The Philadelphia Inquirer from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania • Page 6

GTfo Ipfttlabelpfim inquirer MONDAY MORNING. JANUARY 29. 1945 EDITORIALS On Bin I ia ssues mse as lilies unve Allies Drive Two questions arise as the Russians con- mands action by the Allied Big Three at their tinue their battering-ram drive toward the forthcoming conference, particularly in view German capital and American armies in the of the possibility that the Russian Govern-west resume the offensive. ment may be planning an important role for One is: Can it safely be assumed that the the Union of German Officers, made up of fall of Berlin whether the Red Army or the generals and other German officers captured western Allies get there first will neces- by the Soviets. sarily mean the end of the war? The Army and Navy Journal, unofficial but The only reasonable answer at this time, authoritative American publication, in dis-in spite of Germany's heavy industrial losses cussing the question of a provisional Gov-in Silesia and Czechoslovakia; and manpower ernment of Germany, suggests that Mar-losses on all fronts, seems to be in the neg- shal Stalin conceivably regards the captured ative.

German officers as the nucleus of a set-up to The theory developing in Paris, according take over interim control of the Reich, to Louis Lochner of the Associated Press, is Stalin used this Moscow method of organ-that before Berlin is occupied by Allied forces ization in the Lublin Committee for Poland, the Germans will have set up strong resis- now recognized by Russia as the Provisional tance areas around new armament centers, Government of Poland. Similar procedure whether in the Thuringian forest in central was adopted for the administration of Hun-Germany or elsewhere. gary. From word reaching Stockholm many Furthermore, there is the growing prob- Germans now within the Reich are looking ability that when organized fighting stops, to Major General von Seidlitz, head of the the Nazis, reported organizing along the German Officers' Union, as the next chief of lines of the underground that caused them the German State. so much trouble during their occupation of It may be that the captured German offi- France, Holland and Belgium, may be able cers could help to speed the end of the war to maintain considerable opposition to the by appealing to the German people, as they Allies for an indefinite period.

have done before, to throw off the Nazi yoke. All of this gives substance to the belief But it is certainly not clear that the German that capture Berlin would not bring the Officers' Union should be installed as a Pro- a JOHN M. CUMMINGS Riddle of Clover Club's Postlethwaite Is Solved One day last week, or mayue It was a week earlier. In writing of a Clover Club dinner held in 1888 we wondered in that wondering way of our'n how many of the men who sang the "Darby Ram" on that long-ago occasion were remembered by modern Philadelphians. Some, of course, we knew, either pers-'-ly or by reputation, but many were merely names.

One in particular aroused our curiosity. "If you were aroused from a sound sleep In the middle of the night," we wrote, "and asked to tell something of the career of E. T. Postlethwaite would you answer promptly or beg to be excused on the ground you never heard of the guy?" A one-sentence note on a postal card identified Mr. Postlethwaite quite satisfactorily "Mr.

E. T. Postlethwaite was the confidential man of Mr. Frank Thompson (president) of the Pennsylvania Railroad and a gentleman." Still, there was more to the career of the gentleman in question. The in the name of Dr.

Edward P. Van Tine, of Bala-Cynwyd, is for Postlethwaite, uncle of the Montgomery county physician. "My middle name has been the cause of much interest and amazement to my friends," Dr. Van Tine writes, "and I am quite proud of it, for my Postlethwaite ancestors came from England before the Revolutionary War and settled in Lancaster county. In the home of the first John Postlethwaite the fLrst courts of Lancaster county were held (a tablet marks the spot) and although he lived and died a loyal subject of King George, his son fought with the colonies for their independence." Dr.

Van Tine tells us a son of E. T. Postlethwaite was treasurer of Colorado College in Colorado Springs until a year or so ago when he retired on account of advancing age. He is now director of the college museum and an authority on Indian lore. Maybe he can get us a wooden Indian of the buck variety to marry the Indian Princess whose mateless life at Horsefeathers is so lonely.

