davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-07-15
WEAKNESS.

Neurasthenia probably is the most
truly universal malady to which flesh
is heir, with the possible exception of
the common cold.
1t is that tired, listless, "washed-out'
feeling which comes. sooner or later,
to 80 per cent of human beings. Usual
ly 1t disappears in few days. Quite
often. however, it becomes chronic and
the victim degenerates into one of that
pathetic army which haunts the watt
ing rooms of physicians with no de-
tectable organic ailments.
The number of Inconsistencies is in
creasing. They don't know what is the
matter with them, nor does anybody
else. But they are convinced, doubt
less with good reason, that something
is wrong. Their working efficiency and
their happiness are reduced. It is quite
possible that their lives are shortened
The problem of neurasthenia came UP
for discussion at the annual conven-
ton of the American Medical Asso-
citation in Portland, Greg, last week
and some interesting theories were ad-
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-07-15

Col. Henry L. Stimson, Secretary of
State, and Brig. Gen. Frank r. Mccoy.
U. S. A, are convinced their stars are
set IN the same course. When Stimson
was Secretary of War in the Taft cabi-
net II years ago Mccoy was his chief
aide. Two years ago, as soon as Col
Stimson had pacif1ed Nicaragua, Gen.
MCCOY was selected to become director
n-chief OF the presidential election, the
result OF which has given the banana
republic about the first siege of politi-
cal tranquility it's known in a genera
ton. Now Stimson and Meow And
themselves once more cheek by jowl in
the State Department, where the gen.
eral-in charge of the Bolivian-Para-
guayan boundary acknowledgements
oftices which are part Of Secretary
Stimson's headquarters.
With a view to showing that even
the father of the Democratic party
himself-none other than the immortal
ThomaS JefferSon-did not scorn to en-
terrain Negro, a New Yorker writes
TO a newspaper in his home town that
JULIUS Melbourn, a colored man, once
dined with President jefferson at the
White House. The correspondent cites
a book by Gotham historian. Jabez
AA1AtiAAOAAds 1jiIC ana ODlTlOnS
OF Julius Melbourn," as authority for
the statement. Inquiry at Howard
University, in Washington, by this OBJ
server develops that no authentic rec
ordS of American Negroes contain any
reference to such a person as Julius
Melbourn.
Gen. John ]. Pershing is suggested as
an ideal American Ambassador to
Japan. The Toxic authorities are
known to want as our next envoy to
Nippon an outstanding parsonage. Thev
frankly intimate that their pride would
be fattered If President Hoover were to
send them as eminent an American as
ne has dispatched to Great Britain.
The Japanese also want a man of years.
Pershing measures up to all these
qualifications, in addition to which he
once served as military attache in Toxic.
so he's not stranger there.
X X
Somebody has sent Assistant Secre-
tary of the Treasury Lowman, prohibi-
ton sleuth-in-chief, an indecorous sue-
gestion that new national anthem to
be called Bottle Hymn of the Repub-
lie" ought to be written to the tune
Of Coming Through the Rye"
(Copyright, 1929
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-07-15

