The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1921-07-27
COL. RILEY
ADDRESSES
K|WANIS

Colonel Walter J. Riley OF East
Chicago was the speaker Of the day
at the Hammond k4wanis yesterday
and having recently returned from
Europe. he was able TO draw a vivid
word picture Of conditions across the
Atlantic as compared with those in
this country. Colonel Riley told OF
terrible industrial, economic and po-
litical conditions in the countries
formerly engaged IN the world war
or all the nations. he said that Swift
Eerland was in the best condition.
Well governed and neutral now a.
they were during the war, the Swiss
have maintained themselves as
happy peaceable country.
OF the recent beuigerents. Colonel
Riley said that Germany was BY far
in the best condition. In that coun-
try, instead Of turmoil and discomfort.
factories are running at top speed
from dawn till dark, and the people
are working hard and steadily to re-
gain the ground lost in the war. The
lack OF this desire TO work back to
pre-war conditions he says IS the
principle reason for tbs trouble in
Greece, Italy, France and England.
OF the other principle countries
England is perhaps in the worst
shape. With ireland. Egypt and
Indiana on the verge OF revolution,
this nation is bordering on a mael
strom OF trouble which only super
craftsmanship and radical re-organi-
cation can prevent.
In France, Colonel Riley saw condi-
tions shocking and revolving 10 the
uninitiated. Bearing. as she did. the
orunt OF the war. France is almost
two countries. On one side is Paris
Monte Carlo and Nice. where night
life and pleasure still hold sway. on
the other side is the devastated reg
ion over which the armies fought.
Here is desolation and misery un-
speakable. This part OF France is a
picture OF poverty. starvation and
wretchedness, and a shambles OF de-
struction. dotted everywhere with the
whitened bones of the dead and the
crosses marking their last resting
place. You cannot lose sight of the
crosses
The people in Europe hate US" said
Colonel Riley. They hated US hrst
for not entering the war-now they
hate US for not entering soon enough.
We are damned If we do, and damned
Il we don't"
Andrew Bieker delivered short
talk on his business. Mr.. Bieker is
connected with the Bieker Brothers
Company, dealers in coal. feed and
building materials. He sketchcd
briefly the history and work of the
company.
The silent boost. leather bill-fold.
was won by Bert Shearon, who seems
TO have a drag with the entertainment
committee.
With a competent man on watch to
see that no accidents occur, the old
tank OF the Hammond Packing Co. is
daily and nightly furnishing much
needed relief and pleasure to hundreds
Of Hammond's kiddies and al the same
time is helping put the Hammond
kiwanis club on record for investigat-
ing one OF the best stunts OF a public
spirited nature started in this city for
a long time.
George Geyer head of the commit
tee which obtained and prepared the
tank for use. reported at the Kiwanis
meeting yesterday noon that since
Friday, when the tank was first OPEN
ed for use, every day has seen crowds
Of children and older folks. unable to
go TO the lake for relief from the
/ heat. splashing and thoroughly en-
joying themselves in the improvise d
swimming tank, which by the way. is
large enough to take care of a large
crowd Of people.
The members decided at the meet
ing to make this purely a Kiwanis
project and they will maintain the
tank and pay the watchman for the
duration Of the swimming season.