davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1932-02-21
SPEND FOR THE "O1IE
BY FREDERIC ]. HAS

Installment buying held up well
during the first year of the depression,
1880, according to figures which have
Just come to light as result OF the
Census Bureaus survey of distribution,
taken for that year. There Is every
indication that this plan of purchase
will be continued IN view OF the fact
that in 1892 manufacturers have or
ganiZed to conduct 'Spend-for-the-
home" campaign.
There has been a good deal of diff
ference of opinion concerning the
soundness of the installment plan OF
buying. Some economists have gone so
far as to blame this scheme for a large
share in the depression. Others have
taken the view that installment buy
ing has the advantage of spreading the
distribution of needful goods and the
distribution of money paid for them
and, therefore, distribution Of unem-
ployment over a longer period. This,
it is urged, makes for more orderly
production, marketing and conSump-
ton.
There is no field which has not been
invaded by the instailment plan in the
United States. From the purchase of
a dWelling-even an apartment-to the
costs of the maternity ward the in
stallment plan has been employed
Chiefly. however, it has been used in
the provision of the home itself and
articles to be used in the home This
circumstance, In connection with the
new "Spend-for-t -the-home" campaign,
seems to promise extension of the
practice.
The vacuum cleaner, the refrigerating
machine, the plumbing and heating
system, the electric iron, the washing
machine, the ice cream freezer. the
home itself and-in short. everything
in it-have been purchaSable in in
stallments.
While figures are not available for
1881 as yet, there are indications chat
installment buying did not materially
decline. save as all business felt some
contraction. Indeed, in some lines and
in some sections of the country there
is reason to believe that there was an
increase in the proportion to the total
OF the volume of installment buying
Many persons who in the past had
| bought for cash or on open account,
| finding their circumstances straitened
| by intermittent employment and their
| ready cash diminished turned to the
| installment plan to obtain needed goods
Americans Good for Debts.
The extent Of this has been depend
! ent on the willingness of the merchant
to part with goods on such a basis. but
with slack trade in many lines merchants
are often glad to employ almost any
| method to move their goods off the
shelves, If there is a reasonable chance
of collection. 1t has been repeatedly
demonstrated that the average Ameri-
can is good for his debts, given half a
chance.
So far as household goods are con-
cerned. less than half the total volume
! is paid for In cash. This is true in
probably no other country in the world.
| The installment plan and the charge
account are very largely American in
yentions. Certainly they have seen
their greatest development in the
| United States.
Evening star., 1932-02-21

quoted an unnamed American Is thus
depicting the situation OF the United
States:
Italy has no coal or iron; France no
oil; Great Britain must import two
thirds Of her food supply; the United
States is dependent on other countries
for tin, silk, nickel, rubber and many
other commodities. The tires on Amer
lean automobiles come from the rub
ber plantations of the Dutch East In
dies. American newspapers are made
of Canadian wood pulp. We, in the
United States could not manufacture
telephone receiver or an electric
light bulb without calling on help from
abroad. Take the question OF steel,
for example Forty different commod1-
ties, assembled from 81 different coun-
tries, are necessary to its manufacture.
Nickel from Canada. vanadium from
the high Andes of Peru, manganese
from the Caucasus. chrome from New
Caledonia in the Southern Pacific-it
is by grace of these materials. ana
through the sweat Of the laborers Of
these countries, that we have locomo-
tives and turbines and skyscrapers. A
country that could not make loco
motive, an automobile, or an airplane
without materials from abroad can
scarcely be called self-contained.
There is food for thought by our
tariff makers in this recital of facts
not generally appreciated by the aver
age American.
Evening star., 1932-02-21
THE NATIONS PILOTS
DY THE RIGHT REV. JAMES E. FREEMAN. D. D. ILL., b,
Bishop of " ashingfon.

dence claim a position of real great
ness and reassure ourselves that what
we have inherited shall remain firm
and secure in spite of all the storms
that beat upon our household. The
genius OF the statesman, the courage
OF the soldier, the contributions OF the
educator and the scientist have added
much to make this Republic what it
is. but, greater than all these, render
derlng all these possible, is that quality
OF virtue, OF religious faith OF which
washington was supreme exemplar.
In these more trying and difficult
days We have at times disclosed habit
OF critical analysis. a tendency to be
censorious and ungenerous in our
Judgments of men and things that is
wholly unworthy Of U.S. Again, We have
placed undue store upon material val
ues. and We have thought of prosperity
with its attendant advantages and
added luXurieS, as the one consumma-
tion devoutly to be wished. The deeper
spiritual values that We cannot assay
in terms of material growth and en-
rlchment We have neglected or ignored.
Last october at Yorktown We recalled
in glowing pageantry and through elo-
quent rehearsal the heroic deeds of a
poorly equipped Army that wrought
victory from the spear point Of defeat.
We were again reminded that some
thing other than force Of arms con-
stituted the assurance and strength Of
the little Army led and inspired by one
whose unfailing trust was in God and
q righteous cause.
The story Of Washington's public and
private life Is as an open book to be
read and known of all men. He would
not claim for himself moral impecca-
bility. He was human. like other men,
but he had faith and q trust that
never faltered or failed him. His habits
Of private devotion, and his unfailing
practice OF joining with his fellows in
public worship bear eloquent testimony
to the depth of his religious convic-
tionS. As patriot, as soldier and as the
first leader of the Republic, he occupies
place SO unique that his stature has
not been approximated in any period OF
our subsequent history, but we may not
forget that behind those excelling quail
tiles, disclosed in his extraordinary
public career resided deep and un-
varying faith and practice that sus-
tanned and supported him in every act
of his incompatible life
Evening star., 1932-02-21
A Well Remembered Grow.

The charge Of nature taking, which
was often made about twenty-five years
ago when an eminent naturalist occu-
pied the White House, cannot success
fully be laid against the resident OF
Staunton, Va, who traced rooster that
had been stolen from him by recogni-
tion of the birds voice. There Is no
reason to doubt that a man can come
to identify the crow Of his own gal
linaceous male. He hears 1t daily. and
sometimes nightly. He is wakened by
it every morning. If a fancier of the
fowl he comes to admire its range Of
tone and strength Of expression. Per-
haps he prides himself upon his
ROSTERS voice.
This bird disappeared, along with
some of the female members of the
family. The owner was bereft. There
may have been no sentiment for the
hens, but the rooster was cherished.
Suddenly came a sound. 1t was IA
miliar, though subdued. 1t was-yes,
it was the voice OF the vanished cock.
And it was near at hand. Came some
sleuthing, and the sound was traced,
Of all places, to the house next door.
Could the cock have strayed from
home? No, 1t was not wanderer. 1t
must have been kidnapped. What to do?
Make forcible entry and seizure? No,
that were unlawful. Summon the law
itself! A search warrant in the hands
of a constable did the trick. The house
next door was entered and in bag
were found the rooster and hen, the
veritable rooster Of the well remembered
voice. Arrest, protest that the birds
had been bought, denial by the owner
with the sentient ear, identification Of
the loot, and doubtless punishment Of
the pilferer.
Advice to all owners Of domestic fowl:
Learn your ROSTERS crow by heart and
unless the wicked thieves wiring its neck
forthwith upon seizure or take it out Of
hearing. you have a clue to the
corpus delicti But make sure of the
voice, lest the law turn and rend in
case Of mistake of identity.
Evening star., 1932-02-21

with their own. Sir Harrison Moore,
professor Of law in Melbourne Uni
versity, declares that If the people Of
the defaulting state could be identified
with their government, it would make
separation from New South Wales "an
inevitable measure of self-preservation
for the rest Of the commonwealth, un-
less 1t was prepared to make New
South Wales policy its own"
Australians Hre discussing other
drastic means to cope with a situation
that may by no means find its solution
in the law courts. If defaulting by an
Australian state can threaten the
political unity Of the commonwealth,
as 1t apparently is doing, it is being
seriously suggested that the cause of
federal union may require the extraor-
dinary exercise Of his authority by the
King's representative. just as If the
federal system did not exist.
That would be recourse from which
the crown would shrink-a precedent
London would ponder over twice and
thrice before establishing.
Evening star., 1932-02-21
Tert. "Thy Wise men tCere thy
pilots, ,"-Ezekfel, IrpiiS.

With deepened pride we affirm that
in every period Of our national history.
in every great crisis, God has raised
I'D strong leaders to direct the destiny
of the Republic. One cannot read the
dramatic story of the birth OF the Ma
ton, of its growth, Of the many vicis-
STUDIES through which it has passed
without realizing that something more
than the human element has d1Stln-
guished it's progress Among the fig
ures that stand on the horizons OF our
history none is more commanding or
more compelling than that OF George
Washington, whom we remember with
deep affection as "the Father OF HIS
Country" In all lands, among the
good and the great, he ranks as one
of the conspicuous and outstanding
leaders of all history. Those who knew
him best and observed him most closely
have borne eloquent testimony, not only
to his genius as leader, but to the
moral and spiritual values that were
conspicuouSly evident in his personal
habit and practice.
Moral and spiritual grandeur" has
been repeatedly used as expressing
those excelling qualities that adorned
Washington's life 1t Is well that the
Republic at this time gives recognition
to the 200th anniversary of the birth
Of one whose name and deeds are in
wrought In the very fabric of its life.
1t Is well that the youth are freshly
challenged to study again the life and
character OF one who stands foremost
among those who have made and pre-
served us Nation. At so critical a
time as the present. when unrest and
disillusionment and bitter disappoint-
ment shadow the life of nations the
world round. it is not only profitable,
but supremely important, that We
should look unto the rock whence We
are heWn" and take stock of those
essential elements embodied in great
personalities that alone secure to us
life, liberty and the pursuit of hap
piness." Repeatedly the question has
been asked, What makes a nation
great?" Repeatedly the answer has
been given by the most discriminating
students and observers of history. The
kind Of men it produces" Judged by
this standard. and by this standard
alone, We of America may with conf
Evening star., 1932-02-21
Field Against Franklin Roosevelt Offers
A New Sixteen-tO-One Democratic Puzzle

