' a. & i W& I EVr BV ir IS-'. Wv P':'f-:, " ' EVENING PUBLIC igy- i -i - . . .'SI' Bubticlwaec LEDGER COMPANY rm i irf miasa y. . Plreclort. . 'r IDITORIAL BOARDi k .tfPtty.'?fi ??',V, ?',?y. .Editor C.. MARTIN. t.Otneral Business Manager lhs.llot dtllr at Polio Umii Building-. . JMlMXndtnc Square, Philadelphia. MH, Cstcra..,.,, Broad and Chestnut Strei AtVAali 10 CITT... .... .Press-Uniait TlulMlna . . . - - . - .-....-- -. -. . .rrcts-inui uuudi vntiMiMti bvo jiietn SOS Metropolitan Tower ,t.... ...... ....403 rota Huiidim !, m.--10Os Fulterton Uulldlns '. 1202 Tribune liulldlna ' '" Kcw ntmnifTBi WMrtrmTotr Bciric, . r-...-.' tor. i'i f(W f4UC 6uaK... Cor. rnnsiirsnia Ave. end 14th XI. ......Hrt nun uulldlm i Hum TttillHInw Maironl House, strand ..9 n,,a fAiil 1m fTranrf maw. ps uo.. riVj.!- annflrmoTinM wmm K e!"';01 Pblio Li Dot a li served to ub rtbsea In Philadelphia and surrounding towna t the rate of. twelve (12) cents per week, payable -tV mall to polnta outtld of Philadelphia. In United States. Canada or United States tv ,w- iree. nuy idvi cenia per montn. allere per year, payable In advance. Mr, th. " "" """' " Itfj'.NoTiCS Subscribers wlihlnr address chanted .-Hst give old aa well at new addreea. , MIX, MM T ALSUT KEYSTONE. MAIN 100 lie? i ' .. f Li La A ,bf -. nit rAminttnlVnffjwi in yv,li rN.filiA WV.-- IVe-aer, Independence Aware, Philadelphia. MI1IO AT TRI rBII.iDlt.rHli rolT OltlCI It SICOSD CUU ll.lb U1TTII. Phllidtlphle. Taenia-, Ftsruar- 19, ltll WRONG LABEL ON THE RIGHT SCHEME 'TT IS reported from Florida that Govcr- nor Brumbaugh may call a special scs- 11 svlon of the Legislature to consider the pro- fy posed prohibition amendment. Tho spe cial session woutd also be asked to reap- ;" portion the State, a thing already too long delayed, but probably brought up now Merely as camouflage. Tho Governor, It appears. Is fearful lest the prohibition amendment be ratified by the rcqulslto number of States befoto Pennsylvania has had an opportunity to act. There ought to be a special session, but not for the reason assigned. There Is as much chance of the present legislature approving national prohibition as there Is ef tho Germans voluntarily surrendering Belgium. It Is not oven a local option Legislature and has as much sympathy for prohibition as a duck has for tho Sahara. Nor Is It either right or proper that this great Commonwealth should be dedicated to so radical a change In tho method of exercising sovereign police power as Is entailed lit national ptohlbltlon Without the direct sanction of the electo rate. We do not know that a referendum on the proposed amendment Is requisite, but it certainly is apparent that In select Ing representatives at Harrlsburg tho peo ple should have tho opportunity of choos ing between those known to favor the amendment and those equally well known aa antagonistic to it. There Is no exigency requiring mad haste. Haste Is, In fact, to -..be, deprecated, for ratifying a constitutional amendment Is very much like dying the action cannot be recalled. One affirmative 7 outweighs tons of subsequent negatives. Action so complete In Its results ought never to bo taken until argument has been exhausted and all the cards are on the table. Thero are things of vastly more Impor tance than ratification of the proposed prohibition amendment, but they appear to have mado no Impression on the execu tive mind at Harrlsburg. In our coal mines we have an essential war munition on which the safety of tho world Is de pendent and the comfort of millions, in cluding Pennsylvanlans. Considering tho abuses which resulted -In the intense suf fering of our own people during the win ter, it would seem to be the part of wisdom for the Stat Government to follow the lead of Ohio and make some Inquiries of its own Into the situation, with particular reference to abatement of suffering next Winter. Interference with the Federal Government would be out of the question, Kit there are ways and means, wo think, ef helping our own people without Impair ing national efficiency. It is becoming apparent that food con trol, while excellent, is a negative policy, and people are beginning to wonder why more attention Is not paid to the stimula tion of production. They, feel that plenty for our allies and ourselves can be giown. But encouragement of the farmer Is more jer less Indirect and he seems to be wholly '-j',wVthout that Immediate financial encour- agement which has been given manufac- jfcS?urcra. and otner essential Industries. It Is jtwlthln the power of Pennsylvania to do K,( a little stimulation of production on its Kv', own account, thus rendering enormous art's J "" " "3 W .0 VTT. )JWVtO b,(U U UIO LICV- SJ'A . ... .l ... . ?, a.Ht.f.Ai a (fa Ar n.ni.1. ami .t .lis K AfPiPiPi an mo otner oiaies ana .Aiuea na ff'i.tlons. I.oans of cash under wise but I '.'