davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1920-04-18
Preparedness.

The appeal is oft-repeated, but loses
nothing Of force because Of repetition
Let us have an adequate Army and
an adequate Navy. They will cost
money, yes. But what would be the
size of the money bill. not to mention
the blood bill, in case an emergency
should arise and We be caught again
short-handed on both land and scat
How loud would lament be then! And
how fruitless! OF what avail would
wailing and crashing Of teeth be ut
such time and in such circumstancesi
Militarismf Such is one reply to
the appeal. But does that reply replyi
Is there danger Of militarism in any
proposition now under discussion for
enlarging our fighting machinesi We
are over a hundred millions strong.
The people rule. They are the masters
Of the purse and the sword. They
have built up a great empire, and
know its value. Should they not pro-
tect it, and be prepared at all time
to do sos
There is temptation, we are told.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1920-04-18
The Bonus Assured.

Approval by the House of the con
ference report on the legislative ap-
preparation bill insures the continu-
ance of the $240 bonus for government
employees during the next fiscal year.
This was fully expected, even in that
dark hour when the House dropped the
item from the bill. It was unfortunate
that that action occurred, as if the
House had written in the bonus at the
original figure the Senate might have
increased it with assurance Of accept
ance, or at least a compromise some
what higher than the present rate.
It cannot be denied that the bonus
is a minimum allowance in terms Of
equity. The government clerks pay
has remained stationary, save for the
spasmodic increases granted to some
during the war, for many years. During
the period Of high prices of all COM
modities and necessities of life, the
clerks compensation has, save for this
bonus, been unchanged. Every other
class Of workers has been aided by
higher rates Of pay. Some scales have
advanced hundred per cent, and even
more. The $40 bonus is about 90 per
cent of the average departmental pay.
Probably no other class in the United
States has so little help in meeting
the extraordinary living costs.
1t is still possible that at the pres
emit session Congress will adopt the pro-
visions recommended by the reclassi-
fication commission. There is, how
ever, no apparent progress to that end,
and in any case it is now impracticable
to apply q new scale to the bulk Of the
government employees, for whose com.
pensation legislation has been virtually
completed. But there should be no
question of action in season for the
fiscal year to follow, that beginning
July /, 1921.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1920-04-18

and during his vacations had
worked on the Chester Times. 1t
occurred to him that he would try
for job as reporter in Phila-
delphia- Ha knew the managing
editor Of the Press, who told him
week. But this didn't appeal to
Sproul. Tho salary seemed insig-
nif1cant. The managing editor told
the youngster that he himself was
drawing down only about 500
week. Right there Sproul made
up his mind that he would be bet
ter or working for himself in
stead Of working for some one
else. He offered to bet the man
aging editor that within a week
he would be making more than
twice the twenty-dollar salary
offered him.
He won his bet. He went back
to Chester, put up his few hum
dred dollars and a note Endorsed
by his father, and took over a
half interest in the Chester Times
about 500 a week. He has al
ways retained his interest in the
Chester Times and it has con-
tinued to be paying PROPOSE
ton.
The Sprouts have been Iron mas
tors in Pennsylvania for several
generations. and Gov. Sproul at
present is engaged in steel. iron.
shipbuilding, nrebrick and bank
ing enterprises. He comes OF
Scotch-Irfsh stock. His mother
was a daughter of Samuel Slokom.
prominent in the affairs of Lam
cater county. Pa, and upon her
side his ancestry runs back TO
the Quaker pioneers of the state.
Five of Gov. Sprouts great-great-
great great great grandfathers
were members of the assembly OF
the province of Pennsylvania dur
ing the Penn proprietorship. one
OF these ancestors was justice IN
courts at Chester, Pa, from log
to 1926, and a member of COM
mission in charge of building the
ancient courthouse at Chester. This
courthouse Is now being restored
BY Gov. Sproul at his own eX-
pense, under an arrangement with
the city that 1t shall be maintained
az o public building.
This quaint building is said to be
the oldest public building IN
Pennsylvania and the oldest In
continuous service in the country.
Gov, Sproul takes keen interest
in historical places and is an an
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1920-04-18

