davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1929-01-02
Germs in Australian
Soil DEFY Evolution

New evidence that germs are among
the oldest creatures on earth, very lit
tie changed by evolution in hundreds
of millions of years, has been found in
farm lands of Australia. Like virtually
all fertile soils in whatever part of the
world, the Australian ones are full of
many kinds of living germs, some re-
sembling the bacteria that cause dis
ease. others more like yeaSts or moldS.
Miss Dorothy Dixon of the University
of Melbourne has collected samples of
these Australian soils, sorted out the
germs contained in them and deter
mined what kinds of creatures these
are. According to report of her work
communicated to the WiStar Institute
in Philadelphia, by Prof T. Brailsford
Robertson, these germ citizens of Aus
tralia turn out to be surprisingly like
the creatures of the same classes that
live in soils in other parts of the world.
NaturaliStS have emphasized the
striking differences between the larger
animals of Australia and those of other
continents, fact believed to indicate
that Australia has been separated from
other land masses for many millions of
years, so that the Australian animals
have had different and independent
evolution. Miss Dixon's discovery that
this does not hold true for the soil
germs, but that these are close cousins
of those living in soils elsewhere, indi-
Gates that the germ life of the world
was already well set In its present mold
on that long-ago day when the separa-
tion Of Australia occurred.
Evening star., 1929-01-02

conned closely over many pleasant eve
nings. but somehow 1t Is easy to forget
exactly the part they play in the great
game.
We would not forget 1t.
Let us give full credit to the picture
books known as seedsmen's catalogues.
They supply the fuel for the burning
enthusiasm which will burst into pic
tureSque flame next Spring. exact date
as yet unknown. depending upon the
state of the weather, the earliness or
lack thereof of the vernal season, and
the condition of the soil at the time
appointed.
Ambitious gardeners, spurred on by
their reading of the catalogues, will go
forth at the touch of the first warm
day to rake the old leaves off the yard,
and to dig in the borders, or to plow
UP the vegetable patch.
Many of them will make the venture
too early, misled by their own intensity
and the singing of few foolish robins.
Old Winter will drive them indoors
again.
The time will surely come, however,
when the maple trees burst into bud
and when they do, when sunshine is
warmer, and air balmier, home garden
ers will go forth in earnest to enjoy the
first and in many respects the best,
outdoor sport.
X X X \
The time will comet
Let the thermometer sullenly declare
80 degrees above zero; let smoke from
chimneys be waited swiftly eastward by
the west wind; let noses be red and
cheeks ruddy.
rut.zz~ ~~o I,,& ~;r.x,c 1f e1neoy1
They are necessary indications of
cold weather, which will wane and dis
appear as the land warns up. 1t may
seem long time to wait-four months
five months, possibly six months-but
time, from which everything unfolds
will as surely unfold this. Out of her
immutable and mysterious depths she
will bring another Spring. a season all
spangled with dew and climbing roses
redolent with the scent of lilac and
breathing forth the soft warmth of a
newly awakened land.
X X X X
In the meantime, we have the seed
catalogues.
Their pages fairly shine with visions
Of things yet to come. In this respect
they are among our surest prophets.
The predictions they make they set
forth in colors, so that even the dullest
may have no lack of spur to the
imagination.
Here are beautiful sweet peas, in their
fairy pastel colors, new ruffled varieties
which make the mouth of the sweet pea
fan" fairly water.
How unfortunate it is that this BEAU
tiful annual is so difficult to raise in
WaShinptoni After looking at these pic-
lures for several weeks no doubt we will
get up enough courage to try it again.
Colored illustrations of new gladioli,
king of the Summer garden, as the rose
is the queen, renew our enthusiasm.
Yes, we must try some of this fine
new variety. And look at these wonder
full dahliaS! Surely the catalogues outdo
themselves in picturing the dahlia. Yet
it is beautiful flower, true queen of
the Autumn. They are all beautiful in
the catalogues.
Evening star., 1929-01-02
ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
BY FREDERIC ]. HASKIN.

