davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1925-01-02

| favorable letters. The matter which,
sidered ordinary or poor draws few or
no favorable letters and many objec-
tions. 1t is evident that the broad
casting stations are Industrious and
enterprising in putting on the air the
best matter they can obtain, are guild
ed by their own and their listeners
opinions and are checked only by the
matter of cost and the unwillingness
of some persons to stand before the
microphone.
During the meeting of the American
Association for Advancement of
Science In this city a number Of short
popularity phrased speeches on scien-
tific questions were broadcast from
the local studios. Scientific bodies in
Washington are contributing to the
diffusion of knowledge through the
local broadcasting stations, and some
of these addresses are put on the air
by distant stations. On New Year eve
addresses by high-placed and cele-
brated clergymen of the Roman Cath
olic, Protestant and Jewish congrega-
tions were radioed to hundred thou
sands and perhaps to millions Of peo-
pie in America. In music transmits
sion there is movement toward the
highest plane. A celebrated symphony
orchestra on the air and famous sing
ers and players draw an immense
crowd to the headphones and loud
speakers. A new phase is that the
phonograph and record making COM
panies are putting their recording
artists on the air. There is advertising
in this, but what of that if the great
singers and instrumentalists of the
world, singing and playing the great
music Of the world, perform through
the air for millions of people?
Evening star., 1925-01-02
Samaritans and Others.

The motorists of Washington whose
cars were in service today may be
divided into two classes, according to
their performance this morning, the
considerate and the selfish. Considerable
motorists offered transportation to all
they could carry. The selfish ones paid
no heed to the plodders whom they
passed struggling to get to work on
something like time" and making
heavy weather Of it. The considerate
motorist looked for chances to render
service, even though he had to stop
occasionally to take on and let off
his passengers. The selfish motorist
was merely interh upon the best route
and the smoothest path, regardless of
the people on foot forced into the mid
die of the street by the unclean side
walks.
The strange part OF this is that
Evening star., 1925-01-02
Washington Walks to Work.

Washington mostly walked to work
probably a not altogether pleasant ex
perience. Yet for most Of those who
engaged in it there was some physical
profit. For walking has become an al.
most neglected human performance
that is, walking for more than a few
rods at a time. In these days of troll.
ley and motor cars the average per
son thinks of his legs as something
handy for short-range transportation
not for use for a mile or more at a
time.
The walking was not of the best, as
regards footing. There We're ruts and
slidy places, with much discomfort
from the conflict of traffic lines, as
motor cars crowded into the paths
beaten by the pedestrians. The buried
car tracks were the favored lines of
travel. and there was undoubtedly
much satisfaction on the part of those
street cars. with their persistent pas
sengers waiting for the impulse that
did not come.
Washington does not suffer often
prevailed this morning. Its SHOWS are
usually light enough to be handled by
the car companies without difficulty
or much delay. But there was quail
ity about the snow which fell last
night that defied the sweepers and
track cleaners. A single stalled car
blocked the road. Before 1t could be
started again the tracks were buried
and the conveyance of the motor traf.
fic on the car routes packed the snow
down more tightly, until its removal
became q matter of the greatest diff
Guilty.
OF course, there were complaints
There are always complaints when the
ordinary routine Of life is disturbed
and some discomfort is caused. Doubt
less the major topic Of the conversa-
ton this morning throughout the city
was the incompetence of the car line
officials for not keeping the tracks
clear. Very likely there were many
thousands who felt quite capable OF
doing better themselves. Much mis-
placed talent was disclosed.
Those who reacted to the highly
emotional impulse that is often awak.
ened by the unusual called the storm
a blizzard" They little realized the
gross misuse of the term. Washing
ton has had few billiards. in the past
half century, but yesterdays and to-
days visitation was surely not one of
them. A blizzard is something that
those who have experienced it will
zero, a gale of wind and q binding
drive of hard, sleety snow that cuts
the flesh and causes utter exhaustion.
A storm somewhat Of this character
struck Washington 26 years ago and
did heavy damage and caused some
deaths. This present experience is
merely a pleasant diversion from the
normal in comparison.
But hyperbole aside, this is not the
sort of thing that the average Wash
ingtonian would choose if choice were
his. 1t means damp feet and perhaps
illness, tired muscles and perhaps loss
of business. 1t means disarrangement
of plans and possibly a complete up.
setting of schedules. But it does not
paralyze the community, and taken al.
together. the Capital escapes thus far
with only a discomfort that may be
set down now to the credit side of the
account, as a part of Winters penal
ties already paid.
Evening star., 1925-01-02
SHOOTING STARS.
BY PHILANDER JOHNSON.
The Year, New and Old.

Ine 1ear, New ana DID.
We hailed you,, Happy New Year., -
just day or two ago.
We pictured you little boy, with lots
of time to grow.
We told about your innocence, so joy
GUS and complete,
And loved you as little myth, with
chubby hands and feet.
OF Nineteen-twenty-four nobody takes
the pains to brag.
Who cares about the number on a
WORKOUT license tag?
And yet, on close inspection, as the
hours so swiftly flee,
I must confess, you look just like the
same Old Year to me.
Already you have whitening hair, and
burrows in your brow,
AS you confront the questions,
"When?" and "What?" and
"Where?" and "How?"
Like all the other Years, when you
your many burdens view,
You do not seem quite Happy, nor ap-
pear so very New.
And it really seems much better to
discover you intend
To be no romping infant, but to be a
patient friend;
And when the merry moment of dis
guise is past, to find
A Year much like the others, but more
helpful and more kind.
Evening star., 1925-01-02
The First Submarine
Was Propelled by Hand

To the Editor Of The Star:
] note in the issue OF The Evening
Star of December 80, 1924 on page II
In an article concerning the new ma
tional monuments, a statement that
the first submarine run by steam de-
stroyed Federal vessel off Charles
ton.
The Confederate submarine H. l..
Hunley is undoubtedly the one re-
ferred to, but she was propelled by
the manual labor of the crew, who
manned the cranks of the shaft.
which in turn revolved her screw pro-
peller.
This little vessel produced a series
of gruesome disasters, but at the
same time revealed, perhaps, the most
conspicuous and unadulterated hero
ism in our history. On five occa asions
she sank, and in all only two or three
men escaped. Once she sank at a
wharf and two men, if my memory
serves me, succeeded in getting out
of the small hatch or manhole. Just
before she completely submerged one
of these men had his foot caught in the
closing hatch and was being carried
down. A doomed seaman below by
exerting his strength released his
threatened but more fortunate ship
mate.
In order to learn the capabilities
of this craft it was decided to test
the endurance of the crew in remain
ing submerged, as there was no pro-
vision for renewing the air. In one
test they remained a considerable
time after the candle used for illu-
mination had been extinguished by
the vitiated air
1t took a deep and glorious cour-
age to march up and man the SAL
vaged vessel as the bodies of her
former crew were removed. There
was not much to buoy ones spirits
not much of the exhilaration of bat
tie in turning a crank in a cramped
iron vessel fashioned from a steam
boiler.
On the night OF the successful at
tack on the U. S. s. Housatonic the
Hunley was not utilized as sub
marine, but proceeded on the surface
just awash. She has never been re-
covered, and probably lies under the
remains OF the bottom of the Housa-
tonic off Charleston bar.
GERSHOM BRADFORD.
Evening star., 1925-01-02

those who drove downtown with
empty seats this morning. who might
so easily have rendered aid to others,
were themselves a few years ago in
the same situation. They have not
always been car owners. They were
walkers once themselves when car
lines were tied up by snow and the
walking was hard. They doubtless
looked with envious and perhaps re-
proachful eyes at drivers spinning
past with room to spare in their ma
chimes.
Perhaps it was just habit that
caused them to drive on unheeding,
passing the plodders in the snow. But
it may be hoped that this habit will
not persist. When the next big storm
comes and the car lines are tied up,
and thousands of people are walking
to or from work, every motor car
should be filled to capacity. At the
end of a day those drivers who thus
lend aid will have a much better opin.
ion of themselves.
Evening star., 1925-01-02

| Q. What per cent Of milk is water?
e. r.
A. There is 81 per cent water in
,, whole milk and In skinned milk 9o.5
per cent.
Q: If foreigner comes over on a
foreign ship as a seaman, can he get
Job in factory here?-J. r.
A The Bureau of immigration
says that seaman may have so days.
in this country before he is consid-
| cred deserter from his ship. and
| after that he is a subject for depor-
| tation.
Q. What was the plague which
visited Athens?-J. p.
| A Authorities do not know def
nitely just what disease was referred
to as the plague in Athens Accord
ing to the description by Thucydides,
| the plague rayaged Athens in the
| second year Of the Pelopounesian
| war, 43o BIC. A largo percentage of
I the population had taken refuge in
the city and subsequently, the number
| OF deaths was great. The epidemic
does not seem to have been the real
| Oriental plague.
.. Where is the portrait bust of
Mrs. Samuel Pepys, about which one
has read so often lately?-G E
A. The portrait bust Of Mrs Pepys
is in the City Church Of st. Olave,
Hart street, London. Pepys occupied
| a pew (now demolished) from which
he could view the statue.
Q. Please give me the derivation
| Of hale" and "hail."-B. Men.
A. Hail is from the Anglo-Saxon
haegel, which means frozen rain"
Hale is from the IceIandish HE'LL
meaning sound"
Q. When and for what period was
James j. Corbett champion Of the
! prize ring?-J. T. y
A. James J. Corbett defeated John
j. Sullivan at New Orleans on Sep
tember Z, 1892, for the world cham
pionship. The bout was Il rounds.
He was defeated March II, 1897, by
Bob Fitzsimmons
Q. How many men were classed as
conscientious objectors" during the
war?-A. L. NJ. L.
A. The War Department says that
1889 men were listed under the head
of conscientious objectors.
Q. What is a hatchment?-w TX
a. This is a panel on which the
arms of a titled person are displayed.
I 1t is lozen ge-shaped or square, but
hung cornerwise. and is attached US
ually to the walls of the dwelling to
give public notice of the persons de
mise.
Q. Are D. D. and Phi D. honorary
degrees?-W. D.
A. The Bureau OF Education says
that the D. d. degree is always an
honorary degree. The Phi. D. degree
| is sometimes granted as an honorary
degree, but usually is a, degree for
course. Three years of resident work
is required for the Phi. D. degree.
| (FredeTjc j. HGskirs is employed bu
| this paper to handle the inquiries of Our
readers aud you are inUjted to call upon
him as freely and as often as you please.
ASk anything that is q matter of fact
aud the authority 10tU be quoted y0lC.
There is no charge for this SerUicc. Ask
| UhGt Jrou tCG1tt, sign pOtlr name and GCl-
! dress, aud iHcLoSe 2 cents in stamps for
| return postage. Address The Star IN
| formation Bureau, Frederic j. HdSklr
director, TlCenty-frSt and @ streets
| HorthUeSt)
Evening star., 1925-01-02
The French Debt.

The matter of the French debt to
the United States incurred in the great
war has been much discussed and
somewhat confused by conflicting
stories and statements emanating
from both sides Of the Atlantic. One
fact alone has been clear in the course
Of this discussion, which is that the
United States will not remit the debt.
while it will not insist upon harsh
terms of payment or embarrass
France by undue pressure. 1t has
also been plain that this Government
will not permit dictation by other
powers respecting the settlement of
the obligation of France to the United
States.
A few days ago there was cause of
surprise in the presentation Of the
French budget, which made no pro-
vision whatever for debt settlement.
Soon came a statement by Finance
Minister Clementel explaining that
this omission did not signify that
France is inclined to repudiate the
debt, which cleared the air and
caused a much better. feeling here.
Now comes a report from London,
which is officially verified, that the
British government will make no OBJ
lection to the United States granting
a moratorium to France for the set
tlement of her debt, or to allowing
her a lower interest charge than ap-
plies to the British debt. The only
condition implied in the British pro-
posal is that the French payments to
America should be shared equally by
Great Britain. This. in effect, it is
stated, carries out, in part, the state
ment of policy made in Parliament by
Winston Churchill, chancellor of the
exchequer. While he objected to
Frances paying America without
financing her debt to Great Britain, he
had no objection to such an operation
If France should simultaneously ar
range the matter with the London
government. 1t was inferred from his
statement that Great Britain would
TeS6HI the grant VI peblcI tSl ItlS "
France than Great Britain has re-
ceived in the discharge of its debt. 1t
would now appear that Chancellor
Churchill has to this extent been re-
versed by the present governments
decision to permit a different arrange
ment between France and the United
States, provided there is simultaneous
payment by France to Great Britain.
It would now seem that the way
Is clear for debt settlement that will
satisfy all three parties. This has
been accomplished by diplomacy and
is a triumph of good sense. The
United States cannot remit this debt.
1t will not be usurious in its collection.
1T will not stand for dictation from
another power. No dictation is to be
attempted. France is willing to pay
on easier terms than have heretofore
been proposed, and the way would
seem open now to an adjustment both
equitable and satisfactory to all with
out disturbing the friendly relations
now existing between the three coun-
tries.
Evening star., 1925-01-02
Capella Is Now Near
The Heavenly Zenith
To the Editor of The Star:

To the Editor of The Star:
Capella- a golden sun of night, is
now sparkling close to the firma-
mental zenith, between the constella-
tions Perseus and Gemini. During
the earlier evening hours 1t is east
ward from the zenith, at the top of
the constellation Auriga. In this
constellation there are about four
other suns, less noticeable in bright
ness. Another name for Auriga is
the Charioteer.
Capella, also, has another name, the
Shegoat. And, fundamentally near
the She goat, we see three rather
dim stars, forming a small acute tri-
angle, These three stars are known
as the Kids. They are called, re-
spectively Epsilon, Eta and Zeta
Golden Capella a bright first-magni-
tude star, there being only four
brighter stars in the star-lighted
armament. It's distance from our
earth approximates half of a century,
that is, light-rays leaving it's fiery
surface tonight reach US around the
year 1874, providing, Of course, that
our world is still in existence, so
years hence. Respecting this bril-
liant, beautiful gem of the darkened
skies in Lamps Aratos, we read that:
Capellas course admiring landsmen trace,
But sailors hate her inaspicious face
CHARLES MEYERS HOLMES,
Reading, Mass.
Evening star., 1925-01-02
Radio,

Secretary Hoover, whose depart
ment regulates radio, said on New
Year eve that radio has begun to en-
rich American life. He said: '"The
greatest development in broadcasting
during the past year has not been in
the application of new methods of
transmission and reception. 1t is
rather in the change in public atti-
= tude. Listeners are becoming more
and more appreciative of the real serv-
ice of the radio, and increasingly criti-
cal both as to the character of the
f1ciency with which it reaches them"
The broadcasting stations are carry
ing radio to a higher plane as a means
of public entertainment and education
The indications are that while the
number of radio set owners increases
there is a substantial increase in the
number Of those persons who think of
their sets as agents for useful informa-
ton and for that kipd of matter which
IS described as education and cultural.
look on a radio set as an interesting
toy, and that fewer are using it for
that matter which may be called
trif1ing amusement. 1t is the practice
Of set owners to consult the daily pro,
gram printed in the newspapers and
mark or make note of those parts
OF the program they would like to
hear. 1t is probably the new user of
radio who listens to the whole pro.
gram from the GOOD evening" to the
Good night" of the announcer.
AS time passes the radio users
mental slant shows itself, and gen.
orally he asks for instructive matter
The broadcasters learn of this through
the mail. Announcers ask for com.
ments and they get them. That mat
ter which, by what one assumes to be
a good standard, is considered en-,
ughtsnin6 and educative draws many
Evening star., 1925-01-02

| or another must be prepared to pay
the bill.
| 1t will take money to widen higha
ways so that they will properly ac-
commodate the smotor-vehicle traffic
| of today. In this connection 1t must
be remembered that the motor bus is
becoming an increasingly important
unit in our transportation system,
while the hauling of freight by large
trucks, particularly for short hauls
is of itself great transportation en-
terprise. In the reconstruction of
present highways and in the building e
of the highways of the future these
passenger-carrying vehicles and COM
mercial trucks of unusual size must
be taken into consideration by the
highway engineer.
1t will take money to carry out the
recommendations of the committee
! on engineering and construction of
the Conference on Street and High
way Safety to secure additional land
for right of way, not only for tn
purpose of widening the highway but
for the removing of distractions to
drivers vision at sharp curves and
at road intersections.
Headlight Glare Problem.
1t will take a very great deal of
money indeed to bring about what.
in my personal opinion, is one of the
most practical solutions of the head
light glare problem, and that is the
adequate illumination of rural high
! ways as well as of city streets If
our main travelled highways could be
adequately Illuminated, there would
be no need for anything in the way of
headlights except dim lights to indi-
cate the car itself. Such a project is
no longer an experiment, but has
proven both it's practicability and its
great value not only as an accident
prevention measure but as a police
measure as well.
1t will take money to establish a
system of State controlled traffic
courts in order that the law be ade-
quately enforced. Such traffic courts
are an absolute necessity, both in the
interests of uniformity and in the
curbfng of the reckless and the Grim
1nal. No system of enforcement will
be complete until special courts for
the handling of traffic violations, un-
der the jurisdiction of the States
themselves, are established through
out the country.
Estimates of Cost
All of these things and MANY others
which must be done if the crisis which
we are facing is to be properly met
mean the expenditure of large sums
of money. 1t is doubtful, however,
If these expenditures will total any
such sum as 100000. 600 to 81 ,oOO, ,OO0,- :
600. which the traffic accidents are
costing the Nation annually. Even if
they do, or even If they cost twice as
much as the cost of the present ag-
| gregate fatalities and personal injury
accidents, the money will. be well
spent in the saving of lives and suf-
fering, and I am enough of an opti-
mist to believe that it will not be
spent grudgingly by the people of the
United States.
Copyright. 1921
Evening star., 1925-01-02

u. Where was Leo Wheat buried?
e. H.
A. The Bureau of Vital Statistics in
forms us that the body OF Leo Wheat
is buried in Glenwood Cemetery. Mr..
Wheat's death occurred in 1915.
Q. Who paid for the construction
OF the washington Monument?-E. D.
A. This monument was erected at
total cost of s1,187,T1O,31. Three
hundred thousand dollars of this was
raised by individual free will offer
ings and the remainder was appro-
priated by Congress.
Q. When was gas first used in the
White House?-E. o. D.
A. Gas was introduced into the
White House December 29, lS4s, dur
ing the administration of President
Polk.
Q. Should the city and State be
written on the same line on an en-
velope?-E. +. c.
A. The Post Office Department pre-
fers them on separate lines. This en-
ables postal employees to classify the
mail more rapidly.
Q. Did Rube Vickers break the dis
Gus record at the Olympic games?-
E. Nee.
A. The world record for throwing the
discus is the following: Eight and one
half foot circle, 1856 feet and 1A inches.
j. Duncan, United States, May 27, 1912,
made this record. Rube Vickers is a
professional, consequently never fea-
tured in the Olympics.
Q. Let me know the date of the
first big fire in Boston?-T. Z.
A. One of the earliest destructive
fires that occurred in Boston was that
of March II, 1902, when 100 buildings
were destroyed valued at about s2,-
100000. The great fire of November
9-11, 1872, destroyed 600 buildings
covering 65 acres, valued at $4,000,
600.
Q. How is petroleum formed?-
z. L.
A. The Geological Survey says the
organic theory of the origin of petro-
leum is most generally accepted
Crude petroleum of paraffin base is
believed to be formed of vegetable
debris and petroleum of asphaltic base
is believed to be formed of organic
matter containing a large proportion
of animal matter. Substantially the
same products are obtained from
petroleum of either base except
asphalt, which is obtained from
asphaltic petroleum only and paraffin
wax, which is obtained from paraffin-
aceous petroleum. Paraffinaceous pc
troleum contains a larger proportion
of kerosene, gasoline and other high
gravity products than asphaltic Pc
troleum.
Q. Please give a short sketch OF
Mrs. Ffske, the actress.-C. f.
A. Minnie Maddern Fiske was born
at New Orleans in 1865. She went
on the stage when still a child and
at 10 was a star under the name of
Minnie Maddern. During this period
she played with John Mccullough.
Laura -keene, etc. In 1890 she married
Harrison Grey Fiske and retired for
five years. She then returned to the
stage in her husbands play, Hester
Crewe." In 1901, she opened the Man
haitian Theater and produced a num-
ber of plays herself. She did much
to popularize Ibsen in America
Evening star., 1925-01-02

ii may be possible to make the Gus
tom of giving fortunes to institutions
of learning and of art so general that
in time the centers of taste and intel
lect will be majority stockholders in
the great commercial enterprises. The
Socialist may yet find the economic
system coming his way, entirely with
cut violence.
Evening star., 1925-01-02

Science is not expecting any star
tling revelations for the year 1925 on
the same lines as the King Tut dis
coveries. After all, these ancient mon
archs, so far as modern affairs are
concerned. usually prove of little serv-
ice, excepting as terrible examples.
Evening star., 1925-01-02

Many of US would regret to see
William Jennings Bryan weaken in
his assault on the Darwinian theory;
which, however scientific, is regarded
by the average individual as highly
uncomplimentary.
Evening star., 1925-01-02

New York reports the most enthu-
siastic and unrestrained New Year
celebrations in its history. According
to all accounts the occasion was even
more hilariously impressive than the
Democratic national convention.