davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1935-01-15
COrrects Statements
OF Star Contributor
To the Editor Of The Star:

To the Editor OF The Star:
A writer in The Star presents q
two-column communication captioned
Supreme Court Ruling on Gold Cases
Awaited; sub-caption, "Sanctity Of
Contract Clause at Stake in Suits to
Compel Payment of Obligations In
Metal Value" I quote from the COM
munication: Promise to pay .
in gold coin of the United States Of
America of or equal to the present
standard of weight and f1neness and
to pay interest thereon in gold
COIN" Or. as the writer says, "the
present wording does not matter,
many Of them read gold coin of the
present standard-meaning the stand
ard existing at the time the contract
was made, any time from 1888 back
as far as 1861"
To this back as far as 1865" I take
issue with the writer and challenge
him to name any issue of United
States bonds, certificates, notes, 7-30s,
"3.65s and old funded debt" of the
District of Columbia or interest checks
issued and paid by the United States
on the bonds of bond -aided rail-
roads," which obligations up until the
demonstration of silver in 1873, and
in reality up until 1873, carried the
clause of payable, principal or inter-
est. "in gold" I make this statement
not from being told or reading it, but
from personal knowledge.
For about six years, and little
longer, had charge in the Registrar S
Office Of the United States Treasury,
Of every one of the paid by the Treas
ury obligations I've cited and also
five and ten thousand dollars each of
paid by the Treasury, Currency Ger
tificates Of Deposit: A, B, C and D."
Further, in keeping up my current
work for each fiscal year and reporting
on it, the then Resister of the Treas
ury directed me to make a physical
examination. by comparison with
Treasury book registration, of every
one of these paid checks, ETC., I've
heretofore cited.
Some five to ten clerks were as
signed to me. The completed work
took nearly all of one fiscal year, plus
current work of that fiscal year.
All interest checks issued and paid
by the United States Treasury, on reg
istered bonds, up until the demonetiza-
ton of silver, 1873-1878, had printed
on the face of the checks Coin
Check So the standards existing
then, monetary standard of the United
States when these bond-loans were
issued and other obligations. were sill
yer and gold and Coin Check" did
not contain the promise to pay in
gold from 1888 back, as far as 1865. "
In this thorough examining and
checking of every one of these cited
obligations. running back to Civil War
bond-checks, etc, I found thousands
of blanks on the Registers books,
showing that there had been thou
sands Of checks issued that up to and
including 1895 had never been pre-
sented for payment. May set down
here, not in self-praise but to keep
the record Of truth truthful, that the
then Secretary and Register of the
Treasury commended me by name "for
this great work" in their reports to the
Congress. w. E. RYAN.
Evening star., 1935-01-15
Railroads Immune From
Cracking-Down Process
To the Editor of The Star:

To the Editor of The Star:
During the so-called boom" years
there was, as almost every one knows,
severe competition among various
utility interests, leading to many evils
which have since been disclosed.
Holding companies were formed, ex.
travagant prices were paid for In
terests in the operating companies
and there is no denying that con-
siderable water was injected In the
process,
Throughout the same period much
the same procedure was taking place
in the railroad field, though possibly
to somewhat less extent. Giant
holding companies were formed by
the various railroad interests, nearly
every road was engaged In buying an
interest in some other road and pay
ing a price which subsequent events
have indicated was many times its
worth, at least in most cases.
Since the present administration
came into power the utilities have
been Cracked down" upon. Nothing
has been too harsh for them and
thousands Of investors who purchased
their securities have seen values Of
their bonds and stocks melt away
under the threat of Government COM
petition and taxation to the limit.
No such treatment has been ac-
corded the railroads, however. They
are still getting practically wartime
rates, though everything else is down.
and have even, inferentially at least,
received the blessing of the admins
tration on request to have such rates
increased. They have also received
the benefit of Government loans at
low rates, and other special privileges.
Can some one tell me the why and
wherefore Of the difference in the
treatment accorded these industries?
Can 1t be that the public utilities
didn't support the political powers
that be2 J. n. SETON.
Evening star., 1935-01-15

To the Editor of The Star:
Recently I read an article in a news
paper in which the traffic director
was quoted as stating that the largest
percentage of automobile accidents is
caused by the carelessness of pedes-
trians.
I cannot agree with his alleged
statement that the average pedestrian
is careless. If this were true the
number of accidents and fatalities
would be far greater than it is, regard
less of the fact that he considers it
safe to cross at intersections. The
extremely safe" and adequately
signaled" circles he did not mention
at all. 1t is notorious fact that the
latter were intended as an easy means
of defense f.: the National Capital
not as a radiating center of a be-
wildering network of high-speed
traffic.
|. That more persons are not manned
or killed-despite the already high
mortality rate-cannot be attributed
to the care of the driver, but to the
fact that the average pedestrian is
afraid of taking chance, knowing
that his life Is at stake. Consequently,
he usually gives the driver the right
of way, whether he is entitled to 1t or
not.
With further reference to his being
quoted as attributing most traffic ac-
cidents to careless pedestrians, I wish
to ask whether the pedestrian is re-
sponsible for the following traffic
alterations:
/. Racing lights.
2. Driving rapidly along safety zone
margin and crowding out the Pc
destrian, or even driving through the
zone.
3. Making a left turn at any old
part of the street at an unsafe rate
of speed; making a right turn on
red light according to an Improve
ment" in traffic signals, when the
average pedestrian thinks it safe to
cross.
4. Exceeding the speed limit (Which
is already entirely too fast for safe
urban driving, and cutting into
streets right into the path of pedes-
trians without slowing down.
S. Passing intersections too fast,
without any consideration for a pc
destrian CHANGING to begin crossing
Evening star., 1935-01-15

President Roosevelt's message to
Congress. particularly his outline of
the administrations plan to provide
work for three and a half million un-
employed until such time as reviving
industry can absorb them, was re-
ceived by the press hopefully and
with many tributes to the courage with
which he approaches a stupendous
task.
THE message is of a high type, has
the usual Roosevelt ring of sincerity
and breathes hope and confidence"
declares the Scranton Pa) Times
The Fort Worth Star-Telegram holds
that ''the program is comprehensive
enough for major movement of re-
covery," while the st. Joseph (Mo.)
Gazette declares that "relief Is the
basic problem before the American
people today" and suggests that 'the
newer deal may be the one that will
turn the trick
Certainly the courageous. sympa-
thetic spirit in which the President
has attacked some of the Nations
problems" thinks the San Antonio
Express, "is worthy of respect The
Government must face many a re-
sponsibility touching the economic and
social life. While preserving the
profit motive and still giving free play
to individual initiative; therefore, the
President would have the Government
do what it can to provide economic
security for all the people and to lay
the basis Of stable prosperity"
'The message records turn toward
realism" in the opinion of the Wall
Street Journal, which points to REF
erences to fiscal affairs and the gen.
eral outline Of altered measures to
cope with unemployment" A hopeful
attitude toward the public works solu-
tion is taken by the Newport News
(Va.) Daily Press, the Sioux City
Qowa) Tribune, the Asbury Park
Evening Press and the Tampa Fla.)
Daily Times. The New York Sun,
finding this feature the one definite
part Of the message, recognizes that
the President has here formulated a
policy"
His analysis" according to the
Long Beach (Calif) PreSs-Telegram,
touches most comprehensively the
human side as well as the economic
features Of the issues Of the day."
The Louisville Courier Journal be-
lieves that "it is comforting to have
his assurance that 1t will be within
the sound credit of the Government,
a statement which also impreSses the
Wichita Eagle and the Pittsburg Post
Gazette.
In the long rum" says the Gin
cinnati Times-Star. ut remains the
fact that the only solution for our
economic and financial problems is
the return of general prosperity under
private initiative. Mr. Roosevelt recog-
nizes this in the provision that rates
of pay under his relief employment
program shall not be high enough to
tempt workers away from private en-
ployment. When general recovery
comes, the most pressing of the prob
lens of the depression will be solved
automatically. They will not be solved
before that time, no matter what relief
measures are undertaken by the Gov
erpment."
I'VE sincerely trust, and we are con-
fident," states the Lynchburg CVa.)
Advance, that he appreciates the
situation, that President Roosevelt
Evening star., 1935-01-15
Parole Boards Not Misled
By Looks of Applicants

To the Editor of The Star:
I noted with interest the we'll
written article in The Sunday Star
entitled The Amateur Parole Men
ace" The main point in the article
is that parole board which does not
consist of experts is apt to be misled
by the good appearance of certain ap-
plicantS for parole and release them
even if they are dangerous criminals.
One does not serve on a parole
board more than a month before
realizing that paroles cannot be
granted according to the appearance
of the applicant. A person with any
sense ought to know that before be-
coming member of the board But
if he does not have enough sense in
advance he will soon learn that the
cleverest of crooks are often the most
suave and make the best impression.
We have had men apepar before our
board who look like Adolph Menjou
or Douglas Fairbanks. but when we
look at their past record we find a
long line of previous crimeS-arrestS
for fim-flam game in Kansas City,
gambling in Memphis, burglary in
Dallas, forgery in, Philadelphia and
often sale of narcotic drugs as side
line. Is your correspondent serious
in suggesting that any parole board,
however innocent or soft-hearted,
would overlook the bad record and
parole such man just because they
were impressed by his good looks or
his line of talk2
Even an amateur" parole board
looks first at a mans record. The
next item in significance is usually his
continuity of employment, which ex-
perience shows to be fairly safe
guide. Next in importance come So
cial history and environment. Next
come his institutional record. But
even as to this a parole board must
appraise with caution because the
cleverest crook will often make a good
record in Jail for the very purpose of
fooling the parole board. As a prac-
tical matter the appearance of the ap-
plicant plays very small part in the
final result-almost as small a part as
the flood of letters which his friends
write on his behalf.
There are confined at Lorton quite
a number of men who look like min
listers of the gospel, artists and actors.
They are handsome almost beyond the
power of words to describe them. But
they are going to stay there because
their record shows that they are dan
gerous men, the more dangerous be-
cause so clever. On the other hand
the board is releasing every month the
worst looking creatures for the reason
that study of their record shows that
they are not vicious or dangerous. If
your correspondent is really trying to
find out what is wrong with the parole
system he is entitled to at least one
more guess.
WILBUR LA ROE, Jr.,
Member Parole Board.
Evening star., 1935-01-15
The Intersection Impasse.

Washingtonians have recently noted
advocacy on the part Of authorities of
q "jay-walking" ban, tried once be-
fore here without success, but still
highly recommended as fatality pre-
ventive. In statement or this sub
ject by the director of traffic occurs
the following paragraph:
It frequently happens, however, that
the pedestrian Is unable to make use
of the full time allowed by the green
light and that he is forced back to the
curb by vehicles making right and
left turns. Under the regulations as
now written the pedestrian has the
right of way when he Is crossing on
proper signal. II any one Is to walt.
Evening star., 1935-01-15

Q. Is the Pope saluted when he
enters Great Britain?-H. p.
A. The Pope Is entitled to q royal
salute OF Fl guns on arriving at or
departing from any place In his
majesty's dominions.
q. How long will 1t be before the
Washington Monument will have to
be cleaned and repaired again?-W.
A. The work which has lust been
completed will keep the Monument
in condition for at least so years, It
is estimated.
@. Why Is lightning more common
in Summer than In Winter?-C. s. H.
A. Lightning is produced by the
rupture Of raindrops in strong up
rushing currents Of air. This uprush-
ing is owing to the lower airs being
decidedly warmer than that above.
This relatively high temperature Of
the lower air occurs in Summertime.
@. What is a sealed title In real q.
tate parlance?-A. C.
A. A sealed title is one which has
been notarized. That is, sworn to and
witnessed before notary and to
which his seal has been affixed, max.
ing it final document.
@. What friend of Keats was buried
near him in the English cemetery in
Romeo. M.
A. Joseph Severn, an English artist,
nursed Keats in the last year Of his
life and SO years later was laid to
rest near his friend.
@. Has any estimate ever been
made Of the amount spent for chill
dren's parties?-G. S.
A. No estimate for the country as a
whole is available, but 1t has been said
in New York City alone parents spend
more than 100000 annually for such
parties.
@. When is the weather most pleas
ant in Panama?-K. j.
A. The hottest months in Panama
are April, May and June. From Janu-
ary to April the breezes are fresh and
temper the air. The rainy season ex-
tends from April to November.
Q. How fast is the population of
the world increasing?-J. F.
A. 1t is estimated that 10000 Der.
sons are born every day and 100000
die. The population of the world,
therefore, is increasing by about 5O,-
600 daily.
@. Was the neutrality Of Switzer.
land violated during the World War?
j. N.
A. 1t was not violated by invasion
by any foreign power. However, not.
withstanding treaty obligations, Swift
zerland found it impossible to main
tain complete economic neutrality.
She is largely dependent on foreign
countries for foodstuffs and raw ma.
terialS, and the situation became ex-
ceedingly complicated when Italy and
the United States entered the war.
Finally agreements were made be.
tween Switzerland and Germany and
Switzerland and the allies whereby
each side guaranteed, among other
things, that goods exported to Switzer.
land would not be re-exported.
Q. When did Phyllis wheatley live?
&C. E. T.
A. She was born in Africa about
1854 and died in 1884. She belonged
to the colored race. John Wheatley
of Boston bought her in 1851 in a
slave market. She was treated as one
of the family. was educated by his
daughters, and wrote poems which
were collected, published and several
times reprinted.
@. Is the chief boatswain in the
Navy commissioned off1cer?-A. j. r.
A. Through misunderstanding the
incorrect answer was given to this
question. A chief boatswain Is .
commissioned warrant officer. A
chief boatswain's mate is chief petty
officer. A boatswain Is q warrant
officer.
Evening star., 1935-01-15
ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
BY FREDERIC ]. HASKIN.

A reader can get the ansper to
any question OF fact by tprittng The
Washington Epentng Star Information
Bureau, Frederic J. Haskin, Director,
Washington, D. c. Please tnclose
stamp for reply.
@. How many veterans have not
applied for their bonus?-C. K. MacD.
A. On January 2, 1885, 100000 vet
Grams had failed to apply for ad-
justed compensation. This date was
the deadline.
@. How old is Melvin Purvis, De-
partment Of Justice agent? Did he go
to college?-D. r.
A. Melvin Purvis is 81 years old. He
studied law at the University of South
Carolina.
@. When were screws first made?-
B. E. r.
A. The screw is in reality an in
clined plane wrapped around cylin-
der. The principle Of the screw was
known to Archimedes as early as
$50 BIC. 1t was used by the Romans
Of the empire in their wine and oil
presses and was probably familiar to
many Mediterranean peoples at the
beginning Of the Christian era. 1t
is one Of the most extensively used of
the elementary mechanisms. Until
early in the nineteenth century screws
were roughly made by hand and i'm
perfect tools. The thread and nick
were formed by the use of hand dies
and hack saws. In 1886, as a result
Of an American invention, machines
began to be used.
@. What is the origin Of foolscap as
applied to paper?-B. P.
A. Early water marks included a
ounces or fools cap. The name of
this water mark later was applied to
the size of paper bearing it.
@. Where can I see a piece of sculp-
ture called The Kneeling Lincoln"?-
P. L.
A. The statue to which you refer
(also called Lincoln at Prayer') is in
the Washington Cathedral.
@. What is the quotation from
Charlotte Cushman which appears in
the lobby of the Belasco Theater in
Washington, D. CO. H. B.
A. God conceived the world, that
was poetry; He formed it, that was
sculpture; He colored it, that was
painting; He peopled it with human
beings. that was the grand, divine
eternal drama"
@. Who is called the modern st.
Francis Of Assisi?-A. r. L.
A. In his native Sweden DR.. Axel
Munthe is known as the modern St.
Francis. He used the royalties of his
book, THE Story of San Michele" in
founding bird sanctuary there.
@. Under how many different sets
of laws do people in this country live?
"A. L. M.
A. The varieties of law may be
classified as follows: Common law
and principles of equity; city ordi-
nances and town, township and
county regulations; statute laws of
the State; State constitution; Federal
statutes; national Constitution, and
treaties made by the United States
with foreign countries.
@. In Baltimore, Md, do leases run
out in SO years?-N. F. D.
A. These leases usually contain a
clause renewable forever" so that
they are really perpetual. The idea
that they run out in SO years has
caused a great deal of useless trouble
on the part of persons who imagined
the property had reverted.
@. On what date was Clyde Barrow
killed?-F. c. G.
A. Clyde Barrow, the outlaw, and
Bonnie Parker were shot to death on
May %, 1884.
Q. Has any estimate ever been
cago Civic Opera House?-T. M
A. The cost was about $4,000, 900
exclusive Of the value of the land.
Evening star., 1935-01-15

Land near Berlin belonging to the
Einstein family has been conf1scated.
Persecution pursues the eminent
scholar for the reason. perhaps, that
his brilliant prominence makes his
enemies desire to make an example
Of him.
Evening star., 1935-01-15

Norman Angel received a Nobel
Prize for his book on money. Mem
berS of the United States Supreme
Court will be entitled to prize apiece
if they can carry the explanation a
step farther into practical affairs.
Evening star., 1935-01-15

The manner in which the Saar
plebiscits has been supervised sug-
gests that a hint has been taken from
some old-fashioned American elec-
tions that were so easy to forecast.
Evening star., 1935-01-15

Amelia Earhart says she flies with
no great scientific motives. The
fascination of aviation surpasses that
Of golf or tennis and the dangers are
greater than those of the bridge table
Evening star., 1935-01-15

The Saar Valley is another of those
small pieces of European territory that
may show great trouble possibilities
for the world at large.
Evening star., 1935-01-15

1t appears that Donald Richberg
need have feared no libel by Gen.
johnson in the columns of discreetly
edited magazine.
Evening star., 1935-01-15
Shades of Confusion.

