Indianapolis Times, Volume 42, Number 248, Indianapolis, Marion County, 24 February 1931 — Page 6
PAGE 6
SCRlf>V3~HOW*Jttt
■ New Minute Men The abuses of law and liberty in our literal enforcement of the actual prohibition legislation have been scandalous enough. Search without warrants, harsh sentences for selling petty quantities of liquor, lightness of the trigger finger of coast and border guards, and the like, have produced strong revulsion even in the breasts of many who would like to see the consumption of liquor lessened. They have doubted whether liquor was as significant, after all, as the Bill of Rights. Yet such abuses as there are can be excused ostensibly In part on the ground that they are incident to the execution of the admitted law of the land. The most reprehensible and inexcusable aspects of the prohibition enforcement system are the utterly arbitrary and irresponsible extra-legal extensions of the amendment and enforcing legislation by the courts. These have no supportable foundations in either law or logic. It hardly is an exaggeration to say that they are as palpable examples of irresponsible tyranny as the famous lettres de cachet of the French Bourbons. The most notorious instances in point are the padlocking of hotels and restaurants which serve accessories that may be mixed with liquor—cracked ice, white rock, ginger ale etc. Such places are not even charged with serving liquor. Next in order is the padlocking of premises where liquor is found, though there is no charge that it is kept for sale. Men and women often are arrested and given heavy sentences for possession of liquor which they are not charged with attempting to sell. In short, legislation designed to prevent the manufacture and sale of liquor has been perverted into the basis for a drive to prevent the personal consumption of liquor. Even the arch-dry, Clarence True Wilson, has admitted that the eighteenth amendment and its supporting legislation can not be regarded as even attempting to outlaw personal consumption of liquor. Incidentally, this padlocking travesty also nullifies the once highly regarded right of trial by jury. Perhaps the most atrocious example of this legal irresponsibility was the padlocking of the fraternity houses at the University of Michigan last week. There was the usual accumulation of liquor preceding a college prom. Federal agents raided these houses, found the liquor, padlocked the premises and threw the college boys out on the streets. Personally, I believe the imbecilic character and volume of college drinking today is one of the most deplorable effects of prohibition. In the feverish swilling of “alky,” spring water and sugar we have the complete loss of all the finer social and esthetic accompaniments of drinking. But the reform of drinking abuses in colleges is something which should be left to parents and college authorities. It is no part or intent of the eighteenth amendment. Help the Unemployed After all the argument about the federal relief bill, which now has been passed by congress, it is not surprising that the public is rather confused about what has happened. Nor is it surprising that a good many people have the hazy idea that hungry farmers have won their demands for food. Such is not the case. The bill provides loans only for those who can give security. Therefore, it does not touch the drought victims most in need, those who can not give security for loans. The administration theory is that this needy group will be fed by the Red Cross. We believe, on the basis of the official record of the extent of suffering, that the Red Cross fund of $10,000,000 now being raised will not be adequate to the need in the drought areas, and therefore we have urged a federal appropriation for that purpose, to supplement the Red Cross private fund. But congress, after a long hearing, has voted down that proposal. The finality of that action must be accepted, for the simple reason that it can not be changed at this time. There is another issue, however, which has not been disposed of, and which in one way is more important than federal aid to penniless drought sufferers. That is federal aid to the unemployed not reached by private philanthropy. Because the Red Cross is helping the drought victims, but is not helping and does not intend to help the unemployed, there is an additional need for federal aid to the unemployed. Such aid for the unemployed was provided in the original Robinson measure for both city and farm relief which passed the senate, b it was not in the conference report which now h . been enacted. Thus congress has not had opportunity to vote