.t'Mnamlti .-An,, I tint-IB wmiM InAtifm i,t,A CV eV'tVIVHS v..b wwa.i utUHVV .VM.tO l-muti. of all proportion to the Investment, g? '-without Iocs of a single dollar. The Com P .."'' " ... .... ;. . .. .. . & YMtanweaiui, a vepiaoie nation in iiseir, nas M - w. 'fltht, o be content with a mere aaeo- i'iVSisia'to performance of duty. Its prestige 'requires that It be energetic In Initiating 7 lieJpfuV maasurt8 of Its own and bringing Ueain'-to, consummation. Bff Rv, ad! means let us have an extra sea. .. M?vri- . . N . .ktttJt;U be a war session, called to ;tbf resources of the State more firmly ! Uia warj and, not a session designed. ."Vir.l" . ....- . it ,' in tuuia -arguaieni ana tm with' nothing worth while done. . A HAVKN FOR GUNMEN i 1 '"'- uirvueiiiL. S)Uiinicri7 lu sarim:to have advaf-, "news u int out about tho country that gunmen were needed at our polls to clarify election issues. He.fr York once monopolized the gun man'a trade, but operation of the Sullivan law, making It a crime to carry a weapon without a license, and tho electrocution of Ave men In the notorious Becker case have discouraged professional thugs In Manhattan, Guns should be treated as drugs. Thero should be an anti-gun Har rison act. Uvpry weapon should bo regis tered, just ns' every grain of narcotic In every druggist's possession Is accounted for, and the would-be purchaser of a weapon should be compelled to show a Stato license beforo It Is sold to him. Add to that long prison terms for violations and we would begin to see daylight ahead. PERSUING UNDER FIRE PKRSHLNG has been under fit c not the dangerous Uro of criticism to which our British cousins subject their gencrati, but tho equally discouraging flro of ar tillery. It li not likely that the captain whom Mr. Roosevelt promoted to brigadier general over the heads of 862 colonels, lieutenant colonels, mnjors and captains will be easily discredited. Mr. Iloosevclt took tho full measure of caustic comment that Is tho penalty for acting on Inspira tion, and thus removed one rock from Mr. Wilson's thorny path. Tho American commander put on a trench helmet and went where anything Is likely to happen. "Black Jack" never was afraid of anything, but good gcncruls are too rare to take chances on. If wo can trust Mr. Bernard Shaw's version of shells we can feel fairly safe. That dramatist remarked that tho typical and almost necessary thing for n shell to do Is to miss Its mark; If It were not so. neither fclde would have any men to light with. Kings and queens go under lire regularly, and even klng-balters such as Mr. II. G. Wells have seen the dust fly. "Several of the silly Zeppelin bombs." he has tcmarked, "have fallen near my home In Essex." Criticism abroad Is more violent and general than It Is here because every ono over there Is on speaking terms with tho worst critic of all Death. OPEN-AIR LABOR DIPLOMACY THE return of the striking shipyard workers to their ltally necessary work followed so promptly the President's re quest that it Is evident no great labor up heaval was contemplated. An attempt was mudo to play the game of politics with Mr. Wilson, a game In which when It's heads Mr. Wilson wins and when It's tails the other fellow loses. Undiluted publicity Is the Wilson for mula for the politics of labor. The Presi dent declined to hold a private conference with Sir. Ilutcheson, of the carpenters' union, a decision quite In line with his de termination to Introduce open-air diplo macy In the arangement of all public af fairs. If public discussion is not the way to get justice for thohe engaged on work for tho public, then this Is not u self-governing nation. SAVING THE SUN'S RAYS DAYLIGHT savins Is scheduled to be come a reality, tho Senate having passed tho bill and favorable action by the Iloufec being expected this week. We shall all set our clocks ahead ono hour lit summer, in order to use a morning hour of daylight usually xpent In bed and save an hour's use of artificial light at the end of the day. The father of the quaint Idea was an Kngllshman, one William Wlllett, who wrote a pamphlet on "Waste of Daylight" In 1307, It Is usually an Englishman who fathers a quaint Idea. The umbrella was Invented by a citizen of tho rainy little Island, and everybody for a long time laughed at him and the queer contrivance with which he sallied forth. Everybody laughed at