BY P. GRAY MEEK. INK SLINGS. —Make the sacrifices for your coun- try at the expense ef the grown-ups. Let the Christmas of the little folks know as little as possible of the sor- rows we all feel. ~ —Let your Christmas giving be conflned to the little folks. Be sure to make them happy, for they should know nothing of the pall that will hang over their elders on the day that there should be “peace on earth and good will toward men.” —In the “Watchman’s” edition of December 22, 1916, appeared this par- agraph: “If you are passing around Hol- iday wishes just wish the chief- burgess-ship on W. Harrison Walker. No present you could give him would please him more.” He got it and we are of the opinion that he is pleased fully as much as we assured you he would be. —It is worthy of notice that the Hon. Charles Rowland, Congressman from this district, made good his pre- election promise to vote for nation- wide prohibition. He voted in support of the measure and helped pass it in the House on Monday. Charley’s fat was in the fire last fall when he made the promise and there were some who saw in it only an endeavor to stem the tide of the prohibition vote to Tobias, but his action of Monday proves his good faith and should call forth apol- ogies from those who questioned it. —Congress has passed a resolution giving the States opportunity to rati- fy an amendment to the constitution whereby national prohibition will be enacted. Thirty-six States will have to favor it before it can become oper- ative and they must record their de- cision within seven years. Twenty- seven States have at this time enact- ed prohibitory laws of their own that might encourage the hope that they are already in line as favoring the new amendment. If they all should be the sanction of only nine more States would be required and it would seem an easy matter to secure that number within seven years. But will a State, even though it has already voted to prohibit the sale and manu- facture of intoxicants within its own confines, vote to ratify an amend- ment when such action puts it on record as favoring the centralization of government and denying it its “State Rights?” There is a fundamen- tal principle of government involved that to our mind will weigh heavily in every Legislative discussion over this matter. —Leslie’s Weekly is advising the government to dispense with the serv- ices of Dr. Garfield as fuel adminis- trator for at least a month, abolish all red tape and restrictions, and put the coal operators “on honor” to do their best. It believes better results would be attained than are being se- cured now. In some instances there might be a quickening and extension of coal output, but knowledge of the situation and of the methods of some operators justifies the thought that their avariciousness would more than counterbalance the good results ob- tained by putting the honest opera- tors on the honor system. And, in the last analysis, we still hold to our be- lief frequently expressed in these col- umns, that there would be no coal shortage if cars could be kept under the tipples at the mines. There is the real trouble for the past eighteen months. We know of a number of mines in the bituminous fields of Cen- tre and Clearfield counties that could have produced from forty to eighty per cent. more coal than they have during the past year if they had had a full allotment of cars daily. Its cars the mines need. —Countless cases of deserving wid- ows who might now be enjoying the comforts that could be secured by a deserved pension, but who are depriv- ed thereof, are known. They have been unable to secure the desired bounty through some slight flaw in the application papers required. Not alone as a present honor to the boys themselves but to perfect some sort of a record that will remain imperish- able against the day, forty years or more hence, when perchance a depend- ent of one of them might find it use- ful the “Watchman” is endeavoring to compile and keep corrected an “Hon- or Roll” on which will be recorded the name, address, and branch of service entered of every boy who has offered himself or been conscripted for serv- ice in the present war. We will be unable to do this without the careful co-operation of the people of Centre county, for the reason that there were many of our sons in the regular serv- ice before the war began and a num- ber went voluntarily before there was a general call and of whom no record is available. Therefore we call upon each of our readers in the county to recall any boy he or she knows to be in the service then turn to page seven of this issue and see if his name ap- pears in either of the alphabetical lists there. If it does and there is a mistake either of initials, spelling of the name or the branch of service en- tered, call or notify this office so that it can be corrected. If you know a name that should be there and is not call or write us. It is for the glory of the boys and the possible use of their posterity we are asking you to do this. The “Watchman” has no oth- er interest in it than that actuated by the desire