on the clear-cut issue of unemployment relief. It should have that opportunity. Because that issue probably will be one of the biggest in the next election. On the basis of the Metropolitan Life Insurance survey in December, undertaken at the direction of the Hoover unemployment commission, the experts estimate that approximately seven million were totally unemployed, not including the large number of parttime employed. Government figures also show that unemployment has increased since December. On this basis of official statements of heads of local relief agencies, and the appeals of more than 170 mayors for direct federal aid, it is clear that private and local agencies are unable to cope with the emergency in some communities. Therefore, it is imperative that congress not adjourn until it has appropriated a limited emergency* unemployment relief fund, to be dispensed through existing relief agencies in communities where those agencies are unable to prevent starvation. Wipe Out the Coal and Iron Police The Civil Liberties Union is not satisfied with Governor Pinchot’s plan for eliminating the abuses of the coal and iron police in Pennsylvania. He proposes to replace them, by anew force administered by the state, but paid for by private companies. Roger Baldwin, speaking for the Civil Liberties Union, demands abolition of private police: "While we welcome any move by Governor Pinchot to restrict the powers of the notorious coal and iron police, we are opposed to his plan for continuing their payment by the coal companies. The only system which will abolish the long-standing abuse of these private police is to leave all police functions to state and local policemen paid out of taxes. ' That is tfc*2 system in other states. There is no peculiar condition in Pennsylvania calling for anything else. “We hope to convince Governor Pinchot that only this system will remedy the evils of a private police force. Our Pennsylvania Civil Liberties committee will oppose this bill in the legislature and will insist upon abolition of the coal and iron police.” We believe Mr. Baldwin is entirely right. Private police and detectives in Pennsylvania have been a menace to civilization and social Justice as'ex since
The Indianapolis Times <A SCRIFPS-HOW ARI) M.WSPAPEK) * Owned and published dally (except Sunday) by The Indianapolis Times Publishing Cos 214-220 West Maryland Street. Indianapolis, Ind. Price In Marlon County, 2 rent* a copy: elsewhere, 3 cents—delivered by carrier. 12 cents a week. BOYD GURLEY. BOY W. HOWARD FRANK G. MORRISON Editor President Business Manager * PHONE—It Hey .Wil TUESDAY. FEB. 24, 193 L Member or Untied Press Kcrlpps-Howard Newspaper Alliance. Newspaper Enterprise Association. Newspaper Information Service and Audit Bureau of Circulations. “Give*Light and the People Will Find Their Own Way ”
Henry C. Frick towed the 300 Pinkerton detectives up the Monongahela in armored barges during the Homestead strike forty years ago. • Pinchot's second administration offers an unusual opportunity to strike down this arbitrary octopus once and for all. We hope he will amend his plan. State police dependent upon private funds for their support would be only a slightly lesser evil than their sinister predecessors. Water Wheels Power company propaganda has been flooding the country to make the people believe that federal regulation of hydro-electric plants on government streams is unimportant, In view of the increasing use of fuel-driven turbines.. We are told that hydro-electric development is waning, that improved machinery will make water power generation uneconomical, that in the future power largely will be generated from oii, coal or gasdriven generators. But the geological survey report issued by the department of interior shows that the total capacity of water wheels on Jan. 1 of this year was horse power, an increase in 1930 of 1,076,889 horse power, or 7.2 per cent. “These figures,” the report says, “indicate that the utilization of the country’s water power resources is proceeding at a fair rate, notwithstanding* the continued improvement in the efficiency of steam plants.” This increase, it must be remembered, comes at a time of slow expansion and when fuel-oil is at its lowest price. When we begin to feel the pinch of highpriced oil, gas and coal we can expect an even greater expansion of water power development. Fair Play The house of representatives, through its leaders, is seeking to do something contrary to all standards of fair play. The house is reluctantly about to pass the constitutional amendment of Senator George W. Norris to eliminate the “lame duck” short