The Los Angeles Times from Los Angeles, California • 16

JANtTART 1SI5. PART IIJ 4 WEDNESDAY MORNING. I REAT ADVANCE IN THE MAKING OF The Kind That Makes the Wheels Go Round. PUBLISHERS: THE TIMES-MIRROR COMPANY orriCEKSi H. f.

TTS, President and General Manager. IMSdlT CUANt'LKR, Amt. Gen. Mrr. and TretM.

HARRY K. AXnRF.WS, Managing Editor. PFAFFINGER. AanlMant Treasurer. mAnidK OTIS-CllAMJUCK.

Secretary. Osj THE AEROPLANE IN WAR AND ITS FUTURE IN PEACE. r' eaBBBnMa BY AUGUSTUS POST. Battle lines, once horizontal, are sow vertical. War, once a game of tenpins, has become a game of chess.

In all the vast equipment of attack and defense there is only one real novelty, but it has changed everything. It Is the aeroplane. Aircraft entered military strategy when Abraham Lincoln equipped the Federal army with captive balloons that operated successfully before Petersburg and Richmond. The siege of Paris brought into service free balloons; railroad stations were turned into balloon factories, and sixty-five free balloons took out of the beleaguered city two and a half million letters, and pigeons to bring back replies. Gambetta escaped thus over tho enemy's lines.

It was during this very siege, no doubt, as he watched the drifting balloons, that Zeppelin conceived his idea of armored air cruisers in directed flight- Then, after a long wait, came the invention of the heavier-tban-air machine, the aeroplane, and from that moment military experts felt that the character of war was bound to change. How great the change, we scarcely realize any more than we know how remarkable have been the battle exploits of aviators, nor is it likely that military authorities will be in any haste to enlighten us. This is no time for pointing out individual herolo deeds, nor for revealing resources held in reserve, and it Is only as a non-combatant writes home to friends or newspapers that we have a glimpse of the fighting aeroplanes, no more known by the make or the famous pilot in control, distinguished only as "French," "German," "British," manned only by some one in uniform. Thus we read of feats that six months ago would have made the world gasp, now part of the day's work; a machine under fire of revolving cannon with 7000 feet range, a shell bursting so close to the wing that the concussion of air sends it down like a stone for hundreds of feet, righting itself, struggling like a sparrow in a storm, and finally speeding to safety; another darting from ambush in a cloud bank to strike and slip back again; a single aeroplane meeting a dirigible on a raid, shooting itself straight Into the great mass like a living arrow and falling with it to wreck. Just how many aeroplanes are in actual service today no one will or can tell.

What they are doing the world learns only from the changes they have already effected in the science and practice of war. First they have taken away from war the element of surprise. The whole plan of battle lies open to a man who can sweep over the vast field of operations low enough to see all important details and high enough to be out of rifle range, keeping In communication with headquarters by wireless telephone and able to return at a speed of 120 relies an hour with maps or diagrams. Reinforcements cannot now be brought up as a complete surprise, nor cavalry mask the enemy's front Rumors of vast numbers, or even their apparent presence, no longer frighten when an aeroplaneban take a reckoning from the sky. The day of swift dramatic strokes Is over.

To meet this condition the face of war has changed. Uniforms have been worked out on a basis of "protective color." French soldiers have given up red; troops are for mmm fu? jy VI A MODERN NEWSPAPER. "From the Philadelphia Publio Ledger. December Si, 19U.J The last. two decades have seen enormous advances in the production of the modern newspaper.

News gathering and distribution havo been perfected to a high degree. Mechanical production has advanced with great strides; illustration has progressed to a point never before dreamed of; special features have been developed; department pages have been established. We are not in sympathy with the often-expressed theory regarding the decline of the influence of editorial thought That is a cry that was as frequently heard when Charles A. Dana, Horace Greeley, William Cullen Bryant and others of a now glorified past were hurling their thunders through the editorial columns of their papers as it is today. With greater impersonality, but ith no less of soundness of thought and vigor of expression, there are many newspapers now published whose editorial opinions enjoy by right of merit that influence that tradition has given to the editorial page.

