davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1921-12-27
SUBM RINES.

Great Britain Is preparing To plead
for the abolition OF the submarine at
un open session of the conference.
The chances for a successful plea are
very slim, and for number of rea-
sons. In the first place the suppress
sion of the submarine does not fall
within the Hughes limitation program.
and insistence upon the basic integrity
of that program has been the out
standing feature of our policy at the
conference. To admit such an impor-
tant amendment is To throw open
the doors for notifications OF all sorts.
American professional opinion is for
the retention of the undersea boat.
Italy Is not likely to give up weapon
with which she scored perhaps the
most dramatic success Of the war on
the sea when an Italian submersible
disposed of two Austrian battleships
in the Adriatic. British professional
opinion is divided. There is British
/ school which regards the capital ship
| as obsolete and the future of naval
warfare as a matter OF submarine and
airplane. The French position hardly
calls for comment.
When that has been said, il is still
true that a limitation on submarine
building is as important as a limita-
ton on capital ships. Too much has
been made of the distinction between
offensive and defensive ships of war
Except for the small gunboat the dis
tinction will not hold. The German
U-boat was something much more
than defensive in the late war. The
instance cited above of Italy in the
Adriatic is fairly conclusive. Great
Britain would be right in arguing thai
a weapon capable of threatening hel
food supplies is as highly offensive as
any warship could be. AS to NJ. Bri-
and's plea for the submarine as &
poor mans weapon, ii Is, essentially
ian argument against unrestricted sub
marine building. 1t is bad enough 4
the wealthy nations can go in for tn,
game of naval ornaments that lead:
TO war. 1T would be an uneasy worlC
if the poorer nations or the little ma
tions were to go in for playing with
fire at a comparatively low initia
lcost. The Hughes program, for sub
marine as for capital ship is the plai
to stick to.-New York Evening Post
Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1921-12-27
OF income returns and d-paymcnt Of the
filing tax. No intelligent citizen can
doubt this. The question Is: What is
to be done about Il?
USE FOR OLD wARsHIPs.

Our Rehoboth Beach letter In todays
State news carries little paragraph
to the effect that the people there are
wondering why the Federal govern
ment, instead OF scrapping and selling
for junk wornout ships Of war. does
not think about sinking few just
outside the beach, for the purpose Of
forming the beginning OF beach,
saving embankment. For the beach
at Rehoboth is in continual need OF
protection.
There may or may not be practical
elements In this suggestion. but GER
tain it is that II any valuable use
may be found for our discarded ves-
sells of war 1t should not be ignored
All these ships cost a great deal OF
money, and it would be only fair
recompense to the people il they could
be converted to useful and practical
purposes. Some OF the old hulks might
make the beginning of substantial bull
| warks at places where such protec-
tion is needed in combating the raw
ages OF the sea.
Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1921-12-27
AN AWFUL ALTERNATIVE.

A petition is in circulation, the pub
lie is informed, asking Governor Den
ney 10 call a special session of the
Legislature, for the purpose of repeal
ing the absurd provisions of the State
Tax law requiring the imposition and
collection OF filing tax in connection
with income tax returns, which must
be made by every citizen of legal age,
incomes or not, and regardless of the
extent Of their revenues. 1t is con-
ceded that it will be impossible to
enforce such a ridiculous law, and the
signers of the petition doubtless be-
lieve it will be better to have the
provisions abrogated, and something
more sensible and practical substi-
tuted.
That the law is an absurdity, as
Wtii as u StiipuS iiiiPoSiAipnr VIII iloi
be disputed. That 1t will be impos-
sible to enforce it to the letter also
is apparent. The question, therefore,
is whether it will be better for the
people 10 have the ignoble spectacle of
law fiouted and disregarded, or 10
endure the threatened evil of a special
session of the Legislature.
This is a problem that will tax the
thinking capacity of many citizens
l II is not a good thing for a commu-
nifty TO have any of its laws flouted. OF
enforced with indecision, erratic OPP
GRAFTON and favoritism. Neither is II
a good thing TO have a special ses-
sion of the Delaware Legislature. The
regular sessions are sufficient evil
and are very irritating and costly
That the people would willingly en-.
dure a special session at this time
even for a good purpose. is doubtful.
Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1921-12-27
HE Is AGAINST TT.

