davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1935-04-19
A Cheering Sign.

Now and then something happens
in the House of Representatives that
revives faith in common sense. Yes
terday there came before that body
chimerical proposal, the Townsend
old-age pension plan. This plan had
been hailed as a pet project Of mil
lions Of Americans-even as many as
100000. Yet only fifty-six men,
bers of the House rose in support of
the plan, which was offered as an
amendment to the economic security
bill. Voting against the amendment
were 2O6.
The Townsend plan, calling for a
pension of 5000 a month to all per-
sons sixty years Of age or more, was
modified so that it read that no per-
son should receive in excess of 5000
month as pension. The revenues
from the special taxes to be levied
under the terms of the amendment
were to be distributed among the aged,
with the hope that, if not in the first
year then In a later year, the monthly
pension would be 5000 a month. It
had been clearly demonstrated that
the cost Of the pension Of 5000 a
month would have been about $19,-
000, 000, 900 year, and that the taxes
proposed, burdensome as they were.
would raise perhaps only a quarter of
that sum. Under the revised plan the
pension would have averaged about
$50 a month.
The Townsend plan originated In
California last year, along with the
e. P. : c. plan of another Utopian,
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1935-04-19
Taxicab Mileage Factor
In Accident Percentage

To the Editor Of The Star:
On page B. of The Star of April 16
appears a story entitled, "Taxicabs, 3
Pct. of Motor Total, Figure in 81 Pct.
of Accidents" This would suggest to
the unthinking reader that the aver
age taxicab is seven times as danger
Gus as the average motor vehicle.
According to the second paragraph,
however. taxicab drivers are RESPONSE
bic for only about 10 per cent, not 81
per cent, Of the accidents. Thus. even
If the story itself told the whole truth,
the headline would be grossly mis-
leading.
But the story does not tell the whole
truth-far from it-since it takes no
account Of the tremendously important
factor Of mileage. One taxicab driver
tells me that the average Is about 200
miles day (73,000 miles a year, !;
another calls it 10000 miles a year.
The average for all motor vehicles is,
I believe, usually estimated at about
10000 miles a year. suspect that
the true average is little higher, say
$4,000 miles.
In order to lean backward" (from
the taxicab drivers standpoint), am
assuming that the taxicab average is
$4,000 and that the average for all
other motor vehicles is 10000. A
CALCULATION based on these estimates
and the figures in The Stars story
gives $4,000, 900 as the total annual
mileage for taxicabs and 1,754,00 900
as the total for other motor vehicles,
making an aggregate Of 2,067, 900 900
miles, Is per cent of which is &C.
counted for by the taxicabs.
Now, since the taxicabs are recorded
as the striking vehicles" in only 10.5
per cent Of the cases, and since they
contribute Is per cent of the total
motor vehicle mileage, it is obvious
that taxicab drivers are less of a traffic
menace than are the drivers of other
classes of motor vehicles. Of 100 be
taken as the hazard index" for all
drivers, including taxicab drivers, 70
would be the index for taxicab drivers
alone.)
I may add that the proportion of
taxicab mileage driven in the rain and
on slippery streets is larger than the
corresponding proportion for the driv-
ers of other motor vehicles. This
would tend to raise the index figure
for taxicab drivers.
The article in The Star is an excel
lent example of misinformation con-
veyed by half-truths. So far as I
know. every word in the story in
question is true and every figure in
it Is correct; yet. by emitting any ref
erence to the vitality important mileage
factor, it gives the reader an altogether
false impression of the extent to which
taxicabs, in comparison with other
classes Of motor vehicles, are nenaces
to the safety of our highways. The
headline Is particularly misleading.
LIE VERNE BEALES.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1935-04-19

