davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1934-12-16
Fifty Years Ago
In The Star

Fifty years ago measure was pend
ing in Congress which raised an issue
rl as to what was styled the
Astnmlan colonial policy Of the
Canal United States in connec-
ton with the proposed
construction Of a transoceanic canal
in Central America. The Star Of De-
cember II. 1884. thus discusses the
matter:
Some Of the Senators seem TO be
rather fsvorably disposed to the Mica
ragua Canal treaty, and possibly 1t
may be ratified. The questions In
volved are, however, Of the greatest
Importance and will be considered no
doubt with the care they require. To
enter on the policy mapped out by the
administration will subject this coun-
try to criticism In both Great Britain
and France and we should be prepared
to sustain ourselves in any argument
that may arise. England will claim
that we violate our treaty obligations
and France will see In the scheme o
plan to ruin her canal at the Isthmus
Of Panama. The treaty will bind this
OO6AALA1 W a NOAOA4&oA kOAASy ASASeOAOAO
avoided, but perhaps now no longer
feasible in view of the closer relations
Of commercial nations springing out
OF the improved facilities Of intercourse
of today. We shall also be required
to augment the strength of our Navy
in order to comply with the terms Of
the treaty, under which We guarantee
the defense of the canal against en-
emies. At present our Navy could not
defend anything against anybody, but
the signs of the times point to re-
form in this respect, whether we have
the Nicaragua colony to protect or not.
Another objection to the treaty
which will be urged is that It commits
the Government either directly, or IS
guarantor, to the construction Of q
canal at a cost estimated anywhere
from forty to one hundred millions.
As an abstract principle, such outlays
of the public funds are inconsistent
with our Constitution. But aS q mat.
ter Of fact the Government has re-
peatedly come to the assistance Of
private enterprise on behalf Of prof.
ectS of national magnitude and M
litical significance. The subsidies
Pacific railroads are ready llustra.
tions: and 1t may be added that the
history of these roads in their rela-
tions to the Government shows the
dangers which lurk in a liberal policy
and suggests caution in entering on
new concessions in the future. It Is
very doubtful If an oceanic canal,
either at Panama or by the Nicaragua
route. would ever pay. Certainly there
cannot be business enough for both,
so that the consideration which must
influence the Senate in rstifying tho
treaty must be political rather than
commercial" -
Evening star., 1934-12-16
Taxation Without Representation

Taxation Without Representation
On the 161st anniversary Of the
Boston Tea Party there is still taxa
ton without representation in the Dis
trict of Columbia, and the principle is
no less iniquitous now than it was
then. Nor are the provisions Of a
Constitution, framed by those who
detested taxation without representa-
ton and resting exclusive control over
the District with Congress, contradic-
tory to the aspirations Of those who
hope to see q long-standing wrong
against the citizens of Washington
corrected, a wrong which Senator
Capper has succinctly characterized
as a "glaring violation Of the theory
of republican government"
The new Congress will be pet-
toned by the District to right this
wrong by new consideration and ia
vorable action on the joint resolution
submitting to the people Of the United
State constitutional amendment
granting to Congress the right to give
the people of the District voting rep
resentation In the House and Senate
and permitting them participation in
national elections and access to the
Federal courts.
Such an amendment would not re-
duce the power of Congress In respect
to the Capital; 1t does not propose
the admission Of the District into the
Union as State; 1t does not propose
destruction Of the "ten miles square;
It does not disturb In any way the
financial relationship between Capital
and Nation, nor does 1t involve
changes in the Municipal Govern
ment.
The amendment would bestow upon
the Americans Of the District a dis
tinctive. basic right Of the American
citizen to participate in government
which roots its justice in consent OF
the governed, and which inseparably
couples taxation and arms bearing as
a soldier with representation.
As long as these Americans are de-
MED the rights of representation in
the Government which taxes them
and sends them to war, so long will
there remain in America shameful ap-
plication Of the principle against
which the patriots of 1773 protested
Evening star., 1934-12-16

quarter and q half million dollars
every year. The reports Of Is lead
ing stores in Washington indicated
that 1888 gross sales were approx
mately $30,000,000 and the total OF
goods returned to these stores
amounted to between two and three
million dollars. -
Under the national slogan Of Fed
Grated Clubs, wise spending" the
local consumers group, through the
press, club meetings and other cham
nels, called on the buying public to
aid. A report on consumer viewpoint
on returned goods" based on material
gathered In cooperation with club
women throughout the country, was
published by the Department Of Conn
merce-it Is now said to be In a.
fourth reprint. -.
tooDyrisht. 1s34a g..
Evening star., 1934-12-16
Senate Age.

UnQer CQe CONSTITUTION, 6endJe uIe
begins at thirty. Rush D. Holt, Sena-
tor-elect from West Virginia, will not
reach that constitutional age Of dis
cretion and deliberation until next
June, yet his term of office, to which
he was elected November last, be-
gins on January 8. Walter s. Halla-
nan, Republican national COMMITTEE
man for West Virginia, has come to
Washington suggesting to the Repub-
lican minority in the Senate that it
organize a real fight to prevent Mr.
Holt from taking seat in the Senate
when Congress opens, or at any time
he may present himself later. 1t is
Mr.. Hallanan's contention that Mr..
Holt was not qualified under the
terms Of the Constitution to serve in
the Senate at the time he offered
himself for election; that he was not
so qualified at the time of his elec-
ton, and that he will not be qualified
when the term for which he was
chosen begins.
The language Of the Constitution
regarding senatorial qualifications Is
as follows: mo person shall be
Senator who shall not have attained
to the age of thirty years and been
nine years a citizen of the United
States and who shall not, when elected,
be an inhabitant Of that State for
which he shall be chosen" Mr.. Holt,
by waiting until next June. will have
attained to the age of thirty years" If
he does not offer himself to take the
oath of Office until that time, West
Virginia will have only single Sen
ator during the coming session Of the
new Congress. Other Senators have
waited for long periods before quail
flying by presenting themselves in the
Senate chamber to take the oath Of
Office. If the people of West Virginia
are content to be without their full
representation in the Senate for the
next six months, that is, of course,
their concern. Mr.. Hallanan contends
that q vacancy" will have occurred
in the Senate if Mr.. Holt does not
present himself when Congress meets
because he, Holt, is not qualified, and
that vacancy should be filed by
appointment by the Governor of West
Virginia until another election Is held.
It does not appear likely that the
Senate will permit Holt to take his
seat If he should seek to do so before
he actually attains to thirty years OF
age, If the question Is raised in the
Senate. II he stands aside until
next June, and then offers himself,
Holt will have attained the necessary
age. However, the further question
has been agitated whether he could
be legally elected Senator at a time
when he was not qualified to serve.
To this it is replied that the Constitu-
ton does not say person must have
attained to the age Of thirty years
when he offers himself for election,
but merely that he must have attained
to that age to be a Senator.
The question has its nice legal
points. It may even require court de-
cision. Mr.. Hollis party has the votes
in the Senate to seat him at any time
it wishes. But it is not believed that
a Democratic Senator would be any
quicker to violate q provision Of the
Constitution in order to seat Holt than
Republican Senator would be.
Evening star., 1934-12-16
The Throne of France.

France has other things to think
and worry about these days than the
restoration of the monarchy, but that
does not prevent his wouldbe imperial
majesty, the Due de Guise, chief pre-
tender to the French throne, from
placing before the nation the social
and political platform" on which
he bases his hopes Of ruling some day
as "Jean III" It is the first per-
sonal move of the kind by the head
of the Bourbon Orleans house from
his place of exile in Belgium. Hith-
erto the pretender's claims have been
presented mainly by the Paris Royal
ist newspaper, L'Action Francaise.
Now the duke has personal mouth
piece. new monthly periodical called
LIE Courier Royal, edited by his son,
Henri, "Comte de Paris"
It's maiden number. Just of the
press, recites that the Due de Guise's
present renewal of his bid for the
throne of France is inspired by be-
lief that the nation "in adyersity"
will now place in the pretender the
confidence refused in days when
Frances material prosperity afforded
her the illusion of being happy" If
the people will trade republic for
a kingdom under his sway, the duke
promises economic recovery under q
cooperative regime which the French
Royalists claim they advocated long
before Premier Mussolini launched 1t
in Italy. The pretender hints that
under his royal rule, too, France
would follow a more realistic foreign
policy, seek greater power at sea along
the lines Japan Is now pursuing, and
generally draw judicious inspiration
from the rights and duties devolving
upon the second colonial power in the
world"
A bigger, bolder and better France,
in other words, and happier days all
along the line. is the vista envisioned
If the land Of Lehrun. Flandin. Laval
and Doumergue will but throw on its
Evening star., 1934-12-16

