EpflM mfmmmmn. nmumm mm ism EVENING LlJiDGEll PHILADE: 3NINQ s$isJ LEDGER PUBLIC lEDGER COMPANY OTIlttB f. It CtlRTlfl. PBSSICtKI. ho. TF. OeM. Secretary! John C. Mrtin, Trewr fie H. Hidlneton, Philip 8. Collins, John 13. wi lt. Director. EDITORIATj BOAIlDt Crags II. K. Crans, Chairman. . WHAIiBr.i... .BxecutUeiauer b O. MAriTlN....i...Cenornt Business Manager h..w2.w&WJim is"? cT ..:........ . .... . .paw :Er',r. ?u4Kr. 1 lOKXt 1 1 iM ti M 4t i ii tu'Ai T :.. nnllfllnr too. i ....... .. AintuJirXiii "b. w" on. .... o wnienoo viatc, .. ... - nrsn.n Boniiio TIS,.,v,fc&' nn d nS Yon nuawu iIiHohSriS? ON Btmr 2. Pa" Ma." H. W. U JJUBUU ... t ,... uw m. -- - Mmnr.nirnoN TERMS y carrier. DAlt.T Oslt, ttx cents. By mall, postpa M TW de. or Philadelphia, except wnere "'' '""-, " hAiix unbT. one yrnr, inrei uwii. - ons payabU In advance. f Dell, aooo wAurcrr KETSTWE MAW 8000 CT Address all communication to Evening Ledger. Independence. Square, Philadelphia. rNTBura it thk rtitt'AOM-r-mA rosTorricn as bicond- CI.SS MilL SI1TTKB. niiunrxruiA, fiiiday, octobek 2, 191 1 The anti-moralists' win their victories at tho registration booths. They maintain their ascendency, when they do maintain It, through tho failure of good citizens to qual ify as voters. Tomorrow Is tho last chance to register for the November election. Every saloon and dive In tho city has been pla carded for weeks' with urgent notices to their haJiltues to qualify. Men who love do- nd simple honesty It. civic, Stato and Rl affairs havo one more chance to their actions with their professions. Imust do thoir duty if the Integrity of nTnsylvanla Is to be vindicated. They must register tomorrow. What Villa Has Learned From Europe GENERAL VILLA'S demand that no man In military service bo a candidate for the Presidency of Mexico shows almost states- rtllko qualities In the ex-outlaw ana clit." It is remarkable how "Fancno . has learned the dangers which threaten Kr. coverumGnt when It Is in the hands of a nflitnrv cllnue. however good the intentions tar flint cllnue may be. Villa. It la said, can "barely read printed script, proceeding by Byllnbles Hue a child, litit tnero is ono uuuis which evidently ho has lenrned. It Is tho truth which Europe Is now realizing to the tune of cannon and cries of woe. Not only a backward nation like Mexico, but a great nation like Germany and a great civinzea rnntlncnt llko Eurooe are today paying tho terrible price of governments beset with tho hden of armaments ann contronea oy hn niirlniis fnr military glory. "There can be no 'land and liberty" for the goplo of Mexico until tho avenues leading neace and progress aro In the hands or. Wnen devoid of military instincts and thrilled with tho. ideals of civic consciousness. Villa's avowed principles are right. May his acts bo governed theroby! Railroad Prosperity-Via Economy COUPLED with the welcome news that the Pennsylvania and tho Reading railroads will not increase thoir passenger rates, as at first announced, is a significant reason In the August report of tho former railroad. Tho net operating income shows a substantial 'increase over last year. It doe3 not mean unusual prosperity for the road; but it does mean unusually good management. For tho Becret of tho Increase is economy. On another occasion when there wns talk of Increased rates, Louis Brandeis called forth cheera and curses by the suggestion that the roads of tho United States could leave rates where they were and save an immenso amount each day by better management. The Pennsyl vania is putting it into practice. In August ttho operating Income of tho system fell oft U'.GOO.OOO, yet the month shows a net gain aver last year of $331,000. Tho answer Is on 1 conomy of over J2,S00,000. Such manago- icnt fulfils every duty to both stockholders and public What America Escaped T7-X THE 19th day of tho Battle of tho J Aisne the losses had been so tremendous, Paris heard, that tho War Office feared to announce them. The black dread of appre hension was better than the facts! Such word IS terrible In Ito significance. It stupe fies. 1'ct out of it comes a new thankful ness for the steady hand that held our troops nt Vera Cruz. Even a tithe of such destruc tion were too much. Labor Making Itself Responsible STRIKES and wars ore on n par as means of settling conflicts. Sometimes they ara recessary, yet always wasteful, nnd the re sult Is only cmbltterment and mutual dls Hatlsfactlon. No strikes seem so deplorable as those over the Jurisdiction of different unions; men 'Vailed out" boeausu some part of a building has been given to the wrong fculon. Six of the blggeM unions jn the build ing trades have decided such differences uhould bo adjusted by mutual agreement instead of by haphazard conflict with the employer. The organitatlons of the