Editor Every Evening: The news
papers report that Secretary of the
Treasury Mellon fayors a tax on beer
and wine for soldiers bonus. II this
be true the public life Of Secretary
Mellon should cease at once.
IL is not question OF wet or dry.
or bonus or no bonus. but n ques-
tlon OF direct bribery OF the finest Of
American manhood. beside which
Benedict Arnold was n saint. Benedict
Arnold merely took bribe. but here
is the most outrageous insult ever
offered the flower of American man
hood---American Expeditionary Forces
for their support for beer and wine
With the Newberry case in which
with other cases In Delaware and
elsewhere, with the proposition 20 give
the soldier bonus for votes on wine
and beer, to what lengths do the Re
publicans expect To go? Was ancient
Rome in it's worst days more corrupt
than America in 1921? 1t In not 0
question of wet or dry but a question
of open bribery and bid for support
of soldier votes.
w. c. Poole.
Frankford, Del, Dec. "a, 1921.
Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1921-12-27
CROWDED COURTS.

District Attorney Rotan is to he
heartily congratulated upon the pro-
gramme which he has prepared for
speedy Justice In the criminal courts
ard for relieving the congestion which
has resulted because OF delays In the
past. He has secured the cooperation
Of the Board of Judges and as n re-
suit of that added facilities have been
planned In order to dispose of many
lcng- pending cases. Mr.. Rotan and the
members of his stan are ready To go
ahead with twenty-eight murder trials
as quickly as they can be handled by
the courts. The enormous extent OF the
work may he understood when II IL
stated that there are now 1000 indict-
ments In the office of the. District At
torney awaiting trial. Some prisoners
have been in Jail for more than year
because II has been found impossible to
list them on account OF the crowded
condition of the dockets.
II may be said that most of these
persons are guilty and that their trials
are sure To result in convictions, but
that does not alter. the fact that every
accused person Is entitled to a speedy
trial and chance to defend himself
II Is quite possible that some of the
prisoners may be able to establish
their innocence, and In such an event
their long Imprisonment In the county
prison is an outrage which should not
| be tolerated In community that
| stands for law and order. Because OF
| the congestion In the courts large
numbers of cases go over from one
year To another, and the hold-over
cases this year amount to about 1000.
with the additional courts and the
energy of his staff the district at
torney hopes to have the major cases
! finished by March. IL is creditable
ambition and he is to be commended
/ for the attempt. But after they have
been disposed OF the judges should
make 1t their business TO order things
so that such congestion should not
occur again, II additional Judges. and
courts are required they should be
authorized. although some persons are
of the opinion that a re-arrangemeni
OF the present organization would dc
much to speed justice. particularly In
criminal cases.
! IL Nllflt Is 10 bt ulsNpuidt'h f"'
ticularly crimes of violence-we mus
have speedy trials and drastic punish
ment of those who are found guilty
we hear much criticism of the lynch
} ing spirit in these days, and yet th'
chief justification of this is found IL
the alleged inability to secure lega
Justice. Needless to say, mob law
'lessness cannot be condoned under an!
circumstances. but the authorities ow'
lit to themselves TO see that no rea
sonable excuse can he offered b,
those who attempt to take the law II
their own nds.-Philadelphia In
iuuirer
Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1921-12-27
NOT PARTISAN-TRUE.

Our esteemed contemporary, the
Milford Chronicle, seems much per-
turbed because Every Evening has ad-
versely criticised some of the school
legislation so hastily and unwisely en-
acted at the last session of the Cen
eral Assembly, notably the provision
for raising school money by the alb
surd and iniquitous filing tax PROPOSE
ton. IL also resents fiercely the sug-
gestion that this provision will be en-
ployed to the partisan advantage of
the Republican party and expresses
deep regret that Every Evening
should in any manner give currency
10 the intimation.
Every Evening, however, was not
responsible for bringing this point of
objection to the light. We merely re-
ferred TO il as one of the elements
I'm the situation. And it is an element.
To believe the Republican party man
ayers would overlook such an oppor-
tunity 10 advance their partisan inter-
ests, even though contained in public
school legislation, is to believe an i'm
possibility.
1t is different with the filing tax,
and with the other evils attendant
upon this unwise legislation, which
are now so glaringly apparent. The
Ming tax is iniquitous in it's applica-
ton and cannot be carried out to the
conclusion manifestly purposed by the
/ law. The Milford Chronicle knows
] the managers of the Republican party
would never allow their faithful Ne.
gro voters-to say nothing of many
others-to be harassed by this absurd
/ proposition, and sent to prison fol
n-performance of the duty imposed
upon them. by the law. So the Law
is certain to be fiouted.
The law is imperfect and unjust
'monstrously so i'm respect Of the f1lint
Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1921-12-27
T. BAYARD HEISEL.

