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THE BANNER, FRIDAY MORNING, AUGUST 11, 1916.
MAINS BANNER
Established 1831
H. J. ROWE, Editor.
DAILY-WEEKLY SUNDAY
THE ATHENS WEEKLY BANNER
I* the official organ of Clarka County
and la ntailad to any address for tha
fallowing rataa: Yearly, 61.00; alx
•nanthi, BO eanta; three months, 2$
•ante.
All eubacrlptlona are paid In ad
vance and ramlttancee may be made
by express, poetofllce money erder er
regletered letter.
The Rio Grande Is now bordering
on quietude.
• 1 4-
The International commission, 11m
I ted, is what Mexico wants.
1
An osteopathic cure for malaria has
ben discovered—without medicine, it
Is reported. A good preventive is to
—not go where malaria is.
4
The trouble about the war In Eu
rope Is that it has entirely too many
•■fronts.” If there were not so many
fronts there would necessarily be few
er repulses.
pre-
up
Hereafter the attorney general of
the state will be also supervisor of
county records for 14$ counties In the
state. He will have an assistant at
torney geneiral. The bill making this
, provision awaits only the signature of
the governor to become law.
«
It will not now be long before Ath
ens will have a water supply equal to
the needs of a city of several times
the population, of purity unquestioned,
and will be in shape to meet any emer.
gency of weather or fire.
v ♦
Here Is another Rem. for Miss
Rutherford's ‘‘first things of Geor
gia.” The first “moonlight school,“
of which, we hear so much about
these modern days, was taught In
Georgia. Judge Prank Park, a broth
er of Prof. R. E. Park, of the Untver
elty of Georgia, was the teacher.
1
Bigger than the presidential race,
the European war, the governor's
contest, the legislature, or any of
those little things is the big game-
two games. Indeed—here between
Winder and Monroe on Wednesday
and Thursday of this week. It’s local
‘and the “eplrK” Is In that contest.
■ 4 -
The senate will certainly see to tt
that the highway commission bill Is
so amen led to give the state a real
commission with the requirements
necessary to permit Georgia to par
ticipate In the millions offered by the
federal government for the making
and maintaining of a system of per
rnanent highways In this state.
4
While taking no active part In state
politics this year the friends of the
present members of the railroad com
mission point out that Just at this
time a 'change In the personnel would
not be wise. The freight rate matter
one of the most far-reaching and
vitally important before the commis
sion In years. Is pending and the ex
perience of the present board, It
suggested, would be an asset to the
state. Chairman Murphey Candler,
Is understood, put aside his personal
ambition to enter the governor's rsce
In order to devote himself to the great
work of the commission at this time.
«V -4 ■ ■
CONCERNING HIGH PRICES FOR PAPER
The federal trado commission Is investigating the high prices now
vailing for newspaper. The publishers all over the country are complaining
and chargee of a combination on the part of the manufacturers to force
the price of print paper are being made.
It is quite true that all newspapers and publishers have been hit heavy
blows by the upward soaring of paper prices and the loss will become even
greater unless some stop is put to the constant advance by the manufac
turers.
The federal trade commission will continue Its Investigations until some
decision can be reached. If there Is proof of a combination to put up prices
the offending manufacturers will be dealt with under the federal law.
.RELIEF FOR FLOOD SUFFERERS
The senate has passed the bill for the relief of the flood sufferers in
Georgia, Florida and Alabama. Tho house will no doubt ratify the action of
the senate and the bill will become a law.
Objection was made In the senate by Senator Smoot, of Utah, and Sen
ator Penrose, of Pennsylvania. They charged the democrats with extrava
gance and stated that the government had no rlgbt to spend the money of
the people for the relief of men who bad suffered from these floods.
Tbe appropriation was distinctly In line with precedents. On numerous
occasions the federal government has extended aid to people who had suffer
ed by such calamities as flood, earthquake and fire. This Is about the first
time in recent years when the South has cost the government any consider
able sum of money for relief of its people. The objection of the republicans
was to be expected. They are playing for every piece of political capital
they can get. But tho democrats will pay no attention to this kind of ob
jection. The flood sufferers will be given tbe relief they deserve.
TO INCREASE APPELLATE COURT
A bill has been Introduced In the legislature to Increase the number of
judges on the court of appeals in this state. The present number Is three
and the new number would be six.
