Newspaper Page Text
THE EVENING STAR, With Sunday Moraine Edition. ~ W ASHINGTON. ~~ SUNDAY March 2. 1913 THEODORE W. NO YES Editor Tie Eveaiai Star Newspaper Caayaaj, Easiness Office. llfh St. and Pennsrlyanla Arena*. New York office: Trthane Buildin*. Cbfcafo Office: First National Bank Building. Luropeun Office: 2 Regent St.. London. England. The Evening Siar. witii the Sunday nvwnln? edition, is delivered by carriers within the city at 4.1 cents per month: daily only. '?> cent* par aronth: Sunday on!y. 2*> cents per month. Orders may be sent by mail, or telephone Main 3440. Collection is wade by carrier at the end of each month. By mall. postage prepaid: Daily. Sunday included, one month, fid cents. Dally. Sunday excepted, one month. 40 rents. Saturday Star. $1 year. Snnd.iy Star. $3.40yrit. Entered as seeond-cinas mail matter at tha post office at hatlil'iKtoo. D. C. CTTn order to avoid delays on account of v.cr>onal absence letter? to THE STAR ahoaM *? v rot t?- addressed to any inoiTKiuai with tti? ofB'-e: l?t'f simply to TILE STAR, or to rdltorial or Busin'-ss Department, according to tenor or purpose. Washington and Lincoln. j \:o Washington and Lincoln out-of-' . .it' ? Have they no message for these time.-? Are we mistaken in looking to their performances for inspirations and suggestion in tlie work we now have in hand? i Then art men before the public whose < deliverances lead to these questions. Some of them spoke on the 12th ultimo, : and others on the 22d. The tributes to both the father and the preserver of the countiy were warm, hut somehow qualiTied. It was admitted that Washington's work was great, and well done. As much was said of I.ineoln's work. Each solved ie- problems of his day. aJtd earned tlie ' .i-ting gratitude <>f his countrymen. I hit we are reminded that Washington's 1 w.ok w is done ntorc than a hundred ' \?a r.- ago. and Lincoln's tlfty years ago. ' N' w times, new problems. New prob- ' t ins, new men. Neither Washington nor * Lincoln had either the trusts or eonserva- 1 ion to consider. Both were protection- 1 .-ts. but th< tariff problem of their day ' was not th< tariff prohleni of this day. 1 Ml very title, but it fails to take into j ' account the broad principles for which ' lite two m< n stood, and upon which they 1 a t? <1. They found warrant in the Con- ' stitution for all they did, and all they did still further strengthened the Constitution. At the end of sixty years Wash- 1 ington was an inspiration to Lincoln, and ' why at the end of fifty years should not ' Lincoln 1> an inspiration to us? 1 Had Washington been in the White ' House in ISt'.l he would have found, us ] Lincoln did. power enough in the Consti- ' tutiuri to save the country from dismem- ' b? rnunt. He would have proceeded quite 1 as promptly as Mr. Lincoln did against ) secession, and being a trained soldier < probably with a clearer idea of the mili- 1 tary difficulties presented. The war, un- 1 der his general direction of the Union < ' a use. might have ended sooner than it < did. Certain it is that he would have employed all the resource., of the govern- j ment to suppoit and defend the Constitution. < If Lincoln were in the White House today he would be laying liis course by the Constitution as i'oiisnenuousi> Tuft has laid his. The men who are. claiming him for a revolutionist, and declaring that if alive he would bo supporting radical departures from the old chart, give a strange reading of hig record. In his day lie met the temptations of a change, but resisted them. He remained a constitutional conservative to tie- end; and students of that great struggli today agree that by no other course could he have performed the services that have made his name immortal. The National Capital's Partners. It is to be hoped that those who visit the capital during the inauguration period w ill take occasion to study the city In the light of its peculiar character as a federal community. Tills is. strictly speaking, the city of all the country, and those who eonie from Maine and from California, front the south and front the northwest, from the urban and the rural eetlons, have a partnership concern in it. It is on such occasions that the city :opes for a broadening and deepening of the interest which the American people lake in it. In most of its appointments it feels that it is properly an object of pride on the part of the dwellers in the states. But there are things jet to be) lone to bring it up to the full measure of its possibilities. In a certain sense those who come here front elsewhere at such a time arc responsible for the proper development of the federal city. They have it in their power by influencing the attitude and the actions of their representatives in t'ongfess regarding the District to hasten tin- ?volution of the ideal national, - cai.ital. Was.lingue.inns who in contact' v ::.i visitors iium t ;< states during the j nauguratiuii perii?l should seize the op-i ortunity to explain to them the peculiar ature of in- vit>. the unusual character ??f its government, the degree to which it d?-p? nii? ;,t ipoii congressional rnactm--nts for th? efficiency of its adminlstra- ' . ih?n and tin necessity and equity of the Italf-and-half division of eost between the District and tin federal funds. It is more important to make t!.is plain to the visitors than it is to show tliem the sights," which are obvious and easily appreciated. he residents of the District should constitute themselves a great committee of the whole to cause a better understand>ng on the part of the people from outside of Washington's record, opportuniii> s and needs. ' " 1 r.v sending over a fleet of airships i; might be possible to inteiest a great many of those Mexicans in a way that v ould make them stop lighting for a while. Still it is a question whether the ves of American aviators should be itsked for so temporary a benefit. Most of the trouble in our economic - tern is caused by a resentment on the curt of people who have to "hike'' toward the use of special train facilities to fame antl success. If .Mr. Wilson as President establishes ..i office in the Capitol building he may nnd it desirable to go further and announce lecture hours. i? "I" e man who is among those mentioned for political appointment wonders ketlier Marjdi l is a prologue to April 1. The Spring Session. ;i ; he country rejoice that it is to .?