davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1923-10-18

the experimental stage. II II proves
successful the plan Is to be applied to
other routes of the Shipping Board
vessels. 1t places the expenditures Of
government money directly under the
supervision of public officials authorized
to handle them. Soliciting and book
ing of freight and the handling OF the
freight at terminals will be left to
leading agents" These agents, serv-
ing under contract, will be paid on a
straight commission basis for the
business they obtain.
Despite the interjection Of the man
ager agent between the Shipping
Board and the manufacturers, mer-
chants, importers. etc., whose products
have been handled, the manager
agent system has been government
operation. The new plan provides for
no greater control by the government,
but for a more businesslike control.
1t puts more business into government.
It is the hope of Chairman Farley
and the other members of the board
that it will result in a considerable
saving of money and in greater eff
ficiency.
Protests may be expected from GER
tain interests which are opposed to
government operation of the Shipping
Board vessels. But it should be un-
derstood that the American people
paid huge sum for its merchant ma
rine during the war; that 1t desires
an American merchant marine main
tanned; that a very large part of the
people would prefer to have the Amer
lean merchant marine privately owned
and operated; that government. ves-
sells have been offered for sale at rea-
sonable rates with the understanding
that the routes established must be
maintained under the American flag
and that the purchasers have not been
forthcoming.
1t is not difficult to conceive there
are interests which are not particu-
larly displeased over the fact that the
Shipping Board has been showing a
deficit of s40,OO0,O00 or more in the
last few years. 1t may De tnat tneSe
interests are waiting hopefully until
The Congress, disgusted with meeting
this deficit, shakes the tree and these
vessels drop like plums into their ex-
pectant mouths.
The steps now being taken by the
Shipping Board. however. may result
in a very great curtailment of the
deficit in operation of the vessels, and
the property.
Evening star., 1923-10-18
Pressing Playground Needs.

The recreation committee OF the
District Public School Association will
make a survey of school playground
needs in Washington. 1t is desirable
to press this matter as deeply as pos
sible on the attention Of the public
and the authorities. Some school play.
grounds have been given over as sites
fo.' temporary buildings and others for
additions to school buildings New
school buildings, because Of INSULT
cheney of money, go up without ade.
quate Fairgrounds about them. School
children Increase in numbers and
school Fairgrounds decrease In size.
The subject Of school Fairgrounds
N particular. and OF public play
grounds in general, has become one OF
great importance. because Of the in
crease in population, growth Of traffic
in streets, disappearance Of "com-
mons and vacant lots, recession Of
fields from the city and other causes.
The committee emphasizes what is
well known, that there Is an aston
ishing lack Of space for children In
the most congested sections" and that
in playground activities the Capital is
behind many other cities. The COM
mittee votes ito back to the limit both
the municipal and school playground
items included In the Distxaoa sstar
Evening star., 1923-10-18
Park Estimates.

The superintendent of public build
ings and grounds has made a strong
presentation of park conditions to the
budget bureau in support of estimates
for certain park improvements. The
situation explained to the director Of
the budget is we'll understood in
Washington and is also known to the
director.
1t is proposed to widen certain roads
in Rock Creek and Potomac parks.
Some of these roads were laid out
when people took their Sunday ride
in carriages and buggies and many
others were laid out when the auto
mobile was new invention. The use
of the parks has become so general
and traffic has so increased that the
roads are often crowded to the point
of discomfort and danger. Widening
of them would increase the value of
the park to the public.
The inlet bridge in Potomac Park
cannot accommodate the traffic that
would use it and serious jams have
happened there. At certain times 1t
is necessary to use it as a one-way
bridge, to the Inconvenience Of the
public. Col. Sheriff. says that this
bridge was not constructed TO carry
automobile traffic and besides being
too narrow it affords no adequate out
let to the Hains point section of the
park. 1t could be widened fifteen feet
at small cost.
Work has gone on in Meridian Hill
Park in a halting way. It was great
gain that this tract, the higher part
of 1t overlooking Washington, was re-
served for perpetual public use and a
small part of it has been put in park
shape and converted to park uses, but
the superintendent Of public buildings
and grounds says that at the present
rate of appropriation it will take more
than fifty years to finish the work.
It is a relatively smaller matter and
Meridian Hill Park should be made
ready to fulfill its contemplated nur-
pose.
Evening star., 1923-10-18
Spelling a Good Man.

Thomas A. Edison, in an interview
yesterday after a luncheon in his
honor in New York, in which he dis
was quoted as saying: II would hate
to see Ford President because il would
spoil good man. He is more valua-
BILE where he is now" Mr.. Ford and
Mr.. Edison are warm personal friends,
holding mutual esteem and respect
based upon recognized personal merit
and achievement. The remark, there.
fore, may be taken as not uttered in
a spirit Of criticism, but as deprecat-
ing possible displacement of effort.
The utterance will find loud echo in
public sentiment at large. But there
is also another angle to the PROPOSE
ton of Henry Ford becoming Presi-
dent of the United States. A large
element of the citizenry think his ac-
cession to that Office would not only
spoil good man, but run big chance
Of spelling the country. And this
thought is not held in malice, but in
the logic and fitness of things.
No one would decry the work that
Mr.. Ford has done for the public along
his own particular line, nor would run
down his financial and managerial
ability. The country would render
unto Caesar the things that are
Caesars. but it may be set down as
certainty that considerable portion
Of the conservative and thoughtful ele-
ment cannot see the presidency in
such an accounting.
Evening star., 1923-10-18

mates for the next fiscal year" That
is well.
Public sentiment supports the esti-
mates. and the Commissioners are do
ing all that public officers can do to
prove to the director OF the budget
that the playground estimates stand
Tor vital needs. There are many other
"vital needs" and the business of the
bureau of the budget is to determine
the relative urgency OF those needs,
that the Districts money may accom-
plish q maximum result.
1t is likely that some of the advance
for which the Public School Associa-
ton and other agencies struggle will
be achieved during the next fiscal
year. BY maintaining enthusiasm and
keeping before the authorities our
deficiency in school Fairgrounds and
municipal Fairgrounds we will finally
win what we know would be of vast
benefit to children
Evening star., 1923-10-18
Recorder of Deeds Office.

1t is said that the President has
been impressed with the great need
Tor the proper housing of the Office of
rhe recorder of deeds for the District
Of Columbia" A building for this inn
oortant office is one of the urgent
needs Of the District. Everybody con.
lected with the office and everybody
doing business with it understands
This clearly.
Several years ago, when it was de-
termined to remodel the courthouse, in
which the records and personnel of
The recorder of deeds were made
Iuately housed, it became necessary
70 find temporary quarters and four
-loors were rented in a nearby office
building. 1t was believed that the
recorders office would use those quar-
Iers only for a few months and that
ample and modern provision would be
made for it in the remodeled courts
building. When the work of making
over that building was done the re
,;order's office was informed that there
was no room for it.
In moving into the ill-adapted rented
quarters the land records of the Dis
-rict from 1891 to date We're arranged
n numerous rooms on several floors
n as systematic order as could be
lone, but everybody having business
With the office will testify that the
arrangement does not approach per-
lection. The clerks were given desks
wherever room could be found. There
was much congestion at the beginning &
and this condition has grown worse,
10 that there is no other public office
n the District and probably no pri-
vate office in Washington so crowded
With books and people, chairs and
desks as this. Relief has been asked
many times, but none has been had.
To add to the distress and confu-
sion, the owners Of the building de-
1nanded higher rental, and to this no
doubt they are entitled, The rental
agreed on several years ago was all
hat could be paid under the appro-
priations for the Office and the owners
brought suit for ejectment, and this
20 held in abeyance pending some
remedial action by Congress, falling
which the landlords would be likely
20 set the records Of the office and
the employees in the street.
Congress at the last session au-
Ihorized the architect of the Capitol
and the District Commissioners to pre-.
l>are plan and estimates for a build
ing for the office in the northeast
corner Of Judiciary Square. A plan
was drawn and the estimate for car
lying it out was incorporated by the
Commissioners in their estimates for
the budget bureau. How the case
stands has not been discussed by the
Commissioners for publication. 1t is
ftn awkward situation in which the
District government finds itself and
which it would promptly rectify if it
had the means.
Evening star., 1923-10-18
ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
BY FREDERIC ]. HAsKfN

@. How Is the name "Lascelles,"
which is now Princess Mary's, pro-
nounced?-F. d. A.
A. The British embassy says that
Lasceiles is pronounced with a broad
a and accented on the first syllable.
Q. What is the "far eastern ques-
tion"?-K. D. w.
A. The complex problems involved
in the rise of Japan and the awaken
Ing of China and their relations to
the great European and American
powers are known in international
politics as the far eastern question.
Q. What is the difference between
a farce and a comedy?-I. NJ C.
A. A farce Is a dramatic piece of a
broad character and the difference
between 1t and comedy proper is one
of degree and not of kind. The aim
the comedy does so by comparatively
faithful adherence to nature and
truth. the farce assumes a much
greater license and may make use of
any extravaganza or tmprobablltty
that may serve its purpose.
Q. What did Barnum promise to
pay Jenny Lind when she sang for
the first time In America?-G A. NJ.
A. Jenny Lind was engaged by P,
T. Barnum for $50 nights at $1,000 a
night. Barnum provided the or
chestra-
@. How long has the musical box
been in exfstence?-D. II.
A. The musical box was invented
by the Swiss in the middle of the
eighteenth century.
@. How many hot springs are there
at Hot Springs. Ark. ?-W. ]. r.
A. Hot Springs, Ark. is widely
noted for the hot waters that flow
from seventy-two springs, included
in a space of ten acres on the west
side of Hot Springs mountain. The
waters of these springs range in tenn
perature from rs to 157 degrees F.,
and are especially beneficial in the
treatment of chronic diseases In
1892 four sections of land were set
off by Congress as a government res
ervation. Since then the government
has established on the mountain the
Army and Navy General Hospital.
O. At what time of the year is the
pistachio nut at its best?-T. G.
A. The Department of Agriculture
says that in California the pistachio
nut is ripe in October. Ipasmuch as
the nut must be roasted before eat
ing, If 1t is kept In dry place at
cool temperature, it is not likely
10 become rancid ana therefore can
he kept Indefinitely. The department
knows of instances where such nuts
have been kept for over a year.
@. Please give a description of the
shell room in the Berlin Palace?-M L.
A. The shell saloon is in the New
Palace at Potsdam. formerly the
summer residence of the emperor.
The walls and ceilings of the room
are inlaid with coralS, crystals and
rare shells. The friezes are minerals
md precious stones, many of which
are of great value.
O. How many senators have been
elected President of the United States
r. E. p.
A. No senator except the late Pres
tdent Harding has gone directly from
the Senate to the White House. Garfield
was elected President while senator
elect. but he had not yet taken his
seat. The Presidents who were SEN
Evening star., 1923-10-18
Cutting Ont the "Cost Plus" 4"

Taxing the cost plus" cut of the
operation Of the vessels Of the United
States Shipping Board is the latest
step decided upon by the new chair
man, Edward 2. Farley, and the mem
oers of the board.
The old manager agent system,
which, il is now announced, will be
discontinued in connection with the
North Atlantic, United Kingdom and
ireland routes, called for the payment
oy the government of percentage of
The gross receipts on all the business
handled by the Shipping Board vessels
10 the manager agents and at the
same time provided that the govern
nent would pay all losses.
The old system was a kind Of
heads you win and tails / lose" prop
osition, 80 far as the government was
concerned. On the face of it, it was
unsound from a business standpoint.
But it was a kind of compromise be-
tween direct government operation
and the sentiment that private indi-
yiduals should have as much of n
aand in the operation of the vessels
is possible. 1t was, as an old epitaph
las it, 'Very nice for Mary Ann, but
a little tough on Abraham"
In a measure the manager agent
system compares with the cost plus
plan adopted during the war to get
government work done-a system
which resulted in tremendous expendi-
lures that have been the source of
bitter criticism. Under the manager
agent system the government meets
the cost and pays a percentage on
he gross receipts to the agents. This
percentage is fixed-5 per cent of
the gross receipts on outward-bound
freight, except bulk cargoes, on
which the rate is 2a per cent
on inbound freight. In many cases
The cost plus system adopted during
the war to pay for building, etc., pro-
vided for sliding scale in the per-
centage or commission paid the con-
tractors, so that the greater sums ex-
pended, the greater the commission.
This, fortunately, is missing in the
manager agent system. But at bot
om the manager agent system is a
cost plus proposition.
The new plan announced for the
North Atlantic routes, affecting five
lines from New York, Boston, Phila-
ielphia, Baltimore and Hampton
.goadr TO the United KingdouN, is In
Evening star., 1923-10-18
ssNational Honor Held
Cause of Most Wars

The huge hoax with which peoples
have been bunkoed for centuries Is
revealed in Italy's reply to the league
of nations. Italy cannot submit for
adjustment by the league questions
Involving her national honor" says
Nussolini.
1t was in the name OF Austria's "na-
tional honor" that the battle zones
of Europe are filled with rotting
bodies. An Austrian archduke was
slain by a lunatic, who happened to
be Serbian, and at was styled by
the kaiser an insult to Austrias
national honor"
on the pretext of national honor"
and national prestige" a war was
declared that cost the United States
000 of Americas finest young men
and left thousands. upon thousands of
the flower of her young manhood
physically ruined, mentally crippled
and nervously wrecked. And the price
that Europe will have to pay for
Austria's national honor" will not
be paid In 100 years. At the end Of
a century they will still be collect
ing the debt created by the process
of satisfying Austria's national
honor"
The humbug, the fiction. the fraud
of all time is so-caned, national
onor" 1t was used by kings through
all time as a pretext for war. con-
quest and the plundering of weaker
nations. Under its name they COM
mitted national banditry, robbery,
thievery and murder.
More dead have been heaped up and
burned In q vast funeral pyre as
sacrifice to shoddy national honor"
than the world will ever count
Stretching upward from the bloody
ground of Europe are hands, human
hands. myriads of hands. the gnaried
hands of age and the tiny hands of
babes, the sturdy hands of youth and
the horny hands of toll, the rugged
hands of men and the tender hands of
women-all in mute appeal for peace
and tranquility on the earth, peace
and tranquility never realized because
of the humbug claim OF war lords that
national honor" must he satisfied
Portland Oregon Journal
Evening star., 1923-10-18

ever may be the cause 1t is at least
certain that the American people will
shed no tears over Mr.. Harvey's $
pending REIMBURSEMENT of his trust"
ut is not a pleasant commentary
on the American system" the Peoria
Transcript declares, That we have
millions to spend for petty better
ments and experiments in paternalism
and maternalism yet are unable to
pay cabinet officers and diplomats as
much money as can be earned by a
second class lawyer who has no social
obligations and who is not required
to entertain people he doesn't know
and in whom he has no personal in
terest."
In filling the vacancy at London and
later one at Rome, the Rockford Re
public believes, the President will be
put TO his first test, inasmuch as here
are two great posts, posts to be filed
with men representing the Coolidge
administration and whose acts will
reflect, or be assumed to reflect the
Coolidge mind. In his selections the
President will reveal himself to a
greater extent than in any previous
acts" This is the position also taken
oy the Providence Journal, which
lays the country shall expect from
the President appointments that can
be spontaneously ana unreserVedly
approved"
Replying to the prohibitive expense
statements the Columbus Dispatch
suggest I'VE should not forget that
this country was never more accept
ably and effectively represented at
the court Of St. James than by James
Russell Lowell, who did not have
much to expend there except brains
and character Is it quite sure that
even after the lavishing of private
wealth at that post which has taken
place since Lowelfs day, another
man of the same type, with no greater
priy ate fortune to draw upon than he.
would not make an admirably eff
cient representative at the court OF
St James?"
Evening star., 1923-10-18

