Evening star., 1927-10-05

The French are a logical people,
but when President Coolidge and Sec.
retary Kellogg reply to the Paris gov
ernment's tariff note, the Quai d'Orsay
will be reminded of a glaring incon-
sistency. At the world economic con-
ference in Geneva last Spring the
French delegation concurred in reso-
luton that was unanimously adopted.
The resolution was to the erect that
commercial treaties should be con-
cluded on a wide scale on the prln'
ciple Of unconditional most-favored'
nation treatment The representa-
tive of the French government on the
committee which formulated this reso-
luton is a member of the present
ministry of commerce at Paris. One
of the prominent French delegates at
Geneva, who approved, without pro-
test, of the INSTRUMENTATION doc
trine, was M. Serruys, the Paris gov.
ernment's expert on commercial
treaties. Here's another statement of
principle to which the French as.
sented: "A decisive step on the road
to world reconstruction would un-
doubtedly be taken if the system Of
long term treaties securing equality
Of treatment were restored. For this
purpose it is highly desirable that
the widest and most unconditional IN
terpretation should be given to the
most. characterization clause"
Despite aviation and radio, the lowly
pigeon is still a factor in the activities
of the United States Army. Not long
ago the Canadian department OF ma
tional defense asked Dwight r. Davis.
Secretary of War, about our SlSnai
Corps method of using carrier pig
cons. Canada was informed that the
Army maintains and operates l! pig
con lofts with total OF 1857 plros.
The largest of these lofts Is located at
Fort Monmouth, N. j., where 465 birds
are kept for breeding and training
purposes. The latest development IN
the training of the birds Is night n.y.
ing. In Hawaii five Army pigeons
have already been trained to fly at
night from any point on the lslands 10
their loft. Some Of the birds at Fort
Monmouth have distinguished records
for service during the World War.
President Coolidge has determined
that the United States delegation to
the sixth international conference OF
American States at Havana IN jan
uary. 1928. shall consist Of the big
gest' Americans he can induce to
serve. One of them will be Charles
Evans Hughes, provided the former
Secretary Of State chooses to accept
an appointment. Latin Americans, as
is well known, are deeply impressed
by the caliber of personages sent from
other countries to deliberate and me-
gotiate with them. That psychoiog-
ical factor is not failing to receive full
consideration at President Coolidge
hands. Seven mai jor topics will be up
for discussion at Havana. They touch
upon issues of vital importance to
pan-American peace and friendship.
The 21 sister republics Of the three
Americas by no means see eye to eye
on all of these questions. Mr.. Cool
idge is anxious that the men VINO
tackle them on Uncle Sans behalf
shall be the very best available.
Former Senator Robert L. Owen,
Democrat, of oklahoma, ought to
know, if anybody does. just what the
rights of individual Federal Reserve
Banks are, as against the central
authority of the Federal Reserve
Board. Owen managed the passage
Of the Federal Reserve act in the SEN
ate and ranks as an outstanding ex-
pert on all and sundry Herewith con-
nected. He is in no doubt whatever
about the supreme prerogatives OF
the Federal Reserve Board, which
have just been challenged by
the Reserve Bank of Chicago.
Owen declares that the basic issue is
whether private persons as bankers
shall rule the credit system or whether
the Government shall control it. He
says the act of Congress gave that
power to the Federal Reserve Board
the power to determine rates of dis
count established by the Reserve
Banks. The authority had to be some
where. Owen points out, and it was
lodged with Government officials. the
primary initiative to be in the hands
of the Reserve Banks.
The relationship between Vice Presi'
dent Dawes and Frank .. Lowden,