davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1936-12-10

honor that is said TO prevail among
thieves-but upon pure cowardice. The
witness, and not without cause in the
past, merely fears that he will be
bumped OF" If he tells what he knows.
Justice Peyton Gordon in District
Court has, it is believed, accomplished
something notably worth while in send
ing to Jail two witnesses who suddenly
forgot, or refused to tell, what they
knew about q recent outbreak of gang
warfare in Washington. The grand jury
has beer equally prompt in charging three
such witnesses with perjury. Perhaps If
more recalcitrant witnesses Of the sort
were allowed to think over their "code"
in jail or at hard labor, one would hear
less of codes and more of convictions Of
ruffians posing as gangsters who think
they are above the law.
Evening star., 1936-12-10
THIS AND THAT
BY CHARLES e. TRAcEWELL.

the Winter songs Of the English spar.
rows, as, with full stomacbS, they perch
for a time, waiting for the return Of hun
ger-which, by the way, is not very long.
Then they pour forth their praise Of
creature comfort. Even a great human
musician once said that he could not
play well on an empty stomach.
Surely nothing else could be expected
from these feathered musicians, thenl
And there they perch, suddenly burst
ing into song, each bird quitting in his
say, each with its own not.. or notes, Of
very limited range, but the entire as
semblage affording many variations.
4
Suddenly this music ceases, not with
the dying wall of the famous 17-year
locusts, but as good musicians would, II
they chose, completely and: at once.
Solemnly the little fellows will sway on
their perches, in the wind and rain 0or
1t must be remembered that cold and
rain and snow are not undesirable to
them II they have plenty of food.
They must take life as they find 1t, and
II 1t brings rainy Sunday, well, 1t Is q
rainy Sunday and that is that.
Their feathers are 50 processed with oil
that water runs of them. Their tempera-
ture is high lover 100 degrees) and this
melts snow and ice on them, so long as
they have plenty to eat to keep up the
heat and keep the oil lines running.
1t would almost seem, To the watcher,
that they are happiest in Winter on the
most inclement days, provided they have
plenty to eat.
The Oraat fwittarinU onac ~,
among q group Of sparrows resting up
from eating is never known except by
those who feed them.
friends.
And even their friends, hearing it for
the first time, may not appreciate it.
Like all true music, however, it grows
on the listener.
Repeated hearings reveal increased
musical content. The sudden beginnings
and endings have charm all their own.
II the listener is so situated that he can
see as well as hear the feathered mu-
sicians, he will find his appreciation dou-
bled, for it is impossible to watch those
fat fellows bills open, pouring out their
satisfaction, and not realize that this is
real music with some kind of purpose.
-
Looked at fairly, without prejudice, the
English sparrow Is pretty bird.
There are many variations among
them, ranging from the half white tail
and wings of Whitley, member Of one
flock, to subtle browns. grays and blacks,
in the Earrings and other markings.
Perched on the top spray Of rose vine,
these birds look like nothing so much as
animated clothespins. and one stops to
wonder why some ambitious manufac-
turer does not seize the opportunity to
put out series of bird clothespins. A
flight Of cardinals, blue birds or plain
English sparrows. holding the futtering
family wash, would make a gay sight in
any yard.
A correspondent sends a clipping Of an
article about three English sparrows
which followed family across the United
States, and then few to China to greet
their human friends when they arrived.
Can this be verified? Probably not
but If any birds could co it the English
sparrows could! 1t would be just like 'em.
Evening star., 1936-12-10
Smithsonian BrOadcasts.

Radio resembles the famous little girl
who had little curl right in the middle
OF her forehead" When programs are
good at all, they are apt to be very good
indeed. A case in point is that of the
Sunday broadcasts designed to call ma
tional attention to the attractions of the
Smithsonian Institution. Started nearly
six months ago, they now have assumed
the aspect of an authentic educational
force in themselves. No one could listen
to them without being inspired with
new respect for science, q new apprecia-
ton of art.
The presentations are skillfully written
and convincingly produced. Each script
represents the fruit of q cooperative
effort in which the Smithsonian family,
the Office of Education and one of the
most truly useful branches of the W.P.A.
collaborate. The material is carefully
gathered and checked, and the actors are
rehearsed in their roles until they are
competent to play them ito the life."
Laboratories and studios for the moment
appear to the minds eye-through the
ear, as it happens-in the guise of atmos-
phere they may be presumed to have
worn when Francis Bacon or Samuel
r. B. Morse and Rembrandt or Winslow
Homer were creating wonders in them.
The drama of their struggle for the eter-
nal truth is resurrected; they have an
active immortality which the printed
page, perhaps, never could afford them.
But the public may ask: Why not
more programs Of this variety? The an
swer of the radio systems is that there
are millions of people who prefer "red
hot" jazz and 'low-brow" comedy and
the kind of theatrical fare which is
called thrilling" Cultivated audiences,
they explain, are inarticulate. They do
not contribute to the "fan mail" upon
which popularity, for lack of q better
criterion, is estimated and appraised.
When the demand for classic material
is keen enough, it seems, the necessary
reformation will take place. Meanwhile,
those who enjoy the Smithsonian pro-
jections could do worse than say so. A
gesture of applause might be encouraging
to all concerned.
Evening star., 1936-12-10

