davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1934-11-22
The Dictator Plot.

Why is it that when the President
leaves Washington for few days Of
rest and relaxation plots must begin
breaking out right and left? When
he returned from a vacation in
the Southland last Winter he found
that in his absence things had
been going, as the President said,
from Writ to Writ. And now, no
sooner has he arrived at Warm
Springs than more dirty work at
the cross roads is discovered. This
time it is Gen. Smed Butler who has
nipped in the bud the nefarious busi-
ness that would have sent him to
Washington at the head Of an army
of ex-soldiers, financed by Wall Street
and directed by bond salesman, and
made him a dictator.
In examining the meager reports of
the Butler dictator plot one somehow
feels that all has not been told. 1t
is easy enough to understand the
preliminary moves contemplated by
the plotters, for the scheme was sim
plicity itself. Gen. Butler was to
arrive in Washington at the head of
his army, persuade the President to
make him Secretary of State and,
presumably, ask Mr.. Garner to 60
fishing. Then the President, discour-
aged by such a turn Of events, was to
resign and Gen. Butler was to be
President. But President In name
Evening star., 1934-11-22

tinued hold in India, Great Britain
has no idea of relinquishing. From
Gandhi's standpoint they make a
travesty of "self-government."
In Great Britain there are bitterly
hostile schools Of thought. Prime
Minister Macdonald and the Labor
party, which he once led, have favored
concessions that would give India
dominion status" such as Canada,
Australia and South Africa enjoy.
Conservatives of the Tory tinge be-
lieve it is perilous, from the empires
standpoint, to extend too generous
autonomy. The British textile trade
fears the loss of its rich Indian mar
ket. Britons who think in terms Of
national defense conjure up the vision
of q Japanese danger to an India too
much mistress of her own destinies.
Parliament will echo throughout the
Winter with the pros and cons of the
problem. On the decisions finally
made hang issues Of transcendent i'm
portance not only for India and for
the empire on which the sun never
sets, but for peace in the Far East.
The proposed scheme presumably typi-
fies that genius for compromise on
which British craftsmanship prides it
self. Time will tell whether it is or
dained to serve its purpose or whether
India is doomed to remain seething
cauldron Of political, racial and eco
nomic unrest.
Evening star., 1934-11-22
Visitor Resents Slurs
Against u. S. Officials

To the Editor of The Star:
have just returned from a visit to
Washington with touring party, and
it was delightful trip in every way.
However, there was one phase of it
which was unpleasant to me, and
feel that this matter should be brought
to your attention.
We did the major part of our sight
seeing in busses, and while the driver
and spokesman were first class, was
surprised and panied when the young
man who explained the different points
OF interest slurred the Government and
the politicians at every turn. For in
stance, where the terrace in front Of
one OF the new buildings was ready for
seeding for lawn he said that one mil
lion dollars would very likely be ap-
propriated for that work, but that
seven hundred thousand dollars Of it
would have to be divided among the
politicians. That Is only one Of the
instances, but such remarks were
numerous.
This letter Is not written as COM
plant, but merely because this mistake
on the part of the young man in ques-
tion hurt me as an American citizen
and I am sure is not a good example
to set before children and young people
who comprised some Of the party In
that bus.
If this matter could be brought to
the attention of the bus boys, so that
they would realize that some Of their
passengers were hurt by such remarks,
am sure that this could be corrected.
MRS. JEANNE L. FAY,
Chicago, Ill.
Evening star., 1934-11-22
Nation Pays Penalty
For Land Speculation
ro the Editor of Tb. stor.

To the Editor of The Star:
1t is positively phenomenal how
easily people fall for superficial re-
forms and shrink from those that are
really fundamental. The relief meas
ures put out by the recovery agencies
In Washington are a good example.
True, the country was in desperate
plight and something had to be done
speedily to avert a revolution. 1t
would be all right, however, If along
with these temporary palliatives the
groundwork was laid to prevent
recurrence of the economic disaster
through which We are passing, but not
one step has been taken.
Codes ad lib have been formulated
for every industry in creation except
the one that is most needed, 1. e., a
code to prevent speculation in land,
for that is the root cause of this de-
preston, believe it or not.
This fact should be apparent to any
one with even a chemical trace Of
brains. The most convincing argu-
ment Is facts. The war started a
period Of land speculation which
spread its destructive tentacles over
the entire land, resulting in the loss
to untold thousands Of their homes,
farms, mortgages and real estate gen.
orally, to say nothing of the thou
sands of banks and other money-lend-
ing institutions and individuals who
loaned on highly inflated values sums
that were never repaid. Bank de-
posits in the billions were tied up, thus
decreasing purchasing power. Fac
tories reduced their output or shut
down altogether, throwing millions
more out of work. Retaliatory tariffs
on the part Of foreign countries still
further curtailed production here and
more unemployment resulted.
Fifty years ago Henry George saw
what was coming unless We changed
our land policy so as to eliminate
speculation in the resources of nature.
OF course, as usual, we thought he
was a nut" and ignored his warning
but, as a matter Of fact, his prophecy
was absolutely correct and we are
now paying the penalty.
Land is not wealth and should not
be subject to the same rules of bar
gain and sale. 1t is the source OF
wealth; necessary to our very exist
ence, and should be available at all
times without having to pay others
for permission to use it. Whoever
buys land for speculation simply buys
the privilege of holding up some one
else. Georges remedy is simple and
practicable and we would do well to
heed his warning before it is too late,
far apofhar aroporair ra Z q SfroDho 1ika
this one may be our last gasp.
z. 3. SWINNEY.
Los Angeles CALI,
Evening star., 1934-11-22
Shift to Private Building Aid
Evidence of Improvement

az. Reorganization Of N r. "A
process not yet completed, but plainly
intended to relax some of its more
rigid and artificial restraints on busi-
ness.
"8. Greater stability of the dollar,
with active support of it on at least
one occasion by the stabiliZation fund
simultaneously, an almost complete
eclipse of all talk of a commodity
dollar"
Linking the action on this agency
with the r. F. C. curtailment, the
Toledo Blade declares that both are
timely and wise" The Uniontown
CPa) Herald in a critical statement
holds that the building work would
be a stimulant to resumption of the
heavy or durable industries" while
the Albert Lea (Minn) Tribune sug-
gests that the work has been "a
poorly managed branch Of the Gov
ernment's rehabilitation" The Osh-
kosh CWis) Northwestern contends
that many applicants are bound to
be disappointed" The Worcester
(Mass.) Evening Gazette concludes
that maybe the banks can take on
more of the load"
Until costs of materials and wages
in construction come down." says the
Lexington (Ky) Leader, land until
money can be borrowed on easier
terms, and more readily. the efforts
Of the Government to stimulate build
ing will be Ineffective" The Brook
lyn Times Union takes up an asso-
ciated subject when it records: Pres
ident Henry L. Hartman of the United
States Chamber of Commerce has put
forward a low-cost housing project,
privately financed, to cost $15,000,-
100000. The project is to run for 10
years and calls for the construction
every year of 75o, ,000 houses for work
ers on the outskirts of large industrial
centerS."
Evening star., 1934-11-22
Gifts and Relief.

Government gifts and administrator
of the F. E. R. A., is amazed. not to
say disgruntled, because some insti-
tutions of learning have declined to
accept Government money. This
money was to aid students who other
wise would not be able to remain in
universities and colleges. Because
these institutions would not fall in
with his plan Mr.. Hopkins has dubbed
them "aristocratic,' pointing out that
they are heavily endowed
II believe" said Mr.. Hopkins, "that
higher education is for those who
ought to have it, irrespective of their
economic status" Beyond a doubt,
Mr.. Hopkins is well qualified to say
who should or who should not have
higher education. Or, if he is not to
sit in judgment, he will be able to find
a board which will do so. DR.. Tyler
bennett, president of Williams Col
lege, was one of those who had the
temerity to reject an offer of money
from the F. E. R. A. He went so far
as to say that there were already
more college men in the country than
could be used. Apparently DR.. Den
nett was contending that college
trained men desire to fill only certain
kinds Of jobs-they wish to be business
executives or professional men or at
least to have white collar jobs. If
Americas crop of potential profess
sional men and business executives
becomes too great under the practices
of Mr.. Hopkins, perhaps DR.. Tugwell
could arrange to have every third
college man plowed under.
There is no slightest reason why
any American should be denied
college education if he wishes one
and is qualified mentally and physic-
ally to prepare himself by what is
called higher education. Nor is there
any reason why any American should
be denied the right to acquire an
automobile or tractor or steam
yacht. 1t does seem little strange,
however, that Administrator Hop
kins should so Indignantly deplore
refusal by some institutions or indi-
viduals to accept Government money,
especially in the light of the recent
assertions of Senator Borah that
there has been tremendous waste in
dispensing Government relief to the
destitute.
In the same speech in which he
denounced as aristocrats the colleges
and universities who would not take
Government funds Mr.. Hopkins dis
cussed his plans to provide every
farmer in the country with COW.
That is a laudable purpose, but one
which might more properly come un-
der the general direction of the De-
partment of Agriculture, rather than
under an emergency relief admin
istration, set up to prevent distress
and starvation. 1t is told that a
great many of the people on relief
in the South have been provided with
mules, even those who in the days
Of so-called prosperity lacked mules.
Relief to the distressed is a noble
thing. Aid to those who desire to
work and to help themselves upward
on life's path is admirable. Indis-
criminate giving, whether of higher
education, cows, mules or automo-
biles, is another thing. 1t is no
kindness to a people to teach them
to expect something for nothing,
and to depend on their government,
not only for living, but for many
Of its perquisites.
Evening star., 1934-11-22
India's New Deal.

When King George opened the
Winter session Of Parliament this
week he designated constitutional re-
forms in India as the main legislative
business awaiting consideration by
his majesty's government. The prof.
ect not only involves sweeping changes
in the administration of the Indian
Empire but is provocative of so much
controversy in Great Britain that the
life of the present National" gov
ernment, headed by Prime Minister
Macdonald, is at stake, along with
the solidarity of the Conservative
party.
Impending discussion will range
around the report submitted by a
joint committee of both houses. 1t
is the fruit of fifteen years of ex-
haustive survey of the many-angled
Indian situation, including the find
ings of the Simon Commission and
the London round table conferences.
The reports recommendations go far
toward gratifying India's ambitions for
local government, but fall short
of the demands for national independ-
ence on the lines advocated by Ma
hatma Gandhi and his all-India Con-
gress, which will be satisfied with
nothing but absolute liberation from
the British yoke.
The plan proposes federation Of
1ndia's states and provinces on q
basis bearing some resemblance to
the American Federal system. There
would be local Parliaments and a ma
tional Legislature, both state and
federal bodies consisting Of two
houses each. Provision is made for
court review of legislative enactments.
The individual state legislatures
would be elected directly by popular
vote, but the central Federal Parlia-
ment would be chosen indirectly by
the voters of the provincial legis-
latures.
Gandhi and his cohorts object to
the powers reserved to the mother
country. The crown would appoint
a governor general of. India and pro-
vincial governors. In the hands Of the
governor general would rest exclusive
control Of the army and foreign af-
fairs. These safeguards for her con-
Evening star., 1934-11-22
THIS AND THAT
BY CHARLES E. TRACEWELL.

What has become of the little girl
who sat on top Of the mail box every
morning?
Where is the police dog that played
with. the apartment house janitor's
garden hose?
These were two sights the discrim-
mating bus passenger watched for
every morning as the vehicle rounded
certain corner.
Opening Of school no doubt ac-
counted for the disappearance Of the
bright-haired child; what became of
the playful dog remains q mystery.
Perhaps the janitor went away to
another apartment and took his play
dog with him.
The days pass, and the sights along
the route go with them. The trip
downtown ought to be, must be, for
certain temperaments, something more
than a diSagreeable necessity to be
got through with as quickly as pos
sible. That attitude will do for the
person lacking in two qualities, the
power Of observation and the power
of appreciation. Let all such read,
for reading is very good, even If at
tended with some difficulty aboard
public vehicles.
He or she, however, who believes
that observation and appreciation
make a good team, will see to it.
literally and figuratively, that not a
sight along the route downtown Is
missed. Mainly these will consist of
the old familiar things, and new
things in their season.
Just which is the most important
will depend upon the precise mingling
Of qualities in the beholder.
There is no accounting for taste,
sure enough, but he who finds sights
old and familiar the host pleasing to
him no doubt has the best of the
argument. for there will be more of
these always, and everywhere.
X x
There is really nothing too small
or slight to notice, on such a trip.
The failure TO realize this Is why
so many persons keep their heads
buried in newspapers or books.
Yonder ash can, sitting by the curb
(the houses along here evidently hav-
ing no rear entrance), is looked for
every Wednesday by the really OBJ
servant passenger.
Just an ash can, sitting by the curb
but one lifted out of the ordinary be-
cause the observer has connected il
with a certain home and a certain
day
1t is safe to say that only the per-
son interested in trif1es will have no.
ticed the container, or made the prop
er connection between it and house
and day to lift it out Of the ordinary
as it were, into the realm Of things
interesting.
This will show any one how the
thing is done. Observation is not
something which depends upon show
and display for its powers.
One Of the most observant men we
have known once called attention to
a trickle of water across the sidewalk
in front of large Government build
ing. He stood at a high window
across a very wide avenue. from which
point of vantage not one person in a
thousand would have noticed the
water.
He had looked that way many years
however, mentally connecting that
sidewalk with trickle-free surfaces
The moment he noticed water he real
ized that something out Of the ordi-
nary had occurred.
Not a vast difference. Of course
just a faucet at the building left run
ming all night, but it was something
different, and he had noticed it at
once. That was good observation OF
Evening star., 1934-11-22
ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
BY FREDERIC J. HASKIN.

A reader cdn get the dnstper to
any question OF fact by Drittng The
Washington Euening Star Information
Bureau, Frederic J. Hdskin, Director,
Washington, D. c. Please tnclose
stamp for reply.
@. Have the Dionne quintuplets
been baptized?-H. G.
A. The quintuplets were baptized
five months and two days after their
birth by the parish priest of Corbeil,
Ontario.
@. Are intelligence tests used to
any great extent in secondary schools
and colleges?-K. B.
A. In a survey made in 1882 ques-
tionnaires were sent to $4,000 high
schools. From the II 900 replies re-
ceived, it was found that intelligence
tests of some kind were employed by
1884, rs per cent Of these using the
results to regulate the number of
subjects a pupil may carry. From
SIT answers to 9l8 questionnaires
sent to colleges, it developed that only
10 colleges admit students on the
basis of an intelligence test alone
Ninety-three colleges use such tests
in conjunction with other consider
ations, while SO use aptitude tests as
part Of the entrance requirements.
O. Please give a brief history Of
the early observance Of Thanksgiving
day.-C. M.
A. The Pilgrims set apart a day
for thanksgiving at Plymouth imme-
diately after their first harvest in
1921; the Massachusetts, Bay Colony
for the first time in 1880, and fire.
quently thereafter until about 1880,
when it became an annual festival
in that colony, and Connecticut as
early as 1889 and annually after l647.
except in 1915. The Dutch in New
Netherland appointed a day for CIV
ing thanks in 1914 and occasionally
thereafter. During the Revolutionary
War the Continental Congress ap-
pointed one or more thanksgiving
days each year, except in 1777. Pres
ident Washington appointed day of
Thanksgiving (T'hursday, November
26) in 1889. and another in 1875.
President Madison, in response to
resolutions of Congress. set apart a
day for thanksgiving at the close of
the War of 1872. BY 1858 proclama-
tions observing the day were issued
by the Governors of 25 States and
Territories. President Lincoln ap-
pointed the last Thursday Of Novem-
ber, 1854, and each President has fol-
lowed his example.
@. Please give some information
about the candle burning at Caruso's
tomb.-G. T.
A. The Caruso memorial candle Is
16 feet high, 5 feet in circumference
at the base, tapering to a top Of l8
inches. 1t weighs one ton. 1t is to
be burned one day each year-All
Saints Day-and at this rate will
probably last 18 centuries.
@. How many persons die of carbon
monoxide poisoning?-F. C. S.
A Every year approximately 5000
persons are victims of carbon
monoxide poisoning.
@. Is there a memorial to Capt.
Robert Falcon Scott, the explorer
G. F.
A. The Scott Polar Research In
stitute at Cambridge University is
memorial to Capt. Scott. There is
also a statue erected in his memory
at Devonport, his birthplace.
@. Do children still read the Elsie
Dinsmore books by Martha Finley?
L. c. NJ.
A. During the year 1888 more than
25 900 copies Of the Elsie books were
sold.
Evening star., 1934-11-22
Public Is Held Owner of 60 Per Cent
OF Utilities by Payments on Reserve

Which is to say, try and get it, this
so per cent? We have a Constitution,
might say the utilities, and clause
thus and so forbids confiscati ton with
out due process Of law.
This reminds me that I am much
pleased to see by the papers that the
banking fraternity has lately left
Washington with the determination of
taking care-free part in our plainly
evident emerging from the depression.
I have recently talked with my Pull
man porter, who has just returned
from a special run delivering the
bankers homeward. He reports that
he acquired during that trip a life
long ailment of weak trends, that he
did not make tipping expenses and,
in fact, had to give negotiable COL
lateral for three Of the tips.
r. H. HARSH.
Evening star., 1934-11-22

the type which sometimes leads to big
discoveries.
It is interesting, in going along, TO
notice conditions allowed TO exist
mostly because the owners have be-
come familiar with them, and so can
not look upon them with the eyes of
strangers. If they could, no doubt,
they would correct such small lacks
Immediately. Take yonder cheap
window curtain, permitted to hang at
one of the windows in an otherwise
smartly curtained home. Without
question it does not look the same to
the owner as to the observer rapidly
passing by. 1t is easy for the latter
to see it, and to wonder idly why the
other cannot see 1t. He knows, how
ever, from his own experience, that
the owner of that house is too close
to 1t, that he never stops to look at
his home completely.
Broken window panes similarly
strike the observer as giving a poor
look to otherwise nice homes, but It
Is safe to bet that not a one Of the
owners look upon 1t that way. To
them the broken pane is a broken
pane, nothing more, something to get
fixed some time, but nothing to get
excited about in the meantime. With
out doubt they are right, nevertheless
the passing observer wishes he would
be surprised some morning by being
able to note the situation corrected.
He would be the first one to cheer.
X 4 4
There are a great many persons in
and around Washington who have
taken the same street car ride every
morning for years upon years.
A quarter Of a century along the
same route Is not a rarity at all.
Ordinarily such persons come in
that time to feel that they just about
own the line on which they ride.
They have an air Of proprietorship
which is slightly amusing to the OBJ
servant new rider.
Some Of the old ladies even put on
airs about it, as If the line positively
could not run unless they were at
the same old corner every morning.
Maybe this is true. Perhaps the
motorman would call back to the
the conductor, Where is the old lady
in the black hat?" The conductor
would reply, well, ste isn't here, I
guess we will have to wait"
We would be willing to wager that
most of these old-time passengers
would tell you, If you were to get
their confidence, that they find moth
ing dull or montonous about the
daily journey.
Not only are there many old friends
aboard, even better than that there
are many old friends along the way.
Here the public vehicle goes along
wide avenue, rounding bend where
stands a fine old mansion. Just what
period" or influence" this home
displays would puzzle an antiquarian.
Perhaps 1t is just gay go" archi-
lecture. but it is nice home, and
today stands alone in the evident care
which is taken Of it in a neighbor-
hood which otherwise seems to be
going backward.
1t is a pleasure for the discrimi-
mating observer to look at this house
every morning, just to see how 1t is
coming along. There is almost a
personal interest in it. Whoever owns
the place has kept his shrubbery neat
and in good condition, has seen to it
that the lawns are green, and the
flower beds on the far side perfectly
planted.
This place is an old but never
failing source of interest to those who
must make the same trip every day,
but who see to it that it shall never
be dull.
Evening star., 1934-11-22
SHOOTING STARS.
BY PHILANDER JOHNSON.

Sense of Security.
Now here are yards and yards Of print
With pictures scattered through
To give the world a daily hint
OF what it ought to do.
Ideas lurk beneath the ink,
In various display,
Designed to make good people think
Or chase dull care away.
And so we strive to understand
And sing a little song.
With so much good advice at hand.
How can the world 90 wrong?
Evening star., 1934-11-22

only, curses! He was to be dictator!
But what then? What would he do
as dictator beyond restricting the
production Of bonus-payment oppo-
nents? That Is what the House Com
mittee must discover-not how he was
to become dictator, but what he was
to do when he became dictator. The
people should know.
There is one circumstance that will
not escape the attention Of those in
vestigating this plot. 1t is under
stood that one Of the alleged conversa-
tions between the bond salesman and
Gen. Butler took place at veterans
reunion. To veterans who have at
tended reunions that fact is highly
significant.