davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1940-03-11
Coal Problem UnsoIved

The British won a substantial VIC
tory, at comparatively cheap price,
by persuading Italy, in exchange for
release Of the thirteen seized colliers,
to agree not to send any more ships
to Dutch ports for German coal, but
the settlement leaves Premier Mus
solini with the problem of where to
get the four or five million tons of
coal his industries have imported
annually by sea from Germany.
Italian willingness to cooperate
now with the British export blockade
is in marked contrast to the thunder
ing tone of Rome's protest when the
golfers first were taken to the Downs
contraband control station more
than week ago. At that time it
appeared that Italy was bent upon
forcing Britain to release the seized
colliers and refrain from stopping
any ships she might send for Nazi
coal in the future. But Rome has
had an opportunity to mediate upon
the direction in which the contro-
versy with Britain was forcing her,
and agreement was announced after
it was made known that Nazi Foreign
Minister Won Ribbentrop was going to
Italy.
Settlement of the political prob
lem, while it does not in itself
resolve the economic problem, may
provide the basis for solution.
Italy has always gotten a minor por-
ton of its German coal by rail, and
presumably this means of shipment
will be utilized even more in the
future, but rail facilities between the
axis partners are not capable of car
rying all the German coal hitherto
shipped by sea.
The answer may be provided in
commercial negotiations between
Italy and Britain, prospects for the
resumption of which are raised by
satisfactory conclusion of the coal
blockade issue. Before the Ethiopian
war Britain supplied Italy with most
of the coal the latter imported and
this business was shifted to Ger
many only because of the sanctions
which Britain led the League powers
in applying to Italy. Lately Britain
again has been supplying Italy with
three or four million tons of coal
annually.
Britain Is In . position, as one Of
Evening star., 1940-03-11

the principal coal exporters of
Europe, to supply Italy with all the
foreign coal she needs, but Premier
Mussolini has not shown himself
willing to pay her price-sale to
Britain and France Of heavy indus
trial products and war supplies, espe-
cially airplane engines. But Musso-
lini, on second thought, may recon-
slider his decision on this point, too.
Besides Britain, the United States is
capable of supplying Italy with at
least part of her needs, and the
American coal industry would be
overjoyed to establish itself in this
lucrative foreign market.
Although the political aspects OF
the coal issue have been removed,
the economic aspects in all likeli-
hood will still be on the agenda of
Won Ribbentrop's discussions in Rome
today. If his mission to Rome was
undertaken wholly or partly in the
hope of exploiting the Anglo-Italian
difference, that hope is now shat
tered, and the British press is making
much of the coal settlement as a
severe blow to Germany rather
than as a victory over Italy. BY the
same token Mussolini's personal
prestige must have taken consider
able slump in German eyes for hav-
ing settled with Britain before Won
Ribbentrop had a chance to stir up
the trouble little more.
Meanwhile Italian acquiescence in
the British blockade is strong prop
to the British defense against neutral
claims that the export blockade is
violation of international law. After
all international law often is made
in just this way, by wartime practices
in which belligerents and neutrals
agree.
Evening star., 1940-03-11
Federation of Business Men
Want Local Suffrage.
To tho Editor of The Stor.

I see by todays paper that according
to the statement of James E. Colliflower,
vice president of the Board of Trade,
the Board of Trade is not for suf-
frage for the District Of Columbia. I am
glad to say that the Federation of Busi-
ness Mems Association, whose member
ship is composed of $500 smaller mer-
chants Of the District, is and always
has been for suffrage for our District
I agree with Mr.. Collifower that our
present Commissioners are outstanding
in their qualifications and have made
good on the job, but nevertheless we want
suffrage for the District of Columbia.
ARTHUR CLARENDON SMITH,
Founder and First President of the
Federation of Business Mems Asso-
citation.
March 7.
Editors Note: Mr.. Colliflower in
his testimony, said that while the
Board of Trade had not taken action
on local suffrage, it had for many
years been an advocate of national
representation. AS an individual, he
said, he was opposed to local SUI
frage)
Evening star., 1940-03-11
UNITED STATES
NAVAL, ACADEMY

