davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1924-01-03
Member OF the Associated Press.
The Voice of the People.

It Is stated that the mails of men,
bers of Congress have swelled during
the holiday recess and that great vol
umes of letters greeted them upon
their return to the Capitol. These
were not holiday greetings. in the
main. They were, it is understood,
communica,,uhs from constituents
urging the adoption of a tax-reduction
measure. and most of the demands,
Il is believed, were for the enactment
OF the Mellon proposals into law, and
more are coming daily.
Recently it was declared by a mem
ber Of the House that these petitions
and pleas were mainly promoted by
the corporations and the ugly word
conspiracy" was employed. 1t was
stated that the large industrial and
financial institutions have circularized
their stockholders and urged them to
write to their congressman or to turn
In signed petitions.
This may be the case, 1t is quite
possible that some of the petitions
and demands that are being received
at the Capitol are Of this syndicate"
character. But there is no ground
for questioning their validity or their
v<Rcerity. They represent the feeling
I'd sentiment Of the people The
tact that an intelligent organization
has suggested this mode of expression
does not detract from its force or sig
iificance.
1t is impossible to obtain a referen-
DUN from the people on the subject
ot tax revision in season for effect
uson the present session of Congress.
S,ch referendum, however, is likely
to be had in November if Congress
dies not heed the demand for tax
reduction that is now so plainly ex-
pi essed. The petitions that are pour
ing in upon the members, both the
directed or organized and the undi-
Of the widespread, insistent feeling
tfat the time has come for a lowering
Of the taxes. for a lessening of the
: burden put upon the people as a war
ieasure and maintained to the point
where a Treasury surplus is accu-
rlulating.
There is no cure for the situation
IN Indignation at the means employed
ly the people to manifest their wishes
IL is the part of craftsmanship, the
part, indeed, Of sound politics, to heed
the voice that is now so clamorously
raised for tax relief, whatever the
medium of communication.
Evening star., 1924-01-03
Congress to Get to Work.

Congress reconveneS today, after a
holiday playtime, with serious bust.
ness ahead in both branches. The
leaders are reported to be planning
adjournment by the time Of the ma
tional convention in June, hope they
have always cherished in national
campaign years, but have not always
realized. The Congress will have to
work hard and rapidly to fulfill it
this year, for there is a deal of legis-
lative grist in the mill to be ground
The House has yet to adopt its
rules. having operated since assem-
bling under a "gentlemen's agree
ment'' on the rules Of the preceding
Congress until a new set can be
formulated. Insistence by the demo-
Gratis and a faction of the republicans
upon liberalization" Of the old rules
will precipitate what may be a pro-
longed discussion. with the offering of
and voting upon proposed amend
ments. In the meantime the commit
tee on appropriations is busy with the
first of the annual supply bills.
The Senate is not completely or
ganized. lacking the selection of a
chairman for the important committee
on interstate commerce. The dead.
lock which existed when the holiday
recess was taken remains unbroken
and the unusual spectacle may be pre-
sented of the committee remaining
rhai
The disposition of the majority lead
ership in the Senate is to proceed
to other business and leave the chair
manship situation to be resolved later.
The two main issues before the Con-
! gress. aside from the necessity of
passing the supply bills, are the SOL
der bonus and the reduction of fed
eral taxes. AS to the latter. it must
be a reduction and not a shifting, as
the late President Harding said when
| he summoned Congress to the task in
1921. The people are thoroughly in
accord with President Coolidge and
Secretary Mellon on tax reduction, it
is believed. and Congress will be put
to it to explain possible failure to
act upon their recommendations.
Proposed recognition of the soviet
government in Russia is likely. to con-
sumo much time of the Senate COM
mittee on foreign relations, which
will investigate the charges that the
soviets are engaged in propaganda
directed against our government and
institutions.
There is important work to be done
and the Congress is vigorous with an
infusion of new blood from the 1922
elections, More power to it's elbow
and may good fortune for the country
attend it's efforts.
Evening star., 1924-01-03
VenizelOs Dominates Fate
OF Balkans, Editors Assert

George was a quaint reminder OF the
TACT that kings are not what they
used to be. In the old days the king
only needed to nod his head to bring
about the decapitation Of the prime
minister. or grand vizier. or anybody
else who happened to be obstructing
what the people are willing to give
them and are thankful to get that
much" Because this is so the Lynch
burg Advance believes Greece needs
complete overhauling. Venizelos
can be trusted to give that war-Tid-
to prosperity and peace. He Is equip
ped Tor real service for his, country,
and II unhampered Greece may be re-
stored to her former place In world
confidence and world affairs" Even
though King George should be re-
called, the Birmingham News feels,
Greece seems headed in the direc-
tion Of republic-if not this or next
Democracy has way of spreading.
1t is infectious. Doubtless 1t will be
good thing for Greece-for any
country-at least to try the expert
go back to the old shining armor
forms. George and Elizabeth both
are young persons" Incidentally. the
Buffalo News feels "a virtual military
Dictatorship has existed in Greece
since the accession Of George H." so
that they had very little opportunity
to do anything" while the Newark
News holds "a republic headed by
some vigorous modern statesman
would be a most desirable improve
ment over the monarchy. 1t would
place her on a basis to compete on a
basis of equality with her Increasing
vigorous neighbors, Italy, headed by
Mussolini. and modern Turkey, under
MCstapha Kemal"
Evening star., 1924-01-03
Declares Cement Age.
Greater Than SO Years

To the Editor Of The Star:
On page fourteen of The Star for
Saturday, December 20. is an article
headed Cement Ninety-nine Years
Old in Construction" 1t goes on to
say that cement was discovered in
England ninety-nine years ago.
This article called to mind a fact
that may be of interest In regard to
cement
Two hundred and fifty miles south
west Of Canton, China, six miles from
the coast. up the Yeungkong river,
I Is the walled city of Yeungkong, hav-
ing population of some $4,000.
There are pagodas on the surround
ing hills at each point of the COM
to orn appesse sas evil East sp9s and
But not content with these pagodas,
wall. extending, from the city, up
fourteen feet high and is made of ce-
ment. 1 made q lantern slide from
| a photograph of the wall near the
Presbyterian Hospital. which Is in
s of ef wah and the the orms
were made are distinctly seen.
Whether this cement Is identical
with that described in the, article in
The Star cannot say. but 1t would
will send for a sample from the wall,
as 1t is being torn down quite rap
Idly for use In building houses. This
also indicates that the Chinese have
Host faith in the protective qualities
4 OF the wall, as evil spirits are Ger.
tainly at work thereabouts. In the
hospital. according tq. the last letter
diers, the result ofFthe fghting be-
tween factions.
| If / receive a sample of the wall
i shall be glad to submit 1t to proper
TESTS by any one The Star may name
| H A. DOBSON.
Evening star., 1924-01-03

lions Of people In America. Certainly
1t will touch the memory of very many
people in Washington. It concerns
"Traumerei." Back in the days of the
tinkling little square piano. and when
''Silvery Waves" the "Blackhawk
Waltz" and Monastery Bells" with
some OF the old polkas, redowas and
mazurkas were in the repertoire of
all children who took music lessons
not much was heard Of "Traumerei."
But along came the orchestra of
Theodore Thomas, an admirable
American orchestra, which gave con-
certs in all the large and small cities
of that remote time. The orchestra
came to Washington often. Certain
it is, that 1t was making regular visits
to Washington in the early sos, and
IL memory is not awry 1t played here
In the '70s One of it's smaller pieces
or selections" was "Traumerei" 1t
proved to be a taking" bit of melody
and became popular. 1t began to find
a place In those music books marked
popular and easy selections" "the
young artists collection" gems from
the masters" and all that.
Thousands of ladies now weighted
with the care of children, grand.
children and somewhat elderly hus.
bands remember that in girl days they
played this little Schumann classic.
"Traumerer' is old, and no doubt real
musicians knew it before the days of
Theodore Thomas, but it was the
Thomas Orchestra which made it wide.
ly known and set so many young folk
playing its dreamy strains.
Evening star., 1924-01-03
The Massachusetts, Senatorship.

The contest for the seat in the
United States Senate now held by
Senator Walsh of Massachusetts,
promises to be enlivening, beginning
with the fight for the republican nom-
nation President Coolidge's pre-
convention manager. William NJ But.
Ter. announces that as soon as he
clears up the task he has in hand at
present: Of nominating President Cool
idge for the presidency in 1924, he
will declare himself a candidate for
the senatorial nomination.
Louis A Coolidge Of Boston, well
known in Washington from his serv-
ice here as newspaper correspondent
and later as assistant secretary Of the
Treasury under President Roosevelt,
has announced his candidacy against
Mr.. Butler, and with the lists open
others may enter. Whoever wins the
nomination will have to do battle in
November with a foe worthy Of their
steel, Senator Walsh.
In McKinley's time, it will be re.
called, his campaign manager. Mark
Hanna, came to the Senate after the
President was elected, and maybe Mr..
Butler is counting upon this as a lucky
omen in aspiring to a seat in the Sen
ate.
Evening star., 1924-01-03

I Q. How long have we had govern
ment surveys?-W. C.
A The first public surveys in the
Un1teu states were made In Ohio an
ger an ordnance of the Continental
Congress passed May 20. 1785 whicb
slightly modified, became am, act ~
Congress In 1886, and is still in force
Q. In how many cases are people
number of murders?-C. F, H
A. In 1855 there was one execution
to 1877 murders In the United States.
The rate of murders to Executions e.
now approximately 80 to 1.
Q. When was the small Indian had
penny first made?-A. T. F.
A. It was first made in 1859.
Q. How old is e. Phillips Open
heim?-P. H. orc.
A. He is fifty-seven years old.
Q. Is the carnation a modern hot
house product?-L. c.
A. The carnation has been cultivat-
ed for its flowers for more than 1000
years. Growing carnations under
glass developed within the last sew
enty-fve years.
Q. Where were public employment
bureaus first opened?-L. d.
A. Ohio was the pioneer In the
movement for free public employment
offices in the United States, institut-
ing them in 1890. Such agencies
originated in France, where in Is4s
one was established in each OF the
mairies of Paris. The first bureau in
England was opened in 1885.
O., Does COMPRISING air make it
visible?-J. J. D.
A. One of the properties eff air is its
invisibility. and compressing II does
not render it visible.
Q. What is used as alloy in United
States gold money?-C. M
A. United States gold coin is ninety
parts gold and ten parts alloy This
Is chiefly copper with little silver.
England.-A.. p. U.
A. Rutland is the smallest county,
containing but 152 square miles.
Q. Why were sturgeon known as
"Albany beef"?-D. H. A.
A. Seventy-five years ago sturgeon
were SO plentiful In the Hudson riv-
er that they were eaten instead of
meat by the poor, and this name was
applied to them. After the civil war
thiS~f1sh rose in favor and popularity.
The price advanced from or cents
about rs cents a pound when any is
put on the market
Q. What is the oldest drama?-J.
W. E.
A. 1t is impossible to say definitely
which is the oldest drama Certainly
one of the oldest Is the Book Of Job,
which was written either in the last
century of Persian rule, or shortly after
the conquest of Alexander the Great.
The earliest extant Sanskrit play, "The
Toy Cart" dates probably from the
close of the second century, AID. Chi
nese drama dates from the Emperor
Yuen-T -Tsung CAD. 720). Chinese dra-
matte pieces were called tchhouenkhi.
(The Star Information Bureau tciu
unstoer your question. This offer op-
plies strictly TO information. The bt-
reon cannot gire ddvice on legal,
medical and financial matters. It
| does not attempt to settle domestic
| troubles nor to undertake exhaustive
| research on any subject. Write your
question plainly and briefly. Inclose
| cents IN stamps for return postage
| and se1sd your query to The Star IN
| formation Bureau, Frederic J. Has
kin, director, 1920 North Capitol
street.)
Evening star., 1924-01-03
WASHINGTON OBSERVATIONS.
BY FREDERIC WILLIAM VILE

Of Iowa, Secretary Of Agriculture. and
Hubert Work Of Colorado, Secretary OF
the Interior. Two republican senator's
continue to. be honorably mentioned In
the same connection-Lenroot of Wis
consin and Capper Of Kansas. The
House, not to be outdone by the Senate
In presidential politics, offers Repre-
sentative L; J. Dickinson Of Iowa &c 2
by Calvin Coolidge. One of Albert J.
Beveridge's admirers at Winchester,
Va, near which historic community the
former Indiana senator found much
says he Is the original Coolidge and
Bevertdge" man.
Reforestation. one Of Americas great
domestic problems. claims the expert
interest Of Capt. Axel F. Wallenberg,
the Swedish minister at Washington.
A member OF Sweden's reigning bank
ing dynasty, Capt. Wallenberg once had
charge of his family's vast timber hold
ings in Lapland. He had under his su
pervision tract Of 100000 acres. From
its broad domains comes the wood pulp
of which Sweden is the chief producer,
no less than 40 per cent Of the world 5
supply originating there. Great quanti-
ties are exported to the United States
for paper-maktng.. Capt. Wallenberg
says that America consumes 127 pounds
per capita OF the worlds paper produc-
ton, far outstripping all other countries
In that regard. Our big newspapers are
mainly responsible. Capt. Wallenberg
is the giant of the Washington dipio-
matte corps. Both he and Nine. Wal
physique for which the swedes are
famed.
***+
A Washington reporter sent to in
terview Mrs. Custer, widow of the
United States Army general of Indian
massacre celebrity. asked at her
place of residence for Nellie Custis."
A witty young woman attendant SOL
emnly :. informed him that George
Washington's stepdaughter was mot
in," having left early in the nine
teenth century.
- +
To the obsolete horse a new and
noble role has just been assigned by
Mrs. Charles D. Walcott, wife OF the
secretary of the Smithsonian Institu-
ton. Addressing last weeks conven-
tion Of the American Association for
the Advancement of Science at Gin
cinnati, Mrs. Walcott told of the in
dependent research she has accom-
plished in geology and botany. From
rock strata high up in the Canadian
Rockies she has hammered out tril-
obites-fossiliZed insects-70.000.0 900
years old. Mrs. Walcott's principal
coadjutor was her husbands horse
Cricket. which she described as "a
very clever geologist." Whenever
Cricket decided to stop at a rock, Mrs.
Walcott said, she usually found that
his instinct was sound, and booty al
most unfailingly resulted.
Copyright. 1924
Evening star., 1924-01-03
ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
BY FREDERIC J. HASKIN

Q. How does the Naval Observatory
find out the exact time and what kind
Of clock records it?-W. w.
A. The basis Of reckoning standard
time at the United States Naval OBJ
servatory is transit observation of
! the stars. The observatory has three
standard clocks running in a constant
temperature vault, electrically wound
and sealed to keep the air pressure
constant. Meridian circle observa-
tions OF selected stars are taken reg
lulariy on clear nights, and from these
observations the errors Of the stand
ard clocks are determined and cor
rected.
Q. How many visitors can Chicago
accommodate without building any
special quarters?-H. "A. H.
A. 1t is estimated that Chicago
can accommodate 125,0O0 to 1000
people besides the population of the
city without building any special
Q. When is the winter carnival in
Banff f?-W. T.
A. Banff will hold its annual win
ter carnival February 9-16.
9. Who are the Irish players?-
A. L. H.
A. The Irish players are a group Of
actors organized for the purpose of
producing plays written by the Irish
or on Irish subjects. AS one writer
says, Race consciousness is to be
stirred into articulate form by plays
produced by this group" The Irish
Literary Theater inaugurated the
drama of the Celtic renaissance. Will
liam Butler Yeats. George Moore
and Martyr and Lady Gregory found
experimental years have passed since
the Irish National Dramatic Company
was established. The name of this
organization was changed in 1903 to
the Irish National Theater Society
and again in 1905 to the National
Theater Society, Limited. The name
OF the group is popularity known as
the Abbey Players.
Q. Where was the first hospital in
this country?-G. N.
A. The first hospital established in
the United States was the Pennsyl-
yania Hospital, which was the result
OF several years of effort by Benjamin
Franklin and DR.. Thomas Bond. 1t
was opened in 1852.
Q. Why is an English horn social
ed?-M. B.
A The reason is not definitely
known. Another name for the in
strument Is cor anglais. This may
be the reason for the translation into
English horn" Some authorities
think that the words were originally
cor angle" meaning angled horn.
Q. Are there many places in the
oceans that are more than a mile in
depth?-E. S.
A. A large portion Of the 100000
600 square miles Of salt water on the
globe is of greater depth than one
mile. Approximately 10, ,000. 900 square
miles exceeds 1000 fathoms, or more
than three miles in depth.
@. Is 1t not true that the Senate
originally refused to confirm the ap-
pointment of Chief Justice Taney?-
| A. l.
A. Taney was first nominated by
President Jackson as an associate
justice of the Supreme Court, and the
Senate refused confirmation in 1895.
The following year the complexion of
| the Senate had changed and Taney
| was named Chief Justice to succeed
John Marshall. That appointment
| was confirmed. although not without
strong opposition from Henry Clay
and others.
Evening star., 1924-01-03

BY the gentle irony OF fate. the
president of the league of nations
Is a resident of Washington. He Is
DR.. Cosmo de la Torriente. who has
just taken up his duties as Cuba's
Dr. Torrfente is too astute a dfplo-
mat to play league politics on the
Potomac, yet Geneva may discern ad-
vantage in having the leagues high
est official stationed at the seat Of
the American government. It is only
on the infrequent occasions Of as
sembly meetings that the league
president actively functions. DR.. Tor
riente has been prominent in it's af-
fairs for the past four years as Cubas
principal representative in the as
sembly. In 1897. when Torriente was
a member of the Cuban revolutionary
arrested and thrown into Jail both in
Washington and New York. A lawyer
by profession, he was active at
Havana an civil governor during Gen.
Leonard Woods regime in Cuba.
y y \ r
President Coolidge began the new
year with IAN unusual performance.
He laughed long and loud. The oc-
casion was provided by an editorial
in New York newspaper, which de-
scribed c. Bascom Slemp. the Presi-
dents secretary, as a resident of
Turkey Cove" What aroused the
presidential mirth is the fact-to
which he called attention of a group
CT friends in the lobby Of the White
House. ofices-that Slemp's home
town is not Turkey Cove, but Big
Stone Gap, Va. Apparently it was
never revealed to Mr. Coolidge that
Turkey Cove. Lee county, Va. had the
honor OF being Slemp's birthplace.
X \ X
Unwonted laughter rang through the
White House on another recent occa-
sion. This time the dramatis personae
were Henry Cabot Lodge and Senator
George H. Moses. They were on their
way into the Presidents dinner for the
diplomatic corps. Lodge" said Moses.
u heard a good one on you a minute
ago. AS you drove up couple of folks
standing in the portico said. There
goes Gen. Sawyer" The chairman Of
the Senate committee on foreign rela-
tions broke into what passes in New
England for roar OF merriment.
X y
Since President Harding passed away
aspiring politicians have held the vice
presidency in less contempt than for
merly. This campaign year threatens
an unusually large crop Of candidates
in both parties. Republicans who as
surhe the nomination of Coolidge for
President count definitely upon a west
ern running mate for him. No fewer
than two members of the cabinet figure
in the current gossip-Henry c. Wallace
Evening star., 1924-01-03
SHOOTING STARS.
BY PHILANDER JOHNSON
Idle Theory.

Idle Theory.
OF all the unemployment sad
That puts our prospects to the bad
The toughest kind is one which few
Pay serious attention to.
All diligent we strive to be,
Resolved from loafing to be free.
Instructions all around US lurk.
Some theories refuse to work.
Although we turn a man away
Who wants to toll for moderate pay,
A theory always gets a chance;
We trust it at a single glance.
When Theory finds we're growing wise
He goes and gets a new disguise,
Still halting folk who scorn to shirl
Because he simply will not work.
Evening star., 1924-01-03
Paris Flooded.

Paris is in danger of fnundation.
The Seine has risen to the point of
flooding the basement Of the foreign
office and covering the tracks of two
of the important railway terminals on
the left bank. The fleet Of the
Zouave,' the traditional danger mark
on the Alma bridge, were covered by
the rising waters some days ago, and
since then the French capital has
watched with increasing anxiety as
the line has crept up the leggings of
the stone guardian and finally reach
ed his body Now the Zouave is we'll
nigh covered, and Paris is in despair.
A flood of this character occurred
age was done. An immense area of
the city was covered. : Hotels were
invaded, shops were filled, railroads
were put out of commission. The mat.
ter was then studied by an eminent
engineer with a view to the correc-
ton of the evil, but nothing effective
was done. The war came soon aft
erward, before an extensive drainage
and barrier-reservoir system could be
adopted and executed. Since the
armistice France has had too much
to do in reconstruction and .rehabili'
tation to cope with the problem OF
flood control.
+ This problem is peculiarly difficult.
The Seine drains an immense area,
mostly Of fat lands. When rains oc'
cur in unusual volume the water that
,accumulates is all poured through the
comparatively narrow channel to the
sea. The banks are too low to hold
much more than the ordinary flow,
It is quite customary to find the
regions east and west Of Paris covered