davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-03-09
A Burning Question.

One of the most interesting and I'M
usual examples of the exactitude of
science has just been given in New
York under the supervision of a great
organization for the furtherance of
light and learning. Along with DEM
onstrations of terrific artificial lightning
bolts, pboto-radio transmission and
movies of the antics or Jupiter and his
satellites, it was definitely proved that
the blush of blond is more heated than
that of brunette.
A beauteous chlorine" playing In
musical show, sat before a device re-
sembling small automobile horn. The
scientist conducting the test recorded
her blush at five -hundredths of one
degree, Fahrenheit.
To the average person the most
marvellous part of all this is not the
construction or the operation of the
wonderful recording mechanism. It is
the method used to make the chorus
girl blush.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-03-09

Why do some people ask questions?
Not for information, surely, for they
refuse to accept it when it is given to
them.
Maybe it is just to get hold of some
thing to argue about. No doubt that is
the answer to the question.
It is otherwise difficult to explain the
conduct Of these persons who ask ques-
tons and then contradict the answers.
y; X x X
"Why do you ask, then, If you know
it all?"
Such is the counter question which
the, experienced long to hurl at the Of
fender, but at the same time they
realize that such would be neither poll
tic nor polite.
Above all, in a civilized world, one
must be polite and polite!
To be polite means to deliver the
soft answer that turneth away wrath;
for wrath, under civilization, often takes
the form of Wrangling.
To be polite is merely to cause to
bloom the finest flower of civilization.
X : * x
Take the case Of the sweet lady who
knows it all.
Recently her family purchased its first
radio set.
They were quite thrilled, as they had
right to be. There is no set quite
like the first one. Subsequent ones may
be better--or worse--but none will ever
be quite the wonder the first one was.
Wonder is another fine bloom, which
familiarity rubs off. Think of the
lovers first kiss, or the thrill that came
to Morse when he sent over his tele-
graph that wondering sentence, What
hath God wrought"
Not what have done, o Lord" but
What Thou hast wrought" Such is
the involuntary exclamation of those
who find themselves the instruments
of the Almighty.
The lady with the radio set was both
cred from time to time by series of
queer whoops, gurgles, squeals and
rumblingS which ruined reception,
In a vague way she tried to associ-
ate these noises with static, OF which
she had heard, but somehow her COM
mon sense told her they couldn't be
static"
What particularly ANNOYED her was
that right in the middle of a beautiful
selection a blood-curdling shrek would
come from the loud speaker.
Once she thought that there was
something almost human, as she
expressed it, in the shrieking which
accompanied the voice of the an
nouncer.
* x X *
"Will you tell me what those queer
noises are which come from my set?"
she asked neighbor.
1t happened that this gentleman
had played around with radio sets
since the infancy of popular broad
casting.
He started off with several crystal
sets, Of happy memory, then fooled
around with one and two tube 'bloop-
ers," regenerative sets which became
miniature broadcasting stations when
mishandled, whether Intentionally or
Internationally; he then graduated
into the flve-tube class, one of the first
tuned radio frequency outfits; at last
had come up to date with fine alter
mating current set.
Not only had he suffered himself at
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-03-09
Hoover, Apostle of Merit.

No President in our time has ever
struck a more effective blow for the
merit-in-office system than President
Hcover's announcement that Compare
lively few changes" are contemplated in
the executive branches of the Federal
service. The statement banishes the
widespread expectation that the advent
OF the engineering administration"
would be accompanied by cyclonic shifts,
disnisSals and other developments
among the higher Government per-
sonnet. Mr.. Hoover has nothing of that
sort in mind. Men and women who
have given honest and jealous service"
will be retained unless they feel the
urge for economic reasons to better
themselves in private life.
1t is magnificent tribute to the
faithfulness and capacity of all of Uncle
Sans $4,000 civil servants that
President of Herbert Hoover's efficiency
ideals desires and hopes to keep intact
the human machinery he finds installed
In the ship of state. Likewise is it a de-
served recognition of the principle that
persons who for years have given the
best that is in them to their assigned
tasks are entitled to hold their Jobs as
long as they can fill them. That prin-
clple applies to Government work as
well as to occupations In the business or
domestic world. Mr.. Hoover subscribes
himself a devotee of tenure-in in office
and merit-in-office ideals. His advocacy
of them does credit alike to his admin
istrative sagacity and his humanitarian
instincts.
Contemporary Americans have become
unpleasantly familiar with malfeasance
in public Office. 1t is more common In
the life of our great cities and in some
of the States than in the national Or
ganism. For every occasional malefac-
tor in the Federal Goyernment-like a
recreant cabinet officer, bureau chief or
prohibition director-there are ten thou
sand men and women who, in the
Presidents words, have given honest
and jealous service" The country well
comes Mr.. Hoover's assurance that
there is to be as little disturbance as
possible In or with this loyal legion of
Government employees, for what he says
about directing heads" applies, of
course, to all ranks.
Washington knows the Federal per-
sonnet and their high caliber better
than the rest of the country, for 65 900
of them are neighbors and fellow citi-
zens. Washington understands better
than the rest of the country, too. the
plight of these men and women-knows
their amending struggle to make both
ends meet-and, because Of that knowl-
edge, welcomes cordially and gratefully
President Hoover's declaration that all's
well on the Potomac with industrious
civil servants who have meritorious
records.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-03-09
THIS AND THAT
BY CHARLES Z. TRACEWELL.

the hands of thoughtless persons using
regenerative sets. but cut of curiosity
| had experimental with the same, caus-
| ing howlS to come from neighboring
| speakers at will.
| He knew, not only from reading, but
| from actual experience, that a boy
with G perverted sense of humor and
a one or two tube regenerative set
might easily ruin the reception of
$4,000 worth of the latest type sets.
IT think I can tell you what makes
| those noises replied the neighbor,
/ modestly. They are caused by some
person around here with an old-fash-
Toned regenerative set"
Then he explained the phenomena
as best he could. quoting real experts
on the matter, and ending with the
remark that sometimes such disturb
ances are caused purposely by sort of
aerial dogS-in-the- manger, who do not
want to listen themselves and will not
let any one else listen.'
The good lady, who seemed to con-
stitute herself champion of humanity
upon the instant, began to bristle.
Some persons bristle slowly. others in
stantly. There is quite difference.
This good lady bristled at once, tout
coup as the French say.
oh" she exclaimed, Il am sure no
one would do such thing as that"
And the emphasis she put on that
sure" made the other want to yell:
We'll, what did you ask me for,
then, If you know all about it?"
X X X x
There are a surprisingly large num-
Der of these people, who pretend to
seek enlightenment, but who refuse to
accept it when they get it.
Instead OF thanking the one interro-
gated, they Immediately dispute his an
Swer, as if acceptance would show that
he really might know something Or
other.
Humble enough. when the question is
put, such essentially uncouth persons
at once become arrogant when their
mental teeth are given something to
chew on.
Although they have openly admitted
their ignorance, by their very questions,
this fact is swept away by an arrogant
assumption that contradictory state
ment puts the whole question before
the house again.
1t does nothing of the kind, of course;
If the anSWerer is right, he is right.
that is all, no matter how crushingly
the other insists on contradicting him.
X x X x
Men in executive positions know that
it is the least capable and most pre-
sumptuous underlings who insist on do
ing the most argufying about what they
are told to do.
The man who "knoWs his stuff" holds
his tongue unless he has the real in
formation to back up his protests.
Thus a desire to talk back in the
shape of refusing to take an answer to
plain question is generally felt to be
nothing more than the protestation of
general ignorance against superior
knowledge.
Human beings ordinarily resent su-
periority except in cases where resent
ment would prove either impossible or
silly. In most other instances they at
tempt to show their own superiority
by asking questions and then calmly
branding the answers as untrue.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-03-09
ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
BY FREDERIC ]. HASKIN.

The resources of sur free Information
Bureau are at your service. You are
invited to call upon it as often as you
please. 1t is being maintained solely to
serve you. What question can we an
swer for you? There is no charge at
all except cents in coin or stamps
for return postage. Address your letter
to The Evening Star Information Bu-
reau. Frederick j. Haskin, director,
Washington, d. c.
@. What is Farina's real name?-
E. G.. C.
A. Farina of "Our Gang is little boy
named Henry Clay Hoskins.
@. Who brought the Wagstaf clocks
to this country?-W. Fl. M.
A. Thomas Wagstaff was in business
in London. 1766-l794. A number of
long case clocks by him have appeared
in America, generally in the possession
of Quakers and their descendants.
Wagstaff was a Quaker and members
of the Society of Friends when visiting
London were accustomed to lodge at his
house.
@. If Burns did not write AUD Lang
Syne," why does it appear in his works?
I. w.
A. Although the words of the song
"Auld Lang Syne' appear in Burns
works, he himeslf, admits that he wrote
only the second and third stanzas. A
song OF the same title can be traced to
the latter part of 1900. In letter to
George Thomson. September. 1893,
Burns says, One song more I have
done, Aud Lang Syne.' The air is but
mediocre but the following song. the old
song of the olden times, and which has
never been in print nor even in manu-
script until took it down from an old
mans singing, is enough to recommend
any air"
@. What country first used the dia-
mond as a jewel? What are the dia-
monds of the world worth today?-J. S.
A. India was the original home of the
diamond as jewel. For centuries In
dia remained the sole source of Eu-
ropes diamond supply. About 1870
diamonds were discovered in Brazil. In
1857 diamonds were discovered in South
Africa. South African diamonds con-
Stitute more than 80 per cent of the
worlds supply. From their discovery to
the present time they have yielded
90.O00.000 carats. The diamonds of
the world probably represent a value OF
S. 900, 100000.
O. What solution will make cloth
fireproof?-M. S. A.
A. The Bureau Of Standards says
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-03-09
A Pen Worth Keeping.

The Washington Chamber of Com
merce now owns pen. This pen should
be incased in blue velvet, put under a
glass cover and conspicuously displayed
for all time as souvenir of a past when
degrees from institutions of higher
learning were as cheap in Washington
as safety razors, and as prevalent as
coryza after an Inauguration parade.
The pen was used by former Presi-
dent Coolidge in signing the diploma
milf bill, designed to clean up a situa-
ton in the National Capital which has
been blot upon Its educational reputa-
ton and has, to some extent, retarded
the development of the Capital as
great center for research and education.
The Chamber of Commerce has come
into possession of the pen because of
that body's continued advocacy of the
legislation, an advocacy that took the
form of unremitting efforts to push the
bill through its two-year period of con-
sideration by Congress.
Much credit is due the chamber for
unearthing the condition that prevailed
here in 1926. In the course of its work
of preparing directory of local educa-
tional institutions the members of its
committee on universities, colleges and
private schools we're astounded at the
! number of universities which, started or
"shoestring," were operating extensive
| ly in and out of the District in the
lucrative business of granting all man.
the same time a group Of men in The
Stars newsroom took out incorporation
papers and founded the University of
the United States" empowered to grant
degrees to any one at any time and for
anything, and to show the ease with
which such institutions, under the lax
laws of the District, might operate The
! founding of the University of the
United States" which necessitated the
expenditure of about one dollar and
ninety-eight cents, led to the granting
of several degrees to deserving office
boys The university then went into a
state of coma, from which it was re-
vived few days ago, when Mr. Coolidge
signed the bill, just long enough to be
knocked on the head and put per-
manently to sleep.
While the Chamber of Commerce and
The Star were exposing some of the
lludicrous, though dangerous. aspects of
the condition here, Miss Pearl Mccall,
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-03-09

