A DANGEROUS TENDENCY

Too many riots are occurring. The papers are filled almost daily with the account of some mob violence. The latest incident on this path to anarchy is the attempt of ex-service men to stop by unauthorized force the German opera given at the Lexington Theatre, New York.

We agree that this performance should not have been allowed. Mayor Hylan's vacillating policy in regard to forbidding its appearance and the evident lack of connection between the police department and the Mayor is highly reprehensible. But the way to stop it is not by smashing windows and throwing bricks. Instead, the machinery provided by law should be set in motion as soon as possible. One or more nights of German opera is infinitely better for the morale of the nation than such a disgraceful disturbance. If the country is to continue being run by laws rather than by the whims of demagogues, this mob spirit, must be quelled.