Wlllett for nine years. War brought pcoplo to their senses and to economy, and after Germany adopted day light saving on April 0, 1916, alt Europe followed suit. Germany was first to act because the order was put through by the Federal Council and because In the doing of anything of Interest to tho people the German people are never consulted. The British are saving $12,000,000 on gas and electric light bills In a single sea son. This city will save about $600,000 In gas alone, which seems out of proportion with the British bill, but then Phlladel phlans pay an exorbitant price for gas and the British do not Whtn the politicians are busy it hehons the friends of good government to keep their brains working. Wo are getting to the point whore stamina counts. If we have not got it wo are not worth saving. Socialist complaints are quite justified. If onee we admit the premise. Who would want to hold an unsedltlous peace meeting? Mr. Potter not only permits us to lay In a year's coal supply this spring, but actually Insists that we do. And just when we are paying out our coal money In Income taxes! We may be forced to make the Interned enemy aliens eat the same war bread that we do, but let us follow the highest dictates ot humanity and not stint them on sauer kraut. An Austrian newspaper says Wilson's war alms are more brutal than those of Lloyd George. But neither has a Belgium on his conscience yet, or a Lusltanla or a Zeppelin raid. Every ene possessing wheat-flour In ex cess ot a thirty-day supply must report his or her holdings to Jay Cooke. Federal food administrator for the city. Promptness In doing so Is an acid test of a real desire to help the Government. The doctor says the Colonel Is well on the way to recovery. John T. King, Repub lican National Committeeman for Connecti cut, says he Is well on the way to the White House, and has started a campaign to make that recovery complete. According to the Assistant Secretary ot the Navy, German submarine baies cm the Belgian coast are relatively unimportant, being used only by the older and lets power ful 'submersible. All .the more (reason why ;w should get In behind Heligoland. 3, Ogden Armour, who says I2.7S a day la enough for the average American family, "should' cet' into 'quick touch with Charles M, ihwns, "who says the workers are coon to Mrtaiko tt2tttt'&&222?& fHE PENNYPACKER AND DIVORCE Governor Did All in His Power to Help in Codifying of Laws on Subject rr.NNr.tKi;ii AiioniooiiArnv no. so (Copvrtoht, Hit, bit PuMia tcdoc Compani.) THE lark of tho West, Uurgoyne, of Pitts burgh, sang a song of Jitbllfe: GREATER PITTSBURGH From the rittihursh t.eeder. 1'ebruary S, H0) Sing out, ye mighty bands of bras. Let drums and trumpets blithely Found A strain of pralscl Let glass with glass Ho clinked. Aye. and for miles n tern ml Let nil true men like Joy display! The Greater Town comes now to stay. Yes, after nit the weary sears Of battling; after nil tho Jats Sustained by gallant pioneers Of progress, they'vo let down tho bars At last and given us a nhow All Hvul cities to outgrow. Old Allegheny, which Is sunk hi torpor, now must needs nwuke. N'o moro can she hang back and flunk And odious race nnd Icl'iiro take. She's part of tis henceforth and must Play ball nnd ralso her .linro ot dust. Our Mfly'r will henceforth cxrrclse A broad nnd mighty rnlershlp. A giant town he'll supervise: A town that's destined to outstilp Its peers whenever he cnntiols A solid half a million soul. And we shall spread. N'o pow'r fan stop The movement that is tinder way To land old Pittsburgh right on top. No pow'r on earth can e'er gainsay Our fitness thus to rise nnd shlno And 'mid the first hang out our sign, For we have riches, we have torco, And biains nnd enterprise and grit, And onco there's naught to block our course We'll surely make a bigger lilt Than here or on u forcfcit shoic A town has ever made before. Your hand. Sam PeiiuypacKer. nu llavo neon to us a friend In need. Our plans seemed destined to fall through When to the front you came to plead Our cause. The Legislature heard And to Its Inmost heart was stlrrM. tlenco conies that great, that priceless boon. Tlie famous Greater Pittsburgh bill. Which means our exaltation soon. Whlrli means that wo shall soon fulfill Our destiny In rojal style. And bo tho topmost of the pile. Sing out, then, O c braen bands! Ve drums and trumpets rend tho air! The message send throughout all lands That Greater Pittsburgh Is nil there. And will be yet so please the Fates King bee in those United States. Whoop! Praise From Fow Even John II. Fow, a member of tho