The Washington times., 1922-09-21

tive. we Judge everything by COM
parison with other things; or by
contrast with other things.
Those best able to appreciate liv-
ing conditions in America are those
who have seen the living conditions
in other lands.
James Speyer, the New York in.
ternational banker, told the report.
ers who boarded the olympic on
her incoming voyage this week: Il
am very glad to be back home"
Mr.. Speyer thinks so well of this
country that he brought back with
him his nephew, Herbert Belt Won
Speyer. of Main, who
will take up his lifes work In the
banking office of Speyer & Com
pany here.
Another distinguished passenger,
Hugh c. Wallace, ex-ambassador to
France, couldn't refrain from con-
trasting life in the United States
with life in Europe. Said the for
mer ambassador:
For quarter of a century I
have been spending two or three
months a year in Europe, but !
think I have never before, as at
this moment. so fully approved
American life as contrasted to that
of Europe. In my opinion, our
: methods generally, our legislative
and judicial procedure, our manner
of living and our code of morals
are better than those of Europe.
Foreigners are fortunate to have
domicile in America, and II there
are any who do not recognize the
hnnn "a ND q NJ 70 l.
ity, provision should be made for
their deportation"
Aren't you inclined to lose pa
! tience with chronic complainers,
about this. that, and the other
/ fancied shortcoming in this land?
! The truth is that the proportion
of people who enjoy livable condi-
tions Is far larger in this country
than in any other country in the
world. Starvation Is practically
unknown here. Not l per cent of
Americans go hungry. Not l per
cent suffer acutely from being un-
derclad. There are more real slums
In three cities in Europe than in
the whole Of America. Intolerance
and persecution are unknown here.
l recently drew up a long list OF
! developments which have tended to-
! enhance the happiness, the health,
/ the life of the present day genera.
ton in this country. l have here
room only for a few samples:
Working hours have been greatly
reduced.
! Housing facilities have been wor.
derfully improved.
Schools and colleges are now within
reach of many. many more people
OF ordinary circumstances.
There are more churches.
| We have an infinitely wider va
riety of pure food.
/ We wear better clothes and have
more of them-particularly our
women folk.
There IL now one automobile Tor
every second family in America.
The telephone has added immensely
to our facilities for social intercourse.
The finest of music has been
brought within the reach of most
homes through Edison's invention OF
the monograph.
The theater, formerly enjoyed by
relatively few. is nightly open to
the inhabitants OF almost every
| hamlet at very low cost, thanks TO
the movies.
Radio entertainment is rapidly
become available for all classes.
Electric light and gas light are
| blessings now so commonplace that
we accept them without any sense
Of gratitude.
Electric trolleys enable millions
to live and bring up their children
| in healthful suburbs
Our newspapers. now available
for all, are much better than they
were.
Sanitation and hygiene have
| spread over the land. We have al.
most a billion harnessed horsepower
/ to relieve the backs, the arms, the
hands, the muscles OF manual toilers.
The farm tractor and binder and
reaper have tremendously lightened
the toll of our vast agricultural
population.
Vacations, almost unknown in
our fathers day, are now common.
There are more public holidays
/ observed by the working classes.
Social and domestic intercourse
can be indulged in much more free
ly. thanks to the greater amount Of
leisure and the better travelling
facilities enjoyed by almost all.
Fac lities for self education have
multiplied amazingly
Medical and allied sciences have
succeeded in reducing the death rate.
There is less nepotism-less fdv.
oritism-in selecting men for highly
important and lucrative executive
positions. also a dazzling increase
in the number of positions paying
from $4,000 to 100000.
| Business morals are much cleaner.
Science now enables us to take
better care of impaired eyes, teeth,
etc.
Our children's health Is examined
and safeguarded in many of our
more modern schools, and milk,
meals, dental service, etc, are fur
nished at very low cost, or, where
necessary and feasible, entirely free.
Quit whining. Buckle down TO
work. Thank your lucky stars that
you live under the Stars and Stripes.
! Think less about your difficulties
! and go after your opportunities more
dlligently-and with a grateful heart.
| 1ronyriaht 1922 by r. G.. FOrbes)