Correspondents have inquired II this
is not a bad season for roses, declar-
ing that their own bushes have done
anything but satisfactorily.
We are not prepared to say just why
1t has been poor rose season, but
that it has been and is so there can
be little doubt.
The first blooming, in the latter part
Of May and in June, was very good,
an excellent start having been given
by the early Spring. Even the lack of
rain helped that first flush Of roses.
preventing the blossoms from being
"bullnoSed."
Subsequent weeks, however, have
seen the end of rose expectations,
cerned. Alternate droughts and rainy
spells, with hot weather in the as
tendency. have not done the bushes
any good.
Now is the time, therefore. to get
ones disappointments we'll in hand, in
order that the queen of flowers may
not suffer in the mind. where 1t is
likely to be a worse flop" than on the
bushes.
Every flower. in an average home
garden has its beginning in somebody
the earth? Nothing of the kind! Be-
fore a seed is planted, or Seeding
purchased, 1t has grown first In 1au-
man mind
All sorts Of things lead to this happy
mental creation. It may have been no
more than the sight Of rose In a
florists window. or Jar of gladiolus
spikes on a pushcart at the corner.
A picture in a catalogue, a vase OF
flowers at the home Of friend, a
chance word overheard in conversation
anything may lead to the planting OF
a flower or bush In the mind.
4 4
Once something is planted in the
mind it may finally flower in the gar
den, but not until 1t goes through that
first intellectual growth has 1t any
chance of appearing in the light of day.
All buildings, all books, all songs, all
great creations in art. education and
science. first spring into being in the
mind, before they come into actual ex-
istence and are seen by the world at
large.
In a peculiar sense. however. this is
true of flowers in the home garden, since
their subsequent growth is carried on by
natural forces of the same sort that
carry forward ideas in the brain.
Perhaps the rose is the most univer-
sally loved flower because 1t is the one
most talked of. most appreciated and
therefore the one most thought Of Few
people are what might be termed i'm
mune to roses. Everybody likes them.
The first thing the average family
thinks of planting at the new home is
a rosebush. As we have said here be-
fore. this should be the last thing they
should think Of but the fact that they
do think of 1t first shows how much It
is loved.
To plant roses and reap harvest of
bloSsoms-is not this happy thing?
Yes, II 1t were as easy and pleasant as
that there would be a thousand times
as many roses in existence, because the
world loves them enough.
Good roses. however, are none too
easy to grow. even in good seasons.
and In such one as the present they
are extremely difficult. As vet the
Japanese beetle is not responsible. That
may be another affliction added to the
woes OF the amateur rose grower. but
for the present we will not worry about
him.
The list Of rose pests and diseases is
long enough as 1t is without expecting
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-07-15
Subscribe $1OO,OOO,OOO
For Near East Relief

From the Philadelphia Evening Bulletin.
Near East Relief, the greatest of the
philanthropic agencies called into exist
ence by the World War. does not con-
template cessation of its present activi-
ties in withdrawing from the field of
nation wide drives" for funds. When
Near East Relief was founded, in 1915.
American charity was confronted by an
emergency unparalleled in the modern
world, owing to the plight OF Armenians
and Syrians, soon to be followed by
pestilence and famine racing in the
wake of war in Rumania, Bulgaria and
Servia.
Four years later the emergency had
become aggravated, and Congress in
corporated the great philanthropy which
American generosity endowed to cope
with appalling conditions. Resources
of the organization were still to be
taxed by the expulsion of Greeks from
Turkey.
Down to the present the feeding and
clothing of 12.500.000 persons Is rec
ord to be considered as a philanthropy
of magnitude only commensurate with
the World War and giving a measure
of the human suffering involved In the
Near East area.
Probably the housing and rearing Of
1872, 500 orphans in asylums is the fea-
ture of the stupendous humanitarian
work which will awake the greatest de-
gree Of sympathy among American con-
tributorS to the funds in the past IA
years. Those orphans who have not
yet reached the age of self-support will
continue to be wards of the organiza-
ton. The matchless liberality of
Americans in responding to the calls
Of charity is once more shown by the
computation that the donations to Near
East Relief in IA years totaled $780,
100000, including food, medical sup
plies and clothing, the greater part Of
which cams from this countr1A
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-07-15
Electric Device Is Used
To Make Chinese Talk
ny r. r.. FREE PEF n

Torture by electricity is reported to
be the latest crime detecting device Of
the new government police. in. China
Chinese courts have long recognized
torture as legitimate means Of induc-
ing reluctant witnesses to speak, as
European courts also recognized 1t until
few centuries ago.
Knives, pincers, hot irons on the
soles of the prisoners feet-these have
been the conventional methods Ac-
cording to British reports from Shang-
hal. such time-honored devices have
now been discarded in favor of an i'm
proved electric torturer.
The victim Is stretched out full length
on a frame of bamboo and tied there,
with his hands crossed on his chest and
fastened to the terminals of the cleo
trio machine.
The current then is turned on and
produces, it is reported, such unbearable
agony that the partially electrocuted
victim instantly promises anything
whatsoever or confesses any secret that
he knows. The treatment is claimed by
the Chinese electricians not to be dan
gerous to life and not to produce the
mutilation or permanent injury result
ing from torture methods less benefited
by modern science. About whether con-
LESSONS thus induced by electric agony
are to be depended upon as true seems
not to have occurred to the Chinese
of6cials.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-07-15