Specimens of the Postlethwaite clan may be found to this day in Kansas, Ohio and New York. It would be Interesting to know why they disappeared from the Philadelphia scene. Mrs. Lynn II. Bailey, of Wyncote, knows something of the Lancaster county Postlethwaite who seems to have been the founder of the tribe in this country.

She acquired her knowledge while camping in Long Lane near the pleasant town of Millers-ville. (By the way, we believe a friend of our'n called Bart Lynch is living in or near that town today.) "Some six or seven miles out of Lancaster," Mrs. Bailey writes, "there still remains a building which was the original Postlethwaite's Tavern. It bears a bronze marker stating, if I remember correctly, that there the deputies of King George of England held court during the days when we were British colonies. Legend has it that Postlethwaite's Tavern was the original site of Lancaster, but one John Hamilton, having a large grant of land on a hilltop some miles away, persuaded the men of influence to move there.

What is now Lancaster grew where it is and Postlethwaite's Tavern went into oblivion." It's all very interesting and we're glad the great Postlethwaite mystery has been solved to the satisfaction of all concerned. Not since we encountered a town in Wales with a 93-letter name have we wrestled with a handle more difficult to spell or write than Pos oh, well. Before sailing into another topic we should like to Inform Mrs. Howard W. Cox, of Ridley Park, that we are not sixty.

Not visional Government of the Reich or even given a major voice in any peace terms discussions between the Allies and Germany. What is most essential now is that the Allied Big Three decide the vital matter of Germany's interim administration at the earliest possible, hour. Meanwhile, America and her partners should realize that the fall of Berlin war to a quick end and merits the thoughtful attention of the Allied High Command and of the peoples of Allied countries. The second question that comes up is: Are the Allied Powers ready for the administration of German territory and German affairs in the event of a sudden collapse of the Nazi regime and of the German military machine? Here again the answer appears, disquieting- is not likely to end the war, and that there ly, to be "No." must be no let-up until Nazism and German This is a problem that imperatively de- war power are totally crushed. Keep Politics Out: Pass City Merger Bill Opposition to the often-proposed but grounds, Organization interests have usually never-effected consolidation of the city and campaigned against it behind the scenes, county governments in Philadelphia has al- veiling their hostility by pretenses of support ways been almost wholly political.

until the show-down arrived. Hostility of certain Organization leaders to It is heartening to receive reports from the change led to its defeat at successive Harrisburg that this time both party Organ-sessions of the Legislature. Failure of influ- izations are preparing to line up behind the tntial politicians to give the bill more than consolidation measure, again offered to the INTO THAT THICK SKULL SOME SENSE WE'LL HAVE TO BEAT The Voice of the People lUKewarm support was a major iactor in its legislature by btate benator George Wood- Letters should be brief, written on one side of the paper. The writer's name and address must be downfall the one time it managed to get be- ward. signed, not necessarily for publication.

The Inquirer reserves the right to condense. fore the voters in the November, 1937, refer- As it is a Constitutional change, the bill unconditional surrender possible to utilize Monument princely escapades endum. would have to be approved by the next ses- To the Editor of The Inquirer: Cemetery for the purpose? It is To the Editor of The Inquirer: Political opposition to the proposal is easy sion of the Assembly as well as by this one, I have always read your edi- right in the neighborhood of Your columnists are all tops, enough to understand. Elimination of the and then be presented to the voters in a State- torials with Sreat Pleasure until Temple, and has become weed- but it was somewhat of a sur- unwieldy system of dual control would open wide referendum. There are thus three sue I "S.Wl!!! gTZ aInJlecle, prise when we got the Jan.

19 i ii i villi f-i ii ii i cm i i.i ii i i ill- i 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 i 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 ill irv" i i i. issue unu iuuiiu mill, yuur cessive hurdles to be jumped. Wheeler and accused him of erently transferred to a more eminent scribe Cumminas The first one is legislative approval at the rocking the boat because of his pleasant location in the suburbs. was doing some whitewashing. the way to the abolishment of many jobs and to economies and efficiencies that would benefit the taxpayers but disturb the political officeholders affected.

current session. Earnest support of the bill objection to unconditional sur- similar changes have taken pu' t- I- i render. place in other parts of our city, by Republican and Democratic leaders would by a fistful of summers and winters. Nevertheless we appreciate her congratulations. The war has done a lot of things.

It has changed radically our way of life. If you complain of uncivil treatment at the hands of a public or private servant you will be asked sneeringly "Doncha know there's a war on?" It is precisely because there is a war on that all of us gladly put up with inconveniences. Still, there are times when patience ceases to be a virtue and the sorely tried citizen feels like emitting a loud squawk. The war has changed a lot of things. But it hasn't changed arithmetic.

Twelve being a dozen and six being a half dozen, a dozen and a half means 18 just as before the war. The other day we went to a fish stall in a central city market and, as a surprise to the wife, bought one dozen and a half or 18 frying oysters. Which is to say we paid for a dozen and a half, or 18. Arriving home we found 14 in the container. because it is so difficult to find fault with assure such approval.

That support should be unconditional surrender means been reconditioned and blocks of the merger plan, on any but selfish political given. terrible bloodshed, far worse houses built on the sites. than any we have seen so far. NEMO ki Ki rt- TCJXAr Nothing will be gained by it. Philadelphia, Jan.

25. More Manpower Confusion lo End War Front Crime so let us take senator wheel- AUlT er's advice, state our terms to publics fault rrom results of a survey of Philadelphia It a decidedly sour note to learn that the Germans and make peace To the Editor or The Inauirer: draft boards published in The Inquirer" yes- close to 19,000 American soldiers are absent now. A READER As an electric railway official terdav it is apparent that wide divergences without Wvp in thp Fnrnnpnn war- QrM Glenside. Jan. 23.

of 40 years experience various sections of the United States I of action have developed in attempts by vari- That amounts to about a division and a half a. a 1. tiro priollono'D fl-io iinincf ous local boards to apply "work-or-fight of fighting men. Another vicious aspect of cVu. cism 7 In his article anent the traveling pooch he says that under a monarchical government "harmless idiosyncrasies" perpetrated by a scion of royal lineage would be passed off with a smile.

Did he think by the use of that word he could confuse us jays? The word has a vague and is out of place. Stunts pulled off by princes are classed as escapades and are usually a cause of merriment. In our opinion the -proper definition of the canine episode would be to call it an invidious transaction. I don't think such an episode could have been put over in England. If so, it would have caused a bigger furore than it did here.

M. H. STABLES Barton, N. Jan. 24.

PAGING MR. RUML To the Editor of The Inquirer: I felt that page 10 of your Jan. 19 paper should be given some special reward for merit. Your editorial "Keep Jesse Jones on the Job" was certainly measures promulgated by Selective Service the situation is that a large proportion of surrender as a military neces- the Philadelphia Transportation and the Manpower Commission. these missing soldiers are engaged in black sitv- Peace now, on a basis other Company's system during the There is every evidence that an intolerable market and other criminal activities than that of ful1 military sur' on account of the situation is bein, create, similar- in many Obvious.yTis bf a mafor oper- SS5fr ESSM respects to confusing conditions that have ation to stamp them out and cut down war peace, we believe, would only en- The delays in service par- Now if these had been flying fish we might have said that four got away between the market and our castle.

But these were oysters. And oysters don't fly. It's this form of petty thievery that's gping to make a lot of people remember a lot of other people when the war is over. What Do You Want to Know? Limited to matters of general interest. Exclude advertising subjects.

