davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1923-09-14
No Navy Liquor Blockade.

Attorney General Daugherty's rul-
ing that the naval forces of the United
States cannot be used to prevent vie-
lation of the national prohibition act
is based upon the consideration that
the President is not empowered to
utilize the Navy except in cases OF ma.
tional emergency, and that no such
emergency now exists. Admitting that
there have been numerous violations
of the law. the Attorney General takes
pains to point out that there have
been no unlawful distractions Of the
functions of the courts, or restraint OF
their processes, or of the coast guard,
the division OF customs, the prohihi-
ton unit, or OF the marshals and
their deputies OF the Department OF
Justice
a national emergency can be de.
clared to exist only when by reason OF
unlawful obstruction, combinations or
assemblages of persons or rebellion
against the authorities OF the United
States, it becomes impracticable in the
judgment of the President to enforce
the laws in the ordinary course OF
executive or judicial proceedings. II
is clear to every one that however
scandalous or fragrant the violations
may be they are not upon a scale Of
magnitude to constitute general re-
sistance to the authority of the United
States.
The Attorney General says that Con.
gress in its wisdom can pass special
legislation directing the President to
use the Navy for the prevention OF
rum smuggling. 1t Is quite probable
that an effort will be made in Con-
gress to secure such legislation, and
the subject is calculated TO cause de-
bate, since a large element viii be dis.
posed to let the case rest upon the
Attorney Generals Interpretation, and
to contend that the Navy's duties are
strictly military and should not extend
to police duties in time of peace.
Evening star., 1923-09-14
Against U. S. Taking
Part in Ruhr Crisis
To the Editor Of The star:

Az AuC EultoE LIE STAR
In the issue of the The Evening
Star of September 6. Mr.. Fred W. Up
ham, treasurer of the national re-
publican committee. advocates drastic
measures to end the Ruhr situation.
to wit: The United States shall in
quire into Germanys ability to pay
and whatever that figure may be,
France shall be commanded to ac-
cept it. If France refuses this ulti-
matum, to be applied by US, then
France shall be compelled TO pay at
once her debt to the United States
Now, the Ruhr occupation is none
of our affair, we refused the league
of nations. that leaves us only on the
advisory committee" The finals are
up 10 France, she knows her arch
enemy. For the first time in centuries,
France holds the whip lash. This is
the time for France to demand full
justice and reparations from Ger
many.
France may tell US as she told Stan
ley Baldwin, hands Off" Germany is
not in need of assistance, her whin-
ing and sQuirming is camoufage, an
earthquake could not change her
black heart. Americans generally
stand with France and admire her
courage, admire every gesture she
has made since August 1914. 1t must
that she is absolutely whipped.
France is the instrumentality, and
now is her opportunity and duty, and
we must leave France to her own
wisdom without foreign interference.
ESTELLE THOMAS STEEL.
Evening star., 1923-09-14

Gibbons fight at Shelby. Mont.
was conspicuous exception. That
show proved costly failure to the
hackers and the town. 1t practically
bankrupted the community. The fact
is that prize fighting has got to be
such big game now that 1t must be
run on million-dollar basis, and New
York prides itself on affording the
most solid foundation or that sort. II
the gate" tonight is 81, 800 900 Demp-
sey will get about half million, win
or lose. and Firpo about s1s0. 900. For
these men are fighting on an assured
percentage basis, and not. as did the
pugilists OF yore. for stakes. That Is
one reason why the championship is
highly desirable. 1t gives the holder an
assured price for every match so long
as he can successfully defend the
title.
Evening star., 1923-09-14
SHOOTING STARS.
BY PHILANpER JOHNSON.
The Important Present.

The Important Present.
Old Man Smithers talks about
The things he used to do.
His story leaves no cause to doubt
Its bein' strictly true.
Our admiration we express,
Unto the past we bow.
Though Old Man Smithers, we con
fess,
Is doin' nothin' now.
Young Gussie Smithers talks about
The things he's goin' to do.
You long to lift a joyful shout
For plans so big and new.
His mother gives him a csress
And smooths his lofty brow,
Though Gussie Smithers, we confess
Is doin' nothin' now.
So many of US talk about
"I did, or "I will do"
And leave the precious present out
OF hopes that we pursue.
When we in tones of boastfuiness
Our special worth avow,
We usually must confess
We're doin' nothin' now. =,
Evening star., 1923-09-14

The gist of the problem can be
summed up by question: Can the
4So.eoe!ooo OF people In Europe hold
together long enough to climb the
hill back to health and prosperity?
II Is harder-so much harder-for
the average man to live in Europe
today, than II was last year, and it
was harder last year than the year
before. The standard of living is
sinking. The average man--hard-
working and industrious--hnds the
Industrial machine less productive, so
that his existence Is threatened The
problem OF merely living has become
an intensively personal one for every
man In Europe. But. as In America,
he realizes something has happened
but what 1t is or why II Is he doesn't
just know.
a trip through sixteen countries of
Europe fsuch as ] took this summer)
will convince even the most su.er-
heiai observer that something is r..di,
oally wrong. Production Is slowing
down. Exchange is demoralized
Government expenses far exceed re-
cetpts from taxation in three-fourths
of Europe. Money has gone wrong.
II IS not safe In any part of Europe.
Is menacing-more even In the So
called sound-money countries than
the others. Militartsm Is increasing.
n g n a l o nal MISUNDERSTANDING
threaten new and more terrible wars
The people are plainly discouraged.
They are sound and good at heart,
but they cannot understand it.
In this series of articles ] am going
to deal fully and frankly with the
present. up-to-the- minute economic
financial several
countries of Europe, and 1 will at
tempt to measure" each country by
q scientific yardstick. which can be
easily understood and comprehended.
This scientific yardstick is nearer to
the realm OF daily existence than the
average man realizes. Ten years ago
a person not familiar with the auto
mobile wondered at the knowledge
displayed by a driver. Now 10000 600
people in America know how to drive
It's simple when you know how"
The stranger in New York marvels at
the lack OF confusion in the great
subway. But it's a simple thing to
explain after a week spent In New
York.
The same may be said OF finance and
economics. These names sound hard
and confusing, but only because We
have given too little time TO them.
II Is possible that every reader VIII
be able to tell the why and the
wherefore of the European problem
and be able In the future to apply
the scientific method in reaching con-
clusions regarding American finance
and world reconstruction.
In beginning this series of articles.
and even before we explain our yard
stick, which we expect to use in
measuring Europe, the reader should
have In mind a few basic facts about
Europe never before pyramided.
In 1915 the public debt of European
countries totaIed IS 00o, 900, 900. In
1913, a year before the war. II had
gone up to SIS ooo, ,o00. 600, an increase
OF just $50. .000. 100000. During this
period of ninety-seven years-from
1915 to 1sl3--the wars of Europe cost
S1S. SOC, ,oo6, 900. That is. s5 per cent
of the total debt increase during this
Evening star., 1923-09-14
The National Coal Problem.


The solution of the national coal
problem may be found in an honest ef-
Tort on the part of the miners and the
operators to improve their day-to-day
relations. the United States Coal Com
mission has reported to the President.
1t recommends that steps be taken by
both parties to set up the machinery
for bringing about better understand
ing by each of the problems and needs
of the other. The time has come, it
holds, for them both to realize that the
industry will progress through the es-
tabtishment of good relations rather
than through conflict.
The commission Is against nationali-
zation of the mines on the one hand,
and against compulsory arbitration on
the other. AS in its former reports. es-
Pecial stress is laid on the advisability
OF complete publicity of the facts in
regard to the industry. Ventilation of
the causes Of differences, a letting in
of light, it is held, will be far more
effective than threats and counter
threats.
In line with this belief, the commits.
sion has recommended that all agree
Tnents between the miners and opera
tors shall be self-renewing, unless
either party shall give ninety days no.
tice, prior to the date Of the expiration
Of the agreements. This notice viii
give the public and the authorities
ample notice of a threatened suspen-
sion of mining, so that steps may be
taken to aid in bringing about set
tlement
Specifically, it is proposed that in
the event of a threatened national
strike the President be authorized to
appoint agents to make a thorough IN
restigation of the facts in the case
and report them. The commission
feels that with all the facts in the
hands of the public, vitality interested
in a continuance Of its supply of fuel,
and with the realization by the miners
and the operators of their RESPONSE
bility to the public to continue to sup
ply the public with fuel. the danger
VI dCludl SuSpSIlSlbI OI Will DG
mininlized. The power Of public opin-
ion will necessarily make itself felt.
Pointing to the fact that the union
has become a great power, the COM
mission notes that this power may be
used with wisdom or II may be abused.
A word OF advice is given the opera
tors. They have no adequate organi-
zation among themselves to meet the
miners union. The formation of an
organization OF operators as closely
knit as the union is suggested, both
as a measure of defense and as
means of better cooperation with the
miners In bringing about improved in
dustrial relations.
The report of the commission on in
dustrial relations is an admirable plea
for better understandings between the
: two parties, miners and operators. 1t
is an appeal to both sides to get down
to brass tacks and to prevent further
agitations which in the end might be
disastrous to both.
Evening star., 1923-09-14

speculation in marks. Soon after the
armistice was signed the low state o1
the mark in exchange quotations
tempted many to buy, in the belief
that with the cessation Of hostilities
Germany would rehabilitate' her
money. But steadily the quotations de-
clined. Even then there was much
buying, on the supposition that Ber-
lin would not permit the standard to
drop materially farther. Spasmodic
fluctuations sent the price up occa-
sionally, and there was a little more
buying. These American purchases. Of
course, could not effect turn in the
rate, for the fundamental conditions
upon which the rate was based were
radically wrong.
Nobody will ever know how much
money has been lost by the American
spectators in marks, or whether those
who have lost are mainly sym
pathizers" with Germany. 1t can only
be assumed and hoped that they are
able to bear their losses without suf-
fering.
Evening star., 1923-09-14
Tells of Taiiless
Cats in Virginia

To the Editor Of The Star:
Some one has sent me a clipping
from a recent issue of The Star, con-
cerning a litter of tailless puppies
born in Washington.
In the article reference is made to
the race of tailless cats found on the
Isle Of Man and on one of the Jap
anese islands.
Will you kindly advise DR.. Leonhard
SteJneger and others who may be
interested that it is not necessary to
travel farther than Stafford county,
Va. to find, not one but many cats
born either without any tail at all
or lust a little knob, varying in length
nm TO an inch and a half.
Within the last four years there
has been an epidemic of such kittens,
the offsprings- of perfectly normal
parents.
/ wish that DR.. Stejneger would ex-
plain the phenomenon and its sudden
deyelopment. Up to about four years
ago no one in this vicinity had ever
heard of a tailless kitten being born.
Now, l, personally. kuo" of at least
thirty, approximately dozen De-
ing on our own farm.
About ten years ago an old man,
now dead, cut off the ears and the
tail of one Thomas cat, near the body.
Is he responsible for the new bie eed,
and. if so, why have all the ktttl"s
their full share of ears?
MRS. F. T. CHAMBERLlN.
Evening star., 1923-09-14
Should Not Overlook
The Debt to Grandmother

Most Americans, says a current
commentator, had grandfathers who
worked with their hands and were
mot ashamed of it. Yes, and grand
mothers, too.
Grandpa had no monopoly of the
oualities of courage, industry, pa
tience, wisdom. virtue. endurance and
SO on which helped the United States
IF tho nresent day to come into being.
Grandma was right there; in a great
nanv cases she had the heavy end Of
tha burden. From making her own
soap to sitting up with SICK folks 8
for weeks at time, she shirked
nothing.
"often drove bowling wolves away
from the front door with flaming hre-
black night rode on horseback ten or
twenty miles along blazed trails to
do errands of mercy for distant neigh
bors. and incidentally bore fourteen
children" was not much concerned
over wearing kinickers or retain her
maiden name, but she fulfilled her
RESPONSIBILITIES, made good pies and
cookies, gave her big brood OF healthy
BOYS and girls the background of a
wholesome home, stood by grandpa
in more than one tight place, lived
her old-fashioned religion to her last
breath, and contributed as much as
any stateman to the advancement of
the human race.
The debt to grandmother ought
never to be overlooked. We should
have had q sadly different world
without the honor, fidelity and brav-
cry which she added to its Ingredients.
Knickerbockers Press.
Evening star., 1923-09-14
Dirty and Torn Flags
Disgrace to Capital
To the Editor of The Star:

To the Editor OF The Star:
Some weeks ago a flag conference
was held in Washington, at which a
number OF resolutions were adopted
concerning proper use of the flag.
One outstanding disgrace to our
city is the use of American flags on
public buildings and otherwise until
they rot off the poles!
The George H. Powell School, for
example, as l observed last Sunday
and the week before, had flag with
frayed. edges. ripped to the union,
utterly faded and dirty. sadly waving
its brown and buff stripes in several
directions. The Johnson School,
across the street, was nearly as bad.
The Arcade garage, in the same
neighborhood, had a flag in almost as
bad condition as the Powell School.
while the tenth precinct police sta
tion was a close second.
The flag on the Bond building Is
nearly as bad. Anybody can find hun
dreds of examples for himself.
The old post office on New York
lorn flag in Washington. which was
left up for months until 1T fell off
the pole or the post Office moved,
forget which.
mere Is not tne snadoW OF an ex-
cuse for this practice. We have flags
which we have used on every appro-
PIRATE occasion for seven years. They
are washed frequently, never left out
overnight or in storms and are prac-
tically as bright as new flags.
In the Army and Navy they never
allow flags to remain up until they
fall down, but raise them and lower
them each day, and use special storm
hags when necessary to have them
up at all in a storm.
1t would seem that those In charge
or our schoolhouses, police stations,
etc, could take the five minutes re-
quired morning and evening to keep
flags in respectable condition
Down in Richmond and Nashville /
nave seen American flags captured by
Cohfederates in battle which, though
more than sixty years old, are in
better condition today than many
fags flying in Washington, though,
OF course, such flags are now in glass
cases. But they were once carried
in battle, and sixty years of time has
not injured them as much as many
flags in Washington are injured by
thoughtlessness and neglect in a few
weeks
Wherever the Army and Navy are
In charge and on most of the big
public buildings, hotels, department
stores. etc, the flag is displayed in
excellent condition. But why not
make it unanimous?
The washington practice of dis
playing flags at night where search
lights are used to picture Old Glory
framed against the dark background
of the sky, is one of the most beau
tIful and inspiring sights that greets
the visitor to Washington Such
flags are always kept in good condi-
tinn.
Therefore a good rule to those who
desire to let their flags remain out
al night would seem to be this:
Would we be proud to point 1t out
TO visitors If a searchlight were
turned upon &c?
J. S. EICHELBERGER.
Evening star., 1923-09-14
WASHINGTON OBSERVATIONS
BY FREDERIC WILLIAM VILE

late President "America's greatest fra
ternalist."
x y
Washington presents two aspects to
the newcomer nowadays. which he
omnipresence of politics and political
chit-chat, which is the exception and
not the rule in other communities
The other is the noisiness of the
capital, due to the automobile, the
motor bus the Changing street cars
and the clatter of automatic riveting
apparatus at the many steel-con-
struction buildings now under way.
Politics. of course, has dominated the
the foundation of the republic. But,
once upon time. before we plunged
into modernism, it was a placid city,
famed for its repOSe, poise and
climes, the saxaphone and the motor
honk. machine-tools and trolley
gongs. and the other concomitants of
metropo itan life have turned Wash
ington into Il place with all the ills
that city flesh is heir 10.
4 + x
When Jack Dempsey was in London
two years ago, the late Lord North
cliffe entertained him at luncheon in
the newspaper peers mansion in
Carlton House Gardens. The heavy
weight champion was called upon for
a speech. He struggled TO his feet,
stammered, and said talking isn't
my long suit" But, he added, as a
fellow under such circum stances
nuCbt ro do the thing he could do
best he offered to lick any man in
the room" Then Dempsey sat down.
His speech was the hit of the day.
Copyright 1921
Evening star., 1923-09-14
The Passing of the Mark.

One of the largest of the New York
banks yesterday discontinued all quota
tions of and dealings in German marks,
because they have fallen to such a low
rate OF exchange that computation is
too difficult and uncertain. Within
seven days the rate had declined from
$4,000. 900 to the dollar to las, 900, coo,
and then reacted somewhat. yester-
days estimates ranging around the
100, 900, 900 point. The enormously wide
fluctuations made all dealings extreme
ly difficult. The action of this bank is
likely to be followed by other American
financial institutions.
The decline of the mark is the result
Of the policy of the German govern
ment in respect to its obligations to-
ward the allies, and especially toward
France, II IS confidently believed by
many that it was originally fostered
by that government as a demonstra-
ton Of poverty. Once started, the dilu-
tion Of the currency through the issue
Of fat money without substantial
foundation could not be checked by
ordinary procedure. AS political
naaneuver it failed. AS domestic ex-
pedient it proved costly. Values Were
distorted, confidence was weakened
and industrial conditions were gravely
disturbed.
Reputation OF all the issues that
have poured from the German print
ing establishments since the dilution
process began may be the ultimate
remedy The mark has virtually lost
its value, and reputation would not
be as difficult now as IL would have
been earlier. What is needed is a
ratio. arbitrarily established at Berlin
az one was set up at Vienna. If an
agreement is effected with France a
substantial basis for a new currency
standard win have been provided.
In this country there has been much
Evening star., 1923-09-14

which he was born, transferred to the
United States the title to an endow-
ment fund of $4,000 invested in GER
tain stocks, bonds and securities held
and owned by the association The
fund has been converted into bonds
tc the amount of S46,0 900, on which
there is an annual income of about
$1.700. This income IS used for the
preservation Of the birthplace Of Lin
coin.
q. What pictures are considered the
twelve masterpieces of the world
NJ. l.. T.
A. No one is equipped to say which
are the twelve greatest, but a con-
sensus OF opinion has resulted in the
selection of the following az coming
under this classification: THE Last
Supper" Leonardo da Vinci; 1.-THE Last
Judgment" Michaelangelo; Descent
From the Cross" Daniels da Volterra,
sumption of the Blessed Virgin"
Titan; Holy ,ght." Corregio. Com
munion of st. ierome," Aurora Pre-
ceding Chariot Of the Sun" Guido
REM; Immaculate Conception" Mu-
rillo; Descent From the Cross" Ru-
bena; THE TRANSPORTATION" Ra-
phael, and "Sortie of the Civic Guard"
Rembrandt
O.. Where does Michigan rank in the
D.
A. In the total production Of con.
per Michigan ranks second to Mon
tana, and in annual output the state
Is surpassed only by Montana and
Arizona.
Q: AT what time did the most sol
How many do now?-W. l.. S
A; The Veterans Bureau says that
the largest number of policies were in
force on November II, 1918. At this
time there were 4.439.664. on March
1; 1922. there were 329.O23 term poll
cies in force-amount of insurance be
ing s2,446,142.S45. There were 27I.So4
converted policies, amounting to 9s4,-
Q. Where are the Mountains OF the
Moon7-F. T. ,
A. The Mountains of the Moon were
a mythical chain of mountains which
the early Egyptians believed to be
the source of the River Nile,
Q. What was the worst coal mine
disaster in this country?-H. l.. r.
A. Between 1869 and 1917 there
were nineteen coal mine disasters in
which the loss of life was 100 or more
and the worst of these accidents was
the explosion at Monongah, West Vir
ginia, December 6. 1907, in which Ssi
Q. When were finger prints first
taken?-M. c. B.
A. Alphonse BertiIlon invented hts
system of mensuration in March 1873
for which he was made chevaiier of
the Legion of Honor. The taking of
finger prints as a method OF identi-
fication has been more or less in use
in the far east since very early his
tory.
Q. Who has written the largest
check In the United States?-w. j. r.
A. The Treasury Department says
that the largest official check or war
rant issued by the government was
that of 100000, 600 which was given
from this country to Great Britain
during the war. They have no knowl-
edge of larger check issued by any
one.
(IJ you have question you raat
onstoeTed send IL to The Star IT.
formation Bureau, Frederic j. Has
kin, Director, f22O North Capitol
street State your question pldinp
and briefly and give yoar fun napc
and address so that the Information
may be sent direct The only charge
for this service is 2 cents in stamps
for return postGge)