8 IHARRISBURG TELEGRAPH A NEWSPAPER FOR THE HOME Founded 1831 Published evening* except Sunday by THD TELEGRAPH PRIXTIIfG CO. Telegraph Building, Federal Square, B. J. STACKPOLE Pretident and Editor-in-Chief F. R. OYSTER, Business Manager GUS. M. STEINMETZ, Managing Editor A. R. MICHENER, Circulation Manager Execktlve Board 3. P. McCULLOUGH, BOYD M. OGLESBY, I F. R. OYSTER, I GUS. M. STEINMETZ. Members of the Associated Press—The Associated Press is exclusively en titled to the use for republication of all news dispatches creditod to It or not otherwise credited In this paper and also the local news pub lished herein. All rights of republication of special dispatches herein are also reserved. Member American . Newspaper Pub lishers' Associa tion. the Audit Bureau of Circu lation and Penn sylvania Associ ated Dallies. Eastern office. Story, Brookes & Avenue Building, New York 'City; •Western office, Story, Brooks & Finley, People's Gas Building, 1 Chicago, 111. Entered at the Post Office in Harrls burg. Pa., as second class matter. By carrier, ten cents a rTL[fofr.'..7ygL> week: by mall, $3.00 a year in advance. Lord Christ, my trembling Hps in spire, So with Thy love my words im press, That I may link each heart's desire With Thy vast eager power to bless. —Howard Arnold Walter. MONDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 1919 THE HIGHWAY PROGRAM THE decision of Governor Wil liam C. Sproul to make a chart and then go ahead with his road building is something which everyone will be glad to hear. This State has seen an amazing list of isolated stretches of macadam and "concreate islands" in long lengths of highway placed upon the map In the last few years, -and regretted that the war camo along and prevented coupling up. And it has seen some enterprises of doubtful value con ducted In the name of development y of a highway system. But, we may safely say, that period is gone. With the sponsor for the present road system In execu tive authority, and ample funds and a good organization assured under Commissioner Lewis S. Sadler, Pennsylvania can look forward to improvements of its roads on com mon sense and business lines. 'And, after all, that Is all that anyone can ask. The road program will cover every part of the State. The construc tion will be divided into four years. Important places will be connected up, and the highways that bring the food from the farming regions will he cared for. It is all to be put down In black and white, and per haps a color for each year's pro jects. But the important fact Is that It Is to be put down and car ried out. THE KEYSTONE GEN. MARCH'S announcement of the losses sustained by the combat divisions of the United States army in the world war once more proclaims Pennsylvania the keystone of the national arch. Al though every figure in the more than 66,000 major casualties means sor row for some one and a vacant chair in a home in many cases, It is what , the United States has come to ex pect from Pennsylvania. Once mare the Commonwealth founded on principles of liberty In thought for men of every race and creed has demonstrated to the world that no sacrifice Is too great to make for the right, for law and order. Pennsylvanlans can refer with solemn exaltation to their divisions —National Guard and National Army—heading the lists of the heaviest sufferers outside of the First division, composed of fcgu lars. Whether province or state, Pennsylvania has been ever ful In response to the national call. Often ignored in honors, and its sons at times stood aside for other , leaders. It has been the bulwark of national defence. No state suffered more in the colo nial wars than Pennsylvania. In dians raided within sight of' onr home and the smoke of burning cabins was seen from John Harris' ferry. The part Pennsylvania and Its men played in the struggle for independence is imperishable. Penn sylvania furnished the one success ful genera! and the {ho MONDAY EVENING, BXUBIBBCRG TTELEGRiFa FEBRUARY 3, 1919. sands of men. Pennsylvania was one of the sources of men of strength in the Mexican war. The Keystone State was raided and made the scene of the decisive battle of the Civil War; its captains and its men; its* financiers and its activities made records for the preservation of the Union which will endure as long as ' North America. Pennsylvanlans were in every action of the Spanish war. And now it Is officially announced that the Pennsylvania troops suf fered heaviest among the divisions, i We may fairly lay claim to a share of the glory of that First division of regulars, with a casualty list of over 6,200, because Harrisburg lod the nation's districts In regular army recruiting, and Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and Scranton and other places contributed of their finest sons for the regulars. Likewise, the presnce of Pennsylvanlans men from Lancaster, Berks, Lehigh and other counties of the so-called "Pennsylvania Dutch" belt, In the hard-hitting Rainbow division, must not be forgotten, nor the fact that Philadelphia was the recruiting ground for the marines' who suf fered so terribly and won so mag nificently. The Twenty-eighth division has proved the value of the militia sys- 1 tern and upheld the traditions of the | Pennsylvania Line, the Pennsyl- 1 vania Reserves and the National : Guard of Pennsylvania. Leading all National Guard divisions In losses, Its banners, when placed in the State Capitol, will rustle with stories of battle that generations will come to hear. The Seventy-ninth division, in leading the National Army divisions tn losses, demonstrates that the man in the draft was as valorous as his grandfather in the Civil War. Our own Dauphin county boys were in this battling organization, the boys we helped to train and the boys we sent away with music and parades in the summer and fall of 1917 and the winter of 1918. And we may acclaim not only the prowess which the casualty list tells for this fight ing division, but that of the Sev enty-eighth, of the boys J of Northern Pennsylvania, who were ■ with the New Yorkers and who lost 1 over 1,800 men. The full ( story Is not yet told. 1 There were Western Pennsylvanlans 1 in fighting organizations, one regi- i ment In Italy being made up from men from the Pittsburgh district, ' while sons of Pennsylvania made the great sacrifice In many a unit. S And some day we shall hear of what the Pennsylvania men did in the sleepless work of the navy. Enough Is at hand to show that Pennsylvanlans upheld their State as the keystone not only of the fight ing men, but that, as Governor Sproul says, it gave in equally glo rious measure of its wealth In taxes and bond subscriptions, in products of the factory, the farm and the mine. Pennsylvania, the keystone, did what it has always done. TO BUY A DOZEN EGGS SAYS the official jokesmlth of the Philadelphia Evening Public Ledger: "To buy a dozen eggs all you noed is a heart and a dollar." May be so in Philadelphia, but you can get a dozen of nice fresh Cum berland Valley eggs in Harrisburg for sixty-seven cents, or thqr&bouts. Indeed, it has come to such a condi tion of things here that we can now look a fresh egg unblushlngly in the eyo and eat two of 'em at a sitting without feeling that we will be called upon by friend wife, at the end of the week to make up a deficit In the grocery budget. "A heart and a dol lar" may be the requisites In Phlla delphia, but up in this country we can have for tho price the eggs and a half pound of choice sliced bacon thrown In. * TALKING TO THE STARS THE New York Times, the Ohio State Journal and certain scien tific gentlemen more or less visionary, aris having a lively discus sion over the possibility of talking with the stars; or, rather, talking with the people who Inhabit the stars, providing there are such. The scientific sharks believe it can be done by wireless. The newspapers say the Idea is nonsense, and so the controversy rages. We know by youthful experience that "counting stars" Is a pleasant and altogether satisfactory occupation. We are re liably Informed that "etar gazing" is taMMM that "hitohing one's chariot to a star" is highly commendable. We know that stars "whisper," for did not the venerable Tennyson himself tell us he heard them? Then why should they not talk right out loud and be done with it? We Imagine old "Doc" Cook, equipped with a wire less apparatus and mounted on the summit of Mount McKlnley, say, could get a rise out of 'em If anybody could. f fotrtCc* Ck | By the Ex- Committeeman j Philadelphia newspapers are again announcing that to cure the election troubles in that city the Legislature of the commonwealth is to be asked to pass bills for radical changes, and to-day tho desire expressed by some members of the General Assembly was that It would be the "last call" from Philadelphia for a time. With the bill to repeal the non-partisan system in election of Judges on the way in the House, and chances that a similar move will be made In re gard to the third-class city code to say nothing of the Powell bill pro viding councils of seven with* four year terms for all boroughs there will be considerable election legisla tion to discuss. The one hope that has been up permost In the minds of the average legislator is that people in Phila delphia would get together on a scheme of charter revision before the bill was presented to the Gen eral Assembly, and now that an op eration to cure by means of a bill the situation in Philadelphia is pro posed a similar desire is heard. Philadelphia has been back of elec tion changes in Legislatures for years, and as soon as some one arose who could beat the -combination in the statute and maintain power a crusade for radical alterations has been proclaimed. According to independent Repub licans and Town Meeting men who are behind the proposition the ob ject of the bill will be to change registration methods. 