davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-04-17
Disturbance Created
BY Southern Pacific
From the Spokane spokesman-Review.

From the Spokane Spokesman-Review.
The Southern Pacific Company is be-
fore the Interstate Commerce Commits
sion with another attempt to disturb
transcontinental freight rates. It OBJ
crates line of steamships from New
York to the Gulf, connecting there with
its rail lines to the Pacific Coast. 1t
complains that steamer lines from
coast to coast through the Panama
Canal are getting too much business
ana wants to lower its rail-and-boa
rates TO engage in more active COMPETE
ton with the steamship lines.
There Is nothing in the financial con-
dition OF the Southern Pacific to Justify
its attempted disturbance of the trans
continental rate system. The business
and industries of the Pacific Coast need
sterilization In freight rates, not further
disturbance.
The Southern Pacific is one of the
big proflt-earning railroads. 1t had
gross earnings in 1923 of nearly $219,-
000,0 600, an increase of S4,0O0,0O0 over
its gross earnings in 1927. Its pros
perity has continued into the new year,
with gross earnings in January Of S16,-
$4,000, as against $15,2s0.000 in Janu-
airy, 1928.
Southern Pacific stock is selling at
1929 on the New York Stock Exchange.
The company is In no position to plead
poverty before the commission as justi-
fication for disturbance OF transconti-
mental rates or opposition to the joining
Of the Great Northern and the WesternA
Pacific to permit the entry of the GreaEV
Northern into California.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-04-17
Two Generations Lack
Hands and Feet at Birth
BY E. E. FREE, PHI. d.

A remarkable instance in which Ma
ture seems carefully to have preserved
by heredity a deformity certainly of no
advantage to its possessors or to hui
manity is reported by Eugenical News,
the official organ Of the Eugenics Re-
search Association and of the Cation
Society.
In two generations Of single family
living in Brazil there have been five
instances, the association is informed by
its correspondent, Wesley Peacock, Of
the absence Of hands and feet
Four OF these remarkable cripples-
three children and their uncle-have
been photographed in a group. The
father OF the children, now dead, pos
sessed the same heredity deformity. All
inherited characteristics are supposed
by biologists to be transmitted from one
generation to another by tiny living
granules, called chromosomes, contained
in every living human cell.
Evidently the cell chromosomes of
this unfortunate Brazilian family lack
some essential unit of their structure.
which unit ordinarily is responsible for
the formation Of hands and feet. In its
absence, these extremities do not de-
velop.
Although the association refrains
from pointing any moral, 1t is obvious
That the interest of humanity, no less
than their own. requires that these un-
fortunate Brazilians be not permitted
10 produce further descendants: the
same conclusion urged by advocates of
eugenics for human beings suffering
from other hereditary defects, PHYSICAL
mental or moral.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-04-17
A Dramatic Rescue.

The whole world rejoices at the
dramatic rescue Of the brave flyers OF
the giant airplane Southern Gross
Capt. Charles Kingsford-Smith and his
able lieutenant, Charles P. Ulm, with
two companions, were forced down in
the wilds of Australia far from human
habitation more than two weeks ago,
and although the capabilities and
resourcefulness of the aviators were
we'll known, fears for their safety grew
as days passed with no word from them.
In order properly to conduct the search
airplanes were modified near the point
from which the last definite informa-
ton as to their whereabouts had come
from the flyers, but 1t was only day
or so ago when one of these searchers,
from his low-flying plane, spotted the
Southern Cross niarooned on mud fats
in a wild and desolate section. The
flyers were nearly at the end of their
resources when found. They had sub
sisted on mud snails and wild beans.
Supplies were at once rushed to them
by air and the adventure, with its
tragic potentialities, has turned into a
happily dramatic episode In the annals
of aviation.
The Southern Cross made aviation
history with Kingsford-Smith, Ulm,
and two comrades, a year or so ago,
when it spanned the Pacific in two
magnificent hops. It was the first time
that the world was able to hear a
running story" of long-distance
flight of an airplane. The speed Of the
ship, its altitude, the spirits of the
crew, what they ate and what they
did was carried to the four corners of
the earth by the radio set OF the
Southern Cross as she sped on her way
through the limitless blue. It was a
triumph. this flight Of the Southern
Cross.
The world can i'll afford to lose
aviators of the type Of Kingsford- Smith
and Ulm. They have demonstrated
that careful preparation, good equip
ment. and flying skill can overcome
many Of the obstacles that face the
pioneer In his effort to conquer the air.
Their mishap on the present trip was
due to no fault of theirs and the happy
rescue restores them again to the world
of aviators and gives them the oppor-
tunity they deserve to advance further
the art Of flying. s.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-04-17
Triple Interest-Zero Participation.

