davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1936-02-01
STARS, MEN AND ATOMS
Notebook of Science Progress in Field,
Laboratory and Study.
BY THOMAS r. HENRY.

ity to American pigs. Another importa-
ton is of Hungarian sheep dogs. All
these will be used in breeding expert
mentS.
Secretary Wallace, himself plant
geneticist of note. is trying to transfer to
the animal world some of the lessons
learned in efforts to produce superior
breeds of grains.
He himself was one of the leaders in
overthrowing the blue-ribbon aristocracy
of corn in favor of new aristocracy
based on performance. Much of the 1885
yearbook Of the Department of Agricul-
ture is devoted to accounts of the prog
ress made in this effort to produce new
barnyard aristocracy and to the ad-
Iances made in the field OF plant
genetics
Secretary Wallace and his associated
geneticists are trying to break the vicious
circle of outmoded superiority perpetu-
ated by tradition At some time in the
history of animal breeding, it may be,
there was some sort of real superiority
attached to pigs with ears of certain
shape But the ears, at the best, were
only guidepost. The breeders forgot
the actual quality they were seeking to
perpetuate and devoted themselves, la
boriously and with infinite squabbling
generation after generation. to perpetu-
ating the guidepost. Meanwhile the
quality to which it may have pointed had
become as extinct as Babylon.
The pretty guidepost remained. But
it led the way only into barren desert.
Evening star., 1936-02-01
Shelter and Food for Cold
And Hungry Animals Urged

To the Editor of the Star:
I was so glad to see your editorial
appealing to folks to feed the birds. and
I know it will do good in calling the at
tention of some to this need who are apt
not to think OF these little things.
Would you not also speak similar
word for the other creatures, the larger
ones-the shelterless dogs and cats and
the squirrels in our parks-who are all
having a pretty hard time during this
protracted and unusual cold spell? Many
things which would be carelessly thrown
in the garbage could be put out in
sheltered place to help some stray keep
enough warmth in his body to weather
this cold. Animals can get along fairly
we'll, even when exposed to hard weather.
if they have enough to eat, but the cold
surely goes right through an empty
stomach, both in human and animal.
1t would also help to appeal to all who
see animals who are evidently homeless
or starving to take care of them long
enough to call the Rescue League and
at least give them temporary food and
shelter; in other words, to do as they
would be done by.
Many would appreciate an editorial
from you along this line, as your paper
reaches many who are not reached by
other means. VERA E. ADAMS.
Evening star., 1936-02-01
The Sunbury Wreck.

The year 1895 closed without the loss
of single passenger life on the rail-
roads Of the United States, remarkable
record The year 1886 was less than
q month old when a wreck occurred at
Sunbury, Pa, in which three lives were
lost and more than thirty persons were
injured. In the circumstances 1t Is
extraordinary that more were not killed.
The train, going at high speed, was
passing around a curve upon a bridge
when it was derailed, crashing through
the barrier and toppling into an aban-
doned canal below. Investigation points
to a broken rail as the immediate cause
of the accident. It is indicated by the
preliminary report on the disaster that
the rail was broken before the train
reached that point and was not broken
by the strain of the wheels in rounding
the curve. This raises the question Of
the adequacy of track inspection.
A railroad is as safe as its rails. The
strain upon them is intense, especially
at curves where the weight of the train,
the thrust increasing with the speed, is
brought to bear in full force upon the
metal carrier. In cold weather there is
an added risk, due to the effect of low
temperature upon the steel. 1t is. there
fore, imperative that the inspection
should be especially thorough and fire.
quent at this season of the year. Doubt
less the investigation of this accident
will cover the point of the sufiiciency of
the service of examination. It should IN
this instance furthermore go to the
extent of determining whether the
physical conditions at the point Of dis
aster, where on through line, carrying
high speed express trains, viaduct is
approached from curve. A derailment
at such a point is certain to be more
destructive than on a straightaway
course where there is no drop from the
line.
Evening star., 1936-02-01
ID. e.. Disfranchised
Sit on the Sidelines
To the Editor of The Star:

