davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-08-13
Safe Driving Records.

Assistant Traffic Director Eldridge,
perhaps inadvertently, inaugurated a
wholesome contest for the safest auto
mobile driver when he discovered, a
short time ago, that q District permit
holder had q clean slate for twenty-six
wears Of motoring Since then others
have arisen to challenge Mr.. Eldridge's
prize longevity find and the battle wages
merrily on. The latest to come forward
is motorist who proudly displays a
1903 operators permit for steam vehi-
Giles, who likewise claims clear driv-
ing record, giving him a year more
than the original discovery of the Traf-
&c Bureau. Tomorrow it may be some
one else There is no way of telling
when all the entries will be properly
filed.
Regardless Of this fact, however, any
publicity which emphasizes safety on
the streets Is beneficial to the COM
nunity and the assistant traffic direc-
tor, In stirring up the old-timers to
come forward with their claims, has
performed a notable service. OF course,
there may be skepticism about the au-
thenticity OF some Of the records. Prior
to the establishment of the traffic office
there was no such system as Is in effect
today for keeping track Of an individu-
ais driving performance, and without
casting any aspersions at those who
have entered the impromptu contest, it
may well be possible that in the days
Of the twelve-mile- hour speed limit
violations occurred which were never
recorded.
Since the traf1c ONCE was created,
however, no infractions escape offlcial
notice and a clean driving record from
that time to the present Is sufiicient
guarantee Of carefulness in automobile
operation. AS q matter of fact, not only
those who boast of a quarter of a CEN
fury Of safe driving, but those who
have not run afoul of the law since
the establishment of the trafic ONCE,
deserve the congratulations Of the COM
munity.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-08-13
How Napoleon the Cat
Gave Baltimore Rain

To the Editor Of The star:
Napoleon is q big white Persian cat
belonging to lady in Baltimore, Mrs.
Fanny De Shields. He has q right TO
his name, for he has won such renown
that a Government position has been
suggested for him.
August was Napoleons birthday.
He is 8 years old. He celebrat-
ed this event by sending forth a
word Of comfort to the heat and DIR Isht
stricken people of Baltimore-rain was
coming inside of "a hours. To prove It,
Napoleon jumped upon the hall stand,
stretched himself out fiat on a tray
used for visiting cards, paws OUT
stretched. little white face between
them. This for nine years had meant
rain. 1t never failed. At once his mis-
tress telephoned the newspapers, Rain
is coming sure" and the papers told the
people, Rain for Friday night, pre-
dicted by the Persian cat"
People chatted about 1t, laughed A
nice little write-up-but it rained. About
10 O'Clock people were seen to stretch
forth their hands. "Ah, a drop Of raini
Is It poSSible?" Then all Of q sudden
big watering-can in heaven poured
forth for 10 minutes, and people on the
street rejoiced and cried out, ''The cat!"
Napoleon's reputation was savedi
MARY G. DIXON.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-08-13
WASHINGTON OBSERVATIONS
BY FREDERIC WILLIAM VILE.

uate at the woodcraft school I would
then, during the Summer he was IA,
take him to q ranch out West. He did
his stuff, graduating in June, and am
now delivering. We were all set to go
July /, and then 1 had to call him in
and tell him it was all of because OF
this European trip. Bill took 1t with
his head up, but he has been waiting
In Indiana, / think on the curb with
his gun across his knees, for me to pick
him up and start for the big outdoors.
When I took vacations I always took
them out there" Hays is convinced
that the movies peace conference or
ganiZed by him, in Europe has made
distinct contribution to "amity" in
the general foreign trade situation.
~
They're certainly SEEM things at
night out in Chicago-in addition to gun
men and gangsterS. To the Department
of Commerce and the Federal Farm
Board this week there came serious in
quiry from the Windy City to know If
there was any truth in a report widely
circulated in Chicago about the Gov
eminent and beer. I'VE hear" the in
quiry ran, "tha. the Department of
Commerce has addressed letter to all
the breweries in the United States, ask
ing to be advised how many men they
could put to work If the breweries ran
full time and manufactured beer, and
the approximate amount of materials
they would use. We also hear that vari-
Gus farm boards throughout the coun-
try have been requested to inform the
Department of Agriculture how much
Of loss the farmers sustained when
the breweries stopped manufacturing
beer" Interested officials are inclined
to suspect the berry query was one OF
those wishes which sometimes are ia
theirs to thoughts.
~
Economies in the Army and the Navy
are henceforward to be the rigid order
of the day, by edict of the Commander
In Chief in the White House himself. But
it's been decided to loosen up a bit in
one interesting particular. Uncle Sam
is now installing ice-cream soda foun-
tains in big battleships and cruisers for
the accommodation OF gobs and any
body else aboard. The fountains are
to be run by the ship commissariats,
and drinks must be paid for by the
sailors the same as anything else they
buy ashore or afioat. From grog to
chocolate sundaes is going some.
Copyright, l93o)
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-08-13

