davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1924-01-02
Science Is Busy.

Some high spots are being touched
American Association for the Ad-
vancement of Science. Several of the
members are soaring far above the
commonplace. One Of them, pointing
out that a loaf of bread represents
only the stored-up energy Of the sun
which has been gathered by the wheat
stalk, said that he hopes to carry his
theory to the conclusion where food
may be created by sunshine without
waiting for the processes of plant
growth. Many men have dreamed Of
finding new and direct means for US.
ing the heat and power Of the sun.
They would utilize it's heat for run
ming machinery on EARTH. and on a
small scale the solar engine has been
operated in parts Of the world where
there is a maximum of sunlight.
Drawing electricity from the sun has
been conceived. Motors run by action
of sea waves and the tides have been
projected. Perhaps all these wonders
will come to pass to make easier the
life Of man. If the experiments now
being conducted at the Desert Labora-
tory at Tucson, Ariz., succeed In com.
pelling the sun to create human food
without waiting for the slow proc
esses Of the plant" another marvel,
and perhaps the greatest, will be add.
ed to the lengthening list Of wonders
wrought by science.
A rocket to the. moon is suggested
by one Of the members Of the associa-
tion, who presumably Is q man OF
serious mind and advanced learning.
Surely he is not lacking in imagina.
ton. He told the association that the
high-altitude rocket makes reasonably
certain the opening of a new field Of
Evening star., 1924-01-02
Billions for Buildings.

OF the summaries Of the activities
and accomplishment in 1928 which
have marked the close of the old year
and the beginning of the new, there is
none more interesting or significant
than that issued by the Copper and
Brass Association, giving the record
of the building construction record for
the past twelve months. According to
this survey the total expenditures in
1928 were $500 100000. the greatest
sum ever expended in construction in
the history Of the' building industry.
Nearly six billion dollars.
This immense sum represents a ma
terial advance over 1922, when, ac-
cording to the same authority, the ex-
penditure for construction was $4,910,-
000, ,000-more than a billion ahead.
This increase, however, is to be re-
garded as simply a gain against the
arrears of construction, estimated on
the 1st of July, 1921, at $S,084, 1856, 900.
In 1922 the arrearage was reduced by
s1,7S5, ,OOO, 900. and last year, in con-
sequence of the enormous increase in
all lines of building. the gain, it is esti-
mated, was s2,617 10000
1t is interesting to note the classes
of construction and the percentages.
Public buildings, in 1923, were the small
est item in the list, only 4.20 per cent Of
the total expenditure being on that
account. Next came churches, SIT per
cent, and hospitals, 7.6 per cent. In
succeeding order were Office buildings,
1925 per cent; hotels, 1887 per cent;
dwellings, IL per cent; industrial build
ings, 1858 per cent; apartments, Is
per cent, and finally schools, 1857 per
cent.
Residential needs, therefore, combin-
iEg dwellings, hotels and apartments.
absorbed 1887 per cent Of the total Of
all constructions. It is reassuring to
find that 19 per cent, or nearly one
fifth of all the money spent for new
buildings, went for schools. This is
doubtless due, in large part, to the
fact that the educational arrears are
especially heavy. Washington knows
this fact. The shortage in school ac-
commodations is keenly felt here.
There may be meat for Congress in
this statement Of the country's &C.
tivity when it comes to consider the
reeds of the Capital.
Evening star., 1924-01-02
District Day.

Effort is to be made during the pres
ent session of Congress to insure the
District adequate time for the con-
sideration of it's legislative business in
the House Of Representatives. Repre-
sentative Moore of Virginia has pro-
posed to the rules committee that a
rule should be adopted assuring the
District two days each month, not to
be taken away for other matters save
upon heavily preponderant vote,
three-fourths or four-fifths. The House
District committee, at its meeting
Friday, will be urged to add it's re-
quest to that of Mr.. Moore.
Heretofore, for many sessions. the
District day has been a negligible
quantity. Rarely has it been regularly
granted by the House. Sometimes in
deed, the District committee had no
business to present and waived the
day More often, however, it was
taken away by vote, while the Dis
trict calendar has been long with
measures awaiting action. In conse-
quence each session has closed with a
lengthy list of bills left over, most Of
them never considered in the House.
This has been possibly not alto
gether a disadvantage. 1t has, indeed,
saved the District from some harmful
legislation, proposed in haste and put
through the committee without due
consideration and with small regard
for the local wishes. But, again, much
that has been urgently needed in the
public welfare has been sacrificed or
postponed.
If the District committee were guar
anteed two days a month secure from
interruption or postponement, it would
be under obligation to present its
measures in good season, to keep the
calendar stocked with bills, unless it
finds nothing to be done for the Dis
trict. That is inconceivable. Every
session important measures are pre-
sented by the Commissioners or by in
dividual members Of the House repre-
senting urgent requirements in the
way of new or amendatory legislation.
There is small likelihood that the Dis
trict calendar will ever be exhausted.
The Constitution makes Congress
the legislature of the District. 1t is
only reasonable to expect that this
duty will be discharged faithfully, and
experience teaches that it cannot be
discharged. in the House at least, with
only a haphazard attention to the mat
tiers that pertain to the Capital.
Evening star., 1924-01-02
ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
BY FREDERIC ]. HASKIN

Q. How many ex-service men sit in
the Sixty eighth Congress?-A. G.
A The American Legion says that
the ex-soldier membership of the
house and Senate together will be
found to be a representative Cross
section Of the 100000 world war
veterans of the country. For instance,
practically one-half of the veterans
In the House got across and saw
service in the A. e. F. Four repre-
sentatives, Jeffers of Alabama, Nc
Sweeney of Ohio, Watres of Pennsyl-
vania and Reece of Tennessee, and
one Senator. Reed Of PENNSYLVANIA,
wear the d. S. C. Three representa-
tives, Hill of Maryland, Andrew of
Massachusetts and Wainwright of
New York, have the d. S. NJ. Nine
veterans in Congress put in the major
part Of their service as enlisted men.
Q. Who won the race that was run
between man and a horse?-C. f. K
A. In 1921 George Walsh, a movie
athlete, defeated race horse at the
Aqueduct track, Long Island. Walsh
was given a handicap and the race
was run over the infield with turns
more difficult for the horse than for
Walsh. The race was to settle a
wager Walsh had with Jockeys Sande
and Fator.
Q. How fast does sound travel?-.
A. The velocity of sound varies
with the medium through which it
passes. In dry air it travels at the
rate of 331.36 meters per second;
through water it's velocity is 1,435
meters per second.
Q. How long has mahogany been
used for furniture and finishing wood?
&C. NJ.
A. 1t was first used in about 1924.
The consumption of material passing
as mahogany now amounts to about
100000 feet annually, while the cut
of real mahogany is only 100000
feet.
Q. Is President obregon a native
Mexican?-T. p. A.
A; President Obregon Of Mexico is
trict Of Alamos, Sonora
Q. Are many mah-jong sets I'M
ported from China?-C. c.
A. Mah-jong sets valued at sS49,S33
AL uTc III iflpOTlS Oh IneTCndnulS6 INTO
the United States from Shanghai,
China, for the first nine months of
last year This shows an increase of
almost 33 per cent, compared with
the corresponding period of 1922.
Q. Who invented the method of
descriptive geometry?-A. w.
A. Gaspard Monge (1746-1s1S). a
French physicist and mathematician,
was the inventor.
Q. Which signer Of the Mayf1ower
compact was the last to die?-A. NJ.
A John Alden was the last sur
vivor. He was the youngest signer.
Q. Are animals ever anesthetized
and operated upon?-T. w.
A. Such operations are performed
with increasing frequency. In the
animal hospital at the University of
Pennsylvania the first operating
table ever built for large animals
has been installed.
Q. Have mayors of cities always
been elected by popular vote in this
country &C. H. A.
A The first mayor to be elected by
popular vote in the United States
Evening star., 1924-01-02
SHOOTING STARS.
BY PHILANDER JOHNSON.
Scientific Apofogy

Scientific Apology.
Said Bill the Burg, "I was surprised
When I got psychoanalyzed.
The doc explained, Your case, find,
Is due to your unconscious mind
"The feelin' that my fingers get
To grab the jewels Of some pet
An hook the stuff an make a a'splurge,
Is OWN to my psychic urge.
So, if tap you on the dome
An with your watch an wallet roam,
To blame me do not be inclined,
Remember my unconscious mind. f
Evening star., 1924-01-02
Stable Prosperity Ahead.

ALI reports from authoritative
sources, governmental and others,
forecast the continuance Of the era of
generally good business and Industrial
conditions in this country existing
as the new year comes in. 1t is not q
boom" season; it is a condition Of
normal, "safe and sound" growth.
The Federal Reserve Board tells Of a
satisfactory and promising state of
affairs among the banks. Secretary
Mellon reports excellent conditions in
government financing Secretary
Hoover says commerce and trade are
nourishing.
Now comes q report on the raj
Evening star., 1924-01-02

| was Cornelius w. laurence. who was
| 1884. =
@. When was the Salton sea
formed?-A. G. L.
A. This temporary lake in south
ern California was formed in 1905
ana 1905 by the overflow inland of
/ the Colorado river through the chan
mel Of an irrigation canal.
Q. How. much did George wash
ington weigh as a young man-K. A .
A. When twenty-seven years of
age Washington weighed IT'S pounds
Q. I am a retired soldier and con-
template making my residence in
France. VIII L still be able to draw
my pay?-M D.
A. retired soldier may live I'm
Europe and receive his pay there. He
must apply to the adjutant generals
once and comply with the regula-
tions as to posting address.
q. Have seats on the New York
Stock Exchange always sold for
thousands of dollars?-D. L. l.
A. The New York Stock Exchange
rose to position of prominence only
after the civil war In 1871 a seal
sold for as low a price as s2,750.
y. Wnat country did Lincoins
lforefathers come from?-F E. C.
A The ancestor of Lincoln who
brought the name to this country
was Samuel Lincoln, who came from
Norwich, England.
Q. Since the sun has such terrific
neat, NE why doesn't it burn itself up?-
A. The source of the vast amount
of heat which the sun gives off can
NOT De the result of combustion, for
II such were the case 1t would have
peen consumed long ago The Hell
I,lonoItz theory is generally accepted.
II assumes that the suns bulk is
gradually contracting, and that the
energy thus produced is turned into
heat. 1t has been calculated that a
contraction of $50 feet a year would
pc enough to account for the heat
developed.
@. What trade is known as the
gentle craft"?-C. c. NJ
A. The trade of shoemaking has
been called the gentle craft" the
resignation arising from the fact that
In an old romance a prince of the
name of CrisDin is made to exercise,
in honor of his namesake, St Girls
pin, the Shoemaker's trade There is
also tradition that King Edward ",
in one of his disguises, once drank
thereafter because they had drunk
with the king they were no more to
be called shoemakers. but known as
members of the trade of the gentle
craft.
Q. Does city smoke affect trees
and piants?-F. r. Z.
A. The study of the smoke problem
in one city led the investigator to the
conclusion that the smoke and gases
emitted by power and heating plant
chimneys had a harmful effect upon
trees, shrubs and other vegetation.
Q. What poem contains the lines
Back ward, turn backward, oh, time,
in your fiight"?-C C. c.
A. This is the opening line of Rock
Ne to Sleep" by Elizabeth Akers AL
! len, who wrote under the pen name
of Florence Percy.
(Reader-s of TheN Evening Star
should send their questions to The
star Information Bureau, Frederic
j. Hdskin, director, 1920 North CGpS-
toll street. The only charge for this
service is 2 cents in stamps for re-
turn postdge)
Evening star., 1924-01-02

When Henry Ford quietly strangled
his own presidential boom Nand de-
clared himself as one of the soldiers
of the Coolidge camp, he stirred up
an old-time political discussion. First
Senator Hiram Johnson took a wallop
at the Detroiter predicated on the
Muscle Shoals situation. Then Will
liam Jennings Bryan, from his re-
Gently adopted Florida status, re-
buked 'Lizzie's" father for his
"desertion Of the masses" After this
came a renewed chorus from the
various editors who at the outset
defended or derided Henry from
political motives only, but who have
since decided, that. after all, there
seems to be something new on the
political horizon as a result of the
Ford renunciation and the withdrawal
Of the Ford headpiece from the ring.
How can the gentle reader Of un-
gentle words-from Bryan and john
son-refrain from regret that these
three eminent reformers have parted
company asks the New York World
(democratic). Politics makes strange
bedfellows; also it drives the unre-
penI6Q SlnneE DaTreU
into the pitiless blast If Henrys
welcome is warm at the White
he emerges.. Senator Johnson re-
marks that he is marvel marvsious busi nd,
there cannot be the slightest shadow
of doubt" Incidentally, though, the
New York Times Independent demo-
craticl feels 'Mr. Bryans grief, or
renewed hope, as the case may be, is
nothing compared with the anguish
which rends the heart of Hiram john
son. He not only spells the first name
of Mr.. Ford Ichabod.' not only de-
clares that he is politically a recre-
ing a political bargain. AS it stands
Senator Johnsons charge is little
short of political outrage. Such ac-
cusations as those of Senator John
his candidacy must fall after such ex-
hibition of himself as he has now
seen fit to make"
The Fort Wayne Journal-Gazette
AMr. Ford's suddenness in making
tho republican party the banner Of
his faith, and the republican party
the beneficiary Of his trust, gives spur
to many doubts as touching his sim
cerity. Millions who have thought Mr..
make a President will think over
many things before making any hasty
decision to follow him in his apostacy
to what they fsoundly cherish as their
cause and when. they do that they
will hardly go along.
\ 4 +
As the Knoxville Sentinel (demo-
craticg analyses the field and the
various incidents that have arisen, 1t
sees a ''two-man race insured" be-
tween Coolidge and Mr.. McAdoo. The
Omaha World dsHerald (democratic)
in its turn suggests "blood is thicker
than water" and points out Mr.. Ford
'Is the richest man In the United
States. why should not he be a stand
patterf He IL, indeed. safe with Cool
idge. And II the great majority Of the
American people do not feel like
wise secure and content, he Is serene
iy unable to undersAand why" The
Bay City Times-TribTne (republican)
insists stMr. Ford has thrown bomb
into the camp of the hungry politi-
clans" His action, likewise, was .
very nice Christmas present for Presi-
dent Coolidge" AYERS the Detroit
News Independently, and he has
earned the gratitude of the American
PEOPLE by defining his political po-
u
Evening star., 1924-01-02

Revolutionists in Mexico declare
forces will prolong the struggle with
out changing the result. If the revolu-
tionists are as strong as they claim to
be they should find little trouble in
capturing the weapons shortly after
delivery.
Evening star., 1924-01-02

Germans who think the ex-kaiser
should be brought to, trial are con-
fronted by the fact that the world is
no longer seriously interested in him.
If his friends succeed in persuading
him to seek the throne a spectacular
retribution might work out naturally.
Evening star., 1924-01-02

As a safe and conservative Presi-
dent, Mr.. Coolidge declined to shirk
the time-honored obligation Of shaking
hands by the hour with New Year
callers.
Evening star., 1924-01-02

Investigation demands show that
those who declared that the taking Of
the Philippines would be a source of
trouble to the L. S. A. were, in some
measure, right.
Evening star., 1924-01-02

So many death-dealing devices are
being developed by science that war
must lose it's last vestige Of romance
and become mere mechanical slaugh-
ter.
Evening star., 1924-01-02

At a time when Europe Is supposed
to be economizing the construction of
immense, but perishable, airships can
not be regarded as a means Of con-
serving resources.
Evening star., 1924-01-02

A federation for the emancipation of
in India There is 50 much world un-
rest that Asia is entitled to a share If
she desires it.
Evening star., 1924-01-02

1t is roughly estimated that Berlin
spent half a million dollars in cele-
brating the New Year. 1t is not be-
lieved that President Ebert's salary
permitted him to join the revelry.
Evening star., 1924-01-02

Suggestions as to the republican
party platform are coming in from all
sides, and President Coolidge is again
listening attentively.
Evening star., 1924-01-02

Peace reigns. Nevertheless a great
holiday celebration is followed by pub
lication of a list Of the killed and in
jured.
Evening star., 1924-01-02

Prosperity is predicted for the cur
rent year. Henry Ford evidently re-
garded it as a good year for business
man to attend strictly to business.
Evening star., 1924-01-02
Dangers to Dignity,

Dangers to Dignity.
"Do you think public man ought
to have a sense Of humor?"
Certainly" answered Senator Sor-
ghum. "Only you've got to be careful
nowadays how you make people laugh
for fear Of getting yourself classed
with the motion picture comedians"
Evening star., 1924-01-02

No holiday is complete. New Year
has become one of the busiest days
in the calendar for prohibition agents
Evening star., 1924-01-02

Jud Tunkins says watchin' the old
year out gave his folks the idea that
the way to start the new year was by
oversleeping.
Evening star., 1924-01-02
Future FliyyeristS.

"You go to a great deal of pains to
teach your children to be polite"
Eyes, SIR" answered Mr.. Chuggins;
polite, gentle and obedient. It'll be
easier to learn from me than later on
from the motor cops.''
Evening star., 1924-01-02
often Thus

Often Thus.
The change is but brief
AS in purpose you glory.
You turn q new leaf,
But you write the old story.
Evening star., 1924-01-02
Rate by Mail-Payabfe i'm Advance.
Maryland and Virginia.
All Other States.
Member of the Associated Press.

The Associated Press is exclusively entitled
TO the use for republication Of all news dis
patches credited to it or not otherwise credited
IN this paper and also the local news pub
hshed herein. All rights of publication OF
special dispatches herein are also reserved.
Evening star., 1924-01-02

The Evening Star with the Sunday morning
edition. is delivered by carriers within the
city at 80 cents per month; daily only. As
cents per month; Sunday only 20 cents per
month Orders may be sent by mail or tele-
phone Main 5000. Collection is made by car
riers at the end of each month.
Evening star., 1924-01-02
Literary. Selection.

$50 you made a solemn pledge to
avoid rum"
"Yep." replied Uncle Bill Bottletop:
"they got this bootleg proposition
around to where a man feels obliged
to take his choice between New Year
resolution and an epitaph."
Evening star., 1924-01-02

And the wonder of 1t all is that
these rival committees, given set Of
statistical figures. can handle them
so as to make you believe that each
one was right In absolutely contra
dfctory conclusions.
II 10 to marvel.
Evening star., 1924-01-02

you'll be happier an mo- prosper
GUS, son." said Uncle Eben, "n you
resolves to put as much, enthusiasm in
yoh work as YOU does in Gre game
Evening star., 1924-01-02
THEODORE w. MOVES. d.. Editor

The Evening Star Newspaper Company
Business 0fice. 1lth st. and Pennsylvania Ave.
New York Office: 10 East 42nd st.
Chicago Office: Tower Building.
European Office: 16 Regent ST., London. England
Evening star., 1924-01-02

Q. Have seats on the New York
stock Exchange always sold for
thousands of dollars?-D. L. /.
A. The New York Stock Exchange
rose TO position of prominence only
after the civil war In 1871 a seal
sold for as low price as s2,750.
Evening star., 1924-01-02

Q. What country did IincoIn's
ltorefathers come from?-F. Z. C.
A The ancestor of Lincoln who
brought the name to this country
was Samuel Lincoln, who came from
Norwich, England
Evening star., 1924-01-02

A. A retired soldier may live I'm
Europe and receive his pay there. He
must apply TO the adjutant generals
office and comply with the regula
tions as to posting address.
Evening star., 1924-01-02

It's lots of fun watching the repub-
lican and democratic national COM
mittees lambasting each other
through their publicity bureaus. They
don't care much what they say about
each other, just so 1t "has a wallop"
and is likely to make the other fellow
"see stars" The other day the dem
ocratic committee charged that the
republican tariff law cost the Christ
mas shoppers a. billion dollars on the
theory Of six billions of purchases
and a billion added by the tariff:
Now the republican committee
comes back with the:opening state
was the greatest piece of fiction
issued in 1928"
Here is q choice bit Of sarcasm in
the republican statement:
"Of course, there Is this to be said,
even on the theory that the absurd
charge were true; the American con-
sumer had his six billions to spend
and spent 1t. which Is more than can
be said of the American consumer
under any democratic administration
with free trade in effect.
"Chrfstmas time is very sad oc-
casfon under democratic administra-
tions, characterized by closed fac
tories. fdle wage earners, families in
want, distress and suffering instead
of Christmas cheer. Under demo-
cratic free trade the most conspic-
uous gift givers are charitable organi-
Sations and soup houses"
Whereupon the republican commit
tee branched out with figures de-
signed to uphold its charge against
this alleged greatest piece of fic-
tion In 1929"
b
Evening star., 1924-01-02

Q. Does city smoke affect trees
and piants?-F. r. Z.
A. The study of the smoke problem
in one city led the investigator to the
conclusion that the smoke and gases
emitted by power and heating plant
chimneys had a harmful effect upon
trees, shrubs and other vegetation.
Evening star., 1924-01-02

Q. Which signer Of the Mayf1ower
compact was the last to die?-A. NJ.
A John Alden was the last sur
vivor. He was the youngest Signer.