davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1923-03-16
Sale of Easter Chicks
Is Subject of Protest
To the Editor Of The Star:

To the Editor OF The Star:
Does it not seem strange that
cruelty should be involved in con-
nection with the celebration of the
joyous Easter season? But already for
over three weeks live Easter" chicks
have been sold throughout the city.
1t is against this traffic that l pro-
test, for it brings in its wake a train
of needless suffering TO these pretty,
delicate. helpless incubator babies.
The first sale / noted and attended
this year was in a downtown ten-cent
store. The fact that the chicks seem
ed to be comfortably cared for in
this particular store did not insure
this condition In all stores where
they will be displayed. nor does the
fact that the Humane Society will
not allow them to be purchased In
.less than lots of five guarantee all
of them proper care upon reaching
their new homes. In the first place, a
considerable percentage of them are
apt already to be or soon to be af-
fected with one Of the intestinal all
ments common to young chicks, to
which they finally succumb within
headway. This was the. case with
the two sickly ones, the last of the
batch, for which 1 made special
bargain and took to my veterinarian
for diagnosis. This is a financial loss
to the purchaser, although it might
prove, on the other hand, to be the
lesser of two evils for the chicks. It
is obvious that many mothers satisfy
their children's natural desire for the
cunning little fluff balls, but that they
all do not realize that upon purchase
responsibility only begins, for the
baby. chicks must be properly fed
and warmed and given sufficient rest
from little hands that will squeeze
and squeeze often fatefully.
1t is a beautiful sight to see a child
with a pet for which he is taught
to care tenderly by wise parents, who
realize the great lessons instiiled into
him by making him feel that he is
responsible for his pets comfort, but
it is heartrending to see a child al
lowed to use an animal merely as a
toy. Because of the risk of this
toward these particular live novel
ties" l think that this Easter. chick
traffic should be wholly prohibited by
law, and that every one with a kind
feeling for the dumb animal creation
should be willing to back the humane
organizations of city and country in
whatever measures they take to bring
this about. In the meanwhile, speak
or write store managers about the
encouragement of this phase of
cruelty.
The sale of Easter bunnies" or any
other creature just for the novelty of
a season should also carefully be
looked into. The fact that the nation
wide BE Kind to Animals" week
(April 9-14) and Humane Sunday
(April 15) follow the Easter season
should be a special incentive to sup
port and improve the anti-cruelty
laws.
VIRGINIA w. SARGENT.
Evening star., 1923-03-16
Praises Research Work
VIM. Henshaw Declares American
Ruins Should Be Preserved.
To the Editor OF The Star.

To the Editor Of The Star: q,
The Imagination as welf'as the en-
tn usiasn OF. scientists throughout tn g
United States hae been stirred by the
recent discoveries In Central America
Of archaeological ruins which indicate
that there may have existed In that
region a civilization older, by many
thousands Of years, than any whose
temples and tombs Of Egypt 1t is,
therefore, with very great pleasure
that / read in last Sundays Star an
account OF the fact that Col. William
Eric Fowler Of Washington is going
to the fifth international conference
Of American states. at Santiago, Chile,
with the. concrete proposition In mind
for the creation of an international
commission, whose function shall be,
with the official sanction of the va
American states. the protection from
vandalism and natural decay OF these
ruins until they can be more fully
examined by experts. and also to
bring about the coordination OF re-
search and effort by the various
archaeological and other scientific bod
les Of both North and South America
Col. Fowler, whose interest in the
ancient arts is well known and recog-
nized by American archeologists. is
given as a delegate to the Santiago
conference, appointed by the Presi-
dent of the United States, to pro-
pound and urge a movement of this
great Importance to science.
The best wishes of students in
America and Europe are with him. /
am sure, in this practical and neces-
sary step, IL the records of past ages
are to be preserved and read into the
true history of the western hemi-
sphere. All who have become inter
ested in the recent astonishing dis
ooveries in Egypt will hope. as do.
that Col. Fowler will meet with
success in his effort to enlist the
cooperation of the pan-American ma
tions in one concerted plan, as pro-
posed, to save these priceless Ameri-
can relics for all time, or until they
can be carefully and systematically
examined by experts. No one knows
what the message of these ancient
ruins will be, once 1t has been intel
ligently translated into our language
and thought, nor how far that mes
sage may change our modern ideas
of the progress and evolution of man
kind. The discoveries in Egypt. AS
syria, Babylonia and Mesopotamia
heretofore have Influenced our cons
ception of prehistoric life and civilf-
zation. Not enough attention has
been paid to the records at our very
doors Col. Fowler will have done an
inestimable service to science IL he
succeeds in his effort to have created
at Santiago an international commits
sion on archaeological research.
WILLIAM ]. HENSHAW.
Evening star., 1923-03-16
Income Tax Returns.

