davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1923-06-18

on a sure thing. j was delighted to
sing it with much gusto and received
great applause from the Americans
on board. among whom was Mr.
Clark, afterward Senator Clark of
Montana. My conscience is clear,
for 1 did not exact the E5.
At that time my husband Col. L.
Mervin Maus. U. S. A. (retired)' was
stationed at Fort Porter, Buffalo,
N. Y, and Mrs. Cleveland's mother
was about to marry Mr.. Perrine of
that city. His daughter, Mrs. Corne-
illus Rich, who was a friend of mine,
asked me to meet Mrs. Cleveland and
her mother at an informal tea, and /
told her of this incident. deplored
the fact that even our soldiers were
not familiar with the words of their
national air and told other expert
ences to prove that patriotism was
at a low ebb in our country 1t is
sufficient to say that when Mrs.
Cleveland returned to Washington
the Secretary of War, Mr. Lamont.
issued orders requiring the Army
bands to play 1.-The Star Spangled
Banner" whenever our flag was low
cred and all men to stand at atten-
ton. ] trust President Harding's
idea will be carried out in every
homo and throughout our Army and
Navy ANNA RUSSELL MAUs.
Evening star., 1923-06-18
Saturday Half-Holiday.

The Saturday half-holiday for fed
eral workers in Washington is in full
swing, and this is complete testimony.
if anybody requires such testimony,
that summer is here. The Saturday
half holiday is really in fuller swing
than in other years, for the good idea
has been taken up by the city post Of
flee. and 1000 workers there for the
first time in history Joined other fed
eral employees last Saturday in the
half holiday. Clerks and carriers laid
aside their tasks at o'clock in the
afternoon. There was one less delivery
of mail, but it is likely that no one
is complaining. On the first Saturday
in July District employees will join
the halfSaturday vacationers.
The custom of taking half a holi-
day on summer Saturdays is growing.
Many commercial houses have already
adopted the plan, and many which
have not wholly embraced it are clip
ping off some of the working hours
of the day. In connection with this it
should be remembered that not many
years ago Saturday was the longest
working day in nearly all commercial
houses, and this is still true in some
classes of trade establishments, but
ground, and it seems reasonably safe
10 prophesy that within a few years
the business houses in Washington
that do not put up their shutters at
n. on or thereabouts on summer Sat
urdays will be few.
Some years ago there were chronic
economists who chafed under the idea
OF closing the government offices at
o'clock on Saturday. They figured
that the loss TO the government would
mount into the millions. If there is
such a loss nobody seems to feel it or
know anything about it. and it Is
quite likely that there is no loss at all.
There is strong belief that the
Saturday half-holiday in the hot
months results in a gain to the gov
ernment. The morale Of the working
force is better. There is happiness TO
look forward TO on Saturday after
noon. There is refreshment in golf,
tennis, boating and in trips and other
kinds of play. Such things take the
mind off ones routine work. and it
seems quite possible that the govern
ment force carries on with more vim
and better spirit during the work days
of the week.
Evening star., 1923-06-18

beautiful, If any. It's public buildings
require no adornment. There are some
Of the structures. 1t is true, that were
better hidden entirely from an artistic
point Of view, but they cannot be SO
hidden, and the question arises
whether it Is not best to leave them
as they stand without so.called deco
ration. which may serve, indeed, mere
ly to call attention to them.
One Of the misfortunes of the big
festival was the necessity OF covering
large spaces with reviewing stands.
These structures cannot be made at.
tractive to the eye save by great ex-
pense, as in the case of the Garden
Of Allah stand in front of the White
House. Otherwise they are bare tiers
of benches on which folding chairs are
placed. In the multitude Of things to
be done here to prepare for the Shrine
it was deemed necessary to erect these
stands, including those Of the circus"
variety, well in advance OF the affair,
and consequently they blocked side
walks and even the pavements for
fortnight and more before they were
needed. 1t is to be hoped that IL a
similar occasion occurs again it will
not be requisite to be so forehanded
as to discommode the public and even
TO endanger it by choking the passage
ways and adding to the congestion.
Evening star., 1923-06-18
Pennsylvania Railroad Rebuked.