Many subjects of contemporaneous Interest demand for their fullest and most precise consideration the most highly specialized thought that the world affords. This Is particularly true of technical questions, or questions of a semi-technical nature, and, from these, expanding Into those realms of thought in which certain individuals have caused themselves to be looked upon as the highest living authorities, not, perhaps, beyond final appeal, but still of such marked and distinguished a nature that their purely personal opinions will round out and supplement the more impersonal consideration of any editorial It Is with this thought In mind that the Public Ledger has created what may be called a National Editorial Faculty; a body of men selected with as groat care as is given to the faculty of a university or to the board of editors of an encyclopedia a body of men each of whom is, measurably speaking, a final authority upon some subject or subjects of current and contemporaneous interest During the year 1915 these men will discuss the events of the day through our editorial page, each confining himself to that subject to which he has given a life-long study and speaking to our readers over his own The plan has met with the indorsement of Influential editors and publishers and also with the assurance of hearty co-operation of such hieh as Nicholas Murray president of Columbia University; Dr. David Starr Jordan, chancellor of Le-land Stanford, University; Dr. Edward T. Devlne, director of the New York School of Philanthropy; Dr.

Joseph French Johnson, dean of New York University School of Commerce; the Rev. Dr. Charles F. Thwing, president of Western Reserve University; Prof. Emory R.

Johnson of the Wharton School of Finance and Economy of the University of Pennsylvania; Prof. Albert Bushnell Hart of Harvard University, Hon. James M. Beck, Hon. Wayne McVeagh, Rear-Admiral Peary, Yves Guyot Baron D'EstoUrnelles de Constant, Dr.

Milton J. Roseman of Harvard University Medical School; Gen. W. C. Gorgas, Surgeon-General of the United States army, and others who will compose this National Editorial Faculty.

We feel Justified in saying that never in the history of Journalism has such an array of the best thought of the world been brought Into the service of a newspaper. It may revolutionize the making of the editorial page, even though the time-honored form of Impersonal editorial expression must necessarily still hold its place. It cannot fail to add an uplifting influence to this department of the newspaper and to furnish to the reader a basis of thought on current events that will be invaluable In assisting him to reach his own Intelligent opinions. The first of this series of notable articles (by Augustus Post) appears In The Times today and is printed on-this page. POOR BUSINESS.

The State is about to float $3,800,000 worth of bonds for the erection of State buildings at San Francisco and Sacramento. The bonds run for fifty years and are relieved from taxation. Tho buildings to be erected will be non-productive. Before these bonds are redeemed they will have cost the people of California about $14,000,000. That means the principal of $3,800,000 will be exceeded by Interest paid on the principal by about $8,200,000.

Upon what kind of business principles la that sort of a transaction based? What private corporation would bind it self to pay more in interest than the principal invested in a property that nothinit? And Isn't It likely. that the growing habit of public borrowing "will reduce the opportunity for borrowing by private capital which handles'' productive, enterprises? Give tho people the right to vote upon a great number of questions and they cannot segregate the businesslike from the unbusinesslike they Just vote. Not one word of protest was heard dur-iug tho recent constitutional amendment campaign against the profligate manner of borrowing money that is no word of protest came from the alleged guardians of the treasury at Sacramento. The assumption of these obligations for State buildings was taken as a matter of fact and more attention was paid to the fatuous as surances by one county to another than to the business aspects of so Important a deal, THE HIGH GEAR. The Western Railway Wage Committee seems to have struck the nail on the head in, announcing that not only is the coBt of living higher now than formerly, but (he standard of living has greatly advanced.

That Is probably true with all classes of people, and It should be so. At the same time If people Insist on advancing the standard away ahead of their Incomes they are not going to be comfortable. The old-time frugality as a principle Is good, but the modern system does not leave any of much of the old-time simplicity. It Is not a question whether the new way keeps us healthier or makes us happier. People have very little choice, They are compelled to a large decree to live the life of their community and their ago, Tho surprising fact is that there ore so many normal por-oni) left 1 EVERT MOKXINO IX THE TEAK.

rUy Gnnday. Illmtrated Weekly and Seml-. Month Ij Magazine. IMilIr Founded Dec 4, 1881 31th Year. Meoiher, flam of the Anmrlated Prese.

T.eaaed-wire mileage revered: Day, tJ.OOOi Night, word traoftiniUed. fiO.OOO. OFFICE: New Times First and Broad war. LOS ANGELES (Loce Ahng-hayl-a Knfered at the Pwtomre a mall melter of Claw II. TREND OF THE FINANCIAL NEWS.

CHIEF EVENTS OF TESTKRDAY. (At Home:) A big revival of manufacturing is reported from all sections. Activity in the Middle West, brought about by the high prices for grain. Is pronounced. The high level reached by many of our speculative stocks caused some European profit-taking.

A new bond issue by the St Paul Railroad for betterments and expansion is being discussed. Fanners are now being paid the highest price for wheat they have enjoyed in the past forty years. The export trade is showing an increase at all ports. Abroad: A feeling of stability Is reflected in the transactions on the London exchange, though the amount of business is necessarily small. Germany reports an increase In gold stocks of $4,250,000.

(For details see financial page.) tirpO TOE PURE J. The evangelists now at Long Beach assert that there are many sinners in that city. We are-afraid that they, are taking hearsay evidence or that they have allowed themselves to be Impressed by reading the newspapers. EVIL ASSOCIATIONS. If the present state of affairs in Central Park continues the police will have to enforce the "keep moving" ordinance upon the blackbirds and the pigeons which spend their days there blocking the sidewalks and, we are afraid learning to swear instead of to "-sins.

Will' FORGET TILE MEXICANS? have been, making something of a show of our charity to war refugees in JEu-rope; they are in distress and needit. But so are the Mexicans. Their country is in, a wretched condition. People are being robbed and butchered with less military effectiveness than in Europe, but they are being left in distress. AKING IT PERSONAL.

Gen. Scott has decided to appeal directly to Villa for peace along the border. Excellent, and when he is through with Villa he can appeal to Carranza, and after that to Zapata, and then to Gutierrez and feonzales. It his appetite for appealing is ftill good, we have no doubt that Mexico Hill be able to provide the emergency. t)HXS FOR DISARMAMENT, i II.

G. Wells has come forward with a sensible suggestion on the proper method of procedure in obtaining disarmament among the nations. He proposes that each government acquire control of armament factories $ow operated by private individuals, and ome to an agreement with other nations to produce an ever-diminishing amount, of equipment He calls attention to the fact that as long as individuals find a profit in circulating mili'ary propaganda it Is difficult for governments to crystallize and render effective the disarmament policy, with which practically every government In the world Is in sympathy. A USEFUL CITIZEN. We have watched the prison reform work of Thomas Mott Osborne for some years, and at no time has he appeared other than practical, humane and calmly sensible.

Recently he was appointed warden at Sing Sing, and he has not bent his efforts to pamper and afford luxuries for the convicts but to give them opportunity to work, to improve the sanitary conditions, and to teach them their responsibility as members of society. Under his supervision a self-governing committee, consisting entirely of convicts, has been appointed to sit In Judgment upon minor Infractions of rules and to mete out punishment Mr. Osborne is no politician. He was appointed by Gov. Glynn with the assurance of Gov.

Whitman's approbation and support and there are precious few prison wardens in this country whom a change of administration THt affect Thomas Mott Osborne is an admirable citizen, and seems to be showing the way for the kind of prison reform that has long been needed. WILL KNOW MOKE. If it be true that when thieves fall out honest men get their dues, it is probably true that thieves agree honest men will get it In the neck. The combination between Hiram W. Johnson and James D.

l'belan In November last extended beyond the defeat of Ileney and the election of Johnson and Phelan. The proceed lugs at Sacramento Indicate very strongly that It Included an all around robbers' roost agreement that will cost the taxpayers of California $0,000,000 and place that sura in the pockets of the Demogres-slve-GresBlvedenio plunderbund. "Father." said the Progressive boy who had attempted to play with the hind legs of a four-legged, long-eared representative of Democracy, and, as a result, emerged with a battered countenance, "will I ever again be as handsome as I was?" "No, my son," replied the old man, "you will never be as pretty again, but you will know a damned slsht more," The Senate has Bhown its love for President Wilson by kicking downstairs the nomination of Judge Ewlng C. Bland of MlBBOiirl to be United States Marshal for the Western District There's going to be scrap about those nominations choose your pnrtoers for the quadrille. President Wilson will como as far west its tit Louis in his proposed trip.

