davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1928-11-20
THIS AND THAT
BY CHARLES Z. TRACET ELL.

In the entrance hall. sitting on a
| pedestal. where all might see. would
| be a primitive crystal set of the year
| 1928. II would occupy this prominent
| position because, everything being taken
into consideration. 1t still remains the
most wonderful thing in radio.
That new electric set, with eight
tubes. can bring in broadcast music
| does not strike us today as so wonder
full. It has a power plant behind 1t.
That a simple coil Of wire and a small
bit of crystal can do the same thing,
| although on lesser scale. still remains
one of the miracles of this miraculous
universe.
In the living room, directly across
from the latest type receiver. would be
, that old three-tube regenerative set OF
the year 1924-or was 1t 1925?
1t had enough dials and gadgets on
its panel to satisfy the most greedy
person eager for things to turn.
You turned this, and you turned that,
and you adjusted the little jigger on
the left and you twisted the little ligger
on the right.
And still nothing happened!
X 4 x
In the dining room, occupying glass
cabinet, would be enshrined the first
hours of patient adjustment you put
upon getting those three coils slante d in
unison!
Other rooms of the home would see
later sets, ranging from the three-dial
affairs to the first "one -dial' set, the
first illuminated dial and the first real
electric with straight A. G. tubes.
Such a collector might be regarded
as a nut" by those not interested in
radio. Some neighbors no doubt would
say that it was shame" that Mr..
Blank starved his family in order to
buy all those old radio sets. Why, his
little boy needed a new pair OF shoes
his toes are actually on the ground,
my dear"
Yet every collector, whether Of
postage stamps. books, glass bottles, In
sects, birds eggs, or whetnot, instantly
understands and appreciates the col
lector of radio sets, the collector OF
sewing machines, the collector of small
home organs.
It is not so much what is collected
as the very deed of collecting that
counts in the long run 1t seems a
matter of no Importance. what is col
lected, but very important, indeed, that
something be collected.
SOlitCtlItk cAIOWo
is the heart of life. Man being con-
stituted as he is he must be interested
in something. If 1t be no more-nor
lesS-than himself
Such personal interest is best ex-
pressed, however. in external things
which appeal to some chord in mind or
heart. Thus we have the spectacle
noble. enheartening-of men and women
turning to education, charity and other
ways of helping others.
Such collections of good deeds con-
stitute the highest reaches to which
collecting may aspire. Short of 1t, the
average man or woman may benefit
himself or herself by collecting almost
any worthwhile thing
Not every one can be a collector of
good deeds, but almost any une will be
sble to specialize on books, music, OBJ
jects of nature. machines. so diverse
are nature and man and their produc-
tlonS.
Nor does 1t make any difference what
shall become of the collection ulti-
mately. 1t is the collecting which
counts
Evening star., 1928-11-20
UNITED STATES
IN WORLD WAR
Ten Years Ago Today.

The American Army of Occupation
crossed the frontier into Germany TO-
dav and found the Stars and stripes
fivinr in Luxembourg and Lorraine. "
According to Berlin advices, enormous
stores of foodstuffs we're found IN the
castle of the former German Emperor
in Berlin, the value of which would
total several hundred thousands OF
MARKS Up to october 81
/ SAC 600 German soldiers were killed
and 900 900 wounded, some OF them
several times. Dispatch also states
fiat there were on that date 100000
German prisoners in hostile coun-
tries British government
warns Germany she must stop cruelty
to British prisoners or get no 1000
The Ukrainian government mas oeeh
overturned, and Kiev has oeen cap,
tured by Gen. Denikine, at the neao
of a pro-ally Cossack army: OInclai
Washington satisfied that the over
throw of the Bolshevist regime WI!
greatly aid the allies in handing m tne
pealing OF bells in the great cathedral
and the cheering of massed croWds,
the King and Queen OF the belglans
made a state entry into the CITY o.
Antwerp today through brilliantly deco
rated streets. Allied diplomats
in Paris are busy working out details
of great gathering at the coming peace
conference The voting power OF TN
allied nations Is a big problem, ane
danger Is seen OF giving the small ma
tions an equal voice in decisions with
the larger nations.
Evening star., 1928-11-20

A recluse in Wisconsin left among her
effects scores of sewing machines and
organs. which sold at auction for l6 and
rs cents apiece, according to an Asso-
ciated Press dispatch.
Collectors of all sorts OF things smiled
in sympathy at that item. Whose busi-
ness was it If the old lady chose to
purchase 100 sewing machines and an
untold number of organs?
She no doubt was regarded as eccen-
trio. but she enjoyed the possession OF
her machines and her organs, and evi-
IDENTIFY minded her own business
After all, that is the collectors duty.
to calmly collect his speciality. no matter
what others may think of the hobby.
Probably sewing machines are as good
as ANYTHING else. There is no telling
what will fascinate human being.
So many minds. so many tastes! =.
Picture the old lady with pencnant
for sewing machines. From chlidnooo
these contrartions held her fancy.
Maybe she went long time before Sne
was able to purchase one.
Then came wealth. and with money
she was able to crafty her desire Ior
more and better sewing machines. she
soon became known to dealers: Wnen
dealer had machine he couldn I sell 10
Hr1V one else, IlS hItCN CNoSWy "hASNN 90
could dispose OF 1t.
THE few privileged to enter her home
stumbled over sewing machines In the
hall. in the parlor, in the dining room.
There were 10 in the kitchen, ana the
upstairs rooms we're lined with them.
X X X *
In her childhood the small portable
organ, pumped with the feet, was the
ultimate in home musical instruments.
Photographs, piano players and radios
we're unknown. To own an organ was
the ambition of every one.
The first organ, however lett ner
unsatisfied. She wanted-and got
another bv that action showing the
discriminating that she was true
collector
What docs she want OF another
organ. for goodness sake?" breathed a
scandelized neighbor. From her tone
of voice. one might have imagined that
the money came out of her own pocket.
When the recluse plunged heavily on
her ninety-sixth organ, the town went
mad
why, do YOU know she has 96 organs,
and won't play on one OF them!"
Evidently the town wanted her to put
on the surprising feat of a woman
playing on 96 organs at once.
The recluse refused to entertain them
with such an ambideXtrous achievement.
She got her fun looking at her n1u-
Sical instruments.
Every morning she went around end
busted them carefully, noting with in
ward satisfaction the differences between
the case designs.
One had molding around the edge;
its brother or sister had not.
Such little differences constitute the
silent JOY of collectors.
X
We heard Of a man the other day
who had IL radio sets in his basement.
He was regarded as eXtravagant, but
we say that it was nobody's business
except his own.
The only fault to be found with him
was that he kept them in the basement.
He should have installed one in every
room in the house. Then he might
have had a museum showing the ad-
vance of radio in the home.
The heart of every radio fan" will
thrill at the prospect.
Evening star., 1928-11-20
The Roosevelt Star.

Attorney General Ottinger, Republi-
can candidate for Governor of New YORK,
comedies his defeat by Franklin D.
Roosevelt almost two weeks after the
election was held. The official count OF
the ballots, which has been in progress,
Indicates clearly that ths Roosevelt VIC
tory cannot be overturned. The success
Of the governor-elect had been conceded
by the State and the country generally
but the present announcement of his
Republican opponent apparently makes
the matter unanimous.
So Mr.. rccsevelt has taken success
fully the hurdle which may mark him
as the man to rally his party for &C.
other presidential campaign in 1892
In 1880 he must again stand for
election as governor. and must win ii
he is to win finally to the leadership oi
the Democratic party. Even such sue.
cess may not place him in that leader.
ship. But it would go far toward thai
end.
The Governor -elect of New York al
ready is "in the talk" as the probable
Democratic candidate for President foul
years hence. His victory is the out
standing success of the Democrats il
the recent disastrous campaign. Picke;
by Gov. Alfred E. Smith to head tn
Democratic State ticket, Mr.. Roosevelt
agreed reluctantly TO make the race TO
governor. For several years he has c.
Eased in a great struggle to regain nj
Evening star., 1928-11-20
Public Accepts With Patience
Trial of Radio ReallocatiOn

