THE FINANCIAL SITUATION-The Spirit of Hopefulness in Trade and Industry-Conditions in BEHIND THE SCENES WITH SCRIBNER'S AUTHORS Published Monthly 225 FRONT ADVERTISING SECTION 35 Cents; $4.00 a Year Foreign, $5.00 a Year CHARLES SCRIBNER'S SONS NEW YORK CHARLES SCRIBNER, President ARTHUR H. SCRIBNER Vue-Fresidents GEORGE R. D. SCHIEFFELIN, Treasurer 597-599 FIFTH AVE NEW YORK 7 BEAK STREET. LONDON, W. I Publishers of SCRIBNER'S and ARCHITECTVRE MAGAZINE Copyrighted in 1925 in United States, Canada, and Great Britain by Charles Scribner's Sons. Printed in New York. All rights reserved. A.H. Scribner's Authors A COMFORTABLE hammock in which to lie, a tall glass from which to sip, capped by a cooling breeze, is the proper setting for this number. Six stories, three by men, three by women, ranging in scene from a South Sea island to a French tea-room, ranging in characters from the imaginative little lad of Clarke Knowlton's "The Lost Story" to the "woman of no imagination," offer relaxation for many a vacation hour, or those hours when the day's work is done. McCready Huston confessed to us over the luncheon table recently that "Dottie" is his Texas Captain John W. Thomason, Jr., author and illustrator of "Fix Bayonets!" in the June number, illustrates Harriet Welles's story. The Dallas Morning News for June 14 says: "The Claims quite complimentary sketch of Thomason Captain Thomason in 'Behind the Scenes with Scribner's Authors' fails to state one important fact about him—that he is a Texan. He was born at Huntsville, was educated in this State, and has lived here most of his life." We hereby make what amends we can. A State having such a son should be given full credit. Incidentally, you will note on the opposite page that another of Captain Thomason's vivid narratives will appear in the September number. Mrs. Welles is known for her stories of the navy. Her story "Progress," published in SCRIBNER'S MAGAZINE, June, 1924, was included in the O. Henry collection. She will be leaving Hampton Roads shortly; for her husband, now commandant of the Naval Base there, has been ordered to the command of the European Squadron of the U. S. Navy with the rank of Vice-Admiral. Royal Cortissoz, native New Yorker, enjoys the sophisticated work of the Parisian artistic satirists. His interesting essay on Gavarni in February is followed by the one on Daumier in this number. His new book, "Personalities in Art," will appear in the fall. Architect Clarke Knowlton shows his versatility and very considerable skill by "The Lost Story," in this number. This is his third work of fiction to be published. All have appeared in SCRIBNER'S on a Spree MAGAZINE. "The Bridegroom," in the June number, created quite a stir among both the critics and the moralists. Readers will be glad to know that other stories from Mr. Knowlton's pen will appear in early numbers. Mr. Knowlton is now back in Memphis, Tenn., after spending some time on a cotton plantation. He says: "I have spent ten years studying and laboring to be an architect, with an occasional spree of self-in dulgence when the writing urge gets too strong for me. . . . Perhaps I am an architect, in spite of the will of God, if that may be. Unfortunately, there is a great deal of architectural work which looks as if, too often, that may very well be." Abbie Carter Goodloe divides her time between her home in Louisville, Ky., and New York. She is a graduate of Wellesley and the author of several volumes of fiction. Jennings Bryan, James M. Cox, and others. Dr. Phelps replied: "I should be very much tempted by this offer, which I regard as a great honor, if I had not made up my mind to live and die at Yale." The loyal professor is now at his summer home in Michigan. George McLean Harper, now a professor of English at Princeton, was a member of the staff of SCRIBNER'S MAGAZINE in the first two years of its existence, 1887-89. He graduated "Closed Roads" introduces a new author, from Princeton in 1884, worked on the New J. Hyatt Downing. Mr. Downing really does sell insurance in South Dakota. He lives in St. Paul. This is his first published work of fiction. The promise here shown is borne out by other stories to appear in early numbers. M. B. Stewart is the commandant of cadets at the U. S. Military Academy, West Point, with the rank of colonel. In July, 1917, there appeared in SCRIBNER'S MAGAZINE "The First Half-Million Army," by Major M. B. Stewart, U. S. A. In the February, 1918, number was published "Building the National Army," by M. Lieutenant-Colonel E. M. East does a great service with his article "Heredity and Sex," in this number. A number of rather startling facts are brought to light, and among the five hundred and more "dead theories of sex determination," you may find your own pet. He likewise gives us the real scientific facts concerning the marriage of near relatives. And we hereby point to him as Founder of the Society for the Promotion of Prospective Ancestors, whose motto is: "It is better to be good ancestors than it is to have good ancestors." William Lyon Phelps was recently offered the presidency of the $15,000,000 universityto-be at Miami, Fla., sponsored by William court recently granted a permanent injunction restraining the School Board of Mt. Vernon from allowing children to take 45 minutes from each school week for religious instruction. Theodosia Garrison is Mrs. Frederic J. Faulks, of Short Hills, N. J. For many years she has contributed verse both droll and serious to many periodicals. Elizabeth Dillingham is a young poet who lives in Houston, Texas, and spends her summers in Maine. Her great-grandfather was Governor Paul Dillingham of Vermont. Louise Driscoll began writing at sixteen. She was born in Poughkeepsie, and now lives in Catskill, N. Y. about it BAM Captain Thomason-The White-Black Merger-Immorality— Captain John W. Thomason, Jr., stirred our readers up to a pitch of unanimity rarely reached since this department has been in existence. From service and non-service men, from all sections of the country, they come. William Ballantyne, Jr., 1409 F Street, Washington, writes across a circular about the magazine: "Fix Bayonets!" is the most genuine and realistic short story of the American in the World War that has come to my notice. It rings true and, as the late lamented Theodore would say, is just "bully." Hence amen to Mr. Woollcott's praise. M. C. Lindermann, Holland, Mich., hails us: Captain Thomason, I salute you with all the devotion a man of the ranks has for a gallant, sympathetic officer. Mr. Woollcott, I give full assent to your critical judgment. And, Mr. Editor, I feel for you a genuine gratitude. Such are the sentiments prompted by a reading of "Fix Bayonets!" Please, Mr. Editor, don't let any one debase this gem by calling it a "picture" or "portrayal" of the Marine Corps. It's far more embracing than that; it's the very essence of every combatant soldier's experiences, be he a Marine or Artilleryman. Corporal Tritt belongs as much to my "B" Battery of the 119th F. A. as he does to the 49th Company of the First Marines. And Captain Thomason embodies the confidence-inspiring gallantry that I admired so much in my own captain. It's always a joy to a soldier's heart to read a narrative of his experiences, told in a truthful, straightforward way without having the author's prejudices, hatreds, or propaganda projected throughout the story. One who was "there,' in fact or in spirit, resents the lop-sided exaggeration of "Simon Called Peter," "Three Soldiers," and their ilk, but he lives his dream over again when reading the honest, vibrating tales of "Through the Wheat," "Fix Bayonets!" and others of that stamp. I share these opinions with my friends who damned the army and its generals at the same time I did. I had never heard of Captain Thomason, but I assume he is no novice at writing, for, in my opinion, he has produced the greatest piece of descriptive writing along military lines since Hugo wrote of Waterloo. Incidentally, I have wondered why editors in general seem to be so hesitant about running war stories. Surely the reading public is hungry for these tales-provided they are well written. The war is now far enough in the past so that the first feeling of revulsion about hearing any more about it has passed away. Then, too, is it not remarkable that of all the published material bearing upon the subject so very little is worth while? Scarcely any real literature has thus far been produced. However, I should unhesitatingly class ** "Fix Bayonets!" as literature. That it will live I have no doubt. 4.H. Douglas Maxwell, 250 Park Avenue, New York City, writes: Of all the war stories that I have read this is, in my opinion, by far the best; true to life and well written. I hope that you may see fit to publish more articles by the author. A MAJOR SPEAKS Major A. M. Watson, of the Marines (retired), “Drumanard," Harrods Creek, Ky., writes: I very much want to tell you with what interest (intensified perhaps because of having been a marine for twenty-one years) and admiration I have read Captain Thomason's "Fir Bayonets!" in your June number. I can never recollect having read quite such a pen picture of war, either ancient or modern. During the war and always since I have been lost in admiration of what American troops accomplished in France. The Villers-Cotterets-Soissons fight (the actual turning-point of the war), I believe, has a never-to-be-forgotten place in my memory, for there I lost a young kinsman, a private, Sixth Marines, a company runner, while many friends of years' standing commanded units in the First Brigade of Marines. Please accept my congratulations on having given the world such a superlatively fine piece of war literature and do let us have something more from Captain Thomason's gifted pen. ONE WHO WAS IN THE FIGHT Grant Shepherd, New York City, commanded Company E of the 23d Infantry, which took part in the Soissons fight. He writes: I wish to express to you the feeling which has come to me after reading "Fix Bayonets!" It is one of very considerable gratitude to Captain Thomason in the first place, and to SCRIBNER'S MAGAZINE for having been the means by which a certain number of our fellow citizens are accorded the privilege of viewing a true picture of a part of the first two days of a battle which is acknowledged by all those best informed as the turning-point of the war. I will always agree with Thomason when he says that his memory of the two nights and days we experienced in getting into position will be the most vivid recollection in connection with that attack. The 23d Infantry held the extreme right of the line for the division-E Company having the right flank. It was my honor and privilege to command E Company, and among the great regrets of my life two stand out prominently. The first being that a machine gun stopped me at about eight A.M. that morning, hence I could not witness the finish. The second being that my wounds