davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1928-12-28

Thirteen being our lucky number, WI
were particularly pleased on Christina
morning to discover that through
chance alone we had received exactl,
| 13 books.
No matter what else the Christina.
tree shows, books always assume majol
Importance In the eyes Of one wht
loves them.
What holds many a person of from
giving books to a booky person fol
Christmas is the fact that such per.
sons are known to be particular (somt
say cranky. and, therefore, the would.
be donor does not know what to get
While 1t Is always best to find out
If possible, what particular person
wants, there are many times when thi!
cannot be ascertained, for q variety oi
reasons.
The book stores are so full Of books
however, that no one should have any
difficulty in selecting a gift. This was
unusually true this year, what with
new biographies, etc.
Last year our friends thought we
wanted high-brow philosophy, but this
Christmas they were in forgivine
mood and deluged us with narratives
of speed and sparkle.
The 13 volumes are:
Murder Island" by Wyndham Mar
tyn (Robert Mcbride & Co., N. ".
Murder Mansion" by Herman Ian
don (Horace Liveright, N. ".
"Voltaire, Genius of Mockery," by
Victor Thaddeus (Brentano's, N. ".
"The American Orchestra and Theo-
dore Thomas" by Charles Edward Rus
sell doubleday, Page & Co., N. ".
'The Years Between" by Paul Feval
and M. Lassez (in two volumes, THE
Mysterious Cavalier" and Martyr to
the Queen" Longmans, Green g. Co.,
N. ".
And the following volumes by the
master, Alexandra Dumas, as published
in the edition Of Little, Brown & Co.,
Boston:
"Chauvelin's viii" (also containing
1.-THE Velvet Nacklace" and Blanche
de Beaulieu").
"Agenor de MauleOn" (two volumes)
"Ascanio."
''Sylvandire."
"Black, the Story of Dog"
"The Black Tulip" (also containing
"The Ball Of Snow" and "Sultanetta" :.
What more could q friend of the
great Dumas ask than to have unread
so many Of his translated stories?
There are, of course, literally hun
dreds of his novels as yet untranslated.
Some publisher. in the course of time,
Is going to make "hit" with them, we
are convinced.
In the meantime it is interesting to
realize that two Frenchmen have at
tempted to flll in the gap Of 20 years
which Dumas left between his marvel
out "Three Musketeers" and the next
volume in the D'Artagnan series.
1.-THE Years Between" offers an ex-
planation Of why Dumas left such a
space In the life story of his chief
character, but the reader will be in
clined to take it as gentle persiflage.
The publishers have promised two
more volumes in the new series, 1.-The
Secret of the Bastile' and "The Heir
Of Buckingham" to be issued January
% next. 1t is to be hoped that they
viii be put out in the same binding
that distinguishes ''The Years Between" +"
black with simulated label In red, orna-
Evening star., 1928-12-28
A Constitutional Duty.

Congress Is about to pass and send to
the President the bill providing for the
fifteenth decennial census. The purpose
of the enumeration of the population of
the United States every ten years Is not
for the glorif1cation of the individual
States and municipalities which may be
proud of their growth, or even Of the
whole country. The purpose Of the
decennial census is to make possible
fair apportionment of representation in
the House. And this purpose is de-
clared In the Constitution itself and In
the debates In the Constitutional Con-
vention which preceded the adoption OF
the fundamental law Of the land.
No reapportionment of the House has
been made since 1911, following the
thirteenth census. The fourteenth census
was made as of 1920. In the eight years
that have intervened nothing has been
done to bring about the proper reappor-
tionment of the House. 1t Is true that
the House passed a reapportionment bill
in January, 1921, during short session
Of Congress. But the bill was allowed to
die in the Senate committee. Opposi-
| ton to the measure developed on the
part of some Of the States which would
lose representation under the new
census. Since then several Congresses
have been elected. Twice President
of the United States has been elected.
The basis Of the vote in the electoral
college is the representation Of the
States in Congress. Yet Congress has
deliberately allowed this important duty
of reapportioning the representation of
the States to slide by until now it is
almost time for another enumeration of
the people of the United States. It is
manifestly unfair to those parts of the
country which have grown by leaps and
bounds in population.
The Fem bill for the reapportionment
Of the House is now pending before that
body. The leaders of the House gen.
orally are in favor of putting the bill
through. There Is the danger that 1t
might again be blocked in the Senate,
in this present short session, with full
program of legislation demanding ac-
ton before March 4. Senator Vanden-
berg of Michigan very properly has
called attention to the dereliction oi
Congress in thisptaatter. He Is proposing
Evening star., 1928-12-28
The "Self.SerYice" System,