The resources of our free Informa-
ton Bureau are at your service. You
are invited to call upon it as often as
you please. It is being maintained
solely to serve you. What question can
we answer for you? There is no charge
at all except 2 cents, in coin or stamps.
for return postage. Address your letter
to The Evening Star Information Bu-
reau. Frederic j. Haskin, director,
Washington, D. G.
@. Who selects the names for royal
children?-T L. G.
A. Their parents select their Chris
tian names. In naming the Prince of
Wales, English, Scotch, Welsh and Irish
names were chosen.
@. What was the stage name of D.
w. Griffith?-R. A.
A. He was sometimes billed on the
stage as Lawrence Griffith.
@. Who first had the idea Of ex-
tracing oil from cottonseed?-C. o. S.
A. Early in the seventeenth century
the Chinese knew that cottonseed con-
tanned an oil, for it is reported in their
records that in preparing cottonseed for
feeding cattle they first extracted the
oil, which they used for Illuminating
purposes, and then cooked or boiled the
seed.
@. What is the new variety of peach
with a small seed?-B. S.
A. The Markham peach, developed by
an Illinois farmer, has seeds no larger
than those of plums.
@. Was the draft law in use during
the World War constitutional?-C. F. l..
A. There were number of cases
taken to the Supreme Court regarding
the draft during the World War. In
every instance the constitutionality of
the draft law was upheld.
Q. What class are the smallest post
offices?-E McA.
A. Fourth-class post offices are the
smallest. Compensation for fourth
class post offices ranges from $67 to
$l,100 year.
@. What was the religion of the Pill
grims?-F. H. B.
A. The Pilgrims were Separatists.
This body of religionists asserted the
right of each church or congregation
to adopt its own form of worship, and
| choose its own preachers and officers.
@. Please tell something of the de-
velopment of negro colleges. S. H.
A. OF the 70 institutions included
in the survey of the Bureau of Educa-
ton, n were doing college work, as
compared with 81 10 years ago. The
enrolment of negro students in those
institutions totaled 1880, as compared
with 2,132 in 1917, a gain of $50 per
cent. The report of the Secretary of
the Interior points out that for every
10000 negroes in the United States Is
are attending college, as against 80 for
every 10000 white people.
@. How many commercial growers of
gladioluses are there, and what is the
membership of the American Gladiolus
Society?-A. E. L.
A. There are over 5000 commercial
growers of gladioluSes in America. The
membership of the American Gladiolus
Society on August l, 1928, was 4,454.
@. What is the inscription on the
statue of Nathan Hale in New York
City?-P. L.
A. This statue is in City Hall Park
Evening star., 1929-01-02
Origin of League
Idea Is Questioned
To the Editor of The Star:

To the Editor of The Star:
A recent editorial in The Star en-
titled Who Invented the Lacquer
has interested me somewhat. I do not
believe that either Woodrow Wilson or
Sir William Tyrrell deserve any credit
for the idea of the League of Nations.
1t is not likely that either originated
the idea, but they both. no doubt, de-
serve great honor for lending their sup
port to the idea. Undoubtedly. Wood
row Wilson did by far the most to
place the idea in effect. because he
was in a position to do so. He did
if there was really one, and only one
entitled to such credit.
am reminded by your editorial
that in the Winter of 1914-15 the Uni
versal Film Co., believe 1t was, offer
ed a large prize for the best sugges-
ton or plan for stopping the war in
Europe I submitted plan which
believe any one reading 1t would say
is quite analogous to the League of
Nations. I called it the United Ma
tions of the World" was young
man at that time and my reading had
been limited. I thought the idea was
original with me; at least I could not
recall having seen such an idea in
print or otherwise. Afterward, and be-
fore Wilson came out with the League
proposal, I saw similar suggestions
Either Wilson or Tyrrell could have
obtained his idea from such a source
I never heard what kind of a plan
won the prize, perhaps something like
the Ford peace ship idea, but evidently
the contest contributed nothing to set
tling the war.
believe wilson's fame should rest
on his accomplishing the adoption OF
the League of Nations idea rather than
on the invention of the idea. That
was a far greater accomplishment, in
my opinion.
LESLIE T. MAHURIN.
Evening star., 1929-01-02
The Nicaragua Canal.