There are two causes for gratifica-
ton in the surprising increase in in
come tax returns for the calendar year
1922. One is that the government will
enjoy larger revenue than had been
expected, and the other the evidence
that business has been better than was
thought. The increases are the more
the rates, which, without an increase
in general prosperity, would have
operated naturally to decrease the
total of tax receipts. The Treasury
estimates that collections for the first
quarter Of 1923 will approximate $780,
o00, 900, or about s7.000,00o more than
for the first quarter OF last year. This
despite the fact that the excess profit
tax has been dropped and that the
minimum for surtaxes now is $4,000.
from 10 to 12h per cent on capital
stock, adopted in lieu Of the excess
profit tax, does not become effective
until June Is.
There could be no better demonstra-
ton than this tax showing Of the
happy situation in which the United
States finds itself. Other nations are
taxing their people SO heavily as to
slow up production and destroy initia-
tive, with no relief in sight, and yet
are able hardly to make a beginning
at balancing their budgets. This gov
ernment is able to reduce its rates of
taxation, and under the reduced rates
to increase its revenues, at the same
time permitting individuals and cor
porations to go ahead with their un-
dertakings freed Of the prospect that
the fruits Of their enterprise will be
harvested by the taxgatherer.
Here is an achievement of the re-
publican administration and Congress
credit for which cannot be denied. Re
duction in expenditures, reduction in
the rates of taxation and increase Of
revenues constitute a trinity of financ-
ing the benefits Of which will extend
into every part of the country and
will be shared by every class Of citi-
zens. Paying Of taxes is never pleas
ent operation, but the people will pay
with great deal better cheer now
that they can feel the government has
a constructive policy, and that they
are working their way out Of the war
mire instead of deeper into it.
Evening star., 1923-03-16
THE WAYS OF WASHINGTON
BY WILLIAM PICKETT HELM.

washington has never known such
q boom of building operations to-
day. On every hand and in every
direction the city is being torn up and
made over again. '.2 ~.
In the northeast and northwest sec
tions, especially the city is extending
its lines into virgin fields where but
yesterday domestic. animals ran at
large. Most of these new buildings
are homes, but as one comes nearer to
the center Of the city the character of
buildings changes. -......
house nearing completion. 1t covers
whole acres and will house hundreds
OF families. There is another, almost
as large. but few blocks away.
Sonder Is a pit whence VIII arise
housing more than 1000 guests. Here
opened.
All around on every hand one sees
80 many hotels and apartments going
up that one is tempted to wonder II
the city Is not becoming overbuiit.
How strange the city would appear
To-Day TO a resident Of a century ago!
When Congress first met in Wash
ington there was but one hotel in the
city and one more In Georgetown. A
hundred years ago the number had
grown to half a dozen.
The favorite establishment of the
young republics statesmen was the
Indian Queen Hotel, which occupied
the site of the present Metropolitan
aotel on Pennsylvania avenue. The
Indian Queen was designated by a
large swinging sign upon which was
painted. in fiaring colors, q figure
depicting Pocahontas.
It was as different from the hotel
of today as black Is from white.
And how different, too, were the ways
was born in Havre de Grace and had
learned how to run hotel in Hagers-
town and Alexandria.
Whenever the stage drew in with
customers Brown used to come to the
curb to meet them. Such an impor-
tant ceremony was not to be dele
gated to any employe.
Imagine the proprietor OF, say, the
Washington, the Willard, the Raleigh.
the Powhatan. or any of the citys
leading hotels, going down to the
station to meet his guests today.
Brown escorted his guests from the
stagecoach into .the house. On the
way In he sized each one up so that
he might determine what sort OF
room should be assigned him. Hav-
ing determined on the room, he would
describe it's advantages and then send
the guests of to the room under the
pilotage Of q colored servant.
When the next meal was ready the
immediate neighborhood knew it by
the ringing of an exceedingly capable
bell. Brown would meet each guest
at the dining room door and escort
him or her to a seat. For this little
ritual Brown attired himself in a
large white apron covering almost
his entire front and reaching well
down below his knees.
Brown himself sat at the head of
the table, where he carved and served
the principal dish. The excellences or
this he would announce in a loud
tone of voice, inviting his guests to
send up thier plates for what he sur
Evening star., 1923-03-16
An ASSUMPTION.

