The Indianapolis times., 1928-12-31
1928.1929

When the future historian evaluates our age, he is
apt to mark the year 1928 as epocha in science and
material progress but puzzle the negligible social
and cultural development. There is plenty OF evidence
that invention and discovery now enable us to do
many things which year ago would have seemed i'm
possible or miraculous.
But the advance in physical sciences has not been
accompanied by similar progress in the arts in edu-
cation, in social engineering, in administration OF
Justice in mechanics of government, in interna-
tional organization.
Here are some of the advances of the year listed
e by Science Service:
"A new and larger looking glass for the heavens
sight by radio and sound by film, elemental creation
discovered in outer space and sgnaed to earth by
cosmic rays, 100000 volts of electricity developed
ancient civilizations discovered and the center of our
universe located, flying made safer by new airplane
designs artificial fevers attacking other diseases
In the business field there has been increased pro-
duction increased distribution increased speculation
The "vaue" of Wall street stocks has increased almost
eight and half billion dollars Mergers, chains
and Associations are increasing the size of industrial
commercial and financial units Competition is
diminishing within individual industries and increas-
ing between industries as the business problem shifts
from bigger production to bigger consumption
Prosperity is relative. There are high prices high
wages high dividends But several million workers are
unemployed working part time, exact statistics not
existing Child labor still is the rule in many states
No cure has been found for sick basic industries
such as coal and textiles and little relief has been
afforded agriculture.
:. improvements are lacking in cumbersome
I. judicial machinery.
4 The Injunction evil still hourishes against labor
Civil liberties are violated by awless police and judges
The welcome reduction of ynching should be observed
as an exception sectarian bgotry has gained
through misuse of political campaign
a. In national prohibition the major social expert
nent of our time there is further breakdown OF en-
forcement and loss of morale without Willingness
Of a majority of the people to face the facts.
Y The year saw continued failure to cope with gov
ornamental problems such as needed reorganization OF
executive departments abolition of ameduck sessions
of congress- and restraint of presidential uSpaton
of congressional power independent federal COM
missions and the right of congress to pass upon
American war activities in Nicaragua
q There has been distinct retrogression interna-
tionaly While eastern nations such as China, tur-
skey and Russia have consolidated nationalist gains,
the middle east and Europe are less stable politically
aRevot grows in Afgnanstan, Jugo-Slavia, Bulgaria
land Hungary
Mussoini in Italy becomes more militaristc French
relations with Italy and with Germany are dlSquet-
ing The Locarno spirit has been tarnished by the
Anglo French alliance" The League of Nations has
lost moral prestige by continued posponement OF dis
armament meetings.
Offlcial friendship between the United States and
Great Britain is at the lowest point in many decades
Shpping and trade rivalres added to raw material
conflicts over rubber and oil. Naval competition Is
being revived following failure of the Coolidge Geneva
conference and the Anglo-F<ench naval agreement
penalizing the United States.
During the entire year, London has held up the
new arbitration treaty with America, which other ma
!. tions have signed gladly. While twelve months ago
our foreign problems were in Mexico, Nicaragua and
China. they have shifted now to Great Britain and
have become correspondingy more serious
Despite national and international failures OF l9@S
the new year offers the promise at least OF oeVer
things Another expert commission is to formulate
a new reparations plan, which may speed nnanclal
sterilization of Europe, French evacuation OF the
Rhineland and readjustment of war debts
The League of Nations has called another dis
armament meeting. Pan-American conference in
Washington after heading off Paraguayan- Bolivian
war. is projecting arbitration and concilatlon
treaties for the American republics.
The kellogg treaty, with fifty-nine nations re-
nouncing war as an instrument of national policy
threatened by senate delay and nullitcaton' prop
ably vet will be ratified Internationally.
The foreign problems of Anglo American rivalry
and American imperialstic tendencies, and the ma
tional problems of prohibition industrial maadJust-
! ment and unemployment, farm relief, governmental
reorganization and civil liberties, remain In the
main the American people during the coming year
must trust to Herbert Hoover for solutions
Hoover has been chosen chief of state by record
majority By training and experience he is fitted
uniquely for the task.
If Hoover fulfls the hope of the American peo-
ple 1929 should add the social and political progress
which failed to accompany the scientific and material
achievements of 1928.
The Primary In Danger