Indianapolis Times, Volume 47, Number 253, Indianapolis, Marion County, 31 December 1935 — Page 12

PAGE 12

The Indianapolis Times (A fCßirr-HOW ARD NKWSrAI’EH) ROT W. HOWARD t’rp-lfloni LI PWEU. DENNY Editor KAKL I'. BAKER Bimlnemt Manager

1 (, i 1 t l.i'/ht nrt'l the J'rople Will t ind Thrtr Own Way

TUESDAY DECEMBER 31. 1935

POIGNANT POLITICS TjOLITICS makes strange bedfellows, strange friendships, strange enmities—it's a here-today-and-gone-tomorrow game. Theiein it has its pathetic side. Too bad; but we guess nothing can be done about it. We are glad, however, that we are not in it; that we can live our private lives without the emotional strains and stresses that seem inevitable in public affairs; that as we go along the road which, after all, is pretty short, we don't have to break witlji our friends and associates, but can feel that, tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow, until the brief span is over and the flickering candle flickers out, those of whom we have grown fond won't find thcrtaselves in a spot where they can't stay at our house, and that well never consider the "exigencies" such as to make us publicly Recline their hospitality for fear of the effect on our larger ambitions. Os course, what we are talking about is a situation, common rather than unusual in politics, in which A1 Smith, the “Happy Warrior,” so named by none other than Franklin D. Roosevelt, now can't eat of the bread and the salt and drink of the water and wine of the White House. We recall sitting in great halls and seeing and hearing the handsome Franklin glorify his friend Al. nominating him for the presidency that A1 never attained and which Franklin, as the wheel of fate turned round, did attain. • a tt it SUCH language as this spells something more than political palaver—"that quality of soul which makes him a strong help to those in sorrow and in trouble —the quality of sympathetic understanding of the human heart, of real interest in one's fellow men." That, from the speech in u'hich for the third time Franklin nominated Al, symbolized the affection grown deep through a lifetime of association. And now Al can't be Franklin’s guest because of what politics has brought forth. Damon and Pythias have separated. The story of the other Roosevelt and his friendship with William Howard Taft and of how that broke up is perhaps an even more sorrowful chapter in this kind of chronicle. It's all a sort of sad commentary on public life, and probably that's why public life is so repulsive to so many, whose natural instincts might be for public service, but who revolt at going up against such inevitable and unpleasant stages of the game. And maybe all this constitutes an important aspect of the general answer to the often-asked question “What's wrong with democracy?” and to why our democratic form of government fails to attract more good men like Al and Franklin. MR. KAGAW AS MESSAGE fTXVYOHIKO KAWAGA, the distinguished Jap- •*- nnese who has the guest o. the city as a speaker at the religious convention, is a man who ha,' risked his life and to some extent lost his health, in the service of mankind. For years he lived in the worst slums of his native land, doing what he could for men and women in the lowest strata of society. Educated in American universities, he has become an international figure for peace and co-operation. Mr. Kagawa told Indianapolis that Japan does not want war. but friendship, with the United States. He said that Japan wants the now' independent Philippines to be a neutral zone. He spoke of the valuable trade relations between the two countries. As Mr. Kagawa goes about the country he can do an immense good by lessening suspicion and spreading the belief that Japan and the United States can be friends. Even the exclusion act is not a barrier to lasting good-will, said Mr. Kagawa. Os course, he is not an official spokesman for his country, but he voices what many people of both lands desireamity and no danger of a senseless resort to arms. LORD READING TJ UFUS DANIEL ISAACS, first marquess of Reading, is dead. Not only was he one of the greatest figures that Jewry has produced in modern times, but one of Britain's ablest sons, Jewish or Gentile. Born in 1860. in humble circumstances, son of Joseph Isaacs, merchant, he ran away to sea when 14 ar.d for two years served before the mast on a sailing ship—an apprenticeship few’ in public can boast Afterward he studied law. went to parliament as a liberal imperialist, became attorney general, lord chief justice, high commissioner, special embassador to the LTnited States and viceroy of India. Meanwhile a grateful king was steadily promoting him to baron, viscount and earl. If any Englishman ever deserved high honors, it was Rufus Daniel Isaacs. He helped float the great American war loan to Britain and the allies did more than any other one man to save Britain's Imperiled credit, and lifted the empire's prestige in this country, Europe and in India. He died a credit to his race, to his country and to humanity in general. AMERICA'S HOMES 'T'HIS holiday season again throws into bold relief the outlines of the American home. It reveals a far from happy picture. At least 36 per cent of America's families need rehousing. Some six million of them live in "substandard" town and city houses, while five million more live in farm homes that lack primary provisions for health and decency. Largely because of its wretched homes, this country’s death rate in 1926 was higher than that of New Zealand. Australia, The Netherlands, Norway, Denmark. Canada, England, Sweden, Uruguay and Germany. If our death rate were as low as New Zealand's we could save 415.000 lives annually. If each life is worth only SSOOO we would save two billion dollars a year. Slums and near-slums are not cheap housing. They are far too expensive for this country longer to tolerate. Os course, low farm and city incomes are primarily to blame. Men with incomes below sl3oo— average manufacturing worker's income in 1929 —can not afford good homes. But good homes can be made cheaper, and in their building wealth will

Mfrnhor of t'nltpd I’rm. Srripp*-Hnw.-irfl Newspaper Alliance, V-ni-paper Knter |> r t • Anriatir>n. Newspaper Information S4rvlr> and Audit Bureau of Circulations. Owned and published dally n>irept .Sunday) by The Indianapolis Times l’nhlishinz Cos.. 214 320 W. Maryland st Indianapolis, Ind Brice in Marion County, 8 cents a copy; delivered hy carrier. 12 cents a week Mall subscription rates in Indiana. *3 a year: outs!d<j o' Indiana. 66 cent* a month. ) ctfej,l’hona RI ley 5551

be plowed into these infertile strata at the bottom of the social geology. The Committee for Economic Recovery has just sent President Roosevelt its home building program. This proposes that private industry undertake the building of 750.000 homes a year for 10 years, for families with incomes of .SIOOO or more. These homes will range in price from $2500 to S6OOO, to be paid for with 5 to 10 per cent down, interest rates of 4 1 * per cent, mortgages to be government guaranteed under FHA. Homes for lower Income groups, the committee says, should be publicly financed. The Wagner slum abatement program undertakes this job. It would co-ordinate all Federal housing activities, and standardize public financing through Federal loans and grants to cities with housing authorities. These, rather than the Federal government, would clear slum areas and build lowrent homes for the present occupants. Secretary of the Interior Harold Ickes has Just indorsed the Wagner plan. The task of rehousing a third of America's families is huge and difficult. Moving conservatively along paths found safe in other countries, America can wipe out its disgraceful slum tenements and restore its home life to comfort and dignity. Let us make 1936 the Better Home Year! HOW MUCH STUDENT FREEDOM? TTOW much freedom of speech and assemblage should college students have? That question, acute or. many campuses, is being urged these winter holidays at a number of student conventions. It has made trouble for college administrations in many places during 1935. Some college heads say that because of their immaturity students may be made the tools of Communists. Without knowing it, they may find themselves parts of international organizations to overthrow’ American institutions. So thinking, they have denied the right of assemblage to some student bodies suspected of being red. It is our impression that some college students have been radicals from the time the first college was opened in America. There have always been those who take an extreme stand on social problems; always those to voice indignation over people’s woes. College students today are depression children. They have to think a long way back to recall a happy w’orld. That is one reason for being patient with those who speak out. They have a bitter present and—until recently—have not been able to see much of a future. Wc are not afraid of America’s young people doing the country any harm if they are given freedom to get together and talk things over on their own campuses. ELIAS J. JACOBY FEW Indianapolis men lived lives as busy and as constructive as Elias J. Jacoby. His work in the Masonic fraternity alone would have kept an ordinary man employed. His training as a lawyer took him into enterprises—chiefly transportation—that would have taxed an ordinary man severely. But he lived far beyond the Biblical three score and ten years, to the benefit of his adopted city and its many interests. Indiana was the gainer w’hen Mr. Jacoby was persuaded to come here from Ohio upon his graduation from college. We have lost an able and publicspirited citizen. ON THE THIRD HAND WHILE still engaged in helping the Supreme Court interpret the Constitution on the one hand, and helping corporations defy New’ Deal lavs on the other, the Liberty League undertakes—on the third hand, shall we say?—to help Congress “reassert its constitutional prerogatives and put the nation’s house in order.” But whereas the League's efforts to aid the Supreme Court have been quite specific, its program for Congress is rather vague. The Leaguers, like the New Dealers, like the Republicans and Democrats and Socialists and non-partisans, are broadly in favor of prosperity, security and liberty. But. while positive that the New Deal is not heading the country tow’ard those objectives, the Leaguers are not so positive as to w’hat alternative steps should be taken. Typical of the 12 points in the League's legislative program are its recommendations for “further study" in respect to social security legislation, for a budget balanced by reducing some of the expenditures, and for expanding domestic and foreign markets for farm products, not through the AAA and reciprocal trade methods, but “through policies in keeping with American traditions.” These legislative recommendations are so reminiscent of the ambiguities and negatives emanating from high places a few years ago that one wonders if the League's president really is that same Jouett Shouse who spent four years lampooning President Hoover. A WOMAN’S VIEWPOINT By Mrs. Walter Ferguson ‘•it atY FOLKS are a bunch of old fogies,” WTites Harriet, aged 21. "They are dead set against my going to the fashionable night club near our city because they say I'm liable to get into bad company. They don't know what they're talking about, of course, because in spite of orders I have gone several times, and all the best people in town are there. I don't see any sense in such an attitude. It locks as if they just don't want me to have a good time." Well. Harriet. I know nothing about your fashionable night club, but I can tell you what happened in ours not long ago. Two men were shot down right in front of all the best people who were dining and dancing that night. Investigation proves that a great deal of vice w’as being practiced there, right under the noses of our social aristocrats. So it seems high time for the best people in every city to decide what they’re going to stand for; whether they will continue to patronize such places, and lend their influence to gambling, racketeering and other underworld activities. Some of the nicest girls in town have been called, before the grand jury because they were at the night club when murder broke loose there. They are very unhappy about it, as well they might be, since such experiences leave impressions which are not soon forgotten. It is easy also for the reputation of a good girl to be permanently besmirched when she is discovered in the company of crooks. Another thing. Has it ever occurred to you that perhaps your folks—the old fogies—are the best people, in the real sense of the word? How long would homes exist and civilizations endure, if the old fogies weren’t always here to protect them against the thoughtless who choose the easiest way and, like silly geese, run after the cackling crowds because they haven't the grit to do otherwise. For the best people, my dear, aren't always those seen dining and dancing in public places, or who have lots of money to spend, or who, having no standards, make a great show of being broadminded. No, the best people in every town are like your folks, who discourage vice by staying away from those places where it flourishes.