An Assumption.
White folks needs de winter SOS to
sell de black folks coal,
An help along de grocery man dat's
e, takin' in de toll.
Dey's paid for dar improvements an
some time dey wants to pass.
Affirm up de furnace an a-lightin' of
de gas.
Dey owns de almanac FUN dark No
vember up till May, =
But rs heard it recitated dat eash
dog'll hab is day. s... .--
I.dunno much about de comfort winter
time kin bring,
But it's cullud folks's weather when
de birds begin to sing. /:
Cullud folks's weather when de sky
so far away, =
Wifi it's floatin' clouds is smilin' at de
shadows in de bay;
When de branches feather out ag'in
an show a downy sheen ~ :.
Befo' de leaves comes out an hides
de gray VIII laughin' green;
When de wif'fiower mods to cheer up
as a.loafin' long you 90; - =,
When mullins got a thing to do. .cep'
go ahead an grow;
De white folks has de blizzard an de
pleasures 1t kin bring,
But It's cullud folks's weather when
de birds begin to- sing. =. ;.
Evening star., 1923-03-16
Demand That Spider Young S
Death End "Subsidized Suicide"

The spirit of the Roman arena.
compounded with the more distinc-
lively American, but hardly more en-
nobling appetite for blatant pub
licity. accounts, in editorial opinion,
for the spectacle that took place in
New York city a few days ago, when
Harry Young, a human fly" failed
in his effort to climb the wall of the
Hotel Martinique and fell ten stories
TO his death. The mental attitude of
a crowd of 10000 that would gather
to see so pointless an exhibition of
daring receives scathing analysis at
the hands of editorial writers. More
important. however, as the press sees
it, is the fact that the performance
was promoted by motion picture pro-
ducers as a publicity stunt" AS
result papers all over the country are
demanding that the death of Spider"
Young shall mark the end of what the
New Orleans Times-Picayune. in a
telling phrase, calls ''subsidized sui
eide"
1T is a queer .quirk in human ma
ture," says the Milwaukee Journal.
this exhilaration that comes from
seeing another being like ourselves
deliberate stake the life we prize so
highly on the adroitness OF toes and
fingers" and. the Memphis CONNER
cial Appeal adds, the man who fell
to his death is not alone responsible
for his foolish attempt. We who de-
Hand thrilling feats for our enter
tafnment must share the responsible
ity.- IL we had no appetite for such
death -defying performances reckless
men wouid not attempt them for
gain" The Norfolk irginian-Piiot
sees no marked difference between the
spirit that inspires the New York
mob that crowds into downtown
canyon to watch, the antics of
packed the Coliseum" or the Mexican
mob that crowds the bull ring"
Rather, the New York spirit Is more
lowly," for in gladitorial combats
and bull fights "there is at least the
powerful attraction of mutual COM
human fly and the perpendicular side
of a hotel is a one-sided game. The
hotel wall has nothing at stake.
aside from the laws and customs
that spread fair veneer over the
surface Of things" the Rochester
we, even in America, are not far re
moved from our ancestors who Justify
enjoyed bIoodshed."
''It ought to be remembered, the
New York Herald holds, that Young
swas merely doing what most other
men in the world do when they un-
dertake to earn livelihood. He
happened to have selected an un-
fortunate means. of earning his
bread" But granting that many DIE
daily in the regular grind OF work,
trains and ins every other line of
activity" at least the men who take
these risks, the LapsinG State Journal
Evening star., 1923-03-16
Practical Conservation.

