davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1938-12-23
Wrong WAY?

Douglas Corrigan 1t was who chal-
lenged Rudyard Kiplings well-knoWn
theory about east and west, by show
Ing that west was east, and that they
could meet in Ireland. Starting for
California, he kept merrily on his
way, little knowing that his compass
had suddenly decided to execute that
military maneuver known as right
about-face. Fog conspired to prevent
him from noticing that he was over
the ocean, until next day, after
which it seemed wiser to keep on,
until finally some sort of rocks
loomed up ahead. Taking a closer
look, he saw that they were sham
rocks. BY an odd coincidence he had
map of Ireland with him, and so
was enabled to reach Baldonnell Air
port. Now you tell one.
After this, Douglas, who still had
about three dollars left, mapped out
campaign to spend it, but with his
usual bad luck this went awry also.
Nobody would take his money, and
total strangers insisted on paying
him vast numbers of dollars for vari-
Gus purposes. Once the tide got under
way, there was no stopping it. The
consequences of his fatal error be-
came overwhelming, and ultimately
sentenced him to California, which
he reached safely after charting
course to Berlin. He, with Al Capone,
is under contract to remain in Cali
fornia for quite a while, and neither
one gets a chance to spend any
money, which must be quite annoy
ing to Corrigan, who has made about
seventy-five thousand dollars so far,
with more rolling in all the time.
There he must remain until his time
is up, shivering through illegal fog
and rain and outlaw earthquakes
which continue to operate against
the rules of the California Chamber
of Commerce. Such are the conse-
quences of one hop in the wrong di-
rection.
Evening star., 1938-12-23
Lubor's Legislation

There are few surprises in the
legislative programs announced by
the Congress of Industrial Organiza-
Ions and the American Federation
sf Labor but the official pronounce
ments Of their platforms merit at
sention, particularly as they bear
upon the labor relation law and the
Walsh Healey Public Contracts Act.
The Federation, for instance, has
committed itself to work for two
amendments to the former statute,
one to deprive the Labor Board of
the authority to designate the COL
lective bargaining unit for employees
and the other to curb it's authority
to invalidate contracts. Both are in
spired by Federation complaints,
that present powers have given the
board opportunity for discrimination
against A. F. L. unions. But neither
proposed amendment provides any
improvement of conditions COM
planned of by other parties interested
in revision of the law. In fact, the
proposal to leave designation of the
bargaining unit always and entirely
to 1.-The workers" undoubtedly would
lead only to further confusion within
a plant or industry as each small
group exercised their right to be a
unit unto themselves.
As for invalidation of contracts,
the board already has been rebuked
by the courts for exercising this
power without proper procedural
protection to the interested parties.
With such protection assured, there
is little valid objection to leaving the
board with authority to see that con-
tracts may not be signed merely as
device for evading true collective
bargaining.
On the other hand, the c. I. o. is
equally selfish in endeavoring to pre-
vent consideration of any revision,
however constructive, Of the law.
The announced determination Of
Evening star., 1938-12-23
THIS AND THAT
By Charles Z. TrdceDel,.

Excessive hand washing is regarded in
some circles as q sign Of mental disease
Moderate washing, on the other hand,
is the smart thing to do, especially in
cold weather.
Colds and other ailments probably are
spread in part by conveyance from hand
to hand.
When the last hand which catches
them is put close to mouth or nose, the
trouble begins, according to the theory.
With the crowds which prevail every
where nowadays, there is more reason
than ever for repeated and careful wash
ing Of the hands.
Not only children are taught this, but
a great many Of their elders need to be:
far too many of them sit down to lunch
without once bothering about their hands.
Soap and water is regarded by experts
as one OF the best antiseptics in the world.
This combination should be called 4
mechanical antiseptic, for the good ac-
ton comes in the washing away Of dirt
and contained germs.
Humans should emulate the cat, rather
than the dog. and wash their hands well
after q meal, as well.
The daintiest eater is bound to get q
bit Of soiled feeling after partaking
Of food.
Office workers commonly wash their
hands many times day. Men working
around automobiles and the like seldom
do, for they realize that it is hopeless.
Handlers of papers and carbons need
the most washing.
Ink in its various forms is a soiler of
hands of the first degree. 1t is far easier
to remove when fresh than afterwards,
that is why no one who can do so should
hesitate to interrupt task to do this
necessary duty.
1t Is with washing, as with the prompt
treatment Of cuts and small wounds. For
many years in this country it was re-
garded as "sissifled' to take time OUT
to treat small cut.
Even today in manufacturing plants
doctors and others have a difficult time
convincing some employees that the dan
ger of wound is not at all dependent
upon its size, and that often the very
small cut is more dangerous than the
large one.
Many cases of blood poisoning So
called, have resulted from the COM
mon pin.
1t is, therefore, only common sense
to wash all wounds with soap and hot
water as quickly as possible, to secure
the mechanical cleasing, and then to
apply the proper antiseptic.
1t is simply common sense in action to
wash hands thoroughly when they are
dirty, whether one thinks the action
entirely necessary or not.
In cold weather thorough drying is
almost as essential, for chapped hands
Evening star., 1938-12-23
Believes New Deal Is
Prosecuting Doctors
Supervision of Hospitals
By Organized Medicine
Held Desirable

To the Editor of The Star:
It Is well known that one of the func-
tions of the District Medical Society is
to exercise a unified restraint and con-
troll over the practice of medicine and
disqualification in Washington. It pre-
vents quack practices, lowering Of stand
ards of hospitals and the introduction
Of methods that might endanger the
health Of the people here. Were it not
for the restraining and controlling in
f1uence of the District Medical Society,
Washington would be an unsafe place
in which to live. 1t never occurred to
any one that such restraints were
criminal.
Now comes group of social reformers
seeking to introduce q new system of
medical practice sponsored by the New
Deal. The District Medical Society op-
poses the scheme as proposed 1t is
thereupon indicted by the Government
for the crime of conspiring to restrain
trade.
1t is evidently not mere restraint for
which it is indicted but for restraining
something the Government likes.
On the other hand, we have thousands
of Water-tight labor monopolies. At the
word of labor czar, the members of
a closed shop labor monopoly, number
ing half million people, and controlling
the principal function of whole indus
try. simultaneously stop work and seize
the plants from the owners, beating up
any one who opposes them. This is not
monopoly. 1t is the achievement of>the
redistribution of wealth, which the Gov-
ernment likes.
So it turns out that the law is not a
universal rule, applicable to ALL but only
that which the current rulers like. This
is identical with the Nazi philosophy and
yet we are getting ready to spend bill
lions to keep the Nazi philosophy out
Of this hemisphere.
Confucius was asked what was most
important. He replied, Names" But
lately, In the name of reform, we have
blurred ethical and legal distinctions.
Thus we pave the way for the substi-
tuition OF personal autocracy for law.
With all good will we should watch this
danger.
CLARENCE D. BLACHLY,
december Il. Takoma Park, Nd
Evening star., 1938-12-23
A Sulutury Rebuke

When Acting Secretary of State
Sumner Welles bluntly told the Ger
man Charge d'Affaires that this
Government would not accede to
Berlin's demand for an apology for
Secretary Ickes Cleveland speech, he
merely voiced the sentiment of the
vast majority of the American
people.
Secretary Hull's chief deputy not
only rejected Herr Thomsens pro-
posal, but told him it came with sin
gularly i'll grace and improperly
from the Nazi government. The Ger
man dictatorship, Mr. Welles re-
minded his diplomatic visitor, has so
persistently permitted it's controlled
press and official Charley McCarthys
to attack American leaders that Ber-
lin has no right not to expect strong
expressions of resentment from the
United States.
Secretary Ickes, addressing a Jew
1sh organization, naturally dwelt, in
the fortnight manner characteristic
OF his public utterance on all occa-
sionS, upon the brutalities and cruel
ties of the anti-Semitic campaign
In Germany. He asserted that the
Relch's treatment of Jews carries
that nation back to "a period of his
tory when man was unlettered, be-
nighted and bestial." 1t was this that
led to Charge d'Afaires Thomsen's
instructions to demand a United
States Government public express
sion OF regret AS to that, Acting
Secretary Welles simply observed
that Mr.. Ickes' remarks represent
the feeling of an overwhelming ma
Jority of the American people, who
are profoundly shocked by the ter
rible history now being made in Ger
many. AS long as such provocation
of American public opinion persists,
Herr Thomson was informed in un-
compromising terms, expressions of
indignation such as fell from Mr..
1ckes' lips, are inevitable.
The Acting Secretary OF State
voiced his personal belief that public
recriminations in any country are
not conducive to good international
relations. Mr.. Welles did not add,
because it would be supererogation,
that an even graver danger to inter-
national amity is the unbelievable"
series of shocking events that set in
under German government auspices
last month.
The Reich cannot be allowed to set
up any smoke screen designed to di-
vert attention from the outrages
committed by a regime which ven-
lures to trot out an apology issue
while it crucifies a race, defies the
worlds condemnation and is at this
very moment attempting to CONNER
cialize its own ruthlessness.
MIR. Welles' rebuke of the Nazis
Is salutary and wholesome. It merits,
as 1t will receive, Nationwide
approval.
Evening star., 1938-12-23
Sufety at Christmas

No one, surely, need apologize for
hoping that this Christmas may be
free from preventable accidents.
The American Automobile Associa-
ton has issued an appeal for safe
driving during the Yuletide season,
and a warning against the careless
use of bicycles, scooters, roller skates
and other wheeled toys given to chill
dren. Similarly, J. S. Zebley, chief
electric inspector of the District of
Columbia, has cautioned residents of
Washington against the dangers of
wax candles on decorated trees and
advised care in the handling of elec-
trical equipment. I'm selecting elec-
trical appliances for Christmas pres
ents," he says, "buy those which have
been approved for safety against fire
and electrical hazards" In par
ticular, he begs people to be wary Of
wires with insulation cracked and
sockets with copper wires exposed.
Other risks are those of firearms
which may explode when supposedly
not loaded, bows and arrows
which ought not to be operated in
doors, chemistry sets and dry ice
which may ''blow up" If carelessly
employed, motion picture films which
always should be guarded against
contact with flame, toys OF every kind
which never should be left on floors
or stairs. The list of perils is long,
but it certainly is worthwhile to
mention them. At Christmas as at
no other time in the year tragedy
hurts the human heart. It should
be joyous feast, unspoiled by any
mishap.
Evening star., 1938-12-23
Urges Considerate Treatment
For Children.

Urges Considerate Treatment
For Children.
To the Editor of The Star:
At this Christmas season there are
many little children to be seen on the
streets and in the stores with their
mothers. More and more I am impressed
with the attitude of many mothers
toward their children.
A statement often made bv mother
to her child on the street or in the ten
cent store is, I'm going to whip YOU"
Hearing this on the street one day, I
turned to look at the child and found
1t was baby in baby carriage, too
young to walk or talk.
To give the child daily kind and
reasonable treatment will cost thought
and self-control, but it will be worth
the effort. Not only will this make him
happier, but it will also make him kinder
and more thoughtful toward others.
Trying to think what must be the
reasons for this impatient, ungentle atti-
tude on the part of some parents toward
their children, have come to the con-
cluslon that in some cases it is stupidity,
or not knowing what else to do, in some it
IS lazlness or not being willing to exert
oneself to think of another way. In MANY
cases, no doubt, it is lack of imagination,
or not being able to put oneself in the
chlld's place. One reason is that many
grownups do not look on children as
people and therefore do not give them
the consideration which they give as a
matter OF course to other grownups
Some parents justify harsh treatment
by quoting Solomon as saying, Spare
the rod and spoil the child" Solomon did
say something very much like that but it
Is not what Jesus said. He said, Suffer
little children to come unto me and
forbid them not, for of such is the
Kingdom of heaven" And He said this
"Whosoever shall offend one of these
little ones that believe in me- it is better
for him that milestone were hanged
about his neck and he were cast into the
sea-
I plead for gentler, more thoughtful
and reasonable attitude toward children
on the part of all grownups, especially
mothers and fathers. Be gentle and the
child will grow up gentle toward others.
Answer his questions carefully. Explain
what he does not understand. Give him
the true reasons for your decisions and
he will grow up reasonable being.
December 20. OBSERVER.
Evening star., 1938-12-23
The w. P. A. Crisis

| oCudGc anu HOUSE LEADERS, QlSLOTOeQ
by the disclosure that all Works
Progress Administration funds will
have become exhausted by February
Z, about three weeks ahead of sched-
ule, are planning to confer with
President Roosevelt and his relief
advisers regarding an emergency ap-
preparation. There seems little doubt
that such an appropriation will be
granted, for even the most caustic
critics of the New Deal spending pro-
gram will agree that an abrupt ter
mination OF established Federal relief
measures in midwinter would be
grossly unfair to those who have
come to look solely to Uncle Sam for
food, clothing and shelter.
Obviously there will be no time in
which to debate the broader issues
of the controverted relief policies of
the Roosevelt administration If Con-
gress is to minister to the immediate
and urgent needs of w. P. A. bene-
f1ciaries affected by the present fund
crisis. The situation calls for haste,
even though the system of admins
tration may involve waste.
With the emergency properly taken
care of, however, there will be time
for consideration by the new Con-
gress of the whole problem OF Federal
relief and spending. That the
present system is due for a general
overhauling at the hands of the
House and Senate seems certain, in
view OF trends at the polls recently.
Recent statements by prominent
Democratic legislators show which
way the winds are blowing. Senator
James F. Byrnes of South Carolina
warns against adoption as national
slogan of the all-too- say
ing, "as long as it is going to be
spent, we may as we'll get ours"
Senator Pat Harrison of Mississippi
calls for wiser policy" to give en-
ployment and to put a stop to recur-
ring deficits" Speaker Bankhead
tells reporters at the White House of
his hope that additional relief funds
will be held to minimum. Senator
Carl A. Hatch of New Mexico suggests
a provision in next years relief bill
for one-third share of the cost by
communities. Some Republicans want
the Federal Government to turn ad-
ministration OF relief back to the
States.
In addressing itself to the relief
problem Congress quite properly
could-and probably will-delve care
fully into the reason for the failure
of the s1,425, 100000 appropriated for
the w. P. A. by the last Congress to
last through March /, as originally
contemplated. Charges were rife be-
fore and after the last elections that
w. P. A. money was being poured
into certain States in extraordinary
quantities-to influence the voters.
The impending shortage may have
no connection whatever with those
alleged irregularities, but it will do
no harm to study anew the relation
that is apt to exist between politics
and relief under such lavish spending
policies as those of Mr.. Roosevelt.
Evening star., 1938-12-23

the G. I. o. to reopen its fight to
amend the Government Contracts
Act to force compliance with the la
Dor relations law as a condition of
fulfilling public contracts occasions
the hope that the effort will not en-
brace the use of pressure politics
that marked the unsuccessful efforts
in this direction by the c. I. o. leader
ship last spring.
And while there can be no denial
that government contracts should
not be held out as an incentive to
violations of the labor relations law,
1t is equally true that last years ef-
fort at creating legislative safeguards
went considerably beyond any point
of necessity or wisdom in setting up
its prohibitions without according
affected firms full legal protection
as comprehended by the labor rela-
tions law itself.
Evening star., 1938-12-23

the result OF leaving them slightly wet.
are both nuisance and danger.
Hand washing is such an entirely
commonplace thing that 1t is difficult to
think back to the days when few persons
indulged In laval rites.
It is said that there was precious little
soap in England before the days of Queen
Anne, and that the article was viewed
with real suspicion by most persons.
1t Is probable that such great and di-
verse characters as Napoleon and Daniel
Boone never washed their hands at ALL
Fortunately, most of us are not Napo-
Icons or Boones, and have science on
our side.
He who said that '"cleanliness is next
to godliness" knew what he was talking
about In advance of research.
Hospital-like cleanliness is not neces-
sary, perhaps. Few persons in everyday
practice have either the time or patience
to wash their hands for 10 minutes or
more without stopping as doctors must
before operations. Nurses stand by with
watch to see that they do not slight.
What Is necessary, in common practice,
Is that the washing be done as thor
oughly as possible, under the circum-
stances.
If group of men are watched at the
lunch hour, 1t will be discovered that
most OF them go through very perfume
tory washing.
They mess around with bit of soap
and even less water, failing thereafter
to dry the hands carefully.
A little more time and the operation
would be done correctly, which would
mean plenty of soap, its careful working
into lather, and the application of the
suds to every portion of hands and fin
gers. Lips and nose, at least, should re.
| ceive some share of attention.
Thorough rinsing is essential, and com.
plete drying as much so. The wight who
invented paper towels did no service tt
humanity, although it must be said thai
| they are sanitary.
| -
| Water, too hot, tends to make hand.
soft, but too cold water will chap then
OF itself. Mildly warm water is best. Il
lathers best, and does the best lob O.
rinsing, while it enables the towel to de
the best job of drying.
Nothing is more difficult to dry up thar
icy cold water. Just why this is would
require the explanation of an expert, anc
probably then nobody could under
stand him.
The great average person will be con
tent with the average understandings O
every day, based solidly on observation
and interest. Where many average per
sons fall down is that they regard tot
many things as beneath the dignity O
their notice-hand washing, perhaps
But nothing is too little for the ninc
which finds all things interesting, ane
which makes drama out OF itself, al
| Thoreau did.
Evening star., 1938-12-23
Demands Showdown on
Hopkins Appointment.
To the Editor OF Tt

1t has been stated that Harry Hopkins
should be appointed Secretary of Com
merce because "he has the ear of tho
President" That is as good as stating
indirectly that the President is not sus-
ceptible of the proper interest in matters
Of tremendous moment to the people Of
the United States unless these matters
likes personally.
Certainly the apologists for Mr.. Hop
kins do not want to put the President
in this light. If it is true that the Presi-
dent will give ear to no one, not even
to member Of his cabinet, unless he is
within what may be termed an aura of
personal friendship and congeniality,
that is the most serious charge that
can be laid at the door Of the head
Of our country.
If Mr.. Hopkins has no other qualifica-
tons than that he virtually has a place
at the family table in the White House, at
which time he can get the "ear" Of the
President, then his confirmation should
be rejected by the Senate.
1t has also been urged That ne has
some novel ideas about economic recov-
cry We have right to know, must
know, what these ideas are before he
Is confirmed.
The New Deal began slipping when
only those who had the "ear Of the
President" were given carte blanche to
proceed, while other departments were
stymied. In democracy all groups must
be able to reach the President.
For the head of Nation to listen only
to those who please him personally
smacks a bit of the court testers Of early
autocratic kings.
He has the ear of the President" is
an ominous warning note of the greatest
import to the country. And 1t is the
Presidents friends who sounded it.
ANTI-SYCOPHANT.
December 20.