davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1938-05-08

Once upon time, when Elsie Janis,
the actress, came to Washington, they
turned out the bands for her-and
later. when she was THE Sweetheart
Of the A. e. F." 100000 American
soldiers on French soil threw their
overseas hats in the air at mere
mention Of her name. She was the
darling of the doughboys
Yesterday afternoon, on the $40
plane from the West Coast, Mrs Gill
bert Wilson of Beverly Hills, Calf,
the former Elsie Janis, came to WASH
ington to be present today at the
American War Mothers memorial
service in Arlington, and only one
man met her at the plane-Roland
Robbins, for many years manager of
the old Keith's Theater on Fifteenth
street, where Elsie Janis shone as the
star Of stars in vaudeville
Not in 10 years had Elsie Janis seen
Roland Robbins Besides being an
old friend, he was the man who paid
her salary each Saturday night after
she had played the wo-a-day' in
the days when "the two-a-day" was
the prime attraction of theaterdom;
Evening star., 1938-05-08

before the talkies moved in on the
legitimate theater-and vaudeville.
But yesterday instead Of all the old
glory Of theater days. Elsie Janis
came to Washington as q demure
little lady who has retired from the
stage; as one who wants none of It's
glamour; as one who Is through with
all press agentry.
When they took her, by automobile,
from the flying field to the national
headquarters of the American War
Mothers at 1927 New Hampshire ave-
nue. NV, where a great spread was
set in her honor, Miss Janis begged
of.
Please" she said, Just let me 60
somewhere and rest-to q quiet hotel
where no one will know where am"
And the American War Mothers,
whose guest she is, acceded to her
wishes.
Consequently, few persons saw Elsie
Janis yesterday-and no one knows
where she passed the night, prepara-
tory to her part in the ceremonies
today, when she will go to Arlington
Cemetery to honor the Unknown Sol
dier. The ceremonies begin at pm.
Evening star., 1938-05-08
BY JOHN C. HENRY,

Determined efforts to effect ad-
journment Of the present Congress
before June l have sounded the death
knell of hopes for modification OF the
unemployment tax liability on Dis
trict employers. 1t has become ap-
parent, although the local compen-
sation board still expects to obtain
congressional approval of q num-
Der OF minor amendments.
While the setting up Of the entire
social security program and the de-
vising of taxes to finance it, was
q trail-blazing experiment. with no
reliable guides to follow. it has be-
come evident almost beyond the point
OF controversy that several tax re-
visions might have been enacted this
year without endangering the system.
Foremost perhaps of the "injus-
tices" found in the tax provisions of
the District compensation law is the
rate OF per cent applied locally as
compared to a maximum OF 2.7 per
cent applicable in all States except
Michigan. With the Federal Govern
ment giving credit for only 80 per
cent Of local tax payments, the ul-
innate effect on District employers
is a total liability of 33 per cent OF
their pay rolls, the extra o.3 per cent
going directly to the Federal Govern
ment.
Credit Shows Excess.
The extent to which this heavier
than ordinary tax is unnecessary In
the District program Is plainly shown
In the balance now credited to the
local system in the United States
Treasury and the rate at which it is
being required to meet all certified
benefit claims.
As OF last Januafy 81. a statistical
breakdown shows the District credited
with $6.o57,597 in the unemployment
trust fund. Under the per cent
levy taxes Of nearly $500,00o monthly
were being added to this sum. By
contrast. January disbursements in
the form of unemployment benefits
amounted to approximately sl25,0OO,
this IN month when rapidly decreas-
ing employment and established ELI
gibility seemed certain to be result
ing in demands above the average.
In brief, then, the District fund /,
growing at a rate approaching four
times that Of disbursement.
Flexible Rate Approval Seen.
AS q solution, the local board and
administrative officials already have
indicated their approval Of vesting in
the board the power to regulate the
tax rate on yearly or semi-yearly
basis in accordance with need as re-
hected in benefit claims.
BY applying such discretionary pow
er. the board might reduce the rate
to 2.5 or per cent until Withdrawals
appeared to be cutting the reserves
below some apparently safe level, such
as $5.000,000.
Studies OF District unemployment
Evening star., 1938-05-08
Rush to adjourn Doon,s DC.
To lnequitable Jobless Tax
Liability of District Employers Stands
Aboue That of Other States " lille Fund
Piles Up High Beyond Needs.

in the covered industries have indi-
Gated 10000 jobless per year is an
ample estimate. On the basis of pres
ent benefit scales. by which an eligible
unemployed person may receive a
maximum of SIS per week for l6
weeks, the yearly demand would not
run over $2,400,000, a sum which
could be met ordinarily with a tax
rate as low as is per cent.
Aside from the tax improvements
likely to be deferred, it is even more
definite that no action is to be taken
this year toward establishing a work.
able merit rating provision in the
District law.
Reduction Permitted in l94l.
At the present time, the law does
provide formula to be applied after
January !, 1941, by which the rate
might be reduced to as low as Is per
cent or raised to as high as per cent
depending on the employment record
OF employers for the year previous. 1t
Is required, however. that the gross
unemployment tax yield for the Dis
trict should be per cent of the total
covered pay rolls, thus placing an OBJ
stacle in the way OF deserved reduc-
tlons IN individual cases.
Thus far the only State to reach the
point Of applying its merit system Is
Wisconsin, most Of the others being in
position comparable to that OF the
District, with q perit plan to be.
come operative within the next two
or three years.
Operating under an individual en-
ployer reserve account plan the Wis
consin system provides that the tax
rate may be reduced If the individual
reserve Is at least five times the
largest amount of benefits charged
against such account in any of the
three preceding years.
Most Of States Pool Funds.
Virtually all other State systems
are entirely on the pooled-fund basis
or combine the pooled fund with sep
arate employer account.
Since the operation of any plan to
vary the tax rates touches the Federal
law, IN that there is liability OF en-
ployers to the Federal Government,
there was included in the Federal law
a provision giving the United States
board authority to approve such plans
and allow revision of the rates in COM
pliance with a merit scheme.
AS in the merit plans provided for
the District and the individual States
however. the permissive provision of
the Federal law is 50 complicated as
to be now considered unavoidable.
Its simplifcation to enable it to op-
crate effectively has been recommend
ed by President Roosevelt in a series
OF some half dozen broadly stated
amendments suggested in a letter to
the Senate Finance Committee last
December. No action has been taken
as yet. however, nor does any seem
probable during the present session.
Evening star., 1938-05-08
TRIANGLE PLAZA
WORK IS URGED
Fine Arts Board Approves
Mural Paintings for
Interior Building.

Approving mural paintings for the
new Interiar Department Building
the Fine Arts Commission. meeting
here yesterday, expressed the hopt
that the great plaza in the Triangle
east Of the Department of Commerce
Building, might be developed soon
The plaza is now a major automobile
parking area.
The members, feeling that suffi-
GENTLY detailed plans for the Thomas
Circle traffic underpass are not as
yet available, decided to defer consid-
GRAFTON of this subject until later
They arranged to send to Representa-
tive SABBATH, Democrat, of Illinois q
report on his bill proposing that the
Columbian Fountain of the Worlds
Fair, held in 1893 at Chicago, be
erected in Washington. The contents
OF this report were not made public.
The section of painting and sculp-
ture OF the Treasury Department
submitted sketches for mural paint
ings by Henry Varnum Poor for the
fourth floor at the north end of the
new Interior Building and these
received commission approval. Illus
trating reclamation, the work will be
done in fresco.
Newell Murals Endorsed.
The commission likewise indorsed
mural paintings by Michael Newell
to be placed on the seventh floor
north end Of the new Interior Build
ing. Portraying scenes in Alaska and
the Virgin Islands, this work will
illustrate the activities of the Interior
Department in the territories and
insular possessions.
Heinz Warneke, the sculptor, re-
ceived the approval of the commission
for his sculptural group, depicting two
tumbling bears. This is to be placed
in the National Geological Park.
The commission advised regarding
a proposed Naval Reserve medal, fol
which Erwin Springweiler, the New
York sculptor, submitted a model
Similarly, the commission advised re.
garding an historical marker. author.
lied by Congress to be placed at
Columbus. Ga. The National Park
Service of the Interior Department
submitted this design.
Other Actions of the Board.
Commenting on the meeting, H. P
Craemmerer. the Commissions ex.
ecutive secretary, said The com.
mission considered with interest the
new public buildings program, re.
Gently announced by President Roose.
velt for the next 10-year period. The
commission took note of the fact thai
Congress recently enacted Legislation
authorizing the requirement of land
west Of the Interior Building toward,
the river, thereby providing room 70,
some Of the buildings. The commits.
sion expressed the hope that the great
Plaza in the Triangle, east Of the
Department Of Commerce Building
might be developed soon. The com.
mission was pleased to hear of thu
bill passed by Congress for the Smith.
sonian Gallery of Art and discussed
the project"
A number Of projects received com
mission approval. coming within tn,
scope of the Shipstead-Luce Act
whereby the commission has archi
tectural control over private building
fronting on public parks or buildings
Evening star., 1938-05-08
BANQUET is TONIGHT
Jackson and Miss Mcclure to
Talk to Pi Gamma Mu.

Solicitor General Robert H. Jack
son and Miss Louise MCGUIRE, regional
supervisor Of the Social Security
Board. will speak tonight at the an
nual banquet and induction of new
members Of Pi Gamma Mu, national
honorary social science society.
The banquet will be held at 7:30
o'clock at Graduates Hall Of Catholic
University, with Senator Elbert D.
Thomas, Democrat. of Utah as toast
master. Dr.. s. Howard Patterson,
newly elected national president Of the
society, viii attsnd t,.
Evening star., 1938-05-08
Inaugural Ball Tomorrow

The Labor Department Post, No.
a, American Legion, will hold its
annual inaugural ball tomorrow at 10
pm. at the Mayfiower Hotel Sidney's
Orchestra will provide music for dane
ing and for entertainment, the princi-
pal part Of which will be 11oor show.
Evening star., 1938-05-08
Art Exhibition Opens.

An exhibition Of drawings and
paintings by Eugen Weisz Is now being
shown in the second floor lobby of
the central building of the Public
Library, Eighth and K streets NV.
They will be there through this month,
DR.. George F. Bowerman, librarian,
announced.
Evening star., 1938-05-08
D. c. GROUP TO MEET
Senate Committee to Act on
Zoning and Lien Measures.

Zoning and Lien Measures.
The Senate District Committee will
be called by Chairman King to meet
this week, the date to be announced
later, to act on q variety of pending
measures.
The proposed revision Of the zoning
law, and change in the procedure for
recording liens on automobiles may
be among the bills considered. The
committee probably will consider also
any measures on its calendar that
District ofncials may want taken up
at this session. The automobile bill
would transfer the recording Of such
liens from the recorder Of deeds ofhee
to the Department Of Motor vehicles.
Evening star., 1938-05-08
AUSTRALI IAN REPTILES
JOIN zoos COLLECTION
Four Poisonous Snakes, Three
Pairs of Lizards and Two
Carpet Pythons in Lot.

A group Of Australian reptiles ar
rived at the Zoo yesterday and Joined
the clan in the reptile house.
The Anzac group included three
pairs Of lizards, four poisonous snakes
and two. carpet pythons, so-called
because Of the design on their backs.
The lizard additions include two
pairs Of different blue-tongued liz
ards and one pair of stump-tailed
lizards.
According to DR.. william Mann, di-
rector Of the Zoo. Washington now
has the most varied collection of
pythons in the country with six
different kinds. He said the entire
Australian group was "very good
to have.
Evening star., 1938-05-08
Fraternity Luncheon Set.

Delta Sigma Pi, commercial fra
ternity, viii hold . luncheon meeting
tomorrow ct O'Donnell's Restaurant,
1907 + street NV. -
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1938-05-21

are fond of the vegetable, with the
seeds dropped about 2 inches apart.
Then they are covered with 2 or
inches Of soil.
When the plants have reached
height of inches the extra ones
should be removed, so that each plant
may have an abundance Of room for
spreading and yield a. fine crop.
Dwarf varieties are the favorites in
the South. because. they come into
bearing earlier. From the time the
okra is ready to eat you may keep re-
moving the pods. and more will develop
until frost. The plant will grow for
years and will yield q bountiful crop
several seasons in succession.
Okra has several diseases which
1t develops If the ground in which it
has been planted lacks some OF the
essentials to its well-being. Sometimes
it is better to rotate with another
plant which often as not will remedy
the situation. The food your plants
may require, as well as the site and
texture of soil, is one OF the fascinat-
ing things about gardening. When you
learn to investigate carefully into the
soil conditions before trying to make
seed child at home you will realize
that seeds. in order to return to you
the best they are capable Of, must be
handled intelligently. The study OF
their needs is a thrilling adventure.
Copyright. 1889
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1938-05-21
EXPORT
. DROP REPORTED
Fiqures for 1898 Also Show
Increase of IL Per Cent
in Imports.

A study of United States foreign
trade for the first quarter OF 1888
shows drop of 23.7 per cent in lumber
exports and an increase of IL per
cent in lumber imports over the hrst
quarter of 1892, according to the Ma
tional Lumber Manufacturers Asso-
citation, who base their findings on
an analysis published In Commerce
Reports for May, publication OF the
Department of Commerce.
Comparisons were also made with
the first quarters of l929-32 and 1887.
While the first three months OF this
year showed exports more than one
fourth less than 1887 and imports
over one-fifth less. for which current
market conditions are causes. most
significant Is the 1882 contrast.
World lumber exports last year were
approximately one-third more than
1882, but the outstanding shift during
these five years was between Canada
and .the United States as follows:
Canada U. S.
Export. Export.
1887 - 1866 1893
Gain 1879 +2313 60
This preponderant shift from the
United States to Canada. says the
N. L. M. A.. is due to the British
Empire preferential tariffs favoring
Canadian lumber.
1t is significant to note that the
study published in Commerce Re-
ports does not include all lumber.
To the fgure-221, 100000 feet ex-
ported first quarter 1938-should be
added nearly 100000 feet Of hard
wood flooring, while to-114,o00, 900
feet imported first quarter 1888
should be added more than seven mil
lion feet additional of clapboards and
siding
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1938-05-21

nicely settled in their bungalow. she
wanted to know where had my wash
ing done. Said she'd been curious ever
since she discovered I didn't do it
myself"
Frying old buzzard." Phil NUT
tered. It's a blasted shame we have
to put up with it. Tom Wheeler, who
runs the local newspaper. was telling
me today that Templer was no differ
ent from any small town. They're all
the same. he said. God pity the people
who have to live in them" he added
bitterly.
I'm sick OF it." Dot walled. Sick
of seeing and meeting no one but
gossiping old hypocrites, sick of the
familiarity these people assume once
they find you're here to stay"
But we're not here to stay" Phil
cried with sudden enthusiasm. You
remember I told you how I'd been
working on the head office? Trying to
persuade them to transfer me to Suf-
folk? Well. think it's going through.
Well not have to put up with this drab
dull existence much longer. honey
Il hope not" Dot cried fervently.
Il can't stand it great deal longer"
Two weeks later the -hoped-for
day arrived. Phil received notice OF
his transfer to the Suffolk Office JOY
ously the two young people packed up
their belongings and said good-by to
Templer forever They took an apart
ment in the suburb of Ashfield and
set about the task of getting &C
quainted.
This wasn't particularly difficult.
Mrs Hooper. who was rather plain
looking person and who occupied an
apartment on the same floor with the
Davises, seemed eager to help the
young folks get settled. She came in
every day and made suggestions which
Dot found helpful. Later she intro
duced her to other women who had
apartments in the building
DILL came home one evening to
announce that he had joined an
exclusive club and would be out one
night week.
ITS just as we'll said Dot agree
ably Mrs Hooper has asked me to
join the neighborhood bridge union, so
I'll be out, too"
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1938-05-21
REAL ESTATE GROUP
URGES F. H. A. RULE
See Need to Permit Release Of
Large.Scale Projects From
Blanket Mortgage,

To facilitate sale of individual
apartment buildings in large-Scale
rental housing developments financed
under new F. H. A. amendments,
there is need that regulations be set
up permitting release of such struc-
lures from the blanket mortgage
covering the general development. the
National Association Of Real Estate
Boards points out in a resolution just
adopted by its Board of Directors rec
ommending to the Federal Housing
Administration the adoption of such
regulation.
The National Housing Act was
amended to provide the Federal hous-
ing administrator with power to re-
lease land and buildings from a
blanket mortgage which he might
hold subject to such terms and regu-
lations for the security of the trans
action as he might prescribe.
Under the regulations of the Fed
eral Housing Administration issued or
February Is. 1898. there was a pro-
vision that under section 210, where
group of small houses were subject to
a blanket mortgage that the admins
traitor. with the consent of the mort
gage, could by arrangement with the
mortgagor, consent TO releases on
terms satisfactory to him. the resolu-
ton pcir out.
In order to stimulate the construc-
ton of large rental units in the form
of apartment houses, and IN order TO
assist in the promotion of such enter
prises by interesting capital in invest
ment in such large units of construc-
ton for rental purposes. and in order
to disseminate such ownership as
widely as possible and not conflae 1t
to a very few large investors who
might be capable of the ownership OF
one or more blocks. We recommend to
the Federal housing administrator
that he adopt a regulation with re-
spect to such large apartment houses
similar in form to that relating to
small houses in the published regula-
lions above referred to-"
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1938-05-21
COLORING OF PLUMBING
FIXTURES NOT COSTLY

Color in plumbing fixtures is not
costly and is only a small part of
the total cost of any bathroom. the
Plumbing and Heating Industries Bu-
reau points out.
Used correctly. says the bureau,
color is by far the most economical
means of attaining individuality in
bathroom furnishings and decorating
Green, for some years the favorite
color for plumbing fixtures. has yield
ed first place to ivory. the bureau
says. The present-day popularity of
ivory is due to its conservatism and
adaptability. 1t can be used sue
cessfully under various lighting condi-
tons and in innumerable combina-
tons with other colors.
Other popular colors today are
peach, soft tan, light brown and
delicate blue. These soft pastel shades,
including the green's, are preferred
today to the vivid and theatrical
colors that were widely usd a few
years ago.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1938-05-21
Natures Children
Okra or GumbO
Hibiscus esculentus) i.

almost white but they turn darker
with age, until maturity. when they
are black and, OF course, much larger
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1938-05-21
BUILT-INS ASSIST
WORK IN KITCHEN
Old Rooms Can Be Changed to
Afford Best Features Of
Newer Homes.

Houses built number OF years ago
did not usually and certainly not in
tentionally provide efficiency kitchens.
1t was thought that large room
was all that was needed Placement
Of equipment was left up to the house.
wife Few old-fashioned homes In
corporated built-in cabinets.
Old kitchens may be brought up
to date by rearranging the equipment
and installing built-in features such
as cabinets, shelves and other perma-
nent fixtures. Much OF the work Of
undermining kitchen may be 6nanced
by banks, building and loan associa-
tons. finance companies, and other
financial institutions operating under
the property improvement credit plan
of the F. H. A.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1938-05-21

whom to ignore. Gradually they
settled into the usual routine. The
novelty Of belonging to an exclusive
club wore of for Phil. The neigh
borhood bridge union turned out to
be a rather gossipy affair. once you
became a full-fledged member.
A month after they had left Tenn
pier and its drab dullness behind Phil
arrived home one evening with Curl
Gus expression on his face. Dorothy
noticed the change.
oh. nothing much" he replied to
her question. Bob Talbert was say
ing today that Ashfield was like a
hundred other suburban towns. Same
monotonous routine and dullness The
only break they get is when some one
new arrives, like u.s."
That's odd" Dot said slowly Mrs.
Hooper was in today. She wanted to
know where l had my washing done.
Shed noticed she said, that I didn t
do 1t myself"
DILL and Dot stared at each other
for a moment in alarmed silence
Then suddenly. OF one accord, they
burst into laughter. The humor OF
the situation struck home.
When their mirth had subsidized,
Phil took his wife in his arms.
Dot" he said, Il wonder If it's the
place we live in or If it's Just us. We
wanted to be near a large city, and
now that we're here we've found con-
ditions pretty much the same as else
where"
Dot nodded soberly. Il guess, Phil,
dear, it isn't the place that makes
ones life drab and dull; it's the people
who live In those places; it's the way
you treat them and they treat you. /
guess human nature is pretty much
the same everywhere It's up to the
individual whether or not he or she
is happy.
Phil held his wife close. Which
reminds me-" he said, that have the
prettiest and loveliest wife in the
world. And from now on I'm going
to begin enjoying her without depend
ing on the neighbors to help me-"
Copyright. 1881
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1938-05-21
Crimson and Gray.

In a colorful living room. crimson
upholstery with gray and white stripes
is set off by walls painted soft gray.
The windows are hung with white
draperies trimmed with crimson. The
floor covering is black and other &C.
cents are used about the room. Sew
eral pieces OF furniture are finished
in antique white.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1938-05-21

as a coffee substitute. We are told
that there is no doubt at all in the
mind of the user that a substitute for
the favorite drink is offered. but the
decided flavor OF the okra Is not dis
agreeable at that
Dry, warm soil that is not too rich
and heavy, that is we'll drained, with
some clay and loan in it is ideal
for this plant. Seeds are sown as
soon as all danger of frost has dis
appeared. Complete directions come
with every package of seeds. Plant
the rows several feet apart, II you