davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1918-06-23
Science and War.

From the outset Of this war science
has played an important part. The
laboratories of Germany, France, Eng
land and latterly the United States
have contributed the most useful and
efficient devices of offense and defense.
The story of poison gas" alone is
romance of war chemistry. Modern
artillery work has been almost exclu-
sively a matter Of mathematics, but
never before has that branch of science
been SO definitely enlisted as in this
great fight. Every day the fate of en-
gagements turns upon the work of the
mathematician, figuring angles and
distances in their studies far behind
the actual fighting lines and tele-
graphing or telephoning their deduc-
tions and results to the firing posts.
Perhaps the most striking instance
Of applying direct scientific methods
to war problem il that just reported
Evening star., 1918-06-23
HEARD AND SEEN.

sin conference" excuse grows, surely
they would think up something new.
out of respect to the intelligence OF
their callers.
Then take the habit some govern
ment officials have of making mys-
teries out of matters which are not
bit mysterious.
For instance, President Wilson went
with officials of the housing bureau
of the Labor Department the other
day to look at the sites on which dor
mitories are to be erected for young
woman war workers.
That was a perfectly normal thing
for the President to do. and everybody
around the White House knew about
it.
But a young reporter friend of mine.
who asked officials at the housing bu-
reau that morning what was doing.
received an evasive answer. and had
to go to the White House to get his
news.
Why conceal things there is no rea-
son for concealing?
Yet some government officials are in
the habit of acting that way about
perfectly aboveboard matters.
Why do they do it?
You will have to ask the committee
on public information.
People have forgotten about the day
light saving law already.
Once topic of conversation on the
part of the conservative, even the con-
servative have ceased to bother about
the change of hours and have accepted
the added hour of daylight as matter
of fact. Reading ones paper on the
porch at 9 O'Clock at night seems per-
fectly natural.
But some folks still forget about it.
For instance, I heard recently of a
great organization which sent out to
the papers a story about the eclipse
of the SUM- 1t was written in pop
ular vein and told the people just
when to look for the eclipse, giving
the exact hours etc.
Suddenly the day before the eclipse
the scientists bethought themselves
that they had written their story as
of last year, and based their hours on
sun time, and SO they had to write
to the papers and beg that the hours
would be changed to correspond with
the dayligh Saving hours.
Tick, Took,
CHARLES f. TRACEWELL.
Evening star., 1918-06-23
War as Educator.

The beginning of the war turned
general attention to the map. Persons
who had not consulted it since school
days, and hence had but the mistiest
notions of boundaries, now went over
their youthful lessons with keen inter
est. They renewed old acquaintances
among the nations, refreshing their
minds not only as to areas, but as to
populations, productions, trading con-
nections, and much more. There was
a period of very profitable study every
where.
In America we have shared in this
curiosity and occupation. The map has
been of great interest to us; and we
have furnished our geographical knowl-
edge considerably. Europe is familiar
now. We follow war operations with
understanding of the value Of gains
and losses.
Our most important discoveries, how
ever, have been about ourselves and
our own country. Americans today
know America better than ever be-
fore. They appreciate more fully and
correctly than hitherto the country's
size, resources and power. They have
passed from generalities to details, and
are advised about Americas place in
the world equation.
There is much to be proud Of. A
great empire shelters under one flag.
A hundred million people operate un-
der the same general laws. Produc-
tiveness is of great variety, quality and
quantity. In the way of government
we are the biggest thing in the western
hemisphere.
Just now we are learning much about
business in this country. We are CO.
ordinating it for war purposes. We
ere assessing it for war revenues. We
are ascertaining its length, breadth
and thickness; and the story is fasci-
mating. We are able for the first time
to appraise the progress we have made
since the civil war halted things, and
kept what it did not destroy at stand
still for four years.
And this knowledge not only serves
now. but will serve later. When the
war ends we are to pit ourselves more
intimately ard actively than hereto
fcrc against other nations in friend.
" contest for business. We shall then
have need of the most complete appre-
citation founded upon information of
what we are, what under spur we can
do, and how to make and keep our
selves fit in the most intense trade
rivalry the world has ever known.
Evening star., 1918-06-23
POLITICS AT HOME
Maine.

! There is to be q straight fight in
Maine this year between the two old
parties. There are no complications
Bull moosery is but little more than
a memory. Socialism is of no conse.
quence. Both parties are for a vigor-
i ous prosecution of the war. One of
the Maine senators-Mr. Hale-has Wis.
tied France, to get look close up at
hostilitics, and since his return has
urged war measures most earnestly.
No contests for nominations were
necessary in either party. Hence NO
bitterness growing out of animated
primaries exists. The republicans re-
nominated the men now serving in
state and national Offices.
Two years ago Maine disappointed
the democrats, who were expecting to
win there. They made a spirited cam
paisn, and were supported by the ma
tional administration. They had de-
signed send-of for the President in
his campaign for reelection.
But the republicans won. They swept
the deck. The senatorship, the gov
ernorship and all four seats in the
House became their prizes. And. OF
course, they now hold them. Repub-
iican control of the state is complete.
Here, then, will be politics pure and
simple; and other states, which will
come on later with their campaigns, can
observe how political campaign in
these war times can be conducted.
Normally, Maine is republican. Now
and then the democrats have success.
The governorship has more than once
fallen to them. In recent years they
have elected a United States senator.
Occasionally they have captured a seat
in the House.
But the large and striking figures
in the political history of the state
and country have come from the other
party. Fessenden, Blaine, Reed, Frye,
Bale and Dingley compose sextet H.
,ostrious in congressional annals. While
in commission they played leading
parts, and did some notable things.
Several Of the policies they support
cd and advanced still survive. Pro
lection is one. On the tariff issue
Maine is protection state. The most
successful tariff law ever written on
cur books bore Mr. Dingley's name. AS
chairman of the House ways and means
committee he presided over its fash
ioning, and it was socketed in protec-
tion. 1t worked SO swiftly, and
wrought such satisfactory changes in
business, some Of its friends were
within four years proposing its re-
vision.
Evening star., 1918-06-23
AUSTRIA'S OFFENSIVE.

From the Philadelphia Inquirer
1t is daily becoming more evident that
Austria is tired of asking for bread and
being given q stone
From the Springfield Republican.
There Is sagacity in the remark of an
Austrian officer that it was mistake to
press the Italians too hard, because .stbey
all fight like demons for their own soil. i
From the Indianapolis News
To the hungry soldiers who make in
the armies Of the Emperor Charles the
promise Of good food" must have made
a powerful appeal.
From the Birmingham Age Herald
The mere fact that Emperor Carl is
said to be directing the Austro-German
drive along the Piave doesn't necessarily
presage the early capture of Venice
From the New York World.
This in Italy is the hunger offensive. :"
Instead of separate names for the bat
ties Of the Somme and Aisne, of Lys and
Marine and Piave, why not hunger Of
fensives l, 2. g." etc?
Evening star., 1918-06-23

in the case Of the long-range guns
engaged in sheHing Paris, one of which
was lately destroyed by the French.
The mystery Of the location Of this gun
was solved through the chance pene-
tration by one of the shells Of two
awnings, one of iron and the other of
glass, in its flight to earth. These holes,
unlike those made in structures by
other shells, were clean cut and per-
mitted an exact observation of the
shells trajectory. Having ascertained
the precise angle of flight, the mathe-
maticians applied the laws of ballistics,
made allowances for windage and other
atmospheric elements, and actually
traced that fallen and exploded sheH
back to the mouth of the monster gun
that had emitted it. The gun was To-
Gated by this means in the forest of
St. Gobain, northeast of scissors, and
fleet of airplanes was dispatched
thither and the gun was destroyed.
Huxley once declared that if he were
given two bones Of prehistoric ami
NAL it would be possible to reconstruct
the entire creature. In the same way,
by methods similar to those of the
paleontologist, the scientists of Paris
have been working out the details of
the long-range gun from the frag-
ments of its exploded shells. Today
Paris knows practically all it needs to
know about the big cannon, from this
source. 1t could reconstruct" one as
surely as Huxley could present
stimulation of an antediluvian beast
from couple of bits of bone.
Evening star., 1918-06-23
Hun Barbarism Unabated.

Somehow an impression seems to
have been created that the Germans
are not now as barbarous in their war
methods as they were at first. The
thought has obtained that perhaps in
consequence of the horror expressed
in all lands at the atrocities committed
by the Teutons somebody higher up
has ordered a change Of procedure.
There is nothing to it. The Germans
have not changed their methods, or
abated one jot from their barbarities.
They are just the same as ever, brutal,
iendish, malignant in their endeavor to
make war frightfully and to cause
their enemies to fear them. The rea-
son for the impression of a let-up in
The Germanic denominations has doubt
less been caused by the fact that until
they recently advanced in France the
Huns had no fresh territory to ravage,
no new civilians to slay and main and
torture.
Lately the opportunity to demon
strate the Germanic principle that war
j, truly all that Sherman is said to have
said it to be-and a particularly Hun
like kind at that-has been afforded.
The sweep of the Teuton forces in
Champagne has given them a chance
to "strafe" the peasantry once more
The latest account comes from Sois,
sons, the bishop of which city tells at
Paris of the outrages committed by
the boche fiends. One hundred church
es in his bishopric had been deliber-
ately razed and 100 others pillaged and
partly demolished. The Germans had
stripped and carried away everything
of the least value, methodically. But
the crowning abomination consisted in
the flight of German aviators over the
roads crowded with refugees-women,
children and old men-seeking safety
in the rear of the allied armies. These
Hun vultures flew low and fred into
the people with machine guns. murder
ing hundreds of them.
The Hun has not changed. He will
not change. He must be beaten to
the point to which he cannot exact
toll upon humanity.
Evening star., 1918-06-23
Latin American War Aid.

