davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1939-08-14
Office-HoIdinq Bon

The Civil Service Commission pos
sibly has exceeded the intent OF the
Hatch Act In holding that civil serv-
ice employees no longer may seek mu-
nicipal office, but the ruling is a
logical one.
AS the commission points out, Con-
gress now has set up new standards
for the political conduct of Govern
ment workers, and where exception
Is to be made, it follows that this is
q congressional prerogative.
Under the circumstances, it is un-
fortunate that the Hatch Act did not
safeguard the rights which Federal
employees, by virtue of executive
orders, have enjoyed for many years
of taking active part in the govern
ment of small communities where
they were largely represented. This
privilege was extended originally on
the ground that it was in the public
interest so long as fflceSeeking was
kept free of partisanship. Sponsors
of the Hatch Act agreed with the
principle when study was being given
to an amendment that would insure
. It's continuance after the question had
been raised as to whether the pros
pective legislation would set it aside.
The amendment was not pressed,
however, and more than two dozen
Maryland and Virginia communities
which have Federal employees in office
face the prospect of revamping their
governing bodies.
A move to amend the law already
is on foot in nearby Maryland and
can be counted on to gain force.
There is no reason why the change
should not be effected speedily, par
ticularly, as the commission says,
since the years have demonstrated
the advisability of the policy now
due for abandonment.
While the Civil Service Commission
ban covers only those persons under
its Jurisdiction, 1t likely will be ex-
tended to non-civil service workers
by the Department Of Justice, for un-
questionably the Attorney General
will be required to pass on the status
of these, and it would be difficult to
depart from the commission prece-
dent.
AS a matter of fact, the necessity
of even considering possible dis
tinction between the two classes is
little short of ridiculous, but the
condition is there. 1t offers one more
argument, however, for extending the
competitive service to those thou
sands of positions now outside the
civil service
Evening star., 1939-08-14
Expresses Appreciation
OF Radio Forum.
Fairfax, Va.
August 10.

To the Editor Of The STAR
May take this opportunity to express
the appreciation of a small circle of
friends as well as my sister and myself
for the broadcasts of the Radio Forum
during the past winter. They have
helped us much in getting the personal
viewpoints of leading members of Con-
gress and chairmen of various commits
tees and in understanding the problems
of our people.
We feel that with few exceptions
when the talks were more political than
informative, they have been fair, frank
and friendly, for which we think The
Star largely responsible We hope the
custom will be continued next year, when
we shall need even more open, free,
kindly discussion of measures carried
over, which will help in making decisions
for the 1910 elections We think the
people are waking up, thanks to such
efforts as you of The Star are putting
forth. MI. WYCKOFF
Hinsdale, Ill.
August 8.
Evening star., 1939-08-14

seems to be for the post of President" :"
Surely, If three bands are all that it
takes to secure the presidential nomina-
ton, then Senator Tydings would seem
to have the 1910 nomination right in his
own vest pocket
But-tthere must be but" to have
aroused the Senator's pessimism) per
haps the Senator has just remembered
that it takes votes to get into the White
House even after one has been nomi-
mated. Odd that the Senator did not
think Of the votes outside of Maryland
before this. Thinking of them. there
seems to be ample justification for the
Senator's pessimism, for what incentive
have Republicans to vote for a conserva-
tive Democrat when there are so many
able conservative Republican Senators
from whom to choose a candidate? And
what incentive is there for a Democratic
or independent voter (outside the State
of Maryland, of course) to vote for a
Senator who has so conspicuously
ignored the fabulous vote of 1886 as has
the affable Senator Tydings? What
indeed?
The Senator's column however, ends
on an optimistic note and Tydings
graciously takes bow for the passage
and signature of the Hatch bill. To be
sure. there are doubtless many of his
surprised readers who may still be under
the impression that it was Senator
Hatch who presented the bill that bears
his distinguished name and that it was
President Roosevelts signature that
made the bill into law, but Senator
Tydings takes the bow, and who can
begrudge him that graceful exit? Who
indeed? A MARYLAND DEMOCRAT.
August 10.
Evening star., 1939-08-14
Says immigration Ban
Would Help Young Americans.


To the Editor Of The Star.
We are awake to the fact that each
year millions of girls and bows are
graduating from high school and college
with the expectation of taking their
places IN the affairs of our country,
Many are discouraged when they find
That openings do not exist.
Students have worked long hours to
attain knowledge and we realize that the
education of our girls and BOYS raises
the standard of American living. There
fore, we must keep faith with the youth
OF our land. How is this to be accom-
pllshed? Only through consistent effort
shall the victory be ours.
Senator Reynolds has introduced A
bill in Congress which is of vast impor-
tance to the progress Of American youth.
1t Is a ban on immigration until we
nave conquered the recession. We will
encourage action on this bill If we sin
cerely wish to provide opportunity in the
near future for our youth. Is it logical
to encourage immigration while millions
Of Americans are unemployed?
The logical thought and action of to-
day will efficiently solve our problems of
tomorrow, and only through consistent
effort shall American youth know a pro-
gressive and happy future.
BARBARA FOSSETT.
AugllSt 10.
Evening star., 1939-08-14

of 4 total OF $112,026,o44 Of licenses
for the first seven months Of 1899
France alone accounted for nearly
two-thirds, of which about SIS, 900 900
was various classif1cations Of air
craft.
This State Department report Is
good news. It is good news not only
to American industry, which has a
very deep interest in whatever Gre
ates business for the United States
at the rate of $112,000,00O in seven
months, but it is good news to all
those who believe that the place Of
the United States is at the side Of
the European democracies in the
white war" now raging and in the
actual conflict to which it may be the
prelude.
Evening star., 1939-08-14
THIS AND THAT
By Charles Z. Tracepell.

Spanish-type music is the most melodic
IN the world because every phrase is q
tune, IN addition to the big tune in the
piece
This is natural, though not scientific,
way OF putting it. 1t means that the
composer, whether Cuban, Mexican, Bra
lillian, really Spanish, Trinidadian, or
living in any other country we think of
as Spanish-speaking, lovingly makes
every break" in every melody a little
melody all by itself.
Thus the listener not only has the
main melodic line OF the composition
but series of smaller melodic lines to
delight both his ear and his mind.
This is where the understanding of
music comes in, after ALL People lament
that they do not understand" a compo-
sition especially a work of symphonic
proportions, when all the time they
might do so If they would put their mind
to it.
Using the mind, in thus understand
ing piece of music, means that one
: must have enough familiarity with mu-
sic procedure to grasp instantly what
the composer is trying to do
1t is because so many persons though
real music lovers, lack this fundamental
acquaintance with the art, that they sit
with stony faces before something thev
hear the first time, while all the time a
few persons in the audience evince a
lively pleasure.
The latter are not blufing. They are
the music lovers who have some little
knowledge OF what it is all about They
are able to see the musical pattern in
the air, as 1t were, as the composer and
the players weave it for them.
X *
This basic understanding. the only
real knowing of music, does not mean
that one must take conservatory course
No, year at the piano will do, or six
months fooling around with the mando-
lin, or the ability to strum a guitar and
read little music, or play three or four
chords on the ukulele.
These are not harsh requirements at
all; in fact, musicians will think them
not enough, remembering their own years
OF toll, but they constitute a great deal
more technical knowledge than many
listeners possess
How about these fellows who do not
know one note from the other, and vet
can make up tunes and play some in
strument well? These persons consti-
tute real exception They are basic
musicians by nature, and Undoubtedly
have enough musical knowledge born in
them to understand music in the aonlv
way it can be understood
1t is said that one famous PLAYER of
hot jazz" (now becoming known as
righteous jazz did not know one note
from another, and when asked If he
could read notes replied Il can read 'em
but I can't separate EN- 1t doesn't
make any difference with such a man
whether he can read or not, he can play
'em, and that is the big thing as far as
he Is concerned.
We speak rather of the music lover
who has not enough technical command
Evening star., 1939-08-14
Home Loans and Business

An indication of basically sound
conditions in Washington is given in
the report of the Home Owners Loan
= Corporation for the first six months of
this year. Up to June 80 borrowers in
the Capital had repaid one-fourth OF
their debts to the corporation and
eighty-four per cent of the accounts
were in satisfactory standing, which
means the payments were up to date
or not more than three months in
arrears. The corporation owns only
nineteen houses in the District and
has 1878 accounts.
When it is considered that in every
case the accounts on the books of
the H. o. L. c. represent home buyers
who were in distress and that they
now are able to pay of one-fourth of
their debt, in the aggregate, it means
only that these families, once on the
verge Of foreclosure, are now in sound
financial condition. Thus, rehabili-
tation of the financing of these
homes is a definite contribution to
the community.
AS an indication of the state of
business, the corporations sale Of
houses whose financing was not re-
habilitated is reassuring. In the
Capital the agency has sold only
185 since the beginning of operations,
while throughout the country it sold
more than 1900 in June. These sales
represented capital losses to the
corporation to some extent, but all
Evening star., 1939-08-14

were made at prices which retrieved
the amount of the loan and most OF
the incidental expenses connected
with foreclosure and holding the
properties.
"The fact that we have been dis
posing of properties at the rate OF
more than four thousand a month
recently without affecting the sta
bility of the market speaks we'll
for business conditions" the report
points out. IF our figures on COL
lections and sales can be taken as a
barometer, conditions are consider
ably better than in the best period
of 1887"
Evening star., 1939-08-14
Pedestrian Control Plan
Wins Approval.

To the Editor of The Star:
Every time 1 see a red light at an in
tersection I find myself chafing against
the bit, especially when no on-coming
automobiles can be seen approaching
from either direction. Waiting for street
lights to change so as to enable me to
cross street is an irksome business. I
have been subjected to the chagrin and
modification common to the pedestrian
who, in trying to sneak across the street
against the lights has been chased back
to the curb by watchful policeman
Therefore, having been publicly cor
rected in the error of my ways, should
be one of the many who have already
written to the editor to declare pedestrian
control regulations an encroachment
upon the liberty of the people; an in
justice to the taxpayer and so on
I have read various detailed accounts
of people who have felt that they and
others have been Disseminated against
by the enforcement of these regulations,
and that pedestrians should be given the
right to exercise their own judgment as
to when and where they should cross
street. My sympathy lies always with
the man in the street as am a dyed i'm
the-wool pedestrian myself.
However, I believe that pedestrian
control enforced to the letter of the law
is doing the greatest number of people
precautionary measures that the ma
jority OF Washingtonians exercise at
street intersections is beyond reproach,
still there is a minority of people who
have yet to learn few pointers as to
when and where to cross a street. Then,
too, there are those who show a fine
contempt for any law attempting to pro-
tect the pedestrian simply because it is
law and primarily because the enforce
ment of such laws might slightly in
convenience them.
So the only safe and sane way is to
wait for the green light and at the same
time bear in mind to keep eyes open. At
the least, I have the satisfaction of
knowing that by the simple observance
of the law am setting good example
for school children who by instinct
emulate the older generations
AS a foot-note, wish to call atten-
tion to the fact that tree standing in
front of trafhc light on the northwest
corner of Twelfth and Pennsylvania
avenue NV. prevents the pedestrian
approaching this intersection from the
east from seeing whether the light Is
red or green.
August IL. FRANK j. SALAMON.
Evening star., 1939-08-14
Problem in Piques

At one time Mount Rainier in the
State of Washington had the dis
tinction of being the third highest
object in the United States, not
counting the national debt. It's
closest rival for the honor was Mount
Massive in Colorado, a few feet
shorter. Seemingly that was all
there was to it. The race, If there
had ever been one, must have been
decided millions of years ago, after
which all mountains except the one
that moved to Mahomet settled down
and called it an era. Therefore, when
the National Park Service reported
that Mount Massive is now ten feet
higher than Mount Rainier. the news
fell like a bombshell on the Tacoma
Chamber of Commerce.
Much disturbed by the upset in the
balance of power, they were con-
vinced that the Government in Den
yer had been up to some sort of
monkey business, and in spirit Of
mountain pique condemned it for
not having maintained the status
quo established by nature back in
the early Pleistocene age. They
served notice on Colorado that build
ing up Mount Massive contrary to
law constituted a direct violation OF
the pact and that Mount Rainier
would instantly be put in shape to
meet the threat. In their own words,
they will build a cairn or roll up a
huge SNOWFALL or do something that
will give the mountain the needed
extra height eleven feet.
1t is not to be thought for a min
ute that the proud State of Colorado
will submit. In the first place, it
will never officially recognize the
added cairn, and in the second, it
will build a shot tower twelve feet
high on the top of Mount Massive.
When this happens, let no one i'm
agine that the fair State of WASH
ington will tamely yield. In the first
place, 1t will regard the shot tower
as mere pimple Illegally grated on
the face of nature, and in the second
it will build
Editorial Note: Space require
ments prevent a further discussion
Of this fascinating subject)
Evening star., 1939-08-14
The Arms Export Report

The August report of the State De-
partment of arms exports and IL
censes for July and the seven months
of 1889 through July is striking
proof of the manner in which the
resources of the United States are
being drawn upon by the democ-
racies to prepare. their defense
against attack
The report reveals the United
States principally as merchant in
aircraft and accessories, with other
types of modern weapons falling into
almost negligible positions. And, sig
nificantly, this heavy expectation is
going for the most part to Britain,
France, the Netherlands, Canada and
Australia, Argentina, Brazil, Colom-
bia, Mexico, Peru and Venezuela.
At the same time the three totali-
tartan states-Germany, Italy and
Japan-are obtaining but negligible
quantities of arms from the United
States.
Licenses for export Of arms to the
axis powers and their partner In the
Far East for the first seven months
of 1889 totaled $795, 1926, of which
$725, 900 was for one plane sold by
an American company under a con-
tract entered into before Secretary
Hull in July, 1888, issued his moral
embargo" against sale of American
aircraft to nations which "use air.
planes for attack upon civilian popu-
lations."
During the same period licenses
were issued for the export of some
$9l, ,147, ,683 worth of American mu-
nitions to Great Britain, France and
the Netherlands. OF this figure air
craft of alEkinds and plane accesso-
ries accounted for $9O,674,425. To
Australia and Canada the export of
$6,882,321 worth of munitions, of
which $6,472,258 was aircraft, was
licensed. To the six leading Latin
American countries exporters were
given licenses to ship arms valued at
$5,381,7 ,756, of which 5,O13 ,O88 covered
aircraft and parts.
The most surprising part of the
report is the extent to which France
Is utilizing American equipment In
Its drive for war preparedness. Out
Evening star., 1939-08-14
Night Symphony

If, when these walls have crumbled, and
the dust
Lies on a thousand thresholds, and when
rust
Is all that you and and others know,
You think the essences of beauty 20,
With their creators, into earth again
To mingle commonly with warmth and
rain,
Then sleep within your bed and hear no
sound
OF music from the harsh and silent
ground.
But If you think that vanished beauty
lies
Still In the silences of hearts and ewes.
Know that its music, although past and
still,
Hovers above the moonstruck flood and
hill,
And in the moonlight of the night sky
where
1t sings, poised in the mute expectant
air.
JOHN CLAIBORNE DAVIS.
Evening star., 1939-08-14
Out Of Step

Majority Leader Rayburn's an
nouncement that he will support
Vice President Garner for the next
Democratic presidential nomination
is logical sequel to Mr.. Roosevelt's
letter last week to the Young Demo-
Gratis
That letter, warning that the Presi-
dent could not be expected to sup
port conservative" nominee, was
little short of an ultimatum to the
Democratic party. His definition of
a conservative Democrat as one who
admits that "all OF our recent policies
are not wrong and that many of
them should be retained" has been
interpreted as meaning that the Vice
President, so far as Mr.. Roosevelt is
concerned, is in the prescribed class
of potential nominees.
If Mr.. Roosevelt was seeking to
head off" the nomination of Mr..
Garner or of any other Democrat
whose views parallel the latter's,
which is reasonable inference to
draw from the Presidents statement,
it is not surprising that those op-
posed to third term for Mr.. Roose-
welt or to the nomination of an
ardent New Dealer should accept
the challenge which has been de-
livered to them. The President can
hardly expect to open fire on pros
pective candidates without having
their friends reply in kind.
The position taken by Mr. Rayburn,
however, must be especially painful.
to the President. The majority
leader has been consistent sup
porter of the Roosevelt administra-
ton and is credited with having been
the author of such notable New Deal
legislation as the Securities Act, the
Stock Exchange Act and the Utilities
Holding Company law In view of
Mr. Rayburn's record, the President
can hardly dismiss his announce
ment as being merely the work Of
another Democratic reactionary or
conservative.
1t does not seem amiss to suggest
that the position taken by the ma
jority leader should induce Mr..
Roosevelt to re-examine the political
scene with a view to determining
who it is that has lost step with the
march of events.
Evening star., 1939-08-14

OF any instrument to play 1t well. His
own harsh critic, his fingers do not go
fast enough to suit him. He is not able
to bring from the bow Of his violin the
precise tones which he admires in the
masters In time he tends to give up
his instrument, but he keeps for the
rest OF his life the little genuine knowl-
edge which he has amassed. 1t helps
him whenever he listens. He is able to
grasp the felicitous phrases of every
composition, great or small, maybe not
all OF them at the very first hearing,
but most Of them, and in few hearings
all OF them, thereafter to be continual
source of delight.
Such man can take in anything
from Debussys piano compositions,
which to many listeners are just so much
hash, to the jazz offerings of Jelly-Roll
Morton, and get real recreation from
them all, because able to understand
while the music is in fight.
Music which we call Spanish, spread
over South America, Central America.
the islands of Cuba and Trinidad and
others, to the parent country across the
sea. delights in genuine loving care for
complete melodic expression in every
single phrase.
American-made music, especially of the
popular sort, is made according to a
fixed pattern, but Spanish-type music, of
which the rumba, tango and carioca may
be taken as examples, is so varied that
this very fact makes it extremely en-
tertaining. No two tangoes, for in
stance, are ever alike; the connecting
phrases, each one is a genuine melodic
gem all by itself, although it NAV be
only few bars long.
These people have a genius, too, for
the exact point of repetition for the best
possible musical effect.
Their mixing fast and slow, common
to music the world around, but most
dramatically displayed in Hungarian
gypsy music, is done with a great deal
of restraint, the very crux of artistry in
music.
If singer impresses an educated
listener as screaming. on that last note.
rather than singing it, he may be said
to be by that much less an artist; If
he gives the impression that he could
sing great deal louder but doesn't
want to, he is in mighty fair way of
being an artist
Restraint is the very heart blood of
good music, and most of the peoples of
the earth seem to have it great deal
more than your typical American.
AS emotional as Spanish-type peoples
are tlery, we think of them, they are,
one and all, real musicians, which means
real artists. This is not only shown in
performance but primarily in compost
ton, so tnat the listener has double
treat coming to him all the time. Let
him listen especially for the little melo-
dies which cluster, like petals, around
the main flower of musical creation and
adorn it with colors and reflections.
This is the genuine gliding of the lily.
rare in any art, solidly satisfying in
this.
Evening star., 1939-08-14
Tydings as Columnist
Draws Criticism.

To the Editor Of The Star:
AS an aspiring columnist, Senator
Tydings loftily condemns political
methods which he himself has appeared
to use with conspicuous success. In his
first campaign as a candidate for the
United States Senate he found the
"ballyhoo" raised by the Maryland
veterans of the A. E. F. proclaiming him
as a medal-wearing hero quite effective.
To quote the Senator: "The availa-
bility and fitness of the presidential
candidate seem not to depend upon his
ability or his record, but rather upon the
fact that he has three bands instead Of
one-the more noise, the more bands
the more fitted the particular nominee
Evening star., 1939-08-14
Praises National Symphony
Orchestra and DR.. GAM.
TO the Editor of The Star.

10 the Editor OF The Star.
Those of us that did not mind the
rain at the Water Gate last Wednesday
night were overjoyed by the magnificent
performance of our National Symphony
Orchestra under the brilliant leadership
of DR.. Rudolph CAM.
The entire program was very delight
full, but of particular significance were
the compositions of Richard Wagner and
Georges Bizet, which were interpreted
with precision and feeling.
Congratulations to Dr. GAM, who once
more has proven his deep musical
knowledge and complete control of all
the sections of the orchestra.
A sincere vote of thanks to DR.. Kind
Ter and his fine orchestra, which has
added another charm to the many that
adorn our beautiful city.
EUGENE YSITA.
AUGUST 10,
Evening star., 1939-08-14

Baseball, it is announced, is slowly
gaining q foothold in Russia But
any stand-out team, like our Yanks,
would be likely to get promptly
purged.