davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1934-01-26

species make when they desire or take
food.
Home aquarium fishes differ in their
acceptance of food, Just as the game
fishes have different methods Of taking
bait.
In the aquarium most Of the food Is
sprinkled on the surface Not all Of
It stays there, however. A certain per-
centage naturally drops to the bottom,
where the so-called bottom feeders
hnd It.
Some catch II as It falls through
the water. Grabbing for it on the
surface, different fishes make different
sorts Of noises. Sometimes the amount
Of noise Is out of proportion to the
size Of the food pieces. A large piece
Of food which one might think the
fnney fellows would take with . great
lessly, while thin type Of flake food
VIII cause comparatively great cracking
of the water.
This noise Is often really large, for
fish. It Is one Of the most unusual
noises, II such they can be called, that
fishes make in the tank. Those new
to this pleasant hobby will think for
q startled instant that the aquarium
Is cracking, but nothing Of the kind,
1t Is some small hsh which manages
to make q great deal Of work out of
getting its dinner.
The truth Is that fishes are not pets
so much as q hobby, which. Is some
thing different, mostly, although 1t may
be the same thing.
A hobby is a collection, usually.
The central fact. felt by most
aquarium enthusiasts, Is the urge to
get q collection. This often leads him
on to more and larger tanks. at the
same time he retains the smaller ones
he began with, so that in about a year, S
time his home looks suspiciously like
store where fishes and their supplies
are sold.
Just few fishes-neverl
Never, that Is, until the revolution
Of time brings one to the realization
that fewer fishes, better placed, would
give one all the interest Of the hobby
with great deal less work and worry
The time 1t takes to properly feed
several tanks is not usually appreciated
by the person who has no knowledge
Of flsh feeding except to throw a few
crumbs Of wafer into a goldfish bowl.
y
The collector Of tropical fishes, OF
whom there are legion in Washington
at this time. feeds each type he pos
sesses according to its needs and each
individual animal according to its lido
syncrasies.
Daily this will mean at the least a
solid hour put upon the task Of feed
ing, probably not all at one time, but
at such times as may be convenient
both to the owner and his charges.
Such an enthusiast never throws q
large amount Of food into the water
at one time, but puts In q little at q
time, permits the animals to eat that
then goes back and gives them some
more. and 50 on.
Such q method. while slightly la
borious. prevents that common failure
too much uneaten food in the tank, to
tend to spoil the water.
The true voices of dog. cat. bird. are
among their greatest charms, despite
the fact that they sometimes abuse
them.
Since this is not uncommon failing
with all creatures possessed Of voices
nothing can be held against mankind S
pets themselves for the uproar they
may make at times.
They have very good examples before
them in their masters and mistresses.
Evening star., 1934-01-26
Japan Seeks Navy Talk.

Foreign Minister Hiota told the Diet
IN Toxic this week that Japan is anxious
TO discuss with the United States many
complicated questions" which would
doubtless arise between them in 1885.
As another naval conference Is sched-
uled to take place next year, Mr.. Hirota
indicated that he has specially in mind
the problems that will call for dis
cussion in connection with that issue.
The foreign minister intimated his be-
lief that there are no differences be-
tween the American and Japanse gov
ernments that cannot be settled diplo-
matically if approached in a spirit OF
mutual cooperation and goodwill.
That viewpoint will be cordially
shared In Washington and by the Amer
ican people generally. Japans inten-
ton to press for an increase IN the
naval ratio allowed her by the Washing
tan t,aaty of 1921 has bean known ever
Evening star., 1934-01-26

