davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1931-12-07

| cacophony Of sounds that makes the
day hideous, Incompetent or incon-
siderate drivers sound their horns need
lessly. Brakes are applied with shrek
ing friction which, while reassuring to
the operators, is devastating to the
nerves.
Recently announcement was made
that new rolling stock is soon to be
added to the equipment of one of the
local traction lines, with special noise
preventing devices That was good
news to those who realize the evil ef-
fects of the city's clatter. But the old
rolling stock will continue to grind
and groan and disturb the peace. No
standard is set by law or rule for the
abatement of the nuisance.
Studies have been made in different
cities of this matter of urban noises.
with voluminous conclusions and nu-
merous recommendations for reform,
but without avail The trouble is that
the necessity of abatement is not ap-
preciated. Yet 1t needs. but little
thought to bring the conclusion that
human efficiency is lessened by the
roar that rises during each working
day. # To this end it is necessary only
to observe the difference between work
that is done during the usual weekday
hours and that which is accomplished
on a holiday, when the streets are
comparatively clear of traffic. Such a
day Is time of rest, even for those
who are compelled by the nature of
their business to attend to their usual
affairs.
Standardization of the mechanism of
transportation has heretofore been
based upon the requirements of safety.
1t should henceforth be based upon the
additional principle of smooth and as
far as possible. silent operation. Brakes,
horns and gears should be brought
under degree of regulation as to the
emission Of needless sound. The street
cars should be built with the view Of
permitting movement with the least
possible noise. Tracks should be main
tanned to yield the smallest vibration
and jangle. Car wheels should be con-
stantly inspected to avoid the develop
ment of flats" that pound and bang.
City life need not be pandemoniun.
The city beautiful, the city efficient,
should be the city silent, or at least as
nearly silent as machinery can be made
through the adoption of the best prod
ucts of the laboratories and the en-
forcement of regulations requiring the
most efficient operation, which is the
least clamorous.
Evening star., 1931-12-07
Farm Board Report Effects
Little Change in Sentiment

or through a substitute agency The
Manchester Union sees mo doubt that
the work the board has done in aiding
cooperative marketing associations has
proved beneficial" suggests that; this
work may justify its continuation" but
makes the reservation, ANY suggestion
to continue its stabilization program
ought to be promptly dismissed"
X
Criticizing the losses and pointing to
"an amazing story of extravaganza in
the handling Of taxpayers money" the
New York Sun makes the appraisal:
ON Its transactions with cooperative
associations, the board makes by far
the best showing. Its adventures in
the commodity markets got it into trou-
BILE with public opinion in the first
place and will doubtless keep it in hot
water for some time to come. for it
has never put forward an adequate de-
tense OF the policy it adopted" The
Sioux Falls Argus-Leader feels that "the
main job is to put stop to the con-
tinued pressure of the board upon the
grain markets" The Minneapolis Star
remarks that "all the dear public got
was very definite proof that the gov
ernment should stay out of business"
Recognizing that proponents of the
equalization fee and the export eieben-
ture plan, who had called a truce while
the Farm Board plan was being tried.
are under arms again." the Fort Worth
Star-Telegram concludes: I'm the
meantime, the taxpayers of the coun-
try are called upon to pay for one
costly experiment definitely set down
on the books as failure
With the equalization fee and the
debenture," believes the Baltimore
Evening Sun, "the Farm Board could
probably lose even more money and
lose it faster. This money the farmers
along with all other taxpayers, would
nave to pay Yet the farm organiza-
tons are for the board The faith of
the farmers may not be of the sort
tnat Is able to move mountains, but it
certainly makes them able to endure
a lot of punishment"
Referring to the charge that "c;tv
interests" are against the Farm Board
because OF desire for cheap food, the
worcester Telegram replies: The city
interests were not anti-farmer in 1929,
Wnen the present. farm relief measure
was passed. For the votes in the SEN
ete and House of Representatives were
SO overwhelming as to be virtually
unanimous. If in the next Congress
the city interests seek to repeal or
amend this measure the chief reason
probably viii be a loss of faith in it
as something really helpful to the
FARMER: Moreover, much of the critt-
clsm OF the Farm Board has come from
the farmers themselves or from their
spokesmen."
Evening star., 1931-12-07
a Critical Conference