to lend its facilities to a movement it believes to be for the good of the publie. YOl. g2., BELLEFONTE, STATE RIGHTS AND FEDERAL UNION. PA.. DECEMBER 21, 1917. Iya NO. 50. Recreant Russians Deserve Punish- ment. Obviously Lloyd George, the Brit- ish Premier, has given up hope of help from Russia in the world war. Next to Germany that country was responsible for the war. With the purpose of ultimately subduing the Slav race Germany forced Austria to declare war against Serbia. Because Russia indicated a purpose to help Serbia, Germany declared war against Russia and began an invasion of France, violating the territory of Belgium in order to reach and raze the French capital. The violation of Belgium brought Great Britain into the conflict and repeated and atro- cious outrages against the people and property of the United States com- pelled our Congress to declare a state of war. In view of these facts the present attitude of Russia with respect to the war is perfidious. If, as it at first seemed, the conditions in Russia were ascribable to “an intoxication of free- dom,” it might be condoned. Previous to the beginning of the war there was no autocracy more absolute than that of Russia. When the yoke of slavery had been cast off, therefore, there could have been little surprise at an exuberance among a people who had never hoped for or understood civil liberty. But the Bolsheviki and the Maximalists are not the simple-mind- ed people who might thus be beguil- ed into excesses. The leaders of the existing government are both selfish and sophisticated and are influenced not by patriotism but by greed and ambition. Under the circumstances the Brit- ish Premier is fully justified in aban- doning hope of future help from Rus- sia. The traitors who have seized the government of Russia are exploiting the country for their selfish advantage and find the Kaiser and his cabinet willing instruments for a corrupt bar- gain. But this country should con- tribute no more funds and permit no more materials to go to Russia to help the conspirators on both cides of the line to punish us. Russia is to | all intents and purposes an cnemy to- day and from this time on should be treated as an enemy. When the war is over and the penalties are prescrib- ed, the recreant Russians should get theirs. —— The “Watchman” this week be- gins the publication of an “Honor Roll” of Centre county young men who are now in training for the war with Germany. The same will be found on page seven of this issue. To make it absolutely accurate we ask every reader of the “Watchman” to read it carefully and if any names are missing kindly send to this office and they will be added to the list. Hope of Harm Disappointed. The investigations which have been started in Congress may do little or no harm, because there is nothing to conceal. Every department of the government has been conducted with scrupulous care and upon the highest level of intelligence and patriotism. ‘The Secretary of War and the Secre- tary of the Navy have not been schooled in the art of making war. But they have been trained in the principles of integrity and qualified for their duties by a high standard of ability. Searching investigation may reveal an error of judgment, here or there. But even such faults are rare and never “of the heart.” Compared with other occasions the work in this war has been singularly free from blunders. But those who have instituted the pending investigations didn’t intend that they should prove harmless. Every single one of them was started with the view of exposing something that would embarrass the administra- tion and discredit the party to which the President and the Members of the Cabinet belong. During this session of Congress the enemies of the admin- istration expect to make ammunition to fight the Democratic candidates for the next Congress and these investi- gations are the agencies through which the operations will be conduct- ed. Every mistake found in any of the departments will be magnified in- to the proportions of malicious blun- ders by the gentlemen behind the in- vestigations. It is estimated that ten billions of dollars or more have already been spent; in the preparations for war and it wouldn’t be surprising if a few er- rors had been made in transacting this viast business. It is possible that errors of judgment might have occur- red in contracting for ships or guns or other war materials. But nothing can b¢ gained by parading accusations before the public and no interests, other than those of the enemies, can be promoted by holding such things up before the world for comment and criticism. As we have said little or no harm will be done in these instan- ces under these circumstances. But in the hearts of those responsible there is the traitorous hope of harm. ~~ Signs of Party Compromise. The noise that comes out of Phila- delphia these days sounds more like compounding a felony than a reform crusade. A few weeks ago the Pen- rose people were roaring like a rag- ing lion against the Vares and in spite of past experiences we were al- most convinced that