davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1935-05-03
THIS AND THAT
BY CHARLES E. TRACEWELL,

so much noise II 1t we're not gen.
timely beside itself with Joy.
X
So these millions of creatures, the
birds. find something enthralling in
the light?
OF coursel
But the main point, it would seem,
is that they SO find it every day, all
Spring and Summer long.
Each morning Of their little lives
they fairly boil with sound.
II human listener does not care to
emulate them. he may do himself
good by listening to them.
Just as the first streaks of light
come into the sky. in those deep
purple giving -away-to-laven6er mo-
ments that few persons know, the
birds begin to stir.
At first there will be only a faint
cheep, here and there.
Or some bird, more restless than the
rest, may send forth a veritable foun-
tain of melody for few seconds,
so the listener in his bed, who has had
some experience with this sort of
thing, may think that the concert is
about to begin.
Minutes will 60 by before another
bird sings.
The mystic time has not arrived.
There comes moment, in the dawn,
when no bird can hold his song
moment longer.
What do they see, with their eyes,
II not the light?
And each bird sings.
Each bird begins to froth at the
mouth with song.
Each bird fairly tears his lungs out,
In order to do his duty by the new
risen day.
For to the birds, night is time
to sleep, and day time for work
and play.
The birds know no other dispensa-
ton, and mankind would be better of
II 1t knew none.
Those city dwellers who have just
moved into the suburban districts may
be offended, at first. at the morning
concert.
Time, however. will put them right
with this bubble-noise; they will
come to hear it as music rather than
noise
This. only, II they believe in waking
up early themselves.
We like the concert of the birds be-
cause it is natural, not planned.
Sun worship was in old times, but
then only as formal, planned cere-
mony from which the spirit had more
or less departed.
The birds do it better. They are
glad at the light and happy each
morning all over again.
No one sends them a notice about
the sunrise service or warns them
that they must be out Of their nests
by dawn.
They get up because they want to
get up They sing because they feel
like singing. not because any bird Or
ganization has asserted it would be
a fine thing to do.
The birds have something better
than sun worship.
They have light-happineSs.
Only he or she among mankind
who has tapped the joy of the uni
verse, in its thin vein often difficult to
find. will know why the birds are
happy, and will be able TO emulate
them.
Evening star., 1935-05-03
Cathedral Gift.

Right Rev. James e. Freeman.
Bishop of Washington. announced
yesterday that construction work Is
to be resumed at Washington Cathe-
dral. A gift Of fifty thousand dollars.
presented by Mrs. James Parmelee.
has made possible another step toward
the eventual completion of the beau
tiful house of prayer for all people
on Mount st. Alban.
Such news, it seems obviovs,- Is i'm
portant to thousands Of citizens who
have no direct relation to the monu-
mental project. There is large and
sympathetic public interested In the
success Of the great plan. From the
Evening star., 1935-05-03
Terrifying Results of
Debasement of Dollar

To the Editor of The Star:
To a certain few of the citizens
of this Union whose business activi-
ties as exporters, importers, or foreign
exchange bankers necessitate the ex-
changing of American dollars into
foreign currencies the debasing of
the dollar, as done by New Deal
economists, indicates consequences
which are mainly terrifying, but are
also relieved by sardonic humor
when imagination looks into the near
future and surmises what discoveries
will be made.
Possibly the inexperienced citizens
can share the joke if they begin by
understanding that by reducing the
dollar value to SO cents the invested
savings Of the Nation lost about 50
billions of repayment value hundred
cent dollars) means that
these billions joined those lost in the
slump of 1929.
Changing these billions into the
present 59-cent values gives us 1873
billions missing from the funds which
might have passed from the consumer
to the stores, from the stores to the
factories, from the factories to the
pay envelopes, from reserves which
could be used for pensions and relief.
What will be the violent reaction of
DR.. Townsend when he discovers that
this missing fund could have financed
the $200-a-month plan for over six
years? What heights of invective
will Senator Long attain when he
discovers that the New Dealers
stripped the public till so remorse-
lessly in the very beginning that they
effectively sterilized all the efforts
of present-day benefactors to relieve
by direct wealth sharing the quiet
natural distress caused by the sub
traction Of about one-half of the
resources remaining to the folks of
this Nation after the first three years
of the depression2
G. e. BRINKMAN.
Chester Springs, Pa.
Evening star., 1935-05-03
Public Opinion Needed
For Traffic Betterment
To the Editor Of The star:

