davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1938-09-16
DIR. Willis r. Gregg.

Those who knew DR.. Willis r. Gregg
intimately are agreed that he was q
man who could Ill be spared. At fifty
eight his life might have been said to
have reached, but certainly not to have
passed, its apex. He had achieved the
highest position in his chosen science,
he had won the respect of the public at
large, his fame among his professional
contemporaries was established. Nor
mally, he should have gone on in the
work he loved for at least another decade
with credit to himself and benefit to his
country.
DR.. Gregg, 1t should be mentioned,
earned his place as chief of the Weather
Bureau in terms of devoted service. He
qualified for the post by nearly twenty
years of labor and had been especially
concerned with Astrological studies of the
very greatest Importance to aviation,
Leader Of the meteorological expedition
to Mount Whitney in 1918, he tested air
currents by flying captive balloons from
Its summit to fourteen thousand five
hundred feet. Obviously, he was
logical adviser for pilots attempting the
transatlantic passage and for the
pioneers in stratospheric navigation over
the United States. His method was that
OF careful correlation of data for the
formulation of principles Of practical
application to air transport. He had no
theories save those derived from factual
observation and experience.
When he was named by President
Roosevelt to head the Weather Bureau
stan IN 1884, his appointment was recoe-
nlzed as reward of merit. DR.. Gregg
was skilled and tactful administrator.
quiet and modest in bearing, democratic
IN manner, kindly in disposition. People
trusted him, and he never failed to
justify their confidence. In the Takoma
Park neighborhood in which he resided.
ne was considered citizen of distinction
IN the best meaning of that phrase: at
the Cosmos Club and at scientific meet
ings, he was welcomed as q devoted and
responsible ow-seeker for the truth
Evening star., 1938-09-16
THIS AND THAT
B, CHARLES z. TRACENELL.
This Is the last call for grass seed this

This N the last call Tor grass SEED this
year.
Those who want to help their plots
had better get busy.
There is no time like the present. It
is a little late, but plenty OF tina still
remains, provided the sower remembers
one thing:
To water his seeded plots consistently
after he has put in the seed. More
failure results from this lack than from
any other, but most Of the blame goes on
poor seed"
1t may be believed that most mixtures
of seed sold today are good, that where
the failure comes in lies in the human
factor.
Especially is water a great determin-
ing factor at this season Of year.
The fall tends to be dry. and the sun
warmth is diminishing.
Food in the soil Is at a minimum,
having been depleted all summer long.
Not only is sunshine less-the whole
trend of nature at this season Is toward
a lessening Of the miraculous powers Of
photoSynthesis, through which q plant
builds green material.
This is one of the mighty facts Of life.
Photosynthesis, or what happens
through the action of light on plant
cells, is beginning to decline in this lati-
tude, at this time, but this does not
mean that there is not great deal Of
1t left.
The building up Of plant tissues re-
mains in all things Of quick growth
including grasses.
Il
This is the hope Of real lawn. This
means that 1t is possible to get growth
in early spring, all summer, and In early
fall.
Autumn has become a favorite time
for planting grass seed, but still great
many home owners feel that it is not as
good as spring, and refuse to have any
thing to do with the plan.
In this, no doubt, they are mistaken;
a little personal experimentation with
few pounds of seed will convince
almost any one that there is a great deal
to this idea Of fall planting.
Fertility. however, Is not so necessary
at this time of year.
Plenty Of moisture Is the real need.
If this is kept in mind, and acted upon,
there Is every likelihood Of success.
~ A&
The aim is not to grow tall, waving
blades, but plantlets with good root
growth.
That is the reason why one must not
expect too much appearance with fall
grass. The idea is not to get the growth
above ground. but below it, and to keep
it strong until spring, when growth In
the air will begin at once.
This plan precludes any use OF lawn
coverings (but this plan seems to have
been out of style for the past is years,
anyway
Evening star., 1938-09-16

The idea Is to keep the young grass
open to the action Of the light and such
heat as there may be at this season OF
the year. Sometimes the latter Is con-
siderable: even when the temperature
goes down materially, and keen winds
blow, still there is enough heat for plant
purposes. ..
1t must be kept in mind that the
species of grass used in lawns in this
climate are not hothouse varieties, and
that they must remain In the open all
their lives, and that even q little heat,
measured In a very small band, Is large
in comparison with the low tempera-
lures which they must endure in the
winter
Every one has noted how grass in
winter tends to stay green around houses.
This is because the slight loss Of heat
from the house nevertheless is enough
to give the grass strong boost.
What fall-planted grass does need,
however, is moisture.
Lacking fertility, and much heat, the
new plants are at a disadvantage, but
can overcome this If they can get such
food as they need. They cannot get it
except through moisture.
This is true of all grass all the year
around, but peculiarly so of the new
plantlets, struggling to sget established.
Moisture is the one big need, and those
who have put in seed this month are
wasting their money, time and labor If
they do not supply it. Seeded areas need
not be kept soaked, but given water at
least every other day, SO that for the
first weeks Of the plants life they do
not dry out.
The new theory of hormones in rela-
ton to plant life. especially root growth,
has yet to be tried out for grass plants.
1t would seem as If there is a real
field here for helping grass put in at
this time Of year.
Root growth is what is wanted, before
all, and these new products of the
chemists art would appear to be just
the things to supply it.
Such cultures have been used more
and more during the past two years to
help put pep" into the roots Of flower
ing plants.
They seem to have been particularly
successful In helping the roofing Of slips
and the like. If the ambitious amateur
gardener can believe the advertisements,
and, Of course. he can, these cultures
give nice big roots and make the "cut-
tings" grow at once, no putting the slips
in the dark, or waiting for weeks.
If the hormones are thus helpful in
one branch of horticulture, they should
be able to afford help in another.
If they can make grass plants flourish,
there is, indeed, big field for them.
But even these magic workers of
science will not be able to do much unless
the planter himself is able and willing
to supply plenty Of water.
Evening star., 1938-09-16
A Cure for Slums.

John Ihlder, executive officer of the
Alley Dwelling Authority, sounds timely
warning, particularly to the National
Capital, against too great smugness in
regard to the elimination Of the alley
slums of the city. The removal of such
breeding places Of crime, disease and
social malformation; and the provision
OF an adequate supply Of good housing
for low-income families are being pushed.
But, Mr.. Ihlder warns, officials must
guard constantly against the develop
ment of future slums in areas in which
such changes are now unforeseen.
In Europe, where slum elimination has
occupied considerable attention for many
years, such results have followed. In
some continental cities the great con-
gested centers of modern low-cost apart
ments, glorified tenements in fact, which
were built to house the families of work.
ing men, soon developed into the worst
type of slums in themselves, largely
through official mismanagement and a
lack of desire on the part of the tenants
to better their condition. In England
the settlements became filled with
white-collar families who found that the
new buildings offered them as good hous-
ing at much lower rental as that to which
they had been accustomed. At the same
time, the former slum dwellers whom the
program was designed to assist moved
into other and cheaper slums.
One of the most effective safeguards
against such condition of reversion is
Mr.. Ihlders basic plan for the building
of low-cost apartments in smaller units
on larger plots Of ground than those
erected elsewhere. Mr.. Ihlder's concep-
ton of suitable buildings with a prac-
tical provision for recreational area and
air space is peculiarly adapted to WASH
ington. New York's slum elimination
program often has been held up as an
example of what can be done here. Great
apartment buildings covering entire city
Evening star., 1938-09-16
A New 'Mayor.'

When Congress returns in January
the District of Columbia Committee of
the House will select new chairman
a position that for some time has carried
with 1.-THE unofhcial title of Mayor of
Washington" Representative Vincent L.
Palmisano, the present chairman, must
60 IN obedience to the decree Of the
Evening star., 1938-09-16
Shooting Stars.
BY PHILANDER JOHNSON.
The Wayside.

The Wayside.
Someone's got to work to let
Some other fellow play;
Just few can hope to get
A constant holiday;
Some in autos skim the ground,
A merry pace they strike,
And some must haul the gravel round
To level up the pike.
Some with careless songs and jokes
Can gaily glide about
And some must be wheelbarrow folks
To smooth the pathway out;
But II it's toll or just a game
That gives this life its zest;
We all get weary just the same
And thankful for a rest.
Evening star., 1938-09-16
Letters to the Editor must bear
the name and address OF the urtter,
although the use of pseudonyn for
publication is permissible. Please be
brief!

little money If they were in positions
Of authority. Can't you picture them
cutting every ones pay or 10 cents an
hour in order that some new luxury
could be purchased for their use? What
If it did mean a cutting down of actual
necessities by the employees. No, no.
Give me the man who was born wealthy
as boss every time, not the man who
has worked his way to the top. 1t is
the latter who has lost all sense of
sympathy with the less fortunate and
who never loses a chance to grab q
nickel. There are exceptions, of course,
but I cannot help wondering whether
all Of the charity and good works of
the man who has made good can ever
make up for all of the suffering he has
caused in his rise to fame and fortune.
r. c. HANEY.
Evening star., 1938-09-16
Letters to The Star
Men Of Diplomatic
Service Defended.