House, could not resist the Impulse to write sonic verse. Fow was a character qulto unusual. Tlin son of a German butcher, born In Kensington, and much in tho rough, he read law. Because of lib huge 'voice be held the sobriquet of "Fog Horn Fow." Short and fat, when ho spoke he shook nil over. When he argued ho be gan in tho middle of tho itopodt!oii and worked both ways at once with the most Intcnso energy. Yet worthy and assldu OU3, he won respect and, what Is more re markable, tcputation ns a constitutional lawyer. The PittBbutgh Gazette said, editorially, February 16: "Pennsylvania has had no better Gov ernor," and tho next day the Philadelphia Inquirer followed suit with: "The biggest man in Pennsylvania today is Samuel W. T'cnnypacker, Governor." and "Pennypackcr's natno will go into his tory as one of the greatest of Governors." An net had been passed at the session of 1903 providing for a commission ot three lawyers lo codify the divorce laws of the State, nnd authorizing the Governor "to communlcato in tho name ot the Common wealth with the Governors of the several States comprising the Federal Union, re questing them to co-operate In the assem bling ot a congress of delegates from such of tho States as take favorable action upon the suggestion; said congress to meet at Washington in the District of Columbia, at such a time in the near future as shall be agreeable for the purpose ot examining, considering and discussing the laws and decisions of the several States upon the subject of divorce, with a view to tho adoption of a draft for the proposed gen eral law which shall be reported to the Governors of all the States for submis sion to the Legislatures thereof, with the object of securing ns nearly as may bo possible uniform statutes upon tho matter of dlvorco throughout tho nation." Ten thousand dollars were appropriated with which to pay the expenses. It was tho first and only serious effort up to this time made to correct one of tho greatest and growing evils of our modern life. Tho commissioners appointed were C, LaRuo Munson, of Wllllnmsport, an eminent lawyer, later suggested for tho governor ship; William H. Staake, of Philadelphia, whom I appointed a Judge of tho Court of Common Pleas, and Walter George Srqlth, of Philadelphia, who was ono of the trus tees of the University of Pennsylvania, The movement attracted tho widest attention and met with universal commendation. Divorce Law Convention The convention met In Washington, Feb ruary 19, and every State In tho Union was fully represented except South Caro lina, whose laws permit no divorce. She, too, was heard upon tho floor In tho pro ceedings. Tho sessions were opened with prayer by Edward Everett Hale, of Massa chusetts, and Bishop William C. Doane, of New York. Tho convention elected me Its president. Among the delegates were some of the most distinguished men In profes sional life In the United States. Among tho clergy were Archbishop John J. Glen non, of St. Louis; Bishop T. P. Gailor, of Tennessee; Bishop Doane, of New Tork; Dr. Charles A. Dlckoy, of the Presbyterian Church; Bishop John Shanley and Dr. Washington Gladden. Among tho states men were United States Senators Smoot and Sutherland, of Utah, and Clark, of Arkansas, and Oscar E. Underwood, of Alabama, later a national figure and Demo cratic leader of the House. Among tho law yers were Charles W. Miller, Attorney Gen eral of Indiana; I. F, Allshle, of the Su perior Court of Idaho; Judge Charles Mon roe, of Los Angeles, Cal.; Robert II, Rich ards, Attorney General of Delaware, and tho Vice' Chancellor John K. Emory, of, New Jersey, an exceedingly clear-Jitaded, able man. Governor, Lea,, of Delaware, t,Irt;and. there W'.ttWr. .four !LEDGER-PHILADELPHIA, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 10, a. truly representative American assem blage, Tho questions nrlslng were dis cussed with learning and gravity nnd the tesult ot the deliberations was tho agree ment upon a carefully drawn statute to bo presented to all of tho Legislatures of the States with a recommendation that It bo adopted In lieu of existing legislation. It was cnuctcd by New Jersey, Delaware nnd some of the other States, but unfor tunately it could not bo presented to the Legislature of Pennsylvania until nfter tho force which had been behind the meas ure had disappeared from Harrlsburg. M. Hampton Todd, tho Attorney General of my successor, was opposed to tho passago ot tho uct, declared that thero was no such thing no n dlvorco evil, nnd nothing fur ther was tlono In the Stato where the move ment originated. Others lost heart and thus