were of such a nature as to prevent my return to military duty, and hence missed Blanc Mont Ridge and all the rest of it. Let us have more from the Thomasons! Not only for the general interest, but because the Thomasons and their lieutenants, sergeants, corporals, and privates know things about this war, and know them more intimately than those higher in command. If this knowledge is intelligently used, it may yet be possible that the United States may avoid in the future the perpetration, intentional or unintentional, of many of the truly unpardonable acts, resulting from jealousies, desire for personal financial gain, which so increased the hardships of those actually taking part in the war, and to a large proportion of the general public during the years since the war. Captain Thomason illustrates Harriet Welles's story in this issue, leads the September number with "Marines at Blanc Mont" (the fight which Captain Shepherd mentions), and is the author and illustrator of "Monkey-Meat," a short story which will appear in an early number. AN EMERSONIAN LIMERICK Since Limericks are slowly succeeding the crossword puzzle in the popular mind, we print one below from Anne Lorraine Edwards, of Hamilton, Mont., who writes interestingly to Doctor Phelps: I live way out on a cattle-ranch but I am a fervent admirer of the poet Browning. I crave the pleasure of being a member of your Asolo Club, for I have made spiritual pilgrimages to that city. I get dinner for seven husky men every day-fine fellows, all of them. This morning I thought of this rhyme about a friend of mine: "Though blind and an object of charity Yet my soul has light wings And my inner self sings -In pure thought is immortal hilarity." The last line, you will note, is Emerson pure and undefiled. HE'S A MULE FOR A' THAT Here are two readers who voice similar views concerning amalgamation of the white and black races. F. Evans, of Marion, S. C., writes: Dr. Guérard in his article in the June SCRIBNER'S is unquestionably right in saying there has been no scientific study of the races. And as such a study must, of its very nature, belong to the indefinite future, we might, in the meantime, gain some information by turning to history. The negro was among the first of the early races to come in contact with the civilization of ancient Egypt, yet, if my scant knowledge of history does not lead me astray, he was the only one who failed to profit by that contact. In the New World does the attitude of the Englishspeaking colonizers toward backward races contribute anything to the explanation of their success as compared with the French, Spanish, and Portuguese settlers? As for biology, the cross-breeding of the horse and the donkey gives us a very useful animal, but a mule nevertheless. A reader from Brickell Avenue, Miami, Fla., cites Roland B. Dixon's "The Racial History of Man" as showing that the amalgamation would produce a race with brain capacity lower than the white race. He adds: In regard to Mr. Guérard's second inquiry of whether the inferiority of the negro be not the result of his being kept in subjection by the whites, the question arises: Why has the negro been kept in subjection if he be not inferior? Emperors and monarchs, barons and industrialists have attempted to enslave the whites, but the oppressor has in every case eventually been overthrown. The negro has been a subject race throughout all history, but he has never overthrown a single oppressor; he has never even organized a respectable revolt. In the Paleolithic Age all races started on an equal footing; all had that opportunity the absence of which now is so deplored; but even before the beginning of historic times the negro had already fallen under the sway (With the proper gesture to Francis Charles MacDonald.) No: When this corruption is laid away, COLLEGIATE ACTIVITIES Miss Margaret Kreuder, of the Press Board at Smith College, informs us of the methods of limiting extra-curricular activities at Northampton. DEAR EDITOR: In the SCRIBNER'S for May, Ruth Steele Brooks writes of the organization complex in our colleges. She feels that college activities should be limited but seems to believe that this curtailment is a thing of the future. Smith College has realized the menace of an overabundance of committees and clubs and has attempted to meet the problem. The enthusiasm which the students have shown in participating in extra-curriculum activities has necessitated the so-called Point System. The purpose of the system is to provide for such a distribution of the work of student activities that the maximum number of students may participate and that no one student shall be overburdened. According to this system each position, whether it is membership on a committee or in a club, is valued at so many points dependent upon the importance of the position and the amount of work that it entails. No student is allowed to have more than ten points. The number of points that each person is allowed to carry is dependent upon her academic standing for the preceeding semester. If she has an average of "B" her activities may total eight points; if her average is "C" a total of five points is the maximum. Before her average of grades is considered, however, she must be passed upon by the Doctor's Office. Therefore the number of activities a student may participate in at Smith College is regulated by her physical condition and her academic standing, thus minimizing the evils of organizations in colleges. |