davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1934-04-27

conservative opinion. But 1t Is in
comparably the broadest inquiry ever
undertaken into the public relations
Of the local electric industry. There
is no doubt that it has wide popular
support. The utilities may complain
that they are being bounded, with
the Federal Trade Commission and
the Federal Power Commission al
ready baying at their heels. But in
quiries of this kind, if conducted
fairly as well as fearlessly, serve not
only to lay the foundation for rene
dial legislation but as a sort of
safety valve for pent-up popular emo
tions. In this case there are also
specific charges of improper infiu-
ence to be either proved or disproved."
Belief that the public is entitled to
know the difference in rates between
current from private enterprise and
that from public plants is voiced by
the Appleton (Wis.) Post-Crescent,
the Gary Qnd) Post-Tribune, and
the st. Louis Post-Dispatch. The
Buffalo Times advises that only ex-
perts should take an active part in
IAiC iANColiedGlOIlS, dLlQ lLIc AIidIlJlC
City Press is of the opinion that the
utilities are entitled to justice
throughout, although they have only
themselves to blame for strenuous OBJ
jections." The Raleigh News and
Observer suggests: If the inquiry
develops the shabby and shameful
details Of exploitation so vividly por-
trayed thus far, the power industry
stands to suffer from a movement Of
reform that may, within all reason,
become more punitive than correc-
tive" The Miami Daily News points
out that the Federal officials can only
make report on the subject.
This inquiry" according to the
Philadelphia Record, "can be the best
thing that ever happened in private
ownership Of utilities in America If
private ownership wants it that way;
if private ownership is wise enough
and far-sighteed enough to accept fair
rates and honest regulations instead
of seeking further to defy the whirl-
wind of public demand"
Evening star., 1934-04-27
Motor Insurance
And Parking Ban
To the Editor Of The Star:

To the Editor Of The Star:
In connection with the discussion
of abolishing overnight parking. wish
to present my own situation, which is
probably typical:
I consider myself a safe and capa-
BILE driver (never having had an acci-
dent). but I think no automobilist
should fail to carry insurance to pro-
tect the victim in case he should
have an accident. My present ex-
penses would not permit me to con-
tinue to carry this insurance if had
to pay for garage rent. With me it
would be a question Of renting a
garage by dropping my insurance. and
this I would not do. Consequently an
overnight parking ban would mean
that would dispose of my automo-
bile. This would profit no one except
the street cars or, busses, which are
already overcrowded.
With the wide streets of Washing
ton there is no potential danger on
account Of cars being parked next to
the curb at night. There Is certainly
much less traf1c to be interfered with
by night parking than by day parking.
The TRAFFIC Department should be
asked to furnish figures concerning
the number of accidents caused by
night parking. There are probably no
cases on record. But it is menace
for automobilists to drive cars without
carrying insurance to reimburse the
victims for their expenses.
JAMES ULRICH. -
Evening star., 1934-04-27
Washington's Police
Praised by a Visitor
To The Editor of The star.

To the Editor Of The Star:
Having had business in WashingtuSz
several days last week whes ene city
was crowded with visitors, was favor
ably impressed with the efficiency and
kindly manner Of the Washington
police in dealing with traffic situation
that must have been perplexing.
had several personal experiences, par
ticularly while in Potomac Park.
found the officers alert to the welfare
of motorists and pedestrians alike. It
was to me pleasing circumstance to
notice how efficiently they handled
their job in the face of what seemed
to me to be battling odds, and to note
the care they exercised in directing
the movements of persons driving and
on foot. Their manner, in each in
stance that came under my observa-
ton, radiated friendliness. A friendly
and efficient police force, it seems to
me, is an asset to any city.
A. o. H. GRIER.
Wilmington, Del.
Evening star., 1934-04-27
Observations on the
Night.Parking Matter
the Editor of The Star.

