davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1938-06-29
THIS AND THAT
B, CHARLES &. TRACEWELL.

to taste of the nectar and feasting In
sects in the bells Of the old favortte, the
Rosy Morn petunia, and its improved
forms. So hummingbirds like both the
sweet secretions Of flowers, and the
small insects which feed upon them. A
hummer is dainty, all right, but its feed
ing habits are no dainter than those
Of larger birds. We can see Old Man
Robin tug worm out Of the earth and
devour 1t, but similar feat on the part
Of hummingbird escapes US.
+
There is q school of thought about
eyesight which asserts that much Of the
trouble people have with their eyes Is
due to fixed habit Of staring.
Children and animals, we are re-
minded, see everything, whereas adults
often come to believe that keeping the
eyes staring straight ahead Is the proper
thing to do.
This method of keeping the eyes under
control is to be observed everywhere in
public. A little observation and refiec-
ton will prove to any one that perfectly
natural people do not do it. They look
here, there and everywhere, but seldom
keep their eyes STILL" as we say.
Watching the birds, wherever they are,
Is one good way Of waking up what
might be called static eyes. The moving,
rowing eye will see more birds, at the
same time 1t gets exercise.
In the downtown section, and espe-
cially in the small parks, ranging to
those q block square, many interesting
bird habits may be watched.
few people will come to exercise q
positive drawing influence on the birds.
This is often seen in public parks. There
Is said to be q man in London who has
the uncanny ability Of lining sparrows
up on fence and throwing them crumbs
one after the others, always to a big
gallery, Of course, for to few persons
is this knack given.
Who Is there, interested in the birds,
but wished he had this lure?
How friendly it would be, and how
pleased one would feel, to be able to
whistle to q wood thrush, for instance,
and have it march right up and take
crumbs from ones fingers?
We have heard Of this, but never seen
1t. It must be very rare; even persons
who have devoted their entire lives to
bird study are not able to lure their
small friends in this way.
1t is impossible to know whether this
is just special patience some persons
build up, or whether 1t is a species of
wave transference of some radio type.
4
Perhaps it is just as well that the
wild birds, as class, do not put any
more trust than they do in humanity.
Their innocence would be abused, in
millions of cases, one may feel sure
The truth probably is that, had man
been different, our birds would have
been different, too, and all would have
trusted us and been our close friends,
instead Of merely tolerating US when
they must.
Surely the Golden Age, if there ever
was such an age, must have been friend
~ beyond our understanding, as beauti-
full creatures flew down to greet their
human friends. No wonder we have talk
of angels.
When we climb the golden stairs at
last, let us hope to find the rail on one
side lined with thrushes, and the other
with bluebirds. This will be music
enough, and Heaven, indeed.
Evening star., 1938-06-29
Japan Strikes a New Snag,

For virtually the first time since Japan
year ago bit off in China immensely
more than she has proved able to chew,
two western powers have jointly called
a halt on Tokio's pretensions. Indica-
tions that the Japanese were preparing
to attack and seize the Chinese Island
OF Hainan, which lies off the South
China coast, directly opposite French
1ndo-China and close to the Hong Kong
Singapore route, Great Britain's Far
Eastern life line, produced prompt reper-
cussions in Paris and London. The
French and British governments have
warned Toxic to keep her hands of
Hainan. She is on formal notice that
any attempted landing of troops on the
highly strategic island would result in
undesirable complications" because
Britain and France would not hesitate
to take whatever action the circum.
stances demanded" The French pre-
viously let it be known that japanese
control Of Hainan would be so intoler-
able that French forces would be de-
barked from 1ndo-China In numbers
equal to any troops japan landed. The
British admiral at Shanghai proclaimed
his readiness similarly to move, in case
Of japanese provocation.
AS mere addition to the Chinese ter
ritory already under the occupation,
though hardly under the domination, of
the invaders, Hainan's possession would
be inconsequential. 1t is only $50 miles
long and 100 miles wide and contains
mere 100000 Chinese, far fewer than
any one Of score of regions now over
run by Japanese armies. But with the
island in her possession Japan could
dominate the approach to French 1ndo-
China across the Gulf of Tonking and
bestride the sea lanes between Hong
Kong and Singapore. The flow of mu-
nitions to Chang Kai-shek's armies
would be impeded, if not checked.
OF far greater significance than the
mere prevention of such a development
is the willingness of great Occidental
powers physically to thwart Japans
purpose. The move loses nothing in i'm
portance because it is conceived in their
own interest rather than in any COM
passion for China. It is prima facie
proof to the japanese that there is a
limit to the patience Of the western ma
tons, which is reached when the Toxic
war lords, in the pursuit of elusive VIC
tory over the tenacious Chinese foe,
venture to tread on other toes. The
United States set salutary example
when it demanded and received instant,
though grudging, satisfaction for the
Panay outrage in December.
The demonstration of Anglo-French
determination not to let vital British
and French interests be used as a Japa-
nese doormat comedies with steadily
accumulating evidence that the in
vaders, begged even more deeply in the
morass called China, have seized vast
territories, planted their banners in
many cities, slaughtered hundreds Of
thousands of Chinese, triumphed in
many battles-but are still immersed in
war which at the end Of year is
both undeclared and unwon.
Evening star., 1938-06-29
The Thomas Circle Plan.

Opposition that has arisen to con-
struction of an underpass at Thomas
Circle is understandable. It is not of
the frivolous variety. 1t is born of in
herent civic pride in a community famed
throughout the world for the beauty Of
its parks and its tree-bowered avenues.
Citizens of Washington have been
distressed to see many Of these esthetic
values impaired or destroyed by the in
exorable march Of progress. They have,
quite naturally and quite properly, re-
sisted unnecessary encroachment on the
city's, parks and boulevards by the ex-
panding Of industry and the ever-in-
creasing traf1ic of modern metropolis.
The Thomas Circle project met with
no apparent opposition until recently
after its approval by Congress-when
many persons learned for the first time
that it involved the widening of what
c. Marshall Fnnan, parks superintend-
ent, has described as the "last of WASH
ingtons great avenues" Massachusetts
avenue. Widening Of the street near the
circle meant the destruction Of more
than 10 venerable trees.
The District Commissioners had
planned to build an underpass at Dupont
Circle first, and to use the knowledge
and experience to good advantage at
Thomas Circle. This might have heen
the more orderly method Of procedure.
Congress, however, has ordained other
wise, and the Commissioners now are in
the difficult position Of being required
to execute a mandate of Congress in
the face Of vigorous though tardy OBJ
lection.
Although the citizens generally had
no opportunity to examine into details
Of the project prior to its adoption at
the Capitol II = reaasurans 70 learn
Evening star., 1938-06-29

that the Thomas Circle plans have been
indorsed in principle by the Commission
Of Fine Arts and the National Capital
Park and Planning Commission. These
groups must have given full considera-
ton to esthetic phases Of the problem.
All trees destroyed in the operation, it
has been pointed out, will be replaced
with transplanted trees designed to re-
store the sylvan aspect Of the avenue.
There seems, moreover, to be little doubt
that the separation Of grades at the circle,
by dipping Massachusetts avenue under
Fourteenth street, will do much to solve
the problem Of traffic congestion at that
point. While the avenue trafhc will
slow down again, of course, at Scott
and Dupont Circles, the highway plans
call for grade separations later at these
focal points of traffic; in other words the
Thomas Circle treatment is merely one
part Of a larger plan for trafdc i'm
provement.
AS for the widening of Massachusetts
avenue to take care of the increased
flow of traffic, it is presumed that the
authorities have given careful considera-
ton to the possible alternative Of q
complete ban on day and night parking
OF automobiles on that heavily travelled
artery. Removal of two rows of parked
cars automatically would add two traffic
lanes without moving a curb or cutting
a tree. Certainly it is undesirable to
make the widening of the avenue at
the circle precedent for widening the
avenue throughout its length.
1t is inevitable that modern traffic de.
mands will bring about major changes
in the street system as it existed in the
past. These changes need not prevent
the preservation of the charm of
Washington-proWded, of course, that
full and careful study by competent au-
thority is in each case a prerequisite Of
change.
Evening star., 1938-06-29
ALEXANDRIA. VA.


Dear Sir: Apropos OF your column Of
the other evening about the scarlet
tanager, II 1t be at all your custom and
you care to do 50, accept this as an in
formal invitation to visit us any after
noon about 5 to $50 o'clock and to wit
ness the response Of tanager to the
call OF member of my family, hear and
see him overhead in the lower oak
branches, or the small persimmon tree
according to his friendly fancy.
If we do not openly appear, he might
even put on show fighting the magpies
on the feeding ground near the doorstep.
However, do not guarantee this, as
event, you might enjoy the birds In
"Very truly yours, r. j. B."
X 4
The nice thing about bird watching is
that it can be carried on anywhere.
This column has said this many times,
but is always glad Of the opportunity Of
saying it again, for many people who
seem to think one must 60 on bird
"hikes," and the like.
Field work, as 1t Is called, has q spe-
cial place.
Such kind invitations as the one above
are very much appreciated. but the fact
is that birds are everywhere, and no one
see them.
There are thousands Of birds down.
town. Yes, 1t Is true, some persons do
not think much of English sparrows,
starlings and pigeons, but the sparrows,
rtn iii vHtr u Ak - III
They 60 right ahead at the business Of
living. and at the same time they make
most interesting watching.
These humble birds put on special
sideshows for observers at all hours and
places throughout ths downtown Sec
tions.
We often have thought that the
downtown Of a great city somewhat re-
sembles the waiting room OF railroad
station. Usually people 60 to it be-
cause they must. It is the way to get
things done, to "go places" in more ways
than one. It seems to be inevitable,
under modern conditions, that great
many persons are bored at the same
time they are doing things.
Every one knows how it is at the sta
ton, waiting for the train; people sit
Will SAnAcu eyes, SUdTuB ulCO space,
when all the time the waiting room is
fairly teeming with that most curious
animal Of the ages, man.
The downtown section of the modern
city offers to bird fanciers q great deal
Of material for observation.
1t Is possible to see all aspects of bird
life in a city street.
Even robins, cardinals. bluejays and
hummingbirds, four of the finest, are to
be seen in city trees and in downtown
back yards.
For some curious reason, there are
probably more ruby-throated humming-
birds in typical city back yards than In
the wider and more secluded yards of
the suburbs.
1t Is true that even the narrowest
back yard can have these Jewels of the
air" If care is taken to plant such things
as red gladioh, and petunias of almost
any color. Any shade of gladiolus will
attract them, but the red varieties, espe-
cially.
Hummers will come to q window box
Evening star., 1938-06-29
What Does /. Q. Stand For?

And what Is your I. @. on the new
Haskin Quiz Book? Order . copy Of
this booklet containing 75o questions
and answers, and see how you score In
answering this collection. II you are
particularly interested In some one rub-
jeot such as art. history, sports, etc. IL
win give you q lot Of pleasure to see rust
now good you are. and the miscellaneous
quizSes included In the book win also
anord you much entertainment, Order
your copy Of this inexpensive, author1.
tatve booklet today. Only 10 oents,
postpaid.
Evening star., 1938-06-29
Oratos.ical Preparation.

Orat0f1cal Preparation.
"You mean to call your speech fire.
side chat?"
"Yes," answered Senator Sorghum.
But you're coming into season when
firesides are not enjoyed"
Il am aware of that. But I may as
well make 1t clear that folks have got
to pay attention to my remarks, whether
they seem seasonable or not"
Evening star., 1938-06-29

Some Asiatic nations still ignore the
assumption that war has been in
progress. What constitutes a WARP"
may become question for scholarly
elucidation at some time when colleges
are not so busy with commencement
exercises.
Evening star., 1938-06-29

Eminent thinkers may be pardoned
for not approaching with confident ac-
curacy the task Of financing so great an
affair as the Government of the U. s. A.
They cannot even reduce to terms of
reliable accuracy once prosperous en-
terprise like the Ringing Circus.
Evening star., 1938-06-29

Associations that are known only by
their initials have become numerous in
the American economy. Some Of our
statesmen may be regarded as doing
well If they can indicate the meaning of
Greek letters as we'll as the English
initials which point to especial achieve
ment.
Evening star., 1938-06-29

There have been many circus pro-
prietors in the history OF the United
States. One by one they have passed
from authority. Yet it may be predicted
that as an institution the circus will
go on.
Evening star., 1938-06-29
Letters to The Star
Life Insurance Is Still
To BE Rated - Sound Investment.

1kIc xn8Ol8uCe IL SCQI
To Be Rated ~ Sound Investment
To the Editor Of The Star:
How sound is my life insurance in view
Of the present situation in railroad
securities? This is q question that is
being asked quite honestly by many
policyholders. 1t Is being asked, one
fears, not So honestly and lot more
persistently by some whose interest in
the Governments attitude toward help
ing the railroads Is lot more direct
than the mere ownership Of q life in
surance policy.
Particularly cheering to the policy
holder must be the results of a survey
soon to be released by Alfred M. Best
Co., outstanding authorities on life in
surance practices.
"The real facts las to insurance COM
pany holdings Of rail bonds)," Bests
will say, ARE almost startlingly favor
able to the insurance companies"
Taking the 1887 statements Of the 80
largest companies holding 81 per cent
Of the life insurance assets Of the coun-
try, II per cent are represented by rail-
road bonds. The difference between the
actual market price on these securities
and the amortized values at which the
companies are permitted to carry them on
their books was 123 millions. But these
same companies had surpluses (that is
contingency reserves above the legal re-
serves-or present cash values Of all
their outstanding policies) Of 1,670 mil
lions. And II the entire bond holdings,
including rails, Governments, utilities
and municipals, had been sold at the
market these companies would have
had net profit of 109 millions above the
figures at which they were valued by the
companies.
Those of us who understand = little
about the system of fuctuating NOR
tality and speciel contingent security
reserves, coupled with the practice Of
prompt dividend adjustments and writ
ing down Of doubtful assets used by our
ultra-conservative life companies, are in
no anxiety. Our home offices have long
been keenly alert to the railroad situa-
ton but are in no sense alarmed.
For about 100 years, through four
wars, innumerable epidemics, frequent
booms and subsequent panics, American
life insurance has stood the stresses
which have wrecked so many other in
StitutionS. In 1898 it is still carrying on
in its own high tradition.
DWIGHT T. SCOTT.
Evening star., 1938-06-29

The President has issued orders pro-
hibiting the intrusion of airplanes over
the White House. He has also arranged
an itinerary that will enable him to step
from under should necessity arise.
Evening star., 1938-06-29
Letters to the Editor must bear
the name and address Of the wrtter,
although the use OF pseudonym for
publication Is permissible. Please be
brief!

q new peak, for instance-to find worth
In that fiat and flabby exposition Of the
presidential rancor against foes guilty
Of the treason Of working for govern
mental moderation, economy and CO.
operation.
Fridays chat had been awaited hope
fully by friend and foe as likely to be
something different. A reversion to
craftsmanship, perhaps, to reassure busi-
ness "copperheads" that attack by meat
ak and cudgel had been dropped by the
super-greats-if only in difference to
the growing unemployment which has
featured the Roosevelt-made depression.
Anything less seemed uncalled for, but
craftsmanship continued conspicuous by
absence as the chat degenerated into
mere political diatribe
For, keeping intact the administra-
tions record of "non-interference" in
primaries, its aim seemed to be to mark
for liquidation legislators who have
failed at certain times to regard the will
OF the governing clique as the will of
the people; and who give promise of
future failure to fall in docilely with the
will OF the governing dynasty.
WALTER BAHNSEN.
Evening star., 1938-06-29

The question as to why people insist
on risking accidents with minor ex-
plosives persists Its relationship to
genuinely thoughtful patriotism has
never been definitely understood.
Evening star., 1938-06-29
Member Of the Associated Press

y. The Associated Press is exclusively entitled to
The use for republication OF all news dispatches
credited to it 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., 1938-06-29
Danger Center.

From the South Bend Tribune.
Czechoslovakia, q German Nazi official
says, is the danger center for all Europe"
Il u, thanks to the. Vaccinations o9
oOmna NoaA
Evening star., 1938-06-29
President Should Have Loyal
Supporters In the Senate.

Supporters In the Senate.
To the Editor Of The Star:
d EPUBLICAN CHAIRMAN JOHN
~ HAMILTON spoke the truth when
he praised the anti-New Deal Demo-
cratic Senators like Tydings Of Mary
land, Smith Of South Carolina, George
of Georgia and few others for working
shoulder to shoulder with the Repub-
licans. It will be interesting to know
how the voters in their States will feel
on election day. Alabama and Florida
wanted loyal Democrats.
Hard times and hunger made the
voters think. Corporations cannot con-
troll elections as in days gone by. A
critical condition faces our Nation with
overproduction, and poor foreign mar
kets. The President should have loyal
supporters. JOHN RIdGLEs.
SeabroOk, Md.
Evening star., 1938-06-29
More Than q Third.

From the wichita Eagle.
It is said one third Of the people are
W-housed, nl-clothed and iu-fed. And
probably moro than that are il-natured.
Evening star., 1938-06-29
Error on Origin Of
Word "Slaves" Noted.
Tn fha Bditae AZ HY 0&.

Word Slaves" Noted.
To the Editor Of The Star:
IN YOUR Strange as It Seems" feature
recently 1t was stated that: Slaves
are named from the Slavs, a race whose
name originally meant glory"
I think this is entirely wrong because
the English word Of "Slave" originated
from the German word "Sklaven" and
1t should be correctly written "Sclaves"
or "Sclavery."
It was probably incorrectly abbreviated
only because the English do not like to
pronounce three consonant sounds.
Slavs, which should always be written
with an accent above the a." never were
sclaves (slaveO. The history of the
race proves their might and glory, and
even If some Of their smaller branches
were subjected to forign rule, they were
not rgarded by their conquerors rs
"sclaves"
Any German dictionary mentions the
word "Sklaven" for "sclaves (Slaves)
and "slawen" for "slavs' or the slavonic
race. PAUL BUKVA.
Evening star., 1938-06-29
Historigrams Feature
Appreciated by TeschersL
To the Editor Of Tha 0tar.

A 8 AN educational feature the series of
historigrams by Leslie Hartley, which
has been running In The Star, is very
valuable for school children and hope
you will continue these sketches.
The past year my pupils made scrap
books, studied and discussed these his
torical sketches as part Of their years
word. This letter expresses tho senti-
ment OF many teachers.
ANNE K. DOTY.
East Silver Spring School.
Evening star., 1938-06-29
Grand Argument.

Grand Argument.
When one says "Blah" another will
Respond with "Ballyhoo"
And men employ the greatest skill
In sounding them anew.
Strange are the fctions that must I'LL
This world as we go through,
While one keeps shouting "Blah" until
He meets with "Ballyhoo!"
I'VE tell Of old times when we built
walls to keep out invaders" said Hi Ho,
the sage of Chinatown. I'VE are letting
the old ones fall, but we're hard at work
on new ones"
Cautious Inquirer.
docs your daughter know how to,
bake bread?" asked the young man.
mo-" answered the serious mother. II
never encouraged her to learn"
I'm glad Of that. I'm having enough
trouble with food statistics without get
ting them mixed up with my love af-
fairs"
At Wilmington.
The Swedes have gathered in good
cheer,
The Films draw near with conscience
clear.
We listen and we're proud to know
They're friends, as in the long ago.
when a man goes broke" said Uncle
Eben, "he kin allus give q reason; but
its discouragin' TO find him tzyin' 10
MARA 4 same 1oaaon lAst . H1et4nnAss
Evening star., 1938-06-29
'Fireside Chst"
Elicits Comment.

Ffestde Chat" .
Elicits Comment.
To the Editor Of The Star:
BUSINESS may take heart from the
fact that, in strict contrast with
former chats" no new phrase indicative
Of contempt was cooked up for its dis
comfiture in Fridays "fireside" chat.
But Il would take IN extreme apolog1st,
e1oeDoa = Ea1 OeaNan-Jay Ysank0n IS
Evening star., 1938-06-29
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Evening star., 1938-06-29

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Evening star., 1938-06-29
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Evening star., 1938-06-29

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