republican shackles in favor Of the
pomp and glories Of the ancient EN-
pire. Sweeping political changes in
France ere not beyond the range Of
possibility within the measurable fu-
ture, but beneath the graceful bridges
of the Seine much water will flow be-
fore the purple dreams Of the Due de
Guise and the Comte de Paris come
true. "vive le Roll" Is still far cry
in La Belle France.
Evening star., 1934-12-16
Capital Sidelights
BY WILL p. KENNEDY.


who Is Greenwood?"-many are
asking these days when the candi-
dates for the House leadership are
being named over.
Greenwood has been in the House
for II years and has all that time
been an active party Leaders, a
member Of the Rules Committee and
dean of the Indiana -delegation-re-
ceived his master Of laws degree from
George Washington University ten
years ago.
He was caucus chairman Of the
Democratic party in the House in
the Seventieth Congress and was
Democratic whip in the last Con-
gress and has been on the Rules
policy Committee in the last two
Congresses.
He was the first man to declare
himself as candidate for the House
leadership and exclusively for that
Office, whereas most other candidates
declared first for the speakership and
then swung to be leadership aspirants.
Indiana has not had a Speaker or
floor leader in fifty years. Michael
Kerr was Speaker Just after the Civil
War.
Incidentally, Greenwood Is one of
the most popular men on the Demo-
cratic side of the House.
There isn't much Yuletide spirit
around the Capitol Building these days,
because the employees are not going to
be paid of before Christmas, so they
have to curb their desires to help I'LL
Santa Claus sack. Also, there are
worried If not mournful echoes from
all parts Of the country-some Of the
employees are at their homes in the
States and cannot receive their pay
checks, which will be mailed on De-
cember 81, in time to cash them, make
reservations, using this pay to get
them back on the job in time for the
opening of Congress.
This affects some 1900 persons and,
counting their families, several times
that number to the amount Of $442, 500.
Usually it has been the custom to
pass resolution in House and Senate
to pay of the employees on December
20, the idea being that this would al
low many Of them funds to take trip
home for the holidays. Last year and
again this year, Congress not being in
session until January 3, the resolution
could not be passed and-Christmas
funds are lacking. This makes very
important difference to many-per-
haps those who wish to go home for
Christmas with dear old mother, fear
ing it may be for the last time-or
maybe to see a new baby in the family
It takes lot of Joy out Of Christmas.
On the House side Of the Capitol
there are 1.465 employees affected with
a total pay roll of s272,5o0. On
the Senate side there are some $50
employees with a pay roll around
$4,000. Members of the Senate and
House themselves are not affected, be-
cause they are not covered in the usual
resolution.
Il
The distribution of statues through
out the Capitol, along the corridors,
has so impressed and pleased mem
bers of Congress that they are now
talking Of taking statues Of the Ma
tion's heroes which are scattered
through the Capital City in various
parks where they are seldom or never
seen by visitors and lining them up
on the Mall, along the new Consti-
tuition avenue. facing the great group
of new Government buildings, where
they will make an impression on
visitors from all parts Of the coun-
try, sightseeing in Washington.
Evening star., 1934-12-16
Britain Concerned Over
Down-Under Economics
BY A. G, GARDINER.

LONDON, December Is The
warning which DR.. Page, the acting
Australian premier, has addressed to
the British government Is ominous.
It illustrates the economic storm that
is blowing up between England and
the dominions.
The storm has its origin in the new
policy for the revival of British agri-
culture which Walter Elliot Is i'm
posing so masterfully upon the coun-
try. Mr.. Elliot is by far the most
energetic and forceful figure In the
government, and as minister Of agri-
Evening star., 1934-12-16

Ambassador Bullitt said he intended
to learn Russian. He Is man OF
intellectual ability and would no
doubt acquire rapid mastery Of the
language if his studies were not in
terrupted by official trips to Wash
ington, D. c.
Evening star., 1934-12-16
Business-Covernment
Consumer Conscious
BY HARDEN COLFAX.


