davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1923-11-26
Taken Six Miles 0ffShOre.

Seizure of a British auxiliary
schooner about six miles off the New
Jersey coast, as a rum-runner, may
precimtate a question Of American
jurisdiction in advance of the agree
ment that is now in process of nego-
tiation granting this government the
right to carry enforcement of the pro-
hibition law to the twelve-mile line.
This boat, notorious as a liquor snug
gler, was sighted when lying close in
shore, and was chased by two coast
guard cutters. She put to sea, but
was caught in a short time, although
heretofore her speed has enabled her
to slip away from pursuers. A three
inch shot was fired across her bow. AS
it was unheeded another shot was
fired directly over her hull. She was
then boarded, and after a short fight
with the crew was held and searched.
Two hundred cases, remaining from
the original 4,200-case cargo, were
found in the hold, where a man was
hiding who is known as the rum
smuggler king" In his pockets We're
bank notes for 100000, and in the
cabin safe were other notes to the
value of $4,000. This money, he ad-
mitted, had been received from the
smuggler boats of New Jersey that
visited his ship. He was defiant, and
declared that he was within his rights,
as the boat was taken more than three
miles offshore.
This case should hasten action on
the new agreement with Great Brit
ain. Here is a power schooner that by
dropping anchor just on the other side
of the three-mile liie-which off the
Jersey coast is almost tantamount to
shore landing-does a 100000
business in a few hours. 1t was obvi-
ously in Illegal trade: Under the old
international limitation of jurisdiction
it could carry on this traffic impudent-
ly The only risk was that of the own
ers Of the small boats plying from the
shore; they being fast and of light
draft could make an easy escape.
With perhaps a score of them taking
off portions of the cargo they could
veritable flotilla of chasers could not
catch them all. Plainly the way to
enforce the law is to catch the supply
boat. Under the three-mile-limit rule
she Is immune. Under the proposed
twelve-mile-linlit arrangement she is
subject to capture. At twelve miles
anchorage is difficult to find. Trans
ference of cargo is not easy. The
chances of the small boats reaching
shore safely from the twelve-mile line
are diminished.
This new agreement will come be-
fore the United States Senate at the
coming session of Congress for rati-
fication. The case of the Tomako, how
ever it may turn out in the courts
under the, present rule, should be a
conclusive argument for ratification.
Evening star., 1923-11-26
WASHINGTON OBSERVATIONS
BY FREDERIC WILLIAM VILE

A maximum of ideas with a mini
mum of words, it is announced at
the White House. is to be the key
note of President Coolidge's maiden
message to Congress. The program
is in strict accord with Mr.. Coolidges
passion for thrift in the use of
language. 1t is probable that the
message will be the shortest Of CO.
temporary record. In latter-day
times Woodrow Wilson was accus-
toned to write the relatively briefest
presidential communications to Con-
gress. Mr.. Harding also was at pains
to be as concise as circumstances
permitted. Presidents Mckinley and
Taft were wont to cover vast amount
of territory In their messages, but Mr..
Roosevelt was the most addicted to
length. He insisted on traversing
his views in voluminous detail.
y X X
Old-timers on Capitol Hill say that
the custom initiated by President
Wilson of delivering messages in per-
son makes for brevity. The encycli-
calls sent up to be read were always
much more verbose. President Cool
idge has not yet determined whether
he will meet Congress face to face
and speak his message. Some of his
friends hope he will relegate the prac-
tice followed by Messrs. Wilson and
Harding and have his communication
read. Calvin Coolidge's oratory is
reads" better in print than his
SneaChpS Mars al dalf
The literary style of his state papers
"a Governor of Massachusetts, and
Vice President, is o outstanding
merit 1t has happeneu to many men
that a powerful speech has fallen
fiat because of ineffective delivery
Mr.. Coolidge. who is conscious of his
elocutionary disadvantages. may
therefore. decide to run no risks at
the Capitol on December 3.
X Il
The Navy Department is being
swamped with requests from all parts
of the country for visits from U. s. S.
Shenandoah. our mammoth and mag
nificent new dirigible airship. Sec
retary Denby has reluctantly had to
decline all suggestions for further
cruises, at least for the immediate
pi Cochl' he
flights thus far have been conducted
at the expense of training necessities
for crews. and the department has
decided there should be no additional
delay Everywhere - throughout the
middle west, in the Mississippi valley
in New England, along the northern
Atlantic seaboard and through the
Virginia countryside adjacent to
Washington-the Shenandoah's ap-
pearance evoked the utmost enthu-
siasm. The people of the Shenandoah
valley, through which the airship
cruised the other day, welcomed her
with special acclaim.
X X X
Several million farmers, during the
third week of December, will par
ticipate in a great and solemn ref
erendum on the soldiers bonus. 1t
will be conducted by the various state
Farm Bureau Federations. Ways and
Evening star., 1923-11-26