group may have close to $50 delegates,
allowing Mr.. Smith the 1870 which his
friends put down as his minimum. How
ever, that presumes considerable sup
port from New York, and the attitude
OF Tammany and the Empire State is
still much Of mystery. Gov Ritchie
is expected to have some so delegates,
and Illinois will stand with So for SEN
ator Lewis until the tide sets in
The way he is starting off. Mr. Gar
ner may have around 100 delegates. Mr..
McAdoos support. combined with Will
liam R. Hearst's active campaign in
California, may cost Gov. Roosevelt
some delegates in that State Gov.
Murray is going into several primaries
and may pick up 40 or so delegates.
With $50 to 400 delegates thus ac-
counted for, for the fact that Ohio's 50
are out Of reach may be tremendously
important help to the anti-Roosevelt
forces. It gives the allies who must
stop Gov. Roosevelt, if any one of their
number is to have a chance, an op-
portunlty for trading and working out
various deals without being stampeded
OF course, If Gov. Roosevelt shows a
new burst Of speed and makes gains in
the primaries by defeating some of the
favorlte sons, that will make quite a
different situation.
One of the big dangers to the anti
Roosevelt forces Is trying to pull too
many conflicting interests and leaders
into a working alliance. According to
the present outlook, Smith, Garner and
Ritchie may be able to operate without
broadening the coalition to the danger
point. They can, that is. if Garner,
with the backing Of Texas. drys Nc
Adoo, and all the other elements
against Al Smith, can be held in an
alliance with the former Governor and
his wet hackers in the East
tCopyright, 1882
Evening star., 1932-02-21
A World Language.

A common tongue for all men-Eng-
Hsh in its basic grammatical principles
and with a preponderant English vocab-
ulary-is predicted by DR.. N. A. Cobb,
retiring president Of the Washington
Academy Of Sciences.
Such a world language, DR.. Cobb be-
lieves, already Is in the process Of for
nation. 1t is being brought about by
the slow accretion of changes taking
place below the current of social con-
sciousness. 1t is unlikely that any de-
liberate action can either hasten or
retard the evolutionary movement which
is taking place.
Sooner or later, it becomes increas-
ingly evident, something must be sub
stituted for the present confusion of
tongues. For something more than half
a century, at least, Latin has not served
the purpose of a universal language.
For nearly 1000 years the speech Of
ancient Rome was comprehended in
learned circles throughout civilization.
knowledge of Latin was q necessary
foundation for all higher education.
This common language of the learned
we'll may be credited with having been
one of the greatest factors for inter-
national understanding the world has
known.
But Of late years it seems to have
dIcf 1Nt,n De-
required part Of the curriculum Of high
schools and colleges. It's use has been
practically abandoned in scientific liter
ature. This seems to be due to three
primary factors. In the first place,
thinking has gone beyond the bounds
Of Latin expression. Secondly, the gram
matical principles differ so strikingly
from those of the modern European
languages that men cannot think in
It," Thirdly Is the rampant nationalism
which has even invaded the province Of
language
So it is entirely possible that a modi-
fed English will be the Latin of the
future. The present situation is becom-
ing intolerable. Noteworthy contribu-
tions in many lines Of thought are being
made in Russia. Turkish, Scandinavian
Finnish, Chinese, Japanese and Hindu.
These remain almost entirely closed
books to the scientific workers Of other
nationalities. We may expect to see
! the day when English French and Ger
man, the classic languages Of modern
sciences, will be Of no more intrinsic
significance than Chinese or Finnish.
No man will be able to learn all the
essential languages and at the same
time learn anything else.
Languages originally were the result
Of the isolation Of peoples. Through the
centuries an enormous emotional sig
nificance has become attached to them.
Will the end Of the isolation in itself
be sufdcient to undo the work OF the
isolation, In the face of the emotional
barrier to be surmounted? This remains
one Of the most intriguing questions
for the future to answer.
Evening star., 1932-02-21

Taking figures for all goods sold by
the household appliance chain stores
and these are regarded as fairly repre-
sentative of all household furnishing
stores-it has been determined by th~
Department of Commerce that 80 per
cent of the business is done on the
installment plan. Another 81 per cent
is sold on open account or a total of &C.
per cent of all sales on a non-cash
basis. Open account may mean any
thing from 80 to 80 days. 1t refers to
the charge account as contrasted with
the installment plan calling for stated
periodic payments.
1t will be seen that leaves only 40
per cent of the business on cash basis.
Merchants do not ordinarily wait for
their money until it all comes in By
mstallments or liquidation of open ac-
counts. They are able to borrow from
their local commercial banks to the eX-
tent OF from one-half TO three -quartel.
of the amount owed to them. As the
customers pay up their accounts, the
merchant curtails his Indebtedness TO
his bank
One group of figures has to do with
electrical and gas appliances. The
have come to make up q Substant4
proportion Of the total Of househ0l-
appliances sold, especially on deferre1.
payments.
Gas and Electric Appliances.
1t appears that gas appliances attract
larger share of cash payments. The
departments figures reveal that cash
was paid for gas household appliances
TO the extent OF 443 per cent Of the
total. This, however is seen TO be well
under half Installment plan sales ac-
/ counted for 40.7 per cent Of the business
/ with only Is per cent on open account.
| In the department of electric house
! hold appliances it is found that INSTALL
ment buying reached 37.7 per cent OF
the total. open account purchases eX-
tended TO 243 per cent Of the whole,
leaving only 38 per cent paid for in
cash.
! Gas seems to be increasing IN use.
Up until short time ago, It appeared
that devices for the use of electricity
would usurp almost all other lines. The
wide extension of pipe lines conveying
natural gas at low rates, coupled with
| lower prices Of coal which make manu-
| factured gas more economical to buy.
has given gas utilization fresh nm
| pulse. A stimulated market for gas
appliances has resulted.
Electricity continues to gain, OF
course, not only in variety of uses, but
in the wide dissemination Of its con.
nections. The wiring Of dwellings fOr
| electricity has not progressed evenly
all over the country, but each year sees
steady gain. For example. Oregon
with a population of 953,786 has 194,.
933 dwellings wired for electricity. Ar
kansas with population Of 1854, ,482, OF
practically twice that of Oregon, has
only $685. dwellings wired for elec-
| triCity-less than half as many.
Widespread advertising campaigns IN
connection with the "spend-for-the
! home year are expected to be engaged
| in and there is reason to believe that
| installment buying will take a new lease
on life and continue to be Of service to
| the American people and valuable
outlet for producers and merchants.
Evening star., 1932-02-21
A Defaulting Government.

Litigation In a way unparalleled IN
political history is now in progress In
Australia. The Loan Council and gov
ernment of the commonwealth have de-
cided not to permit the defaulting fed
eral state Of New South Wales to
escape its obligation to respect its
bonded indebtedness, but to proceed
against 1t in the high courts as If the
state were an individual delinquent
seeking to evade debt.
Last year the commonwealth Of
Australia, in order to protect its federal
honor in Great Britain, advanced the
money due from New South Wales for
oversee interest payments. The legal
proceedings now instituted seek to re-
cover these funds. Meantime the fed
eral authorities at Melbourne have
taken steps to impound any moneys
that may otherwise be paid to New
South Wales. including its share Of
federal aid for public works.
Under an arrangement effected In
1929, New South Wales was entitled to
draw something like 81 100000 month
from the national treasury. This is to
be withheld. Between now and June,
another $5,OO0,OOO allocated to the de-
faulting state will fall due, and this
sum, too. will be applied upon the debt
which New South Wales repudiated.
How serious Is the strain upon
the Australian commonwealth whole
financial structure, due to the tactics
OF its largest constituent state, is indi-
Gated by the inception Of campaign
to dissociate New South Wales from the
rest of Australia. Efforts Of the COM
monwealth and other states to balance
their budgets have been rendered futile
by the incalculable demands suddenly
thrust upon them BY having to shoul'
des New South KAles' ohlieat4ons aaoua
Evening star., 1932-02-21
On Being "Self-Contained."

We Americans are fond of believing
that Mother Nature decreed that this
should be a land utterly sufficient unto
itself-that whenever it suited our
book, we could indulge to our hearts
content in the doubtful luxury OF q
splendid isolation. Particularly are we
prone to think that, were such a thing
Imaginable as q complete blockade Of
our coasts and borders by q combina-
Hon Of hostile forces, Uncle Sam yet
would be In position to do business as
usual, oblivious to the iron Eing drawn
around him.
The other day the chairman Of a
great London financial institution,
Iloyds Bank, Ltd, in deploring the
growth of international trade restric-
tions, through tariffs and otherwise,
eointed out that hardly any important
country Ia the world today can Be de-
ecz5hA - abseslG sa6.supp1tins He