davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1930-03-30
Defining a "Doo-dad." "

Recently attention was called to the
use by Representative Simmons OF Me-
braska in the course of the hearings on
the District appropriation bill of a
word which lacks dictionary authority
and is of somewhat uncertain signifl-
canoe. Protesting against the embel-
lishment Of school buildings, he scored
the adoption Of "doo-dads" by the archi-
tects. The Star, commenting upon this
usage, noted the fact that 1t was lack
ing in parentage or specification. The
other day Mr.. Simmons, in the House,
thus referred to the comment:
During the hearings, I used the ex-
preston "doo-dad" in reference to the
school buildings. Learned editorial
writer's have found themselves unable
to interpret its meaning. After some
search the Library of Congress has
delivered to me definition Of "doo-dad,"
and here 1t Is. ] am quoting now from
page 352 OF the publication called Amer
ican Speech, in its issue for May, 1927,
where I find this, under the head of
Dialect Words From West Virginia" :
"Doo-dad Is a noun and means any ar
ticle for which the name Is unknown"
AlOW W ody sJl1db ho i uhCu
1t it means extravagant ornaments, en-
belltshmentS and useless equipment and
luxurtes built into school buildings in
order to satisfy the vanities of an archi-
tect and the comfort of a public school
ofncial without consideration Of the cost
| to the taxpayer or the rights Of the
school children.
Passing for the moment the question
Of architectural niceties and the broad
issue between plain utility and beauty
! it may be suggested that "doo-dad" has
some well recognized synonyms, both
in and out Of the dictionary. There Is
for an example, "gim-crack," which ia
defined by one authority as a pretty
useless thing" And there is also "gew-
gaw," identical with "gim-crack," in
deed used by the same authorithy as
an equivalent. Once more, there is an
old word that lacks dictionary recog-
milton but that will be remembered by
many, "fal-lal." A "faI-lal" is a "gew-
gaw," Just as q "gew-gaw" Is q GIN
crack" And then there Is that most
useful word "jigger," which means almost
anything that is practical, almost any
kind Of mechanical device that gets re-
suits and is also frequently applied to
something quite non-utilitarian, alto
Evening star., 1930-03-30
Mrs. Shepherds Passing
EvOkes Rich Memories
To the Editor of The Star:

To the Editor of The Star:
To those of the residents of Wash
ington who were the cotemporaries OF
Mrs. Alexander r. Shepherd, who died
on the 10th of this month, 1t seems
strange that her passing from this life
should have occurred with so limited
comment. For many years she was
the outstanding figure in the social life
of this Capital, and exceptionally so
for at least four of those years, both
by the merit Of her own accomplish
ments and grace of character and as
the wife of the executive member OF
the Board of Public Works and later
Governor of the District Of Columbia,
under whose leadership the physical
civic aspect of the National Capital
was transformed from the primitive
status Of sprawling town to q munich
pal condition worthy OF its talented
projectors.
During that period Mrs Shepherd
was the unrivaled social leader Of this
Capital, whose benevolence and tact
were recognized by a general acquieS-
cence In that distinction. Her name
deserves to be associated in the his
toric fame Of her husband, to whose
civic efforts she provided the support
of a social influence that In an eX-
ceedingly large measure was essential
to their success. How necessary was
that support can only be duly appre-
ciated by those who then knew and
felt the bitterness of the opposition to
which the governor and his supporters,
including among the most important
Mr.. Crosby S. Noyes and the other lead
ers of the local press, were exposcd.
WILLIAM TINDA1L.
Evening star., 1930-03-30
March of Year 1890
Regarded as a Failure

From the Ann Arbor Daily News
The month Of March must be marked
down as a failure. 1t never quite gives
satisfaction. Year after year it makes
gaudy promises, and always 1t follows
them up with perfectly atrocious per-
formances. Something, obviously, will
have to be done about 1t.
In other months you know what to
expect. In January, for instance, you
| look for mean weather, and when it
comes you are ready for 1t. And in
June the promise of a bright dawn Is
generally fulfilled. But March-March
gives you q day that begins well and
ends badly. 1t follows Spring morn
ing with a Winter afternoon. It is al
ways raising your expectations and then
letting you down.
1t is, in short, month that contents
itself with giving hints. Every now
and then it produces day that shows
what Spring, when 1t comes, is going
to be like. The householder, aStir after
his Winters Information, sets out gayly
and mutters in his beard about garden
seeds, lawn fertilizer and such; but he
does not get his soliloquy finished be-
fore the sun vanishes and cold blast
from the vicinity of Greenland turns
H..
| All OF this is hardly fair. Surely we
have right to know what to expect.
March is neither one thing nor the
other. If this new 13-month calendar
can abolish March, by all means let's
have it.
However, it is probable that March
was devised for our education. For it
is more or less our fate to be buffeted
about, March-faShion, all our lives. We
gFnf aSN1km
but they seldom bear fruit. If life is
always to promise things and then
withhold them, perhaps 1t is a good
thing that we should have one month
| in the year to remind us of 1t. It
keeps us from getting vainglorious and
cocky.
OF course, it won't do to get too
profound about it. AS general rule it
Is safe to beware of any writer when
fate" into his sentences. That indi-
Gates, generally, a disordered liver or
disappointment in love. Still, there
Is no law against drawing deductions;
and it really is possible to make some
thing out of March.
For If March gives us distant
J glimpse of earthly wonders without
ever really letting us taste them. that
Is also the way of the world generally.
1t Is prodigal of dazzling SurmiseS.
There are many mountain peaks from
which the promised land can be seen.
Reaching 1t Is another matter, possible
only to the surpremely lucky. Disap-
pointment is all most of us can expect.
Still, we know it is there. We have
our glimpses, and they are something
For the bright mornings of March let
us know that the earth Is capable of
better things, even If a raw, rain-laden
wind does follow after. And that, in
the month of March and in the rest
of life generally, Is what keeps us 60
ing.
Evening star., 1930-03-30
''THE HOUSE OF THE SOUL"
BY THE RIGHT REV LANES E. FREEMAN D. D., IL. D..
Bishop Of Washington.

books have been written on the art OF
living. The latest of these that COM
mends itself strongly to us was written
by the brilliant English author, Ar
mold Bennett, whose little treatise on
''Twenty-four Hours Day" is singu-
larly suggestive. In this little book he
deals with the development of life in a
precise and practical way. He sets forth
a timetable for physical, mental and
spiritual development. He reckons with
mans greatest needs and gives them all
their due consideration. Another dis
tinguiShed author, a great surgeon
makes his contribution in the book
What Men Live By" in which he di-
videS the hours of each day and allo-
Gates them to four purposes, Work
play, love and worship" There is little
doubt that our age is placing fresh
emphasis upon work and play. 1t is
giving large consideration to mans
physical wel-being. Is it giving like
consideration to his intellectual and
spiritual well-being?
No greater responsibility devolves
upon fathers and mothers than that OF
giving to their children a right under
standing of the meaning and value OF
life. Fewer boys and girls would mis-
carry and cause heart-breaking disap-
pointmentS If they were taught to recog-
AAAAC b4AC4i bOAACS 90 kCLAiJACoS O11C oeCICO
repositories Of divine qualities and gifts
given them for development and en-
richment. To come to realize that the
Joy Of life is not dependent upon things
external, but rather upon a right ap-
praisal Of life's true values, that outlook
is determined by q right point OF view
and understanding of those gifts and
qualities we possess within ourselves
affords a degree of satisfaction, tran
quillity and serenity Of mind that the
world cannot give or take away. "My
mind to me kingdom is" said great
thinker. He had within himself such
stored-up resources that he had become
independent of environing conditions
and circumstances. What significance
there is In those words of st. John
Now we are the sons of God, and 1t
doth not yet appear what we shah be"l
With such q consciousness we come to
reverence our bodies as holy temples
capable Of the highest development.
Evening star., 1930-03-30
Building Site Changes.

Proposal to tranSpose the ALLEGATIONS
of site for the Archives Building and
the Department of Justice is now under
consideration by the Public Buildings
Commission and the Treasury board of
architectural consultants. The original
plan placed the Department of Justice
structure on the Center Market site
with the Archives Building occupying
the space bounded by Pennsylvania
avenue and Ninth, B and Tenth streets.
It has been found, however, that the
market site will not yield Sufncient space
for the building for the Justice Depart
ment as planned, with an adequate
setting, and 80 1t has been suggested to
place 1t in the larger area Immediately
to the west.
In the announcement recently made
by Secretary Mellon regarding the next
group Of structures to be started, the
Department of Justice Building was not
included In the list, its place in effect
being taken by the newly proposed
home for the Public Health Service.
Explanation of the omission of the
Justice Building was that delay was
desirable in view of the uncertainty Of
the future of Center Market, plan
for the replacement of which elsewhere
being now under consideration. If de-
cision Is reached in favor Of the trans
position of site suggested, with the De-
partment Of Justice going to the Ninth
Tenth-B streets site, there will be no
occasion to postpone operations, pro-
vided all of the land lying within this
area has been acquired by the Govern
ment.
In the execution of the public build
ings program, covering a period Of sew
eral years, there must be some maneu-
vering and dovetailing Of plans to in
sure q continuous performance with the
least possible delay on any single unit.
Congress is allocating the funds IN an
nual installments, which viii insure an
unbroken series Of operations. 1t would
be possible to spend more money each
year and thereby carry on a larger
uuulDOE C1 uLAbo "a WIN ~ bAAC coAAS
time. But reasons of economy and
Treasury protection operate to make the
installment system more desirable.
It Is dtficult to determine which Of
the building needs Of the Government
is the most urgent. All of the depart
ments not now housed In permanent
quarters are cramped for room. Some
Of them are scattered in several build
ings each, some rented, some publicly
owned, some temporary" So as far as
the necessities Of the service 60, every
one Of the projected buildings Of the
program should be under present con-
Struction simultaneously. That, how
ever, cannot be without undue strain on
the Treasury.
Evening star., 1930-03-30
A Titular Change to Honor Taft,

Far from being without merit is the
movement already announced to rename
the Connecticut Avenue Bridge across
Rock Greek Valley in honor of william
Howard Taft, late Chief Justice and ex-
President. The women's City Club,
sponsor OF the idea, has already adopt
ed resolutions to submit such proposal
to the proper authorities, and the Dis
trict Commissioners have expressed their
hearty sympathy" with the plan.
True, this great viaduct was not be-
gun during the presidential term of
Taft, nor Is there any direct oficial
connection between the man and the
structure. None the less, 1t is definitely
associated in the minds Of the local
public with his personality. He resided
not far from its southern terminus.
1t was a favorite walking place Of his.
Many a motorist headed homeward In
the late afternoon was cheered by the
sight Of his beloved ample flgure, char
acteristic gait and placid smile, as, en-
1oying the sunset glow, he strolled along
one Of the footways, or stopped to chat
with the children, all Of whom he loved
"The Connecticut Avenue Bridge" is
thrilling title. "The Million
Dollar Bridge" Is q most repeIlent one.
More than two decades ago a million
dollars was good deal more impressive
than it is today and the title, In poor
taste to begin with, has become there
by weakened. THE Taft Bridge" is
short and, in many senses, to the point,
It is one of the more impressive struc-
lures in and around the National Capt.
tai. 1t needs better name. Mr.. Taft
deserves an immediate memorial. And
let it be said here that any recon-
mendation that the proposed change in
name be effected must not initiate In
the slightest degree against the estab-
lishment Of some future, different and
possibly more worthy local memorial
in his honor.
Evening star., 1930-03-30
Nature Lovers Laud
Kentucky's Decision

From the Baltimore Sun.
The long -drawn-out fight between
power interests and advocates of pres
ervation of Cumberland Falls. KY,
seems to have been finally ended. The
Kentucky Legislature has passed, over
the governors veto, bill to accept the
gift of $230,000 from former Senator T.
Coleman du Pont of Delaware, with
which to buy 1900 acres of land at the
Falls, with ownership by the State, so
as to protect them perpetually from
encroachment.
The controversy over one of the most
beautiful spots In the East has aroused
nature lovers throughout the country,
and it is creditable to the people Of
Kentucky that they have turned down
a proposal to develop the river at this
point for power, accompanied by large
expenditure, promise of industrial ac-
tivity and other inducements. They
have taken the far-sighted view. What
they lose in the near future In hypo-
thetical new industries will be amply
compensated in time to come by preser-
vation of a waterfall, the scenic beauty
of which Is comparable to that Of
Niagara.
Evening star., 1930-03-30
Consultative Pact Plan Originated
Not in London, but in United States

ing the war. This very same view, as
it amazingly happens, Is held by the
outstanding exponents Of the "conSulta-
tive-pact" suggestion; such as Mr..
James @. Mcdonald and Mr.. Raymond
L. Buell., who in q recent statement
came forward to say that consultation
between the United States and Euro
pean powers would tend to introduce
the United States into being q prop
Of the League Of Nations peace system.
Their words are:
1.-THE League members, especially
Great Britain, having consulted with
the United States as to which state
in war was the 'aggressor.' would feel
free to proceed to apply an economic
blockade to the 'aggreSSor' In other
words, the acceptance by the United
States of the principle of consultation
reduces the probability that the United
States will interfere with a League
blockade"
With both sides thus agreeing that
a consultation pact would bring the
United States more into cooperation
with the League, it would seem likely,
II consultation pact is adopted, that
the fight in the Senate about it will
be conducted largely on the good old
League issue.
(Copyright. lsSo)
Evening star., 1930-03-30

to flve million dollars-it is quite GER
tain that none of them will be adopted.
THE determination to complete the
National Washington Monument was
settled by Congress in the act of Au-
gust 2, 1875, and not one Of the nu.
merous reports, by special or regulee
committees in either branch Of Con-
gresS, from the time the corner stone Of
the existing structure was laid to the
present moment, has been adverse to
its completion.
I'VE have personally examined the
work now going on upon the Monu-
ment and are convinced that every OBJ
stacle TO the successful completion OF
the obelisk has been overcome by the
Joint commission having the work in
charge; and we feel sure if the general
sentiment of the people of the country
could be consulted it would insist upon
pushing the shaft to completion with
as little delay as possible. Certainly
the people who selected the design for
and have built what is now existing OF
this Monument would not be inclined
to stultify themselves by pulling dowh
their work or by covering 1t with an
Italian campanile."
Evening star., 1930-03-30
Extravagant Spending.

Taxpayers Of Washington are in
debted TO the members of the House
subcommittee on District appropria-
tions for the painstaking examination
given expenditures and proposed ex-
penditures in the District bill. They
are likewise indebted to the Board of
Education and school officials for the
explanations advanced for some of
the expenditures that have been at
tackled as indicative Of gross waste and
objectionable ineficiency. There are
two sides to every story. Sometimes
the other side puts the matter in a
new light.
nine climbing ropes at SIP each, three
horses at $3.50 each, can easily be
regarded as gross extravaganza, when
class rooms are so crowded that portable
schools are in use Purchase of an
electric hat stretcher at S25 sounds
like foolish waste of money to those
who were taught that reading, riting
and rithmetic" are the basis for all
sensible curTicula. And the contem-
plated purchase of an ironing board
st SIS, when they are available at SO
cents. tempts one TO call the police.
But such purchases must be examined
with the thought in mind that a school
gymnasium in $3,0Oo,O00 school should
be equipped with gymnasium furniture,
and that an appropriation has already
been made for that purpose. The
electric hat stretcher was intended, 1t
Is stated, for students In q millinery
class. and the ironing board, with a
sleeve pressing attachment, for use in
another vocational class.
Doubtless there have been unwise
purchases by the school authorities.
The point is that the counts do not
sustain the wholesale indictment of
extravaganza, waste and inefi1ciency
While the subcommittee Is TO be con-
Evening star., 1930-03-30
World Scientists
May Own Antarctica
From the Buffalo Evening News.

From the Buffalo Evening News.
Rear Admiral Byrd says that he has
no intention of claiming for the United
States the new lands that he has dis
covered in Antarctica. His conception
of the frozen continent is that it be-
longs to the world
Acting In that spirit, 1t should be easy
for the nations to agree that Antarctica
shall be held perpetually as a great
scientific laboratory under the direction
Of the leading scientific societies of the
world.
While an uninhabitable area never is
likely to become subject of national
istic. rivalry, the status of no mans
land always presents certain dangers.
Minerals or fisheries may be found to
tempt exploitation. 1t is better that a
detinite governing authority be estab-
ilshed In advance of need than to wait
until come unanticipated event has Gre
ated conflicting needs. Antarctica well
might be turned over to science under
some international plan which would
give to science authority to see that its
claims always are paramount.
Evening star., 1930-03-30
Tert: "He spdke of the temple OF
kyn hAGs, TnhA,

his body"-St. John, H.21.
One Of the most appealing writers
in England is Evelyn Underhill. Under
the above caption she has written a
most engaging little book that in a
very graphic and picturesque way deals
with the human body as THE House
of the Soul" The physical care of it
is obviously necessary. She describes
the body as having two floors, the
ground floor and the upper floor. To
keep the ground floor fit and in order
means to conserve the man physical.
"A well ordered, natural life is the
only safe basis of our supernatural
life" The upper floor is the man in
tellectual and spiritual.
With most of us the larger consid-
Grafton is given to our physical we'll
being. We try to fulfill Huxley's great
dictum, that "one of the high attain
animal" We employ every legitimate
means to this end. One can conceive
Of physical development that attains
welI-nigh to perfection, even approx
mating the ideals of the Superman.
What would this attainment be with
out q corresponding intellectual de-
velopment? Again, what would this at
tainment be without a corresponding
spiritual development? There have been
IIIS1 &1lU WOLtlCI1 III IAl1c WOAA0 ol1lh1
Of stature. weak in body, who have been
among its greatest benefactors. The
very fact that they suffered physical
impairment but served to accentuate
their intellectual and spiritual growth.
One wonders whether Milton would
have written his great allegories had
he not been blind. One wonders
whether Bunyan would have written
his immortal work had he not been
restricted to the area of Bedford gaol.
In both instances these lofty souls re-
garded their bodies as temples. They
evidently thought more of brain and
soul development than they did of bod
lily development.
It has been said Of late that our col
Ieges and universities have placed un-
due emphasis upon the place of ath-
letics. The late Chief Justice Taft
expressed deep concern over this more
modern phase Of academic life. Many
Evening star., 1930-03-30
Heavy Fines Given
Traffic ViOlatOrs
From the Oakland Tribune.

From the Oakland Tribune.
Denver Is experimenting with traffic
regulations by following the advice of
those who say the higher the fines the
lower the number of violatorS.
In one week university professor of
prominence was fined $50 for exceeding
the limits by small margin, and $25
was the regular fee assessed against all
who ignored the stop signs. A boy was
released only when the court was as
sured he would not drive q car until
he became Is years Of age. Offending
pedestrians escaped no easier.
Denver debates the subject of fines
and punishment, some holding the court
is too severe, others applauding. The
proof will come when the campaign is
carried on for few weeks and the sta
tisticS Of accidents are revealed. II the
plan has saved lives, it will have been
worth the money.
Evening star., 1930-03-30

Invitations are being extended to AL
Capone to become the guest of one or
two small towns in the Far West. As
a student of a new and ambitious COM
munity, Capone might have valuable
ideas. His moral ideals might not be
beneficial, but there Is no doubt about
his being an alert business manager.
Evening star., 1930-03-30

Raskob's resignation from the Demo-
cratic national Craftsmanship Is de-
manded by Josephus Daniels. The fact
that both gentlemen are at present out
Of the political running does not pre-
vent old antagonists from being active
in a personal way.
Evening star., 1930-03-30

Standard OH is said to have another
merger in contemplation Theodore
Roosevelt's memory remains in high
esteem, although some Of the things he
said about trusts are now CLASSIFIED
largely as campaign eloquence.
Evening star., 1930-03-30
Necking and Necking.

From the Louisville Times.
1t is not an uncommon thing nova
days to see two roadsters running neck
and neck with the occupants of both Of
them doing the same thing.
Evening star., 1930-03-30
Rate by MaiI-Payable in Advance.
MARYLAND and Virniria


The Associated Press is exclusively entitled
20 the use for republication Of all news dis
patches credited to 1t 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., 1930-03-30

It Ia q long time since the war. The
word zeppelin" once odious, can now
convey q meaning of esteem and even
of affection.
Evening star., 1930-03-30

Various authorities insist that while
a mans house is his castle, the fact
does not justify him In turning it into
a wine cellar,
Evening star., 1930-03-30

A vice squad is not only exposed to
physical attack, but gets view Of life
that is likely to result in some degree
Of decentralization.