davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1932-08-31
A Plea for the Great
Oak at TakOma Park
To the Editor OF The Star.

To the Editor OF The star.
I make a plea for the mammoth oak
at Takoma Park, D. c. How command
ing the form of this great tree, its
branches with a spread of 100 feet or
over! In this Bicentennial year. how
typical of great life is this great oak!
How insignificant one feels to stand be-
fore its great growth and strength and
compare the heart of the oak with my
human one-So ever ready to falter in
the hour of trial! I think of all it
has done since, as a tiny acorn, it fell
to the earth a century or more ago.
Yet from then till now it has not failed
to fulfill its part ordained when created.
With it's roots thrust deep in the earth,
it has stood strong and upright under
the blast of Winter storms and in Sum-
mer spread its leafy branches to shelter
the earth from scorching heat with
loving arms. 1t has provided a guard
ed home for nesting birds and with its
nuts fed the hungry squirrels. 1t has
given freely to the earth of its great
wealth of strength and beauty, asking
only in return that it be left uninjured
and unmarried by man, to stand before
us as a peerless work Of God, Who
alone can make a tree"
The gentle widow who owned it re-
fused to sell it, to let it fall sacrifice
to human greed, but her plea went un-
needed. The ground on which the tree
stands has been condemned, the title
taken and the tree to be destroyed
Will no hand reach out and save tree
that, if Washington were living now,
no one would dare to harm?
AGNES G. ROBINSON.
Evening star., 1932-08-31
A Plan to Cure
"A Sick Industry

To the Editor Of The Star
In order to relieve street car COM
panies from the burden of taxation
which is now forcing them into bank
ruptcy, 1t Is not at all necessary to in
crease taxes on others not able to bear
them, but only on those clearly able to
bear them. The worst trouble is our
absurd scheme of taxation-taXing in
comes and gross earnings instead of ex-
cess profits. Capital Traction in 1881
was taxed over S240,000 on gross earn
ings, Federal income and crossing po-
lice. During the first half OF the present
year 1t earned nothing-had deficit of
3,036.60. And yet 1t must pay similar
taxes this year, allow no dividends to
stockholders and draw on its capital to
pay taxes.
A rational plan of taxation Of corpo-
rations would be no income tax or tax on
gross earnings but only tax on excess
profits. Allow each corporation to de-
duct from gross earnings all expense Of
operation and all other taxes Except
the tax on real estate not used in oper-
atom and 6 per cent dividends on all
paid-up stock and interest on all indebt-
edness On the income balance then
left impose a tax of rs per cent per
each l per cent of such balance as it
relates to the total of per cent divi-
dends on paid-up common stock.
Assume the total of such dividend to
be 81 900. Then the tax on $100 balance
would be 25 per cent tax rate, equal
| $3.50 tax; 5000 balance, S per cent
| rate, $40 tax: $500 balance. 12.5 per
! cent rate, $62.50 tax; 81 900 balance, 25
per cent rate, $3.50 tax; $4,000 balance
so per cent rate. $1,000 tax; $4,000 bal
ance, 100 per cent rate. tax $4,000.
The maximum surplus obtainable
would equal the dividend when the bal
ance was double the dividend. Excess
balance would be taken rapidly by the
| tax as the balance became greater
That would induce keeping prices down
to normal. 1t would cut our gas and
electricity bills to half while allowing
the corporations all the profit to which
| fairly entitled; thing the Public Utili-
ties Commission never can or will never
do. Capital Traction and 100000 other
corporations would then pay dividends.
C. B. HEMINGWAY.
Evening star., 1932-08-31
ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
BY FREDERIC J. HASKlN.