The Star today publishes upon thi
page letter from Mr.. w. q. Kent upor
the subject Of the distribution Of news
papers through the medium of stree
boxes, or the so-called "self-s6gvice'
basis. Mr.. Kent attacks the system
upon three fundamental bases. HI
| questions its fairness TO merchants al
street intersections In whose establish.
ments, were it not for the boxes, papers
would be distributed, thus attracting
potential customers within-doors. HI
questions the authority for devotins
public sidewalk space to the box methoc
Of newspaper distribution. And hi
questions the ethics Of the newspapers
of washington in continuing, in the
face of established results. a system
which tempts the public to petty lar
ceny.
The Star finds itself In accord with
the writer Of this communication. The
box system does operate to the disad-
vantage Of the corner merchant. The
basis for authorizing the use of side
walk space for the "self-service" boxes
while probably legal, on the theory oi
public convenience, could, were that
principle to be broadly applied, be car
ried to the point of absurdity by per-
mitting the installation next to the
newspaper boxes of machines for the
distribution Of gum, shoe shines, postage
stamps, street car and bus tokens and
cigarettes to the passerby, all Of which
would be to his undoubted convenience
AS to the extent that the boxes prove
an incentive to petty thieving, The Star
while unable to give exact figures, can
no doubt startle even Mr.. Kent by in
forming him that certainly upward OF
10000 papers are daily stolen from the
self-service boxes installed in the Ma
tional Capital.
From the outset The Star has op-
posed the street-box system Of distri-
button for Washington, believing that
1t was fundamentally undesirable. Over
Its opposition the system was installed
Faced with the results Of the operation
Of the boxes In the interest Of the other
Washington papers-results which in
volved the driving Of newsboys from
many districts of the city where they
had previously been able to operate
successfully, and the incidental inability
Of Star readers to obtain this pa.
per on the streets-The Star was con-
strained to offer its late edition to the
public at the boxes in competition with
the other local evening papers.
It has and will continue to do so
so long as the box system is permitted
to exist in washington, on the theory
that its withdrawal from the field would
in no wise correct the evils which II
recognizes and would only result in the
inability of several thousand Star read
ers to obtain the paper Of their choice
at those points where other papers
would still be available. But it would
welcome a general abandonment Of the
entire system and a reversion to those
orthodox methods Of newspaper distri-
button which were in practice prior to
the ruling at the District Building
which authorized the boxes.
Evening star., 1928-12-28
Boulder Canyon Dam Project
Still Subject of Uncertainty

a general criticism of the situation with
the statement: Should the policy to
which this measure, whatever its other
merits, would commit the Government
be permitted to apply to the vast power
developments attending food control
along the Mississippi and its tributaries,
which lie just ahead, the results would
inevitably constitute the most far
reaching and dangerous overshadowing
OF State authority by Federal Govern
ment that the Nation has ever wit
messed"
The Oakland Tribune sees much
work ahead, and emphasizes the point
that the seven States must ratify the
compact as to water ALLEGATION and.
falling in this within six months. six
States must ratify before there may be
a Boulder Dam"
Interest in the method by which the
legislation was achieved is expressed
by the Chicago Daily Tribune, which
presents as its own version of the cir
cumstances: "The full mischief which
Boulder Dam has done in Congress will
not be known for months. What has
neen swapped for it is probably only
half revealed. It has been a
very bad piece Of log-rolling and the
consequences all around seem about to
be very sad, costly bill for the United
states in many particulars. The new
United States Senator from Illinois.
Mr.. Glenn, voted against It, which gives
him singular distinction for sanity
and good judgment"
The bill contemplates the largest
single appropriation Congress has ever
mace Tor internal improvements, except
the Mississippi flood control bill, which
was passed last Spring." says the Rich
mond News Leader. "At least $685.
100000, and perhaps much more. viii
be spent before the dam, the power
plant, the distribution system and the
projected canal are completed" The
News Leader emphasizes the "contro-
versies among the States as TO their
respective rights to the water"
or the mammoth character Of the
project, the Newark News observes: "If
given effect by ratification Of the inter-
state compact, the results of the
measure will be watched with both awe
and curiosity. A dam about as high
as the Washington Monument in wash
tngton, tmpounding the waters of one
OF the most turbulent Of rivers for the
benefit Of seven States, Is in many re-
spects an unprecedented project. But
so was the Panama Canal at It's in
ception. The electric power conflict
introduces some features which have
made Muscle Shoals white elephant
on the Governments hands. Success
full navigation of these and related
problems, because of the benefits pre-
dicted from the undertaking, VIII be an
achievement worthy of high praise
for those responsible for It,"
Evening star., 1928-12-28
Effect of Talking
Films Is Debatable
From the New orleans Tribune.