Newspaper comment on broadcastine
under the Federal Radio Commission
reallocation reflects public patience ano
willingness to await the outcome OF
practical trial even on the part of those
most dissatisfied with existing dificul-
ties and inequalities.
THE plan is a tremendous expert
ment in which all broadcasters and re-
ceivers should cooperate so far as pos
sible." says the Rutland Herald. while
the Topeka Daily Capital, accepting the
view that the regulation must be IN
the public interest, convenience ano
necessity" suggests that "the Job ol
radio supervision Is full OF trouble, ou'
IL the commission In fact follows this
principle it will serve the greatest inter-
est Of the greatest number"
"The radio enthusiasts Of the Nation,
In the opinion of the Kalamazoo Ga
zette. have the satisfaction OF know
ing that their Federal commissioners
have struggled bravely with one OF the
most complex scientific problems OF the
age and that the program now IN 1orce
represents the work Of the best radio
brains in the country" The Jersey
CITY Journal feels that "it is too soon
to tell exactly how great the advantage
of this new ALLEGATION OF wave lengths
is to be, but the start has been gooo
and the improvement may prove ef1ec-
tive in its main purpose"
X X y X
Restrictions irk and In individual
cases work out injustice" observes the
Des Moines Tribune Capital, but 1t adds
that "the freedom of world OF order
is more real than the freedom OF 2
world of chaos" and the Nashville
Banner remarks: 1T is an egreglouS
error to suppose that the radio ian
today cares penny's worth Whetner
the station he gets is located in Ten
nessee or Iowa. The thing that does
have application is whether one can
get the worth while program WITHOUT
too much trouble" ~
IF there is necessity OF Nation.
wide regulation of this problem, ana IL
Congress had the right to apply OF
bestow regulatory powers, minor oosta :
cles along the way will not Dlock
progress" declares the Sioux City Dany
| Tribune, and the st. Paul Pioneer PresS
| advises Until the stations get settled1
| into their new wave lengths, power ano
| hours of broadcasting there may pe
some interference, but the opinion OF
experts is that reception will be greatly
| benefited by the changes. Listeners
| should withhold their Judgment Wnne
the new arrangement is in the expert
mental stage"
Evening star., 1928-11-20

health, and he based his reluctance to
accept the nomination on his duty to
his family. 1t is quite clear that Mr.
Roosevelt, nominated for governor in
order to strengthen the chances of Gov.
Smith in his race for the presidency.
now finds himself occupying the lime
light probably to far greater degree
than he conceived as possible. That
he should carry New York State while
Gov. Smith was losing the State to
Herbert Hoover was admittedly a poSsi-
bility during the campaign. but it was
possibility that Gov. Smiths followers
considered fantastic.
Gov. Smith has much to be grateful
for to MFR. Roosevelt. No leader ever
had a more sincere, a more 5elf-sacri-
ficing follower. It was Mr.. Roosevelt
who placed Gov. Smiths name in nonii-
nation for President ut the last three
Democratic national conventions. Gov.
Smith has had his chancc - Mr.
Roosevelt had much to do with giving
him that chance. While there are those
who believe that Gov. Smith may be-
come the standard bearer of the Demo-
cratic party again in 1882. the great
bulk Of the Democrats take no stock In
such progrostications II they are :
rect. it seems only reasonable that Gov.
Smith should desire to throw the weight
of his influence back to Mr.. Roosevelt
when it comes time to nominate for
President again. The influence of Gov,
Smith in the next Democratic national
convention naturally will be very great.
Roosevelt is a name with which to con-
jure in many parts of this country.
Evening star., 1928-11-20
The VeStris Inquiry.

| II would appear from yesterdays S
in New York in ths inquiry into the
! VestriS disaster that the mystery re-
| garding the wireless messages from
| Capt. Carey, commander of the Inflated
steamer, has been dispelled. A search
of all the records of radio stations
ashore shows no dispatch from the Ves-
iris prior to Capt. Careys actual call
for aid that would indicate realization
| that the ship was in peril. The effect
: of this showing is to put upon the dead
captain the full responsibility for the
delay in summoning help 1t does not,
however, in any way bear upon the
question of whether the ship left port
in an unseaworthy condition. Testi-
mony on that point should be obtain
able. 1t is known that the ship was
touched" in collision with another YES
sci shortly before she sailed on her last
voyage It does not appear that an ex-
haustive examination was made to de-
! termine the extent of the injuries in
| f1icted. One witness stated yesterday
/ that he had been ordered to examine
the point of contact, and that he had
corrected the condition with a coat of
paint.
1t is all too evident that something
was wrong on the vestris. She sprang
a leak in high sea, and made water
more rapidly than her pumps could dis
charge Just how that water entered
the ship is not yet determined. 1t may
have been through carelessly fastened
coal port, through seam opened by the
force of the collision or through some
hatch not properly closed, Other ships
| in the same area, hit by the same
weather, were not badly affected. It is
significant that this ship alone Of the
dozens that were at sea in the zone OF
| the storm sprang leak and went atilt
and finally foundered.
| The British press is bitterly COM
menting upon the methods of the
American district attorney who is now
endeavoring to learn the truth about
this tragedy. 1t must be remembered
that Mr.. Tuttle prefaced his investiga-
ton with the statement that all he de-
sired to do was to collect testimony
while it was available. He is performing
valuable service, and no amount Of
hostile criticism by British comnenta-
tors should deter him from his task. 1t
is a matter of vital Importance to the
sea-traveling public of this country.
The fact that the ship that was lost
was of British registry does not lessen
the right of American authorities to
| learn whether she was properly condi-
toned or handled. Nor should regard
| for the fine traditions of British sea-
nanship prevent the development OF
the picture of the commander of the
Vestris-a picture which is steadily be-
coming more clear as that of man Of
indecision, bad judgment and finally
| fatal mistake, whose chief merit was
! that he died with his ship.
Evening star., 1928-11-20

brought nearer to point of perfection
is advised by many papers, including
the Baltimore Sun. Manchester Leader
and Lansing State Journal. The Leader
asserts: There has not been much in
dication of disposition to accept the
counsel of the commission to be patient
during the weeks or months that will be
necessary To enable the stations to
shake down their assignments The
Sun points out that "the commission
frankly stated that IL was trying out
an experiment, one which had received
much scientific and expert considera-
tion."
"The chief beneficiaries Of the new
arrangement" says the Cincinnati
Times-Star, are to be listeners-in In
rural districts remote from stations
large enough to broadcast chain pro-
grams received over the telephone. The
idea is reasonable enough. 1t Is true
that people in the larger cities have
had the better of radio. The trouble is
that the reallocation plan forces Gin
cinnati and the surrounding territory to
make an altogether disproportionate
sacrifice. We do not know of any large
City WIIUoC IASbCIAClo-IIi la VC HCCAA SoAaSs
upOn to give up anything like as much"
The effect on the cities is observed
also by the Boston Transcript which,
however offers the general opinion:
Many of the city stations which have
been opera ting on a relatively high
wave In the past and have been cut
down will suffer, perhaps seriously, from
building absorption Of their signal
energy, which cannot be removed. This
means that their signal strength will
be much lessened and in some cases
their signals may not come through
at all. With some listeners, moreover,
the fault will be In the receiving sets,
which, will lack the power to bring the
signals through as formerly. Some Of
the new signals, in fact, may not be on
the dials of some of the old sets at all.
More modern sets will not have this
trouble. Patience for few days may
relieve the general situation"
Fans will be grateful for any aerial
traffic regulation which promises sur
cease from the conflict that has torn
the ether" says the New Orleans Item,
while the Binghamton Press reviews the
matter In these words: ut Is too soon.
perhaps, TO expect the radio pubic 10
pass reasoned Judgment upon the sue
cess of the changed broadcastlng
schedules and all should remember that
the ultimate effect sought Is greatly
improved reception for all parts OF the
country. If the present re-
ALLEGATIONS do not work out for the
greatest benefits for the greatest num-
Der a new plan will be tried"
Evening star., 1928-11-20
ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
BY FREDERIC ]. HAsKlN.

@. How much higher is the. level ~
the Pacific Ocean at the Isthn1us nj
Panama than that Of the Atlantic?--
w. r. G.
A. The mean level of the Pacific
Ocean at the Isthn.us of Panama has
been found to be about inches higher
than the mean level of the Atlantic.
In the month of February the mean
levels are the same. but throughout tne
rest of the year. on account of current.
tidal and wind influences. the mean
level of the Pacific ranges above that OF
the Atlantic II is as much as one
foot higher in October.
q What Is the average age Of stu
dents in correspondence schools?--M. y
A According to the Carnegie F7un-
dstion in the year 1924. correspondent
schools enrolled a total OF 1,ooHO Ooo
stllGel1+s. The average age OF G. IRE
srondence students is approximately 81
wears. Adult education Of this type Is
in itself significant mark OF our prog
ress as people.
@. How large do bullhead catnsn
Grows. w.
A. There are several species Of bull
head catfish, and the size varies WIN
the species. The largest ones run up 70
Is inches, with weight OF z pounds
@. On early crucifixes was Christ 5
body clothe6?-M. G.
A. The early crucifxes, almost WIFI
out exception, represent Him as clotneo,
with a tunic reaching to His. feet. In
the eighth century the custom was
modified.
@. Were any home industries pro
tected In the first tariff act oil the
United States?-M. H.
A. The first national tariff act was
passed by Congress, July 4, 1889. This
YVES for the purpose of revenue. but
certain industries such as glass and
earthenware we're protected.
O. Why do sailors wear haring
trousers?-G. E.
A. Sailors wear bell-bottom trousers
in order that they may be easily rolled
up when scrubbing the decks or when
wading In the water.
Evening star., 1928-11-20

