ONE WEEK FROM SaAturDAy will be the Fourth of 
July. It is too much to expect that the agitation of the 
past few years for a safe and sane Fourth will yet result 
in a total absence of serious injuries and fatalities. But 
to advise each year that the use of dangerous explosives 
be restricted by law will in time reduce the number of 
cases of tetanus blood poisining, loss of eyesight or the 
injuring of any part of the body to a minimum. While ex- 
ploding giant cannon crackers, torpedoes and the like the 
average boy is not seriously considering the reason for his 
wild recklessness. The men who, wearing stern visages and 
firm mouths, afhxed their signatures to the Declaration of 
Independence upon that July day in 1776, saw too much 
of bloodshed and loss of life in the long war for freedom 
to wish to establish a holiday for the needless sacrifice of 
the youthful American. The day we celebrate is a day 
which shall go ‘down in history as one which caused the 
pulses of the whole world to beat faster. The sturdy 
colonists accomplished more than the throwing off of the 
yoke of a tyrannical power; they opened the door to 
freedom for the entire world. Is it fitting, then, that to 
celebrate this day, it should be attended with barbarous 
customs? Rather it should be a holiday which should 
foster the thought that this country, the first to proclaim 
the divine right of man, needs for its future supremacy 
citizens, who will be safe and sane whenever another 
crisis confronts them. But to celebrate the anniversary 
of the birth of freedom with bloodshed is to lead back to 
bondage. 
THe Citizens oF Brverty Farms are justly dis- 
turbed because the City of Beverly has failed to provide 
suitable entrances to its good playground. This difficulty 
ought to be remedied soon. A new street should be con- 
tructed from Hale to Haskell streets, parallel with High 
street. This would solve the problem and while some- 
what expensive to the city at first, in the end it would be 
the most economical as it would open up new lots for 
building purposes that would eventually bring in a con- 
siderable revenue to the City Treasury. Something ought 
to be done to afford convenient entrances to the play- - 
ground. 
Mr. VANDERLIP Says: “I firmly believe that if this 
nation is to avoid disaster, a general awakening is neces- 
sary to the probable effect of present day political tenden- 
cies upon business, upon property and property rights.” 
Truer words have not been spoken, but how shall the na- 
tion find the way out? What is the solution? 
Grorck W. CoLEMAN in his Boston address says: ‘‘Tt 
takes good plans as well as good bricks to build.” Black- 
mer of Beverly thinks that poor bricks will spoil good 
plans. It takes good plans and good bricks to build well! 
THe Norra SHorm has had a very hard financial 
year, but the opening season is most promising. 
Tur Boston OperA CoMPANY is winning laurels and 
honoring its home city in Paris. 
A New Bit, has at last been drafted arranging for 
a separation of the interests of the Boston & Maine and 
the New Haven railroads. As the matter stands separa- 
tion as soon as possible seems desirable, but the error was 
made months ago when the press and public turned the 
guns of criticism against the management of the New 
Haven road. The Mellen ideas should have been worked 
out and in the end there would have been decided advan- 
tages for the public and the stockholders of both roads. 
But as matters now stand the new plan seems to be the 
only way out. 
Tue Use oF Part oF THE NAVAL SQUADRON for fast 
mail and freight service may disturb the equilibrium of 
the naval officers who never anticipated being the com- 
manders of merchant carriers when they enlisted. Butts 
it not a hopeful and satisfying thought after all? ‘The 
swords are not actually being beaten into pruning hooks, 
but the transformation of these craft of war for the ser- 
vice of men at peace is a striking fulfilment of prophecy. 
The idea is strange, but it will work. Why not? 
Witt GREECE SuccEED in purchasing the Idaho and 
the Mississippi? Not if Turkey can help it! But if the 
United States sells to Greece and Greece determines to — 
use the vessels in active warfare, despite the assertions 
now made to the contrary, what can the United States 
do? The naval vessels will be property of Greece as soon 
as sold. It looks as though President Wilson has had 
more than his share of petty difficulties with foreign 
powers. 
A New Trust Company has been established in Bev- 
erly; a new branch in Beverly Farms is being planned for. 
It is strange that such a branch has not been established 
before. There is an opportunity for banking service that 
the summer residents and business men will appreciate. 
Such a branch ought not to affect the affairs of any of 
the present banking interests as it will develop new terri- 
tory. 
To Have A SLAYER OF A PoLICEMAN plead not guilty 
when charged with a crime is somewhat bewildering to 
a layman. Of course the man is entitled to the plea to 
assure a just trial, but he is guilty and there is the rub 
and there is no way to expedite justice. 
THERE 1S WITHOUT QUESTION now a serious contest 
on for the republican nomination for Congress in this 
district. Andrew has his “hat in the ring.” Congress- 
man Gardner would succeed himself. It is early, but the 
contest is surely on. 
IN PROVIDING FOR AN EMERGENCY eall for a pulmotor 
the Telephone Company is alert to its opportunity to ren- 
der publie service. 
Tue Custom Houskt Tower is displacing the State 
House dome as the distinctive building of the landscape 
of Boston. 