\e Cong:ess on Itr hands in the spring. Take our foreign affairs. We are. and .ay be for some months to come, nerv.. - about Mexico. We are responsible an order in Cuba, and disorder may or out of the approaching change of idniinistratlon there, rarest is showing r, certain section, of Centra) and South vr.rcraa. and should it take a turbulent >rm on* interests there :nay require ^:ae . iioo .?n our pa *t. Take o duii'?.. ti' afla.is. ftusiness nervous about the incoming administrate tt- I will '>< ofticeivd o> men either new to executive duties, or new to the public notice. They will have their hands full at once of matters of the highest importance. A very great deal will depend on how the ball is set rolling. But with Congress in session, complications if they arise can be adjusted with the assistance of that body. If nAnesArnionnl lo ImnArfonl If* HT1V wii5* ccotvtiai ai^iivu xr> jtujM/t vauv ?M * case, it can be had without delay. The President will have only .o submit the matter by message, and what is necessary can be voted in short, order. Congress also, it is true, will show new 1 men. and many of them. Such a campaign as was waged last year, with one of the old parties in a state of disorganization, was bound to retire many experienced legislators in favor of opponents who ordinarily would not have had a chance of success. But the majority party in both houses will be led by men of experience; and that should count heavily in the equation. In the lower house particularly the presence of Mr. Clark. Mr. I'nderwood. Mr. Clayton and others should help steady the general situation as Congress may be called upon to notice it. The length of the session will be determined by development? Intervention in Mexico or another intervention in Cuba might make U advisable for Congress to tarry awhile on that account. , Some sharp business disturbances growing out of the shaping of new tariff, or trust, or currency measures might make it advisable for Congress in some way to deal with them. But. in any case, we are to have Congress in session soon after the Issuance of the country's latest mandate as to legislation, and with power to deal with all questions affecting the public welfare. And there is in the fact much for the country to be thankful for. , Honoring Capt. Rostron. In the presentation of a medal of \ aonor, granted by vote of Congress, to _'apt. A. H. Rostron, eommander of the steamer Carpathia. for his part in rescuing the survivors of the Titanic ( lieaster last spring, the United States , pays a tribute to a man who performed lis duty to humanity in & crisis without hesitation. It is. of course, assured . J that any man confronted as Capt. Ros- , Iran was with such an emergency would j probably have risen to it in the same , manner. But it is none the less due to biin to express in this tangible and onspicuous manner the thanks of the , L'nited States for his noble service rendered so unhesitatingly and so ef- ! tlciently. Capt. Rostron proved to be not only equal to the emergency which the Ti- | tunic disaster presented, but has throughout the subsequent proceedings borne himself admirably. He doubtless regarded that day's performance as part of the work a sailor is called upon to do. lie maintained the traditions of the sea. His first thought was for the people who had been so narrowly saved from death, not for those who were intrusted to his care in the ordinary course of business, and iiis prompt decision to return them at ante to land was a creditable instance of correct judgment. The medal of honor granted by Congress and presented yesterday by President Taft is a token of unusual distinction. Not many of these symbols of the national gratitude have been issued. Capt. Rostron stands in a distinguished company in this regard, and the United States is proud to pay tribute to him. The occasion serves as a reminder of a shocking disaster, which it Is to be hoped will have no equal In time to come. The lesson that the Titanic's fate taught has not yet been fully applied. . Steamships j lire continuing to plough the sea at high speeds and few of the reforms which the catastrophe of last spring plainly indicated have been put into execution. But navigation is in a measurable degree safer in consequence of this disaster, which was so needless and which might so easily have been avoided. .' | The Uninvited. Of all impudent assertions, tiiat alleged to have emanated from Castro at Havana to the effect that he had been invited by Mr. Wilson to attend the inauguration as his special guest reaches the limit. It must be that Castro has a sense of humor hitherto unsuspected. Or else perhaps he is hinting. Maybe he thinks that the least the President of the United . States could do, in the light of the court's ! declaration that the Venezuelan exile is a ; welcome visitor, would be to ask him to his inauguration. Mr. Wilson's prompt denial will probably set this matter right j as far as Castro Is concerned. The American people had no reed of any such refutation from the President-elect, Castro's colossal nerve has always been such as to cause no surprise now at anything he does. He is at all events a rather poor politician. In that he gets in bad with the new administration before it reaches office. | > " A lawyer for the New York Stock l?xchango describes his client as "the vitals , of the nation and the state." It might ] be as well to call in a doctor and sec ; whether the ailment threatened is financial cirrhosis or merely pecuniary dyspepsia. in spite of the many disappointments that have followed announcements of new cures, science has made so much progress in lighting diseases once regarded as j hopeless that no new claim can be dis- j missed without respectful consideration. After a London suffragette has refused to eat for a few days she begins to wonder why mere men should enjoy special privileges at the noon hour with reference to coffee and sandwiches. Mexico's rather fickle army has caused the doctrine that a military organization is a peace promoter to be scrutinized with some suspicion. New York's Subway threatens to bring ( underground finance to notice as an interesting product of high finance. 'Ware Swindlers! Just now it is seasonable to warn all' people, whether permanent residents or visitors, to beware of swindlers and crooks. Despite all police precautions it is inevitable that some of the gentry will get here to take advantage, if possible, of the crowds and work their games upon tire unsophisticated and the unsuspicious. There will be affable strangers with money-changing requests. And there will . Ins casually met individuals, seemingly guileless, who will stnke tip acquaintance ami suggest apparently innocent modes of diversion. There will be amateur photographers arousing interest and thus getting hold of the attention of honest tourists who are waiting for the big show. Then, of course, there will be pickpockets and more direct plunderers. ' And for protection against all of these there is a very simple rule of conduct. Be cautious. It is better to be unjustly suspicious tiian to fall into the clutches of a swindler or to lose a watch or po^ketbook at the hands of an artful dodger. People grow very careless in crowds, exposing -vvatchcliains and purse pockets with amazing indifference to the weil understood propensity of the lightflngercd to Investigate other folks' clothe? .