means Tor taking the vote Will be
determined at the national conven-
ton OF the American Farm Bureau
Federation in Chicago, December 10
IA. The federation Is already on
record against the sales tax. The
prediction is made at Washington
headquarters that the farmers. in
the1r overwhelming majority, favor
the Mellon tax-reduction program.
particularly the blow it is proposed
to strike at tax-exempt securities.
Pollt1cs and Internationally
William e. Borah" is the title of a
book Of the Idaho Demosthenes'
speeches shortly to be published by
New York house. The compiler is
Horace Green, q Washington writer,
whose leitmotif in putting Borah's 8
oratlons between covers is to show
that ne mas been pioneer as far as
major administration programs in re-
cent times are concerned. The book
VIII embrace not only Senator Borah's
oest known speeches in and out of
congress, but some OF the celebrated
Senate resolutions he has introduced.
winch eventually were translated into
national policy. The conference on
limitation of armament is perhaps the
most notable instance. The coinci-
dence of the books appearance on
the eve of 1924 is devoid of signifi-
cance-both Borah and his Boswell
affirm.
Robert c. Morris of the New York
bar, who represented the state of
Missouri in the branch banks case
argued before the Supreme Court last
week. is a lfneal descendant of the
revolutionary banker whose name he
bears. So he figures appropriately in
litigation which strikes at the funda-
Yroa tol oF
tenn. Missourrs contention is that
If national banks are permitted. with
out restriction, to establish branches,
the banking business is in danger of
becoming a national bank monopoly
Mr.. Morris dwelt with emphasis upon
the opinion of Henry NJ. Dawes, con-
troller of the currency, that he could
not properly permit the establishment
OF branch bank activities
in any locality where the state laws
or practices prohibit the state banks
from rendering similar services. I"
Great Britain and Germany. owing
to the branch system. banking is
virtually the monopoly of half-a-
dozen, or fewer, leading banks.
x X 4 y
DR.. Heinrich Albert, no is to be
the next chancellor of the chaotic
German republic. was der CUTE
Albert" (the good Albert) who fig
ured in Count Bernstorff's pre-war
correspondence of evil memory. It
was the contents of Albert's port
folio, obtained by British secret serv-
ice operatives in New York, that re-
vealed the ambassadors Illicit activ-
tiles in America, while we were still
at peace with Germany. The British
foreign office made widespread propa-
ganda use of the Albert corre-
spondence and Cancelled bank checks
issuing them as a pamphlet that
proved to be of the most damaging
and convincing character. Alberts
pre-war position In the German gov
ernment was as an expert adviser on
expOsitions. He had to decide
whether a domestic or foreign exhibit
tion was worthy of official German
support.
Copyright. 1921
Evening star., 1923-11-26