This proposition Is made because the present court of appeals Is so bur
dened with work that It cannot do Justice to the cases that come before It
for review. The Judges are doing anywhere from four to twenty-four times
as much work aa Judges on similar tribunals In other parte of the country.
It Is absolutely foolish for a state to allow cases to be carried on appeal
to a court that cannot give them proper attention. The court of appeals does
the best It can under the circumstances, it Is manifestly Impossible for the
court to give the proper amount of attention to the cases that come before It
The cost of adding three judges to this court would be small In com
parlson with the good that would result therefrom.
KEEPING THE PARTY ALIVE
The more radical progressives are not going to allow the party to die
without making a big fight for Its life, They are not satisfied with the ac
tion of the national committee In endorsing Hughes for the presidency, and
delegates to a convention In Indianapolis have met for the purpose of con
sidering the situation and determining just what Is beat to be dona
It is not believed that there will be any third ticket put in the field, al-
though that is being talked of by some of the more radical members. It
may be that Wilson will be endorsed by this wing of the progressive party
and In that event it will simply be the splitting of the party vote oetween the
two parties, the republicans getting tbe larger number of the votes.
The democrats will gain from this meeting of the progressives whatever
may be done If the party puts out a ticket It will help or tf It endorses
Wilson it will help. So tar as the party itself Is concerned, It will never
muster enough votes to elect a president, though It may reach a point where
It will be a balance of power.
tern they will have helped to strengthen it.
Georgia has suffered for years from having the .system of “passing the
hat around” for taxes. Georgia Is a state of too much Importance for Its law
makers to be misled and deceived into passing any measure which will re
peal or emasculate the features which are now bringing into the treasury
funds which are absolute needs, and for tbe proper care of Its Institutions.
Taxation is the only source of revenue from which the state can hope
to meet its obligations and If this measure is repealed—then there can be
little for this state to hope for. Financial embarrassment Is bound to come
and educational Institutions along with other departments of the state will
suffer accordingly.
Gentlemen of the legislature, strengthen the tax equalization law, but
never allow it to bo emasculated or weakened.
BELGIUM HAS HER BACK UP
The Belgian government, though without a home and under the domina
tion of the Germans, still has the nerve to tell the Germans that it will not
stand for some of the things that Germany demands.
The Belgians In Brussells a few days since had a demonstration on the
national fete day and for tbat thev Germans have fined the city five million
marks. The Belgians have flatly refused to pay it and have told the German
military governor so.
It may be that for the time being the Germans will get some way in which
to collect this money, for If It is collected It will be by force, but the time
will come some of these days when the Germans will have to pay it all back.
One of the first things to be settled when peace comes will be the pay
ment back to Belgium of enough money to repair In some way the damage
that has been done. It will not be enough to put Belgium back where she
was, but it will be a neat sum, Belgium can afford to wait, for the victory
of tho Allies will come In due time and Belgium wiU again come into her
THE MENACE OF THE STRIKE
Just now New York is In tbe grip of a big trolley strike and traffic
that city Is completely tied up. What this means to a city of the size of New
York is hard to comprehend unless you wero on the ground and saw what
the effect of the strike was.
Then again the railway firemen, conductors and engineers all over the
country are debating the advIsabiUty of going on a strike, and should this
step be determined on the business of the entire country would be demoral
ized. Tbe scope of the threatened strike Is so wide that It is hard to estimate
what would be the damages should It be Inaugurated.
Even the war with Mexican bandits Is a small affair, or a war with Mex
ico, so far as that Is concerned, compared to the trouble that would follow
such a strike.
Every effort possible is being made to settle the differences and prevent
this Impending strike. A few more days or weeks at most will determine
what the result of these efforts will be. Arbitration Is the sensible thing
do In all such matters, but sometimes tho contending parties cannot see what
there Is to arbitrate and thus get farther apart until the actual break comes.
The successful settlement of these difficulties would mean the saving
millions upon millions of dollars to the business of.the country and no tell
ing how many lives. No effort should be spared to bring about this settle
ment
JHE BRITISH BLACKLIST
President Wilson, through the state department has sent to the British
government a strong protest against the recent blacklisting of certain Amer-
lean firms. The American note is quite positive In Its terms and la certain
to make the British statesmen sit up and take notice.
