davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1939-05-26
SEVENTEENTH ST

Dear Slr.
early in the spring q number Of
robins came to our nearby park and
although this park is in the down town
section and rather noisy pair built
their nest in a shrub overhanging the
walkway where people were walking
past all day.
"ThtSlest was only about 7 feet above
the ground and easily seen by the OBJ
serving person. We watched 1t for days
and last Thursday discovered the baby
birds had Matched.
I'VE then found great amusement in
watching the mother bird feed the little
ones but seldom saw the father bird.
Could he have been keeping watch near
by while the mother did the feeding?
"On Monday we could see that the
little ones were growing fast and the
father helping out with bringing in
worms and other food to them
This same day squirrel was OBJ
served in the park, the first squirrel we
had noticed there, and he seemed to
scamper around the shrub where the
robins had built and Matched their
young.
I'VE also observed that the father
robin was veXed at this and scolded
several times.
Tuesday morning the nest was gone,
birds and all.
THE caretaker in the park told us
he had found the nest on the ground
beneath the shrub early in the morning
but no trace of the young birds.
Gould this squirrel have DESTROYED
those baby robins in the night or early
hours of the morning?
Surely they could not have been
strong enough to get out of the nest
as they were less than a week old.
THE old robins were hopping around
on the grass few yards distant, SEEM
ingly as though nothing unusual had
happened, while we who were SO inter-
ested in them were grieving at the
untimely end 'of the babies.
Are these same birds apt to build
again in the same neighborhood if their
nest was destroyed by a squirred or
some other intruder?
This park is full of grackles.
Sincerely, J. B."
X
Perhaps the solution of this mystery
lies in the last sentence of our corre-
spondents letter.
Grackles are enemies of the young
of all other species.
This spring they seem to be unusually
active in this nefarious work hereabouts.
They were practically caught in the
act in the murder of three young cardi-
nails, as detailed here recently.
Since then number of letters have
been received telling of much the same
sort of bird murder in all parts of the
suburban areas of nearby Virginia and
Maryland
Evening star., 1939-05-26
Fishing Widows

In Milwaukee a judge heard petit
tionS for divorce from two women
whose husbands went on frequent
fishing trips. They were, they COM
planned, practically fishing widows.
His honor refused to grant the de-
crees, stating that wife who objects
on no other grounds than that is un-
reasonable and overeXacting. If he
had gone even further and declared
that on this particular deal the
cards are stacked against all wom-
ankind, he would have been as right
as Andy's two rabbits.
No woman, charm she never so
wisely, has the ghost of chance in
competing against the attractions of
a slim and beautiful trout, especially
in the spring. All brides should, if
possible, go on piscatorial honey
moons, SO that they may be quickly
adjusted to matrimony and realize
early in the game the fundamental
truth that woman is only wom-
an, but five pound bass is catch
and incidentally one that may be
dressed with far less trouble and ex-
penSe than the hundred-an -tWen-
ty-pounder her husband hooked at
the altar.
Against the threat of another
woman, the wife can root around in
her tackle box and find enough cos
meticS and other lures to keep her
IN the running Against a fish, she
is helpless. Never will she receive
the gaze of utter worship that her
husband bestoWs on a cold, Shiny,
goggle-eyed pickerel that he has also
tricked. That would be too much to
expect. Let her not attempt the i'm
possible, but concentrate on the task
OF using feminine wiles to such eff
feet that she runs second. Let her
realize that ages ago the masculine
mind, casting about to invent the
acme OF the desirable, hit upon that
happy combination of fish and
blonde known as the mermaid. Let
her at least thank her lucky stars
that, according to latest reports, all
the little mermaids have swum back
over the dam.
Evening star., 1939-05-26

classes if the system of taxing industry
was continued. What was prognosticated
then is happening now. When Henry
George said that income taxes were
bound to follow, he was laughed at. Well,
there are lot of people today who
would be glad to have an income that
was liable for taxation. Nearly 60 years
ago certain clergyman in Boston said
The trouble with the American people
today is that they have not the ability
OF their capacity" 1t is to be wondered
what that reverend gentleman would
think were he living today and could
see what is happening to his beloved
country. Conditions were bad enough
when industry was taxed for its product;
but when it comes to taxing the ham
dlers OF production, why it shows nothing
but sheer lunacy. Remove the land
hogs and give space and freedom to our
large producers. Take away the taxes
from the roof and cellar of our large
manufacturing plants, which are now
idle and vacant for want of cash con-
sumers, and place taxes upon unim-
proved values which are lying idle watt
ing for higher values, which nature in
creases by its growing population, even
though it is starving one. Place land
less man upon manless land Taxes can
be made to increase thing and taxes
can destroy thing. So let taxes be
placed upon that which can bear the
burden. The only thing there is to tax
in the future is the land upon which we
live, and that will have to be taxed for
its rental value. So why not now?
May is. SINGLE TAX ADVOCATE.
Evening star., 1939-05-26
Replies to Criticism of
Representative Seccombe,

To the Editor Of The Star:
May I ask permission to reply to an
article appearing in The Star of Nav %
IN Whlch my name is mentioned in con-
nection with certain remarks I was
alleged to have made at recent meet
ing OF the Interfederation Conference
IN this city. The article referred to
quotes Congressman Seccombe of Ohio
as saying that "the House District Com
mlttee is trying to give the District
good government, and if these pink-tea.
spat-Wearing critics would try to CO.
operate instead of talking about mis-
management of the local government.
the city would be better off"
Since the statement was published in
your paper, may I have the privilege
OF answering the gentleman by saving
that l never wore Spats in my life and
am a total stranger to pink teas. My
organization is not spat-Wearing one.
The Congressman has got his individuals
and organizations trifle mixed The
Spat, plnk-tea reference is about as inept
IN my own case as anything could possi-
bly, be, in addition to being a very silly
answer TO any remarks may have made.
Passing up the business of name
calling and getting down to the inn
portant part of the Congressman's state
ment, note the plea for cooperation,
I desire to call attention to the fact that
I appeared before the House subcom-
mlttee considering the Griffenhagen
report prepared to show that the alter
native plan suggested for the election
OF city council was not only highly
desirable but an indispensable part of
any plan to reorganize the District gov-
ernment. Imagine my surprise, there
fore, when I was told that the COM
mittee would not listen to any remarks
designed to show that the residents of
the District should be permitted to take
part in the selection of their own mu-
nicipal officials. This is an exhibition
OF cooperation worthy of notice.
The organization which I had the
honor of representing at the hearing
referred to is ready and willing to CO.
operate with District officials, the Con-
gress, and other civic organizations to
bring about more efficient, less costly
and more representative government
in the District of Columbia. We believe
that members of Congress, who were
elected by the suffrage of their own
constituents, should lead in any move
ment to give the politically impotent
residents of the District of Columbia a
greater participation in their own gov
ernment.
1t is hoped that the Congressman's
statement that the House committee is
trying to give the District good gov
ernment" will turn out to be accurate.
The difficulty arises over what consti-
tutes a good government" 1t is hoped
that the Congressman, who has not been
long in the District of Columbia, will
assure himself that the good govern
ment' is one the disfranchised residents
OF the District really want, and not just
government that Congress may think
is good for us.
HARRY N. STULL,
Vice President, Federation
of Citizens Associations.
May "a.
Evening star., 1939-05-26

from is years imprisonment and be-
comes their new idol After rejecting
an appeasement gift of $4,000. because
stolen money would be a rotten founda-
ton for the new clubhouse, Jerry warns
Rocky that the fight to a finish with
his racketeers is on. Events take their
inevitable course and Rocky is con-
demned to the chair. At the zero houc
Jerry pleads with him to die towards
death and thus save his boys from lik.
fate. To the broken-hearted boys the
good father brings personal confrma-
ton of the newspaper story that their
hero died yellow.
So all is well again on the East Side.
The club is re-established on not
tainted money and q lie.
r. .. MILLER.
May 23.
Evening star., 1939-05-26
THIS AND THAT
By Charles E. Trdcepeu.

The grackle is predatory bird, with
q taste for tender meat. His victims
sometimes are young mice, but. more
often the young of other bird species.
One has but to look carefully at the
cold yellow eyes, sinewy neck, and gen.
eral muscular development of this bird
to realize how easily it could devastate
a nest.
1t is significant in many of the cases
OF bird murder reported to this desk
that grackles had been seen in the i'm
mediate vicinity in unusual numbers.
Yet there are other marauders, Of
course, including the house cat and the
squirrel, as well as the rat.
In the downtown sections rats are al
ways to be suspected There are always
small quantities of foodsutffs spilled
from luncheons, and this may be left
overnight, to be swept up next morning.
The rat is nocturnal, always on the
search for something to eat; it easily
finds what is left in the parks. There
are few rats here, comparatively speak,
ing, but as long as there are sewer sys-
TENS these animals will maintain their
habits to creep out in the dark to find
what they can find.
The rat, however, is distinctly less like
ly to get baby birds than the squirrel,
for this latter rodent Is also nocturnal
in habits, to degree although not as
much SO as the rat, and is far greater
climber.
There are few trees or shrubs a squir-
rel cannot manage to get into, when
once he sets his mind to it.
1t is not generally realized, perhaps,
that squirrels are fond of meat as well
as nuts and various seeds.
They Will also eat bird eggs, although
our belief is that they do not make a
general practice of this 1t may be that
some squirrels have much greater taste
Tor heavy nitrogenous foods than the
average run of squirrels.
Therefore, this engaging rodent may
be suspected as killer of young birds,
especially If he is seen in the immediate
vicinity just bit more than ordinary
squirrel habits would seem to warrant.
On the other hand, if we knew grackles
were near, We would be inclined to sus-
pect these, and free the squirrels of
blame.
Basically the squirrel is playful, rather
than quarrelsome. He is not murderer
as a rule.
When he runs at birds at a feeding
station, he does SO out of high spirits,
rather than through any desire to kill
and eat them.
He likes to see 'em run.
Decision as to the culprits, in all such
cases, is often impossible. In the present
case, the fact that the nest was on the
ground pointed to an animal; that
grackles were present, indicated birds.
Evening star., 1939-05-26
Mr.. HumiIton's PRINCIPLES

Undoubtedly the Dies Committee
Investigating un-American activities
is doing it's best to conduct its ex-
tended hearings in a spirit of fair
ness to all concerned but it is not
always possible to anticipate and
forestall testimony that carries un-
fair implications. The manifestly
unjust reflections cast by Dies Com
mittee witnesses on John Hamilton,
chairman of the Republican National
Committee, is a case in point. BY
innuendo certain testimony recently
tended to link Mr. Hamilton with an
anti-Semitic movement under inves-
tigation by the committee. 1t was
stated by witness that Mr.. Hamil-
ton had supplied names of Repub-
lican committeeman to one of the
promoters of the cause" the impli-
cation being that Mr.. Hamilton was
collaborating in some way with the
undercover racial campaign.
The absurdity of such an allega-
ton was Immediately apparent to
those who knew the background of
the G. o. P. chairman. There were
many persons who were not familiar
with Mr.. Hamilton's anti-Ku Klux
Klan and anti-bigotry attitude, how
ever, and in order to set the record
straight, Mr.. Hamilton lost no time
in reiterating his oft-eXpressed con-
demnation of racial, religious or
other forms of intolerance. "All my
life" he told the committee, "any
form of intolerance has been hateful
to me I have always opposed any
movement to penalize any man be-
cause of his race or because of the
manner in which he chooses to wor-
ship God Intolerance, to my
mind, is as great an enemy of these
great American institutions as is
Communism, Fascism, Nazi-ism or
any other alien ISM" The list of
names he sent to a member of the
anti-Jewish organization, he ex-
planned, was exactly the same list of
committeeman made available to
anyone who asks for it-and he had
no idea at the time as to why the
list was desired.
While it is unfortunate, of course,
that Mr.. Hamilton's name should
have been linked to this phase of the
inquiry, it is well that he has reas-
serted his excellent concept of true
Evening star., 1939-05-26
Wants King and Queen
Described Correctly.
o the Editor of The Star:


Editor, colunnists, commentators,
correspondents, radio announcers, after
dinner speakers, politicians, etc., when
speaking or writing about their Britain
mic majesties should not use the term,
the King and Queen of England
Their majesties will regard the use Of
such term as incorrect. There has not
been a King or Queen of England since
James vi of Scotland took over the rule
of England in the year 1903.
While their majesties are under the
American flag let us all brighten up a
little on British history and refer to
their majesties as the King and Queen
of Great Britain, which is their proper
title. BY referring to them in this man
ner the American people would save
themselves some embarrassment and
show an intelligent interest in their
majesties. GRAHAME FINLAYSON.
Bethesda, Md.
May 18.
Evening star., 1939-05-26
Russiu's Whip Hand

The chaSm between Great Britain
and Russia is slowly narrowing under
pressure on Prime Minister Cham
berlain both within England and
from France, but the gap between
Russian demands for mutual de-
fense agreement and Britain's offers
has not yet been completely bridged
Acting as mediator, France was a
major factor in effecting compro-
mise in principle between Russian
and British viewpoints, and Mr..
Chamberlain is making new set of
counter-proposalS to complete the
anti-aggression front quickly now
that Italy and Germany are bound
in an alliance.
Standing between Russia and Brit
ain has been more than mere differ
ence of opinion over details of how
the agreement for Russia's participa-
tion in the anti-aggression bloc is to
be worked out. There has been a fun
damental divergence of motive and
objective between Moscow and Lon
don which is difficult to eliminate,
and not for theological reasons alone.
Britain, already more heavily COM
mitted in Central Europe than ever
in its history, wants Russian par
tlclpatlOn as reinsurance for her
pledges to Poland, Turkey, Greece
and Rumania. To her the anti
aggression bloc is an immediate
eXpedient to meet an immediate
danger-the threat of new German
aggreSSions in Eastern and South
eastern Europe. She would prefer to
make Russia the tail to her diplomatic
kite, withholding from the Kremlin
the final decision as to whether and
when the bloc will fight in event of
new aggression.
Russia, on the other hand. con-
SlderS her own security as great
consideration in Europe's peace as
is the security of any of the smaller
states, and insists upon a full mill
tary alliance with Britain and France
which would bring her their as
slstance if she deemed it necessary
to fight to defend herself. She looks
not only to the immediate threat
from Germany but to far-reaching
considerations of the Far East and
the Baltic area, and desires that the
Baltic states be included in the
guarantees which she would Join
Britain and France in giving.
In short the issue has been between
forming an alliance to meet the spe-
cific threat of German aggression and
an alliance to ward off any threat to
Britain, France and Russia from any
quarter.
Russia seems to be holding the
whip hand because her military
might is SO important to the anti
aggression bloc, and Britain appar-
emily must pay Russia's price, exorbi-
tant though she thinks it is. The
European security bloc is a step
nearer completion with virtual agree
ment on the principle of a three
power alliance, but troublesome de-
tails remain to be worked out.
Evening star., 1939-05-26
Raise the Lump Sum

If the Senate Subcommittee on
District appropriations decides to
make substantial additions to the
1910 local supply bill as result of
testimony heard the past three
weeks, it should not hesitate to fol-
low the wise and fair suggestion of
Chairman Overton that these added
items be accompanied by an increase
in the $5,000,000 lump sum Federal
payment.
Indeed, if it increases the bill ma
terially without some adjustment in
the Federal share, District taxpay-
ers-home owners in particular
would be faced with a burdensome
increase in the present $1.75 rate on
real estate and tangible personal
property, unless Congress is able to
agree on a new tax program with
broader base of revenue sources at
this session-a possibility which ap-
pears to be remote.
Senator Overton has shown a
clear grasp of the city's financial sit
uation as the supply bill now stands.
Briefly it is this: With the business
privilege tax expiring on June 80,
and with a proposed substitute tax
schedule still in House committee,
the Commissioners would have to
keep the real estate rate at SITS for
the coming year, which would still
fall $185000 short of meeting the
House appropriations, even if the
Senate does not add a dollar to the
measure.
1t has been recognized for some
time that Washington already OBJ
tains disproportionate part of its
tax levy from real property. Yet, if
the new tax bill failed to pass, the
Commissioners would have no alter
native on July but to jack up the
SITS real estate rate to whatever
figure might be necessary to meet
Senate increases above the House
total in the appropriation bill.
On the other hand, it is difficult to
see how the Senate committee can
avoid some increase in the total.
Since the bill left the House the
Budget Bureau has sent in supple
mental estimate for $234,44O, largely
for the Districts share of w. P. A.
projects to prevent further unem-
ployment.
The Senators undoubtedly will find
merit in some of the other unmet
needs presented during the hearings.
For example, suggestions have been
made that some of the half century,
old small school buildings should be
replaced by larger, more economical
new units. 1t has been proposed also
that start should be made on the
long-delayed National Guard Armory,
and that it be placed at the end of
East Capitol street. where the Gov
ernment already owns nearly all of
the ground needed.
These added improvements are
fully justified, but Congress should
recognize the fairness of meeting q
more adequate share of the bill, to
avoid hardship to the local COM
munity, which already is meeting
close to 80 per cent of the annual
expenses of the city.
Until Congress has time to act on
Senator Overton's separate bill to
reestablish a fixed ratio of fiscal re-
lations, based on the land acreage
of the city required for national
purposes, the fair course to pursue
is to make temporary, equitable
adjustment in the lump sum.
Evening star., 1939-05-26
Points Out Wrong Moral
In Gunman Play.

To the Editor Of The Star:
Those who listened Monday night to
Mr.. De Miles Radio Theater produc-
ton of angels With Dirty Faces" were
not, hope, quite satisfied with its cor.-
clusion. The debunking of our gum
men, at home and abroad, is so im-
perative just now that we must not be
too squeamish about ways and means
But the well-meant strategy of the
priest in this play can hardly do moe
than make the judicious grieve
The good work which Father Jerry
has been doing with his East Side boys
is broken up when Rocky" friend OF
his not very creditable youth, returns
Evening star., 1939-05-26

Americanism. In these times of ra-
cial and religious oppression abroad,
it bahooves all real Americans to re-
dedicate themselves to principles
such as Mr. Hamilton enunciated
before the Dies Committee. There is
nothing more un-American than the
antithesis of these principles.
Evening star., 1939-05-26

Ambassador Kennedy wistfully
wishes that the British would learn
a little more about American his
tory. What with their King and
Queen actually visiting not only
North America but also the United
States, it is thought that modicum
OF knowledge about us will become
fashionable in the tight little isle.
Evening star., 1939-05-26
Taxing Land for its
Rental VaIues.

7" the Editer of The Star:
Is it not time for all mankind to
realize that the present system of taxa
ton has about reached its limit? More
than so years ago our leading political
economist and his followers saw what
was ahead for the working and middle
Evening star., 1939-05-26

Success at the polls, a Western
Senator declares, is largely matter
of advertising. Especially if the can
didate is selling "rattlesnake OIL"
"pain-killer" or some similar panacea.
Evening star., 1939-05-26

The Associated Press Is exclusively entitled tc
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
All rights of publication OF special dispatches
herein also are reserved.
Evening star., 1939-05-26
All Other States and Canada
Member of the Associated Press

Entered as second class matter post office,
WASHINGTON, D. c.
Evening star., 1939-05-26
Letters to the Editor

Letters to the Editor must
bear the name and address of
the ,0riter, although the use OF
q pseudonyn1 for publication is
permissible. Please be brief!
Evening star., 1939-05-26

JOHN SMELL,
Executive Secretary,
Hawaii Equal Rights Commission.
Honolulu.
May 4.
Evening star., 1939-05-26
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Evening star., 1939-05-26
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phone National 5000.
Evening star., 1939-05-26

MARYLAND and virginia
Evening star., 1939-05-26

The Evening Star Newspaper Company
Main Office: 11th ST. and Pennsylvania Ave-
New York ONCE: 1l0 East 42nd st.
Chicago ONCE 435 North Michigan Ave.
Evening star., 1939-05-26
Huskin's Answers
To Readers Questions
By Frederic J. HusEtn.

reader can get the ansWer to ami
question OF fact by ,0rtting The Epe,
ming Star Information Bureau, Fred
eric j. Haskin, Director, WaShinqton,
d. c. Please inclose stamp for repIv.
O. What is the proper way to use
moth-preventing crystals?-C. P.
A. Flake naphthalene or paradichloro-
benzene should be placed on the top shelf
OF closet or sprinkled on top of goods
packed in trunk or chest The fumes
given of by the slow evaporation of these
crystals are heavier than air and pene-
trate downward. For use in closets the
crystals may be tied loosely in a thin
muslin cloth.
Evening star., 1939-05-26

Q. What countries are now on the gold
standard?-J. LIP.
A. Belgium is the only country in the
world which can now be said to be on
the gold standard.