davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1931-11-29
RADIO COMMISSION
CHARGES VIOLATION
Holds Recent Contracts Executed
by R. G. A. and Mackay Co.
Are Unlawful.

Allegations that he Radio Corpora
ton Of America, by reason Of it's recent
contract with the Western Union for
pickup and delivery service, and the
Mackay Radio Telegraph Co, because
of its inter- corporate relations with the
International Telephone g. Telegraph
Co, are violating the radio law, are
made by the Federal Radio Commission
IN a pleading filed with the Court of
Appeals of the District of Columbia.
Section II Of the radio act which
prohibits the merging of wire and wire
less companies engaged in external
trade, but, on the other hand, provides
for strict competition, is the provision
which the commission invokes in asking
permission of the court to reopen the
whole continental shortwave contro-
versy. This case, involving the use of
the limited number of available con-
tinental shortwaves for point-to-point
service in this country competitive with
wire lines, has dangled before the court
for three years
The legality" and ''propriety" Of the
wire wireless relations of both of the
companies, which were successful in the
court litigation growing out Of the
original shortWave allocationS. is Ques-
toned by the commission. Moveover,
demands of other services utilizing radio,
such as aviation, for these same facili-
ties. should be considered, the commits
sion holds, adding that further investi-
CATION through hearings is essential TO
present o complete and adequate pie
ture Of the present needs Of these COM
pa0ieS.
Evening star., 1931-11-29

all the others, is broken down by
counties and cities. 1t shows that
Cook County, which embraces
Chicago, had 640,762 of 92,457
homes, or GAG per cent, equipped
with radios. Chicago's suburban
communities, like Oak Park, Elm
hurst, Winnetka, Wilmette, Elm
wood Park, Evanston, Forest Park,
Highland Park, LAGRANGE and
others, all consistently revealed
more than 70 per cent of their
homes with radio.
In the proportion of it's homes
having radios, Illinois now ranks
fifth, its 55.6 per cent coming
under New jerseys 63.4, New
York's 67.8, Massachusetts 57.6
and Rhode Islands ST..
HERES another convience of the
i l. acoustical arts no less inter
esting than the microphone that
Is placed alongside baby's crib to
warn the family via loudSpeaker
in the living or dining room when
baby should awaken. 1t is a
gadget contrived by Greenwich,
Conn, estate owner, who has been
having trouble with his dogs
barking in the night and waking
the neighborhood.
The kennels being some distance
from the house, he installed a
microphone at his bedside and
amplif1ers and loud speakers in
the dog houses. Now gentle ad-
monition from the bed room be-
comes a crisp commanding shout
in the canine apartments, and the
hounds, hearing their masters
unmistakable voice, cover and
quickly Subside.
o. H. Caldwell, the former
Federal radio commissioner, re-
ports still another electronic con-
venience. Gates in bridle-pathS
have always been troublesome to
open and close for riders on
horseback. They must dismount
or whell their horses through
awkward gyrations as they swing
the gate open and then must shut
it from the other side.
A horse-lover has solved all this
with the help of a photoelectric
cell. When he canters up to the
gate the shadow of his horse
operates a relay and motor
mechanism which opens the gate
for a few seconds and then auto
matically closes it 10 seconds after
the shadow is removed.
Evening star., 1931-11-29
Behind the Microphone
BY THE RADIO EDITOR.

Synchronization on a clear chan
mel. Stations WHO, DeS MoineS,
and woo, Davenport, Iowa, are
also operating on a SynchroniZed
basis. The latter, however, have
been granted $4,000 watts, and it
is likely they will shortly abandon
experimentation in favor of high
power.
ONLY the report for the third
~ of the big three among the
American States having 100000
or more of their homes equipped
with radios remains to be issued
to complete the United States
Census Bureaus first census of
American radio. The Illinois re-
port was made available this week
close on the heels of that for
New York, and the report for
Pennsylvania will be issued some
time next week. Pennsylvania S
radiozed homes, like those of New
York and Illinois, will number
we'll over 100000.
New York leads all the At
States thus far reported in the
total of it's homes equipped with
radios, and Illinois is in second
place. 1t is expected that Penn
Sylvania will nose out Illinois for
second place, and that PennSyl-
vania will bring the total for the
whole country to around 12,500,-
600. The figure will be as of April
l, 1880, when the count was taken,
or 20 months ago. The total has
increased substantially in the
interim, especially in view of the
continuingly large sales of midget
sets.
Where New York reported that
1929, ,123 of it's 3,162,118 homes. or
57.8 per cent, had radios as of 20
months ago, Illinois shows that
1,075,134 of it's 1,934,445 homes,
or 55.6 per cent, had radios. New
York's average number of persons
per family was 4, so that it's total
audience was estimated at 1885,
492. Illinois average number of
persons per family was 39, so that
it's total audience was estimated
at 4,192,025.
The Illinois radio census, like
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-09-06
HARDY HYDRANGEAS

The large Powered hardy hydrangea,
Paniculata grancifora, Is not UP to its
usual standard Of beauty this year, hav-
ing apparently suffered more than most
plants from the effects Of last Sum-
mer's drought. Ordinarily this species
is very conspicuous feature on many
lawns and is often used as Towering
hedge on large estates. The wood Is
soft and pithy and apparently requires
an abundant supply of water to keep 1t
In thrifty condition. DR.. Bailey in his
Cyclopedia of Horticulture tells us that
there are about 35 species OF hydrangea,
more than 20 Of which occur in China
A few of the species are climbing vines
but most of them are shrubs. DR.
Bailey adds that the hydrangeas are
easily propagated by cuttings of half
ripened wood placed under glass or by
hardwood cuttings, layers, suckers or
division of large plants. Since the
hydrangeas rarely set seed, this form OF
propagation is negligible.
In order to secure large Towering
heads the. plants should be pruned Sc
verely each Spring to induce strong new
shoots at the terminals of which are
carried the flowers. Needless to add
the plants need tillage and fertilizing
in order TO attain their best. The
hydrangea is peculiarly free of insect
pests and plant disease troubles and is
for this reason an exceptionally good
home garden plant.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-09-06
CABBAGE WORMS

At this season of the year cabbages
may be literally riddled with holes
eaten out by the destructive larva or
young of the imported cabbage butter
fly. In addition to actual damage it is
highly disagreeable 10 find several of
the greeniSh worms in the cabbage
head when preparing 1t for the table
The caterpillars when full grown are
OF soft velvety green and about ar
inch in length. Their color rather
closely resembles that of the cabbage
making it rather difficult 70 see them.
busting with a mixture of nine parts
Of hydrated lime and one part of
powdered arsenate of lead is an effec-
tive treatment.
Relative to the hazard Of using
arsenicals, DR.. H. T. Fernald in his APP
piled Entomology" makes the follow
ing statement: If treatment is needed
after the heads are half grown, they
may be busted with pyrethrum, though
the danger of poisoning them by the
use Of arsenate of lead is practically
none"
1t is likely that pyrethrum soaps now
sold as insecticides would be even more
effective than the pyrethrum powder.
The cabbage butterfly is harmless
looking insect, indeed rather attractive
as 1t fits to and fro over the garden
seeking apparently for plants of the
cabbage family upon which to deposit
its eggs. But its potential capacity for
wrecking the cabbage crop is tremen-
dous. One difficulty in controlling the
pest Is that 1t thrives on various crucif-
erouS weeds, such as mustard, which
are abundant everywhere.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-09-06
THE GARDEN CLUBS

