davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1939-11-16
THIS AND THAT
By Charles E. Trace1UeU.

This lesser length of wings makes
1t use more strokes in flying. It's tail
is shorter than the tail of our vulture.
The bird weighs more, too, than the
turkey vulture.
These vultures belong to very IA
nous New World family which includes
the wandering albatross.
So you can see they are not birds to
sneer at in any sense.
When we remember their important
duty of scavenging, we know why they
are protected and regarded with real
favor by all persons who realize that
nature is not as unintelligent as some
persons now and then incline to think.
Their family name, Cathartidae,
means cleanser, or scavenger There are
nine species, including the celebrated
condor of the Andes.
The food of them all, including the
aviators over the National Zoo Park, is
mainly carrion, but they also eat snakes,
toads, rats, mice and occasionally young
birds.
Our buzzard does not attack poultry
or game birds, but mostly waits for
the sight of some dying animal.
The eyesight of this bird is said to
be another of the marvels of nature.
Although the eye of man cannot see
the vulture, the eyes of the bird can
detect dead animal miles away, and
shortly will prove it by appearing on
the scene, first soaring over the prey,
then descending.
This downward fight soon attracts
the other vultures in the vicinity.
Scientists hold that the sense of smell
plays no part whatever in the find" but
that it is achieved solely by eyesight.
The turkey vulture is, scientifically,
Cathartes aura septentrionalis, while
the black vulture is Catharista urubu.
Upon the crenelate towers of one
Of Connecticut avenues great apart
ment buildings sometimes may be seen
row Of vultures-waiting
Against the white stone the black
bodies make striking picture. but the
observer will have to look well up to
see it,
So stationary are the birds that the
casual observer may not realize that
they are living things until he is past.
Vultures eat decaying flesh, the dis
abled and the dying. In their turn, who
or what eats the vultures? You will
never stumble over one in the woods.
although they, too, must die some
where. They are faithful to their duty,
as universal nature outlined it for them
In the beginning. While we would not
want them for garden visitors, we can
admire their grace in the air, and
realize the good they do in this curious
world.
Evening star., 1939-11-16
November IA.
Cites News Trends
In Peace Appeal.

To the Editor of The Star:
I wonder how many of your readers
have noticed the trend of news items in
the last few weeks:
Living costs 10 per cent higher since
September-a change which affects
everyone, of course, but hurts most of all
those with low incomes.
Thousands of seamen lose Jobs under
Neutrality Act-a change of registry
would help the shipowners, but not the
men.
Legislators propose further cuts in
w. P. A. to finance increased defense
progran1-an item strangely Illogical
taken In conjunction with either the one
above, or the one below.
Relief rolls show increase over last
few months-this after the latest cuts in
w. P. A.
There have been many others. all
ominous warnings of what war any,
where in the world can mean to the
American people.
Those Of us who feel the effects first
and feel them the most-workers, farm
ers, small businessmen and professional
people OF modest incomes-should, it
seems to me, act in every way we can
and through every organization we can
to keep prices from rising still more, to
preserve labor standards, to get adequate
relief for the unemployed-andt to keep
America out of a war from which we
have nothing to gain, everything to loseI
FRANCES EDWARDS.
November 13.
Evening star., 1939-11-16
Weather Report

The foreign Offices Of European
nations have work week OF enough
hours to cause william Green and
John L. Lewis to shudder in horror.
It is practically a hundred and sixty
eight hours, caused by terrific ex-
pansion in duties involved. Modern
diplomacy has made necessary the
establishment of bureaus with hith-
erto unheard-of functions. Some ar
range treaties to trade oil for ma
chinery with ten cents cash on the
side, and others explain that when
bombs are dropped on neighboring
neutrals any similarity to reai war
is accidental and unintentional. Just
before armed invasion, the Depart
ment of Excuses is called into spe-
cial session and given rush order
to manufacture an alibi.
AS a rule these alibis are pitiful
affairs but as they are intended
mainly for home consumption they
get by. It is felt, however, that Mo-
lotoff's latest may be too fiimsy even
for the Russian proletariat. It seems
that the Neva River, flowing through
Leningrad, flooded because of winds
from Finland, and that this was all
Finland's fault for failing to send
Stain a wire telling what the
weather was like west Of the border
down Helsinki way. Apparently If
the Bolsheviki had only known
which way the wind was blowing,
there Neva would have been q flood.
Evening star., 1939-11-16
The Rails Hum

The turn for the better that rail-
road fortunes are taking should not
blind the country to the realization
that the stabilization of this industry
still is major problem.
While revenues are far above those
of last year as the result of the in
crease in business since midsummer,
they are still below 1885 and 1897,
and over the first nine months this
year, nineteen class one roads out of
the one hundred and thirty-four re-
porting to the Association of Amer
lean Railroads failed to earn expenses
and taxes.
There are other significant figures
that also must be taken into consid-
Grafton. For the first three quarters
of 1899, net operating income-this
is before interest and other fixed
charges are paid-was $685., 1000, 900,
although gross income was $780,
100000, and even that showing was
attained only because it was possible
to hold down to 100000 the
added cost of handling business that
ran about $3OO,000,O00 over last year.
The carriers undoubtedly resorted
to every avenue of operating econ
omy to produce this result, but there
is a limit to their ability in this
direction as is evidenced by an
100000 increase in the tax bill
which for the nine months approx
mated $267 000, 900.
Meanwhile, the railroads are TAX
ing advantage of the upturn to i'm
prove and expand their facilities,
hoping that under any cfrcum-
stances, the future will justify the
expenditures, but with the thought
in mind too that should national
emergency arise, adequate prepara-
tion will have been made for it.
This spending program is going
far beyond normal needs, and the
circumstances prompting it are such
Evening star., 1939-11-16

An interesting but little regarded bird
over Washington Is the turkey vulture,
or buzzard, often called the turkey buz-
zard.
The air over the National Geological
Park is the favorite headquarters OF
these BIRDS but sometimes row Of them
may be seen perching on the facades of
buildings along Connecticut avenue.
All persons who cross the Calvert
Street Bridge get good opportunity to
see this famous flyer, whose ability to
soar for hours without moving wing
has been celebrated for centuries.
Ugly to look at close up, the turkey
vulture manages his soaring by taking
advantage of every air current and
change in the same.
This he does as if possessed of mans
knowledge of such things, which, in
deed, he really is, having been taught
the art by Mother Nature, who knows
all things, more or less.
\ x X
If you are interested, stop on the
bridge some sunny afternoon and watch
the buzzards for a while.
Then you will see some plain and
fancy flying which will make you marvel
Almost lazily, the bird watts around
and around, or at times seems to stand
perfectly still in the air.
A closer view would show practically
no pinion motion.
The thing is done by fitting slightly
against the currents of air.
The valley, which is the Zoo grounds
is always sending up currents of air.
Mists gather there almost every morn
ing, and by noon the heat is rising
These changes make for currents, which
may be imperceptible to man, but are
easily detected by his modern flying
instruments
The birds. too, know all about their
practical usage, although they know
nothing about them at all in another
way. Surely living thing can be said
to know about something, If he uses
1t. 1t is a knowledge of a sort.
1t means that our turkey vulture,
with his ugly red head and neck, is a
practical navigator of the air currents
Both the turkey vulture and the black
vulture are called carrion crow.
While the former is a common perma-
nent resident of this vicinity, the black
vulture is seen here only occasionally
flying in from Southern Maryland. It
is said that they breed at La Plata.
Our vulture, or buzzard, attains
length of 214 feet, with wing spread
of feet.
1t Is the long wings which enable it
to soar so we'll
The black vulture, a feature of
Charleston, s. c., where it often walks
in the streets, is 81 inches long, with
a wing spread of Az feet.
Evening star., 1939-11-16

as to impress forcibly on the public
the necessity for maintaining a
solvent railroad industry capable
always Of meeting the demands that
may be put on it. This, it has been
demonstrated clearly, cannot be
assured so long as the country lacks
a coherent transportation policy
which has due regard for all carriers,
and unless developments which can
not be foreseen now preclude such
action, the next Congress should at
least make a start in this direction.
There is tendency to let well
enough alone when skies are clear,
but it would be unfortunate If this
attitude should prevail now.
Evening star., 1939-11-16
Indorses Protest Against
Retroactive Bar Rule,

TO the Editor OF The Star:
I desire to give my Endorsement to
the protest recently published in your
paper against the retroactive feature of
the recently adopted rule affecting the
number of times a candidate for ad-
mission to the bar may take the ex-
animation.
The rule provides that If a candidate
has failed three times he may not take
the examination until he has completed
an additional year of study. Then he
may take it once again and, failing that,
he may obtain special permission for a
fifth and final attempt. In the course
of these efforts he may at different times
have passed all of the six papers, but
his admission to the bar depends on
passing the required number at any
given examination
Such rule would be severe if ap-
piled only to future examinations, but
when 1t is made retroactive in its effect
1t is manifestly unfair to those who have
failed past exams. A VICTIM.
November IA.
Evening star., 1939-11-16
Wants Garner as
Next President.

70 the Editor Of The Star:
Real Republican" in letter to The
Star, says the New Deal was put into
power by the Republican party and that
the Democratic party never elected
President without the aid OF liberal Re-
publicans.
We acknowledge and recognize the
help of Republicans in bringing on the
New Deal in 1882 :. and many regret
it. But it was not question of liberal
ism. 1t was question Of economy
brought about by the broadcast of
Franklin D. Roosevelt, after his nomina-
ton, with his promise to reduce Gov-
ernment expense Is per cent, that got
the economic business vote of the
country.
The entire policy that built this
country to greatness is rapidly dis
solving under the term liberalism"
If "Real Republican" is a real Repub-
ican he favors President who takes
a business view President who
recognizes the Government as q corpor-
alton OF its citizens that must be con-
Quoted in businesslike way to make of
1t success. If Real Republican" will
read ker-Playing, Whisky-Drinking,
Evil Old Man" in the Saturday Evening
Post of September he will have a concise
history of John Nance Garner. our Vice
President.
There is q man with whom the ad-
ministration of our Government would
be safe =. man who built for himself
an enviable reputation in his public and
private life -. a man who acquired a
modest fortune by years of cautious ap-
plication. Such man is one in whom
we could place our trust as Chief Execu-
tive. W.. DERMOTT.
November u.
Evening star., 1939-11-16
Refuge

Woods. woods, I'm back again.
Stumbling. lost, I come to you,
Take me as you used to do.
Numb. oh woods. this knotted pain
With quick and stinging rain.
Thorns of fire and sudden sleet,
Pierce my breast, wound my feet.
AS a leaf whose gold is spent
In q wind that came and went,
Let me lie a long time still
In a hollow Of the hill.
Fold me in, woods. Cover me.
stain me as I used to be
With red Of berry, bark of tree.
No ading fern leaf, bend 70 mo 90.
MRS. IRA CASTLES.
Evening star., 1939-11-16
Takes Issue With
Opinion on League.
To the Editor Of The Star:


In your editorial of October ~ entitled
''The Dies Committee" you launch into
defense of that committee, and, by
indirection, connect the American League
for Peace and Democracy with 'those
who clamor for the protection of Amer
ica's free institutions while striving to
encompass their destruction"
The one purpose of the American
League is to protect these institutions, as
any one who takes the trouble to ac-
quaint himself with it's activities can see.
Its program is to keep the United States
out of war and to protect and extend
democratic rights of all sections of the
American people. 1t is not surprising
that there are many persons in the Gov
ernment, as well as outside, who have
united in support of this progressive
program.
You state in your editorial that "if the
Dies Committee intended to convey the
impression" that the league is shield
behind which its membership actively
engages In subversive Communistic ac-
Evening star., 1939-11-16
The Huzen Plan

Any move that seeks to give vote
less Washingtonians stronger voice
in their city's affairs is entitled to
serious consideration. For this rea-
son the latest suggestion of Commits
Sioner HaZen that a citizens council
be created to work with the Commits
sioners should not be brushed aside
hastily.
This veteran official frequently has
given evidence of his desire to ascer-
tain and follow the will of the local
community on major issues. 1t can
not be questioned, therefore, that
his proposed addition to the reor-
ganization program is sincere ef-
fort in that direction.
The plan, however, should be out
lined in greater detail before organ
lied civic groups form final conclu-
sions regarding it. Published reports
thus far indicate the Commissioner
has in mind group, appointed
either by the President or the Com
missioners, to sit in with the city
heads on questions of taxation and
appropriations.
One of the first and vital questions
to be determined is whether these
councilmen would serve merely in an
advisory capacity or possess power
of decision. If their function is to
be that of advisers, it would seem
that the Commissioners obtain a
more effective city-wide cross Sec
tion of sentiment by the established
method of public hearings, as they
do now on the annual budget esti-
mates and on other major questions.
No matter how much care and wis
dom were shown in the selection of
six or nine appointed councilmen,
public hearings would still be desir-
able as an essential step in the prep
aration of tax schedules and annual
budgets.
IT the councilmen were vested with
power to share in the decisions,
adoption of the plan would be, in
effect, an enlargement of the Board
of Commissioners, regardless of
whether the citizen representative
were full-tine salaried officials or
merely part-time consultants.
OF course, If Congress should 20 so
far in the process of local reorgani-
cation as to delegate the taxing and
appropriatlng powers to the Com
mlsslonerS, then the creation of such
a citizens council would become of
vital Importance.
The possibility, however, of Con-
gress surrendering those two essen
tial powers to the local government
as part of the reorganization pro-
gram Is extremely remote, if, indeed,
such a possibility exists.
Assuming, therefore, that Con-
gress will continue to have the final
word on the levying of taxes and the
making of appropriations, the place
where Washington needs spokesmen
OF its own choosing is at the Capt.
tol-on the floor of the House and
Senate. This would mean participa-
ton by local citizens in the real local
legislature" or "city council" which
exercises exclusive legislative control
over the District under the Con-
stitution. This would give District
residents the voice they are entitled
to in national as we'll as local law
making, and even if Congress should
allow Washington a greater degree
of local self-government, it would
not conflict with nor lessen the fun
damental right of the people who
live here to representation along
with all other American citizens in
the national lawmaking body.
Evening star., 1939-11-16
Nuzi DisiIIusionment


1t is -bites-dog news nowadays
when authoritative German voices
blurt out the disagreeable truth that
Germany must not pin too rosy
hopes on overcoming the effects of
the British blockade by obtaining
needed supplies from Russia. As the
result OF careful studies, it is now
learned, expectations on this score
have had to be revised and min
imized.
Goebbels' bossed press continues to
paint a comforting picture of Soviet
supplies soon to roll into the Reich
in quantities along Polish railroads
quickly repaired for that purpose, or
brought by water across the Baltic
or down the Danube under German
naval escort. But strictly military
publications and commentators now
register outspoken skepticism about
the treasure chest which the Union
OF Soviet Socialist Republics was sup
posed to be.
No German authority underesti-
mates the existence of Russian nat
ural resources, but it is pointed out
that before these can be made avail
able to Germany they have first to
be developed and exploited. More
over, in most cases, Russian produc-
ton falls short of the Soviet Unions
own requirements. Only in food, iron,
manganese and lumber, it appears,
can Germany count on any large
scale augmentation of supplies from
her vast eastern neighbor. In such
basic war materials as copper, lead,
zinc, nickel and tin, of which the
Soviets possess immense but un-
tapped resources, they are not only
unable to export anything, but must
actually import large quantities for
Russia's own needs. Even regarding
oil, of which Russia is one of the
worlds great producers, German
hopes are beginning to fade.
In an amazingly frank survey Just
submitted to the Cologne Geographic
Society, Colonel Ritter Won Nieder-
mayer has just explained Russia's
inability to replenish Germany. He
summarizes the reasons as follows:
Cd Russia's own industrialization
which increased domestic consump-
ton Of raw materials faster than
production; ca the enormous ex-
panse of territory over which Rus
sian natural resources are scattered
and the backwardness of the trans
portation system. Qn support of this
assertion, Colonel Niedermayer dis
closes that while Russian production
was increasing $50 per cent, railway
facilities increased only 48 per cent;
while passenger traffic rose 900 per
cent, the number of locomotives rose
only 48 per cent. Only 30 per cent
OF Soviet lines are double tracked.
Russian railways have been in state
OF virtual disrepair ever since the
Bolshevlks took over the country);
80 the notorious lack of foreign ex-
perts and technicians, without whom,
in Colonel Niedermayer's view, Rus
STA will find difficulty in keeping up
the dizzy industrial pace her Soviet
masters have set her; "a even as to
food and fodder, German expecta-
tions have had to be lowered, be-
cause Russian agriculture, being en-
tirely collectivized and industrialized,
has now become almost entirely de-
pendent on tractors, which fire.
quently lack gasoline motive power.
Evening star., 1939-11-16

If perusal of his imperial love let
ters can make even Napoleon appear
silly to the reader, what chance had
q somewhat less Of a genius like Herr
Fritz Kuhn?
Evening star., 1939-11-16
Letters to the Editor

Letters to the Editor must
bear the name and address of
the ,Drtter, although the use OF
a pSeudonyn, for publication Is
permissible. Please be brief!
Evening star., 1939-11-16

THE IMPASSE OF DEMOCRACY: By
Ernest S. Griffith, dean OF the Grad
udte School, American University.
Published BY Harrtson-H Hilton Books,
Inc, New York.
Evening star., 1939-11-16

The Associated Press is exclusively entitled to
the use 70, republication of all news dispatches
credited 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.
Evening star., 1939-11-16
WASHING TON, D. C..
THURSDAY- November 16, 1899

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Evening star., 1939-11-16
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Evening star., 1939-11-16
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Henderson daily dispatch. (Henderson, N.C.) 1914-1995, 1939-11-27
Many Angles In 1871
Race For Speaker
CONTINUED From Page One)

CONTINUED From Page One)
and Clarence Stone, Of Rockingham,
and in the final analysis the success
full one Of the trio will quite probably
be the one whose personality appeals
most strongly to those who are elect
ed members Of the 1941 General As
sembly.
There is always the possibility,
however, that certain issues will get
mixed up in the selection; and the
most possible muddier Of the waters
this time is reapportiOnment The
speakership goes by right Of geo
graph to the west this time and as
a rule the Westerners are favorable
to reapportionment. Stone, however,
is from a county which will loss q
representative and quite naturally he
has for the whole length Of his ser
vice bitterly opposed any new deal
in the matter Of House seats.
AS he once put it during the 1887
session, "This is a bill to cut my
throat, and I'm against it."
1t follows that Stone stands to get
the support Of those fasteners who
have steadfastly refused to let the
assembly carry out its constitutional
duty; but just how strong that sup
port will be remains to be seen.
There's a new census coming up, and
the 1941 reapportionment problem
will not be the same as that Of the
past decade; and the lineup on it
may, therefore, be entirely different
Uzzell will, in general draw the
votes Of those Representatives favor
able to labor He comes from a
strongly unionized city here the rail-
road brotherhoods have much to say
about politics, and he has always
been listed by the State Federation
of Labor as one of its leading friends
and advocates.
Carruthers hasn't been peculiarly
noticeable for his connection will
any group Of issues in the House, and
it may we'll turn out that his friendly
personality, which is obvious to all
| observers, may win him votes from
men Of widely varying political and
economic outlook.
All this is, of course, speculation
way ahead Of the event, as the re-
suits Of next springs primaries, the
p, entrance of other candidates and 6
hundred other things can, and prob
ably will, hoppen to make any pre-
dlctlon made now look thoroughly
silly by the time the Democrats OF
the l941 House get together for THEN
caucus.