BJraR?5
EVJ0HI&G LEDG33B PHILADELPHIA, TUESDAY, SEMEMxBBB 22 1914.
EVENING fgMa LEDGER
PUIJLIC LEDGER COMPANY
1 CmUS H. K. Ct'nTIS, PnKSinFNT.
Oto. W Ochn. Secrrtary! John f Martin, Treasurer!
Chart H Ludlngton. Philip S. Coltlni, John H. Wll
IIAnn, Director.
EDITORIAL BOAlltJ:
Cians Jt. K. Clrtis, Chairman.
r. It. TVHAt.KY nreontlye rMltor
JOHN C MAHTiy . . . . Ufncral rtinlneOin natter
rubllhni dally, except Kumliy, nt 1'inMc IiFMB
UulWInc. Independence Square Philadelphia
Ltnoin Cbnthal Broad and Chulnut Street
Atlantic Cut 1'irM-t'nfmi nulldlnic
Kiv York. ln-A. Metropolitan Toner
Entoioo, 81" Horn? in-uiranec lUilldlrpt
O.VDON.. ..... ...8 Waterloo Plate, l'all Mall, S. W.
NmVSUUHEAfS:
ITAitRiaitDii nrjRHAU Th Polrlot P uld ns
WARnt.soiov mrirc The J'of IliuMln
Kiw Tons Hcbeao The Time? Hulldlnn
iiERLtx lirneiti no Krlcdticlittofci
.oxdo.v Bimkab 2 Pall Mali Hum. s. W.
ai BtasAO 32 Hue Louis lo Urand
St'nfCRII'TIO.N Tt.nMS
By carrier. l"n v Om., fix conn t!y mall, potpal.
outside of Philadelphia, evept Where fnrHRi otnp
l required, Duly iivit, one month, tvetit-flvo cenni
DAitt O.NLr, one vear, threo dollar All Mall subacrlp
tlont payable In admnce.
HELL, 3000 WAUSLT KKSTOr. M l 3000
E3 Address all communicnlwnv to livening
Ledger, tndrprndener Squmr. Vhtlndrlphla
application made at hie i-mnnn imiia tnTorncE ton
ENTBT A Srri'ND-rl.A Mill. M iTTIll.
PHILADELPHIA, TU.SI1AV, M-.IM I.Vlllllll l!2, VHl
"They Who OlTor Carrion lor Moat"'
PENROSU organs, whose lilonil perspective
is so blunt that It might as well not exist,
aro attempting to persuade their rentiers that
the Evening Ledger has become Democratic.
Was thcro over a candidate who hid so
closely behind the party emblem as Mr. Pen
roso? "I am a Republican," ho says, nntl all
tio Uttlo satellites solemnly echo: "He is a
Republican." Apparently Republicanism Is a
cano without which the senior Senator could
not hobblo twenty yards. Vet he Is not a
Republican. Ills organization was denomi
nated by that true Republican- Senator Root,
"a criminal conspiracy" a masquerade. It Is
a trim garment In which this coterie oC poli
ticians have wrapped I'enrnsolsm, a pretty
dress. Tear it aside and a sti neb of corrup
tion deadens the utmoophrrc. Theie arc the
trembling limbs of craft, the tricky lingers,
the dripping revenue from rum, the long
Capitol scandal, the vicious debauchery ot
voters, the indcs-erlhublo alliances with vice,
tho whole composite body of social parasites
and hangers-on, combined in a vast con
spiracy of loot.
If that is Republicanism, then America Is
done with Republicanism, and the world Is
done with it; and decent men and women are
done -with it. Rut it isn't. Not a bit of It.
On the contrary, the vital principles of the
party that saved the I'nlon, tlrst from dis
solution and then from economic calamity,
still live They are the principles that thou
sands of men want to vote for. but will not
vote for if at tho same time they must be put
on record as approving as Immoral a set of
political adventurers tf ever gathered to
gether on the public highways or in the back
rooms of corner dens.
This nation will have Republicanism with
out the fraud that Penroselsm attaches to It
or it will not have Republicanism at all
That Is a patent, obvious fact. Men who
imagine that the destinies of this nation will
ever again be entrusted to statesmen who
cannot stand davllght are eternally mistaken
Men's Patience is in Their Pockets
IT IS a mania of rongress to play with dy
jiamlte. The American people will never
"be content with war taxes In tln.o of pro
found peace. In a year when nature has been
magnificently prodigal and bumper crops are
the rule. Millions which were formerly got
from the customs houses were being taken
directly from the pockets of citizens before
the European war broke out. Now it is pro
posed to secure millions more from excise
taxes. From being the most proline source
of revenue, the tariff Is rapidly being made to
assume a minor role In national finance.
Iirect imports are taking the place of in
direct levies. American history and American
temperament are against this procedure. The
Administration is preparing to drive itself
into an Inextricable labyrinth of unpopu
larity. League Island Gels a Chance
SHIPWAYS at l.euguf IMunrl will enable
tho Philadelphia Navy Yard to demon
strate absolutely lit. superiority over every
other yard in the country. All things that
go Into the building of ship are centralized
In this city. Private shipyards along the
Delaware testify to the unexcelled advan
tages here offered. When next Congress is
nsked for an appropriation the Philadelphia
delegation will bo armed with so formidablo
an array of facts that opposition to support
of the local yard will be swept away. A be
ginning has been made, nothing more, but
it is a beginning that is a promise of far
greater things to come.
Open Markets Are Checks ami Balances
THE open markets recently established
In New York city may be made perma
nent, though there is tome opposition from
the middlemen, and there is complaint !
from other quarters that the market j
privileges have been abused by vendors who
are not farmers. o far as the ahusa of
privileges is concern"!, the remedy lit in a
system of careful regulation, and as for the
middlemen their Just profits cannot be at all
endangered by any number of open markets.
On the consumer's side, only a compara
tive few of the housewives of a Urg cum
munity can utilize open markets. Jt is a
question of convenient and eurfare, and the
corner grocery Is not menaced beyond the
limits of reason
Open murkets, the parcel post and similar
short cuts, which reduce several transactions
o one transaction between one seller and
ie buyer, will never apply tu a, very largo
proportion of the business of marketing pro.
duYe, but they will be exceedingly valuable
In restricting the middleman to such profits
as vyill compensate him for the service which
he actually performs. They will serve both
the producer and the consumer as an alter"
native when tho middleman becomes too
exacting a tollmaster. They are cheeks and
balances.
!
Our Enemy tho Hal
WAR has been 46iareJ on th rata
of Philadelphia They have not yot
scourged this city with the bubonic plague,
but science and education have convinced, tha
modern age tint they are menaces to the
health of any community. Philadelphia will
probably do at once what Now Orleans did,
after the rats had been the means of destroy
ing many human lives This is a wise maxim
for cities, "to take warning from others o?
what may be to your own advantage."
The rat never enjoyed the popularity with
which the fly used to be favored Shakespeare
m4 Cervantes, both referred to him in slight-
v metaphorical phrase and Browning gave
.t'ffl prominent but not complimentary men
tion In one of his poema. Tho fly, however,
fared somewhat better hi general esteem
Until science anil education changed the atti
tude. Fifteen or twenty years ago children
In kindergartens sang llltlngly ot "the ily In
baby's milk." Selected by Professor Qulllor
Couch for "Tho Oxford Rook of English
Verse" is an excellent poem of William
Oldys, beginning
Husy, curious, thirsty fly!
Jirlnk with me and drink as Ii
Pieoly welcome to my cup,
Couldst thou sip and sip it up.
Rut the Ily Is now our enemy, and the rat
Is more knowingly dreaded than ever before.
Thcto Is safety in fear.
Enmeshed in a Definition
TtJG most brazen of all the anti-morality
organs in Pennsylvania said this morning:
Knclng defeat In their various districts,
tho pitiful appeal of Congressmen, "Let Us
Hnvo Pork," has changed to the Insistent
demand. "Wo Must Have Pork!" It is n
tough outlook for mushroom statesmen
whoso only stock In trade Is a faked prayer
and a truiikfiil of broken promises.
Pork or no pork wns tho question before
tho fnlted States Senate yesterday. Uy
some strange freak of fortune, Mr. Penroso
happened to be In his seat. Putting himself
In a class with "mushroom statesmen whose
only stock In trade is a faked prayer and a
iruiikfut of broken promises," ho voted for
tho pork.
Checkmate the Municipal Court Grah
AKEW Municipal Court grab, involving
eventually a million Instead of half a
million dollars. Is in process of accomplish
ment. Tho Mayor has boldly challenged the
men who propose to put this burden on the
municipality nt a time when common sense
requires the husbanding of resources In order
to mako the way clear for transit. The
Mayor's veto of the ordinance condemning
ground its .a site for the projected buildings
should be sustained. Ills nigument ngalnst
it Is conclusive. There can be no satisfac
tory answer. The city cannot be loaded down
with white elephants nt this time without the
People understanding clearly tho purpose of
the program.
JXcw Hose Must He Got.
THE lire underwriters have sustained Di
rector Porter's charge that a large part
of tho huso owned by the city Is unlit for use.
It would be idle now to quarrel about who
is responsible for the situation. Tho thing
of Importance Is the fact Itself. It must be
remedied, not next year, but this year. There
Is no other matter which so urgently requires
the atteutlon of Councils.
Art "Made in America."
THE European cataclysm has at least tem
porarily affected the buying of books and
attendanco at the theatre. Book publishers
and play-producers are unanimous In their
opinion on that point, but they predict a
"boom." American novelists and dramatists
will have the Held to themselves.
