Indianapolis Times, Volume 47, Number 198, Indianapolis, Marion County, 28 October 1935 — Page 10

PAGE 10

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MONDAY. OCTOBER 28, 1935. JOHNSON ON HULL "VITITH this issue of The Indianapolis Times. * * Gen. Hugh Johnson begins a series of 10 critical articles on the Rr>osevelt Cabinet. Believing in any citizen's right to cuss his government, we welcome the comments of this outspoken "friend” of the Administration. We not only defend his right to say what he thinks; we offer him a forum in which to say it. But we intend to make it clear that we disagree with much the general says. His first article —devoted to Secretary of State Cordell Hull—we think is unfair. The general's appraisal of Mr. Hull resemb’es Mark Antony's oration on Caesar's assassins. Mr. Hull is called "a dependable gentleman of the old school, so stately, intelligent, kindly, honorable, and yet so firm—a rarity in these whirling days—that it is hard to suggest that, in the circumstances, there might have been a better choice ” Yet, “on the economic side, our foreign policy has been a failure.” Let's see about that. Mr. Hull, it’s true, did not follow the advice of the general’s friend, George Peek, and go after bilateral bartering, such as Germany has attempted. Instead, he set out gradually to rebuild our wrecked foreign commerce by reciprocal but non-discrimina-tory trade agreements with those individual nations that want to do more business wi’h us. It is too early to say that this plan has been completely successful, but certainly it has not been proved a failure. When Mr. Hull assumed office our unintelligent tariff policies and foreign reprisals thereto had just about smashed foreign trade. Exports in 1932 totaled only $1,611,000,090, imports only $1,322,000,000. By 1934 exports rose to $2,132,000,000, imports to $1,655,000.000. In 1933 and 1934 exports were in excess of imports. In the first eight months of this year they have approached closer to a healthy balance. The Slate Department has negotiated four agreements -with Cuba, Belgium, Haiti and Sweden. Twelve more are pending, and of these early pacts are likely with Spain, the Netherlands, Switzerland and Canada. ’I he agreement with Cuba is a little more than a year old. Ambassador Jefferson Caffrey reports that in the treaty's first 11 months our exports to Cuba rose more than $19,000,000—a 60 per cent gain. We sold Cuba 98 per cent more lard, 274 per cent mere potatoes, 141 per cent more radios, 287 per cen' more autos and, in face of fierce Japanese competition. 191 per cent more incandescent lamps. This record doesn't look like “failure.” The general thinks we need a “realist” to head the State Department, a man like Bernard Baruch or Owen Young. In his Yankee trading and in his level-headed neutrality toward war-menaced Europe Mr. Hull seems to ns quite as realistic as the two business men could be. NAVY DAY IN 1916 President Wilson laid dowm a naval program designed to safeguard America. By 1921, the United States Navy was the equal of any and bade fair, in time, to dominate the seas. But the United States does not wish to dominate the seas. It stood for world peace based on law and justice. So, calling a world conference, it scrapped more warships than the other powers combined in order to bring about naval reduction and limitation. Ever since, this country has lived up to the letter and spirit of the Washington Treaty. But others have chafed under its limitations, and now prepare to abandon it. Early in December, at London, another naval conference is to be held. But the atmosphere will be far different. America no longer has the lead. This time she can not induce agreement by offering to scrap as much as all the rest put together. Britain plans to increase, not reduce, her fleet. Japan demands an armada second to none. Germany and Russia are increasing their squadrons and France and Italy will certainly keep pace. So as Americans observe Navy Day today, the outlook is far from bright. We seem about to be caught in a stampede which we have sacrificed much to nrevent. Without for a moment abandoning hope of ultimate, mutual disarmament, and without ceasing to work toward that end. America has no option but to keep to the spirit of the treaty of 1921. We want no part of the naval race about to begin. We have proved that. But by way of national insurance, even for the sake of world peace, ours should continue to be what, since 1921, has commonly been described as a “treaty navy”—a navy fairly proportioned to the size of others. P. S. It is not essential to this policy, however. that the government continue to pay exorbitant prices for its warships. PRACTICAL POLITICIANS DR. FRANK E TOWNSEND, author of the Townsend Plan, complains that unscrupulous persons and politicians are trying to confiscate his movement for selfish ends. The good doctor doubtless is sincere in believing that his S2OO-a-month pension for all of the 11 million Americans past 60. financed by a sales tax on every transaction, is socially, legally and economically sound. Certainly the old folks who form his ardent army believe this. But what can be said of a California reactionary Governor who sets out to win the presidential nomination with the Townsend Plan as his issue? Or of Senator Borah who flirts with this same idea? Or scores of other politicians who raise the fantastic banner of a doctrine they know is unworkable simply to win the votes of trusting oldsters? AMERICA AND THE LEAGUE TF the League of Nations undertakes to stop Italy or any other country which it considers an aggressor, the United States will not stand in the way. Under neutrality policies fixed by Congress, this government does not define an agressor in an armed conflict of foreign powers. But to the cause of peace it already has given, and will continue to give, more than moral support. Such was the message Secretary Cordell Hull sent