When the Panama Canal, joining the
Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, was au-
thorized and later opened in 1915, 1t
was generally supposed that the prob
lem of water traffic between the East
and the West has been solved. But now,
after fourteen years of use Of the Pan
anna Canal, it appears that the capacity
of that canal will within the course of
few years be reached. 1t becomes
evident that the commerce Of the world
demands still another waterway between
the oceans.
Before it was finally determined to
construct the Panama Canal there was
a protracted fight in Congress to pro-
vide for a canal and waterway across
Central America through Nicaragua.
The Nicaraguan route was the prefer
ence of many of the legislators. And
now that the time is coming when an
other route for shipping is to be nee
essary, it is proposed that the United
States shall again undertake this great
work and run canal through Nicara-
qua. Senator Edge of New Jersey, au-
thor of a resolution providing for a
thorough investigation and survey of
the proposed canal route through Mica
ragua, has given notice he will ask for
action on the measure at the present
session of Congress. 1t is not an under
taking to be lightly entered upon and
it will receive serious consideration
when the Senate reconvenes.
The United States is in a position to
20 ahead with this proposed Nicaraguan
Canal. It's treaty rights with Nicaragua
have been in existence for years. Pres
ident-elect Hoover, himself an engineer,
during his recent visit to Nicaragua
discussed the matter at length with
the President of that country. 1t is
not unlikely that Mr.. Hoover would be
glad to see this great engineering prof.
ect initiated during his administration.
It is estimated that it will require years
to be brought to a completion. The
time the work will require is matter
of estimate only, although American
methods of construction may shorten 1t
appreciably.
The business passing through the
Panama Canal has grown by leaps and
bounds. It has doubled every five years
and is practically five times as great
as it was during the first year of the
operation of the canal. Senator Edge
believes that by 194o-certainly by 1860
the capacity of the Panama Canal
will have been exceeded. The question
naturally arises as to whether Mica
raguan canal will not so reduce the
business of the Panama Canal as to
make the earlier canal or both "un-
profitable" But there seems no end
to the increase in the commerce and
travel between the West and the Far
East and the prospect is that eventually
both canal routes will be well patron
lied.
Evening star., 1929-01-02
A Soldier of Peace.

Brig. Gen. Frank r. Mccoy, U. s. A.,
is home from Nicaragua after successful
supervision of the presidential elections
in that lately embittered and embattled
republic. He is living exponent of
the theory that the American Army,
like the American Navy, is a potent
agency for peace.
Gen. Mccoy was selected to carry out
the provisions for the recent national
polling in Nicaragua under the Stimson
pacification plan. He modestly assigns
chief credit for the execution of the
plan to the United States Marines, who
patrolled the country at the Mica
raguans' request, in order that a full
fair and free ballot might be assured
Cur sea soldiers, Gen. Mccoy reports
comported themselves with a restraint
and tact that won the admiration of al
factions of the people.
But the actual way to operations al
the Nicaraguan polls was well and care
fully paved by Gen. Mccoy himself
He not only organized the election ma
chinery in minutest detail, but saw te
it that when one of the rival parties
the Conservatives-was divided as to its
presidential nomination choice a COM
promise candidate was chosen to carry
Conservative colors. This made certain
the indispensable and clear-cut decision
between Conservatives and Liberals
The rest was tolerably easy, under the
iron hand incased within the velvet
glove which Gen. Mccoy wore.
He brings with him from Nicaragua
fresh laurels to add to those he hae
already won in Philippine reconstruc'
ton, in relief work in Japan and Ar
menia and in the fighting field II
France. Nicaragua purposes erecting I
statue to him in Managua. The Con
gress of the United States should tendel
him the American peoples gratitude.
Evening star., 1929-01-02
procrastination.

pFobably no better demonstration Is
ciyen of the evils of procrastination
than the annual roundup of local mo-
torists who fail to get new plates on
their cars before the first Of a new
wear rolls around. Yesterday more
than one hundred motorists were ar
rested for dead tags and as a result
werA required to put up collateral OF
from two to ten dollars. Traffic off1ce
oficials estimate that there are fouI
thousand delinquents who failed to buy
their new tags before the Office closed
last Monday over New Year day.
Thirty days are allowed Washing
tonians each year to buy the new tags
and for fifteen days prior to the first
Of. the year they are allowed to use
them on their cars. 1t Is a liberal and
reasonable allowance, yet year after
year there are hundreds and perhaps
thousands who face not only the pros
pect Of lack of use of their cars, but
fines that would pay for a number OF
annual tags. These delinquents are de-
serving of no sympathy. Their trou'
bles have been brought on by thet
own acts. 1t would appear, however
that on the basis of good hard common
sense a reform should be undertaken
Evening star., 1929-01-02

and is inscribed, "I wish to be useful,
and every kind of service for the pub
lie good becomes honorable by being
necessary"
@. What makes oil show the colors
of the rainbow sometimes?-R. G..
A. When water comes in contact with
oil, spectrum is sometimes formed
because of the different refraction OF
light as it passes from one substance
to the other.
E. +. G. G. '''' '''' "' -
A. Unless the air in the room Is
neither too moist nor too dry, and the
room is properly ventilated, eggs will
lose in weight in cold storage on account
of their tendency to evaporate through
the shell.
@. What were some Of the worst
forest fires we have had in this coun-
| try?-J w.
A. The Preshtigo, Wis, fire in 1871
burned 100000 acres of timber and
cost 500 human lives; the Hinckley
fire of 1894 burned over 100000 acres
in Minnesota. destroyed property valued
at $25,000,000 and cost 4I8 lives; the
| great Idaho fire in 1910 burned 2.000,-
900 acres of timber and cost IS lives.
| O. What is Nizam?-P. N.
A. This is the title of the native
ruler of "Nizam's Dominions," native
state of South Central India. The first
man to hold this Office was Asaf Joh,
who was appointed in 1913.
@. Can spring steel or spring brass
be cast?-M. L. E.
A. The Bureau Of Standards says
/ &c
| by heat treatment of the finished shape.
Metal cannot be cast in this condition.
@. What is the record number Of
patents applied for in one year?-
C. S. D.
A. The most patents were applied for
in the fiscal year 1928. During that
period a total of 1881 applications
we're presented for consideration, an
increase of 3,168 over 1927, which was
the peak up to that time.
Q. Did Chopin introduce the noe
| turne?-W. w.
A. Although Chopin wrote some very
beautiful specimens of the nocturne, h3
did not introduce it. John Field, al
Irishman, was it's inventor. He VIZ;
born in Dublin in 1882 and made hE
debut as a solo pianist in 1892.
@. What is meant by the establish
ment of the port"?-R. r.
A. The Naval Observatory says high
water occurs so minutes later each day
on an average. High water follows
the transit of the moon across the me-
ridian of any place by certain inter-
| val, which is known as the establish
ment of the port" This interval is ap-
proximately the same throughout ths
year for any one place, but differs
widely for different places.
@. What are some of the achieve
ments of DIR. George Washington Car
ver?-H. @. F.
A. DR.. Carver has to his credit the
discovery of more than two hundred
uses for the peanut, more than hum
sdred products derived from the sweet
potato as many as sixty from the pecan,
potash and stock feed from the china
berry fiber from okra and furniture
stains and varnishes from various veg
! etables.
Evening star., 1929-01-02
Magnets in Dolls Make
New Christmas TOYS
BY E. E. FREE. PHI. d.

German toy makers have discovered
magnetism. In the shops of German
cities there appeared recently a pair
of fiat pasteboard dolls named "Hansel"
and "Gretel," each provided with sew
eral outfits of clothes. Built into the
dolls are small permanent magnets.
Sewed into the margins of the coats
and dresses are thin strips of iron.
Whenever these clothes are put on the
dolls they are held fast by magnetic
force, no pins buttons or other fasten-
ers being necessary Long-suffering hui
man beings striving with difficult COL
lar buttons will probably sigh for SIM
liar devices for themselves.
Another group of the new magnetic
toys consists of family of athletes,
like these who build human pyramids
and go through other antics In cir
cuses. Inside these dolls are small but
powerful magnets made of the new
metals which retain their magnetism
for years. When these dolls, contain
ing invisible magnetic muscles, are
placed on top of one another, Just as
the real athletes place themselves in
their groups, the magnetic forces hold
the dolls in position as though they
were glued together
With little ingenuity the fortunate
youngster who owns a set of these toys
can construct whole series of human
pyramids and "Strong-man' acts for
himself.
Evening star., 1929-01-02
Bankers Protest
Pardon for FOrger

From the New Orleans Item.
The American Bankers Association
protests against pardon for one Hogg,
serving in the penitentiary for forgery
OF checks. Influential persons, includ-
ing the Governor of Arkansas. appeal
to Gov. Long in Hogg's behalf. Whether
the bankers associations petition
proves the more influential remains to
be seen. 1t illustrates the associations
policy to protect its members by oppos-
ing pardons for forgers and bandits and
others who victimize banks. If other
business and professional organizations
adopted a similar policy, pardons might
become harder to obtain. Governors
would think twice before granting them.
The more common pardon abuses,
however, favor those who commit
crimes against individuals or against
society. This may be because the
wronged individuals lack influence and
are unorganized and because the public
Is ordinarily apathetic. If the kin OF
all murdered persons. for instance.
organized to oppose all pleas for conn
mutation or pardon by murderers.
fewer Of the latter might get OF so
lightly.
Evening star., 1929-01-02
Building for the Future.

That restful interlude between the
dawn of Christmas morning and the
observance of the birth of a new year
is over Today the Nation has stepped
over the threshold and into 1929 with
a confidence inspired by accomplish
ment in 1928.
Nineteen-twenty-ei will be marked
in the history of the United States for
several notable events. 1t witnessed
America in the leadership of move
ment, joined by nearly all of the prin-
cipal nations of the civilized world, to
avoid the danger of armed conflict by
a mutual remuneration of war as an in
strument of national policy. 1t found
the United States taking practical and
far-reaching steps to cement the bonds
Of friendship and understanding be-
tween the republics of the Western
Hemisphere. It saw the strength of the
body polite tested in a national elec-
ton which brought to a white heat
dangerous animosities and emotions,
bat which left the electorate calmly
accepting its own verdict without ques-
ton. 1t marveled at the advance Of
science and invention to new conquests
and the tearing down of old barriers
which since the dawn of time have kept
men apart.
Here in America business and in
dustry enjoyed the blessings of con-
tinued prosperity, reaching new heights
In some fields with normal recovery
from temporary depression in others.
At the same time the nations of Europe
showed definite signs of having passed
through the critical period of after
the-war illness and of having at last
reached that stage of convalescence
when rapid strides toward complete re-
covery is to be expected. Unhampered
by any dangerous threats of relapse,
the nations of Europe might be pic
tured, as the new year sets in, as hav-
ing left their wheel chairs and blan-
kets to walk about without even the
aid OF q cane.
with such a view of the past, the
United States and the rest Of the world
begin the new year with confident hope.
There are no clouds on the political
or economic horizons which threaten
anything more disturbing than passing
SQUALLS. The year 1928 was another
stona nlaced in the foundations being
laid to support structure the dimen-
sions of which man has only dreamed.
The year 1929 will be another. With
the help of God these foundations VIII
endure. never to crumble as the tower