davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1934-07-27
A Local Referendum.

Through canvass OF the neighbor-
hood by inspectors Of The Alcoholic
Beverage Control Board and from the
petitions and arguments Of residents,
both the A. B. c. Board and the Board
Of Commissioners have received evil
dence aplenty that Takona Park,
D C. is dry in sentiment and wishes
TO remain dry. On the strength OF
evidence already obtained the Com
missioners and the liquor board would
be amply justified in taking q stand
on the matter OF issuing licenses in
that vicinity that would be more def
mite than the attitude so far assumed
an attitude that finds the Commits
sioners informally recommending
against the issue Of licenses. while the
liquor board is anxious to receive for
NAL and unequivocal instructions.
But II thr Commissioners carry out
Mr.. Aliens proposal for referendum
in Takoma Park this Fall, and base
their decision on the results Of that
referendum, there can be no objec-
ton, provided, Of course, that the
method chosen to conduct the refer
endum assures fair expression Of view.
The method Of taking the vote, the
representation on an election board,
the registration and qualification Of
voters, the residential area to be cov-
cred and the questions to be answered.
are matters that doubtless will be dis
cussed by the Commissioners with
citizens Of Takoma Park.
The result Of such a referendum
might be forecast by what could be
considered the overwhelming dry SEN
timent already expressed. But that
is Of even less Importance than the
adoption of this method by the Com
missioners for determining local
neighborhood sentiment. For If the
Commissioners successfully conduct an
advisory referendum on this particu-
lar question in Takoma Park, D. c.,
there is the possibility Of its further
use in other neighborhoods and on
other local questions Of Importance,
which would be of benefit to citizens
of the District.
From the very beginning of discus
sion over dry areas in the District
Commissioner Allen has staunchly
advocated some degree Of home rule"
enabling the citizens of the District
to express themselves on matters
affecting their communities. He sug-
gested the referendum method before
the liquor control act was drawn.
While the act itself does not specify
the referendum, it gives the liquor
board and the Commissioners ample
authority TO satisfy" themselves as
to the appropriateness of licenses, and
the referendum is, of course, demon
Strably effective method of determin-
ing local sentiment.
Evening star., 1934-07-27
Better Radio Will Give
Children Musical Taste
To the Editor of The Star:

To the Editor of The Star:
It is unfortunate that over the radio
one hears so much jazz and grooming
songs and inferior music when the
operas can be had In record form as
easily and taste in music cultivated
in the public, and especially in the
young during the formative period of
their lives. Unless children acquire
a taste for good music early in life,
often, unfortunately, they never learn
to appreciate opera music and are
satisfied with second-rate music when
adults because they know nothing
better. Parents can inculcate love for
good music In children by allowing
them to hear opera music from VIC
trola records instead of hearing jazz
music continually. Nothing will give
children as much pleasure as music
in after years, as it is a hobby that
never bores and a constant inspira-
ton to an individual.
DOROTHY A. DAVIS.
Evening star., 1934-07-27
Study of Political
Economy Is Needed
To the Editor of The Star:

To the Editor of The Star:
History will record the present era
as significant for unprecedented de-
velopment of mechanical arts and Of
all the sciences except one. The SCI
ence Of political economy has been
neglected In our schools and COL
leges. Tt is true that classes in civics,
sociology and economics are supplied
with text books, but these are In
variably based upon consideration of
expediency rather than tmmutable
law. And, what Is worse, many of
them have actually been prepared
by privileged interests.
Now if there is one place where,
more than at any other, the apphca-
ton of sound principles of political
economy should prevail, it is at the
seat of government. We find, how
ever, that Gen. johnson, director Of
the recovery act, while doubtless quite
familiar with Upton's Tactics and
the Science of Military Maneuvers,"
in all probability never read Henry
Georges Progress and Poverty"
Otherwise he might have been guided
by the following: Nor can the state
cure poverty by regulating wages. 1t
is as much beyond the power of the
state to regulate wages as it is to
regulate the rates of interest. Usury
laws have been tried again and again,
but the only effect they have ever
had has been to increase what the
poorer borrowers must pay"
1t will be remembered that price
fixing was at first a part of the
program, but after enormous expense
and trouble this experiment was
scrapped many months later. Gen.
johnson and DR.. Tugwell are un-
doubtedly sincere in saying that they
will scrap the various experiments
now being tried with the expenditure
of billions of dollars of taxpayers
money just as soon as these are found
to be impracticable. Had these men
been well versed in the science Of
political economy, however these ex-
periments would never have been
made. HENRY WARE ALLEN.
Wichita, Kans.
Evening star., 1934-07-27
The Bootleg Problem.


Joseph II. Choate, jr., Federal alco-
hol control administrator, advised the
Governors Of the States at their an
nual meeting yesterday on liquor con-
troll and the best manner TO deal with
the bootleg traffic 1t appears to be
MIR. Choates idea that In their desire
TO obtain all the revenue the traffic
will bear from the manufacture and
sale of alcoholic beverages the Fed
eral Government and the State gov
ernments are going long way toward
the perpetuation OF the bootlegger in
this country. Mr.. Choate said en-
phatically that the way to meet the
situation was to make alcoholic bev-
erages as cheap or cheaper, when sold
legally, to the consumers than Is the
Illicit liquor. He urged a reduction
in all taxes imposed on these bev-
erages, including the tariff duties i'm
posed on imported liquors.
Mr.. Choate went further, He told
the Governors that State government
dispensarieS of liquor are helping to
increase the bootleg traffic, because it
is impossible for the States to provide
as many dispensaries as are demanded
without an enormous organization,
which in itself would mean the build
ing up of a great political machine
and might bring In its wake scandals
of a most unfortunate type.
The war on the bootlegger should
be waged increasingly by Federal and
State governments, as Mr.. Choate
said. There can be no adequate regu-
lation of the liquor traffic as long as
the bootleggers flourish as they do in
this country today. There can be no
slightest doubt Of the fact that the
bootleg trade is still tremendous in
this country, If Mr.. Choate's figures
for whisky consumption are correct,
and there can be no doubt of their
accuracy. Before the days of national
prohibition the consumption Of whisky
in this country was about IS, 600, 900
to 100000 gallons annually.
Mr.. Choate insisted that the con-
sumption of whisky today, with a
much larger population and with
women indulging in alcoholic bever-
ages to a degree unheard of before
prohibition, is greater than it was
before 1920. And yet, he pointed out,
the tax-paid Withdrawals of whisky
are running at such low rate that
If it continues the consumption Of
legal whisky will not reach 1000 900
gallons a year,
The problem of the bootlegger and
his activities, which Lead to every
kind of crime, the problem Of an ever
increasing criminal population. is still
with the United States. In the
opinion of Mr.. Choate it must be met
by strict enforcement and by making
the place Of the bootlegger econonni-
cally untenable.
Evening star., 1934-07-27

since. In his early Army days Gen.
Phil Sheridan was one of his imme-
diate superiors. With the General
Staff since its organization in 1908,
the veteran served as chief clerk dur
ing the World War and after, through
the terms as chief Of staff Of Gems.
March, Pershing, Hines, Summerall
and Macarthur. Mr.. Gerhard will be
succeeded by Herbert F. Statesir, now
assistant chief clerk, who for many
years was secretary to Gen. Leonard
Wood.
Word comes down from New York
that Wall Street waited for and
listened to Wednesdays radio talk by
Chairman Kennedy Of the Securities
and Exchange Commission as eagerly
as it is accustomed to tune in on
President Roosevelt. The bulls and
bears were immensely reasSured by
Mr.. Kennedy's remarks. They came
along at a psychological moment, to
cure the Street of a depressing case
of blues brought on by an unusually
severe Midsummer slump in stock
transactions. The s. e. C. executives
assertion that the commission does
not look upon itself as 'coroners sit
ting on the corpse of financial enter
prise" is highly gratifying to the
brokerage fraternity, which, despite
the regulatory law, is hopeful that
happy days, after all, will come again.
The commission, by the way, has
dropped Federal from its title. It
may have sounded too much like
cop.
X X X y
Postmaster Jim Farley isn't con-
flning his bouquets out West to Demo-
Gratis Here's what he said in Port
land this week: In the consumma-
ton of the Roosevelt program during
the Seventy-third Congress We had
opposition. Some of it was selfish
and sordid. am happy to say here
that such opposition as came from
the senior Senator from Oregon, the
minority leader Of the Senate, Senator
Charles L. McNary, was clean and
fair. He never hit below the belt.
He was no participant in the cheap
flibustering tactics that occasionally
were resorted to by some of the old
gang of the old guard. II in my
political dictionary there were such a
thing as a good Republican, Senator
McNary would come closer TO fitting
the description than any one know"
x x
John D. Rhodes, veteran member
Of the Senate staff of official Steno-
graphic reporters, is stickler for
good English and an authority on its
use He suggests something ought
to be done to steer public speakers
toward the correct pronunciation Of
bureaucracy" which will be much
used term during the 1884 congress
sional campaign. The dictionary, Mr..
Rhodes points out, gives the eau"
in bureaucracy the long 20" sound.
so it's wrong to make the word rhyme
with democracy" as most speakers
do It's proper pronunciation is "bu-
ru-cracy," with accent on the "ro.'
CCopyright, 1934)
Evening star., 1934-07-27
Finder of Valuables
Asks AcknOwled dgements

To the Editor OF The Star:
Several years ago 1 was selling fruit
at a stand in front of the American
Security & Trust Building, corner of
Fifteenth and Pennsylvania avenue,
I made a number Of valuable finds
on the sidewalk. always returning the
same without reward.
Among your many readers may be
the postal employe who lost an en-
velope which. he told me the next
day, contained $4,000 in bonds. He
patted me on the back, told me I had
saved his Job. and that he would
never forget me.
And the two ladies who purchased
some fruit and later returned search
ing for an envelope containing a con-
siderable sum in paper money l had
found this on the walk soon after
they left.
Should the persons concerned have
the above brought to their attention,
I feel sure they will favor me with a
brief note acknowledging the facts
set forth. These testimonials will
prove OF inestimable help to me at
this time.
trust you viii favor me by pub
fishing this letter.
C. MERCER ROUSSEAU.
Evening star., 1934-07-27

termination IS one which Il Is I'M
possible to foresee.
1t was against this background OF
human dirnculty that the idea Of an
nual vacations arose. All work and
no play. the ancient Adage declares,
makes Jack duh boy. 1t also makes
him a nervous wreck" q potential
candidate for an asylum. Sensible
people have learned that II is better
70 rest than to break. but it seems
that there are vast number Of weary
individuals who are not sensible.
Evening star., 1934-07-27
Returns Here to Find
Traffic Is ''Murderous'

TO the Editor Of The Star:
I have been In most OF the large
cities in America and have been in
Washington many times. Wednesday
I came to washington again after an
absence of seven years. 1 am positive
that the traffic conditions are worse
in Washington at present than I
have ever known them to be In this
or in anv other city.
I need not enumerste the condi-
tions to which I refer. They can be
summed up by the term reckless
driving" do not know why the
traflc situation in washington should
be as 1t Is and do not presume to
suggest a remedy. But surely it is
plain murderl And surely those to
whom is intrusted the welfare Of
Washington. with its hundreds Of
thousands Of inhabitants and millions
Of tourists, can correct the condition
II they will
LLOYD NJ. CROSGRAVE.
Evening star., 1934-07-27
Finds Most Radio
Programs Are Poor

