davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1939-04-14
Business announcement

d, The expressed hope of Secretary
of Commerce Hopkins that creation
of an undersecretaryship in his de-
partment and the filling of that post
by an experienced and aggressive
man of business will further imple-
ment the program of industrial stim-
ulation is shared to the fullest by
those more concerned with the Ma
tion's economic health than with its
politics.
For with full acknowledgment to
the services of the Commerce De-
partment in past years it must still
be felt that its potentialities in the
way of assistance to business were
always greater than its achievements.
And when the present administra-
ton in the midst of its talk of stim-
ulating industry placed the energetic
Mr.. Hopkins in the departments top
spot there were logical grounds for
believing some revitalizing was con-
templated. The placing of Edward
J.. Noble, Republican and business
executive, in what is to be new ex-
ecutive position within the agency
Evening star., 1939-04-14
Expanding British Frontier

The decision of Great Britain and
France to extend their guarantees OF
assistance against totalitarian ag-
gression to Rumania and Greece,
provided those countries should de-
eide to fight in their own defense,
marks a highly important advance
in the stop Hitler" movement. In
announcing these new guarantees,
Mr.. Chamberlain and M. Daladier
said other interested nations, includ-
ing Turkey, had been apprised OF
the step.
From this it may be supposed
there is reasonable ground for the
expectation that Turkey will join
hands with the powers in Western
and Eastern Europe in what is
rapidly shaping up as a desperate
last-minute effort to set up new
European balance of power in which
military superiority definitely will lie
with the axis opponents.
Whether in fact a preponderance
of military power does lie with the
European democracies and their
allies may be debatable question,
but there can be no doubt that
Britain and France have charted a
course from which they cannot now
depart without bringing certain dis
aster down on their own heads.
This fact must be clearly under
stood in Rome and Berlin. If Hitler
or Mussolini should decide to strike
at Poland, Greece or Rumania, or
should serious attempt be made to
upset the status quo in the Mediter-
ranean, major war will be the
probable consequence. Even with
the present defensive alignment
in Europe it is highly doubtful that
Hitler or his Italian ally will risk a
war. Their chances of emerging VIC
torious would not be bright, and if
Turkey and Russia, too, should def
nitely line up with the anti-totalita-
rian states, the prospect of a Hitler
Mussolini triumph would be remote
indeed.
There is still one other important
factor which must be considered by
the people of this country. That
involves the role which the United
States can and should play in the
impending showdown. A clear and
unequivocal declaration of policy to
the effect that this country's re-
sources in event Of war will be made
available to the victims of aggres-
sion and withheld from the ag-
gressors would act as powerful
deterrent on both Germany and
Italy. We should decide now, while
revision of our neutrality law is
pending, whether we are willing to
make that contribution to mainte-
nance OF peace
Evening star., 1939-04-14
Civil Service Bill

The Ramspeck bill to extend civil
service to 25O,0O0 exempt positions
should be put on the congressional
must" list for passage at this ses-
sion.
This legislation, covering employ
ment exempt by law from classical
ton, would complement President
Roosevelt's plan to bring in other
positions whose status may be fixed
by executive order, and, as is evident,
is absolutely necessary to round out
the improved personnel program on
which the administration is working.
Organized employees and the Civil
Service Reform League emphasized
the Importance of the measure be-
fore the House Civil Service Com
mittee which shortly will report it
out, and chances for passage should
not be periled by the fight that Re-
publicans have announced will be
waged to require competitive rather
than non-competitive examinations
for those persons affected by it's pro-
visions.
The principle of competition is
right, but as a practical matter it
cannot be invoked for thousands of
positions in going agencies. The
policy under which these groups
were set up outside of civil service
and many of them antedate the New
Deals wrong, but that is water
over the dam. The only question
now is whether it IS to be ended
with the wiping out of excepted
classes, or whether the way is to be
left open for its perpetuation by
failure to legislate.
There is but one proper answer to
that question.
Evening star., 1939-04-14
In the Spring

