davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1940-12-16

This is the season when postmen
accept some letters with nothing but
a blank space where stamp
should be.
Such letters go to the Inquiry
Section of the City Post Office Most
of them are machine-marked, In
sufficient Address"
It's not because the post Office
clerks don't know where the letters
were hopefully directed. The ad-
dressee's name is on all of them
It's always Santa Claus, or Santa
Clause, or, where some straining
youngster has been intensely eager
that there be no doubt of his polite
ness or respect-Mr. Santa Claus.
Some read: Santa Claus, North
Pole" Others, Santa Claus, North
Pole, United States of America" !"
or Santa Claus, North Pole, Wash
ington, D. c."
Tragedies Disclosed.
One little girl writes: my mother
and father are not liveing together
I am liveing with some one" and
asks for "a little ice box, little
kitchen cabinet and a tea set (31
pieces)."
Another letter-"I am little girl
9 years old and my brother is 8
years old and my mother doesn't
have any money to buy us Christ
mas gifts. Will you please bring
us something for Christmas?"
Four children OF one family COM
bined their letters asking for pres
ents and put them in one envelope.
The Oldest boy added a postscript:
Evening star., 1940-12-16
Traffic Record

The traffic record, as revealed
at police headquarters, for a.
hour period ending at 8 am.
yesterday:
Fatalities, 1 (pedestrian).
Accidents, 48.
Motorists injured, 4.
Motorists arrested, 438.
Pedestrians injured, II.
Pedestrians arrested for viola
ton of pedestrian control reg
ulations, 2.
Motorists arrested for failing
to give right of way to pedes-
trlans, l.
The traffic record for 24-hour
period ending at 8 am. today:
Fatalities, none.
Accidents, SO.
Motorists injured, l.
Motorists arrested, 214.
Pedestrians injured, 4.
FeueStrlanS arrested Tor VIOLA
tlon OF pedestrian control reg
ulations, l.
Motorists arrested for failing
10 give right of way to pedes-
trians, none.
Killed in 1910 traffic, H.; by
December 16, in 1899, SO.
Evening star., 1940-12-16

II know it is rather expensive,
but you are a miraculous person"
Most of the letters have come
from children living in Washing
ton, but one came from Upper Tract.
w. Va, via the Brushy Run Post
Office.
All of them have been mighty
good boys and girls during the whole
year, and not just in time for Christ
mas, says c. M. Mace, assistant in
charge of the. Inquiry Section, who
reads all the letters.
Mr.. Mace said the messages are
kept at the Inquiry Section until
after Christmas so that organiza-
tions and individuals who want to,
can help make a real Christmas for
some one.
Evening star., 1940-12-16
Extension on Alien
Registration Banned

Earl G. Harrison, director of reg
istration, announced today that
there will be no extension beyond
the December 26 deadline for aliens
required to register and be finger
printed under the new law.
1T also must be remembered that
alien children, including refugees,
under IA years of age must be reg
istered by parents or guardians" he
emphasized.
The registration figures now total
3,814,818, or more than 100000 over
the original estimate of 100000
subject to the act.
Evening star., 1940-12-16
ItuIo-Americun GROUP
Pledges Defense Aid

The Italo-American War Veterans
last night pledged to answer any call
to defend America and promised full
support to the national defense pro-
gram.
President Roosevelt was hailed as
"the greatest man in the world to-
day" in another resolution adopted
by the organization.
Meeting in the Market Hall, Fifth
and Morse streets NE, the group
elected new officers. They are Alfred
Ferranti, president; Peter Bozzone,
vice president: Charles Cardosi, cor
responding secretary; Carlo Coirini,
financial secretary. and Alexander
Pompeo, treasurer.
Evening star., 1940-12-16
D. {. SeIectees
For January
All 10 Be White
Lack of Facilities
Will Prevent Calling
Colored Registrunts

A breakdown apportioning among
the Is local draft boards the 202
selectees tentatively ordered from
Washington for the January call was
announced today by selective serv-
Ice officials, who at the same time
revealed that no colored registrants
would be included in the increment,
due to lack of facilities"
The "all-white" quota, called for
In a warning order" received by
Brig. Gen, Albert L. Cox. selective
service director for the District. from
Sd Corps Area headquarters Satur-
day was divided among the local
boards as follows:
Evening star., 1940-12-16
Medici Manuscripts Given

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va, Dec.
Is (SpeciaD Mrs. John Dunn of
Richmond has presented to the
Alderman Library of the University
of Virginia two manuscripts Of the
famous Medici family. One Of the
manuscripts is letter written by
Cosimo I, Duke of Florence and
Siena. The other is letter written
by Julio Medici, who later became
Pope Clement VII.
Evening star., 1940-12-16
boards as follows:
600 Will Be Notified.

Gen. Cox said that 600 classified
registrants would be notified to ap-
pear for physical examinations at
7pm Thursday and Friday. Places
for the examinations will be dis
closed tomorrow following a confer
ence between 1t. Col. A. C. Gray,
State medical adviser for District
Selective Service Boards, and rep
resentatives of several hospitals, the
District Medical Society and various
draft board examining physicians.
1t was believed probable that sew
eral of the cities hospitals would be
used for the examinations under a
procedure similar to that followed in
classifying selectees for the first call
quota last month.
officials hope to find a sufficient
number of Glass la registrants
among the 600 to be examined to
fill the January quota. Should de-
ferments for physical reasons be ex-
ceptionally high among the group,
additional registrants will be noti-
fled to appear later for eXamina-
tions
Lag in Construction.
Gen. Cox said Sd Corps Area Off
cials had requested that no colored
selectees be included in the January
quotas due to lag in the construc-
ton program at various Army posts
for housing colored soldiers.
This ruling apparently was general
throughout the Sd Corps Area,
Maryland draft officials announcing
several days ago that no more COL
ored selectees would be called into
the service "for some time" How
ever, it was understood, that addi-
tional colofed men would be called
out in February requisitions.
Meanwhile, it was learned at Fort
George G.. Meade, Md, selective
service reception center for the Sd
Corps Area, that 81 colored selectees
already initiated into Army life will
be transferred tomorrow to Fort
Bragg, N. c., for permanent duties.
All But 81 Assigned.
Officers at Fort Meade said that
lO68 selectees had been received at
the post, with 80 yet to come to fill
last months call for the area In
Guiding the recruits who will leave
tomorrow, all but 81 selectees re-
ceived at Fort Meade thus far have
been given permanent assignments.
The last replacement selectee to be
called in the District of Columbia
to fill the November quota was in
the process of induction today at the
Regular Army Recruiting Station,
631 Pennsylvania avenue NV. He
is Irving Grossberg, Is, of 1113 K
street NV, a selectee from local
Draft Board No. 49,
Grossberg, a volunteer, formerly
was employed as clerk in the Pan
anna Canal office at the War Depart
ment. He came to the District
about Is months ago from his home
in New York City.
District selectees henceforth will be
inducted at the 5th Regiment
Armory in Baltimore, the Washing
ton induction station having been
closed several days ago on order
from Sd Corps Area Headquarters.
The move was made, it was said,
In the interest of economy and
efficiency.
Evening star., 1940-12-16
Suntu Claus Drafted:
Another One Needed

Selective service goes its imper-
sonal way, regardless Of the Christi
mas season.
Word came to national headquar-
ters today that a New York store
had sent out a hurried call for man
of a certain build-a man of good
character with an amiable DISPOSE
ton.
The stores Santa Claus had been
drafted.
Evening star., 1940-12-16
Montgomery High
Students Take Jobs
To Advance Traininq
Will Report Experiences
In Business World
After Return to Glasses

