davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1922-04-17
Proposed to Reduce Hazards
OF American Railroad Travel

| order Of Congress requiring railroads
to install the devices.
| Much of the testimony taken during
the corSse Of the hearings has neces-
| sariiy been of highly technical ma
ture. but out OF the mass of testi-
| mony several conclusions have been
reached by observers which appear TO
bear out the prediction that the COM
mission will not modify its order re-
quirtng installation of train control
device on forty-nine major railroads
after July L..
These conclusions. which are neces-
sariiy of general nature. considers
ing the technical difficulties involved
appear to be as follows:
Automatic train control is a proved
adjunct to the block signal system OF
train regulation.
It's efficiency has been proved to the
extent that it removes from the engi-
neer or a train responsibility Tor q
train service accident when the block
signal system is in use.
Removal of the human factor in
train service will. barring failure OF
the mechanical devices. which are
said to be capable of being practical
iy rendered failure proof. eliminate to
a great degree the disasters in train
| service which have resulted frequent
ly In heavy loss Of life.
c. e. Denny. chairman of a joint
committee representing the railroads
and the American Railway Associa-
tion. in a brief presented early in the
course of the hearings, claimed that
train control devices have not been
brought to that point of efficiency
where railroads feel they can spend
| the large sums of money necessary
with assurance that the devices will
that the mechanical factors present in
the several devices might fail. leav-
ing the responsibility Of stopping the
train up to the engineer as at present.
Against this testimony Is large
amount Of evidence presented by the
bureau of safety and engineers rep
resenting the various control devices
which show conclusively that train
control Is an accepted factor in rail-
| roadfng and must be treated as a
! necessary adjunct to the safety de-
vices now in use.
Two major types of train control
have been in train service tests and
both are said to have proved satisfac-
tory. The ramp type. which operates
from a brake shoe on the engine,
through power transmitted from a
| third rail or ramp located in every
! block on the road. is one. and the
electric induction type, which does
not require a third rail, Is the other.
Both types have their supporters. al
| though it is stated the third rail. or
ramp. type is more expensive to in
stall than the induction type.
Whatever the result of the hearings
just concluded. it is deemed probable
| that the travelling public will have
within a short time, some definite
mechanical factor of safety thrown
around the operation of passenger
trains. which will eliminate to a very
considerable degree, IL not entirely,
| the tragic train accidents which occur
annually and which have taken toll
of hundreds Of lives on American rail-
roads.
Evening star., 1922-04-17
Keep Up the Good Work.

Well, the little Navy men lost in
the first test in the House. The ergu-
ment and the Presidents firm attitude
counted against them. They stressed
economy, and what they conceived to
be the spirit, the example, Of the four.
power treaty. But it was shown that
they were mistaken on both points
that neither economy nor the treaty
was properly quotable on their side
Of the contention; that. on the con-
trary, true economy and the true
spirit. the obligations of the treaty
called for a liberal support of the
Navy. ~
Now, why not an Army adequately
provided for? The argument is the
same. The work Of the Army is cut
out for it. and, as cut out. should be
performed. we look to the Army as
well as to the Navy for invaluable
services in times Of pinch. But we
cannot reasonably expect those serv.
ices rendered unless both Army and
Navy are made, and kept, fit.
only perrervid millennlalsts any
where are figuring on early and com
plete disarmament. Practical men in
all countries charged with the prac.
tical affairs OF government are keep.
ing their eyes peeled for danger. I'm.
pressed as all have been with the hor.
rors Of war. none is hugging to his
bosom the delusion that such horrors
have definitely passed. and that man.
kind today stands convinced that they
will never return.
: They may return at any time. They
have the trick Of returning dnexpect-
edly, and disastrously, or at least most
extensively, to nations unprepared for
a visit.
Evening star., 1922-04-17
Base Ball as Usual.