Many readers send In questions
signed only with initials, asking that
the answers appear In the newspaper.
The space is limited and would not ac-
commodate q fraction Of such requests.
The answers published are ones that
may interest many readers, rather than
the one who asks the question only.
All questions should be accompanied by
the writer's name and address and 2
cents in coin or stamps for reply. Do
not use post cards. Send qour question
to The Evening Star Information Blu
reau, Frederic j. Haskin, Director,
Washington, D. G.
@. When will the farm esnsus be
taken?-T. l..
A. On November IS. 1884.
Q. Is the average mentality of adults
in the United States only that Of H.
year-old child?-A. N.
ton says that only per cent Of the
adult population has q mental age Of
IL years or less. Applying the findings
Of research with typical cross sections
Of American citizenry to census figures
for the number Of persons in the age
groups between Is and so years OF age,
DR.. Segel finds that the average
mental age of men and women of this
country according to this method of
calculation is III"
@. In what countries is English the
principal language?-R. H. S.
A. In the British Isles, the United
States, Canada. New Zealand. Aus
tralia. South Africa and the British
and American dependencies.
O. Who was the first editor Of an
American periodical?-E. C. P.
A. The first actual editor Of a peri
odical in America was Richard Pierce
Of Boston. who published September
25, 1890, the first number of what was
to have been a periodical publication
with the name Of Public Occurrences
covering both foreign and domestic
happenings. As only one issue was
actually published, Pierce is seldom
named and the honor is usually given
to John Campbell q Scotsman and
postmaster at Boston, who on the oath
Of April, 1704. commenced the publ
cation Of the Boston News Letter.
O. How many children has Eddie
Cantor?-B. G.
A. He has five daughters.
O. Please explain the National Asso-
citation of Credit Men-F. C. M.
A. The Matt Association of
Credit Men is an institution that was
founded before 1916. 1t was not incor-
porated. however. until 1888 1t is q
n-proflt cooperative organiza ton
financed by membership dues of credit
managers and wholesale and manufac-
turing associations. Its objective is
threefold. First, to promote credit of
| exchange between members. Second,
| to make collections for members. Third
acts through its adjustment bureau in
liquidation and out-of-court settle
ments.
@. How far above the ground should
thermometer be hung?-E. L. B.
A. 1t should be placed about feet
above the surface.
Q. How many slaves were brought to
the American colonies?-V. B.
| A. About 2.130.000 slaves were i'm
ported into the British American col
onies from 1880 to 1886.
@. Please explain the heating system
in the Empire State Building. F. p
! A. The owners of the Empire State
Building contracted for an outside sup
ply of steam for heating purposes. This
Is derived from two entirely independ-
ent steam mains. The building has q
Evening star., 1934-01-26
A Walk-tO-WOrker ScOrns
A Senatorial Suggestion

To he Editor of The Star:
While perllsing the columns of your
paper Wednesday evening. a most pro-
found and Illuminating observation,
worthy. indeed, Of a Caesar rather than
from the lips OF. one of our public SER
wants" passed before my startled gaze.
Alas, 1t seems that the common
rabble must no longer presume to pol
lutte the ether with the fumes of their
lowly gas buggies. Nor is it ueet that
they dare to usurp any parking space
presumption! What egotism that We
should assume to ride to work. Walk,
you dogs. the exercise will do you good
And. anyway. how do you suppose,
rabble that you are, that we. your SER
wants, can find room to park our sleek
and polished limousineS if you persist
il befouling the air with your filthy
fumes? What. no! The guard! To the
baStille with this person! His impu-
dence tries my patience sorely. What?
You voted for me? Ha! And again.
Ho! Am not credit to your right of
franchise? Do not bedeck myself In
costly raiment, so to impress my worthy
contemporaries in our august Senate
Am not all but running my health in
haling the noxious fumes of black
cigars with the sole purpose Of SO be-
Jogging the air within our sacred por-
tails that mine enemies minds will be-
come even more dull than that which
their Creator gave them, merely to the
end that I can obtain legislation bene-
f1cial to my flock? Do I not attend
dinners that are epicurean phantas-
magorias, at great risk to my liver and
waistline, merely to discuss those meas
ures and methods. without which this
fair land of ours would be in sad lack
indeed? Am I not obliged to travel
vast distances to inform myself as to
various and sundry happenings of the
times, all to the end that your dear in
terests may be best served? Are not all
my senatorial perquisites. such as
railroad allowances and the franking
privilege, merely to guarantee that can
do with such q mere pittance as must
so painfully exist on? And when ]
strive to relieve the burden of unem-
ployment by hiring secretaries and Of
flee personnel, do not choose members
Of my own family, to the end that the
| dear souls back home will not be ruth
lesSly torn from the sides of their be-
loved ones and cast into the maelstrom
OF politics here. for which they. poo-
| dears, are SO i'll equipped to contend?
Ungrateful louts, how little ye ken my
| tribulationS
| All hail, Senator Kean. a Republican
OF the Republicans, servant and guard
ian of the rights OF man! May the
| shadow OF the lower castles never de-
scend on his sacred presence! The
French have a quaint saying of liberty
and equality. But hear the far winds
| call-nerts.
JOSEPH D. CONKLN.
P. S.-And speaking Of cows, oul
friend should try this over on his piano
The bovine gives of milk, the lowly
porker fat,
The equine neighs and the jackass
brays,
But Kean talks through his hat.
j. D. C,
Evening star., 1934-01-26
Husband a
Sadly Neglected Man

To the Editor Of The Star:
It is pitiful, indeed, to see so many
fine young men doing their very best
(yea, OVERRIDING IT. trying to please the
lady with whom they are in love.
Countess Karolyi, speaking directly to
young American men. sums the matter
up nicely as follows: THE American
man will have to discover that in order
to gain the love of a woman he should
never try to deserve it. He should
rather make her do things for him. He
will have to learn that love in general
has nothing to do with merit. Graft
tude is not love, and q woman who
loves has a yearning to give and sacri-
flee again and again"
In this connection. 1t Is even more
pitiful to see so many good American
husbands fighting to retain the love of
their so-called better halves. Facts are
facts, and the undeniable truth is that
the ordinary, everyday wife too quickly
loses interest in her husband. She
seems to exist mainly for her offspring,
and deep down In her heart she feels
that it Is her duty to show . more
vital interest in the affairs of her chill
dren than in the affairs Of her hus-
band. This being the case, the average
American husband is sadly neglected
man. It is this state of affairs which
produces so much marital discord
PHILIP EBERT.
Evening star., 1934-01-26
New Prison Horrors.

For four years ending last September
Austin H. MacCormick worked In
washington Is assistant director Of
Federal prisons and then went to Chill
licothe, Ohio, to serve As acting super
intendent Of the United States REFORM
atory there. On one of his recent trips
to Washington the then Mayor-elect
La Guardia of New York called on San
ford Bates, director of prisons, and
asked him to recommend somebody to
come in with his new administrati IN
January 1 as commissioner of correc-
ton, and Mr.. MacCormick was sue-
eested. He had served with the Ma
tional Society Of Penal Information be.
fore entering the Federal service.
Mr.. MacCormick took ofnce with
Evening star., 1934-01-26
ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
BY FREDERIC ]. HASKIN,

two-pipe vacuum system with steam
turbine driven vacuum pumps discharH-
ing through suitable heat exchanges
into the sewer. The equipment Is di-
vioed into four separate zones, the
lower up to and including the fifth
floor, being supplied from the mains in
the sub-basement. The next section Is
supplied downward from set of mains
on the twenty-ninth floor ceiling. The
section from the tnirtieth to the forty
fifth floors is supplied upward from
the top OF the building. including the
tower, from mains on the flfty-fourth
floor ceiling. There are about 1000
radiators.
Q. Who introduced the caste system
| In India?-M. B.
A. The caste system was imposed On
the Indian people Dy the Brahmans,
the members Of the Hindu priestly or
ganization.
@. How can an historical grove Of
trees be established?-H. 4 w.
A. This is part Of the national nut
tree program sponsored by the Boy
Scouts OF America. American Forestry
Association, Department of Agriculture
and American Walnut Manufacturers
Association. Directions may be OBJ
tafned from the American Forestry As
sociation. Washington. D. C. The pur-
pose Is to establish IN as many places
as possible groves containing trees
from the many historic grounds In
the United States.
O. How is radio broadcasting financed
In England?-A. N
A. The number of receivers in Eng
| land in 1921 A
the income from the license fees was
therefore we'll over $1,000 900. sufficient
to maintain the radio broadcasting sys-
tenn. The government retained 1912
per cent Of this amount the national
treasury department took approx
mately rs per cent.
Q; Do crops remove as much plant
food from the soil as erosion carries
away?-S. c.
A. All crops grown in the United
States each year remove about 6.000.-
600, 900 pounds Of plant food from the
soil. Erosion or soil washing takes
away 81 times as much.
@. Is Washington, D. c.. considered
beautiful city?-O. G.
A. 1t compares favorably with Buenos
Aires. Paris, and other cities famous
/ AOA eAicAl Dcduly.
@. Is there a Government publica-
ton which reflects the changes In
prices and costs of food and farm
! commodities ?-T s.
| A. The Consumers Guide, issued BIZ
weekly by the consumers counsel of
the Agricultural Adjustment Admins
tration in cooperation with the Bureau
Of Agricultural Economics. Bureau Of
Home Economics and Bureau of Labor
Statistics, Is pamphlet Of this type.
O. Why was the land on the vir-
ginia side Of the Potomac which was
originally in the District Of Columbia,
ceded back to Virginia? Pr. S.
A. The citizens of Alexandria Pc
titioned the Congress for the retroces-
sion of Alexandria County, Va, ceded
to the National Government :. for the
National Capital. The vote was 1853
to 222 of the citizens and the petition
was based on the grounds that no Fed
eral buildings had been erected on the
Virginia side, nor were likely TO be,
and that the citizens were deprived Of
political and other rights. with no bene-
fits. The act retroceding the territory
was signed by the President July 10,
lS46
Evening star., 1934-01-26

since it was proclaimed by the Japa-
nese naval minister last September. The
washington treaty provides for capital
ship equality between Great Britain and
the United States and . lower per-
centage for Japan In the respective
ratios of 5-5-3. With respect to cruisers,
the ratios are lo-l0-7. Japan desires
equality In virtually all categories Of
ships.
While Japanese-American converse
tions on naval questions will, OF course,
be In entire order. ratio issues cannot
be discussed by Toxic and Washing
ton alone. London comes into the pic
ture. The entire political situation In
the Far East having undergone i'm
portant changes since the Warrington
conference, 1t is extremely probable
that other powers than Britain, Amer
lea and Japan will insist upon . voice
in fixing the future balance Of naval
strength in the Pacific. The Soviet
Unions newly acquired status makes
certain that the Moscow government
will want something to say on that
score, particularly If Russo-Japanese
relations are meantime not relieved Of
strain.
One plain duty is incumbent upon
the United States-to proceed with all
legitimate dispatch to build our Navy
to the full limits permitted by our
treaty rights. The Vinson bill now
pending in the House Of Representa-
tives provides for such construction
over the course Of the next five years.
This Government will be In the best
possible position to discuss changes in
naval ratios and all other questions
arising from that issue II it sits at the
conference table in possession Of a
treaty Navy. Toward its construction
no effort should be shared
Evening star., 1934-01-26
WASHINGTON OBSERVATIONS
BY FREDERIC WILLIAM VILE.

Of the Philippines. is being honorably
mentioned as Democratic nominee for
the Senate this year against the Re-
publican incumbent, Arthur H. Van-
denberg, who will be up for reelection.
Gov. Murphy's Washington friends
doubt whether he could be persuaded
to give up $4,000 salary, a palace in
Manila, an ofiicial residence in the
provinces, and safe job on the other
side Of the globe for the uncertainties
OF senatorial contest in the United
States.
On the oficial roster Of the American
Peace Society, oldest of its kind in the
world. now appears one of Americas s
greatest war names-that of Ulysses S.
Grant. Col. U. S. Grant. Sd, has been
elected treasurer OF the society. After
retiring as director of public buildings
and parks last year, Col. Grant became
a student in the Army War College
at Washington.
Having lost the battle Of New Or
leans, Senator Huey Longs next worry
Is due when the Privileges and Elec-
tionS Committee Of the Senate takes up
the petitions for his removal filed by
his implacable enemies in Louisiana.
The chairman Of the committee is
Senator George, Democrat, of Georgia.
It's the women of Louisiana who are
the deadliest Of the anti-Long species
and are now pressing for Senate action
to unseat the redoubtable Huey. They've
organized Nationwide system of let
tiers to be addressed to members of
the Senate calling for Longs expulsion
To that end. the fair Louisianians are
asking women throughout the country
women to write to their Senators at
Washington. The result is that men,
bers Of the Upper House are being
deluged with anti-Long correspondence
Senator James P. Pope, Democrat. OF
louisiana, is being bombarded, along
with his senatorial colleagues, with ap-
peals to JOIN in the crusade against
the senior Senator from his native
State.
Representative Fred A. Britten, Re-
publican, Of Illinois has q scheme for
cashing in on European war debts. He
wants President Roosevelt and Secre-
tary Morgenthau to request all our
debtors to replace the billions of their
large-denomination bonds which we
now hold with bonds of small denomi-
nations. to be sold by us from time to
time at the world market price when
they become due and payable. Mr..
Britten thinks that by marketing so, SO
or 70 million dollars Of these small
bonds annually We could gradually COL
lect some, II not all, of the money Eu-
rope owes US. The Illinoisan told the
House this week that he intends to lay
the plan before the President. He
claims there's full authority in all the
war-debt funding treaties for demand
ing smaller bonds suitable for sale to
the public"
The latest guess as to the final Senate
vote on the Roosevelt gold program is
that it will be almost identical with
the 64-to-2l roll call by which the
Thomas inflationary amendment to the
agricultural act was passed last Spring.
This would be roundly 3-to-1 majority
for the administration and reveal only
q handful of Democrats on the reserva-
ton. Their loss, 1t Is expected, will be
more than compensated for by Repub-
lican support Of the presidential
measure.
(Copyright. 1934)
Evening star., 1934-01-26

Mayor La 0uardia ON the flrst Of the
year practically unknown In New York.
To his ONCE on Wednesday morning he
summoned newspaper reporters and
with . few detectives drove to Welfare
Island. preparing the way with some
story Of an escaped prisoner. In some
ways this preface was Is damatic Is
the resulting story unfolded by the
raid Of the prison. story that has
revealed something new under the sun
In the way Of prison horrors.
Fiction and fact have combined to
associate with prisons the sort Of hor-
ror that results from crowded cells,
bestial oficials, inhuman treatment Of
inmates. Succeeding waves Of reform
have cleansed many prisons. But Mr..
MacCormick's descent on Welfare
Island tore away . curtain to expose
conditions almost unbelievable. Two
gangster chieftains ruled the prison,
dividing their henchmen into two
groups. Ninety per cent Of the pris-
oners were forced to pay tribute to
the ten per cent who surrounded the
gangsters, or suffered in consequence.
Diseased men mingled with others; in
sane prisoners were treated like AMI
mails. and worse-for the pet dog of one
OF the gangster chieftans lived In lux.
ury. In the cells contraband ranging
from food delicacies to guns, knives,
blackjacks, dope, liquor and even fer
menting mash was found. As appalling
as were the conditions in the prison,
these were even less startling than the
realization of the ofhcial rottenness and
corruption that made them possible. If
welfare Island" has become what it
was until Wednesday, 1t is obvious that
Judge Seabury merely scratched the
surface and Mayor La Guardia has a
long row to hoe.
The mayor and his new commits
sioner Of correction have made q COM
mendable start in lifting the lid The
way they have gone about it indicates
an earnestness Of purpose that will not
lag. One significant feature Of the
raid, that will receive its due amount
Of emphasis, Is that one of the many
persons who knew nothing about 1t un-
til they read about 1t in the papers
was the Tammany district attorney.
OF that, presumably, there will be more
later.