davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1939-03-31
Maryland Mystery

Public belief in the operation of
acknowledgements forces in State
Legislatures will be enhanced by re-
ports from Annapolis that the bill to
guard against roadside desecration
appears doomed. Certainly it is de-
plorable when such a constructive,
much-needed measure, strongly sup
ported at committee hearings, is per-
mitted to die without ever being
brought to the floor for a vote.
1t is strange, indeed, that the forces
opposed to the bill were represented
by only one spokesman at the hear
ing, yet could muster enough votes to
keep 1t in committee despite the
fact that the chairman is the meas
ure'S sponsor and anxious to have
1t passed. The bill was drawn by ex-
perts and is a conservative approach
to the problem. 1t would seek to
regulate roadside signs and unsightly
structures by giving the State Roads
Commission zoning power to restrict
development within 500 feet of a
highway. Incorporated towns and
farm land structures were exempt
and the measure would not apply to
existing signs and stands.
A drive over most of Maryland's
main highways is the most eloquent
argument in behalf of the bill. Per-
haps, before the session adjourns,
advocates of the measure will be able
to get it out of committee. If they do
not succeed at this session it is Ger
tain they will be back with aug
mented forces at the next.
Evening star., 1939-03-31

murderous adventures on the part of
Germany, Italy and Japan and has
doubtless added comfort to confirmed
pacifists and isolationists. He has in the
past and still is playing part which
fortunately the great majority of the
people of the United States realize would
only make the world safe for the So
called totalitarian states. He has, of
course. as your editorial states, right
to his own opinion, but since he is a
public servant. occupying position of
great responsibility, it would seem only
reasonable that the public should expect
reason, logic and accuracy in statements
coming from Senator who has served
in the Senate for more than 20 years.
Instead, however, We find him excelling
even Father Coughlin in resting conclu-
sions on obviously erroneous premises.
Ex-CAPTAIN, U. S. A., A. E. F.
Alexandria, Va,
March 20.
Evening star., 1939-03-31
Keep 1t Moving

The prompt approval given to the
Overton fiscal relations plan by the
Senate Subcommittee which studied
it is reassuring to Washington.
The proposal of Senator Overton,
Democrat, of Louisiana calls for re-
turn to the time e-honored and equi-
table principle of fixing the Federal
share of the Capitals expenses on a
definite percentage basis instead OF
continuing Indefinitely the unfair
and unjust practice of making an
arbitrary, inadequate lump sum pay
ment each year.
The most serious phase of the Sit
uation has been the apparent tend
ency to freeze" the Federal share
at the $5,OOO,O00 lump sum figure,
regardless of mounting total appro-
priations for the Capital and pros
pect that the cost of developing the
city will continue to increase for the
next five of ten years.
This unfair practice of placing an
arbitrary ceiling on the Federal share
has made it necessary to propose new
local tax burdens at this session for
the third successive year. Although
Congress has followed the lump sum
method of Federal payment for f1f-
teen years, it was not until last year
that it wiped from the statute books
the substantive law fixing the ma
tional obligation at forty per cent.
Despite the disregard of that wise
principle of definite proportionate
payment. which for many years had
protected the voteless local COM
munity from unreasonable burdens,
as long as it stood unrepealed, Wash
ingtonians clung to the hope that
same day a Congress would again
recognize its equity and return to its
enforcement. Its repeal has left the
National Government with no statu-
tory law obligating it to help main
tain a city it controls in every re-
spect.
It IS fortunate for the District,
therefore, that Senator Overton took
the initiative early this year to re-
establish the fixed percentage prin-
ciple, using the area of land required
for national purposes as the measure
Of the Federal share. At the present
time it would amount to twenty per
cent of the general fund expenses.
1t is to be hoped the entire Senate
District Committee will give early
consideration to the subcommittee
Endorsement of the bill. The logical
and fair course would be to incor-
porate it in Whe forthcoming local
tax bill, which otherwise may bind
local residents to heavy obligations
for long period of years with no
fixed obligation resting on the ma
tional partner.
Evening star., 1939-03-31
Rebuilding Spain

The war is over and Spain, under
Generalissimo Frances rule, now
faces the task of reconstruction, of
rebuilding cities in some cases totally
destroyed, of repairing highways
blasted to bits by aerial and artillery
bombardments, of restoring indus
trial plants which were targets for
gunners on both sides.
The physical damage is appalling;
the total loss may never be known.
Scarcely a town or city escaped the
ravages. Surely the work of erasing
the scars from Spains face will take
years, perhaps generation.
But the physical problem of recon-
struction, tremendous as it is, pales
before the spiritual and social
aspects. Memories of families
broken, kinsmen and friends slain in
battle or executed before firing
squads die hard. The crippled, the
manned, the wounded will remain a
living blight for decades, never per-
mitting Spaniards to forget the
frightful fratricidal struggle they
waged for nearly three years.
Meanwhile over all Spain lies the
shadow of Mussolini, his Italian ex-
peditionary force converted into a
virtual army of occupation. How
soon will the Spaniards, victors and
vanquished alike, feel and resent the
grip of this alien military force on
their motherland?
Spain's new Fascism brings with it
a new intense patriotism among
those who were General FRANCOIS
mainstays throughout the war-the
youthful Falangists. They are stirred
by a deep feeling for Spain, and have
done much already to destroy pre-
war provincialism. How long will
they tolerate Mussolini's legions?
In the world of economics Spain
must struggle to revive her COM
merce, agriculture and industry,
thrown completely out of joint by
the cataclysm. The recovery of for
eign markets for agricultural and
mineral products presents a special
Evening star., 1939-03-31
THIS AND THAT
BIZ Charles E. TrdceUell.

Modem phonograph records are works
Of art and should have the care COM
monty given such objects by persons Of
discrimination.
While 1t is neither possible nor desir-
able to disassociate what is in the grooves
from the records, it must always be kept
IN mind that the physical records, them
selves, demand the care, in the first place.
What is In the grooves will come out
with proper reproduction. provided the
discs are stored and handled carefully.
This mental approach is necessary,
first of all, because until one realizes the
worthwhileness of the records, them
selves, one will tend to be Indifferent to
their care, or entirely careless in
handling them.
The exact material of which modern
records are made Is trade secret, jeal-
ously guarded by manufacturers.
Since they are exceedingly heavy,
there is probably some truth in the re-
port that some makes have ground slate
as a basic material
It is not generally realized that mod
ern discs have an abrasive in the mix
so that every time record is played the
needle is ground down to fit the groove,
at least to some extent.
The grooves are about six one-thou-
sandth of an inch wide. 1t may be real
lied that this is pretty narrow, in an
everyday sense.
A little dust, grease or grit In such
small space may play havoc without the
listener being able to put his finger on
the exact trouble.
He may realize that something is
wrong, and then again he may not, for
the ear is not precision instrument,
after all.
Good care of good records is the best
way to insure real enjoyment of them,
not only now but in the future. A single
disc or an album holding several records
it makes no difference-it is proper care
which insures their cleanliness at all
times.
The best way to give this care is to
keep them in album or jacket. Permit
ting discs to lie around without some
sort Of covering is the great crime against
them, as works Of art, in which term
we mean both the music and actual
physical records.
In the old days of record collections,
people were very careless. in this respect.
Albums then were unknown. Paper
jackets got torn or lost. The discs were
placed on shelves, one atop the other,
scratching the faces and delicate
grooves.
Single records should be kept in jack
cts. If the paper jackets in which they
come are used, the records must be laid
fat, one on top of the next. preferably
in some sort of closed cabinet. Even
then some dust will collect on records
kept fiat.
The better way is to file them standing
on edge. If this method is used, thin
paper jackets are not good. Instead
Evening star., 1939-03-31
National Cancer Month

Next month has been set aside by
special act of Congress and by presi-
Dental proclamation as National
Cancer Month"
It will be observed chiefly by in
tensification of the educational CAM
paign-at present the most power
full weapon against the advances of
this dreaded scourge of humanity.
The war of research is being waged
along many fronts. Literally scores
of clues, all possessed of a certain
plausibility, are being explored.
More and more refined surgical,
X-ray and radium techniques are
being perfected. There are hopeful
announcements from the laboratories
from time to time. But the fact re-
mains that there has been no very
far-reaching new discovery. Basi-
cally the treatment of the malady in
its multiple forms remains about the
same as it was decade ago.
But, with no new techniques and
no new fundamental discoveries, it
can be held in check. The death rate
probably can be materially reduced
1t is necessary that the population
in general should be informed about
what can be done for the cancer VIC
tim, take advantages of the facilities
already available, and provide more
facilities of the same kind. Such is
the evangel which will be spread to
every corner of the United States
during April, chiefly through the ef-
forts of the Women's Field Army,
fighting force of the American So
ciety for Control of Cancer, which
has loyal units in nearly every Amer
ican community. It is holding the
trenches until overwhelming rein-
forcements from the research labora-
tories are conscripted and drilled for
the big push which may end the war.
Evening star., 1939-03-31

secure the green heavy jackets used in
stores. Most collectors do not realize
these may be purchased.
BY their use, single records may be
kept on edge. It is necessary, in this
method, to be sure the records are as
close together as may be, but still loose
enough to permit the removal"of rec
ord. The best way is to tilt the envelope
forward, then draw out the record, leav-
ing the envelope sticking out bit, so
that one sees where the disc IS to be
returned at glance. The envelope is
filed with the open end up.
X \ X
The use of albums, in cabinets built
to hold them, is the best way to keep
records. Albums are filed like books, the
tops being open, but 1t is an amazing
thing that very little dust manages to
get in, after all. This is because the
albums are kept pressed up against each
other. Since there often is some tend
ency for the back and front Of the
album to warp, it is well to try to pre-
vent this by three methods:
l. Place a piece of proper sized card
board in the front Of the album, which
has been made bit large in order to
insure records going in easily.
2. Place soft rubber band around the
album, top and bottom. This band should
be stretchy, just enough pressure to help
prevent the natural bowling. Sometimes
at least two are needed. Careful in
spection Of the album from every view
point will show just where to place them.
g. Place albums in the case side by
side, close enough to touch. Careless
placing, and especially placing them too
loosely, will permit them to warp out
of shape.
Albums with flexible covers are new
idea which seems to be good one. In
keeping them side by side, they should
be kept pressed close together.
II X X
In handling the records, the top or
open end of the album should be to the
right, and the individual record drawn
out with the right hand.
The records are grasped with the mid
die finger beneath the center the thumb
pressing against the edge. little ex-
perience enables this balance to be
secured easily, without a finger touch
ing the grooves.
All records should be busted freely
with a clean linen handkerchief on pur-
chase, and again busted before and after
each playing.
Lack of this care tends to pack the
grooves with debris so that the repro
duction in time becomes dulled.
In homes with dogs and CATS special
care must be taken to wipe off flying
hairs, as the record material seems to
draw them like magnet.
Always wipe records before and after
playing, especially afterwards; handle
them gently but carefully; restore them
Immediately to their jacket or album.
Such care insures their proper play
ing, at the same time it makes sure
they receive the homage due them as
modern works of art.
Evening star., 1939-03-31
SAYS We Owe Germans
Debt Of Gratitude.
To the Editor of The Star:

To the Editor Of The Star:
AS constant reader Of The Star for
some go years and appreciator OF the ex-
cellent articles therein by Constantine
Brown and Jay Franklin, I would be
pleased If you would publish this letter
inviting attention to facts showing our
Indebtedness tor former aid given this
country by Germany to help mitigate
some of the prevailing ill-feeling against
that country. A recent historic review of
the relations between the United States
and Germany, with analysis OF the posi-
ton taken by the European powers dur
ing the American Civil War by Count
Stolberg, shows how divergent the Ger
man standpoint was from that of the
European states interested in American
disunion. AS the processes of war took
their course, German men, money and
materials were supplied to the Union.
Turned down in London as we'll as in
Paris Stolberg and Prof. Correll of Ma
tional University state, the commits
sioners Of the Union successfully placed
their loans in the German Fatherland.
where "emphatically the great masses of
the people took several hundred millions
of our loan" The enthusiastic German
investments in the victory of the Union
resulted In large gains. Our American
historian, Motley, states that national
democracy strove for consolidation in the
form Of larger German Reich. The
soothing political atmosphere of the
Motley, Bancroft, Bismarck and Schurz
epoch in German American history was
evident until the launching of the trag-
edy of the World War. The greatest debt
of all we owe, however, is to those Ger
mans who came to this country to settle
here to obtain greater individual liberty,
opportunities and elbow room, and whose
fine stock, culture and skill in art served
as powerful leaven to enhance our civil
ization. This is particularly true of those
who came in the years 1849-74. To them
and their offspring, and those Ameri-
cans who had studied In the great Ger
man universities, conservatories or min
ing schools, Is due most of the early
progress made here in metallurgy, chem
istry, mining, optics, linotyping, paper
making, entomology and many other arts
and sciences. TITUS ULKE, Phi. D.
March 20.
Evening star., 1939-03-31
New Controller General

The nomination of former Senator
Fred H. Brown of New Hampshire to
be controller general apparently
marks the end of President Roose-
velt's efforts to abolish an office
that was decidedly unpopular over
the tWelve-year Republican regime
in which it was born, and has been
particularly distasteful to this ad-
ministration.
Undoubtedly, Mr.. Brown, although
defeated for reelection last year, will
be confirmed, so interest attaches to
the extent to which his policies are
likely to conform to or depart from
those of his predecessors. The best
guess is that, essentially, little change
is to be expected, despite Mr.. Browns
support in the Senate of the Roose-
velt reorganization bill which would
have done away with the post for
which he now has been named.
The controller general, an agent of
Congress, can exercise wide range
of discrimination in deciding cases
which are subject to individual judg-
ment rather than a clear-cut statu-
tory guidepost, but that judgment,
to be honest, must take into consid-
GRAFTON every factor that might have
bearing. Where fundamentals are
involved in expenditures the only
proper course is strict adherence to
the law. Right there is where the
controller general so often collides
with an executive agency, but he has
no other alternative.
This very point was the subject Of
Illuminating comment in work pub
lished recently by Professor Harvey
c. Mansfield of Yale, vigorous critic
of the machinery of the General Ac-
counting Office, in discussing the re-
quirements the agency imposes on
Evening star., 1939-03-31
Ten 'Desirubies'

Senate Majority Leader Barkley's
selection of ten desirable" legisla-
tive objectives of the present session
of Congress occasions almost as much
surprise and disagreement as the an
nual choice of an all-American foot
ball team. And to continue the paral-
lei, greater disagreement arises over
the omissions than over the selec-
tionS.
For instance, it seems not only sur
prising but contrary to widespread
demand and to very considerable
sentiment within Congress that the
administration might seek to effect
adjournment of this session without
review of the labor relations law, the
wage and hour law and the present
corporate tax structure.
For the first of these there are
already pending several considered
and comprehensive proposals with a
date set for their public discussion
before the Senate Labor Committee.
In preparation, also, is report by
the Labor Board itself on it's views
toward revision of the act. And in
the background is the record of near
ly four years of experience under the
present law, much of which may be
considered impelling reason for Ger
tain changes
With hearings scheduled for early
April and all interested parties pre-
pared to present their full views
without delay, the majority leader
cannot Justify any arbitrary decision
at this time which might prevent the
present session of Congress from act
ing on the information thus pre-
sented
Comparable circumstances are
found in regard to tax revision with
the Treasury already preparing ma
terial on corporate levies for Chair
men Harrison and Doughton of the
congressional tax committees, and
leading administration spokesmen
already on public record in favor of
examination of such as are consid-
cred obstacles to business recovery.
In this connection, it is noted with
satisfaction that Senator Barkley IA
vors immediate congressional action
to freeze social security pay roll taxes
at their present level for an addi-
tional three years and to extend
legislative approval to reciprocal tax
alton of State and Federal salaries.
It is easy to agree that both are ode
sirable."
AS for the wage and hour law, it
would seem that the very fact that
its administrator, Mr. Andrews, has
asked for legislative clarifcation of
certain troublesome provisions is
adequate reason for the administra-
ton leadership to support his posi-
ton. In this instance, in fact, pro-
posals which might logically be con-
sidered administration amendments,
since they were prepared and intro
duced by Chairman Norton Of the
House Labor Committee after con-
sultation with Mr. Andrews, already
are awaiting action.
None of these three major issues,
1t may be added, would require
more time for intelligent consider
alton than some of Senator Bark
ley's preferred list And even if they
should It is difficult to see why Con-
gress must leave the air-cooled Cap
itol by June 30.
Evening star., 1939-03-31
Reader Fears Bankruptcy
And Dictatorship.
To the Editor of The Star:

Why is this country so backward in
recovering from the depression? There
have been other depressions which ad-
justed themselves and for which no one
could claim credit. Spending money
borrowed from the banks, on which de-
positors are taxed for the interest, has
not done it. The years between 1920 and
1923 were the brightest years of our life;
and why did\we employ ontried methods
to do our bidding? Instead Of sticking
close to the middle of the road, as on
former occasions, we went so far to the
left that it will require as many years to
get back, and those who were responsible
are afraid to turn back for fear of
being called reactionaries. What then?
Bankruptcy, deflation and the overthrow
of our present form Of Government, Just
because our present would-be dictator is
playing politics at the expense of tax
payers.
March q. FRIsBEY GILBERT.
Evening star., 1939-03-31
District Fireman Den0unces
False Alarm Bugs"

Being fireman, I have been very
much interested in the case of two of my
fireman friends who have suffered IN
juries through the pulling of false fire
alarm. One week ago tonight 1t. John
c. Stein and Pvt. Moore, both attached
to No. 6 Engine Company, were injured
at Fourth and G streets NV, when the
hose wagon was struck by street car
while responding to a false alarm
pulled at Fourth and E streets NV.
Pvt. Moore has just left the hospital, and
1t. Stein is still there and will be there
If (and lay emphasis on the if he gets
we'll, for period of eight or more weeks
as he has suffered a fractured hip,
fractured pelvis, a fractured vertebra
internal injuries, etc. called today TO
see my friend, who lay on a fracture
board with weights attached to his legs
He is receiving the loving care of his
family and his doctor and nurse of
course. Also he is being watched and
called on by our Chief Stephen T. Porter,
but, what have the police done about
catching the man who pulled the box.
One man was captured by citizen the
very next morning pulling fire box at
Nineteenth and r streets NV. This fire
box was pulled just a few hours after
the false alarm at Fourth and E streets
NV. and the defendant stated he didn't
remember having pulled the box as he
was drunk. He was taken to court and
on. Ehis statement he was turned loose.
Shame I say on such procedure. Was
any investigation made to ascertain If
this same man pulled the box at Fourth
and E streets? The mans wife said he
is the sole support of her and their child,
so he was given suspended sentence
and let go. That may encourage others
to pull more boxes, thereby putting us
in the hospital and perhaps sending Us
to our deaths. 1t can happen as it did
to our late Sergt Vernon c. Richardson
on March 10, 1887. On January "a, 1896
two young men pulled 20 false alarms.
They were caught by a newspaper man
and turned over to the police and when
the case was brought before Judge Hit
he nolle pressed ~ charges, took per-
sonal bond in one case and imposed q
suspended sentence In the other case.
It is interesting to recall that the of1cial
court papers in this case were found TO
bear the notation: Senator Davis inter-
ested." Now comes a Government CLERK,
earning his money from the same source
that we are and says, II must have been
drunk" Why not make him call on the
injured fireman and see the damage
that false alarms can do? We ask lor
tustice-send this man back where he
came from. Our 1t. Stein has been in
the Fire Department "a years without
black mark against him and now he lies
on hts back and will stay there for weeks.
Maybe he will never walk without cane
or crutch. I ask the support Of The
Evening Star to help us get rid of these
inhuman false alarm" bugs.
March 20. "A FIREMAN."
Evening star., 1939-03-31

the operations of executive estab-
lishments, because Of the Budget and
Accounting Act.
"The wasteful way Is too often the
only legal way" he said.
And it might be remarked in pass
ing that in his new role, Mr.. Brown,
an old-time big league ball player,
will come to a fuller appreciation Of
the position of the umpire who has
to call close ones against the home
club,