Senator McNary, chairman of the
ton, gives assurances to an interested
public that the committee will proceed
diligently during the summer upon
the highly important task of studying
plans for the reforestation of cut
over pine lands of the country. There
are millions of acres which are pecul-
iarly adapted to the growth of timber
if protected from fire.. Cooperate
between the federal government and
the states is, of course, necessary for
forestatiop, and Senator McNary ex
presses himself as confident that this
can be accomplished.
Reforestation is one Of the most i'm
portant problems Of conservation.
However popular opinion may differ as
to the present use Of the public lands
forests or their preservation for other
generations, there can be no division
Of opinion on the restoration Of the
acreage which has been cut. To re-
store themt to another growth and pre-.
serve them from fire while the timber
advances to the marketable stage is
the commonest kind Of common sense.
All citizens can unite in program
of action to this end. In the present
undertaking Of the Senate special COM
mittee the first step Is being taken
to make thorough survey and as
certain actual conditions and fu.
ture prospects. Then, for a national
law. within the Constitutions, and the
cooperation Of the states within their
reserved rights. 1t is a good work
and should go on.
Evening star., 1923-03-16
Foreign Affairs Gives
Unbiased World Review
To the Editor Of The Star;

To the Editor Of The Star:
We are strongly of the belief that
there is a need in the United States
today for a review where competent
authorities may lay before the pub
lie their views on the international
aspects of Americas political, eco
nomic and financial problems.
We ask the privilege of calling the
public's attention, through your COL
umns, to "Foreign Affairs" the
American quarterly review recently
founded on a non-prof1t- making basis
py the Council of Foreign Relations
in New York.
Foreign Affairs" is not the organ
of any. one party. or school OF thought
1t welcomes articles from men hold
ing widely different opinions, de-
manding only that they be sincerely
and ably written and, based on trust
worthy information. In addition to
it's leading articles, Foreign Affairs"
provides a photography of recent
books in the international field, an
index of reference material for stu
dents and writer's, and a list of trea-
ties and trade agreements for the
increasing number of American busi-
ness men who find their work affected
by conditions abroad.
The very high standard of variety
and interest set by the editor Of
Foreign Affairs" Archibald Cary
Coolidge of Harvard University, is
Shown by'a list of the contributors
to the two issues already published.
Among these contributors have been
Gen. Tasker H. Bliss, DR.. Charles E.
Eliot, Joseph Caillaux, Andre Tar
dieu. John Foster Dulles. Premier
Eduard Benes, Philip Kerr, Karl
Kautsky, Charles H. Haskins, Ernest
Boyd, Josef Redlich and other stu
dents of international affairs of equal
Importance. -
We feel sure you will agree with US
that the establishment of an Ameri-
can review such as Foreign Affairs
ably written and ably edited. is pub
lie service of the highest Importance
and merits wide support. We have no
hesitation in recommending 1T strong
iy to all those who are interested in
the development of a reasoned Ameri-
can foreign policy.
JOHN W. DAVIS,
President Council on Foreign Rela-
tions- --.--- -..-.-. 49,. ..-...-... .. o.
ELIHU ROOT,
DAVID =. HOUSTON,
Is GEORGE w, :GWICKERSHAM. ,
Evening star., 1923-03-16
Alley Homes.

The pressure for housing space in
Washington is shown by count of
persons living in alley houses, made
by police, at the suggestion Of Com
missioner Oyster. The figures show
that the alley population, compared
with a count made three years ago, is
practically stationary. In fact, an in
crease is shown, the figures being 9 ,017
for 1919 and s,5S2 of this date. The
number Of houses is set down as 3,246.
Under the law the Commissioners
must close these houses on June !, this
year. Efforts were made to have Con-
eress postpone the date, and also to
close the houses by degrees or zones.
one-third of them at time. The eff
forts failed and the law stands. 1t is
feared that these people will find it
difficult, and perhaps in many cases
impossible, to And quarters elsewhere,
and that a grave public emergency
will have to be met.
Various thoughts arise in connec-
ton with this matter. 1t is conceded
that alleys ought not to furnish sites
for human habitations. When the
campaign against alley dwellings be-
gan, far the greater number Of those
homes were distressing affairs. That
was in the time when men and women
were living in "shacks' on commons
and in out-of-the-way places. These
'shacks" were not what are popular
" "a I1ed .Sbacks pou- for n cbo oly NOV
be plain and comfortable dwelling
place. The old shacks were generally
rude shelters struck up of pieces of
waste tin and old boxes and, Of course,
were without water or sewer connec-
ton. There used to be many Of these
in the territory through which James
Creek, canal ran and between New
York avenue and what is now Poto-
mac Park, They have disappeared.
Many alleys harbored lawless popu.
lation and gave the police much trou-
BILE. Alleys were unpaved and dirty,
and many of the homes" were with
out water and sewer connection. Great
changes have been made. Many alley
houses now are reasonably well built
and comparatively sanitary. The alleys
are paved, lighted and regularly
cleaned by the street.cleaning depart
ment. There .is not now the same
pressing need for Immediate wholesale
evacuation Of the alleys. But the law
must be carried out, and the 10000
people Of the alleys must on June 1
find homes or have homes found for
them elsewhere. Unless, indeed, some
legal basis for an injunction may be
found which will hold things as they
are until Congress has the opportunity
in December to provide for the gradual
emptying Of the alley houses, begin
ming with those which are public
nuisances. ?.
Evening star., 1923-03-16
EDITORIAL DIGEST

