davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1939-02-17

gray, with scarcely seen border Of soft
black.
The bill is yellowish, growing more 10
as spring comes on.
The iris Of the startling is brown, a
pleasing color considering the rest Of
his appearance.
The plumage of the adult starlings
has metallic sheen, characteristic Of
the bird. whereas the young lack it, and
are very spotted.
Starlings moult but once year, hence
generally are looking in fine feather.
One brood year is general, but many
pairs raise two broods.
Ornithologists find the starting intro
duced here in 1890 very interesting
bird, owing to the problems it brings up.
1t displays the survival of the flttest
in high relief.
A stranger to our shores, 1t took to
the natural resources and opportunities
OF America with real zest, and made its
way carefully and surely until today it
may preen itself on real conquest.
factors, sturdiness and cooperation.
The startling is husky bird strong
and capable, about as smart as birds
come, but beyond that it acts with its
friends to get what it wants.
Observers who have watched it oust
such big, strong native American as
the flicker, for instance, from the lat
ter's nest, can have only admiration for
the way 1t goes about 1t.
1t permits the flicker to drill out a
neat hole in post or decayed tree, then
the moment the bird flies away, in pops
the startling.
When the flicker comes back, there is
fight, and the outraged owner usually
wins.
But the moment he chases the original
Startling away, another starting flies into
the hole and remains there.
When the triumphant flicker returns,
he finds another startling in his nest.
And so on, and so on, until the rightful
owner leaves in despair The starlings
also manifest high degree of cooper
ative action in finding food Many
observers believe that they keep scouts
out constantly looking for bread, their
favorite food. These scouts perch high,
and evidently have some way of COM
municating with their friends without
moving. The scouts never fly down to
the feast until the main body arrives
on the scene. Then all go down together.
Fit, intelligent, cooperative and beau
tiful-is it any wonder that the starting
eats the best of foods, lives all winter
on the ledges of warm, marble struc-
lures. and nests in the best places in
summer?
He is used to the best, and usually
gets it.
Evening star., 1939-02-17
Jail Breaker

1t cannot be denied that Mr.. Her.
bert Housewright is a sort of career
man in the jail-breaking industry.
He has deep-rooted objection to
being a guest OF any State for very
long. Three days is about his limit,
which comedies with Mark TWain's
dictum that guests, like fish, smell
after three days. Not long ago he
landed in the Ellicott City jail, where
he was held for Tennessee authori-
ties, on charge of breaking jail
there. Tennessee had been holding
him for Mississippi, on a charge of
escape from one of their finest Gala
booses, just before deputies from
Alabama arrived to return him there.
He was wanted in Alabama for-can
you guess it?-jail breaking.
While at Ellicott City, Hoosegow
Herbert generously consented to an
interview. "It's gift" he acclaimed
modestly. "Of course, you mustn't
expect me to explain my art, any
more than Houdini would. However,
I'll give you practical demonstra-
tion in a day or So" In vain the
jailer asked him not to, Offering to
take his word for it. Herbert was po-
lite but firm; he said he would plan
his own travelling, and not get
shunted all around the country from
State to State. Sadly the jailer set
about the task of watching Herbert,
but it was no go. When he turned his
back for moment, out walked Her
bert, carrying with him as souvenirs
three locks and two other prisoners.
Shortly afterward the Tennessee
deputies arrived, sighed drearily, and
started back empty handed, clanking
their handouts disconsolately. Her
bert is still wanted by a string of
jailers, but only in technical sense;
personally they don't want any part
of him.
Evening star., 1939-02-17
Improving Justice

The Harmless little numbers
game" although stripped of it's mask
OF harmlessness by revelations in the
current Warning jury tampering
case, is deserving of credit from citi-
zens interested in good law enforce
ment-paradoxical as that may seem.
BY his brazen efforts to thwart en-
forcement and to debauch justice, a
numbers racket operator has brought
down upon his racket a concerted
demand for reforms which would
discourage attempts at bribery of
officers of the law, and thereby
strike at one of the chief reasons
for the success OF this form of crime.
The most encouraging develop
ment to date growing out of the
astounding testimony in District
Court Is the announced determina-
ton of Attorney General Frank
Murphy to clean up the whole sordid
mess, with the aid of District Attor-
ney Pine and F. B. I. Director Hoover.
Denouncing the Warning case dis
closures as a disgrace" to the ad-
ministration of justice, Mr.. Murphy
has sent Mr.. Hoover's G-men to in
vestigate thoroughly the charges of
official corruption. Mr.. Pine and his
staff already have laid the ground
work for the inquiry.
An immediate effect of the con-
fession by a United States deputy
marshal that he accepted money
and liquor from Emmitt Warning,
head of the syndicate on trial, has
been to crystalline plans for improv-
ing personnel in marshals' offices
throughout the country. The Attor-
ney General is taking steps to fix
certain minimum standards of quail
ification for deputy marshals and to
tighten up administrative control
over them and their work. Inclu-
sion Of deputy marshals in the civil
service will be asked of Congress,
he indicated. Extension of the merit
system to the service as a substitute
Evening star., 1939-02-17
New Hope

Announcement that a Senate sub
committee will hold hearings in the
near future on the Overton plan to
place the Nations financial obliga-
ton to its Capital on a fixed per-
centage basis holds out new hope of
fiscal equity for Washingtonians.
Chairman King of the Senate Dis
trict Committee is to be commended
for designating Senator Overton,
Democrat, of Louisiana, the author
of this latest fiscal relations proposal,
as head of the subcommittee to con-
duct the hearings Other members
of the special subcommittee will be
appointed in a few days.
In his other capacity as chairman
of the regular District Subcommit-
tee of the Senate Appropriations
Committee, Senator Overton is in
touch with what it costs to maintain
the city as Capital. The study he
has given the subject since being
made chairman of this group has
convinced him Congress should sub
stitute some definite formula of Fed
eral payment for the unscientific
lump sum practice 1t has followed
for fifteen years.
The plan Senator Overton has
suggested is to have the Govern
ment base its payment on the per-
centage Of the land acreage of the
District used for Federal purposes,
plus half the park area, which is the
excess of park area here in COMPARE
son to the average in comparable
Evening star., 1939-02-17
Describes Hazards at
Calvert and biItmore
Wants More Protection for
Pedestrians Crossing
Thot Intersection

To the Editor Of The Star:
Number IL of your series OF articles
under the caption "Why Must They
Die?" relates to the recent fatal accident
at Calvert and Biltmore streets.
AS live just around the corner from
this intersection and am very familiar
with 1t, I can give you several reasons
why they must die here. 1t is a danger
Gus intersection, at which the authorities
have done absolutely nothing to protect
pedestrians. 1t is the only intersection
for distance of more than quarter of
mile, and motorists 60 through in both
directions at high speed. The roadway
is very wide. 1t is transfer point
between buses on the south side of the
street and street cars at the station of
the north side. At times large numbers
of colored servant girls transfer here,
and they take their lives into their
hands getting across the street. The
crosswalk is not marked. To add to the
confusion, street cars coming out Of the
terminal turn one way. while buses turn
the other.
Your article states that the victim
apparently became confused, and so this
was called an accidental death. A young,
agile person does we'll not to become
confused here, let alone a person 88
years old.
1t was testified that the driver of the
fatal car was travelling about 18 miles
per hour and had further slowed down at
the intersection, but the victim, confused
by the taxicab ahead, stepped in froat of
the other car. 1t appears from the
diagram, however, that the victim was
on the (unmarkeO crosswalk and had
the right of way over both cars.
And then the bright lights on Calvert
Street Bridge are blamed. The regula-
tions say. however, that we must drive
only at speeds which are safe under the
existing conditions, whatever they are.
The eyes of the police and others in
authority are habitually closed to prac-
tices which endanger the lives of Pc
misunderstanding those trying to COM
ply strictly with the regulations Their
alibi these many years has been that
pedestrians jaywalk, but as one who
does not jaywalk I can say that they
have done very little to safeguard me-
Now they are going to put to the test
their so-called pedestrian regulations I"
If they enforce them intelligently, devot-
ing their attention to people who walk
in front of vehicles proceeding lawfully,
they may accomplish a great deal. II
they show the same lack of discernment
that has characterized their enforce
ment of some other traffic measures
such as arrests for speeding on the
basis of miles per hour regardless of
the hazard at the particular time-and
interfere with persons getting safely
across street against a red light when
no motor vehicle is near, they will prob
ably increase the accident rate. why
must they die? 1t is only by the grace
of God that many more do not die the
same way. CHARLES w. STARK.
February Ia
Evening star., 1939-02-17
Walkers Held Endangered
At intersections.

To the Editor of The Star:
Why on earth aren't pedestrians given
the right of way over motorists at street
corners? 1t is deplorable condition
when people, young and old. are COM
PEELED to play hide-and-seek behind We
hicles ruthlessly tearing around inter-
sections. Unfortunately nature did not
give us eyes in the back of our head
and we are at distinct disadvantage
with autos behind as well as in front
of us.
A distinct hazard would be greatly
lessened If people were given the right
OF way at corners. And why would a
10-second light for the walker impede
traffic? Ten moments should prove
enough to enable one to gallop, trot
or canter across crowded thorough
fares. HOP. SKIP AND .T1JNp
February IA.
Evening star., 1939-02-17
THIS AND THAT
By Charles +. Trace1DeI.

Not enough thought has been given by
bird lovers to the beauty of the starting.
So much talk has gone on about this
bird, most Of it detrimental, that its
friends have said little absut its WONDER
full 1ridescence.
1t is about time some one s poke up.
If you want to see something beautiful,
pose starting against white house.
Then watch the play Of colors as he
turns. The least movement makes his
back, wings and tail fairly ripple.
~ X X
1t would be impossible to say that the
starling's coat really reveals all the colors
Of the rainbow, as the derivation of
"iridescence" would imply.
Still, there will be enough of them.
combined with the sheen of the feather
particles, to make the word fit very well.
A most interesting word, too-it means
showing colors like those OF the rainbow.
the dictionarytells us "a little dictionary.
this time); changing colors with posi-
ton, nearer definition.
The word is derived from iris plus
escent, which is generally combined with
other words to mean some play of colors.
We have iridescent, opalescent, etc.
Also enervescent! The word must not
be confused with irredentist, which does
not mean, Of course, some rather colorful
type of dentist, as one might offhand
imagine, but an advocate of the recovery
to Italy OF all Italian speaking districts,
from 1tafia irredenta, unredeemed
Italy. Must be where Hitler got his big
idea.
While the startling is given offlcially as
inches in length, owing to its thickness
and general plumpness 1t seems a much
larger bird, and so has plenty of surface
to display.
It's general color, OF course, is black,
but it is black with difference.
The head and the neck are CLOSED
with purple, the wing coverts with blue
and violet.
Other parts Of the bird seem to have
an overlay Of green, becoming blush as
it moves, and now violet, on the rear
underparts.
The feathers Of the back of the head,
the back, the shoulders and rump are
tipped with light brown.
These produce conspicuous specks,
which strike the eye as triangular.
Pale brown margins the lesser, middle
and greater wing coverts, while the
feathers of the underparts of the body
are tipped with white
These form wedge shaped spots,
gradually growing larger toward the
rear
There is sort of muddy white on
the margins Of the under tail coverts.
The tail has central area of brown
Evening star., 1939-02-17
Urges Equal Treatment
For All Drivers,

To the Editor of The Star:
The recent headlines with regard 10
traffic regulation, etc., bring forth this
thought:
IT the members of Congress are truly
interested in bettering traffic conditions
in the District, they have the power to
make one of the greatest contributions
toward eliminating some of our worst
traffic evils. They can resolve, forthwith
and Immediately, to abandon use of any
tag, sticker or other emblem which may
distinguish their vehicles from those of
other private citizens.
I am neither Democrat, Republican,
Socialist, Communist, Nazi nor radical.
However, can see no earthly reason why
ordinary, everyday persons elected from
our States to represent the public should
be endowed with privileges which force
officers Of the law to show them especial
Difference in case of violation! Is this
democracy? Why not equal Justice
unto all"? ROBERT E. BERRY.
February IL.
Evening star., 1939-02-17

Speaking at the launching of the
new 35,0O0-ton battleship, Hitler de-
clared that the destruction of Ger
many's former fleet following the
World War even today grips pain
fully at our hearts," We all know a
good way whereby the Fuehrer can
absolutely prevent such a thing ever
happening to this newer one.
Evening star., 1939-02-17
CommendS Traffic Accident
Diagrams In Star.

To the Editor Of The Star:
May I compliment The Star on the
excellence of it's contribution to traffic
safety in the diagrammatic analysis
of accidents.
This Is one of the most effective edu-
cational measures I have yet seen.
wish all newspapers would do the
same type of job in their communities.
NORMAN DAMON,
Director. Automotive Safety
New York City, Foundation.
February Is.
Evening star., 1939-02-17
Shooting Stors
BY PHILANDER JOHNSON.
Putting 1t Over,

Putting 1t Over.
A great economist am I.
Whene'er I make a speech
To demonstrate I always try
How far a thought may reach.
If loud the voice is made to ring
In phrases fine and fit,
A very ordinary thing
Will oftimes make a hit.
Let India rubber be your guide
In literary style;
The method, carefully applied
Will cause success to smile
On your endeavors. "Tisnt hard
Strive on, and do not finch
To do your talking by the yard
And thinking by the inch.
Evening star., 1939-02-17
Citizens Commend
Auditorium Editorial.

To the Editor Of The Star.
At the last meeting of our associa-
tion, at the suggestion of our Presi-
dent, Mr.. Evan H. Tucker, the secre-
tary read to our members an editorial
from your newspaper dated January
81, 1885, entitled "A Plea for Recon
sideration," which discussed the loca-
ton of the proposed new auditorium
AS the sentiments expressed in your
editorial are exactly those of the men,
bers of our association it was thought
proper to pass resolution commend
ing you for the said editorial.
JOSEPH NOTES,
Secretary, Northeast Washington
February IA Citizens Association.
Evening star., 1939-02-17
GoIIinqer Hospital

1dlIlIlSeT hospital, IL would appear
from the narrowing accounts OF
recent visitors, is horrible place
dirty, overcrowded, understaffed,
disgrace to Washington.
Quite appropriately, If these re-
ports are to be taken at their face
value, there might be placed over
the gate Of this supposed haven for
the sick Of body and mind the same
inscription which the imagination of
Dante placed over the gate of He'll:
All hope abandon, we who enter here.
The pictures are so bad, in fact,
that 1t is imperative that the public
be given the whole story. There is
brighter side, which might not be
apparent to the casual visitor. 1t is
with no intent to minimize the evils
OF the situation that attention is
called to this brighter side.
The crux of the complaints against
the hospital itself appears to be over
crowding. Yet Gallinger today pre-
sents far different physical picture
than did the group of ramshackle
buildings of ten years ago. There
have been added a medical and
surgical building, a nurses home and
an isolation ward-all modern, fairly
well equipped hospital structures.
These were not enough. They have
not met the growing demand, aug
mented by the depression and by a
growing health consciousness on the
part of the public. Already construc-
ton is underway on three new build
ings-a medical building of three
hundred beds, a tuberculosis ward of
two hundred and twenty-five beds
and thirty -nine-room addition to
the nurses home This is P. w. A.
project. Unfortunately it has been
slow in its progress or there would
be less occasion for the present
complaints.
When these buildings are COM
pleted there is every reason to hope
that Gallinger will be an institution
which will arouse much less unfavor-
able comment.
In all the turmoil relatively little
has been said in criticism of the
administration of the hospital. DR..
Edgar Bocock, the superintendent,
and his aides usually have been cred
tied, by lack of mention if not other
wise, with administering efficiently
the very inadequate facilities at their
disposal.
One of the supposed reforms Of
the past few years has been the set
ting up of permanent resident physl-
clans in charge of the various hos
pital departments instead of leaving
them to the medical school faculties
of the city, who administered them
in the past.
Representative Jennings Randolph,
head of the House District Commit
tee, now proposes that there be
return to the old system. His pro-
posalS follow conference with the
presidents of Georgetown and George
washington Universities. DR.. George
C. Rutland, District health officer,
who was responsible for the change,
naturally expresses opposition to
such a move, especially without
full hearing
In any specific case, of course, the
balance of merit between the two
systems would depend on the capac-
tiles and morale of the individuals
involved. But system is not to be
judged altogether on the merits of
the individuals who administer it
and the change at Gallinger has
been in step with the progressive
trend in hospital administration.
The least that can be asked is that
there be no further change without
full understanding.
Evening star., 1939-02-17
Pus Heaters Blamed
For Grippe.

To the Editor of ThAStar:
There is vast amount of grippe"
around at present and one good way
to induce case of L is to sit in front
OF the open hot-air heaters in the
buses, and have an 18 by is inch
volume Of heated air blow on your legs
and then walk out into the cold air
Another sgay to get it is to sit on
one of the hot seats of the Capital
Transit cars. I had slight attacks of
the same trouble last week from the
latter cause, but they were light be-
cause L don't like the calves OF nv
legs roasted and refused to stay seated
under such conditions.
February 8. WE. ALLEN
Evening star., 1939-02-17

Almost tops" in effrontery is the
call Of the Nazis to the College of
Cardinals to elect a new Pope more
acceptable to National Socialism and
Fascism than was his predecessor.
Absolute tops" will be reached when
they announce their preferences re-
garding candidates for beatification
and canonization.
Evening star., 1939-02-17
This Plan Is Unfair to
Left Handed Conservatives.
1o tho Editor of The atar.

I fully approve Of the bill recently in
troduced by Representative James A.
Stanley Of Connecticut to authorize the
President to proclaim national base-
ball holiday.
I only wish that he would add a rider"
to his bill requiring that q President
should toss the ball out with his left
hand if he were LIBERAL and If he
were conservative, throw with his right.
This method would warn the spectators
in advance whether they were going to
see a baseball game or q sit-down strike.
February 10. A SPECTATOR.
Evening star., 1939-02-17
Urges Special Light
For Pedestrians,

To the Editor of The Star:
While the question of traffic control
was at its height, one of our Representa-
tives suggested the most sensible solu-
ton, namely-that while pedestrians are
crossing no turns should be permitted.
Why the Commissioners, ct al, can't see
this is beyond me and hundreds of 9TH
ers. Perhaps if they would take L. Lud-
ington's advice Il am referring to his
article of February q, and take walk
they would begin to see light.
I drive car and always try to give
the pedestrian the right of way when
making ready for right turn. After
they have crossed am invariably caught
with the red light facing me.
February 13. JEAN STEINEL.
Evening star., 1939-02-17

Just what do you think of con-
gressional investigating committee
that turns back $2,81269 of the IS 1000
originally appropriated to it? Thank
you; glad to hear it. We thought
you would.
Evening star., 1939-02-17

OF the mysteries of the heavens and
profoundly impressed by suggestions and
thoughts of the infinite
The active support of The Star is of
great Importance for the success of this
project, and it is to be hoped that other
influential agencies and persons will lend
their aid to the plan.
February 49, r. G. DeFREES.
Evening star., 1939-02-17

House Democrats at recent party
caucus heard the complaint that
there was not enough cooperation
between the White House and Dem
ocratic legislators. Perhaps the old
whip has lost it's Cracker?
Evening star., 1939-02-17

"If it swims, craWls or clings, we
have it," runs sign on New Jersey
fish market. That might even apply
to a ptomaine germ.
Evening star., 1939-02-17
Method.

TT is no longer possible for man
to succeed in politics merely by spend
ing money"
NO" answered Senator Sorghum, "the
chances now are that the opposition
will have as much as you can get
together. The thing to do is to show
superior smartness in placing it,"
Evening star., 1939-02-17
Rate by Mail-Payable in Advance
Member of the Associated Press

. The Associated Press is exclusively entitled to
4 the use for republication of all news dSpa tches
credited to it or not otherwise credited in this
paper and also the local news published herein.
All rahts of publication of special dispatches
herein also are reserved
Evening star., 1939-02-17
Personal Experience.

do you think that women should
have been allowed to vote?"
IT don't care whether they vote or
not" answered Mr.. Meekton testify.
But in the interest of harmony, they
ought not to be encouraged to make
speeches"
Evening star., 1939-02-17
Easy Going.

BY practice we improve, I've found,
When once we've started in;
The more keep a-loafin' round
Somehow, the more T kin.
Evening star., 1939-02-17
Letters to The Star

Letters to the Editor must
bear the name and address of
the 1Oriter, although the use OF
a pseudonyn, for publication is
permissible. Please be briet!
Evening star., 1939-02-17
Promising.

Promising.
Maybe that boy of yours will be
famous some day." said the friend.
II shouldn't be surprised" answered
Farmer Corntossel, "he does like to
wear funny clothes an say things that
sound more surprisin' than sensible"
Evening star., 1939-02-17

1.-THE trouble with faith cure," said
Hi Ho, the sage of Chinatown, sis to
find human being with faith enough
to make 1t effective"
Evening star., 1939-02-17

when a man stahts in maxim trou-
ble," said Uncle Eben, "he gifts SO he
don't care bout de profits, as long as
he kin hab de satisfaction OF workin'
overtime"