davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1938-08-06
THIS AND THAT
B, CHARLES E. TRACEWELL.

goes In heavily for drums. One popular
drummer with q very popular dance
band left and started his own band,
building 1t around his drums and drum
sticks and other traps"
The woodpeckers. drilling nightly on
tin and copper downspouts, evidently
began this drumming business.
\ X \ X
Those who like birds will be able to
forgive woodpeckers for the little damage
they do, and find only interest and
amusement in their drilling-with the
exception, perhaps, of roof activities,
and even there they might not do any
real harm.
Few creatures are better adapted for
woodworking than typical woodpecker
The legs are short and strong, and
the bill is large and superstrong.
The two legs and bill work in a sort
Of triangle, with the strong neck of the
bird delivering the blow, aided by the
body weight and muscles. No doubt q
mechanical engineer could say exactly
what principles of engineering the bird
uses.
Often the drilling sounds hollow, and
this Is because the members of the wood
pecker family are after insects so often
found in hollow limbs and trunks.
1t is held that when these birds are
left to do their stuff" in their usual
manner, they destroy countless insects,
many of which do harm to trees far out
weighing any possible harm from the
birds themselves.
There are more than 400 species and
subspecies Of woodpeckers around the
world.
The United States has more than 40
species.
The four we have around here are very
fine; most bird lovers will ask for no
more, but will be satisfied with the little
downy, and the hairy, red-bellied and
the flicker, the last three being each
about inches in length.
All Of these have identical eating
habits. They ceaselessly seek wood -bor-
ing grubs, hibernating insects, eggs and
pupae.
All Of these are deadly enemies to
wood. A charge against the woodpeckers
is that their holes are fine harbors for
ants, but this view does not indicate
usually that the woodpeckers love to eat
ants, too, and seek them out as per-
sistently as they do grubs.
There are no woodpeckers in Aus
tralia, we believe.
That's too bad for Australia. There
are few bird families more interesting
and few which do so much good, year
after year.
The favorite of them all at feeding
stations hereabouts is the little downy
woodpecker, to be seen all winter long
in suburban Maryland and Virginia, and
also in the District of Columbia COM
munities close to the woods.
1t must not be confused with the
nuthatch, which also likes the bark of
trees to climb up and down on in its
peculiar way.
Evening star., 1938-08-06

it is sloping and winding and is several
times that long.
We met an old lady coming down.
She sat down to rest. She was 78 and
had walked up three times this season.
(The gates close in October0 She sat
there chatting: "Its worth struggling
for" she said. And then pointing toward
the great stones she continued, mo one.
knows why they're shaped like that
like shelters and caves. Perhaps the
Lord intended them for shelters" Her
daughter-in-law interrupted. Her hus-
band was a geologist. His theory was
that the mountain itself was once under
the sea, at the time earth was hot, and
he thought the rocks were thrust up
ward by gases from the center of the
earth. 1t was interesting to get their
view but it was all too much for me.
, Then we came to the top and stiff
breeze was blowing. Yet the sun was
warm and comfortable.
We thought the old lady of 78 was
unusually vigorous as we went up, but
as we came back down We met an old
man with long gray beard and cane who
was all smiles. He asked us if there was
a good breeze up there and we assured
him there was a mild storm going on.
Good" he said, and started up the
stone steps.
my father is 84," Said his daughter.
who appeared to be at least so, and who
was tagging along with the family, the
old man in the lead.
"Well-all the rest of these young
folks are going up there" grinned the
old man of "a, 80 am going too."
I wondered all the rest of the after
noon how the old man made out, but he
was doing fine when We met him.
E, HARRY ALEXANDER.
Evening star., 1938-08-06
Queer noises in your garden probably
- ,,oo IA S.v x,rodrnrkare

Queer noises in your garden probably
are made by woodpeckers.
We refer not to the proverbial tap-tap-
tap on tree or even downspout, but to
the calls and cries Of these birds.
Any time the amateur bird observer
hears q sound he cannot identify, he
may feel reasonably sure that 1t is
squawk let out by one or another Of the
four members of the woodpecker family
mostly found around here.
These birds are the downy woodpecker,
the hairy woodpecker, the red-bellied
stay in this vicinity the year around.
Occasionally q red-headed woodpecker
is seen, but not as often as the others.
The flicker, noisiest of them all, is a
real woodpecker, although his bill is
not as stout as the boring instruments
of the others.
The downy Is general favorite,
mostly on account of his small size sell
dom exceeding 6h inches from the tip
Of his stout bill to the end of his tail.
These barred beauties have been much
pestered by mankind.
Yet ornithologists hold that few birds
deserve it less, and point to the great
work they do in eating insects and
grubs the year around.
Woodpeckers never 60 hungry, because
insects find the rough bark of trees
ideal for Information purposes.
Millions of woodpeckers would not be
. one too many. They are industrious
fellows, always eating, as most birds do,
and always able to get at grubs in the
bark, and underneath the bark.
These activities probably do little real
damage to trees, but it has been fas-
tened on by the mind Of man as a good
excuse for harming the birds. Many Of
these beauties were shot before protec-
tive laws were enacted.
Many people still cry out against the
destruction" wrought by various wood
peckers, but they would be put to it to
prove their assertions.
Mostly woodpeckers drill neat holes
which do no particular harm. A tree is
large, it contains multitudes," as the
poet said: it can stand many holes in its
limbs and bark without undue suffering.
The flicker, which hasn't as strong
family, prefers to find holes already
drilled for its nesting purposes.
X
All woodpeckers like best old trees. or
stumps.
1t is easier drilling.
Occasionally some bird insists in try
ing to drill hole in roof, which is not
so nice, or makes a rat-a-tat-tat on a
downspout.
There is method in the birds apparent
madness, according to the experts.
Drumming on metal is held to be a
sort of love song.
This is where birds, the first mu-
sicians. got ahead of man in regard to
swing" music. Today's brand Of swing
Evening star., 1938-08-06
District p. w. A. Contracts.

Aside from other considerations, the
financial value to the District of the
Federal pump -priming P. w. A. pro-
gram Is well illustrated in the first
agreement signed by the Commissioners
with Administrator 1ckes covering prof.
ects having total cost of $2800,000.
Under this agreement, the District will
receive grants totaling 81 ,260 900 and has
assumed the obligation of repaying the
remaining 81 $40 900, over a period of
twenty-five years. These are the same
terms available to other municipalities
and the States.
Fortunately for the District, Congress
at the past session granted to the Dis
trict these more advantageous terms
already available to other Jurisdictions,
superseding requirements in the original
District P. w. A. enabling act that the
District repay seventy per cent OF any
advances.
The theory of the pump printing pro-
gram is that by the provision of Federal
funds for needed local improvements
employment will be stimulated as heavy
industries meet orders under the SPEND
ing-lending program. 1t is to be hoped
that this objective will be reached.
There is no question but that the Dis
trict needed new buildings for the Num-
cipal and Juvenile Courts and an addi-
ton to Gallinger Hospital. Without the
P. w. A. plan, these improvements might
have met years Of delay. Under this ar
rangement the District is saving much
money and time, and has twenty-five
years to pay off its debt.
Administrator 1ckes has approved Dis
trict projects totaling some 5000 900 all
told. Still pending are requests Of the
Commissioners for other projects costing
more than $S,0OO,000 These other items
include improvements at the tuberculosis
sanatorium at Glenn Dale, Maryland; a
National Guard armory, additions to the
new Municipal Center, three branch
libraries, water and sewer projects and a
list of badly needed school buildings.
The Commissioners are to be COM
mended for seeking to take full advan-
tage of all progress and savings possible
under the Federal pump-priming pro-
gram, and the P. w. A. is to be thanked
for approval given 50 far to desirable
District projects. The District is far
behind in Its construction program and
It is to be hoped that other items in the
pending list will be subject to such
agreements.
Evening star., 1938-08-06
The Berry Defeat.

The results of the Tennessee primary
were essentially triumph for the po-
litical machine Of National Committee
man E. H. Crump, boss" of Memphis
and Shelby County. Faced with his
most serious challenge in recent years,
MIR. Crump, aided and abetted by the
State organization of Senator McKellar,
administered sound trouncing to the
forces of Governor Gordon Browning
and Senator Berry, the victory being so
decisive that the returns from Shelby
County played only minor part in the
result.
Generally speaking, the Tennessee en-
broglio was no test Of the New Deal,
although some of its aspects had bear
Ing on the administration of President
Roosevelt.
First was the defeat of Representative
Richard M. Atkinson in the fifth district
by Joseph w. Byrns, jr.. son of the late
Speaker of the House. Mr.. Atkinson op-
posed the wage-hour bill, while Mr..
Byrns rested his campaign on unequivo-
cal support of the President and his leg
islative measures. To the extent, then,
Of the Byrns victory, the Tennessee re-
suits will be applauded by the New
Dealers.
It was also apparent that the admin
istration wanted to see Senator Berry
defeated. and there will be no tears shed
at the White House on his passing from
the political scene. That marks a rad
ical change of attitude within the short
space Of year.
When Mr.. Berry was appointed to the
eenate q little more than q year ago to
m the unexpired term Of the late sena-
Evening star., 1938-08-06
Asks About Campaigning
Job Holders.

To the Editor Of The STAR
IN LISTENING to Fulton Lewis over
! the radio last night understood him
to say that Attorney General Cummings
had sent one of his assistants into the
eighth congressional district of Virginia
as campaign manager for the now
begged down young Mr. Dodd, who had
been Endorsed over the radio by the ad-
ministration in the voice of Secretary
Ickes. It was not clear whether he was
speaking as a cabinet minister, or was
voicing his own private opinions.
Are not the expenses of a campaign
manager generally borne by the candi-
date or his committee? Whether Attor-
ney General Cummings sent one Of his
Assistant Attorneys General, or merely
allowed him to leave his department du-
ties in the effort to regiment the voters
of the nearby Virginia district in carry
ing out the administration will as to
selection of the congressional nominee,
it would appear that if this Assistant
Attorney General could be spared from
his departmental duties for such pur-
pose then he is holding down super
fluous Job.
The Virginia voters showed their COM
mon sense in resenting as something new
the departure in politics which allowed a
Government department to attempt to
influence the exercise Of the popular
will in deciding the nominee for Con-
gress.
It is evident that the taxpayers Of the
Nation, who ultimately will have to pay
in increased taxes the expenses piling up
for all kinds Of social experiments, will
object to paying any parts of salaries of
administration officials spent in muscling
in on congressional nominations or elec-
tions. SOPHIE CLAGETT CLARK.
Evening star., 1938-08-06

More initials must be taken into ac-
count in arranging reasonable scheme
of life. Medical treatment is arranged
on scale which takes the alphabet into
consideration. 1t is feared that COM
plexities may arise almost as distressing
to the uneducated mind as those dis
closing the relationship of b C. to xyz
in the higher mathematics,
Evening star., 1938-08-06
Shooting Stars.
By PHILANDER JOHNSON.

Arm0r.
Oh, for the armored knight Of days
gone by
When brave men met the foe
With stout and valiant arm and flash
ing eye
And laid each villain low.
The combat now is but little thing
A paltry chance;
None but the slight mosquito dares to
bring
A lifted lance.
But when hear his ruthless battle song
Ere he alights,
I shudder unprotected, and I long
For armored nights.
Evening star., 1938-08-06
First Aid Booklet
For VacatiOnists.

Vacations, camping and summer out
ings bring their inevitable toll Of bumps
and bruises. Know what to do when
these emergencies arise by having at
hand an up-to-date copy Of the FIRST
AID, BOOKLET. 1t tells how to treat
sunburn and sunstroke, wounds, bruises,
snake bites, dog bites, poison ivy burns;
how to check dangerous bleeding, how to
rescue drowning persons. Handily indexed
to guide the reader instantly to material
on the case at hand. See that you have
copy In your vacation handbag. Only
10 cents postpaid.
Evening star., 1938-08-06

One of the rewards Of political success
In Maryland is to name steamboat after
an eminent gentleman. The public dis
play of these distinguished "reminiscences
does not in many instances serve to stop
tendencies toward political disorder that
may arise.
Evening star., 1938-08-06
Twenty Years Ago
The World War Day by Day
August 6, 1918.

The last Of the salient between Sols-
sons and Rheims was Strengthened out,
in attacks along limited portions OF the
front. The comparative breathing spell
allowed the German Army was que 10
be rudely shattered two DAYS later.
Foch was oficially elevated to the rank
Of marshal Of France, ana Gen. Peta,n
rscsixed tha Nadaille AAdlitairo.
Evening star., 1938-08-06
Reserves Exhausted.

From the Lynchburg Advance.
There will be no more appropriation
of American property in Mexico" Sec
retary Hull tells correspondents. What
we would like to know is this: Is there
any more American-owned property in
Mexico for the Mexican government to
seize?
Evening star., 1938-08-06
Sugar Loaf Mountain
Attracts Camerists.

AttEACtS NAHClAoSos
To the Editor of The Star:
before the contest closes we hope to
~ see at least one good camera shot
made of Sugar Loaf Mountain. Last
Sunday was a clear day and many
cameras were clicking up there. The
pictures should have been good. The
Potomac could be seen in several places
between Washington and Harpers Ferry.
The elevation above sea level at the
summit is 1921 feet.
No nearby point is more interesting
than Sugar Loaf Mountain, which Is
only about 40 miles from Washington.
No summer resort nearby IS less COM
mercialized. There Is no parking charge,
and nothing for sale. Yet, there is a
price That price is in physical energy.
But young and old alike are willing to
pay it for the satisfaction of getting a
grand view and cool breeze on a hot
day.
Automobiles can be driven to an alti-
tude of $50 feet. You mention it to the
average person and he will begin telling
YOU its nothing-that on Pixies Peak you
drive 10000 feet up. But remember
Pixies Peak is in Colorado and you can't
see the Potomac, and Great Falls, and
Round Hill, and the Washington vicinity
out there. Every one is more interested
in his own community, after all. From
the 950-foot level on Sugar Loaf you 1ind
Q trail. II that trail were perpendicular
Il would b only 81 fest 70 climb. Bvt
Evening star., 1938-08-06
Hours Provision Of Labor
Standards Act Noted.

To the Editor Of The Star:
IN YOUR editorial Of Monday, August
/, entitled Wages and Hours Act, you
touched very briefly on one or two pro-
visions Of the act. I would like to call
your attention to what I believe are
erroneous statements in this otherwise
very thoughtful editorial.
In the first place great many in
dividuals have read and thought about
this Fair Labor Standards Act Of 1888"
There is probably not trade journal
but what in one of its recent issues has
published some sort of an outline or
analysis OF this act. Chambers of COM
merce and other business associations
are reading. analyzing. discussing, and
trying to understand the full import OF
this act, because most Of the men repre-
sented by these groups lived through the
days Of N. r. A., and in this present act
they recognize some of the same prob
lens and complications which grew out
of the National Industrial Recovery Act.
The philosophy of this Fair Labor
Standards Act Of 1898 is that the present
existing labor conditions are "detri-
mental to the maintenance Of the
minimum standard of living necessary
being of workers" The implication Is
that the present standards are so low
that they constitute a burden on inter-
state commerce this free flow OF COM
merce" is a holy Of holes; but like
charity we are beginning to suspect that
many sins are committed in its name);
constitute an unfair method Of COM
petition in commerce; lead to labor dis
putes and interfere with the orderly
and fair marketing Of goods In COM
merce."
You state in your editorial that some
employes-will be delighted to find that
they-are not allowed to labor more
than A hours q week" This IS not an
altogether correct Interpretation of sec
tion 7 (a), which does provide for maxi
mum hours at regular pay, but does not
limit the hours Of work except at the
regular rate of pay, and an employe may
work a greater number of hours at over
time nav, which Is one and one-half the
regular rate at which the worker is
employed.
The N. r. A. was administered. In
part by code authorities. Similarly
the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1888
provides for industry committees.
OF course there are many other inter-
esting provisions In this act, and, as you
suggest, no doubt they will be brought
out into the open and well aired after
October "a, 1888, when the law goes into
effect. MILDRED SLOCUM CORAY.
Evening star., 1938-08-06
Too Hard.

From the Miami Daily News.
"You must travel 100000 miles to get
killed in an American railroad accident.
From statistics issued by railroad as
sociation, It would. hardly be worth the
trouble.
Evening star., 1938-08-06

1t may be noted that while American
musicians have dropped some of the old
light operas from their lists of public
performances, "The Mikado," with its
delicate satire, rather on the English
customs than on Japanese methods, re-
tains popularity. It may be necessary to
include the name of w. S. Gilbert as
one of the really statesmanlike per-
formers.
Evening star., 1938-08-06
Probably Convinced.

From the South Bend Tribune.
The Californian who fell 10 stories
without serious injury understands, we
assume. that it will still be wise to be
careful going down the basement steps.
Evening star., 1938-08-06
A Confident Opinion.

DO you think there is any danger Of
a war with Japan"
Danger Of war with Japan?" repeat
ed the citizen who is full of patriotic
confidence. mo. Even If such a war
should somehow come to pass, I don't
think there would be any danger"
Evening star., 1938-08-06
Letters to The Star

Letters to the Editor must bear
the name and address of the uriter.
although the use OF pseudonyn for
publication is permissible. Please be
brief!
Evening star., 1938-08-06
Rate by Mail-Payable in Advance
All Other States and Canada
Member of the Associated Press

The Associated Press is exclusively entitled to
the use for republication Of all news dispatches
credited to it not otherwise credited in this
paper and also the local news published herein.
All rights Of publication of special dispatches
herein also are reserved.
Evening star., 1938-08-06

It may be necessary to establish
meeting ground in midocean for states
men of various nationalities who find it
desirable to confer on world problems
and politics.
Evening star., 1938-08-06

Eisht Final and Sunday Star----70c per month
Might Final Star -------- 55c per month
Collection wade at the end Of each month ~, OF
phone National 5000.
Evening star., 1938-08-06
Krum Elbow.

Good neighbor policy! Your stuff
Will sometimes make us shiver.
We wonder if you're strong enough
To hop across the river.
Evening star., 1938-08-06

The rise Of prices In the stock market
aspect. Everybody processes to know
that 1t was coming but few could fore
tell exactly when.
Evening star., 1938-08-06

Japan has made an important contri-
button to modern political science by
discovering the potency of the Soviets in
Eastern Asia.
Evening star., 1938-08-06
Paw Roll First.

From the Cleveland Plain-Dealer.
A sure cure for insomnia, according
to q Chicago physician, is just to do
nothing. First though, the victim must
get On the public pay roll.
Evening star., 1938-08-06

I'VE hear bout de big money some
men can git fob doin' nothin'," said
Uncle Eben, "but can't put in de fancy
touches dat might distinguish my efforts
rum plain loadn,."
Evening star., 1938-08-06
Final Edition

Evening and Sunday CSC per mo. or SC per week
The Evening Star---45c per mo. or 10c per week
The Sunday Star - SC per copy
Evening star., 1938-08-06

From Desk to Open Sea.
And If my way again I found
To take my old position
I think I'd simply turn around
And 60 right back to fishing.
Evening star., 1938-08-06
The Evening Star Newspaper Company

Main ONCE: 11th st. and Pennsylvania Ave.
New York ONCE: 110 East 42nd st.
Chicago once: 435 North Michigan Ave.
Evening star., 1938-08-06
Battle Royal.

Battle Royal.
"Are you an active candidate for the
presidential nomination."
Certainly not" answered Senator Sor-
ghum. I'm fact, that is exactly what
am trying to avoid. An active candidate
for the nomination is as rule merely
the one who invites attention as
formidable rival and gets out Of the game
early"
Evening star., 1938-08-06

I'VE have the reputation of keeping
books honestly" said Hi Ho, the sage Of
Chinatown, "but recent disturbances
have involved transactions to be forgot
ten rather than recorded"
Evening star., 1938-08-06

WASHINGTON. d. c.
SATURDAY August 6, 1888
Evening star., 1938-08-06

Delivered by Carrier-City and Suburban
REGULAR Edition
Evening star., 1938-08-06

@. Please give biography Of William
McChesney Martin. head Of the New
York Stock Exchange.-E. w.
A. Mr.. Martin was born at st. Louis,
Mo-, on December II, 1906, the son of
William McChesney and Mary Rebecca
(Woods) Martin. In 1928 he received
his B. A. degree at Yale University.
He was formerly connected with the
Federal Reserve Bank in st. Louis and
was a statistician for A. G. Edwards &,
Sons, 192s-3l, becoming a partner in the
firm in 1881.
Evening star., 1938-08-06

A reader CON get the dnswer to any
question OF fact BY Uritfng The Epe.
ming Star Information Bureau, Frederic
J. Hasktn, director, Warrington. D. C.
Please tnclose stamp for reply.
Evening star., 1938-11-07
UNCLE RAYS CORNER

Besides the common house mouse,
:here are several kinds of wild
nice Wild mice. of one kind or
another. are found on every con-
tinent, almost in every section of
every continent.
Field mice are noted for the nests
they build, They are little nests
made Of woven grass and leaves, and
sometimes are fastened to stems OF
growing wheat
IT they are present in large num-
Der, field mice do heavy damage to
grain crops. Their number is kent
down by snakes, owls and hawks.
Most kinds of mice have gray fur,
but the jumping deer mouse is faun-
colored. This little animal is about
inches long, not counting the tail
1t is noted for its long leaps, which
often cover distance of to II feet
Deer mice spend most of their
time IN woodlands. They rest during
the day, and go about at night look
Ing fors berries and nuts. At the
beginning of winter they go to their
nests, which usually are under logs
or in holes in the ground, and spend
a few months there.
e House mice seem to have had their
flrst home in Central Asia, but they
have spread all over the earth. In
general way, we may say that these
gnawlng animals are to be found in
every region where people live.
Although they may not be so dam