davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1940-03-03
"UNDER PLAIN JACKETS"
By the Right ReD James Freeman D. d. ILL., d. D. c. L.,
. Bishop of Washin1ton

Appearances are deceitful." is an old
adage, and while 1t Is true, most men,
yes, and women, too, are affected in their
judgments and appraisals by things ex-
ternal. Now and again we experience
rude awakenings. 1t was concerning ap-
pearances that Christ gave His sternest
judgments, saying: "Ye outwardly appear
righteous, but within ye are full of hy-
pocrisy and iniquity." The practical st.
James uses caustic language when he
speaks of preferment given to those who
wear costly raiment, and the scant con-
sideration given to those who are clad in
simple habit.
We have heard the admonition, and it
is good one, to be generous and wise in
entertaining strangers, for often in so
doing we may be entertaining angels
unawares." Carlyle in his "Sartor Res
artus" is very sarcastic in his estimate
OF clothes and their significance and
conceits. Much has been written on
this subject and more needs to be writ
ten, for we are still guilty of the folly of
making false judgments and giving SUI
perficial opinions about men and things,
and that largely on appearances.
One day the late Rear Admiral Cary
Grayson drew from his desk clipping
and gave it to me, saying: Here is
valuable observation that I got from
President Woodrow Wilson. 1t is sugges-
tive" 1t runs as follows: when think
OF mankind I must say do not always
think OF well-dressed persons. The heart
OF the world is under very plain jackets.
The heart of the world is in very humble
circumstances, and unless you know the
pressure Of life of the humber classes
you know nothing of life whatever. Un-
less you know where the pinch comes you
do not know what the pulse has to stand,
you do not know what trial the nerves
have to go through to hold on" 1t was
great and discriminating judgment. 1t
is suggestive of Lincolns remark that
the Lord must love the plain people,
because He made so many of them.
A plain jacket may enfold a genius on
the one hand, or it may mask conditions
too hard and tragic to be named on the
other. The point is that plain jackets"
do not set the value of that which is
Evening star., 1940-03-03
Memorial Boulevard

Protests OF the National Park
Service and the Park and Planning
Commission against Alexandria's S
action in rezoning short section of
land adjoining the Memorial boule-
ward for heavy industrial use rather
than residential are well founded
and should be given the most serious
reconsideration by the City Council.
Reasons made public by the Coun-
Gil offer no valid foundation for the
violation of the covenant which was
made with the Federal Government
IN 1929 prior to the selection of the
route for the boulevard. At that time
Alexandria was most anxious that
the highway should traverse its his
toric precincts. Other routes were
available, most of which were less
desirable geographically, but which
perhaps might have had more scenic
value than the commercial zones
which abut sections of Washington
street. The planners of the boulevard,
however, agreed to use that street on
condition that the city would guaran-
tee zoning protection. Ten months
ago, after protests from the Interior
Department and two months of con-
sideration, the City Council turned
down a petition to rezone the prop
erty in dispute at present. Now the
petition has been renewed and the
change approved by the Council.
Reasons given for abrogation OF
the original agreement and the
Councils change of view call for
careful examination. According to
the city manager, the company
which owns the property and whose
plant is situated back from the
boulevard on land zoned residential
under a non-conforming use per-
nit does not seek the change in order
to enlarge its plant. 1t merely desires
a new rating for the property so
that in event that it's buildings
ever are destroyed they may be re-
COllS u utUCu W1UllOuG
legal difficulties.
Owners of this plant, whose invest
ment is large, certainly are entitled
to protection in event of disaster.
While no further construction to mar
the environs of the boulevard is con-
templated now, the protection which
has been given contains no similar
safeguard for the public and for the
beauty of one of the Nations out
standing thoroughfares. There is
no provision to preclude the future
sale and industrial use of the prop
erty. Zoning laws and agreements
which may be changed at will, even
when no immediate necessity is con-
sidered, are valueless as civic pro-
lection.
Evening star., 1940-03-03

race tracks and their effect on the
community.
Washington, it would seem, has
enough troubles on its hands now
without taking on a race track and
regulation Of legalized gambling.
Nearby Maryland seems to handle
the races to the relative satisfaction,
OF Marylanders and Washingtonians
who are interested. Let Maryland
continue to do so without competi-
ton from the District.
Evening star., 1940-03-03

It has been estimated that there
are 10000 ways of making a living.
This list probably includes marrying
a rich wife and in most cases those
husbands earn it, and how!
Evening star., 1940-03-03

Herr Hitler has finally adopted the
slogan "Gott Nit Uns.' The recent
Kaiser found that this one brought
both laughter and bad luck and this
combination should 60 double now.
Evening star., 1940-03-03

-. Ihe Associated Press is exclusively entitled to
credited to 1t or not otherwise creditea in this
paper "a and also the local news published herein
heretn also are reserved
Evening star., 1940-03-03
Rate by Mail-Payable in Advance.
Member of the Associated Press.

Entered as second-class matter post oface.
Washington D. C.
Evening star., 1940-03-03

There have been some fascinating spe-
cial runs. For example, back in 1905
that famous figure of American life,
Death Valley Scotty, chartered a special
to carry him from Los Angeles to Chi
cago. The run was made in six minutes
less than As hours, which, for so long a
distance, seemed incrediable Indeed,
the record stood for 20 years.
1t fell hard when, in 1924, the wife OF
a railroad president was provided with a
special train to take her from Los An
geles all the way to New York. This
journey, across the entire continent, was
made in SO hours and minutes. In 1894
10 hours was cut from this record on a
special run. Those were all specially or.
dered runs with tracks cleared. Eight
regular trains now equal or exceed the
records.
Differences Of routes and the type of
country traversed make much difference
in speeds. Curves are the chief enemy Of
speed and they, as well as gradients, are
being steadily eliminated where possible.
To illustrate, the New Haven Yankee
Clipper, New York to Boston, must 90
around curves, the several arcs Of which
If connected would describe 1913 COM
plete circles. Its average speed is held
down to 500 miles per hour. In contrast,
the Pennsylvania's Congressional Limit
ed need negotiate curves on the New
York-Washington run which would
make only 9.6 complete circles. It's aver
age is 63 miles per hour. Americas
fastest train today is operated on the 431
miles from Chicago to st. Paul at an
average Of 70 miles. For short distances
1t attains far greater speed. The IRON
Horse can 60 II given reinl
Evening star., 1940-03-03

SlSt IN the last war.
X
The point is that the United States
wants to be sure that the British and
French really do sacrifice their holdings
in this hemisphere in exchange for the
goods that they get from the United
States. The allies have large security
holdings in American industries, in Ca
madam industries and in Latin American
industries. They managed in the last
war to avoid liquidating those earning
assets to pay for war goods bought in
the United States. In this war, the
present official attitude is that this in
vestment must really be lquidated, with
ownership transferred to American
hands, If the British and French are to
draw upon irreplaceable natural re-
sources of this country to carry on the
war.
What the British and French would
like to do is to use their gold, at $35 an
ounce, to pay their bills in this country.
But officials here do not want only gold
They want securities as well, in order to
have some evidence Of shift of owner
ship of earning assets, in exchange for
American industrial products and Amer
lean commodities.
The present neutrality law is forcing
the allies to plan and to husband their
dollar resources. It is forcing them to do
everything possible to shift all except the
most essential of their purchases from
the American market to markets where
sellers will take more British and French
goods in exchange. In the end, that law
probably will confront the United States
with grave question-the question Of
whether to deny goods to the allies sim
ply because they lack dollars to use In
! buying American products.
Evening star., 1940-02-15
Home Owners Urged
To Remove Snow.
To the Editor of The star.

I have been reading lately Of many
complaints about the failure of the Dis
trict government to remove snow from
the streets promptly. I wonder how
many of these complainants cleaned the
snow of their own places? An ordi.
nance was promulgated here a number
Of years ago requiring people to remove
the snow from their pavements so many
hours after the snow had fallen or be
fined S., but this law is obsolete now.
At that time some Of the real estate
men here fought this law, as they were
agents for great deal Of unimproved
property and it would have cost them
. great deal Of money to have the snow
removed. From their point Of view I
think that they were right, but the
individual owes it to himself and the
community in which he resides to re-
move the snoV from his sidewalk. As
there are 50 many men out OF employ
ment. 1t would help them, especially
~, 80 many Of them have families to
support. I pay . man $50 to remove
my snow, and II he had i've places to
work on in day It would help him .
great deal. TALBOT o. pULIzzI.
February 10.
Evening star., 1940-02-15
Adopting Bubies

AS long as any agency or lndlvld-
ual in the District is at liberty to
place babies for adoption on COM
mercial basis the door will remain
open to potential abuses of very
serious nature, and it is the recogni-
tion of this fact which has prompted
the current effort to secure enact
ment of legislation placing this en-
terprise under public supervision.
From time to time there have been
charges that undesirable practices in
certain instances have attended the
placing of babies in Washington
homes. These charges may or may
not be justified, and they have little
If any bearing on the. question Of
whether the proposed legislation
should receive congressional approval.
The important thing to be remem-
bered is that the opportunity to profit
by placing children-which would be
eliminated by this legislation-car-
ries with it an ever-present danger
that in some cases evil practices will
arise, if they are not already present.
The proposed bill is being drafted
by subcommittee of the Council
of Social Agencies Legislative Com
mittee. Its purposes have been ap-
proved by prominent local physi-
clans; and District Court Justice +.
Alan Goldsborough, who has taken
an active interest in conditions sur
rounding the adoption of babies here,
has indorsed a tentative draft Of the
measure It's approval by Congress,
while not appearing to work any in
jury to child-placing agencies al
ready adhering to high standards.
would provide the District with
needed safeguards against any 9TH
ers who might be interested pri-
marily in profits and only second
arily, If at all, in the maintenance
of the standards which should pre-
vail.
Evening star., 1940-02-15
Conference Seen Separating
Sheep From Goats.
By Thomas r. Henry.

TO the Editor Of The Star:
Adherents Of the American Youth
Congress. after session replete with
incidents showing that the hearts of
many of them are with Soviet Russia.
march along the streets with banners
demanding jobs.
The first thing the employer wants
from an employe is loyalty. How much
loyalty could any one expect from people
who make no secret Of the fact that
they look upon the employer as natural
enemy? What employer with q grain
Of sense would trust his business
interests, his confidential information,
and his cash register with people who
have the mental slant shown by some
cf the delegates" to the recent gather
ing in Washington?
Fortunately, that gathering seems
likely to have useful effect in separa-
ting the sheep from the goats, and the
American people are not as blind as
some Of these pinks would like to be-
ueve. +. q. CAMPBELL.
February u.
Evening star., 1940-02-15
A Justified No

The Commissioners have made a
fortnight and sensible answer in
the negative to Representative RAN
dolph's suggestion that they include
provision for an elected advisory
council" in their reorganization plan.
Nor can their answer be interpreted
as conveying lack of sympathy by
the Commissioners with votes for the
District. Commissioners Allen and
Hazen are, with Mr.. Randolph, advo-
Gates Of national representation. The
issue is not over suffrage for Wash
ington, but over the wisdom of
move that would merely confuse the
suffrage issue.
The Star disagreed with the Com
missioners' plan for an appointed
"advisory council" Such a council
would be without effective power,
even though it had the privilege Of
advising the Commissioners-already
beset on every side with plenteous
advice. And the council would be a
futile piece OF machinery, helpful
neither in the efficient functioning
Of the municipal government nor in
extending to the people of the Dis
trict their inherent but denied right
to participate in their government.
The same objections apply to an
elected council. 1t could have no real
authority, for the real authority rests
not with the Commissioners whom
the council would advise, but with
the exclusively controlling Congress.
AS policy making body-appointed
or elected-its authority would be re-
stricted to advising Board of Com
missioners which follows the policy
OF the Budget Bureau and the appro-
priations committees of Congress. It
regarded as gesture toward repre-
sentation in their government for the
people of the District, such a council
would be humiliating gesture in
deed, insulting in its implications
that such substitute would serve.
What the people Of the District
need is not the power to elect pow
erless body of advisers to the Com
missioners, whose. only power is the
power delegated to them by Congress,
but voice in the exclusively power
full Congress itself-a voice in the
councils of Congress and voice in
the choice of President and Vice
President of the United States. That
is the effective power which rests
with the voters of the Nation and
that is the effective power which
should be extended to the voteless
residents OF the District of Columbia.
Evening star., 1940-02-15

OF rifles, ammunition and explosives
was conf1scated as evidence of plot
against the Government. Several Of
the prisoners were present or former
members OF the New York National
Guard.
Mayor La Guardia, properly indig-
nant over the discovery that. some
members Of his police department
had Joined such an organization,
directed Police Commissioner Valen-
tine to send to every police officer
under his command a QUESTIONABLE
to determine who is or has been q
member Of the Christian Front or
any "subversive. Communist, bund
or Fascist club or organization. !"
Since last Thursday, when the poll
started, the returns have come in
very slowly from the nineteen thou
sand policemen in the city. On the
basis Of incomplete figures, however,
1t was indicated that more than four
hundred policemen have been men,
bers Of the front" Only twenty
seven admitted present membership.
Many officers are said to have failed
so far to respond to the QUESTIONABLE,
while others have replied reluctantly
with the notation that they are doing
so under protest"
Now comes the Patrolmen's Benev-
olent Association, composed Of about
fifteen thousand New York police
men, with remarkable suggestion
that the Mayors inquiry may be an
invasion Of civil rights" After men,
bers of the association had charac-
terized the Mayors action as most
unusual" and had demanded that
the association defend any member
who got in trouble" a resolution
requested an opinion from counsel
of the association as to whether
constitutional rights" of policemen
were being trampled on. New York's
irrepressible Mayor is not likely to be
greatly disturbed by the rebe1lious
attitude Of the association. 1t is true
that Mayor La Guardia's inquiry is
most unusual" but so was the action
Of policemen in signing up with an
organization apparently dedicated to
principles inimical to the democratic
way of life. There can be no doubt
in the mind Of any reasonable person
as to the right Of the Mayor to inves-
tigate the alliance Of members OF his
police force with any organization he
believes to be preaching un-American
doctrines. Indeed, it was the duty of
Mayor La Guardia to conduct a thor
ough investigation of his law
enforcement officers in view of the
gravity Of the Federal charges
brought against the seventeen So
called ringleaders of the Christian
Front in New York. To have ignored
the situation would have been
neglect of the constitutional rights
of the citizens whom the police were
sworn to protect.
Evening star., 1940-02-15
"ARLINdToN, Va.

Dear Sir:
"Apropos your article in The Star
recently regarding the behavior Of the
mockingbird toward other birds, want
to tell you OF an interesting sight I
witnessed on Sunday week ago.
1--WE were returning from walk well
after the sun had gone down when we
heard mockingbird carrying on in 4
most excited manner, and curious to see
what 1t was all about we approached
quietly to within few feet Of the tree in
which he was hopping from branch to
branch and scolding all the while.
"And there, perched on limb about
eight feet from the ground. sat q little
screech owl, as unconcerned by the
frantic actions Of the mockingbird as
anything possibly could be.
THE performance lasted about seven
minutes, and then the mocker gave up In
disgust and few away to a nearby ever
green to spend the night. During this
time the only thing the owl did to show
he was aware Of anything unusual
going on about him was to bat his
eyes couple of times.
$50 after reading your article, We
said we knew one little fellow who isn't
afraid Of the feeding station Hitler.
%+Ax
1--WE do enjoy our birds 50 much and
to date have had sixteen different kinds
at our bird bath feeding bowl.
"One evening after the second heavy
snow, there were seventeen cardinals,
nine males and eight females.
"Or at least there were eight of the
less colorful ones, Of which some may
have been young males.
Cardinals outnumber juncos at our
feeding station, and starlings make up
the next largest group.
They are a quarrelsome lot but only
among themselves.
They do not disturb other birds, but
with the rest they scatter when Mr..
Mocker makes his approach. Some of
the more courageous return and feed
while the mockingbird is at the suet
counter but they keep a wary eye on him
and take to the trees at any move on
his part which might be regarded as
hostile.
"Sunfiower seed is the favorite of most
Of the birds. though the various SPAR
rows like the wildbird mixture we pro-
vide for them, also the cracked grain
chick feed mixture, preferring the finer
crack to the coarser grains
Blue jays when put to 1t will eat the
coa-sely cracked corn but only if and
after the sunflower supply has been ex-
hausted. They and the squirrels are
our most voracious eaters.
However, all are welcome, and we
feel any one gets enough to eat during
feeding period that lasts from 7
o'clock in the morning to in the eve
ming.
I'VE enjoy your column In The
Evening Star, and feel that it has been
instrumental in saving the lives Of
thousands Of birds in and around Wash.
ington during this severe winter weather.
* Very truly yours. M. K. B."
Evening star., 1940-02-15
Town Bird

You are, perhaps, the most maligned
OF any creature Of your kind;
Yet you stand by when bleak winds blow
And streets are white with driven snow.
When all the other birds have flown,
In search Of warmth. to parts unknown,
From some bare tree. you hutter down
Like small wind-blown leaf Of brown.
Your happy chirpings bring good cheer.
Come rain, come sun, throughout the
year.
You give life to the city street
Where birds In concert seldom meet.
Sizing things up, both wide and narrow.
I like you, little Enslish sparrow.
a S, ANNA N. PRIEsTLY.
Evening star., 1940-02-15

fully throughout the Nation In the
care Of the blind, the aged, and de-
pendent children. In support Of this
proposal there is the circumstance
that the relief problem in Washing
ton is aggravated by the fact that
for years needy persons have come
here in search Of Government en-
ployment, which they failed to secure,
being forced as a result to make
application for relief. This is con-
dition which is peculiar to the
Nations Capital because 1t is the
Capital, and it is obvious that the
resources Of the community are not
adequate to meet the demands.
Mr.. Bondy, testifying before
congressional committee investigat-
ing certain District institutions, ex-
pressed the frank conviction that
the presence of undesirable condi-
tions is due to a lack Of sufficient
funds for proper welfare administra-
ton. "The taxpayers" he said, "are
doing all they can. Additional funds
have got to come through an in
crease in the Federal Governments
payment toward the expenses Of the
District"
The Justification for that state
ment once again lies in the fact that
this is the Nations Capital and
that the cost of carrying out essen
tial municipal functions-functions
which directly benefit the Federal
Government-consequently is rela-
lively higher here than it would be
elsewhere. A satisfactory solution of
the problem will be found only when
Congress establishes and adheres to
formula providing for the payment
by the National Government of a
fixed percentage of the Capitals ex-
penses in whatever proportion is
shown to be fair to both parties.