We of the District have triple in
terest in the new government which in
all branches is now beginning to func-
ton. Other Americans have only a
single interest in it. To them it is
only their National Government. To us
1t is National. State and municipal gov
eminent. To us Congress is National.
State and municipal legislature. To us
President Hoover is President, governor
and mayor-"three gentlemen at once"
like Mrs. Malaprop's Cerberus.
Though we half million of the Dis
trict are thus three times as greatly In
terested In the new government as
other Americans, We are the only Amer
leans in the continental and contiguous
United States who did not participate
as voters in November in choosing the
new government, and who have no rep
resentation whatever in 1t. Our triple
interest and maximum concern in ma
tional elections and the resulting new
government are accompanied by a
1nlIllIIlGIII, oil dUoOAuVC GSAO, "a PAA eAS~
patton in them.
Search the worlds records for strik-
ing examples of unjust and injurious in
consistency, and not one can be found
which compares in groSsneSs and in
tensity with the inconsistency of Amer
leans of the Nation in unnecessarily
withholding from the half million
Americans of the District the vital
American right and power of repre-
sentation in the National Government.
A proposed constitutional amendment
is pending which empowers Congress to
give voting representation in Senate,
House and Electoral College to the
Americans of the District.
This amendment deals solely with
national elections; it proposes votes only
for such national officials as Presi-
dent. Senator and Representative; it
does not propose or involve changes IN
the municipal government of the Dis
trict: it does not make State of the
District, and it does not reduce in the
slightest the exclusive power of Con-
gress in respect to the National Capital,
but enables the District to become
small fractional part of the Congress
which exercises in respect to 1t exclu-
sive legislative power.
No valid ground remains upon which
this measure of political equity can be
opposed.
This thought is elaborated in edi-
torial correspondence printed elsewhere
in today's Star.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-04-17

virtually paralyzed until the flood waters
recede and the surface Of the Bladens-
burg road comes once more into view.
This recurrent nuisance will in a
manner be relieved within the next
year or SO by action taken by the Mary
land Legislature during Its past session.
Bond issues have been authorized, the
proceeds of which will be used to build
an extension Of Rhode Island avenue
through to Hyattsville, thus eliminating
the circuitous route that now lies
through Cottage City and watery
Biadensburg. Repair and new construc-
ton will provide another route by way
of road that leaves the Baltimore pike
at Laurel, following the old Columbia
pike and the Colesville road and enter
ing Washington at the Sixteenth street
gateway. Both roads will serve to elm
mate the congestion of traffic along the
Bladensburg road, and will provide
routes unaffected by the perennial
floods in Bladensburg.
One may wonder, however, whether
the food nuisance in Bladensburg is to
be permit ted to continue. This nuisance
provides Prince Georges County and the
State of Maryland with a very up-to-
date and pressing problem of flood con-
troll. Its elimination might prove cost
ly, but 1t is unthinkable to believe that
the condition today should be allowed
to remain. The highway
might be kept open in all weather by
filling in and raising the grade beyond
the food mark. But this would not
eliminate a hazard that will remain
until necessary dredging Of the Eastern
Branch provides a channel that can
take care of the flood waters.
Maryland, which takes justifiable
pride in one of the finest systems of
State highways in the country, cannot
afford to have such important links as
the Bladensburg road and the new De-
Tense Highway weakened and placed
out of use by floods that,
as now, go unchecked.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-04-17

Former Gov. Henry j. Allen, Repub-
hcan, OF Kansas, Is by far the most
interesting of the newcomers to the
Senate in the Seventy-first Congress.
He seems to have buried the Ratchet
promptly with Vice President Curtis,
whom he succeeds. Time was when
Hank" and Charley" did anything
but hit it of in Kansas politics. Just
after the Vice President administered
Aliens oath on April Is. Curtis grabbed
the new Senator's hand fervently,
smiled expansively and was observed
muttering words that appeared to bub-
BILE with brotherly love- Senator Al
lens first congratulating caller in the
lobby was his old classmate and fra
ternity brother at Baker University,
DR.. Paul M. Pearson of Swarthmore,
Pa, the king Of the Chautauqua pro-
fession. Pearson recalls that Henry
worked part of his way through college
by assisting In the campus barber shop.
But you never used the right kind Of
remarked, as they greeted each other
In the Capitol. Mrs. Allen and Mrs.
Pearson were college mates, too.
X X **
One of the Democratic breakers of
the Solid South has just been a guest
at dinner in the White House-George
F. Milton, editor and publisher Of the
Chattanooga News. Milton for years
has been one Of the high priests Of the
McAdoo temple, and managed the Cali
fornia Democrats publicity campaign In
1924. Throughout 1923, and before, AL
Smith had no more uncompromising
foeman than the Tennessee journalist.
Copyright, 1927
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-04-17