A. Malic acid is present In gen.
erous quantity in apples. pears. red
ana white currants, blackberries and
raspberrles, ounces, pineapple and
cherrles. Cltr1c acid Is found in
lemons, lines. oranges, gooseberries,
strawberries and raspberries, and tar
taric acid predominates in grapes,
though it exists in other fruits.
Salicylic acid is sparingly. present.
probably In the form of methyl ester,
In plums, cherries, currants, grapes
and Strawberries, raspberries, etc.
Boric acid is said to be present in
oranges and lemons.
O. Who put the nrst levee on the
Mississippi?-G. w. b.
A. The first levee on the Missis-
sippi river was built at New Orleans
by Gov. Perier 1t was completed
November Is, 1927.
Q. What does damp in a well''
mean?-G. NJ. w.
A. Damp in we'll" signifies
gaseous conditions in the well. The
two gases that are formed in well
dioxide. The former is more dan
gerous than the latter.
Q. Is scagiola a stone?-J. l. H.
A. Scagiola is an imitation stone
consisting of substratum of finely
|
riegated on its surface while soft
with marble, spar or granite dust,
and subsequently polished. 1t is used
for floors, columns and other orna-
mental interior work.
Q. Does a man who pays for a
lock box in a post office own the box?
If not, what is he paying tor?-C. r.
A. The Post Office Department
says that the rentals collected for
the use of lock boxes in post Offices
vate delivery of mail. There is no
provision of law whatsoever by which
ia box renter may acquire legal owner
ship Of the box, which is a part Of
the equipment of the post office.
Q. Are all whales dark in color?
A There are some white whales.
These are found in Arctic and Ant
arctic regions and also along the
Alaskan coast. The white whale is
not so large as the other types of
whale.
O.. Do we send as much merchan-
disc to Japan as we receive from that
country Nv. C. S.
A. The Department of Commerce
says that in 1922 our exports to
Japan were valued at s21S, 1000,
while we imported products to the
value of 900.
Q. What were the casualties and
what was the fate of the Light
Brigade"?-E. V. d. W.
A. The order for the charge read
as follows: Lord Raglan wishes the
cavalry to advance rapidly to the
front and to try to prevent the en-
emy carrying away the guns French
cavalry is on your left" The Light
Brigade advanced straight to it's front
and soon came under fire from the
guns on both fianks. Five minutes
later the guns in front got in their
fire. Only two formed bodies of the
Light Brigade found their way back.
The brigade lost PAT men and 497
horses. out Of a total strength of 673
engaged in the charge, which, from
first to last. occupied twenty minutes.
(RdUe yoH question you todnt
dnStoereds Send 1t to The Star In
formation Bureau, Frederic j. Hos
kin. director, 1920 North CAPITOL
street. The only charge for this
SerUtce is 2 cents in stamps for
return postGge.)
Evening star., 1923-11-26

can be such thing as inadequate
Legislation, leaving the party In power
open to criticism for non-performance.
It hs difficult to see how this Con-
gress can escape action upon tax re-
duction.
Secretary Mellon has the country
"all keyed up by his cheerful an
terial reduction in federal taxes. The
people "rose to it, like a hungry bass
to a minnow, and the press picked it
up eagerly. 1t is noted that a caravan
of old-fashioned prairie schooners is to
Journey from Ohio to Washington
working up sentiment for tax reduc-
ton, economy and simplAcity-a kind
of CoXeys army. They will be sup
posed to impress the lawmakers.
1t will probably be several days be-
fore the organization of the House is
completed, owing to ADJOURNMENT for
the late President Harding, and longer
for the Senate. 1t is the best judg-
ment on Capitol Hill that Speaker Gill
House. There may be furry over
the House leadership between Mr..
Longworth of Ohio and Mr. Graham
of Illinois, but the contest Is not ex-
pected to create factional division cal
culated to leave scars
Congress has been away hong time,
and Washington will be glad to see it
back, welcoming the new members
and renewing assurances of esteem
Evening star., 1923-11-26
The Coming Congress.

Next Monday at noon the Sixty
eighth Congress will convene in regu-
lar session for term which is expect
ed to run far into the summer months,
and in certain contingencies may con-
tinue until near the approach Of the
general elections. On the eve Of the
presidential and congressional cam
paigns it is always the fond hope Of
the statesmen-politicians to "clean up
and get away" as soon as possible,
but experience has shown that 1t is
not always feasible. We can vision
the House and Senate republican
leaders nodding significantly to the re-
spective chairmen Of the appropria-
tions committees. too, with the sug-
gestion. You'd better keep 'em pretty
busy with appropriation bills"
Too much legislation in a campaign
year seems to be regarded as hoodoo
ny the politicians. Probably II can be
iikened 90 the motto ascribed 10 Presi.
frnt Coolidge az his own. What ] do
say oannos hurt me" Yet there
Evening star., 1923-11-26

is not hard and there are some fea-
lures Of government service, such as
annual leave Of one month and sick
leave, which are tempting. There is
also some prestige in working for
the government" and in being en-
ployed in the government service at
Washington" But there is a great
deal of disappointment. The pay is
not good when the high cost Of living
anywhere nowadays, and especially in
a city, is taken into account. In spite
of the civil service law there is al
ways the possibility that a worthy,
capable and Industrious employe may
lose his position or be separated from
the service" "for the good of the
SERVICE" when some high government
official wants to make place for a
friend or useful political adherent.
Promotion is normally exceedingly
slow and often never comes to him
who waits. The duties Of an employe
are often so highly specialized" that
he does one particular little thing till
he comes to the point of boredom and
exhaustion. The retirement system
only recently adopted is not consid-
cred liberal, even though the fund
that maintains it is contributed by
the employees.
Many persons seek to get away
from the government service and take
their chances in the wider world of
private industry and enterprise Many
more would do this, but the very fact
that they have worked long for the
government handicaps them. They
have been doing one particular piece
of work over and over again so long
that they might not fit a place where
general office work or general work of
other kinds is done
Evening star., 1923-11-26
Government Office.