No one has ever contested the supremacy
of France In the short story; yet the
much-vaunted French writers, such as Flau
bert and Gautler, acknowledged their in
debtedness to Edgar Allan Poe. The short
story has reached a more perfect form In
America today than it ever has In France.
We have not yet produced a Shakespeare, a
Moliore or an Ibsen. Nevertheless, England,
France, Germany and the other continental
countries can boast of no living dramatist
whom we may not hope to duplicate. If not
surpass.
"The adulating Imitation of Europe's
middle-age art has brought about mediocrity
In our own," recently declared America's
famous sculptor, Gutzon Borglum. "Thero
Is no reason why we In America should not
produce an Angolo or a Da Vinci."
Lot us have a declaration of Independence
in art.
Roll of the Thunderbolt
THE history of representative government
is the history of the gradual assumption
of power on the part of the people. The French
Revolution, which Victor Hugo called "the
most profound thing In all history," would
never have left Its Imprint upon the social
and political soul of mankind had it not been
for tho current of life and action supplied by
the people. They made real the teachings of
the French materialists of tho lSth century.
Rousseau and Diderot and Voltaire, and the
entire coterie of Philosophers and thinkers
of that period, would have remained dead
letters had it not been for the dynamic power
which the revolution supplied for the realiza
tion of their ideas. Their thoughts were but
the rustling murmur of a new day. The
power supplied by the people was a thunder
bolt that has sinco rolled around the earth.
No Quarter to Political Plunderers
Ot'T in Kansas City the friends of good
government are quoting what Hugh
O'Brien, a former Mayor of Boston, said in
an official message after his re-election In
tM:
If political parties put unscrupulous men
to the front, they ought to be voted down.
If political parties moke combinations with
men whose morality and integrity aro ques.
tionaWe, stirh combinations should be dls
couraeert and discountenanced by every
good cltlnen. If no quarter is given to men
who have no moral principle behind them,
vho connect themselves with leading
parties merely for plunder, they should be
stamped out, and then the business of the
country will be conducted, like any other
large corporation, on business principles.
These word apply to all combinations for
plunder in municipal, State or national poli
tics. They point to the responsibility of
every American citizen.
-' 11.13
Doctor Rrumbuusli is immune to spltballs.
A man with a feather in his cap usually
has an easle in his pocket.
. '"" 'f in
Was the recent eclipse of the sun an Ene
lish plot to deprive Germany of her well,
known place therein?
Tt Mayor has done his duty in the matter
ot h Municipal Court grab. Councils will
have another chance this afternoon.
There ia no question about what Mr. Pen.
roe stands for. The record shows that
througrh bis Organization he has stood for
anything-.
Sir. Uoosevelt says that Mr- Pinchot will
n retire, but what does Mr. Roosevelt know
about it? A man is not addicted to coffee if
he has never been able to set ft first cup.
Regular steamship service from Philadel
phia, to the Pacific is a good sign. Shipping
goods frum go fine a port as this to Js'ew
York to be loaded on vessels was a kind of
extravagance which sound business could not
long endure.
This war tax on gasoline is a direct blow
at the poor, down-trodden autumobile owner-
PASSED J3Y THE CENSOR
THE wonderfully blue waters of tho bay of,
Funchal, off the coast of Madeira, glit
tered transhicently, in small boats a party
of American tourists landed from tho Bteam
shlp. McNab, who had a mania for collect
ing outro things, announced that ho would
buy tho finest old Madeira wine on the island
and, with that, ho disappeared on his hunt,
the whllo the othcis saw the sights,
And then tho unregenerates laid a deep
and wicked plot to commandeer that wine.
So they got back to the steamship well in
advanco and awaited events. Just aa tho
whistle blow its "all aboard," McNab hove
In slRht in a email boat, lovingly caressing
a basket. Ho tied It to a rope, mounted to
tho steamship's deck and began to hoist up
his precious burden.
But the wicked ones were prepared and
when the basketwas passing a certain port
hole, a hand protruded and two bottles, cob
webbed and ancient looking, were lifted
bodily into "the inner recesses of the steam
ship. Whereupon tho ship's surgeon brought
fine cigars and the first mate nuts and bis
cuits. Then the purlolncr, after a moro or
less neat speech of triumph, pulled the corks
and poured out the clearest, nicest water
ever seen!
McNab had paid $S each for tho bottles, but
he never knew the unregenerates had Just
enough self-respect left not to tell him the
awful truth.
IT HAPPENED last week, when the sun
shone brightly and tho poesy of autumn
was In the air. I wandeicd far afield Into the
lands beyond Colllngdalc over the hills and
far awny, until I came to a tumble-down
stono building, decayed with nge and redo
lent with historic memories. There arose
visions of Washington, of Grant, the heroes
of our wars. Memory painted pictures of
love and Intrigue and bloodshed and the pur
suit of pence and then came tho most an
cient Inhabitant.
"Pretty old buirdlng?" ventured the writer,
seeking information.
"Pretty old," responded the man. '
"It's probably played an Important part In
our country's history?"
"Not that I know of," responded the old
man; "it's been a cow barn nigh all Its life."
Whereupon I beat a masterly retreat.
HEINRICH HEINE, the German poet, lay
desperately 111 In Paris, an exile from his
natlvo land, shunned by members of his race
because of his change of faith, disliked by
those of his new religion. Rut though
paralyzed, his mind was as clear and acuto
as ever and his wit us cutting. Dally ho
wrote for a French paper; Incisive, rapler
likc, cutting and sharp were his remarks.
And tho butt of his dally joke was one of tho
Rothschilds. For months this had continued,
and then Rothschild could stand tho jibes no
longer. He sent a friend to Heine to offer
him a life of case if he would forego his
satirical attacks.
"Stop?" asked Heine. "Stop tho attacks on
Rothschild? What other pleasure have I left
In llfo? Tell Rothschild that all his millions
could not buy health for me. Tell him that
my lampooning pleases me moro than It hurts
him."
So to the day of Heine's death, Rothschild
had to endure.
IN PARIS, Heine had married a French
woman of dubious antecedents and utterly
at variance with the spiritual nature of tho
poet. She was a good nurse, however, divid
ing her time between Heine and her parrot.
One day she disappeared and a friend, con
doling with the sick man, suggested that she
had eloped.
"Is her parrot still here?" asked Heine.
"Yes."
"Then she'll come back." And come back
she did.
ROMANCE Is a thing of the past. Our
childhood dreams and fancies have been
relegated Into tho scrapheap of materialism.
The thrill of old Is replaced by the certainty
of knowledge. What Is It all about? Oh, yes,
Robinson Crusoe's Isle has been connected
with the rest of the world by wireless! Can
you concoive it, Robinson signaling to Fri
day to como to his aid? Or some one far
away punctuating the air with electric flashes
to warn him that tho savages were coming?
Gone aro the days of tho buccaneers, the
rovers of the sea!
Robinson Crusoe's isle has been annexed to
the rest of the world!
BENEATH the great St. Stephen's Cathe
dral in Vienna, which may yet be taken
by the Russians, is a labyrinth of catacombs,
nearly equal to that of Rome. For miles the
subterranean passages twist and turn in
Cimmerian darkness. When a very small boy
I was taken Into the depths by my father,
accompanied by a guide who carried a torch.
Somehow or other, I went astray and wan
dered off. The reflected light of the torch
fchovved skeletons of Capuchin monks, nr
rayed in the hooded vestments of their order,
standing In silent, gruesome rows against
tho damp walls; horrors were multiplied in
my childish brain.
"Papa!" I yelled, and tho echoes sounded
and resounded In quavering tones, dying
away in ghostly whispers. And when I was
safe with my dad, a moment later, I was the
happiest youngster in all Europe.
WHEN William C. Relck was editorial
manager of tho New York Herald it was
well-nigh impossible for any one from the
outside world to seo him. But Harold J. Llt
tledale, an English newspaperman, accom
plished the seemingly Impossible, and hero is
told how ho did it. He sent word Into Mr.
Relck that he had a story which he would
tell only to him. Mr. Relck sent a reporter
to see Llttledale, who declined to reveal his
story to any one save Mr. Relck. After a
long wait he was taken into the august
presence.
"Well, young man, what's your story?"
asked Mr. Reick.
"It's a hard-luck story; I want a Job." said
Llttledale, and then he was ushered out.
BRADFORD,
CURIOSITY SHOP
It was John (". Calhoun, who in a speech
delivered Mav 2T, 1S36. coined the phrase,
"cohesive power of public plunder," baying:
"A power has risen up in the Government,
greater than the people themselves, consist,
lug of many and various and powerful in.
terests. combined into one mass and held to
gether by the cohesive power of the vast
surplus in the banks."
That other well-known phrase, to "dlo In
the last ditch," originated with William of
Orange, who. on being asked by Buckingham
whether he did not realize the inevitable ruin
hanging over the Commonwealth, replied:
"There is one certain means by which I
can be sure never to see my country's ruin.
I will die in the last ditch."
Dorr's rebellion took place in Rhode Island
in 1843, the bone of contention being a de-
fttred change In the old Constitution, whlih
dated back to Charles II. Rival factions
wore formed the "Suffrage" Rhd the "Law
and Order" parties. Each elected a sot of
Stato officials and each sought to gain con
trol of tho Stato Government, Thomas W.
Dorr was chosen Governor by the Suffrage
party and attempted to selzo the Govern
ment, but was sontenccd to Imprisonment
for life, being pardoned BUbsoqucntly.
Cold slaw, a dish essentially Amorlcan In
Its popularity, ia said to haVo been Invented
by the early Dutch settlers, who called it
kool-slaa.
John Bull's sister Peg Is really Scotland
a poor girl raised on porridge and water and
quartered In a garret exposed to tho north
wind. In Arbullitiot's sntlrlcal "History of
Europe" hIio Is represented as madly in love
with Jack John Calvin,
IN A SPIRIT OF HUMOR
Popularity Assured
That proposed 'bus line on Broad street
should becomo immensely popular with the
young folk, for bussing has ever been a
popular pastime,
A Hitter Dose
Potrograd and Jnroslaw,
Budapest and Crecy,
Kaiser Wllhelm, General Pau
Drive mo nearly crazy.
But tho worst Is yet to come,
Tasting rather plll-y,
Reading like prescriptions nil
"Take some Przmysl-y" ( Choose your
"Tnko somo Przymsl-y" -i own
"Toko somo Prmzsyl-y"
Spelling.
'Twouldn't be Tolerated Here
I'rnm the Duettos Aires Standard.
"Again I was welcomed by my cheery host
ess, and once more partook of her simple
yet palatable face."
Casualties
From Allied sources wo learn that 4,356,711
GormntiR were killed, 11,690,326 wcro wound
ed and 900.467 wero taken prisoners, in tho
last four days of fighting.
From German sources wo learn that tho
total German loss to date was 11 slightly
killed, -13 seriously dead and 66 compre
hensively wounded.
Fowl Tlay
"Why have you given your hen such an
outlandish name ns Footpad, Jinks?"
"Becauso she's laying for me."
The Natural Sequence
It now behooves all good exchange editors
to dig up the Ingoldsby Legends and reprint
"The Jackdaw of Rhelms."
Heartburn, Probably
Trom the Ulklon (Md.) Democrat.
"Fire of an unknown origin totally de
stroyed the contents of Clarence H. Krauss
one night last week."
Huh t
Mary had a little lamb,
And then I heard her holler:
"What does that waiter think I am?
He charged me half a dollar!"
Cincinnati Enquirer.
Domestic Discord
"My husband used to call me his lovely
lute."
And now?"
"Now he picks on me." Louisville Courier
Journal. What's In a Name?
"We're giving our pastor a new drawing
room carpet on the occasion of his jubilee.
Show me something that looks nice but
Isn't too expensive."
"Here Is the very thing, madame real
Kidderminster." London Punch.
Altruism
Teacher Johnny, you have been writing
your own excuses.
Johnny I know, mum; it takes all pa's
time to think of his own, New York Sun.
A Fall Time Singer
Golden punkins gleamln' bright
Yander in de patch.
Never seed a punier sight
Laying In a batch.
Trouble dls way's frald to steer
"Come right In an' have a cheer."
Dixie Land's de land fo' me,
No whar else I'se boun'.
Possums roamln' roun' so free.
Nuft to make a darky grin
"Bring yo' folks an' call ag'ln."
Jacksonville Times-Union.
Sign of the Times
A Baptist Church In Paterson has spoken
the last word In business administration of
religion. This is the sign erected in front
of the edifice:
Lovo and Sunshine Company,
Wholesale and Retail Christians;
Distributors of Joy and Goodwill,
In Essentials, Unity; in non-Essentials,
Liberty; in all things, Charity,
The Church with tho Royal Welcome.
A Villainous Joko
Who Is tho Villa of Europe?
Which of tho embattled emperors Is the
friend of the Euro-peon?
This is Too Punny
Wo labored hard to pen a pun,
An hour passed, and it was done;
We nearly died of sheer surprise;
Wo pinched oursolf and rubbed our eyes;
For, as we looked on it in pride
And, as we said, so nearly died
Wo found we'd mado a double hit
(Of wisdom, infamy or wit)
For then wo saw, and not till then,
We'd penned a pun that punned a Penn.
A lot of ftihs over a little thing, perhaps,
but it occurred to us that William Penn
looks rather Inky compared to the rest of
the City Hall tower;
One Mad Turn
Brown (whoso new cook is worse than the
lasu It wus you who recommended that
new cook to my wife, wasn't it?
Jones (with dlflldence) Yes, old man.
Brown (venge.fully) Then, I must ask you
to come homo to dinner with me tonight.
London Sketch.
A Prayer
God of the warring nntions,
God of tho ways of peace,
Hark to the pleas of women
And bid tho warfare cease!
Hark to the prayers of children,
Their small hands lifted up,
And from the world forever
Remove this bitter cup!
In years of peaceful living
Thy hervants have forgot
The grief that follows carnage,
And now, their blood grown hot,
They challenge each the other,
And with no heeding for .
Tho necklaced arms of loved ones
They clatter forth to war.
Oh, God, remove this madness,
And make Thy servants Bane!
Remove the fields of carnage,
Where wounded and where slain
Are trampled to gory remnants!
Our God, of war and peace.
Remove from men their blindness
And bid the warfare cease!
A wife stands all forsaken
And peers into the storm,
Above the tmoke of battle
She marks the vultures swarm.
No loved one hears her pleading
And to her succor flies
Beside where she stands weeping
A baby starves and dies.
God, lift the burden from them
Who bear the burden most!
God, touch tho hearts of rulers!
God, turn each warring host
From ways that lead to slaughter
Back to the paths of peace!
God. hear the plaints of women
And bid the warring cease!
Judd Mummer Lewis, In Houston Post.
DONE IN PHILADELPHIA
A FRIEND put into my hand tho other
day an old pamphlet written by John
Roach, tho shipbuilder of Chester, which
describe rather fearlossly the causes of
tho decline of the American merchant
marine and denounces in positive terms what
has been called freo ships. Both these ques
tions are uppermost In the minds ot the peo
ple at tho present time, and it Is curious to
note that they occupied a somewhat similar
position 40 years ngo.
Roach was an Irishman, who came to this
country ns a boy early in the 30s, and first
went to work In a foundry for 23 cents a
day. In the course ot his long career as a
ship and englno builder he failed four times,
and, had he Survived, undoubtedly would
have successfully passed through his fourth
failure to fortune again. He built four of
tho warships which wero known as tho White
Squadron, the beginnings of our present mod
ern navy, and it was duo to his suggestion
and advice that tho United States ventured
upon tho development of Its navy along mod
ern lines.
IT WAS this venture that finally caused
the death of John Roach. First he aston
ished tho Naval Advisory Board by making
his bids on four ships far below their esti
mated cost. When the Dolphin was com
pleted the now Secretary of tho Navy,
William C. Whitney, would not accept It.
Although another board conducted a strin
gent tCBt and also rejected the vessel, Sec
retary Whitney changed his view. His action
camo too late. Roach, with so much of his
capital tied up, stopped business for the
benefit of his creditors. lie declined in health
from that time, and two years later, or In
1SS7, he died, a broken-hearted man.
Roach was responsible for a largo propor
tion of tho Iron steamship tonnage which
carried the American flag after tho Civil
War. It is said that his yards built in all
114 ships of tho most modern typo for tholr
day. Ho was naturally a stern advocate for
tho protection of tho ship industry in this
country, and one had only to mention Clyde
built ships to him to start him off on a
tirade.
IN ROACH'S pamphlet which my friend
handed me, I find an explanation of the dls
nppearanco of our flag from the merchant
marlno of tho world. "When our Civil War
began," tho shipbuilder states, "we had a
large commerce but a small navy, and tho
latter, to protect national life, purchased
215,97s tons of our best steam tonnage. The
War Department absorbed, by charter and
otherwise, 757,611 tons more. Of the re
mainder, to avoid war rates of insuranco or
destruction by Clyde-built cruisers, under tho
rebel flag, SOI, 311 tons sought refuge under
the flag of England or other European bunt
ing, while 104,605 tons were actually destroyed
by the Alabama and other pirates.
"Of tho ships of all sorts employed thus
by our Government few wero afterward of any
commercial value, though resold at compara
tively low rates, partly because of the altera
tions they had undergone in tho process of
adapting them to war uses, but more on
account of the revolution which had taken
plnce in commercial naval architecture and
in tho application of motive power."
ROACH comments upon this procedure as
one of the most extravagant and ruinous
methods that could have been devised for
supplying the United States with a navy.
But at tho opening of the Civil War, aa nt
the beginning of every other war in which
this country has engaged, something like this
has had to bo done. Wo always have been
unprepared, Indeed, the method appears to
bo tho approved method of augmenting naval
services all over tho world. We charteied
ships during the Spanish War, and Eng
land, Germany and Japan, with their subsi
dized lines, also have found it convenient to
take over certain vessels from their merchant
marine in war times.
It has been generally understood that it
was during the period of our Civil War that
England and to a lesser degree Germany
took advantage of our preoccupation to
snatch away from us tho commerce-carrying
trade of the world. Pvom 1S30 until the open
in'g gun of the Civil War was fired our for
eign trado increased regularly and enor
mously, and In 1860 it was questioned whether
the United States merchant marine was not
first. In any case, it was a close second to
that of England.
DURING that long-continued strife, how
ever, England had her opportunity and
was keen to take advantage of it. Some per
sons may have thought that our present con
cern to regain our proud position on tho seas
while Europe Is busy Is a trlflo unethical,
but to the persons who feel that way about
it Mr. Roach 40 years ago supplied tho
answer.
Listen to this: "England saw the oppor
tunity thus afforded her and availed herself
of it to the utmost. She spent millions on
millions in subsidies under various forms;
she used even the agonies of our strife for
her own advantage, and the Clyde builders
were enriched in the construction of blockade
runners, not to speak of the Alabama and
other representatives of the 'British neutral
service.' Unobstructed and unrivaled by tho
only people who had shown a capacity for
competing with her upon the sea, she mado
tho first fruits of the great naval revolution
all her own."
IT MUST be remembered In reading that
sentence from Roach's pamphlet that it
was written less than ten years after tho
Civil War, when the wounds and prejudices
of that strife had not yet been effaced; nev
ertheless, it is likely to make us feel a little
more comfortable about seizing the present
opportunity to get our flag on the sea again.
GRANVILLE.
THE IDEALIST
Did you ever tell a "white lie"?
After you had told it, did you feel any
Jes.s mean, small and disposed to creep
Bnnke-llke into the nearest hole than when
you had told a real substantial one?
It Is curious how we grease our con
sciences In the '"white lie" habit. I sat in
a man's office when his messenger presented
a visitor's card. After a quick glance ho
returned It to tho boy with the trite in
structions to "tell him I'm out."
This fellow forthwith established his repu.
tation for wilful Inaccuracies among two
people, the boy and myself; perhaps In it
self not a serious handicap to his standing,
but just as a drop of aniline dye will tint
a hogshead of water this man's lack of re
spect for pure truth will gradually permeate
his entire environment. This is as inevitable
as the law of gravitation is inevitable.
Doubtless the mental process is: "Well I
don't want to see this visitor and I don't
want to insult him by telling him so. Hence,
I abstain from making him angry by leading
him to believe I am not in my office."
Did ou ever see a sin marching alone?
Never' Always it is found In th company
of its own bone and marrow. The thief
1
j,'- rtjq
heoniAft h. YtlUrAltrav t,A .4.lHf..,.ja -
n iirtf. , im uJL," V""vr.u oecomeg i
thing! It took loo much courage lo M
Inconvortlont th ng. And that's exactly th2
situation with the teller of the "whlto1iA
THE IDEALIST:
VIEWS OF READERS
ON TIMELY TOPICS
Contrihulions That Reflect Public 0pn.
ion on Subjects Important to City
State and Nation.
To the r.dltor ot the Eventnp i.tdatri
In reading your efficient newspaper I find
article entitled, "British Diplomat Criticise,
Wilson on the Mexican Policy." The Ihiti.h
Ambassador, Sir Lionel Corden, was nothing
but a warm partisan of tho lluerta iconic
At one time I was n Huerta sympathizer tmtii
after ho committed murder the killing nt
Francisco I. Madero.
Sir Lionel Garden cannot by any means
compare with tho gicat President Wilson; the
troops were ordered from Vera Cruz. Why?
Because tho President knew that he was
leaving tho situation to an honorablo and edu
cated man. Sir Lionel's statement Is ngalnst
Senor Carranza, becauso ho ordered that he (sir
Lionel) should leave tho republic for being a
Huerta partisan. So let mo explain, In a few
words, that Sir Lionel contradicts himself by
saying that Carranza has no sort of Govern
ment. He must know that If Senor Carranza had
no sort of government he would not liavo told
Sir Lionel to lcavo tho republic.
. J. R.-MEX1CAN CITIZEN.
Philadelphia, September 21, 1914.
FIGHT TO THE FINISH
To the Editor 0 the Eventno Ledger!
Sir A campaign Is on In this Commonwealth
which Is being watched throughout the length
and breadth of our land. It Is a fight to a
finish between the discredited old machine and
tho forces which must prevail If tho old Keystone
State Is to bo lifted Into tho place It must
occupy If wo as Pennsylvanlans are to stand
erect as men worth while.
Tho Issue Is Penroso as the embodiment of
prnctlces which no longer have any proper
place In our political and Industrial llfo. Theso
nro tho days for tho valiant on both bIiIcb o(
the ocean, and the call of duty Is Just as clear
as IE It were "To. arms" Instead of to the ballot
box, When tho Tivn.NtNO Lkdoek enlists In this
campaign, aggressively opposing this blight on
our nntlonnl life, it, in my Judgment, performs
a grcnt public duty and makes a contribution to
tho cause of good government second to none.
DAVID J. PEARSALL.
Matieh Chunk, Pn., September 15, 1011.
GIVE HONEST POLITICS A CHANCE
To the i:dltor of the J.'t-riiliip Ledger:
Sir I have read for many years and have
appreciated deeply the splendid work which
tho Public Liuiogr bus done towaid tho puri
fication of Pennsylvania politics. Another
great opportunity bun now arisen for It and the
Evening LUDar.n to continue this service, to the
advantage of botli Stnte and nation. I refer to
tho opportunity of defeating Mr. Tenrose for
rc-clcctlon to tho United States Senate.
WILLIAM t. HULL.
Swarthmore, Pa., September 14, 1914.
WESTMORELAND AGAINST PENROSE
To the Ldllor of the Evening Ledger:
Sir As an Independent Republican, interested
In raising my party to a higher Mandurd of
citizenship, I am glad that you are opposing
Penrosolsm. You deserve tho gratitude of the
good citizens of Pennsylvania. Our county was
strongly nntl-Pcnrose at the last primary, and
the sentiment against him continues to Increase.
E. E. 55UCK.
Mt. Pleasant, Pa September 11, 1314.
PENROSEISM NOT REPUBLICANISM
To the Editor 'of the livening Ledger:
Sir I am a reader of tho Evcnincj Ledoeb
and like your paper, but I am a. Republican.
As I boliovo that Is your policy, I cannot
see bow you can consistently support Palmer
and a Republican platform at the same time.
He does not stand for Republican piinclplos
nntl, therefore, should not be suppoitcd by any
Republican. JOSEPH RICHARD,
Slatlngton, Pa.. September IS, 1014.
Praise From Sir Hubert
From tho Boston Transcript.
George W. Childs blmteif might have Issued
tho older under which, with the beginning of
tills week, an Evening Lunncn (lashed Upon
the Philadelphia public and the community at
large. It was a liberal move to extend In these
hours of retrenchment the expense of publlin
tion. A false idea provails that In "war circu
lations" thero is gieat piollt Ch dilation in
itself Is of no value. It Is only as It, commands
respect and thus adveitising patronage that it
Is even self-supporting.
Thus tho expansion of tho Punuc LF.DGEn at
this timo ia purely for tho advantage of Its
readers, though let us hope in the long run Its
publishers, too, may reap their leward.
Tho Infant marches like a veteran. It i3
edited by a "dlMInct organization," whn.li e
may be sum in this case does not nu.an il at
please-overjbody policy "support" in the
morning, "opposition" In the iveiu. ib-to
"catch them coming and going."
A nHivsnnnir "without 11 hlstor.v" is, as happy
ns tho proverbial "country." For the eirs of
Its existence tho Pmimc Ledger's baa been
most brief. It was conceived a thoioughbred
and thoroughbred It has remained In spite of
the temptations of mongrelizatlon by vutlng
contests, money prizes, tango teaching, etc.,
etc.
Its hlstor.v Is tho personality of a few clean
minded, public-spirited Individuals with a true
Eense of what "enterprho" leally Is. Never
has it been nearer its best than today.
Silence Not Golden
From the Chambersburs (Pa.) Valley Spirit
A strange, weird sllenco falls upon the lips
of tho Republican candidates when the name
of Penroso ts mentioned.
Not one of them has s.o far dared to declare
hlmsolf either for or ngnlnst tho machine that
seeks to coutinuo Its corrupt management of
this State for Its own advantage.
Welcomes Evening Ledger
From the Jowlsh Exponent.
The ISVBNINO Ledger Is a welcome addition
to the ranks of Philadelphia newbpaperdom.
Thero Is no better paper In the United States
than the Public Ledger, and few as good It
tho evening edition keeps up the line tiadition
that the Public Ledger has established. It
will be a potent foico for good.
NATIONAL POINT OF VIEW
Along with the day of prayer for the peace of
Rurope It niluht with propilcty b suggested
that a day be set apart for a popular mem.TUl
to tho Interstate C'ommeice Commission tor a
Just jenderliig of the public account with the
railroads. Chattanooga Times.
Nothing can bring back the glory of Bhetm3
Imagination is touched with the heat of pa
slon when armies heedlessly deflower a country
of Its noblest church, and it iccoils with m;oiii
and loathing from tho guilty horde. New lor
Tribune.
The struggle In Colorado Is suie to be re
newed, unless tho State takes back Its adlcatea
authority, resumes lt forgotten duties, ana
botli make3 and enforces laws which will P'"
mote peace In the mining regions1-"1'-'11'0
Journal.
Kvery well-Informed commentator on the
problem of building up our trado with bourn
America agrees that it is mainly a qutstiun 01
establishing a proper system of exchangw.
whereby ample credit facilities may be cten
to tho Latin-Americans and payment or iiau.
actions carried out with facility. -&t. "'
Pioneer Press.
Railroad men should lean on themselves more
and on the Government less. They should not
stand back helplessly without economizing a'w
ask the Government for a license "
shippers and railroad passengers.-MiiwauK"
Journal.
The extension of American banking facial'
to South American cities should be follow uw
the establishment of cheaper rates of postal
New York Times.
If President Wilson and the Penioci sue
leaders desire to go into tho ml,,?l,c'enVJM
with an Indefensible grab even a js.ww.w
appropriation 10 their discredit, the 1,ae"",.
denly become lets careful of the polilua
pi-iti of administration than they have bsc
hcrelofoie New York Tribune.
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