An amendment has been adopted by
the Senate committee to the Army bill
whereby the United States may be-
come the training ground for troops
from any country allied with it in the
war against Germany. While this
would include troops from China and
Siam, the particular purpose of the
amendment is to afford training facil.
tiles here for forces from Latin Amer
lea. At present six South and Central
American countries have declared war
on Germany, Brazil, Cuba, Costa Rica,
Nicaragua, Guatemala and Panama.
From these, it has been estimated, an
army Of two and half million men
Evening star., 1918-06-23
From the Pittsburgh Leader.

From the Pittsburgh Leader
Is the double force Of the checks on
the French and Italian military fronts
and revolutionary activities in Austria,
Hungary to be the weight that VIII
break down the world war? With Aus
tria in tatters can the Prussian mailed
fist hope to struggle doggedly on to any
fate but complete destruction?
From the Philadelphia Press.
Whether Austria's desperate offensive
WAS undertaken because of internal un-
rest or in spite of it, failure cannot but
bring disastrous consequences to the
present government
From the Boston Transcript.
Unless all the military signs are mis-
read by trusted interpreters, Italy will
not go down before the Austrian often
sive, but Austrian power will be broken
on the rock Of Italian resistance.
From the New York Evening Sun.
The Austrian f1asco is certainly the
most heartening event in its implications
since the defeat Of the Verdun offensive
two years ago.
Evening star., 1918-06-23
Campaign Camoufage.

Two phrases, current and prominent
today, are being taken literally, and,
therefore, mistakenly. One is, "Poli-
tics IS adjourned" The other is, "The
tariff. has been eliminated from poll
tics"
In the case of the first phrase it
should be remembered that the Presi-
dent was speaking to Congress on the
subject of the war. Now, as a matter
Of fact, as to the war, politics has
never been in session. The two par
tics in Congress united in declaring
the war, and unitedly have been sup
porting it. Politics in that body has
not had a look-in at any time on any
question relating to hostilities. It has
not, therefore, either adjourned or been
adjourned. It has simply not existed.
But politics, properly so-called and
properly existing, is not only in ses-
sion, but i'll the liveliest sort Of ses-
sion The President himself, with
every right. is taking hand. AS the
leader of his party he is greatly in
terested in its welfare, and striving for
it's success at the polls in November.
In states where the democracy has a
chance, he is counseling as to demo-
cratic candidates, while in states where
It has no chance-as in Minnesota and
Nichigan-he is counseling as to re-
publican candidates. Mr.. Wilson is
very much in the political game.
In the case Of the second phrase, it
should be remembered that Indiana
some years ago was transferred from
the democratic to the republican col
umn largely on the tariff issue. Pro-
lection won; and as manufacturing
has increased in the state protection
sentiment has increased with it. It
was stroke Of party management.
therefore, for the democrats to assert
that "the tariff has been eliminated
from politics" Of course, it has not
been eliminated, and never will be
After the war the tariff will be a big
ger factor in politics than before.
There is a tariff commission, with
duties more or less important and we'll
defined. But the tariff has not been
committed to it, nor the power of Con-
gress over taxation in the slightest de-
gree changed or weakened. Ii pro-
lection as a straight policy is to be
revived, or a tariff still lower than the
Underwood tariff established, it must
como through Congress, and not
through the tariff commission.
Campaign camoufage is appearing
O sure sign Of a strenuous tussle.
Evening star., 1918-06-23
Doing Well.


We're very we'll, l thank you, down to
Pohick on the Crick.
The wheat is lookin' hearty an the
clovcr's growin' thick.
We're all so taken up with gettin'
necessary wealth
That no one has much time to talk
about his state O. health,
Nobody gifts snake bite, not by any
sort O. luck.
The snakes seem tame an sociable,
since prohibition struck,
And as for "ague," that belongs to
happy days gone by.
What's the good of chills an fever
when there amt no rock and ryei
We've got lot to tend to an we've
settled down to biz.
When you're hoein' the potatoes, you
forget your rheumatic.
You care not for the weather. If it's
stormy or it's hot,
Cause you know the rain an sunshine
helps along each garden spot.
Amt much time for loafin' in the good
oid-fashioned style.
But duty turns to pleasure if you meet
it with q smile.
There's mighty few complainin' an
there amt nobody sick.
We're very well thank you, down to
Pohick on the Crick.
Evening star., 1918-06-23