Sign name and address though not for publication. afflicted the draft machinery on too many front absenteeism. Apparently the appoint- courage aggression and promote ticularly during the peak hours can be traced directly to the future wars. The Editor. previous occasions.

ment of Lieutenant General Ben Lear. wide- Some boards are found interpreting orders ly recalled for the "Yoo-hoo" episode, as Gen- to place all registrants in Class 1-A. Others chicken salad To the Editor of The Inquirer: We read recently that a "very slim luncheon" was served to ENGLISH MAYORS eral Eisenhower's deputy commander in charge of administration, is aimed to an important extent at taking care of this cleanup. 5000 guests in the White House. General Lear's reputation as a disciplin- The menu consisted of chicken fault of the public at large: overloaded trucks, automobiles without chains, unloading freight across trolley tracks, leaving delivery trucks on the tracks while the drivers deliver merchandise.

If the proprietors of trucks would instruct their drivers to use care and courtesy in the operation of their trucks much delay could be avoided. No transportation company can give adequate service during formation on the child's age and financial status. She will be advised regarding her eligibility. THE PEOPLE'S" FRIEND Questions of general interest where points of law may be involved are answered in this column. No answers by maiL Are the mayors of English cities and the judges of English law courts elected or appointed? M.

B. B. Mayors of English cities are elected every year on November 9 by the councillors and alder- arian ought to mean that results will be ob- salad, etc And the exDresslon on Blaze's fcWC For the past several weeks quite a few families (who have only a few red points) have been unable to purchase chickens (chickens are unratloned). Chicken salad to feed 5000 requires quite a large number of chickens, and my opinion Is that Is is far too much of a luxury face In Mr. Hutton's cartoon llum "lc ADMINISTRATORS tained.

And it is refreshing to note the story from The Inquirer's war correspondent in the European theater, Ivan II. Peterman, that the real fighting men at the front want and expect General Lear to "get tough" with the slackers and crooks. With the reports of criminal activities on the part of some vicious Americans there -kcm0 f. A n.in 1 1 Ilnr. the peak hours when thousands was splitting.

How does he How many heirs may be designated in a will as administrators? E. S. B. Persons designated in a will to administer settlement of an serve as councillors. Laws are administered by judges appointed by the Crown who hold office for life and can are let out irom me many omco (jo it? buildings at the same time.

Mn cummings outdid himself Staggered dismissals on the part A rjog's Life Isn't So Bad." of office buildings does in a rp vour editorial: I don't know to be served after a back porch are ordering registrants to get war essential jobs with the idea that if they do so they will render themselves immune from the draft. Other variations are noted. The situation is blamed on confusing directives of both Selective Service and WMC. That is an old story, and certainly at this date in the war it should not recur. The problem is to get suitable men, who are badly needed, into war plant jobs; others who are physically fit into the Army to fill enlarged new calls.

To deal with this problem, adequate coordination between WMC and General Hersh-ey's draft network clearly is a primary necessity. That co-ordination, by this time, should have been attained so that draft boards would know exactly what they are to do and how far they are to go. The conditions disclosed by the survey are only partly related to current efforts to obtain an 18-to-45 national service law at Washington. The faults indicated are largely the results of the division of purpose and author not be removed except on peti estate in accordance with terms might be a tendency to forget that the vast affair, even though the host and measure help but does not solve wnen I have been so con hostess have an "institutional the overcrowding conditions. cerned over a public matter "on Presented by both Houses of of tne will are czled executors, use I feel Tt may Parlian'ent- However, justices of It ls not customary appolnt CITIZEN Philadelphia, Jan.

23. ration rating." A. V. D. Philadelphia, Jan.

24. majority of our men are as honest as they have shown themselves to be brave. Stiff punishments for the comparatively few miscreants in our forces are clearly required. havrfaeaching effect on our removed for than two but TpparentTy 5.2255. Swvrv conduct by the Lord Chan- tnere is no ilmitation on the pocketbook, about which every ceiior.

number which can be appointed. JUST FOR LUCK To the Editor of The Inquirer: one is very touchy. In the text of Mr. Roosevelt's letter to Jesse Jones asking him to resign he boldly says: "Mr. TEMPLE SITE To the Editor of The Inquirer: By today's Inquirer I see that Dr.

