The Century Chronicle

Mussolini fist perils pact

A ripple in European waters sometimes becomes a.wave when it reaches the shores of America Administration leader were concerned today lover the fist-brandishing of Benito Mussolini against Germany. It is not that they fear the Italian premier will actually carry out his covert threat to "carry the Italian flag" across the frontier, for war between Italy and Germany is considered unthinkable. T

He administration's concern is over the effect of Mussolini's warlike gesture on-the Italian-American debt settlement, still unratified by the Senate. The debt pact faces hostile Senate. It was fought savagely in the House by the Democrats and the insurgent Republicans before it was passed. In the Senate the opposition to the agreement is stronger and more militant than in the House.

The Democrats are almost solidly opposed to it, having made it a party issue. The Republican insurgents, like Torah of Idaho and Brookhart of Iowa, also oppose it. It has, been demonstrated that a coalition of Democrats and Republican insureEnts can control the Senate.

Italy was accorded more lenient debt terms than any other debtor nation. The agreement reached last October amounts to virtual cancel. Nation of the principal or of the interest-either way it is figured. For the first 10 years of the agreement, payments will amount to little more than $5,000, 000 a year, an against $80.000,000 interest being paid out by the Treasury annually on the same money.

Administration leaders today char Mussolini's war-like bacterized Germany as "particularly sure at They unfortunate" at this time. Fear the fist-brandishing will arouse sympathy for disarmed Germany and more opposition to extension of liberality to Mussolini's government. Berlin Seeks Peace

Premier Mus. Solidi's threatening attitude in the South Tyrol controversy is a great shock to Germany. Foreign Minister Stressman will make an official reply to Mussolini, which is expected to' be tempered and conservative.

Odd facts about yourself

When you die as a door Neill, some people say. Others believe that your soul passes into the body of an animal or another person; others, that your soul goes to Heaven or a land of suffering.

According to the life you have led; some, that you live after this life only when people speak about you. In other words, a reward for having led a great life is that, in the years that follow, your name never dies and therefore a long after-life is assured you. The mystery of death, and the fact that no one has ever returned to tell the voyage of the soul has caused every one, some time in his or her life, to suffer great fears concerning death, just like these persons whose statements are quoted:

"Up to 14 I could never think of death without tears. It would often come over me with tremendous force what an awful thing death is. It cannot, must not be, that we must all die and give up this beautiful life, and I would cry and cry."

"I used to cry hopelessly and with absolute and wild abandon because I must die. It was far worse at night." "Deems death so unspeakable terrible that I cannot speak or think of it with a steady voice." "I struggled against drowning, but sank satisfied and curious to learn the new experience of death: after rescue my fear was intense".

"From 18 to 25 was constantly saying to myself: 'Let's see if I can stand the thought of death now.' Its horror to me is in its unreasonableness; it is a melancholy, and not a terror." "I grew so afraid to pass a graveyard on the way to school that I grew sleepless. Lost flesh and became literally afraid of my shadow. I was cured slowly by memorizing Longfellow's 'God's Acre.'"

"When I became convinced that the personality ended when put in the grave and that there was no future life, my fears of death, which had been morbid, ceased." "I have a chronic fear that my father is to die. Although he is well, I fancy all the details and suffer over and over as much as if it were real." Don't live a life from which every vestige of enjoyment and happiness is being crushed because of morbid fear! Many persons find their only relief against these terrible feelings in these thoughts.

"After all, so many others have lived their lives in happiness. Every one has a certain number of years to live if he takes care of himself. I will live mine and enjoy them as I should." Often some little formula like this will help you. Or perhaps you can make one up which will hit your case more closely and solve your great

Bill to buy police uniforms passed

The House in committee of the whole today promptly passed the two measures on the calendar affording relief to the Metropolitan Police and Fire Department. The first of these provides for the payment of $6s,425 past due to retired members of the Police and Fire Departments, being the balance of retirement pay which was unpaid from January 1, 1911, to July 30, 1915.

Representative Ribs Republican, of Vermont, explained the history of this legislation and the report of the District Commissioners strongly in favor of action by Congress. Representative Underhill, Republican, of Massachusetts, vigorously opposed the measure on the ground that certain retired members will receive annuities from the Government towards which they made no personal contribution.

The second measure authorizes that metropolitan police and firemen be provided with uniforms and official equipment from District funds. Representative Blanton, Democrat, of Texas emphasized that the present basic salary is $1,800 and hardly sufficient for these public servants to maintain their families. He said that they have been required each year to buy their own uniforms and equipment and that this is an unjust burden. They fill positions of danger, they are subjected to all sorts of inclement weather, performance of duty may cause many injuries to their uniforms and financial necessities force many to wear their uniforms until they become shabby, he argued.

Figures from the department show that the total cost per man over a five-year period will be $358.45, or the sum of $71 average per man per year. Representative Hill, Republican, of Maryland, said that he would vote for the bill because it is the first one he knows of that has come before the House with the unanimous support of the District committee. Representative Kelly, Republican, of Pennsylvania, congratulated the District committee on putting through this legislation.

He pointed out that the cost of fire protection in the National Capital is only about $3 per capita, while in most comparable cities it is $4 per capita.

Mexico decrees far reaching labor rights

(International News Service) MEXICO CITY, Feb. 8.

The "rights of labor" just decreed by President Called is one of the most far-reaching of any country in the world. The law, an extremely detailed one, was passed by Congress before adjournment in December. But like other laws it is enforced by presidential regulations. This law gives every person the right to engage in any legitimate endeavor. Which does not affect the rights of third parties nor offend society.

The interests of a third party are attacked when an effort is made to replace a laborer who has been discharged, or he is unjustly replaced without having first submitted the case to the Board of Arbitration and Conciliation for decision. Her a laborer who has been absent from his work, for cause, returns and is denied permission to resume his work the same tribunal must decide the merits of the case, not the employer.

Strikes Offend Society is offended when a strike having been called an effort is made to replace the workers, without the strike having first been settled by the board-in short, strike-breaking. Or should a majority of the workers declare a strike it is illegal for the minority to continue work. The administrative body the Board of Arbitration and Conciliation, has the right to employ all necessary federal agencies o prevent a violation of the rights of the third party, or an offense to society.

There are many unique instances of its operation. A firm with many employees, but heading for the rocks in the general depression asked some months ago to reduce its personnel. They board explained that it would be necessary for & member to examine the books. The consent was given. The auditor found on the books an account carried for a branch which had closed its doors several months before.

He informed the management that it would have to continue the employees on the payroll. When told this would prove impossible, the auditor replied that it would become necessary therefore for him to declare the firm bankrupt. Anxious to avoid this the firm agreed to continue. Now it has closed its doors flat broke. The employees still have as an asset and the firm as a liability, three months pay due each.

The discharge of one colored waiter at the Mexico City Country Club came near causing a diplomatic incident. He appealed his case to the labor body and with its approval called a general strike of all the employees of the Country Club. They closed the gates and declined to allow those within to leave CR those without to enter.

The American Ambassador was on the inside, but the American shield on the front of his car had the desired effect and the gates were opened for him. 'The law and its regulations, however, have their good side. Until quite recently the Mohican laborer has been little better than a slave. Under the new law he is to have better living and working conditions, liability insurance. Old age pensions and the proper care of ex-