Indianapolis Times, Volume 47, Number 237, Indianapolis, Marion County, 12 December 1935 — Page 21

It Seems to Me HEYWOOD BROUN ■XIfILLIAMSBURG, Va Dee. 12. —Th" man in * thr administrative building said. "Even if you ran stay only a short time bo sure to see thr Raleigh Tavern. I wouldn't want you to miss the tavern. It’s the best pipre of restoration we’ve done. There It stands just as it was in 1763, when Thomas Jefferson danced with Belinda in the Apollo Room. I don’t know why the man thought that I was

likely to miss the tavern, and in the guide book which he provided I found the Jefferson references. The young man w 7 ho later wrote the Declaration of Independence was a law student at William and Mary when he sent a letter to a friend saying, "Last night, as merry as agreeable company and dancing with Belinda in the Apollo could make me, I never thought the succeeding sun would have seen me so wretched as I now am!” I assume from internal evidence that the distinguished founding father had a historic

Ilrywood Broun

hangover built upon the basis of too much Arrack punch, and so I said to myself, “If it’s good enough for Jefferson it's good enough for me." tt tt a What llo! The Tavern after midday 1 felt that I roulri stand a little restoration on my own account. I had walked several miles through the gardens of the Governor’s Palace. I had stood in the Capitol where the House of Burgesses, the first democratic Legislature in this country, had met to argue, to wrangle and to vote. And of course I had been compelled to see no end of colonial furniture in s.phe of my feeling that when you've seen one chair you more or less get the idea without contemplating all the rest. And so I said to the other members of the party. "What ho! How about the Tavern? It’s only about 50 yards down the street, and I think we can walk it." "The Raleigh,” 1 read in the guide book, "was so closely linked with the contemporary life of Virginia that, its tradition has been enhanced by association with the names of great leaders of the colony. George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Patrick Henry, Peyton Randolph and Edmund Pendleton are only a few of the patriots who helped make history within its public rooms.” It had been a rather late night in Richmond the pvening before, and I was feeling decidedly patriotic. In fact, any jar, or sudden noise reduced me to one of the original 13 states. And so I said a second time. "What ho! The Tavernr” I more or less had my mind set on one or two of those ye old fashioned cocktails. Still if Arrack punch was all the house afforded I was quite willing to go traditional. On May 3, 1769, George Washington recorded that he had gone to a party at the Raleigh and stayed until 11 p. m. At the present rate of exchange that would be about three or four in the morning with us. However, Washington supplied no intimate details. He merely wrote, "Spent the evening at ye Daphne.” a tt tt Reserved for Men THE Apollo Room was reserved for men. Tire Daphne came a little later and attained its greatest popularity when certain colonial dames began to object because their husbands were always going over to the Raleigh at night for "council meetings.” The Tavern is a gay and spirited piece of architecture, but when we w'cnt, in we ran first of all into furniture, as usual. A friendly lady in costume took us to a pleasant room with a small service bar at one end. It was covered with empsy glasses. "Here,” she said, "is the trap door to what used to be the wine cellar.” “Used to be!” I exclaimed, half frozen with cold and horror. "Why naturally,” she explained; “we serve nothing here now 7. This is just a show 7 place.” "Then it is,” I cried aloud, “Napoleon's tomb without Napoleon. ’Hamlet’ bereft of any melancholy Dane, a ginless ricky and dried snake’s skin offered in place of pleasant Eden. What would Washington have said or Thomas Jefferson or Patrick Henry? As for me, give me liquor or give me death, and a plague upon a restoration which has replaced the body and allowed the spirit to escape forever!” (Copvricht. 1935)