'Twas ever thus. I —Probably one of the most in [ teresting studies known about the Capitol in a long time is to be found among attaches of departments that they are now responsible solely to the chiefs of theii branches of the government, and that the system of securing gubernatorial approval on appointment of every person is end ed. The people at the Capitol now recognize that the heads are run ning the departments, and that they are answerable to the Governor for results. This principle of responsi bility where It belongs will have a distinct effect in improving Capitol Hill morale, It Is declared by some observers. One or two Individuals who had an idea that the system of the last three years was still in vogue received a jolt when they took their matters to the Governor's of fice. But the recovery has been rapid. —Appointments and rejections by Governor Sproul In regard to the State Board of Public Charities ap pear to have met general commenda tion. No criticisms have been heard of the selections by the Governor, and at the Capitol there is a dispo sition to welcome back to State ac tivities Howard B. French, the Phila delphia business man. The Pitts burgh Gazette-Times and Post speak In the highest terms of William Price, selected to succeed the late Francis J. Torrance, the former say ing that while "he has been fre quently mentioned for public office, he has never consented to consider any but an honorary position. —The Philadelphia Press says the Governor's appointments of two mu nicipal court judges "will amply sustain the court's standards," but thinks the court needs strengthen ing in 'legal learning and mature judgment.' —According to Scranton papers schools in that city are in danger from mine caves, and there may be some new curative legislation presented. The Dunmore election board was freed of election fraud in the Lackawanna courts on Sat urday. —Blair county newspapers say that Harry A. Thompson, a member of the House for two terms, and pub lisher of the Tyrone Times, is a can didate for the position now held by Superintendent of Fublic Printing and Binding D. Edward Long. Mr. Long is also said lc desire to stay. There were about a dozen others re ported out for the place the last time a count made. The Philadelphia newspapers comment extensively on the acquit tal of Mayor Smith. The Ledger says that while the mayor "may be really content with his 'vindication,' Phila delphia is not." The Inquirer says the mayor may be tried on another charge. —Allentown people are urging General C. T. O'Nell to be a candi date for mayor, as Mayor A. L Reichenbach will not run again. In Chester Mayor W. S. McDowell, who will be recalled as marshal of the civic division of the inaugruaral pa-1 rade, and a storm center of police matters worse than in this city is out to succeed himself. —Charles F. Kelly, Philadelphia councilman well known here, is be ing urged for assistant district at torney to suceed Charles E. Bart lett just appointed to the Philadel phia municipal bench. —Berks people say that Judges Endlich and Wagner will be accord ed renomination and election. Their renominations are the only things upon which the Berks Democrats seem to bo united. —Prohibition is marching on There are eightly less licenses in Schuylkill county this year. Coates .ville, which is "dry," has four ap plicants. —Philadelphia newspapers con tain quite complimentary references to Frank A. Smith, who will be named for the Republican nomina tion for senator from Dauphin coun ty to fill the Beldleman vacancy this week. HIS WAR RECORD He heard his country's S. O. S. And answered P. D. G.; He joined the U. S. Q. M. C. Enlisting from the "U." His manner pleased the old C O And he made the O. T. C.; He handled T. N- T. abroad, And won & D. S. C.t —Spokane Spokesman Review. Tangled-web-we-weave Note Nothing is more annoying to a host who Is boasting that the string beans came from his own war gar den surplus than to have the guest bite on aMt ofapldor.—(From the WHEN A FELLER NEEDS A FRIEND By BRIGGS / / Repenewcß To \ /yyvyyCf oh- i hmcn't V\ / Tr*" 1 H * D T,r/,,£ r ° I \ / orne*. oay / Go ,NTo Tm !T 1 \ / matter - COME \ l\ Gov. Sprout's Good Start (Pittsburgh Gazette Times.) The really gratifying thing about Gov. Sproul's discussion of state highway improvements is the disclo sure of his familiarity with the needs. He knows what he is talking about, and that means that when ho gets down to business we shall see re sults of benefit to the greatest pos sible number. And he will not be long in getting the work under way. Already ho has ordered bills drafted to make available as much of the $50,000,000 improvement bond issue which the people authorized last November as can bo utilized th the next two years. He is planning the work that shall be undertaken first. Western Pennsylvanlans will note with satisfaction that he re gards as essential the early realiza tion of two important projects in this section. An improved highway from Pittsburgh to Erie is on his program; so is an improved highway across Erie county. Anyone who has driven over the existing roads in the last few years will agree that the beginning of the contemplated work cannot be undertaken too soon. But the Governor's special reference rto these cases is of no narrow sig nificance. Mr. Sproul knows the state and will exert himself to serve all sections impartially. He is prac tical and progressive. No