Why not hp rteht on and see the Pacific Const nd Iho Queen City cf that region, Los Augustus Post, Secretary of the Aero Club America; iauthor of "The Curtiss Aviation Book;" winner, with Alan R. Hawley, of the international balloon race, 1910; James Gordon Bennett cup, and of the Lahm cup, during which contest both the aeronauts were lost in the Canadian wilds and faced death and starvation. Holder, with Clifford R. Harmon, of the American duration record for balloons 48 hours, 26 minutes. Pen Points By the Staff mmmmm .7 The Senate Is a combination In restraint The Venice baseball club goes to Vernon -a sort of V-shaped affair, so to speak.

'Billv" Sundav la waklnir un The man who can do that Is some waker. Has Barney Oldfleld, like the pitcher. been taken to the well once too often? Favorite reading for the Speaker of the California Assembly "Young's Night Thoughts." Some of the latest necktie modes seen on the streets look as if the man was wearing them to win a bet The national House will vote on the suf frage bill January 12. To your cyclone cellars, oh, ye statesmen! But we believe that Secretary Bryan is too good a Democrat and too poor a Secre tary of State to retire In March. Loss of more than $30,000,000 in customs receipts for the six months ending Decem ber 31 last Rah for Woodrow With wheat at a record price and still mounting, the innocent bystanders on this the war.

The levy of 480,000,000 francs on the Bel gians by Germany has made converts to the Sherman definition of war In the for mer country. It Is proposed to substitute pretty girls for colored men In the railway dining cars. That is a mighty poor way to do away with the tipping evil. The accession of "Jack" Eshleman to the JOD Ol seconu cuiiimauu iu vruv. ouunwu again starts the inquiry, "why Is a Lieu tenant-Governor?" Russia will unite with England In ask ing the active assistance of the Japs.

The Czar has learned that the Japs are rainy good fighting men. Mayor Harrison of Chicago announces that he will be' a candidate for re-electon, having secured the consent of his wife. I' L. In Met ma fiiitdin The question, is a cruller a pie. a bread or a rake, is hstng discussed In the Phlla- ueipma papers, iiie uuu mm.

iuuiu to make were a dream. A company, of English actors have gone to the front to entertain the soldiers. That ought to make Tommy Atkins willing to take any chance In the trenches. The Nordlca will contest Is still in the courts. The gifted singer took all the har- with fiAP when in uu iu ma tuuu she died alone on desolate Thursday Island.

PUBLIC ENEMIES. If you build a line of railway over hills and barren lands, Giving lucrative employment to above million hands; If you cause a score of cities by your right-of-way to rise, Where there formerly was nothing but some rattlesnakes tind files; If when bringing kalo to others yon acquire a little kale. Then you've surely robbed the peepul and you ought to be In Jail. It by planning and by tolling you have won some wealth and faino. It will make no odds how squarely you bav played your little game; Your success is proof sufficient that you ar a public foe You're a soulless malefactor; to the dumff you ought to go.

It's a crime for you to prosper where sa ninny others fall: You have surely robbed the prepul and yoil ought to bo lu Jail. Bo a chronic politician, dual In superheated air: Roast the banks und money barons, there always safety there; But to sound the note of business Is a crime so m'iin niiKr, That a fellow guilty of it to go an bide his faco. Chango the builders' song triumphant fol the politicians' wall, Or we'll think you've robbed tho peepul nnfl we'll pack you off to Jt'il. Jourunl of Electricity, Power -and Gas. UNIONS ENCOURAGE CRIMINALS.