Your Health BY DR. MORRIS FISHBEIN

A GOOD deal has been written lately about a sys- ■ tem of diets promoted by a “doctor" who is referred to as a nationally known authority on food science, and also as a famous Viennese expert. The records of the American Medical Association show that the gentleman is not a physician, that he is not famous, and that he is not a Viennese. He has a system of diet which he sells to people who are interested in remarkable plans of eating, and he also sells what he calls the "zigzag" system for weight reduction. In this system most of the reduction is brought about, by driving the body to rapid elimination, using various salts and cathartics. He also has some of the salts for sale, and their names are such that they must be bought in the form in which he sells them, rather than in any of the common forms in which they are generally available at the drug stores. a a tt THIS "doctor’s’’ system of dieting has all the things that are wrong with any vegetarian diet, and also has the danger of causing colitis or wasting of the body from "overphysicking.’’ 'the "doctor" is convinced apparently that appendicitis can be cured by diets or by starvation, and the most dangerous advice he gives is to take some of the laxatives which he recommends at a time when suffering from appendicitis. Ninety per cent of the deaths from appendicitis happen to people who try to cure themselves with ea.hartics or laxatives when they have abdominal pain due to an inflamed appendix. The system also goes so far as to recommend eating onions as a cure for cancer, and its sponsor says that deafness can be cured by following part of his system of elimination. The whole system of diet is based on misconceptions and fallacies, and it is dangerous for the public to follow these notions.

Today's Science BY DAVID DIETZ

'T-'HE fields in which the United States Government X should enlarge its program of scientific activity are outlined clearly in the report presented to President Roosevelt this month bv the Science Advisory Board. With the modern world founded upon scientific achievements and with future development and safety dependent upon new scientific achievements, it is to be hoped that the President and Congress will gave careful attention to the report of the board. Quite rightly, the board, of which President Karl T. Compton of Massachusetts Institute of Technology is chairman, states that “in a democracy like ours, designed to safeguard personal liberty and to stimulate individual initiative within the framework of general welfare, there is no need for the government to embark upon comprehensive programs in pure science, invention or industrial development." B B B THERE are, however, in the opinion of the board. three fields in which the government must do the work. They are: 1. “Numerous scientific services of such wide scope and universal utility that no agency except the government is competent adequatelv to handle them.” * 2. "Other scientific services which are essentially supplementary to non-seientific governmental activities." 3. "Fields of scientific or technical development which hold evident promise of benefiting the public but which are not proper or practical fields for pri -ate initiative.”

Full I.f'Bsr-'l Wire Service nf the i’nife 1 Pre Arsnriatinn

Arc ITkrcu Killings Justified?

Today Th* Timrv in thr second of its series of articles on the ethics of mercy killines, presents the views of the f 'i ImatiU! Cox, S. J., Ph. 0., professor of ethics of r orrlha m f niversity, who speaks for the intellectuals of the Catholic faith. BV REV. IGNATIUS W. COX, S. J., Ph. I). pAIN is a strange magician when courage, intelligence and graciousness stand behind. It is an initiator into secrets—a high priest who handles and dispenses mysteries unknown to those who do not or will not suffer. Go into a hospital for incurables. Many there die fearlessly, even joyously, though racked with pain. There you will find heroes and heroines, both those who suffer and those who minister to the suffering, diffusing courage and joy. Such examples ol fortitude are great contributions to our social organism. Yet, the supposition gains ground that onlv death by euthanasia is pleasant and easy. Such ‘ euthanasia. in the modern tw-ist cf the word, is an easy and pleasant death, willed by the sufferer, legalized by the state and induced by painless medical means. Such a death is no different from homicide, if inflicted by others, or that species of homicide called suicide, if self-inflicted. tt tt tt ''I'HE question a.s to whether the state has the . right and moral power to legalize such euthanasia resolves itself into the question as to whether the morality of an action, its goodness or badness ultimately rests on a governmental fiat, It is true that an old ethical system, which is resurrected today by the promoters of the absolute and totalitarian state, held precisely that, theory It is a theory contrary to our own Declaration of Independence, which holds that basic human rights and hence basic, morality, are antecedent to the human government set up for their protection. ~ Holders of the untenable theory that the state is he determinant of morality must admit logically that the state can make unnatural actions morally good, and can deprive individuals of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. No intelligent person, and this is the reason why dictatorships appeal so vehemently to mob-emotion, ofmo?ahty at the State is lh '' ultimate determinant Hence the question as to whether the state can egahze euthanasia reverts to the question as to whether painless homicide, self-willed, if not selfinflicted. and motivated by self-pity or the pity of others, is right and good in itself. 1 J ,ife H hv S u? 6 ' SUfTe / er th u e rißht t 0 3 termination of his Hip by his own ficc choice? A LL Ti! 1 agl T e ’ 1 ink ’ that the right to destroy . , anything belongs only to the one who has exclusive dominion or ownership over that thing Has nvnrT orta P ?! er ' thon ’ such an exclusive dominion o\rr human life, whether its own or another’s?

