davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1925-06-18
Fires and Car Blockades.

A fire in the business district
today caused a prolonged tie-up of
cars on Pennsylvania avenue at an
hour when the morning traffic was
heaviest. Fire hose had to be
stretched across the tracks and be-
fore hose bridges could be erected
the cars were lined up for several
blocks on each side. BY the time the
bridges were raised and the tracks
cleared nearly the entire rolling stock
Of the line had accumulated and
service was consequently at a com.
plete standstill.
Naturally in case Of a fire the first
thing to do is to get water on the
flames. The traffic is of secondary
Importance to the extinguishment of
the blaze. A few minutes delay may
mean the spread Of the fire and the
values, perhaps loss of life. In the
case of a fire in the business section
or even 10 steamers are at work,
or more in case of a general alarm,
The street car company must attend
to it's own business of getting the
tracks cleared to permit the passage
Of the cars.
It may be assumed that the car
companies do their utmost to clear
the way for the operation of the
lines. They cannot interfere in any
way with the work OF the Fire De.
partment The firemen must be per-
mitted to stretch line after line of
hose as the occasion requires. and
it is obviously a difficult task to erect
bridges quickly while the fire fighters
are continuing to run their hose. The
public may be assured that no effort
t. spared to effect the speediest re-
Evening star., 1925-06-18
The New York Mayoralty Problem.

Conferences have just been held at
Albany between Gov. Smith, Tammany
Leader Olvaney, Brooklyn Leader
McCooey and Bronx Leader Flynn re-
garding the question of the Greater
New York mayoralty. The upshot of
these discussions appears to be that
Gov. Smith is strong for the can
ming" of Mayor Hylan, that Leaders
Olvaney and Flynn are non-committal,
and that McCooey is for Hylan's re-
nomination and election unless a bet
ter man can be brought forward upon
whom the Democrats of Manhattan,
Brooklyn and the Bronx can unite.
This attitude on the part of McCooey
has caused some surprise, for it was
understood that he was not particu-
larly favorable to Hylan for a third
term. He in effect joined a boom for
a Brooklyn man other than HyIsn for
the mayoralty. He Joined the Tam
many Society and smoked the pipe
with the grand sachem. But then
Mayor Hylan named a ferryboat after
him, and he and the mayor Jointly
welded the saw that sent the craft
off the launching ways. 1t begins to
appear that McCooey is playing both
ends against-the4 4middleaand- seeking
Evening star., 1925-06-18
Deadly Trolley Poles.

The tragic accident on the Klingle
Bridge the other night has caused
renewal Of the demand that the trolley
poles be removed from the center of
Connecticut avenue. One of these
poles, it is believed. was a factor in
the mishap, which cost three lives.
The traffic on this highway is heavy,
not only at the point of the accident.
but far beyond. The poles are plant
ed in the center Of the street and If
the traffic is steady there is no dan.
ger. But in conditions Of congestion,
distractions are a positive danger.
A few years ago an effort was made
to establish the street railway tracks
along Connecticut avenue extended
as an exclusive right of way for the
railroad company by constructing
concrete curbs at the sides Of the car
lines, which made access to the tracks
practically impossible to motor cars
These curbs were the cause Of nu-
merous accidents and Were even
tUd4Iy removed, III response TO an I'M
perative public demand. 1t proved
to be impossible to keep the vehicular
traffic off the tracks, which are nat
urally part of the highway.
AS long as the car tracks are ac-
cessible to motor cars-of course at
the risk of drivers-the trolley poles
become serious menace In such con-
ditions as prevail on Connecticut ave-
nue.. There is no difference, in fact,
between that portion of the highway
beyond Rock Creek and that part
which lies within the area Of under
ground conduction. The time has
indeed long since passed when the
''plow pitt should have been estab-
lished far out beyond its present To-
cation. Washington is only partly
protected from the menace and the
nuisance Of the overhead trolley SO
long as these poles remain within the
area. Of heavy traffic.
Evening star., 1925-06-18
Human Error and Disaster.

A motorman on a New York ele-
waited railroad, taking his car out of
station last evening. dropped his
glove. He had just glimpsed another
train on the track about hundred
yards ahead, but he thought 1t was
moving. He stopped to pick up his
glove. and by the time he had re-
gained it and Strengthened up his
train was in collision. The train
ahead was not in motion. The result
was that 40 passengers were seriously
injured, and a greater disaster was
averted only by the promptness of a
city fireman who happened to be on
the train and who extinguished flames
that had started in the wreckage.
Here is the human error" so often
a factor in transportation accidents
The motorman thought" the train
ahead was in motion. He thought"
he had time to pick up his glove. He
was wrong in both matters.
This man had been a motorman on
the elevated lines in New York for
seven years without having an acci-
dent, and yet he blundered grievous.
ly. Many another accident OF the
rails has occurred in just such cir
cumstances. experienced operatives
making mistakes of judgment.
1t is the record of the human
error" in transportation mishaps that
makes the establishment Of automatic
trainstops imperative. Had there
been such a system on the New York
IL" yesterdays collision would not
have occurred. The motorman could
have dropped his glove and stopped
to pick it up, and could have made
his mistake OF thinking that the train
ahead was in motion without causing
a collision. A mechanical device is
a necessary supplement to the judg-
ment and experience of even the most
highly trained operatives, all of whom
are liable to lapses.
Evening star., 1925-06-18

an advantage Of position that will
enable him to be the sponsor OF the
winning candidate and at the same
time insure the success of his own
county ticket.
These maneuvers have their bearing
upon the national political situation.
Gov. Smith is known to be definitely
opposed to a third term for Hylan.
He rejects the HylanHearst alliance.
He is willing to force Hylan to run
independently with Hearst's support
If Hylan is renominated as a regular
ca ndidate Smith will suffer in his pres
tige as the State leader Of his party,
whatever the result, though he would
perhaps derive some satisfaction from
Il defeat. If Hylan is rejected by
Tammany and runs independently,
and both he and the Tammany candi-
date are beaten by Republican nomi-
nee, Smith must share the RESPONSE
bility for the loss of the city admins.
tration. If Hylan is rejected by Tam.
many and is beaten as an Independent,
of who may be elected.
Smith must bear the brunt of the
blame and in any later campaign will
be the victim of reprisal by Hylan's
friends.
So it is to be seen that the governor
faces embarrassments and Leader Nc
Cooey of Brooklyn stands to make the
largest winning. That Gov. Smith
plans to return to private life at the
close of his present term as governor
a year from next January is not
viewed as at all likely. He may want
to get out of the political game. but
forces which were strongly in evil
dence year ago at Madison Square
Garden are operating to keep him in
the political arena.
Evening star., 1925-06-18
Building Limit Urged.
Restriction on Height Held Key
to Traffic Problems.
To the Editor of The Star,

To the Editor Of The Star:
Many of the leading magazines and
newspapers are devoting much space
to the ity-planning problems of
overcrowded cities, how to relieve
trafi1c congestion, zoning laws, etc.
Practically all Of the suggestions
made for relief of these almost in.
tolerable conditions, which are grow
ing worse and always increasingly
costly to remedy, lay the greatest
stress upon more transportation and
greater speed.
Those two remedies are temporary
expedients at best, because as soon as
more transportation is provided or
greater speed is allowed, or both, prop
erty owners in the congested centers
Immediately add more floors to old
buildings or erect new buildings with
floor space equal to all the traffic
will carry"
Only a few years ago a building
or floors was a rarity, then 10
then 20, then 30, then 40. then so:
now 1t is proposed to erect buildings
SO stories in height in the coneested
centers Of population. But always
these investment enterprises" are
conditioned on transportation facili.
tles-primarily surface transportation
by subway, surface or elevated, as
perpendicular transportation is onIy
a secondary consideration.
Hence, as soon as a community is
willing to tax itself to provide more
transportation room to relieve present
traffic congestion. enterprisine in.
vestors take up the slack" for their
individual profit, and, therefore, to the
community's loss, since the commu.
nifty must foot all the bills to provide
more room for increased transporta.
ton. Here, then, each community is
faced with vicious circle of traffic
congestion problems that increase in
cost to relieve each time It is at
tempted.
A New York City planning expert
now suggests that the East River be
drained to provide more Surface"
transportation room, and further sue.
gests that New York City Is threat.
ened" with triple street levels. Such
facilities being provided, it is reason
able to presume that enterprising in.
vestors will erect more high build
ings with greater floor space sufficient
to take UP the slack" in transporta.
ton room thus provided at the com.
munity's expense.
The remedy, and the only remedy,
is to limit the height of new build
ingS. GROVER WARREN AYERS
Evening star., 1925-06-18

per year in this city, and an award
of 81 900 to the estates OF these parties
for dependents would absorb 500, 900
Of this fund. But 100 claims for
dependents is not to be anticipated,
because a large majority of these
deceased will have none depending on
them for support.
For each wage-earner incapacitated,
give him $40 per week as long as
unable to work. with a maximum of
Is weeks. For the loss of q limb,
$1,000; the loss of an eye, $1,000;
permanent blindness, $4,000; and
surgical and hospital attention extra,
and other losses or injuries will be
listed and graded.
There might be q roar Of protests
by the autoists at this imposition in
consequence of the transgressions of
certain of the profession, but a de-
crease of the accidents will result in
the decrease in license fees and the
millennium may arrive when there will
be no accident and consequently no
fund. ,.
This fund will be in the keeping of
one Of the municipal treasurers and
a board composed of desirable officials,
who shall decide upon the awards
These awards will not be numerous
and the board, at one meeting week,
might clean on the slate.
JAMES u DUHANEI.
Evening star., 1925-06-18
Wheat Gambling.

Wheat, its production and market
ing have been big factors in the
prosperity or lack of prosperity in the
past in many of the States. Owing
to a number Of circumstances, which
included a short crop in some OF
the other wheat-producing countries,
wheat staged a comeback" last year,
which materially aided the agricul-
tural States of the West and North
west suffering from depression due
to low prices. It aided, too, in wiping
out some of the discomfort which was
leading to radicalism. and in the vic
tory of the Republican party at the
polls.
Not unnaturally, the Government,
the administration at Washington,
may be expected to keep a close watch
on what happens to wheat during the
present year. Another slump in wheat
prices when the farmer has wheat to
sell would be a severe blow to the
prosperity which, in a measure, has
come back to some Of the agricultural
areas of the country. Furthermore,
il probably would be a severe blow
TO Republican hopes of carrying many
of the congressional districts and
States in the election next year.
The complaint of the wheat farmer.
and the charge made by the men who
have sought to stir the farmer to
revolt, has been that the price of
wheat is manipulated by the specu-
lators and gamblers and has little or
nothing to do with the supply and
demand. The play Of the gamblers,
it is said, has been to force the price
of wheat low when the farmer, the
producer, has wheat to sell, and when
it is out of the hands Of the farmer
to force prices up and down in order
to make a speculative profit
The Government, through Secretary
Jardine of the Department Of Agri-
culture, is now engaged in an investi-
cation of the bear raid on wheat
last Spring, which forced prices
down. 1t now is reported that the
operations of a single man, Jesse H.
Livermore of New York, included the
selling of more than 50,000,000 bushels
Of wheat from January 1 to April 1
of this year. On some days his deal
ings mounted to 100000 bushels, and
at times, the records are said to show
he was as much as 10000 900 bushels
short"
The magnitude Of such transactions
In a staple foodstuff, of which Mr..
Livermore did not produce, or even
make use OF, a single bushel, empha-
sizes the need Of tightening Of the
regulations governing the grain ex-
changes. To permit any one to jug
gle the prices Of grain through
manipulations Of this kind would in.
dicate a lack Of proper government.
Both producers and consumers suffer
while few individuals are enriched
to the extent of millions of dollars.
II the Chicago Board Of Trade and
other grain exchanges do not clean
house to prevent such gambling, then
It may be expected that Congress will
be called upon to enact a Federal
law to limit such trading. Secretary
Jardine has already outlined to the
Chicago Board Of Trade reforms
which it should make, and the action
of that board will be watched with
much interest here in Washington.
Evening star., 1925-06-18
ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
BY FREDERIC ]. HASKIN.

same thing may be said to be true
that is, that all operators formerly
engaged in handling local traffic are
eliminated.
H. E.
A. The hemp plant proper is a
native of that part of Asia that in
cludes China, India and Persia. Its
culture has been common, however, to
many portions of the world in both
tropical and temperate climates. 1t
was used by the Scythians $500 years
ago, and was probably known to the
Chinese and Europeans much earlier.
In the United States the bulk Of its
crop at present is grown in Kentucky
and California.
Q. When was the table Of trick and
honor values changed in auction
bridge?-D. NJ. r.
A The value Of the suits in use
now-clubs 6. diamonds z. hearts 8,
spades 9, no trumps 10-was fixed by
the Whist Club Of New York, Novem-
Der, 1913.
@. Do white violets grow in the
United States?-A. J. /.
A. They do grow in the Northern
part Of the United States. They are
known as Alba violets and Canadian
white violets.
O. How many centimeters are
equal to a nicrofarad and to one
henry?-W. o.
A 1t takes s9S,920 centimeters to
equal l microfarad, and 1000, 100000
centimeters l henry. In electricity
the henry Is the unit Of inductance
and the mocrofarad the unit of con-
venient size for measuring electrical
capacity.
O. How did the expression "a far
cry" meaning a long distance, come
into use?-A. c.
A. 1t is an allusion to the practice
of sending a crier or messenger
through the territory Of q Scottish
clan to give announcements of sum-
mons.
Q. Can post cards bearing pictures
Of paintings in the Metropolitan Art
Gallery be bought there?-H. B. w.
A To the left of the main entrance
of the Metropolitan Museum OF Art
there is a department where one may
purchase colored postals on which are
reproduced certain of the well known
paintings on exhibition in the gallery.
Q. When were grandfather clocks
first made?-G. G.
A. They came into existence be-
tween 1860 and 1870.
TASK Uncle Sam about it through
| the WdShin oton Information Bureau
| Of The Star. All knowledge the Coz
ernnlent is gaining through research
and Investigation is dUdildble to you
| Don't hesitate to make your 1CdntS
| knolCn. A 2-cent stamp tCiH bring
you the information you need. This
| serrice is for all readers Of The Star
| and is designed to be helpful to oil
| lcho dUdil themselves of it An efec-
| the clearing house betlceen the GoU-
| ernnert and the people 1oiU aid you
| and it is yours for the asking Ad-
| dress goEr 7cdntS to The Star Infor-
| nation Bureau, Frederic j. HdSkin,
director. TUenty-frSt and C streets
| aorthtCeSt./
Evening star., 1925-06-18

Q. What names are most common
in the United States?-R. c.
A. In a survey Of surnames which
was made when the United States
entered the World War, it was found
that in the Army, Navy and Marine
Corps there were Sc names which ap-
peared on the rolls more than 1000
times. Smith led, with Johnson, Brown,
Williams, Jones, Miller, Davis and
Anderson following.
Q. How fast does cavalry horse
walk 30. l..
A. The regulation walk Of a cav
airy horse is the same as any other
horse-about four miles an hour.
@. In the qualifying round of golf
tournament player failed to putt out
on one green, having missed short
putt, and picked up his ball and walk
ed of to the next tee. He turned in
a score. Should he have been dis
qualified?-I. H. S.
A. The player disqualified himself
when he failed to hole out his final
putt unless before he played from
the next tee he returned to the green,
replaced his ball and made the final
putt, and then charged himself with
penalty of two strokes. If he turned
in score under the conditions he
should have been disqualified. More
over, the player who was playing the
have been disqualified for certifying
a score that was not correct.
@. What is the Japanese name for
the lacQuered SWeetmeat boXes?-A. L.
A. They are called ''kwashi-bachi." !"
The art of lacquer work was first
known to the Chinese and taught by
m aYPl1
in it.
q. Is there a Back to Eden"
movement abroad in which people are
required or persuaded to go without
clotheS?-W. T. K.
A. In Central Europe, and notably
in Germany, there are a number Of
so-called nude cults, the members of
which make q practice Of going with
out clothes. Estimates as to the
number Of men and women identified
with the cults vary from 100000 to
3,000,0 900. The names of some of these
organizations are: The Band Of Sun
Friends, the German League of Clubs
for Life and Health in Conforming
With Nature, Nacktkultur and the
Working Fellowship Of the German
Alliance Of Crusaders for the Light.
@. To what extent do automatic
telephones do away with telephone
operators?-R. n. NJ.
A. The Automatic Electric Co.
SAYS that when a telephone sys-
tenn in a small town or city of mod
crate size is converted to automatic.
all of the operators formerly engaged
in setting up local connections are
eliminated, leaving only sufficient op-
orators to take care of long service,
information, complaints, etc. These
special services require the same op-
Grating force as the former manual
system. The percentage Of opera
tors used for local service is vari
able and runs from 80 to 40 per cent
| to 90 per cent. depending on the size
of the exchange and the local traffic
or service conditions. In large city
| when conversion is made. one oI
| two Offices at a time, the question OF
| operator reduction becomes very com
plex, but in a very general way the
Evening star., 1925-06-18

The old Arkansas celebrity who
would not mend his roof in dry
weather because it did not need it, and
who let it go when 1t rained because
he was unable to work, seems to have
outlined policy for a municipality
that forgets in Winter to provide for
bathing beaches and fails 10 foresee in
Summer the inevitable need Of future
facilities for clearing snow from the
streets. The subject of prepared.
ness is one with many angles.
Evening star., 1925-06-18

sumption of service and should and
doubtless Is gratified that as a result
Of the prompt and efficient work Of
the Fire Department blazes in the
city's business area are kept to small
proportions. The Inconvenience Of
blockaded car line is slight compared
with the savings in property due to
the speedy and liberal use Of hose.
Evening star., 1925-06-18
SHOOTING STARS.
BY PHILANDER JOHNSON.
Fair Enough.

Fair Enough.
Friend Mocking Bird, you make de.
rnand
Upon my cherry tree;
And then, defiantly you stand
And sing a song to me.
My bargain I esteem well made
Perhaps I may be wrong
When merely cherries I can trade
For your enhancing song.
Evening star., 1925-06-18

A Hindu fable assumes that mon
keys could talk if they chose, but
refuse to do so for fear Of being put
to work. 1t is only a fable. II the
story We're true no power on earth
could restrain the monkey from break
ing the VOW Of silence and answering
the call Of modern politico-sc scientific
discussion.
Evening star., 1925-06-18

Preparations are already being dis
cussed relating to control of the
Democratic party in 1928. Radio dev.
otees will hope that limit will be
agreed upon as to the frequency with
which Alabama will give "a votes for
Oscar Underwood.
Evening star., 1925-06-18

1t has hitherto been the privilege
OF the Vice President to maintain
political silence. Mr.. Dawes is
courageously willing to face the Sem
ate with the understanding that he
leaves that privilege to his immediate
superior in office.
Evening star., 1925-06-18

While eminent authorities are de.
batting as to what shall be taught the
small boy seeks the "old swimmin'
hole and hopes the argument will
result in a deadlock indefinitely pro-
longed.
Evening star., 1925-06-18
Antics.

do you believe your ancestors
were monkeys?"
NO" answered Senator Sorghum;
"but 1 can remember the time when
my immediate forbears were much
afraid that 1 was going to make
monkey of myself"
Evening star., 1925-06-18

The motor is the modern method
Of transportation. 1t has its place
and highways must be so supervised
as to render them safe for motor
vehicles as well as for pedestrians.
Evening star., 1925-06-18

Germany is not offering much en-.
couragement to the theory that Hin
denburg was elected as the ex-kaiser's
understudy.
Evening star., 1925-06-18

Klansmen on parade may still
effect a considerable amount Of facial
concealment If they will insist on
wearing the bell hats Introduced
by feminine fashions
Evening star., 1925-06-18

japanese insist on teaching their
language in Hawaii. Any one who has
attempted acquaintance with a Japa-
nese lexicon will sympathize with the
students.
Evening star., 1925-06-18
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MARYLAND and Virginia.
All Other States.
Member of the Associated Press.

The Associated Press is exclusively entitled
TO the Use for republication of all news dis
patches credited to IL or not otherwise cred
tied in this paper and also the Local news new,
of special dispatches herein are also reserved
Evening star., 1925-06-18

Modern civilization still has its mar
tyrs, pointing the way to the need
Of further safeguards for humanity.
The victims of motor accidents are
among them.
Evening star., 1925-06-18

Appeals to the Chinese government
are rendered somewhat doubtful by
the obvious fact that just at present
China has no government worth men
tioning.
Evening star., 1925-06-18

It needs a serious accident, in too
many cases, to demonstrate the truth
of long protest that a bridge is un-
safe.
Evening star., 1925-06-18

The Klansmen will parade without
masks. There is no use of aggra-
waiting the discomforts Of warm
weather for the sake Of a picturesque
demonstration.
Evening star., 1925-06-18

It would have been considerate Of
evolution demonstration Of political
celebrities when there was less static
on the radio.
Evening star., 1925-06-18

Every effort will be made to con-
vince President Gales that steps must
be taken to curb the high-handed
methods Of the Mexican realtor.
Evening star., 1925-06-18

Efforts to reach the North Pole
serve to call attention to DR.. Cook as
an exponent Of the motto Safety
first
Evening star., 1925-06-18

The new traffic administration has
thus far succeeded in conveying the
impression that its purpose is rather
to instruct than to terrify.
Evening star., 1925-06-18
dissatisfaction.

From our own selves we strive to flee,
Resenting dull restraint;
And what a feller'd like to be
Is mostly what he amt.