The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-06-15
ON SECOND THOUGHT
BE JAY e. HOUSE
(From Philadelphia Public Ledger.)

about, again gives us pause. IL seems
the fellow isn't satisfied with just
composing room he hangs around the
office until it is put in type in order
that he may read proof on it The
fellow must be sick of the sight of it
by the time it appears, in print.
We very frankly admit the author
ship of this column We write it our
self personally, except when otherwise
indicated. But, thank goodness, we
don't have to read it, either in proof
or in print.
Occasionally we do read the column
after it appears in print. We do it for
the purpose of learning how many new
words the proofroom has decided to-
capitalize over night and the number
of semicolons it has written into the
copy" The way of a proofroom with
a semicolon is one of the amazing in
tricacies of Journalistic endeavor and
never fails to delight. We always read
this column on mornings following
the use of such phrases as Them was
very words" To find, as one invari-
ably does, that the proofroom has
changed the phrases to read Those
were the happy days" and Those
were his very words Is never-fai-
ing source of joy.
Having dragged Rupe Hughes new
book into the controversy, we take
pleasure in noting the best criticism
of it we have heard. Slender Bi1P'
Taft says it's an insult to the theoreti-
cally intelligent.
That nuance of thought, ''theoret-
icalIy intelligent" is soul-satisfying
and is a line that should live.
The money spent in this country
every year in attending useless eonven-
lions would pay the national debt
Once in four years conventions accom-
plish the nomination of candidates for
the presidency. Everything else is
settled by three or four men gathered
somewhere in a room.
As one of the candidates for the
Box Award, we suggest that all con-
ventions be abolished for a period of
three years and that the money thus
saved be devoted to liquidating the ma
tional debt. and to building network
of rd-surfaced roads covering the
entire country.
Mr.. Harding was in a great hurry
to get away from Valley Forge in
order that he might reach Washington
at the eal liest possible moment. We
take it Mr.. Harding intends to follow
our suggestion that he visit the fed
eraI trades commission and report on
the progress of socialism and that it
was his desire to do so that prompted
his haste.
A book called Dust" written by Mr..
and Mrs. Holdeman-Julius recently,
| has attracted some attention. Wezare
indebted to E. w. Howe for certain
facts concerning the --Holdeman-
| Juliuses. It seems that man named
julius married a woman named Holde-
man, taking her name and making it
part of his own.
We have, therefore. decided not, to
read the book called Dust" We
should not care to read any book
| written in part by a man who had
taken his wife's name.
| Not every elderly man would marry
young and attractive woman il he
| had a chance, altho that is a general
| ly accepted belief. Most elderly men
| are looking for peace and comfort.
they do not wish to devote their de-
clining years to the tanning of a
| woman.
| The Committee From the Church of
the World makes good many reports.
i Where, by the way, doessit get its au-
thority to do so?
The boldness of the New York
Tribune in asserting that women are
not as gold athletes as men is likely
| to Nget it into serious trouble. That
the, women will resent openly the
'-slur' cast by the Tribune goes with
out saying.
We go further than DR.. Wiley. who
says beer is not a medicine. We claim
] it is an unsatisfactory intoxicant and
| a moor beverage.
J. R. L. who was invited recently tc
| come down and fight the column.
| writes: "Perhaps Tex Richard may
be able to do something for us.
think we would draw even better thar
the principals in the big fuss on july
2. You would have weight and fight
ing experience on me tho, I believe
Our zest for combat is not what II
was last week. If agreeable to J. r
L, wen call the fight off. 1t is a con.
siderable relief to be able to do SO. A
l-columnist is always a little worried By
the thought that the man he has chaI.
lenged may respond.
Another Poor Fish Turns.
Sir-Not that the idea will intrigue
you, but I used to be a reformer. 6
progressive, Hyelper," If you know
what I mean. Within recent years
have had a little experience in pub
lie way in a suburban community
/ The office has no pay, no chance o.
graft and no honor attached to 1t, anS
yet, whatever my attitude on any
question. part of the people consider
+ me tool of the interests, a monkey.
wrench in the wheels of progress. OF
an extreme radical. hate to admit il
and this is the plot of the thing, bu
there must be some good in Penrose
Smoot. ct al, to say nothing of tht
Ware boys. MAC.
No man who has tried honestly and
conscientiously to serve the publ,
; emerges from that service without 4
} feeling of contempt for it. And aftel
he has gone thru the experience. h
never is able to view the public in tn,
act OF being "gyped" without feeling
desire 20 go out behind the garag'
and laugh his head off.