more im portant work than road improve ment will be undertaken during his administration. In "making the dirt fly," as he promises to do. Governor Sproul will make an enduring con tribution to the prospects of Penn sylvania. Cowbells of France (From the Splkdr, France.) Right on the heels of the armistice came the French cows. Bells cob webby with four years of idleness were dug up from the peasant' 3 barn lofts and hung on the neck of Bossy as she left the thickets ana the hills far from the searching hunt of tho local French Impounder. But with the signing of the armistice there came a new lease of life, the danger of requisition was passed and the cows came down from the hills to graze on the succulent grass grown accumulative since the Gor mans first began to hammer on the gates of Paris. The French peasant Is a rathci shrewd Individual. He did his share toward winning the war, but when meat got scarce and the military authorities began to requisition meat he drove his cows back into the hin terland. There they stayed, defying the search of the government Im pounders. Then came the armistice which opened new fields for the cows They clutter the roads In all direc tions. American chauffeurs will tell you that previous to the armistice they never had to slow up when driving along the country roads, but now nearly every turn reveals a herd of cows In charge of old folks or children. If cows could speak, they'd prob ably say, "On les a," too. TO THE WOUNDED This is our homage when you pass us by:' Not the crude, pitying stare your dread, but this— Averted eyes, and conquered tears, and pangs Of helpless love • • • Tou do not know how brave We also are, not stretching out our hands. Maddened with pity, to the strahger faces That whitely pass us, needing us so much! Oh, boy with deep bright eyes and crippled foot, Oh, soldier with the face mads old with war, We promise you, by every wound yotl bear, A nation's homage and a nation's help. And all its grateful hearts, • your ■ eager friends! . I mrr-AMTTH rsH.KTSHnp ■■■■ PERILS OF DEMOBILIZATION Lack of Any Federal Plan Rendefs Almost All Local Efforts Valueless IP the Secretary of War desires concrete proof of the need of a thorough-going national plan to govern the process of demobilization, late events in Boston have not left him without evidence In point. The visit paid to City Hall on Saturday by a delegation of several hundred unemployed service men, and the visit which they announced they would pat to the gtate House to day, are not extensively serious mat ters In themselves, but they are suf ficient to indicate what will be the seriousness of the situation in the near future if demobilization is al lowed to continue on a haphazard basis, and they are more than suffi cient to indicate the incidental acts of injustice which arc already occur ring while the Secretary or War tries to avoid the adoption of a radical plan of control. That the Mayor ac cepts this view of the case would seem evident from the concluding sentence of the telegram which lie sent Mr. Baker after hearing the protest filed by Saturday's delega tion, against the manner of their discharge. His honor declared that "The present situation seems to be due to a complete disregard of the unfortunate complications that arc certain to follow such action." "Here in Boston, where the 'un fortunate complications' have been directly brought to the city's atten- WORDS Words are the stones I use in build ing, My house will be strong without illlet or gilding; I dig in the crypt of the centuries Where the earth is rich in ebonies. I burrow for words in the quarry of Time; In the heart of the ancient hills for rhyme. There are veins of beauty the sages have known; Milton worked where the marble shone, Our Lincoln found what he liked in the clay Of the common fields where the stones are gray. So every spirit must find a way And delve for the treasure that seems its own. Dut you! what are words, what are words to you! Not stone nor metal precious and true, Nor blocks to serve in a hallowed shrine; But seductive Jewels cut subtle and fine. Spangles you wear to glitter and shine; I know the worth of your words to you! —Gladys _ Cromwell in the New • Republic. THE PERFUME She looked at me in pink surprise, Resentment flashing from her eyes; For she was in her teens and fair, And I a man with frosted hair. Her name our Introducer said, When back along the years I sped To one sweet June. My head awhirl, I kissed the unexpectant girl. Old man again, I had to tell That 'twas her perfume wrought the spell; Its magic brought to sight once more The maid I'd lost long before; Whose every charm of form and face She's given to this child of grace. Fate intervened —ah, years of gloom Since last I'd breathed that rare perfume! —HOWARD MARKbE HOKE. Goes the Wrong Way Portugal's is what might be call ed a oounter-clockwish revolution.