davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1936-05-19
Circus Drama.

Thousands of Washington men, women
and children yesterday afternoon sought
the Ringing Brothers-Barnum and
Bailey Circus In expectation of the gay
and glanorous entertainment which
customarily is to be found nowhere else
than at such show. But a sudden
thunderstorm gave them drama Of an
other variety. The experience was har-
rowing In the extreme, tragic in at least
one sad instance-a little girl from
Shenandoah died from injuries received
when she was struck by a swinging pole.
But the community should be and pre-
sumably is grateful for the fact that
there was not further loss Of life. The
danger was starkly real for more than
half an hour. With Q forty-mile gale
blowing, rain falling in a torrential
downpour. lightning flashing and thun-
der rolling in terrifying fashion, panic
well might have occurred. And once the
rush started. nothing In the world could
have stayed its mad progress; hundreds
almost certainly would have been
trampled, scores killed.
Credit for the avoidance Of disaster Is
Evening star., 1936-05-19
Ground Song, Tameness
OF Wood Thrush Disputed

To the Editor Of The Star:
We do not like to doubt the accuracy
of any statement Mr.. Tracewell may
make. He has given us many interest
ing items of information, but in recent
bird articles we are compelled to correct
couple of his statements concerning
the thrush. In your issue of May he
writes: "A wood thrush Is so fearless
that the gardener will have trouble
moving the lawn, as it hops along right
in front of the mower" This is dis
tinctly incorrect. A thrush Is not so
tame as robin. but even it would not
60 so close to the gardener or the mower
A pigeon Is the only bird that will risk
its safety in the way described. This
we see daily in parks.
In your issue of the 14th Mr.. Trace
well writes: THE wood thrush, aristo-
crat Of our gardens, sings best on the
ground" This also is incorrect. No
bird sings from the ground, not even the
sky lark, which builds its nest and makes
its home on the ground in a meadow and
is the finest of all song birds. Many of
the great poets Of the past have written
about the song of the lark, and p. B.
Shelley added much to his fame as q
poet when ITO Sky Lark" reached the
public. 1t is intensely rich in language
and thought. r. LAPPIN.
Evening star., 1936-05-19
STARS, MEN AND ATOMS
Notebook of Science Progress in Field,
Laboratory and Study.
BY THOMAS x. HENRY.

life, 1t was reported to the National
Academy by Drs. C. B. Davenport and
william Drager of the Carnegie Insti-
tuition of Washington.
They plotted the actual curves of
growth for hundreds of babies in an
effort to work out a general law of
growth, but were unable to derive any
formula which accounted for these age
anomalies. They determined that the
squirt and decline were both independent
of the season and of the month of birth.
In rapidly growing babies both occur
earlier than in slow growers. In a pair
of identical twins the excesses and de-
ficiencies occur at about the same time
and in about the same degree.
The irregularities are found, DIR. Dav-
export reported, not only in weight, but
also In stature, sitting height and leg
length. The further Interpretation, he
said, must rest on future study.
A different rate of development for
the white and red blood cells was re-
ported by DR.. Florence r. Sabin of the
Rockefeller Institute for Medical Re-
search. Her experiments were made
with young rabbits, but presumably the
same effect would be found throughout
the animal kingdom.
Both are low, she found, just before
birth, but all the materials are at hand
for the rapid increase of the red cells
as soon as the animal starts to eat. The
number per cubic millimeter of blood
characteristic of the adult animal is
reached during the second and third
weeks of life. The hemoglobin, or red
coloring matter Of the blood, exceeds in
amount that found in adults.
The while cells increase much more
slowly and reach their full quota only
by the fifth and sixth months of life.
Evening star., 1936-05-19
Presidential Primaries
Of Little Practical Use
From the Saginaw Daily News.

From the Saginaw Daily News.
While the presidential primaries in
various States furnish interesting ma
terial for political speculations, one Is
tempted to wonder what earthly use
they are. They bind no one, not even
the delegates of the States in question.
Rarely, if ever, are all the avowed can
didates represented on the respective
party tickets. 1t could easily happen
that none of them would be, the States
vote going to some man entered merely
for the purpose of holding the conven-
ton delegations votes in handy shape
for the politicians to make the best deal
they can.
A good many people have fiirted with
the idea of presidential primaries that
would be binding, but so far no one
has been able to suggest a means OF
overcoming the practical administrative
dificulties involved. AS 1t is, the votes
are advisory and it is perfectly well
understood that delegation Is entirely
free to abandon the States choice as
soon as it is convinced he has no
chance and demand the best price it
can get from contending candidates.
It is difncult to see where the people
get any return from such elections,
comparable with the cost Of conducting
them. Such virtues as they may have
seem to have been appropriated by the
politicians for their own purposes. Per-
hans some day some one may devise q
presidential primary system that means
something, but we are o long way from
that to-day.
Evening star., 1936-05-19
Strict Application of
Heavier Penalties Needed

To the Editor Of The Star:
The question of overtime parking is
stressed by Edward Lloyd in his excel
lent letter to The Star. I quite agree
with his contention that the police are
overzealous in penalizing offenders in
overtime parking. Regardless Of the
ethical side involved in monopolizing
parking space, one must not lose sight
of the fact that parked car does not
offer a menace comparable with that
Of speeding or the insistence on right
Of way when common sense and human
safety are involved.
What Is needed is Police Court Judge
who Is courageous and independent
enough to impose the maximum penalty
in traffic violations causing bodily in
jury, without regard to sex, social sta
ton or what not; also a coroner's jury
that will rarely exonerate driver whose
negligence has caused a traffic fatality.
Make the liability to heavy fines and
long Imprisonment greater and there will
be marked improvement in the situa-
ton; furthermore, so-called educational
safety campaigns-invariably unsuccess-
ful-will be superf1uous.
HENRY LEBACH.
Evening star., 1936-05-19
Complete Citizenship
For Women Is an Issue

To the Editor of The Star:
Herbert Hoover said a mouthful" in
his recent speech at Philadelphia when
he made the statement, I'VE have been
accused of few forgotten men, but the
New Deal has forgotten all the women" 4"
I am becoming thoroughly discouraged
with the continued Indifference of this
administration toward women's funda-
mental interests. The attitude seems to
be, "Shoo, fly! Don't bother me-" when
women approach the national sugar bowl
to get grain for "the weaker SEX" It
is degrading for them in q so-called
democracy to have to beg and plead and
petition for that which belongs to them
as of right In my humble opinion, the
party that deserves to win in the coming
election Is the one that will put into its
platform q plank that will pledge that
party to work for a complete citizenship
status for women, something they do not
have now. Are women persons" and
citizens" according to the fourteenth
amendment to the Constitution or not?
1t granted national identity to somebody.
ROSE ARNOLD POWELL.
Evening star., 1936-05-19
Hospitals of Former Days
and Those of Modern Times

To the Editor OF The Star:
Florence Nightingale's life work has
lately been the subject of Star editorial.
She did great work, but she couldn't do
everything at once.
Up to about 1890, as remember it.
many of the lesser operations were still
performed without anesthetics. In Bay
View Asylum, Baltimore, Md, trained
nurses didn't come in until 1896. Med
ical and surgical equipment, Of course,
was not what 1t Is now. But good many
patients got well. though at times there
seemed to be q doubt as to whether q
party was dead or alive.
was in the ward as very young man
when one of the resident students certi-
fed one of the sufferers as beyond all
earthly cares. A couple of huskies came
in and placed the corpse" on a board
alongside the bed, washed him of and
got ready to put him on q Stretcher.
Apparently they had been too vigorous
about their scrubbing-the corpse" sat
UP on the board and looked around in a
bewildered sort of fashion. He lived for
another two days.
OF course, all this has been changed
long ago. Baltimore's Municipal Hos
pital, formerly Bay View Asylum, these
many years has been rated Al. Besides,
the patient stays until he RECEIVERS or
dies. Chronics are transferred to the
poor house" ION the same grounds) II
the person has no home or no worth
while home. Here, due to everlasting
overcrowding, as at Gallinger, they have
to discharge them half cured and with
no place to 60. If the sufferer is quite
old, then he may have a chance to 60
to Blue Plains, provided there Is room.
In the old days in the Maryland Cen
eral Hospital you could get ward bed
for as low as 40 cents a day. This in
cluded care by the staff and visiting
physicians and surgeons. AS to WASH
ington, D. c., before Gallinger, the Dis
trict sent INDECENT patients to the various
pay hospitals at very low special rate.
As late as 1917 the pay hospitals
accepted patients for as low as 81 a day.
By 1880 found it raised to 81 a day
(plus plenty of extras" plus your own
DOCTOR. In 1885 paid So. plus" Now
it's $3.50, plus"
And so the poor man who would like
to pay his way hasn't a chance, espe-
cially in case of protracted illness. OF
course, he can pocket his pride and 60
to Gallinger-an excellent institution. but
always overcrowded. So what? Well,
Senator Robert F. Wagner, for instance,
is considering public health insurance.
Then there is the medical center" idea,
which the existing hospitals are fighting.
And yet they claim that they are losing
money, although lot of their work is
being done by unpaid help (student
nurses. Looks funny.
FRED VETTER.
Evening star., 1936-05-19
Shooting Stars.
BY PHILANDER JOHNSON.
Memory Gems.