Certain statistics compiled and made
public by the Civil Service Commits
sion show that all is not well in the
government service at Washington
and among the sixty-odd thousand
employees of the government at the
National Capital. The Civil Service
Commission tells that the turnover Of
employees in the government service
in the District of Columbia, exclusive
of employees of the District govern
ment, averaged nearly 20 per cent
from October 1, 1922, to October 81,
1928. On the latter date there were
65,S51 employees in the government
service here, being a reduction Of
2,713 from the number Of employees on
November /, 1922. During the year
there were 12,476 additions to and
1897 departures from the service.
The great war and the immense
work the government was called on
to do made necessary the employment
Of thousands Of men and women. The
high mark was 117,760 federal en-
ployes at Washington. With the close
of the war and the gradual winding
up Of war business there, has been a
steady decrease in the number of en-
ployes. That was expected. But there
is especial significance in the turn
over" There is significance in the
fact that during the year closed on
October 81. 1928. 1897 employees left
the service and 12.476 entered it.
Many persons are anxious to get
into the government service. The
pay may not be high. but II is sure
and regular. II seems large to many
persons who come from villages and
from the farms. Generally the work
Evening star., 1923-11-26
Reduction in tar on earned

One strong argument in behalf Of
reducing the surtax on incomes Is
based on the persistent blanketing of
incomes in tax-exempt securities,
thereby taking investments out Of
enterprises of business and industry.
In 1915, there were reported 1,206 in
comes exceeding 100000. and each
year these have decreased In num-
ber, until, in 1921, there were only
246. The decrease Is attributed, not
to reduced incomes, but to tax-exempt
investments. 1t is to lure such in
yestments back into industry that
surtaxes on incomes would be re-
duced.
The reduction on earned incomes"
is especially urged because they are
always uncertain of continuity, be-
ing interrupted by sickness, death or
old age. Normal tax applies on all
incomes, whether from earnings or
Inherited investments.
The proposed reductions would be,
for example, on an income or $4,000
saving of $12.25; for an income
of $4,000 a saving of 1922.
/ Nuisance taxes"-on kilograms,
telephones and theater admissions are
'inconvenient," as characterized by
Mr.. Mellon, and so 800, 100000 would
be cut off from such "nuisances."
"Jewelry, according to our standard
Of living can not properly be denomi-
mated luxuries," says the Secretary
of the Treasury, therefore the tax
should be removed.
Aside from the tax on 5ewelry. the
saving on the nuisance" taxes of
500, 100000 Is nearly a third of the
total proposed reduction.
u X X X
In a letter dated January "a, 1922.
from Secretary Mellon to Representa-
tive J. W. Fordney. then chairman of
the ways and means committee, this
was stated:
THE budget estimate indicates n
deficit for 1929 of over S167 200, 900.
These figures make no allowance for
expenditures not covered by the bud
get. a.. for example. S50.o00.000 al
ready requested by the United States
shipping Board for the settlement
Evening star., 1923-11-26
ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
BY FREDERIC j. HASKIN