of course, of placing the care of children
under any sort of Federal bureaucracy.
since, in the opinion of the Press, "the
country has made quite obvious its OBJ
lection to centralized dictation of what
should be home and community
matters" So also the Lansing State
Journal. which argues: THE conference
that will meet some time. early next
year will have no power of legislation,
whatsoever. Following deliberations of
those gathered, some recommendations
for legislation may be offered, but the
outstanding effect of the meeting will
be that it will advertise ideas The
White House is again to be used in the
leadership of ideas"
Through care of the young, the
average of human happiness can be
raised in the same way that the average
of human life has been made higher"
according to the Memphis Commercial
Appeal. which calls the work for chill
dren more important than tariff or
farm relief measures, and more fruitful
for the countrys future even than inter
national peace agreements"
The Detroit Free Press notes that "a
nation is said to march on the feet
of its children. That is merely an ap-
plication to nations of the old adage
that the tree will incline as the twig is
bent. a recognition of the fact the
foundation of national welfare is laid
in the welfare of its children Give them
the proper advantages" continues the
Press, Safeguard them from harmful
and anti-social temptations. and they
will develop into efficient and contented
citizens. Anything that promises results
in that direction deserves earnest
support"
The Geneva Daily Times quotes with
approval President HooverS statement:
1T is my hope that much may be done
in this administration to further the
causes of child health and the better
nurture and care of children generally.
All such efforts rightly co-ordinated will
receive my cordial help"
The Altoona Mirror characterizes the
call to the survey and conference as
lone of the most important announce
ments ever made by an American
President or by any other official whose
power equals the Presidents"
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-07-15

vanced as to the underlying causes of
this pathological WEAKNESS, this dis
tinctive malady Of civilization. Various
minor factors were postulated-the de-
layed reaction from the nervous excite
ment of the World War, the after-ef-
fects Of the great influenza epidemics
which swept the country during the
war years and have required spas
medically ever since, the eating OF re-
fined and greasy foods, and the greater
concentration demanded by industry.
But heading the list was q condition
not generally suspected, the saturation
Of the atmosphere of cities at street
levels with carbon monoxide gas from
the exhausts of automobiles.
1t is well known that when this gas
is inhaled at high concentrations the
result is fatal. There are frequently
recurring cases Of deaths in closed
garages. The victim begins to grow
drowsy and. before he suspects his
plight, lapses into Inconsistencies from
which there seldom is any awakening.
Now in the atmosphere above busy
city streets there undoubtedly are vary
ing amounts of carbon monoxide which
the population is breathing all the time.
A progressive sapping of energy, insid-
ious and long continued, is we'll with
in the limits of possibility. There Is
not enough of the gas TO kill anybody
or to produce any easily observable
physical effects but over a long period
1t is not unreasonable to suppose that
it is notable contributing factor to
the "malady Of civilization"
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-07-15
THIS AND THAT
BY CHARLES E. TRACEWELL.

I more. And when to this list is added
/ the unaccountable something which
makes one season good" and another
bad" the home rose grower surely
has his hands full.
A few years ago there was another
bad season for them. The same reports
of unthrifty growth and poor blossoms
much rain was the most generally ac-
cepted reason.
The truth seems to be that the rose is
a tricky plant to begin with, and diff
ficult one to handle all along. If 1t
were not for the surprising flowers,
which have place in legend equal to
that in the heart of almost every one,
we are convinced that few people ex-
cept florists would bother with them.
This may seem treason to the dyed
! in -the-wool rosarian, but we believe it.
Why should the average backyard gar
dener worry over roses when there are
any number of other plants almost as
beautiful, which are a hundred times
as easy to grow and thousand times
as sure fire.?
Even the habit of some roses bloom
ing monthly is partly fraud, as the
blossoms are generally poor after the
first blooming easily the sport of the
weather. As matter of fact these
popular bushes bloom about three times
from late May to October-not every
month at all. The monthly" part is
mostly hopes. Often the only worth
while blooming is the first and the last.
This, of course, is one better than most
flowers do.
The defects of the rose are simply
part Of the rose. They introduce an
element Of sport into horticulture. The
difficulties of their culture appeal to
| a
sort of wager, the outcome TO depend
upon which has the most persistence,
an inimical something in nature, or
the determination of the gardener to
grow good roses.
The Romans believed in good and bad
elements in nature. They called such
"numen," and perhaps credited the evil
spirit with the most power. Thus wor-
ship became Precipitation, to certain
degree.
In rose culture many a gardener be-
comes a kind of heather, willing to
believe, at least in the secrecy of his
own mind. that there are certain I'M
known elements in Nature which almost
seem to delight in tearing down.
Not every rose grower is pure scien-
tist often gardener is of romantic
disposition, inclined to feel that certain
| unknown elements may still exist, de-
spite all that science can do.
He feels that insecticides, fungicides,
chemical 'feedings" and all may not be
enough. Even tickle weather may not
account for poor rosebush growth. The
present season is an instance. Despite
the rapid changes in weather. there
would seem to be no good reason why
growth should be as poor as it has
been.
The point is that few rosebushes
have done as well as they ought. We
have made particular notice of them
throughout Washington and found that
there Is general unthrifty look to
leaves and such flowers as show
Many bushes seem half starved. or in
need of moisture. yet we are reasonably
sure that 1t is neither of these. Nor
is it black spot" or the less inimical
leaf spot
What is 1t, then? Not being a scien-
fist at all, we do not know. and wonder
II any one else does. The only sure
thing Is that this is a bad season for
roses.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-07-15
ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
BY FREDERIC J. HASKIN.

government, defeating a large contin-
gent of picked British troops. He was
captured the same year.
Q. Please give some information
about the Kiel Canal in Germany
I. M.
A. The Kiel Canal connects the BAL
tic and North Seas. It was opened in
1896. The total length is 81 miles. The
depths 36 feet; the width, ~ feet. The
estimated cost of construction was $40
100000.
Q. Where did the honeydew melon
ortginate?-F. K.
A. The honeydew melon that Ia On
the market in this country is the same
as the melon listed by Paris secdsmen
as Antilles Winter green f1eshed melon.
The original seed OF the honeydew
melon is said to have been OBJ
tanned from melon shipped from
Africa to New York City. This
! seed was planted.at Rocky Ford. Colo,
and John Gauger and Weaver were re-
sponsible for having put this melon on
the market in the United States.
@. In schools what is meant by the
6-e3 plan?-L. M.
A. This is a plan of organization
consisting of six grades above the
kindergarten, constituting the elemen-
tary school, followed by a three-year
junior high school, which in turn leads
to three-year high school, both the
junior and the senior high school be-
ing considered in the field of secondary
education. Completion of the high
school In any one Of these plans is
marked by the granting of a diploma
Of graduation.
@. Why are quiet. happy days re-
ferred to as halcyon dayS?--A. P.
A. Halcyon days is name given
by the ancients to the seven days which
follow the shortest day of the year.
The reference is to fable that during
this time, while the halcyon bird or
kingfsher was breeding there always
prevailed Gains at sea. From this the
phrase, halcyon days, has come TO
signify times of peace and tranquility.
Q. Are there other leper colonies as
A. The colony on the Island of
Molokai is the largest in the world.
@. Is there a system of exchange
fellowships between Latin America and
the United States sponsored by the
Guggenheim Foundation?-P. A.
A. The trustees of the John Simon
Guggenheim Memorial Foundation an
nounced a gift of s1,O00,000 for this
purpose, made in May by former Sena-
tor and Mrs. Simon Guggenheim.
@. Is there an organization or asso-
citation to which pilots belong-the ones
who bring vessels into harbors?-K.
M. D.
A. Harbor pilots in the large cities,
such as New York and Norfolk. etc,
are organized into what is known as
the Bar Pilots Association. This is an
old association. whose traditions and
regulations have been handed down
from father to son.
@. Where is the panorama Of the
Battle of Gettysburg?-W. j. C.
AHThe panorama of the Battle of
Gettysburg is on permanent exhibit in
Gettysburg, Pa, just across the street
from the main entrance to the Ma
tional Cemetery.
@. How many cities have city mana
gers? What city had one f1rst?-R. c. B.
A. BY 1929 the total number of cities
having adopted the city manager plan
of government was 1872. The city
manager system was first adopted In
Staunton, Va, in 1908.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-07-15
Enters the Federal Farm Board.

The Federal Farm Board Zone man
short of its quota) meets for the first
time today at the White House. 1t was
legislatively authorized by Congress to
carry out President Hoover's pledge
to place agriculture ION basis of eco
nomic equality with other industries. y
The board will try to find a workable
way to make the farmer prosperous
and keep him so without disturbing
the economic balance of other indus
tries and the general social and bust
ness life of the country.
1t will try to show the farmer how
! to help himself with the aid Of $780,
100000 Federal appropriation.
The first objective is to set up ma
chinery to cope with the oft-quoteo
wheat surplus" 1t is significant that
the wheat man" of the board has not
yet been named. The chairman, Alex
ander H. Legge, resigned the presidency
of the International Harvester Co., and
represents several industries on the
board. Other members represent to-
bacco, cotton, livestock, fruit growing
dairying and miscellaneous agricultural
interests of the Northeast. Secretary
Hyde of the Department of Agriculture
is the balance wheel.
The board as it organizes today is
free of any Democrats, although several
were urged by Democratic leaders who
left their party during the campaign
and supported the Hoover ticket.
The only criticism heard of the board
b that It has been overloaded with
, asen Of extensive schooling in market
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-07-15
Two More Failures.

One more aviator whose courage eX-
ceeded his discretion has paid the
penalty of attempting the East-West
Atlantic flight in land plane. His
companion, equally brave, lies at the
point of death in a hospital on the
Azores. Maj. Ludwik Idzikowski and
Maj. Casimir Kubala, Polish flyers,
started out Saturday morning from LIE
Bourget on the Atlantic trail that has
already cost eight valuable lives, has
ended in failure six times without loss
Of life and has been accomplished only
once when q German plane staggered
down in the wastes of Labrador on a
projected New York trip. Some eighteen
hours later Mai. Idzikowski laid dead
beside his exploded plane and Maj.
Kubala was being rushed to the
nearest hospital In an effort to
save his life. Held back by head winds
and faulty motor, the two Poles had
vainly sought haven on the islands, but
instead of the plaudits of the crowd it
was death that welcomed them.
Another plane started from Paris at
about the same time. 1t contained Capt.
Dieudonne Costes and Maurice JACQUES
Bellonte. 1t was to be friendly race
between French and Polish planes. To-
day Cap. Caste and his companion are
back in France. They few as far west
as the gallant Polish aviators, but IN
stead of trying to land turned around
and headed back for the European con-
tinent. Head winds of tremendous
velocity had cut their speed down from
one hundred and twenty-five miles an
hour to fifty, and it was evident to the
Frenchmen that even though they were
almost rs near the American coast as
they were their native land. their gaso-
line supply would not hold out.
1t has been proven time and again
that unless miracle in weather con-
ditions occurs the east-to-west flight
cannot be made In present-day planes.
The prevailing winds are for the most
part against those attempting to fly
from Europe to the United States end
each expedition has risked the ex-
IRENE penalty to learn lesson that
should have been well learned before
The French authorities have forbidden
transatlantic flights Of French aviators
from lie Bourget. CosteS and Bellonte,
In order to use the field announced a
destination other tnan the United
States, and it was only after they had be-
gun their flight that those at the field
realized that the Atlantic was again to
be attempted by Frenchmen.
Although the east-to-west flight has
never been made, unless the German
plane Bremen can be said to have made it
when it flew to Labrador, It should not
be attempted again until an ample
margin of safety can be provided for in
gasoline capacity. Head winds are the
rule rather than the exception and the
speed of a plane can be cut down al
most to nothing when they are en-
countered in SUFFICIENT force. No
present day plane can carry enough
fuel to fight successfully this OBJ
stacle to the east-to-west trip.
Many valuable lives have already been
lost in attempting to disprove this in
disputable fact. The world of avia-
ton should ignore the challenge of this
fight until it can be made with some
prospect of success