davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1939-12-16
Airport Proqress

Months of the most painstaking
planning for monumental national
airport which is expected to stand
as world model soon will bear fruit
in the form of final construction
plans for a group of buildings at the
new Washington National Airport at
Gravelly Point, which seems destined
to become one of the great show
places of the National Capital.
Approval by President Roosevelt OF
architectural, land use and landscap-
ing plans, prepared by the Civil
Aeronautics Authority and other
Federal agencies associated with the
Authority in designing and building
the airport, has cleared the way for
preparation of detailed building plans
and specifications.
These plans contemplate an airport
which officials in charge are conf
dent will be superior in technical and
esthetic character to any of the air
terminals of the other great world
capitals. The world-renowned air
ports Croydon, at London; LIE Bour-
get, at Paris, and Tempelhof, at
Berlin-cannot begin to compare
with the Washington National Air
port site either from the standpoint
of accessibility to the cities they
serve or in the fundamental tech
nical characteristics of unobstructed
approaches for aircraft which will
operate there, the plans show.
From more than 800 of the 800
degrees of the compass airliners will
be able to approach Washington
National Airport at gliding angle
Of forty to one, representing at least
twice the factor Of safety commonly
Evening star., 1939-12-16
The Silent Service"

It would be idle to deny that the
German Navy, especially its subma-
rine branch, has given an impressive
account of itself since the war at sea
set in. The commerce -raiding pocket
battleships Deutschland and Admiral
Scheer, too, are still spreading devas-
tation among allied and neutral
shipping in widely diversified lanes
of maritime traffic. British warcraft
have been attacked and sunk with
skill and daring.
The original pocket battleship,
Admiral Graf Spec, now undergoing
repair at Montevideo after a disas-
trous but by no means inglorious
brush with a British cruiser squad
ron, has also written q chapter in
naval annals of which Germans have
Evening star., 1939-12-16

accepted for even the finest world
airports. The group of airport build
ings and high ground behind them
to the west of the airport occupy
less than one-tenth, or thirty-six
degrees of the circle, around the
landing f1eld-an approach to per-
fection held to be unequaled at any
other great airport, even in the fiat
test of country.
The plans show group Of build
ings for the airport which not only
will be ideal from their functional
standpoint, but which will add ma
terially to the architectural beauties
of the National Capital. Their loca-
ton on beautiful slope overlooking
the Potomac River Valley, rising
gently from the expanse of the air
port, offers a rare opportunity for
landscaping treatment. The plans
contemplate the fullest possible use
of this advantage.
Full development of the site at
Gravelly Point has necessitated a
temporary detouring of traffic on
the Mount Vernon highway. Off,
cials in charge of the project,
realizing that this presents an in
convenience to users of the memo
rial highway, have requested that
the public be patient, and promise
that the highway will be moved to
it's permanent new location at the
earliest possible moment. This tenn
porary inconvenience is not large
price to pay for the final results-an
air terminal of which all Americans
may be proud.
Evening star., 1939-12-16

pense thus necessitated included by him
within or without his seven billions?
If within it, what is the figure and what
preparedness items does it cover?
He states that the Government should
continue those humanitarian activities
like relief, old-age pensions, unemploy-
ment insurance and housing and medical
aid to the poor, but revise the adminis-
tration so that it is intelligent, evonomi-
cal and fair" How much would he spend
for relief? For old-age pensions? For
the other items mentioned? In what
respects does he think the present ad-
ministration in these matters is unintel-
ligent. uneconomical and unfair? What
is his alleged plan of administrative
revision?
He says the Government should laid
business and agriculture through meas
ures of different kinds designed to build
up private enterprise without regula-
tion.' What Federal laws has he in
mind that are not regulatory? The
American people would like to know of
such new inventions in law. Has any
one ever seen an unregulatory regula-
ton? 1t will be interesting and instruc-
tive to be advised what these measures
of different kinds" are.
Finally. the Senator states that the
Government should encourage private
enterprise through a friendly admins
tration of regulations like monopoly con-
troll and by the revision of the tax
system to encourage thrift and invest
ment and production" What does he
mean by friendly attitude toward
monopoly? Is he in favor of monopoly
or against it? How would he revise the
tax system "to encourage thrift and in
vestment and production? Does he
think we had such tax system in the
so-called prosperous 20s? Was thrift
being encouraged then? Who were the
thrifty" in 1929, when out of an aggre-
gate savings of $4,000 900 900, the upper
20 per cent of the people saved SO per
cent of the whole and the remaining 80
per cent of the people were able to save
only 2 per cent? Was productive invest
ment being encouraged" that year when
the purchasing power of the masses was
so restricted that only so per cent of
the $4,000, 100000 in savings was being
demarded by businessmen for new fac
tories and equipment and the other so
per cent (about 10000 ,0Oo, 900 in alb was
being dumped into the stock market to
boost the prices of existing equities? Is
this what he means by thrift and pro-
ductive investment? The American peo-
pie would like to know the results of his
careful study" on these very important
matters. Again we say, it is time for
plain speaking, not for pussyfooting.
December 13. JOSEPH MAYER.
Evening star., 1939-12-16
7 op Figure

Top-fight scientists, particularly
those engaged in astronomy, make
many amazing calculations. Some
are distinguished for superaccuracy,
and would consider their work sloppy
if they could not tell within ten feet
where the moon was at eleven forty
three pm. on the twentieth of last
June, and what it was doing, or, for
that matter, where it will be on the
same date and hour next year.
True, their work would be a little
more outstanding if they had more
customers who cared a hoot where
the moon was, or would be, at those
times, but it is remarkable anyhow.
Other computations are notable for
the large numbers involved some
stars, for instance, being so far dis
tant that light from them now
reaching our telescopes, travelling at
a hundred and eighty-six thousand
miles a second, started out millions
of years ago before international law
existed, and uncivilized man grabbed
whatever he pleased whether it be-
longed to any one else or not.
All records have been shattered
hopelessly by Sir Arthur Eddington,
who must have worn out a battery of
adding machines in the process. In
his latest book, "The Philosophy of
Physical Science" he says, IT believe
there are 15,747, ,724, ,136, ,257 ,OO2 ST.
COS, ,653 1861 ,181 ,555, 1853 ,044, TIT ,914.527.-
166,7O9 1866, 6,231 1,425,O76,1 1876, ,631 OBJ ,2e6
protons in the universe and the, same
number of electrons." It is an inspir-
ing thought that out of an eligible
list of fifteen odd squillion, or what
ever it may be, and two hundred and
ninety-six, there is an electron wait
ing patiently for the right proton to
show up, and all eternity in which to
find 1t.
Rather naively Sir Arthur adds, IF
thought there was the least chance
that any one would count the parti-
cles, would never have published
my calculations. Due to the appall-
ing danger of losing count some
where in the middle it is indeed
probable that no one will try, and this
seems to fix forever the largest num-
ber in the universe to which any
meaning can be attached. This
should give pause even to New Deal
fiscal experts.
Evening star., 1939-12-16
THIS AND THAT
By Charles z. Trace1DeH.

this theory. Like all theories, 1t is not
other, but true If 1t helps explain what
happens.
1t does not explain however, the con-
slant twittering and chortling of the
birds all spring and summer and often
in fall and winter, at least on the part Of
certain songsters which stay with U.S. OF
these, the song sparrow Is a noted in
stance. Nothing is finer, on cold win
ter morning. than the sight of one Of
these handsome little birds poised on a
gatepost, head up, singing its simple song
time and time again.
1t is difficult to believe that there Is
any particular sex element in it.
Bird songs are fascinating because
they are simple. Some of them, such as
that of the mockingbird and the canary
are elaborate enough in their way, but
1t is mainly the way of variations.
Mans music at one time specialized
on improvisation, or making up as you
go along, and in variations that is, play
ing the same tune over many times but
always with difference
1t is curious that both improvisation
and variation more or less went out of
style in formal music of mankind, but
has come back in again in the oldest
place, America, and in Americas jazz
music.
No one seriously interested in music
will sneer at hot jazz, as it is called
since at its best and in its truest forms
it incorporates both improvisation and
variation.
Birds never improvise. Their tunes
are as mechanical in sense, as if they
had concealed music-box platters in
them some place.
What birds do is vary what they sing,
and they do it all the time. It is safe
to say that no bird, even an English
sparrow, sings its strains exactly the
same way twice.
There is always variation That is
one of the things to listen for, if you are
interested in bird life.
Do not think a robins song is always
robins song, and nothing else.
1t is never the same song twice over,
no matter how much it may sound the
same to the unframed ear
Training IN listening 10 bird songs is
not matter of few minutes, or saying
simply, "Oh, isn't that sweet"
Any music worth listening to is worth
putting time on
Bird songs are folk songs, and folk
songs are pure music in its simplest,
unelaborated form, but none the less
music for all that. Only the ignorant
person thinks that music must be elab-
crate.
Evening star., 1939-12-16
Criticizes Senator Taft
On Budget Balancing.
tn tire Editor ~ rba Stor.

Senator Taft of Ohio states that the
national budget can be balanced in
about two years" and President Roose-
velt asks for bill of particulars.
To the average citizen at a time of
national and world crisis, the Presidents
request certainly seems to be fair one.
It is time for plain speaking on such
questions, not for pussyfooting. What
has the Senator in mind? The Ameri-
can people would like to know.
Senator Taft states that "a careful
study of the budget indicates that it
could be balanced in about two years at
a figure of approximately $1,000, ,000, 900. :"
The results of this careful study" should
certainly not be kept secret at the
present juncture. We should know pre-
cisely and in detail what it implies.
He says that there should be adequate
preparation for defense and for keeping
out Of war;" Is the. governmental ex-
Evening star., 1939-12-16
SILVER SPRING, MD.

Dear sir:
could you not start campaign for
clean streets, once week, or OCCASION
ally?
"The good your column has accom-
plished for birds and music. etc., might
cover this, hope.
Thank you.
Sincerely, g. T. S."
This column conducts no campaigns,
but is always interested in birds and
music.
That's mighty good combination,
birds and music-or music and birds
any way you want to take 1t.
Birds were probably the worlds first
musicians.
It is possible that early man, listen
ing to early birds-the real early birds,
those-got the idea Of trying to do the
same for himself
What sounds famous early men must
have given forth, as they tried to EMU
late the birds Of their era!
It Is not strange that we say that
lions sing, or dogs sing.
We do not say that cats sing, al
though sometimes they come pretty near
to doing it.
No, the birds are the real singers, ex-
cept mankind. Their sounds have def
mite pattern, song pattern, as it has come
to be known.
This song pattern, or melodic line, is
a tune, in the same sense that a folk
song is a tune. Nobody knows who in
vented it, or when. It springs from the
very heart of the people, in this case,
the birds.
The popular impression that bird songs
are love songs, because they happen to
come mostly at nesting time, may be
nearer right than some suppose.
Most of mans songs are love songs.
Probably If we could take census of
songs, we would find that about go to IS
per cent of them had love as their theme.
Certainly 1t would be true of the So
called popular songs That is why some
scientists have held that music is a sort
of sexual manifestation
Some persons interested in the birds
believe that their songs are motivated
more by seasonal changes than anything
else.
Another group asserts that the songs
are simply ways of warning other birds
to keep away from the site chosen for
the nest.
This is the territorial theory of bird
song.
The longer one watches birds, and lis
tens to them, the more willing he will be
to believe that there is a great deal to
Evening star., 1939-12-16
FinIund's Debt

Finland, with her back to the wall,
but making a nonetheless magnif-
cent stand against the Russian in
vaders, has found time to send her
regular war debt payment to the
United States. OF seventeen foreign
debtors owing this country in excess
of fourteen and a half billions of
dollars, the stricken Baltic republic
was the only one yesterday to pay
In full the installment due at the
Treasury. Hungary made a semi
annual token" payment of $9828
on an installment of $52,260 All
other debtors sent their regrets or
ignored their obligations altogether.
In brief formalities at the Treasury
Finnish Minister Hjalmar Procope
paid to Secretary Morgenthau $234,-
693, of which $16O,693 was for inter-
est and $4,000 for reduction of the
principal. This would leave a bal
ance of $8,142 ,890-but none of
yesterdays payment was credited
against Finland's debt, which once
amounted to about $10OO0,O0O. This
Government could not conscien-
tiously use Finland's money at this
time for the strictly businesslike pur-
pose for which it was intended. Fin
lands proud and honorable people
are threatened with bomb and bay
onet by savage foe. Numbers of
them face hunger, disease, the rigors
OF an Arctic winter. They des-
perately need money with which
to defend their country and their
lives; money for food, clothing, med
icine and shelter. In view of these
tragic circumstances, the United
States placed Finland's debt INSTALL
nent in special suspended &C
count, pending an expected con-
gressional authorization to remit the
payment for use in Finnish relief.
The sympathy of the American
people is overwhelmingly with the
Firms in their travail. That Con-
gress will grant President Roose-
velt's request for diversion of the
Finnish debt payment into relief
channels cannot be doubted. Nor is
there any doubt about the ultimate
approval by Congress of any other
reasonable, humanitarian, practical
aid which the executive branch may
see fit to render Finland in her pres
ent crisis. A $10,OOO,OO0 loan already
has been made through the Export
Import Bank for non-military sup
plies. But Finland's most urgent
need right noW-not after Congress
meets-is for military supplies, for
weapons of defense against unpro-
voked aggression. America could
well afford to give effective token
of her real sympathy for Finland
in advance of legislative action by
excepting her from policy restrictions
governing loans to foreign nations,
so that she could use our money
Immediately for the implements Of
war needed to carry on her coura-
geous fight for freedom.
Evening star., 1939-12-16
Wants Diplomatic Relations
With Soviet to End.


To the Editor of The Star:
There is a growing sentiment in the
United States that we break diplomatic
relations with Russia. The brutal treat
ment OF Finland by Stain and his mur-
derbund has served only to accelerate
that feeling among our people.
Six years ago Soviet Russia was given
recognition by our Government despite
the protests of millions of our citizens.
The statesmen who voted for it under
the sting of political lashings are no
longer popular on that score. At that
time. however, the friends of Russia de-
clared that such move would increase
our trade and end forever the nuisance
OF fallacious Communist propaganda in
the United States. But commerce re-
ports show that we have not benefited
by increased trade, and the investiga-
tions of the Dies Committee show that
Red propaganda has increased rather
than diminished during the last six years.
AS matter of fact, the Communists
appear to take great pride in crediting
themselves with instigating hundreds of
strikes and riots in the United States
during that period.
Until its recognition by the United
States the Moscow regime was still
under diplomatic cloud throughout the
After oil
European nations continued to refuse
recognition, but the die was cast. The
recognition accorded Russian terrorism
served to strengthen Comrade Stain for
his newly inaugurated career of inter-
national plunderer How he has i'm
proved the shining hour is indicated
clearly by his tongue-in- the-c cheek pact
with Berlin, and the recent invasion of
Finland with his pirate band.
It is now argued by the funny Red
propagandists, their sympathizers and
fellow travellers that breaking off dip
lomatic relations with Russia to show
our sympathy with Finland would be to
mix in European affairs. The answer
to that is, we do not need Finland as an
excuse for such action. The Reds them
selves have failed to carry out the voluble
promises made when their government
was recognized. They have increased
the number of their mendacious termites
for boring from within and have nour-
ished them plentifully with Russian
rubles and United States taxpayers good
53-cent Cor thereabout) dollars.
The Dies Committee has supplied an
abundance of facts which certainly
should result in demand for the recall
Of our diplomatic representative from
Moscow at once.
VICTOR E. DEVEREAUX.
December IL.
Evening star., 1939-12-16
Wants No Change in
Presidency.

70 the Editor Of The Star:
Candidate Thomas E Dewey wants to
be President to get this country out of a
mess, and offers nothing constructive to
the Republicans who voted for Roose-
welt when banks and businessmen were
bankrupt, homes and farm mortgages
foreclosed by the thousands and bread
lines everywhere.
OF course, in this machine age, with
bumper crops and no foreign markets,
there is unemployment, but let Mr..
Dewey 60 anywhere in the United States
and he will find the majority of people
well fed, well dressed, with new cars and
bank deposits and enjoying peace. So
why change Presidents?
Bradbury, Md. JOHN RIGGLEs.
Evening star., 1939-12-16

Washington is decidedly shown up
by one of its own suburbs. Fairfax
County, Va, subscribed 105 per cent
of its Community Chest quota.
Evening star., 1939-12-16

A., The Associated Press is exclusively entitled to
credited to 1t or not otherwise credited in this
paper and also the local news published herein
herein also are reserved
Evening star., 1939-12-16
Letters to the Editor

Letters to the Editor must
bear the name and address of
the ,oriter. although the use OF
a pseudonyn1 for publication is
permissible. Please be brief!
Evening star., 1939-12-16
Rate by Mail-Payable In Advance.
All Other State. and c.r.d.
Member of the Associated Press.

Entered as second-ciass matter post ONCE,
washington. D c.
Evening star., 1939-12-16

The Evening Star Newspaper Company.
Main ONCE: 11th st. and Pennsylvania Ave.
New York once: ITO East 42nd St.
Chicago once: 435 North Michigan Ave
Evening star., 1939-12-16

WASHING TON, D. C..
SATURDAY December l6. 1889
Evening star., 1939-12-16
Delivered by Carrier-City and Suburban.

Collection made at the end Of each month or
each week Orders may be sent BY mail or tele-
phone National 5000.
Evening star., 1939-07-19
T.V. A. and WiIIkie
Aqree on Contract
For Utility Purchase
Tennessee Company to
Be Transferred to U. S.
Agency August Is.
By the Associated Press.


NASHVILLE, Tenn. July 10
With a new agreement reached for
purchase by the T. v. A. and
associated municipalities OF Com
monwealth IL Southern Corp. Ten
nessee electric properties. public
officisls busted themselves today
studying minor contract changes
Joseph c. Swidler. T. v. A. counsel,
said attorneys for the various cities
and co-operatives had been fur
nished with copies of the agreement
Immediately and that when the sup
plement was sanctioned finally
copies of the entire contract would
be mailed by the Authority to the
agencies for signatures. This, he
added. should be completed by the
end of the week.
The agreement among Wendell l.
Willkie, president of c. a. S., which
controls Tennessee Electric Power
Co. the T. V. A. and representatives
Of the five largest municipalities in
volved WAS reached late yesterday.
The purchase price of $78600 900
remains the same as provided in
the original contract. drawn last
May. with the new transfer date set
for August Is.
The new agreement came at the
conclusion of two days Of conferences
held here after Congress passed
legislation enabling the T. V. A. to
issue bonds to pay part Of the total
cost. Earlier. House and Senate
committees had failed to agree on
the measure and the June 30 dead
line passed without the T. V. A.
being able to furnish the $44, 900 900
pledged as It's share.
OF the remainder Nashville is to
pay $l4300.000 and Chattanooga
S1l 900 900. with the smaller cities
contributing varying amounts.
Mr.. Swidler said he would confer
at Knoxville this week with repre-
sentatives of various bond houses in
an effort to arrange for single
bond sale date for all the municipal
ities in East Tennessee and another
date for all in Middle Tennessee
The flow of T. V. A. power into
the localities touched by the agree
nent is expected to begin August Is
T. V. A. ofiicials have estimated that
r. E. P. Co.'S l45.00O consumers will
be saved a total of $410O.000 an
nually as result of T. V. A. rates.
Evening star., 1939-07-19
ESQ WorId'sFair
Employees Dismissed
As Attendance Laqs
Cut in Admission Price
From IS to 50 Cents Is
Also Considered
By the Associated Press.

By the Associated Press.
NEW YORK, July 19.-The New
York Worlds Fair has dismissed
several hundred employes-includ-
ing members OF its colorfully clad
information corps-in an economy
move dictated by failure of attend
ance to come up to expectations.
Ofhcials OF the SIS, 900 900 enter
prise, the largest exposition in his
tory, also are offering bargain day
tickets this week end and are con-
sidering reducing the admission fee
from IS to 50 cents.
The fair declined TO announce
the exact number of workers dis
missed, but the information service
cut was put unoficially at $50. A
further cut OF 500 to 600 in the op-
erations personnel has been made,
the New York Times said.
President Grover Whalen said the
stan reduction was in line with
budget requirements and would not
diminish service to visitors. A skele-
ton stah Of so was retained in the
information department.
We must adhere to good busi-
ness principles and keep our stan
within the limitations Of a business
like budget" Mr.. Whalen said in
explaining the reductions.
Ofdcials declined comment on re-
ports that 1000 or more of the
fairs 1000 employees would be dis
missed
Most of the dismissed information
officers were college men selected
from 5000 applicants. They received
$50 week and were granted a
weeks dismissal pay.
A group of 30 or more. protest.
ing loss OF their jobs. yanked gold
braid from their resplendent blue
and yellow uniforms yesterday and
waded 100 yards through a long pool
on the fairs main avenue in a YELL
ing hooting, shirttail parade
Visitors applauded, thinking it a
part of the show.