davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-04-12
New York's Racket Curse.

1t is strange case when the defend
ant in judicial proceed. ngs has to fall
back upon his own weakness for justi-
fication and eXtenuatiol. This is the
situation in the removal trial of District
Attorney Grain IN New York City before
a special referee named by the Gov
ernor. One of the charges against the
prosecuting officer of the county is that
he has neglected the duties of his office,
especa ally in that he has failed TO seek
the indictment of the conductors of
"rackets," or extortions under threat Of
violence practiced against merchants.
A witness for the defense, one Of the
deputies in the district attorneys office,
testifies that the city is oYerrun with
Is, but that the district attorney Is
powerless to stop them. He declares
that witnesses cannot be found who will
give testimony before the grand jury or,
If indictments are returned, before trial
jur.eS. Although there are at least sixty
different forms Of raclzeteeriag In New
York, only three indictments have been
returned and one OF these has been dis
missed. Within four months the wit
ness has investigated no less than one
hundred and fifty complaints Of business
blackmail, interviewing upward Of six
hundred witnesses, with this meager re-
suit in court
The conductors Of the case against
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-04-12
Evening Reflections
BY THE RIGHT REV. JAMES E. FREEMAN, D. D, Ii. D..
Bishop of Washington

times wonders how, in the face OF all
modern criticism and doubt, churches
multiply and preachers, who are strong
and hopeful in their message, still con-
tinue to draw great multitudesl Our age
is placing much value upon the things
Of culture and commerce, and from
many sources we are being told that If
the Christian religion is to survive 1t
will have to recast its whole. system and
make its worship comport with the
tastes of an age that demands amuse-
ment and entertainment. Some churches
are Welding to this demand, but there is
no evidence to date OF their success or
permanence. 1t cannot be disputed that
where 1.-The gospel of hope" is being con-
sistently presented men still respond
with reverence and devotion.
The first message of the risen Master
was brought to the place OF deepest in
timacy, namely, the home. Not to the
hurrying multitudes on city streets, nor
TO the class room, where scholars con-
sorted, but to Quieter places of reflection,
where life was most real, did He come
with His word of promise and hope. No
more picturesque incident attends this
memorable story than that of His pill
grimage with two lonely and disap-
pointed men on the evening of that first
Easter Coming at length to their hum
He tarried for while, for it was toward
even. 1t was the hour of the day when
men are most reflective and when their
thoughts turn most readily to the deeper
values of life. An interesting picture is
here presented, the risen Christ con-
versing with two peasants concerning
the weighty events Of the hour. 1t was
but normal that they should ask Him
to come within their home and to share
with them the evening meal. 1t was
also normal that His revelation or dis
closure OF Himself should be made as
they broke bread at the evening meal.
Not without design was this story
wri5en. Its purpose is clearly evident,
nafEsly. to emphasize the identification
and intimacy of the risen Christ with
those common problems that are best
known within the home circle. The ex-
preston Of our twentieth century Chris
tan faith is best understood where life
is detached from the world and where
the application of the teachings of the
Master Is best understood. We again
affirm, there is no message of the year
that so answers the deeper yesrning Of
the human heart as that which Easter
proclaims.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-04-12
Advance Toward Government Control
Of Petroleum Industry in the Z. S