brlcltlayers and masons, tho stonscuttars, t'.e carpenters and joiners, th ersineers, th plasterers and tho hod carriers, Including 50o,000 mn In the TnlVsd Statu, wid Canada, have reached an cgrctvnont that will save thousands of dol lars and largo lossea of lima in a single year. Such sane, progressive step toward the civilizing of industrial conflict is singularly auggestlve in thJ face of the Colorado coal operators' answer to President Wilson last vreek. More Land for Settlement FROM time to .time more or les3 earnest efforts have been made to revise the pub-Jlc-land laws so as to bring them into con formity with new conditions. The acuom Ilih:nent has been inadequate. By a report of the Bureau of Corporations it is shown that lS4 timbrfr owners hold in fee over one-twentieth of the land area of the United mates" 105,600,000 acres, or an area two end one-half times as large as New England; sixteen owners hold 47,800,090 acres. It can not be said, of course, that thU land Is Administered In the Interest of the public -welfare. The dangers of the concentrated ownership of land have been exemplified not only In the Vn ted Slates, but in Mexico and JSnjElKAsaln th's country there Is lwreaBlng Pi cf tl'O fa-t that nothing can be etaci in the way of th develop- ment of our agricultural resources: and It Is very plain that when the land barons have Bocured to themselves the presont and poten tial prolltB from non-agricultural resources, like timber, oil, ores and watr.rpower, they will dispose of largo tracts to settlers at prices which may or may not bo reasonable. Sufficient regulation and control should bo exercised over tho disposal of theso great holdings to prevent unduo obstruction of their agricultural utilization. Penrose on PcnroBciBtn TUB Penrose reply to Roosovott's denun ciation Is art delicious nn examplo of humbuggery ns has appeared In American political literature In years. "Mr. Roosevelt," declares the senior Sen ator and directing head of the Organization, "has been delivered bodily Into the control of ono of the most discredited and notorious municipal bosses who has ovor appeared in American politics. Ho seems to havo sur rendered entirely to William l-'llnn, whose nfflllatlons with crooked political methods and scandalous municipal contracts consti tute ono of tho most repugnant chapters in the annals of corrupt politics." Mr. Penrose, it appears, is qulto convinced In IiIb own mind that men who have had anything to do with corrupt politics and crooked political methods should be anath ema. But how apt Ills' excoriation would be if for "Mr. Roosevelt" tho words "Re publican party" were substituted and "Roles Penrose" took the place of "William Flinn." Philadelphia the "Bookies'" Paradise ONCE upon a time It was "Take in your washing, the nctois are coming to town.' Just now It Is tho "bookies" that steal the civic linen. Philadelphia has no racecourse; there is a gambling law on the statute books. But so long ns railroads run nnd horses, too, Havre tie Grace will turn Philadelphia Into a bookmakers' paradise twice a year. Thirty thousand dollars is an "Inside" estimate of tho amount bet here dally In the hotels. What aro wo going to do nbout It? What can be done? Nothing. It Is Bimply tho old interstate skin-game. The righteous man drlvcth evil from his door, and it perches on his neighbor's gate and thumbs Its nose at him. But each year another neighbor casts out the sport of "sports." And there Is hope. Reasonableness of Facts THE ruling class of Germany, which has always been quoting Scripture for Its pur pose, is Justifying Its policy of imperialism in tho nnmo of "culture and civilization." Why not? What is culture for, nnyhow? Is it something to be dispensed to the entire world, or Is It, above all, a license for free and universal exploitation. "Everything that Is, Is reasonable." That was the dictum laid down by Hegel and Interpreted by tho "better" class of Germany to mean that as long ns it had tho power to stifle, to tyran nize, to subjugate, its acts were "reason ble." But Germany may yet learn the lesson that only that Is reasonable which has the factor of necessity and usefulness behind it. rnt. nnmlA nf fiftFmnmr nnrl of thn wnrlr! at I large are rapidly losing patience and sym pathy for arrogance in the nnmc 01 cuuuio and patriotism. And Just as soon as enough of them learn the lesson some thlng3 which seemed perfectly "reasonable" will become exceedingly "unreasonable." Hail, Gentle Humor! HAIL, the books! Gentle Parnassus opens its groves, and all the springs gush forth with a new literary output. The sea son of 1914-15 Is upon us. Wo welcome it, and greet it with smiles. Only may there be no war books among the lot. I-et us havo novels, ye scribblers, novels of love, domestic