Evening star., 1937-12-12

torial stamp: when Ponce de Leon
sailed to find the Fountain of Youth
In Florida, his soldiers started to for
tify the rocky island that has become
the capital city Of San Juan, boast
ing population of 175,000 today.
Two round towers formed the sea-
ward extremities of castle overlook
ing the sea. Hardly had this start
been made and occupied by small
garrison than more expert strategist
happened along to announce that the
site was badly chosen. The fort would
have to be farther out on the point
where its guns could be trained upor
approaching privateers before, moi
after, they had entered the harbor
But La Fortaleza was not to be wasted
It became the mansion of the gov
ernor. though not in its original form.
Builders went to work and constructed
a palace in front, incorporating the
fort with its towers. In one section
Of the mansion, then, are winding
staircases, cannon embrasures, long
Sits in heavy masonry through which
sentries might watch for the ap-
preaching enemy, and tunnel en-
frances. There are round rooms,
square rooms and rooms Of no def
mite shape, representing space where
construction of one century adjoins
that Of the preceding century.
In the principal part of the man
sion gerrymandering is not so evident
and the executive mansion and Offices
are spacious, well arranged, remark
ably well decorated and lighted. In
fact, the mansion proper conforms in
general style to modern requirements
Of residence to be lived in It Il
this spaciousness and the beauty Of
the Moorish type Of architecture that
impresses visitors to La Fortaleza."
The National Federation of Stamp
Clubs is polling its constituent mem
bers on proposal to frank all mail
from the Philatelic Agency.
Frederick w. Green of Cleveland
has been appointed attorney for the
American Philatelic Society, succeed
ing David D. Caldwell of Washington
who served through the administra.
ton of President Eugene Klein.
William T. Raley has in his col.
lection an interesting philatelic SOU.
venir Of the troubles in the Far East
It consists Of cover inscribed
Fourth Marine Mail; No Postage
Available: Collect on Delivery" anc
bears the signature of Gel. Charlie.
F. B. Price, now In command a,
Shanghai.
Italy is bringing out q set of stamp.
in homage to the memory of Marconi
the inventor Of wireless telegraphy and
the original sponsor of modern radio
communication.
John w. Longnecker Of Hartford
discusses why I Collect Stamps" in
the December number Of Advocations
Magazine, published Friday.
Stephen Macy and members of the
Washington Amateur Astronomers So
ciety will be guests Of the Washington
Philatelic Society, Hotel Carlton, We'd
nesday evening, January 26. The two
organisations will cooperate in a pro-
gram on Stamps and Stars"
The National Federation Of Stamp
Clubs Is arranging q Saturday eve
ming coast-to-coast broadcast for the
winter season. It Is rumored that the
first speaker win be Secretary Of the
Interior Harold L. Ickes. The date
and station allocations soon will be
announced.
Germany has . travelling post office
for philatelic service. It consists Of a
large automobile truck with sales win
dows on one side and cancellation
windows on the other. Driven to any
desired location, 1t does business with
marvellous. efficiency and undoubted
profit to the government.
Plans for the March exhibition OF
the Washington Collectors, Club, to
be staged at the National Museum, are
In process of development. %
Theodore Rosen, recently elected
Judge Of the Court Of Common Pleas
In. Philadelphia, u . stamp collector
Of many .years' experience He suf-
fered the loss Of his, right arm and
right. eye In ,ths World War. but hi,