davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1937-11-20
Removal of Those Rain
Barrels a Grave Error
To the Editor of The Star:

I wondered myself what was causing
the high waters here of late The Rock
Creek-Potomac Parkway was closed be-
cause of high water. Marlboro pike was
closed, also Bladensburg road near the
Peace Cross. Now l learn from The
Sunday Star that the building of Green
belt caused all these high waters.
1t is hardly possible that rainfall of
cause such high water
While nine-tenths of Greenbelt was
built on old fields and badly worn farms
still quite number of old farmhouseS
were torn down to clear the town site for
the new buildings. In tearing down
these old farmhouses numbers of rain
barrels were ruthlessly destroyed. None
OF this water is now held back, but runs
on down, flooding Rock Greek Potomac
Parkway, Marlboro pike and the road
near the Peace Cross.
The buildings at Greenbelt are located
around the rim of watershed, drained
by water course some six or eight feet
wide though quite shallow in most places.
This watershed around which Green
belt is bullt is no doubt nearly one-one-
hundredth part OF the watershed above
the Peace Cross. You can very readily
see that doing away with those rain bar
relS was disastrous to the Anacostia
Valley.
The article in The Sunday Star
states there were no floods here for 18
years prior to 1888, when there was severe
damage"
Rex Tugwell came to Washington in
1898.
Doubtless Neptune in sending such a
copious rainfall desires to have an
abundance of water on hand to thin
down the molasses to consistency suit
able to serve with our hot cakes every
morning. Really it was a heinous crime
to build Greenbelt. Our sordd urban
life. so wonderfully organized, should not
under any circumstances be disturbed
Alleys serve fully the child's need for
play. Lawns and flowers! OF these
woman hath no need. Only sordid,
crowded urban life she needs, that ava
rice and greed may have their wanton
way. ZACK SPRATT.
Evening star., 1937-11-20

ent-day Westerner. however, would find
hlmSet lost in strange woodland.
The ancient flora OF the West, DR..
Brown reports, is in strong contrast to
that found in the same regions today.
This is due in part. he believes, to
probable changed distribution of the
rainfall throughout the year Species
similar to the fossils, and with apparent
ly the same climatic requirements, now
flourish IN city parks Of the region, where
they are Systematically Watered
DR.. Brown studied the fossils from
eleven localities and augmented the pre-
vlously known forms with fossils COL
lected by himself in Idaho and Oregon
He was able to add several hitherto un-
known species of trees. So far as known
he says. this old woodland contained
very few of the common fruit trees of
today. A fossil collected some years ago
was enormously identified as a peach
stone. His comparative study shows it to
have been a variety of beech nut, and
the peach loses its supposedly ancient
American lineage.
Evening star., 1937-11-20
PROPOSES Solution of
Local Transit Problem
To the Editor OF The Star.

To the Editor of The Star.
Mr.. C. v. Burnside, in Saturdays
Star, defended the Public Utilities Com
missions decision on fares and chal-
lenged its critics to 'invest in stock OF
the Capital Transit Co., even at the
present price of SO per share"
Most car riders receive wages too small
to permit purchase of stocks at any
price, cheap or dear from the investor
standpoint. They haven't the money
strange as it may seem.
However, at present prices for Capital
Transit system securities, it would be
profitable to the car and bus riders, to
the systems security holders and even to
the holding company, if the city OF
Washington would acquire all the assets
of the Capital Transit Co. through
the purchase of all outstanding Sc
curities.
At the asked price OF November 13,
the total cost of acquisition would be
Sl3,047 300, involving a cash outlay OF
$8,6l3,300 and the assumption of two
bond issues totaling $4,434 900. The
annual cost of the cash outlay at
three and one fourth per cent, the
same rate as is being paid by the Poto-
mac Electric Power Co, plus interest on
assumed bonds, would amount to
$46l ,843.
On acquisition by the city, under
competent management, return to the
one-dollar pass and seven-and-one half
cent fare for all District OF Columbia
lines would be Immediately possible, even
after allowing for taxes, depreciation
and other operating expenses equivalent
to those paid by Capital Transit. This
is no idle boast. The saving in interest
costs, on the basis Of 1896 operations,
allows for reduction in fare to seven
and -one-half uniformity through the
District with surplus to spare.
1t should be noted that 1896 de-
preciation charges of approximately ST.
100000 annually would suffice to write of
the cost of acquisition in thirteen years,
while the Capital Transit Co, under its
present bookkeeping system, will need
forty years or more.
Obviously. the new system would be
in superior position to improve its
service and reduce fares, with financial
safety thereby earning the approval and
gratitude of the citizens of Washington
SAMUEL LIPKOWITZ.
Evening star., 1937-11-20
Asks Reason for Charge on
Postpaid Mail From Canada

To the Editor of The Star:
DO we not have a working agreement
with the Canadian government covering
parcel post as we'll as first-class matter?
If so, I would like to know why it is on
nearly every parcel post package, which
is prepaid according to the Canadian
postal authorities, local authorities stick
on stamp Parcel Post Postage Due, IS
Cents" in most cases?
Repeated requests for this informa-
tion at the post Office has availed moth
ing. In every case it is clearly marked
that this package was passed Free of
Duty" This 15-cent postage due cannot
be said to cover any penalty or customs,
as customs have passed same duty free at
point of entry into the United States.
i. e., Buffalo, N. Y.
What does this cover, or is it lust an
other instance of clerical error as thev
have claimed in other instances brought
to their attention? L. r. ELKINS
Evening star., 1937-11-20
slap-stick fun and the refined reaches OF
our best wit and humor, fortunately.


slap-stick fun and the refined reaches OF
our best wit and humor, fortunately.
u
Our would-be funny fellow is really
taking poke at us, is he, when he makes
the same cute comment every time he
meets us?
He is.
Call his bluff, either openly or secret
ly, and he is revealed as an "old meanie,"
as some say, another one of the famous
male naggerS.
Nagging popularly is confined to wom-
en-, but the truth seems to be that the
worst of this breed always are men, and
that their nagging mostly takes the form
of making the same little comment each
and every time they meet their victim.
"Catty" remarks, according to the pop
ular mind, are confined to women, but
this idea is grossly unfair to both women
and cats.
Men indulge in them far more, always
in the pose of being funny.
Humor, with these, is something to
cover up an unfair attack. If the victim
resents it, he is not good sport"
He must take it lying down, let the
other get away" with his nastiness
No wonder the Would-be funny man
smiles so.
Such people unerringly know their
victims.
The modest person they address in
such way as to play him up, if he re-
SpondS, as braggart
II he does not respond, Of course, he
is poor sport.
He is licked coming or going
II there ever was anything funny or
humorous or witty in the speech of these
OATS, it would be a different story
Their prey, no doubt, would be among
the first to hail them as really funny
men, then.
Each individual portion of the prey of
such fellows must admit that he is partly
responsible for their existence
II each victim could avoid showing per-
Sonal resentment, the secret fury. re-
sentiment and jealousy of the funny man
might be eased at its source.
Instead of making the same old re-
mark, in the same old way, he might
speak-why, he might speak of the
weather!
The weather is always good, of course.
There are thousands of conversational
topics of all kinds, open to every earnest
seeker
The wonder is that with such a wealth
of subjects, the would-be funny man
never has thing to say about any of
them.
Many troubleS-We would not say all
are brought on through ones precious
self.
Shakespeare said it long ago
The daily victim Of the would be funny
man should realize that if he dislikes the
fellows manners, or lack of them it is
his own fault.
He ought to beat him to it. and set the
conversational subject first. He ought to
love the fool,
If he dislikes him so much that he
fails to speak up first. he must suffer the
fate which the other brings upon his
not -so-innocent head.
Evening star., 1937-11-20
The Transit Problem.

The announcement that Representa-
tive Dirksen, Republican, of Illinois has
undertaken a "one-man" investigation
to determine the equities involved in the
recent increase in street car token fares
of the Capital Transit Company should
be welcomed by all interested parties. Mr..
Dirksen has shown in the past that he
has deep interest in matters affecting
the District. Endowed with unusual
energy and marked capacity for fair
ness, the Illinois Representative may be
expected to conduct thorough investi-
cation and to prepare an impartial re-
port of his findings
The task he has undertaken is one of
great cornplexity and great Importance.
1t Is essential that he consider the respec-
tive interests of the riding public, the
transit company, its stockholders, the
Public Utilities Commission and the
competing agencies in the mass trans
portation field Ii Mr. Dirksen can COM
pose these conflicting points of view and
reach conclusions as to a proper rate of
fare that do justice to all concerned, he
will have made most valuable contri-
button to the community.
Few cities are confronted with diff
culties in the mass transportation field
that are comparable to those in the Ma
tion's Capital. The street car company
has the responsibility of transporting
thousands of workers to and from the
central section of the city twice day
during the so-called rush hours The
efficient performance of this duty re-
quires the maintenance of costly person.
mel and Equipment facilities which can
not be used profitably during other
periods of the day. Congested traffic on
the downtown streets hampers the oper-
alton of street cars during rush hours
The competition of private automobiles
and nearly 5000 taxicabs has cut deeply
into the revenues of the transit company
1t II to be hoped that Mr.. Dirksen will
consider these factors along with hts in
Evening star., 1937-11-20
More Than Trade.

London dispatches, commenting on
the announcement of Anglo-American
reciprocal tariff negotiations, suggest
what must be patent to all students of
the current international situation-that
intellectually more than trade balances
are at stake. Unmistakable significance
attaches to the hour chosen by the
Washington and London governments
for proclaiming the intention of tighten
ing the bonds of their economic inter-
course.
To find ways and means of expanding
the s400, 900 OO0-o odd American export
volume to Great Britain and British sales
of 5000, 900 000-odd to this country-to
quote the latest annual figures avail
able-is ostensibly the primary object of
impending discussion. But there is a
more vital incentive than merely to
widen the British market for our meats,
fruits tobacco, copper, cotton and auto
mobiles, or make our market more hos
pitable to John Bulls whisky, furs, tex
tiles and manufactured goods
Removal Of artificial trade barriers,
the breaking down Of economic national
ism, is rightly regarded by Secretary
Hull as Quintessential to world peace
But there is even deeper meaning in a
coalescing of the English-speaking ma
tions for these purposes at this fateful
international moment. Because of cata-
clysmic events in Europe and the Far
East, particularly the menacing COM
munity of interests among Germany,
Italy and Japan, democratic countries
including America, Great Britain, France
and Czechoslovakia, are on all but for
NAL notice that they have no time to
lose in girding themselves for common
defense of their most cherished institu-
tons and ideals.
Statesmen in Berlin, Rome and Toxic
will not be widely astray in their calcu-
lations if they discern in the plans for
closer commercial union between the
United States and the British Empire
clear indication of their readiness to
stand shoulder to shoulder with sister
free peoples against encroachment by
the allied and associated forces of anti
democracy, in whatever form of ism"
their autocratic purpose may be clothed.
Evening star., 1937-11-20

growers. 1t branched out into such fields
as cooperative marketing and bovine
tuberculosis eradication. While the
county agents worked with farmers, the
farm women were not forgotten, home
demonstration agents teaching them
home management, nutrition facts and
ever-sought-after facts regarding cloth
ing and furnishings. The services activ-
tiles are ever broadening and now in
clude participation in such New Dealist
functions as crop and erosion control
Without the extension service the
farmer and his family might still be in
the horse and buggy age.
Evening star., 1937-11-20
Does the President Still Say
We Planned 1t That Way?'

To the Editor OF The Star
October %, 1885, President Roosevelt
at Charleston. S. c., said:
Yes. We are on our way back, not bv
mere chance, not by turn of the cycle,
we are coming back more soundly than
ever before, because We planned it that
way, and don't let anybody tell YOU Diff
ferently."
Even then our recovery was slower than
the recovery in other countries.
NOW 1t may fairly be asked what about
the Roosevelt recession-the friphtful
market slump that has wiped out over
twenty-five billions in values-more than
one-third OF the national income for 1897,
winch is estimated by the Bureau of Ag-
ricultural Economics to be "about sixtv-
nine billion dollars?
Does President Roosevelt still say:
we planned it that way?"
I. MELDRUM.
Evening star., 1937-11-20
Judge Curran's Action
1ncitement to Crime
To the Editor OF The Star.