To the Editor of The Star:
Your traffic toll editorial In Mon
days Evening Star was timely. true.
instructive and remedial-remedial If
sustained hammering by you Is, in
turn. supported by citizens who will
not only read and agree, but will do
something concrete about 1t In the
places where it will get somewhere
for both better laws and better law
enforcement. These things won't
happen Of themselves. They must be
brought about by public opinion and
public education. The writer does not
smoke, chew or drink, even coffee, yet
he has been smashed up several times
by drinkers and plain hogs, and on
several occasions q camera and a
photo flash bulb saved him from Sc
rious civil suit and police complica-
tions (being outnumbered by others
witnesses) but there may come . day
when writer and camera are both
smashed. But still think it's o good
idea for the innocent-he can take
his picture to heaven to show that
his early arrival was unpremeditated
(can't take 1t elsewhere-it's celluloid).
H. H. ENTz.
Evening star., 1935-05-03
Propaganda and the
Holding Companies

To the Editor of The Star:
The determination Of the admins
tration to smash the utility holding
concerns Is now a matter Of public
record. Under our much-abused sys-
tenn, it is for the. people to determine
whether this policy is in the public
interest. In expressing opposition to
such policy I confess that I have
invested my modest sums in such
concerns. Whether wisely or foolishly,
I do SO in reliance upon the good
faith and integrity of the American
business men. Regardless Of what
has transpired, that faith has not
been shaken.
Under the national hysteria of the
late 20's the holding concerns made
foolish and uneconomic moves, but so
did almost all industries. The Fed
eral Government itself stood by and
nodded approval. Now, it proposes to
act like a cyclone. Having reached
another extreme, we are told that
this particular kind Of capital must
be smashed. In the meantime, the
stocks of such concerns have fallen
into the hands Of small investors,
such as I. Though the wrath of the
administration was aroused by the
big financiers, the wrath can fall
heavily only upon the small fry.
The whole affair Is an attempt to
make mountains of our mole hills.
The utility hill of the average con-
lie mt Arfa ia ,-;c
with food, rent, clothing and taxes
My opinion is that the ordinary
American would much prefer a wave
Of wrath against the mounting curve
OF taxes, much of which represents
waste and extravaganza.
The charge of propaganda against
utility concerns cannot be sustained
in any fair sense. If great body
OF wealth is about to be totally de-
stroyed, have not the custodians the
right to present their side of the case?
What the administration calls propa-
ganda would only be called advertis-
ing If carried on by soap or lumber
interests. The administration itself
carries on the greatest advertising
and publicity business in the world.
More justly, this could be called
propaganda. The administration ex-
presses anger that the small investor
has been aroused. In more than one
instance the present powers have
shown disposition to have their
own way at almost any cost.
The average American is still pa
triotic enough to take a sock on the
jaw If it is necessary for the safety
and welfare of the whole; but, on the
other hand, when reform becomes a
name for destruction. he can squawk
In conclusion, believe that what We
need now is more construction and
less destruction.
MELVIN r. GASCOMBE.
Evening star., 1935-05-03

What II human beings. instead Of
arising reluctantly, could greet the
light with the same enthusiasm as the
birds?
Then the world OF man would enter
on a period of sheer rejoicing not seen
or heard ordinarily.
Only twice within present memory
has Washington responded with the
spirit Of Joy manifested by the birds
every morning about 4:30 o'clock at
this time Of year.
Those two occasions were when the
armistice was signed and when the
Washington base ball team won the
pennant.
But the birds do it out of sheer Joy
every day, in a wholesome, whole
hearted way that ought to bring
shame to most of us, with our early
morning grouches, our long faces, our
aches and pains.
Stop to think about 1t, the light Is
worth all the fuss the birds make over
it.
We know it. too, but fail to say
anything about it.
But suppose an entire city woke up
every morning at daylight. got out on
the sidewalks and there began a sheer
period Of rejoicing for about half an
hour?
"A goofy idea" some one says-but
the birds do not think 1t crazy
They just do it, and are the better
for it.
After their ebullitions they calm
down. then 60 about their ordinary
business.
Everybody ought to come out and
just yell. scream. roar, whoop. holler-
II the birds are to be followed.
This activity. at time when mil
lions are sleeping, would give many
new outlook on life.
Without doubt it would be better
than turning over and going back to
sleep again. Morning is best.
The birds are wise.
They know the best time.
Nothing shows the perversity of
modern urban life better than the
plain fact that thousands do not feel
that morning is the best time of the
day.
They require all day, in a lurchy.
staggering fashion, to put them on
their feet for the night life they de-
clare they love best.
This comes about mostly because
they know nothing whatever of the
morning.
The birds give tip to all who will
listen to them.
How does it come about that these
little creatures. accepting life as it is
without protest, have managed to be
genuinely glad and happy over the
light which gradually tells them a
supreme story?
If humans could feel the same
way about it. no doubt they would
begin to twitter and tweak in their
several places of repose, just out of
sheer happiness.
Light has been given a new place
in the regard of mankind, owing to
scientific discoveries. but we are still
far short OF accepting the sun with
the happiness of birds.
Any one who has heard them in
the dawn. especially in the suburbs,
knows that they are happy.
No living thing could make quite
Evening star., 1935-05-03
Seeks Text of Operetta
By G.. w. Parke Custis

To the Editor of The Star:
I am seeking information regarding
the operetta by George Washington
Parke Gusts. adopted son of George
Washington, composed on the occa-
sion Of the entrance of the first steam
railway into the Nations Capital,
August 25, 1885. I am quoting below
an excerpt from Mr.. Washington
Topham's address March 20, 1928, to
the Columbia Historical Society, en-
titled First Railroad Into Washington
and Its Three Depots"::
THE coming of the iron horse
was hailed with excited joy by the
residents Of the National Capital and
prompted an operetta entitled The
Railroad written by George WASH
ington Parke Custis, the adopted son
of the first President. One of the
songs in the operetta began:
" OF each wonderful plan;
Fer invented by man,
That which nearest perfection ap-
proaches
Is a road made of iron,
Which horses ne'er tire on.
And travelled by steam, in steam
coaches
"This song was occasionally sung at
festive boards by its author and the
elder Joseph Jefferson repeated 1t
before delighted crowds when the
company of players, of which he was
a member, performed in Washington.
During one of these performances the
younger Joseph Jefferson, then a
child of six years, made his appear
ance on the stage"
I am very enxious to learn if a
copy Of the operetta is extant and
If it is possible to look it over.
CHARLES COLFAX LONG.
Evening star., 1935-05-03

