THERE ArE Two Stipes to the graduation dress prob- 
len. There is no doubt but what the graduation expenses 
that are forced upon parents are excessive and there is 
something to be said for retrenchment. It might be wise 
to limit the cost of dress materials. or have the sweet 
graduates make their own beautiful gowns and spare the 
mothers a burden. There are those who are unwise in 
their expenditures and who forget that simplicity is the 
better quality of beauty. To deny the young girl grad- 
uate her gown would not be in the line of progress. 
Somehow and in some way the thrifty mother will be 
able to provide a suitable graduation gown just once for 
the girl in the home. It would be a pity to deny the 
young girl that joy. The problem is to keep down the 
expense and to prevent thoughtless mothers from over- 
dressing their girls. It is impossible to avoid this. it 
can only be done by changing human nature and every- 
one knows what a task thi it would be. | Newspapers, 
school authorities and women’s clubs will make their pro- 
tests against excessive graduation dresses and _ loving 
mothers will continue to serinp and earn and cut and 
sew “for the girl.” After all may it not do the mother’s 
heart good to do it and may it not be wise to stimulate 
that pride, just a little. 
Ir There Arg Any Apotocres or good coming in 
the recent spell of cold and dry and then wet weather 
motorists, farmers, gardeners and summer recreationists 
have not been able to find it. There have been two heavy 
frosts recently that have damaged crops. At Montserrat 
Jack Frost was particularly malicious, but in all the low 
spots from Beverly Cove to Rockport are noted the ef- 
fects of the untoward weather. The tops of the corn 
have been turned yellow, egg plants blighted to the roots 
and tomato and potato ae have been nipped. Many 
are fortunate, however, in being able to find no havoc in 
their garden plots. The. W eather is unseasonable and un- 
welcome, but not altogether unusual. 
Tur Resmen'rs of Beverly Farms are beginning to 
learn the names of the streets of that town. The City of 
Beverly has just put up new street signs. A sign giving 
directions to motorists is very much needed at the junc- 
tions of Hale and West streets and of Hale and Hart 
streets. This is an opportunity for public service which 
the Improvement Society will doubtless seize. 
THere Oucur To Br uniform plans for sign boards 
for motorists all over the State. ‘This will be possible on 
State Highways and in the near future’ will doubtless be 
brought about. 
ue MANvuFAcTruRERS have brought out a new 
motor with twelve cylinders, but most amateurs find four 
spark plugs annoying enough. 
THE 
queen of 
NorruH SuHore of Massachusetts is still the 
American shore resorts. 
AMERICA A Goop PLace for Americans in war 
times. 
IS 
Tue Porrrica, Issuz Tars FaLy will without the 
question of a doubt be Woman’s Suffrage. The women 
will probably los e their case this year but they will event- 
ually win, The surprising thing to the male votets who 
now have the franchise is that so few woven have any 
real interest in the proposed changes. There are, of 
course, a large number of loyal women who are fighting 
hard for their cause and there is an equally interesting 
able group of women who are fighting the proposed 
amendment with all their minds and ability. The rank 
and file of the women are not interested, apparently. 
The issue may fail and probably will fail in Massachu- 
setts this year although it must eventually win, and the 
proponents may lay the blame, if it be called blame, upoa 
the members of their own sex who are not interested and 
who apparently cannot be made to be interested in the 
cause of suffrage. In fact this is the strongest and the 
only real argument that can be brought against suffrage. 
When the women are really determined to “have the ballot 
nothing will prevent success. 
LEGISLATURE has prorogued and the railroads 
have been granted the remedial legislation which they 
requested. It is a thousand pities that the public has 
been blind to the consequences of the malicious railroad 
legislation in the past. Fortunately the public has awak- 
ened to the responsibilities which the public owes to 
transportation companies. 
ApvANCED rapidly as far as the 
opening of the summer homes go. - Ther have been more 
come early than for many a year. The war in Europe 
has been a great misfortune to the districts of the Old 
World dependent upon the itinerant visitor, but this year 
it is already working to the advantage of every North 
Shore industry. 
THE 
Tue SkAson. HAs 
There Ark Tose Wuo have been inclined to cen- 
sure the President for his mildness in meeting Gernany’s 
apparent slights, but the President has a level head. He 
may be trusted to carry the issue to the end and obtain 
satisfaction. The President needs poise and he has it 
and he is not to be stampeded by the jingo spirit of either 
party. 
BEVERLY Is TRYING to organize a new Company E. 
They have called upon Congressman Gardner to assist 
them: in their initial meeting. The Congressman will be 
in his element. A single military company is a long way 
from military preparedness for the country, but every 
little counts. 
Ir Looxs Now as though Beverly Farms would not 
be able to raise funds enough to support a home base- 
ball team. The friendly contests that have been held 
each year with Manchester will be missed by the resi- 
dents of both places if they are not played this year. 
Tuis Sort oF WEATHER has pleased neither the ice- 
man nor the coal-man, 
é 
a ee 
