davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-05-23
THE RENT PROBLEM.

Much of the existing depression in
business is ascribed to high rents by
a writer in The Magazine of Wall
Street. This is the factor. he says,
that is the most serious obstacle to re-
sumption of normal trade conditions,
and yet strangely enough it has been
overlooked or actually ignored in dis
cussions of the subject. Most people
living i'm their own houses, it is pointed
out. have no adequate idea of the shifts
and devices to which masses of people
are. driven in order to meet landlords
demands.
Those economists who were SAN
guine that a sharp fall in merchandise
prices would bring prompt trade
stimulus may well turn their attention
TO exorbitant housing rentals as one
of the prime causes of trade disloca-
ton.
Because of the great shortage in
housing. many millions of people are
being taxed far beyond their capacity
in rents, and this greatly diminishes
their buying power in the matter of
merchandise. The first thing people
need is a living place, and the second,
food. If rents consume a larger ami
larger part of the family income, as
they do. much of the balance must be
spent for food, and other things must
take their chances.
- The latest comprehensive informa-
ton on changes in the cost of living in
the United States, reflecting conditions
in representative communities all over
the country, made public in a report
issued by the National Industrial Con-
ference Board, shows that in most
cities reported there has been no
change in rents since November, 1920.
but figures indicate that for the coun-
try as whole there was an average
advance in rents of $50 within this
period.
Since last July rents have increased
sc. and the total increase between
July, 1914, and March, 1921, is 71ec.
In IA cities the average increase In
rents of wage earners' houses has
been 1009o or more since 1914. These
include Ann Arbor. Mich; Appleton,
Wis; Battle Creek, Mich; Bingham
ton, N. Y; Chester, Pa; Elizabeth,
n. J.; Los Angeles; Oklahoma City;
Terra Haute. In eight cities-Denver.
Des Moines. Jacksonville, Johnstown,
Portland. Riverside. Cal, Sioux City
and Wichita-this increase averaged
800 to 1000. and in IS cities. includ-
ing Cleveland, Kansas City. Milwau-
hee. Paterson, Syracuse the average
increase has been $40 to so9e. In
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-05-23
rs YEARS AGO IN TOPEKA
From the Columns OF
THE TOPEKA STATE JOURNAL

May 2S, 1895.
The Young men of the Y. NJ. c. A, are
enthusiastic just now in regard to the
building and fitting up of their open air
gymnasium at the Southeast corner of
Sixth and Monroe streets. All the
big, Y, NJ. C. AS of the east have their out
door gyms" The lots to be used are
four in number and their use was donated
by the owner, Colonel c. K Holiday.
There will be tennis and croquet grounds,
places for vaulting and broad jumping,
horizontal and parallel bars, and saw
dust plat for tumbIing. The Y. q. C. A.
now has nearly 300 men who take part
in athletic practices, but seldom more
than 40 are in attendance at any one
class. ~
Dean II. I. Bodley will preach the bac-
calaureate sermon at-St. Johns Military
academy tomorrow. Archdeacon Watkins
of western Kansas and Canon Miner will
conduct services at Grace church.
There will be a cobweb party at the
home Of Mrs. F. NJ. futile, SID North
Quincy street next Wednesday evening.
Mr.. Ed Horner will arrive from Leadville
tomorrow. Misses Irene and Sarah Horner
will return home next week.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-05-23

121 of the 165 cities covered the net
increase fell between 3196 and SOC
Real estate operators, and others
who supplied data were of the opinion
that the general tendency of rents
was to remain at their present level,
altho by some a decrease was antici-
pated.
There is but one solution to the
high rent problem and that lies in the
building of more houses. Rental cost
like everything else is governed by the
law of supply and demand. When
there are more persons seeking shell
ter than there are houses rents will
Fbe high. When there are more houses
Ethan tenants rents will be low. Erec-
ton of new houses must proceed con-
Itinuously to keep up with the demand.
aBuilding of dwellings has been almost
sat a standstill for four years. 1t seems
likely to remain so until there shall
be a decline in the scale of wages paid
mechanics. From high rents these
same mechanics must suffer along
with all other tenants.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-05-23

