davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1927-12-06

have suffered from only one serious
controversy. In all others difficulties
have been adjusted. both mara ge-
ment and labor wishing to settle
controversies by friendly agreement
rather than by compulsion. The wei
fare of women and children Is being
especially guarded by our Depart
ment of Labor. Its Children's Ru-
reau is in coopera ton with % State
boards and so juvenile courts.
Through its Bureau of Immigra-
tion it has been found that medical
examination abroad has saved pros
pective immigrants from much hard
ship. Some further legislation 10
provide for reuniting families when
either the husband or the wife is in
this country, and granting more free
dom for the migration Of the North
American Indian tribes. is desirable.
The United States Employment
Service has enabled about 1000 900
men and women to gain paying posi-.
tions in the last fiscal year. Particu-
lar attention has been given to assist.
ing men past middle life and i'm pro-
viding field labor for harvesting agri.
cultural crops. This has heen made
possible in part through tho service
of the Federal Board for Vocational
Education. which is cooperating with
the States in program to increase
the technical knowledge and skill of
the wage Garner.
Evening star., 1927-12-06
HISTORICAL
CELEBRATIONS.

Provision is being made to COM
memorate the two hundredth ami
versary of the birth of George Wash.
ington. Suggestion has been made for
the construction of memorial road
leading from the Capital to Mount
Vernon, which may well have the
consideration of the Congress, and
the commission intrusted with
prepa ra tions for the celebration will
undoubtedly recommend publication
of the complete writings of Washing.
ton and a series of writings by diff
ferent authors relating to him.
February IS. 1929 is the one hun.
dred and fiftieth anniversary Of the
capture of Fort SackviIle. at Vim
cennes, in the State of Indiana This
eventually brought into the Union
what was known as the Northwest
Territory. embracing the region
north of the Ohio River between the
Alleghenies and the Mississippi River
This expedition was led by George
Rogers Clark His heroic character
and the Importance of his victory
are too little known and understood
They gave us not only this North
west Territory hut by means of that
the prospect of reaching the Pacific.
The State of Indiana is proposing 10
dedicate the site nf Fort Sackville
as national shrine. The Federal
Government may we'll make some
provision for the erection under ifs
own ma ma cement of A fitting memo.
rial at that point
Evening star., 1927-12-06
VETERANS.

The care which this country has
lavished on its veterans Is known of
all men. The yearly outlay for this
purpose is about $3.50 .000. 900. or about
the cost OF running the Federal Gov
ernment. outside of the Post Office
Department. before the World War.
The Congress will have before it rec
concentrations of the American Ie-
eion the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
and other like organiZa tions. which
should receive candid consideration.
We ashould continue to foster our
system Of compensation and rehabili:
tation. and provide hospitals and in
Surance. The magnitude of the
undertaking is already so large that
all requests calling for further ex-
penditure should have the most
searching scrutiny. Our present svs.
tenn of pensions is already sufficiently
liberal. 1t was increased by the last
Congress for Civil and Spanish War
veterans and widows and for some
dependents
1t has been suggested that the va
rious governmental agencies now
dealing with veterans relief he con
solit1ated. This would bring manv
advantages. 1t is recommended that
the proper committees of the Congress
make thorough survey OF this sub
iect. In order to determine II legisla
ton to secure such consolidation Is
desirable.
Evening star., 1927-12-06
GOOD ROADS.

The importa nee and benefit of good
roads is more and more coming to
he appreciated. The National Gov
ernment has been making liberal con
tributiunS to encourage their con.
str>ction. The results and benefits
have been very gratifying. National
participation. however should be con
fined to trunk line systems. The ma
tional tax on automobiles is now
nearly sufficient To meet this outlay.
This tax IL very small and on low
priced ears is not more than 81 or So
each year.
While the advantage of ha wing
good roads is very large the desire
for improved highways is not limited
To our own country. 1t should and
does include all the Western Hemi
sphere. The principal points in Can
ada are already accessible. We ought
to lend our encouragement In any
way we can for more good roads to
, all the principal points in this heml
sphere south of the Rio Ora nde. 1t
has been our practice to supply these
countries with military and naval ad
visers, when they have requested 1t
to assist them in national defense
! The arts of peace are even more i'm
Evening star., 1927-12-06
CUBAN PARCEL POST.

