davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-02-27
Masters Lincoln Neither
Necessary Nor Helpful

To the Editor of The Star:
I wish to protest against the follow
ing statement made by Mr.. Charles e.
Tracewell in an article which appeared
in The Evening Star Of February "a,
namely, that such books as Lincoln
the Man (by Edgar Lee Masters) are
helpful and necessary"
Mr.. Tracewell has admitted that
Scarcely once in the 500 pages has
he a word Of praise for his subject.
Nothing that Lincoln was, or did, or
said, 1t seems. was worth much"
fail to see why such a book is either
helpful" or necessary" or why it
should receive anything but condemna-
ton from those of us who appreciate
justice.
Among the lives of statesmen can
any life be cited which was more I'M
selfish than was the life of Abraham
Lincoln? Is there a greater example
of success despite serious handicaps, or
is there a more worthy example of
fair play toward his fellow men?
Has any man upon reaching an
exalted position retained a greater de-
gree of simplicity and humility than
did Abraham Lincoln? Again, Is there
a greater example of such courage as
he displayed when he signed the
Emancipation Proclamation?
Is there any more notable example
of fidelity to duty than President Lin
coin showed during the dark period
of the Civil War?
Did any man in public Office ever
make appointments with less concern
for personal advantage?
In this age, when nobility of char
acter is not too much in evidence, are
we not permitted to revere the mem
DRY Of such noble, unselfish charac-
ter as that of President Lincoln? II
so. fail to see in what way Mr.. Mas
ter's book, Lincoln the Man." can be
helpful" to us.
CLARA BOYNTON HADLEY.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-02-27

some one who swayed to dangerous
music, unafraid," concludes the Signal.
Down comes the spangle from the
big top" is the way the Jersey Jour
nal puts it. Some day." - it
continues, Lillian Leitzel, billed as the
worlds premier woman aerialist, had
been wont to say lightly, yet gravely,
as she prepared to go aloft to swing
round and round by her hand and per-
form other sensational and breath-tak-
ing stunts for the admiration of thou
sands. Performing in Copenhagen, Miss
Leltzel fell. The some day she fatal
lstlcally toasted had come" deplores the
Journal.
Noting that no life net was ever
spread below her trapeZe and that Miss
Leitzel had explained concerning this
fact that a life net would make Aes
Keats seem tame to the spectators" the
Milwaukee Sentinel remarks: Crowds
nave not changed much since the DAYS
OF the Roman circus. In America we
ban bullfghtS out of compassion for
bulls, but we approve with our patron
age automobile races, airplane stunt
ing and Miss Leitzel's kind of death de-
nance. The sweet-faced, charming
woman was a sacrifice to the mob
the mob that will not pay admission If
the life net is spread"
Says the Little Rock Arkansas Demo-
crat, And so there passed on the
beautiful queen of the flying rings the
girl whose picture upon the wondrous
posters on cotton gin, blacksmith shop,
smoke house and the towns first garage
won the hearts of countless millions of
barefoot boys and excited the envy of
as many tiny sisters"
After all, 1t is back in the small
towns where Lillian Leitzel will be
missed most" thinks the st. Louis
Post-Dispatch. mot that the cities did
not know and admire her, for they did.
In cities, however," continues this pa
per, the dainty trapeze artist would
play week of vaudeville during the
Winter and pass on, other acts to take
her place. But back in the small towns,
though the furious whirls of the giant
alf-f1ange' lasted only q few breath
less seconds, her coming spread out over
the whole Summer time
An iron ring" recalls the San Fran
cisco Chronicle, lone thing SO simple
to look to that it was the one thing
neglected, broke upon her hand. Thus
the failure Of a mere appliance brought
an end to the career that Miss Ieitzel
had achieved by almost incredible mas
terry over muscle and mind" The
youngstown Vindicator lauds "the self
command which kept her constantly in
condition to perform feats too difficult
and dangerous for others to perform
Pointing to the fact that 1.-THE people
of the circus knew a different side of
Miss Leitzel," that paper continues:
They who knew her best admired her
most: They loved her for her kindness
and her pleasant ways"
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-02-27
rom the St. Paul Pioneer Press.