In administering an official rebuke
to the Pennsylvania railroad for its
refusal TO count the ballots cast by the
union shopmen for representatives on
the employees board, the Railroad La
bor Board has shown its entire fair
ness in dealing with these questions
Of railroad employment. The action of
the railroad company would seem to
be entirely unwarranted and, in fact,
in actual defiance of the law.
BY the action of the railroad COM
pany the shopcraft union workers
have been denied the right Of repre-
sentation on negotiating committees,
while other workers have been grant
ed that representation. The company
has. as the board now states, professed
it's acceptance and observance Of the
principle of employe representation,
but has adopted rules governing the
election which cancel the right Of a
ma jority of the employees to partici-
pate. The boards language on this
point in it's published order is severe:
" nll6 It's acceptance oiiO
observance of this principle Of en-
ploye representation the carrier has
set up a system which throttles the
majority and establishes the repre-
sentation of a coerced and subservfent
minority.
The Pennsylvania railroad is the
only system in the United States
which has taken this position. and
the board is justified in declaring it
to be "indefensible from every stand
point" Yet there is no way in law to
correct this abuse. The Railroad La
Dor Board has only the power Of pub
lie rebuke. 1t cannot enforce its de-
cisions by penalties or compulsion. 1t
can only, as in this case, hold up the
recalcitrant and offending party,
whether union or employing company,
to public condemnation. 1t now re-
mains to be determined whether public
or'nion can effect remedy for prac-
tice which is, in effect. defiance Of
law and a fragrant denial of justice.
Evening star., 1923-06-18

Effort at Philosophy.
I'm not hanging round with word
of complaint,
Cause maybe things might have
been worse. ...'.-.
I'm not finding fault with what is and
what amt,
Cause maybe things might have
been worse.
There's fever an ague an rheumatic,
too,
An there's bunco an green goods
an swindles more new,
An I've gone right ahead-learnt 'em
all through an through:
But maybe things might have been
worse.
The climates a misfit, howe'er it may
change,
But maybe it might have been
worse;
And luck always strikes a bit out of
my range,
But maybe it might have been
worse.
An sometimes 1 look at the stars
shinin' fair
An wish I had lit on a planet up
there;
But on second reflection I don't so
much care,
uho ho
worse.
Two Types Of Promoters.
No honest statesman ever doomed
Some plan for public benefit,
That some shrewd schemer did not
seek
To make q pro6t out Of It,
Evening star., 1923-06-18
Back to Normalcy.

Washington has at last returned to
normalcy in appearance following the
visitation of the Shrine. All of the
stands are removed, the decorations
have been cleared away, the electric
lighting poles have been uprooted. and
nothing now remains but the some.
what draggled pillars in the Garden of
Allah and a few holes in the pave
ment. Gorgeous and gratifying as
was the effect Of the party dress"
which Washington donned for the &C.
casion Of the Shrine meeting. it is a
relief to get back to plain clothes and
simple living.
AS a matter OF fact, Washington
needs but little decoration to make 1t
Evening star., 1923-06-18
ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
By Frederic J. Haskin

Q. Has any one in the District
claimed the distinction of being an
older resident than Gen. Gibson?-
G. o.
A. Gen. Gibson has just passed
his ninety-sixth birthday, while
John B. Lord Of 1912 Monroe street
Brookland, is about seven months
older. He has been lifelong resi-
dent of the District, having been
born here November 10, 1926 Mr.
Lord is a Mason, being a member of
Federal, No. /, and also a Shriner
of Almas Temple.
Q. 1 understand that Washington
poker players have hand which
ment." What Is It'll. d.
hand consisting of three fves is
sometimes called the washington
Monument" as three tens are called
thirty miles" The Washington
Monument Is 500 feet high.
Q. What is the botanical name of
the Japanese cherry tree?-R. S.
A. These trees. strictly speaking.
are not cherry trees. but a species
of plum. The blossoms are the same
as represented on the hawthorne
Vases" of the orient. The botanical
name is Prunus pseudo cerasus.
Q. Is there any way gas can be
treated SO that il would be impos-
sible for a person to commit sui
eide by inhaling it?-F. r.
A. 1t has been suggested by Gen.
Fries of the chemical warfare serv-
ice that a compound be introduced
into illuminating gas which will
cause any one who breathes 1t to
sneeZe violently and repeatedly. This
would prevent suicides by asphyxi-
alton and deaths from the accidental
escape of gas in burners and stoves.
Q. What is the best season of the
year 10 deaden a tree"-O. ],
A. A tree may be most easily kill
ed without the annoyance OF sprout-
ing from the roots by cutting out
band of its bark all around its
trunk at some time during midsum-
mer If il is so cut in spring, fall
or winter II is likely to sprout from
the roots.
Q. How large an area can be pho
tographed in picture taken from
an airplane?-A. 6. L.
A. Formerly only an area OF three
quarters of a square mile could be
covered with one picture taken by
aerial photography, but a new meth
cd has been worked out by which
Evening star., 1923-06-18
Leviathan Again Tossed by Heavy
Political Seas.

Ii the good ship Leviathan en-
encounters as many severe storms on
the water as she has raised on land,
from tame. She lay at her pier in
Hoboken leisurely falling apart while
courts wrangled over enjoining her
right to exist; she lay anxiously
awaiting in Newport News while New
York city officials rowed with port
commissioners as to whether or not
the mighty liner should be given
ton harbor, she is being lashed fore
and aft by the storm that has broken
over her because of the proposed
trial trip" with the Lasker party
aboard.
Generally speaking that storm is a
political one, to the extent at least
that II is chiefly democratic editors
who are doing the laundering. But
by no means all of the editorial criti-
cism Of the Lasker 'junket" is to be
found in democratic papers. The re-
publican New Bedford (Mass) Stand
ard. for instance. observes that
Chairman Lasker has let himself In
for a lot of censure on account of
the Leviathan junket." and the paper
feels no hesitancy in declaring that
"he deserves every bit of It. In
fact as the Scranton Times (democratic)
says. 1.-The Lasker junket has come in
for general condemnation by the press
of the country" as we'll as for an
enormous amount Of "toshing."
AS officially announced, the Levia-
than is to make "a trial trip to test
the adjustment of her equipment and
the capacity of her crew." But the
Boston Post Cindependent democraue) e
translates that announcement unto old
fashioned parlance'' and calls it "a
iunket, pure and simple, not a trial
trip" The ship was reconditioned
internally at Newport News" the De-
troit News Independently reminds US.
From that port she was sent to Boston,
and the run between these ports was
chinery, her turbines, her boilers and
her engines. The officials who con-
Quoted the tests pronounced her 100
per cent efficient and prepared for
regular ocean service" With this the
ory the Boston Traveller Independent
republican, fatty disagrees. "The truth
is" according to this paper, that the
Tseviathan was not sufficiently tested
in the trip northward from Hampton
roads to this port. She proceeded
under part steam all the way. More
over. her equipment has been so far
altered since arrival here as to rem
der her seagoing performance uncer-
tain"
plowed through the Atlantic with
thousands Of American soldiers on
board. The monster rode the waves
alone, scorning convoy. Her gunners
Evening star., 1923-06-18

his political death warrant when he
signed the repeal bill. He described
this as an act Of courage, but made
it plain that contending for state
rights would be offset by the effect OF
the repeal of the enforcement law.
Politicians expect other democrats
to come out in support of the position
taken by Mr.. Taggart, who really leads
the procession Of those politicians Of
prescience who foresee the necessity
of sidestepping the wet issue. Senator
Mckellar. in passing, took a side
swipe at William J. Bryan's part in
the convention. "Oh, Mr.. Bryan will
be heard from again; just heard from,
that's all. Everybody is with Bryan,
but no one seems to be for him when
it comes to handing him the nomina-
ton" he is quoted as saying.
May not Mr.. Bryan's friends be
justified in observing that the Com
position on the dry question
is now being supported by the practi-
cal politicians in the party-the hard
boiled" ones?
Evening star., 1923-06-18
Sidestepping the Vets.

Democratic leaders of prominence
are taking opportunities as they arise
to cut loose from those who would
seek TO commit the democratic party
to a wet or near-wet platform for the
presidential campaign of 1924 Oddly
enough, the first occasion presented
was offered by Gov. Smith himself.
touted as the prospective wet leader,
after his signing of the prohibition
enforcement repeal bill. and the first
to array himself in opposition was
Thomas Taggart Of Indiana, closely
seconded by Senator Mckellar of Ten
nessee.
More than ordinary significance is
attached to the stand of these two
leaders, one from the middle west and
the other from the south, Mr. Tag
CART being generally regarded as q
liberal on the prohibition question and
Senator Mckellar Of Tennessee as a
stanch upholder of state rights. The
trio met at French Lick, home Of Mr..
Taggart. for a conference under the
Euise of q golf game and taking the
waters. Gov. Smith had two strings
to his how in his argument sustaining
the signing Of the repeal bill, conten-
tion for state rights and for modifica-
ton Of the Volstead act. Both snapped,
evidently.
The conference was not long-lived
before Mr.. Taggart issued statement
declaring that no party could win on
wet platform. and that the demo.
Gratis will not adopt it. He pointed the
way to modification of the prohibition
Jaw. election of senator's and repre-.
sentatives known to favor such action,
but without party declaration. Sena.
tor Mckellar complimented Gov.
Smith on his stand for state rights,
Out declared that the governor wrote
Evening star., 1923-06-18
Civilians.

These are busy days for Washing
ton Civilians in getting ready to well
come the International Association Of
Civitan Clubs, which comes to Wash
tngton to hold its third annual conven-
ton. The work will be we'll done, and
the visiting Civilians will like Wash.
ington. From the various speeches Of
welcome the visitors will learn how
glad Washington is to have them lin
our midst" and the responses will tell
to Washinstonians how happy the
visitors feel Al being in the city of the
great dome and the tall Monument
Our own CNitan Club has distin-
guished itself in various ways, and
there is no doubt that Civitan clubs Of
other cities throughout the United
States and elsewhere about the world
are made up Of fine fellows who be-
lieve in progress and practice it.
1t is quite remarkable how within a
few years men and women have been
forming clubs. the better TO express
themselves on matters Of human con-
Germ and the better to make their in
f1uence effective. One can readily call
to mind quite a number Of national
organizations and international or
ganizations which have clubs in
Washington. They go in for deeds of
charity and good will. and they dis.
cuss the economic and moral issues
which bear upon mankind. Each of
these clubs is a forum. or perhaps it
might seem to some that it is broad.
casting station where good thoughts
are sent out.
A generation or SO ago when men
! organized a club il was usually
democratic club. republican club or
social club where foaming lager was
often the main feature of the So
| ciability. Now men and women organ.
ize clubs which are broadly educa.
tional and have the aim of conferring
benefits on people outside their mem
bership.
washington is glad that the Inter.
national Association of Civitan Clubs
chose it as the place for it's conven-
ton, and hopes that the weather will
be conservative. If one would take the
trouble to consult the weather records
for series Of years he would find that
the kind Of weather which blistered
Washington in Shrine week is un.
usual here. and that in general June
days are mild and pleasant.
Evening star., 1923-06-18
Ask Right to Review
School Estimates
To the Editor Of The Star:

To the Editor OF Inc star:
wish to take this opportunity 70
express my approval of the most ex-
cellent editorial appearing in tho
columns of your valuable paper Of
June IA, in reference to the board
of education's refusal to permit any
individual or organization to review
their estimates before same are pre-
s.nted to the board of Commissioners
and Congress.
The attitude of certain of our cit
liens toward our school appropria-
tions last session. of Congress had
much to do with the defeat of the
school bill. The manner in which
delegations of women were paraded
TO the Capitol was most unfortunate
for the success of the school aprrO-
priations bill, and a most disagree
able effect on Congress. 1t is to be
hoped that more conservative meth
eds will be employed during the
coming session If any lobbying IL
contemplated.
AS one greatly Interested in our
public schools. and board of educa-
tion, I am perfectly willing to allow
the excellent men and women Of the
heard to prepare and present thei-
estimates IN accordance with the law.
without outside interpretation. with
o feeling that our interests will be
we'll looked after.
A. J. DRISCOLL,
President Mid-City Citizens Associa-
ton.
Evening star., 1923-06-18
American Imperialism. "


In dispatch from Moscow telling
Of the meeting of the executive COM
mittee of the third internationale oc-
ours the following paragraph:
Alexander Trachtenberg of the
United States said the time had ar
rived when the executive committee
carrying on the struggle against
American imperialism" He advo-
Gated summoning conference of the
parties in the states concerned. He
asserted that Karl Radek had not
sufficiently emphasized the Importance
OF American Imperialism, which he
Charged with responsibility for Latin
American revolution.
Doubtless this declaration was re-
The executive committee of the third
internationale is ready to believe any
thing wicked Of the United States or,
indeed, of any other government es-
tablished on a rational basis. The
words American Imperialism un-
doubtedly sounded good to the ears of
those present, and the picture of the
United States promoting Latin Ameri-
can revolutions, presumably for the
purpose of eventually spreading the
the western hemisphere, was viewed
with JUNCTION.
This man Trachtenberg, whoever he
Is. probably knows better, if he is in
fact an American citizen. He should.
if he does not. know that the United
hae ,Io
ter of Latin American turmoil: that
1t deplores the overturns that occur in
Central and South America: that il
has repeatedly offered it's good offices
to adjust differences between factions
end 10 effect a settlement 70 the end
Of stable government with complete
Independence.
But advocates of bolshevism such
rs must be he who represents this
eountry in the executive council Of
She third internationale, are not ham
rered by facts. The "parlor commu-
nists" and other varieties of revolu-
tionary radicals in this country do not
hesitate TO misinterpret conditions de-
liberately. to distort history, to see
T. |" when there is no color. A speaker
at meeting of this cult of political
thought is never handicapped by the
truth. But here in the United States
Misrepresentation and misstatements
can be quickly checked and do little
harm. At Moscow. however. there is
no comeback" The most infamous
lies about American policies and con-
ditions may be told with impunity and
without correction, such as that
which has just been told by Trachten-
berg when he uses the phrase "Ameri-
can imperialism" and attributes to
this government a sinister purpose to
subjugate and control the entire
American hemisphere.
Evening star., 1923-06-18

it is claimed that an area as great
as fifteen square miles can be shown
on each picture.
Q. What is the new system for
scoring tennis games?-T. s.
A. The French have devised a new
system Of scoring for tennis by which
the player who first wins nine games
wins the set. This would do away
with deuce sets and end long drawn
three, instead of the best three of
Ave sets, no match could consist of
more than fifty-one games.
Q. What is the predominant re-
ligion OF the Egyptians?-C. G.
A. Ninety-two per cent OF the
100000 people who live in Egypt
are of the Mohammedan faith The
remaining 5 per cent are mostly
Christians and Jews.
Q. What is the most powerful of
all colors?-V. 7. l..
A. Red is the most powerful color
and has the most stimulating and
exciting effect upon the sensibilities.
Q. Who said that the brain of an
ant is the most marvellous thing in
the world?-F. c. 8.
A. This version of the statement is
1nCOrrect. Darwin cdileu lHc PM
head brain of the ant the most mar
velous atom OF matter in the world.
This is criticized by modern sci
entists. who say that the human
ovum is more marvellous still
0. Was Peter. the first head of
the Roman Catholic Church, married.
L. D. L.
A. The Gospel of ST. Matthew,
chapter s. verses 1915. describes the
healing by Jesus Of the mother OF
Peters wife. who "lay sick OF a
fever" at Peters house. This indi-
Gates that Peter was married.
Q. How did Canada get its name?-
d. c. d.
A. The name Of Canada Is due to
mistake Canada was the native
Indian word for village. When the
French explorers first sailed up the
ST Lawrence, they pointed to the
land and asked it's name. The ma
tives who accompanied them misun-
derstood They thought the ex-
plorers were asking about group
Of wigwams on the shore, and they
replied Canada-meaning village.
THE Star has retained Mr.. Haskin to
answer questions for the public. There Is
no charge, except for return postage. Do not
telephone your inquiries but write to The Star
Informs alton Bureau. Frederic j. Haskin. direc-
tor 1910 North Capitol street, Washington
D. =.