davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1924-12-15
The Traffic Conference.

After several months Of preparation
through committees named i'll ad-
vance, a conference of traffic experts,
meets today in this city under the call
Of Secretary Hoover for q two-day
consideration of traffic problems
throughout the country. These COM
reports on various aspects of this
matter. which is Of such vital impor
tance to the public welfare. They re-
late to statistics, traffic control, con-
ming and coming. insurance, educa-
ton, motor vehicles and public rela-
tions. Thus they cover, broadly, the
entire scope of the question.
Each city in this country has up to
this time been working on it's own
traffic problem. The result is a con-
fusion of practices. In each local code
of traffic regulations are good features.
In each are bad features. There is no
uniformity. No fundamental rules
have been established which are
founded upon basic laws and therefore
applicable to all communities. Nat
urally, Of course. each local code Is
related to the particular conditions of
that area. The purpose of this present
conference Is to study the question in
the broadest sense.
The waste Of life from badly regu-
lated and thoughtlessly moved traffic
is shockingly large in the United
States. The misuse OF the motor car
and the misuse Of the streets and
highways of the country are contrib
uting to death and disablement toll
that is comparable with the cost of
the war.
The streets in the cities Of this
country were designed for slow-moving
vehicles. A fast-moving traffic has
developed and traffic rules have been
adopted to adjust this new form of
transportation to old physical condi-
rapidly than 1t has been possible to
change the conditions. Out OF the
present conference may come some
formula of procedure that will effect
an adjustment and grant a maximum
of safety and OF traffic movement.
Washington is keenly concerned in
this matter. With a physical layout
of highways that should yield the
W., v;,,,,,,, ~ +,.o ~, &, ,;y;ty op5 -
safety together, it has become the
scene of accidents that put it nearly
at the bottom of American cities in
point Of public safety. 1t cannot at
this present national conference serve
as a model. Its urgent needs are even
now the subject of emergency con-
sideration by Congress for legisla ton.
1t lacks a proper traffic court and an
adequate traffic police force; its laws
of punishment are inadequate, and in
some respects it's traffic code Is far
from satisfactory.
Secretary Hoover. with his high ca
pacity for organization, has started a
work of great national Importance in
thus bringing together representatives
of all the interests involved in the
traffic problem, and Especially in start
ing committees at researches In ad-
vance of the actual meeting. There is
reason to expect that a distinct ad-
vance toward public security and ef-
fective traffic movement will be made
in consequence Of this gathering.
Evening star., 1924-12-15
Ice Fatalities,

Ice accidents have already been re
ported. although the season for Ice
sports has just opened. Four boys,
three Of them IL years of age and one
0, were drowned Sunday In n lake
near Peekskill, N. T., when the ice
broke under them as they were slid
ing and playing. One Of the boys made
the others a dare" and they fol-
luwed, despite the warnings Of their
elders on shore. The ice was not thick
enough. to bear their weight and they
went under and were lost. Two older
lads who tried to save them were
themselves nearly drowned.
There will probably be other fatai.
ties from this cause ere the Winter
ends. A sheet of ice offers a strong
temptation 1t looks solid. 1t bears the
weight for little way. Suddenly It
cracks and a life is lost. Often these
accidents happen far from help. There
is little time in any case for rescue,
for the victims are carried under the
Ice by the current and are numbed by
the cold 80 they cannot help them
selves. Or they clutch the edges and
try to Chamber out. break the ice anew
and fall back exhausted,
All ice Is dangerous. and particular.
ly in the early part Of the season. De.
spite warnings, against reason, in the
face even OF positive signals. young
sters will persist in skating and slid
ing over the frozen surface. 1t is one
of the penalties Of youth that so many
are taken. Yet every accident should
be noted as a warning. 1t is to be
hoped that this one at Peekskill will
serve to keep many children out of
danger this Winter.
Evening star., 1924-12-15

sentiment for Christmas trees. The
number OF children who demand that
Santa Claus shall dress the tree and
the number Of parents who second
that demand indicate that there will
be forest OF Christmas trees in the
living rooms of Washington and that
they will be freighted with strange
and shining fruits and flowers, little
drums and horns, golden fish,. bags
Of candy, dolls and candles. If Santa
Claus Is SO good as to stop at your
house long enough to dress tree. the
mere mortals in the house should take
care that the tree and house are not
set on fire. -,y, - .r--=s --,
Evening star., 1924-12-15
The General Business Outlook.

Sapient observations, worthy Of
thoughtful consideration, by two
eminent Midwest f1nanciers, who have
returned from trips to New York and
Washington, are at hand. George M.
Reynolds, chairman Of the board Of
the Continental and Commercial Bank
of Chicago, and Melvin A. Taylor,
president Of the First Trust and Saw
ings Bank Of that city, have given the
result of their close scrutiny of trade
and financial conditions at present
and the prospect for the future.
These two men, noted in high finance
Evening star., 1924-12-15
IN TODAY'S SPOTLIGHT
BY PAUL y. COLLINS,

The United States Army" now con-
trolling Nicaragua Is ordered to
evacuate that country January /, ac-
cording to the voluntary announce
ment made last February by Score
tary Hughes Of the state Department.
Since 1913 the American forces have
maintained order and preserved the
government of Nicaragua, preventing
revolutions and safeguarding loans
made to that government by two
New York banking firms. The con-
stitutional and orderly election last
October, in accord with plans insti-
tuted upon the recommendation of
an American expert, Is taken as
justification for the withdrawal of
our marines.
How much does our occupation Of
Nicaragua justify jealous fears Of
other Central American countries, as
sometimes suggested? How much
does this voluntary withdrawal war
rant the suggestion that our Monroe
doctrine Is a cloak for our eventual
overlordship Of the weaker nations
of this hemisphere? g..
& X u
Upon the recommendation Of the
administrative officials Of the United
States. two New York banks in 1911
loaned to the Nicaraguan government
100000 as an advanced part of a
SIS, 100000 loan promised in treaty
which was refused ratification by our
Senate. The two banks also invested
s1,ooo,o0o in 81 per cent of the shares
Of stock Of the one railroad Of the
country and $4,000 in the control
ling majority OF the, shares in the
only bank. In addition, our Govern
ment later invested $3,000.o0o in a
treaty right Of perpetual control of
a transisthmian canal. To protect
all these interests. we have main
tanned for IL years a force Of 100
marines in Nicaragua, at cost of
not less than $4,000 a year and have
sent naval expeditions from time to
time, so that our 'protectorate" has
cost us a total of not less than
$1,000, 900. Now we are Withdrawing
and trusting to the native govern
ment to preserve peace and maintain
order.
x u X
The countries of Central America
have been in civil strife almost con-
tinuousry since they achieved inde-
pendence from Spain. a century ago.
Revolution has followed revolution,
and incoming administrations have
not always recognized the obligations
of their predecessors. This has
jeopardized saftey from foreign in
tervention and put q strain upon the
Monroe doctrine.
1t is not exact to say that the gov
ernment Of Nicaragua. has Alternated
between two parties, the Conserva-
tives and the Liberals, for parties, a.
known in the United States, do not
exist there. There are many "blocs,'
led by office seekers, who take little
heed of party principles, but fight
whenever they can rally a personal
following strong enough for their
ends. In addition to the broad dfvi-
sions between Conservative and Lib
eral leaders. there IL a general divi-
sion also between adherents OF the
two leading rival citieS; there is
"personalfsmo" and also 'rocAlismo.
~ = =
From the middle Of the last oen-
tury the world has been intseaated
in the project of an fnteroceanio ca
nal across Nicaragua. in addition to
the Panama Canal. It was with that
Evening star., 1924-12-15

in view that Great Britain set ,up g.
protectorate" IS years ago over the
Mosquito Kingdom. a part of Mica
ragua located at the mouth of the
San Juan River, whose channel is in
the proposed route OF the projected
canal The Mosquito Kingdom is
peopled mainly by English speaking
negroes.
Although the Clayton -BuIwer treaty
between Great Britain and the United
States uS50) bound both countries
10 respect the sovereignty of Mica
ragua. Great Britain refused to rec
ognize that that bound her to re-
linquish the Mosquito protectorate,
which had never been recognized by
either Nicaragua or the United States.
In 1881 President Zelaya of Mica
| ragua made war upon Honduras and
used that war as an excuse for ig-
noring the British presence in the
province OF Mosquito. and invaded
that region with his army. en- route
to Honduras. asserting anew the
| claim Of Nicarasuan sovereignty
Pressure of our Monroe doctrine
combined with that action of Zelaya,
and Great Britain withdrew her
claims. zelaya gained control over
Honduras. and in the course of his
long administration proved such a
disturbing element Of menace to all
Central America that the other states
combined to threaten him with a gen.
eral war.
In the face of this menace, in 1907,
President Roosevelt united with Pres
ident Porfirio Diaz Of Mexico in call
attended by representatives Of all
Central American nations. At this
conference a Central American Court
OF Justice was created, as q tribunal
Of arbitration and adjudication of in
ternAtional disputes.
~ X x
In 1909 the Liberals started a revo-
luton against President Zelaya which
received the. taoit support of the
United States Government. This en-
couraEement Of the rebels was en-
HANGED when Zelaya captured and
hanged two Americans fighting with
in Zelayas downfall. President Taft,
however, was not satisfied with the
new President, Madrfz, and refused
him recognition but when Estrada
was duly and constitutionally elected
he was given full recognition by the
Taft administration.
+ T. X \
Foreign creditors were now clamor-
| ing for their loans. A treaty was ne
gotiAted between the United States
and Nicaragua by which we were to
assist that country In borrowing from
banks $4,000, 900 with which to set
tie all claims and finance the develop
ment Of the country. This was re-
jected by the Senate, but before that
! rejection two New York banks had
advanced $1,000.000 as 3 loan and in
| vested $1,163.0 900, as stated above. all
OF which was secured by control of
all. internal taxes and Of customs du-
ties.
In 1911 Gen. MenA caused the As
sembly to elect him President" for
the term beginning January /, 1913,
but he was overthrown by Gen. Diaz
before assuming office. The American
Minister, Mr.. Weitzel, demanded Of
Dictator Diax that he guarantee Sc
l'curity for ali foreignerS. Acknowl-
sdS1ng that he was impotent to make
that guarantee, Diax roQusstsd the
United states to assume tho responsi-
Evening star., 1924-12-15

The Inauguration of Plutarco Elias
Gales as President of Mexico under
peaceful conditions and without mill
tary assistance is interpreted by fhe
American press as further assurance
that Mexico is at last established on
foundation of stability and progress
after a long period of revolutions.
That Mexico has taken many forward
steps under Obregon is a source of
qualification and hope is expressed
that she viii go still farther on the
road toward the realization of an
honorable and prosperous destiny
under Gales.
Americans who hope to see Mexico
develop into a prosperous. self-reliant
and dependable neighbor of the
United States are justified in view
ing with optimism the inauguration
Of President Gales" in the opinion
of the Chicago Daily News, which
says: There are excellent reasons for
thinking that Gales is an executive
of patriotic ideals and sterling tnteg-
rity, broad minded, and with a well
poised rather than emotional nature.
In his native State of Sonora, which
lies Immediately south of Arizona.
where he served as military governor
during the Villa insurrection and
later as constitutional governor, he
,persistently championed the cause of
the peasant and the laborer, fought
gambling and drunkenness and spent
every peso he could scrape together
on the development of public schools.
President Obregon brought hope or
renewed peace. President Gales, en-
joying more general pubic support
has the opportunity to go mucn
farther in the establishment of sound
dhVelOD-
ment of the country's resources.
* = x x
.Calles. who is hi=Iself an out
standing demonstration of the man
ner in which the peon may respond
to educational opportunities, the
Oakland Tribune agrees, mas large
task before him, but he speaks IKE
a man who is not afraid Few men,
the Dayton News believes, nave
come into the presidency there with
such unusual opportunities to render
lasting service to the nation as mas
Gen. Gales. Unless the world has
mistudged him completely, he has
learned the lessons of the past and
is prepared to modernize Mexico from
one end to the other" The fact that
Obregon is his sponsor speaks VOL
umes. according to the Cleveland
Plain Dealer, which holdS, IL is the
wish Of the American people that
Gales win carry on the work which
Obreson so ably commenced and
which he advanced as far as was in
his power"
AS the Atlanta Journal views it.
"Obregon's four years at the capital
have been, in the main, a period of
repose and construction. Outlawry.
once rife, has been reduced to scat
tered and OCCASIONAL upaares. Agri-
culture and industry have found en-
couraeement Public education has
been promoted. Some advance has
been made In economic and social re-
adjustment in the interest Of the
masses. There has been considerable
progress, too. in the betterment OF
foreign relations, particularly with
the United States. The policies
through which all this has been
brought to pass are likely to con-
tinue, inasmuch as the retiring Presi
dent and his successor are of the
same school of politics and are backed
by virtually the same forces" Mex
leo Is clearly on the high road to sue
Evening star., 1924-12-15
SHOOTING STARS.
BY pHILANDER JOHNSON.
Each Man,

Each Man.
Each Man ip1agines he must do
Some mighty work toward pulling
through
This good old world-which, every
year,
Finds some new trouble drawing near.
Each Man strives on to mend his lot;
Then fades away and is forgot.
While other men will duplicate
His efforts to keep matters straight.
Each Man believes some better mood
Is due to his solicitude.
The world moves on with steadfast
cheer
And scarcely knows each Man was
here. -.
Evening star., 1924-12-15

The Government is expected to de
wise means of regulating commune
cation not only by telegraph and tele.
phone, but also by radio. This would
dispose of certain embarrassments for
d time: at least until some new in
ventor wrests still stranger secrets
from science and makes telepathy
practical.
Evening star., 1924-12-15

Denmark, with a law in contempla.
ton authorizing a physician under cir
patient, should proceed with caution.
Denmark is not SO large a country
that it can risk diminishing its inf1u-
ence by a sacrifice Of man power.
Evening star., 1924-12-15

Many economists persist TN believ-
ing the only really dangerous in
fluences connected with Sovietism are
the vamps who come over with the
Russian ballets.
Evening star., 1924-12-15

After reading the news from China
and from several American cities
where "tongs" flourish. it becomes
permissible to wonder how the Chine Sc
secured the reputation Of being such
placid philosophers.
Evening star., 1924-12-15

ing, mattresses and upholste. ing, but
also as a substitute for absorbent
| lint used iR surgery, for filtration
purposes, and to a limited extent for
woven floor coverings. In the United
States excelsior is used for packing
| glass, earthenware and many other
commodities. It is also employed in
mattress making. upholstery. includ-
Ing furniture and carriages, as kennel
| and stable bedding. for decorative
purposes in shop windows and for
stuffing dolls and toy animals.
| Q. How many birds are there to
an acre in the United States?-H-
NJ. b.
A. The Biological Survey says that
there are in the United States only
about two birds to the acre.
Q. What is the income for the fur
| industry?-W. T. r.
| A. The board of trade for the fur
| industry of the United States esti-
mates the annual turnover In the fur
business at s400,000,o 900.
Q. What is the minimum age for
| employment in the special delivery
section of the. United States Post
Office Department?-G. r.
| A. Twenty-one years is the mini
mum.
Q. How long did Robert Frost
write before he became famous?-
D. D. B.
A. The American poet. Robert
Frost, wrote for 90 years before his
work became known. "a Boys Will"
| first published in England in 1915.
] WAS the first work tn attract
attention.
| @. What occasioned the death of
the second wife of Henry LongfeI-
| low 20. u.
| a. In 1851 Mrs Longfellow was
| one day playing with her children,
amusing them by sealing up bits OF
their curls in tiny packages. From
| the burning wax Mrs. Longfeliowx
dress caught fire. Her death occurred
| a few hours later
| Q. What is the difference between
| a rasteden and a mamnoth?-C.
S. W.
| A. The, mammoth was an elephont
| how extinct-related to and nearly
| the same size as the existing ele
| phant. 1t. however. had long, thick.
hairy coat and very long upward
! turning tusks. The mastoden is any
| of the numerous species of extinct ell
| ephants, which differ from the mann
| moth chiefly in the molar teeth which
have high conical cusps or parallel
ridges with little or no cement in the
, inner spaces. Some have small tusks
in'the lower jaw besides those in the
upper jaw.
Q. 1s-the cotton boil weevil a men
ace of comparatively recent time =
S. S. II.
A. 1t was originally Mexican, hav-
ing. been found around Monclova,
State of Coahuila, Mexico, where as
early as 1856 to 1852 it did such dam
age to cotton that cotton-growing
there was abandoned In 1885 the
boil weevil crossed the Texas border
into the United States. IT encroacaed
steadily from year to year until, in
1922, it infested practically the en-
tire cotton growing region of the
United States. The only extensive un-
infested territory lies in west and
northwest Texas.
Q. Do feas have wings?-N. H c.
A. The flea is a small wingless
known, of which one-third are Amer
lean.
tTdke advantage Of the free imtorma-
ton bureau, tnhseh this newspaper
m dtnfains. II there is question you
rdnt unsTered don't hesitate to use
this sera'fce. Alt replies are sent ds-
Information Bureau, Frederic j. HGsktn
director. Taoenty-drst aud streets
! no7thtcest IncloSe cents in stamps
for return. postdge)
Evening star., 1924-12-15

1t has been said often that every
mans place. can be filled. The Ameri.
can Federation of Labor finds itself re.
gretfully compelled to put this idea tc
a crucial test.
Evening star., 1924-12-15

Publicity for income tax returns,
laboriously made out. reveals the fact
that there are still some forms of
mental labor involving no pride of
authorship.
Evening star., 1924-12-15

Germany will doubtless be content
any time, provided it can be relied on
as safety valve to prevent a popular
explosion. - ,..t
Evening star., 1924-12-15
Hate by Mail-Payablesi in Advance.
MARYLAND and Virei,,ia.
All Other States
Member of the Associated prrss.

The Associated Press is exclusively entitled
70 the Use for republication Of all news dis
Patches credited to 1t not otherwise credited
10 mis- paper and also the local news pub
Isbed herein. All rights OF publication Of
special dispatches herein are also reserved.
Evening star., 1924-12-15

The attitude OF France toward the
League of Nations continues to be
largely that of one who hopes for the
best.
Evening star., 1924-12-15

At least one person who does not
appear particularly worried about the
credit due Mr.. Young in connection
with the Dawes plan is Mr.. Young.
Evening star., 1924-12-15
No Call for Agitation.

No Call for Agitation.
What il your opinion Of the Dar-
winian theory?" ~ &C.. .t.
II don't venture to dispute" an
swered' Senator Sorghum; though, of
course, i see no reason to come out
strong for it so long as there is abso-
lutely no prospect OF the lower ami
mails having the ballot"
Evening star., 1924-12-15

The Evening Star, with the Sunday morning
EDITION, Is delivered by carriers within the
cay at go cents per month; daily only. As
cents per month; Sunday only. 90 cents per
month Orders may he sent by man or tele-
prone Main 5000. Collection 10 made BY car
Tiers at the end Of each month.
Evening star., 1924-12-15

Jud Tunkins says the mother-in-law
joke is obsolete, but the son-in-law
joke gets more and more prominent.
Evening star., 1924-12-15
Well Meaning,

why did you tell me that mex.
cusably shocking play was a simple,
sweet and harmless comedy
Forgive me, dear" rejoined Miss
Cayenne. II was doing my best to
keep you from going to see it,
Evening star., 1924-12-15
THEODORE w. MOVES. #. Editor

The Evening Star Newspaper Company
Business once, 11th st. and Pennsylvania Ave.
{. New York Office: 10 East 42nd St.
a Chicago Once: Tower Building.
European otbce 16 Regent ST.. London England.
Evening star., 1924-12-15
Language on the

Language on the Loose.
Good diction is of little use
In work, however skilled;
But when profanity turns loose,
The audience is thrilled.
Evening star., 1924-12-15
MorOnoriseflse.

Willie got a little gun:
Shot his uncle's eye out;
- Vowed that 1t was neatly done
=. For a first-time tryout.
Evening star., 1924-12-15
Not So New.

Crossword puzzles teach people
many new Words
Maybe. But those you hear when
a person can't hit the-correct COM
bination sound strangely familiar
Evening star., 1924-12-15

when a man makes q fop Of some.
thin" said Uncle Eben, "'stid o
profitin' by experience he's always
liable to think he kin make a success
OF sufnpin' he don't know muffin
about"
Evening star., 1924-12-15

From the middle Of the last oen-
tury the world has been intfsGted
in the project of an fnteroceAnic ca
nal across Nicaragua, in addition to
the Panama Canal. It was with that
Evening star., 1924-12-15

O. Please translate "the land OF
death" into the language OF the Sho-
shone Indians.-R. E. S.
A There is no word in their language
which means death"
Evening star., 1924-12-15

Q. What is the minimum age for
employment in the special delivery
section of the United States Post
Office Department?-G. r.
A. Twenty-one years is the mini
mum.
Evening star., 1924-12-15

tTdke ddvGnta0e Of the free imtorma-
ton bureau, 1hleh this newspaper
m6tnfains. II there is q question yon
tcdnt unsUered don't hesitate to use
this serpice. Alf replies are sent ds-
rect to the inquirer. Address The Sta,
Information Bureau, Frederic J. HGski,s,
director. Tioenty-frst and streets
no7thtcest. IncloSe cents in stamps
for return postnQel
Evening star., 1924-12-15

Yes. we are safe here. The wiles
and sraces OF the other sex, all those
playful tricks with which they be-
guile our fancy and d>make US as wax
beneath the Summer sun, are here as
If they had never been. Beauty and
Evening star., 1924-12-15

Q. How long did Robert Frost
write before he became famous?-
D. D. B.
A. The American poet. Robert
Frost, wrote for 90 years before his
work became known. "A Boys Will"
first published in England in 1915,
was the first work really to attract
attention.
Evening star., 1924-12-15

Q. What is the income for the fur
industry?-W. r. r.
A. The board of trade for the fur
industry of the United States esti-
mates the annual turnover In the fur
business at s400, 900, 900.
Evening star., 1924-12-15

Q. Do feas have wings2-N. H c.
A The flea is a small wingless
insect. There are about 100 species
known, of which one-third are Amer
lean.