To the Editor of The Star:
AS the year 1896 wends it's way into
the realm of time America reacts
with great enthusiasm to the many
political addresses and editorials which
are being formulated and disbursed to
the people throughout the Nation. To
the majority of citizens in the United
States it is truly a year of intense in
terest as well as responsibility. A Presi-
dent is to BE- elected and the atmosphere
of the campaign has already begun to
grip the very pulse of the people.
The right of suffrage in democratic
republic such as ours is privilege which
cost the lives of many public spirited
men. privilege which we should. and
believe do, cherish with much reverence.
To the people of the States this right
is not only one of privilege and one of
responsibility, but one of duty as well.
It is through this medium that the needs
and desires of our whole body polite
may be met.
To the people of the District of Co.
lumbia. however, the story IS somewhat
of a reversed nature. The citizens of
this city have no vote. no chance of
expressing theif desires for the one who
they think should pilot the ship of state.
They must be content to sit on the side
lines and watch the game as it is being
played without themselves taking any
active part. And why? Are they not
citizens of the United States? Do they
not pay taxes and assume other re-
sponsible duties as honest citizens should?
They believe in Government by the
people and defend the rights and citi-
zens of such in times of international
conflict Their forefathers fought side
by side with the ancestors of the people
of the States in a cause for political and
social justice which their conscience told
them was right.
Is it fair that these citizens of the
Capitol should be deprived of the in
alienable right of suffrage. when some
alien who has been here only COM
paratively short time. takes out citi-
zenship and assumes and exercises this
privilege. The people of Washington
should be recognized as our forefathers
wished to be 100 years ago. Give them
this right so that they, too may look
with pride on Government in which
they have part.
BENJAMIN R. STICKNEY, JR.
Evening star., 1936-02-01

jority Of those who next November will
decide the fate of the Nation. And what
q show it is! The star performers on
the bill in the past few days have been:
Mr.. Roosevelt, former President Herbert
Hoover, former Governor Alfred E. Smith,
Governor Alfred M. Landon, Governor
Eugene Talmadge, Senator William E.
Borah, Senator Joseph T. Robinson.
Senator Lester j. Dickinson, Represent
ative Emanuel Celler, John w. Davis,
James M Beck, Bainbridge Colby. Ogden
Mills, Col. Theodore Roosevelt, Father
Charles E. Coughlin and DR.. Francis E..
Townsend. Each orator of the list stirred
the hearts and the minds Of thousands.
The gain is far more real than might
be supposed. It amounts, In fine, to
this: The public IS going to school as
never before and the lessons 1t is learn
ing are those Of patriotism which will
transcend party and class lines and serve
the larger good of the entire country.
Evening star., 1936-02-01
Correct Version of 3sNOwI
Law Me Down to Sleep"

To the Editor of The Star:
The Sunday Star of a week or so ago
told of some one in Falls Church, Va,
who was searching for the origin of our
childhood prayer, "Now lay me down
to Sleep" I cannot give the origin, but
would like to make correction. A
prayer is directed to God, not about Him.
AS given it read:
Nov I lay me down to sleep,
I pray the Lord my soul to keep.
If I should die before wake,
pray the Lord my soul to take"
:. It should read:
''Now I lay me down to sleep,
pray Thee, Lord, my soul to keep.
If I should die before I wake,
pray Thee, Lord my soul to take"
The same error appeared in the Chris
tian Herald some time ago in an article
by Honore Willsie Morrow, and after
wrote her she corrected it.
Mrs. Morrow. by the way, is In Eng
land, where the little prayer probably
originated Cif not in ScotlanO. and as
she is so deeply interested in research
work, she may be able to learn some
thing of the origin of the beautiful little
prayer. K. M. JAQUETTE.
Evening star., 1936-02-01
Farm Control Is Function
OF State Governments

To the Editor Of The Star:
If I read and interpret correctly the
courts opinion in the Hoosac Mills case,
agricultural production control by the
Federal Government is an objective that
cannot be attained by the Federal Gov
ernment, by compulsion, purchase, or in
ducement. In short, it is target that
cannot be shot at by the Federal Gov
ernment because it Is within the powers
reserved to the States under the tenth
amendment.
There seems to be considerable con-
fusion on the part of many lawyers as
to what the court meant when 1t said
that it was not concerned with condi-
tional appropriations of money, nor with
a provision that if certain conditions are
not complied with the appropriations
shall not be available. OF course, the
court was not passing upon the condi-
tional payment to farmers, but upon the
validity of contract entered into be-
tween the Government and the farmers
whereby crop reduction was agreed upon
and payment made therefor.
The court then proceeds to make the
observation that there is an obvious diff
ference between a statute stating the
conditions upon which moneys shall be
expended and one effective only upon
the assumption of contractual obliga-
tiOnS, as herein above set out, adding
that many examples might be cited but
(and here is the distinction) as an Illus
tration, an appropriation in aid of edu-
cation may be conditioned upon the
teaching of legitimate subjects: but an
expenditure conditioned upon the teach
ing of doctrines subverSive of the Con-
stitution or in contravention Of the
spirit and ideals of American institutions
would be clearly bad and invalid.
And the court clinches the foregoing
distinction by saying:
AN affirmance of the authority of
Congress $50 aS) to condition the eX-
penditure OF an appropriation would
tend to nullify all constitutional limita
tions upon legislative power"
1t follows, therefore, that the Congress
cannot condition the expenditure OF
money when the condition involves the
entrance on the part of the Federal Gov
ernment into field of activity reserved
to the States. In short, crop production
control is within the powers reserved tc
the States and the Congress cannot by
appropriations conditionally expended
violate that right reserved to the States
Hence, let's not kid ourselves into the
belief that we can accomplish the objec-
tives of the invalidated A. A. A. by in
ducements in the form of bounties at
tached to the soil erosion statute. Rather
let's be frank with the farmers and tell
them that it is just make-shift scheme
to retain their good will and friendship
until long term, definite and valid pro-
gram may be worked out, by the way OF
State compacts or otherwise.
JOHN w. HESTER.
Evening star., 1936-02-01
THIS AND THAT
BY CHARLES E. TRACEW ELL.

garded by experts as one OF the wisest
investments.
A room temperature of 80 degrees is
necessary, if the various tanks, exposed
to air on all sides, are to be kept between
"a and 78 degrees.
An air temperature Of 30 is regarded
as essential in such tropical fish rooms
as that maintained at the great Shedd
Aquarium in Chicago.
X X X
From this short account it may be
seen that keeping tropical fishes in the
home is not altogether the joy-ride de-
scribed by some of the newer addicts.
1t is when one has mastered the essen
tials of successful management and is
able to keep specimens for three years
and longer. that the real work Of the
hobby comes in.
1t is then that the, devotee realizes that
the goldfish, as common as it is. has its
good points, especially in regard to water
temperature.
This fish is kept best between 60 and
70 degrees the year around.
In Summer, of course, room temper
ature will go higher than 10, but the
goldfish, if given at least one gallon
y
able to stand it very we'll
In Winter he is able to weather per-
fectly anything he will encounter, and
this is great relief to the fish fan"
who has worried along with tropical
specimens for several years.
X
1t speaks volumes for the sheer in
terest of the tropical or exotic specimens,
that most persons who take them up are
willing to go to any extremes to Keep
them warm.
Willing, that is, until the novelty wears
off
This applies, of course, to the amateur
fancier who is not making money out
of his hobby.
The professional will worry along be-
cause, perforce, he has to. but there
comes time with all others when the
hobby tends to lose its pristine interest.
With some a year is enough, with
others, two. three or four years.
About four to five years is the average
life of the average fish lobbyists keen
interest.
He always will retain great interest
in the exotic specimens but will come IN
time, whatever that time is to decide
that he will permit others to keep them,
and that he will go and look at them
whenever he feels the urge, just as he
will permit DR. Mann at the Zoo to keep
lions and elephants for him, instead OF
doing it himself.
X X
We wonder if there is any one who,
once having kept fishes in tank. does
not thereafter wish to have at least one
aquarium around?
One is the perfect number.
1t is like the japanese and flowers.
They have attained to that perfect
philosophy, which finds in blossom or
two all the beauty OF the floral kingdom
Fish keepers we'll may emulate them.
One tank is enough, with just a few
| fishes in it.
If these are gold, SO much the better,
many will think.
| The goldfish, in its many variations,
is a wonderful creature. with history
behind it.
If we give it home within glass walls,
| let us make sure we give it enough room,
| and not too much to eat. On such a
program it thriveS.
Evening star., 1936-02-01

with a loss Of 1,517 lives, no equitable
compensation has ever been made.
the fact Is that the laws do not pro-
tect adequately those who go down to
the sea in ships They take their chances
despite the fact that they are assured
of safe passage short Of the inescapable
visitations OF nature in the form Of
overwhelming natural conditions. None
tary damages will not restore lives, nor
will they, even in the most generous de-
gree, adequately compensate those sur
vivors who suffered directly and indi-
rectly. But there should be the more
assured liability incumbent upon cor
porations that operate common carriers
on the waters and invite patronage on
the strength OF the seaworthiness and
stability and the efficient handling OF
their ships.
Evening star., 1936-02-01

Extremely cold weather, long contin-
ued, has drawn renewed attention to
the goldfish as home aquarium inmate.
Exotic or tropical specimens are very
interesting, but it must be admitted that
their care in zero days and nights
especially nights-becomes a task.
Especially is this true if there are
number of tanks to be warmed.
The theoretically perfect temperature
for most "tropicals" is "a to 78 degrees,
day and night, with 10 degrees as the
theoretical minimum below which the
water cannot 60 without danger to the
fishes.
The goldfish, on the other fin, can
stand almost anything, within reason.
In outdoor pools they can be kept
safely in zero weather if the water does
not freeze solid.
Even thels they may live, after thawing
out if the fibers of the heart have not
been frozen completely. This, it is be-
lieved, explains the fact that some frozen
specimens live after the experience, and
some do not.
We have heard of several instances Of
goldfish tanks being frozen, through a
WlllQOW UCAIlb ACAU OfNAA VA "a eNANf Nf>SA ~AAt
and in one of these the fishes, when
thawed out, seemed as lively as ever.
The hardy fellows are not hurt by
lows" of 40 or so degrees, which makes
them the best fish for average condi-
tiOns.
Probably very few homes will ever go
that low, in the living quarters, but II
one insists on keeping fishes, it is good
L.; r;,1Ic will 40 q
stand low temperatures without harm
to themselves and worry to their keepers.
| The sheer amount of perplexity caused
| by trying to keep exotic specimens prop
| erly warm. "a hours around the clock.
| in the coolest weather, cannot be known
| to any one who has not tried 1t.
| If Enthusiastically controlled heaters
| are used they are liable to get out OF
control and cook the fishes overnight.
! If lamps are used they may build up
| too much green algae in the water,
| caused by too much light.
| If the radiators of the hot water heat
ing system are relied on the aquatic
animals stand better chance for uni
form temperature provided heat is kept
| in the radiators at night.
X
| While the water temperature in all but
the very smallest tanks changes more
slowly than that of the air. aquaria cam
not be kept at proper temperature for
exotic fishes if the heat source is cut off
entirely all night.
| This calls for sustained heat, to some
| degree, or covering of some sort. Hence
| fish enthusiasts go to all sorts OF ex-
| tremes to keep in the heat.
| The simplest method is to use glass
cover lid, which prevents the loss of much
heat. Another method is to slant
another sheet of glass from the top rim,
rear, to the stand or table on which
the tank is sitting.
| Another method, one which usually
excites the derision of non-enthusiasts,
is to box the aquarium with many sheets
of paper, or to cover it with old sweaters
| or blankets at night, the danger time.
Those lobbyists who have many tanks
often find it cheapest to set up fish
room. or home aquarium, where all the
containers may be kept, the whole
warmed by some central source of heat.
Double windows for Winter use are re-
Evening star., 1936-02-01
Half a Loaf.