To the Editor Of The Star:
Allow me at this time to express
my hearty accord with your recent
editorial, Driving Them Crazy" I
deferred buying a radio until some
seven months ago. largely because Of
the character of so much of the
matter coming over the air. Now,
after so short a time, for the same
reason, we simply do not turn the
instrument on for a whole day or
more at a time. A good program.
when put on, is too often interspersed
with or followed by unctuous and
sickening advertising of toothpaste,
soap, cosmetics or something of the
sort. The effect on me is such that
I usually am impelled to jump up and
turn the radio of at least until the
offending stream Of "tripe" has tenn
porarily run dry.
I should much prefer to pay
small monthly tax" for fewer pro-
grams, without advertising. Perhaps
this is the ultimate solution of the
problem Of how to provide worthwhile
entertainment and education by radio.
r. A. YOUNG.
Evening star., 1934-07-27

conscientious but sontimea Hfeiess
competition. He reproduced with
fidelity the details he viSioned In his
mind, but It happened that the re-
suit WA not invariably faithful to
nature
McCay's outstanding talent, how
ever, vas that OF his inventive cspac-
ity. He brought into being a world Of
his ovn design, placed in It person
alttlss Of his ovn conception. And
it vas g colorfui. romantic world
Memo, the Princess. the Dandy Kid
Impie. Flip and Dr.. Pill we're the kind
Of citizens one would expect 70 find
N it. The spirit behind the drawings
It was plain, wss kindly and generous.
A mean or narrow temperament could
not have expressed such friendly
amusing. frequently beautiful ideas
Il followed that the series, running
through a long period Of time in
scores Of different papers, had a bene-
fetal influence.
An artist should be teacher, and
McCay met that requirement per
fectly. There vas lesson in every
thing ne did, II only his audience
troubled 70 try to understand 1t. And
so he was a citizen in the fun mean
ing Of the word. helping TO shape
opinion, promoting ethical and social
progress, serving civilization with his
art and his philosophy. He will be
remembered, and his fame will be an
inspiration to those who will carry on
from the point at which he has
left of
Evening star., 1934-07-27
THIS AND THAT
BY CHARLES 4. TRACEEELL. :

80 that any one who "jay-waIks"
must be a fool.
There Is no popular appeal from
that logic
Every one knows, however, that q
real appeal is taken every day by
thousands OF persons. men and wom-
en- who keep their heads and jay
walk" 20 the distinct benefit OF all
concerned.
Let us see how they do It.
First, how they do not do it. They
do not plunge headlong into the
street. in the middle of the block.
Just as the streams Of traffic are going
by.
They do not indulge In the foolish
practice. so often seen. of darting out
ahead of the cars. then standing IN
the middle Of the street between two
streams OF traffic.
They do not fail to look to right
and left
They do not fail to look for two
blocks right and left.
In fact, they do everything that the
p0pAldi CD44CcpbiOfl VI n JdE-Ndlkef
is not supposed to do.
They thereby take themselves COM
pletely out Of that class. despite the
fact that such popular mass con-
ception still includes them.
We would not call this man a "jay-
walker at all. but a safe -crosser."
Here is how he does it:
He selects his place carefully usual
ly at point about so feet back from
the corner-either corner In a block
at one end or the other.
This throws him about behind the
second car, as the cars stand.
If he elects to try to cross while the
cars are stilled by the red light. he
must be careful of the cars moving
in the block, going to the far corner.
The other line is stopped. and he
must look to see if they are coming
up in rows, rather than in straight
line. Then he must take a look at
the light, and definitely know-we do
not say guess-how much time
he has.
Then he must run as II the devil
were after him. 1t will be found in
nearly all cases of pedestrians struck
while "jay-walking' that they we're
leisurely going across, looking neither
to right nor left, probably thinking
| about something else.
You can't think about something
else while crossing the street nova
days.
The more expert "jay-walker'
adopts the quintessence of this
| method, as follows:
He elects to cross while traffic Is
moving. Now this requires real skill,
but, once mastered, is believed by its
exponents to be absolutely the safest
way to get across a modern street.
One may cross BY this method in
the exact middle of the block, but
only the skilled should try it.
This calls for good eyesight, and a
slight willingness to take a chance"
| at the corner, this scarcely can be
held against the method.
The aStute observer of modern traf-
f1c knows that there is always a time,
in any given traffic signal, between
the green light and the red, when the
block is almost empty Of cars.
This curious phenomena will not be
believed by those who swallow, with
out question, all they are told about
''jay-walking." 1t is a fact, how
ever, and in this interim the skilled
pedestrian may cross safely any,
where. Yes, there are skilled pedes-
trians, just as there are skilled
drivers
Evening star., 1934-07-27
SHOOTING STARS.
BY PHILANDER JOHNSON.

Facing Responsibilities.
IF there's to be foreign war;"
Said Hezekiah Bings,
with people out to battle for
A lot of curious things,
It's started In a different way
From what wars mostly do.
The politicians lead the fray,
They're angry through and through
Before they send men to their doom
Who ask what it's about,
They should foregather in a room
And simply shoot it out.
If there has got to be a fight
With all the woe it brings,
A way like this seems only right
Said Hezekiah Bings.
Evening star., 1934-07-27
ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
BY FREDERIC J. HASKIN.

United States Is q potential munitions
maker whenever there is need for this
kind OF product. Our whole system
of munitionment Is built upon such
industrial preparedness There are
about 20 firms manufacturing firearms
and 25 manufacturing ammunition and
explosives, combined output amount
ing 10 about $4,000, 900 q year. In
peacetime this manufacture Is for
sporting, police and Industrial pur-
poses.
the glass ~bottomed boats around Ca
tallna Island7-A. A.
A. They are not restrained IA any
way. The coastal waters are their
natural habitat. 'f-
O. What language did the Indians
speak7-M. A. b.
A. Each tribe Of Indians had its
own language, The language Is now
known by the name Of the tribe.
@. Is II possible 10 trisect an angle
with straight edge and compass only7
L. ID.
A. The consensus OF opinion Is that
the trisection Of an angle Is just as
impossible today by means OF the
straight edge and compass as II was
in the days Of the ancient Greeks
when the problem was first studied.
@. How is Hawaii governedp--w. d.
A. The Governor is appointed by the
President OF the United States with
the concurrence of the Senate. The
present incumbent is Joseph n. Puin-
dexter. President Roosevelts Appoin-
tee. Hawaiian Legislature is com
posed of a Senate and q HOUSE 6f Rep
resentatives. Members of both are
popularity elected Also chosen by
popular election Is Hawaiia deIeRate
TO the Congress Of the United states.
Lincoln L. McCandless Is present dale
gate.
@. Is there a naval history eo-
ciety In New York City7-J. /.
A. The Naval History Society has
headquarters at ITO Central Park
West, New York City. The president
of the organization is Col. James
Barnes Of Princeton, N. J.
Ad. 14OW EkEGbElCltY UOIN hu
electric iron consume7-E. w.
A. Probably between 500 and 600
watts an hour.
Q. Is Dorothy Dix, the corimnist,
married?-F. r.
A. Dorothy DIX elizabeth Meri-
wether Gilmer), is a widow and has
no children.
@. Has a Speaker ever been elected
in the national House Of Representa-
tives who was not member of that
body?-J. H. K.
A. No one not q member OF the
House Of Representatives has ever
been elected to the Office Of Speaker
since the establishment of the Federal
Government 1t is possible under the
laws and regulations for non-mem.
ber to be elected Speaker. Other ofi-
cials of the House are not members
Of that body.
Q. What does the word San mean
when used before the names of Cali
fornia cities?-D. G.
A. It frequently is found In Span
ish place names and is a contraction
Of Santo, the masculine form Of Saint.
Santa iS the feminine form.
@. When did Hitler become cham
cellor OF Germany?-C. H. NJ.
A. On January 80, 1893.
Q. Are there any chimpanzee twins?
M. q. --a
A. The first chimpanEee twins on
record were born at Yale Unfversity's
Anthropoid Experiment station, ct
! Orange Park, Fla, about year ago.