tiquarian of considerable parts. He
drew the bill creating the Penn
sylvania historical commission.
which is charged with the duty
of marking and preserving the
historical landmarks of the state.
For many years he was chairman
of the commission.
X x
In 1892 Mr.. Sproul married Miss
Emeline Roach, daughter of John
B. Roach. a shipbuilder of Chester.
They have two children, Mrs. Do
rothy klear. wife of Capt. Henry
]. klear. and John Roach Sproul,
late Of the 4th United States In
fantry, a veteran of the war with
Germany and entitled to wear Ave
battle stars on his victory stripes.
Gov. Sproul stands well over six
feet tall and is big in proportion.
weighing probably 230 pounds. But
his son overtopS him by a couple
of inches.
The governor is an out-of- doors
man-when he can be-and keeps
himself in good physical trim.
Motoring is one of his principal
recreations. Well it may be. for
ne Is Cdlleu the ldluSt oi Tie 6Ooo
roads system in Pennsylvania.
His work in the interest OF good
roads was one Of the most notable
features of his career in the legis-
lature. He prepared and spon-
sored the first bill providing for
cooperation of the state and the
counties and townships in the road
program. 1t was introduced in
the Pennsylvania senate in 1903
and was passed after a long fight.
in which granger elements in the
Legislature opposed the measure.
Mr.. Sproul maintained his leader
ship in the good roads movement
and was instrumental in having
passed number of other bills
which have resulted in the present
excellent system of roads in the
keystone state The road building
work is continuing under his ad-
ministration as governor. and the
expenditures by the state for
roads during his term will amount
TO over 00,000.000.
The state highways throughout
the rural districts are called
"Sproul roads" today. SO closely is
the governor identified with the
road-building program.
~ X
Gov. Sproul began to take an in
terest in politics almost immedi-
ately after he left college and be-
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1920-04-18

peans. Our ancestors esteemed them
and they ought to be permitted to
show their beauty to our descendants.
Tho pfickly, lustrous foliage and the
scarlet berries Of the holly and the
greenish- yellow flowers and big white
sepals Of the dogwood ought not to be
used in such masses that the trees shall
pass away. Persons with a true fond
ness for things Of the woods do not
mutilate them. 1t is the near-nature
lover who does.
The respect which the defenders Of
the holly and the dogwood ask for
their favorite might also be asked for
many other wild plants once gorgeous
" abundant in the neighborhood of
Washington, but which are now being
ominonsly thinned out One Of these
is the red bud or the Judas tree, which
fills its branches with pink and pur-
pie flowers that look like tiny pea
blossoms. Great destruction of this
beautiful Towering tree goes on every
spring. Another Towering plant
threatened with extinction is the wild
azalea, which the older generation of
Washington people generally call wild
honeysuckle," and which has come to
be quite commonly called the pinxter
flower. 1t is low woody shrub which
abounded in thin woods about the city.
It was once as common as laurel. Per
haps, if the present rate of plant de-
struction is maintained, even the laurel
may become a rare shrub.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1920-04-18
Spare the Trees!

Two correspondents of The Star
have recently written in defense of
are threatened with extinction. One
Of the trees for which a plea is made
is the holly; the other is the dog
wood. The defender of the holly urges
not only that the surviving trees be
spared, but that little hollies be plant
ed singly and in groves. The dogwood
correspondent pleads that needless per
sons shall not break the branches of
the trees. Very good! The holly and
the dogwood are Americans. They
lived here with the Indians many cen
turtles before the coming of the Euro
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1920-04-18
in a large fighting establishment.

in a large fighting establishment. It
begets desire In its possessor to use
1t. 1t generates pugnacity. It makes
q nation an undesirable neishbor. 1t
provokes suspicion.
When an individual puts himself
Into perfect physical condition is he in
danger Of becoming a plug-ugly or q
prize fghterf Does the possession Of
well tfained strength beget pugnscity9
Is a man whose muscles are firm and
well developed considered an unde.
sirable acquaintance Do others shun
himi If in condition to protect him
self against assault, and in case of
assault to make it interesting for his
assailant, is man at any disadvan-
tagei
Let US profit by the lesson Of the
world war. We entered that appalling
arena in a condition almost past be-
lief. We had to raise and drill an
Army and smarter up an undersized
Navy after declaring hostilities. When
the next generation Of Americans
reads the story of the condition this
country was in at the time Of the
world upheaval, and considers that it
remained in that condition for nearly
three years, with the area Of fighting
and destruction steadily widening, its
wonder will be mixed with indigna-
ton.
Men figuring on the millennium are
out of place on Capitol Hill. From
that elevation, and with facts there
obtainable, it ought to be easy for
those in legislative commission to see
that the last war bas not been fought.
and that the next may not be far dis
tant.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1920-04-18
POLITICS AT H0MB|
The Stump and Stumpers.

The republicans are doing nearly all
the stumping. Gen. Wood has visited
q number Of states. Senator Harding
has been a. far south a1 Texas and as
far west as Colorado. Gov. Louden has
addressed audiences east, west and in
the middle country. Senator johnson
has submitted his case east, west, north
west, and in the middle country. And
Senator Poindexter has had his say.
All the speakers have been well re.
ceived. Heckling has not marked any
of the meetings. The people have
shown a desire to hear the views of
the day discussed.
The democrats have been holding
back, somewhat because Of the Presi-
dents attitude. Attorney General
Palmer has made few speeches, and
Gov. Cox of Ohio a few. Senator
Hitchcock has gone home to make a
few. He cannot be absent from base
long because of the peace resolution.
But, as yet, neither Mr.. McAdoo, nor
Champ Clark, nor Vice President Mar
shall has swung around the circle.
Will the presidential nominees take
the stump7 There is not IAN aspirant
for the presidency on either side who
is not an effective public speaker, and
at least four of them have regulations
as stump orators of high class
Champ Clark, Senator Harding, Sena.
tor johnson and Vice President Mar
shall are in great request in campaign
years, and are always glad to respond.
Senator johnson has been having his
first experience with eastern audiences;
but they have "fallen for" him as
readily as western audiences have long
done. His fire and fervor have found
quick response wherever he has gone.
Mr.. Blaine took the stump in his
race. Gen. Harrison made speeches in
his first race. Mr.. Mckinley remained
at home, but Mr.. Bryan, in a way to
produce great enthusiasm, made wide
tours in all three Of his races. Mr..
Roosevelt and Judge Parker both
spoke. Mr.. Taft was busy with his
tongue in both Of his races, while Mr.
Hughes in his race crossed the CONT
nent, and received ovations every
where.
There is nothing undignifed in
stumping for the highest Office, as the
record shows. It depends very much
on temperament and qualification. Mr..
Cleveland was not a good traveller, a
good speaker, OF good mixer, and
therefore left stumping to others. Mr..
Mckinley was capital stumper and
mixer, but yielded to the judgment Of
his friends in 1896. They did not
think a stumping tour necessary, and
on that account he made none. 1t
would have been q mistake, however,
for Mr.. Bryan to have pursued such
a course. His case rested largely upon
his own attractive presentation of it.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1920-04-18
Gen. Grant in 1865.

