davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1938-06-05

der the pressure Of political patronage
and other extraneous influences.
II the merit system is good for Federal
employees and for local teachers, police
men and firemen, 1t is good for the clerks
in the water department, the account
ants in the tax Office. the surveyors, the
engineers and the sundry other types Of
employees who serve the people of the
National Capital. Recognition Of meri-
torious service means fair play for the
employees and economical, efficient ad-
ministration for the taxpayers, who must
pay the salary and other bills.
Extension of the merit system to the
District government as whole also
would mean corresponding reduction
in the fleld of patronage now open to the
political spokesman. 1t will be interesting
to watch the reaction of such selfish
interests to the Commissioners recon-
mendations.
Evening star., 1938-06-05

or through some form of Government
pressure.
>But again the President is shying away
from this approach. So is Congress shy
ing at anything that looks like revival
of N. r. A., even in new dress.
The result is an impasse while the
country enjoys another deflation of the
type that made life miserable for most
people during 1882 and the first part of
1933 This deflation offers every prospect
Of getting somewhat worse before it eases
under the imitation provided by new Gov
ernment spending. And if no new ad-
justments are made to avoid the difficult
ties that accompanied the last infia-
ton, the country can look forward to
much the same ending that resulted
from the last
An unavoidable appreciation OF these
facts does much to take the joy out of
the life of being President at this time
y X
Mr.. Roosevelt's difhculty is that he
seems not to know what to do about the
situation. One OF the reasons why he
doesn't quite know what to do is that
Congress probably would not approve
what he proposed even If his mind were
made up. This recalcitrance Of Congress,
at the same time, Is back of the attempt
being made to retire anti-New Deal Con-
gressmen In the 1888 primaries.
There is the resulting possibility that
1899 might see Mr.. Roosevelt acting less
like Mr.. Hoover.
toucyris4t.. .1ess.3
Evening star., 1938-06-05

read for many day. He says: "I thank
God I'm locked up away from your hypo-
critical, corruption breeding world. I'll
admit who I am. I'm the so-called
pervert' who was convicted and locked
up for couple of the meanest crimes
the law ever dealt with. And that's why
I'm glad that am prisoner I'm out
OF the reach Of the thousand and one
incentives to vice that a so-called free
people throw around a boy like me when
he's walking the streets looking for a
Job' Continuing, he said II can see
now what made me what I am 1t didn't
come from inside, but from outside; from
those filthy magazines that you nice peo-
pie allow" He then goes on to tell in
simple English the story of his fall. 1t
is the truthful, dramatic statement of an
intelligent youth whose evil propensities
were stimulated and aroused by the lurid
and graphic portrayal of incidents and
scenes that incite passion and frequently
crime.
His indictment is in language that
burns, but his strongest condemnation is
OF the so-called respectable and some
times pious people who permit the type
OF literature that brought him to prison
SANA vAAo hAN PdoSlFGly
ferent to the evils which their supineness
encourages. He ends his extraordinary
letter with these challenging words:
Laugh If you want to. Say I'm crazy.
put the next time you see a lineup of
sex-nlled magazines, remember that's
why I'm here and why many other fel-
lows VIII be here when I am gone"
We believe this youth is one of the
thousands, yes, millions, who today are
the victims of our boasted modernism
our broad and liberal tendencies. The
nnest and most carefully ordered homes
are not immune to the modern epidemic
OF lndecency, the unclean vulgar. sala-
clous literature that grows bolder with
each new issue, and defies courts of law
TO suppress it. Is there any limit to in
oecency? Are there no reasonable re-
strlctions to be placed upon the purvev-
ing OF that which is specifically designed
10 lnclte excesses, debauchery and
crime? While we are spending billions
70 suppress crime, and with tragic re-
suits, we have grown supine to and
grossly If not criminally negligent of
eVlls that are emboldened by our indif-
ference and inaction. Moral turpitude
IN people is threatening tendency.
Evening star., 1938-06-05
A District Civil Service.

- The District Commissioners have
taken a progressive step in proposing
that all employees of the municipal gov
'ernment be placed under city-operated
civil service system. The plan has been
submitted to the Budget Bureau for ap-
proval, preparatory to seeking action at
this session of Congress.
q While there seems to be little hope of
obtaining definite congressional consid-
Grafton Of so far-reaching a program in
the short time remaining before adjourn
ment, the Commissioners have acted
wisely in formulating concrete plan for
study in connection with the proposed
reorganization Of the District govern
sment. Creation of an up-to-date civil
service system is one form of reorganiza-
tion that the municipal government long
has needed.
The only District employees under civil
service now are school teachers, police
men and firemen. The United States
Civil Service Commission conducts spe-
,cial examinations for these groups of
municipal employees, with the result that
high standards of personnel prevail in
those branches Of city service. The Com
missioners want similarly high standards
TO exist in the diverse other divisions OF
the local government, but It is extremely
difdcult to maintain such standards un-
Evening star., 1938-06-05
WHAT OF DECENCY?
BY THE RIGHT REV. JAMES E. FREEMAN d. D. L. D. D. c. L.
BISHOP OF WASHINGTON.

-victorianism is outmoded in our
day-at least it is unpopular. Mid-Vic-
torianism is synonymous with prigness,
Puritanism and type OF modesty and
decorum that is out OF consonance with
modernism and self-expression. Under
the old rule OF domestic and social habit
there were some practices that were clas-
sifled as refined and decent, other prac-
tices that were called vulgar and inde-
cent. Speech and habit under the old
rule were reasonably restrained and there
were proprieties that were commonly
and widely observed Under the new or
der there is a large liberty that fre-
quently takes the form Of license. The
literature, the drama, the moving pic
ture, have little or no restraint placed
upon them today and 1t is only when
they exceed the license which a liber-
ally minded public Is willing to recog-
nize that League Of Decency" comes
into being to remind them that there are
excesses which even a broad-mirlded peo-
pie will not tolerate. We are given to
periodic spasms Of wounded self-respect
when we indulge ourselves in violent and
sometimes unreasoned expressions of dis
approval. Latterly, even these periodic
outbursts have become less frequent.
That we are altruistically minded and
that we are much concerned for our
domestic and social well l-being, more
particularly as 1t concerns our youth, is
quite generally true. There are MANY
wholesome agencies and institutions that
are promoted for social betterment. but
We are forced to inquire whether we are
as meticulous in our endeavors to repress
and suppress other agencies that are sap
ping the moral vitality of our age and
defeating us in all our planning for the
good Of both the privileged and the un-
derprivileged.
Recently the Postmaster General re-
fused the use OF the mails to one publi-
cation, on the ground that it was wholly
indecent. Certainly this is one step in
the right direction, but 1t Is a modest
step that needs to be taken more gen.
orally If 1t Is to have salutary results.
1t deserves approval and for it we are
thankful, but 1t does not 60 far enough,
Recently there came to hand a letter
written by young man who had been
committed to prison for serious penal
offence, and in it there is as strong an
indictment of our looseness as we have
Evening star., 1938-06-05

Stylists in architecture and embellish-
ment are naturally puzzled by the man
ner IN which this Nations Capital ranges
in ideas OF ornament from the Egyptian
obelisk. as exemplified by the Washington
Monument. to the simple elegance of the
cherry trees around the basin. A touch
OF nature holds its own in exemplifying
the highest expression of art.
Evening star., 1938-06-05
Fifty Years Ago
In The Star

Fifty years ago Thomas A. Edison had
just contributed the phonograph to the
Photographs and Nav c' al, 1883. us says: ssSs Oh
Journalism. I'm Mr.. Edison's
own opinion the per-
fected photograph is going to have an
important effect on the progress of jour-
nalism, enabling correspondents and re-
porters to talk their copy into a machine
instead of painfully writing it, and en-
abling compositors to grind it out after
ward and set it In type, as 1t were, from
d1ctation. But why, since the inventor is
suggesting possibilities still in the future,
may he not go step further and repre-
sent the coming newspaper as printed in
sound waves instead of in types? Who
knows but that The Star of the goth
century may not be delivered to its read
ers daily in the form of a scroll, which,
being slipped into a phonograph and
gradually unwound, will reel off the news
OF King Albert Edwards health and the
doings of Congress, the Anglo Russian
war and the unbroken record of victories
OF the Washington baseball nine. the
messages of the prohibition President and
the latest congressional grants of the
parks OF Washington to the local steam
railroads."
I'm an article in the June number OF
the Forum" says The Star of June l.,
rr, a 1888, Andrew D.
Arue American White. ex-president of
University. Cornell. advocates the
esta b ! is hment at
Washington of the next American uni
versity.' This institution is not to teach,
but is to perform the functions of an
examining board, of service in that ca
pacity to all the colleges and universities
of the country. Its force is to consist
of president and board of trustees,
necessary clerical assistance and a body
of examiners. The income from the
three or more millions of dollars to be
contributed by it's founder Is to sustain
scholarships, giving instruction for four
years at any college or university in the
United States which the successful can
didate may select. fellowships to success
full competitors among the graduates of
existing colleges and universities, en-
abllng them to pursue their special sub
Jects OF study for three years and to pay
the necessary expenses of small number
OF travelling bachelors persons some
what more mature than those taking the
fellowships with strong intellectual power
and high talent in practical investigation,
while investigating and reporting upon
subjects OF practical interest in our own
and other countries.
The advantages of such an institution
IN permanently strengthening the whole
American system of instruction are pre-
sented by Mr.. White with his customary
force and clearneSS While fhic ,,e,r, ,,,i
versity for Washington proposes to hold
at the Capital neither instructors nor
students, and while Mr.. White is of the
opinion that it is of more Importance to
strengthen the existing institutions than
to make immediate additions to the num-
ber of teaching universities, yet he is
struck, like all keen observers, with the
advantages offered by this city to every
class OF learners. He predicts that the
day is not far of when some public
spirited millionaire will establish here
the great national university for Ameri-
can students"
Evening star., 1938-06-05
New Judges.

President Roosevelt's action in approv-
Ing the bill providing three new judges
for the local District Court and one for
the Court OF Appeals gives occasion for
hope that the intolerable congestion in
the courts here will soon be materially
reduced.
At the present time 1t is not at all un-
usual for eighteen months to elapse be-
tween the filing Of . suit and the bring
ing Of the case to trial. Under those
circumstances the realization Of fun
Evening star., 1938-06-05
Dangerous Meddling.

A little learning is dangerous thing,
some one sagely said A little meddling
can be dangerous, too, especially in for
eign affairs. Uncle Sam looks upon that
sort of officiousness as so perilous that
as long ago as 1899 he placed a law
on the statute books, known as the
Logan Act, which categorically prohibits
and penalties the interference of pri-
vate American citizens in controversies
between this country and other nations,
these being the exclusive business of the
Federal Government and the State De-
partment.
So The current activities at Prague Of a
Chicagoan named DR.. Peter Hletko are
not technically within the scope Of the
Logan Act, but they come within the
spirit of its anti-meddling provisions.
In the midst of its controversy with the
Sudeten Germans - Europes momen-
tarily most potential cause of war-the
Czechoslovak government suddenly faces
fresh anxietjes which spring from au-
tomony claims by the Slovak Catholic
Peoples Party. This organization is said
to speak for the majority of the countrys
100000 Slovak citizens. They have
hitherto supported the dominant Czech
regime. The Slovak party has scheduled
a national demonstration for Monday,
at which, it is announced, formal de-
mands will be made on President Benes
for an independent Slovak legislative
body supplementary to the Czechoslovak
national parliament, transfer Of a por-
ton of Prague's executive power to a
Slovak government and the creation Of
separate supreme court. Such a pro-
gram Is on all fours with the Sudeten
clamor for an autonomy which would
convert Bohemia into Nazi satrapy.
1t is into this highly explosive situa-
ton that DR.. Hletko of Chicago has just
pranced. He is touring Czechoslovaka
as the leader of an American Slovak
delegation" The Associated Press re-
ports Mayor Kelly's constituent as say
ing in an interview that, while Amer
lean Slovaks" stand by the Benes gov
ernment, majority of them favor a
Slovak autonomous program. The Chi
cagoan laments that his talks" with
Prague authorities have not pleased" him
because the Slovaks failed to obtain assur-
ances that the pittsburgh Treaty" would
be respected and sanctioned The
treaties of Versailles, Washington, Paris
and Locarno are fairly familiar features
Of international nomenclature, but the
sPittsburgh Treaty" is brand-new one.
1t is not Guffey- -Earle-Lewis pact, as
might have been supposed at first glance,
but an accord concluded June 30, 1918,
between Czech and Slovak societies in
the United States whereby an independ-
ent Czechoslovakia, then still in the
chrysalis stage, was to grant cultural
self-government" to Slovaks. ..
- Undersecretary of State Welles pointed
out on Friday that the United States
"scrupulously adheres to the policy of
non-intervention." 1t would be well if
the Acting Secretary of State, or secre-
tary Hull when he returns to the depart
ment this week, were to cable the United
States Minister at Prague to direct DR..
Hletko of Chicago to mind his own busi-
ness, not that of DR.. Benes. The leader
of the American slovak delegation" is
lighting matches near a powder barrel.
Evening star., 1938-06-05

The swastika is another big idea on
which Herr Hitler places great depend
ence without assuming cultural respon-
sinliity for It's explanation. Explosive
machines are still valued for the destruc-
ton Of which they are capable, even
though no clear and competent idea is
offered for their employment.
Evening star., 1938-06-05
Shooting Stars.
BY PHILANDER JOHNSON.

A Billi0n-and Less.
How much is a billion?"
I ventured to ask s.-
OF gentle civilian
Who turned to a task
With quiet demeanor
Which seemed to declare
Life may be serener
When figured with care.
"A billion" said he,
you may patiently try
To count as you see
The bright stars in the sky.
If these seem to be
BY millions too few
Still more we can see
With a telescope new.
"A billion of hopes
And billion of fears,
Our consciousness gropes
Through q billion Of tears.
But the lingering thrill
Is effectively sent
BY the ten-dollar bill
You're still owing for rent"
Evening star., 1938-06-05

An International Labor Conference at
Geneva is to be attended by Secretary
OF Labor Frances Perkins. 1t may be
doubted whether she will be able to bring
back any ideas on wages and hours
which are not under close and intelligent
consideration in this country.
Evening star., 1938-06-05

A formal statement is promised by j.
Edgar Hoover If and when the body of
five-year-old James Cash, jr, Is found.
A unique cleverness has been developed
by the American outlaw in amplifying
the IF and when" idea.
Evening star., 1938-06-05

Washington is enjoying an outdoor art
fair. 1t is contended that art has
nothing TO do with politics, but the able
cartoonists OF this and other countries
are doing much to change that view
point. ts @f7R7 "a. r7f
Evening star., 1938-06-05

One of the responsibilities of a Gov
ernment Official becomes delicate when
the visitor from home arrives and de-
mands to be impressed by the office
holders success in working out various
local policies.
Evening star., 1938-06-05

Fortune telling remains listed in the
polite diversions, but there is nobody who
can secure serious respect for the ouija
board as means Of assertaining foreign
diplomatic intentions.
Evening star., 1938-06-05
Continued Courage,

you have faced Congress bravely."
That was easy" answered Senator
Sorghum. Now I'll have to go home
and face the ladies and gentlemen I
expect to vote for me-"
Evening star., 1938-06-05

The Pope of Rome is another of the
great statemen who do not pause to have
health analyzed when the obligation Of
simple duty presents itself.
Evening star., 1938-06-05

In various sections of the world the
argument as to motive and purpose is
deferred until after an execution and is
then likely to be definitely suppressed.
Evening star., 1938-06-05
Parental Days.

From the Macon Telegraph.
A Westerner wants to merge Mothers
day and Fathers day, but offers no sug'
gestion as to what Paw should do with Ms
fifteen minutes.
Evening star., 1938-06-05
Rate by Mail-PayabIe in Advance
All Other states 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 rights of publication of special dispatches
herein also are reserved.
Evening star., 1938-06-05
Patriotic Hair.

Patriotic Hair.
"We fear, Wilhelmina, your hair has
turned white"
Quoth she: What you say is untrue.
For occurrences as they arise over night
Have tinted 1t red, white and blue"
I'VE learn to laugh" said Hi Ho, the
sage Of Chinatown. TT remains the
human problem to give an intelligent
reason for doing So"
Evening star., 1938-06-05
Human Confidence.
ou still read Dickens2"

do you still read Dickens?"
Certainly" answered the politician,
"But have written some things myself
that think Dickens might have pronted
by studying"
Evening star., 1938-06-05
Delivered by Carrier-City and Suburban
Regular Edition
Night Final Edition

Evening and Sunday 65c per mo. or 15c per week
The Evening Star---45c per mo. or l0c per week
The Sunday Star sc per copy
Evening star., 1938-06-05

Night Final and Sunday Star1---70c per month
Night Final Star 55c per month
Collection made at the end Of each month or
each week Orders may be sent by mail or tele-
phone National 5000.
Evening star., 1938-06-05
The Evening Star Newspaper Company

Main once: 11th St. and Pennsylvania Ave.
New York once: '110 East 42nd ct.
Chicago once: 435 North Michigan Ave.
Evening star., 1938-06-05
Hope.

Sweet graduate, I do discern
Your intellect and make a bow
And hope that some day I can learn
As much as you know offhand now
Evening star., 1938-06-05

@It's mistake" said Uncle Eben, "to
believe you kin fool people simply be-
cause you kin make EN- laugh. Dat
notion was what made us pay 10 much
to monksys IN nsselin' BIG problems"
Evening star., 1938-06-05

tiHouku ocAatlOn WoulQ make necessary.
So the Government is turning again to
spending while it tries out the new ex-
pedient Of attempted antitrust law en-
forcement The principal officers of the
Nations greatest automobile companies
are accused of being criminals because of
their efforts to simplify and improve au-
tomobile financing operations. The
same charges soon will be made against
executives of other big industries
After three or four years, If the Gov
ernment can speed up procedure, there
may be a decision in few Of these cases.
y II
But even after the courts have decided
whether big business men should simply
be fined or should be put into Jail, much
the same problems that exist today still
will exist. Those are problems of eco
nomic power welded by huge enterprises.
The only way to take away that power,
or to influence its use, is to try to pulver-
ize the enterprises themselves through
destructive taxation based upon bigness,
or to let Government have voice in the
major decisions Of the biggest business.
Mr.. Roosevelt seems unwilling to 60 as
far as some of his advisers want in the
direction OF attacking bigness He wants
competition, but he does not want de
structive competition" The competition
that he favors likewise should affect only
profits, not wages Of labor.
y 4
The alternative to control through
competition, most of the economists
think, Is some form of production plan
ming for major industries. This planning
could, be done either through induce
ments offered 10 cooperating industries
Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1938-02-03
Sherwood High School
FLA. Wins Several Prizes

The F. F. A. Chapter of Sherwood
High School, Sandy Spring, has just
received list of winners and prizes
from the Maryland Poultry Products
Show. Warren Siebel won fifth place
on one dozen white eggs, third place
on the smallest white eggs, first on
the smallest brown eggs and first on
the queerest shaped white single egg
He received in prizes, $3.50, ribbons
and also received two Liv and Gro
brooders donated by the Maryland
State Council of Baltimore, for the
queerest shaped single egg.
William ]. Hines, Jr., won first
place on sample of yellow corn in
the F. F. A. Class. Clifton Link won
fifth place on potatoes, for which the
prize was fifty cents. The first prize
on the yellow corn was $500.
Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1938-02-03

demonstration by representative OF
the National Livestock and Meat
Board.
Members of the United Wool Grow
ers will receive reports on the prog
ress of cooperative wool marketing
during 1881, and lay plans for similar
sale in 1888. J. w. Jones of Olney is
president of the organization and will
along with Secretary w. L. Kirby and
Manager X. A. Keithley of Harrison
burg, Va, report to members on the
activities and plans of the organiza-
ton.
Affiliated marketing associations of
the Maryland Farm Bureau, its CO.
operative livestock association and
wool marketing organization will be
host at the Baltimore sessions.
Farmers from Pennsylvania, Mary
land, Virginia, West Virginia, New
Jersey and North Carolina are expect
ed to attend.
Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1938-02-03
Firemen's Supper At
Gaithersburg Feb. 8, 4, 5

The annual Firemen's supper of the
Gaithersburg- Washington Grove Fire
Department will be held in the Ma.
sonic Hall at Gaithersburg, Thursday
Friday and Saturday evenings of this
week, February 8, 4, and with Mrs
W. D. Robertson in charge of the sup
per and Lewis Reed, President of the
local Fire Company in charge of the
general arrangements.
Some of the interesting side fea
lures will be dancing in the Firemen's
Hall, with Mrs. Carroll Walker il
charge and other forms of entertain
ment including bazaar, etc.
Chairmen of the various committees
include Mrs. James Schroeder il
charge of the tables, Miss Ella Plum
mer, reception, Mrs. Arthur Plummer
candy and Mrs. Norman Jacobs, il
charge of the cake table. The chair.
man of general arrangements will b.
assisted by James Mount, in charge
Of the donations, Moffatt Grimm, Up.
ton Majors and members of the La
dies Auxiliary.