davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-09-10

situation which arouses the indigna-
ton of every intelligent American.
The question of prohibition may be
discarded entirely. The issue Is that
corruption. crookedness. graft and in
efficiency exist among officers of the
Government. Run these malefactors
out! They are morally, IL not legally.
guilty of treason.
There is no strength in the puerile
contention that the unpopularity of a
law excuses the shortcomings Of those
whose duty it Is to enforce 1t. These
servants of the Government have
duty to perform which has no bear.
ing on the popularity. the right or
the wrong. of the law. There must
be honest men. Let them enforce the
law. fearlessly. fairly and with that
regard for the sanctity and dignity
of the Federal Government from
which flows it's strength. Rid our
of the crooks. the drones.
the grafters! And then let us talk of
If the subject is still open
for discussion.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-09-10
Demography of the Negro.

From the New York Times
DR.. Louis I. Dublin of the Metro
politan Life Insurance Co. makes
very hopeful statistical estimate Of
the future Of the negro In the United
States. His statistics and conclusions
are to be found in an article in the
American Mercury entitled Life,
Death and the Negro" The history
of the race in the United States since
it first crept upon the tables of vital
statistics in 1890, when the observed
colored population was 757,208, down
to 1920, when it was 10,46S, 131, shows
that. 1t has multiplied nearly IA
times. The rate Of increase greatly
slackened in the decade 1910-1920,
when the increase was $50 per cent,
as compared with 11.20 in the pre-
vious decade. The latter was only
about a third OF what it was at the
beginning Of the nineteenth century.
Despite the exceptional fecundity of
our colored population. its percentage
Of the total fell to 90 in 1920 from
there were "doleful prophecies" that
the race problem would be settled by
extinction, but they have been dis
credited by the improved health con-
ditions which the colored people have
shared with white Americans. Ac-
cording to DR.. Dublin, the expecta-
ton of negro males at so Is only
year less than that Of white males
and of negro females only Q little over
tive years less Ed
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-09-10
Site Clearing Provisions.

| October the District Commission.
ers will hold a public hearing on the
subject of a site for the farmers
produce market, which will soon be
transferred from it's present location
to make way for the new Internal
Revenue Building. Several sites have
been proposed. but before reaching II
decision the Commissioners wish to
the public and of the farmers who use
the market. This hearing will be con-
fined to the specific question of the re-
location of the farmers market. 1t
will not be complicated by discussion
of the future location of Center Mar
ket, which likewise must soon be va.
Gated to make way for one of the new
Government buildings, probably that
of the Department of Justice. which
has been tentatively designated to &C.
cupy the section of the Mall-Avenue
triangle lying between Seventh and
Ninth streets.
While 1t is doubtless we'll to concen-
trate attention on the farmers mar
ket matter at this time, thought must
soon be given to the other question.
The location Of the farmers market
does not necessarily depend upon the
re.establishment of the Center Mar
ket, although the two have been close
" related heretofore. AS has been
frequently pointed out. the three ele-
ments Of the food-provision organiza-
ton now centered in the area between
Sixth and Twelfth streets and Penn
sylvania avenue and the Mall. the re-
tail Center Market. the farmers mar
ket and the wholesale houses. may be
scattered without public inconven-
fence.
1t is altogether likely that progress
on the new Government constructions
will now be rapid. Work win very
soon be started on the Department Of
Commerce and Internal Revenue
Buildings. Other structures are being
designed, and sites for them within
the great triangle win soon be definite
ly selected. Already there has been
difficulty in caring for District bu-
reaus and utilities located within the
pre-empted area, and emergency adj
justments have been necessary. The
farmers market is conspicuous ex-
ample Of the unfortunate consequence
of failure to provide in season for re.
locations. Heed should be taken of
this illustration of the trouble caused
by delay, and arrangements should be
made well in advance of the actual
construction work for further clear.
ances of site that are certain to be re.
quired as the building program now
gaining Roadway progresses. This
whole matter should be laid before
Congress at the next session with
specific recommendations, for action
before adjournment, so that there will
be no further blockades or complica-
tons.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-09-10
Clean House.