Having failed, on account of Japans
attitude, to reach an agreement for fur
ther naval limitation, the other gov
ernments which have been comforting
in London have decided upon four
power pact aimed at promoting under
standing among themselves in another
useful direction. It provides for full and
frank annual exchange of information
concerning their respective building
plans.
All concerned recognize that this half
loaf scheme affords no guarantee against
a new naval construction race, but 1t
represents a compromise effort to re-
strict such possibilities. The British,
American, French and Italian repre-
sentatives, who pledged their acceptance,
hold the plans chief merit to be that
it will tend to remove the mistrust which
has in the past been strong incentive
to competitive building. Thus, it is hoped,
the way may be paved to "quantitative"
reduction, l. e., general tonnage cuts, in
all navieS.
The agreement specifies that keels may
not be laid down until four months after
the exchange of information. If any
country makes any radical change in its
building plans after the exchange. new
notification will be required, whereupon
there would be a further four month
delay in the laying Of keels. In case
alterations in the design OF any ship
follow. keel-laying. other powers will be
informed, but no further construction
delay will ensue. Finally, after vessel
is launched, the powers are to acqualnt
one another with any additional change
in original plans.
During life of the agreement, the
powers may voluntarily consult among
themselves on any germane matters.
France sought to make such provl-
sion mandatory, with Geneva fixed as
the meeting place, but the United States
objected to any suggestion OF League
"entanglement" One notable feature OF
the information Exchange arrangement
is that only the approximate. not the
exact, number of planes aboard aircraft
carriers needs to be disclosed. This
country does not make known officially
to foreign powers the capacity OF its
carriers.
It is disappointing that it proved i'm
possible to prolong existing limitation
ARRANGEMENTS on the 5-5-3 ratio basis
which Great Britain and the United
States regard as an irreducible naval
minimum. Under the circumstances pro-
voked by Japan's determination to go
her own way, the other sea powers have
taken the only remaining practical step
designed to arrest senseless building
rivalry. The agreement probably will
contain an escape" clause, permitting
the contracting powers to take any addi-
tional steps that may become necessary
if Japan and Germany do not subscribe
to the pact.
With good faith on all sides, the agree
ment is capable, even within its narrow
scope, of producing beneficial results in
a world prone to be the victim Of ILL
founded suspicious that all too easily
lead to international conflict.
Evening star., 1936-02-01
Inevitable Taxation.

1ACvxIQO1C l. 0IAQtxO41s
The Presidents frank advocacy OF
new. higher taxation in an election year
to meet the costs of farm relief SUBJ
sides and to begin amortization Of the
bonus debt is correct and courageous.
It may not be playing the political game
according to Hoyle. But it is the only
consistent and sensible position the
President could assume. The money
must be appropriated and it must be
provided. Unless there is dangerous re-
sort to the fanciful expedients of green
back ano other inflationists, the only
method OF raising the money is through
taxation.
The President effectively made known
his objections to inflationary schemes in
his strong veto of the Patman bonus
bill last May. The inflationary elements OF
that bill, rather than the bonus payment
itself, in the end sustained the Presidents
veto. While his veto of the bonus bill
lust enacted merely referred in general
terms tc his message of last May, the
President may find it necessary to re-
state and to amplify some of the dangers
he saw fit to enumerate at that time:
ITO meet claim of one group by this
deceptively easy method OF payment VIII
raise similar demands for the payment
of claims of other groups. 1t Is easy TO
see the ultimate result of meeting re-
curing demands by the issuance OF
Treasury notes It. invites an ultimate
reckoning in uncomfortable prices and
in the destruction of the value OF savings
that will strike most cruelty those, like
the veterans, who seem to be Temporarily
benefited The first person injured by
skyrocketing prices is the man on fixed
income Every disabled veteran on pen
zion or allowance is on fixed income.
Wealth is not created nor is it
more equitably distributed by this
method A government. like an indi-
vidual, must ultimately meet legitimate
obligations out of the production of
wealth by the labor of human beings
applied to the resources of nature. Every
country which has attempted the form
OF meeting its obligations which is here
provided has suffered disastrous conse-
Quences."
The Presidents statement on the re-
quirements for new taxation now, of
course, furnish the inflationists with a
rallying point. They will muster not
only those who share their theories, but
those who will hide behind anything to
escape voting higher taxes in an elec-
ton year. For that reason the PreSi-
dent may be forced to assume the Of
fensive and formally bring to the at
tention Of Congress the amount Of rev.
enue needed, as well as the possible
sources of additional revenue. The Presi-
dent did not hesitate to enumerate the
sources of new revenue when ne sent
his "soak-the-rich" message to Con-
gress last year. If he waits now for
members of Congress, about to go before
the voters, to propose and push through
new revenue legislation without prodding
from the White House he may have to
wait long time.