that 1t does not know of any prepara-
ton that will fireproof organic fabrics
| so that they will not burn. A good
| hameproofing preparation for theatre
cal scenery and hangingS is solution
of boraX and boric acid in water in the
/ proportion of 6 parts borax, parts
| bortc acid and 100 parts of water by
weight. This solution may be applied
| by brushing. or, better. by dipping the
| fabrics and allowing them to dry This
viii prevent spread of fire from such
sources as small flames or sparks.
O. In what lines are entomologists
employed?-A T. r.
A. The work of the entomologist is
of special importance in agriculture. A
highly specialized Bureau Of Entonol-
ogy is maintained by the United states
Department of Agriculture. Specialists
in this branch of zoology are en-
ployed also IN museums and research
institutions. Laboratories have been
established for the investigation of Spe-
cial subjects, such as the gypsy moth,
the European corn borer and forest in
SectS. EntomologistS are required also
in agricultural experiment stations,
some hospitals, and a few in industries
such as sugar refineries or establish
ments for the manufacture of laoora-
tory supplies.
@. When should tulips and ilyacinths
be taken out of a cold frame and sub
jected to temperature between 60 and
G5 degrees in order to bloom for Eas-
ter?-T. II.
A. Tulip and hyacinth bulbs should
be taken in about four weeks before
Easter if they are submitted to tenn
perature from 60 to IS degrees. It
would have been better to bring them
in six weeks before Easter and reduce
the temperature to SIS degrees.
@. Why are some people SO much
more ticklish than others?-C., D.
A. 1t depends upon the SensitivenesS
of the nervous system. Susceptibility to
tickling is also partially under the con-
troll of the will. If no restraint is exer-
cised Representatives, is apt to result.
Considerable resistance can be de-
veloped.
Q. When was the Quirinal Palace
built?-M. NJ.
A. This papal palace was begun by
Ponzio in 1874. and completed by Fon-
tana and Bernini. 1t became the royal
residence of the kings of Italy after the
breach of Porta Pia, September 20, 1870.
Ffguratively. the Quirinal signifies the
state as the Vatican signifies the
church.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-03-09
Cluttering Up Congress
With Bills Is Deploretl
From the Memphis Commercial Appeal

From the Memphis Commercial Appeal.
During the session of Congress that
ended Monday, 1922 bills have been
introduced in the House of Repre-
sentatives alone. In the long session
l4,143 measures were submitted for
legislative enactment and the remainder
were put in during the short session.
which began last December and ended
March 4. OF this huge number only
2,716 have been reported by COM
mittees, the great majority, obviously,
reposing in innocuous desuetude.
Faced with these forbidding figures,
one naturally questions the ability of
every member of Congress or even
a majority of them, to give due and ma
ture consideration to these multitudinous
demands for laws. of various and Sundry
kinds. In such multitude of meas
ures undoubtedly there are some good.
some bad and some Indifferent, but
can the discrimination between them be
made properly and justly?
One wonders whether or not there
should be committee or legislative
body of some kind not merely to steer
good measures to passage, but to steer
bad and meaningless bills away from
introduction. The superfluity not only
wastes time, but also, cutters up the
work of Congress. Can't something be
done about it2syesesyss,ssfya f,.sssra
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-03-09
RADIOTORIAL.
PickpOCketeers.


Oh fierce was the fate of the Standard
Oil clan,
Who met some new methods most
righteous to plan.
The pickpockets came. with effrontery
strange,
And got very little beyond some small
change.
The pickpockets met in a conference
grave
And asked, "Iow can rich men be
taught to behave,
And carry large purses that favor our
ends
We can't be content with such small
dividends!"
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-03-09
SHOOTING STARS.
BY PH1LANDER JOHNSON
Recurrence.

Recurrence.
Old Days and New Days-pretty much
the same!
Joy and Disappointment play the great,
familiar game.
Santa Claus arrives on time, to start a
merry din;
And just little later, all the Christmas
bills come In.
New Days and Old Days-pretty much
alike!
Love and Disillusion we are pretty sure
to strike.
First we have ST. Valentine, with his
romantic rule;
And then comes the Sarcastic Saluta-
ton, april FOOL"
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-03-09
New White House Callers.

When cabinet officers new make a call,
The man at the door may not know
them at ALL
Embarrassment slight may prevail for
while,
Unless for the White House they set a
new style.
Our eminent statesmen too modest have
grown.
They ought to do something to make
themselves known.
They can't be expected to buster or
brag,
But each might sound horn while
he carries q tag.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-03-09

Congress is to have before it a num-
Der of subjects which will enable it TO
be seriously constructive and not in
Quisitive.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-03-09

Commissioner Whalen has relaxed
traffic regulations for New York thea
tiers. Some of the ill-patronized attrac-
tons may have done little on their
own account to relax traffic congestion.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-03-09

why do you call your wife the fam
lily Senator"
Shes a natural-born back-seat
driver answered Mr.. Chuggins. IT
can't do anything without her advice
and consent"
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-03-09

An extra session is called for April
10. which puts the. date far enough
along to prevent any suspicion that the
proceedings will be influenced by
April l.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-03-09

When Coolidge speaks in simple Ian
guage for himself he is far more frank
and gently human than the white
House spokesman" ever dared to be.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-03-09

A positive and complete enforcement
OF prohibition will save the lives of
many bootleggers now apparently intent
on plans for Staying one another.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-03-09

Sensational books often prove dull
reading and for this reason not so des-
perately demoralizing as advertised.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-03-09

The world will be relieved II Mexico
can settle an ugly family quarrel of long
duration once and for all.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-03-09

the philosophy of work, his devotion to
British tradition. his nilitarism and
and always his romanti-
ciSm. incurable even by old age, appear
in these ESSAYS. -. --...... -
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-03-09

There is no expression of SORROW"
said Hi Ho, the sage of Chinatown
more pathetic than a forced pretense
Of JOY"
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-03-09

Jud Tunkins says he is in favor of
changing the date of Inauguration day
and also of putting ground hog day
ahead, so that the poor little animal
won't always be SO pessimistic.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-03-09
Adjustments

DO you always tell what you believe
to be the truth in your speeches."
Invariably" answered Senator Sor-
ghum. But, of course, I reserve the
natural human right to change nv
opinions as time goes on"
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-03-09
Rate by Carrier within the CITY.

THE Evening Ssar.........4Sc FER month
The Evening ana Sunday Star
iwhen 4 Sundays ........ 60c per month
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The Sunday Star ...............5c per copy
. Collection made at the end of each month.
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Main 5000.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-03-09
Rate by Mail--Payable in Advance.
MARYLAND and VIRGINIA
An Other States and Canada.
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TO the use for republication of all rews uis-
patches credited TO it or not otherwise cred
tied In this paper and also the local news
published herein All rights Of publication OF
special dispatches herein are also reserved.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-03-09
Photography.

Inc camera man, that patient friend
Is ever present.
So, let Fame condescend
That warning to attend,
TRY to look Pleasant"
"A jazz band" said Uncle Eben, "is
good influence in lettin' a young
musicians home folks know exactly
where he is, nights"
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-03-09

The Evening Star Newspaper Company
Business once:
18th st. and Pennsylvania Ave.
New York ONCE: ITO East 42nd st,
Chicago once: Tower Building.
European once. IA Regent St.. London,
England.
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1929-12-06
HARSH MUSIC
MADE TARGET
Firm Is Formed to War on
Helen Kane Type.
BIZ United Press

BIZ United Press
NEW YORK, Dec. GA company
lust has been formed here which
has pledged s6,6OO,oOo to convince
Americans that the "vo-do-dee-o-
do" school of popular music should
be supplanted by "A-night-in-June-
beneath the-moon," school.
Incorporation in Albany of the
Radio Music Company has brought
out the fact that the National
Broadcasting Company was playing
prominent part in the campaign
to restore melody to the place it
occupied in the days when Viennese
waltzes were as popular as, say,
Button Up Your Overcoat."
According to present plans, the
war on harsh and strident music
will be waged by means Of phono-
graph records, talking motion pic
lures and radio.
1t was announced that the radio
music company had working
agreement with Victor Radio Cor
poration and Radio-Keith- Orpheum
bv which the air could be filled with
melodies of the Rudy Vallee type.
Pushing the Helen Kane branch OF
minstrelsy from the prominent place
it now occupies.