Come, come" said the teacher i'm
patiently. Surely you can solve a
simple little problem like that"
TT amt simple problem at all. -
replied the boy. 'I can't make up my
mind whether I'd have an ice cream
soda or go to the movies"
well known comedian tells us that
the colored extras" are the most
careful and considerable people on the
lot when it comes to handling their
children A darby, his wife and
pickaninny were working in a comedy.
There came a scene where the parents
were needed but the baby was "out-"
"WhatH All do with Ill Egbert ?"
asked the father. Put him in at
clothes basket ovah there" said the
mother. BE sure an don't stand him
on his head-he might fret"
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-05-23

Director Parmalee of the bureau OF
railway economies says: when the
rates are reduced. it should bring low
er prices of commodities or at least
a general revival of business, which,
in the end, will amount to the same
thing" That is the way the public
has felt about it ALI along. But it is
the first acknowledgment from such
a source, that high rates have any
thing to do with holding up business
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-05-23

Emma Goldman is pleading for help
to return to America, that she may die
here. Perhaps no one would object to
her dying here but it was her living
here that created dissatisfaction
among Americans. 1t seems that
Russia is neither good place in which
to live nor satisfactory place in
which to die.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-05-23

The French government has I'M
posed a tax of one and one-tenth per
cent upon all sales This is estimated
to yisld a revenue of five billion 1our
hundred million francs. Taking Amer
ica's larger population, greater pro-
portionate wealth and speedier ousl-
ness methods into account it Is argued
from the French experience that a
sales tax at the rate or tenths OF
per cent would yield more than two
billion dollars a year The important
thing, however, is to establish the
principle and let experience determine
the most productive and least oppres-
give rate.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-05-23

she sed. No. you've got q mouth full
of candy, haven't you?
Me jest looking at her gilty without
saying enything, and she took the bag
and threw it in her waist paper baskit
saying, Bribery is one of the werst
forms Of sins, you will please remain
an hour after skool is dismissed.
WITCH I did.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-05-23
Dinner Stories

Now then, Johnny" said his
teacher, eff your father gave you
cents and your mother gave you 8
and your uncle gave you 4 more,
what would you have?"
Johnny wrinkled up his forehead
and went into the silence for the space
of several minutes.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-05-23

The income tax, excess profits tax
and surfaces were established for the
sifvowed purpose of making the rich
nav the cost of the war But anyone
who supposes that the rich are bear
ing the burdens of these taxes must
possess a childIike trust in remark
able degree The rich calmly pass
the buck. The poor pay at every turn.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-05-23

The reduction in the hours of labor
that have been brought about may
have set more persons at work or it
may not. No statistics on the subject
are available. But a continuation of
such reduction is certain IN time. to
make 1t necessary for more persons
to work in order to supply human de-
mands. Probably If everybody in the
world engaged in some sort of pro-
ductive labor 1t would not be neces-
sary for anybody to work more than
4 hours day. Workers must put
in overtime IN order that oilers may
remain idle. It has been so always.
It will not be changed under any plan
that has been devised. up to this time.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-05-23
A Satisfied Reader.

