Evening star., 1923-02-05
CAPITAL KEYNOTES'
by PAUL, Y. COLLINS.

-
The suggestion of the Secretary, OF
the Navy. Mr.. Depby, that authority
should he given by Congress- for the
sale of uniforms to. former members
of the Navy is q most worthy idea
The same plan might well be follow
ed in the Army. Many soldiers and
sailors who served in the world war
found their uniforms too shabby from
wear after their discharges and yet
they take pride in having the uni-
form all their lives for,pse on special
occasions, when the veterans parade.
Many find that in the. four or FIVE
years since they left the service they
have become too, stout to get into
the old uniforms. The proposition
from Secretary DENLY will enable the
sailors to outfit themselves without
much expense and so keep uprtheir
pride of service and cultivate pa
trtotism not only in the veterans
own hearts, but in the oncorning gem
GRAFTON of their children. ~
After the civil war, the Grand
Army of the Republic and the vet
Grams of the Confederacy adopted dis
tinctive uniforms, different from
those in which they had fought, and
the American Legion has often dis
cussed similar action. but up to date
has come to. no decision. There is a
sentiment in favor of a legion uni
form which will wipe out distinc-
tions between officers and enlisted
men. and also between Army and
Navy-one uniform for all services
and all ranks. That may come,
eventually. but in the meanwhile the
Denby suggestion fits the present
need. Besides, the Navy and Army
plus Uniforms, which might thus be
converted into cash.
~ X X
One of the most sensible moves that
has yet been made in the anti-nar-
cotic fight is the order of the Treas
ury absolutely barring all importa-
tions Of the drugs even for medicinal
purposes. There is already in Amer
lea enough confiscated narcotics to
supply for many years to come all
legitimate uses Still larger quanti-
ties are held in the stocks Of deal
ers. The Treasury Departmen ent
points out that there is no reason
whatever for importing any more.
The embargo is made legal under a
law passed last May, known as the
Jones Miller law. 1t embargoes not
only to continental United States. but
also to all American colonies. If it
be found that there becomes short
age of any particular narcotic need
ed in medicine. special permits VIII be
granted to meet the need, but the
government is determined to do all
in its power to fight the evil Of dope.
which is fast becoming greater
menace than alcoholism ever was
x y x X
The favorite sport of some states
men is not golf. but log-rolling. I'm
less the votes of such for the national
need of a safe deposit for the great
historical records-an archives build
ing-be offset, with compensatory votes
| for post offices at Squidunk and Hella-
| balloo. they are determined to RISK
| fire and robbery rather than permit
the archives Of the nation to be safe
guarded So it is on the agenda OF
| Congress that there is to be no ap-
| propriatio for an archives building
Such a policy is equivalent to that
| insurance expense" by carrying no
| insurance on his home. though bit
! terly regretting his folly when the
embers are raked over. What can De
greater folly, for Congress, than 10
refuse to make safe the nations ire
! placeabIe records. which are daily ex-
posed to fire and other disasters!
That these dangers are not ina ginary,
note the destructive fire amongst the
archives Of the Department of Com
merce within the last two or three
years, two fires in the Treasury and
one in the White House. No fire in
surance adjuster would pass on the
nresent condition of the archives of
| the government as anything but haZ-
| ardous. Even the plan to erect
! shelves in the Pension building
! great court is only a makeshift, for
| in case of fire in the many Offices of
and smoke would be unavoidable.
! A vote for the needed buildings OF
| the National Capital has has no value
/ at all toward a reelection of con-
eressman while a new post office IN