davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1922-11-24

est consequence. He merely keeps q
record of the name and address Of the
purchaser. and with no precaution to
insure correctness. Anybody with the
price can get the means Of taking life.
The concealed weapons law Is Of no
use whatever for the prevention of
crime. II Furnishes those who are
caught with weapons on their person,
but they are caught only incidentally
to some other charge. The person who
buys a gun for specific criminal pur-
pose usually uses it SO quickly that
the concealed weapons law does not
reach him. The need is to stop him
from getting the gun.
1t is proposed to bond all dealers in
deadly weapons. and to make them
keep more perfect records and to make
more frequent reports, These bonds,
records and reports will not reach the
root of the evil. What is needed is a
statute that prohibits the sale. gift or
exchange of deadly weapon save
upon the presentation Of permit
granted by the court or some other
designated public agency. Any trans
action in weapons without such per-
nit should involve the provider in a
heavy liability.
1t is argued that such a law W. uld
he unconstitutional in that it you'd
d,ny the right IT the peope I" bear
arms. 1t is doubtful if any court
would so hold. for it would not he Il
denial of right, but merely . regula-
ton. The concealed weact MS law
denies the right to bear arms. in fact.
and it has never been sutt essfully
challenged. The law which The Star
has felt for years is the necessary
means of preventing indiscriminate
personal armament by irresponsible
people Would simply go short step
further and make it impossible within
this jurisdiction without lawhrea king
on the part of Tendor for person
with a criminal intent to get deadly
weapon quickly.
The legitimate need of pistol owning
and carrying is slight. Under the per-
mit-to-buy system anybody who ac-
tually needs a weapon could get one.
Those who do not need them save for
criminal purposes could not do so
within the District. Let such law be
passed and the crime record will
diminish.
Evening star., 1922-11-24
Practical Mnemonics.

Sir: The other day ! obtained an
! unsecured loan from a friend of mine,
and. having promised TO repay il on
certain day, I cast about for a
system of mnemonics which would
automatically bring the obligation to
my attention one week before it fell
| due.
, Having, as I have always believed
an average amount of intelligence I
am sure you can readily understand
how impossible it would have been for
me to content myself with any of the
simple childish systems eXpounded
! from time to time in certain columns
of our newspapers. My memory-I
jcould not ask it to accept assistance
iunless that assistance was something
lreal. something significant
With this in mind. and remember ring
with what labor some of our students
and philosophers have gone about
proving that all our present measure
ments of time and distance had their
origin in the ancient pyramids
turned to Egypt to provide system
which / felt would be superior to all
iothers, and in order to expedite the
matter, Immediately sought informa-
ton l desired in volume IN of my En-
cyclopaedia Britannica.
I am pleased to tell you my efforts
were rewarded. for, concentrating in
tenscly on my subject, had not read
quite thirty pages when. pausing for
a moments reflection, much to my
surprise, I found ! had completely
forgotten not only the amount of the
loan l had negotiated and the day on
which it was to be repaid, but the
name Of the lender as well.
/ commend the system to you most
heartily. N. r. D.
Evening star., 1922-11-24

service. Now, Mr. Madden is not a
small-navy man by any means-quite
the contrary. in fact: but, mind, he is
the man who has to exercise judgment
and decision in apportionihg the sums
of money at hand received from the
1rcvenues OF the government for the
various needs of the government.
| These chairmen Of appropriations
committees, old-timerS in Congress
say. get so that they hate to part
with one dollar of Uncle Sans money
nearly as badly as if it were out of
is a calumny.
Well, it seems that these naval
chiefs and officers were putting up d
pretty strong appeal for funds, as Mr..
Madden viewed it. This country must
have AS good u navy as England and
must be ready if war should break in
our face some day. and all that kind
of thing. Which is. of course, as it
should be: and everybody but Pat
Kelly of Michigan agrees with it
and he won't come back to Congress
But Mr.. Madden was figuring up the
totals. Likewise he was going over
in his mind his knowledge. or merely
conception, possibly. of how the Navy
them and said:
You gentlemen remind me of an
experience ! had when Col. Gorgas,
Evening star., 1922-11-24
Shows How Big a Dollar Looks
To Guardians of the Treasury

who cleaned up the Canal Zone sani-
tarily, was on the grill before the
committee one day. He talked for the
whole day. and at the end said him
Colonel, esteem 1t that you are
about the best doctor in the whole
world. At least, I think SO. And
agree with everything you want to
do and are setting out to do. But
doctor, I would like you to write the
prescription and I would like to hire
somebody else to fill it at about ten
cents for every dollar it is proposed
to be spent
Il feel that way about you Navy
people," Mr.. Madden went on. "A
dollar doesn't mean anything to you
in value. You know what you re-
mind me Of: You remind me of re-
mark made by my niece's little four
year-old boy who was spending the
summer out at our home In the coun-
try. Very often he would ride with
the chauffeur to meet me when l re-
turned from town on the evening
train. One day he came in earlier
and went to the BARRIERS. He. sit.
ting up in the rear seat when I go1
in, trimmed up spic and span.
"'Ah. you have had your hair cut?
l said.
Yes, sir
What did it cost YOU" (Now
mark there the ruling passion strong
in life. There is this chairman OF
appropriations, who lives in an at
mosphere of two questions. The frs,
is. What is it going to cost the gov
ernment to do the things he is asked
to warrant? The next Is, Where is
the money coming from? One nigh,
think that the picture of that little
r-year-old cherub. with loving
smiling eyes, sitting up there. would
have idealized the scene and driven
sordid, mercenary thoughts out OF his
mind. Nothing doing)
What did it cost you?
"I don't know, sir. I gave the bar.
ber all l had
"'How much was that?'
"I cannot tell you. ] don't know
money yet
"And that's just the way with all
you government people" thundered
Mr.. Madden at the Navy group. You
don't know money yet.
Whereat the Navy people probably
thought it is hard life when dealing
with the appropriations committee
and few get out alive.
Evening star., 1922-11-24
A Proper. American Field.

AS world events so. the conference
here early next month "f Central
American republics may not promise
rno.lehtous developments. but it fur
H:snes an object lesson which the na-
tions of Europe might we'll learn to
their advantage. The five republics
which constitute the geographical
government of the United States are
10 meet to discuss matters of mutual
interest and to devise ways for the
maintenance of peace and the limita-
ton of armaments. They are not inn
PEELED to this undertaking by any
threat of impending war. They enter
Upon It in an effort to make sure that
no threat Of war ever will impend.
The United States will participate at
the solicitation of the Latin republics,
not because they are fearful this coun-
try will war upon them or encroach
upon their rights. but because they be-
iieve in the unseltish friendship of the
American people and the American
government.
Yet these Central American repub-
lies have boundaries which, they could
plead. need to be protected, and re-
sources which might be coveted by a
neighbor. They have liberties which
they fought to win and for the pres
ervation Of which they are ready to
fight again. They have patriotism
as keen and Il nationalism as proud as
are to be found anywhere in the older
continents. What. then, is the differ
ence which makes it possible for these
republics TO gather voluntarily at the
conference table to plan for mutual
betterment without suspicion and
hatredS entering in to Illustrate
achievement? To us it seems plain
that it is the American spirit of live
and let live, which the diplomat fists of
Europe appear SO utterly unable to
understand. What to Europe is a
phenomenon is to us commonplace.
The United States has no wish with
respect to Central America other than
that the people who live there should
he prosperous and happy and con-
tinue i'll the enjoyment of liberty.
They are free to work out their own
destinies in their own way. and this
ration stands always in the unique
position of protector requiring no
form of vassalage in exchange for the
protection given
With such a field for our talents
with such an opportunity for our good
offices, it is not strange that we hesi
tate to intrude ourselves into affairs
with which we have no proper con-
Germ and where assurance of real USE
fulness is lacking.
Evening star., 1922-11-24
Judge Upholds Rights
of knothole Bows

The boy at the knothole has at
last discovered a defender. Author
tiles had two youngsters arrested in
Chicago for climbing lamp post
to peer over into the park and see
the great foot ball game with Prince
ton. Judge Eller-nay his tribe in
crease-promptly discharged the boys
and censured the penny-pinching
business manager who had brought
them into court. He said the spirit
of the day was to see the game at
any cost and he not only thought
the boys were justified in their all
venture. but considered the officials
went too far beyond their rights in
turning a fire hose on a group of
boys who had perched on memorial
shaft.
Whether boys would really enjoy
tho removal of restrictions on fence
perching and knotholing is question:
able. The man with a stick who
rars the knuckles of fence hangers
is unpleasant, like the peg-driver
who pulls you out from under a
circus tent; but without him there
would be no zest to the exploit Life
is dull without an obstacle.-Grand
Rapids Press.
Evening star., 1922-11-24
Sense of Humor.

