Evening star., 1923-03-03
CAPITAL KEYNOTES
BY PAUL Y. COLLINS.

of war. -
The motive of prosecuting crime is
not vengeance; it Is not even, pri-
marIly, to reform the convict: 1t Is TO
project society by deterring others
from repeating such crimes. If the
(traitors in time of war can triumph
over the courts through legal techni-
calities, not affecting the real guilt
or the accused, then future traitors
VIII feel encouraged to defy loyalty
and conspire to defeat the cause of
their country. Then the poppies that
blow in Flanders field will blow in
vain.
The charge against Berger, by rea-
son OF his influence. was far more
serious than the offense of Grover
Cleveland Bergdoll, who is held up as
the type of Stacker most worthy OF
apprehension because of his exam
pie. Is 1t not such miscarriages OF
Justice that the American Institute OF
Law had in mind In its recent meet
ing In Washington when 1t pointed
out the growing disrespect for law?
The trial judge In Bergers case was
Judge Lands, whose patriotism was
outstanding and whose long experi
ence on the bench eminently qualified
him to pass upon the equity and law
of change of venue. 1t was a Mil
waukee jury which convicted.
x X n x
The representatives who have foug ht
the measure to adjust the pay or
Washington's school teachers have
overlooked one guess. They may
have assumed that the teachers have
no comeback at their opponents be-
cause they have no vote here In
Washington. The statesmen, per
haps. forget that the cause of Wash
ington teachers for fair compensation
is the cause of all the teachers
throughout America, and that in
many a school district the word will
go forth that the Hon. Mr. Sorghum
is a foe to the public school system
and should not again be sent to rep
resent the district. A school teacher
may not be a politician, but he or she
has access to the homes and the
hearts of parents which many poll
tician might well covet
The Washington schools are the
natural focal point of interest to edu-
Gators throughout America They
must be made the model schools or
! the country. 1t is Impossible for
them to continue in the present scan
dalous condition of inadequate ca
pacity to supply all children OF school
age with a seat and full facilities Tor
carrying on their normal courses or
education 1t is impossible also t"
continue to underpay the teachers
and hope to retain full teaching
force. Other cities are outoiddlnG
the National Capital in salaries and
accommodations. Congress cannot
shift responsibility for the lack OF
proper support of the capitals
schools, for only Congress has the
authority and the means of their sup
port.
How many senators who framed and
passed the "simplified income tax
! law" are able to make out their own
tax statements without the help or
the expert who has been stationed IN
the office of the Senate sergeant-at-
arms? 1t is a parliamentary priNi-
| lege for members TO rise to explain their
votes Possibly all who now appeai
Ito the expert were paired when II
came to voting, but pairs don't count
when it comes to swearing. SOS
used TO mean Send out succor. II
has now come to mean save Oh
senator's" (Hope the proofreader
will not correct the senatorial spell
ing)
| Copyright, 1923. by p. V. Collins)