From the New Orleans Tribune.
California enthusiasts think the talk
ing pictures will make English the world
language. while English may be a
hard language to learn" they say, sit
must be understood that foreign people
are to understand our talking pictures.
For long time pictures synchronized
with the English tongue will rule the
world, and the world will simply have
to learn English in order to enjoy the
pictures"
We are skeptical. This claim holds
more egotism than reason. Foreigners
may not care enough about American
"talkies" to learn English to appreciate
them. It wouldn't be easy If they want
ed to. It would be almost impossible,
In fact, for the average citizen Of for
eign countries to learn English through
this medium. The talkies would, of
course, help students of English. But
not the masses. We understand, also,
that many of our film stars themselves
are having trouble learning enough
English to make the "talkies."
1t seems to us more likely that Amer
ican producers will provide foreign dia-
logue for 'talkies" marketed abroad.
At the same time, we realize this would
involve great difficulties and costs.
Evening star., 1928-12-28
The Memorial City.

WEach year witnesses the addition, to
the long list which now stands, OF
memorials to great men and great
causes in Washington. The Hall OF
Fame which lies beneath the dome OF
the Capitol Is small indeed compared
TO that greater hall of fame whose fig
ures stand in Washington's parks or
whose names are borne by beautiful
Buildings. A. session Of Congress rarely
lrasses without authorization Of new
memorial projects.
The annual report of the Director Of
public Buildings and Public Parks cites
o list of projected memorials yet to be
completed. It is an interesting list,
headed by the Memorial Building to the
Women of the World War, which will
stand in the rear of the American Red
Gross Building, at Seventeenth and E
streets northwest. In 1924 Congress au-
thorized one hundred and nifty thou
sand dollars toward the erection Of this
building, and in the last session ar
additional fifty thousand dollars was
authorized. The building is about one.
third completed and will cost six hun
dred thousand dollars. 1t will take it
place in that notable group of build.
ings which includes the Memorial Con.
tinental Hall and annex, the Pan.
American Building and the Corcorar
Gallery Of Art.
A statue Of Albert Gallatin, secont
Secretary of the Treasury, is to stanc
near the present Treasury Building, OF
q site to be selected by the Fine Art
Commission. An appropriation Of ter
thousand dollars for preparation Of th'
Ne and the pedestal has been mad
Evening star., 1928-12-28