\? lor the bunco men tlicy are not daaa. serous if one will simply mind one's own business. Flashy propositions of opportunities for diversion are- to be passed up without discussion. There will perhaps be some fake guides, seeking merely to entangle the stranger and separate him from his money. The city provides licensed guides who can he easily identified, and all others should bo avoided. There are enough policemen here to give information to inquiring strangers, and if Washington's guests during these next few days will be ordinarily discreet and sen* * * aj?in eu ? t t siDJe in Tneir at'iniues inc> ?jii no occasion to regret their visit. Fire Traps. Omaha furnishes the latest instance of a hotel death trap catching: Are in the early morning: and burning a number of people. The dispatches describing the tragedy tell a story that is terribly familiar. The building was old and shaky. Two of the Ave stories of the original structure had been removed by order of the municipality for the sake of safety, but apparently the remnant of the house was deemed good enough to serve as a hotel. Probably in every city, particularly in cities where politics governs, are just such nstances of neglect of-the laws of safety. Old shells are continued in use as hotels and lodging houses that should have long since been razed, and they scrve their purooses well enough until some night there is a crossing of electric wires?an easy thing to happen in these "remodeled" rookeries? or an overheated furnace Aue, or carelessness in the kitchen, and in a Aasli the place is in flames. Having been built without reference to any other law than that of business, to get the most profit out of a given space, the structure affords a minimum of chances to the occupants for escape. Usually lire escapes are worthless because merely sham observances of the law. where there is any pretense at meeting its requirements. A building meeting modern safety standards could not possibly burn as freely as did this Omaha hotel, and it would be virtually impossible to trap any number of guests even in case of a swift blaze. But how many of the lower grade places of public accommodation are of this character. The Omaha fire makes it incumbent upon municipal officials throughout the United States to inspect rigorously all such establishments, and in ease they are not assuredly safe to prohibit their continued use for such purposes. tIT.lnnni. In All PnnlPTC ' TV UVVIUV l>V Uil vviuvau i Aii unusually large crowd will probably be in Washington for this inauguration. The occasion Is unique in that there is a dual attraction. The assemblage here ol leaders and representatives of the woman suffrage movement throughout the United States adds to the interest of the occasion and Washington will be the scene ol two pageants, strikingly dissimilar ir character, but both highly interesting and significant. Washington, above all other American cities, is capable of caring for a large crowd on such an occasion. It is aecustomed to the entertainment of multitudes and has reduced the matter to a scientitle basis. Throughout the year it i3 the scene of many gatherings, some large and some small, some of them national and others international in character. This is a strictly American occasion and Washington rises to it with its usual spirit and hospitality. It welcomes all who come and gives tlieni its best. Chicago's new Chinatown is to have a church whose creed is r^ade up from the beliefs of a number of Christian churches. It may be found eventually that a universal religion will be possible, with benefits far beyond those of the much-sought universal language. Suffragettes in England call attention to a condition which frequently presents itself in which the government is compelled to step in to protect the people who are seeking to discredit or destroy it. A twenty-thousand-dollar doctor's bill for a man in J. P. Morgan s circumstances does not necessarily mean that the patient was in imminent danger. It is sometimes difficult to understand why Harry Thaw was not tempted some 11 i 11 v il|}U lu iriiic iu Hinaic iwr. SHOOTING STARS. BV r 13 J LAN DEE JOHNSON. Hope. ' Vou have been condemned to be shot at sunrise," said the friendly guard. "Well," replied the Mexican prisoner. "I'm willing to take a chance on formal marksmanship. But don't let anybody send a rescue party for me." A way to guess a man's political likes or dislikes is to note the kind of weather he hopes for on Inauguration day. Spring. The merry spring we soon shall see, With blossoming so line, When we are lilied with poetry And also with quinine. When a man says he "has been disillusioned" it merely means that he took a rash chance and guessed wrong. Punctilious. ' We must avoid anything in the v\ay of dollar diplomacy." said one international lawyer. "Just as you like," replied the other; "we'll do a little mental arithmetic when we get dpwn to real business and mention only pounds or francs." Comparisons. "So >ou think a member of Congress has some advantages over a President?" "Yep. A member of Congress can get leave to print, but a President has to stand out of doors and read every word of his inaugural address." An Exaggerated Impression. The Era of (ireat Mirthfulness possesses all the land. You hear the plea for Laughter rising up on every hand. The .iest that rippled light and free while Folly had his fling Has now become a tragic and a mercenary thing. IIow can a sympathetic world withhold its kind applause From fun, so seriously meant, though it may have its flaws. When a comedian stands forth and says amid his chaff, "I'll get a raise of wages if you'll let me make you laugh"? The solemn dissertation on "the Wherefore and the Why'* Is overwhelmed bv jollities that daze the passer-by. The quip, the paradox, the pun, the anecdote so gay Come tumbling in confusion as the hours rush on their way. There isn't any subject so impressive or sublime That it can't be mode the topic of twist in prose or rhyme; So we'll wander to the graveyard where the willows bend around. For it's only on a tombstone that a serious thought is found. ? could with diseases they knew naught of, w how they came or what would cure them, At first the number of sick seamen was t* small enough to make their care one of ic individual interest rather than a matter gi of community concern. But soon the number grew to such proportions that the ^ colonists began to feel that their care was w one of the crown's duties instead of the ti individual colonists, and so hospitals were tl established. Then came the revolution, and the buildings used as hospitals were confiscated and made to accommodate soldiers 01 as well as sailors fighting for this country. After the revolution, In 1798, as a ? result of a bill introduced by Robert * Livingston of New York, an act was passed for "the relief of sick and disabled seamen." That was the creation of what is today the public health serv- . ice. The hospitals continued more as local Institutions, however, than as govern- S1 meni ones. In the meantime, too, Massa- si chusetts and Virginia had established ma- c, rlne hospitals, under the supervision of the state. C] As conducted in the beginning, the nta- n rine hospital service, as it was then des- A ignated, consisted of small hospitals at p the principal ports of entry into this y country. The few officers connected with the service were stationed permanently 81 at these points, while the work was car- H ried on under the supervision of the collector of customs. The reason for this ss was that every seaman and officer on 01 American ships had to pay 1:0 cents a si month toward the maintenance of the g hospitals. As it was the collector of cus- tl toms who received the monthly payments, g,i it was quite natural to give hini the fur- tl ther duty of supervision of the hos- a pitals themselves. During the early years K] the benefits of the marine hospitals were y extended to sailors of the United States si Navy, but in 1811 Congress authorized d tiie establishment of separate naval hos- p, pitals. * \ d it: * CJ The men who made up the corps con- c nected with this new service had odds to 31 overcome hardly believable g Difficult to the scientifically pro- 81 Prnhlems tected citizen of today. c< ' From practically every port w ill IV nr-lrl ftiir or*am/,n xuniiM ... V..