Newcomers to Washington with a
taste for the picturesque are invited to
turn their attention to Georgetown.
Lying on the banks of the Potomac
river, the old city Of Georgetown has
drawn therefrom some of that pic
turesque interest which invests river
towns.
Georgetown's days of river trade may
be over, but she can never lose that air
of being different which the close con-
tact with the river gives her.
War workers who are acquainted only
with that portion of the National Capt.
tai which lies between Park road and
Pennsylvania avenue and 1st street to
18th street will find it a matter of great
interest to investigate Georgetown.
Walk along the streets over there,
r. rarrower than on this side of the creek
Go past the car barn and cross the
Aqueduct bridge into Virginia. Look at
the city from there and then come back
and walk along the streets. see the
ST ops and the people and imagine your
self another Dickens,
K
I have often wondered what kind of
reception a book on the perfectly OBJ
vious faults of certain classes of in
diviuuals would get. Guess it would
lie on the shelves unread and cumber
library space already overcrowded.
Those concerned might read it and
say, Eyes, that's true" and then go
on and do the same thing right over
again.
But it would be an interesting book.
To some truthful aspirant to the
realms of authordom perhaps the fol-
lowing may prove helpful:
Take government officials, for in
stance.
They are so often 'in a conference"
when you call on them. Blandly the
caller is told that "Mr. So and So is in
a conference now"
This works beautifully on the
initiated and uninitiated alike, for
the former have to accept the excuse
AMI the latter know no better.
But if officials knew how stale that
Evening star., 1918-06-23
By-Products.

ave utilize everything but the
squeal," remarked the manager of the
abattoir.
Couldn't we phonograph that" in
quired the foreman, "and let the ulti-
mate consumer use it when he kicks
about the price?"
Evening star., 1918-06-23
Japan and Siberia.
From the New York Times.

from the New Y0FK T1meS.
Is it the intention Of Germany's
foes-or some of them, the short
sighted ones-to force Japan, II they
can, into the arms of Germany? Not
that they can do it; but is it their in
tention to try to do it If they can? If
not, why this insulting suspicion of
Japan's motives; and why, above all,
this hesitancy to intervene in Siberia
for fear Japan might not play fair
after furnishing tho majority of the
troops in the expedition?
Evening star., 1918-06-23

Hints that the Atlantic coast might
be attacked have not interfered per-
ceptibly with summer resort patron
age. A great many Americans would
take a chance for the sake Of being on
hand to witness the procedure.
Evening star., 1918-06-23

The lively interest in prohibition has
entirely put in the background the re-
former who insisted that the one great
curse of the country was the cigarette
habit
Evening star., 1918-06-23
Drawing the Danger Line.

The kaiser built U-boat trim
And took excessive pride in it,
But baked when it was up to him
To go and take a ride in it.
Evening star., 1918-06-23

Having made the Washington to New
York airship trip an everyday mat
ter, the United States will now look
over the Washington to Paris route.
Evening star., 1918-06-23

The people are urged to forget pol
tiles. 1t is great deal to ask of the
citizens who have specialized for years
as campaign statisticians and candi-
date discoverers.
Evening star., 1918-06-23

The charges against the Western
Union Telegraph Company are calcu-
lated to make patron wonder how
much he could have saved by purchas-
ing his own postage stamp.
Evening star., 1918-06-23
Not Altogether Unusual.

NOG AItORetheT CnuBQaI.
"The amendment to this bill is get
ting more thought and discussion than
the original document"
"Well." inquired Senator Sorghum,
"isn't it much the same way with the
Constitution of the United States?"
Evening star., 1918-06-23

Possibly the Western Union thought
it was worth something to furnish the
postage stamps that are sometimes so
difficult to find after the post Office is
closed.
Evening star., 1918-06-23
Barge and Truck.

From the Boston Globe.
Two auxiliaries of the overburdened
railroad system are ready to hand.
Both are already utilized in part
Utilized to the full they will bring
an enormous increase to the volume
and mobility of our freight traffic.
Evening star., 1918-06-23
An Apology for Sarcasm.

care sarcastic people ill-naturedW
"Not always" replied Miss Cayenne.
Sometimes what seems sarcasm is
generous effort to be euphemistic in
stating necessary fact"
Evening star., 1918-06-23

By this time the "fool killer" has
probably taken charge Of the Berlin
strategist who thought it would be ad-
vantageous to sink the Lusitania.
Evening star., 1918-06-23

An advance on freight rates on coal
or any other commodity will not be
very seriously resented if it keeps the
loaded cars coming along.
Evening star., 1918-06-23

Theories that there was no Prussian
influence behind the Black Tom ex-
plosion two years ago have become
fainter as time progressed.