For two thousand years the Cathoiic Church has answered NO!

From the beginning of Christianity, the Catholic Church has laid supreme emphasis on the individual value of human existence. It straightway set. out. to reform that pagan ideology which held in cheap contempt the dignity of individual human life. On that cheap valuation was based pagan slavery, the right of life and death over slaves, and sometimes even over children. This cheap estimate of individual life found expression in infanticide and anew profession, that of the practiced poisoner.

Suicide Naval Race Looms on Horizon as Japan Lays Down its Edict to Powers: ’Parity With U. S. and Britain or End Parley Right Now!' BY WILLIAM rHILIP SIMMS mft -r •

BY WILLIAM PHILIP SIMMS Scripns-Howard Fnrmrt hditor VX7ASHINGTON, Dec. 12. ’ ' The naval race, which insiders fear and expect will follow the London naval conference, threatens to make the historic Anglo-German rivalry before the World War look like child's play. All the major sea powers—except possibly the United States—are known to be experimenting with types of “mystery” ships potentially more dangerous than any heretofore known. This goes for Germany—Europe's great bugaboo—as well as for Britain, Japan, France and Italy, Concededly, Adolf Hitler's pocket battleships of 10.000 tons are superior to any cruiser afloat. Now he plans to lay down improved dreadnaughts exceeding 25.000 tons and powerful in proportion. British na’. al Intelligence has ferreted out some of the secrets of these ships. They are said to promise to outrun and outshoot anything that ever floated. n tt tt likewise is known to have many naval secrets up the sleeve of her ample kimono. Japanese officers admitted to this writer in Tokyo last year that they do not necessarily need parity in tonnage if permitted to build any kind of ship they want. They intimated they will spring surprises. Japan, for example, is said to have in preparation commonplace vessels which, at short notice. could be turned into air-

SQUEEZE WORKS, GRAND SLAM IS MADE

Today’s Contract Problem It your partner opened the bidding with one spade, and you held the following hand, what would be youi response? AQJ 5 2 VQ J 8 ♦Q J 5 AQ J 6 Solution in next Issue. 5

Solution to Previous Contract Problem BY W. E. M KENNEY Srrrrtarv American Bridse League THIS is the third of a series of grand slam hands. East with the ace of hearts was anxious to Rouble the seven ciamond bid. but South was shrewd enough to know that was what East was basing his double on, so by bidding seven no trump, he would make West guess w v > i '' I '' -mt to open. * West, of -ourse. with his king ftfid queen of clubs, opened a clu|,

The Indianapolis Times

THE value of human life, as Catholicism teaches, is founded on the facts that every individual belongs to the exclusive dominion of God and that for every individual Christ suffered and died. Life begins by a creative act of God, producing the human soul and co-operating with the procreative activity of the parents; and human life is destined ultimately for happiness with God. Human life, therefore, in its beginning, in its development and end, belongs exclusively to God. It is to be lived in all its deliberate and free choices in subordi-

