May 26, 1916. 
Four Hunprep THousAnp MEN in fighting mood 
have been threatening an attack upon the American public 
for some time. ‘The blow, which has several times been 
averted, has in it more present danger than has the bogey 
of a foreign invasion. Lhe threatened concerted strike of 
the men in the train service of all of the railroads of the 
country would more effectively cripple the nation than 
would a war, and it is nearer at hand. And the pitiful 
aspect of the affair is the absolute helplessness of the 
public to intervene in its own behalf. There is little jus- 
tice in the latest request of the men in the train service. 
They ask for an eight-hour day, but that is not what they 
want; the manner in which the demand is framed is mis- 
leading. Men in the train service of the railroads work 
on a ten-hour day schedule and are the best paid work- 
men of any class in the country. They would be the 
first to protest if compelled to work but eight hours a day. 
What their demand really means is that they want aa 
increase in pay of twenty-five percent, or ten hours pay 
for every eight hours they work. ‘The men in the train 
service are notoriously unsympathetic with the other work- 
ers in the railroad service, many of whom are outrageous- 
ly underpaid in comparison with the men in the motive 
department. If the railroads of the country were in such 
a prosperous condition as to be able to stand an added 
expense of $100,000,000 a year, the public might be but 
little interested in the controversy between the men and 
the roads. As the case stands the granting of the de- 
mands would mean an increase in freight and passenger 
rates sufficient to cover the increased cost of operatioii. 
And that the public must pay. The consequences to the 
public if the differences are not arbitrated or if the men 
co not withdraw their unreasonable demands, are appall- 
ing. 
OneE-CENtT Lerrer Postacr is again attracting the 
attention of Congress, 50 bills calling for the inauguration 
of a one-cent rate on local delivery letters having been 
introduced. Many newspapers throughout the country 
are advocating the lower rate, and the inauguration of a 
so-called “zone” system for the transportation of period- 
ical literature of all kinds. It 1s proposed, and will be- 
come part of the readjustment of postage rates whe. 
such are made, that a zone system be established so that 
a certain rate shall be charged for all classes of publica- 
tion for the first fifty miles, another for 50 to 150 miles, 
another for 150 to 300 miles, and so up to a haul whica 
would extend across the continent. In this way the pub- 
lishers of big magazines would be required to pay the 
government what it actually costs to transport their 
product. 
Tue Furitn Lire Destroyinc Drive still continues 
in the world’s greatest battle at Verdun in France. First 
the Teutons and then the French attain a slight victory 
at terrific expense only to lose again. It appears to be 
a deadlock with the fighting continued. There are ru- 
mors of peace, but the contest around Verdun does not 
seem to indicate that there are hopes for the immediate 
present. 
Tue Perrtopre Suirrs IN VaLurs that are noted 
in the prices of many stocks makes it all the more de- 
sirable that men of small means should learn to consult 
with experts when making investments. There is nothing 
safer than an old-fashioned savings account. 
A WEEK oF PARADES,—preparedness, circus and me- 
morial processions. 
Att Roaps Leap to Boston tomorrow. 
NORTH SHORE BREEZE and Reminder 91 
SomE DENominations Have Forsippen the clergy- 
men of its churches to marry certain divorced persons 1a 
the interests of higher morality and the maintenance of 
the New Testament standard of home life. In convention 
assembled the Baptists discussed the great question and 
a resolution “denouncing” the clergyman who marries 
certain divorced persons was amended to read “‘disap- 
proved.” This does not mean that the attitude of the 
Baptist church has changed in any way on the great ques- 
tion of divorce. The “resolution merely reveals the or- 
ganic power of the Church. The Baptist principles are 
democratic and every church is a self-governing unit and 
no church organization exists that can censure the clergy- 
man of any church except for gross immorality. The 
national convention is an association of churches and 
therefore has no governing or regulating eae and con- 
sequently it cannot “denounce ;” it can only “disapprove,” 
but the spirit of the organization is eee against 
remarriage of culpable persons who seek to remarry. 
THe New ENGLAND REFORM Society that maintains 
the Talitha Cumi Maternity Home and Hospital in Ja- 
maica Plain, Boston, has just completed eighty years of 
successful work and its annual report is a creditable record 
of a year of valuable service. The home cares for un- 
married girls who are “facing the sadness and shame-o! 
unmarried motherhood and to furnish such care for both 
the soul and body that these wayward young hearts shall 
be turned back from their first terrible step in the down- 
ward path, and awakened to the hope of a new and better 
future.” The hospital has a strong board of directors, 
among them names familiar on the North Shore. The 
hospital is doing a wonderful work in its chosen field of 
service and deserves the commendation, co- operation and 
financial support of the public. 
Tue AFrFaArrs IN Mexico are in competent hands, 
but the differences of ideals makes it difficult for our 
representatives to arrange satisfactory terms with that 
government. It is difficult for men of refinement to co ne 
to an agreement at times, but when civilization endeavors 
to inake an arrangement with a state part way along the 
vaad to civilization the problem-is acute. This is really 
the key to all our difficulties in Mexico. America can 
afford to and must be patient. 
THe Mexrcan Scuoor TEACHERS who came on a 
visit to the United States confess now that they feared 
to come and that they are surprised at the cordial recep- 
tion which they received. Such expeditions would help 
the Mexican people more than military exploitations. 
Wart A Surpristnc TurRN of events it would be 
if it should transpire that the prohibitionists actually 
nominated William Jennings Bryan for the Presidency ? 
Tur Monpay Morninc Issurs of the news journals, 
have already begun to print the annually recurring lists 
of automobile and canoeing accidents. 
Wut Copper May INcrkEAsE dividends it also in- 
creases building operation expenses. 
A by-product of the European war is the respite it 
has brought to wild animals in Africa. So-called sport 
has given way to dead earnest, and the wild things of the 
world’s last big game country have 
which to raise their families in 
Christian Register. 
a breathing-space in 
comparative peace.— 
Judgment commends, but resolution executes. 
