Tur GoveRNoR HAS MADE an attempt to correct the 
inequality of tax assessments in Massachusetts by asking 
the legislature to pass four new laws,—one giving addi- 
tional power and authority to the tax commissioner, an- 
other making compulsory returns of taxable property by 
their owners, still another, providing for the retention ‘1 
the treasury of the commonwealth certain of the cor- 
porate franchise taxes which are now distributed to cities 
and towns on the basis of the residence of the share- 
holders, and a fourth bill requiring banks and corpora- 
tions to give to the tax commissioners such information 
as they have as to the holders of bonds, now taxable. 
BryAN HAS JustLy ConpEMNED Admiral Peary for 
his unwise statement that America must expand. It is 
such a form of doctrine that has ruined’ Europe. The 
Munroe Doctrine has kept Europe out of America and 
America must keep the faith. Territorial expansion is 
not the pathway to national prosperity. 
Tur CLEAN Miik Brit has passed the Senate and 
will doubtless become law. There has been too many 
“freak” ivilk bills passed in the past and it is to be hoped 
that this bill will atford the farmers and dealers a square 
deal and give the consumer the clean milk he is entitled 
to receive. 
AMERICA ‘Is MEETING the new trade conditions with 
remarkable rapidity. The output of American dyes has 
been phenomenal. One-manufacturer -alone. has found 
it necessary to increase his plant by an expenditure of 
upwards of a million dollars. 
Every Mopern IMpRovEYEN’ costs: money 
improvements are worth the money. <A new electric 
light system, a new sewerage systen and new roads will 
cost the town of Manchester a pretty penny, but the im- 
provements ‘will be worth the money expended. 
, but the 
Tur Younc Men who broke into the summer’ cot- 
tages'on the South Shore have had to reckon with the 
penalties of the law and are now in jail. Breaking and 
entering of summer homes has .been given an effective 
check. 
ENGLAND Is ARousING the workman to increased 
endeavor. The destinies of that government rest as much 
with. the workers at home as ine fighters in the ditches 
provided their labors are enthusiastic and effective. 
ONE OF THE SURPRISING results of the European 
War thas been the phenomenal development of ship 
chandlering and ship mechanic enter Pprisess “iil tes: anal 
wind that blows no one good. 
THE Srronc, Steapy upward movement of - the 
values of stocks and bonds tells the story of returning 
confidence. The hours of depression have sped. 
No Apri SHowers, but plenty of Mayflowers! 
Tux Season was Apvancep rapidly during the 
week and the next fortnight will witness a marvellous 
transformation’ in nature’s gardens. For a while the 
school children have been digging dandelion greens. The 
trees and shrubs have been throwing out their buds and 
some of the earlier shrubs have unfurled their tiny baby 
leaves. In sheltered southerly exposures the lilac bushes 
have shown their miniature blossoms, awaiting the com- 
ing days of sunshine. In Magnolia and Gloucester for- 
tunate nature lovers have found the trailing arbutus. in 
sparing quantities. From the Cape, however, bright and 
abundant bunches of the hardy spring flowers have ar- 
rived. The horse chestnut buds are swelling their sticky 
cones. In the garden, early peas have broken the ground 
and spikes of sweet peas have adventurously pushed 
their way up, to the light. The rhubard, the pie plant 
of our elders, long since nosed their way above ground 
and have now thrown their. broad leaves to the sun and 
rain. Adventurous gardeners have planted more peas 
and other garden ‘“‘greens” and some have tried a gamble 
with a row or more of early beans. The spring birds 
have come and their sweet songs are welcome indeed, 
but the numbers are small. Imaginative youngsters 
“have seen’ Baltimore orioles and searched for dog- 
tooth violets, the yellow adder’s tongue, but the most of 
us will be contented to wait. until the month of May 
opens for our friendly oriole. As to the flowers of the 
woodland and the meadows the hypatica must tell the 
days of spring. Spring is here! 
Trt GovERNMENT ProsEcu'ES a railroad under the 
provisions of the anti-trust laws in order to prevent rail- 
road corporations from mulcting the public. But what 
about the unjust parcel post graft that the United States 
government has been able to exact from the railroads of 
the country? That is a coat of a different color! 
THe Conorep Race is ‘justified in making a pro- 
test against false ideas that may be promulgated by mov- 
ing picture films which create antipathies and racial 
hatred. Sometime enterprising men with a genius for 
public entertaining projects will realize their financial 
investments are jeopardized by such follies. 
— 
On Apri One the Highway Commission had _ is- 
sued more automobile registration licences than were is- 
sued up to September 10 in 1913. Over fifty-five thou- 
sand number plates have been issued this year. There 
appears to be no depression in the automobile industries. 
Ir Now Turns Ovr that the original anonymous 
philanthropist who gave eight thousand dollars for the 
strandway fund in So. Boston, was George A. Gardner. 
The gift was worthy of the cause and the donor. 
Have You Looxep your affairs over and arranged 
for that spring work you planned? 
T.R: Strep WaAvEs 
his “big stick,” but it availeth 
nothing ! 
