davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1940-03-29

amendments prohibiting the former
from the business districts. At the
same time, provision will be made for
the creation of business and retail
districts in which this restriction is
not operative"
Thus will a way be left open for the
preservation of Times Square, which
probably would be the most beautiful
man-made sight in the world to a
Chinese ignorant of the Occidental
alphabet, while the city experiments
for the first time with public means
OF preventing the use of signboards
where they would be detrimental to
esthetic or property values. In some
sections, notably Fifth avenue,
agreements between property owners
and merchants have sought this end.
New York's problem is peculiar,
however. A State law makes 1t per-
mlsslble for community to adopt
control regulations but does not re-
quire such limitation. Considering
the nature of the States population
concentrations, this is perhaps the
most adequate regulation possible.
1t is a far cry from Broadway to
the Baltimore boulevard, and a law
IKE that OF New York State would
nave little effect on Maryland's road
SIDES. But if Mr.. Tugwell's commits
sion can improve conditions in New
YORK there is hope for the future of
the highway connecting Washington
with Baltimore.
Evening star., 1940-03-29
Nonresident Tuition

once again the House Appropria-
tons Committee is making an effort
to rectify one of the most inequitable
situations the harassed District tax
payer has had to face-the provision
OF some s265000 worth of free edu-
cation to nonresident children.
While this should be gratifying to
District residents, it should be re-
called, however, that the House has
made similar efforts several times
before and the Senate has Just as
religiously cut the corrective provi-
sions from the bill. There is room
for hope, but little for optimism.
Nevertheless the committee has
included in the bill reported to Con-
gress Wednesday specific language
designed to cut off the flow of
nonresident children into the class
rooms of the local schools without
payment OF tuition. Wisely, the
committee sugared the pill 1t does
not apply to non-residents now in
the schools, but only to future appli-
cants for enrolment. Under the
language of the bill not one penny
would be spent in the education of
nonresident children.
The original act setting up the
school system provided for payment
OF tuition, according to Superin-
tendent Frank w. Ballou, and it is
only through a series of legislative
riders" and adverse court rulings
that the District classrooms have
been thrown open to more than $500
outsiders.
Certainly. both Houses cannot fail
to recognize now that if outsiders are
to come in, taking advantage of the
high caliber of the teaching and
school plant of the District, they
should contribute in tuition that
small share which annually is COM
puted by District officials on the
basis of what it costs to educate
those pupils.
Evening star., 1940-03-29

Cross, the Daughters Of the Amer
ican Revolution, the National Geo.
graphic Society, the National
Education Association, the National
Academy of Sciences. Perhaps they
will have time to tour the Bureau
of Standards, the Naval Observatory,
the Navy Yard, Fort Humphreys,
Fort Myer, Mount Vernon and
Annapolis.
But whether they take into their
own experience all of the features of
the Capital or merely few of them,
the visitors will remember Wash
ington as the seat of government
OF a great country-a country free,
rich and hopeful. Possibly they will
spare a moment before they depart
to notice that the District of Co.
lumbia is the only residence of some
hundreds of thousands of their fel-
low citizens who are debarred from
political and fiscal equity, Americans
In every respect save that of being
permitted to vote.
Evening star., 1940-03-29
Progress of Dentistry

At the Dental Congress in Balti-
more speakers delved into ancient
lore and traced development of the
art through many centuries, leaving
the inescapable impression that
much progress has been made since
the Stone Age, when novocaine was
unknown and a good stout club was
the very latest trick in anesthesia.
In the good old days dentistry was
much simpler than now. At one
time the sufferer from toothache
was able to cure 1t by such compare
lively easy and painless methods as
biting of the head Of live mouse
and hanging it around his neck.
Later, as the patient grew more ex-
acting In his tastes, a rich field was
opened to blacksmiths, butchers and
BARRIERS, none of whom needed a
license to practice dentistry. In
time the BARRIERS, who could talk
more than the others and knew more
about working the chair, froze them
out. The task of replacing them
with men who had studied teeth and
passed examinations proved long
and arduous, but finally was accom-
plished. X-rays proved quite a
help in enabling the dentist to ex-
anime the contents of the patients
pocketbook, and with the invention
of the radio it became possible to
hire comedians and ballyhoo tooth
paste. The congress insists that still
more improvements are coming up.
Among the crying needs Of the
profession is some simple device that
will enable mouth full of rubber,
cotton and instruments to talk Eng
lish instead of Chinese or whatever
1t is. It would also help If anes-
thetics were given along with the
bill. There may even be hope Of
removing from the waiting room all
copies Of the Dental Digest Of what
ever issue, and all copies Of other
periodicals more than Z year old.
Evening star., 1940-03-29
Earth in Spring

Wind swept, rain washed, sun dried, and
flower sweet
Is earth today. She valiantly forgets
The winters pain. Mold, which has
suffered sleet
And fangs Of frost, smiles into violets.
Beneath the suns warm blessing pear
and peach
That yesterday were wrapped in snowy
Unfold their perfumed bridal wells; and
each
Cold, ice stilled stream awakes to
laugh aloud.
Q earth in spring, o dawning after nixht.
Lift up my heavy heart; Its faith
renew.
II, through the lash of storm, the bliz-
yards blight,
you've kept your hope, your dream.
I'll keep mine too.
NELLIE G. BoURDEAux.
Evening star., 1940-03-29
Murder Syndicate

A diligent district attorney in
Brooklyn, New York, who took office
only last January, has uncovered
within his jurisdiction an apparent
CRIME syndicate of fantastic propor-
tons. Murder was the chief business
OF this gang-murder by contract at
bargain prices; hence the popular
name for the syndicate, Murder
Incorporated" The prosecutor is
William ODwyer, a former police
man, who received his first clue to
the existence of the grim death
racket when New York hoodlum
arrested in a murder case, decided it
would be to his advantage to talk
or sing" as the underworld con-
temptuouSly puts it. This gunman
implicated others, who also began
10 sing" in scramble to turn states
evidence and gain clemency. AS a
result, more than a dozen alleged
members Of the gang are in CUSTODY
and half of them face murder
charges.
According to District Attorney
O'Dwyer, several of the gangsters
nave confessed that men, often
strangers, against whom they had
no grievance, were rubbed out" by
stabbing, slugging or shooting for
prices averaging five or ten dollars
per killing. More than thirty slay-
lngs already have been linked to the
ruthless mob, including the mis-
taken Identity killing last July Of
irving Penn, music publisher, who
resemoled a witness for New York
District Attorney Thomas E. Dewey
IN the Lepke Buchalter case. The
long unsolved murder of Dutch
Schultz, New York racketeer, also
may be cleared up, it is said.
Mr.. O'Dwyer is convinced that one
or more "higher-ups" Of the syndi-
cate remain to be discovered. He
seeks to ferret out these mysterious
top men with the aid of two grand
]urles and an augmented force of
investigators. There are rumors of
highly placed master mind" be-
hind the ring and the public is
demanding that he be exposed, how
ever high he may be. That these
criminals had protection of some sort
is indicated not only by the fact
that the gang had an official "fixer," :"
who is under arrest, but by the long
police records Of most of the pris-
oners-records which show numer-
Gus arrests but few convictions. It is
this sinister aspect of Murder,
Incorporated" that the general pub
lie will want to see thoroughly ex-
plored, for few persons will be willing
to believe that so vicious a murder
business could have prospered for so
long in Brooklyn or anywhere else
without the aid Of official apathy or
outright corruption of some degree.
Evening star., 1940-03-29
Liqhts of Broadway

New York City, where the rule
concerning advertising signs has
been anything goes" is confronted
with an interesting problem in the
annual report of its City Planning
Commission. Presented by Rexford
G. Tugwell, chairman, the report
states:
I'm order to establish a measure of
control over structures used for gen.
eral advertising purposes, as dis
tinguished from signs relating. to a
business on the premises, the COM
mission expects to recommend
Evening star., 1940-03-29
THIS AND THAT
BIZ Charles E. TrnceUell.

Natures shower bath, the rain, is one
few birds can get away from.
But there is difference, truly, between
just perching on a branch and taking
1t" and showing real enjoyment Of rain,
as our correspondent points out.
Bird feathers have fine oil, constantly
secreted in health, which makes the body
of the bird more or less waterproof.
That is, they do not get soaked clear
through"
Most birds fly around in the rain Just
as they do on dry days
They visit feeding stations just as
much, sometimes it seems that there are
more visitors on bad rainy days than on
the fairest days
In hard, driving rains some specimens
seek the shelter of overhangs on porches
at the caves of houses and around
garages.
Strange to say, that hardy gamin. the
English sparrow, is one Of the keenest
seekers Of this sort of shelter
Half a dozen to q dozen Of them will
be seen at all times, in garden where
intensive feeding is going on, occupying
grandstand seats thus while their COM
patriots feed in the wet.
This row of birds has something ap-
pealing to it, no matter what any one
may think of these sparrows, provided
one looks fairly 1t is as necessary to
look fairly, as it is to think fairly. Often
we err in our looking, first OF all The
hand may be quicker than the eye, as
the magicians tell US, but an average
eye is quick enough-all too quick, at
times, in enabling us to form snap judg-
ments based solely on appearances, judg-
ments which we often have to revise.
Here's man living over in Arlington
Va. who has cardinals galore.
He says:
"Plenty guests for breakfast this
morning, including two strangers:
Eleven doves Il verified the count sew
eral times and never before saw an odd
number).
"Thirty-six cardinals, including one
very bright red one without crest.
"The two strangers, sparrow sized
thrush-brown body and tail, long beak
tree climber, as much at home as q
downy woodpecker, fond of suet
Many purple finches, barred f1nches
resembling English sparrows, jays, wrens
and starlings."
Our correspondents two strangers are
probably brown creepers. although these
are smaller than most sparrows.
In that big rain referred to by one Of
our correspondents, an ardent reader
brought through the rain the body of q
dead bird to be identified 1t was flelo
sparrow. This sparrow is common
summer resident here, but few wtnte,
in sheltered localities
Evening star., 1940-03-29
Discusses Successor to
Commissioner Allen.
To the Editor Of The Star:

10 the Editor OF Inc Star:
The prestige of the President has
been considerably enhanced locally by
his recognition of our residents in the
appointment of David A. Pine as justice
of the District Court. BY naming one
OF our native sons as District Com
missioner to succeed Commissioner Allen
the President would endear himself to
all Washingtonians.
Considering that our forefathers re-
volted against England because of taxa
ton without representation, and that
we are all-rich and poor, white and
colored-disfranchised, except a few who
can vote in the States and can afford
the time and money to make the neces-
sary visits back home to register and
later to vote, 1t is not strange that most
Washingtonians should be displeased
when an outsider, who knows little or
nothing as to District needs, Is ap-
pointed Commissioner.
Many who have heretofore opposed
local suffrage are coming to the con-
clusion that suffrage IS desirable to Sc
cure representatives In the Senate and
House to work for needed legislation.
This can be done without altering our
admirable system of government by
District Commissioners.
Washington has many distinguished
citizens who were either born here or
have lived in Washington long enough
to become familiar with local conditions,
any one of whom by virtue of his ex-
perience is better fitted to exercise the
duties of District Commissioner than
an outsider could possibly be.
Without discriminating against these
patriotic Washingtonians, in not men,
tioning their names, no one Of them is
better qualified to serve as Com
missioner than a native son and q
member of an old Washington family,
Jesse c. Suter. He is man OF marked
ability. urbanity and exemplary charac-
ter and has worked early and late for
the upbuilding Of Washington. He Is
representative Of the District of Colum-
bia at its best and would make a splendid
Commissioner.
SOPHIE CLAGETT CLARK.
March %.
Evening star., 1940-03-29
Letters to the Editor
Discusses Appraisal Of
Gen. Halleck,

DieC0SseS AppEB1AMl OF
Gen. Halleck.
To the Editor Of The Star:
was interested in reading in The Eve.
ming Star of February 20, a letter from
Mr.. William E. Marsh of Elmwood, Conn,
deploring the historians neglect Of Gen,
Henry Wager Halleck.
1agree thoroughly with Mr.. Marsh that
there is definite indication on the part
of the reading public of revival of in
terest in the story of the American Civil
War. In all American history that war
holds the most fascination for me, and
gather that Mr.. Marsh feels pretty much
the same way about it.
But I cannot agree that Gen. Halleck
was the long suffering and innocent VIC
tim OF baseless and malignant criticism
that Mr.. Marsh seems to feel he was It
seems to me that the Union generals who
served under Gen. Halleck can be &C.
cepted as pretty good judges Of his quail
f1cations and attainments. unless one is
prepared to make the sweeping assertion
that their statements were motivated
merely by jealousy.
Gen. Grant is very restrained in any
criticism Of Gen. Halleck in his Per.
sonal Memoirs" but he was restrained In
all his actions and the reader obtains
more information from reading between
the lines than he does from the printed
words. Gen. Sherman in his Memoirs"
commences on note of admiration which
quickly slides down the scale after the
battle of Shiloh and Gen. Hallecks per-
tectly ridiculous direction of the Army
before Corinth. Impetuous, dashing Gen.
Lew Wallace, the author of Ben Hur,"
calls Gen. Halleck "marplot" and does
not leave the reader in any doubt in his
Autobiography" as to what he thinks of
him.
Col. William Wood, commanding the
9th Royal Rifles (Canadian) during the
first World War, writing in THE Chron-
lcles OF America" series, has written an
excellent epitaph on Gen. Halleck when
he says: Henry Halleck was a middle
aged. commonplace, and very cautious
general, who faithfully plodded through
the war without defeat or victory. He
looked so long before he lesped that he
never leaped at all-not even on retreat-
ing enemies. Good for the regular Office
work routine, he was like a hen with
ducklings for this river war, in which
Curtis, Grant, Buell.. and his naval COL
league, Foote, were all his betters on the
fighting nne'
ALBERT E. COMRADES,
Evening star., 1940-03-29
Complains About
Pedestrian PerilS.

10 Lne 6QlLOi OF Inc SL4r.
If any proof is necessary Of the in.
difference of the tratnc department to
the welfare of pedestrians, the situation
at Eighteenth street and Constitution
avenue, In front Of the main entrance
to the Navy Department, is it.
Here we have installed adequate traflc
lights, but frequently morning or eve
ming or both they are not in operation.
Maybe traffic officer is supposed to take
their place to save electricity, certainly
not to improve traffic conditions because
the lights are easily seen, while the officer
is not
Frequently, in recent weeks, there has
been neither light nor officer control and
the hundreds of employees have to wait
and then buck the moving trafiic and
get to the building despite the risk In
volved.
The bad conditions complained Of on
Virginia avenue nearby never have been
remedied. Hundreds Of Government en-
ployes are still dumped along the street
from the streetcars In the face Of fast
moving tratne, on . narrow marked Of
Evening star., 1940-03-29
Cementing the Alliance

The decisions taken at the sixth
meeting of the Allied Supreme War
Council ought to destroy any hopes
Adolf Hitler may harbor of separat-
Ing the allies, making peace with the
one and waging war to victory
against the other.
That the Nazi government has
entertained such ideas is evident from
the bitter character of the German
counter blockade against England
and the almost tender fashion in
which war has been made on the
French. Hitler has repeatedly dis
associated Britain from France in his
speeches, vowing relentless war
against the former while reiterating
his assurances that Germany wants
nothing from the latter.
Agreement now between Paris and
London not to conclude peace sepa-
rately or even to discuss peace terms
except on basis jointly decided
upon is clear warning to Hitler that
he is fighting an alliance firmly de-
termined to rid Europe of the Nazi
German menace.
The safeguard against separate
peace is normal one, and was a
part of the Italo-G German alliance
concluded last May. 1t has been
neglected hitherto by France and
Britain, possibly because there was
SO little reason to believe either of
the allies would make a separate
peace. But the formal undertaking
now entered into not only is reas-
surance to both, but a rebuff to
paciflst elements which recently have
grown articulate in Britain.
Which of the allies requested the
declaration is not made clear. Prime
Minister Chamberlain as recently as
two months ago informed the House
of Commons that a declaration of
unity was not necessary because of
the solid tie that binds the allies.
Probably-and it can be only specu-
lation-Premier Reynaud sought it
as evidence of preparation for more
intense prosecution of the war.
That the allies contemplate inten-
siflcation of their effort probably by
diplomatic means in the Balkans,
was also indicated by the summons
to British ENJOYS in Southeastern
Europe and Italy to return to London
for consultation. The French gov
eminent was reported to have taken
similar action.
More important in the long run
than the wartime aspect of the
British-French unity declaration is
It's anticipation not merely of CO.
operation, but of unified policy in
remaking Europe if the allies are
victorious. The community of
action in all spheres" which Britain
and France now pledge suggests that
when and If Germany is defeated
the allies virtually will merge their
empires to guide the reconstruction
OF Europe so as to assure "the liberty
OF peoples, respect for law and the
maintenance of peace"
The kind of Europe which the
allies intend to create has been out
lined as yet in only the most general
terms, with little mention of specific
territorial readjustments. But Ger
tainly acknowledgements have less to
fear from British-French dominat ton
of the European scene than from
Nazi hegemony. The only nations
which have cause to be apprehensive
are those who now, or in the future,
challenge the right of small nations
to liberty and spurn respect for law
Germany. Russia and those who will
ingly associate themselves with the
aggresSOrS' cause.
Evening star., 1940-03-29
WashingtOnian Commends Article
On Poet-Librarian MacLeish.

Presidential appointments of native
sons are gratifying to us and we are
also pleased when an outsider from
quality street is selected to fill the
time-honored post of librarian of Con-
gress. All too seldom is a poet, scholar
and gentleman of the calber of Archibald
MacLeish placed in administrative
authority, and truly does he merit the
fine praise given him in that splendid
article, 'The Capital Parade" in The
Star.
Iwould like to have Alsop and Kintner
continue to give Star readers more about
Mr.. MacLeish; perhaps digest of his
opening speech at the Hispanic Founda-
ton at the Library when he first as
sumed his honored post. letting his own
words reveal his true character as q
man of vision and greatness of soul.
We may look forward to great events in
the future Of our national Library of
the people.
ERNEST CHARLES RICK.
March rs.
Evening star., 1940-03-29
Appeal Made
To Owner Of Dog.

Appeal Made
To Owner Of Dog.
To the Editor Of The Star:
Yesterday I was moved to write the
following appeal, which hope you can
publish:
On my way to services Sunday morn
ing saw what was to me most pa
thetic sight. It was an old crippled
veteran of the great army OF police
dogs. He looked so detected, so miser-
able, and I wondered why the owner
of that beloved beast could not see that
he was really suffering.
The mute appeal in his eyes said,
''Why do you not give me painless
death. Let me join the others of my
breed and be at last where pain does
not exist" I am sure If that dog could
tell his beloved master or mistress how
much pain he had and how very un-
happy it made him when they left
him that they would answer his appeal.
The owner Of that dog should forget
his affection for the faithful pet and do
something to ease his discontinue.
I hope ! am right In thinking Of my
mute friends In this way.
MRS. LORENA T. Strife.
March a. ~.-.-.- .... ..s--- - 81.
Evening star., 1940-03-29
Questions Reason
For Quashing Ticket.
TO the Editor Of The Star:

In discussion Of parking tickets in
your issue Of March Is you say:
Paul J. Kelley, 144O w street NV,
ticketed for leaving his car in a no.
parking anytime space, was given a
warning because he had no previous
record The action was taken on request
OF Coroner A. Magruder Macdonald"
Does this mean that any one With a
clean record may park once in a no.
parklng-any-tim space. or merely that
any one friend of Coroner Macdonald
and having a clean record may park
once in no-parking any time space?
Perhaps we should have an official
ruling on this from the Police Depart
ment? GEORGE D. WATROUS, Jr.
March 26.