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

The Presidents assurance to Federal
employees that the contemplated saving
Of ten per cent in some of the current
years appropriations will not come out
of Salaries-that is to say, will not be
made by discharge of employes-is well
come news indeed to the thousands of
employees who suffered the uncertainties
and the hardships of the drastic reduc-
tions which were part Of the depres-
sion-born economy acts
The effort will be made. the President
explained, to effect what savings are
possible by not filling vacancies. But
there is a substantial and rather con-
stant turnover in the Government serv-
ice and many vacancies must be filled.
The fit accompaniment of the Presi-
dents decision not to resort to whole
sale layoffs would be a policy of re-
employment under which vacancies that
must be filled would be filled from the
ranks Of those who have lost their po-
sltlons in other establishments The
pIdCllCe Ol bringing new emplOyeS 10
Washington to fill vacancies is wasteful
and inefficient. The attempt might we'll
be made to freeze" Federal employment
at its present level in Washington and
when employees are released, from lapse
of appropriations or other causes, to
give them priority in filling vacancies
elsewhere.
One of the possible savings to be ef-
fected under the Presidents plan would
be to cut down on the number and cir
culation of some of the Governments
publications. There has been an enor-
nous increase in the Governments
printing bill. And while some of the
publications may be readable, beauti-
fully illustrated and-as in the case OF
the Bureau of Indian Affairs magazine
which carries messages of great moment
to the Indians concerning the nobility of
the court-packing plan-most illuminat-
ing, these free publications constitute
a heavy drain on the taxpayers that is
by no means merited.
Evening star., 1937-07-12
Memory of Famous Stars
Hides Shame of Burlesuue

To the Editor of The Star:
There is some discussion currently in
the amusement world concerning bur-
lesque and the possibility of resurrect-
ing an art long lost in the maze of
metamorphoSes which have occurred in
the amusement game during the past
few decades. Recent happenings, cN-
NAKED by the closing down of bur-
lesque houses in New York City, have
given the owners much time to while
away repentlng over the evil of their
ways and to decide just what they in
tend to do about it. but the situation
presents something of an involved and
unWorkable enigma. Owners have the
choice OF cleaning up their shows and
presenting better brand of entertain
ment for public consumption. or clos
ing up their houses permanently. The
motion picture at several stages in it's
short history has been afflicted with
similar ailments and was headed to-
wards the Valhalla of frustrated enter
prlSes because OF a tendency to be-
come smutty and offensive, but the
leaders OF the film industry level-head-
edly took the hint offered by an indig-
nant public and the edicts of the various
censor boards and cleaned the films
thoroughly. They now enjoy a better
reputation than ever before, and the
crosses plling up at the box Offices are
due testimonial to the fact that the pub
lie definitely does not like dirt with
its entertainment. But the motion pic
ture is much bigger proposition than
burlesque. BurleSque knows that it can
no longer depend upon nudity and in
decencv to bring the customers to it's
box offices; and it further realizes that
it is economically impossible to secure
the quality Of entertainment now needed
to instill new life into it's hardening
veins. Other fields of entertainment
such as the night club the radio and
motion pictures are better situated to
acquire and monopolize the services of
talented performers. Burlesque, there
fore. seems to be dead. Stiff and cold.
burlesque reposes on the thoroughfare
OF so many failures-Broadway-
street to which it looked for its early
successes. In erecting tombstones and
perpetratlng appropriate epitaphs. it
would seem to be the gracious thing to
conceal the latter-day otfenses by super
imposing thereover the faces of such
worthy troopers as w. c. Fields. Eddie
Cantor, Marie Dressler, Fanny Brice and
thousand others who found in bur-
lesque the means of bringing laughter
into the world through clean humor
and fame unto themselves. In this way
burlesque may be assured of a decent
burial. Time, by this method, will ef-
face the memory of the depths to which
burlesque had sunk at the time of it's
decease. HARRY j. MAGINNIS.
Evening star., 1937-07-12
A Helpful W arning.

