davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-04-19
Our Growing Merchant Marine

That was a stirring picture of the
expanding American merchant marine
which was painted before the D. A. r.
Congress last night by Alfred H. Haag,
director of the United States Shipping
Boards research bureau. The Stars
and Stripes do not yet fly from ships
which carry the bulk of our sea-borne
commerce. But the volume Is salts
factorily and steadily on the increase
In the decade preceding the World War
only ten per cent of our foreign trade
was transported in American bottoms.
Since 1920 more than thirty-five per
cent has been sent overseas in Ameri-
can-f1ag vessels.
Even more graphic figures were sup
piled by Mr. Haag to illustrate the
growth of the merchant marine, which
in the days of the Yankee clipper knew
no worthy rival. In 1914 six American
ships of 10000 gross tons we're operated
in the trade with Europe Today there
are 232 ships of 100000 gross tons en-
gagged in traffic with the Old World.
In 1914 five of our vessels, of an az
gregate of $4,000 tons, piled between
the United States and South America
In 1880 there are 80 ships of $50 900
tons In that service. Comparing the
191o-l9l4 period with present-day con-
ditionS, Mr.. Haag tells us that Ameri-
can-fiag merchant marine activities
with Europe have increased fifty per
cent; with South America, 200 per cent;
with Africa, 325 per cent, and with
Asia, $50 per cent.
The United States has the second
largest merchant marine in the world
with gross tonnage of roundly IA
100000 as compared with the British
Empires total of 23,116,147. Our per-
centage Of the worlds whole mercantile
sea-going fleet is ia, as against Brit
aims. 29.6 We are almost hopelessly
outclassed with respect to large ships.
Though the Leviathan heads the list in
gross tonnage, the United States boasts
only one vessel OF that class, while
Great Britain, France, Germany, Italy
and the Netherlands have mary liners
exceeding 10000 tons apiece.
Mr.. Haag adjured the Daughters in
Constitution Hall that the principal
necessity for the advance and develop
ment Of an American merchant marine
is progressive readiness on the part Of
our travellers and shippers to use Amer
lean vessels. Congress In passing the
far-reaching 1928 shipping legislation
has done the Governments share In re-
storing Old Glory to its once proud place
on the seven seas. The rest is up to the
people themselves.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-04-19
DIR. WEIGH Called Statesman
OF American Medical World

Judgment Of the Des Moines Tribune
Capital, which says of his scientific
zeal: DIR. WEIGH went to Europe in a
spirit of humility, studied the work Of
the brilliant old world doctors at Strass-
burg, Leipzig, Breslau and Berlin, and
returned with passionate desire to
revolutioniSe the almost primitive
methods in vogue here. That he has
accomplished, II not through his own
discoveries, through his influence. He
became dean of the Johns Hopkins
Medical School when it was opened in
1898, and resigned In 1917 to supervise
the Johns Hopkins School of Hygiene
and Public Health-a pioneer effort in
its field which has since been copied
all over the world"
Quoting President Hoover's statement
that DR.. WEIGH is Americas greatest
statesman in the field of health" the
Albany Evening News comments: That
is a field Of craftsmanship above all
others. All his life DR.. WEIGH has de-
voted to the service Of mankind" The
pioneer labors in the cause of public
health protection, service for which
he was magnificently equipped by his
repeated studies under the most famous
European scientists, and by his wonder
full proficiency in bacteriology and ex-
perimental pathology"
That he began his career at time
Of great opportunity" is recalled by the
Manchester Union, which refers to
Pasteur and Koch, who were demon
strating that infectious diseases were
caused by microscopic germs" and
credits DR.. WEIGH with having been
"one of the first Americans to recognize
the possibilities of this discovery" The
Hartford Times adds: His militant and
successful battle to spread acceptance
Of that theory was an outstanding per-
Sonal triumph, and much more. It
pathology in this country"
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-04-19

made, but the Inflated pilot would prob
ably have found himself no better of
In this connection the epic struggle Of
Verne Treat Of the New York-Atlanta
night airmail might be recalled. Treat
was lost in an inpenetrable fog between
Washington and Richmond. He turned
south, then north and then west, but
everywhere he encountered the same
conditions. Finally, with his gasoline
almost exhausted, he pointed the nose
Of his ship as straight upward as he
dared and, gaining eleven thousand feet
of altitude, unlocked his safety belt and
dropped nonchalantly to earth, safe in
the folds of his big parachute.
The future, of course, will bring a
solution to the problem Of fog. All that
can be hoped is that this day will come
before the price paid in human life be-
comes too great.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-04-19
The Nemesis of Airmen.

Fog. the nemesis Of airmen, has
claimed four more victims, among them
Count de la Vaulx. founder OF the
French Aero Club and president of the
Federation Aeronautique Internationale,
the world governing body of aviation.
1t was a tragic and appalling crash that
cost the lives of these four. Count de la
travel in the air, was making a quick
Jump from Montreal to New York on
his American tour of inspection. Leav-
ing the Canadian city at noon yester-
day he and a pilot of the Colonial Air
ways plane made fast time to Albany.
There, they were joined by man and
woman for the last lap to New York
Telephone advices from the Newark
Airport assured them of nine hundred
foot ceiling" and the plane took the
air in midafternoon.
Shortly after five o'clock people gath
cred in crowded Journal Square, in
Newark were shocked to see the dim
outlines of big monoplane perilously
close to the ground and apparently
missing buildings with only feet to spare
The pilot, a veteran of more than two
thousand hours in the air, was hope
lessly lost in the sudden fog that had
swept in from the sea. A few minutes
later the now desperate aviator made
last attempt to find a hole in the
opaque mist to put his ship down; but
just as it seemed that success woulo
crown his efforts, the plane struck q
group of high-tension wires and, burst
ing into flames, fell like a plummet
killing all those aboard.
Since man began to fly all kinds
Of mishaps have befallen him. In the
early days plane structure frequently
disintegrated in the air and the cough.
ing, wheeling experimental engines just
as frequently refused to function, max
ing quick descent necessary. To q
large extent structural failure and motor
failure have been eliminated, but man:
mastery of the upper elements cannot
be called complete until the weather
hazard has been reduced. Fog has prob
ably cost more lives than any othel
single factor and despite the most ex.
haustive efforts of scientists no adequat,
means has yet been found to combat II
Cautious airmen Immediately "se
down" their ships when fog appears, bu
frequently the driving mist will sur
round the flyer before he is thorough!
aware of his danger. That evidently L
what happened yesterday. A quick re-
versal Of direction might have beer
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-04-19

This newspaper puts at your dis
posal a corps of trained researchers IN
Washington who will answer questions
for you. They have access TO the Gov
eminent departments, the libraries,
museums, galleries and pubic oulio-
ings and to the numerous aSsoclations
which maintain headquarters IN the
Nations Capital. If they can be OF
assistance to you, write your question
plainly and send with cents in coin
or stamps to The Evening Star 1nfor-
nation Bureau, Frederic j. Haskin, d.
rector, Washington, D. G.
@. What was Babe Ruth paid for
his first season in base ball?-H. @. q
A. In 1914 he played with the Bal
timore Orioles for a salary OF $500. He
went to Boston that year at salary Of
81 400 was raised until he was getting
$40 COO on that team in 1919. He went
to New York at SIC, 900 in 1920, got
$50 600 in 1922, $4,000 in 1927 and
will get $4,000 in 1881.
@. How many tunnels has Los Ange-
les provided for pedestrians at damned
crossings?-V. r.
A There are now 40 tunnels for foot
traffic at strategic points in Los An
| geles
@. How many branches will the
Chase National Bank have in New
York City, following the merger with
the Equitable Trust Co. and the Inter-
state Trust COB. j. T.
i A. This merger makes the Chase Ma
tional the biggest bank in the world,
with assets of about $4,000. 000,0 900. 1t
will have SO Offices in New York City
and Brooklyn and foreign offlces.
@. What percentage of Negroes is
illiterate?-J. G.
A. The latest estimate of Negro IL
literacy was 20 per cent. In 1880 the
percentage was 10.
@. Can oysters be counted upon as
a crop?-A. P.
A. Oysters are now planted and cul-
tivated like so much corn or turnipS
Herbert F. Prytherch of the United
States Bureau of Fisheries tells us that
the oyster industry of the United States
now constitutes its most valuable fish
cry, yielding annually about $4,000 tom
of food, employing over $1,000 persons
and producing each year crop valued
at over $14,000,000 as it is taken from
the water. It is conducted, he says, ir
every seacoast State from Cape Cod u
the Rio Grande and from Puget Sounc
to San Francisco.
@. What city in the Middle Yves
gives Passion Play annually?-G. OF
A. Bloomington, ILL.,, has for si1
years given the play. 1t is produced b.
the Bloomington Consistory Players anc
has been witnessed by about 100, 900 peo
pie.
@. How much is paid for the gam
ing concession in Monte Carlo?-H. D.
A. The concession to have gamin
tables Is in the hands of a company
which in 1898 received an extension t
1947. 1t paid 100000 pounds in 1879
and 100000 pounds in 1918, as well a
a rent of $4,000 pounds per annum unit
1906, 10000 pounds per annum unit
1916, 10000 pounds per annum unit
1925, 10000 pounds per annum unit
1895, and 100000 pounds per annur
until 1947.
@. Are there statistics to sho'
whether boys between Is and 20 ar
worse now than they used to be?- v.
A. The United States Children
Bureau announced recently that a re
port based upon a study of crime anon
Chicago boys between II and 20 year
old indicates that youthful offenses ar
decreasing. Figures from the countr
at large show that the number of /
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-04-19
The Grade Crossing Projects.


