The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-12-27
Organization Is Formed at Ok.
ford, Headed by Bridges,
To Restore English Languag
to Its Original Purity.
PLAN TEMPERANCE CAMPAIGN
United Kingdom Alliance Pre-
pares to Assail Parliament.
Demands Legislation Similar to
That of Scotland.

London, Dec. 27-An organization
which promises to shake London s
complacency, as the fountain head of
English as 1t should be spoken, has
taken form at Oxford under the di-
rection of the Poet Laureate Robert
Bridges, aided by such masters Of Eng
lish as Thomas Hardy. DR.. Henry
Bradley, Sir Walter Raleigh and Pro-
fessor John w. Mackail
While the objects of the association
have not yet been fully defined. they
probably will include the publication
Of literature. the delivery Of lectures.
attempts ultimately to influence the
teachers over the whole country to aid
in the restoration of the purity OF the
language, both written and spoken, and
to resist the unnecessary incorporation
Of foreign words, and to encourage the
vigorous words from the dialects. The
English that johnson spoke rather than
the English that johnson wrote is the
object aimed at by the association.
johnson would have said rot" but he
would have written 'putrefy."
In a tract prepared for the English
association DR.. Bridges declares that
we say "neycher'' for nature and that
tune is well on its way to become
"chiune." A professor of English has
ence. An Oxford professor says
"cweshyun" for question, and is sadly
addicted to the word. The younger
generation say paving" for pouring.
Fortunately the educated south is
learning that there is an III in wheel
forget 1t.
DIR. Bridges concludes his tract as
follows: "A Londoner will say that a
Scotchman talks strangely and i'll: the
truth is the he himself is in the typi-
cal attitude of vulgar Ignorance in
down upon all that he is unaccustomed
to, and not knowing the true distinc-
tions. he esteems his own degraded GUS
tom as correct"
A temperance campaign as exciting
as that which accompanied the intro
duction of the licensing measure under
the Lloyd George budget is promised
for the coming session of parliament.
A demand for a licensing reform bill
has been issued on behalf of the United
Kingdom Alliance by it's president
Left Jones. M. p.
The manifesto declares that 1.-The in
PRODUCTION next year of a comprehen-
sive temperance measure into the
house Of commons would elicit such
widespread response and backing from
tho most various and unaccustomed
quarters as would astonish all whU
have not followed closely the solidify-
ing of opinion on the subject during
recent years. The Alliance points out
further that Mr.. Lloyd George has said
that no reform, political or social. will
avail in this country unless preceded
by temperance reform.
An act similar to the one demanded
by the Alliance for England and Wales
was passed for Scotland at the last
session of parliament.
The Dominions Royal Commission
which has been visiting the various
dominions and has held meetings in
London with a view to improving the
the empire. has convinced both the
colonial office and the British Cotton
Growing association that there are
prospects of cotton being grown In
northern Australia at profit.
The commission made extensive in
quiries with regard to the possibilities
of Australia as cotton producing
county. and in its report says the mem
bers were much impressed with the
natural advantages Of the northern
part of the continent. The commission
got a promise from the commonwealth
government to assist in any attempt to
develop the industry. and now the
colonial office and the Cotton Growing
association have promised financial as
sistance in order that skilled advice
may be procured and practical expert
ments made with various types of seed
The association. which aims at Sc
curing enough cotton with the empire
to make the manufacturers OF Lanca-
shire independent Of the American
growers. has also guaranteed for q
period Of three years. from July 1. 1914
minimum price Of thirteen cents q
pound in Liverpool for cotton Of q
specified description shipped to them,
and have undertaken to superintend it,
sale.
In spite OF the Task OF interest in the
Duke of Westminster's Olympic games
fund. the liveliest interest Is being
shown here in the International con-
Eress. which win be held in Paris next