OF the great writer's used half sentences,
such authority would have no weight
| at all.
Had you. on the other hand, upheld
the sentence murderer, he would have
wondered nightly how you could pos
sibly speak on that side of the ques-
ton. and no doubt would have quoted
the very auUhorities you trotted forth.
| X
The sad truth is that his disagree
ment Is not so much with what you say
as with you!
That is why we urge every one who
Is offended with such persons to try to
put themselves in their place and thus
discover what 1t is about one which rubs
the other the wrong way.
This will not be true in every case,
OF course. There are some persons so
hopelessly given to taking the "other
side that they will argue with any one
about anything upon a moments notice
Usually they will do 1t with CLINT
OF battle IN their eye There will be no
rancor, but only desire to cross mental
swords.
One can have some respect for this
| sort of sportsman. His arena is mem
tai rather than physical; he is willing
to enter the field against all Corners in a
sort of intellectual battle royal.
X X X v
The chronic disagreer who "takes the
| cake" as the vernacular has 1t, Is the
man or woman who disagrees with you
because you are you!
Maybe familiarity had bred contempt
| Were you a stranger, perhaps no one
would be more polite No opposition
would be voiced even If you said the
rain were red and the night as light as
day.
Come out in the plain sunshine, how
ever, and express the honest opinion
that the day is fine, the other will at
least say, '4Oh, have seen better days!"
Who said he hadn't? The question
was not one of day comparisons, but
simply one OF the fineneSs of the day
under discussion. But since there was
no possibility OF dispute over 1t, he must
make another issue:
"Oh, have seen finer days!"
Maybe he has seen better days. No
one can survey all the days of the past
and compare them hour by hour. So he
wins again.
After one has searched his own heart
ne Will be inclined to go back to his
original opinion that the other Is suf-
feripg from nasty disposition.
cation has done some queer things to
human beings. Sometimes small bows
take out the viciousness in their dis
position upon defenselesS dogs and cats.
subjecting them to all manner of
cruelties.
Such youngsters when they grow up
find that civilized society frowns upon
overt cruelties but easily condones
those which may be done neatly and
with dispatch-the cruelties of the
mind.
So one finds all sorts of queer mental
accomplishments. which, analysed, show
themselves UP to be nothing more. nor
less than cruelty.
A desire to dispute with others about
everything. especially questions of no
moment, shows disposition which
would, If it could, grab you by the back
Of the neck and wiring it.
Happily for such people and their
innocent. victims, the best they can do
Is wrangle.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-04-17
Drumming Into Print.

With an ex-President writing his
memoirs and observations on his ex-
periences in the executive Office. now
comes a near-President with publ
cation project. Former Gov. Alfred E.
Smith, who ran for the highest Office
last year and was defeated, is going to
contribute to the columns of a widely
circulated weekly the story of his life
up to date. Announcement just made
to this effect makes it plain that the
magazine has only the serial rights and
that later publication in book form Is
contemplated. The book will contain
Mr.. Smiths early "reminiscences and an
account of his twenty-five years in pub
lie life, including the recent campaign.
There is already in circulation book
of the governors campaign speeches,
proceeds from the sales of which are
being devoted to the reduction, if not
the extinguishment, of the $1,500,0OO
debt of the Democratic national COM
mittee.
The political implication of this lit
erary enterprise of the former governor
and recent candidate of the Democ-
racy is interesting. AS rule politicians
do not drop into print on their own
behalf as long as they cherish ambitions
for Office. There is something of the
order of finality about autobiography
that is unacceptable. Gov. Smith is not
an old man. He is probably good for
a long time to come physically. If this
present book is to be simply a first vol
ume of an installment series and is
definitely so stated, he may be able to
file a caveat, as it were. against the
conclusion that he is writing his polit-
ical obituary.
There is no suggestion that Gov.
Smith needs the money that will be
earned through serial publication and,
finally, book printing. He is reputed
to be fairly wealthy man as result
of thrifty savings and sound invest
ments. Even if he is not to get pay
from the periodical at the rate of 50
q word-report to which effect is de-
MED by his close friends-he viii make
considerable out of this present enter
prise. This financial factor adds some
what to the mystery.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-04-17
ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
BY FREDERIC J. HAsKIN.

This Is a special department, devoted
solely to the handling of queries. This
paper puts at your disposal the services
OF an extensive organization in Wash
ington to serve you in any capacity that
relates to information. This service is
free. Failure to make use Of it de-
prfves you Of benefits TO which you are
entitled. Your obligation is only 2
cents in coin or stamps, inclosed with
your inquiry, for direct reply. Address
The Evening Star Information Bureau,
Frederic j. Haskin, director, Washing
ton, d. c.
@. What cabinet member is ap-
pointed for a term Of definite length?--
T. A. H.
A. The Postmaster General is ap-
pointed for a term Of four years. The
other cabinet members serve at the
pleasure Of the President.
@. If black absorbs more heat than
white, why can the colored race endure
hot weather better than the white race?
&C. A.
A. In speaking of color, in a test
made with the various materials dyed
different colors and covering blocks of
ice to determine which color absorbed
the most heat, the blocks under the white
material at the end of given period
were larger than the blocks under the
black color. The explanation for this,
Of course, is that white defects more
rays Of the sun than black. In speak
ing Of the Negro and dark races and
their adaptability to heat. this test does
not hold good. With the human ele-
ment 1t is largely the question of being
acclimated. The Negro race, as far
back as our records run, was a native
Of the tropical countries Consequently
the transplanting of this race to North
ern climates makes its members just
as uncomfortable as it would make an
Eskimo, also dark-skinned, to put him
IN the extreme South.
Q. What sheep has the most wool?--
A. The merino sheep has the largest
weight Of wool in proportion TO the
weight OF the body.
@. What kind OF school is the Mas
sachusetts Nautical School?-W. E. c..
A. The Massachusetts, Nautical School
is State training school for American
merchant marine officers. It was es-
tablished in 1892.
@. When was the first duel fought in
this country?-W. 7. l..
A. The first duel occurred in 1921 In
Plymouth between two serving men.
@. Is color blindness always congeni-
tal?-A. K. P.
A. Sometimes color blindness is ac-
quired. 1t is then a symptom Of dis
eases of the optic nerve and retina.
Congenital color blindness usually af-
fects both eyes, and is often hereditary,
and may be partial or complete. 1t
occurs in eyes whose power of vision
may be otherwise perfect, but errors of
refraction usually coexist. ACQUIRED
color blindness may result from disease
or accident.
Q. When were silos first built above
ground in the United States?-L. B. D.
A. Silos in the United States were
formerly built underground. In about
1875 it was discovered that they could
be built above the ground just as well,
and the first ones were constructed of
brick or stone with smooth coating of
plaster on the inside. Today. sitter
years Of experimenting, the Department
OF Agriculture advises that those made
OF wood. If properly constructed, would
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-04-17

not only be less expensive for the
farmer but do just as well as the brick
or stone ones.
Q. How old is Junior Durkin in the
stage play "Courage"?-G. N.
A. Junior Durkin will be Is years old
next July. This young player has been
on the stage since he was 2l2 years old.
@. Please name some of the largest
fresh-water lakes.-C. E. B.
A. Among them are Lake Superior,
31,810 square miles; Victoria Nyanza,
$4,000: Aral, $4,000; Huron, 23,110;
Michigan. 22,40O; Nyasa, 1920, and
Baikal, 1920 square miles.
@. What became of the stone sent by
the Pope for the Washington Monu-
ment? Why did he send one?-J. B.
A. The following is an excerpt from
THE Washington Monument" prepared
in the Office of Public Buildings and
Grounds: Work progressed slowly I'M
til 1854, when an act occurred at the
Monument which created much indig-
nation and public discussion through
the country. A block of marble which
had originally stood in the Temple of
Concord at Rome and which had been
sent by the Pope to be set in the wall
or the Monument was stolen, and no
trace OF it was ever found. At the time
contributions Of stones from societies,
municipalities and the several States
were being encouraged, SO that 'Pope's
stone was not an unusual gift. The
disappearance of the stone angered and
eStranged a large body of citizens and
discouraged the collection of public con-
tributions, SO that all construction work
ceased"
@. Do humming birds go South in
Winter? What do they feed on?--
l.. L. S.
A. Most species of the hunlning birds
are natives of the warmer climates, but
there are several species that go North
for the Summer. HumIning birds do not
feed exclusively on honey. but depend
largely on the insects found i'll flowers
for their food.
Q. Did President Wilson use this ey-
preston. without the dotting of an IL
or the crossing of t." in regard 10
his wishes concerning the League Of
Nations?-L. l..
A. This expression was used by Sen
ator Hitchcock. President Wilson. how
ever, opposed any important changes in
the covenant.
@. Where was the Cliffbourne Hos
pital located in Washington. which was
in use during the Civil War?-E. D.
A. 1t was on the north side of CAL
vert street. half way between Eighteenth
street and the Calvert Street Bridge.
Q. How long has the Eiffel Tower
been standing?-A. H.
A. 1t celebrated its fortietf birthday
on March 80, 1929. 1t was completed
Just few days before the opening of
the Paris Exposition of 1889, and was
IA months in the building. It is ex-
amined at regular intervals by engineers
to make sure that it is still safe. and It
is said that it shows no evidences of
weakness. In addition to being a land
mark and observation tower for tour
lists. 1t is wireless station, and is used
at night for elaborate vari-colored cleo
trio light automobile advertisements.
The illumination is not all advertising,
and is very beautiful
@. Is 1t possible for person to have
whooping cough without the character
istic whoop?-S. B. N.
A. Some persons have the disease but
never Whoop.