-V .. w. v/wl uwwtt*vu * VlUill I ^ home, and bring with them almost every n disease Jtnown at that time. And many t of these diseases were contagious, and w 1 instoad of having to care for sick sea- ii - men alone, a community would often find f( i itself threatened with the extermination h 1 of its entire population. And all this time the physicians were striving to s learn something of the diseases theml selves. tj I "With cholera epidemics killing liun- I dreds, it was natural that a move- h L ment should be started to place quar- n antinc control under government super- r 1 vision. It was then a police power of n the individual states. It is interesting n i to note that one of the lirst bills in- tl . troduced in the initial session of our r , American Congress related to this sub: Ject. But it was not until the first li L session of the Fourth Cqngress that e any act bearing on the matter was b i passed. At that time the power was s . given the President of the United p States to change the place of holding n Congress in the event of a contagious n i disease becoming prevalent In Wash- c ington. That was in 1794, and two v years later another act was passed, h this time in connection with quarantine control. In 1853 came one of the worst epidemics ever Icnowji in this country. Of 16,000 people in the city of New t, Orleans alone who contracted yellow I fever S.000 perished. One of the handi-1 J cans in flffhtinir the disease at flint I time was the fact that officers of the marine hospital service were stationed at fixed posts, and consequently only J those stationed at the port of New Or- p 1 leuns were there to tight the dread plague. ... u * * q During the civil war the hospitals it were again used alike for soldiers and ^ sailors. In 1870 came n Reorganization a reorganization, and c of Service ,hls can b* 9aid to si oi ocrvicc. be the rea, bCglnning t< of the service as it is todav. All hos- ** ei pitals were placed under the charge of g a supervising surgeon, commissioned a by the President. All other officers u i were appointed by the Secretary of the Treasury, of which department the sj i service was, and still is, a part. After g the epidemic in New Orleans in 1853 tl the wisdom of making the service corps jj mobile became apparent, and this was one of the biggest features of the ti reorganization. And none too soon, for is between 1870 and 1880 came several * more epidemics of yellow fever in the , south. That of 1878 paralyzed the whole of the south, stopping her external commerce and internal admlnis- J1 : tration. Of 30.000 people attacked " 115,000 died. Although the service force C1 | at that time numbered not more than CM j twenty officers they were sent to the ; tiring line to figlit the disease. And "! t yellow fever ut that time was little p ' understood by medical science. Xot ir even its method of transmission was c( (known. ; As the horror of 1853 taught Congress y ! a lesson, so the recurrent horror of j * i 1878 showed the need of further ineas- j 1 i urcs, and an act was passed to prev"ent n the introduction of contagious diseases i ? into the country. At about the same i time some of those opposed to this I ? i step were instrumental in the creation ' " of a national board of health, com- I posed of eleven members, who should j have charge of the quarantine control. ! Large sums of money were appropri- j ated for the use of this board, and itjs1 carried out its instructions for nearly ten years. At the end of that time, j g however, the quarantine powers were returned to the Treasury Department, which originally had supervision. Later in the same year the powers were f< transferred to the marine hospital serv- g ice, and since then have remained undcr that office. B I % 4 * I* # I ei JBy tlie provisions 01 an act approved j oi in 1SS2 a fund was created which has since j 1c come to bear a very 1m- ! Preventing; portant relation to the ; n sanitary defense of this; tl Epidemics. country. This was for the j ? prevention of the introduction and spread i 01 of contagious diseases. As originally J?. enacted the provision gave the President tc the power, in case of actual or threat- si ened epidemic, to use a sum not exceeding os 5100,000 for the aid of state and local boards, or otherwise, for the prevention of the spread of the same. Congress still makes appropriations, thus keeping this, ei fund available, the amiount now being; fi usually fcOO.OOo. j pi In 1803 came the act placing the medical j d< inspection of arriving immigrants under the service. This measure was taken as a h result of the prevalence of cholera in Eu- i ct rope in that year, and the danger of Its w importation into the United States was e: considered so imminent that the Presi- d dent signed a proclamation prohibiting a j THE NEW PR From the Knoxftlle Journal aid Tribune. o Xext Tuesday Woodrow Wilson will fall heir to some responsibilities he hadn't Ft thought about when he was nominated for President. p From tbe tjrand Rapids Press. ? AA'ilson's inaugural address will consist v of only ii.OOO words. He starts off like a President worth having. From tUc New A'ork Evening Telegra*. n Quit publisiiing those lists of cabinet t< officers. It's causing Mr. Wilson no end w 0 UBLIC HEALTH le entrance of immigrants into this counT for twenty days. Now a hospital is lalntalned at New York, in charge of (fleers of the service, where sick immlrants are held under observation. Ill a Ingle year nearly 100,000 Immigrants are hysically examined. The service of today Is far different om that created in 1798. Instead of a truggllng body of poorly equipped men 'ho battled against unknown diseases lands a scientifically equipped service 1th trained men in all parts of the world, nd with headquarters in Washington. In MY* tha no mo nf Aha aotn'toA vflB phunCAd SAFEGUARDING F i When this country was young enough tl to be still one of the "crown's" posses- ti slons, the little American fleet jj, , Care of would returnr home laden with ^ Sail ore ?ar8oes o? various sorts, and s1 sailors. In additlon to the wares p packed away in the hold came crews of ^ sailors smitten with sicknesses new to s1 the colonies. The sailors were cared for, n and the physicians battled as best they st ) public health and marine hospital sefv:e of the United States, with a surgeon enerai in charge. Still later, in August, >12. the name was again changed, it now elng the United States public health ?rvice. The marine hospital and relief ork still forms part of the functions of le service, being carried on by one of le divisions. * * * The service, which is under the direction f Surgeon General Rupert Blue, consists of seven divisions, each in division charge of a commissioned nf VJ V medical officer. The dlvi01 WOrK. sjonB COver marine hospiils and relief, personnel and accounts, omestic quarantine, foreign