Evening star., 1912-09-01
DOUBT AS TO BRYCE:
England Believes He Will Act
Keep Post Here.
LOOKS TO SUCCESSORS
Harcourt and Spender Both Mel
toned for Ambassadorship.
OMNIBUS LINES REFORM
Fearful of Legislative Action Owing
to Abuses Practiced in Lon
don in the Past.
LOOKS TO SUCCESSORS
OMNIBUS LINES REFO

AoNDoN. August 31.-The Impression
'hat Ambassador Bryce will NOT retst,,
MS POST at Washington MANY months
longer persists in parliamentary Arle.
despite the repeated official den,als,
Change. When Prime Minister A.
auith answered the last question on ,hat
shoJect he said merely that Mr.. Bryce
would return 10 Washington and -
slime his duties in September. which nas
not an entirely convincing denial OF An
early change
Ihe fact that Mr.. Bryce has held tie
off1ce for five years and has reached tile
age OF seventy-four. together with th,
possibility that the liberal government
may not continue long in power, and
that others have let Ii be known that
they would consider the Washington en-
bassy suitable reward while yet this
government has the power OF appoint
ment. furnish reasons for the belief that
change may soon take place.
Lewis Harcourt, secretary OF state for
the colonies, and j. Alfred Spender
editor of the Westminster Gazette are
two names most favored by the liberals
as candidates for MIR. Bryce's successor
IT is noteworthy that neither belongs -
the diplomatic service and that both are
comparatively young men.
The Washington post Is regarded as
one demanding qualities not apt to he
found among professional diplomats
whose careers have been spent IN Euro
pean capitals.
Title to Recognition.
Mr.. Spender's title to recognition is
that he has been the most influential
writer supporting the liberal party on
the London press While the Westmin-
ster, an afternoon paper, is not the most
powerful liberal organ. Mr. Spende,s
utterances on political questions carry
more weight than those of any other in
dividual in the party press. He is recog
nized as one of the foremost British jour
nalists. Mr.. Spender and Mrs. Spender
were among the few selected by the king
to take tea In the royal tent at the last
royal garden party, and this mark OF
distinction was considered significant by
those who have predicted his appoint
ment to office.
Mr. Harcourt is a practical politician
and a society man. His health has not
been robust recently. and transfer to
position demanding less hard work than
a cabinet portfolio would be welcome TO
him. Mrs. Harcourt was an American.
daughter of the late Walter IA. Burns
of New York, and an American wife
usually is considered a valuable asset
for a European diplomat in Washington.
Bus Lines Reform.
The London motor omnibus com
panies have begun to reform themselves.
as they are fearful of legislative action.
The first act OF reform OF the jugger-
naut. which has crushed out so many
r;n an,
streets, is a general reduction of speed.
SO that most OF the lines now do not
exceed the rate OF twelve miles an hour.
In the past it has been no uncommon
thing for the buses TO run fifteen miles
an hour whenever they came to an open
place in the traffic, and in many cases
this has forced the pace of lighter motor
cars running in front of them.
Owing to its great bulk the motor ON.
nibus has become the premier ''road
hog" of the streets Many of the driv-
ers are exceedingly skillful pilots and
taking advantage of the slightest open
ing they force their way through the
iensest traffic with slight regard for
the rights of other vehicles and with
out paying the least heed TO pedestrians
Harmful to Paving.
No other vehicle does as much harm
TO pavements as the omnibus. yet IT pays
nothing toward the upkeep OF the
streets. This is one of the standing
grievances Of the municipal street ear
lines, which not only have to compete
with the bus lines but also have TO pave
q portion OF the roadway.
The demand for an impost on the bus
lines Is becoming insistent, and coupled
with criticisms of their excessive speed
the complaints have become so formi-
dable that the companies are beginning
to pay some attention to the rights az
the public. 1t is hardly likely. however
that they will escape taxation. for the
town council of Croydon is already con-
a measure whereby the bus
lines will be compelled to contribute to-
ward the upkeep OF the streets.
Dock Crossing Atlantic.
The huge floating dock Duke OF Con-
laught. built at Barrow for a Montreal
has started on its leisurely
voyage across the Atlantic in tow OF
wo powerful Dutch tugs.
1t is the second largest dock In the
world. Over 700 feet in length, II had
capable Of receiving the largest battle
'hip either built or planned.
Allowing for an average speed OF five
lnots. the voyage TO Montreal will take
lbout six weeks. but should the weather
,e bad two months or more Will elapse
,efore she reaches the other side. The
'ope hawsers used for towing the dock
ire eighteen inches I'm circumference.
Wire cables also connect the tugs with
he dock.
A party of the builders workmen are
making the voyage. some OF them being
loused on the dock, while others have
uarters on the tugs. The dock also car
les an extra cargo of coal, which can
'e supplied to the tugs I'm midocean is
necessary. Each tug carries provisions
or six months and seventy tons OF
rozen water.