The President is to be commended for
his frank and helpful discussion of the
subject of Federal employe unions. Be-
cause Of the very nature Of the C. I. O.,
that organizations announced campaign
within the Federal service has met a
frigid reception by public sentiment
fully aware of its implications. The Pres
ident has made it clear that there is a
distinct limitation to the principle of
collective bargaining as far as the
Federal service is concerned; that
strikes or Walk-outs are not only IL
legal but incompatible with the spirit
Of the civil service.
There have been unions of Federal
employees for many years and it has been
shown that such unions can be en-
ployed to the interests Of the employing
Government as well as to Government
employees. But, as the President pointed
out, there is no analogy between the
collective bargaining principle as ap-
piled to private employment and as
found in the Government service. In
the Government service wages and
working conditions are dealt with by
law, and the law represents the will Of
the employing people as expressed
through their representatives in Con-
gress.
There is room for collective bargain
Ing in the Government service, as far as
the discussion of working and other
conditions is concerned, when the dis
cussion is carried on between represent
ative spokesmen and administrative Of
f1cers; or, as the President suggests,
when spokesmen of employees appear be-
fore Congress in the interest of laws af-
fecting the Federal service The Presi-
dent recited incidents in his own ex-
perlence as Assistant Secretary of the
Navy to demonstrate his point.
But there is no room in the Federal
service for a union of any sort that
places allegiance to the union above
allegiance to the Federal service. And
tEele Is no room lOf anvlhng approach
ing the idea OF the closed shop in Gov
ernment service, as that idea is under
stood in private employment. When
any Government establishment recog-
nizes any union as the sole collective
bargaining agency for that establish
ment, merely because the union NAV
have majority Of the personnel in its
membership, the way is opened for a
struggle between competing employe
unions that would only be productive of
great evil. The President has, very COR
rectly, put his foot down on that sort
OF thing and he has done it at the right
time.
Evening star., 1937-07-12
Motor Horns.

A Boston motorist has just got 1t going
and coming in the matter of horn blow
ing. Hailed before magistrate for traf-
f1c misdemeanors, he was fined a dollar
for blowing his horn unnecessarily and
then fined two dollars for not blowing it
when there was need His case should
impress drivers everywhere, especially
in Washington, with the need of dis
elimination and care in the use of the
audible signal.
That there is much needless horn blow
ing needs no further proof than that
afforded by brief observation on any street
side. In nine out of ten cases the horn
is sounded when there Is no occasion.
The driver ses the horn button I'M
Evening star., 1937-07-12
Boy Scouts Head March
Toward World Fellowship
To the Editor OF The Star:

To the Editor Of The Star.
Washingtons historic Mon m
Ground has been the scene Of many
snowy activities and displays in the past
However, I believe, one of tie greatest
displays ever presented on this sacred
ground was the Boy Scout Jamboree OF
1887. 1t was more than a show or dis
play-it was demonstration. A DEM
onstration based upon good, sound,
basic facts.
During the encampment it was my
good fortune to visit the various camps
to chat and intermingle with the Scouts
from all sections OF this country and
abroad. One of the most inspiring facts
gathered from the visits, and this great
experience, was to learn of the extreme
good fellowship existing among all the
Scouts. In establishing relationships
among people, wherever there exists this
fellowship. there is no thought or idea
OF enmity, selfiShness, unkind word
deed or action.
Fellowship is one of the Scouts car
dinal points and one upon which the
structure Of the organization is built
Another cardinal point is the teaching
OF lf-rellance-dependin upon one s
self to meet and overcome difficulty in
situations when apparently all seems at
loss
To those OF us who have attended the
various demonstrations of the Scouts
during the past 10 days, we must agree
that the teaching training and activity
OF Scout work is truly one of the most
beneficial training schools to fit the
boys and young men for their station in
life. The principles are sound the rec
reational training is clean, wholesome
sport; the environment is good, happy
companionship; the morality is healthy
thoughts and ideas and the service
based upon kindness, consideration and
heipfulneSS toward every one
We must agree, too, that when boys
and young men have such teachings,
training and practice these self same
boys and young men are an asset to the
community in which they live, as well
as to the entire Nation.
On the opening night of the jamboree,
a new slogan was taught-"World Eel
loWship.' This was again renewed on
the closing night.
Nation after nation may plan and
construct ships, planes or any other i'm
plements OF war, but until the peoples
of nations believe In world fellowship"
genuinely from within their own hearts,
we shall not have world peace.
World tellowship!' Oh, that such
might become possible Until that time
and not until that time, will the world
be safe for democracy. And the Boy
Scouts OF the world will lead the way
Hail to the wonderful movement!
H. A. WOERMAN.
Evening star., 1937-07-12

patiently when the car ahead at a
corner blockade fails to move forward.
The signal does no good. The man
ahead cannot advance without collision.
He is just as eager to get on as the man
behind. Sometimes he joins in the horn
footing, to spur forward the man ahead
OF him. The result is deafening din
that only adds 70 the torments of city
driving That is needless horn blow
ing, such as the Boston magistrate has
penalized.
The more the horn is blown without
occasion the less effective it is when
there is actual cause for sounding it..
Pedestrians, who are at the mercy of
the drivers, especially at corners, are
confused by sounds that may mean only
the irritation of the driver at having
been blocked In line or may signify
a purpose to round the bend of the street.
Drivers whose hands are constantly tap
ping the horn buttons thus contribute
to the perilS of traffic
Misuse of the horn has become so COM
mon practice that the signals of ap-
proach have almost lost their value
Whether this is chronic nervous re-
action or just selfish exhbitionism is of
no moment. 1t is bad driving, and it
should be checked by the imposition of
penalties as examples, as in the case
of the Boston motorist who has just
contributed three dollars to the munich
pal treasury, one for an act of commits
sion and two for an omission.
Evening star., 1937-07-12
George Cershwin.

The durability of the measure of
fame achieved by George GershWin
may be doubted. 1t is, obviously, much
too early to attempt final judgment
on his effort. He was frank to admit
that my time is today and the mo-
ment, Invariably, is fleet and brief
things fashionable and popular in the
current season may be lost, forgotten
or even ridiculed and Knocked next year.
But there can be no question about
the tragedy of Mr.. Gershwin's untimely
passing. At thirty-eight, he still was
young enough to anticipate long career.
The apprentice period of his life was not
yet finished; he still was learning, still
growing in spirit. Granted two or three
additional decades, he might have writ
ten his name high and Immortality in the
history of music. Those compositions of
which he was proud-the Rhapsody in
Blue Concerto in F" and "American
in Paris"-were gestures in the direction
of maturity. They proved his facility;
also, they testified for the gradual de-
velopment of his capacity for self-dis-
cipline. His ordinary public did not un-
derstand them but his closest friends
and legion of strangers recognized in
them an earnest of what he could do
when he deliberately chose to try.
However, the works more likely to be
most frequently heard in the immediate
future almost certainly will be selections
from "Porgy and Bess" and "Of Thee
Sing" They possess the element of
melody which natural folk instinct de-
mands OF a contemporary composer;
they have the character of beauty which
Is so conspicuously missing from the
dissonance known as Jazz" Mr. Gersh-
win was not ashamed of them, nor is his
country unappreciative of the youthful
genius to whom it is indebted for them.
Evening star., 1937-07-12
A Fascist Olive Branch.

Through the gathering war clouds in
Asia and Europe now overcasting world
skies In annual Midsummer darkness.
one ray OF sunshine bursts. 1t is the
understanding between Great Britain
and Italy in connection with the parti-
tlon OF Palestine. Alarmed by the danger
OF renewed Arab-Jewish strife over the
scheme to divide the Holy Land, Foreign
Secretary Eden besought the Italian gov
ernment not to exploit the partition
plan as an occasion for renewed Fascist
propaganda among the Arabs.
Ever since Mussolini embarked unon
his conquest of Ethiopia and in retalia-
ton for British opposition to that ad-
venture, the powerful Adriatic broad
casting station at Bari has been filling
the air OF the whole Near East with
Italian propaganda designed to under
mine Britain's position by inciting Arab
hostility. The broadcasts have been
made at regular intervals in Arabic and
other Moslem languages and, in some
cases, even in the native tongues of
India. Their underlying purpose was
to popularize the idea launched by II
Duce during his spectacular trip to
Libya last Winter, when he grandilo-
quently proclaimed himself "the protec-
tor of all Islam
The Bari stations propaganda has
long been one of the major causes of
friction between Great Britain and
Italy. Fearing that its activities would
be intensified by developments in Pal
estine, London requested the abandon
ment OF this practice, and has promptly
received from Rome assurances that
provocative broadcasting has now been
forbidden at the express order of Pre-
uier Mussolini. ThJkban is not only
Evening star., 1937-07-12

which some scientists tell us may in
herit the earth.
They won't inherit it, however. if the
f1ickers have anything to do with It,
While these specialize on ants, they
like great many other sorts, too, and
do fine work in determination.
A pair of flickers, as stated, is really
much better than any amount of So
called ant bait, or traps. OF course
there is more pother put up over ants
than they deserve, especially in regard
to these things in lawns. After all,
ants seldom damage yard much. 1t
is mostly in the owners eyes, but my
what fuss he makes over few ants.
Every ant hill which appears assumes
mountainous proportions. If only the
owner would stop worrying about them,
he would find that in few weeks not
even he could tell where the insects
had been.
II it were not for flickers, and others,
he would have real cause to worry, for
then instead of half a dozen hills, he
might have hundred, and instead Of
a few thin green worms dangling at
him from the oak tree he would be
struck in the face by millions of them.
II 1t were not for the birds, all of
them individually and collectively, the
battle against garden pests, both insect
and fungi, would be a thousand times
as difficult as it is, and heaven knows it
is bad enough now.
Insect pests not only chew and other
wise destroy plant tissues, but they take
fungi for a ride on their backs feelers
and feet, and thereby disseminate them
to plants which otherwise might escape
their inroads.
No doubt the so-caled "black spot"
OF roses is carried this way, in part, at
least.
Natures neat little scheme Of solving
the food problem for her multitudes
has but one justificaton-it works.
There are always enough of any tribe
OF creatures left over from the slaughter,
SO that what seems cruelty, in the in
dividual case, resolves itself down to
expediency in the mass.
Birds do their share of eating and
are eaten in their turn, but the balance
is in their favor, provided only man
himself. the arch slayer, keeps out of
the picture.
Birds have the sharpest eyes in the
world, and therefore can see an insect
hiding where the eye of no human can
detect it.
Most birds love mulberries, for in
stance, but every II years the ccadas
come along. and then the mulberry
trees are deserted. Thus mulberries are
seen beneath these trees only once in
every II years in this locality. Why?
Because when the 17-year locusts are
at hand. the birds are too busy eating
locusts to pay any attention to null
berries.
Now cicada is a pretty good mouth
full, even for chesty bird such as the
robin. 1t means that large insects, as
well as tiny ones. are seen and kept
in place by the birds.
They are at hand in all weathers to
keep down these insects. which aim at
conquest of the world and all therein.
Left to themselves. they would do it,
left to the birds. they simply make a
good dinner and become at last fer
tilizer Of excellent quality, as part of
Natures curious efficiency in making
all things help do the work Of all.
Evening star., 1937-07-12
THIS AND THAT
BY CHARLES E. TRACEWELL.

The best way to get rid OF ants in the
lawn?
Why. induce pair Of nickers to come
to your yard.
This bird is the best ant trap in the
world.
We saw one Of them going along the
edge Of a walk the other day.
At first we wondered what he was
doing there, driving his sharp long bill
repeatedly in the bit Of earth just along
the edge.
Time after time that sharp beak went
down and up, down and up, each up
ward movement climaxed by an exul-
tant gulp.
He was after ants, and getting them,
too.
Slowly he worked his way down the
concrete, taking all the ants in his
stride.
BY the time he had finished there was
not an insect left. No doubt he and his
mate were the very good reasons why
few ants have bothered the lawn this
season.
He loves to consume his favorite food
along the trunk of tree.
II you ever see a rather large bird,
with black on him underneath his chin,
and red splotch at the back OF his
neck, busily going up and down tree,
you can be pretty sure that 1t is a
flicker
He is larger and longer than most
birds which come to the garden, but still
not big enough to attract attention just
on that score.
He comes by that stout bill legiti-
mately being a member Of the world
famous Woodpecker family.
Every now and then one reads about
some painter. Or the like, who is dubbed
well known or famous" when the
reader never heard of him before.
The flicker really is famous.
People have heard of him for CEN
turIes, he belongs to famous old
family.
No need is there of publicity tricks
to put him over He has been placing
himself squarely on the map for CEN
turies.
He belongs to the great army OF birds
which devour insects in their many
forms.
When that is said. great deal is
said, much more than many persons
suspect who have not stopped to think
Of the part bird life plays in plant life
Just as the house cat is said to have
helped make agriculture poss e.
through keeping down rodents, so birds
keep down the insects, and thus give all
plants better chance of life.
One bird eats one bug" another still
another; between them all, they eat
many insects Of all kinds, making so
little fuss about it that persons who are
not particularly interested in bird life
scarce can credit all they do.
They are Unsuitable in their food de-
mands, these birds, that is where their
ability comes in.
II they ate just three meals a day,
they might not be able to do so much
but since they are eating practically
all the time, it is no wonder, perhaps,
that millions of insects bow to them.
Not all birds. of course, eat such fare
but still there are enough of them which
do like 1t to make gigantic inroads on
the hosts Of those curious creatures
Evening star., 1937-07-12
Supreme Court Judges
Have Saved Democrat,

To the Editor of The Star:
Some of the men who want to change
the Supreme Court judges should 20
to Europe where easy egg slaves like to
pay those high taxes for the politicians
to live on. The New Deal, or I would
call it the raw deal, has caused more
blood-sucker politicians than ever be-
fore in our American history. Our Su-
preme Court judges are trustworthy,
true patriots who believe in our form
of government. That are men of high
standing, upright statesmen who should
be left there. They can and have done
more in the past five years to save
democracy than any other judges. Just
beware of the ones who will succeed
them if they 60 by the New Deal policies.
Save democracy; save your freedom
Don't change the Supreme Court or
judges in any way.
DAVID w. HUGHES.
Airport, NJ Y,
Evening star., 1937-07-12
Shooting Stars.
BY PHILANDER JOHNSON.
Specialization.

Each mortal looks around the scene
Upon the earthly sphere
Where Natures effort all serene
Bears fruit from year to year.
OF discomfort each feels a thrill
1t almost makes him sob
To think how easy he could fill
Some other fellows job.
I wonder if the lima bean
Is envious of the corn.
wonder If the lettuce green
Regards the oats with scorn.
Or does the heart of man awake
Alone unto the throb
Which makes one fellow want to take
Another fellows job.
Evening star., 1937-07-12

Efforts of small time aviation to claim
a footing in Maryland are in danger
of throwing new complications into the
efforts of Baltimore editors to conduct
an entire national pageant. Aviation is
putting on a big show and its interests
with headquarters in or near Baltimore
are heavy.
Evening star., 1937-07-12

ern aviation. His biography calls at
tention to sixty-nine personal victories
during the war. Just what personal VIC
aviation in time Of peace is another of
those questions which tend to confuse
the mature judgment on which a great
republic must frankly depend.
Evening star., 1937-07-12

A strike has been in progress and has
stirred some of our public men to out
bursts of Shakespearean quotation. One
reason the public has learned to regard
the Supreme Court so highly is because
OF It's direct expressions, free from poeti-
cal establishment.
Evening star., 1937-07-12

The loss Of Amelia Earhart brings a
shadow of sadness over the subject of
aviation. The popular attitude toward
flying is changing. 1t is serious en-
terprise which needs both space and
intelligence.
Evening star., 1937-07-12
Asks Answer to Question
on Executive Tax Evasion
To the Editor of The Star:

To the Editor of The Star:
If the President and Mrs Roosevelt
have nothing to conceal why do they
not ask that the Committee on Tax
Evasions examine their income tax re-
turns and assure the public that they
have not taken advantage of any of
the devices the use of which the Presi-
dent has condemned by his message to
Congress and by public statements?
JAMES w. MCMAHON.
Evening star., 1937-07-12

President Roosevelt assisted finely in
giving the Boy Scouts a suitable fare
we'll. His photographs were without ex-
ception dignified and handsomely suit
able to the occasion.
Evening star., 1937-07-12

Base ball players are welcomed as en-
tertainers of the President himself, but
this fact should not encourage them to
rely on skill as personal comedians in
stead OF personal proficiency in the
game.
Evening star., 1937-07-12

Congress took the trouble to inspect
Jefferson Island in the Chesapeake Bay.
1t revealed itself as a comfortable spot,
but not large enough to accommodate
more than third of the party at a
time. In doing honor to jefferson it
becomes necessary to think of his intel
lectual deeds rather than his architec-
tural fortunes.