and inular quarantine, sanitary reports and tatistics. scientific research and mispllancous matters. The officers in harge of the divisions in the order amed are: Dr. William J. Pettus, Dr. rthur H. Glennan, Dr. William C. Lucker, Dr. Deland E. Cofer, Dr. John 7. Trask, Dr. John W. Kerr, assistant urgeon generals, and Dr. Richard A. Learny, assistant surgeon. The division of scientific research and tnltation supervises the detail reports f officers ordered to attend national and tate medical societies and sanitary oranizations. and prepares for publication le proceedings of conferences between Late boards and the service. Through le division controlling maritime quarntinc is carried on the inspection of hips, nearly 17,000 being inspected In one ear at domestic, insular and foreign Lations, involving the inspection, in adition, of approximately 1,500,000 per 3ns, passengers and crews. The disin?ction of about 2,000 vessels for the estruction of rats and mosquitoes, the irriers of plague and yellow fever, filso oine under this division, as well as the ledioal Inspection of arriving immirants. Under the division of domestic (intertate) quarantine also comes work in onnection with contagious diseases'. It as this division which a few years ago arried on the war against plague-in?cted rats on the Pacific coast, killing lore than 200.000 of the little pests in hree cities. Of that number 162,603 ere examined in the federal laboratories nd none found Infected. Of 118,355 quirrels destroyed, however. 351 were >und to be infected, while four eas?s of uman plague were reported in a year. In the division of sanitary reports and tatistics is compiled and published a eekly pamphlet entitled "Public Health ieporis." This bulletin contains a staIstical report from all cities in the "nited States of more than 10,000 inabitants, and some others,, giving the lorbidity and mortality in each city with egard to twelve diseases, and the total lortality from all diseases. The weekly mortality in 120 foreign cities from hirteen communicable diseases is also e ported. The personnel and accounts division andleg the records of officers and the xpenditures of the service, the latter eing about $2,000,000 a year. This diviion also keeps in touch with the medical rofesslon at large and with sanitary lovements. In one ?year forty-seven leetings of sanitary and medical assoiatlons were attended, while 145 articles ere contributed by officers of the scrv;e to the medical and lay press. ? ? v 'c The scope of the work carried on b> Ills service is limited only by its annual appropilatlons. Med>n Foreign ical officers bearing the - . insignia of the service are Service. 10 be fOUn(j jn China and apan, where they keep informed on the revalence of contagious diseases. They re also obliged to sign bills of heath, hich certify that all the regulations reuired at foreign ports from vessels leavlg for this country have been complied ith. At the most Important posts eomilssioned officers arc stationed, the otli rs being assistant surgeons. A eommisloned officer is one who lias been admltid to the corps after a physical and rofessional examination, and is appolnt[1 by the President and confirmed by the enate. Acting assistant surgeons are ppointed by the Secretary of the Treasry. The former office is for life, the lat;r temporary. At the present time the srvice consists of about 140 commisioned officers, JOO acting assistant sureons, 40 pharmacists and 1,000 others, lis including ttje clerical force at headuarters, attendants and nurses at the ospitals, etc. Aside from twenty-two marine liospiils owned and operated by the service, ; the hygienic laboratory in Washington, liis Is a research laboratory exclusively ir public health investigations. It is conucted in four divisions, bacteriology and athology, chemistry, zoology and pharlacology. Officers are detailed to receive istructlon in this laboratory, thus inreaslng the scientific knowledge of the irps, and giving opportunity for the election of men qualified for permanent etail on specific subjects, such as tyhoid fever, pellagra, hookworm disease, ifantile paralysis, scientific disinfection, tc. In .speaking of the work of the service ie other day, Surgeon General Itupert ilue made an interesting comparison, ontrasting the act providing for the reloval of Congress in the event of an pidemic here, and the proclamation of he President in 1S&I prohibiting iinmirants from landing, with events today, e said: ?.t I } 4'The former la an example of the super-ition of that period. Such a thing would be unnecessary touperstition of day, for we are able EarlvDavs to 6tamp out cpI" sunny sinys. demies rapidly. As >r prohibiting the entrance of irnmirants. in 1011 the country stood in as reat danger of importing cholera as in SOS. yet nothing was done to prevent the itrance of immigrants, and, in addition, ur officers quarantined ships for not >nger than forty-eight hours." In the same act which changed the anie of the service was a provision to le effect that "the public health service j lay study and investigate the diseases C man and conditions influencing the ropagation and spread thereof." Al- j lough that act went into effect last Oc- * >ber, it was only during the present sea- j on that an appropriation sufficient^ to i irry on this new work, together with le authority to appoint additional offl- , ?rs. was made, to become available at le beginning of the ensuing tiscal year. ( Surgeon General Blue believes that the ! llarged field of work which resulted i om this act will eventually lead to the i resent bureau becoming a government j epartuient. "We are the national health service,'* ( e said, "and although wc are able to irry out our duties as a bureau, the | ork will eventually broaden to such an stent as to warrant our being made a j epartment, with the right to the dignity, ttached thereto." ESIDENT. f trouble changing his original tab so as o prove all the guessers wrong. rom the Pittsburgh Chronicle-Telegraph. Woodrow's refusal to follow the examle of his predecessors by joining tho ristoeratic Chevy Chase Club no doubt ains him, but It gets him in all right 1th the horny-handed multitude. rom toe CleTeland Leader. Woodrow Wilson doesn't look like a tan who would permit his administration o be Bryanized or "lsted" in any other -ay except Wilsonized. FIFTY YEARS AGO IN THE STAR The climate of Washington has not materially changed In the past half century. There Is evidence in the Heavy flics of The star that a ? snowstorm in late Febru* arv was then regarded as quite as much of a novelty as it Is now. In the issue of February -J3. ISO?., is the following news paragraph: "During Saturday night the snowflakcjs commenced to fall thirk and fast, and continued without abatement until the afternoon of yesterday (Sunday), when it ceased snowing for a few hours, but commenced again about 11 o'clock. Everybody who could rig up a cutter, basket sleigh, box sleigh or sled did so. and during the entire day and part of last night the jingling of the merry bells was heard on the Avenue and many of the cross streets. Stag parties appeared to be In the ascendant?probably because it was Sunday and the ladies were too scrupulous to violate the commandment? and