@. Are the abbreviations AM" and
Pm" used in wedding invitations?-
c. K.
A. They are not used. II Il k
morning wedding, merely the hour is
given; If an evening wedding. the word
evening" Is included. For example.
Tuesday evening at o'clock
Q. Did Kit Carson 90 with Fremont
on his fourth expedition?-E. w.
A. Kit Carson accompanied John
Charles Fremont on his first three ex-
petitions. He did not accompany him
on the fourth. Bill williams, who had
been engaged at Pueblo for the fourth
expedition. in 1849, by Kit Carson, vent
reluctantly because he believed that
the passage Of the mountains at this
season of the year was very difficult,
If not impossible. The expedition en-
countered severely cold weather and
endured q great deal of suffering.
Eleven men died as the result, and in
February the scattered survivors were
finally gathered at the pueblo of Taos,
N. Mex. Kit Carson lived here and
aided them. Fremont was cared for
in Carson's house.
O. Is there an age limit for appoint
rnent as postmaster?-E. N.
A. In order to qualify for q post
master position in any class ofice 1t Is
necessary for the applicant to have
reached his 21st birthday and not to
have passed his 65th birthday.
@. What is an oblate In the Roman
Catholic Church?-R. C.
A. An oblate Is one who, not being a
nrnfnacad fr{or hae nikbnp d.,
youth been offered to God and full
filled that Offering or in adult youth
has dedicated himself to the service of
God in holy religion. There are OBJ
lates Of many orders. Those Of st.
Francis are perhaps the best known.
@. Why is an opal considered i'll
luck?-B. NJ.
A. The opal has not always been re-
garded as an unlucky stone. The su-
perstition regarding its bad luck began
in the fourteenth century at the time
of the Black Death, particularly in
Venice At that time the opal was a
favorite Of the Italian jewelers., but 1t
was said that opals worn by those
stricken with the disease became sud
denly brilliant, and that their hster
departed upon the death of the owner
linus Tile opal DeCdiHc dSSOCldteQ W1LH
death and an object of dread.
@. Has the Graf Zeppelin made a
trip across the Southern States?-L. S.
A. The Graf Zeppelin has only made
one trip over the United States. On
this trip she passed over Los Angeles.
Calf; FL Paso, Tex; Chicago, III, and
New York City. N. Y. She did not
cross the Southern States.
Q. In art how is Aesculapius de-
picted?-J. C. w.
A. He Is usually represented as
bearded man wearing a mantle which
leaves the right shoulder and breast
bare.
@. How long did the South Sea
Bubble last?-C. P.
A. The South Sea Co. was organized
in It'll, but did not begin its large
financial operations until 1720. Then
its stock was quoted at 1913. Six
months later the price had risen to
1000. BY the end of the year the bub-
BILE had burst, and thousands of in
vestors were ruined. The South Sea
Co., however, continued its existence
and operation for nearly 100 years.
Evening star., 1932-08-31

This great service is maintained by
The Star for the benefit Of its readers.
who may use It every day without cost
to themselves. All they have to do Is
ask for any information desired, and
they will receive prompt answers by
mail Questions must be clearly writ
ten and stated as brifey as possible.
Inclose 3-eent stamp for return postage
and address The Evening Star Informa-
ton Bureau. Frederick j. Haskin, Di-
rector, Washington, D. c.
@. What Is the penalty for using
copyrighted musical composition in
theater without permission?-M. r.
A. The copyright laws provide that
any person who infringes a copyright
musical composition shall be liable in
damages to the copyright owners in an
amount not to exceed $4,000 nor less
than $3.50.
B.F.
A. Its origin is \ uncertain. 1t is
attributed by some to Japanese ply
sician who learned the rudiments of
the art in China. Others claim that
1t was in common use in Japan CEN
turies before this time. Most are agreed
that jiu jitSI' originated in China, but
that the japanese have modified 1t
greatly.
@. How may counterfeit bills be de-
tected by tho average person?-F. L.
A. The present issue Of currency
has distinctive fibers distributed across
and near the ends of the note. This
is one Of the best tests of genuine bill.
No counterfeiter can put in silk threads
to initiate the genuine bill. The paper
Of the counterfeit is always of inferior
quality, as the Government has the
best and most perfect system Of manu-
featuring the highest grade paper. The
medallion, rulings and circular orna-
ments on a genuine bill are mathe-
matically correct, and are made from
a machine upon which $l50,000 was
spent in the production. and Is, there
fore. beyond the reach of counterfeiters.
Engraving by hand can never initiate
this work It Is said that the portraits
on counterfeit bills are not as perfect
as those on legal ones. The first thing
to do in examining suspected bill Is
to feel the paper. 1t should have a
strong texture. Look to see whether
the printing on the suspected bill is
clean-cut. The seal on the bill should
be clear and bright.
O. How much did the customs re-
ceipts drop from 1880 to l93l?-C.
w. F.
A. In 1880 the total customs receipts
amounted to $587, 900 ,903. In 1881 the
customs receipts amounted to s37S,-
354005. These figures are for fiscal
years.
@. Is the Blarney Stone an actual
stone?-N. M.
A. 1t is actually a stone In the
northeast angle Of Blarney Castle, sew
eral feet from the top. 1t bears a
Latin inscription and the date Of the
erection Of the castle.
O. Is the President Of the United
States also the president Of the Red
Cross?-J. L. B.
A. The President Of the United
States is the honorary president OF the
National American Red Cross. The
actual president is John Barton Payne.
The Red Cross Is incorporated under
the United States Government and it's
accounts are audited by the United
States Treasury
Evening star., 1932-08-31
Petitions for Kindness
To Suffering Oysters
To the Editor of The Star.

To the Editor Of The Star.
That was a good "hot-weather story"
in recent issue Of The Star, in which
DR.. Vera Koehring of the United States
Bureau of Fisheries recommends that
a mild anesthetic of dioxide, Tactic acid
and boric acid be used on oysters to
save them from pain while the major
operation" of being opened Is per-
formed
The good doctor should have gone q
little further and recommended that
the oysters, after being opened, should
be soaked in solution of castor oil,
quinine and spinach juice to make
them palatable after her anesthetic has
been used on them. Can't you just
hear one Of the dusky oyster shuckers
down on the wharf saying. Nose, hand
me Annie's thetic, and, Jim, you hold
de patient whiles I puffawms dis yare
major operation on dis awster!"
Why, there is no end to the cruelty
practiced upon this innocent bivalve. If
you ever had squirt Of lemon juice
and horseradish in your eye, you can
just imagine the agony the poor things
experience when they are literally
soused in it for the delectation of cruel
humans.
Another feature of the sad situation
which. this learned scientist did not
touch upon In her address at Atlantic
City is what is to become of the little
oysters when Mamma and Papa Oyster
are ruthlessly taken from them by the
heartless oyestermen. understand that
she is now busily engaged in canvass
ing the mermaid population of Chesa-
peake Bay in the hope Of finding a
sufficient number of trained nurses
among them to insure proper care for
these poor orphans. At the present
writing she has found no really trained
mermaid nurses, but she should take
heart and persevere. Later on she may
get graduate nurses, because mermaids,
being part fish, there must be schools.
1t is reported that she also has her
eye on the oyster toads, those i'm
placable fish that can and do crush the
gentle oyster with one snap of their
powerful Jaws 1t is said that she is
seeking legislation that will insure moth
ing less than life imprisonment for
these miserable murderers. And then
there is the matter of-aw, what's the
use? It's too hot
s. H. MUMFORD.
Evening star., 1932-08-31
Inspiration to his successors, past and

inspiration to his successors, past and
present.
Worthy Of remembrance Is Franklin's q
conviction that the postal system Is
above all else a channel for the dis
semination of knowledge, an instrument
for the characterization Of genius and
Of culture, the fruit Of genius. He saw
in an efficient post ONCE organization
the machinery of a national educational
process for the masses. No man ever
has excelled him in his devotion to
learning of every kind or in his belief
that knowledge is power. All his long
life he was a student, reader and
writer, phiiosophic leader and
teacher. Even in his youth he was
as ardent in his ambition to disseminate
the truth as he was in his desire to find
1t. No cloistered scholar was he at any
time In his career. He sought knowl-
edge that he might teach 1t, and the
post ONCE was his ideal medium for the
wide distribution Of that instruction.
How gratifying to Franklin it would
be If he could return to earth and see
the United States postal organization
as it is today-the oak tree grown tall
and strong from the acorn which he
helped to plant nearly two hundred
years ago! A gigantic business insti-
tuition, penetrating into the remotest
corners of the world, operating day and
night, cease.essly and effectively active.
constantly alert for improvement, a liv-
ing organism without which the country
could not function, it is Franklin's
dream come true In recognition of his
contribution, the department pays him
due and grateful homage.
Evening star., 1932-08-31
Traffic Control Needed
At a Dangerous Crossing

To the Editor Of The Star.
If there is one place in the City of
Washington where either traffic signal
or officer is needed, that place Is the
intersection of New York avenue. l.
and Fifth streets northwest There be-
ing nothing of the sort. the traffic that
would use Sixth street north at this
place is diverted up Fifth street, because
of the signal at Sixth street. Even the
bus lines are now using this place.
There is at least one accident day
at this place Zone on August 26). Each
morning during the busy hour there is
a Standard Oil truck parked on the
east side of Fifth street at this place,
and on the west side of the same place.
opposite the oil truck, is furniture
truck, which shuts out the view of the
faSt-moving autos about to make the
left-hand turn.
Is it wonder that some one is not
killed at this place? I respectfully ask
that this matter be taken up by the
proper authorization the protection
of the school children, II no one else.
CHARLES H. BROWNE.
Evening star., 1932-08-31

Of Washington should accord the pa
rade the utmost assistance. Their re.
ward Is the festival itself and the com.
Portable satisfaction accruing from shar-
ing in q worthy educational campaign.
Time Is short, but everything that
can be done to make the parade q
grand success this Labor day certainly
should be done.
Evening star., 1932-08-31
Room in Maryland
For British PrOtesters

To the Editor OF The Star.
Is there some way in which you can
ask the Welsh and Irish discontents to
please send their rejected English over
here? II they only knew how the
writer's ears ache from hearing moth
ing but the polyglot lingo that the little
Japonica kingdom has kindly dubbed
American" perhaps they would not
mind sending their discards to Prince
Georges County, Md. We need some
English" grammar especially here,
Latin foundation preferred, but we
shall try to accept Gaelic substitute
II we must.
LAURA M. 3. MECUTCHEN,
Evening star., 1932-08-31

Human nature causes the individual
to hold his own interest and impressions
as Of first Importance Even the busi-
ness diagrams Of Wall Street have been
comanding less attention than the tenn
perature charts In the Pennsylvania
avenue kiosk
Evening star., 1932-08-31

1t is regretted that the governor Of
the Bank Of England is disinclined to
become personally conspicuous. A lec-
ture tour by him could be a source Of
enlightenment OF q kind which many
American citizens admit feeling the
need Of.
Evening star., 1932-08-31

Every nation claims to be working
for posterity and there is naturally dis
sension as to whose great -grandchil-
dren shall bear the pecuniary burden of
the widest war in history
Evening star., 1932-08-31

The solar eclipse gives the amateur
photographer the satisfaction of know
ing that once in awhile there may be
some use in these days Of economy for
an overexposed film.
Evening star., 1932-08-31

Believers in reincarnation are begin
ming to wonder whether Herr President
von Hindenberg does not carry a streak
of bulldog tenacity from some remote
predecessor.
Evening star., 1932-08-31

Local New York sentiment Is much
in favor of getting on with national pol
itics which can develop nothing that
might annoy its favorite mayor.
Evening star., 1932-08-31
Many Problems.

WdHy IUUfVTIfss
The problems are so many
That are pressing on the mind,
Provided one has any
Such a doubt is most unkind,
But we're left in much detection,
Each feels slightly like a Ounce,
AS he hopes q brief election
Will explain them all at once.
Evening star., 1932-08-31

Dry announcement by Vice President
Curtis cannot be dismissed with the as
sumption that what he says is nobody 8
business except in Kansas.
Evening star., 1932-08-31

Attitudes among nations are not al
together consistent, with statesmen de-
claiming on peace and chemists work
ing harder than even on war gases.
Evening star., 1932-08-31

At any rate, Ma" Ferguson is being
credited in Texas with demonstrating
the greatest feminine leadership since
that of Queen Elizabeth herself.
Evening star., 1932-08-31

The Farm Holiday is hopefully ex-
pected to end, like other holidays, on
Labor day. If not sooner.
Evening star., 1932-08-31
SHOOTING STARS.
BY PHILANDER JOHNSON.
Study of an Eclipse.

Study Of an Eclipse.
Sang so much about Miss Moon, that
she has gone so far
To make the world take notice, cause
she thinks she is a star.
She once came 'crost the mountain
when our daily work was done,
But she got such high ideas she went
climbin' past the sun.
She said, Now. Mr.. Sun, here's where
put you In disgrace.
I'll make you show your envy by the
blackness Of your face.
They'll bring out telescopes to see my
beauty so sublime.
And I'll fool the chickens till I has 'em
roostin' overtime"
Folks said, Its surely wonderful to see
the big display,
Produced because Miss Moon was kind
O. gettin' in the way"
Quite soon Miss Moon went on her way,
with no one askin' where,
And the sun just kept on shinin', never
KNOWN she was there.
Evening star., 1932-08-31
Presumption

What do you think Of some Of the
radio musical programs?"
They embarrass me-" said Miss Cay
enne. 1T doesn't seem proper for me
to talk Of groceries Or cigarettes to a
store whose proprietor has the soul Of
an artist and an impresario."
Evening star., 1932-08-31

"Try to make de world brighter" said
Uncle Eben. but don be IKE de small
boy dat KEEP strikin' matches till he Get
de house atxs."
Evening star., 1932-08-31
Questions and Answers.

From the Rochester Times-union.
The campaign so a has developed a
great many large qacstions and rela-
lively few large answers.
Evening star., 1932-08-31
Rate BY Carrier Within the City.

Rate by Carrier Within the City.
The Evening Star. ar............ 45c per month
The Evening and Sunday Star
when 4 Sundays. -. 80. soc per month
The Evening and Sunday Star
when 5 Sundays) ........ 65c per month
The Sunday Star. SC per copy
Collection made at the end of each month.
Orders may be sent in By mail or telephone
National 5000.
Evening star., 1932-08-31
Depression in Gangland.

A gansster with 50 got away.
A big policeman sadly heard him say,
IT must move on-there is no time to
lag
Before another gangster grabs the swag' -
Evening star., 1932-08-31
No Experiment.

The U. g. Constitution is noble
document" remarked the visitor.
I'm glad you mentioned IT, rejoined
Senator Sorghum. There is cheer in
the reminder that only one afterthought
permits reference to any part OF it as a
noble experiment"
Jud Tunkins says he must be one Of
those preferred creditors you hear about.
Not a day passes without some one try
ing to borrow money from him.
Evening star., 1932-08-31
On the Road, Mostly.

From the Roanoke Times,
It is all very well to say that charity
should begin at home, but who Etavs
at annaa nowadaGll
Evening star., 1932-08-31
The Evening Star Newspaper Company

buslnc5b OIuCes
1lth st. and Pennsylvania Ave.
New York once: ITO East 42nd o..
Chicago once: Lake Michigan Building.
European once: IL Regent St, London.
Eneland.
Evening star., 1932-08-31

Fame" said Hi Ho, the sage Of
Chinatown, seldom endures long enough
to seem much else than a passing state
of the popular imagination"
Evening star., 1932-08-31
All Other States and Canada.
Memher nf the Asscciated Press.

The Associated Pre- exclusively entitled
10 the use for republic ion of all news dis
patches credited to it or not otherwise cred
tied in this paper and also the local news
published herein All rights OF publication OF
special dispatches herein are also reserved.
Evening star., 1932-07-07
STOCKS DEPRESSED
AS MARKET CLOSES
Wave of Selling in Last Hour
Puts Leaders Down
on Day.
BY GEORGE t. HUGHES.


NEW YORK, July Weakening in
the last hour. today's stock market
closed lower after an earlier exhibition
of SteadineSS.
There was no particular reason for
the reaction, unless it was the pros
pect of delay in the adjournment of
Congress because of the differences be-
tween the House and the AdminiStra-
ton over relief plans. German Dollar
bonds reacted, but that was to have
been expected after their recent ad-
vance. The stock market was not dis
posed to pay much attention to foreign
affairs.
The feature Of the late selling was a
break in International Business Ma
chimes, running to points and taking
the stock intoi new low ground. Like
wise, Just before the close American
Telephone & Telegraph sold under SIS
share for the first time in the bear
market. Other industrials came down
a point or so but without notable weak
ness, except for International Shoe,
which had been without support all day.
The opening was irregularly lower,
but there was no increase in volume on
the decline and prices soon stabilized.
International Shoe. which had broken
5 points Wednesday, took another nose
dive for an even larger loss. Up to a
few days ago it had the reputation Of
being begged" which is a bad reputa-
tion to have in speculative circles. The
decline, however, seemed to be due
more to lack of support than to any
increase in offerings.
The income statement of the COM
pany for the six months ending May
81 was made public. 1t showed a fall
ing off in net sales from S42, ,409. .268 to
S32, 1886 .839 and a drop in net income
from S4,513,832 to $3.2o6, ,251, compared
with the same period year previous
The general list held firmly during
this distressing weakness in Interna-
tional Shoe. although it was not able
to make much progress on the upside.
Two stocks did reach new highs for
the year, both Of them forecasting the
resumption of dividends. One was
South Porto Rico Sugar and the other
was Gotham Silk Hosiery. There was
more cautious buying Of the low-priced
oils. Active speculation for the rise
appeared in the local fractions, based
on hopes of favorable outcome of the
unification conference. Brooklyn-M
haitian Transit common and preferred
were up to points. The former is
understood to harbor a large short
interest.
Tobacco stocks were strong under
the leadership of the American tobacco
issues, rejecting favorable earnings
estimates. There was modest price ap-
probation In a few OF the rails, includ-
ing Atchison, Union Pacific, Norfolk &
Western, the latter up some points
Presumably, this was IN sympathy with
the better market for railway bonds
The bull market in hogs was reflected
in an advance in Armour of Delaware
preferred