political regen- eration was impending. But condi- tions seem to have changed for the roar is as gentle “as any sucking dove.” Instead .of throwing brick- bats and harpoons at each other, the adherents of Penrose and Vare are getting their heads together to select a compromise candidate for Governor in order that the “spoils factory” in Harrisburg may not be broken up en- tirely as appeared probable pending the quarrel. The Vares have betrayed Penrose in recent trading operations most shamefully. The Senator accepted Brumbaugh three years ago under the promise that it was a 50-50 deal but the moment he was inaugurated the Vares repudiated the agreement. Then Mayor Smith was wished on the Senator under a similar agreement for division and the moment he was safely seated the South side “garbage collectors” began throwing bricks. Last fall they again fooled him but the murdering operations of the Fifth ward opened his eyes and he declared war. And for a time it actually look- ed as if it would be real war, war in the last ditch and war to the knife. But the signs of war are disappear- ing. The magnetic force of public plun- der is great everywhere but in Phila- delphia it is overwhelming. The Vares reason, no doubt, that a prima- ry victory is worthless if it fails to bring home the bacon. The Senator probably figures that a victory over the Vares would be an “irredescent dream” if it failed to provide places for henchmen. The getting together may be repulsive to both but the re- ward is gratifying and it is believed that they are now hunting a candidate upon whom they can agree and through whom they may revel in spoils. Thus far the only name that has been heard in public is that of Senator Knox and strangely enough both of them are afraid of him. The fuel problem continues to menace the entire country and in- creases the acuteness as time passes. But it will be solved sooner or later and in a manner which will minimize the evil. Meantime be patient as pos- sible and hopeful. That will be help- ful. Scourge the Food Pirates. That any human being is capable of charging extortionate prices for nec- essary food stuffs at a time when oth- ers are suffering the pangs of hunger is almost inconceivable. But such things are being done in every section of the country and by many who pass for men in the communities in which they live. In a discourse to the con- gregation which he so ably serves Rabbl Joseph Krauskoph, of Philadel- phia, on Sunday, referred to this great evil and denounced those re- sponsible for them in most scathing terms. “Not because there was a scarcity of food but because there was a scarcity of morals in a lot of men who handle our food and fuel pro- ducts,” he said, “this evil is upon us.” The laborer is worthy of his hire and producers of food stuffs have a right to a fair price for the fruits of their industry and their thrift. But speculators have no right to hoard products until scarcity creates an ab- normal demand and then charge ex- tortionate prices in order to satisfy a criminal cupidity. Such men ought to be taken into the market places and scourged. As Rabbi Krauskopf says they represent “a tyranny that enslaves labor, that drives the farmer off his farm, that brings millions of our people dangerously near the point of starvation.” There is no public ob- ligation, moral or legal, to submit to the cruelties of these monsters. They are enemies as wicked as murderers. Thus far the authorities have not been able to reach and justly punish these miscreants. But the machinery is being assembled to accomplish this result. Mr. Hoover, in Washington, and Mr. Heinz, representing the peo- ple in Pennsylvania, are forging chains which will ultimately do the work and it will be well done. An ar- my in the field fully equipped for ac- tion could not serve the German Kai- ser half so effectively as the opera- tions of these vicious “food and fuel pirates” as the eloquent Rabbi fitly characterizes them. These agencies of humanity must be supported, how- ever, fully and cordially, in order to guarantee their success and it is up to the people to do their part. If boasting does the Kaiser any good he is welcome to all the enjoy- ment it affords. But “the die is cast” and autocracy must go and boasting doesn’t even check its progress. — This is the shortest day of the year. Prohibition Amendment Passed. The passage of the prohibition amendment to the constitution of the United States by the House of Rep- resentatives on Monday is not sur- prising. Since the beginning of the world war the agitation of the ques- tion has been pressed so assiduously and upon grounds so potential, that it could not be evaded. Fixed in the public mind as a war measure various considerations entered into the equa- tion. The conservation of food stuffs, the preservation of the health and morals of armies and the economic waste incident to indulgence in alco- holic beverages, all contributed to the result obtained on Monday. The rat- ification of the amendment by States is all that is now needed to give it force. There are many reasons beside