davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1939-12-23
Birthday
lAnd Christmas
Ion Byrd Trip

When the Antarctic-bound North
Star hits the international date
line Sunday everybody on board will
be knocked out of Christmas, but
Malcolm Davis will lose his 4Oth
birthday anniversary as well.
The polar expeditions ship will be
approaching New Zealand when she
crosses the date line on the oath.
She is expected to arrive in port
on the following day, which won't
be Christmas in New Zealand but
just another December 26.
Mr.. Davis, the chief keeper of the
birdhouse at the Zoo, who is en-
route to polar regions to collect
penguins, leopard seals, etc., has
summoned an explorers fortitude
to carry him through a Christmas
less year, but the additional loss
of his birthday anniversary is al
most too much.
On the last Byrd expedition one
Of the ships crossed the date line
going in the other direction on
Christmas. When the explorers woke
UP the next day, much to the sur
prise Of those who weren't geog-
raphers It was still Christmas.
Evening star., 1939-12-23
Chicago Grain
By the Associated Press.

os tiic hsSoCldleQ TreSS.
CHICAGO, Dec. 23.-Christmas
SHOWS and rains that fell on the
Southwestern drought zone. all
though light in many localities,
caused another slump in wheat
prices here today.
Prices were of as much as ~
cents at times, although the market
developed good rallying power when
lows were reached. Weakness at
Kansas City. where losses of more
! than 3 cents were recorded at one
stage, unsettled the market. The
Kansas City price rallied later, how
! ever.
Precipitation that occurred in the
| Southwest was the first material
relief from the unprecedented fall
and winter drought that many
regions have had in weeks and in
! some cases months.
While moisture at this season of
the year is not particularly i'm
portant, inasmuch as wheat nor
| mally is in a dormant condition,
traders believe a change in the
weather in the drought zone may
check deterioration.
Rain and snow can be beneficial.
experts said. if it soaks into the
| ground before a severe freeze comes,
thus building up depleted subsoil
moisture reserves for use in the
, spring. Although much wheat has
been killed or is in seriously weak
condition, experts pointed out that
the plant is unusually hardy.
Reports here indicated moisture
was distributed throughout much of
the grain belt with rain, snow and
sleet in parts of Kansas, Oklahoma,
Texas and Nebraska. where drought
is most severe. Surrounding areas
also had moisture, and some rain
was reported in the spring wheat
zone and in Canada. Furthermore,
the official forecast indicated more
moisture would be received in some
districts, with the precipitation
spreading into the soft wheat zone.
Evening star., 1939-12-23
Mrs. Anna KoIker Dies
After Brief Illness

Mrs. Anna Kolker, 10, who had
been active in Jewish affairs during
her 80 years residence in Washing
ton, died yesterday at her home,
1903 Webster street NV. after a
brief illness. She was the widow
OF Benjamin Kolker. merchant.
After funeral services at the home
yesterday she was buried in Beth
Sholom Congregation Cemetery.
Born in Poland. Mrs. Kolker came
to this country 40 years ago. max
ing her home in Baltimore, Md, be-
fore coming to Washington.
She was a member of Beth Sho-
lom Synagogue, Hadassah, Ladies'
Aid Circle. Volliner Aid Society and
was member of the board of the
Jewish Home for the Aged.
Surviving are four daughters. Mrs.
Morris Binder. Mrs. Carl Lieberman,
Mrs. Barney Robin and Mrs. Her
man Eisenberg; two sons. Fred and
Jacob Kolker; a sister, Mrs. George
Deckelbaum, all of Washington: a
brother, Abraham Malmetic of Po-
land, and 10 grandchildren.
Evening star., 1939-12-23
South Africa Turns
Own Warp|anes 10
Use Of Finland
Ships Built in England
May Be Delivered
Within Two Weeks
By the Associated Press.

By the Associated Press.
GENEVA, Dec. 23-Eight nations,
including the Union of South Africa,
which said she had released her
own warplanes to Finland, replied
today to the League of Nations
note asking what they intended to
do to aid Finland.
Also included among those reply
ing were Argentina, Ecuador, Haiti,
Peru, Bolivia, Venezuela and Mex
leo.
South Africa said:
Rendering practical assistance to
Finland by releasing aircraft for
Finland which had been earmarked
for defense of the Union"
League officials said South
Africas planes may be delivered to
Finland within two weeks, since
they were built at English factories
and held up before shipment to
Africa.
Rudolf Holsti, Finland's former
AoA ClSil llliillSlCi anu plCoEllL uGle.
gate to Geneva, talked today with
Joseph A. c. Avenol, secretary gen.
eral of the League, who has just
returned from Paris conferences on
aid to Finland.
Argentinas note regarding help
for Finland said any suggestion of
aid would be received by the Buenos
Aires government with sympathy"
Venezuela offered Red Cross aid
and to refrain from any action
which might weaken Finland's re-
sistance." Bolivia, Haiti and Ecua-
dor replied in effect that they would
support any action in favor of Fin
land.
Peru praised the "high moral
value of the ASsemblys resolution,
but added that the Peruvian gov
eminent was mot in a position" to
take steps supporting the resolution.
Mexico cabled its agreement with
the content of Avenol's message"
and made no reply concerning aid
for the Firms.
Evening star., 1939-12-23
Supreme Court Asked
To Decide Oil Title
In Elk Hills Field
STANDARD Company
Contests Federal
Possession of Area
BY the Associated Press,

BY the Associated Press.
The Supreme Court was asked
yesterday to decide a long -litigated
dispute between the United States
and the Standard OH Co. of Cali
fornia over title to a section of the
Elk Hill (Calif.) oil field.
This field was involved in the oil
scandals during the Harding ad-
ministration.
Standard OIL appealed to the Su-
preme Court from a decision by
the Ninth Federal Circuit Court
awarding possession to the United
States and granting $6,214,lO2 DAM
ages against the oil company for
trespaSs.
The petition said the section in
volved was granted by an act Of
Congress to California in aid of
public schools. Standard Oil bought
the land from the State in 1909 and
1910. Oil was discovered in 1919. i.
The present suit was instituted
in 1924, following passage of con-
gressional joint resolution directing
the Secretary of Interior to establish
title in the United States.
After various legal proceedings,
including 1929 Supreme Court de-
clsion, the Secretary of Interior
ruled in 1885 that the section was
known mineral land in 1903 and
legal title had not passed to Cali
fornia.
Evening star., 1939-12-23
Japan Announces Army
Reaches Indo-China
By the Associated Press.

u 0y the Associated eTeSS.
SHANGHAI, Dec. 23.-The Japa-
nese Army announced today that
their troops invading the South
western China province of Kwangsi
had smashed their way to the bor-
der of French Indo-China to cut
Chinese supply lines.
The Japanese flag was planted
on the border and the commander
OF the japanese detachment shook
hands with the commander of the
French garrison at Langson, Indo-
China frontier town.
An army communique said the
Japanese troops thus had accom-
pllshed their mission of DESTROY
Ing Chinese supply bases on the
border of Indo-China" and later
had left the cities of Chennnank-
wan and Luncheon, which they oc-
cupied for 48 hours.
Both cities are near the French
border and on the vital highway
running southwest from Manning,
the former Kwangsi provincial
capital which japanese forces,
driving up from the sea, captured
late IN November.
Huge quantities of Chinese mill
tary supplies were seized in the
TWO towns, the Japanese said. The
communique warned that the cities
would be reoccupied IF they are
restored as supply bases"
Evening star., 1939-12-23
Phone Network Planned
To Hell p Defend Canal

By the Associated Press.
The War Department is planning
to tighten defenses Of the Panama
Canal by setting up an extensive
air raid warning system extending
beyond the limits of the Canal
Zone.
Offlclal sources said yesterday
that Congress may be asked for
funds for additional telephone cir
cults. financed either directly by the
United States or by means of sub
sldy loans to Panama.
The scheme involves employing
civilians to flash warnings of hostile
aircraft in wartime. Existing phones
were said to be few and unreliable
The system would be supple
mented by two-way radio communi-
cations manned by soldiers, the
Chief reliance at present.
Ultimately a separate command
may be created, officials said, to CO.
ordinate the warning nets with
1nterceptor planes and anti aircraft
guns. Such separate command is
to be set up shortly for the indus
trial northeast corner of the United
States.
Evening star., 1939-12-23

New Way of Treating Cancer
With Atom Smoshers Reported
Slow Neutrons Are Used in Experiments
Tried by illinois Physicist

out a beam which chips of the
electrons.
Achieve Same Result.
Fast neutrons achieve the same
result by colliding with the nuclei
Of the atoms in the cell and causing
ionization later.
When a neutron crashes into q
nucleus and remains there, the atom
becomes unstable and disintegrates
Certain kinds of atoms, such as
sodium, phosphorus and iron, be-
come radioactive when hit, and be-
have something like piece of
radium. In atoms within living It's
sue, this disintegration often means
death to the cell.
High speed neutrons frequently
travel too last to achieve maximum
disintegrating results. Instead of
being captured by the nucleus and
causing breakdown, they may shoot
oil into space or bounce against
other particles until they lose their
penetrating velocity. They achieve
their best results when moving Just
fast enough to bury themselves In
the nucleus.
Speed Slowed Down.
To get this maximum effect DR.
Kruger slowed down the high-speed
neutron bullets by putting a piece
of paraffin between the cycltron
and the test tubes. Paraff1n con-
tains many hydrogen atoms which
act with something of a buffer ef-
feet. The neutrons strike the hyd-
rogen nuclei, bouncing from one to
another until they have slowed
down to the desired speed. Then
they are allowed to hit the chemica]
between the cancer cells.
A solution of boric acid, contain
ing the element boron, supplies the
necessary chemical. When the can
Ger tissue is soaked in the acid the
solution is dispersed throughout the
tissues.
When a neutron hits one of the
boron atoms it causes the boron
to fly apart and form two other
elements, helium and hthium. In
the explosion, the helium and lith.
lum obtain huge amounts of en-
ergy. They lose it promptly In
producing intense ionization in the
nearby cancer tissue. The canoe,
cell dies as a result.
Evening star., 1939-12-23
Bank S Personnel Adopts
Needy Families al Yu|e

-blooded bankers are part of
an old-time fiction, according to
Oswald Varela. cashier of the Ma
tional Savings and Trust Co.., who
points to the adoption by bank en-
ployes of needy families at Christ
mas time, the work of provision to
carry on throughout the year.
Washington has the honor of
starting something that was un-
known in the old days of banking"
Mr.. Varela said yesterday as he
pointed to lobby half filled with
all sorts of goods displayed before
an open fireplace and two Christmas
trees.
R. L. johnson, former president
OF the National Savings CLUB, the
banks personnel organization, was
given credit for the idea. From the
president to the man who stokes the
fires, everybody at the National Saw
ing and Trust this year entered the
work of providing provisions for
needy families.
The National Savings Club In
vestigates destitute cases. Then
they have a canned goods week
during which period all necessary
goods of this type are collected.
Then an old clothes day. Then
dance at which toys are the price of
admission. Then, the rounds are
made on Christmas eve and Christ
mas Day-when goods and money
are distributed.
On Christmas Day. complete
turkey dinners are given the needy
families.
Robert Christie, present president
Of the National Savings Club, esti-
mated today that he and his fellow
workers havt enough In overflow
this year to take care Of nine extra
families.
Evening star., 1939-12-23
Germany Releasing
Britoin's ConsuIs
BY the Associated Press.


LONDON. Dec. 23.-British con-
sular officials and members of their
families who have been held in
Germany and Czecho- -Slovakia since
the outbreak of war, are being re-
leased, authoritative informants
said today
One group is expected to reach
the Netherlands today.
In international usage consuls do
not enjoy the same degree of dip
lomatic immunity as embassy stats.
The British Embassy staff left
Berlin at the wars beginning.
T. B. Wildman. former consul at
Bremen, headed this party. which
totaled Is persons.
Evening star., 1939-12-23
BY the Associated Press.

BERKELEY. Calf, Dec, GA
radically new way Of destroying
cancer cells with the invisible bull
let's Of the atom smashers was re-
ported before the American Physical
Society yesterday.
Tiny bits of a chemical are planted
between the malignant cells. Neu-
tron bullets from a cyclotron are
shot into the cancerous tissue.
When a slowly moving neutron hits
piece of the chemical an atomic
explosion occurs, causing an elec-
trical phenomenon, ionization,
which kills the cancer cell.
The process was evolved by DR..
P G. Kruger, University of illinois
physicist, who made the report. On
sabbatlcal leave, DR.. Kruger came
to the University of California and
tried it with the big atom smashing
cyclotron.
1t is new departure in the cancer
field because it uses slow neutrons
ana achieves Its results indirectly.
In other cyclotron work against
cancer, fast neutrons, acting directly
on atoms In the cells, have been
used. DR.. Kruger found the slow
neutrons about five times as deadly
against cancer.
Not Ready for Humans.
Another potential advantage, he
SAID. was that slow neutrons did not
lnJure healthy tissue in the test tube
unless the necessary chemical (the
element boron" which is contained
IN boric acid was present between
the cells. Fast neutrons are capable
OF damaging normal cells as we'll as
cancer, and have to be handled
carefully.
The experiments were confined
TO living cancer cells taken from
laboratory animals and put into
test tubes. DR.. Kruger said the
process was far from ready for nu-
man application, but that trials
would be made shortly on cancers
in living animals.
All radiation methods of treating
cancer depends on essentially the
same process-killing the cell bv
producing intense ionization of the
atoms within it. Ionization knocks
electTons out of the atoms. Because
OF this disturbance the cell dies.
Ihe x-ray does this by shooting
Evening star., 1939-12-23
C.L. Offers toprove
By Surprise Visits
Extent Of Ohio Need
Movies of Destitute
Families Being Made
To Show Authorities
ny the Associated Press.

ny the Associated Press.
TOLEDO, Ohio, Dec. &c. I. O
leaders offered to prove today, by
surprise visits" to poor families,
that many of Toledo's destitute will
have a hungry Christmas.
This industrial city removed all
"employables" from its relief rolls
last September Is. This week it
started restoration of many of them
on need basis" but will be unable
to give food or other necessities for
any employable childless adult, said
Clarence A. Benedict, city relief di-
rector.
THE situation is really bad" de-
clared Louis Didasse, chairman Of
G. I. O.s Toledo relief division.
I'VE are ready to prove to Gov
John w. Bricker or any one that
there is actual hunger" he said. Il
don't mean starving to death-peo-
pie can exist a long time on beans
and water.
IF there is any doubt about it,
why don't they send a committee
here and we will take them into the
homes and show them the cup
boards"
Mr.. Didasse said the G. I. o. now
Is making movies of needy families
to show to various church organiza-
tions, city council and the State
Legislature, if possible. He COM
.1nented:
1--WE went into one home yesterday
land they had only few potatoes
for family of eight. That family
wasn't back on relief yet.
"Quite few had nothing to eat
to take picture Of"
He said unheralded visits to many
relief homes showed inadequate
food and actual hunger.
Relief workers estimated at least
5000 persons could receive no city
relief under the present 100000 q
month program. and must exist on
private aid, small rations of Fed
eral surplus commodities and per-
sonal initiative.
Toledo had 7,437 relief cases
(averaging three persons each Au-
gust 81 and spent $19S,969 for direct
relief in August. Last month it
spent $50,325, and had 2,451 cases
on November 80. Benedict said the
present program could expand help
to these, and add about 1000 more
cases.
THE childless employable adults
believe, will have something to eat
on Christmas, Mr.. Benedict said.
He pointed to $500 Christmas
baskets-with 50 or 81 of food
being distributed through central
agency set up by private charities,
and to other yuletide charity din
ners.
Evening star., 1939-12-23
Christmas Cheer
Continued From First Page.)

enumerate in detail-was that at
the Department of Justice, where
under the blessing of Attorney Gen.
eral Murphy 10 divisions set to work
gathering funds and goods.
Yesterday each of the divisions
exhibited its collection, piled under
one of 10 spruce trees, to Solicitor
General Jackson, who made a
round of inspection indicative of
the 10 collections was one made in
the administrative division, under
leadership of T. D. Quinn and r. S.
Stiles. Employees contributed:
Four 10-pound hams, A pounds
Of bacon, Is pounds of rice, 30
pounds of macaroni, IS pounds of
onions, 100 pounds of potatoes, 70
pounds of flour, go pounds of sugar,
Is pounds of navy beans-said to be
straight from Michigan" IS pounds
of pecans, bushel of sweet pota-
toes, 3 bushels of apples, SO cans
OF corn, So cans of sauerkraut, 36
cans of June peas, 36 pounds of roll
ed oats, Sc oranges, 72 cans of fruit
juices, SO cans of jelly, IL jars of
peanut butter. 8 pounds of cheese,
6 pounds of coffee, "a cans of mixed
vegetables, So heads of cabbage, II
cans Of cocoa, 6 pounds of candy,
"a cans of pork and beans, IL cans
of dill pickles, half a case of soap
and II cans of cranberries.
$45 Worth of Clothing.
And, besides that, stacks of toys
and $45 worth of clothing was given
in the one division.
Some Federal agencies were able
to contribute unusual gifts. Toys
from % States and the District of
Columbia were gathered at Works
Project Administration as part of
the agency's second gift to The Star
drive. From such far away points
as Wyoming, Colorado, Louisiana,
New Hampshire and Arizona came
the playthings, made in w. P. A.
professional projects for exhibit
purposes
In other agencies employees held
parties to celebrate their Christmas
collections-as at the Social Security
Control Division of Internal Rev.
enue, where a special choir sang
carols in honor Of 100 toys.
Fresh new gingham dolls and
brand-neW picture books and baby
carriages donated to The Stars
campaign mingled at the city's Toy
Center with hundreds of used play
things brought in during the week
by multitudes of citizens in response
to published appeals for toys. A
last-minute job of repair was done
on many of the latter-women w.
P. A. workers straining to put
fresh dress on the last doll and men
workers brushing the last coat of
blue paint on toy trucks.
Volunteers at Toy Center milled
among the tables, picking out suit
able gifts for boys and girls of every
age, then stuffing them into crisp
paper sacks. Miss Sibyl Baker, in
charge of Distribution, expects 49,
500 children will be provided for
through the city's generosity.
Each package, clearly labeled, re-
sumes its truck journey-this time
bound in Star and Playground De-
p4rtment trucks to homes of eager
children. Names Of children receiv-
ing the gifts sent through The Stars
campaign were for the most part
supplied by Friendship House, In
structive Visiting Nurse Society,
Public Assistance Division, Family
Welfare Association, Juvenile Court
and Works Project, Administration.
Evening star., 1939-12-23
Report
FURNISHED by the Unite
i States Weather Bureau)

FURNISHED
District of
followed by beginning minimum tonight
about degrees gentle northwest
Maryland Increasing cloudine followed
temperature.
Vgna-Coudy followed changing
in northwest portion tonight slowly rising
West ViginiaSnow tonight tomorrow rain and
IN south changing
Evening star., 1939-12-23
Soviet-Joponese PorIey
Groundwork Is Laid
By the Associated Press,

By the Associated Press
MOSCOW, Dec. 23.-The ground
work for forthcoming Japanese
Russian trade talks in Moscow was
laid yesterday at a one-hour con-
ference between Japanese Ambas-
sador Shigenori Togo and Soviet
Commissar of Foreign Trade A. l.
Mikoyan.
The two officials arranged for a
further conference later.
Evening star., 1939-12-23

Weekly Outlook.
North and Middle Atlantic States
Snow or rain over north and rain over
south portion at beginning of week and
again about Thursday. Warmer at begin
ming; colder Tuesday and Wednesday,
warmer Thursday; colder at end.
Ohio Valley and Tennessee-Rain in
south and snow or rain over north por-
ton Tuesday night or Wednesday and
rains again Friday or Saturday Colder at
beginnins; warmer Wednesday; colder
Thursday, warmer Friday. slightly colder
at end.
Weather Conditions Last 81 Hours.
Pressure continues low but rising over
eastern Maine. Eastport. 10000 millibars
!29.53 inches, A disturbance Of increas-
Dallas, Tex, 1904, millibars !29.67
inches) whence it will move northeast
ward. Pressure is also low and falling on
1,O064 milibars to9.72 inches). Pressure
auette, Mich, 1Os64 millibars (3O.31
inches. with a wedge extending south
eastward to North Carolina, Pressure is
also high and rising over Montana. Havre
.027.S millibars t30.35 inches) During
the last "a hours rains have occurred in
northern California, in the Middle and
West Gulf States; the lower. Ohio Valley
Tennessee and Missouri. and light SHOWS
at,es asys occurred in ds,s ths southern Plains
Rocky Mountain regions. Heavy falls are
reported from northeastern Texas, north
ern louisiana and southern Arkansas. the
greatest fall reported being 9O3 inches at
Lufkin. Tex. Temperature changes have
been unimportant.
Evening star., 1939-12-23
WAR MAP
SUPPLEMENT
As Printed In Mondays Star,
Oct. 3Ofh

IA Reprint Of this sections
on heavy smooth-finish
Poper, NOW ON SALE al
The Stor Business Office,
1lth end Pennsyivonio
Avenue NV.
10e per copy. BY Mail l5c
. "Whot's happening in Eu-
rope"-the changes in name
and oreo Of territory, fortifieo-
tions. naval boses, cities, bor-
ders, boundaries, ete.-eroph-
ieoIIy told in q complete eight
page section. Invaluable for
reference as you seek inteIIi-
gently to follow the course and
significance Of future war de-
vsiopnsnts.
Evening star., 1939-12-23
Is Yours q Christmas Heart?

II it to
needy child has wooy what
that child needs mos-hen you've got a Christmas heart
Every beat OF the Christmas
Iew pennies sent to The Star Christmas Heart Fund
WIN pass the money to the Council
through trained workers Washington Christmas with
Evening star., 1939-12-23
River Report

River Report.
>, POTOMAC and Shenandoah Rivers clear at
Harpers Ferry: Potomac slightly muddy
at Great Falls today.
Evening star., 1939-12-23
Precipitation.

Monthly precipitation in inches In the
capital lcurrent month to datel: