Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1918-03-02

GRAND FOR
prize for poetry. has figured in the conspiracy. though
whether IS an actual participant or a. an idealist whose
support was sought and hoped for. has not ret been
clearly established.
The general tenor Of the dispatches from the paxvie
fronts Of France. Belgium and Italy. indicate that the
week has been one OF inactivity. In this the week has
differed little from several that have preceded it. Just
what is meant by inactivity" with the forces arrayed
against each other as they are, may be imagined in some
small measure from the fact that the British casualties
in February totaled close to 20 1000. an average of close
to 5000 a week, and this during a period when there
was nothing doing.
American troops are gradually becoming accustomed
to the active work Of the front lines, and on the short
sectors where they are stationed they have participated
in practically every sort of fighting that has been devel-
oped in this war except in the gigantic struggle when
one side or the other attempts to move forward in force.
In all cases our men have acquitted themselves with
credit. Their artillery work has been excellent. They
have handled small arms accurately and expeditiously
They. have held their ground tenaciously. And, when
sent on a dangerous mission they have scorned the haz-
ard and have handled themselves as We always expect
American soldiers to do.
The most animated discussions in congress during
the week have been over the railroad bill. which, in diff
ferent forms has now passed both houses. The senate
bill fixes the time for the return of the railroads to their
former owners at eighteen months after the war, while
the house bill makes the time two years. The senate
bill vests final rate fixing authority in the interstate
commerce commission, while the house bill gives this
authority to the president. Both features were debated
..;tl, .o;-> ,rd L (; .~-a,.ol 49,. ~. -. -z,:->,
will be the subject of animated controversy before the
conference committee.
To those who have followed the controversies over
the rival types If machine gun and automatic rifle to
be adopted for the use of American troops there will
be interest in the account of the trials of the Browning
gun, the model adopted, before members of congress
and others early in the week. According to the descrip-
tons the new gun, in both heavier and lighter types. did
all that has ever been claimed for it, and spectators who
followed the tests closely expressed themselves as thor
oughly satisfied with the behavior of the new weapon.
which was enthusiastically described by one of the trial
squad as the finest weapon in the world. The statement
is also made that delivery of these guns IN large guam
titles will begin Immediately. and that the initial output
will be greatly increased week by week.
.
In the stockyards investigation Samuel Go1npers
declared in favor of the eight hour day for ali employees.
a plan to which Mr.. Armour gave his approval in his
testimony provided a way could DC found 70 put it into
effect In the hearing while Mr.. Gompe-s was present
the statement was made that in man- lines of work the
eight hour day would be found imprac:icaSle, and to
this Mr.. Gompers replied that he was not familiar with
the details Of this particular line Of WORK. bat tina; he
was speaking in approval Of the general principle.
=
An illustration of the manner in xh:cn large groups
RI, surayed lr war feeli,1 uaa oixe, IN ;.ro,-o . <,1
evenings ago when William }. Bran ezs denied q hear
ing before a Canadian audience. NJ. Bran was u
speak on prohibition under the auspices CT TING dominion
Alliance, the main prohibition organization IF CaHzaa
Ever since he became a prominent figure IN American
politics Mr.. Bryan has had a large group OF admirers III
Canada. There were about hs career many Of the pic
turcsque features which are always likely 20 attract those
at a little distance. while the political controversies III
which he was involved al home had l.,sIe i7terezt ror
those on the other SIDE OF the inc. He had addressed
many Canadian audiences on his lecture tours, and the
oratorical ability and persona! charm: which made MIN
popular at home caused the Canadians TO receive him
gladly time after time. But the Canadians are in deadly
earnest about this war. They know i. to be their war
that dot the fields Of France and Flanders. They know
it by the thousands Of Canadian homes that have beer
devastated. They are showing that they know it to b.
their war by the thousands Of their !nen whom they 2r'
still pouring into the conflict. And Mr.. Bryan, por"ie
speaker and plcagan. gentleman though they had re
garded him, came to them ae the man who, in his ca
pacity of spokesman OF their rearea. neignbor. hat
oounseled for that nation a policy Of safety and cas-
when Almighty God demanded sacrifice. He ha.
prophesied smooth things when the cries Of MURDERS
women and children had arise from the swir,ing eddie
where the Lusitania had been. And Mr.. Bryan wa
Kissed of the stage in Toronto. Is it any wonder?
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