Pennsylvania lost the opportunity ot lending lo success a great moral nnd ma terial iiLVntirc In social conditions. Never theless the discussions of tho congress had it gooil effect nnd were not without result. Tomorrow VIckftlMirc. the tiorernor telU about n trip lo PITY THE POOR SONGBIRDS! Tho Menace of the "Germnn UuH"-r'inch, nnd Some Others THE Government Is so busy with n num ber of things It can scarcely be expected to concern Itself greatly over the conserva tion of our songsters, but there is nn aviary fronting Ginmercy Park In New York where terrible things are happening which tin eaten the. utler extinction of our national-warblers. For thero at staled intervals crumliu are thrown out to attract the tuneful creatures, and they Hoik to tho place to feed nnd later to Indulge in rival twitterings. Immediately they nn at the tneicy of Cats? Oh. meicy ! never say that! (.'nts. ot course, aie the main menace ot the feathered clans, but the musical bipeds of whom wo speak are of the so-called human lace; nnd the aviary Ik tho Poetry Society of Anioiica. Tlio songstciB assembling there, ws rtartcd to say, ate at the merry ot any alien enemy who inlR'nt take It hit" bis head to blow up tin- building while the singing's at Its lieighl. ami thus nl one otrokc still the nation's last cheerful chirrup. And. passing over the cttp, there Is an alien enemy who. until recently, hail lice access to the aviary, and who Uiiomh all the Ins nnd outs of the Institution Ills name Is George Sylvester Vlercek. and he might be clarslfleri aH n German Buir'-fnch. Not long ago the tonic utterances of this translated tvvitteicr became too utterly Teu tonic and Jarred upon other members of the choir, who demanded his Immediate nnd per manent ejection Into the outer air Some of our sweetest singers were among th objec tors, and they made quite a noIo about It. The managers of the aviary promised rcmcdlnl measures, but the Indignant Amer ican song-birds later learned, to their dis gust, that no very severe punishment had been administered to the "German Bull" llncliv An admonitory linger was shaken under his beak and he was "requested to slny away from the meetings of the Poetry Society for tho duration of tho war." Goodness knows what's to come of It all. for tho latest bulletin of the aviary's activ ities tils nothing whatever about It. The bulletin merely deals, as uual, with news of the reading and lectures of certain members which have stlncd tip among tho general publio wild hunger for poetry and led to the establishment ot branches of the society in vailous parts of the country. It also tells of the month's competitive singing among the members of the mother aviary. These competitive sing-songs aro conducted In this fashion: Each songster Is Invited to prepare a new- and original combination of trills, which Is spilled Into the ear of a reader, or Interprder, who stands upon his perch and pours them out again, ono after another, and anonymously, upon the audi ence. Thereupon tho audience, with much twittering and ruffling of feathers, proceeds to pick all the poor llttlo pongs to pieces. After all have had their say the song which seems to have hern least picked upon is swarded first honors, nnd so on down the line. This, we aie assured, ts a fair description of the procedure; and ue believe It, though we have never been near enough to one of these competitions to confirm It with our own eyes and ears. That It Is helpful to the future singing of the competing song sters, Its chief Instigators are loud in de claring, but w have our own opinion about that. Any little child who has visUed the blid house at the Zoo could tell you that the ear-pletclng chorus filling that place Is scarcely to be compared, for beauty, with the clear solo ot a single thrush In a hollow ot the leafy woods. We wonder If the keeper of the blrdhouse might not, also, be nble to prove to us that the congregational sing ing confinement In his aviary makes un avoidable ts hurtful to the pure tones of the good soloist. We could believe that and there's something more to he said: It some times happens that voiceless birds, never In tended for lyric flights, when admitted to a perch within sound of the chorus, are em boldened first to utter a few tentative notes nnd later to fancy themselves fully equlrpcd songsters. Something like that appears to have prompted the publication, during the last week, of a hook of verse by a prominent director of thfl Poetry .Society, which Is inn of flaws and false notes and little else. The book contains forty-flvs songs In all, and thirty-four of these are