experienced difficulty in regard to air
routes and regulations 1t assuredly
means that with a greater volume Of
travel, internationally, steps should De
taken at once to iron out difficulties
that confront the progress of flying
over foreign countries.
The day is not far distant when reg
ular schedules by air will be main
tanned over the Atlantic Whether it
is by dirigible or airplane makes no
difference. Red tape, complicated reg
ulations and lack Of uniformity in in
ternational relations will hamper and
discourage future flying of this kind
A case in point is that of the daring
fight of Roger williams from New
York to Bermuda and back without a
stop for. The purpose of ascertain!ng
the possibilities of regular service be-
tween these two points. It seems that
williams did not secure the kind Of
permission to fly over the island that
the British authorities deemed neces-
sary and he was summarily grounded
BY the Department Of Commerce. That
after an appeal he was reinstated
probably helps the situation none at
all. Flying to Bermuda will not be-
come regular service as long as the
rules remain as rigid as they now are.
Col. Lindbergh has put his finger on
an important aviation problem. 1t is
now up to the various countries to take
up the question seriously in order that
when international flying gains popu-
larity there will be no obstacles to sur
mount so far as administration is con-
cerned.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-08-13
ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
BY FREDERIC J. HASKIN.

writing became alphabetic, the inpor-
tant letters were Illuminated.
Q. What Is the literal translation
Of Koran?--S. N. T.
A. In the Arabic language It signi-
fies "the reading
Q. What is the English equivalent
for the name Of the opera La Travi-
A. In English it is 'aThe Lost One"
The original story is entitled La Dame
aux Camelias." 1t was dramatized IS
Camille"
@. Does the Navy use butter substi-
tutes?-H. s. s.
A. 1t does not. It uses only the best
butter-e2 score butter, in fact--as 1t Is
necessary to consider that the butter
may be subjected TO extreme tempera-
ture and to rapid changes In tempera
ture.
@. What was the population Of Pom
peh at the time Of its Instruction.
D. K.
A. It had about $4,000 inhabitants.
It was q city Of wealth and refinement,
situated on the Bay Of Naples, at the
foot of Mount Vesuvius. 1t, together
with Herculaneum and Stabiae, was de-
stroyed by a volcanic eruption August
"a, AID. 70.
Q. Who paid the cost Of bringing the
obelisk in Central Park TO the United
States?-A. B.
A. The obelisk was the gift Of Ismail
Pasha, and the cost Of transportation,
about $4,000, was betrayed by William
K. Vanderbilt.
@. Did the shepherds or the Wise
Men visit the Christ Child f1rst?-B.
r. c.
A. The shepherds came first. The
Wise Men did not appear until three
days lster, according to the Bible.
@. Are other suns surrounded by sys-
TENS of planets?-A e.
A. 1t would not be possible for as
tronon-crs to detect them, even If they
are the rule and planetary systems the
exception.
@. What is o 'fieche"?-H. q. o.
A. Fleche is an architectural term
which in France signifies any spire,
but in English usage Is limited TO 9
small, slender spire which is placed
upon the ridge of a roof Of q church
and not upon q tower.
@. Who were the Fifth Monarchy
Men"?-L. o. F.
n. 11cy were y EuTlLdu SeCC IN Eng
land which, for q time, supported the
government Of Oliver Cromwell In the
belief that it was a preparation for the
fifth monarchy" that would succeed
the Assyrian, the Persian, the Greek
and the Roman.
@. How long does it take an alligator
egg to hatch?-F. N.
A. It takes about two months.
@. How many people were there "a
the United States when the FIRST census
was taken?-J. H.
A. It was taken in 1870 and the
population was reported Is s,e29,2iA.
@. Is there such q word Is accept
lization"?-L. K.
A. We do not find the word a. you
spell it. Acceptilation, IN Roman and
Scots law, means q verbal release Of o
verbal obligation.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-08-13
Cheap and Honest Methods
Demanded for Bankruptcy

peka Daily Capital remarks: Just how
any bankruptcy law Is to be framed 80
that 1t will not be subject to this criti-
ciSn Is not easy to see. IT may be better
that rascals take advantage of the law
than that honest debtors have no pro-
lection
mo one should be permitted" ac-
cording to the Champaign News-Ga-
zette, ito go into bankruptcy except as
an extreme measure, and the liabilities
should be an amount that the bankrupt
could not possibly pay In the regular
channel of doing business. When It
comes to the business world losing $780,.
100000 year through this court It Is
time to call halt before the Nations
credit Is ruined" Holding that the law
is for the benefit of both debtor and
creditor, the Louisville Courier Journal
advises that Ito carry out this object,
precautions are essential to prevent the
laws use to defraud creditors and to
prevent waste in the management Of
the estate"
The objects Of the movement inaugu-
rated by the Federal Government are
described by the Charlotte Observer as
"a speeding up of the administration Of
bankrupt estates, placing the admins
trat'on on business basis, relieving
GAAc CUR u Oh BUSINESS TeSpO0SlDlllGy 0y
centering 1t in the executive branch Of
the Government, circumscribing credi-
tor control and enforcing more effec-
lively the criminal and discharge prcvt-
sions Of the present act"
The Providence Journal believes that
lit needs to be emphasized that the
process of revision should not be too
hurried" while the Worcester Evening
Gazette states that with the support
of the President, Congress may now be
expected to correct the more glaring
defects of the present law" The. New
York Evening Post concludes that
whether our lenient treatment of bank
ruptS is due to our proverbial good ma
ture or to some less creditable cause, Il
plainly demands the critical exanaina-
ton it Is evidently about to receive"
The Cleveland News advises that, "ia
the end, the cost of such abuses falls
indirectly on the public, which must
pay the losses so sustained, in order that
the legitimate merchant can still sell
goods to the honest buyer and make q
profit"
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-08-13
THIS AND THAT
BY CHARLES E. TRACEWELL.

the entire Judge and jury for each
story.
tests this, we can only say that readers
will continue to do just that thing, de-
spite what any one thinks of it.
A reader carries with him to the
reading of a novel, short story, poem or
ANYTHING else all Of his own convic-
tions and especially all of his own pref
udices.
1t is entirely conceivable, for in
stance, that a man who is very much
worked up over the prohibition issue
will view wine of Wyoming" in an en-
does not drink and who does not care
a whoop whether any one else does
or not.
The individual method Of judgment,
which is the natural method, does not
imply mental anarchy. The judgments
of perhaps nine out of ten readers will
be worthless in so far as passing upon
the permanency or true greatness of q
work.
IT like It," one will say-and his de-
cisioI will concur with that of time
time future, relentless, all-seeing.
IT do not like it," another will an
nounce-and his pronouncement fails
to coincide with what posterity will
say.
Yet if one looks over the two read
ers, he may see that the latter was
handicapped by a certain small peculiar
ity which prevented a correct judg-
ment in the particular case.
The short story of all works Of art.
is peculiarly liable to impreSsionistic
judging on the part of readers. There
are plenty of readers who do not get
much Of q kick" out of the stories of
o. Henry.
TOO mechanical" they say. zone
knows twist will come at the end, and
one is waiting for it, anticipating it
and failing to like it when it comes"
y X
The art of the short story has moth
ing at all to do with the length. We
can recall reading in an advertising
booklet of furs tiny story written by
q well known woman writer. 1t was a
masterpiece Of about 500 words. Had 1t
been four times as long 1t could not
have been any better, probably only
worse" whatever the word means.
Thus several Of Conrad's short
stories" are, in fact, not short at all,
but only long stories contracted from
novel length. Yet they are short sto-
ries, in all that we can say Of them,
because their effect Is singular.
The short story Is short because the
singleness OF effect which it must Sc
cure-and this Is almost its only law
cannot be maintained over a long
period of time. The reader cannot re-
ceive q single impression If he is re-
quired to keep his imagination on the
stretch.
Sometimes we wonder how so many
persons are able to read short stories,
since so many seem to have SO little
imagination. Or perhaps ones judg-
ment of the amount of imagination in
the minds of others Is somewhat harsh
and uncharitable.
One cannot Judge by looking at yon-
der face what stores Of imaginative
thinking are held in check there.
Romantic dreams, sealed up by life, roll
in clouds behind closed portals.
/" Words, magic. can unlock those doors
and release, in the privacy of the printed
page, a veritable cloudburst of dreams.
That is why the short story Is so popu-
lar perhaps. 1t evokes a mood--and
when it is your mood then the short
story Is yours, and you will call 1t great
And who dares dispute you?
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-08-13
On the Job.

President Hoover has Cancelled his
projected trips to Glacier and Yellow
stone National Parks because of pre-
occupation with drought relief activi-
ties at Washington. He will remain On
the Job in the White House-plus re-
freshing week ends at the camp on the
Rapidan.
The country. which would not be-
grudge Mr. Hoover a real vacation aft
er seventeen tempestuous months in the
presidency. will not fail to recognize
at its full worth the unselfishneSs Of his
decision. He gives fresh evidence, if
any were needed, Of the high sense Of
public duty which characterizes his con-
duct of the executive ONCE at every
stage.
Tomorrow and later in the week, the
President will devote himself to confer
ences with governors Of drought-strick-
en- States and national farm leaders.
The conferences have q twofold pur-
pose-to find out exactly what is wrong,
and where, and then to map out some
Federal Government may cooperate
with local authorities in the work Of
amelioration. Mr.. Hoover is the worlds
most seasoned veteran in the endless
war against distress and devastation.
The State executives and agricultural
spokesman now converging on Wash
tngton are bound to find him rich and
ready N ideas for graphing with the
situation on prompt and practical lines.
The American people, regardless of
political preiudices, very much trust
that President Hoover may be per-
suaded, sooner or later, to knock off"
and indulge In a vacation. For a man
Of his intensive energy, a vacation is a
necessity, not luxury, even though he
finds it dificult to look upon it es q
pleasure, for occupation VIGOROUSLY Is
Herbert Hoover's pastir1e. Cuba and
Mexico are eagerly awaiting visits from
the President OF the United States, who
found 1t impracticable to include those
countries in his good will tour of Latin
America In the capacity of President
elect. Perhaps Mr.. Hoover will tear
himself away from the exactions of
Washington and even the lures of the
Virginia hills long enough to "take in"
Havans and Mexico City. Whether he
determines to wander SO far afield or
not. 1t Is earnestly to be hoped that he
viii map out some kind Of a respite for
himself, for all work and no play Is
Is bad for q President as for q boy. ..
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-08-13
International Aviation.

Although international aviation Is still
IN its infancy, Col. Charles A. Lindbergh
sees the immediate need of the formula
ton of uniform set of regulations for
the convenience of the international
flyer. Speaking before a group OF
foreign representatives at Williamstown,
Mass, yesterday at a conference on
national air policies, the colonel ex-
pressed the opinion that everything
possible should be done at this time to
simplify and encourage international
aviation. He pointed out that CONNER
cial flying in the United States in the
past few years has progressed faster
than in any other nation in the world
and that regular air services are now
being maintained between this country
and Mexico and Central and South
America.
q Col. Lindbersh puts it in these words:
3 There are still great opportunities TO
make the carrying of passengers and
express a great deal more valuable, a
great deal faster than at the present
time, If we can obtain a standard set
of regulations, obtain a simpler series
of forms to be filled out in international
transport, and If We can prevail upon
the various countries which are served
4by the United States air lines TO CO.
Cooperate, with an idea toward the future
Hand what these lines will bring to them
In the future.
At the present time it is the private
flyer, the private owner of aircraft. who
requires the most assistance in interna-
tional flying. He has not an organization
to find out in advance what forms and
reports it is necessary for him to make
and in many instances it is almost
impossible for the private flyer making
an international trip by air TO learn in
advance the conditions he will en-
counter, both in regard TO air routes and
also to the regulations and restrictions
laid down by the various countries he
expects to fly through.
Col. Lindbergh should know whereof
he speaks. Probably no man in the
history of flying has had greater inter-
national experience. He has flown
over the western part of continental
Europe and England. He has made
several trips to Mexico and to
south America. If he who performed
these exploits as a pioneer, with, all ti1s
adulation that has been hsspe6 on his
.hesA since his New. York paris flight
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-08-13
Bits From China's News Budget.

Not all of the dispatches that come
from China are one hundred per cent
correct, for the news correspondents In
that country are themselves the VIC
tins of Misrepresentation and camou-
fiage. They are, however, as rule,
careful to present their news budgets
with proper qualifications, stating
rumors as rumors, reports as such and
indicating any lack of verification that
may be the case In these circumstances
the run of the dispatches is most inter-
esting. Within the last day or two
some especially striking passages have
occurred in the cabled accounts OF
doings in the ancient land.
From Hankow comes a dispatch TO
the effect that terror prevailed In
Changsha "as the Communist horde
that recently sacked and burned the
city was reported returning with threats
TO murder every one between the ages
of fifteen and thirty
Gov. Ho Chen Of Changsha was re-
ported to have directed the torture and
killing of approximately two hundred
and fifty Communist suspects daily
1t is further stated that men said to
be Communists were hunted down by
troops and quickly executed. No de-
tails are forthcoming regarding the ex-
tent of these reprisals or the character
OF the tortures inflicted
A late dispatch states that Com
munists in newspaper broadcasts
throughout Hunaif Province claimed
connections with Moscow and an
nounced that they planned the estab-
lishment of Soviet regime in Human,
Hupeh and Kiangsi; they declared
themselves against Nationalist and rebel
factions now fighting for control Of
Chinas government" Nevertheless a
recent dispatch stated that Marking de-
clares that a coalition exists between
the northern revolutionists and the
Communists of the southern provinces.
One of the most interesting items of
recent information is that President
Chang Kai-shek of Marking has issued
a circular telegram addressed to the
armies of Feng Yu-hsiang, pleading
with his soldiers ito return their al
legiance to the central government and
receive cash rewards, clothing and
food" The telegram, it is stated, con-
tinues: IF you return TO the govern
mentN with real repentance will not
only forgive but viii reward you with
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-08-13

Thousands of Government experts
are working constantly for the dement,
of all citizens of the United States.
They will work directly for you If you
call for the fruits of their labors through
our Washington Bureau. State your
inquiry briefly, write clearly, and, in
closing 2-cent stamp for personal let
ter in reply, address The Evening Star
Information Bureau, Frederic j. Has
kin, director, Washington, D. G.
@. Is the POSTMASTER on the radio
Arco birthday party the one who
broadcasts Cheerio?-A. S.
A. He Is one and the same.
@. Is more acreage planted to wheat
now than there was before the WARP
r. N.
A. The world wheat acreage is now
100000 acres larger. In America.
$4,000, 900 acres increase has been made.
These figures do not include Russia.
@. Is Da vis,i's Mona Lisa" painted
on canvas or Soard?-J. H. M.
A. 1t is painted on canvas.
@. What State ranks as the most
arid and sparsely settled?-T. P.
A. Nevada.
@. How is Jewish cheese made-a
cheese that Is much like cottage
cheese?-H. G.
A. According to the Jewish Cookery
Book by Mrs. Esther Levy, the cheese
desired Is made as follows: Put five
quarts of new milk into pan with five
pints of cold and flve pints of hot water,
q little sugar and as much rennet as
-.
II comes strike the skinner three or
four times down and leave it. on the
curd. In an hour or two ladle into the
vat without touching it. and when the
vat is full and the whey has run from
it, put a weight upon It,
@. Who wrote the music to which
THE Star Spangled Banner" is sung?-
A. j. H.
A. John Stafford Smith was born in
1850 at Gloucester, England, and he
died at London, September 8, 1896. He
was an able organist, an efficient tenor
singer, an excellent composer, and an
accomplished antiquary. He was the
author Of ITO Anacreon in Heaven" q
variation Of which is the music used
today in singing 1.-THE Star Spangled
Banner"
WA1dt dIC ID. =.
A. The tight-fitting knee breeches
Of the eighteenth and early nineteenth
centuries were called smallclothes.
@. How many steps does a man
take in q minute?-H. S.
A. The War Department says that
there are 80 steps to the minute. The
double step Is 100 to the minute.
G. How long has 1t been against
the law to smoke opium in Gilman
T. J. M.
A. 1t has been legally q vice since
1905.
@. What are illuminated manu-
scripts?-V. B.
A. They are those whose texts are
frightened and heightened by vignettes
and otherwise decorated in colors or in
gold and silver. Fifteen centuries be-
fore Christ the papyrus rolls of the
Book of the Dead were illuminated with
brilliantly colored scenes. Later. as