davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1934-08-17

great depression began in 1929, when
Paul Poiret led the world of fashion.
To his establishment went the women
Of affluence of Europe and of Amer
lea. A "Poiret gown" was the last
word in wear. It's possession was as
surance of fashionable eminence.
Money rolled to him in constant
stream. He lived regally with many
houses, with yachts, feet of motor
cars. When the crash came and
wealthy customers lessened in num-
Der. he found that he was "over-
extended" His income did not suffice
to maintain his lavish style of living.
His investments we're affected by the
slump. He had to sell his possessions
to meet his obligations, and now, as
he says, he stands in line with thou
sands of other penniless persons wait
ing to have his card punched and
get his few sous day.
There will be a general hope that
Paul Poiret regains his former rank,
not particularly for his sake, but for
the sake of the economic recovery
that will perhaps lead customers
again to his door. Yet by that time
some other IMAM milliner" may have
come upon the scene to occupy the
throne of style
Evening star., 1934-08-17
Virginia Avenue
Extension Is Urged
To the Editor Of The Star:

To the Editor Of The Star:
In the midst of discussion concern
ing rerouting or rearranging street car
and passenger bus routes and finding
places for more grouping Of public
buildings and proposal for placing
tunnel under the Ellipse some one
suggests closing Virginia avenue.
Allow me to counter that suggestion
with the suggestion that Virginia ave-
nue. should be made wider and ex-
tended northwestward across Rock
Greek south of NJ street and into Wis
consin avenue at grade.
The new park driveway and Rock
Creek and the part of K street west
of Rock Greek would be crossed by
bridge and viaduct to make a clear
way on that part of Virginia avenue.
East of Wisconsin avenue a ramp or
similar branch may reach to the course
of the old Chesapeake e. Ohio Canal,
which, it has been proposed. should
be made a driveway leading to Great
Falls.
This extension of Virginia avenue
will provide a route forming good
parallel to the western part of Penn
sylvania avenue and will make direct
connection with the present Triangle
group of Government buildings and
will also make direct connection with
any other group Of Government build
ings to be erected In relation to Con-
stitution avenue west Of Seventeenth
street.
Thus, Virginia avenue will serve a
large part of Georgetown. Conduit
road, Wisconsin avenue and the part
of the State of Virginia reached by
way of the Key Bridge and the
Chain Bridge.
The western part of Pennsylvania
avenue and M street and related
thoroughfares now need, and will
later on much more need, the relief
that the extended Virginia avenue can
thus afford.
The extension of Virginia avenue
will not require taking land of high
value. Perhaps few buildings of only
moderate value will require removal.
But that cost and the cost of construc-
ton will not be large in comparison
with the service to be rendered and
in comparison with the cost of single
Federal Office building. I understand
that the new Commerce Department
Building cost about $17,O00,O00.
The present traffic congestion at the
downtown business district and the
Triangle and the additional congestion
which is to come with completing the
Triangle building program, and with
the proposed additional group of pub
lie buildings along Constitution ave-
nue. west of Seventeenth street, clearly
call for this additional traffic course.
CYRUS KEHR.
Evening star., 1934-08-17
Roosevelt Power Yardstick
Linked With Private Rights

NIT return to persons who supply
capital to construct generating plants
and distribution systems. When dams
are built and plants and distributing
systems constructed by private funds.
the rates must be sufficient to pay
capital charges and operating ex-
penses. But when Government
treasury supplies the money. the rates
are seldom required to refund the CAPT.
tai employed; there is satisfaction If
they pay operating expenses; often
there are DEFICIENCIES to be made up
by public funds, which actually Is a
subsidy by taxpayers to power con-
sumers. 1t is the hope and belief
of advocates of these huge power SUBJ
sides to certain sections that the
power will help build great Industrial
agricultural communities and that the
systems will eventually support them
selves. That hope may be warranted
and the subsidy be justified ultimately.
But an enterprise subsidized by Fed
eral funds cannot be competent
'yardstick' by which to measure and
judge the operations of private en-
terpriSe.''
Evening star., 1934-08-17
Rerouting as Viewed
By a StOckhOlder

