davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1940-04-05
Questions Value Of
Public Defender
Assignment Of Paid Defense
Counsel by Court Held
Better System
To the Editor Of The Star:

To the Editor Of The Star:
Before the public defender" system
is adopted for washington and other
localities under Federal jurisdiction, it
would seem advisable to examine very
carefully the history of this system in
practice and to consider some of its po-
tential consequences.
Are there dangers inherent in the
plan? Is there the possibility that the
position might be used to build up a
political or personal machine In the
underworld?
Unfortunately the creation of new
public Office means from one point Of
view the creation Of more political jobs.
There is a natural tendency on the part
of persons holding such jobs to try to
continue themselves in their positions.
Does the type of work involved in the
position under consideration, where an
official is paid from public funds for de-
Tending persons indicted for major
crimes, present special hazards in this
connection?
There comes to mind case that
occurred a few years ago in large
Western city, where the public de-
fender" developed into crime defender
and became himself criminal. Even
tually he was convicted for particularly
atrocious murder perpetrated at his in
stigation by some OF the criminals under
his control
Would it not be a simpler and safer
method of dealing with the situation
which the position of public defender"
is ostensibly intended to meet, to require
the courts to appoint in each instance
competent paid counsel to defend in
digent persons charged with crime, in
stead of establishing permanent posi-
ton that offers such serious temptations
and presents such grave dangers to the
public?
Finally, in view of the unenviable
crime record which the United States
has, and to which the District of Colum-
bia contributes more than its share,
would it not be more truly in the in
terest of public defense if more atten-
ton were devoted to the prevention OF
crime and to closing some of the loop
holes in the laws and in judicial inter-
pretations and rulings that work for the
benefit of the criminals and against the
welfare of society? E. MCLEAN.
April
Evening star., 1940-04-05
Air Travel

Lending weight to the prediction
OF aviation enthusiasts that this dec
ade will become known as the Flying
Forties," air transportation has
promoted the Washington New York
airway to the status of the worlds
busiest airline route, with thirty-five
daily round trips in operation and
still more in prospect.
In flying their seventy trips a day,
the airliners of two companies are
rolling up a daily total of approx
mately fourteen thousand miles over
this single short intercity route, a
mileage equivalent to the total
flown on the Nations entire air sys-
tenn not so many years ago.
The increases in air traffic which
have made such an astonishing num-
Der of daily schedules not only pos
sible, but necessary, are a testi-
monial to the continuously improv-
ing efficiency and safety of air trans
portation, as well as recognition of
Its value to modern civilization as a
time saver. Completion by the air.
lines OF year of service without
fatal accident or serious injury to
any person has served further to
stimulate growth in passenger traf-
fic which throughout the past year
has advanced, month after month, to
new all-time records.
The fact that more than twelve
hundred passengers now are enter
ing or leaving Washington daily
aboard scheduled airliners should be
of interest to all who are concerned
with the growth and improvement of
the National Capital. The new
Washington National Airport will be
completed none too soon to handle
the rapid local development of air
transportation.
Evening star., 1940-04-05
Communist Technique

1t has never been the policy of
Communists to shun publicity, even
though it be unfavorable. In fact,
the history of the movement in the
United States is replete with evi-
dences OF a studied program for
fomenting trouble and courting
public notice thereof on every pos
slble occasion. The frequent street
demonstrations in defiance of local
ordinances, with attendant resistance
OF law enforcement officers, are part
OF the MoscoW-approved technique.
Inevitably the vociferous Reds follow
up these tactics with cries of "perse-
cution," police brutality" Infringe
ment of civil liberties" and other
alleged abuses. Their purpose is to
create an illusion of martyrdom and
thus win the sympathy of sincere
champions of civil rights.
The general technique is we'll illus
trated by the exhibition staged yes
terday before the Dies Committee on
Un-American Activities by one Philip
Frankfeld of Boston, who is executive
secretary of the Communist party
in New England. He threw the hear
ing into an uproar by refusing to
answer any questions unless he was
permitted first to read a resolution
assailing the Dies committee for
raiding Boston headquarters of the
Communist party. Chairman Dies
ruled the witness out of order and
declared him to be in contempt of
the committee when he persisted in
declining to reply to questions AS
policeman was escorting the bellig-
erent witness from the room, the
latter tossed copies of the resolution
to the press table. Outside the COM
mittee room he told reporters he had
been thrown out" His smiles indi-
Gated that he was not displeased
with the whole course of events.
The Dies committee quite properly
voted to cite the witness to the House
for contempt. Three other Commu-
nists similarly have been cited
recently and two of the cases, in
turn, have been submitted to the
United States Attorney for prosecu-
tion., Chairman Dies has declared
that he will continue to cite the
defiant witnesses as they appear.
The situation presented by this
campaign of dramatics and bellig-
erency on the part of Communist
witnesses calls for a considerable
amount of self-restraint by COM
mittee members. TO let tempers flare
would be to play directly into the
hands of the committee -baiters. The
committee has adopted the wisest
course in dealing with the trouble
makers-prompt legal action via the
courts.
Evening star., 1940-04-05
Adds Two Contributions
To Gen. Halleck Discussion.
To the Editor OF The Star:

To the Editor OF The Star:
Albert E. Conradis, in his communica-
ton to The Star of today, sheds much
light on why the muse of history has
let Gen. Henry Wager 'Halleck sink into
oblivion truthful, well-documented
biography of Gen. Halleck might destroy
a number of regulations, and illuminate
the dark places in that unnecessary
brothers war in which he figured so
prominently. BY all means bring him
out Of limbo.
May I not, through your columns,
make two contributions to the history
Of this neglected military genius? The
first is taken from lecture John P.
Usher, who was Lincolns Secretary of
the Interior, delivered before the STU
dents of the University OF Kansas at
Topeka in 1882, and is as follows:
After Halleck had been withdrawn
from the field, he was kept at Wash
ington by MI Lincoln and was in and
around the White House all the time.
He was said Judge Usher a great,
big. clever, intelligent clerk Somebody
asked Lincoln what he had Halleck
around so much for, and he answered
that. as there were no military men in
the cabinet, it was handy to have some
body around who could explain the
movements of the troops in the field
when the dispatches came in. Halleck
was. in short, sort of presidential ex-
palmer"
The other is document which orig
mated with Gen. Halleck. When Jeffer-
son Davis was captured in Georgia, Gen.
James H. Wilson started on its way the
atrocious falsehood that he was taken
in his wifes clothes. Although Col.
Pritchard, who made the capture,
promptly denied it, and said Mr.. Davis
was in all ways man and bore himself
proudly like soldier in that situation,
Halleck wired Secretary Stanton from
Richmond:
"If JEFF Davis was captured in wife's
clothes, I respectfully suggest that he
be sent North in the same habiliment."
DAVID RANKIN BARBEE.
March 20.
Evening star., 1940-04-05
Socialism Held
Embraced" in U. S.

To the Editor OF The Star:
Karl Marx, the founder of Socialism. is
honored as a patron saint in Russia,
where his philosophy is now in full flower.
with Stain as its apostle. While the
color OF this philosophy in Russia is red,
blood red, the progress which it has made
in the United States is represented by a
more attenuated color, pink. These two
colors represent different stages of de-
velopment. The Socialist of but a few
years ago was not only relegated to the
other side OF the tracy, he was regarded
as rabble-rouser. public enemy. To-
day, he is welcome guest in the parlor.
particularly where pink teas are served.
And, If one may judge by the sentiments
expressed in the recently held Youth
Congress at Washington, in much of
popular literature and in the legislation
enacted at Washington, we are forced
to conclude that this philosophy of Karl
Marx has been first endured, then
pltied, then embraced"
HENRY WARE ALLEN.
Wichita, Kans.
April 2.
Evening star., 1940-04-05
New Governor General

Many Americans, it may be sup
posed, have been pleased to hear
that the Earl of Athlone is to be
Governor General of Canada in sue
cession to the late John Buchan,
Baron TWeedsmuir The new rep
resentative of the imperial crown at
Ottawa is not unknown in the United
States. He is a cosmopolitan by
training and experience, something
of a democrat by natural instinct, a
liberal, modest, unpretending gen.
tleman with whom it is easy to be
friendly.
Born Prince of Teck, younger
brother of Queen Mary, the Earl by
profession is soldier and an admin
istrator. He was educated at Eton
and Sandhurst, served in India as a
rookie" won distinction in the Boer
War, fought in Belgium and in
France between 1914 and 1918, was
Governor General of the Union of
South Africa from 1928 to 1881. A
long list of honors attests to the
esteem in which he is held both at
home and abroad.
But no biographical summary can
suffice to portray the Earl as per-
sonality. His charm, it seems, lies
mainly in his courtesy and tactful-
ness. All classes of people have felt
the graciousness of his bearing-an
endowment which he shares most
notably with his royal sister. 1t
likewise must be mentioned that it is
supported by the unfailing kindness
of his wife, the Princess Alice of
Albany, granddaughter of Queen
Victoria, and that of their only sur
viving child, Lady Mary Cambridge,
who, in 1881, married Major Henry
Abel Smith, an officer of the Horse
Guards.
. The Earl, it will be remembered,
was named to Canada originally just
prior to the outbreak of the first
World War. His appointment, how
ever, was Cancelled because he pre-
ferred active participation in the
struggle on the western front of that
period. Now, at sixty-six, he prob
ably believes that he is "too old" for
efficient campaigning. But his ma
turity should be no handicap, rather
Evening star., 1940-04-05
NATIONAL PARK SERVICE.

Dear Sir:
I'm view Of your interest In lightning
and its relation to trees, as evidenced
by the recent article in This and That,
I am inclosing with my compliments
copies Of the last three reports of the
National Shade Tree Conference, Light
ming Struck Tree Survey, which have
bearing on the subject.
Although they are in no way conclu-
sive, the tabulated lists of trees struck
do tend to show q variation in suscepti-
bility among tree species which is con-
flrmed in part by similar tabulation Of
the British Thunderstorm Survey, brief
mention OF which is made in our latest
report.
Sincerely yours, A. r. T., Forester"
y 4 X
So some trees really are struck more
by lightning than others!
Many persons have thought so, over
the years, but nobody ever before brought
forward proof.
Reports covering 140 struck trees, re-
ceived by the survey mentioned above,
show that oak, elm, pine, ash, yellow
poplar and maple lead the list, in that
order.
Ash and maple advanced slightly in
the listing, in this last report, but the
relative positions of the first three have
remained unchanged for three years.
The lightning struck tree survey was
initiated at the 18th National Shade
Tree Conference at Boston in Septem-
ber, 1896.
These reports to date, with the excep-
ton of the British survey, are the first
sented by anybody to prove very old
matter.
Many persons have the idea that the
locust is the tree which suffers most
from lightning.
The fact is that the locust is not men,
toned at all in these Government
reports
The oaks, as a good many people
always suspected, are hit the most.
Reports covering the 140 struck trees
have been received from SO individuals
through August 7, 1889. This may not
seem a great many, but it must be re-
membered that trees are not hit every
day in the year Locusts, of course, are
hit. even if not reported.
Reports were received as follows: From
Connecticut, 20, New Jersey, 90: Mich
igan, II: Ohio IT; New York, IL; PENN
sylvania, II: Kentucky, 8; Delaware. g.;
Tennessee. S; Texas 4; Arkansas, 8; Wis
consin, 3; Massachusetts,, 2; New Hamp-
shire. Q; Illinois. 2; Georgia, 2; Iowa, q:
Virginia, /; Indiana, /; Arizona, /, and
the District of Columbia, /.
X -
1t may be seen that this is thoroughly
representative coverage of the country.
Whatever these reports reveal may be
taken by ordinary observers as pretty
true, according to the modern sampling
Evening star., 1940-04-05

whether he simply was speaking out
OF an abundance of caution. In either
event, the remarks were not amiss.
It is easy to understand how an
energetic and conscientious prose-
cutor might be inclined to read
broadened Interpretation into some
Federal law in an effort to correct
conditions which he believed local
authorities had neglected. But that,
after all, is not the province of the
Government. Such a principle, no
matter how we'll intentioned, is easily
susceptible to abuse. Further, it in
evitably would put the Government
IN the anomalous position of warning
on conditions in one community
while ignoring similar conditions in
another. AS Mr.. Jackson points out,
States have a right-and do-fix
their own standards "of law enforce
ment and of morals" While one
Federal prosecutor might feel called
upon to crusade against evils where
his powers were questionable, an
other would take the attitude that
a hands-off policy was desirable so
long as there was no clear violation
of Federal law.
The only long-term policy that
will save Federal justice from being
discredited by entanglements with
local politics is that it conflne itself
to strict and impartial enforcement
of Federal law, letting the chips fall
in the community where they may"
the Attorney General emphasized.
That is sound doctrine.
Evening star., 1940-04-05
Mr.. Juckson's Advice

Attorney General Jackson is on
solid ground in telling United States
district attorneys to confine their
attention to violations of Federal
statutes and leave matters calling
for State action to State authorities.
The Attorney General did not indi-
cate whether the admonition was
prompted by instances brought to
his attention in which Government
prosecutors had strayed outside
the boundaries he laid down, or
Evening star., 1940-04-05
Methodist Home
Praised by Visitor.

To the Editor of The Star:
I would like to speak few words of
commentator in regard to an institu-
ton visited recently with a friend.
1t is the Methodist Home for the Aged
located in Connecticut avenue NV, to
which I refer.
On the first floor are reception rooms,
large assembly hall, large sun parlor
containing plants, q spacious library, q
cheerful dining room and last, but not
least, an immaculate kitchen. I saw
three pianos. Moving pictures are pro-
vided for entertainment. Doctors and
nurses are in constant attendance and
keep the residents well and happy.
It was most enjoyable visit, and
hope that many others may have
the pleasure of seeing the home. The
Methodist Church is to be congratulated
and may well be proud Of its efforts
to provide such haven of rest and COM
fort for members who are fortunate
enough to share in its many privileges.
Would that there were many more such
homes! MRS. MARGARET e. BLINN.
April 2.
Evening star., 1940-04-05

II all the board feet of lumber
used in the United States in one year
were incorporated in a boardwalk
forty feet wide and an inch thick,
1t would reach to the moon. If such
were reality sometimes a lot of us,
the way things are going, would feel
like taking a real walk.
Evening star., 1940-04-05

an asset, In the position which short
ly he is to assume. Canada will
welcome him and the United States
will be happy to have him on this
side of the Atlantic, where, in any
emergency, his judgment and his
profound sincerity should be helpful
to both countries.
Evening star., 1940-04-05
A Futile Suggestion

Whatever may have been the in
spiration behind Majority Leader
Barkley's suggestion that President
Roosevelt could offset congressional
extravaganza by simply directing
department heads not to spend a
percentage of their appropriations
during the coming year, the proposal
bears no promise of checking the
spending drive that is now getting
into full stride. On the contrary, it
may be expected to have the opposite
effect.
The responsibility for the appro-
priation of funds to run the govern
mental establishment rests solely
upon the members of Congress. The
President. through the Budget Bu-
reau, is charged with making recon-
mendations, and that has been done.
His responsibility ends there. If
Congress, in an outburst of election
year generosity, is going to exceed
the Budget Bureau recommended
tions, and it appears that that will
be the case, the consequences of such
action cannot be avoided by pointing
out that Mr.. Roosevelt has it in his
power to shoulder an obligation
which the members of Congress have
shirked.
1t may or may not be significant
that the majority leaders suggestion,
which may be interpreted by some
members of Congress as an invita-
ton to boost appropriations, comes
at a time when determined effort
is being made to secure an additional
$500, 100000 for w. P. A. operations.
The Budget Bureau recommended
that 1941 relief funds in the amount
of $685., 100000 be appropriated, as
against $1,477, 100000 for the current
year. This decrease was predicated
on the assumption that private en-
ployment would rise to point where
the reduction could be made without
working undue hardship on the
needy. 1t is being contended now,
however, that this improvement has
not taken place; that, in fact,
private employment is falling off
despite the boom in certain wartime
industries.
This is a factual question which
will have to be considered on it's
merits, and it appears that the
members of the House Appropria-
tions Committee, before whom the
bill is pending, are determined to
take that course. since the subcom-
mittee in immediate charge of the
matter has been instructed by the
full committee not to vote more than
the $685., 100000 asked by the Presi-
dent unless supplemental estimate,
approved by Mr.. Roosevelt, is sub
mitted by the Budget Bureau. Ap-
parently Colonel F. C. Harrington.
w. P. A. commissioner, has not urged
a larger appropriation, although it
Is reported that he has indicated his
belief that larger fund will be
needed next year. The House COM
mittee, however, will be on eminently
proper ground if it insists upon
formal recommendation from the
proper source before approving any
increase in the amount originally
requested. Certainly it would be
both absurd and unreasonable to
appropriate more money than has
been requested and then take the
position that the President can
prevent expenditure of the entire
appropriation if he cares to do so.
Evening star., 1940-04-05
Employment Statistics Held
Irrelevant to Problem of Prosperity.

To the Editor of The Star:
An Associated Press statistician has
given your readers an interesting anal
ysis of the futile controversy over un-
employment figures precipitated re-
Gently by Dorothy Thompson.
1t would seem that those who say that
only a fraction of 100000 really need
jobs and that were these needy employ
ables to find work full recovery would be
with us again, are right. But, If these
statistical prestidigitators are to be thus
selective in fixing figure for unemploy-
ment, they will have to be equally selec-
tive in what they count as re-employ-
ment. That is, they cannot take the
figures on unemployment which include
all those who are seeking jobs and count
the sum total Of any reduction therein
as coming entirely from the ranks of
the needy. Were the 100000 figure
reduced by 25 per cent, or even so per
cent, it would not follow that the unem-
ployment problem had been solved, even
temporarily. Prosperity thus envisioned
could be but a mirage-a statistical
FOOLS paradise.
We cannot successfully substitute the
cogWheels OF tabulating machines for
brains. If we really seek a common
sense, workable solution for the urgent
problems of modern civilization, we will
do well to recall Disraeli's trenchant
retort in parliamentary debate:
There are three kinds of lies: White
lies, damned lies, and"-last but not
least-"statistics."
The statistics of employment are vir-
tually irrelevant to the problem of per-
manent prosperity. When no employ
able citizen remains without income
needed to prevent poverty or the dole,
then, and then only, will the riddle of
industrial democracy have been solved
March 81. ALDEN A. POTTER.
Evening star., 1940-04-05

Following an unsolved holdup 1t
must be great comfort for a store
keeper to 60 to the Executive Man.
sion and take look at the hand
somely uniformed and recently
augmented White House policemen.
Evening star., 1940-04-05

Georgia now rejoices in a group of
night-riding hoggers of the female
sex. What should be a good, ro-
mantle name for them? We have 1t:
Thorns on the flower OF Southern
womanhood.
Evening star., 1940-04-05
THIS AND THAT
By Charles E. Tracewell.

method Of finding out facts, so popular
IN recent years.
A summary Of genera reported struck
Is as follows:
Quercus (oak), II trees.
Ulmus (elm), 20.
Pinus (pine), IA.
Fraxinus (aSh), IL.
Liriodendron yellow poplar, 10.
Acer (maple(, 8.
Populus (poplar), 7.
Platanus (sycamore), 5.
Tsuga (hemlock), 3.
Picea (spruce), 3.
Salix CWilIow), 3.
Liquidambar (sweep gum, 2.
Lark (larch), /.
Taxodium (cypress), /.
Abies MD, /.
Catalpa (catalpa), l.
Prunus (cherry), /.
Nyssa Cblack gum, 1.
H4 X
ut will be noted" the report states,
that the relationship of struck trees to
nearby trees remain essentially the same
as reported in previous years. Those
trees which grow in small group or
alone seem to be favorite targets for
lightning, while those in the forest ap-
pear to have a low degree of suscep-
tibility to lightning strikes.
1T is interesting to note that, of the
trees which grow in proximity to others,
more than so per cent do not stand out
prominently above their fellows, while
slightly less than 40 per cent are re-
corded as being of greater height than
neighboring trees.
In about 10 per cent of the cases,
the struck trees were actually lower
than those which were nearby"
OF the oaks, struck the most of any
genus reported, the report shows lnat
the red oak was struck 10 times, black
7 and the white oak 13.
Size of trees most frequently struck
is of interest.
The report shows that trees reach
ing the so. go and 10 foot classes become
increasingly choice targets for lightning,
which is as most of us might have sup
posed.
The beech is mentioned in the reports
but once.
The British Thunderstorm Survey
dealing with a total of 164 trees, shows
the most struck trees observed there
from 1882 through 1885 were the cak
81; the elm, 80; ash, 26, and poplar, 13
The Department of the Interior, Ma
tional Park Service, branch of forestry,
has thus conducted an interesting survey
in regard to trees struck by lightning
as all interested in nature will admit
These figures take the matter out of
superstition and old wives tales, and
put trees struck by the bolts from
heaven in position where they can be
discussed intelligently.
Hereafter, if some one asks you which
trees are struck most, you can say
THE oaks" and say it confidently.