davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Washington times., 1938-09-01
PRESIDENT, HULL
MAP U, S, POLICY
IN CASE OF WAR
Consider Answer tt
Bntain's Plea
By ROBERT G. NIXON

U.NS.) President Roosevelt to-
day conferred with Secretary OF
State Cordell Hull at the White
House concerning the formulation
of a definite policy to be pursued
by the United States in event of
another major European war.
One of the principal subjects of
discussion was understood to be
the nature of a reply to be made
to Prime Minister Neville Cham
berlains urgent appeal to PreSi-
dent Roosevelt for Qualification of
Americas stand should Great
Britain be plunged into war with
Germany.
MORGENTHAU CALLED
Secretary Hull carried with him
to the White House last-minute
reports from American ambaSsa-
dors in London, Paris, Berlin and
Prague.
Secretary of the Treasury Nor
genthau also was summoned to
take part in the conference.
In this connection, it was un-
derstood the pending negotiations
for an Anglo-American trade
treaty, now rapidly coming to a
head, were under consideration in
connection with BritainS request
for assurances that American mar
kets for food supplies, munitions,
guns and planes would not be
closed to her by invocation of the
American neutrality act.
WOODRING SUMMONED
It was learned Secretary of War
Harry H. Woodring had been sud,
denly ordered to return 70 WASH
ington from vacation in MaSSachu-
Setts to attend Cabinet meeting.
The American attitude is eX-
The Washington times., 1938-09-01
No Hits

BERLIN, Sept. 1 u.N.S).
Germany's semiofficial news
agency reported today that
Czech border guard fired one
shot at a German border
guard near Oelsen, SaxOny,
but missed his target.
Evening star., 1938-01-25
cad to better results-mors health for

lead to better results-more health for
less money?
Fortunately there is no need for much
expensive experimentation. Various plans
have been tested in Great Britain and In
Germany. Not even their best friends
can find much good to say for them.
1t is not pertinent here to say anything
for or against any particular health
insurance set-up. 1t is pertinent to
emphasize that the object Of any such
scheme is not to poster the private
physicians but to provide something
better than they can give And with
this established it Is pertinent to urge
that the question be considered In the
historical perspective.
1t is to bring this historical perspec-
tive before the public that the Medical
Society Of the District OF Columbia this
week held what will probably be the
first Of a series Of public forums. The
physicians are not painting themselves a,
saints. They are asking only for fair
consideration on the base of the quality,
quantity and cost Of the actual services
they render.
Evening star., 1938-01-25
University Restriction.

President James B. Conant of Harvard,
In his annual report, has recommended
q decrease in the number of students
admitted to universities. 1T seems evi-
dent" he says, that we are in danger
OF reaching the condition already so
acute on the continent of Europe where
the problem of unemployment in the
learned professions demands attention
even In countries racked by political
and economic troubles"
All of which recalls the story of the
wise old grandmother who, hearing that
infant Johnny desired to be civil en-
gineer when he was grown up, acridly
commented: "Why not be civil con-
ductor? We need 'em more!"
The point that DR.. Conant may have
missed is that the whole world is over
crowded at present. Even the humblest
trades have more practitioners than can
be accommodated with jobs under pre-
vailing conditions. Medicine, the law,
the ministry and teaching are asked to
provide for fewer recruits than business
and commerce. High birth rates, war
and resultant economic dislocation have
combined to create universal labor sur
pluses. The only hope for the future
appears to lie In the restoration Of peace
Evening star., 1938-01-25

and Of normal industry and in that sort
of human conservation which deliberate
ly limits population, not necessarily by
birth control but perhaps by the de-
velopment Of a higher concept Of the
responsibilities Of parenthood than that
of mere procreation.
DR.. Conant, however, is quick to stipu-
late that "dogmatic statements are not
in order when statistical information is
scarce and difficult to interpret" He
comedies that mo one knows how serious
is the unemployment of university men,"
Similarly, no authority as yet has been
able to determine how large or small the
number of unemployables there may be
in any specific community. So long as
recovery is halted by. strife between ma
tions and classes, it will be difficult for
anybody to design practical policies for
the best use OF human intelligence, en-
ergy and time. In an ideal civilization
the advantages of education would not
be denied to any individual.
Evening star., 1938-01-25

oay or so. Two or three of these verv
nilio attacks OF the virus result in build
ing up an lmmunity-a sort Of automatic
vaccination. Children have had less
opportunity to develope this immunity.
Inc malady occurs chiefly in summer.
Ihls might be explained in part on the
nasal membrane congestion theory. The
virus doesn't have as good a chance to
get 1oothold on the olefactory nerve
path in cold weather. On the other
hand, it very seldom occurs in the
tropics and is most prevalent where
there are severe winters followed bv hot
summers.
1t Is predominantly an American dis
ease. This country has almost AZ much
OF 1t as the rest OF the world put together
Inc only rival area, in this respect is
ene scandinavian peninsula, where the
nrst known epidemic occurred. There
have been small epidemics Throughout
europe, but nothing comparable to some
of those which have occurred in the
United States.
means of immunization Many physi-
clans believe that considerable good is
accomplished by serum prepared from
the blood OF persons who have recovered
from severe attack and who have
consequently built up high resistance.
theoretically this Is true for nearly all
the f1lterable virus diseases. In the case
OF polio, however, some authorities are
very doubtful about its value. Notable
improvements are reported following the
serum treatment. but there is no positive
evidence that they might not have taken
place anyway. At present no specific
treatment is in sight
Enormous progress has been made in
treatment Of the disease to minimize its
after effects and there is little doubt
but that many of last years victims now
show hardly any signs of their illness.
whereas with the treatments of four or
hve years ago they would have been
crippled for life. The improvement has
come chiefly through more rational treat
ment of the affected muscles through the
acute stages Of the disease and taking
care that there is no stretching of them
or pressure upon them. If they are dis
torted in this stage the chances are
greatly diminished of ever bringing them
back to normal again. It Is at this time
that the pseudo Club foot" condition is
brought about.
There also has beer, imrovement in the
exercise treatment after the acute stage
has passed. In the past this often has
been irrational and has only augmented
the conditions brought about by the
disease itself.
Evening star., 1938-01-25
Health Insurance Again.

There is no more animated subject OF
conversation in Washington just now
than health insurance, due largely to
the group health clinic set up by the
Home Owners Loan Corporation and
the spirited opposition to it by the
Medical Society of the District of
Columbia.
1t has been easy to jump to the con-
clusion. as hundreds apparently have,
that the attitude of the medical pro-
fession is motivated entirely by selfish
interests-that 1t is afraid of a decline
In its own income. This is true to q
very limited extent, If at all. Even II
1t were true 1t would not be partic-
ularly pertinent to the issue. It has
never been believed that the object
OF any one Of the hundred or more
health insurance schemes now being
tried in the United States has for its
primary object the disciplining of the
medical profession. The object of each
one of them. supposedly is to provide
the public with cheaper or better
professional services in case Of illness.
If the private physician can do this
better than the insurance association
his motives for doing 1t are not neces-
sarily pertinent to the argument. In
buying medical services one pays for
results. not motives. Does health insur-
ance, - It has been Get up In the past,
Evening star., 1938-01-25
March of the Mongols.

Not even excepting the fall of KEY
cities like Shanghai and Nankine, and
the occupation of nearly 100000 square
miles OF territory in North and Central
China. has more significant news trickled
out of the war zone than reports that
outer Mongolian troops are on the
march and menacing Japanese plans to
conquer the vast corridor between China
| and Russia. They are said to be con-
centrating in force near Paotow, the
railhead, in Western Suiyuan of the
strategic line to Peiping, which is the
Key to Japanese control of more than
half the North China territory which
Tokio's armies have occupied. The line
is six hundred miles long. It's possess
sion means domination of the area
through which Russian supplies could
reach China practically unimpeded.
Peiping has circumstantial accounts
OF Mongolians operating VIGOROUSLY in
Eastern Suiyuan, with the aid of many
Russian troops and several hundred
armored cars. Paotow, the vital rail-
road junction, several hundred miles to
the west. is garrisoned by only hand
ful OF Japanese who are incapable Of
resisting the much larger Mongolian de-
tachments allegedly now on the war
path. 1t is impossible to overestimate
the Importance of these tidings, pro-
vided they rest on more solid foundation
than rumor. However disguised Mon
gol movement may be, it would denote
indirect but effective Russian interven-
ton on Chinas behalf. Since 1921, when
White and Red Russians clashed in
Outer Mongolia, following the crushing
Of Japanese financed Chinese army
there, the wild and ancient province,
whence sprang the Asiatic movement of
the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries
which threatened to engulf Europe, has
been for all practical purposes a Soviet
dependency. In 1886 Outer Mongolia and
the U. S. S. R. negotiated deal which
pretended to safeguard Chinas mythical
sovereignty, but in effect handed over
the province to Moscow.
Stain, Voroshiloff, Blucher and the
other Soviet war lords have frequently
proclaimed that Japanese threat to
Outer Mongolia would be considered q
threat to Russia, and resisted accord
ingly. Long since convinced of the hope
lessness of expecting armed assistance
from the West in her struggle for self
preservation, China has never ceased to
dream that sooner or later the hour
would dawn when Russia's mighty war
machine would come to her rescue.
Outer Mongolia may be the region to
which Chang Kai-shek now looks for
salvation.
Evening star., 1938-01-25
The Civil Service Inauirv.

Ihere are few who do not give lin
service, at least, to the principle of civi,
servlce-the hiring and advancement of
Feoeral employees on the basis of meas
ured merit rather than on the basis of
1aVorltlsm, nepotism, political influence.
the color of the hair, or what will you.
A sort OF impeccability, even infallibil-
ltS' always has been attached to the civil
service principle. 1t has been almost inn
mune to attack Those who sought to
clrcumvent it have resorted to subter-
1uge. They dared not admit openly that
they were not in entire agreement with
such universally recognized respect
ability.
10 many the resolution of Senator
Ellender of Louisiana for investigation of
the Civil Service Commission, reported
upon favorably yesterday by the Senate
Civil Service Committee, will seem almost
sacrllege. But the worst it can do will
be to show that, however above attack is
the merit system itself, abuses have
crept into the actual administration of
1t. that the reputation for respectabilitv
has been used as cloak for behavior not
quite SO respectable. And the probabili-
ties are that the commission will emerge
with absolutely clean skirts.
There are whispered insinuations that
all Is not we'll with the merit system of
the Government. Most of these, it is
very likely, come from vengeful persons
whose self-esteem has suffered from their
own failures. If this is true it will be
brought out into the open by the investi-
cation. If there is a grain of truth in the
1nsinuations it will be well to know about
1t. for no organization of the Government
can less afford to harbor anything which
Is not entirely above board. The whisper
ings are doing the Civil Service Commits
sion no good.
Specifically, the favorable report on
the proposed investigation cites COM
plants that there has grown up within
the Civil Service Commission "a clique
of bureaucratic cars who, while abhor-
ring party politics, have worked out q
system of personal politics" If this is
true-and it is sincerely to be hoped that
the investigation will show conclusively
there is not word of truth in 1.-THE
grossest of spoils systems would have a
good deal to be said in its favor compared
to the impeccably respectable" merit
system, just as there would be a good
deal to be said for the professional bank
robber compared with the church deacon
who dipped his hand into the collection
box during prayers.
Let it be hoped that the Civil Service
Commission is investigated without fear
or favor and that it emerges from the
ordeal-as nearly everybody expects 1t
will-with an unsullied reputation.
Evening star., 1938-01-25
THIS AND THAT
BY CHARLES 3. TRACEWELL.

The only dead bird We had ever seen
on the streets Of Washington was lying
on the sidewalk directly In front Of the
ONCE door.
It was startling, member of much
abused tribe, but protected by the law,
nevertheless
1t lay stiff and cold. AS far as could
be determined no one had shot 1t, nor
had 1t suffered that other fate Of modern
life. death at the tire Of an automobile.
No doubt 1t had starved to death.
1t had not found Washington very
hospitable to it.
Death to the birds, in normal fashion,
comes from disease, or as the result OF
cold. In turn caused by lack Of food.
The strange thing is that few dead
birds are ever found. This is q mystery,
along with that greater one. migration.
Perhaps few persons ever have seen q
bird of any species die a natural death,
and not many more have ever found the
bodies.
We know Of but one account Of the
natural death Of q songster.
The pretty FURNISHED feathers of the
startling were soft as in life.
NJ ItAAo, VIC I1AOuSAIt, 10 OIlc Ol UIlc UlB
bad wolves" Of the bird world, to listen
to some persons talk
Really, however, there are no "big bad
wolves in Nature.
Everything that lives has a right to be
here because it is here.
There is obviously no first nor last in
Natures dispensation; If we have be-
come first, it is because we have had the
power to be first, that Is all.
The startling is not bad bird, in any
sense. even when it disturbs a munici-
pality by selecting a neat marble facade
OF some public building for its roosting
place.
What does the startling know about
public buildings?
A sensible, highly efficient creature, no
doubt the bird chooses such a roost be-
cause OF the warmth which filters out.
Many OF this birds friends will be
willing to believe, too, that 1t has a real
sense OF appreciation and knows an ar
tistic building as well as the next, man
or beast.
In three years of intensive feeding of
birds we have seen but three dead ones
the starting mentioned, a wood thrush in
nearby Maryland two weeks before such
birds were due here last spring, and an
English sparrow at the feeding station
The latter was the only bird to be
found dead at the feeder. It plainly had
succumbed from the effects of lack of
food, and, since this particular supply
had been running for days, with hun
dreds OF bird guests, evidently had lust
arrived from a place where no food was
available.
1t ate for few minutes, then re-
malned quite still. At first we thought
1t was just resting, but soon noticed that
certain strange quietness which means
death.
Investigation proved the bird dead,
With scores of comrades hopping and
eating around It, and the food which
would have meant warmth and life to
1t lying there for It's taking
But 1t had arrived too late.
X AA
Friends of birds come in time to be-
heve that all birds are good birds, and
that most II not all of the propaeanda
against any Of them is mostly hokum.
Evening star., 1938-01-25

We are not threatened with extinction
by birds as we are by insects or germs:
the race Of man Is in no such danger
from bird life as it will be from air.
planes when they become as common as
motor cars.
Practically no diseases are caused by
birds. with one or two exceptions, and
these only because We haze insisted on
bringing tropical birds where they do
not belong.
Birds offer no competition to man, and
only delight him by their interesting
habits, their beauty, and their music.
Above all, they make agriculture pos
sible.
Yet q general vail has gone up from
time to time about almost every bird.
Let one Of these feathered jewels be
seen eating a cherry the owner OF the
tree pretends that he is being pauperized.
The joke Of 1t, the tragedy Of 1t, also
the happiness of it, is that in practically
every case every bird really does man
kind more good than harm.
Even the crow is being shown to be
no such foe Of man as he has been
painted.
Every day the startling has more
friends, some Of them ready to swear
that 1t does no harm to the great lord,
man. but really helps him.
The hue and cry against first one
mammal, and then one bird, then against
some other mammal, and then some other
bird, Is based more on human nature
than scientific facts. AS q race OF crea-
lures, we love to pull and tear down
other races. In all ages this tendency
has been disputed and fought by a faith
ful few, those who have the biological
standpoint, and also the conservationist's
viewpoint
What would the world not give to
have some OF those beautiful birds, the
passenger pigeons!
Yet they are gone now as If they
never existed, solely because of the stu
pidity and greed Of man, not because
OF any fault in themselves.
Audubon left us an account Of a bear
hunt, or, rather, bear staying.
Bruin got In the corn field, and each
night made away with several ears.
The master of that early plantation
decided to catch the culprit, and in
vited Audubon to go along.
They surprised the bear, and in the
attempt to slay him caused more dam
age in the corn field, according to the
great naturalist, than all the bears in
America could have done.
There can be little doubt that few
birds cause even tithe of the damage
they are supposed to cause.
To the individual, of course, the loss
may look enormous, but it is notorious
that the brute known as man is always
able to put the worst construction on
things. for which quite often he must
apologize later.
The starlings are among our most in.
terestlng and beautiful birds.
ANY one who has seen them eating in
the lawns in winter knows that they are
not doing harm, but good there
what harm do they do public buildings
that cannot be washed away with good
soap and water?
II one-tenth the effort put into toy
balloons and the like "frighteners" we're
put into good elbow grease, the starlines
would prove no problem at all, and at
the same time have nice comfortable
roostlng places and show everybody that
this is city Of real Nature lovers as well
as the seat Of government.
Evening star., 1938-01-25
Education Costs.

Some discussion has been aroused over
the announcement that the per pupil
cost in the Washington school system is
second only to that Of the State of New
York.
1t should be remembered in this con-
nection that the figures, compiled by
Mr. David F. Blose, associate statistician
in the Federal ONCE of Education, which
show the District for the year 1885
with $l22.l0 per pupil cost Immediately
under New York's $l3413, consider the
District for comparative purposes as a
State, rather than as city.
These results may easily be mislead-
ing because there are many cities Of
approximately the same size as WASH
ington which may have higher per pupil
costs but which are lowered by other
parts Of their States to a general State
average below that Of the District.
For example, Massachusetts was
ranked below Washington in these fig
"a ~ ooe, dSSOA OlIAS W 4SOO.St OlHCc OF
Education figures, the city Of Boston is
far above Washington with $l40.l5. In
intercity comparison, Rochester, New
York City, Newark and Pittsburgh all
rank above the cost here even though
that has risen to $l2437.
1t is also shown by Mr.. Blose that a
solid block of thirteen States from Vir-
ginia to Florida and as far west as Okla
homa spend very little on education.
This obviously works to lower the aver
age for the whole country and makes
the District, considered as a State, ap-
pear very high.
Thus, while on an interstate basis.
Washington ranks high in per pupil cost,
taken in comparison with other large
cities the figure is not unreasonable
Taking into consideration the fact that
the Capital has dual school system for
white and colored students, the high
standards required of teachers, the va
riety of curricula offered and many of
the fine school buildings, 1t is really
surprising that the cost is not greater.
Evening star., 1938-01-25
A Rhyme at Twilight
By
Gertrude BROOKE Hamilton.
Life Is Action.

Life Is Action.
Because he wearied o. the city ways,
OF noisy traffic, Of pedestrian maze,
OF politics, war talk and each new craze
He turned to solitude.
Deep In a mountain gap he built dem
Far from the voices or the haunts d
men;
Became q hermit, cloistered In . gleo
Free Of all turpitude
But silence spoke. In quiet tones 1t said.
ITO live alone Is dwelling with the dead:
And man to active life must time his
tread,
= Even thru broil and fued."
Evening star., 1938-01-25

In Berlin, Dr. Hugo Eckener, chairman
OF the Zeppelin Company, was operated
on without disclosing the nature of his
illness. This perhaps is too bad, since
American hospitals, always ready with
welcome to the deserving, do not hesi-
tate to offer advice that might be valu-
able.
Evening star., 1938-01-25

Now and then it is possible to meet
with commentator whose belief in our
future seems to rest on the loud speakers
and the type Of radio that it has become
his duty to suggest.
Evening star., 1938-01-25

Young men from American colleges
have distinguished themselves in the war
in Spain. They may find it desirable to
return to this country for a rigid cam
paign of preparedness.
Evening star., 1938-01-25

Among the most interesting problems
that arise from time to time are those
that have to be taken up in the days
work by ]. Edgar Hoover. The crooks
are numerous but officers of the law
are Hgilant and courageous.
Evening star., 1938-01-25

Cancer cures are studied the world
over with but little success. Perhaps
cancer will have its turn at cure when
the splendid stand against infantile
paralysis has realized its possibilities.
Evening star., 1938-01-25

Egypt is suspected Of developing q
dangerous interest in Asiatic affairs. A
study of the work of ancient dynastes
should give 1t abundant occupation for
the present.
Evening star., 1938-01-25

With both Washington, D. c., and
Baltimore to draw on there is perhaps
danger that the good old State of Mary
land may become slightly overcrowded
with picturesque personalities.
Evening star., 1938-01-25
Bulky Budget.

Prom the Arkansas oasstte.
The new Federal budget contains eo8
pages-and 20 you can see how smart
Mr.. Roosevelt Is when he nails critics
, Of public spending BY asline. whether
they have read the budket. - -
Evening star., 1938-01-25

A true optimist is the man who listens
to radio for a Standard OIL program
and gives no heed to news reports in the
daily paper.
Evening star., 1938-01-25

Japanese and Chinese art have been
studied and admired. This countrys
future In art is not to be measured by
ito willingness to try anything once.
Evening star., 1938-01-25
Oaths.
From the jamestown IN. ~ Post

From the jamestown IN. - Post
"Red-blooded citizens of Massachu-
sets are urged to oppose repeal Of the
teachers oath law. Persons planning
the violent overthrow Of our Govern
ment will. Of course, be faithful to an
oath not to do 30.