from the St. Paul Pioneer Press
During the past 10 years the general
trend of population in America was
from the farm to the city. There is
now evidence to show. however, that
the tide of this migration toward towns
is at its full, and, indeed, is beginning
to ebb.
Signs that the enormous farm exodus
of the past decade may be at an end
are seen in the recent announcement
of the Federal Department Of Agricul-
ture that in the last two years it has
received more letters than usual from
urban residents seeking information on
making change from city to country
life.
Many of these communications are
from persons who came from the coun-
try originally and worked in the city,
but who are now out of job and wish
to return to the land. The statement
by the department officials that this
type of individual is returning to the
farm only temporarily is of considerable
significance. 1t indicates that as soon
as business picks up again in the in
dustrial centers the returned farmer
contemplateS going back to city life.
This country-city seeSaw Is familiar
to agricultural economists, who recog-
nize in the movement of population
from farms to cities and from cities
back to farms reflection of the peri
odic change in the conditions of agri-
culture and of general business.
According to data compiled by the
Federal Department of Agricultural
Economics, when there is money in
farming" there is a smaller shift to
the cities, but when there is mo money
in farming" the farmer HES himself to
the industrial centers, where he hopes
to replenish his earnings. Similarly,
the movement from cities back to the
country Is greater in years of dull bust
ness conditions and smaller in years of
plentiful employment.
Charts prepared by the Bureau of
Agricultural Economics illustrate clear
ly the interrelationship between agri-
culture and business and reveal its
distinct Seesaw. They show that, in
1925, when farm incomes were high the
movement to the cities was low. In
1926, however, farm incomes were low
and migration was heavy into the cities.
A similar comparison between in
dustrial activity and the back to the
farm" trend also reveals an inverse re-
lationship. During the years 1925 and
1926, in which industrial employment
and wage earnings we're relatively high,
smaller numbers of people moved back
to the country. Whereas during 1924,
1927 and 1923, when business activity
was not at so high level, the move
ment away from the cities was larger.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-02-27
The Blaine Bills.

The Blaine bills, three in number
and designed to prevent fraud in real
estate and securities transactions, have
been before Congress for more than a
year. The Senate passed one of them
the real estate licensing law, during the
long session and completed action on
the two others, the so-called blue sky
bill and the bill regulating mortgage
foreclosures, within the last two weeks
Within the last few days the House
District Committee has taken up the
measures, reported the real estate IL
censing bill, and now, with five working
days left before the adjournment OF
Congress, is engaged in one of those
periods of pickering over principles that
is more than apt to result in doing
nothing with the two remaining.
The Star still believes that the terms
of the mortgage foreclosure bill are I'M
duly drastic, that the bill will accom-
pish little to protect the interests OF
property owners, especially those prop
erty owners who fail to use ordinary
common sense in purchases of real es-
tate, and there is plenty of ground for
the fear expressed by opponents Of this
measure that many honest and repu-
table dealers will suffer unnecessarily
because Of the attempts of few TO de-
fraud.
But The Star also believes that ample
time has already been allowed for care
full consideration and meditated dis
cuSsion between the opponents and
proponents of all the legislation in
volved. There are unfortunate thou
sands Of members of this community,
dependent upon Congress for legisla-
tive safeguards not now existing, who
have been made the victims of I'M
principled and unlawful deals in real
estate and securities. 1t is impossible
to believe that the members of the
House are at this late date to assume the
position that more study" is necessary,
and that such study can be made in
time for legislative remedies at the
next session" of Congress. 1t has been
the next session" Of Congress for a
good many years. Proposals for the
protection embodied in the Blaine bills
were made to Congress before Senator
Blaine ever came TO the Senate. The
House should pass two Of the bills, at
least. and If necessary hold up or amend
the mortgage foreclosure measure. But If
sacrificing one means sacrificing all,
the three of them should be passed at
once. If the laws are too drastic, I'M
workable, unfair or unsound and fail
to accomplish their purpose, the time
for amending or repeal will arrive with
another Congress. This business of
further delay is inexcusable and moth
ing short Of disgraceful
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-02-27
Loss of a Public Servant,