solemnly, as II he had never heard Of
it before, graciously accepted 1t.
It was also accepted by that supreme
preacher of rugged individualism, Her
vidualism, as amended by experience,
and as applied to oil, the citizen will
drill for oil when the State lets him;
he will produce out Of his well the
amount of oil that the State allocateS to
HIM; the State will sanction within its
borders the total net local production
recommended by the Interstate Steering
Committee; the Interstate Steering
Committee will be steered by the recon-
mendations of the committees of the
Federal Oil Conservation Board; and
the members Of the Federal OIL Conser-
walton Board will be appointed by the
President of the United States. who
thus. however individualistic. will be
also the ultimately responsible produc-
ton planning master OF the American
oil industry.
But there is still another story, with
quite few Illuminating windows in 1t,
to be piled on top of this new edifice
When the 10 principal oh-producing
States have signed their interstate
compact they Will have TO approach
the Congress under the Constitution, to
get constitutional blessing for it. In
other words, 10 States, principally
producing oil, will approach ,38 States
principally consuming oil. and will be
heard to say to them: please let us
form trust to raise the price to you"
That is not the way the 10 States will
outwardly express it. That Is precisely
the way the 38 States will outwardly
and vociferously take it. Under pres
sure, however, from the suffering 10
States, the listening SO States will in
dubitably soon say:
We'll, If we are going to let you re-
strict production, we certainly are go
ing to have something to say about the
price at which you will sell your or
ganized monopolistic output"
Controlled production, it is profoundly
felt here, leads inevitably in the end
to controlled price. Controlled produc-
ton and controlled price together would
transform the oil industry from free
industry into a regulated industry, like
the railroads. There are not wanting
observers here who think that all our
basic natural resource industries will go
that route.
Copyright, 1917
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-04-12
Our Japanese Visitors.

1t is q delightful coincidence that the
season of the cherry blossoms in Wash
ington this year should coincide with
the arrival of pair of distinguished
Japanese visitors. The National Capt.
tai this week is To have the privilege of
entertaining their imperial highnesses,
Prince and Princess Takamatsu. The
prince is the second Oldest brother Of
Emperor Hirohito and is on his way
back to Toxic with his consort after
globe-girdling honeymoon.
The close ties Of the imperial young
couple with the Japanese ruling house
assure them a more than perfunctory
welcome at the hands Of the American
people. Our bond Of friendship with
Nippon derives its strength not only
from those mutual interests OF peace
and commerce, upon which both Japan
and the United States lay 50 much
stress, but also from the boundless hos
pitality which the Japanese Of both high
and low degree proverbially heap upon
all Of our visitors to their shores. If
courtesy and kindliness are native to
any soil the Land Of the Rising Sun is
their heath par excellence.
Prince Takamatsu is a sailor by pro-
fesSion. Official honors will be paid
him following a state dinner at the
White House by the Secretary of the
Navy, and visit to Annapolis Is on
the august japanese guests Washing
ton program. The people at the seat
Of the Federal Government rejoice to
have the opportunity of adding their
"banzais" to the chorus of greeting
which will accompany Prince and
Princess Takamatsu across the United
States.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-04-12

remained fairly generally above the
wage tndex-that Is, prices were high
and wages relatively low. During the
Civil War, for instance. prices. on tia
basis Of 1913 equaling 100, reached a
peak OF IT'S. as high a. they were In
OF only 50--that is, half what they
were In 1913. In the depression Of 1893
prices for a brief period sagged under
wages. both being only about 10 peg
cent OF what they were in 1918. Prices
revived more quickly than wages. how
ever. although the two maintained a.
fairly close relationship until the out~
oreak OF the World War. Then both
began 70 soar to unprecedented figures.
With the advent of the depression
OF ls2o-2l prices came down with q
rush. losing some so points in a year.
but wages were maintained, losing only
from 5 to 10 points. On the recovery
from the 1920-2l depression prices
turned up slightly. but wages turned
up more. Then came the appalling
downward rush of prices in 1880, with
wages holding high until recently
1t Is not expected that wages will
come down enywhere near as far as
prices have but some further decline
seems certain.
Readjustment on Lower Level.
The reasoning back of the Presi-
dents argument that wages should
remain up is the importance Of main
tanning purchasing power in the hands
OF the masses. Anything like a COM
plete return to pre-depression pros
pertty cannot be possible unless the
people have something with which to
buy. Since the Fall Of 1929 some
SO 1000. 10000 have been cut from the
purchasing power Of the people. It In
reflected all along the line. 1t is re-
fiected in the slackneSs OF trade and
in the revenues Of the Federal
Treasury. The 100000, 900 deficit u
chargeable to it.
It is obvious that wages cannot be
maintained unless prices are to be
| kept at a high level. No one can eX-
pect business to be carried on in
definitely at q loss. 1t is equally OBJ
viouS that the Government cannot
pension or insure the people so that
their incomes will remain high while
prices are low, because the only source
OF revenue the Government has Is q
share In the profits Of business. If
there are no profits the Governments
can have no funds to appropriate for
relief.
Things are definitely better, but IL
is dictated. II prices come down wages
must follow. The people will be as
well of, relatively. They win have less
money, but the cost of living will be
less. The only real difference will be
that less money will be handled,
Union wage scales have not been
reduced; indeed, they have been in
creased. Nevertheless, union members
are not benefited by this pnenqrzsnorl,
for the American Federation At Labor
reports 40 per cent OF its members I'M
employed 1t makes little difference
how high the wage scale is If the
! union member Is not working and can
not find work.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-04-12

Tert: abide NTH US, for 1t Is
totOdrd evening, and the day Is far
spent. And He tUent In to tdrrY NTH
them. st. Luke, rTiu.29.
No lesson of the twelvemonth comes
to us with greater power than that
which we have been considering during
the past week. We may get confused
with the many theories and PHILOSOPHERS
Of life, and the Speculations and mega
lions of men may at times unsettle our
faith and leave us in a state where "un-
belief is vacancy" Notwithstanding all
this, and indeed Notwithstanding the
Establishments and disappointments of
life, we turn with fondness to the COM
polling theme which the Easter season
suggests. No one as yet has arisen to
give us a consistent and appealing sub
stitute for it. While the changing cir
cumStances and conditions of life affect
our habits of thinking and living, and
while our views are largely colored by
passing events, there is something in
our human nature that compels us to
turn high hopes and expectancy to the
Easter theme. Youth with its buoyancy,
facing the lengthening trail down which
it hopes to pursue its course, may find
little in this theme that is appealing or
satisfying. Later, when miSfortuneS or
disappointments shadow the path, re-
dectlOn upon the deeper meaning OF NE
drives us to the Great Teacher who
spoke Of life in terms Of Immortality.
When Huxley. the great philosopher
met with a terrible misfortune, he told
his friend, Charles Kingsley, that he
would give all that he possessed II he
had the assurance Of immortality. He
saw in the Master the sublimest ex-
preston Of life the world had known,
and he yearned to follow Him, but the
inhibitions of his mind hindered him.
He could not substitute faith for an
exact knowledge, and he suffered bitter
ness of soul because Of it. Robert In
gersoll at the grave CT his brother, dis
closed his deep yearning when he elo-
ouently declared that the eye seemed
to catch the glimmer OF star. and the
ear TO hear the rustic Of an angels wing.
One cannot but believe that in both
these instances there was secret, II
unexpressed, belief concerning LIES
highest fulfllment.
The poet was right when he said, Man
never Is, but always to be blest." Rea-
son fails us in the presence OF death,
even words of loving sympathy but
serve TO accentuate our grief. One some
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-04-12

oughfare below. The fiuted columns
could be painted with the different COL
ors of the bus lines, gray, red, blue, or,
taking tip from the taxis, pink and
purple, green and scarlet, etc. Escala-
tors, running to the east side of Four
tenth street, would provide easy access
for the bus-riding populace. Somebody
ought to be able to work in an emblem
or so. such as Mercury slapping Apollo
on the wrist.
1t might be better, though, to pre-
serve this colonnade setback as a ter
minal for the Washington, Alexandria
& Mount Vernon Railway, the tracks
to be elevated as far as the bridge, and
put the bus terminal at the Lincoln
Memorial.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-04-12

the district attorney have, perhaps by
some strange legerdemain, produced
witnesses who are quite willing to
testify, showing that there is no lack of
convicting material II the spirit is
strong enough to prompt prosecution.
It may be that the sufferers from this
system of organized extortion have now
no fear of reprisal, with the State itself
at work in investigation and correction.
So long as the rackets were merely a
matter of municipal investigation, with
everybody aware of the system and
nobody disposed to interfere, there was
terror Of punishment for the "Squealer."
The condition OF the business man
who is selected for protection" in a
racket in a city where the police, the
prosecuting officials and the courts are
complacent Is a wretched one. He Is
afraid to protest or to report to the au-
thorities. He knows that he will have
little chance for justice in the courts, If
he should survive the initial proceed
ings. He knows from common under
LOaAiNALiS AL las SOAAiAAluAAiby CAldb OAlC
blackmail Of which he is the victim is
practiced with the full knowledge If
not in fact with the participation of
the police and the higher-ups of the
municipal system. So as a general rule
he pays and charges his assessment"
up to the profit and loss" account or
writes it into his overhead" and passes
it on to the customer. The sixty rackets
in New York admitted by the deputy
district attorney cost the community
vast sum annually, for the money
paid to the racketeers comes eventually
from the consumers.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-04-12
Make Way for the Buses


It Is to be presumed that the bus
terminal established on the street in
front of the Post Office Department.
supplied with four green benches and
white painted lines reserying parking
space for the vehicles, is a temporary
affair II is unreasonable to believe
that the public buildings are TO be uti-
It1ed for bus terminals. or that new
parking regulations cutting down avail
able curb space are IN part designed
10 make more room for the buses. But
It might have been likewise presumed,
IN the beginning, that Washington's
varied assortment Of bus terminals rep
resented temporary nlskeshifts, AS far
as indications 90, they sem to be as
permanent as the Washington Monu-
ment. More 50, perhaps, for it Is rea-
sonable to anticipate that the next re-
form undertaken hereabouts will be to
tear down the Monument to clear the
way for airplanes.
II public buildings are, therefore, to
be used as bus terminals, why not make
a real one? The Post once Building
is old, and was built at a time when the
ltorridecean school Of architecture pre-
dominated. It provides an uniting
Background for modern buses. But
the new Department Of Commerce
Building! Aye. that is something!
A colonnade setback runs for 300 feet
along Fourteenth street. The space be-
tween the pillars and the building is six
or seven feet wide. Ramps might be
constructed. enabling the buses TO run
from the street to the promenade. and
the buses could load and unload with
cut @Surbing traffic on the busy thor
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-04-12
UP FROM DEPRESSION
BY FREDERIC ]. HASKIN.

Business has reached that point
where it is going forward two steps and
back only one. Six months ago the
prime indicators revealed a different
situation. Then business in many lines
went forward one step and back two.
So far this year there has been the
longest stretch in the course Of which
no ground was lost since April, 1880.
Different industries have experienced
different viciSSitudes. Some have shown
marked gains and some marked recess
SionS, but the average level of business
and industrial activity Is far healthier
than it has been for a long time. More
over, an especially hopeful sign of the
times is that the periods Immediately
prior to previous recoveries from de-
preston have been characterized by
just such spottinesS In conditions.
The most careful economists take the
position that this means the depth Of
the depression has been reached. The
depressed period may be Ikened to the
crossing of a valley. One descends q
sharp slope, going deeper and deeper
into the gloom. At length the floor Of
the valley Is reached. This period of
moving along with no signs Of further
receSsions, but an occasional encour-
aging lift, might be compared to the
crossing of the valley floor Every day
which passes marks progress toward the
beginning Of the climb on the other
side which will lead again to the
heights, where the mists Of peSsinism
will be dispelled.
The question which seems TO be ex-
erciSing the working community beyond
all other questions Is that of cuts In
wages. There are sharp differences Of
opinion in the matter. The cold facts
tend to show that, in spite of President
Hoover's recommendations to industrial
leaders against wage cuts, wages are de-
Ginning.
A few employers made slight cuts in
wages back in November, 1929, lust
after the disastrous break in the stock
market Not until Midsummer Of 1880,
however, did these cuts become con-
spicuous. Retrenchments were made at
that time and seemed, for the time
being, to settle matters, but last De-
cember the number of firms cutting
wages increased from about so to nearly
$50. The turn Of the year saw drastic
reductions in pay and they are still
continuing. Two hundred and fifty
firms cut wages in February.
This was inevitable, in view Of the
drastic decline in prices. It was i'm
possible for employers to continue pay-
ing a high level of wages when the
products the workers manufactured
were bringing only fraction Of what
they we're a year or two ago.
Trend of Wages and Prices.
Giving wages and prices an index of
100 for the year 1918. 1t is found that
while at the end Of 1880 the wage in
dex figure was up to nearly $50 the
price index was only 1855. Such q wide
disparity obviously could not long be
maintained.
Between 1860 to 1914 period EN-
bracing the era Of the rise Of mass
production and the development Of the
Machine Age-the index Of prices had
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-04-12
SHOOTING STARS.
BY PHILANDER JOHNSON.
April Day.

April Day.
A CLINT Of smiling.
And a breath Of songl
All care beguiling-
Not fer very long
The sunshine makes its way
Into an April Day.
Clouds dark with sorrow
Bid US keep good cheer.
Rainbow tomorrow
May be drawing near.
Through life must tear drops stray,
AS through an April Day.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-04-12

Demands for more favorable date
fer Inauguration may b. supplemented
by the juvenile population by request
by which Eastertide egg-rolling may be
postponed until a day whose morning
announces a dependable sun2hine.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-04-12

Lisbon once led the earthquake rec
ord. Social upheavals may be even
more dangerous, but the Portuguese
capital seems confident Of its ability to
take its revolutions In moderation.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-04-12
Riyalrous Demonstration.

Railroads are natural monopolies,"
said Farmer Corntassel.
They are having their troubles now"
Yes. They want to moncpolize even
the benefit that may be derived from a
hard luck story"
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-04-12
Worldwide Discussion of
Wheat Problem Now On
BY HARDEN COLFAX.

The world continues to search for a
way out of the situation brought about
by the surplus of grain, particularly
wheat.
When the international wheat con-
ference in Rome adjourned, it had dis
agreed on various matters. 1t approved,
however, certain measures of relief. The
delegates agreed to initiate and push
propaganda to increase consumption,
both in countries where wheat is al
ready consumed and in those where, as
yet, it is consumed only in small guam
titles. They decided also to use per-
SuaSion and educational propaganda"
among farmers in all the countries rep
resented TO persuade them to reduce the
acreage sown TO wheat. A resolution
was adopted recommending that gov
ernments in countries principally agri
cultural arrange for short-term loans
to farmers.
Finally, a decision was made to call
another conference of wheat-producing
countries at London on May 10 to for
mulate some plan for dealing with
new harvest and the stocks that have
now accumulated.
Other world meetings to discuss the
wheat surplus will assemble shortly. The
Latin American countries are planning
to send delegates to Buenos Aires in
June The situation in Argentina is
reported as increasing in seriousness.
The prices of corn are so low that
movement Is reported TO have been
started to burn some of this crop as
fuel in factories and electric light plants.
The representative of the United States
Department Of Commerce at Buenos
Aires has Just cabled Washington that
he Argentine government has responded
favorably to a request by the Argentine
wheat pool that assistance be given by
foreign representatives of its govern
ment in cultivating the export market
for Argentine wheat. The representa-
tives abroad are instructed TO get into
direct consultation with the larger mill
ers in other countries, including the
United States.
The provinces OF the Dominion of
Canada will confer over wheat with Sir
Josiah Stamp, the British induStrialiSt,
economist and banker, who arrived in
Canada on Thursday as head of a
government commission to investigate
the sale of grain futures The Sixth
Congress of the International Chamber
of Commerce, which meets in Wash
ington May 6, will consider the over
production of all kinds of agricultural
products.
Finally, early in September, it is now
announced, there will be an inter-
American conference on agriculture,
forestry and animal industry held in
Washington, for the broad discussion
and examination of the problems of
agriculture that affect or are common
to the two CONDIMENTS" This will be
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-04-12

Occasional remarks by seasoned
statesmen imply doubt as to whether
the eighteenth amendment is to figure
as a vital campaign issue or only as
something to talk about.