davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1928-12-25
ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
BY FREDERIC J. HASKIN.

The direct route followed by him is
somewhat open to question. On the
way he traded his gray horse for a
reindeer and made changes In his
appearance"
@. Does the great expectation of
Christmas trees from Nova Scotia de-
plete the forests of that country?-N. NJ.
A. More than 800 carloads are now
exported annually. The Christmas
trees from Nova Scotia are all taken
from pasture lands, and, instead of
creating depletion in the Nova Scotia
forest are simply a means of clearing
the pastures without reducing the value
of the property.
O. Is the Yule log still burned in Eng
land?-J. M.
A. The custom of burning the Yule
log, on Christmas eve Is not prevalent
in England. The custom is still follow
ed in some of the rural sections. 1t
is more prevalent in the Scandinavian
countries.
@. When were Christmas trees first
used in the United States?-A. L. T.
A. Christmas trees became popular
in the United States about the same
| time that they we're introduced into
/ England In England the first Christ
| mas trees were set up In the Royal
Palace of st. James at the time Queen
Victoria married the Prince Consort in
1840.
| @. Are Christmas carols sung in
many American cities?-I. H.
! A. The old custom of singing carols
/ in the streets was revived in 1917. In
/ "
| mated that carols are sung on Christ
mas eve on the streets. in the parks, as
we'll as in the churches, schools and
public institutions of about 1900 COM
munities.
9. Who wrote Holy Night, Silent
| Night"?-F G.. J..
| A. The song entitled Holy Night
Silent Night" was written by German
! composer named Father Joseph Mohr
| This pretty little carol was written for
| Christmas in 1918, while Mohr was an
assistant clergyman at Lauren, on the
| Salza, near Salzburg, and was set to
| music by Franz Gruber, schoolmaster
| at the neighboring village of Arnsdorf
| Schoolmaster Gruber was born Noven-
/ ber 25, 1887, at Hochburg. near Linz
| and died June Z, 1868. Joseph Mohr
was born at Salzburg, Austria, on De-
| cember IL, 1892. After being ordained
| Catholic Bishop of Salzburg, he was
successfully assistant at Ramsau and at
| Laufen. In 1928 he was appointed
vicar at Hintersee. He died at Wagrein.
| December 4, 1848. The only hymn by
| him translated into English Is "Stille
Nacht, Heilige Nacht" C'Holy Night,
| Silent Night'D.
Evening star., 1928-12-25

a little money to spend for his own
improvement, must save it first"
Ford had no thought of preaching
gospel Of extravaganza, in the judg-
ment of the Scranton Times, however
He was simply protesting against the
habit of those who hoard their money
when they could do more good for
themselves and the world by spending
it." The Binghamton Press comments
What Mr. Ford meant to say, it is
safe to venture, is that it is better for
young men and young women to spend
money as they go along for information
and training. for things of the mind
and the spirit, than it is to make the
saving of dollars a chief aim in life
There ought to be moderation in the
practice Of thrift just as there ought
to be moderation in all things. Don't
squander! Don't hoard! There's a
common sense middle ground"
'Mr. Ford, in giving advice to the
boys, ought to have the chance to fin
ish a sentence" advises the Savannah
..lorning News, with the Interpretation
THE statement creating such trouble
just now is merely the front porch to
the real edifice in words he erected
The rest of the sentence was for some
thing to improve himself And that
changes the whole meaning. He was
trying to urge, not waste, not extrava-
gance and improvidence, but real in
veStment, immediate investment, in
vestment continuous of what the boy
gets in something really worth while
the equipment to improve himself. Mr..
Ford is all right-except as a writer.
Mr.. Ford has risen to the heights
of the industrial world" says the Roa-
noke Times, through the application
of sound principles. His advice is en-
titled to be received with respect. for
he has demonstrated an ability to make
money second to no other living man. y
Comparing his thrift statement with
another made recently by Mr.. Ford,
the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette observes
He believes that eventually mankind
will know what Is transpiring on other
planets. This globe, he says
has been inhabited by intelligent peo-
Piles millions of times. Ancients far
beyond our historians probably had air.
planes, automobiles and other scientific
equipment. Mystics, of course, have
talked somewhat in the same strain,
but Mr.. Ford was supposed to be emf
nently practical In this instance he
Is doubly progressive, seeing amazingly
far in both directions. Still. as pointed
out, 1t is much safer than indulging in
any word that might be caught up as
against reasonable saving of money by
a boy.''
Evening star., 1928-12-25
Tangles of Red Tape.