— the aprlngaeiq Repuycan.J tion, every disposition is being shown to deal with them handsomely and eifcctively in, so far as any action by tho local authorities and peopto can suffice to cope with them. The Gov ernor>pnd Mayor, the Speaker of the House and the president of the Sen ate have all joined In energetic ef forts to organize the employment field in this state and to see to it ♦hat every firm or individual In whose employ a soldier might be placed comes to a realization of the need that is now to be met. Doubt less the general court will take a legislative hand in the proceedings, endeavoring to establish the means by which the state can best aid the campaign. These efforts deserve the hearty support of all citizens. "What must not be lost from sight, however, is the fact that if de mobilization fs allowed to go on at its federal source unchecked and n -gulded by any broadly controlling plan, and without administrative machinery of tho kind which Gen eral Crowder built up for the task of mobilization, then in tho end local attempts to deal with the flow of re turning soldiers will inevitably Ijo swamped, and swamped through no fault of their own, but on account of "a complete disregard" in certain high quarters "of the -unfortunate complications certain to follow." — Boston Transcript. To Demobilize Its Horses (From the London Times) One of the big problems confront ing the British authorities is what to do with the immense number of horses that were on the army strength in the various war theaters. Sir William Birkbeck, the exper ienced director of remounts, estim ated that the number of horses in the army is not less than three fourths million, and this, apparently, oxcludes horses on the army strength at homo. If all these were brought to England there would be such a glut of horses as lias never been known. What the army authorities intend to do is to bring back to this coun try approximately the same number of good sound horses under 12 years old as have been taken from it for, war purposes. This will mean, as we reckon, bringing back nearly 180,000 horses. Demobilized horses are to be sold a hundred at a time In the large towns throughout the country, and In lotß of twenty-flve in the smaller towns. The question of the disposal of the surplus of army horses abroad is almost certain to procoko much con troversy. In Egypt alone. Sir Wil liam Birkbeck tells us, there are one hundred thousand horses and mules. Repatriation ho dismisses as out of the question owing to lack of trans port. Destruction would mean wholesale tnashacre and sale to lo cal buyers maj l expose the army au thorities to violent denunciation on the ground that animals thus dis posed of are being "sold Into 'slav ery.' THE TRIVIAL The grep.t emotional experiences of life are belittled by the insistence upon the trivial, tilfe and Love look Into each other's eyes; a man and woman elect each other fronr all the world. But the Joyful solemnity of marriage is ruffled by the details of the wedding, perhaps family squab bles over flowers and gowns end In vitations! Or Great Death comes In at the door and the little human soul, overwhelmed with grlof, ap palled by the sudden opening of eternity before Its eyes—yet futfses (there is no other word for It) over "mourning," over the width of the hem on the veil pr the question of crepe buttons or Jet. Margaret De- LETTERS TO THE EDITOR DUTY OF LEGISLATORS To the llditor of the Telegraph: Tho Members of the lower house of our General Assembly are called "Representatives In the General As sembly." Of course they are In the generic sense no *more the "repre sentatives" of their constituents than are tho members of the State Senate. I Members of both bodies are elected by the people In this "representative" government to make the laws for them in their representative capac ity. But wo are led to ask whether In every case a member of either body is to vote as he believes a ma jority of his constituents want him to vote. In talking with a member of the present house from Allegheny 'county he declared that he must vote on a certain measure against his own convictions because ho know they elected him to represent them by voting that way. "How shall I vote?" is not a ques tion to be answered lightly on any call. There are certain principles that must guide the real man what ever be the problem before him. First .there is the problem of righteousness that must be answered rightoously by the representative. Our fundamental law declares that the object of the forming of the United States government was, "in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare and secure tho blessings of liberty to ourselves and OUP posterity." Every official of every kind is the "repre sentative" of his "constituency" only for the purpose of accomplishing these objects, and not for carrying out their particular desires. This is easily seen by supposing that a certain constituency was composed largely of peoplo of anarchistic be liefs. The man elected as a legisla tor from that district would be con sidered no less a traitor to his coun try if in obedience to their desires ho attempted traitorous deeds. Neither heTior his constituents have any right to harbor Attempts to do anything to militate against right eousness nor that "more perfect