davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1921-12-11
Let Well Enough Alone.

Postmaster General Hays, in his
annual report. makes the suggestion
that the name Of the Post Office De
partment be changed to that of DE
partment Of Communications" Sug-
gestions to that end have been made
to the congressional committee reor-
ganizing the government departments,
and it is the hope of the department
that they will be adopted, the report
states.
1.-THE Post Office Department is, as
a matter Of fact, the department Of
communications OF the government" !"
says the report. While this may be
true to a great extent in time of peace,
in time of war the postal service dis
tinctly falls behind both the telegraph
and the telephone as means Of COM
munication. The radio, in one sense,
leads all other methods Of communica-
ton.
Railroads and steamships also are
means Of communication, and motor
trucks are still another means. 1t is
not plain how the present postal serN-
ice Of the country could rightfully be
Evening star., 1921-12-11
The National Parks.

More than a million people visited
the national parks in this country dur
ing the fiscal year which ended in
June last. The cost to the government
of keeping up these parks was 81, ,402,-
200, of which $315,0O0 was for new
road projects. Roughly speaking, the
actual maintenance of the parks cost
the United States about 81 for every
person who visited them during the
year. From time to time road Inn
provements will be effected in these
parks in a way to increase the attend
ance, and probably the maintenance
cost will not increase in proportion.
SO that steadily the per capita expense
will diminish. .
There can be no better investment
OF public money. than the comparative
~ small sum that is required yearly
10 keep these parks in order, to police
them. to make them, safe, to protect
them from mistreatment and disfigure-
ment and to make them accessible.
Their wonders were for q long while
not realized and appreciated by the
people. Until the war in Europe
checked foreign vacation travel it was
exceptional for persons living east
Of the Mississippi river to visit the
parks and view the great natural
monuments. Steadily since the first
year of the war the number Of visitors
has grown, until now, it is stated,
more than a rnillion-the precise num-
ber being 1,171,7s7-went into the
parks last year as against 356,0s7 five
years previous. a-fs
Much of the travel through the
Evening star., 1921-12-11

thousands Of parsons touring them
and camping on the sites provided by
the government. Doubtlsss this num-
Der will increase. Year by year moro
people are travelling about the country
sightseeing" many Of them with the
national parks as objectives. The ef-
feet Of this touring ia to make better
citizens Of those engaged in it. They
are getting acquainted with their own
country. and soon the average Amer
lean will have a direct personal knowl.
edge Of the major part Of the United
States and. incidentally, will have had
the advantage of the inspiration that
comes from q visit to the wonders
contained within the great national
reservations.
Evening star., 1921-12-11
World University for Workers.


LONDoN.-Detailso of a plan for ex-
tending facilities for higher educa-
ton to the working classes of the
wide world are discussed by Lord
Haldane in an intervidew with the
London Chronicle correspondent con-
cerning the scheme which is produc-
ing, and will continue to produce in
increasing numbers, men who know
the joy and comfort of learning.
THE World Association for Adult
Education, whose headquarters are in
London. has no commercial aims. 1t
is not intended to equip men with
weapons that will make them more
valuable in the labor markets of the
world. 1t exists for the purpose of
giving a new meaning to the whole
Of life. Its end is to enrich the minds
of men and to give them those de-
lights Of scholarship inseparable from
university training" says the writer.
1.-The World Association is really
world wide Lord Haldane told me.
1t is not confined to English speaking
lands, but to all countries. The Brit
ish branch, of which am president,
is known as the British institute OIL
Adult Education.
"'Our object is not to administer,
but to inspire. In this country there
are several admirable educational or
ganizations which teach the adult
student, but the field which we now
occupy has not been previously occu-
pied. The organizations to which l
have referred are doing great work.
but what has been urgently necessary
is a central body to press for and
maintain the highest possible educa-
tipnai standard and hold it up for all
who are training the adult mind.
1--WE want to give strength to all
these organizations. The first essen
tial is that this standard should be
established. Our ambition is to get
the university atmosphere into every
industrial town and into every remote
village. By the university atmosphere
I mean. so far as it can be defined, the
love Of learning for it's own sake
Lord Haldane believes that people
would much rather have high educa-
ton than ordinary education.
"'Traveling about the country, 1
find a great desire for the higher edu-
cation, he said. And this desire comes
not only from industrial workers, but
from shop assistants. postmen. clerks
and agricultural workers. This desire
for learning is not the monopoly of
any body of workers. 1t is common to
ALL
Lord HaIdane went on to give
some remarkable examples of this
search for knowledge in places where
one would not have expected to find
it widely developed.
"1n Lincoln the unemployed have
filled the library They have" spent
their enforced freedom in study. IN
reading serious books. They have
been glad to take the opportunity of
turning their hours of. leisure into
hours of learning. -.'.
"In this acquisition of knowledge
there are two enormous values--the
value to social life and the value to
the Individual Lord Haldane Is. in-
sistent on the need of an enlightened
Evening star., 1921-12-11
New York Next Year.

