Evening star., 1923-09-04
CAPITAL KEYNOTES
BY PAUL y. COLLINS

week. that there should be set off a
week for special study by all Ameri-
cans of the United States Constitu-
tion. There is too general an i'm
preston that 1t is hardly necessary
even TO read the fundamental law of
the nation, and the result is a hetero-
genious notion as to what the Consti-
tuition really says.
The American Bar Association has
developed field for patriotic activity
which Will give room for the diligent
work of all its trained intellectS and
VIII inspire patriots amongst the lay
men to follow suit.
y X y u
Between the laymen who denounce
all history as bunk" and the college
professors who glory only in icono-
clasm. what is left of real culture
and civilization?
Every household of Washington is
to be visited by police within the next
few days. They will want to inspect
the cellars. but lest their object be
misunderstood, 1t should be early ex-
planned that 1t is not firewater that
they will inspect. but the material for
making real fire. throughout the next
winter. They are to make complete
survey of the needs of householders
as to coal. incidentally, 1t is ad-
vised that the firewater be separated
from the other fuel. in making re-
turns. In some cases. il is even listed
as fuel for the automobile.
Next to it's public buildings, Wash
ingtons greatest glory lies in it's
trees. Yet. according to Clifford l..
Lanham. superintendent of trees and
parking, there Is danger that the trees
Will decline unless action Is taken to
provide an adequate nursery for re-
placements. The total number in
parks and along the street curbs is
104, ,5S3, out OF which 1926 were killed
or removed last year and only fifty
six were planted
The rapid increase of buildings in
the city is warning on trees on pri-
vate land, for the average blueprint
builders mania Is to clear off the
priceless big trees he finds on his
land. Then he builds brick walls in
stead.
Every little million has a mission
all its own. Even the grain raisers
of the north rejoice when the cotton
raisers succeed in borrowing millions
from banks outside the federal farm
loan and intermediate credits banks,
for that relieves the pressure on the
resources of the latter, available for
grain marketing.
1t is reported that the North Caro-
lima Growers Association has just
borrowed $4,000. 900 from a New York
national bank for the purpose of mar
keting cotton.
x 4
Quite the most refreshing breeze
that has famed the bIushing checks
of modesty for some years was the
announcement of the Russian de
Pachtman that he was the only real
great pianist in existence. All the
rest were second or third class; he
alone was perfect.
Isn't that the way some OF the rest
OF us often feel about our workout
lack the utter frankness and hardi-
hood to confess it? De Pachtman has
blazed the way. and after practicing
in the seclusion of our homes for
awhile. IL is quite possible that
cOuTdSe may come.
The saving clause in de Pachtman's
boast is that he includes "A statement
that he did not achieve this perfec-
tion until after he was seventy years
old. and learned to play with a stiff
wrist. That encourages US modest
and difhdent youngsters. All we need
to do is to keep on keeping on until
we. too, are three -score years and ten,
and learn to play" with a stiff upper
lip. Self-contidence, after all is far
more of an asset than ii is a liza :
bility. 1t would be a miracle to gain
the confidence of the public before
ego shows equal appreciation. Self
depreciation is always on the marked
down bargain counter, without a bar
gain counter crush about it, Bound
70 hear Pachtmah If he ever comes to
Washington. for l never did hear per-
feet piano playing yet, and Il know
what l like
Copyright. 1923. by T. V Collinsl