davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1936-08-04
A Tenth of a Second.

Jesse Owens, Ohio States celebrated
Negro athlete, equaled the world and
the Olympic mark of O:1O3 in the hun
dred-meter sprint at Berlin. Had he
covered the diStance-3,937 inches, or
approximately 1922 yards, as it might
be figured in America-the news would
have been flashed out to all the earth
that he had smashed the record. The
difference between his actual achieve
ment and the fulfillment of his larger
aspiration was exactly one-tenth of a
second. He failed to win the higher goal
of his desire by what the dictionary calls
"a moment or IAN instant"
But the average person. it may be
supposed, never has paused to consider
the least consequential of the standard
divisions of time. Even among those
who pledge their lives to science it is
difficult to find definition for the term.
The Star-gazing Babylonians are sup
posed to have invented the now uni
versal numerical system, but it was the
astronomers of ancient Greece who
established the model circle of 800 units
or degrees. Then the Latins named one
sixtieth part of a degree "pars minuta
prima," or first small part" and one
siXtieth part of that minute naturally
enough became "pars minuta SeCunda,"
or second" A third fractional reSolu-
tion probably seemed infeasible. The
human mind simply cannot visualize so
brief period.
Yet as in the instance of Owens effort,
that tiny fragment of infinity may sig
nifty more than the tongue can tell. 1t
was a matter of international interest
that the sturdy young runner should
match the existing record; it would have
been still more thrilling had he eXcelled
it. Only an inconceivably small span
not even single tick of the best of
clocks-lay between the one possibility
and the other. But "a miss is as good
as a mile" The incident provides man.
kind with a lesson in the preciousness
of that aspect of existence which is
charted in the calendar. A practical
philosopher, for example, ponders over
the meaning of a second when two auto
mobiles are in danger of collision. BY
just so much, plus or minus, the crash
may be avoided. Basically, then, it is
the little things-the most momentary
things-that really count. And that is
a SOLDERING axiom, surely.
Evening star., 1936-08-04
STARS, MEN AND ATOMS
Notebook of Science Progress in Field,
Laboratory and Study.
BY THOMAS r. HENRY.

OF these, the so-called Joosten process
is useful with certain types of uniform
sand. found near Berlin and in sections
of London subway excavations. 1t con-
sists in injecting metasilicic acid and
water-glaSs into the soil. There a gel
like mass is formed which provides a
foundation for heavy buildings.
A leading company in Italy for pro-
cessing the soils employs useful tech
nique of injecting lime or concrete into
fisSures and veins between the cracks
in clay subsoil, and also cementing by
addition of certain aluminium salts in
clayS through the minute cracks which
exist, usually as thin as a paint film.
For very soft clays, there is an elec-
trical process something like electro
plating which is said to harden the clay
in the neighborhood of structural pile,
in effect increasing the diameter and
ability of the pile to support its load.
Electrodes are sunk into the soil and the
current modifies the character of the
aluminium salts present in the clay. Ex-
amples of the use of these processes may
be found in the construction of public
buildings, churches and dams through
out Europe.
Evening star., 1936-08-04
Rules Governing Ancient
Olympic Entrants Strict
To the Editor of The Star:

