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Show ALL EAST CONTINUES ITS BAN UPON GAIETY Grimness of Determination Is Apparent, Despite the Allied Victories. EPIDEMIC HAS PART West Generally Considered as Not Yet Awake to War Responsibility. By H. M. BARRAffT. Instead of Jubilation natural to tho turn of tho battle tide in favor of allied arms in the world struggle there is today throughout the entire east a dogged pessimism that will not be dispelled. Some folks declare this condition arises from the direness of the influenza scourge, but others, more logically disposed, declare ie feeling is not entirely pessimism, but the natural result of grim determination to go the limit in bringing about for America and its allies a victorious conclusion con-clusion of the war. These people declare eastern gaiety got its quietus for the period of the war when the United States entered the conflict. ' They admit, however, how-ever, that the present plague has accentuated ac-centuated the depression. During a recent journey which took me through mam- of the eastern states I found little disposition among the people to stop for a discussion of the war and its most recent events. Forensic arguments argu-ments on this subject have long since been more or less taboo. Instead the easterner seems to have lost debative disposition dis-position in "doing." The man of the east openlv vows that tho west does not yet realize the fact that the country is in the war as one of the most predominant predomi-nant factors: in fact each and every native na-tive of eastern sections and states is fullv eonvinced that upon the strength of the"Un!ted States depends the final victorious vic-torious outcome of the war for the allies. He believes that the burden of responsibility responsi-bility for making victory safe lies with himself him-self and seems to consider the westerner only as a big, complacent creature who has not yet been aroused to his responsibilities. respon-sibilities. Gravity Rules East. That gravity rules the east is apparent from the moment the Mississippi river is crossed, no matter what influence is responsible for the condition. Crops, as far as the states through which I traveled are concerned, including Illinois, Il-linois, Indiana and Ohio. West Virginia, Vir-ginia, Kentucky and others of importance, im-portance, were never tetter, yet the farmer displays no ostentation about his prospect. As a war measure, compatible with the desires of the government, he ahanrinned his pleasure automobile and has restored "Old Dobbin" to the prestige of a generation ago. There are , no automobiles to speak of on the country coun-try roads between the eastern shore of the Mississippi river and the Atlantic coast. Onlv professional men. doctors and the like, use gas cars in making country Journeys. The farmer and his familv take the slow and s-jre method of the old horse and gig. This saves gas. although It consumes more oats and corn. But gas saving is what the war department depart-ment demands, and the farmer complies, using this method of power only In the more extensive cultivation of land for tho production of agricultural goods. Experts I met during the traveling to the east and back, over two different routes, produced figures supporting contentions con-tentions that farmers on the other side, of the "mother of waters." this year had produced more corn and small grains than ever before. The corn, as it appeared to the trained eye from the train window. Is of bigger and better quality than usual. There was no appearance of small grain anywhere, all having been threshed and disposed in granaries. Plague Adds Gloom. The east has been for the last month, and Is still being, scourged with the Influenza In-fluenza plague. The epidemic has bee bad from the start and appeared to be at its height while I was In the east. 1 was told of twenty-two deaths occurring in a hospital In a place of 20,000 In one night. Statements more or less official were made that deaths were coming Infinitely faster than the authorities could dispose of the bodies. I was Informed that In a large measure funeral ceremonies were being dispensed with almost altogether, and that when death occurred the body was Immediately placed In a casket and rough box and conveyed to the burial ground to await Its regular turn for ln- I terment The relator declared that In several cemeteries he had visited more than a score of coffins rested on top of the ground waiting for the sexton. I spent a considerable portion of rn;.-time rn;.-time In Charleston. W. Va. There I I round an almost air-tight, quarantine. Hanks were allowed to operate only on the merest margin of hours each day. while all other business houses were closed at the same hour, only drug stores and cafes being permitted to conduct business after o'clock. No assemblies of any sort were permitted, and even the I closing conventions of tho fourth liberty loan were held In the open, chiefly on the stet-s of the federal building. Churches and theaters In Charleston have been closed more than a month. |
