davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1937-08-05
Study of Local Taxes.

How do the Commissioners propose to
utilize the $4,000 appropriated in the
District revenue bill for further study of
the local tax structure? The original
Senate proposal would have given them
enough money to turn the whole job
over to some expert and let him do his
worst. But the 5000 provided In the
bill agreed to in conference and approved
by both houses provides a sum sufficient
merely for clerical work.
The Commissioners some time ago
appointed a joint committee of citizens
and municipal officials to make survey
and to report on the tax collection ma
chinery and other matters. The COM
mittee performed an excellent job, and
the results should be represented in
beneficial changes in the tax collection
office, bringing much of its antiquated
machinery up to date.
Why not follow the same plan in con-
nection with study of the local tax
structure? The joint committee should
be made representative of the COM
munlty, of course, but it should be kept
small enough, in personnel, to prevent
an unWieldy organization Provided with
funds for necessary clerical assistance.
such joint committee could render real
and effective service in the proposal of
whatever changes may be found neces-
sary in the existing tax structure.
The effective work which may be per-
formed by local citizens in connection
with tax legislation has been illustrated
in the record of the Citizens Joint Com
nlittee on Fiscal Relations over many
years and, most recently, in the assist
ance rendered to members of Congress
by the Municipal Finance Committee of
the Board Of Trade in shaping the final
version of the tax bill This committee
took the wise course of trying to make
the best of a not very good bargain after
Senate and House had passed their bills,
and suggested program of modifying
some of the tax plans which, applied in
their original form, would have proved
most burdensome. With the exception
Of the SITS realty rate, which was made
unnecessarily high by the conferees. the
Board of Trade proposals were, In effect,
adopted throughout.
Local citizens realize the danger OF
initiating even tax reform legislation, for
such legislation is more apt to become
the instrument for tax boosting than for
any beneficial reform. But experience
In this coming year with the new taxes
will indicate the desirability of changes,
and the Commissioners will be wise to
ask the cooperation of the tax-paying
community in suggesting the changes
that should be made.
Evening star., 1937-08-05
Danger in Organic
Constitution Change

To the Editor of The Star:
This is warning concerning amend
Ing the Constitution.
Republics were tried several times in
the little city-States of ancient Greece, in
ancient Rome and in medieval Italy. In
every instance they failed, were followed
by reign OF terror in which the land was
filled with the cries of women and chill
dren then dictatorship, then~back to
monarchy. Conclusion: Republics in the
past have proved to be unstable forms of
government. Therefore plan or consti-
tuition that can produce one that is stable
and works fairly well is, humanly, mon
umental work
The United States Constitution
blocked out by Pelatiah Webster, fash
loned and carefully finished by a group
OF wise men engaged in great and
arduous struggle" for good government
provided republic fashioned after the
long -struggled-for but wonderfully sue
cesSful British democratic monarchy
Here, for the first time in the history of
the world, man had republican form of
government on large scale that appears
stable and actually works fairly we'll
/ say, for Heavens sake leave it alone!
1t would be very easy to destroy it by
very little tinkering. The unstabilzng
effects of the popular election of Sena-
tors and the abolition of the "lame-duck
session" are already becoming apparent
I Solemnly warn my fellow citizens
against any more organic changes unless
they be such as will secure greater hon
esty and more personal responsibility
OF public officers and more freedom and
greater protection of the RIGHTS of the
people against tyranncal entertainments.
In other words, you can safely add to
the Bill of Rights of the Constitution:
but safely change it organically? Never!
ERNEST HAVILAND HOBBS,
Evening star., 1937-08-05
1reland's New Charter of
independence Explained

10 tne EultOF OF Inc star.
Your editorial, THE President of Fire"
repeats strange error common in the
American press and unaccountable save
as notable achievement of most adrot
propaganda. You say the new charter
does not contemplate immediate aban-
donment of the British link" referring
to the constitution of the republic of
Ireland, adopted by an Overwhelming
popular vote on July !. The truth is that
precisely this immediate abandonment"
is expressly provided for in the new con-
stitution. Effective December %, it sew
ers the last pretense of the last tie that
in any way or in any degree connects it
with Great Britain.
You say further that while there is
absolute severance so far as internal af-
fairs are concerned, Downing Streets
authority temporarily continues in the
realm of foreign relations"
II you will kindly read the new consti-
tutions definition of the republics status
in international affairs, you will see at
once how you have been misled as to this
point also. When the new constitution
comes into effect Downing Street will
have no more to say about Ireland than
it has to say about Siam.
In other words, the complete absolute.
perfect national independence of Ireland
is accomplished after seven hundred
years OF such struggle as the world has
never known elsewhere, and the Ameri-
can press insists upon ignoring this most
important historic event of these times.
ANDREW l. HICKEY,
CHARLES EDWARD RUSSELL,
Publicity Committee, Kevin Barry Co.,
A. A. r. I. R.
Evening star., 1937-08-05

mirer to understand how any one else
can possibly fail to do the same But
everybody knows how it goes. One per-
son admires the tenor voice, another the
soprano, and the first asks not sopranos,
nor the second tenors.
The person who is an enthusiast about
mushrooms collects 80 edible varieties
and prides himself upon his knowledge,
but has only scorn for the man or
woman who can tell as many birds by
their songs.
The rain enthusiast is likely to be a
fellow who likes all things which are
natural, who is inclined to measure the
| value OF anything else by whether or
not it is natural, right out of the heart
Of things.
He appreciates the genius which
made the airplane possible, but he does
not like airplanes. He thrills at any
device which does all sorts of curious
things with steel fingers, but he hates
the throb and rattle of the thing.
Ii he had his way he would 90 back
TO candles and quiet.
He can't go back, alas; no one can 90
back. Man is at the mercy of his ma
chimes, which end by controlling the
mind and soul, if not the body, of their
creator
The only way anybody can 20 back is
by insisting that all natural things. the
things which typically city people refuse
10 consider, are the best things
Ihus dawn is something worth going to
bed early to see.
NOBODY will want to see the dawn if
he has not gone to sleep until 2 m. No
one Will thrill to rain in the night who is
SO sleepy that even a hurricane scarce
could wake him.
In order to see and appreciate the nat
ural things, as one goes along. it. is
necessary to live naturally.
This working up Of an interest in all
natural things is likewise a natural thing.
1t is very easy. Just begin, honestly and
determinedly, on one department of great
Nature and the chances are that in time
the interest will grow.
Consider man deeply interested in a
Held OF human endeavor called poll
tics Such man, usually, but not
always is fellow interested solely and
only in politics. Government and eco
nomics, as related subjects, are interest
ing. But bees and wasps-Why. of course
not! The politician leaves them to the
scientists and then proceeds TO poke fun
at the latter when they pursue their
proper studies.
1t is very easy to get around to rain in
the night and its admiration, if one has
admired the ways of bees and wasps in
the garden.
Those persistent fellows which tried
valiantly to make home for themselves
in the mail box, buzzlng out furiously
each time letter was put in or taken
therefrom, were forerunners of the rain
and its guides and conductors
The mind which is satisfied with such
| observations and finds them as interest
ing, in their way, as politics and theories
(Which nobody knows whether they will
work or not. is the mind which is never
forced to seek satisfaction of its hunger
in ways absurd and not a little pathetic
Rain in the night to such a mind will
be something worth seeing and hearing
not to roll over and forget as quickly as
possible.
Evening star., 1937-08-05
Another Bureau.

MIR. Average Citizen, who ultimately
must foot the bill, may be pardoned for
inquiring why 1t is necessary to set up
another Federal agency to administer
the proposed Wagner housing legislation.
At rough estimate, there are six or
ganizations with an army OF employees
now concerned with some phase of hous-
ing: Federal Housing Administration,
Home Owners Loan Corporation, Fed
eral Home Loan Bank Board, Resettle-
ment Administration, Public Works Ad-
ministration and the farm tenancy set
up In the Department Of Agriculture.
This would seem to be sufficient machin-
cry to house all the unhoused, with some
thing to spare. But If the Wagner bill
becomes law it will bring into existence
a seventh group, the United States Hous-
ing Authority, with an administrator at
$4,000 annually and two directors at
$1,000 each to guide its destinies Each
OF these will get travel allowance and, in
the natural course OF things, a personal
staff, that will run this initial overhead
much higher.
This organization is expected to end
up as part OF the Interior Department,
under President Roosevelt's plan to do
away with independent agencies. But
from an economy standpoint that will
mean exactly nothing II 1t still is to be
weighted down with directing heads
drawing higher-bracket salaries. Simple
hcation Of the Government structure
Evening star., 1937-08-05
THIS AND THAT
BY CHARLES E. TRACEWELL.

The light sleeper has many compen-
sations, one OF which is rain in the night
Heavy sleepers, who pride themselves
on never waking up, must miss this
treat.
Stir Of wind in the 1ocusts, and swish
of leaves and branches; clank of tin
somewhere, and thump OF a wooden
gate; on all sides the many little sounds
Of the coming of the rain.
The clock strikes 8
And the rain falls down. IT comes
with ever increasing force, dashing
against the screens and windows, slither-
ing along the cutters in the caves, pour
ing down the spouts.
The light sleeper is glad.
He would not have missed this for
anything.
His grass especially needed water
Here is the real thing, fresh from the
heavens with Natures miracle distilla-
ton.
The sleeper, now awake, can visualize
the thirsty grass plants taking it all in
absorbing it with relish.
This is not humanizing plants, it is
merely seeing them as they are (even in
the dark, living things needing food
piAe "hoti, anu SICdI dCdl VI OOGil.
X
Rain in the night has the mystic mag
MITIGATION of the dark.
This is the same in this age as in all
the ages Of the past.
1t is one of the sure facts which unite
one age to another this age to all that
went before The night, mystic and
gloWlng-and then to it storm is added
M1ryht
peace and quiet.
Though not regarded, 1t is a situation
in life not too often met. such dra
matte difference, kept SO by just few
boards, bricks and shingles intervening
Not only sharp line is drawn between
wet and dry, between discomfort and
comfort, but an even sharper distinc-
ton is made between storm and peace
between inclement and clement in the
soul.
Rain in the night is not Just some
thing to be passed over sleepily, but q
thing TO be treasured, an experience to
be classed with others.
Nothing takes the edge of living more
than to get into a frame of mind In
which nothing is noticed except the very
unusual.
When one thinks Of all the minutes of
the day and night of all the passing
days, weeks, months and years. Of all
time, it is impossible to find every one
OF them scintillating with excitement.
Some unfortunate persons expect life
to be SO, and. not finding it, try to make
1t so by devious and uncertain expedi-
ents which, in the first and last ANALYSIS
can be called nothing more than cheap
But there will be real interest added
to the most staid life-if any life can
be called such-by knowing and cherish
ing, at the very time, the essential
natural things of the everyday.
Among these rain must be reckoned
One who enjoys it is never tired of
eXhortlng others to do the same. This
enjoyment can be secured easily by a
little thought.
Learn how to make friendsl' some
body shouts, offering to sell you book
Learn to value the rain" somebody
else says, quietly, offering nothing for
sale.
1t is a difficult thing for the rain ad-
Evening star., 1937-08-05
of President Of the United States"

of President of the United States"
1t may be questioned whether Pandit
Surya Vayas ever read the American
Constitution. There are plenty OF Amer
leans who have not read 1t. There are
a great many even of those who have
Some of them, indeed, are in high
place In this country. There is no
occasion for scorn for the ignorance OF
this heretofore unheard-of Hindoo sage.
Maybe he does not know that this Gov
ernment is founded upon such a docu-
ment. There is no British "constitu-
tion,'' in the same sense Of the American
organic law. Probably to the wise man
of India who has just been quoted the
Vedas are the only instruments of
guidance.
This venture of Pandit Surya Vayas
into the realm of political prediction,
whatever may be his state Of ignorance
upon the matter, brings to mind the
saying of the late Congressman Tim
Campbell Of New York, who urged the
then President Of the United States,
Grover Cleveland, to sign certain act
of Congress and when the President de-
INJURED on the ground that the bill was
plainly unconstitutional rejoined: Jaw
now, Mr.. President, what's the Constitu-
ton between friends?"
Just as between friends, however, even
so remote a friend as Pandit Surya
Vayas of India, it may be suggested that
knowledge and understanding of the
Constitution of the United States is de-
sirable on the part OF foreign advisers,
although there may be some lack of per-
ception on the part of American states
men, legislators and legal interpreters.
Evening star., 1937-08-05
Shooting Stars.
BY PHILANDER JOHNSON,

Thoughts and Words.
He hadn't anything to say.
Though other people raised
A mighty din from day to day.
His thoughts he seldom phrased.
His friends would sometimes stand in fea
That he would be forgot.
They said his silence must seem queer,
Because he knows a lot.
The mighty din on every hand
Voiced sentiments so free
That many couldn't understand
Just what their sense might be.
He hadn't anything to say,
Excepting now and then.
But when he spoke he showed a way
To help his fellow men.
The speaker whom but few will heed
Must magnify his tone
The real thinker does not need
To use megaphone.
Evening star., 1937-08-05
James Steadman.

When James Steadman, tWenty-one-
year old colored laundry worker, was
caught in an elevator Tuesday afternoon,
he did not die of fright. Rather, it was
from injuries to his body that he sue
cumbed. His spirit was unhurt. While
firemen, called to release him, struggled
to get him free, he sang and prayed,
His pain, of course, was agonizing, yet
he had courage equal to his need.
The story merits retelling because it
points moral worthy of remembrance.
Humanity, it seems, is born to trouble.
No living soul is exempt from suffering.
But something innate in heart and mind
supplies the requisite defense against
the temptation to surrender. The race
is optimistic, not despondent, In its lot
So 1t survives.
And the power Of the brave hope with
which mankind is endowed is a demo-
cratic heritage. Providence grants it to
everybody. 1t is the fundamental reality
of human existence. Steadman, for ex-
ample, was trained in no academy to
shame the Spartans with the hardihood
of his behavior during his mortal ordeal
He came into the world with the instinct
to be manly under all conditions, how
ever trying. 1t was part of his nature
to take it, without complaint.
His song, then, should not be forgot
ten; his prayer should be heard. God
does not bestow such gifts for nothing
Instead He shares divinity with His chill
dren. What other explanation can
there be?
Evening star., 1937-08-05
Education to Fit Needs.
From the Williamsport Pa) Sun

fIoH tHe WllamSport NPaD Sun.
1t is a progressive theory in educa-
ton that the pupil should be taught that
which will be of practical use to him
in life, to help him meet the situation
with which his environment is likely to
confront him. An excellent application
Of this theory is reported from Alaska,
where the Eklutna Government School
for Indians has decided that 1t is Of no
use to continue to pump culture into its
pupils. Instead it will teach them
cabin building, dog breeding and train
ing, reindeer farming, the cold storage
and marketing of reindeer beef" the
canning and curing of fish, growing Of
fruits and vegetables, the care Of hides
and furs, ivory carving and other ira
ditional crafts, dressmaking and tailor
ing. After all, as the school directors
have decided, algebra, geography and
kindred academic subjects are of little
use in equipping an Alaskan Indian to
fight the LATHE for survival against the
inhospitable environment in which
nature has placed him.
Evening star., 1937-08-05
District Referenda.

The advisory referenda" bill intro
ouced yesterday in the House by Repre-
sentative Palmisano is a revival of the
proposal drafted in December, 1885, by
Commissioner Allen. The plan was sub
mltted at that time for consideration
and discussion by local citizens, but
little, if any, progress was made toward
stimulating public interest in the scheme.
This may have been due to a certain
feeling of futllity, or hopelessness, over
securing from Congress the right to
obtain such expressions of public opinion
as would result from a referendum; or,
If the elaborate machinery provided in
the bill was ever utilized for referenda,
of persuading Congress to abide by the
results. For experience suggests that
community opinion is often ignored, no
matter how clearly expressed.
The proposal is, however, fundamen-
tally sound and the misunderstanding
and confusion in Congress over local
affairs should spur new interest in
method Of providing the voteless and
unrepresented Washingtonian with the
machinery Of the referendum for making
vocal his desires. Many members of
Congress confess to a lack of knowledge
as to what the people want and state
that they are confused by the demands
and requests of the numerous independ-
ent groups. To these referendum upon
any of the important problems would
prove of real interest and value.
The proposal is for referenda which
would be advisory to the District Com
missioners and while they would not be
bound by the result, it is presumed that
Congress would give careful considera-
ton to the verdict regardless of the
opinion of the Commissioners. If Con-
gress does actually authorize refer
endum, as provided in the bill, the
chances that it will heed the opinion
expressed are greatly increased.
The bill provides that not more than
two referenda could be held in any one
fiscal year. There could, however, be
submitted to be voted on. The selection
of these subjects and in fact the calling
of referendum election is left to the dis
cretion of the Commissioners. This was
a defect in the original draft of the bill
and should be remedied by an initiative
provision whereby the local citizens
could by petition require the holding of
a referendum election or the inclusion Of
items not included by the Commits
sioners.
The bill is In good form for considera-
ton and discussion In the civic organi-
cations and by the citizens generally.
It's perfection and enactment into law
would mark an encouraging departure
toward the recognition of vital American
rights now entirely ignored in the gov
ernment Of the National Capital.
Evening star., 1937-08-05

BY the time Senator Borah gets
through discussing new deal for the
United States Supreme Court there will
be little left to consider except the prob
lem OF supporting the justices who are
earnestly endeavoring to serve the people.
According to Mr.. Borah, a competent
justice may be called on to serve at any
time even though accorded the honor OF
a vacation with pay. One of the annoy
ing characteristics OF Mr.. Borah is the
fact that he so frequently appears to
know precisely what he is talking about.
Evening star., 1937-08-05

should aim at reduction in costs, and
this move aids no more in that direction
than did the recent placing in the Inte-
rior Department of the new Bituminous
Coal Commission with its seven men,
bers and consumers counsel at $4,000
each.
Somewhere there must be 4 halt to
the spread Of Government agencies, and
certainly no better opportunity could
be found than in this instance,
Evening star., 1937-08-05
Canning Season Is Here.

1t is time for home Gamers to get busy.
The booklet on CANNING AND PRE-
SERVING will help you tempt the appe-
tite of the family with more than one
hundred tested recipes. Sections on
fruits, vegetables, meats and chicken.
Tells how to make fine jellies, jams,
marmalades, fruit buffers and pickles
how to bottle fruit juices and salt down
fresh vegetables for Winter consumption
This 48-page booklet outlines the latest
scientific methods and is a timely aid
to household economy. Order your copy
today.
Evening star., 1937-08-05
Fly-Shooting Guard May
Be Spending Spite Energy
To the Editor of The Star

10 Vie EuILOr OF SUIT.
Perhaps Mr.. Art Gun, as he calls him.
self in his criticism of the guard at the
post Office who was shooting flies, has
made no attempt to find out just how
this said guard feels. Perhaps he is just
taking his spite out on the flies instead of
the congressman who have just refused
to give him chance to live like human
being.
1t has always been good policy to
know all the facts and perhaps some
more can be learned about the guard.
What person with family can live
decently on 81 200, feed and clothe FAM
lily Of four and look and act respectablef
GEORGE INGRAM,
Evening star., 1937-08-05

Prediction is made that in few years
prohibition sentiment will again assert
itself in this country and with command
ing emphasis The fool and his bottle
have no doubt been given too much free
dom, while persons who stay cold sober
run the real risk of sorrow and expense.
Evening star., 1937-08-05

Amelia Earhart has been given up for
lost. The fate OF Rex Martin appears to
be even more conclusive although regis
tered in considerably less time. Flying
fields continue to train men, but the toll
exacted Of competent flyers becomes
heavier and more inexorable.
Evening star., 1937-08-05

One Of the things Senator Ashurst may
find it interesting to explain to Ari-
zonans Is just what, if anything has
happened to the United States Supreme
Court and, if so, how much and why.
Evening star., 1937-08-05

China looks over portions OF the Asiatic
map where Japan has assumed control
and counting up the square mileage
thinks she has a greater grievance than
Spain, at the other end of the map.
Evening star., 1937-08-05

Russia looks the Asiatic situation over
and sends few flyers across the North
Pole In way that shows what expert
skill can do with unfamiliar territory.
Evening star., 1937-08-05
Seeking = Candidate.

I'VE want man who knows all the
ms and outs OF legislation and who
understands human nature" remarked
the idealist.
II dunno as regard your notion
as entirely practical" replied Senator
Sorghum. But If you're a solutely sure
you want man who can answer all
those requirements why don't you resur-
rect one Of those old-time lobbyists?"
Evening star., 1937-08-05
Fearless.

Some say the modern seaside maid
Is rather bold.
She must be brave. She's not afraid
OF catching cold.
Evening star., 1937-08-05

Interest is manifested in low-cost
housing program by Majority Leader
Barkley. In the meantime new demands
for taxes arise in manner which COM
plicate the ordinary problems OF simple
human existence.