Newspaper Page Text
CHARLES OF JUST! ' A TRIFLE TRICKSTEH / Professor Masuryk Says Dual Mon archy Was Real Partner of Gcr mauy in Starting War. KITS IN AUSTRIAN PARLIAMENT Empire Must llo Dismembered?Its Monarch Not Tool of Prussian I Kaiser?Letter to Poincurc Is Explained. DV PROFESSOR MASARYK, Doltruilun Soldlrr mid I>atrlot, .Member of Autttriun Parliament. (From the International News Bureau.) I The Emperor Charles Is no mere tool of the Kaiser. Berlin did not ' Incite Vienna on to the war. Vienna' wanted this war. Vienna started this war or her own free will. The Kaiser lent his support because war was necessary to the German scheme of a Mittol Europa. But Austria was a full partner in the scheme, an active plotter in its development. Austria is and always has been a mistress of duplicity. The United ?States has seen her playing the role of the misguided victim of German diplomacy; a nation forced by coercion into taking part In the war. 11r agents have been busy since the war began giving publicity world-wide to this consummate actress. A feeling of tolerance toward Austria us com pared with Germany has been the re sult. Ever with ub had be??n the skill fully implanted suggestion that Aus tria bitterly rued her bargain with Germany, longed to throw off the yoke of German influence and was ready to discuss peace. What .'in illusion! It has suited Ger many's plans to perfection. For Just so much as the allies placed any faith in Austrian desire for peace; Just so much has the war-making energy of the allies been weakened. It is per fectly plain that if you are expecting one of your opponents to cease fight ing you will discount him as a factor in the llnal result. "But how about the letter of Charles to Poincare." I am constantly asked. Duplicity again! Charles did not believe that the let ter would be published. Note his ve hement denial \?hen it was published It wan a characteristic Austrian trick to make France believe that Austria was not wholeheartedly in the war and that in proof of h*r protestations she would be responsive to a peace with 'no annexations.* KAISER APPROVES PltOPOSAI.S FOR PEACE .MADE liy rilARL.ES And note how admirably the revela tion of Charles's p?--aee proposals suited the Kaiser Wp sec the spectacle of Charles hurrying to Berlin to "explain." note the Kaiser hurrying to Vienna to Investigate. From the German view point. the Kaiser thus again estab lishes himself as the mightier of the two monarchs. Then the treaty fol lows. Next we will see Turkey and Bulgaria following suit and the four cornered alliance bound up firmer than ever in pledges. If the peace letter of Charles had not been madf public. "The treaties would have been ef fected Just the same," Professor Ma saryk replied. "And Charles would have labored under the delusion that he had Implanted a fal?<e hope in the mind of the french'leaders." "Isn't it true that strikes and riots and food shortage are weakening Aus tria as a factor in the war?" people ask me. It is true that Austria Is literally seething with discontent, hut the sol diers are in control of the disturbances. I have witnessed many d^monstrations in my own Bohemia during the war. But nothing is gained; the civilian pop ulation have no guns. As for food shortage. Austria is .suffering sorely; much more so that Germany. Berlin lakes good care that h?r own get the greater share of food that comes from outsid-i the two empires. It is a mis take. however, to conclude that the central powers can be starved out. Tou must not forget the Bohemians, the Slovaks, the Poles, the Serho Croats, the Slovenes and the other na tionalities of the Austria empire have always been striving for independence and have always been discontented and revolutionary under the Hapsburgs. "But are not the Austrian casualties seriously reducing her man power?" Of