This government has been very gentle with the British. The British
have not been very mindful of the rights of the Americans and have done
many things not in keeping with good friendship, but this government has
been patient and forbearing In all things.
The government believes the time has come to talk with a little of the
bark on and the American note has a decided ring to it It may not accom
plish much, but It will make the British see that we are not going through
the war without protesting when they do not act In the right way.
The blacklist Is In contravention of the rights of neutral nations and
against all principles of International law. The position taken by the United
States cannot be contravened and no amount of diplomatic twaddle on the
part of the British will prove to the contrary.
Great Britain knows that the American people are her friends in this
contest, that is the great majority of them are, but she may presume too far
on friendship If she keeps up these kind bf tactics.
Just what the result of the American note will be remains to be seen.
It Is certain to make the British statesmen stop and think a little before put
ting the recent blacklist orders strictly Into operation.
of
DON’T SIDETRACK THESE BILLS
We believe the appropriation bills providing new buildings for the State
Normal School, the South Georgia Normal School and the Girls Normal and
Industrial College will be passed If they can be brought before the house
and senate In time to secure a full discussion and vote on them.
But <t the rate at which legislation Is now being moved there Is danger
of these Important bills being sidetracked. That would be a great misfor
tune to the state.
Tift need for the four buildings provided for In these three appropria
tion bills Is very apparent. Without them the three Institutions named are
crippled and kept from doing their full and perfect work for the upbuilding
of tbe educational Interests of the state.
The state has far too few trained teachers' to handle the hundreds of
thousands of children in the common schools. The money tbe state gives to
the common schools does not bring the returns it would tf there were more
teachers thoroughly trained in the normal schools. There Is but one way to
get these teachers and that Is through an enlargement of the work of the
normal schools. This work cannot be enlarged unless more money Is spent
tor the buildings that are now being called for.
It Is more essential than ever If the compulsory education law Is to drive
Into the schools thousands of children not now attending. This feature ot
the situation cannot be overlooked.
The situation Is a grave one. By no means should these three important
appropriation bills be sidetracked during the coming days of the session.
They should be shoved forward on the calendar and given a fair chance at
passage. The state will be the distinct loser unless this is done.
Plea for Peace to F. and A. Masons
According to eminent English edu
cators veiling Is absolutely no guide
to pronunciation. To prove this a*
sertkm Professor Jones ot the Uni
versity College, of London, gives as
an Instance of the futility ot trying to
pronounce according to spoiling
puzzle which requires the word “fix
ture” to be apelled without using any
of the letters In tt. The answer Is
“phykscha.” Potato could be spelled
“ghoughphthelghtteau," “gh” repre
seating “p" as in “hiccough,” ”ough‘
* —"o” as In “though,” * phth”—“t” ai
In “phthisis," ‘elgh"—“a” as In
"weigh,” “tte"—“t" as In “gazette, 1
and "eau"—“o" as in “beau."
— *
There may ha some place where a
wife and children deserted by the
husband and father can find a modi
cum of sympathy, but they needn't
look for it aroupnd the Georgia house
of representatives, aa demonstrated
by the action ot tbat body In tabling
a bill to make tt a misdemeanor tor
a man to abandon Ms wife and chil
dren In destitute circumstances. It
appeared from the line of talk hand
ed out by the members of the boose
who spoke against the bill, especially
the lawyers who have practice In the
divorce courts, that they regard the
husbands of the stats aa the ones In
need of sympathy, and not the wives.
Tha bill had paaaad tha senate prsc-
wtth no oppoeWon and was
by the
SHOULD KNOCK OUT TRADING STAMPS
The legislature should pass the anti-trading stamp bill and send it up
lo Govornor Harris tor his approval ,
The merchants of the state are vitally interested In this measure, and
the people who do tbe trading are also Interested. The trading stamp device
makes people think they are getting something for nothing, but they In no
way realise what they expect The men who run the trading stamp business
are not In It for nothing.
The trading stamp Is a burden to legitimate business and a lure to tbe
unsuspecting. It promises much and returns little. It diverts trade from its
proper channel and does not yletd to the pnrohaser the returns that would
Justify such a diversion.
The merohants of the state are heartily In favor of tbe proposed law
barring trading stamps and the legislature should find time to enact the bill
In’a law.