Out of one side of the mouth the labor union officials may protest for the sake of appearances that they do not sympathize with, incite and protect criminals, but all the while they are whispering words of encouragement to them to the very worst of them. And can you think for one moment if the unions were not heartily, affectionately In sympathy with such cowardly murderers as the McNamara brothers that such an Item as this would have appeared in the San Francisco Bulletin on December 22? "Christmas letters containing expres- sions of good will were today sent by the San Francisco Labor Council to the McNamara brothers, Eugene A. Clancy, Ford, Suhr and all other union men serving sentences in San Quentln and Folsom penitentiaries. Similar letters were, forwarded to the trade-unionists now confined In the Federal prison at Leavenworth, Kan. The letters were Bent by Secretary John O'Connell, acting under instructions from the San Francisco Labor Council." Who sent Christmas cheer to the poor devil that went to the penitentiary for stealing bread to feed his children? The work-lngmen's organization, as the unions fallaciously designate themselves, took pains to send good cheer to those murderers whom they kept on the pay rolls for the work of assassination.

But what of the worthy worklngman who does not pay tithes to the onion, who has no card with the bedbug mark upon it As ever before, the unions hit him over the head with a club when they find him trying to get a job. There is nothing maudlin about the "good cheer" forwarded to the union assassins in prison. No, it is purely practical. These criminals must not be forgotten they are brothers-ln-blood with those who remain at liberty. These criminals must not be neglectedthey might "get sore and peach," and then a lot of deep-voiced, full-paunched, diamond-studded, grafting union officials might be also thrown Into prison, where Value of Potatoes.

American Review of Reviews: Pota toes furnish an important supplementary supply of starchy food. Because of their bulk they may not be available for the armies In the field, but there Is no reason why the non-fighting population should not In time of war use them in increasing quantities as substitutes for bread. Germany, It will be observed, Is, in normal times, well supplied with potatoes. They are largely used, It Is true. In the manufacture of al cohol.

This could easily be suspended, la part at least. In time of war, If necessity demanded It, unless, Indeed, necessity also demanded Increasing quantities of alcohol as a substitute for gasoline In the running of her numerous Internal-combustion en gines. Austria and France are also fairly well supplied. Since Germany and Austria are the only countries which are likely to have any difficulty in getting supplies from the outside, peculiar Interest attaches to their ability to support themselves. So far as starchy foods are concerned, It does not look as though they would suffer, unless.

indeed, they should not be able to produce as much in time of war as la ttme of peace. Some people only understand enough of truth to reject It George McDonald. Few persons live today, but are preparing to do so tomorrow. luiaeroi. It's funny Wow quickly a breezy chap can blow back a recently turned new leaf.

we ought to do, we should not evcu think of doing. IKplctetus. t'OMPULSORY MILITARY SERVICE. The in Europe and the recent disclosures in the National Guard of California have made one fact glaringly plain; voluntary service is not a correct military principle. If nations are to rely upon force that force must be supplied by compulsory service In the army.

The two nations which have fought the greatest wars with vofunteer troops are the United States and England. But during our Civil War the Federal government was obliged to abandon the principle of voluntary enlistment and put the draft in force. Lord Northcllff, the distinguished British editor, has publicly stated within the last week that England Is on the verge of the draft He declares that by no other method can troops be raised. The shocking condition of tha State militia shakes all confidence in that arm as a true "second line of defense." No efficient military force can be organized and maintained upon a system which Involves electing the officers, or which depends upon building up a sort of imitation gentlemen's social club within the guard to Induce enlistment There can be no real discipline in ranks which are filled by a pathetic system of coddling and coaxing. And without discipline there can be no efficiency.

The conclusion to which every sane person is forced is that we can not depend upon volunteers rushing to the defense of the country in time of war, or upon a militia drilled by volunteers in time of peace. Our military policy must be reformed and must be changed; but what direction shall this change take? The American people would never consent to wholesale conscription after the manner of Germany and France. Neither can we afford to ignore the advantages of conscription. A middle ground would seem to be the proper one. Let us retain the militia, but let us fill lkiiks tr ccssulsory This would do much toward solving the military problems and be of advantage to the youth of the land.

