davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1932-12-24
Uncle Sans Handy Man.
Whether revived report that he Is

Whether revived report that he Is to
become Secretary Of State in the Roose-
velt cabinet has any basis or not, 1t is
indisputable that Norman H. Davis has
for the time being been cast for the
role Of Uncle Sans handy man. Back
from Europe. where he has been ne
gotiating with the statesmen Of Great
Britain, France, Germany and italy on
disarmament and World Economic Con-
ference affairs, Mr.. Davis arrives in
Washington for conversations with
President Hoover and Secretary Stim-
son. These are but concluded when he
is summoned to visit Gov. Roosevelt at
Albany, presumably to discuss with the
President-elect the momentous matters
which have been occupying Mr. Davis
attention in Europe and-of what is Of
even greater interest-the results Of his
talks at Washington this week.
The country IS sure to deduce from
this super-busy American diplomats
travel schedule Europe to Washington,
Washington to Albany-that Mr.. Davis
may turn out to be the link which will
bring the Hoover-Roosevelt views on
current International problems closer
together than the President and the
Governor themselves have been able to
join them. The lately published cor
respondence between Washington and
Albany disclosed a breach on vital
points SO wide that Mr.. Hoover seems
to have abandoned all further efforts
to close it.
Now comes the man who recently
was something more than a bystander
when Europe found means Of bringing
Germany back into the Disarmament
Conference. Indeed there were some
observers "over there who gave Mr..
Davis credit for much of the behind
the-scenes diplomacy that resulted In
that consummation. Perhaps 1t will
fall to his lot to reconcile lover here"
the differences which prevent the pres
ent occupant of the White House and
his successor from pooling their ener-
gies for q purpose after all common to
them both-of unraveling with all pos
sible dispatch the grave tangle into
which this naughty old world Of OUTS
has managed to enmesh itself.
II the soft-spoken Tennessee Demo-
crat now acting abroad for Republic
an President can bring about peace and
disarmament between washington and
Albany, the achievement will rank,
from the American standpoint, at least
as high as anything Mr.. Davis has ac-
compished, or can accomplish, IN
Europe.
More power to his diplomacy!
Evening star., 1932-12-24

would give the women particular fecoS-
milton by the appointment Of q woman
to his cabinet. Mrs. Mabel Walker
Willebrandt was at the time an Assist
ant Attorney General, and no woman
had taken o more active or important
part in the presidential campaign. But
Mrs. Willebrandt was not appointed
Attorney General, nor to any post In
the cabinet. She resigned her post rs
Assistant Attorney General and stepped
out of the administration.
The names of q number Of profni-
nent Democratic women have been dis
cussed in connection with cabinet places
among them Miss Frances Perkins
State industrial commissioner of New
York: Mrs. Ruth Bryan Owen. now
a member of the House from Florida
Mrs. Nellie Tayl0e Ross, former Gov.
ernor Of Wyoming and vice chairman
Of the Democratic National Committee,
and Mrs. John c. Greenway, Demo-
cratic national committeewoman for
Arizona. They are women of ability
and would grace any once. Miss Per-
kins has been mentioned as the next
Secretary Of Labor. Mrs. Owen has
been talked Of as Secretary Of Labor,
Secretary Of Agriculture and for q psi
as Assistant Secretary in the depart
ment over which her father, the late
Col. William Jennings Bryan, once pre-
sided, the Department of State. Mrs.
Ross and Mrs. dreenway, hailing from
the wide open spaces Of the West, have
been suggested for the Interior Depart
menk
Leaders of organized labor do not
take kindly to the proposal that when
the first woman goes into the Cabinet 1t
shall be as head Of the Department of
Labor. Indeed, some Of the labor lead
ers take the position that If it seems
necessary, for political or any other
reason. to appoint Q woman to the cabi-
net, the first cabinet lady should head
the Treasury Department or the War
Department. why the Labor Depart
ment?" they ask.
Women, in their greater freedom in
politics, have won their way into the
House and finally into the Senate. It
may be that the time has arrived for
them to break into the cabinet circle
as head Of an executive department.
It must be remembered. however, that
today there are a lot of deserving man
Democrats who might like a cabinet
post.
Evening star., 1932-12-24
The Bank Sneak Back.
From the Minneapolis Journal
Altar An wears Of desuetude, the arl


After 40 years Of desuetude, the art
of the bank sneak, formerly a criminal
of prime Importance, has been revived.
There disappeared from the teller's cage
in a big New York bank the other day
half q million dollars in bonds. And
the circumstantial evider-c indicates
that the loot was snagged from the cage
by means Of chewing gum attached to
the end of a walking stick carried by
some exceedingly adroit stroller through
the bank
Time was, and particularly in the two
decades following the Civil War, when
the bank sneak was one of the most
feared artists of the underworld. He
had the clothes and the air OF q man
of Importance. He strolled into banks
ostensibly on legitimate errands. And
he frequently departed with large bun
dies of currency or securities, Snaked
right out from under the eyes Of ordi-
narily vigilant employees. His hand, in
deed, was quicker than the average
human eye. And his audacity was
colossal.
Modern cages, alert but inconspicuous
detectives constantly on post, and other
defenses erected by the banks them
selves eventually put the bank sneak
out of business. This recent amazing
New York theft of five 100000 Liberty
bonds would seem to disclose loop
hole in such defenses. Doubtless It viii
be closed, and there will be no general
and permanent revival Of the bank
sneak's lost art. Somehow, though, 1t
seems little cruel to call him q sneak.
For, bad as the old-time bank litter"
may have been, he was . gentleman
alongside today's gunman, kidnaper and
hlackmatler.
Evening star., 1932-12-24
Cabinet Ladies.

Cabinet making for President-elect
Roosevelt has become one Of the favorite
pastimes Of politicians and near politi-
clans. Mr.. Roosevelt doubtless in the
end will select his own cabinet, although
to date he has maintained complete
silence regarding its personnel. One OF
the ideas with which the self-appointed
cabinetmakers play is the probability OF
the appointment Of a woman as head
Of one Of the great executive depart
ments OF the government. No woman
has yet held such a post Roosevelt,
the precedent breaker, it is suggested,
will score here by appointing a woman
member OF his cabinet. If the Presi-
dent-elect really reaches the point Of
placing a woman in his official family
he will do so only after the most vigor-
GUS kind Of protest, however, from many
of the officials and interests over which
the department holds measure OF
sway.
It would be rather ridiculous to ap-
point woman to a cabinet office merely
because she is a woman, even If it
would please the woman voters of the
Nation. A cabinet officer should be
qualified for the job. No man or woman
who has not the proper qualifications
and abilities to hold down such job
should be selected. There are nine cabi-
net otlces, starting with Secretary Of
State and ending with Secretary Of
Labor. It is not likely that a woman
would be chosen to fill the Office Of
Secretary of State. MGR has any
woman's name been suggested for Secre-
tary Of the Treasury, Secretary Of War
or Secretary OF the Navy. The talk Of a
woman in the cabinet usually has CEN
tered about the Department of Labor.
although there has been discussion Of
women for Secretary of Agriculture and
Secretary of the Interior.
When President Hoover was elected
70 Office In 1928-largely, 1t has been
said, because of the support given him
by the woman voters of the country
Immediately there was rumor that he,
-
Evening star., 1932-12-24

French explained, the Interior Depart
ment appropriation bill was sent to the
Senate after passage by the House
where It was subjected to an arbitrary
cut Of 10 per cent, and was finally en-
acted without being sent to conference,
the House merely agreeing to Senate
changes. Without the insertion Of the
provision In the economy act permitting
transfers of appropriations, some bu-
reaus and divisions of the Interior De-
partment would have been forced. q q
matter of necessity, practically to sus-
pend operation. Congress charged some
Of these divisions with the execution Of
specific tasks. Such work could not be
accomplished unless there was money
to pay personnel When money was
transferred to these divisions from other
channels, for which it had been appro-
priated, the transfer In all cases was
made to avoid q deficit as well as to
save Jobs. As the Budget Bureau had
to G. .-ur before the transfers could be
made, it is difficult to understand just
why Mr. Byrns and Mr.. Wood are 80
much disturbed.
1t may have been unwise, as some
members Of Congress seem to think, for
Congress to delegate its exclusive
authority over the expenditures Of money
to the administrative authorities Of the
departments, leaving to their discretion
the decision whether the money would
be spent as Congress decided it should
be spent or diverted In part to other
uses. But II this was unwise, 1t was
equally unwise for Congress to enact
appropriations as they were enacted last
year, piling arbitrary cuts on top of
specific cuts and covering them all un-
der the hastily -drawn-up economy bill.
Safeguards against ruthless discharge
of employees and the stoppage Of i'm
portant governmental functions had to
be inserted in the economy bill. The
twe-re per cent transfer provision was
one of these safeguards. If the privi-
lege thereby conferred was abused, the
fault lay with Congress. which made
that abuse possible.
Evening star., 1932-12-24
High Lights on the Wide World
Excerpts From Newspapers of Other Lands

cording to him there are 1000 900 to
whom any master could give odds of a
queen and of those who would require
to be given a rook, knight and pawn
and-move $50 900, $4,000 and 90, 900, re-
spectively. There are only 1000 play
ers to whom the master, to win on
equal terms, could not give odds.
Chinese Students
Work at All Hours
Yenching Gazette, Peiping-The work
OF teaching and study among the teach
ers and students Of the department OF
journalism at Yenching University is
not confined or measured by that in
the classroom work or the number of
teaching and class attendance periods.
Often and regularly such duties take
them to the early hours of the morn
ing and far distant from their class
rooms and homes.
At times the department and the
student clubs have as many as four
current publications on hand. and
practically all except one must be
edited in both the Chinese and the
English language. One Is issued daily,
except Monday, while thrice weekly
students and faculty have had to bring
forth two publications. one primarily
for the campus and the surrounding
district and the other for general cir
culation throughout the former capital
of China.
Many students, under the supervision
Of the faculty, daily devote much time
in news gathering, writing and editing
Late at night the Office on the campus
and the one in the city are very busy.
the telephone lines connecting the two
exchanging messages and information
before publication. and often latest
copy" from the several news agencies
supplying service to the campus edition
is relayed by wire.
The students are organized to pro-
duce the papers regularly. each assum-
ing a different role every month or a
fortnight until a more advanced stu
dent has filled every responsible posi-
ton on a newspaper, from proof
reader to an editor, changing occasion
ally to serve as circulation or an ad-
vertising manager.
Evening star., 1932-12-24
"Abuse" of Necessary Authority.

When we have two such experts as
Chairman Byrns of the House Appro-
priations Committee and Representative
Will r. Wood of Indiana telling the
House that the intent of Congress was
frustrated by departments when IL per
cent of their funds were utilized in
inter-departmental transfers to save
jobs, instead Of to avoid deficits, 1t
must be admitted that the charge Is at
least made with authority. Mr.. Byrns
and Mr. Wood may be credited with the
knowledge Of what Congress INTENDED
in this respect.
At the same time the impression
within the departments assuredly has
been that the clause Of the economy
act which permitted the administrative
officers to transfer twelve per cent OF
their appropriations was intended, as
a matter of fact, to save jobs. Section
BIT of the economy act was described
as being inserted for that very purpose.
That section says:
Not to exceed twelve per cent Of any
appropriation for an executive depart
ment or independent establishment, in
cluding the municipal government OF
the District Of Columbia, for the fiscal
year ending June 80, 1888, may be
transferred, with the approval Of the
director of the Bureau Of the Budget
Cor. in the case of the War Department
and Navy Department., with the ap-
proval of the President) to any other
appropriation or appropriations under
the same department or establishment,
but no appropriation shall be increased
more than Is per cent by such transfers:
Provided, that statement of all trans
fers of appropriations made hereunder
up to the time of the submission of the
annual budget for the fiscal year 1884,
and all contemplated transfers during
the remainder of the fiscal year 1888,
shall be included in the annual budget
for the fiscal year 1894.
Most of Mr.. Byrns' and Mr.. Woods
criticism was aimed at the Interior De-
partment Yet Is Representative
Evening star., 1932-12-24
ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
BY FREDERIC J. HASKTN.

come to make use at any time Of the
free information service Of this depart
ment. Address your inquiry to The
Evening Star Information Bureau
Frederic j. Haskin, Director. Washing-
ton, D. c., and you will rece.., q per-
sonal letter In reply. Inclose 3 cents
In coin or stamps for return postage.
Do not use post cards. Be sure to state
your question clearly, and to write your
name and address plainly.
Q. How many major records for men
are held by aviators in the United States
this year?-R. p.
the United States holds I, France
and Great Britain 3.
@. How long do depositors have to
wait to recover their money or part of
it after a bank fails?-C. NJ.
A. The controller Of the currency
says that statistics kept over q period
OF years show that an average period
OF five years and six months Is required
to nquidate failed banks. The shortest
time is 10 months.
@. Why is "Romany" used with refer
ence to gypsies?-S. L.
A. The word is from the gypsy
''rom," meaning man or husband.
@. What is the Christmas ceremony
which is often celebrated in Italian
homes?-E. D.
A. The family ceremony called the
presepio Is set up In the home. In
just the sequence in which they ap-
peared nearly 1000 years ago in Beth
lehem, the Blessed Virgin, st. Jo-
seph and the Christ Child, also the
cattle, take their places near the Holy
Crib" as it Is called today in the little
of wood or some other durable substance
represent the holy family and the gentle
beasts. After few hours have passed,
the adoring shepherds are added to the
group. A few days pass, and the Magi
appear Soon they withdraw. Time
elapses: then the holy family departs
on its flight into Egypt.
@. Who played the roles of Sir John
Carteret and Kenneth Wayne in the
silent picture "Smilin' Through" star
ring Norma Talmadge?-C. N.
A. The role Of Sir John Carteret was
that Of Kenneth Wayne by Harrison
Ford. Leslie Howard played the first
role and Frederic March the latter In
the talking version recently released
starring Norma Shearer.
@. Who was known as the Repub-
lican Queen?-M. r.
A. Sophia Charlotte u668-1705), wife
Of Frederick Of Prussia, was so nick
named.
@. How manv colleges and universe
ties are there in the United States?-
A. There are 1,o7s schools of higher
learning reporting to the ONCE Of edu-
cation.
@. What is a vertical trust?-G. d'A.
A. A vertical trust Is modern term
descriptive of large business organi-
zation that either owns, or owns and
controls, the raw material and all OF
to convert such raw material or ma
terials into finished product or prod
ucts, and market and distribute the
same at home, and in some instances
abroad. to the consumer. In Germany
the "Stinnes Trust" and at home the
Ford enterprises and the packing in
dustries, afford examples.
@. What were the names Of the
four horses that Ben-Hur drove in the
famous chariot race?-V. S.
A. They were Atari, Rigel, Antares
and Aldebaran.
@. How much Of the jewelry manu-
factured each year Is of gold and
platinum in this country?-A. w.
A. According to the Bureau Of
Census, the total amount of jewelry
Evening star., 1932-12-24
The Night Before Christmas.

4OlASlG l1iC Sk'li ~ VA OuAAto NAoAos ~
not the jolly old fellow himself, will be
abroad Thousands OF tired touSled
heads unwillingly will rest upon an equal
number of pillows, and thousands OF
weary eyes momentarily will defy the
Sand Man in vain effort to "stay awake"
and see the Saint And thousands OF
mothers and fathers, elder brothers
and sisters, not to mention grammies
and granddads and devoted "old maid"
aunts and "old bachelor" uncles. will
tiptoe around goodness knows how many
attics and cellars and cupboards In
houses throughout the land, perfecting
arrangements for the arrival Of Father
Christmas. Over the scene, neglected,
but not forgotten, will shine the quiet
stars which watched the Wise Men
journeying to Bethlehem some nine
teen hundred years ago.
At first glance, it is curious that
everything humanity knows as civili-
zation should turn upon child. But
what else is there in this earth to bet
ter serve as focal center for popular
idealism? What, in fine, could take
the place Of the child? Obviously,
there is nothing. To Christians, the
Holy Infant in the loWly manger SYM
bolizes a new birth, renaissance, of
human hope and aspiration. His ap-
pearance signified a new beginning.
And everywhere, in every age and every
cline, men and women, beholaing the
miracle of birth. vision in every child
repetition of the divine promise, the di-
vine opportunity. The race is reborn
In each birth, and each represents
new possibility for the expansion of
mans dominion over circumstances.
People may not be completely aware
of the fact, but they feel it, they know
its magnetic attraction. That is why
Christmas has such compelling power
to stir the heart. That is why Santa
Claus has 80 many helpers.
Tonight the child is the central fact
Of life. Actually, of course, that is his
status all through the year. But es-
pecially on Christmas eve there is uni
versal acknowledgment Of his position
as the keystone Of civilization. In him
are all the races potential victories, for
him are all its labors. and each father.
mother and friend expresses the whole
worlds affection In abetting the ef-
forts of the patron genius Of child
hood
There are critics who presume to
imagine that mankind Is suffering a
decline, that humanity Is ON the down
grade But let them consider the story
of the past week. Let them recall the
crowds In streets and shops. Let them
remember the busy preparation for
the holiday. Let them think how thou
sands have been drawn into the work
and how each has benefited himself and
others by participating. And let them
note that this is depression Christmas
and that much Of the happiness Of the
occasion derives from sacrifice and SELF
denial. Then let them give truthful
answer to the question: Can there be
anything very much wrong about q
people that, even in the face Of great
difficulties, keeps the Christmas feast 50
Loyalty and SO enthusiastically?
Santa Claus and the spirit which in
fuses his personality provide convincing
contradiction to the theories Of the
pessimist. AL may not be well, but
Ifo ia ,,ot utterly emrty and hopeless
on the night before Christmas.
Evening star., 1932-12-24

A statesman is credited with con-
scientious determination to represent
the highest sentiments Of patriotism,
even II he has to think in high gear
in order to get by some of the parlia-
mentary traffic signals.
Evening star., 1932-12-24

Soviet leadership desires recognition
for trade purposes. The old Russian
policy Of isolation has been abandoned
and the wish is manifest to become not
only socianstic but positively sociable.
Evening star., 1932-12-24

President Hoover. II he lands q very
large fish, may be persuaded to call II
Pennsylvania In reminder of a fine
large election specimen that did not get
away
Evening star., 1932-12-24

His keen mentality should make
George Bernard Shaw aware of the fact
that even an accomplished humorist
may take himself so seriously as to
eventually resemble merely an old gen.
tleman with q crouch.
Evening star., 1932-12-24

Traf1c regulations have become such
significant details of modern civilization
that they even embrace methods OF
merging street car lines with q mini
mum danger Of financial collision.
Evening star., 1932-12-24

A genius for comprehensive grasp Of
political detail enables Hindenburg,
though content with the modest title of
President" to rank as the worlds
greatest political boss
Evening star., 1932-12-24
SHOOTING STARS.
BY PHILANDER JOHNSON.

Christmas Gift.
On Christmas eve each one may claim
A fairer gift than wealth or fame
Even amid a world distress
Belief in human kindliness
The lights now shine. A figure quaint
Still represents q gentle Saint
Who makes Of Youth, with subtle powr
The ruling spirit Of the hour.
The children in their frank delight
Laugh with their sires whose heads
grow white.
Youth heeds the universal call
And Is the dearest gift Of all.
Expensive Taste. .
What do you want for Christmas?"
asked the friend.
I'm afraid my ideas are too ex-
pensive," said Senator Sorghum. II
have q lot of unexpressed thoughts.
What most desire IS pass calling for
unlimited time on Nation wide radio
hook-up."
Jud Tunkins says II you can't say
Merry Christmas" from the heart you
can at least refrain from handing out
q hard luck story.
Book Beer As . Scape Goat.
Gambrinus declared I'm . little bit
scared
About my proposed restoration.
II the bootlegger bold sells "rufstuf" q
Of old,
He will give me bad reputation.
Individuahzation.
Are you in favor OF debt caneella-
tion?"
Every much" answered Miss Cayenne
II have Just sent father dear list Of
what owe the shops so he will know
how much Of a check to write for q
Christmas gift"
Religion" said Hi Ho, the sage OF
Chinatown, is the means Of expressing
the noblest sentiments of which men
are capable; 1t has therefore learned to
speak many languages"
We Still Survive.
How many times have people heard
When hard luck had their feelings
stirred
That Earth had slid
And pretty soon was bound to crash
Because Of mortal manners rash
It never did.
Sometimes, throng, In mood devout,
Beneath the skies was summoned out
And grimly bid,
For prayer some mountain to ascend,
Since Earth was coming to an end
It never did.
IT hears dem talk about frozen as
SETS" said Uncle Eben, "an' dat's de
reason b'lieve hard times can't last.
never yet saw any kind Of ice dat
- -
Evening star., 1932-12-24

Germany has philosophers who are
trying to be politicians, but more poll
ticians who find themselves eventually
compelled to seek the solace of philos-
ophy.
Evening star., 1932-12-24

In spite Of organized endeavor to re-
lieve poverty, charity still begins at
home; that is to say, In the neighbor-
hood In which you chance to dwell.
Evening star., 1932-12-24
A Sing Sing Hold.Up.

From the Boston Transcript.
Sing Sing prisoners with their annual
show took $1,000 from the public, which
= certainly method preferable to that
Of taking It at pistol point
Evening star., 1932-12-24

There Is no doubt of the benefits
which Science can confer. It is still
related to Art in the danger Of becom-
Ing too highly commercialized.
Evening star., 1932-12-24

IT hears dem talk about frozen as
SETS" said Uncle Eben, "an' dat's de
reason I b'lieve hard times can't last. I
never yet saw any kind Of ice dat
wasn't bound to melt sooue8 q hteAs