This year promises to be Uncle Sans
healthiest
A highly encouraging picture is pre-
Sented by the chart of disease trends in
the ofice Of Assistant Surgeon General
Robert Olesen by which the Public Health
Service keeps track Of the lurking epi-
denies
The typhoid fever line is the lowest
in history, and there is reason to believe
that it may represent permanent gain.
Smallpox also has the lowest incidence
since health statistics have been re-
corded. Public Health Service doctors,
however, are very skeptical that this is
real advance. There still are many
thousands of unvaccinated persons in
the country who constitute fine oppor-
tunity for the dreaded malady to spread
like wildfire If it once gets q start. The
diphtheria line is very low. Eventually,
there is every reason to believe, one of
the most feared scourges Of childhood
will be eliminated.
Although there have been some local
1are-ups Of scarlet fever, the line for the
country rs whole has not deviated from
its normal course. The measles incidence
is at nearly record low, but that doesn't
mean much, because this isn't measles
year. In 1884 and 1895 the malady at
tackled about all the available material
and must wait for another year or SO
before there is new supply of victims
old enough to be exposed to 1t.
There have been many predictions of
an influenza epidemic. If one does come
it probably will break suddenly and
without warning, for the reports from all
"a INIT fnI faka 81. nea
in the flu incidence during the Autumn.
Such an increase usually has preceded
Winter epidemic, but this does not
mean that the same behavior will be
repeated.
A somewhat disquieting trend has been
shown by infantile paralysis, or polio
myelitis. Ordinarily this malady reaches
its height during the Summer months
and declines sharply all over the country
with the cooler weather of Autumn. This
year it remained on high plateau during
the three Fall months and Is just be-
ginning to decline. Instead of declining
after the Alabama epidemic Of the Sum-
mer it spread westward.
Thus far there has been only normal
amount Of whooping cough, but, DR..
Oiesen explains, year in and year out
the incidence Of this childhood malady
does not fiuctuate very much.
Paradoxically enough, although the
Nations health is better, the death rate
isn't quite SO low as last year. A good
deal Of this is due to the enormous
mortality of single week-July IS to
22, inclusive-when the normal death
rate was doubled. In the city of Detroit
alone that week there was an excess Of
from 80 to so deaths a day above the
normal rate. The extremely hot weather
killed the aged and the sick. The rate
dropped approximately to normal again
the next week, but the years good record
was Smirched
4 4
Production of seedless tomatoes, pep
pers, egg plants and mature fruits of
petunias and other garden flowers by the
application Of certain growth h-promoting
chemicals to the unopened buds, has Just
Evening star., 1936-12-10

The nearest Winter approach to the
choral Of the birds at dawn in Spring is
the songfest held by English sparrows ut
intervals while visiting feeding stations
in the garden.
It seems that these birds, as greedy as
they are, still cannot eat continuously.
They must and do retire to the Shrub
berry, where, seated in the branches, they
sing pleasantly to each other until
hunger returns.
While this music is not that of canaries
or thrushes, it is not harsh, as some
writer's have described 1t.
To insist that this sparrow utters only
harsh chip" is to slander 1t.
As a matter of truth, the cries uttered
by this bird, in the songfests instanced,
are completely musical.
Their range, it must be admitted, Is
extremely limited, but when two to four
dozen Of them are perched in the shrubs
by the sun porch, all going it as hard as
their little bills can open, there is plenty
Of diversity of sound.
+
The curious thing about this symphony
is that 1t occurs mostly in the afternoon
and suddenly begins, and as suddenly
ends, as if the entire company obeyed the
command of some leader.
There is no slow winding up of the
birds, but all begin at once, and all end
at exactly the same time. This is re-
peated time after time.
1t is impossible to see what makes
them begin and as suddenly end, all to-
gether, boys.
Often it is easy enough to understand
why, while eating, they will all ny up,
with one accord, and perch in the shrubs.
Sometimes the slamming of car door
in the street will cause this sudden fight.
The appearance Of a human in near
by yard often occasions it.
But their sudden bursting into song,
and their even more sudden ending. is
a matter which offers of no outside ex-
PLANTATION.
They must do what they do fully Of
their own accord, through sheer happi-
ness.
Birds songs are pure reactions, but,
that being admitted, it is scarcely fair to
deprive the creatures of emotions.
II we say they sing at dawn in the
Spring because of the light, we yet may
believe, and probably with much reason,
that they are immensely happy. in their
strange way, over the plain fact that
another day of life and light is beginning
for them.
AS these little creatures perch in the
evergreens in the cool Spring nights they
represent creatures following Natures
commands. Nature, with darkness, COM
mands rest and sleep.
Man, alone with the exception of
nocturnal prowlers) is the only creature
which wants to turn night into day"
The birds, fortunately for them with
the exception Of the owls and a few
others, are perfectly willing to 60 to
bed with the chickens and to get up with
them.
Darkness and light mean something
TO them.
The strain Of pure happiness in the
morning song of the wild birds in Spring
time has struck every listener, whether
he is able to hear the higher note of
praise of the Creator or not
Something of the same happiness is in
Evening star., 1936-12-10
A Good Example.

Sensational headlines sometimes de-
pict witnesses who refuse to testify
against fellow members Of an UNDER
world Of gangdom as true to the gang
sters' CODE" Mistaken merit is some
times attached to their adherence to
the code. For the code Is based. not
on any concept Of honor-sven the
Evening star., 1936-12-10

Assurance comes from Administrator
hopkins that no one seriously in need
Of relief will be dropped from the Fed
eral rolls. The extent to which relief is
required is another of those propositions
TO which it is not easy to apply delicate
systems of scientific measurement.
Evening star., 1936-12-10

The 5-and10 stores have injured regal
tradition by making 1t impossible for
ordinary observation to distinguish be-
tween crown diamonds and costume
jewelry."
Evening star., 1936-12-10

Much smiling has been tossed into the
cameras. Serious cares and conscien-
tious purposes have prevented Secretary
Cordell Hull from showing at all times
facial expression implying his fair
share in the merrymaking.
Evening star., 1936-12-10

A great deal Of the eventful side of
British history has been due to an unre-
mitting contention between lawyers and
poets. A state decree is always respected,
but so, for instance, is Grey's "Elegy" or
Goldsmith's Deserted Village"
Evening star., 1936-12-10

In studying bureaucratic salaries hope
and surprise are often mingled when it
is realized how far few items of expense
could be made to 60 if properly trans
ferred toward boosting the pay of police
men, firemen and letter carriers.
Evening star., 1936-12-10

organized, revitalized and liberalized Re-
publican party, standing for social and
industrial justice under the Constitution
and our American system of Government,
will sweep the country in 1940." He may
be right, but 1t Is easier to foresee .
strong Democratic party. without any
split, II times are prosperous four years
from now.
Evening star., 1936-12-10

The gravest craftsmanship has taken
rigid charge of the microphone in one
of the most interesting episodes Of world
drama. They give accurate plot analysis,
but do not allow the real principals to
carry on the essential dialogue.
Evening star., 1936-12-10

Mussolini and Hitler and Stain can
hardly expect to form a gentlemen's
agreement when each is made the subject
from time to time of comment to the
effect that he Is mo gentleman"
Evening star., 1936-12-10

Civilization has been doing and saying
so much that is obviously erratic that
there is inevitably growing doubt as to
whether 1t ought to be trusted with
bombing planes.
Evening star., 1936-12-10

What has been referred to as an
English crisis has persisted so long that
psychologists may have to be called in
to indicate how long crisis Is supposed
to endure before it is classified as chronic.
Evening star., 1936-12-10

When parliamentary complications are
puzzling scattered dominions . neat,
well-ordered Monroe doctrine Is some
thing very handy to have around q
hemisphere.
Evening star., 1936-12-10

English people have frequently said
they cannot understand American poll
tics. Comprehension of English politics
is often no less difficult for the American
mind.
Evening star., 1936-12-10
Shooting Stars.
BY PHILANDER JOHNSON.

