Jan. 5, 1917. 
THE PRESENT War in Europe has aroused America 
to its needs of nitrogen products. What we failed to 
learn in times of peace has been forced upon us in times 
of war. The rich nitrate fields of Chile have always 
served America well, but its distance from America makes 
it improbable in the time of war that it would supply the 
national needs. An adroit enemy would quickly seize the 
opportunity and if possible prevent all importations ot 
nitrogen products. Man needs nitrogen. The invisible 
gas in the air is the mysterious substance that rejuve- 
nates soil and makes it possible for the farmer to raise 
increasingly large crops. Strangely enough the same 
mysterious gas is the one important factor in the manu- 
facture of high-powered explosives. Both Great Britain 
and Germany have been making nitrogen products suc- 
cessfully by synthetic processes. It is now urged that 
America, through its government, should utilize its great 
water power reserve in the synthetic manufacture of 
nitrogen products for use in fertilizer and to place the 
nation in an independent position in time or war. The 
plan proposed seems feasible; that is, to have the govern- 
inent build plants inland where there are great water 
power centers and then lease the stations out to capable: 
electro-chemical firms for the manufacture of nitrogen 
products upon generous terms for the manufacturers and 
just terms for the government. When this work has been 
acco:rplished the government will then have scattered all 
over the interior of the nation large electro-chemical 
works that can turn out an adequate supply of nitrogen 
products for use in the manufacture of high grade ex- 
plosives. If the demands of peace alone were made it 
would be a reasonable plan of operation for the United 
States government, but with the added advantage of being 
a self-supporting plan for providing an adequate pre- 
paredness for war it has the dual argument in its favor 
that cannot be overlooked. It does seem a pity that 
America could not have made efforts to perfect the chem- 
ical processes for the manufacture of fertilizers long ago. 
A nation, rich in energy and brains ought not to have 
waited until an exigency arose to compel the study. There 
are two things that America has gained from the war, 
first the impetus to manufacture its own dye products 
and to seek independence from the world by the manu- 
facture of its fertilizing materials. May the lesson be 
speedily learned and the impulses acted upon at once. 
Turkey SEEMS Quire INDEPENDENT for a_ nation 
that has “enjoyed” the patronage of Europe for two 
generations. Turkey may find that the move made may 
not be qyite so pleasing to the Allies. _ That horrible 
eastern question has never been settled. There is a grow- 
ing feeling that Constantinople must eventually be an 
independent province unallied with any of the European 
governments—a free port for all. Then only can there 
be peace and the eastern question set at rest. 
Tur AMERICAN TELEPHONE AND TELEGRAPH Com- 
PANY has continued its successful and conservative busi- 
ness this year and in addition to the declaration of a good 
interest return to the investors has shared the profits with 
the employees by generous bonus gifts. It is one of the 
hopeful signs in these days of industrial unrest to see so 
large a corporation operated with such efficiency and with 
so little friction with its workmen and with the public. 
Santa Craus Was ABLE to score several times on 
Billy Sunday, but he “has come back,” and is playing his 
great game fast and successfully. 
Tue Fasutous Prices paid for boots during the 
civil war no longer appear fiction. 
NORTH SHORE BREEZE 
9 
THe Leacug to ENForcE PEACE appears to be mak- 
ing great progress since its incorporation a little over a 
year ago. Many capable men have come to its support 
including President Wilson and former Justice Charles 
FE. Hughes. In the Senate the accredited leaders of the 
democratic and republican parties are supporters of the 
purposes of the league. Abroad the idea has been en- 
dorsed by Sir Edward Grey, Lord Bryce, Lloyd George, 
Mr. Asquith, Premier Brand, Chancellor Von Bethman 
Hollweg and Count Okuma. It hopes to have a league 
of nations to establish a world court, a world council ot 
conciliation with a punitive authority to declare commer- 
cial boycotts upon offenders or to assert an international 
military force against the aggressor who refuses to arbi- 
trate. It also aims to establish a world conference to 
develop international law. The last aim alone is worthy 
of the careful propaganda that has been planned. 
Tur Commission Havinc CHARGE of the fund 
appropriated for Relief Work as a result of the Salem 
fire has on hand a very large balance that is a cause of 
anxiety. What will they do with the money? They 
-annot honorably disburse the funds among the sufferers 
from the fire who have had an opportunity to reestablish, 
themselves. The question has gone to the courts for 
judgment. The North Shore and the State of Massa- 
chusetts evidently met the situation generously and fully. 
AMERICA E\NJoyeD Last YEAR the biggest market in 
seven years. This means, of course, that more stocks 
were sold than in any other year for seven years. The 
stocks changed hands and the brokers gained the commis- 
sions, but when it comes to real prosperity and national 
progress it would be possible to make progress even 
though there was not a great ‘stock movement” on the 
market. A constantly shifting market is a sign of unrest 
and change not of permanence and stability. 
Tur Missks Lorine of Pride’s Crossing have do- 
nated to the City of Beverly a park which is contiguous 
to the new library lot, in memory of their father and 
mother. A beautiful new iron gate with a light has been 
put in place and with the coming of spring a hedge and 
other ornamental shrubs will be placed on the plot. The 
gift was a generous and appropriate one and will be 
appreciated by the citizens of Beverly Farms for years 
to come. 
NortHern Hote Owners have hurried south and 
are using their summer advertising materials to describe 
heir southern ventures. There are better places than 
the North Shore in the good old winter time, but for an 
all-year place of residence it is not to be surpassed, any- 
where, the world round. That is the reason for the in- 
creasing number of all-year-round residents. 
Tue SepreEMBER RAILROAD STRIKE was averted, but 
the Adamson Law does not seem to have solved the prob- 
lem, or is it true that neither side has the patience to 
await the judgment of the Supreme Court? 
WueEn MAKING Our Your Bupcer for the new year 
do not forget the permanent home charities that have been 
neglected these two years. 
Ir Is A Wise Man who looks his office equipment 
over and orders his papers and printing done early. 
Give to your enemy forgiveness; give to your oppo- 
nent tolerance; give to your friend your heart; give to 
your child a good example; give to your parents defer- 
ence—give to everybody sunshine, 