The community learned with deep
and sincere regret OF the death, at
his home in Delaware City, yesterday,
of Hon. Thomas Bayard Heisel, an as
sociate justice of the courts of Dela-
ware. He was not old in years, hav-
ing been born in 1868. nfty-three years
ago, but for a long time he had suf-
fered from an affection of the heart,
which, defying treatment. finally
proved fatal.
Judge Heisel was we'll and favor
ably known throughout the State, and
through activity in the practice of law
and in the councils of the Democratic
party. of which he was an honored
member. Six years ago he was ap-
pointed to the bench, and during this
time. except when incapacitated by ILL.,
ness, he well served the people by an
able and conscientious performance
of his judicial duties. He has left a
record highly favorable to him which
will be priced by his family anc
friends.
Death is no respecter of times ol
persons, and in the midst of the holi
day seasons, as we'll as in the stres!
of storms, its hand is ever reaching 70
those marked for its unerring grasp
1t is when it falls upon men of higl
standing. and much usefulness, a
times when they seem TO be in posi-
! ton TO render the best service to tn,
people, that the community feels tn
severity of the blow. And thus
is in respect of the untimely decease o
Judge Heisel.
Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1921-12-27
NOT @INpIAN GIvERs.-

The Dover Delawarean. harsh as
usual in its Judgments derides those
who favor a return to the custody OF
our people of the silver service pre-
scnted to the Battleship Delaware,
after that vessel shall be sent to the
scrap pile. II says they are Indian
givers"-that IL, those who. when they
give anything of value. expect to get
1t back in some form or other.
This is unjust and ridiculous. No
such motives actuated any of those
who Joined in making this fine gift
to our naval namesake, But when il
comes TO the point that the ship is
to be destroyed. they naturally have
an interest in the gift, which then
would have no legal custodian. The
suggestion that il be kept at home
as a valued relic, is both practical
and sensible.
Mr.. Thomas F. Bayard also makes q
pertinent suggestion in that the gift
after being removed from the ship
should be sent to the Naval Academy
at Annapolis and there kept with
other fine relics priced by the navy
That also would be very appropriate
II only remains to decide which il
the better plan, and no light will b,
thrown upon the subjects by hurlinl
coarse insults at those who favor th'
very practical and proper plan o
| having the gift brought back her,
and appropriately cared for.
Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1921-12-27
PROHIBITION IN OTHER COUNTRIES
BY Frederic J. Haskln

