davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1926-02-26
Transplant Roosevelt
Trees to Memorial Here
To the Editor of The Star:


My attention to the article in The
Sunday Star Of February q about
NJ. Henri Correvon. the famous Eu-
ropean (Swiss) botanist, was interest
ing. Permit me to give you something
of interest to the American people
in which NJ Henri Correvon plays an
important part.
Our late President Roosevelt was a
personal friend of NJ. Henri Correvon
and always visited this gentleman in
Geneva. On his wonderful trip to
Africa Col. Roosevelt called on NJ.
Correvon, and, taking from his pocket
a handful of seeds. said, These are
Of the American silver pine" NJ. Cor
revon planted them and they have
grown to quite a size. l have tried
to interest the people who have in
charge the Roosevelt Memorial, but
have made rather poor progress to
find any encouragement in what
seems most appropriate. viz, the Sc
curing of these trees. grown in Swift
Zerland from seeds carried there by
President Roosevelt, then returned to
adorn his memorial / had the pleas
ure Of talking on Sunday with NJ.
Henri Correvon over the phone. He
was at the Swiss legation. He knew
all about my desire TO have these
trees tranSplanted to America through
the interest of my daughter. Mime.
Hugli Camp Of Bern, Switzerland,
formerly of Washington. who, having
seen these Roosevelt pines" as NJ.
Correvon calls them, decided they
should be placed around the Roosevelt
Memorial.
NJ. Correvon phoned me that it
would be a great pleasure to send
these trees to America. He would
send them to Nine. Hugli Camp in
Bern. E. ALICE CAMP.
Evening star., 1926-02-26
Bridge Accidents Due
To Reckless Driving
To the Editor Of The Star:

10 the Editor OF The Star:
The wild driving which results in
automobiles crashing through bridge
railings does not arouse any marked
intended to be used as forts, nor as
race tracks. Drivers afflicted with
the undue haste habit should take
to the meadows and race in the
marshes, first removing the cattle,
but leaving the tree stumps for
thrills" They can have lots of sport
and do little damage.
Some Of your correspondents ap-
pear no more desirous of being an
noyed by speed rules on bridges than
on streets. There is more concerned
than the matter of bridge strength.
All of the several bridges criticized
are safe for sane driving of ordinary
automobiles. Very heavy trucks must
use caution. It is pity that very
heavy trucks are not excluded alto
gether from streets and bridges, for
they are not only notorious pavement
wreckers, but in a few years Will
be noticed apprectably locally as
house wreckers as wen, bringing
down plaster and doing other damage
common to light earthquakes, which
the vibrations they cause simulate.
Very many times during the past
year I have seen wild driving to
and on the Calvert Street Bridge, at
speeds greatly in excess of bridge
and street regulations. If automo-
biles bounce off the bridge it is the
chauffeurs'. not the bridges. fault.
1t is unfortunate engineering that
causes sudden narrowing of roads at
bridge approaches. but that should
induce to caution. Racing on bridges
or past vehicles on bridges ought to
be stopped ais we'll as prohibited.
Bridge traffic should be polite, no:
connective. w. E. ALLEN.
Evening star., 1926-02-26
A Just Principle for
Civil Retirement

To the Editor of The Star:
The following is offered as a just
principle which might be considered
in drafting pension bills for Govern
ment civil employees:
That every employe alike lin this
Government of equal rights). who has
served the Government for 15 or more
years. at whatsoever period Of his life,
should be entitled to a proportionate
pension (based on period serveD from
their sixty-fifth or SEVENTEEN year on,
and not preference be given only to
those who give the last Is or more
years of their lives to the Government.
The present law makes it desirable
to enter the Government service after
40 years of age to enjoy pension
rights. Appointments under Civil
Service are somewhat difficult to pro-
cure after 40, for various reasons,
generally neceSsitating political inf1u-
ence or presidential orders.
No recognition as to pension rights
is given those who give the first Is
or more years of their life to the Gov
ernment. Would there not be much
more new blood entering the service
If employees knew they could resign
dAtcI pSIlOuS Slll
their old-age pension rights; if they
knew they did not have to stay until
the end Of time to receive pension
privileges?
Government work, generally, is be-
numbing when one does the same kind
of work for long periods of years. and
many of the business and collegiate
minds in the service would welcome a
year or less of extended leave after
| each Of such (say Is, 20, 25 and 80
year, periods to try their wings in
other fields. Such a policy of leaves
would not only be upbuilding to the
| individual, but the Government would
receive better service from the en-.
ploye should he return again to the
Government service.
Why do the Army, Navy and
Marine Corps have liberal pension
systems? Is 1t not because Legislation
has been put through for these organ
izations? Is not the Civil Service as
valuable to the country In time Of
peace as the military? Also are we
not all citizens under the same flag
and thereby are we not entitled to
similar pensions? +. M. DAWSON.
Evening star., 1926-02-26
The Michigan Avenue Crossing.

In the course Of a hearing before
a Senate District subcommittee the
other day on the proposal to eliminate
the grade crossing at Michigan ave-
nue., In Brookland, objections were
raised to this improvement by two In
terests. Residents and owners of
property on two sides of the crossing,
who would be most affected by the
change Of highway grade. oppose the
bill on the ground that there Is a
route across the tracks at Monroe
street. A representative of the rail-
road company said that, while the COM
pany is not opposed to eliminating
grade crossings, there are at the pres
ent time so many elimination projects
under way that this particular one
should be postponed.
On the first point there IS but one
answer. II 1t Is decided that damage
to property incident to the elevation
Of the highway at Michigan avenue
should be prevented, the crossing there
should be abolished and all traffic di-
words, this highway should be closed
at the railroad line and all traffic
across the tracks prohibited. 1t Is i'm.
possible to prevent accidents when
grade. whatever the supposed safe
guards and means Of protection that
may be established. There should be
no grade crossings in the District Of
Columbia, and if the cost of correction
of the existing crossing is too great
the highway should be abandoned.
As for the companys plea for post
ponement, some consideration may be
given. But postponement means in
creased cost and probably an addition
to the death roll. Delay Is dangerous
as we'll as expensive. However many
other works are being carried on. or
are In contemplation for immediate
execution, all should be undertaken
which Is a particularly bad one be-
cause Of the great and increasing vol
ume of travel. may not cost a life for
1Ve years, and again fatal accident
may occur there tomorrow.
Recent tragedies have demonstrated
that there is no safety at these places.
If this particular crossing is put into
the postponed class out of considera.
ton for the property owners or the
railroad company Congress will as
sumo direct responsibility for any
deaths that may occur there.
Evening star., 1926-02-26
sion and that the chair was sustained.

sion and that the chair was sustained.
A yea-and-nay vote may have been
prevented by the expedition with
which the question was put, but there
is no evidence that anybody was "gav-
eled" out of his rights. Indeed. a read
ing Of the Record will show that all
was done in order and that time was
saved, the final vote on agreeing to
the conference report being a definite
answer to the question raised by the
motion to non-concur.
The expedition of business in the
Senate is greatly to be desired. Par
liamentary punctilio is Of less impor-
tance than promptness in reaching de-
cisions. The purpose of the Vice
President is to get maximum OF re-
suits with a minimum of procedure
consistent with propriety. In this he
has the unquestionable support of pub
lie opinion.
Evening star., 1926-02-26
A Belated Protest.

The local division of the American
Automobile Association has filed be-
lated request for reconsideration by
the House District committee of the
amendment to the traffic law which
provides for the use of revenues from
operators permits for completion of
the automatic electric control system.
The association also objects, according
to it's representative who appeared be-
fore the com mittee, to The wording Of
the amendment which gives the traffic
director additional authority in revo-
cation Of permits.
This action was taken despite the
fact that the bill has been reported by
the committee and Is pending on the
House calendar; that the Commission
ers, the director of traffic, citizens
associations, and motorists and pedes-
trians have expressed themselves in
favor Of it; and that the provisions of
the bill call for a speedy reform in
two Of Washington's most serious
traffic evils, lack of funds to effect i'm.
provements and the wedding out of
the incompetent army now operating
automobiles in this city.
Is the American Automobile Asso-
citation willing to put itself on record
against a practically unanimous pub
lie opinion in favor of quick action on
the traffic measure? Is the associa.
ton, private and commercial organi-
zation, attempting to dictate to Con.
gress, the Commissioners and the peo.
pie of Washington the use to which
revenue should be put? Is the as
sociation condoning the use of the
streets by persons arrested for
fragrant violations of the traffic law,
but who have by legal trickery es.
capped trial? Or is the association, by
the lateness Of its request, merely
making bid for publicity?
Basing its protest on the principle
involved" in "perverting" the license
fee measure into a revenue measure
the association states that it considers
the amendment will set q vicious
precedent in the various States.
There is unquestionably merit In the
theory that an operators permit is
merely an Identification card for the
police and that it should be issued as
cheaply as possible. and its issuance
should not be means Of taxing mo-
torists. But in this case there has
been no attempt to change the price
Of the permit, no attempt to make a
source Of revenue out Of it. If the
association. at the proper time and
proper place. bad requested the House
District committee to lower the rate
for each permit according to the cos,
price. its position would have been g
good deal stronger.
But II does not take this action. j
Evening star., 1926-02-26
Preserve the Trees In
Capital Development
To the Editor Of The Star:

To the Editor Of The Star:
We heartily agree with Mr.. Patrick
J. Wards desire to improve our Capl-
tai City by improving the entrance
that is, the Plaza and a thoroughfare
via Pennsylvania avenue to the Treas
ury Building-but we think 1t would
be q crime to uproot any of our trees.
Our Capital Is known everywhere as
the CITY Of Trees. Every lover OF
nature glortes in every tree on the
Avenue, as well as on other streets.
Each tree gives shade and a breath OF
air to the business man and traveller
alike as he passes along his way on
a hot Summer day. Will we sacrifice
our trees, our expressions Of God or
our own comfort for the sake OF a
European-like Capital? Or will we Inn
prove our city In an Amer1can-llke
manner by dignified buildings and our
trees?
would suggest that Mr. Ward take
a drive through Rock Creek Park.
Such q drive would be sufficient to
assure him that it is unnecessary to
leave our city to find peace, quiet and
contentment without destroying any
of our parks.
NV third suggestion is to increase
public Fairgrounds. Where is more
idle thinker than the one who takes
no exercise. Our country cltleS, eS-
pecially the more progressive Western
cities, have many times the facilities
we have for exercise. Seattle, Wash.
for example, with less population, has
seven swimming pools, each larger
than our municipal pools. Portland,
Oreg., has Ave. These cities also
have more tennis courts and golf links
and ball parks, with greater seating
capacity for guests.
To summarize: I suggest that we
follow Mr.. Wards suggestion of i'm
proving Pennsylvania avenue, the
Mall and approach to them from
Union Station: that we preserve our
trees, for which Washington is noted,
and that we build a large swimming
pool, either In Potomac Park OF at
Pennsylvania avenue and the. river
southeast, or both
v. BERDILLA SMITH.
Evening star., 1926-02-26
Bootlegger Permits.

Traffic Director Eldridge is seriously
considering a plan to reject the appli-
cations of convicted bootleggers when
new automobile operators permits are
issued next July. He believes that
the term mentally, morally and
physically fit" in the traffic code shows
clearly the intention OF Congress to
deny permits to persons having po-
lice record.
In furtherance of this plan the traf-
fiC director has prepared list Of ap-
proximately two hundred bootleggers
in the District who have been con-
vtcted in court, and he expects to add
the bootlegger classification to the
other classes Of operators who vii! be
refused permits in the weeding-out
process next Summer.
No one, except, Of course, the boot
1eggers, can quarrel with Director
Eldridge's scheme to rid the streets of
this class Of reckless drivers. The
hootlegger IS 4 potential menace to all
who use the thoroughfares. and Wash
1ngton citizens viii find driving less OF
a hazard when wildly -careening auto
mobiles travelling at tremendous speeds
are eliminated from the city.
A bootlegger has small respect for
traffic laws. His mission is TO get his
goods" to the destination, regardless
Of the danger to the walking and
motoring public He knows that a
heavily loaded car is easy 10 spot.
Therefore he must make speed to
escape the vigilance OF the police. He
realizes also that his car, loaded TO
capacity, is unwieldy. But that only
makes speed and reckless more es-
sential if his journey is TO be com
pleted without apprehension by law
officers. knowing that he is breaking
one law. he has no compunction in
fracturing others.
So when Washington begins its
housecleaning IA motor permits the
convicted felon. who by freak of
justice is at liberty. should most GER
tainly be included when the debris IS
swept out. In the traffic director S
classification are also persons con
vtcted of manslaughter. persons par
TALLY blind, persons convicted in other
Jurisdictions Of offenses that would
mean revocation here. persons unable
to read and insane persons. To these
clasSificationS should be added tncom-
petence, stupidity and general reck-
lessnesS.
Washington. by its houseciea ming
next July, can set the pace for new
era in traffic conditions. 1t can, if
the regulations governing the issuance
of permits are held literally to the
letter OF the law. eliminate q great
class OF undesirable drivers from the
streets of the city 1t is estimated by
the traffic office that more than IL 1000
persons are operating automobiles in
this city whose permits should be re-
voked These 10000 and possibly a
great many more should be placed on
the blacklist; examination should be
rigid; permits should be refused for
cause without fear of reprisal from
any source, and Washington should be
cleansed of the scourge of reckless
criminal, incompetent, insane, blind
deaf, one-legged, one armed and stupid
automobile drivers.
Evening star., 1926-02-26
ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
BY FREDERIC J. HASKIN.

@. When a woman Is weighed, how
much should be allowed for her
clothes?-J. X.
A. Modern-day attire minus hat
and coat weighs about an pounds
This is in sharp contrast to the styles
of 400 years ago. when lady of
fashion wore garments weighing 35
pounds.
Q. Who is the youngest member
singing in an opera company?-A. f.
A. Marion Talley Is the youngest
member of any opera company. She
is 19 years of age and made her debut
at the Metropolitan Opera House on
Wednesday, February IT, in the role
Of Gilda in "Rigoletto.'
@. How much water does a tree
give off?-H. l..
A. The Forest Service says 1t is
difficult to determine this exactly. A
tree 10 inches at the base would pos
sibly give off approximately 10 to 20
gallons per week. Very little is
known about the Transportation of
trees.
Q. How many soldiers were there
in the mobilized allied forces in the
World War?-W. II. NJ.
A. The total number was 42,18s.-
1870 The total number killed was
5,152,1 ,115. The total number wounded
was 1881, ,004.
Q. Was Philip Nolan real per-
son?-M. B. j.
A. "The Man Without a Country
is a mingling Of fact and fiction.
cerning Philip Nolan except in the
ct oyU nf which he iS the hero
@. What causes creosote in chin.
neys?-B. b.
A. Creosote deposit in a chimney
IS a product Of distilation from burn
ing wood. Greater quantities Of the
deposit are produced when green
wood is burned so the best precaution
is to be sure that dry wood Is used,
as this will lessen the creosote. Chin
neys that are subjected to cold winds
are more susceptible to creosote than
others, as the walls seldom become
hot enough to carry off the gas.
Q. Who started the Royal Black.
heath Club?-O. H. w.
A. There is a tradition that King
James I played the first game Of golf
at Bhckheath in 1908. From that
time a club was organized at Black
men. This club, the Royal Black
heath Club. was one Of the first golf
clubs in Scotland.
O. What is the inspiration of THE
Pot of BASIL by Alexander?-P. d. T
a. The artist was inspired by the
poem Isabel" by Keats, which was
derived from the Italian Of Giovanni
Boccaccio.
Q. In accidents. what part of the
body Is most frequently injured?-
NJ V. r.
A. It is said that SO per cent Of al
accidents are injuries to the arm and
hand: % per cent, leg and foot: 81
per cent, trunk; 5.S per cent, eyes, anc
43 per cent. head. OF accidents tc
| the arm and hand. 67.2 per cent ar
| to the fingers. 14.2 per cent to the
| hands and 1876 per cent to the arms
| The most dangerous injuries are those
| to the head, of which % per cent arr
| fatal. Injuries to the trunk come
next.
| O WHY Is calico so called?-G. A. 3
Evening star., 1926-02-26
THIS AND THAT
BY CHARLES E. TRACEWELL.

Gritting his white teeth, Dan strobe
up the path to the little house. 1t
was a poor dwelling, meager but
clean. Dan pulled the old.fashioned
white china bell knob. He heard II
! Changing inside.
He could see, in his minds eye,
| the woman in the kitchen. She
would open the door, and then he
would say, Madame, your son was
drowned in the wreck of his ship.
| No, he would be darned II he Wouid
say that. He would say 1t some
| other way. He cast despairing
look at the butchers shop ON the
| corner
The door creaked and there stood
gray.haired woman, the mother OF
the drowned sailor.
| Mrs. Johnson" faltered Dan
Dooty, removing his hat.
What is it?" cried the woman
clutching at her apron. sailors 8
mother is always in dread. WhaI
do you want?"
| Your son. began Dan.
He got no further.
| He Is dead, he Is dead!' screamed
the woman, throwing herself on the
floor at Dams feet. "Oh. my Goo
why hast Thou afflicted meT
| And she began to roll back ano
forward on the floor. tearing hei
white hair and screaming terribly
like an animal in pain. -
| Dan Dooty felt clutch at DIE
heartstrings. a.,
| "He-he was hurt nc Heo
bravely.
"He is dead. he Is dead" screamed
the mother, groveling on the mat
ting. IT had dream. had d
| dream-
At this point the neighoors began 'o
run in. .,
| The butcher, with his cleaver still IN
hand, was the first to arrive. he .sa"
his neighbor rolling on the moor IN
agony, while over her stood young
man, hat in hand. looking anxloosiy
and helplessly down.
| The butcher seized him by the arm
brandishing the cleaver. What nave
| YOU done to herr" he roared. TWO
women rushed in, then several men
The stricken woman lay sobbing on
| the floor.
/ The men looked threateningly al
Dan Dooty whom the mothers intui'
ton had completely upset. Her
son-her SON. he stammered, and
could say no more.
Then. like CLEAN of sunshine
Mary Rogue entered
| Poor woman!' she said. 1nnnlte
pity in her eyes. as she bent over ano
put her arms around Mrs. Johnson
Her son has been lost at sea- she
said. looking up at the group. He,
she said. indicating Dan, "is a news
paper man detailed to break the news
to her. Poor. poor woman" she con
tinued leaning over the mother.
Safe in the arms Of another woman
the stricken mother sobbed out hei
heart. II had n dream last night,
she moaned. II saw Tom in barrel
afloat on the sea- and big waves were
| sweeping over him. Save me
mother" he called to me. and l tried
TO pull him out Of the barrel. but the
harder 1 tried the more he stuck fast
Oh, God" sobbed the unhappy woman
Take charge of her" commanded
Mary to the other women. Dan Dooty
cold sweat on his forehead. sidled out
the front door. Mary soon re1oinet
him. Didn't you forget something
Dam" she asked. He looked blank.
This" said Mary Rogue, slippins
him an excellent photograph of the
| young sailor which she had quietly
taken off the mantel as she passed
out.
Evening star., 1926-02-26
The Vice Presidents Gavel.

Yesterday the senior Senator from
Missouri took occasion to rebuke the
Vice President as presiding officer Of
the Senate for what he characterized
as the application Of gag-rule. The
day preceding, at the close Of the pro-
ceedings on the tax bill, the Senator
from South Carolina moved to reject
the conference report and discharge
the conferees on the part of the Sem
ate from further consideration Of the
bill. One Senator moved to lay that
motion on the table, and another
simultaneously made a point of order
that a negative vote on a motion to
concur would effect non-concurrence
in the same manner as the Senator
from South Carolina wished to reach
it. The Vice President ruled the mo-
ton to non-concur out Of order. The
Senator from South Carolina insisted
on his motion, and stated that If it
was ruled out of order, which 1t had
already been, he would appeal from
the decision. The Vice President said:
The chair has held the motion out
of order. The question is, Shall the
decision of the chair stand in that
ruling as the judgment of the Senate?
The question was put, and, accord
ing to the Record, "the decision Of the
chair was sustained" The vote was
then taken on the conference report,
which was concurred in by a vote of
IL to 10.
In the speech of rebuke yesterday
the senior Senator from Missouri said
that the Senator from South Carolina
had demanded the yeas and nays, but
the motion was literally gaveled out
OF the Senate while he was demanding
the yeas and nays and the chair was
insisting upon putting the question" i"
He gave warning that "the gavel will
not be used in the Senate to shut off
tho rights Of the members"
The Record does not show that the
yeas and nays were demanded. but 1t
does show that the motion was put
10 the Senate "a sustaining the deci.