davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1935-12-27
Martyr to Science.

The human race probably had gone
far in its upward progress out OF the
Jungle before any individual was willing
to risk his life in quest of truth. But
such sacrifices have been common during
the past five hundred years. knowledge
which may benefit millions, it has been
decided, is worth suffering and dying
for. Thus 1t happens that the public
today generally fails to appreciate to the
full the heroism of those who courageous
ly give all that they have and all that
they are for increased dominion over
such enemies of mankind as ignorance
and disease.
Yet now and again the gratitude of
thousands is quickened by the report OF
some particularly poignant example Of
the chivalry of science, and the death OF
Anna B. Pabst, bacteriologist at the Ma
tional Institute of Health, is an instance
of that kind She made the ultimate con-
cession in campaign against the dread
full scourge of meningitis. A laboratory
accident resulted in infection, and MOTH
ing within the power Of her colleagues
could save her from the fatal conse-
quences.
But it was not mere mischance that
decided Miss Pabst to seek employment
in so perilous a service. Rather, it was
deliberate choice, wholly voluntary and
entirely altruistic in character. She
knew the liabilities of her position and
faced them willingly and resolutely.
Hence, she merits the remembrance Of
her country as martyr to the well-being
of the whole population thereof. Women
especially should be proud of her-a
sister who has fallen in war which will
proceed with new inspiration because Of
her bravery and the cruel price which
she has paid for it. She will have her
place on the long scroll Of fame which
science eternally keeps of those who have
earned such Immortality.
Evening star., 1935-12-27
Laval Faces the Music.

Sir Samuel Hoare, his partner IN the
Anglo French scheme to give Italy
conuueror'S peace in Ethiopia, having
walked the plank in expiation OF that
project, M Laval is now struggling win
his own Parliament to avoid similar
fate. His test is due in the Chamber
of Deputies this week. The French
premier's position is materially more ao-
vantageous than that OF the depoSeo
British foreign secretary.
Hoare fell from grace because ne
espoused a course that ran counter TO
his governments mandate from the
country to support League measures
against the declared aggressor. France
too, through NJ. Laval himself, is pledged
to stand by the covenant. But French
public sentiment is not approximately
so united in readiness to check MuSso-
lini as Britons are. There is strong
section of the French nation that re-
sents the whole idea of sanctions and
the peril of war inherent in them.
Lavals immediate task, nevertheless, Is
to convince the Chamber that the
abortive plan to hand over Ethiopia to
Italy was consistent with traditional
French allegiance to the League. In
advocating it, he incurred the powerful
antagonism of NJ Herriot and the Rad
ical Socialists. If the premier fails to
command a majority in support of his
so-called conciIation policy his ministry
is doomed. That it is in acute danger
was indicated when, on December II,
the government emerged from a pre-
liminary confidence test with ma
jority smaller than any cabinet ever re.
ceived on an international occasion.
Laval is e&pected to argue that he
kept France out of war by preventing
the League from resorting to oil sane
tions against Italy. That was the sole
result of the wrecked Hoare-Laval enter
prise. 1t may prove to be but tenn
porary one, for Foreign Secretary Eden
is credited with resolve to bring about
an oil embargo if all other measures
fail to stop Mussolini's campaign. The
French premier is said to have adopted
the policy that France will not make
war on Italy under any conditions unless
the Italians commit an overt act, such
as an attack on the British feet. He
is expected to demand from the Chamber
a vote of confidence on that score.
1t is not only French reluctance to
engage in hostilitieS with the sister
Latin nation that stays Laval'S hand.
France, as ever, is concerned mainly with
the German danger. She does not relish
the prospect that the Reich might seize
upon French preoccupation with a
League war" as an opportunity for ex-
tension of Nazi power in Central or
Eastern Europe at the cost of states
with which France has definite military
commitments. The specter of Hitlerism
of the new German army, navy and
air force-will loom conspicuously over
the momentous decisions France is about
to take with reference to the Leagues
conflict with FaScism. In refraining
from any program that could impair
French ability to meet that menace,
Premier Laval undoubtedly can depend
upon Parliaments backing. He is a
shrewd and resourceful politician, and
it would be decidedly rash to conclude
that he is already slated to follow Sir
Samuel Hoare into the outer darkness.
Evening star., 1935-12-27

