davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1931-12-23

Of the American Army and Navy pro-
vokes no suspicious, fears or hostilities
among our neighbors.
Uncle Sam at Geneva will exert the
maximum of his influence, and 1t Is a
powerful influence, to make the rest
of the world see the wisdom of an all
around, safe and sane limitation of
ornaments. Where they can be offered
without meddling, our good offices, too,
are certain to be extended in the direc-
ton of ironing out we'll known and
formidable political obstacles to Euro
pean peace. In passing, let it be said
that 1t would be useful for Americans
now that Geneva is just over the no.
rizon, to accuStom themselves to think
in terms of armament limitation rather
than disarmament. There is a deal
of difference between the two phrases
Gen. Dawes, who is a soldier and q
f1nancier, knows the indispensability OF
both national defense and national
economy. He thus Incorporates within
himself exactly that background" ir
which the Geneva Conference will as
semble. Americans may feel fully
confident that their cause will bt
nationally and reSolutely represented
there under the leadership of Charles
Gates Dawes
Evening star., 1931-12-23
The Week End Holiday.

While the measure declaring q legal
holiday in the District on the 26lh Of
December and the I'd OF January failed
of passage in the House after favorable
action in the Senate, thus compelling
the banks of the District to remain
open on those two days, the President
has proclaimed full holiday for all
Government employees next Saturday.
He did not extend this action to in
clude the I'd of January, on the ground
that the public business is in condi-
ton to require the full attendance of
the departmental forces for the half
day following New Year. Had the bill
which passed the Senate availed in the
House both days would have been holi-
days in the District for all workers.
both in the public service and in private
business.
The failure Of the measure declaring
Evening star., 1931-12-23

boot heels as he departs up the
chimney.
All this Is necessary, Jones went on
In dealing with the chdldrsn, but a So
called grown-up is something else again
He may be child at heart, but that is
no reason why he should continue to
treat himself as such.
No, II he wants TO open his presents
before Christmas, ladies and gentle
| men, that is strictly his own business, q
| little matter between him and Santa
! Claus.
Here are half dozen slim packages
! for instance, which came in on the
morning mail from as many places
! around the country.
Half dozen good, honest people
with but a single thought" grinnec
Templeton Jones. "Necktles!"
Why should he wait until the very
morning Of December 25 to regale his
| eyes and very soul with the sight of sc
much gayety, slumbering there in yards
| OF tissue paper.
DO not open till Christmas" threat
ened a jovial Santa, in the middle ol
a gold seal.
Bunk smiled Jones.
Slight qualms smote him, he had tC
admit. as he ruthlesSly tore into thai
| first package.
1t had been tied rather loosely, anC
! the string came off by mere sliding
| process over one end.
The WrappingS fell to the floor, with
! the happily messy way paper has OF
| daintily cluttering up rug.
To clutter up!"
This tayorite verb Of the American
/ l., fn oFN1n
/ slowly going out Of style.
In old-time homes. with old-time sit
/ ting rooms, whenever any male member
+ began to strew the big Sunday paper
around some feminine member Of the
household was sure to cry.
Stop cluttering up the rug"
TempletOn Jones happily lives in ar
era when cluttering is no longer the
crime it was. A man may clutter now
adays without being reminded of it.
And he may open his Christmas pres.
ents ahead of time If he wants tt
without meeting any frowns. Jones
wondered If all the millions Of people
who solemnly stick on DO Not Oper
Till Christmas" seals really expect thai
the mandates will be followed.
He took the top of the first slim bo,
and pulled out what Cousin Josie hac
sent MIN.
Sure enough 1t was a bright red tie
with big black spots GA It, tie which
was as resplendent as Christmas tree
The curious part of il. Jones thought
was that it was good tie.
1t was bright, but it was in gooc
taste
If the others were as good as thi'
one, TempletOn Jones, esq, would no
be one-tie man much longer.
Carefully, in defiance of all tradition
he unwrapped the other fTe
They, too, were colorful, but not too
Cclorful.
Solemnly Jones put them all back il
their boxes with the appropriate cards
and shut them up again until Christ.
mas.
Sensible Santa Claus. TO make only
ties which man could wear!
There had been a time. not so many
years ago, either. when Christmas tie;
Were-Well. just Christmas ties.
Happily that time is gone. as Temple.
ton Jones discovered by opening some
OF his Christmas presents before Christ.
mas.
So rest easy, men.
Evening star., 1931-12-23