In the spring young mans fancy
lightly turns to love, and it has just
been shown that even burglars are
not immune to the influence. Joseph
Perez, practicing burglar of New
York, had ingeniously worked out a
special technique, calling for entry
into the victims bedroom, tickling
the toes of the slumbering occupant
to secure attention, and then po-
litely breaking the bad news in order
to get assistance in his search for
cash. Failing to take into account
the insidious influence of spring, he
made what was intended for strict
ly professional call on a hospital
nurse. He had just completed the
toe-tickling stage of his program
when the nurse sat up and knocked
the rest of it galley west. Dazzled by
her beauty, he laid aside his pistol
and proposed an immediate mar
riage. The startled nurse knew her
Emily Post and Beatrice Fairfax.
She gave the conventional response
This is so sudden" !"-and sug-
gested that they first become better
acquainted Perez reluctantly saw
the point, sighed deeply, took down
ller telephone number. and left. Next
uay he called up and made a date
with her. Rosy visions of happiness
filled his mind. He pictured himself
coming home after a hard nights
work, weary and heavily laden, to a
breakfast prepared by the deft hands
OF this fair being. Little did he know
that she would heartlessly hand over
her date to large, utterly unattrac-
tive police detective, and that his
spring romance would come to an abb
rupt end.
Mr.. Perez is still somewhat dazed
by his narrow escape from matri-
mony. When questioned about his
future plans, he shook his head sadly.
obviously I must give up either bur-
glary or love-" he said. Fortunately
1t is not necessary for me to make a
quick decision. You may look for my
answer along about 1914, with time
of for good behavior"
Evening star., 1939-04-14
THIS AND THAT
By Charles E. Trdce1DeH.

Among the birds the brightest is the
cardinal. This spring cardinals are
unusually brilliant. Did the compare
lively mild winter have anything to do
with it?
The small field mice which live in and
beneath the garage Join the birds during
this hbur
They creep in and out fearlessly, much
quicker in their movements than any
bird. These mice are not common house
mice; they are much darker, and more
agile than the common sort.
These mice do not run, they leap,
taking jumps as much as 2 to 3 feet,
almost kangaroo-like in character.
4 4 \ 4
Bird feeding undoubtedly tends to bring
mice and rats. Who can blame them?
Food is food. What care the wild crea-
lures how it gets there?
Neither mice nor rats are great wan
derers. They tend to stay put, living
within small radius.
iThus the few mice and fewer rats
which one might draw to bird feeding
station are already in the immediate
neighborhood. Specimens as close as 200
feet will not be attracted. Certainly their
scent IS keen enough. It must be habit,
powerful in all wild things, which keeps
them within a narrow orbit.
Pet dogs and cats keep mice and rats
in check in any community. The few
rodents will never bother much as long
as the larger animals are let run.
**&&
The wild rabbits are among the most
fetching of all the animals which come
to the yard at twilight.
1t is no wonder the rabbit is favorite
OF children and all who are able to look
at the world with "open eyes of wonder. -
A rabbit, as an animal, is as perfect as
violin, as musical instrument.
1t is said that no one ever has been able
to add to nor take away from the violin
successfully
So with the wild rabbit
Here is an animal quite perfect Try
to think what might be done to a rabbit
to make it better, and you can't.
A rabbit. as is is right, from its funny
little tail to its big pop eyes,
1t is just beginning its day when the
birds are about to leave All day it has
remained hidden, now it comes out to
enjoy life in its own way, primarily eat
ing, OF course, the standard animal diver
sion.
There is something immensely in
triguing in the antics of the animal at
this time of day.
The play spirit is in it, especially if it
has one of its own species around. How
do the animals know their own? They
look with perfectly unselfconscious eyes
upon the world, but know their own in
stantly and without doubt Mostly they
tend to live in amity with other members
of their own tribe.
What is the matter with humanity?
Evening star., 1939-04-14
Flight

Oh, blue -and-gold the morning, vast tho
sky
Above this promontory by the sea!
The breath of briny meadows drifts to me
On shining summer winds that frolic by.
o, Body, spread exultant wings and fyI
Shamed by the wheeling gulls, at last bs
free
To rest on sunny air, glide flawlessly:
Some dim, vestigial impulse bids you try,
The rapture dies. Old cautions, guardian
fears
Build cages barred against 1carian fight:
The sober foot pursues Its earthbound
pace.
But still the wild, untrammeled spirit
hears
The airy summons. high and heaven.
bright,
And takes its arrowy path through time
ana space.
-NEZ BARCLAY KIRBY.
Evening star., 1939-04-14
Tribute to Memory
OF J. Ham Lewis.