To the Editor OF The Star.
The Star of the fifteenth, instant
ascribes to Edward M. Curran, Police
Court judge, the most shocking state
ment that probably ever emAnated from
any court. In discharging a woman
and her two daughters who had been
arrested and brought before him,
charged with shoplifting in three stores,
which was apparently not denied, he
Is alleged to have said, among other
things: There are times when persons
are forced to violate the law in order
to live. | feel it would be unjust to
either send you to Jail or place you on
probation. The judge knew nothing of
the background of these people, or
whether this was their first offense of
this nature. The item states these people
came here from Roanoke, Va, to visit
another daughter, whose husband had
just been released from a hospital. and
that they were without funds. They
must have had funds enough to come
here, and surely the daughter living here
could have provided at least the bare
necessities of life or if not, there are
cnarlty agencies here to whom thev
might have applied. This statement of
lhe Juoge is nothing more Or less than
an invitation TO shoplifters to indulge
IN such activities with impunity, and
Will undoubtedly encourage every form
OF criminal activity within the citv,
Such a statement is reprehensible and
lnexcusable under any circumstances.
but particularly unfortunate at the
present time. when crime is rampant
and all moral restraints seem to have
disappeared The logical conclusion
from the judges statement is that ones
criminal activities are measured onlv
oy his necessities, and if they are great
enough, murder or any other crime is
1ustlfled. The judge is apparently a
supporter of the doctrine that "neces-
slty knows no law"
ALEXANDER SIDNEY LANIER.
Evening star., 1937-11-20
The Extension Service.

DR.. Seaman A. Knapp, "the father of
cooperative extension work." was hon.
ored appropriately here during the an
nual meeting Of the Association of Land
Grant Colleges and Universities this
week.
He left a permanent change for the
better in rural life in America. 1t was,
therefore. fitting that memorial to him
should leave permanent change in the
outlook along one of the Nations Capital
principal thoroughfares, independence
avenue. 1t took the form of memorial
arch linking two Department of Agri-
culture buildings.
The ceremonies were under the
auspices of the national honorary extern
sion fraternity, which also dedicated a
second similar arch to James Wilson,
who.' as Secretary OF Agriculture from
1897 to 1918, held a post in the cabinet
longer than any other presidential aide.
DR.. Knapp was one of those who be-
lieved the best way to teach the farmer
the latest scientific methods was through
practical demonstrations. During time
when the boil weavil was causing trouble
in Texas cotton fields. Dr. Knapp con-
vinced Secretary Wilson Of the practica-
bility OF his plan, and farmers cooper
ative demonstration work" began.
1t grew rapidly in popularity and use
fulness. Through cooperation with the
land grant colleges and experiment sta
tions it has carried on steadily through
years of prosperity and depression. BY
increasing the quality of farm products
1t has benefited consumers A. we'll A
Evening star., 1937-11-20

quiry into the control held by the North
American Company over both the transit
company and the Potomac Electric Power
Company. which sells power to the street
car system. BY doing so, he will have
opportunity to familiarize himself with
all phases Of the matter and will then be
mendations for ameliorating a condition
that has been source of grave concern
to those familiar with the problems Of
mass transportation in this city.
Evening star., 1937-11-20
Commends Weekly Sunday
School Lesson in Star

To the Editor of The STAR
1 want to express my personal appre-
citation, as well as that naturally COM
ing from the president of the Sunday
School Association, to you for printing
the comments on the Sunday school les
son each week by DR.. William T. Ellis.
Many of our economic and social ills
can be cured by the principles of religion,
If such become part of the lives of our
citizens. AS it is religion is regarded
by our children as something aside from
normal everyday living Such things as
your paper does every week in pre-
senting church affairs as news helps
to break down this improper concept
CHAS. E. RESSER,
President, District of Columbia Sunday
School Association.
Evening star., 1937-11-20

1t is not easy to give able old timers
the credit to which they are entitled
for achievements, but it is at least con-
ceded that George Washington under
took very hard job of work and did it
we'll. No amount of congressional argu-
ment can obscure this fact.
Evening star., 1937-11-20
Shooting Stars.
BY PHHANDER JOHNSON
InfniteSimal Ego.

InfiniteSimal Ego.
The world is a wealth of delightful i'm
preSSions.
Today we are here and tomorrow we're
gone.
We give and We take. The demands and
concessions
Are strange, but we smile as the story
goes on.
The struggles for pelf are but minor di-
greSSions.
A sunset today and tomorrow a dawn
Are things in themselves prompting
humble confessions
That Fates play the game, and a mans
but a pawn.
Evening star., 1937-11-20

There are words Of public expression
which meet with universal agreement.
One of these historically appreciated
utterances is the Thanksgiving procla-
nation, which means SO much both in
politics and prayer.
Evening star., 1937-11-20

1t has been asserted by Secretary of
Agriculture Henry A. Wallace that
Thomas Jefferson desired to subject all
things to his will. He is also given credit,
however, for making his will 60 in
accordance with human wishes in large
degree.
Evening star., 1937-11-20

While grave melodies expand in beauty
IN honor of Christmas day, the world is
reminded more than ever of the need of
patience with the debtor, as we'll as
honest forbearance on the part of the
creditor. The word patience deserves a
place among our honored words.
Evening star., 1937-11-20
Modern Incurables

From the Battle Creek Enauirer-News
Scientists have foun0 that the "shock
treatment" cures so per cent of dementia
praecox patients. But it's not advised for
reckless drivers-their cases are too ad-
vanced..
Evening star., 1937-11-20

A c. c. c. camper who criticizes the
accommodations unfavoraply is not aim
Ing to improve anything except the con-
ditions which pride should originally
resent without waiting for reminder.
Evening star., 1937-11-20
An Other States and Canada
Member of the Associated Press

The Associated Press is exclusively entitled ia
the use Tor republication OF all news dispatches
credited to IT or not otherwise credited IN this
paper and also the local news published nerein.
All rights of publication of special dispatcher
herein also are reserved.
Evening star., 1937-11-20

institutions of learning continue to
hear wise words from professors, but
they are, unfortunately, sometimes in
disagreement.
Evening star., 1937-11-20

Urgent measures will be considered in
Congress as they arise, without artificial
effort to impress their vitality.
Evening star., 1937-11-20
Aphorism.
Wise men must rule
To keep things right.
Most any fool
Can start a fight.
AphOriSm,

Sense of Gratitude.
"You never catch any fish?"
Il don't want to. I'm grateful to them
for giving me the pretext of fishing trip
for a holiday"
Politics." said Hi Ho, the sage of
Chinatown, makes a friendship resem-
BILE an umbrella which you and yourself
compelled to lend, at considerable risk of
losing it,"
THANKSGIVING.
Thanksgiving? There's smile for me
From selfish interest quite free;
A smile of gentle tenderness
Which makes each mortal care seem less
My gratitude is not for wealth
Nor even for long life and health.
It's for a smile, with welcome fraught
Which tells of loyal, loving thought.
Solomon was de richest man." said
Uncle Eben His wives was so numerous
dat he jes' had to be-" -
Evening star., 1937-11-20

The Evening Star Newspaper Company
Main once: 11th st. and Pennsylvania Ave.
New York Ofhce: ITO East 42nd St.
Chicago ONCE: 435 North Michigan Ave.
Evening star., 1937-11-20

Delivered by Carrier-City and Suburban
Regular Edition
Evening and Sunday. 66c per mo. or SO per week
This Evening Star 45c per mo. or 10c per week
The Sunday Star per copy
Night Final Edition
Night Final and Sunday Star----70c per month
Night Final Star--------55 55c per month
Collection ma de at the end OF each month or
zach week Orders may be sent by mail or tele-
phone National 5000.
Evening star., 1937-11-20
ANSWERS TO
QUESTIONS
BY FREDERIC J. HASKJN.

A reoder can get the answer to anu
question OF tact By 1Drtting The Epenino
Star Information Bureau, Frederic J.
Haskin, director, Washington. D. C.
Please tEloas stamp for reply.
Evening star., 1937-11-20
Advanced Ideals.

What has become of the old time
lobbyist?"
We don't need him any more" an
swered Senator Sorghum "A lobbyist
was a comparatively w-salaried man.
wouldn't think of associating with any,
body less distinguished and important
than propagandist."
Evening star., 1937-11-20

@. How many feathers has a turkey7
C. B. M.
A. 1t has about $3.50 feathers.
Evening star., 1937-11-20

@. For whom was the Perkins high
way in New York State named?-M. B.
A. The Perkins Memorial Drive was
named in honor of the late George w.
Perkins, who had served from 1900 TO
1920 as the first president of the New
York commissioners of the Palisades In
terState Park
Evening star., 1937-11-20

Jud Tunkins says you can't get some
thing for nothing unless you go into
business as some kind of fortune teller"
Evening star., 1937-11-20
Rate by Mail-Payable in Advance

Maryland and virginia
Evening star., 1937-11-20

@. Why does the brain become IA
tigued?-T w. M
A. Fatigue is due to poiSons which
accumulate in the body. The blood sup
ply is not able to remove the poisons
during activity, and the brain becomes
dulled due to lack of oxygen and too
much of the fatigue toxins.
Evening star., 1937-11-20

@. How long has Peru had compulsory
social security?-C. L.
A 1t was introduced by a law of All
gust II, 1886. In February, 1887, a law
was passed amplifying and modifying
the original act.