sessions of oongress. For ten years Norfis has championed this plan. It has passed the senate four times, only to be killed by house leaders. Realizing the justice and the fairness of the Norris plan, the house has about consented to its passage. . But it will not be Norris’ amendment which the house will pass. It will be a measure sponsored by Representative Gifford of Massachusetts, which takes the Norris plan, changes a few dates, adds another provision, and thereby becomes'new legislation. Norris, however, need not worry. His efforts on behalf of this and other progressive legislation will be remembered long after the present leaders of the house are forgotten. The Doctoi-s’ Bill On the grounds of morality, congress will be asked this week to close its eyes and mind to an excellent piece of legislation pending before it, the “doctors’ bill,” which would legalize distribution of birth control information by medical agencies. Today informed and skilled persons are not allowed to talk about this subject, which goes to the heart of all home life. The enforced silence of all except bootleggers of information is responsible for the ruined health of thousands of women, for thousands of unhappy or broken homes, for grave social problems. Those who oppose the “doctors’ bill” do so, of course, from the best of. motives, but their wisdom is open to grave doubt. Today’s youth is not moral because it fears the consequences of immorality. It doesn’t have to be. Young people In our schools and colleges are well versed in the facts which certain church teachers wish to keep from them. And what kind of morality is this, that ignores the decency and goodness innate in every young person, which wise training can build into character too strong to need blindfolds or bogies? • t President Hoover has posed for a portrait recently, but no one, yet has ventured forth with gossip of an “oil” scandal. Aunt Minnie thinks the Young plan Is anew scheme for rejuvenation.
REASON
WELL, we’ve settled our trouble with Italy, but just as we thought the equilibrium of the world had been restored young Cornelius Vanderbilt breaks out and the next thing we know this government will have to apologize to him. \ St St St He tells a waiting world how he rode with Mussolini and the car struck a child, and when he, Vanderbilt, responded to the impulse of a member of the human race, turned to look, Mussolini touched him on the knee and said: “Don’t look backward, Vanierbilt; always look forward!” a a a DO you know those are marvelous words? Their application fills life with sunshine! For instance, if you run a red light and a traffic cop appears Dff your port, just gaze into his fawn-like eyes, you might even put your hand on his knee, as Mussolini did, and say: “Don't look backward, Reginald; always look forward!” a a a How much easier that would be than to turn "round and drive to the station house and then appear for trial the next morning, or how much cheaper it would be than to slip the cop the velvet mazuma. Yes, sir; they’re wonderful words! a a a And if the bank calls you and tell you that yterday, while swept by a gale of optimism, you overdrew your account $7.77, Just call the president to the phone and say: “Sweetheart, It pains me to learn that you are looking backward; please look forward! ” \ , The one disadvantage of saying it over the phone is that you can't tap him on the knee as Mussolini tapped Vanderbilt. a a a YOU just can't get around it—they’re ravishing words. In our time we’ve read some of the classic utterances of Demosthenes, Aristotle, Plato Cos., but we freely say these words of Mussolini are the greatest we’ve heard since King Ben Purnell last spoke to the House of David. a a a And Vanderbilt r •> Mussolini was so pleased with him he gave him hi- cuff button. t That’s (going some. We don’t need any cuff buttons, but we would be glad if Mussolini would send us studs -for a tuxedo shirt. a a a We’ve been wearing three phonies, but we fear discovery. The other night we attended a bankers’ dinner. We represented the borrowers of the country. We sat between two multimillionaires and the three gems in our tuxedo shirt stood us exactly 15 cents. *
RV FREDERICK LANDIS
THE INDIANAPOLIS TIMES
M. E. Tracy SAYS:
