davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1924-11-19
The Windship,

Mighty claims and promises are
being made for the "windship." It
has been outfitted at kiel, and its
inventor, Herr Flettner, is 30 much in
the public eye and SO much on the
public tongue in Germany that the
Germans have ceased to talk of the
ZR-3 and air travel. Herr Flettner
has said that within the next two
months he will probably cross the
ocean to America in his windship to
demonstrate to Americans it's tire.
mendous possibilities" Note the word
probably Also note that its possi-
bilities are to be demonstrated to us.
If its tremendous possibilities are
demonstrable they could be proved to
the Germans.
The claim is that the invention will
make the steamship obsolete. The
same device which drives a ship can
also be used on land to drive any ma.
chinery. Black coal will be in the dis
card. White coal or hydro-electric
power will be out OF date The name
blue COAL" meaning air power, has
been given to this new-heralded thing.
One does not understand it, and one
does not understand the explanation
given of it,. 1t is said in the reports
that THE cylinders are equipped with
a small motor furnishing the initial
power to make them revolve. The re-
vovling Of the cylinders. in some way
not yet disclosed by the inventor,
harnesses the air currents and makes
them propel the windship at an un.
precedented speed for a wind.driven
ship" The inventor says that his In.
vention is based on the principle of
the so-called 'magnus effect" known
to- scientists since 1853. Engineers
may read something in this, but non.
scientists get nothing out Of it.
If Herr Flettner will perform what
he promises the world will salute him
and coming generations will hang gar
lands on his statues in public parks.
But it must be remembered that while
the century has brought forth won.
ders in physics great many so-called
inventions have thundered in the in.
dex and petered out. In the matter of
this wind power, or "blue-coal" inven-
ton all America is from Missouri.
Evening star., 1924-11-19

at the Lincoln Memorial, and all that.
but it is believed that a majority Of
the people of the District, IL they
could vote on the seasons. or anything
else. would cast their ballots for
Spring, Fall or Summer, and that
Winter would run poor fourth.
The chances are that our present
cold snap will be followed by bright
days that will be cool, but not shivery,
and that when those days come,
lighted with yellow sunshine and
tinged with purple haze, we shall fall
to talking Of Indian Summer. Many
authorities define Indian Summer in
many ways. but one of the old in
habitants OF the Potomac Valley has
said that Indian Summer Is the first
warm spell following the first hard
and killing frost, and another old in
habitant insists that Indian Summer
is the first warm spell following the
first freeze. During the warm and
hazy days of October and early No.
vember one heard many persons speak
in commentator of Indian Summer,
but it is believed that they were not
authorities on the subject.
Evening star., 1924-11-19
Scores Pedestrians.
Reader Declares All Who Disre.
gard Signs Should be Fined.
To the Editor Of The Star:

To the Editor Of The Star:
In your paper of November 13 1
was much interested in an article
signed William H. Dali, on the ever
interesting subject of automobile
traffic laws and on the police regula-
tions regarding same. ], too, am situ-
ated SO that l walk about the busy
streets of Washington much during
the shopping hours. but 1 also was
situated once SO that I drove my
car, the habit of which has long
since been abandoned because Of the
utter lack of the usefulness of
car in a city where only taxis and
delivery wagons, going at high rate
of speed, seem to have the right of
way. Taxis parked everywhere, by
the hundreds, red, white, blue, pink,
yellow and green, in front of shops
Of all kinds and especially near all
the downtown hotels. 1t would seem
to me that one or two taxis parked
near a hotel could do all the hotels
business that was necessary, now
that telephones are so handy, both
public and private, and also where
different sections of the city.
Now a word, not for but against
the pedestrian. 1t Is my humble
opinion that while the autos have
the right OF way and the pedestrian
crowds as they so often do into the
middle of the "go" traffic that they
ought to be hit and hit hard. Only
yesterday, while at the corner of
Eleventh and F streets, I saw Just
this very thing happen. Eleventh
street traffic was "go," but the peo-
pie moving up street kept right
on their way into the middle of the
street. I think that IL everybody
that steps off the curb at such time
should be arrested for violating the
law, and If a policeman was kept
there for the express purpose of col
lecting fine from each violater,
the Police Department would collect
enough money to add more officers
to Its now too small force, and give
to US all. both drivers of cars and
pedestrians, a little more saftey in
travel, both on wheel and on foot.
MRS. r. C. BILLIARD.
Evening star., 1924-11-19
Improvement Items.

Two items of District legislation, it
is announced, will be particularly
urged by the Commissioners at the
coming session Of Congress. One of
these is the measure for the extension
of Fourteenth street, which is urgently
needed in the development. of the
northern District suburbs. The other
is bill for the elimination of several
grade crossings.
The carrying of Fourteenth street
through the Walter Reed Hospital
grounds is required to permit a street
car line extension that is urgently
necessary to afford tracks and facil-
tiles % a rapidly increasing suburban
traffic congestion on Georgia avenue
and Sixteenth street. Washington is
growing rapidly in that direction.
Plans have been proposed for the ex-
tension of the street through the hos
pital grounds in a manner to avoid
nuisance and danger. Some opposition
has been interposed, but there is no
valid reason why the street should not
be carried out in accordance with the
general city plan. The matter has
been before Congress for several ses-
sions and is thoroughly understood.
1t has been blocked in committee.
The Commissioners have right to
be heard in their plea for the extern
sion, and the hope is that they will
press vigorously for action.
In the matter of the few remaining
grade crossings, there is no reason
whatever why action should not be
had now. Millions of dollars have
been spent in the elimination of grade
crossings within the city, but few
remain in the suburbs, taking their
regular toll of life. Their elimination
would cost something, Of course, but
the cost of sinking the streets or car
rying them over the tracks would be
small compared with the price that
is being paid in humanity. With the
increase of road use around Wash
ington the danger at these crossings
is growing constantly. The District
of Columbia should be free wholly
from this peril, and the Commission.
ers can do no more effective work
for the public welfare than to urge
in the strongest terms action on this
subject this Winter.
Evening star., 1924-11-19
Joseph Caillaux.

Yesterday the French Senate, by
vote of 176 to 104, extended to former
Premier Joseph Caillaux the benefits
,t3f the amnesty act which restored
atm to full citizenship rights. This
fE:iote, it appears from the dispatches,
a-d not represent the real sentiment
of the Senate, for many Of it's mem
, bers who voted for amnesty did so
under party compulsion. Some of
Efhem, indeed, applauded the speakers
who opposed the pardon of Caillaux.
In the early Spring of 1914 Joseph
Caillaux's wife shot and killed CASTOR
Caimette. editor of Figaro, who had
made accusations OF a personal ma
fure in the course of a political fight
which was being waged against Gail
AUX as minister Of finance. There
were ugly whispers of disloyal re-
lationship between Caillaux and "a
certain foreign power" It was strong
1ly suspected that Nine. Caillaux killed
Calmette to prevent him from publish
ing documents which would implicate
her husband in a reasonable intrigue.
cIduCS was III Il lever VI dppf
lest at her trial this matter should be
brought definitely into the open and
the relations with that other power,
Glready strained. might be brought
to the breaking point. But at the trial
there was no such disclosure. Nine.
Caillaux was acquitted, apd by a
singular soincidence simost. stimuli
:, ,'a4usoux,S war broke between France
land Germany. The Caillaux case be.
,s,1-ne or secondary Importance, but as
'rne war progressed Caillaux himself
came again into notoriety through the
growth Of suspicion that he was
actually aiding the enemy. He was
accused of various intrigues involving
correspondence with high personages
Re lDoln, and upon the advent to
Nn q eUonaier Clemenceau he was
Evening star., 1924-11-19
Weather.

There is wide comment on the
weather. 1t is said by nearly every
body that I'VE must expect cool
weather about this time of year." and
examination of the almanac shows
that those observers are right. Many
for me-acts as a tonic, and makes
the cheeks tingle and the eyes
sparkle" Some persons shiver as
they say it and have blue noses. Now
says, Il like Winter more than Sum-
mer," and then he blows on his fingers
and stamps his feet to warm them.
The Weather Bureau was encourag-
ing this morning when 1t issued a
forecast: Fair today and Thursday;
slightly warmer; moderate north,
shifting to southwest Winds" In the
weather forecast yesterday morning
for the District Of Columbia and sur
rounding country rain or snow was
indicated, and it Is likely that snow
fell in part Of the region included
in the forecast. It Is not probable
that many Washingtonians will make
a protest to the Weather Bureau be-
cause snow did not fall in Washing
ton f
Winter has its charms. There are
wild winds. deep snow. tied.up car
lines, stalled machines, snow plows,
sleigh bells. Christmas trees. New
Year cards, Washington's birthday,
green holly trees strung with ruby
berries, skating on the mirror lake
Evening star., 1924-11-19

mutilation which primitive peoples
adopt, and is referred to by many
travellers J. III. Weeks, in his book Oil
Kongo canuibaLs. written in 1913, de-
scribes their chiseling of the upper
incisors to V-shaped points. ,;ome
only had two out. while others had sll
of the upper incisors ground away.
They believed that this operation made
them look more beautiful. Caldez, VINO
describes the customs of the Madin-
goes, who live in Central Africa, says
that when a man and woman are about
to be married a smith is called in to
sharpen the teeth of the persons be
trothed.
Q. When was the monument over
the grave of Mary Washington dedi
cated?-D. A. C.
A. President Cleveland dedicated
the memorial on May 10. 1894.
Q. Why did soldiers in the World
War lose more right arms and right
legs than left ones?-P. d. T.
a. A logical theory is that when
the troops We're in actual combat
the men w"u'i tc using rifles dud
would stand with left loot and left
arm advanced. A she'll exploding in
front of them would kill rather than
main. A shell falling and exploding
behind would find the right side OF
the body exposed to a greater degree.
@. Is sea island cotton still pro-
duced in the South?-M. NJ. J.
A. This famous variety OF cotton
has practically passed out of existence
in the South, owing to the advent of
the boil weevil- The Department OF
Agriculture introduced new kind,
Meade cotton. to take its place. This
Sfa apIn . Ia. t1n
produced the variety, is certainly as
good as. and many are inclined to be
lieve better than, sea island was.
Q. What is the story of Columbus
and the egg2-A. y.
A This story rests on the authority
of Benzoni, an Italian historian. He
relates that while Columbus was at a
banquet in Barcelona, just before his
second voyage, jealous courtier asked
If Columbus thought any one could
have discovered the Indies. Columbus
made no reply, but invited each Of the
guests to see If he could make an egg
stand on one end. All tried in vain.
Columbus took the egg, struck it gen
tly on the table to break the shell, leav-
ing 1t standing on the broken part. In
this way be illustrated the fact that
1t would be very simple for others to
follow the path 70 the New World now
that he had pointed the way.
@. Can you give US a plan for IL
lustrating the comparative sizes Of
the planets?-L P.
A. Sir John Herschers illustration
of the relative size of the planets
follows: Taking a globe two feet in
diameter to represent the sun, grain
of mustard seed will represent the
relative size of Mercury to the sun,
a pea will represent Venus and pea
will also represent the earth, while
Mars is designated by a rather large
pins head; Jupiter, a modern sized
orange; Saturn, small orange,
Uranus, a full sized cherry, and Nep-
tune. a good sized plum.
(Let The StGr Information Bureau,
Frederic J. Haskin, director, TtoentY-
first and streets northwest, cnstDer
your question. The only charge for thts
service is 2 cents IN stamps for return
postage)
Evening star., 1924-11-19
ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
BY FREDERIC ]. HASKIN

Q. What would happen If every
it's present size?-G. S. G.
A. The Bureau of Standards says
that IL the increase involved a pro-
portionate increase in mass, there
would be an increase in apparent
weight out of all proportion to the
increase in strength. We probably
could not stand erect. II the increase
were In dimensions only the opposite
effect would occur.
Q. What are the names of the late
blooming roses grown in the park
way Of Maryland avenue northeast p
M. w.
A. The division Of public buildings
and grounds says that they include
Red Radiants. Ophelias. Pink Radi-
ants and Alice Stanleys.
Q. Who wrote the old song, Take
Me Out to the Ball Game?'--G. T. A.
A. 1t was written by Jack Nor
worth and Albert Won Tilzer.
Q. How large is the throat of a
whale?-W. +. G.
A. The blue whale, the largest ami
NAL alive today, reaching a length in
excess of 80 feet with a mouth so
large that 10 to IL men could stand
therein, has a throat but about eight
inches in diameter.
@. What is the oath taken by cab
met members?-J. B. c.
A. The oath taken by cabinet mem
bers before the appointment clerk as
they are about to take over the du-
ties of the office is: II (John Jacob
Jones) do Solemly swear or affirm
that I will support and defend the
Constitution of the United States
against all enemies, foreign and do
mestic; that I will bear true faith
and allegiance to the same; that |
take this obligation freely, without
any mental reservation or purpose of
evasion: and that I will well and
faithfully discharge the duties of the
office on which ! am about to enter.
So help me, God"
Q. What kind of a book is the
Book OF the Dead?"-E. A.
A. The title "Book Of the Dead" is
regarded as an unsatisfactory trans
lation of the original for the reason
that the book Is not a single book
dealing exclusively with funeral rites,
but 1t Is a collection of books and
chapters treating Of psychostasia in
the Double Hall" before Osiris, the
peregrinations of the Ka in the val
ley Of the Shadow of Death" and the
Osirian doctrine of resurrection. etc.
Sir Peter lie Page Renouf said: ut Is
not a book in the usual sense of the
word; it is not a literary whole, with
a beginning. middle and end; it is a
mere unmethodical collection of re-
ligious compositions tchapters) as in
dependent of each other as the He
brew Psalms"
Q. What will take white spots off
mahogany furniture?-L. D.
A. Camphorated oil will often re-
move such water or heat marks.
@. What was the name Of the
brother of Commodore Perry, who
fought in the battle Of Lake Erie?-
w. S.
a. The brother Of Commodore Per-
ry who accompanied him during the
battle of Lake Erie was named Alex
ander.
O. Is 1t true that some savage
tribes file their teeth?-G. s.
A. 1t is one of the many forms Of
Evening star., 1924-11-19

arrested, and after a long delay was
tried for high treason by the high
court of the Senate. He was acquitted
of the major charge, but was convict.
ed of lesser offense, that Of CORE.
spending with the enemy, and was
sentenced to Imprisonment for three
years, restriction of residence for five
ten years. Inasmuch as he had been
in prison for a long time while await
ing trial he was released soon after
conviction, but remained subject to
the other penalties. He was lately re-
leased, from residential restriction by
lapse of time, and yesterdays action
of the Senate restores his civil rights,
which, in any case, would have been
regained shortly.
Joseph Caillaux is one of the ablest
men in France. He is gifted with a
financial acumen which is recognized
by his bitterest enemies. He would
have been of great value to his gov
ernment during the supreme crisis of
the war had he commanded full con-
fidence. His involvement in intrigue,
of course. destroyed his value as a
statesman. That he is contemplating
a return to public life is limited. He is
Of the type to present himself for
popular suffrage regardless of the
black record of the past 10 years,
which no action Of the Legislature can
cleanse.
Meanwhile there is hope that some
day the full truth regarding the mur-
der of Calmette by Caillaux's wife
make one of the most thrilling stories
ever told.
Evening star., 1924-11-19
Raise the Penalty!

The fact is disclosed that under the
law. as it now stands. the maximum
penalty that can be imposed upon
motorist who after striking a person
and infiicting injuries speeds away,
and is later caught, is a fine Of $40
The average fine imposed in the Po-
lice Court for this offense. apart from
other charges that may be involved,
Is S2o. If d motorist should kill q
person in collision and, speeding
Gway, should be afterward caught,
identified and convicted, u heavier
penalty may, Of course, be imposed.
He may be tried for manslaughter,
and if convicted sentenced to a term
of imprisonment. But manslaughter
convictions of this character are ex-
tremely rare in the District of Column
bia. With but few exceptions deaths
from this cause are declared to be ac-
cidental, and drivers of machines in
fiicting fatal injuries are exonerated
on the score of the contributory negli-
gence of the victims.
In almost all cases motorists who
strike persons in the street halt their
cars and render aid. They usually
take the injured persons to hospitals.
They make no attempt to conceal
their identity. Recently several cases
of the other kind have occurred. just
why there should be this veritable
epidemic of criminal recklessness and
cowardice cannot be understood.
A demand has been voiced for the
vigorous prosecution of such cases
whenever the offenders are caught.
But in view of the fact that coroners'
juries usually declare the deaths to
be accidental it is hard to see how
more effective prosecution can be had
when all the law permits in the way
of a penalty for leaving the scene of
an accident is a maximum fine of $40.
A term Of Imprisonment surely should
be imposed. For the motorist who
strikes a person and runs away is
guilty of at least a callouSneSs of feel
ing. He probably has guilty con-
science. realizing he is in the wrong.
He will not take his chance at exon
GRAFTON for the collision.
The absurdly Inadequate penalty
for the speeding away of a motorist
who has hit a person should be in
creased by law as soon as possible.
Other questions. however, should be
considered in drafting amendments.
The penalties for driving motors while
under the influence of liquor should
be increased. Meanwhile the court
should impose the maximum penalty
now permitted for that offense. A
drunken driver is deadly menace
to all users of the streets. He should
be deprived of his license, at least, in
addition to suffering other positive
punishment. No mere fines suffice for
such a wanton disregard of the public
,aecurity.
Evening star., 1924-11-19
THIS AND THAT
BY CHARLES E. TRACEWELL.

The blessings of illness are not
as apparent as the pleasures of
health, yet they are found easily by
those who diligently seek them.
Is there a man with soul SO dead,
who never to himself has said, when
the doctor ordered him to bed: well,
this could be a great deal worse"
A fellow hates to give up and go to
bed. but when the old boy comes
in with his handbag and tells You
to do that very thing, that is some
thing else again.
Here l am, fndubitably sick, all
tucked in this nice white bed. My
eyes water. my bones ache, l know
now what It feels like to be sea-
sick. i actually am as sick as a dog,
and yet there are compensations."
Yos, there are compensations. One
speaks not, OF course, of terrible ILL.,
nesses, the kind In which fear gives
way to fear and the inevitable re-
oe only sympathy.
The sort of illness spoken of here
IS just the common garden variety
of real sickness. The patient is or
dered to bed by the doctor. who says
that with proper treatment and at
tendance the patient will be on his
feet 'in no time"
Often this mo time" turns into con-
siderable time, of course. but 1t is
good medical psychology for the doc
tor to keep his patient optimistic. It
is only by Keeping him as happy as
the situation will permit that the sick
man Is in position to realize the
undoubted blessings of illness.
y X X
The pleasures of being sick divide
themselves into three main groups,
as follows:
!. Getting into ones proper reIa-
tion to the world.
.. Experiencing the kindness of
care.
5. Reading adventure and detective
stories.
No matter whether a man is an
executive or a clerk, a manager or a
messenger, when he gets stretched
out in his little bed with a bottle of
medicine by his side he becomes
simply man.
There is nothing that will take the
conceit out of a man so quick as be-
around town like a modern demi-
god. all dressed UP and plenty of
places to go.
The office. he realized full we'll,
could not possibly get along without
him, Who would attend to that
Smith business? Who but he could fix
things up right? Under his fostering
care things worked out very nicely,
but with that supreme example of
fostering withdrawn, what would
happen?
Well, now he sees.
He sees that simply nothing hap
pens at all. The works" continue
to grind away faithfully and regu-
larly. as II such a man as he had
never existed and never would func-
tion any more.
1t hurts his pride. at first. but soon
he gets into the spirit of the thing.
After all, he begins to realize. no man
is essential. If he has done something
to help and cheer others. then that
much that he has done will be his
forever. But there will arise others,
and still others. to take his place,
and the final result will be the un-
escapable conclusion that in the final
cannot get along without. Death
proves 1t.
The ministering care of women is
what makes sickness endurable. The
patient may fuss and fume at q
lively rate, be captious in his criti-
cisims even mean, but at the same
time he Is fully aware of the debt
he owes.
He knows that Scott was right
when he wrote:
@ womanl In our hours of ease:
. Uncertain, coy, and hard to please.
Evening star., 1924-11-19

the great need of skilled direction
toward health among the masses.
This is the prime work of the
visiting nurse-teaching cleanliness.
sane diet, fresh air. sanitation, and
correct care OF sick in the, early
stages OF disease. 1t is public
service-a service In the interest of
the great public, as truly as Of the
individual patient Epidemics begin
where there Is insanitation, rather
than in the homes Of the rich. Ef-
fciency in labor is measured by the
average health of the employees,
rather than that OF the Office man
ager.
A century ago physicians thought
only Of curing disease; later, pro-
gressive doctors talked of prevention.
Today the thought Is directed to-
ward maintaining positive health
conditions. That is the mission of
the Instructive Visiting Nurse.
Copyright. 1924. by Paul v. Collins.)
Evening star., 1924-11-19

In addition to being d center of
political inspiration, California is con-
tributing some Of the Nations base
ball news As an enterprising young
man, Walter johnson could not re-
sist the temptation to go West and
grow up with the country.
Evening star., 1924-11-19

Mexico's objection to japanese fish
ing concessions in Lower California
leaves it to be doubted whether the
Japanese have all learned to fish in
the placid, contemplative mood of
Izaak Walton.
Evening star., 1924-11-19

In spite Of criticisms as to the artis.
tic aspect of the buildings in Wash
ington, homeseekers are unanimously
agreed that we need more Of them.