Gov. Miller of New York does not
desire a second term. He has given
notice. Election is next year.
He entered politics reluctantly. Edu-
Gated for the bar, he had seen service
on the bench and developed a strong
taste for the law.
But his party called. and, like the
good citizen and party man that he is.
he obeyed.
At its command he accepted a
gubernatorial nomination, and was
elected.
In Office he has shown contrivance
and resolution. He has ideas Of his
own, and insists upon them. Some Of
those he has applied to affairs have
not pleased some of the republican
politicians, and criticism has been
open.
But there are other politicians who
love him for the enemies he has made.
and are prompt with their protest
againat bis announcement. They want
him to stand again.
Gov. Miller has not said he cannot
be drafted again-has not warned his
friends against using his name in any
circumstances naxt year. Hence there
is curiosity as to whether they will
turn to somebody else. or stick to him
end put him up for the second term
he does not desire.
Politics in New York does not often
show a case like this. AS a rule, men
who enter the game become fascinated
with it, and play as long as possible.
And New York politics was never
more fascinating than at present.
Tammany's smashing victory last
month has forced a recasting Of all
calculations on both sides. and opened
up a field of speculation almost be-
wildering in its possibilities. Seasoned
politicians are in their glory.
Evening star., 1921-12-11
Curbing Balky Alien Debtors

ice which may be installed without
much cost and which will surely be
almost from the be-
ginfng, and effective If skillful use be
made of credit control as weapon of
moral suasion.
All that is necessary is to separate
those delinquent debtors. who remain
in the future from those who are lost
(well lost, one might say) to Ameri-
can exporters. 1t is suggested that
some national association having the
confidence of the American business
community install a collection
A small registration fee could be
charged for every claim~ accepted,
with a commission of 10 per cent on
claims up to $500, 71a per cent up to
1000, 5 per cent up to $4,000 and 21s
per cent on amounts above that sum.
The division of commercial law will
gladly aid such an agency to make
connections with attorneys abroad.
The association would as a first
step write the debtor a letter explain
ing that if he has any hope of future
credit favors from American export
ers he should avail himself of the
opportunity of making settlement in
the manner most convenient to him,
but within reason.
the collection service would employ
it's agents or attorneys. Now, while
attorneys abroad as a rule object to
the receipt of minor claims, the COL
lection service would mean such a
constant volume of business, which
in the aggregate will amount to an
important sum. that they will find it
profitable to take even petty claims.
The Department of Commerce feels
that service of this character can
be conducted entirely on a business
basis. The association can act in
ways that are not open to an agency
of the government. An investigation
of similar services furnished by a
trade body some years ago and nv
another national institution. even at
the present time. demonstrates not
only the feasibility. but the impera-
tive necessity of this idea. It NAV
even be carried out by individual
chambers of commerce in cooperation
with central credit clearing system.
1t Is needless to say that all United
states consuls. commercial attaches
and trade commissioners will gladly
cooperate in such an enterprise, not
indeed as collection agents-an ac-
ttvity which is not open to them
but by giving advice, by supporting
local counsel, and by helping in every
other way in which they can serve.
This is the answer of the Depart
ment of Commerce to numerous re-
quests for help and Intervention in
the deplorable situation now existing:
The active business of collecting
foreign accounts must be undertaken
by some great national body enjoying
the fullest confidence of the business
community and operating upon q ma
tional plan, The entire machinery of
the government will be at the disposal
of such = service with counsel, co.
operati0d, and suggestion In all those
ways that are open to, government
agencies, at home ana abroad.4
Evening star., 1921-12-11
Rate by Mail-Payable In Advance.
Maryland and Virginia.
All Other States
Possible Park Areas.