United States dry, and yet the entire
United States could be dropped IN the
lap of Brazil and there would Sill be
room left for two States tbe rirc ~
Texas. Even il prohibition y victorious
IN few countries like Chile and Peru,
il will be extremely difficult 70 enforce,
with wei territory all around them
That the most virtuous Of nations are
inevitably contaminated by their neigh
bors is shown not only IN the case Of the
United States, where boctleggcrs are
constantly Hhishing huuOr isrrOsa the
Mexican and Canadian borders, bui in
the case Of Norway which is IN AN even
more desperate situation Norway y not
bone drN rs we are, although the pro-
hibitionist element IN its government
is striving 10 make II -. NOrwcnans
are still permitted 20 drink as much
light wine and beer a. they wish, but
even this indulgence, which would ic
welcomed in America, does not railsly
them. They are constantly smuggling
whiskey and brandy into the country, ~
dashing over 10 Denmark for n supply
Of them.
Norway has a cOastline which -
particularly favorable % Tnugglers III
you will look at the map, you viii ace
that IL is perpetually broken and IN
dented with small islands, ranging from
several miles in area 20 the rneres' slab
Of rocky land. According 20 one Nor
wegian, there arc 2f0,0O0 Of them. u s
a simple task for smugglers 20 sneak
among these islands, even IN broad day
light, and land their Illicit Cargocs
Sometimes when the snuFgler feels that
he is being TOO strictly watched, he
merely anchors his craft q fraction be-
yond the three-InIle limit and receives
his customers al his own private bar
Besides its constant and futile struggle
with smugglers and bOotleggers, the
Norwegian government alec D. having
, difficulty with the Spanish and Portu-
guese governments on account Of 80
J embargo on beverages containing more
than II per cent alcohol The spanish
, and Portuguese nations, YOU sec, have
been accustomed % furnish the Nor
J wegians with most of their wine IA
return for which they bought the Nor.
, wegian's fish. Each nation thus relieved
the other Of surplus product Spair
I and Portugal will have large quantities oi
q grapes left on their hands Il Norway
} stops buying wine, and Norway VII
= have heaps Of fsh which % canno'
0 market For, say Spain and Portugal
Y prohibition works both ways and W
will do without FISH, even though ON
e conscience is not set against them.
Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1921-12-27
JUST FOLKS
WHAT WE BROUGHT.
BY Edgar A. Guest.


We brought nothing into the world,
they declare.
But | hold that that statements un-
true.
We brought nothing with us to spend
or to wear
And hunger was all that we knew,
But somehow or other IL oft seems to
me
That all of US brought, when we
came,
The men and women that some day
we'd be
And the seeds of our worth and our
fame.
We brought what God gave us-two
hands and two eyes
And a mind that could learn right
and wrong,
The power TO be kindly and gentle and
wise;
Some brought here the glad gift of
song,
Some brought with them smiles that
should light UP the way
For the weary and sad snds dis
treSSeC,
Some came here with courage TO serve
day by day,
Some came here with love for the
best.
Some came to the world bringing
laughter and mirth.
Some brought with them patience
and skill,
No one empty-handed came down tC
the earth
And I'm sure that none ever will.
Some brought with them kindness anC
| courage and cheer.
Some came with good deeds to b,
wrought;
No babe ever came from the Infinit,
here
But something Of splendor h'
brought.
Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1921-12-27
DROP IN u. s. IMPORTS.

Exchange rates which reflect the
soaring of the dollar above European
currencies are beginning to work their.
own cure, though the medicine is
drastic for the United States. Last
month the export trade OF that coun-
try totaled 95.5OO, 600, against s676.-
52S,311 in November, 1920. 1t was
the smallest total of any month since
August, 1915. The imports las month
were valued at S2l1 800 900, the
highest since April of this year. In
the eleven months of the present
calendar year the exports of mer-
chandise totaled A,191, ,291 1858, In the
same period last year they were ST.
507, 1925 The imports of merchan-
disc for the same periods were $2,-
272, ,4S1 and $5.012, ,424 ,047, respec-
lively. The export balance in the
eleven months of this year was AZ per
cent lower than in the corresponding
months of 1920.
These figures are not surprising
they are the Nemesis of economic law
The movement of exchange. against
Europe was caused by several factors
the imitation of currency on the
continent, the drain of gold to the
United States, the excess of United
States exports over imports, the debts
of Europe to the United States, the
| lack of American confidence fl
Europe's financial stability. There
could be only one result--the declin,
of United States exports to Europe.
| 1t was impossible for the United
1 States TO go on piling up the export
1 balances at the same rate as during
| the past six or seven years. All the
Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1921-12-27
REAL CHRISTMAS SPIRIT.

