davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1931-03-14

follow about the loosening Of leg muscles
upon which the making of runs viii de-
pend in the months to come.
Every year a large crowd gathers in
the name of the team" There are
first of all the regulars, those tried and
tested players who made" the team in
past seasons and are now rated as reg
ulars, assured of their positions. Then
there are the semi-regulars, who came
along last year and almost or halfway
made good and are now well up In the
substitute list. Finally there are the
real rockies, draftees from the minors
and subminors, youngsters whose high
est hope is to be allowed to remain with
the team throughout the season. but
with more than even chance of going
back into some lesser circuit for more
training and development.
1t is indicated from Biloxi that the
higher-ups in the National management
expect to stand pat on the team that
finished the season last year, with
much stronger line of reserves for sub
stitution and replacement. Considering
that the team that finished second in
the American League 1890 race was for
the latter third of the season going at
a pace equal to that of the eventual
champions, that same team being the
Nationals, the prospect of putting that
identical aggregation into competition
this year is by no means a sad one for
the home fans. Considering further
that the second line this Spring is much
stronger than the second line year
ago, the prospect is indeed bright.
Pennants are not won at the training
camps. They are won on the regular
playing fields during the months of
April, May June, July, August and Sep
tember. But many a pennsnt is being
won right now in mental visions in
duced by the roseate reports that come
up from the South. And Washington
shares III this performance.
Evening star., 1931-03-14

not burn. How can this be true?-N. q.
A. Liquid gasoline will not burn. It
| Is the vapors above the liquid which
burns. The easier the gasoline evapo-
rates. the better fuel it is.
@. Is it permissible for a bride 10
exchange her wedding giftS?--M. B. d.
| A. She should never change the pres
ents chosen for her by her family or
by the grooms family, unless especial
ly told that she may do so. However.
10 Keep number of one kind Of gifts,
when In need of another. is said by one
authority TO be putting sentiment
above sense"
Q. Who composed the flag pledge2-
A. q. K.
A. The original flag pledge which is
used in the public schools was wTltten
IN tentative form by the late James B.
Upham of Maiden. Mass. He was $
member OF the Perry Mason Publishing
Co. publishers of the Youths Compan-
ion. 1t was nodded into its present and
| f1nal form by members of the firm and
| the editorial staff of the Youths Conn
panion. 1t was first given wide public
ity through the national public school
celebration of Columbus day, the Of
ficial program of which was p,rhlishad
In the YOUTHS Companion. September
W AoS@s Rt IlEIlE lIllS WAS
sent out in leafiet form to various
schools. 1t was officially used in the
public school celebration on October 81.
1892.
@. When was New Amsterdam re-
named New York?-H. T.
A. New Amsterdam was renamed
New York and the State government
reorganized IN 1865, after possession
had been taken from the Dutch by the
British in 1864 The schout, burgo-
masters and schepens were replaced
with sheriff and alderman and mayor.
The actual charter of New York City
upon which most of its civic rights were
based was granted April %, 1886.
Q. Was Robert F. Foster, the card
N A.
:. A. He was born in Edinburgh, Scot
land. May 81, 1883, but has lived in
this country for many years.
@. What is a true bill?-M. B.
A. A true bill is the finding Of Jury
charging a certain person with the
commission of an Illegal act. In other
words, when facts are presented to the
grand Jury by the prosecutor tending to
snow that crime has been committed
and a certain person is accused of this
crime, that person is indicted and the
nnding is known as true bill"
O. What did r. I. stand for after
Queen Victoria's name?-M. McC.
A. The initials stand for the Latin
words Regina 1mperatrice," meaning
Queen and Empress, in reference to the
TACT that she was Queen of England
and Empress of India Similarly, King
George uses the same letters to stand
Tor Rex Imperator," meaning King and
Emperor.
Q. What is the origin of the express
SIGN "on the leyep?-C. T.
A. 1t is said to have originated In
Freemasonry. the level being an emblem
Of that organization.
Q. Where does this appear: ''The
coward dies many times before his
death. the valiant taste of death but
once"?-P. J. F.
A. 1t appears in Julius Caesar" act
2, scene 2, line 80.
Evening star., 1931-03-14
ROad-Building Plans
Called Cheering Note
From the Atlanta Journal

