Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-09-23
WASHINGTON OBSERVATIONS
BY FREDERIC WILLIAM VILE.

troubles carry a. certain lesson for the
United States at this time. The abySs
to which the dole brought British
credit, for instance, is one Of the things
that, in administration opinion, will
count heavily against unemployment
beneft legislation in Congress next
Winter.
Very latest under the employment
sun Is a proposal that Congress au-
thorize the Red Cross to sell a special
issue OF postage stamps. the proceeds
70 be turned over to Chairman Clifford
National Committee for relief purposes.
x \ X
Henry Cabot Lodge, grandson OF the
original bearer of that distinguished
name and former Washington news
paper man, has taken a years sabbatical
leave from his editorial duties on the
New York Herald Tribune to write a
book. 1t will portray what he believes
to be the national cult of weakness to
be seen on every hand in this country.
Mr.. Lodge will devote himself largely
to the weakness cult in its external
aspects e., national defense, colonial
problems Gas exemplified in the, Philip
pines) and foreign trade. Lodges con-
ception Is that the Government should
be weak in its internal relations with its
citizens and strong in It's external rela-
tions with the world. The reverse strikes
him as being true in the United States,
as things are now going. TIE book viii
in no sense be criticism of President
Hoover but q discussion of general
trends and popular stereotypes. many
of which, Lodge fancies, are as much
disapproved at the White House as by
himself. The youngest scion of the
Cabots and the Lodges plans to return
to the Herald Tribune in New York in
time for the 1882 National Conventions.
II
Compiled in Washington, there has
just come from the press the last work
to which the late DR.. Allen johnson,
killed here by en- automobile accident,
was devoting himself, 1t is the seventh
volume of the Dictionary of American
Biography" a monumental work made
possible through the munificence of
Adolph 8. Ochs, president and publisher
OF the New York Times. Volume be-
gins WITH Samuel Fraunces, tavern
keeper and household steward to George
washington, and concludes with Thcme s
Smith Grimke, educator and refcrmer.
Thirteen more volumes are to be pub
lichsd Almost 5000 biographies of
men end women who have contributed
something Of lasting value to American
life and culture are now available in
the volumes elready completed. DR..
Dumas Malcne succeeded DR.. Johnson
as editor in chi-f. The American Coun-
ell Of Learned Societies is represented
in the preparation of material by a
committee of which DR.. j. Franklin
jameson is chairman. No living Amer
ic-n Is eligible for inclusion in the die
tionary.
Washington newspaper mems "Bibie"
Is Editor T. Publisher, revered organ of
their craft. So they read with more
than passing interest the following
comment of its editor, Marlen Z. Pew,
on the best smeller OF the season:
1t Is cowardly book. 1t Is
contemplate act for men to write
such book and refuse to stand out
in the light Of day to accept full
responsibility for such writing. I'M
derstand a young and quite talented
reporter for the Christian Science
Monitor was mainly responsible for
the press chapter and that he has
been fired by his once. This fate
would seem appropriate. Not that
some of the stun lacks basis of
truth, while other phases are crafty
overdrawn or represent downright.
spite ard mean hearsay, but that
the authors have dared to defame,
Calumntate, lampoon and sheer at
public writer's and others from the
safe cellar of anonymity. Those who
are making money from the 4 print
inSs are welcome to their profits,
Nothing they complain Of Is more