craft carriers capable of accommodating 50 planes or more. There are also rumors of queer rraft which will be able not only to shoot like a battleship and carry a hold full of airplanes but submerge and hide like a submarine. Britain is experimenting with models the like of which are unknown to her present fleet. So are France and Italy. Already wild rumors fill the air. The nightmare of world admiralties, therefore, is not so much a race for sheer tonnage, however hectic that may be. but cut-throat competition in types. a a tt A RACE for tonnage is merely a matter of muscle and money. But if the sky is to be the limit for type as well as size and number, anything can happen. Painful, if not fatal, surprises are possible. Knowing that, international spying will be feverish. Nippon has begun the show- by hurling a bombshell. Her spokesman at London has bluntly announced that unless her demand for parity w ; th Britain and America is met first off she does not care ever to discuss other issues. That means that any sort of limitation of warship construction has just about gone glimmering. Nor are these the only worries the conference faces. Great Britain is behaving queerly. Reports reaching Washington are that she pretends that the battle over parity is between the United States and japan, she being only vaguely concerned as a friend of both.

thinking that he would have a club trick or at least protect the club suit so his partner could take his trick, since he had doubled the seven diamond bid. The Play Let us watch the play of the hand with the king of clubs opened. This trick is won in dummy with the ace and now declarer carefully and slowly plays eight straight diamond tricks from dummy. Can you imagine East squirming as he has to discard on six of these diamonds? But his predicament is nothing in comparison to the jam West is in. When the last diamond is played, it leaves dummy with two small spades, a small heart, and the jack of clubs. Declarer holds the ace-king-queen and seven of spades and the king of hearts, which he discards on this last diamond trick, having discarded the rest of the hearts. Now West finds himself squeezed. He can not throw the queen of clubs, or dummy’s jack

■ s r. ■ w - ■ ■ -

nation to the divine plan of human living, natural and supernatural law, the rule of reason and the rule of grace. The rule of reason forbids the destruction of human life as an invasion of God’s exclusive dominion. The rule of grace extends to euthanasia the precept, “Thou, shalt not kill.” The end docs not justify the means. Alleviation of suffering can not justify the destruction of human life which belongs to God. tt tt a r r'HERE are just three excepA tions to all this, all three based on the same principle, selfdefense. The individual may de-

BRITAIN, therefore, is not only host to the party, but its chief enigma. It is no secret that her present Tory government intends vastly to increase her fleet, regardless of other fleets. And there is reason to believe that she is no more willing to concede Japan parity

U. S. Investigators Give Townsend OARP Leaders Clean Bill of Health After Probe Into Movement

BY NED BROOKS WASHINGTON, Dec. 12. Government invest i g a to r s who have been making a quiet inquiry into the affairs of Old Age Revolving Pensions, Ltd., have given Dr. F. E. Townsend and his associates a clean bill of health, officials revealed today. The investigation was conducted by the Justice Department and the postoffice inspection service to determine whether OARP. in soliciting new members to press for S2OO-a-month pensions for persons past 60. was keeping within the postal statutes. Complaints involving methods of handling funds had reached the Postoffice Department from persons once associated with the movement, officials said. It also was understood the inquiry had been encouraged by Administration officials who have watched with concern the recent spread of the movement. Justice Department officials who conducted the inquiry said they found no evidence that funds col-

A 5 3 V 5 ♦ AKQJ 10 632 A A J AJIO 5 8 jq |A 6 2 * W t A 4 ¥ 6 3 2 w ‘-♦BS ♦94 SA 9 8 7 6 A K Q 2 Dealer 5 4 3 AAK Q 7 VKQJIO 957 ♦ 7 A 19 Duplicate—None vul. South West North East 1 V Pass 2 ♦ Pass 2 A Pass 4 ♦ Pass 5 V Pass 7 ♦ Double 7N. T. Double Pass Pass Opening lead—A K. 3 will be good, so he must let go of a spade. This establishes four spade tricks for declarer which, with the ace of clubs and the eight diamond tricks, gives him his grand slam doubled. tCopyright. 1935, NEA Service, Ine.)