THE INDIANAPOLIS TIMES

Squaring The Circle With McCREADY HUSTON

VIEW YEAR'S EVE. I dare say some of the customers will read this in the rrormng. Nearly everybody seems to be under a mandate to go through the somewhat dull routine o: celebrating tonight. I hope none of the followers of this column let their New Year's gaiety degenerate into a brawl. It is much* better to start the new year without a headache and the loss of memory which makes a fellow ask his friends where he was last night. tt tt a THE best New Year's Eve party I ever attended was in the home of Bill Sykes, the cartoonist. Bill is a tall, gangling red-headed Southerner who came north and married a Quaker girl in Philadelphia. For many years he has done the daily cartoon for the two Ledgers in that city. Well, we were at his house for New Year’s one time and when midnight came Bill opened the front and back doors. The back door let the old year out and the front one the new year in. I remember he made all the guests stand on chairs and reach as high as they could. I don't know’ w’hat the chair business symbolized. Perhaps some of the readers can explain it. a a TTTATCH parties used to be com- ’ ’ mon in Indiana, and I suppose still are. People w’ould go to their churches, spend the evening in prayer and worship, and be there together when the mystic hour struck. That was a wholesome custom and beats a. w’atch party in a tavern in every way. tt tt a 'T'ONIGHT is the night for resolutions. For wiping the old slate clean and beginning anew one. Every man and woman has his own little set of shortcomings to conquer; his own set -of ambitions to achieve. I have to fight an innate laziness that puts me in a taxicab when I should walk. I am afraid of dentistry and as a result I don’t go to the dentist w’hen I should. lam so fond of detective storit?s that I spend time on them which should be devoted to philosophy, history and economics. I am inordinately fond of baked beans. That sort of thing. My list has been made out and sworn to and I hope to be a much better citizen from now on. The same to you. a tt tt YEAR'S calls have rather gone out of fashion but a finer custom never existed. To make the rounds of one’s friends, or as many of them as could be reached, w’as a good way to spend the afternoon of New Year's. In many of the homes you’d find a bowl of eggnog. Just why eggnog is connected with New Year’s I don’t know’, but it is. In the old days the number of calls a man made was gauged by the number of cups of eggnog he could hold. tt tt tt T ETTERS come in from Indianapolis friends saying they liked this or that issue of the column. They are very gracious. But they ought to realize that during the holidays, when there is only one subject, it is easy to turn out paragraphs which touch and refresh the memories of readers. .What they should do is—if they like it—to look forward to the burnings days of next July and resolve to furnish material that will enable the writer to survive. a tt tt TT is to be hoped the city officials make some resolutions tonight. If they don't I shall have to buy a pair of rubbers. Hip boots might be better. My route has been entirely too deep with slush for comfort. a a a A ND so, for what one woman calls a “modified form of whoopee.” OTHER OPINION “Social Security” [South Bend Tribune] The unemployment insurance section of the Federal j “social security” system will not be practically effective, from the designated beneficiaries’ viewpoint, until Jan. 1, 1938. That is the date set for beginning of payments to the certain classes of workers temporarily unemployed through no fault of their owm. For employers, however, the system becomes very real within a few days. On Jan. 1. 1936, every employer of eight or more persons must begin setting aside or thinking of setting aside the money necessary for pay- ! ment of this "social security" tax. It may be remarked in passing that the political bureaucracy will be enhanced immediately by this new system. While the unemployed are waiting hopefully for 1938 and employers are trying to solve the financial and administrative problem? created for them by this step toward utopia some politicians and their “deserving" friends will be doing quite well occupationally. State bureaucracies as well as the one in Washington will be inflated further by this “boon to the forgotten man.”

IN THE WAY OF A HAPPY NEW YEAR

Wit •* .■/ / *.JT g

The Hoosier Forum l wholly disapprove of what you say—and will defend to the death your right to say it. — Voltaire.

(Times readers are invited to express their views in these columns, religious controversies excluded. Make vour letters short, so all can have a chance. Limit them to 250 words or less. Your letter must he sianed, but names will he withheld on reauest.) tt a tt ALL RIGHT WITH READER IF LINDBERGH LEAVES By a Times Reader Every so often up springs the name of the famous Col. Lindbergh, the man who doesn't want publicity. Yet he does the most unheard of and unexpected things things to make him a headliner in papers and first on the radio. Why does he do so differently from other men? Now he blames every one for his troubles —the press, the government and what not. Why should he blame any government for his trouble with baby Charles? He should have protected that child himself. As I remember, he moved out in the sticks, had no guards nor so much as a lock on the nursery window. One wonders why it hadn't happened before. Why should Lindbergh's baby Jon be any more likely to be kidnaped than any other rich man's child, if the motive be money? Other rich men don’t blame the press and the government. They do their best to protect their children. Had Lindbergh done this, there might not be a man in New Jersey waiting to go to the chair. He blamed the press for the first baby's misfortune and didn't want anything said about Jon. Now he gets angry at the country that made him famous through much publicity. New Jersey and the United States Government have been good to Lindbergh, but he has had too much publicity. I hope he stays in England long enough for us to get a rest from Lindbergh headlines. I, for one. am glad our country protects its subjects all alike and not just the noted families. a tt a SEES NO BENEFITS IN PARTISAN WRANGLING By Hiram Lackey Someone should write the actual facts about the Republicans’ favorite subject—governmental economy and efficiency. This would enable them to sympathize with the Irishman who always was wanting justice. One day the Judge gave him too much justice. Among the “facts” which one Republican uses to back up his argument is this contention: “A man who can’t give a personal bond for SIBO is not fit for office.” This would eliminate such men as