None Of the international confer
ences for llquidating the post war DO
htico-econoSnic situation exceeded in
Importance this weeks meeting at
Basel. In the Swiss city the Advisory
Committee of the World Bank for In
ternationall Settlements the creation
OF the Young plan, is assembled to
consider Gtrmany's plea for additional
easement q her reparation obligations
The Basfl Conference is the after
meth-the disappointing aftermath
OF the moratorium instigated by Presi-
dent Hoover last Summer. Far from
relieving Germany's plight with anv
degree of enduring benefit cessation of
the current payments due her war
creditors is coincident with an agerava-
tion Of thu reich's troubles. To min
lister TO these lest political chaos suner-
sede finant.ia woes is the problem con-
fronting tte World Bank experts. They
are contert'lng hardly any less in Ger
many's interest than in the interest of
the world at large.
GermanE under the Young plan.
which has had less than two years
practical application. is exercising the
privilege q asking a further morato
rum provided by the safety valve pro-
vision OF she plan. Not only do the
Germans elead incapacity to continue
reparation .annuitieS. but they demand
an extension Of the leniency already
granted as to the enormous short-term
obligations owed by government
debtors. 't1hese aggregate more than
two bilior dollars. Heavy proportions
of them faal due in February. The Ger
mans claipn It is beyond their power
TO meet item then.
To that, end their Basel spokesman
will request a complete examination
Of Germ s1y's financial ans economic
structure, including unconditional rep
arations gnd private debts. The Ger
mans arsle that it is impossible for
the government to guarantee payment
of reparas;ons before payment of pri-
vate debts, because a citizen cannot be
forbidden to meet his obligations.
France insists upon priority of fepara-
tions, ESPECIALLY the non -possponable
Evening star., 1931-12-07
Room for Everybody.

Washington's hotel men have dope
the sensible thing in announcing thIt
normal rates for accommodations h1
1892 will prevail, that there will be M
increase in their prices and that the
cfty's hotels are able to provide room
Tor the visitors. The statement is net
oased on seneralizations, but on haEd
1acts concerning the number of rooms
available and the prospective number
OF reservations For a period In Feb
ruary there will be an abnormalIy large
number OF visitors attending the Ns-
tional Education Association conver-
ton. Downtown hotels have prepared
to take care of some 1900 extra visitccs
from February 20 to Is. But even tkis
extra influx of guests will leave @rocin
Tor many others in other hotels.
The statement by the hotel men Is
timely. Jealous workers for the Ell
centennial have, at times, let their en-
thusiasm run away with them in their
predictions Of the size of the army Of
visitors that will descend on the Cals-
tai. They have not been willing To
stop at hundreds of thousands, bat
rush far up into the millions. The gen
eral picture as it has been outlined
from time to time in the heat of en-
thusiasm is city whose every square
foot of standing room will be occupied
by citizens from distant points who have
come to attend the Bicentennial. The
result OF such estimates may prove a
dangerous boomerang Those who want
to come to Washington next year NAV
decide that it would be wiser to remain
at home, as the prospect of sleeping In
the corridors and on the roofs of
crowded hotels is not pleasant one.
II there was any basis for the esti-
mate of visitors in such numbers that
the city's ability to care for them would
be taxed, it would be far wiser to warn
our guests in advance than to let them
come here and be disappointed. But
there Is no Justification for estimates of
visitors in any such numbers. Wash
ington is supplied with an extraordinary
number Of hotels 1t is always equip
ped with facilities for taking care of
large numbers of tourists. It's accom-
modations are far from being heavily
taxed If every room in the downtown
hotels is engaged, there are plenty of
rooms available elsewhere.
Those whose business it is to create
Nationwide interest in Washington
during the bicentennial year and TO
urge that Americans take the opporta-
nifty to visit their Capital will pursue
the wise course in assuring them of the
city'S ability to care for them. When,
and II. the crowds of tourists threaten
to cause an abnormal overflow, ade-
quate steps can be taken to seek ac-
commodations in places other than the
hotels. For the time being let us not
become so entranced with the mental
picture of the surging millions of hi-
centennial visitors that we will lose
sight of the realities.
Evening star., 1931-12-07

stipends due her from Germany,
amounting to some $3.50. 900 900 a year
The French spokesman at Basel, Prof.
Charles Rist, presages a deadlock with
the announcement that France viii re-
sist all attempts to revise the Young
plan. Revision is inevitable If Ger
many's thesis is accepted. Prof. Riss
says the World Bank Committee must
deal solely with means to tide GERMANY
over the present abnormal situation. Il
must not tamper with the Young plan
French banking quarters do not share
their governments stern attitude. They
favor immediate concessions on short
term obligations, contending that nor
malcy will only be retarded If repara-
tionS receive the right of way. The
political effect Of persistence in M
Lsvars position, French financiers rec
ognize, would be even graver If it were
to precipitate the collapse of the Hin
denburg -Bruening government and the
advent Of Hitlerite fascism.
Thus momentous issues wait on the
Basel negotiations. Americas stake In
their outcome is immense. Hundreds ct
millions Of dollars have been invested
in German securities by our people
Little will be gained by the vituperation
about the "swindle" of which American
citizens are victims" This country r,
ably represented on the World Banf
Committee, which several months a2n
foreshadowed the necessity of recon-
Sideration of the whole German debt
structure. Nor viii there be much SYM
pathy over here with any unrelenting
French attitude.
President Hoover commanded the
wholehearted support of American
public opinion when he seized the ir-
itiative in the German moratorium last
Summer and later paved the way to ain
extension of private credits. Beyond
the prejudiced rawlings of some appar-
emily irreconcilable American critics IF
Germany, little in the way of deducible
proof has been forthcoming that the
reich's condition is not perilous to the
point OF ruin. At any rate, Basel VIII
bring out the facts. If the World Bank
advisers urge the wisdom of continued
concessions to Germany. their recon-
mendations will deserve. and doubtless
receive. international approval.
Evening star., 1931-12-07
ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
BY FREDERIC ]. HASKIN.

prepared originally from the skin OF
the chamois, a small goat-like antelope
of the, Alpine region of Europe. but now
also made from the skin of the sheep,
goat, calf and other animals.
@. Where is the greatest grove of
sequoias outside of the Sequoia National
Park?-M N.
A. 1t is found in the extreme south
of the Yosemite National Park. 1t is
called the Mariposa Grove.
@. What States do not require mar
riage licenses?-J. L.
A. All States require them.
@. What is kelp?-F. I'D.
A. kelp is a word used 10 mean the
ashes OF seaweed, formerly much used
in the manufacture of glass and soap
and now coming into prominence COM
mercially as source of iodine. The
word also refers to any of the various
large brown seaweeds, especially to
those common to the Pacific Coast of
the Americas. The giant kelp of the
Pacific Coast of the United States is
known to reach the length of 700 feet,
thus exceeding all other plants.
j. ON. ''
A. They are made simply by cutting
out spaH round piece of any suitable
leather to Mt the dogs paw, and are
tied about the feet above the paw with
narrow leather thong.
Q. Why were covered bridges built?-
x. r.
A. The covered bridge is a survival
OF an ancient custom. A great many of
these bridges we're built before the Rev
oluttonary War, and their builders fol-
lowed the methods used by the old
European bridge builders. The object
OF covering the roadway of the bridge
was for the purpose of protection
against the weather, against possible
riots and primitive weapons.
O. To settle a bet, please state
whether in the stamping of coins the
metal is hot or cold. D. G.,
A. The Office of the Director Of the
Mint says that the metal Is cold at the
time the coins are stamped.
@. Is it true that person In an air
plane can see submarine when 1t tS
submerged?-H. P.
A If the sea is calm and the air IN
perfectly clear, it is possible for an air.
plane to see submarine which Is sub
lACl sCd Vo dud OU 1eSb. onIy uIfGP1
these favorable circumstances is this
possible. Travelling depths of sumba-
rines vary. The newer type submarine
submerges about 230 feet.
G. What color is ebony before 1t s
finished?-S. D.
A. The sapwood Is almost golden
color, while the heart is black. Some
times the wood is streaked
Q. Who were the generals who were
members of Gen. Washington's staff
H. A. P.
A. Gen. Washington had no staff In
he usual sense of the word. Gen. Ward
and Gen. Lee were elected as the second
and third in command, respectively, of
the American Army. Mai. Gates was
appointed adjutant general, and Gems.
Schuyler and Putnam were appointed
as major generals and were selected as
fourth and fifth In command. Mai.
Miftlin was appointed as quartermaster
general; Col Nicholas Long, deputy
quartermaster; Col. Joseph Reed Of
Philadelphia was chosen as Washing
tons private secretary; DR.. Benjamin
Church was selected as director of hos
pitals and chief physician; DR. James
Warren and Jonathan Trumbull were
appointed as paymasters general of the
army near Boston and in the northern
department respectively
Evening star., 1931-12-07
THIS AND THAT
BY CHARLES E. TR4CEWELL.

90 not" THE cars should be junked
for busses." "An entire Transportation
system of busses would increase the
traffic problem" Children should pay
10 cents" Children should pay but 3
| cents"
These are but q few of the diverging
| opinions which one will hear at any
| lunch-time general discussion. null
titude of views as to traffic ut large,
especially the parking problem, are
! heard.
! All are agreed that something ought
to be done but none seems to be very
sure of a solution, and he offers his
views only because he knows they will
do no harm-no one will pay much at
tention to them.
| Here on Paradise avenue there are
| few parking problems, and little, If any,
! traffic menace.
! The chief interest of the pedestrian
(he who walks may see a great deaD,
| lies in the homes along the way.
What a charming creation house is,
after all
| Many people are inclined to accept
| houses as places to live, merely that
and nothing more. A roof to keep off
| the rain, walls to help keep them warm,
a place to sleep
But house is a great deal more
! than that. Nor is 1t necessary to make
the distinction between a house and a
home, which has been worn somewhat
| threadbare now.
| Every good house is a home, whether
occupied or not. Or, If one prefers, it
holds the possibility Of a home
A house is interesting, in its own
| rtrrl,R
of it Is spiritual, and Is wrapped in
by brick, and wood, and stucco and
stone, from the sight of the passers-
by.
What the observer sees is a house
one of the most interesting creations
Of man. After all, there is not such
| a great difference between this half
brick and frame, here on Paradise
Avenue, and the lake dwellings of the
ancient Swiss.
Both did house life. For this half
brick and frame is empty. Bad boys
at Halloween smeared the front door
screen with soap, the bold and hasty
| fiourishes Of which remain to this day.
1t is house with peaked door frame
of the sort which reminds one of a.
| chapel
LIlt pdcSIIk DUSGINpT peers at LTG
windows, and notes the blinds neatly
down half way all over the house
Near 1t is a shingle house. with grass
as green as in Summer. A weathered
shlngle house is pretty house, when
well kept, and stands a better chance
Of being good looking If i'll kept than
homes OF many other materials.
+
Here the houses give out, and one
leaves the end of the sidewalk for the
side of the road.
Paradise avenue goes on, however.
There Is no stopping now The field
Ike character increases. Here is a
street sign, but the street seems to be
lacking.
Now, on the hitherto deserted side,
appear lovely homes. Then the way
becomes deserted again. The observer
walks on. not sure where he is coming
out, but certain that he will come out
at last
Curiosity gets the better of him He
walks up a slight slope, and, crossing
q bit OF woodland, looks down. as Cor.
tez did Of old, upon a new land
There" he says to himself "is a
nice looking place"
Ihe house lies cleaning white in the
afternoon sun.
Inc observer gasps slightly. 1t Is
MS own nome. Approaching it from
new angle, he did not recognize If
IL was a rare experience, which could
happen only once.
Evening star., 1931-12-07

This great service Is maintained by
The Washington Star for the benefit of
its readers, who may use 1t every day
without cost to themselves. All they
have to do III ask for any information
desired and they will receive prompt
answers by mail. Questions must be
clearly written and stated as briefly as
possible. Inclose 2-cent stamp for re-
turn postage and address The Washing
J. Haskin, Director, Washington, D. c.
@. How many anglers are there IN
the United States?-P. A. D.
A. No definite statement can be made.
1t is believed that at least 10000 900
people take active enough interest In
fishing to be called anglers.
@ What does d stand for in Owen
d. Young's rame?-M. X.
A. 1t stands simply for the letter
3D." There seems to be no explanation
why 1t was inserted in the name orig
inally.
@. When did Percival Christopher
Wren publish his first book?-N. L.
A. In 1912, when Dew and Mildew"
was published. The sensationally popu-
lar Beau Geste" was published in 1924.
His latest book is Sowing Glory" the
diary of woman In the Foreign Le-
gion during the Riff campaign.
Q. How many Federal courts have
been established since constitutional
prohibition went into effect?-O. ] S.
A. Judicial districts are the same, but
additional judges have been assigned.
In 1919 there were 81 Federal court
judges, exclusive of the Supreme Court
of the United States; today there are
144 AS of November /, 1881, 2.2o6
prohibition enforcement agents, includ-
ing administrators, deputies, assistant
administrators, special agents, and pro-
hibition agents are employed.
@. Who originated the graded school
system?-K. w. o.
The Cyclopedia of Education
states that no one individual can be
designated as the originator of the
graded school system AS the school
systems became organized, the neces-
sity Of teaching children in groups
composed OF those of substantially
equal attainrnents produced the graded
system or graded school. When
movement is gradual it is difficult to
give the credit to any one individual.
@. In what part of the world does 1t
rain the most &C. j.
A. The Weather Bureau says so far
as known the heaviest precipitation oc-
ours on the southern slopes of the
Himalaya Mountains in northern India
Here during the monsoon period usual
ly from May to September. inclusive,
the heaviest rainfall has been recorded
At Cherrapunji, in this region, the
average annual precipitation is about
40 feet or slightly less than 500 inches.
@. Did some of the original timber
used in Old Ironsides come from Geor-
gia?-P. G.
A. According to Joshua Humphreys
statement in regard to the Constitution,
the frame of the vessel was made from
live oak and red cedar; the keel OF
white oak; the decks Of Carolina pitch
pine. This wood was procured from
Savannah, Ga, and Charleston, S. c.
Joshua Humphreys was the designer of
this ship.
@. How does the size of human be-
ings compare with all other living
things?-S. K.
A. Huxleys analysis of size of living
things shows that man is midway be-
tween star and an atom.
@. Is commercial chamois made from
the skin of the chamois?-G. D.
A. Channels Is soft, plant leather
Evening star., 1931-12-07

A University Of Colorado student is
suing his father for $3.50, the cost of
the college education which, it is con-
tended, the dad promised to pay for,
but failed TO do SO. The plaintiff is a
former captain and fullback of the foot
ball team. The thought instantly oc-
ours to persons even less skilled in de-
ouction than Sherlock Holmes as TO
Just what benevolent person or group
of persons hung up" the mounting
charges for four years.
Evening star., 1931-12-07
Human Vanity,

Why do you object so seriously to
snapshot portraits of yourself?"
Because" answered Senator Sor-
ghum, they violate all recognized rules
of procedure What right has any pho
tographer to take mans picture with
out giving him the customary ten min
utes' grace to fix his necktie. brush his
hair and arrange pleasant smile2"
Evening star., 1931-12-07
SHOOTING STARS.
BY PHTLANDER JOHNSON.

70 hBLhNbhn Jof1NSONs
Similarity.
Soup and fish,
Meat and bread;
Day by day
Grace is said.
Shift 'em round
Our tastes to meet
Pretty mucn
The same old eat.
Song and dance
Love at sight;
"Longjeree,"
Electric light.
Merry pun
To help things go
Pretty much
The same old show.
Lover brave,
Maiden fair;
Lover duped
In villains lair.
Maiden brave
FoilS the crook
Pretty much
The same old book.
Evening star., 1931-12-07

feminine representative Of the
famous Philadelphia Biddles plans
lone trek into the northern wilderness.
1t Is long jump from Rittenhouse
Square to interior Alaska and, further
more, q strictly one-way one.
Evening star., 1931-12-07
Henrietta's Concessions.

II have been reading about some of
the great men" said Mrs. Meekton.
And Leonidas looked at her with JOY
in his eyes and exclaimed:
Then you concede that such things
have beeni"
Evening star., 1931-12-07

Ever changing and sprouting Man
haitian must read with real envy of the
scrapping of the big British dirigible
R-10o after only less than two years
Of service.
Evening star., 1931-12-07

A. Mr.. Grosdanovitch, oldest inhsbit-
ant of all Jugoslavia, recently celebrated
his hundredth birthday. joyously but
toothlesSly. Now he declares a new
set is growing in. What they serve at
birthday parties over there must be
some eoncoctioni
Evening star., 1931-12-07

Spain noT reioices In a new consti-
tuition. To paraphrase the wise-crack
OF a famous American statesman.
Whats tha constitution between enc
fnies?"
Evening star., 1931-12-07
Al the TheateT,

The usher hurries up the aisle.
He must make haste because
They'll need him in little while
To help with the applause.
Evening star., 1931-12-07
Hobbling Cupid.

From the worcester Evening Gazette.
Arkansas new 90-day divorce law, as
interpreted in Hollywood, means that
YOU can't get divorced in that, State
until you've been married for &C least
80 days.
Evening star., 1931-12-07

Austria, it is stated, intends to pass
legislation increasing both passenger
and freight railroad rates. This can
decidedly not be termed an omnibus
bill"
Evening star., 1931-12-07

When eating amid lot of noise,
science has recently declared, it is help
ful If one psrtakes of sweet foods
Science? Pooh! Small boys discovered
that great truth ages ago,