To the Editor of The Star:
Permit me through the columns Of
your valuable paper to express my
strong disapproval of some of the
proposed changes recommended by
Mr.. Beeler in connection with the re-
routing of the street car and bus
services. AS daily rider and patron
of the street car company for the
past sixty years, as well as a stock
holder for almost a half century, I
candidly think it would be suicide on
the part of the company to agree to
the surrender of any part Of the
trackage now in use under any con-
sideration. I trust if there is any at
tempt to dispossess the company Of
any of its possessions they will fight
the matter in the courts. I would
suggest that instead of relinquishing
any portion of their trackage now in
use they try to increase their track
age to various points in the city
proper, when and where such sery-
ice would prove of advantage to the
public and patrons, as well as profit
able to the company. am very
much opposed to substituting bus
service for street car travel. The
first reason is safety of operation.
Second, it would diminish employ
ment. I am bitterly opposed to the
one-man cars, some of which are
now in use on some of the lines.
Every street car and bus should be
manned by crew of two persons in
the interest of safety to patrons as
well as the company. The manipu-
lation and operation of the large
street cars and busses by one man is
too much to expect of any one per-
son. 1t Is unreasonable and unjust
to have him collect fares, issue and
collect transfers, make change when
required, watch the loading and un-
loading of the many passengers, also
the traffic and other duties exacted
of him. The schedule should be
speeded up. Closer connections should
be effected. I am very much opposed
to the pass system now in effect. I
think there is too much abuse
practiced amongst some of the riders.
The transfer system is also very much
abused. In the place of the passes
would suggest straight scent cash
fare, or six tokens for Is cents. Such
a plan would prove more popular and
better financially for the stockholders.
Their lot for some time has been
anything but profitable and happy.
The new company is making every
effort to improve the service and
cater to the wants of the public.
HENRY F. ASH.
Evening star., 1934-08-17
THIS AND THAT
BY CHARLES E. TRACEWELL.

Across the way he entered a door
unattended. There was no one to
point him a room this time. Queer
chemical smells greeted his serNitive
nostrils. He could see retorts, test
rooms he passed.
He went upstairs, still seeing no
body Just then a woman came along
tf1e hall. Jones asked her If she
knew where his man was located.
She did
What was more, she said follow
me-" and led him through a. maze of
Offices.
She pointed. There was his man.
BY this time Templeton Jones was
just as much at home as if it had
been only 10 days, not 10 years, since
he had visited the Department of
Agriculture.
In the proper. laboratory he found
the man for whom he was looking.
There could be no doubt about
him. Scientists veritably look their
parts. This man, Jones could see at
a glance, had spent many hours of
his life peering down high-powered
microscopes at minute live things
which live in the insideS Of food fishes.
~ x X
The gentleman smiled a greeting,
acknowledged his name, and asked
Jones what he could do for him.
No matter how busy Government
scientist is, he is always able and
ready to help a visitor. The residents
of Washington, therefore, possess at
first hand knowledge which the re-
mainder of the country can get only
through publications of the various
offices.
Templeton Jones produced his jar.
The scientist held it up to the
light.
After he had looked at the con-
tents critically, he put the jar on the
table beside his instrument.
"It's just a fecal cast, I think, but
let us be sure" Selling pair of
forceps, he placed the parasite" on
a glass slide, then manipulated the
tube.
Yes" he said. at last. "Thats
what it is
But it moved in the water" ex-
planned Jones.
mo doubt an invisible current set
up by the motion of the fishes fins, u
explained the scientist.
X X X X
Then he became human being,
as distinct from doctor.
Look out that window" he COM
manded. Cant you do something
about that?"
Templeton Jones looked at the ex-
panse of fiat land, bare as a drought
stricken State.
He remembered the area as it had
once been, with fine old trees. He
tried to recall what he had heard about
grass and trees being intended to be
there again, and he wondered why
they had found it necessary to destory
so much just to do it all over again.
Templeton Jones sadly shock his
head.
NO." he said. IT can't do anything
about it. Nobody can. Maybe Nature
will"
Jones went away from the marble
palace with thoughts about kindness
and courtesy running in his head.
Why couldn't all people be as courte-
Gus as the workers at the Depart
ment of Agriculture? Was it be-
cause they worked with the soil, a
fundamental thing, in the last es-
sence? He liked to believe it.
Evening star., 1934-08-17
WASHINGTON OBSERVATIONS