10 the Editor OF The star:
Referring to the agitation stirring
the populace at the present time re-
garding all-night parking Of automo-
biles, as I understand the idea, park
ing would be prohibited after some
certain hour at night. Most of the
arguments that I have read in favor
of this all-night parking prohibition
are that the streets will be beautified
by the removal of parked automobiles.
better traffic conditions will prevail
because of the removal of parked
automobiles and that other cities have
banned all-night parking and the cit
liens like it. 1t seems to me that
anyone seeking beauty would not be
looking for it at late hour at night.
At the time this ban would be ef-
fective most beauty-loving citizens
would be at home peacefully sleeping,
or making their way home in haste
So far as traffic conditions are con-
cerned. ban on the parking of auto
mobiles during the business hours of
the day would be much more effec-
tive toward bettering traffic condi-
tions than a ban at late hour at
night when so per cent or more of the
automobiles are already parked for
the night. Other cities have banned
all-night parking, not so much to
beautify the streets and improve traf-
flc conditions, as to lessen the chance
of night prowlers removing removable
parts of the machines. This ban in
other cities has lessened police work
Still. many cities do permit all-night
parking, but the local laws require
parking lights on the vehicles. I can
not say that any improvement has
been noted in other cities by the
erection of the shelters for automo-
biles. On the contrary, in many
cases what was formerly good look
ing rear yard or garden, now has
wheel ruts on the grass or through
flower beds, and tendency is noted
to leave old tires and debris where
dropped. If any shelter has been
made, in most instances it is hur-
riedly built ramshackle affair that
serves its purpose, and that is all.
Washington is not comparable to
any other city in which I have lived.
and while I am not entirely opposed
to the abolishment of the privilege of
leaving my machine in front of my
rooming house all night if the traffic
authorities consider it best, at the
same time I do believe that these
same traffic authorities could better
devote a great deal of their time and
thought to the improvement of traffic
conditions during the business and
rush hours of the day.
GEORGE E. CHAMBERLAIN.
Evening star., 1934-04-27
Rapid Transit Changes.

Definite consideration by the Public
Utilities Commission of plans to
change the street railway routings and
lines in the District has been begun
with hearing held today relative to
proposed changes involving the re-
moval Of certain tracks in the south
west section. Some of these changes
are incident to the development of the
public building group on the Mall
Avenue triangle. Others are designed
to relieve street congestion and to
effect more orderly and efficient
traction service. Later other areas
will be studied with the view of the
consolidation of lines and the shifting
of routes made possible by the con-
solidation of the two traction systems.
The merger of the two rapid transit
companies makes possible the correc-
ton of conditions which were created
in the days of numerous independent
lines, established by acts of Congress.
Areas then remote from the center of
business activity were provided with
first horsecar, then electric services.
Some were competing lines. others
were feeders. There was no system
attic planning, for there was no need
then of such a coordination as was
effected in part by the two mergers
that resulted in the organization, first
of the Capital Ira ction Co. and after
ward the Washington Railway and
Electric system.
Now that these two companies have
united, and especially with the de-
velopment of the motor bus, it is
possible to consolidate and reroute
the lines-perhaps to abondon some
of the track without lessening
the service; in fact, with an improve
Evening star., 1934-04-27
Railroad Wage Settlement.

The country will rejoice with Presi-
dent Roosevelt that an adjustment of
differences over wages between the
railroad workers and the railroad
managers has been reached. 1t will
rejoice all the more because of the
manner in which the representatives
of both sides to the controversy con-
Quoted and finally brought to a con-
clusion a matter which threatened
serious consequences. A third cause
of rejoicing lies in the fact that the
settlement provides fer restoration of
full pay to the workers, in part almost
Immediately and the remainder within
the year. Rising wages mean more
business, more buying power, more
recovery" 1t is, indeed, hopeful
sign that the railroad wage settlement.
affecting $4,000 workers, should have
been accompanied by an increase
rather than a decrease in the pay Of
railroad labor. Under the agreement
now reached the 10 per cent pay cut
which has been effective since 1882
is to be done away with in the fol-
lowing manner: 2l2 per cent July /.
another 21s per cent January /, and
the final per cent on April /, 1885.
The restoration of pay when finally
complete will add, it is computed,
5000, 100000 to the pay roll of the car
riers. To put it another way. it will
all 100000 to the purchasing
power of the railroad workers and
their families.
The families of railroad workers,
suffering the 10 per cent pay cut, with
unemployment at times. have been
hard hit by the depression, though
not to the extent of workers in other
lines. The new wage settlement gives
them hope again. 1t also does away
for a while with uncertainty and the
promise of strife over railroad wages.
The increase in railroad business goes
along with increases in wages in all
lines, nor can the increase in railroad
wages fail to be reflected in railroad
business itself. 1t has been clear
that recovery in this country de-
pends upon increased purchasing
power causing increased production.
At the outset of the controversy
now closed over railroad wages notice
was given by the railroad managers
that they desired a further reduction
of pay to the workers, while the
workers demanded immediate and full
restoration of pay. 1t is obvious that
further cut in railroad wages at
this time would have been signal
of further distress. The reverse has
happened. The settlement is a COM
promise, but one which in the end
should prove beneficial to both sides
and to the country at large. State
ments issued by representatives of
the roads and the workers both stress
the fact that they gave ear to the
urging of President Roosevelt that the
need of recovery in this country is
paramount. While the controversy
was not finally laid upon the doorstep
of the White House, nevertheless the
influence of the President for a peace
full settlement Of the differences has
been manifest.
Evening star., 1934-04-27
SHOOTING STARS.
BY PHILANDER JOHNSON.
Onward and Inward.

Onward and Upward.
Please let me do the best may
In sunshine or in rain
As I strive On from day to day
Improvements new to gain.
But let me follow Natures rule
While ages we compute
In terms too vast to learn at school
Please let me evolute.
Oh, do not try to harrow me
Nor undertake the care
That will enable earth to see
A progeny more fair.
But let my mathematic mind
Develop from cube root
And grow as it may be inclined.
n Please let me evolute.
Evening star., 1934-04-27
THIS AND THAT
BY CHARLES E. TRACEWELL.

Alas. you aren't, and that is that.
not as long as you stay here, anyway.
X X x Y
Consider the plight of a real frog
in an aquarium at this time Of year.
He should 60 outdoors, where he
can catch living, moving food, but the
capricious weather suddenly plunges
the outdoor temperature down between
80 and 40 degrees.
But the amphibian has been living
in temperature 80 to 40 degrees
higher.
The so-called owner Is unable to
tempt the new frog with anything he
can offer him. Scraped beef is given
the cold shoulder.
The owner is not sure the animal
is frog-perhaps it is a toad, after
all.
If toad, 1t wants dry land more
than the food; or. better, 1t wants dry
land because its instinct tells it that
only there has 1t chance to find its
natural food
Steadily the small creature perches
upon such of the water plants as reach
to the surface.
He has had enough of the water.
He can no longer live in water ex-
clusively. His gills have changed to
lungs and he must have air to breathe
just as we do.
If he is hoptoad (perhaps there is
no such word, but it is widely used
just the same), he cannot live in water
any longer.
Now he is a land animal and must
have his land.
He longs for the insect life which
must be his food.
What a jewel he will be in any
garden! Perhaps the ancient idea
that the toad carried a jewel in it's
head arose from the fact that man
kind unconsciouSly realized what a
jewel the curious creature really is in
consuming such a large number of
insects, many of them harmful to the
garden.
Aside from watching these changes,
| the aquarium owner has not much to
gain from keeping tadpoleS. The dis
posal of them, after they have become
frogs, is a problem. especially if he
has no outdoor pool. He must find
some one who has and prevail upon
him to take the creatures.
AS for their value as scavengers in
the aquarium. this Is commonly over
rated. They do not eat offal, as sup
posed, but add a great deal of their
own. They feed upon algae, minute
water plants, but do not consume as
much as many are led to suppose.
They eat dead leaves, but only of
certain plants, notably the ludWigia.
But as this plant seldom does well in
the home aquarium. under ordinary
/ conditions, this feature Of their
/ proWess does not amount to much.
The truth is that the tadpole. in
any Of its varieties, is a pretty poor
scavenger. If We keep it in a home
aquarium, We do so mostly because
/ of its interesting changes to come
/ But these bring problems of their own.
AS tadpole, the creature kicks up a
great deal Of debris in the tank with
quick motions of its paddlelike tail.
AS lung breather, it is out of its
element.
( Any way one chooses to look at the
! taddy, 1t really belongs in the great
outdoors. Yet, because of its interest
to nature lovers. it will be kept in
home tanks, no doubt. If so, remem-
Der that the tank should become
green before it is introduced. To
place one or more of these things in
freshly-set-up aquarium is to test
its skill at survival cruelty. To keep it
there after it has grown up is to refine
, cruelty.
Evening star., 1934-04-27