In view of the general industrial
depression that stil prevails through
cut the land, with thousands of men
aud women suffering severely by rea-
SON of unemployment. with poverty
and entire lack of money as "a nat
ural accompaniment, it is surprising
to read that the volume OF Christmas
business was as large as ever. ON the
average. and IN many instances
showed generous increase over the
business of the previous season. Es-
pvolally Was there an increase of
business In the Christmas season mail
service, the New York city postofiice
rvcords showing an advance of 40 per
cent over last years figures. and other
places almost as much. Here in Will
minston the business OF the postoiiice
exceeded all previous records.
There is only one explanation for
this showing. With so many good
people unable 10 make Christmas pur-
chas,s. by reason of unemployment.
the deficiency thereby naturally
threatened VAS averted and the busi-
ness spread beyond previous bounds
hy one thing only--an excess OF effort
on the part ot those who are blessed
with means. In a word, such persons
must have extended their Christmas
buying enormously. and their gift
giving accordingly. or there would
not have been such good Christmas
business nearly everywhere. or such
demands upon the postOfhce facili-
tica to transport Christmas offerings
20 their destination.
This ls proof positive that the real
spirit Of Christmas prevailed through
out the land this year, and that the
hearts OF those who had both money
and charitable impulses were stirred
as never before. with the result thai
there was n larger amount OF givinl
and a far greater spread OF Christina,
remembrance throughout the coun
Try. especially among the unfortunate
who could do nothing for themselves
cor Tor othcrs,
What "A splendid showing this is
And while II is hoped there will b'
no occasion hereafter for such ex
traordinary demands upon the Christ
mas spirit OF our people. IL is mos
encouraging 20 know that when tn
demand does become imminent an
persistent. as n was this year. the re
rponso will be fully equal.
Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1921-12-27
THE SHAME OF MISSOURI.

The necessity no longer exists for
aglto ting good roads before the pco-
pie on Missouri. They have already
voted twice for the most ambitious
plan OF good roads that has been
placed before them. They are. Of
course. interested to note the progress
n their most important neighbor. IL
linois. on program OF State road
construction begun In 1918 and since
amplifed and reorganized. But Il Is to
the minority OF dirt roads partisans
who will attempt TO block Missourfs
road program by delaying IL with
referenduuf that the ltsson OF Illinois
progress may be most pointcdly adj
dressed.
Illinois abandoned the school Of dirt
roads eight years ago. Result? One
thousand two hundred eighty four
u2s4) miles OF paved trunk roads and
3000 miles OF other roads have been
completed. Plans are laid for the com
pletion next year OF an additional 1000
miles OF pavement. A total OF $40 0,000.-
900 thus far has been expended, TIL ,
amount authorized TO be spent by
state bond issue is 500. .000, 900. the
same figure which has been authorized
In Missouri. OF which not one dollar
has yet been expended. nor can dollar
OF II be expended before n year from
next March, II the obstructionis'
movement OF small minority is sue
cessful.
II the Hhrth dirt-roads following Is
si.icere II will at least secure rep
| ,tat loo 1ls
| farmers as to- the desirability Of per.
manent roads as against dirt road
from the standpoint of the practlca
farmer. II is grave proposition Z,
push Missouri backward when hei
next-door nsighbor and chief com
petitor. already far in the lead IN roat
building, is pushing forward by leapi
and bounds.--St. Louis Post Dispatch
Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1921-12-27
TO INCREASE LIVING COSTS.

Sugar growers of Cuba are much
pcrturbor over the purpose of the
new trainers of the Tariff law
IN Congress To increase the tariff
rates on sugar imported to this
country. They fear. and with good
reason. that higher tariff duties on
their product would tend to restrict
importntions. and thereby they would
suffer.
Hut selfish interests are at work in
Congress To secure as high a tariff
duty on sugar as possible. The higher
the tariff the less sugar will be i'm
ported, and the higher will be the
prices that producers of sugar here
In this country will be able TO charge.
Behind the movement Tor a prohibitive
duty ON imported sugar--or as near
that point as they can succeed In get
tins Incorporated In the new Tariff
hill--is the incentive of the profit they
VIII realize from the natural results.
The cane sugar growers OF Louisiana.
and the beet sugar manufacturers OF
Utah are prominent In the sugar lobby
that is working at Washington for the
promotion Of their interests.
Hut how about the people Of the
country. the great army of consum-
ers2 They have an interest In the
matter. as the higher the tariff on
sugar. the more they Will bo compelled
60 pay for this prime necessity. AZ
present, sugar IL selling at reasonable
retail rates, but with a tarin suffi-
cicntly heavy 10 largely restrict iin.
poristions. they viii have TO pay a
great deal more.
The sugar interests have their lobby
n, Washington working hard for high
tarin duties on sugar. but the peopl,
whose interests are threatened hav,
no special representatives In their in