While the Boulder Canyon project
after a long-drawn-out struggle, has
successfully navigated its way through
Congress, 1t still Is a subject of uncer-
tainty and debate. In addition to the
problem of harmonizing the conflicting
interests Of seven States, there remains
the most controversial phase of the
whole undertaking, namely, determina-
ton Of the question of handling the
power to be developed by the great dam.
This vital point was left by Congress
to the White House for decision and 1t
viii be inherited by President-elect
Hoover.
'That the power companies, which
have fought the bill, will begin at once
campaign to convert the dam into
a part of their business enterprises, !"
according to the Santa Barbara Daily
News, sis made quite plain by the state
ment issued by the Southern California
Edison Co. 1t is quite possible that
some such adjustment will be in the
interest of the people But the i'm
portant thing is that the question Is left
open by this bill"
The New York Sun takes a more
positive stand when it says: Suppose.
as seems highly likely, that private cap
ital should find the handicaps at Boul-
der Dam so great as to preclude safe
investment in the construction of a
power plant. Would this not mean
that the Government would then be
obliged, by the terms of the bill as
amended, to step in and do the work?
In such contingency the supposed 'op-
ton would be no option whatever.
The Government would simply have to
construct and operate a power plant
and Uncle Sam would be compelled to
engage in a business which. from its
nature, would not be profitable and
winch nobody would take over at any
price,"
\ \ n
Apparently the bill is so drawn" :"
states the Birmingham News, "as to
leave to Mr.. Hoover the solution Of this
problem. 1t is only fair to President
Coolidge that this problems solution
should be passed onto his successor
The country may be expected
to wait and see what Mr.. Hoover ac-
tually Is to do on the subject of con-
trolling and operating Boulder Dam" I"
The Boston Transcript feels that 1.-The
working out of its details may prove
epoch making, in its influence upon the
future prospects Of Government owner
ship"
''The Government can best get its
value to help pay for building the
dam by selling the water power at the
crest of the dam to private industry"
advises the San Francisco Chronicle
"A strong Secretary will resist the
pressure sure to be put on when the
time comes, by enthusiasts who put the
power issue above that of flood control" +"
The Providence Bulletin observes that
Congress gracefully Sidestepped the
power issue by agreeing that the power
plant would be constructed either by
the Government or private capital-and
left the Secretary of the Interior to de-
eide"
" y X
The Philadelphia Evening Bulletin, In
the course Of an analysis of the meas
ure, points to the fact that "the Senate
altered the bill so that repayment for
the dam is charged first upon land
benefited, and only In supplementary
fashion againsA any prospective power
revenues" Tho Nashville Banner oilers
Evening star., 1928-12-28
Newspaper Racks
Seen as TemptatiOn
TO the Editor Of The Star:

TO the Editor OF The Star:
Almost daily I read In The Star Of
one or more individuals fined $40 for
newspaper thefts. While no one has
anything but contempt for such petty
thievery, the question does arise.
Should unnecessary temptation be al
lowed to exist? I refer to the un-
attended little stands on the sidewalks
containing newspapers, inviting self
service. First, does real necessity exist
for these temptations to robbery? Sec
ond, is it fair to merchants in stores
or at street intersections? Third, by
whose authority is the use Of the side
walks given to this method of selling
newspapers? Surely The Star, with its
10000 and more circulation. can afford
to do without such doubtful means.
Anyway, such human nature is as 1t
is, and fines don't seem to be effective
in changing human nature, why not
bow to the inevitable and stop this
temptation that is apparently proving
irresistible to so many?
w. g. KENT.
Evening star., 1928-12-28

Journalism receives new stimulation
through the demand for an extra
session. A call for extra editions may
vet put the Congressional Record on the
newsstand
Evening star., 1928-12-28

It might be desirable to send Mr..
Dawes over to show how the reparations
plan works. A man closely concerned
in the invention Of q machine should
be helpful in showing others how to
run 1t,
Evening star., 1928-12-28

Santa Claus disappears from, the
scene. He is generous myth and avoids
being held in any way responsible for
raising restaurant prices on New Year
eve.
Evening star., 1928-12-28
Member Of the Associated Press

The Associated Press is exclusively entitled
ee the use for republication of all news dis
patches credited to 1t or not otharwise cred.
3ted In this paper and also the LOCAL rews
apecial dispatches hereta are also reserved
Evening star., 1928-12-28

1t is confidently expected that some
Of Senator Borah's proposals will be
more successful than his idea Of taking
up a collection to avoid suggestion of
obligation to Harry Sinclair.
Evening star., 1928-12-28

Certain South American countries are
inclined, to admit that what they need
is mediator and not a referee.
Evening star., 1928-12-28
It's a Good idea.

