davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1940-06-07
Dutch Official Decorutes
D. 6. Youths Grundsire

Jan Rus, 17-year-old Western
High School student of 1905 Clifton
street NV, has received word that
his grandfather and namesake has
been decorated in London by a rep
resentative of Queen Wilhelmina OF
Holland.
The grandfather, for whom the
grandson was named, was awarded
the gold medallion of the Order of
Oranje Nassau by Michiels van
Verduynen, Dutch Minister to Lon
don, in recognition of Mr.. Rus
services for rs years as clerk of the
Netherlands Benevolent Society,
which was founded in 1850.
Evening star., 1940-06-07
Americans Over 40
To Hear Defense Plans

Americans Over 40 will hear a
round-table discussion on THE
Place of Americans Over 40 in the
Preparedness Program" at the
Epiphany Church House, 1917 G
street NV. at o'clock tonight.
Participating will be Maj. Gen.
Amos Fries, U. S. A., retired; Col.
Walter w. Burns and 1t. Col. Leroy
Mann, commander and executive
officer, respectively, 260th Coast
Artillery, District National Guard,
and DR.. William Downs, president
of the Americans Over 40 group.
Evening star., 1940-06-07
Joe Louis Flying Here
To See Sister Graduate

By the Associated Press
NEW YORK, June Joe Louis,
preparing for defense of his heavy
weight title against Arturo Godoy
June 20, broke training today to fly
to Washington to see his sister
graduate from Howard University.
Louis said he was giving her an
automobile and money enough for
a trip to California as a graduation
present. She plans to teach in De-
troit, according to the champion.
Evening star., 1940-06-07
Traffic Light-Iess
City Ends Sd Year
Without Fatality
By the Associated Press.

oy INC Associated Press.
SOUTHBRIDGE, Mass, June
7.-Southbridge-which has a
population Of 16,800 persons and
not a single traffic tighten
tered today upon what it hoped
would be its fourth consecutive
year without a death caused by
an automobile accident.
I'VE believe our town is the
safest of its size in the Nation"
Police Chief Uric Brault as
serted last night at the COM
pletion of the third year with
out an automobile fatality.
pedestrian cooperation has
been as necessary as that of
the motorists"
Chief Brault recently estab-
lished one-hour parking, laid
out new boulevards and created
a system of traffic rerouting to
avoid congestion.
Evening star., 1940-06-07
House Votes Pension
For CIeveIond's Widow
BY the Associated press.

By the Associated Press.
The House has voted a $5,OOO-a-
year pension for Mrs. Frances Pres
ton of Princeton, N. j., widow of
President Grover Cleveland. The
Senate has yet to act.
The Committee on Invalid Pen
sions, recommending passage OF the
bill, noted that similar pensions are
given the widows of Presidents
Coolidge. Theodore Roosevelt, Will
son, Taft and Benjamin Harrison.
Evening star., 1940-06-07
Terrell Law School
Exercises June II

Graduation exercises of the Rob-
ert H. Terrell Law School will be
held June IL at pm. at the Ban
neker Junior High School, with
Judge Nathan Cayton of Municipal
Court scheduled to give the COM
mencement address.
Those to receive the degree OF
bachelor of laws are.
Evening star., 1940-02-26

alton. handling Of migratory indi-
gents and Jurisdiction over crimi-
mails. Furthermore, . personal tie ID
established when legislators from
one State watch those Of another
tackle such universal problems "a
budget making, taxing, providing for
roads and managing schools.
Some OF the Maryland legislators
claimed that cooperation between
their Assembly and that Of Virginia
was handicapped by the fact that
they meet at different times. This
handicap would not be very great If
. group from each State should at
tend the sessions Of the other in q
sincere effort to get specific legisla-
ton enacted.
At all events with the issue of
States rights again being debated,
the time is particularly opportune
for legislators to become acquainted.
County and town governing bodies
probably would be able to fight bu-
reaucratic tendencies If they, too,
took time out to pay official visits to
their neighbors.
Evening star., 1940-02-26
Interstate Co-Operution

. It is likely that the visit Of Mary
land legislative leaders to recent ses-
sions of the Virginia General Assem-
bly, at Richmond will prove mutually
beneficial. If the objective Of the
visit-to exchange ideas on common
problems kept alive some tangible
results should be evident In the
future.
The Marylanders were interested
in observing legislative procedure in
Virginia and devoted particular at
tention to virginia's voting ma
chimes, which eliminate the time
consuming process Of legislative roll
calls, q procedure still followed at
Annapolis.
Whenever the question Of Mary
land-virginia legislative co-opera-
ton is mentioned the subject Of uni
form regulation and enforcement Of
seafood conservation laws In the Po-
tomac comes up for consideration.
While that Issue Is Of great import
ance. II u BY no means the only ques-
tion Of mutual concern 10 the two
States. they have 10 deal with such
problems - conflicting types Of tag
Evening star., 1940-02-26