In current discussions OF DoomS and
presidential quantities misapprehen
sion now and then appears as to the
Grant boom Of half century ago. Ono
might suppose that in the winter and
early spring of 1868 Gen. Grant had
stood ready and willing to accept either
tho republican or the democratic nomi-
nation for President; that there was =
race between the two parties, and that
the republican party simply beat the
democratic party to him.
Both parties that year were in sore
need of a standard bearer. The repub-
lican party was all snarled up as the
result Of three years Of Andrew John
son in tho White House. Mr.. Lincoln's
successor had proved to be 50 unlike
Mr.. Lincoln, and had pursued course
90 repugnant to the accepted repub.
lican leadership Of the day, divisions
and chickering's were fierce. Only re-
united party could win. and reunion
could only be effected under candi-
date for President whose appeal on
the general score would rise above
factionism and ordinary partisan con-
siderations.
The democratic party was in state
Of deep discouragement. Four years
before it had been soundly beaten
under Mcclellan, and was still feeling
the smart. Among the leaders were
some capable and attractive men, but
none of them was eager for the honor
of leading it in the approaching presi-
Dental contest. The man finally
agreed upon was drafted. Gov. Soy
mour was courtly gentleman Of high
personal character, and made probably
as good q campaign as was possible in
the circumstances. But as matters
shaped up everything was against him,
and he went to defeat.
Gen. Grant stood out conspicuously
as the very man the republicans
needed. There was no difficulty about
reaching him. He had for seven years
-four Of them while serving as sol.
der in the field-been thrown with
republican leaders. He had caught the
fancy and enjoyed the increasing con-
fidence and regard Of Mr.. Lincoln. He
was in agreement in the main with the
republican program. He fitted into the
republican situation perfectly, though
there were prominent members Of the
party who did not cotton to him, and
never grew to like him.
It is impossible today to think Of
Gen. Grant taking a different course
with comfort to himself or success in
the venture. The democracy's recent
history was not to his liking. It's
policy for the immediate future was
vague and poorly defined. He was not
standing near to any of its leaders.
In a word, as matters then existed he
was not q democrat; ON that account,
with all Of his personal strength and
military prestige, he could probably
not in that campaign have led the de-
mocracy to victory.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1920-04-18

It will be a relief when some Of the
6lm stars quit trying to arrange their
own romances and get back to the
regular scenario writer's.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1920-04-18

A man with moonshininE proclivities
might find much encouragement If he
could brew a motor fuel that would en-
able him to evade the price Of gasoline.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1920-04-18

Sovietists whose business was de-
fance Of national authority every.
whore must find disappointment at the
prospect Of recognition by regular gov
ernments.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1920-04-18

Various kinds Of strike discussions
do not suffice to take tho real base
ball fans mind off the voice Of the
umpire.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1920-04-18

Nobody admits being a profteer,
but everybody is sure he can show
you where to find several.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1920-04-18
HEARD AND SEEN

| Spring 10 bringing its finest green
touches to Seward Square and the
other park spaces of Southeast WASH
| ington.
! Those who are accustomed to think
| that tho northwest section has a mo-
nopoly on beauty should take the
Pennsylvania avenue car eastward
bound to 4th street southeast. and.
alighting at the corner. walk south.
| A series Of small park spaces, SONS
| with benches and some without. VIII
| reveal to the explorer a wealth or
section OF any capital in the world.
1t is too true that there are many peo-
pie in Washington who do not know
! about these beauty spots.
And yet there 10 q quiet and peace
! fulness brooding over these parks.
especially in the morning hours. that
| adds to their natural charm.
Southeast Washington. which IN the
old days knew the sound OF every
steamboat whistle, according to ira
dition. today knows the hum OF every
| airplane engine that scars nrst over
this section Of tho city from the avia.
| ton held to the south.
Children Of Southeast washington. I
am told, seem to know the dinersne
planes from the roar Of the great en-
gines, which sound like gigantic
aerial sawmills. as they break the
silence these clear spring mornings.
Would you care to be known A.
! "the happiest man in Washington?
The title already has been awarded
! by workers at Union station to one
! of the colored elevator men. who mans
the car near the east end OF tho
building.
The terminal buildings first attrac-
ton. and its main h one. OF . course an ~
which the great trains como in and
70 out. These strictly terminal facil.
ities sometimes make people forget
that there is anything else to the big
station.
Offices. as well as a fully equipped
terminal Y. NJ. c. A.. and 1t Is neces-
sary for people to get to them rms
is where the happy elevator man
comes in.
Users Of the lift" declare that he
is always the same. always smiling.
always stunning his feet. always
singing to himself. He likes the at.
tention bestowed upon him by his pas.
ss sf snt b ana a,RaSe eet, laugh out
of them before he puts them on at
their floor.
Small children who visit the Ma
tional Geological Park. where the live
animals live. are much pushed when
they are taken to see the stu6ea
animals in the collections at the New
National Museum.
One little girl made her first ac-
ouaintance with the great mystery
one day last week, when her mother
unthinkingly took her into the
museum building to see the animal
collections. The mother did not stop
to think what tho trip involved to her
child.
The lions and other brutes proved
puzzling. indeed, to the four-year-old.
She looked, and looked, and at last
turned questioning eyes upon her
mother.
why aren't they regular" she
asked. why aren't they regular"
But at last they came to Q bowl Of
live goldfish. and the child caapped
her hands in glee.
See. mother" she cried. "Theso
are REGULAR
CHARLES E. TRACEwELL.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1920-04-18