Sir-It was a great satisfaction to
me to note in your column some days
ago that the birthplace of Sarah Bern
hardt had been finally and definitely
settled to have been in Emaus. Penn
sylvania. The proof was convincing
and conclusive. If further evidence
were necessary, you may add that, in
addition to the surname being COM
mon in and about Emaus, 1 find that
many women of her age in that To-
cality have the same Christian name.
Accept my hearty congratulations
w. P.
The French authorities, we note by
the cable, have pulled another
'boner." They ordered the salute of
artillery. fired to commemorate the
Tooth anniversary of Napoleon
death, an hour and twenty-five min
uteS too soon.
The Discard.
The suggestion that trite and spe-
cious phrases expressing bunk and
bombast be eliminated from the vo-
cabulary brings proposals concerning
ITO improve working conditions"
Honesty is the best policy"
Are you all of one mind? Have
you further-suggestio to make?
They took a day off in Washington
saturday to celebrate the eighty-fifth
anniversary of Joseph Quincy Can
mons birth. You remember Mr.. Can
non? He is the gentleman the insur-
gents drove out of public life in 1908.
You don't remember who the in
surgents were? Well, neither do we
We don't know where we got 1t, but
we have somehow gained the impress
sion that President Harding contem-
plates the appointment of Richard
Washburn Child to some official po-
sition, probably one in the diplomatic
service.
Our inability to recall the source of
the rumor is annoying. 1t may be
there was something in the news
papers about it.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-05-23

Meanwhile, we assume the liberty
of slipping word of wisdom to the
malcontents, if such there be. The
one thing about which the people of
this country do not give a hang and
about which they do not wish to be
bothered is President Harding's for
eign policy
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-05-23

Aside from writing to the papers
about it, the one definite and accepted
method of correcting an evil is to call
a mass-meeting to protest against it.
And the only way to arouse the entire
country is to hold it in New York.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-05-23

tCcpyrisnt, 1926 by the wheeler cyndIcate
Inc-l
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-05-23
ON SECOND THOUGHT
BY JAY E. HOUSE
(From Philadelphia Public Ledger.)

At any rate, those who oppose Presi-
dent Harding's indicated foreign pol
icy are going about the matter of dis
crediting it in the right way. They
are talking of holding a mass-meeting
in New York.
Evening star., 1921-07-03
OREGON SAYS IS.
SHOULD TRUST HIM
Special Dispatch TO The Star and New York
! World. Copyright. 1921.

Special Dispatch TO The Star and New York
World. Copyright. 1921.
MEXICO CITY, July 2-"Every
pledge which l have made on behalf
Of my government and of the Mexi-
can nation means to me a solemn duty
which must be faithfully met" de-
clared President Obregon to the Stor
and the World correspondent today
1T is. therefore. humiliating that l
should be asked to give written guar
antees for the fulfillment of moral
engagements which 1 have readily
made of my own free will. The ex-
istence of the Mexican republic as a
sovereign state has not been ques-
toned for more than a century. It's
government should. therefore, be rec
ognized by other countries without
any condition or exaction other than
that it shall be legally constituted and
shall be able to meet it's international
obligations.
aside, therefore, from the precepts
of international law which might be
invoked. feel that recognition should
be extended to the Mexican govern
ment in such manner as to strength
en- it's prestige and give it that moral
support which will make its future
relations with the United Sattes all
fContinued on Page g. Column 81
Evening star., 1921-07-03
VARIED PROGRAMS
T0ENLNEN FOURTH
Community Celebrations to
Be Feature of Independ-
ence Day Tomorrow.
MANY ATHLETIC EVENTS
Parades, Addresses and Band Con-
certs Are Scheduled for City,
Wide Observance.
MANY ATHLETIC EVENTS

Community and other celebrations
in all parts of the District tomorrow
beginning in the morning and lasting
all day. will make certain that Inde-
pendence day will be fittingly cele-
brated here. despite the absence of an
Official program under auspices Of the
District government.
Petworth. Takoma Park. Congress
Heights, Walter Reed Hospital and
Camp Good Will will hold their own
celebrations, while the American AS
sociation for the Recognition Of the
Irish Republic will stage a big cele-
bration on the Georgetown University
campus. and the community center de-
2artment of the public schools will
end the days festivities with a festi-
val and exercises combined at the Cen
trail High School at night.
Decorations in Evidence.
Fireworks will be included in many
Of the community celebrations. while
parades and oratory will be prom
inent features of all celebrations. Ath-
letic events will be run off and chill
dren will march and sing.
Flags and bunting decorate public
buildings and business houses through
out the city. Government employees and
school children will enjoy a holiday.
and there will be no deliveries Of mail
tomorrow by carriers.
Evening star., 1921-07-03
PetWorth Arranges
Elaborate Program