the moral issue involved in favor of pro- hibition and there are some besides the medicinal value of alcohol against the amendment in the form in which it was adopted. The manufacture and sale of beverages were great revenue producers and we are now in a period in which revenue is important. Un- der the act of last year it was reckon- ed that at least six hundred millions of dollars would” be gained to the treasury annually, from this source. When the amendment goes into opera- tion that revenue will be lost and the amount will have to be drawn from other sources. With a war costing twenty to thirty billion dollars a year in progress cutting off sources of rev- enue is hazardous. If the expectations of those who fa- vor prohibition are fulfilled, however, the cost in money should not be con- sidered. The moral and physical health of the people is of greater im- portance than anything of a pecunia- ry character. But it would have been better if the result had been achieved by other methods. The centraliza- tion of government is the gravest menace to the future of this country. The exigencies of war have compelled some infractions of the constitution and traditions of the country. But the transferring of the reserved power of the States to the government at Warshington is a longer stride than any’ yet taken. not be attended with evils of which it is possible. Our esteemed Democratic con- temporary, the Clearfield Republican, celebrated the 90th anniversary of its | birth with its issue of the Tth instant and announced the important event in characteristic modesty. Since its first issue in 1827 the Republican has had five editors, its present candid and courageous head having assumed con- trol twenty years ago. During all its | career the Republican has occupied an influential place among the fram- ers of public opinion but it is not in- vidious to say that under its present capable editor, Colonel John F. Short, it has attained the highest measure of success as an exponent of civic im- provement. We cordially congratu- late the Republican upon its splendid achievements in the past and its radi- ant prospects for the future. — The selection of Representative John V. Lesher as the Pennsylvania member of the Congressional Cam- paign committee was a merited trib- ute to a most capable and conscien- tious party leader. Mr. Lesher is not only the dean of the delegation but is: among the most efficient and industri- ous members of the House. He has been an earnest and vigilant suppor- ter of President Wilson from the be- ginning and is one of those dependa- ble party leaders who hold public in- terests as paramount to personal ad- vantage. In thus honoring Mr. Lesh- er the Democratic Congressional del- egation of Pennsylvania has taken a long stride in the diréction of har- monizing the party and promoting its future prosperity. ——1In remitting for his subscrip- tion to the “Watchman” T. B. Budin- ger, of Snow Shoe, wrote as follows: “My wife is a constant reader of the “Watchman.” She has read it weekly for nearly fifty years. Her father, Samuel B. Leathers, was a subscriber long before she was born. None of the city papers came today (Friday) so I read the “Watchman” from be- ginning to end and I never before ful- ly realized what a newsy paper it is.” For which expression of appreciation we extend our thanks. : Among the various expressions of good will that the “Watchman” generally receives at this time of year is the following from R. B. Gardner, of Pittsburgh, but who is a native of Ferguson Twp. Mr. Gardner says: “Fnclosed find check for a renewal for 1918. Can’t get along without the paper from Centre county that keeps the home fires burning.” Mr. Gard- ner, by the way, was re-elected last month as school director for another six years’ term. —The “Watchman” is compiling an “Honor Roll” of the boys of Centre county who have entered their coun- try’s service. Let us hope it will | | A CHRISTMAS STAR. i No, I haven't forgotten to hang up a wreath, For I've seen them across the way; I've a star on a flag in my window instead, That must serve for this Christmas Day. + | Though I'm thinking, with you, we must all do our best, More than ever before, to be gay, i I've never kept Christmas so nearly alone As I'm keeping this Christmas Day. Oh, yes! I'm proud to be doing my part, And I wouldn't have bid my boy stay, But I can’t keep from feeling it's lonelier still, As it’s nearer to Christmas Day. Yet it never was Christmas ’till God gave His Son, And the Lord from His home went away, And ’twas then in the heavens God hung the bright star That lighted the first Christmas Day! —John Mills Gilbert. A Victim of Bolshevikism. From the Philadelphia Record. The high and mighty attitude which those choice spirits, Lenine and Trot- zky, have adopted toward Great Bri- tain, refusing passports to British subjects unless two unknown Rus- sians suspected of being German spies, are given their freedom in Eng- land, seems to be part of a carefully devised plan to break with Russia’s allies. It would be idle to speculate at length on the reasons for