It is, as one correspondent points out,
because robins mean. spring and no
foolin'.
Then. too, ones own nrst robin IL
what counts.
No matter how many robins some one
else may have seen early, the first one
you see, preferably in your own yard, is
the real first robin for you.
It has always been so.
A correspondent sends this column q
much-appreciated gift Of q complete
volume of the Atlantic Monthly for the
year 1865, and there leading on the May
issue is an article, unsigned, by John
Burroughs, with the Birds"
1t is interesting to note that none Of
the articles, stories or poems was
signed. Evidently 1t became a sort Of
guessing contest for subscribers to try
and figure out who wrote what.
The solution came in the index to the
December issue, which listed the articles
and their authors.
Burroughs had this to say Of the
robin:
I'm that free, fascinating, half-work
and half-play pursuit-sugar making-a
pursuit which still fingers if many parts
Of New York, as in New England, the
robin is ones boon companion.
when the day is sunny and the
ground bare, you meet him at all points
and hear him at all hours
"At sunset, on the tops of the tall
NAPLES, with look heavenward, and In
spirit OF utter abandonment, he carols
his simple strain.
"And sitting thus amid the stark.
silent trees, above the wet, cold earth.
with the chill of winter still in the air.
there Is no filter or sweeter songster In
the whole round year.
1T is in keeping with the scene and
the occasion. How round and genuine
the notes are, and how eagerly our ears
drink them in!
The first utterance, and the spell of
winter is thoroughly broken and the
remembrance Of 1t afar of.
Robin" the writer continued, with
q fine sense of familiarity, 'is one of the
most native and democratic of our birds:
he is one Of the family, and seems much
nearer to us than those rare, exotic
visitants. as the orchard starting or rose.
breasted grosbeak, with their distant,
high-bred ways.
Hardy, noisy, frolicsome, neighborly
and domestic in his ways, strong Of wing
and bold in spirit, he is the pioneer of
the thrush family, and well worthy of
the finer artists whose coming he heralds
and ina measure prepares us for"
Criticizing the robins nest building,
the writer adds: AFTER all, we must set
it down to the account of robins demo-
cratic turn; he is no aristocrat, but one
OF the people; and therefore we should
expect stability in his workmanship
rather than elegance"
Evening star., 1940-02-26
Farewell to Winter

Winter yields his frigid reign
To springs gentle grace:
Offers bold lips for her kiss.
Leans to her embrace.
For . last fling decks each boush
In crisp hoar-frost lace.
sunbeams vault the curving brow
OF . snow-capped hin:
Wave . gay farewell to each
Brave new dafYodill.
Tall Ice candles disappear
From the windowstll.
Fife and flute ais singing now
A Q swift wing dips:
ooon The earth viii awaken. thriile1
70 ms fanesrtips
~ . osntje. woolng beeeos "a
ysea the suns warm xps.
P1ooY LAwolU
Evening star., 1940-02-26
Discusses Political Chances
Favoring President Roosevelt.
Id ths EDITOR of The etar:

To the Editor Of The Star:
There are two questions today which,
more than any others, overshadow the
broad field Of public opinion. They are,
respectively: How far can America go
in bulwarking the European democracies
without herself becoming embroiled in
foreign war, and who Is the natural as
pirant to the presidential chair In 1910?
The campaign for Democratic and Re-
publican nominations has long since
begun. Political jockeying and maneu-
vering can be sensed in almost every
phase Of public policy now confronting
Congress. The associate question, there
fore. evolves to be just this: What groups
win dominate the two major conventions
In the summer Of this year? Both par
ties are divided. We ind conservative
and liberal blocs In both, each one striv-
ing for control Of the coming party con.
claves. Notice. for instance. the way the
Old Guard In the q. o. p. afs trying
10 stop liberal Tom Dewey.
In the Republican party W have nb-
sfah NE NosTis. Nye. Dewsy and u
ouasdiA - e6ses ~ eeasoevoelvo -.
Evening star., 1940-02-26

