The Washington herald., 1917-03-09
Interesting Chats
From Hotel Lobbies

There is no question in my mind but
that universal military training will lower
the death rate of the United States con-
siderably." said DR.. Edward l. Kies. Of
Dubuque. Iowa, registered at the Willard
DR.. Kies spent eight months on the firing
line in Flanders, in the service Of the
Belgian Red Cross.
If the average young man OF today"
said the doctor. spent at least two years
out Of doors and accommodating a little
muscle and chest expansion. the decline
of tuberculosis would be marvelous>
Take the wan-faced city clerk, who ex-
erCises too little and eats too much, put
him through a thorough system of mill
tary training, such as long hikes, calls
themes and open air treatment and see
what a difference it Will make in him.
Also the nation would have, IL universal
training were adopted. a tremendous
number OF able-bodied young men able to
stand the rigors of war better than any
amount of men rushed hurriedly into bat
tie without tho proper training
For the future benefit Of the race we
should Immediately adopt compulsory
training. I noticed a great difference in
the French and Belgian boys whom
treated. compared to tho average Amer
lean youth. The Europeans arc harder,
they eat less unnecessary food, take more
exercise, and are consequently fitted to
endure more hardships
On tn other hand thousands OF Ameri-
can boys could not otherwise afford to
spend two years or moro away from their
occupations but with a fair system of
payments their food and clothing sup
piled by the government. these thousands
would be saved a lot Of evils and afflic-
tions that come in after life as a result
Of too much city confinement
The nation owes It to its youngsters to
see that they do not have to go into bat
tie unframed"
bill was indeed a calamity" said Judge
E. L. Whitcomb. OF Ogden, Utah, who is
stopping at the Shoreham.
"Personaly l do not care said the
Judge, but there is many a man who
occupies the bench today who should be
retired, because OF his age. and allow a
younger and moro active man to take
his place"
1T has been two years since I sat In
court, and I retired because think US
old fellows ought to quit when we reach
the age of 70. The injection OF youns
blood in our Judiciary circle will dc
worlds Of good. Modern progress de-
mands the change Yet some Judges dc
not retire because they cannot afford to.
Unlike other important positions, a Judge
ship does not allow the liberties possible
in some walks of life. Dignity demands
certain restrictions. And do not believe
that after a man is 10 years of age. hav-
ing arrived at that age after an inactive
life. except for mental exercise he is fi'
to continue.
IF Congress would retire all of our
judiciary over 70 years of age and move
up other judges and appoint a few newer
men who have rubbed elbows more close
ly with modern conditions, the effect on
our courts, OF all classes would be little
short Of marvellous.
"All good reforms are hard to bring
about, but once they are here the effect
Is beneficial. especially in this case, Lots
of our Judges would be glad Of the chance
to retire, but there are few who would
have to be retired.
TT seems to be the only hope Of q
quicker method of obtaining decisions,
which has been sought for years"