davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1938-12-20
Maryland Traffic Reforms

Five legislative proposals of vital
interest to automobile owners have
been made to the Board of Governors
Of the Automobile Club of Maryland.
They are: An increase in the pres
ent State speed limit from forty-five
to fifty miles an hour.
Exclusion of magistrates in the
counties from jurisdiction over motor
vehicle law violators and abolition of
the fee system of paying justices.
A constitutional amendment to
prevent diversion of gasoline taxes
to purposes other than highway uses.
Legislation requiring bicycle riders
to obey traffic laws and to display
front and rear lights after dark.
Inspection of used cars imme-
diately after resale and before trans
fer of title to insure their safety.
OF the five, probably the one most
needed, and, fortunately, most likely
to be enacted, is the suggested change
regarding the magistrates. 1t is in
line with the platform of Herbert r.
O'Conor, Governor-elect, who, has
urged the establishment of central
courts for county traffic cases.
While the automobile club took
pains to note that it had no intention
of criticizing all justices for the
shortcomings Of a few, it took the
stand that system under which
the compensation of justices in motor
Evening star., 1938-12-20
Budget Balancing

1t was more than an academic
problem which Chairman Pat Harri-
son of the Senate Finance Committee
posed before the Economic Club of
Detroit when he reminded them, and
the rest of the Nation that, govern
ments, like individuals, cannot 60 on
indefinitely spending more than they
take in. Instead, they must choose,
If they are able, between spending
less or taking in more.
Insofar as our own Government is
concerned, for it was it's habits of
spending and of getting, that were
subjects of the Senator's words, the
qualification ''if they are able" rep
resents disheartening real guam
Diary.
Federal support of the needy un-
employed, whether advisable in it's
inception, has become a public re-
sponsibility which obviously cannot
be thrown off abruptly. In a rela-
lively few instances, State or local
cooperation might be obtained in a
measure to be of value, but it is
easily apparent that in most cases
the financial resources of the lower
levels of government are even more
strained than those of the national.
AS for the alternative, greater in
come through taxation, it Is no less
unhappy choice. Industry and in
dividuais falling in the upper brac-
ketS of income tax rates already are
subject to levies which threaten to
make it more profitable to them to
gross less rather than more, a mani
festation of the condition of dimin-
ishing returns to which the Senator
referred. Because of these and other
factors, new capital has been ex-
ceedingly reluctant to venture into
productive enterprise, and probably
will continue to be so until there is
an intelligent and equitable over
hauling of the tax structure.
But as the Senator knows, this
problem OF budget balancing, imply
ing return to health of our eco
nomic structure, is more than one of
taxing and spending only. Other
Government policies are of equal
Importance in their repressing or
their encouraging effects, circum-
stance which has prompted the
Temporary National Economic Com
mittee to outline for itself course
of study far beyond the mere investi-
cation of monopolistic practices in
industry.
From their findings and the CO.
operation Of such experienced and
tempered legislators as Senator Har-
rison may come the component parts
of the full answer.
Evening star., 1938-12-20
China-J Japan Case Not
Comparable With Germany.
To the Editor Of The Star:

To the Editor of The Star
A letter in your columns signed Meth
er German Nor Jew says that Germany
is using harsh methods now only after
reasonable" efforts to enforce its pro-
gram were Indignantly resented by Jews
in Germany and all over the would.
Which is the same defense as that of the
lawyer who represented highwayman
charged with killing his victim This
lawyer cOntended that it was the de-
ceased's own fault that he was killed
had he been reasonable and handed over
his money the robOer would not have
been compelled to shoot.
He also states as fact that the Jews
here are doing the same thing by taking
their business away from second and
third generation Americans of German
descent, but neglects to add that these
second and third generation descendants
OF Germans are in the business Of i'm
porting goods from Germany!
He tries to make comparison with
Spain and China. In Spain it is brother
against brother for an ideal, but no blind
hatred based on an attempt to make a
minority the scapegoat for the leaders
shortcomings. And let it here be said
that there are plenty Of Semitic-appear-
ing names on the committees that are
getting up bread ships for war-torn
Spain. In China, regardless of Japan's
ultimate purpose, it must be said that
there are no reports that Japan has told
the Chinese that they may not dispose
of their property but must turn it over
to the Japanese government officials.
Why do so many people seem to think
that we must choose between Commun-
ism, Fascism, or Nazi-ism? How about
starting campaign for Americanism-
that is, democracy?
DISABLED WORLD WAR VETERAN.
December 8.
Evening star., 1938-12-20
Shooting Stors
By PHILANDER JOHNSON.
DELAYED Appreciation.

Delayed Appreciation.
heard de white folks sayin'-and dey's
very often right
We 'preciates our blessins most when
dey has taken flight.
used to be complainin' bout de summer
long ago:
couldn' hear de robin cause dat locus
pestered SO,
A-tellin bout de warm wave dat had
come aroun' to stay.
done forgot dat winter time was comm
bleak an gray.
Now when I looks things over an OBJ
serves what has occurred,
wouldn min de locus If jes could
hear bird.
Oh de hunlmin' in de clover dat KEEP up
de whole day long!
De blossoms traded honey for de sweet
ness of dat song.
De breezes swep' de meadow VIII a lin
germ caress
Like it want to stop lis travels an enjoy
de laziness.
An dar was a-scoldin' if skeeter dared
to call,
Std of maxim admiration at de beauty
of it all!
rs had my lesson. When de wind
comes ragin' roun' so free,
I wouldn' min de skeeter if I jes could
hear bee.
Evening star., 1938-12-20
cases is based on the number of cases

cases is based on the number of cases
heard must be abolished.
The proposals regarding bicycle
riders and used cars are obviously
needed safety measures. The efforts
to prevent diversion of gasoline taxes
is in line with campaigns by highway
users in many States. No doubt
there will be opposition to the move
to increase the speed limit as there
was when the legal rate was raised
in 1885 from forty to forty-five miles
an hour. With faster cars and better
highways, however, higher limits are
the order of the day. Virginia boost
ed its limit this year to fifty-five, and
an increase is in prospect in WASH
ington. Many Marylanders will back
the fifty-mile proposal.
Evening star., 1938-12-20
Opportunity Marches On

There was time, not so very long
ago, when vocational education in
Washington and elsewhere was
looked upon as the last refuge for
academic incompetence The belief
was prevalent that children were in
the schools not to learn a trade, but
because they were mentally unable
to profit from regular academic
teaching.
In Washington, vocational educa-
ton, thanks to the intelligence of
the school officials, is fast becoming
adapted to local conditions. This
is a very significant factor. The
Capital cannot offer opportunities in
the industries that are found in other
big cities Through surveys and con-
facts with Washington's business,
however, school officers have found
there is opportunity in the retail
trades and particularly in the food
trade.
&Ao q ASodAS " ooAlAIlS COll
schools, among other things, will
train their pupils to sell in depart
ment stores, and give courses i'm the
supervision, purchase and prepara-
ton of foods for the city's numerous
hotels, lunchrooms and restaurants.
Meanwhile, Superintendent Frank
w. Ballou is trying to place voca-
tionally trained students in reason
ably permanent" life positions.
Thus, through the educational ef-
forts of school officers and the zeal
with which vocational education
teachers are trying to place before
the public the work that might be
done in the vocational schools, op-
portunity for Washington children
marches on.
Evening star., 1938-12-20

stems from him. He was part of his age.
and summed 1t up, laid the foundation
for todays music.
II the modern music lover does not
love Bach. honestly and openly, let him
try his best to, at any rate, and lake
the word o. more experienced listeners
for 1t.
The personal study made necessary,
when one decides to undertake such q
program, is part of the planning
It would be easy enough to list one
great work of each composer, but such a
list Is not what we mean. What we mean
is simply a plan, to help prevent the
newcomer from acquiring the usual
hodge-podge Of unrelated records, even
classical" records, made without rhyme
or reason.
How can any one music lover know
whether another should secure a Bee
thoven symphony or Beethoven quar-
tet?
That is up to the purchaser-but that
he should get something Of this master is
something else, and something too
often overlooked in the novelty Of throw
ing records onto turning table
And we are thinking, too of many hon.
est folk who are awed by such great
musical names, and who feel more at
home with fox-trot music.
There is nothing to be scared of in
these great names, but, unfortunately,
music, too is thing of habit. The rec
ords are the best method in the world
for catching up with ones music.
We would not advocate all-symphony
or all-song, or all-chamber music; nor
the solemn purchase of one major work
and nothing else.
Some lighter music is essential, to keep
the home collection as broad as music
Dance music of the best type is good
Beethoven and Bach loved it, too.
The purchase of one representative
work of each of these 16 great composers
will run from approximately $50 to s16O
SO that it may be realized their acquire
ment is not to be undertaken lightly.
Works off this great trail should be
purchased concurrently; nothing could
be more harmful than to secure the idea
that nothing else is music. To believe
that the only music, for instance, is
symphony music. is ruinous to real mu.
sical culture. Folk song study is looming
larger every year. Did not the masters
build many of their masterpieces upon
them?
BY adhering to some such plan as this
the collector at the end of year, OF
even two years, would have basic group
of records built solidly on the judgmen,
OF the centuries. but at the same time his
own choice. Neither the judgment o1
the years nor his musical taste would have
been sighted
Evening star., 1938-12-20
Decrics Plan to
Regulate Pedestrians.


To the Editor of The Star:
On December 49, with approval of a
few Citizens Associations, supposedly
representing the wishes of the residents
of Washington, pedestrian control law
may be approved. 1t might be we'll to
look at the record Why this obsession
to penalize the minority population of
Washington? Why not make the streets
of Washington safe for both motorists
and pedestrians.
Ninety-flve per cent of the streets are
used as municipal garage. Residents
in apartments and homes are disturbed
by footing of horns, slamming of auto
mobile doors and the starting and stop
ping of cars at all hours of the night.
The curbs are lined with parked cars,
obstructing the view of the sidewalk
from passing motorists, making the Pc
destrians prey to purse snatchers,
holdups and other banditry.
Now it is proposed to increase the
speed limit. Pedestrians, if that is done,
will have to be something between a
goat and mechanical jumping Jack to
survive.
Why is there so little said about motor
lists who run through red lights, exceed
the speed limit and run over safety
platforms? Why the reluctance to pass
more stringent motor laws and install
more traffic lights?
ONE OF THE MINORITY.
December II.
Evening star., 1938-12-20
A Presidents Family

There can be no valid basis for
disagreement with Mrs. Roosevelt's
contention that a Presidents chill
dren should not be denied the right
to earn their own livelihoods merely
because their father happens to be
occupying the White House. Any
attempt to set up such a standard
OF conduct for a Presidents family
would collapse of its own absurdity.
At the same time, it is just as
obvious that the employment of
son or daughter of President should
be governed by the services he or she
is capable of rendering; not by the
fact of the family relationship. A
member of the White House family,
as Mrs. Roosevelt expressed it, must
refrain from proflting from special
favors, but beyond that there is not
the slightest reason why he or she
should not take advantage of lob
opportunities like any one else.
So long as there are those who will
engage a member of the Presidents
family in the hope of gaining some
undue consideration for themselves.
the task of deciding what is and
what is not an employment offer
embodying special favor" will re-
main a delicate one. But 1t is a
determination that must be made by
the particular member of the White
House family involved according to
the dictates of his or her own con-
science. Obviously no such decision
can or should be Influenced by the
political enemies or friends of the
President.
And in this connection, what is
applicable to the Presidents children
is even more true of his wife. II
Mrs. Roosevelt is disturbed by III
considered suggestions that she
should curb her own activities, it is
to be hoped that she will dismiss the
thought from her mind. One has but
to know her to realize that she, of
all our Presidents wives, could not,
and should not be expected to lead
a life of idleness.
Evening star., 1938-12-20
Sees School Board Control
OF Liquor Licenses.

To the Editor of The Star:
Could you advise your readers just
who is actually issuing liquor licenses in
the District of Columbia; the Alcoholic
Beverage Control Board or the Board of
Education?
At the last meeting of the School
Board Supt Ballou asked the members
Of the board to oppose certain liquor
license, in the issuance of which hun
dreds of your readers are interested.
In the meantime, the A. B. c. Board
has made the statement that they will
grant this license, which has been hang
ing fire for two months, when, and only
when, the Board Of Education says they
may do so.
Why not do away with the A. B. G.
Board and permit the School Board to
issue licenses in Washington? They ap-
pear to be performing this important
function at the present time.
It will save the District some $500O0
to $4,000. ANONYMOUS.
December IS.
Evening star., 1938-12-20
Opposes Any Further
Foreign Loans"

To the Editor of The Star:
I have just received Gas have thou
sands of other people, a request for
contribution for disabled veterans.
The letter indicates that the hospitals
are still filled with victims who are a
portion of our contribution to our in
sane entrance into the World War. The
letter reads: Some are blind, some
crippled and disfgured, some have shat
tered nerves and minds" Yet we are
still absorbing propaganda to induce us
to once again disregard the advice of
George Washington not to NEEDLE in the
quarrels of Europe.
These crippled soldiers need greater
support than they now receive. Our
Government should do everything pos
sible for these men.
Our Ambassador to England, Mr.
Kennedy, said in speech before sailing
the other day that he feared that the
settlement of debts offered by the British
would not be satisfactory to the Ameri-
can people. Mr.. Kennedy is quite cor
rect. If the present Government has
gifts to make, the veterans are one
worthy cause.
If our Government is anxious to lend
funds abroad it is simple enough to
change the existing laws. but the people
of the United States will disapprove at
the polls next autumn the giving of
gifts or concessions of billions to any
foreign country.
There is no need whatever of canceling
the debt. for there are many methods
by which the British over a long term
of years will be- able to pay it. The
British have immense investments in
this country adequate to pay it many
times over, but we can readily grant the
convenience of installment payments or
accept the issue of serial bonds Gas has
been widely suggested of late) which
would cover the debt due exactly as the
balance now stands.
RUPERT HOLMES,
December IS, 1888. Boston, Mass.
Evening star., 1938-12-20
Urges United Action to
Wipe Out Bigotry.
To the Editor of The Star:

To the Editor OF The Star:
The greatest preacher of them all was
a fearless fighter for the poor He cham
pioned the cause of the underdog most
valiantly. The exploiters, money changers
and lawyers of His time despised Him.
They dubbed Him dangerous radical
and finally had Him crucified. And be-
cause of this, we revere the name of
Jesus Christ and celebrate Christmas in
His honor.
To wipe out bigotry and persecution,
to insure peace and contentment, our
preachers, teachers, rabbis and leaders
must bestit themselves to honest, sim
cere action and do everything that's
possible to lift the lives of our people
above the dull. dead level of mere exist
ence. The day Of the suave apologist is
past.
Merry Christmas to you, and happy
New YearI PHILIP EBERT,
December II. New York City.
Evening star., 1938-12-20
D. G. Tax Prosecutions

District officials have taken steps
to prosecute in Police Court all those
business proprietors who failed to
pay levies of the past fiscal year
under the business privilege tax on
gross receipts and who therefore have
been operating since July l without
the prescribed licenses. There are
said to be nearly four hundred facing
prosecution.
This levy has been unpopular with
District firms as well as nonresident
corporations doing business here. It
has proved difficult OF administration
Evening star., 1938-12-20
Everybody's Cook Book
Tested and Approved

Another especially valuable feature OF
EvERYBODY'S COOK BOOK is the fact
that the recipes are practically all meas
ured for small family units of from four
to six. The cook does not have to worry
about how many people a certain recipe
will serve, or how to reduce the quantities
so that the dish produced will fit her
family. Young housewives, in particular,
will find this helpful. This practical cook
book contains 300 recipes; "a pages fully
indexed, with a heavy durable cover;
special sections on laying the table,
marketing advice, timetables for cook
ing and baking. Order your copy today.
Fifteen cents postpaid
Evening star., 1938-12-20
At the Waters Edoe

One of the vaunted secrets of the
success of British foreign policy, at
least before Munich, was that party
battles stopped "at the waters edge"
Tory was Tory, and Liberal, Liberal,
as long as they matched flint over
domestic politics. When the ma
tons fortunes beyond Britain's sea-
girt shores were at stake and called
for the presentation of united front
to the outside world, partisan con-
flict instantly and automatically
ceased. "The government of the
day" spoke with but one voice-the
voice Of Britain.
That is the spirit in which Cover
nor Alfred M. Landon has just
spoken at Lima. He assured Europe,
Asia and the sister Americas that on
the ideal which is the keystone in the
arch of the United States foreign
policy-the Monroe Doctrine-this
country and people are an indivisible
unit.
1--WE Americans have had our fam
lily disputes and may continue to
have them" said the Kansan, but
never for one moment have we fall
tered in the advocacy of that doc
trine. This historic policy is not
going to be changed, no matter what
party is in power. I know that in
saying this I am speaking for Re-
publicans as well as for Democrats,
because at home in this matter there
is not and will not be any party d.
vision"
1t would be impossible to frame
the United States devotion to Mon
roeism in clearer or simpler Ian
guage. The doctrine laid down by
James Monroe one hundred and fif-
teen years ago this month was up
held on a famous occasion by Grover
Cleveland, Democratic President, in
1895, and, under not dissimilar con-
ditions, by Theodore Roosevelt, a
Republican President, in 1902. In
both instances European govern
ments were in controversy with a
Latin republic under circumstances
which might have led to the use of
force and military occupation of
American territory. Against even
the remote possibility that those
powers might attempt to extend
their systems to any portion of this
hemisphere" Presidents Cleveland
and Roosevelt alike invoked the
spirit of the Monroe Doctrine by
causing the European countries in
question to understand that they
were risking action which would be
considered "as dangerous to our peace
and safety"
Governor Landon's world wide
broadcast was in part designed to
quiet certain Latin American fears,
which are probably not wholly of
Latin American origin, that the good
neighbor policy might not survive
the Roosevelt administration; that it
Is a star to which the other Ameri-
cas- cannot hitch their wagon with
any sense of permanence.
The 1895 Republican presidential
nominee renders timely service in
putting on record that, far from be-
ing ephemeral scraps of paper, the
Monroe Doctrine and its good neigh
Dor corollary, form the Gibraltar of
United States policy. 1t is a rock
which menaces none save those who
would assail it, either with guns or
with theological Big Berthas.
Evening star., 1938-12-20

sion that when the new Congress as
sembles there are no committees of the
House Of Representatives until it has
organized anew and its committees are
selected and announced. We have seen
that committees of the Senate in a new
Congress become altered by reason of
changes in its membership and shifting
Of holdover Senators to different COM
mittees.
Now, Mr. Editor, is our knowledge cor
rect, or is your writer trying to feed us
with New Deal misinformation again?
JOSEPH w. CHENEY.
December Is, 1898.
Evening star., 1938-12-20
Accuses Jay Franklin Of
Erroneous Statement.

In New Deal effusion in your issue of
December IA Jay Franklin tells us this,
referring to the Government reorganiza-
ton bill:
"The measure still is in committee and
can be reported out next January"
Those among us who follow the doings
Of Congress have believed that all bills
become as dead as door nail when the
two-year life of a Congress ends and
must be reintroduced in the new Con-
gress before they can receive considera-
ton. We have been under the impress
Evening star., 1938-12-20
Boom!

If all the stars were one bright star,
How radiant the night!
II all the flowers were one vast bloom,
How massive its delight!
If all the songs we're one sweet strain,
What bliss beyond compare!
If all the booms were one great boom,
Oh, what q boom were there!
Evening star., 1938-12-20
Cautious.

"Are you going to pay the fine that the
Government levied against you?"
Certainly not" answered Mr.. Dustin
Stax. Such a procedure would not as
sist my standing as a patriot and it
would damage my prestige as close-cal-
culating businessman
Evening star., 1938-12-20
Letters to The Star

Letters to the Editor must bear
the name and address OF the
,0riter. although the use OF
pseudonym for publication is per-
n1iSsible. Please be brief!
Evening star., 1938-12-20
Rivalry.

If blessings could be scattered free
BY merely passing novel laws,
The Congressman now soon would be
A bigger man than Santa Claus.