davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1939-02-15
Defense and Traditions

WIN tne opening OF QeDate IN the
House on the administrations ma
tional defense program, it was pre-
dicted by Chairman May of the
House Military Affairs Committee
that the legislation asked by Presi-
dent Roosevelt will go through with
out hitch. Indications are that
Representative May took little risk
in venturing this forecast. There
will be careful deliberation and de-
tailed discussion, as there should be
on any proposal so vital to the coun-
try's welfare as national security, but
Congress is good judge of public
sentiment-and it is becoming in
creasingly apparent that the Ameri-
can people as whole are prepon-
derantly in favor of arming ade-
quately to resist aggression from any
source
AS Secretary of State Hull pointed
out in his letter to Representative
Ludlow, this is no time to be talking
disarmament. Even If Germany and
Italy and Japan, the worlds chief
aggressor nations of this era, were to
agree to call halt on warship and
airplane building, the United States
would be left in a perilous defensive
position, for while we have been pur-
suing a laissez-faire policy with re-
spect to armament, the belligerent
nations have been ceaselessly pre-
pairing for war. The implications of
this grim business of gun and bomb
making have been observed with
sickening reality in Ethiopia and
China and Czecho-Slovakia.
According to Representa tive
Church, chairman of the Republican
conference in the House on national
defense, most of the opposition to
the Presidents program will center
around contentious that Mr.. Roose-
velt has deviated from Americas ira
dltional policies against entangling
alliances, against interfering with
any nation with whom we are not at
war, against words or acts calculated
to endanger our peaceful relations
with others. He mentioned particu-
larly the secret" plane sales to
France as indicative of a departure
from halloWed policies.
But there is a difference between
secret diplomacy and secretive diplo-
macy. Secret diplomacy implies the
confidential nature which must sur
round conduct of foreign relations
by the Executive. Such relations
cannot be conducted on a street
corner or in public forum. Secre-
tive diplomacy, on the other hand,
connotes an underhanded, hidden
process which cannot be exposed to
investigation of other branches of
the Government. Certainly nothing
reprehensible has been turned up to
date in connection with the plane
purchases by France. Nor has any
one so far made out a case against
the sensibly adequate defense pro-
gram mapped out by Mr.. Roosevelt
upon advice of Army and Navy ex-
perts which he has revealed in full
to the proper authorities. To resist
invasion. to be prepared to main
tain our self-respect and the integrity
of our country-all of these are in
accord with the traditions that have
made this Nation great.
Evening star., 1939-02-15
Shooting Stars
BY PHu.ANDER JOHNSON,
The Other Man.

The Other Man.
When fortune crowns some enterprise
Behold the crowd that gathers near
To claim the credit and seem wise.
How nightly they persevere,
While modest worth is thrust aside!
Their lusty chorus rends the sky
AS each cries out in stubborn pride:
Behold your hero! It was II"
But when misfortune grimly waits
Where glory seemed at first to smile,
Deserted are the temple gates
Where fame was worst1ipped for while
Now doubt and mystery are spread
Though once so simple seemed the plan
For each when questioned shakes his head
And says, 1t was the other man."
Evening star., 1939-02-15

put he said nothing of the speculative
overcapitalization of farm lands which,
operating like watered corporation stock,
is potent cause of economic instability
and recurrent setbacks in the farming
industry.
The farm problem and the unemploy-
ment problem both stem from the same
cause. There is no more cheap land.
There are idle lands over the country
more than adequate to suffice for dou-
BILE our population, upon which the most
lnept OF our jobless millions could at
least be self-supporting and become
assets instead Of liabilities to their COM
munities and the Government. But
these idle lands are all privately owned
and held at prices far in excess of their
economic value for the best use to which
tney could be put. Were they made
available on reasonable terms, the pub
lie pocketbook and conscience would be
relieved of responsibility for all able
bodied declining the opportunity.
These problems, and the futile at
tempts to solve them by tinkering with
the wrong end, at expense of the pro-
ducing and consuming public, are but
a part of the unpromising picture of
democracy trying to function on the
basis OF a medieval system of land tenure
that bred the parasitic aristocracies and
other privileged classes of Europe.
No one has more clearly shown the
manifold evils of land monopoly, or Of
iered more simple and workable cure
for them than our own social philosopher,
Henry George. Hence, my best advice to
our statesmen and others cropping for a
recovery formula to keep one or other of
the 1sms" now agitating the world
from upsetting us, is to "let GEORGE
do it." WALTER N. CAMPBELL,
February IL.
Evening star., 1939-02-15
Senator Reynolds Influenced
Only BY "Americanism."
To the Editor Of The Star:

