Evening star., 1923-01-04

cars of fruit from the northwest was
as great loss to the railroad COM
panies, probably, as a considerable
reduction In rates would have been,
hence the farmers are not the only
class that have their troubles. The
general public is the greatest loser
Behold the market price on fruit to-
day. and consider what the arrival
upon the eastern market would have
forced upon the prices to consumers:
The maternity act has been ap-
proved by forty-two out OF the forty
eight states. and, while Porto Rico
and hawaii are not included IN the
terms Of the act, they have asked to
be included. The act provides for
systematic state care Of mothers and
their infants in case OF need, and the
states are to receive as federal aid
$4,000 year, plus a certain increase
based on population. If the methods
used are such as are approved by a
federal commission. The newborn
babe Is to have better chance to get
started than the child of work age
has yet acquired in protection from
hard taskmasters.
Il *
Washington must be increasing in
population, for it had 1000 more
births than deaths last year. and ap-
parentiy nobody moved out of town.
The housing shortage appears to be
as keen as ever. except In the height
of war congestion.
x X
When the committee of Congress
returned from tour of street in
spection, in which they had broken
all speed limits ffor their guides
wanted to demonstrate the "rocky
road to DubIin"), it was found that
several of the committee had had
their teeth Jared SO loose that they
refused to comment. 1t was reported,
through an interpreter, that they
were satisfied that the half had not
been told, and that the appropriation
which will be made will be suff1cient
to pave the streets after the style
not usually promised before the nv
! lenniuh-for place greater than
Washington. The fire department
was called out recently to extricate
a horse from a hole in a street. and
life savers to haul drowning children
out of the mud. Freezing weather
helps some-especially in the case or
a rapid inspection by Congress.
- x
Washington has a Portia in the
person Of Judge Kathryn Sellers OF
the Juvenile Police Court. She has
seen and heard enough of domestic
discord to believe that there are two
sides to many cases where the hus-
bands are accused of non support BY
wives, who, perhaps. are more blame
worthy than the husbands. Her
honor, therefore. suggests that the
jurisdiction of her court be expanded
so as to permit her to handle divorce
and all sorts of domestic infelicity
ca ses, including the designation OF
the DISPOSITION of dependent children
of the divorced couples. Her pro-
posed domestic court would be able TO
give to the cases of the poor the same
treatment in equity that can now
be given only to Well-to-do plaintins
who are able to finance civil suits II
appears to humane interests that the
proposal of Judge Sellers is worthy
greater responsibility than she now
carries. giving her greater burdens
of work, but that is due only 10 her
Willingness to be of service to the
poor, to whom full justice or right
guidance is now denied. With the
instinct and sympathy of a woman
Judge Sellers can penetrate oeneatn
the "evidence" produced in court anu
in many cases demonstrate that part
Of the mans failures to support ms
family is due to miSmanagement by
the wife. and. through friendly coun-
sci. this can be corrected and family
circle saved. The welfare of the chill
! dren enters largely into such cases
X X
Here is one New Year resolution
which will mark 1923 with radical
difference from previous years in the
| administration Of justice. Hereto
| fore, when a violator of traffic laws
/ saw fit to forfeit his collateral Sc
curity for his release from jail pend
| ing arraignment. that ended the case.
In the future the bail will be for
/ feited in such circumstances, but then
/ an attachment will issue from the
bench, the delinquent will be brought
+, into court and probably receive
i heavier sentence than if he had ap-
peared without being hailed into
/ court Heavier sentences against
willfuI violators will be the rule.