davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-07-30
Nobody to Blame!

Indications appear that the Chicago
! disaster in which twenty-seven per-
| sons were drowned in the Capsizing
| Of an excursion boat will be officially
| declared to be IAN act of God" I'M
aVoidable and due to no human cul-
pability or neglect Officials are re-
ported as declaring that the boat was
perfectly equipped, was seaworthy
and carried sufficient life preservers,
and the decision of the coroner's in
quest. it is expected. will exonerate
everybody concerned from any share
of blame.
Just the same, photographs of the
boat which capsized are now in evil
dence, showing her to be a small craft,
of proportions that make it difficult
to understand how sixty-two passen-
gers could possibly have been adj
mitted to her. The official capacity
may have been more than the num-
Der which she carried, but If SO, 1t is,
according to the pictures that have
been published. a dangerous stretch
ing of the limit Of safety.
These little boats are all right In
smooth waters, in good weather and
with calm behavior on the part of
their passengers. But, as this case
shows, calm behavior is not to be de-
pended upon. In any emergency that
may arise an excursion party
afloat is likely to be seized with panic
and the margin of safety is too slen-
der to permit any sudden movement.
That the boat could be overturned is
tragically proved by the fact that
when the people went to one side 1t
capsized. It must be remembered that
the movement Of the passengers was
to the windward as the boat careened
alec, so that she was forced down on
that windward side against the pres
sure of the squall.
Official capacity" should be reck-
oned in terms of something more than
tonnage and dimensions. 1t should be
reckoned in terms of stability, of bal
last, of keel resistance and in the last
analysis Of exceptional passenger
movement. No boat should ever be
permitted to go out of port that can
possibly be careened to the danger
point by the movement Of all on board
to one side. That is the test that
should be rigidly applied to every
boat made available for the use of
the public, which, IMMERSED in such
matters, must accept rendered accom-
modations as dependable.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-07-30
The President and Geneva.

Even a casual study of the Presi-
dents views on Geneva. as represented
by the Rapid City correspondents,
shows that what is uppermost in his
mind is the fact that il the United
States hoped to attain parity with
Great Britain by accepting her pro-
posals it would cost a lot of money.
The President sees no sinister motives
in Great Britain's contentious for q
big navy. CALDER Of guns and cruis-
ing radius do not worry him. What
he does see is that the United States
must set to work and build ships II
the United States accepts the British
proposals and seeks to attain the par
ity outlined by her Geneva spokesman,
and this is just what the President has
sought to avoid.
Great Britain's final proposals in
volve a total tonnage in cruisers, de-
stroyers and submarines Of $500
tons for herself and for the United
States. Instead of scrapping any,
thing, as the United States did after
the Washington conference, Great
Britain would have to build up to
this great figure herself. AS for the
United States, equality with Great
Britain would necessitate the eXpendi-
ture of more than 100000, 600. And
after this building program the United
States would have vessels of a type
not best suited to it's national needs.
In the face of great pressure during
the last session Of Congress President
Coolidge held out against the con-
struction of cruisers which naval eX-
ponents declared were absolutely nee
essary. His expressed reason for this
stand was his hope that the Geneva
conference would invalidate the neces
sity for additional cruisers at this time
AS regards the situation today at &c
neva, the President feels that Great
Britain's proposals would give the
United States much larger Navy
than It needs. He is not concerned
over a British navy that the United
States might fear.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-07-30
UNITED STATES
in WORLD WAR
Ten Years Ago Today

Attorney General issues order to
round up all Slackers, and issues In
structions for their registration as
well as prosecution. Congress
petitioned for selective draft for doc
tors on ground that volunteer recruit
ing of them is failure. Secre-
tary of Federal Council Of Allied War
Relief Charities discloses loss of five
valuable shipments of relief supplies
in three weeks by U-bOat sinkings.
Senate poll indicates that the
Sheppard resolution for q constitu-
tional amendment on nationwide pro.
hibition would be adopted. &c to 81.
Senator Underwood sees in such an
amendment an entertainment on
State rights. United States Am
bassador to call Mexico's attention to
activities of German spies.
Washington believes that peace in
terviews" of German chancellor and
Austrian minister are merely an at
tempt to split allies and incite the
pacifists. President wins bat
tie to make Herbert Hoover sole food
controller when Senate conferees re-
cede on amendment for a commission
of three members. Fear of veto a
factor. President to deprive
Germany of fats through drastic en-
barge. Germans now paying more
than S. q pound for them according
to Feed ADMINISTRATOR aavieess
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-07-30

Prize fighting. 1t must be admitted,
is q rough game. But according to
modern requirements the good prize
fighter is not the man who can con-
tent himself with undergoing the
simple process Of being knocked
about until he Is fortunate enough
to put his opponent in the land OF
Nod. The modern prize fighters abil.
!ty in the ring is Of little moment
compared to his prowess in the
as a prize fighters right glove Is
raised in acknowledgment of his
victory, he must set about imme-
diately answering law suits. Nor are
the suits confined to the fighters
alone. The modern fight is never
successful, never sure Of being held
until at least one suit for injunction
Is entered against the promoter to
atop the fight.
But the most Interesting thing
about the suits against the fighters
IS the fact that they show what a
remarka Bile number of agreements
the fighters have entered into with
other persons. Vicious Vernon, say,
lands a lucky one on the jaw Of his
rival and the morning papers pro-
claim him champion. Immediately a
score of suits are filed. They allege
Athat Vicious Vernon entered iYp
agreements with this. that and the
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-07-30

other fellow. whereby they were to
receive specified portions of the prize
money. They allege that before the
fight Vicious Vernon devoted twelve
hours a day for several months to
the task OF entering into agreements.
And the result is that Vicious Yer
non must pay out a large share of
his hard-won fortune in hiring law
yers who will defend him, and is
soon forced by unkind necessity to
keep the wolf from the door by once
again climbing through the ropes and
lighting another fight.
AS far as can be remembered. none
Of these suits is ever won. But
ought 10 be done to pro-
teCt our poor, Woodworking prize
lighters against this annoyance. 1t
3 surprising that the legal profess
sion has not taken up the matter.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-07-30
Press Anticipates New Deal
In Indiana Political Probe

weaklings to continue in Office and
run State affairs?" The Roanoke
Times independent Democratic ex.
presses the belief that Stephenson's
disclosures promise to make new
deal in Republican circles not only
advisable but absolutely imperative"
X X X X
at is plainly a miserable position"
according to the New York World lin.
DEPENDENT, that some Indiana poll
ticians occupy while this is going on.
For the public interest it is to be
hoped that Stephenson will bring out
every ounce of evidence he has. That
would end the melodrama with a
punch"
Replying to statement by Senator
Watson of Indiana that the Khan
in Indiana is less potential than 1t
was few years ago" and that the
people as a whole don't put much
stock in the charges. anyhow" the
South Bend Tribune independent Re
publican) says that many can be
found to differ with him. In this sec
ton Of the State, at least" continues
the Tribune, Judging from public dis
cussion, the charges have moved pub
lie opinion to a considerable extent
and have strengthened the feeling
among Republicans that the Repubh-
can party in the State should purge
itself of those persons who appear 10
have been closely allied with Stephen
son. Judging from the Republican
press of Indiana, the same feeling ex-
lists elsewhere"
Speaking for the common people.
who ARE at a loss to know what 70
believe, for scandal and gossip go hand
in hand and frequently the stories
which gain currency by word of mouth
are greatly exaggerated" the Great
Falls Tribune Democratic) draws the
conclusion: "Self-respecting Hoosiers
are said to be highly incensed at a POI
litical organization which would pros
titute itself in the manner the Repub-
lean leaders did in Indiana, and there
may be a housekeeping there next
year. If that housekeeping means
voting for Democrats, the national Re-
publican ticket may find Ku-kluxery
of the Stephenson-Jackson sort ex-
pensive baggage" But the Fort
Wayne Journal-Gazette Democratic).
speaking for it's own State, declares:
This investigation seems now to have
reached point from which Indiana
can be lifted up and Indiana citizen
ship raised from shame TO self-respect.
Will this be done? We hope and be.
lieve So"
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-07-30
ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
BY FREDERIC ]. HASKIN.