American peace ideals are upheld in
press comment on the observance of
Army day. but 1t Is asserted through
out the country that preparedness for
national defense is the best guarantee
of peace. 1t is maintained that the
population of the country should have
confidence in its protectors, and that
the military establishment should
command the respect of other govern
ments.
Men and women whose love of
peace has not distorted their grasp
of realities should resolve that the
present reckless inferiority of the
American Army must be relieved" de-
clares the Cincinnati Times-Star.
That paper argues that martial
hysteria is no more dangerous than
the hysteria of pacifism, which fondly
supposes, against the teaching of all
history, that weak military eStab-
lishment is the best insurance against
war" The Times-Star feels it Is
fortunate that the Roosevelt admin
istration is seeing clearly and acting
wisely at this critical juncture in world
affairs"
Holding that the Army docs inval-
liable work for the Nation in time
of peace" the Portland Oregonian
adds that Gin war time it is the line
that stands behind the Navy for the
protection of our society" The Port
land (Me.) Press Herald testifies that
every sane American knows that the
only way to keep out of war is to be
so well prepared for defense that we
can keep out of any conflict" The
Grand Rapids (Mich.) Herald. de-
Tending new expenditures for this
purpose, believes that 'if the worst
fails to come, we shall have only ex-
pended our wealth, not the lives Of
our youth. unprepared, undisciplined
and unframed"
THE wisdom and timeliness of the
Army increase" according to the New
Orleans Times Picayune, ARE recog-
nized by all Americans who believe
in adequate national defense, and can
be easily justified on other important
grounds" The Times-P icayune feels
that Americans will rejoice in the
assurance that the American Army
is in better shape than it has ever
been in its history" That paper
offers the suggestion: when it is
remembered that approximately one
third of the regular Army is continu-
ously on service in the Philippines,
Hawaii, the Canal Zone. Puerto Rico,
China and Alaska. the need Of in
creasing the forces available for the
expanding tasks on the mainland Is
readily understood"
The need of introducing the Army
to itself" is brought out by the New
York Herald Tribune, with the COM
ment that throughout continental
United States it has scarcely as much
as two regiments together in one
place." The Herald Tribune con-
tends that IAN Army in the field is
of little use unless its units are
trained to work together and its COM
manders are trained to maneuver the
great masses Of men employed in
modern war"
"As long as money has to be spent
anyway. why not give the Army q
chance at as much Of 1t as it can
practically handler" asks the Los An
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1935-04-19
SHOOTING STARS.
Wood Pulp.
BY PHILANDER JOHNSON.

Wood Pulp.
We're happy on the dear old farm.
AS happy as can be.
A book that may be full of charm
Is fashioned from a tree.
The pulp mills turn out pages white
All ready for the ink,
And call on us to read and write
And now and then to think.
Ard so we wander, book in hand,
Like Hamlet in the play.
We hear the roaring through the land
Where winds through branches
stray.
We turn the pages fast or slow.
Like many twig they're lost,
And in q little while we know
That in the woods we're lost
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1935-04-19
THIS AND THAT
BY CHARLES E. TRACEWELL.

arms. The sight Of the nodding
disks of yellow were supposed to
mollify his infant energies to the
point where he would willingly take
castor oil.
He often has wondered, he told us,
whether he honestly remembers the
flowers, or only recalls them because
he has heard his mother tell of the
incident so many times.
In those days the only peonies
known to average folk was the old
red type, the "officinalis," as it Is
known today.
This gentleman believes, and we
feel rightly, that every garden today
ought to have this variety of peony.
It's red Is still good, deep and true,
and 1t has a spicy fragrance. Planted
in q row with Festiva maxima, the
| average garden would have all the
peonies it needs.
When we asked this gardener his
idea of the lone best peony." he I'M
hesitatingly replied:
"Festiva maxima"
He sees no particular reason why
any one in average circumstances
should bother with other varieties,
as lovely as they are.
This grand old peony gives the
average small garden absolutely ev-
erything the ordinary gardener de-
sires in the peony line.
| 1t is husky, dependable. lovely.
Most people need 90 no farther in
planting peonies
In fact, Festiva maxima means
"peony" to thousands upon thou
sands, including hundreds who have
no idea of its name.
After all, the flower Is the thing.
X r x
| AS for the althea and the holly
hook. they represent flowers about
which he is not sure. Did he, as
little one. actually distinguish be-
| tween the two? He has a suspicion
he did not. How could he? Garden
ing, in those days, was not the art
1t is today, except for very few
persons. who certainly did not live
| in small towns. The various shrubs
and perennial plants, and few an
nuals, were grown without much
thought. Most of the activity was
put on the vegetable patch.
1t will be seen that the second
list, given above. is the work of a
much more observant person, and one
who. as she says, was instructed in
flower lore.
A flower not included in either list,
but undoubtedly known to both, as
children, was the apple blossom.
We hear great deal today about
the cherry blossoms, and fairly
enough, but in themselves they are
no finer in display than apple trees.
Our cherry blossom display here
shows what can be done when art
is combined with flowers. It also
demonstrates the appeal of planting
near water.
1t is significant that the second
list gives sweet peas.
In those days everybody had sweet
peas. They were the easiest of all
flowers to grow and absolutely de-
manded no care except the constant
picking of the lovely blooms.
The greatest lack in the Washing
ton garden is the sweet pea. When
will it come back to the place it
once held?
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1935-04-19

There are perhaps no definite
flowers of childhood.
Blooms we remember from long ago
depend upon long-lost gardens, and
differ as those gardens did.
Try as hard as he could, one re-
called no more than the following list
of flowers surely remembered:
Water lily.
Hollyhock.
Althea.
Lilac.
Peony.
Daisy.
Sunflower.
Another person, asked to remember
the flowers surely known by the age
of 6 years. gave the following list:
Sweet peas.
NaSturtium.
Pansy.
Lilac.
Peony.
Dahlia.
Asters.
Strawfiowers.
Lily of the valley.
Mock-orange.
+ +
1t is interesting to note that peonies
and lilacs are the only blossoms
appearing in both these lists, the first
drawn UP by man, the second by a
woman.
In drawing up such lists, every
effort must be made to be sure that
the flowers named actually were
known in ones early years.
It will be found that the temptation
is to list shrubs and plants which one
did not know until much later, but
which the haze of memory easily
inclines to put in an earlier classifi-
cation.
The trouble in making an abso-
lutely correct series comes when one
begins to recall the flowers which one
knew we're around the place.
But did you actually see them, and
correctly apprehend them, in the
formative years?
Whether one knew the names, of
course. makes no difference at all.
The flower is the thing. and though
a rose by any other name will smell
as sweet, it actually remains rose.
X 4 4
The Washingtonian who recalled
the first list given above can see the
pond, with it's ice house, even yet,
although he has not laid eyes on 1t
for many years.
He actually can remember the ap-
pearance of the lilies, and fancies he
can smell them yet
The memory for odors, of course,
is one of our keenest.
Who that has ever smelled the lilac
ever forgets the odor?
1t is the same with most flower
scents, although no doubt some per-
sons are better at such recollection"
than others.
Put sassafrass bark in paper bag,
and hold it under the noses of asso-
ciates. The chances are that this
theory of odor memory will get a
severe jolt. for perhaps only one out
Of ten will name it correctly.
Yet to him who has really keen
nose" for such things, there is never
any mistake.
The inclusion of the sunfower in
the list may need some explanation.
He was held up in his mothers
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1935-04-19
Patriots DaY.

Last night the Nation heard, by
grace of the radio, the story of Pau
Revere's ride and Of the battles Of
Lexington and Concord, April 10, ITS
Today patriotic citizens throughout
the Union will observe the one hun
dred and sixtieth anniversary of those
events. From coast to coast. in great
cities and in little towns, men, WON.
en- and children will hear the glorious
chronicle. listen to Longfellows ia.
nous poem and feel within themselves
that curious pride and sense of ap-
probation which is known as love Of
country.
But through one of the strangest
Of contradictions Patriots day is not
commemorated in the Capital of the
Nation. The people of the District OF
Columbia are debarred automatically
from their share in the normal bene-
fits of American citizenship. Congress
has dictated that they shall be brack.
eted with aliens, lunatics and GRIM
inals. Observation-Disclosures is their lot
They cannot vote, they cannot par.
ticipate in the determination of thei,
own civic policy or in the control Of
their fiscal affairs. The epic of the
"embattled farmers" who fired the
shot heard round the world there
fore means nothing to residents OF
Washington unless 1t be that it has
the significance of an example and
an inspiration.
Helpless themselves, it may be only
when their more fortunate neighbors
in the several States intercede fol-
them that their disabilities will be
removed. Yet the difficulties of pre-.
senting their case are enormous. The
average citizen of Oregon or Texas
Florida or Maine is unfamiliar with
the circumstances and has no natura
interest in the problem. He has
prejudiced faith in the notion
that living in proximity with
the Government implies an auto
matte social and economic endow-
ment and does not realize that, lack
ing the ballot and representation in
the legislative body, that makes their
laws, imposes their taxes and sends
them into battle in the national de-
tense, no individual can have access
to those theoretical advantages.
But hope for change must be en-
tertained. Few members of Con-
gress are unfamiliar with Washing
toms claims for justice; all have heard
them discussed and many have con-
coded in private conversation their
basic validity. What is wanted now is
for a representative body of citizens
of the States to intervene construc-
lively. The Daughters of the Ameri-
can Revolution, for example, might
assume leadership in the campaign.
Organized in the Capital and meeting
in it annually. they should compre-
bend the issue perfectly and their
background of patriotism should fur
nish an ideal inspiration for the work.
Meanwhile, the people of the Dis
trict will maintain their American
ism as best they may. It is their
duty, as they see it, to manifest their
inheritance. They, too, are descended
from revolutionary sires; they, too, love
their country, and for those reasons,
if for none other, they must continue
their struggle toward equal civic
freedom.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1935-04-19
Keep the Red Lights
On Longer for Safety