Base ball levels rank in America.
The Office boy sits in the bleachers
within sight of his boss in the grand
stand, and both, in critical moments.
shout aloud the pious hope that vio-
lent death will be done to the UNI
pire.
A President and his cabinet nudge
one another in the ribs at the WASH
tngton game, eyan though the New
York team which, wrestles with the
defenders of the capital lacks the aid
of the great Ruth, sent to the bench
for temporarily tainting the national
pastime with a touch of super-ac-
Quisitiveness.
Base ball is a fine American tonic.
1t will remain so as long as it is kept
straight and clean. In the achieve
ments of the heroes Of the diamond
the people see their own ambition for
physical prowess attained. The play
ers do for them what they would give
almost their all to do IL they only
could.
The sport ought to live forever as
tho great American institution. 1t
will II its managers remain vigilant
in keeping crookedness out of the
diamond.-New York Tribune (repub~
lican).
Evening star., 1922-04-17

they are to reap any benefits from the
conference. The French. on their part
apparently have come to q realization
that they cannot be cavalier in their
attitude toward Russia without danger
OF serious impairment of their own
position, so both the Russians and the
French seemingly are making virtue
Of necessity and are trying to find q
basis of understanding.
France still is standing firmly on
the limitations of the agenda, and re.
fuses to discuss either reparations or
disarmament, but the logic Of circum.
stances may yet force her to yield on
these points as she has yielded in the
inflexibility of her attitude toward the
representatives Of the Moscow govern.
ment. IL it begins to be seen that a
way out Of Europe's difficulties may
be found at Genoa, it is unlikely
France or any other nation would
care to take the responsibility of
standing in the way Of achievement
hardly be that the lesson OF the Wash
ington conference in this respect has
been wholly lost.
The wisdom Of the American gov.
ernment in refraining from active
participation in the Genoa conference
is becoming daily more apparent, and
Europeans who were critical q few
weeks ago Of the Washington attitude
now freely concede that it is best for
all concerned that for the time being
this country should stand aside. II the
work at Genoa progresses as favorably
as is now promised, the day is not dis.
tant when America can participate
helpfuily in measures looking to the
rehabilitation Of Europe, but the foun-
dations must be laid before erection
of the superstructure can begin.
Evening star., 1922-04-17

those on the other side for extrava.
gance. 1t is not to be forgotten that
the $4,000 figure which was adopted
represents economy In naval expendi.
lures. No one disputes that the naval
limitation treaty in providing for re.
duced construction and maintenance
was hailed by every one as great
measure Of economy.
The issue is not between economy
end extravaganza. it is between ede-
quacy and inadequacy Of naval main.
tenance; the question is not a big
Navy or small Navy, since the small
Navy Is assured by the treaty, but
whether that smaller Navy Is to be
kept afioat. This issue and question
should be held clearly at the fore in
all discussion. and not allowed to be.
come befogged by misunderstan nding.
President Harding and Secretary
Hughes have both told the House that
the judgment OF all the technical ex.
perts agrees that the ratio can only
be maintained by rejecting the smaller
force proposed by the appropriations
committee. Secretary DENLY has
shown that the Navy cannot be kept
to the treaty status with the smaller
number of enlisted men. Ships would
have to be laid up. beyond doubt. The
majority in committee of the whole
of forty-seven in support Of the facts.
figures and conditions should be sus.
tained and. indeed. increased on the
yea and nay vote in the House. Let
no man who passed between the tel
lers in favor Of the amendment be
afraid to answer Aye" when his name
is called. The country will indorse
him.
Evening star., 1922-04-17
D. A. R. Congress.

