davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1924-12-02
Basis for Evolution
Theory Is Questioned
To the Editor of The Star.

To the Editor Of The Star:
Anent Mary B. Graves reply to INV
letter, both of which were published
In The Star within the past several
days, IN which she said my statement
that Dr. Hrdlicka said man orieina tad
from monkeys was grossly incorrect
If DR.. Hrdlicka hasn't said man orisi'
mated from monkeys, he has said man
descended from monkeys. If he
hasn't. what does. he mean when he
says: out of the anthropoid anAs
such as the chimpanzees and eoriIlas
there Is evidence to indicate q new
super ape is developing that may be
comparable to the creatures from
whom man descended, although the
process Is very slow and difficult"S ,
And in another part Of the lecture he
says: I'm the gliocene age, or closing
years OF the tertiary period, came the
high class apes OF Western Eurona
from which the super-apes, out Of
which man must have developed. sucb
as the Java man. doubtless oriei-
uated."
I do not care whether man oriei-
mated from monkeys or whether he
Just descended from monkeys. What
want to know is why the monkey
has been doing practically all of the
evolving, while, If other animals have
evolved at all, they have not evolved
enough SO that any one could notice It.
Perhaps 1t is just as well that the
monkey has been doing all the evoIv-
ing. because IL the elephant should
evolve as much as the monkey has.
and the higher creature" the ele.
phant evolved into was as much
larger than the elephant than men
are than monkeys and as numerous
as men, the earth wouldn't~hold the
elephants descendants.
JOHN AUSCHUTZ.
Evening star., 1924-12-02
ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
BY FREDERIC J.. HASKIN

=. When was irrigation first used?
p. T. D.
A. Irrigation is a very ancient
practice. There is evidence which
shows that works for the storing and
distributing of water for Irrigation
| purposes were in existence in Egypt
| as early as 1000 b. c. Extensive frri-
cation works existed in remote times
In Assyria, Mesopotamia. Persia,
! India, China, Aylon. In the East and in
Peru. Mexico and the southwestern sec
tion OF the United States (now in Mex
leo and Arizona) in the Western Hemi-
| sphere.
Q. How long does the President
| of Mexico serve?-R. B.
A. The President of Mexico is
| elected for four years. He cannot
succeed himself. but he may be re-
| elected after he has been out a term
There is no vice president.
Q. Is a Aim preserved of each mo-
tion picture released?-P. c. NJ
! A The negatives of motion pic
lures are held In storage vaults for
further prints. Prints are made from
these negatives and are used until
they become worn. when new prints
| are made from the negatives.
|
| eyeballs to magnify objects at a dis
tance?-E. w. B.
A. The Biological Survey says that
80 far as 1t knows birds do not have
fluid which passes over the eye and
magniffes objects. However, birds do
have what Is called a third eyelid,
| whose only purpose Is to protect the
| eyeball.
writing?-E. f. A.
A. The Egyptian system of writ
| ing is perhaps the oldest OF the
known scripts. This writing was in
the form of pictures. The most an
cient Egyptian papyrus now known
! contains accounts of the reign Of
King Assa t35s0-3S36 B. c.. The
earliest literary papyrus is that
known for the name of it's former
| owner as the Prisse Papyrus, now
preserved in Paris. 1t contains
! work composed in the reign OF "a
| King OF the fifth dynasty, and Is COM
puted to have been written as early
! as $500 B. C.
Q. What Is the difference between
the timber wolf and the loafer wolf?
M. McF.
A. The timber" wolf is one found
in the northeastern part of the Unit
ed States, while the "loafer" wolf
inhabits regions in the vicinity Of
| Arizona. These may be regarded as
the same type, the only difference
being In the terms applied to them
In various parts OF the country.
@. Where are the radio broadcast
ing stations in South Africa?-L. u.
A The radio division of the De-
partment of Commerce says that the
| only broadcasting station of South
Africa which 1t finds listed is that at
johannesburg, having a wave length
of $50 meters.
(HGre yon asked Hdskine He does
not kno1o oil things that people ask him !
but he kno,Ds people tcho do knoU. Try
him. Stote your question briefly, trrte
| plainly and i7sciose 2 cents in stamps for
return postdge Address Frederic j.
Haskin, director. The Star Information
| Bureau, Teenty-frs and stree
northpest)
Evening star., 1924-12-02
Increase the Annuities! !

In the press of legislation at the last
session of Congress bills on the calen-
dars of the two houses were post
poned for future action which, affect
ing directly the welfare ot the Govern
ment's civil annuitants are now to be
urged for action. These bills, identical
IN form and purpose, provide for an
increase of the annuities paid by the
United States for the veterans OF its
service who have been placed on the
inactive list under the retirement act.
The maximum annuity is raised from
$720 to $1,000, with proportionate ad.
vances in all the grades. It provides
further for optional retirement after
80 years Of service, providing the en-
ploye had reached the age Of So, save
that mechanics, letter carriers, postal
clerks and laborers may retire at So
after 30 years of service. In order to
pay for the increased annuity the con-
tribution of the employees is advanced
from 2is to y per cent, which in it.
self will pay all the cost of retirement
for about 20 years.
The plea for a larger maximum re-
-tirement pay has not fallen on deaf
eyes, although Congress has not yet
acted in'response. Sympathy is felt in
both House and Senate for the plight
of the annuitants who, after many
years Of faithful. service. have been
compelled TO retire, even though in
full health and efficiency. at the
-merest pittance of pay. Regardless of
the annual salary drawn during the
latter part of their service, none of
them has been granted more than
S720 a year, or $50 a month, which
at the present scale of living costs Is
inadequate for the decent main.
tenance of life. Although capable of
doing effective work these people are,
as a rule, at an age where they can
not and employment to eke out their
pitifully small retirement stipend, and
Evening star., 1924-12-02
much acute suffering has been felt by

much acute suffering has been felt by
them.
Actuarial computations show clear.
ly that the Government Is saving
money through the retirement system.
In terTls OF higher efficiency, in the
working force. The retirement fund
is maintained from contributions from
the active force, which are at a rate
In excess OF the actual demands for
retirement pay. the Government en-.
jaying the use of this surplus, amount.
ing to millions. pending readjustments
and reimbursements to those who quit
the service before reaching retirement
age and who have a claim for the
amounts paid by them to the retire.
ment fund. ,
The retirement system. in short.
has been highly profitable to the
United States, and as the case now
stands it has been profitable at the
expense Of those who have been trans.
ferred from the active to the inactive
list. Owing tothe age at which retire
A.~H'~o NAS ShSSSSu iioAJ Va SHC
nuitants have died since the new sys.
tenn went into effect. many of them
dying in privation and suffering due
to Inadequate income. A further post
ponement Of the legislation now pro-
posed, increasing the amount of the
annuity. would cost cruelty in terms
of suffering and death.
At the last session OF Congress the
rules committee of the House prom.
ised to grant rule for the Lehlbach
bill in the early days of the present
session. Representative Lehlbach, who
has the interests of the annuitants at
| heart. will. it is understood. call upon
the committee to redeem that promise
This bill is one of the most meritori.
| ous measures on the calendar. It's
passage early in the session would be
simply an act of good faith.
Evening star., 1924-12-02

Q. How did the idea Of serving
turkey on Thanksgiving day origi-
nate?-H. T. M.
A. In referring to records of the
early colonists, we find that when
Gov. Bradford issued his proclama-
tion that Thanksgiving be observed
In 1921, in practical furtherance of
the proclamation he sent out four
men In search of game. The sports
men returned carrying a burden of
wild fowl which consisted princi-
paiiy of turkeys. In 1872 Josselin, in
New England Rarities," speaks Of
the settlers bringing up great store
or the wild kind Of turkeys" Thus
1t would seem that as this form of
game was particularly plentiful in
this part of the country, the turkey
continued to be the main feature of
the Thanksgiving meal.
Q. How many cities in the United
states have underground wiring for
city currents?-E. c. A.
"A. The Electrical World says that,
although there are no statistics COM
piled upon this subject, yet it is a
very safe guess that every city above
$4,000 population has underground
distribution at the present time. This
would apply, of course, to the center
OF the city, as the suburbs would not
have underground distribution. A
case such as this is New York itself,
In which the main part of the city
has underground distribution, but the
suburbs still have poles.
Q. What languages are spoken in
Switzerland and which is most COM
monty used?-P. II.
Jax
are German. French, Italian and Ro-
manshe. 1t is estimated that Ger
man is spoken by approximately Il
per cent of the population.
Q. How are the names of presi-
Dental electors decided upon? IT
N. Z.
A. They are usually nominated at
the State conventions of the differ
ent political parties
Q. How old Is Theodore Roosevelt
who ran for Governor of New York?
p. B.
A. He was born September 13,
1887. SO he is just past 81.
Q. When and where was the first
concrete road built in this country?
Il. D.
a. The first concrete road of which
the Bureau OF Public Roads has any
record was built in Bellefontaine,
Ohio, in 1s93-94.
Q. Can gasoline be made non-ex-
plosive?-F J. S. \
a. The Bureau of Mines says that
1t Is impossible to remove the explo-
sive features from gasoline. Any
number of experiments have been
tried out in an endeavor: to secure
methods of diminishing the explosive
features of gasoline, but such e1-
periments have always proved un-
successful.
Q. Is II necessary for an alien to
live in one State to become a citizen
of the United States, or is he per-
mitted to move about?--J. A. b. -.
A. An alien who desires to be-
come a citizen of the United States
is allowed to live in any State in
the Union, and not required to live
in one particular State.
Evening star., 1924-12-02
WASHINGTON OBSERVATIONS
BY FREDERIC WILLIAM VIE

SION OF agricultural inquiry in 1921
"hich produced four volumes of data
on the farming industry that are tho
iast word in comprehensiveness, An
adnirer of sthe young Minnesotan savs
that If the Coolidge Farm Commission
Win bone on Anderson's REPORTS I'm
inoioe all there is to know about the
farmer and his woes.
Harlan F. Stone. Attorney Genera, Of
the United States, has made his da,,. M ..
De1ore the Supreme Court as T-ncIe
SANS chief law officer under what be
must look upon as ideal circumstances
IN the matter Of Philip Grossman of
Chicago Mr.. Stone this week was
called upon to argue the right of fhe
President-in this case, his friend and
amherst ciassmate, Calvin Coolidge
10 pardon in contempt cases Yet the
attorney General must have approached
'ne TASK with some mixed emotions. for
Whle defending the prerogative of the
Tresioent' ne also was required to COM
pat the contentious of Federal court
1t is one Of the prettiest taneles the
Supreme Court ever was asked to nm
iaVel constitutional lawyers are fol-
lowing the case with eager interest
saying 1t will make history.
X \. 4 X
Social Washington breathes more
freely. now that the White House an.
nounces Winter season that will
equal any of it's predecessors in dig.
nined splendor From New Year
day till Lent, Mrs. Coolidge will be
as busy a hostess as any lady in the
land. AT one time 1t was feared that
the presidential family's year of
mourning for Calvin, jr., would in
duce the abandonment of White
House dinners and leyees. Society
no" mas Its cue. and henceforward
the pace will be fast and furious.
Copyright. 1924
Evening star., 1924-12-02
Is given by members. All its officer
work voluntarily.

is given by members. All its officers
work voluntarily.
Ask your happy. loved and we'll fed
dog about this organization, and If
YOU understand his words he will tell
you. 1.-THE ladies o. the league hold
out helping hands to dogs that shiver
at night. prowl> the alleys on the
chance Of finding bit Of anything to
eat. turn half.wild from hunger and
die friendless unless a member Of the
league takes them to the home on
Maryland avenue" Ask your cat,
snuggled in a warm corner, and she
will purr this answer: 1.-The ladies Of
the league are kind to poor and lowly
cats. No cat is too debased by cruelty
and misfortune to find food, warmth
and gentle treatment at the home If
a cat is lying in the gutter dying from
poison and from wounds telephone
call brings the little ambulance. and
all that can be done for the unfortu-
nateSnember Of my tribe Is DONE"
Evening star., 1924-12-02
The Districts Budget.

DlStrict estimates OF $32 ,S35,S27 are
laid before Congress today with the
budget, an increase of about 2,00O,-
900 over the regular appropriation
and supplemental estimates for the
current fiscal year. In it's details the
Districts budget is satisfactory, pro-
VtdinS for increases in municipal costs
of maintenance which are incident to
the. growth of the city and providing
for needed new works Yet the Budget
Bureaus figures thus laid before Con.
2ress by the President represent a
severe scaling of the estimates sub
nitted by the Commissioners, who jim
turn were compelled to scale the fig.
ures of subordinate branches Of the
District government.
u, Under the budget system Congress
Is presented annually with a carefully
considered series Of estimates based
primarily upon the funds available in
prospect for public expenditures and
secondarily upon the needs of the pub
lie service. The District shares in this
process. The appropriau commit.
tees of Congress are supplied with
these balanced estimates as guides.
In the submission of the estimates
for the District the Budget Bureau
o. rformulates the enacting clause in two
alternative styles, one following the
language of the current law, which ap-
propriates s9,000.00O of Federal funds,
and the other following the language
of the law for the year 1924, appro-
priating 40 per cent of the whole
amount out of the Treasury. This is
due to the fact that the present ap-
preparation act Is not to be regarded
as substantive law, permanent
enactment governing the future as we'll
as the present fiscal year. 1t was a
compromise reached in conference be-
tween the lumpsum proposition Of
the House and the definite proportion
p proposition of the Senate, and applied
by its specific wording solely to the
fiscal year ending June 80, 1925.
Whether the ratio principle or the
lumpsum principle be adopted by the
House appropriations committee in the
framing of the District bill the budget
figures should govern. They represent
careful survey of the Districts
needs, as thorough as can possibly be
conducted by congressional COM
.mittee. They represent. furthermore,
material reductions from the acknowl-
edged requirements. Should there be
any changes they should be in the line
of increases rather than decreases.
The District is not a mendicant in
the matter of it's annual appropria-
tions. 1t provides the greater part of
its own fund. 1t asks Congress to
deal literally with it in appropria-
Gons, for it needs many things that
even u liberal budget does not pro-
pose. more schools, more sewers, more
protection forces, better street paving,
more lights, more, in fact, of every.
thing in the way of municipal equip
ment.
Protesting the injustice of the lump
sum form of Federal participat ton in
Capital maintenance, the District
hopes for the consideration of this
present budget in a spirit Of liberality
and with recognition of the fact that
it represents a careful. considerate
curtailment of actual needs.
Evening star., 1924-12-02
Congress and the Traffic Problem.

Reference by the Commissioners Of
the traffic problem to Congress is in
terms of certain specific recommends.
tions. 1t is proposed first of all that
traffic court be established, to con-
slider no other classes of cases. 1t is
also proposed to increase the penalty
for driving while intoxicated to i'm
fine. and to prevent the non-appear-
ance Of defendants in court through
the mere forfeiture Of collateral.
Members Of Congress as residents
Of the city during part of the year
are familiar with the traffic situation.
They know that the streets are con-
gested, that more unlicensed motors
are probably in use, that many motors
are driven by reckless and irresponsi-
BILE persons, that the reasonable traffic
rules are fiagrantly violated and that
there are some motorists who without
the least compassion flee after collid-
ing, perhaps killing the victims of
their recklessnes.
This matter should be promptly
considered to the end of an early
enactment. Differences OF opinion be-
tween certain specific rules of the
road or methods OF managing the
traffic at congested points should not
cause delay on the major items Of i'm
portance. This is matter that affects
the lives and the property Of the mem
bers of the Legislature. They may
themselves be victims of reckless driv-
ing any day. SO it is for their own
protection as well as for the protec-
ton of the permanent members of
this community to frame and enact a
measure of law which will aim at the
root of the evil by providing prompt
trial and severe penalties for violators
of the rules.
While the Commissioners have not
so recommended. 1t will be well for
the District committees. which will
have jurisdiction over the traffic bill,
to consider the question Of requiring
drivers through a stipulation that no
license be granted save upon proof of
an insurance against damage to per-
sons and property.
It is obvious that there are too
many motors on the streets Of Wash.
Wgton for safe operation. Collisions
are constantly occurring due to the
congestion Of the streets. Accidents
are being recorded daily. many Of
them fatal Washington has today a
lamentably bad standing among Amer
lean cities of comparable size in point
of percentage of accidents in terms Of
motors in use and an even worse
standing among cities of all sizes.
That can mean only one thing, that
there are either too many motors here
or that the average Of care exercised
by drivers is very low.
In these circumstances there 10 one
obvious remedy, and that is to lessen
the number Of motor cars in the
streets Of the District. One way to ac-
complish that Is to place a restriction
upon the licensing Of motorists to in
sure that those who are granted per-
mits to drive are responsible for the
consequences of their carelessness or
misadventure.
F.: In any case traffic court COM
petent to handle the great volume of
cases promptly and effectively, to give
force to the law and to the traffic
rules, is an imperative necessity and
should be provided without delay.
Evening star., 1924-12-02

Valuable horses burned at Tia
Juana might suggest as slight con,
ISOLATION the idea that people may save
some money through being deprived
Of the opportunity to bet on them. But
human nature does not work out that
way. The man with foolish money in
hand is bound to find some way to
dispose of it.
Evening star., 1924-12-02

The courteous assertion by Sir Auck
land Geddes that England has yield
ed the position Of leadership to Amer.
lea in connection with the work de-
signed for the higher service of hu
manity" sounds almost too deferential
to be accepted as the judicial expires
sion OF coldly logical conclusion. II
passes to this Nation with a difference
which is most complimentary very
heavy moral responsibility.
Evening star., 1924-12-02

Transmission of pictures by radio is
marvellous achievement; yet, after
all, secondary consideration. 1t must
be conceded that what a man looks
thinks and says.
Evening star., 1924-12-02

When the average actor or play.
wright publishes his "reminiscences
it becomes difficult to realize that
there was ever anybody except him
business.
Evening star., 1924-12-02

Americans do not realize the safety
and security they enjoy. Emma Gold,
man, after leaving for what she es-
teemed brighter prospects. Is apparent.
ly willing to come back and lecture on
America First
Evening star., 1924-12-02

The fact that London is now able to
send photographs by radio shows no
signs Of materially changing results
in our American fad for beauty con-
tests.
Evening star., 1924-12-02

A "shimmy queen" is reported to
have made a sensational impression in
Milwaukee; thereby conveying the as
surance that Wisconsin is interested
in art as we'll as politics.
Evening star., 1924-12-02

Assertion.
"Why do you regard Wall Street as
your natural enemy?"
''I don't" answered Farmer Corn
tossel. But them Wall Street fellers
have a power of money, and us agri-
culturists can't help wantin' to. make
a kick now and then, and feel that
we're bein' noticed
Evening star., 1924-12-02

1t is too much to expect that a Re-
publican Congress in Washington
would be as orderly and direct as q
Republican nominating convention In
Cleveland.
Evening star., 1924-12-02

Reading man out of the party" is
naturally likely to cause him to Won
der whether a third party is neces.
sarily 50 much of myth, after all
Evening star., 1924-12-02

In relation to the League of Ma.
tions, Uncle Sam has at least succeed
ed In making the waiting list more
prominent than the actual member
ship.
Evening star., 1924-12-02

SO far as the ultimate consumer is
| concerned, coal investigation will con-
tinue to be limited to an inspection of
his own bank account.
Evening star., 1924-12-02

The spirit. Of Christmas cheer is
placed in slight jeopardy by the over
willingness Of the bootlegger to mis-.
take himself for Santa Claus.
Evening star., 1924-12-02

Bootleggers are busy with Christ.
mas trade. The fact is likely to prove
no help whatever to the spirit Of peace
and good will.
Evening star., 1924-12-02

The example of Coolidge in keeping
cool may have It's effect on Congress.
although doubts in the matter are al
ready expressed.
Evening star., 1924-12-02
Rate by Mail-PayabIe In Advance.
Maryland and Virginia.
All Other States.
Member of the Associated Press

The Associated Press is exclusively entitled
TO the nse for republication Of all news dis
Patches credited to II or not otherwise credited
10 this paper and also the local news pub
nshed herein. All rights Of publication Of
special dispatches herein are also reserved
Evening star., 1924-12-02
The Paramount Issue.

From the Florida Times Union -
The paramount issue, outside of poll
tics, seems to be the question of where
can the car be parked?
Evening star., 1924-12-02
SHOOTING STARS.
BY PHILANDER JOHNSON.
Said and Done.

Said and Done.
With Congress here, we have no fear
OF indolent depression.
We hail the day without dismay
That brings another session.
The arts of speech new heights will
reach
With novel contests brewing.
Things will be said-yet we'll he led
To tell Of nothing doing
Evening star., 1924-12-02

Jud Tunkins says after q man gets
prosperous he isn't known SO much
by the company he keeps as by the
lawyers he hires.
Evening star., 1924-12-02
Inexhaustfble Supply.

Although the breakage Of the laws
We earnestly deplore 80.
For consolation still we pause,
Since Congress-, in a worthy cause,
Can always make some more.
Evening star., 1924-12-02

The Evening Star, with the Sunday morning
edition, is delivered by carriers within the
city at so cents per month: daily only. 45
month. Orders may be sent By mali or tele.
phone Main 5000. Collection is made BY car
rters at the end Of each month
Evening star., 1924-12-02
A Point of Economy.

The airplane now our hearts doth
touch.
A useful thing we think it;
Besides. it would not cost SO much
Should we decide to sink it.
Evening star., 1924-12-02
UnsisterIy.

lnSlStefiy.
would you vote for q woman il she
were candidate for President -
IT don't think so." replied Miss
Cayenne. II wouldn't mind having a
woman supervise the Government, but
L shouldn't enjoy allowing any fem
mime individual the opportunity to
dictate the fashions