The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-07-19
FROM OTHER PENS


TOO PROSPEROUS TO ENLIST
~, Srttics OF the new regular army enlist
tanning that it is the long service term OF
seven years which is keeping men out of
theory in Major Richard c. Croxton, in
charge of the army recruiting district
Win headquarters at New York city.
MAJOR Croxton says the primary cause OF
the big falling off in enlistments, at least
SO FAR as grown men are concerned, is the
general prosperity of the country. Men
who have a trade or administrative ability
nave no difficulty in finding good jobs.
The abundance of work and the high
wages jaid together offer more congenial
and tempting employment than army life
This seems to be a reasonable explana-
ton OF the situation, particularly when IT
is remembered that the increase I'm the
r rnnIstnent, term Is more apparent than
ing only over period of four years eX-
cept in time of actual war. Commercial
prosperity always turns the thoughts of
nation away from warfare and military
ambition. 1t has been so since the begin
ming or history, and probably always will
be so, and to the practical American the
glamor of army life and the call of the
pretty uniform make poor appeal be
side chance to make good money" As
long as the present conditions prevail in
the business and industrial world may
expect a continuance of comparative in
difference to the lure of the enlistment Of
ficer, but let hard times overtake us and
we undoubtedly will the doorways of
the recruiting offices thronged. Even
now there is no appreciable diminution of
the number of boys without trades and
without commercial ambitions who try to
enter the service of Uncle Sam.-Detroit
Free Press.
MUCH GOOD MUST RESULT.
As one of the congressmen mentioned in
the expose of Mulhall. the agent or
the National Manufacturers association
former Congressman j. Adam Bede enters
a strenuous plea of not guilty and offers
a reward of $1,000 if any congressman can
he shown to have received dollar for his
vote on tariff measure any schedule
thereof. In this section there has never
been even a hint of improper conduct
the part of the birchbark statesman. so
that his remarks may be taken apply
he would defend. needing no exculpation
himself. The public, however. cannot but
rejoice at the situation created by the as
sertion of President Wilson that an in
Sidious lobby has been at work and thank
him for the new conditions certain to re-
suit from an awakened public attitude
on the subject. The congress never sat
in Washington-at least not in modern
, ays-that has not been subjected to i'm
proper influences. and, if il resisted them,
more to its credit. The purpose of the
president is to remove these influences,
withdraw members from temptation and
secure legislation strictly on its merits.
Certainly such purpose is commendable.
from time to time. with the My Dear
Senator letters and has marveled at the
probable purpose of the certificates of de-
post which, in each case, were placed
to your credit" Confidential correspond
ence between Standard OIL and members
of the senate is not calculated to inspire
public confidence, and the member who is
a party to such correspondence is under
suspicion. Such suspicion
would not be calumny unless he proved
himself pure snow and chaste as Ice
and that is what certain senators are
Fastening to do.-St. Paul Dispatch.