Johnson, president of Tem If it is proper lor the current Mrs. Elliott Roosevelt to trip from the constellations in Hollywood to the constellations in The State Can Help Out Importance to Philadelphia of a number of ple University, has sent a good IMMEDIATE MARRIAGE What is the nearest place to Philadelphia where a marriage license can be obtained without a period or blood test? A. L. C. South Carolina.

measures proposed at Harrisburg for State letter to the Mayor, withdrawing Washington why is it unpatriotic aid for this city is emphasized by the just Wallace deserves almost any service which he believes he can satisfactorily perform, etc." Isn't that an out and out request for Could some one page Beardsley Ruml for the job? F. SCHULTZ Cheltenham, Jan. 22. announced further reduction in total city real estate assessments, with consequent decline ity between the WMC and Selective Service the University's petition for for me to travel from the Eastern Hunting Park as their campus Seaboard to the Southwest to owing to the protests of neigh- visit my invalid brother? borhood communities against it. As she is Faye, just for luck I which is quite understandable, will sign myself Perhaps this idea is not prac- PLXIE tical either but wouldn't it be Media, Jan.

24. Their revival at this time emphasizes the in tax income. The city government has managed to bal need for drastic improvement in the war manpower set-up military and industrial. SALARY INCREASE If I have four employes, can I increase their salaries without obtaining approval? L. R.

M. In some cases, where there GUARDIANSHIP Can a guardian, by some arrangement in writing, delegate to another the care of a child after the guardian's death? B. C. A guardian cannot delegate to another the care and custody of a minor child after the guardian's death but an adoptive parent may do so. Consult an attorney.

ANNULMENT In what States other than Pennsylvania may a woman obtain an annulment of a marriage with a man who has never obtained a divorce from his first wife who is still living? G. E. Can a marriage be annulled in Pennsylvania or Maryland if the bride is 20 years of age and marries without parental Need for Proper OPA Methods By george e. sokolsky ance its budget during the last several years because wage tax receipts have consistently been ahead of estimates. If and when income from that source falls off, the city may find itself in a predicament.

are less than eight employes. Letters have poured in on me times admitted and sometimes a thousand and one devices that salary increases may be given nn fhA snhiPPt. nf mv art.lclps nn rnvurMnn hnt. npvpr sufficient- tne numan mina IS capauic ui "iniuiii lmuvi proval, but there are specific State aid, by direct appropriation or by OPA and as usual they run about ly rectified to make it possible concocting. i 11- fli, nr wi irn nil nnivinr -4 abolition of certain taxes now levied on the city, could provide one form of relief.

The allotment to Philadelphia of a large share of 50-50 in praise and disagreement, for the retailer to earn a fair re- me cure ior sucn eviia uk Also there are citations of in- turn. This applies particularly proper price administration the country, in which tins may justice. to butchers and the proof lies in by the Government agencies not be done It is advisable for Those who disagree with what the fact that so many are closing charged with that function. Can- an employer in this "ea to file I write of the OPA make four down. No one gives up a profit- celing 10,000,000,000 red points the Rational War Labor Board able business.

-is not proper aam fiivicion of the Department 2. Even in time of war, the law is an admission of incompetence. P0 nf sunnlv and demand will con- Even before this country went to r' u.lldi??' consent? K. R. S.

An onntilmont XT Hrf nh. the income from the special one-cent gasoline tax, the proposed repeal of the State tax on city bonds, the requested appropriation for the Philadelphia General Hospital are among the measures, designed to help fill the gap, which should be pushed at Harrisburg. ,1,1. general points: 1. I defend the black market; 2.

