davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1939-01-17
Wants Constitution Hall
For Marian Anderson.

For several years Howard University
has presented Miss Marian Anderson in
recital in Washington. For two years
the Armstrong High School was used.
Last year We were successful in securing
the Rialto Theater. To be sure of meet
ing expenses. the university needs some
auditorium that will seat $500 people or
more. Our experience proves that there
is sufficient demand from the general
public to fill an auditorium seating 15O0
Persons in charge of the concert for
Howard University have attempted to
secure Constitution Hall. The manage
ment has advised that the Daughters of
the American Revolution have required
restrictions to be put in all contracts
that no Negro artist may be presented
in Constitution Hall.
Howard University has enough to do
without engaging in extracurricular re-
form activities. The question arises per-
sonally, however, whether there are not
a sufficient number Of persons in WASH
ington and vicinity interested in Miss
Marian Anderson and what she repre-
sents to impress upon the Daughters OF
the American Revolution that this re-
striction may not represent public opin-
ion IN Washington. Or does this restric-
ton represent public opinion in WASH
ington? V.D. JOHNSTON.
January 12.
Evening star., 1939-01-17
Beauty Operators

The District Commissioners have
used good judgment in proposing
an amendment to the Cosmetology
Act to nullify the present ban on
professional beauty treatments in
the home. The law now overlooks
the TACT that some women prefer to
receive beauty treatments in the pri-
vacy OF their own homes, that some
hnd 1t lnconvenient, by reason of age
or other personal factors, to visit a
shop, and that a large number Of
beauticians having no shop afilia-
tlons are deprived of means of live
lihood by such ban.
Unpopularity of the provision
against home treatments was amply
attested by the urgency of the pleas
for repeal made to the Commission
ers by more than two hundred PROM
1nent women. The law prohibits
operators from giving beauty service
in private homes except in cases Of
emergency" which excludes cases
involving merely personal inconven-
ience.
The purpose of the restriction, ap-
parently, was to safeguard the public
against irresponsible operators and
against treatments that might dis
figure the person or impair the
health. It's effect, however, was to
throw out of work a number of ex-
pert, reliable operators. Lifting of the
ban need not and should not bring
any relaxation of cosmetology control
or Of vigilance against operations
menacing public health or safety.
The home operators are required to
take out licenses and the appropriate
officials, at the time of issuing
licenses, could make certain that the
operators meet standards calculated
to protect the public health.
Evening star., 1939-01-17

able to trace to the Burdette Lewis sur
vey a new style in Goth century writing.
The style became known as confusion
ism and vagueism.
But alas! No time for this. I have
already spent a full half hour in which
I could have reread the Lewis report
one and wo-thirteeenths times!
January Z. SIDNEY r. KATZ.
Evening star., 1939-01-17
Closed to Doctors

The closing of Key Bridge to pas
senger traffic during construction Of
new arch has worked a singular
hardship on the relatively few doc
tors practicing in Arlington County
and is exposing some of their patients
to needless risks.
It is obvious, Of course, that the
normal flow of traffic on the bridge
would seriously interfere with the
construction work, completion of
which will require several months at
best. But, while passenger vehicles
are barred, the span is open to buses
and trucks, and there appears to be
no valid reason why this privilege
should not be extended to the
approximately thirty physicians in
nearby Virginia. Most of their work
is in Georgetown and Columbia
Hospitals and the time they would
Evening star., 1939-01-17
Ships Without Convoy
BIZ Thomas r. Henry.

Some ships are built to sail the seas
alone!
No convoy shares with them the mid
night storm,
Nor keeps the watch as rising waters
swarm
Beneath the winds incessant, dreary
moan;
No convoy hears the oceans angry tone
AS waves amass In frightful, phantom
form.
The ship. whose heartbeats once were
strong and warm,
Nav rise above the squall-though
weatherblown.
If my own bark be one to face the gale
Bereft Of convoy or Of sister ships,
May courage turn my PROV where winds
blow free,
And give me strength to face the rain
and hall
To taste the bitter spray with laughing
lips
FOO proud to own that life has cheated
me.
kHVEzR RIozzARDs-Yy1ER.
Evening star., 1939-01-17
THIS AND THAT
By Charles Z. TYQce1DeU.

The fourth discourse Of 1.-THE Temper
ate Life" was written when Louis Cor
naro was in his 95th year. In 1t he spoke
confidently of the certainty he enter
tanned of living to the age Of 100 years.
He had just few pages more to write
Ill, in a modern edition, but there is
no diminution here of the zest for living
shown so largely in the previous dis
courses, all four Of them totaling but
"a pages.
He argues again that as people grow
older, they should reflect that their
stomachs have lost their natural heat
as he phrases 1t, and that they should, by
reason of this circumstance, be more
careful with regard to quality in the Sc
lection Of their food and drink, also with
regard to the quantity, to lessen it gradu-
ally.
The latter most refuse to consider, he
says, and gives their reason, still very
common one heard everywhere.
They claim, he continues, that since
man loses his strength with advancing
age, the deficiency must be made good
by greater quantity Of nourishment, as
1t is that which keeps him alive"
Such men, he believed, argued incor-
rectly. AS the natural heat, so-called,
gradually diminished with the increase of
age, 1t became necessary to decrease
gradually the amount of food and drink.
If this were done, according to Cor
naro, robust persons would live to the
age Of l20 years. He, himself, he felt,
would have reached such an age, If he
had not been born with poor constitu-
ton. (And this from the man who was
to reach 104 yearsD
II fear I shall not live much beyond a
hundred years." he said. Few persons,
even gypsies, have foretold their end with
more accuracy. ct is said that gypsy
never knows the year of his birth, but
always claims to know the year in which
he will die)
Cornaro believed In living, not dying
This certainty of being able to live" he
said, seems to me of great value"
His picture of himself is altogether
charming.
Il am healthy, cheerful, and contented
my appetite is so good that always eat
with relish; my sleep is sweet and peace
full; and, moreover, all my faculties are
in condition as perfect as ever they
were; my mind Is more than ever
keen and clear; my judgment sound
my memory tenacious, my heart full
OF life; and my voice-that which
is wont to be the first thing in man to
fails so strong and sonorous that, in
consequence, I am Obliged to sing alouo
my morning and evening prayers, which
1 had formerly been accustomed to say
in low and hushed tone"
4 X
In his last years he claims to have
pointed out to Venice how she might be
made stronger, lovelier. more wealthy
and her air improved
Evening star., 1939-01-17
Pensioners Victims of
Unreasonable Demands,
To the Editor OF The Star:

To the Editor OF The Star:
One cannot fail to sympathize with
"Old Railroad Man. who in a recent
issue complains that he finds himself,
after years of service, without any pen
sion benefits, due to railroad layoffs. But
he errs when he charges that the roads
laid him of Ito reduce expenses they
had unwisely and needlessly incurred"
He was laid off and his pension forfeited
solely because some labor leaders forced
a pay raise which was not justified by
the earnings of his company. He had to
be let out in order that his pay could go
to the privileged few remaining on
through seniority or some other special
rights. This is on the same principle of
dividing pie-when larger pieces are
given, fewer people can partake. When
wages are forced beyond the normal earn
ing capacity of any business, definite
number of workers must always be laid
of in order that their wage may be
divided among the privileged few. Sta
tistics prove this over long period of
years. A Mr.. A. w. Rucker has recently
WlAl1cll q Dooh Cd4leu bdUOl FtOdu 10
Plenty" in which United States Labor
Department statistics are used to prove
this.
In 1887 when the railroad brotherhoods
demanded another wage raise in order to
"streamline their existence in accordance
with modern standards of living" as they
put it, and foreign-born mediator"
granted it, about 100000 men had to be
laid OF.
January 6. Q.E,D.
Evening star., 1939-01-17

Today we would speak Of his interest
in civic affairs. History proves that these
were not mere claims, made in contem-
plation, but that he actually did good
work along these lines for his beloved
city
He took qualification in the reception
Of his book. People told him they had
received great benefit from reading It,,
and others wrote him letters to that
effect. He had, you see, his fan" mail,
long before the phrase was invented.
Even at my advanced age" he says, II
never fail to learn something"
The phrase "a double life" had not
been coined in the 18th century, either,
but Cornaro really led one, according to
his own admissions.
II enjoy two lives at the same time"
he tells us in his last epistle "One, the
earthly, which possess in reality; the
other, the heavenly, which possess in
thought.
II do firmly hope and certainly believe
shall enjoy an eternal life through the
infinite mercy of the great God. enjoy
this earthly existence through the excel
lence OF the orderly and temperate life,
which is so pleasing to His Majesty be-
cause it Is full of virtue and the enemy
Of vice.
AT the same time I rejoice in this
heavenly one, which God has given me
now to enjoy in thought; for He has
taken from me the power to think of it
differently, so I am sure to possess 1t
some day."
He wants to know who could ever find
WEAKNESS in lot so truly blessed and
happy as his own. Yet this happiness, he
felt sure, would be the portion of every
man If he would but lead life similar
to his. He cannot believe that God
deems it good that man, whom He so
much loves, should be sickly, melancholy
and discontented. Instead, He wishes
them to be healthy, cheerful and con-
tented
Cornaro ends the discourse, and so the
entire treatise, with the noble words,
Live, live, that you may become better
servants of God" In the worlds present
troubled state, we need more than ever
the idea of living for God, rather than
dying for some fellow mans idea or
ideas.
X
Like all enthusiasts, Louis Cornaro
made the mistake of supposing that all
men could do what he did, and that they
would benefit hugely If they did.
A meager diet brought him health and
long life. 1t might not do it for the next
man, but his ideas and enthusiasm form
precious document in mans trail of
thought.
His ideas, formed 400 years ago, re-
suited in his cutting from his daily food
intake an excess of protein and starch.
The best OF todays diet systems can do
little more.
Evening star., 1939-01-17

should be as inclusive as Is economic
ally sound. The question Of cost.
however, is paramount, and these
proposals must be reduced to a dol
lars and cents basis before they can
be appraised accurately.
In this same connection, too much
Importance cannot be attached to
President Roosevelt's recommends
ton that States receiving Federal
funds be required to put their en-
ployes under civil service. The evils
Of politico-social security have been
so we'll demonstrated in limited
field that the necessity for this re-
form calls for no further argument.
Evening star., 1939-01-17
Protests Presidents
Foreign Policy.
@. E. D.

To the Editor Of The Star:
AS an American citizen I protest
against President Roosevelts action in
projecting our country into the affairs Of
Europe, especially the Jew German ques-
ton, in which we have no official interest.
1t is expected that war is inevitable
in Europe. If we are wise we should have
nothing to do with European affairs,
except those which are absolutely neces-
sary-that is, where American citizens
are involved. We have no right to tell
any foreign nation what kind Of govern
ment 1t should have, especially when our
own is not any too good.
It must be remembered that we Ameri-
cans are not going to hate the Germans
and the Italians and eventually tight
them in q war because Of their alleged
treatment of the Jew. I spent four
months in Europe last fall and must
say that the newspaper reports here of
conditions in Germany and Italy are
grossly exaggerated.
object also to bringing the refugees
here and placing them in positions dis
placing American citizens. I say these
things as an American citizen and not
an anti-semite. HARRY w. KENT.
JAuNasy Z
Evening star., 1939-01-17
Social Security Changes

In proposing changes in the Social
Security Act, President Roosevelt
takes an approach that will be well
coined by the majority of the Ameri-
can people.
Bespeaking the wisdom of build
Ing for the future on principles that
have had four-year trial, the Presi-
dent, actuated no doubt by develop
ments of the recent campaign, right
ly warns against turning to untried
and demonstrably unsound pan
eceas."
Equally pertinent is his admoni-
ton that I'VE shall make the most
lasting progress if we recognize that
social security can furnish only
base upon which each sone of our
citizens may build his individual Sc
curity through his own individual
efforts"
The recommendations from the So
cial Security Board which accom-
panied the Presidents message, fol-
low expected lines, complementing
those previously made by the Social
Security Advisory Council and the
Senate Committee on Unemployment
and Relief.
Principal emphasis is laid on the
desirability of affording greater Sc
curity for the aged and more protec-
ton for dependent children, by ex-
tending and liberalizing those parts
of the act which reach them. Wider
scope for unemployment compensa-
tion and added help for the blind are
contemplated to round out the pro-
gram.
This is logical, for if social security
Is to be an accepted part Of the
scheme OF things In this country, it
Evening star., 1939-01-17
Mr.. BiIIopp
on
Solitude

If 1t is humanity possible, every house
should have room set aside to which
member Of the family who wishes to
be alone may retire. Such room can
be used as resort for heavy reading,
the composing Of committee reports.
the balancing of accounts or the writ
ing of plays, scenarios and novels.
Once settled in the room person can
be free from interruption except when:
One of the dogs scratches on the door
to satisfy his curiosity as to what you
are doing.
Mary comes in to ask if she may sit
with you, as 1t is bitter cold elsewhere
and this is the only comfortable room
in the house. Her feelings are hurt
when she is informed that she is not
wanted, although she has promised that
she will not talk.
Johnny appears to say that he is
stuck on problem in factoring. He
has done it exactly the way his teacher
told him, but it won't come out.
Father arrives on the scene and an
nounces apologetically that he has just
COME 10 Bct tIlc Sluc dIlu LIldt u0
won't be minute.
Mary returns, explaining that she
can't find her pencil and thinks she
must surely have dropped it somewhere
in the room.
Father calls from downstairs that
you are wanted on the telephone.
The cook sends word to you that the
bulb in the kitchen light has gone out
and she can't continue the dishwashing
In utter darkness.
Johnny Is back again with a smile
on his face to tell you about funny
thing that happened in school today.
Mary hates to bother you again, but
she just wants to know If you spell ap-
pendicitis with &c" or an "s." Thanks.
She thought the IS" looked queer.
BY this time the family is fairly con-
v1nced that you wish to be left alone
and, If luck is with you, you can count
reasonably upon being undisturbed for
at least Is minutes, until voice from
below advises you to come on down.
stairs as the Smiths have arrived for
call. CHRISTOPHER BLLOPP.
Evening star., 1939-01-17

lose In using another bridge, espe-
cially In emergency cases, might well
have serious consequences.
The experience of a doctor yester-
day is a case in point. This man, q
Washington physician, was called by
an Arlington County practitioner for
an emergency blood count. The local
physician explained the situation to
policeman at the District end of
the bridge and was permitted to
cross. He took the blood from the
patient and started back to WASH
ington to make the test, but was
halted at the Virginia bridge end
by another policeman who refused
to let him pass. After protesting in
vain, the physician turned back and
drove to another crossing while two
beer trucks that had come up behind
him were permitted to cross the Kew
Bridge.
The president of the Arlington
County Medical Society spent several
hours in Washington yesterday in
an unsuccessful effort to have the
rule relaxed. He stressed particularly
the Importance Of allowing the doc
tors to use the bridge when on emer-
gency calls to District hospitals and
during traffic rush hours when the
time lost using the Memorial Bridge
or Chain Bridge would be consider
able. But the only response he could
get was that the rule had been made
and could not be changed.
When the negligible effect on the
construction work of opening the
bridge to these few doctors is con-
sldered the absurdity of the official
attitude becomes apparent. Clearly
this is a case which calls for the
exercise OF little common sense bv
the official in charge.
Evening star., 1939-01-17
Cites Humorous Aspects
OF Lewis Report.

To the Editor Of The Star:
Were in playful mood, might be
tempted to write certain kind of letter
on the Burdette Lewis report. The letter
would be something like this:
After Burdette G. Lewis has been for
gotten certain facts from this Burdette
Lewis report will live on forever.
The Burdette G. Lewis report will have
made history in that it will have been
the first streamlined congressional report
because it said, with real modernity,
Reading time required, 26 minutes"
The students of the future will show
that the first recorded instance of the
goth century way of describing report
is found in the Burdette Lewis report
namely,
part I. The report in brief
part II. The report in more detail.
part III. The report at length"
This set new style in reporting.
Students of the future will discover
that this was the first study which has
only two footnotes and those two foot
notes refer to studies previously made
by the same author. This started wave
of "modesty" among other public OIL
cials, too.
Historians of the future will discover
that the greatest relief system on earth
was developed in New Jersey with Bur-
dette Lewis as one Of its important
authors. The historians of the future
will discover that Burdette Lewis was
the first clairvoyant writer Of our age
who was able to cast doubt upon the
"cry that over the seven-year period the
depression has been destroying the
morale Of the people"
The military strategist of the future
will have the advantage Of having been
warned by Burdette Lewis, albeit more
than 100 years after the development of
big cities on this continent, that relief
should be administered to prevent the
development Of a permanent proletariat
in urban areas" The historians of the
future will learn that Thomas Jefferson
feared this very much and that like the
modern "body polite" George Washing
ton, too, was bled to death by ignorance.
Literary critics Of the f~tvEs will b
Evening star., 1939-01-17
The End in Spuin?

General Franco probably chose
yesterday as an ideal moment for
calling upon government Spain to
surrender, because January 16 hap
pened to mark the ending of exactly
two and half years of civil war.
Yet the Insurgents have been so
near to victory before, only to be de-
MED it by almost superhuman de-
fensive effort on the part of the
Loyalists, that, even with Nationalist
guns roaring in captured Cervera,
only fifty miles west of Barcelona, it
is still premature to regard the re-
publican capital as doomed, and with
1t, what is left of the governments
cause.
Frances armies have swept across
Catalonia during the past three
weeks with irresistible momentum.
Tarragona, on the coast between
Barcelona and Valencia, fell during
the week end, virtually without re-
sistance, after having been pounded
into a shambles by incessant In
surgent bombardment since Christ
mas. Loyalist forces now are prepar-
ing for desperate stand in defense
OF Barcelona, their vitally important
seaport.
Today it would seem as if little
short of miracle can stave off de-
feat for the government. Francois
appeal to the Loyalists to lay down
their arms warns them that In
surgent victory is now Inevitable"
The rebel generalissimo, fighting for
his Richmond with Grants role re-
versed, declares that his troops are
marching against Barcelona, mot
to destroy, but to. save her" He prom
ises a pacified Spain broad prole-
tartan social reforms, asserts 100000
prisoners have been taken since the
war started, and insists Catalonia's
resistance is futile. Many Loyalist
prisoners, this eleventh-hour appeal
for surrender alleges, have sworn al
legiance to the Insurgent cause.
It is to frances references to the
political future of an Insurgent-ruled
Spain that paramount interest at
taches at this hour. The general
brands as "farcical" the talk Of Ger
man or Italian domination after the
war. Such assurances lose in per-
suasiveness in the face of Mussolini's
defiant refusal to discuss "appease-
ment" with France until Insurgent
banners float unchallenged from one
end of Spain to the other. No matter
what kind Of a regime awaits the
harassed Spanish people Frances
London representative, the Duke of
Alba, hints that the rebels will put
King Alfonso back on the throne
the French can contemplate with
nothing but anxiety a new deal
across the Pyrenees, established with
the aid Of Fascist arms Britain has
little less cause to view it with alarm.
For it will mean the automatic ex-
tension Of the Berlin Rome axis to
Gibraltar and to the shores of Africa.
1t will preSage totalitarian triangle
with points resting on the Baltic, the
Black Sea and the Mediterranean.
Evening star., 1939-01-17

It is wondered how Secretary of
Agriculture Wallace feels when he
issues snappy challenge to Repub-
licans to present a substitute farm
program and Immediately gets equal
ly snappy acceptances of the chal-
lenge from two prominent Demo-
cratic Senators.
Evening star., 1939-01-17
Shooting Stors
BY PHrLANDER JOHNSON.
Regret.

Didn't mean to make the troubled"
That's the cry DER damage done;
Didn't know the thing was loaded;
Didn't mean to shoot the gun.
Didn't mean to start the story
That thought was such a joke,
Til it made so much confusion
Kind o sorry that I spoke"
How deliberate intentions
Mock us as they go astray.
While some trif1ing inadvertence
Shifts our lives from day to day.
Make your lofty resolutions,
Do your best to see 'em through,
And achievement yet may conquer
Things you didn't mean to do.
Evening star., 1939-01-17
The Promise.

Why strive to paint the twilight sky,
To hold its glories ere they fly?
Nay, let 1t fade without regret,
There will be others finer yet.
Evening star., 1939-01-17
Something to Avoid,

"The first thing Columbus did on land
ing in America, was to kneel and express
his gratitude"
"Yes," answered Miss Cayenne. IT
suppose he was thankful to get here
under circumstances that did not bring
him into contact with the customs
ofdcers"
Evening star., 1939-01-17
Letters to The Star

Letters to the Editor must
bear the name and address of
the 1Uriter, although the use OF
a pSeudonym for publication is
permissible. Please be brief!
Evening star., 1939-01-17
THE Other Eell0H.

If life were all one grand, sweet song,
AS poets wish that it might be,
A lot of men with voices strong
Would still be singing off the key.
Evening star., 1939-01-17
Strictly Financial.

"Why don't you get somebody to in
dorse your policy?" said the political ally.
MY friend" answered Senator Sor-
ghum, 80 long as you can get all the in
dorsements you want on your notes poll
cies don't make such a lot of difference )"