davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-04-11
At the Pistols Point.

Many a man has wondered what he
would do in sudden emergency, such
as that Of an armed man confronting
him with drawn weapon and demand
ing the delivery of cash. It is hard to
answer such a question. It is especially
hard to be quite honest in estimating
the reaction in such a moment Of sur
prise and peril. The average man likes
to believe that he would resist, would
make show of courage or skill. Yet
he cannot be sure that he would do 50.
He does not positively know what his
instant Response would be.
Gunner and thieves reckon upon the
chance that the victim will yield with
out any show Of resistance. They know
that the percentage is decidedly in favor
Of an instructive throwing up of hands,
that 1t is only the rarely exceptional
person who tries to defend himself by
counter attack.
This is not at all a question of per-
sonal bravery. 1t is a matter Of nervous
response to a sudden stimulus. The
command to Stick them up!" reinforced
with the presentation of a gun, almost
automatically brings about an attitude
Of surrender. The victory for the bandit
Les in that first moment, even though
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-04-11
Power and Navigable Streams.

The new Federal Power Commits
sion, in its frst major decision, has
laid down the principle that the Gov
eminent is empowered to exercise fun
control over hydroelectric developments
on water that may be non-navigable
If the flow affects navigable stream,
the ruling coming in the celebrated New
River case. The point is all importa Mt,
inasmuck as such physical condition OBJ
tains in by far the greatest part Of
the potential power development In
this country.
The decision conforms TO that school
Of thought which holds that only through
Federal supervision may the vast water
power resources Of the United States
be conserved and developed econom-
tcally. Opposed to that stand is the
view Of those proponents Of state
rights" who insist that Government
authority should extend only to the
particular needs of each case. The
lines were sharply drawn In the pres
ent instance.
The Appalachian Electric Power Com
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-04-11
Gandhi in America.

1t is easy to credit the suggestion
that exalted quarters in Washington
learn with mixed emotions that Gandhi
contemplates a visit to the United
States before or after the forthcoming
second round table on India in London.
Dispatches from New Delhi quote the
Mahatma as feeling that 1.-THE indie
pendence movement would receive
greater support If he were TO visit the
country which one hundred and fifty
years ago faced much the same prob
lens now confronting India"
Evidently Gandili and his associates
have well formulated ideas for a So
journ by him in the United States He
would come to us, the cables suggest,
"as a private citizen and without a
formal invitation" His friends In India
are said to feel that after he lands on
American soil, the President would be
free to invite him to Washington as a
distinguished foreign guest, after which
Gandhi would consult with responsible
Americans respecting formal itinerary"
Just how the Mahatma would expect
to be regarded as an ordinary person
touring the United States is something
which the mystic Indian intelligence
may comprehend, hut which is a little
foggier to us. He would arrive In this
hemisphere either directly from or en-
route to London. At London his role
is to be official in the highest degree.
He could no more divest himself of his
real identity over here than President
Hoover could do, II the American Chief
Executive essayed to travel through
South America ''incognito," or If the
Prince Of Wales sought to conceal him
SELF as hotel guest registering as the
Duke Of Rothesay.
Apart from whatever character
Gandfn might attempt to assume for
travelling purposes, the object of his
mission to this country would not be
and could not be disguised. As his
possible plans indicate, that object
would be to arouse American sympathy
for the cause Of Indian independence.
The Mahatma, in other words, would
seek to propaganda public opinion in
the United States against the British
oppressor" and in favor of the Indian
Nationalist. Leaving the merits of the
Gandhi crusade entirely on one side, 1t
must be apparent to him and his
thoughtful lieutenarts that an An1eri-
can campaign Of the proposed sort,
under his personal and magnetic
leadership. would inevitably confront
this Government with embarrassment.
In vague way, Indian independence
has already achieved the distinction Of
a formal issue at Washington because
Senator Blaine of Wisconsin has intro
duced a Senate resolution seeking to
commit the United States to support
Of Gandhi's ambitions. Perhaps the
Mahatna woslld be well advised TO
await the result of action on Mr..
Blaine's proposition. 1t would supply
pretty vivid evidence of just how strong
the pro-Indian independence cause is
hereabouts.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-04-11
a Wise Decision.

The Commissioners have made a
move as wise as 1t Is just in deciding
to engage the services Immediately of
an architect for the rather specialized
work of designing the new Children's
tuberculosis Sanatorium. The pressure
architects Office and the technical
nature of designs for the new hospital
ineurring differences of professional
opinion, have been cited as explana-
tons for the delay thus far. But such
explanations oan be regarded as reason
able for limited time only. In some
respects no undertaking In public works
facing the District is more important
nor backed by more sound reasons for
an immediate start than the Children's
tuberculosis Sanatoriun1. The Com
m.ssioners are to be congratulated In
departing from q priority schedule
that threatened to hold back construc-
ton and in giving the project certain
preferred status Of its own.
Final construction of the Childrens
tuberculosis Sanatorium will represent
victory in a fight lasting many years
for those who consistently have sought
to provide adequate care for children
subject to tuberculosis. Until a few
years ago they were left without any
hope of attention from the community.
The tuberculosis Hospital was never
equipped for the special type Of work
represented In the care and treatment
Of children. The establishment of the
health schools INST one need in pro-
viding certain proportion Of children
with educational opportunities under
conditions that benefited them physi-
cally. But children suffering from the
more advanced stages Of the disease
have remained without proper tnstitu-
tional facilities. The Childrens Tuber-
culosis Sanatorium will provide those
facilities. With the money available
for beginning construction, and with
the land already acquired, the project
should be regarded Is an emergent
undertaking. A delay Of so much as q
day should be avoided.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-04-11
The City Gates.

Identification Of the entrances to the
District Of Columbia Is q peculiarly
appropriate endeayor for city planners,
In view of their natural prominence.
Tourists from all sections Of the Colm-
try, arriving at the gateways OF the
National Capital, take a. keen, interest
in them.
These entrances by right ought TO
be both impressive and beautiful. hut
far too often Jack Of interest. on the
one hand, has We'd with plain inertia
on the other, TO make such gates tncon-
sptcuous. A point in instance is Chevy
Chase Circle. 1t is today, as it has
been for many years, a circle - and
nothing more. What might easily have
been, all these years, one Of the beauty
spots Of this vicinity has remained a
perfectly bare expanse.
Simplicity, it must be admitted,
Chevy Chase Circle has had in full
measure. But the wasted opportunity
is greater, and it is encouraging that
steps are now under way for the recti-
deation of this lack.
TIE entire residential area around
the circle, in all directions, is exception
ally beautiful. The approach down
Connecticut avenue is charming, es-
pecislly at tins time Of year. This cir
Gle, however, is only indicative of the
state Of things which exists at the other
city gateways. The point on Wisconsin
avenue, where the District line inter
sects, Is known only by sign which so
states.
The time has come, in view of the
approaching George Washington Bicen-
tennial, when this state of affairs must
be and will be changed for the better.
Committees are looking into the matter
and garden organization are being
asked to aid.
Washington viii look forward to the
day when its gates viii be made, If not
exactly architectural, at least digntfed
and beautiful and distinctive in them
selves.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-04-11

In the second fash OF time the victim
is striving to regain dominance over his
emotional reaction.
In the case of the attack upon the
Marlboro bank Thursday the leader of
the robber gang bungled his Job. He
had too many points of possible attack
before him. He gave his eventual OBJ
jective, Cashier owen, time to stabilize
before the crisis. Mr.. Owen was equal
to the emergency and won the duel that
enSued. The result might have been
different had the bandits gun not
failed to discharge alta critical moment
But the whole criminal enterprise was
wrecked by a funbling start.
Probably Mr.. owen, who thus
thwarted the robbery and doubtless
saved his own life by his courageous
assumption Of the offensive in defense,
was unaware of any process of reason
ing in that crucial moment. His in
stinct was to resist and 1t was given
opportunity Of expression by the rob-
ber's momentary distraction by the
episode of the stoppage of customer
by the gangmen who guarded the door.
Perhaps he would have drawn" and
fired in any case. Probably he cannot
now precisely determine what he would
have done had the hold-up followed
the ordinary course with the presenta-
ton of gun directly before his person
without any warning. He might have
tried to do just what he actually did
but with less success.
So long as criminals can get weapons
they will continue to stick them against
the persons of their victims and trust
to luck to get away with their loot
without having to fire. And Just SO
long will the victims in most cases yield
without shame or sense of cowardice
and in few others will resist, with
varying results.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-04-11

pany sought a license for an 81 1 yOo0. 900
project ,on New SRiyer, near Bradford,
Pulaski County, Virginia. A previous
commission held that New River was
neither navigated nor navigable in fact,
but that its flow could affect that of
the Kanawha Rivera nayigables stream
into which it merges 155 miles below
Radford, in west Virginia. Conse-
quently, it ruled, a major" license
should be issued, under which the Gov
eminent would supervise the financial
set-up of the project, provide for re-
capture -of. excess earnings and limit Its
lease to fifty years.
The Appalachian Electric protested,
declaring the Federal authority should
go no further than necessary to safe
guard navigation. 1t offered to take
a minor part" license on such terms.
In this 1t was backed by Virginia, West
Virginia, Arkansas. Tennessee and
Kentucky.
An opinion by Attorney General
Mitchell held the minor part" license
could issue. The Attorney General ad-
mitted, however, that the wording of the
law is obscure, and that such liberal
construction appears necessary in or
der to avoid serious question as to the
corstitutiona,ity of the act The new
Commission decided to go into the case
on its own, and the present de- cision is
the result. 1t did not pass on the navi-
gabiity of the New River, holding only
that the flow affects the Ksnawha,
which is tributary to the Ohio.
1t seems certain now that the ST.
prerlle Court will be called upon to
settle the issue finally.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-04-11
Natures Comedian.

The penguin is described as a nat
ral comedian, entirely fearless of hu-
man beings. When killing was deemed
essential 70 sport, it took only a little
while to change the natural trustful-
ness Of many animals to intense fear
The camera has in large measure
taken the place of the rife, making il
possible to enjoy what is interesting OF
beautiful In wild life without needless
slaughter. Possibly the penguin will
be enabled to retain his droll famil-
iarity instead of learning to regard
himself as an object of pursuit whose
first thought must be that Of hiding
from danger.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-04-11

Mary. the pony, was loose.
About this time every year Mary look'
over the fence of her small suburban
pasture and fancies the grass is greeneI
in the other fellows yard.
You know how it Is.
The neighbours grass always looks
greener. Somehow 1t has a deeper
richer tone, a more healthy look, ar
April perfection, as it were.
The truth is that, in the vast ma
jority of cases, the other fellows grass
is no better than any one else's, but
neither you nor Mary stop to realize
that.
So Mary looked over the fence and
took an immediate liking to the succu-
lent green which early April rains had
caused to rise up in beauty and light
What is more attractive, either tc
man or horse, than the fresh, new green
of grass blades arising from a burgeon-
ing, soft earth?
No wonder old Walt Whitman, Wash
ington's poet (but one, alas! whom We
permitted New York and Camden to
take away from us long ago. no won
der he wrote:
"A GItlu WHdb Is bI1C dso
fetching 1t to me with full hands
How could answer the child? do not
know what 1t Is any more than he. >
X X X
Mary didn't know what the grass was
any more than old Walt knew, but she
did what he did-guessed-sh guessed
1t must taste pretty good, If only she
could get at it.
Whitman guessed in the following
lines:
IT guess it must be the flag Of my dis
position, out of hopeful green stun
woven.
Or guess it Is the Handkerchief Of the
Lord.
"A scented gift and remembrance, de-
signedly dropped.
Bearing the owners name someway in
the corners that we may see and
remark and say, WhoSe?"
This pony, not being poet, eschewed
words and went in for action. She
wanted to chew grass.
She got over the fence. or through
the fence, or maybe 1t was carelessly
Anyway, she got out
X X
It was lovely world in which Mary
There was great sport Just in that,
for It was seldom that the pony got out
without her harness.
When she did usually It was upon
some such occasion as this.
The air had soft something In 1t
which brought wild ancestral memories
to Mary. She looked around in amaze
ment at the familiar streets of the SUBJ
urb where she had been brought up.
Today there was something remote
far away, strange, in the long slope of
the thoroughfare, the appearance of
the oaks and the locUsts, the homes
along the way.
Mary had been along here many
with other children, but this was her
first trip-this yearly herself.
Upon several similar occasions she
had made such solo trips, and, strange
to relate, it was the green grass Of
Springtine which WIS to blame each
time.
Mary lifted her head and her sensi-
tive nostrils quivered.
Fresh grass!
Ali
Her large eyes flashed as she sur
veyed the landscape. Behind her she
could hear the children running with
the bride.
How she hated her harness today!
Mostly she had become used to it. These
strange creatures who put 1t on her
wanted her to wear 1t and she liked to
cblige them, for they were kind, saw
that she had plenty Of oats and an oc-
caSional apple and even now and then
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-04-11

