davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-12-02

Waterways projects in the United
States command increasing interest as
prospects become brighter that the st.
Lawrence and Great Lakes development
will, at no far distant date, become a
reality. Resulting construction, as well
as the canals themselves, is held likely
to contribute to the business activity
Of the country and to give greater
opportunities for employment. Some
criticism is to the effect that the re-
quired expenditures at this time would
be unwiSe.
Noting that prospects for the COM
pletion Of the ST. Lawrence River chan
mel have become exceedingly bright
lately, with the promise of treaty be-
tween Canada and the United States at
an early moment being announced" the
Oshkosh Daily Northwestern declares :
"A deep-Water route from the Atlantic
Ocean to the Gulf of Mexico, via the
st. Lawrence River, the Great Lakes
and the Mississippi River, would create
wharveS, warehouses and new indus
tries. 1t would mean new factories, the
stimulation Of agriculture, coal mining
and commerce in general"
There is nothing else is sight that
could bring such a large part of the
economic relief to the Middle West ana
Northwest so sorely needed" says the
Sioux City Journal. The ST. Lawrence
seaway would do more in that direction
than all the. legislation that could be
passed in the next so years. The solu-
ton it would provide would be purely
economic, saving of scores Of millions
in railroad freight rates that could be
applied in two definite directions, to
increase margins OF profit and to ease
the burden Of competition in foreign
markets"
Recognizing the economic Importance
of the portions of the country affected
by the Federal inland waterway sys-
TEN, which is 'uneoualed by that of
any other land, possibly excepting
BrazilS," the San Antonio Express
urges that work should be pushed on
all unfinished sections" and the Rock
Island Argus places itself on record as
favoring "as speedy action as is con-
sistent with good work" The Argus
further declares: There is only 60
mile link between the Great Lakes and
the Gulf Of Mexico which has not been
finished. The Federal Government,
through It's engineers, has been doing
work Of a commendable character on
this link, and Army Engineers set May
1888, as the date for the opening. The
association, however, is supporting a
movement, which has gathered much
momentum, to complete the job at least
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-12-02

toward accomplishing this and relieve
depression and bring peace and pros
perity to the world at the same time.
Many good roads are torn up with
the excuse Of giving people work when
the principal reason Is to give people a
chance to drive faster, with the result
that, with the completion of these
roads, the main highways, the number
CT persons injured and killed increases
all the time, while other roads leading
from these highways on which so much
money is spent unnecessarily are mar
row. rough and almost impossible
This I know. Recently I spent several
months in section only two-hour
drive from this city and about one-half
mile from one of those roads that was
torn up all Of the Summer. A doctor
was called at that place at night. He
said the reason he was so late was
that the road over which he had
driven was in such a terrible condition
he could hardly drive at all. Another
man drove over that same road two
days before. He said he would not go
over it again for $40 and had to 60
miles out Of his way to get back. Ih9d
been over it a short time before, taking
a passenger to the train. He said,
Never again will I let you come over
that awful road for me-" Many homes
which taxpayers have are hardly a fit
shelter for animals, many farmers once
making a good living have had to sell
their homes, and their living, because
of excessive tax burdens imposed on
them by politicians and others in au-
thority. Patriotism should be proved
by dealing Justly with all.
~ e. MARRIOTT.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-12-02

ception to his rule He took his LIB,
at College Park in 1918. His alma
mater had pretty successful 1881
career, and the squad calls Senator
Iydings its mascot. He had place of
honor on the players bench at every
game, and now and then ventured to
give the head coach a suggestion.
Ambassador Charles G. Dawes bust
has recently been added to those of
other Vice Presidents who have pre-
sided over the Senate. 1t is placed at
the principal entrance to the chamber.
The American sculptor, 10 Davidson,
who did the La Toilette statue in Stat
uary Hall beneath the Capitol dome, Is
responsible for the Dawes head and
shoulders. The Senate appropriated
1000 for the bust, but rumor hath it
that Holland Maria privately ponied
up considerably more for the master
piece. Gen. Dawes Is said to have
observed, when the counterfeit pre-
sentiment of himself was first shown
him, ITS all right, I guess" Perhaps
the Chicagoan misses the underslung
pipe and the Victorian double
high standing collar to which he still
Clings.
One of agriculture's foremost spokes-
men, the Farm Journal of Philadelphia,
thinks that. far from lodging a con-
gressional investigation, the Federal
Farm Board ought to insist upon it.
While attendance at committee meet
ings is irksome," the Journal says, land
tends to delay the important work of
the board, ard while it is not pleasant
to undergo the calculated bullying of a
certain type Of politician, nevertheless
the benefit Of better understanding
of what the board has done must out
weigh these hardships. The Federal
Farm Board has everything to gain and
nothing to lose by a searching inquiry.
If Congress does not want the facts it
should be made to take them"
Washington's new chief of police, prob
ably never imagined that he'd have a
chance to strut his military stuff within
month of taking his new Office. Next
weeks hunger march" en- the Capital
will probably witness the most compre-
hensive, far-fiung and intricately
worked-out police plan the Capital has
seen for many moon. It's essentially
job calling for staff work" and
Happy" Glassford has had a lifetime
of that Here's a guess that Washing
ton will get its first glimpse of the giant
new police boss surveying the battle
field" en- his favorite mount-a motor
cycle.
tCopyriRht 1917
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-12-02
Praises Move to Save
Elms on Capitol Hill

To the Editor Of The Star:
1t is very gratifying to know that a
move has been made to save Capitol
Hills beautiful old trees, though it is
very regrettable that it was too late Ia
save those that have already been
ruthlessly destroyed. Your editorial
Official Vandalism" describes it as
"wanton destruction" which 1t really Is
Good Judgment should be used in the
course of what Is termed progress
otherwise real progress Is retarded.
Washington has been called 1.-The
City Beautiful" and its trees are the
principal cause of its beauty, and the
destruction of them certainly does de-
tract from the beauty Of it, as the pic
ture IN Wednesdays Star, Down With
the Ems, SHOWS. They not only add
beauty put health giving out oxygen,
and making shade as we'll.
Many are now justifying destruction
not only of trees, but good buildings
and some practically new, as IN the
case OF the Pest Office. for examnle Ia
give people work. Center Market and
many other buildings that have been
torn down recently to make wav for
this new building project-almost for
got the project have lasted
many years.
Consideration for others in this direc-
tion-giving people employment very
commendable. I am UNEMPLOYED, be.
cause of Ill health, and know onIv too
we'll what 1t means, but to create work
by useless destruction works a hard
ship on others, taxpayers, MANY who
have only THEN homes and are unsm-
p,oyed. II there were not SO much
waste in the world and every one were
provided with necessities there would
be enough work to keep all ablebodied
people employed and enough money to
pay them. The 80 per cent of the iax.
payers money which goes for war MIR
poses every year would 90 long way
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-12-02
A Longer Working Week

Here in this country, with the Amer
lean Federation Of Labor and many in
duStrial employers advocating fye-day
working week, 1t will come as a bit Of
shock TO know that a movement Is
nov in progress in Great Britain to
lengthen the existing 48-hour week II
the plan proposed by the Lancashire
textile mills is adopted, there will be a
reversion TO the 52iz hour week, which
vsG in vogue up to 1919. The spinncrs
have already served notice on their men
and women hands that at the end Of
December there will be terminated the
hard-Won agreement which has gov
erned hours and wages in Lancashire
for twelve years.
With q British Winter at its worse
when the turn Of the year comes, it is
easy TO imagine what it will mean to a
quarter Of a million homes in the tex
tile district for the breadWinners Of the
family, including often several members
OF it, TO go back TO the am. start for
work. The present generation OF mill
workers knows lit le OF the daily routine
IN the mills thai was the lot Of the
oldsters in the mills before the war
What is inevitable is a revolution in
social habits rooted in the years.
The 4s-hour week was British labor's
biggest postwar victory. Not so long
before it was achieved, Lancashire mil
hands were on q $50 hour working
scale, which involved getting up at
O'Clock in the morning to be at the
looms at 6, and then working until 8 &c
am, when there was half-h break.
fast period. In all, ten hours of work,
ing were spread over eleven and one.
half hours OF the day five days a week
AS a New York Times correspondent
cables from Manchester, there wa
virtually no time from Monday till Fri
day for anything but work, eating ant
sleep" On Saturday the 55lz hour
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-12-02

were completed by working from till
$50 am, and from am. TO noon.
Apparently 1t is the cessation OF
labor's political power in London that
has given the Lancashire textile barons
courage to scrap the 48-hour week. 1t
may be. too. that Britains industrial
necessities at the moment require this
drastic break with one of the. most
humanitarian working reforms instituted
in Georgian times. American labor Is
entitled to congratulate itself THAI no
such project has ever taken root in this
country. or is likely to do 50. Unfor-
tInately, because of depression condi-
tons. thousands Of our skilled workers
in many branches are today on "a
hour or 36-hour week, or Less
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-12-02
Change A. F. L. Leaders
To Save Labor Unions

To the Editor of The Star:
Though not a member of the Fed
efal employees Union, the writer would
cheerfulfy join if the organization will
only sever its connection with the
American Federation of Labor. Certain
ofhclals of the latter organization have
formed an offensive and defensive al
lance with certain business and bank
ing interests inlmiCal to the best inter-
ests OF those devoted to the constructive
upbullding of organized labor.
organized labor in trades unions is
ooomed If the leaders are not soon
expelled. The movement is being be-
trayed. Labor must organize politically,
very soon, or face early and absolute
annlhilation. Which shall it be? Labor
ing men and white-collar workers alike
must do their own individual thinking
from now on.
The present wholesale wage reduc-
lions and the heavy reduction in num-
Der OF workers show that labor, like
agriculture, has now been sadly de-
mated. When are we going to debate
the parasites at the top of our chaotic
system? Individual initiative" has been
largely abolished almost everywhere
else. Small merchants, small banks.
wherein individual initiative once was
In etfect-Where are they now? ONLY
small percentage remain for the time
being
The "non-partisan" effort of union
lied labor in politics has sadly failed
Inc attempts seemed for awhile to be
succeSStul; but the advantages gained
were only temporary and not funda-
mental or permanent Productive labor.
including farmer and white-collared
cal party. The old parties no longer
represent the lower or middle classes,
Such financing is not so difficult as it
might seem when millions catch the
vision of vast results. A little from
each will do the trick, that together
with cooperation and cohesion. There
is no relief from the ravages of the
machine age. In fact, conditions will
constantly grow worse. This is in
evitable. The trend Is certain and will
increase in momentum as time goes on
Only one option remains. We must
either destroy the machines or sup
plant the present archaic and anarchic
system of capitalism with 100 per cent
socialism so as to protect the produc-
ing masses, not only by balanced pro-
ouctlon, put by balanced and orderly
and equitable redistribution of the
lrultS OF INDUSTRY and trade among the
people as q whole.
When that is done then the small
bank and small merchant will come
back again. Individual initiative, +"
which Is now a subject of ridicule
among the masses will be possible,
Great aggregations of capital, selflshlv
organized. will be broken up into small
units, and various parts of the Nation
will alike prosper.
Socialism is more evolutionary than
revolutionary. 1t can be placed into
erect without changing line of the
United States Constitution.
S. r. RANDELL.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-12-02
Procra stination.

Maryland motorists appear to be no
different from those of other COM
munities. Procrastination seems to be
an inherent fault in large percentage
OF them. AS a result many Maryland
ers are likely to lose the use of their
automobiles for few days. The official
annual safety campaign closed at mid
night, November 30. 1t ran for six
full weeks, in which time every resi-
dent Of the State was supposed to
have his car examined as to brakes.
lights, steering gear and general me-
chanical condition. The motorists were
warned that penalties would be severe
for noncompliance.
Today finds thousands Of motor car
owners without the stickers showing
Official inspection, and Col. E. Austin
Baughman, commissioner Of motor We
hicles, has made it plain that very lit
tie leniency will be shown the delin-
quentS. Il am not interested in ex-
cuses," said Col. Baughman, II am in
terested in saving lives and there
upon he announced that twenty-four
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-12-02
The Main Question.

On Saturday, December 20, 1880 the
Select Committee on Fiscal Relations
OF the House adjourned to meet at the
call of the chairman, Mr. MapeS of
Michigan. Sore time later spokesman
for the committee asked and obtained
authorization from the House for the
hire OF an expert Of the committees
own choosing who would investigate
fiscal affairs for the investigating COM
mittee the request for the services of
such an expert being based generally
on the allegation that the Bureau of
Efhciency. which had conducted an
other investigation Of fiscal relations,
had, in the words Of Mr. Frear Of Wis
oonsin, embarrassed our committee by
the report they have made"
Since December 20 the committee has
held q few executive meetings and dis
cussed with its expert, Mr.. George Lord
OF Michigan, various matters concerning
the tax burden of the District of Co.
lumbia in relation TO the tax burden Of
other communities.
Today the committee is meeting to
discuss for the first time since its en-
barrassment at the hands of the Bureau
of Efficiency the essential feature of its
inquiry-the amount that the United
States should contribute to the District
of Columbia in the annual appropriation
bill. AS the committee expects to make
its report to the House next week, there
remains little time for lengthy con-
sideration of this question Throughout
the committee inquiry, in fact, it has
been relegated to second place. The
committee has spent much more time
in studying ways and means to increase
the tax burden of the District than in
examining the fundamentally important
issue Of what proportion of the total
expense Of maintaining the Federal
City should be borne by the Federal
Government.
The people of the District, unrepre-
scented throughout these proceedings
by any voice in the body that has the
exclusive power OF taxing them. will
suspend Judgment on the fairness of
the committees findings regarding
what taxes and the amount OF such
taxes that they shall pay That in
formation, up to this time discussed by
the committee behind closed doors, will
become available when the committees
report Is placed before the House But
regardless Of what taxes are recon-
mended for the people Of the District,
the committees report will be incom-
plete and, therefore, worthless without
q carefully drawn recommendation as
to what policy the Congress should
pursue in appropriating Federal funds
for the National Capital-not for this
year alone, but for many years to
come. This was the question that
brought the Select Committee into
being This Is the question that the
taxpayers Of the community hope the
committee will be able to answer In
the few days remaining before its re-
port is due for delivery to the House.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-12-02
Uniform Federal
Election Law Urged
To the Editor of The Star:

To the Editor OF The Star.
Here Is some food for thought for the
| citizens OF SO States who are opposed
/ to 10 Southern States, with ia electoral
votes, welding such tremendous power
| in national elections by the operation
of either direct or indirect disenfran-
chisement laws
Since the last reapportionment OF
the House OF Representatives under the
| census Of 1910, as there was not any in
| 1920, in violation of the Constitution
| the electoral college has contained 53l
electoral votes-435, or l for each Rep
resentative, and SO, or for each Sena-
| tor.
Ten Southern States-namely, Ala
oama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia
louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina,
South Carolina, Texas and Virginia
with ia electoral votes, in which Re-
publicans are unconstitutionally dis
! enfranchisedS either directly or indi-
| rectly, offset and render voiceless In
! national elections the ia electoral
| votes OF Western States-namely, Cali
! fornia, Colorado, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas
| Indiana, Ohio and Utah-in all of
which the Democrats are not dis
enfranchised.
Exclusive of the above IS States with
228 electoral votes, there are 30 States
with 303 electoral votes in which the
Republicans must receive 152 to win
| presidential election, should the above
228 votes be divided equally between the
two parties. as 266 votes are required To
win, being majority of SCI.
Should the Democrats in a presiden-
! tial election, with their sewed-up ia
votes, carry Kentucky, Maryland Okla
| homa and Tennessee, with 43 votes
which is highly probable, the Demo-
Gratis would have 1877 votes, or 109 less
than the required 266 to obtain from
26 States
/ Should the Democrats, in addition to
the above, carry out Of the 26 States
| 7 States-namely, Delaware, MasSa
chusetts, Missouri, New Jersey, New
York, Rhode Island and West Virginia
with Ill electoral votes, they would
have 268, or ? more than the required
266 to elect the President and Vice
President
Also, the 10 Southern States offset
and render VoicelesS in national cleo
tons the ia electoral votes of the fol-
lowing 10 States in which the Demo-
Gratis are not disenfranchised namely,
New York, New Jersey, Delaware, West
Virginia, Maine, New Hampshire, Yer
mont, Massachusetts,, Connecticut and
AhtlUAc Aeidllu
Moreover, the 10 Southern States
onset and render voicelesS in national
elections the ia electoral votes of the
following States in which the Demo-
Gratis are not disenfranchised, namely.
Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ne
braska, North Dakota, Pennsylvania,
South Dakota and Wisconsin.
Furthermore, of the 10 Southern
States. with 80 electoral votes, offset
and render voiceless in national cleo
tons the 30 votes of the following 8
States in which the Democrats are not
disenfranchised, namely, Arizona, Idaho,
Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, Ore
gon, Washington and Wyoming.
How long is the Nation going to toll
crate the above situation without urging
the passage OF uniform Federal cleo
'loh law! H. A. CLARKE.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-12-02
Obstructed View
At Crossings Blamed
To the Editor OF The Star:

10 the EOltor OF / ne StaI'
Your editorial of November % on
Death at the Crossing" appears to be
based on the assumption that the
drivers who are killed see the train
coming and miscalculate the time re-
quired to cross ahead of it. I believe it
would be more correct, In the majority
of cases, to assume that there was an
cbstructed view in one or both direc-
tions, and the driver could not see the
train approaching When I cross a
track 1 know that am taking chance,
but l know of no way to avoid 1t ex-
cept to stop the car and walk out on the
track, as indeed used to be stand
ard practice for street cars. And there
are cases where the railroad curves at
crossing and you cannot see an ap-
preaching train from the middle OF the
track. WINSLOW H. HERSCHEL.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-12-02

hours grace would be given every mo-
torist who failed to show a sticksr
Failure to comply with the warning
within this period will result In a sum-
mons and the removal OF uninspected
automobiles from the highways Of ths
State. Furthermore, no 1892 tags will
be issued to offending drivers.
Little argument can be advanced for
procraStination. 1t generally results in
hardship or suffering for those who in
dulge in it, especially so far as It con-
Germs an automobile. Putting of the
day when snti-freeze mixture is in
stalled In the radiator has caused many
frozen motor and sent many a car
to the repair shop for varying periods.
Putting off proper greasing OF an au-
tomobile inevitably brings the same re-
suit. Putting of brake repairing has
frequently led to serious accident In
fact, procrastination in any angle Of
automobile ownership, whether it deals
with the car or the law generally, finds
the procrastinator the worst sufferer.
It is about time to reform, but
human nature being what it is 1t may
not yet heed the lessons Of experience,