Times Union from Brooklyn, New York • 8

8 FRIDAY THE BROOKLYN DAILY TIMES MARCH 23, 1917 A. B. Roome, Insurance Man. CHURCHMEN GET KTAUHtO rate of interest as the contribution of America to the war, may strike the Allies as generous while they need the billion, but what they will think of Jt when they are called upon to pay it back la what we think of it now. can citizens of Brooklyn' of German blood, there may be a natural resentment that by no means implies disloyalty, but we would say to all of them in the friendliest and most sympathetic spirit, that they only furnish a handle to their enemies and possibly deceive some good Americans as to the real state of their feeling, when they seek to sharply differentiate their conduct from that of their fel noted of the chophouses of Brooklyn.

The persistent popularity of Gage and Tollner's, despite its rigid adherence to old-fashioned rules and customs, indicates that there is still among us a great part of the population that likes to eat without the thrills of the cabaret and thrills of the string orchestra, if only the food is of the best quality and the service polite, attentive and efficient Gage and Tollner's was, and for it TRANSIT HEARING SET FORAPRIL 20 Pounds Acts to Hasten Subway-Elevated Link. DEFENDS OFFICIAL POLICY pion gun pointer in the Navy andipAMPAIGN LAUNCHED TO GET 8 FRIDAY, MARCH 23, 1917. Published by tli BROOKLYN DAILY TIMES. John N. Harman, Editor ami General Mnnngcr; C.

Llls worth. Secretary uml Tri-uMirer. Ad dress Times Plaza, Brooklyn. MAIN OFFlCKl Times Plain, Fourth and Atlantic Avenue, Opposite Loup Island Railroad Depot. Telephone 7800 Main.

1'nstrru District Office. Broadway. Telephone -ISi Stagg. Uoirnuinn Office. SBS Washington street.

Telephone 443 Main. Manhattan OITIcea. Fifth Avenue. Telephone 893 Mur- nay Hill. Ay II MAIL POSTPAID, On month JO-50 lx months 3.00 One yar 6-00 baturdivy edition only, 1 year 100 On year 900 Six months 4.50 Oils month Blngle copies by mnll, 2 cents.

The Times Is delivered at all Long island Post Offices the evening of publication. Entered at the Post Office at Brooklyn, N. November 28, as second class matter, under the act of March 8, I8JII. The Cause of America. We shall take it for granted that the communication of the President to Congress will mean war, not because we want war, but because it is neither wise nor courageous to shut your eyes to facts even if you do not like them.

Nor can we hope, much as we desire it, that the actual outbreak of war will diminish the clash of conflicting counsels unless there is leadership bold and authoritative, and with a vision for a certain clear principle of national life that no darkest cloud of foreign politics ought to completely obscure. We think it not without significance that the one verse of the "Star Spangled Banner' every American knows is the first verse. We think it one of those strange gleams of the expression of the National Soul, that when the orchestra begins the inspiring strains, and the congregation in a theatre, a church, an assemblage of whatever kind, rises to its feet, the voices that die away in the latter stanzas, ring out clearly and confidently and understanding in these lines: Oh! Kay can in you see by the ly ngni. so proudly we hailed at the twilight last gleaming; Whose broad stripes and bright stars through the perilous fight O'er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming, And the rockets red glare, and bombs bursting in air, Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there. The policies that led us to this juncture are matters upon which there was difference of opinion among men recognized as of right feeling ard excellent mind.

Upon the justice and humanity of the motive that actuated President Wilson we do not believe there is any difference of opinion except among crazy protagonists of one or another of the European coalitions. But it does not seem to us that there is even room for a division of judg ments upon the supreme importance of the solidarity of the American people. And as most of the great realities are of simple essence, the one binding principle of American solidarity in this hour of a vast rock ing and rending of institutions is the wimple principle of national identity. We shall make no serious error if we keep that always in mind. We shall survive the wildest storm that ever blew out of the caverns of un reason, if we bend all our conduct to accord with it, if our military and financial and commercial exercises of power all lie four-square with it With that living soul in us we can fight Germany, or any and all the powers of theworld, and prevail.

No alliance with the mightiest can take the place of that. No buckler of for eign iron clads and foreign breasts can keen life in us if that be impaired. No participation in the dominion of the whole world has any value com pared with dominion over our own national conduct in this and in every other crisis in the affairs of nations, For nations, no less than for indi viduals, is it true that it profiteth nothing to gain the world and lose your soul. We are sure the President and Congress, through whom alone is there authorized expression of the will of the great silent multitude who make this Nation, will see to it that in our future course the identity of America nhall never be lost In this vast en terprise to which we are compelled, the people of every blood will know that there is no misappropriation of their sacrifice; that the loyalty they owe to the American Republic, and to no other cause, is not diverted to the service of any other cause. All that the American people ask of their leadership is "proof through the night that our flag is still there," and in that conviction, as we have taught the, world how a people may justly govern, we shall teach the world how clean ia the sword and how mighty $he stroke of a hundred million freemen.

The Arion Society. We believe Dr. Seyfarth, of the Arion jSociety of Brooklyn, is right in Given Dinner at Civic Club After 1 4 Years as Manager Here of Continental Company, He Goes to Manhattan to Head Westchester Agencies. A dinner was given last night at the urooKiyn ijivio Club, Kemsen street, to A. Ii.

Roome, for fourteen years manager of the Brooklyn -and Long Island office of the Continental Fire Insurance Company. He is leaving Brooklyn for Manhattan to become agency manager of the Westchester Fire Insurance Company, with a territory that comprises eighty per cent, of the population of the United States. i John B. Crelghton, who acted as toast-master, read letters from several prominent men regretting that they could, not be present. Among those who sent re grets were President Demarest of Rutgers College, Almet Iieed Latson and Charles Jerome Edwards.

In Introducing the toastmaster, Jacob C. KUnck, president of the Civic Club, called the guest of honor One of the most valued members of the club, and added: "We have strong men here, but we will mtsa Mr. Roome." The Rev. C. H.

Brewer, of Roslyn, Mr. Roome's pastor, said: "I come to praise Mr. Roome, not to bury him," and continued: "You know Mr. Roome's behavior on six days a week. What you want to know is about his behavior on Sundays.

When he came to Roslyn he was sick from "automobilitls and rode all over Lontr Island. He found that his car would carry him Just as well t6 the church door as elsewhere, ana now he rldee to church every Sunday. R. S. Parsons, chief engineer or tne Erie Railroad, said that ho had been connected with the Board of Jelly fish, known as the National Board of Railroad Managers, who gave or J70.

000.000 to railroad men who thought more of themselves than the United States." Matthew J. Carroll. Brooklyn mana ger of Bradstreets, expressed hie regrets that Mr. Roome will leave Brooklyn, saying: feel it is a personal loss to my self and a community loss to Brook lyn. Nevertheless we feel glad tnat he has endeared himself to so many friends here.

He troes to a position that carries fine prospects for advancement. Thirty years ago New York firms did not come over to Brooklyn. But since two decades 16,000,000 to $20,000,000 corporations have moved to this borough from Manhattan." That A. B. Roome has contributed much to the insurance business, while in Brooklyn, and that ho is called to contribute more in his new position, was the testimony of F.

J. T. Stewart, superintendent of the New York Board of Fire underwriters. The guest of honor made a very short speech in which he thanked the speakers of the evening and all who were present. The Dinner Committee were: C.

H. Bnlnbrldge Fred II. Johnson 8nmuel H. Andrews Jscob C. Klinck- Bdward M.

Hassett Victor A. Lersner Dellart Bergen George Malby Mauiuel llloci C. E. Illckersou C. Stewart Cayanaugh Jeremiah HohWua Krank Clapp Fred W.

Rowo John B. Crelghton B. C. Thorn John DcMott C. C.

Tompkins Leo Doherty rcnur a. iimie Marshall W. Oleason Frank H. Tyler James 8. Graham i.me inci'iH were: Samuel H.

Andrews Walter MacBain Edward M. Baasett' Alexander MacKlntoah Albert Berg George V. Malby John Bergen Anthony V. Mayo Samuel Block Joseph G. Mnyo Her.

Clifton H. Bowerllenry Mollenhatier Arthur Berg Thomas Morrow Matthew J. Carroll Thomas Morrow, Jr. Stewsrt Caranaugh William C. Newman Frank Clano Frederick Nubn Mil Ion Cnllmrn -John B.

Crelghton Joseph. Dubl L. C. Dameron Pierrepont Davenport John W. De Mott Virgil V.

Parker R. 8. i'areoDa John M. Price Louis Prtola Jeremiah Bobbins A. Roome F.

W. Rowe Frank Sausono Isac V. Schnvrlen V. J. T.

Btewnrt Lewis A. Strelt B. C. Thorn C. C.

Tompkins Arthnr S. Tnttle Frank H. Tyler Charles M. Valentine Charles E. Warren Philip L.

Watkins R. L. Williams Leo V. Doberty Marshall W. tllenson ft'rici luine.

Frederick w. Harris W. n. Hobart i "oey jCob'c. KUnck Louie C.

Kubn Victor A. Lernner Clinton W. Ludlnm John H. McCooey 3 Dead, 1 Dying From Gas. Henrietta McDonald, John Forman and Arthur Lager Asphyxiated; Fanny Huff In Hospital.

John Forman, 50, 684 Throop avenue, was found dead from gas in his room last night. The police report the case as a suicide. Forman was discovered by Douglas Wlnthrop, who was at tracted to the room by the smell of gas, Henrietta McDonald, 66, a widow of 763 Jefferson avenue, was discovered by her son Byron, shortly after 6 o'clock last night, dead from gas. A burner in the room had been partly turned on. It Is thought her death is an accident.

Mrs. Fanny Huff, 63, of 660 Monroe street, Is In a dying condition iri St. Mary's Hospital suffering from gas poisoning. She was found overcome in her home early to-day. Arthur Lager, 40, of 2517 Pitkin ave nue, was accidentally killed by gas early to-day.

He wob dead before tho odor of gas attracted tho attention of other persons in the house. To Name Principals Monday. Heads for Erasmus and Manual Expected to Be Nominated. Principals for Erasmus Hall and Manual Training High Schools will probably be nominated at a special meeting of the Board of Superinten dents of the Board of Education on Monday, it was stated to-day. Acting City Superintendent Gustave Straubenmuller was asked how many candidates were still being; considered for the vacancies.

He refused to admit that any one had been eliminated though he expressed confidence that the choices would be made on Monday ENRICHT CETS 6 CENTS. Flatbush Police Lieutenant Wins Nominal Damages for Libel. Police Lieut. Richard E. Enrlght, the Flatbush station, was awarded yesterday a verdict for six cents damages in an action for libel brought In the Supreme Court, Manhattan, against the Press Publishing Company.

The action was based on reference made to a speech delivered by Enrlght the dinner of the Lieutenants Association at the Waldorf-Astoria. En-right complained that certain statements made by him regarding traitors the force had been misconstrued, and that as a result his reputation had been Injured and Police Commissioner Woods hod failed to promote him to the rank of captain. "BABY MINE" AT Y. M. A.

Tha Aaaoclat. Flayera of til Central T. M. A. (tared Margaret Maya's "Baby Mine" last night, and will repeat tha performance to-night and to-morrow Blaine Ivana.

tha moving picture actreaa, portrayed the role of Sole Hardy admirably. Playing opposite in tha leading masculine role, waa Sidney Bhlll. Tha production wa under tha management of Arthur Bond. In the east were: Alt Hardy. Aggie Jenka.

J. V. Sidney Shlll, Madeline Bier-echenk. Arthur Bate. Alfred Stella, Charts.

Colloday, Margaret May Brown. C-Me- end Jnmes Jinks. FORTS AS FAVORS 1,000 CHRISTIAN N- DEAVOR FOR INTERNA TIONAL CONVENTION IN JULY. Miniature forts which adorned the tables at the "Get Together Dinner" of tho Brooklyn Christian Endeavor Union In the Hanson Place Baptists cnurcn last nignt night, gave the ban quel hall a martial appearance. The objoct of the dinner was to, boost interest in the International' Christian ciiioeavor uonvenuon wruen will De held In Madison Square Garden from July 4 to 9.

Edgar F. Garwood, vice president of the union, outlined the plans' for the convention and also of the "Jericho Drive" wlrlch will consist of seven rallies designed for the purpose of bringing the convention to the Interest of Brooklyn Endeavorera and around their enthusiasm In the event. One thousand delegates from Brooklyn and Long Island is the goal set. He also announced that a joint rally of the Brooklyn and Queens-Nassau unions would be held in the Hanson Place Church next Thursday night. The principal speaker was H.

A. Walte. Mr. Waite said "I want to emphasize three words In connection with this work. Opportunity plus ability equqals responsibility.

Brooklyn will, I am sure, seize opportunity with great ability aijd recognize the responsibility it nas to neip make a success or tms wornderful convention." A military spirit permeated tho meeting. All the reports of the various district leaders were delivered In a military vein. The rally next Thurs day evening Is designated as a Mobilization Rally." The Queens-Nassau Union will hold a meeting to-night in the First Presbyterian Church, Elmhurst. Other speakers last evening were John B. Payne, who will have charge of the rally next week: Louis H.

Dowle, Frank E. Davis, who will have charge of, the music at the convention; Fred G. Volz, who spoke on "Publicity for the Campaign; Frank McCarthy, who Is In charge of the "Million Mem bers" campaign, and Miss Gladys Peto, who told of the part the Queens- Nassau Union expects to play in the campaign. Sectional workers who spoke of the work being done were J. E.

Anderson, Atlantic District; Marion Jahn, Flat-bush; Emma Blackby, Greenpoint; Florence McGrath, Bedford Howard Launsbach, Highland, Beatrice Lawrence, Heights. Tha following ministers spoke and urged an energetic campaign, the Rev. T. B. Grlswold, Lefferts Park Presbyterian Church; Dr.

W. I. Davenport, Duryea Presbyterian Church; Dr. J. D.

Burrell, Classon Avenue Presbyterian Church; Dr. Thomas Bell, St. Mark's Congregational Church; the Rev. W. T.

Blackeby of Orchard Primitive Methodist Church; and Rev. Dr. E. Humphries, of the Park Place Primitive Methodist Church. The following members of the union from out of town spoke: David Stewart, of the Entertaining Committee, Manhattan; John T.

Sproul, and John M. Varney, of New Jersey Constable, of Westchester; Mr. Letts, of Richmond; and Mr. Joy, of Rockland County. The following members of the con vention committeo exulained their I work In connection with the event: Mr.

Lagenbacher, of the reception commit- tee; Mr. Brydle, of the registration committee; Mr. Riley, of the entertain- ment; Mr. Rea, of the guest commit- tee; Mr. Payne, of the decoration com- mlttee: Mr.

Johnson, of the helping hnnrt cnmmlttm: Mrs. Rrvdle. of the junior convention committee, and Mr. Walte, of the spenkors committeo. SOCIETY NOTES MR.

AND MRS. THOMAS W. LAUDERDALE'S LITERARY Mr. and Mrs. Thomas W.

louder- dale entertained delightfully last eve nlng at their home, 229 Clermont ave nue. It was an evening with James Whltcomb Riley, with whom the guests were brought into Intimate touch, through Mrs. John J. Schoon- hoven's sympathetic analysis of his life and philosophy, and the personal reminiscences of the Rev. Dr.

Newell Dwlght Hillis. Dr. Hllhs, who also Introduced Mrs. Schoonhoven, referred to Riley's travels with Bill Nye, the popular hu morlst of twenty years ago. Dr.

HIllls had the pleasure of being personally acquainted with the poet and gave interesting littlo sidelights into his character. Mrs. Schoonhoven catches perfectly the spirit of Riley's poetry and her talk was pleasantly interpersed with several of his poems. Among them were "An Old Sweetheart of Mine," the sonnet; "When She Comes Home," Little Orphan Annie, Bereavement," The Raggedy Man" and "Puck." Mrs. Schoonhoven also read a few lullabies from Stevenson's "Child Garden of Verse" and compared them with Riley's simple lullabies.

Mrs. Schoonhoven wore a gown of yellow satin and cream lace, and Mrs. Lauderdale received in pearl gray brocade and point lace. The rooms were decorated with Easter lilies and roses. Among tho guests were: Mr.

anil Mm. Itlcbard HIllls. Mr. ami Un Clinton Dc Wilt Biirillck, Dr. and Mrs.

George iiuia iier, Mr. nnci Airs. a. li. Lee, Dr.

and Mrs. William Kettler. Mr. and Mrs. Richard Springs, Mr.

and Mrs. Ernest Roche. Hcrlwrl Allison, Mr. and Mrs. Wesley Black.

Mr. and Mrs. Hugh Gordon Miller, Mr. and Mrs. John Simmon, Mr.

nnd Mrs. Chnrles Newton Schenck, Mr. and Mrs. Remsen Johnson. Mr.

and Mrs: George C. Walbrldge, Miss Susan Van unuen, Air. anu Mrs. rrea Btarr, Mr. and Mrs.

Kmest P. Goodrich, Mr. and Mrs. It. Percy Chittenden, the Misses Hart, Mr.

and Mrs. Walter Wells, Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Shaffer Mr and Mrs. Frcilerlck Alfred, Mr.

and Mrs Charles Peabody, Mr. and Mrs. Olio Relmer, Mr and Mrs. William W. Owens SDd Mr.

and Mrs' Charles Barker. MISS HELEN McCALDIN MARRIED. Only relatives witnessed thA mar. rlage of Miss Helen Lee McCaldln, daughter of Mr. and Mrs.

Joseph Stuart McCaldln, of 808 Carroll street to Lorenzo Todd Getty, of Mnnhnttnn' and but a few Intimate friends were asKea to tne reception following. The rtev. ur. jonn iiwy Lloyd nerfnrm. the ceremony at 7:80 o'clock, at the nome oi ine nricie parents.

Miss McCaldln only attendant wn her small cousin. Miss Mary Elizabeth Maqueston, who acted as flower girl. Mr. Getty is the son of Mr. and Mrs Hugh Getty, of Manhattan.

His best man was tioy rsmerson Bard, of Chicago, and the ushem were James C. Kennedy, Harold Rowe Percy R. Ransome and Edward 8. Morrison Mr. uetty was graduated from Princeton in 1911 and iwas leader of me giee ciud wnue in conesre.

Tho bride, was executive secretary of the Business women Lunch Club, on Schermerhorn street. 8PAIN GETTING HUNGRY. Madrid, March 23. In order to avert threatened general strike due to food shortage, the Spanish Cabinet announced to-day it had arranged for tha industrial ntirnrlsM. of at to C.

R. was cashiered for eettimr tineev. should send a little of his private stock to the Secretary of the Navy, who hits the wrong target with such unerring accuracy. "Bavarians Angry." Headline, What? Giving way to bad temper in this enlightened century when human thought has attained such peaks and all the passions and woes of mankind have been abolished I We appeal to the enlightened, humane and democratic government that now rules all the Russias, to tell a distracted world whether his name is Milukoff, Mulyokoff, Milikoff, or Molokuf. The Atlantic Yacht Club has ex pelled the Kaiser and Prince Henry, and to tell the truth, just at present, none of us desires to have either of them cruising in Gravesend Bay.

The Czar was elected to the Down and Out Club by universal ac clamation. West Side Plan Defended by Mitchel and Prendergast Governor Get Statement From Board nf Estimate Committee Pointing Out Favorable Aspect of Proposed N. Y. C. Contract (Special to the Brooklyn Times.) Albany, March 23.

Gov. Whitman received a lengthy statement to-day signed by Mayor Mitchel, Controller Prendergast, Borough President Pounds and Dock Commissioner Smith, defending the proposed contract with the New York Central Railroad for the West Side improvement, and asserting that the State must accept the responsibility if the program is nullified by legislation. The communication In part reads: "We do not believe that any beneficial result can be attained by the repeal at this time of Chapter 777 of the laws of 1911, just at the moment when an adjustment involving all the foatures embraced by the proposed plans and contract has been success fully negotiated. Certainly we could not and we would not undertake to oppose the grant by the Legislature of additional power, compulsory or other, to the municipal authorities under the general police power of the State, we are at a loss, however, to know just how much power could be em ployed to exact additional concessions from the railroad. But If the State desires to assume the responsibility for a rejection of the proposed settlement and to direct the city to attempt, through compulsion, to exact further concessions, the Mayor will not reject for the city a bill properly drafted and legally sufficient to accomplish that purpose.

"In the mean time we are prepared to proceed with our duty under the law as we conceive it, in perfecting this proposed contract. We welcome every possible meas ure of scrutiny of our acts by the Leg islature or Its agents, always assuming that any such investigation be carried on by persons whose course In the past does not indicate prejudgment of the question. In other words, we in vite any orderly study of our work on this important matter, and any other character of -Inquiry we will resolutely oppose. Taking up the action of the Gov ernor in asking the Public Service Commission to look Into the value of the rights and real estate Involved, the committee speaks of the conferences held thereafter and of the Commis sion's conclusion that the bases of real estate valuation are faulty. Only a de tailed study by specialists, gays the committee, can determine whether one method or another is the better, and such a study is being made by the Real Etate Board.

Its conclusions, says the committee, will be final, and the com mlttee will not accept figures it does not fully approve. "Permit me to point out that these plans and proposed terms of settle ment as now agreed by the railroad to be amended, If carried out, would effect the following: "They would terminate within six years surface operation by the New York Central Railroad in the streets, with its attendant menace to life, the prime object of all agitation in this matter for many years. They would terminate all steam operation by the railroad within the city within four years. "They would free the city's water front of occupation by the New York jCentral except at the Thirtieth and rBixtieth street yards, and for the Bpace of 1,540 feet north of 135th street. They would put the New York Central Railroad underground where it now passes through or adjacent to city parks, and add many acres of park area at those points.

"Wo consider it our duty to point out in this conenctlon that we are advised by our special counsel, Charles E. Hughes, that, whatever the power oi the Legislature may be compel the railroad to terminate surface oper ation through city streets anoravenues by going up or down, it certainly without power to compel the railroad to construct a roof or covering over Its tracks along and through Riverside Park, along the Washington Helehst districts. "The proposed adjustment, while involving a net grant of real property bv the city to the railroad company of a value appraised at $6,109,899, as the city's contribution toward the cost of these purely civic improvements, estimated to be In all $14,708,000, does not involve the payment of a single dollar of cash by the city to the railroad company for these improvements. nor any outlays by the city save for the Improvement of its parks to ad- Just landscape features to the railroad Improvement "The municipal authorities feel that they-have gone as far as it is possible for them to go except for minor amend ments or form and phraseology." CLA8SON AVE. CH.

DINNER. Rev. John Belford, reotor of the Church of the Nativity, Ii to be one ot th. speakers to-mgnt in oounection witn ine muein anm of tha Cltnon Avenue Freabyterls.n Church. Th other aneakera will DO Ula Kev.

Dr. Darld Jtmn Cnlle.lata Chi Burrell, pastor of the brother of the local minuter. Dr. A I'arkee ('adman, and Prof. Homer Baten Keyea, if Dartmouth College.

The dinner la to be held Bllebe'a, HOME FOR AGED MUSICALE. A musical wet gtTen last night under the tm-plcei of the Alpha Kappa Circle of the the lewl Arenoe Congregational Church for the Home for the Aged. The art lite included Alfred Erase, tenor; Eather Darts, reader; Harold Mleltlln. Tlollnlat. Programs were distributed by Miss Ethel Van Dyn, Mies Beeele Donoraa, Mies Amy Bartell, Mlea Jessie Thurston, Miss Alice Loekweod, Mrs.

Leroy Barton and Mlea C. Stroehel. THE TALE OF A 8HIRT. Jneenh Aroowlta. of PS5 De Kaib arenne.

la mlnua hie Sunday shirt because be left It hanging orer the klcben store last night. The shirt took Sre and tha Batnea spread to the Aroowlta apartment. 8ix famlllea of the three- story tenement house were drtYerl to the aide-walk by the amoke and fumes and three engine com pan panlee responded to an alarm sent In hyjy'" O. 8. a low citizens.

What we want now. is calm temper and common sympathy on the part of citizens of all races. What we need is an end to the dis sensions due to natural sympathies with lands of origin, in the face of the danger to the country we all love in equal measure. Let the leaders of our citizens of German blood and birth give an example in patriotism and moderation to those of other races and other sympathies. It is no time for good Americans to quibble over words or be over-suspicious as to motives.

President Pounds. It was significant that at the ban quet given to Borough President Pounds his most ardent eulogists were not of his own party. The Borough President deserved the banquet and all the kind things that were said of him. He is a strong and enthusiastic party man, but he is not a political public official. He has given reasonable recognition to his party associates in the office of Borough President, but he has punished no subordinate because he was a Democrat.

In the Borough Hall he has shut out all partisan considerations and devoted his time and energy and courage and common sense to the things that were best for the community. We doubt if there is any public officer who works harder than does Mr. Tounds. From the hour he entered the Borough Hall as Commissioner of Public Works under Borough Presi dent Steers, eight years ago, he has borne the weight of the borough ad ministration. It is a heavy burden.

We know of no office in any depart ment of government where the labor is heavier and the difficulties are more discouraging. Against all these things Borough President Pounds has striven with industry and ability, and with a clear conception of what was right and beneficial. He is deserving of the thanks of a community that is seldom as well served as he has served it We believe that when the citizens who are interested in the transft plans so important to central Brooklyn, study more deeply the cause of delay in that matter, they will find that nothing attributable to Mr. Pounds has retarded the proceedings in the slightest degree. While it is true that his membership in many of the special committees of the Board of Estimate has entailed a vast amount of labor, he has never given precedence to any project over an improvement within the lines of this borough or for the benefit of this com munity.

We are convinced that any disposition to criticise the Borough President on this ground is the issue of a misunderstanding. Von Hindenburg's Retreat. It may be true that the Germans got out of the trenches along the line of the Somme and the Ancre because they had to get out of them, and it may be true on the other hand that the retreat, which from a military standpoint is one of the most marvel ous movements in the history of war, is a part of the great strategy of the victor of the Mazunan Lakes. Mili tary opinion here seems inclined to the latter explanation. Allowing for the partisan enthusiasm that hails every retirement of the foe as an oc casion for acclaim, the experienced officers, of the army who look upon the affair with the eyes of experts.

think that as a matter of cold mili tary fact, von Hindenburg is carrying on his kriegspiel on a magnificent scale, and has completely confused the plans of his enemies for a tremendous drive. Whether he expects to recommence the trench warfare on his new line of fortified works, waiting for the British and French to bring forward the immense store of supplies and ammunition, the network of supporting railway tracks and all the vast impedimenta of war in these days, is open to ciuestion What strikes the judgment of students of war is the fact that the German chief been able tp draw off his line sixty-three miles long across of a band of territory twenty-three miles wide in the face of a foe that must have outnumbered him two to one, if not in greater proportion, without the slightest sign of a smashing attack on his moving units, which would disconcert his plans, not to say bring disaster on nis army. That a General who could perform such a feat is a beaten foe, or that the morale of the force with which it is accomplished Js impaired, is a conclusion that no experienced foe, and-perhaps least of all, Nivelle and Haig, who are warily occupying the abandoned desolation over which the German war chariots have swept, is in the least likely to entertain. The gripping interest of the situation lies in the probability set up by the previous performances of von Hindenburg, and the desper ate state of the countries behind him, that the Germans have created a field to give them room for maneuvres out of the reach of the terrible fire of the permanent batteries of the Allies, and that on that field they propose to throw the fatal dice for the winning of the war by a final blow for victory in the open. Already the defense stiffens and it is possible that while this is being written the most terrific and most frightful battle in human history is opening on a soil that has drunk more blood than any in the wide world.

Edward -H. Gage. 1 Touching the swiftly moving current of public affairs at one point of contact for more than twenty-five years, Edward H. Gage reserved the rest of his experience for the home church life of a modest citizen, and now that he is dead at the age' of seventy-eight, thousands of men who have, attained eminence in the political, civic, social and legal departments of community activity, realize how little they knew of this quiet, kindly man who managed for so long a time one of the oldest and most hasn't changed much, a survivor of the English shophouse, which flourished at one timem this borough. Not entirely gone isHhe memory of Sher wood's Abbey that was torn down to make room for the Montauk Theatre, which in turn had to make way for the Flatbush Avenue Extension and Manhattan Bridge Approach.

Sher wood, with his cook, the unforgettable "Aunt Hattie," then opened the Bank, on the other side of Fulton street, with which, in other times, Gage and Tollner's shared the patronage of Charles A. Schieren, William C. De Witt, John L. Heins, Alden S. Swann, and a host of other notables, some of whom are in the fullness of life still; some of whom have passed on.

It was for twenty-five years of this time that Mr. Gage met and knew when they were at their midday meal, most of the men who were weaving their work into the progress of Brooklyn. They knew him as a cheerful, observant man, whose mind was full of current information and whose conversation held in it swift glints of a deep philosophy, -but for the currents of life in which they moved he cared very little; his own enthusiasms were for the home, the books in his library, and the Protestant Episcopal Church of the Redeemer, of which he was an active member. He was a good citizen; when disruption threatened the Nation he served in the Civil War with the Thirteenth Regiment, but to him there were joys more sub stantial than those of active partici-1 pation in the turmoil of that existence which he watched rush by him from the one point at which his experience joined it. Yes, No, Yes, No.

Health Commissioner Emerson said that if the Kings County Medical Society would suggest a candidate for the vacant office of Deputy Health Commissioner who was familiar with the methods and the organization of the Health Department, he would consider the suggestion. The Kings County Medical Society suggested, through one of its leading members, the name of Dr. Alfred E. Shipley, of Brooklyn, who is secretary of the Board of Health; a physician of recognized ability; an administrative officer of exceptional keenness and power, and an authority on matters of sanitation. Dr.

Emerson says: "Dr. Shipley has asked for the appointment, but I have made up my mind not to recommend him." We confess that when we try to follow Dr. Emerson it sometimes makes us dizzy. We thought this might be an idiosyncrasy, but we found upon inquiry that most of our Brooklyn acquaintances have a similar difficulty, and that the more expert they are in matters of public health, the greater is their giddiness under the given condition. They all suffer from an aberration of which we must confess a slight touch.

They have a haunting delusion that the Health Department is a public office and not the private property of any official. They labor under the misconception that Brooklyn's health will be best protected by a physician who knows both Brooklyn and the prin ciples and practise of public health work. Also, they think a community of two million persons is entitled to some consideration of its opinion in matters relating to its government particularly when it has suffered from certain acts and omissions with re spect to its public health affairs to the extent Brooklyn has suffered. Of course, we are all wrong about this. The Health Department is an asylum for the friends of the Commissioner.

As to the community of two million persons, if we correctly recall a definition of it by an official last Summer, "Brooklyn is just a state of mind." Nevertheless, even a state of mind may be worth the study of a pohticologist In the state of mind under discussion several notions with respect to the Health Department are being whetted by circumstances to an edge that may become dangerous. Zach Wheat. We rejoice in the news from Hot Springs that assures us of the mighty willow of Zachary Taylor Wheat for the season now budding. President Lbbets has proved himself a better pacifier than President Wilson. He has shown the Missourian.

Whether Mr. Stengel will be among those pres ent when the flag is broken to the breeze between Flatbush and the Botanical Gardens is still on the knees of the gods, but this matter of Wheat has been nailed down and the old field will look familiar with its usual adornment The terms of set tlement are a study in the balancing oi rewards and punishments. Each side contributed a little to make the scales of agreement swine on a line, As it was before the nounjarler and definitive treaty at Hot Springs, if Zach didn't bat .300 he wa3 to get less. As it is nominated in the bond, ii ne beats .300 he ia to get more There are a few other items in the bill of particulars, about the most im portant of which to Mr. Wheat there is some mystery, but about the moRt important of which to the Brooklyn fans there is none.

It is said that Zachary is to get a salary of SS.000. but that is the matter not entirely clear! It is assured that he will play on the champion team for the defense of the flag we won last year, and the chance of winning another, and that is as clear as Bobbie's grin, than which the only thing more translucent is nothing at all. "The German Government would like nothing better than to have us tly off on a tangent by throwing our energies into the organization of a great army." New York World. So it is the kind of a war in which you do not have to fight, that our neigh bor has been urging. Mr.

Harding's bright idea of lend. ing a billion to the Allies at a proper a at R. TIM No Time Will Be Lost on Ful ton St. Improvement The Ashland place link between the Fulton street elevated and the no subway system was discussed bv tho Board of Estimate to-day. Borough President Matheu-aon.

nf tho chairman of the boaid's Transit Com- mmee, stated there had been a mis-understandlnjr regard! nor thin in tha board. It was thought tnat uie legal time limit In which the Ash. land place connection must be acted upon had expired and therefore the entire matter would be put over to some future date. On the active insistence of Borough President Pounds, who requested that the Transit Committee hear the various interests as promptly as possible, he agreed with Mr. Mathewson to set the hearing on the Ashland place connection matter over to April 20.

Herbert L. Carpenter, who represented the Property Owners' Committee and the Fulton Street Protective League, emphasized the point that tho Ashland place connection, the approval of which was applied for by the Public Service Commission on February 16, was entirely Independent of other matters Included in the Commission's general statement to the Board of Estimate dated January 26, 11(17. Mr. Carpenter said that the new route involving the Ashland place connection, which was the connecting of two tracks of the Fulton street elevated to the new subway system, was tho one issue on which practically all interests were united, including tho Public Service Commission, the railroad company, the various civic Interests of Brooklyn, the property owners, and several members of thj Board of Ka- tlmate. He asked Mr.

Mathewson whether hearing on April would be on the particular question of the Ashland place connection. Mr. Mathewson stated that it would be added that he hoped the new route would bo approved on that day. Mr. Carpenter stated that he had had a conference with Mr.

Pounds on Thursday and had had several pi-evioui; ones with the Borough President, and that he feels that Mr. Pounds Is using his best Influence to bring about tlio realization of the Ashland place connection which Is going to mean so much to the future of Brooklyn. Pounds Scoffs at Charges. "Childish and absurd," were the words of Borough President Pounds In answering criticisms of unnamed "busines smen of Central Brooklyn" who were reported to have had a conference yesterday afternoon regarding the transit situation. Mr.

denied emphatically that he was in any way responsible for delay affect ing the proposed plans tor the Fulton street elevated railroad and the Ashland place connection. "Herbert Carpenter is the only man who came to see me yesterday regard ing this matter; he knows the facts very well," President Pounds There Is an intimation, I notice, he added, "that I have given attention to the West Side improvement plans in Manhattan because of some 'political If I had any political advantage in mind, I would stay In Brooklyn instead of devoting time to Board of Estimate committee matters and keep on telling the men who are l.iterested in the Fulton street improvement how much I was working on it. This I have not done. I have not neglected any matter concerning Brooklyn. I cannot put in more time than tho twenty-four hours afforded and I am not going to try to do more than I am now doing, for it is physically impossible." Mr.

PoUnds explained that the Fulton street matter Is entirely In the hands of the Committee on Transit of the Board of Estimate, of which President Mathewson, of the Bronx, la chairman. He said: "This project does not depend upon any one man alone, but It is necessary for tpe entire transit commutes anu probably the whole Board of Estimate to give this matter consideration. Trie- Controller and myself are probably the only ones familiar with the proposition in its various details. Tin-Board of Estimate does not pass and make heavy financial appropria tions simply because they are asked for. "I told Mr.

Carpenter yesterday that nothing would be done prejudicial to the proposition if I could avoid it. The statement made yesterday was of tho uninformed and ill-advised character." Few Rifles Due to Congress. Representative Hull Blamed Legisla tors as Arsenals Operate at Low Rate 800,000 New Weapons. Available. Washington, March 23.

With facil ities for producing 1,500 rifles a day, the government arsenals at Springfield and Rock Island are to-day turning out only "about" BOO every twenty-four hours: Up to September 1, Springfield was turning out fifty or sixty rifles daily; the rifle works at nock Island had been idle for years. There are available to-day approx imately 800,000 Springfield rifles of tho latest type used by the army. Them are also available about 400,000 Kra; that had been discarded for the new model, and which are still servlcable. According to Representative Hutu Republican, Iowa, member of tho House Military Committee, it is tho fault of Congress that the Government plants have not been turning out moro rifles. Military experts have figured that under newest war conditions thero must bo an average of three and one- half rifles per man.

Five per man are provided by Germany. FUGITIVE WOMAN CAUCHT. After defying a court order for eight years, Mrs. Rosa Cavallo, of 719 Rock-away avenue, was directed by Supreme Court Justice Kapper to-day to sur render her daughter, Rosa, to her hus band, Michael, of 30 Jackson street. When he divorced her in 1909 and was awarded the custody of their two children, she ran away with Rosa, then an infant.

Cavallo found her a few days ago and demanded the child. When she refused he sued out a writ ot habeas corpus. A deDuty sheriff brought her to court. Justice Kapper allowed her to keep the child until Monday. POUNDS NAMES MRS.BAXTER Arlington Avenue Woman on District 40 School Board.

Borough President Pounds, to-day announced the appointment of Mrs. Mlnnetta Rice Baxter, of 171 Arlington as a member of Local School nnnrd In District No. 40. for the term expiring December 81, 1919, following the resignation oi jure. auu Edwards.

eaying that the loyalty of the membership of that body to the United States needs no bush, but we believe he is wrong in regarding the Mayor's Defense Committee's declaration of loyalty as insulting to him or his society. Surely, neither Dr. Seyfarth nor any other man of his blood believes that President Wilson is to be swerved by any declaration from a path which, in the President's judgment, his honor and the interest of the United States constrain him to follow. Nor should the doctor and his friends allow themselves to be annoyed by, the fact that many of the Wenes of the Mayor's Committee rr5ir more keenly than they do the agressions of the German Imperial mmment which have been more i Jsetive on American opinion than ry pro-AUy propaganda. The Brooklyn Times, whose devo-, tpn is solely, to the American interest, and whose concern is solely for Ol American honor, recognizes the '4 that among ih9 sterling Ameri-i in ui raeai ana ror me rolman Duffy, of the Veraon arena elation.

fl-Government to embark on a number of Patroln il-imatn': on.