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THE INDEX, Saturday, April 21, 1928
F R O M T H E E D I T O R ' S W I N D O W
Published Everu Saturdau Blj
^^ of Pittsburgh Life
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Vol. LVII. April 21, 1928 No. 16
One of the finest gifts ever made for the public
good in Pittsburgh was announced this week)' by
Chancellor John G. Bowman, of the University of
Pittsburgh, as having been made by Maurice and
Leon Falk, manufacturers who have
Splendid been liberal and active in community
charities. As a. result of their gift of
$750,000 one of the most completely equipped and
wisely planned free dispensaries will be erected in
the hospital, health and research center which is
being established at the University through the generosity
of Pittsburgh. Almost 1,000 individuals will
daily receive the benefit of the dispensary without
charge. Health lectures will be given, physicians
will be trained, welfare workers will be offered unusual
facilities to perfect their training and extend
their experience and a staff of the best procurable
medical experts will be set to work on research problems
that will be of immense benefit to the health of
Pittsburgh and Western Pennsylvania. The Falk
Dispensary will be one more important step in the
ambitious plan to give Pittsburgh the best scientific,
health and hospital facilities to be found anywhere
in the world. Already the Presbyterian, Children's
and Eye and Ear hospitals have provided splendid
facilities in the interest of health and mercy and the
Mellon Institute of Industrial Research is sending the
results of its work throughout the world for the
benefit of mankind. As long as Pittsburgh men and
women are so generous, with men of vision prompting
the direction of their philanthropy, there need
be no misgivings as to the future of this wonderful
community.
Once more the entire world rejoices that daring
aviators who have attempted flight across the Atlantic
have succeeded. This time two German flyers
and a son of Ireland have flown from East to West,
a feat which previously ended in disaster
Success by all who attempted it. Violent gales,
snow, sleet and dense fogs heretofer have
sent all to their deaths. This successful flight will
HOWARD HEINZ
RICHARD K. MELLON
At the recent organization meeting of the Welfare
Fund of Pittsburgh Mr. Heinz was elected president
and Mr. Mellon treasurer. The middle of November
was decided on as the date for the first campaign
for funds.
mean an immense step in aerial navigation. The hazards
of weather, wind and navigation will point out
the way for improvements which will make future
flights easier and enable long aerial voyages such as
those across the Atlantic and Pacific more certain of
success. The fact that the landing was made short of
the destination on a desolate island in the Gulf of
St. Lawrence does not mar the success of the attempt.
The estimate of the world is shown by frenzied
attempts of news writers and motion picture
operators to reach the marooned aviators that all
may hear their story and gain some idea why previous
efforts were failures. Not the least important
part in the adventure was the prompt radio report
of the landing. Airplanes and radio will work together
to make this form of navigation the fastest,
safest and most comfortable. Other attempts will
soon follow and the new science will gain immensely
and develop rapidly.
Not much attention was paid to the testimony of
West Virginia operators at the coal inquiry at Washington
this week but it was actually one of the most
important recitals of the investigation. The operators
did not mince words that their suc-
Coal cess in recent years came from lack of interference
with workers, resulting in greater
mining efficiency, less idleness and larger tonnages
at less cost. This permitted the gaining and holding
of markets. It was also pointed out that one of the
causes of the present demoralization of the coal industry
is the increased efficiency in burning coal,
resort to other forms of the operation of great and
efficiently conducted central power stations, eliminating
much of the wasteful use of coal in thousands of
small, isolated power generating plants. There seems
to be a disposition to eliminate the political party
element in the effort to shape presidential contests.
The Democrats of the South are as much interested
in the success of the coal industry as are the Republicans
and they appear to have awakened to the
fact that in trying to ruin the Republicans they
actually are doing their best to help a group of
radicals ruin an industry which means so much for
the success of their railroads, manufactures and general
prosperity. It looks as if some persons took hold
of a wildcat and do not know just how to let it go.
It has been but a few weeks since the Liberty
Bridge was placed in operation and already individuals
are striving to capitalize the great traffic
of the tunnels and bridge without regard to civic
beauty. Efforts have been made to
Unsightly use the great concrete wall at the
north end of the bridge for advertising
purposes and it is stated that a. well defined scheme
is on foot to change the zoning classification of
property at the south end of the tunnels to permit
its use as an automobile wrecking yard. The people
of Allegheny County have spent many millions to
bore the tunnels and erect the bridge to give the
South Hills a better traffic outlet and they will be
compelled to expend much more before the improvement
is complete. It would be a shame to permit
the disfiguring of the approaches by advertising or
objectionable use and it would be unworthy of Pittsburgh.
The people of Allegheny County probably
will hold to strict account public officials who aid
such schemes.