ment in the Democratic party consisting
OF Tydings, Clark, Smith, George, etc.
Each is determined that its influence will
be felt The New Dealers, no doubt
hold the trump card because of presi-
Dental prestige. the popularity Of Mr..
Roosevelt and the veto power over the
convention, but even so, a rocky road
may lie ahead.
There is one factor. however, which
must not be overlooked when attempt
ing to analyze current vicissitudes. It is
something which is peculiar to the Amer
ican people and may be summed up in
the old adage: Variety is the spice of
life" The American people occasionally
like change, especially in their politics.
They pride themselves on individual in
itiative and intellectual freedom, but are
Influenced tremendously by the press
and radio.
Now, under democratic form of gov
ernment, this may be good thing. It
puts into motion that splendid mechan-
ism known as checks and balances"
One thing, nevertheless, is quite fire.
quently overlooked by the politicians and
the public alike. The old pendulum on
the clock swings far to the right and
then far to the left, only in the case of
governments and their peoples it usually
goes much farther on the return. If by
chance public opinion should so alter
its complexion between now and 1910 as
to place in power a reactionary Repub-
lcan, it is very probable in the opinion
OF this writer that by the time 1914 rolls
around the masses will be clamoring for
a social-democracy.
If, on the other hand, the party out
OF power takes the advice of DR.. Glenn
Frank, 1t is altogether probable that the
liberal element in the G. o. P. could
nominate Mr.. Dewey. If the Democrats
nominated Mr.. Garner, it would seem
wholly consistent for Mr.. Dewey to come
home with the bacon In that event the
Republicans would be running more of q
New Dealer than the Democrats.
The current setup, however. would
indicate that President Roosevelt will be
drafted. I am confident that If he is
renominated and elected, he will con-
tinue as the same spirited, far-sighted
and conscientious man that history is
destined to recognize as one of the great
est Of all American Presidents.
BENJAMIN r. sT1CKNEY, Jr.
Evening star., 1940-02-26
Turkey Prepares

The newest Of Turkeys emergency
measures is an important step in
that country's preparation for con-
flict and a significant straw in the
wind which is now beginning to stir
over the Balkans and the Near East.
The Turkish Assembly passed a
law, which became effective at the
end of January, designed to adapt
the economy Of Turkey to defense
requirements. Under this economic
emergency law q coordination COM
mittee was set up, and one Of its
first acts was to submit to the cabinet
a proposal for placing the coal in
dustry under government control,
the purpose being to increase output
and regulate transactions.
This coal industry control has now
been applied in the Eregli coal basin.
Labor will be obligatory in this
region, and the prohibition against
workers leaving their jobs is expected
to be extended quickly to other parts
of the country, and perhaps to other
industries.
At the same time that this step was
taken in the direction of labor con-
scription, Turkish staff officers ar
rived in Ankara to complete organ
ization of 1stanbul's defenses against
sea and air bombardments, and more
British and French technicians are
arriving, presumably taking the
places of the Germans who were re-
Gently expelled and the Russians
who were called home by Moscow.
It would be unwise to interpret
Turkeys preparations only in terms
of defense against external attack.
There is the very imminent posi-
bility that the Ankara government
will take an initiative which will ex-
tend the European war to South
eastern Europe and permit the allies,
by entering the Black Sea, to extend
their blockade of the Reich on the
east.
Allied desires to penetrate beyond
the Turkish straits are apparent.
Germany is beginning to draw upon
Russia's Baku oil fields and in default
Of the Russian rail transportation
system this oil is being shipped across
the Black Sea to Rumania, where It
is being transshipped to the Reich.
When the Danube ice breaks up, the
quantity Of oil which may then be
shipped to Germany will be consider
able, perhaps adequate for power
full Offensive on the western front.
Turkey by her own admission is
not neutral. Like Italy she is non
belligerent, whose involvement In
the war may come at any time. But
before that step can be taken Turkey
must be prepared to meet counter
attack and to marshal her domestic
resources economic and human
for wartime action.
Evening star., 1940-02-26
Sees Logic In Attitude
OF Heads Of Institution.


Representative DAesandro. appar-
entity, is thorough in his investigation,
and we give him every credit. In some
respects, though, he seems slightly to
overshoot the mark at times.
note In The Star where he chides
the superintendent OF the Receiving
Hcme because be feeds on lamb chops
while the babes and sucklings" are be-
ing nourished on bologna. Well, this
happens all over the world-even in
Communist Russia, no doubt. Those in
charge fare better than their wards.
About As years ago Bay View Asylum
in Baltimore was managed by the Rev.
Louis F. Zinkhan, an efficient and
kindly man. The inmates had plenty
to eat But, naturally, according to
their station in life. There wasn't so
much then of this equal rights for all,
special privileges for none" business. For
his own table he wanted the pick Of
the market. "The superintendent is en-
titled to the best, and he is going to
have it." And that was that. But those
under his care did not suffer. There
was glory enough for ALL
Mr.. Zinkhan later came to Washing
ton as head of the old asylum and work.
house. This was before Blue Plains and
before Occoquan. Here he had bad luck.
There was an escape of prisoners and he
resigned (about 190N.
AS q matter of historical interest we
might mention that our old friend John
L. Sullivan once had dinner at Bay
View Asylum. That was away back in
the early Cos, shortly after he had be-
come champion. He ate-and he ate
plenty-as the honored guest of the then
superintendent, Mr.. Charley Carroll, q
former prizefighter.
Receiving homes in time Baltimore
I can't call to mind. For bad kids" there
were houses Of refuge and Industrial
schools Babe Ruth was raised in one
whether with or without bologna, that
I don't know. Anyhow, he made good.
MIR. D,Alesandro, believe, is q law
yer-and, no doubt, a good one. Now
his forerunner, Mr.. Palmisano, at one
time Of his career, was bartender. And
I'll bet, when he felt like helping him
self to an occasional "snifter" at the
boss expense, that he reached for the
best.
In short, we all take advantage of our
opportunities. FRED VETTER.
February "a.
Evening star., 1940-02-26
scandinavian Declaration

The Foreign Ministers of Sweden,
Norway and Denmark, in conference
at Copenhagen yesterday, notified
the world that ''in the future the
Scandinavian governments will act
as a unit, supporting each other in
all negotiations with belligerents," !"
that "they will object strongly to
violations of international law in the
conduct Of naval warfare" that "they
will demand compensation for war
losses" that "they will insist to bel
ligerents that the maintenance Of
Scandinavian shipping : = is nee
essary for legitimate trade" and that
"they will protest the loss Of Scan
dinavian lives and ships"
Still more specifically, the assem-
bled statesmen demanded formally
that the neutral rights Of the Scan
dinavian states = be respected by
all belligerents. Their governments,
they promised, would resist any
attempt by either side to involve
them in the European war" and ire
asserted they would maintain the
inviolability Of their territorial neu-
trality and neutral rights generally
in conformity with international
law"
The implications Of the agreement
are many. For example, the min
listers have made 1t plain that they
intend to protect their coastal waters
against further incidents Of the Alt
mark variety. Also. 1t is made plain
that Scandinavia will object to Brit
ish invasion Of Swedish, Norwegian
or Danish harbors in pursuit Of Ger
man craft trespassing there.
But forces more compelling than
any which the Scandinavian nations
can control appear to be operating
In Northern Europe. Russia and
Germany are united in q campaign
to bring the entire Baltic area into
subjection. Great Britain and France,
on the other hand, are engaged in
an effort to outflank 0ermany's
western defenses and to halt Rus
sia's progress westward. In the
course Of only . few days the allied
powers may be at war with the
eoviets - well - with the Reich.
Should such q devslopmsut occur.
the SCANDINAVIAN governments might
have b ehoess sldeA 1he altegna.
Evening star., 1940-02-26
THIS AND THAT.
ALEXANDRIA,. VI
By Charles =. TyacetpeH.

ALEXANDRIA. VI.
Dear Sir: Just for the record noted
yesterday evening over 10 robins by
count on the slope Of the hill to the
rear Of my house. while some 20 or more
were beyond the fence on the property
next to mine.
Last year 1t is my recollection that
the first flock came up from North Caro-
lina shortly after Washington's birthday.
THE robins stayed till dusk. Hope
they stay around till winter Is passed
for sure.
"Yours sincerely. J. l.. K"
- -
WASHINGTON.
Dear Sir: At 1890 pm. on wednes-
day, February Il, at q pause In the
binding snowfall Of the past several
hours, two robins were observed on the
campus to the west Of the Warrington
Monument.
Then the wind blew them away. The
ground was only partly whitened.
yours truly, A. O."
&4 .
CHEVY CHASE, Md.
Dear Sir: A friend and bird lover, too,
and were chatting in a warm sunroom
this am, and both of us saw large,
seemingly well-nourished robin quite
close.
"He was having an uncomfortable
time holding fast in a small elm against
the stiff breeze.
I'VE were cheered by the knowledge
that bird food was near by.
Faithfully yours, A. T. l."
BETHESDA, Md.
"Dear Sir: You may be interested to
know that spring is just around the
corner!
"Yes, not only has the snow about dis
appeared but the birds also herald the
seasons approach.
1.-THE cardinals and the song sparrows.
particularly, are showing signs, by their
more musical notes, of the warm days
to come
However, the best sign Of Ill is the
return Of the robin.
THUS I wish to report recording q
lone individual at Chevy Chase Lake,
Nd, on February 8, 1940
Although I am aware that some
robins winter over here as do the blue
birds, no other robins have been seen
at the lake despite many observations at
the locality all winter
Sincerely, J. A. F."
So there you are, just few letters out
OF many. to show how folks regard the
first robin as news.
Sometimes there is disposition on
the part of persons who have not yet
become interested in bird life to think
that all the annual pow-wow over robins
is somewhat overdone.
Yes, a nice bird. as birds 60, they
will admit, but why such particular at
tention to that famous first one?
Evening star., 1940-02-26
Star Traf1c Study
Wins Commendation.
To the Editor Of The Star:

This committee was extremely inter-
ested in reviewing a very brief report of
the excellent study conducted by The
Star Of trafiic fatalities in the District of
Columbia during 1899.
Our particular interest was aroused
because the study is so much in line
with the objectives of the Safety With
Light" program being conducted ma
tionally by the United States Junior
Chamber OF Commerce. Launched lust
one year ago this March, Safety With
Light" activities have already been car
ried out by the Junior Chambers of
Commerce in 50 cities and in every in
stance that we have figures on, night
traffic fatalities were shown to be at
least 60 per cent of the total. The most
important disclosure, aside from this last,
was that in every city a preponderant
percentage Of these night fatalities oc-
Cured on a small portion Of the city
streets. In Long Beach, Calf, for in
stance, 68.2 per cent. of all night acci-
dents happened on nine of the city's
main thoroughfares, which represented
but 11.2 per cent Of the total street
mileage. Seventy per cent of all night
pedestrian deaths occurred on these
same fatal thoroughfares.
In Des Moines Iowa, only IL per cent
Of the city's street mileage accounted
for over so per cent Of all night acci-
dents and 684 per cent of all Des Moines
fatalities occurred after dark. In Gary,
Ind, 90 per cent Of all fatal accidents
happened on only 20 streets, represents
ing but IL per cent Of the total street
mileage, and 81 per cent Of the citys
fatalities occurred at night
The study Of the Junior Association OF
Commerce In Chicago showed that "a
per cent Of all the trafnc accidents In
that city happened after dark, and re-
lating that figure to traf1c volume, indi-
Gated that Chicagos streets were at least
three times as dangerous to the motorist
after the sun had set.
This committee Is aware that many
causes contribute to the night trafnc
hazard, but 1t is also convinced that the
major factor today Is unsafe visibility
conditions brought about by obsolete
lighting.
The solution Of any safety problem,
we believe, lies in getting facts and
then analyxing them. We would Ike to
extend our congratulations to The Star
for its effort In this direction. A survey
and analysis Of tran1c deaths = the
movement which might wen b under.
taken BY ut least one newspaper In every
city and town In the country.
JACK HAROLD. WHITE,
Chairman Program Committee.
0hiease. N,
VsAeuasy a.
Evening star., 1940-02-26

tive would be that Of being overrun
BY both belliserent groups.
American sympathy certainly Il
with the peoples Of Sweden, Norway
and Denmark, as 1t Is with those Of
Finland. But opinion In the United
States Is realistic In that It appre-
ciates the difficulties Of neutrality
under prevailing conditions abroad.
Evening star., 1940-02-26

Americans are not q vindictive
people, yet many are thinking that
II the allies win this time they ought
to stage that victorious parade
down Inter den Linden to the Bran
denburger Gate and perhaps back
again. It might have q salutary
effect for a good many years to come.
Evening star., 1940-02-26

There are q number Of new verbs
floating around, such as Contacted" !"
A recent one Is "alligatored," used
in speaking Of cracked paint. How
would "ostriched" do as regards the
Nations budget balancers?
Evening star., 1940-02-26
Letters to the Editor

Letters to the Editor must
bear the name, and address OF
the ,prtter. although the use OF
a pseudonym for publication is
permissible. Please be brief!
Evening star., 1940-02-26

Nevada has the smallest popula-
tion Of any State In the Union
Just over $1,000. sometimes It
sounds % II about one-third Of that
number were transients.
Evening star., 1940-02-26

The Associated Press is exclusively entitled to
credited to 1t or not otherwise credited in thiS
paper and also the local news published herein.
herein also are reserved
Evening star., 1940-02-26

Possibly the reason "0le Man River"
y saying nothing recently y because
his tonguo y l5oDon.