davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1938-05-21
A Fresh Start.

It is significant that the Department
of Justice, in deciding to reopen its in
vestigation of automobile finance COM
panes, has chosen to make fresh start
in South Bend, Ind, rather than at Mil
waukee, Wis. where the original grand
jury inquiry ran afoul of Federal judge
with "od-fashioned' ideas.
That first investigation developed into
what became known as the Judge
Geiger case" taking its name from
Judge Ferdinand A. Geiger, who refused
to permit his court to be used for what
he considered to be purposes outside the
scope of legitimate prosecution.
The Milwaukee grand jury, according
to the department, was prepared to re-
turn indictments when Judge Geiger.
after learning that representatives of the
Justice Department had been negotiat-
ing for a consent decree while the case
was pending before the jury, dismissed
the entire proceeding. He took the po-
sition that an attempt had been made
to use the grand jury as club to COM
pei the signing of the consent DEGREES,
and in that he was supported by the dis
closure of what can be described only
as thinly-veiled threats made by high
officials of the department in Washing
ton to representatives of the finance
companies.
The entire record, incidentally, was
spread before the House Judiciary Com
mittee at the request of the Attorney
General. After all the facts became
known however, the committee seemed
content to let the departments COM
plant die a natural death and the A.
torney General has shown no desire to
press the issue.
In deciding to take the case to South
Bend, the department presumably was
motivated by an understandable desire
to make a fresh start in new surround
ings. But in view Of its experience with
Judge Geiger, it is probable that there
will be no more high pressure" conver-
sations in Washington between depart
ment officials and the automobile men.
Evening star., 1938-05-21
Redfern's Immortality.

The eleven-year-old mystery of the
fate of Paul Redfern, the American flyer
who disappeared somewhere over the
Guiana jungles in an attempted non
stop flight from Brunswick, Ga, to Bra
I'll may be solved at last with the report
that his grave and the wreckage Of his
plane have been found.
There can no longer be much doubt
that Redfern is dead, and that the sue
cesslve expeditions in search of him are
as futile as were those in search of Sir
John Franklin about the middle of the
past century. And over these trackless
jungles, it now appears, the American
aviator crashed into as strange an i'm
mortality as has come to a man of our
age.
Some years ago there was brought to
the National Museum here by a Depart
. ment Of Agriculture plant explorer the
image of a new god whose cult had
. arisen suddenly and was spreading rap
. idly among the savage Indian tribes of
! the region. 1t was the figure of an air.
: plane, quite accurate in some of its de-
. tails. These details were such as could
: have been copied only at close range.
The probability is that they were copied
! from Redfern's crashed plane.
. Thus this flyer becomes the latest
. OF the weird procession of hundreds OF
. thousands Of supernatural personages
. whom men have feared and worshipped
. through the ages. 1t is a strange, but
; not altogether unenviable, fate.
Evening star., 1938-05-21

ing behind its own made-to-order
ordinances for control of individual
liberties consistently abused the privi-
leges of American citizenship and made
the community virtually foreign
country.
1t has been obvious during these
developments in Jersey City that the
Federal Government was being increas-
ingly embarrassed. On the one side
was Mayor Hague, influential Democratic
leader and official Of the Democratic
National Committee. On the other side
has been the c. I. O., principal victim"
of the Hague ban and important sup
porter of the administration party.
Prominent in the picture were the highly
publicized cases of "deporting" Norman
Thomas and refusing passports" to
two members of Congress, one Demo-
crat.
All factions involved undoubtedly have
exerted pressure either for or against
Federal intervention. The La Toilette
committee, out of funds at the time,
found refuge in that circumstance while
President Roosevelt himself expressed
the opinion that it was local matter"
Those demanding correction of con-
ditions in Jersey City apparently have
prevailed in the past few days, however.
with the intervention of the Department
of Justice resulting.
1t is to be hoped that a full inquiry
will be made and that politics may be
sufficiently disregarded to allow cor
rection of a condition which offends
any honest-thinking American.
Evening star., 1938-05-21
A Sound Proposal.

Successive administrations since the
enactment of the Rogers foreign service
law in 1924 have made serious and on
the whole effective efforts to purge the
diplomatic and consular branches OF
politics and the patronage blight. Under
our political system, with spoils the ira
ditional prerogative of deserving" par
tisans. it probably will never be possible
wholly to ''careerize" the foreign service.
There must always be plums in the way
of ambassadorships and ministerships to
bestow upon party supporters who say
it not with flowers but with fat campaign
contributions in an election year. The
Rogers law took this situation into ac-
count by failure to include within its
promotion and pension provisions any
foreign service officer above. the rank of
counselor of embassy or legation.
Representative Robert Low Bacon, Re-
publican, of New York, himself the son
of one-time Secretary of State and
who apparently has an inherited interest
in our foreign relations. has introduced
bill proposing to remedy Rogers law
deficiency which unfairly handicaps men
who embark upon the foreign service
as career, but, under existing condi-
tions, may suddenly be subjected to loss
of their status through the whims or
political eXigencies of the President
any President. AS the law now is there
are officers VINO IN the past have not felt
they could accept appointment by pro-
motion to the grade of minister for
personal economic reasons; being with
out independent means, they did not
regard themselves justified in surrender
ing their status as members of the
career foreign service.
Today if foreign service officer is
appointed minister and later is sup
planted through the wish of President
to appoint some one else, such foreign
service officer is dropped entirely from
the roster after perhaps long and dis
,tinguished career, forfeiting all the
rights, including retirement emoulments,
which he had previously earned. This
inequity would be removed under the
Bacon bill creating a new class of for
teign service officers to be known as min
listers of career
Inherently fair and sound, the pro-
posal deserves the prompt and cordial
support Of Congress.
Evening star., 1938-05-21

There is still a tendency to refer to
the Vice President of the United States
as Jack" Garner. This need not inter-
fere with his serious ambition. A time
is still within memory when newspaper
workers addressed to Mr.. William How
ard Taft pathetic reminder OF his in
creasing dignities with the rhythmic
question: Cant we call you Bill now,
any more?"
Evening star., 1938-05-21

One of the most interesting features
of the circus has been the monkey that
enjoys an especial share of press agent
celebration. You may 60 through dress
ing rooms or cages and find an old
rule respected as it was in the days
of P. T. Barnum or Adam Forepaugh.
It is the feature which enjoys the
most expert explorations that get popu-
lar credit for being most Of the show.
Evening star., 1938-05-21
IL STREET.

IL SIHEE1.
Dear Sir:
II always read with interest your
articles pertaining to recorded music and
kindred subjects.
"As you are building musical library
you may have some ideas on the type Of
needle best suited to the newer record
ings.
For time used chromium needle,
later switching to cactus needle, which
I generally find satisfactory. being less
noisy than the metal needle, but not
capable of producing as much volume.
Il have the feeling that the cactus
needle is less wearing on the record, but
this may be untrue. However, have a
few records that do not seem to repro
duce correctly with wooden needle,
seeming to drag. while they perform
acceptably with the metal needle.
Il would like to learn of your expe-
rience with needles and know which type
you prefer.
Sincerely yours. "R. B. w."
* *
In few arts does so much depend upon
so small a point.
The phonograph needle is small
thing, but mighty, when it comes to
getting out of record what the artist
and engineers put into 1t in the first
place.
1t is now generally understood that
electrical recording puts far more into
disk than ever went into one before,
but it is not so we'll realized that some
offerings are too fully recorded.
That is. there is so much in them that
the sound comes bubbling over the
edges. as it were.
Neither the tone-control device, nor
the volume control will enable the lis
tener to enjoy such records.
X
The right kind of needle alone enables
him to listen calmly to some of the too
full recordings. To the person not ac-
quainted with this art it might seem
the easiest thing in the world to turn
down" the volume but that merely cuts
the output and thins it, There is a
maximum point of tonal enjoyment,
just short of blasting. This is the point
at which the machine operates most
efficiently as musical instrument
One expert declares that all records
that if they sound too loud the listener
main. this is good advice. The tone
control will cut out some of the higher
frequencles, and SO give the music
more mellow tone, but it will not give
all the desired effect.
1t is not only question of toning
down a recording which actually has
too much IN it. but also of smoothing
out and bettering the sound of any rec
ord. Operation of the tone control de-
vice cuts out most of the needle hiss
but the record also has to be considered
They are expensive. and the owner
wants them to last. 1t is not only COM
mon sense, it is art. as well, since record
wear at last destroys the tone of the
recording.
Makers of steel needles claim that the
point is really a tiny ball. and that this
rides along the bottom of the groove.
The sound waves are in the sides of
the grooves. That is the reason the
better steel needles are inspected indi-
vidually with electrical apparatus. in
order to make an absolutely smooth
contact
Perhaps 999 out of thousand enthusi-
asts have the idea that the steel needle
Evening star., 1938-05-21

Annapolis naval students report that
successful aspirants in mathematics were
thrown into the river by fellow students
IN spirit of jocose celebration COM
memorating the fact that even in seri-
Gus scholastic circles we give more at
tention to cheerful persiflage than we
do to the really hard work Of compu-
tation.
Evening star., 1938-05-21
THIS AND THAT
BY CHARLES E. TRACEWELL.

is bad for a record. Whether any OF
them has made practical tests Is an
other matter.
The writer here has never used steel
needles, either on the older recordings,
with the acoustical machines, or upon
the new electrical recordings with the
straight electrical machines, in which
the old tone arm has been replaced by
the electrical pickup. The thorn, or
cactus, needle, is preferred. We have
yet to see whether it will wear the rec
ords. Our belief, as that of our CORE
spondent, Is that it will not. That, at
any rate, is the claim.
There are various grades of these nee
dies, some of them harder than others.
The more dense wood gives tone closer
to that of steel or other metal.
There is wide belief among gramo-
phone fans" that these needles not only
give more artistic tone, in any record
ing, but also will not harm the record.
1t would make an interesting expert
ment for some devoted enthusiast to
buy two identical records at the same
time. and play each of them at least once
a day, playing one with cactus needle
solely, and the other solely with steel or
other metal. Time would tell.
X X *
1t is not generally known that slight
abrasive is used in the record material,
in order to grind the point of the needle
to fit the groove better.
The weight of the pickup also helps
in this process.
Perhaps there is far less wear on a
record with any needle, than the aver
age anxious owner fears.
The salvation of any individual record
is the extent of the collection. The larg-
er the collection, the less often any rec
ord will be played
Often a new record will chatter when
it is played with any sort of needle.
Our experience has been that this will
finally disappear with the exclusive use
of cactus needle.
The swish in some records, which
our correspondent calls drag, is in the
record; probably it was pressed incor-
rectly. No type of needle will alter
this swishing sound. Fortunately. not
one record in 10000 suffers from this
defect
In addition to correct alignment of
the pickup arm. a modern machine
should be set level, so that when the
turnta BILE is revolving. and the needle is
placed on the smooth outer rim of the
record. it will remain where it is. and
neither slide into the grooves or off the
edge of the disk.
Some record addicts believe that all
new records should be played at least
once with steel needle, cactus there
after.
They assert that this is particularly
necessary in the case of heavily recorded
numbers
There is a large opportunity for wide
spread experimentation in this whole
matter The final word has not been
said. But until it is, We will continue
to use the wooden needles They are
easier on the mind, and, We believe, on
the record
We do not advocate turning the cactus
needle slightly in the holder each time a
record is played, as is sometimes advo-
Gated
AS long as the reproduction is clear,
the cactus needle is fitted to the groove,
and should be let alone until the repro
duction becomes fuzzy. The longer and
sharper the point, with these needles,
the better. "Shouldering" is a danger.
Evening star., 1938-05-21
Potomac Bridge Ideal as
Memorial to jefferson
70 the Editor of The Star:

To the Editor Of The Star:
We are very much in need of new
highway bridge across the Potomac.
Why not put an end to the annual dis
cussions about the Jefferson Memorial
by putting up a beautiful bridge and
calling 1t the Thomas Jefferson Memo
rial Bridge? I know of no better me-
mortal for a person than really beau
tiful bridge that improves the whole
landscape I am quite sure that many
more people are grateful to Francis Scott
Key because of the lovely bridge put
up in his name than II his memorial
were just another building in Washing
ton. MARY TUCKER.
Evening star., 1938-05-21
Shooting Stars.
BY PHILANDER JOHNSON.
Digestion.

Digestion.
Though you may voice some cruel word
With energy complete
This warning sage will still be heard
BE careful what you eat!"
Dear friend, be careful what you drink,
Beware of viands neat.
But most of all take heed and think
Be careful what you eat.
In gentleness and not in ruth
Well never try to cheat.
Say what you wish, but pause in sooth-
Be careful what you eat!
Evening star., 1938-05-21
Federal Intervention.

It is not a hattering commentary
on any local government that the
protection of civil liberties of its citi-
zens should require even an inquiry by
the Federal authorities.
That such intervention was justified in
bloody Harlan County" became evil
dent with the disclosure of strong-arm
rule and terrorism brought out before
the Senate Civil Liberties Committee.
That 1t is again justified in Jersey City
has been apparent for many weeks as
the administration of Mayor Hague, hid
Evening star., 1938-05-21

Politics in Pennsylvania has for many
years displayed distinctive peculiarities.
There are citizens who to this day are
wishing for a Boies Penrose who would
keep matters straight by arbitrarily an
nouncing who was to run and when.
Evening star., 1938-05-21

DE horticulturist who took de spines
out of castus" said Uncle Eben, did SO
well dat we's lookin' for him to make life
easier for de boss by gettin' de pins out'n
newly laundered Shirts"
Evening star., 1938-05-21

There is now a general disposition
to extend the operation Of daylight
saving time so that people who have
learned to understand it are willing to
accept it without argument.
Evening star., 1938-05-21

Chinese citizens raised more than
$500 in this city to be sent to their
relatives who are fighting at home.
The sum is small. but it may have its
value as an evidence of thoughtfulness
and good will.
Evening star., 1938-05-21

A study Of the Pennsylvania returns
brings up the question of whether our
political system is not concerning itself
too much with variety of purpose and
not enough with substantial and endur-
ing results.
Evening star., 1938-05-21
EearleSsneSS.

II understand you have lady police
man in your town."
YES" answered the city father, "and
three of our most promising young men
are going to the dogs trying to get
arrested"
Evening star., 1938-05-21
The RetOrt Embarrassing.

From the Chicago Tribune.
A Swiss introduced a German to a
friend whom he identified as Swiss
admiral. But what does Switzerland
want with an admiral since it has no
navy?" inquired the German. We'll. in
Germany you have minister of justice"
retorted the Swiss. a
Evening star., 1938-05-21

Greenbelt, Maryland is notable and
progressive community, but it does not
escape ordinary embarrassment when
it comes to the simple matter of estab-
fishing a dog tax.
Evening star., 1938-05-21
Recitation Insurance.
From the Saginaw News.

From the Saginaw News
Student at Northwestern University
have insured themselves against having
to recite The teachers ought to be
given the privilege Of insuring them.
selves against having to listen.
Evening star., 1938-05-21

Navies as Peace Keepers.
From the Louisville Courier-Journal.
A "hon-aggression pact with Japan
would be an effective instrument for
the preservation Of peace in the Pacific
as soon as we have Navy big enough
to keep 1t for both Of US.
Evening star., 1938-05-21
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 Tor republication OF all news dispatches
credited to it or not otherwise credited in this
paper and also the local news published herein.
All rights OF publication OF special dlSpatcheS
herein also are reserved.
Evening star., 1938-05-21
GuidanceS.

I'm glad the circus has gone on its
way" said Senator Sorghum.
You are again taking up the reigns Of
government" asked the serious visitor.
Eyes, and feel better to get back on
my regular job instead of being con-
stantly tempted to get out and try to
ride q trick mule"
Evening star., 1938-05-21
ShOrtaEe.

The ballet dancers we admired
Once seemed quite scantily attired,
But now when for the street they dress
The clothes they wear seem even less.
Evening star., 1938-05-21
Costly Confabs.

OOsIIy OOHIdDs'
From the Arkansas Gazette.
More and bigger visits between
Caesars-Hitler's to Rome is said to have
cost italy $4,000, ,o00-might serve to
prevent war by consuming the where
Withal.
Evening star., 1938-05-21
Extreme Methods.

From the Pontiac Press.
Collegianlike cheering squads are
used to rouse the Chinese hinterland for
war. They can be that aggravating.
Evening star., 1938-05-21
Persistent Preference.

To love our enemies we'll try,
But as the peaceful prayer ascends
Well keep, while years go drifting by,
Our best affections for our friends.
Evening star., 1938-05-21

THE man who grieves because life
holds no more Illusions" said Hi Ho, the
sage Of Chinatown. lis usually dweller
in large city removed from temptation
to engage in horse trade"
Evening star., 1938-05-21
OratOrical instruction.

Prom the Philadelphia Record.
A school to teach public speaking to
Congressmen's wives has been opened
in Washington, leaving wilted observers
convinced that the day Of the matriarchy
has really arrived.
Evening star., 1938-05-21
The Evening Star Newspaper Company

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Evening star., 1938-05-21
ANSWERS TO
QUESTIONS
By FREDERIC J. HASKIN.

A reader can get the ansuer to any
question of fact by writing The Eue-
ming Star Information Bureau, Frederic
J. Haskin, Director, Washington, d. C.
Please inclose stamp for reply.
Evening star., 1938-05-21
REGULAR Edition
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Evening star., 1938-05-21

@. What is the meaning of Lafcadio
Hearn's given name?-J. H.
A. The author was born in Leucada.
one of the Greek Ionian Islands. from
which he chose his own name.
Evening star., 1938-05-21

NIGHT Final and Sunday Star foo per month
Night Final Star soc per fhonth
Collection made at the end of each month or
each week orders may be sent by mail or lele-
phone National 5000.
The Washington times., 1938-11-08

possible tie for the Western title.
For that matter, the Redskins
too. expect to cut loose with a
series of new plays which have
been especially designed for the
Bears type of defense. The
washington team, although hav-
ing rehearsed the play for weeks
has not used any of the maneu-
vers in any previous game
Although the Bears promise to
be weakened by the loss Of Dick
Plasman, the end who suffered a
broken wrist Sunday against the
Packers, George Halas, the Chi
cago coach, said tonight his team
should be in its best shape OF the
year. Despite his 24-14 loss "a
Green Bay Sunday, Halas said
I'VE played better ball against
the Packers than we've shown
any time this year. The two
fumbles beat us. Otherwise. I
was pleased with the way the
team went to work. We should
have won that game by at least
81 to 0. We didn't win because
we had the worse breaks I've
even seen against U.S."
AS the Redskins went over thu
Bears personnel at the meetinl
last night, Flaherty lightened tn
The Washington times., 1938-11-08

short. Consequently, many pro-
spective buyers were so incon-
veniently placed they were unable
to force the bidding. Rearrange-
ment has been planned for tonight
to take care of the crowds and to
offer more comfort to the patrons.
There were many bargains last
evening that passed for lack OF
bidding competition.
Balko, son of Omar Khayyam
and Rahu, offered in the sale by
Alfred G. Vanderbilt, went for
$1,000 to an agent believed to be
acting for motion-picture magnate
Louis B. Mayer, while imported
By Pass the Second was knocked
down for $1,100. Tonight has been
assigned entirely to yearlingS,
and much more active bidding is
expected when proper accommoda'
tions will be arranged.
The Washington times., 1938-11-08
Redskins Drill on Loyola Field

proceedings with a story concern
ing one of the Bears who once
sought a job with the Redskins.
It was all the more amusing be-
cause professional footballs train
ing rules are more stringent than
those governing any college team.
The tale went like this:
This particular member Of the
Bears, whose name must remain
anonymous for obvious reasons,
was telling Flaherty about his
football prowess. y very seldom
make a bad pass" said the job
seeker, patting himself on the
back, "unless I'm drunk, and I'm
not usually drunk on the day OF
the game" This particular foot
baller's fine disregard for train
ing has caused him to be shifted
around from one team to the
other.