davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1940-09-02
Calls Attention to High
Local Relief Rate.
To the Editor of The Stf

To the Editor Of The Star.
Vital statistics show that Washington
has paid more per capita for relief than
any other community in the country.
The total amount is $45,9l6,13672, or
$5.77 per month per person of the total
population. The next in rank for this
doubtful fame is Montana, which is
down for the amount OF $414. The aver
age of the Nation as whole is $156
In other words, Washington is 81 times
as high as the national average and
1914 per cent higher than its next nearest
competitor. The figures include the
payments made for relief, welfare and
public health.
Incidentally, it appears that the NOR
tally of Washington appears not to
have been reduced in spite of the ire
mendous expenditures made during the
past five years or so. TAXPAYER.
August g.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1940-09-02
Complains Of Smoke
And SCOT in Air.

To the Editor Of The Star.
Several times a day the black and
white "snov' flakes which float in the
open windows of my Office in the Mall
triangle from a nearby smokestack must
be wiped from the desks and window
stills.
At home gray flakes, blown from partly
burned papers in metal screen cage
covering the top of neighboring CHM
ney, cling to the window screens. The
windows sometimes must be closed, when
the wind is distributing a shower of
sparks from ignited papers and other
rubbish imprisoned in the cage atop the
chimney, because of the danger of set
ting fire to the window curtains.
How many fires of unknown origin
could be traced to sparks emitted from
an incinerator? The first time I ever
observed an incinerator in action I
came near sending in fire alarm be-
cause the chimney of the building ap-
peared to be afire.
Upon my return from winter vaca-
ton Of four weeks the window stills were
covered with a layer of SCOT that had
seeped through the sashes of the tightly
locked windows. Chimneys which emit
dense smoke and incinerators discharg-
ing ashes, particles of partly burned
rubbish and showers of sparks, are a
danger as well as nuisance.
The nuisance continues undated, as
the trash distribution nuisance did until
the authorities were stirred by the news
papers and civic organizations to put
an end to it. Although Washington is
not an industrial community, it evil
IDENTIFY is destined to rival Pittsburgh as
a sooty city if something is not done to
stop it. 1t is little wonder so many peo-
pie are moving to the suburbs, where
the air is comparatively pure and clean.
THE CHIMNEY SWEEP.
August 80.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1940-09-02
New Postmaster General

In selecting Frank C. Walker to be
Postmaster General, President Roose-
welt is bringing into the cabinet a
friend of long standing, an ardent
New Dealer and principal financial
hacker of the campaign that put Mr..
Roosevelt in the White House eight
years ago.
A native of Pennsylvania, sue
cessful lawyer in the Montana copper
country, and now head of motion
picture chain in the East, Mr.. Walker,
a former treasurer of the Democratic
National Committee, has been in and
out of the Government on previous
occasions in the capacity of trouble
shooter" for the Roosevelt admins
tration. Twice he has headed the
National Emergency Council, serving
also as secretary of the executive
council that aided in shaping policy
In the early days of the New Deal.
Mr.. Walker frequently has been dis
cussed as a cabinet possibility, and
with the resignation of Postmaster
General James A. Farley 1t seemed
assured that the post would be his
for the taking, although for time
there was some doubt that he cared
to re-enter public life.
The appointment is one that I'M
doubtedly will be well received. Mr..
Walkers background equips him for
service in the cabinet, and the Presi-
dent is also breaking with the tradi-
ton that too often has seen this
portfolio turned over to the national
chairman of the political party
in power as super patron
age distribution office. Mr.. Farley
came In for no little criticism for re-
tanning both the Craftsmanship of the
Democratic Committee and his place
In the cabinet, although he was doing
no more than others before him had
done, but this dual relationship is
undesirable at best, and particu-
larly so now that a start has been
made toward removing postmasters
from the political field by the life
tenure law.
- The new Postmaster General will
takc-ove an organization that gen.
orally is conceded to be functioning
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1940-09-02
Air Disaster

The tragic airline crash in Vir-
ginia storm Saturday disrupts mag
nif1cent record of air transport safety
which had continued without blem-
ish for more than seventeen months.
This accident, which proves again
that no made device Is infal-
lible, undoubtedly will serve to bring
about further concentration on the
part of the Federal Government, the
air transport industry and airplane
designers and builders upon still
further improvement of the high
standards of safety which have been
set by the airlines.
The crash imposes a sad RESPONSE
bility upon the newly created Safety
Bureau of the Civil AeronauticS
Board, Commerce Department, sue
cessor to the Air Safety Board which
was abolished by the controversial
fourth reorganization order OF last
June. 1t becomes the duty of the
bureau, under its capable and re-
spected director, Jerome Lederer, to
determine the cause of the Virginia
crash with a view to preventing, if
possible, any future accident from
the same cause or chain of circum-
stances.
The promptness with which the
Civil Aeronautics Board, the Safety
Bureau and the administrator Of
civil aeronautics went into action
following the crash and the high
caliber of the investigators assigned
to this case are sufficient assurance
that every effort Is being made to
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1940-09-02
Let The Star
Answer Your Questions

The Star puts at your disposal corps
of trained researchers in Washington
who will answer questions for you. They
have access to the Government depart
ments, the libraries, museums, galleries,
public buildings, and to the numerous
associations which maintain headquar-
tiers in the Nations Capital. They may
not know the answer to your question.
but they will know where to find 1t.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1940-09-02
Haste Urged in Sending
Destroyers to Britain.

To the Editor of The Star.
It seems to me that those destroyers
should be started toward England today;
that it Is easier to have some one else
do our fighting for us on the other side
of the ocean than to defend every island
and inlet on this hemisphere, and that
1t should be no more illegal to assist
nation against invasion, especially when
the aggressor signed the Kellogg Pact
and broke it, than to help neighbor
keep an outlaw and murderer out of his
home. A MICHIGAN VOTER.
August n.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1940-09-02
Makes Appeal
For Cross-Town Bus.

For Cross-Town Bus.
To the Editor of The Star.
1t seems shame that a beautiful CITY
like Washington, one which has grown
tremendously according to the latest
census report) during the last 10 years,
should be handicapped By a transporta-
ton system which lacks vital link I
am referring, of course. to the lack of
cross-town bus. For those people living
on either side of Rock Greek Park above
P street NV. and wishing to get across
the park it is grueling ride. For thou
sands of people who ride to work on
either side of the park, it means bus
ride Of, on the average, not less than IS
minutes df one makes good transfers..
One must ride downtown as far as P
street NV. and transfer to one or more
cars or buses, depending upon the desti-
nation.
Those thousands of people who daily
must take the above endurance con-
test" could be taken to their destina-
tions Gin most cases. in one-third the
time If we had cross-town bus through
Rock Greek Park.
Washington is growing; it's transporta-
ton system must keep pace. MI.
August %.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1940-09-02

That British American rapproche-
ment would appear to have almost
reached its peak. One of the lead
ing United States fashion magazines
now uses the spelling Colours"
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1940-09-02
Letters to the Editor

Letters to the Editor must
bear the name and address of
the suriter. although the use OF
a pseudonyn1 for publication is
permissible. The Star reserves
the right to edit all letters Nth
q Die1D TO condensation.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1940-09-02

and then get about the business of
building a better civilization
In the meantime, let us send along
the so destroyers at once to help hold the
line until our Navy and air force get
there in all their strength
MARY B. ROBERTSON.
August 80.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1940-09-02
Modern Dictionary
and Word Book

An up-to-date, authoritative diction-
airy of 10000 words in common use. In.
cludes special supplements containing
standard authorizations, foreign words
and phrases, curious wore, origins, words
derived from persons and places "a
wealth of material not found in any
other popular-priced dictionary. Con-
tains 1872 pages Of text, printed on Bibls
paper, bound in pliable imitation leather.
To secure your copy inclose IS cents In
coin, wrapped in this clipping.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1940-09-02

The Associated Press is exclusively entitled to
the use for republication of all news dispatches
credited to 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. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1940-09-02
Member Of the Associated Press

Entered as second -class matter post ofice,
Washington, D. c.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1940-09-02

@. What is franc tireur?-M. G. s.
A. A franc tireur is a guerrilla fighter
without legal standing under the laws
Of war. Unlike soldier, franc-tireur
Is liable to execution If captured.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1940-09-02

reader can get the answer to any
question OF fact by Urittng The Eue-
ming Star Information Bureau, Fred
eric J. Haskin, director, Washington,
D. c. Please inclose stamp for reply.
O. Who succeeded Wendell L. willkie
as president of the Commonwealth &c
Southern Corp.?-L. T. H.
A. Justin r. Whiting was chosen as
president by the directors of the corpo-
ration after Mr.. Willkie resigned to run
for President.
Evening star., 1940-12-03
Vessels
Continued From First Page.)

tContlnued From First Page)
announced that emigration to
America of selected internees would
be facilitated and said Alexander
Paterson had gone to Canada to
pick other internees for the pio-
neerS, Britain's salvage and wreck
age squads.
1880 Remain Interned.
About 1880 aliens remain in
termed, Mr.. Morrison announced
saying 1000 were classified as un-
friendly and the others were being
dealt with as fast as possible. Skilled
workers. he said, will have first call
for release to become part of Brit
aims war effort.
George Hicks, parliamentary Sec
retary of works and buildings, said
ample supplies of cement were
available.
David Grenfell, parliamentary
secretary for mines, said hundreds
Of thousands of tons of coal were
on railroad sidings and about 5000
carloads originally intended for ex-
port were standing at South Wales
docks, although arrangements had
been completed for disposal of more
than 1000 carloads.
Evening star., 1940-12-03

fore any of these vessels could be
made available. During the World
War, this government took over
Dutch ships that were in American
ports.
A vital question that must be set
tied by the American Government
is how much further this country
can 60 in the matter Of furnishing
American shipping to the British
and at the same time not denude
this country of merchant ships that
may be needed in the event this
country becomes involved in war, or
even after the var is over without
involvement on our part. 1t seems
clear, however, that more can be
done for the British in this matter
now, while the country is not at war,
than could be done if the United
States got into the war itself.
In all probability the British will
avail themselves of the opportunity
of building cargo ships in this coun-
try. Indeed, plans for such con-
struction have already been made.
Evening star., 1940-12-03
|f.B. !. Investigates Blast
In Check Of Sabotage

By the Associated Press.
TACOMA, Wash, Dec. 3.-Federal
and county officials today sought the
cause of an explosion Of ton of
dynamite which wrecked the Colum-
bia Powder Co. plant yesterday, kill
ing four men. 1t was the second
explosion of its kind in this district
within a week.
Federal Bureau of Investigation
agents studied the wreckage to de-
termine if the explosion could have
been the work of SaboteurS.
Frederick S. Henricksen, company
attorney, said the firm recently COM
pleted a national defense order.
The company is a subsidiary of
the Winchester Arms and the VIM
chester Powder Co.
The dead men were identified as
William Ketchum, %. Spanaway;
Alfred H. Loney, 40, Tacoma; Fred
Wilman, about so, Parkland, and
John Stable, 81, Spanaway.
Last Thursday, black powder
corning mill exploded at Dupont,
near Fort Lewis. No one was killed
Evening star., 1940-12-03

The ships constructed will be of a
type that can be quickly built.
What can be done in the matter
Of supplying the British with more
American destroyers is another
question that is puzzling some of the
officials. In some quarters 1t is said
that the Government could transfer
to the British another so destroyers,
of the reserve fleet, without too
greatly hampering the national de-
Tense The argument Is advanced
that it is rather idle to provide mer-
chant vessels, if they are to be de-
stroyed by the Germans The rate
of destruction of merchant vessels
by the Germans is exceeding that in
the World War.
Evening star., 1940-12-03

70 Million Too Much
Spent on Election,
Gillette Believes
Sees Most Potent Effort
To Influence Voters
Through Vast Outlay

(Tert OF Radio Forum address
on Page B-16.)
By the Associated Press.
Chairman Gillette Of the Senate
Campaign Expenditures Committee
thinks the American peoples bill
for the 1910 presidential election
probably was at least $4,000, 900
more than it should have been.
"Whiie the statement is purely a
guess" he said last night, II think
I am speaking conservatively when
say that the recent presidential
election cost the American people
over $40 900, 900 over and above the
routine costs Of election boards,
ballots and similar expenses
(The Hatch Act imposes a
$3OOO,OOO limit on the amount
political committee" may spend
in one calendar year,
Speaking on the National Radio
Forum, arranged by The Star, Sen
ator Gillette asserted that the 1910
election was the most patent, po-
tent and potential attempt to in
fluence the American electorate bal
lot box through expenditure OF huge
sums of money" to occur IN the
country'S shlstory.
Corrupt Practices Act Mentioned.
He mentioned the Federal Cor
rupt Practices Act requiring the re-
porting of campaign receipts and
expenditures to the clerk OF the
House and continued:
up to the present moment, the
reports are not all in. but at this
date they show expenditures by the
Democratic National Committee and
Roosevelt political committees as a
bit over s2,50O 900 and the expendi-
lures by the Republican National
Committee and the Willkie political
committees as aggregating just un-
der SIS 900. 900.
"As 1 have stated, these reports
are not complete, and, even when
completed, they will not show the
huge sums spent by the host Of
political committees organized to
operate in one State alone. Neither
do they, nor will they, show the
reports Of the various State Central
Committees throughout the Union,
nor the myriad of local committees
who do not have to make report
under the State laws or the Federal
laws, nor the expenditures by the
multitude of individuals and small
groups who have made large ex-
penditures during the campaign,
Evening star., 1940-12-03
Messenger Prevents Meeting
Embarrassing to Diplomats

carried them to his desk just out
side the UnderSecretary's door
In the meantime. M. Henry -Haye
had stepped from the reception room
into the corridor to talk to news
paper men. He was chatting in front
of the reception room door when
Lord Lothian emerged to the corri-
dor and started toward him.
Booker, however, halted the Eng
lishman before he had taken many
steps and helped him into his coat
and hat.
The two Ambassadors saw each
other from a distance, but were
spared the necessity of coming face
to face.
Neither Ambassador gave any sign
he had noticed the other. The re-
porters engaged with M. Henry Haye
were prevented by etiquette from
Fastening after Lord Lothian.
It was one of the few times that
Lord Lothian had visited the State
Department without being stopped
in the corridor by reporters.
Evening star., 1940-12-03
British Aid
Continued From First Page.)

been sold to the British from the
so-called reserve f1eet-ships that
have come over from the World
War days and have been out OF
repair and laid up. These ships
have total tonnage of 170,80l
deadweight tons. They are in the
course of being reconditioned and
will soon be available for actual use
Fifteen more ships of this re-
serve fleet have been advertised
for sale, and presumably will soon
be transferred to the British. They,
in turn, will be put in shape for
use with as little delay as possible.
The residue of this reserve fleet
of merchant vessels owned by the
Government is 48. About 10 of these
ships are being reconditioned for
use in American merchant service
and will be held for any emergency
that may arise.
It is estimated that approximate
ly one-third of the remainder of
these reserve ships may be made
available for British purchase. A
number of the ships remaining on
the list are not suitable in type for
what the British require, and prob
ably would not be used unless there
was a final and desperate need for
bottoms of any kind.
113 Vessels Transferred.
Almost 100 more American mer-
chant vessels have been transferred
to British title during the year end
ing October 25. 1910. The records
show that including the 10 ships
sold by the Government from the
reserve fleet, there have been trans
ferred to British registry a total of
lib ships. In addition, IS have
been transferred to Canadian regis
try, Al to Panamanian registry, l9
to French and 10 to Greek registry
and II to Brazilian. The ships
transferred to British registry total
1902 tons and those to Canadian
registry 59,230 tons. The total Of
all tonnage, covering 287 ships,
transferred to alien registry during
the year was ZOOS, 1899 tons.
Presumably nearly all of this ton
mage has been put, or will be put
into the business of carrying sup
plies of one kind or another into
the war zones, which would not be
permitted as long as these vessels
remained American fagships.
Another source of shipping, now
in American ports, that might be
tapped for aid to Britain is the tied
up shipping owned by Denmark and
France. The British and the Ger
mans both have said they would
seize these vessels if they venture
from port. They number 46 to-
gether. In addition there are two
German ships, 27 Italian and eight
Norwegian in American ports. The
British have working arrangement
with the Norwegian government re-
garding the use of Norwegian ships.
Arrangement Possible.
There would, of necessity, be need
of some arrangements worked out
through the State Department be-
Evening star., 1940-12-03
Turf Romance of Vanderbilt
And MonueIu Hudson Ends

The couple had represented one
Of the country's leading turf ro-
mances. Mr.. Vanderbilt's wife, a
lover Of thoroughbreds. is a niece
of Mrs. Charles S. Howard, wife Of
the owner of Seabiscuit. Their
courtship began when they met at
race meets.
Before their marriage in June,
1898, Mr.. Vanderbilt, son of the late
Alfred GWynne Vanderbilt and Mrs.
Margaret Emerson, had been con-
sidered one of the Nations most
eligible bachelors.
His fortune is estimated by in
formed persons at between SIC, 900 900
and $30,0OO,00O.
The Vanderbilts have a small
daughter, Wendy.
Evening star., 1940-12-03

What might have proved an en-
barrasing meeting between the
British and French Ambassadors at
the State Department today was
averted by the quick thinking Of
Burnett Booker, the little colored
messenger who ushers diplomats in
and out of the Office of Undersecre-
tary Sumner Wells.
Lord Lothian, who had left his
coat and hat in a reception room
across the corridor from Mr.. Welles'
Offices, was closeted with the Un-
dersecretary at 11:30 o'clock when
Ambassador CASTOR Henry Haye ar
rived to keep an appointment and
took seat in the reception room to
wait his turn.
Booker, who had not put in Is
years at the State Department for
nothing, took in the situation at a
glance Fearing the two Ambassa-
dors might be embarrassed if brought
face to face, Booker unobtrusively
removed Lord Lothian's wraps and
Evening star., 1940-12-03
By the Associated Press.

By the Associated Press.
NEW YORK, Dec. Alfred
Gwynne Vanderbilt, % year old
president of the Pimlico and Bel
mont Racing Associations, said
through a spokesman today that he
and his wife, the former Manuela
Hudson, "have separated by mutual
agreement"
This bare announcement, made
for Mr.. Vanderbilt by David Woods,
publicity director for the Belmont
and Pimlico tracks, was all that Mr..
Vanderbilt would say
He was at the Plaza Hotel, while
Mrs. Vanderbilt was registered at
the Waldorf. She was not immedi-
ately available for comment.
Evening star., 1940-12-03

with no way whatever Of checking
or auditing them.
But even the meager facts I have
Just given must clearly indicate that
legislation is essential to prevent
further wholesale debauchery Of the
ballot box and its purposes"
Senator Gillette also said that in
the recent campaign the use Of
filthy material was carried to the
nth degree Of abuse and every pre-
judicial and unfair appeal was made
through its use to racial or religious
antagoniSms and to individual and
personal prejudices."
The committee, he said, had had
Evening star., 1940-12-03
Defense
Continued From First Page.)

Congress could get a complete pic
ture of the rearmament drive
Mr.. Roosevelt's announcement
last week that in the next budget
he intended to pare non-defense
public works and other expenditures
to bare essentials already has
brought rumblings of opposition
from legislators interested in main
tanning farm and road appropria-
tions at present levels Despite the
latter threats, Senator Byrd ex-
pressed the opinion that a minimum
reduction of $5OOOOO,OOO under this
years budget outlays could be made.
Senator Vandenperg, Republican,
of Michigan urged that Congress
set up a new agency-"the Eco
nomic Defense Board of the United
States"-to deal realistically" with
foreign trade problems and, if desir-
Evening star., 1940-12-03

its attention directed to many in.
stances OF the use Of ofIicial posi-
ton and power to coerce voting
action or to secure contributions"
The instances he cited, Senator
Gillette asserted, showed q crying
need for correction Of election
abuses" and he added that his
committee hoped to make tangible
and helpful" recommendations for
legislation to the Senate in its re-
port next month.
Evening star., 1940-12-03

able, combat barters with barters."
Submitting legislation to effectuate
his proposal, he said the seven
member, bipartisan body would
supesede the present Tariff Com
mission and would take over the
functions of the State Departments
reciprocal trade division.
Evening star., 1940-12-03

A retail grocery chain In the
United States will engage In the
banana trade In Guatemala.