davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1937-04-29
Shooting Stars.
BY PHILANDER JOHNSON.
Weeds and Wishing.

Weeds and Wishing.
I'm glad, when rainbow skies are here
And weeds and flowers too,
Come forth, that dreams I once held
Did not at last come true.
When, as small, knee-panted boy,
My hopes would drift afar,
I thought what I would most enjoy
Would be to drive car
A plain horse car-no motor gay
longed in state to sit
Like old Joe Dagget did and say,
"Giddep! Col darn ye! Git!"
And later on scorned old Joe.
I thought I'd like to be
A sailor singing "Yo heave ho!"
While pirating at sea.
Then I devotedly longed to play
A big resounding drum.
So change my dreams and-well- day
still am dreaming some.
AS onward through the years we drift
Our fond ideals change,
We smile as the conditions shift
At wishes crude and strange.
Therefore some thanks are due
Unto the fate that shelves
Our cherished h6pes-if all came true,
How we have bunked ourselves!
Evening star., 1937-04-29
Ceorgetown's Gardens.

Do gardens and children mix? Senti-
mentally, perhaps. But practically, no
all the sweet little verses to the con-
trary Notwithstanding. Small feet have a
fine disregard for small plants. Small
hands lack a certain sense of discrimi-
nation In what to pull off, or what to pull
up, or where to select the best earth for
the best mud pies. Merry little boys and
girls do not garden make. Ask any
gardener or any mother with gardening
ambitions.
But for nine years now certain people
in Georgetown have perfected a most
practical method of mixing gardens and
children, with great benefit to both.
Once year Georgetown's Garden Pill
grimage offers opportunity to visit the
proud handiwork of some of George
towns most capable gardeners. This
years pilgrimage will be on Saturday.
Visitors may not only peek over mys-
terious walls, but locked doors swing open
and visitors are made at home-even to
the extent of cozy cup of tea.
And the children? The proceeds of
the sale of tickets to the garden pill
grimage go to the Georgetown Chill
dren's House, nursery school for the
children of mothers whose employment
takes them away from home. So long
as Georgetown's gardens-and Pilgrim
ages-hourish, the children are taken
care OF. And this seems to be a pretty
practical way Of mixing gardens with
children
Evening star., 1937-04-29
THIS AND THAT
BY CHARLES E. TRACEWELL.

Dear Sir: The annual revival of the
best act in our woods has begun, and
Is hereby given top billing.
II don't know what the birds call it,
but this appreciative audience calls it
Something to Live For
There is nothing, once wrote Dan
Hicky, the young Atlanta poet, like
music-'to mend the heart, and give it
flight again
And every year, with the return OF
the wood thrush, think of that line.
Life seems SO exacting, at times, in the
matter of seeing to it that we develop
either philosophy of life or else an
immunity to it. And declare, if listen
ing to the song of the thrush doesn't
give one headstart on good workable
philosophy-or an incentive to try for
one, at least-I don't know what will
AN immunity must be q little like
dying by smothering. A most uncom-
Portable thing, I should think.
But philosophy gives one little
breathing space, and room to expand,
after awhile.
"At the close of business yesterday I
drove out to my home in Arlington
County, Va. to pick up parcel which
had been forgotten in the morning rush.
Upon approaching the front steps of
the house heard rustic in the oak
leaves. A flash of certain shade of
brown there in the leaves stopped me
dead in my tracks.
Then I saw speckled breast and
a bright eye peering at me-
MY heart sang-my spirit scared.
Not just one wood thrush, but a
pair of them. And on the 22d of April
Incredible
"The parcel was forgotten, with no
effort at ALL and suddenly the only thing
that really seemed to need doing at the
moment was to transplant those purple
violets on, the east side of the house
that have been waiting to be moved all
this Spring.
This gave me a good view of the
thrushes, and watched operations OF
the broWn-coated pair as they looked
over the housing situation in the vicinity
OF last years nest in the old forsythia
bush.
They were just as curious about what
I was doing, I might add. They are
like the Knockers, in this respect.
While not one liquid note have they
uttered as yet, anyhow, they're here!
Very truly yours, p B. G."
The day referred to above was last
Thursday
Precisely at sos am Saturday morn
ing the writer here heard his first wood
thrush of the season. He had seen one
dead, as told here recently, about two
weeks previous. He had given April %
or thereabouts as the usual date for
the return of this thrush to nearby
Maryland gardens.
Last Saturday morning the first true
wood thrush notes came through the
air.
The bird was perched in a tree
about 20 feet from the window
He gave only few of his loud,
clear notes, not more than four groups
of three notes.
These were heralded by the curious
clucking noises with which this beau
tiful bird accompanies his true song.
Evening star., 1937-04-29
COast-tO-COast Road.

Secretary of the Interior Harold l..
1ckes on several occasions has suggested
. national highway running from coast
to coast across the continent over the
shortest possible route. The project is
one which appeals to him in his role of
p. W. A. administrator and represents
the useful variety Of make work" de-
velopment which he favors in aid Of
recovery.
But, somehow, there never has been
much public consideration of the pro-
posal. Possibly it was submitted to the
people at a time when they were pre-
occupied with immediate difficulties and
could not pause to think of 1t construc-
lively. In any event, the idea has suffi-
cient merit to warrant revival. The
Nations Capital, surely, should be in
terested, If only because it is indicated
that it would be the Eastern terminus of
the highway.
A glance at the map shows that q
straight line drawn from Washington to
San Francisco would pass through or at
least conveniently near Cincinnati,
Kansas City, Denver and a number of
smaller but perhaps not less important
communities. The main trunk, also, as
Mr.. 1ckes visions 1t, would have connect
ing branches running north and south
70 accommodate such cities as Pitts
burgh and Savannah. Toledo and At
AntA Indianapolis and Birmingham, st.
Evening star., 1937-04-29
Natural HerOisn.

If the recent local floods were respon-
sible for little loss of life, the explanation
must be that where people were endan-
gered there also were people ready and
willing to effect their rescue. The list
of heroes reported in the past few days
includes: Marvin Poole, Marshall
DALEY, Claude Hayes, John Williams, H.
M. Berger, Val Wilson, K. L. Burdette,
Henry T. Magarity, man known only
as Campbell and two boys who refused to
give their names-eleven individuals who
bravely risked their own existence to
preserve that OF others.
OF course, such fellow-feeling is ex-
pected Of civilized human beings. It
represents basic element Of character
without which society eoald not endure.
Evening star., 1937-04-29
Governor Nice's Veto of
Gambling Legislation
To the Editor OF The Star:

To the Editor OF The Star:
have read with interest the COM
ments in the Maryland and Virginia
section of the Washington Evening Star
as of April % on Gov. Nice's proposals
for relief taxes as hit by delegates at the
special session of the Maryland Legisla-
ture, now held at Annapolis.
AS Democrat and lifelong resident Of
Prince Georges County am very CRATE
ful to Gov. Nice for vetoing such a
relief bill that would sanction book
making establishments. 1t appears as
though Gov. Nice in vetoing such bill,
with the rider attached that permitted
bookmaking establishments. has higher
ideals for the county and State of Mary
land than some give him credit for.
Representative Whites remarks as ap-
peared in The Washington Star are as
follows: That if Nice had a sincere
desire to do his part in bringing about
adequate legislation to meet relief needs.
as he claims, he would not have vetoed
the old bill without giving it an oppor-
tunity to prove its worth" He further
said, THE time seems to have arrived
when bOokmaking should be legalized
and the tax money used for welfare pur-
poses"
In reply. let me state first that 1t
would never have proved itself except as
being the greatest curse ever brought
on the residents and property holders
OF Prince Georges County by sanction
ing menace on us that Washington CITY
will not tolerate, and secondly that
money raised in this manner does not
promote welfare or progress If Repre-
sentative White wants to do construc-
tive job I would suggest that he and
other politicians help eliminate the
famous place that is in operation Just
across the District line in Prince
Georges County and which is so near
his home in Hyattsville
j. w. ROBERTS.
Evening star., 1937-04-29

moving heavy element impurities from
the blood stream.
In human beings the daily elimina-
ton, in the case of radium, is more than
ten times the total amount Of radium
impurity contained in the blood stream
at any one time. With appropriate
changes in radioactive detection tech
nique, these same principles may be en-
ployed in studies of the rate of trans
fer from the blood stream to the intes-
tine OF number of chemical elements,
through the use of their artificially ra-
dioactive isotypes as chemical indi-
Gators
The fat man must pay.
Experimenting with fat geese and fat
mice, Drs. Francis G. Benedict and Rob.
ert c. Lee of the Carnegie Institution
OF Washington told the National Acad-
emy today they found that the total
production of body heat was in almost
direct proportion to the increase in
weight.
This indicates that the fat person must
use more energy to live. There is less
left for extraneous activities. There
must be more calories in the food to sup
ply the energy. Hitherto, they said. 1t
generally has been supposed that fat was
"metabolically inert" and played no di-
rect role in heat production.
Evening star., 1937-04-29

Those who love the wood thrush al
ways have their ears attuned for its
song.
No sooner had we heard those first
notes than we listened breathlessly, so
as not to miss single one of them.
Some robins had begun to tune UP for
the day. They were making consid-
erable noise near the rear of the yard.
A white-throated sparrow sent his
quavering notes through the crisp air.
High above them all scared the triolets
of the thrush.
Then silence.
We listened in vain thereafter for the
thrush's song.
He gave it no more, but was content
with few harsh grating noises, all un-
mistakably thrushlike.
X
At 7 o'clock we thought we heard the
song again, but it was not he, Mister
Thrush, but Old Man Mockingbird, who
had heard him, too!
Not once before had this particular
mocker tried to ape the song of the wood
thrush.
He had tried the cardinals music with
rather good success, and many of the
other birds, but at no time had he
attempted the difficult measures of the
/ wood thrush.
Having heard the real thing however,
he evidently was put in mind of some
thing
Was he not now, in rather a gro
tesque fashion, trying those beautiful
strains?
He did not succeed very well, but
there was no doubt about what he was
trying to initiate.
He had heard the song, and was try
ing his hand at it.
One may feel safe in saying, therefore,
that the mockingbird must hear songs
before he can initiate them.
No doubt this could be proved posi-
lively by keeping track of the birds as
they arrive in Spring, and also of the
songs initiated by a good specimen of
mocker
We have never heard a mockingbird
give really credible performance of
wood thrush's song, but that is not to
be wondered at; few humans, unless
specially gifted, can whistle it properly
owing to the double stops required. Then
the matter of key is difficult, and the
scope, from high to low, especially that
top note Of the third triad calls for the
capacity of soprano.
Thrush music has been put on the
piano successfully, but, of course, a piano
is not thrush. The quality is entirely
different.
Perhaps the violin would do better
job of it, or flute, but do you know the
instrument which we believe might imi-
tate thrush most successfully? Nothing
less than the humble ocarina, that po-
tato-shaped instrument of clay which in
trigues the fancy of small boys.
Two of these, in different sizes, might
be used by two performers to give both
the notes and the double stops of the
thrush's song, bringing some sense Of
the chime effect which distinguishes it..
No instrument made by hands, how
ever, can quite duplicate the glorious
music of the wood thrush, whose strains
proceed from the heart of Nature, bring
ing solace and happiness voicing that
perennial hope of man, The best is yet
to be; see all, nor be afraid"
Evening star., 1937-04-29

There is some prejudice against white
Ties and tails" at banquet which Is
more or less Of political nature. Gus
tom, however, will not be denied and
ing fragrance which will quench any
gentle reminiscence of moth balls.
American formalities are still content to
omit knee breeches from the require
ments Of state occasion. The statue OF
Alexander Hamilton south of the Treas
ury Building stands as a reminder that
ancestral attire recognized the propriety
OF disclosure of a gentlemanly calf.
Evening star., 1937-04-29

Lecturers frequently call attention to
the cultivation of sense of humor as
a desirable feature of education. Base
ball has been taken so seriously that
colleges should join in commencing the
alert and irresistible Mr. Nicholas AL
trock for few honorary degrees.
Evening star., 1937-04-29

Some of the congressional agitators in
favor of the presidential plans and speci-
flcations for new Supreme Court
should be permitted time of to go home
and see whether their constituents are
sufficiently impressed by an example Of
docility to stand hitched on their own
account. History has very recently shown
how easily stampede may be started.
Evening star., 1937-04-29
No Appeal to the Imagination

NO Appeal 20 the Imaglnatltn.
do you take your public thoroughly
into your confidence?"
I'm obliged to do so," answered Sen
ator Sorghum But it's embarrassing. I
sometimes feel like q magician who is
expected to explain all his tricks as he
goes along"
Evening star., 1937-04-29

1t is not fair to assume that it Is
time for Supreme Court justice to re-
tire merely because congressional con-
versation occasionally causes him to
yawn.
Evening star., 1937-04-29
The Universal Tie.

From the New Orleans Times-Picayune.
We note that the French popular
front" government adopted an unbal-
anced budget and as result was said
to be entrenched firmly One touch of
unbalanced budgets makes the world
akin.
Evening star., 1937-04-29
Utilization.

"When a tree is dying" said the
forestry expert, I'VE sell 1t Immediately
to a paper manufactory"
"How marvelous" exclaimed Miss
Cayenne. "The tree that made this
comic supplement must have died in
convulsion."
Evening star., 1937-04-29

Politics has such hold on the popular
imagination that the question who is
your publisher!" might be nationally in
cluded in a civil service QUESTIONABLE.
Evening star., 1937-04-29

Virginia has an old-fashioned way of
sticking to patriotic discussion without
being overwhelmed with curiosity as to
what the pari-mutuels are producing.
Evening star., 1937-04-29

Tidal BASIN is term recognizing a
hydraulic principle for the control OF
floods and back wash. In discussing
dlled-in site for Jefferson memorial it
may be found proper to call in the
plumbers as well as the architects.
Evening star., 1937-04-29
For the Sake of Contrast.

There must be competition fair
The waiting public to amuse.
Monotony is hard to bear.
Sometimes the home team has to lose.
There must be night as well as day,
For contrast jazz requires the blues.
We cannot be forever gay.
Sometimes the home team has to lose.
Jud Tunkins says he's not complain
ing because his boy didn't get any medals
in school, but he thinks the teacher who
put up with him 50 long ought to have
one.
"When you would drown SORROWS" said
HI Ho, the sage Of Chinatown, beware
OF the danger Of swallowing still more
of them"
Evening star., 1937-04-29

de mortuis nil nisi bonum" is an
other old maxim liable to go into the
discard when best seller is prepared
for distribution.
Evening star., 1937-04-29

After Senator Ashurst gets through
with the spotlight he will be regarded
by many kind friends as entitled to some
kind of an endurance medal.
Evening star., 1937-04-29
Chance for Regulation.

From the Indianapolis Star.
If the Government intends to run
everything, why doesn't it establish a
legal minimum Of berries on the straw
berry shortcake?
Evening star., 1937-04-29
Just Wait Till 1898!

From the Cortland IN. " Standard.
When the next campaign rolls around
can't you visualize some of the dema-
gogic politicians promising the sit-down
strikers arm chairs and meerschaum
pipes?
Evening star., 1937-04-29
Frost Damage.

From the Yakima (Wash) Republic.
People who intend to. worry about the
damage the Spring frosts are likely to do
TO the fruit will do we'll to get bury
eoen. .ThaE hA@on4 much time LETT.
Evening star., 1937-04-29

Less Relief and More Taxes may bring
L. R. M. T. into prominence in connec-
ton with current economic condition.
Evening star., 1937-04-29

Competent politics smiles on, in recog-
milton of the plain fact that smashed
camera is no argument.
Evening star., 1937-04-29
Old Habits and New,

OIU IIdUICS 8I1U TNCWs
The girl who smokes cigarette
Long since has banished all regret.
She says she would be sad to learn
That the old fashions must rGuIn,
For she considers it quite rough
The way great -grandmama used snuff.
If nobody paid attention to what
wasn't strictly his own business" said
Uncle Eben, "dar wouldn' b no fun Ia
xatehin' . baae bali eanIe."
Evening star., 1937-04-29
ANSWERS TO
QUESTIONS
BY FREDERIC J. HASKIV.

A reader can get the answer to ana
question OF fact by uriting The Euentno
Star Information Bureau, Frederic J.
Hasktn. Director, Washington, D. C.
Please tnclose stamp for reply.
The Northwest enterprise. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1931-1952, 1937-04-23

1.-THE specific topic here discuss
ed Is that of Negro and white re-
lations. The reason for such a
selection Is plain enough. This
particular racial field concerns by
far the largest number Of persons
in the United States. since the Me-
groes are one-tenth of our total
population; 1t concerns most vital
ly the missionary activity OF the
Catholic Church at the present day
and while It is most acute in many
of its phases. it also offers the
greatest hope for constructive So
luton. Moreover, 1t Is the inter-
racial field Of which the author
hims olf has had most experience;
and you naturally prefer to write
about that which you have wit
messed in person.
Segregation, as commonly I'M
derstooo, contains the notion of
compulsion. either by law or by
custom. It operates under a be-
wildering variety of local usages
and ordinances, which are fire.
quently surprisingly inconsistent.
Inconsistent with one another and
still more with Christian principles
are segregatory regulations intro
duced into religious practice. For
the Negro. the positive benefits Of
religion IRE sometimes clouded by
the fear that they are associated
with these determinations.
while theoretically Indifferent,
as a policy, segregation tends to
objective injustice, and away from
social peace. However adroitly
handled, it cannot escape an impu-
tation of essential inferiority to
the segregated group and dimin-
ished participation in essential hui
man rights. 1t divides labor. and
is increasingly unavoidable. Al its
best, 1t imposes an intolerable bur-
den of expense upon the commun-
ity, such as is seen in the field of
education. Negro opinion appears
to be very generally and solidly
opposed to it in every form.
The Northwest enterprise. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1931-1952, 1937-04-23
Negro Workers Council

Constantly working to drive the
last remnants Of determination
from the waterfront. the Negro
workers Council passed a reso-
Tuition condemning action Of a fore
man that tried 70 use the collec-
tive bargaining agreement be-
tween the Metal Trades Council
and Todd Drydock Company a a
ruse to drive Negroes and Chinese
from the job. Paul chappell and
Charley Mar were sent from the
ship Scalers Union to work on the
IS. S. Chareas. The foreman see
ing thew cclor began abusing and
finally discharged them. The I'm
ion left the job and the men were
rekired. The Council passed the
following resolution to be sent to
the Metal Trades Council:
Whereas. the Metal Trades Coun
Gil Of Seattle has secured for diff
ferent categories Of workers at the
Todd Drydock Co.. to be found in
any shipdock in the U. 5. A. and,
Whereas, This was accomplished
by occupations, crafts and trades
combining themselves together
for the purpose of collective bar
gaining and mutual aid and.
Whereas. The Negro Workers
Council has urged, helped and sup
ported the Metal Trades Council
in securing these gains by encour-
aging unionism and discouraging
scabbery and.
Whereas. this mutual help has
created conditions where workers
Of all religious beliefs, races. and
nationaiities work together in har-
mony, and.
Whereas, some foremen at the
above mentioned docks have taken.
it upon themselves to curse. abuse.
intimidate, discharge AL attempt
blacklist American citizens becaus
they are Of Negro or Chinese par
entage, therefore be it
Resolved that the Negro Work.
ers Council requests the Metal
Trades Council to condemn all dis
elimination against its members
as long as they do average work
under average conditions.