davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1939-07-11
THIS AND THAT
physics, evidently, before 1t can be solved
and how is that to be done?
By Charles +. TrdceDell.

physics, evidently, before 1t can be solved,
and how is that to be done?
When this problem Is solved, an enor-
nous saving will be effected, for all man
made light to date has given off heat.
often in enormous quantities, as in our
various electric lights. Most people have
noticed the great heat given off by even
the bulb Of smallest size, and have idly
wondered If ever this would be ended,
and light secured without release of
heat. Mostly the heat given off by our
lights is pure waste. Heat is energy,
and the millions upon millions of cleo
trio lights in operation around the world
must give of perfectly enormous num-
ber OF thermal units, all of it wasted.
~ Xxx
In South America the popular firefy
is much larger than ours and gives off
so much light that one is able to read
by 1t. One species which is especially
luminius is kept in cages and sold for
lantern use, several beetles being Gagged
together, so that one of them is always
"all lit up"
The banks of the Vii River in Kyoto
and Ishiyama, near Lake Biwa, Japan.
are noted for "firef1ying viewing" as
they call it.
According to Setsuo Uyenoda, writing
on Insect Music" in a recent number
of the Japan Times Weekly, "hotaru-
gari," or the hunting of firef1ies, was
once an outdoor pastime for aristocrats,
but it now is an amusement for children.
So we see that people the world
around are very much alike
The Japanese writer continues:
ITO grownups nowadays, this outdoor
pastime has become an occasion for
viewing the beautiful firefies flying in
a dark night"
The darker the night. of course, the
orlghter the flashes. This season in
Washington has revealed especially lumi-
nous FREELY flashing. 1t may be due to
moisture, or maybe just a bit more
oxygen in the air, at least oxygen which
can be released more readily than
usual, to combine with the two chem
icals aforementioned.
Mr. Uyenoda tells of the various in
sectS cdgeo IN Japan Tor singing pur-
poses. One is the suzu-mushi, or bell
insect. and another is the kutsuwa
mushi. popularity called the gacha-gacha
because it is very noisy.
The best description of the noise it
makes" says our author may be had
by shaking large celluloid rattle con-
stantly for 5 or 10 minutes at a time ,
One of the graceful old japanese GUS
toms is described. the "insect-freeing
festival" during which sometime in Au-
gust or September the owners of insects
IN cages gather in temple garden at
night and free their pets, pausing breath
less to hear the insects as they lift
their sibilant rhapsodies and lyrics in
ecstasy to the seven flowers of autumn, !"
Sensible people, the world around, are
interested in these marvels of nature.
Evening star., 1939-07-11
The Playground Problem

In order fully to understand the
situation presented by the fact that
not all the public school Fairgrounds
are scheduled to be opened during
the summer months, it is important
to keep two points in mind The first
concerns the relationship between
the provision of adequate play space
and traffic accidents involving chill
dren, and the second concerns the
question of the advisability of open
ing any Fairgrounds that are not
properly equipped and stated.
The Star is interested, as any good
citizen should be, that as many play
grounds be made available to the
children of the community as posi-
BILE during the out-of-school months.
And The Star believes that the au-
thorities charged with the task of
choosing which and how many
grounds should be operated have the
same objective. But it is necessary
to avoid confusion of thought on the
subject.
With respect to the traffic question,
Lewis R. Barrett, co-ordinator of
recreation, has gone thoroughly into
the police reports of accidents to
more than 300 children last year and
the results show very definitely
greater need for safety education
than for more Fairgrounds. Many of
the injuries Investigated occurred
within a block of a playground. In
some sections the number of injuries
decreased as the distance from a
playground increased. Most were
caused by younger children between
the ages of three and eight years
who should not be without super
vision on or off grounds-stepping
out from behind parked cars or cross
ing streets away from the intersec-
ton. Mr.. Barrett's survey, of course,
is not an argument for fewer play
grounds, but it does tend to refute
the belief that the mere addition of
Fairgrounds, unaccompanied by ade-
quate safety instruction, will of itself
reduce traffic injuries to children.
At the present moment more than
sixty grounds are open under the
supervision of the Community Center
Department of the Board of Educa-
ton and another forty or so operated
by the Municipal Playground Depart
ment. And there is not one penny
Evening star., 1939-07-11
Safety Praise

