Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1915-06-04


laughter at the antics of the clowns
The federal trade commissioners were
there, too. and there were lots of
congressman and Others of high de-
gree. II IS doubtful if any of them
gave thought to the Lusitania, the
European war, or to the affairs of
Uncle Sam and the White House. The
circus, with its bareback riders Jump
ing through hoops, its trapeze per-
formers and athletes, contained the
me great interest in life, and made
the leaders of great nation forget
their griefs and insults as they beheld
the fascinating spectacle, enraged and
excited men in few hours passed to
that happy state where they were
like boys again.
No matter how serious NAV be the
turns in national or private life, one
cannot but feel sure that it ia a great
thing to have the circus come along
once in awhile. 1t made Tumulty.
the senators, cabinet officers and the
federal trade officials feel just little
more AS they should feel, and perhaps
the funny clowns and the girls in
tights helped Berryman's cartoon to
become effective. Likely the fact that
the circus came to town may have
much to do with shaping the. destiny
of our great nation. Anyhow, before
the stakes were pulled. the people
who wanted to fight Germany and the
wildcats had ceased to f1out their
views, and were lending ready ears
to suggestions of more peaceful
methods.
Branded Horses.
According to the old way of think
ing a mustang was not a mustang
unless a big scar from a branding
iron showed up on the shoulder. Per-
haps the retention of this sort of Gus
tom is the only reason why the horses
owned by the government and used in
the District of Columbia are branded.
The Society for the Prevention of
Cruelty to Animals has taken it up
and has pointed out the senseless ma
ture of the custom, and proposes to
stop it. if possible. 1t is declared that
a brand inflicted with a red hot iron
does not completely heal for six
weeks.
War Horses.
A Washington official recently re-
turned from New York. says that he
went down to the ships and saw hun
dreds of American horses loaded on
board in order that they might be
taken to Europe to take part In the
deadly conflict. This thing has been
going on since August, and tens of
thousands of horses have been sent
from this country to be shot down. 1t
shows how, unwittingly. our country
is being used to add to the horrors of
warfare.
War Brides.
| A vaudeville sketch called "War
Brides" showing how young girls in
Europe, caught by the enthusiasm of
war. are marrying passing soldiers.
in order that they may be the means
of helping to repopulate their coun-
tries, has created a sensation in the
national capital, where it has been
staged by great actress. The suffer-
ings of womankind, of the war brides,
the old mothers who give up their
sons and daughters for their country,
only to be called on each generation
for the same sacrifices. is splendidly
brought out in this little drama. Sec
rotary Bryan applauded the play
heartily, and Fola LaFollette. daugh-
ter of the Wisconsin senator, made a
speech to the audience from box. A
number of new companies have been
organized to tour the country and the
play, which is likened to Uncle
Toms Cabin" will eventually be seen
in every portion of the United States.
War Crazy.
With war for breakfast, lunch. din
ner, business hours and leisure pc
riods-with war monopolizing con-
|versation, and running through every
column of public print, it is little
wonder that people arc becoming war
crazy. Even men of peace have ap-
parently been carried away with the
excitement. The most notable case
is that of Honorable Richard Bar
tholdt of St. Louis. Bartholdt has
long been in congress and he asked
his people in 1912 to let him retire in
order that he might give his attention
to the world peace movement. His
constituents insisted that he remain
Tin congress another two years, but
during that period he never missed an
opportunity to pose as a great peace