Dear Sir: I have often read your
interest and help.
There has been a bird here in my
yard which thought might interest you.
ut eats trumpeter seeds and is quite
tame when on the vine. About the
size of a sparrow, this bird is brown
ish color with black wings and tail. The
wings and tail have one stripe of white
in sort of slanting position and few
other specks OF white.
"His or her mate is colored the same
except it has white breast. Would you
give me some information as how to
persuade these birds to stay?
How do you attract cardinals to re-
like to keep them.
Respectfully yours, B. H."
The bird must be an American gold
finch.
This little fellow, often called the wild
canary, is not bit golden in winter.
1t Is classed as permanent resident
in this territory.
The goldfnch is the only bird we
have ever seen eat the seeds of the
trumpet vine in our yard.
1t also likes sunflower seeds, along
with most other seed-eating birds.
The way to keep 1t is to plant plenty
of chickweed!
Nothing is liked better by these "ca-
naries." which are not canaries at all,
but simply get that common name
through their sweet song
Most people would not think of plant
ing chickweed, just to attract goldhnches,
but no doubt any one would who par
ticularly liked goldfnches.
After all, bird preferences are unex-
plainable. While it does not mean that
one who prefers certain bird does
not like the rest of them, it is very sure
that almost every one has a favorite.
One person will like the cardinal The
next will extol the chickadee Another
finds none so interesting and beautiful
as the hite-breasted nuthatch.
And so it goes.
X 4
There can be far worse weeds in a
lawn than chickWeed.
So if you want goldfnches. try finding
some and transplanting it. Your neigh.
bors may not think much of your ac.
tivity, but then, when did neighbors
ever think much of your activity?
Goldfinches will make up for lot OF
| hard looks.
And the chickweed will die out a.
summer comes on.
These are friendly little birds, much
noted for their ability to alight on
Evening star., 1940-03-11
Helpful Amendments

Commendable progress has been
made in reaching agreement on
amendments to the District Unem-
ployment Compensation Act which
may be presented to Congress with
the Endorsement of District employ
ers, of labor and of the District Un-
employment Compensation Board.
These agreements reached on suit
able amendments, which come near
est meeting the common aims of the
various interests affected, reflect the
spirit of cooperation which will help
to make the law a success, but which,
If lacking, will always handicap the
attainment of the laws purposes.
Briefly, the pending amendments,
which are expected to be prepared
this week and forwarded for approval
to the Budget Bureau, reduce the
local tax rate to 2.7 per cent of pay
rolls and exempt taxes on salaries
In excess of $3,000-such reductions,
in line with the national act, be-
coming effective retroactively jan
uary l, 1910.
Benefit payments to the unem-
ployed, at the same time, are broad
ened and become effective imme-
diately upon signing of the act, and
the mechanics are provided for COM
putting benefit payments in manner
that will shorten the waiting period
and, it is claimed, make more efficient
the functioning of the system.
Most important of all, as far as
concerns application of fundamen-
tally beneficial principles, there is
instituted, as of January /, 1941, an
experience rating, or merit, system
whereby employers whose experience
demonstrates steady pay rolls and
employment receive some reduction
In taxes as a reward. Those who do
not, principally because of the nature
of the business, will receive no tax
reduction, but will pay no higher tax
than the normal 2.7 per cent.
Under the formula agreed upon,
employers will pay into the fund
each year approximately what is
withdrawn, thus stabilizing the re-
serve fund already accumulated and
which, under present tax rates, would
reach the excessive figure of almost
$20,000,000 by the end of the current
calendar year. 1t is provided, in
cidentally, that when the reserve
fund exceeds $12,OOO,OOO, there will
be a horizontal reduction in tax
rates; when the fund falls below
$4,000, 900, the tax rate will be in
creased sufficiently to bring it back.
While most of the States require
reserve approximating two to two
and one-half years benefit payments,
the Districts proposed reserves would
equal six years benefit payments on
the basis of present benefits and past
payments.
These are reasonable and generally
beneficial amendments and should
be adopted. The application of
merit principle, to provide the in
centive Of automatic tax reduction
as reward for stabilizing employ
ment, represents one of the funda-
mentally helpful objectives which
may be achieved by unemployment
compensation laws.
Evening star., 1940-03-11

clearly was an evasion of the spirit
of the law"
Of course, this is a Republican
complaint and, for that reason,
might be, suspect. Yet there are
Democrats who share Mr.. Hamilton's
resentment. Even loyal New Dealers
are known to have complained in
private if not publicly against being
solicited to buy the book published
during the second Roosevelt cam
paign and marketed long after the
President had been reelected tri-
umphantly. The Corrupt Practices
Act forbids corporations to con-
tribute to political organizations. It
should be applicable to all parties in
their efforts to raise money as we'll
as to the officers of business firms
who may be asked to "come across" I"
Evening star., 1940-03-11
g. o. p. Urged to Abandon
Isolati0nist Viewpoint,

To the Editor of The Star:
The Republicans will commit blunder
II they attempt to make an issue of
Americas proper role in the present in
ternational situation. They can oppose
the policy Mr.. Roosevelt now follows only
by a continued plucking upon the worn
string OF isolation. To do that they must
row against changing tide Of public
opinion
Americans in increasing numbers are
rellnquishing the belief that this country
can remain unaffected by the deeds of
the great European powers. LET us mind
our own business" may to some still ring
with homely wisdom, but gradually the
voters are facing the unwelcome fact
that what goes on in Europe is decidedly
our own business. Already clear ma
jority concede, somewhat grudgingly per-
haps. that an allied defeat would be
tantamount to an American defeat; that
II democracy crumbles in Europe, it may
well totter in the United States
The country at large, regardless of
party, approves the Presidents handling
Of the American ship of state in the
present choppy international waters. A
Republican attack on his foreign policy
will appeal only to the few remaining
die-hard isolationists who would vote
Republican anyhow. The independent
voters, whose support the G. o. P. must
enlist if it is to win, would look upon
such an attack as only garden variety
political issue concocted by men more
interested in party triumph than the
Nations welfare. More votes would be
lost than won.
The Republican chiefs will do better
if they keep pitiless searchlight fixed
upon Mr.. Roosevelt's domestic policies,
where he is more vulnerable and much
less right. Millions, sympathetic with
the administrations foreign policy, con-
tinue to disapprove of the political phil
osophy exemplified in an unbalanced
budget, the w. p. A., the T. v. A. and the
N. L. R. B. Should our national economic
situation grow worse before November,
the New Deal might again become the
No. election issue, especially so if, at
the same time, the international horizon
should clear up.
This is the Republicans only hope A
slim one, perhaps, but politically it is
more wise to build upon q faint hope
than to get behind an already lost cause.
March 7. HARRY STARK.
Evening star., 1940-03-11
Warns America Against
Underwriting Peace.

To the Editor Of The Star:
Editorials appearing in your paper
discuss Mr.. Sumner Welles' mission in
Europe, contrasting Germany's peace
demands with those of the allies, stress
ing the latter's wish for disarmament
and their nebulous pledges of economic
justice" and possible return of colonies.
Also Mr.. Constantine Brown states that
peace move was suggested to the Pres
ident by two prominent British politi-
cal men and that the assistance OF
Americas Fort Knox gold would be
the paramount inducement to all the
belligerents to call this silly war off"
The real purpose of the mission is
slowly clarifying itself, but before the
United States undertakes to underwrite
the cost of the next peace, it seems
important to evaluate the situation more
carefully. One cannot take it for granted
that the allies are fighting for purely
altruistic aims when all their actions
belle their verbal protestations. The
German claim that Britain seeks a
suffocating economic predominance in
the world" becomes an argument that
cannot be dismissed summarily as a
sheer myth" if it is remembered that
serious consideration was first given to
German claims only after that country
had re-armed and ratified the saber.
If the totalitarian states have forcibly
made land grabs, the British and French
have acquiesced, in violation Of treaties
by which they were bound, up to the
point where it became clear that some
of their own properties, including for
mer German colonies, were in danger.
Then a guarantee was quickly given to
Poland to provide the noble pretext
for action against Germany. However,
those same powers oficially ignored the
action of Russia against Poland and
continue to ignore, officially, the present
attack on Finland. They likewise failed
to keep those pledges made at the end
of the last war, the keeping of which
would have made Hitler impossible; and
the only reason such pledges were not
kept was that 1t would have meant
the abdication of economic advantages.
The United States paid for the last
peace by means of Government and
private loans, the majority of which
are now in default. Under ordinary
circumstances it would seem ridiculous
to imagine that the United States might
seriously consider doing it again. There
is q proverb about child and fire
but Mr.. Roosevelt y not inhibited by
Evening star., 1940-03-11
Blames Japan for Selling
Dope to Chinese.

To the Editor Of The Star:
Japanese See Spy Danger in Saliva
ton Army reads an announcement by
the Associated Press in The Star of
March 4. 1t is the perfdy of the Japa-
nese Army, not the Salvation Army,
which constitutes danger" to what is
left from the desolation and degenera-
ton OF the Chinese nation, accomplished
by the conscience -bereft invaders!
How does this sound to the mission
aires and others who have toiled to sepa-
rate the Chinese from their weaknesses
for many generations?
I quote from Dope, Japan's New
Weapon" in the Readers Digest for
March. "Pestilence and war historically
go together but it has been left
to the Japanese to find a way in which
to make pestilence pay for war. I.
Production of opium, heroin and NOR
phlne is increasing in Japanese-con-
trolled territory, notably in Manchukuo.
Thousands of dope peddlers work under
military direction. To every protest
Japan turns deaf ear. She is self
convicted of knowing perfectly well what
she is doing
pamphlet distributed to all Japanese
soldiers contains this paragraph: "The
use OF narcotics is unworthy of a SUI
perior race like the Japanese. Only in
ferior races that are decadent like the
Chinese, Europeans and East Indians
are addicted to the use of narcotics. This
is why they are destined to become our
slaves and eventually disappear"
Does the history of any savage COM
munity present anything lower or more
degrading than this horror?
March 6. H. B. BRADFORD.
Evening star., 1940-03-11
Dawn
She Is coming down the hills

She Is coming down the hills
Crimson roses In her hair:
And her arms hold daffodils,
Golden trumpets frail and fair.
She will pass turquoise gate,
Lightly cross a coral sea,
Bid her feathered choir wait
That her voice may wake each tree
Then when morning has begun
In her gown of silver lace
Dawn will go to meet the Sun,
Fall asleep In his embrace.
MATTE RICHARDS TYLER.
Evening star., 1940-03-11

That crowded car making better
than average time may not be filled
with sightseers or persons hurrying
to a fire. It may be a group of Con-
gressmen hustling to inspect some
District welfare agency to see why
it functions so poorly on entirely in
sufficient funds.
Evening star., 1940-03-11
New Finale for Old
Song Suggested.

To the Editor Of The Star:
I have read your fine article in today's
(March y Star with the caption I'VE
don't want to fight, but, by lingo, if we
do, we've got the ships, we've got the
men, we've got the money, too." It re-
minds me of when was boy in Eng
land; we used to sing it. It was prob
ably hangover from the Crimean War,
for it continued "And we'll keep the Rus
slams from Constantinople" It might be
changed now to "And we'll stop Der
Fuehrer's furious ambition"
FREDERICK VIM. GREEN,
March 8.
Evening star., 1940-03-11
Approves Articles on
A. B. C.. Board.

Approves Articles on
A. b. c. Board.
To the Editor Of The Star:
The Star is to be commended for its
interesting and enlightening articles
concerning the activities Of the A. B. G.
Board.
A traffic costing Americans billions Of
dollars and thousands of lives annually
should be Of interest to every citizen.
Let us have all the facts.
March 8, ALVIN H. DAY.
Evening star., 1940-03-11

If Senators from States producing
that particular material have their
way, the War Departments II
dreamt that dwelt in marble halls"
will come true.
Evening star., 1940-03-11

Candidates for presidential nomi-
nation find the farm problem some
thing like tackling dummy which
always bobs back into position and,
furthermore, sometimes hits the
tackler on the head.
Evening star., 1940-03-11
Letters to the Editor

Letters to the Editor must
Dear the name and address OF
the 1Driter although the use OF
a pSeudonyn1 for publication is
permissible. Please be brief!
Evening star., 1940-03-11

The Associated Press is exclusively entitled to
the use for republication Of al news dispatches
credited to 1t or not otherwise credited in this
paper and also the local news published herein.
All rights of publication Of special dispatches
herein also are reserved
Evening star., 1940-03-11
Rate by Mail-Payable in Advance.
Member Of the Associated Press.