to Geneva, answering the League's query and that of Britain's premier, Stanley Baldwin. Next Thursday ’he League will meet to set a date on which sanctions will go into effect. It asked last week for the attitude of this country. Mr. Baldwin also wanted light. If the League was to be effective, he said, it might have to use the blockade. And if it used force. Britain might have to provide it. Then what? "This is what I had in mind,” he declared, “when I said that I would never sanction this country going into a blockade unless it were assured beforehand of the attitude of the United States.” The United States has now stated its attitude. a e a TA IGHTLY or wrongly, but in accordance with American procedure, we have remained out of the League. Nevertheless, in line with the pact of Paris, this country not only has acted to discourage the Italo-Ethiopian war, but acted “in advance of action by other governments.” War anywhere, Secretary Hull observed, adversely affects all other countries. The United States does not wish to be drawn into war. It also does not wish to contribute to a prolongation of war. It therefore undertakes “not only to exercise its moral influence in favor of peace throughout the world, but to contribute in every practicable way within the limitation of our foreign policy to that end." In short, the United States will not, and can not within the policy fixed by Congress, plunge into a war on the other side of the world to help enforce League sanctions. But it will do nothing to impede enforcement. It would be difficult for this government to make its attitude clearer. Geneva and London have their answer. UNDER THE SUN say there's nothing new under the sun. Well, how about this; Atrocity propagandists have been busy ever since the Italian-Ethiopian war began, building up a story about the Italians using dumdum bullets and poison gas. Elaborate tales have been told of horribly wounded soldiers through whose bodies mushroomed bullets blasted their way. And not only soldiers, but women and children were dying ghastly deaths of poison gas. Now Emperor Haile Selassie says it positively is not true. In an interview he flatly denies his foes are doing anything of the kind. He scorns such a lie, even to advance the interests of his own country. But, of course, he hasn't been “civilized” yet. GOVERNMENT INTERNES T> OCKEFELLER foundation men are combing the campuses for outstanding college graduates to send to Washington for training in government administration. Henceforth, each year, 30 such “internes” will be financed and trained in the capital. For a year they will act as non-salaried assistants to high officials, receiving academic credit toward a degree in practical government administration. Here may be the beginning of something long needed in the united States, a trained personnel in government. In England government service offers honorable life careers to the best of its young men and women. Ours offers only temporary and insecure jobs to those of administrative capacity. The result is that the abler young men who do go into government service use it only as a stepping stone to private careers. Our government, now handling billions and entering nearly every phase of social activity, should have the services of the nation’s brightest and besttrained minds. With democracy under fire everywhere, it can not afford the waste and blunders of inefficient administration. ONE POINT OF VIEW On Neutrality TT TAR is no longer a contest between two nations * V which the rest of the world can stand by and watch. War has become like a prairie fire which will spread with great rapidity and become immeasurably destructive. Therefore, it is the business of the whole world to unite for the purpose, if possible, of preventing it from starting and, if it starts, of stamping it out at once. That is the attitude of the realists. The people who think they can stand aside and look at war from a distance without ultimately becoming involved in it are not realists but dreamers. —(Henry L. Stimson, former Secretary of State, in The Forum.)

A WOMAN’S VIEWPOINT By Mrs. Walter Ferguson -

“AyffILDRED is such a good woman” —so ran the -L** tea-table gossip—"isn't it a shame she's having trouble with her husband? Oh, yes, my dear, didn't you know ?” The conversation subsides to whisperings. "Tck, tck. tck! And Mildred such a good woman, too.” I know Mildred, She is virtuous, long-suffering, attentive to home and family, a church-goer, a good neighbor, kind to animals and a careful driver. Just the same, I wouldn’t live with her on a bet. She's the most tiresome, humorless, unresilient person you'd meet in a year's journey. A lump of dough with the yeast left out. Her husband has made several forays into forbidden territory since their marriage, and I can't say I blame him. Mildred has never talked up to him in her life. She only cries. Every time he hurts her feelings she lets loose a fresh gush of tears, and goes around looking like an early Christian martyr. Naturally he clears out as fast as he can, and the children sneak off at the first opportunity. The kind of goodness with which Mildred is afflicted is a thousand times worse than neglect, when it comes to home-making. It is the sorry, sticky, professional sort of virtue which we say we admire but which we all fall over ourselves running away from. Sometimes I wonder whether it is goodness at all, or just malevolence, nicely disguised. Since gladness is the most important synonym for goodness, and Mildred is a perfect killjoy, just talking to her makes you want to go out and commit petty crimes. It's no earthly use being good if you're not a pleasant person to live with. Virtue must be adorned with a little laughter and charm to make it effective, especially at home. It will be a tragedy if, in November, 1936, no other choice is offered but a return to Hooverism or a continuation of the present mess.—Gen. Hugh S. Johnson. If experience means anything to us, it should teach us that never once in all history has government been able to devise and impose a tax directed at the few without in the end affecting the many. —Hep. James W. Wadsworth, New York. The bloodless war between Italy and Ethiopia shortly will resolves itself into a bloody war between Italy and Great Britain, ft will be a war for spoils. —Gen. Owen O'Duffy. Irish leader of Blue Shirts. The modern automobile is a marvelous piece of mechanism, but no amount of engineering skill can make it any safer than its operator.—John E. Long, president, National Safety CounciL

THE INDIANAPOLIS TIMES

1 nr> " MMM 11111

l wholly disapprove of ivhat you say and ivill defend to the death your right to say it. — Voltaire.

/Times nailers arts invited to exvress their views in these columns, reliuious controversies excluded. Make uour letters short so alt can hare a chance. Limit them to 2:0 tvords or less. Your letter must be sinned, but names will be withheld on reouest.l ana HERE'S A COMPLAINT FOR MR. RAILWAY CO. By R. W. Our up-and-coming Street Railway Cos., in its wild rush to modernize its equipment and service, has let slip by the boards, in my opinion, one of the first rules of good servvice—good will. I realize that the company is moving heaven and earth to give Indianapolis the best transportation system in the United States and thousands of our citizens are proud of our new trackless trolleys, our new smooth-riding street cars and the new, fast busses. We are proud, too, of the courteous service given by employes. But what a reputation the company’s busses are getting on heavily traveled thoroughfares! When the company obtained permission to run its busses up N. Me-ridian-st, I had the impression that the busses would not clog up the traffic, nor cause a traffic hazard; that they would travel in the lane nearest the curb and never hog the road. But the N. Meridian-st busses, and the busses on other lines, too, are now doing the grandest job of road-hogging I have ever seen. The busses sweep up Meridian-st at 40 and 45 miles an hour, weaving in and out of traffic and oftentimes straddling the two center lanes, a definite hazard to all traffic. Number One job on the Street Railways program this week should be to inform its bus drivers to stick to the inside lane. \ tt an HOLDS ITALY’S INVASION IS “BARBARIC” ACT By Times Admirer Boake Carter's "Black Shirt Black Skin” is an admirable story and my family has followed every installment with interest and delight. But we are gravely concerned over what Mr. Carter puts forth as facts. He practically holds Italy is justified in her invasion of Ethiopia and we can not see it in this light. We will concede the point that England and France ar.u the United States have extended iheir borders by aggression and the use of might, but since when do two wrongs make a right? W r e will say that the United States. England and France have violated A Song BY ETHEL H. ALLEN My love for you is a precious thing, Brimming my cup, urging me sing; Like heady old wine— It makes the world mine— My love for you is a precious thing! My love for you is a tragic thing, Speeding my joy on desolate wing; Muting my song— Everything wrong— My love for you is a tragic thing! But, whether I weep, or whether I sing. Be I so sad or so gay; This you must know— Wherever you go— My love for you is the loveliest thing!

FIRST ON THE LOT

Forum of The Times

His Ax Is Gut for the 7 Per Cent

By H. L. S. Since the banks have three billion dollars of excess reserve bookkeeping credits, why don’t they go out and build that housing the country needs? We builders are not in the market for bank credit that costs 7 per cent interest a year because we found cut long ago by experience that the average per capita income’of S3BB will not cover the expense of covering and feeding the body, to say nothing of shelter costs. Air. Peters urged the Building and Loans to make loans with a bothersome surplus of idle funds. He said they could get a guarantee on the safety of principal, if losses occurred, by surrendering the mortgaged property and re-

every rule of decency in their acquisition of territories, but why give Italy a free hand to do the same? After all, we’re supposed to be getting more civilized all the time, not more barbaric. a tt A BOOST FOR BROUN, THE LIBERAL By a Liberal Scores of your readers have no use for Heywood Broun's column and doubtless write you letters attacking you for publishing his views. But from every liberal in Indiana you get praise and “hanks for your service in presenting the opinions of this forthright man, who is the enemy of all reactionaries and all intolerant movements. Heywood Broun deserves to rank as one of America’s greatest liberal writers and his column is read and appreciated by thousands of your readers. Let the reactionaries be satisfied with the anti-liberal ravings of such

Questions and Answers

Inclose a 3-cent stamp for reply when addressing any question of fact or information to The Indianapolis Times Washington Information Bureau. Legal and medical advice can not be given, nor can extended research be undertaken. Be sure all mail is addressed to The Indianapolis Times Washington Bureau. Frederick M. Kerby, Director. 1013 Tbirteenth-st. N. W.. Washington. D. C. THE EDJTOB. Q—What is Theda Bara’s name in private life, and what is her address? A—Mrs. Charles Brabin, 632 N. Alpine-dr, Hollywood, Cal. Q —Does water have food value? A—The food value is slight, but water is necessary’ to life. Q —When was the proposed child labor amendment to the United States Constitution submitted by Congress? A—April 26, 1921. Q—When a horse is hitched to a wagon does he push or pull? A—To push is to thrust against for the purpose of moving or impelling in a direction other than that from which the pressure is applied; opposed to draw. Inasmuch as pressure against the breast strap or collar of the harness is applied for the purpose of moving the vehicle in the same

ceive 3 per cent government bonds instead. Well, if Mr. Peters would do that stunt for the American home builders, who formely were the customers of these lending institutions, he may be assured of a building construction program to start over night that would make every line of business run overtime provided the interest rate on the loans was 3 per cent. So, boys, when do you want to start and how bad do you want to do it? You will wait till doom’s day with your 7 per cent interest toll mortgage money, before we underwrite any more of that. We will show you enough private initiative to make you dizzy, if you stop the 7 per cent interest holdup.

papers as the Chicago Tribune and stop their efforts to influence The Indianapolis Times. a a a HE SOUNDS AS IF HE'S AN ANTI-NEW DEALER By Anti-NRA Oddly enough, I am starting to have anew admiration for Gen. Hugh. S. Johnson, whose column I have been reading for several days. Johnson. I see, has changed his mind about what a wonderful thing the New Deal is and has joined the ranks of the men who can see things in their true light. The New Deal means destruction and the sooner we can get an Administration in office dedicated to the sane and normal way of doing things the better off we will all be. Business is better, yes, but not because of any New Deal measure, but rather in spite of them. If Gen. Johnson will keep up his good work, he will win back a lot of the following he lost during the NR A fizzle.

direction as that from which pressure is applied, the wagon is pulled. The horse pushes against the collar or breast strap to pull the vehicle. Q —ls Ty Cobb, the baseball player, an Italian? A—No, he is an American, born in Banks County, Georgia. Q —What is the address of the headquarters of the Boy Scouts of America? A—2 Park-av, New York City. Q —ls hot and cold water of the same quantity are placed under identical conditions in a freezing temperature, which will freeze first? A—The cold water. Q —When and where was Andrew W. Mellon born? A—Pittsburgh, Pa., March 24, 1855. Q —For whom was Galveston Tex., named? A—Don Jose Galvez, a Spanish viceroy of Texas, who was proclaimed king by the people of Mexico in 1797. Q —Give the source of the quotation, “Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her way, and be wise." A—Proverbs vi, 6.

PLEAS CAN HAVE THIS CITIZEN’S VOTE—IF— By a Reader It is being taken for granted by almost everybody in Indiana that Pleas Greenlee is the ruler of the Indiana Democratic party and that he will be the next Governor. I am listed as a Democrat, but I can vouch for my own vote that I will vote for a Republican if Greenlee runs for Governor. I understand he is a fine man, but I am absolutely against patronage and he stands for just that. When Air. Greenlee comes out and says he stands for the merit system or for civil service in every branch of the state government he can have my vote. a an YES, AIR. ROOSEVELT IS STILL PRESIDENT By a Subscriber I’m getting a big laugh these days out of the concoctions of the political writers. They have Mr. Roosevelt whipped already and a Republican President practically in office. Political writers seem to be getting just like Republican officeholders. They forget that the people cast the votes. Daily Thought I laid me down and slept; I awaked; for the Lord sustained me. —Psalms 3:5. SLEEP, to the homeless thou art home; the friendless find in thee a friend.—Ebenezer Elliott.

SIDE GLANCES

/ J* I A yx mr tec u t *** ***_

“Some day, Mom, you’re going right in there with me and pick out the most expensive necklace in the place.”

OCT. 28,193?

Washington Merry-Go-Round

BY DREW PEARSON* and ROBERT S. ALLEN. WASHINGTON, Oct. 28.—Italian claims of victory in Ethiopia should be taken with a generous helping of salt. So far, Mussolini's men have not entered the peak-jagged central plateau, and have been relatively unopposed. In reading all reports from the front, it is important to keep in mind the first report made to Mussolini by the Italian general staff. It specified that the conquest would require 300.000 to 400.000 men, would cost a minimum of about 750,000.000 lire a month, would require a minimum of two years followed by guerilla fighting for an indefinite period. Mussolini had figured on only 70.000 men and an expenditure of 250,000.000 lire monthly. According to confidential reports received here, when he received the general staff report he tore it up. This was the reason for placing Gen. Di Bono, a notorious fireeater not in sympathy with the general staff, in charge of the Ethiopian campaign. Today, however, Mussolini is In a position to realize that his general staff was right. Already he has around 300,000 men in East Africa. Money is being spent at an unknown rate; but, according to the Federal Reserve Board, the Italian gold reserve has diminished from $519,000,000 to $379,000,000 in the last few months. If the League can make sanctions only 50 per cent effective against Italy, and if Emperor Haile Selassie can retain the loyalty of his chieftains for only a lear, the Italian attempt at conquest may die aborning. Note—Neutral military observers disagree with the Italian general staff in the matter of time. They estimate three instead of two years lor the complete conquest of Ethiopia. British officials estimate that Mussolini will have exhausted his cash in 15 months. American experts figure that he can’t last that long. tt tt a ONE of the most formidable Judicial assemblies in the country is the annual conference of the senior Federal Circuit Court judges, presided over by the Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court. It is held in Washington just before the opening of the fall court term, and ordinarily it is a solemn and serious occasion. The session just terminated was opened by Chief Justice Hughes, who tapped his gavel for attention and observed gravely: “Gentlemen, I have noted with much satisfaction the great amount of public interest in the proceedings of the court this past year. I am glad that our citizens are so attentive, for there was a time, not long ago, when I thought we were in danger of being overlooked. “As an earnest of this re-awakened public interest I hold in my hand a letter recently received. It is addressed to John Marshall, Chief I Justice of the United States!” j With continued judicial gravity. Chief Justice Hughes added: “I have been in a quandary about* where I should forward this letter, as I do not know the ultimate destination of our distinguished predecessor.” Note—John Marshall, first Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, died in 1835. a a a I AST year's hot argument on t whether Big Jim Farley did or did not take the Postoffice Department out of the red, is starting all over again. Jim is claiming that he has another surplus. The Budget Bureau says he has nothing of the kind. According to its books, Jim really has a $63,000,000 deficit. And to make the dispute more complicated Controller General McCarl claims that both are wrong. Explanation for this delightful diversity is that each uses a different basis for his bookkeeping. Jim has taken advantage of a law put through by Walter F. Brown, his Republican predecessor, and deducted from postal expenditures all subsidies to shipping, airlines and the cost of free mail under the franking privilege. By this subtraction he is able to lop off $75,000,000; thereby pull a surplus out of the hat. (Copyright. 1935 b 7 United Featura Syndicate. Inc.)

By George Clark