A news item a day or two ago In
formed America that a commission
which had just returned to Berlin
from a tour of Russia had found that
there were $4,000 Russians ready to
come to the United States as soon as
the quota laws would permit. Most
of them are women and children.
At first thought that pictured a
great invasion of Russian refugees,
either to impoverish society here, or
to be cruelty turned back from our
ports as likely to become paupers.
Reference to the quota law showed,
however. that Russia is permitted to
send US only 24.4O5 immigrants a
year, SO 1t would take nearly two
years to permit 43.00p to enter. Who
can assert that two years from now
there will be $4,000 or 100000 who
will be clamoring for admission? The
current years quota for Russia lacks
only 1854 of being exhausted.
X X
In 1920 a committee of the House
reported that the Hebrew Sheltering
and Aid Society estimated that as
soon as shipping could be found and
the laws permitted, there were S,000,-
600 Polish Jews ready to escape to
America.
Seventeen steamship agents recently
reported TO f. A. Wallis. commission
er of immigration at Ellis Island, that
If shipping were available they could
bring 100000 migrants mere IN d
year. If that be accurate, now long
would il be before the present popu-
latlon would be outnumbered by new
immigration? veritable STAMPEDE
from the horrors of starving and war
driven Europe to the prosperous anu
peaceable America is threatened.
immigration increases by arltnmeti-
cal progression. 1t took 175 years TO
, build up a population or 5,ooo.ouo.
/ Transportation was slow and commu-
nication difficult Europe knew little
of America.
Our first census of immigration was
for the decade lS20-1830, which gave
US a total of l51,824. That was In
proportion of one immigrant 10
eighty-four persons already mere. fhe
next decade gave us one immigrant
The decade 1870 to 1880 gave US
2S1219l immigrants-one for every
seventeen persons here. From 1905
to 1914 we received 10,12l,S4O imml-
grants-one to every ten persons In
the country in 1914.
The war stopped immigration. for
the old countries refused to let their
able-bodied men leave. But the com
mingling of American soldiers with
those of Europe spread the fame Of
this veritable heaven on earth. and
the excitenen of military duty and
adventure stirred the spirits which had
been atrophied by centuries of horne
staying The result was that all the
word. apparently, was eager to leave
! Europe for America.
The only bar was the limits of ship
ping. The United States had shipped
two million men and their supplies TO
the A. E F. in a year. The many
countries of Eurore combining all their
fleets might multiply that feat many
times but for our protective legisla-
| ton.
X X X x
Congress had begun to legislate on
, immigration in 1875. Until the war.
the general policy had been to encour-
age settlers to come. especially If they
would occupy new farm lands. But
after the war the country awoke TO
realize the menace overimmigration
involved, A law was passed May 10,
1921, establishing as a rule of l1mita-
tion "3 percentum of the number of
Evening star., 1923-10-18
SHOOTING STARS.
BIZ PHILANDER JOHNSON.
WonderWOrk.

WonderwOrk.
One night from a forgotten fairy book
The elfin people came, and gayly took
A holiday, to contemplate with mirth
The simple dwellers on this toilsome
earth.
They said: I'VE know they have no
magic pow'rs
To realize a passing wish, like ours.
But we will revel with them for a
night
And grant a few requests, Il they're
polite"
The eIfin people saw the cars speed by,
And ships that hurried through the
distant sky;
The telephone brought messages SO
clear;
The phonograph with music charmed
the ear.
Whichever way they turned some
marvel new
Bewildered them, like fantasies come
true.
Alas" they said, "how humbled is
our pride!
What wondrous gifts to US have been
dehied.
Compared to these, how little we can
do
To grant wish or make a dream
come true:
No more will we attempt our arts to
show,
Since mortal methods can surpass
them so.''
With downcast eyes their heads they
slowly shook
And sought the shelter OF the fairy
book.
Since then the elfin ones are never
Where once they played in field, or
forest green,
Save now and then by some small.
lonely child
Neglected In the haunts Of nature
wild,
To whom they tell In soft, mysterious
tones
OF airships, monographs and tele.
phones.