The Senate subcommittee on District
appropriations evidently has sought to
settle the controversy over the Michigan
avenue grade crossing, but the proce-
dure adopted remains something of a
mystery pending the emergence from
committee of the appropriations bill.
Senator Bingham yesterday introduced,
and the bill was Immediately consid-
cred and favorably reported from the
District committee, a measure author
iZing an appropriation of $780, 900 for
o Michigan avenue grade crossing along
the line of the new and widened Mich
igan avenue. The appropriations bill as
It came from the House appropriated
$135,000 for reconstruction of the Mon
roe street overpass over the B. g. o.
tracks and did not mention Michigan
avenue. Interest now lies in whether
the Senate committee plans to have
both projects undertaken. or whether
the Michigan avenue proposal is to be
substituted for the Monroe street over
pass plan.
There has been some controversy be-
tween the Park and Planning Commits
sion and the municipal authorities over
the Embarrassing elimination. The
municipal authorities have favored
strengthening and widening the Monroe
street overpass, routing Michigan ave-
nue. traffic over Monroe street and clos
ing Michigan avenue at the grade cross
ing. The Park and Planning Commits
sion has favored going forward with the
widening of Michigan avenue immedi-
ately. and has regarded the Monroe
street widening proposal as rather poor
economy. There has been no disagree
ment between the two agencies as 10
the eventual necessity of the Michigan
avenue proposal, but the municipal
heads evidently took the view that
straitened finances required postponing
the Michigan avenue plan, while the
Monroe street scheme, also necessary
should be started now.
The Park and Planning Commission
fears that If the Michigan avenue
widening and Embarrassing proposal Is
side-tracked, it might be postponed Tor
many years. If the Senate appropria-
tions committee proposes to switch from
the Monroe street plan to the Michigan
avenue plan, the completion OF the
latter viii require some time, possibly
two years. If both undertakings are
contemplated. the Senate appropriations
committee must find way to finance
them.
Elimination of the Michigan avenue
grade crossing has been delayed too long
already. Legislation authorizing the
work was enacted in 1927, but the funds
were never appropriated. The new
legislation proposed by Senator Bingham
IL necessary because the act Of 1927
specified the overpass at the site of the
present crossing, while the new plan is
for the crossing along the new route of
Michigan avenue, some distance away.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-04-19

This Is a great year for dandelions
We do not recall q Spring when these
bright flowers were any prettier or more
numerous.
Children picking them to take to
school have their hands full before they
have gone a block.
The blossoms unfolded almost over
night, as the result of the unseasonably
hot weather which struck the city i'm
mediately following the rainy week end.
In every lawn, in every park, these
scapose perennials poked their yellow
heads into the line of vision of passerby
Every man, woman and child who
saw them rejoiced. although some may
not have been conscious Of the fact.
They might conceivably have called
their feeling Spring fever" but 1t was
really dandelions.
We have no sympathy with those who
sneer at this genuine perennial, this
charming little fellow with the fero-
cious name.
The dandelion is a cosmopolite, being
equally at home in Europe, Asia and
North America, and in every one OF
those sections Of the globe he is well
liked.
He may sit close to the grass. being
without the dignity of his taller grow
ing brethren but no flower shines WITH
more reflected light of the sun, and
few have more interesting botanical
constructions.
There is really no reason to trown at
the dandelion, except that 1t becomes
something Of a nuisance in connection
with the making of perfect lawn.
BY a method, which we will later
detail, we will show that the earnest
lawn maker need not worry about these
cichoriaceous plants, whatever that
phrase actually means. ct means dan.
delion, according to the dictionary, ano
that is enough)
The thing to do with dandelions is
to enjoy them in their season. and then
make sure that they do not spoil the
grass. This latter action will hurt the
dandelions little, in the long run; they
will come up the next Spring Just
the same.
The name "dandelion" comes from
the French dent de lion, or lions
tooth. no doubt given from a fancied
resemblance between the toothlike
petals and the bright golden color OF
the flowers.
The scientific name for this plant Is
Taraxacum taraxacum. Its toothed OF
pinnatified leaves are what cause the
trouble to the lawn connoisseur. They
have a bad way of sprawling out over
the grass, causing the latter to die out
The long toproot is what worries most
home owners and they make mighty
efforts to dig it up. If they succeed
mostly they create very large hole IN
their lawn.
There is no particular reason fol
showing such spleen against the taproot
a truly marvellous invention of Nature
The root will hurt no one-not even
a grass blade-if the dandelion leaves
are kept pulled off. This Is the true
solution of the whole dandelion problem
If the roots are removed, we will
have no more dandelions-and who
would willingly give up his dandelionsf
1t is only because they are so common
that we are inclined to regard them az
less beautiful than the jonquils, etc.
No doubt If they were unknown, and
had just been brought to America from
some far-distant country, garden
makers would go into estasies over them
4 y 4
Personally we like these little vel
low flowers of Spring, which grow sc
lowly in the grass. The dandelons
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-04-19
Higghlights on the Wide World
Excerpts From Newspapers of Other Lands

luton there has been a sharp increase
in the hteracy of the population. Even
during the most difficult years Of civil
war, Intervention and famine. the edu-
cational system of the country shows
an expansion over the pre-war condi-
tions. The number Of schools was sub
stant1ally greater in 1920 than in 1914.
Over 100000 children attended gram
mar schools in the schol year 1920-21,
which was 100000 more than in 1914
is. The literacy of the general popu-
lation also showed considerable i'm
provement. Thousands of schools for
the liquidation Of illiteracy were
formed. which gave instruction to mil
lions Of adult students.
With the return to normal condi-
tons, both the number of schools and
the number of students in practically
all types Of schools exceeds by a large
margin, not only the pre-war figures,
but also the highest totals attained In
the years Immediately following the
revolution. At the same time a great
advancement has been made in the ma
terial conditions of schools and in the
remuneration Of teachers, as we'll as
In the quality of the school work.
The literate population now COM
prises $40 per cent of the Russian
Soviet Union, as against a pre-war
figure Of 235 per cent.
X X
Autobus
Information Premature.
Ell TELEGRAPH. Guayauuil.- in
formation published In these columns
recently that the authorities were goo
ing to regulate the autobuses moro
strictly seems little premature. The
president of the council is for the auto.
buses, and their usurpations of the
streets, but the chief of police is in
terested more In our protection than in
their revenues, so we still may expect
some relief from his activities in our
behalf. No doubt thousands of our
readers, acquainted with the reckless
and selfish driving of the decrepit We
hicles by dyspeptic chauffeurs, were
more than astonished when they
learned from our article. now termed q
fiction, that the authorities were going
to take these dangerous vehicles under
control They feared We were stating
and hoping too much. With our long
term of years in Guayaquil, under the
present and similar city governments,
we should not have been so credulous
but we thought the report was true az
1t reached us through semi-officiaI.
sources. We consider the electric street.
cars sufncient for urban transporta-
ton.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-04-19
SHOOTING STARS.
BY PHILANDER JOHNSON.

Universal FearIessness.
The courage that we all admire
Into excess may grow.
To danger people now desire
Indifference to show.
The aviator seeks the sky
Though planes are Oft mislaid,
And when We beg him not to fly,
He answers, Who's afraid?"
Men fight with microbes to preserve
The lives of fellow men.
Though battleships may try our nerve
They build them now and then.
The theories that once seemed strange
We study undismayed,
And to the warnings 'gatnst each change
We answer, who's afraid?"
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-04-19

No doubt Calvin Coolidge, after the
publicity of the White House, enjoys a
little piece Of ground of his own, where
he can be comparatively unobserved
while he raises few radishes and may
be row of lettuce. When a man def
nitely renounces politics, he may do a
little gardening without being suspected
Of trying to court favor with agricul-
tiral voters.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-04-19

Announcement is often made that
certain legislative business will have to
be postponed until Congress is through
with the tariff. 1t is a matter Of his
torical record that Congress is never
through with the tariff.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-04-19
Call on the COLLEGES.

From the Worcester Evening Gazette.
Now that college boys have done their
best to settle this prohibition issue
through whole-hearted referendums.
won't they please turn their attention to
this problem Of international limitation
of ornaments?
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-04-19

The Potomac cherry trees, with their
message of good will, are reminders
that the japanese are no less Won
derful as, diplomats than as arboricul-
turistS.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-04-19
Additional Perils.

From the Akron Beacon-Journai.
Home from the Antarctic. Rear Ad-
miral Richard E. Byrd is being showered
with public dinners. Exploring Is not
the worst of an adventurer's pertlS.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-04-19

The designations Republican" and
Democrat are beginning to be side
tracked In national affairs to make
way for the simple monosyllables, wet"
and dry
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-04-19
Criminals Protest,

From the Toronto Daily star
The report that the provincial police
VIII use radio to catch criminals has
been denied. It is understood that
criminals protested against it as unfair
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-04-19
Hoping for Best.

From the Toledo Blade.
We can't get over wondering how our
magazine subscription solicitor of last
year is getting along in college AS for
the magazine, it is not at all inspiring
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-04-19
Page Senator Smoot.

From the Lincoln State Journal.
The ruling Of the Treasury Depart
ment that goods may be imported from
the South Pole free of duty is hailed as
good news for the consumer.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-04-19

Entangling alliances are dangerous
1t is now possible to discuss world re-
lationships without creating the danger
of entangling antipathies.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-04-19

nation that contends for more
battleships is never absolutely explicit
about what it thinks it is going to want
with them.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-04-19
An Ancient Habit.

From the San Francisco Chronicle.
Now they've found prehistoric skel-
eton buried with the feet up. The desk,
however, had crumbled into dust.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-04-19
Must Be Tame Lion,

From the Altoona Mirror
A movie lion is at large in Southern
California. But with the new movie
code OF ethics effective, the animal must
be indeed very tame one.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-04-19
A Truth, Forsooth!

From the San Francisco Chronicle.
Nine times in ten you must go out Of
your way to find trouble. You never saw
a telephone pole in the middle of the
highway
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-04-19
Rare Judgment Shown.

From the Canton Daily News
The President again led his party in
the number Of fish caught. the other
members showing rare Judgment in
picking out the proper places not to FISH.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-04-19
How to Relieve Farmers.

From the Buffalo Evening News.
You can't relieve the farmers without
changing the popular notion that a pea
nut butter sandwich and milkshake
constitute a square meal.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-04-19
China's Harbinper.

From the Oakland Tribune.
China will be happier when the robin,
instead of the bandit, is the first sign
Of Spring.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-04-19
More Than Grain of Salt

From the Omaha World-H Herald.
We have to take Gandhi's movement
with several grains Of salt, whether we
like II or not.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-04-19
Limit Wild Oats Output.

From the Fort Wayne News-sentinel.
In all our efforts to curtail wheat
production, let's not forget to limit the
output Of wild oats.