One of the largest celebrations will
be that at Petworth. This will be the
| thirteenth annual celebration under
auspices of the Petworth Citizens AS
sociation. By order Of Secretary Dem
! by, a saluting gun and crew from the
seaman gunners' class at the navy yard
will participate, firing a national
salute to the flag. Events will be held
at Grant Circle.
The patriotic PARADE will begin at
$50 o'clock. Led by the band. the
parade will form on Quincy street east
and west Of New Hampshire avenue
and on New Hampshire avenue facing
Quincy street, and starting at 10
o'clock sharp. 1t will move over the
following route: North on New Hamp-
shire avenue to Randolph street, east
on Randolph to 7th. up 7th to Varnum,
| west on Varnum to 9Th. south on 9Th
to Taylor. east on Taylor to New
Hampshire avenue. south on New
Hampshire to Shepherd. east on Shep-
herd to 5th. north on 5th to Grant Cir
Gle. thence around Grant Circle. In the
event Of rain the parade will be held
on the evening of July at $50 or on
the first clear evening thereafter.
Flag-raising exercises will be held
at Grant Circle at IL am. Selections by
the band will open the program, as fol-
lows: Singing. "Star Spangled Banner"
Zone verse;: raising Of flag; commun-
ity sing. led by Charles NJ. wengerd;
singing, America" (first and last
verses); selection by band
Athletic Events.
Athletic events will be held at 1
pm. at Grant circle. The Petworth
Boys Base Ball Club versus Petworth
Married Men will open the events.
Races will begin at 3 pm. as fol-
lows: 35-yard dash, boys under eight
years of age: 50-yard dash, boys un-
der ten years of age; 50-yard dash,
boys under twelve years of age: To-
yard dash. boys under fourteen years Of
age; 75-yard dash, boys under sixteen
years of age: 1O0-yard dash, boys
over sixteen years of age: 50-yard
dash, girls under ten years of age:
5O-yard dash, girls under twelve
years of age; 6O-yard dash, girls un-
der fourteen years of age; 75-yard
dash, girls over fourteen years of age;
sack race, boys under twelve years
of age; sack race. boys under sixteen
years Of age; sack race. boys over
sixteen years of age: 228-yard dash,
boys over sixteen years of age; potato
J race, girls any age; three-legged race.
boys any age; fat mems race; boxing
in barrels (elimination); shuttle re-
lay, girls, so yards each (churches of
Petworth); mile relay. boys, 22o yards
each Churches of ,Petworth); tug
of war, men.
Suitable prizes will be given in all
the events. In case of rain the ath-
Continued on Page s, Column 2.)
Evening star., 1921-07-03
STATE OF WAR ENDED.

Signing of the resolution declar-
Ing a state of peace with Germany
and Austria, it was held here, ended
yesterday the technical state Of war
with those powers. There was some
difference of opinion among lawyers
Of the admin stration and diplomatists s
as to whether the affixing of the Pres
ident's signature ended the state Of
war at the exact moment of signing,
or whether the resolution would be
held to be in force all of yesterday in
the view that such acts might not re-
Quire taking into consideration frac-
tions OF a day.
The view was also expressed by
one or two that the state of peace
legally would not be considered in
effect until the resolution had been
deposited in the State Department.
but almost generally the opinion was
held that the state of war ended yes
tsrday.
The next step, it was pointed out,
would be the issuing of the formal
peace proclamation. which could be
expected within a few days. This, it
was added, would be mere formality,
and In its effect would date from yes
terday. The proclamation. it was ex-
planned, would be by President Hard
ing and signed in addition by Secre-
tary Hughes.
A treaty Of peace will then be
negotiated, it was said. but the ad-
ministration is understood not to have
developed as yet the steps by which 1t
will undertake such negotiations. The
signing Of the resolution. 1t was add
ed, opens the way for resumption of
diplomatic relations between the
United States and the former enemy
powers, although it has been indicated
that the manner in which this will
be approached has not been deter
mined.
The issuing Of the peace proclama-
tion as Of yesterday. 1t was pointed
out. would operate to terminate war
time laws which have not previously
been repealed by congressional action.
Among the more important are the
trading -with-the-en enemy act and the
.S.e:ty bond acts.
Evening star., 1921-07-03
RAID
IS MADE ON CLUB
Police Make Arrests at Mo-
hican Lodge Near
Glen Echo.