Another American congress con-
vened in Washington today. 1t is not
so old and not so masculine as that
Congress which sits in the big build.
ing with tall dome topped by a statue
of freedom, but it is quite as inter.
esting, and often it becomes as ami
mated and as much wrought up as the
older convocation.
The Daughters of the American
Revolution are holding their thirty
first continental congress. How times
fly. 1t seems only little while ago
Daughters of the American Revolu-
tion was a new thing. and yet thirty
of these congresses have gone into
history and the thirty-first is with US.
Washington is charmed to be the
place of meeting of the D. A. R. Con-
gress. The capital acknowledges the
honor. Father Washington takes Oft
his threScornered hat and makes a
bow-a slow, low bow as though max.
ing a reverence to his partner in the
whom he cherishes the most profound
, sentiments Of respect. And Father
Washington says not Welcome to our
CITY," but Welcome to your city"
These ladies are only nominally
Daughters Of the American Revolu-
ton. They are far too girlish for that
degree of kinship. They are really
granddaughters, great-granddaughters
and great-great- granddaughter, and
many Of them are younger than that.
But they are all descendants Of men
and women who established the Amer.
lean republic and made the city Of
Washington possible. Americans &C.
knowledge a profound debt of graft
tude to the ancestors of these women,
and, of course, acknowledge the same
debt of gratitude to those ancestors
not represented in this congress by
descendants.
The work these ladies do, the legis-
lation they debate and the legislation
they enact are interesting to great
number Of Americans, and The Star
means not to be tight-fisted in report
ing, publishing and spreading through
out the nation fun account of the
proceedings Of this congress.
Z There are more candidates for Of
fice in the society of the d. A. r. than
there are offices, but this is a disagree
able situation which besets men az
well as women. II it were possible
that all candidates among the women
Of the D. A. r. could be elected we
would wish that it might be SO. But
this cannot be. and so, may the best
woman win, and may the equally as
good women who go down to defeat
bear their disappointment as becomes
children of brave ancestors and help
to pin the laurel on the victor.
Evening star., 1922-04-17
. ROCEEDINGs which will .di-
. rectly affect the lives and per-
sonS. safety Of the millions

~ ROCEEDINGs which will di-
- rectly affect the lives and per-
SONG. safety Of the millions
of persons who travel on
trains each year have just been con-
cluded before the Interstate com
merce Commission.
Extended hearings in the matter OF
forcing installation Of some form OF
automatic train control device. In
stituted to clear up the objections
raised by the railroads and to bring
out the present. point of efficiency
rea ched by train control. have been
in progress before the commission
for about three weeks. During that
time representatives of railroads
automatic train control companies,
the governments own witnesses from
the Interstate Commerce Commits
sion's bureau of safety and engineers
interested in train control have been
heard. Voluminous testimony mas
been taken on both sides of the Ques-
tion and the whole record OF the
hearings is now clear.
The issue at stake. as outlined by
Walter A. Brown of Washington in
the course of direct testimony. Is
whether the American travelling pub
lie is to submit to the chance OF
future disastrous railroad wrecks,
which at present take toll OF hun
Ldreds of lives annually. or through Its
government representative Is to
eliminate in so far as is humanity
possible the chance Of railroad ac-
cidents.
The commission is directed by the
transportation act Of 1920 to institute
troll devices with . view to ordering
installation of such devices on the
major railroads Of the nation. Sew
eral Investigate have been in prog
ress and several of the devices have
been in use for years, even before
ton was promulgated by Congress-.
A few months ago the commission
issued an order requiring the rail-
roads to show cause by the middle
of March as to why they should not
install some method Of automatic
control, of trains devised to prevent
accidents and serious loss of life and
concluded Is the result of that order.
In the meantime. however. forty-nine
railroads must commence installation
of an automatic train control device
on their lines by July l, unless the
order of the commission requiring
their installation by that date is
modified or repealed.
The Investigations conducted by the
bureau of safety have covered pc
riod Of several years. and, according
to M. c. List, representing the bureau.
who testified last week. have found
the present train control devices sat
isfactory to a remarkably high de-
gree. The bureau is not interested in
recommending any of the many train
control devices on the market all OF
which are claimed to be ef1cacious,
but Is carrying out the terms OF the
Evening star., 1922-04-17
Recognising Facts and Logic,

When the House in committee of
the whole adopted the amendment to
the naval appropriation bill increas.
ing the enlisted personnel to degree
which will maintain the Navy at the
ratio with the navies of Great Britain
and Japan fixed by the treaty it yield
ed to the logic deduced from facts.
figures and conditions. To have sus-
tanned the smaller number recommend
ed by the committee on appropriations
would have been to fly in the face Of
reason. prudence and practical con-
siderations Of national safety.
In the debate of last Saturday much
was said about economy, and at times
the impression was-sousht to be con-
vsyed that the appropriations commit
tee was contending for economy and
Evening star., 1922-04-17
EDITORIAL DIGEST

Quittal of Miss Stone, 1.-THE truth may
be that the greater the crime the less
likelihood of Furnishing the woman in
the case" And the Richmond. Ind.
Item feels convinced that "it has got
to a point where almost any woman
can be sure of acquittal for killing q
man. All she has to do Is to throw
Mysteries and shed tears in court and
her conviction is seemingly impos-
sible." The Port Huron, Mich, Times
Herald, feels that zone may have un-
limited sympathy for the wife who
kills the woman who steals her hus-
band. and may find plenty of excuses
for the man who shoots his friend for
violating the honor of his wife, but
there is considerable question whether
1t is wise method of administering
justice, although too often the pun
ishment may be well deserved
Evening star., 1922-04-17
SHOOTING STARS.
BY PHILANDDR JOHNSON.