Romance- and Mystery Abound in Towering Peeks of the Guadalupe Mountain Chain. ABILENE, Tex., Feb. 24.—1n going from El Paso to Carlsbad in the southeastern corner of New Mexico, yoti pass through the romantic and mysterious Guadalupe mountains, where the wind never ceases and where the history of life's dawn is written In thundersplintered crag and gaping cavern. Here the “basket-makers” 'lived and labored long before Moses laid down the Ten Commandments. Here the “sandal-wearers” made their home long ere Egypt had become the “kingdom of three crowns," and here men of a still earlier day actually fought and slew the mastodon. More than one skeleton of that great beast has been found with arrowheads between the ribs. a a a k A Dizzy Job , Y7"OUR road lies through pleasant, Jl though semi-arid valleys, above which the Guadalupes raise their gray, grim battlements four or five thousand feet. On the wide, flat r summits are forests of pine and great stretches of grass, where thousands of cattle feed during the summer. When winter arrives, these cattle must be driven down to the warm, protected lowlands along a meandering, dizzy trail with chasm to the right and cliff to the left, or vice versa, for many a mile. No one wants the job and one man has been assigned to it 4or twenty-five years. Each fall he swears he’ll “never do it again,” but when another season rolls around and the cattlemen come back with their prayers and cash, he takes his crew anji hits the trail once more. In one place along this trail there is a “hogback” some fifteen or twenty feet wide which leads from summit to summit, with halfmile deep abysses on either hand. A cowpuncher started to cross it on his horse the other day, but found the wind too strong for riding. He got down and crawled on his hands and knees. His horse could not withstand the pressure and was blown over the brink. a a a Greatest of Caverns CARLSBAD cavern is in the foothills of the Guadalupes, an endless labyrinth of passages and chambers from 400 to 1,300 feet underground, somt thirty miles of which have been explored, but only seven miles of vhich now are open to the public. The “main floor,” as they call It, lies 750 feet below the entrance and is reached by a wide, easy, winding path. Here are located such wonders as the “big room,” the “auditorium,” the “hall of giants,” “king’s palace,” and “queen’s palace.” v This is not only the greatest cavern yet discovered, but it Is one which our government had sense enough to take over before promoters could exploit it, or vandals could spoil it. Under the management of the federal park department, and especially the supervision of Captain Thomas Bowles, the cavern not only has been improved, but protected. Safe, comfortable walks have been constructed and 400 flood lights have been installed. a a a Plain Is Wonderland FROM Carlsbad, you ride east into Texas, crossing the line at Hobbs, is seventy-eight miles distant, and leaving not only the mountains for the plains, but the wonderland of antiquity for the wonderland of today. This vast Texas plain, which includes a portion of New Mexico, has become just one oil field after another, with tank farms, refineries and modern towns of 10,000 or 15,000 people, where there was little but sage b*sh, long-horned steers and scattering ranch houses a generation back. a a a No Cheaper Gasoline OIL has become a terrific problem in this section of the country. In most places production is being held down to 5 per cent of the normal flow, while in some it is being held as low as 2 per cent, yet the market can not absorb the output. The notion that this condition should, or could, lead to a tremendous drop in the price of gasoline is just one more pleasant dream. Like that of many other commodities, the cost of gasoline is largely due to manufacture and distribution. Crude oil does not represent more than 3 or 4 cents a gallon, if, indeed, it represents that much. Asa general proposition, road taxes add more to the price of gasoline than does crude oil.
©'THC—
WINSLOW HOMER'S BIRTH . February 24 ON Feb. 24, 1836, Winslow Homer, famous American marine painter, one of the foremost and most typical of his school, was born in Boston. At 19 he entered a lithographer’s shop and after two years worked independently as an illustrator. In 1859 he went to New York where, while supporting himself by illustrating, he attended the National Academy of Design. On the outbreak of the Civil Tvar he went to the front as a special war correspondent and artist for Harper’s Weekly, for which he worked after tne war. In 1880, after he had exhibited his paintings in Europe, Homer turned his attention to marine painting. Four years later began his notable career as leading American painter of the ocean and the seafaring folk.
Daily Thought
A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good.—St. Lake 6:45. He that is a good man is threequarters of his way toward being a good Christian, wheresoever he lives, or whatsoever he is cadled.—South.
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IT SEEMS TO ME
WEST OF THE HUDSON—Hollywood is less a city than an inferiortiy complex. In this fair section of California, thousands live who spend their leisure hours in apologizing for their profession, their mode of life, their houses and the climate. A visitor can not help wondering just who or what has put this curse of fearfulness upon the motion picture colony. Asa transient without contract or offer, I can report that to me it is a fascinating place of great charm, in which ingenious and skillful work is carried on by men and women of high talent. I don’t mean, of course, that one bumps into a genius at every street comer, but Hollywood intelligence compares favorably with that exhibited at most points east all the way to New York. Within the course of an hour the visitor will be regaled by stories about executives, and doubtless many of these are true. I was present when one chief of the silver screen remarked: “He is of a very old American family. His ancestors came over on the Mayfair.” There seems also to be a substance behind the Louis Bromfleld story. (Just try to stop me if you’ve heard it). a a a Reassuring an Author BROMFIELD spent two weeks around a studio without receiving any orders or assignments. He grew restless and approached a great executive. “I want something to do,” he explained. “You know, you’re paying
Times Readers Voice Their Views
Editor Times—l wish to reply to several articles in your Voice of the People section. Someone wants to know, “What’s wrong with America?” The answer and solution Is this, America has no government. It is governed by a clique rule or, as former Ambassador GerarcHSaid, some fifty-nine men with the seat of government in Wall street. Washington, D, C., is maintained as a sham for the people. We have no more American priciples and policies of Washington and Lincoln days, “Government for the people, of the people and by the people," but are being governed for a few by a few. Washington needs a clean sweep. Andrew Mellon, Lucas and a few other “big money” men are trying to run the country and are doing it and making us like it. We, the people, should be thankful for a few men like Norris, Reed, Borah, Fish, Heflin, Lafollette, Couzens and a few others. If it wasn’t for a few men like these to the front and fighting for American ideals, the common Americans would be in worse condition than we are today. How can we help ourselves? The Republicans have gotten the country into a mess. The Democrats have been given chances by many local governments, but if they continue in other localities as they are in Indiana, raising taxes and license fees, our hopes are shattered in them. The only thing left, then, is a new party with anew deal. I don’t mean a Communist or Socialist party, but an American party, headed by men with American principles and ideals at heart, that will say American first, last and always, and not sell their birthrights for a mess of pottage. The farmer is supposed to be getting a lot of help, but is he? No. Just another trap for him. Americans can’t see any farther ahead than their nose. Make the farmer loans, mortgages and sew him up hand and foot. Then what happens? He can’t pay off. Away goes the farms and homesteads, with Mr. Farmer in the middle of the road, rubbing his eyes, to wake up and see what has happened. Americans, why don’t we open our eyes? Are we going to keep on sleeping as we have in the past? W. K. Henderson of Shreveport, La., has beeqr- broadcasting facts to us for more than a year, yet wg
No Maternal Instinct!
me a lot of money.” The film magnate told him not to worry. “To us,” he said, “it would be worth the money just too have out here a man of your reputation, Mr. Bloomberg.” As yet it may be true that no writer’s name rings loud and clear through the corridors of Hollywood. He is subordinate to directors, supervisors and the stars. In one of the largest studios no writer during the working day may receive incoming telephone calls or send any. He also is forbidden to take newspapers or magazines into his cubbyhole. “But what do the writers do all day?’ I asked when informed of these “regimented rigors. “They play dominoes,” answered my confidential guide and instructor. At the moment I have no longing ,to be a Holywood author, but, in spite of lamentations, there can be no doubt that already the motion picture world has developed a group of young men and women who are highly competent in dealing with a brand new medium. 'Moreover, I venture to say that some of these people are engrossed in its possibilities. Os course, everybody from top to bottom is fond of saying, “You know, I’m just in it for the money that can be made.” a a a The Pay Rolls Drop THIS I doubt. Already the edge of the fabulous has been scraped off the pay rolls by bankers back in Wall Street. Hollywood does not yet realize that it has lost its place as the Eldorado among recreational rackets.
back and laugh. Where are we today by doing so? We have in our Constitution a Sherman anti-trust law. What does it amount to? Nothing. We are having merger after merger, chain after chain, and what is being done to stop it? Nothing. President Hoover says O. K., go ahead and merge. Why not business depression? The local merchant hasn’t a ghost of a chance, and all your local money is going east. There will be no better conditions unless the people wake up and make a change in government. w. a. Editor Times—lt is time honorable citizens of this glorious republic wake up to the fact that communists can not be dealt with as rational human beings. The Communist gatherings show what per cent of our people have warped minds. When an idea filters into their brains it can not be dislodged or modified or improved upon in any way. The best remedy is to keep fanatics and their literature from the public. If you will investigate, you will find they are all failures. Their home life is a great failure. They are so humanitarian that they neglect their own home and families. They will use any foolish excuse to shift their responsibilities. It would be a good thing to isolate the leaders and put them at hard labor. They are not even fit to be with their fellow prisoners. I know whereof I speak, for I have lived through two generations of them. They are the worst form of poison. People who have not associated with them haven’t the imagination to realize just what it does to a human being. Communism is more deadly than hydrophobia; the person who accepts it is obsolutely worthless to himself, his family and his country and it is almost impossible to reclaim one of them. Times reader. Editor Times: A news item in your issue of Feb. 12, “License change asked,” wherein a Jacob Weiss, representative from Marion county, is reported to want the examining and licensing of barbers placed or handled by the state health board is a proposal befitting a novice. The state health board already has much to do and tojfiace the barbers’ law. which every intelligent
HEYWOOD BY BROUN
Certain of the best-known radio stars now can afford to tilt their noses, for fifteen minutes on the air has been known to yield as much as a week’s pay on the motion picture lot. There is no tempering of the sharp edge of labor for even the brightest luminary upon the lots. The eight-hour day is quite unknown, and the mining star may find itself an eventng star as well before the factory whistle blows. For instance, I saw John Barrymore at the end of a camera ordeal which had lasted from 9 to 9, with only the briefest Interval out for lunch and dinner. And lunch, of course, is taken In costume on the lot. But one easement has come to the film folk with the change from silent to spoken pictures. There Is very much less traveling to location. The wild west and the open sea are almost gone. Screen drama has come indoors again. Open spaces have given way to parlor, bedroom, and bath. “Most of our exteriors are done Indoors now,” my guide explained. “It’s easier to build a mountain than move to it.” The lot of Warner Brothers and First National boasts a great lake, which has served for much water stuff in pictures dealing with many climes. The water Is real enough, but the lake is only some seven inches deep and can be sluiced in or out within a morning. Possibly, then, it may be charged that in like manner the motion pictures lack great depth, but at least they present a lovely and a gleaming surface. (Copyright, 1931, by The Times)
barber desires to have It become as such, will be equivalent to having It a “dead” letter. We barbers are willing to pay for the administration of such a law by a board composed of barbers and its sanitary regulations approved by the state health board, because this procedure has proved successful In twenty-eight other statds. We, in Indiana, aie very much in need of such a law. Misfit barbers are flooding our state and filthy shops are threatening our citizens, menacing health and well-being. No progresisve member of the sennate or assembly can find justification to oppose the barbers’ bill. It is a needed measure, In keeping with times. E. LEWORTH, Marlon, Ind.
M It’s ECONOMICAL mto borrow on the i HOUSEHOLD PLAN YOU save when you borrow from Household. No deductions in advance. No fines. No above S IOO extra charges for anything. 4 * The cost of loans above SIOO (ip tO *3OO up to S3OO is nearly less . j.! ill -1 it than the usual rate, and OT QImOST charge is made only on the ©balance due. Call at the nearest office below, or ’phone for • . a representative to call on you ••war rate .. '-Loow, of SSO to trn at lawful rates. * 1 Finance Corporation of Hear Household Celebrities on WGS every Tuesday at 8 P. M. Central Th*e TWO INDIANAPOLIS OFFICES 4th Floor Kresge Bldg. sth Floor Lemke Bldg. 41 E. Washington St. 106 E. Market St. Phone: Riley 7923 Phone: Riley 2579 Loans made in nee by toums
Ideals and opinions expressed in this column are those of one of America’s most interesting writers and are presented without regard to their agreement or disagreement with the editorial attitude of this paper.—The Editor.