Memory Gems.
Those Memory Gems Of schoolday times
reverently recall,
For they were sweetly soothing rhymes,
To gladden. great and small.
When threats our good intentions mar,
With hope a verse draws near:
Speak Gently. It Is Better Far
To Rule by Love Than Fear"
When woman's wit we hnd arrayed
In militant endeavor,
They still recite, BE Good, Sweet Maid,
And Let Who Will Be Clever"
But envious ardor must arise,
Polonius, shrewdly terse,
Sounds influential when he sighs,
Put money in thy purse!"
Evening star., 1936-05-19

are allocated to the vast rearmament
program. It is oficially foreshadowed
that the impending semi-annual INSTALL
ment will again be defaulted at Wash
ington, and that there is no intention
of taking any initiative either for re-
newal of payments or discussion looking
to a scaling down or cancellation of the
debt.
European war debts to the United
States total more than $4,000. 600 900,
Of which over 81 ,000, 900 900 is in default.
OF the gross obligation, Britain owes
roundly $5,00o,000,0o0 and France 81
0o0, ,000, 900. France ceased to pay at
the end of 1882 and Britain and other
debtors, with the shining exception OF
Finland, which has met its obligations
regularly, made token payments until
June, 1884. Under the johnson law,
all nations in default are denied access
to the American loan market.
Despite M. Blum's friendly observa-
tions and the echo evoked in London,
June IS Is destined to come and 60
without any payments on account OF
the round 5000, ,00o, 900 then falling due
from thirteen European nations. The
sum will be automatically added to the
mounting total of installments already
in default. 1t is improbable that the
present generation Of Americans will
live to see payment OF the war debts
or their curtailment on any substantial
scale. A Europe with its being chron-
ically atop a powder barrel and with
costly competition in armaments in
progress on all sides, is not likely to
be in either mood or position to divert
funds to settlement of the American
war debts. Besides considering it
necessary to lavish money upon military.
naval and air establishments, nearly
every one of the debtor countries Is
still struggling with economic vicis-
situdes.
Under such circumstances, the United
States has no alternative but patiently
to await the time when conditions
lover there" will permit more promis-
ing approach to the entire debt PROPOSE
ton. Meanwhile, Washington consist
emily maintains its readiness to con-
slider any feasible readjuStment pro-
posals which the defaulting nations care
to submit. The attitude Of the in
coming French premier offers the most
tangible hope held out for some time
that one of these days progress in the
desired direction may be made.
Evening star., 1936-05-19

A new tool for the diagnosis of various
human maladies-the inhibiting, poison
Gus effect of blood sera on the root
growth of seedlings of certain plants
grown in solution under standard con-
ditions-was described to the National
Academy of Sciences here last week by
Drs. David I. Macht and Raymond z.
Gardner of Johns Hopkins University.
This toxic effect of human blood sera
on plants was first discovered by Dr.
Macht Is years ago and he now has
found that 1t varies with certain dis
eases so notably as to afford an almost
certain means of differentiation The re-
suits with seeding roots are much more
striking than can be obtained with ami
NAL tissues.
Much more toxic than normal is the
blood sera of victims Of pernicious
anemia, leprosy and the skin disease,
pemphigus. These differ among them
selves in the extent of the poisonous
effect, so that the actual malady from
which person is suffering can be de-
termined In a questionable case. The
degree of toxicity changes as the cure
progresses, making it possible for ply
sicians to evaluate the success of their
therapeutic treatments.
A notable instance, cited by DR.. Macht
in his report to the National Academy,
is in pernicious anemia. Under the now
standardized liver extract treatment the
patient apparently greatly improves. Yet
the toxicity of the blood sera remains
unchanged, apparently demonstrating
that the underlying condition responsible
for the blood disease has not been
affected.
During the past year, DR.. Macht re-
ported, it has been found that the blood
sera of victims of virus diseases as a
class is much less toxic than ordinary
sera. These are the maladies due to
the submicroscopic filterable viruses, the
list of which constantly is increasing.
The non-toxic effect was demonstrated
for such maladies as experimental
vaccinia, fowl pox, herpes, rabies, one
type of meningitis and various patfo-
logical animal growths. These results,
says DR.. Macht, are in agreement with
findings made some years ago in tests
with clinical cases Of scarlet fever.
Curiously enough, a series Of blood sera
from monkeys infected with poliomyelitis
did not reveal this phenomenon, the re-
e~S>~~~>~>
range. Previous examination OF the
blood sera from 100 cases Of trachoma,
the widespread eye disease, revealed that
they possessed q specific toxicity not ex-
hibited by sera from other pathological
eye conditions.
The blood sera from ordinary bac-
terial and protozoan infections had about
the same toxicity as normal sera. The
two exceptions to this were in the cases
of tuberculosis and syphilis. The high
toxicity of leprosy may be useful IN
diagnosis.
Normal blood sera Of many genera OF
animals were found to have about the
same toxicity to the seedlings as the
sera of normal human beings. The
only exception was the blood sera OF
reptiles which were more toxic than
those of other cold-blooded animals. The
blood serum Of non-poisonous snakes
was as toxic as that Of poisonous SER
pents.
The human infant has an inexpli-
cable squirt In growth at about the sixth
month and an equally iaexplicable de-
cline ct about The eighteenth month q
Evening star., 1936-05-19
THIS AND THAT
BY CHARLES Z. TRAcEWELL.

The latter is more sedate, In all ways,
than the pigeon.
A bit of o wag Is the pigeon. He
takes life 50 intensely that he is funny,
In the popular phraseology. No doubt
many humans fall into the same cate
CORY.
Pigeons have q sort Of strutting walk
which strikes the funny bone of OBJ
servers. Their way Of picking up their
food verges on the comical. Their antics
with the female of the species are ludi-
crous, especially the waltz they make, as
they turn round and round in her
presence.
II one did not suspect the relationship
of doves and pigeons from their appear
ance, he would be able to guess it from
their voices. While the voice of the
pigeon is not as soft. it has a great deal
Of the typical COO" in it, marred bit
by some tinges of the comic quality
noted.
There are few sights more appealing
than that Of a flock Of half a dozen
pigeons alighting in backyard.
Their powerful wings support their
heavy bodies easily, giving the observer
the same impression he receives of
fishes in water.
There is no wasted motion, no undue
beating Of the wings. In this respect,
the Carolina dove is an even more grace
full flyer. But the regular pigeons,
known to all, are fine while in the air.
Usually they make trial flight over
q yard and back again before alighting.
This descent is really beautiful, as
the great wings hold the fat bodies
easily in the slow fall to earth.
After that comes the waddle, proving
to all and sundry that the pigeons are
out of their native element for the time
being.
The Carolina dove, sometimes called
the mourning dove, from the sound OF
the voice, or the turtle dove, from its
shape in cold weather, combined with
the markings on the back, is really .
very beautiful bird, in quiet way.
Nothing seems more appropriate in a
garden than a pair of these birds.
Their voices, while in sense mourn
full, in another distinctly are not so;
rightly heard, they simply are part OF
the great outdoors. and possess some
thing of the gentleness of the lower
notes Of the flute.
A dove might be called the contralto
of bird singers. Its sounds are to be
heard at all hours and to the listening
ear in time become highly welcome. At
first one may have been inoculated with
the dire meanings of that word mourn
ing" but after this wears of the more
subtle tones are heard and these, one
often is surprised to find out, are pleas
antly happy. as much so, almost, as
that of most bird songs.
The gurgles Of the pigeons lack this
note of refinement Their voices seem
to be concerned with food and the like.
but as far as we know the doves have
no such mundane thoughts, if We can be-
lieve the far-reaching tones that journey
to us every day.
Especially in the late afternoon it is
pleasing to hear the a-coo-oo-oo of the
Carolina dove, its soft accents somehow
blending with the decline of the sun.
the shadows on the grass, the beloved
supper time of the world.
Pigeons and doves are fine birds, if
just a few of them are present. They
exemplify the old saying, "Twos COM
pany, three's crowd"
Evening star., 1936-05-19

It Is good to see that Maurice Maeter-
linck has written book on pigeons.
They share the volume with spiders,
which also attract his curious fancy.
The city and suburban dweller inter-
ested in Nature will be glad that 80
distinguished q writer has turned his
attention to these creatures, especially
to the pigeons, for the latter are mostly
Just accepted.
We need some one to put G little
philosophy into pigeons. They are 30
well known that people accept them, as
they do English sparrows, without
thinking about them.
Yet the pigeons, which include the
doves, are among the extremely inter-
esting birds, as any one knows who has
watched them beneath bird feeding sta
tions in the home garden.
Doves really are pigeons. pigeons are
doves, either way you want to call EN-.
Usually the term dove" is confined to
the smaller and somewhat sleeker birds.
Dove" and pigeon" are practically
synonymous.
There are five big pigeons which have
come to our yard daily since last No
vember.
Before the feeding stations were
established, not one of these birds ever
few down. although some Of them had
been observed from time to time about
, block away.
g 1t was not three days after seeds and
grains had been put out that they ap-
peared.
What graceful fellows they are, de-
spite their size!
A little awkward in the take-off, but
once aloft they are splendid flyers. The
prowess of the family Ii well known.
One has but to think of the various
racing pigeons, and even back to the
Ark. 1t was dove which brought glad
tidings. Since earliest days the dove
has been regarded as symbolic of peace.
The word pigeon" comes from the
Latin pipere, to cheep, through old
French pijon, O young cheeping bird.
Hence when we use the word today
we go back to the very springs of bird
land. as it were.
One of the most beautiful of the
typical South American songs is called
THE Dove"
1t is happy circumstance that one
may have in the garden side by side
real pigeons and doves. The dove family,
or pigeon family, whichever one chooses
to call it, has hundreds Of species. Only
a pigeon fancier could begin to tell q
tenth of the domesticated pigeons.
So there will be little good for the
gardener to worry his head over which
sorts of pigeons honor the grains he puts
out for the birds.
They are ground feeders, 50 do yoe-
man service in cleaning up beneath trees
or shrubs where feeding devices often
are placed.
Unless one happens to be near large
pigeon places, such as some of our parks
have become, there will be little danger
of the garden being swamped with these
birds.
Usually half dozen will come regu-
larly. These do not make bad additions
to the hosts of other smaller birds. They
likewise attract the Carolina dove. a
most welcome visitor.
1t is both an instructive and beau
tiful sight to watch pigeons and doves
feeding side by side.
Evening star., 1936-05-19
A Rhyme at Twilight
By
Gertrude Brooke Hamilton
The Heart of q Boy.

Inc neart Oh y DOys
Like the contents Of his pockets, tangled
strings,
Cookies, fishing worms, bean shooter,
varied things,
SO mismated. strange emotions are part
OF that ever-puzzling riddle-a boys
heart.
Day dreaming Of adventure, exploits
bold;
Impervious alike to heat or cold;
With pranks that nearly drive his parents
wild,
Yet quick to stoop and soothe crying
child.
As well as try to pierce the junge BY .
chart
Az to plumb these Depths boys be-
wildMtng heart.
Evening star., 1936-05-19

In newspaper circles debate has arisen
as to whether a gentleman shall take
his hat of when a lady enters the
elevator. The elevator conductor has
enough to do without attempting to
police the etiquette.
Evening star., 1936-05-19
Still Valid.

From the Detroit News.
Our fiscal structure is standing up very
well. A Cleveland answers editor tells
an inquirer that half dated 1851
Is still worth 5 cents.
Evening star., 1936-05-19

European craftsmanship Is explaining
that it is still an entirely good League
Of Nations, needing only q few minor
repairs.
Evening star., 1936-05-19
Dangerous Assumption.

"You have made profound study Of
politics." remarked the friend from
home.
Don't advertise any impression to
that effect" said Senator Sorghum.
you're sure to lose votes if you allow
our friends to think I'm assuming to
know more than they do"
Evening star., 1936-05-19
Adhesive.

From the Milwaukee Sentinel.
Though Uncle Sam is giving up some
Of his islands, it Is probable that Guam
will stick to him like wad Of gum to
Q park bench.
Evening star., 1936-05-19

Debt payments to the U. 8. A. will in
duce a kindlier feeling and at least
permit conversation enough to disclose
whether there is anything new worth
finding out about the League of Nations.
Evening star., 1936-05-19

Along with glowing assurances OF
awakening prosperity come somber hints
that the relief money is all spent and
that there is not going to be any more.