THE BOLL WEEVIL IN GEORGIA
The farmers of South Georgia have had a good taste ot the boll weevil
thie year. The peat baa been getting in some pretty steady work In that
section and the cotton crop there has been severely damaged according to
reports.
Fortunately for the farmers In this state, there was advance notice of
the coming of this pest and a great majority ot the farmers had been prepar
ing a warm reception. The Increased Interest taken In all grain crops, tha
advance of the live stock Industry, the Increased number of hogs raised and
the general diversification ot the crops throughout the section affected have
brought about results and good results too.
It seems that science has found nothing to kill off the weevil and that
the only thing that can be done to overcome his ravages Is to substitute oth
er crops that he does not like to eat or plant cotton that will mature before
he gets ready to sit down to the feast
More com, more wheat, more hay, more cattle, more fruits, more hogs,
more crops ot all kinds will settle In a large measure for the losses caused
by the boll weevil, and yet tt la up to the edeotlata to keep on working to
find out some way to put an end to tho work of tils pest
TAX EQUALIZATION MEASURE
It is, Indeed, unfortunate that there should arise opposition to the pres
en. tax equalization law which has been operated zo luccesafully in this state.
It Is true that the measure could be strengthened and thereby bring Increas
ed revenue to the treasury, but to attempt to repeal the act and undo the
good work which has been accomplished by this law,/is to thing short of a
calamity and criminal on the part of those members who are urging and try
ing to bring about a condition in the state that will practically bankrupt
Georgia.
A Joint committee from the house and senate has made e report making
many recommendations, among them some being timely and wise and If the
legislature wUl take this report and select the beet and strongest features,
REMOVE ALL DOUBT FROM HIGHWAY BILL
The highway measure which passed the house a few days since seems
be faulty In construction. In so far as the Federal government in concerned,
and unless tt Is so amended as to meet the requirements of tbe Federal act,
Georgia will not participate in the $76,000,000 fund appropriated by congress
for tbe bettering of the loads of the country.
The question Is of vast Importance and politics should not enter into the
acts of the members of the legislature. This Is tbe time of all times when
every member should Join and work to one purpose and that purpose should
be to so amend the act as passed that tt will fully meet the requirements
the government and assure to the' state of Georgia Its full share of this ap
propriation.
The present session of the legislature will end on the twelfth of August
and unless something is done and done at once, the state will not be able
to participate In the appropriation which would mean so much for the im
provement and ot the building of good roads in thla state.
Let the members of the general assembly realize the Importance of this
measure and let them know that the people at home are depending upon
them to provide a measure which win meet all requirement* of the Federal
government in order that the state may profit and he benefited from a source
the citizenship has never enjoyed before.
The Banner believes that the members of the legislature will not allow
petty politic* and petty Jealousies to Interfere with their adta In such an Im
portant matter, but that they will harmonize all differences and paes a meas
ure which will meet every requirement of the Federal government In order
that Georgia may participate in and enjoy the benefits of the appropriation.
EASY ENOUGH TO CRITICISE
Candidate Hughe* has accepted the nomination ot the republican party
for the presidency and In his speech of acceptance he sounded the keynote
of the republican campaign. Ot course that keynote is a broadside attack on
Wilson and bis administration, more particularly that aide of it pertaining
to the Mexican question.
Now It la not a hard thing to criticise. It la a much harder thing to ac
complish things. Candidate Hughes has an easy Job telling what he would
have done had he been In Wilson’s place. Had be really been there, be
drould have done about as Wilson has done or he would have run the old
ship of itate on the rooks. More than Ukely It would have been the latter
thing he would have done, for he has neither the ability nor the grit of
Wilson.
It la easy enough to talk about the democratic party not having taken
the proper steps to prepare the army and navy for real fighting, bat It should
be remembered that the republicans have been in power nearly all these
yean and have done nothing. Tbe democrats have done about all that baa
been done In this direction.
It Is easy enough to say that the democrat* are now providing for naval
expenditures aa a political movement in the presence of a presidential cam
paign. Well, It la something to the credit ot the democratic party that It haa
taken the lead In this matter. It la quite certain that be republicans never
had the nerve or the statesmanship to do so.
It Is easy enough to aay the democratic tariff revision was a failure, but
the European war and tbe falling off of Imports tells the tale better than re
publican criticism.
Candidate Hughes can talk very freely It he so desires, bat his talk will
hsva to be backed up with proof before tho American people will believe
We have reached the “enlightened
twentieth century.” We are the in
heritors of the art, the literature, the
music, and the science of the past
nineteen centuries. This Is tho
twentieth century of the Christian
era. The Prince ot Peace was born
l»vl> years ago.
Yet we stand face to face with a
cruel, savage, wicked war. The beet
blood of Europe la being spilled In
great streams. Christian England,
cultured Germany, artistic France,
autocratic Russia, Moslem Turkey,
turbulent Austria-Hungary, are all
alike guilty and all are at one an-
othr’s throats.
Socalled - neutral countries ore
sharpening the swords, making the
bullets and casting the cannons (for
profit) to supply the meant for spill
ing more blood, and Incidentally gain
ing treasure for themselves. Starva
tion, famine, pestilence, maimings, in
sanity, widowhood, death are the
glorious results. Thus have they
done In other days also. The ^reat,
toted.
In this general melee Is there no
power capable of causing these earth
ly powers to cease their murderous
conflict end to halt those who aid
and abet the savagery?
There ha* been and la today
great force In the world. Its peaceful
yet powerful Influence has survived
the wreck of dynasties and the shock
of time. It Is still abroad and alive.
Its vitality Is yet potent, and tt is
being exercised in the paths of mer
cy. It still soothes the dying and
brings help to the wounded. In
thousand way* tt quiet and beneficent
Influence beats on the proud warrior
and comfort* the afflicted victim.
The Church of the Living God still
Uvea.
There to another atlent yet potent
force In the world, spreading Its in
fluence tar and wide, regarding neith
er Gentile nor Jew, Mohammedan nor
Christian, as such, and yet embracing
them all. It craves world power and
universal sway: not at the sword’s
point, bat through the spirit of one
great principle—brotherhood.
the brotherhood of Masonry take ad
vanced ground?
(Have we no peace-loving states
men, whether In the world’s high
places or In humble station, whose
thoughts will cope with the great
problem confronting a saddened
world?
Are lifesaving, war-prevention
thoughts too deep in the well of the
human mind to be reached?
Cannot the divine spark Illumine
the abyss of human bate and passion
and show a ray of love and mercy,
ot sweetness and of peace?
Is one nation fir another utter!?
to perish by the sword, and then
shall the survivors again fight over
the spoilt until all are annihilated?
Are not these practical, pressing,
all-important considerations In thla
day and generation to engage onr In
terest, our Intellect, our hearts?
Let n* keep them before onr an
cient brotherhood with open minds,
merciful hearts, thoughtful brains,
and kindly spirits, looking ever ter
essentially neutral ocean* are vlo- a great leader, not of one nation or
It. And the proof •
Bow shall these two forces, neither
supplanting the other, hot cooperat
ing with each other, make their
weight felt?
Are there ideas to be discarded and
practice* to be condemned because
they lead to or prolong a war?
Should we not in this century set
other standard* ** nations and
peoples which may develop peace as
those of the past have brought on
war?
tribe, but of all tho people of every
nation on the face of the earth, who
■hall show ns the way of righteous
ness and guide us in the paths of
peace.
OBOflbOE FRHIFELD,
Grand Master.
The weather Is really Inclined to
be a little on “the warm order,” not
to say hot Bnt then, what could you
expect in August?
4
"Trade condition* greatly Improv
ed," saye the federal hank report on
basinets—again. What must thoee
conditions have been In the light ot
the "great Improvement” reported
every other day?
41 —
LU’ or Brunei* ops and Tow* * h *
won’t pay the fine of 6,000,000 mxrU
Imposed upon her by Germany— fo f
same little alleged offense, prohibit
mostly because Germany need* tbe
men. Brussells to spunky all f** 11 ”
all right
» - ——’
haadfal of votes In its favor.
Dudley Glass of the Georgian mu*‘
. reserve the file* of the Banner I'M*'
ty well—better than he notes the d»te
of the peper he Is reading, for he has
the following In his deiartment of tb«
Georgian this week, an allusion to »
note the Banner carried tost winteT '
“Athens Banner says: 'Alanta 1* row
ing $70,000 fund for her grznd opera
the coming spring.’ The Atlanta
got In sis montn»