davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1926-04-12
Common Sense Demanded
As Traffic Peril Solution

Grand Rapids Herald believes thu,
what seems 10 be needed, alonE
with punishment of reckless drivers
is constant and persistent cam
paign Of education. through every
conceivable means. So long as the
specter OF tragedy can be kept be
fore the eyes of the driving public
careful motoring will be the rule
says the Herald.
:, x :, x
The danger at grade crossings also
is mentioned as u matter which calls
for some remedy. On this subject
the San Bernardino Sun remarks
Motor bus lines now require chauf-
feurS to stop at all railroad cross
ings. Street car companies have the
same rule. Isn't it about time for u
safety first regulation for the in
dividual motorists" The Burling
ton Free Press offers its commenda-
ton for such measures as elimination
Of grade crossings, establishing Of
Fairgrounds away from the business
centers. teaching of safety in the
schools and stricter regulation CT
pedestrians as we'll as motorists
"a wide, uniform code" il
the opinion OF the Syracuse Herald
would be a fine development. but
after all, ii can neither be accom-
plished nor enforced, if adopted. un
less each community applies itself
To the solution of its own particular
problem, providing intelligent, COM
peJent police supervision, and meet
ing the motorists at least half way
in the process Of adjustment from
chaotic confusion to q system of set
tied, sensible regulation"
Evening star., 1926-04-12

merly a distinguished Washington
newspaper correspondent and an AS
siStant Secretary Of state under
Roosevelt, is offering q series Of ma
tional prizes for essays commenting on
Mr.. Marvin's revelations.
= * x j;
Many Of the South American writ
ers now in Washington for the Pan
American Congress of Journalists are
expert fencers. Being handy with the
sword has long been one OF the useful
requisites of the newspaper profession
In the Latin countries. 4 prominent
paper in Buenos Aires once main
tanned Il school OF fencing for the
training Of its staff. The idea seems
to be that when a South American
doesn't like something written about
him in the press he usually challenges
the author to IA duel. Since Firpo,
the more or less Wild Bull of the
Pampas. achieved fame IN pugilisrn,
fists have somewhat supplanted the
sword as a popular weapon of defense
on the other side Of the Equator.
!: !: i; x
Senator Peter G.. Gerry Of Rhode
Island will be the busiest Democrat
In the United States before many
moons. He is chairman OF the Demo.
cratic senatorial campaign committee
and his job is to smash the Republican
majority in the Senate at the forth
coming congressional elections. Ger
RVS fellow-co1nmitteemen are all sea-
soned paignerS-Senators Walsh,
Bayard, Harrison, Swanson, Pittman
and Jones New Mexico). Wherever
there's a fighting chance to wrest
Senate seats from G.. o. =. incumbentE
Gerry and his raiders will conduct q
whirlwind campaign. OF the 81 places
to be filled in November, q are now
in G. O. p. hands. The Democrats
expect to capture no fewer than half
dozen Of them. If they do, Coolidge
control OF the upper house will be in
grave jeopardy. if not entirely wiped
out, after March 4, 1897. The Demo
Gratis, in more optimistic moments.
think that seats in even rock.ribbed
Republican States like Pennsylvania
and Illinois may fall to them in conse-
quence of bitter Republican primary
fights.
x i, 4 *
WaShington's cherry blossoms, the
Capitals crown of Springtime glory,
are very near and dear, with their
colorful reminder of the homeland, to
Nippon's official family here. A day
or two ago this observer had occasion
to communicate by long-distance tele-
phone with the Japanese Ambassador,
who was sojourning at Hot Springs,
Va. An episode of international inter-
est was the reason for the intrusion.
Mr.. Matsudaira supplied the informa-
tion wanted and then said he'd like to
discuss something Of '.real impor-
tance." What he desired to know
about was the weather in Washington
and whether the cherry trees were in
bloom!
copyright. 1926)
Evening star., 1926-04-12
THIS AND THAT
BY CHARLES E. TRACEWELL.

during the briskly growing weather
Of June and July.
This procedure will make the grass
spread out, instead of waste It's en-
ergy in vertical growing. 1t will keep
q fine mulch Of blades over the roots.
helping conserve moisture and pro-
tect the grass from the hot sun.
During August and September.
however, evidently the better practice
is to cut the lawn only once q week,
and not at all after the first OF Sep
tember.
LET the lawn go into Winter with
a long coat of grass'-yes, we, too,
had read that bit Of advice. but we
thought we knew more about It than
the book.
That is human nature, too.
So we cropped our lawns vigor-
ously, right up until the last crop
ping time. We had the thickest,
greenest grass in oil Eutopia. "out
where the quiet begins"-and ends.
AS grass experts we were distinctly
there, were we not?
We were not.
We were Ike the foolish servant
who had a talent and insisted on
hanging onto it instead of putting 1t
out to interest, so that next Spring he
IllEHb IldF0 IL GOOd Ao " II AEeAAh
We got our metaphor slightly
mixed there. but the idea Is plain
enough:
Don't put too much care on your
grass. and especially don't NOV 1t
too late in the season.
* i, f X
Grass is pretty tough. but without
such a protection as nature requires.
1t cannot weather the freezes.
Most grasses used in lawn mix
lures are perennials, but they will not
be unless they are given some sort
of Winter protection.
The best covering, we see, is that
afforded by the long blades. perhaps
foot or foot and a half high.
Not only do these long blades give
Winter protection, but before that
they allow the grass to go to seed,
thus reseeding itself.
Scrupulous cutting all the time pre-
vents the grass from reseeding itself.
This we have discovered through bit
ter experience, and pass the informa-
tion along TO others who may not
have realized Just what is wrong.
From looking around, we have dis
covered that our lawns are not the
only ones in poor condition.
For such Winter-killed lawns
there is but one real remedy-reseed-
ing. Rake of the dead stuff and put
in some new seed, plenty of it: cover
it slightly, press 1t down, and then
trust to Providence.
This Spring we stick TO our plan
of last Autumn, used on a terrace,
Of covering the reseeded areas with
bone meal. This is q practice con.
demned by some, but hitherto it has
succeeded we'll with us.
The portions reseeded last Fall are
fiourishlng this Spring. thereby bear.
ing out the advice of the experts. to
the effect that the former season is
perhaps the best III which To SOW
grass seed.
After all, there is no planting more
beautiful than grass. ana no amount
of trouble is too much to secure it.
Green grass. blue skies. white clouds
ARE not these the most beautiful
coloringS in the world?
Evening star., 1926-04-12
New Deeds Building.

An appropriate structure for the Of.
fee of the recorder of deeds is in pros.
pect, a clearer prospect than in all
the time during which efforts have
been making to obtain for the Dis
trict proper quarters for the keeping
of its land and certain other prop
erty records and for the dispatch of
the important and growing business
of the office. The Senate has approved
with amendments the bill passed by
the House authorizing the construc-
ton Of such building. The change
must be concurred in by the House.
but advocates Of the bill contemplate
no delay in the final passage. The
measure goes no further than to au.
thorize a new and fireproof structure
for the deeds ONCE and the cost Of
the building must be estimated for
ana included IN an appropriation bill.
Evening star., 1926-04-12

All that will follow. Plans for a suit
able structure were drawn several
years ago and a site tentatively chosen
in Judiciary Square. Perhaps there
will be some recasting Of the plans
and the subject of a site may come
again under discussion. but these de-
tails will be promptly disposed Of in
view Of the need for new and special
quarters for this District Office. The
bill as passed by the House and Sen.
ate provides that the fees Of the Of.
flee will be deposited with the Dis.
trict collector of taxes and appropria-
tons for the maintenance of the office
will be estimated by the Commission
ers and included in the appropriation
bill. This change in the administra-
ton Of the office has long been urged.
1t seems almost assured that a large
and safe Recorder of Deeds Building
viii soon be added TO the public build.
ings Of Washington.
Evening star., 1926-04-12
Luther Burbank.

Luther Burbank is dead, with a
record Of valuable services for man.
kind which is not equaled in the field
OF his labors. He devoted his life to
She study Of plants suitable for food,
and produced, as a result of number
developments which have added richly
60 the store of humanity. SO remark
eble were his productions that he
earned the title of the PLANT Wiz
ord" Other men have worked in this
field of plant development and others
have achieved success in certain lines,
but Burbank gave more to the world
than any others. His methods, al
ways highly scientific, were calculated
to leave no doubt of results. His ex.
perimental farm was a mecca for
scientists, statesmen, philanthropists.
foreign dignitaries, botanists and hu-
manitarians. Congress granted him
an extensive tract of land for his
work. The Carnegie Foundation
awarded him an annual gift TO sus-
tain him in his researches. He never
commercialized his discoveries, but
gave them freely to the world. He
was a benefactor, a society, chartered
by the State of California, serving as
dissemination OF the fruits of his ex-
perimental work.
Unfortunately, near the close Of his
remarkable career, Luther Burbank
challenged criticism on the score of
his religious views. He declared his
Mfaith in terms that evoked a. storm
Evening star., 1926-04-12

of protest from churchmen. Bewil-
dered by this emphatic rejoinder to
statement which was, no doubt. griev-
ously misunderstood, Burbank suf.
fered in health. He was unable to
comprehend the feeling which his
words had aroused, and 1t is to be
feared that his end was fastened by
the emotional strain which he sunereu
as he realized that his words had
been taken in literal sense that he
did not intend. He died before he had
finished some important researches
upon which he was engaged.
1t is to be deplored that a contro-
versy over theology should have cloud.
ed the last days Of this wonderful
man, who had so modestly and so
valuably served his fellows during
many years. Burbank's contributions
TO human welfare were Of infinite
value. He gave everything freely.
All he asked was opportunity to pro-
ceed with his experiments, to wrest
from nature new products that would
enrich the dietary of mankind. His
life was simple, clean and pure. He
was Industrious, patient, self.effacing
and modest.
Adequate recognition Of Burbank's
services will not be easy. His life is
d memorial in itself. It will, doubt
less, be fittingly symbolized in some
endowment or monument that will
serve as an inspiration to young peo
pie to select a worthy line of life work
and to pursue it devotedly, regardless
or emoluments and rewards.
Evening star., 1926-04-12
SHOOTING STARS.
BY PHILANDER JOHNSON
Fleeting Sensations.

Fleeting Sensations.
For a day or a week we are much
overwrought
By some, scandal that suddenly
flares.
New subjects arise in the hurry OF
thought.
For the former ones nobody cares.
They fought back in Babylon, Persia
and Greece.
And the battles were mighty affairs.
Now, only the poets surrounded by
peace
Discuss them; and nobody cares.
we call the Grand Jury to make out
a case.
For thrills the great public prepares.
To matters more recent the old ones
give place
And the answer is, Nobody Cares"
To better conditions we're all on the
way.
Old Satan will peddle his wares,
And while they may cause us some
passing dismay,
We forget 'em; and nobody cares.
Evening star., 1926-04-12

@. What stamps are the newest?
w. l.. s. G..
A. The Post Office Department says
that the following stamps have been
issued since 1924; Huguenot Walloon
Tercentenary stamps-1a cent, 11s
cents; ordinary stamps-13 cents,
II cents: Lexington-Concor Com
memorative stamps-15 cents; 20
cents, special delivery; 25 cents, spe-
cial handling: Morse. American COM
memorative stamps; Air Mail-10
cents.
@. Are substitutes for lumber being
made?-C. G.. u.
A. There are three such substitutes
being made-one Of bagasse and two
from wood fiber. The properties of
these synthetic boards are much diff
ferent from those of ordinary lumber.
The material is not usually 50 hard
and Is Of a more porous and open
texture. It is claimed by manufac-
turers Of these materials that when
used in certain ways it develops sat
isfactory strength. For instance, 1t is
used for sheathing for houses. The
bracing effect of the large pieces
nailed to the studding Is claimed to
be about as good as where diagonal
sheathing is used. 1t is apparently
better 1nsulator than ordinary 1um-
ber because Of it's open texture. The
material Is not so strong as wood in
bending. Another advantage for it is
that it can be obtained in large
sheets which, for many purposes, is
quite worth while.
Q. What chemical elements are
found in protein?-A. C.. Is.
a. Carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen and
oxygen.
@. Has there ever been base
ball game played during a Storm
3. A. NJ.
A. The concluding championship
game on September q, 1881, between
Troy and Chicago was played in a
| heavy rainstorm, it being the only
| vacant date open before the close
OF the season. The ball was so slip
| perry and the ground was SO muddy
| that the game was q farce. About
u dozen persons paid TO see the game.
Q. What kind of wheat is used
| for making macaroni?-B. w.
A. The bulk of the durum wheat
crop is used for macaroni. Amber
| durum is the best. Farina is used
! by one manufacturer. Farina con-
sists Of the purified middlings from
| hard wheat.
| Q. Why wasn't IL place farther
west chosen for the Capital of the
! United States?--K. p.
A. When the National Capital was
| established at Washington the
| country west of the Mississippi was
! scarcely inhabited except by Indian
,tribes, therefore Washington was
| centrally located with respect to the
! States then in existence. The
| question OF moving the National
! Capital to more central position has
repeatedly been discussed. but the
Importance of the question is not SC
! paramount at the present time be-
| cause of the development Of trans
| portation and communication. Since
the construction of railroads and the
| Inauguration Of the telephone, wire
less telegraphy and wireless teleph'
ony. as we'll as the telegraph, the
Evening star., 1926-04-12
Anti Prohibition Discussions.

Evidences have appeared that there
hre dissensions in the ranks OF those
who are attacking prohibition ana en-
forcement and who have just had
their hearing before the Senate COM
nittee in the first round of the de'
hate. Factions have developed. TWO
definite organizations have been form
ed. one called an association, the other
an alliance. Promoters of the latter
are claiming that the sponsors OF the
former are stealing their thunder. II
was the alliance that tried to denver
" truckload of votes to the Senate
ronnittee Saturday. but was frus-
trated by an unfeeliug police InterFen-
fion on the score Of lack OF permit to
1rundle an advertising sign through
the streets OF Washington. one OF
The chief figures OF the alliance walls
that whereas the vets are continually
fighting each other the drys are in
solid ranks.
From the beginning of the present
agitation over the wet-dry question,
eliminating in this hearing now in
progress, it has been evident that
there is q lack of cohesion between the
various factors comprising the anti
prohibition or anti-enforcement forces.
There are those who would repeal the
eighteenth amendment outright and
return TO the former conditions of no
restraint or restriction. There are those
who would substitute for the Federal
amendment state prohibition laws.
There are those who want the amend
1nent to stand, but wish the enforce
rnent act modified. And there are those
who want different forms OF moditica-
lion. 1t is expected that there are
also those who want no change but
are professedly wet, actually hoping
that present conditions will continue
in order to take advantage of the high
prices that prevail in the illicit trade.
On the other hand, as the spokeS-
man for the alliance declares, the drys
are united. They want to- maintain
the amendment and the law, and they
want enforcement. In this present
week s program there will doubtless
come numerous evidences Of a militant
desire on the part Of the prohibition
forces for a strengthening of the meth
ods of enforcement. for increase of
appropriations for that purpose, for
safeguards against corruption OF the
enforcement agents, for speedier court
proceedings. They will be represented
during the week through spokesmen
and delegations from countrywide or
sanizations.
The opponents Of Il change either
by modification Of the enforcement act
or by repeal of the amendment have q
definite advantage, especially in view
Uf the dissensions in the ranks Of the
proponents for change. In the first
place their virtual abstention from
the recent polls has rendered it i'm
possible to measure their strength. AS
long as this remains an unknown
quantity Congress Will be loath to
move in the direction of modification,
and there is no likelihood of a serious
attempt at repeal, which would re-
quire two-thirds vote of each house
and three-fourths Of the State legisla-
lures.
Evening star., 1926-04-12
Plea to Save Birthplace
Of DIR. Walter Reed
To the Editor of The Star:

Mark Sullivan's book, "Our Times.
contains a picture of Walter Reed :
birthplace at Gloucester Post Office
Va. which is q standing reproach to
the American people. From the photo.
graph l judge the house to be unin-
habited and far gone in decay.
shingles are gone from the roof. the
steps to the front door have rotted
and collapsed, the windows are with.
out paneS, the walls without paint.
weeds are growing in the yard. Tn
less something is done promptly this
historical landmark will in u few wears
disappear.
The American people owe too great
debt to the memory of Walter Reed
TO permit this to happen. IT was Reed
who made the epochal experiments
on human beings which determined
that yellow fever is transmitted by Il
mosquito. thereby paving the way for
Gorgas' determination of yellow fever
In Cuba. Panama and elsewhere which
in turn opened the tropics to occupa-
ton by northern European races. Had
1t not been for Reed it would still be
unsafe for Americans to travel through
Central and South America; 1t would
even be unsafe for them to visit
Florida, Texas and Louisiana. II
wasn't so many years ago that States
aIOIS Lne MISSISSIPPI River maintained
shotgun quarantiues" to keep out
suspects from yellow fever zones
Again, had it not been for Reed il
is doubtful if the United States could
ever have completed the Panama Ca
nal and the American effort would
have been an even more colossal and
costly failure than the French one Of
De Lesseps. Walter Reed was one Of
Americas truly great men and the
time will come when he will be so
recognized.
Walter Reeds birthplace should be
preserved for the inspiration of fu-
ture generations. The house should
be put in repair and furnished as it
was at the time Of DR.. Reeds birth
rs years ago. The land about 1t should
be converted into q park.
This is no task for a philanthropist
AS DR.. Reed was a benefactor to all
humanity, so should this memorial to
him take the form of a popular tribute
DIR. Reeds colleagues in the medical
profession should start the ball rolling
by forming q foundation to acquire
title to the property and to solicit sub
scriptions for it's maintenance. Indi-
vidual subscriptions should be limited
to q small maximum so that as many
people as possible could take part.
HARRY n. CARROLL.
DeRn2. Tex
Evening star., 1926-04-12
Retirement Saves Money
To the Government
To the Editor of The Star:

10 tne EQltor OF The Star:
After reading your editorials and
articles on the retirement law, please
permit me to call your attention to
the fact that the civil service retire
ment Dill is a strictly money-saving
proposition for the United States
Government and not an act of charity
to its ex-employes.
The annual report Of the Commits
sioner of Pensions for June 30, 1925,
Exhibit E, page %, shows that the
number Of retired employees was
1889. Exhibit G., page 80, shows
the sum paid to these 1859 retired
employees amounted to $6,366. 1856,
Exhibit H, page 80. shows that the
salary Of the retired employees aver
aged 81 1,307.65, or a total for the wear
amounting to $15,2s3.95195, which is
a net saving to the United States
Government, as the annuities were
from a fund contributed by the EN-.
ployes and not by the United States
Government, which fund had sur.
plus OF $44,665, ,77S.56, not counting
the reductions for 1924.25, which will
add not less than $4,000 900 more,
and all the clerks ask is that those
retired employees receive increased
annuities from their own fund Of
about so per cent or to increase the
average of $554.65 to an average of
about $S7S, for which they are willing
to pay by increasing the ga per cent
to per cent deduction.
The actuaries seem to have made
an estimated guess that the new law
will cost the Government about $780,.
100000 in about 40 years. But, grant
ing this guess to be right, it will be
found that the Government is now
saving about Sl5 900 900 n ypar and
in 40 years 1t would save 5000 900, 900,
which would offset. this estimated
guess loss.
Let it be remembered that before
the present retirement bill was en-
acted, the United States Government
was paying these millions Of dollars
annually to these superannuated, In.
efficient and disabled employees. and
that, owing to the high age Limit OF