With September there comes a re-
vival of activity in the garden clubs.
According to the August number OF
the Neighborhood News, Woodbridge
Garden Club members are taking the
leadership in the lawn and garden con-
test fostered by the Northeast Subur-
ban Bicentennial Committee. The ter
ritory covered now includes the area
lying between Fourteenth street north
east and the District line in one direc-
ton, and between Bunker Hill road and
the Pennsylvania Railroad. Prizes to-
falling 500 in value are to be awarded.
Preliminary judging is to be done by
local horticulturiStS who will select the
IS best places, these to be finally rated
bv board of outside judges. To ia
cilitate the preliminary judging the en-
tire area has been subdivided into three
districts, in charge of Mrs. C. j. Bovine,
DR.. r. j. Haskell and L. M. Clark, re-
spectively. In making up the score card
20 points were assigned to artistic ap-
pearance from the street, to tree space.
is to paintings, 25 to lawn, front and
side; 10 to condition Of house and
other improvements, and 25 to the back
yard. Lawn and garden contests are
not new to Woodbridge, having been
conducted there with marked success
during the past few years, but this is
the first time that Woodbridge has tied
in with a District-wide contest.
The regular monthly meeting OF the
Burleith Garden Club was held August
20 at the home of the secretary, Miss
Grace Hodges. All those interested In
the Burleith garden contest were urged
to bring or send in photographs. The
September meeting is to be held at the
home of Mrs. Leroy valentine, 372S
street.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-09-06
Plane Loses Wheel in Air.

While an airplane of the London
auxiliary bombing squad was flying
above Lympne, England, those ON the
ground saw a wheel of the machine
drop off without the knowledge of the
flyers. A second machine went up and
warned Flying Officer Thyme and Air
Gunner Russell of the mishap. Thyme
climbed to 5000 feet to enable Russell
to descend by parachute, but Russell re-
fused to desert the plane. On landing
the. machine somersaulted and was
badly damaged, but neither man was
injured,
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-09-06
GARDEN NOTES

Maintaining cultivation under con-
ditions Of daily rainfall is quite be-
yond the question. Withal the benefit
Of cultivation lies principally in weed
suppression and in heavy clay soil in
aeration of the soil.
Saliva Is an extremely rapid growing
plant at this time of year, developing
almost over night, as it were. The sal
via is a short day plant and is now
approaching its most favorable time of
year, a fact which probably accounts in
part for the squirt in growth.
Weeds have thrived under the moist
condition, making it necessary not only
to pull them. but also to pile them where
they can not again take root.
Heavy rains have Softened the soil
to such an extent that tall plants, such
as cosmos and dahlias, are liable 10
topple with the first real wind. This in
dictates the need of stakes. Many
dahlia specialists place the stakes at the
time of planting the tubers and the
plant may be tied SO as to practically
conceal the stake. A label bearing the
name of the variety may be attached
directly to the stake.
For many years American gardeners
struggled in an attempt to grow the or
binary types Of garden spinach in Mid
summer and only succeeded in rare
seasons when the climate was cool.
Finally there was secured from Australia
spinach-like plant commonly known
as New Zealand spinach, but Of an
absolutely different family and with an
adaptability to hot weather. Now in
many sections this new plant Is grown
in Midsummer to the exclusion of or
binary spinach. New Zealand spinach
may be cut again and again if only
a portion of the fresh young shoots are
taken.
Another very fair Summer green IS
Swiss chard, especially the leaf mid
ribs with the remainder discarded.
Served with plenty of butter, these mid
ribs make a really attractive vegetable
described by some as equal to aspara-
gus.
Over 1000 acres Of tomatoes are now
grown in New Jersey simply for the
production of tomato juice, product
the popularity of which has risen re-
markedly in the last few years to the
detriment of orange and other fruit
juices. The tomato had quite long
uphill pull to reach its present position
in the American diet, where it is now
securely intrenched. Not much more
than a century ago the tomato was
grown only as an ornamental.
other native American vegetables,
such as the white and sweet potatoes,
sweet corn and squash, were not so
slow in gaining the esteem of the early
colonists. possibly because they were
utilized to a greater extent by the In
dians.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-09-06

also Of the grape juice and grape pre-
serve industry. 1t is really remarkable
that one variety of fruit can fill such
an important position. For many years
it was thought that the Concord was
purely American-Vitis labruSca. the
fox grape of the Northeastern States
but it is now believed that croSs-p ollina-
ton must have brought some European
blood to the Concord perhaps not much,
but enough to improve the quality above
the native wild grapes.
Ephreim Bull, the discoverer Of the
Concotd grape, never reaped any profit
from 1t. In fact, history tells us that
he died IN rather distressing circum-
stances. Under the new-plant patent
amendments it would be fully possible
for an originator like Ephraim Bull to
secure a moderate return for his en-
deavor The only drawback to the
proposition is that it often takes sew
eral years to popularize an excellent
variety, particularly without extensive
advertising, and it is fully within posi-
bilities that the originator might be too
late in reaping rewards.
To return to the Concord grape, rea-
sons for its popularity rest in excel
lent quality, fruitfulness, and sturdy
vigor. The berries do not shatter-that
Is, drop from the cluster readily-and
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-09-06
PEAT MOSS

Under the caption, THE Use Of Peat
in Horticulture" the August number
of the British journal of the Ministry
OF Agriculture" presents reliable dis
cusSion Of this comparatively new
horticultural product. Large deposits
Of peat are said to exist in various
countries in the Northern Hemisphere,
notably Germany, Scandinavia, Russia,
the United States, and Canada. How
ever all peatS are not alike, differing
according to the original vegetation
from which derived and in stage of dis
Indignation. Sphagnum peats have
been utilized the most for horticultural
purposes. Germany contains the larg-
est deposits of sphagnum peat. and
there the peat-producing industry has
attained large proportions. The raw
peat is dried, shredded and passed over
revolving screens that g-anulate it into
smooth-teXtured product. Consider
able quantities of this are exported to
the United States. Fresh peat Is said
to be Of greatest use in modifying the
texture of heavy and exceptionally
Light soils and not in adding fertility.
Peat added to sand has been of benefit
in propagation of cuttings and is also
useful for potting bulbs. In the garden
peat has proved valuable for mulching
plants. thereby checking weed growth,
preventing the rapid evaporation of
water from the soil and protecting the
plants from freezing and thawing
injury.
As source of plant food peat should
be first composted with manure and
soil and commercial fertilizer. In such
a pile decomposition proceeds rapidly
and in a few months one has an ac-
emulation Of effective fertilizer ma
terial.
Home gardeners should not make the
mistake of assuming that peat moss in
itself is an all-around fertilizer. 1t is
true that peat moss contains consider
able quantities of potential nutrients.
but these must be first broken down
into available forms, and in the break
ing down process may use some of the
available nitrates in the soil, thereby
temporarily decreasing fertility. Lately
there have appeared on the market GER
tain proprietary forms of peat moss
impregnated with fertilizjng ingredients.
These should be much more useful than
the fresh peat alone.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-09-06

Of the leaves from cuttings, some inter-
esting evidence was recently presented
by the Iowa State College. Where all
foliage was cut away from coleus cut
tings practically all died. Under favor
able growing circumstances the rate and
amount of root growth was directly cor
related with the amount of leaf area
left on the cutting, the leaf surface ap-
parently providing food for root growth
The plan would then be to provide
favorable growing conditions and leave
most of the foliage on the cutting.
Autumn is a favorable time to take
cuttings. The wood Is no longer soft
and succulent but contains a goodly
proportion of reserve foods which favor
roofing. It is better to take cuttings
now, while there are still several weeks
Of growing weather ahead, and not to
delay until danger of froSts. A few
shoots removed here and there from the
beds or plant boxes will make little diff
ference in appearance and Will give
ample stock for another year.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-09-06
THE HOME GARDENER
FERTILIZING

Applications of considerable quanti-
ties of commercial fertilizer at this sea-
son may actually have harmful rather
than beneficial effects. This may sound
rather dubious but when one considers
that at this season plants OF perennial
nature are maturing their wood TO with
stand Winters trials, the statement IN
regard to fertilizer does not sound so
irrational. Fertilizer containing nitro
gen in any considerable quantity tends
to promote new growth, which in turn
uses the starches and sugars and other
reserves that the plants have been Stor-
ing. Just how these reserve foods are
tied I'D with the increased hardness Is
not exactly known, but analyses nave
shown that the harder plants contain
larger quantities of such materials.
Another point in Autumn fertillzing
is that of economy. Nitrogen IN avail
able forms such as nitrate teaches rap
idly into the subsoil and Is lost to the
plant. Right here is one OF the lmpor-
tant functions of cover crops sucn as
rye. They take up this available nitro
gen and hold it until such time as the
crop is plowed or spaded under next
Spring, With decomposition OF the
cover crop the nitrogen is released again
when needed.
There are exceptions with such plants
as vegetables which are to mature TINS
Autumn Kale, cabbage. beets; caun-
flower and the like need fertilizer as
much at this time of year as in the
Spring. This is alsotrue with dahlias,
cosmos, chrysanthemums and other
Autumn flowers With roses and shrubs,
on the other hand, wood should be
ripening now and heavy feeding OF the
soil may very we'll be harmful.
Stable manure is somewhat different.
The nutrients are there, but are more
slowly available and await the decom-
posing of the manure into humuS. FOR
this reason applications OF staple ma
nure are safe at any time OF tne yea.
The difficulty as all home gardeners
realize, is in obtaining the manure.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-09-06
CUTTINGS FOR 1892

Gardening is a revolving process that
really knows no end. No sooner are
plants brought to maturity than it is
time to think ahead to next year. Soon
now it will be time to take cuttings of
heliotropes, geraniums, coleus and other
plants as source of planting stock for
1892. Cuttings are easier to handle
than actually taking up the entire plant,
and, furthermore, cuttings yield more
vigorous plant materials, as they consist
of the young active tissue. An outdoor
frame filled with sand or, better, mix
ture of sand and peat moss. affords an
ideal environment for roofing cuttings,
as the glass sash can be placed over the
cutting bed on cool days and nights.
Concerning the need of removing part
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-09-06
French Open China Building.

One of the most imposing buildings
in all China has just been opened in
Tientsin by the French government.
Practically all the imported materials
used in its construction were trans
ported from France, and the plans were
drawn by a French architect. The
structure is 800 feet long and IS feet
high, and is of reinforced concrete.
The right wing contains Offices, the left
wing apartments. The building was
originally designed several years ago,
but after delays and radical changes in
the architectural plans, has just been
completed.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-09-06
WANTED.

What have you in a large furnished or
unfurnished residence building, conven-
that you would like to lease in part or as
q whole temporarily at a nominal rental
with the prospect of selling or leasing per-
manently for a good purpose? The adver-
tiser is seeking a suitable location to estab-
lish the national headquarters for a meri-
tOriouS and altruiStic enterprise which Will
have the support OF many prominent people.
For the present he is alone in the under
ing his living quarters. The owner or ten
ant can remain on the premises until the
entire building is needed else the ad-
vertiser might suitcase pending the time
required TO complete his organization; ref
erences exchanged. Address Box 324-C, Star
offce
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-09-06
CONCORD GRAPE

Few fruits have more interesting
history than the Concord grape. From
a chance seeding selected from the WHO
bv an observing amateur gardener II
has risen steadily to attain the position
of the most important grape in North
America. The Concord is the mainStay
not only Of the fresh grape market, but
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-09-06
MASONIC.

LODGES. .
Today, Temple Heights, services
under auspices of Grand
Lodge, 4 pm, Rev. A. M.
Brodie of New York Avenue
Presbyterian Church deliver
ing address.
Tuesday. Acacia, No. 10. M. M.
Samuel Gompers, No. As. M. M.
Wednesday, Harmony, No. II,
E. A.
Thursday, The New Jerusalem, /
No. 9, E. A.
Friday, st. Johns, No. II, social.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-09-06

when nicely grown the dark blue fruits
with a lighter bloom are truly hand
some. Many grapes have been brought
forward as of better qualities than the
Concord, but it's all around character
isticS are such that it maintains its
leadership among American grapes.