built of four-llne stanzas with hut a single rhyme to tho stanza, which Is a trick that any child could do. Besides this the singer takes lib erties with established rhythm that would daunt even a songster of assured position. Tho result, of course. Is discord, which, after all. Is no moro than one could expect to Issue from an aviary. Close observers assure us that the coun try's best songsters are seldom rttn In the neighborhood of Gramerey Park; but some are- occasionally lured there, and meanwhile the bold "German BuIP'-nnch seems still to be at large In that vicinity and capable of doing terrible things. T. A, D. NONE 100 TEIt CENT HAD "The 100 rr cent bad boy dni not Ut." derJured Juvenile Judjre O. M. Orr, .of Mlnne apolli, commenting;, upon a report that tho Ohlcasro. Boys' Brotherhood nepubl n te eklux the, wickedest boy In the country with a view of ehowlnr thit orlety and environmental rondl. tlons are reepopilblii for the bad In hoe. "There la eomo good In the wont of them, I would ay that I never knew a hoy who would run higher than 75 per cent bad." niiVMi: or Tire jom.y coitron.u, I hare a cough, a faithful cough, It euro does atlrK to roe; I never had a pal eo true, Or one eo Uetlngly. Where'er t go I'm not alone It's funny aa can be. I'm all the time reminded That my cough ! etlU with me. There's coughe that are good-natured. And some cf them are mean. But non wilt ever beat the cough That I sot at Camp Green. Thl couah Is eure harraonloue lfa full of melody; It rangee from bate to tenor And never eklpa a key. At times my cough Is modett, tt'i then I'm sure to know My cough don't want to tlnlili me And It therefore lying low. But In about minute. When I m thinking1 he'a no more, H tlfklea.my votal organe And I "Imply wheeie and roar. But some day I hell hue my cough. Thl iniifh at tnlns mn tril Tj.? fr .. "!.r.vrT.L-; "-:."- -r in, i iririia ins. iivvvr itrti mj . Allu fLU',n tu (, iiiiui tnur.-K io rnt,u inroush, htn tho--prlnr hat cornt tht Mibih and I ah&jl iui i Ann when tho--pnnr ri cornt around lffiS$&lS&Syx' ' a s ' i A kt ... I f A ,&& P ,, I Ah D&IL 9Jr - r-t ! Mia 1 " TV lirii- ? FEARS CRITICISM HELPS THE ENEMY Taft Urged as Presidential Nomi nee in 1920 Russia's Democracy To the KilUnr the Vvcning rubllc l.tilgtr: Sir Tho papers say the Tucnnla was last reported ns at riving at an American port on January 17. This was that dato when the coal saving holidays were ordered by Doctor Garfield. When his orders wero given out there was a storm of protest against such supposedly uncalled-for and high-handed a decree and this protest, ably supported by the newspapers, grew to such ptnportlons that Doctor Garfield, even after the President's Indorsement was mado known, deemed it wise to stato a few facts, hoping to Impress the public with tho gravity of the situation and theteby enlist their hearty co operation. Among the facts published broadcast were thoso relating to the shipping problem and figures wero given out showing how many ships wero waiting In American ports to sail but lacking coal, and further facts were given out showing these holidays wen- aiding in a most satisfactory way the speedy embarka tion of these great numbers of ships. Now we need not think that German secret agents both In this country and adjacent Mexico wero stopping .h"lr eyes and ears to all this hubbub raised to satisfy tho Innate curiosity which demands to be "shown" of the great mass of citizens of this, a democratic nation; because, you know, we, the people, rule! And If we are not "shown," we won't help pull! Knowing Germany's methods It is alto gether possible that thero is direct wireless communication between Mexico and Berlin and all the valuable information In regard to coal and the shipping problem could cer tainly reach the German naval command. It would be easy figuring that within a revv days after January 17 there was a possibility of great numbers ot ships leaving American ports for France or England, and hero was Germany's chance for a big haul with her submarines ! Itately did sho get such accu lalo shipping information and this -was a chanco not to be missed ! Tho Tuscanla was without doubt one of those ships leaving shortly after this Informa tion was given out nnd, although we cannot prove the connection, tho fact remains that she was sunk. Perhaps Germany did not get as many as she hoped to, and we are to be congratulated If that is so. There Is taking placo In the Senate cham ber at Washington what soma call an "Inves tigation" which Is quite characteristic ot many former "investigations" that have taken place before that august assembly. We do not doubt that much of this Investi gating of the management of the war Is due to an honest endeavor to correct faults and bring about a more efficient management, but some of the absurd methods of the Investi gating committee and some statements ot oratorical Senators surely can only bring forth a feeling of disgust from the Interested public to whom these Investigators seem to forget that they are responsible. Some of these Senators are Insisting on the open discussion of uestlons of grave concern to the safety of troop movements and the progress of the war, giving no thought aa to how Joyfully Berlin will welcomo such valuable Information. Now that we have brought to our atten tion In the sinking of the Tuscanla what can result from the giving out of Information just to satisfy a curious publio or stubborn Congressmen and thereby hope to achieve co operation and "co-ordination," Is it not high time to call a halt on such foolishness? These same Investigators who demand "co ordination" seem to lack that very element' In their Investigation, and to read their speeches and the questions they put at cabi net members and others recalls some Immor tal statements that have graced the congres sional halls, such as the reference at one time made to the "Swiss navy" and many others that could fill a book. We also find politician taking advantage of all this stir to further their own party claims, and newspapers quite ready to help out In this propaganda. In the, face of all this, the Investigation Is becoming a stench to American citizens who are really Interested in the welfare of ih cause and, who have those1 of their own blood anoog'th boys at the' front,' -and' so tktf. ' feeiVMtaU , arantaJ, fa 1918 '- "I-I VONDER " T. .' a JV Ti tlon. But there is n growing fear among many that great harm may ct como from I he effort to satisfy curiosity and thereby gain the confidence ot some who refuse to help unless "shown." D. F. STEWART. Philadelphia, February 18. RUSSIA'S DEMOCRACY 7'o the KtlUorof the livening Public Ledger: .Sir The American people have at last gotten a line on tho. truo alms of the Uus, slan so-called democracy Hnd Its troaclu roils work. Tn the writer's mind Leon Trotsky's whole aim was nothing more or less than n vile conspiracy to betray the Russian people Into the hands ot Germany, and these poor ignorant fonla of Itussla "bit for fair," and seemed very willing to blto at that. r.ussla should be stamped as a traitor to the catifo ot civilization and democracy. Tho cry that Russia was bankrupt nnd starving does not fit her dirty work at all. She has laid down like a yellow dog. and alter nil the millions of dollars, foodstuffs, ambu lances, locomotives and rails this nation has loaned Russia, why should tho American people have any moro pity or respect for a people too cowardly to tight for their free dom or self-preservation? What room has America nny longer for the pubjects of that nation'.' But let us hope Anlerlca will be equal to the occasion anil will help bear the buiilcn that the niHtiable covvnids of Russia re fued to bear any longer. Russia has dug her grave and the answer of the American peo ple Is. "let her lie In It." if the people ot Russia want to be slaves under tho German yoke, well and good. But when Germany puts the screws lo her, sho can expect no sympathy fiom the rest of tho wotld, DOWN WITH TRAITORS Philadelphia, February 18. TAFT FOR PRESIDENT To the Editor of the Evening Publio Ledger Sir It may seem a little premature to nominate a man to stand ns a candidate for tho Presidency In 1920 for tho four years succeeding the Incumbent; nevertheless I beg to propose the name of William Howard Taft for tho next Whlto House Job. His course since the war began and during tho peilod of neutrality has been so patri otic, so admirable and so Inspiring that he seems to stand a head taller than any other Republican. I do not mean by this that the Democrats should be lert out or the reckoning, for, hav ing been able to pick such a supcib man for tho placo as Woodrovv Wilson, they ought to bo able to select another good one, nnd maybe one who will size up with Sir. Taft. It Is to bo hoped that each party will name a man so It will not bo a vltul matter which one Is elected, Until the issue was raised with the Kaiser nnd his Potsdam gang I was not a Taft man by a long shot. Who will second the motion for William Howard Taft as the next Republican candi date for the White House? WILMER ATKINSON. Philadelphia, February 18. J.KT TUB BOVR 1IKAK ITtOM IIO.MK Knit, girls, knltt nut you'll An better When jou've writ Home lad a letter. QUIZ 1. Who l Karl KJellcrup? 