Under ordinary circumstances a pub
lie official who is offered higher salary
and greater opportunity for advance
ment by private interests is wholly
justified in resigning his job as public
official and making the new connection.
1t is done every day, and the inability
of the Government to compete with
private industry in the matter of SAL
aries paid higher executives is tradi-
tional.
In the case of the gas company,
which has hired the chief engineer of
the District Public Utilities Commission
at higher salary, there are unusual
circumstances apparent to everybody.
The engineer had just completed an in
vestigation for the Public Utilities Com
mission which pointed out the failure
of the gas company tn abide by pres
sure regulations. with resultant dangers
and waste. AS result Of the report,
the Public Utilities Commission. and
the peoples counsel, spurred on by an
extraordinary dissatisfaction on the
part of the consuming public over the
size of gas bills, have undertaken fur
Their investigation of the gas eempany's
practices. And in the midst Of the
investigation the announcement is made
that the engineer, who has been pro-
tecting the interests Of the public, will
henceforth devote his services to pro-
tecting the interests of the gas COM
pany, at higher salary.
The engineer has fine professional
reputation. The duty of the Public
Utilities Commission Is clear. Gen.
Patrick has already stated formally that
the investigation now under way will in
no wise be lessened or affected by the
loss of its chief engineer. Another man
should be sought who can fill the vacant
post and whose professional skill will
assure the public of as much protection
as the gas company is able to buy.
The public is not concerned so much
now with the promises by the gas COM
pany of better service or better contact
with the customers as it is in finding
out what steps are being taken by the
gas company to comply with the Pub
lie Utilities Commissions regulations;
what penalty the Public Utilities Com
mission proposes to assess the gas COM
pany for violation of its pressure regu-
lations; why gas bills, with ostensibly
lower rates, are causing an extraordinary
number of complaints, and whether
these ostensibly low rates are in reality
as low as they should be. These ques-
tons are being asked, and they must be
answered.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-02-27
THIS AND THAT
BY CHARLES E. TRACEWELL.

Provided, of course, that we have
rain.
The lawn. more than any other gar
den feature, is dependent upon plenty
Of water No growing thing so loves
the rain as does the grass, whose root
system Is constructed to take in as
much of it as possible.
Everything depends upon the rain.
| Somehow it soothes one to say 1t over
and over, as if the admission of this
dependence could somehow soothe the
wounded pride of the rain-god.
X Is
Gardeners everywhere are taking adj
vantage of the mild days-or so they
we're when this was written-to do
| other tasks, too.
Such days are ideal for transplant
| ing roSebushes.
Those who find it possible to move
their bushes, II they have that desire,
will get great jump on the season.
1t cannot hurt the bush, and will do
it good, in that such transplanting will
occur days before the leaf buds begin
to appear.
1t is much better to move roses before
the buds come out. In this way there
is no shock to the bush, as an integral
system.
Once the buds are out, they become
the chief concern of the mysterious in
| telligence Of the entire bush. The root
system may suffer when the leaf buds
become the center of life.
While. the plants are still dormant,
however. a bush can be moved in such
a way that its entire recourses are con-
centrated on the roots, which thereby
get in good shape to do their full duty
when Spring really comes.
1t is difficult to secure plants now,
and somewhat hazardous to order them,
since freezing weather might develop
transplant such stock as one may have
in the garden and may desire to move
from one place to another.
Iris, now sticking its green leaves
through the soil, can be moved splen-
didly at this time. 1t will not be neces-
sary to give it any water upon NOV
| ing. RosebuShes, on the other hand.
should be watered copiously if trans
planted This applies also to shrubs
| and evergreenS.
This is a good time for judicious
pruning. In this regard note on tree
trimming may be in order. Few tree
| owners themselves should attempt this
work, for few know much about it. and
| the work Is hazardous to one who Is
not used to much climbing.
Some tree trimming is merely tree
butchery. If this work is done. COM
mon sense would dictate that it be done
by some one who knows something
about it, which limbs to cut off, and
how to treat the cuts.
One of the saddest sights in a great
city is to see a tree or maybe a num-
Der Of trees which have suffered at the
hands of some tree butcher. Useless
limbs had better be left on than hacked
off without rhyme or reason.
4 4
The birds are beginning to return to
the garden, too; SO one has plenty Of
company. Cardinals strike new notes,
a cross between a rusty barn door
hinge and boys whistle. 1t is an in
teresting and not unpleasing sound.
The blue jays are back again. Strange
sounds come from the big oaks down
the street. There is such a twittering
and cheeping as only small brown birds
can produce. Visions of strange lands
come with them. Spring must be on
its way.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-02-27

which makes them mad, or will do the
wrong thing tomorrow, which will make
them madden. They spend so much
time bothering about what has hap
pened or will happen that they have
worked themselves into q fever by be-
lieving that 1t really makes some diff
ference.
Every time I see them looking
through the glass I feel sort of glad
that I am nothing but snake. Nobody
believes I am anything but a snake,
and nobody wants me to be anything
but a snake. And as for the new reptile
house, think it is lovelyl
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-02-27

Spring fever" begins officially when
you see houSeholderS out in the yard
with a rake.
This year the disease has its incep-
ton in February. an exceptionally early
month, not duplicated in this vicinity
for several years.
No doubt those with rakes were
rushing the season." but surely not
one of them worried about that.
Too early to plant grass seed?
Well, maybe Yet If the softer
weather should continue, a great start
would be secured for the gardening
year of 1881.
There is nothing like getting a good
start, either in foot race or in garden
ing.
Not only is there personal satisfac-
ton in it, but one secures so much
beauty so much ahead of the crowd.
X X
II 1t impossible to divest gardening
of the competitive note.
We have urged the necessity Of tax
ing gardening out of competition for
seven full years, but here and now, in
1881, we confess a fiat failure.
AS long as man is man everything he
does must be competitive, to a more or
less degree.
If we cannot compete in any other
way most of us do it in our own minds.
We want to better our best" what
ever that means.
We mean to outdo what we did last
yer, or even to better what we propose
to do next year.
Let us forget about progress. for the
time being, and, accepting the sun
shiny day with its so degrees, begin to
turn over the old leaves
1t is not new leaf we turn over, in
the garden, at this time of year. but
literally the old leaves, the ones that in
some marvellous manner have not been
all blown away by the winds.
Perhaps the lack of wind has had
something to do with this. 1t is not
generally recognized that the silver lin
ing to the drought situation lies in
lack
There has been a lack of thunder
and lightning. acceptable to many, and
there has been lack Of strong winds,
also pleasing to some.
Also, there has been a paucity of
floods, but that goes without saying, OF
course.
Turning over the old leaves in a gar
den is necessary task which gives a
certain satisfaction.
They have to be removed sometime.
One ought to wrap up closely, how
ever, for this is not Spring. after all,
even though it may seem so, by con-
traSt, at least.
The chest and back should be well
covered.
Perhaps the best way to garden at
this season, always treacherouS, is to
do little at time
Most people will make a mistake to
spend too much time in the garden
now.
Reserve the hours for April. May, and
so on. Let such gardening as is done
now be in half-hour stretches, even If
little can be accomplished.
This is a warning of conservatism:
so If you get laid up by cold, don't
blame us.
X X x
Surely a yard looks nice, after it is
raked, and the old leaves have been
removed, and the gray look disappears.
Then such green grass as there is
present seems multiplied twofold 1t
gives provision, as it were, of the way
it will appear in July.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-02-27
ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
BY FREDERIC ]. HASKIN.

What Is your question? Whatever
it may be, unless 1t be a request FOR
legal, medical or financial advice, it
will be answered without cost TO you
and you will receive the reply in a
personal letter. Write your question
clearly and briefly, inclose 2-cent stamp
for return postage and address The
Evening Star Information Bureau.
Frederic J. Haskin, director, Wash
ington, D. G.
O. Which can go faster, a man on
roller skates or one on ice skates9-
M. P. H.
A. The ice skating record is better.
The roller skating record for one-half
mile is l minute 20 As seconds; ice
skating, l minute and 13 seconds.
O. Are more passengers lost at sea
or on trains?-P. S.
A. About 100000 passengers are
carried on vessels subject to inspec-
ton for one passenger lost. On rail-
roads 100000 are carried to one lost.
O. Has Lindbergh ever had to take
to a parachute while fiying?-M. w. D.
A. Lindbergh has made four emer-
gency parachute jumps.
O. What became of the Monitor
anu IIlc MeTTlLldC !-E. ..
A. The Monitor was lost in q gale
of Cape Hatteras December 81, 1862;
the Merrimac was sunk by her captain
after the Federal troops gained con-
troll Of Norfolk on May 8, 1862.
@. Must revenue bills and appropri-
alton bills originate in the House of Rep
resentatives of our CongreSs?-S. M K
A. The Constitution provides that all
70 ~ h.
House of Representatives. 1t is Gus
tomary for appropriation bills TO orig
mate there also. This, however, Is not
necessary.
@. How is the Holy Land governed
at the present time?-A. j. F.
A. Palestine is governed by a gov
ernor general appointed by the British
crown under mandate awarded to
Great Britain by the League of Ma
lions.
O. Has a parasite been found which
will exterminate the japanese beetle?-
P. B.
A. The Department of Agriculture
says that this problem has been given
attention since 1920, and at last one
seems effective. Tiphia popilliavora
was one of the first parasites intro
OuCCQ anu OIlc WHICH gave llGJle PROM
Use at first. After slow start, how
ever, it is now increasing rapidly and
gives much promise as an important
factor in the biological control of the
japanese beetle. This parasite is par
ticularly well adapted for use In the
natural control of the Japanese beetle
because it is specific parasite of this
pest in its native land, and in this
country this tendency is preserved.
c. Where did the Polynesian women
come from who went with the mu-
tineers of H. M. S. Bounty to live on
Pitcairn Island?-M K.
A. After the mutiny, Christian, who
had taken charge Of the ship Bounty,
returned to Tahiti and remained there
10 days. When the vessel put to sea
Tahitian men, IL women and boys
were aboard the vessel and they beg
ged TO remain. Others were taken
aboard after visits to islands in the
vicinity.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-02-27

c. How many children in the United
States are especially smart?-L. @. H.
A. There are about 100000 espe-
cially gifted children in the country.
@. How old is ST. John Ervine, the
English dramatist?-G. w, L.
A. st. John IRVINE will be 4S during
! 1881.
O. Should a person knock before
r. l.. B.
A. The door is opened without knock
ing.
Q. How old is Seth Parker?-v B.
A. Phillips H. Lord, who created the
| character of Seth Parker, II az years
old.
@. Where is the largest closed audi
torium in America?-F. H.
A. The new Convention Hall in At
lantic City is the largest in the world.
The seating capacity in the main au-
ditorium is 10000. This includes SO, 900
on the floor and stage and 10000 in the
| balcony.
@. Who was the sculptor of the Lion
of Lucerne"?-E. NJ. B.
A. The Lion of Lucerne" was copied
from q model by Bertel Thorwaldsen,
artist was named Ahorn. The statue
was dedicated in 1921. The lion was
| ch1Seled out of solid rock as memorial
To the Swiss guards who died in heroic
| defense of the Tuileries.
O. Can you tell me the length of
Brownings poem, The Ring and the
Book"?-R. B.
A. The Ring and the Book" consists
Of 2o,934 lines.
O. Who is restoring Robert E. Lees
early home?-M. j. b
A. 1t is the intention of the Daugh-
terS OF the Confederacy TO restore
d-on-the-Potomac, the birth
place of Robert E. Lee It Is said to be
the largest mansion in the State Of
Virginia and is the only example of
this particular old English type of home
in America. 1t was built in 1929 and
1880.
c. What is barnyard golf?-L. N.
A. This name Is given In Jest to
horseshoe pitching.
Q. Are wooden materials for mems
suits much lighter for Spring wear7-
J. S. NJ.
A. In the worsted and wooden trade
the weight per yard is usually based on
the area 81 by So inches. The average
weight of mems Winter suitings is now
about 10 ounces-with the Spring
woolens less than 10 ounces.
@. At what hour is the changing Of
the guard at the Kings palace?- A.
A. The changing of the guard at
Buckingham Palace, England, is a col
orful event, largely on account of the
brilliant uniforms of the picked troops
which comprise the Royal Guard The
change is a ceremony every day when
the sovereign is in residence, at 1890
am, and is accompanied by music
from one of the various guard bands.
@. What is a heart nut?-N. c.
A. 1t Is variation Of the japanese
walnut. 1t can be raised in this coun-
try; The tree has large, almost tropical
looking foliage and the nut is heart
| shaped, smooth, brown in color and u
OF excellent quality, having a flavor
closely resembling our butternut.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-02-27

Political alignmentS in the U. S. A.
are viewed from many standpoints. Ac-
cording 10 prohibition research the vot-
ing public Is divided into vets" snd
"dTys." In far-off italy many regard
the important distinction as defined as
"Faseist" or "anti-FasciSt." In the course
Of events the familiar designations
Democratic" and Republican" will be
preserved In all their accustomed prom
3nence.