come consumer conscious" as never
before, and new Federal agencies
and private industrial and CONNER
cial groups are springing up in de-
fense" of the consumer.
Among private groups there are
the commercial research departments
of a number of universities; new
organization called the Consumer
Foundation" which will attempt to
deal with the problem of consumer
credit, so as to aid in reducing the
interest cost involved in installment
financing; and older private research
agencies that make a business OF
looking out for the consumer"
For more than year the Con-
sumers' Advisory Board of the N. R
A has been working with the Bureau
of Home Economics in the Depart
ment of Agriculture to get into In
dustrial codes provisions designed fol
the consumers benefit.
The Consumers Division Of the Ma
tional Emergency Council was recent
ly set up to coordinate the work oi
all emergency units functioning il
the interest of the consumer and, to-
gether with its county councils
throughout the country, to promote
the general welfare of consumers
through compilation and dissent
ton of interest to consumers"
In the old-line bureaus of the
Federal Government there is a con-
tinuation of the work of the Labor
Department in studying statistics oi
living costs among wage-earning fan1i-
lies; continuation, with added i'm
petus from N. r. A. code-making
of the work relating to labelling OF
consumer goods, guides to quality buy
ing, ETC., of the Bureau of Home Eco
nomics, and new responsibilities on
the part Of the Bureau Of Standards
Department of Commerce, In further
ing Standardization of sizes and quail
ties Of various specific items of con-
sumer goods.
The activities named are designed
primarily "for the consumer" Now
comes Secretary Roper's Business Ad-
visory and Planning Council-with
recognition that practical remedies
call for practical cooperation be-
tween consumers and trade-recom-
mending that the Bureau of Foreign
and Domestic Commerce set up a
special unit to accomplish research
for factual data to serve as a basis
Of practical consumer distributor
producer cooperation.
The Bureau Of Foreign and Domes-
tic Commerce announces that a con-
sumer market section has been estab-
lished and is now undertaking as its
first project a study of the use and
ownership Of certain durable goods by
consumers with various incomes, based
on data gathered in "a cities. This
study will determine the extent to
which consumers in each income group
own mechanical refrigerators, auto
mobiles, heating facilities and other
equipment. Data on the first city
studied Is expected to be ready next
month.
Last year the National Capital gave
q striking illustration Of what may be
accomplished by cooperation between
consumer and merchant. Working
together, In trying to cut down one
large, avoidable distribution expense
that adds to the price Of almost every
thing bought-the excessive returns of
merchandise - the District of Co
lumbia Federation of Women's Clubs
took the initiative in Q movement to
check this unsound practice. On
Christmas gifts alone, 1t was estimated.
the value Of returns was between q
Evening star., 1934-12-16
An unYelcome Tribute.

"Why didn't they re-elect me?"
'"They wanted you home for little
WHILE" replied Senator Sorghum.
"Your constituents regard you as one
of the finest speakers In the country,
an there's no sense nor justice in
lettin' an unappreciative Congress
monopolize your eloquence forever"
Evening star., 1934-12-16

A scientific board is commended as
worthy of a $16,Ooo.OO appropriation.
A protest may be expected that its OBJ
jects cannot include scientific finance.
Evening star., 1934-12-16

The "7-a" quoted by Mr.. Green
introduces numbers as well as initials
and makes the problem look more
Like high-class algebra than ever.
Evening star., 1934-12-16
Not an Admirer.

"Your husband loves horses, doesn't
he?"
mo" replied young Mrs. Torkins.
"But he Is always going to the
races"
eyes. But the way he talks about
the horses after he gets home Is some
thing dreadful"
Evening star., 1934-12-16

Senator Borah points out that Santa
Claus is disclosing too great an in
clination to give to those who already
have,
Evening star., 1934-12-16
Always Present.

Man talks of art with lofty mind
And duty that we must not shirk.
But, just the same, you'll always find
A price tag somewhere on his work.
Evening star., 1934-12-16

Children have become so wise that
they are often found making patient
efforts to humor their parents theory
that there is a Santa Claus.
Evening star., 1934-12-16
For What?'
No Limit.

Oh, Christmas comes but once year,
But on the giving gay
You can, to push along good cheer.
Take encores any day.
Evening star., 1934-12-16

'De man dat chases rainbows," said
Uncle Eben, generally finds dat he
has failed to ketch up wit any Of the
colors, 'cepting de blues"
Evening star., 1934-12-16

The Associated Press Is exclusively en-
titled to the use for republication Of all
news dispatches credited to 1t or not other
local news published herein. All rights Of
publication Of special dispatches herein
are also reserved.
Evening star., 1934-12-16

Rate by Mail-Payable inf Advance.
Maryland and Virginia.
Daily and Sunday. i yr., $1,000; mo-. s5c
sunday only. ". $500; mo-. 4oS
Evening star., 1934-12-16
An Other States ana Canada.
Menher NJ the Associated Press.

Daily and Sunday. VI, $1,000: mo. 81 :oc
Sunday only. -. yr.. $500; / mo-. SOC
Evening star., 1934-12-16
Historic Precedent.

'.Nero fiddled while Rome burned,
said Mr.. Growcher. "But that's no ex-
cuse."
For what?"
"Our cook playing the piano while
the turkey scorches."
Evening star., 1934-12-16
Rate by Carrier within the City.

Rate by Carrier Within the City.
Regular Edition.
The Evening and Sunday Star
when 4 Sundays) 49,. SOC per month
-he Evening and Sunday Star
!when sgndays'. '......65e per err monsn on1H
Night Final Edition.
Might Final and Sunday Star. zoe per month
"tl collection made at the end end Of each
month. Orders may be sent By mail or
telephone National 5000.
Evening star., 1934-12-16

But there were other matters that
were to be Strengthened out under the
plans advanced by those shaping ma
tional policies.
OF course, one was the pump-prinl-
ing program Of the Public Works Ad-
minisFation, with $500, 900, 600 to
spend. The more p. w. A. spent, the
more evident the contraction Of pri-
vate building. Why was this 50? Ap-
parently for the reason that 2. w. A.
Evening star., 1934-12-16
W. MOVES. Editor
The Evening Star Newspaper Company

1ith st. and Pennsylvania Ave.
New York once: ITO East 42nd 81.
Chicago ONCE: Lake Michigan Building.
European Once; a Regent st.. London.
The Washington times., 1934-12-18
NURSE ''1.Iel
Moron AutoiSts
Will Face New
Brain Tests

With the traffic death toll
at a record high figure of 1875
for the year, Traffic Director
William A. Van Duzer today
launched plans to revoke the
driving permits of "crack-
Drained and moronic drivers"
Scientific reaction meters
will be employed to test the
ability of drivers to operate an
automobile. In addition, psy-
Geological tests will be given
applicants and possibly those
requesting renewal of their per-
mits.
The traffic director also
plans to apply the tests to
persons with long records of
traffic violations against them.
The instant death of Charles
L. Pruett, %, first class sea-
man attached to the Naval Air
Station, yesterday boosted the
traffic fatality figure to the
new record mark.
The seaman was killed when
his automobile overturned in
rounding a curve at Nichols
Avenue and Howard Street
Southeast. A companion, Will
liam Patterson, 10, 400 block
Eleventh st. N. E., escaped
with minor cuts and bruises.
The Washington times., 1934-12-18
MERGED GANGS
LED BY TOUHY

CHICAGO, Dec. 18 GN.S).
Surviving members of the noto-
rious Dillinger and Touhy gangs,
adopting the policy of big business,
have merged forces to wage their
reign of terror under common
leadership, police and Federal
authorities learned today.
Questioning of Joseph Burns,
captured exconviet and one of
the last surviving members of the
John Dillinger's original gang, con-
vinced authorities that the two
gangs had joined forces.
Heading the Infamous alliance,
according to information dropped
by Burns, is Tommy Touhy,
brother of Roger Touhy, who is
now serving a 99-year sentence for
the kidnapping of John Jake the
Barber" Factor, wealthy stock
promoter.
Touhy, Federal inspectors said,
looms as the nations next Public
Enemy No. /.
Questioning of Burns continued,
with authorities hopeful of gain
ing the inside details of the Mich
igan City prison break that loosed
the Dillinger desperadoes for their
campaign of robbery and murder
throughout the Middle West.
Authorities pointed to many
evidences that the Touhy gang
had long furnished a haven for
notorious desperadoeS. Among
these crime figures were George
Machine Gun" Kelly, Harvey
Bailey, George Baby Face" Mel
son, Verne Miller and Charles
Pretty Boy" Floyd.