If you would be successful in business
or love. says a university professor.
cultivate sense of humor. The advice,
unless it be overdone, is we'll timed and
sound
So far the trouble has been in dis
covering the man or woman who does
not own this convenient sense and who
does not believe it to be an exclusive
possession. If one is to credit what ne
hears. it is the sense of humor which
sets each man apart from his fellows.
makes of him something just little
different a little more tolerant. and a
little more successful than the rest. IT
is too bad no one else ever has sense
of humor.
A well developed sense of humor,
such as is advised as a part of the
equipment for success. will often be
embarrassing. The possessor will find
1t difficult to keep from laughing during
many a luncheon club address: he may
snicker when he sees the neighborhood
grocer in full lodge regala, and he may
be discredited for the lightsome way he
treats celebrities or dignitaries.
Except as a professional humorist, no
man ever won success for having the
sense too, well developed. Many men
have been handicapped, have been de-
feated for reelection to high office. be-
cause the public expected nothing from
them but jokes and set them down as
buffoons Professor Ferrier is right.
The sense of humor is necessary for
success in business and love, but too
much is dangerous.-Oaklan Tribune.
Evening star., 1922-11-24
Recuperating at French Lick.

Some contradictions Of more or less
national interest have been held the
past few days at French Lick Springs
in Indiana.
French Lick. it should be mentioned
is the Hoosier Spa much affected by
Tammany leaders and other New York
democrats after strenuous political
campaign. Led by MIR. Murphy. they
usually repair to the spot. drink the
waters. sample the local brands OF
tobacco, talk over the contest just
closed. and form plans for the next.
This time they have been in great
good humor with the world and one
another. That was a notable killing
they made on the 9TH instant. when
they put "Al'' Smith over by a colos
sal majority, and with him the whole
democratic shooting match. They
would be more, or less. than human
therefore, If they were not. even at
this early day. laying pipe for 1924.
The public. however, should be on
guard against impositions in reports
1FOHl ltldt quart tcI II HAY Ilol De u Ile
that Hearst presidential boom has
been under discussion. 1t may not be
true that Mayor Hylan has been
picked to oppose Mr.. Wadsworth in
the next senatorial contest in New
York state. 1t may not be true that
come what may at the next demo
cratic national convention. New York's
support shall not go to William G
McAdoo.
But it is true, and important as true
that New York democrats of opposing
factions are meeting. and instead OF
talking about third party are talk
ing about their old party and how to
put it into the proper shape for ef
fective action two years hence. That
is something that neither democrats
nor republicans, in New; York or else
where. can afford to ignore.
Evening star., 1922-11-24

To the Editor of The Star:
l read the reply of Il. l.. Adams
to Miss Eleanor Hough in The Star
editorial columns on the evening OF
November IL He mentions the let
ters Of Miss Hcugh and Miss Mary
Morgan McCaffrey and then proceeds
to answer Miss Hough. to the total
exclusion of Miss McCaffrey. Miss
NcCaffrey and ! served side by side
during the war in France, Judging
from her statements. and therefore L
am loath to see her viewpoint go
unanswered.
Miss Mccartney confesses utmost
con,empt for those who conceived the
use of gas in warfare. based on her
observation of soldier patients VINO
had been gassed. She then termi-
mates her contempt. which evidently
limits her aversion to this type OF
warfare only. This manner of ham
ding written subject leaves so
much to implication that we cannot
help but believe that Miss McCaffrey
fayors the suffering endured in war
from the use of high explosives to
that encountered in the use of gas
OF course, this is a difference of
opinion, which is the right of each
and every individual.
Has Seen shells Effect.
personally am strongly prejudiced
against the use of high explosives in
war, as have seen the mangled
wrecks that remain after Shell
strikes among group of men or
marching column. Having seen the
great majority of my gassed patients
throw off the effects of their gassing
within a comparatively short time
and return to their normal lives WIN
out an apparent blemish--arms, legs
and heads intact, eyes and ears that
still function, etc, ! naturally incline
to the favoring of gas warfare over
high explosives. Miss McCaffrey is
certainly lucky in not having had an
opportunity to judge the, effects OF
both. Had she been nearer the front
lines during her overseas service, the
mempry of high explosive effects
would now remain to the utter exclu-
sion of the effects of gas.
In the above I do not wish to seem
to make light Of the effects of gas in
the temporary discomfort or suffering
caused the individual. /. also am i'm
Evening star., 1922-11-24
On the Eve of Safety Week.