Should Smedley Butler realize his
aspiration to become a q. s. Senator he
will find himself compelled for a time
at least to restrain his talents as a
dtsciplinarian and study new condi-
lions of usefulness. The Senate is not
an easy place in which to introduce
Butlerian methods of quick action.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-04-11

No town is too small to get into head
lines as the scene Of bank robbery.
This form Of publicity, however, is not
regarded by any student Of civic devel-
opnnent as having practical benefit. ex-
cepting when the teller is a narksman
and can prove that the depositor is
safer than the hold-up man.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-04-11
SHOOTING STARS.
BY PRTLANDER JOHNSON.
Easy Enterprise.

Easy Enterprise.
The farmer says he'll go In debt
For things with which to plow.
The tradesman says that he will g
A stock Of goods. somehow.
But the gangster whose endeavor
Is to keep us on the run
Has no trouble whatsoever
When he wants to buy a gun.
The workman pays the interest
Upon his house and lot;
To own outright he does his best
The flivver that he got.
But the gangster whose ambition
Is for homicidal fun
Finds no trace Of opposition
When he wants to buy a gun.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-04-11

A new kind of record Is apparently
being sought by Lindbergh The average
man with so spectacular a start in fame
would have tried to be continually in
the spotlight. Lindbergh retains the
capacity for Studious silence that made
his achievement complete and unex-
pected.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-04-11

Fault-finding was not conspicuous in
the personality Of the late Nicholas
Longworth. He cultivated no gift for
singing criticism, yet his sense of duty
was strong and found unhesitating ex-
preston in action rather than in words
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-04-11
Highlights on the Wide World
Excerpts From Newspapers of Other Lands

| self-expression and initiative-to talk
much and talk grandiloquentlyl We
have arrived at a. point when thin
veneer of sophistication and Of frivolous
repartee has supplanted real knowledge
and real virtue
However, in so far as any conscious
indiScretion is concerned, that Is an
other thing. Most Of these objectionable
cyh.b.ttcrj on the part Of adolescence
are h~-ught forth rather in ingenious
ness than in badness.
X X
Brave Huntsman
Captures Fox in Well.
Nation and Athenaeum, London
Letter to the EDITOR Sir: One Of our
evening papers reports that "a fox,
after long and exacting chase by the
Ynysfor hounds In Snowdonia, eventu-
ally took refuge in an old copper mine
shaft. Capt. j. r. H. Jones, brother OF
Col. Bowen Jones, the master, was
lowered with a rope As feet down the
shaft. Locating the fox with an cleo
trio torch, he seized 1t, and. holding 1t
by the back of the neck. was hauled to
the surface, where hounds made short
work of their quarry"
Col. Jones no doubt led with con-
spicuous gallantry the long and exact
ing chase which ended in the fox, COM
pletely worn out, creeping into the old
mine. With a courage probably unex-
ampled in the hunting field, his brother,
Capt. Jones, entered the mine and
faced the ferocious animal alone. Armed
only with an electric torch, he sought
it out, caught it by the neck, and on
reaching the surface threw it to the
hounds. And so ended q glorious days
sport. What a group for Mr.. Hardi-
man!
Is it any wonder that the British
Army has the reputation Of being ready
to go anywhere and do anything?
D. M. STEVENSON.
English and Spanish
Achievement Equal in New World.
FL Nuevo Diario, Caracas.-There are
nearly as many people south Of the Rio
Grande as north Indeed. allowing for
omissions due to the impossibility Of
enumerators reaching various aboriginal
tribes living in the remote interiors or
on inaccessible mountain peaks, it il
likely these two divisions of the ALL
American population are about equal,
which means again that the vogue Of
the English language and that of the
Spanish is about on a par in the West
ern Hemisphere. It is true that in
Brazil Portuguese is spoken almost ex-
clusively by the educated native popu-
lation, but this deduction is offset again
by the fact that many millions in North
America speak French and not Eng
fish. Besides, Portuguese Is much more
analogous to Spanish than French Is
to English.
A summary Of the latest census in
Central and South America and Mexico
gives the total population as 113, 436, 900.
OF these people 42,600,000 are in Brazil,
$4,000, 900 in Mexico, 10,30O.000 in Ar
gentina, 100000 In Colombia, 100000
in Peru and between 5000, 900 and f..
100000 In each of the following coun-
tries: Bolivia, Chile, Venezuela and
Cuba. Other smaller nations on the
continent and in the West Indies make
up the sum which proves that Anglo
Saxon and Spanish achievement and
occupation are about equal in the New
World.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-04-11
Joy of Inaccuracy.

JOY OF IHdCCuTdcy.
Ill try to shun the thought Of gloom
And sing little song,
Remembering how the flowers bloom
And not how crops go wrong.
The future frequently we say
VIII cause us some distress.
But when prophesy that way,
hope miss my guess.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-04-11
Rate by Mail-Payable in Advance.
MARYLAND and Virginia.
Am Other States and Canada.
Member of the Associated Press.

The Associated Press is exclusively entitled
petches credited to it or rot otherwise cred
ited in this paper a.nd also the local news
SpeciaI dispatches herein are also reserved
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-04-11
The Yearn for Excitement.

80 you don't think you would be
content with domestic life?"
Il might" answered Miss Cayenne
But so many people know would
rather go to Reno and play roulette
than stay home and play backgammon. :"
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-04-11

In the matter Of announcing the
actual arrival of Spring, the cherry
blooms around Tidal Basin are more re-
liable than the calendar.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-04-11

Try Them for Your Clog Feet.
From the Fort Wayne News-sentinel.
Jimmy Walker taking mud baths in
California? Why, sir, that's out of the
frying pan into the fire, as you might
say, sir.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-04-11

The Autoist Gets the Stretch.
/ From the Florence (Alabsma) Herald.
Some take Spring tonic for that
midtown feeling, but pedestrians need
a stretcher.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-04-11

A thought Of going into politics had
occurred to Al Capone, who, after read
ing the election returns from Chicago,
has probably changed his mind.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-04-11
AdaptabiIity.

Are you wet or a dry?"
I'm broaemtnded and adaptable, -
answered Senator Sorghum. "A poll
tician now uses the method of old days
with slight variation. He offers flask
or a pitcher of ice water. But he uses
the same old phrase, 'What'll you take?''
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-04-11

Clues are found in abundance when
crime is committed. Detectives con-
tinue to find persons who ct them.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-04-11
Nor Lent ANY.

From the Birmingham News.
81 have thousands Of friends" says a
Cor gresham. So here's one man who
never tried to borrow money.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-04-11
Rate by Carrier Within the civ.

The Evening Star .45c per month
The Evening and Sunday Star
when sundays -. .eoc per month
The Evening ana Sunday Star
.lwhen SundaysJ ........ .65c per month
The Sunday Star 100. $50. SC ger copy
Collection made at the end Of each month
National 5000.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-04-11

Jud Tunkins says he has heard all
kinds Of political speeches, and hopes
next campaign they'll tune the old band
wagon up for folk dances.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-04-11
UnattainabIe.

Man gives his money or his life
Nor finds through argument or strife
A place to pause and say with pride,
"At last I'm wholly satisfied"
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-04-11
Tie That Ship Up Tight.
From the Charleston

FIVIH TIC OIaIIesIUH wv. va DaIIy MaI
Probably that gentleman who ran of
with Explorer Byrd's overcoat' merely
wanted q Souvenir.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-04-11

"Playin' de banjo" said Uncle Eben,
don't attempt no argufcations an fob
dat reason it's purity safe subs itute
fob talk"