davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1938-12-25
Pr. WILLARD JENKINS barked over the

teiePllolie II tdhe tell SdiS d. ocoJ
aVA EACH he said Sold" came the
voice over the wire Mr. Jenkins had pur-
chased something like 20 600 Christmas trees
Planning to celebrate Christmas in big way:
Not at all Mr. Jenkins was Christmas
specuator, With the best of luck. he stood to
make several thousand dollars. With the
worst of luck he stood to have 10000 trees on
his hands on Christmas Eve. at which time
the market would disappear for ffty-one
weeks.
Conversations like the one held by our
fictitious Mr. Jenkins took place every day in
the weeks before Christmas. The Christmas
tree market was boiling with activity. Twelve
to fifteen million homes needed evergreens.
Without them Christmas wouldn't be Christ
mas 1t would just be December 25.
The business of supplying this demand
represents the coolest market in the world.
Working in it strong men, S muscles turn to
water. and weak men collapse completely,
Speculation is wild and crazy against the day
that looms ominously ahead: December "a.
The afternoon of that day stocks have
negative value - it costs money to cart trees
to dumps They can't be carried over like
other seasonal goods - bathing suits and
overcoats, electric fans and electric heaters.
The market itself begins at the moment
when people begin to wonder where the tree
ornaments were slowed away year ago But
months before, the first stage of the Christmas
tree market has been set Trees have been pur
chased from growers - from farmers who
raise them as crop. or landowners who hap
pen to have stand of evergreens
See how they operate, these gentlemen
who are thinking about our Christnas-week
pleasure while most of us are thinking about
seashore vacations. Take. for example. Mr.
Fred Vahlsing of New York. He is selected
because he is one of the largest operators. He
ships to Cleveland. Philadelphia, Buffalo.
Baltimore and Washington. Scale down the
size of his operations and you will have a
picture of the big Christmas-tree wholesaler
in your town. Don't for moment confuse
MIR. Vahlsing with our hypothetical shoe
string operator. Mr.. Jenkins. Nahlsing is the
]. P. Morgan of the business; the man who
goes to the source Of supply and buys trees by
the trainload
Vahlsng deals in vegetables throughout
the year But on July Is he begins thinking
of Christmas trees. Every wholesaler has his
favorite source of supply. On the Pacific Coast
an operator will depend on the forests Of
Washington and Oregon for Douglas fir, The
bogs and swamps of Minnesota. the noun
tains of Virginia. the hills of New England
will attract Others. For himself. Nahlsing
prefers the trees of Nova Scotia. Growing in
old pastures. they are less crowded. Hence
they have better shape,
On July Is Nahlsings purchasing agent
starts for Nova Scotia Recall the chickering's
you had the last time you drove out to the
country to buy single tree from farmer:
Multiply that by 100000 and you get an
idea of what confronts this agent every sum
mer He makes different deals with different
individuals: the quality of the trees. their
Evening star., 1938-04-08
Changing Sentiments.

There was time when public opinion
was uniformly conservative. More re-
Gently it has been fashionable among
all classes, not excluding that of So
called economic royalists," to be radical.
But just now there appears to be a
definite trend away from revolutionary
ideas and the question of the hour is:
Will the current reaction lead to rigid
toryism?
Former President Herbert Hoover, re-
turning from his first visit to Europe in
nineteen years, points finger at the
obvious danger. Asked to comment on
the pending reorganization bill, he de-
clares: You can't say it's fascist, but
it is fair to say that it is in the attitude
of fascism." Had he wished, he might
have remarked that considerable
number of his fellow-countrymen have
no objection to an experiment in mill
tant state socialism of the type dictated
by Mussolini and Hitler. Incredible as
1t may seem to some, it is not uncommon
to hear otherwise sane and sensible per-
sons suggest: What this country needs
Evening star., 1938-04-08

man who ventured at close range to
shoot" Emperor Hirohito and the
flower of the Japanese Army parading
past the Son of Heaven in all it's might
and glory.
Governor John H. Bartlett of the
International Joint Commission, which
regulates affairs along the invisible and
unfortified border separating the United
States from Canada, was host at a
National Press Club luncheon this week
to the three Canadian members of the
Commission Chairman Charles Stewart;
Sir William H. Hearst and George w.
Kyle. Sir William is four-time premier
of Ontario. The chairman of the United
States group is former Senator A. o.
Stanley of Kentucky and the third
member is Eugene Lorton, Oklahoma
newspaper publisher. The joint COM
mission meets alternately in Washington
and Ottawa each spring and autumn.
1t is the creation of the Root Bryce
convention of 1909. Senators from border
States were among Governor Bartletts
guests.
tcoDyrisht, 1882
Evening star., 1938-04-08

would be costly, but would fail to accom-
plish the desired result because the pub
lie prefers the Peace Cross route.
Bladensburg. by this time, is accus-
toned to halfway measures. In 1880,
when the Northwest Branch was dredged
by the State, it was predicted the town
would experience no more floods. It
is to be hoped the prediction for trafic
jam relief will be better founded. There
is possibility eventual solution of the
flood difficulties will involve changes in
the highway system in the town. At all
events the widening now planned is
evidence the State finally has taken an
interest in the situation. This interest
should be maintained. If the projected
improvements prove insufficient further
steps should be taken promptly to solve
the traffic problem. Its continued ex-
istence is inexcusable.
Evening star., 1938-04-08

is a Dictator" More than q few New
Dealers have been frank in the confess
sion of their belief that President Roose-
velt should be granted all the supple
mentary powers he seeks for the execu-
tive branch of the Government. They
trust him to that extent.
Likewise, it is possible to discover q
growing sentiment for group control.
Public affairs during the past two decades
gradually have come to be dominated
in large part by organized minorities.
The c. I. O., commanded by John L.
Lewis, may be cited as an example. But
Well-regimented thousands of farmers
and soldiers also are represented in
Washington. No legislation affecting
them can be enacted by Congress with
out their consent. Conscious of the
advantage, the So-called small business"
interests are joining together" for
mutual protection.
But perhaps still more important is
the increasing development of resistance
among what are labeled the white collar
workers middle class of the popu-
lation which instinctively is cautious.
Skilled observers agree that rarely, If
ever before, has there been SO much
recognition of the practical utility of
solidarity. The influence of this prin-
ciple, naturally enough, was bound to be
felt among those who do not want
drastic economic and social changes as
well as among those who do.
OF course, at the moment it is i'm
possible to tell how far a reactionary
movement would go. Its power probably
will be in the ratio of the effort of
radicals to preserve or even to extend
their gains. The harder they fight, the
more they will be fought. A law of
compensation is involved in the prob
lem. The pendulum swings as far to
the right as to the left. Living indi-
viduals may survive to see the United
States tory nation. The history of
civilization supports the theory of such
potential result from the prevailing
contest.
Evening star., 1938-04-08
THIS AND THAT
By CHARLES E. TRACEWELL.

Pains should be taken not to dump
it all in one place, but to spread the
handful out carefully, so that the seed
is evenly sown. Earth Is now raked
over. The seed is barely covered. That
is how the birds get it, but it can't
be helped. Grass seeds are tiny, and
can be placed deeply no more than
the seeds of the annual flowers.
light sprinkling of bone meal over
all is helpful.
The final act Is treading the seeded
places. This is done lightly, buc firmly.
The idea is to prevent, as far as pos
sible, any washing of the seed before
termination. Also to give the new
plantlet certain amount of footage
until the little roots grow stronger.
Sowing grass seed is one of the most
pleasant home garden operations. Yes.
1t is a garden operation, for the lawn
is part of any proper garden, very
important part too.
Few seeds give quicker results, and
not many are planted SO thickly. A
mass OF plants, thick growing is what
is desired.
lawn is merely close colony of
grass plants, after all.
We have come to look upon the lawn
as carpet of green" whereas really it
is colony of plants, thousands of them
side by side, their blades so close to-
gether that the eye cannot see the
earth beneath.
This is the charm of the lawn. The
patching up of old lawns which scarce
give this result has a certain amount
OF small excitement about it. The best
gardeners are those who find this ex-
citement and are satisfied with it.
X
Watching for that first faint green
in reseeded plots is a great deal of fun.
If you are constituted that way. If you
aren't, you ought to let George do it.
Few gardening observations have any
more real satisfaction to them than
watching the fresh grass cover over
the bare places. That is one reason
why some of the good advice to sow
grass seed in the autumn is wasted.
There can be no doubt about it being
the best time, from the standpoint of
results, but there really is more to it
than just results-there is the afore-
mentioned fun, excitement, call it what
one will, and the time for it at its
SSop 40 oAioouotCdly Spl llSy WIlGu every
thing else is growing.
X
Hence, we believe this time of year
remains the favorite time for sowing
grass seed, and probably will remain
the favorite time as long as people are
interested in such matters.
Fortunately for the members of the
sparrow tribe, seeds of Kentucky blue
grass, red top, maybe Italian rye and
Dutch white clover bridge over the gan
between winter and summer.
All seed-eating birds, English and
other sparrows included, prefer to find
their own food.
There is real gleam in each small
eye, as these birds discover a plot of
freshly seeded lawn.
Just the thing they were looking for!
II the observer retains something of
his Snow White mood, he can readily
hear the brides chirping their thanks
for dinner
Who would say them nay? No one
in the Snow White" mood, of course.
Evening star., 1938-04-08
Peace Cross Congestion.

The decision of the Maryland State
Roads Commission to widen the Defense
highway at Bladensburg comes as well
come news to thousands familiar with
the 'aggravating traffic jams that de-
velop there regularly on summer week
ends.
There should not be too much re-
joicing, however, until it is definitely
determined how much such widening will
help. On this point at present there
is considerable difference of opinion. The
plan calls for widening the highway to
forty feet from the Baltimore boulevard
to the Edmonston road, distance of
four -tenths of mile, and widening to
thirty feet between Edmonston road
and Decatur Heights
The roads commission and Bladens-
burg officials believe the widening. to-
gether with the installation of traffic
lights at the Peace Cross, will solve the
problem. Others, including some county
officials, think there will be no permanent
relief until alternate cutoff routes are
built from the Defense highway. They
point out that traffic still will have to
be fed into the Baltimore boulevard
in two lanes, and while cars from the
Defense highway are entering the boule-
ward, traffic on that thoroughfare backs
up to Cottage City.
On the other hand, advocates of the
widening plan say cut-offs not only
Evening star., 1938-04-08
WASHINGTON OBSERVATIONS
BY FREDERIC WILLIAM VILE.

Unbeknown to the general public,
either in Great Britain or in this coun-
try. the peaceful waters of Anglo
American relations are surging over
bitter controversy involving our motion
picture industry. Irked by the supreme
popularity and unapproachable excel
lence Of Hollywood products John Bull,
moved jointly by jealousy and the spirit
of self-preservation, has sought to raise
barriers against invasion of the United
Kingdom by Yankee films. Various de-
vices to check importations are projected,
including a scheme to limit them to
fixed quotas or require that the United
States, irrespective of quality, agree to
import a certain annual fOotage OF
British films. The controversy has for
some time been under diplomatic dis
cussion between London and Washing
ton. There is hope that in the course
of pending negotiations for Hull re-
ciprocal trade agreement. the cinema"
difficulty can be adjusted. Presumably,
before current Washington confabs with
the British delegation are ended, the
film fracas will come up, with filmland's
spokesman having their day in court.
Triumphs of our movies in world
entertainment are tribute to the
American system, through which an art
industry has been created that tran
scends the barriers of language and
geography. Hollywood's creations have
earned international approval not only
because they supply the primary requisite
of popular entertainment, but also be-
cause their themes generally represent
the history and institutions, and reflect
with understanding the hopes and as
pirations, of other peoples, as we'll as
our own. The industry has consistently
discouraged any form of restriction
which would impede the distribution or
exhibition of foreign pictures here. 1t
has also endeavored to maintain its
position as provider of the favorite
pastime of all peoples and the unofficial
American Ambassador of friendship and
understanding Hollywood's productions
of such film epics as "Cavalcade," Dis
raeli" and "Lloyds of London" have prob
ably been more potent builders of Anglo
American good will than decade of
diplomacy Notwithstanding American
pictures continue to face abroad in
creasingly difficult distribution obstacles.
Quotas, excise taxes, frozen funds, re-
stricted currency expectation and tariff
walls amount in some instances to
direct and continual subsidy of foreign
oduction-demanded as price of our
doing business lover there In ad-
dition, some governments virtually ex-
empt their national film industry from
taxes and internal duties on domestic
movies. The net result in certain in
stances has been equivalent practically to
prohibition or confiscation.
Occasions are few on which speeches
in either House or Senate have been
known to sway action or change votes.
Probably the most notable case on recent
record was Senator Borah's smashing
attack on the anti-lynching bill, which
did as much as any other one thing,
even the skillful Connally f1libuster, to
sidetrack that ill-starred proposition.
Evening star., 1938-04-08
The Relief Survey.

The dispatch with which Congress
Is making arrangements for the investi-
cation of the Washington relief problem
may we'll serve as an example to the
investigators themselves when they are
selected by the Advisory Committee.
Haste is certainly called for, but not
at the expense of thoroughness. In
vestigation is the logical procedure to
determine whether the real situation
in Washington is what experienced but
possibly too sympathetic welfare organi-
cations say it is or that which is esti-
mated by the practical business men
represented in the Capitals trade organ
izatons.
The need for speed is, however, equally
obvious. The District appropriation bill
carries a 100000 item for local relief
which the welfare groups assert is too
small by about million dollars. The
investigators have until August to
make report, but by that time Con-
gress will probably not be in session and
a deficiency appropriation, should ODE
prove necessary, would be held up until
next January. Thus, report before the
adjournment of the present session
would be of great value if it should be
indicated that more money will be
necessary.
If the inquiry is exhaustive and ex-
pedltious and if it should further reveal
any methods by which the adminis-
tratlve efficiency OF Washington relief
might be increased. 1t should prove well
worth the $4,000 it is costing local
taxpayers.
Evening star., 1938-04-08
County Finances.

recommendations of an accounting
firm for sweeping changes in Mont
eomery County's fiscal set-up serve to
re-emphasize the Importance of watch
ing the finances of local governmental
units.
The public reads and hears so much
these days about billion dollar outlays
that news concerning a few million
seems relatively unimportant In Mont
gomery County the auditors reported the
bonded debt is over $loO0O,OO0.
Just what this means to the taxpayer
IS brought out by the report through the
revelation that interest on the county
Indebtedness alone accounted for 40
cents of the $l.50 county tax rate last
year and will require 50l2 cents this year.
This does not include any provision for
retiring the principal, it is emphasized.
With so much required for debt sery-
ice, Montgomery taxpayers can hardly
hope for scent reduction in the rate
this year, as was effected in Prince
Georges, where the bonded debt is about
$2,50o,000 Moreover the auditors re-
ported "a great DEAL of property is not
now on the assessment books and could
only be disclosed by a general reassess-
ment, proposal that has been debated
in the county for years. The auditors
predict reassessment would add s2O,-
100000 to the taxable base Opponents
contend that reassessment should be
carried out only on Statewide basis,
for if made in Montgomery alone that
county would increase it's payment of
State taxes disproportionately.
What is perhaps most amazing of all,
the auditors found that due to special
levies and taxing areas there are seventy
one different tax rates in effect in the
various suburban areas. They recon-
mend establishing two rates in the
county, one for rural and one for sub
urban properties, the county to levy a
charge for collecting special area taxes.
When taxpayers wake up to the fact
that so large proportion of their tax
dollars are going for debt service and so
much property is escaping just assess
ment they usually look for some one to
blame. II they search diligently enough
they probably will find their own public
indifference is the chief cause. Such
conditions could not occur If the public
were aroused to the Importance of keep
ing constant watch on the financial
affairs of local government units. Poll
ticians know that county financing is the
most important of all. AS long as the
taxpayers are apathetic and ignorant of
its details there can be little hope OF
reform in national budgeting.
Evening star., 1938-04-08

Those who admire sparrows will be
glad to see them getting their share Of
the grass seed freshly sown this spring.
We believe the sparrows consume be-
tween twenty-five and fifty per cent Of
all the seed put out.
This means that wherever handful OF
seed is sown, only half handful has
q chance to germinate.
SparroWs must live.
The observant see them everywhere,
on hotel lawns and private lawns,
on the strips OF green along great public
buildings and in the yards of apartment
houses.
They are eating what they find, and
asking no questions.
Those who reseed lawns this time Of
year ought to keep this fact in mind.
Use about twice as much seed as one
thinks expedient.
Perhaps not one out of ten persons
ever uses enough seed, anyway, so that
in the average case this will mean about
four times as much as one often thinks
needed.
If handful Of seed seems a generous
sprinkling in certain situation, use at
least two handfuls for that place, II
not more.
Remember that the birds will get half
of it, rains may wash away another
fourth and even the wind sometimes
take toll.
OF what is left, only a certain per-
centage will germinate, depending upon
the mixture.
Three good ways of conserving grass
seed then, are sowing seed on a calm
day, to keep the wind from blowing
any away; trying to get it terminated
and grown before heavy rains, and
keeping the birds away.
The last Is almost impossible. as many
persons have found. Any attempt to
"shoo' them from the freshly seeded
plot is more than waste Of time
it is personal irritation.
This leaves but two methods of seed
saving. OF these, but one is within
the province Of the soWer. Rains come
without warning, and even the Weather
Bureau doesn't know if they will be
light or heavy.
1t is always possible, however, to
select calm day for grass sowing.
No one should get the idea that fresh
grass seed is to be thrown on the ground,
either for birds to eat, winds to blow
or rains to wash away.
These things will happen, even when
the seed is put into the ground properly.
There is some little art in real grass
sowing. 1t is not haphazard action,
but one which requires deft manipula-
ton.
There is no need to use a spade. or
dig up the plot which is to be reseeded.
When an entire new lawn is to be made.
it is different, but with a reseeding of
an old, established plot no complete
digging up is necessary.
A troWel or other small instrument
will do to break up the soil in the bare
places. This need be carried only to a
depth of an inch or So More is
a waste of time. Grass plants are sturdy.
They can make their way.
The seed is sprinkled in with a gen.
erous hand.
Evening star., 1938-04-08
Shooting Stars.
BY PHILANDER JOHNSON.

In Memory of Houdini.
Houdini! It is not so long
Since you applied your rules,
Although you'd show where we were
wrong,
Ourselves you let us fool.
The various tricks you had to do
You managed in a trice;
You did not work like Ching Ling Foo,
With cumbersome device.
Some nails and boards you brought
along,
And then you'd shut the box,
Which you would build for service
strong,
With various timely knocks
And folks would sit and wait for you.
Houdini's watch he'd scan;
He sat quite free, though out of view.
We wondered at the mani
OF supernatural friends we'd sob;
He said in tones profound,
If you want spirits on the job,
You'll have to bring them round"
He asked no spirits to assist
His demonstrations rare,
But showed how spooks we might resist
BY showing proper care.
And he was honored by the Great
I wish some one today
Could manage our affairs of state
In the Houdini way.
Evening star., 1938-04-08
Expert Advice
On FlOwering Annua1s.

Many flowers will just grow topsylike
if seeds or bulbs or slips or plants are
merely put into the ground and let
alone. Nature is a splendid gardener,
and there are hardy plants that will
produce blossoms under almost any
condition. But all ANIMALS will produce
finer results if they are given the proper
care. and some of them will die if they
are not looked after intelligently. Send
for copy of ANNUAL PIONEERING
PLANTS and be guided by the advice of
experts in your gardening efforts. Ten
cents postpaid
Evening star., 1938-04-08

added tax of Is cents a gallon on whisky
for Senator Barkley. If Senator Bark
ley gets rough with the committee bill
during the Senate debate, they are in
position to put this tax on whisky right
back into the bill, and how would that
strike Kentucky?
Democratic rows in Congress, between
the New Dealers and the anti-New
Dealers, are really just a warming up
for the 1910 Democratic National Con-
vention. The contest then will be be-
tween those Democrats who insist upon
candidate who will continue the Roose-
veit policies and those who desire Q
more conservative nominee.
Evening star., 1938-04-08
Rate by Mail-Payable in Advance
Maryland and virginia
All Other States and Canada
Member of the Associated Press

=, The Associated Press is exclusively entitled ia
the use tor republication OF all news dispatches
credited to 1t or not otherwise credited IN this
paper and also the local news published kerein
All rights of publication OF special dispatches
herein also are reserved.
Evening star., 1938-04-08

Spain will continue her war for q
time although her people are doubtless so
terrorized that some of them have for
gotten just why they came to be fighting.
Evening star., 1938-04-08

1t may be difficult for Hitler and Mus
solini to realize that there is a fight in
Spain that still means everything to
Spanish-speaking people.