The courier-index., 1919-10-24
n o-o-O-O-O-O-O-O--t Q WASHINGTON CHAT
o-o-o-O-O-O-o-o-O-'
By ROBERT B. EDISON.

Alarming Increase in Drug, Users.
 One out of every hundred people in the U. s. A. is drug addict. Imonssible? Not bit of 1t, even ever if the figures are startling. me renort by the special committee ap- nointed by the secretary o1 tne treasury estimates the total null her of drug ''fiends" is at present ;n excess of 100000. Other es- t;mates. not so authentic, nave nlaced the total number as high as 4 600 .0OO. But whatever the eA- act number the Treasury Depar.. n,ent has evidence that the naDis is growing, sapping the strength ol tba neople and costing the naIloil ,,,nch in dollars. Each drug user iS said to spend on an average ol 2oz yearly v,a for dope, thus for a mlillon non d,uo addicts some $6l, ,OOo,ooo alone is spent for drugs, to say notbino of the economic loss or noi- amnlovment, figured at many mll- Eons If dollars. It is believed that nrob;bition has something to do ,p,,;th tbe increase in the number oI dr,o users. people who fall pach on tbe use of stimulating drugs when they no longer can obtaln ai- anbol;c drink. The Harrison anu narcotic law has been effective to great extent. but there are many 1oonholes in it and the undergrouho narcotic trade does thriving h,,s;,,ess Now comes Senator France of Maryland with bill In tbe senate for the federal govern .ne ,rent to cooperate with the states ;,, nroviding means and facllities tn nronerly treat and cure drug usars ne It is his idea that restrict mo the sale of drugs do not stay their use. that the public heaitn service should seek as many users as can be found, and those that come forward voluntarily, and turn them over to such army and navy and regular hospitals as can pc provided. all without expense to fbe natient. He believes that just as the federal and state govern, ments provide for the care ana cure of the insane, so should they care for those who fall victims to the drug habit.
 While it has been known Tn a general way that host ot German and Austrian citizens were iooklhg forward to the conclusion of the peace treaty as sign to set sali for the land of the free. 1t was startled congress when the ngures of the State Department were dls, closed that 1O,000,000 Teutons and Austrians were planning to swoop down upon the U. 5. A. the mo. ment the word was given out that inc coast was clear. The figures of the State Department are authen., tie. But will the bars be let down '! It is hardly likely that even, the top one will be taken off, at least for many months to come. There are enough problems to be solved in this country without having to worry about an influx of foreign CTS who should remain at home and work out their own salvation. Neither do American workmen want 10,O0O,000 men competing against them, perhaps receiving the same wages as they do, and have them sending money back home for the benefit of the fatherland. The country need not worry about the matter. Legislation will soon be in hand to deal with the subject. And in good time, before an acute situation can arise. This IS stated upon the highest authority.
 For many months the national bureau of education has been wrestling with the problem as to what can be done to relieve the alarming shortage of school teach CTS throughout the country. Witt the great revival of Interest Tn ed ucation following the war, anc schools filled as never before, ths teacher shortage has reached 3S,,OO0 and there are 65,000 Incompetent teachers employed because 1t IS i'm possible to get those who are ade quately trained and equipped. The situation is considered appalling when one considers the genera lowering of the educational morale of the youth of the country, { spirit that grew out of the easil! earned wages during the emergenc, of the war. The educational bu reau points out that the remedy | simple, but its hands are tied Teachers must be paid a wage II keeping With thelr aDllltles ant duties and equivalent to the ad vance in the cost of living. Ii taxpayers are not willing to mee the situation, then it is believed that the entire school system should be placed under the supervision o1 the federal government.
 Washington is preparing to re ceive the large delegation that Ja pan is sending to represent tha country at the International Labol Conference to be held in November The party includes more than 6( persons, and is the largest sent b! any of the nations to be repre- sented. The dispatch of Japan contingent is regarded here as { certain indication of the Japanesi governments purpose to ratify tn peace treaty at an early date.
 WHERE FRIENDSHIP ENDS.
 "It is wrong to envy any maj his prosperity"
 "0f course, it is" replied Cactu