toward evening many of the crowd became decidedly jolly, owing to the fact that the horses would stop in front of the restaurants and drinking saloons." (The day being Sunday notwithstanding!) "Some of the horses got tight, became independent. refused to obey the rein, and by a peculiar motion known to the animal rolled their loads in the snow, several of them in a frolicsome spirit even carrying off the shafts and detached portions of the sleighs, doubtless in order to keep their drivers* blood in circulation by giving them a little exercise. The carnival continues today, and the streets are still enlivened by the merry jingling of the bells, much to the gratification of liverystable keepers, who get $5 an hour for horse and cutter. The snow has had the effect to retard to some extent the moving of the street cars, but the companyare hard at work with salt and other appliances, putting the track again in moving order." * * * Once in a while some of the troops lapsed from the accepted military standards, and subjected themRegiment in selves to severe criticism and in some cases to illSgTftCC. punishment l'or failure to measure up to their responsibilities. An instance of this kind is reported in the columns of The Star of February 27, 18G3, as follows: "We hear and have no doubt of the truth of the statement that last night the 1st Pennsylvania Reserve Regiment went out on picket duty in the vicinity of Union Mills, and instead of performing it the whole regiment went to sleep! The result is they were disarmed this forenoon by orders from the commander _of this military department, and tne omcor in command of the regiment at the time has also been ordered into arrest. This disgraceful conduct on' the part of the 1st Pennsylvania Reserves is doubtless tne result of a growing spirit of insubordination in their ranks, that must bo instantly checked and punished with an iron hand If the United States would hope to keep an army. Every officer of the regiment who cannot signally clear himself from suspicion of sympathy with It should be summarily reduced to the ranks and forced to serve with musket on shoulder, and its rank and file should be as promptly drafted, by squads of ten, into other regiments, with officers firm enough to shoot them down, on the slightest manifestation of future insubordination. So only can the country hope to have its armies as well disciplined as those of the rebels." In the next day's issue of The Star, February 28, 1863, is the following reference to the explanaTJnsatisfactory tion given in behalf of TTOl.?.d.? the Pennsylvania r?Explanation. serves> aIl explanation not regarded as satisfactory: "It was stated yesterday that the 1st Pennsylvania Reserve refused to do duty When sent on picket in the vicinity of Union Mills. The reason they give for this disgraceful conduct, and which is no excuse whatever for their criminality, is that they have been in the service since May or June, 1861; that they have participated in most of the hard-fought battles of Virginia: that they are so reduced in numbers that no one regiment will number 250 men. and that their reauest to go home and recruit has been disregarded. Just before going out on duty the day 011 which they so disgracefully violated their trust they were informed that the 2d New Hampshire Volunteers. Lieut. Col. Bailey commanding, a threeyear regiment, numbering 300 muskets, had been permitted io go home for, the purpose of filling their regiment to the maximum number. The reserves acted upon the ground that, partiality was shown, and the officers and men criminally took the matter in their own hands. The punishment to be visited upon those, especially officers, who would thus act while in the lield should be sharp and prompt.'' In the closing days of the session fifty years ago Copgress passed a bill for the reorganization of the District District judiciary. Regarding this ? measure. The Star of February 28, 186-1, said, just before its passage: "It is to be hoped that Congress will surely enact into law the pending bill to remodel the judiciary of this District. It fails to meet the sanction of the bar here, but tliat is by no means strange. As a class, the interests of those of its members who naturally exercise most Influence with the body is against any change whatever. This was signally apparent in the history of the canvass for the adoption of the new code, defeated clearly by their interference against it, to the great injury of most other interests among us. We are fast becoming a commercial people. Our business pursuits have changed more in the last two year* than those of any other city ever change in the same time, and our resident population has well nigh, if not quite, doubled in that time. These two changes will very shortly double the amount of business to be disposed of by the District courts, requiring the latter to be changed so as to comport with the judicial changes that have been found to work well for the public interest In commercial cities with large populations. If the President ho mav linrior this law retain th?? present judges. But -whether retained or not. we respectfully submit to Congress that in times like the present It would be folly on their part to permit the interests of individual officeholders to be weighed in the balance against the many cogent reasons which will suggest themselves to their minds for the enactment of the bili.A POSSIBILITY. When tariff makers of renown Shall cut each unjust duty down; When landlords ask but little rent: When banks and trusts shall be content With modest profits now and then On trade they do with common men: When railroads tease to charge a rate Almost the value of the freight; When coal nu-u. lumbermen and such Shall cease to waste and spoil so much: When middlemen shall be no more; And he who runs th-' retail store Shall find a profitable way 'io scule the prices we must pay. When, in each legislative hall, our "statesmen" serve us, one and ail, Instead of working for the folk WTio hold the land beneath their yoke; When you an-.l I, with thrifty care. Shall stop the leakage here and there. Desist from thoughtlessness and haste - Which mean extravagance and waste; When all these goodly things arc so. The cost of living may get lowBut, 1 dunno! ?Berto-n Braley. in Detroit Times. ; i i THIS CHEERFUL CLIMATE. At eight o'clock it's bright sunshine. The sky l?egins to cloud at nine. At ten we meet the east wind's bias., There is a snowstorm at half-psst. It's warm throughout the afternoon. The glass goes up. but very noon It grows to be quite cold again. And presently down cornea ihe rain. Which drives a man to take a "nip" To counteract a likely grip. Oil! Don't we have a jolly tiuie in this erratic, beastly cll?e! ? La Toucke-Hancock, In the >'ew York Sun. h. POLITICAL SITUA' Snow co\ers the t?eiUs of military opera- i tions from the Adriatic to the Blu< k and 1 Aegean seas and prevents | Snow Checks offensive operations. For ? a fact. In a military as i uperations. wej| a political sense, j Turkey is well aware that she is virtually 1 in the hands of the victors. In the in- ( terval, with characteristic faith in the happening of the unexpected. Turkey waits and watches. , Turfcev Intrusted llakki