her uplifting. What will you do now7
May she read her liberty In your eyes7
Shall she go out free? The conRre-
cation responded generously with
money to free the girl. Subsequently
the noted minister freed other slaves
in his pulpit.
@. In what service does Col Roscoe
Turner. famous speed flyer, hold the
rank Of colonel?-R. B. B.
A. He is a colonel in the California
National Guard. He was in the Air
Service and was discharged in 1919 as
a first lieutenant.
@. How far does the earth travel
each day on its Journey around the
sun?-C. T.
A. The earth travels 584, SOC, 900
miles on its annual trip around the
sun and this is approximately 1901
6O4 miles per day.
@. How much time is consumed in
the mechanical production of a book?
M. B. T.
A. 1t has been calculated that the
whole time taken in the production of
N@A@ IA AAAAAoAJ OOOh vi dUOuI
words, from the casting of and the
composition to the machinery and
binding, and from the first dispatch of
the copy to the printers, to the re-
turn of the completed book, is about
IL weeks in all. Even then, the busi-
ness of actual publication has not
been counted in the estimate.
Q. Did George Washington actually
see any of the public buildings in
Washington, D. CPL. S.
A. He helped plan several of them
and saw the White House almost
ready for occupancy and the first sec
tion of the Capitol ready for use.
Q. Is there a history of the life OF
Christ between the ages of II and 20?
ID. F.
A. Apart from the Scriptures them
selves, there is no historical, and little
traditional, record Of the life of Christ
between the ages of IL and 30 years,
when his ministry commenced. There
are traditions that during this time
he visited India and the British Isles,
but these rumors are exceedingly
valueless so far as an actual historical
record is concerned.
@. How many miles of shelving
are in the Library of CoagreSs?-E. K.
A. One hundred and sixty-five
linear miles.
O. Did Charlemagne have a daugh-
ter?-L. E.
A. He had a daughter to whom he
gave the seamless coat. This garment,
thought to be the one worn by Christ,
was presented by the daughter to the
Priory of Argenteuil CharIemagne
received it from the Empress Irene.
@. Is it known what causes ira
choma?-L. S.
A. DR.. Lewis H. CarriS says the
specific germ which brings on ira
choma has not been definitely estab-
iished: recent investigations, however,
furnish clues that are expected to
clear up this mystery which has
baff1ed medical men for centuries.
O. Are there some books which Ro-
man Catholics are forbidden to read,
and others which they may read in
part?-W. W.
A. The Roman Index contains both
the Index Librorum Prohibitorum and
the Index Expurgatorius. The former
contains list Of books forbidden,
while the latter contains books for
hidden until certain parts are omitted
or amended.
@. What title is given to Joe Miller
who wrote the Joke Book?-P. H.
A. He is sometimes called the
Father of Jests.
Evening star., 1934-04-27

"Oh, see the funny little fish," said
the lady in the store, looking down at
an aquarium full of tadpoles.
Perhaps she was the same woman
who, gazing Soulfully at taddy, once
exclaimed:
Isn't Nature wonderful? To think
that some day 1t will turn into a big
beautiful butterfly"
Tadpoles are neither fish nor but
terfiies, but interesting stages in the
life of certain amphibians, including
frogs and toads.
The tadpole in your home aquarium
may turn into bullfrog, green frog.
leopard frog, hoptoad. any one Of
the various tree toads, or a Spring
"peeper," or Hyla.
the growth Of the four legs and the
typically froglike eyes. are amazing
changes, visible through the sides Of
the aquarium.
Even more astonishing. the books
tell us, are the changes which go on
inside the creature. notably the evolu-
ton of the intestine from that Of a
strict vegetarian to that OF meat
eater.
The speed with which these trans
formations are made is amazing, es-
pecially if the taddy had be en- kept in
a tropical aquarium, with the tem-
perature Of the water varying between
76 and 80 degrees.
Such warmth spells the Springtime
of life to a tadpole, although raging
SHOWS may be falling outside the win
dow.
The creature knows nothing Of
SHOWS outside His mentality extends
only to himself, and then only to his
unconscious self
What exists on the outside of the
window is unknown to him, what
exists even on the other side of the
glass side of the tank is equally un-
known
He exists in himself. and that is
enough for him, as the poet said of
himself in another connection.
The tadpole did not ask to be trans
ported here, but here he Is. undergo
ing his Transformation as Nature de-
creed.
He is doing it much faster than the
universal mother planned. however,
owing to the busy interference of man,
the universal meddler.
X X X
What is there that mankind hasn't
meddled with?
From the strict standpoint of Ma
ture all her creatures should be let
alone, to live out their lives under
eminently natural conditions.
Bears ought to be left in the forests,
not put in ZOOS.
Fishes should be let alone in the
oceans. rivers. lakes. pools, not caught
and transported thousands of miles to
adorn the tanks of aquatic fanciers.
Those who undertake the care of all
such creatures out of habitat ought
to keep eternally in mind the peculiar
aspects Of the case
Realizing the utter unnaturalneSS Of
the new conditions. they should do
their best to make them approximate
the old.
Whether this can be done 100 per
cent is a question. but at least an ap-
Proclamation may be achieved. and
under such conditions a tadpole will
turn into frog very satisfactorily.
Satisfactorily, that is, for the aqua
rum owner.
But how about the frog?
There he is, legs and all, his peer
ing eyes looking for dinner.
Little frog. what now?
Where are you going to get the
flying insects which should constitute
YOUR fOOd2
Evening star., 1934-04-27

America admits debt to England
that can never be repaid in the ac-
eepted English version of the Bible
and the works of Shakespeare, al
though it must be admitted that Eng
land has not been thoroughly efficient
in enabling the world to understand
either.
Evening star., 1934-04-27

"Topsy" is mentioned in our eco
nomic discussion. Since Uncle Toms
Cabin" is to be brought into the dis
cussion, some thoughtful consideration
might be given to the obtrusive dia-
lectical character who kept announc-
ing Il am lawyer and my name is
Marks"
Evening star., 1934-04-27
Local Government Reorganization

Most of the proposals to reorganize
the local Municipal Government are
advanced in the interest of admins
trative efficiency and economy or to
give the voteless taxpayers of the
District some semblance of a voice
in the control of their own affairs.
Legislation representative of both pur-
poses has been proposed during this
session of Congress. indicative of a
helpful interest in District affairs by
our legislators.
Efforts to increase administrative
economy and efficiency. by functional
regroupings or mergers. are naturally
of interest and importance to the
taxpayers, and proposals to this end
are beneficial as long as due consid-
Grafton is given to the reasons which
led originally to existing arrangements
and as long as change is not pro-
posed merely for the sake of change
or to meet certain exigencies of
politics.
But it is natural that those pro-
posals. which are motivated by a de-
sire to increase the participation of
local citizens in their own govern
ment, should be the ones which arouse
greatest interest and are of most last
ing Importance. 1t is gratifying to
Washingtonians that several bills of
that nature have been proposed and
are pending in this session of Con-
gress.
AS set forth in the article which
appears elsewhere in today's Star as
one of a series discussing local gov
ernment reorganization proposals. the
fundamentally important step in re-
organizing the local government would
be to give citizens of the District
the American right of representation
in the Government which taxes them
and legislates for them. Most Of the
community's grievances and handi-
caps spring from the denial of this
right. Those grievances and handi-
caps will remain, it is feared, as long
as the right is withheld.
The powers of the Commissioners
may be increased within what the
courts will define as constitutional
limitations. BY one process or another,
the Commissioners might be chosen
End retained in Office by methods as
suring their response to local senti-
ment, as for example by granting to
the people Of the city the power of
recall in respect to them. Any of
thesc things might prove desirable and
bcn chcial. But until the local tax
PAYERS can participate as Americans
in the choice of their President and
ere given the right of representation
in Congress, which, under the Consti-
tu.on, retains exclusive power of leg
iolation in the District. the basic
remedy for many injustices and
inequties will still be sought.
This fact, it is believed, will be-
come increasingly apparent to those
friends of the District who, as mem
bers of Congress, persist in their laud-
able efforts to improve the efficiency
of the Municipal Government, to re-
move the cause OF damaging difficult
ties in the relationships between Con-
eress and the local community and
who seek to give the District taxpayer
more of say-so in how his money is
tc be spent. Such manifestations Of
friendly and helpful interest in the
welfare of District residents by men,
bers of Congress are always appreci-
ated. Success in their efforts should
bear beneficial results.