davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1933-12-12
THIS AND THAT
BY CHARLES E. TRACEWELL. e

/ The play Of opinion Is one Of the real
fiuxes Of the world. No mighty river
moves faster than opinion-or changes
its course more often.
An opinion Is not necessarily a fact,
nor q TACT necessarily an opinion; often
opinions are wrong, but sometimes opin-
right.
There seems to be no surety about
opinion, as may be seen in the realm Of
politics, where, for every opinion as to
right policy, there Is q counter one held
equally as strenuously.
He who listened over the radio to
speakers OF opposing parties knows how
1t Is. After he has heard one man, he
thinks. Yes, that is So" and after he
has listened to the opposition, he Is
inclined to side with him, too!
X X
In a matter so small as plants, and
whether or not they should be incorpo-
rated in pots in living rooms, during the
cold months, the division Of thought is
not rigid.
Even the man who does not like them
Is willing to admit that they do bring a
certain cheer, and keep alive In the
hearts Of those who love them best the
lure OF the open garden.
Tney have their uses, but his chief
KICK Is That they should not be in the
living room, nor in the dining room.
IN the former, they are in the way,
and In the latter they brush L, against
ONES hands when least suspected.
| X *
Where, then, is the poor potted plant
to go2
Into room Of its own.
That Is the only, and the correct, solu-
ton. according to our hero. (We have
SO many heroes, and they all agree
with us, strangely enough! Well, isn't
that every mans story2 He is our hero
| who thinks as we do)
Most specialized things, in numbers
| need place to themselves, not only
for the best display, but for their best
care.
Notice that We specify ain num-
bers," because the crux Of the whole
thing lies right there.
One plant, in a nice pot, might dc
well enough, but the person who likes
house plants usually Is not satisfied
with one or two.
1t Is the same with the keeping OF
aquaria In the modern home. One
starts on with bowl of guppies, goes
on to acquire more and larger fishes
| anu tdnks, SO tnat In time the down.
stairs looks mere like a pet shop thar
home.
Even the most enthusiastic fish fan
comes ct last to see that If he wants
so many fishes he must manage ar
aquarium room. somehow.
| u
The ideal solution of the indoor plan,
problem Is the old one, the conserva-
tory. There ideal conditions may be
kept for the growing things of bench
and pot. Stove plants" the English
call them.
The best practical argument against
potted plants in the main rooms ot
the house is that seldom. indeed, art
conditions exactly right for them. 1t i,
either too hot or too cold, too dry OF
too warm.
That any manage to get by" in the
average home speaks we'll for the as.
siduous attention they receive from
those interested in them, whose loyt
and knowledge may overcome the plair
handicaps they labor under Plant.
are not canaries in cages, nor yet fishe
in aquaria, yet they respond no les.
to the old unwritten laws of crea tior
which bind them round. Perhaps thost
who dislike "a plant in pot" feel thi.
more keenly than others, that is all.
Evening star., 1933-12-12

not done, II would be possible under the
public works law to allocate q SUFFICIENT
sum for the construction from the fund
of $500, 900, 900 placed at the disposal
of the administration headed by the
Secretary Of the Interior. The site for
the building having been already ac-
quired and cleared for construction
purposes. the limitation pleeed upon the
fund to be allotted under the act that
none of it may be used for the purchase
Of land does not apply.
BY whatever method, however-by
allotment from the public works fund
or by renewed appropriation-the au-
thorization for this construction should
be given without further delay. The
present housing Of the Federal Trade
Commission is disgracefully made
quste. The other two commissions are
unwelcome tenants in the Department
of the Interior. which Is becoming con-
gested with recently expanded units OF
the Federal service. SO much So in
deed, that recently the suggestion was
made that the main Interior Depart
ment organization be removed to the
building now approsc ching completion
and originally designated for the In
terstate Commerce Commission.
There is no economy in delay In these
matters. AS a practical proposition
the Government actually loses money
by procrastination. Construction costs
are lower now than they will be later
when economic recovery has been &C.
complished. In terms of efficiency Of
administration the immediate provision
of suitable quarters for important an6
active branches of the public service
is highly desirable. Furthermore, the
spectacle Of an unfinished project
presented by a vacant space Of land
bounded by high board fence, does
not conduce to public confidence in the
effectiveness of recovery measures
Early action is required from all points
of view.
Evening star., 1933-12-12
High Lights on the Wide World
Excerpts From Newspapers of Other Lands

When these lists are received in the
central Offices of instruction investiga-
ton will be made of all the other
abSentees from the class rooms and
prosecutions inaugurated by the educa-
tional authorities in cases where delib-
crate Noncompliance with the scholastic
code is evident. Fines ranging from S
so!ej SD to SO soles will be levied on
the parents or guardians Of children
too frequently exercising their own
choices as to whether they will acquire
the ordained minimum CT secular dis
cipline.
Insomuch as this instruction is fur
nished all children from to IA without
charge or preferment, under the consti-
tutional enactments. there is no reason
whatever why succeeding generations of
our citizenry should arrive at full age
and stature and yet be illiterate.
Evening star., 1933-12-12
Clerks Pay Cut Should Be Restored
In Interest of the ''Abundant Life''
To the Editor Of The Star:

To the Editor of The Star:
Permit me to state that for thirty
odd years. from coast to coast, have
always supported family and self in
business, not at the expense of the tax
payer, SO my ensuing remarks are not
tinged with personal prejudice. How
ever, since my return to this city over
three years ago, having engaged in
various lines of selling, my contacts
have necessarily been to large extent
with those in national or municipal en-
ployment, as of such is composed the
bulk of the National Capitals pay roll.
Through such contacts, as well as
through relatives and friends similarly
employed, I have naturally gained a
very intimate insight into the psychol-
ogy, hopes, aspirations, trials, trtbula-
tions and worries of the Government
employees, national as well as municipal.
I wish that those in high places. our
President, Congress, budget director
in fact all concerned who control the
living and destinies Of this vast army
of some sixty-odd thousand of Govern
ment workers in Washington, could get
at first hand, as have, the real truth
of this situation.
The great majority of these people
have found to be loyal to their Govern
ment; their superiors; to their work and
careers. But in this life loyalty should
not come from the employe to the en-
ployer alone, but equally from the en-
ployer to the employe. Otherwise
morale, esprit de corps, loyalty, all are
bound, sooner or later, to give way.
Promises, fair words. fine speeches, gilt
tering generalities, cannot forever blind
people to rank injustice and suffering
caused thereby.
I listened a couple of nights ago, over
the radio, to our Presidents inspiring
address to the churchmep on collective
effort on broad lines of Social planning"
/ to provide abundant life" And be-
lieve In YOUR paper the same evening an
article stated the President was favor
able to restoring S per cent of the
Government cut. In his plea for social
justice" and abundant life" the Presi-
dent stated:
I'VE recognize the right of the indi-
vidual to seek and to obtain his own
fair wage, his own fair profit, in his
own fair way-just SO long as IN the
doing Of 1t he shall not push down nor
hold down his own neighbor
"And at the same time VIC are at one
in calling for collective effort on broad
lines of social planning-a collective
effort which Is wholly in accord with
the social teachings of Christianity"
Most noble sentiments! Is the Gov
ernment employe an individual" such
as referred to, or is he or she the
the forgotten man Cor woman)"?
Fifteen per cent does not sound like
a very great amount, does it? 1t might
not cause much hardship to those draw
ing from $4,000 to $4,000 year. But
the greatest category is not in this
salary class, but the rank and file,
from first-grade clerk at $l,260 basic
pay up to those drawing twice that
amount. Every dollar means much to
them.
Take the first-grade clerk, for IN
stance. Instead Of o monthly salary OF
| 3105-low enough, heaven knows-cut
Evening star., 1933-12-12

"a plant in a pot is like a bird In q
cage" some one has said.
Most m:n will agree with that, few
women.
The ladies like their potted plants,
especially in the Winter.
"A touch ct green," they say, opti-
mistically.
Listen to the old garden worthy, who
ever he was, harshly declare:
II can endure no plants IN pots-a
| plant in pot is like bird in a cage
Surely he was q crouch Of the FIRST
water, but ms ny q person will arise to
call him blessed.
Something there is about house
plant which strikes many as messy;
there Is no other word for IL.
Stems which trailed in the outdoors
where trailing is all right seem untidy
here, where straight lines Of walls and
ceilings set tine dominant note.
A step N the right direction has been
| taken with rectangular pots, some Of
| them with exterior side walls composed
! OF small mirrors.
The oid-fashioned fern stand, Of
course, long ago gave this needed
angularity.
The zeal trouble, however, is not in
| the pot, or, rather, it Is in the pot! >
| 1t is the plant itself.
own, persistent determination to grow
as they please no matter what any one
thinks of them.
| **
Just how far the mental concept OF
a bird in cage" may be true will de-
pend upon the holder Of the idea. A
bird in a cage is all right, maybe not
for the bird. but certainly for those
who hear him sing. Properly taken
care OF, q Gagged bird does not seem un-
happy and in time tends to become a
real member of the family.
| The old garden crouch might as well
have said, "A plant in a pot is like
a fish IN an aquarium There are fish
and fish, of course, and tanks ano
tanks: properly managed aquarium Is
one thing, an aquarium founded only
on ignorance quite another. A large
cichlid. kept by itself, may seem un-
happy, but q community of guppie.
strikes every beholder as quite jolly
sight.
Potted plants are living things, but
they lack the personalized touch which
cLngs to vertebrates.
The real reason why many persons
particularly men, do not like house
| plants is that they find them some.
how completely out Of harmony with
interior decoration.
A man may lay claim to tha. feeling
without In any sense being an artist
or knowing a thing in the world about
periods in furniture and the like.
His sense Of the eternal fitness Of
things, let us say, is riled completely
by a potted plant in the living loom.
He has nothing to say about tn,
plant, as plant, or against the POI
as a container Of flowers, although il
you were to press him he would b.
willing to say that most of the flower
pots could be more ornamental thar
they are with no loss to flower or pot
|
What he does not like is that small
lack OF balance which the potted plant
ruthlessly introduced. gives TO the bes
living rooms and dining rooms, the IA.
vorite places for such things.
1t will not do to say that he Is over.
sensitive.
There are ways Of looking at al
things, and this is lust one of them
Evening star., 1933-12-12
Plea for Better Radio
And Music Programs
70 the Editor Of The Star:

10 the Editor Of The Star:
Surely something ought to be done
ABOUT the radio. The programs have
oeterlorated almost immeasurably in the
last year until now one can turn the
dial from end to end almost any hour
and hear nothing but interminable ad-
vertising. monotonous and nerye-wrack-
ing Jazz and the cheapest sort Of yaude-
vile. As medium Of advertising a.
peal alone 1t does seem that Il w,u'd
pay Tor one station In each city q run
programs which would meet the de-
mands Of people Of intelligence and
good taste.
I have often wondered. also. why
some house with sufficiently large su-
dltorium does not experiment with the
offering Of musical programs at motion
picture prices. In my opinion, such an
undertaking could do an excellent
business every night. 40 weeks In, the
year. A great many people seek enter
tainment or escape on the impulse of
the moment without caring to dress or
undertake any considerable expense, and
many OF these people are very fond Of
music. As 1t Is now, they 60 to the
motlon pictures and three out Of four
come away after having suffered an
evening Of boredom.
DEETS PICKETT.
Evening star., 1933-12-12

is per cent off and then retirement re-
duction, making the monthly pay
$3.50. Is that "his own fair wage, his
own fair profit, in his own fair way?
Is that the more abundant life? Or if
) per cent were restored, about SIS per
month, would that be a fair wage"
etc? Let those in high positions try it
once and see:
And I know some in such lowly Gov
ernment positions today, trying to
evade 1.-The big bad wolf" who at one
time in their existence were socially and
otherwise as high as any of our present
Government officials, but who today are
where Sthey are through no fault OF
theirs, but due to the spirit of con-
quest and greed" referred to by our
President, which was allowed to engult
our Nation.
In the hysteria of a political cam
paign promises were made to economize
i'll Government and balance the budget
Then later the only way to carry out
this promise was to load the burden
of suffering and sacrifice upon the poor
Government employe, already made to
suffer by previous reduction.
Is that wholly in accord with the
social teachings of Christianity?
Recently in France a Government
collapsed because of the mere threat OF
reduction in salaries of Government
employees.
In this country first one party then
the other makes the noble gesture OF
economy at the expense of these loyal
mostly underpaid, Government en-
ployeS, and that is the more abundant
life!" THE war for social justice!"
Anl Nd ft,A tv,1a 1ax
making codes, employing many more
people, some at fancy stipends, to force
industry and trade to shorten hours
raise wages, with the commendable
idea-"the war for social justice"
We had our drinking Congressman
who voted dry. We now have our so
cial justice" administration that prac-
tices rank and cruel injustice in its own
bailiwick, and gets away with 1t by in
spring speeches full Of noble senti-
ments.
Speaking of Christianity-did not the
Master say, first take the beam out oi
thine own eye that thou might see more
clearly to remove the mote from thine
neighbor's eye?"
All, or most Of us, in America, are
loyal to and In sympathy with, oul
Presidents high aims, wonderful leader
ship, and unselfish desire and efforts tt
rescue our Nation from the spirit oi
conquest and greed" that has so long
dominated us as people. We are alsc
led to understand the President desire.
and welcomes criticism.
Let him therefore admit he ha.
found, irrespective of the relative cos
of living in 1928 as compared with 1888
that the reduction of salaries Of Gov.
ernment employees was an injustice that
worked hardship on over half q
million people, as well as q most de-
plorable example to set to the employ.
ers throughout this land, and restore
to these people their Is per cent. and
am sure such q wave Of Joy and graft
tude will so sound forth that its re.
verbefations viii ascend to the high
Evening star., 1933-12-12
ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
BY FREDERIC ]. HASKIN.

What do you need to know? Is there
some point about YOUR business or per-
sonal life that puzzles you? r. there
something you want to know without
delay? Submit your question to Frederic
j. Haskin, director Of our Washington
Information Bureau. He Is employed to
help you. Address your inquiry to The
Evening Star Information Bureau,
Frederic j. Haskin, Director, Washing
ton, D. c., and enclose three cents in
coin or stamps for return postage. Do
not use post cards?
@. How many boys were playing
foot bali in the colleges Of the United
States this Fall?-L. M.
A. In the l30 major colleges and uni
versities there were about $500 students
engaged in the sport.
@. Has the new Federal prison been
opened?-M. A. B.
A. A new Federal prison at Lewis
burg. Pa has recently been opened.
The new United States Narcotic Farm
at Lexington, KY, is in the course of
construction.
@. How much area is required to pro-
duce food for one person?-N. z.
A. It Is estimated that in the United
States 1t takes more than 2 acres Of
crops to produce food for an American.
@. What salary does Queen Will
helmina have?-F. n. B.
A. The civil list Of Queen Wilhelmina
Of the Netherlands is approximately
s24l 200 year.
@. Was Stephen A. Douglas, known
as the Little Giant man OF great
physical strength?-P. L.
A. He was physically delicate and he
was short of stature. 1t was his men
tai qualities which led to the sobriquet.
Douglas died in June, 1861, at the age
of 48.
@. What Is the earliest estimate Of
the population of the earth?-T. B.
A. Little information is available
about the earth's population before the
seventeenth century. DR.. Wilcox Of
Cornell estimates it at 465 100000 in
1850.
@. Is the Dead Sea of any value?-
D. E. T.
A. Palestine Potash, Ltd, a recently
formed company, plans to recover sew
eral valuable chemicals from the Dead
Sea. Pure potash up to approximately
1000 tons was extracted in 1882. Mag
nesium bromide is being produced at the
rate Of ton day.
@. When was the University Of
Geneva, Switzerland, founded?-M. C.
A. 1t has been known under its
present name only since 1873. but is the
outgrowth Of one of the oldest and most
famous Of Protestant institutions Of
learning, the Academy Of Geneva,
founded by the Genevan republic in
1859.
c. Where is Poictesme?-G. D.
A This is a mythical European coun-
! try created by James Branch Cabell in
which scenes in some of his books are
| laid. pr-
@. What does the japanese inter
| lection banZai mean?-P. T.
A. Literally. 10000 years. 1t is used
as hurrah, live forever, as a battle cry
and as salUtation to the Emperor.
Q. Is it not true that the original of
the Spirit Of '76 is in Abbott Hall,
Marblehaad. Mass.?-L s D.
A. The painting was presented to the
| exhibition ct the Centennial Exposition
at Philadelphia in 1876 and had been
| taken to many other cities by request
| @. In poker, deuces wild, is five of a
kind or a straight flush the better
| nand?-R. E. G.
A. Five Of kind.
@. What do the initials z. B. "
stand for in Germany?-W. G.
A. For zur besonderen vervendung
Evening star., 1933-12-12
The All-Nazi Reichstag,

Berlin was the scene today of an event
unique not only in Germany but in par
Hamentary history, when the first all
Nazi Reichstag was called to order by
lts President, Gen. Herman William
Goering, late premier of Prussia and
chancellor Hitler's political next in
command. 1t is the chamber elected at
the special election of November IL,
held at the governments instigstion,
Tor the dual purpose Of securing an in
duoitable vote Of national confidence in
its foreign policy and of providing the
National Socialist regime with a Reich
stag in full consonance with the idea
OF the "totalitarian state"
The result of the ensuing Landslide"
Is the Parliament now ready for busi-
ness on the Bismarck -Platz. Numeri-
cally. 1t is the largest ever convoked in
Germany. OF its total of 66l elected
Deputies, $50 prepared to take their
seats In brown shirts, sartorial badge of
Nazi power. TWO non-Nazi members,
Vice Chancellor Franz Won Papen and
DR.. Alfred Hugenberg, former leader of
the annihilated Nationalist party, will
alone appear in traditional garb of an
other hue, IN their capacities as guest
Deputies"-a recognition by the powers
that be OF the readiness Of Col. Won
Papen and Herr Hugenberg to accept
places on the one-party ballot Of No
vember IL, although neither of them is
formally associated with the govern
ment party. Both expressed ccncur-
renee in Nazi policies at home and
abroad.
Thus Chancellor Hitler now has at
his disposal Reichstag upon which his
government can depend absolutely to do
its will and bidding. On the face of
things, the chamber has no prerogatives
except to approve unquestionngly any
thing submitted to it. The only other
important function seemingly remaining
to it is to serve as the rostrum and
sounding board for government pro-
nouncements on foreign policy. such as,
prospectiyely, the outcome of the
Franco-German entente negotiations,
renewed on Monday in both Paris and
Berlin. The government is operating
under sweeping enabling act conferred
on it last May and running into 1887.
Its omnipotent authority meantime is
unchallengable.
The advent of purely Nazi Reichstag
synchronizes with the abolition of the
Diets Of the Federated States, including
that OF long dominant Prussia. Today
thus marks the final and indisputable
triumph of the principles which the out
J side world has come to know as "Hit-
lerism." Whatever may be the view
held of the Nazi system beyond the con-
fines Of the Third Reich-and the
methods by which it was created nat
urally do not command the admiration
of peoples still consecrated to the ideals
Of onstitutionalisn1-C Hitler
and his government today speak for a
united, determined, militant Germany,
with which other nations have to
reckon as an actuality Of tremendous
and undeniable significance.
The all-Nazi Reichstag is the symbol
of that new factor in international
| politics.
Evening star., 1933-12-12

throne Of the Almighty, and America
and the world will realize hts sincerity
in his demand for social Justice" and
"the more abundant life," and know
that he practices what he breaches.
Incidentally, the restoration of this
pay to Government employees will cause
a tremendous boom In business gen.
orally in this Capital City, which no one
will deny Is badly needed, as Washing
ton merchants and all lines of busi-
ness here have suffered terribly since
the two cuts in Government pay. the
backbone Of the city's business being
from this pay roll.
Here's hoping all this may soon come
WALLACE MALCOLM.
Evening star., 1933-12-12

An airplane nearly crashed into
Buckingham Palace and the alert pilot
averted a personal crash as well as
possible lese majeste by banking VI
This is one Of the most satisfactory
instances OF expert banking yet brought
to notice.
Evening star., 1933-12-12
SHOOTING STARS.
BY PH1LANDER JOHNSON.
Hitch Hikers.

Hitch Hikers.
Santa Claus avenue, up meath the star
That shines, ever faithful. to guide us
afar.
I stand on the curb and my thumb I
extend
And say, Wont you give me a hitch
hike. old friend?
Wont you let me go riding with you
for while
On the journey that passes the tear or
the smile
Which memory holds since the years
long ago.
Like landmarks still clear in the sun
shine or snow?
will you give me q ride to the place
that knew
When I PLAYED hide and seek by the
chimney with you'
The highways your own, so resplendent
and wide.
I'm asking, old friend, will you give me
a ride?"
Evening star., 1933-12-12
Mystery Story.

Mystery Story.
do you read much?" asked Senator
Sorghum.
"Yes," replied the old friend.
Like mysteries?"
Every much"
'Well here's book called the Social
Register. My wife and daughters have
sat up nights trying to figure out why
some names got in and why some others
were left out"
Jud Tunkins says there amt much
use Of a new deal in a game where
somebody's holdin' cards up his sleeve
Evening star., 1933-12-12

A great deal of medical and culinary
information Is given in connection with
radio news comment and on occasions
the startled listener-in might be CRATE
full for advice as to something harm
less yet effective to take for a plain
case of nerves.
Evening star., 1933-12-12

A stabilization Of the dollar will not
be regarded as complete until the peo-
pie of this country are content to go
ahead and do business without stopping
to inquire what its price is in London.