INDIANAPOLIS, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12. 1935

The Rev. Ignatius W. Cox, S. .1,

fend his life by killing its unjust assailant. The state may defend from criminals, by imposition of the death sentence, the purposes for which the state exists. And soldiers may inflict death in a just war. namely, one in the defense of the violated rights of their country. Moreover, reason teaches that euthanasia is a violation of a most fundamental law of nature. Every appetite set up by nature is directed to the fuller life of that appetite and the individual to whom it belongs. No being by its nature aims at self-destruction. Human bodies

with this fleet than is the United States. One explanation of Britain’s pretense is that there are still a good many Britishers who favor a new rapprochement with Japan—j partnership which would offer sej curity for British interests in Asia I and Australasia.

lected from Townsend Club members were being used for any other purpose than furtherance of the pension objective. Furthermore, they said, membership fees are collected by local Townsend officers direct from followers of the movement rather than being solicited through the mails. a a a THE Postoffice Department some time ago barred use of the mails for fund solicitation to Dr. James E. Pope of Texas and Oklahoma, head of another oldage pension organization, which sponsored legislation for SSO-a---month Federal payments. The Townsend investigation included audits of the organization's records at the former national headquarters in Long Beach, Cal. Robert E. Clements, co-founder of OARP and its organizing genius, said the organization had

URGES CAREFUL USE OF RESOURCES IN U. S. Head of Forest Service Sees No Need for Fall of America. By Sen in i Si n in; WASHINGTON, Dec. 12.—There need be no fall of America, as there was a fall cf Rome. Scientists have knowledge that can prevent an early end to American civilization, and as a nation Americans have the will to make use of that knowledge. This message is conveyed by Ferdinand A. Silcox, head of the United States Forest Service, in his annual report, off the press today. To make use of national resources in timber, water, land, in such a way that they will still remain for use in the future, not to be exploited to the enrichment of today and the impoverishment of tomorrow, is the core of land use planning practiced in Federal and state governments, Mr. Silcox indicates. BANKER TRIAL DELAYED Former Noblesvillc Cashier to Face Court in January. Timm Special NOBLESVILLE. Ind., Dec. 12. Trial of Harry L. Craig, former cashier of the defunct Citizens State Bank here, has been continued in Hamilton Circuit Court until January, at the request of his attorneys.

begin to decay, but do not aim at decay: decay comes by interference with their proper functioning. Euthanasia is a wilfull tendency, contrary to the tendency of one’s whole nature. There could be no more unequivocal violation of nature than this. Euthanasia or homicide, whether self-inflicted or inflicted by others, is unnatural as homosexuality is unnatural. The one tends to the nullification of man himself. tt tt tt SOME may say that they recognize no obligation to observe the natural order of things. This doctrine, put into practice, has disastrous results. An outstanding law 7 of the universe is that human progress depends on man’s ability to rise superior to pain, suffering, toil and labor. Every great work of art. every worthwhile human success or achievement illustrates this law. Euthanasia is founded on the principle that destruction of life is preferable to pain and suffering. Inculcate that principle and you engender a destructive fear of pain and suffering. Students and scholars will shrink from the pain of w 7 ork; women will dread the anxiety of child-bearing. "Why should life all labor be!” Fear and dread of pain are often w 7 orse than the actuality. Why not end life at the first appearance of fear? Since death is the end of life, why not end life at its very beginning by death? Once we admit that it is morally right for any individual to end his life in the presence of pain and suffering w 7 e are face to face with a concession that w 7 e can not limit. tt tt a THINK through the problem of euthanasia, you will find its advocacy is rooted in an absolute pagan attitude toward life. That attitude is supposedly based on the joy of living. Asa matter of fact, pagan philosophy casts an unescapable shadow 7 of sadness over humanity, reflected in the pagan classic authors, for it sentences human kind to essential futility. Here is a paradox. Catholicism with its emphasis on asceticism, on the soul, on the supernatural and on eternity, is, in the minds of many, opposed to the joy of living and the expression of man’s vitality. In truth. Catholicism stands out today as the only organized international influence, which is the protector and conserver of the stream of human vital forces, by its moral doctrine on the right use of procreative faculty, on the rights of unborn life, on the rights of mature life and its right to the material means necessary for its fuller development, and finally on the limitations of civil pow 7 er with regard to man’s life in all its phases. Tomorrow 7 —The view of Warden Lewis E. Lawes of Sing Sing.