@. When should dozen be used as
the plural Of dozen, and when dozens?
&C. G..
A. Dozen is used when a number
precedes it. as ten dozen, while doz-
ems is used with other adjectives. such
as many dozens.
Q. Has Alaska university?-P. G.
A. The Alaska Agricultural College
and School of Mines. the last of the
migrant colleges, was opened in
September, 1922. The university build
ings are located in the outskirts Of
Fairbanks.
@. What river in the world has the
greatest amount of commerce?-D. W.
A. The tonnage passing through the
Detroit River exceeds in volume that
passing through any other river in
the world.
@. Why is it that glasses with she'll
rims seldom break when dropped
j. II.
A. The semi-fexible frames absorb
the shock Of the fall and practically
eliminate the possibility Of breaking
or cracking the lenses.
@. What are tonnage men"?-H. It.
A. In the steel industry workers
who are paid on a piece-work basis
are known as tonnage men.
Q. What did the Russians call the
Emperor of Russia? l have heard that
Gear" was incorrect.-E. T.
A. Since the time of Peter the
Great the term "Tsar" has not been
applied by Russians to their ruler.
They called their emperor "Gosudar
Imperator." using either or both
words.
Q. Which way does a nail hold
better. to drive 1t straight or
slanted?-F. A.
A. A nail driven on a down slant
holds better than driven straight.
Q. Where did Guy de Maupassant
die?-E. F.
A. De Maupassant died in an asy-
lum for the insane at Passy, France,
in 1902. AS early as 1887 traces Of in
sanity appeared in his writing and
caused a practical suspension of his
literary work in 1890.
@. What kind Of an airplane was
Quentin Roosevelt flying when he
was killed?-P. r.
A. The machine was a Newport
% with 150-horsepower Gnome engine.
The planes number was IA, and it
bore the insignia of the 95th Aero
'Squadron-a bucking bronchO.
@. OF just what do "belles-lettres"
consist &C. w.
A. Formerly the expression was
sometimes used as the equivalent to
the humanities, but it is now applied
rather vaguely to literary works of
style, taste and imagination-in other
words, polite literature" The term
has no recorded use in English before
1710, when 1t was used by Swift in
THE Tatler."
O. How do Lake Winnipeg and
Great Bear Lake in Canada compare
with Erie and Ontario in size?-
n. G.. c.
A. Great Bear Lake is larger than
Lake Erie or Lake Ontario, but is
very irregular in shape. Lake Winnie
peg is larger than Ontario, but smaller
than Erie.
@. What Instruments are included
in the term wood-winds?-T. S.
A. They include the piccolo, flute,
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-07-30

is a large and cumbersome vehicle
at best and is difficult to pass except
under perfect conditions. Any failure
to give way for an overtaking auto
mobile is likely to result in a serious
accident. It is perfectly patent, there
fore. that drivers Of buses should he
scrupulous in regard to the handling
of their vehicles in relation to other
users of the road
Assuming that officials of the va
rious lines will do everything in their
power to provide a check-up on the
conduct of their drivers, motorists
themselves can aid by reporting to
the companies promptly the license
number of every vehicle which Is
driven in such way as to endanger
traffic. With these two methods of
regulation in force. there appears to
be no reason why the situation cannot
be Immediately improved and a dan
gerous and annoying practice elimi-
mated from the highways.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-07-30

The plane flown by Thea Rasche
Is called a "Flamingo." The names
employed in aviation are not always
appropriate. A flamingo is a gorgeous
bird, but natural historians do not
distance flyer. But, as the poet In
quires, whats In a name?" If the
airship can excel in flight, it makes
ostrich or a Rhode Island Red. The
world will join in honoring it's in
trepid feminine pilot.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-07-30