sible, but to divert 1t SO as to save the
water supply, and, perhaps, If the erup-
tion persists, the city itself. The target
of these bombers will be the edges OF
the stream where the solidified sides
. have formed channel banks for the lava.
If these bombs, six tons of which are to
be used, dropped from attitudes OF from
three to five thousand feet above the
flow, strike their marks effectively such
channels may be opened, causing a
spread of the lava laterally and thus
dispensing the deadly material over nat
areas where 1t will do minimum OF
damage.
These eruptions are practicable only
or a short period before the event. No
possible preparations can be made
against them. If, however, this present
experiment succeeds it may be possible
by the use of explosives to open new
channels for the flow to spread the mol
ten matter more widely and thus lessen
the risk of devastation. 1t would be
gigantic undertaking to blast out new
channel in anticipation of the next erup-
ton, through which the lava might how'
for it would be necessary to expend enor-
NOUS quantities of explosives, and in the
end the volcano would probably ignore
all such openings and send its flow down
the course of its own choice. The fact
is that city lying beneath one of these
vast chimneys in the direction OF the
natural course of discharge is never safe
and can never be made safe.
Evening star., 1935-12-27
THIS AND THAT
BY CHARLES Il. TRACEWELL.

have gone back to buying their own
books, because in the ownership Of q
book lies much Of It's charm. For plain
facts, they do very well borrowed from
a library, but for their essential charm,
books must be lived with and kept close
at hand.
The fortunate thing is that there is,
essentially, no snobbery about books.
Numbers play little part. A few books,
well chosen, are just as well chosen as
a thousand. The difference in numbers
is not what counts, but the essential skill
shown in selection. That is where every
one who loves books, and who purchases
them now and then, both for the self
and for others, has splendid oppor-
tunity to use the intelligence he possesses.
Not that one will not make mistake.
Today, more than ever before, the Offer
ings spread out on the book counters
are confusing. Many claims are made
for many books, and the critical effusions
sometimes help little.
In the main, however, the sincere lover
of good books, and for him there will be
no other kind, is determined to select
for himself and others books of real
value and entertainment, such as will
make a worthy permanent addition to
the home shelves.
Such are the books which Santa ought
to have brought and which, in the ma
jority of cases, he did bring.
There never was a chimney too small
for a good book.
Or too large, either, for that matter.
The essential thing Is to get such books
and to leave the others alone. One will
be fooled, now and then, but in the main
can select true, if likes and dislikes are
kept continually in mind.
Just which part Of the program Is the
most important, the selection Of books
one likes, or the rejection Of those not
written for one, we do not know. 1t Is
difficult problem, at best, but a very
pleasant one. In all the books we have
purchased since the age Of years, we
can recall but one or two which we tore
up, literally. One we threw into waste
paper basket. The rest we are glad we
bought, and some Of them we have had
all down the years. Some Of the old
favoriteS have disappeared.
We must regret the disappearance Of
our Henty books.
Those companions Of younger and
more blood-thirsty years would make
excellent reading today.
Their author, G. A. Henty, was better
historian than he was given credit for
being in his heyday as writer for the
youth of the world.
Some of the "Henty books" were lit
erature, if not with big IL" at least
with little one.
AS the years roll it becomes easier
and easier to select the good book writ
ten in the beginning for those Of like
minds. 1t becomes easy to reject what
it not so written, no matter how seductive
its appeal
One will become ain q rut" in reading?
Surely A wonderful rut, or road, leading
from the land of romance to the land
of hope and expectation.
Then, of course, one must read the
books forced on one by enthusiast
friends, so there is not much danger
of ones reading habits becoming too
narrow.
The real fear is that they may become
too broad. too widespread, too diverse
and too easy.
Evening star., 1935-12-27
Shooting Stars.
BY PHILANDER JOHNSON.
The AutOcratic Ego.

Inc AutOcTdtlc ESOs
Let only solemn measures sound
Lei. life in darkest gloom abound!
With reverence henceforth we shall
Observe the pronoun vertical.
Well see with awe we can't suppress
The mystic letters, FPS"
Which as men meet them, near and far,
Denote First Person Singular"
We learn like children still at school,
There shall be no more ridicule!"
Let old Vox Populi subside
That FPS may stalk in pride,
And guide from the celestial heights
A group. of glittering satellites.
Let FPS compose anew
Our prayer book and our hymn book, too.
The pronouns vertical shall rise
Like monuments unto the skies
AS FPS lays down the rule,
There shall be no more ridicule!
Evening star., 1935-12-27
Bombing Mauna Loa.

Against the titanic forces of nature,
such as earthquakes, volcanic eruptions
and floods, man is well-nigh helpless.
He cannot control the seismic convul-
sions, cannot indeed foresee them. Nor
can he anticipate and guard against
the eruptionS of the molten interior
through the vents at weaker points in
the earth's crust. He may in measure
conflne the torrents of water by the
deepening of the natural channels of
drainage so that excessive rainfall over
large area is carried to the sea with
abatement of its destructive force, but
he cannot regulate the rain itself and
can only approximate its orderly dis
charge through the land.
When the internal forces of the planet
erupt and tremendous masses of lava are
emitted from the vents known as VOL
canoes humanity is especially helpless
and must await its abatement in hope
that no disaster will occur. Just at
present, however, an effort is to be made
to control or at least direct such a flood
of deadly matter to avert disaster.
The volcano Mauna Loa, on the Island
Of Hawaii, is in eruption. A molten
stream is flowing toward the city
of Hilo, forty miles distant, from
o vent $4,000 feet above sea level
1t is advancing directly toward the
source of water supply for that city.
If not checked it will cause desperate
situation for the Inhabitants of that
area. So airplanes are now about to fly
over the stream of lava and to drop
powerful bombs at selected places, not to
check the now. which would be impos-
Evening star., 1935-12-27

Let us hope that Santa Claus brought
plenty Of books.
There is no nicer gift to give or receive,
at any time, than book, II you like
books Or worse, If you do not.
So old Santa ought to have been dis
eliminating in this matter. perhaps more
so than with most articles.
A warning, however, is appropriate In
regard to the Christmas books:
Do not force yourself to read book
Just because it has been given to you.
This holds true for most books at all
times, but particularly true for Christ
mas books the week or so after.
The tendency Is to read simply because
some one has thought of you.
How NIGEL as the ladies say.
But a book is a human being, after all,
and usually has more in it than mere
niceneSs.
The book which one ought to read
is the book meant for you.
If some kind person did not take
you into consideration, In selecting the
Christmas gift book, hold fast to your
standards.
Let the book repose in peace on the
shelf. 1t will make q nice appearance
there and always be ready when wanted.
That, after all, remains one of the
very finest things about book.
1t does not blare at you like radio
set, whether you want to hear 1t or not.
If some one else wants to listen to
the set, every one else in the house must
listen, too.
It is not so, happily, with book. A
book holds the reader so interested, pro-
vided it is his book, meant for him from
the beginning, that he is unusually quiet.
When we use the phrase, meant for
him." we do not mean just bought for
him.
Ones own book goes away back to the
author, and the publisher.
1t means that mind somehow akin
to ones own has been at work.
This kinship, of course, need not be
| exact.
The lethargic soul, not given to ath-
| letics, may have a real relation to the
| adventurous soul who goes journeying
in far and dangerous places.
The greatest little Percy" Of your
acquaintance, big spectacles and all, yet
| may have venturesome sea-faring man
as his hero, and enjoy best reading about
| him.
Yonder pale-faced business man, who
has never sailed boat in his life, yet
may love nothing more than fine big
book on old-time sailing vessels.
y
Fortunately, there are more books on
| all subjects being published nowadays
| than ever before.
| All past records Of the book business
were smashed this Fall and Winter.
The committee which the publishers
organized several years ago to look into
the low state of the business and de-
termine what could be done to boost
book sales did fine job.
Part of the increased sales, undoubt-
edly, have come with the establishment
of greater degree of prosperity during
the past two years.
| Books, like jewels, need not be bought
Unlike jewels, they may be borrowed
1t seems to be a fact, however, that
thousands of persons the country over
upon the return Of little prosperity,
Evening star., 1935-12-27
Question of Rapid Transit
Fares Is Still Unsettled
n the Editor of The Star:

To the EDITOR OF The star:
Results Of the transit company hear
ings prove that company has solved the
fare problem, as not one complaint was
published in papers about high rate Of
fare. From this point on fare PROPOSE
ton enters very materially into the Situa-
tion-more service, increased fare; more
buses, increased fare, as present service
is being furnished at satisfactory fare
but almost exact cost Of operation to
transit company as shown by monthly
financial reports.
1t would seem that P. q. C. is attempt
ing to help company merchandise its
service, is either alloCating more fare
or proposing company give its property
away, as it is apparent it has obtained
all the passengers it can haul at present
rate of fare under obtaining operating
conditions and present condition OF over
crowding. Changing bus routes to please
merchants who already have surplus
Of mass transportation also adds unneces-
sary expense Abolishing stop points
helps speed of carrier, but at added in
convenience to public. If stop is not
used removing sign helps no one, If now
used changing same is bound to cause in
convenience to some one.
Your sunday star editorial ON loaoS OF
busses is true and truly no more could
be said. Adding equipment to insure q
seat to each one would increase expense
to company at least Is per cent. More
buses, more fare.
The root of all the trouble, however,
is the downtown traffic congestion, and
I offer the following suggestion to be con-
sidered in lieu of enormous expenditure
for proposed subways:
Cleveland avenue, above Calvert street,
and Maryland avenue northeast, have
park space In middle Of street for decora-
tive. purposes, while New York avenue
from Ninth to Thirteenth and Pennsyl-
vania avenue southeast have park space
in middle Of street for utility as well as
decorative purposes, so why not treat all
streets, where possible. on which street
cars operate in same manner.
. =. WOLF.
Evening star., 1935-12-27

lishment Of the national headquarters Of
the American Philatelic Society and its
associated bodies here. Plans looking
toward that end will be proposed and
discussed in Philadelphia.
But be the outcome what 1t may, any
convention of stamp students for the
advancement of the useful aspect Of
their hobby is entitled to the good
wishes of public which has heard much
about ph.lately in recent years. but
which, perhaps, has wondered what its
attraction can be. The Congress to some
extent may help to answer the question,
clear away the doubt.
Evening star., 1935-12-27
'Whistling, Just Whistling.

Democratic leaders, Senator Pat Har-
rison in particular, are returning to
Washington with fervent declarations
that there is to be no new imposition
of taxes by Congress at its coming
session. In almost the same breath,
however, these gentlemen admit that
bill for the payment of the soldiers
bonus is to be passed, and that if the
Supreme Court of the United States
turns down the A. A. A. and its process
ing taxes something will have to be
done to find the money to continue the
payments to the farmers for not growing
this, that and the other thing. 1t is
going to take about $4,000 100000 to pay
the soldiers bonus, and some eight or
nine hundred millions of dollars will be
needed to substitute for the processing
taxes, If they are ruled unconstitutional.
No one knows yet just what the esti-
mate of expenditures for the fiscal year
ending June 80, 1887, will be. No one
will know until the President submits
his budget message to Congress. The
Government, however, has been spend
ing almost two dollars for every one
dollar it has been collecting. The chances
seem to be in favor of a program Of
governmental expenditures in excess OF
the estimates of receipts under present
tax laws, not only a program in excess,
but greatly in excess. When the bonus
payment is added, with the possibility
Of a processing tax substitute, it looks
as though the Roosevelt administration
would need quite a bit of extra cash
to carry on during the next year.
There are two or three ways for the
administration to get this cash. 1t can
ask Congress to levy new and additional
taxes. It can borrow the money, pre-
sumably in large part from the banks.
And it can start the printing presses and
turn out fiat money, a process of inf1a-
ton that would make past American
troubles look like a mere headache in
comparison. The congressional leaders
of the Roosevelt administration, follow
ing the lead of the President, assert that
there will be no new tax legislation.
There remain borrowing and printing
press money. By borrowing the admin
istration may put off the evil day of more
tax burdens. The President has said
that great bankers" have told him that
the country can stand public debt as
high as SIS, 900, 900 900 to $4,000 100000.
The President has stated that he does
not wish the question of taxation carried
into the coming national political cam
paign. Therefore, there is to be no re-
quest of Congress to revise taxes at the
coming session. Just another breathing
spell. For the day of payment must ar
rive eventually, if spending programs in
excess of revenues are to continue. There
was once a ruler of France, a prodigal
spender, whose comment, "after me the
deluge," proved to be an outstanding his
torical prophecy. If the New Deal party
is returned to control of the Government
the question of additional taxes will no
longer be denied.
Evening star., 1935-12-27
SuperficiaI Observation

"Do children believe in Santa CLAUSE"
"Not as they should" said Mr.. Meekton.
when I appeared as Santa Claus some
of the girls and boys wanted to mob me.
They thought I was a communist be-
cause wore whiskers and red flannel
pants"
Evening star., 1935-12-27
A Rhyme at Twilight
By
Gertrude Brooke Hamilton

Joyous Dirge.
Radiant as q trail of star-dust
In the vast expanse Of sky
CLOVIS the year that can but die
AS December passes by.
Yet her swan-song is carol!
And her robe of death is red,
Holly berries wreathe her head,
Ever joyous her doomed tread.
And her carol is a love chant:
And she sings it to the star
That the Wise Men saw afar
AZ she crosses the bright bar.
Evening star., 1935-12-27

From time to time volcano comes
along to demonstrate that Nature herself
in subterranean laboratories produces
the most devastating and ruthless high
explosives.
Evening star., 1935-12-27

The sports page is a favorite with
every reader. 1t gratifies the competitive
sense without threatening any queS-
tionnaires as to whom or what he is
going to vote for
Evening star., 1935-12-27

Dante could have written more terri
flying Inferno" had his genius been
aware of bombing planes, war tanks and
machine guns.
Evening star., 1935-12-27
Roomless Ethiopia.

From the Seattle Star.
There amt no justice, moan Florida
and California. With not a single boom.
Ethiopia has to fight of thousands OF
prospective settlers.
Evening star., 1935-12-27

Threats of kidnapping are common.
Gangsters may be trying to claim credit
for delay for peaceful bargaining in
stead of shooting on sight.
Evening star., 1935-12-27
A Wise One.

From the Davenport uowa) Times.
New Jerseys Governor assails Federai
spending and demands larger reheS
handouts from Washington. The GOV.
ernoTsis young, but he knows politics.
Evening star., 1935-12-27

Occasionally lawyers appear who col
lect large fees for patient industry in
making matters worse.
Evening star., 1935-12-27

Elephants are quaint animals that
please the fancy and are patiently ready
to stand for most anything.
Evening star., 1935-12-27

Millionaire incomes have been reduced,
but there is still enough money afloat to
cause violent litigation as to alimony and
inheritances.
Evening star., 1935-12-27
Rate bv MaiI-PayabIe i'm Advance.
All 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 TINS
paper and also the local news published herein.
All rights of publication OF special olspatcneS
herein are also reserved.
Evening star., 1935-12-27
Praises for The Stars
Christmas Editorial

To the Editor of The Star:
What a beautiful message you pre-
sented to your readers in the issue Of
your paper Christmas day, headed
christmas" 1t is all so true, that which
you present in such q gracious and
gentle way.
I hope that a new understanding Of
these things will come to those who read
this message and who so think; and those
who are not in agreement with the
thoughts expressed will reflect over the
principles enunciated by the One who
came to us this day so many years ago
and will be persuaded to accept these
principles of life.
1t is refreshing that a paper of your
importance will pay tribute to these
spiritual values. which, If applied, would
remake our world, to the everlasting
benefit of its sojournerS.
EDWARD MARTIN.
To the Editor of The Star.
You and your splendid paper are to
be congratulated on your editorial
Christmas" 1t can fairly be pronounced
the best that ever appeared in the secular
press. 1t may be doubted if any religious
paper ever surpassed it, and nothing bet
ter can come from the pulpit.
How refreshing in the midst of Christ
mas festivities that have become too
largely social orgies and society fads to
have the fundamentals Of the religious
Christmas SO fully and faithfully i'm
pressed upon the public mind in the coll
umns of daily newspaper.
This editorial may be considered the
fruit of the constant high moral tone OF
your paper. JOSEPH w. THOMPSON.
Evening star., 1935-12-27
Politicians All.

"Who are the politicians nowadays?"
"'Most everybody" said Senator Sor-
ghum. "The idea is progressing that If
you can't get on some kind of Gov
ernment pay roll your chance in life is
rather slim"
Evening star., 1935-12-27

An AbysSinian has been shot;
A Roman soldier met his fate;
And neither knew precisely what
Had made him keep so strange date