The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1916-07-13
HE RIS c. Pc
A Sight at the Surface of Timely Topics
B Y RAs HI D -

A Sight at the Surface Of Timely Topics
II BY :nAsH1D'' II
1t is very difficult to state positively the fact
that we have discovered the meanest man." Just
as one paper crowns a culprt with the phrase,
another comes along and makes the former act one
of charity, in comparison.
We have our own ideas on the subject of
manners as Webster defines the word, and believe
the story of Sandy Mcpherson is entitled to all
the obloquy the term implies Sandy given
six months in Jail recently. 1t appears he went to
the parish priest, gentle SOUL stating his mother
in-law had died. He borrowed ten dollars to buy
coffin with. The priest. meeting the mother-iu-
law on the street shortly afterward told her of the
loan After she got through with Sandy, the
police took charge of what was left of him. We
think Sandy has good title to the claim of meanest
man."
The general opinion is that government reports
uninteresting reading. Some of them are not
only interesting, but highly instructive.
In view of our horror at the enormous loss of
life in Europe, little study of pamphlet called
~ S. Health Bulletin No. 1872 is uminatve in it's
array of cold facts regarding the annual waste of
lives in wn country.
The report shows that our industries each year
kill $50 900 people, and disable less perma-
nenty, some 4 100000 more, by accident and pre-
ventable disease.
The government makes secret Of this 1t
wants the people to know and for this thou
sands of copies of the report being circulated by
the government printing office at Washington.
The report further states that we are not i'm
90 &ho that
the enlistment Offices in Chicago, during ffty-eight
days. received 212 applications for service. Of this
number only ~ were accepted. The ratio of
ceped to refused the country over in this period is
as to five.
Looks as though we have wide field of
deavor in the safeguarding and uplifting of public
health. Legislation will'do lot towards helping
The effort of each individual to live cleaner and
more sensible life is, however the one sure method
to better health
There are, of course, economic faults in the in
dustrial system partly to blame. Nevertheless in
dividual effort, properly sustained, will
later evolve itself into collective force, that will
eliminate the faults TO degree where the danger
becomes a great deal less active.
In book published few years ago read of
two nations at war. The weaker has been attacked.
The stronger invades and is driven back to his own
border by the successful defenders. Public opinion
in the attacked country demands an invasion of the
the stronger nation in retaliation. In addition
this demand for large indemnity is favored.
The authors chief of staff of the smaller nation
induces all his officers to sign what amounts to
fusal to do anything further except defend their
border lines The premier according to the story
is forced to accept He is refusing the chance
for an indemnity, which would dissolve the cost of
the war. The people made to the high
ideals of the chief of staff and ends. This is
all very well-in fiction.
As matter of fact, in real life the chief of
staff would be instantly relegated to unimportant
position in the rear. Public opinion would insist
advance. The government would have to secure
an indemnity to recoup their losses they were
the attacked nation.
Public opinion in war time is a far more po-
name for human nature and it is tremendous force
once started. Guarding ones border is we'll, but
having to go to the expense Of having it ever in
state of siege is better Sometimes it is well to let
the other fellow know that if he forces you guard
yourself against his ever threatening attitude, he
will eventually have to pay all the expenses.
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