To the Editor of The Star:
One Of your correspondents finds
the pedestrians at fault in traffic. How
about the impatient motorists, who
dart between loading platforms and
speed along car tracks? As Gen.
Fries declared in your paper, the taxi
drivers are the worst menace to safe
traffic. The whole aim of motorists is
to beat the lights" My suggestion is
to keep the red lights on longer.
E. B. COLLINS.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1935-04-19

It is not likely that anybody's block
will be knocked off despite the ability
of athletic attorneys to introduce the
ordeal of physical encounter into a
trial involving homicide charges. Even
the college athletes will hesitate to
transfer accounts of court procedure
to the sporting page
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1935-04-19

Bonus demands might be more cas-
lily met If the science of expert &C
counting were included in the various
courses of popular education now pro-
vided. Few soldiers have prided
themselves on bookkeeping as much
as on craftsmanship.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1935-04-19

Andrew Melons art gallery will in
clude recognized masterpieces in suffi-
cient numbers to prevent fear of its
being overwhelmed by persons who
think they can get pictures hung by
political pull.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1935-04-19

Elephant and donkey mean nothing
to Gen. Hugh johnson if he can per-
feet an experiment in political magic
to transform a bellicose blue eagle
into sacrificial goat.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1935-04-19
Distribution.

Distribution.
Would you favor taking wealth
away from those who have it and
giving 1t to those who have it not?"
Perhaps" said Senator Sorghum.
"But unrest will continue unless you
can assure the newly rich that the
wealth will not be taken from them
in turn"
Jud Tunkins says politics is an ell
right circus with an elephant and
trick mule and a certain amount of
clowning.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1935-04-19
Solace.

SOlace.
From the Rockford dll) Register-Republic
The weary laborer milking 20 cows
in the shank of the evening may be
encouraged by the thought that Gene
Sarazen, golf champion, attributes his
success to farm life.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1935-04-19

The confession Of Einstein that he
might have made mistakes is reason
enough for Hitlers reputation of him
as an intellectual associate.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1935-04-19

1t Is theorized that profit cannot
be eliminated from war. Uncle Sam
is still figuring to discover any profits
resulting from the most recent war
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1935-04-19

A base ball player is not passe at
forty provided he finds a publicity
promoter possessed Of wisdom and
experience.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1935-04-19
Homework.

Homework.
From the jackson CMich) Citizen Patriot.
In town in Texas home work is not
permitted. When the children of the
Nation find that out parents from
other States will have trouble prevent
ing general exodus.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1935-04-19
Dust as Antidote Later.

From the Albuquerque IN. Mex) journal.
Over in the district where the
drought is severe one man is reported
as saying if enough rain ever falls to
wet him he'll have to be revived with
three buckets Of dust.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1935-04-19

Agriculturists are being scientif-
ically encouraged to do more farming
and less bookkeeping.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1935-04-19
Tide of Trade

Hue Oh i fa0e
Nine floors up, quiet desk over his
midtown store,
Steering all the ebb and flow Of
trading on each floor:
The electric hum of cable wires,
The wash Of human surf below.
Cash slips, call-bells, changing doors
Trade, in thunderous undertow!
Beyond his upper windows the lure Of
river and sky.
Playtime on blue waters. A white
yacht sailing BY.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1935-04-19

Great Undertaking.
An undersecretary call
Who may bring comfort to the land
BY helping, with goodwill for all,
Us underlings to understand.
An Alice new in Underland
With gentle artistry may save
The underdog and take command
To make the overlords behave.
"Gamblin' can't be altogether
wicked" said Uncle Eben, when de
best q farmer can do is to 60 on takin'
chances on de weather"
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1935-04-19
Rate by Carrier Within the City.
Night Final Edition

Nirht Final and Sunday Star zoe per month
Nis9 hal sde at The enS pei easb
month. Orders may be sent by mail OF
telephone National 5000
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1935-04-19
The Evening Star Newspaper Company

18th st. and Pennsylvania Ave.
New York ONCE: ITO East 42nd st.
Chicago Once: Lake Michigan Building.
European once: IA Regent st.. London.
England.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1935-04-19
Vitality.

Vitality.
1t Is vitality that makes
Us gather round to shout.
So long as an emotion wakes,
Who cares what it's about!
Let each of us his challenge fling
And bid contention thrive.
So long as we keep quarreling
We know that we're alive.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1935-04-19
Industrial Opportunity.

From the Louisville Courier -Journal.
Another of those overlooked indus
trial opportunities would seem to be a
factory for making shin guards for
bridge partners.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1935-04-19
Member of the Associated Press.

TIE Associated Press is exclusively en-.
titled to the use for republication Of al
news dispatches credited to 1t or not other.
local news published herein. All rights Of
publication of special dispatches herein
are also reserved.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1935-04-19
A Rhyme at Twilight
By

Gertrude Brooke Hamilton
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1935-04-19
Rate by Mail-Payable in Advance.
MARYLAND and virginia.

All Other States and Canada.
Daily and Sunday yr., S12 90: mo-. ST. o
Daily only. 1 yr.. $500; mo-. Is
Sunday only. l VI $500; mo-. so
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1935-04-19
Impatient Audience.

I'VE must learn by experiment and
experience"
Eyes," answered Mr.. Stormington
Barnes. But who wants to live in
perpetual amateur night"
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1935-07-18
By Eddie Ash
GAS HOUSE GANG ON LOOSE
CARDS DEBATE y. Y. BALLOON

ONE thing about that ST. Louis Cardinal club that makes
it stand the peoples choice" the riproarng
style of baseball the boys play their loud boastng fighting
on bench and they make good the diamond
When the Giants held lead Of ~ games not long ago
several teams in National League decided the was
over But the Cards poohpooed the Giants lead and then
went out and trimmed that margin to four games.
House the loose again and y sa a S T o
Remembering their bitter experience Of 1s y i oa CARDS are
Just
FEW weeks back the St played Athletics in Pha
n depha Manager Rogers Honsoy OF ne browns
mac gone PbojdeT not to pitch nigh to Roger CrameT
valoped home and won the game on
HornOy Blashode What yns
who hit that homer of ou? sheepSn Bae
replied the tip of my tongue just can't recall
Hornby went into rage the Athletics for
Pitcher Sugar Cain and now Baeoder starring for the Mackmen
When XXI cuyler was released by The Chicago
offered him $4,000 o the remainder Of the season and chance
Cncy take Cuyes contract
Evidently XXI figures the world
contender.
TINE chief reason Allan
a manager OF me american Aaon @ ia IeaHe The same
~aqn mas more o imam t voted on the kstars This
nearly and loaded
all whom neadlners
d producing" Colonies producing less than
fool the public worked Whle but talent or the OF IT,
long Manager getting
halfway this Cincinnati topped its 1884 total
home attendance games Croey Field
schedule calls for Cincy
o full
ON the afternoon of July o. the New York Giants Sports
~ That is
world abaze the rival Terry
an Frsch a attack of the filters
!rynor fairhared boy Pittsburgh baseball
and his team not hot baseball
fails to the pennant ponto
Sporting News says
them play
exhibition the following off date
Jour $4,000 and player in exchange for
mild stir diamond
considerable
Woodey Alternately
the international
collected his of
doubles He is next spring.