We have a temporary parcel-post
convention with Cuba. The advan-
tage Of it is all on our side. During
1926 we shipped twelve times as many
parcels, weighing twenty-four times
as much, as we received. This con
Nention was made on the understand
ing that we would repeal an old law
prohibiting the importation of cigars
and cigarettes in quantities less than
5000 enacted in 1866 To discourage
smuggling, for which it has long
been unnecessary. This law unjustlN
tiScriminates against an important
industry of Cuba. It's repeal has
been recommended by the Treasury
and Post Office Departments. Unless
this is done our merchants and rail
roads will find themselves deprived
of this large parcelpost business
after the 1st of next March, the date
OF the expiration Of the convention.
which has been extended upon the
specific understanding that it would
expire at that time unless this legis-
lation was enacted. We purchase
large quantities of tobacco made in
Cuba. 1t is not probable that our
purchases would be any larger If this
law was repealed. while it would be
an advantage to many other indus
tries in the United States.
Evening star., 1927-12-06
MERCHANT MARINE.

The United States Government
fleet is transporting a large amount
Of freight and reducing its drain
on the Treasury. The Shipping
Board is constantly under pressure,
to which it too often yields. to pro
tect private interests, rather than
serve the public welfare. More atten.
tion should he given to mercha mt
ships as an auxiliary of the Navy.
The possibility OF including their
masters and crews in the Naval Re-
serve. with some reasonable compen.
sation. should he thoroughly explored
as method of encoura ging private
operation Of shipping. Public opera.
ton is not success. No investiga-
ton. Of which | have caused several
to he made, has failed to report that
it could not succeed or to recommend
speedy transfer to private ownership.
Our exporters and importers are both
Indifferent about using America n
ships. 1t should be our policy to
keep our present vessels in repai ir
and dispose of them as rapidly as
possible, rather than undertake any
new construction. Their operation is
burden on the National Treasury
for which we are not receiving suf-
ficient benefits.
Evening star., 1927-12-06
PROHIBITION.

After more than two generations
ed a system of national prohibition
under all the solemnties involved in
an amendment to the Federal Con.
stitution. In obedience to this man
date the Congress and the States
with one or two notable exceptions,
have passed required laws for it's adj
ministration and enforcement. This
imposes upon the citizenship of the
country, and especially on all public
officers, not only the duty to enforce.
but the obligation to observe the
sanctions of this constitutional pro-
vision and its resulting laws. II this
condition could be secured. all ques-
tion concerning prohibition would
cease. The Federal Government is
making every effort to accomplish
these results through careful organi.
zation, large appropria tions and ad-
ministrative effort Smuggling has
been greatly cut down. the larger
sources of supply for Illegal sale have
been checked. and by means Of in
junction and criminal prosecution the
process OF enforcement is being ap
piled. The same vigilance on the
part Of local governments would
render these efforts much more sue.
cessful The Federal authorities pro-
pose to discharge their obligati tion for
enforcement to the full extent of their
ability
Evening star., 1927-12-06
ALIEN PROPERTY.

Under treaty the property held by
the Alien Property Custodian was to
be retained until suitable provision
had been made for the satisfaction
OF American claims. While still pro-
tecting the American claimants, in
order to afford every possible accom-
modation to the nationals of the
countries whose property was held.
the Congress has made liberal pro-
vision for the return OF a large part
of the property. All trusts under
$4,000 were returned in full. and
partial returns were made on the
others. The total returned was ap-
proximately $3.50, 200. 900.
There is still retained. however.
about $3.50. .000. 900. The Mixed
Claims Commission has made such
progress i'm the adjudication of claims
that legislation can now he enacted
providing for the return of the prop
erty. which should be done under
conditions which will protect our Gov
ernment and our claimants. Such a
measure will he proposed, and 1 rec
ommend it's enactment.
Evening star., 1927-12-06
INSULAR POSSESSIONS.

Conditions in the Philippine Islands
have been steadily improved. Content
ment and good order prevail. Roads,
irrigation works. harbor improvements is
and public buildings are being CON
structed. Public education and sani
tation have been advanced. The Gov
erntnent is in sound financial con
dition. These immediate results were
especially due to the administration
of Coy. Gen. Leonard Wood. The six
Years of. his goVernnfship marked
a distinct Improvement in the islands
and rank as one of the outstanding
accomplishments of this distinguished
man. His death is a loss to the Ma.
ton and the islands.
Greater progress could be made,
more efficiency could be put into ad
ministration. if the Congress would
undertake to expend. through it's ap-
propriating power. all or a part of
the customs revenues which are now
turned over TO the Philippine treas
ury. The powers of the auditor of
the islands also need revision and
clarflcation. The government of the
isla ands Is about 80 per cent in the
hands of the Filipinos. An extension
OF the policy of selfgovernment will
be hastened by the demonstration on
their part Of their desire and their
ability to carry out cordially and eff
ficiently the provisions of the organic
law enacted by the Congress for the
government Of the islands 1t would
be well for committee OF the Con-
gress to visit the islam every two
years.
A fair degree Of progress is being
made in Porto Rico. Its agricultural
products are increasing: it's treasury
position. which has given much con.
Germ, shows improvement. / am ad-
vised by the governor that educa-
tional facilities are still lacking.
Roads are being constructed. which
he represents are the first requisite
for building schoolhouses. The 10y
atty of the island to the United
States Is exceedingly gratifying. A
memorial will be presented to you
requesting authority to have the gov
ernor elected by the people OF Porto
Rico. This was never done In the
case of our own Territories. 1t is ad-
mitted that education outside of the
towns In as yet very deficient. Until
it has progressed further the eff
cheney OF the government and the
happiness Of the people may need
the guiding hand of an appointed
governor. AS 1t Is not contemplated
that any change should he made i'm
mediately. the general subject may
we'll have the thoughtful study of the
Congress.
Evening star., 1927-12-06
NATIONAL DEFENSE.

Being a Nation relying not on force.
but on fair dealing 8nd good Will. tn
maintain peace with others. we have
provided q moderate military force in
a form adapted solely to defense. 1t
should be continued with a very gen
erous supply of officers and with the
present base Of personnel. subject to
fluctuations which may be temporarily
desirable.
The five-year program for our air
forces is in keeping with this same
policv and commensurate with the no.
table contributions of America TO the
science Of aeronautics. The provisions
of the law lately enacted are being ex-
ecuted as fast as the practical difficult
ties of an orderly and stable develop
ment permit
While our Army is small prudence
reu,rires that II should lie kept in a
high state Of efficiency and provided
with such supplies as would hermit oi
its immediate expansion. The garri
son ration has lately been increased
Recommendation for an appropriation
of So 166. 900 for new housing made to
the previous Congress failed To pass.
While most of the Army is well
housed. some of II which Is quartered
in wartime training camps is berom-
ing noorlv housed In the past three
Years sI2533. 900 have been appr0pri-
ated for reconstruction and repairs.
and an authorization has been ap-
nroved of So 3nl 900 for new housing.
under which SS,070.e0o has already
heen appropriated a law has ais"
heen passed. complying with the re-
n,est of the War Department. allo-
eating funds received from the sale of
bujldinss and land for housing pur-
noses. The work. however. is not
con,pleted 50 that other appropri-
atoms are being recommended
Our Navy is likewise weapon OF
defense. We have a foreign commerce
and ocean lines of trade unsurpa sSed
nv any other country. We have out
Jvinc territory in the two great oceans
and long stretches of seacoaSf studded
with the richest cities in the world
we are responsible for the protection
of large population and the Srea. st
troasure ever bestowed upon any peo'
nile We are charged with an inter
national duty Of defending the Panama
canal To meet these responsibilities
,we need very substantial sea arma
ment. 1t needs aircraft developnSnt
which is being provided under thehfse
aSSSGNEnar Tt needs submarines
Evening star., 1927-12-06
THE NEGRO.

