davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1939-02-02
On Tax Rates

It is a simple problem in figures
which Director Marshall has placed
before the House in his recommends
ton that the District unemployment
compensation tax rate be adjusted
downward.
For by all the measures OF expert
ence thus far the maximum need is
considerably below the income now
resulting from a fixed charge of 3.3
per cent against the pay rolls covered.
For instance, in 1888 the board COL
lected approximately $6,50O,000 from
$4,000 employers, while the compen-
sation demands of $4,000 employees
totaled less than $1,675,OO0.
With its non-industrial and rela-
lively stable employment conditions,
and as long as present benefit and
eligibility standards operate here,
the District compensation load is un-
likely to run appreciably higher than
that recorded in 1898, a subnormal
year in part. Obviously, therefore,
an annual income of more than
100000 is not in the least essential
by way of preserving the solvency
of fund on which the demands
annually run below 100000.
And even if some experimenting
might be done with extending the
duration OF benefits or increasing
their weekly total, although the Dis
trict scale already stands with the
best found in any State, there is a
more than ample margin by which
part Of this tax load might be re-
moved. Such action, in fact, might
prove an employer stimulant which
would serve to increase employment.
The Congress owes it to the District
to study this problem most carefully
and to give due weight to the recon-
mendations Of Mr.. Marshall.
Evening star., 1939-02-02
THIS AND THAT
By Charles E. Trace,peH.

as little south as they can, 30 long as
they find food.
That is how we happen to have them
nereabouts.
One Of their charms, undoubtedly, is
!. that there are not so many of them.
But happily they always show up when
snow is on the ground.
It is no wonder they are called snow
BIRDS
The pinkish bill, the clear slate color
Of the back, the very light gray chest,
and the white In tail and edge of wings,
in flying, combine to make this one OF
the prettiest birds which will come to q
feeding station in this section.
They rather prefer to find their seeds
in the grass and in shrubbery and on
old annual plants which have been per-
mitted to "stay put" during the cold.
This is one of the best reasons for not
being too scrupulous about cleaning up
the yard in the fall.
The mania for tidiness has its good
points, but there is also something to be
said for allowing fence corners and the
garden in general to have last seasons
growth in them. Even the inimical in
sects which these growths may harbor
offer food supplies to the birds which
winter with us.
Thickets are vastly attractive to many
forms of bird life, including the beautiful
bluebird. Last year this column carried
a letter from bird friend living near
such an undisturbed growth, and he
informed us with no little pride that he
had several pairs of bluebirds all winter.
Surely this is something to think about,
If one loves the birds. Most of us count
ourselves fortunate If we get even
q glimpse Of bluebirds in March.
The official length of the junco is
given as inches. but he is so chubby
and busting that he seems much smaller.
If there is what we call herd Of Eng
ish sparrows at the feeding station,
sometimes half dozen snowbirds will
mix in with them so that they remain
undetected for some time, unless the
watcher is very close observer, indeed.
The moment one gets off by itself, it
is easy to see that it is no ordinary SPAR
row, as, in truth, 1t is not.
Here is member of the family which
wins the hearts of all, and by that mis-
sionary service tends to help gain greater
credit for its lesser cousins, the English
variety.
1t must not be forgotten that English
sparrows too, eat weed seeds, and if this
is esteemed merit in the prettier snow
bird, it also is meritorious act on the
part of the English sparrow
What is weed seed to junco is a
weed seed to an English sparrow, too
The latter also eats insects, but to a
lesser extent than most members OF the
great finch family.
Evening star., 1939-02-02

naming on the outside because It
has not been possible in eight months
to devise a satisfactory plan for
bringing them into the civil service
structure.
This continued exclusion is intend
ed to be only temporary, and Presi-
dent Roosevelt has appointed an
emipent committee to join with the
Civil Service Commission In seeking
to smooth the difficulties that have
made for delay, explaining that
the exceptions will be terminated
"as soon as the committee works
out adequate methods for the selec-
tion and promotion of the personnel
for such positions" However, the
vigorous fight that has been waged
by some agencies to retain their ap-
pointive power, unhampered by civil
service requirements, is factor that
undoubtedly has figured largely in
the stalemate, and one that is not
designed to facilitate the commit
tees laborS.
In the meantime, the President
also is encountering trouble from
Congress, where civil service has been
denied $4,000 employees paid from re-
lief funds, on the ground that 1t Is
desired to get away from any idea
of permanency for this class. Sub
sequent action on personnel items
will show whether this is a reason
in good faith Or only an excuse for
baking the Presidents efforts to
cut down on patronage.
The program outlined in President
Roosevelt's complementary orders OF
June "a gave promise of new era for
a badly battered civil service. In
all fairness, it can be said. there is
little yet to justify these hopes.
Evening star., 1939-02-02
X-:Ruy Eyes

Nineteen-year-old Tatiana Kariti-
dou Of the farm village Of Idomeni
Greece, is a remarkable young lady
She has X-ray eyes. Every now and
then she can see through brick walls
and the covers of books. She has
located missing money, and can even
see through human bodies. It is
not unusual for girl to be able to
see through man, particularly If
she happens to be married to him,
but Tatiana has the ability far be-
yond the widest dreams of woman
kind, and Athenian politicians are
said to be getting up a subscription
to keep her down on the farm and
away from Athens.
1t Is feared indeed that Miss
Karitidou will remain single indefi-
nitely. Perhaps in the days of
ancient Greece Achilles and other
ardent swains wouldn't mind getting
betrothed to damsels who could peer
into their brains and see the images
Of Circassian blonds, or peek into
their pocketbooks and tell to the last
obolus just how many drachmai they
had left from pay day. 1t was an
age famed for heroism and a devil
may-care spirit-but it has vanished.
Along about the Middle Ages the
guilty conscience was invented, a
plague which has gradually spread
until now there scarcely breathes a
husband who isn't afflicted with it
periodically in greater or less de-
gree. Not that there is any real
danger Of race suicide. It is con-
fidently expected that matrimony
will still continue to be a popular
pastime as long as the modern
young man feels that he has an even
chance of keeping few things secret.
But he wouldn't care to stroll up the
aisle with a bride who could turn a
cold penetrating glance on him and
see right through to his bones. It
would be too much like walking up
to the plate with two automatic
strikes on him.
Evening star., 1939-02-02
Uniustified DeIuy

ABOUT the middle OF October public
attention began to be called to the
large proportion of pedestrians
in the list of Washington's traffic
fatalities. On the twenty-second of
that month news story in The Star
quoted Traffic Director Van Duzer
and Assistant Director Eldridge, and
called attention to the fact that reg
ulation of pedestrian traffic often
had been proposed, but always was
tabled. The following day Commis-
sioner Hazen said: I'VE will have
to adopt pedestrian control rule if
the pedestrians insist on allowing
themselves to be killed" And Com
missioner McCoach stated: "The
pedestrian should be protected
against himself and against the care
less motorist." The next day Major
Brown said a control regulation
would aid materially in reducing the
death toll.
On October Is the Commits
sioners announced they would hold
public hearing on the problem,
and Colonel McCoach ordered various
officials to make special study Of
the need of control. The plan was
indorsed within few days by the
president of the Washington Tax
payers Association; the American
Automobile Association, which made
public a survey showing the Capital
tagging in safety; and the Traffic
Committee of the Board of Trade,
which joined in the demand for
action. On the thirtieth the Com
missioners called meeting of Of
f1cials to consider the matter, and on
November 1 Mr.. Van Duzer under
took survey in preparation for
drawing up a proposed regulation.
Within a week the Federation Of
Citizens Associations and the Com
missioners' Special Advisory Commit
tee on Traffic Safety indorsed the
plan in one form or another. BY
November 13, thirteen citizens asso-
Citations had Endorsed control, and
two had opposed it. The Keystone
Automobile Clubs Advisory Board
recommended it on the sixteenth.
On December S, the Commissioners
conferred with the Traffic Advisory
Council and the next day sent the
draft of two proposed regulations to
the citizens associations. On the
seventeenth, Mr.. Van Duzer COM
pleted the studies he had begun on
November /.
The public hearing was held De-
cember 20 and Mr.. Hazen said: "The
Commissioners will be largely influ-
enced by what the citizens want" ."
Evening star., 1939-02-02
TH1RTY-FoURTH STREET.

"Dear Sir-I have enjoyed your COL
umn tn The Star for number of years,
in fact your articles started my interest
in bird life, and what a source Of pleasure
1t has been.
"Will you please help me identify q
newcomer to our bird-feeding station?
He strongly resembles the sparrow
except that he is very dark gray with
a light-colored beak and when in flight
quite bit of white shows In the wing
and tail feathers.
Sincerely yours, N. G. S."
The bird at the feeder was the famous
junco, or snowbird.
He is one of the most common SPAR
rows of America, and perhaps the best
loved.
He belongs to the great finch family,
which includes such charmers as the
grosbeak, the little goldfinches, or wild
canaries, and all our sparrows, including
such altogether good ones as the white
throated and the song sparrows.
The junco seen around here is the
slate-colored, Junco hyenaalis, more wide
ly known as snowbird, although in recent
years the use of junco has become more
common among all classes of bird friends.
The word probably comes from the Latin
for seed, juncus.
Investigation has shown that on an
average so per cent of the .junco's food
is weed seed.
The remainder is mostly inimical
insects.
So it may be realized that there is no
finer bird to have around than the
junco. Usually he is accompanied by
half dozen or dozen, or even more,
of his friends and relatives.
The pictures they make in a yard is
altogether pleasing, but it must never be
forgotten that they are doing more than
just afford sight for the eyes. They are
eating weed seeds.
They prefer them!
This makes the snowbirds doubly well
come everywhere. Ornithologists tell us
that there is positively no species which
deserves rigid protection more than the
junco.
+
Some Of the common names of this
fine little creature are snowbird, black
snowbird, white bill, black chipping bird
common snowbird slate-colored snow
bird, blue snowbird and Eastern snow
bird
1t breeds in the mountainous regions
OF Pennsylvania, New York, Massachu-
sets, in Michigan. and as far north as
Labrador
In winter 1t migrates as far south as
Florida and Texas and as far west as
Arizona and California.
Mostly the junco makes no such long
flight, however; he and she prefer to go
Evening star., 1939-02-02

Catalonia outside factors are responsible.
However, cannot agree with your state.
ment that France alone can be blamed.
Great Britain and the United States
must bear equal responsibility for what
you correctly describe as "one Of the
most tragic dramas this generation has
witnessed" The present British govern.
ment was the instigator and constant
mentor Of "non-intervention" and the
United States Congress was responsible
for the embargo.
Let US wipe that act from our statute
books. Let us point out the role of
other countries in this tragic drama.
but let us at the same time correctly
analyze our own country's role. Let IN
call on the President and Congress to
lift the embargo at once One-third of
Spain is still democracy and more
than million men are still fighting to
defend democracy. Let us not put oh.
stacles In their way.
January 81. MARVEL KELLER.
Evening star., 1939-02-02
Civil Service Reform

President Roosevelt's ambitious
civil service reform program has gone
into a state of suspended animation,
and there is too much danger that
this form Of catalepsy will be pro-
tracted.
An advance for the principle of
the merit system is represented by
the forty-f1ve thousand positions
that are being covered in right now,
but any satisfaction on this account
must be tempered by the fact that
all the upper bracket berths are re-
Evening star., 1939-02-02
Editorial on G0ldsborough
Appointment Approved.
To the Editor of The Star.

l am heartily in accord with your edi-
torlal in the January "a issue of The Star
concerning the appointment of Repre-
sentative Goldsborough of Maryland to
the local bench. To me your comments
are not Shocking" but on the contrary
perfectly logical.
This appointment is not, in my opin-
ion, good one Without casting any
reflection upon Mr.. Goldsborough's rare
dignity" and magnetic personality"
think that the people of this District are
entitled to better appointment than
that OF a 62-year-old gentleman who
will reach the retirement age in eight
years, and who has spent the past fif-
teen years in Congress. The job of trial
justice in this District is one which would
tax even younger man, a local prac-
titioner, who has been in daily contact
with the legal problems peculiar to this
jurisdiction. There are many local law
yers whose qualifications far exceed
those OF Mr.. Goldsborough.
Lest be thought prejudiced, let me
hasten to add that I think that Mr..
Roosevelt's recent appointment of an
other Marylander, Mr.. Justice Laws of
Montgomery County, was an excellent
one. Mr.. Laws is a man in his forties,
an active practitioner before the local
courts right up to his appointment,
man fully familiar with local practice
and procedure, and a lawyer rather
than politician.
I think, having in mind Mr.. Roose-
velt's reception on the Eastern Shore
and Mr.. Goldsboroughs part in that re-
ception, as we'll as Mr.. Goldsborough's
age and the Presidents outspoken dis
like of gray-hairs on the bench, that the
inference is perfectly legitimate that
MIR. Goldsborough has been rewarded"
by making him Gods gift to a helpless
District bar and citizenry.
There is absolutely no evidence that,
as in the cases Of Justices Cardozo and
Frankfurter, Mr.. Goldsborough was
chosen for any renowned legal ability.
January 20. ROBERT l.. MOTT.
Evening star., 1939-02-02
NaZi-Fascist Combine Is
Against Democracies,
TO the Editor Of The Star:

10 the Editor OF The Star:
On January % Gen. Molesworth, Brit
ish Army officer at London, said: Even
II Barcelona falls-which is by no means
certain-the war will continue in Central
Spain and may last another 3, 4 or S
years."
Domingo Torres, Mayor of Valencia,
who will remain in this country until
February 10, declared yesterday: "The
war will 60 on. We still have IA very
important provinces and about $4,000, 900
people in our government territory" He
then recalled that Fascist troops were
already in the street of Madrid in 1886.
Subsequently they were not only driven
out but subjected to crushing defeat.
The fall of Barcelona did not bring
the desired results to Fascists. The main
Republican army withdrew in good
order and Frances desire to slaughter
about 100000 Communists" was not full
filled.
Furthermore, the fall of Barcelona
brought on new phase of the interna-
tional situation. Methinks we'll see some
real fighting now. The italian offensive
against Barcelona, which cost Mussolini
over 81 ,000, 100000, was the elimination
of the first stage of the Italian war
against France which has already broken
out.
1t is true that Italy would rather resort
to the Munich method: To frighten
France by threats and actual moves, to
create a real eve-of war atmosphere and
then, with the assistance of Chamber
lain's friendly assistance" to save
peace" receive the required concessions
from France.
But Mussolini is also moving heaven
and earth to prepare Italy for q quick,
deadly thrust at France.
January ~. GODFREY MONROE.
Evening star., 1939-02-02

undermining the zoning laws and the
attitude expressed by the chairman of
the park commission toward prosecu-
ton of violations are wholly commend
able. 1t is regrettable, however, that
some political leaders have seen fit, for
reasons of their own, to take a contrary
view by misrepresenting the situation
and attempting to confuse the public.
FREDERIC P. LEE.
Bethesda, Md.
January q.
Evening star., 1939-02-02
Shooting Stors
BY PHILANDER JOHNSON.

Cagey.
Mistah Groun' Hog layin' low
Somewheres yonder in de snow.
Hasn't got a thing to say
Till it comes dat special day,
When he sort O. bats his eye
An starts in to prophesy.
Jes' looks wise an makes a guess,
Lets de climate do de res.
I knows people, not a few,
Must O. learnt heap firm you.
Keepin' still till folks 'ud blink
And exclaim: "Jes' see him think"
Never talked exceptin' when
Dey was bliged to, now an then.
Mistah Groun' Hog wifi your tricks,
You should be in politics!
Evening star., 1939-02-02

Mrs. Woodrow Wilson, in her inter-
esting serial entitled "As I Saw It."
speaking of the 1916 elections, says,
While the masses seemed to be for
my husband, there was so much
money in the hands of the Repub-
icans." Maybe then; they do not
seem to have it now.
Evening star., 1939-02-02

There is nothing that is really less
funny, yet sounds funnier when told
in detail, 'than the Nazi espionage
system.
Evening star., 1939-02-02
Easier to Find.

do you think an airplane would be
safer than the ordinary means of explor-
ing the Arctic regions?"
Much safer" answered the man who
has not yet been driven air-minded, 1T
would be likely to crack up before the
party got as far as usual from civiliza-
ton"
Evening star., 1939-02-02
Man Named Harvey Was
Lincoln's Undertaken.

Frank P. Sands was not Lincolii's un-
dertaker. He was certain Harvey,
whose widow used to come to our house
in 1883. John Wilkes Booth and yours
truly" had the same haunts and ac-
quaintances but not at the same time.
February. CORDELIA JACKSON.
Evening star., 1939-02-02
Soneday.

know the rose will bloom again
know the butterfly
Will flaunt once more across the plain
His beauties to mine eye.
know this world in springtimes glow
This mien severe will doff,
But ere that time what tons of snow
Well have to shovel of!
Evening star., 1939-02-02
Letters to The Star

Letters to the Editor must
bear the name and address of
the 1Driter, although the use of
a pseudonyna for publication is
permissible. Please be brief!
Evening star., 1939-02-02
HOunded.

This is the program of success
It should be otherwise
You win your millions more or less
And then apologize.
Evening star., 1939-02-02
His DUTY.

"Have you ever tried to convince your
constituents that you were another
Daniel Webster?"
"No," answered Senate" Sorghum,
what my constituents want is appropri-
ations, not literature"
Evening star., 1939-02-02

IF had stahted out in de fus' place"
said Uncle Eben, "takin' all de good
advice I passed around, reckin' I'd
soon have been KEEP toa busy to think
up any mo-"
Evening star., 1939-02-02

''The man that is constantly complain
ing" said Hi Ho, the sage of Chinatown,
generally sounds like he was apologizing
for not having had better sense"
Evening star., 1939-02-02

TI01CC V18LQICU 1NVG
Alone to Blame.
To the Editor Of The Star:
want to commend you for your edi-
torial on Loyalist Spain, for your SYM
pathy for that war-torn country and for
your Implication that for the fate Of
Evening star., 1939-02-02

@. When was the first pension law
passed in this country?-V w. B.
A. The first pension act enacted by
Congress was passed March 1s, 1918.
1t granted officers $40 month and pri-
Yates So month during life, provided
they served nine months or more in the
Continental Army or Navy or to the end
of the Revolutionary War and could
prove the need Of money.
Evening star., 1939-02-02

@. Where is the Solo River?-T.
A. 1t is in Surakarta. state in South
Central Java, Netherlands Indies.
Evening star., 1939-02-02

The Evening Star Newspaper Company
Main once: 18th St end Pennsyvania Av'a
New Yor'; Office: 10 East 42nd 81.
Chicago Ofdce: 435 North Michigan Ave.
Evening star., 1939-02-02

Night Final and Sunday Star 95c per month
Night Final Star ------ soc per month
Collection made at the end Of each month or
each week Orders may be sent By mail or tele-
phone National 5000
Evening star., 1939-01-05
Lingerie, Robes

Gowns, Slips, Pajamas, silk and
rayon satin, soiled. Were 1895.
81 Rayon Robes. Were $l.99
$2.o5 -------
Gowns, Slips, indies Of silk &
Rayon satin, rayon crepe. O0c
Were $1.69 to $1.95
Slips of Rayon and Silk and
Rayon Satin.- Were $1.O0 6Oc
and $1.09.-
Gowns and Pajamas eeS 00
Of rayon. Were $7.95-
-28 Robes Of wool,\
.sysn, "a cotton; tor =. Were $2.99
w. w.. !,;ss S;,sn Robes $7.99
IA Rayon Robes. O. 90
Were 410.o6--------
KAnn1-6econd Floor.
Evening star., 1939-01-05
Gloves

81 Prs. White Glace Kids, 5A
to 6%; 40 Prs. Copper Suede and
Capeskins, ga to IN; II Prs.
Wool Knit Lined Brown Cape
skins; FL Prs. Children's Beige
Capeskins, / to 3. All orig. OSc
$1.98
81 Prs. Brown Suede Pullons,
Z. 7h. and II Prs. Black or Navy
Upper Capeskins, 5A to III, were
$1.98; 20 Prs. Black Almonized
Beauty Skin Leathers, 5A QSc
and 6, were $2.95--
Kann's-Street Floor.
Evening star., 1939-01-05
Sz<2S24 First
Domestics

Il Colored Border Cotton Sheet
Sets, 8lx99 sheet and 2 pillow
cases. Soiled. Were CT m
81 80 ----
. Rayon Satin Sprea ds,
green; gre oG double Were $6.@
Ill Bates Rayon JAG
guard Spreads. Were ~7 90
$l.9S
200 yds. Unbleached Cot O.
ton. SO in. Was 1212c yd.
-1S Rayon Satin Spreads, were
$6.98; 3 Paisley Print
R. s.sen 20 Spreads were $500
Kann's-Street Floor.
Evening star., 1939-01-05

Enamelware, Aluminumware,
Radiator Shields, Vegetable Bins,
Bread Boxes, Dish Pans, Hamp-
ers, Etc. As is less - Price
100 Old English Floor Mops,
were 75c; 49 White Enamel Re-
frigerator Pans, were 69c; So
Inch White Table Oil COc
Cloth, was 49c yd.--
800 Rolls Green or Rose Tinted
Toilet TISSUE was 25for$l
Ia Padded Ironing Ia QQc
bles. As is. Were $1.39---
-19 G. E. Padded Ironing Boards;
Is Cake Covers and Trays; 50
O'Cedar Reversible Floor SOc
Mops, Were $1-
10 Closed-Top Metal
Vegetable Bins. AS is. 7Sc
Were $1.29. Now-
-27 Clothes Baskets, soiled, were
7sc; 6 Portable Baking 1Oc
Ovens, were s1
-Oilcloth Edging. Was 10c. 90
YQ.
. Combinations 2-Burner Heat
er and Cooker. Was S9.98
$22.50 -
Il Clothes Hamper, as is, was
s4.98; 50 Oil Silk Shower Bath
Curtain and Drape Sl.88
Sets, were $398
100 Ivory Enamel 2 1Qc
ct. Sauce Pans. Were 35c NV
300 Cakes Swift's Borax Laun-
dry Soap IL cakes 29c
Kann's-Third Floor.
Blankets, etc.
4 Plaid Blankets
(25To wooD, 72xS4. &2 90
Were S5.95
200 Yds. Striped Cotton Out
ing Flannel. se-in. 721Ac
Was 19c. Yd. -- ~
Ia White Cotton Blanket
Sheets. 70x90. Were SOc
$1.00
$50 Yds. Cotton Bath
Robing, 36-in. Was ACC 2Oc
va. ---------------
8 Wool Blankets,
soiled. 70x80. Were CO 20
Kann's-Street Floor
Corsets
81 Odd size Corsets, cotton,
rayon, lastex. Original &7 20
" $500 to $5.OO-
-4s Girdles, lastex, cotton, rayon.
Originally $3.50 to @7 20
$5.00-------
Table Lot Girdles. Panties
Corsettes, cotton, lastex. 0lc
Orig. S159 to $3-----
Kann's-Sesond Floor.
Trimmings
Odd lot Two-Pc. Buckles, Clips
and Dress Ornaments. IT,
Were 29c to 48c--
Odd lot Belt Slides. 77c
Were 19c to &c.,
Kann's-Street Floor.
Evening star., 1939-01-05
Leather Goods

100 Imitation Leather Bags,
81 irregulars; rs Rayon
Velvet Evening Bags, were EOo
.ss :, IS .sath., .ss :s Bags Orig 98c
-25 Leather Bags, @1 90
shopworn. Orig. So
10 Leather Bags, shop @C
worn. Orig. $3.95 and $5-- ~~
- Fitted Leather @C En
Cases. Orig. IS. A. Is ~
KAnuIs-Street Floor,