"Because of the war" is a touchstone of classification which by this time the most unobservant has applied. If our Government, the benevolent, and some others had their way, "because of the war" would cover not a multitude of sins, but good deeds. "I have cut my profit to the narrowest margin because of the war" the tradesman would say to the carpenter, who would replay that "I have doubled my efficiency because of the war," or to the manufacturer, who would rejoin that "I take special pains with my products because of the war." Man would be honest over tax schedules "because of the war," maids would break fewer dishes "because of the war," college students would work harder "because of the war," dentists would be gentler and plumbers have a heart. But we all know that it is not often so. The storekeeper is uncertain with his deliveries "because of the war"; the factory charges higher prices for shoddy materials, the clerk is late to the office, the telephone or janitor service is poor "because of the war." It is such an excuse for slackness as slackness has not had in nearly two generations. Because a great burden is laid upon the nation, millions of people feel they can roll various private burdens off their shoulders by four words. The excuse often accentuates the fault. New York Evening Post