davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1937-08-11
Protests the Handling of
William A. Maxwell Case

To the Editor Of The Star:
I call your attention to the article in
The Star concerning the arrest and treat
ment of William A. Maxwell.
1t does not follow that the transgressor
of law, be that United States Senate
gallery law or the taking Of human life,
is psychopath. Yet, said party was ar
rested, convicted and sentenced to what
understand is psychopathic jail.
This without hearing in open court,
without legal or medical advice, without
evidences, documentary or personal.
What becomes of the bill of rights OF
the Constitution of the United States OF
America, of which we have been reading
and hearing so much of late, under that
procedure?
That has all the earmarks of persecu-
ton, the acts of towards, and not OF
prosecution, the acts of free men.
I'm requesting you give consideration
to seeing that the findings Of facts ap-
pertaining thereto are presented via the
press, so that, if necessary, we, the peo-
pie, may carry on from there in seeing
that the bill of rights OF the Constitu-
ton is as applicable to the so-called un-
derdog as to the President of the United
States.
He, the underdog, asks no more, MOTH
Ing less should be granted.
THOMAS z. kdRATH.
Evening star., 1937-08-11
Self.Restraint.

Last night the Democratic members
Of the Senate gave a dinner of honor
to Senator Barkley, the newly chosen
leader of the majority in the Upper
House. The President was invited to
attend, but for certain reasons of suffl-
cient potency declined. He contributed,
however, to the felicity of the occasion
by sending letter to the Vice President,
who presided at the dinner-whom he
affectionately addressed Dear Jack"
That letter, read at the dinner and later
published in full, contained one para
graph which, apart from the interest in
the immediate connection, deserves par
ticular attention. In the course of his
eulogy of the newly named leader of the
Senate the President said
I know that every one present this
evening will agree with me that Alben
Barkley is greatly distinguished for the
things he does not say as we'll as for
the things he does say Whether he
was born that way or has acquired this
marvellous restraint through years of
-dlSSlJ L uO iloU kllON. oQI 1 uU
know that it Is a great asset.
The President certainly hit the nail
on the head when he wrote that passage.
The merit of silence is indeed a great
one. How many man in public life,
in high Office sometimes, has said or
written that which has caused him
trouble! How often has the word too
much made for confusion and disruption!
And the value Of self-discipline What a
blessing it is to those upon whom public
attention is centered.
History would perhaps be dull reading
If it were not for the things that have
been unWisely said or written. Verbal
missteps have caused much stumbling
on the part of those who have held high
places in the worlds affairs. 1t is now
gratifying to read the Presidents words
of conlmendation for the marvellous
restraint through years of self-discipline"
maintained by the guest of honor at the
Raleigh Hotel dinner. 1t may afford
some comfort to those who have wished
this precious trait were more widely
possessed.
Evening star., 1937-08-11
THIS AND THAT
BY CHARLES E. TRACEWELL.

dreds Of little canaries, and used them
as gas detectors. The idea was that this
inoffensive creature was particularly
susceptible" to gas, and would keel over
at the first touch, long before human
ncstrils had been able to detect it.
The canaries were said 60 do their
bit" for humanity-but it was pretty
tough on the birds.
Thousands of homing pigeons were
used Hundreds of them lost their lives.
Horses and mules were slaughtered by
the thousands, dying in the most horrible
agony.
No human has ever been bold enough
to compute the number of so-caled
meat animals" slain and eaten by man
during single year.
The way we get along is not to think
about it.
When we hurry to the wharves, in a
typical American city, we pass hundreds
of chickens in cages.
We are so intent on our vacation that
we refuse to sully it with the idea that
these creatures are to have their necks
Wrung in our behalf
++
4lC yCdIly SlduSIlJtl VI lluS ny man
still passes all computation.
A beautiful bird, in some sections of
our great land, is still just target
Despite all the wonderful work done
In bird conservation, the land still teens
with rifles and air guns, freely used on
the SOngsters.
Only few years ago our friend, the
robin, was listed as game bird in
one Of our great States.
When we thus review briefly the scene
Of man as killer (charitably we have
left out all mention of the thousands of
game birds killed each year as sport) we
believe that only the most obdurate souls
would dare mention the little house cat
in the same breath with the paragon of
the ages.
Cats do kill birds, but they do it in
response to Nature, and the total is far
short of that encompassed by man
AS bird killers. house cats are rather
In the nature of controls"
Nature has worked out a system Of
keeping down the population all her
own, it is mixed up with her plan for
providing food for her wild children.
Where all the creatures come and go
as they please there always will be a
certain loss of each species from the
rest, but it will be found that this is
working out Of the laws of survival,
and that the flttest usually pass the test
The kindhearted human will shrink,
from death of any animal, but he will
realize at the same time that it seems
to be Natures plan, and that in its
working out there is none of the
planned cruelty of man himself.
A cat in garden may not be guilt
less, but he is not the one against whom
bird laws and regulations have been
drawn up. The real enemy of birds is
your brother, Man. and it is this killer
the laws are aimed at, even when they
miss him, as they too often do. We re-
fuse to get excited about cats. as long
as this arch-killer is still loose in the
world.
Evening star., 1937-08-11