2, What It the Vi nnd Meant Committee? 3. Define Zollvrrcln. 4, Who wrote "The Marble Fnun"? 8. What le the "Via I)oloroa"? (1. Identify "The Plumed Knight." 7. tth.it It meant liy'"Venl. vldl, vlcl"? 8. Who weretlie Yntioo anil In what seme Is the wuru now uted. 0. Whera la Dover? 10. Who la General Sir William Koberteon? Answers to Yesterday's Quiz 1. George Pox, 1631-90, founded the Sotletr' at t. reraonlflralfsni a figure, of .apeeeli by whleh Ihlns.. Ideas or Qualities are endowed with personality or human uttrlbutoe. 3. Cenrei.B atile of pulntlng or other art Illus trative of common life. J. Mfl.ure Hamilton, distinguished Ajnerlran naloter. winner of" the cold medal at this year's salon In Philadelphia. new, Inventinf, l.v ,.1,1.1. it possible to discover arenratjdv fit a..i. nent ol enemy, lotteries and to deter tile mining and sapilng,lwtb from a slderable- distance. -. - ..-:.- .-r-- .-: a run. Klfffl an Important .vretlr.r and Urge rltr In touthwett Itussla, Charles Klngsley wrote the neve), "itjpatla." Voiors 01 ine lion, drops reltertloo nnd disnerslon ef light lu of water fall na ibroozli lha 71 1 r ' , The sno oropi a nanur bulbous plant with n f aXm,L aajned berausa It fre-i P!m,,Wra Ui snaw.ia e7 the jjyegala,. sajoatrta), if vS neurM. f TXsCnJSiT!r -jimi "Ml Song H "GIMME THREE CENTS FOR THE FERRY (.Now h-lns suns with moro or less lucoil ij, numberlrai soloists on the Camden slot.) ' i A hobo climbed some Camden steps, ind 'M pulled the front-door bell. ' ftfl His laco was sad, the clothes he wo vwis very jar jrum swell, ?i And when the lady of the house, in fcwer to his vinir. Approached the door and looked u; that miserable thintr. A teardrop glittered in her eye, her ji it was irrcat: "How is it. sir," she said to him, "you1 x in this wretched stato?" rtp "You said a mouthful, ma'am." he crf "this State is far from gay"; .' And tnen, vvitu quivering lip, to her( furthermore did say: , r.HfiiUIK 1 "Gimme three cents for the fcnyljjl its all 1 ask of you; No whisky or Tom and Jerry Or sandwiches will do. ' m I got to git over to Philly As nuick as I can. you see: For the loafless days have started ,j Ami tne uovcrnor s attcr me. The lntly fobbed with anguish; she jtt hud paid the rent, '!& And thoucrh she could of crave him foM sho didn't have a cent. i The hobo turned in sorrow and on way he went. And standing near the ferryhnuse hJ a siyusn gent. "They say I've got to work," he "oh, listen to my prayer " . J "Mv trouble, too." the other sald.'fl I'm a millionaire!" XI With arms about each other's necks 1 went upon their way, 3 And as they climbed aboard the boat I pilot heard them say: ijllUKUb f "Gimme three cents for the ferry! No whisky or Tom and Jerry &1 Or sandwiches will do. I got to git over to Philly As nulelc au T rnn. vnn see: For the loafless days have startedX And the firwoi-nnf-'s nftor ffle." ?? TOM DALYi m ' SOLDIERS AS BOOTH LACKSS QJOMi: time ago thero was dlseusslotfj O England upon a sensational dlscovirjrj Winston Churchill that men were befnf.t as ofllcers' orderlies when they shouU actively serving In the trenches alnt enemy. A man would be better employ the argument went. In wielding a rtdej throwing a bomb than In blacking cleaning belts and serving mess. Almost the very same point hM'J raised In New York newsoapers wlthr to enlisted men in the United States Utilizing soldiers as bootblacks seems ,M considered a very undemocratic thing, J some of the Indignant corresjwnoema sumably prefer to see the ofnWr Diaeain Rhoes himself, rip a whnla nrmv Of OVf cleaning and oiling tho equipment anH lng the cooking utensils. But mere , Mntne hnlm In Ollenrl for these OOnKU objectors. The agitation may turn out! on murh a SvvIa n dill th CnKUMs Christian Science Monitor. '3 MOCKING AS A FINE ABT3 tVFiat wa need now la a tlfillOW cookbook. We have long known tnM tnnlr tnrtln enltn 'ntf we mUM. . mock mincemeat, mock lobster andJf tltlnir llk that. It hehoovea US to rOl the mock foods we can Invent, nd a; hash that calls for neither meat nor-i toes Is the height of good behavior.) -rt eiis-nt-lne- a ronlf remember that I mocker Is rather, to be chosen thansj dishes, ,and never look a mocK duck; i mouth. Anv kind of nearmest or W n,- ha ,,aH un Ia htn win the W& feel the dove of peace .hovering boij -us all resolve to servo mocK or l.breasfwt aroljunoh on meckoroaU : SSJr?.' gfn iaria- i iiiSkTB3BKtK "'; W. ' ' A' .- I in gfc&LSla kjuA&A '' w. wrWfTW5i i . . AAisr.a . . " .t. . MatmaMMmmjct.
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers