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CIIAKLES II. FISHER
Editor ami Publisher
Editorial Page of The Capital -Journal
THURSDAY EVENING
December 13, 1917
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l'l'EI.IHUED EVEItY EVENI.VG EXC'EIT SUNDAY, SALEM, OREGON, BY
Capital Journal Ptg. Co., Inc.
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THE DAILY CAPITAL JOTIllXAL
Is the only newspaper In Balcm whoso circulation la guaranteed by the
Audit lJumiu of Circulations.
KERR BLUFFS AND THE PEOPLE PAY
W. j. Kerr, president of the state agricultural college,
has made his bluff work and has had his board of regents
raise his salary from $7,000 to $8,400 a year. Some one
spread the news that Kerr had been offered $9000 a year
to head the Kansas agricultural college and this was the
signal for the machine to get busy here. State Senator
Hawley of Polk, secretary of the college board, immedi
ately launched a movement to petition the board to raise
Ken's salary from $7,000 to $!)000 and press agents were
set to work flooding the state papers with laudatory
notices of Kerr and his work. Many of the papers
printed the editorials and news stories they were
furnished and so the movement grew. Of course, when
the proper time came the board of regents got down on
their knees to Kerr we infer from the reports sent out
' offered to compromise for $8,400 and the little farce at
the expense of the state was ended, for the time-Ueing
at least.
There is no question about Kerr's shrewdness as a
politician or machine organizer. Just how much he has
done for the state except to spend vast sums of money
is problematical, and opinion differs widely upon that
point. What he did to Utah is more definitely known.
But the real point in the joke is that the board of ad
ministration of the Kansas agricultural college never
made any kind of an offer to Kerr; in fact they never
even discussed the matter with him at all.
Mr. Hoover has fixed the price of wheat, but has taken
no steps to control the price of corn. At the same time
we are asked to eat corn bread instead of wheat, and the
speculator or someone gets in his work and makes what
should be the cheaper product far the dearer. As a mat
ter of aid in winning the war the price should not count,
for the object to be attained is the saving of wheatnot
money. At the same time the shutting off of speculation
and profiteering on corn products and the making of
them cheaper will go a long ways toward making the use
of corn popular. Corn costing $1.25 a bushel is made into
meal costing 65 cents for a ten pound sack, or six and a
half cents a pound. Wheat costing above $2 a bushels is
made into flour costing five cents a pound. Ten pounds
of wheat flour costs one-fifth as much as a bushe) of
wheat. Ten pounds of corn meal costs one-half as much
as a bushel of corn. The price has much to do with the
use of foods for the simple reason that with a great many.
circumstances required the purchase of those foodstuffs
of which the money will buy the greater quantity. By
cheapening corn products its substitution for those of
wheat will be greatly increased. If Mr. Hoover wants to
do something of real benefit to the cause of food conser
vation he will fix a price for corn and he will also curb
the rapacity of those speculating in it, and jack up the
millers.
And He Did
WD HE DID-.
TEACH ENGLISH ONLY
The Oregonian intimates it believes the study of Ger
man should be continued in the public schools. It at the
same time expresses its belief that other languages should
be taught as well as German.
Undoubtedly this latter statement is correct, granting
that any language other than English should be taught
in the public schools of ihe country. Undoubtedly Amer
icans are behind almost all other peoples in learning or
using any language but their own. The Oregonian points
this out and also notes, what the Capital Journal has
called attention to on several occasions, and that is that
those learning German in the public schools know little
or nothing about it. when they have spent years in its
study." As a matter of fact in most of the public schools
where German is taught, the teacher is an American who
dees not speak the language correctly. As we do in so
many things, we undertake to fit a square plug into a
round hole even in the teaching of foreign languages.
We do not believe any foreign language should be taught
in the public schools, and one of the reasonsor that be
lief is the conditions above stated.
It has so far proved a waste of money, and there is no
indication that the system will be bettered. The time de
voted to foreign languages could be put to better purpose
by devoting it to arithmetic and spelling, and especially
the latter. We are becoming a nation of poor spellers, too
many, like the music teacher, spelling-by ear. That the
present generation cannot begin to compare in the spell
ing line with the one that preceded it is a certainty. It
used to be that "spelling matches" between schools were
featured, and schools prided themselves on their reputa
tion in that line. bchooJs in the country especially, met
in fierce rivalry for the championship, and in consequence
''there were spellers in those days." If all foreign
languages were dropped and along with them some other
modern fol-de-rols and the time put in on spelling, arith
metic and geography, it would prove benefiiciaf to both
schools and pupils.
In the twenty-five years ago" column of the Oregonian,
Wednesday, was this item: "London There is a gen
eral feeling here, especially among lawyers, that the home
secretary should not go out of his way to release Mrs.
Maybrick just to oblige the United States government."
Nothing doing like that over in "dear ol' Lunnon" just
now. Almost anything to "oblige the United States gov
ernment," would be cheerfully conceded now.
The dispatches indicate the Germans on the western
front are preparing for a supreme effort before the full
force of America's troops can be made available. It is
also believed by some observers that the principal attack
may be made cn that portion of the front occupied by the
Americans. No doubt the German leaders believe this
would prove to be the weakest part of the whole line and
that the American troops through inexperience would be
easily driven back. They will probably know better when
the experiment has been tried. At any raie it is probable
the fiercest battle of the year will be fought on the west
ern front before Christmas. It is also probable the
Americans will get their first real fighting in this strug
gle. Just how many of our boys are in France is known
only to those in authority, but it would seem there are
more than 300,000 of them, from the many stories of
their leaving American shores. Whatever their number
they can be depended on to give a good account of. them
selves if attacked, and also to give an account of a goodly
number of the enemy.
.r n-JUSA
if
C ' - i.' TOYEOLDE
. " WOODSHED
Margaret Garrett's
Husband
By JAHT! PHELPS
hy
Only a week until the shortest days of the year, and
the flowers are still blooming out of doors wherever
there is the least bit of protection. The steady rain and
warm weather for the time of year, trive nromise of this
condition remaining until the days begin to grow longer
ana as tne oia saying goes-colder.
1
by Walt Mason
KNITTING WOMEN
I always liked to talk with girls, both mar
ried and unwed, for they were quick to note
the pearls of wisdom that I shed. And if I
told an anecdote, full of amusing chaff,
there'd come from every female throat the
gladdest sort of laugh. Anon I'd read a son
net fine that I had lately writ, and women
liked this stunt of mine so well they'd
uuw a nc i5ut now 1 tell my yarns in
vain, in vain recite my pomes; the girls
nave Minting on tne brain, in all our native
homes. They're knitting, knitting, all the
day, and when I spring mv sniel. I hpar
u t m some busy wman say, "The sock is mostly
- iu emwuun me Knitting dames, 1 quote an epic
'1U1' mierrupung, one exclaims, "Gee whiz! I've
dropped a stitch!" I tell of springs of ancient lore, from
S?5h 1 ve ?ften drunk' and savs the woman by the door,
This yarn s extremely punk." The idle things of idle
times have gone their divers ways; who cares a hoot for
quips or rhymes, in these fierce wartime days? In vain
the tall stuffed prophet stands, with skill to charm the
birds; the girls have knitting in their hands, and have no
time for words.
!
H --
The Da3y Novelette
Oa and after Wednesday, December 26, 1917, our
Slate Street doer and cur After-Hour Wicket, No. 5.
will be closed at four o'clock
LADD & BUSH BANKERS
statiou master at Col.b's Corners iift-
C Pll thf lt.l ftff tlA ln rlliKva.l VA
-. i " ijuaio
of oream off the top to fatten liis chick
ens with, and replaced the lid.
' ule tram tne baggage
master and conductor removed the lid.
FRESH PROM THE COW tl?k a 1aart sl'i,,ff,i threw in a chunk
J of ice, an replaced the lid.
Tf there was one thine that Silas'0 Pn vho .delivered the
vnf u. : ican ri,oved the hd on the wjv, remov-
Wafer hke it was pure milk fresh from',,,! two callous for hi3 horse. V 11,.,!
,..,nru, vi-uiur vuw. iui it seoniea , sue vacaiii-v with mpf Mian wot
limpossuiie- to pet it in the wicked citv replaced the lid.
sua one neuuesUMT Water had a fine
1,11 a. I WaS TO Sen,! tfcrt MfM L.lKa nll..trt
"1 11 go out to a farm mvself and around to them. The next thiug was to
make an ngrcemeut wih a cow I mean j taste the milk. The next thing was tc
a farmer, to ship mo a 2lVpallon rsnif.-el il,.,-i,l.ilv w..i-ri,..l .)
thing after that was to answer a ring
and
The first thing that Silas Wafer did
,nf milk daily." he figured. "I'll make
an aarraugemont with the neighbors to
jluy all 1 can't use, and in that way
! I '11 not only have nice fresh milk but
I'll he a Messing to the neighborhood"
Everything happened exactly as he
had plauued until, the first morning, the
ai ine oeu. it was ttie neighbors en
masse, with brooms, clothes props and
other weapons, who, aided by th milk
nicy whose orders had been snspened,
chased him until he took refuge up a
tree, where he died from thirst.
ROBERT IS ANNOYED AT MRS.
BALDWIN.
CHAPTEB LXXXII.
Robert camo in whistling the next
afternoon, his first question boing anent
Donald 's condition.
You seem very gay; something spec
ial happened?" I asked
No, nothing particular. Miss Riircs'
novel is a humdinger. I am sure it will
be a go I bho says the house I sold her
has been an .inspiration to her ever
since she bought it. Gratifying isn't it.
especially as I made a good thing out
of it."
The idea of a house being an inspir
ation! such silly talk," I returned.
Uli, 1 don't know that it is silly!
people who write are very apt to be af
fected by their surroundings. It is verv
quiet and soothing down there. She is
some distance from the roadway, and so
does not hear the traffic, noises."
"Well I do hope you'll stay at home
now with mo. I hired a nurse girl to
day." "That's good! now I hope you will be
able to take a little rest and recreation.
The rest first, though, you look as if
you needed it."
"I suppose I do look fagged out be
side those idle friends of vours who i
have nothing to do but scrawl things
on paper." ' .
"I don't know. An author or writer
of any kind, man or woman who isn 't I
an indefatigable worker. Whv, I know
writers who work on an average twelve
or fourteen hours a dav." i
"Writing isn't work; it's easy!
enough to sit before a desk and pretend !
to be working." I
Try it and see! I happen to be talk-1
ing of successful people; men and wom
en whose earnings far exeeed the earn
ings of ordinary man. And this is a
commercial age, Margaret. People do
not pay for worthless stuff." j
I have no desire to waste mv '
time," I retorted. Then, "Why didn't
you tell me you had luncheon with that!
Chicago woman at the Castor?" j
"How. did you know I lunched at!
the Castor, and how did you know who '
it was with met" !
"Mrs. Baldwin told me her husband:
saw you with a blonde woman." I
"I have no recollection of speaking'
of any blonde Chicago woman."
I saw that I had made a blunder in
mentioning the woman 's coloring, but
I could not admit it without exposing !
my espionage; so I replied: I
"Don't you remember I asked you'
what she looked like, and you told mo!
she was blonde." , J
"No, I do not recall it; but there
are many blonde women in New York,
why should you think it was Miss
De veroux f " j
"Oh, I don't know, but was it;"
"Yes." i
"Why didn't you tell me;.." I asked
again, "it isn't pleasant to have an
other woman tell me what my husband",
is doing." I
"She is in big business." ;
"She is my friend and thought she!
was doing me a favor."
"All right." j
"But I let her see verv plainly that'
I was not jealous, that I knew you lov-;
ed me, and would do nothing wrong t
even if you did do things of which I ;
disapproved."
lou two females had a fine time
discussing me, din't youf" he asked
good-naturedly. "Did yon also haul Joe
lsaulwiu over the coals; '
"I am so sory for Mrs. Baldwin,"
answered, then told him in detail all
f" ""
Ill' tfv - - i
f 3 i
a V v 41 -1
This Men's Store
Ch
msates with the
r 1st mas Spirit
You'il find it a splendid place to do your Christmas
shopping. Gaily bedecked with the useful things
that go to make a real Christmas store, where prac-
tical gift suggestions greet you at every turn.
GIFT
NECKWEAR AT
Such variety and such a wealth of color: Ties in
shades and designs to suit most any man's taste, and .
they are here in an almost endless selection at only
Seventy Five Cents. -
OTHER NIFTY TIES MARKED AT 50c
WIDE FLOWING END TIES AT ONLY $1.00
EXTRA SPECIAL GIFT TIES in Holiday Boxes
assorted patterns, each Qg
G. W. JOHNSON & CO.
UNITED STATES NATIONAL BANK BLDG.
she had said about Mr. Baldwin, em
phasizing his unfaithfulness and her
sorrow.
I don't believe he's as bad ns
mat, noo saia, ana tie seemed to be.a
'It is business, yes, For' heaven's: Bob fairly stormed at me. Heldom
sake, Margaret, stop crying!" and
arose from the table and paced
vously back and forth, "I should think 'r s
fie; aid so, and now he effectuallv Ari ,
ner-' tears hv his. Hi. 4 '. .
.. k out tor din
ner. So I ate mv ilin.. : :i
i! Tr' WZgeU h?. lfsf Je; then aftward I sat with lU!
cry-baby. If you could realize how'
aid, while Bob read by himself in th
uncomiortaoie while i talked. " w omen unattractive it makeji von T m
are apt to exaggerate. Iron woifld stoo." library.
'But I am sure she didn't! she is! But I cried all the
doing all she can to win hira back." ispoken of mv aire, he had said T Jti,. a v.. ... cosea
'Better have been different, then unattractive, and he ... fniko i , , .?ror(Is "9
perhaps he wouldn't have got away ".i leave me alone for a number of davs. e "e tahle'
At dinner Kob remarked m the care- "If vou loved me . shm.l.l Tl n. i .
less manner he always assumed when he Lwould have no reason to err." ThU i, not onlr ! If .f v T j
had something disagreoable to impart: "No man loves a fretful, crving, nn-Lit eWW medFcinel tar ,n.
"I shaU have to go to Chicago to- interesting woman very long!" he colds aTd 1 v'eli
morrow." flung out? as I final'v wined mv pvi.n.i ..f, ..V, Jv A Tl Plefa8
"Oh. Bobl rlease a.t t " ndi'Tf ,i.C t , .u ! . "V ? "aportan
.... ' ' . 1 . .".wuji,., uuiaa my iicu meuieina must ka m .-on .
"... . .vo o mat uiu Lnmk uiuurr: il vou are
business 1 suppose."
,. '"""S". imisa myjwnen medicine must be iriven to chil-
j dinner; if yon are not I will go out jdren. Manv mothers have given it their
and get it somewhere else." (unqualified endorsement ""