High school students in Mont
'gomery County, Md, are taking
advantage of the Christmas rush
and the national defense program
to obtain vocational training under
the supervision of school authori-
ties, it was learned today.
In conjunction with the voca-
tional guidance program inaugu-
rated by the County Board of Edu-
cation several years ago, students
are permitted to remain absent from
their class work during the pre-
holiday season with the permission
of school authorities, but are re-
quired to make reports on their
experiences in the business world.
Dr. Edwin w. Broome, county
school superintendent, has author
lied students to work during the
Christmas holidays under the super
vision of their school counselors.
Number Doing So Varies.
The number of students taking
advantage of this program varies
widely In different schools, from one
or two in some sectors to about a
dozen in Bethesda Chevy Chase
Senior High School and about 20
in the Sherwood High School at
Sandy Spring.
Miss Lucille D. Appleby, supervisor
of vocational guidance at Sherwood
High, said the type of jobs obtained
by the students depended upon the
type of work each was following in
the school, Several are now en-
ployed in retail stores in the metro
politan area of the county and in
downtown Washington. Some are
in the Post Office Department and
some high school seniors taking
shop courses are working as car
penters' helpers at Fort Meade, she
explained.
Each student is required to obtain
the permission. of his parents before
going to work. In all cases it is
stressed that the schoolwork is the
primary consideration and that the
job is part of vocational guidance
program.
Students to Report on Work.
The students reports after their
return to class will tell about Sc
curing social security card, how
they got their job and their reac-
tions to the work in the CONNER
cial field. In addition a card is Sc
cured from their employer on their
record during their absence from
school.
Miss Appleby explained that stu
dents had been permitted to work
during the pre-holiday season and
at various times during the year in
the past, but that each case was
handled individually.
The national defense program and
increased demand in the retail field
has widened the opportunities this
year, she pointed out.
Evening star., 1940-12-16
Gov. 0'Conor Predicts
Z 10 1871 Reduction
In Income Levy
Savings Up to S1,158,600
Seen for Toxpoyers;
Flat Credit Proposed
BY the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press.
ANNAPOLIS, Dec. 16-A reduc-
ton of IL to Is per cent in the
Maryland income tax law was pre-
dicted today by Gov. O'Conor.
Gov. O'Conor also said a bill will
be introduced in the Legislature pro-
viding for payment of the tax in
quarterly installments. The measure
would become effective Immediately
on passage, allowing taxpayers to
pay their 1910 tax, due March Is, in
installments.
Gov. O'Conor said study would
be made to determine the feasibility
of allowing taxpayers a months
grace in which to make their first
income tax payment, since the Fed
eral tax is also due March Is.
The Governor said the States
financial condition would ALLOW"
such reduction, and that it would
represent savings to the taxpayers
of s926,880 to sl,158,600.
A reduction had been forecast
earlier by the Governor, but this
was the first instance in which he
cited figures as to what taxpayers
might expect in the way of in
come tax revision.
The Governor said the Legislature
would be the final judge" as to
where to make the reductions, but
| added that he had suggested re-
visions "in favor of persons in the
lower income tax brackets"
Flat Credit on Returns Offered.
AS one alternative he proposed
flat credit on the income tax
return of II to IS per cent. The
credit would be allowed all taxpay-
ers, the reduction to be made after
the usual computation.
The strongest protest against the
income tax levy-keystone of the
administration financial program
came from persons in the low-in-
come bracket. Opponents of the
tax assailed its constitutionality, but
were defeated in a court fight.
An unappropriated surplus of So
ISL ,955 as of October /, opening OF
the fiscal year. will make the reduc-
ton possible. Gov. O'Conor said.
The surplus resulted, he said, from
getting the budget in balance, and
the practice of economies and
through the efficient operations OF
the various departments.
State assets total 1903 $50, $50, and
the cash balance as of October l was
s18,998, SOL. the Governor reported.
No Gas Tax Diversion.
The income tax was necessary in
1899 Ito balance the States budget
and to provide revenue through
other means than the diversion of
gasoline taxes" said Gov. O'Conor.
I'VE put a stop Immediately to
the practice of borrowing to meet
current expenses. Also, we budgeted
relief appropriations for the first
time. Our budget has remained in
balance ever since. and we have not
diverted one dollar from gasoline
tax revenues. This policy will be
continued :"
The Governor said the States
bonded Indebtedness was s44, ,166 900,
"a material reduction over the to-
tai outstanding at the time the pres
ent administration took Office"
Evening star., 1940-12-16
Phoebe Hearst PIT. A.

