SECRETARY BryAN has no right to compromise the 
dignity of the American people by flaunting his poverty 
betore the world. It is transparent that the salaries paid 
by a republic are not large, but are they not large enough 
to maintain the democratic simplicity for which the coun- 
try stands? William Jennings Bryan knew the limita- 
tions that the office involved betore he assumed the posi- 
tion. He should have counted the cost and abided by his 
decision. If he could not have afforded to have made the 
“sacrifices” for his country willingly he ought not to 
have made them. He could at least have “swung his cir- 
cle” and maintained silence; but to break from his duties 
at Washington and offer as an excuse, his small salary, 
savors of cowardice, to say the least. Mr. William Jen- 
nings Bryan made a mistake. ‘There is something to be 
said in justification of a Secretary of State going. before 
the people with a message. Apart from the commercial 
side of the matter there can be no objection to the Secre- 
tary of State making addresses or lectures. On the other 
hand it is a distinct contribution to the education of the 
people in the elements of public affairs. If Bryan had 
placed his absence upon this ground, who would have 
raised a criticism, provided he did not neglect the tasks 
set before him as the Secretary. It looks as though the 
Secretary had better try to live within his means and put 
his ability to work upon the serious international prob- 
lems that are knotty enough to occupy his time well. If 
he makes a Chatauqua engagement he ought to make that 
engagement upon the higher ground of public service. 
The use of speaking opportunities for this larger purpose 
would commend Mr, William Jennings Bryan, but now, 
who can but condemn him for the low position which 
he has taken and the indignity which is thrust upon the 
nation, not by lecturing but the excuses he offers for 
lecturing. Haak) 
THe Pircrim Faruers, a mutual company for the 
insurance of lives, has recently gone through very trying 
days; but the end is in sight and the members of the or- 
der may be congratulated upon the equitable and suc- 
cessful readjustment of their rates of insurance. It is 
difficult to see how any of the members of the order can 
have any reason to complain. The increase of the rate, 
double in some incidences means hardship to many but 
it, means solvency for the company. ‘There can be no 
reason for complaint. ‘The new and higher rates indicate 
that in the past the members insured have been receiving 
their insurance too low. The North Shore villagers have 
many members who are affected by the change. ‘These 
members will be wise if they stay by the company. A 
mutual company is dependent upon the membership in- 
creases for a reduction in rate. 
AN INTERESTING EXPERIMENT is being tried on the 
Fenway in the City of Boston for the benefit of horse- 
drawn vehicles. Boston is circled by a beautiful chain 
of parks. This park system is threaded with roadways. 
Along these roadways in the beautiful summer evenings 
may be seen thousands of automobiles and many car- 
riages. When originally planned these drives were broad 
enough and the automobiles so few in number that all 
horse-drawn pleasure vehicles had every opportunity to 
the benefits ot the great park system. Unfortunately the 
steady increase of the number of automobiles has been re- 
ducing the number of horse-drawn carriages. Driving has 
beco.ue far from comfortable especially for women and 
inexperienced men. Many of the roads have saddle paths 
running parallel to the regular roadways. It is now pro- 
posed to make these pathways available for carriages. 
his will provide automatically a thoroughfare for au- 
tomobiles and an exclusive road for carriges. This seems 
to be prophetic, for the present congestion of the high- 
ways both by automobiles and carriages cannot long con- 
tinue without relief. ‘his has been tried out with great 
success on a small scale on the North Shore. ‘The wood- 
lands between Montserrat, Pride’s, Essex and Gloucester 
may be found these exclusive roads for pleasure vehicles. 
The difficulties in this direction on the North Shore lay 
in the great highway. ‘The day is not far away when 
the state must arise to its obligation and do for the North 
Shore, north of Salem to Rockport, what has been done 
for the North Shore as far as Lynn. ‘There is a growing 
need of greater road facilities for the automobile and for 
the other vehicles. 
THE MELLEN-1UM of the New Haven road has ended. 
The president has formally laid down his portfolio and 
a new order of affairs begins. It is an illustration of 
over-success. If the retiring president had been willing 
to attain and remain with a mediocre success in the man- 
agement of his trust there is not the slightest doubt but 
what he would never have been subject to the intense 
criticism of which he has been the “butt.” Mr. Melen 
attempted to reorganize a great industrial enterprise along 
lines that one hundred years from now will appear alto- 
gether desirable and necessary, Unfortunately the times 
are not ripe for the closely knit organization and success 
has not followed. ‘The ideal is unassailable, the unifica- 
tion of all roads so that a shipper may do business with 
only one railroad corporation in his work is desirable. 
Ideals are not always attainable and the outworking of the 
details often fail to bring about desired ends, 
_ in AssuMinG THE Heap of the Boston and Maine 
Railroad, President McDonald has taken a many stand in 
his statement to the public, It is becoming more and more 
apparent that great pubile service corporations are recog- 
nizing the desirability and the necessity of considering the 
public which it serves. It is unfortunate that such ill- 
will has been developed along all lines by the yellow jour- 
nals. In asking for a patient public to permit him time 
to study his problem, President McDonald is clearly act- 
ing within his rights and ought to have the support and 
co-operation of the regular organization of the Boston 
and Maine Railroad and of the public. 
