davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1925-12-30
Washington Weather.

Members of Congress who have re
Gently been complaininc of Washing
tons terrible climate" and making
suggestions for the removal Of the
Capital are requested to note that re
ports from Argentina give the tenn
perature of that fair South American
republic as over 100 degrees.
Buenos Aires sweltered III lol. with
fifteen heat proStrations: Rosa rio, the
second largest city, likewise, had l"l
degrees, while in the northern prov
ince, Santiago Del Estero. the temlera-
ture was more than 10 degrees in
the shade.
All" shouts the opposition. This
is Summer in South America and YOU
may as well say that Washington has
q better temperature than the Mohave
Desert. Better give Us something
more convincing"
All right" answers the Washing
tonian, IF you want something really
convincing look over last Summer $
temperature record for Washington
and it will be seen that the average
was slightly over 20 degrees"
SO that, taking il all in all. there
are many worse places in the world
than the National Capital and few bet
ter Washington seldom reaches the
l00-degree mark and is never unity
able. and it backs up Its claims by
official records.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1925-12-30
Good Police Work.

4 rema ~kalae example of heads
up" police work WAS furnished yester-
Gay by Detective Frank Alligood in
his capture of the Childs restaurant
bandit. SpottinS the criminal at
Seventh and L, streets. before he had
committed an overt act, the detective,
acting on Il bunch" followed in his
wake until he entered the restaurant.
Taking up Il position just outside, Ali
good waited developments They We're
not hong delayed. Suddenly the re
NulNinS doors spun wildly and the
bandit dashed out. closely pursued by
an intrepid waitress The detective
joined the chase and cornered his man
in the basement Of the Willard Hotel.
Alli-ooG one OF the smallest men on
the detective force and one of the
nuiastuys Of the department in auto
mobile recovery work. is rapidly be
coming known as Washington best
and finest bandit capturer. Nhen
three men attempted to rob Andrew
Beckett. the faithful messenger of
+ rank t. Jeilei1, lew DAYS ago. IL
WAS AlliSvod and another detective
who provided the finishing touches 10
this sensational affair by capturing
the hiGhwaymen.
Police work NJ the kind shown by
Detective Alicood cannot be com
n'ended too highly. He has demon
slrated that he is an ever-watchful
guardian NJ the interests of the com,
munity, and that he possesses to a
high degree that intuition which en-
ables men To reach the peak in their
chosen endeaNor.
With such men AS Alligood on the
force criminals of all descriptions
would do well to give Washington the
''.o-by" Citizens of the District hope
that word will go out through the IN
ii. l'word that the National Capital is
the one place where criminals are
spotted before they do more than step
of the train. and that this is an un-
healthy town in which To operate
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1925-12-30
A RIGID Determination.

Promising himself since he was
fourteen years old that when he
made a million he would quit work. =
Joseph s. Donovan, president of a
motor car company of Boston. has an
uounced that he will retire on New
Year day.
Thirty-one years ago. while working
as an apprentice mechanic in the
shops Of the New York Central Rail
road at ten cents an hour. young
Donovan told a group of grease
smeared companions that "a million
dollars would be enough for him." and
admonished them to watch his smoke
when he went after it.
Today at the age of forty-five Mr..
Donovan has announced that his goal
has been reached, and that he intends
to devote the playtime of his life to
eolfing and travelling.
There is nothing particu larIy re.
markable in this story except the rigid
determination which has held Mr.
Donovan to his appointed task. He
probably had many discouraging mo.
ments, moments when his dream OF a
million seemed impossible of fulfill
nent. but despite these handicaps he
forged always steadily forward. Thus
hard work and conscientious endeavor
triumph again. and Mr.. Donovan can
enjoy to its fullest. free from worries
the life span that is left TO him.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1925-12-30
A National Meeting Place.

DEFINITE appointment of Mai. L. :.
Grant Bird, as successor to Lieut. Col.
{. Q. Sheriff. as director of public
buildings and parks is announced to-
LAY as confirming the unofficial Selec-
ton previously reported. ON the eve
81 taking office Maj. Grant, who has
tur some time served as Col Sheriff.. S
nide, declared his intention to pursue
The same policy as his predecessor in
The development of the Capital. One
If the features of the general plan
which he favUrs with especial EN-
phnsis is I stadium for athletic com
netitions and great public outdoor as
m0la5es.
The proposal for stadium for
Washington has often been advanced.
but with no definite progress toward
it, 1t was preached some wears ago
when the first of the olympic games
we're held abroad, and ut each recur.
renee OF that great event the thought
has been expressed in many quarters
that Washington should be equipped
with facilities for holding the interna-
ttonal meet here. Should the Olympic
games ever come To the United States
they would, unless great stadium
were erected here. of necessity have
10 be staged in some other CITY. The
capital could not effectively bid for
he honor of entertaining the athletes
81 the world, although in all cases
when the meets have been held in
Europe the capital cities have been
he scene of the contests.
IN ideal location for a great sta.
dunn is afforded by Potomac Park,
easy of access. ample of dimensions
md in all respects suitable In the
plans for the development of Potomac
lark such a stadium has been a fea-
lure for a long time. II has been
lately proposed that the plan for a
Roosevelt Memorial, which contem.
plates Il double colonnade and foun-
tain near the Washington Monument.
should be changed to the form af a
great stadium named in honor of the
President who was so distinctly a
lover of the outdoor life and whose ex-
ample set wholesome standard of
living for the youth of America.
Washington should have a complete
equipment for all forms of national
Expression. A stadium would repre-
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1925-12-30
A Fire Lesson.

BY Very good fortune Washington
was spared a great confiag~ation Mon
day afternoon when 4 serious FIRE in
the business district was confined 10
the initial premises 10y reason of
prompt response and effective worl.
by the Fire Department. The margin.
however, was slender Conditions for
effective fire fighting were adverse.
With intense cold and sharp winds pre-
vailinC. \ margin of few minute
alone saved the city from Il disaster
Of magnitude
This fire fortunately kept to con-
1aratlNely small loss, il Il warming of
he risk that is run in keeping the
apital on the basis of fire lighting
With uttered water. drawn from ii
limited supply. Had the blaze spread
beyond the immediate control of the
ire Department the water sl:pply
would have been exhausted in a short
time, unless all residential use of
Mater We're cut off in order to con-
tentrate the supply in the mains feed
ing the scene of the confederation.
y hlSh-pressure water service for
IRE nghtinS III the business district is
- obviously needed in this city that
repetition OF the demand for its in
>laHatlon cannot be too urgent OF in
SlStent. The fact that the city has
been spared sweeping fire for many
Years does not warrant the belief that
Il will continue thus to escape dis
aSter. Any day such blaze may &C
cur, finding the Fire Department help
J. SIS before the flames that have got
neyond control through lack of water
II Is only by keeping the fires down to
iirst location through swift response
and effective action in the tirst lew
minutes that the margin of safety is
maintained.
This city exposure 10 risk from dis
aslrouS ContidSrdtion through lack Of
proper water supply for fire night.
Ing is recognized by the insurance
companies, which insist upon ii higher
rate of premium than should prevail.
The fact that the Government does
not insure its property should have
no weight in the argument that in
SLallation of high-presSure service
would effect a reduction or would per.
laps prevent an increase in premiums
The United Sites possesses an enor-
nous value in structures and in their
contents Ut the Capital and should be
deeply concerned in the adoption Of
every possible means Tor their pres
erNation. \ high-pressure system is
one Of the most definite Of the means
I" that end.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1925-12-30
THE PROBLEM OF THE RAILROADS
Il-Enormous Increase in Taxes
BY J. E.. DAYS.
Director General OF Railroads OF the United States,

The effect Of the World War has
been reflected in all kinds of eNtraVa-
EanCes. from the living expenses Of
the individual on through various
forms of organized business. ESpe-
cially is this true in our public en-
penses and the taxes made necessary
10 meet these inCrea sed expenditures.
II seems that every taxing body
the township, the city. the county. the
State and the Nation-have so in
creased public charges that the aGgre-
gate is appalling. and in many in
stances becomes a real hardship, APP
preaching contisCation. Not satisfied
with taxing beyond limits while YOU
are alive. the authorities pursue your
estate and your heirs after death. so
that many prudent persons are now
arranging their affairs 50 they may
die in Florida. where punishment after
death is committed to the spiritual
rather than undertaken by the tenn
poral powers.
Railroads are peculiarly subject to
excessive taxation. Not only are they
obliged to make public reports. diScloS-
in with much particularly all the
property, visible and invisible. which
they have. but most of their property
is of a character that it's extent and
value is easily disclosed and is n
tempting target for the assessing au-
thortieS.
Again. they are subject to great
variety of public charges. In addition
to ordinary taxes. there are income
taxes. occupation licenses, corporation
renewal fees, charges for the right to
do business, taxes for special improve.
ments. streets, roads. drainage prof
ects and grade crossings.
1t is said that railroads pay in pub
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1925-12-30
WASHINGTON OBSERVATIONS
BY FREDERIC WILLIAM VILE.

for the education in America of de
serving Persian students. II is suC
Cest ted that. if established. the fund he
known as the Imhrie Foundation"
Henry w. Toll Of Denver. a bril-.
liant young member of the Colorado
State Senate and nephew of Il once
famous Senator of the United States.
the late and eloquent Edward q. VOL
colt. is the author of Il dLrertinC pro-
posal. He suggests the formation uf
an american legislators ASsociH-
tom 1t would consist of every mem
Der of each State Legislature and of
the United States Congress. No one
else would he eligible to join. The
association would hold an annual
meeting. Mr.. Tolls scheme is based
on the theory that State. and National
legislators nave an immense number
Of things in common. which could he
considered and settled. through unof-
fetal contacts. in Il manner inCalcula-
oily valuable to their respective States
and to the Nation. The Colorado n
thinks there might, with profit, be
similar leagues of governors. score
taries of state. attorneys general.
treaSurers, commissioners of public
utilities, banks, taxation and health
Why not national league of lobby.
lists. too?
Senator William =. Mckinley of
Illinois is candidate for renomina-
ton and reelection in 1926. and is
said to be strongly intrenched. But
apparently he's running no unneces-
sary chances. One of his methods Of
inSratiatinS himself with the people
of the State is the wholesale diStribu-
ton of pipe organs to towns and cities
which have churches assembly halls
or public buildings into which the
favorite instrument of Andrew Carne-
gle and Charles NJ. SChwab will fit
All over the Prairie State, from windy
Chicago to sun-kissed Egypt. melody
from Mckinley organs now ma kes
life Sweeter. The Senator's managers
are confident that it will blend into
votes by the time primary day rolls
around next year.
One of the finest commemorative
volumes ever published in the United
States will shortly leave the press.
it is the log of the American Bar
Associations celebrated trip TO Great
Britain in July. 1924, over which
Charles Evans Hughes presided with
so much aplomb. James Montgomery
Beck. former Solicitor General of the
United States, who was one of the
star orators of the joint Anglo Ameri-
can meetings in London, is writing an
introduction to the volume. 1t will
consist of a detailed account of the
relations between the bars of the
two countries. These are nearly half
q century old. One of their most
notable episodes was the visit paid to
New York in 1882 by Lord Chief
Justice Coleridge of England. The
forthcoming volume will reproduce all
of the speeches made at the London
meetings of 1924 by Mr.. Hughes and
the other eminent American and
British jurists who took part in them
The souvenir will be issued in n very
limited edition and distributed by the
Americap Bar Association to only n
few particularly noteworthy partici-
pants in the historic conclave.
tCoDyright. 1921
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1925-12-30

lie charges a greater percentage Of
their earnings than any other business
enterprise.
In 1911 the taxes paid hv class
roads aggregated s2S e27 900 and div.
dends paid for the same wear ac.,re
gated 1897 ,069.00o In 1928. II wears
later. the taxes paid by the same roads
aggregated s331.915,o00. while the divi-
bends paid We're but S34e. GOO an
Increase in taxes of so33oSS 0oo . M,
decrease in dividends of more ,han
$50 .0O0.0 900.
Inc taxing of public service Corpo.
fauons presents curious anomaly in
government Freight and passenger
rates have frequently been called a
tax. so one branch of the Government
increases the ordinary taxes. and an
other branch, to enable the company
10 repay these taxes. increases the
rates, and the waste incident to the
collection and expenditure of these
amounts. and the regulation Of the
carriers in this matter is very large
amount, which the people ultimately
pay.
OF course. this increase in taxation
has not been applicable alone to rail
roads and their property. 1t has ap-
piled to all property and all persons,
and especially TO farm property. sta
tlStics put out by the Agricultural De
partment show that between 1914 ant
1872 the taxes on farm property hav,
more than doubled. In MANY in
stances the tax per acre for 1922 on
improved farm land equaled the fair
rental value of the property in 1914
President Coolidge struck a happy
chord when he said:
The collection of any taxes which
are not absolutely required. which do
not beyond reasonable doubt contrib
ute to the public welfare. is only a
species of lesalized larceny"
The farmers and the railroads. If
they only understood each other. have
much in common. Both are suffering
to a large extent from the same
causes. Both suffer from increased
cost of labor in operation; both suffer
from the fact that they pay more in
proportion for what they have to buy
than the price they get for what they
have to sell. and both are suffering
from excessive increases in the line Of
taxation. united effort on their
part to reduce public charges would
be more profitable than the insistent
demand to reduce rates below the
level that will insure efficient service
A 2o per cent reduction in taxes
would insure to the individual more
direct profit than a rs per cent re
duction in freight rates
BY proper economy in the conduct
OF our various governments. this re
duction in taxes could be made with
out detrlment TO the public service.
Any substantial general reduction in
rates would destroy the solvency of
the rail carriers, and any reduced eff
cheney in service result in very great
loss to the producers Of tonnage which
niiAt h, moved by. rail
tCoprri-ht. 1921
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1925-12-30

financial reform with the support Of
Der of Deputies. Upon the meeting of
the cabinet 10 Vote upon the finance
program there were no designations
and the Deumer proposals were APP
proved. Thus with unanimous min
istiy BrianI goes to the chamber for IA
sustaining vote. which in the circum
stances is now expected.
This adjustment at Paris is hearten.
ing 10 the friends of France who have
for some time feared thatthe spirit of
radiCalism as manifested in the pres
ent representative body would bring
the government to the point Of col
lapse. \ general election would. it is
hoped. yield more conservative
chamber. one disposed To proceed with
financial rehabilitation along con.
structive lines. Dissolution of the
parliament and a call for an election
would, however. be an extraordinary
move, itself critical. The problem of
the premier is TO work out financial
reform program without precipitatinS
such Il crisis if possible. BRAND ap-
pears to have done SO at least through
the stage of cabinet unity.
In his unifyinS move Premier BRAND
was more than dictatoriai. lie mani
tested spirit of compromise, placat-
ing the radicals of the cabinet with Il
promise To incorporate in future meas.
,res certain features which the radi.
cal party has favored. The prime pur-
pose is To get cabinet and chamber ap-
proval of the budget balancing meas
ure of Finance Minister Doumer.
easy, although rocks lie ahead.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1925-12-30
BRAND Quells Revolt.

Premier BRAND has saved the sit
uation in France for the present at
least by q stroke of strategy which
has quelled opposition to the minis
try's finance plan in the radical-social-
list ranks. Four of the members Of
the cabinet were blocking ministerial
sanction of the Doumer measures. The
premier definitely informed them that
they could accept the finance pro.
posals or resign. in which case he
would fill their places from the right
wing. This meant that he was ready
TO ignore the left and to fight out his
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1925-12-30
THIS AND THAT
BY CHARLES E. TRACEHELL.

/ The sensitive spirit shrinks from
50 much pother about nothing.
Our minor faults ought to he over
/ looked, for we are only human.
Men and wonderland children.
too-must have faults.
They are the safety valves of life.
Without them, living would. indeed.
be the vale of tears it has been pic
tured by a few dismal ones more in
tent on saving others than them.
selves.
The fact that n man chooses to
wear an old fioppy hat has little, if
anything, to do with his real mission
in life.
Yet, to hear some talk. one might
imagine the Conduct of Life is con-
cerned mainly with the problem of
wearing. atop ones head, the exact
style of hat decreed by unknown per
sons setting themselves up as arbi-
ters Of fashion.
Those who have achieved such a
dangerous eminence in this world AK
to think so. deserve, rather, our com
miseration than our envy.
The ancient curse still hangs over
| the heads of most of us. and if we
earn our living in the sweat of our
brow, intellectual or otherwise. we
have tile time to bother with the
.. *. of the hat makers
We are, rather. concerned with de.
serving that still more ancient praise:
HE walks in the shadow Of his own
hat brim.
= Il :.
The ways of happiness and peace
on earth are forwarded by speaking
| consistently behind the backs of
others.
If YOU have any captious criticism.
any mean slur in your heart against
another. spill il into the ear of a
companion, rather than into the face
of the innocent offender.
Take IL out" on the helpless air
| well behind his back. rather than to
his face.
Spend your meanncss in the alb
Sence of your friend. :" that friend
ship may not he Sullied later.
In this way YOU may stay on AMIGA
hle terms with all. and AT the same
time satisfy the propensity OF human
nature in this regard.
For just as small faults are the
safety valves of living. SO talking be
hind the back" is the overflow pipe of
friendship.
There are no two friends. however
wen defended in their friendship. but
have various and Sundry loopholes in
They had need be girt with more
than the Christians panoply of virtue
ii they mean their Kindness 10 endure
in the face of too much or unneces.
sary plain speaking.
BY all means let us talk behind the
backs Of our friends
Whenever the spirit Of criticism
weighs rs down. So that we feel in
clincd to speak ont let US retire 10
the haven of another friend and 10
him--or her-divulge the evils We
would fain get rid of.
The process is pleasant.
Knocking is one name FOR IL.
panninG another BY whatever
lame. the thing has its uses.
'Tis q universal failing. although
very few will ever admit il especially
in print.
Tell mo to my face. rather than
talk behind my back"-hah,
Never tell him t" his face. but al.
WAYS talk behind his back
Thus. and thus only, does friend
ship. put To 50 many tests at best en-.
dure.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1925-12-30

II would. rather have "A man tell me
10 my face than talk behind my
back"
So he said. and he meant il, but he
Was wrong
Think what a world this would he
every one in it began To speak
out plainly,
Nine out of ten repeat the old plati,
tude. Tell me Ia my face" they
say.
Yet the nine probably are in error.
with but one in the correct minority.
such IL often the case. Numbers do
not make right, any more than might
does
The plain truth of this matter tat
least as one sees it-and how else
can truth be VisionedD Is that no
except when it is favorable.
There Is no occa sion for being sur.
prised at this
our frail human nature is such
mat all OF us arc very touchy.
some merely manage to conceal f.,
better than others, that is all.
Probably the trouble in Eden began
"hen one of the original Old Settlers
toih the other that she wished God
had left his old rib alone.
rain speaking. indeed.
Let us have plenty of high thipl,
ing, but leave the out;eooken truth to
The next world. where it will be better
received than in this. or not neces
safE, which would be better all around
Inc perfectly frank individual has
peen creating trouble in the civilized
world too long as il is
ife-or She-SOeS around causing
.orroW under the guise of being help.
Inl. lle-Or She--cauSes more misery
10y Speaking than could he created in
century of speechlessness. He--or
she-hrinSs discord. not help.
iiecall any one of the Truthful
Jameses YOU know
W hat have they ever done in theil.
unNdrnished lives of plain speaking
except cause dissenSion and brinc.
unha ppiness?
This is partly because such real
Calamity James always choose Ia tell
the truth about trivial things.
Never once in their diSacreenble
lres do they single out some real
fault. and bring it IL uS on u silver
platter.
Then they might do MS some real
good
If they would put the searchlicht of
their caustic tongues on some really
liidleiidl error In our way nf think
ms or acting, they might b. FOR.
given though hated
This they never do. however
Their precious plain speaking i
confined To telling us OF some utterly
inconsequential fault one which had
much better he overlooked
What difference does Il make, in
this huge world. whether our shoes
are blackened or no? Who cares q
Whoop? Where is the Government
commission that will investigate the
state of our boots and report 10
Congress on the dismal unbIackened
condition of our pedal eNtremities?
Surely there iS some other fault
about us. either inward or outward.
that better deserves the sting of an
acid tongue. the wholesome acid of
unmitigated criticism. the helpful
mean of the truth
Why will our plain speaker touch
upon none of these things which
MIGHT save us Ia a better life here.
and our souls from the burning there.
but must contine himself solely To the
ls"k OF backing upon our shoes?