davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1926-12-03
Corn Husker's Big Achievement
Wins Acclaim Throug hout U. S.

Iowas world champion cornhusker
is living proof that even in this age of
machinery at least one big farm job
is left to a nimble pair of hands. Fred
Stanek of Fort Dodge holds the rec
ord with ton of corn husked in so
minutes, and he is being acclaimed in
and out Of the corn belt.
Finding fitness in the fact that
Iowa, the State where the tall corn
grows, produced the 1926 champion" !"
the Peoria Transcript thinks lit is
sentimentally justiiable that this
years champion should be resident
of that State. We will not attempt to
appraise the practical value of corn
husking contests" says the Tran
script, but we are convinced they
have a profound sentimental worth.
and that the victory of an Iowan will
prove a stimulant to the sport which
would have been lacking if Williams,
the Illinois champion, had won again.
Iowa is developing leadership very
rapidly in the corn belt. 1t has done
more than Illinois to record it's hopes
and desires for legislation to help
farmers"
"It was presumptuous of the State
Of Nebraska" proclaims the Des
Moines Tribune, Ito hold a world
there. The place for 1t obviously was
Iowa. And, Just as rebuke, to en-
phasize the absurdity of the whole
thing, an Iowan. Fred Stanek. of
Fort Dodge won the contest with a
runaway performance. Stanek husked
2,121 pounds of corn in 80 minutes,
and his nearest competitor, Nebras-
kan. had only 1903 pounds to his
credit. Nor did representatives of Illi-
nois. Minnesota, Missouri. Indiana and
South Dakota do any better. They
were novices compared with the
Iowan. Now, If it could only be ar
ranged so that corn and lots of it
meant prosperity to the State we
would have something to boast of"
The Columbus Ohio State Journal
declares "the Nation has reason to be
proud Of Stanek. the Iowa champion.
the national champion, for his task
was tremendous. His native State
well may consider him one of its fin
est citizens. There are plenty of
men," according to the Ohio State
Journal. who recall boyhood days on
the farm. who will marvel at the
speed and result shown by Stanek.
He must be a man of nimble wit. quick
action. much courage and skill highly
developed. Time may bring one who
will push the record higher. but Stan
elk has reason to feel rather secure In
his present position. It will be a mans
job to better his record and show a
greater amount of corn. There Is lit
tie need for alFcorn-husking machine
so long as men are able to make
such records in the field"
The fact that husking has not been
replaced by machinery Is emphasized
also by the Pittsburgh Sun. which
adds that "in many other ways farm
ing has been changed" that "the fiai
has been replaced by the thrasher:
the scythe by the moving machine
No wonder the survival Of one Of the
Evening star., 1926-12-03
Flying War Mothers Flag
Was Not a DiscOurtesy
To the Editor of The Star:

To the Editor of The Star:
NV attention has just been invited
to Mr.. John Williams letter which
appeared in The Star a few days ago
and in which he stated. with other
things, that the flying of war
mothers flag" on the Capitol Arml'
stice day, on the same halyard as the
flag of the United States, was "abso
lutely mira dignitatem and an un'
called.for discourtesy." Mr.. Williams
also says ''It Is a we'll known fact the
world over that no flag of any nation,
society, order or club must be hoisted
on the same pole, staff or lanyard as
that of the national emblem"
AS one who has made study OF
the flag Of the United States for q
number of years and who is deeply
interested and well versed in flag
etiquette, l disagree absolutely with
Mr.. Williams.
/. Not that it is a matter that has
any particular bearing on the real
point at issue. but merely by way OF
accuracy Of statement, L would say
that the flag which was flown over
the Capitol with the United States
flag Armistice day was not an
american War Mothers flag" but
II was a regular service flag presented
by the American War Mothers.
2. Mr.. Williams Is mistaken when
he saws "It is a well known fact the
world over that no flag of any nation
society. order or club must be hoisted
on the same pole, staff or lanyard as
that of the national emblem" In the
United States Navy and in other
navies of the world 1t is a practice
always not only to fly during divine
service the church pennant on the
same lanyard as the national emblem
but. in accordance with a very an
Gent custom handed down from the
days of the Crusaders. the pennant Is
placed above the national emblem
The flag code adopted by the Ma
tional Flag Conference. June 14-l6
1929 takes cognizance. in the fol
lowing provision, of the custom In
this country of hosting State, city
society, club and other flags on the
same halyard with our national
when the flags Of States or cities
or remnants Of societies are flown or
the same halyard with the flag of the
United States, the national flag should
always be at the peak. Nc
flag or pennant should be placed above
or to the right Of the flag OF the
United States"
3. Now, as 10 the propriety VI ths
American War Mothers presenting a
service flag. showing the number OF
soldiers who served and the number
who died during the World War. and
the flying of such flag on the Capito
of the Nation on Armistice day,
would say that not only was the flyine
of this service flag In the manner In
dicated not a violation Of established
custom. but. in the judgment Of ma
tional headquarters of the United
States Flag Association, 1t was beau
tiful, fitting way for the Nation tc
recognize the services Of the 4.693. .03.
men who followed their country's fiae
during the World War. and Of paying
tribute to the memory OF the 60.672
who followed the flag into that realm
Evening star., 1926-12-03

old methods should be occasion for
jollity and friendly rivalry" concludes
that paper. The Springfield Union
forecasts disappointment for mil
lions" if there shall not be found a
way to radio corn huskings: land the
regret will linger,' continues the
Union, until the champion corn
husker follows the champion hog
caller and the champion fiddler and
the champion clam eater into oblivion
and brand-new champion of some
thing leaps into the limelight."
The idea IS regarded as contagious
by the Portsmouth Sun. which asks:
why can't we have a corn-husking
bee for the championship of this
country? Here we live in the Scioto
Valley, where the corn grows tall. In
good years they have to use telegraph
pole climbers to get up to the ears,
and in extra good years they have to
chop the stalks down, because even
a good climber can only husk three
or four dozen stalks a day. Scioto
County has some of the huskiest
huskers in all the world unknown to
fame
The Charlotte Observer records that
in the championship contest, zone
farmer from Illinois was so anxioals
to win that he made his wife kneel
beside him and pray as he shucked.
but he came out half a dozen laps be-
hind. And this circumstance" adds
the Observer, need not be occasion
for revival of discussion on the eff
cacy of prayer" for any mind not
soused in the mists of confusion
might know that the Lord listens to
no such prayers as the corn Shucker's
wife sent up under orders" Yet the
Kansas City Post suggests that per
haps Elmer Williams. the praying
corn husker. has hit upon the hitherto
undiscovered method of farm relief"
and asks II II may not be that our
i political leaders, deeply concerned
over measures for helping the farmer,
have gone to their statesmanlike task
with far too little of Corn-Husker
Williams special preparation" AS to
| Mr. Williams 2S.8 bushels of corn,
husked and loaded in 60 minutes, the
; Post says: I'VE frankly admit the
thing Is not of human endeavor. Our
recollections are all to the effect that
husking corn Is no FOOLS job. 1t
can't be done at Elmer's speed without
/ the aid of Providence; we are not con-
vinced we should care to guarantee
matching his record even thus favor
ably fortified"
| Recalling Edward Eggleston's
novel, "The Circuit Rider" and its
vivid description of an Ohio Valley
corn shucking of almost a hundred
years ago." the Muncie Star adds:
There were no contests then for the
world championship or for the State
championship; but the desire to win
the community championship and
thereby the notice of the prettiest girl
in the neighborhood was quite as
strong among the young men of that
day as Is the ambition to win the world
championship among the young men
of our corn belt today" Coming
down to the recent contest the Star
concludes: THE spirit of the loser,
the praying husker, was as sports
manlike as those whose spirit is so
greatly admired in our athletic con.
tests. He (the winner) Is just a bet
ter man than l am he said. a fel-
low doesn't always get what he prays
for A spirit superior to that attrib-
uted by EgGleston to his backwoods
loser"
Evening star., 1926-12-03
THIS AND THAT
BY CHARLES E. TRACEWELL.
esthetes that they may be wrong. Do
they not use the word undoubtedly
at every turn?

| esthetes that they may be wrong. Do
| they not use the word undoubtedly
at every turn?
X X y y
Because one does not have the IN
| tellectual grace to care for slmpilclty
| is no reason why he should sneer at
| the authors that displayed this nne
| quality.
We like that word grace" as we do
many others that enter largely INTO
| Christian writings. 1t bespeaks Ger
tain qualities OF mind and heart, 1ar
removed from the hard sneerers, all
the Sophisticated tribe of those who
preface all statements with 'undoubt-
edly forsooth."
Longfellow, after all, may be sit
| ting in judgment on them! Might ne
not be the one poet by which to meas
, ure ones self for simplicity, falth-
ulnesS, trueneSS, gentlemanllneSS,
.indliness, home-lovingness?
Certainly there are grave dangers
incurred in the use of such words,
| md especially in carrying their mean
| ings over into literature. But because
| hey have been, and often are. abused,
| IS that any reason why one need shy
| from them as from the devil, and ut
| lerly ban them from ones own life!
The apostles of sophistication have.
| with their usual conceit, set standards
| for all mankind, which others must
| reach, or fail of acceptance by these
mighty men of the Cities" of whom
Mr.. Mencken is the prophet. Mr..
Mencken, however, has many merits,
whereas his imitators seldom get be-
| yond his faults.
We will not be intimidated by
| them. At the risk of their loudest
sneers, we stand up and declare to
all the world that Longfepow is a
poet. a real poet, a poet Of the COM
monplace, il you will, but poet,
nevertheless.
He can and does create in the re-
ceptive mind that exaltation of spirit
which is the true result of real poetry.
| Neither their saying he Is not a poet
nor our saying that he is makes him
one or the other, Of course.
| His work speaks for him.
X * II X
Granted that one really cares for
poetry, in the first place-there are
many who do not-he will like Long
fellow if he loves home.
Today there are many persons who
actually care not a rap for home.
Home, to them, is simply a place
to sleep.
All such will find nothing in Long
fellow. How can they?
| The home-loving people Of the
world, however, have and do find
Longfellow expressing their best
sentiments for them.
You will find Mrs. Henry Wood,
characterized as having the best
plotted novels in her generation, quot
ing from Longfellow.
You will find his poems entirely
liked by children, who have not yet
learned that the everyday affairs of
life are something to be sneered at.
They are loved, too, by all those who
steadfastly refuse to be lured into
such belief. A rainy day may be
passed over in silent contempt by the
so-called intellectuals, but the rest of
us will believe Longfellow's 1.-THE
Rainy Day. true poetry, even those
terribly commonplace closing lines:
BE still, sad heart, and cease repining;
Behind the clouds is the sun still
| shining;
Thy fate is the common fate of all,
| Into each life some rain must fall,
| Some days must be dark and dreary."
Evening star., 1926-12-03
A Revolt Against Communism.

On the first Of July last $4,000 cloak
makers in New York City started a
strike. one of a long series OF walk
outs in that industry. 1t was recent
! ,v settled to the satisfaction or ABOUT
! 8 600 of the workers in speclai
proup. leaving $1,000 of the rank and
file of the union still out. This rail-
IRE to effect an adjustment OF the
entire membership has led to a tight
within the organization against the
radicals who have thus far had charge
of the strike. A meeting was helo
last night at Cooper Union, the tradl'
tional gathering place of labor or
carnations, at which the Communist
party was arraigned for its "machina-
tions in usurping power in the union
and declaring that the leaders OF the
strike had betrayed the interests of
the workers.
This revolt against the Communist
leadership of the cloakmakers' union
is of particular significance. 1t Is not
merely a blow at the radical leader
ship of that particular organization,
but a reaction against the radlcal
propaganda that has been carried on
for some years among large groups
of industrial operatives in this coun-
try. These Communist agitators have
been trying to gain control OF the
American labor organizations for some
time. They have been resisted by the
American Federation of Labor, the
aid of which is now sought by the re-
voting cloakmakers in their endeavor
to throw off the leadership of the
radicals.
The principal organization of the
Communist workers is the Trade
Union Educational League, headed by
William T. Foster, with headquarters
in Chicago. 1t is based upon the pre-
cepts of the Moscow Trade Union In
ternationale. It Is believed to be the
direct representative in the United
States of that radical Communist or
ganization. It is conducting a So
Callo0 eQuCdClOndI WOFk dIIlOI6 IHo
children in the industrial centers, and
through the children with the parents,
workers in various trades.
One Of the principles of communism
is to promote conflict between the
workers and employers. Strike settle
ments are not sought in a spirit of
adjustment. The performance in New
York, where the conflict was COM
promised for the benefit Of a small
fraction of the cloakmakers, leaving
the great majority of them out in the
cold, was obviously designed to con-
tinue the turmoil.
A frankly avowed purpose Of COM
munism is to destroy capitalism, to
establish worker-ownership Of all in
dustries and trades. It is evident that
the majority Of the cloakmakers in
New York do not relish being led
along that path. which leads so surely
to bitter suffering and loss.
Evening star., 1926-12-03

When one finds it necessary to use
the word undoubtedly" he thereby
admits that there is some doubt
! about the thing after all
Undoubtedly Thackeray Is great
| er novelist than Dickens" indicates
| that the gentleman making the
! statement really means, Although !
| appear very positive in this matter.
there is really considerable doubt in
| my mind"
If he says, Undoubtedly Longfel-
low is no poet" he means Perhaps
Longfellow is something Of a poet,
after ALL"
This is the fate of all dogmatic
statements, especially in matters of
| comparative values in the field of
No man is given such divine abil-
| ity that he can unerringly rank the
: great of the world, like immortal tin
| soldiers, the first in the first place
| and the second in the second place
| and so on down the file unto the
end.
Hence, the word undoubtedly" or
| something similar, Is necessary to
bolster up the ipse dixit, for even
the most conceited, in his heart of
hearts, knows that in these matters
there Is no first and last.
The author who is first in plot may
be second in character building. The
| writer who excells in the delineation
of the commonplace may have very
| grave faults when it comes to the
! technical construction of his novels,
| whereas the writer who has given
us immortal book men and women
! may rightly be censured for senti-
mentality and a certain theatrical
striving after effect.
X X X X
Take that true poet, Henry Wads-
| worth Longfellow.
If one were to listen to many of
| our later-day prophets, he would be-
! gin. to wonder how in the world
| America ever thought for second
| that Longfellow was even third.
| rate poet.
They call him trite, commonplace.
make large use of the word bro
| mide," and in every way cast reflec.
tions upon the sterling simplicity and
| real ability of the man and the poet.
1t seems that every civilization
must have its era of sophistication.
| when the ordinary affairs of every
picion by men and women who pine
after something different"
To be different is the ambition of
| their lives. Hence they patronize
| queer eating places, read the very
latest and most extravagant books, go
| into ecstasies over musical compost
tions that violate the ordinary rules
of the art, and in a hundred other
F., ways attempt to overturn what has
existed and what does now exist.
! The cultured Romans passed
through a similar era, when the old
| Latin authors were looked down upon
and branded as 'bana" and worse.
| Just as some who enjoy the bene
| fits of police protection come to loudly
| declare that there Is no need at all
| for the use of force in the world, sc
there are those who are offended at
| the use of the simple in art.
! Let a thing be never so well done
| If it shows no intense striving, it
| does not appeal to these supercul-
! tured souls. They prefer long and
intricate compositions, replete with
| passages which your everyday
| reader Is willing to "pass-up" as poor
because obscure.
1t never enters the heads of these
Evening star., 1926-12-03
The Inferior Infantry.

Mai. Gen. Robert H. Allen, chief Of
Infantry. in his annual report just
issued, has painted an accurate pic
ture of some Of the disabilities under
which the foot soldier of the United
States labors. The distinguished Of
ficer makes some thirty separate
recommendations for the amelioration
Of the lot of the backbone Of the
Army. II these go across there will
be widespread rejoicing.
Here come the Infantry with dirt
behind their ears" runs the Army
song, and 1t seems true, according to
what Gen. Allen says. that a good deal
of honest soil does result from an
overabundance Of honest and in some
ways unrequited toll. In war the
doughboy is right down in the dust
and mud of Mother Earth, while peace
means for him just one Job of work
after another. most of them dirty.
Not only that. but he gets a ration
distinctly inferior to that enjoyed by
his youthful protege in the Summer
training camp and by the leather
neck" and the 'gob." Uncle Sam.
it appears, shells out 52.S cents a
day for each sailors food: 49.7 a day
for each marine, while 31.5 cents is
considered plenty wherewith to line
the infantryman's ribs. The extra
annette given by sea air 10 the reason
advanced by officers Of the seagoing
forces, but that Is small comfort to
a doughboy who has toiled with pick
and shovel all day on some treeless
plain or marched a score Of miles
on a dust -ch6ked road.
Nor In the infantryman'e clothing
50 good according to his chief. Like
other branches Of the Army. he has
Evening star., 1926-12-03
Swiss independence
Date Declared 1921
To the Editor of The Star:

To the Editor OF The star:
In the issue of The Sunday Star of
November 81, 1926, / read with great
astonishment an article, written by
Mrs. Margaret B. Downing, relating
to the independence of Switzerland.
giving the date Of the declaration Of
independence as 1648.
AS a matter of fact, the declaration
of independence of Switzerland was
proclaimed the first of August. 1921,
when the then three cantons or
states Uri, Schwitz and Unterwald)
shook of the yoke Of tyranny Of
Austria leopold the First of Habs-
bcurg, then emperor) and founded the
Swiss Confederation, declaring that:
Switzerland shall be free as long as
their mountains shall subsist, choos-
ing the white cross over a red field
as the national flag and the words
"All for one. one for ALL" as railying
words. VICTOR P~GAUTHEY.
Evening star., 1926-12-03

where battle flags are furled and war
drums throb no longer.
We thank the American War
Mothers for their beautiful thought
and fitting act.
JAS. A. MOSS.
Colonel. United States Army retired);
director general. United States
Flag AssoaiesARA
Evening star., 1926-12-03

New Jersey Is famous for beauty
contests. There is no doubt a certain
amount of disappointment in the fact
that no one photographed in the Hall
Mills case could hope to qualify as a
competitor in that particular line
Evening star., 1926-12-03

An American tourist in France be-
comes unpopular when he laughs at
local money. Money in every nation
demands a certain courtesy even
when it has fallen into adverse cir
cumStanceS.
Evening star., 1926-12-03

Making sport of Main street" has
been a national pastime. Attention Is
now turned to the thoroughfares that
are tragically typified by de Rus
seyS lane,
Evening star., 1926-12-03

Synthetic gin Is a feature of various
occasions which leave it a matter of
doubt whether they are to be featured
by the society editor or the police re-
porter.
Evening star., 1926-12-03
Rate by Mail-Payable In Advance.
Maryland and Virginia.
All Other States and Canada.
Member Of the Associated Press.

The Assoc ated Press 10 exclusively entitled
10 the use for republication of all news DIG
patches credited TO it not otherwise cred
tied ~ the paper and also the local news
published herein All rights of publirat' on
OF special d spatches herein are also reserved
Evening star., 1926-12-03

A motion picture actor often disap-
points his public when he dismisses
his press agent and turns his personal
affairs over to lawyer.
Evening star., 1926-12-03

Mr.. Falls ranch has become no
torious Through the effort to subst1-
tute quick action for the ordinary
methods of farm relief.
Evening star., 1926-12-03

Mussolini has shown clearly that
royal raiment means very little in the
presence of the man who wears a
bullet-proof vest.
Evening star., 1926-12-03

Taxpayers in New Jersey are begin
ming to wonder whether the cost OF
trying to solve a murder mystery Is
worth the thrill.
Evening star., 1926-12-03
That Elusive Bee.

From the Boston Herald.
The thinnest material known is q
presidential possibility with two years
to 60.
Evening star., 1926-12-03
SHOOTING STARS.
BY PHILANDER JOHNSON.

Statistics.
Old Man Figgers! He sits around the
shack
Recallin' dates an numbers that will
reach for ages back.
He calculates the money spent for
cotton an for silk
And the nutrition present in a bowl
of mush and milk.
He tells the distances to stars an
what the nations owe.
He indicates the profits corporations
ought to show.
Receipts from tax collection he can
closely indicate
And count the incidental cost OF
many long debate.
Old Man Figgers! You've got us on
the run.
You show us every cent we spend for
feeding or for fun.
You estimate the proceeds Of heart
throb or a song
Old Man Figgers-ain't you goin'
rather strong?
Arbitrary Control.
"Who is going to have control Of
the Senator"
"If our heating problems continue
to grow more prominent in general
affairs" replied Senator Sorghum,
maybe it'll be the janitor."
The Eternal Santa.
There isn't any Santa Claus
To bring us Christmas fun.
My admiration and applause
For that old saint is done.
And yet sneak where stockings hang
In hope Of Christmas glee,
And pause. in slang. to say "Gol
Dang.
Old Santa Clause is Me"'
Jud Tunkins says old-fashioned
dances still attract admiring attention
because they could be conducted with
out the aid of hip flask.
1--WE become confused" said Hi Ho
the sage of Chinatown, 'in quarreling
over what has been done wrong in the
past instead of considering what shall
be done right in the future"
Rhetorical Restrictions.
Back yonder. in the days of yore.
My mother spanked me when I swore
She spoiled, with purpose free from
guile,
Ny modern literary style.
"A shorter workin' day." said Uncle
Eben, "ain't no good If all it does is
to give mo- time foh shootin' crap"
Evening star., 1926-12-03

ing edition IS delivered by carriers within
the city at go cents per month: daily only.
s5 cents per month: Sundays only. 90 cents
per month. Orders may be sent by mail or
telephone Main 5000. Collection is made by
carrier at end Of each month.