From the Savannah Morning News.
They are now talking of "humanizing
ichthyology," and the first step, to q
raw outsiders view, is to change the
spelling of it.
Evening star., 1928-12-28

After Mr.. Hoover's return there will
undoubtedly be some interesting confer
ences in which the microphone viii not
participate.
Evening star., 1928-12-28

The United States Government makes
demands on all connected with it. Even
the position Ct President-elect Is no
loaflng Job.
Evening star., 1928-12-28

All the Inauguration workers can ask
is that the weather predictions will be
as generous toward the Fourth of March
as they were toward Christmas day.
Evening star., 1928-12-28

Some plays are 20 long that auditors
take luncheon to the theater. FoldinS
beds may next be introduced.
Evening star., 1928-12-28
Modern Education.

From the Springfield, Ohio, Sun.
Many students come to college Just
to get atmosphere, says dean at Co
lumbia. Maybe that's why SO many get
the aira
Evening star., 1928-12-28
It's Quite Likely.

From the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.
A Georgetown, Pa, man who bit q
policeman was fined on the ground that
his effort to put teeth In the jaw was
misdirected. "
Evening star., 1928-12-28

8, Farm relief has made conspicuous
progress In political affairs. 1t is now
even more talked about than the tariff.
Evening star., 1928-12-28
Pointing q Distinction

Are you politician or q states
MANI"
I'm a statesman" answered sena.
tor Sorghum. but have hopes. In
my opinion just now, politician is a
statesman with financial backing"
Evening star., 1928-12-28
Or, That You Don't.

From the New Castle News
The only relief from the weather Is
pretending you like it.
Evening star., 1928-12-28
It's Not Customary To.

From the Evening world-Herald.
White House in better condition tha !
for many years. Hoover probably will
not hesitate to move In.
Evening star., 1928-12-28
The Evening Star Newspaper Company
Rate by Carrier within the City,

The Evening Star. ..........45 45c per r1onth
The Evening and Sunday Star
(when : sundaysl soc per month
Hhe Evening and Sunday Star
(when SundAYs) ........ .65c per month
The Sunday Star ...,..........5c SC per copy
Collection made ct the end OF each month.
Orders may be sent In By mall or telephone
Main 5000
Evening star., 1928-12-28
Even on Installmenfs.

From the Grand Rapids Press,
It always pays to count the cost,
Then perhaps you won't have to pay it,
Evening star., 1928-12-28
All Other States ana Canada.

Daily snd Sunday. i ". si2.eo; ! mo, 81?
sunday only .......i yr., $500; mo-, so
Evening star., 1928-12-28

Jud Tunkins says the mere fact thai
a man wants the earth is no sign he
could manage 1t If he had 1t.
Evening star., 1928-12-28
ReverberatiOn.

ReverberatiOn.
There is strange and sudden sound
AS difference in cost is found.
A loud noise agitates the air, 49,
With price-tags dropping everywhere.
Evening star., 1928-12-28
SHOOTING STARS.
BY PHMANDER JOHNSON.

Unchanging.
It's a New Year greeting,
With a song of cheer.
1t will seem, on meeting,
Like the same old yearl
'Mongst the changes leeting
And the speech unfurled,
It's a New Year greeting
To the same old worldl
Evening star., 1928-12-28

Rate by Mail--Payable in Advance.
MARYLAND and virginia.
Evening star., 1928-12-28

A Hero Wanted.
"Why did you never marry?"
II could not love a man who was not
brave" said Miss Cayenne, land nobody
has had the courage to propose to me. !"
Our ancestors were placid in
thought" said HI Ho. the sage of
Chinatown. "But they Travelled in jim
rickshas, free from present fears of
motor collisions"
Evening star., 1928-12-28
ArrravafAd OMenaa

Aggravated Offense.
We know that betting is Sin,
Whose ways we should refuse.
It's wrong to gamble, II you win,
And much worse If you lose.
"a man dat's always thinkin' bout
money" said Uncle Eben, "is liable to
md he has turned his entire life into
muffin but penny ante poker game"
Evening star., 1928-12-28

@. Should people stand when "Amer-
lea" Is played or Sung?-A. v. H.
A. It Is not customary for people to
rise at the tune Of America" "The
Star Spangled Banner" while not a ma
ttonal song by law, is recognized by the
Army. Navy and Marine Corps, and is
therefore accorded difference by Civilians.
Evening star., 1928-12-28

Copyright. 1928.)