davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1939-09-08
THIS AND THAT
BIZ Charles z. TrdceDell.
sums fate dawned upon me. Y

sums fate dawned upon me. You
never
"'Huh' she grunted. resentfully, ac-
companied by a withering glance in my
direction, followed by an impressive
pause before delivering this parting shot.
And yit,' she said with unmistakable
emphasis, I knows a chile as is mighty
fond of eatin' chicken
Sincerely yours, TX. MGR. M"
X Il 4
Opossums and raccoons are two ami
mails we seldom see in local suburban Sec
tions, so that they cannot be counted as
familiar guests, even by those kind souls
who are forever keeping watch for them.
Friends of animals like nothing better
than the unusual in the garden.
They get more real "kick" out of a
rabbit than some people have secured
from the discovery Of gold.
How do they get that way?"
BY thinking.
The friend of animals, in a most un-
friendly world, have decided, whether
they quite realize it or not that moth
ing is either good or bad but thinking
makes it So"
Small animals, then, become to them
friends, because they think in friendly
way toward them. There is something in
the bright eyes. the beauty, the habits,
which wins their hearts and minds.
Friendship for animals is way of
thought which in all times and races
hos bod &c ovpopapfs apd u,I}ch II, M
time and age any one need be ashamed
Of
'Coons and 'possums are rare here
abouts, except In the ZOO, but OCCASION
ally one or the other does stray into
the city, probably there as much as in
the suburban sections, for most OF such
specimens are escapes from captivity.
The raccoon is an even more interest
ing wild pet than the opossum.
While it can be tanned to a certain
extent, 1t cannot be given its liberty,
or it will take to the woods without
hesitancy, or at least seek them.
The feeding Of the raccoon is not diff
cult This creature will eat almost any,
thing, edible or inedible, except meats
All types of vegetables are good for it,
along with such vitamin and mineral
filled substances as potato peelings and
the like
Raccoons even will sample soft coal.
The writer here in his youth had one Of
these animals, and repeatedly watched it
eat coal with relish.
Bituminous coal surely could be no
worse on the internal economy than
some of the many substances eaten by
mankind.
Animals may be regarded as know
ing what is best for them, and of desir-
ing to eat it if given chance to get it.
The same scarce can be said Of humanity.
Evening star., 1939-09-08

factory conclusions with respect to
economies in planning that will
smooth the way for future contracts.
Neither agency has seen fit to take
the public entirely into its confidence
with respect to newly reached agree
ments and understandings. All that
is known is that the lowest" bid
wasn't low enough. Whether the
fault lies with the contractor or with
the specifications and plans is a
matter for conjecture.
Assignment of A. c. Shire, di-
rector of United States Housing
Authority's technical division to CO.
operate in working out housing prob
lens that are peculiar to Washing
ton was step in the right direction.
1t seems to come as a belated recog-
milton that building costs here, as
in the case of living costs, are among
the highest in the country. Further
more, it may be an admission that
an inflexible yardstick cannot be
applied to Washington's housing
program.
In dealing with the Nation as a
whole, the U. S. H. A. has done a
commendable job by steadily lower
ing the construction costs of the
projects it is financing. Yet, after
oil tho oueStiop of what iS a roo coo
ably low cost of construction is open
to argument and different interpre-
tation, depending on many sets of
circumstances Washington wants it's
public housing projects built as eco
nomically as possible. But plans for
decent, livable dwellings should not
be sacrificed too much merely to
achieve a new "loW" in construction
costs for a city of more than 5O0,-
900 population.
Evening star., 1939-09-08
BLUEMONT, VA.

Dear Sir:
1.-THE good roads have brought many
innovations to the summer colony Of the
Blue Ridge Mountain region above Blue
mont, but none more welcome than the
daily delivery this season of The Star
on the date it is published. AS relief
from the strain Of the European situ-
alton, we always enjoy your This and
That" articles about wild birds, beasts,
flowers etc.
"The woods about us here Is mecca
for them all, and constantly bringing us
new acquaintances. Sometimes it is a
camoufaged nest, grass covered, of baby
rabbits on the ground; again, another
nest we'll hid with bark on bough over
our heads, housing family Of baby
hummingbirds. Or We meet young
woodchuck numbering over the orchard.
These are familiar sights.
But few days ago came a real sur
prise Hearing jolly commotion below
in the living room, I hurried down to
meet some particularly vivacious caller
I wish your readers might have glimpsed
~ X 4
"Our stout colored cook, who has q
way of making friends with the inhabi-
tants of the forest close by, was SWITCH
ing slowly about, holding by the tip of
his long slender hairless tail strange
looking little animal about the size
of Belgian hare.
NIT oF
shaggy, gray fur. His bright eyes peered
intelligently out over a long pointed
nose as he padded curiously and unafraid
around the room on well-cushioned soles.
apparently he was interested in
everything in this new world in which
he SO Unexpectedly found himself.
Meet the first baby opossum ever
found on our place!
He had been caught in the garden,
dining on sweet corn If you please.
".NoW here's wild animal at last
thought I, who considers man not his
enemy but friend. What a pet he
would make!
From the living room he continued
his promenade with the cook on the
grass OF the dooryard, travelling about
contentedly, his tail now twined con-
fidently around the cooks rustic cane
reminding one for all the world of
little monkey.
That evening asked the cook about
her interesting protege.
There came an inscrutable expression
into her rolling eyes which sent cold
chill of presentiment down my spine.
Hmm! she began, and the eyes
took on a far-aWay look as if Illuminating
on something in the past. Possum and
sweet taters is mighty good eatin'!'
"'Cannibal! I gasped, as baby pos
Evening star., 1939-09-08
Another Housing Accord

According to censored news bull
letins from the Washington public
housing front, Federal and District
officials now are said to be in COM
plete harmony" following the earlier
rejection of a building contract for
the proposed low-cost housing prof.
ect on Ridge road. The long dis
cussed program for rehousing a
segment of the city's sizable army of
slum dwellers is again expected to
proceed at accelerated pace from
now on" The basis for this harmony
appears to be the fact that housing
officials at last have arrived at salts
Evening star., 1939-09-08
Union Fish

When Harold Lloyd of Philadelphia
went fishing at Wildwood, N. j., he
had no more than the usual hopes
Of the average angler. He was sure
of bringing something back to the
wife and kiddies, because he knew
where there were great schools of
fish of all sizes, shapes and varieties,
closely packed in market stalls on
the water front, eagerly waiting for
some one to cast couple of dollars
on the counter and take them. Saw
ing these fishing grounds as last
resort, Mr.. Lloyd went out into the
ocean to test his luck, which was
good. The prize Of the lot turned out
to be a three and a half pound
founder, on whose scales was stuck
tin label of the International To-
bacco Workers Union Of the Ameri-
can Federation of Labor.
Gazing at the union fish in con-
siderable awe, Mr.. Lloyd sought in
vain for an explanation Of the phe-
nomenon. Why did the founder join?
What could he possibly get out OF it?
Did he follow the usual practice and
pay a fin or so as initiation fee?
What was he doing in the tobacco
business? Such questions drove Mr..
Lloyd nearly frantic. AS the day wore
on, and he hooked no other members
OF the union, he decided that this
particular one must have been a
swimming delegate en- route to
convention of tobacco workers.
In an exclusive interview Mr.. Green
Of the A. F. of L. expressed his pleas
ure at the recent organization of the
New Jersey Submarine Local of the
I. T. w. u, A. F. of L., and lauded
highly the enterprise of its first
member. "He has seen the light"
said Mr.. Green. mo longer does he
founder. would like to have the
pleasure of eating him." Mr.. Lewis
Of the CT. o., in an equally exclu-
sive interview, was barely audible.
what do you expect?" he growled.
HE was Just poor hsh."
Evening star., 1939-09-08
Expresses Faith in
American Leaders.
To the Editor of The Star:

10 the Editor OF the 9tAr:
The report that President Roosevelt
has announced that precautions would
be taken to combat propaganda aimed
at substituting Communism or dictator
ship for the American form Of govern
ment should be heartily received by the
American people. BY American people
is meant those who are only interested
in the general welfare Of our country
and not subject to the pressure OF
foreign sympathies.
The American people can be depended
upon to support the righteous course of
our present form Of government They
are loyal, courageous and God-fearing
They may disagree on some aspects of
the neutrality legislation, but as whole
they are agreed that what our states
men do will not be to the discredit Of
the Nation. Americans are chiefly inter-
ested in maintaining . strictly neutral
front, but when or II our material and
human interests become jeopardized,
sentiment and morale will be unitedly
in favor of doing what statesmen deem
best.
The Constitution of the United States
provides for freedom of press and free
dom of speech. We Americans would
protest any infringement Of either in
peacetime, but once war is declared, we
know that 1t is to the best interests
of our country that press and speech
be restrained by the Government in
power. Until that hour arrives restraint
of either would be unjust to Americans
who may not agree with everything that
is spoken or written. F.F.
SeDtember s.
Evening star., 1939-09-08
Suggests Prayers
For German People.

To the Editor Of The Star:
We live in an atmosphere of deep re-
sentiment because the most appalling OF
disasters, war, is upon us. what the
end will be only God can tell. But our
resentment should be focused upon one
man and one man only-Hltler. he
and he alone is responsible, and should
he die the war would collapse, because
nobody really wants 1t. Vested WIN
supreme authority and intoxicated with
power, he seeks to rule the Worlo'
Against him and not against the German
people should the wrath Of man turn.
The German people are essentially
great and noble people. Their contrl-
button to art, science, philosophy, cul-
ture and religion has made the world
their debtor. Millions of Americans nave
German blood in their veins, many OF
them standing high in the roll OF
achievement. Are we to believe that
thev are properly represented by this
pagan monster who would pervert his
tory, dethrone Christ and turn the world
back to barbarism? Not for moment
can we believe it.
Millions of Germans disapprove OF
Hitler but dare not speak. He is even
teaching children to hate and suspect
their own parents. A German boy IN
the presence of his father and an Amerl-
can visitor said: If Hitler says my faith
er is a traitor and orders me to shoot
him, I'll do it.. And all you say OF Amerl-
can liberty are lies, lies, lies!" He flung
himself out of the room, and after he
had left his father sadly said: This is
what he is taught-and l dare not cor
rect him. Does any one think that
devout parent can be content with such
teaching?
Again. millions of generous-hearted
Germans disapprove of the treatment OF
the Jews. not to mention Catholics and
Protestants prosecuted to the death be-
cause they will not substitute the nation
for God, and because they say with
Luther: Here take my stand. I can
do no other. God help me-" And what
about the mothers, to whom their sons
are as dear as to any other mothers, who
see their boys march away never to re-
turn again? Do not all these Germans
appeal to our hearts and temper our
wrath by deep tenderness and sympathy?
The time has come to renew the sug-
gestion of David Lawrence-mass prayer
for the German people. 1t would send a
thrill of hope through the hearts OF
those in prison and in detention camps
and otherwise oppressed if they knew
that in this great Nation there were mil
lions of free men and free women SYM
pathetically praying for them. I my
self have been praying for them ever
since the suggestion was made, and If I
were again pastor of church would
have special prayers for the German
people offered at every service of worship.
September 4. A. H. THOMPSON.
Evening star., 1939-09-08
Comments on
Neutrality Of Thoughts.

comments on
Neutrality of Thoughts.
To the Editor of The Star:
am a Washington public school
teacher Last summer I toured Europe
after spending few weeks in summer
school in oxford, England. I have just
completed a 140O0-mile tour of the
United States this summer route which
visited all 48 of the States. Therefore, I
sincerely believe that the following lines
are not the thoughts of person narrow
or prejudiced, and I hope you can print
them.
An American President was reelected
on a slogan of Keep America Out of
War" He, too, no doubt, had mental
reservations as to where his sympathies
lay. The American people were led to
feel the same. America went to war in
1917. We must remain neutral in
thought.
Another thing. Cash and carry for
munitions? Only fool, and the world
is filled with them today, would call this
neutrality. England and France rule the
seas. Therefore, cash and carry un-
questionably favors England and France
and would antagonize Germany. Ger
many, cornered and desperate, lashes at
American shipping in a frantic gesture
OF hatred. An American ship is sunk,
American lives are lost. America goes to
war.
How else can thinking person remain
neutral except in thought?-for with an
intelligent person his thoughts precede
his actions. r, w. RUFFNER
August 4.
Evening star., 1939-09-08
War on Espionage

With Europe at war and with
espionage naturally on the in
crease, President Roosevelt has acted
promptly to guard against repeti-
ton of the type of public and official
apathy of World War days that
made alien espionage and sabotage
in this country a relatively easy
assignment. Prior to our entry into
the war there was no counter
espionage in the United States
worthy of the name. Army and
Navy intelligence services were skele-
tonized. The Justice Departments
Bureau Of Investigation was almost
unknown to the general public.
There was no agency of the Gov
ernment seriously concerned with
combating spies; and the official
attitude on the subject was, on the
whole, one of indifference. It was
under such conditions that the I'M
perial German Government, then at
war with France and England, or
ganized a sinister campaign of espio-
mage and sabotage in the then neu-
trail United States with one imme-
diate objective in vieW-the destruc-
ton of war supplies intended for
shipment to the Allies. German
agents. slipped into this country
in various guises and began a series
of depredations ranging from injec-
ton of anthrax germs into livestock
destined for France to such Infamous
crimes as the blowing up of the Black
Tom and Kingsland IN. j. NUM-
tlonS depots. It took more than
twenty years of painstaking investi-
cation to fix definitely on Germany
the responsibility for the New Jersey
explosions whereas an adequate
counter-espionage system might have
prevented these disasters or placed
the guilt for them while the evidence
still was fresh.
Attorney General Murphy possibly
had these World War incidents in
mind when he announced in a public
statement that foreign agents and
those engaged in espionage will no
longer find this country a happy
hunting ground for their activities"
In a co-incidental announcement
President Roosevelt instructed J. Ed
gar Hoover'S Federal Bureau of In
vestigation to take charge Of all SPY,
saboteur and neutrality investiga-
tions and at the same time he called
on all law enforcement officers in
the Nation to cooperate by turning
over to the G-men any information
which may bear on these matters.
Mr.. Hoover is well qualified by ex-
perience to direct this important
work, for twenty years ago he organ
lied and headed a special division
in the department on subversive ac-
tivities. His hard-hitting bureau has
been highly successful in dealing
with the recent resurgence of espio-
mage growing out Of disturbed condi-
t1ons in Europe and the Far East
before the outbreak of the European
war. Attorney General Murphy has
given assurance that while the
spy hunt will be intensified and con-
Quoted relentlessly, it will not de-
generate into witch hunt" 1t is
important that this determination
be rigidly adhered to If public conf
dence and support are to be retained.
Evening star., 1939-09-08
Wants Hugh Gibson
Brought Home.

To the Editor Of The Star:
Hugh Gibson, who is abroad now
presumably representing citizens of this
country, has taken it on himself to speak
for parts of Europe too. He broadcast
an Interpretation of the opinions of Eu-
ropeans which he claimed showed resent
ment at the American peoples "emo-
tional" bias in favor of Poland His
caustic slurs were, by implication, in
sulting to Britain. from whence he was
speaking, and to France, an ally of Po-
land.
Instead of paying salary to Mr.. Glib
son, taxpayers money might more prof
itably be employed by paying his passage
home and thereafter pensioning him to
private life where he might be unable to
complcate world affairs by his opinions.
Evening star., 1939-09-08

No news reporter in Europe has mani
Tested so hard-boiled an attitude as Mr..
Gibson and it is doubtful If he is better
informed concerning public opinion over
there than impartial news gatherers.
September 4. G. JOHNSON.
Evening star., 1939-09-08

The Associated Press is exclusively entitled to
the use for republication of all news dispatches
credited to 1t or 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., 1939-09-08
Letters to the Editor

Letters to the Editor must
bear the name and address OF
the Uriter, although the use OF
q pseudonym for publication Is
permissible. Please be brief!
Evening star., 1939-09-08
Member of the Associated Press.

Entered as second-class matter post ofnce.
WASHINGTON. D. c.
Evening star., 1939-09-08
All Other States and Canada,

Daily only -1 yr, $500; ] mo-, q
Sunday only----1 yr.. SIS 90; l mo-. 81
Evening star., 1939-09-08
WASHING GTON, D. C.
FRIDAY September 3, 1859

The Evening Star Newspaper Company.
Main ONCE: 11th St. and Pennsyvanis ave-
New York once: l 10 East ANA 81
Chicago once: 435 North Michigan ave
Evening star., 1939-09-08

On November II came the Armistice,
and the tremendous pride in the glory
and achievement of the work of our men
was one of the great chapters in our
history. But although our men won the
war, 1t remained for others to lose the
peace.
On March 4, 1919, Henry Cabot Lodge
introduced in the Senate of the United
States a resolution which served notice
on the world that the President of the
United States could not speak for the
Senate.
We of the Army gave to the Senate a
victory on which they could have builded
q new world order,-they were blocked
by a partisan handful who preferred
politics to permanent peace.
Woodrow Wilson, in sl~aking over the
graves of American soldiers, said:
"The heirs Of an older day are begin
ming to stir again. There is here
and there an attempt to insert into the
counsel of statesmen the old reckonings
of selfishness and bargaining and ma
tional advantage which were the roots of
CIllS WAL, dllu ally Aldu WllO COuIlSclS
these things advocates the renewal of
the sacrifice which these men have made;
for If this is not the final battle for
right, there will be another that will be
final!"
From the anguish Of the present there
will again come an opportunity to build
a lasting peace, a final peace, which will
make impossible the continuation of that
aggression which causes war. In that
effort may the United States play its
part. MELVIN D. H1LDRETH.
September 5. ..
Evening star., 1939-09-08

@. What is the International Ice Pa
trol?-F. K.
A. The International Ice Patrol was
organized on an international basis as
a result of the International Confer
ence for the Safety OF Life at Sea. in
London, 1913. 1t resulted from uni
versal demand for protection OF
steamships against icebergs in the North
Atlantic area after the loss of the
Titanic in April 1912. The United
States was asked to undertake the man
agement OF this service and agreed to
send two vessels to patrol the danger
area during iceberg season, March to
July /. Each Of the contracting parties
consented to bear q share Of the cost
In proportion to its shipping tonnage.
Q. Please give, the annual cost Of street
lighting in Washington, D. CA. J. r.
A. For the fiscal year ending June
80. 1899. the District of Columbia paid
to the Potomac Electric Power Co.
$704,056.64 for current and maintenance
Of public street lights. This figure did
not include the purchase Of any equip
ment.
@. How many grains Of rye are there
in q bus,lel? OF oats?-v. H.
A. There are approximately l,00S,oo0
grains of rye to a bushel and about
100000 grains Of oats.
Q. What causes the yellow stain from
cigarettes?-H. w. B.
A. 1t is the tar oil in cigarette smoke
which stains the teeth and fingers.
@. What city has q bear as its en-
blem?-T. H. s.
A. Bern, Switzerland, has the bear as
its emblem. The name Bern Is . cor
ruption Of the German word for bears, q
number Of the animals having been slain
on the site when Bern was founded,
Evening star., 1939-09-08
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The potters herald. [volume] (East Liverpool, Ohio) 1899-1982, 1939-11-30
BUT RUSSIANS DON'T LAUGH

(From the Washington Daily NeWs)
Suppose American newspapers
should blare forth with a story that
Quebec was plotting an invason to
take over the whole United States as
far west as the Rockies.
Well, that in effect is what the press
Of Russia is now saying about Fin
land-and without cracking smile.
But do the Russian people to whom
such tale is fed laugh at it? Not
by any means. Their credulity is, by
necessity, unlimited. For in Russia
there is nothing but the governmental
handout; no free press; no news
gathering as we know it. Such news
as is printed is all Soviet propaganda;
what the outside world is doing and
saying is all excluded if it runs
counter to the schemes of the dicta-
torship; PRONUNCIATION of anything
else means death; and, therefore, the
preposterous story about Finland's
threatened invasion is probably al
ready being believed
The incident is merely another ex-
ample of the workings of that country
to which SO many now disillusioned
fellow-travelers in the U. S. S. have
been looking as the hope of the world.
1t is for that sort of thing that they
would have exchanged the freedom of
our flow of information.
One of the distinctly beneficial by
products OF the present war has been
the awakening in this country of those
sincere liberals who turned pink in
search of better system. That
awakening began when the Hitler
Stain alliance was announced. The
alarm clock has been ringing ever
since.