good-cheer, amity, peace, wholesome adven ture. Give us also some books of humor and let "tho season disclose a fine, new birth of Mark Twains, Artemua Words, Bret Hnrtc, George Ades, Dooleys, tho fellows who make us laugh. Never did the world need laughter more than now. Hall the books especially the books of humor. Preparation and Crisis CHARACTER cannot be transferred from one person to another. It is not a coat to be changed at will, but a moral creation. It cannot be sold like fruit, but muBt bo won by effort. The critical hour which some times decides destiny for the army or tho individual neither makes nor unmakes, but reveals. This is what Wellington meant when he said that the battle of Wnterloo was won on tho cricket field of Eton. Preparation rS the secret of the mastery of the critical hour. Webster's reply to lluyne was a product of an emergency in preparation for many years. In life's small and great things wo must learn to be resolute and strong. One is ready to live worthily when prepared to meet the crisis which Browning calls "tho moment one and Infinite; the tick of one's lifetime," Another rift In the lute of neutrality. Swedish cooking, discovered by the epicures of London, is replacing German. As they say on the street, Mr. Vare has given tho city a concrete example of con tractor bosslsm. There is ntill a chanc for peace in Mexico. In fact, they have peace down there every now and then for several days at a time. Even revolutionists must rest. Recording the reinforcements that turned the tide for the Allies, a headline writer an nounces with unwitting wit: "Some Troops from Thibet." "Some" indeed. If something is not done to stay the im petuous course of the German Crown Prince, the indications are strong that the throne of the Hohenzollerns stands a good chance of having a new heir. I Doctor urumnaugn naa "no respect for bosses and no concern for what they do." The bosses, however, will have a lot of re spect for Doctor Brumbaugh when he once gets the reins in his hands. Of course a man with a name Jik Maran ville can't object If the summary of one game abbreviates him to "Mr'nvl" and puts him down as "Maville" in the other half of the double-header. Men who frequent saloons and dives al wajs register. They are the backbone of political corruption here rnd everywhere else. Yet, even so, the dissolute character who does register and does vote Is a better citizen than the reputable gettleman who does' neither. Of course If that man Ishara called an ad miral a liar this Government should refuse to test or accept the Isham torpedo, no mat- - ...1... ,.n .. .1. T. ... li.l... Uf lor mo v nuea states ."i cru-osun lan guage and manner were not objectionable to the department. PASSED BY THE CENSOR EVERY city, town and village In this wide land of ours has Its so-called characters, nnd Philadelphia Is no exception. Every evening, rain or shine, a well-dressed man may bo seen, sometimes at Tonth'and Market streets, other times at Arch and Broad, liU eyes closed, walking slowly to and fro, de claiming God's word In stentorian tones. He never asks for a cent, never speaks to any one. Ho is said to cam his living making brooms. But it was In West Philadelphia, In tho days gone by, that a man and a woman formed a quaint dual figure. Ho was old and bent. She was wrinkled and withered. He walked down, or up, one side of the street, bellowing: "Any iimbiellas to mend?" And his wife would follow on the other side, Intoning in a shrill voice: "And he's the boy con do it." SPEAKING of characters recalls one cre ated by Alexander Hweot In his paper, Texas Sittings, at one lime the best-known humorous weekly In this country. Colonol Bill Snort, the chavacter in question, lived In Iho While House, ran the country for the President nnd advised Its occupant on things Important and otherwise. So realistically wai the character drawn that, when .President McKlnley swung the circle in Texas, the en thusiastic natives yelled loudly and long for Bill Snort. But the worst Is yet to come. Colonol Sweet Is authority for the story that a man named McGrath, living in San Antonio, who expected a son and heir, wa3 so loyal to Snort that when n daughter arrived he named her Snortlana McGrath! THE most interesting of all modern char acters was the old Leather Man, clad from head to foot In buckskin, who tramped tho hills and dales of Westchester County, Now York, and lived in a cave near Sing Sing. Ho was found dead there in 1SS9. In his cease less wanderings he did occasional odd jobs In plumbing and repairing, but Invariably re fused money for his work, being contented with food or tobacco. He slept In barns. It is said that he was crazed through an unfor tunate love affair In France in 1SC6. As young and good looking Jules Bourglay ho had won the hand