union, etc.," that our government was formed to achieve. In applying this principle to the perpetuation of the liquor traffic, it does not take a man with half an eye to see that the liquor traffic does not help "to form a more per fect union, establish Justice, Insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the gen eral welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our pos terity." During the present war it has been convicted by Congress of being in league with our enemies; in all times tho "results of the traf fic is great injustice brought upon the victims of the drink habit and their households; instead of promot ing the general welfare, it fills jails and penitentiaries and alms houses and asylums; its habitats are the breeding places of anarchy and crime; and it threatens tho destruc tion of the blessings of liberty. Thank God the people of the United States have alrady decreed it shall die. The question of ratification of the prohibition amendment by our leg islature is just now a burning one. It has already become a part of the United States Constitution. Shall the legislator who may have been elected by the people in his district who were opposed to ratification vote when the time comes against ratifica tion? In the face of the reasoning given above we would have to an swer, "No; he must vote for ratifi cation because to vote against it is to vote against the things for which his government was formed and in reality vote for Its overthrow'." But there is now an even more potent reason why no legislator should vote against the amendment. This amendment is NOW a part of the United States Constitution. Every legislator has solemnly sworn or af firmed that he will "support the constitution of the United States" If he votes against the amendment, then, is he "supporting" the con stitution? or Is he, so far as he can, doing the opposite? The question looked at squarely is not hard to answer. Then let us push it just a little farther;. If he is not support ing the constitution, what is he •' may not be pleasant to think or to say It, but It Is not true that he is violating his oath of of fice.' Alas, that so often this matter of being sworn is not taken seriously. Would that every momber of our legislature at this late hour would fice ar ° hlmself %vllh his outh of of- B. E. P. PRUGH, | TIIASKS lIARRISBURGERS To the Editor of the Telegraph: Since returning to Harrisburg on the 15th, after being mustered out of the service of the United States, I have endeavored to reach the many friends who were so liberal to me with their moral and financial support during the period I was sergeant, secretary and treasurer In the Harrisburg Recruiting District. Some, I have not been able to get in touch with, but that none may be overlooked, I would like to express publicly through the columns of the Telegraph, my sincere thanks and appreciation for the unstinted help and co-operation extended to ine while connected with the local re cruiting station. Particularly is this true of Wil liam Jennings, who was untiring in Ilia effort and gave most liberally In time gnd money, which contributed largely to the success of the local station, which established an en viable record for itself. Very truly yours, „ , LIEUT. THUS. P. MORAN, Harrisburg, Pa„ January 27, 1919. LABOR NOTES The first organization in the United States to advocate extensive ownership of public utilities is tho Ohio Federation of Labor, In 1916 there were about 2,072,- 000 members of the American Fed eration of Labor. In 1917 this num ber had increased to nearly 2,500,- 000, and today it has gone beyond 3,000,000. Manufacturers of gold-filled, plated and gold-sholl finger rings have reached an agreement with the Fed eral Trade Commission to adopt a standard system of marking the pro portion of gold. Extra pay for work done beyond the regular working hours, whether In port or at sea, when not neces sary tor safety, has been recognized on Norwegian and other vessels for more th|.n 20 years. The number of strikes and lock louts occurring in the United States during the first half of the year of 11918, . according to data compiled from various sources by the Bureau tof Labor Statistics, was J77X, Eurnttuj ©fyat Harrisburg had a good many men In uniform on its streets, and at Its stations during the height of the war and especially during the last six months, but it would seem that there are more than ever In the army khaki or tho navy blue about. The fact is that Harrisburg is not only a ' transportation center, but that It is becoming an important military can* tcr. Its advantages in regard to trj coastal cities at lust being recognizw by tho military authorities, while its record in furnishng men and muni tions and money for the war is som"*- thing in which we can all take the greatest pride. From what has just been learned the chances are that Harrisburg will see a good many more men in uniform on Its streets after the war. The great depots near Middletown and New Cumber land are being studied with a view to not only maintaining them, but eventual enlargement. And this