Another is that Britain desires closer co-operation with the United States and feels that the best way to get it is to appear to be leaning toward Japan. The London conference accordingly appears doomed to begin in an impasse, limp along in a deadlock and end in a stalemate.

“nothing to hide” from Federal authorities. He indicated a belief that the inquiry was prompted by a desire to embarrass the leaders and hinder OARPs political progress. Mr. Clements said “a couple of plain clothes men” had been stationed outside national headquarters here, “apparently to report on who comes and goes.” Other employes said they "had a lot of fun" decoying the watchers through the corridors of the office building. Tire postoffice inquiry was started after Frank Peterson, former OARP publicity director, broke with Dr. Townsend and Mr. Clements and started his own pension organization in Colorado, charging the OARP chiefs with insincerity to the movement. Mr. Peterson said the Townsend movement had become a profit-seeking venture.

GRAZING UNIT TO BE KEPT, STOCKMEN TOLD Reports of Reorganization Scouted by Ickes. By ScrippfTfoicarn Sctcspaper Alliance WASHINGTON, Dec. 12.—Western stockmen need have no fear, it was learned today from sources close to Harold S. Ickes, Secretary of Interior, that the grazing administration will lose its identity as a selfcontained unit of the Interior Department or that the policy of “home rule,” set up by Farrington R. Carpenter, director, will be changed with expiration of his term this month. Reports that the grazing unit would be made a part of the General Land Office were denied. A tentative order for such transfer was drawn up by someone in the Interior Department, but without Secretary ickes’ knowledge. Mr. Ickes. it now develops, has never had any intention of ordering the shift. Heads Sunday School Again Timrst Special NOBLESVILLE. Ind, Dec. 12. Re-elected for the twenty-third consecutive year, Will Hayes, local business man, is to continue as Sunday school superintendent at i £he First M. E, Church.

Second Section

Fitei-erl * Srennd Cls' Matter at Post off jpp. Indianapolis Ind.

Fair Enough HIM PEGLEE T> OME. Dec. 12.—1 t would clarify the situation for the Americans who have been glvihg occasional thought to a war in Europe if they would first realize that all ideals which Woodrow Wilson expounded are innocent foolishness in the present case and only tend to obscure realities. Nations take what they can get and hold what they can defend. And they send delegations to the

Palace of Peace in Geneva not to prevent wars, but to make trades, generally by means of bribery. The Illinois state Legislature in the rottenest hour of its smelly history is a sewing circle by comparison with the statesmen of the League of Nations gathered at Geneva to uphold the Covenant. They include all kinds, from the low-graae hoodlum politician representing a strong-arm government which rules by the firing squad and every invention of persecution to the high-minded, finemannered Englishman whose job is to manipulate the League for