Entered as second-class matter post once.
washington. D. c.
Evening star., 1940-03-11

@. Did James Corbett ever fight q
Negro named Peter Jackson?-T. Y.
A. James j. Corbett fought Peter Jack.
son on May 81, 1891, at San Francisco
Calf. Corbett won the bout by a de.
cision in the 61st round.
Evening star., 1940-03-11

@. What was the Peasants War?-T.
E. c.
A. This name was applied to the in
surrections of the peasantry of Southern
Germany in the early 10Th century,
especially to that Of 1924 in Swabia,
Franconia, Saxony and other German
states, in consequence of the tyranny
and oppression of the mobiles. It was
ended by the battle of Frankenhausen
in 1925, when many thousands of the
peasants were slain.
@. In what moving picture was the
song Rock and Roll" featured?-N D. M.
A. 1t Is from Transatlantic Merry
Go-Round"
@. How may I obtain q world map
showing the latest territorial revisions7-
r. s. w.
A. See Page Az of today's Star.
Evening star., 1940-03-11

@. How large crowd gathered in New
York City to see King George and Queen
Elizabeth last summers. r. T.
A. 1t was estimated by the New York
City Police Department that 35O0.OOo
persons participated in the welcome to
their majesties
Greenbelt cooperator., 1940-05-02
SPEAKING AGAIN OF PORK

Remember how urged short tire ago thorough
cooking for pork and pork products? Now
bulletin from the State Department of Health to the
effect. It says, among other things, the fol-
lowing:
"Because trichinosis has such painful and lasting
results every precaution should be taken to prevent
it. The parasite is small that it cannot be
by the naked eye. Fortunately, it easily be de-
stroyed by cooking pork thorough y--mtil it is
white. Pink pork should be eatenI
none of the most common sources of this meat in
fection is through the feeding of garbage to
hogs. If meat is obtetned from a reliable
the danger of buying infected pork is lessened, but
the additional precaution of thorough cooking is
equally necessary
1.-THE Federal government has done much to protect
the through its inspections and requirements
that all pork products be treated In such manner
that this parasite is killed. However, all pork
products not federally inspected, thorough cook
ing is necessary for both fresh pork and pork pro-
ducts, to insure protection.
Especial hazards found in "hot dogn stands
where frankfurters hamburgers made with pork
scraps may be sold. Be that these hot dogs
thoroughly cooked at the stand.
NEARLY half the neat eaten in the United States
is pork. 1t contribute generously to the nutritive
value of diet. Be it is safe. Cook it
thoroughly
Greenbelt cooperator., 1940-05-02
Buyers Test Bread and Sellers

distinguishing party, held at the request Of
the Food Store gement formed the program at the
meeting Of the Petter Buyers leaders, April IS, at
the home of Mrs. Bernie Brautigam.
The Food Store, already handling six
brands Of bread, had asked the help of the Better
Buyers in making decision the solicitation of
the Continental Baking Company to sell Certified
Bread in Greenbelt.
The group tasted all the breads now SOLD at the
store we'll the Certified Bread proposed, with
out knowing which which. It interesting to
note that, considering texture, grain, color and
taste, the general conclusion tnat all sliced
bread pretty much the same, and that Of the
testers surprised to learn their "favori te
breadn the that "dd dn't taste quite goodn.
Immediately following the tasting test, two
presentatives of the Continental Baking Company
to questions regarding their bread. The alert
and intelligent questioning the part of the
group apparently had the gentlemen "in spotn
for answers, for they obviously at loss when
asked why the Continental Baking Company, baker of
the Wonder Bread already carried by the Greenbelt
store, should go to the trouble and of put
ting out loaf of bread under another name. At any
rate, the given not convincing and the
group failed to the point in duplication Of ad
vertising, selling, wrapping, and all other output
in order for the Continental Baking Company
to compete wit itself.
The Company does, however ,have available H.
loaf, selling for about l3e. It felt by the
group that this mi ght economical loaf for the
Food Store to carry since the large loaves han
died weigh approximately 20 and sell for l2s.
In rapid-fire swi tch from the role of question:
er to that of advisor, the group suggested that
bread be labelled according ingredients used in
its manufacture and That drastic change be effect
ed in the type of radio Advertising programs
the air.