davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1937-12-02
Civil Service Report.

The Brookings Institution is highly
critical of President Roosevelt's plan for
the reform" of the Civil Service. In a
report released yesterday it declared:
"A merit system politically administered
is worse than no merit system at all"
Government employment in recent
years, as everybody knows, has been
dependent upon political clearance"
and the Brookinss findings call atten-
ton to the fact that the emergency
agencies generally have been exempted
from the control of the Civil Service
law because "the boys wanted the gravy"
Even in the so-called regular service"
ways and means have been discovered
for appointments Of purely political
character.
The philosophy represented in the
practice Of the New Deal never has been
concealed. Postmaster General Farley
honestly believes that you get just as
good personnel one way Is the other"
He repeatedly has testified to that
effect. The Presidents proposal was
to abolish the existing commission Of
three and to centralize all Civil Service
jobs in the hands of single ofncer.
Such move, the Brookinss Institution
insists, would invite political encroach-
ment rather than repel It," The report
argues: "The one-man administration
would be af1liated with, or be suspected
of afiliation with, one political party.
He would almost Of necessity be identi-
fed with one particular section Of the
country. Whether he had or had not
sectional interests or sectional prejudices,
he would be suspected of having them"
The Brookings Institution, in other
words, fears that the Chief Executive,
whoever he might be, would dictate
Government hiring and firing in minutest
detail through an appointed delegate.
It is not satisfied that the spoils system
would not continue to exist under an
other name.
Evening star., 1937-12-02

the county government apparently have
reached the limits Of their abilities to
improve local conditions. The Issue has
become clean cut. It Is up to Congress.
There are two proposals pending be-
fore Congress-one to build an airport
at Camp Springs, Md, the other to
complete the filling and development OF
the Gravelly Point site as a downtown
air terminal. President Roosevelt, In
his veto message, definitely recommended
the Gravelly Point site for immediate
development and asked for authorization
to develop a larger, sll-weather terminal
farther out, mentioning Camp Springs
as logical location.
Congress must act or accept the blame
for possible consequences Of its failure.
Evening star., 1937-12-02
Welcome Aid.

Washington welcomes the forthcoming
survey of its health and hospital problem
by the. United States Public Health
Service. For there is perhaps no unit
more competent to make complete, in
formed, impartial and comparative in
vestigation than the Federal health
agency.
Other current Investigations are at
lacking the situation, each from q spe-
ciflc angle which will contribute to but
not give picture Of the status of public
health in Washington.
The inquiry by the Budget Bureau
in thirteen local hospitals, for ex-
ample, is being made by administrative
experts, not by doctors, and with a
view to determining comparative per
capita costs per patient. The inves-
tigation OF Gallinger Hospital by the
committee of local physicians. on the
other hand. will look at the problem from
the point Of view of maintenance of med
ical standards. Both Of these efforts will
be Of material assistance In filling out
the District health picture, but neither
alone will sufice.
The Public Health Service, on the other
hand, has both the facilities and ex-
perts to make the sort Of investigation
which will make the local health situa-
ton stand out in bold relief as to whether
it Is above, or below or just average.
1t will be conducted impartially and with
complete disinterest. Its effort will be
to furnish yardstick for the measure
ment of adequate public health protection.
The States have often availed themselves
of the service of representatives of the
service for similar inquiries. not with the
idea of barring scandal, but in their ca
pacities as experts diagnosing situation
The Capital community is gratified
that the Surgeon General has consented
to undertake one here.
Evening star., 1937-12-02
Japan's War Bill.

Japan's known anxiety for cessation Of
bloodshed in China and early peace
naturally, on Tokio's terms-is motivated
neither by humanitarian nor altruistic
reasons. It springs from urgent eco
nomic causes. The islanders are far
from the end Of their resources, but that
these are being progressively strained to
the breaking point is no secret to author
titles with access to authentic informa-
tion. It is the considered judgment of
some Of these observers that unless the
Japanese achieve decisive victory over
China during the winter, their military
successes may be abruptly and COM
pletely nullified by economic collapse.
This theory is predicated on the sup
position that Chang Kai-sheks strategy
contemplates stubborn defense designed
to draw the Japanese farther and farther
into the interior Of China and corre-
spondingly ever more remote from their
sources Of supply. Those were the tao
tics Of exhaustion Kuropatkin pursued
in tho Russo-Japanese war and which.
many military students have long
thought, would eventually have doomed
Japan to defeat If the Mikado's armies
had been lured only little more deeply
Into Siberian territory. Nathaniel PETER,
enc Of Americas leading Asiatic spe-
cialists. has just written that ut can
be said with dogmatic certainty that
There is no prospect Of China's resist
ance diminishing to such point that
Japan can reduce its force OF occupa-
tion In China to less than 250.000 men
s. for another year. A conservative esti-
mate would be nearer 100000"
A. her war Of conquest is said to be
costing Japan 100000 yen (roundly,
II SOC, ,00O q day, and the Empires re-
synaining liquid assets are estimated not
10 exceed 5000, ,ooo, 900, it is easy to calcu-
siats that the prospect OF prolonged hos
! t11,ties centuries up disquieting possible
Evening star., 1937-12-02
STARS, MEN AND ATOMS
Notebook of Science Progress in Field,
Laboratory and Study.
BY THOMAS r. HENRY,

New tagged atoms" are showing how
the various elements in food go to make
up body tissue.
Reports before the American Chem
ical Society last month revealed that
heavy nitrogen and heavy hydrogen,
mixed with food and later recovered
from tissue. were making possible, for
the first time, study Of the speed and
mechanisms OF fat and protein utiliza-
tion.
Papers Just published by the National
Academy OF Sciences tell Of similar
experiments with two other elements,
sodium and phosphorus, both Of which
are essential to the human and animal
body. Both Of these elements can be
made radio active by bombardment with
deuterons, or atoms Of heavy hydrogen.
These radioactive isotopes act chem
ically in precisely the same way as the
normal elements. In the great chemical
laboratory of the body they enter into
Evening star., 1937-12-02
THIS AND THAT
BY CHARLES L. TRAcEWELL.

The turtle dove is the nearest bird ye
have to the lost passenger pigeon.
little heavier in the beam this Caro-
lima dove, and somewhat differently
marked, but on the whole very much like
the famous extinct pigeon.
Five OF them dropped into the yard at
exactly $3.50 O'Clock on Thanksgiving
afternoon.
No doubt they were migrating 4 point
q bit farther South.
vive q normal winter In this vicinity.
mained all season, feeding at the station
with the smaller birds.
The five which dropped in Thanksgiv-
ing day, adding new note to the occa-
sion, remained just half an hour.
Part Of this time they spent at the
feeder.
The last fifteen minutes or 50 they
rested in the grass at the rear Of the
garden.
Here their protective gray coloration
concealed them very well, and they
stayed at rest for several minutes, until
one by one they took of and few away.
In grass this dove seems to have no
feet at all, SO short are the legs and 50
overhanging the fat body.
These birds had lived well, wherever
they had spent the summer and fall
days.
They were the fattest doves ever to
visit the yard.
During all the time OF their visit they
made no noise at all.
They moved around in the yard like
little gray boats, seeming to swim rather
than walk through the grass.
The turtle, or Carolina, dove Is a
cheerful, fat fellow, an ornament to any
feeding center.
He and she are neat feeders, too, unlike
the Sparrows and some others which de-
light in scattering seed on the ground.
This may be due to the fact that the
dove is ground feeder, pure and simple.
He is never known to alight on the shelf
OF the station, but always seeks his sus-
tenance on the earth below.
He is not a good flyer for short dis
tances. Once his powerful wings get
him well into the air, he sails along
as we'll as any. but until that happens
he Is rather at a loss.
+
For all his fat body, the dove is alert,
and seldom permits a cat or other enemy
to get close to him.
At the first alarm he is away, his
wings making q creaking or whistling
sound peculiar to the species
This sound, together with his soft
notes. no doubt is responsible for the
popular name Of mourning dove, by
] which this creature Is generally known
1t is not good name, one may think
because really there is nothing mournful
about the sounds, and the bird itself
is as jolly fat thing as the famous
nickname, Fats" connotes.
Until 1913 this fine dove was regarded
in some Southern States Is game
oird.' but the Federal bird law of that
year classed it properly as a migratory
bird. and it was given the protection Of
that statute.
Since then many more OF these bird.
have come to the suburban areas, which
is good, for it is the only one of the
doves to so visit US, and its beauty and
Evening star., 1937-12-02

soft notes, usually heard in early morn
ing and late afternoon, add subtle note
Of home which fits the situation.
AA ~
1t is said that the male of this species
indulges in q peculiar gyration, or flight,
at mating time.
It suddenly flies directly into the air
from its perch, attains height Of
hundred feet or more, then holds Its
wings motionless as it glides back.
The idea seems to be to impress the
female.
The famous pigeons milk" is her
produce. She mixes this with the food in
her crop, from which the young birds
feed.
As to food habits, these doves are re-
garded as among our most helpful BIRDS
which Is one Of the best reasons why
their unrestricted slaughter would be a
doubly great crime.
Orinthologists tell us that the dove eats
mostly weed Seeds but also likes insects,
with a partiality toward grasshoppers.
- -
At the home feeding station these
birds will eat the cracked corn and oats
usually sold as baby chick feed, and
also like the seed mixtures generally
called wild bird seed"
They are not Quarrelsome birds, de-
spite their size, although occasionally
one Of them will chase the English SPAR
rows away for time.
Not even the most ardent advocate Of
these sparrows could blame them for
that.
At times the f1ocks of sparrows get on
the nerves Of their best friends This is
mostly due to their sloppy way Of feed
ing. Not content with eating all day
long, they dash in their bills at each NOR
sci, and succeed in scattering a table
spoon of grain and seed at each stroke
Such tactics soon coat the ground be-
meath each feeder. Some enthusiasts
attempt to meet this by putting big tin
plate beneath the platform to catch this
overflow, or spill.
1t is really comical the way the spar
rows manage to throw out far more than
they eat. II each bird had spoon, and
personally shoveled the seed out, 1t could
not empty the hopper more quickly
leaving the ground beneath white with
food.
Maybe there is method in their mad
ness, after all. Such prodigality enables
birds which have not managed to get a
toe-hold on the feeder platform to eat to
their hearts and stomachs' content.
\ y
Simply "the dove" is good name for
our turtle, mourning, or Carolina dove,
for 1t is the only one of the sort here
abouts.
Its relation to the pigeons is seen at a
glance, but 1t is far prettier bird than
most Of the latter, and its feeding habits
much nicer in every way.
Pigeons are great nuisances at the
home feeding station. They run up the
feed bill tremendously, and give no re-
turn at all, for they are not interesting
to watch, unless. of course, one happens
to like pigeons. Some do. But the
person who feeds the wild birds in the
cold realizes, when he has pigeons, that
he is simply feeding somebody else's birds
for him and getting no return.
Shoe the pigeons away, If possible, but
treasure the turtle doves, If they come to
your place, for they are among the most
beautiful of birds, and the only link we
have with the passenger pigeons.
Evening star., 1937-12-02
SIS, or even $50 per day. And there you
are. Everybody looking out for Number
One. And how!
JOS. A. RICHARDSON, ND.

$25, or even $50 per day. And there you
are. Everybody looking out for Number
One. And how!
JOS. A. RICHARDSON. ND.
To the Editor of The Star:
Being one OF the unfortunate stock
holders of the Capital Transit Co., nat
urally have been very much interested
in the controversy caused by the recent
fare boost approved by the p. U. c. OF
the many letters appearing In The Star.
none seem to even remotely touch on
the real issue.
When the merger Of the w. r. Il E. and
Capital Traction was finally consum-
mated ct having been held up for sew
eral years., they found they were faced
with the task Of rebuilding into one sys-
tenn two badly neglected ones. The pro-
gram provided for rebuilding OF tracks,
new switches, new crossovers, several hun
dred new buses, new bus barns, quite q
Der of secondhand cars. All Of this ex-
pense evidently has been charged to
operation of the system, and apparently
there has been no effort by the p. q. G.
to determine how much should be . capi-
Ldl CI1ATSC, Auu WIldt POILIOu SI1OuIO NC
rightfully charged to operation.
One has only to turn back to the re-
port of the result Of the operation of
the Transit Co. for the first year after
the merger (Which was before the pro-
gram Of changes got under way) to read
lily see that with the average passenger
trafic increased by more than two mil
lion monthly since then, and even allow
ing for the actual increase in the oper-
ating expense, the company Is earning
q good profit. The fare increase is moth
ing more than repeating . blunder that
was made before, which resulted in WASH
ington having more taxicabs than Chi
cago, Pittsburgh and Baltimore combined.
In their efforts to make the travelling
public Of Washington pay increased fare,
under the plea that increase In cost Of
operation demands 1t, the management
Of the transit company has committed an
other blunder. Their efforts have resulted
in forcing the value Of stocks and bonds
to = lower level on the market, thereby
making it increasingly difficult for the
company to borrow for extraordinary
expenses. The proposed inyestigation Of
the transit company by q committee Of
Congress, II it is thorough. viii be inter-
esting.
b. EDwARD NcCANN.
Evening star., 1937-12-02
When Interests Conflict.

