davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1939-03-08
THIS AND THAT
By Charles E. TraceueH,

On March l. exactly at 4:3o o'clock in
the afternoon, the first robin dropped
down In our back yard.
No matter how many robins are re-
ported, the only one which counts Is
that first big fellow in the home garden;
isn't it SO?
One second, he isn't there, the next
second, there he isl
There is always something surprising
about his appearance.
Touch of the magician, almost.
People had said they had robins, but
what difference did that make-none
had come to our yard yet.
Here he was at last, the famous first
robin just about on schedule time.
And, most important of all, actually in
ones own back yard! 1t was impossible
to forget that.
His breast was exceedingly rusty, very
dull, in fact, but his air was as non-
chalant as ever.
A robin never swaggers, but he is quite
confident.
There are no inferiority completes,
evidently, among the members of this
fine family.
They are outstanding citizens of the
feathered world, who come and go as
they please, now fortunately with the
full protection of Uncle Sam.
1t was only few years ago that rob-
ins were regarded as game birds, and
shot indiscriminately in some of the
States.
To kill them today is a Federal offense.
1t may be wondered how robins could
be slain in any numbers.
Wholesale slaughter was possible be-
cause of the migrating habits of this in
teresting bird.
In late February every year, by in
Sinct, the robins scattered all over the
South, select some congregating place,
and fly there.
This area is usually somewhere in
the Carolinas or Alabama
1t is estimated that about 100000
robins attend these great roosts, which
cover some square miles in territory.
The noise they make at nightfall can
be heard for long distance
So thick are they, in limbs of trees,
that it is an easy matter to scoop them
into bags.
Law enforcement officers always have
their hands full on these three or four
nights the robins remain banded to-
gether.
Always there are few low-brows who
are willing to take chance on arrest.
Roads leading to the robin concentra:
tion are guarded by many officers, who
Evening star., 1939-03-08
Picture Of Poverty in
Puerto Rico OyerdraWn.

To the Editor OF The Star:
I have read the article about Puerto
Rico by Mr. Santiago Iglesias and later
the letter commenting upon it by Con-
chita Wager (January 81. In both the
articles and the letter salient facts are
touched upon, but it seems to me that the
letter is excessively gloomy and gives the
impression that virtually all Puerto
Ricans are on the very verge of starva-
ton The error made by Conchita Wager
in her discourse was that of giving her
undivided attention to evidences of
misery with which she has been in con-
tact
No one in Puerto Rico denies that
overcroWding and attendant unemploy-
ment make for low income community
where the better things of life are with
held from thousands. 1t is not true that
public officials hide these facts. In the
Iglesias' articles information pointing to
the growth and development of organ
lied labor was being stressed. In the
Wager letter. evidences of poverty gain
emphasis. Neither writer would have
AAlHlOfCo JllC COIllpOSlIlOIl NY ulSI cSSlllk
to cover the other writer's topic.
Political leaders in Puerto Rico are
Just as conscious of the needs of their
island as other people. They have pre-
pared voluminous reports for Congress
and public officials in Washington giving
facts and figures on actual living con-
ditions. The entire story has been told
and retold hundreds of times In fact q
few years ago the refrain preferred by
Conchita Wager was repeated with so
many overtones and undertones that
many public officials in Washington were
nauseated.
Lately our public officials have ap-
preached solution of insular problems
constructively. We do not approach
Washington as beggars nor do we yelp
and bleat the Conchita Wager refrain
to try proving that Washington has
failed to help Puerto Rico BY giving
due attention to both sides of the story,
by admitting our poverty and at the same
time announcing our plans to alleviate
distress, we have won the finest under
standing and best cooperation from
Senators and Representatives known in
our 40 years as part of the United
States. We like to be optimistic and we
hope that writers will not be too in
sistent upon suggesting that we over
emphasize our worries, problems and
distresses.
And just one word for The Star: I
have seen a great many very informa-
tive and instructive articles on the sub
ject of Puerto Rico in The Star. We
feel that you are performing very fine
service for Puerto Rico and I am con-
vinced that an important feature of that
service is presentation of Conchita
Wagers views as well as those of San
tiago Iglesias.
AGUSTIN RIVERO CHAVES.
Assistant Commissioner OF
February %. Commerce.
Evening star., 1939-03-08

proposal into the negotiations even
before their actual beginning, the
A. F. of L. has curtly rejected it, and
without constructive explanation.
Presumably, however, the fedora
ton leadership must realize that it
is incumbent upon it to make clear
its reasons for rejecting this broad
unifcation of American labor and to
submit in its stead some alternative
plan.
With this attack and defense
psychology already interfering with
hopes of harmonious negotiations, it
is interesting to note that spokesmen
of the railroad unions took a more
deliberative attitude toward the C. I.
o. formula.
Never involved in the factional
fight, the "big four" Independent
railroad brotherhoods would appear
to have little to gain by becoming
part of single federated labor move
ment. Should they see their way
clear, however, to exchanging even
in part a role of successful inde-
pendence for one of serving as a
balance wheel to the labor movement
it would be, service not only to labor
but to the Nation. AS long as this
remains a possibility it should be
retained within the scope of the
current negotiations; if rejection by
the brotherhoods is forthcoming then
it simply must be accounted as re-
moval of one of the few encouraging
factors.
Evening star., 1939-03-08
Peace

Prospects of success in the latest
efforts to negotiate a reconciliation
between the American Federation of
Labor and the Congress of Industrial
Organizations seem hardly auspicious
in the light of yesterdays develop
inents.
With a touch of irony and an
apparent eye for the headlines, the
c. I. o. stole the show by submitting
to its rival in the presence of Presi-
dent Roosevelt and Secretary of
Labor Perkins plan for unification
of all American labor in a new organ
ization. Basically, the proposal ap-
pears meritorious-suggesting that
the rival factions pass in special
convention on the plan, that they
name delegates to sit with repre-
sentatives of the presently independ-
ent railroad brotherhoods, that all
join in the formation of new labor
movement, that the new president
be chosen from the railroad group
and that the services of the Depart
ment of Labor be invoked to help
settle jurisdictional disputes.
PointedlS, it was proposed that
John L. Lewis and William Green
each be ineligible for Office in the
new organization, the latter to be
retired at his present salary and the
former presumably to confine him.
self to his task as head of the United
Mine Workers.
Probably nettled by the manner
in which the C. I. o. tossed its
Evening star., 1939-03-08
Interstate Trade Barriers

There iS every sign that Congress
soon will conduct an investigation
into the sources and purity of the
Districts milk supply. Spurred by
the Embassy Dairy case, the House
Rules Committee yesterday quickly
approved a resolution providing for
the inquiry. The congressional study
should bling thorough examination
OF the whole involved question of
distributing milk to the Capitals
population, and now, in view OF the
report by the Bureau of Agricultural
Economics o. interstate trade bar
riers, the study should be undertaken
Evening star., 1939-03-08
COrrects Error in
Sunday Star.

To the Editor of The Star:
Permit me to call to your attention an
error in the article on the star-route
trial, published on Page ca of Sundays
Star. Your writer described two mem
bers OF the second jury as Thomas
Martin, barber, and William K. Brown,
teacher" The Identification should
have been reversed. Thomas Martin, the
teacher, was my brother, who taught
school in Chestertown, Md. before study
ing medicine and practicing in Washing
ton, where he died February is, 1889.
PHOEBE MARTIN CLARKE
March 5.
Evening star., 1939-03-08
D. G. Tax Bill

The action of the Commissioners
In asking the House subcommittee
to add the Overton fiscal relations
formula to the District tax bill was
both reasonable and logical, and the
community will commend them for
calling attention to what is proper
and vital element in the local reve-
nue. situation.
If the bill is going to fix for an in
definite time the amount local resi-
dents will have to raise toward sup
port OF a Capital City over which
they have not even a remote measure
of control, what is unreasonable in
suggesting that the National Gov
ernment also fix it's share definitely
In the legislation?
Surely Congress regards the ques-
tion as germane to the tax bill, be-
cause only a year ago it wrote into
the current revenue act the provi-
sion which repealed the sixty-forty
ratio of fiscal relations, established
in 1922.
BY that act of repeal it has left
the Federal Government with no
fixed obligation, making instead a
temporary lump sum payment for
one year at time. Since the lump
sum has remained at $5,OO0000 for
several years, its continuation can
only mean that all future increases,
no matter how great, in the cost of
maintaining monumental Capital
will fall on the limited area of tax
able private property.
The suggestion of Subcommittee
Chairman Nichols that if Washing
ton continues to complain against
the adequacy Of the $5,0OOOOO lump
sum, the Federal Government will
withdraw entirely from support of
the Capital, is regrettable. Deprived
of any form of suffrage, Washington
has only one means of expressing
itself-the right Of petition. The very
fact that Mr.. Nichols is now holding
public hearings to obtain the views
of local residents on the tax bill is
evidence that he has no thought of
denying any citizen the right of petit
ton. And, yet. if Congress were to
withdraw all of the Federal payment
merely because Washingtonians sug-
gest the present figure is inadequate,
there is the inference that exercise
of the right of petition may bring
reprisals.
The question also was raised YES
terday, whether adoption of the
Overton formula here should be fol-
lowed by its application to States
having large areas of tax-exempt
Federal land. The Overton plan
would base the Federal payment here
on the percentage of land area in
the District required for Federal
purposes, which is 20 per cent. With
out attempting to say whether the
same identical formula would be ap-
propriate in each locality, it is peril
nent to recall that the President, less
than two months ago, recognized that
the problem is one that should be
studied throughout the country. For
on January 16 he created a Federal
Board "to study and make recon-
mendations regarding the situation
existing in individual communities
adversely affected by the purchase of
substantial amounts of land and their
consequent removal from the regular
tax rolls of the county or other tax
ing district -"
Evening star., 1939-03-08