The spirit of cooperation which
has been demonstrated by Washing
tons pedestrians and motorists dur
ing the past four months has
achieved national recognition in a
statement issued in Chicago by the
National Safety Council. The vigorous
and successful campaign which has
been waged in the National Capital
since last March has brought
astonishing results" according to
the Councils report, which points
out that recent observation of the
method here, by the traffic engineer
who serves as secretary of the
Councils Pedestrian Committee,
showed ninety-seven per cent CO.
operation on the part of walking
citizens in obeying traffic signals.
Other cities also are mentioned in
the report: Schenectady, where the
death toll has been greatly reduced
by control program; Salt Lake City,
where regulation has cut fatalities
sixty per cent, and Detroit, where
chains at the curbs stop possible
jaywalkers.
Figures prepared by the Districts
Traffic Bureau are just as heartening.
Last month there were one hundred
and flfty-two accidents involving
pedestrians, reduction of thirty
two as compared with year ago.
Praise by the National Safety
Council Is encouraging, and a report
OF reduction of more than seven
teen per cent in accidents in one
month is equally so. But such praise
should be accepted by the National
Capital with open eyes. The traffic
problem is far from solved. The
death toll for this year still is greater
than for the same period of 1898.
The proportion of pedestrians in
cluded still is too high.
Observance Of the regulations in
the downtown area, as pointed out
by the Safety Council, is excellent.
And very few of the accidents have
occurred in the central business sec
ton. The danger points are the
heavily-traveled streets in outlying
neighborhoods where police super
vision is less constant. The reduc-
tion in the number of accidents
means great deal, and a similar
reduction in deaths should result
before the year is over. But the
attainment Of such results lies
directly with the individual citizen.
It is well enough to obey the law
Evening star., 1939-07-11
Summer Afternoon

Balancing, and singing its varied song,
meadowlark sways on the chickory;
Unseen, locust, fresh from hiding long,
Drones out its maddening monotony.
Far down the dusty road lettering boy
Shuffles along with lazy clouded tread,
And with his stick he routs with vicious
joy
A nest Of ants from out their hillock bed.
A few thin clouds now spread out of the
west;
Inc boy walks quicker as it starts to rain:
Inc locust stops its clatter-it had best
Be on. All, now the hot suns out
again!
The lark, spying the locust through the
plants,
Forgoes the chase to eat a hundred ants
PAUL n. OEHSER.
Evening star., 1939-07-11
Railroad Note

When Lehigh and Hudson River
Railway freight train No. 90 started
on its run from Allentown, Pa, to
Maybrook, N. Y, no one thought that
hldeous disaster was lurking in the
o1flng. But at Glendale the train
crew were stunned at the sound of a
titanic explosion, and further dis
mayed when the train Jared to a
malt. A catastrophe unique in the
annals OF railroading had occurred
the brakeman had sneezed out his
teeth. 1nstinctively turning to the
tools of his trade, he had put on the
brakes.
The engineer, fireman and con-
ductor hastily gathered around their
oereaved brother. Deputizing a spare
hobo to guard the train, the crew
searched until success crowned their
EFFORTS, and the missing teeth were
found on the track right where they
would have bitten No. I'll. The ques-
ton then arose-were they damaged?
Clapplng them into his mouth, the
brakeman successfully recited the
Declaration of independence. So far,
SO good. He was now ready for the
crucial test. Borrowing a ham sand
wien from the train butcher, and
breathing silent prayer, he attacked
1t vlclouSly. A shout of iov split the
Welkin as he severed it in ten bites.
one under par. AS the hilarious
brothers pulled into Maybrook half
hour late, they were greeted in per-
son by the president of the railroad.
That was a nice stop you made" he
said. Il am glad you realize that
teeth are needed to run a choo choo
train"
Evening star., 1939-07-11

tied up in the present deadlocked
appropriations bill which would open
any more. Like the rest of the Dis
trict government, the grounds are
being operated in anticipation of the
appropriation provide j in the delayed
bill
The school grounds have been
chosen on the basis of very careful
study of need. They have been
spotted" throughout the community
so that every section is provided for
either by a school or municipal
ground. And the areas have also
been selected on the basis of size and
equipment. Many -of the grounds"
which are CLOSED" are mere play
spaces-concrete sidewalk between
buildings. Others lack the equip
ment to attract anybody even if they
were open. Still others might be suit
able but are just across from grounds
that are operating. A recreation off,
cial has said that if there were a
million dollars appropriated, only
about twenty-one additional grounds
would be suitable for opening.
Attendance checks are made at
the grounds and those which do not
justify the expense of being operated
on this score can be closed in favor
of others which might.
Inasmuch as the present program
contemplates use of the whole appro-
priation, the only ways of opening
other areas in any event now would
be through W. P. A. workers, as was
done in a few cases last year, or
through volunteer supervision by
parent teacher associations, which
has also been done.
Evening star., 1939-07-11

for 48 hours per week with salary of
SIT. Thus men can be worked almost
twice as long as women for less salary.
What the operators need is law cover
ing the employment of men.
At present there is an amendment
before the House of Representatives
which will include men in the minimum
law which now covers women. But
when will this amendment be passed?
II the operators join union, the
managements Of the apartment houses
promptly find some excuse for letting
them out. They can only wait until
Congress sees fit to aid them.
July 6. WALTER B. WHEELER.
Evening star., 1939-07-11
SIXTEENTH STREET.

Dear Sir:
Being fan Of your very interesting
column, may ask you for some para
graphs on the FREELY, now at the height
Of his season?
1T would be interesting to know what
natures purpose he serves in addition
to the aesthetic; whether he is a prey
to birds; whether he appears only in
parts OF June and July, and whether
the scientific mystery has been solved
OF how he gives light without heat.
Sincerely yours, E. McV"
The National Capital has seldom seen
finer firef1ies than this summer.
Most of them are SO bright that they
almost possess the power of flashlights.
They are, indeed, flashlights, which
word exactly describes the intermittent
flashes which these interesting insects
emits
The light is due to chemical process
set up between two substances in the
special lighting bodies" of the eight
ming bugs" as they are popularity called
In this country.
These substances flash when one of
them, which is an engine, receives an
impulse from the nervous system. This
engine Is a catalyst, that is, a sub
stance which causes change, but which
itself does not change.
1t is believed that this pair of chemi-
Gals are in what are known as fat
bodies, and that there may be some
relation between them and various vita
minis which are fat-borne.
District of Columbia firef1ies which
bear the scientific name of Photurus
pyralls, are especially mentioned in the
Encyclopedia Brittanica. This is. of
course, the common American species.
Both sexes can flash their lights, but
usually 1t is the female which does so.
and no doubt her flashes are by far the
brightest. 1t is the belief of scientists,
although they have not proved it. that
this flashing is in the nature of a love
call. 1t also is held that it tends to
frighten enemies.
Yes, these beetles are eaten bv birds
in great quantities. They are nocturnal,
which saves them in flight, but when
they curl up for their daily sleep during
the light hours of the day they are
easily seen and taken by sharp-eyed
birds.
Science has not solved the problem
OF making light without heat, as the
firefies have.
They know the chemicals which are
used, and the method. but they can
not duplicate it-as yet-because they
cannot get the right sort of impulse,
and probably couldn't get the engine
working properly.
In other words, the problem has to
be taken out of chemistry and put into
Evening star., 1939-07-11

when an officer is watching, but the
police force is not large enough, and
cannot be made so, to supervise every
danger point in the city. An
awakened civic consciousness alone
can supply the answer to the traffic
problem outside the main shopping
district. So far the majority of
citizens have been most helpful.
Washington will be aided to a place
among the safest cities only through
a continuance of individual CO.
operation.
Evening star., 1939-07-11
Enlarges Upon Haskin Note
On William Barton.
To the Editor of The Star

To the Editor of The Star
l was much interested in the refer
ence in the column in The Star con-
Quoted by Mr. Haskin to William Bar
ton of Philadelphia, who was the first
to suggest the eagle as the symbol of
the United States.
1t is worth noting that Barton was
nephew of the illustrious astronomer
statesman mathematician. DR.. David
Rittenhouse, president of the American
Philosophical Society and first director
of the first United States Mint. Barton
was direct ancestor of Vincent Astor,
the head of the American branch of that
financial house
1t was after Congress had rejected
several designs for a national coat of
arms that Mr.. Barton, young man
then about % years old, was approached
concerning the matter He was a master
of the science of heraldry and the author
of paper on the subject. He was closely
associated with Charles Thomson, secre-
tary Of Congress, in establishing the seal
of the United States. OF the report of
June 49, 1882, in which the final device
was definitely fixed, Mr.. Gaillard Hunt,
in his history of the SEAL states:
This report originated from two
sources, Thomson and Barton, and the
agency of each is clearly defined. The
distinction of producing the arms of the
United States cannot justly be accorded
wholly to either, but belongs wholly to
both, with the larger share of distinction
to the secretary, Charles Thomson
In the Manuscripts Division of the Lii
brary of Congress is preserved a letter
writtern by Barton to Gen. Washington,
under date of August %, 1888. quote
from the copy of this interesting letter
that has been added to my collection of
Rittenhouse documents:
When Congress was about to form
an armorial device for a Great Seal for
the United States that gentleman
Thomson), with DR.. A. Lee and Mr..
Boudinot, then delegates in Congress,
did me the honor of consulting me on
the OCCASION and Mr.. Thomson, in
letter to me dated in June, 1882, COM
pliments me on the Skill in heraldic
science that he is pleased to say I
displayed in the device for the Great
Seal, which Che adds) meets with gen.
eral appreciation In the same letter
he says, he had dipped SO far into the
elements of heraldry, as to be satisfied,
that it may be applied by State to
useful purposes.
Secretary Thomson rendered a dis
tinguished service to his country in de-
signing the seal of the United States,
but his letter to Barton in June, 1882,
shows that he was truly altruistic by the
compliments he generously bestowed on
his youthful and ingenious colleague.
Mr.. Barton is principally remembered
for his voluminous and ell-documented
biography of his distinguished uncle,
David Rittenhouse, published in 1913.
MILTON RUBINCAM,
Corresponding Secretary, National
Genealogical Society.
July 6.
Evening star., 1939-07-11
Wants Stricter Regulation
OF Motorists.
To the Editor Of The Star:

To the Editor Of The Star:
1t certainly is too bad that the police
do not make as much effort to regulate
motor traffic as they do pedestrians. This
afternoon an officer left his post and ran
a half block after two ladies who had
crossed on red light. What happened
on his corner in his absence I wasn't
able to see. But while they are scolding
the pedestrians, the motorists. sneak
through the red lights and we pedestrians
have to have eyes in the back of our
heads to cross the street safely on a
green light. H. L. LUSTED.
July Z.
Evening star., 1939-07-11
W. P. A. Violence

The outburst of violence in the
Minneapolis w. P. A. strike, which
resulted in the death of a policeman,
is an isolated incident which cannot
properly be imputed to the leaders
of the national protest against the
decision of Congress to fix a 13O-
hour month for all relief workers.
But the Minneapolis disorders do
serve as an extreme illustration of the
subverslve spirit underlying this at
tempt by coercive measures to dictate
the policy of the National Legisla-
ture. In the final analysis there is
little If any difference in principle
between the use of economic as
against physical force when the OBJ
jective in either case is to impose
the will of minority on the Govern
ment.
With the hour at hand when all
striking w. P. A. employees are
scheduled to be dropped from the
rolls, there is evidence of a decided
"back-to-work" movement through
out the country. This affords some
reason to hope that the great
majority of the strikers will recognize
the futility and improperly of the
course they have followed, and that
they will return to their jobs before
they are dismissed. Those who re-
main on strike have been notified
that they will be dropped and their
places filled by others who are
willing to work under the conditions
prescribed by Congress. The w. P. A.
officials must adhere to their an
nounced determination to discharge
the strikers. Any other course would
inevitably be interpreted as a retreat
In the face of threats, and would
establish an exceedingly dangerous
precedent for the benefit of all other
pressure groups with self-serving
ambitions.
When the immediate crisis raised
by the expiration of the five-day
period of grace given the strikers by
the w. P. A. administrative officers
has passed, the members of Congress
can turn their attention to bills
which have been introduced to
abolish the present setup and restore
the old prevailing hourly wage sys-
tenn of compensating w. P. A.
workers. In pressing for approval
OF the change, President William
Green of the A. F. of L., which is
leading the strike, has declared that
the political strength of his organiza-
ton will be thrown against those
members of Congress who do not
yield to his demands. The situation
presented by that threat is un-
pleasant, but Mr.. Green has an
unquestioned right to so use his
labor group if he deems it wise and
appropriate to do so.
But unless organized labor can offer
some convincing reason for reverting
to the discredited prevailing wage
system-which it has failed so far
to do-Congress should refuse to
yield to its demands. The new relief
setup was approved after an exhaus-
tive study and with the full approval
OF those closest to the problem. There
is every reason to believe that the
great majority of the voters want
the members of Congress to stand
their ground.
Evening star., 1939-07-11

There exists noteworthy snap
shot of a French dragon and Brit
ish hussar watering their horses in
the Rhine in 1918. After a hard day
OF vituperation and threats MIR. Hit
Ter might spend an evening contem-
plating this. Copy on request.
Evening star., 1939-07-11
Urges Passage of Minimum
Wage Law for Men.

To the Editor of The Star
I work 13 hours daily from 6 pm. to
7 am-91 hours weekly-as a switch
board and elevator operator in one OF
the downtown apartment buildings. My
monthly salary is $50, or fraction over
Is cents per hour.
Here in the District of Columbia there
is minimum wage law covering the
employment of women and minors Of
both sexes. They can be employed only
Evening star., 1939-07-11
Letters to the Editor

Letters to the Editor must
Dear the name and address of
the 1Dr1ter, although the use OF
pSeudonyn1 for publication is
permissible. Please be brief,
Evening star., 1939-07-11
Member of the Associated Press

Entered as second class matter post once.
WASHINGTON. c.
Evening star., 1939-07-11

The Associated Press is exclusively entitled to
the use for republication Of all news dispatches
credited to it or not otherwise credited in this
paper and also the local news published herein
AL rights Of publication OF special dispatches
herein also are reserved.
Evening star., 1939-07-11

The Evening Star Newspaper Company
Main Once: l1th St. and Pennsylvania Ave.
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Chicago once: 435 North Michigan Ave
Evening star., 1939-07-11

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Evening star., 1939-07-11

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Evening star., 1939-07-11

O. What is caisson disease?-C. S. T.
A. Men engaged in work under water
in chamber where the pressure is three
to four times that of the atmosphere
suffer from various disturbances when
they return to normal, or atmospheric,
pressure. There may be severe pains,
resulting in bends if located in the alb
domen, difficulty in breathing, dizziness.
paralysis, and even death. The dis
turbances last from hours to weeks and
are owing to the injury to tissue by
bubbles of gas. Divers may suffer in the
same way.
Q. Please give the average height of
men in the United States-R. S. B.
A. The average height of an American
man is S feet 8 inches.
Evening star., 1939-07-11

nth., SS.x.s and
Evening star., 1939-01-06
Cosmopolitan Club
InstuIIs Officers

The Cosmopolitan Club at its
meeting yesterday installed Edmund
O. Carl as president; William Edel-
blut, vice president; William Kiesler,
treasurer, and Michael D. Schaefer,
secretary.
Desk sets were presented to DR.. ].
l.. B. Murray, retiring president, and
Milton Hartley, retiring treasurer.
The presentation was made by
James E. Collifower, past presi-
dent, who expressed the members
appreciation for the services of the
two officials in the past year.
The program included talk by
Or. Edwin H. Silver, who has just
returned from a South American
cruise. He also donated an attend
ance prize for the day, which was
won by A. w. Lee.
Mr.. Carl and Arthur w. Defen-
derfer tied for first prize for the best
attendance record of the year and
tossed coins for it, with Mr.. Carl
winning. E. A. Rule won third prize
President Carl announced the ap-
pointment of John Reilly, president
Of the Second National Bank, as
chairman of the Forum Committee
for the year. Other committee
chairmen will be named.