the two days legal holidays to receive
consideration in the House Is due, it Is
stated, to the belief that it would lead
to discussion, being of controversial"
nature. 1t is hard to see why there
should have been any serious argument
against the bill, or, even If opposed, why
it could not have been enacted under
the rules of the House. While it was
not, of course, in any degree as i'm
portant as the foreign debt moratorium
measure, the success of the House In
passing that highly controversial item
of legislation shows what could have
been done with the holiday bill had
there been desire or disposition to
effect this reasonable adjustment of the
calendar.
The Presidents action is gratifying
in that it assures a continuous three
day suspension of work in this city at
the week end. Though it does not, as
indeed it cannot, specifically affect the
conduct of private business in the Dis
trict, it will undoubtedly cause the clos
ing of practically all private establish
ments next Saturday-all, that is, except
the banks, which must under the law
remain opk f9r the transaction OF
| business tor lle few hours which con-
stitute the legal day" for the meeting
of financial obligations.
Evening star., 1931-12-23
Radio Hymns Welcome
Despite Advertising

To the Editor of The Star:
With reference to your article printed
on page B-1, column 2, Evening Star,
December 81, 1881, wish to challenge
the Rev DR.. Albert Joseph Mccartney,
pastor of Covenant First Presbyterian
Church. concerning the use Of Christ
mas HYMNS in radio commercial broad
casting. Whether 1t be local con-
Germ or otherwise, in no way does 1t
desecrate the cradle or birth of our
Savior. On the other hand, it Is a
means of carrying religion into the
thousands Of homes where the radios
are now almost necessity. What can
be sweeter at this time than to sit in
ones library or living room and hear
those beautiful hymns? Since the radio
Is now used almost wholly CONNER
clally, should we not have some beau-
tiful hymns and Christmas carols as
well as Jazz and songs which are
Whistled and sung wherever one goes?
There Is nothing sweeter 10 start one
for the days work than to hear Gene
and Glen" broadcastiEg at O'Clock
each morning. They always start with
a hvmn: very often they sing "The
Old Rugged Cross" and In the Gar
den." Their voices blend beautifully
and If it we're not for the singing of
these beautiful hymns many would
probably not listen to their IS minutes
of fun which morally could not harm
any one. I believe am voicing the
opinions of thousands when I say II
cannot see where it is an abominable
traffic over the cradle of our Savior
at this time to have Christmas hymns
or religious singing at any time with
commercial advertising through the
medium of the radio Hymns, no mat
ter where or how they are sung, do
some one good, and 1 sincerely trust
they will be kept on the ar for all
times. EDNAT. MITEhEt3A -
Evening star., 1931-12-23
ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
BY FREDERIC J. HASKIN.

This newspaper puts at your disposal
| a corps of trained researchers in Wash
ington who will answer questions for
you They have access to the Govern
ment departments, the libraries, muse
| ums, galleries and public buildings and
to the numerous associations which
maintain headquarters in the Nations
Capital. If they can be of assistance
! to you, write your question plainly and
send with 2 cents in coin or stamps TO
! The Evening Star Information Bureau,
Frederic j. Haskin, Director, Washing
J ton, D. c.
O. Which horse won the most money
/ in the past racing season?-P. G.
/ A. Top Flight, $4,000 She was a
2-year-old filly owned by Cornelius Van
derbilt Whitney.
! O. When will the New York Auto
mobile Show be held?-G. MP.
A. January 9-l6 1882
O. Are million Russian rubles of
! 1922 worth anything now?-S. H K.
| A. They have no exchange value
@ What is Radio City in New York
to cost?-C. B.
A When completed It will have cost
$3.50 10000 1t is estimated that of
| this amount $l15,00O, 900 will b. the
| land value.
@. Do the President. Congressmen
and other United States Government
officials pay income tax9-S. O.
A. The salaries of Federal officers
and employees are subject to the income
tax, except the salaries of Federal
Judges and the President Of the United
States The following items also are
subject to the tax, Salaries of members
of the House of Representatives and the
United States Senate. fees received by
ministers Of the gospel for funerals,
baptsms, marriages. masses and like
services; Federal jury fees, executors
fees. fees received by a referee trustee
or receiver under the National BANK
ruptcy act, and retired pay.
@. Do gas wells replenisil themselves
or do they become exhausted? d?-B C.
A. Natural gas fields gradually be-
come exhausted The average life Of
gas well is estimated TO be about five
years.
@. What end does the hair grow
from. the roots or the ends?-S. A.
A. The hair grows from the roots.
@ What hospital ship was sunk in
the English Channel by the Germans in
the Summer of 19l6?-N. S.
A. The Llandovery Castle was sunk
on June 81, 1918
@ What will shrink a basket ball
which has stretched and become over
SiZe?-E c. W.
A. 1t cannot be done.
@. When candles are used on din
ner table, must they be ones which
have not been used before ?-J. w. K.
/ A. Used candles may be placed on
the table for strictly home meal, but
for more formal affairs it is sug-
gested that it is considered correct to
use new ones.
@. Why Is Chaucer considered our
| first modern English poet?-A' R.
A. Reuben Post Halleck says: Be
| fore Chauccr's works English was, as
we have seen. a language OF dialects.
He wrote in the Midland dialect apd
aided in making that the language of
England. Lounsbury says OF Chaucers
influence: No really national language
could exist until literature had been
created which would be admired and
studied by all who could read and
/ taken as a model by all who could
write 1t was only man Of genius who
could lift up one Of these dialects into
a e-eninence over the rest. or could
ever give to the scattered forces exist
Evening star., 1931-12-23

from Colorado. where water rights are
often in litigation.
Some Army and Navy officers were
recently discussing the administration s
economy program and bcmoaning its
electS en- military and naval eXpendi-
ture. civilian i'll the group said he
had an explanation Of the President S
ornaments policy. Hoover" he said.
is sui sowing his Quaker oats"
The Antisaloon League Of America
has issued an aliuring handbook for its
tWenty-ftth biennial convention in
Washington in mid January. In cat
alleging the innumerable points of in
terest for visitors TO the National Cap
ital. the booklet says that convention
delegates will enjoy" a visit to the
house in which Lincoln died. Among
the other items Of entertainment
scheduled for the drys' soiourn in
Washington is sound film OF Ten
Nights in Bar Room" It'll be in
teresting to hear what the sounds are.
The possibilities are unlimited.
When the Senate reassembles in
oSAtaIy y 4utGtlOll may De ralSed.
this observer is informed regarding the
activities of certain one time so!on
who is trying to break back into the
chamber through the contest route.
NO objection Is OF can be made to a
former members use Of certain cour-
teSy rights available to exes including
access to the floor. But the di5gruntled
statesman in question is accused by
some OF his detractors of overworking
his privileges, and unless his alleged
lobbying is soft-pedaled, a rumpus
may be in store
German Ambassador Won Prittwitz
was one Of the few occupants of the
diplomatic gallery in the Senate during
the moratorium debate. Nine-tenths of
the time 1t was entirely empty. Young
and clerer Michael H. Huxley, second
secretary of the British embassy. who
Is descendant of the great English
scientist. was also an earwitness of the
sings and arrows shot during the week
at our various European debtors A
cynical anti-moratoriumite explained the
diplomatic corps indifference to pro-
ceedings on the ground that the whole
congressional chatter was just so much
water (or rather wind) over the dam.
(C0pyrisht, 1881
Evening star., 1931-12-23
Gen. Dawes for Geneva.

President Hoover announces that Am
bassador Dawes will be chief of the
American delegation at the Geneva
Disarmament Conference. 1t is a most
commendable appointment. No more
stimulating personality could have been
placed at the head of our mission. Com
bining in unusual manner the qualities
OF energy and capacity with those OF
driving power and conservative judg-
ment, Gen, Dawes will bring to his
responsible task the assets which should
enable the United States to make itself
genuinely felt at Geneva.
The Amba aSsador'S recent contacts with
leading European statesmen in connec-
ton with the League Of Nations efforts
to settle the Sino-Japanese dispute will
stand him in excellent stead at the
conference. Possibly the Manchurian
experience may convince Gen. Dawes
that In an era marked by fagrant dis
regard of solemn international COW
enants disarmament is more than ever
an ideal which should be approached
cautiously and with an eye to stern
realities throughout the world.
Secretary StimSon has just informed
Congress respecting the role this coun-
try expects to play at Geneva. 1t Is
primarily In the field Of friendly CO.
operation, Col. Stimson says, that the
United States will have its realize
clearly infers it is the only-oppor-
tunity in the Disarmament Conference
Naval limitation is already fixed by
treaties. We have no army to disarm.
The economic burdens of military and
naval establishments are enormous,
though they bear down upon others,
both in their actual financial weight
and as to the political menace they
constitute, to a vastly greater extent
than they bear upon the American
people. Our armaments bill is heavy
In fact, the heaviest in the world-but
its burden, because Of our huge popu-
lataop. Is easily shpMdered and TIE size
Evening star., 1931-12-23
THIS AND THAT
BY CHARLES E. TRACEWELL.