1t is only natural to expect that in
the due course of human events there
will come day. And on this day some
workman will turn a valve, thereby re-
leasing food of sparkling clear water
which will fill to its brim the fine new
swimming pool in the grounds of the
new Mckinley High School. The day
should not pass unmarked. One of the
features of the celebration should be
a pageant. in which pretty young ladies
would take the part of the "Peepul''
and in the end triumph over a demon
dressed as governmental red tape. The
complete history of the battle for a
swimming pool has not been written
yet. but the tale so far told has been
enhancing.
The fiscal year of 1928 was preceded
by several years of effort to secure an
adequate swimming pool, one of a num-
ber which, it was planned, would some
| day dot the District in Summertime
; like GASES in a desert. In the fiscal
year 1928 Congress appropriated one
hundred and fifty thousand dollars for
the construction of two such pools, and
after lengthy speculation the National
Capital Park and Planning Commits
sion recommended, and the Commits
sion of Fine Arts approved two sites.
One of them was near Twenty-fifth
and N streets northwest and the other
in the grounds of the new Mckinley
High School.
Plans were drawn for the Mckinley
pool, including a brick bath house and
the plumbing. filters, pumps and other
features necessary for a fine establish
ment. Bids were advertised and a con-
tract awarded. In September work was
begun and through the months of Oc-
tober and November of 1927 proceeded
merrily. But in the month of Deem
Der, a year ago, the controller general
OF the United States held that the con-
tract was illegal, because the site for
the Mckinley High School was not
purchased for use as park, play
ground or parkway, as the swimming
pool legislation prescribed.
By this time the excavating had been
done, part of the concrete forms had
been installed, the bottoms Of the pools
had been rolled and the exterior walls,
in part, were laid up.
Work had to- estop, however, until
Congress could insert in the independ-
ent Offices act for 1929 a provision au-
thorizing the swimming pool in the
Tech grounds. Work, therefore, could
begin again, but by this time the ele-
ments had done their worst and it was
found that the cost of repairing work
already done could not be met out of
money available. An additional appro-
priation of twenty thousand dollars was
then obtained in the second deficiency
act for 1929. This, it would seem,
should have made everything lovely.
But the controller general decided that
the work of repairing the work already
done would have to be covered in a
separate contract. So the plans and
specifications for repairing the pre-
liminary work must be drawn, bids ad-
vertised and a new contract signed
Then the repair work may be completed
and the original contractor may pro-
ceed with his interrupted work. Mean
while, the contract for the other pool
has been let and the work completed.
1t is simple to figure the cost of a
swimming pool. But has any one ever
made budget to cover the expense of
red tape?
Evening star., 1928-12-25