points out, contribute something TO
the worlds needs" while 1.-The stunt
man furnishes only entertainment
and thrills. 1t is precisely because
hazards that they are to be con-
demned. many writer's insist. AS the
Minneapolis Tribune has 1t. "a diff
ference exists between necessary and
unnecessary hazards. Many of
the deaths incurred through airplane
accidents must be accepted as sacri-
fees offered up TO science" In
foungs case, however, mo public
service was involved. Here no
pioneering on behalf of science was
in question. A man was simply prom
ised SO much money TO risk his life
for the amusement of the crowd" He
lost in the gamble with fate, and
civilization gained nothing.
there will always be daring spirits
willing to throw lives away to no
purpose whatever as long as there
are foolish spirits willing to pay
them" and. the chief responsibility"
declares the Worcester Telegram
lies with those who do the hiring"
Indeed. the Shattered human body
that lay on a New York sidewalk was
the result. the New York Post says,
"of new development in publicity
methods which goes far to justify the
worst that is said by outsiders about
American money worship" for play
ing with human life for advertising
purposes" is advertising gone mad"
the New Haven Journal reports, that
the affair was staged" and the
movies were on hand: half a dozen
machines whirred as he went up. One
would like to think their hand
stayed as the poor fellow fell" but
theHartford Courant says. the camera
calmly ground away. preserving on
it's negatives the record from the
time the man started up until his
broken. bleeding body hit the pave
ment." If anything could reconcile
the New Orleans -Picayune "to
movie censorship it would be the
certainty that so horrid a film will
never be licensed but the Nashville
Banner feels. very differently about it.
Better make a full record and let
more people see the horror Of it," the
Banner thinks. better let more peo-
PIE groan and shudder at its useless
defy death for no purpose is wanton
waste. Better let them think how
life may be conserved rather than
how dramatically it may be thrown
away"
The Boston Traveller finds "only one
New York fatality-that is. that "spec-
tators, watching that man with a
sign Safety last placarded on his
back. were vividly reminded of the
results of adopting such motto"
and the Grand Rapids Herald agrees
that 1.-The safety first movement as ap-
piled to the precarious business of
living receives it's strongest incentive
from the fate of a proponent of Safe
ty last"
Perhaps "the public conscience will
be stirred by the tragedy" the Boston
Transcript hopes. to the extent of
putting ban hereafter upon all
such exhibitions Certainly the
courage required for such perform
ances, the Springfield News contends,
:'could be put to much better USE"
Evening star., 1923-03-16

forth that the first step in the Com
misstoners' plan would be the con.
struction Of a quay along the water
front. Here would, be provision for
steamboat traffic. Travel and freight
shipment by steamboat between Wash.
ington and the lower Potomac country
have suffered a remarkable decline
since the coming in OF the automobile
md the beginning Of the building OF
good roads, but there 10 a wide extent
of country along the lower river and
its wide creeks which very likely can
always be better served by boat. than
truck, and these parts Of Maryland
and Virginia may develop as i'm
portant food producing sections. River
steamboat traffic may come back, and
there should always be provision
along the Washington water front for
these picturesque carriers. Considera-
BILE traffic between the Chesapeake,
lower Potomac region and Washing
ton is carried on by sloop and schooner,
and commercial sailing craft would
find accommodation on the water front
under the Commissioners plan. I'm
der that plan the. city would build
warehouses, renting them, or space in
them, to persons engaged in water
front business. A beginning of this
policy was made several years ago in
erecting the municipal fish market,
and that experiment has been highly
satisfactory. One feature Of the plan
is to make Potomac Park more ac-
cessible to the people of the old section
Of Washington east Of Water street.
The whole proposition is a great prof.
ect and deserves success.