davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1940-08-16
Breaking the Jam

After seven weeks of delay in
launching the $40O, 100000 emer-
gency air defense program, it is
welcome news to learn that the
Nations aircraft manufacturing in
dustry, without waiting any longer
for congressional action, has acted
voluntarily to break the jam.
Although funds were made avail
able early in June for the purchase
OF some 1000 combat airplanes, the
Government has been able to sign
contracts for only thirty-three of
these planes during the last seven
weeks because of uncertainty as to
the fate of pending legislation deal
ing with excess profits taxes and the
amortization of costs for necessary
plant expansions for construction of
the new defense air equipment.
The first indication that the in
dustry was acting to break the jam
came with the announcement that
approximately fourteen of the larg-
est aircraft plants, which will han
die construction of practically all Of
the 1000 airplanes. have placed
orders for machine tools in prepara-
tion for contracts not yet signed.
This news is encouraging, in view
OF the fact that difficulties in obtain
ing machine tools has constituted
something of a defense bottleneck.
1t is even more encouraging when
coupled with the news that the air.
craft plants also have placed orders
for great quantities of duralumin
and other raw materials and for
castings and parts on a scale which
will entail expansions in many OF
the raw materials and accessories
industries
The tremendous scale of these
orders is indicated by the fact that
one aircraft factory has placed
orders with more than 1900 firms
for raw materials, parts and tools,
which now are beginning to flow into
this factory's workshops at the rate
Of nearly $4,000, 900 year.
Penalties for past delays in build
ing up the national defense machine
cannot be paid off overnight. 1t
takes costly time to launch an air
defense program on the scale made
necessary by present world condi-
tions. The latest developments indi-
cate, however, that industry is
putting a shoulder to the wheel in
disregard of the elements of financial
risk involved.
Evening star., 1940-08-16
Non Political Study Of
Profit Bill Urged.

To the Editor Of The Star:
The need for non political action by
Congress in connection with the con-
scription bill is most urgent. National
disaster may we'll result from an anti.
conscription measure at this time,
whereas should the conscription measure
prove an error of judgment, the outcome
could not possibly bring any serious con-
sequences to any one.
From personal experience 1 suggest
possible explanation Of the flood of let
tiers opposing conscription which puzzles
certain members of Congress. Two years
ago was in Midwestern city when a
certain bill was pending in Congress. I
was present at q gathering where the
speaker, who was on the air, urged every
one present and listening in to wire his
or her Congressman that very night ex-
pressing opposition to the bill Most of
those present responded. Many tele-
phoned in offering to pay for as high as
SIS worth Of kilograms for those who
could not afford to pay their own. Hun
dreds of kilograms were sent that very
night. Only a small percentage Of the
senders knew the facts involved and ac-
cepted the opinion of the orator.
The 'well-informed American of aver,
age intelligence knows that well-trained
man power must back the huge arma-
ment program and expects Congress to
keep its head out of the sand and out Of
politics while taking immediate and ef-
fective action toward completion of our
national defense plans. Delay favors no
one except those who would have us re-
main unprepared. G. 8.
August &
Evening star., 1940-08-16

and wonder to others who are blithely
told that the people of this country
are demanding peacetime conscription
August IA. EDGAR R. BAKER.
Editors Note:
The Star regrets the inadvertent
misquotation of Senator Norris. as
described. The Senator is not easily
heard from the gallery. While the
word should have been may" in
stead OF must" reading of the
context of The Stars report will show
that the tenor of his remarks was
not distorted. Nor does The Stars
critic quote the complete headline.
only one part of which repeated the
error in the article.
What Senator Norris said was this:
THAT they (the dictators) may even
tually come to us, concede. I concede
they would like to conquer the United
States. 1t goes without saying that
every one of them would like to do
that. But what must they do, Mr..
President, before they can conquer
us? They must first of all overcome
our air force and our Navy =. If
they know anything, they know
enough not to start at the present
time. To do so, it seems to me, would
be perfectly foolish. may be wrong
in my judgment about that I
will modify the statement by saying
that 1t seems to me it is foolish to
think that such an attempt will be
made"
Evening star., 1940-08-16
BETHESDA, Nd.

"Dear Sir:
II had an exciting experience with .
hummingbird week or 50 ago that may
interest you. 1t was very unusual to me.
II was Just starting to load some black
dirt into wheelbarrow from q pile in
the back yard when heavy cloud caused
q sudden darkening. AS I looked up to
estimate the weather situation, some
thing whizzed past my head at q great
rate. The attack was repeated before I
could quite recover from the first.
Then, in the haf-light, I was able
to see hummingbird hovering in the
air about 80 feet away and Is or more
of the ground. Almost instantly he dove
at my face. This was repeated several
times, with the pause for aim each time,
before I decided to run instead of fight.
For one thing, the dive was too fast to
permit any real defense, and 1t also
seemed absurd to destroy such beauti-
full and dainty creature.
when I retreated to some distance,
the attacker went under the body Of the
wheelbarrow where he hovered restlessly
but seemed unsatisfied.
"The only explanation that seemed
likely was that the bird had found the
underSide of the wheelbarrow (when up
side down on the dirt pile) good shelter
from the heavy rains which had occurred
several times in the immediate past.
ITO test this, I turned the wheelbar-
row over on the dirt pile, as 1t had been
for several days, being attacked again
as soon as I approached the wheelbar-
row. Once the barrow was upside
down, the hummingbird did some in
vestigating and then went underneath.
After that, all was peace.
II had heard that the hummingbird
was brave fighter, but did not know
that they ever roasted on the ground.
In any case, this one knew a dry spot,
and one well protected from q storm,
when he found 1t.
Sincerely yours, G. T. c."
This letter from Montgomery County
bears out what this column said the
other day as to the ferocity of the dainty
hummingbird.
There is real danger in such an at
tack too, as our correspondent evidently
found out
Here was a perfect application of the
ancient Chinese proverb. "Of the % ways
Of getting out of trouble, the best is to
run away"
That long bill. If jabbed into an eye,
could put it out easily.
The very fury of the attack, from such
very small and beautiful creature,
throws one entirely up In the air. Truly,
there is no desire to harm 1t, at the
same time the very fact that it is at
tacking seems somehow more than mildly
ridiculous.
ttt ~
Was the hummingbird's attack the
origin of bomb diving?
Several other species indulge in some
Evening star., 1940-08-16
Planning Unity

Action designed to meet the future
highway needs of Arlington County
has been taken in approval by the
County Planning Commission of the
National Capital Park and Planning
Commissions map of thoroughfareS
and of major approaches to WASH
ington.
While the highways which have
been approved in principle look
toward the county's growth many
years hence, the immediate problem
is to integrate them with private
development Soon large apartment
projects are expected on lower Lee
boulevard, which probably will re-
suit in a new congestion of CITY,
bound traffic. To meet this, one of
the important parts of the major
plan calls for channelization and
possibly highway grade separation at
the intersection of the boulevard
with Arlington Ridge road The pro-
gram also calls for a new diverting
circle near the southeast corner of
Arlington Cemetery, which would
open a more accessible route to
Highway Bridge.
Since these projects are part of the
basic plan for co-ordinating the
street plan of the National Capital
with the highways of all the adjoin-
ing counties, Arlington'S approval is
an important step in the develop
ment' of the Greater Washington
area as homogeneous whole, Sepa-
rated only by political boundary
lines. Arlington's position differs
from that of the other counties,
possessing, as it does, such extensive
Federal reservations and develop
ments near the District, and bur-
dened by a heavy volume of inter-
state traffic over a complex system of
approaches.
Based on the principle of roads
radiating from four bridges, all con-
nected by "belt" roads, Arlingtons
major plan offers an intelligent
solution to the problem of the west
ern and southern approaches to the
Capital.
Evening star., 1940-08-16
Threat to Greece

STRAINED relations between Italy
and Greece, assiduously promoted
by the controlled Italian press and
aggravated by the sinking of the
Grecian light cruiser Helle by an
unidentified submarine, strongly
suggest that another unhappy neu-
trail shortly may be dragged into the
struggle for control of the Medi-
terranean Sea and the water route
to the Far East.
The independence of Greece was
guaranteed early in 1889 by Britain
and France, but the fortunes of war
and the entry of Italy into the con-
flict have robbed that pledge of it's
substance and left the Greeks in an
exceedingly precarious position. With
France defeated and the British
fighting a desperate battle of self
preservation, Greece can hope for
little in the way of effective assist
ance if attacked by Mussolini's
forces. Her one real hope of escap-
ing involvement in the conflict has
lain in observance of strict neutral
ity, but it does not appear now that
neutrality is enough.
Italy's diplomatic and propa-
ganda offensive has taken two gen.
eral lines: First, that the Greeks
have been depressing certain ele-
ments in Italian-conquered Albania,
and, second, that Greece has been
harboring British ships in her
waters. 1t is, of course, impossible
to determine what truth, II any, lies
in these charges, but, considering
Greece's vulnerability to Italian
attack, they are probably false.
1t is more reasonable to believe
that Italy, determined to carry the
war to Egypt, desires to use strategic
Greek bases for that attack and for
the harassment of the British fleet
in the Eastern Mediterranean. In
this event a probable objective would
be Salonika, Greek port on the
Aegean Sea, which could oe con-
verted into an Italian naval base.
Such move, in addition to menacing
Britain's "life line" might have the
effect of iSolating Turkey, supposedly
hostile to the Axis powers, from the
British naval bases at Alexandria,
Cyprus and Haifa.
Should Mussolini decide upon this
line of attack he will be able to find
some precedent for it in the Allies
conduct of the last war. In 1915
King Constantine of Greece endeav-
ored to maintain a neutral status,
but the Allies, asserting that he was
too friendly with Germany, forcibly
occupied Salonika. They may have
been invited in by Greece's Premier
VenizeloS, but the action seemed so
clearly to violate Greece's neutrality
that a strong protest against 1t YVES
Evening star., 1940-08-16
Home Guards


A bill introduced in the Senate by
Chairman Sheppard of the Senate
MilitarNAffairs Committee is intended
to solve a serious problem which
would arise from mobilization of the
National Guard for emergency serv-
ice-the preservation of order in the
States during such local emergencies
as riots, industrial disorders, great
disasters and other crises requiring
martial law or militia action. Under
the Sheppard bill authority would be
given the States to organize special
home defense units to perform the
functions ordinarily assigned in
peacetime to the National Guard.
Volunteer forces would be recruited
from age groups outside the con-
scription brackets, probably using
veterans organizations as a nucleus.
Such plan was advocated some
time ago by President Roosevelt,
after conferences with Governor
Herbert Lehman of New York, one
of the original proponents Of the
program, and with other officials,
State and Federal. In fact, the War
Department is known to have had
the "home guard" idea under con-
sideration for long time, in antici-
patton of mobilization of the
National Guard, and authorities in
some of the States already have
begun organization of quasi-official
home defense units, composed
largely of Legionnaires and other
World War veterans.
Legislation is necessary to give the
home guards legal authority. Under
a section of the 1916 National De-
fense Act, the States are prohibited
from organizing home defense units
in peacetime. Who is to supply the
arms for such second line of home
defense" is a question yet to be
decided by Congress. The Sheppard
bill makes no provision for providing
the units with Federal arms, but
Chairman Sheppard has urged the
Senate Military Affairs Committee
to amend the bill so as to assure a
Federal supply Of rifles, pistols and
machine guns. The shortage of arms
for the expanding Army complicates
the problem Of furnishing guns to
the home guards, however. To what
extent the guards should be respon-
sible to the Federal Government is
question being weighed by the COM
mittee. While the original proposal
was to give the States complete
jurisdiction, Governor Lehman be-
lieves it might be more advantageous
to vest primary control with the
Federal Government, so that the
home guards could be readily fitted
into the general defense scheme.
These are details best worked out in
conference with Federal and State
authorities. The plan, as a whole,
has a great deal of merit and, when
finally placed in effect-as it prob
ably will be when the kinks are ironed
out at the Capitol-should do much
to compensate for the absence in
home communities of the stabilizing
influence of the National Guard At
the same time, the organization of
official home defense units will
obviate any need for citizens vigi-
lante groups, acting without author
ity of law.
Evening star., 1940-08-16
Error in Reporting
Norris Speech Corrected.

40 the koltoI Oh Inc otdfs
A few days ago very great Ameri-
can delivered what was, In my opinion,
one of the most effective and moving
speeches heard on the floor of the
United States Senate in many years.
The man was George Norris and he
spoke against peacetime conscription.
After an analysis Of the possible con-
sequences of CONSUMPTION, he proceeded
to advance the thesis that the dictators
might some day be at war with one an
Congressional Record, THAT they may
eventually come to us, concede." The
Star reported this same sentence as
follows: "' . The dictators must come
to us, concede that" This story was
surmounted by a headline which de-
d-"Conscription Foe Admits They
viii Come to U. S., However" Thus by
changing q single word and through the
use of a misleading headline an able
defense of the volunteer system has been
converted or perverted into an osten-
sible demonstration Of the need for con-
Scrlptlon.
An insignificant instance? Perhaps
but this incident is all too typical OF
the continual distortion, misrepresenta-
ton, and displacement of emphasis in
which the press is indulging. The cards
are being stacked against the people.
How can they make a reasoned judg-
ment on this question when basic
tenet of democracy (that free people
makes a free decision on the basis Of
honestly presented facts) is undermined
by a press whose freedom is a distin-
gushing characteristic Of our form Of
government.
Such incidents as this should be a
cause Of grave concern to those who
believe In Q functioning democracy,
and I suspect, . source of bewildermeut
Evening star., 1940-08-16
made in the British House

made in the British House Of
Commons.
In little more than a year the
Allies had taken possession of the
Greek Navy, seized artillery and mu-
nitions Of the Greek Army and had
deposed King Constantine and sent
him into exile. The next few days
should determine whether similar
tactics are to be employed now by
the Fascists, this time to England's
serious disadvantage.
Evening star., 1940-08-16
State
Romance

Romance, what are you but fragrant
That bloomed and wnhered in bygone
June
Leaving its perfume; night, with dawn
too soon;
Life's gilded hour before the shadows
close;
The sweetest breeze from yesterday that
blows,
Rustling the leaves of memory; moon
Still kissing olden lilacs, or q tune
That haunts, though long have ceased
the fiddler's bows.
o ecstasy Of love whose artful ways
May change torn frock to a silken gown
Or tempt prince to abnegate a crown,
You come, you 60; yet, treasured through
the days,
We keep you sacred, daring not to look
At broken petals in . yellowing book.
CHARLES J. BENEDICT.
Evening star., 1940-08-16

The quarters of a volunteer fire
company in New Jersey have been
taken over on a foreclosed mortgage.
The sheriff has the situation under
control, and expects no great dif-
dculty IN putting out the hremen.
Evening star., 1940-08-16
Letters to the Editor

Letters to the Editor must
bear the name and address OF
the Driter. although the use OF
q pSeudonym for publication is
permissible. The Star reserves
the right to edit all letters 1Cith
q UleU to condensation.
Evening star., 1940-08-16

-. The Associated Press is exclusively entitled to
the use for republication of all news dispatches
credited 10 1t 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., 1940-08-16
Would Trade DeStroyers
For Battleships.
To the Editor OF The Star:

am in favor of trading American de-
stroyers for British battleships. The
battleships, however, should be ones that
are already launched, or about to be
launched, but not yet outfltted. In this
way we would get brand-new vessels and
could outfit them with our own type Of
armament, without too much delay.
August I. Q.
Evening star., 1940-08-16

Name
Street
City
State
Evening star., 1940-08-16
HYMNS of All Creeds

Favorite Hymns is collection Of the
bestowed hymns of all denominations.
1t includes Isl hymns, complete with
words and music. The book is by 9
inches in size and has an attractive,
durable, colored cover and is completely
indexed. To secure your copy Of this
booklet inclose 20 cents in coin, wrapped
in this clipping.
Evening star., 1940-08-16
Member of the Associated Press.

Entered as second-class matter post once.
washington D. c.
Evening star., 1940-08-16
Stor Questions
Would Fill q Book

The answers to questions Of q single
days operation of The Star Information
Bureau would make a book. Not all
would have general appeal. Those in
cluded in this column are but a few
which are representative of what people
want to know. Each day brings fresh
grist. and each day brings many questions
never asked before Ask one yourself.
Evening star., 1940-08-16

demands for which the legislature is
responsible, it is necessary for the COM
mittee to require certified check tor
S138, together with authenticated proof
of long-term solvency. before ones re-
quest for refugee is negotiable.
Perhaps there are those who will
flippantly ask-what is $138? But that
amount does stand in the way of the
success of the plan, in fact much
smaller amount would be just as prohibi-
tive. To understand this, just think Of
the magnitude of the problem and the
tremendous resources which must be
made Immediately available to solve it
in a manner that will leave us with no
sense of guilt or shame. Literally hum
dreds Of thousands are in urgent need
of that which only hundreds of thous-
ands can give. Why in view of this
tragic and compelling urgency should
we use methods which would be in
adequate and unsatisfactory even if an
emergency did not exist?
What remedy do I propose? Simply
that Congress Immediately use its
authority to facilitate mass excavations
of all social groups and to make it pos
sible for any American family willing
to share its home with these innocent
unfortunates to do so without requiring
them to produce more bond than a
felon and to 60 to more trouble than
is necessary to negotiate $4,000 loan.
If cash is needed to implement plan
of practical efficiency, what better way
could we use Red Cross funds than to
salvage the children of those fighting
our battle?
THOMAS E. MATTINGLY, MI
August 9.
Evening star., 1940-08-16
Hoskin's Answers
To Readers Questions
BIZ Frederic J. Hdskin.

A reader can get the anstDer to any
question OF fact by priting The Eue-
ming Star Information Bureau, Fred
eric J. Hdskin, director, Washington,
D. C.. Please inclose stamp for reply.
Evening star., 1940-12-15
Continued From Page D-1)

corsase of orchids. The admiral
who circulated among the approx
mately $50 guests, received many
congratulations on his attractive
family.
Assisting Mrs. Ingersoll at the
tea table were Mrs Harold R. Stark
Mrs. Husband E. Kimmel, Mrs. Her
bert F. Leary, Mrs. Walter B. Wood
son, Mrs. Stanford B. Hooper, Mrs
Walter D. Sharp. all wives of real
admirals; Mrs. Roscoe E. Schuir.
mann, wife of Capt. Schuirmann;
Mrs. William T. Lightle, wife of 1t
Comdr. Lightle. U. S. NJ, retired
a classmate of Admiral Ingersoll
Mrs. Harry A. Baldridge and Mrs
Robert E. Bassler. of Annapolis, ano
Mrs. Alva J. Spriggs. Mrs. Pierre
Wilson and Mrs. Wallace Lynn.
Christmas Theme Carried
Out in Decorations. ...
Miss Price acted as an assistant
for the debutante with whom she
shared the spotlight, and the other
two assistants, both debutantes o1
this year, were Miss Marcia O'Brier
and Miss Marion Norris.
The Christmas theme was carried
out in the red and white flowers
used as decorations about the house
and red and white was used in the
icing Of the dainty cakes and the
other delicacies offered. Many guests
from out of town came for the party
including those from Round Hill
Va; New London, Conn; Westches.
ter, Pa, and New York.
Miss Ingersoll attended Holton-
Arms School here, and received her
certificate from the Washington
College of Music, where she now
is studying for bachelors degree
in music. She is a talented musician
and has given a number of recitals
here.
Miss Price Wears Gown
OF Ice-Blue Tulle.
At the party honoring Miss Price
the debutante and her parents re-
ceived in the room adjoining the
Carlton room at the hotel, where
the dancing was held. Miss Price
who wore white at her formal in
PRODUCTION to society at the Bache-
lor's Cotillion in Baltimore, chose
an ice-blue tulle gown for her dance