davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1937-03-15
Small Claims Court.

Judge Nathan Caytons plan for crea-
tion of small claims court branch, or
a poor mans court" within the Munic-
lpal Court has produced rather curious
division of opinion among the lawyers.
The judges of the Municipal Court, under
the plan, were empowered to make it
effective by change in the court rules,
without legislation. But a majority of
the judges is apparently unfavorably in
cllned. The committee of the Bar Asso-
citation to which the plan was referred
favored 1t and voted for it's adoption.
The directors of the Bar Association
likewise favored the plan and recon-
mended its adoption. But the Bar Asso-
citation itself rejected it by substantial
majority.
This division over a proposal, the
underlying principle of which finds
almost universal agreement among
lawyers and laymen alike, apparently
ends hope for its voluntary adoption
without legislation. The bills introduced
by Senator King and Representative
Norton, therefore, should serve the pur-
pose of placing the proposal before dis
interested referees who, after hearing
the arguments pro and con, can adopt
or reject the plan on it's merits.
The underlying principle of the legis-
lation is to bring more easily within the
reach of the poor or uninformed litigant
Evening star., 1937-03-15
Child Labor Conditions
Are Not Actually HOPELESS

To the Editor of The Star:
Jay Franklins diversion on the slow
ness OF ratification for the child labor
amendment as related to the Supreme
Court issue points to the dearth of argu-
ments for the Presidents proposal, for
1t assumes first that the late election
constituted mandate for anything the
President suggests, common sense or
even the Democratic" platform to the
contrary Notwithstanding, and second
that a similar mandate exists for the
child labor amendment as now drafted.
All of which is not true.
No one favors avoidable employment
of children who should and could other
wise be developing beCuer minds and
bodlee. But sll that glitters in legiSla-
tion on tnls subject is not gold in prac
lice. Conditions as 10 child LABOR are,
moreover not as hopeless as pictured
The calamity hoWler seems to assume
that with many jobs formerly requiring
hard physical labor by men now being
done by machines that are so simple they
can be run by women and children, we
men will all be mill daddieS" if politics
doesn't interfere
This again doesn't fit in with facts,
for the proportion of women and chill
dren in industry is constantly getting
less. Less than one child in twenty be-
tween the ages of 10 and IA is working
today, compared with one in five at the
turn of the century. In 1890 about
twenty-five per cent of all employed
women we're in the manufacturing and
mechanical trades but in 1880 only
seventeen per cent Of them were in
these trades. Why all the politics?
The serious and properly political prob
lem before us today is that of unemploy-
ment in all classes of labor as it arises
in depressions caused, not by techno-
logical displacements, but by financial
distortions that interfere with adequate
distribution of the products of industry
in trade This problem will not be
solved by an intellectual process that
confines itself to pillorying industrial
leaders who happen to have the temerity
to express their opinions.
ALDEN A. POTTER.
Evening star., 1937-03-15
Shooting Stars.
BY PHTLANDER JOHNSON.
Taste That Does Not Change

Taste That Does Not Change.
A reckless boyhood friend I knew.
Upon his slate he often drew
A picture of our teacher dear
With features twisted and severe,
And by our laughter long and loud
We made the artist truly proud.
1t held meaning very small,
This portrait which amused us all.
The teacher smiled and said, "Some day
They'll turn unto a wiser way.
The teacher with respect they'll hear
Nor cultivate an idle sneer."
Time hurried on. These lads were known
In busy life as men full grown.
The kindly hopes that teacher knew,
Alas, have never quite come true!
Still where the drama calls the throng
To passing hours of speech and song,
We will disdain the thought that's best
And love the superficial jest.
Evening star., 1937-03-15

banking interests are willing to take
their losses and quit their control of the
city's gas works. Naturally, they seek
to cut their losses to the lowest possible
figure.
Logic, if nothing else, seems to die
tate that the commission should con-
slider first, as separate and distinct
proposal, the plan of the Washington
company for reconstruction of its finan-
cial structure. But the commission no
doubt will find it proper and wise to
hold off for distinctly separate and later
consideration the second proposal, the
payment by the Washington company
of $l,250000 for two suburban concerns
now owned by the parent trust. The
details of that plan certainly should be
discussed at public hearing.
Only last October the commission
found it in the public interest to reject as
too high the proposed payment of
$l,375,OO0 for the two suburban con-
Germs. The present offer is but s125 900
less than the rejected original. The
Hyattsville company paid a quarterly
dividend of twenty-five cents per share in
1885, but the Alexandria company has
never paid dividends and has been un-
able to pay interest on the greater part
of a debt of 100000.
AS to the purchase of the suburban
concerns, the commission should be. and
no doubt will be, actuated only by the
best interests of the the public and the
Washington operating company.
Evening star., 1937-03-15
"Undeclared War"

II the League of Nations, in those
winged words of Grover Cleveland,
likely to be widely remembered in this
weeks centenary anniversary of his
birth, had not lapsed into innocuous
desuetude, it could not ignore the pro-
test submitted at Geneva during the
week end by the Spanish government,
Detailing purported insurgent plan for
Italian troops to capture Madrid, while
ltalo-German squadrons advance against
the coastal cities of Barcelona and
Valencia, the Loyalists formally accuse
Italy and Germany of waging undeclared
war in Spain with regular land and sea
forces. Similar representations have
been made to the London neutrality
committee, with a request for investiga
ton and restrictive action
1t goes without saying that these re-
monstrances will lead to no practical
results in either Geneva or London. The
Spanish governments doom is too nearly
sealed, the insurgents military and
naval arrangements too far advanced,
for any eleventh-hour diplomatic inter-
Ventlon to alter the existing state of the
conflict. Whatever merit there is in the
accusation that the Fascist dictatorships
are formally at war in and with Spain
and it would be difficult for Rome and
Berlin to disprove the indictment-noth-
ing short of counter measures in force bv
countries friendly to the Loyslists could
thWart the Italo-German purpose. Such
q recourse would mean general European
war, and that is unthinkable. ANY
League efforts to heed the Spanish pro-
test would, moreover, bring to the surface
the circumstance that French and Rus
sian nationals and equipment in formi-
dable force are also conspicuous in the
Spanish hostilities. The Italo-German
pot would not wait long before calling
the Franco-Russian kettle black.
Be this as it may, there is no question
but that the chief offenders in the little
world war" that has ragged for eight
months in the Iberian peninsula are
Italy and Germany, which plead in
joint justification of their support
OF Franco the necessity of preventing
communism from gaining a foothold on
the Mediterranean. Madrid alleges that
the Italians have landed four divisions
OF their regular army, three divisions of
Blackshirts and regular army COM
mander in Spain. German forces in
the guise Of volunteers have also reached
the country in masses and operated as
more or less regular units. 1t is on the
basis OF these established facts, plus the
presence of Italo- German suuadrons on
the eastern and southern coasts, that
the Loyalists denounce "a scandalous
violation" of international law.
Too much blood has already been
shed in Spain to permit the republic
to expect salvation from belated pro-
test against undeclared war. History
nevertheless, when it reviews the tragedy
enacted during the past year, Is certain
to pronounce condemnatory judgment
on the rivalries intrigues, duplicity and
pusillanimity of craftsmanship that let
Europe make the once fair land of Spain
a battle-ground for devastating clash
of "ideologies," from which the Spanish
people emerge as the principal victims
Evening star., 1937-03-15

the sometimes ponderous and awe-in-
spring machinery of justice. AS the late
Chief Justice Taft has written, the real
blessing of the bill of rights was to secure
"a fair hearing by independent courts
to each individual. But if the individual
in seeking to protect himself is without
money to avail himself of such pro-
cedure, the Constitution and the pro-
cedure made inviolable by it do not prac-
tically work for the equal benefit of all.
Something must be devised by which
every one, however lowly and however
poor, however unable by his means to
employ lawyer and to pay court costs,
shall be furnished the opportunity to
set this fixed machinery of justice going"
A number of the States have adopted
with apparent success the small claims
court substantially as now proposed by
Judge Cayton. Judge Cayton, by the
way, does not find fault with the Mu-
nlcipal Court as it now functions. His
study of its processes has convinced
him of "the high type of judicial service"
which it has rendered. But he sees in
the proposed small claims court a
splendid opportunity and even chal-
lenge for still further improvement in
the administration of justice" Briefly
stated, the plan contemplates simpli-
f1cation of present court procedure, the
creation of an informal atmosphere for
the poor man in court" by judges who
shall be able more effectively to take the
role of friendly conciliator than is pos
slble under iron-bound rules of evidence.
1t is to be doubted if there is any
opposition to the broad purposes of Judge
Cayton's proposal and the legislation
now proposed Opposition seems to be
based on the belief that the Municipal
Court functions at present in a manner
adequately meeting the needs of the
poor or uninformed litigant; that the
new plan In other words, is unnecessary
and possibly too sweeping in it's disregard
of established procedure The Bar Asso-
citation recently announced a plan to
provide legal counsel, without charge,
for litigants otherwise unable to obtain
such protection.
The introduction of legislation, followed
by adequate hearings, should provide the
best means of giving Judge Cayton's plan
the thorough examination it deserves.
Evening star., 1937-03-15
Supreme Court Without
Nullifying Authority
To the Editor of The Star.

10 tne EulCor OF The Star:
Dictator! King Reactionary! So echo
the cries of resentment from all parts
OF our land. But pause a moment and
reflect on this outburst. Just who is
the dictator-President Roosevelt or five
members of the Supreme Court? In
deed, only one such man is needed to
refute all legislation passed by the
peoples own representatives.
This has lately been in evidence
through the five-four decision handed
down by our highest court on one of
the fundamental measures of an ad-
mtnistration so recently given whole
hearted approval by the Nation.
Is it not contrary to all the principles
Of our hard-Won Constitution to have
one branch of the Federal Government
set up as lnViolate and superior, not only
to one other section of government, but
to both divisions? Certainly this was
not the spirit of the founders of our
country. If it were so they would have
provided for it. But no, they were far
seeing, intelligent men and recognized
the evil of disSension and superiority in
the Federal Government. Think you
that If it were intended for one branch
OF government to be the superior, it
would be the only one over which the
people have no power? Supreme Court
judges are appointed, not elected, for
the duration of their lives during good
behavior.
1t is common knowledge that the
people have rejected men for high Gov
ernment offices who have later been
placed on the bench of the Supreme
Court, there to fruStrate the efforts of
the men in whom the public had laid
its trust.
Furthermore, the original composers
of our greatest document made no pro-
vision for the exercise of this imaginary
privilege. Where in the Constitution of
the United States of America is the Su-
preme Court given the power to declare
unconstitutional laws passed by Con-
greSs and the President? Why is their
decision binding on the law making and
executing bodies? 1t would seem as
though the tribunal, in declaring these
laws void, was actually performing an
act not granted TO it in the original
declaration, or added to it in any amend
ment, is acting unconStitutionally. But
who can decide whether or not the court
is abiding by the Constitution? The
Congress? The President? No. There
is none to control the actions of the
least democratic division of our National
Government. CARTER EDMONDS.
Evening star., 1937-03-15

One hundred per cent haters are ill.,
although they may not know it. One
of the legitimate protests of the present
age against some of the older fiction is
that such stories painted their heroes all
heroes and their villains completely
villains.
Real life is not often that way; the
"lousiest" sort of person, as the modern
slang phrase has 1t, possesses one or two
good traits. The villain is not all villain,
and the hero not all heroic. Who has
not known some "nasty-nice" person
whom one rather wanted to kill" &C
cording to the expression, rather than
to admire?
Often one of these persons, put in
charge of something or other, will do
more harm than the good efforts of
twenty honest persons afterWard can
clean up. Such a person so mixes con-
cealed craftiness and guile with outward
innocence that he or she creates in the
mind OF even the most trusting person
feeling OF unrest ripening into suspicion.
The birds, thank God, have no such
double characters.
They are what they are, and that is
one of the reasons why we may love
them unreServedly
At this season of the year, obeying the
behests of their mother nature, they
express their liking for the season by
sending forth new sounds from their
little throats.
According to their throats, so is their
song.
The more muscles in their throats, the
more complicated the sound box, the
better singer the creature is.
Many birds are technically song birds
which the average person at first would
not credit with being such. The crow,
for instance, is claSSed among the song
sters, as is the jay.
If you really like the birds, love to
watch them, and to listen to them, you
come in time to find something highly
musical in the deep-throated crow calls.
AS for the ShriekS of the jays, these
are musical, too, once you relate them
to the outdoors, and realize that the
music OF nature is not our little system of
sharps and fats at all, but the universe
with all its sounds. Perhaps the belief
of the ancients that the spheres sang
together is more than just poetical
imagery, after all. 1t may be the truth.
If we cannot hear the music of the
spheres in our gardens, it is fortunate
for us that these small creatures, known
as birds, come so freely, and sing so
sWeetly.
Only few days, now, and the morn
ing chorus, SO eagerly awaited by all
friends of birds, will burst forth at day
break from the trees.
This is a sound many have to learn
to appreciate, just as the orchestra con-
ductor said Americans would have to
hear Wagner until they did like him.
Especially if one moves from the deep
city to the suburbs or country, some time
may be necessary before one really likes
to be awakened by the joyous shrieks
of the awakening birds.
So in love with light are they, SO in
love with light and love and life, they
fairly veil their little heads Of there,
percheG IN our trees.
Sing, birdies, wake all lazy mortsls-
lazyoones, indeed, TOO stogy TO know, in
too many cases, that admiration some
times comes only by taking thought.
Evening star., 1937-03-15
THIS AND THAT
BY CHARLES e. TRACEWELL,
Keep your ears well tuned these days

Keep your ears well tuned these days
for the songs OF the birds.
Even If you are not interested much
in the feathered songsters, you will get
great deal of amusement out of listen
ing for their Spring cries.
This is where the tuning" of the
ears comes in; one must listen definitely,
if one is not particularly in love with
the birds.
Even the most obdurate soul, however,
who has no time for anything but max
ing living, will find something helpful
in these songs.
Songs right out of the great heart OF
nature-no man-made instrument has
initiated them successfully.
Phonograph records of bird songs, even
when the real thing, will make no i'm
preston whatever on house cat.
What is that noise?" the animal seems
to ask, if it notices the sounds at all.
Mostly it pays no attention whatever to
bird songs on the records, whether by
real birds or from the throat of the
master imitators.
The great difference, no doubt, is the
amount of sound.
A real bird song, even the softest and
sweetest, Is very loud.
So attuned to all outdoors are they
that the listener, especially If indoors,
fails to realize their magnitude.
If the same clear whistle were to sound
in the living room it would fairly split
ones ear drums.
Yet outdoors it seems to the listener
even soft, or at times faint, so great is
space.
Listen to those clear whistles of the
favorite cardinal or redbird
How cleanly they cut the air, how
far they travel, yet how soft they i'm
pinge on the ear!
The soft notes of. the song sparrow
can be heard for many yards.
The raucous cries of the bluejay defy
all space.
The crow, floating overhead sometimes
about o'clock in the morning, sends
down his challenge over many square
blocks. Yet so limitless is outdoors, that
his cries blend we'll with clouds and
streets and trees and houses, becoming
part of them, indeed, not just something
which passes between them.
X
the birds will grow louder just as the
colors on their backs and wings become
stronger.
Notice the increasing red in the brown
of the male English sparrows, especially
on back and wings.
These rusSets tones are growing more
visible each day. Those who do not like
these SparroWS ought to look for these
changes, in order to give themselves
something to admire about them.
1t is absurd, from an intellectual
standpoint, to go through life with 100
per cent hates of anything.
We pity all persons who "hate" cats,
as they say because the domestic cat
really has many fine points.
We may pity, too, and sincerely, all
the English sparrow haters, for they are
missing all the good points which these
little fellows possess.
One may be glad, and felicitate ones
self. not only on 6, determination 70
find 9ood points in persons ana Things,
but also in The success, in almost all
cases, in finding them, and ameliorating
the viewpoint.
Evening star., 1937-03-15
Pedestrians i'm Peril From
Ouick-Starting Street Cars
% the Editor of The Star:

To the Editor of The Star:
Crossing track Immediately in front
of standing street car you are in serious
danger. Just about that moment the
motorman may start it. I have seen
them turning the lever while their head
Gncluding the eyes, were facing toward
what was going on behind. And so I
would say, have a bar raiD running
across at both ends of the car, about
five feet from the ground. Then you
have something to grab and to hang
on to until-within few seconds-the
car comes to stop. AS it is, there is
nothing to clutch. You simply go down,
and what is left of you stays down.
Safety first" FRED VETTER.
Evening star., 1937-03-15
Josh the Genius.

$50 your boy Josh is a genius
I'm inclined to think so," answered
Farmer CorntoSsel
"But geniuses seldom get rich or
famous while they live"
"Well, I'm afraid that's pretty much
how it is goin' to be with JOSH"
Evening star., 1937-03-15

When President Conant of Harvard
falls down and breaks his collarbone
lrreVerent students, who naturally resent
pedagogic discipline, may approve of his
learning by experience the meaning of
the old Indian chiefs title "Pain-in-t the
Neck"
Evening star., 1937-03-15

The courteous and well informed Sec
retary of State has done everything pos
sible to explain the lack of intentional
offense to German officials 1t would be
unfair to expect him to devote too many
hours to a passing incident which defies
rational analysis.
Evening star., 1937-03-15

There is tenosncy to hippant su-
oacity among antagonists OF the present
form of U. S. Government which dis
regards a significant phrase in the Dec
laration of Independence: "A Decent Re-
spect to the Opinions of Mankind"
Evening star., 1937-03-15
Popularity.

Popularity is great asset"
"It u.s." agreed Senator Sorghum. But
it's misfortune to acquire too much OF
it early in life. The most popular young
man know remained a ukulele player
the rest of his days."
Evening star., 1937-03-15
Growing Older.

From the San Jose Mercury Herald.
The Census Bureau reports the Ma
tions population is slowly growing
older" which will be regarded as fiat
terry by those aware of receding hairlines
and bulging waist lines, but with in
credulity by those who buy shoes for
growing youngsters.
Evening star., 1937-03-15

A radio program of patriotic speeches
sometimes has to yield to a commercial
demonstration of rhythm and rhetoric
which leaves doubt as to whether those
who write the songs of a nation are
honestly efficient in promoting its cul-
tural aspect.
Evening star., 1937-03-15

That Blue Eagle is supposed to be still
lowering somewhere in the mythical
distances like that creature of aboriginal
fancy, "the Thunderbird."
Evening star., 1937-03-15
Check on Bartenders.

From the Kansas City Star.
A Chicago bartender has been arrested
for selling a customer a glass of brass
polish. And justly. Bartenders should
be taught that since repeal a new gen.
Grafton is growing up that can't drink
brass polish.
Evening star., 1937-03-15

In diplomatic discussion it might be
both translation and expurgation is not
entitled to rational consideration, even
as an insult.
Evening star., 1937-03-15
The Homicidal Front Pare,

I stand near by the newsman's wares.
To bring my paper he prepares.
really do not find I need
Closely the foremost page to read.
From quite distance I am thrilled,
Because of those who have been killed!
when I feels dissatisfied wifi my
looks" said Uncle Eben, IT goes to de
ZOO an offers thanks fob bein' so much
handsomer dan de hippopotamus.'
Evening star., 1937-03-15
A Rhyme at Twilight
By
Gertrude Brooke Hamilton.
Elusive Happiness.

Elusive Happiness.
1t slips thru fingers like shining fish
Seeking deep waters, there to disap-
pear;
AS difficult to grasp as bright wish
That, unfulflled, ends only in a tear.
Then from sunset, or a baby's smile,
Wind in the pine trees or a light
careSS,
A freshness sweeps across the heart. v
The while
One knows moment Of pure hap
piness.
Evening star., 1937-03-15

The Melancholy MOtorist.
Mid changes I must go my way
And face new forms of sorrow.
I know the parking rules today.
What will they be tomorrow?
Evening star., 1937-03-15
Chang Kai-Shek's Pledge.

From the New orleans Times-Picayune.
Gen. Chang Kai-Shek received an
other vote of confidence from the Kuo-
mintang-possibly an expression of their
confidence that he won't let himself be
kidnapped again.
Evening star., 1937-03-15

Jud Tunkins says the only real big
boss he knows of comes into evidence
with his wife's announcement that it is
time for house cleaning.
much study" said Hi Ho, the sage
of Chinatown, may keep scholar so
interested in the past that he gains little
knowledge of present events and none
of their future significance"
Evening star., 1937-03-15

@. How is the seating of ambassadors
decided?-R. H.
A. The seating arrangement of ambas-
sadors at public functions is according to
precedence-that is, by the length of
service at the post.
Evening star., 1937-03-15

@. Who said. IF had more time I
would have written you a shorter letter
"A J. M.
A. 1t was Pascal who wrote on De
cember a. 1856, II have made this letter
rather long only because I have not had
time to make it shorter"