Waste.
The statistician wonders
As he notes Dame Natures blunders,
And computes the great expense
they cause the earth.
The figure sharps who scribble
Say a little moth will nibble
In q year at least a billion dollars
worth.
The rats who prowl so gaily
Eat up numerous fortunes daily.
The garden bug q similar plan full
fills.
Mosquitoes lightly singing.
The merry microbe bringing,
Leave hapless man to pay the doc,
tors bills.
Little things cause the vexation
OF mankind in every station
And throw our happiness into re.
Fleeing phrases, proudly foolish
From a disposition mulish
Waste time and money for the uni.
verse. :.
Evening star., 1922-04-17
Egg-Rolling.

The sun has not been kind to the lit
tie children today. 1t should have
made the city warm and golden, for
this is the day of the rolling egg. AS
yesterday was the day of the Easter
bonnet. this is the day OF the Easter
egg. Some eggs are rolling. of course,
because there are some children who
will not be denied their ancient rights
and will not forego their ancient rites.
But on the whole it has been rather
an off-day for rolling eggs and egg
rollers.
Some reflections are in order. The
dyed Easter egg is a thing which goes
back deep into re-Christian times as
a custom Of the people of northern
Europe. and it may be that they got
the habit from older peoples. A writer
has set it forth that from the festival
of Easter as observed among the
Norsemen arose the symbols Of the
Easter egg and the Easter rabbit as
prolific reproducers Of species. and the
color Of the Easter eggs-red. blue.
yellow. etc.-was borrowed from the
rays Of the Aurora Borealis-northern
lights-and the dawning hues Of the
Easter sum-"
The Norsemen did not roll the eggs.
Washington children we're the first to
play at rolling eggs, but there is no
chronicle which sets forth when and
box,y fba IN etiv,,o 20 mo ~ no Tho 6rsf
reference to egg-rolling which has
been found occurs in The Evening
Star of Easter Monday. 1874. and
that reference has to do with some in.
terruption of the egg-rolling at the
Capitol by rufiians. The reasonable in
ference is that the custom of rolling
eggs at the Capitol was then an old
one When Washington was young
the small, fenced park about the Capt.
tol was the only one in Washington
improved with turf. trees and flowers.
1t was the habit Of school children to
have an Easter picnic, and with their
teachers and their baskets of lunch
they would go to the Capitol Park.
At the west front Of the Capitol were
steep sodded terraces. In sitting at
the top of these terraces and eating
their lunches. Of which dyed Easter
eggs formed part, some child or chn.
dren discovered that the colored eggs
would roll down the terraces. In that
way the custom started and became q
part of the Easter festival in Wash.
ington. When the incident Of 1874
occurred there were several thousand
children rolling eggs down the sodded
banks. Congress in 1873. noting that
because Of the Easter eggFolling II
was hard to keep grass on the ter.
races. forbade the practice, but egg
rolling festivities were observed in
1875 and 1877 just the same. On
Easter Monday. 1873, the children
were turned away from the Capitol
grounds. Some one thought of the
lawns and mounds in the White House
grounds. The word passed from child
to child, and the march to the White
House was taken up. They invaded
the executive grounds and began roll.
ing eggs. and the custom survives.
Evening star., 1922-04-17

A Massachusetts minister is CEN
sured for having mentioned French
fried potatoes while saying grace. To
single out any national dish for es-
pecial solicitude may not be exactly
irreligious, but it is obviously undiplo-
matte.
Evening star., 1922-04-17

Happy crowds thronged the parks
yesterday, in costumes whose bright
ness rivaled the abundant blooming.
Many people were well repaid for
travelling miles to witness an Easter
scene such as only Washington, D. c.,
can present.
Evening star., 1922-04-17