Birds have game of their own which
they play with big bread crumb.
Besides furnishing a certain group of
birds with the ball" for their game,
we have specialized in watching them
at play.
Bill ball, as one may call it. is played
| by any number of birds. which use
| their bills as human beings might use
| their arms
The ball" is any particularly large
| crumb in the mass placed in the yard
for the benefit of the feathered life at
| this season of the year.
| Any one can have a Christmas day
bill ball game if he will furnish the
birds with the material.
The game begins when one bird
swoopS down and seiZes neat chunk of
| bread.
/ The other birds, instead of following
his example, since there is enough for
all in the pile, Immediately turn their
attention to the first bird.
They all want his piece of bread.
Now the fun begins. Bird No. 2
! makes dart at Bird No. l, and spears
the bread out of his bill.
The second bird hops about 2 feet,
when Bird No. 3 jumps in.
Zip!
He grabs the disputed bread crumb
and hops away with it in his turn but
the other boys are after him. They
give him no rest. First one and then
another gets possession of the bread
ball
Each time 1t changes hands-er,
bills-it is bit smaller, since the for
mer posSeSsor manages to swallow
morSel or so before another gets away
from him.
Evidently birds are something like
human beings.
What the other fellow has always
looks better to them than what they
may get for themselves.
1t is more fun, evidently, to steal the
bread out of mates mouth than to
rustic up an even bigger crumb for
ones self.
We have been watching the birds in
the back yard for several weeks, and
have yet to see them settle down on
patch of bread crumbs, each bird for
himself, every bird minding his own
business.
No, sir, what each bird does is wait
for one bird to grab himself a chunk
of bread, then the entire flock tries to
take it away from him.
OUilleIIIIleS AZ lS DldCkDlTO WHICH
dips in first.
Then the whole pack, blackbirds,
English sparrows and the rest of them,
are after him pell-mell.
The SparrowS, as might be supposed,
are nervy enough for anything. We
saw one of them dart in and take away
a piece of bread from a blackbird four
times as big as he is.
Just what sense the birds use in spot
ting food will remain a mystery to the
amateur backyard observer. He will
continue to believe, until told other
wise, that they see their food, rather
than smell it, or discover it by any
subtle sixth sense
This is borne out by the invariable
bread crumb game which we have at
tempted to describe. At first the birds
are wary, each waiting for another to
Jump in.
The moment one of them seizes
crumb, however, those shiny little eyes
see the food in his bill They now
have an absolute objective, toward
which one after another moves.
Prior to this initial game the entire
neighborhood of birds must be able to
see the food. wherever it is, or what
ever 1t is. When one first begins to put
out food for them. 5 or 10 minutes
Evening star., 1928-12-25
The Evening Star Newspaper Company
Rate nv Carrjer Within the Citv.

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Orders may be sent in By mail or telephone
Main 5000.
Evening star., 1928-12-25

New York is energetically prosecuting
criminals regardless of the fact that by
SO doing the big town may create an
unjust impression that it has more than
Its proportionate share of them.
Evening star., 1928-12-25

Even the holidays bring renorseful
reminders as good friends are recalled
to whom you forgot to send Christmas
cards.
Evening star., 1928-12-25

Old-time sentiment is reflected from
the lights of Christmas tree which
stands boldly forth as a reminder of
conservative faith in peace and good
will.
Evening star., 1928-12-25
Rate by Mail-Payable in Advance.
Maryland and Virginia.
An Other States and Canada.
wemb.r Of the Associated Press

The Associated Press is exclusively entitled
to the use for republication Of all Eeus dis
patches credited to It or not otherwise cred
tied in this paper and also the local rews
apecial dispatches herein are also reserved
Evening star., 1928-12-25

The American public will never be
persuaded to regard the Inauguration of
President as anything but an occasion
for general and sincere rejoicing.
Evening star., 1928-12-25

The weather officials pretend to no
autocratic powers. Otherwise they might
be relied on to transfer some of the
favorable weather to the Fourth of
March.
Evening star., 1928-12-25
COMPARING Comforts.

"Do you think wealth brings happi-
ness?"
NO" answered Mr.. Dustin Stax. "In
days of privation 1 had more comfort
when I was underfed than I am now
when I overeat."
Evening star., 1928-12-25
Paying EN- Is What Hurts.

From the Canton Daily News.
An Omaha judge refuses to garniShee
mems wages during the holiday season,
and now all we need Is an injunction
against sending out January bills.
Evening star., 1928-12-25

Welcoming the New Year displaces
Santa Claus in favor of the chef who
regulates the menu and justifies the
cover charge.
Evening star., 1928-12-25

Peace negotiations are universally
favored This fact is of itself an en-
couragement to the hopes of the world.
Evening star., 1928-12-25
That's No Distinction.

From the Boston Evening Telegram.
When it comes to prohibition, Kansas
City is described as wide-open town.
Is this to be regarded as another bit of
community advertising?
Evening star., 1928-12-25

The only consolation for those of
us who forgot to shop and mail early
lies in the fact that there will be an
other Christmas day In 1929.
Evening star., 1928-12-25
Holiday Belief.

In cynicism youth may pause.
Our tasks are not forgot.
Big folks believe In Santa Claus,
Though little folks do not.
Evening star., 1928-12-25

Theaters hesitated to open on Christ
mas eve. Old Santa is the star who has
the center of the stage.
Evening star., 1928-12-25
CheerleSsneSs.

The friendly bootleg man drew near
With what he said was Christmas
Cheer"
And yet, despite his smiling face,
or headaches he brought many a case.
Evening star., 1928-12-25

Disorders in Afghanistan offer new
evidence that the spirit of world con-
ciliation must contend against local
influence.
Evening star., 1928-12-25
Needs Bonded Customer.

From the Indianapolis Star.
In stating its reasons for declining to
permit the extradition Of Mr.. Blackmer,
the French government failed to men,
ton its desire to keep . very good cash
customer
Evening star., 1928-12-25
But They Buy Liuuor.

From the Butte Daily Post.
After all. Hoover's goodwill tour has
nothing on that of American tourists
to Europe, who left $700,000,000 there
this year.
Evening star., 1928-12-25

now has been gathering children into
the comforting warmth and nominees of
the heart of Mother, Goose. the blessed
joyous friend of zgvsry little child A
Merry ChristmaN and Happy New
Year to. beloved Neither GooseL
Evening star., 1928-12-25
What Memoriesi

From the New Castle (Pa.) News.
If money really talked, an old dime
could tell some wild tales about what
1t used to buy.
Evening star., 1928-12-25
SHOOTING STARS.
BY PHILANDER JOHNSON.

Greetings Anew.
Hello, good friend Santa Claus,
Travelling through the sky,
Serving in a generous cause
Hello! And Good-by!
You'll be back another year.
Time is not so slow.
So, we whisper in your ear,
"Good-by-and Hello!"
Evening star., 1928-12-25

A lame duck" always has a chance of
flying high again in private employment
Evening star., 1928-12-25
And a Colder One

From the Oakland Tribune. x
It is another kind of solid NDuth
that Comdr. Byrd Is INVESTIGATING
Evening star., 1928-12-25
p dar amt no Santa Clans ~

"Of course, dar amt no Santa Claus"
said Uncle Eben. IF he had KEEP COM
in around wifi sleighload of presents
a gunman would have got him long
ago."
Evening star., 1928-12-25
Drowned Out.

You have ceased to show a sarcastic
witt
Whats the good of sarcastic wit"
said Miss Cayenne. when everybody is
listening to the big boy who plays a
ukulele?"
1--WE give playthings to children" said
Hi Ho, the sage of Chinatown. ''in the
hopes of making ourselves happy in the
reminders of early youth"
Evening star., 1928-12-25

Yes! In the Head, F'rinstance.
From the Indianapolis Star.
1t must make a policeman terribly
mad to wear bulletproof vest and ther
get hit somewhere else.
Evening star., 1928-12-25
Limitat tIons Of Service.

Limitations Of Service.
did you get what you wanted In
November?"
I did not" answered Senator Sor-
ghum.
you wrote many letters"
True. Santa Claus may be all right
for Christmas, but he's no good in an
election"
Evening star., 1928-12-25

Jud Tunktns says a mans success
depends less on the work he does in
eight hours day than on the manner
In which he uses the other sixteen,
Evening star., 1928-12-25

Assuming that Mr.. Ford puts work
and disposition to learn and get on
far above saving" the Boston Tran
script states: Benjamin Franklin would
not quarrel with Mr.. Ford on this last
point, for his early career shows that
he knew how to invest what little
money he had. But neither. we fancy,
would Mr. Ford deny that the success
full and ambitious boy, In order to have
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-09-25
GIL MAY BE NAMED
PRESIDENT TODAY
Mexican Congress Expected to Act.
Would Assume Post
December |.
By the Associated Press.