oboe. English horn, clarinet, bass clar.
met, bassoon and contra bassoon.
Q. What was the name by which
Queen Victoria was called in her child.
hood?-H. u.
\. She was christened Alexandria
Victoria. but In the family circle was
called Drina.
Q. Have Great Britain, France and
italy civil aviation Departmental II
so, when were they established?-J. X.
A. 4 department Of civil aviation
was created by the British Parliament
as early as February, 1919. Soon after
this both France and Italy established
similar departments
Q. What bands in England and
France arc the most famous military
bands?-N. NJ.
A. Probably the Coldstream Guards
Band and Grenader Guards Band will
fill the position in England and the
Garde Republicaine Band In France.
Q. What cities in the United States
have the most railroads entering
them?-F. K.
A. Chicago heads the list with %;
st. Louis has a; Kansas City. 70:
Toledo, 1G, and New York City, Is.
O. Why do the natives cast berries
into the crater OF Kiiauea?-E. w. 8.
A. The custom of casting cheIo ber-
ries into the crater Of the volcano is
a very ancient one in Hawaii. The
object is to propitiate the Goddess Pele.
The Goddess Pele appears in various
guises. Formerly it was believed that
she would never allow the volcano to
harm any individuals. but the recent
flows of lava have shown this TO be
not true. Red flags are often placed
to mark the boundaries of the village
and q live pig is tied in front a a
sacrifice to the goddess. Kilauea Is
merely Il crater on the eastern slope
of Mauna Loa, which is the largest
volcano in the world, though not the
loftiest.
@. When was the arch first EN-.
ployed in architecture?-A. T.
A. The arch is of great antiquity.
The Egyptians knew the round arch.
but relegated it to works of engineer
ing and private architecture. The
same is true Of the Greeks. The
Babylonians and Assyrians knew and
USeQ DOtn the pointed ana semi -ClrcU-
lar arch in their palaces, tombs and
temples. The Romans were the first
to develop the arch as a dominating
feature Of external as we'll as internal
design. especially in secular buildings.
The Persians and Mohammedans in
the sixth and seventh centuries used
a variety of forms. Triumphal arches
seem to have originated with the
Romans. Nearly $50 such Roman
arches remain in whole or in part, of
which about so are in North Africa.
The earliest arches were Of stone, but
later they were crowned with figures
in bronze. The number Of openings
varied from one to four.
When in doubt ask Hdskin. He
offers himself as target for the
questions of our readers. He agrees
to furnish facts for all acho ask. This
is q large cOntrdCt-one that has
neUer been filed before. 1t 1could be
possible only in Washington and only
to one 1Cho has spent lifetime IN
locating sources of Information. Has
Kin does not knotC all the things that
people ASK him, but he EnotCS people
tUhO do knorc. Try him. State your
question briefly. GCrite plainly and in
close 2 cents in stamps for return
postage. Address Frederic j. Hdsktn,
director. The EUenin0 Star Inform0-
ton Bureau, Washington, D. c..
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-07-30
SHOOTING STARS.
BY PHlLANDER JOHNSON.

COmmercialized Humor.
We're yearning, nowadays, for some
thing witty,
Which helps to pass the weary hours
away,
And even for a pun that knows no
pity,
A price that seems exorbitant we
pay.
The luxury of laughter's growing
dearer;
Life doesn't seem just what it used
to be.
l wish that we could somehow bring
them nearer
The good old days when real fun was
free.
When some one knew a wheeze, he
simply told it
To any friend who CHANGED to be in
reach.
He later made farce of it and sold it,
Collecting seven dollars for a seat.
Or else, with ingenuity surprising,
He mingled 1t with practical advice,
And deftly turned 1t into advertising
For every little Joke commands it
price.
We often sit IN convocation solemn,
And hope some inadvertant wag will
say
A line which will fit In to fill "col.
lum,"
Or help to make the jazzy rhyme
more gay.
But all the topics take a serious SEEM
ing,
And merriment is not considered
mice"
The laughter fades amid convivial
cleaning.
The jest worth while is measured by
it's price
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-07-30

The year 1864, to most Americans,
brings instantly to mind word-plc-
lures of the Civil War, but to n few
ii denotes the date of the original
edition of IT. A. J. Munro's transla-
ton Of Lucretius' great poem. "Of the
Nature of Things"
Is a literary achievement, in the
long roll Of the years, to be given any
less prominence than military one?
In the piping times OF peace, surely
one may point with no less pride to
the one than to the other.
The man Munro was an English
scholar. VINO made himself famous by
this one translation, which today holds
it's place as perhaps the best all
around rendering of a difficult Latin
work.
Munro lives again for us in the in
PRODUCTION written by j. d. Duff, fell
low of Trinity College, Cambridge, for
the edition issued by George Bell q
Sons, London.
The translator Of de Rerum
Natura" was q residential fellow of
Cambridge for the last 40 years of his
life. He was what was called, in the
university cant. a don"
Just exactly what a don did or does
we do not know. Evidently he did
not teach. during most OF this period,
but Just added luster to the scholarly
atmosphere.
Is it not satisfactory, in these days
of fuss and hurry, OF "go-getters" and
high pressure statesmen, to know that
one man, at least, in the worlds work,
took his time about nothing, and did
it excellently we'll?
X X
There Is many man today, forced
into foaming activity by business,
who, temperamentally, was cut out
to be a college don, but never had
the good fortune TO achieve that high
estate!
Prof. Munro held the first chair of
Latin at Cambridge, established in
1869. 1t is interesting to realize that
this famous old university never for
mally taught this subject until the
end Of our Civil War.
apparently it was thought that all
Cambridge men knew Latin by the
light of nature, or that the subject
was too simple to admit Of formal in
struction," says Prof. Duff. in his
charming Introduction.
Munro held the office for two years,
lecturing on his favorite Lucretius,
on Plautus and on Tacitus. 'But he
seems to have found this work irk
some," Duff tells us. after two
years he resigned his chair and never
afterward took any part in univer-
sity or college teaching. But he served
his college constantly as an examiner
for scholarships and fellowships, and
took a keen interest in his work"
X X
Thus, Munro lived the happy life of
a scholar, evidently doing about as he
pleased, which Is excessively pleasing,
indeed, to men of his disposition.
He occupied a set of rooms in the
Great Court, and was very proud of
them. Ore was a library, the walls
covered with books from floor to cell
ing. There was large working col
lection of classical books. The inner
room he called his drawing room.
Here he had more books, in low cases,
with busts Of the Caesars upon them.
Later he got himself another room,
which he turned into dining place.
Here he often entertained, at one time
being host to a famous cricket eleven.
Here is the interesting picture of
Munro given us by his friend: "In his
habits he was very simple and regu-
lar, at least in the later years of his
life. He breakfasted early and then
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-07-30

1t is the opinion of Gene Tunney
that he will be able to knock Dempsey
out with no difficulty. Too much con-
fidence may be mistake. The pur-
chasers of ringside seats like a long
and uncertain battle.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-07-30

AS his years of business activity
bring him to a period when well
earned rest may prove congenial,
Judge Gary has the satisfaction of
perceiving that the "gentleman's
agreement" remains one Of the most
effectual influences in big business.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-07-30

The beauty contest depends on ma.
balls and masquerades have gone their
way. The only costume required in
a beauty contest is bathing suit.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-07-30
Farm Relief.

What are your ideas about farm
relief"
1T would be all right" answered
Farmer Corntossel. ''if the statesmen
could compel the Weather Bureau to
issue the right kind Of reports and
then compel the weather to live up to
them"
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-07-30
The Original Constitution.

Are you a constitutional laWyer?"
Il am" answered Senator Sorghum.
II have studied the Constitution from
my youth and it seems perfectly clear.
My mental confusion arises when the
amendments come up for considera-
ton"
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-07-30

Compensation Of prohibition agents
of them, however, appear devoted to
their work and free from temptation
to go on strike.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-07-30

The Associated Press ia exclusively entitled
70 the use for republication of all news dia.
matches credited TO IL or not otherwise cred
tied in this naper and also the local news
published herein Ar rights Of publication
OF special dispatches herein are also reserved.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-07-30

In times when civilization was less
courteous and deferential, the question
would have been not "How many bat
tleships do you need?" but How many
can you afford?"
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-07-30
Reliability.

l like my bathing at the shore.
The breeze suits comforts plan.
l like my shower bath vastly more
And my electric fan.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-07-30
Unidentified.

Although her stockings are the stuff
To give a generous glimpse Of grace.
She wears a hat quite large enough
To hide her doubtless charming face.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-07-30

A naval ratio discussion exhibits a
hopeful tendency to settle differences
by theoretical comparison of power,
instead of actual conflict.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-07-30

Apparently a new line OF ambition
has arisen. Aviators who have flown
10 altitudinous levels in public atten-
ton show no desire for political dis
tinction.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-07-30

Jack Sharkey had to go to hospi.
tai. Prize fights are guaranteed to be
physically harmless. Possibly Sharkey
was overcome by the heat.