A meeting of the Phoebe Hearst
Parent-Teacher Association will be
held at the school at 8 o'clock to-
night. Teachers will meet with the
parents, beginning at 7:30, before
the meeting. The toy shop will be
open for inspection and the sixth
grade will present . Christmas play.
Evening star., 1940-12-16
Bond Concert

Paul H. Kerr, 1911 Eastern avenue
NE; Frank Klein, I'LL Eleventh
street NV; James v. Parker, 6517
Piney Branch road NV; William
j. Sullivan, 18 Girard street NE;
Damon Sutton, Alexandria; Ben
jamin A. Wehrle, 1928 Military road
NV, and James L. Yocum, 342
Emerson street NV.
Evening star., 1940-12-16
Fred S. Walker Named
To Minimum Pay Board

The Commissioners today ap-
pointed Fred S. Walker, member
Of the Columbia Typographical
Union, No. 1O1, to a three-year term
as labor representative on the Dis
trict Minimum Wage Board, effec-
tive January /.
Mr.. Walker, active in labor and
civic affairs for many years, sue
ceeds Arthur l.. Schoenthal of the
Labor Department, whose term ex-
pires December 81, and who has ad-
vised that he could not continue to
serve after that date.
The new appointee was for II
years secretary treasurer of the
union and now is a delegate to the
Central Labor Union as well as
manager of the publication Trades
Unionist. He was recommended for
the job by John Locher, president
OF the Central Labor Union.
Bond Concert
BY the Army Band in the band
auditorium of the Army War Col
lege tomorrow at 2:30 pm. Capt.
Thomas F. Darcy, leader; Karl Hub
ner, assistant.
Evening star., 1940-12-16

DOG RESCUER Observation-Disclosures H. Moore IT, 718 Rock
Creek Church road who rescued dog from 50foot well
the backyard of George Bach home September 49,
Saturday he received American Association
medal for his act from Mrs Merton Twogood president OF the
Washington Animal Rescue League Young Bach, H. of
the rescued dog Smoky witnessed the presentation which
Kiney High School, made honorary member of the
leasuA - r Photo
The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1940-11-30
On Teaching the Dignity Of Labor

Prof. Harry David Gideonse head of the big Brooklyn
eonege IN New YORK says semester OF planned labor camp
students normal environment would improve the currcu
lum of almost any school,
There probably will be the that athletic aotiv
tiles give students plenty of outlet for their animal spirits
and plenty of exercise But that would be to miss the idea
entirely Others will probably point out that in federal
CCC camps young already getting plenty of train
ing But that would be to overlook the point that in CCC
enrolment is largely restricted less privileged
group of young
In the matter touched upon by Professor Gdeonse the
Germans were wise. Even in preNaz times the republic
instituted labor They not the harsh the
Nazis have made of them. The republic in labor
camps chance TO further the of democracy Just
children of all classes and creeds mixed in the
public schools young from all kinds of homes
mixed up in the labor camps
The sons of the wealthy, the boys who day
to control industry in Germany, taught by the tired
back and the caoused hand to get idea of the role
millions of their fellow counrymen perform day by day
and week by week in the of the nation
man who has labored does not look down labor.
The labor camps performed another function in Ger
many They hardened the youths physically. The tough
enng process SO necessary in soldier was largely attended
to before the young men called up.
This matter happens to be very much in the thought
of the officers charged with training Americas
time conscript army. considerable number of college
professors have asked whether it is not possible
to give the draees form of vocational specialized
training. The has been decided negative
COL VA H. Draper, Jr, of the U. S. general staff,
phaszes the fact that the primary of the draft
is to teach Americas young how to be soldiers, to
train capable if necessary, of meeting at least
equal terms the best troops any nation might throw
against them.
Colonel Draper wisely said that after the draftees had
spent day partly in drill and marching partly in class
getting military instruction and partly in
chores such kitchen police, the embryo soldiers would
be in no mood to take up further class work.
So the matter comes back to the Gideonse suggestion.
Some form of wise labor training would help to give
American youths healthy bodies The colleges could then
seek to give them the healthy trained minds The gradu
ates would be asset of the United States.
The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1940-11-30
They Are a Peculiar Race

