davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1938-07-28
THIS AND THAT.
By CHARLES Z. TRACEWELL.

the hearer grows tired il the series OF
questions is heightened beyond what he
thinks 1t should be.
The tendency In recent years has been
to cut down on the use of commas to 4
great extent.
Thirty or forty years ago the comma
was as overdone, in average usage as
the exclamation point today.
Then came the reaction
1t began to be widely felt that the
fewer commas, the better, Just as long
as the meaning was clear.
Punctuation marks Of all kinds have
but one purpose. to help the reader get
the meaning without chance Of mis-
Interpretation.
They are not things to be used for
their own sake, but solely for the use
OF the words.
There was a time, in the history Of
writing, when there was no punctua-
ton at all, in our present sense.
Even words were not separated, but
all the letters were run together, line
after line.
This was done for economy Of papyrus
upon all such manuscript was enormous.
Children often revert to this method Of
writing. They put one letter and one
word after another, leaving to their
readers the task Of separating them.
The economy Of type at last brought
punctuation into It's own. 1t helped
writer and reader. It made it possible
for the former to say what he meant,
- A~ %L1t
get something OF the same meaning; it
helped the reader by keeping him from
using any Of his time or mental effort
on elementals.
Il ~
As might be expected in anything so
human. writing came In time to have
two main tendencies, in this respect.
Some wanted to cut out punctuation
marks Of all kinds.
Some wanted to use as many as pos
sible.
This warfare Of ideas still goes on.
Probably no two persons will have the
same idea as to commas, for instance.
One wants to sprinkle lines with them,
putting them in wherever possible, the
next wants to omit them wherever pos
sible.
Perhaps there is medium ground
here as elsewhere. The old rules of
grammar are not sufficient in this
matter, for they are pedantic, and them
selves omit too much-the current usage.
There would seem to be q common
sense use Of punctuation marks, based
on the following precepts:
Never use any punctuation unneces-
sarily; be sparing Of commas; seldom
use the exclamation mark, II at ALL
Evening star., 1938-07-28

The uss Of the exclamation mark, in
writing. always has reminded US Of the
superlative adjectives and adverbs which
some sprinkle through their lines With 4
free hand.
Four short paragraphs recently yielded
the following:
Incompatible, unique. magnificent.
heroic, glowing. wonderful, beautiful,
dramatic, superb splendid. glorious, bril-
liant, beautiful, distinguished, finest.
The exclamation point IL one OF the
most dangerous OF all marks OF punctua- .
ton. 1t has been overdone in q similar
way. 20 that in the end 1t loses all effect.
This Is too bad. because, properly used.
1t has sone point to 1t.
The dii1iculty of using 1t properly has
led q great many persons to drop its
use altogether.
One OF the most famous examples OF
this was In Walt Whitman's Leaves OF
Grass"
The frst edition was simply crammed
with exclamation marks.
Nearly every line was ended with one.
The long catalogue lines, listing the
names OF things. were ended 50.
As subsequent editions came out,
more and more exclamation points were
dropped, being replaced by commas, or
periods, as the case might demand.
There are now on the market editions
OF this book without any exclamation
marks at all.
The main trouble with the common
Use OF this very useful mark is that it
seems to say to the reader, for the
writer, Nov, think this is very good. -
Every time he makes some point or
other he Is inclined to put an exclama- =
ton mark At the end.
The reader feels that he evidently
wanted to make sure that he, the reader,
would get 1t.
In most cases this getting" of the
point is best left to the reader. In all
probability he Is quite as intelligent as
the writer, and will be able to UNDER
stand = good working out as we'll as he.
The second thing against the mark 10
that 1t becomes . habit.
The tendency Is to put exclamation
points. or marks, ut the end OF an in
creasingly number of lines.
The height, or should We say depth,
OF this overusage Is seen in some adver
tisements. where every sentence is so
ended often where there would seem to
be no call for the mark even once.
The result is that the reader finally
learns to pay no attention whatsoever
to it. Thus 1t loses all effect.
One is reminded OF q common device,
especially in oratory, OF beginning with
4 series Of questions.
There Is 4 fne point, evidently. where
Evening star., 1938-07-28
Saving the Children.

Police Superintendent Ernest w.
Brown and Acting Superintendent of
Schools Chester w. Holmes should have
the support of Washington adults as a
class in their effort to save the children
from the perils of the city streets. Six
youngsters killed since June represent
loss such as no community can afford.
Boys and girls are too precious to be
sacrificed needlessly. The Importance
of any campaign to protect young people
requires no argument; 1t is conceded by
everybody.
But safety cannot be had without in
telligent cooperation. Public highways
are dangerous because they are con-
stantly necessarily, used by motorists
and pedestrians who have not dis
ciplined themselves to carefulness. The
average individual, regardless of age,
takes unwise chances. Adults, of course,
are more definitely responsible, more
widely experienced than their junior
contemporaries. IlSlT OuJy III Jnc CHI .
cumstances, then, is a particular charge.
1t is, in fact, the imperative obligation
of men and women to be cautious. They
should guard others as well as them
selves Especially in their attitude
toward children they ought to be un-
selfish
Certainly, all this is obvious. The Star
has preached and tried to practice the
philosophy of safety for years. 1t ac-
cepts it as a phase of the service which
it is dedicated to give to Washington
Moreover, it knows that it speaks the
conscience Of the city when it appeals
for the defense of life against the threat
of death. Without apology, therefore. it
repeats its plea to every reader: Please
help! Drive with care, walk with care,
be a committee Of one to save people
children, anyway-from mortal injury!
Evening star., 1938-07-28
The Group Health Decision.

Group Health Association. Inc, the
voluntary organization of Government
employees which has been the storm
center OF the national controversy over
"soclalized medicine for the past six
months, apparently is legal.
1t IS not engaged in the illegal prac-
tlce of medicine. 1t is not engaged
Illegally in the insurance business. Such
are the decisions handed down yesterday
by Justice Bailey. The atmosphere of
the controversy is greatly clarified by
this pronouncement. 1t will come as
a surprise to the American Medical AS
soclation. 1t will come as a shock to
thousands of private physicians who,
not being versed in the law, have per-
haps confused the age-old traditions of
their profession with the statutes. To
such 1t may serve as timely warning
that they cannot expect to lean too
heavily on the law for the guarding of
their ancient prerogatives. 1t may not
W SnoSpiy NiioV tiiC5 1idfC pSCN leu 10
believe it is. There is, it would seem,
legal standing for the group practice of
medicine-a status, however, which even
yet is far from clear.
The decision appears to clear the way
for the sort Of practice of medicine en-
gagged in by such an organization as
Group Health Association, Inc. 1t takes
the corporation out of the quagmire of
doubt which, however brave face it
might have turned to the world, was
certain to have made its progress less
efficient and less of true test OF group
medicine. BY the same token, it re-
moves an excuse for failure.
The decision beyond question was in
keeping with great and growing mass
OF public opinion, expressed forclbly and
eloquently at the national health meet
Ing held here last week. 1t upholds, OF
course, only the legality OF a certain
limited kind Of group medicine. 1t does
not uphold the wisdom Of this kind of
health service. That is not a function
of court.
The very forceful arguments which the
organized medical profession have been
able to advance in defense Of the ira
ditions Of Hippocrates in the past are
not weakened to the slightest extent by
the apparent fact that they have not
been incorporated in the law as securely
as generally has been believed. And
this, in the long run, probably will turn
out for the best.
With the smashing of a wide breach
through It's supposed legal bulvarks,
organized medicine will be forced to
more militant efforts in behalf OF It's
ideals and convictions-more forceful
arguments based on the alleged waste
fulness and inefficiency of group medi-
cine itself.
Millions OF people, 1t would appear,
want group medicine. So long as there
was presumption that 1t was denied
them by law, regardless of logic, there
was bound to be a feeling Of injustice.
This also should be eliminated by the
decision.
Both group medicine and the private
practice of medicine now must stand
entirely on their own feet.
Evening star., 1938-07-28
For Value Received.
From the Charlotte News.

FROM the Charlotte News.
An ironic commentary on our PEN
sion system Is afforded by the case
Of the Widow Monssen, relict Of 1t.
Mons Monssen of the United States
Navy, who in 1904 beat out with his
bare hands fire in the powder maga-
zine Of the battleship Missouri, and 30
saved it and its crew from being blown
to kingdom come.
The widow draws her pension, but
1t is only $50 a month. And the H.
o. L. c., having exhausted all possible
legal delays, finds itself now faced with
the unpleasant duty Of foreclosing on
her little, home in Brooklyn"
Yet this woman would seem to be
entitled to an adequate pension If any
widow at all is. For 1t. Monssen.
quite apart from saving hundreds OF
lives, actually saved the United States
millions in hard cash.
And the last Congress, like all Its
predecessors. was certainly not lax about
granting pensions.
Evening star., 1938-07-28
Shooting Stars.
By PHILANDER JOHNSON.
Midnight OIL.

Midnight Oil.
OFT he burnt the midnight oil
In his life of thoughtful toll,
As he turned his eager eyes
To the sayings OF the wise.
But in this ambitious age
Learning from the printed page
Seldom doth compare In price
With some practical device.
Patience finally he lost:
Oil kept going up in cost
And he noted with a frown
Wisdoms price kept going down.
So he dropped his studious mien:
Went to selling gasoline;
Feels the change is far from bad
Wiser and not near so sad.
Evening star., 1938-07-28
Explains Error Affecting
Tropical School Of Medicine.
To the Hditor Of The Star:

To the Iditor Of The Star:
T THINK the greater number Of your
readers are familiar with the i'm
portant service in the interest Of i'm.
proved health in tropical regions per-
formed by the School of Tropical Medi-
cine, jointly supported by the govern
ment OF Puerto Rico and Columbia Uni
verslty. The Board Of Trustees is COM
posed Of members appointed by the uni
versity and by the government. an ar
rangement that has proven to be COM
pletely satisfactory to every one con-
cerned. Research scientists have been
working here under the auspices Of the
School OF Tropical Medicine for years
and some Of the discoveries have been
Of international significance.
When We consider that management,
direction and results have more than
justified the system of collaboration set
up for the school, you can imagine the
embarrassment in ofhcial circles here
in Puerto Rico upon discovery that an
error committed by = legislative clerk
had deprived Columbia University Of its
representation on the Board Of Trustees.
The law providing for selection Of the
trustees was passed in the form Of =
joint resolution. Some months ago the
Boston Circuit Court Of Appeals invali-
dated this resolution with several hun
dred others, making it necessary to send
the resolution through the Legislature
as bill. The clerk who copied the bill
for consideration by the Legislature
failed to include the provisions Of two
amendments passed after the original
resolution became, As We thought at the
time, a law. Presuming that the bill
under consideration was an exact copy
of the law involved, that 1t reafnrmed
the accepted set-up Of the School OF
Tropical Medicine-in short, the entire
purpose was to make legal correction
OF an enactment that had been nullifled
by court action, it was approved as pre-
sented.
A few days ago it was learned that
there had been an oversight and that
the Legislature had inadvertently ex-
cluded Columbia University from par
ticipation In control and management
of the school. Every possible step has
since been taken to not only correct the
legislative error. but to indicate without
qualification, that Puerto Rico is COM
pletely satisfied with the procedure
established in maintaining the school
and that no one, either In the legislative
chambers or private citizen, ever had the
slightest intention of interfering with
a going and useful institution.
I will appreciate having these facts
presented to your readers, some Of whom
may have come upon garbled and malici-
Gus interpretations of what Is nothing
more nor less than q mistake, and
mistake that all of Puerto Rico is
anxious to correct as speedily as pos
sible. RAFAEL SACARELLO.
Evening star., 1938-07-28
Home Canning of
Fruits and Vegetables.

Now is the time to do your canning
and preserving. The CANNING AND
PRESERVING booklet offered by this
bureau contains more than 100 tested
recipes. Sections on fruits, vegetables,
meats and chicken. Tells how to make
fine jellies. jams, marmalades. fruit
buffers and pickles; how to bottle fruit
juices and salt down fresh vegetables.
This 48-page booklet outlines the latest
canning methods. Order your copy OF
this aid to household economy today.
Inclose 10 cents to cover cost and
handling.
Evening star., 1938-07-28
Relief Correspondence.

From the Yakima (Wash.) Republic.
Postal business all over the country is
increasing, due no doubt to the letters
going to Washington containing pleas
for help and to the replies coming from
Washington announcing that help Is on
the way.
Evening star., 1938-07-28
Secretary IckeS
IIMhnIA ~, UAl1unN

Secretary Ickes
Upheld on Helium.
To the Editor Of The star:
EGARDLEss Of your opinion Of
Secretary Ickes, or Of mine either,
he is doing . distinct service to the
American people in refusing to give
Germany helium gas. After all, 1t ID
we the people" who will be gassed or
bombed and it Is refreshing to note that
Secretary Ickes does not believe In
taking chances. After all, he, in his
ofhcial position. Is the one on whom the
responsibility rests and in that position
he is superior to all Army and Navy
officers, no matter what their rank.
yield to no one in my admiration Of
our Army and Navy, but, after all. like
the President and the qxfinet officers,
oil are servants Of the ,,neAple. Score
tary Iekss u diving his nAstseA The
Evening star., 1938-07-28

Government ownership is supposed to
be efficient, but post card recently
delivered thirty-two years after being
mailed might be cited In contradiction to
the happy theory of perfection Of service.
Evening star., 1938-07-28

people, a real break. which they should
have sufficient intelligence to commend.
II our Army and Navy officials would
exclude the foreigners working under
them in the forts and navy yards they
would be doing something in their own
field which would show real Intelligence.
BAYART REID.
Evening star., 1938-07-28
Twenty Years Ago
The World Var Day by Day
July 18, 1918.

One Of the most important operations
of the war was accomplished this date
the capture of Fere-en-Tardenois, Dy
French and American forces. Vast quaint"
ties Of war materials were abandoned here
by the Germans In their hasty retreat
Cavalry. tanks and airplanes created
havoc In the German defenses. tillery
fire and ground -strafing airplane9Yid I'D ~
much or more damage behind thes gn as
assault troops did IN front q Il.
Evening star., 1938-07-28

One Inconsistency of the New Deal is
that of setting up regulations hampering
the banks in lending money and then
complaining because the banks obey
them to the letter.
Evening star., 1938-07-28
Wants County Scat
To Remain At Marlboro.
To the Editor Of The Star:

To the Editor OF The star:
THE suggestion of "Suburbanite" that
the Prince Georges County Court
house be moved from Upper Marlboro
to Hyattsville sounds like the typical
proposal OF 4 transient county dweller.
Those who have lived long In Maryland
want it to stay where 1t Is. We will
grant that branches Of the county gov
ernment should be maintained in the
population center. Our progressive
Board Of County Commissioners and
legislators already have met this need.
The police force, county welfare board
and other agencies maintain offices In
Hyattsville.
But the seat Of the county govern
ment. by all tradition and logic, should
remain where it is. OF course tradition
means little to transients, but the re-
storation Of Williamsburg and other
shrines shows that Americans as a whole
appreciate it. Real Prince Georgeans
would as soon have the county seat
moved from Marlboro as the State cap
ital moved from Annapolis or the Ma
tional Capital from Washington.
In the horse-and-buggy days, upper
county residents might have had .
kick about the long journey to Marl-
boro. Today good roads and automo-
biles make it accessible to the far corners
OF the county.
Furthermore most lawyers admit that
q courthouse some distance removed
from cities and towns cuts down the
amount Of trivial litigation. This is an
important factor to the taxpayers, one
which. II there were no other reasons,
justifies maintenance Of Marlboro as
. county seat. hope the P. w. A. helps
improve the courthouse. OLD TIMER.
Evening star., 1938-07-28

AS literary producer, Postmaster
General Farley is as great a success as
he is as stamp collector or prizefght
expert. He illustrates the value of
variety In personal achievement.
Evening star., 1938-07-28
Criticizes Alsop- Kintner
Defense Of James Roosevelt,

To the Editor of The Star:
THE effort Of the New Deal propaganda
lists to create sympathy for James
Roosevelt on account of the insurance
scandal brought to the attention Of the
public through the johnson article en-
titled Jimmy Got It," reached m all
time high In your issue of the 25th in
the column of Alsop and Kintner.
It must have been written by Alsop
with heavy accent on the Sop"
JOHN THORN.
Evening star., 1938-07-28
Swan Song in Gotham.

From the New York Times.
A swan was found the other day at
tempting to cross . New York street in
the midst Of Tafi1c. The bird evidently
felt It's swan 3g coming on and simply
picked out th$ proper spot In which to
sing i.
Evening star., 1938-07-28

A dictatorship in Europe involves con-
stantly the embarrassment of reaching
a decision as to who will be the actual
boss.
Evening star., 1938-07-28

The police are now considering a
practical movement which contemplates
the removal of the status of streets as
unrestricted Fairgrounds for automo-
biles.
Evening star., 1938-07-28

Grasshoppers are spelling grain crops
in Montana. Another Of those situa-
tions is threatened which no amount
of oratory can be depended on to cure.
Evening star., 1938-07-28

Add to the list Of thrills that cost
nothing: The pleasure Of getting down.
town to work before the o'clock rush
begins.
Evening star., 1938-07-28
All Other States and Canada
Member Of the Associated Pros.

4. The Associated Press is exclusively emitted to
the use Tor republication OF all news Jlspatchex
creolted to It or not otherwise credited in tins
paper and also the local news published hereln
All rights OF publication OF special dlspatches
herein also are reserved
Evening star., 1938-07-28
Art,

The art Of saying things Is one
No modern statesman ought to lack:
Yet more artistic work is done
Ofttimes in taking of 'em back!
Evening star., 1938-07-28

Nisht Final and Sunday Star--7Oc per month
Nlehe Flnai Star------ 55c per month
Collection made at the end Of each month or
phone National 5000 ~ N ~
Evening star., 1938-07-28
Opposes Selling
Helium to Germany.
To the Editor of The Star:

To the Editor Of The Star:
COMDR. CHARLES E. ROSENDAHL,
in charge Of the Lakehurst, N. j.,
naval air station. after being wined and
dined in fascist Germany comes back to
the United States and declares we should
sell helium gas to that foreign country.
1T is not Of the slightest military i'm
portance," says this high ranking officer
as the worlds foremost authority on
lighter-than aircraft. 0n his book,
helium gas is Of very significant import
ance In future warfareD
And according to Secretary of In
terror Ickes. the quantity Of helium gas
desired is of military Importance and
thus prohibited by the Helium Act of
1887 passed by our Congress.
Any one. I think attempting to violate
the Helium Act should be considered
traitor to his country. Imagine II the
situation were in reverse.
I should like to suggest here that not
even the smallest amounts Of helium gas
be permitted to leave the United States
inasmuch as small amounts can be
gathered up from debtor nations by any
powerful country. We must safeguard
ourselves by safeguarding our helium
supply.
II We continue to sell scrap metal and
ship aerial bombs to Fascist Germany
We may some day get back this scrap
If We sell helium gas for Zeppelins We
assist In bring on that much sooner the
second world war. P. T.
Evening star., 1938-07-28

Il admires education" said Uncle
Eben, but don't believe a man ought
to say 'aYistance,' when he might get,
20 much fda1cker action out o Just plailk
Evening star., 1938-07-28
Tension.

walking" remarked the physician,
would be good exercise for you"
But" responded the patient, "think
Of the auto dodging you've got to do.
Couldn't you recommend something less
violent?"
Evening star., 1938-07-28
Letters to The Star

Letters to the Editor must bear
the name and address Of the ,pritey,
although the xss Of pseadonym tor
publication Is permissible. Please be
brief!
Evening star., 1938-07-28
NlHht Final Edifian

Evening and Sunday 65c per mo. or sc per week
The Evening Star---45c per no. or lOc per week
The sunday Star SC rer copy
Evening star., 1938-07-28
The Evening Star Newspaper Compan,

Main once: 1lth st. and Pennsylvania Ave-
New York once: ITO East 42nd st.
Chicago Office: 435 North Michigan Avs.
Evening star., 1938-07-28
Rate by Mail-PayabIe in Advance

MARYLAND and virrinia
Evening star., 1938-07-28
Seeking Wisdom.

SceKIn4 WlS0On1.
BY curiosity I'm led
And beg for words to make me wise.
I ask not what the man has said:
I sigh, What does he advertiser"
Evening star., 1938-07-28

Delivered by Carrier-City and Suburban
REGULAR Edition
Evening star., 1938-07-28

1--WE have many names for evil spirits"
said Ho Ho, the sage OF Chinatown, but
seek to persuade the worst, too often,
by kind words and humility"
Evening star., 1938-07-28
Uncertain,

UnCoftA1n.
"Was your speech a success?"
ITO some extent" answered Senator
Sorghum, but can't be quite sure
whether the audience was spellbound
by my remarks or merely waiting
patiently for the band to play another
tune"
Evening star., 1938-07-28
ANSWERS TO
QUESTIONS
By FREDERIC J. HASKJN.

~y HREDEAlA - n AOhlNs
reader Gun get the ansDer to ary
question OF fact BY Hritirg The Eue-
ming Star Information Bureau, frederic
J. Hdsktn, director. Washington. D. C.
Please inclose stamp for reply.