davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1926-11-15

mysterious. Man cannot cope WItL
| it, he simply goes with it.
X X X
Importance, of course, rests upon
comparison. just as the size Of ma
terial objects is noted from their
relation to other objects.
A bit of driftwood on the beach al
some distance. with nothing but sea
and sky with which to compare it.
suddenly looms as a whole wreck.
Closer inspection, with ones own
body for comparison, dwindles the
wreck to a spar and an old soap box
Events, happenings, incidents. are
important in relation to the actors
and to the part which they play in
the lives Of those actors, whether &C
, tive or passive
Those who take no part often may
be we'll or injuriously affected. One
can make. no snap judgment, there
fore, in this matter. and the writer
has no desire to make any such.
Each one must judge of what is I'M
portant and what is unimportant for
himself; but the fact will remain that
some are better judges than others.
Ones birth, marriage and death. 1t
has been said, are the really mpor.
tant events in any ones life; but
what of all those good women for
whom there has been no central
event?
Shall any Judgment be fair which
says of them that they have in any
sense failed? A thousand times, no
The purposes of creation are inscru-
table, and large enough to contain all
possible types Of lives. The sublima'
tions of love daily witnessed in educa.
ton, self sacrifice and loving service
are not to be held unimpOrtant, but
surely take their place among the i'm
portant phases of civilization, which is
in itself a thwarting of many elemen.
tai aims and ends.
* X
1t is soothing to remember. now
and then, that what strikes us as sc
unpleasantly important today in al
likelihood will be held in little esteem
tomorrow.
Philosophy. as applied to every
day Life, has its highest service Just
here. The abstract concepts Of phi
| losophy, however highly we may re-
gard them as application Of the
human mind to an intellectual sub
1ect, scarcely weigh in the scale with
practical, applied philosophy.
Every one Of us, no matter what
his station in life, whether he belong
W lIc llSu uCI CldSScS, vi
which Jane Austen wrote so well. OF
to the ranks of money power. or tC
the more humble working classes
every one has days when some really
unimportant thing looms large.
Too large?
Yes, much too large, as the morrow
will prove.
But how much better it Is II one
can profit from past experiences. and
in the actual heat of some unpleasant
experience, say to himself:
"After all, this is nothing. To
morrow / will see it to be utterly
without moment in my life. and know
| this to be true, so l tell myself be
| forehand, as it were"
| 1t is helpful If one is able to wielt
| a wise indifferency, not callous MOI
high brow" but a capable indif
| ferency, in which values are wisely
| Disseminated.
Then. in the grip of one of the un
| pleasant experiences or persons thai
visit the lives of all, he may say
with smile:
What difference does 1t make?"
Evening star., 1926-11-15
Millions of Words.

Somebody with a faculty for figur
ing has computed that during the first
eleven days of the Hall-Mills murder
trial at Somerville, N. j.. no less than
100000 words of report and com
ment have been put on the wires,
enough to stretch, in the form Of con
tinuous composition at the rate OF
twelve words to six inches. over forty
miles; enough to fill more than four
hundred pages of solid newspaper
reading space.
Just why is this enormous volume
Of writing loosed? Because 1t is eager
ly read. Because this trial, as have
few If any in American history, com
mands the interest of millions Of peo
pie It is a unique case. In the first
place, the crime itself was spectacular
and sensational. Again, there has
been a lapse of more than four years
between it's commission and the open
ing of formal proceedings to deter
mine the guilt or innocence of the four
persons accused.
There is in this case the element
of mystery. Nobody has ever been
found who saw the act committed
The nearest approach to eyewitness
testimony is that of a woman whose
story is remarkable in its romantic
quality and whose illness has hereto
fore prevented her from taking the
stand to testify. Crcumstantial evi
dence is always interesting to the
public. Such a case has the appeal
of the socalled detective story.
The prominence of one of the vic
Tins, and of his family, now accused
gives the case an exceptional appea
on what may be styled the social side
The so-called traditional triangle
becomes a polygon. Witnesses have
switched their positions and changed
their testimony. Charges are made
that undue influences have been al
work to effect silences and obscura
tions. Expert testimony, always cal
culated to whet interest, is employed
Mental deficiency, likewise a factor
in the holding of the public curiosity
is in evidence.
Taken altogether, the character o.
the crime, the character of the &C
cused, and the unusual course of pro
cedure make for greatly aroused
public interest. It is not a matter o.
wonder that the wires are burdene(
with millions Of words. For the re
port of the case is at present and Il
will continue until the conclusion the
primary news story of the day. What
ever people may think about the
morals of the case, or the guilt oil
innocence of the accused, or the truth
fulness of the witnesses, they are
reading these reports avidly, and Fl
is to supply them with faithful
accounts that these words are being
licked off from Somerville.
Evening star., 1926-11-15

political advantage of such a move Is
still open to doubt. On the other
hand, if tax-reduction legislation, such
as that demanded by the President
and Secretary Mellon, fails in the
coming short session, the Democrats
may undertake themselves to force
a special session in the hope that they
can then bring about a change in the
permanent tax rates Of the revenue
law, which they now demand instead
of the rebate or credit proposed by
the President.
In the new Congress, however, the
Republicans will still strongly con-
troll the House. All tax legislation
must originate in that body, and the
Democrats of the Senate must reckon
with that fact.
Farm relief legislation may be
made the excuse of the insurgent Re-
publicans for forcing an extra ses-
sion, if they make that effort next
Spring. 1t is not on record, however
llltL LIS VI liiC AhNA<AAS
Haugen farm relief bill gained many
votes in the next Congress, as COM
pared with their strength in the pres
ent House and Senate. Their only
hope lies in a reversal of the position
taken by Southern Democrats with re-
gard to this legislation. 1t is doubt
ful If the Democrats would iOin in
large numbers in support Of a meas
ure which comes from Republican
Oregon and Republican Iowa.
The coming session Of Congress
promises to be lively, If short. 1t will
emphasize again the advisability of
the adoption of the Norris amendment
to the Constitution, which would do
away with short sessions Of Congress
and the fllibustering tactics which
may tie up the Governments busi-
ness,
Evening star., 1926-11-15
Sees Ciraffes Petted,
Other Animals Hungry
To the Editor of The Star:

The interest displayed by the chill
dren Of Washington in suggesting
names for the two new giraffes was
amusing and pleasing, and it is fit
ting time, 1t seems to me, while the
iron is still hot" to put in word for
other animals not so petted nor so
we'll cared for as are the animals at
the Zoo. These are the stray or lost
and homeless cats and dogs that
abount in our city streets. The condi-
ton Of traffic In our streets today
makes 1t almost impossible for an ami
NAL to find it's way back If it becomes
lost, and I very frequently find them
wandering about. weak from hunger
and famished with thirst. They run
abound in our city streets. The condi-
car, sooner or later to be run down
and manned, or, if luck is with them,
to be killed outright.
1t would be an easy matter for
householders to give a little leftover
food to these animals and a drink of
water before they pass on their way.
The Animal Rescue League is always
ready to take in and care for these
animals, whether lost, sick or injured
and a phone message will bring some
one to take the animal. The Huma ne
Society also does good work in look.
ing after ill-used animals. There are
perhaps other societies of this kind
doing good work. but of the two men.
toned / have personal knowledge.
During the hot Summer months ]
saw so many cases of these Wretched
animals simply perishing for water,
and vet so many pass them by. Much
Of the so-called 'nad-dog" scare would
be obviated If the animals were only
given pan of cold water to drink
They are not mad, but tortured with
thirst. We can get water to drink
or ask for it when thirsty. but would
we not also go mad if denied water
for any length of time? The dumb
animals cannot get it and cannot ask
for it-except in their piteous appeal
to humans. There are some 30-odd ref
erences in the Bible to mercy to
dumb animals. and the same God who
created US created also these animals
and left them to our care. What sort
of stewardship shall we account for:
Blessed are the merciful for they
shall obtain mercy" seems to infer
that those who show no mercy car
hope for none in their turn. Give the
animals water and a little food and
take them to, or phone. the Animal
Rescue League, Third and Maryland
avenue southwest.
HARRIET B. FAGAN.
Evening star., 1926-11-15
THIS AND THAT
by CHARLES E. TRACEWELL.

One Of the queer features Of mod
ern life-perhaps it was always SO
is the importance most of us give to
really unimportant things.
During the recent world series base
ball games we made a few notes In
our small book wherein are kept sun
dry and engaging topics for future
use.
One of them runs as follows:
THE eternal theme,
If
"Meusel--If I hadn't muffed that
ball.
"Lazzeri-If 1 had only knocked a
home rum"
If-yes, surely!-the above had
been printed at the time, with ampli
fications, few there would have been
who would not have understood the
two lines.
Today, however, the writer certain
ly, and probably every one who reads
here, has forgotten totally the situa
ton as to 'Poosh 'em up, Tony" and
almost that In which Meusel got him.
self.
1t all seemed very important then
but 1t is totally unimportant now to
most Of us, anyway.
That marvellous institution, base
ball statistics, will be able to furnish
us the precise circumstances at any
time. Out of that treasure trove of
knOWiedSe come comparisons of base
ball heroes ages apart, with the exact
number of hits made by a certain
man, as compared with those of an.
other, and any number of delightful
details as to the prowess of any one
WhomSoever.
Surely time puts all things in their
places at last.
At the time of any happening
whether sports, statecraft or Whatnot
it probably bulks larger than it ever
will again. There are many eXcep
tions, Of course.
In the main, however, what de
lights us one day is regarded as moth
ing the next. We look back in amaze
ment and wonder how and why we
ever got so excited. What was there
in the thing that made our hearts
beat?
There was time In it!
Man is so made that the event OF
the moment is the event Of his life
His memory Of the past is small, ex
cent in that collective memory we
SAiA bOONS, anu IIo hiONlCuSc Ol IuS
future is even less.
He lives, despite the best wishes OF
prudence and foresight and rever
ence. in the present. which is now
in the f1eeting moment. in the happi
ness which his hands can grasp and
his eyes see and his heart understand.
Yet how utterly unimportant Is
most of that which we encounter! The
only way to judge of this is to use to-
days judgment for the events o1
yesterday. We cannot put today's
things right today. Some cannot ever
do it next year.
Most of us, however. easily separate
the important from the unimportant
If we look back upon it. when all the
heat Of actuality. the essence of time
is removed by the very passage Of
time itself.
Time is that mystery of the ages
which Mr.. Einstein may or may no,
have said does or does not exist. Time
is the essence of things hoped for
The fleeting moment is large enough
when it is present. Whether time is
past present or future, it is equally
Evening star., 1926-11-15
The Baumes Law.

Outspoken criticism Of the drastic
new Baumes law under which the
New York courts are now operating
was voiced Wednesday by Judge Col
Inns in General Sessions. when he was
compelled to sentence a man to prison
for life because he was, in the eyes
Of the new law, "habitual criminal" !"
Describing the prisoner as "a young.
high-Spirited person, who worked six
days a week and drank gin on his
day off," the judge. in fixing the sen.
tence, declared the Baumes law to be
''infleXible and mandatory, plainly
suggesting clamor and mob philoso-
ply in the enactment of legislation. d"
The record Of the prisoner is as fol-
lows: Convicted in 1919 of third-degree
burglary, sixty days; in 1921. felonious
assault on a policeman, sixty days; In
1924. burglary, two years in Sing
Sing: October Is, last. second-degree
assault. five years. His record was
discovered lately and he was taken
back to court from Sing Sing and sen.
fenced TO life imprisonment.
In this particular case, as in a few
others. it may not be strict justice to
put this man away for his natural
life, but In the majority of cases the
Baumes law is not the least bit toe
severe. If this law is inf1exible, the
laws that it replaced We're exactly the
opposite-so flexible, in fact. that they
were sometimes more Of an aid to the
criminal than the State.
Even those who feel that sentimen
tality toward the underworld that
warps their normal Judgment vii
agree that drastic action was neces
ssry to cope with the wave Of crime
that has enguffsd the country. Ban
ditry. burglary and murder have gone
Evening star., 1926-11-15

years" Amherst has become such a
tourist mecca since it's noblest son be-
came President of the United States
that the alumni recently built a fine
modern hotel in the town. It's called
the Lord Jeffrey, after the college g
famous British founder.
x * x X
Who'll say henceforward that Hen.
ry Prather Fletcher, American Am
bassador to Italy. who has just left
Washington for Rome, isn't a diplo
mat to the manner borne? When
Fletcher was interviewed by New
York reporters aboard the Leviathan
on the eve of sailing. they pestered
him for his views about Mussolini
"IIow long will the dictator be able
to dodge assaSsination?" the Ambas.
sador was asked. STRENGTHENING the
Ira exchange rate is now the major
occupation of the Italian govern,
ment." Fletcher replied, land the
process is being materially aided by
the great number Of Americans who
travel in Italy"
In current Good Government. Of
fetal organ of the Civil Service Re.
form League. William Dudley Foulke
restless civil service refor,ner, takes
sundry and divers cracks at patron.
age-chasing statesmen. He names
specifically, Representative Thomas
s. Williams, Republican. Of Illinois
as a man who believes unblushingly
in the time-honored doctrine Of vic
tors ownership Of the spoils "Inves.
tigation by the Civil Service Reform
League" AYERS Mr.. F'oulke, "shows
that a number of Congressman share
Mr.. Williams view That view
Foulke alleges, is that the civil service
examination Is not a fair test Of the
qualifications of candidates, because
it involves no inquiry into party af-
flliations and services.
Baron Won Nathan, the German
Ambassador at Washington, now un
der fire in Berlin for flying the Fa
therland's flag on Armistice day. isn't
at all likely to be rebuked by mis- su
periors in the Wilhelm ,trasse. They'll
probably say what John Hay once
told a delegation Of Americans from
Berlin who journeyed all the way tc
Washington to protest about a certain
attitude taken up by the late Ambas
sador Charlemagne Tower Secretary
Hay listened patiently to the delega
tons tale Of woe. Then he uttered
just four words, Tower never makes
mistakes" That ended the incident
Baron Nathan (who has dropped the
noble won" from his name) IS prob
ably Germany's most experienced rep
resentative at a foreign diplomatic
post. He knows the game he's play
ed all his life, from A to z. and from
Peking to Washington.
(Copyright 1926.1
Evening star., 1926-11-15
Skeleton Shown Marie.
America Urged to Exhibit Real
Greatness Instead.
To the Editor of The Star


The continued reports of the un-
pleasant incidents occurring TO mar
the enjoyment of Queen Marie's tour
Of our country have led me to !eei
that we, as a people. have overlooked
the fact that people of breeding keep
their family skeletons locked from
sight. The national skeleton which
has become exposed is the seeming
inability Of the American people TO
meet unusual, and perhaps awkward
situations with dignity and poise.
OF course, news is news, and Its
propagation Is business, but the press
is a vital organ Of the Nation. and
! the Nations dignity is one OF Its
responsibilities.
The suavity and poise Of the peoples
of the Old World have brought In
their wake a degree of effeteness. Our
| aim must be to add to the poise which
the background of centuries has given
them the strength Of our young Re.
public. When we fail to do this
would it not be wise to lock the door
of publicity?
Queen Marie has come to America
| with q desire to see and understand
us and the stages through which we
have passed, mentally and physically.
forgetting that what has cost our
people two centuries Of agonizlng
effort cannot be shown or compre.
hended in as many months.
If we have failed in any degree as
hosts, it is because no matter how
democratic a Queen may wish to be.
she is innately royal and is surrounded
by regal atmosphere. AS we cease
to study and understand royalty 200
years ago. we are handicapped and
may conclude. from our present ex-
perience, that 1t Is wise to let the
legations guide us and assume the
responsibility Of royal entertainment.
America is great country OF gen
erous and kindly people. In all large
groups there are differences of opinion,
but may we not hope that the door
will be locked on these skeletons and
our guest be shown the real greatness
of America and AMERICANS?
MAUD H&HANSCOM,
Evening star., 1926-11-15
Presidents L AK Credit Plan
Arouses Co onflicting Opinions

ury experts to the effect that tho plan
for reduction suggested by Senator
Simmons is not practicable. and re
marks. Nobody wants to have n tax
reduced only to have it raised again
when II IS found 10 he unwarranted
President Coolidge's plan would leave
the tax schedules as they are and
would provide for a substantial
rebate"
"a combination of Democrats and
radical Republicans could raise hob
with business by tearing open the tax
BILL" says the New York Sun Gnde-
pendentl, with the conclusion that
"the simple way to dispose Of the
surplus is by the method Secretary
Mellon proposes" The Columbus
Ohio State journal Republican) finds
It feasible to return the amount mis-
takenly taken from the taxpayers, II
the estimates of the Governments
needs in relation to anticipated rev
enue turn out to have been Incorrect
and the revenue largely exceeds the
necessary expenses"
*
Republican tax reduction proposals
are viewed by the Louisville Courier
Journal Democratic) az "the post
election cOrroboration of q prediction
prophecy from Democratic sources"
L
asserts that 20 refund now would be
nothing more than method of get
ting rid Of surplus and weakening
the demand for a permanent revision
downward. 1t would leave the way
open for another surplus and another
reduction just before election" con
tends that paper. '"The difference be-
tween the tax views of President Cool.
idge and Senator Simmons is deeper
| . ~
ing to the Raleigh News and Observer
Democraticl which describes the
Presidents plan as "a gift from Uncle
Sam, posing as a sort of Santa Claus"
while the Simmons presentation Of the
Democratic plan 'is that taxes are to
be reduced as matter of right and
justice; If the money in the Treasury
Is not needed. it should not have been
collected" The Charlotte Observer
DemOcratic) remarks: Senator Sim
mons, who has congratulated the Re
publican administration on it's sur
render, is not satisfied and will insist
upon the larger benefit encompa ssed
in the Democratic plan"
Nevertheless, the New York World
dndependent Democratic) holds: "As
between general tax reduction at the
next session and a rebate for this year,
only the latter is to be preferred. il
AT least VIII not Involve the danger
of a. deficit year hence in the event
of a recession in general business.
Yet the rebate Is still open to serious
objection. The taxes paid this year
have already been shifted to the ulti-
mate consumer wherever this has
been possible. To those who have
thus escaped the burden the refund
will be nothing less than a windfall:
in numerous cases the relief will 60
to the taxpayer. hut not. as II should,
to the actual LaxDearer.'
Evening star., 1926-11-15
Motor Brake Efficiency
Demands Equalization
To the Editor Of The Star

Your editorial Of October 80 on
wet Weather Driving" was a verv
timely appeal to all motorists to take
particular care when driving on wet
streets and emphasized the dangers of
improperly equalized brakes Such
editorials are of extreme value to the
public. for upon the adjustment Of
the "other mans brakes" depends the
safety of so many lives. | have been
wondering, however, whether the en-
gineers and the public realize that no
brakes in general use in this country
are capable of being really euualized,
since the only equalizing adjustment
that can be made in the present sys.
TENS is that of equalizing the pres
sure OF the several brake bands on
their drums
Why have the automobile manufac.
turers disregarded the other variable
factors in brake lization-namely
equalizing for variations in the drag
Of the different wheels on the road
when one wheel Is on slippery car
track" and the others are not and
equalizing for variations in the drag
of the drums against the bands when
one drum and band are wet or when
one band has worn down more than
another. due to variations in dust
and grit collected. Why have the
automobile manufacturers been con.
tent to provide adjustment for the
pressure of bands on the drums onlv
and to disregard all of the other vari.
ables in the braking system, which
system really extends from the brake
pedal to the road itself?
Why not equalize the retarding
forces direct by interposing a mech.
anism between the brake anchorages?
The instantaneous forces which are
exerted on these brake anchorages are
always equal to the instantaneous
braking forces exerted through the
individual wheels, and If these forces
are equalized as between themselves
by this mechanism, then there will
be no tendency for the car to skid
and there will be equalization in the
real sense of the word
Such a mechanism has been devel
oped, and the best part about it is
that It works. r. A. LAVENDER.