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Far North has been able to consult with headquarters many hundreds of miles away.

The cause of the partial restriction of plans has been unprecedentedly persistent fogs, clouds, and snow. Flights and landings have been prevented or shortened, and success in making intermediate bases was delayed so that posts finally established, as described last week, were not ready for action until the summer had almost passed.

The expedition has not been abandoned, as some news headlines declare. It will carry out that part of the plan which included exploration on Baffin

Island and the little-known parts of Greenland and Labrador and their ancient traces of colonies. Next year, in all probability, the attempt to scan the unknown seas (and perhaps land) will be resumed. The plan in itself was the most far-reaching and hopeful ever made for exhaustive polar observation. That it is not as well understood as it should be is shown by the fact that one great New York newspaper headed its editorial, "Calling Off the Pole Flight." It never was the intention to "make a try" for the Pole. The good old North Pole is still there or thereabouts where Peary found it, and there are now objects of

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far more importance in Arctic exploration than to verify Peary's decimals in calculation of that particular ice-floe where latitude is ninety and longitude nil.

When Shall We Enslave the Tides?

ISIONARY Schemes by the score have

VIS

been proposed in the past to harness the tides for vast power. Practically every single one of these schemes has failed before the start, either because it involved the use of impracticable machinery, too-expensive equipment, or because it ignored the fact that the tides are intermittent, while, to be of much use, power must be produced uniformly.

A scheme has now been proposed by Mr. Dexter P. Cooper for generating some 700,000 horse-power from the tides by taking advantage of the peculiar contours of the shore-lines of Maine and New Brunswick. Contiguous to each other are, in Maine, Cobscook Bay, and, in New Brunswick, Passamaquoddy Bay. Here the tides of the adjacent parts of the Bay of Fundy rise twenty-odd feet and fall as much.

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Now the simplest way to utilize the tides which flow through the small mouths of these bays would be to dam the openings and install turbines. When the tide rose, the turbines would work; when it ebbed, they would work; but in the intervals they would not work. Such intermittent energy is of little use to man.

The proposed power development in Passsamaquoddy Bay. The arrows show how 'the currents if controlled by dams would flow. The high tides would fill the upper pool and the ebb tides would drain the lower

The New Project
Is Not Visionary
MR.

R. COOPER'S plan is to convert the intermittent flow into a perfectly uniform flow, in this wise: Dam up both bays; put a third wall between them. In the first dam put a gate, like a flap which will open in but not out. The tide rises, raising the level of the bay; it falls, and the flap closes the water is imprisoned. Now the other bay has its flap gate, too, but this one acts oppositely-it will let no water in; only out. As the tide rises outside, this bay will stay at low level.

On the partition wall between these bays install a large group of water turbines, through which the water stored in bay number one at high tide may steadily run during the tideless intervals into bay number two, which partly emptied itself at the last ebb tide. Thus the first bay would fill every twelve hours, but drain into the second continuously; and in the second the received water would pass on to the sea at each low tide. Thus

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the intermittent flow would be translated into uniform flow through the turbines during the entire twenty-four hours.

The plan is intrinsically sound and simple; and it is assumed that an engineer of Mr. Cooper's recognized high standing has not committed himself to the actual local engineering problem without reconnaissance of the rock, depths, volume of masonry, and such every-day engineering considerations.

Before this plan, which would provide power for all New England and possibly more, can be put into effect the people of Maine must agree to it by referendum; for they have a law that prohibits the export of water power based at least by intention on the stream water power of the State and, unless the power could be exported, the scheme would not pay returns on the estimated investment of $75,000,000. Washington and Ottawa, too, must sanction it, for one of the two large bays involved is in Canada. But the scheme is not visionary, and it would provide twice as much power as Muscle Shoals.

Ancient Culture Finds in Asia

FAR

AR out in the great waste of western Mongolia an expedition of scientists from the American Museum of Natural History, in New York, has been working all summer long in an effort to discover some evidence concerning the evolution. not only of man but of the other mammals and the reptiles. This important expedition practically disappeared from view last spring when its caravan of motor cars, loaded with geologists, paleontologists, and zoologists, left China. The other day a cablegram came from its leader, Roy Chapman Andrews, who had run on ahead of the slowly returning party to investigate conditions in China.

The expedition had been successful beyond hope. Invaluable fossils had been found, among the more spectacular of which were forty more of the dinosaur eggs which created so much interest on the return of the previous expedition. two years ago. There were also finds of extensive late old stone age human cultures, corresponding to the Azilian, one of those culture types which have been made so well known by years of excavation in the caves of western Europe; and there were also a few artifacts of the much earlier Mousterian age, that of Neanderthal man, 30,000 to 100,000 years ago. These finds are highly impor

tant.

Internationa

Roy Chapman Andrews examining specimens from a former expedition What these Cultures Signify

THE

HE fact that the series of prehistoric cultures have been so well worked out in Europe is due largely to the fact that Europe is close at hand. Unfortunately, this has tended to convey the impression that the several cultures-the crude 500,000-year-old Foxhallian of East Anglia made known by J. Reid Moir's researches and the earliest evidence we have of man; the less crude Chellean and Acheulian cultures; the Mousterian culture, consisting of chipped artifacts left by the Neanderthal man, who was a distinct (and later an extinct) species of humanity; the Cro-Magnon race, which entered Europe and exterminated Neanderthal man 30,000 years ago; and the Azilian culture, transitional between the old and new stone agesthese cultures, which we knew comparatively well in Europe, now slowly begin to take form over much of the Eastern hemisphere.

The mere finding of corresponding flint implements does not necessarily prove corresponding race or even species, but in the one case, the Mousterian, it is quite likely that Neanderthal man left behind the artifacts just found in Mongolia, especially since other Neanderthal finds have been made within a short time in Siberia, Palestine, and southwestern China. Doubtless, therefore, Neanderthal man ranged far and wide.

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culture, is more recent-only eight or ten thousand years, if it corresponds in age with the Azilian of western Europe. Even in the latter place we have no actual fossils of Azilian man; only flint implements and peculiar red paintings left on pebbles found in caves. Many believe, however, that this culture was the first wave of the present "dark white" or Mediterranean stock of southern Europe; and, since this stock is believed tentatively to have reached Europe from northern Africa, it would be a great surprise to find that the Azilians of Mongolia were of the same racial stock. Cultures spread from race to race, however, and so in the absence of actual fossils we must fall back on conjecture and future hope.

Reports that the Museum expedition had been expelled from Mongolia were received with strong doubt; its leader is an experienced and diplomatic man and would be unlikely to rub the Soviet fur the wrong way while on a scientific expedition. A cable despatch from Mr. Andrews received later denies that the ex

pedition has been expelled or has violated its agreements.

Lawson of the "News"

N the death, on August 19, of Victor F. Lawson, publisher and editor of the Chicago "Daily News," America loses one of its greatest newspaper pubThe other find, the Azilian type of lishers of the old school of individual, as

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opposed to corporate, control. Mr. Lawson was the sole owner of the "Daily

News," and the paper was a reflection of his own genius and personality. It represented his courage, independence, and public spirit.

Mr. Lawson was a man of deep religious instincts, being a member of the New England Congregational Church and a regular attendant at its services. His wealth he looked upon as a trust. He contributed liberally, not only to the support of religious activities, but also to movements in the public interest, especially those designed to promote the civic and political progress of his city. Among his notable charities is the Fresh Air Sanitarium, in which sick babies and their mothers are cared for free of charge.

Even more important than his money gifts was the support given by his paper to movements in the public interest. Mr. Lawson was born born in Chicago seventy-five years ago. The city then had a population of less than 30,000— now grown to over 3,000,000. He was the son of a Norwegian immigrant, who accumulated a fortune in Chicago, and lost most of it in the great fire of 1871. In 1876, at the age of twenty-five, Mr. Lawson purchased for a small price the "Daily News," established a short time before by Melville E. Stone and others. Mr. Stone was retained as editor. The paper grew with the growth of Chicago. In later years Mr. Lawson developed for the "Daily News" a remarkably efficient foreign news service, extensively syndicated, in which he took great pride. While, rightly, Victor Lawson held that a daily paper must put news first, he did not neglect the literary side of journalism, and was proud of the fact that Eugene Field was what we call to-day a columnist in the "Daily News," and gained his reputation there.

The pen with which the Postal Savings Bank Act was signed by President Taft was sent to Mr. Lawson in recognition of his services in behalf of the

measure.

From the beginning the "Daily News" has been an independent newspaper, always putting the public welfare before party. It is uncommon now for a large daily newspaper to be a party organ, but Mr. Lawson set the example of independence when adherence to partisanship was the prevailing policy of newspapers. The "Daily News" under the manage

(C) International

Miss Helen Wills (left) and Miss Mary K. Browne (extreme right) won the doubles against Mrs. May Sutton Bundy and Miss Elizabeth Ryan (left and right center)

ment of Mr. Lawson was much more than a successful business undertaking. It was also an agency for public service.

Miss Wills' Will Wins

W

ITH one set scored against her on Monday afternoon last week, Miss Helen Wills summoned up her determination and, using her varied technique, tied the match with a love set, and then, outguessing and outplaying her British opponent at the critical points, won the third set, and retained the Women's National Championship.

Miss Kathleen McKane, who was the runner-up in this tournament, did not win the championship; but she won something quite as valuable-public recognition of her skill and sportsmanship. The end of the match was dramatic. One point only stood between Miss Wills and victory. Miss Wills was serving. This time Miss McKane returned her service and there followed a furious rally. At last Miss Wills made a return that seemed beyond Miss McKane's reach, but, undaunted, the British player won her race with the ball and sent back a back-hand drive which Miss Wills was unable to touch. The Ameri

can champion, assuming that the point was her opponent's, started to resume serving; but Miss McKane came forward with her hand outstretched in congratulation. The ball struck barely an inch beyond the line, and Miss McKane anticipated the verdict of the linesman.

In contrast to the women's international matches, this tournament at Forest Hills was well managed.

Britain's Plight

M

R. P. W. WILSON'S picture of England, which appears in this issue of The Outlook, is not such as to excite America's envy. A country that has distributed for relief amounts exceeding its entire national budget before the war, and grants relief from the state at the rate of six or seven million cases a week among eight million homes, is in a condition which in a double sense may be called doleful. This attempt of the state to distribute money from the treasury to great masses of the people who are capable of earning their own living is truly an experiment in Socialism. It is clearly not devised merely to meet an emergency, but to form a settled policy. As Mr. Wilson frankly states it,

"the community as a community has accepted wholly unprecedented responsibilities for the maintenance of the individual home."

Nothing could be more directly contrary to the philosophy of American democracy than this English system of doles. It is repugnant to the American sense of independence and self-respect, the American scorn for the habitual dependent, and the American belief in the efficacy of self-help and persistent effort.

From an American point of view, therefore, there is no "splendor of idealism" in this English dole system. On the contrary, there is something rather sordid and mean about it, as there is something sordid and mean about municipal tenements as a substitute for individually owned homes.

Perhaps England has not been able to help herself. In view of the facts which Mr. Wilson gives as to the prevalence of poverty in England, this dole system is not a sign of any special progressiveness on the part of England, but rather of her misfortune.

Not long ago J. H. Thomas, who was Minister for the Colonies in the Labor Government, made a statement which testified to the plight in which the English find themselves. "I do not want to appear too pessimistic," said Mr. Mr. Thomas, "but I frankly confess that when I survey conditions in all parts of this country-above all, when I see the demoralizing effect that continuous unemployment is having on our young men and women-I am convinced that unless some definite steps are taken, and taken soon, disaster is inevitable." Mr. Thomas meant what he said. He is not a scaremonger.

At the root of this whole English situation is the extreme poverty of masses of the English people. This fact Mr. Wilson emphasizes. And of course such poverty will continue as long as it remains the practice of the great mass of British employers to keep wages down to a minimum. Naturally, such a Socialistic experiment will be tried in a country where no other relief for the worker is provided.

Socialism is not an expression of democracy. It is an alternative to a democracy, a substitute for democracy. And, if we may judge from the results in England, it is a poor alternative, a wretched substitute. While England has been keeping wages down and then pay

ing men for not working, America has been raising wages and has found that the wage-earners have put their savings into investments which have brought new capital into industry, and, therefore, have provided new sources of wealth for the whole people. Socialism is a palliative for hardship. Industrial democracy, on the other hand, as it is finding itself in America, is a means for avoiding hardship and for a better distribution of wealth and a more general control of production.

The difference between England and America in this respect is not altogether the difference that Mr. Wilson points out. It is not that the United States has much more land in proportion to the population. The prime difference is in the attitude on the part of the people themselves toward the problem of selfsupport. The difference is between a country where traditions of feudalism still survive and a country where there survive the traditions of the pioneer.

One misapprehension is to be dispelled by the reading of Mr. Wilson's article. It has often been said and commonly believed that England's unemployed was her "devastated region." As Mr. Wilson makes clear, unemployment in England is not a product of the war. It is a product of England's economic system. It should not be considered in relation to reparations, except as it is bound to increase as Germany is relieved from her just obligations and is therefore permitted to compete with England on unfair

terms.

With Mr. Wilson's opinion that it makes little or no difference in principle whether the state does or does not bear the entire cost of insurance against unemployment, old age, and the like, many will disagree. Insurance in the cost of which the insured participates, even though his participation may be almost automatic, is an act of self-respect and independence and has a very different effect upon the mind of the insured from that of a dole or pension. And there is likewise a difference between a pension system administered by a government for a passive mass of subjects and a pension system which is merely an acceptance by an industry of the risks of that industry.

We are glad that America has not even experimented with the dole system and has not subjected to its insidious effect the rising generations of Americans.

Can a Highbrow Be

A

Patriotic ?

T Williamstown, Massachusetts, the seat of Williams College, and under the Chairmanship of Williams's President, there have been held this summer, as for several summers, the sessions of what is known as the Institute of Politics. Men of considerable distinction both here and abroad have given lectures and conducted "round-table" discussions. To those who are interested in various aspects of international politics, there has been significance in much that has been said there.

To most Americans, however, it is safe to say that such discussions are not much more interesting than a discussion of engineering problems by engineers or a discussion of medical problems by physicians. Only when some subject has been put in sensational or striking form, or has, perhaps, assumed the aspect of a controversy between two or more individuals with a capacity for pungent speech, has the Institute of Politics come within the range of most people's thoughts. In general it has been a meeting-place of the "highbrows" somewhat aloof mentally as well as geographically from the work-a-day world.

For that very reason, perhaps, it has enjoyed a form of freedom which would not be possible to it if it were beat upon by the waves of current popular sentiment. The academic atmosphere is tolerant of differences of opinion. It is well that there should be a place where people who have strong views about such subjects as international relations can expose their minds to the corrective influence of other minds without too much interference.

There are, however, two dangers in such an institute against which its managers should be on guard.

In the first place, they should be on guard against acting on the assumption that this is a scientific body. International politics has not yet reached the status of a science. People with considerable experience in international politics or with knowledge about certain phases of international relations may be well worth listening to, but they cannot claim the authority of the scientist. Too often the opinions of men who have earned considerable reputation through their study of foreign affairs are treated as if they were facts or established conclusions

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