NORTH SHORE BREEZE fi 
WHEN THE War Broke Ovv in the summer it was 
predicted by many prominent military men that the strug- 
gle would not last long and the Franco-Prussian War was 
cited as an illustration. Nearly six months have now 
elapsed and there is no indication of a cessation of hostili- 
ties. Kitchener is quoted as having said that he did not 
know when the war would end but he did know when it 
would begin—in May. It cannot but be evident that 
such a statement has too much truth in it. The inci- 
dents up to the present time have not been epoch-making 
nor decisive. The Germans made the first desperate and 
‘strategic move; but to what avail? She has been driven 
back from before Paris and has entrenched. For weeks 
there has been no decisive activities either in the east or 
in the west. Up to the present the English troops have 
not been thoroughly mobilized and it will take weeks of 
drilling to develop a trained army equal to the coming 
attacks. The troops of the allies cannot be marshalled 
earlier than the opening months of the spring. It would 
appear that Germany in the east and the Allies in the 
west are playing a waiting game. The Allies have 
nothing to lose in the west by waiting and everything to 
gain. The Germans were prepared and have nothing to 
gain by waiting. It is evident that the Allies do not in- 
tend to rush headlong into defeat with untrained troops. 
The situation in Europe is serious, this cannot be gainsaid. 
Despite the horror that has taken place and the revulsion 
of feeling that has spread all over America it is impossible 
to conceive the extent and results of the conflict abroad. 
Governor WALsH’s AppREsS merited the favorable 
comment it created. The message attacked the question 
of granting work for unemployed men in a novel and in- 
teresting way. The state boards of Agriculture and 
Charity and the Prison Commission were listed for re- 
organization. A law was advocated increasing the powers 
of the state tax commissioners. The governor suggested 
some novel changes in state finances. A budget system 
was suggested for all departmental estimates and appro- 
priations. A law was suggested providing that a transfer 
deed shall be accompanied by a sworn statement of the 
value paid of the real estate transferred. In the Boston & 
Maine dilemma, he suggested that the railroad be re- 
fused permission to raise its rates and that measures be 
taken to eliminate some of the contracts now in force. 
Moopy Boynvon has a good idea and seeks to have 
the Commonwealth construct a bicycle railroad from 
Boston via Quincy to Fall River. Whatever else can be 
said of Moody, he is persistent. With a doggedness that 
seems never to weary him he comes back year after year 
with his bill. Some time he may get his bill by. This, 
however, is doubtful; but his courage and perseverance 
is inspiring. 
Now THE PeTty QuUARRELERS would have the Eng- 
lish speaking nations give up the use of fahrenheit ther- 
mometers because they are the invention of a German. 
However, H. Fahrenheit invented the more usable sys- 
tem and, while a German, his system was invented and 
put on the market in England, where he lived. 
CAYENNE PEPPER is a formidable weapon and much 
better than fire arms. The young woman who was for- 
tunate enough to have a package of red pepper when 
attacked by “hold-up men” and quick-witted enough to 
use it effectually was well armed. 
BEFORE THE EUROPEAN DISTURBANCE the Mexican 
trouble appears insignificant. 
THe WomeEN Have Lost THetr Ficu?T again in the ~ 
national House of Representatives, failing to obtain the 
necessary two-thirds vote. The resulting vote was sur- 
prising, although no one could have seriously supposed 
the suffragists would have won. This week’s failure is 
apparently but an episode in the fight that the suffragists 
are putting up for their eventful victory. There is no 
denying the fact that from a moral view-point there is 
no reason why women should be denied the right of fran- 
chise. The anti-suffragist does not endeavor to deny that 
claim, but unfortunately the women themselves are not a 
unit in demanding the new rights. As a division of labor 
between the sexes the burdens of government ought to 
fall upon the men. If the women wish to share the bur- 
den, perhaps it is expedient to permit them to have it. 
Meantime there are those who would not deny the women 
the rights and honors they demand but who cannot grow 
enthusiastic over its attainment. ‘The women failed this 
week, but they will come back to make a new fight. 
Too Many Laws to Enforce! This nation as a 
whole, and almost every state in it—this one not excepted 
—suffers from too much law making. Senator Root told 
the American Bar Association that in five years from 1909 
to 1913 inclusive, Congress and the State Legislatures 
passed 62,014 laws. No one knows how many thousands 
of laws were in force before 1909, but the 62,014 new 
ones repealed many of those previously in force, and 
amended many more, with no end of resulting confusion. 
Relatively few of the laws are vicious enough to work 
direct harm, but hundreds of them are harmful indirectly, 
for they are unnecessary, inconsistent, and impossible to 
enforce. 
Tur NeuTRALITY of our nation must be maintained at 
the expense, if need be, of any gains made by any group 
of individuals. The cessation of work on the submarines 
in a Massachusetts ship yard was in the line of true 
neutrality. It is now learned that the work is being prose- 
cuted, but submarines are not to be delivered until after. 
the war. 
WHERE Is THAT RUBBER FAMINE that was prophe- 
sied in early September? He who has the price may 
buy what he wishes made of rubber despite the embargo. 
The war has not affected industries half as much as the 
panic of fear that certain unscrupulous merchants abetted 
the days just after the declaration of war. 
THE INDIANAPOLIS SPEECH by President Wilson has 
surely “started something.” Who did not believe that 
President Wilson would be a candidate to succeed him- 
self ? 
A SWEETLY SOLEMN THOUGHT 
How dear to our hearts is the steady subscriber 
Who pays in advance at the birth of each year. 
Who lays down the money and does it quite gladly, 
And casts ’round the office a halo of cheer. 
He never says: “Stop it; I cannot afford it, 
I’m getting more papers than now I can read.” 
But always says, “Send it; our people all like it— 
In fact, we all think it a help and a need.” 
How welcome his check when it reaches our sanctum, 
How it makes our pulse throb; how it makes our 
heart dance. 
We outwardly thank him; we inwardly bless him— 
The steady subscriber who pays in advance, 
