davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1935-12-10
THIS AND THAT
BY CHARLES E. TRACEWELL.

1t is an enheartening thing, going
through the world, to hear highly edu-
Gated man ask over the phone, Where
are you at?"
He shows by his accent that he knows
he Is in error, but likes now and then
to fall into the ungrammatical.
TITS me-" and This is me-" are similar
phrases, incorrect, but much used, and
somewhat beloved.
Why not?
Correct speech has its place, its major
place, but surely there is niche for ole
phrases which, somehow, seem to fill q
particular need.
Just why this need exists we are moi
sure. Perhaps it is a revulsion from toe
much good usage. 1t may be that every
one, at times, becomes fed up" on the
correct thing.
Men go on camping expeditions. They
let their boards grow and their linen
become wilted and soiled.
1t does their soul good.
It Is the same way with speech.
No matter how much one reveres the
correct word and phrase, and does his
best to live up to the highest reaches
Of good usage, he will find at times q
yearning for the vernacular, even when
it includes the ungrammatical.
Fortunately, this is easy to satisfy.
All one has to do is talk.
Ordinary conversation, even among the
well educated, is loaded with incorrect
forms.
Many who fancy themselves the acme
of good usage would be amazed if a
stenographic report of all they said dur
ing typical day were placed before
them.
Probably they would not believe the
report, but might insist it garbled, OF
colored in some way or other.
The truth would be they had twisted
usage to suit the moods and needs OF
conversation.
1t is curious, but natural thing, that
most persons have two ways of express
ing thought, one the formal, or written
and the other the informal, or spoken.
How seldom these are alike may be
seen easily when talking to one of these
rare fellows who talks like book" as
the saying is.
He is, indeed, rare, yet every one has
heard him.
His meticulous use of "do not" in
stead of don't" and similar Sticklers
sets his conversation apart
Younger people sometimes laugh at
him, especially behind his back, but their
elders will praise him for his bravery.
1t does, indeed, take a certain type of
hardihood to speak like a book" on the
ordinary topics of the day.
This does not mean that writing must
be Stilted
Nothing of the sort. 1t merely takes
into account the difference between the
average printed page and the average
conversation.
Oratory, of one sort or another, is the
common ground. Many speeches, as de-
livered, are nothing but formal essays.
Others bridge the chasm between the
formal and the informal, giving the
hearer a little of both.
Many speeches are as purely informal
as average talks between one and one.
They attempt to carry into eloquence the
needs of the average human being for a
Evening star., 1935-12-10
Shifting the Burden.

Imagine an enterprise financed by
two partners. Partner A holds all the
voting stock, but provides not quite If
teen per cent of the annual outlay for
operation and development of the con-
cern. Partner B has no voting power,
but is required to put in approximately
eighty-t1ve per cent.
OF course, one would have to use
Imagination to conjure up such situa-
tion in the business world. Yet that is
substantially the basis on which the
National Capital is being financed to-
day, as result of the practice Congress
adopted eleven years ago of furnishing
the Federal share of the city's expenses
In an arbitrary lump sum, bearing no
fixed ratio to the total to be spent.
An additional unique popularity of the
National Capital partnership is that
Partner B, the eighty-five per cent con-
tributor, pays also part of the fifteen per
cent contribution of Partner A. The
iatters contribution is drawn from ma
tional taxes paid in varying amounts by
forty-eight States, two Territories and
the District of Columbia. The District
pays into the national tax fund more
than twenty-three States and two Ter
ritories, more than nine States COM
bined, and more per capita than twenty
eight States. Partner B thus contrib
utes heavily on both sides of the part
nership account and has not by law
word to say concerning the raising and
spending of his tax contribution on
either side of the partnership.
The Federation of Citizens Associa-
tions is fully justified, therefore, in urg-
ing, as it did on Saturday night, that
Congress correct the inequity OF the
present situation by returning to fair
and equitable Federal payment before
recommendations are made as to new
or increased taxes locally.
In the absence of voting power, the
taxpayers who make up the local end
of the partnership have only the right
of petition, as exercised by the Fedora
ton in the resolutions it has just adopted.
It is to be hoped that when the men,
bers of Congress reach the question of
appropriating for the Capital City this
Winter they will recognize that the abso-
lutte power which they possess over the
residents of Washington carries with it
a greater responsibility to see that jus
tice is done between the Nation and
the local taxpayer, who has no vote in
the body which taxes him.
The definite percentage ratio of fiscal
relationship which prevailed for nearly
half century-flrst on the $3.50 basis
and later 6o-4o-protected the local COM
munity from inequity. But decade OF
experience with the lump-sum Federal
payment has demonstrated what Wash
ingtonians feared in advance, namely,
that the burden would be transferred
more and more to the unrepreSented
local partner.
Evening star., 1935-12-10
Diplomatic Disregard for
Life and Plea for Revenge

To the Editor of The Star.
I observe with a great deal of surprise
that the Iranian Minister to the United
States has protested to the Department
of State, demanding punishment of the
two officers in Elkton. Md, who stopped
his speeding automobile and Subdued the
irate Minister with handouts. What is
more surprising is that the town Of
Elkton has given some consideration TO
the diplomatic complaints.
AS one American speaking, I am sure,
the sentiments of millions of others,
desire to compliment these officers on
doing their duty. I have in mind par
ticularly an occasion not many years
ago when the wife of some third assist
ant secretary attached to the same lega-
ton, then known as the Persian Legation,
with the Ambassadors automobile was
in such haste to transport three army
officers on diplomatic business to An
napolis that she ran into and overturned
an automobile in Washington, at the
intersection of Nineteenth and M
streets northwest, killing one of the occu-
pants. OF course, the driver of the car
claimed diplomatic immunity, but neither
the regrets. nor the large basket Of fruit
sent the family, paid for the demolished
automobile nor restored an American
life.
Personally want to compliment the
town of Elkton for it's American officers.
If their designations are demanded I
am sure they will make a success in
some occupation where manhood counts.
OF course, we expect the Department
of State to be diplomatic under all con-
ditions. What is left for American COM
munities, in dealing with situations OF
this character, except to use their own
means for curbing inconsiderate diplo-
mats. We ought to have more officers
like Biddle and Ellison and few less
diplomats like the Minister from Iran.
HERBERT s. WARD.
Evening star., 1935-12-10

little less strict language than the min
lister gives us.
This, too, is a need Of the human soul,
which we need not deplore unless it is
carried too far, and INDUCED In too often.
There is, indeed, time for everything
and ordinary conversation is not the
time for set speeches.
The English, perhaps, have mastered
this better than we have. No doubt
they should. 1t is their language, after
all
Not only do they feel free to use un-
grammatical phrases and constructions
without any inferiority complex, but they
clip and blend their syllableS in a way
which to many an American at first
seems highly outrageous.
After hearing it for time, however,
he will begin to realize that perhaps
they are not as queer as he at first
thought.
He will realize that the shortening of
such name as Taliaferro to "Tulliver, u
in pronunciation, is English, which is,
after all, what is being spoken.
We would not say that the genius of
the tongue lies in such contractions, but
surely part Of the genius so lies.
1t shows, better than anything else,
that one is not afraid of the tongue
one uses.
If we stop to think of it, we readily
see how many persons creep through
life, not only afraid to call their souls
their own, but especially in regard to the
language they use in talking and writing.
Having been introduced to rules and
regulations in their youth, and having
been able to apply them with some
aptitude, they are forever after totally
in thrall to them. They are sticklers for
the conventional, and if they find other
usages, they ask that they put in quo
tation marks, in order that their regard
for the language be saved from slight.
We would be the last to laugh at them,
because they play most important part
in keeping a language at its best. They
are the necessary watch dogs of words.
Praise only shall be theirs.
One may feel, however that the real
hope for any tongue lies with those
users who are not afraid of wrong uSages,
who are not suspicious of the ungram-
matical, who recognize freely, and be-
cause they want to, the ineStimable part
slang and poor usage play in keeping a
tongue virile.
This is not said in praise of the in
correct. The incorrect will always be
the incorrect. Bad usage remains bad
usage. Poor usage remains poor usage.
The ungrammatical stays ungrammatical.
One simply suggests that it is good to
keep in mind the plain fact that out of
the gutter and from the unlettered have
come part of the backbone Of the Ian
guage. The adornmentS are study-made,
but the strong, spicy accent is a product
of the fields, the ocean, the mines and
the farms.
The more one admireS the conven-
tional, in writing and talking. the more
he can thrill to the student he catches
saying to another. IF you had a-done
what he told you to did, you would
a-made better mark"
Terrible, of course-but didn't he say
what he wanted to say?
1t was the same with the man who
asked over the phone, Where are you
at?" 1t does no good to say that the
final word is super1uous. 1t is more.
It is delicious
Evening star., 1935-12-10

any reasonable doubt that may be raised
on the score of his guilt. He has, indeed,
been already given that benefit in the
course of his trial, during which he was
permitted through his counsel to present
every conceivable scrap of evidence to
combat that of the prosecution. Twelve
jurors have unanimously declared him
to be guilty. The State Court of Appeals
has likewise unanimously refused to re-
view the case in his favor, thus affirming
the verdict on the score of the sufficiency
of evidence as well as upon technical
points of law and procedure. The Su-
preme Court has found no ground for
review. The next phase of this tragedy
will be the definite setting of a date
for execution.
Evening star., 1935-12-10
Sugar-COated Text Books
On Marxism and Leninism
To the Editor Of The Star:

To the Editor Of The Star:
In The Evening Star Of December
and z there were two letters which are
typical of the gross Misrepresentation
that is INDUCED in by almost every one
who writes in favor of the teaching of
communism in the public schools OF the
District of Columbia.
Both of these writer's pretend to be-
lieve that those who are fighting the
teaching of communism in the public
schools are trying to hide the truth.
In no publication of weekly readers
or of history books in the District OF
Columbia schools have been able to
find the truth about Russia. All the
stories-and there are plenty OF them
are sugar-coated platitudeS about how
Russia, under communism, has made
good or the kindly Lenin or philosoph-
ical Marx. Why have none of those his
tories printed Karl Marks own definition
of the dictatorship of the proletariat.
which Marx says is communism? The
Communist Manifesto, by Karl Marx and
Friedrich EngelS, thus defines COM
muniSm:
1.-THE slum proletariat Is formed by
the putrefaction of the lowest strata Of
the old society; the proletarian has no
property; his relation to wife and chill
dren is utterly different from the family
relations of bourgeois life; modern in
dustrial labor has despoiled him of his
national characteristics. Law, morality
and religion have become for him so
many bourgeois prejudices. Proletarians
have nothing of their own to safeguard;
it is their business to destroy all pre-eX-
istent property safeguards. The pro-
letariat, the lowest strata of extant
society, cannot raise itself without dis
rupting the whole superstructure COM
prising the strata which make up that
society.
Abolition of the familyi Even the
extreme radicals hold up their hands in
horror when they speak of this shame
full communist proposal. At worst, COM
muniStS can only be charged with want
ing to replace a hypocritical and con-
cealed community of women by an Of
fetal and frankly acknowledged COM
munity"
That is the beautiful communism a lot
of foolish people are trying to force upon
the children in our schools. but so sugar
coated that the children will think COM
munism is a noble experiment"
If communism is going to be taught in
our schools, let's have "the truth, the
whole truth, and nothing but the truth" :"
and not sugar-coated poison.
AMOS A. FRIES.
Evening star., 1935-12-10
No Occasion for ElktOn
Officers to Lose Jobs
To the Editor Of The Star:

To the Editor Of The Star:
feel the public should express itself
in regard to what has happened to the
two officers at Elkton, Md.
After apologies were made to that
Iranian Minister, that should have been
enough. He broke a regulation, and that
should not be permitted by him any
more than by a citizen of the United
States.
Why should those officers lose their
jobs because they did their duty?
The Star has been doing such splendid
work in their safety drive" and when
you read about such things as this it all
seems useless.
Regardless of his rank, he could have
done damage or taken a life with his
excessive speed just as easily as any
one else. MRS. j. j. QUINN.
Evening star., 1935-12-10
A Rhyme at Twilight
Folly Auction.
Gertrude Brooke Hamilton

He made it his custom in holiday season
To give a blithe function for very good
reason
His friends we're invited to chase
melancholy
BY bidding in odds and ends purchased
in folly.
A cake-stand with priSms he'd bought
from fay,
Collegiate sprint-shoes when foot ball
held sway,
A miniature tramcar in London one day,
A stuffed alligator he'd seen on display,
Ship lantern of brass in mood far away,
A Mandarin lounge robe Of colors too
gay.
The masculine bidding ran high and was
jolly
Each guest had been guilty Of similar
folly.
And the checks were made out at the
hosts decree
To . worthy and popular town charity.
Evening star., 1935-12-10
Confidential.