In the trees were many birds. at the
front OF the driveway two rabbits, at the
rear two bantams, in the yard a cat and
nearby couple of squirrels.
The cat did not bother the rabbits.
the chickens did not worry the squirrels:
several fat robins, with unusually red
breasts hoped around after worms.
1t was satisfying picture, one to be
seen great deal more often than those
think who never see cat without feeling
that the whole bird population is lost.
Nature has way with her. way which
is very old and very capable, and which
surprisingly often results in scenes such
as we have described
Her way, in plain words, is liberation.
She does not say, Cats, get out!"
She does not maintain one province for
chickens, another for rabbits, a third for
squirrels, but mixes them all up in the
world together.
This is her way.
++
1t Is true that upon occasions there will
be loss pain, death and sorrow from any
such procedure.
Yet who is man that he dare criti-
cize it?
Man dare not berate Nature as to
loss, pain, death, sorrow
He causes enough of them himself.
He has been doing it as long as he
has had history.
He killed yesterday, he kills today, he
will kill tomorrow.
He has killed more birds by a million
fold than all the cats will be able to
kill In another million years.
uo tote oxto foA
passenger pigeon, which once blackened
the heavens for hours in its migratory
flights. Cats didn't do it.
Even the great Audubon, who did so
much for the birds Of America, was q
merciless killer, according to the undis-
puted verdicts of the latest biographies.
He lived in rough time.
AS mass, and in individual cases,
man has been the arch-killer Of the
ages.
The terrible man whose murder
brought on the World War is said to
have killed endlessly Just for the fun
of it."
He had seven gun bearers, and fired
one after the other as fast as he could
all day long.
In day he slew thousands of animals
and birds. And this went on for years.
1t was only retribution that he died q
violent death at last, and that his dying
brought on the terrible slaughter of
millions Of his fellow humans.
The deaths of birds alone, in that gil
gantic conflict, must have been beyond
all computation.
For four long years, season after sea-
son, man blackened the heavens with
acrid smoke and even more acrid death
in the form of lead. steel and awful gas.
All the cats that ever lived. and all the
cats that ever will live, never caught or
killed tenth of the poor birds which
died as a mere incidental of the World
War.
AS if the destruction of wild birds was
not enough, the combatants took hun
Evening star., 1937-08-11
it. 1t had a raw, bitter taste.

it. 1t had a raw, bitter taste. The
hkker Toby makes is never raw"
Steve Clark, who tells the story, is a
wait grown to manhood under Jed's
fatherly wing. Twenty years earlier
Steve had been treed by pair OF blood
hounds trailing his criminal uncle and
had been rescued by Jed and carted home
for Jed's beautiful widowed sister -in-law
to bring up. The romantic side OF the
story relates a brief and tragic love
affair for Jed and less tempestuous
journey for Steve and Sue.
In bringing to life these colorful, sin
cere and truly righteous characters OF
a vanishing race Mr.. Givens has ad-
hered faithfully to the traditions, the
beliefs and the full-bodied stature of
the men and women of the valley where
"all cats are gray 1t was not his
purpose to write q great novel, but to
tell the story of a magnificent race of
lawyers, orators and unaffected show
men who left no proper records behind
them because they did not themselves
know that they were great. The book
is as splendid as the sentiment which
prompted IT. writing.
Evening star., 1937-08-11
WASHINGTON OBSERVATIONS

Old-timers around the Capitol, off,
cials and employees who have seen many
Congresses come and go, cannot recall a
time when there was such a keen desire
on the part of the solons to get away
from Washington and, at the same time,
so much uncertainty as to just how
much legislation would have to be
damned through" before adjournment
could become an accomplished fact. AL
though various tentative dates have been
proposed for the final getaway" the
situation has been changing from day
to day, almost from hour to hour. New
factors have been injecting themselves
into the legislative program with pro-
vocative persistence: unforeseen objec-
tions or obstacles arising which so far
have prevented agreement upon a def
mite program of objectives and a fixed
date for final completion of this work.
One official advanced the idea that Con-
gresS might follow the hope reported to
have been broadcast by one OF the Span
ish rebel leaders that the Loyalists would
be considerate enough not to attack until
it Is cooler" He added that such q
course might result not only in modera-
ton of the weather but also in the
tempers OF some OF the members.
4 ~
One feature connected with the ad-
journment OF Congress is the air condi-
tioning of the Capitol. During the pres
ent session the legislators have been
obliged to content themselves with part
ly cooled building; and the plan to COM
plete the system and extend it to include
the Senate and House Office Buildings
cannot be finished until after the various
committees and members have vacated
their rooms. David Lynn, architect of
the Capitol, is proceeding with as much
of the work as possible and will rush the
entire plant to completion as soon as
the congressman pack their bags and
leave Washington, so that it may be
comfortably cooled for them during the
next heated session. An appropriation
of $3.50 600 was made by the previous
Congress for this purpose, with small
additional appropriations for certain
minor changes and alterations necessi-
tated by the installation OF the air-con-
ditioning system.
x& X
Preparations are being made for
flight across the Atlantic next month by
the largest French flying boat. the Lieu
tenant de Vaisseau Paris. This pride
OF the French aviation service, which
would have visited the northern part of
the United States last year. was wrecked
in storm at Pensacola while en- route
to New York from French Guiana. where
it participated in ceremonies incident to
the centenary of the founding of that
colony. The battered airship has been
repaired and new engine is now being
installed, it is reported. preparatory to
the proposed journey. It will be piloted
by Capt. Bonnot who flew it across the
Atlantic via the South American route
Evening star., 1937-08-11
1876 and Not 1880.

BY a perversity OF the types The Star
in its editorial on Third Terms" referred
yesterday to the nomination of Rutherford
B. Hayes for the presidency as having
occurred in 1880. This was of course
an error, by four years. Mr.. Hayes was
nominated in 1876 and he began his term
sion declared he was entitled, March 4,
1877. Misprints do not change history,
though they cause embarrassment. For
the sake of accuracy of record. The Star
hereby corrects the statement in yes
terday's editorial, for which 1t asks the
forgiveness of its readers.
Evening star., 1937-08-11

the scene. Sunset, the architecture of
an elm, the economy OF morning
glory vine in blossom, the music of gentle
rain on a grateful roof the miracle of
the wings OF a humming bird, the
noiseless tread of tigers foot, the
coloration of a rabbits coat-brown in
Summer and white in Winter; such
wonders leave him puzzled though not
dismayed. He is glad to think that he
Is not expected to understand every
thing, happy to be ignorant of the
"causa natura" of beauty and harmony
which he appreciates all the more
deeply because he cannot glimpse the
machine which, by whatever name, is re-
sponsible for the changing yet ever
fascinating picture.
Evening star., 1937-08-11
The Overhead Wire Peril.

The circumstances of the latest air
plane catastrophe, in Florida, give point
to the suggestion, indeed the demand,
that In view OF the frequency OF aviation
services, all electric power lines in the
closely inhabited areas be placed under
ground, as they are in cities. That these
high-tension conductors have become
dangerous menace to life has been re-
peatedly demonstrated by accidents that
have in the total cost many lives. And
with aviation service steadily increasing
these hazards will count more and more
heavily in the record.
Well within the recollection of those
Of middle age Washington was net
worked with high-current conductors.
strung on poles. The Star conducted a
campaign of protest which finally re-
suited in the elimination of overhead
wires of this dangerous character, which
were potential of death not alone
through their own occasional breaking
and falling into the streets, but through
their contact crossing by other wires, of
low-potential service, such as those
strung by the telegraph and the tele-
phone companies. Finally all wires, Of
both high and low tension, were banned
from the streets.
While the cities have been freed Of
this menace, the danger continues in the
rural areas, and especially along the
highways. In some instances high-ten-
sion conduction lines have been laid
across the fields. through specially pre-
pared lanes. The technique of their
construction has been greatly improved
resulting in a minimum of danger
through breaks and crossings, yet in the
neighborhood of cities they remain a
factor of peril.
With the development of air services
the risk to life incident to these ex-
posed deadly wires has increased. Reg
ulations have been established respect
Ing such constructions in the vicinity OF
airports, and in large measure. as a rule,
there is small risk of contact between
plane and conductor. Yet that risk re-
mains to some degree, and without
further precautions, with the constant
and rapid increase of air travel, that
risk will grow greater, and needless ia
talities will occur.
In this latest case, at Daytona Beach,
the accident was due to the striking by
the plane OF a pole that had been hastily
erected during the preceding night, an
emergency having arisen to require the
establishment OF service circuit
supplying small area which had
been deprived of electric current through
the failure Of an underground line.
Notice had not been given to the pilot,
who therefore was unaware of this
hazard. This constitutes occasion for
inquiry and perhaps penalty for neglect
Of necessary duty.
The general situation with regard to
the overhead high-current wires, in re-
lation to the new traffic of the air, re-
quires immediate considerat ton and
study, with the view of the eventual
burial OF all high-current conductors,
whether short or long lines, whether
near large centers Of population or
through the sparsely settled regions.
The development of air service has
reached the point where the wire carry
ing deadly current must 60 beneath the
ground.
Evening star., 1937-08-11
Mysteries.

A few years ago it generally was con-
tended that there were only three major
questions which science could not
answer. Now, however, it is conceded
that there really are a multitude of
problems for which organized common
sense" has as yet no solution.
The nature of matter, for example,
remains a mystery. Nobody actually
comprehends it any more definitely than
the wit who declared that the cosmos
is myriad of holes tied together without
string. How the universe was built,
what maintains it and what generates
the power by which it moves are riddles
still unread.
Similarly, the essence of the soul Of
man is merely guessed. The living spark
which, burning, signifies sentient exist
ence and which, smothered, connotes
death and dissolution, has not been de-
tected in the human heart or brain. It
defes analysis and diagnosis. Yet it is
the imperative reality, the definitive fact
IN every philosophy proposed by human
genius.
The mechanism Of inheritance, also
has not been mapped or charted. No
Darwin has found the key to the trans
mission OF psychological traits; no Mem
del has discovered the magic word to
open the infinity out of which such
physical characteristics as hereditary
deafness emerge. The Bourbon nose and
the Hapsburg jaw are celebrated; but
who can demonstrate by what process
they persist?
A poet, looking upon the world and
its peonle Ia amazed hv thA marvel of
Evening star., 1937-08-11

work now being carried on independently
by the various railroads in so far as 1t
affects the physical properties. 1t will
not duplicate or replace the activities OF
the individual roads in this direction, but
will be supplementary thereto. One sub
ject with which the new division will deal
will be the adaptability and use Of i.6nter
materials, and it will study problems con-
nected with paints, fuel and other ma.
terials and supplies. Such correlation OF
effort, it is pointed out by officials of the
organization here, is necessary because
of the ultimate relationship between the
design and operation of cars and loco
motives, and the construction and main.
tenance Of the roadbeds over which they
operate.
eCsDyrtght, 1877
Evening star., 1937-08-11

The Dionne children are reported to
be taking care of small epidemic in
their immediate circle. They have head
colds and while likely to recover are at
least contributing a valuable reminder
as to how serious matter a cold may
become.
Evening star., 1937-08-11

A parachute jumper in nearby sub
urban areas claims that he is a MARYLAND
University sophomore and that he is
Jumping for an education. He should be
first Of all instructed to read the news
paper and learn what is happening to
misguided air prodigies.
Evening star., 1937-08-11

A 3s-year-old Yale law professor named
Douglas will replace James NJ Lands as
chairman of the Security and Exchange
Commission on the 1st of next Septem-
ber. This gives him number OF years
before he approximates IS and is eligible
to really serious consideration.
Evening star., 1937-08-11

Children who have parents working
in Washington are to be eligible to
schools in the District of Columbia
although If all the suburban school
plans are carried out this may not
seem, after all, so especial privilege.
Evening star., 1937-08-11

Perhaps the Russian aviator is wise in
regarding it as better to be caught in an
Arctic snow drift than to risk the perils
which ablebodied men so frequently
have to face at home,
Evening star., 1937-08-11
Wild Imagination.

New Jersey has the big hotels
Where lavish board is paid,
In old New York the brokers dwell
Where wealth is lost or made.
And if the Stock Exchange should be
Across the river sent,
In Wall Street windows will we see
The notice, Rooms for Rent"
"Times is allus hard" said Uncle
Eben, "foh de kind of person dat won't
work unless he kin pick out soft job"
Evening star., 1937-08-11

Congress is seriously considering night
sessions although there are members
who seem reconciled to the idea of
staying over until September and OBJ
serving Labor day.
Evening star., 1937-08-11
Rate by Carrier-City and Suburban.
Night Final Edition
Rate by Mail-Payable in Advance.
MARYLAND and virginia
All Other States and Canada.
Member of the ASSociafed preSs

The Associated Press is exclusively 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., 1937-08-11

Chinese and japanese report mutual
attacks with the Japanese confident
because of experience and their enemies
reliant on greater numbers.
Evening star., 1937-08-11
Crasshopper Diet.

From the Yakima Republic.
In some countries grasshoppers are a
staple article of diet. Maybe if the dust
bowlers would eat their hoppers instead
of pursuing them with poison they could
save time and money.
Evening star., 1937-08-11

An ex-convict attacked a child. The
incident has become SO frequent in the
news that mention of details OF the crime
becomes dull monotony.
Evening star., 1937-08-11
As We Have Always Done.

These strike threats make us hold our
breath,
And fill us with misgiving.
Although they scare us most to death
Well smile and keep on living.
Evening star., 1937-08-11

No one is surprised at the demand
for Mr.. Farley as an ace automobile
salesman. He is welcome figure at all
the prize fights and at all the parties,
too.
Evening star., 1937-08-11

Q. What city has the most telephones
in proportion to its population?-C. B.
A. Washington, D. c. San Francisco
is second. In this respect, considering
the cities of the world, Chicago ranks
ninth and New York City fifteenth.
Evening star., 1937-08-11
Limitations.

do you think she will succeed in get
ting a divorce?"
Il don't know" answered Miss Cay
enne "She didn't marry q man rich
enough to enable her to hire a very
good lawyer"
Evening star., 1937-08-11

ITO appeal to reason is long task"
said Hi Ho, the sage of Chinatown, but
an appeal to fear is futile. We may
avail something by the teaching of
saint, but thousand devils lose all terror
and become only amusing"
Evening star., 1937-08-11

reader can get the onsDer to anu
question of fact by ,or,tino The Epentno
star Information Bureau, Frederic J.
Hdsktn, Director, Washington, D. C.
Please tnc'ose stamp for reply.
Evening star., 1937-08-11
Personal Testimonial.

"You say you are proud of your con-
stituents?"
I am replied Senator Sorghum. II
am proud OF their perspicacity and cour-
age. When they see a good man like
myself, they are not afraid to elect him
to Office"
Jud Tunkins says that by the time a
man can afford to be in politics he's
liable to be so rich everybody will be
down on him for plutocrat.
Evening star., 1937-08-11

@. What is the most expensive sport.
ing event?-J. H.
A. 1t is the Americas Cup races.
Evening star., 1937-08-11

q. How does the amount of money
spent at the discretion of President
Franklin D. Roosevelt compare with the
sum thus spent before his term?-A. P.
A. In recent article, David Lawrence
said: From 1789l933 the most money
that all Presidents of the United States
had to spend in ways in which they
could exercise their own discretion
amounted to a total over all the years
of only s1687 ,OOO,O 900 One man in the
White House since 1898 has had SIS.
428,000,000 placed at his discretion"
Evening star., 1937-08-11

@. Why do eggs beat more readily at
some times than at others?-P. T.
A. Temperature has great influence.
At room temperature they beat more
rapidly and to greater bulk than when
they are chilled.