davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1937-02-22
THIS AND THAT
BY CHARLES E. TRACEWELL.

A fat song sparrow was perched on the
fence just before the snow.
He was singing merrily, his fine trills
and melodious gurgles filling the air. so
that Spring seemed very close at hand.
The bird didn't know it, and neither
did the observer, but within few hours
heavy fall of snow was to begin, to
last all day.
1t was to be a snowfall which clothed
all shrubs and branches with at least
three solid inches of heavy, soft, white.
The fat song sparrow did not know it.,
and neither did the observer nor the
Weather Bureau, for that matter.
The Sparrow's song was beautiful, no
doubt about that. The bird books were
right. Observations of scores OF bird
lovers were right.
This was special song, belonging to
this one member of the sparrow family.
Once identified, it is never forgotten.
1t is said that more persons know this
song than that of any other bird, but
we doubt that.
The bird on the fence-he was really
on the post-held his head up at a
distinct angle, and poured out his song
to the cool morning air.
The sky was gray-it was destined to
grow grayer. as the snow began later
but that fact did not lessen the ardor
of this song.
"Melodia," the ornithologists correctly
call this bird
He is melodiouS, without doubt,
natural-born singer, with simple song,
but a very beautiful one. 1t has two
notes, then a note higher, then a trill
downward In between come various
f1utelike notes, reminding one very much
of those of canary.
The bird that morning was giving a
fine exhibition of his art. The post he
had selected was among a hedge OF
thorny climbing roses.
There he sat contentedly, all by him.
self in the graynesS OF the early morning,
just after light had arrived.
He was on his way to the feeding sta
ton in the back yard, but before he
dined he sent up this song of praise and
thanksgiving.
Is 1t attributing too much to bird?
One may think not. They are crea-
lures of great Nature, more directly than
man. They do what they do because OF
her, and know no reasons" for what
they do.
Hence the morning melody of this
small sparrow was a real outpouring Of
Nature.
1t was, IN truth, Nature praising
Nature.
II one may judge from a specimen
of the art, man, self-praise is inherent in
the universe.
When the stars sung together. they
must have warbled about themselves.
1t was magnificent seeing, to watch
that song sparrow.
1t was charming hearing, to hear him
deliver his song.
It was good thinking to think of him
there. in the cold gray of the morning
all alone, but singing before his break
fast.
How we'll most humans would do, If
they emulated him, and had music be-
fore their meals. not with them.
Evening star., 1937-02-22

Music before meals is more satisfac-
tory. especially at breakfast time.
Try 1t some time and see. A phono-
graph is the most satisfactory instru-
ment; even the old-fashioned type is
good, for 1t permits one to play exactly
the type of music one likes
Birds in the yard at feeding stations
love to listen to man-made music.
The radio is good for this
Birds particularly appreciate So
pranoS, violin music and dance bands.
Give wild bird any of these and he
will perch contentedly on a shrub by
the porch. listening intently.
From time to time he will join in
the music. The humble English sparrow,
in particular, enjoys doing this. 1t
helps him with his own. He is not as
melodious, by nature, as the song SPAR
row, but he has will to sing, and
where there's will, it is said, there's
way.
Open a window, and let the birds at
the feeders hear the music from indoors.
Our song sparrow, that morning,
needed no assistance.
A small bit of soft banded brown and
light gray, he sat atop his post happily
in the cool Of daybreak, lifting his head
in song.
The music was sweet which he sang.
It rippled over the street and yard and
back to the feeders at which few Eng
lish sparrows already had gathered.
In few hours the first of the snow
had arrived. From then on it kept up
all morning and all afternoon.
At o'clock that evening there was
a song sparrow in the shelf of feeder.
Was 1t our musician?
There was no way Of being sure. but
we rather thought it was and hoped it
was.
Down went his bill, time after time
after seed in that endless, relentless way
of birds the world over.
The snow now stood three inches thick
on all vines and boughs.
The yard was beautiful, with the exact
beauty which only snow brings.
Snow is nuisance, in great many
ways, but before man and his ways can
spoil it, it is beautiful with endless
fascination.
The grouchiest character. who hates
snow, will thrill to that first unsullied
loveliness, that wide unbroken expanse
of white.
Footprints of man in it strike him as
wrong.
Footprints of animals in it strike him
as right.
Why the difference?
The birds, scores of them, eating all
day long, had left no tracks behind.
Only one bird, our song sparrow, sat
in the feeder.
Was he asleep?
So he seemed. He was facing out. his
round, light gray chest contrasting well
with the snow.
He was just reposing, evidently.
Would he remain there all night? II
he did, he would be the first bird ever
to do so.
The day grew darker, but the ex-
panse of white kept him plainly in sight.
The clock hands had reached almost
the hour of 6
When, zip! away he flew.
Evening star., 1937-02-22
Plea of Car Owners for
Use of ''Parks" Amusing
To the Editor Of The Star:

To the Editor Of The Star:
The purported sarcasm of Willis
Rutledge anent the use of the parks
for parking purposes is amusing in the
extreme.
Just where does he find any real
parks in Washington nearer than Rock
Creek? Where are those wonderful
breathing spaces "for the multitude"
that he speaks Of?
He must have a car to go way out
and sit down, for the old parks beauti-
full are now deserted prairies. All they
need to complete the picture is few
prairie dogs.
The old restful parks were really
parks and breathing spaces with their
lovely trees, winding paths. benches to
rest on and drinking water. and were
very much used as such by the multi
tudes.
But now they are great eXpanses of
grass and cement exposed to the burn
ing sun of the high heavens in Sum-
mer and the icy blasts of Winter. No
trees, no benches, no shade, no drinking
water.
One plot is sadly needed for a play
ground for the children of the neighbor-
hood-between Freer Art Gallery and
Aeroplane Building. The kiddies near
there noted the possibilities of the plot
and began to play ball on it-just the
thing But down swoop the indignant
officials, who put up sign mo Ball
Playing" They want grass, not healthy
children. The idea of their trampling
precious grass. It's preposterous.
I say let the boys have ball grounds,
and plenty of them, and the grown
ups and babies real breathing places
and the motorists parking places.
ALIEN ROGERS.
Evening star., 1937-02-22
Nazi Flivvers.

Chancellor Hitler has imperiously
ordered the German motor industry to
produce good cheap car-or else! His
challenge was hurled at Saturdays
opening of the annual automobile show
in Berlin. It was uttered in der
Fuehrer's best dictatorial tone, for man.
ufacturers were warned in Just so many
words that unless they prove themselves
capable of turning out a satisfactory
peoples auto" priced within the reach
of the average German, the industry
faces the end of its existence as private
enterprise. The plain inference is that
the Nazi state will take over the business
of providing ser-viceable cars costing
between $40O and $500. The German
assembled Ford and its nearest do
mestic-made rival now sell at about $500.
Hitler's purpose is not only to put more
Germans on wheels, but to make the
Reich progressively independent of for
eign supplies. 1T is my irrevocable
will" he thundered, "to relieve the auto
mobile industry of the insecurity of
reliance on international imports" 1t
is his ambition to place the motor trade
on "a safe and solid domestic basis" and
he reminded the industrialists whom he
was lecturing that he would tolerate
neither slackness nor i'll will on their
part. During the past eighteen years, he
adjured them, II have never admitted
the plea that it can't be done'"
1t is the intensive motorization of the
United States that fires Hitler's imagina-
ton. While German auto production
and sales have risen threefold since
1888, only one German in every nifty
owns car. He described the American
Evening star., 1937-02-22
Our Nations a Republic
And Not q Democracy

To the Editor Of The Star:
Tyrants never lack plausible excuses
to sugar coat their misdeeds. It IS
equally true that designing politicians
always have well-f1lled bag of tricks
to entice the people into compliance
with their schemes.
The most alluring form Of seductive
ness seems to have been reached by the
repeated and reiterated misconception.
that this Nation is a democracy-that
we must make democracy work. A de-
mocracy is a form of government IN
which the people select and control
directly their public servants. Those
who illuminate Ioudest about "our
democracy" never were selected directly
by the people, but through intermedi-
aries If this were a democracy there
would be no great horde OF appointed
officeholders, exercising despotic power
of administration and prodigality with
out responsibility or accountability to
the people There would be no herds of
special favorites, intimidating, threat
ening or coercing legislators to carry out
their selfish purposes There would be
no domination of bureaucrats and no
rash rulership of politicians.
The United States of America is a
federal republican which the people
have the right to choose their own public
servants for government administration
and to enact their own laws within pre-
Scribed and restricted fields. Through
legislative power by them intrusted to
representative bodies and by the adop
ton of a constitution, the people limit
their own power against sudden i'm
pulses of mere majorities," Danish all
executive rulers and restrain benevolent
or ambitious dictatOrS.
How ridiculous is the present hySteria
of politicians, Stampeded by their own
tranSgreSsionS against orderly govern
ment and their own depredatiOnS upon
the peoples rights How silly to stir
up mobocracy, simulated as democracy,
to transform free republic into undem-
ocratic bureaucracy!
The rational common sense of SEN
sible people may well turn away from
such false guides as
Some positive. persisting chaps we know
Who, once wrong, must needs be always
So
and keep in remembrance the truth
that God gives men light to see the right
so that men wrong shall not always
drag this NatioR along condemned and
worn-out roads.
JOSEPH w. CHEYNEY.
Evening star., 1937-02-22
WASHINGTON OBSERVATIONS
BY FREDERIC WILLIAM VILE.

at least in the near future. thus destroy
the efficacy of the great balance Wheel
Opinion is general that Gov. John G.
Winant, retiring chairman of the Social
Security Board. will next be heard OF
as secretary of the future department OF
public welfare The LincolneSque son
of New Hampshire has long been
credited with Republican presidential
ambitions. He would, Of course. auto
matically eliminate himself from that
picture by accepting a Roosevelt cabinet
portfolio. In a mock national conven-
ton at Oberlin College last Summer. on
the eve of Landon's nomination, Gov.
Winant was picked as head of the Re
publican ticket His successor on the
Social Security Board, Murray w. Latl-
mer. is presumably also Republican.
though his Mississippi birth suggests
the contrary. The law requires that at
least one board member shall be OF
different political faith than that of the
two others. MesSrs. Altmeyer and Miles,
who were Winant's associates, rank as
Democrats.
Up from Texas comes a tale that
House Majority Leader Sam Rayburn is
being groomed for the 1910 Democratic
presidential nomination. Some OF his
Capitol friends think that if any such
movement ever really gets going, its
underlying purpose would be to secure
second place for him. That's what hap
pened in the case of that other famous
Texan, John Nance Garner, in 1882,
when he wound up by being nominated
for Vice President after pre-convention
campaign for first place. Representative
Rayburn played a major role in the
strategy at Chicago which resulted in
Gamers becoming Roosevelt's running
mate.
Senator Henry Cabot Lodge, jr.s.
WaShington's birthday debut in the
Senate enlivens the suggestion that the
Supreme Court conflict gives the young
Bay Slater an opportunity for leader
ship that comes to few rockies IN Amer
ican public life. AS one of the slender
band of 16 Senate Republicans Lodge has
a unique chance to step out and make
reputation in the constitutional crisis
OF the generation The expectation is
that he will be in the thick of the fray.
- y
Washington friends rejoice in the i'm
pending return of Roland Robbins to
the Capital theatrical field after an
absence of 10 or IL years. A native
Bostonlan, Mr. Robbins, though still very
much in the prime of life, looks back
upon roundly 40 years association with
the stage. AS longtime manager OF
Keiths .Theater here, he played host
regularly to President Woodrow Wilson,
whom he describes as "vaudeville's most
distinguished patron" Mr.. Robbins will
have charge of Washington'S first news
reel theater, the Trans-Lux.
American tourist traffic to Latin
America is doing more to cement Uncle
Sans relations with the sister repub-
lies than a century of diplomacy, accord
ing to President Madrazo Of the National
Railways of Mexico, now in this country.
Because of the increase of Yankee travel
across the Rio Grande, the Mexican
lines are about to make seme heavy pur-
chases of American rolling stock. They
also plan to build a magnificent rev
union station in Mexico City. In search
of ideas for it Senor Madrazo will in
spect terminals throughout the United
States.
(Copyrght, 1879
Evening star., 1937-02-22
The Living Washington.

When the American people celebrate
the anniversary of the birth of George
Washington it is their purpose and in
tent to pay tribute to a character-not
merely to commemorate supremely
notable personality. The Nation realizes
that the services of the Father of His
Country did not terminate when he
drew his final breath in the last month
of the last year of the eighteenth CEN
tury. On the contrary, the force of his
example continues to be a growing
power as decade succeeds decade in the
chronicle of the expanding civilization
of the Republic he founded and estab-
!ished.
Washington's figure does not diminish.
Instead, it grows in proportions, it takes
on added light from greater compre-
hension. it glows with the reflection of
more intelligent appreciation, it looms
both larger and brighter in the vision
of the masses today than ever before
since his career began. He was, in every
true sense of the phrase, modern man.
His heart and his mind were framed of
sympathies and ideals so far in advance
of his own period as to be contemporary
in their nature with the noblest in
stinctS and aspirations of the present
era. One of the few majestic and tram
scendant souls who are mot of an age,
but for all time" he appears in the
current scene as vigorously alive, as
dynamic in his influence, as though he
still farmed his fruitful acres at Mount
Vernon and rode on occasion to the
District of Columbia to see with his own
eyes the development of the Capital
which proudly bears his immortal name
Nor would he feel himself a stranger
among those to whom he bequeathed the
land he loved and the institutions he
dearly fostered. The problems of the
moment, he would understand, are those
with which he also was intimately ia
miliar. He would recognize them for
what they signify-tyranny attempting
the subsection Of millions, poverty and
crime taking their pitiless toll of misery
and DEATH class strife and fratricidal war
turning paradise into hell; the same
eternal struggle, the same defeats, the
same hard-won victories.
But he would not be discouraged. The
fortitude of spirit that was born in him
would give him the strength to remain
faithful to principle, loyal to freedom,
devoted to progress. He would not
compromise, he would not resort to
deviouSneSS, he would not cheat, he
would not have recourse to deception
for the furtherance of any interest,
however precious. Rather, he would
reaSsert the conscience, the righteous
ness, without which the United States
never could have survived the ordeal of
infancy nor prospered through the trials
OF youth. And he would reaffirm the
basic value of the preservation of in
tegrity in the prevailing crisis.
That was what Washington was and
is and always will be-a leader who
symbolizes the qualities which the
Nation needs if it is not to perish. To
the degree that America merits such
a Moses, it can hope to find a path out
of the Wilderness into the Promised
Zion of its fairest dreams and it's fond
est hopes. Neglecting or rejecting him,
the Nation would decline to a conclusive
disaster which thoughtful citizens re-
fuse to regard with selfish equanimity.T
Evening star., 1937-02-22

Certain forms of expression are for
hidden to radio, among them voice imi-
tation and direct traveSty of opinions
and arguments. Some great ideas have
had to survive the test of ridicule. 1t
might assist in testing the popularity
of a new deal for the United States
Supreme Court if the comedians of the
air were invited to cut loose. If ridicule
is on the wrong side of an argument it
destroys nothing but itself and as time
goes on strengthens any truth that it
may have assumed to aSSail.
Evening star., 1937-02-22

Closer association of youth on friendly
to the youngster and of benefit to the
police in conquering certain cynical
tendencies caused by contacts with the
underworld Nobody is too old to MEM
orize the Boy Scout oath and to repeat
it frequently.
Evening star., 1937-02-22
The NJ. d. irf Congress.

Does medical training qualify man
for service in Congress?"
YES" answered Senator Sorghum.
Some of our best legislators have been
doctors. They learn to be patient and
philosophical as they wait for their ideas
to develop. A law is very much like
prescription. No matter how carefully it
is written, you can never be absolutely
sure it is going to work.
Evening star., 1937-02-22

The great fortune ascribed to Sir
Basil zaharoff proves to be exaggerated.
One of the mysteries of finance lies in
the fact that in so many aggregations
imaginary money to be accounted for.
Evening star., 1937-02-22
Shooting Stars.
BY PHILANDER JOHNSON.

he "lChcu hcIuSt W r lee.
We used to see
The wicked flee
When no one was pursuing.
The racketeer
Is drawing near,
Quite safe in evil-doing.
The wicked stand
In bold command
Where all the world is seeing.
The honest man
Must face a plan
That makes him do the fleeing.
Evening star., 1937-02-22

No question if offered as to the per-
suasiveness of Mr.. Farley's oratory dur
ing the presidential campaign. He will
be heard with respectful attention if he
should express his views on subsequent
national policies.
Evening star., 1937-02-22

Ohio has placed so many distinguished
men in public that it is inconceivable
that the Cincinnati river front should
suffer for the lack of competent hydraulic
engineers.
Evening star., 1937-02-22

When charges of dummy pay roll
the possibility of having to inquire into
the alias" as an Incident of Govern
ment procedure
Evening star., 1937-02-22
Night Final Edition.
Rate by Mail-Payable in Advance.
All Other States and Cana da.
Member of the Associated Press.

The Associated Press IS exclusively entitled to
tfe 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., 1937-02-22

Constitution avenue is mapped on a
straight line. 1t is not likely to attempt
a topographic portrayal of deviating
ideas by calling for remodeling as sort
of "zig-zag boulevard"
Evening star., 1937-02-22

When Herbert Hoover takes to the
microphone he speaks with the candor
of a plain citizen who has been enabled
by practical experience to know what
he is talking about.
Evening star., 1937-02-22

The only man who boldly asserts spe-
cial commercial privilege is the Grecian
gentleman known as "Parkyerpopcorn"
at the White House corner. He needs
no N. r. A.
Evening star., 1937-02-22
February Reminder,

George Washington the truth would tell.
His worth is ne'er forgot.
But in preparing books to sell,
Biographers would not.
Evening star., 1937-02-22

Staff enlargement proposals may call
for press conference reports on whether
three White House secretaries are really
more serviceable than one used to be.
Evening star., 1937-02-22
These Gossip DAYS.

"Why don't you write book?"
For two reasons" answered Miss
Cayenne: "If I wrote one that didn't
sell, I'd be disappointed, and if wrote
one that did sell, I'd be ashamed"
Evening star., 1937-02-22

Labor leaders may find it possible to
agree with the administration on some
points without being persuaded to agree
among themselves
Evening star., 1937-02-22
A Rhyme at Twilight
By
Gertrude Brooke Hamilton
All Things Pass.

I had a friend who used to say
When threatening clouds obScured the
day,
"The sky will soon be clear as glass
This, too, will pass"
MY friend has long since gone her way;
Yet when life,s sky grows dark and gray
I hear her whisper. Though clouds mass
This, too, will pass"
Evening star., 1937-02-22

Jud Tunkins says a great man who
endures sorrow and hardship earns
grand birthday party every year-after
he has departed this life.
Evening star., 1937-02-22

1--WE desire to be envied," said Hi Ho,
the sage of Chinatown. yet envy
easily turns to hatred, and we should
not be surprised if success brings more
foes than friends
Evening star., 1937-02-22
ParadOxical Bliss.

The cynic is curious elf.
Complaint is his especial pride.
He never can enjoy himself
Except when he's dissatisfied.
Evening star., 1937-02-22
Hitler Prepares.

From the Saginaw News.
Maybe Hitler is right and Germany
didn't start the last war; but he GER
tainly is building up beautiful case
against her for the next.
Evening star., 1937-02-22
Probably Fed Up.

From the Elgin Oll) Courier-Ne%s.
A Norfolk, Va, man is 1D2 years old.
and has never had a doctor Still, he
must be tired of eating apples.
Evening star., 1937-02-22
The Great Art Instrument.

The Great Art Instrument.
Musicians took our hearts by storm,
But now all Art is slow
Unless it's able to perform
Upon the radio.
Evening star., 1937-02-22

American Art.
From the Grand Rapids Press.
American art can't decide whether to
be sophisticated or primitive.
Evening star., 1937-02-22

Book learnin'," said Uncle Eben, "is
no help if it encourages man to think
It entities him to do nufan' 'cept look
wise and act haughty."
Evening star., 1937-02-22
The Evening Star Newspaper Company.

1lth st and PENNSYLVANIA Ave.
New York Office: 110 East 42nd st:
Chicago Office: 435 North Michigan Ave
Evening star., 1937-02-22

A reader can get the dnsUer to any
question OF fact BY writing The Euenino
Star Information Bureau, Frederic J.
Hasktn, Director. Washington. d. C.
Please inclose stamp for reply.
Q. How many w. P. A. workers are
assisting in the flood zone?-A. T.
A. There are about 10000 workers on
duty between Wheeling, W. Va, and New
Orleans.
Evening star., 1937-02-22

@. What is the average cost of having
prescription filled?-H. P.
A About 85 cents. In small towns
the average is about 81 cents, in large
cities about 95 cents About 165,000 900
prescriptions are filled yearly in the
United States.