From the Atlanta Journal.
The most cheering news in many a
day on the unemployment pro.,em is
the announcement by the National
Emergency Committee" at washington
that 38 Stats have provided for the ex-
penditure this year of more than $780,
100000 on highway construction, from
funds now available" and that addi-
tional road Improvements in these
States, If authorized by the Legislatures,
will bring the total to 1915 O00, 900.
The work which these activities will
bring to eagerly waiting men, the hope
they will kindle in well-nigh despair
ing hearts, the new life they will pour
into many veins of business, the inn
petus they will give to economic recov-
cry. all will be worth intellectually more
to the common country and to each of
the States concerned than the hundreds
of millions thus to be spent.
Not a dollar of these funds, 1t should
be noted, will be in the nature of a dole.
The public works for which they, pro-
vide are basic necessities and will serve
all the people. Good roads there must
be II agriculture Is to market its prod
ucts to advantage and If industry and
commerce are to go forward. Further,
a dollar will buy more in road-building
today than for some years gone by, so
that it is sound economy as well as So
cially useful enterprise for Government
to concentrate on such activities at this
juncture.
Evening star., 1931-03-14
Leave IT to the DOG.

Lovers of dogs n:ver tire of tales OF
the sagacity and fidelity of those ami
mails. However often repeated, they
are always delectable to tha admirers of
the creature that has been called mans
best friend. Nor are they fiction stories,
for there is no need of fiction in this
matt-r. They celebrate the dogs faith
fulness, its sagacity, its memory, its
veritable reasoning powers, its affection.
A court case in Long Island City is
just in point. A shepherd dog was
claimed by two persons, Mrs Sarah
McShane end Albsrt Weinberger. The
rivals told their storis about the dog,
each setting up a case OF ownership.
Judge Peter DAILY, perhaps himself one
who knows dogs well, concluded that
the decision should really rest with the
animal He ord red that it be released
from its leash at the bench. As the
over the court room, both Mrs. McShane
and Mr. We.nberger called to it. The
dog start down the room, past both
Of the major claimants, and thrust its
head into the lap Of little Marilyn Nc
Shane, aged two, who sat at the back
Of the room. The case was settled then
ana there.
This is not an exceptional instance
Judges have resorted to this expedient
many times, and never has an appeal
from such a decision been successfully
taken. There is no higher court than
that of the dogs instinct and memory
and affection.
Evening star., 1931-03-14
Around the Rim of Potomac Park

Completion OF cement footpath
around the speedway in Potomac Park
gives Washington boardwalk" of
four miles that has no equal in this
country for atSractireness. This i'm
pro-ement has long been needed. 1t
-lc. been possible heretofore for pedes-
TRANS to pass around the outer rim Of
the park by walk ng on the sea wall
At places, however. the going was rough
ard actually unsafe. There was no
guard rail for protection. Now there is
a smooth footway and railing. and
this accommodation will add greatly
to the pleasure Of the public in its use
{ the park.
With the exception Of one compare
lively short stretch the view from the
park walk thus provided is beautiful.
On the Georgetown Channel side the
scene is always lovely. At Hams Pointand
for a distance up on the Washington
Channel side the outlook is inepiring.
But for the remainder Of the distance
going west toward the outlet gate of
the lake the prospect is depressing.
The river front Of the city is blot
on the landscape. Save for one OF
two Of the docks the wharf structures
are in sad disrepair. A stranger taking
this walk o. driving slowly on the
Speedway along this space receives a
most unfortunate impression of the
Capital.
Plans have been proposed for the
correction OF these conditions, but their
execution has been delayed and post
poned over span Of many years. What
should be neat and attractive river
front remains q shabby, disordered
stretch Of tumble-down docks and
jagged pile-ends, remnants of decayed
landing stages. In contrast with the
neat grounds Of the washington Bar
racks and War College. this space Is
. Disagreement for which the Washing
tonia1 when actinS as host and guide tc
Evening star., 1931-03-14
ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
BY FREDERIC J. HASKIN.

What do you need to know? Is
there some point about your business
or personal life that puzzles you? Is
there something you want to know
| without delay? Submit your question
to Frederic j. Haskin, director of our
Washington Information Bureau He
is employed to help you. Address your
inquiry to The Evening Star Informa-
ton Bureau, Frederic j. Haskin, direc-
tor, Washington, D. c., and inclose 2
cents in coin or stamps for return post
age.
@. Has the amount of money spent
in Paris by tourists from the United
States fallen off perceptibly?-P. M
A. Reports from Paris say that there
is decided falling off In this revenue.
There were about 100000 visitors I'm
1880, while 1929 brought 100000. The
individual traveller is spending less than
he did few years ago.
@. Are many of the stocks bought
on the New York Stock Exchange paid
for in full and transferred to the buy
ers in their own names?-G. H. b.
A. A very small portion of stocks is
paid for in full by clients who wish
them transferred to their own names.
but all stocks are paid for in full when
cllentc-that is, the broker must pay in
tul Tor the stocks purchased.
Q. Who gave the Wimbledon Trophy
which was held three times by GUY
Emerson ?-B. b.
A. The Wimbledon Cup was pre-
sented in 1874 by the National Rifle
Association OF Great Britain for annual
competition by the rihemen of America
/ tn oil
states. The course Is 20 shots at | 900
yards. Any rife sights and ammuni-
tlon may be used, and the position is
prone.
@. How old was Wallace Reid at the
time of his death?-H. McC.
A: This popular motion picture actor
died January 18, 1928, at the age of 80.
@. Please give some information
about Prof. Heckler and his flea cir
cuS.-E. P. c.
A. Heckler was born in Switzerland,
out nrst saw performing fleas In Ger
many. He came to the United States
When he was 18 years of age and
gave his first exhibition about % years
ago. Ordinary fleas are used. The
female is preferred because it is easier
10 train. About two weeks is required
"'S Va oAAilS pei iOd. 6'TOI. f1SCRleT
feeds the f1eas with blood from his own
right arm. One of these insects, weigh
ing one-half grain, can Jump 3 or 4 feet.
Ihe insects are kept in little boxes, their
1eet tangled with cotton The perform
ance is visible to the naked eye. It is
given on a white table brilliantly illu-
minated. Prof. Heckler says that, when
once trained, fieas do not desert. The
1rst trained flea circus in America was
put en- at the Old Stone and Austin
Museum IN Boston some 40 years ago.
@. How long have there been minor
leagues In base ball?-G. T.
A. One came into existence in 1877
one year after the formation of the
National League. The circuit was call
ed the International League.
O. Where is the table upon which
the Declaration of Independence was
signed?-L. K. j.
A, 1t is in Independence Hall in
Philadelphia.
@. I have been told that gasoline will
Evening star., 1931-03-14
THIS. AND THAT
BY CHARLES E. TRACEKELL.

But de. sound of a chicken a-fryin' ir
de pan,
| Um, um!
! OATS music to mel" Old Song
The reader will have to be as old a:
the writer to remember that song, but
he may be as young as 8 years of age
and still enjoy fried chicken.
No doubt some of these precocious
Youngsters who are said to smoke large
and black cigars at the mature age of :
may have their chicken much earlier.
| At whatever possible age, human
beings are fond of chicken. which, by
| the strange alchemy of the medical
mind, is scarcely regarded as meat al
all and is permitted" in many case
where all other meats are taboo.
Fried chicken, however, comes into Its
own only with the healthy. Primarily
| Of course, because the latter can cal
more of 1t.
Gluttony is forgivable with fried
! chicken.
The most staid. the most respectable
| American citizen takes on something OF
the appearance of the great Lucullus
when he sits down before a platter OF
honest fried chicken.
In the contemplation of this dish all
men become truly equal. Not just In
the sense that jefferson meant, that
| men are and must be equal before the
law, which should treat them all alike
without favortiSm, but, in the case oi
| chicken, III the sense that their regard
for the fare Is on a plane of deep COM
mon sense
Perhaps we keep best our brotherhood
| with the animals when We indulge too
freely. although it may not occur twice
a year in the joys of the table.
The. animals can understand that
and perhaps there is nothing else We do
which they can understand.
4
What is more delightful than the
odor Of frying chicken?
1t Is rather more than delicate, but
distinctly less than odiferouS. 1t i'm
pinges, but does not cloy.
This is one food which does not lose
its flavor by giving off fragrance in
cooking.
Thank Heaven, there is plenty leftl
At this point, let us stop long enough,
in our continuity of chicken, to remark
that the exclamation point ought to be
barred. II not by law, then by common
consent Of writers everywhere.
We never use an exclamation, as
above, without wishing we had the
nerve TO leave IL out. 1t Is a habit,
however, sanctified by long usage, and
readers have come to expect it, Just
as those who write have come to regard
it as an essential part of their tool kit.
1t is no such thing. The exclamation
point is seldom, If ever. necessary.
What may be said with it is just as
well said. in the vast majority of cases,
without it. 1t gives, it Is true, a sort
OF fillip to thought, but one too often
has the sad feeling that the thought
ought to stand on its own feet, without
the az tagging ON behind like a bit of
lace on lady's train. Both are unnec-
esSary.
~
But to get back TO our fried chicken.
now taking on the delectable tone of
brown which distinguishes it from all
other meats, even turkey.
Proper bro~I'ing--'F should it be
tanning?-is the final seal of ocular
approval. The eye delights in it, no
less than the taste.
1t is this crunchy layer atop the meat
which adds Incompatible zest to the
dinner. Its proper construction is a
Evening star., 1931-03-14
"Another Roosevelt. :"

When Senator Norris of Nebraska de-
clared in an address to the Progressive
Conference just closed I'VE need another
Roosevelt" in the White House, he gave
impetus to the drive for the nomination
by the Democrats of Gov Franklin D.
Roosevelt. 1t has b:en explained that
Senator Norris had the late Theodore
Roosevelt in mind, the old trust buster"
and leader of Progressives back in 1912
Nevertheless a number of Democratic
leaders friendly to the candidacy OF
Roosevelt look upon the declaration of
the Progressive leader of 1891 aS indie
ative OF a purpose on the pant of the
Republican ProgreSsives, if President
Hoover Is renominated, to support the
candidacy next year OF Franklin d.
Roosevelt. 1t is union which many of
the Democrats have devcutly desired.
Senator Norris has let it be known
that he does not intend to support
President Hoover in the presidential
campaign if the President be renom-
mated He has not said directly he
will support the Democratic candidate,
although lie has declared that no new
third party will be formed. If the
Democrats do not nominate Progress
siye, the Nebraska Senator has indi-
Gated he will go fishing" on election
day next year. How far the rest of the
Republican Progressive group will fol-
low Senator Norris in this matter of
presidential candidates is still a prcb-
lem. But many of the Democrats be-
lieve apparently that considerable
number of the Progressiyes will go along
with Mr. Norris. For that reason they
are anxious to have the next Demo-
cratic National Convention pick a Pro-
gressive Democrat. Gov. Roosevelt.
they say, Is the man. It is argued
furthermore that he is wet enough In
his beliefs to carry his own State, New
Jersey, Massachusetts, and other pop
ulous States where anti-prohibition
sentiment is strong.
So Gov. RooSevelt's candidacy for the
Democratic nomination for President
doubtless has been aided by the con-
ference of the Progressives held in
Washington, just as 1t Is believed to
have been aided by the meeting of the
Democratic National Committee here
last week. In the IRmocratic Commit
tee meeting, Chairman John j. Rasko,,
who is anxious to have the party de-
clare in its national platform for a
constitu ional amendment which would
give the States the right to control the
liquor traffic within their boundaries,
met a considerable rebuff, largely due
to the fact that Gov. Roosevelt and
the New York State Committee sat
down squarely on the proposition at
this time. This raised the stock of Gov.
Roosevelt considerably with the South
ern democracy.
Roosevelt is regarded at present as
the Progressive" candidate of the
Democrats for the presidential noni-
ration. This is partly due to the stand
he has taken on the water-power .ques-,
tion. The more conserya i've Democrats
are inclined to owen D. Young, who is
believed to be Mr. Raskob's choice for
the nomination. Mr.. Young. however.
is likely to have hard shedding in a
Democratic national convention. He Is
regarded as too closely allied with big
business and with the power trust"
Evening star., 1931-03-14
Business Rivalry in Divorce
Raises Issue of Uniform Law

weakening Of the marriage tie. Very
Few measures have been enacted to
make the road to divorce smoother and
easier. In the Wyoming Legis-
lature they perpetrated a grim Joke.
A measure to reduce divorce residence
from che year to sixty days was re-
ferred to the Roads and Bridges Com
mittee-just why referred to this COM
mittee does not appear, unless 1t be to
give notice that such legislation would
have a rough road to travel, with the
bridges out, blocking the way ID final
passage OF the measure. Wyoming has
Killed two similar bills in recent years" {"
4
The Texarkana Gazette argues: "If
divorces are TO be passed out merely
for the asking, when accompanied by
the proper fees, why make the appli-
cants wait 80 days. or even a month?
The only argument against the shorter
period is that it would reduce the
profits of the divorce colony hotels. /"
The st. Louis Times concludeS: For
mercantile or commercial reasons Ne
Vada cannot allow Arkansas, Idaho or
some other rival commonwealth to take
all or a percentage of this trade-which
Is mostly clear profit. Divorce has
thus joined the trend of the hour and
bscome big business. So far. how
ever, it has defied the rule of expand
ing and at the same time merging.
There is not a merger in q court
load"
The old argument for uniform Fed
eral statutes governing these important
matters gains new force in the iudg-
ment OF the Clev; land News. The
query suggested to the Charleston
wv Va.) Daily Mail is, Once the
passion for easy money is acquired
when and where will the quest BE-
ended?"
The States involved. as the matter
appeals to the Philadelphia Evening
Bulletin, ARE playing directly into the
hands OF the advocates of Federal con-
troll" The Bulletin also records: "At
tlrss the attempt was to induce the
states to adopt uniform law on the
subject. Little headway having been
made in that direction, movement
Tor constitutional amendment has
been launched. Senator Capper has
been its sponsor in Congress. 1t pro-
poses to empower Congress to make
laws which shall be uniform through
out the United States on marriage and
divorce. the legitimation of children
and the care and custody of children
affected by annulment of marriage or
by divorce"
Evening star., 1931-03-14
Hunnose It Is Unlawful?

Dispatch OF an assistant to Boston
10 get on the trail of the owners OF
the Washington gas properties and q
request fer aid from the Department
Of Justice in unravelmg the tangled
slkein In which such ownership Is
wrapped are the preliminary steps ex-
pected of the corporation counsel in
getting together his evidence upon
which to test validity of the recent
transfers, or retransfers, of the local
utilities property.
They are necessary steps and every
effort should be made to have the
courts again rule on what appears
plainly to be, on It's face, a violation
Of broadly inclusive provisions Of the
La Toilette anti-merger act.
But the question remains: Suppose
the whole deal is an infraction of the
law? What of it2
II the provisions of this law have
been violated the court might order
the new owners to divest them
selves of the stock or bonds and
to refrain from voting their stock, and
Congress might withdraw the charters
by which the gas companies operate,
provided the charter provisions have
been violated. But the sale of the
stock or bonds would merely be another
transfer to another company. formed in
few minutes to suit the yicissitudes
Of litigation, and C-ngress probably has
no thought of dissolying the gas COM
pany. The truth is that the horse has
already left the stable, whether the
door is locked or not
The Public Utilities Commission must
nevertheless know the full extent and
the significance of the present owner
ship and mana cement. Even thcugh
that ownership is a small part Of the
uGlIty combinations that are now SAID
to own gas and electric properties rep
rssenting $4,000. 600, 900 in invested
capital, gross earnings Of which have
been estimated at upward OF $3,000,-
1000 annually, it is important that
all its ram;fications extending 10 local
OhAfS4sAAIb ain OPSAdtAOH NC bllJIOuBll!t
exc mined
The commission has the power to Ak
fair rates, 70 require COOL service, to
s-ompei proper improvements in plant
within the District of Columbia, re-
Eard,ess OF who owns the gas company.
a knowledge of ownership is essential
to guard against bookkeeping imitation
Of operating expense. But SO long as
the gas companies are operated in the
District, the commission may eYaluate
their local holdings. require strict COM
pliance with rules laid down for safety
and satisfaction of the consumers and
prevent the manipulation of rate struc-
tilres at loss to the con3umers and at
:. seivet profit TO the manipulators.
L. the meantime the corporation
ccursel should spare no pains il gath
erir,4 what evidence he can. If the
co.,fts are not enthusiastic, Congress
W. no doubt be interested in the facts