service Uefen0e0.
70 the Editor Of The Star:
p EPORTS and criticism of the good
times the career men Of the State
Department are having abroad impels
me to give the public a glance behind
the curtain of the diplomatic and con-
Sular service.
For a number Of years have been
in a position to observe the tribulations
OF foreign officers from various countries.
The American foreign officers start out
with several handicaps which oficers Of
other world powers do not have to cope
with. Other countries have built up
foreign office families for generations.
The son follows the fathers foot steps
and is trained from childhood for this
service. He brings naturally into the
service a wealth of inheritance. educa-
ton, experience. large income. family
connections and prestige. These coun-
tries maintain special academies of
training for such positions. The diplo-
matte career man has only one superior
to face, while the American diplomat
and consul officer has every visiting
vote-trailer on his neck.
The Europeans and others believe that
the foreign officer has so many millions
1t all. So they try their best to relieve
him Of his burden by charging him more
for every thing he needs. Society nat
urally puts in its bid. AS Uncle Sans
representative he must be sociable and
generous. He also Is at the mercy OF
those who are employed by power to
find out certain information. To all
these tribulations is added the steady
flow Of American tourists. who consider
themselves goodwill ambassadors and
who embarrass the State Department
and their foreign officers then expect
the officer to straighten things out for
them. During Office hours the foreign
officer has to listen to all kinds Of human
sufferings. Then he must figure on how
to balance his own budget. We hear
little about these woes but plenty about
the good times.
While foreign officers in the Orient
and other remote corners of the globe
do not get the bulk Of the big-shot
travellers they must adjust to climate
and the uncultivated surroundings of
their posts. The foreign officers perform
many heroice tasks in their various posts
but very seldom does anyone hear of
them. They are trying to do their very
best to put us and our accomplishments
in good light before other nations and
to keep us informed and free from en-
tanglements. Yet we criticise them and
hamper them in the performance of
their various difficult and dangerous
tasks.
If we compare the foreign officers Of
other nations with ours and compare
what their government and people do
for them and how we hamper ours, we
realize how lucky and proud we may be
Of our representatives and Of the State
Department. ANNA LANSBURGH.
Evening star., 1938-09-16
Man Who Is Born Wealthy
Preferred As Boss.

To the Editor Of The Star:
7 NOTED with great deal OF interest
the letter Of Mr.. Boyer in your paper
the evening Of September 9, particularly
his statement that the railway union Of
the Capital Transit Co. Is welcoming the
loss of seniority by the older employees be-
cause the majority Of the union benefit
by advancement both in pay and priority.
What else did he expect? I have at
tended numerous meetings of all kinds
Of unions and have heard both paid
organizers and plain members rant and
rave about the heartlessness of their
employers when should the truth be
told the same individuals If put in a
position of authority would do the same
things that they preach against II it
would benefit themselves financially. It
is all we'll and good to condemn the
wealthy man for not paying higher
wages. Admitting that he could, would
you do SO if you were in his shoes? Be
honest with yourselves. Mr.. Boyer points
out quite opportunely what bunch of
laboring men will do to members of
their own class when they stand to
benefit just q httle-even though 1t u
almost tragedy In some one else's life.
Just imagine what thsy would do to coin
Evening star., 1938-09-16
Court Decision
On Group Health.

To the Editor of The Star:
IN A recent picture page of The Sunday
Star you showed pictures Of the G. H.
A. and their patients. doctors, nurses
and prescription clerk. Have they
added drug store to their operations,
and also have they license from the
District of Columbia to operate a.
pharmacy?
Justice Bailey rendered a decision it
was lawful, providing outsiders were not
taken in the G. H. A.. but just for Gov
ernment clerks. A mans family, wife
and children that do not work for the
Government certainly are outsiders.
The Supreme Court Of San Francisco
has just rendered a decision that the
Health Corp. of California is operating
illegally as socialized medicine because
the patients have the choice of the medi-
cal man. Quite a difference from JUS
tice Baileys decision. L. A. DEWEY.
Evening star., 1938-09-16
Twenty Years Ago
The World War Day by Day
September 16, 1918.

A comparatively quiet day, mostly
spent by the Allies in consolidating
gains already won. The Germans were
still in wild retreat, fighting only local
sections to cover this up.
Pershing was meanwhile getting ready
for the Meuse-Argonne offensive that
was destined to be tho biggest American
operation o6 The WI.
Evening star., 1938-09-16

The rate at which Europeans are send
ing gold over here for safe keeping in
the present crisis abroad may be re-
garded as veritable vote Of confidence
in American stability.
Evening star., 1938-09-16

1t would seem that in all fairness the
administration should take care of the
victims OF the unsuccessful aspirants
VINO have been used as mops In the
purge campaign.
Evening star., 1938-09-16

A new motor speed record of $500
miles an hour has just been made, which
does not tend to allay apprehension ON
the score Of the elimination OF humanity
by fast driving.
Evening star., 1938-09-16
International Question.

From the Winston salem Journal.
Mexico furnishes an awkward test of
the good neighbor policy Has good big
neighbor right to spank naughty lit
tie neighbor?
Evening star., 1938-09-16
The Farmers Faith.
From the Pittsburgh Post-oazette.

from the Pittsburgh Post Gazette.
We thrill again to the faith OF the
farmer. He is doing his fall plowing.
With one season dying, he bestirs him
self with assurance that another win
come.
Evening star., 1938-09-16
No Stamp for Doug.

From the PittsburEh Post-dasette.
Mr.. Farley has decided that Douglas
Corrigan int either An historical event
or scenery, so will not put him on q
postage stamp.
Evening star., 1938-09-16
Freedom Of Opinion.

Freedom Of Opinion.
Il suppose you ran for Office because
you wanted to serve your country?"
Young man." answered Senator sor-
ghum, II never go out Of my way to con-
tradict anybody. As candid man
can only say that in such case you are
entitled to your own supposition."
The examples Of great men," said HI
Ho, the sage of Chinatown, "are danger
Gus for little men to follow. There are
many glass windows broken by small boys
trying to play David and Goliath"
Misleading.
The world could call full many a bluff
And run more nearly right
II honest men were not 50 grufi-
And crooks not 50 polite.
Trustful.
you know that number of eminent
scientists believe in spiritualism?"
YES" answered the materialistic per-
son, "but it isn't the first time that
eminent scientists have believed in
things that were mighty hard to prove"
Occasionally So.
The statesman does not use his fist
When valiantly the foe he meets:
But sometimes, like the pugilist,
He's thinking Of the gate receipts.
"A patient man." said Uncle Even,
"gits a good deal Of enjoyment out O.
life until he gifts 50 easy-goin' dat he'd
rather stand trouble dan 70 70 work."
Evening star., 1938-09-16
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Evening star., 1938-09-16
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Evening star., 1938-09-16
Appropriate.

Appropriate.
From the Williamsport sun.
A pioneer manufacturer Of q remedy
Tor headaches 10 70 be honored By .
memQr1al-a tablet, presumably.
Evening star., 1938-09-16

Might Final and Sunday star----7Oc per month
Night Final 55c per month
each week Orders may be sent By mail or tele-
phone National 5000.
Evening star., 1938-09-16
Secret of Literary Success.
From the Kansas City Sta

From the Kansas City Star
Adolf Hitler's autobiography, "Mein
Kampf," has sold 1000, 900 copies. Evi-
IDENTITY one way for an author to have q
best seller Is to become dictator.
Evening star., 1938-09-16
Rate by Mail-PayabIe in Advance

All Other States and Canada
Evening star., 1938-09-16
Member Of the Associated Press

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Evening star., 1938-09-16

@. Please give the names Of all the
men who have been president OF the
American Society for Psychical Research.
"A. H. B.
A. The presidents of the American
Society for Psychical Research, which
was incorporated in 1904, are as follows:
Charles N. Jones, 1904-1913; w. c. Pey-
ton, 1913-192l; Prof. William McDougall.
1921-1922: Frederick Edwards, 1923-1925;
John I. D. Bristol. 1926-l93l; William
H. Button, 1882.
@. What is the horse power Of the
Royal Blue train?-R. g. N.
A. The engine used on the Royal Blue
is q Diesel electric locomotive Of $500
horsepower.
Imperial Valley press., 1938-11-22
THE ROLE OF
TIE ISOLATlONIST
w ashington PoSO

washington PoSt)
Unquestionably the British have an inl-
perative duty in Palestine Unquestion-
tionably. having voluntarily accepted a
precise and definite mandate in the Holy
Land, they should fulfill its obligations
as consistently as they have utilized its
assets. But, as Senator Borah points out,
isolationist policy poses a real question
as to the propriety and desirability of
moral homilies from America on this
score. In Mr. Borah's words: We can
not retain the respect of Europe. and not
long our own Self-respect. by directing
nations how they shall carry out their
treaties and obligations and do nothing
but direct.
In saying this the Senator IS himself
consistent. Having always effectively op-
posed what are rhetorieally called for
eign entanglements" he now properly re-
fuses to lend support to criticisms of
Others who have failed in responsibilities
which the United States refused to share.
There can be very searching criticism
of Senator Borah for having helped to
deprive the postwar settlements of AM
erican Endorsement. There can be no
criticism of him for following his line of
reasoning to the point which refuses to
condemn the collapse of a structure which
we declined to support
If the British and French are human,
which remains fair assumption, they
must be getting awfully weary of being
SO comprehensiyely lectuIed by Nation
which has no intention whatsoever of
getting mixed up in problems which they
to their sorrow, cannot avoid. Indeed it
IS not difficult to see Why there is
growing sentiment IN these countries ia
voring an attempt at collaboration with
Germany, Italy and Japan. This ominous
turn is to be viewed in connection with
the continued rebuffs received by London
and Paris in trying to obtain effective
working agreements with the United
States