Roanoke Rapids herald., 1924-01-18

commerce committee. LaFolette ad-
vised his followers to throw their sup
port to Senator Ellison D. Smith of
South Carolina, the Democratic can
didate, and so Mr.. Smith was elected.
On the decisive ballot the vote stood:
Smith, 80; Cummins, %; Couzens, 6.
The only Democrat out of line was
Bruce of Maryland who, as once be-
fore, voted for Cummins. Senator
Smith was chairman of this committee
for a time in 1919. He was opposed
to the Esch Cummins transportation
law, but is not classed as a radical.
D IGHT here it is as well to record
N the fact that the Supreme court
has just upheld one of the important
provisions Of the transportation act
that one requiring railroads to divide
with the government their excess earn
ings above the 5.15 per cent fixed by
the interstate commerce commission
as reasonable return IN their yalua-
tion.
The decision said that by the recap
ture clauses congress is enabled 10
maintain uniform rates for all shippers
and yet keep the net returns of rail-
ways, whether strong or weak to the
varying percentages which are fair for
them" These clauses, it was held. do
not appropriate property in violation
Of constitutional rights, nor do they
invade the rights of states in rate
making
DRESIDENT COOLIDGE has given
approval to the resolution of the
shipping board placing the operation
of the governments merchant fleet in
the hands of the Emergency Fleet cor
poration, provided the hoard cooper
ates with Leigh c. Palmer, who was
selected to be the new president of the
corporation. This cooperation was
pledged by the board.
WHLIAMsoN county. illinois,
w wherein is Herrin, scene of the
mine strike massacre, Is offering an
other lovely spectacle to the nation.
Members of the ku Klux Klan, lead
by federal prohibition officers, have
been making numerous raids on places
where liquor was sold and have made
scores Of arrests, all without notifying
the sheriff or asking his aid. The
citizens who are opposed to both the
klan and prohibition resented these
acts, and the sheriff professed to fear
the outbreak of serious hostilities. So
he called on the governor for state
troops, which were sent to Marion, the
county seat. Very likely the soldiers
were needed, for both the Klan and a
rival organization known as the
Knights of the Flaming Circle were in
fighting mood and nearly every man
in the county seems to have acquired a
gun.
PHILADELPHIA, which has not
been noted of late for law en-
forcement, is in process of being
CLEANED up" by new administration.
Brig. Gen. Smedley D. Butler, who won
fame in the marines, has been en-
ployed as director of public safety and
every saloon, disorderly house and
gambling place will be closed and kept
closed. Already, it is said, the keep
ers of those "joints' are fleeing to
other cities. General Butler says he
has been offered 100000 to let the
handbooks operate without interfer-
ence.
d RITAIN'S new parliament assem-
{ - bled last week, but will not be for.
mally opened by the king until Jan
uary 15. At a great victory demonstra-
ton of the Labor party Ramsay Mac
Donald announced that he was ready
to accept office as soon as invited and
that his governments first task would
be to mobilize all men and women of
good will and safe judgment to settle
the difficulties of the world and estab-
lish real peace. 1t is rumored in Lon
don that if France proves recalcitrant
to Labor's peace plans, the MacDon-
aid government will make an immedi-
ate demand for payment of the French
debt to Great Britain, and, IL this is
not honored, French paper may be
placed on the market and the French
exchange thus smashed.
~ vENIZELOS. though Ill, has con-
scented to serve as foreign minister
in the Greek cabinet formed by George
Roussos, former ambassador to the
United States. and he also has agreed
that the plebiscite on the form Of gov
ernment shall be held in March In
stead Of April. This latter was asked
That is altered. The mouth Is now