davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1934-10-26
Bad Driving, Parked
Cars, Make City Suffer

To the Editor of The Star:
I have just returned from q $500
mile auto trip through the United
States and in no place did encoun-
ter so much careless and reckless driv-
ing as is found in Washington. We
may reasonably infer that this ac-
counts for so many people being killed
and crippled here in automobile ac-
cidents. The people see and hear so
much of it they are evidently growing
callous to this serious situation.
What is 1t principally due to! Too
many people racing to beat the other
fellow to the crossing; too many peo-
pie rushing to get some place, with
no business to transact after they ar
rive; too many Juveniles racing
through the streets lacking both in
judgment and responsibility; too many
drunken and ar-drunlken drivers.
OF course, there are many contrib
uting factors to our increasing
automobile accident rate. It seems
that people otherwise sane lose all
their courtesy and good breeding when
they get into car and start down
town. The oft-discussed "all-night
parking" better termed "all-year park
ing" of cars on the streets does not
help the situation. Meeting big trucks
at night on narrow streets lined on
both sides with parked cars is hard
on the nervous system, to say the
least. These stored" cars interfere
with police work, fire trucks, street
cleaning; they contribute much to
children's accidents and, lastly, why
are some people allowed to use the
streets the year around to the exclu-
sion of others who would like to park
a car sometimes for a short time.
Please understand I have no garage,
nor interest in any, for rent, but do
have the safety of my family, par
ticularly that Of my small daughter,
much at heart.
E. MORGAN PRYSE.
Evening star., 1934-10-26
WASHINGTON OBSERVATIONS
BY FREDERIC WILLIAM VILE.

be the chief effect of Sinclair's cleo
tion. Some say the President would
be strengthened by it because it would
persuade the conservative element Of
the country to turn to Mr.. Roosevelt
as the bulwark against rising wave
of radicalism. Others think Sinclair
victory would give the extreme left
wingerS such boost that even the
President might not be able to resist
congressional pressure for Epic pan
aceas of varying degrees of wildness.
President Roosevelt says he doesn't
know whether young President
Robert M. Hutchins of the University
of Chicago, slated for an important
N. R. A. post, is a Democrat or not.
DR.. Hutchins' Who's Who" auto
biography labels him as member
of the Chicago Union League Club,
a traditionally rock-ribbed Republican
organization.
Judged by White House unwilling
ness to comment on the subject, the
Democrats evidently intend to ignore
the campaign issue now so vociferous-
ly raised by the Republicans-ex-
ploitation of Federal relief and re-
covery funds for Democratic cam
paign purposes. The G. 0. p. Is
apparently to be permitted to harp
on the matter to its hearts content.
Accounts of Washington political OBJ
servers now touring the country agree
that Santa Claus" money continues
to talk. and will undoubtedly swing
the vote in the Democratic direction
in many regions.
4 y
There's a grand scramble among
downtown landlords in New York to
capture the Securities and Exchange
Commission as a tenant. The COM
mission will shortly open regional
Office on Manhattan Island. S. E. C.
representatives, now holding confer
ences with New York Stock Exchange
specialists, are temporary guests Of
the exchange, which has convenient
space for permanent commission head
quarters in its Office building at 20
Broad street. But such a location,
because of its proximity to the big
board, is regarded politically impos-
sible. approximately one-fifth of the
commissions employees will be required
to staff the New York regional ofice.
Another Republican whom the
Democrats would particularly like to
scalp is Senator Frederic G. Wal
colt. Republican. of Connecticut,
who is up for reelection. Mr..
Walcott ranked as q personal spokes-
man of Herbert Hoover on the
Senate floor. After Mr.. Hoover left
his S street residence for the White
House Senator Walcott and his family
moved into it. The senatorial fight
in Connecticut is said to depend
largely on what happens in Bridge
port, where large Socialist vote COM
plicates the situation, but Homer
Cummings, the Connecticut Yankee
of the cabinet and who knows his
home State politics, thinks that the
Democratic candidate, Representative
Francis T. Maloney, is altogether
likely to overcome Senator Walcott.
~
Washingtons fame as city Of
magnificent distances is vindicated by
the sprawling dimensions of the new
Department of Justice Building. To
get from his headuarters In the Divi-
sion of Investigation to the office Of
the Attorney General, Director ].
Edgar Hoover has to walk exactly
two blocks.
Copyright. 1934)
Evening star., 1934-10-26
Capitalism Is Not
Paving Its WAY TODAY