Indiana's governor and the mayor
of Indiana's capital have been indict-
ed by grand jury. Indictment is far
from conviction. but it must be ad-
mitted that cloud of suspicion has
hung like a pail over the Republican
administration of the State and city
for months. The indictments now re-
turned are the first fruits of three
grand jury Investigations, which be-
gan a year ago.
Charges of corruption were made
publicly against officials of the State
and against Republican leaders during
the campaign last year. when congress
siona1 and state elections hung in the
balance The name of D. c. Stephen
son, former grand dragon of the ku
Klux Khan. and now serving a life
an, was connected with the charges.
Stephenson, 1t was openly said, would
''spill the BEANS" telling all he knew
Of the acts of Gov. Ed. Jackson. Mayor
John L. Duvall of Indianapolis. and
other officials and party leaders unless
he were freed. At that time Stephen
son was brought before a grand jury.
But nothing developed Immediately.
Steve" said nothing. or nothing that
was reported to the public. The po-
htical campaign proceeded. Republi-
cans generally were victorious.
Indiana Republicans, it appears,
have been unfortunate in the selec-
ton of their gubernatorial candidates
in recent years. Gov. Jackson is the
second in succession to have been in
dicted for felony. Warren T. McCray.
former governor, has but recently
stepped from the doors of the Federal
Penitentiary at Atlanta. where he
served part of a ten-year sentence for
embezzling money OF the State Board
of Agriculture. Gov. Jackson must
now stand trial on a charge of hav.
ing conspired with George V. COT
fin, Republican city and county chair
man, and Robert I. Marsh. former law
partner of the governor. to bride Nc
Cray to appoint James e. Mcdonald
prosecuting attorney for Marion Coun-
ty. Coffin and Marsh are indicted
along with the governor. It is charged
that $4,000 was offered McCray to
make the appointment and promise
of immunity in connection with the
charges then pending against McCray
himself.
Mayor Duvall has been indicted for
violating the corrupt practices act in
connection with his election. The pic
ture presented of Indiana administra-
ton and Indiana politics is not a pref
ty one. II rivals the most vicious gang
rules which have been uncovered in
other States and cities in the past.
The people of Indiana, now that their
attention has been called to the stu.
alton, may be expected to rise in
their wrath when the elections roll
around next year and clean house. If
this cannot be accomplished through
a. regeneration Of the Republican or
ganization, then honest Republicans
should join with honest Democrats
to sweep all rascals out.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-09-10

self in the place where the upper rail
meets an upright.
His web is practically a perfect
specimen, about a foot in diameter.
with symmetrical pattern which 1t
Is a pleasure for a human being to
contemplate.
A human being would construct a
web the same way-if he could!
The trouble Is, no man can equal
a first-class spider when it comes to
setting up webs. They are not called
spider webs for nothing!
Once we saw an artificial creation
in jewelers. window. 1t was con.
structed of fine silver wires, against
a background of black velvet.
One was reminded of the critic 8
opinion of Pope's somewhat artificial
translation of Homer's 'Iliad":
1T is very pretty, Mr.. Pope, but
1t isn't Homer"
Even second-rate spider would
have been ashamed of the clumsy
craftsmanship displayed in the web.
The spectator had but to go into any
garden to see the difference.
Perhaps the finest example of web
engineering in our garden is the work
of an invisible spider.
His web speaks for him.
He, himself, no doubt is lurking
behind convenient rose, or a Zinnia
blossom.
The web is not large one, per-
haps little more than a foot in
diameter, sticking straight out from
the Sunburst rosebush to which it
is anchored by two main lines,
slightly reinforced.
The web is held at right angles to
the bush by 10-foot single span
running across the yard to one Of
the Zinnia beds.
This line divides into six guy lines,
about Q feet from the zinnias, al
though the course of the main span
is plainly discernib1e to the very end.
Just how the spider managed to
cast that long line across such a
huge distance Is a mystery to one
who has not delved into spiderology.
Perhaps he is a tiny fellow who
began to unroll his line as he threw
himself into space, and, being very
light, managed to float across to the
zinnias. Or maybe he began at the
Emma END, placing his chief span
first, building up the web afterward.
In fact, although we call this
spider invisible, we remember having
seen a very miniature one walking
along that big cable.
Can 1T be possible that this little
thing could have stretched this posi-
lively huge bit Of construction
compared to himself-in the very face
of the breeze in absolute disdain of
such human factors as might come
walking that way, unthinkingly tear
Ing down in a second the work of
his tiny hands?
Since the discovery of this engi-
neering feat every one has taken
care to avoid walking against it, but
it is SO difficult to see, in certain
lights, especially the long thin line,
that it's destruction seems imminent.
AT best, it can remain but a few
weeks longer. Autumn is on the way
and cold weather and spiders do not
go together. The flying things of
the day and night will be gone. The
spider viii have no more use for his
wonderful web.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-09-10
Installment Buying.
From the New York Herald Tribune.

Various economists have remarked
that the major economic problem of
today does not concern production or
even distribution, but consumption.
How to make the public consume rap
idly enough and in sufficient quantity
the Niagara of goods that pours every
second from the hopper of modern in
dustry-that is the poser that now
Fuckers the brows of manufacturer
and merchant. For mass production
requires mass consumption. and the
one is easier to provide than the
other. At least, mass production, in
volving as it does the Harvesting Of
chemical or physical nature, when
once provided is automatic and de-
pendable, but mass consumption.
which has to do purely with human
nature. is neither. Nevertheless, this
major problem Is being solved, and
largely through installment buying.
In a study of the subject for the
American Academy of Political and
Social Science, DIR. Wilbur c.. Plum
mer has estimated that installment
goods amount now to about Is per
cent of all goods sold in this country,
or about $4,000, 100000 annually. In
stallment sales cover two-thirds Of all
automobiles. four-fifths of all phono-
graphs, three-fourths of all washing
machines, two.thirds of all vacuum
cleaners. more than SO per cent of
pianos, sewing machines, radios, cleo
trio refrigerators and 25 per cent of
all jewelry. The great majority of
homes are bought on the installment
plan and a large part of their furni-
ture. Installment buying would ap.
pear to be an absolutely essential
factor in our present economic health.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-09-10
Run Them Ont!

One of the many issues which have
served to becloud the whole question
of prohibition has been the argument
pro and con regarding the corruption
Of enforcement agents. Enemies of
prohibition have emphasized this al
legged state of corruption as condi-
ton which nullifies the Volstead act
and therefore defeats prohibition.
Friends of the eighteenth amendment
have shown too much inclination to
minimize the existence of corruption
among Federal agents. The sense of
their statements is that there may be
some graft, but the great benefits
achieved under prohibition so over
shadow the difficulties of enforcement
that the latter deserve small recogni-
ton.
'rhe new Assistant Secretary of the
Treasury in charge Of prohibition en-
sorcement. Seymour w. Lowman,
minces no words and spares no feel.
ings in his statement declaring that
"There are many incompetent and
crooked men in the service. Bribery
is rampant. There are many wolves
in sleeps clothing. We are after
them"
His statement is encouraging. 1t Is
encouraging in the fact that the Gov
eminent official responsible for the en-
forcement of prohibition recognize:
the existence OF what long since hal
been known to be shameful evil. /
is encouraging in the fact that this
came Government official has TIT
temerity to point it out without quih
bling. II is encouraging in the fac
that the knowledge of an evil is tn
first requisite for It's abolition.
Some days." says Mr.. Lowman
"my arm gets tired signing orders o
dismissal" More strength to you
arm, Mr.. Lowman! 1t may tire, blu
fatigue is not paralysis. Regardless
of the views one may hold upon tn
moral principle Of prohibition. here
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-09-10

All America today joins Lieut.. Al
Williams in his disappointment at
being unable to participate in the
forthcoming Schneider Cup races, to
be held in Venice, Italy. on the
twenty-fifth of September. Williams
has made a gallant effort to compete
In the airplane speed classic and from
President Coolidge down the Govern
ment has aided In every possible
manner. but the fates decreed other
wise and the flyer reluctantly an
nounced yesterday that his plane
could not be made ready in time for
the overseas trip.
With the fast cruiser Trenton held
in readiness to sail for Italy and Will
liams straining every effort to make
the necessary tests, hope was held
out until the last minute that he
would be able to give the word for
embarkation. But pontoon trouble,
which was never satisfactorily REM
edied. warned the aviator that to fly
at full speed with his powerful motor
of twelve hundred and fifty horse
power would mean. disaster and he
regretfully gave UP the expedition.
To England alone goes the blame
IL there Is any. for Americas non
participation this year. Despite the
facts that American sportsmanship
has characterized every other Schnei-
Ter race, that America has once failed
to take the award because England
was unable to compete. that the race
had been once postponed to enable
Italy to be represented, Britain un-
graciously refused to delay this years
event in order that Williams might
have time to make the overseas trip
And Italy, the recipient Of Americas
ideals of sport justice a few years
ago. did not press the matter, but
with apparent indifference let thu
British refusal stand as an obstacle
to American participation.
There Is some crumb of comfort
however. even If Williams canno
compete In italy. He has announced
that he will Immediately remove thu
pontoons from his plane, change 4
into a land ship and go after thu
world speed record which Is held b!
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-09-10

France at two hundred and seventy
eight mikes an hour. Williams plane,
which was never designed to fly with
pontoons. is expected to attain a
miles an hour when 1t Is equipped
with wheels.
So that. with the most powerful
motor ever installed in an airplane,
the naval aviator may within the
next two weeks regain for the United
States the most coveted world record
in aviation. though without winning
the trophy. And the United States
is waiting eagerly for the time when
1t can applaud his success.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-09-10
The Insanity Plea.

Recently a New York policeman as
signed to special duty guarding the
bearers Of pay rolls through the streets
of the city shot and killed a paymas.
ter whom he had thus served and, TAX
ing the cash. entered upon an orgy of
spending. When arrested on the
strength of explicit circumsta ntial evil
dence Of his crime he refused to an
swer questions, and now his counsel
announces that plea OF insanity will
| be entered in defense. The other day
a man shot two others to death as the
result Of a quarrel over a real estate
deal and drove third out of the ninth
story window. to fall to his death and
kill a. passerby. He has acknowledged
the shooting. but his counsel, like
wise. states that plea of insanity
will be advanced in defense.
The insanity plea is the common
refuge of the slayer for whom no
other justification for his act can be
advanced. 1t has succeeded in many
cases and failed in others. 1t is, per-
haps. the last chance of escape from
execution. Sometimes 1t succeeds
only partially. to secure an imprison-
ment sentence rather than condemna-
ton to death.
The laws and practices of the States
vary widely in regard to this plea. In
some jurisdictions greater leniency Is
manifested toward it and the slightest
departure from the normal is effective
to secure a favorable verdict. In
others the insanity plea is regarded
with suspicion, as being subterfuge.
a desperate resort in defense.
There can be no practical unifica-
ton of the laws in respect to this plea.
It's constant occurrence, however. Is
publicly viewed with some alarm as
menacing a weakening of the safe.
guards against crime. The appear
ance of the expert alienist on the wit
ness stand in behalf Of the defense is
the signal for general derision. The
SpeCLdcie Oh COIlillCllH6 CAPCiI OpAAA-
ions regarding the mental condition
of the accused has frequently caused
ridicule to be expressed regarding the
course of justice. In response to this
reaction in some Jurisdictions the &C
cused who presents an insanity plea
is subjected to examination by PSYCHE
artists engaged by the State, whose
report is accepted as final. This is
undoubtedly the safer, surer method
of determining the mental condition
and the degree Of responsibility on
the part Of the defendant.
An insanity plea Is confession of
fact. in avoidance of criminal respon-
sibility. Murder may be the act Of a
person temporarily unbalanced by
rage, or jealousy, or by grief. But
In only the rarest instances, according
to an analysis of numerous cases in
which this defense has been offered,
is there any excuse on the score of a
diseased brain for the taking Of human
life.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-09-10
BACKGROUND OF EVENTS
BY PAUL Y. COLLINS.

George Washington Post, No. /, of the
American Legion is the best answer /
know how to give, that / am in SYM
pathy with. the Legion's spirit and it's
aims. The preamble of it's constitution
Is the most patriotic expression writ
ten in America since Lincoln's great
Gettysburg address; it deserves to
stand in parallel column alongside of
that address. 1t is a noble answer to
the reasonable vaporings of slackers,
communists and anarchists.
THE Legion is unselfish in it's de-
votion to the relief of the wounded
and otherwise disabled 'buddies,
whether they belong to it's member
ship or not. 1t has been most active
in the organization of Government aid
for them, in guarding against unwise
legislation and in supporting proper
laws not only to promote the interests
Of veterans, but also to advance the
cause Of general patriotism and ma
tional defense. It's education of the
public in safe and sane measures of
preparedness would alone justify all
the work and expense Of such an or
ganization.
las the years go by, its influence,
instead Of waning, will grow until it
will become the dominant public
spirit Of -the country, binding all Sec
lions together in soldier sympathy and
patriotism. 1t must ever remain pre-
eminently American.
"No man should ever use the Ameri-
can Legion to gain political prefer
ment, for that would conflict with its
very purpose.
"It will ever be the balance.wheel
Of peace-not WARRIOR there is no
class so determined to maintain peace
as the men who know what war really
is. So. in the preamble, one of the
outstanding pledges Is to promote
peace and good will on earth and, with
100 per cent Americanism,' to safe
guard and transmit to posterity the
principles Of freedom, justice and
democracy What great bulwark
OF national defense is the American
Leg1on-now and forever!
we all admired the dauntless Col.
Lindbergh in his distinguished service
as unofficial ambassador to France
Now in this second A. e. F. to France
there will be $4,000 such Ambassadors
counteracting the ISLANDERS of prejudice
against America. With conduct and
bearing BETTING Americans and gen.
tlemen, this second visit will 60
farther toward knitting the ties Of in
~ Ae""Aoii1I CoiliIducSIllp anu SOOU Will
between Europe and America than
years of ordinary diplomacy. Every
Legionnaire carries that blessed and
sober responsibility to preserve the
memories and incidents Of our asso-
citation in the Great War; and to con-
secrate and sanctify our comradeship
mot alone among American SOL
diers, but also with our associates of
the allies-by our devotion to mutual
helpfulness.' Yours truly,
JOHN J. PERSHING."
Copyright 1927. by Paul v. Collins.)
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-09-10
Public Hears Much Concerning
Methods of Modern Journalism

argues that extension Of this princi-
pie, already in force in some coun-
tries, including the United States.
would make possible the securing Of
more and better news"
Discussing the charges Of Lord
Hewart, among which was that Of
"misreporting," the Dayton Daily
News says sit is true that public men
who find their correctly quoted re-
marks getting them into trouble COM
monty try to save their faces at the
expense of the papers," but that paper
concludes: "Self-reform is painful
and infrequent. Reform Of others Is
pleasurable and daily activity. Gen.
tlemen of the bar, let us reform each
other, you the press and we the bar.
and if the millennium isn't here by
the time Of the New Year whistles, 1t
will be because the whistles are too
choked with emotion to blow"
y X y
"The demand for clean, accurate,
comprehensive news reports, free
from sensationalism, was never
stronger than now" affirms the st.
Joseph News-PresS, with the further
statement that "the responsiveness
of a majority Of newspaper workers
to this demand is noteworthy, and
criticism that is frank, honest and
discerning viii recognize this fact.
Newspapers which take a serious
view of their functions are not in the
least annoyed by that kind Of criti-
cism."
Replying to the British Justices
statement that the newspapers con-
stitute a "huge engine for keeping
discussion at a low level" the Boston
Transcript asserts: Some people
perhaps the lord chief justice is one
of them-are inclined to fancy that
the newspapers should be superior in
tone to the people who read them.
They may even be just that, and still
be under the necessity Of regarding
in the main the demands of their
readers. The papers may suggest a
great deal of uplift, and still be quite
unable to dominate the tastes and
preoccupations of the public"
The Hamilton Spectator adds its
testimony that mo body Of men and
women strives more faithfully to tell
the truth, and to tell it in harmony
with their impressions and knowledge.
than do most newspaper writer's of
this day. Lord Hewart's words may
serve as an exhortation to more ear
nest striving, but he may be assured
the effort is constant"
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-09-10

According to friends, the useful
years of Charles E. Hughes constitute
no objection to his candidacy. 1t must
be unanimously agreed that the White
House is no place for an infant
prodigy.