Sweeping down with the stealth of
Indians upon the Mohican Club. al
legged gambling house which looms
Conduit road near Glen Echo, thirty
Maryland constabulary officers and
! other state officials late yesterday
afternoon conducted one of the most
and successful police raids
in the history of Montgomery county.
They took into custody four men
said to be connected with the house
and eleven others accused of patron
izing it: conf1scated $50 quarts of
liquor and a large amount of gam
bling paraphernalia. The men ar
rested and the property seized were
conveyed in automobiles to Rock
willie. Md. where Police Judge Will
liam E. Viett held session extending
late into the night in making tempo
rary disposition of the cases.
$4,000 Bail Demanded.
Bail in the amount of $4,000 each
was required of the men arrested as
principals and charged with conduct
ing gambling establishment. Up
to a late hour they had not furnished
bail and were being held in the Rock
vile Jail. Their names were given
as Victor d. Sipos of Washington. said
to be the owner of the club; Edward
Heath of Washington, John B. Ship
ley of 1920 Clifton terrace and John
H. Ladd of the Belgrade apartments,
Washington.
Those arrested and later released
under bond of $500 to bind their ap-
pearance as state witnesses. with the
exception of J. Theodore White, who
said he lives in Baltimore. gave
Washington addresses. They gave
their names and addresses as follows:
S. N. Stacey. 1850 Massachusetts, ave-
nue.; Jacob Kosman, 1912 14th north
west; Amos c. Cereas, 821 18th street
northwest; j. n. Wilson 1904 Colum-
bia road; A. J. Mcmillan. 719 7th
street northeast; Charles A. Moran,
1115 H street northwest; John Austin,
72s 4th street northwest; George w.
Howard. 1920 11th street northwest;
CONTINUED on Page 2. Column s.
Evening star., 1921-07-03
BILL VESTS SAVING
RIGHT IN PRESIDENT
Representative Byrns Would
Give Him Legal Power to
Cut Expenditures.

Putting squarely up to the President
the legal authority and the response
bi!ity for effecting any economies that
can lie made. consistent with efficient
federal service, in the appropriations
made for the present fiscal year. is the
purpose Of bill introduced by Rep
resentative Timothy W. Byrns OF
Tennessee. ranking democrat on the
House appropriations committee.
Director Of the Budget Dawes has
made announcements to the effect that
as director. cooperating With -fresi-
dent Harding, he proposes to make
savings in the money already appro-
priated by Congress for carrying on
various federal government activities.
Representative Byrns points out that
while the President. through moral
suasion and the powerful influence of
his office, probably could induce de-
partment heads and bureau chiefs to
refrain from spending all the money
Congress has appropriated. there is no
legal authority for stopping these
officials from spending the full amount
appropriated.
Authority to Compel Proposed.
He argues that the President ought
to have authority by executive order
to compel restraint if any appropria-
ton seems to him to be too large. If
Congress through haste in consider
ing the hundreds of activities has al
located too large an amount for any
one, or If intensive study within the
executive departments shows that
so much money is not needed, or if
changed conditions make it desir-
able that any appropriation should
not be spent, the Byrns bill would
give the President authority in law
to step in and order it reserved.
So the Byrns bill. while not allow
ing the President to divert to other
uses any specific appropriation. does
allow him to reduce the amount of
any appropriation. In effect, it allows
him in the light Of later study and
experience at any time to veto any
single item in any appropriation act.
At the same time the Byrns bill
takes away from the executive an
CONTINUED on Page 4, Column 81