davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1924-12-22

ployers or bosses there would be great
suffering among the club swingers.
Golf conversation is a great part Of
the game. Golf talk is almost a for.
eign language to the non-player, so
that the golf talker must have a SYM
pathetic, understanding audience. That
is to say. he must talk to snother
golfer, and that means that he must
talk to another golf talker. Conse-
quently golf conversation is apt to
be a sort Of mixed monologue, each
talker telling his own story In Sec
tions. OF course, politeness prevails
to the point of giving the other fellow
chance to complete his anecdote Of
the drive that went through or the bit
of hard luck on the eleventh green, or
the lost ball on the fourteenth, or the
heel print on the seventh, or the birdie
on the third. But all the time he is
shaping his counter anecdote. His
mind is chiefly busy in recalling his
own experience. 1t Is always easy to
appear to listen with full sympathy
pccduSS lHS iSleHer 10 the heAI talnei'
and he will expect an equal degree of
courtesy.
Ban golf talk? Manager Sisler is
striking at one OF the fundamentals
Of the sport. To be sure, he has the
power. The base ball manager is in
supreme command. He can discipline
the too-garrulous golfer by benching
him or fining him. or even forbidding
further golf. This autocracy does not
prevail in other lines, but still the
example set by the st. Louis base ball
leader may be contagious. Golfers
would best mind their words or the
game may by spread of example soon
be confined to the links
Evening star., 1924-12-22
Defends Hospital.
Writer Takes Issue With Charge
Rates Are Too High.
10 the Editor Of The Star:


H. Y. Dawkins, in a letter to the
editor of The Star. published Decem-
ber 6, asks why rooms in hospitals
in Washington cost patients so
heavily. He goes on to say that
room in a hotel with service can be
had for 81 per day. while hospital
rooms without service cost around
$40"
Mr.. Dawkins is, of course, mistaken
in his statement. For when the charge
for hospital rooms is sS per day or
higher (and they can be had for So
not only is service supplied in many
times the amount that goes with a
hotel room, and without tips, but also
meals. To make the comparison more
nearly fair, Mr.. Dawkins should fig
ure what 1t would cost for a hotel
room with three meals served in the
room, plus tips.
The hospitals Of Washington ara
not without flaws or faults, but they
certainly are not excessive in their
charges by any reasonable compari-
son. nor are they making a profit.
Wete it not for the public-spirited
service of the officers and trustees of
the Washington hospitals. who give
their time and ability. as we'll as
their money. to these institutions all
of US would have to pay much more
than we now do for the invaluable
service they render. This service is
supplied at varying rates from moth
ing at all to those who can pay moth
ing up to a substantial rate for those
who can afford to and: wish to pay
fully for the services they require, as
they would at a hotel.
1t is expensive as we'll as unpleas-
ant to be sick or injured, but certain
tnt
the public hospitals of this or any
other city are organized or maintain
ed to profit by sickness They have
been organized and are maintained
by the citizenship of the city They
are our institutions, and it 10 our
fault, as well as our shame, If they
are either inadequate to the needs or
inefficiently maintained.
Mr.. Dawkins or any one interested
can, I am sure, readily obtain the
financial statements and full intor-
nation regarding the operating costs
Of any Of the public hospitals upon
application. c. A. ASPINWALL.
Evening star., 1924-12-22

his great mistake" in the opinion of
the Portland (Maine) Express, was
in taking the attitude that he did.
that labor and capital were Irrecon-
oilable foes: that, as he expressed 1t,
the labor movement was a large
body of lighters surrounded by enc
mics In supporting this. idea, Mr..
Gompers was frequently led to adopt
a course of action that was not only
costly to Industry, but to those who
depended upon industry for their
livelihood" Had Gompers taken a
definite stand, the New York Evening
Post holds, for the principle thai
labor should give q fair days labor
for fair days wage, instead of sup
porting the opposite policy OF reduc-
ing production to the level of the
least competent worker, demanding
the highest wage for all, he would
occupy a far higher position In the
annals Of Industrial relations than
that In which he is likely to be
placed"
'His political excursions were al
ways Ill advised and always dis
astrous," declares the st. Paul Dis
patch. .NOn several notable occasions
he departed from his theory that or
ganized labor had no business In. pol
itics, and on each occasion he was
severely rebuked by public opinion.
His support of Cox in 1920 was a fat
failure, and his most recent effort
to line up labor in behalf of the La
Toilette candfdacy--also- failed This
last was probably the worst mistake
he ever made, and a kindly Nation
probably Will ascribe 1t to the infirm-
Atisa 0k hia advanced aEAs
Evening star., 1924-12-22
Golf Talk.

For several years past base ball
players have been taking up golf. Not
that they need the exercise, for surely
they get enough OF that on the dia.
mond. But for some subtle reason
they almost to man have gone in for
the Scotch game as diversion from
the American as a side line Of interest.
Now comes Manager George Sisler Of
the st. Louis American League team,
himself a golfer of no mean ability,
and issues a new rule that may cause
a considerable disturbance in base ball
ranks. The men OF his team, he says.
may play all the golf they want in
their off hours, but they must not talk
1t on the ball field or at the hotels.
When golf gets hold Of man so
strongly that he must talk it constant.
ly, says Manager Sisler, It is time to
stop. So the base ball player who
cant leave his clubs, drives and con.
versation on the links will have to
give up golf"
Golf enthusiasts who are not com.
pletely masters Of their own time will
view the order of the st. Louis man.
ager with some apprehension. For if
this idea Of confining golf talk to the
links should be adopted by other en-
Evening star., 1924-12-22
Short-Session Business.


Congress has adjourned for the
Christmas holidays, with its calendar
in about the usual condition at the
short session. Some progress has been
made in the House on the appropria-
lion bills, but the Senate has done
little or nothing in the way of legis-
lation. 1t cannot. of course, act on the
money measures until they have come
over from the House. Its appropria-
Iion committee has been studying the
bills that have actually been trans
,nitted, but in the main its time has
been occupied in talking on Muscle
Shoals and post Office pay, with few
enactments of a general character.
In a short session the work is all
done practically in January and Feb
s'uary. Some apprehension is now be-
ing expressed lest the present session
Leaves some Of the essential meas
rIres unacted upon. That would mean
IN extra session, which the admins
rration apparently wishes to avoid.
The District has Il definite interest
in the situation. Its own appropria-
lion bill is yet to be framed. The
House committee will begin hearings
on the estimates u week from today.
The bill itself is not likely TO reach
the House much before the 7th or
1he 10th of January and the Senate
before the 18th. That is compara-
lively a late date for this bill, even
with prompt action by the Senate
committee. February 1 is likely to
be reached before the bill is put on
its passage in the upper house.
In the House of Representatives the
bill to make the District surplus tax
money available for appropriation Is
pending, having already passed the
Senate. 1t is the most important
measure Of all of Il local character
how before Congress. II there IS a
-.li-S >-i+ian in the House to 40 s---.s--
40 the District in this matter, the bill
Ean be enacted before the appropria-
lion bill has been considered.
The traffic bill is now in process of
If way through committees and
through the houses, for it affects the
physical welfare Of the community in
:. vital manner. The two District
committees are working together in
framing it, and presumably they will
press it for action as soon as agree
1nent is had upon its provisions.
The five-year school building pro-
gram bill is another item Of urgency
for the passage of which the District
is now hoping. 1t will have the sup
port of all who realize the condition of
the public school system of the Capi-
tai. 1t should have early considera-
Evening star., 1924-12-22
VITAL THEMES
MUSCLE SHOALS AND
UNCLE SAM.
A BY r.. r. MEREDITH,
Ex-Seeretary OF AgrfcuIture.

In the Muscle Shoals nitrate and
power project the United States Gov
ernment has already expended about
$16o.oO0.ooo. The public seems to
agee that the project should be COM
pleted and controlled by the Govern
mental least, most of the public
agrees, with the exception OF those
whose products will come into COM
petition with the products Of this i'm
mense plant.
That this country will need increas-
ing amount of nitrates both for fer
tllizer and for use in the industries
cannot be doubted. Any one who has
seen the immense plants in Germany,
In which nitrates are produced from
the air under vastly less favorable
conditions than exist at Muscle
Shoals, cannot doubt the feasibility
or success Of such methods. Certain
ly 1t Is sensible to stop paying i'm
mense sums of money to Chile for our
nitrates, and It Is nothing more than
good common sense to place our
selves in position to meet our needs
for this essential material not only
for fertilizer, but also for munitions
in event Of war. Otherwise we shall
be at the mercy of foreign country
in both peace and war.
Likewise there is no question that
within a comparatively few years
there will be remarkable develop
ments in the use of hydro electric
power in this country. Power at low
cost is essential to efficiency in our
manufacturing and transportation,
and already the keenness Of competi-
ton Is forcing attention to cost Of
production. in which cost power Is
an important factor.
How shall Muscle Shoals be com
pleted and operated? This is the
problem and the point of the whole
matter. In general there are two
methods offered-frst, operation by
the Government, and second, by pri-
vate interests under a contract with
the Government.
1t is urged that Government meth
DDS will not furnish the initiative
and drive that are required to make a
success Of an immense enterprise OF
this nature There Is undoubtedly
some basis for this belief, but even
though the Government might not
operate II with maximum efficiency.
1t would be much better than to per-
NIT the vast expenditure which has
already been made to be wasted and
to deprive the country Of the benefits
that will result.
The project is so great that but
few private companies con possibly
handle it. Because of the size, these
companies may feel that they must
be unreasonably safeguarded against
loss. In that event the Government
should itself certainly operate the
plant. Manifestly a contract under
which the Government shoulders
losses while private interests get profits
is not fair.
II the Government operates the
plant, a company should be formed
with responsible management. which
should not be obliged to wait upon
the action of Congress on details. nor
should Congress. after laying down
principles, inject itself on every
provocation.
Either private management on a
fair basis, assuring a supply of nj
trates, or Government operation on
a plan eliminating the Interference
Of Congress in details should work
to the satisfaction both of the people
and OF the Nation.
Copyright. 1s24.)
Evening star., 1924-12-22

borough, who was an eminent Eng
lish painter. This portrait was paint
ed when the artist was at the height
of his fame and regarded as one OF
the greatest masters of the Englieh
school of portraiture. 1t is said 70
have been painted to refute an argu-
ment' OF Sir Joshua Reynolds that blue
was a color unsuitable for the main
light of a work.
@. What kind of wood resists de
cay the longest undergroundI--W.
V. o.
A The Forest Products Labcra-
tory says that Usage orange and
black locust are the most durable
woods which grow in commercial
quantities in the United States. and
can be expected to resist decay iu
the ground longer than any other
native species. These woods are not
very plentiful, however, and are not
available In sufficient quantities to be
very widely used, SO woods like the
cedars, cypress, and redwood are
very commonly used where resistance
to decay is desired. Woods OF low
durability can be made durable by pre-
servative treatment with coal tar cree
sote. An effective treatment of this
kind will make quickly rotting woods
last as long or longer than the most du-
rable woods can be expected to last
without treatment.
9. With what European countries
has the United States no diplcmatic
relations?-J V. II.
A. The United States has no diplo-
matte relations with the following
{ larger countries: Soviet Russia,
Abyssinia and Riak. There are g
number OF smaller principalities
which the United States does not rec
ognize. There is a high commission
at Constantinople, Turkey, under the
supervision of Rear Admiral Bristov
@. What is the usual diameter q
a tornado?-O.
A. A tornado is usually Of srnsl
diameter. a few hundred yards, bUr
is of great proportional vertics
height.
@. Where is Ifni2-CS.w.
A. 1t is a colonial possession q
Spain, in Africa.
Q. Why was the painter John
Crome known as "Old Crome"?J. N
A John Crome was thus known TO
distinguish him from his son, John
Bernays Crome. The latter also
painted.
Q. How is the probable stature Of
prehistoric races computed?-R. r.
A. If a few bones are found, IL is
merely a mathematical problem. The
length of the humerus multiplied BY
5.06, or the length of the femur mul-
piled by 3.66 equals the height of
man.
Q. What did the early Egyptians
shave with?-A. l.. G.
A. According to Herodotus, the
Egyptians shaved continually, and
only let the hair and beard grow
when they were in mourning. The
barber of the ancient Egyptians was
known as the haq. He employed
various Instruments. A razor some
times in the shape of a small short
hstchet with a recurved handle. and
other instruments shaped like a knife
were most generally used.
(THe Star Information Bureau Gclt
GHsicer your question. This offer applies
strictly TO Information. The bureau cG1l-
not gipe odUice on legal, medical ana
financial matters. 1t does not Gttempt
to settle domestic troubles, nor under
take exhaustive research on any subject
Write pour question plainly and briefly
Gire fitIL name and address and tncloSc
2 cents in stamps for return postage
All replies are sent direct to the inquirer
Address Frederic J. Haskin, director
The Star Information Bureau, Itcenty-
first and C. streets northwest.
Evening star., 1924-12-22

Confinement Of this pending meas
ernment at the Capital does not
signify that it's needs elsewhere are
not great. The United States could
spend several hundred million dollars
effectively and properly in building
work throughout the country. But it
cannot do that at present in the exist
ing condition Of the Treasury and the
need Of economy and tar reduction to
relieve the heavy burden now borne
by the people. It has postponed its
Capital building work for a number Of
years, chiefly on account Of the war
emergency. 1t must now proceed with
construction. Buildings Of a tempo
rary character erected during the war
are literally falling to pieces. They
cannot be abandoned, for there is no
place in which to house the workers
even with the force reduced very
greatly from the war basis. The situa-
ton grows worse each year. The cost
will grow greater with every year Of
postponement. Now is the time to do
this work most economically.
If, as expected, the amendment en-
larging the scope Of the bill is rejected
by the Senate, 1t may be laid before
the House in season to be considered
and passed at this session. Adoption
of a special rule to prevent the offer
ing Of enlarging amendments is pro-
posed The hope Of all who work for
the Government in high or low capaci-
ties, of all who have business to trans
act with the Government, is that this
bill may pass before March next, and
that the work may be started without
further delay.
Evening star., 1924-12-22
ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
BY FREDERIC J. HASKIN

G. Does the Federal Government
finance the building Of schoolhouses In
Washington? ?-E.. C. B..
A. The schoolhouses are financed 60
per cent by the District and 40 per cent
by the Federal Government.
@. Who gave the painting Diana Of
the Tides" to the Government?-L T.
A. This painting by Elliott, son-in-
law OF Julia Ward Howe, is the gift of
Larz and Isabel Anderson.
Q. How many boundary stones were
there in the Federal District OF Column
bia and when were they located
L. T. w.
a. There were originally 40 boundary
stones Of the District all located and
erected between 1871 and 1892. They
were made of freestone from Aqua
Creek. Va. Each stone was feet long,
feet below the ground, 2 feet high, with
beveled top forming the fustrum of a
four-sided pyramid. The face fronting
Maryland or Virginia bears Virginia
or Maryland" respectively. On every
monument was carved the magnetic
declinations.
Q. Some people say La Toilette re-
cefved 100000 votes, others that he re-
ceiyed 100000. Please give the cor
rect fgures?-J. A. D. It.
A. The official figures are in for "a
States. These added to the unofficial
figures for the other "a give the La
Toilette vote as 4,569,200. Official re-
turns will soon be completed.
Q. Does veneered furniture last as
long as furniture made Of solid wood?-
F. K
A veneered furniture. If properly
cared for, will last as long as solid fur
niture. The glued joints when correctly
made are as strong as the wood under
ordinary service conditions. Long ex-
posure to very damp air or direct con-
tact with water, of course, will decrease
the Joint strength even when very
water-resistant glue is used. But such
service conditions would be almost as
detrimental to solid furniture. because
even in solid furniture the members are
Joined together by glue.
Q. How can electric lights be col
ored and the color afterward re-
moved?-H c. z.
A. II IT Is desired to color the
bulbs temporarily they may be coated
with collodion In which aniline dye
has been dissolved. Such coloring
soon bakes and peels off and is there
fore more readily removed.
Q. What time is 1t in Mexico City
when IT is noon in New York?-C. S.
A. 1t is IL o'clock in Mexico City
by standard time, as it is in the
central time division.
Q. When two bodies come in con-
tact, as bird flying against build
ing, is the building Jared in a small
degree?-E. I. S.
A. Yes The kinetic energy Is alb
sorbed by the building, and If this
were free to move IL would do so
until stopped.
O. What percentage of the boys
between 90 and "a are in college?-L
r. n
A. Out of 3,5s4,s34 men between
the ages of 20 and "a there are ap-
proximately 356.0o0 In colleges This
is approximately 10 per cent Of the
male population that are in colleges
at that age.
@. When was the survey of the
District of Columbia commenced and
at what point2-W. w. S.
A. The survey of the District was
commenced April Is, 1871, at the spot
where the lighthouse on Jones Point,
near Alexandria, now stands.
Q. Everywhere go / see copies of
the Blue Boy" Why is 1t so won
derful?--J, A.. 5.
A. The BLUE Boy is one of the
most important paintings by Gains
Evening star., 1924-12-22
Press Rates Samuel Compers
AS ''MOre Than Labor Leader"

America will miss Gompers."
Thus the Peoria Journal epitomizes
the opinion upon which the American
press is in universal accord.
IF Samuel GomperS had been the
ruler of a nation" declares the
Akron Beacon Journal, instead of
the head of great organization, his
death would have claimed no greater
attention from every class OF citizen
ship in America" F'ulsome praise for
Mr.. Gompers Is heard and also there
is calumny, says the Worcester Post.
which adds: There is call for neither.
Well done. good and faithful SER
want applies to him as citizen and
leader during an epochal period in
the industrial life Of this country.
The wisdom of the man made It's i'm
press on this country to such de-
gree that his service to humanity Is
difficult to measure, just as was that
Of Benjamin Franklin"
The contribution which Samuel
Gompers made to the cause that led
him on for so years is scarcely to be
understood by fitting the man into
any modern picture" observes the
New York World. "It must be re-
membered that his first connection
with the American labor movement
actually dates from 1854, from a day
beforethe Civil War had ended.
It is given to few men to encompass
with their own lives so complete the
developm ent of any purpose, whether
it is the business of making steel
from the first rude furnaces or the
business of organising labor. Samuel
Gompers died, possibly, with his mind
as little changed on any point of I'M
portance to him as any outstanding
figure in this generation. He be-
lieved in labors right to organize; he
believed in a living wage. His
methods of working for those objec-
tivea his theories OF capital, OF
politics. of strikes OF government.
were substantially the Same in 1924
as they were in. 1900 or In 1880.
Samuel Gompers did not live and
learn. He lived and fought for con-
victions that life had given him In
its first chapters"
Samuel Gompers was moro than a
labor leader" says the Baltimore
Evening Sun. He was an epoch.
The little cigar maker, who came to
New York from Whitechapel road,
London's Ghetto, sat in at the birth
Of the organized labor movement in
this country. His career ends al
most coincidentally with the first
formal venture of American labor
into the political field. The biog-
raphers who seek to set down, his
career in words will have to retelI
the whole history of organized labor
in this country. They will
find him :. at one time bringing
down on his head the attacks of the
employers, who saw him as the ex-
ronent of red revolution, anarchy
and chaos. They will find him bring
ing down later the attacks of men
of his own kind, who saw him not as
Evolutionary but ms. reactionary.s
with him, in the opinion OF the AL
bany News, goes q great force In
American life, a force for good. q
force that stood between two ex-
tremes and insisted always: on mod
Grafton and common sense. A great
.stabilizer was Samuel Gompers. Per-
haps the best epitaph that could be
written OF him Is a question: Who is
there to take his placer"
mo history of the United States"
says the Portland (Ore.) Telegram.
-cavsrinE the last % xeArx ek Tho
Evening star., 1924-12-22
SHOOTING STARS.
BY PHILANDER JOHNSON.
Sn0whakes.

Snowfiakes.
Each snowflake has its exquisite de-
sign -.--.
Unlike all others in the swirling
throng.
We differ, too, oh, gentle friends Of
mine --r
In form and fancy, as we drift
along. ,.- .., ..-. 49,
But none Of us, Of Now or Ages Past,
And none in Future Ages can dis.
close y
With form and purpose analyzed at
last,
The perfect symmetry a snowflake
shows
Evening star., 1924-12-22

The friendship Of Japan and the U.
s. A. should be Of value to the world
in showing how smoothly and prompt
ly points of difference may be intel
disposed of.