Prices must be kept down; 3. Retailers are congenital cheats; 4. Most OPA service is voluntary. I think that all this is beside tinue to function no matter what war, Bernard M. Baruch, our tained in any State if the hus- is done to suspend or abrogate it.

keenest intellect in the economic gty, lor det tne band voned Black markets come into exist- field, and Herbert Hoover, who status or nis Particular industry. frQm his first second ence for several reasons, often was in charge of food during the WIDOW RESIDES IN ITALY lto lulabdptua Inquirer ESTABLISHED 18t9 M. L. ANNENBERG. Publisher.

1936-1942 Published Every Day in the Year by TRIANGLE PUBLICATIONS. INC. THE PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER CHARLES A. TYLER Chairman and General Manager JOHN J. FITZPATRICK Managing Editor WALTER H.

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ST. LOUIS BUREAU Globe Democrat Bldg. EUROPEAN BUREAU 16 Regent London Member of the Associated Press The Associated Press is exclusively entitled to the use. (or republication, of all news dispatches credited to it or not otherwise credited in this paper and also the local news published herein. THE INQUIRER'S PLATFORM To print the news accurately and fearlessly, but never to be content with merely printing th news; to strive always to uphold the principles of our American democracy, to war relentlessly against alien "isms.

to fight intolerance, to be the friend and defender of those who are persecuted and oppressed to demand equal justice for employer and employed, to work for the advancement of industry in Philadelphia and Pennsylvania; to expose political hypocrisy and corruption; to be just, to be fair and above all to be unswervingly independent; to fight and never to etiu fighting to maintain the sanctity of personal Ubcr.y and th inviolability of human tighta. The widow and child of a because of the selfishness of men. last war, advisea congress now marriage is a nuiuiy. iatw without a judicial declaration in the form of an annulment. The so-called second wife may enter a valid second marriage without an annulment but it is advisable to have the bigamous marriage pronounced void by a court de- PUTTING IT BRIEFLY Henry Wallace comes out in favor of "full employment." The way things are going his interest is understandable.

the point. The facts in the situ- The present so-called black to do the ob. Their aavice was ation are these: market is not of that character, based upon experiences gar- 1. Retail shops are closing It is actually an unpremeditated nered out of the last war when down because the retailer is and unarranged consent agree- many errors were made in a saueezed between the ceiling ment between the seller and virgin field. veteran of the first World War reside in Italy.

Are they eligible for pension under the law which was signed by the President last December? N. M. llrl.Vio colHiVr whn atp nrirps nnH thp cost, nf huver under which the buyer Their advice was rejected ana in cree. several pounds of bananas to increase his operations. It is uneconomic and tacitly agrees to a rectification all I our present troubles arise The fact that they reside Marriage cannoi oe annuncu unreasonable to expect anyone or ura errors Dy a shrui ui- uum uic ii.

ma oU.vv Yj i jrianH nr pnntvlvania be to work for inadequate pay and crease in price Dy me sener. novu nu vu, ftlIA hrtrte micreDresented them. the retailer has a right to a re- It is a very bad process. It Sending out a mob of OPA in- should file a claim Pension cause the brUte mlsrep resentea -Some doubt about whether the Germans turn on his investment, his work opens the way to excessive price nh tl nl Sa enUl consenTate age of 20. i m.

,1 i 'ear and his time increases. It opens the way to will no more abate the evils or tion. wasningion. u. kivuis tatuts are are going to skip out of Italy.

Now if Mus- en nhe victim of errors corrupt practices such as tipping the black market than the Vol- aH facts regarding her husband JiScf solini could only oblige with his famous trains hVX OPA and other Gov- of sales clerks." secret over- stead Act abolished the con- service, date of death and said I to be directory only ana no. u. i ui cmntinn aicnhn nnanciai status, as wen as in- uiai luu uii mac. ernmeni agencies, errors some- cuarcs, uiiuuuui uic ovam mu ouuiVuu v..