Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1921-04-01
COLDER IN TURKEY
PORTRAYS CONDITIONS
State College Professor on Leave
Graphically Describes Living
Conditions in Near East
(By DR.. F. A. Colder, Absent on
leave, Constantinople, Turkey.)
February "a, 1921.

| am sitting here in Europe and
looking across the Bosphorus into
Asia and it is almost as exciting as
crossing the Notwithstanding line.
Constantinople the city which bears
the name of a certain patron saint,
is located afong the banks of the
strait and has the markings of
beautiful city. A Spokane real es-
tate dealer would grow eloquent over
its advantages wonderful loca-
ton, its climate, its scenery, its his
toric connections, and he would be
telling the truth all the time.
Constantinople has all these ad-
vantages and yet is very far from be-
ing an attractive city, It's streets are
dirty and crooked, it's sanitary condi-
tions are very primitive, its sham
bling houses, and frail shacks are
regular fire traps. All this goes to
show that in order to have a state,
q city, a college, a football team of
which one may be proud it is not
enough to have material advantages;
but one must also have a public
spirit that is willing to sacrifice itself
for the good of all Constantinople
has none of that
Within its walls are gathered thou
sands OF people, each interested in
himself and unconcerned about the
community. These thousands of in
diyiduals make up the numerous ma
tionalities and countless religious
sects, each of which has it's own
church and its own school There is
not a common school system in this
large city. but each group teaches
to it's children its own particular
prejudice and dogma and hatred of
the others
Describes b. Y. ID. Brigade
Constantinople has neither d fire
alarm system nor fire department.
When fire breaks out the night
Waterman in front OF your house will
announce it and should you be Curl
Gus enough to see it you will catch
sight OF the fire department, or as
the Americans call it, the "B. Y. d. 80
brigade. The putting out OF the fire
Is in the hands OF private individuals
who own q small pumping engine
mounted on a wooden platform.
When a fire breaks out these men,
dressed like cur track runners, ex-
oept that they are without shoes, PICK
up the engine on their shoulders and
run to the scene OF the conflagra-
ton There they bargain with the
owner of the house and If he refuses
to pay the price. they sit quietly and
smoke their cigarettes ana watch the
building burn down
could go on and tell you more
unpleasant things but that is too
easy Enough to say that this city
is no place for those who desire com
fort and safety. Ii. however. you are
interested in history and the social
sciences, which l know YOU are not.
you can find much to delight you.
For centuries this part of the world
has been the meeting ground OF the
East and the West and many a bat
lie spot can be pointed out to you
from the windows. OF course YOU re
member the Persian king who led his
mighty hosts to the strait ana could
not get them across; you surely re-
call since you are interested in
sports, the young man who broke all
records for swimming the Heuespont.
1 would gladly tell you their names.
but have misplaced my guide book
and can not recall them. Those
We're glorious days and all that is
left to us now are stone columns and
beautiful monuments, and the most
impressive Of all is st. Sophia
tplease look up Baedecker).
Women Have Wells
There may be beautiful women in
Turkey, ] mean the Turkish women,
but one can not tell what kind OF
faces are hidden behind the wells. Ii
those yelled are not prettier than
the unveiled / would be in favor OF
passing law compelling them all 10
cover themselves. If one only knew
that's the rub.
The country about here is almost
as full of history as Constantinople
Itself and as uncomfortable. About
four weeks ago | went on an Amer
lean destroyer for a tour of the
Black Sea In my travels l visited
Farna, Bulgaris, Constanza. Rou-
plania, and from there we headed
straight across TO Samsoun, in Asia
Minor and thence to Trebizond
You probably remember how We
were thrilled when the papers an
n0unCpd thar the Grand nulyo Ny;ivoii