Aw AtTTEMPY on the part of Ploucester oeae to 
take. advantage ot a clause in the so-called “itinerant 
vender law,” Tecently passed by the Massacl.usetts Legis- 
lature, 1s nothing more or less than an etftort to throt: le 
legitimate trade. The object of their animosity is the 
little colony of summer shops at Magnolia. Under the 
recent Act the shops, which are located in Magnolia 
during the summer months, may be assessed for the 
declared value of their stocks at the prevailing tax rate 
or, at the option of the Municipal Council, they may be 
taxed at a fixed rate. It is the action of the Council ia 
using. the latter method of taxation that has aroused th: 
ire.of the Gloucesier tiadesa.en. Lhey put forward the 
absurd claim that the Magnolia shops “reap the creat 
of the summer trade, thereby depriving the Gloucester 
merchants of their due.” It is ridiculous to imagine 
for..a.moment that there is any competition between the 
Magnolia and the Gloucester stores. ‘he shops at Maz- 
noila cater to‘a class of trade which the Gloucester stores 
could not hope to secure. The branch shops located 
the pretty North Shore village are but service arms of 
big New York, Boston, Philadelphia, Washington and 
Paris firms engaged in supplying the wants of persons of 
wealth. They are not conducted at a big profit, as im- 
agined by the uninitiated; they are operated to keep in 
touch with the best of the city trade which, during the 
ere months comes to the North Shore. ‘To tax them 
under the system demanded by the small Gloucester mer- 
chants would in all probability mean that they would *e 
driven away. In such an event the very object of the 
small merchants would have been defeated, as even the 
present taxes would be lost. Not only that, but the 
vast concourse of summer buyers would be compelled to 
seek other markets. Gloucester merchants have bene- 
fitted indirectly by the coming of the summer shops to 
Magnolia. © The latter have drawn immense numbers of 
shoppers from a.territory. reaching from Nahant to York 
Harbor, Me. They have made Magnolia famous througn- 
out the country as the centre of fashion and thus have 
been instrumental in bringing many more persons to this 
section. Employes of the summer residents have made 
use of the year-around stores of the North Snore and 
Gloucester fe received its share of this trade. Magnolia 
tores each summer employ about 25 persons and the 
majority of their trading is of course done in Gloucester. 
But it appears. that the Gloucester merchants would 
have the whole loaf or none. In their attempt to thrott'e 
the shops catering to a trade they cannot hope to attain 
their attitude resembles that of the fabled canine in the 
manger. 
AN INTERESTING SIDE-LIGHT is thrown upon our 
Preparedness, when it is recalled that when our batteries 
were embarrassed at Framingham because of a lack of 
horses, a ship load was ready to sail from a Boston wharf 
for the old world. 
Tur Pork BARREL, has never been raided much for 
this County, be it said to the honor of the County and 
our Congressman. 
A Quiet, SpLENDID WorK is going on all over the 
United States on behalf of the young men of the Na- 
tional Guard, who are in service on the Mexican borde-. 
Organizations of women everywhere are acting through 
the Red Cross in sending supplies to the men at the 
front. Those who hold back from lending aid at this 
time evidently are not aware that the need exists. Be- 
cause of the promptness with which the work was started 
we have been spared the agonizing stories of sufferiag 
resulting from lack of proper equipment. While the need 
of sending supplies to tne men in service is not as great 
as in actual warfare, it should be remembered that these 
men will be away from their nomes for months to come 
and will miss the comforts to which thev are entitled 
and which the small army pay will not make it possible 
for them to enjoy. 
Ir Is Reporrep that efforts are now being exterted 
by certain interests to have the national government 
purchase the Cape Cod canal and operate it as a govern- 
ment enterprise. The practicability of the canal has 
-been demonstrated by private. interests and proven to 
be a success. There is every reason why this great water- 
way should be controlled by the government, the sooner 
the better. While some private interests may temporarily 
profit by the transfer in ownership the navigation interests” 
will be served well enough to warrant the expenditure. 
Scorr Nrartnc Says that “the newspapers of 
America have been carrying on one of the most scandalous 
propagandas that has ever been carried on to suppress 
news regarding the German side.” This does not appear 
reasonable in this commercial age. No newspaper will 
suppress real news from any source, because it is news 
that sells the papers. The mere commercial end of the 
newspaper business would forbid any such conspiracy, 
without mentioning the ethical libel thrown upon the 
press. 
Tue TactFruLNess and diplomacy of Charles E. 
‘Hughes is seen in his frank dealings with both wings 
of the woman’s forces. ‘The antis and the pros have 
interviewed him and have come away with the conviction 
that he is the man of the hour. Any man who can 
handle as delicate a problem as that presented by the 
suffrage question may be depended upon for tactfulness 
and skill. 
AN ORGANIZED EFFortT on the part of the govern- 
ment and of the people of the United States to relieve the 
sufferings of the starving peons of Mexico is more in 
keeping with the best traditions of our people and of our 
government. It is more blessed to give than to receive. 
Nortn Snore Trees and shrubbery never 
The wet and late-staying spring is re- 
THE 
looked better. 
sponsible for it. 
Witt, Take More than one submarine to break 
the grip of the Allies’ blockade. 