Silenced Eloquence.
My Uncle Jim, he used to be
AS eloquent as any one.
But now he doesn't speak so free.
He says his talkin' days are done.
He hasn't time to stamp an shout.
He's got too much to think about.
1t amt so easy to arise
And agitate the atmosphere
With language more ornate than wise
Just now folks want the meanin'
clear.
Fur silence Uncle Jim stands out
While there's so much to think about.
He tells us he would like to show
The eloquence that was our pride,
But words do not freely flow
From minds that are preoccupied.
He's handicapped, beyond doubt.
He's got too much to think about.
Evening star., 1936-12-10

Northwestern Senator are pleased again
to note that, as a personal proposition,
as Borah goes so goes Idaho.
Evening star., 1936-12-10
A Censori6us Observer.

"Of course" said the sentimentalist,
knowledge Is power. But the heart Is
more important than the head"
every true" answered Miss Cayenne.
eff as many people died of head failure
as die of heart failure, the country would
lose an enormous element of its popula-
ton"
Evening star., 1936-12-10
Inevitable Smash.

Although I humbly trudge my way
And keep on walking Ia Jay,
Quite happy to be safe and sane
Because shun the aeroplane,
All Unexpectedly find
am obliged to change my mind.
A motor car gets in the game
And must crack up Just the same.
"You's liable to find" said Uncle Eben
"dat de man who talks de biggest thinks
do smallest"
Evening star., 1936-12-10
Let's Not Tell Them.

From the New York Sun.
Minneapolis librariaiis have discovered
that children still reas such classics as
Robinson Crusoe" ant Little Women"
Maybe because they're TOO young to know
they're classics.
Evening star., 1936-12-10
Modern Covered Wagons.

From the Milwaukee Sentinel.
After all, a trailer isn't much more
than q horseless covered wagon that Is
in no danger Of being attacked by
Indians.
Evening star., 1936-12-10

Radio expression has revealed that in
case of need of advisory talent the Gov
ernment will find brain trust" is easy
to organize at an hours notice.
Evening star., 1936-12-10
Growth Is Likely.

From the Indianapolis News.
The trouble about q little ". r. A. a
that 1t may grow up to be q big one.
Evening star., 1936-12-10
A Rhyme at Twilight
By
Gertrude Brooke Hamilton
An Icequake.

used to love Earths wintry mood
The days SO keen and bright,
The bracing North Wind, clustering
rude,
The brilliant stars at night.
But since Despair her icy arm
Has laid across my brow
Winter has lost its erstwhile charm
II brings . shiver now.
Evening star., 1936-12-10
Eternal Terms.

From the Grand Island Independent.
A writer says women are becoming
geometrtcal. Those eternal triangles
againl
Evening star., 1936-12-10
Inevitable.

Inevitable.
do you think it will ever be possible
to settle all international differences
without ware"
mo-" replied Senator Sorghum. "At
best there's bound to be war of words"
1--WE like to listen," said Hi Ho, the
sage Of Chinatown, "but not to think.
Therefore a musician is always heard
with more pleasure than a teacher"
Evening star., 1936-12-10
Lazy December.

Lazy December.
Summer days brought dreamin' ways.
We've got plan that's new
To give to dreams their proper praise
And loaf the whole year through.
Though foliage sere must disappear,
A soft and balmy cline
Sends invitations far and near
To loating all the time.
From care all free, ut last weIl see
New economic pow,
Since loahng is at last to be
The order of the hour.
Jud Tunkins says he has quit readin'
the paper while he eats. The tears he
sheds over the bad news is liable to
make the coffee taste as if it had salt
in it.
Evening star., 1936-12-10

@. What is the danger of warming
frostbitten fingers too rapidly?-T. A. r
A. Too rapid heating might result In
gangrene or death of the frostbitten
parts. Snow or cold water is first used,
then warmer water gradually. Hot
coffee, tea or spirits of. ammonia should
be given to the patient.
Evening star., 1936-12-10

A reader can get the answer 10 any
question OF fact BY tOrttin1 The Erening
Star Information Bureau, Frederic J.
'Hcskin, Director, Washington, d. C.
Please tnclose stamp for reply.
Evening star., 1936-12-10

@. How many gold certificates were in
circulation when they were called into
the Treasury?-B. B.
A. In 1882, there were $715 ,6S3 900 in
gold certificates in circulation.
Evening star., 1936-12-10

make a play to offset the huge expendi-
lures of Government money by the New
Deal Democrats. This expenditure Of
Government money ran into the billions
Of dollars. These expenditures were not
made, ostensibly, for political purposes
but to give employment to the jobless and
to pay the farmers for not growing as
great crops as they might otherwise have
done. They had their political effect,
and If the Democrats had expended very
little, instead of several million dollars,
for their campaign, the result would prob
ably have been the same.
X y
After the campaign of 1928 the Demo-
Gratis had deficit of more than a million
dollars. It was a greater deficit than
that Of the Republicans today. Possibly
they have wiped out this deficit today,
but 1t took them about eight years to do
it. 1t did not prevent their victory In
1892 or in 1896. And it may be remem-
bered that while the Democrats were still
very much in the red, as O political party,
they were able to defeat the Republicans
In 1882. Perhaps the Republicans will be
able to do the same and defeat the Demo-
Gratis in 1910.
The New York Representative ventures
into the field Of prediction, which is haz-
ardous even for politicians. He says that
in the next national campaign the Demo-
Gratis will be split In twain. He foresees
one branch Of the party-which has just
reelected President Roosevelt-forming
q third party, backed by the Farmer
Labor outfit, the Progressives of Wiscon-
sin and the Socialists, headed by Senator
La Toilette and the redoubtable John L.
Lewis. The other branch, presumably.
viii remain a. the Democratic party.
III that dsvelop2" b continues. - 70
Evening star., 1936-12-10

@. How long is a camel supposed to
travel on the desert without q drink7-
H. T. r.
A. When crossing the desert, camels
are expected to carry their loads IS
miles q day for days without drink.
The fieeter breeds carry a rider and a
bag Of water so miles a day for 8 days
without drinking.
Evening star., 1936-10-14

Continued on Fourth Page.)
Evening star., 1936-10-14
Weddings of Recent Date
Miss Josephine Cleo Rankin Bride of
Mr.. Norman Lloyd Benzing.

maid of honor for her sister and had
a costume of olive green velvet nodded
to her figure, and a close fitting tur-
ban to match. She carried talisman
roses. Miss Mary Brinsfield, Miss
Erlene Rogers and Miss Jerrie Smith
were bridesmaids, wearing velvet
gowns in russet and chartreuse green
shades, and flowers corresponding in
color with their gowns were In their
hair and they all carried yellow roses.
Mr.. Robert Henry Menzel was best
man and the ushers included Mr..
Donald Bolton, Mr.. Edwin Schneider
and Mr.. Lee Alden.
A reception followed in the home
Of the brides parents, Mrs. Rankin,
mother of the bride, receiving, assisted
by Mrs. Henzing, mother Of the BRIDE
groom. Mrs. Rankin wore Dubonnet
lace with a corresponding hat, and a
bouquet of gardenias, and Mrs. Ben
zing was in sapphire blue velvet with
silver accessories and talisman roses
Mr.. and Mrs. Benzing left later
Evening star., 1936-10-14
Miss Verna Parsons
Guest at Dinner

Miss Eleanor Finch was hostess at
o dinner party last evening at the
Ehoreham, in honor of Miss Verna
Parsons. daughter Of Capt. and Mrs.
Miller Parsons Of Washington, and
Mr.. Ford Evans Young, jr., son of
Mr.. and Mrs. Ford Evans Young of
, Bethesda, Md, whose marriage will
take place Saturday at st. Thomas
Episcopal Church.
The guests included Mr.. and Mrs.
John H. Poole, Mr.. and Mrs. Joe D.
Hughes, DR.. and Mrs. James M. Suter,
Miss Dorothy Young, Miss Mary C..
Clark, Miss Maude Hudson, DR.. v.
jackson Dorset, Mr.. Culvin Totten,
Mr.. H. Schuster Vance and Mr..
+ William Dismer, jr.
Evening star., 1936-10-14
Photo.

lunched yesterday with Mrs. Snowden
A. Fahnestock at the Ritz-Carlton.
Mr. and Mrs. F. Hamilton Nc
Cormick- Goodhart are spending a
few days at the Madison in New York
on their way back to Washington for
the Winter, after spending several
months at their place at Bar Harbor.
Mrs. Gibson Fahnestock has closed
her Newport house and with Miss
Dorothy Sellers Is at the Drake in
New York for a short stay en- route
to Washington, where Mrs Fahne-
Continued on Fourth Page.)