vi J. ndH LEWIS.
To the Editor of The Star:
Dear Jim Ham Lewis is dead. Here
was man of infinite jest and fancy,
who, like great actor, came upon the
stage of our national life and exited in
the grand manner, courteous to the very
minute when the summons came that
called him home. In him, kindness
ever found nesting place and the in
science of Office, a sturdy opponent.
Amiel's lines call to mind the alto
gether lovely qualities of this old-fash-
ioned gentleman:
Never to tire, never to grow cold
To be patient, sympathetic, tender,
Looking for the good in everything
with an open heart.
To hope always, like God, to love
always"
That to Senator Lewis was high duty.
wonder if he left behind monuments
OF his craftsmanship. More precious
than the sponsorship of legislative en-
actment embodied in cold parchment, he
has bequeathed in generous fashion
precious heritage of kindness, tender
ness and consideration for others and a
great love for the poor.
Rather the scorned-the rejected-the
men hemmed in with the spears;
The men of the tattered battalion which
fights till it dies,
Dazed with the dust of the battle, the
din and the cries.
The men with the broken heads and the
blood running into their eyes,"
Surely, we shall not soon see his like
again. j. P. TUMULTY.
April H.
Evening star., 1939-04-14
Help for the Armory

Representative Collins willingness
to "go along with the President" in
the design and location of National
Guard Armory is in keeping with the
spirit he has shown all along in lend
ing his support to the greatly needed
armory project.
A delegation of Mr.. Collins COL
leagues, recently visiting the make
shift quarters for the Guard in the
old National Hotel at Sixth street and
Pennsylvania avenue, soon to be
razed, were as impressed as Mr.. Col
Inns has been with the necessity of
building new one. The Presidents
interest should prove to be an addi-
tional stimulus in getting the appro-
priation for plans, etc, included in
the pending appropriation bill.
The desirability of the East Capitol
street site, long ago selected for an
armory, is emphasized by several
considerations. The armory has
been included by the planners for
many years as one of the chief
units in the important development
planned for this area, and it would
be unfortunate if these plans were
scrapped. If the armory is located
there, in accordance with these
plans, that step will expedite the re-
mainder of the development. The
location is conveniently accessible
and will not produce the traffic diff
culties sure to accompany an over
development in Southwest Washing
ton. And the armory, in addition
to supplying a needed indoor drill
hall and storehouse for equipment,
will be adjacent to land easily de-
veloped as parade ground.
The Presidents statement that the
building itself should conform to the
architecture of the city is an encour-
aging indication that the armory,
while serving as a Storehouse for
military equipment, need not be a
warehouse" as far as appearances
go. City planners have contended
that the buildings planned for the
East Capitol street site need not be
monumental in appearance or mate
rial; that structures pleasing to the
eye, while strictly utilitarian, can be
erected without excessive cost. Mr..
Collins acquiescence should assure
the necessary changes in the District
bill when it comes before the Sen
ate committee.
Evening star., 1939-04-14
Asks Provision Of
New Fire Equipment.
To the Editor OF The Star:

To the Editor OF The Star:
read in your newspaper with great
deal of amusement of the passage of
the District tax bill and the wave of
economy that has suddenly gripped the
members of the District Committee.
In reference to the consolidation of
certain fire houses I would suggest:
Why not sell these antiquated fire
houses and with the proceeds from such
sale buy some new fire apparatus?
I was downtown during the Christmas
holidays when fire occurred at Eighth
and E streets NV. Among the various
pieces OF fire apparatus that responded
there was fire truck that looked like it
came out Of the ark; when the fire was
eXtinguished this truck could not start,
it became necessary for 80 men to push
it down Eighth street almost to D street
before it started.
I remarked to man standing on the
curb beside me that it was a disgrace
for a city the size of Washington to
have such antiquated fire apparatus
He stated that he came from a small
town in Maryland, and if they had any
such old fire apparatus they would give
it away and buy new apparatus.
Day after day see old fire apparatus
responding to fire alarms and how the
firemen get it to the fire in time to be
of service is beyond me.
I wonder if the members of District
Committee know that it costs more to
try and keep this old worn-o out apparatus
in service than new would cost.
Think it over. Mr.. Congressman.
April II. F. K. HEUPEL.
Evening star., 1939-04-14

The twilight hour is great one for the
many little animals which live in the
suburban back yard.
The wild rabbits come out to play, the
mice creep from the garage, the birds
settle down for their last song before
dark, the squirrels race from tree to
tree, the young rats chase each other.
Friends of nature would like rats, If it
were not for the campaign which has
been waged against them for so long,
without doubt deserved, so great is the
responsibility of the rat tribe for human
disease.
Young rats, however, are not yet wholly
sinners, and should be given the benefit
OF some doubt, perhaps, at least to the
extent OF being watched in their gambols.
Many persons have rats, not in their
belfries, as the old slang had it, but in
their gardens, without realizing it..
Rats are curious creatures. The young
are very playful. They chase each other
with great gusto, especially if there is a
wood pile near.
After all, a rat is just sort of squirrel
without benefit of bushy tail Most per-
sons admire squirrels; many would find
something entertaining about rats If they
had we'll upholstered tails
The young rats have a grand time in
the half light They indulge in a reg
ular game OF hide-and-seek, evidently q
normal game of all young things the
world and tribes over.
++
Wild rabbits are great chasers after
each other, around and around pile Of
wood, their preference, but a garage or
tree will do
Then they go around and around,
plainly for the JOY of it, without knowing
that they are training themselves for
escape from prowling dog or cat.
Fortunately for the wild creatures,
neither dog nor cat particularly cares for
the twilight hour
The cat is nocturnal so is the dog
although most of the latterS friends do
not understand this. But dog is plainly
nocturnal. Some of them make a reg
ular business Of prowling around at night
tipping over garbage cans often to their
own harm. Let us make plain we are
speaking OF dogs, not cats Dogs skulk
around at night quite as much as cats, if
they are given the chance.
Neither dog nor cat chooses the hour
just at dusk. Probably they do not like
the half-light. The cats eyes work better
in complete darkness. So do the dog S,
but not to the same extent and efficiency
We have noticed that a great many
more birds eat at the feeding stations
just before dusk this spring.
Why is this?
the feeders at twilight.
Now score or more, mostly sparrows,
eat freely until it is almost dark.
Evening star., 1939-04-14
Announces Campaign to
Improve School Lawns.

To the Editor Of The STAR
Our slogan is Beautiful school lawns. "
I take this opportunity to again re-
mind all citizens of Washington, D. c.,
Of our Identification campaign to i'm
prove the lawns surrounding our schools
and libraries
We need to get across to the children
the difference between the school lawn
and the playground. If every parent
teacher association and home and school
association will organize garden club
the children could be trained to take
pride in the school lawns and flowers, for
this training must start in the home
The school officials have worked hard to
provide a fine educational system for
our children and Congress has appro-
priated thousands of dollars for our
schools and libraries. We should take
pride in training the children to appre-
ciate it.
At Petworth the citizens association
and women's club have joined with the
PIT. A. in training the children to
take care of their school lawn. Now even
on holidays and after school the chill
dren are careful in their play to keep
of the school lawn and hedge. They
are now planning Identification rally
for the 18th of May.
There never has been an appropria-
ton by Congress for this campaign, nor
do we intend to ask for one, for this
is civic pride campaign. Each COM
munity finances its own improvement.
When people are reconditioning their
lawns and gardens hope they will send
to the school any shrubs, bulbs, or plants
Of any kind they have to spare. All
hothouse plants can be used to a good
advantage in our school gardens. Don't
throw them in the trash. If 1t is not
possible to send them to the nearest
school will be glad to see that the
flowers are called for. My phone is
Georgia 7576 and address, SIT Peabody
street NV.
MRS. B. G. McILWEE,
Chairman Committee on Beautifica-
ton Of School and Library Grounds
Of Roosevelt High School PIT. A.
April IL.
Evening star., 1939-04-14
himself upon the world. All that he

himself upon the world. All that he
cared about, all that he existed for,
was music in its ultimate develop
ment. He truthfully may be declared
to have invented the modern har-
monic styles. Pirro afflrms that he
was "the man who suddenly sur
passed all that had been done before
him while at the same time antici-
pating all that was to be written in
the future" Money could not pay
for such service. The fact that the
creator to whom posterity ever will
be in debt was buried in a paupers
grave is a detail of sardonic signifi-
canoe only. The spirit was not
entombed. Instead, it remains as
free as beauty in the universe.
Listen to the Brandenburg con-
certos. Are they not as marvellous
as the stars of Orion marching over
the sky on cloudless April night?
Evening star., 1939-04-14
Discusses Seizure Of
CarpathO-U Ukraine.

To the Editor Of The Star:
One reads much of all the wrongs that
have been done in Europe coincidentally
with recent developments. I would like
to be permitted to mention, in a few
words, one of them-the occupation of
Carpatho- Ukraine.
The sudden and forcible seizure by the
Hungarian Army of Carpatho- Ukraine,
the federative state within the former
Czecho-Slovakian republic is being
mourned by Ukrainians throughout the
world. For Carpatho- Ukraine had fur
nished hopes for an early liberation of
other Ukrainian lands.
Yet the tragedy which befe!l that little
autonomous Ukrainian country was not
in vain. Through the valiant resistance
which was put up against the regular
Hungarian Army by its hurriedly organ
ized, unframed and badly equipped
"Sitch" guards, Carpatho- Ukraine has
proved, in the first place, the great desire
of Ukrainians for independence, and,
secondly, it refuted by means of the
blood of its heroic sons, the charges that
the Ukrainian question is matter of
foreign intrigue.
In a declaration made in the Polish
Senate on March II last on behalf of
the Ukrainian parliamentary represen-
tation, Senator Tworydlo said:
wish to point out that at the time when
the Czecho- -Slovakian Republic fell, hum
dreds of Ukrainian youth shed their
blood and gave up their lives, not only
in the defense of their land, but also in
the name of the great ideal of self-deter-
mination of peoples =" The Grafton
of Senator Tworydlo was cut short by the
President of the Polish Senate.
According to dispatches from Europe,
the Hungarian occupation of Carpatho-
Ukraine was not carried out without a
great deal of ruthlessness. In Chust
alone, more than 100 Ukrainians were
executed In the courtyard Of "sichowa
Evening star., 1939-04-14
Bach

1t is truism that Johann Sebas-
tian Bach was "the most profound
and original musical thinker the
world has ever SEEN" Born in a
family of musicians at Eisenach,
March 81, 1885, he died in poverty at
Leipzig, July %, 1850. His life from
first to last was service to his art.
Even when he had become blind, he
still composed. The thematic cata-
logue of his works includes one thou
sand one hundred and ten instru-
mental and one thousand nine
hundred and thirty-six vocal num-
bers. Such productivity cannot be
explained without taking into &C
count plodding yet energetic genius
Of the highest order. His contem-
poraries, it is said, did not appreciate
him fully. Mozart, Beethoven, Men,
delssohn, Schumann, Chopin, Liszt,
Rubinstein, Wagner and Saint-Saens
were his disciples. Had he never
labored, they would have been differ
ent than they were.
The master, perhaps necessarily,
was self-taught from boyhood on
ward. BY heredity, he was endowed
with an instinct for noble melody:
by toll, he made his gift an instru-
ment for the creation of harmonies
never surpassed. His whole career
is a struggle toward perfection.
Literally, he ground his heart on a
wheel of circumstance for the
achievement of his purpose. His
mind, like his eyes, he inundated to
his dream. The violin, the organ,
the harpsichord and the clavichord
were his tools. He wrought miracles
with them. So compelling was his
personality that the handwriting of
his second wife was metamorphosed
into an approximation of his own
and skilled judges cannot be sure
which are his manuscripts and which
are hers! Four of his ten surviving
children were famous in themselves,
not merely as the sons of their
wonderful father.
Yet Bach did not strive to impress
Evening star., 1939-04-14

might fairly be considered an i'm
portant step in that revitalizing.
Progressive in his economic think
ing and thoroughly corversant with
the problems of business as he en-
countered them at first hand during
a notably successful industrial career,
the new officer has a distinct oppor-
tunity for public service. The fact
that he wrote commendable record
in another newly created public post,
that Of chairman of the Civil Aero
nautics Authority, augurs well for a
continuance of his high level of serv-
ice in the Commerce undersecretary-
ship.