is considered it is only natw? that they should be establislimeSaSt of great military value. New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore and Wash ington are all within a few hours rail travel from Harrisburg. The great material and munition manu facturing centers are and the rich agricultural and canning dis tricts of York and Lancaster coun ties are near. From all indications Harrisburg is to become more or less of a military post. • • • The average citizen is nonplussed these dayq in his efforts to establish the meaning and significance of tho various insignia and decorations be ing worn by returning soldiers and officers. Gold stripes, silver stripes, blue stripes, red stripes, service rib bons of all colors, gold and silver stars, shoulder devices and every other form of adornment embellish and ofttimes disfigure the returning heroes. Perhaps it would be easy to distinguish these numerous de vices were it not for the fact that so much unauthorized stuff is being bought and sold and worn to the utter confusion of the casual ob server. For example, the French fourragere, a green or red cord with pointed steel device worn wound round tho left shoulder, is granted to French divisions after a certain number of citations, but only upon special order from the higher French authorities. The Stars and Stripes, official newspaper of the A. E. F., declares that only a very few Ameri can soldiers with previous service in the French army, are entitled to this decoration, and the statement is cor roborated by a recent newspaper dispatch quoting a conversation on the subject between General March, Chief of Staff, U. S. A„ and a French attache at headquarters in Wash ington. • • * Abuse of the privilege of wearing service ribbons on the left breast has also caused a revulsion of feeling against those men who buy up all manner of bright-colored bits of rib bon and declaim modestly on the campaigns for which they are worn. The truth is, no ribbon for service in this war has yet been authorized in army orders, and many officers and enlisted men are allowing their love of personal adornment to out weigh their understanding or regu lations. The ribbons representing the Croix de Guerre and our own Distinguished Service Cross and Dis tinguished Service medal are alone permitted to be worn at this time. Service ribbons for wars prior to the world war are of course not included in the list. • * • Wound stripes of gold are worn on the lower right sleeve of the coat and overcoat, one for each day the wearer received wounds, but hot one for every wound, if the latter were all received in the same engagement. The gold stripe is worn on the left sleeve for each six months spent with the A. E. F. A single blue stripe on tho left sleeve-signifies less than six months abroad, while each silver stripe represents six months' service in this country. It was not contemplated that there should be a combination of such stripes, as, for instance, two silver and one gold, or one gold and one blue. The red stripe worn on the upper left sleeve an nounces to the world that the wear er has been honorably discharged but not yet adopted civilian clothing. As for the stars, we have yet to see any official authorization for the sewing on of any stars, except on tho shoulders of general officers. Stories have come from soldiers that the gold star on the lower sleeve is for the first 100,000 oversees and the silver star for voluntary enlistment, but they lack verification. The poor civilian is easily taken in and the boys do love to fool them. • • It is understood that devices in dicating the division with which the soldier Berved may be worn below the seam of the left shoulder by all National Army and former National Guard divisions. The majority of these aro for citations, such as the red keystone of the Twenty-eighth Division, the red, white and blue shield of the Forty-second or Rain bow Division, and the "wild cats' head" of the Thirtieth Division. [ WELL KNOWN PEOPLE | —The Rev. Dr. W. H. Roberts, stated clerk of the Presbyterian gen eral assembly, is being congratulated upon his seventy-fifth birthday. —William Price, the new member of the State Bocvrd of Public Chari ties, is a big banker and one of the most generous contributors to chari ties in that city. It is said he gives the Biblical "tenth." —General Charles T. Monoher, ' who presided at the Smith trial, is one of the wealthiest Judges in the state. He comes of a family that long ago became noted in tho coal development. —Beneral Charles T. Menoher, commander of the Rainbow Division, will be welcomed by Somerset and Cambrian friends of his boyhood this week in Johnstown. | DO YOU KNOW | —Tlat Harrisburg furnished steel for entrenching tools for the fighting men of our army. Historic Harrisburg —John Harris gathered supplies here for Washington's armjr when it made the march to take Yorktown. Books Exactly Balance Yesterday Father Van QuenUn figured he broke even. His car was stolen and his brother sent him a bucket of country-made lard, free '
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers