davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1940-11-20
An Aid to Britain

In the disclosure that the Navy
will not compete with Britain in the
purchase of American cargo vessels
further evidence is at hand of the
administrations desire to extend all
possible aid to the British Empire,
now engaged in a struggle whose
outcome is of such vital Importance
to this country. With the completion
Of the Navy's ship purchase pro-
gram, through which it has acquired
many merchant vessels for use as
auxiliaries since the beginning of the
present fiscal year, Britain will thus
have freer hand in buying ships in
the United States to replace the ton
mage lost in the war.
Since the military collapse of
France, and the intensiication Of the
axis assaults on her merchant ma
rine, Britain has suffered heavy ship
ping losses. To keep the ocean life
lines open and assure an uninter-
rupted flow of war materials, and
foodstuffs from Canada, the United
States and elsewhere, the tonnage
destroyed must be replaced. In help
ing provide these requirements, the
United States can therefore render
Britain material assistance in her
hour of grave peril. The Maritime
Commissions tied-up fleet now con-
Sists of approximately seventy-flve
vessels, with an estimated tonnage
of nearly 100000. Many other ships,
privately owned, are also laid up in
our harbors, idle and unemployed.
Though most of these ships are old,
and near the end of their useful life,
they are still capable of rendering
yeoman's service to Britain. Since
conveys invariably move slowly, the
relatively low speed of these old ships
would not prevent their use as cargo
carriers
To provide services on essential
trade routes, the United States needs
fast, modern ships, equipped to ham
die their cargoes economically and
efficiently. Many new freighters,
constructed under the Maritime
Commissions program, have recently
been placed in service, and others
are nearing completion. Since there
is no shortage of American merchant
ships today, we can easily spare as
many of the vessels in the tied-up
fleet as Britain cares to buy. It is to
be hoped that the Maritime Commis-
sion and other Government agencies
will continue their policy of aiding
Britain by selling her our surplus
ships-a policy clearly in our own ma
tiOnal interest.
Evening star., 1940-11-20
Business as Usual

AS this Nation has moved into high
gear in its rearmament program,
many persons both in public and
private life have sought to create the
impression that this great defense
effort can be carried forward to a
satisfactory conclusion without ap-
preciably disturbing the easy routine
of our peacetime mode of living.
From time to time, 1t is true, the
American people have been warned
that they may have to make some
sacrifices, but the effect Of these
admonitions has been largely nulli-
fed by repeated suggestions that the
defense program can be superim-
posed on the normal functioning Of
American industry-by a seemingly
studied effort to create the impress
sion that we can win this desperate
rearmament race against time, while
refusing to bulge from business
as usual" basis.
A confusion of mind and a soften
ing of purpose have been the in
evitable results. And, of even greater
consequence, public psychology has
been foStered which tends to make
more difficult the sacrifices that
ultimately must be made.
Secretary OF War Stimson un-
doubtedly had this background in
mind when he spoke to the American
Federation Of Labor convention in
New Orleans Monday, for his remarks
were calculated to make the people
of this country face the real facts Of
their position.
To-day" he said, "our production,
hopeful as it has been thus far, is
as yet very far from adequate. Sacri-
fees will undoubtedly be called for
from labor, as they will be called for
from the other citizens of the Re-
public, but such sacrifices I believe
will be willingly contributed and not
compelled. 1t would be poor tribute
to the patriotism of our people or to
the intelligence of the men and
women who produce the goods for
our defense to promise that under
such a terrific effort as that upon
which we are engaged we can assume
an attitude of business as usual No
responsible man would give any such
assurance"
Mr.. StimSon made 1t clear that
neither labor nor any other group
would be called upon for dispropor-
tionate or unnecessary sacrifices, but
he has struck down the dangerous
fiction that in this time Of grave
emergency we can have our cake and
eat it. too. In unmistakable terms,
he has set forth truth which should
have been told months ago, and those
OF his countrymen who are not
blinded by personal selfishness will
welcome this fortnight effort to
point out the only course which offers
real assurance that we shall escape
the disaster which has befallen other
peoples who waited too long to make
the effort and the sacrifices necessary
to the preservation Of their freedom.
Evening star., 1940-11-20
Replies to Letter From
Insurance Salesman.

To the Editor of The Star:
This is in answer to portions of the
letter written by Homer w. Wills rela-
tive to the usefulness of life insurance
statesmen, published in the November
IS issue of The Star. AS an insur-
ance agent Mr. Wills has every right
to defend his method of making a liv-
ing. AS polcyholder in Massa-
chusetts Savings Bank Life Insurance I
should like to demur from some of his
statements bearing on that institution.
The letter sought to minimize the i'm
portance of savings bank life insur-
ance by comparing its volume of busi-
ness with the total insurance written by
all insurance companies. Figures pre-
sented before the T. N. E. c. reveal that
in 1888 the savings banks in Massa-
chusetts wrote some 6.8 per cent of all
ordinary life insurance written in the
State. Not an impressive figure, per-
haps. But it should be remembered that
Savings Bank Life Insurance was only
one of 48 different institutions writing
life insurance in the State. Compared
with each of the other Al companies its
performance appears in different light
The savings banks in 1888 wrote more
life insurance than all but 4 of the AZ
other companies. Not a bad showing
when the banks used no solicitors is it?
But that is not the whole story AS
any conscientious life underwater"
realizes selling the policy is only part
of his job. If the policyholder does not
keep his policy in force, much of the
salesman's efforts have been wasted The
savings banks in Massachusetts, have an
outstanding record in persistency of
business Harking back to the figures
for 1888 we find that although the
banks accounted for less than per
cent of all ordinary life insurance sold
in the State during the year. they ac-
counted for As per cent of the net in
crease in insurance in force at the end
of the year. The banks, with sales of
$4,000, 900, showed an increase at the
end of the year of $16,000,000. The other
At companies sold nearly $247 900 900
worth of insurance during 1888 But at
the end of the year the insurance on
their books had increased by only $1s,-
100000.
Just a word about Mr. Wills rather
novel reasoning relative to the probable
trend of costs in the event that insur-
ance we're to be bought rather than
sold. His statements seem to indicate
belief that were it not for the insurance
agent none but the poor risk would in
la -.
rise and offset any saving brought
Evening star., 1940-11-20

about by the elimination of agents COM
missions. That argument might be valid
If insurance applicants did not have to
pass physical examinations It might
be plausible if it were not for the fact
that the combined mortality experience
Of the Massachusetts, savings banks have
been consistently lower than that of
other underwriters, both ordinary and
industrial
AS resident of Massachusetts, I feel
rather fortunate in having the oppor-
tunity of purchasing savings bank life
insurance at low premium. Certainly
I would not deny to the conscientious
and intelligent agent just reward for
such services as he performs. But,
equally certainly, believe that the per-
son who has the foresight to walk in
and buy his own insurance should have
the right to the savings he has made
possible. I only regret that the oppor-
tunity is confined to persons living or
working in Massachusetts, and New York,
A SAVINGS BANK LIFE
POLICYHOLDER.
Evening star., 1940-11-20
The click clack of the rumba orchestra
is not like anything else in the musical

The click clack of the rumba orchestra
is not like anything else in the musical
world.
It has busy something about 1t
which, once 1t is heard at its best, has
the power to convert even the greatest
musical snob.
The musical snob, of all snobs, is per-
haps the most precious, in the not too
good meaning of the word
He is the fellow who somehow thinks
there is just one kind of music, depend
ing upon the sort he likes
If he happens to fancy the SYM
phony, he naively believes that nothing
else made up of ordered sound is worth
listening to, except in q rather con-
descending manner
If he chooses opera, then he prefers to
look down upon any other type of music,
scarcely allowing the symphony to enter
into his scheme of things musical.
Fortunately for music, this sort Of
snobbery is laughed out Of court.
Since music makes sense, 1t is realized
by most listeners, as we'll as by most
musicians, that the music world is just
as wide as the human world, and that
is pretty wide, indeed.
From the far shores of Hawaii to the
land Of the Firms, and all between, and
past through all the ages, peoples have
expressed themselves in music.
1t is not such a jump as some would
like to believe, from a folk song to a
symphony.
A hillbilly number, properly rendered,
may have better effect, purely from
the musical standpoint, than an oratorio
sung by men and women who really do
not understand nor appreciate what
they are trying to do
We will not enter here into the uues-
ton of whether the rumba really should
be called the pregon, or whether it
shouldn't.
1t makes no difference.
What America calls the rumba Is
pretty well defined now, although it has
been only a few years, comparatively
speaking, since this dance was intro
duced from its native land of Cuba.
At first it came in as a rather
naughty offering, but since that has
been the fate of most dances, it made
no difference. The rumba caught on.
Even the waltz, when first introduced
as such in Vienna, was regarded as
something which good mothers must
frown upon for their daughters Since
1t was, however, both lovely music and
fine dance, it made its way.
No dance of modern times has caught
on in the United States like the rumba.
Sedate old parties, who never danced
step in their lives, suddenly yield to
its fascination.
They may be seen sneaking into the
back doors of dance emporiums, hoping
that their business associates do not
catch them at it,
Then some day, they will surprise
thei" wives and friends by suddenly
stepping out on the floor to indulge
Evening star., 1940-11-20
No Adjournment

In voting, by substantial margin,
to remain on duty at this critical
time, the House has measured up to
It's responsibilities as national
legislative body-as a combination
driving and balance wheel in the
machinery of democratic government.
Since the Senate had made no move
toward adjournment, the action of
the House yesterday presumably dis
poses of the issue for this history
making session of Congress. This is
as it should be, for Congress has
unfinished business on the calendar
and it may have new business of
Importance to consider before the
session is over. No one can fOretell
what burdens may devolve upon Con-
gress within the next few weeks, with
conditions as turbulent as they are
in the world today.
Congress now should address itself
to the immediate tasks which lie
before it. The House approved
Walter-Logan bill, designed to curb
the quasi-legislative powers of some
administrative agencies, and the
Smith amendments to the Wagner
Labor Relations Act call for forth
right action at this session. Easing
of legislative restrictions on further
aid to embattled democracies, in
cluding repeal or modification of the
Johnson Act banning loans to de-
faulting debtor nations, require real
istic study. The campaigns and
elections are over. Nothing should
distract Congress now from getting
Evening star., 1940-11-20
THIS AND THAT
BIZ Charles Z. Trdce1oen.

in the rumba, that exotic dance which
really sounds exotic
The tango, for instance, no longer has
that effect on listeners or dancers. That
from strange lands effect is lacking
In it now. since it has been refined
from its original Argentinian ways.
Perhaps the Cubans wouldn't recognize
their rl,mba dance, but there is still
plenty of fire in it.
The old instruments. drums and
blocks of wood and gourds filled with
seeds, and the way they are used, give
the rumba great part of its fascination.
Many straight American dance or
chestras seem utterly unable to get
the rhythm of the rumba correctly.
That is why there are only a COM
paratively few rumba orchestras in the
United States which play it correctly.
But since all Of these are on the records,
any one with a modern phonograph
may have this music at its best, adapted
for American ears, but still retaining
most of the charm of this busy, rustling,
fascinating music.
During the past five years, this column
has made speciality Of collecting exotic
records of all kinds
The French and the Germans, in par
ticular, did some wonderful work in send
ing musical expeditions to the far
corners Of the earth, to collect odds and
ends of the worlds music.
We have many of these records and
find them fascinating, but of all the
samples of exotic music, we hand the
crown to the Cuban melodies.
Though the music of Cuba belongs
to the great Spanish tradition, it is
truly its own music, and for its best
points owes little to Spain
We have found that many persons
when you speak of Latin-American
music, or what we have called Spanish
type music, Immediately reply, "Oh,
I don't like that castanet stuff
- *+
Now, there is nothing of the that
castanet stuff" in the rumba.
There are all sorts of odd beats, made
by various percussion instruments, but
1t is the way they are used which gives
the real charm Of this music Here is
rhythm used basically, as it should be
used, but at the same time varied and
made to be veritable part of the music
Our own dance bands, especially in
their fox trot numbers, use rhythm in
deadly, monotonous sort of way. They
call it solid" that way.
The Cuban rumba varies the beats of
the various rhythm instruments, both
as to timing and tone, so that the basic
rhythm of the music is more than Just
beat. 1t is the very heart of this music.
1t is the thing about it which captivates
the heart of Young and old alike, and
which makes gray-haired gentlemen
suddenly wonder why they never
learned to dance. Probably most Ameri-
cans are bit too repressed to do much
with the rumba, as a dance, but at
least they can listen to it, and If they
have Photographs they should, by all
means. This is music that will win your
heart, if you give 1t a chance.
Evening star., 1940-11-20
On Deck

Resplendent beauty stretches to the sky
In sparkling, sun-kissed, windswept
jeweled waves;
Only far, dim horizons greet the eye,
While troubled water rhythmically lave
Our noble ship that with relentless force
Moves straight in duty's path, withou
flaw,
Steadfastly forward constant in 1t
course
AS If obedient to primeval law.
Yielding to beauty's spell, inert / lie,
Receptive, effortless, till in my heart
New windows open on this shining view
OF vast inf1nity; blue sea and sky
Meet and embrace; and become part
OF strange serenity, forever new.
LOUISE WILSON DUNWELL.
Evening star., 1940-11-20
Porking and the Future

Necessary adjustments in large
American cities to meet the needs of
an era of rapid transportation have
passed the theoretical stage within
a short generation and have become
Of utmost Importance to Washington
as one of the two major communities
to show population increase in the
last decade.
Fundamental among these machine
age problems is that of parking. 1t
has brought about costly commercial
changes in some cities, and in all it
has reduced property values in what
were once the most desirable buSi-
ness centers. In Washington, because
of its basic plan and it's building
limitations which discourage the
massing of large numbers of insti-
tutions and their employees and
clients in concentrated areas, the
results have not been as detrimental
as elsewhere. The Nations Capital
still has the opportunity, through
controlled planning, to adjust it's
facilities to the needs of the future,
a chance which long since has passed
in some of the major cities.
These conclusions, developed in a
conference of planners and civic lead
ers under the auspices of the Park
and Planning Commission, the ad-
visory board of the American Auto
mobile Association and the Commit
tee of 100 on the Federal City, lead
to one basic objective. Whether pub
licly or privately owned and operated,
a larger number of comparatively
small parking areas must be provided
in the congested center of the city.
In addition, wisdom must be exercised
in the adoption of new restrictions
to prevent the transfer of downtown
congestion to fringe" areas, which
would mean merely further deteriora-
ton of values and an eventual COM
pounding of the problem.
Coming at time when large
scale survey of parking needs is just
beginning, the conference serves as
a sound basis for future planning.
Through cooperation of motorists,
District officials now are trying to
determine preferences and actual
needs. How effective this survey will
be depends entirely upon the Wiling
ness Of those parking their cars on
the streets to express their prefer
Evening star., 1940-11-20
BuIquriu Lining Up

Inc secret VlSlC OF bulRaTlaS hlnS
Boris to Adolf Hitler in Berlin is an
ominous portent. A month ago, it
became evident that Bulgaria was
morally bound to the axis. The only
remaining doubt was whether she
would go still farther and enlist
openly on the axis side. Everything
indicates that this is what is about
to take place.
If Italy's sudden thrust at Greece
from Albania had succeeded, it is
quite likely that the axis would have
continued to allow Bulgaria to play
passive role until the Turkish prob
lem was ripe for solution. But Italy'S
invasion of Greece from the west
has so egregiously failed that her
German partner is compelled to take
a hand in the game. To get at
Greece, the German war machine
must roll through either YugoSlavia
or Bulgaria. 1t could not operate
through Yugoslav territory unless a
right of way were granted across the
whole country, and the YugoSlav peo-
pie seem resolved to fight even
against hopeless odds rather than
submit to a German occupation on
the Rumanian model.
In order to avoid a life -and-death
struggle with the tough YugoSlav
Army and people, Germany appears
to be choosing the alternative Bull
garian route From it's Rumanian
bases, the German Army can move
across relatively short strip of Bull
garian territory and invade Greece
from the north down two river val
leys, the Struma and the Mesta, to
say nothing of still other defiles
through the hills farther eastward
and possible push down the Martha
Valley bordering the Greco Turkish
frontier.
To be sure, the Greeks have long
since erected strong defense line
against chronically hostile Bulgaria,
but with so much of their small army
earmarked far to the westward for
resistance to the Italians, it is hard
to believe that their northern de-
fenSeS could long hold out against a
German assault, presumably aided
by the Bulgarians, who are good
fighters themselves and who, in thus
invading Greece, would be getting
back territories taken from them by
the Greeks in previous wars
Greece's only reasonable hope of
repelling this northern invasion
would lie in receiving ample help
from Britain or Turkey, or both. But
this is just where the most unhappy
aspects of the larger situation appear.
Britain seemingly cannot divert large
forces from her vital strongholdS in
Egypt and Palestine, menaced by
Italian pressure from both Libya
and Ethiopia. And the very fact of
a German Bulgarian attack on
Greece will afford strong evidence
that Russia has given its assent as
part of the payoff in the negotia-
tions recently concluded by Soviet
Premier Molotoff with Hitler in Ber-
lin. If Russia has thus agreed, Tur-
key probably will not move to defend
Greece, thereby risking not merely
German reprisals but also Russian
displeasure.
Under these perilous circumstances
it is not strange that Greece, seeking
every possible source of assistance,
has appealed to our Government to
be allowed to purchase arms and
munitions here, and it is pleasing to
note that the State Department is
giving the request sympathetic con-
sideration." But time presses, and
any aid extended must reach Greece
SOOn
Evening star., 1940-11-20
Mayor Kelly's Clean
Bill Of Health,

To the Editor Of The Star:
His Honor of Chicago" note where
Jay Franklin gives Mayor Kelly OF
Chicago pretty clean bill of health. In
support he quotes the late great Cardi-
nal Mundelein.
Now Cardinal Mundelein,s word car
ries weight with me. An outspoken man,
he curried favor with no one. Once in
substance :. Cropping politicians who
hide their dirty work under the cloak
OF liberal contributions to the church are
abhorrent to me-" The Mayor, by the
way, according to Jay, is half German
and half Irish. Apparently half saint
and half sinner. A sort of Dr. Jekyll
and Mr. Hyde. Nobody is all good or
all bad.
There is the much advertised Frank
Hague of Jersey City. Apparently not
yet, along with padded pay rolls"
(as we read, he also caused the tax
payers to donate model medical center.
Like Theodore Roosevelt, he is in favor
Of large families-even more So Teddy"
didn't invite the Nations mothers Ito
have baby on the White House" Frank
plainly tells the Jersey City women to
blame it on the City Hall and to collect
in the lying-in ward.
These machines" as it seems, are a
necessary evil, and even Presidents have
to 60 along with them. Chester A.
Arthur, so understand Games L. Ford
once In a while, of Sunday and on the
quiet, took train to New York. There
in the back room of "Barney's saloon"
he would iron out serious local party
difficulties. All about Federal jobs, of
course.
In any case, politics, no doubt. has
ethics all its own. "You can't touch
pitch and not be marked, lad" Even
the sanity Bishop James j. Cannon, jr..
had to wash up when he finally removed
himself from public life.
FRED VETTER.