davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1937-05-15
Beauty of Other Cities
Contrasts Shabby CAPITAL
70 the Editor OF The Star.

To the Editor OF The Star:
Having just returned from Los Angeles,
Calf, where everything, from exotic
gardens to kitchen utensils, reflects the
gorgeous colors of the rainbow, by COM
parison my home town looks drab-de-
pressingly, distressingly colorless. Hand
some, dignified, yes, but like an aristo-
cratic old lady in somber raiment. Why
not have some bright flowers on private
lots, borders of them to improve, not
detract. from the few good lawns we
see? Why not tone and pep up our
public buildings with patches of flowers
and blossoming trees, as few hotels
here attempt to do? We have not the
rich soil to produce much luxuriance,
but we might at least try to cultivate a
little brightness to relieve the cold, in
hospltable appearance of our public and
private buildings.
The city officials seem not to have
thought or cared about what might be
done to improve the interminable,
hdeous earth patches around every
tree in the city. They are disgrace, the
few struggling blades of grass here and
there only accentuating the miles of
glarlng patches on our city streets.
Surely we can grow grass here, if nothing
else IT millions can be spent on another
statue in city already possessing over
500 statues, surely enough could be OBJ
tanned to plant some grass and flower
seed to lend little life and color to
our streets The fact that so many
visitors come annually to see our cherry
blossoms proves how little there is here
in natural beauty.
Take another lesson from Los Angeles.
The Tower of Legends in Forest Lawn
Park is startlingly beautiful picture
at night. Located on high elevation,
lights are thrown on it in such a way
that the hill and the sky do not show
up, but the white tower appears to be
suspended in space. The effect is inde-
scribably impressive. Could not this also
be worked out in locating the proposed
Jefferson Memorial on some elevation,
such as Meridian Hill? This may be done
in the future, but let's get busy at once
to remedy those hideous earth patches
on all our streets.
N. THOMPSON.
Evening star., 1937-05-15

ca ~ IS from one of the smaller of these
tiger dogs Prof. Scott believes 49,
Iiliee Oh the dog families can trace their
ancestry through diverse lines of de-
iV' ooeiV' ne holds that this Oligocene
animal gave rise to the family which
lncludes most of the living representa-
yves OF the dog family-the wolves, the
1oxes, the Jackals, the racoon dogs and
tne domestic dogs. Another offshoot
was responsible for two closely related
creatures-the bush dog of Brazil and
Ihe Wild dog of India. These closelv-
related species he thinks, arose inde-
pendently in Asia and South America
IRON migrants from North America.
from still another of the large Oligo-
Gene CANNES, it is believed, arose a
race OF dogs which long since has dis
appeared from earth-the grotesuue
pear dogs OF the succeeding geological
period. They were as large as grizzlies
and must have constituted the most
terrible beasts of prey the earth has
known. Because of fossils of these
creatures found in Europe it long was
believed that the bears and the dogs
had an immediate common ancestry.
This since has been disproved.
AS for the changes that have come
about in 50.000,000 years, the monograph
states The dogs are -eminently
runners and their skeletons are adapted
to high and sustained speed Other
carnlVora stalk their prey by stealthy
approach. or lie in wait for it on the
branch OF tree and then, when the
victim has come within reach, seize it
by leaplng upon it. The dogs. and es-
peclally the foxes, also take prey in this
manner, but their habitual method is
by running 1t down through superior
endurance and speed. To this end the
thorax is enlarged, so as to increase
the lung capacity, and the tail has lost
much OF its length. Skull and jaws
underwent no such Transforming adap-
tations as did the extremities, the prin-
cipal change being in the great develop
ment OF the brain, especially in the en-
largement of the cerebral hemispheres. -
The resemblance to the cats, he ex-
plains, is not so much indicative of
an ancestral relationship as of the fact
that cats have retained, while dogs have
lost, many primitive characters which
were common to the ancestry Of both.
Evening star., 1937-05-15
Says Doctors Underrate
Intelligence of Laymen

To the Editor OF The Star:
In reply to DR.. Thomas E. Mattingly's
Condemnation of Medical Profession
Unwarranted" in The Star of April 8,
wish to state that evidently DR.. Mat
tingly is little out of date or uninformed
on current practices in our hospitals.
Animal vivisection is practiced in most
all hospitals right in this vicinity and at
the present time. AS only layman,
know of one hospital within less than
one hundred miles of here whose med
ical students take out parts of the ami
mails liver and other organs in their
medical classes every year, and this is
one Of the very prominent medical
schools, too.
1t seems to me that in this connection
the bill recently introduced by Senator
Frazier is both timely and in accord with
the principles of the leading medical as
sociations. Since vivisection does exist
rather generally and the medical profess
sion claims that this method is entirely
out of date, the present bill provides for
an effective remedy to practice now
existing on a rather large scale in the
larger medical schools
think there is far too much effort to
ing what goes on. Because of kind of
professional ethics many doctors take the
attitude that their knowledge is so SUI
perior to the layman's, many people be-
come disguised with their ego, and in
stead of helping the medical profession
to attain still greater achievements their
talk harms its progress. In support of
this thought I might say that I have
had relations with some thirty doctors in
my lifetime and can say only four talked
to me as If had any brains at all. This
is what gets doctors in bad with patients
and the public. When doctors become
open and frank with patients and recog-
nlze that the patient has some brains
too, even if otherwise, then they will
regain lot of their lost good will l
am not against doctors, rather for more
Of them and better ones as both doctors
and as public servants with no monopoly
on all common sense and knowledge. The
medical profession. like banking, is quasi
public in character and not a strictly
private profession. The lay public has a
right to criticize animal vivsection when
1t Is unnecessary to scientific progress.
ELMER C. CROWELL.
Evening star., 1937-05-15
Protests Against Local
Daylight Saving Hours

To the Editor of The Star:
write to protest against daylight
saving time.
Those of us who have lived here since
1917 remember when the daylight saw
ing time was tried and what suffering it
caused because of short, hot nights and
longer, hotter days.
Only comparatively few have aircon-
ditioned residences and those who do not
have find their sleeping time curtailed
by one hour every night, or one hundred
twenty-five hours in the four months
from June l to September 30 inclusive,
and that is lot of sleep to lose.
And the sleeping time is curtailed be-
cause the sun does not change its time
of setting and rising and so sleeping
rooms do not cool enough for one to
sleep until at least one hour nearer the
rising time.
Let's let well enough alone. Those
who desire longer days can easily arise
just as early as they desire.
Personally, I hope daylight saving time
is voted out entirely
MRS. EDMUND 8. Delaney.
Evening star., 1937-05-15
THIS AND THAT
BY CHARLES E. TRACEWELL.

There is no tyranny" wise man
said, like the tyranny Of useless things"
It is true. And, while we are about 1t,
we might include number OF useful
things!
Attics, Easements and garages filled
with articles which long ago served their
need and now are kept mostly out OF
sentiment-or what?
Heaven knows!
Sometimes it seems to the breathless
American that one-half life is made up
of accumulation, and the other half Won-
dering what it was all for.
The automobile manufacturers and
dealers have handled this matter well. A
car must be pretty far gone, indeed be-
fore it cannot be sold to any one. Those
who buy old cars are patted on the back,
and told they are smart"
~ n
Every homeoWner knows you can't do
that with many articles around the
house.
There are old tables, chairs and many
other things which are still good, but
which, for one reason or another, are no
longer desired.
Many a household is confronted with
this situation. The furniture still is
good, but it is old. Rehnishing, reuphol-
stering, these are good, but they do not
change fundamental design.
AS times change, there are many
changes in design, not only of cars and
houses, but also of chairs, tables and
What-not.
The changes may be slight or great, or
even in such elusive ways that, though
the basic design seems to be the same,
the articles will nevertheless strike the
beholder as being completely out of date.
This out-of- -dateness of household
things may strike women more quickly
than men, but in time it manages to
make itself felt even with them.
Women say there is nothing more
hopeless than trying to make over the
furnishings of home bit by bit trying to
tie old in with new.
So long as a thing has use, one may
think, it ought to be right.
Well, such is the theory, but actually
an old piano lamp, for instance, looks
rather out of place, unless the household
keeps it long enough for it to come in
Style again.
ouCn lnln2S happen. They happen
with games of all sorts, and also with
furnishings. Even the ladies' hats run
through successive changes and return
engagements OF old styles.
From one standpoint, of course, there
is really no useless thing-it simply NAV
be useless to the person who has it.
Hence to sell 1t, or give it away, espe-
cially to one of the organizations which
specializes in fixing over such things, and
selling them for cause, is to return its
usefulness to itself and others.
What is more useless. for instance.
than a camera without a film, and in
which the owner has lost all genuine
interest?
Many such are lodged on shelves, and
IN desk drawers, since their owners
quietly placed them there years ago.
Take them out, however slip in a film.
and they are as ready as ever to deliver
a good job.
Useless, II not used-is not that it?
Such lack of use is genuine, however:
Evening star., 1937-05-15
Parked Cars Contribute
To Unsightly Streets
To the Editor of The Star:

To the Editor of The Star:
Permit me to express my opposition
to the use of our streets by SO many
automobile owners for parking purposes,
bot.1 day and night. Recently, I wrote
the honorable Board of Commissioners,
requesting that they urge upon Con-
gress that legislation be enacted pro-
hibiting the use Of our streets for the
purposes mentioned above. 1 also COM
planned and laid quite bit of stress re-
lative to the filthy conditions of some
of our streets, due to the vast amount of
grease, oils and other refuse emitted by
so many automobiles of the older type.
I also requested the Board of Commits
sioners that they investigate the matter
mentioned, insist on general cleanup
by the departments having charge of
such matters. That they insist such
nuisances and the like be corrected and
abated. I think and believe a little
agitation by the Board of Commissioners
and the property owners and taxpayers
of the District of Columbia would bring
better and desired results.
HENRY F. ASH.
Evening star., 1937-05-15
A Model Witness.

A House of Representatives subcom-
mittee, considering bill, had the benefit
OF an ideal witness at hearing the other
day. The measure before the COM
mittee was one to allow the railroads to
carry canine companions of blind per-
sons to ride with them free of charge.
Technically the owner of the dog was the
witness. Actually the dog furnished the
best evidence Of the merit of the PROPOSE
ton. His behavior was such as to win
the favor of the subcommitteemen, who
recognized that he and all his kind were
worthy Of the fullest consideration. The
subcommittee agreed to report the bill
with recommendation that it be passed.
A well-trained dog has better chance
Of making favorable impression upon q
court Of justice or congressional COM
mittee than has human witness. He is
always straightforward and honest. He
is not evasive or Querulous. He is not
upset by 1nquisition. He does not dodge
the issue. BY nature kindly and taught
to obey, he tells the whole truth and
nothing but the truth as far as his linn
ited powers of expression permit.
In this matter of providing accommo-
dations on the trains for the dogs that
are used by the blind for their guidance
there is no reasonable ground for objec-
ton. They always behave as we'll as do
the human passengers, often better.
They are orderly. quiet And considerate.
Evening star., 1937-05-15

the poignancy OF useless things Is that
they actually are useless, although still
good. That is what hurts, undoubtedly.
The sensitive mind feels that goodness
ought to be its own reward, but it isn't
too often something else is demanded
This seems to hold particularly of these
many things purchased, from time to
time, under the pressure Of real or fan
cied need. Some of them never are any
good, but one holds onto them, because
one bought them. That is the only ap-
parent reason.
The gadget, as it is known, comes
squarely in this class. Some one has
called America nation of gadgeteers
We like novelties of all Sorts. and must
have them. If they are believed to be
useful, We take to them all the more
readily in order to cover up, at least in
our own minds, the charge of extrava-
gance.
Pressures upon people, from all sides
1t is curious how many of these there are,
and how effective SO many of them,
though essentially silly
Every one seems to be the custodian of
every one else's money, so that many
sensitive persons put up poor mouth" !"
as 1t is called, to free themselves from
this foreign hand in their affairs.
Some persons have this so bad that
they never purchase anything for them
selves, just because they want it, but
always for some other members of the
family, or at least so they say!
Such tactics fool no one, of course, and
probably do some good, since so MANY
persons come from poor people, among
whom a useless expenditure was thought
to be criminal, and often was.
The times have changed.
Useless purchases are seen in a better
light.
We realize today that as much labor
and love may be put on the useless as
on the useful, in the old strict way of ap-
praising things.
What is useful, and what is not?
mat Is the question, and the answer
is not easy. What is useful to one per-
son may seem the merest dross to an
other. Let time go by, and the article
becomes useless to the first, very desir-
able to the second.
mat is why SO many persons, in house
hold management. are loath to part with
anything serviceable.
"Oh. you should give it to So-and- So"
naming a worthwhile industry.
1t is not self1shness which makes s,,ch
plea often fall on deaf ears. but rather
the conception of the larger usefulness
OF the article.
There is use, and larger usefulness,
Time alone, in many instances, brings
out the latter.
There is great satisfaction in going
TO the attic, or garage, and there finding
among noble pile of assorted Junk. eX-
actly the thing one was looking for, and
needed.
one such successful experiment will
convince even the doubter of the value of
keeping things"
Ihe tyranny of useless things still
holds good, nevertheless.
Hence the annual cleaning up. which
is now in full swing. Paint up and
clean up is good slogan with many
applications.
II we put some of it's injunctions into
practice, one, at least, of many tyrannies
is likely to be lessened.
Evening star., 1937-05-15
Germany i'm the Baltic.

1t Is suggestive coincidence that to-
days silver jubilee of King Christian of
Denmark should coincide with disclosure
OF Germany's plans for great system
Of Notifications along her Baltic coast
and on adjacent islands. The scheme is
part and parcel of the vast network OF
defenses on all its borders which the
Reich has undertaken in pursuance of
the defiant Nazi rearmament program.
The Baltic project has special signifl-
cance for the Danes, because Schleswig-
Holstein constitutes one of those bleed
ing borders" of which Hitler has spoken
as frontiers which he aspires some day
TO wipe out and incorporate within
greater Germany.
After the Treaty Of Versailles and sub
sequent plebiscites the southern-central
portion of the former German province
OF Schleswig- -Holstein remained German,
while the northern zone was restored to
old-time Danish sovereignty. Hitler has
never ceased to long for the recovery of
Danish Schleswig, and there has been
more or less constant Nazi agitation
there, as elsewhere in Northern and
Eastern Europe, to popularize union with
Germany. It would not be strange if the
Jubilee rejoicings of King Christians
people were shadowed by the revelation
OF Germany's bid for increased power in
the Baltic.
The new line of Notifications will be
concentrated around Lubbock Bay, north
OF Hamburg, and aimed generally north
ward In the direction of the Scandi-
navian countries. The projected works
provide for seaplane harbors and air
dromes in the neighborhood of Trave-
muende. On the highly strategic island
of Fehmarn, fanked by Kiel and Lubbock
Bays, Notifications will be built capable
OF dominating the Belt of Langeland,
which is Danish water. The plan will
supplement the reconstruction as a
fortified base of the tiny North Sea island
of Helgoland, once known as Germany's
Gibraltar. It was dsmantled by order
of the allies after the World War.
1t is improbable that these various
arrangements to gear up the German
war machine have either Denmark or
other Scandinavian territory primarily
In mind. More likely is the intention OF
the Germans to grid themselves in the
Baltic for eventual conflict with the
Soviet Union. In such war that sea
would be a major theater of naval and
air operations, with possible involvement
OF Lithuania and the other former Bal
tic provinces" of Russia. Moscows
threat to create a strong Baltic fleet may
play major part in the German enter
prise.
Many Scandinavians feared, when
Great Britain negotiated her naval deal
with Germany two years ago, that the
Baltic and its environs were virtually
being surrendered to Nazi control. Ber-
Inns fortiflcation scheme is destined to
whet the purpose of Denmark, Norway,
Sweden and Finland to cement north
ern entente" and likewise to cause those
most pacific minded of European ma
tions to consider the necessity of organ
izing their national defense systems on
scales hitherto considered neither neces-
sary nor desirable.
Evening star., 1937-05-15

On looking the subject OF racing over,
it is again decided that while it may
represent wholesome stimulation to a
Maryland politician, it cannot be of
benefit when brought into the District
of Columbia, excepting by devious means.
The dangers of gambling are at least
restrained to some degree for the benefit
OF the innocent.
Evening star., 1937-05-15
A Rhyme at Twilight
By
Gertrude Brooke Hamilton.
Fishing Trip.

I caught no fish; but this caught,
And all the lessons that 1t taught:
Where Nature reigns and silence broods
The presence Of man intrudes.
The dark, still mirror of the pool
Rejecting skies serene and cool;
The wind at whisper in the trees
Gay shadows dancing in the breeze:
Sunshine and starshine. nights deep
pail
Man is at variance with all.
Evening star., 1937-05-15

With President Roosevelt back home
ne will resume the task of showing that
80 many distinguished gentlemen have
been wrong in getting an o. K. for one
OF the arguments that have occurred to
him apparently with the more force be-
cause they were recent.
Evening star., 1937-05-15

Strikes are regarded as inevitable be-
cause Of failures to sign agreements with
unions. Complaisant employers would no
doubt welcome more explicit information
as to what union claims authority to
express the complaisance an obliging
public has always been desirous of
showing.
Evening star., 1937-05-15

How many bets is it proper for 4
statesman to place on a race" If he
has to send his money instead of carry
ing it? This is another of the questions
which may arise at any moment in the
racing game.
Evening star., 1937-05-15

Cornell University permits Pittsburgh
which leaves him in doubt whether to
eat prodered apple or to juggle it in
hope of better profit. The pig is be-
coming more and more a favorite point
of discussion where points OF personal
appetite are concerned.
Evening star., 1937-05-15

that Stanley Baldwin is sure of keeping
the forces he is expected to handle we'll
rehearsed. He has at least the encour-
agement of sincerely and respectfully
attentive audience.
Evening star., 1937-05-15
Coin Collectors.

From the Worcester Gazette.
A prominent numismatist says collec-
tors of old coins are more numerous now
than ever before. Holding on to the new
ones is, however, still rare accomplish
ment.
Evening star., 1937-05-15

For the first time red herring is dig
nified in reference to it by Ambassador
Dodd as "billionaire." 1t is usually
referred to as poor fish. This is at least
in the nature of comfort to the aver
age man.
Evening star., 1937-05-15
No Charity for Rod.Riders.

From the Flint (Mch.) Journal.
Control Of railroad system has been
given to q charitable foundation. This
does not provide free rides for the
freight car gentry, however.
Evening star., 1937-05-15
Indefinite.
From the worcester Gazette.

From the worcester Gazette.
A Detroit judge ordered a father to
spank his 22-year -old son the other day.
which doesn't explain whether he meant
the father or son to be punished.
Evening star., 1937-05-15
All Even in the End.

From the Ann Arbor News.
France is planning cheaper francs as
. means OF Turing tourists. but the net
result probably will be that the hotei
employees willAdemand more OF them.
Evening star., 1937-05-15
The Court Advances.

Prom the Davenport (Iowa) Times
Some believe the courts philosophy as
revealed in the Wagner act decisions is
really more advanced than the New Deal.
Who knows-the Nine Old Men may yet
become . part Of the Youth MoEement.
Evening star., 1937-05-15
Rate BY Mail-Payable in Advance,
All Other State, and Canada
Member Of the Associated Press.

!, The Associated Press IS exclusively entitled to
the use for republication Of all news dispatches
credited to 1t or not otherwise credited in this
paper and also the local news published herein.
All riRh $ of publication OF special dispatches
herein are also reserved
Evening star., 1937-05-15
Long Memory.

From the Worcester Gazette.
An old-timer is one who remembers
away back when motorists could 60 down
hill fast enough to satisfy themselves
without /4tepping on the sas.
Evening star., 1937-05-15
Shooting Stars.
BY PHILANDER JOHNSON,
Reflection.

Reflection.
Within sylvan pool there springs
A stagnate world of swarming things.
Grotesque and strange they throng and
press
Complete in their unloveliness.
Above it nests creature gay
With light poised wings In quivering
sway.
1t gazes down, but only sees
The bright sky mirroring through the
The bird sings on in JOY complete
Mid blossoms delicately sweet
Our world, like this small scene, we
know
Has many shapes of grievous woe
And yet it need not seem unkind,
Since to the contemplative mind
1t must reflect in guise sincere
A higher, nobler atmosphere.
The Grim Future.
How are you going to enjoy yourself
this Summer"
I'm not going to enjoy myself" an
swered Senator Sorghum. I'm going
to put in my time. as usual, worrying
about next Winter"
Jud Tunkins says the only advantage
he can see in being rich is that you can
have secretaries and don't have to learn
the typewriter or the dial telephone.
No Alibi.
My Radio! My Radio
When you directly quote
No young reporter you can show
Who "garbled' what you wrote.
There's no compositor to take
The customary blame;
There's no proofreader you can make
A martyr with no fame.
My Radio! My Radio!
Evening star., 1937-05-15
Certainty.

When we take risks to win some prize
This much Is known at once:
If YOU should win, you're very wise.
If not, you are Ounce.
Evening star., 1937-05-15

"Dat old story bout de hare an dc
tortoise" said Uncle Eben, "has fooled
a lot O. people. Every loafer imasines
he's de tortoise"