History does not anywhere record
so much progress made in the same
length of time as that which has
been accomplished by the Negro Race
in the United States since the Ema n.
cipation Proclamation. They have
come up from slavery to be promi
nent in educa tion. the professions.
art. science, agriculture. hank ing. and
commerce. 1t is estimated that So
600 OF them are on the Government
pay rolls. drawing about $50. .00O. 900
each year. They have been the re-
cipients of presidential appointments
and their professional ability has
arisen to sufficiently high plane so
that they have been intrusted with
the entire ma ma cement and control
of the great veterans hospital at
TuSkegee. where their conduct has
taken high rank. They have shown
that they have been worthy of all
the encoura cement which they have
received. Nevertheless they are too
often subjected to thoughtless and
inconsiderate treatment. unworthy
alike of the white or colored races.
They have especially been made the
target OF the foul crime of lynching.
For several years these acts Of un-
lawful violence had been diminishing
In the last year they have shown an
increase. Every principle Of order
and law and liberty is opposed to this
crime. The Congress should enact
any legislation it can under the Con
stitution to provide for its elimina.
tion
Evening star., 1927-12-06
RAILROAD CONSOLIDATION

In order to increase the efficiency of
transportation and decrease its cost
to the shipper. railroad consolida-
tion must he secured. Legisla ton is
reeded to simplify the necessary pro-
cedure to secure such agreements
and arrangements for cOnsolidat ton,
always under the control and with
the approval of the Interstate Com
merce Commission. Pending this, no
adequate or permanent reorganizat ton
can be made Of the freight-rate
structure. Meantime. both agricul-
ture and industry are compelled to
wait for needed relief. This is purely
a business question. which should he
stripped of all local and partisan HAS
and decided on broad principles and
its merits in order to promote the
public welfare. A large amount of
new construction and equipment
which will furnish employment for
labor and markets for commodities Of
both factory and farm. wait on the
decision Of this important question
Delay is holding back the progress
of our country.
Many of the same arguments are
applicable to the consolida tion Of the
Washington traction companies.
Evening star., 1927-12-06
PETROLEUM
CONSERVATION.

The National Government is under
taking to join in the formation Of
cooperative committee of lawyers, en-
gneers, and public officers. to con-
slider what legislation by the States
or by the Congress can be adopted
for the preservation and conserva-
ton of our supply of petroleum.. This
has come to be one Of the main do
Tendencies for transportation and
power so necessary to our agricul-
tural and industrial life. 1t is ex-
pected the report of this committee
will he available for later congress
sional action. Meantime. the re-
quirement that the Secretary of the
interior should make certain leases
of land belonging to the Usage In
dians. in accordance with the act of
March 3. 1921. should be repealed
The authority to lease should he dis
cretionary In order that the property
of the Indians may not he wasted
and the public suffer a future lack Of
supply.
Evening star., 1927-12-06
FARM LOAN SYSTEM.

1t is exceedingly important that
the Federal land and joint-stock land
banks should furnish the best posi-
BILE service for agriculture. Certain
jont-stock banks have fallen into
improper and unsound practices. re-
sulting in the Indictment of the Off
cials Of three Of them. More money
has been provided for examinations
and at the instance Of the Treasury
rules and regulations Of the Federal
Farm Board have been revised. Early
last May three Of it's members re,
signed. Their places were filled with
men connected with the War Fna nee
Corporation, Eugene Meyer being
designated as Farm Loan Com
missioner. The new members have
demonstrated their ability in the field
of agricultural finance in the exten-
sive operations OF the War Fina nee
Corporal ton. Three joint stock banks
have gone into receivership 1t il
necessary to preserve the public con.
fidence in this system in order to find
market for their bonds. A recent
fiotation was made at a record low
rate OF per cent. Careful super.
vision is absolutely necessary to pro.
tect the investor and enable these
\
Evening star., 1927-12-06