There Is no other agency in the
world that can answer as many legltl-
mate questions as our free information
Bureau in washington, d. 9. rms
highly organized institution mas oeen
h,iilt I'm and Is under the personal
direction of Frederic j. Haskin. BY
keepinc in constant touch with Fed
erai bureaus and other educational en-
terprises 1t is in a position to pass on
to YOU authoritative information OF
the highest order. Submit your queries
TO the staff of experts whose services
are nut at your free disposal. Inere
il no charge except cents in coin or
stanns for return postage. Address
THE Evening Star Information Bureau.
Frederic J. Haskin, director. Washing
ton, d. C..
q What are the gate receiuts from
foot hail for a season. Pr. G. M.
A The receipts last Fall ran to about
$50 ono 600. with a total attendance OF
about 30,000,00o.
q Is there a mountain in Canada
named for Mrs. Akeley, the widow OF
the explorer?-T. E. =,
A. The Geographical Board Of
Canada recently named peak MOUNT
lobe in honor of Mrs. Akeley tMary L.
Jooe Akeley).
@. How many United States patents
have been issued to Emile Berliner?-
B. r.
to Mr.. Berliner in this country. The
first one was taken out in 1873.
@. Was Washington ever accused OF
| ncompetence?-R.E E. N.
A. During the Revolution; In 11II, ar
intrigue was organized by Thomas Con-
way to displace Washington as COM
mander-in-c chief of the American
Armies by Gen Horatio Gates. Tne
association included, besides CONWAY
and Gates. such men as Charles Lee
Thomas Mifln and BENJAMIN Rush anc
was known as the Conway Caoal''
washington was accused of gross IN
| competence and favoritism, but sum
cjent support was not given these men
so that their schemes 1en tnr9usr, 'eau,
| the service in 1878.
Evening star., 1928-11-20
William A. 0ldfeld.

Some men win to place and power
through cold, selfish strength, climb
ing upon the backs of their fellows.
Others reach the goal through less
esotistical means, through hard work
and ability, but with a kindly regard
for their associates. To the latter class
belonged william A. Oldfeld OF
Arkansas, Democratic whip OF the
House. Billy" Oldheld numbered his
friends by the hundreds. He was as
popular with the Republicans in the
House as he was with the members Of
his own party. His death will leave
real gap among them.
Mr. Oldfeld was a native of Arkansas
a strong believer in his native State
and It's people. They had faith In
him. Ten times they elected him to be
a member of the House to represent the
second congressional district. Two
waeks ago he was their choice to rep
resent them IN the Seventy-f1rst Con-
zress. For many years he had been a
member of the important ways and
means committee of the House. AS a
member of that committee he had
made a careful study of tariff and
revenue legislation.
During the recent campaign Mr.
Oldfield served as chairman Of the
Democratic national congressional cam
paiyn committee, position which he
occupied in earlier congressional cam
paigns. He gave unstintingly Of his
strength to his party. In recent years
he travelled across the continent many
times, East and West and North anc
South. to rally the Democrats to battle
In the House itself his duty was II
have the DEMOCRATS always In line anc
Evening star., 1928-11-20

on hand to take part in important leg
islative battles.
Mr.. Oldheld was in his fifty-fifth
year. comparatively young man,
despite his twenty years of service in
Congress. In his youth he served his
country as soldier in the Spanish
American War, enlisting as private.
He was mustered out of the Army as g
first lieutenant. He became posecut-
ing attorney and entered politics.
Sound in Judgment. genial and with a
great capacity for making friends, he
went rapidly ahead
Evening star., 1928-11-20
SHOOTING STARS.
BY PHILANDER JOHNSON.
Modern Marvels.

Modern Marvels.
They had monsters mastodonic.
Long ago.
Great grotesquery was chronic
Where the show
On the shore or in the thicket
Makes me wish I'd bought tick t
At some big box ONCE wicket,
Long ago.
Planes and motors were not dashing
Long ago.
Now, the fiery eyes are flashing,
High and low.
Earth In primitive condition
Should have asked polite permission
For small-time exhibition,
Long ago.
Evening star., 1928-11-20

number Of members of Congress
will devote some time during the
Christmas holidays to regretful reflec-
tions on the fact that, politically speak
ing, there was no Santa Claus.
Evening star., 1928-11-20

Investigation of the Vestris disaster
will be followed with close interest by
conscientious experts of the sea- anxious
to ascertain how navigation ought not
to be conducted.