course. The people forget, how ever. that the population of Austria and German Is greater than that of England and France, and that the loss of man power has been felt equally hy England and France. Austria and Germany both have their crop of young men springing up for service each year. But whyN conjecture along the line of Austria's weakening or disintegra tion? Every.moment devoted to con jecturing should be given over unre servedly to fighting:. Let this fight be waged without giving the slightest consideration to any possibility or probability but beating the central powers. Some one asked me whether the allied plans of dividing up Austria into small states according to the various nationalities If made known to the different nationalities would not start a revolution in the army. I replied how can (he allied aims nnd Ideals be spread successfully among the liberty-seeking element of the Austrians? Even if propaganda to that effect was circulated in spite of the strict censorship, would not a backfire be started against it. You might succecd in lowering the morale of the troops, but that would be all. There Is only one way of spreading the propaganda of democracy in Ger many and Austria and that is hy a decisive victory on the western front. And here is only one way of menace of Germany and that is by dismember ing of the Austrian empire. Austrian left intact after this war means that the two empires will bo waging a second world-war as soon as they are able. Austria dismembered means that Germany will have a perpetual bar rier around her over which she can only look toward the East and Bagdad. Speaking of world-wide, neither Aus tria nor Germany anticipated that the war would assume <he proportions It did. German preparations was such that she was ready to carry on a worjd war when pressed to It. Austria thought she was prepared. The Vi enna newspapers boasted of her com plete preparedness, but Austrians are lazy and inefficient in comparison with Germans. She could not have defeated Serbia decisively -vlthout German aid. The United States will be tho de-i cJdlne factor |n this war. but the] ?!.**" "1U8t "8ht w"hout the Illusion that Austria will he out of it ' and the task hereby made an ?3asy RANDOLPH-MACON WOMAN'S COLLEGE GRADUATES MANY <?reat Virginia Inntliudon Send. Out ?Many |o All I'nrt. of ?South. [?Special to The Times-Dispatch.! ^ NCHBURC, VA.. June 3 ?The bae claureate sermon at Randolph-Macon W Oman's College was delivered In the college chapel Sunday by Dr. Lynn Hough. of Evanstoii. 111., before a large audience. and the address to the large graduating class will be Tuesday morning by Dr. Charles W. Metoalf professor of English at the University of Virginia. The Alumnae Association has elected the following officers for the coming year: president. Dr. Gillie Larew- first vice-president, Mrs. Robert Buckner: second vice-preside nf. Miss i.ln?, ueT54'\Vi'n|amKV100*0s'd0n 1 ? Mrs. Sam Ullams. secretary. Dr Met* Vaderi. " '""'""r* Miss Nannie The graduates are: ?Jennie usgood Anthonv ,,??? *V.'n" b m"'""' ""???? cv.rt. ,v>?M.mli iT R?" v-ell. Rockv 'w"'" : h'lh frtsht. K>tuh>ih city N ,? * ?I" "' K ? w- r"Ta Candler Djlla* -r??. . ??????' iSs n- v >o>;' rv>M-no,k>' M^n?: ;r ^h rfKppr:.x olumbus. Ga.; Marf; iro( f> Djgan" vnPHKn ra: Kmn-V Oordon Dunn' hnr v'r' ?,ivA Krrr Pete'S i "??s\oV':v?"zM^ln.H';!ie Kraik Ar,k: H""" KMza'b#-th | ?/?nk. Tampa. Kla.: Mary Kathleen f';'a^'voodynvhhUrC- Va 1 Mary ; ? Nowport News. Va ; Marv A.Ht.1 Gillespie, Tazewell, Va.: Virginia Randolph Goodwin. Louisa. V*.; Bertha J.\ 'rei t lirc^n. Emporia. Va Vir?lnla S. ^-hontar. Va!: Fr'Zlcli Hamilton, Lexington. Va ? .ifh?-rnie llamrick. Staunton. Va : He|e? I.inlo .cco,,. Norfolk. Va Dorothv S.ea>'- Brad?n. Tenn : Edith Kee" **?. Hirhmond, Va.: Clara Louise sim S- C': I'el,Ie Win free ? itnpson. Barton Heights. Va.; Klr.ra Anne Smith. Huntington, W. Va Anna Smith. Gladstone. Va ; Margate" Storey. Talladega. <;a ; Eleanor Josephine Sydnor. Ashland. Va ? Ki-a Arden Talley. Newport. Term.; lsa Be'il .nn1^"1!1' Ath?ns. Ga.; Marlon An-kr v. r,'.^TaS?n.' S"a:rm' Va : Laura Bixhv Bibber. Huntington. W. Va Kli zaheth Virginia Watt?. Versailles' k'v Bouease Mildred Weaver. Luray Va ? ?Macon Plumber Wehst*r. Decatur Ala ! Margaret Spinner Wells. Washington! ? Mar>' Elizabeth Morrow Well* Myl'tta. O : Mabel Belle White. Eliza-' >ct|, ( it y N. C.; Buelah Anstine Whit v i i1- -Mar,nn Station. Md : Dorothv i "la nd" Widineyer. Wytheville. Va ? ; :ir>' ,-lZ/-!A Wild*. Jackson. T?nn ? Mary Clay Williams. Tulsa. Okla r\,ra Wright. Durham. N. C.; Margaret <v,.s cy Wright. Dayton. O.: Annette Eliza tieth lounger, Lynchburg. RECENTLY DRAFTED MAN KILLED BY ELECTRIC CAR 1 dr n 11 fled an George Krontmlllrr, of Dultole, I'n.?I'nrm Home Struck I>.t 1.1k Ii I uing. [Special to The Times-Dispatch 1 i'ET EBSBL'RG, \"A., June 3.?Coro nor < 'rockford and a jury this after noon held an inquest on the bodv of the stranger who was killed Saturday eve "i.'iK L.y a ,ar on the Petersburg and Hopewell Electric Railway in Prince George County. The deceased was identified as George Frostmiller, of Du J'a- a recently drafted man who arrived at Camp Lee. It had been tio k t JhvHt Slncc hls arrival at the camp he had been acting very queerlv and in a manner that Indicated that his mind was in some way unbalanced. It was developed by the evidence before the Jury that as Motorman Barnes was bringing his car from the barns Sat urday evening, about 6 o'clock, to eo into service on the main, the deceased threw himself immediately m front of the car. and was run over, and his death quickly resulted. The jury's re Heaf thc case was of Mi.cide death resulting from shock and hemorrhage, caused by throwing him. |~e.f i? front of the car. The hodv will for bur I a 1? h0in* in Alleged \\ otild-Re Suicide. A man giving his name as Alexander J reeman. of Freeman. W. Va.. a draftee from (hat State, who came to Camp Lee last week, was take,, into custody ? ?> tiie police this morning, after, as is alleged, he had attempted to end his life. It was reported to the police I that the man had attempted to climb j the fence at the Battersea Cotton Mills j ini the effort to jump into the river ; w hen officers went to the spot the man fled and was pursued for some dis tance and was overtaken on the Nor folk and Western track, where he had ; sat down in front of an approaching train. He was taken to the police sta I tton. where he will be given an op. portunity to explain his actions. Ha says that he left the camp several days ago because he was tired of army life, and that he was out looking for cm j ployment. Struck by Lightning. i uring a severe thunderstorm sev j ?ral nights ago. She home of T. A. Nun 'If r. a farmcr flear Delhltt. Dinwid Ti?? h?V.nf;V' Was struok hy lightning. ? ?...<? descended through a chimnev ? and passed through several rooms. Yn!r,M1n 'S?me <lamaS0- Miss Blanche forte ,Wr" act of retiring for the ninht when the holt entered cr dr?ee1Jeanf,olhntter0d ",e mirror of f. T r- Shc wa? cut i? several Porufn^teIvC fr^menls of glass, 'vas iniur^i V? member of ,he family Injured by the .ightning. WnKhlngrton Strike Off. WA<!HlvrTnv0cl."t,(1 Prei"'-1 cltv emr>l ' * ' 1,10 3*?A thousand c'trlv T i "VVh? WCnt ?" strlk* f t,0"dav higher pay returned lureT^ ,8h0rMy af,0r n?0n whcn a? sured then- demands would be investi for sale Two hundred tons relaying 40-Th rails, already inspected by Hunt Co and now on cars Norfolk. ' HENRY LEVIS & CO Commercial Trust Building, Philadelphia. Great Woman Spy Tells Life Story i i ? ? ? ? Author Giocs Stirring Revelations o) German's Far-Reaching Espionage System. WHITTBX UY .Miss OLGA~~Vojs MARX. I2UITEU BY* IIKM1I UU HAL MA U.K. 'Copyright, 1317. bv Henri de Hal salle, by the International News Bureau. Inc. "I ani the manager of this hotel." j 1 now remembered Krau OrlolT's re mark that a room adjacent to the cap j tains had been taken for me Did ? 'he manager know Frau Orloff, or Koonstrasse 24I asked him the . 'luestion. j "1 am not supposed to know either Krau Urloff or Koonstrasse 1M." he re plied, "but 1 am to understand, 1 sup pose, that you are in the employ of : ouC secret serviceV 1 told hint 1 was. Ih-t puts a different complexion on the affair. . . . What have you ab stracted from this gentleman's trunk?" "Only papers hidden in a secret place." "Where is M. Brlsaon?" "He is out. 1 got him out by a ruse." ; 1 then quickly explained my mode of piocedure. The hotel manager smiled grimly. "I do not like these things to happen ; here," he said. "This is a new hotel, i If this sort of episode Bets to the ears of our clients it will do ua serious tn ?Jurv. l shall inform my directors of this you can tell !? rau Orloff from me." "May I go?" ' What is your next item?" 1 now showed the manager the card Sivcn to mc by Frau Orloff. and n fot med him what iny further instruc tions were I know that telephone number," he , said. "You had better strap the tru:*k again." He knelt down and as sisted me. Now get the business over as quick ly as possible." We left the captain ? room together. I went to the telephone box at the ? end of the corridor and rang up th<? police as directed. Very well." came the reply in the ! receiver, ? we will be round at the Adloi; in three minutes. In the mean-! t me. o not lose ;he papers or what -\' i . ,?->? ar?- wait for us in vour room " : J entered my room, leaving the door a little ajar, and sat down on the edge of my bed. Again my conscience rebuked me. This French captain had entertained me t<> lun<li and his ex cellent conversation, and 1 had returned his kindness by rifling his trunk and r a .1; ng in the police. Would he he ar reted and sent to prison? ! hoped not. actually wini-ed. In my ca?e. I de cided that he should not be called upon to discharge my luncheon bill. I would take care that he should not think me as mean a creature as that. NOVi. a nians voice humming an old I-rench air. Was it the can tain returning? Yes, it was he! Again J fe,t a.raid He evidently guessed I was m my room, for he called out at my door. "The lock5mith will be h?*re in half an hour. Miss PJay.'air?can't com. sooner. I am Just going to write a letter in my room ?I will see you presently." I trembled from head to foot r>? splte the commissioner's injunctions .or me to remain in my room. I felt nclined to fly?anywhere out of the Hotel Adlon. I could face a commis sioner of police. the hotel manager? .i n> body but the Frenchman. I felt desperately mean. yes. ashamed of mv s If. for the captain had been kind and considerate to me. Still. th:s wa? no time for remorse. I had under" Ia ?i^h i? captain's papers. mm,, i KO' anfl lh" responsi i nilit> la> r.n the shoulders of the Ger man government, wh., demanded this kind of work. No doubt. I should g*t used o U in ?me. j was sufferjn from stage-fright." mil*".,* \*ry "ho" *vh,le the captain mifeht return to my room. If he d's susnec? hiS JOSS h* wou,d certainly "nwi ?? nie st" yet he mieht not? rive moment 'he police may ar sufffrArt'1' ,t.has b*''n s?ated by critics, suffered w?h "paralysis of the will." eriP. Vs ,r'v ?ase now as 1 sat on the coni i i my !d at th* Holel Adl?n- I sMii nothin??' must simply sit 2"1 awa!t events 1 began to fee! as some criminals are said to just before sentence of death is passed upon them. Kvents were not long coming. A loud rap at my door and the French captain appeared His face was pale and there was no look of kindness in it! He closed the door behind him -Miss Pla.vfair." he exclaimed, in a ^f"e v?lce- "y?" have been to niv trunk and you have stolen mv papers Reiurn them to nie or I will call in police. He hesitated slightlv I police'' ? hC Ultcrcd the "'ord aeain"5 Al?ost mistress of myself again. I rose from the bed and con EVENCROSS, SICK ~ CHILDREN LOVE SlfRUP Of FIGS Look at tongue! If fercrisli, bilious, constipated, take no chances. "California Syrup of Figs" can't liarm tender stomach, liver, boiveis. Don't scold your fretful, peevish (.htld. See if tongue is coated; this is j. "ur? sign its little stomach, liver : waste *C ar<> cl?Beed with sour ; \\ hen listless, pale, feverish, full of : cold, breath bad. throat sore, doesn't ^iVn^i 0, (\r, aCl naturally. has stom achache. indigestion, diarrhoea, give a : teaspoonful of "California Syrup of . l'lgs, and in a few hours all the foul waste, the sour bile and fermenting food passes out of the bowels and you have a well and playful child again | Children lovo this harmless "fruit laxative." and mothers can rest easy after giving it. because It never fails to make their llttlo "insldea" clean and sweet. Keep it handy, mother. A little riven to-day saves a sick child to-morrow but get the genuine. Ask your drug gist for a bottle of "California Syrup of Figs," which has directions for babies, children of all ages and for grown-ups plainly on the bottle Hemember there are counterfeits sold here, so surely look and see that yours is made by the "California Fig Syrup Company." Hand back with contempt any other fig syrup.?Adv. fronted him with all the Indignation of outraged innocence. "Really mon sieur." 1 returned, "have you lost con trol of jour senses?" "You have been to my trunk. You have stolen my papers. You borrowed my keys for that express purpose. 1 do not know who you arc?you say your name is Play fair, and at least 1 thought you had the honorable in stincts of the English; but you are a German woman and a spy. Hand mc back those papers instantly or?" lie advanced threateningly, with up lifted arm. I immediately pressed my electric bell. The captain now stepped buck to wards the door. 1 knew he was in a dilemma. If I complained of his accusation the hotel management might at once suspect him and hand him over to the police as a spy. This was pass ing through his mind 1 could see. i He was In as tight a corner as myself. "Give mo those papers. Miss Play fair." he said in a chastened voice. "Give me those papers and I will make it worth your while." Then the door burst open, and the manager of the Hotel Adlon stood be fore us. "Repeat your accusation to the man ager," 1 said to the captain. The l-'renchman paused for awhile, uncertain what to say. Then he blurted out: "This woman has been to my room, ransacked my trunk and taken from it several?letters. I demand their in stant return." ? To Be Continued To-Morrow.) WON'T ADMIT CONSULS t!ilnr?e Government Points Out It Hn? Not ItrroRnlEeil Soviet Regime. I By Associated Pre--s ] MOSCOW, Wednesday. May 29? The Chinese government has informed For eign Minister Tchitcherin that it re grets it is unable to admit Russian Soviet consuls in China because the Soviet government has not been recog nized by China. The Chinese legation here has been instructed not to discuss diplomatic matters with the Soviet authorities, but to confine itself to commercial re lations. This has caused more sur prise to the Bolshevik government, be cause last January China proposed that Russia s?>nd an unofficial diplomatic representative to Peking and because, relations between the two countries had been very friendly. AGAINST TABLE D'HOTE i Food Admlnlitrntlon Consider* Synlrm KnrournKm Wnnte In Public Entlng-Plnce*. tBv Assorts ted Press. J WASHINGTON. June 3.?In explain ing to-day its recent request to pro prietors of hotels and other public eating-places to reduce to the barest minimum the number of dishes served, the food administration announced that it does not favor the general adoption of table d'hote meals. Even when very carefully supervised, table d'hote services encourages waste, the statement said. TOXIC-IPBCILDER Stubborn Couch*, Weak Langs nnd folds Try Eckman's Alterative 'F"r many years this <"r?lclum preparation has maintwinrrt an ev ?r-mcrraslnp reputa tion for arcomphshinR pood, and oft*n re markable results. 91! Slr.e *1 Site now $l..riO now Sflf Trie Includes War Tax All DruitsriMs Kckman Laboratory Philadelphia Agreement Is for Co-Operation Against German Monaco by Way of Siberia. WITHDRAW AT WAR'S END Japanese Foreign Minister Declares Army Within Chinese Territory, for Defensive Purposes, Will Be Recalled When Danger Is Past. (By Associated Press ! PKKING. Thursday. May 30.?The Japanese Foreign Ofliee announced that the recently signed convention between China and Japan la limited to joint military operations in defense against the German menace in Siberia. Notes exchanged between the two countries on March 25 were made public to-day by the Foreign Ofliee. The first, from China to Japan, says: "The means and condition of the co operation of the army and navy of China. with Japan are compatible with i a common military defense against an j enemy, for the realization of which I plans may be decided upon by mutual : agreement of both countries. They will be arranged by the military and naval authorities of both countries, who. from lime to time, will consult with each other freely and carefully upon all questions of mutual interest and upon approval of the governments. I They will he carried into action ac \ cording to the demands of the circum ? stances " I On the same date Viscount Motono. the Japanese Foreign Minister, replied "I propose on behalf of my govern ment that thb periol in which the notes will remain in force be deter mined by competent military and i authorities of the two powers. At thr ; same time the imperial government is happy to declare that Japanese tr^ within Chinese territory for the pur pose of such defensive movements will be withdrawn completely upon the ter mination of the war." The third note was merely the formal acknowledgment by the Chinese gov ernment of Viscount Motono's reply. Itrnl Eatnte Agent* For quick results, and great satis faction to tenants, make the Want Ads ' in this paper your rent list. Phone ' Randolph 1. ^ TL THe l | Encyclopaedia Britannica 0 JJ in the horns or office means that ; X its owner has the summary In N useful and usable form of the ac : n cumulated knowledge of 10,000 O years. It makes ignorance inex ? cusable. Call and inquire this jj week about our wonderful free ^ ofTers. | HUNTER & CO., Inc. 1 U Bonkmrn, Stationer* ?! Engraver* ^ ior, icast nnoAD street. cososcecososososecooeeoos To-Day at the Movies HEX?"Open Place#," a story ?( the Northwest. ISIS?Cecil de .Mille'a "The Whimp ering t'fcopM*.'' DIJOL'?W allure lleld, la "Ilonse of Silence."* COLOMAL?Alice Drndj, la "The Ordeal of riosrtta." ODKOX?William S. Ilart. In "Wolvea of the nail." Blil KniRD?Illta Jollvet. la "Lent We Korget.'? TEXTILE STRIKE ON Great New Bedford .Mills Close Dorra When Advance la Re faaed. (By Associated Presa. ] NEW BEDFORD. MASS.. June 3.? The textile mills of this city, employ ing 35.000 operatives, were shut down to-day in consequence of a general strike called by the textile council last night. One-third of the operatives have been engaged on government con ! tracts. | It is estimated that cloth for gov i ernment purposes comprises about 23 per cent of the production of the mills. The textile council, which originally ! sought & 25 per cent advance in wages for the operatives, as opposed to the ; manufacturers' offer of 12',? per cent a week, modified its demand to 20 per | cent. The manufacturers then agreed i to a 15 per cent increase, which the I council rejected. The strike was then I voted. BAPTISTS ARE WORKING Aid War Work by Srvrln*. Knitting, (?ardenlng and < anniaR Jlany, Vrgrlablra. NEW YORK, June 4.?The members' '?'of the Woman's American Haptlut ! Home Mission Society 4re directing I their efforts for war service to sewing, ! knitting. gardening. canning, economy i and conservation of food, minute care j of the health of individual members I of the family and co-operation with i local' committees on food conserva , tion. Liberty bond and thrift stamp i campaigns and Red Cross. According 1 I to Miss Kathcrlne S. Westfall. cor ! responding secretary of the society, j There has been a campaign Tor pro j hibitlon as a war measure, led by Mrs. I Lucy W. Peabody for the society, j throughout New England. Co-operation has been established with other organ I izatlons of the denomination by which large amounts of money have been se cured for the support of preachers and missionaries in camps and canton ments. COSSACKS TAKE HAND Half Head of Bolshevik Commissioners la Don Comack Territory, Say* Reuter'n. fBy Associated Preaal LONDON, June 3.?The president of the Bolshevik commissioners in the Don Cossack territory has been hanged by anti-Soviet Cossacks, according to a Reuter dispatch from Moscow. He was the chief organizer of the Cossack movement against General Kalcdines. Burned to Death la MId-Alr. FORT WORTH, TEX., June 3.?Harry J. Webster, student flyer from Grand Rapids. Mich., was burned to death In ' mid-air here to-day when his plana caught Are after a collision. COOL SUMMER SUITS MOHAIR MEN who want maxi mum comfort and at the same time demand clothes that add dignity to their appearance when it's 90 in the shade, wear suits made from MOHAIR Etery garment hears the Priestley Label which stands for the highest type of Mohair made FOR SALE BY LEADING CLOTHIERS All Priestley's Mohairs are imported ? the Street Car arket List" Looks To-Day "The Fare of 20 Years Ago Is Not Fair To-Day" If you are a careful Housekeeper, you keep thorouhly posted on the cost of what you eat and wear to-day, and you know how much more you are paying to-day than in pre-war days. If you are a Manufacturer, you have accurate data of what raw materials cost to-day and what they cost you before the war. If you are a Merchant, you know the argument the manufacturer and the wholesaler puts up in defence of his abnormal prices of EVERYTHING he sells you, and your explanation to the customer is similar. Being in the street railway business, and the only merchant of our kind in the city of Richmond, it might be interesting to you to compare your list of purchases with ours. Here are samples of the articles on our list. These increases are over prices of 1915, not of 20 years ago, when our selling prices were fixed: j , Copper wire 180% Pipe, cast iroii 100% Axles 272% Acids 162% Brass 300% Car forgings 216% Castings, malleable 198% Copper, bar, and sheet 147% Tie plates 276% Steel, tool 400% Coal Price Doubled How do you meet your increases, Mr. Merchant? By increasing your price to the customer, or by reducing the quantity of his purchase ? Or do you sell him an inferior goods to that he is used to buying? If you do none of these and are still in business, your method would be interesting to us since we are selling a product WHICH IS COSTING US MORE EVERY DAY TO MANUFACTURE?YET, WE STILL SELL IT AT THE PRICE FIXED 20 YEARS AGO, WHICH WAS VERY LOW EVEN THEN. It is safe to say that the Street Car Ride is the only commodity in Richmond which is selling to-day at the pre-war price, regardless of the greatly increased cost of producing it. IS IT FAIR? * Virginia Railway and Power Company THOS. S. WHEELWRIGHT, President MMMMMNMtMWWttMMMtfWMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMIMMMMMMMMMMMMIttMMMMMMMNM