Waite departs with the highest
encomiums.
Notwithstanding the administra-
tion's more than paternal interest in
Massachusetts politics-theS State where
the Presidents eldest son has a large
finger in the political pie and where
Presidential Secretary Louis Howe
claims a voting residence-the White
House and Chairman Farley are steer
ing as clear of the present Demo-
cratic embroglio there as they would
Of the plague. Ex-Mayor James M.
Curley of Boston, original Roosevelt
man in New England, out of the
mayorship by reason of statutory ban
against a Boston mayor having two
successive terms, is waging red-hot
fight for the Massachusetts guberna-
torial nomination. He is opposing
the choice of the Democratic State
Convention-Gen. Charles H Cole,
Yankee Division hero. Gen. Cole is
backed by Senator Walsh and Gov.
Ely. Both sides are calling plenty Of
names. Curley had once thought he
was going to land in the Roosevelt
cabinet. He has been a persistent
candidate for Federal honors, but no
honorS high enough to suit him have
ever been rendered. Last year he de-
clined an ambassadorship to Poland.
Whether Curley can now be elimi-
mated from the governorship fight by
a Federal plum is an open question.
But the Walsh-Ely faction are re-
ported to be praying for that kind of
White House intervention and deliv-
erance.
A real test of the enforceable va
lidity of the age limitation provisions
in the Constitution will probably never
occur unless and until the country
elects a President below the age of 80,
which the Constitution preScribes as
presidential eligibility requirement.
Such a contingency is by no means
beyond the realm of probability. Will
liam Jennings Bryan, when he re-
ceived the Democratic nomination in
1896, was only SO, and the present po-
litical drift, evidenced in congress
sional contests, is toward youth. The
election of an "underage" presidential
contender would permit a direct ap-
peal to the Supreme Court. Election
of 'underage" congressional candi-
dates cage limit 3O) offers no recourse
to the courts, because Congress is the
sole Judge of its own membership.
X X X x
The theatrical magazine Variety re-
ports that 600 unemployed vaudeville
performers and chorus girls will be
put to work soon in C. w. A. units
under the aegis of Federal unemploy-
ment relief as travelling shows to pro-
vide entertainment and diversion for
the boys in the Civilian Conservation
Corps camps in the Northeast area.
Col. Booth of the New York Public
Welfare Department was said to have
okayed the plan. The American Fed
Grafton of Actors has started in to
recruit the companies. Each will con-
tain 20 performers. Variety adds:
''It is figured that at least 300 chorines
will be used in the revue type shows"
(Copyright. 1934D
Evening star., 1934-08-17
Administrator MOHett's
Forum Address Praised

To the Editor Of The Star:
The public is indebted to The Wash
ington Evening Star for its weekly
presentation of the National Radio
Forum, with a series of timely, in
structive talks on important phases
Of Government function by leaders
who command respect.
One of the most significant of the
series to date was the address of
August IS, 1884, by Federal Housing
Administrator James. A. Moffett
Clearly setting forth the objectives
of the housing act. Mr.. Moffett was
| impressive in his direct, forceful ex-
position Of the benefits the country
will derive from this far-reaching
program If intelligent cooperation
is afforded by the agencies concerned,
as well as by the people themselves.
The opportunity now presented to
owners of improved property to make
needed repairs and additions is timely,
not only because of the immediate
benefits to the owners and communi-
ties, and the natural stimulus to a
real estate market, which for more
than three years has been in a decay
ing condition, but also because it
will aid on big scale in reviving
trade in the building and allied in
dustries, and will create wide en-
ployment.
Furthermore, the fact that home
builders may, under the provisions of
the act, finance their homes on a
long-term. amortization basis, will en-
courage Nationwide construction of
dwellings by families, who during the
depression saw their savings and
homes swept away by their inability
to curtail or renew maturing mort
cages.
After hearing Mr.. Moffett's address,
one is left with the conviction that
here is a man who knows his business
and who will conduct to a successful
conclusion any job he undertakes.
HARRY r. LEE.
Evening star., 1934-08-17

There is no Government service
quite like the Department of Agricul-
ture for courteous helpfulness to the
average visitor.
Templeton Jones found this out
many years ago. when his work car
ried him down that way almost daily;
he found it out again the other day
after many years of absence.
Things had changed a great dea
physically. of course.
Magnificent new buildings stood
where formerly small houses were al
the scientists had as office space.
Bare earth had replaced, alas, the
magnificent forest trees which arborea
sadists cut down with fiendish in
genuity.
But when Jones marched up the
marble steps he found that it was
the same old Department OF Agricul-
ture.
The doorkeeper left his door ano
came to greet him.
Good day." he said.
Jones was not surprised he hac
expected as much of the Department
of Agriculture, represented by the
guard at the moment.
He was pleased, however, for ht
had been just a mite frightened at the
new magnif1cence. No doubt the gen,
tlemen who designed these modern
Roman baths figured on that, too.
The guard gave elaborate directions
which we're needed-for finding the
scientist Templeton Jones was seeking
The elevator operator the guaro
continued, would make sure that Mr.
Jones found him.
Mr.. Jones smiled his thanks, then
made off to the lift"
The operator inquired as to his
floor.
She left the elevator and pointed
out the very door Jones was to enter
Thanking her, our hero walked
across the corridor and opened the
door.
Inside was a smiling lady who
pointed to another door.
Jones entered.
There were two men seated to-
gether, examining a large map.
This didn't look quite like the place
where a supposed specimen of para
site worm from one of his aquarium
fishes would be examined. Jones hao
the specimen in a mayonnaise jar
How useful are mayonnaise jars. The
world could i'll afford to get alone
without them.
The maps did not look right tc
Jones, but he went bravely ahead.
He explained his mission to the
courteous gentlemen before him.
Both looked surprised, then enlight-
ened.
Why" smiled one, you have the
right name, but the wrong man. He
is in another bureau, right across the
street. Come here"
And rising, he went to a window
and pointed.
"See that door over there?"
Templeton Jones said he did.
We'll, you will find your man over
there, in the room corresponding to
this number. Quite a coincidence. the
same name. Glad you came. There
may be others who come to the
wrong man."
Jones thanked him heartily. A fel-
low was made to feel at home here
even if he did bring a fish parasite
into room devoted to road building
Evening star., 1934-08-17
SHOOTING STARS.
BY PHILANDER JOHNSON.

Unlimited Audacity.
AS bandit parties rise anew
And trouble us lot,
There isn't any telling who
Will next be ION the spot"
We learn of foreign politics
With many a trace of fear
AS Communists and Bolsheviks
Are boldly drawing near.
So every one is wide awake
Lest, in this general jam.
Some reckless folks will undertake
To kidnap Uncle Sam.
Evening star., 1934-08-17
Ouakes in Panama and
A Trans.Mexican Canal
To the Editor OF The star:

To the Editor Of The Star:
Recent earthquakes in Panama,
which did great property damage and
killed number Of persons, remind me
that while I was in Mexico in 1909
1910 the then ministro de fomento
was urging the construction Of a sea-
level canal across the Isthmus Of
Tehuantepec along the course Of the
Coatzcoalcos River He estimated the
cost at slightly more than that of the
Panama Canal.
In view of the great saving in time
to be gained. even over the Nicaragua
route, by coaStwise vessels and those
plying the Northern Hemisphere from
ocean to ocean, the eventual building
of canal at this point would seem
inevitable.
If the United States and Mexico
could come to an agreement for the
accomplishment of so great an under
taking, it would mean much to world
trade; would afford an additional
safeguard in the event of a severe
earthquake at the Isthmus of Panama,
or other conceivable damage to the
locks or dams there which might
render that canal useless, and, in
times of great emergency, might
prove to be the salvation Of our
country. j. ORR CAMPBELL.
Houston, Tex.
Evening star., 1934-08-17

Rights of private companies pro-
ducing electric current are discussed
in the Nations comment on President
Roosevelt's speech in the Northwest
in which he proposed Government
power projects as a ''yardstick" for
fair rates throughout the Nation.
Supporters of the President cite the
fear of monopoly and the possibility
of wider use of electricity. Opposi-
ton arguments point out that public
operation is free from restraints OF
private business and that the pro-
posed system would destroy large pri-
vate holdings in power companies.
Both as Governor Of New York
and as President" says the Scranton
Times, "Mr. Roosevelt has urged such
development, believing that the wider
use of electricity is essential to the
improvement of conditions in homes
and creating new conveniences for the
great mass of people" The Raleigh
News and Observer sees in the policy
a belief that private interests will be
best served by the widest possible use
of electricity" and the Seattle Star
feels that the plan calls for a self
confident people, taking advantage OF
opportunities furnished by Govern
ment or agencies assisted by Govern
ment."
by creating electrical energy" OBJ
serves the Salt Lake Desert News,
these Government projects will slim
ulate industry and greatly tighten the
humber activities in home and on
farm, by cheap and abundant power" }"
The Winston-Salem Journal-Sentinel
argues that should this resource fall
completely into the hands of private
monopoly, the latter would shortly
have the industry of the Nation in its
power" The Watertown IN. " Daily
Times is convinced that rates are
too high"
Fear of "socialistic enterprise" is
voiced in opposition to the plan by the
San Jose Mercury Herald, and the
New London Day suggests that ''pri-
vate companies will be crowded to the
wall" The assessing of the cost upon
the people, while stockholders suffer,
is assailed by the Bloomington Panta-
graph, the Cincinnati TimeS-Star, the
Boston Transcript, the Richmond
News Leader and the Portland (Me.)
Press Herald.
The President did not say" COM
ments the Buffalo Evening News,
that the Federal Government is
planning to take control of all water
and electrical power. But few would
have been surprised had he done so.
The 'yardstick idea is a first move in
that direction. Business men will feel
that if the Government Is to deter
mine the proper price for power
rates, it will be necessary, in order TO
avoid doing injustice, for the Govern
ment to prove that its proper price
has been arrived at through sound
business methods. There Is no evi-
dence to date that the administra-
ton is obeying the rules OF sound
business balanced budget, avoid
ance of waste, a central policy, and
so on. The burden of proof to date
is on the Government. During 1888
in Alabama SO of so cities in the
Muscle Shoals region gave up munich
pal plants because private power was
cheaper. Public ownership as such,
even by the Federal Government, does
not guarantee economy or efficiency"
Prudent management by public
utility corporations" says the Phila-
delphia Evening Bulletin, must figure
its operations on basis that will per-
Evening star., 1934-08-17
Reduction-But Not Enough.

Testifying before the House Com
mittee last Winter Assessor William
P. Richards explained that "assess-
ments for the last three or four years
have been in a state of f1ux; some up
and some down" But the figures
available for total assessment of real
property in the District indicate that
more have been up than down. De-
spite the reduction in some assess
ments in the past two years, real
estate In the Ditrict of Columbia is
still highly assessed, probably more
highly assessed than in any other city
of the country.
Mr.. Richards announced yesterday
that the reduction of approximately
$40,000,000 in realty assessments for
the current fiscal year. 1885, lowers
total realty assessments in the Dis
trict to the neighborhood of S1,l30,-
100000. This $40,000,000 assessment
reduction comes on the heels of a
reduction of approximately S60,000,00
made last year. But it is significant
to note that with these two reduc-
tions in assessments the assessment
level for the year 1885 is still higher
than the comparable level for the years
l928-1929, which are regarded as rep
resenting the peak in boom values.
Real estate values began to slump be-
fore 1928. Since 1929 there has been
relatively little new construction. But
every owner of real property knows
what a shrinkage has taken place in
the value of his own property. De-
spite the $4,000 900 reduction in as
sessments of the past two years, it is
to be doubted that such reduction
fairly reflects the actual losses in
reality values that have taken place
In the District of Columbia along with
every other city of the country.
Every locality has been reducing as
sessments, some of them applying
the horizontal assessment reduction
that in a manner seeks to compensate
every property owner for the decline
OF realty values. The system here
may or may not affect the individual
property owner. He may still be
paying taxes on an assessment in the
fiscal year 1885 that was considered
fair in 1928 or 1929. And, regardless
of the theories which rationalize this
fact, it stands to reason that if the
1928-2e assessment was fair the 1885
assessment cannot be fair.
The root of inequitieS in assessment
of real property in the District is the
arbitrary law requiring assessment at
full value. With a conscientious asses
sor, seeking to comply literally with the
law, and responsible only to the tax
ing authority. errors in the attempt
to find the elusive element of full
value" are more apt to favor the tax
collector than the taxpayer. Mr..
Richards own comparison of assess
ments, made for the Senate last
Winter, showed that only five cities
of the country-including New York,
Philadelphia and Detroit-were more
highly assessed than the fraction of
Washington property which pays
taxes.