davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1934-06-28
Helmets for Batsmen.

Tuesday the second of the Wash
ington American League base ball
players to be "beaned is the
term used on the diamond when
player is hit in the head by
pitched ball-thiS season fell to the
ground at the home plate. severely
injured. Fortunately neither of these
accidents was of grave nature, the
first player thus to suffer rejoining the
team soon afterward and the second
will probably be back in service in a
few days. The mishaps, so unusual
in close coincidence, have revived the
suggestion that batsmen wear pro-
tective head gear, just as long ago
the catchers donned masks, then chest
pads and finally shin guards.
The average pitched ball has a
great force, especially in the hands
of a 'moundsman" who relies upon
fast delivery to fool the batsman. A
blow from it may inflict grievous in
jury. The game as now played is one
of speed. The ball often takes erratic
courses. hopping from an apparently
straight flight toward the batsman,
who must protect himself by lodging.
Now and then. as in the cases of
Travis and Sewen. the 'break" comes
so swiftly that there is no escape.
The batsman is compelled by the rules
as well as by his own prudence to
avoid being hit, though he is some
times so clever in his work that he
manages to be grazed by the ball
harmlessly, with the result that he
is permitted to take his base, perhaps
with an effect upon the score and
the result of the game.
A helmet might become a required
feature of the batsman's gear. with
Evening star., 1934-06-28
Judicial Hair-Splitting.

The District Court of Appeals yes
terday rendered decision, three to
two, which estopped further proceed
ings in a case of an alleged forged
signature to note. The lower court
had helo that proof of the forgery was
not established. The counsel for the
woman whose name appeared on the
note, whose husband had refused to
testify as to its validity on the ground
that his testimony would tend to in
criminate him, failed by a slip of
memory or of the tongue to note an
exception to the ruling of the lower
court in her favor, while noting an
appeal. The majority of the Appellate
Court held that this lapse was fatal.
Two of the members of the court
diSsented
1t is hardly conducive to public
confidence in the courts thus to have
an issue. vital to the welfare of the
suitor, turn upon what one of the
dissenting judges terms an "insignifi-
cant technical error" and the other
futile formula of words"
The phraseology of trial processes
has become utterly meaningless if the
substance of the facts and the prin-
cipleS of the law are discredited and
discounted by casual and insignificant
lapses from what one of the dissent
ing justices styles the proper rhetori-
cal ritual" If the higher court can
not take into account the obvious
facts because of the omission of
veritably immaterial part of that
ritual, then the ritual should be
amended in the interest of justice.
1t has been said that justice is
blind. Can it be that it is also deaf
and dumb?
Evening star., 1934-06-28
Books for the President.

In the admirals suite of the
cruiser Houston, en- route to Hawaii,
President Roosevelt will have avail
able a library Of selected fiction and
non-fction assembled for his use by
Capt. Walter B. Woodson. The list
of titles was announced yesterday,
and professional annalists could do
worse than include it in their formal
chronicle of the age-it is a key to
the prevailing culture of the times.
Twenty-Five of the volumes are
light novels of the type commonly
called detective stories, works which
pretend to no particular artistic mer-
it, and are designed primarily only
to entertain. They constitute exactly
the right sort of literary amusement
for tired Chief Executive, and If
Mr.. Roosevelt reads anything at all
on his trip it will be from this por-
ton of the library that his choice
may be made His friend and pred
ecessor in the White House, the late
Woodrow Wilson, was addicted to
the same habit.
And it is a highly defensible Gus
tom. When a mans mind is weary
with his own or the Nations troubles
it is good relaxation to peruse re-
ports Of the troubles of others. A
Evening star., 1934-06-28
Problem of How to Use the Greater
Leisure Granted by the New Deal

will equal to the zeal which inspired
the Crusaders to follow Peter the
Hermit
Heretofore idleness has brought
about moral degeneration. The Roman
civilization fell, it is said, mainly be-
cause of the introduction of slavery,
which made it possible for the masters
to live lives of ease and idleness. But
our national planners have devised
an experiment by which they hope
to make it possible for all of us to
enjoy leisure made possible by ma
chinery and yet avoid a catastrophe
like that of Rome. Our churches and
schools are to teach us how to spend
our leisure. In September DR.. W. w.
Charters is to start an experiment
in character education in Washington.
Whether these experiments will sue
ceed remains to be seen, but many of
us are from Missouri and seriously
doubt whether the brain trusters can
eliminate the old Adam in US
6. w. BUTT.
Evening star., 1934-06-28
Cut the Rag Weed to
Allay Hay Fever Ills