ot a wealthy leather merchant's daughter and had entered the man's employ to prove his worthiness. Ho speculated In leather, nnd when a crnsh came in that com modity his employer as well ns himself was Impoverished, nnd his hopes blasted. His mind was unhinged by tne snoci;, nna no came to this country, resolved to do penance by always wearing leather. IT IS STILL a moot question whether Kaiser William was crowned or not. Ac cording to current gossip, tho Kaiser, seeking to be crowned as Emperor of Germany, in stead of German Emperor, after the manner of Charlemagne, sought consent of the rulers of the German homogeny. Several of tho potty rulers refused to give their acknowl edgment, being Jealous of Prussian domi nance. As a result, it is alleged, the Kaiser grew angry and declined to be crowned. Still another story has It that he waited for tha official ceremony until It could take place In Westminster Abbey, although this is a bit doubtful, even for so ambitious a ruler as William. AN INSTANCE where opportunity knocked J and was not admitted is related by a Philodelphian, who in other days lived at a mining camp. One day a prospector asked him to visit a diamond mine with a view to buying. The twain drove to the mine. "Where Is it?" asked the Philadelphia viewing only a pond, with a couple ol weazened ducks on its surface. "Oh, It's there all right. All you've got te do Is to drain olf the water," explained tho minor. "If that's all. you'd better get some darned fool to buy It." And the prospector got a "darned fool," who bought it, and is now ranked as one ol the richest men In England. STOLID, unimaginative Albion has Just one pet superstition in which she believes with considerable lmpliclty Just now, In view of the destruction of four of her cruis ers by German submarines. This superstl .inn .,.n.nt.na iVtft rliiim of Admiral Drake, l 11UII .w-. J ..." - ! about which Henry Newbolt wrote: Take my drum to England, hang it by the hore. Strike It when your powder's running low; If the Dons sight Devon, I'll quit the port of heaven And drum thorn up the Channel, as we drummed them long ago. Whllo Drako's memory was still green. In other days, the Dutch sought lo wrest the supremacy of tho seas away from England and at tho tap of the drum, so the story goes. Drako's spirit wns reincarnated in Blake. Agiiin, when Napoleon threatened invntdon with his legions and tho fate ot England rested on her navy, the beating of the drum brought Horatio Nelson to the fore. Now, perhaps, home one will beat tho drum which Is In possession of a descendant of Drake's brother nnd rests In Bucklnnd Abbey, and cause Admiral Jelllcoe to smash the German licet. A LION once escaped from a traveling circus, somewhere In tho Pennsylvania Dutch etmntry. and all night searchers scoured the country for the animal. Finally they came to a lonely farmhouse, according to the story. "Did you see a Hon tonight?" they asked the woman. "I never seen no Hon, hut a goll darned big calf etraycil Into tho yard tonight, and I tied him to tho pump," replied the woman. She had told the truth, for It was-a calf! BRADFORD. CURIOSITY SHOP The Red Cross was originated In 1862 by Henry Dunant, a Swiss. In the year men tioned ho vUlted the principal European cities in behalf of his plan, and In 1SC3 the first Red Cross organization was effected in Geneva. The convention which actually called tho Red Cross Society, as It exists today. Into being waH held in Geneva on August 22, 1564. The Debatable Land was a strip of terri tory between Scotland and England between tho Rivers Esk ami Sark. Jn 1542 it was I11 fefted by criminals, and tn get the better of them a commiswton divided the tract, the northern half going to Scotland and the othir to England. Ku-Zu was the familiar appellation ap piled to the Zouao of the Union army. The name was more or less Immortalized in a comic song of the rebellion: My lute is a V.u-'Sm. so gallant and bold: He's rousb and he's haiuhtome, scarce 19 years old Aceldama was the 'den name for a field of battle where mu-n slaughter had taken place It was applied .originally to a locajlty ... Ttanln, tlM1t.f Wit tlT. AO pieces of Oliver for' which Judas betrayed Jesus. "Tho Stuarts' Fatal Number" waa 88. James III was killed in flight near Bannock burn in 1488. Mary Stuart was beheaded in 1B88. James II of England was dethroned in 1688, Charlos Edward died In 1788. James Stuart, the Pretender, waa born In 1688, the year In which his father abdicated, IN A SPIRIT OF HUMOR Not in His Line "So you've been abroad. How did you like tho Riviera?" "Oh, I didn't waste any time In the art galleries. I'm not Interested In paintings. Cabbage, Hay, ct al. Of all that hide and masquerade In other's clothes, I ween, The worst offender Is that jade Milady nicotine. Difficult "Paw, what's a physical Impossibility?" "For tho butt of a joke to see Its point, my sop." The Offense "What are you In for7" asked his cellmate, "Smashing a chair." "What?" "Suie somebody's head was under It. Disgraced From early youth ho closely scanned And studied late nnd long and hard The works of masters, for he planned To he a bard. And after many years his song Became a strong and graceful blend; But ere he had been singing long He met his end. As If unto tho dangor blind, Tho greatest sin ot all ho sinned; He wrote some verse about the wind And called It wind! A Notable Exception Mrs. Camden It is said that great batttes nre always followed by a rain. Mr. Camden Waterloo was an exception. "I don't remember reading about that." "Don't you? Well, Waterloo ended Napo leon's reign." A Professional "Queer-looking character I saw you talk ing to. One of your employes?" "No; he'a In business for himself." "What does he do?" "Ho's a panhandler." The Kctort Western Said n visitor up In Dakota, "For this clime I care not an lota; It Is colder than blazes." Said his friend, "It nmazos, But you don't have to stay you can gota." The Source "Where do the Inventors get their Ideas for all these queer modern dances?" "By watching novices trying to learn the old ones." Why Should He? Discerning observers may note a pau city of mother-in-law, coal, hay fever, foot ball and equally seasonable and time-honored jokes. Their place is being token by pleas antries on Przcmysl and similar sneezes. Which gives rise to curiosity aa to how a man with tho hay fever would pronounce Przcmysl. in all probability lie wouldn't. There's a Reason "I wish wo had more literary people like Blank." "Great Scott! ho's never had anything published." "That's just why." Chicago Inter Ocean. Pesneful There was a young man from Duquesne. Whose family name wan Lcsnc. 'Twaa a terrible pity! He tried to be witty, Although unencumbered with bresne. Christian Register. Identified An English recruit was stopped in the street recently by an officer for failing to salute. The young fellow confessed his ig norance of the regulations (having only Just enlisted) und received an Impromptu lesson. The dialogue concluded, tho recruit saluted correctly. "By the way," said tho officer, "to what company do you belong?" "Please, sir, to tho Wlgan Coal and Iron Company," was tho reply. Manchester Guardian. Counting on Father She I'm afraid poor papa will miss me when we nre married. He Why, Is your father going away? Boston Tratibcrlpt. Reforms "I shall not use tobacco." Said lltle Robert Reed, "I shall not shock my system With what I do not need, I shall not use tobacco. Because It is a curse; I'll eat a largo green apple Which will make me feel much worse." Washington Star. At the Beach Maude My long suit Is bathing. Aunt Anne I'mph I'd hate to seo your short one. Jacksonville Times-Union. Dcucribeil "Pa, what's a sU-go gnu?" "It's a mechanical device used for altering maps, my son." Boston Transcript. - Paid in Their Own Coin When S. R. Crockett offered his first book to a certain firm of publishers they returneJ It with a curt noie Informing him that there was "no market for this sort of work." In the corner of the note was the Index mark "No. 306C." Some time later, when Mr. Crockett had be come famous, this same firm wrote asking him to allow them to publish I1I3 next book. Mr. Crockett, who had rnrefully presered their former rwie letter, poiueiy replied by asking them to refer to their own litter book under the sign "No. S9CC." That closed the corre spondence. Pittsburgh Press, THE INDIAN ARMY Into Hip West they are marching! This is their longed-for day Whan that which England gave them they may at Inst repay; When for the faith she dealt them, peasants and priests and lords. When for the love they bear her, they shall unsheathe their swords! Men of the plains and hillmen, men born to warrior rolen. Tall men of matchless ardor, small men with mighty souls. Rulers alike and subjects; splendid the rollcall lings Rajah and Miharjjahs, Kings and the soni of Kings, Hinant'. Patlala, Ratlam and Kishangarh, Jodhpur. who rides the leopard down, Sachln and Cooch-Behar, From lands where skies are molten and uns strike down and parch. Out of the East they're marching, into the West they march Oh, little nimble Gurkhas, who've won a hun dred lights, Oh. Slkhs-the Sikhs who failed not upon the Dargal heights, Rajputs, against whose valor once la a younger world Ruthless, unceasing, vainly, the Mogul's hosts were hurled. Gray are our Western daybreaks and gray our Western aktes. And vary cold the night watch unbroke by jackal' cries; Hard, too. will be the waiting you do not love to wilt? Aye, but the charge with bayonet they'll sound It soon or latel -B. g. Yn04e, la Iho London IUa, DONE IN PHILi WITH the exit of the Nows-Post the other day, Philadelphia, for tho third time In less than a year, stood dry-eyed at tho bier of on evening newspaper. For tho Item and the Evening Times had at decent Intervals preceded tho News-Post Into oblivion. The fatality In each tnstanco might bo said to havo been the Biimc falluro to recognize tho peculiar field newspapers have to cover In Philadelphia. In each instance the end came suddenly, but as all of the Journals men tioned had shown Blgns of falling health, the demise was not unexpected. THOSE who know the Item only In Us last stages of debility can havo no adequate Idea of tho Immense success that paper once had here. It was started by Colonel Thomns FltzGerald In 1847 ns a weekly. It was a lively sheet, and as the Colonol look a deep Interest In literature, art nnd music, the item stood for something. Colonel FltzGerald wrote several popular songs and a few suc cessful plays that had a good run nt tho Chestnut Street Theatre In Laura Kcene'a time. Afterward he Issued a Sunday Item, which contained the social gossip of alt who would send It In, and sometimes the sheet had men out to gather theso news Items. There wan no mysterious lino of social demarcation; no north or south of Market street to test the social validity of the parties. But the dances, balls, "sociables" nnd other entertainments were reported ns fully as their members could write of them. , IT WASN'T high artln Journalism, but It made business, and' that was what the Colonel wanted. Then, tho Item was pro gressive in Its stand on Improvements, and Its local news wns always told In the fullest detail If the caso reported happened to be sensational. A good murder was likely to fill three columns, and a first-class suicide waa always good for a column, with nlco little, halr-ralslng, breath-stopping subheads that seemed to spring from their appointed place In the article to becomo a kind of field mar shal for the typo that followed. In those days the Item used to receive Its general news from the morning papers. It did not have much to pay for telegraph tolls or cablegrams. I remember hearing that the Colonel had rccolved permission from Georgo W. Chllda to got two Public Ledgers from the Lrdoeh cellar as ho passed every morning at 5 o'clock on his way to the Item ofllce. By 7 o'clock, when tho first of the printers arrived, the Colonel had columns of news, with alluring headlines over them, ready to bo set Into type. At times he took a. fancy to tho editorials In tho morning papers and these also were introduced ob the editorial opinions of tho Item the same day. The Colonel did not believe in disturbing credit lines. Tho Colonol was "strong" on local happen ings, nnd these, ns I have indicated, were treated in a manner that was original with the Item. The paper was regarded ns so sensational that even its daily readers did not always place implicit confidence in what they read in its columns. In this they prob ably were unjust, for excepting details of harrowing accidents, murders or other excit ing matters, I bellevo that an attempt at truth was always made. IN THOSE days, say 25 or 30 years ago, the Item, even if It did not havo the circula tion figures painted on its many wagons, did exceed that of all the other evening papers combined, and this In spl'e of tho fact that the Item was by no means so good as tho others. What was tho reason? It was the Himplcst thing in the world, but it took years for the other evening papers to discover and appreclato It at its true value. The reason for this immense circulation of the old Item was that In the remote parts of the city the Item was the only afternoon pa per that could bo bought. It was also dis tributed regularly at all points within a radius of 35 or 40 miles from Philadelphia. And It was the only Philadelphia afternoon sheet that you could buy when away from the city. If a traveler wanted a Philadelphia afternoon paper at South Bethlehem he had to buy the Item. And he did buy it. But progressive as the Item was In those days, when Its distribution required probably more than BO wagons every day, it neglected to spend money on the improvement of the sheet Itself. The newspaper businoss was moving at a fast pace, but the Colonol did not seo It. He had borrowed his general news for so long that he did not realize that the time had come to change. THE story of the -ther two evening papers that have recently left us Is in some re spects a very different one. While the Fltz Geralds did not recognize the demands that were being made upon newspapers of the better tpe, the owners of the Evening Times nnd of tho News-Post did not realize that In the Quaker City they had a peculiar problem to solve if they expected a conquest of the field. It must have beendlsturblng to the Scrlpps McRae Syndicate to learn that their publica tion would not go in Philadelphia. They had done the same sort of thing In other parts of the country, and had made good. The West had taken their Idea to their satisfac tion, and, of course, they very naturally did not believe that Philadelphia would behave differently. But It did. It is not too much to say that Philadelphia has always behaved differeutly from any other American city. BECAUSE Philadelphia Is so very different, promoters of various kinds of enterprises fall here while they have mnde fortunes else where. They then go forth and tell the rest of the country that Philadelphia Is a back number. But we are not angered or oven hurt. We forgive them and return to our la bors as if nothing had happened. GRANVILLE. THE IDEALIST Thousands of young men and young women are forced to give up school or college before the copipletion of their courses. It Is safe to say that only a small percentage of these plan out a course of self-education and adhere to It. A fallacy exists In the minds of many whose educational work Is cut short to the effect that one cannot possibly obtain any where else the knowledge which a school or college course offers. A young man or young woman intent upon continuing ht6 or her education work has the problem nlne-tenths solved when he or she refus.es to believe in this fallacy. It is only necessary to look around In order to learn that the opportunities for self-education are well-nigh unlimited: that the opportunities are almost free of cost. There are free lecture course In all sorts of Institutions and upon all sorts of topics; there are libraries with thousands upon thou sands of valuable books. At umall cost there &re trcVeiOgUCti IIlUailiM CIUCI IUI1III4CU19, 411- ' dustrial exhibitions and what not. 1 x .,r.,,,.rr naniAn rah claim. If he Is worth his salt, that the material is not easy of ac cess, Ufi PX & Pa UaI Justly. -friUclse a tn learn. dies a lot of fun And enthusiasm. ILitW'Atton, you win nnoi furnishes equally as lliuch, If you will only! persist long cnougn in it. xnis is uio ituj happiness of achievement. VIEWS OF READERS ON TIMELY TOPICS Contributions That Reflect Public Opin ion on Subjects Important to City, State nnd Nation. To the Editor of the Xvenlno Lttaert Sir I have read with Interest In the Issue of the EVENiNd Ledoer on September 26 the edi torial, "Calm of Germany." The following sentences seemed to mo par tlcularly Interesting: "It Is only now that sober second thought Is beginning to draw from our minds the animus that was natural to the first news of war. Wo are beginning to contrast the differing spirits In which the combatants have undertaken tho titruRglfl. Wo are learning more and more of the petty hysteria that flooded England and France with confusion worse confounded. We arc discovering from returned tourists that It did not extond to Germany. It does much to bring back sanity whon we learn that Berlin proceeds on almost its normal course, with theatres open, trams running, ready money for all and no moratorium, We must at least ro npect such signs of civilization In the faeo ot world-wldo vituperation and hysteria " Permit mo to lemlnd you of an editorial pub , llshed some days ago, entitled "True to Their Convention : "Through tho hideous red war mist two ifaCts stand out plainly. One fact Is that Great dlrlt aln, with sincerity that must bo conceded,, car ried out her written promise, her trcaty pllghted wotd lo Belgium. She knew there would be a fearful price to pay; she didn't fal ter; that future nBreemciits wilt mean what they say, and shall not bo 'scraps of paper, to bo torn nnd tossed to the winds at the cynical caprice of any ruler." Can It be that this "sober second thought" of the Evening Lkdoek owes Its conception to German Influence? I3LBANOR CUYLER PATTERSON. Chestnut Hill, Pa., September 26, 11)14. MORE WAR TALK To the Editor of the Evening Ledger: Sir We are looking at this war as Americans; It Is a formative period of our nationality. Wo do not want to be Russian-Americans ori French or Italian, German or English, theroroirej anything which tends to excite and keep altvel lace antagonisms Is a crime against our nation ality, our fatherland. As Americans we cannotj but note the arrogance and overweening disre gard of the feelings nnd rlchts of others whlchj Is being displayed by thoso Americans whoso origin Is In one cf the tribes now at war, Wcj can sympathize with the Idea of "Tho Father land," but we do not want to have it crammed down our throats as if no other nation had thtl same feeling, perhaps not expressed In sucll uncouth gutturals, but Just as real Among thoso who voluntarily left their native land andl declared their Intention of becoming Amerlcara