Pasiiu. former i , grand vizier, with a mission to Vienna, ] Berlin, Paris and London with the object ! of delivering her in a measure from her ipresent helpless position. In London j Hakkl saw Sir Edward Grey, to whom < he expressed Turkey's wish that the powers take up the settlement of all , pending measures with the Balkan states. Sir Edward could do nothing unless the suggestion was made In a more official form. The powers, it is understood, have ( stood aloof from all intervention since the j coup d'etat at Constantinople, width had rendered the actual government an object of suspicion to all powers. Hakkl Pasha. It is reported, requests < Sir Edward to take the initiative in a move to cause the allies to accept what ( the porte had proposed in its reply to the collective note of the powers of January I 17, namely, that a part of Adrlanople, in I lieu of the w hole, might be accepted by I the allies. i ? The refusaJ of the allies to accept this conditional surrender, it is recalled, was cause of the rupture of the Hakki's peace negotiations at LonTlf" "a don. The interest In the Mission. Hakki mission augments on acquaintance with Turkey's diplomatic designs. Hakki Pasha submits to England Turkey's great need of money. Would England agree to purchase the terminals of the Bagdad railway on the Persian gulf? How much for Kowelt? Had Hakki exploded a bomb In the foreign office he could not hare caused a j greater stir among the diplomats and em- 1 ployes of the place. Turkey is in desperate straits for lack of money, but to raise it on the sale of the terminals of the Bagdad railway! A government of street urchins could scarcely have shown less tact, less sense, than the Young Turks who have imagined so Utopian a mission. \\ e would bo inclined to feel that Hakki Pasha's mission wan a myth and the correspondent a joker, but for a note in the Ixtndon Times; "Hakki Pasha Is charged with the discussion of certain questions relative to the last section of the Bagdad railway, and will attempt to obtain the support of England on the Adrianople and Aegean Islands subjects. Naturally, these attempts are vain. It is impossible to depart from the attitude she adopted in signing the collective note. All she may do. as the other powers have done, is to counsel Bulgaria, who herself uccepted the suggestion, to offer to Turkey certain guarantees concerning the sacred places of Adrianople. "The .arrangement of the Persian gulf question will permit the English government to consent, after the conclusion of peace, to the augmentation of customs duties, and give to Turkey another reason to conclude peace with the allies." Arrange the Persian gulf question with England? Very good. But what will the Times do about arranging the question with Germany? A dispatch from Vienna on the "5th ultimo mentions a statement made by the Austrian premier to a deputation of Bohemian deputies to the effect that a general settlement of all questions at issue with the Balkan allies had been effected. This would include the question between Austria and Russia about which the Emperor Francis Joseph had sent Prince von Ilohenlohe on a mission to the czar bearing an autograph letter. This mission has created much excitement in the press and in diplomatic circles, and it had been reReported ported as a faili.Te mainti .| 1>" because, on his return, failure. ule prince retired to liis apartment and went to bed: The press correspondents at the cap- . ital are no better informed than correspondents in the camps. All send stuff i that is only in great part matter which has already been served to the newspaper public in another form. This is not a year favorable to either the military or political correspondent. The great problem in European politics at the present moment is the constantly reeurrlnsr discussion of Anfflo-Germ:i n ri valrv. The question to be or not to be? "the biggest state." Quite seriously it forces the conclusion that the happiest state and consequently the best state after reflection Is "the smallest state." ' which, for example, is the model state of "San Marino." Anglo-German rivalry canto up quite unexpectedly on the 8th ultimo in the rciclistag. when Admiral von Tirpltz, before the marine budget commission, declared that he would accept an entente with England on the question of naval armaments. The declaration was as- ! toundlng and provoked comment In the press and commotion among diplomats. j The Berliner Neueste Naehrichten ilnde-.1 pendent conservative), commenting upon I. the German admiral's declaration, said: i' ; "The words of Admiral von Tirpltz aim ! ! at an entente with England based upon:, i the respective forces of the navies of the ; two countries. It would be welcomed. ' These words are in complete opposition f. with ihe idea adopted la<t year by the H chancellor, who in one of his best | speeches affirmed that an accord 011 that j < question was impossible. And now it is 11 proposed to show that the square of a ! circle has been found!" * ' * ? The question has been a burning one j since 1S07. First, when Emperor William, ' " in a private letter to i * ; Five Years of Lord Tweedmouth, prcde. cessor of Mr. Churchill, 1 Di8CUSS10II, reassured Lord Tweed- , mouth upon the augmentations decided i by the bundesrath the 'British protested. 1 In l'JOS iMr. Lloyd George, chancellor of 1 the exchequer, took up the question In a j speech. The German press protested. 1 "Not an armored ship less!" declared ] William ;TI to Sir Charles Hatdinge, in ! an interview at Wiihelmshoeho. "We can- ( not speak of limitation until after the1;j completion of our naval program," said I 1 the German chancellor. j 1 The interview of the emperor in ili?l' j Daily Telegraph, in place of pacifying ithe "public, had the contrary effect. In r I February, lfKft). Edward VII went to Bel- f Min, and from the month of March there j j was little else discussed in the press, ex- , 1 ?? limitation of naval armaments. 1 I utryi Lut ? i Hir Edward G-rcy emphasized the lTrlt-1 x , ish policy, replying to Iierr von Schoen, t ' minister of foreign affairs 01" Germanj : 1 "The German program creates a new t situation for this country. Germany < 011- j tiders that their program answers their proper wants, whh h are independent of 1 ours; our position is different, we frankly j i avow it. Our navaJ expenses depend di- | (rectly upon German naval expenses; our l ' na\y should be superior to the German j I navy. Our navy Is as their army, our ! ! ; ' INAUGURATION NOTES. f rom ilie Jackaonrillc Tiuiea-L'niva. j X Washington is employing speeial police* ! men for the inaugural parade. She doesn't i i intend that her visitors shall carry any- { c thing but hopes buck with thent. From the Baltimore Star. After stating that Wilson's request for ! j a simple alTalr would be carried out, the i t inaugural chairman blandly announces that it will be the grandest and most gor- iF geous ever held. From t'ue Cincinnati Enquirer. Having experienced one meteorological 1 "flareback" on Inauguration day, the1F Washington authorities have no intention 1 of trusting fully the chief forecaster's i \ promises of sunshine end balmy breezes. - TION IN EUROPE. tavy i!? fot ..1 .ju. st >i. ! : <xt leatli. and tin .nil of inn9tu.it a <111 atlon of militarx and naval expens * Aits fall b> ali lit lamlatid." llerr Kotlitnann-Holwtu M.ii i li .