1t was unreasonable for senator's to
speak with authority on immigration.
A prima donna always speaks with
authority.
Evening star., 1922-04-17

Patagonia's plesiosaurus has van.
ished from attention. The fact is re-
grettable. 1t was hoped that Pata-
gonia, eager to join in the march Of
business improvement had started a
publicity campaign with the only
plesiosaurus on earthA
Evening star., 1922-04-17

No doubt the D. A. r. convention
will throw new light on the highly in
teresting topics announced to come up
for discussion. The subjects announced
for consideration are numerous, and
the only fear is that time will not suf-
flee for all the delegates to be heard
from.
Evening star., 1922-04-17

There will be general rejoicing if
business improves throughout the
country as fast as it has improved on
the New York Stock Exchange.
Evening star., 1922-04-17

The length Of skirt suitable for
schoolgirls was made an election issue
in Topeka, Kan. The candidate for
school board membership who advo-
Gated long skirts won out. A person
in politics these days has to be pre-
pared to take up a large variety OF
topics on brief notice.
Evening star., 1922-04-17

There was a strong drive to reduce
the status Of the United States Navy
in q manner for which foreign diplo-
matists. however gratified by the re-
suit, could take no credit whatever.
Evening star., 1922-04-17

A residence in New York under
has come to be recognized as by no
means unusual as part of Russian
politicians training.
Evening star., 1922-04-17

A bootlegger is restrained from pay.
ing his proper income tax by q GER
tain sense of embarrassment rather
than by lack Of financial resources.
Evening star., 1922-04-17

References to saving America cali
attention to the fact that. despite a
few local problems. the U. s. A. has
managed to hold its own as about the
safest country on earth.
Evening star., 1922-04-17

The much-discussed plesiosaurus
will be wasted unless Patagonia can
raise enough capital to build hotel
and bathing beach.
Evening star., 1922-04-17

When Senator Borah decides to
produce . QUESTIONABLE he refuses to
limit himself to topics Of general in
formation.
Evening star., 1922-04-17

1t would be a blessing to humanity
if the free lunch could be restored
without reviving the liquids that used
to accompany 1t.
Evening star., 1922-04-17

A rising thermometer is the pub
; lies only solace, with coal strike in
progress.
Evening star., 1922-04-17
Quick Changes.

The gentle spring salutes the land,
While apprehensions thrill.
One day you fear q sunstroke, and
the next you get chill.
Evening star., 1922-04-17

justice. A man who stole a cornet
was sent to the penitentiary, despite
the fact that he must have stolen 1t
from somebody who played it,
Kansas City Journal.
Evening star., 1922-04-17
Avoiding Extrames.

''Do you admire skirts so short as
to justify the term 'napper.'"
mo" replied Miss Cayenne; yet I
don't want, them 30 long as to brush
the street. There should be happy
medium between the flapper skirt and
the topper skirt
Evening star., 1922-04-17

April has i've pay days. but there
is Easter. Next month with five ie
July but there is the Fourth. What's
the use ?-Nashville Tennesseean.
Evening star., 1922-04-17
A Passive Attitude.

"Why do you require the services
Of a campaign manager"
"Out Of Difference to the wishes OF
friends in whose hands I am" replied
Senator Sorghum.
"You surely know enough about
politics by this time to run your own
campaign.
''I do. But thoroughly disapprove
of the use OF money in politics, and my
friends insist on putting some one in
charge whose views are more liberal"
Evening star., 1922-04-17

Why is 1t that the treating custom
has never become so general at the
soda fountain as 1t used to be at
the bar Dispatch.
Evening star., 1922-04-17

A movie star sends her hubby q
weekly check for a million kisses.
Wonder who cashes 1t for him?-
Flint (Mich.) Journal
Evening star., 1922-04-17

Usually dark haired women marry
first" announces an earnest student
of matrimony. In Italy, or Sweden?
-Tacoma Ledger.
Evening star., 1922-04-17

II Lloyd George really wants to
get Mr.. Harding over to Genoa, he
ought to challenge him to round
on the golf linka-.olumbia (S. CD