The Washington herald., 1914-07-19

makes Il, II he makes II, though he may
seem to be very foolish, but II Is unfaii
to charge up the increase in the cost oi
living 10 any political doctrine. Severa
years ago IL was my privilege as chair
man of a subcommittee to make the first
official inquiry into the cost OF living ir
the District Of Columbia We found
there were less cattle to supply beef anc
more people to eat Il; that householder,
delegated their marketing to servants
that a large number of food commodi
ties. like cereals, were no longer bnTsht
in bulk but in fancy packages and thai
many persons preferred TO get their ba
con in glass jars, for which they paid 9
good price, than to have II cut up In
the old way on the butchers block.
Chewing Gum and Movies.
Moving pictures are not the result
of legislation, they are not mentioned ir
the economic policy Of any political party
but they are here. In 1909, so government
figures tell US, the moving picture bust
ness Of the country represented an In
vestment of $4,000. That was only five
years ago.
If recent unofficial statistics are re
liable there are now $500 moving pic
ture shows in the United States and
100000 persons attend them daily. Theil
present cost. which ultimately comes
from the people, of course, is said to b.
s275, oOO Then we are annually chew
ing S34.oOO.OO0 worth Of gum.
ALSO reflect upon this years statistics
which we are yet unable TO give accurate
ly. showing the effects OF tango dancing
on the silk industry. II We must dane,
We must be accounted for dancing anC
the STYLES that have been set for roderI
dresses-no matter what the prudish ma!
say about them-at least have the meri
Of keeping the silk mills in operation a
fun capacity.
Textile mills producing standard
woolens, cottons, etc, are running short
handed on uncertain orders. but the sill
industry Is booming. Neither politica
doctrines nor a law Of Congress intro
duced the slit skirt or the tango to th'
favor of the American people.
Thus far we have only talked oi
the money-spending practices OF individ-
UaIs. There are numerous other ways
Of dissipating ones revenues. This Is ar
age Of fads and fancies and the people
are being worked more or less ito keeT
them going. When I say fads, I extend
the field from the Associated Organiza
tfonS for the Slaughter Of Cattle With
out the SpiIling of Blood to the Benevo-
lent Order Of Political Uplifters TO Rem
edy the Ills OF Time and Eternity. They
all cost money.
1T is dues, contributions. assessments
extra charges and taxes-for what? Tc
stir up the pride and the passions OF
the people. to work on the credulity OF
the public and to obtain funds for tbs
salaries Of officers. I know of no saddel
spectacle than the welI-bred. scholarly
genius who has no trade. no profession
no means Of 4 livelihood but his wits
Jack Meets n College Chnm.
Hello. Bill says the engineer. who
has just built n railroad tunnel in Ari.
zona. to an old college chUm whom he
meets at an aristocratiC club in the East
What are you DOING
1T is a simple. friendly and natural
question. But how shall Bill answer
What has he been doing? He knows
that his friend has made good as an
engineer and the question embarrasses
him but his wit is working and he
waves his cigarette in the air and Zip
PANTY answers Doing everybody. Jack
And that is what he is doing. for he
is general secretary OF the Society for
the Painless Elimination OF the Mosquito.
We know him in Congress. His elaborate
essays on his favOrite topic clog the