Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-05-24
WORLD GROWS BETTER,
SPEAKER CLARK SAYS
Statement by Pessimists ChaI-
Ienged in Address at Friends
School Commencement.

Answering in the affirmative the ques-
ton, rs the world getting better?"
Speaker Champ Clark, in an address last
night to the graduates Of the Friends
School. at 1909 / street northwest. took a
rap at the pessmists who claim that
marriage is a failure, who attack public
men and clergymen, and who say that
everything Is growing worse. The
Speakers daughter, Miss Genevieve
Champ Clark. was to have graduated
from the school yesterday, but was alb
sent in Europe
The Speaker paid a high tribute to the
members of the House of Representa-
tives. He said that some critics allege
that all public men are dishonest. but
that he knew very well the 435 members
of the House, and added: Il would bet
my head that every one of them is abso-
lutely honest He added that some of
them make mistakes sometimes. but that
the claim that they are not honest makes
him mad. because it is a reflection on
the American people, who elected them"
Back to the Farm.
Speaker Clark referred to the fact that
he used to be a farmer and a school
teacher. and said that he regrets some
times that he ever stopped being a teach
er. A lawyer. he said, is not always
sure that he is not doing harm by get
ting his clients their freedom. and a
congressman can do much harm to his
no harm as long as he keeps away from
history.
1T seems to me-. he continued, that
in the last decade all the pessimists
have had a hearing. They have made
such a croaking that they have been
heard around the world E.yarythinQ and
every one has been affected. They have
even attacked marriages. / think that
the propaganda under the name of is
marriage a failure? is somewhat respon-
sible for the increasing number OF bache-
lors and maids.
The pessimists have even attacked
clergymen. Whenever a preacher goes
wrong somebody says that all preach
out religion the world would be bed
lam
Continuing, he said il he could have
his most earnest wish granted 1T would
be that every voter in the United
States would have sufficient education
and training to read his ballot intelli-
gently on election day. and would have
strong enough convictions to vote as
he. believed he ought to vote.
World Signs as Evidence.
The Speaker recited number of
things to show that the world is grow
ing better. He spoke of the decreas-
Ing number Of wars, of great inven-
tions. Of the spread Of education and
intelligence and Of the growth of
charity. He said that most present
day evils are caused by the packing
OF people into cities, since people who
stay in the country seldom really
suffer from want.
Thomas w. Sidwell, principal of the
school. in an address, referred to the
fact that the faculty would have been
willing to give Miss Clark her diploma
despite the fact that she had not quite
completed the course. but that she had
refused because she wanted no special
privileges" She will take up her work
again after returning from Europe, he
said.
A large number Of relatives and
friends of the graduates attended the
exercises. and after the diplomas had
been presented by Mrs. Sidwell, Speak
err and Mrs. Clark and Mr.. and Mrs.
Sidwell held a reception. The Speaker
warmly congratulated each OF the
graduates individually. Miss Lima Sutton
was the accompanist.
The graduates were Katherine Hawk
hurst. Constance Weaver, Grafton
Tyler Brown. Elmer Hovenden Gates.
Harry J. Burch, Sybi1 Davis, Lowell
Shuster Harding, Ruth Raymond Pat
terson and Jean Harmon Roberts.