I, too, join Mrs. Gooch in condemning
the scurrilous attack on Senator Robert
Reynolds of North Carolina In the COL
umn conducted by Messrs. Alsop and
Kintner and, although not one of his
constituents, l. too, should like the op-
portunity to break lance for Senator
Reynolds.
Senator Reynolds has evidently drawn
the wrath of these two world-citizens
because he is one of the few men in
our National Legislature whose view-
points are dictated solely by American
ism and not by alien "isms" nor in
fluenced by the intrigues of 1nterna-
tional cliques. This Nation should follow
the path through the field Of interna-
tional relations advocated by Senator
Reynolds, namely, non-interference in
the domestic affairs of other nations and
washing behind our own ears before
telling others to take q BATH"
February II. r. +. 3.
Evening star., 1939-02-15

matches when he keeps his white wings
and tail bands folded DOWN, and many
times we couldn't see ourselves where he
was hiding and watching.
"He would wait till the birds started
eating, then flash out at them. I think
1t was the suddenness and swiftness Of
his attack which frightened them; Ger
tainly they are larger birds than he, and
accustomed to fighting.
1--WE noticed that he waited longer
after while before attacking-he
seemed to prefer half dozen starlings
at once, and would whirl in the air after
one and then another until he had routed
the bunch. 1t was really sight to en-
Joy, those lightning quick turns and
darts. And to see his wonderful energy!
He would keep up that game for hours
at time.
"The starlings began to give up. A
flock Of six or eight would sit in the next
yard catalpa tree, watching their table,
afraid to enter our yard.
"Old Smarty pursued his advantage
and his victims. After q few days he
had driven all starlings, also all sparrows
from the yards on either side of our, or
rather his, yard.
I'VE have seen him drive away blue
jays-sometimes two at once
THE garden that used to be alive with
starlings and sparrows all day, is now
deserted and quiet. Old Smarty flies
down occasionally from his post of look
out, eats little suet, takes few sips
from the bird bath, and flies back to his
pear tree.
III a cat walks down the path In
his direction, we can see the little grey
head move, watching it, but he never
seems afraid.
There he is now, the charming little
bandit, at his post, watching his yard,
which he has taken from its previous
possessors (some so birds, many of them
larger than he) by right of conquest
I'VE claim the champion mockinebird
OF the District. Do you know of another
who can equal his exploits?
Sincerely, E. S. B."
*+*
A champion, indeed!
These are the traits shown by mocking-
birds everywhere, but few specimens
carry them to such logical conclusion
The garden that used to be alive with
birds, we are told, is now deserted and
quiet.
The question is:
Is one mockingbird worth 1t?
Our correspondent does not say So
but we imagine that the mocker has
driven away all the chickadees and all
the titmice, and the nuthatches, the
woodpeckers. juncos, and all the others
which winter hereabouts.
Surely one cannot help admiring such
a dictator. He has little totalitarian
state all his own in a city back yard.
The choice is usually this-shall it be
one or two Knockers, or a whole garden
full of birds?
IT the latter is the decision, here Is
the way to go about it: Stop putting
bread and suet, particularly the former
and Mr.. Mockingbird will go elsewhere.
Then old feeding habits may be re-
sumed, going back to bread and suet
along with various seeds and grains.
Evening star., 1939-02-15
Discusses Christmas Aid
For the Needy.

To the Editor OF The Star:
I wish to commend you on the article
IN The Star on January 20 giving an
account OF the distribution Of funds and
gifts in this years Christmas campaign.
The Central Neighborhood Council is
studying the problem Of Christmas giving
IN the downtown neighborhood, which
has seemed to become increasingly COM
plex each year. In program of the
Neighborhood Council, which was de-
voted to presentation of Christmas
programs. it was discovered that over
$4,000 was spent in this section alone for
this one holiday. The willingness of all
organizations to take account of their
expenditures and to avoid duplication In
giving, through the use Of the Christmas
Exchange, will help to make our Christ
mas giving serve the purpose for which
it is really intended.
Your cooperation In taking this step
Is greatly appreciated
February 9. ROBERT w. EAVEs,
Evening star., 1939-02-15
Reader Pleased With
McDarment Letter.
To the Editor of The Star:

My congratulations for the publication
Of that excellent letter of tonight from
Corley Perry McDarment. So few Ameri-
can periodicals publish anything from
the opposition unless it is stupidity and
ineptly written.
I do not agree with Mr.. McDarment
that Britains self-interest requires an
alliance with Germany against US, but
it is good and enlightening to have the
argument stated capably. Let us have
more from Mr.. McDarment, the devils
advocate. THOMAS McMORROW,
February 10.
Evening star., 1939-02-15
Wants Fair Vote
On Pension Plans.
To the Editor of The Stop.

The patience of the old folks is rapidly
dwindling, and If the various pension
plans now in committee are not allowed
to have fair vote in Congress, venture
to predict theren be 'Hellzapoppin"-
and rightly SO. When so large a group
want hearing on any subject, they
should certainly bring it out for an
airing.
General Welfare Bill Oh. r. I'D is rea-
sonable enough to appeal to all who
favor old-age pensions, providing for a
minimum Of $50 and maximum of $50
per month; financed on strictly pay-as-
you-go basis, with TAX to support same
In proportion to ones ability to pay, so
there Is no burden on any one group
Miami, Fla. C.H. WILLIAMS.
February 10.
Evening star., 1939-02-15
Applauds Attack ON
Tariff Policy.

A most agreeable surprise to an old
line Democrat was the recent anti
tariff speech of Col. Frank Knox to q
gathering of Dakota farmers.
Some one long since said Of the pro-
tective tariff policy, that it was not q
policy, but swindle. It is all Of that
to our farmers who are forced to buy in
the dearest markets while, ~ excess
producers, they must sell in the cheapest.
Col. Knox spoke also Of increasing
taxes on everything the farmer raises
Evening star., 1939-02-15

Most Americans are not sure of
Japans national motto, If she has
one, but are convinced that it ought
to be, well, what are you going to do
about it?"
Evening star., 1939-02-15

A good recipe for an American
when he has the "blues" is to take
a quick look at group picture of the
family Of our Ambassador to Great
Britain. There is something in every
face therein that acts as natural
gloom chaser.
Evening star., 1939-02-15

A sixteen-year-old Hollywood star,
undergoing her frst screen oscula-
ton, announces that she would not
want to be known as sweet sixteen
and never been kissed" She need
not worry; that worthy character is
locked up forever in the pages OF
Victorian novels.
Evening star., 1939-02-15
Says America Is
Better Than Ever"
To the Editor of The 9tnY.

It can be taken for granted that many
Of your Letters to the Editor readers
feel that something should be said to
appease and reconcile the hearts and
minds of two of your correspondents,
namely, the 80-year-old "Old-Timer"
and the 30-year-old new timer" j. j. H.
odd Timer" should remember the days
when most employers had notices posted
before elections-telling voting employees
that unless they voted for the Republican
party's ticket the country would "l1it
the rocks; in other words, they would
lose their jobs.
There are no forces Of any kind to
make this country "hit the rocks" now
or ever! This country is better than ever
and will improve as time goes on.
February g., F.F. DARBY.
Evening star., 1939-02-15
Ali Other Slater and Canada
Member of the Associated Press

=, The Associated Press is exclusively entitled to
the use for republication of all news dispatches
credited to II Or not otherwise credited in this
pepper and also the local news published herein.
All rights of publication of special dispatches
Aereln also are reserved
Evening star., 1939-02-15
Union Station Lighting
Displeases Visitor.

Why should your Union Terminal Sta
ton, the worlds most renowned, have the
worst lighting? At least have seen
none more inadequate in my travels.
Charlotte, N. G. E. r. BAESEL.
February IL.
Evening star., 1939-02-15
Firing Line.

The Congressman, a loyal crew,
Once more have ventured out,
With very many things to do
And more to fight about.
Evening star., 1939-02-15
Safety Preferred.

S6Iety ITeIcTTcu'
$50 you don't hold any resentment
toward the railroad?"
NO." answered Farmer Corntossel, II
have always felt that locomotive was
entitled to a great deal of credit for
sticking to the track, instead of snorting
around over the house like an airplane."
Evening star., 1939-02-15
Letters to The Star

Letters to the Editor must
oedr the name and address of
the t0rtter, although the use OF
a pseudonynl for publication is
permissible. Please be briev
Evening star., 1939-02-15
Confidence.

He believes thoroughly in himself"
said the admiring friend.
Eyes," answered Miss Cayenne. Some
people are so credulous:"
Evening star., 1939-02-15
Understanding.

do you feel resentment toward people
who do not indorse your opinions?"
Certainly not" answered Senator
Sorghum, lin q year o. so am liable
not to indorse them myself"
Evening star., 1939-02-15
Says Uncle Eben.

When de sparks dey is a-fyin'
Up de chim1y fas' an free,
Oar ain no use denyin'
Dts o. world looks good 10 ma
Evening star., 1939-02-15

young men," said Hi Ho, the sage
Of Chinatown, "inspire older men with
an ambition to really know as much as
youngsters think they know"
Evening star., 1939-02-15
Delivered by Carrier-City and Suburban
RAeuIar Edition
Rate by Mail-Payable in Advance

Maryland and Virginia
Daily and Sunday yr. $1,000; l mo-, S5c
Sunday s only-------i "" N $500: $500 mo-. mo-. 2oc oc
Evening star., 1939-02-15

@. Can you suggest handy guide
to the proper use, spelling and pro-
nunciation of words?-J. G. M.
A. See Haskin's advertisement on Page
Az Of todays Star.
The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1939-12-02
WHY Not . StresmIiner?

Fast trains for passengers transcontinenal routes
to be taken indications of the business terminal
Importance of the cities served at either end.
Puget Sound cities few years ago put up strenuous
battle for faster trains between Tacoma and Seattle at the
Puget Sound end and Chicago at the eastern end BY
bined effort they succeeded persuadng the operating
roads to cut approximately 10 hours off the usual running
time.
California terminals have had no such difficulty. The
lines serving Los Angeles and San Francisco bay terminals
have been alert to speed their crack trains and to keep
pounding at their advertising that in the big BUSH
centes of the eastern u S. doubt left of the i'm
portance of California destinations.
The Union Pacific soon confirmed the importance of
Portland as terminal by providing streaminer
into and out of that cityfrst and far only uraast
train between any part of the Pacific Northwest and the
midwest Puget Sound passengers invited to do their
transcontinental hurrying via Portland.
Now Tacoma's chamber Of traffic bureau has
Joined Seattles plea for similar sreamliner some
of the northern lines operating direct from Puget Sound
Heading the Seattle committee is the former Tacoman.
Dean Mclean, and Dean has told his feowtownsmen of
Elliott Bay that Seattle shouldn't object if the promised
Great Northern, Northern Pacific and Milwaukee lines pool
interests and services to provide such ran operated
running time competitive with that Of the Portland and
California trains.
1t may be too ar-fetched to point out that unless
the Puget Sound cities consider themselves important
terminals it be difficult to rail executives the
ICC anybody else to appreciate the fact Los Angeles
marvellous municipal mushroom of all the wide west
acknowledged its Importance long before anyone else
could understand it.
Puget Sound cannot long be take mediocre
spot in Pacific Coast geography in what is more inn
poran Pacific Coast business Already your easerner is
strongly convinced that the Pacific Coast California and
that the sinks to rest at night somewhere between the
Golden Gate and the Wilmington breakwater. Anything
north of there either Alaska the North Polar regions
If streamlner from Tacoma and Seattle to Chicago
will help educate eastern business and eastern Travellers
let's have streamliner After ALL who knows but it may
reinforce our questionable Importance.
The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1939-12-02

litical scene. But. quietly and
without any fuss. last week the
New York prosecutor raced for
glory in reverse-like the foot
ball back who ran TO the wrong
goal.
Eighteen months ago. amidst
fanfare Of publicity. Mr.. Dewey
seized all the books and records
of the powerful electrical union
in the metropolis. He gave out
the impression that he was going
after labor racketeerS" in a big
way. But last week he returned
the papers to the union. and in
labor circles his action is inter-
preted TO mean that he found no
grounds for prosecution. In any
event, that is the electricians
conclusion. although Mr.. Dewey
failed TO accompany the papers
with even thank you" note.
Oddly - though Washington
doesn't think II was entirely
eoincidentai-Mr. Dewey handed
hack the documents at the very
moment that organized labor
was protesting violently against
Thurman Arnold's announcement
that IL was liable TO antitrust
prosecution-snd against feder-
al indictment Of several building
trade unionists.
The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1939-12-02
HOROSCOPE
SATURDAY, DECEMBER .

Adverse aspects appear TO rule
today. Women should be cau-
tious In whatever they under
take. There may be impulsive
judgment. which leads to serious
m isun d rstandings and even
quarrels. Labor comes under a
promising direction of the stars.
HEART Aid HOME: This is
not a favorable day for domestic
harmony. Financial disagree
ments are indicated. The evening
Is fortunate for making new ac-
quaintances of the opposite sex,
but not for love affairs. Good
news from absent members of
the family Is probable.
BUSINESS AFFAIRS: Good
luck travels with American
freighters today. Holiday trade
win be especially profitable for
jewelers.. Danger of too great
expansion In anticipation Of a
war boom Is forecast. Wise mer-
chants will conserve their capi-
tai. Banks will transact their
business with caution. but large
loans are prognosticated. Indus
try win re-employ great numbers
OF trained hands.
NATIONAL ISSUES: Bitter
conflict will mark political or
CARNATIONS. President Roosevelt
will gain popular approval for
his foreign policy. Disclosure OF
subversive activities in the u. S.
will create sensation. The ties
between the United States and
Canada will be strengthened. The
sudden death Of a belligerent
statesman is foretold. Women are
TO obtain employment In inn
portant positions. and many will
receive high salaries In the COM
ing year, as military training
removes young men from the
field Of business.
INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS:
Secret forces will continue to
operate In the European war.
unfavorable weather will bring
suffering and illness TO the sol
diers. United States will be the
target Of hostile efforts toward
involvement in what may develop
into a world conflict. Suspicion
that censorship Is eloaklng the
facts concerning international
affairs viii cause widespread
newspaper comment.
Persons whose birthday II is
have the augury Of a year OF
progress. but for many the re-
turns may appear inadequate for
work done.
Children born on this day may
be emotional and erratic. Both
boys and girls may be inclined
toward sentimental affairs. Mag
netisn and the ability 10 make
friends are outstanding trsit&
The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1939-12-02
OPINION NOT CHANGED
BY NATIONAL POLL

Editor. The Times: l was very
much interested in the article,
u. S. Public Sets About $40 a
Month as Desirable Pension
Sum."-Times. Nov. %. 1t comes
the nearest to answering my
query of recent weeks as to
why the Townsend plan won't
work" of anything I have seen.
I agree with this poll that if
the mere support of the NEEDY
old" is all that is considered, $40
or $50 a month is sufficient.
But in voting thus the primary
principle in the Townsend plan
is dropped entirely: that of
erasing the need of the relief
rolls for the younger generations.
OF course, If the older people
refuse to use the 5000 a month
to create jobs for the young. then
1t would be folly to advance it
to them. / still am unable to un-
derstand how a 2 per cent sales
tax is going to hurt business.
Here in Washington we are
now paying the 2 per cent tax
supposed to be earmarked for
old age assistance but it seems
to fade almost entirely out be-
fore it gets back to the old-aged.
AT any rate, am seriously OPP
posed to the assistance idea. The
public is paying the per cent
as gift to the old people; then
why should the state hold those
old people and their heirs re-
sponsible for the repayment to
the state?
Personally, I don't like the
present setup; that is, relief, as
sistance or state paid old-age
pension. I feel that the federal
government should handle the
pensioning of its citizens, old or
infirm. Sometimes I can't help
but wonder just how these polls
are taken, as l am never able
TO find anyone who has been
asked TO vote on one, except
people whom the political lead
ers were pretty sure of before
the poll was taken. I think the
Ham and Eggs" plan was crazy;
also the Ohio plan. but I am still
voting with the / per cent for
the Townsend plan.
A. L. PATTIN.
Olalla-
The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1939-12-02
More Time For Fun

The annual camor urging you to do your Christmas
shopping early has begun again. but the stores Satur
day. Dec %, win probably be just jammed with riotous
last minute shoppers they always just before the
holiday.
This is too bad because merchants can't very well
their choicest merchandise for the convenience of harassed
eleventh hour buyers 1t is also pretty well established
fact that getting stepped and hat pushed
down your face amid the frenzy of late shopping
doesn't help develop Christmas spirit And saespersons
who should be singing Christmas carols and hanging holly
wreahs will probably spend Christmas Eve with their feet
in q mustard bath.
Folks who have tried checking off their holiday pur-
chases early have found the holiday be lot
strenuous, and lot more fun