Let boys of military age be forced to serve In the militia. Many families In all countries are unwilling that their sods should spend two or more years of their lives In the barracks, but no family could reasonably object to a boy being forced to turn out for military service one evening each week. It all the members of each militia organization were compelled to be present every week a great deal of actual Instruction could be crowded into two years. Especially If the officers were regulars or worked under- the supervision of regulars. One regular army officer could supervise the weekly drills of a good many different organizations.

No one with the good of his son at heart should shrink from this system of enforced military service. The service of each young man would be a benefit to the nation, but still more a benefit to himself. Civilization as it has developed In Amer ica has shown two marked defects the tendency to destroy all self-control and self- discipline, and the equally dangerous ten dency to destroy the ability to give con centrated attention. Half the failures of modern America come from luck of concentration. Whatever else coo be said of military drill It Is the greatest known method of concentrating the attention.

Military drill Is, Incidentally, the very best of good cxer cine ana inspires tue young with a wholesome respect for tmthorlty which, If cultivated In the rising generation, will save the Unfed States much trouble la the days to come bidden to look up at aircraft, for nothing is so conspicuous as theJiuman face; and when marching in column on a wide road, British soldiers are kept on one side of the way that the clear side may look from above like the whole road and deceive the aero scout But scout duty Is by no means the most valuable of the aeroplane's uses. It Is the eye of the great gun. Hovering over the battle scene it locates the exact spot where the projectile should fall and directs artillery In the day by exploding aerial bombs, making a glare of color; at night by dropping upon the doomed spot a trail of the aeroplane marks for destruction places that long-range artillery might reach only after repeated trials. As an aeroplane complete costs only as much as one shot from a 14-inch gun, the economy becomes apparent In actual offensive warfare aircraft has played thus far a subordinate part. Its most picturesque feature Is the aeroplane dart, grimly described as looking like a steel fountain pen, released In great num bers from the under side or a speeding aeroplane, arrows adapted to the bowstring of gravity, falling with such frightful force as to pierce a man from helmet to heel.

Even the Zeppelin has taken bnt a small part ia slaughter; its effect has been largely psychological, and the terror it engen ders will soon fade unless reinforced by some terrific deed. Aircraft are feared most before seen at all after that the mind quickly adjusts itself to the new presence In the sky. As the locomotive and the telegraph de veloped together, and the automobile and the telephone made each Its own road, so aeroplane and wireless have left the road altogether for the free air. Developing wonderfully in these times of stress, is It Inconceivable that when these times are over the continuing development of the aeroplane will lift the minds of men out of the oldest road of all, the blood-stained track of war? Its true purposes, now bent to destruction, will be released for civilization. No longer a fragile thing, but a power to overpass flood, level the mountain or penetrate the 1esert, It will take tip the work of restoration, carry mall to Isolated places, draw continent! together to a single day's Journey, until at Inst frontiers will fade beneath Its flight across a world protected by law Instead of war.

RIPPLING RHYMES. ALWAYS BUSY. I called on James Augustus Jinks, a car penter of fame, to make a pair of kitchen sinks and mend a quilting frame. "I cannot come right now," he said, "your little chores to do; I have so blamed much work ahead the end is not In view. My time for weeks ahead Is filled, I'm wanted everywhere; I have ail sorts of shacks to build, and others to repair." A' hundred workmen In the town Rre saying times are bad; they say they chase all chances down and cannot cam a scad.

And If perchance one gets a Job he works not with his might, but talks of how employers rob the poor man, left and right. If ho is chopping down a true his strokes are soft and slow; he fears to make a noise lest he won't hear the whistle blow. He does as little as he can through out his working day, but he's an energetic man when calling for his pay. I don't believe that any gent who works with might and main, Intent on earning every cent has reason to complain. The world will hunt him to his lair to hire his skill and vim; ho doesn't seek work In despair, for work is seeking him.

WALT MASON, Tomorrow will give some food for thought IClcero. The saddest thing under tho sky 1 a soul Incapable 01 sadncsn. itouutess do Gaspa rln..