Apparently the motorists of this
city are not learning the lesson of
care that is being taught by the prepa-
rations for Street Safety week and the
continuous campaign to follow. They
are contributing just about as usual
to the casualty records. The other day
a young woman was seriously injured
by an automobile as she stepped from
u street car, the motorist failing to
observe the fifteen-foot rule. Yester-
day a man was killed at a street in
tersection when a motor struck him.
child of three was hit by an auto
mobile while crossing the street last
night. and boy of fifteen riding a
bicycle was knocked from his wheel
by Il motor. A policeman. while pur-
suing a speeding motorist. was
thrown. while making a short turn,
from an automobile he had com
mandeered and badly injured. Mean
while in the Traffic Court yesterday
one driver was fined for passing a
street car and for driving without a
permit; another was fined for driving
while drunk, and third was fined for
speeding across intersections.
This is not a satisfactory showing.
1t would indicate that the lesson of
care Is still unlearned by large num-
ber. One man killed and a child hurt
at street crossings in one day shows
that the intersection speed rule is GER
tainly not being complied with. One
man caught and fined for running
past a street car, and another hitting
a passenger who was leaving a car,
shows that the fifteen-foot rule is also
being ignored by some.
Street safety will not be effected by
spasmodic period of rule observance
if it Is followed. as 1t is preceded, by
recklessness on the part of owners
and possibly carelessness on the part
Of pedestrians. Assuredly every mo-
torist in Washington knows that a
safety campaign is in prospect, and
every one should be conscientiously
observant Of the rules. Compulsion
should not be necessary.
A motorist who hits a person in the
streets and gets away without being
identified may escape penalty or the
trouble of attending an inquest, but
he knows that he is culpable. Does
this knowledge make him more care
full? Or Is he speeder who thinks the
street belongs to him, and that pedes-
trians are trespassers who deserve to
be hurt? There are some of that type
now driving cars in Washington,
though they are very small minority.
But a few reckless motorists, however
small a percentage they may be of the
whole, can do much damage.
Evening star., 1922-11-24
A Spring Session,

Why worry at this time about an
extra session of the SiXty-eighth Con
gress? Is not the question one for the
future to decide? Shall we not be
ready to cross that bridge if the Presi
dent calls?
The matter, of course, rests with
the President. 1t will be for him to
say whether the public business re-
quires attention at the hands of the
new Congress earlier than at the regu
lar meeting time.
And there will be no appeal from
his decision. Whatever he says will
go. Congress will be within call, and
il he calls it must obey. Uncle Sam
has the first claim on the time of
members.
The leading consideration for those
who do not desire an extra session
will be to labor to prevent the neces
sity for one. There should be no hang
overs from the present Congress. and
particularly as respects the supply
bills. Full rations for the support OF
the government for the next fiscal
year should be voted before March 4
Continuing appropriations by resolu
ton is not business way of doing
business.
But even the clearing of its table
by the present Congress may not
make spring session of the new
Congress unnecessary. World affairs
are still greatly disturbed, and Europe
continues in ferment. America is not
a party to the turmoil. but we shall
have to watch developments closely
and should act promptly at any time
our interests may require. And the
necessity would draw Congress int,
the equation. The body that sits on
Capitol Hill is Il highly important fea
ture of our governmental scheme.
Evening star., 1922-11-24
Leadership and the Next Congress.