Iempleton Jones this season asserted
the 1nalienable right of the adult to
open his Christmas presents before
Christmas. At least some of them!
Last year he permitted friends to reg
lister such horror over the idea that he
was scared out of his program.
"A desecration!" one declared, with
much heat. You will spoil every
thing!"
Not at ALL" said Jones, but he weak
ened, just the same.
( why, that would be terrible!" eX-
canned lady at the office. who
! ever heard OF any one opening presents
before Christmas morning."
But l want to-" asserted Jones. 81
know what are in all those packages
anyway"
Not in every one, surely" replied the
lady, loftily.
Well. maybe not in every one, but
can make a pretty good guess.
| The lady looked sad.
| nope you won't do it" she sighed
Templeton Jones wondered at hel
faith in Santa Claus, but haStened tC
| reaSSure her.
| Well 1 won't do it, then" he said
since every one seems to be against
me. But l still think l am right. There
is no reason why the grown person, as
he is called, cannot open his presents
when he pleaSes. if he has them in ad-
vance
This year Jones solved the problem
| by saying nothing at all to any OF his
numerous friends.
"Horrible!" he even went so far as
to assert to another timid soul, who
| had ventured to enunciate similar
declaration Of independence
At first, Jones heart leaped up like
a rainbow in the sky. at finding fell
| low human being with the courage o.
his own convictions.
Should he not confide in him, gree
MIN as brother, pat him on the
shoulder and tell him to brace up?
No. he should not.
| There are some affairs in life which
are purely personal. This was one Vi
| them.
If man wants to open his Christ.
mas presents ahead OF time, who's,
! business is it except his own?
Let him keep his mouth shut about
| the matter. and open them. or not oper
presents Oh tne great Gay, JuSL as j
suits him.
There is not whit less of the sea
son in the prior opening. or any tn,
! less sentiment. In fact. Jones though
he might make out very good cas-,
for the early opening.
The nearer man keeps to thu
essential spirit Of childhood, he pic
tured himself as declaring. the NOR,
he desires to open hts packages befor,
Christmas.
The eternal juvenile, in the heart o
every person. is SO muffied by the years
in many, that they do not dare to cal
their own thoughts their own.
They resolutely fight down any desirt
! to open up gift ahead Of the day
and even more !avidly speak aglinS
the proposition.
Every child in the world would opel
his gifts the moment he saw them. o
course that is why they are not per
mitted TO see them until Christina
| morning
Strenuous steps must be taken with
the little ones, to prevent them from
looking, from spying on Santa Claus
from attempting to grab him by hi
Evening star., 1931-12-23
Endangering the District Bill

The statement by Representative
Bvrns of Tennessee that as chairman
of the Appropriations Committee he in
terprets House acceptance Of the Mapes
report on fiscal relations as instruction
to his committee to apply its findings
to the 1888 appropriations bill for the
District of Columbia raises very prac-
tical and important question. 1t can be
discussed without reference to the fair
ness of that report
The 1888 estimates now before Con-
gress will be studied by the subcommit-
tee on appropriations for the District of
Columbia in hearings to begin about the
first of February. These estimates have
been based on revenue availability from
the current tax rate on existing revenue
laws and on Federal lump-sum con-
tribution of SO 100000. and the esti-
mates have been prepared carefully by
the Commissioners and reviewed by the
Bureau of the Budget Can the House
Appropriations Committee hope to
change this basis entirely. on the
strength of action by one of the
branches of the Congress. and frame an
appropriation bill on a new basis, COM
puted from theoretical yields from new
untried laWS-indeed laws not yet
enacted and from a reduced lump
sum? Can it hope to do this without
materially changing, and without as
suredly threatening, the Appropriation
bill itself? Would not such procedure
merely invite confusion worse con-
founded? Nobody can tell the Con-
greSS what the new tax bills would
yield If enacted. In the first place
there is the uncertainty Of Ian
guage. particularly as it affects the
number of those to be taxed under the
proposed income tax bill Are Mary
landers and Virginians who work in
Washington, the members of Congress.
the officers of the cabinet the members
of the United States Supreme Court
and other appointed officials of the
Government stationed here to pay a
visions Of the income tax to draw line
between those who maintain residence
and work only in Washington and those
who maintain residence elsewhere but
work here? Can any one estimate the
revenue to be yielded by doubling the
gas tax? No less an authority than the
District auditor has pointed out that
such an increase in the rate will GER
tainly not produce a doubled revenue,
that some gas now bought in Washing
ton will be purchased elsewhere. Can
any one tell certainly what will be
yielded by an estate tax, some of the
provisions of which will probably be
tested for their validity? Can any one
tell what the automobile weight tax will
produce, and whether that law, as
framed, will be challenged for its con-
stitutionality?
Aside from the necessity Of accurately
estimating the revenue needed to
finance an appropriation BILL is it not
unwise, to say the least, for the House
to proceed IN framing new appro-
priation bill on action that has not yet
become the action of Congress?
The logical procedure would be for
the House and the Senate first to define
or to redef1ne the policy OF the Con-
gress toward the District and only then
to apply that policy to the appropria-
tion bill
Evening star., 1931-12-23
Protest Against Cutting
Holly for Decorations

To the Editor Of The Star:
I have been interested in reading in
The Star Of the efforts that are being
made to protect the holly and greenery
along the Mount Vernon Highway. They
are undertaking a very difficult propo-
sition, but the publicity given the sub
ject by the press may help some.
About 10 feet from our house in the
country stands what was once a beau
tiful holly tree, at least IS years old.
While we lived there we never thought
OF cutting it. Since coming to the city
to live we have tried in every way to
protect this tree
Respected citizens from neighboring
villages cut the holly to decorate
schools and churches!
Two years ago large limbs were sawed
from the tree during the night.
Last Saturday night the whole top, S
feet or more. was hacked out. How
could any civilized person do such a
thing? 1t takes all the Joy out OF
Christmas.
Why not follow the example set by
Mrs. Coolidge and Mrs. Hoover and re-
fuse to use holly for Christmas deco
ration? j. A. MOORE.
Evening star., 1931-12-23
Pride in Capital Urged
To Influence Congress

To the Editor Of The Star:
The comnendable letter Of Miss
Sargent upon the subject Of District OF
Columbia taxation. quoted in your issue
OF Saturday and inserted in the Con-
yressional Record by Representative
Boylan, is but one Of instances where
members of Congress have shown re-
sentiment at the privilege OF a residence
at the National Capital
Some years ago United States Sem
ator tsince deceased declared to me
tln manner showing anger and re-
sentiment:
II had my way I would tear up all
these cement pavementS, SO that you
would all have to walk in the mud like
we do at home"
The United States Supreme Court
has declared that every foot of ground
in the streets, avenues. alleys, reserva-
tons parkings and footways Of the
District Of Columbia is the property
not OF the District Of Columbia, but Of
the United States, and if the citizens
OF the several States took a greater
pride In their National Capital their
representatives would come to Wash
ington imbued with a different spirit
than Is often shown in the halls OF
Congress. ARTHUR T. BR1CE.
Evening star., 1931-12-23
SHOOTING STARS.
BY PHILANDER JOHNSON.
The Egotist's Geography

The EgOtist's Geography.
Upon little globe he gazed
And whirled 1t once around,
Then by his thoughts he was amazed
So splendidly profound,
For he was Of the tribe whose might
Mankind may not neglect.
He holds that naught is done Alright
That he does not inspect.
Quoth he: Upon this spot I make
My home. and 1t is clear
While I consent to stay awake
We have the daylight cheer.
But constant watch 1 cannot keep"
He added with frown,
And when at night go to sleep
The world turns upside down"