Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-08-13

IL
most dificult thing that people
have to do today is think. Due
IL to the thinking of a few, most
of us have been freed from all
mental exertion in the maintenance OF
existence. We need take no thought
for the provision of our necessities; at
least no thought comparative In any
sense with the cares, counsels and cal
culations which not so long ago nlled
the aching heads Of our progenitors.
All the necessary labor which was Tor
them so tedious is done for us by the
pushing OF q button or the throwing
of a switch.
All this freedom from toll and ef-
fort. and from primitive dangers, too,
instead Of giving us more time to de-
velop our intelligence, gives us the
more leisure for the pursuit OF every
sort OF degenerating pleasure ana 1r1-
volity. For one person that VIII az
tend lecture upon the mysteries OF the
solar system a Thousand will repair to
some doubtful resort where there Is no
further design than TO AFFORD ignoole
entertainment and momentary gayeJy.
If only thinking were not so hard,
and II we would only pause, now and
then to reflect upon our experiences,
and resolve to abstain from those
activities which do not conduce to
II we possessed the simplicity OF
child. which when burned. fears and
avoids the fire, how much better Tor
the social and intellectual standards OF
our Wanted civilization!
%&
Tax for Pleasure
Used TO Combat Disease.
The Manchurian Daily News. Dairen.--
Now that the tax reduction is taken up
as a popular cry In Japan, the raise OF
either the tobacco. the liquor or the
gayety tax cannot be expected TO be re-
ceived with plaeidity, but, at the same
time, the people are expected TO be
reasonable when told to what use the
additional revenue is to be put.
In Italy the promotion Of the peoples
health being laid down as one of the
national principles, enterprises for
protecting maternity and children are
maintained on the taxes levied on the
bachelors and the married couples
without children. OF course the funds
are raised from those who do not bear
the burden of either husbands, or
wives. or parents, an unquestionably
rational idea.
Similarly, in Japan, In combating the
ravages Of tuberculosis, funds may be
derived from the antipodal indulgences
like drinking. smoking, and orgies.
Decrease in Demand for
Bananas Puzzles Growers
FL Universal, Mexico City.--Re-
ports from the States of ChiapaS and
Tamaulipas are that bananas are sell
ing for not more than 10 pesos ($4.74l
per metric ton (2,204 pounds. This
price is SO low that many plantation
owners prefer to let the fruit remain
ON the stalks rather than try 20 market
it. as the price received would not pay
for the labor OF handling. Whether
such q condition indicates a lessening
OF appetite for the fruit in foreign
countries where it cannot be grown,
or simply the giving up OF another
luxury in this period OF depression, Is
not fully determined.
%&
Auckland Bars
Close for Lack Of Trade.
New Zealand Herald, Auckland.-The
closing OF three bars in Queen street
hotels Is the first visible proof In Auck-
land of the slackening Of the liquor
trade. Business does not warrant the
retention Of as many bars as We kept
in the days Of prosperity" explained .
hofeikeeper Il have gone carefully
into my accounts and fnd this. Is the
best way to economic"
The lead is likely TO be followed In
other hotels, for everywhere the same
tale is heard. Bar receipts are down:
larger and larger grows the circle Of
men 70 whom drinking has become an
expensive luxury. Medium and pony
aIasses are slowly Vanishing from the
bar eounfer& nntrik 6rinkss1 - %