Shades of Confusion.
'Ill have to be more systematic -
said Senator Sorghum.
Bothered by bookkeeping?"
mo But my secretary has allowed
my religious ghost writer to get mixed
up with my expert in hoss race dia-
lect."
Jud Tunkins says the great danger
of all wars has been the number of
people who thought it might be an
easy way to make a living.
Evening star., 1935-01-15

There Is In Congress some undeni-
able bitterness of feeling that may
cause statesmen to send mostly comic
valentines this year.
Evening star., 1935-01-15
Dialing.

My telephone troubles me some.
The numbers chase till I'm numb
I patiently dial,
But there's no denial,
A sore finger will leave me struck
dumb.
Evening star., 1935-01-15
Political Economy.

Political Economy.
did you send your boy Josh to COL
lege to learn political economy?"
EYES," answered Farmer Corntossel
"He got some great political ideas.
But as for economy he gets deeper
in debt every year."
philosophers are like aviators," :"
said Hi Ho, the sage of Chinatown.
I'VE think they will explore the stars,
but they are fortunate if after a
short flight they get back to earth
with dignity"
Sorrows Of the Saar.
The things that seem so very great .
When measured often prove
But small in the affairs of state,
Which keep us on the move.
The Valley, which is rather small,
That factions would control
'Mongst earth's vast treasure, after all,
Is Just load Of coal.
Mechanical Inventions" said Uncle
Eben, "ain' doin' all we hoped for. De
electric chair ain managed yet to keep
up wit de machine guns"
Evening star., 1935-01-15
No Horses!

From tne Bunalo Times.
Prince Of Wales has been made a
general, an admiral and a chief mar
shall Of the air force. But keep away
from the cavalry, Edl
Evening star., 1935-01-15
Rate by Mail-PayaDle in Advance.
Maryland and Virginia.
All Other States and Canada,
Member Of the Associated Press.

The Associated Press is exclusively en-
titled to the use for republication of all
news dispatches credited to it or not other
local news published herein. All rights of
publication of special dispatches herein
are also reserved.
Evening star., 1935-01-15

Night Final and Sunday Star zoe per month
tai colection 1aa mac made at the end end % Of % each
month. Orders may be sent by mail or
telephone National 5000.
Evening star., 1935-01-15
The Evening Star Newspaper Company

18th St. and Pennsylvania Ave-.
New York once: 110 East 42nd St.
Chicago ONCE: Lake Michigan Building,
European Office Ia Regent St.. London.
England
Evening star., 1935-01-15
Rate by Carrier Within the City.
ReRular Edition,

The Evening Star. 45c per month
(when 4 SundaysJ -. soc per month
The Evening and Sunday Star
(When B Sundays -. Csc per month
The Sunday Star. ar............ be per copy
Evening star., 1935-01-15

@. When is the weather most pleas
ant in Panama?-K. j.
A. The hottest months in Panama
are April, May and June. From Janu-
ary to April the breezes are fresh and
temper the air. The rainy season ex-
tends from April to November.
The Saturday press. (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1927-1936, 1935-02-23

members and if they find among
them, some few who are known
obstructionists, or some who are
of the sleeping sickness type,
throw them off the committee
even to the extent of reorganiza-
ton on the floor of the Senate. f
these men have been placed on
that committee for obstructionist
purposes, let them air their dis
pleasure at being exposed, to the
entire senate. But, forgetting
that scent of rotten hooch for a
while, gentlemen, go on through
Nth your Investigation of the
SERA! And begin by subpoena
ing those records, then scan the
Murchie record. Do this and
long before your first small task
is complete, you will have I'LL
covered enough to make the
liquor investigation a mere for
mality.
Those hooch cockroaches will
be scrambling over each other in
an effort to turn in their col
leagues.
But the SERA investigation
goes ON. And this even though
the committee dwindles to mem.
bership of t1Oo.