Yesterday Chairman Ball of the Sen.
ate District committee, Chairman
Moore of the Commission of Fine Arts,
and Chairmen Guide and Coldren of the
parks committees of the Chamber Of
Commerce and Board Of Trade, re-
spectively. inspected the land which
has been designated as desirable for &C.
Piney Branch valley. A bill for the
purchase of this land is now before
Congress, and if passed would lead to
the rounding out of the northern park
system and virtually complete the ac-
duisitions necessary for harmonious
park development. These four chair
men found upon tour Of the region
that if this purchase is to be made at
all it must be done quickly. Some of
the lower sections are being filled al
ready by the dumping of refuse and
earth, and on parts of the area in
cluded on the proposed extension map
houses have been built. Unless the
government moves soon this space, so
and SO desirable as a feature Of the
reservation system, will be beyond
reach. The trees will have been cut,
the picturesque ravine will have been
filled and the surface will be covered
with buildings. Condemnation then
will be far too expensive to be con-
templated. and. Furthermore, the natu-
raj beauties will have been destroyed.
Impressed by these observations,
Senator Ball announces his determine
enactment of the pending bill. In the
same category are other tracts that
now are plainly indicated as desirable
for park development. but are in the
line Of assured so-called improvement.
These spaces cannot be held indefinite
ly awaiting slow action by the gov
ernment. 1t is unjust to the owners
to impose upon them the burden Of
their reservation for eventual public
purchase. Some of them have from
out of the market in the hope that
they will be later taken Tor park
usage, but they cannot indefinitely
continue to pay taxes on unremunera-
tive lands and to block building de-
velopments.
- It would be we'll, in view Of the dis
closure Of the situation in the Piney
Branch region, for Congress to adept
n measure definitely designating this
and perhaps other tracts for park &C.
QUESTION. to be acquired on a system
attic scale OF annual purchases as
rapidly as funds are available. There
could then be no doubt on the score
Of the proper treatment Of the prop
erty and no justification for its use
for private purposes. In short, de-
cision should be reached now respect
ing these lands. either to take them
for park purposes or to release them
definitely for private development.
Evening star., 1921-12-11

