davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1937-12-07

as soon as another war breaks out he Is
just as important as he was in the last
one. Just now, says Gen. Malin Craig,
Chief of Staff, he is the backbone of the
conflicts in Spain and in China. Air
planes have improved miraculously in
twenty years. Tanks, big guns and trans
ports of today make their forerunners
of World War days seem almost ante
diluvian. The infantryman has changed
little. Perhaps he has somewhat better
arms better transport and, let us hope,
better shoes and lighter pack. But
his methods are essentially the same
as they were in the armies of Hannibal.
For war, in its final analysis, becomes
combat between two men on foot,
armed with whatever is nearest at hand.
And those two men always will be infan-
trymen. The infantry is the fist of Mars.
He may scoWl, shout, threaten, kick with
artillery and tank and airplane. But
the blow with the fist is what hurts.
Least Of all its arms of defense can
a nation afford to neglect it's infantry
or underrate its Importance 1t is the
force that ultimately must be depended
upon, however colorless it may appear in
peace-time. 1t is the fundamental of
war. All other arms are adjuncts to it.
Evening star., 1937-12-07
An Important Decision.

District officials should be particularly
interested in the five-to-four decision of
the Supreme Court yesterday upholding
the validity Of the West Virginia tax on
the gross receipts of contractor doing
business within the State under a con-
tract with the Federal Government, and
the Washington State occupational tax
as applied to the gross income of persons
under contract with the United States
for work in connection with the building
of Grand Coulee dam.
On the face of the opinions, it seems
likely that the court would uphold appli-
cation Of the local gross receipts tax to
contracts with the Federal Government
for many projects in the District, such
as the construction Of Federal building.
The holders of such contracts are
exempt from the tax at this time, but
under the reasoning of yesterdays s
rulings there seems to be no reason why
they should be accorded that special
privilege. In any event. it is possibility
that the District Commissioners should
lose no time In investigating.
Aside from the purely local aspect, the
tax decisions may have profound effect
on the future Of tax legislation In this
country. In advance Of the decisions,
there was speculation that the upholding
OF these taxes might point the way to
drastic modification of the rule that, in
the interest Of self-preseryation, neither
Evening star., 1937-12-07
Pet Peeves.

An Omaha pastor wants President
Roosevelt to call National Grumble
Day. on which every one would be at
liberty to get pet peeves off his chest,
once and for all.
The clergyman, in his telegram to the
White House, did not give any examples
of the personal grievances" he feels
ought to be included in such plan. He
indicated he was in favor of making
the sky the limit.
The clergyman has hit on something
worth considering. 1t is hard to wait
for the presidential proclamation. All
.grumblers, however, are inclined to pes
simism. One doubts that such a day
will come to pass-and, anyway, it would
take more than one day to unload all
the pet peeves that might be assembled.
These samples are just cross-section:
members of the family; toothbrush
bristles lodged in the teeth; the impa-
tient fellow who toots behind you when
traffic is stalled ahead; the swain who
toots his horn in front Of his girls
home-usually late at night; magazines
with pictures or advertisements cut out
by youthful magazine cutter-uppers:
garlic eaters who insist on confiding
something to you at close range; guests
who rest cigarettes on the piano; over
heated buses; cold potatoes.
There, now That makes one feel bet
ter already. Hurry up with the procla-
nation, Mr. President!
Evening star., 1937-12-07
STARS, MEN AND ATOMS.
Notebook of Science Progress in Field.
Laboratory and Study.
BY THOMAS r. HENRY.

This is about the love life of a firefiy,
hundred million dollars a year, flying
at night, the kitchen stove and various
other things intimately related in the
queer pattern of living.
Twenty years ago the hillside just
south of the Bureau of Standards was
a favorite resort on summer evenings
for amorously inclined lampyrid beetles
of the genus photuris, whose flashing
lamps of love give an indeScribable
beauty to any old hay field around Wash
ington at certain seasons.
A group of eminent bureau physicists
went to the hillside in the dusk carry
ing a bucket. They started chasing
f1refies and in an hour or so had the
bucket full-about 800 Of the insects
altogether. They took the bucket to
one of the bureau laboratories, where
was set up spectroscope, the instru-
ment which resolves light into its pri-
mary colors. Then one of them passed
a laborious ad awkward evening pick
ing firef1ies out Of the bucket, one by one,
and holding them firmly against the slit
Of the spectroscope.
The instrument revealed many things
about this love light of the lampyrid.
The scientists duely recorded the find
ings and went their way. Some time
later they prepared their observations
for publication as a Government docu-
ment. There was an economy wave on.
That item in the printing budget was
cited as fine example of Government
squanderfng Of money for nonsense. OF
what possible concern to the American
taxpayer was the light Of fireflies. Finally
the item grudgingly was passed.
The trifling investment has been re-
paid million fold. Arising from that
work Is a saving of millions q year to
the people. At that time it was impossi-
BILE to'get more than 6 per cent lighting
efficlency out Of any device whatsoever.
Most OF the fuel or power put into light
ing was wasted as heat, which was fine
Tor the Eskimos who heat their igloos
with oil lamps but not so good for folks
who pay monthly bills for electricity.
The nrefly had been able to do much
better. His courtship was the most
economical conceivable. He got SO per
cent efficiency out Of the stuff he burned
to produce his intermittent flashes. He
wasted only per cent in heat. Almost
all his light was in the green-yellow
band OF the radiation spectrum. There
were no heat-producing invisible below
red rays.
What the investigation did was to set
up the FREELY as an ideal to work toward.
1t was a starting point and man has
come very great ways since that sum-
mer night toward matching him. It now
Evening star., 1937-12-07

moorings and voted for q Republican
nominee for President there was an issue
involved that properly has nothing to
do with politics-religion. .-
While the Republicans continue to
wander about IN q fog, another political
party is raising Its head-the American
Labor party. 1t was born in New York
last year, as an adjunct to the Roosevelt
campaign. Now the laborites in New
Jersey and in Michigan are already NOV
ing toward the formation of political
parties. 1t may be that the movement
will gain headway shortly in Pennsyl-
vania, another great industrial State.
The laborites have been greatly encour-
aged by the strength shown by the party
in New York. If the Labor party grows,
as 1t now threatens to do, the political
picture In 1910 may be vastly different
from what It was In 1882 and 1896.
Evening star., 1937-12-07

Is possible. says DR.. Henry D. Hubbard
OF the Bureau of Standards staff. to
get 5O per cent lighting efficiency. There
is still a great distance to 60 to reach
the Iampyrid's 96 per cent, but we have
come almost a third of the way. The
saving is reflected in lighting bills. It
amounts to millions year-not realized
SO much IN cash savings as in more
ABUNDANT lighting more comfortable
MONIES and better eyesight.
Dr. Hubbard. by the way, was the pen
tieman who held the fireflies against the
snt OF the spectroscope. One of the 9TH
ers IN the party was DR.. Frederick Ives
OF the Bell Telephone Co., since cele-
prated as one of the chief inventors in
the held OF television. When the time
comes that we can sit in the parlor and
see a battle in China in progress we will
owe much to DR.. Ives. and some of the
Things he learned that night about the
light efficiency Of firefiies.
So much for the love life of fireflies
and the hundred millions a year-more
or less. Now for flying at night and the
kitchen stove. DR.. Hubbard was rem
lnlsclng about them the other dav on
the eve OF the Bureau of Standards 3Oth
birthday party being held today. Perhaps
it is not generally recognized what a rev.
olutionary transformation has come over
the face of the American countryside at
night in the last 10 years. Nobody is
quite able to realize 1t except by f1ving
over it. The grimiest crossroads village
mas become thing of exquisite beauty.
Inc country grocery store is transformed
into flower Of paradise,
iS drto fD xln
In advertising signs-tubes almost evacu-
ated and filled with minute amounts of
the rare gas-neon-and sometimes with
other inert gases. Just little later than
the flrefy episode some Bureau of
standards physicists were working with
another aspect of light-the possibilities
to be achieved by tubes filled with these
rare gases. They made up helium, neon
and argon tubes which are still on ex-
hibit. They were interested purely in
the scientific aspects, just as were the
men studying firefly light. 1t is on the
direct basis of their work that the mirac-
ulous TRANSPORTATION of night time
America has been wrought. They never
got a cent for it except their salaries.
And now the kitchen Stove-returning
again to DR.. Hubbard's "reminiscences.
1t was about this time also that revo-
lutionary experiments in electroplating
were in progress. Bureau scientists dis
covered the secret of covering metals
with very thin film of the costly metal,
chromium, and as result Of their work
the aforesaid kitchen stove has been
transformed from a rusty hunk Of iron
to thing of beauty with fourfold
longer life. The same is true of all
chromium plated tools. The saving is
inestimable.
It is accomplishments like these that
the Bureau of Standards is celebrating
today.
Evening star., 1937-12-07
THIS AND THAT
BY CHARLES E. TRACEWELL.

THE idea is to warm up the chimney
with the burning paper before the main
fire catches.
Most chimneys, he told me, tend to
get damp, and it is this dampness which
causes the smoking at first.
''The usual method causes too much
fame at the bottom, and makes a big
fire before the chimney gets warm.
UNLESS there is a defect in the flue,
or other improper condition, either Of
development or construction, the paper
on-top method will first warm up the
chimney, and cause good upward draft.
Then, when the kindling catches, the
flames Immediately leap upward, draw
Ing such smoke as is caused up with
them.
"The flames then lick down over the
logs, and finally set them afire, too
Personally, we have never tried Jones'
method, but he swears it works.
Nothing, of course, will make up for
a poor draft, or defective flue, or i'm
proper chimney construction Of any type.
We have been in very fine houses in
which the fireplace threw smoke all
over the room, most disconcerting and
unpleasant thing.
We notice that our correspondent says
he had the door open to let out the
smoke.
Even a. good chimney may build up
back draft when door or window in
any other part of the house is open,
even slightly.
Such openings should be checked.
The logs used ought not to be too big.
Logs which are too long and especially
too big in diameter may cause smoking,
whereas smaller ones, or a large one
split into half, would not do SO.
The question Of some sort of back draft
caused by any sort of burner installa-
tion ought to be checked. Forced drafts
might find a small opening between the
flueS, and be sufficiently strong to spoil
an otherwise good fireplace.
A cold, damp chimney seems to be one
OF the main causes of part-time smok-
ing by an otherwise f1rst-class chimney.
II a twisted newspaper or two is
burned before the logs are put in, the
heat will dry out the f1ue, and estab-
lish the up-draft which is the secret of
every successful fireplace
Too little kindling, and too many and
big logs are other reasons why chimneys
smoke.
Smoke Gets in Your Eyes" is a pleas
ant enough tune. but actually it is no
fun, when it comes from fireplace.
X X
Not more than three logs should be
used. at first.
The largest one goes at the extreme
rear. This is the back log famous in
song and story
The two smaller ones are placed di-
rectly on the kindling, which in turn
has been placed previously on the
twisted paper spills.
One thing to be sure of is that the flue
is open!
This might not seem pertinent. but
we have seen people try to start fire in
fireplace with closed damper.
1t sometimes happens, even in the
best of families!
If plenty of kindling is used, and
plenty of twisted paper spills, the Chin
ney is warmed by them before the logs
catch.
Be sure to check other rooms for a
possible back-draft pull good fue
is sensitive, and responds sometimes to
current of air from a slightly open
window at some far point in the house.
Evening star., 1937-12-07

Federal nor State governments could tax
the agencies or instrumentalities Of each
other. Whether this will be the result,
in view of the restrictive language OF the
majority decisions, remains to be seen.
The language used by Associate JUS
tice Roberts, with the concurrence Of
Justices Butler, McReynolds and suth-
erland, left no doubt, however, that the
minority feels the court has closed its
ears to the often-quoted warning of the
great Chief Justice Marshall that "the
power to tax involves the power to de-
stroy."
Evening star., 1937-12-07

Arlington, Va.
Dear Sir: Having derived much in
formation and pleasure from your writ
ings of books, birds and other topics, it
occurs to me that Templeton Jones
might discourse upon the proper max
Ing Of wood fire.
Living in our home in the suburbs,
much enjoyment, especially on frosty
nights, is obtained from the cheerful
ness Of the open fireplace. We have a
supply Of very old cedar logs, cut 20
inches, the fireplace width being %
inches over the middle of the andirons.
"At times there is much smoke, which
we are anxious to avoid. The fireplace
and chimney were put in IA years ago
by the best builder in the town and the
flame always goes directly up the fiue,
showing a perfect installation.
"The chimney was cleaned out only a
month ago. 1t has two hues, one from
the fireplace and the other from the Oil
burner connected with the cellar fur
mace.
"Over the years we have lived here the
fireplace has usually been without any
smoke. Obviously the smoking is due
Cs
For instance, seem to have too much
wood, which causes the smoking on ac-
count of unburned wood leaning on the
log slow to catch and burn.
What is needed, apparently, Is q cir
culation OF air around the log or other
wood.
1--WE begin with odd pieces of wood as
kindling over newspapers to start the
fhn GoIx ;,.k~
larger log. Only one log is on the and
irons at time. We have been away
from the old home for eight years, hav-
ing rented it meanwhile, so confess to
being out Of practice in fireplacing.
There is some technique which we
haven't the knack of as yet, so perhaps
you can discourse some time soon on
the art OF building up log fire that
will not smoke us out of the room these
chilly evenings with the front door nee
essarily open to clear the room. Then,
too, the smoke deposits much SCOT or
dust on the mantel, table, ETC., causing
housekeeping work the next day.
Just how does one go about it to
build fire-how lay strips of wood
paper, etc.-to lure the log into blaze
without any smoking?
thanking you in advance for your
experience along this line. Very truly
yours. E. H. s."
Templeton Jones, when approached
upon this interesting subject, was very
glad to proffer advice
Advice, says Jones. is one thing he
has plenty of-nobody ever takes any of
1t, that is why he has so much.
There is nothing nicer than nice
fire in the fireplace" said Jones, SEN
tentiously.
Now, let me tell your friend how to
build his fire.
Il was talking to one of the best fire.
place builders in his section, and this old
fellow said the way to build a fire is from
the top down.
instead of placing the papers at the
bottom, then the kindling, and then the
logs on top, they should be put in re-
verse order
That is, the logs should be placed on
the andirons, then the kindling should
be heaped as gracefully as possible atom
the logs, then the paper put on the
linton " 'Aie
Evening star., 1937-12-07
Shooting Stars.
BY PHILANDER JOHNSON.
Motorist.

Motorist.
They tell us of q kindly saint
Who travels through the sky
With an appearance very quaint
AS he goes flashing by.
We note that his equipments are
Not of a former day.
He got himself a motor car
And put aside the sleigh.
The stars as traffic lights are set
To guide him everywhere,
With obligations to be met,
Despite the frosty air.
There is no need for him to know
The service of cop"
A child's voice tells him when to 70
And also where to stop.
Evening star., 1937-12-07
''Dirt Behind His Ears, -

Make way for the infantryman when
the guns begin to shoot"
Between wars the rest of the world is
apt to lose sight OF him-an obscure,
drab figure drilling at remote army posts.
The public eye turns to more glamorous
figures and more thrilling developments
IN the art Of armed combat. Every now
and then somebody predicts that the
foot soldiers day is over, that airplanes
and tanks will render him superfluous.
The infantryman continues to peel
potatoes and pick up cigarette butts, and
Evening star., 1937-12-07
The Washington Evening
Star Offers a Booklet
On Etiquette.

MODERN MANNERS, an authorits-
tive guide to correct forms for all occa-
sions, covers thoroughly situations where
a "what-to-do" might arise-at the
table, on the street, at the theater, in an
apartment house. at christenings, we'd
dings, funerals. Within its 80 pages you
will find answers to more than 500 ques-
tions on good manners. Get a copy of
this useful publication and you will know
the right thing to do at the right time.
Inclose 10 cents to cover cost and
handling
Evening star., 1937-12-07

One Of the eminent radio singers,
John Charles Thomas, pays his personal
compliments to Governor Nice, who. it is
well known, has been having his personal
troubles. Radio does good service when
it carries the human reminder as well
as the artistic suggestion.
Evening star., 1937-12-07

Pictures are delightful incidents Of
the news, but there is danger of sacrifice
ing their charm to their terror when
they are called upon to illustrate the
actual occurrences of their time.
Evening star., 1937-12-07

President Roosevelt Is back home
willing, as man of patience, to listen
to plans for operating this Government
which have frankly depended on the
workings of a new deal which always
rested on certain old principles.
Evening star., 1937-12-07

A number Of things have happened to
contradict an impression that all that
can be expected of a head of govern
mental responsibility is to enjoy the
proceedings while things are conducted
by scientific experts. Annoyances always
arise when scientists disagree.
Evening star., 1937-12-07

A previous understanding long ago of
the real meaning of the words Santa
Claus might have assisted Japan and
China to adjust their world relations.
Evening star., 1937-12-07

1t requires fine student to become q
great physician and greater physician
to become useful to the public in time of
scientific stress.
Evening star., 1937-12-07
Member Of the Associated Press

a, The Associated Press is exclusively entitled to
the use for republication Of all news dispatches
credited to it or not otherwise credited in this
paper and also the local news published neren
All rights of publication of special dispatches
herein also are reserved
Evening star., 1937-12-07
Guide for Politicians.

From the Omaha World-Herald.
There are twelve rules for being a
successful politician. Rule one is pass
the buck" The other eleven rules are
relatively uninportant.
Evening star., 1937-12-07
Democracy Still Lives.

Yes. it's terrible to have Congress in
session-hut 1t means representative
government; and in the present state
Of the world. that's something.
Evening star., 1937-12-07

The Evening Star Newspaper Company
Main once: llth st. and Pennsylvania Ave.
New York once: 11O East 42nd St.
Chicago once: A35 North Michigan Ave.
Evening star., 1937-12-07
Common Error.

common Erf0fs
Your constituents expect q great deal
of you."
"A very great DEAL" Senator Sorghum
replied sadly. "They appear to think
that Senator is another name for
Santa Claus"
Evening star., 1937-12-07

Jud Tunkins says maybe fashions
cause divorces by changing appearances
so often that q man Is constantly COM
PEELED to get acquainted all over again.
Evening star., 1937-12-07
Exacting TaSkmaSter.

Exacting Taskmaster.
"Shop early" we are told once more,
In line for Christmas fun.
Friend Santa, as in years of yore,
Has got us on the run!
TRUTH" said Hi Ho, the sage Of
Chinatown, "is too often forbidding in
speech. Deceit is too often able to be-
guile with eloquence."
Evening star., 1937-12-07

Might Final and Sunday star----70c per month
Night Final SOC per month
Collection made 1T the end Of each month or
each week. Orders may be sent by mail or tele-
phone National 5000.
Evening star., 1937-12-07
Endurance.

"You heard me sing over the radio?"
."Yes," answered Miss Cayenne, "that
microphone is wonderful instrument.
It looks so fragile and yet is able to
stand so much"
Evening star., 1937-12-07

II allus welcomes de huntin' season" !"
said Uncle Eben. "It's an encouragement
to go after rabbits an let chickens
alone"
Evening star., 1937-12-07
Early Rising.

Said I, what pleasure you have won
When you observe the rising sun!"
The milkman said, "I've heard that
junk
That kind of poetry is bunk!"
Evening star., 1937-12-07
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Evening star., 1937-12-07

Delivered by Carrier-City and Suburban
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Evening and Sunday. 65c per mo. or loc per week
The Evening ---46c Der mo. or 1Oc per week
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Evening star., 1937-12-07

Inc demand Tor llberaliZing the Re-
publican party started years ago-not in
New England but in the Middle West.
In those days the La Follettes, the
Delivers, the Norrises, the Ladds were
looked upon as radicals. Eventually
most OF them left the Republican party,
after having been thorns in its side for
long time. All the time-or part of
1.-THE G. o. P. was slipping. With the
threats now on the part of New England
leaders to get out from under unless the
party becomes actually liberal-not in
name only-the situation is not pleasant
for Republicans generally.
X + X
There is another school of thought
which holds that the G. O. P. must
grow conservative, that to ape the New
Deal Democrats will get the Repub-
licans nowhere. Those who take this
view believe that the country will be-
come more conservative, that it will be
fed up with attempts to have the Gov
ernment run its affairs and tell all its
citizens just what to do. They cannot
see the need Of two liberal parties. They
say that before the Roosevelt New Deal
the Democratic party had become prac-
tically all Of a piece with the G.. o. p.
and they do not want the Republican
party now merely to run along with the
New Dealers. If there is to be a new
political alignment, they prefer to see it
bring forth q conservative party as
opposed to liberal party. 1t is the
natural thing, they maintain.
A great difficulty to the formation of
two such parties, however, has been in
the South. Many Southerners have the
conservative viewpoint, but they have
never been willing to 60 Republican.
This would seem to argue that if there
is to be conservative party, it must
have some name other than Republican.
In 1928 when four States of the South
broke away from their Democratic
Evening star., 1937-12-07

NiEht Final Edition