The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1921-04-14

Rene viviani, Frances special en-
voy to the United States, has been re-
ceived by President Harding, despite
the ridiculous protests Of the Friends
of Irish Freedom. and in conversa-
tons with the Chief Executive, Secre-
tary Hughes and other administration
leaders began his task of discovering
on what terms the United States will
join the allied nations in restoring
peace to the world. He is here, he
insists, only to listen and report, and
not to make any suggestions on be-
half of France. For definite answers
to his questions he must wait until
president Harding takes up interna-
tional questions with his cabinet end
with leaders in congress.
Discussion of one of the administra-
TONS most serious problems--that Of
The railways-was taken up in earnest
last week, and though to the lay mind
it seems almost insolvable. the ex-
perts in such matters believe it will
be solved by the interstate commerce
commission and the railroad labor
board working in closer conjunction
than had been contemplated when the
latter was created. Senator Cummins
and Representative Mondell assert the
machinery under the transportation
act is adequate in the situation and
that no further legislation will be
needed. It Is the position Of the Pres
ident and his advisers that the gov
eminent should do all it can to facil-
itate the return of the railroads to
former conditions, and it is admitted
that both high freight rates and high
wages must be reduced. Present
rates are undoubtedly retarding great
ly the movement of commodities, es-
pecially farm products. and the roads
suffer In revenue accordingly. OF
course the railway unions are oppos-
ing any reduction in wages, asserting
this would be unnecessary were 1t not
for willful extravaganza CD the part
Of the railroad homogeneous. The
senate committee on interstate CON-
merce plans an investigation that shall
establish the truth or fsllsity OF the
charges made by organized labor.
AS had been expected. President
Harding appointed Col. Jay j. Morrow
governor of the Canal Zone. He also
named Capt. S. e. w. Kistelle of the
navy governor of the Virgin islands;
Hubert Work, president Of the Amer
ican Medical association. first assist
ant postmaster general; Charles III.
Burke of South Dakota, commissioners
Of Indian affairs; George. Carter Of
Iowa, public printer. and Thomas
Robertson Of Maryland, commissioner
of patents. K Lublic task for Gen.
Charles G. Dawes of Chicago has been
found by the President, who has ap-
pointed him chairman Of a commits
sion of eleven to investigate the prob
lens of soldiers relief and to formu-
late definite policy and program. The
other members of the commission are
all we'll known and competent men
and women.
Wiis the most impressive rites OF
the Roman Catholic church end In the
presence of the greatest assemblage
of church dignitaries ever seen in this
country, the remains Of James Card
inal Gibbons were laid to rest Thurs
day in the crypt of the Cathedral OF
the Assumption of the Blessed virgin
in Baltimore. By special decree Of the
pope there was sung at the mass a
solemn Gregorian chant previously
heard only at tie funerals of sovereign
rulers of the church in the Sistine
chapel in Rome. Not the church alone,
,but all of Baltimore paid tribute to
the memory of its beloved and distin-
guished citizen, and as the clocks OF
the city tolled ten. the hour OF the
ceremony. every wheel stopped, every
activity ceased.
Sharply contrasting with this funer-
al in pomp and place, just as the life
work of the men contrasted. was the
funeral of John Burroughs. the be-
loved naturalist and author, who died
last Tuesday on a passenger train in
Ohio. On the eighty-fourth anniver-
sary of hfs birth his body was in
tered at Roxbury. high in the Cats
kin mountains close to the old house
a. which he was born, and large
bowlder on which he often sat forms
the headstone Of his grave This dean
Of nature writer's is deeply mourned
by the great and the humble alike OF
! the entire nation.