American comments on the recent
fearful earthquake in the Asiatic is
land of Formosa express sympathy
for the stricken people and once again
emphasize the helplessness of thick
ly settled communities housed in
fiimsy buildings when the earth is
shaken by one Of these great con-
vulsions.
only an abrupt cyclone" the At
lanta (Ga) Journal remarks, can
wreak the havoc caused by an earth
quake. In most manifestations OF
natures violence the humans fated to
receive the blow can throw up par
TALLY protecting hand. But unpre-
dictable spasms of the earth's anatomy
give no warning. Not the least OF
the infections is the scar Of terror
which residents of the community
carry with them afterward. They
lose faith in the very ground beneath
them, a penalty We can scarcely COM
prehend in all its enormity as We go
calmly about our affairs upon an
earthly foundation We have never
known to falter."
More often than not" says the
Danbury (Conn) News Times. "the
quake has its severer manifestations
in uninhabited country. Human dis
aster increases when, as now. a severe
tremor shakes thickly settled area.
The usual number were recorded in
1884, including the January upheaval
In India, when 1000 were killed and
1000 injured, and the February tenn
blors in India, in which 1000 were
killed and thousands of square miles
of farm land were covered with sand.
Damage can be minimized in earth
quake regions through better construc-
ton of buildings. This work Is being
more or less carried on in all coun-
tries subject to severe quakes."
The lesson is the familiar one that
death and injuries invariably result
from poor or unsuitable construc-
tion," observes the San Francisco
Chronicle. The Ann Arbor (Mich)
Daily News feels that the problem
'"is at least a challenge that must
be accepted in this age OF science.
The Boston Transcript takes note
of the fact that structures OF a more
substantial character were not thrown
down." and concludes that buildings
NAV be made earthquake resisting"
The Lincoln (NebT) State Journal
AYERS: Some safeguards against
minor disturbances can be provided.
Precautions do save human life. In
the less civilized parts of the globe
these are not taken and results are
disastrous"
"Some progress has been made"
reports the New York Times, "in de-
signing buildings-rnasses OF masonry
or concrete on thick mats of cement
which are as nearly earthquake-proof
AZ engineers can make them. The
safety thus assured is obviously limited
to a few banks, bridges. hotels and
public institutions and Is so dearly
bought that prediction seems the only
safeguard. But prediction means
profounder knowledge of what goes
on far beneath the earth's crust
a knowledge Of the waves that course
through rocks so miles down and that
account for an annual loss OF life
which Is placed at nearly $1,000 for
the world as a whole. Hence the
growing importance of the seismol-
ogist."
"A peculiar misfortune In connec-
ton with the disaster" as viewed by
'was IT. choice of yictims. The popu-
Evening star., 1935-05-03
WASHINGTON OBSERVATIONS
BY FREDERIC WILLIAM VILE.

Justice Hughes. with one of his char
acteristic chuckles, said to Uncle Sans
rather crestfallen advocate: Then.
take it, you submit the confusion to
the court"
There was an equally amusing incl
dent at the august bar of our highest
judicial tribunal one day last Win
ter when an elderly Southern lawyer,
making his first appearance before
the court, was politely but firmly re-
buked by the Chief Justice for having
failed to file his brief on schedule
time, as well as his statement of
jurisdictional points. The Dixie bar
rister was asked what he had to offer
in explanation of his misdemeanor.
Just ignorance and neglect" he re-
piled, unabashed, as all nine justices
shook with merriment.
Mayor La Guardia of New York
has just given a job to a one-time
congressional colleague of his in
Washington. former Representative
Nathan D. Perlman, Republican, who
became a lame duck in 1926, when
defeated for reelection in the four
teenth New York district by Repre-
sentative William l. Sirovich, Demo-
crat. Mr.. Perlman has been ap-
pointed a city magistrate in Man
haitian.
Prof. James Harvey Rogers Of Yale,
who off and on has been one of
President Roosevelts confidential ad-
visers on money matters, has gone
to Europe to serve on a League of
Nations Monetary Committee. Last
year Prof. Rogers was in China and
Japan looking into Far Eastern cur
rency conditions on behalf Of the
White House and the Treasury. He
is the author Of highly regarded
work entitled America Weighs Her
Gold" While abroad this Summer,
it's expected in Washington that
Prof. Rogers will explore the Euro
pean gold situation. especially devalu-
alton and stabilization prospects in
Great Britain and France, and even-
tually report his findings in Washing
ton, although it is stated that he
carries no official credentials.
y X X X
In less than a year the country
will be in the throes of electing dele
gates to the national conventions. The
State which will lead off is New
Hampshire. which holds its primary
early in March. As one of the few
States carried by the G. o. P. in 1882,
New Hampshire is entitled to re-
ward OF merit, as revised National
Committee rules provide for three ad-
ditional delegates at large from States
which went Republican. This will
give the Granite State IL delegates in
the 1885 convention. New Hampshire
Republicans are filled with mixed
emotions regarding a favorite son
presidential candidate. While former
Gov. Winant has been talked about,
there is more mention of Col. Frank
Knox, now of Chicago, but for many
years publisher of New Hampshire's
only morning. paper, at Manchester.
Many Of his friends think Gov.
Winant has taken himself out of the
picture by accepting the position OF
a director of the International Labor
Office at the League of Nations. The
distance from Washington to Geneva
has always been geographically great
and is politically much greater.
(Copyrisht. 1880
Evening star., 1935-05-03

q. What causes sun dogs?-E. II.
A. The Naval Observatory says rings
around the sun are caused by meteor
illogical conditions, such as moisture,
dust, ice particles. ETC., in the atmos-
phere.
@. Are there any metals In use
which are more costly than gold and
platinum? ?--J. B.
A. Osmium, iridium and rhodium
are more expensive. Osmium and ir-
idium are used for tipping fountain
pens and for special bearings, and
rhodium is used for plating jewelry.
@. How many masts has q Chinese
junk?-C. 8.
A. This f1at-bottomed vessel has Q
square bow and high stern and from
one TO five masts.
@. How are musical instruments
classified?-O. p.
| A. They are classified according to
the way the sound is produced. There
are stringed instruments, wind instru-
ments and percussion instruments.
@. Please name an isolated, unin-
habited island.-V. H.
A. There are number Of unin-
habited islands in the South Pacific
Ocean. Tristan da Cunha In the
South Atlantic is one of group Of
three small islands, two of which are
uninhabit This group Is believed
to be the most isolated uninhabited
group on earth. The two uninhabited
islands are named Nightingale and
Inaccessible. The Cocos or Keeling
in the Indian Ocean includes 20
islands, some Of which have no in
habitants.
@. How many copies Of the Con-
gressional Record are printed?-L. N.
A. While Congress is in session.
$4,000 copies are printed each day.
@. Where are the Xanthian Marbles?
H. S.
A. These marble sculptures. found
by Sir Charles Fellows in 1874 at
Xanthus in Southwest Asia Minor.
are now in the British Museum.
@. In the word, xylophone, does the
y have the sound Of short or long
i?-W. NJ.
A. Correctly pronounced, the sound
is that of long 1.
@. What is the population of India?
| p. L.
A. 1t Is about 52,000,o00. Its area
is 1,805,252 square miles. This may
be compared with continental United
States with population of about
/ 125, 5,000,000 and an area Of 3,02e,7S
square miles.
@. What is meant by a fresh-water
colleges. H.
! A. A comparatively small college, 30
called because the first large Amer
lean colleges we're near the Atlantic
coast.
/ @. What did Chaucer do for the
English langusge?-F. A.
/ A. Lounsbury says Of Chaucers in
/ fluence: mo really national ian
guage could exist until q literature
had been created which would be ad-
mired and studied by all who could
| read, and taken as a model by all who
| could write. 1t was only a man of
/ genius that could lift up one Of these
dialects into a pre-eminence over the
rest, or could ever give to the scat
/ tered forces existing in any one Of
them the unity and vigor of life. This
was the work that Chaucer did"
@. Before drainage began, what
was the extent Of the Everglades? Is
the water fresh or salt?-D. K.
A. This marsh lake in Southern
| Florida was about 110 miles long and
about As miles wide. The water Is
fresh and is comparatively sweet and
pure. Its depth varies from ! TO 6
feet.