davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1935-04-26
Acclaim Presidents Project
To End Crossing Death Traps

Cordial approval is given by the
press to President Roosevelts decision
to spend 100000, 600 of Federal work.
relief funds for the elimination of
grade crossings on railroad main lines.
For years there has been agitation
in favor of ridding the country of
these highway death traps. but the
enormous cost involved has made
progress slow with local. State and
railroad financing. Now, the Presi-
dent spurred by the tragic destruc-
ton of a school bus in nearby Mary
land determines upon an immediate
and wholesale tackling of the problem
and the newspapers reflect public
acclaim.
THE shocking accident in Mary
land" says the Philadelphia Evening
Bulletin. fastened the announce
ment of the definite policy to be
pursued. and has riveted attention on
the importance of removing this haz-
ard of the highways. which takes an
annual toll which ought to be startling
-l511 were killed and 3,697 injured
throughout the country in 1888 The
sum of S200.000000 carried in the
preliminary allotment for eXpendi-
ture up to July 1. 1886. will provide
for only a start at elimination. A
plan submitted to Secretary Ickes
some time ago called for the expendi-
ture of S865. 100000 on an elimination
program. and some estimates place
the cost of total removal at several
billions. The Government proposes
to defray all expenses save for land.
AS work-relief projects, crossing re-
movals have the advantage of pro-
viding many Jobs and stimulating in
dustry by extensive orders of primary
materials"
The Providence Journal comments:
"a better regulation of highway trans
portation in the neighborhood of rail-
way crossings is imperatively needed.
The whole question of gates and sig
mails should be restudied. Where it is
at present economically impracticable
to separate grades. the utmost care
tulness of all concerned must be in
sisted upon"
Criminal negligence" in the judg-
ment of the Roanoke Va) World
News, is responsible for most of such
tragedies, and the Birmingham (Ala)
Age Herald states: "The President has
referred to the CHASTITY Maryland
lesson The country as a whole is
not likely soon to forget it. Mr..
Roosevelt has outlined four basic
principles to guide the grade crossing
elimination program. They are that
the States or localities shall provide
the land; the crossings shall be on
main line railroads; the Federal Gov
ernment will pay the cost of the
work: the work shall be completed by
July l, 1886"
Every dollar spent for this work
will serve the dual purpose of giving
work to the unemployed and saving
lives" is is pointed out by the Asbury
Park IN. J) Evening Press. The
Charlotte IN. c. Observer observes
as to the practical side of the Federal
project: Neither the individual
states nor the privately owned rail-
roads have been in position to ac-
complish this reform on the basis of
their own resources, and this. there
fore, becomes sound program when
Judged by the standard of public in
terest, than which there Is no higher
Evening star., 1935-04-26
SHOOTING STARS.
BY PH1LANDER JOHNSON.
Heritage of Custom.

Heritage of Custom.
A cannibal bold had lineage long
That inherited some of his ways.
Though his progeny hadn't his appe-
tite strong,
His memory called for their praise.
He often would pause for moment
of mirth
And he sang with a voice far from
small,
Il haven't an enemy left upon earth
Because I have eaten them ALL"
An able descendant who toiled in the
mart
AyilaSsing a fortune so great,
Made other folks poor through a
system so smart.
While he dined in magnificent state.
The men that he broke by some
masterful stroke
Have answered Oblivion's call.
He hasn't an enemy left-it's no
joke
Because he has eaten them all.
Evening star., 1935-04-26

Old books picked up in Washing
ton seem to have just a little some
thing extra.
Perhaps this is because one always
feels that historic hands may have
held them.
Here Is an old leather volume, ex-
posed in the sunshine of real Spring
day.
A passerby turns the yellowed pages.
He finds bookmark. a slip Of an
cient paper-at page 10!
That was as far as some reader
got so long ago.
Maybe 1t. was the book, maybe 1t
was the reader, maybe it was cir
cumstance.
At any rate, the mark shows be-
yond dispute that the person who
placed it there managed no more,
though the book runs to 400 pages.
OF the taking up of many books
there is no end. of the finishing EN-
ah, that's quite another matter!
At one time we thought this fail
ure was one of middle or old age, but
of recent years we have discovered
a number Of very young persons who
do not finish the books they begin.
With old-timers 1t was something
of a point of honor to complete the
reading of any book begun.
Even though the work bored one
terribly, it must be finished.
Today all that seems changed.
Youngsters pick up some book. read
few pages, then If they fail to like
it show no compunction at all in put
ting it out of sight and mind.
X Il X X
Maybe there is a new deal in book
reading, too, to suit the changing
times.
Yet some Of us will continue to be-
lieve that the old way was best.
1t made. for one thing, for better
selection.
Whether one purchased or bor-
rowed, one spent more time IN pre-
liminary consideration.
This is more necessary today than
ever before, withSthe huge drift of
books from the presses Of the world.
1t is intensely difficult. even for a
trained mind, to discriminate, to
make even an attempt to pick the
enduring from the ephemeral.
This comes about partly because OF
the increased number OF works pub
lished every year. partly because of
the undoubted merit of greater
proportion Of new books.
If We stop to think of the good
old days" of not so very long ago,
We realize instantly that something
has happened in regard to writing
1t is simply that more people are
writing. Universal education has done
its work. in this respect, at least.
An author no longer Is held in awe.
Every one writes.
The surprising thing is that such a
large proportion of it is good writing
This means that reader must be
wary, indeed. If he is able to select
the enduring from the we'll written
OF no particular lasting value.
Perhaps no two persons would agree
precisely on definitions of terms here,
but this much may be said. that there
is greater need than ever for good
selection
Evening star., 1935-04-26
THIS AND THAT
BY CHARLES E. TRACEWELL.

The individual reader must be Judge
and jury.
He has a right to make selections
solely on his personal needs.
A plain gain Of this age is that more
corded, without any particular discus
sion.
It is more and more realized, with
the widening Of every type OF en-
deavor, that no one person or school
can be a criterion any longer.
Whether this is altogether good or
bad remains for the future. but 1t may
be seen even now that 1t Is a fact, and
fact which permits the individual
reader either to Judge wisely or oe
submerged completely IN perfect
flood of books.
~ n
Submergence of the mind Is not
what we desire.
Rather the mind must swim. must
have complete control, must not go
out of its depth, must make straight
| for its own shore.
How much better of many readers
would be If they would stay near
the shore.
We may suspect that the gentleman
who stopped at page 10. as lnstanceo
above, might have saved himself the
ignominy if he had refused to be lureo
by somebody else's advice.
Perhaps the book was over his head,
to begin with, and he knew it.
| Not every one, truly, Is interested III
microscopy!
Staying close to ones own sure
| shore, whatever IL may be. is a gooo
way of avoiding this sort of trouble.
The flora and fauna of his shore Will
be enough for the wayfarer.
There is much point, In youth. IN
dipping into all sorts of books, but
after one has begun to settle down
bit it is lust as well if the reader re-
alizes his limitations.
AS a booklover he has limitations,
Just as he has them in all other lines
of endeavor, both intellectual ana
. physical.
Happy is he if he recognizes them,
and makes the best of them.
He then will be in position to con-
centrate on what most interests him.
Interest is the keynote of the best
and happiest characters.
They are free from the harassments
commonly met by perspiring readers
trying their best to keep up with the
new books.
| Let no one. after certain age, be
ashamed of his own likes and dis
! likes.
Before that. let him suspect them.
Afterward there will be time enough
to be true to his own tastes.
/ It is in this being true. We never
tire of saying. comes the greatest hap
piness of reading. He who scatters his
forces over books in which he can sell
dom get past page 10 will never know it.
This Joy is reserved for those aspir-
ants to knowledge who, though they
may never get very far, are certainly
on their way, in the manner of those
good scientists who select their sub
jects and remain true to them for life.
Science and literature thus become
reconciled. and the happy reader will
| not leave behind him. as the unknown
did. yellowed bookmark at pathetic
page.
Evening star., 1935-04-26
Protests Housings in
Owner-Occupied Areas
To the Editor Of The Star:

1t is very interesting to read of the
administration going into competition
with property owners, erecting houses
that will rent from SIS to $40 per room.
Who remembers the Government tell
ing the people for the last Is years,
Buy your home; invest your money
in home; you can't lose; buy a
home; it makes better citizens"2
Well, thousands did it; paid the mar
ket price; built up nice sections of
the city-Such sections as Brookland-
Woodbridge. This section consists of at
least 95 per cent owner-occupied, de-
tached homes. Now the Government
comes along and says, I'VE are going
to erect cheap housing for Govern
ment workers near Fourteenth street
and Rhode Island avenue northeast" !"
I can only see after the experiment
the Government housing passing from
Government owned and operated to
private business at sacrifice price
a loss to the taxpayers and eventually
another slum district on our hands.
1t would not be so bad if this expert
ment would be a loss to the taxpayers
as a whole, but should it turn out as
have stated it would cause the loss
of many hundreds of thousands of
dollars in depreciation to the property
owners of this section.
If 1t is intended to go ahead with
such project, 1t should be undertaken
in a rental section of the city, and not
in detached, residential, owner
occupied section. In the interest OF
the taxpayers, before attempting to
execute any housing proposition the
Government should investigate the
matter from an investment standpoint,
taking into consideration the loss of
rent that IS suffered by the property
owners from vacancies over the last
four years, together with the records
from the Municipal Court of suits for
possession for non-payment of rent.
After doing this, believe they will
find that to rent on the S. and $40
per room basis will just add another
burden to the taxpayers.
L. v. THACKER.
Evening star., 1935-04-26
The Senate and the Bonus.

The Senate Finance Committee
acted with extraordinary speed on the
soldiers bonus bill. However, the
bonus problem Is one on which the
majority of the Senators have long
since made up their minds. There
was no particular reason for delay.
Within a few days. probably on Mon
day at the latest. the bill will be laid
before the Senate itself for action.
The Senate Committee has reported
a substitute for the Patman bill,
which passed the House. 1t is the So
called Harrison compromise with some
trimmings, among them provision
that the veterans may have cash for
their bonus certificates or bonds, as
they see fit. The large vote in the
committee turning down the Patman
bill. for the payment of the bonus
with "greenbacks," was both encour-
aging and expected The Senate has
repeatedly defeated the Patman bill in
the past The committee voted in
favor of the Vinson bill, supported by
the American Legion, as a substitute
for the Patman measure. and then
voted to report the Harrison compro-
mise proposal instead of the Vinson
bill.
1t was not at all surprising that
the committee should report bonus
bill to the Senate. The important
thing is that the chairman of the
committee, Senator Harrison, should
be so insistent that the President will
approve the bill. If this be true, 1t
marks a distinct step away from the
position earlier adopted by the Chief
Executive. that there should be no
immediate payment of the soldiers
bonus, which is not due until l945.
The payment of the bonus would put
an added burden on the credit of the
United States, which the President
and his Secretary of the Treasury
both hold would be an unwise step.
The Harrison proposal is not salts
factory to the veterans who are de-
manding a cash settlement of their
bonus certificates at the full value,
barring loans, which those certificates
would have in 1945. The veterans,
however, look with considerable favor
on the suggestion that the admins
tration is willing to compromise. "
They do not believe that the Harri-
son proposal is the ultimate step.
They look to see more favorable
compromise measure emerge even-
tually. There is not the slightest
doubt that many of the Senators are
averse to having the bonus issue held
over them in their campaigns for re-
election. They would like to be rid
of it, at least for 1886.
The fight for the Patman bill, and
barring that the Vinson bill, will
be continued in the Senate itself.
And if the Senate finally passes the
Harrison compromise there is still the
House to be reckoned with. Through
the aid of the Senate, the President
mas been able to stall off a bonus bill
up to this time If the House and
Senate are finally able to agree on
some kind of a measure, then it will
be up to the President to accept and
approve the bill or to veto it. There
is no just reason for the passage of
either the Patman or the Vinson bill
The Government at present in its huge
relief program is giving assistance to
needy veterans. Indeed, it gives pref
erence to the veterans. The Senate
should defeat any bonus cash payment
measure at this time. If the Presi-
dent vetoes a bill of that kind, his
veto should be sustained.
Evening star., 1935-04-26
ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
BY FREDERIC J. HASKIN.

A reader can get the onsUer to
any question OF fact By Drittng
1he washington Evening star
Information Bureau, Frederic J.
Haskin, Director, Washington. D. C.
Please inctose stamp for reply.
@. Has the New York racing sea-
son opened?-H. S.
A. 1t opened April 20 at the ia
maica Oong Island) track.
q. How many world series have
been won by the American Base Ball
League? The National?-E. S.
A. To date the American League
has won 18 world series and the
National sague has won 10.
@. Are the duststorms that have
occurred lately new thing in the
West?-C. C.
A. The Weather Bureau says that
the West has always had them. Until
the last Two years they have been
local. Several years of drought. on
top of the reckless denuding of thou
sands of acres of land where rainfall
is normally relatively light, provided,
in great abundance, the first ingredient
Of duststorms. The high winds that
blow over the plains in Spring and
Summer brought the second ingre-
dent.
@. Is there any standard set for
railroad ties?-E. A. w.
A. All ties used in the railroad
industry have to pass certain speci-
fications set up by the Committee
on Ties of the American Railroad
Engineering Association.
@. Is there a difference between
a nighthawk and whippoorwill?-
E. w.
A. They belong to the same FAM
lily, but are not the same species.
Q. Which justice of the United
States Supreme Court has the tenth
circuit ?-S. T.
A. At the present time. due to
the stress Of business in the Supreme
Court and in Washington, D. c., the
Supreme Court judges do not 90 on
circuit. as formerly. and each circuit
may be supervised by any justice
best able to serve, or the whole court
may take the matter under advise
ment. Previously. after the tenth
Van Devanter supervised this circuit
in addition to his own.
Q. What Is the Laxey wheel?
w. F.. H.
A. This wheel is in the town of
Laxey, on the Isle of Man. There are
in LaXey lead and silver mines. The
famous Laxey wheel is gigantic
structure designed by Manx engineers
and originally used for pumping these
mines.
Q. What was letter-of -marque
ship?-G. G. w.
A. This was a ship which had re-
ceived license or extraordinary COM
mission granted by government to a
private person to fit out an armed
vessel to cruise as a privateer or cor
sair at sea and make prizes of the
enemy's ships and merchandise. Un-
der such commission the acts so
committed we're not considered piracy.
Q. Why are seed pearls so called
and where do they come from?-G. F.
A. They are so called because they
are tiny and appear like seeds. They
are the pearls found in the mussels in
rivers of Germany. Ireland, Scotland,
Russia and China.
@. When and where we're roller
skates first used?-P. NJ. S.
A. Wheeled skates were used on
the roads Of Holland as far back as
the eighteenth century, but it was
the invention of the four-wheeled
skate, working on rubber pads, by
j. L. Plimpton of New York, in 1868,
that made the amusement popular.
Still greater advance was made by
the Raymond skate with ball and
cone bearings. The wheels Of rollers
were first of turned lockwood. but
Evening star., 1935-04-26

measurement to make OF a Federal
enterprise"
IF any emergency is greater than
grade crossings. We have not been in
formed" declares the Wilkes-Barre
tPa0 Times-Leader. while the Lin
coin (Neb) State Journal regrets that
some communities ARE not in a posi-
ton Immediately to offer necessary
land"
Evening star., 1935-04-26

The public has become indifferent
to large figures, which may be created
by the stroke of pen, and more alert
to the smaller computations as they
may appear in the grocery bill.
Evening star., 1935-04-26
. Rhyme at Twilight
BY
Gertrude Brooke Hamilton
Code of Life

To hold my friend. To rout my foe.
In human contacts as I go
To keep the law within my heart
Tempered by joyous love- Apart
From all mankind to ponder out
The right and wrong beyond doubt.
To go when have drunk so deep
OF hfe's full cup that only sleep
Can clear the way and offer me
The cup of immortality.
To give good dust back to the sod
And learn why have lived from 0Qd.
Evening star., 1935-04-26

The temper Of American youth is
such that any college must concede
that one good foot ball coach Is worth
more than a dozen Communistic
professors.
Evening star., 1935-04-26
Starting Over.

Starting over.
Father, dear, is feeling queer.
For daughters a coed.
His boy at foot ball wins cheer
Which dad has often led.
Some communistic teachings, too,
Occasion him distress.
And father has to start anew
A life of loneliness.
Evening star., 1935-04-26

When State talks about setting up
an independent government even the
most superficial historian is entitled
to yawn and say he has heard all that
before.
Evening star., 1935-04-26

Soil erosion is causing so much con-
Germ that the eminent conservation
authority, Clifford Pinchot, should
easily be tempted to revert to his
economic specially.
Evening star., 1935-04-26
Remedy.

From the Portland Oregonian.
A physician explains that when we
are at loss for words it is due to an
insufficient blood supply in the brain.
When embarrassed by inability to think
of the right thing to say try standing
on your head.
Evening star., 1935-04-26

The need Of all authority possible
for ocean airplane service has brought
a request for Farley communication
to Congress under a special delivery
stamp.
Evening star., 1935-04-26

Local artists have recorded achieve
ments which make it plain that an
Andrew Mellon art gallery will not
have to depend entirely on old mas
terpieces.
Evening star., 1935-04-26

The educational demands on citi-
zenship are especially severe when
bankers are expected to understand
farming and farmers are expected to
understand banking.
Evening star., 1935-04-26

A bold mentality must expect diff
cult tasks. Whenever an especially
hard Job is mentioned there immedi-
ately arises the suggestion, Give 1t
to Tugwell"
Evening star., 1935-04-26
Italy's Reserves.

From the Seattle Star.
An Italian reports the discovery of
four planets beyond Neptune and i'm
mediately named two for Mussolini and
King Emmanuel. That assures Italy
some surplus territory for its fast
growing popu1ation.
Evening star., 1935-04-26

Lindbergh will soon be back in ac-
tive aviation, which will be good for
all flying interests. He is a man
whose reputation inspires confidence.
Evening star., 1935-04-26

Agriculture regrets that the Japanese
cherry blossoms remain for such a
little while and the japanese beetle
prepares to linger all Summer
Evening star., 1935-04-26

Foreign invaders of the American
market have not yet done anything
to cheaper beefsteak and potatoes.
Evening star., 1935-04-26

There is enough relief money to re-
lieve almost anything except the sus-
pense.
Evening star., 1935-04-26

A watch dog of the Treasury Is
likely to have to learn to recognize
his masters voice
Evening star., 1935-04-26

The Old.Fashioned Man.
From the Nashville Tennesseean.
A reactionary this Spring is the man
who still maintains it is his wife's duty
to keep his buttons sewed on.
Evening star., 1935-04-26
Ups and Downs.

UPS and Downs.
"Of course, life must have Its ups
and downs"
"The people rather approve of the
idea," said Mr.. Dustin Stax, "other-
wise the roller coaster wouldn't have
been so successful"
Evening star., 1935-04-26

N. r. A. has It's conlusions, but
draws the line at a mix-up that might
make the letters read RAN
Evening star., 1935-04-26
Busters.

From the Kansas City Star.
It appears that most small boys
known as Buster" grow up to be quiet,
peaceable citizens. But boys afflicted
with names like Huey and Huhgie
sometimes grow up to be busters.
Evening star., 1935-04-26
Bridge Rules.

From the Indianapolis News.
New bridge rules are not Of great
moment to somebody who never took
the trouble to learn the old ones.
Evening star., 1935-04-26
More Argument.

More Argument.
Somewhere doth dwell Prof. Scopes
With evolutionary hopes
Which were defeated by decree
Way down In dear old Tennessee.
No doubt he studies now and then
The theories which rise again.
And hears the oratory vexed
While wondering what may happen
next.
"A man dat hasn't any troubles"
said Uncle> Eben, would have 80
little to talk about dat he wouldn't be
good company foh nobody"
Evening star., 1935-04-26
Still a Student.

Still a Student.
What are you studying?"
"a book of synonyms" said Sen
ator Sorghum. I'VE are evidently
approaching a state of affairs in
which a smooth politician needs a
rough vocabulary"
Jud Tunkins says a man whose
heart Is In the right place is more to
be relied on than one with super
abundance of brains that won't stay
anchored.
Evening star., 1935-04-26
The Evening Star Nevspaper Company

Business once.
11th st. and Pennsylvania Ave-.
New York once: 40 East 42nd st.
CHICAGO Ofice: Lake Michigan Building.
European ONCE: IL Regent St.. London.
England
Evening star., 1935-04-26
Nisht Final Edition

Nipht Final and Sunday Star zoe per month
Night Final Star. :. 6bc per month
Collection made at the end OF each
month Orders may be sent by mail or
telephone National 5000
Evening star., 1935-04-26
Rate by Mail-Payable in Advance.
MARYLAND and VIRGINIA

P:y P:Iy and caIs w. $780, mo- mo- sse sse
Sunday only. .....1 yr. $500: l mo. 40c
Evening star., 1935-04-26
Rate by Carrier Within the City.

The Evening Star. .45c per month
when Sundays5. soc per month
The Evening and. Sunday Star
when 8 sundays. .65c per montn
Evening star., 1935-04-26

Tie Associated Press is exclusively. en-:
titled to the use for republication Of all
news dispatches credited to it or not other.
wise Iedited in this paper and also the
local news published herein. All rights Of
publication Of special dispatches herein
are also reserved.