davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1939-04-05
BeIqium's Elections

The democratic, anti-Nazi world
can take cheer in the Belgian parlia-
mentary elections. Fears of a dis
unity which would have played into
the hands Of Germany proved un-
founded. Through the democratic
ballot, the little country, after long
period of instability In government,
has established itself at the polls as
a flrm-knit national unit. The gov
ernmental difficulties which led King
Leopold to dissolve Parliament a
month ago and order the extraordi-
nary general election have apparent
ly been erased.
The voting was a triumph for mod
Grafton. Both the Rexists, the ex-
tremist Fascists and the Socialists
suffered losses as the Catholics and
the Liberals were strengthened. For
that reason, the Liberals probably
will accept representation in the new
cabinet. Thus the financial program
is assured success. The fiscal problem
was factor in the breakdown of the
government. Liberal support for the
program was necessary and 1t was
not forthcoming. Dr. Martens resig-
nation from the academy destroys
the issue on which the Flemings and
Walloons were split. There was a
certain boldness in King Leopold's
dissolution of Parliament, but his
courage has been rewarded.
Evening star., 1939-04-05

ord for the number Of bills in
troduced, also contributed numerous
measures which should benefit their
constituents. Their enactments de-
serving of mention include anti-gam-
bling bills (counteracted somewhat
in the case of Prince Georges through
the licensing of slot machines), bills
to enlarge the county police forces
and the jurisdiction of the park COM
mission, to license airports, to pro-
vide for new schools and, in Mont
gomery, for a reassessment.
In all, the session just closed, like
many before it, made definite con-
tributions to the advancement of the
State, yet left much to be done by
those to come.
Evening star., 1939-04-05
THIS AND THAT
BIZ Charles z. TrdceUell.

Several barberry bushes, allowed to
spread, will do q very nice Job covering
up a too high basement. We mean q Gel
and the like protrude out Of the ground
beneath the flrst-foor windows.
Foundation paintings, preferably q
mixture of evergreens and perennial
shrubs, may be bettered by the inclusion
Of one or more specimen barberries.
Leave room for their expansion In all
four directions.
One of the best features Of these
bushes is that they remain somewhat
presentable all the year around.
The berries come in the fall and stay
on all winter, affording some beauty as
well as some food for birds. The mock
ingbird, in particular, likes = snack
Of them.
The barberry hedge is highly resistant
both to dogs and other small animals.
There is not much pleasure in trying
to force ones way through such spiny
fortresses, made all the more forbidding
by the fact that they do not look to be
very sticky"
Usually one experience sufices.
This was the first big use for the
barberry, and one in which it is unsur-
passed, despite the fact that the privet
hedge at one time outran 1t for popular
favor.
Superior strains of barberry today en-
able the owner to have more compact,
trimmer hedge.
As every one knows, this is secured
without the bother of clipping periodi-
cally. This means that 1T is the lazy
gardeners hedge par excellence. Yes,
there are lazy gardeners and very good
ones. Much has been said about dirt
farmers" and dirt gardeners" but the
stubborn fact remains that one may
have a very keen interest in gardening
and at the same time not get much real
kick" out of the necessary work. Per-
haps 1t is a matter of early education.
The common process, especially for the
city man, is to become interested In
gardening with the purchase Of his first
home. He sets to with great vigor and
determination. but he hasn't the neces-
sary basic physical education; often he
continues years longer than he should.
He digs away, but neither his heart
nor hands are in 1t.
So enters the handy man.
And the barberry.
Japanese barberry can play a wonder
fully useful role in gardens where the
owner has tired Of playing around.
Utterly aside from that, however, 1t is
wonderfully fine plant, much better
than many gardeners give 1t credit for
being. If any one doesn't believe this,
let him look around Washington and
suburbs this spring.
Evening star., 1939-04-05
The New Library