No wages and hours bill-no farm
bill. This Is the ultimatum announced
by members of the House from indus
trial districts. Particularly do they
resent the activities of the Southern
members of the House. who have
opposed the wages and hours bill as a
measure that strikes particularly at the
growing industries of their States. Cen
orally speaking the South and the West,
the great agricultural areas of the coun-
try, are for the crop control bill.
The chaotic conditions on Capital Hill
which are bringing such ultimatums
threaten both these legislative panaceas.
House and Senate members are puzzled
when the American federation Of Labor,
through William Green, its president,
attacks the wages and hours bill, and
the Committee for Industrial Organiza-
tion through its chairman, John Lewis,
demands the passage of the meas
TIRE. They are more confused when Sec
retary of Agriculture Wallace assails the
crop control bill, now before the Senate.
on the ground that it does not go as far
toward compulsion as it should go.
1t is again apparent that the funda-
mental interests of the farmer and the in
dustrial worker are, from the more selfish
point of view, directly conflicting. The
farmer wishes to sell his products at the
hi irI,a y, ho j,,I,
trial worker wishes to buy these products
as cheaply as he can. The farmer, like
wise, wishes to buy as cheaply as he can
the products of mill and factory, while
the industrialist must make his prices
cover rising costs Of production.
In country dependent both upon
agriculture and industry, it is clear that
both must be successful or the nation
as whole suffers. Sick agriculture
necessarily infects industry and weakens
the whole structure OF the country. The
same is true if industry lags.
Nevertheless the struggle continues,
with industry seeking the advantage
over agriculture and with agriculture
seeking an advantage over industry. The
more nearly the two can work together,
the better for everybody. The disciples
of the theory that prices must be high
If there is to be prosperity, however, con-
tinue to muddy the waters. While 1t is
true enough that too low prices are ruin
Gus, the demand for high prices, II it
succeeds, merely reacts against both
agriculture and industry, for high prices
mean less buying and less distribution.
The wages and hours bill, coming at
/ time when industry already is suffering
and recession of business great, and the
crop control bill at time when foreign
2competition threatens the markets in
which American farmers have been
accustomed to sell, are out Of place.
Many members Of Congress realize
that and, for one reason or another, are
opposed to the farm bill or to the wages
and hours bill or to both. It is possible
that the combined opposition may be
suticient to throttle both.
Evening star., 1937-12-02
More Muddled Than Ever.

Two Virginia governmental agencies,
within . period Of twenty hours,
have, in effect, washed their hands of
responsibility for the muddled state of
affairs at Washington Airport. This
creates q fresh impasse which appar-
emily only the National Congress can
surmount.
For years Washingtonians have been
forced to stand by apprehensively while
one proposal after another to alleviate
universally recognized and constantly in
creasing hazards has failed. Once more,
despairing Of relief from any other
source, local civic and aviation interests,
with the backing Of aroused national
groups, are preparing to turn to Con-
sress which for eleven years has neg
lected the safety Of those who ny TO and
from the National Capital.
The Arlington County Beard and the
Virginia State Corporation Commission,
in tabling, pleas for action to remove
existing dangers ut Warrington Airport.
have placed responsibility for the situa-
ton upon Congress. It appears that
they base their failure to act upon q
belief that 20 long ~ the National Con-
gress has under consideration legisla-
ton which might invaddate any action
on their part, it would be futile for
them to proceed.
The Virginia Developments, coupled
with President Roosevelts recent veto
message calling for passage OF lsgislA-
tioA to meet local airport needs, effec-
lively put the National Legislature 'on
this spot" Tho Federal Bureau a Air
Commerce. thu Virginia government and
Evening star., 1937-12-02
A Booklet
On Care of Pets.

This 32-page booklet b q compilation
Of the best information and sug9estions
obtainable from governmental and other
authoritative sources on the care Of all
kinds Of pets-how to feed them. house
them, train them, exercise them, breed
them, and look after their minor ALL
ments II you have any pets In your
home you will ind this booklet Of real
practical help. Order your copy now.
Inclose ten cents to cover cost and
handling.
Use This Order Blank.
The Washington Evening Star
Information Bureau,
Frederic J. Haskin, Director,
Washington, D. G.
inclose herewith TEN CENTS In coin
Carefully wrappedD for Q copy Of the
booklet, CARE OF PETS"
Name
Street or Rural Route
Clty
please order BY man oniy)
Evening star., 1937-12-02

Question arises as to whether foot
ball game can be properly described with
out the use Of slang, which still holds an
advantage. A new language is not so
bad If you are not compelled to take a
strange vocabulary seriously.
Evening star., 1937-12-02

Washington, d. c., needs fortitude to
take care of its local conditions with
reference to health. Many students owe
this community much in the way Of early
education and welcome opportunities to
meet the obligation.
Evening star., 1937-12-02

Irritating incidents will overtake the
greatest fortitude and James j. Farley
must not be surprised when 50 many
politicians think they could run the Post
Once better both for other people and
for themselves.
Evening star., 1937-12-02

Nobody apparently enjoys associating
the career of Justice Black with that Of
the K. K. K. Enough troublesome re-
search is now provided by the three
simple letters A. A. A.
Evening star., 1937-12-02

Life would be more conveniently ar
ranged, If bootleggers carried plans for
measurements which would regulate a
holiday supply. instead of trusting the
guest to process of self-gloriflcation.
Evening star., 1937-12-02

Colleges have numerous games to cele-
brate and hearty greetings to exchange
But even they have lessons to be learned
in the requirements OF plain toll and
subsistence.
Evening star., 1937-12-02

Communication with China is hin
dered by the Japanese as they claim to
be victorious and Oriental standards
continue to figure many methods Of
progress upside down.
Evening star., 1937-12-02

Greenbelt is showing Maryland an
ideal town with one man to represent
the local and the general interests. 1t
will be interesting and perhaps helpful
when its economics are candidly figured.
Evening star., 1937-12-02

Wonderful things are being>done with
machinery. but it may be asked whether
the management of human power is
conducted with so much skill.
Evening star., 1937-12-02

Once a Cuban President, Machado is
to be under arrest in New York City, the
town expected to provide political head
quarters for the entire world.
Evening star., 1937-12-02
Shooting Stars.
BY PHILANDER JOHNSON.

Slipping Along.
Slipping along-slipping along
Now with sorrow and then with a song.
The world seems to sigh as 30 gently it
grieves
Where the wind softly sweeps through
the old autumn leaves.
Slipping along from the summertime
glow
To the gathering clouds and the hur-
rying snow,
Meath the glittering stars through the
long silent nights
That seem to reflect this earth's myriad
lights.
Slipping along! Though an hour may
be slow,
The weeks and the months with strange
swiftness will 60.
Well patiently wait for the robins to
sing.
Well be slipping along very soon into
spring.
Evening star., 1937-12-02

AS credit must be used, its employ
ment calls for further intelligence. The
deferred obligation is one Of the greatest
Of all modern problems.
Evening star., 1937-12-02

Growing Cotton Market
xfolh ths Charleston (w. vA9 Man.
Accident reports would seem to indi-
cats that the bandate demand would
eliminate The cotton 0upaaA
Evening star., 1937-12-02

The Evening Star Newspaper Company
Main ONCE: l1th st. and Pennsylvania Ave.
New York Once: ITO East 42nd st.
Chicago once: ass North Achisan Ave.
Evening star., 1937-12-02
Member Of the As,ociated Pres

=. The Associated Press is exclusively entitled to
the use for republication Of all news dispatch
credited to It or not otherwise credited IN this
paper and also the local news published derein.
herein also are reserved.
Evening star., 1937-12-02
Commercialixed Saint,

C0mmercialized Saint.
Santa, in the windows yonder,
Wins an admiration great.
He's so numerous, we wonder
II he is q syndicate.
Evening star., 1937-12-02
Repudiated Theory.

Kepudiated Theory.
$50 you deny that . chimpanzee was
your ANCESTOR"
80 far as am personally concerned" !"
answered Senator Sorghum, II do. No
creature that couldn't talk could possibly
have been the ancestor Of . politician
in NV atAte"