davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1939-12-28
Mr.. DeIuno's S Letter

With great pleasure The Star
prints on this page today an impor-
tant letter from Mr.. Frederic A. De-
lano, chairman of the National Cap
ital Park and Planning Commission.
The letter is important because of
the subject with which it deals and
1t is important because it comes
from Mr.. Delano. For Washington
has good reason to know that Mr..
Delano's advocacy and support of
community improvement is valu-
able asset.
AS his letter recalls, the first of
next month is the fifteenth ami
versary of the "blue paper" circu-
lated by Mr.. Delano in 1925, calling
attention to the great need then
confronting Washington for long
term program for financing park
purchase. The Capper- -Cramton Act
remains a milestone in the develop
ment of the Capital today. Subse-
quent criticism has not been directed
at the act itself, but at the failure
to appropriate in accordance with
its principles.
Park maintenance and adminis-
tration must be brought up to the
level of park acquisition-which will
continue under the Capper Cramton
Act. But as Mr.. Delano says, we enter
now a new era in Capital building,
one that must see public works un-
dertaken and carried through on a
large scale, meeting pressing require
ments of the population not only of
today's Washington but of the pop
ulation of Washington and its fast
growing environs tomorrow. Mr.. De-
lano outlines some of the projects
which should be commenced. There
are others.
Another great stride in develop
ment of the Capital would be taken
by the next Congress If a new en-
abling act, providing for the long
term financing of public works,
could be approved. Mr.. Delano lends
strength to the idea and hope for
It's fulfillment by his advocacy; ad-
vocacy based on experience and
broad vision.
Evening star., 1939-12-28

tional data are transmitted to the
searchlight-focusing apparatus elec-
trically. so that the task Of picking
up enemy planes at night becomes
relatively easy.
These new inventions are addi-
tional evidence that Americas mill
tary authorities are not only keep
ing abreast of every development in
the science Of warfare, but, In some
respects, are taking the lead. And
it is significant, incidentally, that
none Of the instruments Of war de-
scribed by Colonel Barnes Is pri-,
marily a weapon Of offense. Each is
for protection Of our own soldiers
from enemy attack. The War De-
partment has no desire to carry a
chip on its shoulder, but 1t is willing
for the world to know that our Army
is making proper preparations for
any emergency which may confront
the country in these perilous times.
Evening star., 1939-12-28
Tribute Paid to
Haywood Broun.

To the Editor Of The Star:
The national communication network
paused. then chimed the sad and solemn
note-"Heywood Broun is dead!" But
Broun still remains a most vital force in
the field of realistic Journalism. He set
forth an unusual example of genuine
democratic living, in which he regarded
life vigorously and vitally. Broun en-
braced Walt Whitmans realism and he
undoubtedly loafed and invited his soul,
yet it was not mere idleness, but that
constructive, glorified loafing Of which
great souls are made.
Broun mastered the literary wit and
universal humanity of Samuel johnson
and Goldsmith. You cannot read Broun
with indifference, you are either power
fully drawn or violently repelled by his
utterance. He possessed a unique COM
bination of powers of the most diverse
kinds. his scholarship being accompanied
by rare sagacity and his morality by
ready wit. His position in the Journal
istic world is supreme. A man of origi-
nal genius and strong individuality, he
expressed himself with great vigor in his
writing; and in his strength and solid
qualities he represents the truly great
democratic soul at its best. 1t may we'll
be said OF him as he said of a departed
friend, His memory shall be enshrined
In our hearts forever, and that shall be
his immortality" HOWARD p. BANKS.
December 26.
Evening star., 1939-12-28

as to weaken the principle In the
country at large. Basically, all juris-
dictions should provide similar pen
alties Of requiring bond or insur-
ance after conviction Of a major
traffic violation or for failure to pay
a judgment resulting from an acci-
dent, and the laws should contain
reciprocity clause which would pre-
vent driver who is barred from
operating q car in one State from
doing 50 In another.
Safety statistics for twenty eight
States and the District of Columbia
bear out the arguments for the de-
STABILITY Of such a law. The proposed
legislation may not prevent a finan-
cially irresponsible person from driv-
ing indefinitely, or until his first ac-
cident. But making the law apply
only after a person has been found
guilty is more in keeping with the
precedents Of the common law than
requiring blanket insurance at high
premiums for all drivers, without
consideration of their personal re-
sponsibility, or Of granting compen-
sation to all persons injured in traf-
fic regardless of where the blame
rests, as was attempted in ten States
this year.
Every person who takes control of
an automobile should be willing to
accept the fact that he has at his
finger tips a dangerous weapon for
the handling of which he alone is
responsible. Thousands of citizens
recognize this and protect them
selves and their fellow citizens by
carrying adequate insurance. But
other thousands do not, mainly
through false concepts of economy,
or through thoughtless procrastina-
tion. Still others wilfully ignore the
responsibility. It is because of these
last that the proposed financial re-
sponsibility laws are necessary.
Evening star., 1939-12-28
Flexible

The American Mathematical So
ciety in convention at Columbus,
Ohio, recently stretched its imag-
ination bit and produced a new
science called rubber geometry.
In it "all figures are movable, and
two different ones may be stretched
as though they were made of rub
ber." Thus in the new mathematics
there is no such thing as a fixed
family circle or an eternal triangle.
It should be an immense boon to
school children now wasting much
effort in trying to prove that figure
ABCD is the same size and shape as
figure EFGH. It is merely necessary
to draw one Of them on rubber, after
which the school Ounce would have
no more trouble than Professor Elm
stein In making 1t fit the other.
@. E. d.
Another technical subject, inter-
national law, has recently been mod
ified by a similar technique until it
is now a highly flexible science. This
modification has been Of enormous
help to dictators Of huge countries
threatened with invasion by neigh
boring nations of one twentieth Of
their manpower. Applying the new
principles, it is easy for them to pick
on an utterly Insignificant point and
worry over 1t until they stretch it
into q line Of argument justifying
war; and If the facts do not meet
the situation, either may be twisted
ad lib. until they coincide.
Evening star., 1939-12-28
Responsible Drivers

Since the advent of the automo-
bile, courts in all States have held
consistently to the principle that
permission to drive is a privilege
granted by the community, to per-
sons acceptable as operators, rather
than a general right which any one
may enjoy. The difficulties contin-
gent upon determining who should
be granted this privilege are rejected
in the necessity for the adoption 81
as nearly uniform financial respon-
sibility laws as possible.
Renewal Of its campaign for uni
formity has been announced by the
American Automobile Association.
At present fourteen States are with
out any such law, and many Of the
others have regulations 80 divergent
Evening star., 1939-12-28
THIS AND THAT
Bt Charles z. T:dce1cell.

good bird book comes in. With such
q manual. whether large or small, 1t is
possible to identify most Of the COM
mon visitors.
The Carolina wren's song is bubbling,
like its cousins, but hardly as vocifer-
Gus.
This, to some ears. will be all in its
favor. Not every listener is pleased by
the house wren's prodigious vocal output
The song Of the Carolina species, on the
other hand. or ear. is softer. Some OBJ
servers have asserted that one phase Of
Its song goes "Tea-kettle, tea-kettle,"
but that is matter for the individual
to decide. 1t is true that If you happen
to get a certain word into your mind
as representing what bird says" 1t
is very easy to hear 1t thereafter.
One good thing about the Carolina
wren is that it sings at this time OF the
year. as well as in spring and summer.
An early morning concert by the song
sparrow and the Carolina wren is q
real musical addition to any yard.
When one stops to think of all the
sheer mechanical noises which poster
the ears of this generation, it is helpful
to realize that the birds go right ahead
making the same sweet sounds as of
yore.
If you really like birds, even the calls
OF the crow, the screams of the blue Jay
and the cries of the starlings will strike
you as sweetest music.
1t is possible that if one liked ma
chinery enough, one of the sweetest
sounds in the world would be that of
perfectly working airplane motor in the
sky.
Possession of manual adds a great
deal to the fun of watching the birds.
Excellent books may be secured at
some Of the and 10 cent stores. Usually
three of these cover most of the species
to be found hereabouts.
There are many larger works on the
market one or more Of them carried in
every book store. We suggest that the
amateur bird enthusiast take his time
In looking them over Some are very
good, others not quite so good. Particu-
larly look for colored illustrations, and
decide in your own mind, from the birds
you do know, whether the others are
true to type. There is such a thing as
gettlng colors correct, but somehow
missing the very spirit Of the bird.
The best bird Identification handbooks
combine correctness with genuine true
ness to type. Illustrations by themselves
however, are not enough; with them
must be combined enough correct de-
scription to permit the watcher to
identify the bird, provided he has cor
rectly noted the points of difference in
the species as compared with other birds
Of the same family.
Our correspondent, in noting the point
ed bill. reddish brown color, white over
the eye, and general impression of size
did all this very yell
The lack of manual alone prevented
complete Identification,
Evening star., 1939-12-28
Objects to japanese
In California and Hawaii.
ro tha EAjtar ~ r-hs atsr


To the Editor Of The Star
Recent dispatches indicating a new
understanding, possibly an alliance, be-
tween Russia and Japan in the Far East,
coupled with persistent efforts on the
part Of Japan to bring about notification
Of existing laws governing Oriental i'm
migration, give rise to the thought that
America must be on the alert in these
troubled times.
People who live in the Eastern part
of the United States and who do not
have the daily contact with Oriental
peoples which we of the Pacific Coast
have, possibly are inclined to minimize
the constant danger Of Asiatic encroach-
ment on our economic and social ways
of living.
Japan since 1900 has been chief ag-
gressor in the fight to gain an Oriental
foothold in America, especially on the
Pacific slope.
Japan also has been the chief pro-
testant Of immigration 'enactments pre-
hibiting Asiatic influx.
Japan likewise has been the chief
violator of two gentlemen's agreements
(the agreement Of 1900 and the agree
ment Of 19oD designed to prevent the
steady flow Of immigrants to America.
Recourse to the courts because Of these
Evening star., 1939-12-28
"dA1THERsBURd, Md.

Dear Sir:
II wonder II you could possibly tell
me the name Of . bird that has re-
Gently appeared at my feeding station?
1T has q pointed bill, Is reddish
brown In color, with q narrow white
line over the eye, and is rather chunky
in size. It somehow reminds me Of q
wren.
1T makes its presence known by q
sort Of trilling song, constant repeti-
ton Of two notes.
II have been feeding the birds for
q number Of years and have eight diff
ferent kinds of daily visitors I find
1t best to keep seed before them the
year around
would you be so kind as to tell me
the name of book giving illustrations
of the birds common to this section.
1t would be great help in identifying
any newcomers.
"Your column has been a source of
information, as well as pleasure, to
me.
Cordially yours, N. r. F."
4 \
Our correspondents bird Is a Carolina
wren.
This wren Is larger than the more
common house wren, which is with us
all summer.
This winter an unusual number Of
Carolina wrens have been reported
here.
They like to come to feeding stations.
where they will eat few seeds and
bits Of grain, and peck at the suet
with that long. curved bill
They are great insect eaters. AS we
have suggested here before, it might not
be bad idea to try giving them some
meal worms. These worms may be
bred in old meal. but are more easily
obtained at pet stores for a nominal
sum per thousand.
May Thatcher Cooke, in her mono-
graph on local birds, calls this wren "a
permanent resident usually near water,
varying in abundance from year to
year; at present fairly common"
odyS CIAdU uul lll6 d SCVCIc SlOIlu
In February, 1918. this species was
nearly exterminated, and 1t was several
years before 1t recovered.
The house wren, the famous Jenny
Wren, is classed as common sum-
mer resident.
These classifications, however, might
give false idea as to the plentifulness
of the Carolina wren hereabouts 1t
is certainly not seen as much as the
house wren in spring and summer.
More reports of its presence this
winter have come in than in many
years.
1t seems uncommon enough, in fact,
so that most Of the amateur bird
watchers who see it do not know what
1t is.
They may suspect. as our CORES
pondent that it is some sort of wren.
but are not sure. That is where a
Evening star., 1939-12-28
Strofing the Strofers

Army ordnance experts have per-
fected some formidable new weapons
of defense against that ever-dreaded
scourge of troops in the field, the
hedge hopping, ground straflng
warplane. The hedge-hopper first
became a serious factor in warfare
during the first World War. Ap-
preaching behind such natural
shields as darkness, clouds or wooded
ridges, the pilot would dive his plane
suddenly upon his hapless prey and
turn loose lethal rain of bombs or
machine-gun bullets. Ordinary rifle
or machine-gun fire proved to be
quite Ineffective defense against the
low-fying, speedy attacker. Bullets
which found their mark on the plane
often whistled harmlessly through
fuselage or wing surfaces, although
occasionally slug disabled the pilot
or punctured the gasoline tank. The
hedge-hopper played an important
part in the German conquest of Po-
land. With their own air force de-
stroyed and their anti-aircraft de-
fenses pitiably weak. the Polish
troops found themselves at the mercy
of Nazi aerial bombers and machine
gunners.
To meet this form of death from
the skies the War Department has
developed two new guns and new
sound detecting, quick focusing
searchlight. Colonel G. M. Barnes,
chief of the artillery and automotive
division of the technical staff in the
Office of the chief of ordnance, de-
scribes the devices in an article pub
lished by the Army Ordnance Asso-
citation. The guns are new .30-cali-
ber semi-automatic shoulder rifle
and a thirty-seven- -millimeter anti
aircraft weapon of special capabili-
ties. The shoulder rifle fires approx
imately two and quarter times as
fast as the Springfield rifle and thus
greatly increases the average SOL
dier's chances of inflicting serious
damage on a flyer swooping down
upon him. The anti-aircraft gun Is
designed especially for front-line
defense. 1t hurls. at two-per-sec-
ond rate, q one and a third pound
shell which explodes upon contact
with any part of an airplane. Colonel
Rarnes asserts that tests with this
fully automatic gun have convinced
ordnance officers that one or two
hits with these projectiles would be
sufficient to destroy any enemy
plane. The searchlight, for use
against night raiders. throws an
8OO,O00000 candle-power beam in the
direction of an airplane after its
approach has been detected and its
location determined by the sound
recording instruments. The direc-
Evening star., 1939-12-28
HenryL l. Doherty

IN an age devoted to specialization
Henry L. Doherty was a contradic-
ton worthy Of careful study. To say
that he was a sided genius
was to be guilty of an understate-
ment. His interests were universal,
his enthusiasms compelling, his likes
and dislikes dramatic in their char
acter. There was nothing that he
feared to attempt and very few
things which he did not regard as
completely amenable to his control.
His imaginative powers, in a word,
were prodigious.
On occasion, of course, he failed.
Also, it was natural that he should
make enemies. So forceful and
dynamic was his method of pro-
cedure that he was sure to create
opposition. His vision irritated such
contemporaries as were content to
acknowledge the controlling infu-
ence of circumstance. Mr.. Doherty
refused to be conditioned. He
wanted ultimate results without
waiting. In that respect he was
Napoleonic.
But there could be little question
about his capacities. He began his
career as a newsboy on the streets
Of Columbus, Ohio. Without cap
ital and without educational ad-
vantages to aid him in the acquisi-
tion of wealth, he rose to dominant
position in industry and finance
which was not entirely ill-deserved.
AS president of the Cities Service
Company he directed the operations
of nearly two hundred oil, traction,
light. gas and power subsidiaries
from coast to coast. Meanwhile, he
perfected inventions for which the
Government granted him a hundred
and fifty patents, sponsored a vast
real estate development in Florida,
built the worlds third tallest Office
building in downtown New York,
CdIllPdlSIlCu I'LL COllSC1 VdtAOll, CUl1.
tributed most notably to the ad-
varcement of radio, gave generously
to many charities, fought uncounted
legal battles, wrote scientific papers,
earned the Walton Clark Medal of
the Franklin Institute, labored for
world peace, financed athletic con-
tests, established an air-taxi service,
crusaded against mosquitoes, helped
to organize the American Petroleum
Institute, designed a motor bed.
penned innumerable letters to the
press on all sorts of subjects. A life
long handicap from rheumatism
appeared merely to goad his ener-
gies. Dying at sixty-nine, after a
dozen years of serious illness, he
leaves a name which will be remem-
bered among both dreamers and
doers of notable deeds.
Evening star., 1939-12-28
Criticizes Spending
For Recovery Purposes.


To the Editor Of The Star:
President Roosevelt has frequently
been quoted as saying, when reminded
chat Government borrowing had
reached an all-time high and should be
curbed, What would you do?"
Doesn't the old-fashioned slogan.
Where there's will there's a way"
apply to financial, as we'll as other
problems? But the way" will never be
found until New Dealers abandon the
abnormal idea, still so prevalent, that
I'VE must spend in order to save" Since
when have nations borrowed their way
out of trouble?
Anybody possessing eyes or the
semblance of a brain must be aware
that more good American money has
been wasted in the past years than
ever before in our history. senseless
projects, such as attempting to harness
the moonbeams at Passamaquoddy,
which have drained the Treasury, may
be multiplied almost lad inf1nitum" :"
And what could have been more utterly
idiotic than wasting millions Of the tax
payers money in slaughtering pigs,
when multitudes were hungry?
As q matter of cold fact, Mr. Roose-
welt could learn a lesson in simple
economy from former Presidents
fishing expeditions. Grover Cleveland
fished from a rowboat, which cost the
taxpayers exactly nothing, whereas F.
D. R., engages q palatial yacht or
battleship whenever he decides to cast
line.
EDMUND K. GOLDsBOROUGH.
Evening star., 1939-12-28
White Gifts

Swing low. oh gentle moon, swing low
Spill radiance on the trampled snow
When fear-spiked feet
Run through the "blackout" street.
Glaze housetops with silver sheen
Through which no outline can be seen
From bombing height -.
Allay the sitting fright.
Press your white comfort through the
pane
Where, for so long, horror has lain
Against each heart
Give courage new start.
Bring your white gifts-the same old
three,
Once more-Faith, Hope and Charity:
Wrapped In . prayer 80.
And let them anchor there.
PEGGY LAWSHX.
Evening star., 1939-12-28
Mr.. DeIono Advocates
Another Program
Thinks Time Hos Come for
A New 'copper- -Cromton' Act
AppIied to Public Works

70 the Editor Of The Star:
Pardon me II refer to some ancient
history. Fifteen years ago printed IN
open letter on somewhat startling blue
paper addressed to my friends and asso-
ciates in Washington. This represented
views arrived at after more than 10 years
residence here. It was q plea to arouse
local interest In the needs Of our city
and to suggest a method of financing
those needs Without claiming the entire
credit for what has since been achieved,
I think I may flatter myself with the
reflection that my proposal did bear
fruit, not by carrying out the precise
project in the way had suggested. but
in better way; fo- not long afterward
the Capper- -Cramton Act "a general
enabling act was passed. This put into
action method of financing the pur-
chase year after year of park and forest
and playground areas in the District Of
Columbia and the adjacent areas of
Maryland and Virginia. That proved to
be a good method Of procedure, even
though 1t has been recently criticized
because of the acquisition of these areas
without provision Of funds for their de-
velopment and improvement.
Now, therefore, take the liberty Of
calling attention to necessities which the
growth of our city and It's environs have
made self-evident. In other words, be-
sides the buying of suitable areas, we
must carry forward needed public works
like the building of bridges, great trunk
line sewers and sewage disposal plants;
we must also build traffic arteries of ap-
proach to our city which will be wider
than the present. and which will at the
same time be free from grade crossing
interruption. Such great undertakings
can not be built on a piecemeal cash
basis; their cost, because they are long
time, major developments, must be
spread over 10 to 20 years. Take the
case of the talked-of improvement of
East Capitol street, which has been be-
fore the public for is years, but which
can not advance on piecemeal or block
to-block basis. To do such a job right
will cost. say, SIS, 900, 900, but it will add
far more than $15.00o,00O to the taxable
value OF the large area east of the Capt.
tol which Is now blighted. If Congress
will authorize our city to borrow, either
In the open market or from the Recon-
struction Finance Corp, We can probably
borrow on 2 per cent basis, and without
overburdening our budget. amortize the
debt incurred in IS to 20 years.
Your newspaper has long supported
efforts along this line. and I am, there
fore, taking the liberty of inviting your
consideration Of the project.
FREDERIC A. DELANO.
December 26.