A confidence man with wonderful plan
Came by with a wonderful smile.
The figures he showed with delight
would scan,
And he showed them in elegant style.
His confidence gay such charm would
display,
My confidence also bespoke.
I discover today, with a sense of dismay,
That confidence left me fat broke.
"When man puts on airs" said Uncle
Eben, "he ain' doin' much. An electric
fan can do de same thing much better" !"
Evening star., 1935-12-10

The United States is not member of
the League of Nations. The fact obviates
unpleasant experience in contact with
what seems to threaten as a process of
dismemberment.
Evening star., 1935-12-10
The Value Of Time.

A political pull of rejoicing is full
With cigarettes, coffee or tea,
When the radio Toreador fights the Bull
With antic so frantic and free.
With non-partisan care it likewise fights
the Bear.
Political pull is sublime,
AS it gives any speaker whose standing
is fair
Unlimited radio time.
Evening star., 1935-12-10

The great China Clipper came back
laden with flowers for the mayors of New
York, Chicago, Omaha and other COM
munities. Lobbyists who often assemble
in the District of Columbia should at
least have had some buttonhole bouquets.
Evening star., 1935-12-10

Modern research calls attention to
Socrates as the companion of Alcibiades
in interviews with Aspasia. Xantippe,
famed as a shrew. may, after all, have
had her side to the story.
Evening star., 1935-12-10

Some of the college magazines have
become so claSsically jocose as to call
for a reversion to ancient dialect in men
ton of anything for which the Greeks
had a word.
Evening star., 1935-12-10
Sure Sign Of Recovery.

From the Battle Creek (Mich.) Enauirer-News
A Brooklyn Judge has ruled that wife
has a perfect right to all the money in
her husbands trousers pockets. The fact
that any controversy could arise is an
unfailing sign of returning prosperity.
Evening star., 1935-12-10
Sanctions MAY Benefit.
From the Seattle Star.

From the Seattle Star.
Sanctions may prove boon to Italy by
removing the need for expansion. A lit
tie fasting and the population may fit
very comfortably.
Evening star., 1935-12-10

Canada and Uncle Sam have always
been good neighborS. This relationship
cannot be disturbed by any intimations
of Yankee shrewdneSs in bargaining.
Evening star., 1935-12-10

1t is easy to make light Of the United
States Supreme Court, but as complica-
tions increase it is handy to fall back on
In an emergency.
Evening star., 1935-12-10
Exercises.

"Are you fond of music?"
"I used to be-" said Mr.. Dustin Stax,
''but I gave up piano lessons in boyhood.
I'm now looking for professor who can
teach me to play proper tune on the
cash register"
Evening star., 1935-12-10
Superior Claimants.

From the Jackson (Miss.) Daily News
Possibly their fighting is no better, but
the Ethiopians are showing improvement
In claiming victories.
Evening star., 1935-12-10
An Other States and Canada.
Member of the Associated Press.

The Associated Press is exclusively entitled to
the use for republication Of all news dispatches
credited to it or not otherwise credited in this
paper and also the local news published herein.
All rights of publication Of special dispatches
herein are also reserved.
Evening star., 1935-12-10
Peace.

From the Toledo Blade.
In peace settlements the weaker nation
always provides the neck exposure,
Evening star., 1935-12-10
Shooting Stars.
BY PHILANDER JOHNSON.
Wings.

Wings.
We're travelling on from Here to There,
Through circles in the ether.
We're going to land we don't know where
1t won't much matter, neither.
We're travelling on through distant space
To some fair destination,
Where we may dwell in gentle grace,
Nor fear assassination.
We cannot fly beyond our sky
In aeronautic glory.
Perhaps we'll get there, by and by,
On wings of oratory.
Evening star., 1935-12-10

Rate by MafI-Payable in Advance.
Evening star., 1935-12-10
Nirht Final Editinn.

Elsht Final and Sunday star----?oc per month
Collection made at the end Of each month
Orders may be sent by mail or telephone Ma
Evening star., 1935-12-10

@. So far, how many people have at
tended the San Diego Exposition?-E. M.
A. The official estimate of attendance
is 4,784,311- The exposition will reopen
January IS, 1896.
Evening star., 1935-12-10
Tribute.

Tribute.
"Do you enjoy flattery?"
every much" said Senator Sorghum.
while f1attery may not always imply
sincere admiration, it invariably indi-
Gates genuine respect for power"
Evening star., 1935-12-10

Jud Tunkins says farmers are happier
than they used to be. He can remem-
Der when nobody cared whether they
applauded a campaign speech or not.
Evening star., 1935-12-10
ANSWERS TO
QUESTIONS
BY Frederic ]. Haskin.

reader can get the ansuer to any
question OF fact By tUTiting The Washtuo-
TON Evening Star Information Bureau,
Frederic J. HGskin, Director, Washing.
ton' D. c. Please tnclose stamp for reply.
@. How many American governors
general did the Philippines have?-P s.
A. During the SO years of American
rule, the Philippines have had IL gov
ernors general under the Department
Of War.
Evening star., 1935-12-10

Q. How many people in the United
States die from suffocation caused by
drowning, gas, etc.?-F. D.
A. 1t has been estimated by a medical
official Of the New York police depart
ment that approximately 1900 persons
die annually from suffocation due to
drowning, gas poisoning, electric shock
and so on. From 10000 to $4,000 yearly
are rescued from such fate by prompt
remedial measures.
Evening star., 1935-12-10

@. What has become of zeppo Marx?
w. S.
A. Zeppo, the youngest of the Marx
brothers, is reported to be in business
as an actors agent in Hollywood.
Evening star., 1935-12-10

@. What is a CoSSack post in the
United States Army?-R. M J.
A. A Cossack post consists Of four men.
1t is an observation group similar to
sentry squad stationed far from its base
but it employs only one sentinel. The
idea of this system was taken from the
Russian army. The CossackS were the
pick of the Russian cavalry.
Evening star., 1935-03-11

do IlSI lcSdl dOfloCl
Still. you weren't reinstated. And
now we're both out in the cold. She
left me one lousy buck outa all that
money. And me her nearest relative"
Not very near" Granlin reminded
him. "Only your adoption by her
sister gave you the slightest claim. so
I don't see any injustice. Now. if you
will, please" he indicated the door.
Raynor only settled deeper into the
chair, II figure you're the one guy to
break that will. Being her mouth
piece for 10 years, you oughta be able
to prove she was nuts without any
trouble"
"On the contrary. my relations with
her convinced me that she was an in
telligent woman. Aside from her un-
usual generosity, there was moth
ing"
Don't you see?" Raynor struck the
desk irritably. That's the angle.
We can use her crazy charities as
proof" He grinned. Might even ex-
plain that she was about convinced on
your racket"
I'm sorry, Raynor. but I'm too
busy to listen to any more of your in
situations or wild ideas. Both my
ethics and the fees I require"
~ thought you'd get around to the
dough pretty soon." the other sneered.
"All right. I'll cut you in for enough
to quiet those precious ethics OF yours.
How about $4,000"
1.-TWO thousand" His voice was
shrill wall Take chance on disbar-
ment for that?" Impossible.
Raynor smiled wryly, Il expected
that. shyster Well, I'll raise the ante
little. then But remember, I'm no
chump."
How much?" In two words Gran
lin summed up his life.
Five thousand. If and when the
will is tossed out. A deal?'
Granlin shuff1ed the papers on his
desk indecisively. "Of course, with
things the way they are am a little
pressed for cash, and"
Sure, you're practically a pauper,"
Raynor agreed. well, are you ir, or
does that college get the money!"
while it's extremely unethical, 1t
Is extremely interesting He hesi-
tated, then stuck out a skinny hand,
Agreed"
We'll use a mental fnconpetency'