The ultimate consumer is too busy
scrambling for the price to find time to
do much organizing.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1920-04-18

Overalls have appeared on the streets
Of Washington, but nobody is carry
ing a pick or a shovel instead of a
cane.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1920-04-18

Private ownership Of railways has
not been remarkably prompt in dis
posing Of problems.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1920-04-18
STARTING WHEELS OVERSEAS

tude are to be put through. That such
a basis exists-even during the re-
construction periods not to be
doubted.
This must be translated into terms
that can be understood as well in
Europe as in the
Mystery Must United States. The
mystery in which
Be Dispelled. the individual COM
mercial credit system has been
shrouded should be dispelled SO that
there will be field for action in this
highly legitimate and constructive
branch of business. Trade Commits
sioner Wood warns.
In the midst of negotiations for
American participation in tho recon
struction of those industries that
have been devastated by the war. as
we'll as the rehabilitation OF other in
dustries outside the stricken area,
that made cash terms impossible. even
in cases where cash might have been
available under normal rates. This
imm ediately focused attention on the
problem of loans and credits. The
connection between the terms of sale
and the contamination Of the contract
is SO intimate that the one cannot be
discussed intelligently without ref
erence to the other.
In connection with the basis OF
credit, the security offered by the buyer
may be the deciding factor. Americans
considering the extension OF credit would
naturally suggest that mortgage on
property owned by the Industries would
be required as security. There are def
mite cases where this has caused mis-
understanding and has prevented further
negotiations. Just what makes the
European customer averse to the terms
that are considered regular in America
might well be determined before So
Letting the business, SO that the re-
quirements for credit could be explained
in terms that could not cause a misun-
derstanding.
X X
1t Is not to be thought that any re-
liable customer asking for credit would
object to giving reasonable
Mortgage security. but it is undoubt-
6. edly true that the Idea OF
system. giving a mortgage must be
understood as Americans mean 1t to be
uuQeTSICOO, OF some acceptable SuUStl-
tute must be worked out.
The reticence of the foreign buyer.
even when asking credit, is something
to be allowed for by Americans. 1t
would seem that. under such circum-
stances the buyer would emphasize his
principal asset and what he could offer
as a basis for credit. This has not
proved to be the case and 1t has been
left to the seller to find basis for
credit which the buyer has, apparently,
not cared to mention.
American bankers are giving this
matter very close study. and have pro,
nounced credits given to France and
Belgium as in their opinions safer than
to most any other nation. but the bank
ers feel that the simplest way to ex..
tend foreign credit is for the individual
seller IN this country to give it to the
lnoiviouai buyer. and when the indi-
viouai sellers own surplus has been thus
loaned out. he must look about for
some one else who has savings that can
be invested In the foreign customers
promise to pay.
WILL T.. KENNEDY.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1920-04-18
Destructive Criticism.

"And you call yourself a construc-
tive critic'n exclaimed the scornful
star.
81 do" answered the reviewer.
"What right have you to raise a ques-
toni"
"why, in one brief article you have
spoiled the weeks work Of a perfectly
good press agent!"