Q. Do people in foreign countries
observe Thanksgiving as we do In
the United States and Canada?-S. T..
A. Thanksgiving day Is char
acteristically an anniversary observed
in North America. So far as we
know, there is no comparable ami
versary observed elsewhere. The
Canadian Thanksgiving day comes on
the Monday following Armistice day
@. Has an automobile controlled
by radio been demonstrated success
fully?-J. 3. G.
A. The Society Of Automotive En-
gineers says that the wireless con-
troll automobile was developed in
Dayton. Ohio, by an engineer who
was associated at one time with the
engineering staff of the Air Service
at McCook Field. 1t has been dem
onstrated number of times and was
brought into the public eye recently
at the aeronautical meet at st. Louis.
Q. When will Thrift week be OBJ
served?-L. D. r.
A. National Thrift week will be
observed from January II to January
20, 1924.
@. What kind of an automobile
does King George of England use?
p. G. r.
A. The British embassy says that
the King of England uses the Daimler
car and has preferred 1t for some
years He is also seen in a Napier
automobile.
@. Will veneered furniture warp
as readily as solid furniture?-F. L.
A. A panel OF this construction
has the advantages that 1t is more
nearly of the same strength in all
gives up moisture it shrinks and
swells about as much one way as
another. Splitting along the grain
In one set of plies is made impos-
sible by the cross grain of the alter
nate plies, and rapid shrinking across
by "A slow shrinkage along the grain
In the core.
@. How many motion pictures of
the world war were taken?-E. P. c.
A. The Signal Corps says that ap-
proximately 10000 feet of film were
taken during the war.
Q. Why is it necessary to buy an
ointment in order to get sulphur
tonic for the afro. c.
A. By many authorities sulphur is
given preference over all Other tonic
agents for application to the scalp.
On account of the insolubility of sui
phur, IL cannot be used in liquid form
for treatment of scalp disorders, so
must be applied as an ointment.
Q. When did the Panama revolu-
tion take place?-M. p.
A. From 1S46 to 1903 there were
fifty-three revolutionary outbreaks in
Panama. The revolt which achieved
the independence of the republic oc-
CURED on November 8, 1903. 1t was
largely the result OF the refusal of
Colombia to accept the plans of the
United States in regard to the con-
struction of the Panama canal.
O. What has become of the rose
window of the Rheims Cathedral
S. c.
A. The great rose window In the
west facade of the Rheims Cathedral
was destroyed in the fire of September
1s. 1914. which resulted from incendi-
airy shells.
Q. What are the various acids
found in fruits?-C. p. n.
Evening star., 1923-11-26
in TODAY'S SPOTLIGHT
BY PAUL Y. COLLINS

The way to a mans heart Is
through his stomach says the house
wife. The parallel maxim Of the
Danes must be diverted to pass
through the mans tax account In
line with that financial engineering.
the Secretary of the Treasury, Mr.
Mellon, has proposed to make a cut
through the tax list The proposal
meets with general acclaim, in so far
as it's total results are indicated. Has
there been found any individual who
objects to the cutting of his own
taxes?
The taxes which are recognized as
an onerous burden were established
as war emergency resources. Pa
triotism made them welcome, gener-
ally, as they were needed to win the
war. but now the war is over.
Secretary Mellon, November 10,
1928, says:
Making the most conservative estf-
mates about the yield of existing
taxes and the possibilities of further
reductions in expenditure, 1t appears
that for this year, and for the next
four or five years, there should be a
surplus of something more than
s300,00O,000 a year, over and above
all expenditures chargeable to the
ordinary budget, including the fixed
debt charges payable out of current
revenues"
This gives a reasonable Margin"
he adds, mot only for tax revision,
but for tax reduction"
The Secretary advises that this tax
reduction should be applied as fol-
lows:
Evening star., 1923-11-26
SHOOTING STARS.
BY PHILANDER JOHNSON.
Juvenile Gravity

Juvenile Gravity.
Trying to be frivolous
And very up-to-date,
Grandma makes funny fuss
And sits up rather late.
Grandpa wears eccentric styles
And speaks in sporty phrase.
The children lose their sunny smiles,
Observing old folks ways.
Children very grave have grown.
Heavy are their cares
Soon they'll struggle all alone
With the worlds affairs.
Old folks say, We've done our best.
Now it's up to us
To enjoy a little rest
And be frivolous"
Evening star., 1923-11-26

New York police have been making
notes on theatrical performances to
be filed in the secret archives Of head
quarters. At last reliable method
has been found for protecting the
dramatic critic from the wrath of the
manager.
Evening star., 1923-11-26

Fears are entertained that the
turkey, so closely associated with the
Thanksgiving feast, will become ex-
tinct. Many articles Of food once IA
milfar are falling into disuse. It will
be possible to be quite as sincerely
grateful to Providence with a chicken
and waffle dinner as with the tradi.
tional banquet bird.
Evening star., 1923-11-26

No boom can feel safe while C>l.
George Harvey is too busy winding up
his official affairs to sit down to his
trusty typewriter and PUNK out exact
ly what he thinks about it.
Evening star., 1923-11-26

There is, as philosophers have re-
marked, no loneliness SO great as that
to be found in a crowd. The space in
front of some busy hotel or cafe is
venient point of operation.
Evening star., 1923-11-26
Safety in Street Cars

We've got to have a street car line
in Crimson Gulch," remarked Cactus
Joe.
1.-THE town as yet isn't covering
much territory"
"It's a question of safety, not dis.
tance. The street is so full of flivvers
that weary citizen needs some way
to get around without the risk of
being run over.''
Evening star., 1923-11-26

AS the time for his message to Con-
gress, approaches President Coolidge
becomes more and more an object of
close public attention. Congress is, af-
ter all, but a small section of his audi.
ence.