To the Editor of The Star:
Recently much has been said about the
dismissal of Eleanor Holm Jarrett and
the two men from the Olympic team.
This writer sees in the action of the
Olympic team management an attempt
to live up to the traditions Of the old
games. When one reads the literature
of the OlympiadS he finds that the an
cient Greeks insisted upon savage cere-
monial oaths and severe penalties for
violation of training and game rules and
ethics.
For centuries the athletes were sworn
to engage in intensive training for 10
months in their home states and one
month in the Valley of Olympus. At
first no meat was allowed in the diet;
later on, the wrestlers and boxers were
allowed to eat meat, and. since there
were no weight classes, these gladiators
ate to become of mastodonic proportions.
All athletes, however, met prior to the
games and. with hands buried in the
steaming entrails of freshly killed boarS,
swore to zeus that they had not violated
the Olympic oath to train religiously. If
an athlete could not take this oath he
was sent home. If the ethics of the
games were disregarded the athlete was
punished. fined and made to furnish a
statue of zeuS, which was placed in the
grove OF the god. AS evidence of the holy
regard for ethical practice, not more
than 20 such statues were erected in the
1,l68 years of Greek Olympic games.
The admoniShment given the athletes
by the officials of the games at the close
OF the intensive training period was: IF
you have exercised yourself in a man.
ner worthy of the Olympic games, If you
have been guilty of no slothful or ignoble
act. go on with good courage You who
have not SO practiced, go whittier you
will"
The Olympic games had most pro-
found influence throughout the whole
civilized world of antiquity. The Greeks
loved beauty and grace in all phases of
life. To them athletics were poetry in
motion and their statues were frozen
athletic poetry" Although, as in later
feudal Europe, each city or state was an
armed camp, and wars and banditry
marked the lives of every generation, yet
during the seasons of the Olympiads
people were free to come and go about
and all internecine strife was abolished.
To the victor. the final winner, in
each event, who was called the "Olym-
pionike," the only award given at the
garles was a wreath of olive leaves. but
when he arrived home the highest hon.
ors were paid. He was allowed to enter
through a fresh breach in the walls"
Of the city. His name was on every
tongue. OdeS we're sung to his memory.
A statue was erected and placed before
the temple of Zeus. Honors were be-
slowed upon him. and some cities nota-
bly, Athens, pensioned him for life
For instance, the notorious Emperor
Nero went to the games, secured honors
and marched into Rome through "a
fresh breach in the walls" Profess
sionalism crept in. The victory only,
and not the beauty of form, nor the all
round development of the man. became
the sole goal. There in the year 1872
AID, after a period of 1,168 years. be-
ginning TIC BIC, the old games ended.
E. B. HENDERSON.
Evening star., 1936-08-04

the coinage Of the realm. He also
changed the system of taxation. But
in the end he decided upon coercion.
He proclaimed schedule of fair prices
for commodities and labor. Oil, he de-
clared, should sell for no more than the
equivalent of 30.3 cents a quart; pork
7.3 cents pound; small cabbageS, IT.
cents each; women's shoes, 26 cents
pair; transportation for one person. 9
cent per mile. The wages he dictated
we're: 1913 cents day and keep" for
a manual worker; ZIG cents for brick
layer. stonemaSon, carpenter, a
blacksmith or baker; 324 cents for "a
maker of statues" and 648 cents for
"a figure painter" Lawyers legally might
collect $4.35 for finishing a case" and
teachers of rhetoric might charge $109
per pupil per month. A watcher of
clothes in a public bath was entitled to
claim 8 cent from each patron.
Even the legitimate value of a sewing
needle was fixed in the Edict. BY its
sponsors command the code was en-
graved in granite and set up in markets
throughout the East. But was the
scheme successful? The words of Lac
tantius. written soon after Diocletian's
death, may be cited in answer: And
when he had brought on a state of ex-
ceeding high prices by his different acts
of injustice. he tried to fix by law the
prices of articles offered for sale. There
upon, for the veriest trif1es much blood
was shed. and out of fear nothing was
offered for sale, and the scarcity grew
much worse, until. after the death OF
many persons, the law was repealed from
mere necessity"
The Romans, it seems. were not ready
for paternalism. All that remains of
that effort to inf1ict it upon them are
those certain broken stones" which Sher-
ard retrieved from the dust of the fallen
empire.
Evening star., 1936-08-04

Swooping down from the shrubs, one
after another. the birds will peck the
cat on the back repeatedly, first from
one side and then from another.
The white shows in their wings as
they flutter down. rather slowly, aimed
directly at the feline sides and rear.
Often the cat will stand up on its
hind legs as the mocker wings for 1t,
but will not catch the bird, for the
latter is shrewd-it bears upward just
beyond the reach of the extended paws
While one bird is slapping the fanks
of the cat the other is sitting in a
shrub few feet from him, mocking his
perplexity. This bird perches low,
usually not more than 2 or feet from
the ground.
Any cat by making a sudden spring
could catch bird at that distance from
the ground. What saves the low perch
er, of course, is the threat of the other
bird, which, when it sees the animal
crouching for the shrub, makes a great
outcry and Immediately Swoops down.
1t may be believed that few minutes
Of this warfare, and Mr.. Cat is willing
to come in the house.
y
So we have the spectacle of the cat
driven out Of its own yard by a pair of
mocking birds, whose nest, after all, is
at least 200 feet away in another yard.
Wherefore, we are willing to give the
palm to the Knockers as the fightin est
birds OF all
The English sparrow, renowned scrap
per, is not in it.
The truth seems to be that this SPAR
row has been slandered all along the
line. Many writer's become positively
vehement when they consider it. One
book omits it from its pages, although
giving the startling place. Now this is
all wrong. No book on American land
birds can be complete without the Eng
liSh sparrow. the commonest Of all and
the one bird known by everybody.
We have watched this bird closely in
a community where there are far more
song birds than in most and We have
yet to see it harm any other Its bel
ligerency is confined mostly to its own
species. 1t is often the same in the
fish world. Many small aquarium in
mates fight their own kind at sight, but
pay no attention to other species.
A bird book without the English
sparrow is just like Hamlet" with the
melancholy Dane left out. It is like
an aquarium without plants. 1t is not
complete.
The garden without English sparrows
is not as good as the garden with them
no matter how many other birds come
to visit it.
There is no prettier picture in Winter
than flock of English sparrows wing
ing across the yard from one bird feed
ing station to another.
CHIPPING and crying to each other,
they are birds as well as any and make
sweet music in the cold.
Our famous nine male cardinals in
the garden at one time were no more
welcome, in a sense, than our so to rs
English sparrows. These latter birds
behaved as well as the rest, which was
excellent. and gave a touch OF bird life
which We will not soon forget. Making
up a part Of the several hundred birds
of 20 species which daily came to the
feeders, they had their place. So say
no more against the English sparroWs!
We have watched them at close hand
and say that many of the structures
against them are pure hokum
Evening star., 1936-08-04
THIS AND THAT
BY CHARLES E. TRACEWELL.

A dove and blue jay were fighting
for possession Of a plate of salmon
which had been put out the night be-
fore for wandering cats.
Which do you think won the battle?
The dove!
The peppy blue jay didn't get a smell.
Every time he came near the plate
the dove would run directly at him.
Then the Jay would leap into the air,
completely over the other bird, but he
never could get near the plate.
Each time the dove would come at
him in most determined manner, so
assured that thes jay-usually a very
belligerent creature-decided not to
make stand of 1t.
Finally he gave up altogether his at
tempt at breakfast. With a defiant cry
he rose high into the air and winged
his way South.
So you never can tell, watching the
birds, which will come of the victor in
these impromptu battles.
Bird battles are mostly bluff.
The best bluffer-and who hasn't
seen this happen-is the winner.
Nothing strange about that!
Most bird conflicts consist of run
ming at each other, usually with flap
ping wings, bills extended.
The biggest f1apper, evidently. is the
victor The least f1apper usually jumps
into the air and tends to fly away.
One would not think to see such a
jaunty fellow as the beautiful jay put
to flight by dove, often regarded as
the meekest of birds Symbolism has
given it this role; actually it is no
meeker than any other
Very few birds really like to fight.
At the most, their battles are bluff.
sound and fury. really meaning nothing.
Robins, for instance, often seem to be
fighting furiously, but if the observer
keeps a close watch on them he will see
that never feather Of either is harmed.
Nor is the belligerent-appearing bird
always the aggressor or the most to be
feared from other birds.
We have given an instance in which
the loWly, meek dove came of undis-
puted victor.
The blue jay. with his crest and his
bold ways and raucous calls. probably
would be given first place as fighter
by common consent of those interested
in birds and gardens.
Yet the mocking bird is much more
fierce bird.
1t tolerates no one near its nest.
Especially it resents the house cat on
a stroll through the garden. Probably
not all persons are aware that cats
have a special regard for gardens. They
find in them much to occupy their curl
osity and take, many will believe,
genuine interest in the flowers. No one
who has ever watched a cat reach up
and gently touch blossom will dispute
this.
A cat in its own garden is simply out
of place, if We may believe the mocking
bird.
Famed for his mimicry, this bird
really ought to be famous for his ardor
in protecting his nest.
Unlike the blue jay, which will at
tack a cat only when it climbs a tree,
the mocking bird does not hesitate to
launch itself full tilt, like feathered
arrow, at cat on the ground.
Both male and female mocking birds
will carry their determination TO this
mint.
Evening star., 1936-08-04
''Certain Broken Stones" "

American visitors to oxford may see.
If they choose, a remarkable herbarium
bequeathed to the university by one
William Sherard, an enthusiastic anna
teur botanist who was English consul
at Smyrna in the first decade of the
eighteenth century. The collection is
monument to a character eminently de-
serving of remembrance in the present
period of history. 1t was his good for
tune to discover in Caria in 1709 the
earliest excavated fragments Of the cele-
brated Edict of Diocletian-relics which
ought to be studied in relation to the
current development of paternalism in
Europe and in the United States.
When Sherard found them, the scat
tered souvenirs of ancient imperialism
were merely certain broken stones"
which had lain in the ruins of a van
ished civilization for more than thou
sand years awaiting recognition. But
when they had been assembled and sup
plemented by inscriptions unearthed
elsewhere the translators extracted from
their text an invaluable lesson for hui
manity. And it is to that aspect of their
significance that attention should be di-
rected now. Its connotation Is one of
guidance and warning to living genera
tions of people.
The author of the Edict was poor
Dalmatian who, through the chance of
an army election, became Emperor Of
Rome in 284 AID. BY temperament a
reformer, he rearranged the government,
altered its policies according to his
hearts desire. And perhaps his fondest
ambition was to protect the masses from
exploitation at the hands of the CONNER
cial classes, the monopolists and the mil
lionaires. To that end he devoted him.
self to numerous expedients for the re-
duction of the high cost of living. Among
his experiments was that Of debasing
Evening star., 1936-08-04

main unreported in the vicinity of
Granada, which has been shut of
without communication since the start
of the revolt. Most of the Americans
voluntarily remaining in Spain now are
those with business interests or the
members of consular and diplomatic
families. These Secretary Hull has
wisely warned to take advantage of
present means of leaving the country
or to remain at their own risk.
Such a warning indicates the serious
ness with which the State Department
regards conditions in Spain now and in
the immediate future. AS long as there
are unprotected Americans in the coun-
try, the American Government will bear
a responsibility for their safety, and this
responsibility will be exercised as far as
possible. But under conditions like
those in Spain now, none is completely
safe. Regardless of which of the war
ring elements is victorious, continuation
of the civil war will be accompanied
by progressive decentralization of the
usual forces counted on for law and
order and the protection of non-com-
Blatant aliens. The black aftermath of
the revolt is apt to be reign of terror.
Secretary Hull'S warning, transmitted
to all Americans who can be reached
through diplomatic and consular Off
GERS, doubtless will be effective in per-
suading many Americans, who, up to
this time, have counted on their pass
ports to protect them. to leave. Those
who fail to go are literally taking their
lives in their own hands.
Evening star., 1936-08-04
influential.

"Are you going to make any campaign
speeches?"
mo-" said Miss Cayenne. There are
many able orators"
But you want to come to the aid of
your party"
Certainly. What I am going to do is
to get out in the audience and exercise
my social censorship over the applause"
ITO learn the truth" said Hi Ho, the
sage of Chinatown, may need great
patience which may bring you only the
dangerous enmity of those who desire to
keep it hidden"
Evening star., 1936-08-04
A Timely Warning.

The American Government has done
about everything that the circumstances
would permit to assure the safety of its
nationals stranded in Spain. The ex-
tent of its power, in this direction, lies
In getting them out of the country.
According to reports to the State De-
partment. the majority of tourists have
been evacuated, although a number re-
Evening star., 1936-08-04
Linguist.

do you speak many languages?"
mo" said Senator Sorghum, mot to
the extent of being dramatically re-
liable when I go abroad. There are SO
many dialects here in America that as
a public speaker have to study con-
stantly with no aid whatever from
lexicon"
Evening star., 1936-08-04

The gentleman now holding down the
Postmaster Generals desk need not fear
for his future if Mr.. Farley is successful
in his present campaign. The old phrase,
Something equally as good" will doubt
less be revived for his benefit.
Evening star., 1936-08-04

While restoring ruins in France John
D. Rockefeller, jr., won deserved honor.
His benefactions may lead French intel
ligence to seek some restorative to apply
to funds that should long ago have been
paid to this country.
Evening star., 1936-08-04
Ineyitability.

Inevitability.
Politics in business
Is a constant fear.
In the social dizziness
Politics draws near.
Keepin' out o. politics
Would mean rest and fun.
Fate plays such peculiar tricks
That it can't be done!
Evening star., 1936-08-04
Shooting Stars.
Runners All.
BY PHILANDER JOHNSON.

A runner is hailed
In the games over there,
Where others have failed
He's a champion rare.
He may be sincere
Or he may be in fun:
The question is here
How well can you rum"
It's a question so old
That the cohorts may meet
When to conquer they're told
Or they're due for retreat.
An election draws nigh
To be valiantly won
And the people all cry,
How well can you run!"
Evening star., 1936-08-04
A Rhyme at Twilight
BY
Gertrude Brooke Hamilton
Respite.

The dusk has brought its relaxation,
From toll and care brief cessation:
The farmer resting from his reaping,
Night on the heels of daylight creeping,
Shadows across the meadows stealing,
Afar the angelus low pealing
AS if in faint angelic blessing
Heaven was day-worn earth caressing.
The wild flowers and the trees are
fragrant,
And THE nonce lazy vagrant-
With hot pace of the workday over
Stretch at full length In bed Of clover.
Evening star., 1936-08-04

Americans in Spain are warned to be
careful about speaking Spanish and even
as little English as possible. Wherever
Communists get foothold there are the
makings of something corresponding to
an o. G.. P. U.
Evening star., 1936-08-04

The Oympian games constitute an
event of international Importance, al
though it is safe to say that none of
them is being discussed in the same
language that was employed in the
neighborhood of the original Olympus.
Evening star., 1936-08-04

Controversy in labor circles may result
in suggesting new ideas which large
employers, usually disposed to a generous
and considerate attitude, may be able
to utilize in their business.
Evening star., 1936-08-04

1t cannot be understood why keyhole
reporting should be encouraged in Holly
wood when every parsonage appears
willing to go into court and answer each
and every improper question.
Evening star., 1936-08-04

Lindbergh once expressed desire to
keep out OF print. That is one privilege
that cannot be enjoyed by man whom
the world public has once selected for
a perpetual spotlight.
Evening star., 1936-08-04
One Very Small Use.

From the Lowell Leader.
New York, we are told, consumes 816,-
100000 gallons of water a day. But so
far as our observation goes, only an in
finitesimal fraction of it in chasers.
Evening star., 1936-08-04

Whether they like it or not, reporters
and readers must be interested in crime.
In fact, intelligent objectors to war will
tell you that history itself is based on
crimes prompted by greed and excused
by ambition.
Evening star., 1936-08-04
Counting Congressman.

From the Usage Press.
If you consider yourself pretty well
informed on politics, just try how many
members of the Lower House Of Con.
gress you can count beside your own
CONGRESSMAN and Marion Zioncheck.
Evening star., 1936-08-04
Duplex Votes.

From the Philadelphia Evening Bulletin.
Before this campaign is over a lot of
us are going to wish we had two votes,
so that we could secure the blessings
promised by each party.
Evening star., 1936-08-04
Uncle Sam, Realtor.

Uncle Sans landlord now,
Lending money on your home.
Leaves you wondering as to how
Rates of interest will roam.
Uncle Sam is good and fair
Yet there may be discomfort
When with landlordly air
He exclaims, II want the remit"
"a man has to keep gettin' older and
older" said Uncle Eben; land dat's all
right If he can honestly believe dat
every year leaves him a little more
sensible"
Evening star., 1936-08-04

BY taking up the subject of political
oil Secretary Ickes risks line of rem
iniscence that will not soothe the feel
ings of anybody.
Evening star., 1936-08-04
A Worry for Geneva.

From the Goshen News-Times.
The League of Nations seems to be
worrying that Germany will take that
title. the Free City of Danzig," too
literally.
Evening star., 1936-08-04
Expansive.

From the Bismarck IN. Dak) Tribune.
In one convention item "a grin lit up
Farley's face" Which is quite feat
of illumination, considering how far back
his face extends.
Evening star., 1936-08-04
All Other States and Canada.
Member of the Associated Press.

The Associated Press is exclusiveIy entitled 70
the use for republication of all news dispatches
credited to it or not otherwise credited in this
paper and also the local news published herein
All rights of publication of special dispatches
herein are also reserved
Evening star., 1936-08-04

Rate by Mail-PayaDle in Advance.
Evening star., 1936-08-04
ANSWERS TO
QUESTIONS
BY FREDERIC J. HASKIN.

A reader can get the unsUer to any
question Of fact by ,Uriting The Euening
Star Information Bureau, Frederic J.
HdSktn, Director, Washington, D. c..
Please incLose stamp for reply.
Evening star., 1936-08-04
Rate by Carrier Within the City.
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