The boys in France in 1918 used to have song whose
words asserted that the French they peculiar
But the British, they peculiar race too. They
supposed to have caved in long But they do not
Further though thousands of civilians have been
struck down by bombs they slept the British still don't
like that method of waging
They have there institution like the Gallup
Poll which has functioned right through the without
interference from the government Recently in the
poll this question asked: I'm view of the ndscrim
mate bombing of this country would you approve dis
approve if the R. A. F. adopted similar policy of bombing
the civilian population of Germany"
And 46 per cent of those poed said they wouldn't
prove it. The percentage guessed they would And
eight per cent just couldn't decide.
Our guess that poll after the bombing of Coventry
would tell another story.
The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1940-11-30

their Atlantic City convention
with fervent determination to
fight Ford to a finish. One rea-
son that he's an especial target
of labor is that there are cur
rently outstanding against him
six n. L. r. B. orders for viola
ton of the Wagner Act-one of
which has already been upheld
by circuit court appeals.
Equally irritating to the Auto
Workers union is the fact that
the S12, 100000 airplane engine
order awarded Ford comes un-
der the -Healey Act. but
under prevailing wages of the
aircraft industry. rather than
those of the auto industry which
the union has succeeded in maxi
ing considerably higher. The
minimum under the labor de-
partment ruling for this con-
tract is so cents an hour. al
though the United Auto workers
have won an average minimum
of more than so cents from
Ford's competitors.
It's a mistake TO think of the
Rsmspeck bill as just another
blanket freezing into office Of
horde of deserving or unde-
serving -Democrats. It's true
that it will confer civil service
status on perhaps as many as a
quarter OF a million government
employees now in exempt posi-
tons. But it's doubtful II
more than a normal percentage
of them owe their jobs TO DEM
ocratic sponsors. And there'l
be nothing indiscriminate about
the freezing.
The non-competitive examin-
atoms TO be given under the
provisions OF the Ramspeck bill
are no mere ritual. Non-compe-
titive exams can be-and in
fact generally area lot tough
er than competitive tests. Civil
Service commission insiders de-
clare that they expect between
a quarter and a third of those
who take the exams TO funk
out-a handy way TO purge the
government of incompetents.
Civil service physical require
ments may disqualify a lot more.
Note that the new law is
erely permissive. There'n
be no wholesale application Of
IL. Those best posted expect
the president TO employ its su-
thorlzstions gradually and with
great care. II gives him a
chance 10 achieve one OF his
major ambitions the estab-
lishment. for the firy time In
American history. Of a genuine
government career service based
on merit
The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1940-11-30
QUESTIONS TO TEST
YOUR KNOWLEDGE

Can you answer seven of these
test questions = Turn TO the
woman's page far the answers:
l. In major hague baseball.
does the home team. visiting
team. or the league furnish the
balls.
2. How many days are in a
Leap Year.
5. Besides Spanish. French.
Mexican. Republic of Texas. and
United States. which other ma
tional flag has the State OF
Texas flown.
4. The governor general Of
Canada is elected BY the people.
chosen by the Canadian parlis-
ment, or appointed hy the British
Crown
s. Which city is called the
Crescent City.
6. Name the star closest to
The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1940-11-30
Mr.. FIXIT
He Fixes Thinus

To receive attention in this eol-
umn letfers must slTs name snd
address 81 writer. ONLY initials
will be published when requested
Mr.. Fixif; To what approx
mate altitude above sea level
may a man ascend into the
atmosphere nv aircraft before
he succumbs from lack Of SUI
ficient oxygen y. NJ.
Air corps men usually begin
taking = sniff now and then at
about 1900 feet. depending on
the man; but it's an order to
connect to the oxygen at $4,000.
Anything above that is defici-
ency zone. the hazard TO human
life increasing with the altitude
Mr.. Fixit: Where In Tacoma
could one take fencing lessons
II there are no such places,
would the Tacoma Public library
haN' MY 'ohr VI fhstFutttou On
that sport: X. n. =.
Dupont.
There was Pierre Carroll
who taught fencing in Tacoma
about a year ago. but he could
not be reached quickly today.
Several Fort Lewis officers are
fencers and have recently got
ten some foils and masks. II
you inquire around the fort you
may learn something that will
solve your question. The library
undoubtedly has books on the
subject and the Washington
Hardware company's sporting
goods department has left one
copy Of handbook on fencing.
MIR. Fisit: What happened IN
the series Of three articles by
Bruce Cation on the Third Term
With More Power
KAN SMITH.
These appeared In our HON.
editions Nov. Is on page /:
Nov. 10 on page is. and Nov.
Il on page p.