! needs airpla ne carriers and matefia
addition to it's force of cruisers We
| can plan for the future ana begin q
moderate building program.
/ This country has put away the Old
| World policy of competitive arma-
ments. 1T can never he relieved of
the responsibility of adequate national
defense. We have one treaty secured
by an Unprecedented attitude of gen
erosity on our part for a limitation in
naval armament. After most careful
preparation. extending over months.
we recently made every effort to Sc
cure three-power treaty to the same
end. We were granted much cooper
alton by Japan, but we were unable
to come to an agreement with Great
Britain. While the results of the con
ference were OF considerable value
they were mostly of negative char
acter. We know now that no agree
ment can he reached which will he
inconsistent with considerable build
ing program on our part. We are
ready and willing to continue the
preparatory Investigations on the gen.
eral subject of limitation of arma-
ments which have been started under
the auspices of the League of Nations.
We have considerable cruiser
tonnage. but part Of it is obsolete.
Every one knew that had a three
power agreement been reached ii
would have left us with the neces-
sity of continuing our building pro.
gram. The failure to agree should
not cause us to build either more or
less than we otherwise should. Amy
future treaty of limitation will call
on us for more ships. We should
enter on no competition. We should
refrain from no needful program. 1t
should he made clear to all the world
that lacking definite agreement
the attitude Of any other country is
not to he permitted to alter our own
policy. 1t should especially he dem
onstrated that eanda will not
cause us to change our course
Where there is no treaty limitation,
the size of the Navy which America
is to have will be solely for America
tn determine. No outside influence
should enlarge or diminish it. But
it should be known to all that our
military power holds no threat OF ag
era andiZement. 1t is a guaranty of
peace and security at home, and
when ii goes abroad 1t is an instru-
ment for the protection Of the legal
rights of our citizens under interna-
tionai law. a refuge i'm time nf dis
order and always the servant Of
world peace. Wherever our flag goes
the rights of humanity increase.
Evening star., 1927-12-06
AGRICULTURE.

The past year has seen a marked
improvement in the general condition
OF agriculture. Production Is better
balanced and without acute shortage
or heavy surplus. Costs have been
reduced and the average output of
the worker increased. The level of
farm prices has risen. while others
have fallen. so that the purchasing
power of the farmer is approaching
normal figure. The individual
farmer is entitled to great credit for
the progress made since 1921. lie
has adjusted his production and
through cooperative orga MIA tions and
other methods improved his market.
ing. lie ls using authenticated facts
and employing sound methods which
other industries are obliged to use
10 secure stability and prosperity.
The old-fashoned haphazard system
is being abandoned. economics are be-
ing applied tn ascertain the best
| adapted unit OF land. diversification
Is being promoted, and scientific
methods are being used in produc-
tion. and business principles in mar
keting.
Agriculture has not fully recov.
cred from postwar depression. The
fact is that economic progress never
marches forward in a straight line
1t goes in waves One part goes
ahead. while another halts and an.
other reredes. Everybody wishes ag-
riculture to prosper. Any sound and
workable propnsal to help the farmer
will have the earnest support of the
| Government Their interests are not
all identical. Legislation should as.
!, sist as many producers in as many
| regions as possible II should he the
| aim tn assist the farmer to work out
! his own salvation socially and eco.
nomicaliy No plan will he Of any
permanent value to him which does
not leave him standing on his own
| foundation.
! In the past the Government has
spent vast sums to bring land under
| cultivation, 1t is apparent that this
| has reached temporarily the satura.
| lion point. We have had a surplus
Of production and poor market for
| land. which has only lately shown
| signs OF Improvement. The haiu
problem which is presented for solu-
tion is one of\dealing with a. surplus
OF production. 1t Is useless, to pro.
pose a temporary expedient. What Is
| needed is perma anency and stability
Evening star., 1927-12-06
MUSCLE SHOALS.

The last year has seen considera-
BILE changes in the problem of Muscle
Shoals. Development OF other meth
DDS show that nitrates can probably
he produced at less cost than by the
Use OF bydro-electric power. Extcn-
sive investigation made by the
War Department indicates that the
nitrate plants on this project are
of little value for national de-
fense and can probably be dis
posed Of within two years. The oxi-
dation part of the plants. however,
should be retained indefinitely. This
leaves this project mostly concerned
with power. 1t should. nevertheless,
continue to he dedicated to agricul-
ture. 1t is probable that this desire
can he best served by disposing of
the plant and applying the revenues
received from it to research for meth
ods Of more economical production of
centralized fertilizer and to demon
strations and other methods OF stim-
ulatirg it's use on the farm. But in
disposing of the property preference
should be given to proposals to use
all or part of it for nitrate production
and fertilizer manufacturing.