Apparently the hardtack of the
Civil War has changed but little. The
quartermaster general of the Army
admits that it is "unpalatable and
not easily eaten" And the appetizing
remedy suggested is, of all things, a
dash of mineral oil!
Evening star., 1939-03-08

Hitler's lucid interval in his pro-
gram of pogroms did not last long,
did it? 1t is reminiscent of the bu-
collie saying, Letting 60 just to get
a fresh holt"
Evening star., 1939-03-08
Suggests Slogan for
Membership Drive.
To the Editor Of The Star,

To the Editor Of The Star:
Gladly, gave my small contribution
for the Boys Club Of Metropolitan Police
to the courteous officer who called for it.
wish to suggest a slogan for the mem
bership drive:
"All that we send into the lives of 9TH
ers comes back into our own"
DIR. BERTRAND BARKALOW.
Evening star., 1939-03-08
Believes President Committed
To Eccles' Views,

believes President Committed
To Eccles' Views.
To the Editor Of The Star:
The press on Friday, March 3, con-
tanned an account of most encouraging
and important interview given by Senator
Harrison, chairman of the powerful
Senate Committee on Finance.
In this interview he declared against
not only $4,000, 100000 increase in the
legal debt limit, but any increase in
taxes that might be deterrent to busi-
ness, and he proposed congressional
consideration Of a plan for reducing
appropriation bills, except for fixed
Government charges, by even more than
10 per cent, as at least a serious gesture
towards balancing the budget.
From the apparently very cordial and
congratulatory reception given to the
Senator by many of his colleagues when
Evening star., 1939-03-08

Archeologists tell us that the art
of ventriloquism was known to both
the ancient Egyptians and Hebrews.
Could it have been possible that
Balaam's famed quadruped was only
an equine Charlie Mccarthy?
Evening star., 1939-03-08

The real test of ability of any
United States city to take it" con-
sists in its power to recover from
great fires, earthquakes, tidal waves,
hurricanes and American Legion
conventions.
Evening star., 1939-03-08
Letters to The Star

Letters to the Editor must
bear the name and address OF
the 1Driter, although the use OF
a pSeudonym for publication is
permissible. Please be briet!
Evening star., 1939-03-08
Under Cover.

"The men who devote their time to
the country's service should be recog-
nized," said the official
Well" answered Senator Sorghum,
some of them should and others would
be more respected if they could approach
the pay roll in disguise"
"The market for brains" said Hi Ho,
the sage of Chinatown, "is not as great
as it used to be since so much of it
turned out to be of the gold brick
variety"
Evening star., 1939-03-08
All Other State. and Canad.
Member Of the Associated Press

4, The Associated Press is exclusively entitled to
the use for republics ton of all news dispatches
credited to it or not otherwise credited in this
paper and also the local news published herein.
All rights 6f publication of special dispatches
herein also reserved
Evening star., 1939-03-08
Industrious

when I have breakfaSted and read
Such missives as the mails may bring,
'Tis time for gold! All, me!" he said
"This hard work is tedious thing!"
Evening star., 1939-03-08

The series of Warning trials seems
to have recessed for the Lenten
season.
Evening star., 1939-03-08
Proud Father.

did your son get to the top of his
class?"
NO." answered Farmer Corntossel.
"But you ought to see the way he could
get to second base"
Evening star., 1939-03-08
COMPLAINT Guaranteed,

The climate, as the seasons 60,
Doth still betray mans trust;
It's either cold, and rain or snow,
Or else it's drought or dust.
Evening star., 1939-03-08
NiRht Final Edition

Collection made at the end of each month or
Zach week Orders may be sent by mail or tele-
phone National 5000
Evening star., 1939-03-08

II sho DON believe in chooses" said
Uncle Eben, "an' all rs hopin' is dat
dem whoses will lemme stay dat way
Std O. comm aroun' tryin' to convince
me-"
Evening star., 1939-03-08

The Evening Star Newspaper Company
Main Once: 11th st. and Pennsylvania Ave.
New York ONCE: 10 East 42nd St.
Chicago once 435 North Michigan Ave.
Evening star., 1939-03-08

Delivered by Carrier-City and Suburban
Regular Edition
Evening and Sunday Csc per mo. or 15c per week
The Evening Star 45c per mo. or 1Oc per week
The SUNDAY Star
Evening star., 1939-03-08

Rate by Mail-Payable in Advance
Evening star., 1939-03-08

WASHIN GTON, d. c..
WEDNESDAY March 8, 1889
Evening star., 1939-03-08

O.. What were Steinmetz's greatest con-
tr!butions to electricity?-R. S. F.
A. Steinmetz regarded his three great
est contributions to electrical science as
Cd his Investigations on magnetism re-
sulting in his discovery of the law of
hysteresis which enables losses of elec-
trio power due to magnetism to be ac-
curately forecast before starting the con-
struction of motors, generators, and
other electrical apparatus, employing
iron; ca the development of his SYM
bolic method of calculating alternating
current phenomena; % his investigation
of lightning phenomena which resulted
in his theory of electrical transients,
and opened the way for his development
OF lightning arresters to protect high
power transmission lines.
@. Please give some information about
Maxine Sullivan, the Negro singer in
"St. Louis Blues."-T. J.H.
A. Maxine Sullivan, whose real name
is Williams, is from Homestead, Pa,
and is the daughter of barber After
AAOAA oIIlOOl Ill 1919, SIG
worked at various jobs before she began
singing with the Red Hot Peppers,
Pittsburgh band. In 1894 she was dis
covered by Gladys Mosier, pianist in
Ina Ray Hutton's all-girl band, and Miss
Mosier took her to New York, where she
had an addition at night club. 1t
was at this club that she first sang "Loch
Lomond" in swing time.
@. Was Thomas Sully born in this
country?-C. W. K.
A. The artist was born at Hardcastle,
England, and his parents, who were
actors, brought him to America when
he was 9 years DID, settling in Charleston,
S. c.
@. Where can I get book of quiz
queStionS?-J. B. G.
A. See Haskins advertisement on page
Az Of today's Star.
Evening star., 1939-03-08

@. What makes cats eyes shine at
night?-H. P.
A. The iris of cats and some other
animals has an area called the tapetum
around the optic nerve. This area causes
the eye to shine at night.
Evening star., 1939-03-08

@. Where can I get book Of quiz
queStionS?-J. B. c.
A. See Haskin's advertisement on page
Az of today's Star.
Imperial Valley press., 1939-11-22
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER %, 1899
Mae Thomas Guest of Honor
At Pretty Bridal Shower

A. McF'adden, Sherman Eldridge
Robert Johnson, Charles Gray, Dor
C. Paulus; the Misses Louise Cham
lis, Emogene Blackard, Betty Jear
johnson, Maria Birkhauser, Hazel
Frost, Rheta Percival, Mary Brown
Lillian Holiday, Inez Smith, Verna
Ruggles, Marie Won Allmen, Joseph
inc Eady, Dorothy Werve, Lucille
Beynon, Charlene Wolfe, Ethel
Pearl Cross, Marian Call, Rosalie
LaBrucherie.
Wedding Friday
Miss Thomas will be married to
Mr.. Harris Friday night at o'clock
in st. Pauls Episcopal church, the
Rev. Mr.. Devon Ellsworth, vicar,
officiating.
Miss Sones will be Miss Thomas
maid of honor, and Charles Thomas
brother of the bride, will serve Mr..
Harris as best man. Soloist for the
evening will be Miss Marian Call.
A. L. Thomas will give his sister in
marriage. Laddy Willoughby and
Don Ault are to be ushers.
After short wedding trip Mr..
and Mrs. Harris will make their
home in Ell Centre, Mr.. Harris
being budget manager for Good
rich.
Miss Thomas is graduate of
Central and prominent member of
the Junior Ten Thousand club.
Imperial Valley press., 1939-11-22
Ro+arians Hosts
Dinner Party

One of the incest dinner parties
at which Rotarians have entertained
the Rotary Anne's took place Tues
Gay night in the Barbara Worth
hotel. where some 125 members and
guests enjoyed the delicious dinner
and entertaining program.
Harry N1adGux. president, presid-
ed and John Kepley acted as master
of ceremonies with Percie Thacker
as song leader The Rev. Mr.. Devon
Ellsworth said grace.
Rotarians introduced their guests
and three new Rotary Anne's were
welcomed: Mrs. Devon Ellsworth
Mrs. Ed Rau and Mrs. John Kepley,
the three brides being presented
with handsome corsages from the
club.
After the usual acknowledgements
and the singing of familiar songs
by the entire group under the lead
ership of Percie Thacker with j. B.
Fisher as pianist, the program was
turned over to group of Fanchon
and Marco entertainers who pre-
sented an interesting vaudeville pro-
gram for the pleasure of guests
On the program were comedy num-
bers, a clever dance team, whose
burlesque numbers were particu-
larly good; Chico, well known harp
ist, and a comedy number featur-
ing harmonica and xylophone nov
elites.
Imperial Valley press., 1939-11-22
Home Dept. Women Report
SpIendid State Convention

the farm bureau and asked his
listeners to interest the young men
and women in their activities, mo-
dernizing their program to meet
the needs of this group.
Other Talks
Alex johnson also spoke on the
farm bureau and Mrs. Mabel Ahart
past president of the state farm
home department talked on the
program of the Associated Farm
Women of America, also giving
the highlights of the convention
of the farm county women of the
world held in London this past
summer.
disqualification played promin-
cnt part in the discussions, MEM
Der of the city phycisianS service
speaking on behalf of the plan
which the doctors of the state are
offering to organizations like the
farm bureau.
Won T. Ellsworth also discussed
disqualification and the cost OF me-
dical care as did DR.. LooS of the
Los Angeles RoSs-LooS clinic. Con-
| SlQtIdUlt OloCuoolOll wac lCdVuiSN
relative to the opening of county
or city hospitals to pay or part-pay
patients and to ways in which more
adequate medical care and hospi-
talization might be obtained, either
by insurance or other methods, for
such groups as the farm bureau.
Among the women who attended
from Imperial Valley were: Mrs.
Cooke, Mrs. Earl E. Anderson, Mrs.
Alice Pollard, Mrs. Aleta Pollard,
Jim Nelson, S. E. Robinson, Charles
Wieman, Imler, John Scott, c. O.
Hoober, L. M. Crumrine, z. T..
Acker, Harry Davie, w. S. LeFevre,
L. G. Littrell, Pope Long, L. M.
Backus, and Miss Florence Glenn,
home demonstration agent for I'M
perial county.
Mrs. Aleta Pollard was among
those singing in the state chorus
on Sunday.
Imperial Valley press., 1939-11-22
Shower Given
Tuesday for
Mrs. ManIey

Mrs. Forrest Manley had a real
surprise Tuesday evening for, upon
returning to her home, 1905 Len
Rey, from a trip to Yuma, Ariz.
with Mr.. Manley, she found her
house filled with guests waiting
for her arrival to present her with
gift shower.
The shower theme was carried
out cleverly not only in the decora-
tions and dainty refreshments but
in the clever games for which Mrs.
McMahan, Mrs. Massey, Mrs. Rob-
ertS, Mrs. Matilda Iltner and Mrs.
Slee won the prizes.
Hostesses for the affair were:
Mrs. B. G. Fite and Mrs. Ted Bolin
and the guest list included: Mes
DANES Lee Massey, George Nails,
Mark McMahan, Louis Slee, j. B.
McNeece, E. B. Mason, jr., Fred
Iltner, Matilda Iltner, Harry Rob-
erts, Wyatt Briggs, Betty Starr, An
drew L. Dilbeck, Merle Sones, Ann
Vesey, Willis Johnson, R. R. Lod-
born, Terris Manley, c. v. Munson.
Imperial Valley press., 1939-11-22
Harding P.-T.A.
Schedules Events
For rNea ar Future

Harding Parent-Teachers' asso-
citation has scheduled two events
for the near future, the Fathers
night program on Dec. l and the
evening bridge party on Dec. Z.
Both will take place in the school.
For the Fathers night program,
subjects of special interest to the
men are to be discussed, with
Judge Vaughn N. Thompson as
the chief speaker. Refreshments will
be served after the program.
At the bridge party progressive
contract, auction bridge, 500 and
any other games which patrons
wish to play will be featured, the
goal being a pleasant social eve
ing for all attending. Refreshments
will be served after the games.
Mrs. George Kirk and Mrs. A. L.
Dilbeck will be in charge of the
card games.