davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Waterbury Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1917-1946, 1939-09-25
BY MRS. GAYNOR MADDOX
NEA Service STAFF Writer

NEA Service STAFF Writer
MISUNDERSTANDING who buy
the daily food supplies for their
families have sweeping power over
the cost of those commodities. They
proved it recently.
When a mass of consumers de-
cideS suddenly to move in the
same direction at the same time,
they can exert gigantic force.
Right after the declaration of the
war In Europe, hysteria based on
fear rather than on any knowledge
of market condition swept over AM
erican housewives.
They rushed out to stock up on
sugar, flour and other foods which
they feared would suddenly become
scarce. AS result, prices scared
even though the supply of food in
the United States is at an aIi-time
high and the spectre of scarcity is
purely imaginary.
MASS POWER
-MISDIRECTED
The incident proved the power of
mass action, but these women, being
without facts, eXerted that force
against themselves. These same
women can exert restraining in
fluence If they will act together on
market conditions. Truly, the hands
that do the cooking rule the price
of food.
Donald E. Montgomery, Consum-
ers' Coun .el of the Department of
Agriculture, believes that the stead
lily growing interest in consumers
problems received significant i'm
petus by the war panic.
Most consumers had a feeling
of helplessness about prices and
price changes right after the be-
ginning of war in Europe. The
only thing they we're sure of was
that they didn't know what was
The Waterbury Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1917-1946, 1939-09-25

@. Is the praying mantis harm
full to human beings?
A. No; and moreover the insects
and the egg masses are highly bene-
ficial in Kidding the garden Of many
noxious insect pests.
The Waterbury Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1917-1946, 1939-09-25

@. am expecting a third child
and am afraid that my children,
three an Disk years old, will be jeal-
GUS Of the new baby. Is there any
way to avoid this?
A. Take the children into your
confidence by telling them you are
going to have new baby and that
you hope 1t will be as nice as they
are. Get some particular toy you
know each would like and after the
The Waterbury Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1917-1946, 1939-09-25
Clarifying Yourself
Bv ALICIA HART
LAVENDER LOCKS
NOT FOR BUDGETEERS
BY ALICIA HART

ture coloring instead of hardening
it.
The Waterbury Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1917-1946, 1939-09-25

Iragcaly from the old standpoint cocally from vol,
womans the men never old to compliment W
peases them Oh what eyesgh insight wife has into Il
glances! If she's she laughs
The Waterbury Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1917-1946, 1939-09-25
ANSWER:

sensible folly fouig
the goods
dignity salvage wreckage-at least her own
81 f-reSp
The Waterbury Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1917-1946, 1939-09-25


c "nsui,nhe !"r nuhrn"n
nnm ar" held In confidence write In
Evening star., 1939-11-22

creased taxation to raise more reve-
nue. and continued heavy expendi-
lures by the Government for relief
and for agriculture. Mr.. Eccles has
been a foremost adherent Of the
spending policies of the adminis-
tration.
While it would not be popular, on
the eve of an election, to vote heavier
taxes on the people and on business,
it may be unpopular also to reduce
the great flow of Federal money
which has been going into the pock-
cts Of the farmers and those on re-
lief during recent years. It is a prob
lem that must be considered, and
doubtless will be considered, from
every angle.
Aside from the question of poll
tics and whether heavy spending is
the surest way to win votes, the ques-
ton OF financial security and sound
ness OF the Government raises its
head in no uncertain manner. How
long can the Government of the
United States continue to run two or
more billions of dollars in the red
each year? The American people
will pay in heavy taxes for many
years to come for the spending that
already has taken place.
Evening star., 1939-11-22
Last Duy?

A Chinese philosopher ages ago
advised his disciples to live each day
as if it were their last. The injunc-
ton has been repeated by wise men
ever since. It has become, so to say,
a perpetual axiom, as applicable in
modern times as it was in those of
antiquity. But perhaps it has not
yet been adopted for universal prac-
tice. The habit of procrastination
is fault which may be charged
against humanity at large. Yet it
may be wondered if people COM
monty desire to postpone the fulfill
ment of their obligations to them
selves and, particularly, to their
neighbors.
The fact that fifty thousand con-
tributors to the Community Chest
in 1888 have failed to subscribe this
year suggests that vast number of
persons have delayed responding
until the final moment of the cam
paign now closing. It follows that
approximately half a million dollars
remains to be raised. The implica-
ton of potential failure of the drive
to reach its necessary maximum is
a narrowing thought. A Star re-
porter, in a story printed yesterday,
dramatized its poignancy. In
word, the deficit means suffering.
The cooperating agencies simply
cannot meet prevailing demands
unless they are provided with money
enough to maintain their services
efficiently.
But language is a medium unequal
to the task of picturing the results
from even partial defeat. If starv-
ing child came to the door of any
home in Washington, he would be
fed without question. So, too, the
aged, the blind, the crippled, the
sick, the underprivileged have claims
upon the sympathy of their neighbors
which no one denies. The problem
is to bridge the gap between those
who are in distress and those who
could and should give toward their
relief.
Whether or not this years cam
paign will be continued has not been
decided. 1t is certain, however, that
the drive would not require to be
prolonged if every citizen fortunate
enough to be able to subscribe would
celebrate Thanksgiving by doing his
full duty for those who have little
or nothing to be thankful for other
wise.
Evening star., 1939-11-22
Health and the Doctors

The American Medical Association,
representing the organized medical
profession of the United States,
moves cautiously and somewhat re-
luctantly, it would seem, toward &C
ceptance of the new social doctrine
that a state is responsible for the
health Of it's citizens.
In its ranks are hundreds of physi-
clans with extremely liberal view
points. There are hundreds of others
with extremely conservative tend
encies. The great majority falls
somewhere between these extremes
and is rather bewildered at the criti-
cism leveled at 1t for obstructing
progress toward the far-reaching
subsidization of medical care pro-
vided in the Wagner Act.
The association has just proposed
it's own health program. This pro-
vides for Federal allotment of funds
to States for promotion of health
and care of the needy sick and the
coordination of all Federal health
activities in one organization, but it
insists that gratuitous medical serv-
ice and promotion of health reforms
are primarily local matters.
Offhand 1t might seem that the
association is trying to cloud the
issue. 1t will be found, however, that
it still is standing firm on certain
fundamental principles-the first of
which is that the qualified private
practitioner shall remain in control
Of the house of medicine. The Or
ganized profession apparently is
willing to compromise upon almost
every point except this.
During the past two years a more
and more liberal attitude has de-
veloped within the association. Grad
ually the die have lost ground
and the more progressive element
has taken over control. This de-
velopment probably was essential il
the body was to retain its prestige
and to hold the confidence of the
non-medical public. There is every
reason to hope that eventually some
general compromise will be reached
which will satisfy all sound argu-
ments for state-financed medical
care without sacrificing the status OF
the physician as an independent and
individually responsible agent.
Evening star., 1939-11-22
the North Sea and the English
Thonno1

the North Sea and the English
Channel.
It harks back to the famous British
order-in-council of March II, 1915,
which established the blockade of
import and export trade with Ger
many and put such a strain on
BritiSh-American relations, evoking
from this Government strong pro-
tests against the damaging of neutral
rights.
The American Interpretation of in
ternational law, as outlined by Secre-
tary Of State Bryan in notes to the
British government, was that "free
ships make free goods" that "inno-
cent shipments may be freely trans
ported to and from the United States
through neutral countries to bellig-
erent territory" and that belliger-
ent cannot cite the illegal acts of its
enemy as justification for retaliation
at the expense Of neutrals. Mr..
Bryan was specific on the question
Of export blockades: Under the
rules governing enemy exports only
goods owned by enemy subjects in
enemy bottoms are subject to seizure
and condemnation"
Much has happened to American
foreign policy, however, since the
United States reiterated these prin-
ciples. Not long thereafter, however,
this country entered the war and
engaged in the same practices that
it had condemned before 1917. More
important, perhaps, is the realization
that to keep out of the present war
the United States must curb its own
assertion of neutral rights by keeping
it's vessels and citizens out of war
zones.
The forthcoming concentration of
British naval energies on neutral
ships carrying cargoes suspected Of
German origin will bring the vessels
of Italy, Holland, Denmark, Sweden,
Norway and other nations under even
greater scrutiny than hitherto. Even
American ships, although barred
from the war zone, may be put to
some inconvenience if, in sailing
from Norwegian, Italian or other
European ports, they are suspected
of carrying German cargoes. The
Neutrality Act says nothing about
American ships engaging in this type
of trade entirely outside the war
zone.
On the whole, Britain may find the
additional difficulties with neutrals
far outweighing the advantages she
may gain from cutting off entirely the
fine trickle of German goods which
is flowing into neutral markets. 1t
is significant in this respect that the
United States imported in Octo-
ber only $4,000 worth of German
products. German trade, with Latin
America has fallen off in proportion
Evening star., 1939-11-22
Export Blockade

That the war at sea is following
precisely the pattern established in
1914-1918 was emphasized yesterday
by Prime Minister Chamberlain's an
nouncement that In retaliation for
Germany's many violations Of inter-
national law and ruthless brutality"
Britain henceforth will seize Ger
man exports, whether of German
ownership or German origin and
even II under neutral flags.
This attempt to cut of all of Ger
many's overseas trade as means of
plugging Germanys sources of for
eign exchange augments the import
blockade Britain has enforced against
Germany since the start Of the war
and brings more closely under the
eye of the British Navy virtually all
shipping in waters adjacent to
Europe-the Mediterranean and the
North and South Atlantic as well as
Evening star., 1939-11-22

yard, and, above all, the pretty picture
he makes there.
His diet Is confined strictly to inimical
insects, including caterpillars, and weed
seeds. More than 50 per cent of his
food is seed, mainly from the various
weeds.
Thus there are few birds which de-
serve more protection than the junco.
1t would be queer human, indeed, who
would offer it harm.
In length it is just little longer than
the English sparrow, but its neat suit
makes 1t look smaller, along with a
chubby character. This latter places it
alongside that other cuddly fellow, the
| chickadee.
These fetching birds seldom stay
around any one yard.
They are here today and gone tomor-
row, in the best traditions of bird mi
grafton.
There is some chance that band Of
them will remain in neighborhood. If
this happens, you will see snowbirds
more OF less all JQe L1Hle.
They are among the happiest of all
birds, if the observer has any right to
judge in such matters
just how they give this impression is
difficult to say. No doubt their chubby
little bodies help, and then there is the
air of the bird.
1t mixes in easily with all the other
birds beneath an elevated feeder. This
is not strange, since it is a member of
the great finch family, to which all the
sparrows and the cardinals belong.
r X Il
In very cold weather it will eat bread,
or almost anything else in that line, so do
not be chary with the crumbs.
Waste bread is always acceptable to
birds in winter. Many of them which
will eat 1t at no other time will be glad
to get it when the snow is on the ground
Fortunately, great many people who
never feed the birds at any other time
are moved by pity to do so in snowy
weather This is all to the good. Not
only do they do good deed at the time
IL IS needed, but many of them will be-
come interested, and so keep up the
feeding for the rest of the winter.
ThankSgiving-tW of 'em-and Christ
mas are holidays when the thoughts of
many persons turn toward the birds.
More and more are feeding stations
coming tc be acceptable Christmas pres
ents. These may be simple or elaborate,
the birds do not care. A sack of feed
with red ribbon tied around it makes
another good present, a double present,
indeed, as all such are, and not only
double, but multiple, of course.
AS for feeders. we are more and more
struck with the sheer utility of wire
trash basket turned upside down on
stump or other platform This permits
small birds to go in, but keeps pigeons
and squirrels out. In addition, the pic
ture OF the songsters in a cage from
which they can get out at will is alto
gether novel and interesting.
Evening star., 1939-11-22
THIS AND THAT
By Charles E. TraceUeu.

Those gray sparrows" you see in the
yard about this time are slate-colored
juncos, or snowbirds.
You are quite right in calling them
sparrows, Of course; they are one Of the
most common sparrows in America, and
among the most beloved.
Some years ago they were called snow
birds by everybody, because people
mostly noticed them when snow was on
the ground
Recently it has become fashionable
to call them juncos, from their scientific
name, Junco hyemalis. The name prob
ably comes from the Latin, juncus, a
seed.
SnoWbirds come to Washington mainly
in the fall They may be seen of and
on all winter, however, as well as at
other times of the year.
1t is at this time that they tend to
fly through in small hocks, lighting on
withered annual plants, where they eat
the seeds.
Since they are much heavier, they do
not make such a nice picture at this as
do the goldf1nches, the so-called wild
canaries
Mostly, juncos like the grass, where
they eat the seed heads.
X \ + X
They come now and then to feeding
stations, usually contenting themselves
with eating off the ground beneath the
feeder.
Six inches long, with It's fore and
upper parts gray, or slate, and under
parts white, with striking bill, the junco
is identified at glance by the most
inexperienced.
The two outmost tail feathers are
white, feature easily seen. The white
edged tail and the hoodlike coloring of
the head constitute sure-fire identifica-
ton for anybody who sees them.
Do not think that because they are
popularity called snowbirds that they
Will not be seen when there is no snow.
They are even more likely to be seen
in simple, COOL autumn weather.
They have sweet and low" song,
with few chirps for good measure.
In other sections the bird is called,
among many common names, black
snowbird, to differentiate it from the
white snowbird, or snowflake, which is
very shy; the white-bill black chipping
bird, common snowbird, slate-colored
snowbird, blue snowbird and Eastern
junco.
About 20 species of juncos grace the
United States, of which almost all are
confined to the Rockies and the Pacific
Coast.
Occasionally Montana snowbird or
junco gets as far east as Maryland, but
the average observer will probably never
see one hereabout.
X X
Our snoWbird takes precedence over
all the rest, owing to his widespread
character, his intimate ways in the
Evening star., 1939-11-22
Urges Support For
Pan-American Culture.
re ft,a uatt1- - ry, c.


In the editorial title "The Good
Neighbor" appearing in The Star on
November 18. the subject of furthering
cultural relations among the American
Republics was broached.
To say that it was discussed would
be too generous. Not only were the
movements now in progress labeled as
Sterile" but irrelevant experiences of
one Senator were gwen as concrete ex-
amples" of the place occupied by the
United States in the culture of Latin
America. A glance through the Pre-
liminary Survey of Inter-American Cul-
tural Activities in the United States"
would prove the virility of the eighty
nine organizations active in the cultural
field. The success of the Division of
Cultural Relations of the Department
OF State in co-ordinating the efforts of
these organizations has been remarkable.
Conferences of the leaders in the fields
of art, music and education have brought
tangible results. Plans are being formu-
lated for the exchange of students and
professors; cooperation in the fields of
music, art and literature; interchange
Of motion pictures; participation in in
ternational broadcasts, and for encour-
agement Of closer ties among unofficial
organizations in the various countries.
The Star might well aid in this work
As Secretary Hull put it, "The process
of making available the fruits of our
intellectual work in the other American
republics, and of bringing the fruits of
their work to the United States properly
ought to be carried on by the private and
semi-public educational agencies which
are already in existence" Why not de-
vote one Star Radio Forum and occa-
sional feature articles to this interesting
subject?
Mucn could be done to clear up GER
tain misapprehensions entertained by
many Of our people, including the Sem
ator. The fact that Italian operas are
sung in Buenos Aires denotes no more
cause for alarm than does the fact that
they are sung in New York. Because
statue of a Greek philosopher stands on
the campus of a South American uni
versity we need not fear that the edu-
cational system of that country is being
undermined by foreign power.
It is to be regretted that so few facts
regarding the progress of Inter-Ameri-
can cultural relations are receiving
proper publicity and earnestly hope
that The Star will use its good Offices
in informing its readers of these ac-
tivities. A. KELLY SHELTON.
November 20.
Evening star., 1939-11-22
Tightening Purse Strings

The battle between the spenders
and the anti-spenders, which got
under way when Congress met for
its first session last January, is due
to be renewed when the Seventy
Sixth Congress takes it's last whack
at appropriations next year. It is
reported that the administration is
hopeful that the deficit for the fiscal
year ending June 30, 1941, can be
kept down to $4,000 100000 or $780,
100000.
With expenditures for national de-
fense expected to increase over those
of the current fiscal year by about
$500, 100000, it is obvious that saw
ings must be made in other direc-
tions. The upswing in business, due
In part to the European war, is al
ready bringing in greater revenues
through taxation. Also it is expected
to make it possible to reduce expendi-
lures for relief and perhaps to bring
some reductions in the millions paid
out for agricultural benefits.
With general election coming on,
the administration and Congress
both are loath to sponsor a new tax
bill, designed to increase revenues
still further. Admittedly such a
measure might tend to retard busi-
ness. Certainly it would be a disap-
pointment to many voters.
Control of the purse strings
which has in large measure passed
in recent years to the Executive
again is to be in the hands of Con-
gress. The reason is simple. BY law
the limit of the public debt is fixed at
45,000,000, Already the public
debt has risen to more than SAL ,000,-
100000 and by the close of the pres
ent fiscal year, it will be close to the
statutory limit. Any attempt to in
crease the public debt would be
vigorously opposed in Congress. The
Secretary of the Treasury already has
indicated that it is not the purpose
of the President or the Treasury De-
partment to recommend that the
debt limit be extended.
Spenders in administration circles,
however, are not yet ready, it ap-
pears, to give up their contention
that Federal spending must continue
on large scale. Mariner S. Eccles,
head of the Federal Reserve Board,
In speech recently delivered, advo-
Gated program which included in
Evening star., 1939-11-22
Ousting of Efficient
Employees Deplored.
To the Editor Of The st

10 tne EQ1toE oA 4Ac OtS2s
Your editorial of November 18 en-
titled, Somewhat Abrupt" relative to
the custer Of Maj. Gen. T. 9. Ashburn
from the presidency Of the Inland
Waterways Corp, brings keenly in focus
an oft-adopted administrative practice.
Too often the good Of the service" is
sacrificed to meet an emotional whim
Of an authority. Again, the dispossessed
employe is too frequently the victim of
a clique; in fact, he is jockeyed into an
untenable position. None Of these con-
ditions, Of course, may have been pres
ent In this case. However, conflicting
actions and judgments are involved in
the election proceeding. How much
better 1t would be if, in such emergen-
cies, the experience Of the employe and
his value to the Government were held
Evening star., 1939-11-22
To the Editor Of The Star:
November 10.

To the Editor Of The Star:
want to congratulate you on the
very fine articles in The Star on the
condition and operation of the public
courses in Washington. play the new
Langston Golf Course, and what you
say about the other courses in the city
goes double for this new one-although
1t Is only little more than five months
old. First I want to say that I am an
oldtimer and have some appreciation
of what reasonably kept golf course is
like. I caddied at Chevy Chase and won
little tournament there when George
Sargent was pro.
I have played Langston course almost
every day since its opening and it is
getting progressively worse. The tees
have been battered up until you either
have to stand below or above your ball
for every shot. The only grass on them
is what is left from the original seeding.
The fairways never have been anything
and, as far as I can see, no real effort
is being made to cultivate them Bare
spots full Of rocks are in front of sew
eral Of the greens just where run shot
would be played from. The greens are
as near nothing as I have ever seen.
Bare spots, ball holes, and about as
much grass as you would get if you
put down some cement and dropped
cuttings from another green on them.
To top 1t of they have never been
rolled and are definitely untrue. The
management last summer promised that
they would be spaded up and new foun-
dations made this fall. The last fall
month now is almost gone and no re-
suits. The course is trapped made
quately and where traps exist, with
hardly more than few exceptions, the
sand has been washed out. No fresh
digging and new sand is visible. The
tops of these hazards have no grass on
them nor do the banks in the traps have
any. The course being in school dis
trict needs policing and good manage
ment would arrange for same. As it is
schoolkids walk all over the place and
lurk in the woods to pick up balls.
Further evidence of the economy prac-
ticed Is the laying of Of the pro- CHe
only got So per day for his availability
to new players) Every one in the locker
room has been laid off, or, at best, put
on for the expected busy days. All this
is done in the name Of economy. Per-
haps these cuts would be all right if
this were private concern. But this
golf course is run for the benefit Of the
colored citizens first, and a profit If it
can be made. The least we are entitled
to is course and equipment as good as
1t was five short months ago.
BELTRAN BARKER.
November 20,