According to published reports,
Chairman Ross Collins of the House
Subcommittee in charge of District
Appropriations has again exercised
his leadership and influence in be-
half of the District Public Library
system and the District bill about to
be reported will carry funds for be-
ginning construction of the new
main library building on the site,
previously designated, between Penn
Sylvania avenue and C street, John
Marshall place and Sixth street NV.
On more than one occasion in the
past Chairman Collins has demon
strated his great interest in and SYM
pathy for the Public Library system.
But in lending his vigorous efforts
to the acquisition of a new main
building he and his subcommittee
have taken the important step that
is necessary if the Districts library
system is to continue the healthy de-
velopment and progress that have
marked its history. The need for this
new building, in fact, is so great that
further delay in its construction will
seriously retard further growth of
the library and place a burden that
constantly becomes more serious on
the adequate maintenance of the
system as it is today.
For many years the healthy growth
of the library system was exemplified
in the provision of branch libraries
to serve the needs of the expanding
Washington community. During this
time the provision of these addi-
tional branch libraries was the i'm
portant building activity. But as
adequate service to these branch
libraries is as important as the
branch library buildings themselves
the practical limit of expansion was
reached some time ago as additional
branches failed to relieve the pres
sure for central library space and
progressively increased it. Every new
branch library meant an increase in
new business" patrons of the
library and additional books to sat-
isty their needs.
Such problems will be solved and
new attention turned to branch
library construction with the con-
struction of the main building
planned for the site on Pennsylvania
avenue, a part of the land purchased
by the District for the municipal
center group of buildings and which
automatically became available as a
library site through modification of
the original Community Center plans.
1t is site that deserves such a
structure as the proposed new main
library building and the community
is indebted to Mr. Collins and his
colleagues for the assurance now
given that the building will soon
emerge from plans to reality.
Evening star., 1939-04-05
Urges Passage Of
General Welfare Act.

To the Editor Of The Star:
Owen L. Scott states in The Sunday
Star that, "The President has decided to
give businessmen what they want, after
pot shots aimed at prominent New Deal
ers by those who took up the cry Of
economy and promised to reform re-
lief sss.
'The Presidents formula is the simple
one Of centering public attention on
leaders Of the House and Senate, since
congressional leaders have been voluble
In assertions as to what they would do If
they were running the country"
Scott ends his observations with, THE
obvious feeling in the executive depart
ment Of Government is, that both Con-
gress and leaders Of business and finance
will founder and lose standing If put on
the spot to specify their plans to deal
with present-day problems"
During the six years of his admins
tration the President has experimented
with pump priming with borrowed money
until debt Of forty billions has piled up,
with approximately ten millions still
unemployed. However, when a practical
plan is introduced in Congress, which is
on . pay-as-you-go basis, that will put
money into circulation and start indus
tries to supply this purchasing power,
Evening star., 1939-04-05
WEAPON Against Labor

Counsel for the Philadelphia
branch of the American Federation
of Hosiery Workers, c. I. O. affili-
ate, against which verdict for SILL
932 has been returned in connection
with the Apex Hosiery Company
strike, has complained that the ac-
ton of the jury, if sustained, would
give employers weapon against OR
ganized labor" That statement in
the light OF the circumstances Of
this particular case, contains more
than a touch of unintended irony.
Seldom, If ever, has strike been
attended by more wanton lawless-
ness than that at the Apex plant in
1887. The union, which had only
eight members among the $500 Apex
employees, had demanded a closed
shop contract, and a mob of some
5000 demonstrators from other fac
tories had assembled at the Apex
mill on the day the contract demand
was submitted to the employer. When
he refused to sign in the presence of
the mob, the strikers" without fur
ther provocation, attacked his plant.
On the basis of undisputed testimony
in an injunction suit, the Third Cir
cult Court described the scene as
follows:
Immediately a volley of bricks,
stones and pipe was thrown through
the windows, breaking practically
every pane of glass; the sashes were
broken out and some of the crowd
were tossed in through the win
dows; the front door was battered
down and the crowd rushed in, broke
down partitions, dumped out files,
threw adding machines and type
writer's around and smashed up
things generally" Later, according to
the courts findings, valuable ma
chinery was damaged and Apex en-
ployes were brutally beaten and
forced to sign membership cards in
the union. The company brought
suit against the union under the
Sherman Antitrust Act on the the
ory that it had entered into an un-
lawful combination in restraint of
trade. A verdict of guilty resulted
and triple damages were assessed in
accordance with the law.
On the basis of these facts there
will be few to agree with the unions
lawyer that the verdict gives employ
ers weapon against labor" On
the contrary, all of the evidence
points to the conclusion that the
verdict Is direct consequence of
the unions utter disregard for law
and the rights of employers. AS such,
1t should be welcomed by organized
workers as curb on forces within
the labor movement which have
proved to be its worst enemy.
1t is to be hoped the verdict will
be sustained on appeal. Then the
extent Of the protection an employer
has against irresponsible labor groups
can be measured by the success of
the Apex concern in collecting its
Judgment.
Evening star., 1939-04-05

Home owners who stick to privet ought
to begin to waver In their allegiance, so
green and luxuriant are the barberry
hedges this spring.
That cold winter several years ago
showed up hundreds Of privet hedges as
unreliable in our particular latitude.
The barberry, however, came through
with flying colors Of red berries and the
greenest leaves, bronzy at times.
Warm weather in March brought out
the barberry ahead Of time.
The significant thing is that they are
so unusually beautiful.
Seldom within memory have these
prickly plants come into leaf so uniform
ly and thickly.
Evidently this is going to be banner
year for the barberry, as 1t Is for the
lilac.
Those in the horticultural know are
expecting great things of all varieties Of
nlacs this season.
Already they see exactly what the bar
berry hedges are doing, and are i'm
mensely pleased, especially II they belong
to certain group Of home gardeners.
These are all the people who rather
like to take the side of the underdogs In
the plant world
Among these the barberry stands high,
often being neglected, when owned, rele-
gated to back corners, frowned upon.
4 X
The truth seems to be that there Is
no better all-around bush than this.
1t can be used perfectly IN a number
of important ways.
AS a hedge. its first use, but also as
specimen plants, In foundation planting,
and as a stop-gap at any point where
filler is needed.
1t does best with sun, but comes
through nicely even in the shade.
As foundation planting, it Is almost the
cheapest material which may be used.
Such usage may be frowned upon by
those who regard evergreens as the only
possible material. There is snobbery in
the use of plants, too. Nothing can be
wholly free from 1t, evidently
No doubt a variety OF evergreens gives
the best possible effect, but there are so
many persons who are satisfied with
something less than the best possible
effect.
Cost, unfortunately, often has some-
thing to do with 1t. The pocketbook
counts. And evergreens have a nasty
habit Of growing leggy, and brown, and
going clear over the top. Too often they
are planted too close to house demand
ing subsequent replanting. If the house.
holder neglects to puddle the holes
near the foundation from which he took
them, he may have a nice leak around
his basement wall through no fault of
the builder.
Evening star., 1939-04-05
Ituly and Albania

Dlrectly across the Adrlatic boot
heel of the Italian peninsula lies the
little kingdom of Albania, at the
southernmost tip of Yugoslavia. For
years it has been under virtual Ital-
ian domination. If at this witching
hour Mussolini suddenly finds it to
be in his interest to strengthen his
grip on King Zog's land, he obvious
ly has some special and immediate
incentive.
Whatever it may be, London yes
terday buzzed with reports that
Great Britain has warned Rome
against any occupation of Albania,
on the ground that it would violate
the Anglo-Italian friendship agree
ment providing for the status quo
in the Mediterranean. British anx-
ieties are aroused by an announce
ment that negotiations are under
way for Strengthening the 1927
1talo-Albanian defensive alliance"
under which King Zog is hardly more
than Roman vassal. Simultaneous
ly comes news of Italian troop con-
centrations at Bari and Brindisi, the
Italian ports opposite Albania. These
reported military movements are
linked with projected Italian "semi-
protectorate" over the little kingdom.
to be set up with Zog's consent and
looking to the development of Al
bania's oil and other resources.
If Mussolini is, in fact, moving to
"consolidate Italy's position" in Al
bania, certain recent developments
suggest that he is motivated by de-
sire to checkmate a Hitler drive to
the Adriatic. Until the Anglo-French-
Polish anti-aggression plan was
Matched last week, Nazi intriguers
were known to be fomenting a dis
memberment plot in Yugoslavia,
through a movement to separate
Croatia and convert that province
into German protectorate" on the
lines of Slovakia. That would plant
the NaZlS on the YugoSlavlan coast
of the Adriatic close to the old Aus
trian port of Trieste, for which the
German expansionists long have
hankered.
Albania. thoroughly 1talianized,
would immensely strengthen Mus
solini's capacity to resist a Hitler
thrust to the Adriatic-an aspiration
notoriously harbored by the Berlin
end of the totalitarian axis, despite
the knowledge that the Rome end
views it with distrust and alarm.
Wheels must be sought within
wheels in European politics these
days. Britain and France some day
might conceive a possibility Of wean-
ing Rome from the axis by helping
Evening star., 1939-04-05
MARYLAND LEGISLATION

Maryland's General Assembly has
ended its regular session of 1889 after
having enacted number of con-
structive measures, killed some that
were contrary to public interest and
muffed few opportunities to pass
much-needed bills. Although they
showed themselves responsive to po-
litical pressure, the legislators in
general deserved the thanks they re-
ceived from Governor O'Conor for
their constructive work" and can
return to their homes with records
of which they need not be ashamed.
Among the constructive bills they
enacted which should be of lasting
benefit to the State were those which
balanced the budget, reorganized
several branches of the State
government in the interest of
efficiency and economy, reformed the
coroner system, increased school
teachers pay, paved the way for elm
ination of the fee system among
magistrates and created a legislative
council to function between sessions.
The Assemblymen deserve credit
for such enactments and for their
responsiveness to public sentiment
as evidenced by their defeat of the
bill to re-register automobile drivers
at 81 each, to license pinball ma
chimes and to permit Sunday liquor
sales in Prince Georges County.
It is regrettable that they were
deaf to the widespread sentiment
or subject to pressure which counter
acted it-in the case Of such meas
ures as those to check roadside blight
and ban the sale of fireworks.
The legislators from Montgomery
and Prince Georges Counties, who
were among the most prolific bill in
PRODUCERS In q session that set q rec
Evening star., 1939-04-05

Mussolini to keep its dominant part
ner out of the Adriatic. For the mo-
ment, London appears to be con-
cerned with seeing that II Duce's
hold on that sea is not converted
into stranglehold by absorption of
Albania and the bottling up of Yugo-
SlaVia
Evening star., 1939-04-05

it is bottled up in the Ways and Means
Committee instead Of submitting 1t to
the representatives Of the people for
honest consideration.
The General Welfare Act, H. r. II, has
been amended in q way that answers
the request Of the President to nberalize
and extend old-age security. 1t is time
that the general public investigated as
to why this is not done to alleviate the
suffering Of the unemployed and INDECENT
aged. SOUTHERN VOTER .,
April 3.
Evening star., 1939-04-05
Praises Borah's Stand
On Foreign Policy,

Ou r COIClku I VllCys
To the Editor Of The Star:
was painfully surprised to read your
editorial characterizing Senator Borah
as friend of Hitler because the Senator
spoke very plainly Of British foreign pol
icy and Of the highly vocal group in this
country who would again involve the
United States in another European war.
We have long had pro-British, pro-
French, pro-German and pro-Russians.
Is there no longer room here for pro-
Americans like Senator Borah and all
those who think as he does? The Sena-
tor was but restating the historic foreign
policy pursued by the United States since
Washington proclaimed 1t, for 124 years,
until 1917. Any one who is curious to
know how this Nation was betrayed into a
reversal Of that historic American policy
is invited to read in Colonel Houses In
innate Papers" just how he accomplished
1t. A darker picture Of chicanery Is
hardly disclosed in the whole history of
the relations between nations.
Washington was bitterly denounced by
foreign sympathizers when he issued his
proclamation of neutrality in the war
between France and England in 1893.
But any American who will read WASH
ington's Farewell Address and the init
mate papers Of COL House will not have
much difficulty In deciding whether his
country should follow the foreign policy
of President Washington or that Of Col.
House.
The Adams family played a distin-
guished part in American public life for
many years. When the young Henry
Adams returned from his studies abroad
during the Grant administration, he la
mented that there was no room for an
Adams anywhere. That signaled the
close of an epoch. When there is no
longer room In public life for Borah
It will be the sign Of the approaching
end Of free government.
April 8. WI. WILMOTH.
Evening star., 1939-04-05
Less Than Glorious

From the Macon telegraph.
In congratulating Hitler on his latest
act Of highway robbery, Japan said 1t
was outstanding In magnidcence." All
that kept 1t from being colossal was the
fact that no women and children were
bombed,
Evening star., 1939-04-05
Expert Sidesteppinx.

Father" said the youth with an in
quiring mind, "how does an expert wit
ness show his expertness?"
my son." was the answer, "as rule
he shows it mostly in not getting cor
nered by the cross examining lawyer"
Evening star., 1939-04-05
Letters to the Editor

Letters to the Editor must
bear the name and address OF
the ,Driter, although the use OF
a pseudonym for publication Is
permissible. Please be brief!
Evening star., 1939-04-05
Anxiety.

The fruit crop troubles us no more;
We've passed that usual time of doubt.
But soon we'll ask 1t DER and DER;
"How is the ball crop holding out?"
Evening star., 1939-04-05

when you knows man VIII sick
family, an de rents overdue" said Uncle
Eben, speak cheerful to him but dom
forget to help him out enough to keep
It fum soundiu' Ike sarcasm."
Evening star., 1939-04-05

=. The Associated Press is exclusively entlted 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.
Az rights of publication OF special dispatches
herein also are reserved
Evening star., 1939-04-05
Rate by Mail-Payable in Advance
Maryland and Virgil
All Other States and Canada
Member of the Associated Press

Entered as second class matter post office.
WASHINGTON. D. c.
Evening star., 1939-04-05
Shooting Stars
BY PHnANDER JOHNSON.
Reflections.

Reflections.
Within sylvan pool there springs
A stagnate world of swarming things;
Misshapen, strange they throng and
press,
Complete in their unloveliness.
With light poised wings in quivering
sway
Above it nests creature gay.
It gazes down but only sees
The mirrored sky; the tremulous trees;
The bird that sings in Joy complete;
The blossom delicately sweet.
Our world, like this small pool we know
Is filled with shapes of grievous show.
And yet it need not seem unkind
Since to the calm and passive mind
It doth reflect in guise full clear,
A higher, purer atmosphere.
Evening star., 1939-04-05

break" Under such conditions, peace
on earth, good will towards men," would
not be remote possibility.
April3. RAWLEY c. DONOHUE.
Evening star., 1939-04-05
The Food Magnate.

It is dyspepsia combat.
This is philanthropy complete
Well make food 50 expensive that
No one will dare to overeat.
Evening star., 1939-04-05
UnmoYed.

UnmOved.
"You should be grateful for the ap-
plause your constituents give you."
Perhaps" answered Senator Sorghum,
'but I am inclined to regard applause as
q popular diversion habitually INDUCED
in. The pretext is largely matter of
chance"
"The more men talk at the top Of their
voices" said Hi Ho, the sage of China
town, "the further from the bottom facts
they are liable to be-"
Evening star., 1939-04-05

nagglnR vile OF george Barley WHO Is
constantly in fear of fire, a fear kept
active by the repeated dreams of one
of her children, and the knowledge that
her husbands shop is filled with inf1am-
mable materials. But the cabinetmaker's
shop is not the sole fire menace that
threatens the lives and the possessions
of the despair-ridden tenants of the
ancient structure. The wavering flame
of the stubby candle held in the uncer-
tain hand of old Pop seems as dangerous
to the reader as the pile of oily shavings
in George Barley's workshop. And Capt.
Ashton, bankrupt, frequently drunk and
usually falling asleep with lighted ciga-
rette in his hand, agrees with an un-
believable proposal concocted by pair
of insurance crooks prof1tably engaged
in arson.
Over period of two days the author
carries this odd assortment of human
beings through their usual routine of
occupation or idleness, depicting their
lives in warmhearted understanding of
life as she has seen and studied it. Her
Interpretation of the thoughts and the
reactions Of the various characters is
clean-cut and clear as the story devel-
ops around these unrelated yet tangled
lives and moves on to its inevitable cli-
max.
But 1t must not be supposed that this
is a novel packed with gloom and sad
ness. Actually it tingles with life, and
despite the hopelessness that encom-
passes its varied assortment Of humans,
there is no dramatization of pathos. It
is a good novel, distinctive for its strength
and honesty Of portrayal Of life on the
unfortunate side of the fence.