To the Editor OF The Star:
Mr.. Caleb s. Miller gently reproves
Prof. John Dewey of the People
Lobby because the latter believes that
profits may be eliminated in the world
of trade Mr. Miller says that it is
impossible to eliminate profit. Where
is the proof for such a statement?
Let us be more definite and not give
vent to glittering generalities.
How about our public buildings in
Washington? How about our public
parks? How about our great high
ways? Consider our Government de-
partments? Are these activities op-
Grated for prof1t? No. Do you pay
somebody to get into the Congressional
and Public Libraries? No. Then there
is the public school system. Is that
operated for profits? No. Many cities
have their own electric light and pow
er plants and gas plants, municipality
owned. Are these run for profit
Absolutely not. II would be possible
to run them as profit-making institu-
tions, of course. but not necessary.
In many nations the government
owns and operates the railroads. Some
own and operate the telephones and
telegraphs. They do this not for
profit. but for the benefit of the peo-
pie as whole. Such is socialism.
Socialism makes possibilities of things
which capitalism declares to be i'm
possible! Strange, isn't it? Social
ism possesses more resources. or else
knows how to distribute our resources
so as to benefit all the people for
which the earth was created.
Capitalism and individualism have
never yet been properly controlled.
Many nations have tried 10 control
them, but only as we advance in the
principles of socialism will we learn
how to operate society in the interests
Of all of the people. Scandinavian
nations can teach us much, through
their Socialist co-operatives. Capt.
talism is not paying its way today.
A. s. z. ELY.
Evening star., 1934-10-26
Special Training Needed
In Government Service
To the Editor of The Star:

AZ eAAC GAAbOl Va AAC Sbals
In the third of the recent articles
published in The Evening Star of
Glenn Frank on the present economic
situation, he suggested that admins
traitors for Government service be
trained in specially devised courses.
Afterward some one proposed a school
similar to West Point for Government
officials.
We can well study the successful
methods of industry in improving
governing methods. The technical
graduate starts way down the grade,
perhaps as a laborer on q railroad or
in a mill, ana learns the industry
from the bottom, but he comes well
prepared: others come from many dif-
ferent schools, and it is the survival
of the 1itteSt.
We should have no one school.
where a selected few are trained as
officials in the Government, for in
tellectual attainments do not deter
mine ones ability to cooperate with
others, for herein lies the success in
organizations. 1t is far better that the
best students, from many schools of
thought, should enter civil service
through competitive examinations,
start at the bottom and be promoted
on merit. Men Of ability should be
encouraged to make the Government
service q career.
The reason so many men of ability
leave the Government service is be-
cause Of lack of opportunity for ad-
vancement. The civil service will
have to eliminate the unit Official
whose tenure of ofice depends on his
political influence. These men as a
rule do not know enough about the
problem to select the eficient men.
One good feature could be taken
from the Army. We need schools
where men in the civil service who
have proved successful should be sent
to study advanced problems in man
agement. Each major promotion
should be preceded by q course Of
study in Government methods.
- DILWORTH POWELL.
Evening star., 1934-10-26
THIS AND THAT
BY CHARLES E. TRACEWELL.

q slight acidity. 1t may be questioned
however, whether this acidity Is oi
such a degree as to do any particular
harm to plants which may like more
neutral soil. The harm seems tc
come the other way around; that is
plants which prefer acid soil are really
hurt by soil with lime in 1t.
Many home gardeners will prefer to
believe that the natural fall of leaves
is good mulch, and might as well
be left where 1t falls. 1t Is here as
with rose bush canes, as small as the
mulching material may seem to be, ii
does a great deal of good, because In
Nature very slight degree of warmth
is helpful. 1t must be supposed that
the plant children of the universal
mother are mainly hardy to a degree
and need but slight protection To
carry them through all except the
most severe Winter.
~ =
SnoWberry bushes, old favoriteS In
many yards, did rather poorly this
Summer for many owners. No doubt
this plant needs Winter protection If
the temperature goes down to zero.
Day lilies, now highly in fashion,
but always acceptable to the discrimi-
mating, did better this year than last
in many gardens.
Perhaps this was due to the fact
that these plants are closer to the
"wilding" state than many Of our
y,oodarp Garden faVOriteS
It remains to be seen whether the
newer varieties, products OF the plant
breeders genius, will do as well in
the average garden as the old-fash-
ioned and better known sorts.
That stanch old shrub, the althea,
or Rose of Sharon, did better during
1894 than 1888.
Not only were the blossoms finer,
but the leaves have remained on the
bushes many days longer than usual.
This has been particularly true OF
specimens growing in partial shade.
While this shrub does well In full sun
shine, it has a habit of dropping its
leaves in early September, in many
localities, If exposed to the full force
of the sun all day long.
In shady locations. however, the
althea has kept its leaves completely
through September and October. This
is record which few shrubs can
show.
The harm suffered by tulips in 1884
most probably was due to too shallow
planting.
One well-know local grower plants
her tulips at least a foot deep. mostly
in order that she may plant shallow
rooted ANIMALS over them. but at the
same time she manages to give them
protection.
1t is likely that many bulbs were
killed by the deep freeze. Just why
some of them did not suffer, but
bloomed the same as usual, is ques-
the same depth.
Despite the three months OF the
summer with subnormal precipita-
tion. amounting amost to a drought,
nothing suffered in the garden where
in the gardener was willing to apply
a little water when needed.
Then the record breaking rains of
September made up for all deficie j.
cies, leaving the so-called water
table" replenished and all perennials
and shrubs in fat condition to go
through the Winter. II home garden
ers are sensible enough to provide
some mulch for them. rather than
permit them to face the rigors of a
possible repetition of last Winter un-
protected, they may feel certain that
the cold will do them little harm.
Evening star., 1934-10-26
ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
BY FREDERIC J. HASKIN.

A reader cdn get the anstoer to
, any question OF fact By tDrtttno The
Washington Epentn0 Star Information
Bureau, Frederic J. Hasktn, Director,
Washington, d. c. Please inclosc
stamp for reply.
@. Hoy many banks belong to the
American Bankers AsSociation?-
z. q.
A. About $4,000 of the $4,000 banks
in the country belong to this organi-
zation. The association was started in
1875 by II bankers.
@. Which State had the first tax
on gasoline?-H. D.
A. Oregon was first. c. c. Chap
man of Portland, Oreg., made the
! original suggestion. Since 1919 taxes
on motor fuel have raised more than
| $3.7oo, ,o0o, 900 in revenue.
Q. Do racing yachts, like the Brit
ish challenger Endeayour and others
sailing for the Americas Cup, have
accommodations below the deck?-
s. T.
A. T. o. M. Sopwiths Endeavour
has, besides the captains and mates
cabins, a general saloon, three state
rooms. bath room, lavatories, galley
and pantry and quarters for the en-
tire crew, besides sail lockers, oilskin
lockers, and such appurtenances.
@. How much money did the
Rockefeller Foundation spend last
year?-H. H. S.
A. In 1888 1t expended approx
mately sl5.oOo,Ooo:
@. Why does an illiterate person
use a cross for a signature?-G. M.
A. The cross, with or without
signature, has been used since
medieval times. 1t was regarded as
an oath. therefore attesting to the
statement made.
o. How did the title of respect
esquire originase?-E. r. B.
A. The word Is found In old Span
ish, French, Portuguese and Italian
in various forms. It comes from the
Latin. scutarius, a form Of Scutum,
meaning shield. The word means
shield-bearer. In chivalry a youth
of gentle birth attended upon a
knight, and from the use of esquire
to designate this youth the word
came to be applied to various offces
in the service Of king or nobleman
In England the term is applied to a
member of the higher order of Eng
lish gentry ranking Immediately below
knight.
@. How many peace organizations
are there in the world?-M. S.
A. There are about 40.
@. How deep is the foundation of
the Washington Monument?-S. S.
A. II extends IS feet below side
walk level.
@. What is the custom depicted in
| the hanging of the crane?-J. L. M.
| A. 1t was an old French custom to
place the now almost obsolete crane
in the kitchen chimney of young
couple at their housewarming.
@. How many people visited national
parks this last year?-T. N.
A Almost 1000. 900 people had Wis
tied parks up to September 80.
@. To what extent are American
dyes used in this country?-D. NJ. H.
A. The National Bureau of Stand
Evening star., 1934-10-26
A Worthwhile Undertaking.

n WI tHW llllC OHuCI LdhluS'
The District Bar Association is the
appropriate agency to take the lead in
a vigorous movement to rid the Capt.
tai of the various sources of organized
crime and racketeering. The asSocia-
ton is to be congratulated upon its
prompt recognition and assumption
OF responsibility. The meeting ar
ranged for Monday night, in which
organized citizens of the District will
be asked to participate. should result
in the formation. as suggested. of a
closely knit body of representative
lawyer and lay members of the COM
munity equipped to undertake. in CO.
operation with the authorities, study
of conditions in Washington in need
of prompt remedy
One is apt to be skeptical of the
occasional "crime crusade" which
represents momentary and passing
public Indignation over the commits
sion of some particularly atrocious
crime. Experience has shown that
such crusades burn briskly for a short
time and gradually subside as public
interest wanes and the crime is for
gotten. But there is reason to hope the
present movement, launched yester-
day by the Bar Association, will be
capable of accomplishing more than
a flash in the pan.
One of the problems confronting the
city, in the organized gambling rackets
for instance, seems to be tangible
enough. The gambling statutes need
overhauling. The racketeers have
kept several jumps ahead of the laws
and have found loopholes which offer
them protection. The gambling
statutes, for example, we're written
before the widely prevalent num-
bers racket" was known and did not
anticipate the legal weapons neces-
sary to deal with it. United States
Attorney Garnett has already pre-
pared amendments to the gambling
statutes which he believes would be
effective in law enforcement. The
public would like to know, from
disinterested source, the soundness of
the argument. that police are handi-
capped by the law itself.
If they are, the law should be
amended. If they are not the proper
steps should be taken to remove the
weak spots in the Police Department
itself. The public is getting pretty
much disguised over the state of
affairs which permits police officers
to announce that the gambling
joints" have been closed as the result
OF a murder. Why were they not
closed before. instead of after a mur-
der? If they are closed today they
will be open again in few days.
The police either know the location
Of the gambling joints and the leaders
Of the gambling world or they are too
stupid to be members of the force. If
they know them, why are joints not
put out of business and the racketeers
run out of town or sent to jail?
A real study of such questions by
competent body of citizens might
supply significant answers. But it will
require real and continued study, with
adequate publicity The solution will
not be found in mass meetings and
appointments of committees alone.
Evening star., 1934-10-26
SHOOTING STARS.
BY PHILANDER JOHNSON.

Conflicting Calculations.
We're very proud of literature
In which men theoriZe
To make opinions insecure
Mid argument so wise.
But the great problem Of the day
On which the statesman looks
Is to devise some proper way
OF balancing the books.
Philosophers and poets. too.
Have given many q hint
OF what a nation ought to do
With money from the mint.
Sometimes we say in accents meek
Are there too many cooks
Who spoil the broth as ways we seek
OF balancing the books.
In libraries the crowded shelves
Put theories on display
Inviting US to help ourselves
To thoughts from day to day.
So we proceed with care to read
In those sequested hooks,
For even here we find a need
OF balancing the books.
Evening star., 1934-10-26
Americans Honor POincare
For Courage and Patriotism

But the Ruhr excursion failed, and
failing, incurred for France much ILL
will
The New York Herald Tribune says
that Hitler and Hitlerism was. under
other labels, what Poincare dreaded
in Germany" and that he saw this
menace years Ego. but the Youngs-
town Vindicator maintains that IF
there had been no Poincare. there
would have been no Hitler" The
Columbus (Ohio) Citizen calls the
invasion of the Ruhr the chief
blunder of his career"
Evening star., 1934-10-26

ards says that since the World War
American dye manufacturers have
been producing over 90 per cent Of
the dyes used in this country, and
that the quality Of American made
dyes Is equal or superior to that Of
the corresponding German dyes.
@. Does the sun rotate upon its
axis?-S. E.
A. 1t rotatoes from west to east.
O. Did Charles and Mary Lamb COLI
laborate in writing Tales From
Shakespeare"?-S. r.
A. Charles Lamb wrote the TRACE.
dies and his sister wrote the comedies.
They were published in one book.
@. Is bear meat palatable?-M. X.
A. American Indians and hunters
consider it quite savory and palatable.
@. Who was the first owner of Nat
ural Bridge Virginia?-P. G..
A. Thomas Jefferson. He built A
lodge nearby for the shelter of
strangers.
Q; Do many tourists go to switzer.
lsnd?-H. z.
A. There are more than 2.OoO. 900
visitors to Switzerland annually. The
country has nearly 5000 hotels.
q. How much iron should a days
food provide for the human system?-
G. NJ.
A. At least IS milligrams. This Is
the equivalent Of one o-thousandth
OF an ounce.
@. What was the origin Of the sand
l0-cent store idea?-G. T.
A. F. w. Woolworth worked In a
dry goods store at counter where S
and 10 cent articles we're sold, He
evolved the idea OF starting such a
store, and opened the first one in 1879.
9. What is meant by hot" oiI?-
A. F. H.
winch operators and refiners attempt
70 market ouside the regulations
which are in force.
@. Please give biography of Texas
Guinan.-G. @.
A. Mary Louise Cecilia Guinan
was born near Waco, Tex, and began
ner career as broncho rider in a
circus at the age of IA. She ap-
peared successfully with a vaudeville
troupe, in various stock companies.
IN early Western movies and in
chornses Of New York musical come
dies. Credited with establishing the
night club in 1923, the fame of her
WlSecracks as mistress of ceremonies
spread from coast to coast. She died
in 1898.
@. How much rayon Is produced
in the United States?-R. T.
A. Rayon production in the United
States established a record in 1888
of 207,579. 900 pounds. or about one
third of the world production.
@. At what temperature viii home
canned foods keep best?-E. L. S.
A. The National Gamers Associa-
ton says that a temperature Of
80 degrees F. is considered the best
temperature to keep canned foods.
This temperature is just short Of
freezing. 1t also recommends that
the coolest, driest part Of the cellar
or Of the home be selected to store
canned foods.
Evening star., 1934-10-26

The year 1894 has not been bad
from the gardening standpoint. de-
spite its most severe Winter.
Now that Autumn brings the out
door season TO Close, the gardener
finds himself remembering the Won
! derful peonies he had.
He recalls with pleasure the fine
| showing of iris, the good growth OF
perennials and annuals Of all kinds
It was a hard year on tulips, but
bush roses and privct hedges were the
worst sufferers. sustaining severe
setbacks In many cases. and deStruc-
ton in some.
AS is usual in such years, all plants
which survived seemed to derive addi-
tional strength from the severe cold,
with the exception Of many popular
bush roses. Most of the latter failed
to regain good form and foliage, and
naturally their blooms suffered, both
as to size and numbers.
4 + +
Whether this injury is permanent
will require another Winter for dem
onstration, but 1t may be expected
that adequate protection will put
them on their feet again.
Roses made a tall, scrawny cane
| growth, with sparse foliage, which
was particularly bad when they were
grown in beds, since roses at their
best often fail to give a really good
effect in that type of planting.
No doubt this sparsity Of foliage Is
one reason why many persons prefer
to put them together, in ordtr to
fill up the gaps. and thus give more
solid effect.
Perhaps rose bushes. when used in
beds, should be planted closer 20
gether than ordinarily found. The
idea of wide spacing, in order TO give
each bush plenty Of air and light.
is for the purpose of holding down
the "black spot" disease which ruins
SO many roses.
With adequate spraying, however,
In the modern manner, 1t Is possible
to put bushes closer together in beds
and thus get a better general effect.
This method also gives more pro-
lection to each bush, through the
very juxtaposition of the branches.
In Nature a little protection goes a
long way.
- -
The home gardener well may Won
der. at this time of year, over the
general advice, widely given, that
he should wait until after the f1rst
heavy freeze to put protection around
the bases of his plants, including
roses.
The theory is that the freeze must
be kept in. so that there will be no
alternate freezing and thawing out,
as the state of the weather varies.
One may ask himself whether this
Is not Just another nice theory which
some one thought up, and which has
been repeated without question over
the years, so that today one Is re-
garded as heretical, from a garden
standpoint. If it is questioned.
What does Nature do?
She showers down leaves at this
time. after the first frosty night.
She does not wait for freezing to
mulch the shrubs and the wildflowers.
This Is the natural way. and many
gardeners will prefer to think that
Nature knows her business.
y
If they initiate her. therefore, they
will permit the leaves which have
fallen to remain. and even add to
them at this time.
This sort of mulching, it might be
asserted, is best for the natural wild
inqs. which mostly demand an acid
soil. Fallen leaves usually result in
Evening star., 1934-10-26

Comment grows eloquent in re-
ferring to the sinfulness of the world.
1t seems worse with bombing planes
and submarines available. But our
remote ancestors did the best they
could to promote sinfulness with stone
hatchets and bows and arrows.
Evening star., 1934-10-26

The only encouragement to be
derived from pubic exploitation Of
private scandal lies in the reminder
that old-fashioned standards of
morality still persist to an extent that
renders large and intelligent element
of public interest susceptible to shock.