.FEB. 24, 1931
SCIENCE -BY DAVID DIETZ—-
Einstein Admits He’s Puzzled by the Behavior of the Distant Spiral Nebtdae. The news from Pasadena, where Einstein is visiting with the scientists of the Mt. Wilson observatory’ and the California Institute of Technology, is that the great German scientist is puzzled by the behavior of the distant spiral nebulae. Let no one regard this as any confession of weakness upon the part of the creator of the theory of relativity. The behavior of the spirals has the entire world of science puzzled. It<fnay, perhaps, be well to add that the spirit of science is a spirit of frankness. There are no finalities in science, theory is a working hypothesis, something to be accepted until a better theory, that is a theory which works better, is suggested. Regarding his own theory of rela-. tivity, Einstein himself has said calmly, “No experiment can prove my theory correct. A single experiment some day may prove it wrong.” But let us return to the spirals. When photographed with a large telescope, they look like the pinwheels which are shot off on the Fourth of July. They are very far away. It takes the light of the nearest one a quarter of a million years to reach us and light travels the gigantic distance of 6,000,000.000.000 miles in a year. Shift to the Red FOR many years astronomers were puzzled over the nature of the spirals, but the work of Dr. Edwin P. Hubble at Mt. Wilson has established the fact that the spirals which show widespread arms are great collections of stars, galaxies like our own Milky Way but smaller. The spirals which have smaller arms and larger centers are great masses, which, it is believed eventually will evolve into galaxies of stars. The fact which has Einstein and the rest of the world of science puzzled is one brought to light during the last few years by study of the spectra of these spirals carried on at Mt. Wilson. The spectroscope is a series of prisms attached to the telescopes. It divides the light of the object under observation, be it sun or star or rebula, into a little rainbow of colors or spectrum. Now it has been known for many years that the little black line which cross the spectrum of a star show a displacement which is the result of the motion of the star. If the star is moving toward the earth, the shift is toward the violet end of the spectrum. If the star is moving away from the earth, the shift is toward the red end of the spectrum. The phenomenon is similar to that of sound waves. If a locomotive is approaching us, the sound of the whistle rises. That is because the motion of the locomotive is crowding the sound waves on top of each other. Now the surprising thing was that every distant nebula showed a shift toward the red. The further away the nebula was, the greater the shift was. In the case of very distant nebulae, the shift was so great as to indicate a velocity of recession beyond any reasonable figure. a a a Curvature of Space NOW in his general theory of relativity, Einstein replaced the old notions of independent and absolute time with a joined spacetime, which he called a four-dimen-sional space-time continuum. Moreover, the properties of this space-time changed with the existence #of matter in it. Euclidean geometry no longer was considered the standard geometry of the universe. The geometry was non-Euclidean, its exact nature changing with the gravitational field of the particular location in space-time which was under consideration. Now on the basis of his theory which involved a curvature In space, Einstein worked out a figure for the radius of space from which the size of the universe could be calculated. But his theory does not account for behavior of the spiral nebulae. All scientists were unwilling to accept the idea that the shift to the red was real. There seems no sort of center from which all the reason why our earth should be a spirals were fleeing, increasing iheir speed as they got further and further away. The Dutch physicist, De Sitter, has suggested a structure for the universe which accounts in part for the shift to the red as an apparent one due to the curvature of space. But his theory holds that part of the shift is real. According to De Sitter, the universe is not constant in size, but constantly is expanding. Einstein’s remark in Pasadena the other day is merely the recognition of the fact that science yet faces many unsolved problems.
