The Washington times., 1917-02-07
Here andThere
In the News

BY the blizzard weather That has
swept over the country from Juneau
to the Indian river. But the worst
is yet to come. It always comes with
the late frosts in the springtime when
the peach and apple trees are in
bloom and the entire crop is killed
in a night. However, II has almost
always happened that a little later
II Is found that the crop which was
destroyed is actually so big that the
railroads find it impossible to supply
enough cars to haul It to market, and
the old, old story is told of how. be-
cause OF the utter failure of the rail-
roads to perform the service for which
they were chartered and freely given
enormously valuable privileges. in a
single county somewhere in Georgia
lit generally happens in Georgia) sew
enteen million bushels of the finest
EIbertas rotted in mountain heaps.
When watermeIons Fail In Georgia.
Then, about the same time, the
watermelon crop having been de-
stroyed, it is found impossible to get
a sufficient number of freight cars to
haul the melons to market. The rail-
roads are to blame, of course. for rain
and storm and wintry weather. and
statesmen in all the States and in
Congress consider what steps shall be
taken to make the transportation lines
do their duty in spite OF Providence
and the middlemen and old Eminent
Domain is trotted out to cut his
capers and insist that by little more
regulation here and a little more
pressure there the railroads can be
compelled to save the fruit crop In
Florida when the North wind blows
and the watermelon hangs helpless
on the vine down in Georsy."
Actual Size of the United States.
At times It would seem that the Uni
ted States is somewhat inclined TO boast
a little OF its greatness in area. in
wealth. in patriotism and especially in
charity or what Is called by the softer
name of humanity. There Is no doubt
of the primacy OF the United States in
many things; but 1t Is mot the only
pebble on the beach" In area, the Do
mInion OF Canada IL larger by some
thing over one hundred thousand square
miles; in wealth. the United Kingdom
two years ago held about two billion
dollars more of the wealth of the world
as expressed in stock exchange securi-
ties than the United States; in patriot
ism. the little Kingdom OF Belgium has
won immortal fame by the heroism and
devotion Of its people. and in charity the
United States with all its resources has
done nothing. according to its ability.
that should make it over-proud OF its
record.
Herbert Hoover's Experiences.
When the present European war be-
gan Belgium was a happy. prosperous
country at peace with all the world. II
stood in the way of German conquest
and was destroyed It's people were
left TO starve. An American commission
was organized to succor them in their
awful distress. This commission was
placed under the management Of Her
bert C. Hoover and steps were taken 10
afford relief to the helpless victims Of
the most brutal war that has been
waged since the time Of Alaric. the
Goth There was call for contribu-
tions to the relief funds and there was
much boasting OF the marvellous liber-
ality OF the American people. No occa-
sion was omitted to let the right hand
know what the left hand was doing.
and the American sense OF superiority
was much Hratihed by the initial squirt
for humanity; but the American people
grew weary in well doing and the story
Of how they have failed has been told
by Mr.. Hoover The facts are suffl-
cient to condemn the vanity of the
boastful spirit Faith without works
is dead"
Beaten to q FrnEEIe.
All the credit for the organization
of Belgian relief has been given to
the United States. In the great strug.
gle to save 100000 people from
starving $3.50. 1000 900 has been ex-
pended. The cost Of administering
this immense sum has been less than
one-half OF / per cent. or the $780,
OOO, 900 subscribed to the fund $780,
OOO, 900 has been expended in the Uni
ted States for supplies. Out OF the
Relgian relief commission the United
States has made in war profits. 800
OOO. 900 In two years the United
States. with all its boasting about
humanity and size and wealth, has
given to the Belgian fund only So
600 900, or less than 2 cents per
capita. Notwithstanding the fearful
drain upon their resources on account
OF the war, the British people have
contributed IS cents per capita: Can
ada, IS cents: AustraliaS S1.25; New
Zealand, 81 1.9s. and obscure little
Tasmania has laid down $6.53 per
capita for the relief OF the starving
Belgians.
at is up to our country" says Mt.
Hoover. ito say whether or not this
work, the greatest work which Amer
lea has ever undertaken in the name
of humanity, shall. through its pre-
tensions. become a word OF contempt.
The justification Of American riches
can only be her requital OF the obli-
CATION which comes with riches"
Government Helpers.
All the whisky distilleries in Ken
lucky have been offered to the Gov
ernment to make alchohol for use in
/ the manufacture OF munitions of
war. Probably the dry States will
not object TO this patriotic offer on
the part of the prescribed class of
American citizens.
80. Irord the chiaf anostla of neace