Informal discussion Of democratic
leadership in the next Congress is in
progress, some Of it decidedly inter
esting. The minority will be strong
in numbers in both House and Senate,
and II well handled should accomplish
something Of value to the party in the
preparatory work Of its presidential
campaign. An item Of note is that Mr..
kitchin. man Of ability and legis-
lator Of experience, who has been out
of action for a couple of years, is now
In improved health, and likely to lend
q hand, at least as an adviser, in the
labors of the coming two years.
This alertness on the part of the
democrats will make it necessary for
the republicans to get busy. Their
strength. greatly reduced by the re-
cent campaign, will require expert
handling, and particularly in the
House, where all revenue and appro-
priation bills must originate. and
where after March neither Mr.. Mon
dell nor Mr.. Fordney will occupy a
seat.
Because Of the narrow margin on
Evening star., 1922-11-24

which in both houses the republicans
will operate. the next Congress will be
a more interesting body than the pres.
ent one has been. Teamwork will be
imperative. Without 1t the majority
will get nowhere. and even with it
progress will be made with difficulty.
But it is often the case that prog
ress made in that way is the best
progress, representing, as it does, all
party differences adjusted. and a solid
front to the enemy established. Where
the going is too smooth and easy half
baked legislation is liable to result.
Evening star., 1922-11-24
Needed: A Form of Words.

What the world needs right now is
somebody who will invent form OF
words.
| The enormous debts owed by the
various countries of Europe cannot
! be paid by the present generation.
| To bend them over the broWs of the
next two or three generations would
be crime committed against pos
terity.
To come out openly and advertise
that large part of them will be re-
! pudiated would raise "A howl that
| would burst the ear-drums of the
well known welkin
TO do nothing at all about the mat
! ter is to permit European civilization
TO slide facilely down the creased
! chute to Avernus.
| What Is needed is some wise bird
VINO viii arrange IL form of words
| that will, In effect. provide for a par
| tial reputation. but will not look
like reputation. sound like reputation,
| or smell like reputation.
instead of passing on the burden of
debt to the next generation. this
| form of words should pass on the
onus of reputation.
The republication thing should be
managed gradually, and by degrees.
| over long extent OF time, with a
small jolt now, and another small
JOLT IN few years, and then another
ana another-never great and shat
tering jolt at any stage of the game
The question of dish6nor involved
| In reputation, as well az the loss.
should be eased along SO that no gen.
Grafton will have all the blushing to
DO One generation can blush little
and then pass the blush to the next
one.
The generations that succeed the
generation which contracted these
debts will do less blushing; they viii
feel less disgraced. as they are more
eager to get rid of Il burden which
| they did not voluntarily shoulder
At present all seems lost except
honor
The next step is to lose honor and
get out of the hole.
But II the proper form of words is
round Tor the process it will not
seem to the communities involved
that they are losing honor. OR. if
they perceive that they are losing
honor. they will figure that they are
losing the honor of somebody else
OF the generations which preceded
them.
1t is impossible to pay.
IT is death to do nothing
1t is disgrace to repudiate.
The impossible being the impossi-
bic, and death-the death of Euro
pean civilizaiion-heing not wholly
desirable to the persons Immediately
| involved, the course that will even
tually be chosen will be disgrace,
with the disgrace concealed from the
participants as much as may be by
form of words.
the speedy invention of this form
or words should be the most imme-
diate. as it is the most urgent mat
ter for the consideration of the best
minds of the human race
II the thing is properly managed.
witch ballyhoo and propaganda, mil
lions will not feel any disgrace at
all in connection with it. They will
make a cause of it and lend to il the
enormous force of moral enthusi-
asm. They will boost it with the
fervor of crusaders.
Evening star., 1922-11-24
An Effective Pistol Law.

Legislation is proposed to check the
pistol evil in the District of Columbia
A bill is pending to this effect. and the
Commissioners are proposing certain
changes. The measure will be pressed
for consideration this session. and the
hope Is that law will be framed that
will lessen the danger Of indiscrim.
mate armament and resultant crime.
Scarcely week passes when this
city is not the scene of homicide in
which the easily obtained pistol fig.
ures. At present there is no difficulty
whatever in. the way Of any person
with a grievance, or inhamed by liquor
or anger or jealousy, from getting q
deadly weapon quickly. The formality
required Of the vendor Is Of the slight