To the Editor Of The Star.
A vast majority of cases Of hay
fever are caused by rag weed. The
elimination of rag weed would 60
long way toward lessening the suf-
fering of hay fever victims. In most
cities clinics are established for the
incubation against rag weed. These
inoculations are very trying, espe-
cially for a child to take year after
year. They give immunity but for
one year. Why not, with better re-
suits and less discomfort, try, as
nearly as possible. to eradicate the
cause-destroy the rag weed. Rag
weed grows riotous in nearly every
vacant lot. When the pollen is flying
it is almost impossible for a hay fever
sufferer to go anywhere in the city
without being affected. The weed
has now attained its definite growth
and can be easily identified. If,
wherever it is found, it could be dug
up by the roots and burned-it is not
enough to cut it down. am sure it
would be of real benefit and a boon
to those suffering from hay fever.
Rag weed is not an attractive
weed. To eradicate it would be to
improve the appearance of the city
and would bring immense relief to
many of our citizens.
The task of eradicating rag weed
would be stupendous task, but with
the C. w. A. and C. c. c. not an i'm
possible one The c. w. A. are doing
a splendid work, planting shrubs and
improving the city. thus giving en-
ployment. But if they could include
in their activities a relentless war on
this noxious weed, it would be of
lasting benefit. With the c. w. A..
in the cities and the c. C. C. in the
woods, instructed to know it and de-
stroy it, much could be done to
eradicate it entirely. The citizens
could help in this campaign by re-
porting rag weed wherever they find
it. Let the slogan be mo Rag Weed
for Hay Fever Sufferers.
If you think there Is any virtue in
this suggestion and would bring 1t
before the public, perhaps some real
good might come of 1t.
MRS. HUGH A. DRUM.
Evening star., 1934-06-28
Canadian Reciprocity.
from the Bismarck IN. DakJ Tribune.

From the Bismarck IN. Dak) Tribune.
The new tariff deal, which empow-
ers the President to make mutually
beneficial import and export agree
ments with other countries, adjusting
tariffs accordingly, opens the way to
new consideration of closer relations
with Canada
1t was in 1911 that President Taft
tried to engineer reciprocity treaty
with Canada. 1t was passed by. Con-
gress, but later rejected by the Do
minion government.
Now it is reported that Canada
again is exploring the possibilities Of
such arrangement. With the COM
pletely new view of foreign trade
which now prevails throughout the
world, there are possibilities here.
Five years ago the United States
and Canada carried on the greatest
two-nation commerce in the world.
Today there must still be vast pos
sibilities for trade between us, which
will be equally advantageous to both.
Certainly no two nations are more
closely linked by geography and every
consideration of true neighborliness
that should enable them to help each
other In trade. :
Evening star., 1934-06-28
Trouble at Shanghai.

An incident just reported from
Shanghai illustrates one of the most
perpleXing elements of the relation
ship of Japan to the other foreign
powers that are responsible for the
maintenance of order in the Interna-
tional Settlement at that port. Two
Japanese sailors, it is related, struck
a Chinese woman and were arrested
by British policemen. members of the
security force maintained by the set
tlement A mob of several hundred
Japanese thereupon formed and as
sailed the police, and for time the
situation threatened to develop into
a general conflict Order, however,
was restored through the landing of
Japanese shore patrols and the REIN
forcement of the British police. A
conference was held later and the
offending sailors were turned over to
the japanese naval authorities Tor
possible, though not assured, punish
ment.
The affray occurred in the Hong
kew district which during the hos
tilities of 1882 was taken over by
Japanese reservists and naval parties
for policing, in usurpation of the in
ternational administration. Since
then the Japanese have held to their
authority in the area, despite the fact
that outside of the French Conces-
sion, which is patrolled by Annamese
police, the entire settlement is under
international jurisdiction. This Incl
dent of intervention by a japanese
naval landing force after the forma-
ton of a mob of Japanese zealots to
rescue the prisoners indicates a fixed
disposition on the part of Japan to
consider the Hongkew district as
separate quarter under its control,
which is quite at variance with the
terms upon which the International
Settlement is maintained
The incident is especially unfor-
tunate because of the effect that it
is certain to have upon the Chinese,
who, while accepting and profting
from the international administration
of the settlement, resent any effort
on the part of the japanese to dom
mate in any manner or degree in
the control. The conflict of two years
ago arose from an almost parallel case
of direct and exclusive Japanese in
teryention in the settlement, when
some priests were assailed by Chinese
and landing party of Japanese pre-
cipitated a bitter struggle.
This situation is apt at any time
to develop into a dangerous conflict.
Shanghai may thus be regarded as an
explosive point because of the dispoSi-
ton of Japan to enlarge its sphere
of authority in an area which should,
so long as it is maintained upon an
international basis, be subject solely
to the jurisdiction of the powers that
are recognized by treaty as guardians
of the peace in that port.
Evening star., 1934-06-28

makes among machine politicians.
Owen Young, however. is probably
not far wrong when he says that men
of the type of brain trusters' are
more useful as Investigators than as
administrators"
DiStrust Of academic appointees is
voiced by the Pontiac (Mich.) Daily
Press, the Danville Cnl) Commercial
News and the Oshkosh Daily North
western. The Akron Beacon-Journal
charges the statement that the ad-
ministration doesn't know the party
affiliations of probably a majority of
people holding responsible positions in
Washington" to the mystic urge that
sends all extemporaneous orators soar
ing into the stratosphere" The Port
land tMeO Press Herald, observing
the Presidents belief that democracy
rules, replies: This Is very reassur-
ing. But the Preident neglected to
tell his audience that during the re-
cent session of Congress the way in
which Congress functioned was not
altogether in harmony with what is
expected from the parliamentary body
Of democracy"
Evening star., 1934-06-28
Spreading Rat Poison
Menaces Pet Animals
To the Editor of The Star:

To the Editor Of The Star:
May I use your valuable columns
for the purpose of calling to the at
tention Of all dog owners in the vicin-
ity of Webster, Allison and Buchanan
streets, between Seventeenth and
Eighteenth, that poison has been dis
tributed by some one for the evident
destruction of rats.
During the past two days several
rats and three pigeons have been
found dead in the streets and alleys
of that section, with every indica-
ton OF their having eaten poisoned
food. There are many valuable dogs
owned and living in that neighbor-
hood, and I suggest that every pre-
caution be taken by their owners in
order TO protect them from an un-
timely and terrible suffering and prob
able death on account of the Thoughts
leSSness of some individual. The sec
ton named is composed of splendid
and neighborly citizens, and I cannot
believe that any of them would be
guilty of planting poison for the pur-
pose OF killing our pets, and that call
ing attention to the practice will
prove sufficient. w. M. MOONEY.
Evening star., 1934-06-28
Appraisals of Brain Trusters
Stirred by Roosevelt Address

Further widespread discussion Of
the brain trusterS' has followed Pres
ident RooSevelt's talk at Yale Uni
versity in which he promised that
educated specialists would be a perma-
nent part of the Government under
the new deal. There is much favor
able comment, but some questioning
both of the non-partisan character
Of administration appointments and
of the desirability of having theorists
handle practical problems
The Presidents concept" says the
New Haven Journal-Courier, was of
rounded national advance. with trained
men serving in their place, but that
place and that training both related
to the whole aspiration of the people.
Above all, We will go on democrati-
cally, with the colleges 'uncoded' and
oultivating in their class rooms and
laboratories the experimental method
which the President hailed. 1t is a
fair prospect, and il sounds like states
manship"
AN improvement in Government"
is seen by the Gary Post Tribune,
through "the effort to bring into the
Government better than average
minds" The Roanoke World-News
feels that lit is to the Presidents
everlasting credit that he furnished
intelligent, courageous leadership at
time when the nation was critically
in need of it" while the Scranton
Times states, as to the presidential
policy. that "over many years the
practice of industrial business execu-
tites taking from the technical COL
leges, in particular, the most likely
young men for :heir organizations has
been going on" and "if there had been
mere brains in Government during
the past decade or SO. there would be
less for brains to worry about now.
The ASheville Times AYERS that our
National Government is slowly raising
the standards of public service"
1T is possible according to the
Long Beach (CaJit.) Press-Telegram,
''tc trace line of similarity between
the problems of the young college
graduate participating in his COM
mencement exercises and the Chief
Executive of this Republic. Both in
deed are standing on the threshold
of new era. Mo- since this Nations
earliest days has a President faced
the task of guiding the ship Of State
through such uncharted seas. What
ever one may think of President Roose-
velt's policies ard administrative
course. it cannot be denied that he
has been confronted by problems un-
precedented in the history of the Re-
public"
There is no danger of there being
too many brains in the service of
the country" thinks the Muskegon
Chronicle. while the Winston-Salem
Journal compares it with ''muddling
ineficiency of politicians" and the
Bergen IN. J0 Evening Record with
''the spoils system" The Springfield
(Mass) Daily News recalls men in
high places who couldn't have quail
fled as Office boys"
Quoting the Presidents statement
that ability rather than politics en-
ters into most choices made In our
Government" the Cleveland News re-
views local selections, and asks:
would any one presume to argue
that brains, rather than political con-
siderations, dictated the selections?"
The Richmond News-Leader argues:
'The brain trust will remain. 1t is
useful. 1t may even acquire certain
popularity because of the enemies it
Evening star., 1934-06-28
ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
BY FREDERIC J. HASKIN.

@. For what purpose is the money
derived from the sale of the Federal
hunting stamp to be used?-R. w.
A. The funds derived from the sale
of these stamps will be used in pur-
chasing or leasing marsh and water
areas to be acquired as refugees for
ducks, geese, and other water fowl to
prevent the extinction of certain spe-
cies. The Biological Survey, which
will acquire and administer the areas,
expects the sale of the new stamps,
the first of their kind, to produce from
$500, 900 to 81 100000 or more each
year. The stamps will be available
by July / at all post offices in towns
Of $500 population or over at 81 each.
@. Has the Century of Progress
display of religious art this year?-
P. C.
A. The Hall of Religion has what
is believed to be the most costly ex-
hibition of religious art ever assem-
bled. All the major religions of the
country are represented, including the
Roman Catholic, Jewish, and all de-
uOLIuldLlOllo VI LllC ElOCCoIdLlL SluASIl.
@. How many elective Offices are
there in the United States?-C. M
A. The number of elective Offices
in this country is estimated at 300 900.
@. Please explain the principles Of
the gas lighter which has a spiral of
fine wire gathered together by black
pellet.-W. S.
A. The National Bureau of Stand
ards says that the black pellet con-
tains finely divided platinum. The
burning of gas is an example of oxi-
dation. Platinum has the property of
starting oxidation, even at ordinary
temperatures. The oxidation produces
heat, which soon raises the, tempera-
ture of the platinum until it glows
and lights the gas.
@. What Is the meaning Of the
term "akolast" Pm. C. w.
A. 1t is from the Greek and is
translated "intemperance, licentious-
ness, unbridled in sensual pleasures"
@. What kind of questions cannot
be handled by your Information Bu-
reau?-T. M
A. 1t is not equipped to give opin-
ions about anything. That is the
province of specialists. Lawyers give
legal opinions, physicians give medical
advice, but this bureau confines it
self to statements Of fact. Ask any
question of fact, write plainly, and
send coin or stamp for reply. Address
Frederic j. HaSkin, Director, Wash
ngton, D. C.
@. How old a tree was the Charter
Oak when it was blown down?-T. E.
A. 1t was computed to be about
1000 years old when a windstorm
destroyed it in 1856.
@. How many city children go to
camp in the Summertime?-F L.
A. 1t is estimated that not more
than one child in twenty-five goes to
camp for an average of two weeks.
@. Is the new home of the League
Of Nations completed? How large is
it?-J. L.
A. The permanent home of the
League of Nations is nearing COM
pletion at Geneva, where the buildings
cover an area of nearly four acres.
The total length of the buildings is
about 400 yards and their cubic ca
pacity is slightly less than that of the
Palace of Versailles. The Secretariat
Building contains some $50 rooms. The
Assembly Hall will accommodate about
600 delegates, experts and secretaries
and approximately 500 journalists.
There are 800 seats for the public.
The acoustical requirements of the
Evening star., 1934-06-28

detective yarn usually has enough
power of attraction, enough fascina-
ton completely to occupy the atten-
ton of the reader; and be the con-
clusion far-fetched and ridiculous as
it may, the chase described is its own
excuse-the pursuit of a villain is
excellent fun, even when, as it some
times happens, sympathy is with the
rogue
But if Mr. Roosevelt should care for
more solid employment of his leisure
he will find biographies of the pirate
Sir Henry Morgan, Fighting Bob Evans.
Seth Harding, Stephen Decatur, Lam
bert Wickes and other maritime
celebrities at hand A dyed-in-the
wool lover of the sea, he would be apt
to enjoy such studies of the careers
of famous sailors of the past.
And for reference purposes Capt.
Woodson likewise has provided outline
histories of China and Japan, books
about the Virgin Islands, the Panama
Canal and other points to be visited,
texts on naval strategy and even a
five-volume history of Texas, military
geography, Gen. Pershing's My Ex-
periences in the World War" and an
illustrated brochure on Oriental rugs
But perhaps the President will be
content merely to emulate Walt Whit
man and take advantage of the op-
portunity to loaf" and Invite his
soul" He will appreciate Capt. Wood
sons kindness, but if he is wise he will
just sit in his deck chair, lazily watch
the skyline and dreamily cogitate on
what curious world it is, after all.
Evening star., 1934-06-28

out lessening his efficiency. This,
'however, might tend to make the bat
ter less careful, although a blow on
the head, even when it was thus pro-
tected, would not be particularly en-
joyable experience. Whether 1t would
lessen his effectiveness is only to be
guessed. The experiment. however,
might be tried. especially as these ac-
cidents are becoming more frequent.
Memory of the death of Chapman, in
1920, when he was "beaned" by one
of the underhand shoots of Carl Mays,
suffices to cause the patrons of the
game to urge that some means be
adopted to reduce the chances of
serious injury.
Evening star., 1934-06-28
THIS AND THAT
BY CHARLES E. TRACEWELL.

hurt him in any way-and he knows it.
He has brains.
There are few fishes in the home
aquarium which so impress their
keepers with their intelligence as this
one.
They soon recognize the hand that
feeds them and, more than that, the
very person who feeds them.
If the daily dinner time is in the
morning they begin to wiggle at the
front glass the moment the feeder
comes in sight.
If any other member of the family
attempts to fool them, they are not
fooled, but save their excitement for
the one and only.
This invariably makes "hit" with
their caretaker, naturally enough.
He must be reconciled, however, to
finding them very f1nicky about their
eating.
While some live food is supposed
to be necessary in their raising to ma
ture fish. good specimens have been
grown on nothing but dried foods.
y
These fishes at times, especially
after one and half or two years of
age, turn up their snoots at the food
offered them.
There is nothing to do, then, ex-
cept to offer them something else.
Or change their water.
While complete changes of water
are seldom advisable for tropical
fishes, the Angel fish is an exception.
along with most of the members of
his group. the Cichlids.
He likes fresh water, but it must
be Of the same temperature, exactly,
as the old
When a Cichlid gets in the dumps,
as fish and man Will do, at times,
for no apparent reason, it is time to
Siphon out at least half OF his water
and give him new. Fortunately,
aquarists do not have to worry about
the water in this vicinity.
The average home aquarium fan"
will never know the sex of his Angel
fish.
This is a curious fact. for the sex
differentiationS of most of the several
hundred varieties now kept in home
tanks Is rather easily ascertained.
Many differences have been noted
In Angel fish. according to certain
experts, but when it comes to work.
ing them out by observation the home
aquarium enthusiast is entirely at sea.
The slight differences in appear
ance are thoroughly unreliable, so that
most persons who own Angel fishes
never know which is which.
While a young specimen may be
purchased for as little as so cents,
with body about the size of a.
quarter, mature specimen whose sex
is known will sell for many times that,
reminding the old-timers of the days
when the first Scalare to be intro
duced into this country brought about
500 a pair.
In health or sickness. the Angel
remains a beautiful and interesting
creature.
1t is curious fact that at the
point Of death, and dead, it wears
its most beautiful colors, the silvery
body often being suffused with a pink
glow which is seldom seen in life.
One may be suspicious, therefore,
when this essentially silvery fellow
takes on too much color. He should
be isolated in a tank by himself,
the larger the better: given no food
and afforded plenty of artificial
aeration.
At about the age Of two years the
Angel fish should be given more tank
room than he is commonly allowed.
Each specimen should have at least
5 gallons of water or more, the more
the better.