Delinquent foreign debtors have
been raising havoc with commerce
and must be forced to pay. That is
the verdict of the division Of CONNER
cial law of the Department of Com
mercs. After giving the situation
serious thought, after conferences
with exporters of wide experience, A.
]. Wolf, chief Of this division, out
zines some suggestions for instant
and effective relief.
The federal bureau has ample evi-
dence that INSCRIPTIONS customers IN
foreign countries thoroughly realize
the helpless condition of their Ameri-
can creditors in attempting to enforce
the collection of minor accounts
There is little doubt that the boom
in export trade drew into the foreign
hu.;nAs, many concerns which failed
~ p;ve due consideration to the risks
and hazards of selling ABROAD on
credit In numerous instances these
.xnorters did not exercise care in
..certaining the reputation, char
.o..r financial strength or length OF
s,,cceasfuI business experiences on the
nart Of their foreign customers
Unsatisfactory foreign coiections
are due largely to the era % esa. ,.
mia ton in prices, the veritabie orgy
~ lu snec,,,ation in land and in national
nrndmcts. ana the recklessness IN
Rp,acinr orders abroad at the high
pr;caa then prevailing that marked
ths Close Of the war. The bubble
hurst while much Of the merchandise
ordered was on the way. fSeS s. III
i ;a,, and the goods ordered were due
~ arrive at q time when their value
~ the world market had diminished.
A wild scramble to cancel ensued;
when the rush to cancel orders had
reached some degree OF seriousness
panic ensued among the exporters.
The state of the American market
VAS none too reassuring at the time.
credit Rranters who were hardest
nrss.ed for money made the fatal
pn,stake OF yielding fndiscriminate
concessions. Among the debtors
n broad there were. and are, many
Arms of the highest standard OF IN
the fact that their less serupulous
enmnetitors were receiving impor-
'a After it appears certain that the
foreign debtor will not pay, the
American creditor must exhaust all
resources Of local law before using
government aid. Only when the
American is denied the full and prop
or use of local remedies can his dip
lorhatfc and consular representatives
demonstrate with the foreign govern
ment.
A constructive plan to deal with the
situation is pointed out by the federal
bureau. 1t is, in q way, an extension
Of the foreign credit interchange plan
already operated by an association Of
credit granters.1 1t is an extension
slan- the lines of a. collection serv-
Evening star., 1921-12-11
Politics at Home
Josephus Daniels.

One hears talk these days-much Of
1t friendly-about former Secretary
Daniels. What is his game? Does he
desire q seat In the Senate? Or is his
objective the vice presidency?
For a time the Senate had the call.
When upon leaving office Mr.. Daniels
rsturned home and took personal
charge Of his newspaper opinion was
general that he would lay the founda-
ttons for senatorial contest. Let Mr.
Simmons take notice.
There 10 q suggestion now that Mr.
Daniels may have his eye on the vice
presidency. He has of late been de-
livering addresses here and there out
side Of North Carolina, and extending
his personal acquaintance, as Mr..
Bryan did for several years prior to
the Chicago convention of 1896.
And Mr.. Bryan, by the way, is one
Of Mr.. Daniels warmest friends. He
stood for him at the time of his selec-
ton for place in the Wilson cabinet,
and is as cordially his well wisher now
as then.
The Daniels vice presidential boom
booms like this: The North Carolintan
as a candidate would command the
support Of both the Wilsonites and the
Bryanites. He was Bryanite before
he became Wilsonite, and remains a
Bryanite after eight years Of Wilson
ism. Some feat, as politics go these
difficult and confusing days.
Before taking national Office Mr..
Daniels had cultivated the pen rather
than the tongue. Since then he has
made himself an effective public
speaker, and is remembered by his
party friends here and there when
they are arranging public functions
and speakers Of note are feature.
Last year the Old North state pre-
sented the name Of Mr.. Simmons to
the democratic national convention
for the presidency. Will she present
the name Of Mr.. Daniels to the con-
vention of 1924 for the vice presidency,
yoking him with an eastern man, say
a New Yorker?
Evening star., 1921-12-11
The Botching of Peace.

ROME.-Signor Nitti, the Italian cN-
premier. is publishing a book upon
Europe Without Peace" which.
apart from it's other qualities, is u
slashing attack upon all the peace
work done hitherto 10y European
statesmen. declares the correspondent
of the London Observer.
"On the subject of indemnities Si-
gnor Nitti approves the attitude OF
Mr.. Keynes, but finds that he places
the sum possible of payment by Ger
many too high. He criticiZes the atti-
tude of France in insisting on a huge
indemnity. as having for it's only OH
ject an excuse for retaining the left
bank of the Rhine. -
"Signor N;tti is sarcastic about the
ridiculous Danzig corridor and the
lea que nations without prestige. He
recognizes that Germany should pay
a reasonable indemnity-else she
would be superior to the victorB, as
issuing from the war without debt.
He thinks that England should re,
new her guarantee to France in case
Of an attack. He notes that France
has lost her position in Europe. as
the light of democracy and advocates
the early admission Of Germany to the
league Of nations and the reduction
of her indemnity 10 a reasonable
sum- q
Evening star., 1921-12-11
The Feathered Homebreaker.

