davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1939-02-21

no longer serves for such purpose He
Is still as bright as ever, with his red
feathers and his run OF black around
the bill, going up to the peak Of his
famous crest.
The female has much more subdued
coloration, but some students account
her just as beautiful, maybe just little
more so.
The cardinal of the male is replaced
with touches Of faint rose, amid feath-
ers which, for q general description, may
be called soft buff tinged with green.
The bill Of the female is coral, blend
Ing marvelously with her subdued
feathers.
There is no more beautiful sight in
bird watching than a female cardinal
perched on rhododendron, especially
II there is background of snow and ice.
One OF the unforgettable sights of four
years of observation was mother cardi-
nal, so perched, with bead of ice atop
her head, natural diadem for one of
natures royalty.
The song and habits of the cardinal
go together. The male, of course, is the
singer. His bubbling melody, ending in
what seems to be a repeated "cheer,
cheer, cheer" sets the pace for the
season.
1t is one of the first songs the average
person learns, because 1t is much easier
to grasp, musically speaking, than the
robins.
In fact, many people still fail to realize
the true musical beauty of the robins
calls and song but almost every listener
knows at once that there Is real music
In the cardinal song.
Il 4
The eating habits of the cardinal en-
title him to vast credit. He prefers
worms, in their various FORMS and in
sects of all kinds.
investigations show that his stomach
Is mostly filled with the latter.
He helps rid yards of undesirable
forms, in this respect taking high rank
among all our birds.
When a cardinal pair decides to
winter at a place, the owner not only
has song at this season and beauty the
year around, but never failing help in
getting rid Of the periodical locust,
potato beetle, rose chafer, cotton worm,
plum and cherry scale, caterpillars on
cabbage, cucumber beetles, corn-ear
worm, cutWorm, codling moth and boil
wevil.
1t may come as surprise to some
observers that this beautiful bird is
really sparrow, which accounts for Its
acceptance without protest among the
English sparrows at most feeding sta
tions.
Somehow its membership in this great
bird family makes us look with a new
respect, not only upon it, but also at the
humble English spa1l ows too.
Evening star., 1939-02-21
THIS AND THAT
By Charles z. TraceaueH.

The cardinal, rather than the robin, is
the real harbinger of spring in this
vicinity.
He has the advantage, OF course, Of
being on the ground.
Living IN our gardens the year around,
the redbird is able to sense the coming
Of spring long before the first robin.
The robin has to come to us, and is
seen at first only in few places; usually
most people hereabouts do not see their
FIRST robin until about March /.
But the jaunty cardinal has been a
familiar all winter long, coming to feed
ing stations with regularity, although
seldom showing himself pig.
Usually there is q burst Of warm
weather In February sometime, and this
month has been no exception.
Whether 1t will last remains to be
seen but the cardinal does not care.
At first light his spring song sounds
over the trees, especially In suburban
areas, which he prefers.
Many city people, who have paid no
particular attention to bird life, think
that the cardinal, too, first appears In
the spring.
They are not to be blamed for this,
because to them this beautiful bird first
does appear, indeed, at this season OF
the year.
What they do not know is that he has
come into the city from some garden
Just few miles away.
~
The cardinal spring song vies with
that of the robin for bubbling cheeriness.
1t has about it something not only
springlike. but actually of the spring.
The listener feels that this is spring,
itself, which is singing, the very voice
Of the season. Maybe he will be fooled,
and maybe not; the immediate future
alone will show. But at any rate 1t is
an authentic voice of and for a season.
Coat, song and habits alike win the
admiration Of all bird lovers.
The brilliant feathers OF the male, the
are unequaled ir the kingdom.
While some friends OF songsters will
continue to think the blue jay a more
colorful specimen. even they will be will
ing to concede the cardinals gorgeous
beauty
Few bird families are more artistic In
their contrast than Mr.. and Mrs.
Cardinal.
The almost startling red of the male
makes him visible for many yards. 1t
was this eye appeal, of course, which
made him serve as a mark for the
famous long rifles of the Colonists.
1t is said that many thousands of red
birds were sacrificed to the vanity of
riflemen, affording as they did such
marvellous targets In the forests.
Today the cardinal Is protected. and
Evening star., 1939-02-21
Stamps

Many people do not realize that
stamps are a comparatively recent
invention. Ben Franklin had to get
along without them, and also with
out mail boxes. While he was post
master general, he used a string of
prominent taverns as subStations.
His mailmen used to wander around
from bar to bar, collecting letters
along with the postage in cash. On
busy days many Of them managed to
pick up quite load in this fashion,
which was sometimes so burdensome
that they had to stagger back to the
main post office, where they dropped
on the floor to rest up for another
arduous tour of duty. The whole
arrangement was extremely crude.
The main function of the post office
was completely misunderstood, and
1t is said that an appalling number
OF votes were wasted by Congressman
in haphazard postal appointments.
In 1840 the first stamps were used
IN England, and seven years later
were issued in America. The cost of
mailing a letter dropped sharply
until 1t became almost negligible,
and entirely so, for the first genius
to develop the technique of calling
at a neighbor's and borrowing
stamp. An unforeseen development
then occurred, in the form of a NAL
ady known as philately, which was
first contracted by man who used
to collect marbles and string as
boy. From him it spread rapidly to
others, until now 1t is almost as uni
versal as the common cold. There Is
no known cure for philately, but the
victims lives may be prolonged in
definitely by administering sedatives
OF new stamps at intervals. For this
humanitarian purpose the princi-
pality of Liechtenstein was created
In Europe. From its vast area of
sixty-f1ve square miles is exported
an annual flood of postage that runs
the government and makes all taxes
unnecessary. 1t is said to have the
smilingest population of any coun-
try In the world. Most of its citizens
don't stop at smiling-they break out
into loud outlaws.
Evening star., 1939-02-21
A Cheering Note

The public generally, and Federal
employees in particular, have cause
for satisfaction in the promptness
with which President Roosevelt's
special committee has entered on the
task of devising, in cooperation with
the Civil Service Commission, the
program for selection and promotion
OF personnel in professional and
high-grade technical and admins
trative posts in the Government
service.
The public interest lies in any ef-
fort to raise employment standards
a point well emphasized by the Presi-
dent in his letter to Justice Stanley
F. Reed, chairman Of the committee,
when he said:
"The growing complexities OF mod
ern government require the Develop
ment OF trained personnel of men
and women of outstanding ability,
resourcefulness and breadth of mind,
willing to devote their lives to public
service. Upon the development of
such personnel, the future Of our
democracy may in no small measure
depend"
From the employe viewpoint, the
prospect Of a definite promotion pol
icy, based on efficiency, gives the en-
couragement to effort that at the
same time is corollary OF successful
administration.
The continued exemption, pending
study, of all the higher grade posi-
tions in the executive agencies when
President Roosevelt brought thou
sands from the lower classifications
under civil service, February !, was
a disappointment, but the delay
will have been well worth while If
the work now started lives up to the
promise implied by the diligence with
which it is being pursued.
Evening star., 1939-02-21
Conference on Children

The ultimate wealth of any So
ciety is the abundance and richness
OF life which it fosters.
Life has reached the finest express
sion Of its countless generations on
earth in the American child, valued
no longer merely as an economic
asset and valued less and less as an
object for the transfer of it's parents
ambitions and Illustrations, but val
ued more and more for itself alone.
Ten years have gone by since the
White House Conference on Child
Health and Security was called by
President Hoover. This was an his
toric event. The foremost experts in
the United States on pediatrics, child
psychology and education presented
reports of far-reaching significance
on the status of American childhood
and made practical recommended
tions for improving it. The confer
ence closed with the adoption of the
Children's Charter, stating what the
experts believed to be the funda-
mental and inalienable rights of the
child. Copies of this document now
adorn the walls Of nearly every nurs-
cry school and kindergarten in the
country.
This conference planned we'll. It
was held, however, in a time of rela-
tive national prosperity. Some of
its proposals depended, in no small
degree, on the continuance of that
prosperity. It had no vision of the
problems peculiar to childhood that
were to arise in the next few years
with the great depression in which
the little ones were often the worst
sufferers.
Secretary Perkins, at the request
OF the President, has just called an
other such conference, which will
hold its first meeting in April. At
this time the program for the va
rious Investigations will be charted
and final reports made early in 1910.
Information of the utmost value is
bound to result from such an effort.
The United States has seen the need
for frequent stock-taking of what,
under any rational system of evalua-
tions, constitutes its greatest asset.
Science has seen much new light
concerning the child since the last
meeting. During this period medi-
cine has gone far toward conquering
some OF the worst scourges of chill
dren-meningitis, for example, which
seems to have been dealt body blow
with sulfanilamide. Some of the
most cherised delusions of the child
psychologist have been destroyed and
a flrmer basis laid for understanding
of the child mind The Nation has
less fanciful economic ideas today.
Circumstances have rendered part,
at least, of the old program rather
impractical. There is real need of
another stock-taking.
Evening star., 1939-02-21
Tribute Paid to
DR.. Wilson.

DR.. Wilson.
To the Editor Of The Star:
The death of Clarence True Wilson, for
many years fellow member of this
Methodist Preachers Meeting, has
brought sorrow to our hearts.
DR.. Wilson accomplished great and
permanent work in the service he rem
dered the Methodist Episcopal Church.
Such service fulfills the words of our
Lord Jesus Christ; others have labored
and we have entered into their labors.
He founded the Board of Temperance,
Prohibition and Public Morals OF the
Methodist Episcopal Church, was re-
sponsible for the idea and realization of
the Methodist Building on it's site di-
rectly opposite the National Capitol,
and for the Simpson room there in which
our preachers meetings are held.
His devotion to the cause of temper
ance, prohibition and public morals was
so consuming that we could apply with
slight modification the quotation from
the Old Testament which the disciples
applied to our Lord: "The zeal of the
cause has eaten him up" With deep
sense Of loss we record our appreciation
Of him and his work.
To his widow, Mrs. Wilson, and to his
daughters, Mrs. Petheram and Miss
Meribeth, we extend our heartfelt SYM
pathy, reminding them and ourselves
that his passing to the larger life where
he is ever with his Lord is his gain.
February 16. w. CLARK MAIN.
Evening star., 1939-02-21
Commends Star for
Traffic Safety Campaign.
-, ~. rd;tor m. Nav.

10 the Eoltor OF Inc star:
The Star believes that study Of traf-
fic accidents may cause motorists to drive
more carefully. I asked a traffic officer
today whether pedestrians have become
more careful in crossing on the lights.
He said that Notwithstanding the recent
publicity he had not observed any i'm
provement.
In the case of Mrs Emily c. Dixon, in
Saturdays Star, the verdict of the cor
oners jury was accidental DEATH" She
was my mother-in-law, and next to my
wife she was my best and most loved
friend. was maltreated by an auto in
the same way. Neither she nor ever
drove an auto, yet we were traffic victims.
I thank The Star for its campaign for
more careful driving and our many
friends for their sympathy and attend
ance at the funeral services.
February II. JOHN T. DOYLE.
Evening star., 1939-02-21
Would Limit Power
OF Appointment.
To the Editor of The Sta

To the Editor of The Star:
The impression seems to be general
that the President is clothed by the
Constitution with power to appoint, by
and with the advice and consent Of the
Senate, all officers Of the Government.
Such is not the fact under section 2,
article of the Constitution. The only
power of appointment, Of which he can
not be deprived, is that of Ambassadors,
public ministers, Consuls and judges Of
the Supreme Court, as under this Sec
ton Congress may by law vest the ap-
pointment of all other officers in the
courts of law, or in the heads Of the
departments.
Perhaps it would not be bad idea for
Congress to vest in the Supreme Court
the appointment Of all judges of the
inferior courts and the heads Of the
departments, as this would take from
the President the power to make purely
political appointments with the view to
f,rthering his own political fortunes. It
would obviate such unseemly oontrover.
Evening star., 1939-02-21
Shooting Stars
By PHn.ANDGR JOHNSON.
Just Around the Corner

Just Around the Corner.
There is no need Of waiting
Till the birds begin to sing
For reliable assurance
OF the coming of the spring.
You can tell it by the shivers
From your shoulders to your knees:
You ca tell 1t by the manner
In which people stop to sneeze;
You can tell 1t by cold wave
In an unexpected rush;
You can tell 1t by the roadway
Now transferred to mire and slush.
Though the blossoms are reluctant
And the birds refuse to sing,
There are many indications
OF the coming Of the spring.
Evening star., 1939-02-21
Prophecies Of St. Malachy
Recalled by Events.

Nv sAo 0oatoE OI 4u0 6LAf.
1t was with much pleasure and salts.
faction that noticed the article In your
issue of Monday. February 49, relative
to st. Malachy's prophecies concerning
the Popes. Some years ago took occa-
sion to make limited study of these
prophecies which convinced me that
they were inspired and that they formed
an important item of corroborative evi-
dence Of Christs divinity.
st. Malachy's prophecy concerning
ireland is also extremely interesting.
especially In view Of the present inter-
national situation. The 1910 issue of
the Catholic Encyclopedia contains the
following statement relative to this
prophecy:
This prophecy, which is distinct from
the prophecies attributed to st. Malachy
concerning the Popes, is to the effect
that his beloved native isle would under
go at the hands of England oppression,
persecution and calamities of every
kind during week of centuries, but
that she would preserve her fidelity
to God and to His church amidst all her
trials. After the end Of seven centuries
she would be delivered from her oppres-
sors Cor oppressions, who in their turn
would be subjected to dreadful chastise-
ments, and that Catholic Ireland would
be instrumental in bringing back the
English nation to that divine faith which
Protestant England had during 300 years
so rudely endeavored to wrest from her.
This prophecy is said to have been
copied by the learned Benedictine Dom
Mabillon from an ancient manuscript
preserved at Clairvaugh and transmitted
by him to the martyred successor Of
Oliver Plunkett."
The week Of centuries has passed and
we now see Ireland practically free. They
began about the end Of the 18th CEN
tury. 8. B. CLEMENTS.
February 10.
Evening star., 1939-02-21

That such qualifications, revolving
around the term ION an annual
basis" should now be interpreted by
the Wage and Hour Division to mean
employment at a fixed annual wage
or for years duration is neither un-
reasonable nor unwelcome.
Business and labor both should
share the hope that operation of the
section may lead not only to a flexi-
BILE work week but to a stable years
income.
Evening star., 1939-02-21
Motorists and Pedestrians
Urged to Cooperate.

SA0 0Su " SO-oPSAoSCs
To the Editor of The Star
Why cannot this useless controversy
between pedestrians and drivers come
to an end before it assumes the propor-
tions of sort of class war?
To me, the crux of the matter lies in
article 3, section 5-A of the traffic reg
ulations, giving the right of way to
pedestrians under certain conditions.
The authorities are undoubtedly doing
all within their power to remedy the
unfortunate state of affairs, so 1t is only
reasonable and just that pedestrian and
motorist alike do their part.
The new regulations are very fair and
it only remains for those interested
(Which means every one of us) to CO.
operate as far as is humanity possible
I still insist that the expression "pedes-
trian control is unfortunate, as it tends
to give certain class of drivers the idea
that it relieves them of all responsibility
and makes it incumbent upon the pedes-
trian to hop, skip or Jump out Of their
path. which one of our judges recently
stated was not intended.
When the blinker lights are working
in the early hours Of the day, the
majority of the drivers seem to have the
impression that they are merely for the
purpose of allowing them to speed up
and continue on their uninterrupted
course, paying not the slightest heed to
those crossing the street on foot.
Right of way" for those on foot means
absolutely nothing so long as might of
way" prevails. At present. the only place
where right of way" means anything is
in court and by that time 1t is too late
to restore life or broken bodies or limbs
Why cannot all of us recognize and
respect the common, equal rights of
others and live and let live, at times
putting ourselves in the other persons
place?
Only recently heard part of an inter-
esting radio talk by member Of Con-
gress, who stated that statistics showed
in the majority Of accidents involving
pedestrians, the drivers were at fault and
that many Of them were physically or
mentally unfit to drive cars.
Every person who can walk at all at
times becomes pedestrian, but many
who can't walk, hear or see normally are
granted licenses to drive potential en-
gines of death. Let every one resolve to
cooperate with the authorities and each
other in relieving this condition. The
rewards, financially, physically and men,
tally, will be great and will amply repay
for any fancied loss Of few seconds.
February 8. WALTER E. BIRCH.
Evening star., 1939-02-21
Price of Brutality

From Germany's anti Semitic
orgies of November to publication Of
German foreign trade statistics in
February is span Of only three
months, but Germany already has
the worlds answer to her brutal
handling of the Jews.
1t is a powerful weapon which the
indignant peoples of the world are
learning to use-a weapon which
strikes at the very heart of those who
live by the good will of others but
deny it in return.
Germany has now revealed her
trade figures for January, and they
explain Hitler's moderation in his
January 80 speech before the Reichs-
tag and Germany's slackening of the
cruel bonds which she had fastened
on the Jews.
The world, Germany admits, bought
12.5 per cent less German goods in
January than in December and as
consequence Germany was forced to
reduce her imports by 1875 per cent.
Leading the decline in German ex-
ports were manufactured goods;
leading the drop in imports were
foodstuffs, with raw materials fol-
lowing.
These figures make a lot of things
clear: Why Hitler issued his dictum
that Germany must export or die"
why German economic leaders now
appeal to the democracies to drop
their hostility toward Germany, why
Germany welcomes a British trade
mission which next month will seek
way out of an impending Anglo
German trade war.
Threatened with continued short
age of food-and all it's implications
of popular unrest and reaction-and
lack of essential raw materials, Ger
many at last faces the stark prospect
Of starvation unless she can break
down popular barriers which are ris-
ing against her products in lands
which have always been her best
customers.
The bulk OF Germany's foreign
trade-both export and import-al-
ways was and still is, in spite OF her
trade expansion in the Balkans and
Central Europe, with the democratic
countries-Great Britain, the United
States, France, Belgium, Scandinavia
and the Netherlands
What has been the role of the
United States, where resentment
against Germany has run high dur
Ing the past year? Commerce reports
for February 18 showed that while
German imports from the United
States increased 43.5 per cent in mark
value in 1888 over 1887, American
imports from Germany declined 28.5
per cent. And this occurred In the
face Of German intention to reduce
its purchases In the United States.
American corn, lubricating oil, raw
cotton and copper were apparently
becoming more vital to German
economy.
Germany needs cooperation of the
democracies, but still refuses to con-
slider the democracies' liberalization
of trade as the solution of her diff
culties. Until she is willing to do so
her trade troubles merit small SYM
pathy on this side of the Atlantic.
Evening star., 1939-02-21

Twenty second street east, and see how
many such signs he can see at all, much
less read. Then ride up Connecticut
avenue to Cathedral avenue and read
the well-lighted glass signs there, which
may be read from half block away.
It is most astonishing that such num-
ber Of unreadable signs were ever in
stalled, when . trial Of one would show
how impractical they are.
Bethesda, Md. II. BRADFORD.
February 20.
Evening star., 1939-02-21

TO think that the super -aristocratic
ex-Kaiser should live to hear a Nazi
minister declare that for good Ger
man to have picture of His Majesty
on the wall instead of one of ex-
Corpl. Hitler ws not refined" That
Is the most unkindest cut of all,
and Wilhelm has been cut by experts.
Evening star., 1939-02-21
Somewhat Different.

Anybody that tries to tell me college
trainin' doesn't fit a man for practical
life will be simply wastin' his time after
this" remarked Farmer Corntossei. II
guess me an Josh will have good time
talkin' over crops when he gifts home"
"You didn't always talk that way"
"No, but I've had news. Josh is trainin'
for the squash championship"
Evening star., 1939-02-21

sizes as In the Roberts and some other
cases that might be mentioned, and
would also insure better judges and
heads Of departments. A.SL.
February IA.
Evening star., 1939-02-21

"A man is of no importance at his
own wedding" said Hi Ho, the sage OF
Chinatown. THAT experience puts him
In training for subsequent career Of
unbroken insignif1cance."
Evening star., 1939-02-21
Not Sumcient.

$50 you never use profanity?"
Certainly not" answered Senator Sor-
ghum. "The thunderous expletives
with which our language is being en-
riched will presently make the man who
uses mere profanity seem like a molly
coddle"
Evening star., 1939-02-21
Plea Made for Better
Street Signs.

Street Signs.
TO the Editor Of The Star:
Some time ago I heard that an "arts
commission" is responsible for the gilt
and-black street markings which adorn
most of our street corners.
While these signs are readable in the
daytime, 1t is different at night. The
light above them does not shine on the
lettering, and they might as well be
draped in black, so far as reading them
Is concerned.
I wish one Of the moro intellectual
members Of that arts commission would
take IN auto ride, at night, along East
Capitol street, from the Capitol to
Evening star., 1939-02-21
Member of the Associated Press

4, The Associated Press is exclusively entitled to
ciedited to it or not otherwise credited in this
paper and also the local news published herein
All rights of publication of special dispatches
herein also are reserved.