* , replh-d. Hi- Insisted upon tin- .lutj of .'11 nations to boa' tin- rivalry of Heir tn^^iikhs. but at tlii- same time ibrniany a naval matters w on Id a< t a.- t;.iinati> lia ; ;l?H'iued. Mr. Asquith said in July of that y. ir it was necessary for Knuland to mak' .1 new naval effort. Noiwitlistandini; t1.visit of William II t<> Ixuidoit .itid tin- in Lervlew of Lu>rd lfaldunc tin- t.irtitin jress places at tiie head of i'*- lnidrnt 1 . lUfrtnentatioii of CJetnianv - fl, ? t The ;if fair at Auadlr provoked agitation a Loudon. Mr. ('hurvhill at < .l.ism.w ?. - fined tlie English cone* ption of * . eventual arrangement thus: "Naval s periority Is a vital question for Knglat <!. the navy is rather a luxury for many." Mr. Ch uroliill. March 111. I'.MJ. said "ItJvery addition that German-- makes will make to her new ships ea h y? ? will hasten the augmentation of our dreadnoughts, and will n? e? ssltat* .-a < part special tneastu> s." t'oming to tl.e tear IPl.'l, Air. < 'hateh'l expressed tip fear that Germany won I construct tliis'.ipw <T Churchill's t h?- lira: Hie vv hih: Kp? I Supposition. ,aud wm,M ?bUf"' cr" (<l coin tm< t five. ' I- i us suppose." said Mr. Churchill, "that we Insert a blank page in our book ? : quarrels; suppose Gcrman.v does not construct a single ship, economize thai sc\ 11 or eight million pounds. We would not construct the live supordrcadnought . which would liave been England's rejoinder. tiermany eonhi not accomplish a more brilliant naval action." The echo in the press of Euroj < ha a most uncertain sound. Certain Fr? ti 'ii journals express the opinion that n or when Europe is face to face with a serious Balkan crisis tiermany icnounces her naval struggle with England and would keep ln r eyes onl.v upon br anny. The Figaro does not think that t ? Balkan affairs will cause or can cause serious complications. Neva rtlodi ss, it 4 adds: "The peace of fudaj i- not for< il> / the peace of tomorrow, still les*s of tin day after. At the same moment that G> many renounces the development of h? navy by abnormal projHirtlons she think of increasing her army. The maritime armaments arc directed against England. Un the other hand the military .unit fnents are turned exclusively again* France." Tin- H lio de Fails is alarmed h -t Admiral von Tirpitz's declaration in He Relchsttag was a German matieuv with the view to pacify and gain ov?*r the British. Germany would provisionally < lose up her naval quarrel in order to concentrate her principal efforts on tin- continental problem, prepare the prospective thunderbolt which must fall sooner or lat'-r against France. Her army should be prepared. The Temps agrees with its < otemporarj's measures for defense. But it is in entire disaccord as to the ? -igns a' tributed to Germany, and should bo cited; "We Cannot perceive finally what Germany would gain by a continental war. For never"?tlie Figaro tinGermany's del-lines the word?"the two armies. French and Russiaii, have not boon so per fectly trained and equipp< d morally and materially." The "Shock." of which tinFigaro speakK is not more- probable today than yesterday, but tit is need no; prevent the army from being prepared just as'if tltis same shock was certain for tomorrow. The Temps cites also what my < Teellent and esteemed friend. M. Judet, editor of L'Eclair, lias to say of the English in Egypt and in Morocco. M Judet has never forgiven the abandonment of Egypt by France, and Tie doubtless has reason in this, for he knows what a. gn at pin "high finance" played in the abandonment of which M. Freycinet was certainly the innocent victim. Whatever M. Judet writer is full of fire, and if it should appear exaggerate d It is because he is more documented. p< r haps, than his general reader on tin subject discussed. M. Judet charges that England's attitude toward Egypt Ln Morocco is suspicious. because she has not jet i> ognlzed the French protectorate England he believes, hopes to acquire Tangier. Resides, M. Jlidet amuses England " desiring tlio suppression of tin- eupitulations as the lii st step to the ilnal annexation of Egypt. That M. Judet make.ahdni/A in tli'ii iiw^.d'tiiiii 'i r? fi'n in , MU ininaft' MI u'wi " ' to the secret treaty of i:*U, article 2. i* amply corroborative: "In ease the British government desire to introduce into Egypt reforms tending to assimilate Egyptian legislation with tliat of other civilized countries the French government may not refus to examine sueli propositions, hut upon condition that the British govermnen. may accept to examim the suggestions which the French republic may have t > address it to introduce into Morocco reforms of a like character." * *' The Egyptian question. it is lu:r :? be issuiiit'l. will never be understood in the country. Neither Sir llarEgyptian r> Johnston nor Lord . 'toner lias evinced in Question. th(ir ,?Joks t]? ^ughteM inclination to tell the true *!ut\ of Eg.vp itid much less of how thai unhapp' country was deprived of ?p'asi-indepculence. The popular impression is lout Ara.d f'aslia was a patriot who struck a blow for the independence of his country. The truth is in- was more puppet than patriot and the bombardment and burning of Alexandria in 1*82 was .1 serio-coniedy. whose curtain fell upon a British u'- u[jution. In 1*82?1 am writing in the light b which 1 know ,M. Judet roads Egyptian History?Fiance was alone in Europe. Sin Had not recovered from the shock of cot: lict with Germany. Germany was hostih . Austria was hostile. Italy was hostile and Russia, if not hostile, had not yet ex ended her hands to Franco, for tho [ 'ranco-Kussian treaty was executed nib* fears later?that I;-, June IVJ1. In 11HI4. the yt>av of the Anglo-Kroncl* reaty. France had not yet prepared !:? r trmy and Russia was nursing tliat social evolution which lias caus'd her ineal ulablo loss of jovver at Lome end ^ nainly responsible for her ruin in Mau huria. AI. Jud.it believes that AI??roeeo was .? >oor exchange for Fgypt?a birthright,*111 act, for ;i mess of pottage, in any event he conditional mood, it should be rcnarked, dominates the treaty of 1'dCM. '""ranee possesses traditional interest avell as economical and commercial relalons In Syria, and tins.- nmst inevitably >e considered In the tirial settlenn nt o. he Syrian question, which is closely ailed to the Egyptian question. As for tin- suppression of tiie privilege mder the capitulations in thv>< count tie * ts France paid (l.-rntaiiy for tleriuany'a trivileges in Morocco. Kngland will pay "ranee. (Jermanv, Austria. Italy and the 'nited states for their capitulations .11 Cgrypt. on. < iiairli;-loni. COMMENTS ON THE COMMONER. _ ? 'rom tli* Atlanta ?it ill ioi It* Bryan is not appointed S? ri. tai> of state the Ananias Club will be over;rowded. 'rom the t iti' iiuiaii "I imes Star. One position that the pioteau cabinet losslbility. \\*. J. It., isn't anxious for hat of Secretary of War! "r<?m the Coiiti'ibun Dispstca. If Mr. Bryan is unusually silent it may >e because lie is keeping up a rwwerfui hinking. 'riim icie MiiwJieniUM' , Sometliing ought to start soon to tuak ) iVilliam Jennings Bryan break Lie ailcnn* pell.