The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1911-05-01
KANSAS cOMAENT
AN AMERICAN CATHEDRAL.

| AN AMERICAN CATHEDRAL.
The fourth largest cathedral of the
world was consecrated last week at
Mornlngslde Heights, New York.
Much of the spirit of self sacrifice
with which the medieval cathedrals of
Europe were built has appeared in
connection with this grand church of
st. John the Divine. One poor seam
stress gives IS year to it, and a
dozen old men in a church home
earned $3.50 by making nets and ham
mocks.
People sometimes wonder why hun
dreds of thousands of Americans go
abroad yearly, while outside of BUSH
ness men and immigrants only hun
dreds come this way
One reason is that every stable
town in Europe has been trying for
centuries to secure and preserve fine
buildings, which while not eQualing
New York's new church in size, may
equal it in point of beauty.
But why were the old workmen of
Europe superior to our craftsmen?
We make the best locomotives there
are. can we not make as good build
| ings?
In the old days in Europe appren-
ing their trade or art There was no
subdivision of labor. They were
kicked and cuffed about their shops
| until they produced a perfect result.
No man became master workman
until he submitted a piece of work
! artistic enough to get by the head
men.
The modern workman strives first
for better hours and pay. which is all
| right. But he also ought to think
more about turning out a product that
is perfect of its own kind. He is not
to blame for the modern subdivision
of industry that reduces him to mere
tool.
Our modern method is as if man
tried to develop his whole body by ex-
ercising one arm.
1t is time for all of us to think
more about harmonious public build
! ings and homes as we'll 1t used to
| be thought that you made buildings
more beautiful by increasing the num-
Der of angles and excrescences. Now
Ipeople are gradually learning that
there are certain eternal harmonies OF
| line and color, which the architects
had to study for thousands of years
before they brought them to a point
of perfection. Every time man puts
up a building, If it be only a $1,000
house on a back street. that harmon
ICES with those principles, he performs
a public service.-Hutchinson Gazette.
WOULD CHANGE THE FLAG.
| Mr.. Alfred Bierly of Chicago now
comes forward with a proposition to
change the flag of the United states.
Mr.. Bierly probably will next come
forward with a proposition to paint
| the lily, smooth the ice, add a per-
fume to the violet, or some other ridic-
ulous thing. He has a design of ar
ranging the stars on the blue of the
flag in a curious and novel way, some
what after the order of the pieces OF
colored glass in the kaleidoscope.
! There is a circle of stars to typify
the Union and within it stars arranged
in the outlines of a star ito exemplify
our unparalleled nation" Inside this
star is a red circle signifying our in
sular possessions, made red possibly to
indicate blood.
The flag of the Union in it's present
form is the oldest national flag now in
use in any civilized country. 1t VIII
not be changed by any vandal or van
dals, no matter under what guise he
or they make their proposition.-El-
dorado Republican. & 81