citizens, and who now nre not to any groat oxl tent offering their blood for that name Father! land, tho tendency to flaunt the cry in the fac of their fcllow-cltlzcns Is not only ueplornDli had manners, but a. positive wrong. If nns doubt this let them read a publication recentll started called "Tho Fatherland.' AN AMERICAN. Philadelphia, October 1, 1914. PENROSE AND LIQUOR To the Editor 0 the Evening Ledger: Sir On the last page of to-day's EvnNir LEDQEn I note two attacks on Penrose aimed the direction. of the barroom. Roosevelt llnlj up crooked politics with liquor support, a your enterprising photographer shows tho wj dow ot a bottling establishment with the Sc ntor'a face prominently displayed. The Inf ence In both cases Is, of courso, that Pcnnj must bo evil because of his connection wj the liquor interesta, and should, therefore, defeated. I. myself, am thoroughly in sympathy w the effort to annihilate Penrose; he Is a blotpn the State map. But I am sorry thut any thine in the campaign ngjlnst him should seem to miko capital for the already strong prohibition move ment which Is sweeping tho South and thifeat ens even Pennsylvania. Prohibition Is not the right way to deal with the liquor question. There are many evils In the trado, just as there aro old gang politicians In the Republican puty. Both need purging. Strict Government rcl.ula tlon, ultimate ownership. Is what the whisky trado needs. Meanwhile, let us not lonfuso Is suer. B. B. K. Philadelphia, September 29. 1914. COMPLAINS OF MOTORMEN To the Editor 0 the Euening Ledger; Sir I desire to call your attention to the fla grant disregard of the "safety first" principles on tho part ot motormen on our street cars. Time and ngnln I havo nitlccd their hands oft starters and brakes. Time and again I have seen them talking with the conductor, or some passenger, their head turned backward Some conductors havo a habit not only of talking to women of their acquaint m e, who may be passengeis. but of iorcing their more or less welcome attentions on young girls I trust that tho Philadelphia Rapid Transit Company will take cognizance of this, com plaint. GCORGE V. YAHNALL. Philadelphia. October I. SEARCHING FOR THE "BUREAU" To the Editor 0 the Evening Ledger: Sir-Can any reader Ull me when It was that Philadelphia adopted its present habit of de bcriblng the custodians o'f our peace .is "The Bureau of Police." and In general of oiibsti tutlng "bureau" for ' department" ' Hit e;v pression Is novel to most American iiiim. ami yet has a certain sense of clllcltiuy ai..i .lenity about It. J ''; l- Uermantown, October 1. OUT FOR THE I'LOORAl ALKLR To the Editor 0 the Evening Lrdgt r: airWhy worry over tho thopcirlf, inatten tion? The lofty floor-walker m -Is p tittle chastening. Have you ever tried to find out anything from one of tliee inoroe and ab utrarted gentlemen? W A. 1L I'hlladelphia, jFeptembcr 10. The Three Twin! Krom th Savannah Morning New Three of a kind George Fn d illiums, Sir Lionel Cardeu ami A. Rustcin Be NATIONAL POINT OV VIEW MotorUts hae fiood reason to levo. ag the proposal of Co.igicss to Include m its war revenue bill a t ' '' ,e,s l,er ,lor cr.ower on motor vehicles Horton Transiiipt Nobody in the standpat camp is finding any comfort tn the announcement that I'naideat Wilson Is to make his campaign lor the Pemo crats this year b mean of letters. A A lUon letter In politic, rebembles a Herman hovuuer In war. New York JVorld It will be hard for Poctor .MuenMerberg to persuade us that such a war un Una is ju lined by a desire to increase the number uf Germans under the German (lag. It wt.uW he much better to keep up the plea of a defense e war. Springfield Republican. The difficulties which oui iioxeinme t 0' Washington is having with tiieat Hniur . e A... sf inmiMr If. Ililllaii.l 3ii & .-ii,t tn Bnipii.cino v. ,-- . -.....-... ... -1. -..-.-i... natural incliientH of anv v.Ar b k o; 3 I in,, ...... - - , , 1 ' the UOCllllie Uf 11,1111 niMtiiii iiriiiaii h v. a. I enca dispute Is unavoidable. -New i.il. 1 1 That the 63d Conircs has done .1 sitrw n-a I nt work vWll not be denied. The iiualii. i its OIJIPUI 9 WH'Jvv v. ....,,...- . ,.. ..9 IDE ber$ are entitled to 3. test, the cuumr; i iv i.,i U rat nnH nit iiMlinii.il intrn t . .f ...... i i n : 11I1 luiit nt illfirtllt0 Tlitf it. v .--. UUfU iw .v. -..-- .---. . . ,. ponance wuum omici 1 . .w JT 4k totifty. rew iwitv .sun vjj T'i..rA riiulil liardh bt hi-Hc reaiiir fn. those looking ahftd thai me v u- ric'v for 110.060 barrels ot flout I o IV focfi use, ana u we wp.i tvc' ' J l h- f-Ant hainfr llir- nnlv t e iCn K ' "J -1 r--. . has Jut snipped in IV"! -.-- ---- - tKlfFa ' O I l'..,l . . Greece, being tne d ( a , ..-.-,, silt New. c buying here tv Ttmej
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers