davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1940-07-12
The NuticnuI Guard

Efforts being made by the District
OF Columbia National Guard to
expand It's ranks to authorized
strength and to give it's members
the fullest possible seasoning in
field maneuvers this summer deserve
the whole-hearted cooperation of
every citizen. The Guard acquitted
itself we'll during the first World
War. And it is determined to do it's
part in any future emergency.
Right now the local Guard is con-
fronted with two tasks: First. to
recruit more than 500 men needed
to bring the organization to its per-
sonnel quota of 2.l91 men, and, Sec
ond, to afford a maximum of its
members the advantages of three
weeks OF exceptionally rigorous
active duty in camp next month. A
District Defense Committee, COM
posed of Washington civic leaders.
has been formed to assist Guard
officials in carrying out that pro-
gram. Arrangements are being made
to publicize the drive for recruits
and thus to speed up enlistments in
the short period remaining before
this years maneuvers begin. The
committee will ask the District Com
mlssloners to focus attention on the
campaign by proclaiming a District
National Guard week" This cam
paign provides young men an
admirable opportunity to prepare
themselves for the defense of their
country in time of need-and the
need, unfortunately, may develop
sooner than many persons imagine.
The committee reports that there
has been some resistance" on the
part Of employers in connection with
plans of guardsmen to attend this
years extended and more intensive
training camp. In the past the field
training has covered a period of only
Two weeks instead of three. Employ
ers as a whole have been co-opera-
tive III permitting employees to attend
the tWo-week camps, but number
OF guardsmen have experienced
difficulty in securing permission to
attend the three-week encampment.
Such leaves usually are granted in
addition to regular annual leave, so
that some employers might be seri-
ously inconvenienced by extension of
the training period. The District
Defense Committee believes, how
ever, that many employers are not
fully aware Of the Importance of this
training OF guardsmen-especially
IN this time Of international crisis
and 1t plans to make special appeal
to employers to lend every assistance
possible to the Guard in attaining a
maximum Of efficiency. This CO.
operation should be forthcoming.
Evening star., 1940-07-12
1uxicub LEGISLATION
AS the present session of Cong1

AS the present session Of Congress
nears adjournment it appears that
proposed legislation to provide
Washington with system of taxicab
transportation which is adequate in
all respects is destined to end in
a pigeon hole. More than ten
years ago the situation involving
cabs became pressing. And the prin-
cipal obstacle to any sensible solu-
ton of the problem has been the
attitude of some members of Con-
gress. Thus, when the District Court
reluctantly upheld the zone rate
system and declared that any such
arrangement must necessarily be
inequitable, recommending a change
by the Public Utilities Commission, a
rider was placed on District appro-
priation bill specifically prohibiting
any order requiring meter rate.
For several years the National
Capital has had more cabs per capita
than any other large city, and it's
hybrid system Of call stands and
cruising has materially added to
parking and traffic congestion. But
neither traffic safety nor relief from
congestion form the basis of the
argument against present condi-
tions. Any system under which
operators are unable to earn fair
return is not in the public interest
regardless of how cheap" the service
may seem.
Citizens Of Washington have been
almost unanimous in advocating
legislation which would result in q
gradual reduction In the number Of
Evening star., 1940-07-12
German Threats

German diplomacy appears to have
overreached itself in attempting to
exert typically tactless Nazi pressure
on some Of the Latin American gov
ernments whose foreign ministers
will meet with Secretary of State
Hull at Havana next week to con-
slider new problems confronting this
hemisphere as result of war de-
velopments. The German Minister
to the five Central American repub-
lies sent them notes expressing hope
that no measures against neutral
ity" or action "aimed directly or
indirectly against Germany" would
be taken at the Havana conference.
Considerable indignation at his
effrontery is reported from the
Central American capitals.
Indications are that the so-called
warning" by DR.. Otto Reinebeck,
the Nazi diplomat involved, will have
a boomerang effect and increase
anti-German feeling throughout the
Americas. The Havana conference
Is, Of course, not intended to con-
slider any action against Germany,
except as necessary self-defense
measures might have that effect. It
is being held to discuss matters
relating solely to the American
republics, with the hope that a pro-
gram may be developed for effective
joint action to protect this hemi-
sphere against any economic or mil
itary menace from the aggressive
totalitarian powers.
AS Secretary Hull pointed out yes
terday, any German attempt to
influence the Havana deliberations
is species of intimidation of ma
tons whose sovereignty and freedom
Evening star., 1940-07-12
STARVING Britain

1He Ddttle OF Britain is now we'll
into its first stage, with Germany
engaged in a mighty effort to starve
the British into submission, or at
least to weaken their morale to such
an extent that an actual invasion
Will meet a crippled resistance.
The German claim of having sunk
100000 tons of enemy commercial
shipping in the six weeks ended July
may be exaggerated, but there is
scarcely any doubt that Germany
has thrown all her available energies
into the submarine campaign, linked
with the daily aerial attacks.
There can be no mistaking the
purpose of the German air raids on
Britain. At the same time that they
are directed at Britain's industrial
establishments, fuel supply and har-
bors, the German flyers are said to
be going out of their way to strike at
the civilian population, in the hope
that British nerves will be worn to
the breaking point.
There is no evidence that British
morale has suffered, however. In
fact, there is reason to believe that
it has been strengthened. But
that the campaign is having it's
effect on British food supply is fairly
evident in the appeal r. S. Hudson,
Minister of Agriculture, made to the
country to increase food production
lest millions 60, hungry next year.
He described the situation for Britain
as equal in seriousness to that in
1914, but promised that Britain
would eat, in spite of the German
effort to blockade the islands.
Whether Britain continues to eat
throughout the present crisis will be
decided by number of factors, sew
eral of which were not present in the
last war. In the early months of
1917, before the British adopted the
convoy system against the subma-
rine, the islands were on the verge of
starvation. That point has not yet
been reached in the present war.
Determining the success of the
German counter-blockade by sea and
air will be the extent to which
air power is able to supplement the
submarine by destroying British
docks and harbor facilities, as well
as by sinking ships. The U-boat
alone, under modern conditions, is
not likely to be capable of halting
or seriously reducing the shipment
Of foodstuffs to Britain.
It would be a mistake to regard
the success of d kmanys counter
blockade as a foregone conclusion.
Hitler may never be able to starve
Britain out, or so destroy her morale
as to make an invasion of the islands
walk-in. And until British morale
Is so shaken an invasion may result
disastrously for the invader.
Evening star., 1940-07-12
Kansan Sees Danger in
Preparedness "Stampede."

To the Editor of The Star:
Our representatives in Congress are
too emotional, too excited and not
deliberate enough in this time of
emergency. 1t takes cool-headed, sober
thinking for the well-being Of our free
people.
We out here in the open country are
more deliberate and safer In our think
ing Congress acts like we are about to
60 to war, but we are not. Our repre-
sentatives vote power and money lavish
ly to one man, our President, when 1t
should not. Congress should stay in
session and not vote these extras until
they come face to face with the real
conditions.
The President is not safe with the
powers bestowed upon him In blank
checks, etc. There is not the danger
of attack that they want US to think
Evening star., 1940-07-12
Criticizes Conditions
On Parking Lots.

To the Editor Of The Star:
An item Of civic interest on which I
wish to express myself to the citizens as
sociations and the motorists, in particu-
lar, is that of the parking lot situation.
A few years ago 1t was discovered that
the parking lot owners were parking cars
on the streets in order that they might
fill up their space with other business,
OF late I have noticed that they have
a practice Of parking cars as close to-
gether as possible, and as far back into
the lot as they can, without leaving any
roadway whatever should the owner of
car at the back of the lot wish to get
his car out.
think that something should be done
In the way Of legislation to force park
ing lot owners to leave roadway some-
where whereby cars could be jockeyed
around without too much loss of time
and inconvenience to the owner.
Due to the restricted parking on near
~ all OF the streets in Washington, this
consideration should at least be afforded
the motorist who has paid to park his
car on lot. JULES B. RODIER.
July I.
Evening star., 1940-07-12
EAST FALLS CHURCH, Va,
Dear Sir:

Dear Sir:
"The departure Of the latest wren
nestlings came under my personal SUPER
vision last Friday afternoon.
After watching the mother bring in
sects every few minutes for a period OF
two hours to the open mouth of the
remaining fledgling, noticed she would
lengthen her stay and later would fly
about from limb to limb near the en-
trance OF the house and often perch
atop the house and pause and preen
apparently showing her youngster how
easy 1t would be to make his exit, since
1t then appeared to be almost as large
as its mother.
''The wrenlet lost no time in taking
the hint, first craning its neck from
side to side as the mother hoped about.
Finally the mother flew downward
a number of times instead of making
the upward fight, which the little wren
took notice Of and eventually mustered
courage enough to take off for the open
spaces, just about an hour before a
violent storm, accompanied by winds
and large hailstones, which must have
made its first flight hazardous.
When first observed the progress
OF the young wrens I placed a strong
piece Of cat-proof fencing about the
base of the tree and later swung an
old khaki garden apron beneath the
house about a foot, to break the fall
OF the birds in their first attempts at
flight, which is naturally unsteady un-
til they have developed wing strength.
"The following morning another wren
began pulling out the nest materials,
as is their custom, previous to refur-
nishing 1t after her own ideas of a
home, so it looks as though this loca-
ton should henceforth be known as
Wrenville
II was much interested in the edi-
tors suggestions on the value of wild
berries to encourage wild birds, since
I have many blackberries, bittersweet
vines, dogwQods and grapes, the latter
being cultivated for my own personal
use, although the birds consumed all
grapes lhoG StdI. WUuIu Up pledSeQ 10
know how may obtain mulberry trees
or saplings for culture.
Sincerely, o. E. c."
-
Birds have no way of knowing what
the weather is going to be, hence launch
forth into the unknown at all periods
OF their lives.
The bird lover must not feel that
nestlings run any particular danger, in
this respect. The birds have been run
ming these risks for centuries, and are
pure creatures of the nature which
makes them.
Probably not many score of the thou
sands of thousands OF young birds each
spring and summer are lost as the re-
suit of storms.
All that young one can do is to hold
on, just as the old ones do and this
is their salvation.
The human observer, watching the
Evening star., 1940-07-12
THIS AND THAT
By Charles Z. TraceUell.

, lashing Of great trees in an afternoon
thunderstorm, may worry over the posi-
bility of the birds pulling through.
His worry, as most worry, is In vain.
Very few birds, young or old, are lost
as the result Of storms.
We have never found young bird on
the ground after one of these summer
storms.
Great trees may be uprooted, but nc
bird forms are discovered on the grass
In other words, the creatures have
ways of taking care Of themselves.
Watchers perhaps tend to worry toe
much about them, at all stages of thei,
lives.
1t Is seldom necessary to place blankets
aprons and the like beneath the nests.
The marvellous system of claws pro-
tects even the youngest birds
If they are old enough to hold on
they are old enough 10 weather the
storms.
The light is dim, during storms, and
this makes the birds tend to go to
sleep, that is, put their heads under
their wings.
This action tightens the clutch of the
claws around the branch or other hold
AS long as the bird says downward
in this attitude, 1t cannot fall. When
1t wakes up, with returning increase OF
light, the clutch of the claws loosens.
This is natures way of assuring that
the birds will not fall out of bed" in
their sleep.
Old time magic" sets, once a favor
ite with children, invariably carried a
loosely woven wristlet of fiber into
which you, the magician" induced the
victim to put his hand.
The harder he pulled, the tighter be-
came the pull of the magic grip. The
only way to get loose was to relax, when
the fibers shortened.
1t is exactly on this principle that
the claws Of birds hold them tight to
the perch.
Mulberry trees, both the dark and
white forms, can be secured from any
nursery.
They should be planted in the fall
or very early spring, not now
Elder bushes, which more resemble
small trees. are splendid for attracting
birds.
The common elder grows to - feet
with purplish fruits.
More than 100 species of birds have
been counted on these bushes.
The snoWberry, by way of contrast, is
known to attract but two or three dozen
species.
The choke cherry, Prunus virginiana
attracts many times as many birds as
will either the snowberry or the cora.
berry.
The dark mulberry is said to draw ir
the neighborhood of Is different species
Oak trees will do even better. There
is something about an oak, any oak
which birds as well as squirrels love.
No one who loves the birds can dc
any better than TO plant oak trees.
Evening star., 1940-07-12

cabs without imposing hardship on
present operators. Spokesman for a
large segment Of the drivers have
echoed this sentiment. Officials of
the city have taken the same view.
Efficient administration of the exist
ing regulations have given WASH
ington a satisfactory type of cab
driver. Yet for more than ten years
the important elements of the prob
lem have never been touched. If a
legitimate, unselflsh reason exists for
opposition to this legislation it
should have been brought out before
this. Otherwise Washington should
be granted the relief which has been
requested
Evening star., 1940-07-12
Cites British Generosity"
In War With Spain.

To the Editor OF The Star
A few days ago, IN reading up on our
war with Spain, came across very
interesting statement which, feel sure,
Is very little known and which think 1t
would be we'll and timely for those
people who still cherish an animosity
toward England to read. 1t is contained
in the work "Our Navy in the War With
Spain" by John Randolph Spears, pub
lished by Scribners in 1898:
They (the Spanish people, were con-
fident that combination of European
powers would be formed, in which even
England would join, to dictate to US
what we should do in the Caribbean
Sea-and they were not without reason
in this confidence, for, although the
official documents have not been print
ed, we know that Germany and France
were eager to join them against us,
and that the one thing that prevented
the combination was the generous decla-
ration Of the British government that
the moment the combination was con-
summated, the whole British fleet should
be placed at our disposal. The Anglo
Saxon race was ut last united for >
moment and in their presence the rest
of the world instantly bowed in sub
mission" A. 3, r,
July 8.
Evening star., 1940-07-12
YOUNG Poet

Now you no longer seek blue peaks, nor
bask
With Pan in deep woods. You have
heard the drum,
And, with high head and singing
mouth, you come,
Pride for your spear and courage for your
casque.
You are white, burning steel, too proud
to ask
That the red, fiery cup be taken from
Your lips, you drink its bitter contents
dumb
With ecstasy-it Is holy task.
Carrying FURNISHED harp, you march
along,
Springs azure new and sparkling In
your eyes,
Lighting the shadows with your sing
ing breath.
Bearing within you q deep fount of song.
You lift your face against the storminu
skies,
And march, unflinching, toward the
towers Of death.
BEATRICE RAW.
Evening star., 1940-07-12
Huskin Service
To Star Readers

Besides answering questions the Haskin
Service offers information on various
subjects in booklet form for small cost
and handling charge
This is the canning season. Many
housewives are interested in the latest
and most successful methods of canning
and preserving various fruits, meats and
vegetables
Evening star., 1940-07-12
Senator Wheeler's Speech
Draws Criticism.
To thA Editnr of The Star.

To the Editor OF The Star:
After listening to Senator Wheeler
over the radio Sunday it becomes ap-
parent that America needs to send new
men to Congress.
Our representatives in Washington
must be as well informed as we voters
are OF Hitler's and Mussolini's perfidy
and of their intention to rule the world,
politically and economically. When Mus
solini announced that the BerlinRome
axis intended to take what they wanted
from the nations holding the bulk of the
wealth of the world and reapportion it,
did the Senator imagine America to be
outside the aggressors plans? Surely
not, or why arm? Yet, Senator Wheeler
and others ask us to wait and protect
America on our own shores, In our own
homes, at tremendous increase in men
and wealth spent thereby, when common
sense tells us that our defense lies in
attack before Englands fleets, air, naval
and marine, fall into Hitler's hands!
Our air and naval assistance to England
would save her life and help to stop
Hitler by starving Germany into submis-
sion.
No experienced soldier will keep watch
eternally awaiting attack from an enemy,
but will seek him out and destroy his
enemy before he can assume the initia-
tive, yet Senator Wheeler would let the
worlds enemy stalk us at his own chosen
time. Since we expect to be compelled
to stop Hitler somewhere, sometime, the
sane thing to do Is to stop him now.
Even high school pupil knows that
our Government must have freedom OF
action to meet crises as they occur. Still,
I understood Senator Wheeler to say
he is determined to compel the Demo-
cratic party to adopt no-war platform
or he will head "walk-out" party.
The politicians in Washington will be
uncovered when the new appointees to
the secretaryships Of War and Navy
come up for ratification in the Senate.
America has confidence in both Mr..
stimson and Col. Knox, who place coun-
try above party and this is more than
can be said for many Of our Senators.
FRED p. PATTON.
Randolph, Utah,
July 2.
Evening star., 1940-07-12
Member of the Associated Press.
Woshinqton's Trees

While Washington still may lay
claim to the title, City of Beautiful
Trees" the time is at hand when
serious consideration must be given
the problem of maintaining that
distinction. Recent years, marked
by very rapid growth of the COM
munity have taken their toll Many
OF the Districts older residents re-
member when the Nations Capital
was known as city of magnificent
distanceS-and was almost barren
. An intelligent and comprehensive
tree-planting program begun a few
years after the Civil War contributed
materially to the present beauty of
the streets, which are lined with
some 10000 shade trees, but unless
new program is worked out at an
early date, few more years will find
at least the central part of the city
In the condition of Lincoln'S Wash
ington.
At present, there is controversy
centering around the various street
widening projects which the High
way Department and many citizens
regard as absolutely essential to the
city's development. In many cases
these projects result In the removal
OF large old trees and their replace
ment after completion of the street
work by young trees of different
types. In other instances replace
ment is impossible because of lack of
space.
In some cases, the supposed neces-
sity for widening streets with the
resulting destruction of trees can be
avoided by abolition or stricter regu-
lation Of parking, thus providing
more area for moving traffic. This
Is not possible in many cases, how
ever.
1t also should be kept in mind that
many Of the trees cut down are old
trees which soon would require re-
placement, either because of their
age and condition, or because they
are not Of species adapted to use on
motor-age highways. Last year, for
instance, 1904 trees were removed
because Of their bad condition, while
only 595 were cut primarily to allow
street widening.
Certainly, the greatest good of the
greatest number of citizens requires
facilitation of traffic movement.
And the Highway Department is one
agency of the local government
which has adopted definite pro-
gram to that end and is carrying it
out.
But despite the Importance of
street modernization, many adjust
ments designed to save or replace
trees could be made if the agencies of
government concerned, as well as
citizens and businessmen, could
unite on some reasonable policy. No
comprehensive tree protective plan,
no planting program, and no re-
placement system ever has been
adopted by the Park and Planning
Commission to meet the problem.
Unless a policy is formulated, and
supported by adequate appropria-
tions, there is serious danger that the
central part of Washington once
more will be denuded of its Crown
sng glory"
Evening star., 1940-07-12

Of action are entitled to respect by
other countries. and there is no
legitimate basis on which the Amer
icas' freedom Of action can be
impaired.
The incident serves to emphasize
the urgent need for just such
strengthening of inter American
unity as = the objective of the
Havana conference.
Evening star., 1940-07-12

Preparedness should be done soberly
calmly and economically but efficiently
There is no need of rush. for which
We might later be sorry. With two war
minded Secretaries We are in danger
OF going too far.
There is a law tucked in a pigeon
hole that upon declaration of war
would plunge us into dictatorship. How
ungodly, how un-American!
CORWIN BALLARD.
Vermillion, Kans.
June 8.
Evening star., 1940-07-12

should be pointed out that the British
Prime Minister has already spoken pub
icly of the defeat and even the con-
quest of Great Britain as a possibility
If not precisely as . probability.
July IL. FIR. HOUHNoY.
Evening star., 1940-07-12
Letters to the Editor

Letters to the Editor must
bear the name and address of
the 1Uriter, although the use of
q pseudonyr1 for publication is
permissible. The Star reserves
the right to edit all letters Nth
q u1etU to condensation.
Evening star., 1940-07-12
Canning and Preserving Recipes

This 48-page booklet outlines the latest
canning methods discovered in the scien-
tific kitchens of the Federal and State
departments of home economics To
order, inclose 10 cents in coin wrapped in
this clipping.
Name Observation-Disclosures
Street --------------------:--
City NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS..
SLote
Evening star., 1940-07-12
Huskin's Answers
To Readers Questions

a reader can get the onswer to am
question OF fact by Drtting The Epe-
ming Star Information Bureau, Fred.
eric J. Haskin. director, Washington,
D. c. Please inclose stamp for reply.