Mrs. Goprrey L. Casot of the North Shore and 
Boston is doing efficient work in Boston in the interests 
of proper sanitation and provisions for safety of public 
buildings and of public conveyances. In her last report 
she says, “in our study. of ventilation we have come to 
the conclusion that no artificial ventilation is as good as 
fresh air from open windows. In the new wings of the 
State House the most expensive ventilating system has 
been installed. It is doubtless good, but the lowering of 
the windows from the top with a cloth tacked over the 
opening to prevent draughts and dust is just as good if 
not better and iar less .expensive. Better still is a 
thorough opening of all windows for a minute or two 
from time to time when the air is stagnant.” From time 
to time the interest of everyone should be jogged. Open 
the windows of the office, of the home, the work sho» 
and of the school room frequently, whether equipped 
with patent air ventilators or not. <A little more fresh 
air is desirable at all times. 
THe Women’s Municrea, LeEAcuE of Boston, of 
which Mrs. Robert S. Bradley of Boston and Pride’s 
Crossing is a leading spirit, is to inaugurate a Clean-Up 
Week Campaign in Boston, May 1. The first day is to 
be devoted to fire prevention investigations ; Tuesday and 
Wednesday are suggested as house cleaning days; Thurs- 
day and Friday are called cellar cleaning and yard clean- 
ing days, respectively, and Saturday is to be devoted to 
children’s activities in the interest of Clean-Up Week. 
The following week is given up to painting and papering, 
rat and fly prevention and to general garden improve- 
ments. The plans suggested are general and the Clean- 
Up Campaign Committee do not expect that each day 
will be devoted necessarily to the work outlined for it. 
But as a general plan it is very valuable and citizens at 
there convenience as early in the season as possible ought 
to give careful consideration to all of the suggestions 
made for general clean-up work. 
SPEAKING AT THE MANCHESTER BROTHERHOOD on 
Monday evening Deputy Chief Sennott of the Boston 
Fire Department said that experience had taught him the 
advisability of taking precautions against fire before fire 
broke out. He advised everyone traveling and engaging 
rooms in a hotel not to think of going to bed without mak- 
ing a careful investigation of the means of exit in case 
of fire, remembering always that the way one goes in is 
not always the only way out. He advised that the women 
of the household be instructed to make it a practice of 
life to place every night over the foot of the bed or in 
a handy place a bathrobe or mackintosh that can be found 
readily in the dark. Celar closets, rubbish heaps, sulphur 
matches and oily rags all came in for their share of con- 
demnation. The lecture was interesting and informing 
and the large attendance assures that the words of in- 
struction will be given publicity. In presenting such in- 
teresting and educational programs the Brotherhood is 
doing a valuable and commendable piece of community 
social service work. 
_ diplomatic relationships. 
Tur Activities of Present WiLson last week 
were dramatic. The State Department became con- 
vinced by the facts in hand that the Imperial. German 
Government had not relented and that the submarine war- 
fare was being flagrantly continued in the face of inter- 
national law and the claims of humanity. The many 
notes sent by the President have been skilfully answered, 
the issue evaded and the war continued. The President 
was within his rights in issuing the final note and acted 
wisely in calling Congress together, reading to the joint 
session of the House and Senate his position on the 
mooted question. ‘The note to Germany was not equi- 
vocal. The patience of President Wilson has been un- 
bounded and when the crisis came he did not shrink from 
the task. Germany cannot receive the note with any 
degree of enthusiasm for it is a caustic criticism of the 
spirit of the Government and accuses them of breaking 
the international law and violating the laws of humanity. 
Such a course on the part of our Government cannot 
fail to be embarrassing. It is difficult for America to 
understand the German processes of thinking that wouid 
permit such organized efforts to violate the rights of neu- 
trals, but the facts stand. The Imperial Government is 
determined to continue the strife and the people are 
pacified with the excuse, military necessity. It is difficult 
to foresee what Germany will do. It will be expedient 
for her to spar for time as the President gave no time 
limit. It would seem that Germany must either accede 
to the demands of this Government and discontinue the 
submarine warfare or else refuse to accede to the de- 
mands of the Government and accept with it the conse- 
quences which at least will mean the breaking off of 
Germany has the issue in hand 
and will consider the matter well. Will Germany’s best 
interests at this conjuncture be best served by continuing 
in the face of all neutral opposition or is it advisable to 
discontinue the war? ‘These are Germany’s questions. 
No one in America can answer for Germany. There is 
nothing that can be done but wait. 
BEFORE THE State LeCISLATURE at the present time 
there is a bill to appropriate $150,000 for the erection of 
buildings on the site purchased last year in Belchertown 
for schools for feeble-minded. There are about 15,000 
feeble-minded persons in Massachusetts and only accom- 
modations for about 3000 at the various state institutions 
for feeble-minded. Approximately 12,000 are at large, 
in insane hospitals or in prisons where they do not be- 
long. ‘The need of the schools is too apparent to permit 
debate and, having taken a step in the right direction by 
purchasing the site, the legislature will undoubtedly ap- 
propriate the necessary amount. 
Ir Takes A MAN oF CouracE to veto a bill like the 
Sunday Tabernacle bill, as Governor McCall did yester- 
day. Right is right. An ounce of “safety first” preven- 
tion is worth a pound of “take-a-chance”’ cure. 
Tuk VERDUN CAMPAIGN does not show any great 
gains either for the allies or for the Germans, 
ee a ee ee Oe ee ee 
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