what seems most treacherous conduct. If Lenine and Trotzky are honest, which most observers are inclined to doubt, their motives might lie in that Uto- pian idealism which is said to be such a remarkable feature of Muscovite character. If they are really Ger- man agents, in the pay of the Kaiser, it is clearly to the interest of their employer to force a rupture with the Power which has done so much to hold up Russia’s military strength, feeble as this has been for a long time. Trotzky’s sneering reference to the United States seems to indicate that this country is to be the next victim of Bolsheviki ingratitude. When some pretext has been found for breaking with Russia's old time ally, France, the ground will be clear for complete submission to Germany. Among the allied nations there will be only one opinion of this deep-dyed infamy. It would be more to the point if we could know what *he Rus- sian people themselves think oi &, dil. The peasants are so ignorant and sim- ple-minded that they may be deceived | for a long time by misrepresentations and lies from Petrograd. They do not | constitute the whole nation, however; {and in Russia, despite its backward- {ness in many respects there is a large | element that believes in honesty, i truthfulness, fair dealing and keeping I faith with one’s friends. These peo- ! ple must appreciate the terrible dan- i ger that threatens their country from | the rule of the irresponsible adven- 'turers that have seized the reins of Government. Russia can be saved on- ly by itself. If there is not soon a successful protest against Bolshevik- ism the nation, largely disintegrated and a prey to many centrifugal influ- .ences, will sink to the position of a mere vassal of Germany. That would be a sad and impotent ending to the revolution that began only nine months ago. As to Probing. From the Johnstown Democrat. If the military men were not so busy they could doubtless unearth a number of interesting things by start- ing an investigation of Congress. It is all very well for Congress to inves- tigate if it does not get in the way while doing so. Doubtless a great many mistakes, big and little, have been made since this war began. What is more, it is quite likely that a whole lot more will be made. If the world could boast a nation in which no mis- takes were made it would be beyond the war stage. At the present time the main object in ferreting out mis- takes is in order to make sure that they are not repeated. Most surely it is not worth while investigating sim- ply in order that some Congressman or some Senator can get his name in the papers. The fault with the average Con- gressional investigation is that there is nothing constructive about it. A probing committee discovers, for ex- ample, that some ene or other has grafted in connection with a contract. Instead of looking around for a sys- tem calculated to minimize grafting, the average probing committee stops when it uncovers the guilt. Doubtless it is well worth while knowing just why this or that was not ready for the troopers at a certain date, but it is vastly more important to arrange for future deliveries than it is to pry into matters that are past remedying now. Grist for Their Mills. From the Philadelphia Ledger. That the hotel proprietors should be willing to have more wheatless and meatless days is not surprising. At the prices they charge their custom- ers the margin of profit must be ex- ceedingly comfortable. A New Kind of Tank. From the Johnstown Leader. A British general, clad in his paja- mas, beat off a German raid on the Flanders front. Long lull in the fight- ing. The Germans, maybe, took him for a new kind of tank. —Subseribe for the “Watchman.” SPAWLS FROM THE KEYSTONE. —Bankruptey hds closed the Ci over House, near Myerstown, Lebanon e¢- aunty, and attorney Harry Honker, trur fe, is liquidating $15,000 of debts. —Shamokin Cooperative society for the establishment of a store was org .uized by 100 women of the Housewives’ League, and several hundred members of the Mine Workers. —When .a bear clawed his fine hunting dog in a fight near Bear Creek, Elk coun- ty, Elmer Biddle, of Kane, had to shoot the animal to relieve it of its sufferings, and then the bear escaped. —The whereabouts of Thomas Hunter, of Latrobe, who disappeared last Saturday evening, are still a mystery. State police worked on the case, but were unable te unearth any clue whatever. —Isaac Nash, of Johnstown, was crush- ed to death Saturday morning, when a piece of rock fell upon him while he was loading coal in a room of the Rolling Mil mine. He was 47 years old and made his home with his mother and brother in Westmont. —Frank Black, the 12 year old son of John Black, of Blairsville, was drowned im the Conemaugh river Wednesday after- noon while skating. The lad lost control and ran into the river where it was not frozen. The body was recovered an hour later by searchers. —The first sweater to be made by a male member of the Latrobe Chapter of the American Red Cross reached the Chap- ter headquarters Thursday. It came al the way from Thomasville, Ga., where it was knit by William J. Metzger, who is im the south for his health. —Jumping the track and crashing inte the stone abuttment of the tunnel under the Pennsylvania railroad near Ruffsdale, a West Penn trolley car was set on fire and burned up Thursday night. Five of the twelve passengers on board were paim- fully injured, only one of them seriously. —Mrs. Malone Geist Enterline, aged 93 years, who was a resident of Jefferson county for eighty years, died last Wednes- day at the home of her son, Samuel E=m- terline, of Ridgway. Mrs. Enterline was born in Dauphin county, April 20, 1824. She was a member of the United Brethrem church for many years. —Churches, clubs and fraternal organi- zations have been asked by the Beaver Falls Chamber of Commerce to open their door to families without fuel during per- jods of extreme cold. The movement has been taken as a means of protection. Pri- vate families also have been asked to pro- vide room if they have it. —The two year old son of Edward Ba- ker, residing on Deep Hollow road, Frank- lin, on Thursday afternoon pulled a re- volver from a hostler and accidentally dis- charged it, the bullet lodging in the back of his father. Mr. Baker was removed te the Oil City hospital, where it was found that the wound was not serious. —TFire of undetermined origin swept the village of Pleasant Unity, near Greens- burg, on Sunday, causing an estimated loss of $50,000. Ten residences and seven business houses were destroyed by the flames. Rire fighting apparatus from Greensburg was rushed to the scene on a call from the Pleasant Unity volunteer de- partment. —The West Branch Knitting company, of Milton, on Friday received a contract from the United States government for 200,000 undershirts for the marine corps. This is the fifth contract from the govern- ment, three from the navy and one each from the army and the marine corps. The five contracts were for one million two hundred and fifty thousand pieces. —The Public Service Commission on Wednesday issued an order permitting the New York Central and the Pennsylvania railroads to increase certain bituminous coal shipment rates fifteen cents a ton. The Pennsylvania may add that sum on coal from Bald Eagle junction to Lock Haven, and the New York Central from Snow Shoe and Grass Flat and Hawk Run and Munson districts to Bald Eagle junc- tion and Lock Haven. —George C. Tompkins, coal operator, of Philadelphia, charged with the murder of his business pertner, Edmund Humphries, the latter's wife and his son, Edmund Jr. killed on a country road near Carrolltown, was found guilty of second degree murder by the jury at Ebensburg at 12:15 o'clock Saturday morning, Following the comple- tion of the testimony and the arguments by the attorneys, the charge to the jury was made by Judge M. B. Stephens om Friday afternoon. —Antonio Saia, a fruit vendor, whe was awaiting trial at Huntingdon as one of the alleged conspirators who recently dy- namited a house in Mount Uniou, killing a man and a woman, escaped from jail early on Tuesday. He was apparently aided by three confederates, whose foot- prints were revealed in the snow as they worked outside of the prisoner's eell win- dew. Gaining access to the jail yard, Saia scaled a 12 foot wall and fled with his res- cuers, it is believed, in an automobile. —Calvin Doyle, aged about forty years, had a narrow escape on Friday evening at the Glendower works of the Pennsylvania Glass Sand company, at Mapleton, when a two-ton lift attached by a chain to a beam fell, hitting him a grazing blow on the head. When he was thus knocked down his mouth struck upon a tire which was to be lifted, cutting through his lips and knocking teeth loose and out. A physician was called and he was taken to his home. At first it was thought his skull was frac- tured, but happily this is not the case. — Fish Commissioner Buller has called attention of State fishermen to the fact that the new fish code goes into effect Jan- uary 1, and makes many changes in the present law. A single rod and line may be used in the taking of game fish, but all other devices are forbidden. Food fish may be taken with rods and lines and one hand line, under control of user. None but lake trout may be sold in markets or eating places, and bass are also prohibited, nor may hotel or eating house proprietors employ fish catchers. Artificially propa- gated bass and fish may be sold, however. —Internal revenue officials late Friday night discovered in full operation near the center of Philadelphia what they declared was the largest illicit still they had seen in many years. Philip Klein, a liquor dealer and ‘the alleged proprietor of the still, was arrested and after a hearing be- fore a magistrate was held in $5,000 bail for a further ‘hearing. The still, accord- ing to the revenue officers, is of 2,000 gal- lons capacity and was used by Klein's father, a brewer, several years ago. Six barrels of new whiskey were found in the place and the still was filled with mask and boiling, the officers said. re amma eT Ea
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers