davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1924-03-03
The Districts Tax-Surplus.

The Senate District committee has
reported favorably the Phipps bill to
give practical effect to the findings Of
the joint District of Columbia surplus
committee of the last Congress. At
Senator Phipps' suggestion the Dis
trict committee has added proviso
to this bill which removes all possi-
bility Of legislative understatement
of the amount Of the Districts actual
net available Treasury surplus on
June 80, 1922.
This amendment, without altering
the wording Of the findings of the
Joint committee in respect to the Dis
trict's Treasury surplus, adds dis
claimer Of Legislative intent to ex-
clude the District from the benefit
Of certain enumerated credits, which
were omitted from the joint commit
tees statement of net available sur
plus only because of the belief that
the District was Of a certainty to get
the benefit of them at another time
and in another way.
The bill now confirms and renders
available as District Treasury surplus
not only the amount specified in the
joint committees report but also
whatever IN addition the controller
general may decide to be due on ac-
count Of the specified excepted credits.
Senators Phipps. Ball and Harris
and Representatives Hardy and
Wright. who are the survivors i'll this
Congress Of the joint District Of Co
lumbia surplus committee OF the last
Congress, are working vigorously and
effectively to put into. the law and to
make practically operative the wise
and fair findings Of their report con-
cerning the Districts tax surplus in
the Treasury. The Capital community
owes to them a debt of grateful ap-
probation.
Evening star., 1924-03-03

destroyed by the blast; and usually
everybody on the spot is killed. One
survivor of the work Of handling the
liquid has been found, however, and
he tells a story that may show that
carelessness or inattention caused the
blast. 1t was his job to prepare the
liquid for the nitration process after
it was received from the other COM
pany. All the TINT" was supposed
to have been extracted at the time
Of delivery. But this man a short time
ago noticed a change in tho color
of the liquid as he treated 1t in the
first stage. He called attention to the
fact and a quantity Of 1t was taken
for a sample for testing, but 1t ap.
pears that no test was made. The be-
lief prevails that in some way not ex-
planned a sufficient quantity OF the ex-
plosive had by some chance remained
in the liquid. perhaps In increasing
percentage, with the result Of detona-
ton by chemical reaction. If there
was 4 chance to determine this fact
by analysis, and it was not accepted,
whoever failed in this duty may be
deemed to be responsible for this
horror. 'iC
Evening star., 1924-03-03
hrst,rate tale Of intrigue and adven.

first.rate tale Of intrigue and adven.
ture.
Then therefis a wide range Of char
acters in the plot Of this remarkable
story that is being unfolded day by
day IN every way. There are oil sorts
and conditions Of men in the cast. But
as yet few women. It seems to have
been almost wholly masculine mat
ter. But that may change before the
last witness is called.
Still it is hardly safe for the story
tellers to start quite yet upon this
quest of. the undetermined. For to-
morrow's revelations may completely
change. and perhaps spoil today's
scenario. It is hard for the story
tellers to restrain themselves. There
Is a certain inducement to gain prior
ity. Perhaps some have already gone
to it. But those who wait will have
the best story to tell. even though the
whole affair" will then have become
public property. Even 80, the max
ings Of a remarkable piece of fiction
are present in this increasingly inter-
esting case.
Evening star., 1924-03-03
= The Housing Inquiry.

The congressional inquiry into
housing conditions in Washington,
with view to determining whether
the Rent Commission shall be made
permanent, will receive the whole
hearted support Of the District gov
ernment. The Commissioners objec.
ton to having this, survey made by
police seems. to be sound, because it
would withdrav too many police from
their regular duties. The police force
is too small for the necessary work it
u called on to do. and the transfer Of
fifty or a hundred men to the work
Of making the inquiry would further
expose citizens to traffic dangers and
would materially lessen the restraint
which the police department exerts
on the criminal class. But the Dis
trict will further the housing inquiry
by all reasonable means.
District officials have held a meet.
ing and mapped out plans by which
certain agencies of the District gov
ernment will cooperate with the sub
committee of the Senate District COM
mittee charged with this inquiry. The
assessor will furnish all the informa-
tion which his office has relating to
dwelling and apartment houses and
their valuation. The police depart
ment will make Il record Of vacant
dwellings,. The building inspector will
furnish a record Of dwellings, and
apartment houses that are in course
Of erection. OF the construction of
which has been authorized. There
will be Il meeting Of the subcommittee
of inquiry. the District Commissioners
and the chairman OF the Rent Com
mission. The indications are that the
Senate District committee will soon
be in possession Of all facts showing
the number OF dwellings, and apart.
ments FOR rent, the rental asked, the
number Of dwellings aud apartment
houses under construction, or whose
construction is planned. and with
these figures il should not be difficult
to determine the relation between the
demand for and supply Of housing
accommodations.
Evening star., 1924-03-03
An Explosion Horror.

Following the frightful explosion at
Nixon, n. j., which. according to lat
est accounts, caused the death Of at
least eighteen people, will come the
usual investigations conducted by va
rious authorities to search for the
cause. The blast occurred at the
plant of an ammonium nitrate con-
Germ engaged in recovering that SUBJ
stance from liquid derived from pro-
iectiles manufactured for the war.
The liquid was taken from the pro-
.ikctiles by another concern, whose
plant adjoined that Of the nitrate
company. The blast, it appears,
started in the nitrate works, and 1t is
believed that it was due to some faulty
handling of the liquid, which probably
contained a remnant of trinitrotoluol,
or briefly known as INT 1t is one
Of the most powerful Of explosives. 1t
was largely employed in war mum,
tons. Great quantities-were manu-.
factured in excess of the govern
,ment's need. inasmuch as the armis.
tice occurred before .projectile ship
nents to France had gained momen-
tum. Ever since the war these ex-
plosives have been in process of be-
ing handled for change to industrial
uses, chiefly in the. manufacture Of
fertilizers. There have been num-
her OF explosions with loss OF life.
That q Nixon is one OF the worst.
. I'm case like this. all evidence is
Evening star., 1924-03-03
Survivors of First d. C.
Called to Form Army Of Santiago
Branch.
10 the Editor Of The Star;

To the Editor Of The Star;
A little space, II you please, to be
used in a worthwhile cause.
Following the last November re-
union of the survivors of the 1st Dis
trict of Columbia Infantry of '9S.
there has been renewed interest in
the Society Of the Army Of Santiago.
Time was when we had an excellent
branch OF the society in Washington;
usefulIy active and of real value as
a rallying point for veterans of his
tory-making campaign. Efforts are
now being put forth to re-establish
the District Of Columbia branch.
Membership is open to all who were
of the commissioned or enlisted per-
sonnel Of the 5th Corps Of the only
completely volunteer army the United
States ever had In any war.
Tuesday evening, March 4, at 8
O'Clock. In the National Guard Ar
mory, the revived branch will COM
menoe 70 do business. It is the hope
of many of us that there will be .
Evening star., 1924-03-03
+ COURAGE
Il am the master of my fate.
l am the captain OF my soul.
-HENLEY.
Pullman's Ideas Called Insane.

Told that he had taken leave of
his senses and that his service
would no longer be required so long
as his brain was filled with such in
sane projects" George NJ. Pullman
had to pause in his long effort to have
railroad officials even consider his
sleeping car project.
Years of struggling had led up to
that discouraging pronouncement. He
was born at Brockton, N, ". and
when fourteen years old had to leave
public school to clerk in general
store. When seventeen he Joined his
brother in cabinet-making shop at
Four years later his father died,
leaving the support Of the mother
and four little ones to the youth. The
shop did not earn enough and ne mad
to take a contract to elevate build
ings along the line of the Erie canal.
The work completed in four years, he
went to Chicago to elevate more
buildings.
While tossing one night in an old
fashioned sleeper between Buffalo
and Westfield, N. Y, he conceived the
idea Of the palace car. For long
time railroad men would not even
listen to him. Finally Chicago and
Alton railroad officials considered his
plans, but when he said a car would
cost $4,000. they declared that his
ideas were insane" Recovering from
the disappointment. he eventually Sc
cured permission to remodel two pas
senger cars into sleeping cars. and
four years later he succeeded In in
ducing them to spend $4,000 on a car
of his ideals.
When. it appeared crowds looked
and laughed. the few that did ride
would not take off their boots at
night, the accommodations were
crude, and business refused to come.
Slowly the public became converted.
Pullman wanted an improved car that
would cost $4,000, the railroad balk-
ed at such "extravagance." and he
built 1T and ran 1t on the mileage ar
rangement that is In effect today.
Then success came.
At the time of his death Pullman
was a rich man at the head of a large
and successful concern. and Pullman
sleeping cars we're used In every
country where there were railroads.
tcopyright. 1857
Evening star., 1924-03-03
Acrimony in Politics.

Senator Reed and William G. Nc.
Adoo are engaged in Il campaign Of
statement-issuing and speaking over
their contest for the democratic presi
dental nomination which promises to
add to the gayety of politics, though
possibly not calculated. to improve
their respective prospects for securing
the nomination. Harsh words are ex-
changed, and a situation created in
which it would seem unlikely that
either would ever consent to the nom.
ination of the other.
It will probably be Il case Of well.
II can't get it, I will see that you
don't" Whereupon the other candi-
dates no doubt chuckle over the spec.
tacle and exhort them to Lay on.
Macduff." The more rivals who elm
mate each other the better for the
survivors. There is already n large
field Of potential candidates which
some Of the politicians would like to
see thinned out.
In the republican party there also
exists an Acrimonious campaign. but
Of a different nature. in that it is
one.sided. Senator Hiram w. johnson
is assailing the candidacy Of President
Coolidge in vigorous fashion, but there
is no joint debate. Restrained by the
inhibitions Of his Office, and probably
also by his temperament. the Presi-
dent does not reply.
Some of the Presidents supporters
think that his policy Of silence isreally
reacting to President Coolidges bene.
fit.
Evening star., 1924-03-03

4 or mfnorities. and guarantees for
British interests in the Sudan. Fuad
1922.
=. Does woman who wants
passport have to prove that she is Z,
citizen of this country?-G. A. L.
A.. A woman must prove her citi-
Zenship in order to get a passport
unless she was married prior to tn,
act of September 2, 1922, in which
event her citizenship is that Of he
/ husband. unless she was because cF
her race ineligible to Naturalization
ever been found guilty of accepting q
, bribe?-M. E. !.
A. William w. Belknap, Secretary
OF War, was the only cabinet member
ever impeached for accepting a bribe
He was tried. from April ) to Angus
| quittal being by a vote Of Is TO 5.
@. How many street cars are there
in the United States?-J. w.
A. The American Electric Raiiwas
| Association says that there are ap
types in the United states.
@. What will remove smoke stains
Z. G.
A. To remove such stains. mix two
ounces Of soda, one ounce of pumic-
stone and one ounce of salt with
| water sufficient TO make a creanr,
| Rub the bricks we'll with this compo
i.sition and let stand for a few mil.
utes and then brush off with stir
| brush.
Q. Has Bombay University eve
! given the degree Of fellow in arts H.,
, a woman?-A. NJ. II.
| A. This degree was recently award
| ed TO Miss Navajbai .. Contractor.
/. e. A. who is LADY superintendent
| Chanda Ramji Hinder Girls School.
| Bombay.
| Q. Is the number of criminals in
! creasing or decreasing?-L. NJ. c.
| A. The committee on law enforce
| ment Of the American Bar Associa
tion says that whereas the sener3l
/ population of the country increased
| 149 per cent from 1910 10 1922, the
criminal population increased 1876 pep
cent during the same period.
Q. What are regarded as the best
of Macaulay's essays?-G. E.
A Probably the most famous OF the
essays of Macaulay are those on LORD
Give. Warren Hastings and William
OF letters-Addison, for instance. or
Samuel Johnson-are equally bril-
| liant.
Q. What is Great GreeceNP. A.
! A. Great Greece was the name com
! monty given in ancient times TO tina I
part of southern Italy which was in !.
| habited by Greek colonists. {. -
| Q. How much gold is there in til"
| world?-S. II. E.
| A. Accurate gold statistics have
! been kept for $50 years. In that time
! S75,000,0o0 fine ounces of gold have
| been produced. valned at $18.000.o0o
o00. About 36.oo0.0o0,00o of it ha>
been made into money, the remainder
| having been used in the industria!
/ arts or in some way lost
Did you erer 1crite q letter to Frcde'tc
j. HGskin! You cd,r ask our -Infornlo
! fion Bureau any question OF tGct an
| get the a,stcer III q personal tetter.
This is part Of that best purpose o.
this neUSpGper-S There s
no charge except 2 cents t;S stamps 70
return postage. Get the habit Of ask
ing questions Of Frederic J. Hdsktn
Director. The Star Information Bnredi.
1890 North Capitol street
Evening star., 1924-03-03
Matter for the Thrillers.

With the naval oil inquiry in recess
until tomorrow an opportunity offers
to consider the material that this in.
vestigation affords to inspire the writer's
Of thriller" fiction. No plot.hunter
could have a better chance. No artist
in the depletion Of suspended situa-
tions" could wish for a livelier line of
suggestion
Strangely worded code messages;
cryptic illusions to camoufiaged iden-
titles, mutilated financial papers. sick
bed conferences, disagreeing doctors,
shadowed witnesses, these are just q
few Of the factors. SO far there are no
fingerprints, and nothing has yet been
heard about the use Of airplanes for
rapid transit. They may come in the
course of time.
Just enough is known about the real
happenings in this as yet mysterious
raffair to enable the literary synthesist
to reconstruct" the situation. A
smart fictionist could take any session
of the oil committee and work out a
Evening star., 1924-03-03
SHOOTING STARS.
BY PHILANDER JOHNSON.
The Big Excursion.

The Big Excursion.
Again the train of thought arrives
At points which we, in all our lives,
Had never thought that we should
view.
As Father Time the whistle blew
And called US from the splendid gloom
That hung about a Luxor tomb,
We heard him say, Prepare to roam!
It's all aboard for Teapot Dome.
1--WE led you all around the map
From Paris to the Isle of zap.
All points Of interest 1 know
And nothing is too small to show.
I'll even lead you, If you will.
To shudder at moonshine still.
There is no time to loaf at home.
The next stop will be Teapot Dome"
Evening star., 1924-03-03

Q. Does Miss Helen Keller speak
any language other than English?-
G. NJ.
A. Miss Keller speaks English.
French and German. Her German
pronunciation is said to be excellent.
A friend Of Miss Kellers finds her
French much moro Ineligible than
her English"
Q. When does the sap begin to
run in sugar naples and how long
does 1t fow2-A.- G. w.
A. . In general, the season is ready
to open during the middle or last
part of February In southern sections
and later in northern ones, when the
days are becoming warm. the tenn
perature going above 32a F., and the
nights are still frosty. II the days
are very bright, warm and sunny the
slackens. A high wind. warm spell
or heavy freeze checks the flow,
but the return of seasonable weather
causes it to start again. Records of
opening and closing dates kept in An
Ohio sugar camp show the opening
1891 and 1901. The latest op1 hing
date recorded was March 81, in 1855
The number. of days Of flow varied
from nine to fifty. the average being
about thirty days.
@. How many tons of Goa! are
burned by the Majestic in a grip
across the Atlantic?-F. J. q.
A. The International Mercantile
Marine Company says that the Ma
jestic burns no coal at all during her
passage across. the Atlantic. She is
an oil burner and consumes about
1000 tons of fuel oil IN making her
six-day voyage between New York
and Southampton via Cherbourg.
O. What inventions have colored
people made?-A. l. p.
A. The Negro Yearbook gives the
| following: Benjamin Banneker con-
structed about 1854 the first clock
made in America. Henry Blair was
the first negro to receive patent
he was granted patents on corn
harvester. Benjamin jackson of Massa-
chusetts is inventor of g. dozen I'm
provements in heating and lighting
devices. George W. Murray Of South
Carolina has Received patents for in
ventions in agricultural implements.
O. why is the afternoon longer
than the morning as the days
lengthen in the early spring?-F. b.
A. Forenoon and afternoon are al
ways equal, or very nearly so. by the
SUI, lQey axe, dt tlIlco, ldi 2ioiI
being SO by the clock. The reason
for this is that clocks give, not the
actual solar time. but the mean or
average solar time. Noon by the sun
is when the sun is due south; that is
to say, noon by the sun is midway
or very nearly midway between sun
rise and sunset. Noon by the clock
may occur as much as one-quarter
hour earlier or later than noon by
the sum- the difference being known
as the equation of time. 1t SO hap
pens that when the days begin to
iengthen in December noon by the
clock is growing relatively earlier
at rapid rate; in other words. is
moving toward the time of sunrise
and away from the time of sunset;
the tendency being 10 shorten the
forenoon and to lengthen the after
noon. .r
@. when did Egypt become inde-
pendent of England?-c.. L.
A. Egypt became an independent
kingdom upon the termination of the
British protectorate. February rs,
1922. The British government re-
served to its discretion four subjects
safety of the British empires COM
| munications; defense OF Egypt and
Evening star., 1924-03-03

large attendance of those who desire
to become members.
The organization has no lax to
grind; It's value is in the opportuni-
ties 1t gives to those who were COM
rades in war to continue to be COM
rades In q time when the volunteer
spirit Is at low ebb.
During the life of the old regiment
The Evening Star rendered notable
service; especially was 1T lavish In
providing for the comfort. of those
who returned from tropical Cuba to
enjoy the Icy fresh-air treatment at
ther service If it will be good enough
to SO publish this, that the regimental
veterans may know that their one
time colonel hopes they will all
achieve membership in the society
and In the District of Columbia
branch GEORGE II. HARRIES.
Evening star., 1924-03-03

A Dresden laboratory having de,
veloped new poison gas for army
use found that seven men had perished
in the course of its preparation. Ger
many should long ago have realized
that most Of her war devices have
been distinguished by the deadliness
of their recoil.
Evening star., 1924-03-03

There was little opposition in the
House Of Representatives to an in.
crease Of pay for police and firemen.
1t is a melancholy fact that, as a city
grows the need Of we'll selected and
we'll paid men for its protection in.
creases.
Evening star., 1924-03-03

Interest in present developments is
so strong in the mind of Mr.. La Fol
lette that he absolutely refuses to be
excited about his prospects in connec.
ton with a presidential nomination.
Evening star., 1924-03-03
Patience.

THAT politician seems to regard it
as safe to promise the farmers almost
anything
at Is safe,'' answered Farmer Corn
tossel. 1.-THE nature Of our business is
such that we just naturally get used
to bein' disappointed
Evening star., 1924-03-03

While an energetic and resourceful
man, Henry Ford is an idealist. and
easily perceived it was not going to be
the kind of a campaign he was likely
to enjoy.
Evening star., 1924-03-03

1t may be comfort to Hiram John.
son to reflect that a candidate may
find too little financial support better
than too much.
Evening star., 1924-03-03
The Homely Gloves.

From the New York Tribune.
Suspenders and derby hat are COM
ing back, mems fashion experts say.
This leaves only knitted gloves to be
heard from.
Evening star., 1924-03-03

Most Of the parleys described by in
vestigation witnesses were apparently
for the purpose Of discussing the pros
poets for the fruit crop.
Evening star., 1924-03-03
Transformation.

We've lived and we've learned.
We're sadder, but wiser.
An oil we'll has turned
into a mud geyser. .
Evening star., 1924-03-03

New Jersey has had number of ex-
plosions in recent years. but nothing
to- compare with the Teapot Dome
demonstrations.
Evening star., 1924-03-03

With a little more headline display
the Congressional Record would just
now qualify as sensational publica-
ton.
Evening star., 1924-03-03
A Noble Death.

From the Birmingham News.
l. Death is ennobling. Every little
fur-bearing animal becomes seal when
1t dies.
Evening star., 1924-03-03

Mr.. Doheny had money to burn as
we'll as oil.
Evening star., 1924-03-03
Studies In Economy,

What is the latest turn in the in
vestigation?''
"It now touches on the fuel prob.
lem," answered Senator Sorghum.
1--WE find that: men have been kept
busy burning letters and kilograms. :"
Evening star., 1924-03-03

Jud Tunkins says you have to have
natural gifts to be a classical dancer.
and one Of them is not takin' cold
easy.
Evening star., 1924-03-03
Retirement Of the Bad Man.

:. Where is that bad man who used
to shoot UP the town.
THAT sort o. thing is no longer left
to the bad men, answered Cactus Joe.
''It's bein' done by the prohibition
agents."
Evening star., 1924-03-03

The Evening Star, with the Sunday morning
edition, is delivered by carriers within the
city at 60 cents per month: daily only, 40
cents per month: Sunday only. 10 cents per
month. Orders may be sent by mail or tele-
nhone Main 5000. Collection is made by car
riprs at the end of each month.
Evening star., 1924-03-03
Member OF the Associated Press.

The Associated Press is exclusively entitled
10 the use for republicatio Of all news dis
patches credited to II or not otherwise credited
In this paper and also the local news pub.
iished herein. All rights of publication Of
special dispatches herein are also reserved.
Evening star., 1924-03-03

Oar amt no doubt" said Uncle
Eben. "dat dis world is gineter git bet
ter purity soon, II findin' FAULT VIII It
will do any good.
Evening star., 1924-03-03
THEODORE w. MOVES. /. Editor

The Evening Star Newspaper Company
Business Oticc, 1lth st. and Pennsylyania Ave.
New York Ofnce: ITO East 42nd st.
Chicago Once: Tower Building
European Office: 16 Regent St.. London. England.
Evening star., 1924-03-03
Rate by AIail-Payable in Advance.
MARYLAND and Virginia.
All Other States.

Daily and Sunday..1 yr, $40; mo-. zoe
Daily only. 4 yr, $500; mo-, soc
Sunday only. .....l yr., $2.4O; l mo-, 2oc
Evening star., 1924-03-03
81 for Commerce. $54 for War.
large attendance of those who desire

(Tomorrow-The Department of Jus
tice, 60 cents in $4,000
Evening star., 1924-03-03

G. when did Egypt become-i inde-
pendent of England?-C.. L.
A. Egypt became an independent
kingdom upon the termination of the
British protectorate. February rs,
1922. The British government re-
served to its discretion four subjects
safety of the British empires COM
munications; defense OF Egypt and