MEXICO CITY, September Is.
Emilio Portes Gill; secretary of interior,
is expected to be named provisional
President of Mexico by Congress today.
He will assume office December l, when
President Gales term expires and when
Gen. Aware Obregon would have be-
come chief executive if an assassin's
bullet had not cut short his career.
The steering committee of the Cham
Der of Deputies has ratified plan by
which Portes Gil would hold office un-
til February S, 1880. A full-term Presl-
dent to succeed him would be chosen
at general elections on the third Sunday
of November, 1929.
Portes Gil is friend of the United
States and supporter of President
Gales on all important questions. His
attitude on the religious question is:
The laws of the country must be en-
forced" He intends to invite all OF his
fellow members in the Gales cabinet to
retain their posts. He will make an ef-
fort to persuade Finance Minister Mon
ties de Oca, who has expressed desire
to retire and travel in Europe, to retain
his portfolio.
Portes Gil was called to the ministry
of interior after the assassination OF
Gen. Obregon. Until then he had been
serving as Governor of Tamaulipas. In
that state he established partial pro-
hibition and prevented the open opera
ton of gambling houses. In his per-
sonal habits he is dry, and also he does
not smoke.
In Tamaulipas Portes Gil established
the first state-SuppOrted Industrial
school in Mexico for INDECENT chlldren
and increased the number OF otner
schools.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-09-25
COLUMBIA CARNIVAL
QUEEN is SELECTED
Fete Opens Thursday Night.
Parade Will Start
Festivities.

Miss Cathryn Sebastian. representing
the Eaida Gown Shop, 29l1 Fourteenth
street, was awarded first place in pop
ularity contest under the auspices of
the Columbia Heights Business Mems
Association and the management of the
Tivoli Theater in the theater last night,
thereby winning the title of queen
for the third annual carnival under
the auspices of the Business Mems
Association to be staged next Thurs
day and Friday nights.
Miss Laura Lucas, representing the
Kenmar Dress Shop, 3105 Fourteenth
street. was second and Miss Betty Har-
ding, representing Guides Flower Store,
3103 Fourteenth street, was third. Each
of 35 or more contestants represented
some firm in the neighborhood. The
winners were adjudged by the volume
of applause from the audience.
The various other contestants each
represented some firm in the neighbor-
hood. H. r. Baukage of the Consolidated
Press was master of ceremonies. The
contestants were escorted to the stage
by Miss Dorothy Brandt. who was Miss
Columbia Heights" in 1926.
The carnival next Thursday night
will be marked by parade starting
north on Fourteenth street from Euclid
street at 8 pm. 1t will proceed to Mon
roe street or beyond and disband.
In the parade will be representatives
from the Mount Pleasant Citizens As
ISOLATION, the Petworth Citizens Asso-
citation, the Columbia Heights Citizens
Association, the Mdcity Citizens Asso-
citation, the Columbia Heights Commu-
nifty Center and the Mount Pleasant
branch of the Public Library, in addi-
ton to the many representatives of the
Columbia Heights Business Mems Asso-
citation who will have floats and auto
mobiles in the procession.
Music will be provided along the route
of march by the Holy Rosary Band, the
Drum and Bugle Corps of Victory Post
of the American Legion and others. A
battalion of the National Guard also
will take part.
Prizes will be given for the best deco
rated business floats, the best decorated
private automobiles, the best electrical
display by the merchants in the section
and for the most original costume. A
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-09-25

children's parade will be staged along
Fourteenth street in connection with the
carnival Friday night.
A special feature of the carnival will
be the browning by District Commits
sioner Proctor l.. Dougherty of the
queen selected last night. The whole
Columbia Heights business section will
be in gala attire for the occasion, with
store windows ard store fronts appro-
priately decorated.
William Snellenberg is general chair
man of the committee in charge of the
parade and also will serve as parade
marshal. The general committee in
charge of the carnival is headed by
B. A. Levitan, chairman. He is assisted
by Ralph Wallace and L. F. Collins. vice
chairmen, and the officers of the Column
bia Heights Business Mems Association
They are Frank j. Sobotka. president;
H. C. Phillips, secretary, and Leo ker-
Shenbaum, treasurer.