Questions and Answers

Inclose a 3-cent stamp for reply when addressing any question of fact or information to The Indianapolis Times Home Service Bureau, 1013 Thir-teenth-st, N. W., Washington, D. C. Legal and medical advice can not be given, nor can extended research be undertaken. Q —Did Alexander Graham Bell actually invent the telephone? A—He invented it in 1876 in Boston, Mass. Others who had predicted the possibility of transmitting speech by wire did not hit upon a practicable method. Charles Bourseul, a Frenchman; an Italian named Antonio Meucci; Philipp Reis, a German; and Professor Elisha Gray, A. E. Dolbear. and Daniei Drawbaugh. Americans, are among those who worked on telephone inventions. and their claims were the 6'ubject of prolonged litigation which resulted in Mr. Bell's patent being upheld and his claims to the invention of the telephone were established officially. Q —Describe the method of taking a footprint of a baby's foot. A—Use a stamp pad of black ink, or roll a thin layer of black printer's ink on a piece of paper. Press the foot lightly on the pad or paper.

Socrates and young Lincoln. True, there is no place for such men in a Hooveristic scheme of government. His “facts” might be termed “an j.. - —dent note,” in the sense that ignoring history and the value of character is independence. One Republican deplores the fact that certain minor office holders, presumably Democrats, do not work in the interest of public welfare or economy, but for the retention of the political jobs of a group. The writer overlooked the fact that the real purpose of his contention is to enable another group to retain their property and to throw men out of employment. Why not try to be big enough to concenrate cur attention on plans which will make the most useful jobs for everybody? This will create new wealth and enrich the whole nation. Why not arrange to give trustees, for example, positions wherein they can work with greater efficiency? Why be so petty and mean as to find fiendish delight in throwing any man out of employment? Why not open our minds to the education that will make money circulate and give an abundance of work to all? What is more contemptible than the meanness of men who enjoy a good income, directly or indirectly from Roosevelt’s spending and then squawk about paying taxes on their little 10-cent houses? Such men want no restrictions placed on big business. They fear they might lose an opportunity to stab a fellow worker in the back. Why not join the holy half of the 4700 ministers who answ’ered President Roosevelt, pledging their support to the justice of government ownership of public utilities and basic industries? tt tt tt THE BRITISH MOTIVE QUESTIONED AGAIN By Robert K. Taylor England's critics are not condoning the Italian invasion of Ethiopia. In many respects African native civilization is far superior to that of Europe. But this was also true years ago when England was intent upon setting up herself as a modern Roman ruler of the world, a plan which succeeded only too well. Mr. B. of Bloomington argues that our form of government, our traditions and our culture are predominantly English, with the assumption that these things are good. The most ugly, unnatural, artificial and thoroughly despicably bad cult of all time, that of Puritanism, came from England also. This beloved piece of English culture-flowering has colored American national life with crime, repression, retrogressive censorship, prostitution and innumerable horrid vices. Somebody perhaps can get some satisfaction out of the fact that our culture is best

taking care that the heel and ball, and the ball of each toe receive some in. Remove the foot from the ink and press it lightly on the page where the impression is desired, again taking care to press each toe and the ball and heel so that a complete impression will rejult. Q —Give the date and place of the professional football game in which the New York Giants won the national championship in 1934. A—Polo Grounds, New York City, Dec. 9, 1934. The Giants defeated the Chicago Bears 30 to 13. Q_What is steel skeleton construction? A—The building codes define it ns: “A form of building construction wherein all external and internal leads and stresses are transmitted to the foundations by a rigidly connected framework of metal or reinforced concrete. The inclosing walls are supported by girders at each story.” Q —ls Bastile Day also called Independence Day in France? When is it celebrated? A—July 14 is Bastile or Independence Day.

because theoretically we have no slaves. American slaves, working in dirty life-shortening factories with no rights to speak of. nor time for profitably spent leisure, might well envy cousin slaves in Africa who travel, have work and leisure both, and who die of old age. Primitive culture almost inevitably is less restrained and more humanly natural, satisfying, valid and good than our Western civilization. England, more than any other country. has been responsible for the diffusion of this material culture of ours among people who neither had the want or need for most of it. And even now. despite what our Bloomington reader believes, England is not concerned with respect for the rights of small countries, in this case, Ethiopia. England is most afraid that 11 Duce will stir up a race war in Africa which might oust England's present right of the mighty culture dictatorship there. England, of course, rationalizes that her respegt for small countries led her to take them under wing in the past and thrust her own glorious Christian civilization upon them. It’s a lot of happy savages who can brag that a British flag waves overhead, rather than that of Italy. But any ordinary dumb man in the street might question '‘British or Italian flag? What in hell's the difference, anway?”

LESSON BY HARRIET SCOTT OLINICK How quickly I grow insolent To mock at fate, And tell myself it isn't Powerful or great. Until I feel the cutting lash Upon my face, And know that momentarily I'm in disgrace. But I shall be forever free From failure's clumsy grope. I carry high to victory A chaliced cup of hope. DAILY THOUGHTS But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God—St. John 3:20, TRUTH does not do as much good in the world, as its counterfeit does mischief.—Rochefoucauld.

SIDE GLANCES By George Clark

mLn}? f|hs& _ IL in I /W.

“How can you say that, officer? Dorothy Ann is a much, better driver than most girls her age.”

DEC. 31, 1035

Your..; Health By PR. MORRIS FISHBEIN

Washington Merry-Go-Round column will be found hereafter on Tage One of the Second Section.) 'AT'OUR body contain? 60 to 70 per X cent water. It loses anywhere from one to five quart? every day. If you have a job that makes you perspire, you may have a -'water turnover" of as much as four gallons a day. The water you drink makes up 90 per cent of the fluid part of your blood. It caVries the essential food substances throughout the body, as well as the materials that are to be eliminated. You may be able to go 40 days cr more without food, but you can go only four or five days without water. The old poem which began, "Pure water is the best of drinks.” turned out to be one of the truest statements known to physiologists and hygienists. a a a TT 7ATER is the universal solvent. VV Not one of the chemical changes that occur in the cells would take place without water. Incidentally, the proportion of water in man's bodv is greater at birth than at middle age. Six months before its birth an infant Is composed of 94 per cent water; at birth this content has decreased to 69 per cent. When a man is 20 years old, the water in his body constitutes 62 per cent, but when he is 70. the amount has diminished to 58 per cent. Some of your tissues contain more water than do others. Your brain has 79 per cent water, your kidneys 83 per cent, your liver 70 per cent and your muscles 75 per cent. tt a a T/fOREOVER. different foods vary -IYI in the amount of water they contain. The cucumber, tomato or watermelon will run as high as 90 to 95 per cent of W’ater content. An egg has 65 per cent, meat 75 per cent, fish 80 per cent and milk 87 per cent. The water we take into our bodies seems to be one-fourth from drinking water and the remainder from coffee, milk or soups and the water content in solid foods. Water is eliminated from the body largely by the kidneys, but an almost equal amount is vaporized through the skin and by breathing, and about one-half as much Is eliminated by the bowel.

TODAY’S SCIENCE BY DAVID DIETZ

SPECTACULAR advances in the field of artificial radio-activity ranked as the most exciting in the field of physics during the year 1935. While these failed to startle the scientific world in the same fashion that the discovery of the neutron, heavy water, and the positron, and the first announcement of artificial radio-activity did in the last few years, nevertheless they represented important achievements in the world of physics. Prof. C. C. Lauritsen and his colleagues at the California Institute of Technology, succeeded in producing gamma rays six times as powerful as those of radium by the bombardment of lithium, the third lightest element. At the University of California, Prof. E. O. Lawrence and nis associates improved the method of producing large amounts of radio-ac-tive sodium. They believed that this may prove as useful as radium in the treatment of cancer. Meanwhile, scientists are still waiting to see the eventual outcome of experiments with the huge 7,-000.000-volt electrostatic generator built by Prof. Robert Van De GraafT of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Improvements were made in the generator during the year and work was started upon a monster X-ray tube through which the full strength of the generator can be sent in atom-smashing experiments. The eventual goal for which many scientists hope is the wholesale release of atomic energy. This still seems a long way off. t: a a ' INTENSIVE studies of cosmic rays continued during 1935. It appears now as though a majority of physicists were won over to the notion that the cosmic rays consist of electrified particles rather than of energy rays. The battle, however, is not yet over.