Answers

You can get an answer to any answerable question ot fact or information by writing to Frederick M. Kerby. Question Editor, The Indianapolis Times, Washington Bureau, 1322 New York Ave., Washington, D. C., enclosing two cents in stamps for reply. Medical and legal advice cannot be given, nor can extended research be made. All other questions will receive a personal reply, unsigned requests cannot be answered. All leters are confidential. You are cordially Invited to make use of this free service as often as you please. EDITOR. What street in New York is called “Tin Pan Alley”? The nickname applies to the 800 block of Eighth Ave;., where jazz music publishers are grouped. There is anew “Tin Pan Alley" district forming around Fifty-Seventh St. and Broadway. What is the average amount of dressed meat from a medium to good steer? The percentage of dressed beef to live weight of animal for beef cattle varies from approximaetly 45 to 68 per cent. Steers grading from medium to good should yield from 53 to 56 per cent dressed meat. How did the Latin language originate? From the vernacular of the Latini, a small tribe in central Italy, occupying the plain of Latium, south of

AFTER four years of this imperial Polichinelle the guards of the Palace murdered him, and compelled the senate to name Claudius emperor, in the belief that he was the most incompetent coward that could be found in the neighborhood, and would make a genial king. But Claudius rose to his part, worked hard in his new appointment, reorganized the administration of the city and the empire, conquered Britain, and managed everything successfully except his wife. Agrippina probably connived at his assassination (54 A. D. in order to set his son aside and put Nero (her own son by a former marriage) on the throne. Nero had been educated by the philosopher Seneca, so that by every Platonic calculation he was marked out for a very superior emperor. But he, too, found absolute power intoxicating. He removed Seneca from office, and later condemned him to death. He ordered the assassination of the son of Claudius, murdered his wife, and finally had his own mother killed. Finding these amusements dulled by repetition, he played the violin, composed music and toured Greece as a musician and a gladiator. Seeing a rival in the poet Lucan he forbade him to recite his verses in public; and when Lucan plotted against him, Nero forced him to kill himself. During his reign a great fire broke out in Rome (64 A. D.) raged for a week, and destroyed half the city. (Copyright. 1928. by Will Durant) (To Be Continued)

of a large family of children and left an orphan at an early age. Shades of Abraham Lincoln. A man, to be Governor of Indiana, does not have to preach sermons in connection with his official duties. A man, to be Governor of Indiana, should be a man’s man, courageous and fair, honest and intelligent, acknowledging no boss except the people whom he is sworn to represent. These are just a few answers to Editor Neal’s question. And, further, the court room is the place to plead a case, or give character testimony before a selected jury. If Mr. Neal wishes to try the case before the voters of Indiana, we think they have rested their side of the argument and are ready to give a verdict.

the Tiber, between the Apennines and the sea, who were the founders of Rome. With the growth and the conquests of the Roman empire it spread until it became almost the universal language of the western civilized world. ' How many certified public accountants are in the United States? They are estimated at about 8,000. What does Flanders include? It is now applied to two Belgian provinces, namely, East Flanders, in the western part of Belgium, drained by the Scheldt and the Lys, and West Flanders, the most westerly province of Belgium, abutting upon the North Sea. The region of Flanders also embraces the southern portion of the province of Zealand, in Holland, and the French Department of Le Nord. How much is “two bits?” The term seems to depend for interpretation on the part of the country in which it is used., A “bit” may have meant originally the Pennsylvania eleven pence; the New York shilling or the New England ninepence. The modern meaning of “two bits” is quarter of a dollar.

-FEB. 6, 1928

M. E. TRACY SAYS: ‘'Progress Consists of Putting Two Ideas Together and Making a New One.”

Scarcely a day passes that some device, invention or project is not announced to fire the fancy and challenge the adventurous spirit of youth. The airplane makes anew record; the microscope reveals anew germ; the laboratory uncovers anew secret; the engineer evolves anew type of construction. Back of transportation is the wheel and the first wheel was the sailed off end of a log. The first miller ground grain with his teeth and the first blacksmith pounded iron with a rock. Progress consists of putting two or more ideas together and making a new one. The ideas not only multiply, but they grow bigger. it tt tt Build Town of 25,000 Men used to think they had done something big when they planned a house. They thought they had done something bigger when they planned a factory, or a railroad. Now they plan whole towns without getting particularly excited. The City Housing Corporation which developed Sunnyside, Long Island, has just bought a thousand acres of land in New Jersey, where it proposes ' o construct a model community With 25,000 inhabitants. This is not the first instance of town building as a commercial venture. Kingsport. Tenn., Merrymount, Ohio, Longview, Wash., and Houston Heights, Texas, are example of community building from the ground up on well considered plans. The significance of this latest enterprise lies in two facts. First, the town will be designed with particular regard to the automobile problem, the streets and blocks being so arranged that children can reach school, grocery store or playgound without crossing a through thoroughfare. Second, it will be developed as a self-sus-taining community instead of another bedroom for New York. Community planning is one of the most interesting and essential enterprises of the age. Lack of it is responsible for many of our economic, social and political problems. tt tt tt New, Better Building The only way we learn how to build better houses is by building new houses. If you can find anew house that contains what you want, then you can change the old one with intelligence. The same thing applies to the community. We never are going to be able to remodel old communities wisely until we have seen what can be done through the studied development of new communities.

Effect on Planning Such towns as the City Housing Corporation proposes to build are of vital importance not only because of the comfort and convenience they promise the comparatively few people who may occupy them, but because of their effect on the major ideas of community planning. They particularly are desirable in and around New York, where problems of community planning have reached a climax and where the tendency prevails to still travel along beaten paths. tt n tt Congestion of Cities The suburban development around New York, and around every other large American city for that matter, has been more of a nuisa a blessing, because it has on the idea of selling space to people who must and out of town. Instead of relieving cong the center, it has made c< _ worse. Instead of making life more bearable for those who foot the bill, it has lengthened their working day through increased travel. What the great city needs is not dormitories five, ten or fifteen miles away, but communities in whicli people can work as well as live. Crowding of Industries The notion that a city needs only one center, no matter how big it becomes, one shopping district, one theater district and so on, is still prevalent. Most of our large manufacturing enterprises have learned that they can not house their business under one roof or keep it all in the same locality if they are to take proper advantage of trade and market conditions. Colleges and universities long since have abandoned the idea that they must be confined to a single tract of ground, or that their various departments must be located in one town. Notwithstanding all that has been learned in this respect, we still regard the city as a unit which must be preserved, and there is more or less commotion when anything occurs to develop new centers of activity. Asa matter of common sense, the last thing we should insist on is a type of life which forces four or five million people, or even four or five hundred thousand, to travel into town each morning and out of it each night. There is no sense in crowding industries into one place and surrounding them with a rim of bungalows or two-family houses. Much of the travel and congestion which plague the average American city could be avoided if it were broken up as it ought to be and if people were not forced to rush in and out of it every day.