protection of the lands vhich England took in years gone by in precisely the same way that Italy is now attempting to take Abyssinia. tt tt tt A Double Double-Cross TVASICALLY, Italians have been the realists in this row. They went into the war to end war for a j price. At first they were pledged to the Central , Powers, but the Allies topped Germany's bid, and as j soon as the Italian government could turn public ! sentiment around and steer it the other way Italy hopped on Austria. It was a business war, and Italy's price for her 600.000 dead patriots was a share of German colonies. Then France and England gypped her. Since then, under Mussolini, Italians have been building p’anes and submarines, breeding rapidly and whipping themselves into a lather of patriotism. Even little boys wear uniforms and march with junior size muskets and sometimes fire real machine guns in patriotic demonstrations to aequire the feel of weapons. But as they multiplied and learned discipline, patriotism and hatred and built up the physical properties of their country the Italians lost ground economically. They have a pretty country and a well-known background, but they couldn’t eat the scenery or cut the background into overcoats. So Mussolini decided to ge into Abyssinia, which is a terrible country inhabited by terrible people and has no government, and develop a branch store, so to speak. It’s reasonable to ask why Mussolini wanted Abyssinia if it's such a godforsaken land, and the answer is that it was all there was left to grab. The British had looked it over a long time ago with the idea of doing exactly as the Italians are doing today, but they decided the task wouldn't show profits. tt tt tt British Foresightedness XTOW, this was a violation of Italy's written contract with the League. The contract had been arranged with marvelous foresight, by Englishmen to keep Italy out of Africa. Although Abyssinia h/is no real government, the country was put into the League as a member in good standing, so that her sovereignty would be recognized. Then if Italy should move in, the League as a whole, not England alone, would have the job of keeping Italy out of Africa. Moreover, before they set the League of Nations to the sacred task of protecting Abyssinia the Eritish talked to Mussolini and made him a proposition which in itself was a violation of the beautiful pledge. They were willing to let him take over some of Abyssinia, but not as much as he wanted, and subject it to their police work on the theory that a pledge violated under British supervision is not broken but revised. not damaged but improved. The time now has come when the Italian people think they can blockade and destroy the British fleet off the toe of the boot in the Mediterranean. They speak of Sicily and Sardinia a.s their unsinkable dreadnaughts. and they know their submarines and planes outnumber England’s, in addition to which England must fight on Italy’s home grounds. They take no orders from England now, and there is no doubt that the upper classes and politicians are ready to fight, although a foreigner has no way of knowing how the farmers and laborers would respond or how long they would retain their war fervor if the English, after their fashion, should shake the blood out of their eyes, get up off the floor and maul them around the ring in a three or four-year war.

Times Books

TI7HEN a brilliant man makes a success of his life * " and has a wife who neither knows nor cares what it is all about, most people feci very sorry lor him. Margaret Ayer Barnets discusses th" wife's side of it in ”F.dna His Wife” (Houghton Mifflin Cos.; $2,501 and suggests that the little woman deserves a thare of the pity, too. Edna, the central figure of Mrs. Barnes’ novel, is the corn-fed daughter of a small town Illinois railroad station agent. She elopes with an ambitious lawyer, and thereby joins a procession which soon gets so far ahead of her that she can't even see the dust. For hubby is one of those ruthless and determined gents who get to the top regardless. He becomes a big shot in Chicago, moves on to Washington as a doliar-a-year man in wartime, and then establishes himself in the lush fields of Manhattan. B B B T7DNA go'TS alons, of course, rising from a four- •*“' room Chicago apartment to an incredibly expensive New York penthouse: but she gets practically no fun out of it at any stage of the game. A brilliant and successful man, one gathers, is no bargain to live with. Edna turned down an honest Rock Island brakeman to marry her lawyer, and sh** had cause to regret it: for she remained a small town matron at heart, and the glitter and ease of a millionaire’s existence just left her cold. She is probably a very good symbol for a good many American women. The essential hollowness of much of our scramble for success is best reflected, not in the careers of the success-seekers, but in the lives of their wives. *By Bruce Catton.)

Literary Notes

Carl Van Doren will have anew book on the Harper spring list. It is called Three Worlds” and is described as the biography of a man and the history of a family in the three worlds called Pre-War, Post-War and Depression. The story begins on an Illinois farm, moves to a small town, passes through two universities into journalism and runs most of its C9urse through the literary life of modern New York. American publication rights of Richard Blaker’s new novel. “Here Lies a Most Beautiful Lady," have just been contracted for by Bobbs-Merrill. The book was the October choice of the English Book Society and has| already sold 13,500 copies in England.

Westbrook Peglcr