LONDON. The moving picture
camera has been resorted to In an
endeavor to portray the life and
habits OF English birds and has re-
vealed the cuckoo in the role of what
the London Express indicates IL the
''vamp' OF birdland, or the feather
ed wrecker of homes"
"The film embodies the astonishing
discovery that 1t is possible to fore
tell the date on which the female
cuckoo will return from northern At
rica, the time of day at which she
will lay her first egg of the season
and the exact nest In which she will
place ii, and, in the case OF the par
ticular actress in the play, to in,
dictate the tree to which she first re-
turns and the particular branch on
which she will sit.
THE production unfolds the life
story of the cuckoo. from tho time
that the. alien egg is laid to the day
when the burly intruder is big enough
to push the other birdlings out Of the
nest. A final picture shows the tiny
foster-mother-in this case O tit
lark--sitting on the back of her big
adopted baby.
This action of foster arents' of
the cucko COS has raised the question as
to whether they have not produced
differences in the habits of the bird,
Cuckoo nests and eggs have been.
found in such positions that II 10 diff
ficult to believe, that they have nnt
been placed-rather than laid-thc.-.
Evening star., 1921-12-11
The Pacific Islands,

matte question present SO poetic q
picture as did that Of Senator Lodge
in the plenary council of the arms
conference yesterday in reporting the
four-power treaty. In a few para
graphs the speaker spread before the
world a panorama of the islands Of the
Pacific which in their present situa.
ton are potential breeding places of
possible war. Their number, their va.
riety. their only partially developed
resources are indicated with graphic
brevity in language that constitutes
a remarkable contribution to the
literature Of diplomacy.
Much has been written in the past
few years about the islands Of the
Pacific, particularly those Of the
South seas. Perhaps it was Robert
Louis Stevenson, Of whom Senator
Lodge speaks, who did most to stimu-
late this interest. Later visitors and
travellers more fortunate than Steven
son, in that they were able to return,
have contributed volumes of works on
the dangerous isles" have eloquently
described the injustices perpetrated
upon the natives by exploiting voy-
ayers, traders and commercial agents,
and have presented a composite record
of the tragedy Of an unfortunate race.
Still, the area is so vast, the islands
are SO numerous, some Of them so
remote from the lines Of usual travel.
that their story is not yet fully told,
and they remain to most people a re-
gion unknown.
When the United States acquired
possession Of the Philippines Amer
lean interests were centered in the
archipelago for the first time. But the
wastes of the Pacific lying to the east
contained great numbers Of islands
that were to the average mind mere
ly tiny dots upon the map, without
individuality and with but a faint his
torical significance. An American
warship sailed into the harbor of
Guam and took possession there.
Guam became an immediate point Of
interest. Samoa had already been
marked through certain complications
and a great disaster. Farther to the
north the Hawaiian Islands-known
earlier as the Sandwich Islands-had
been brought within comparatively
easy range and were more familiar.
Now, one by one the islands and the
groups are coming into the popular
ken.
In the world race of Industrial and
commercial development it is certain
that the resources Of these far-distant
islands, great and small, will be
tapped and drawn upon and cultivated.
Experience teaches that unless order
is maintained, with just government
extended over these islands and groups
by the stronger powers. they will fall
victims of adventurers, individual and
national, who will exploit them to the
utmost. It has become a duty Of those
powers to preserve order in the Pacific,
to insure that degree Of protection and
good government that the inhabitants
need and deserve. The four powers
that now approach an agreement
which is designed to reduce the causes
Of war by assuring conference and
consideration Of mutual interest in
all cases of possible controversy stand
as trustees Of these helpless people
scattered over the vast range Of the
great Pacific ocean.