davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1940-02-02

Venezolana de Ciencias Naturales,
Caracas, and the Universidad Ma
cional Autonoma, Mexico, and from
lengthy list of individual benefac-
tors.
Every other department OF the
Library has been similarly endowed.
The material thus acquired is price
less in its value to research students,
writer's, teachers and, Of course, leg
islators. But it also is precious to
non-professional readers. The ex-
istence of such depository, indeed,
is an inspiration to multitudes Of
people who, with a natural folk
genius of appreciation, take pride in
the growth of great institution of
learning which is free and untram-
meled.
1t is from the people themselves,
moreover, that the Library's progress
derives. They contribute to 1t the
elements of its growth-the means
as well as the motive of its expan-
sion. In the ratio of their enthusiast
tic support it will continue to prosper.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1940-02-02
Stricter Examination
Of Motorists Urged
Both Temperumentol and
Physical Qualifications
Held Important
To the Editor Of The Star:


To the Editor Of The Star:
have followed your articles on trafiic
with deep interest and feel that they
are very worthwhile effort. Having
had the opportunity to observe trafiic
for several years from vantage point
different from that of the ordinary
citizen, however, my ideas for improving
conditions do not agree, in all respects,
with the generally accepted theories. I
do not believe that the problems of
traffic accidents and deaths can be solved
by law making, law enforcement traf1ic
engineering or education.
The one predominant factor in caus-
ing traffic accidents is unfitness to drive.
This incapacity may be either mental
or physical, but is most frequently the
former. Most very young drivers are
physically well fitted to drive, but in
very many instances they are mentally
or temperamentally unfit to operate mo-
tor vehicles in traffic. Many old people
are unfit to drive because of slow re-
flexes, poor eyesight or other reasons.
Between these groups are many who,
because of habitual use of intoxicants
or other reasons are not safe drivers.
Because 1t is easier to check on physical
disabilities, many efforts have been made
to solve this angle of the problem. This
Is important, but mental unfitness causes
more trouble.
Possession of license to drive is q
privilege granted by the State. Flyers
licenses are carefully restricted as to the
type of plane to be handled, and they
are revoked when the flyer demonstrates
by his actions or is found by examination
to be incapable OF safe flying. But auto
mobiles are much more likely to injure
the innocent party than are airplanes.
When any individual has an unusual
number of accidents it is very likely that
he or she is unfit to drive, even though
the other parties involved are guilty of
some carelessness, also. If the same
sort of attention be given to the keeping
of individual accident records that is
now given to keeping records of con-
victions for speed, reckless driving and
so forth, it would be found that the
driver involved in a fatal accident has
usually been involved in a number of
minor accidents before that time
When any unusual number of scci-
dents are found on the record of an
individual the state is justified in max
ing very careful examination of the
individuals mental and physical ability
before allowing his or her permit to con-
tinue in effect At present accidents
cannot be used to demonstrate the I'M
fitness of an individual to hold license
unless he or she has been convicted in
court of some major violation of the
traffic law, or has failed to pay damages
on judgment. Many serious accidents
could be prevented if the driver who has
frequent minor accidents, even the So
called unavoidable accidents, were taken
from the street. AN OBSERVER.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1940-02-02
THIS AND THAT
By Charles =. TruceweH.

ters alighted to 20 about their proper
business, than that here would come
an animal at full steam, eyes cleaning,
tail waving. Maybe 1t is that tail the
birds do not like! 1t cannot be fear,
because the squirrels do not harm them.
They just annoy them, often with that
waggish impudence which squirrels alone
seem to possess.
Gradually the rodents thin out, and
the birds to take their places.
Instead of the fat squirrel in the feeder
in the rhododendrons, there is a towhee,
or chewink, there.
This is the winter prize of this in
dividual garden.
Only the male has appeared. He has
been a steadfast customer since last
fall. It is only within the past few
weeks, since the SHOWS became heavy,
and the cold intense and unremitting,
that he has visited the station on the
stake.
This Is a small house-like affair, with
green roof, open on front and three
sides, securely dashed to the top of a
steel stake some S feet high.
1t Is just large enough to hold one
squirrel, or half a dozen sparrows.
1t is just large enough to hold one
cardinal, or one starting, or one blue jay,
not that there is not room enough for
others, but because the unwritten code
of birdland forbids it.
When the chewink is in, all other birds
keep out
Many sparrows feed on the snow
beneath. The big snow was a good one
for the birds, since they could walk
around on 1t without sinking in the
least. This meant, too, that all bread
grain and seeds thrown out for them
was found.
Our stake feeder is close enough to
the house so that when one looks down
upon it from an upstairs window, all
that one can see of bird in it Is its
tail.
1t is amazing, and amusing, too, how
quickly one learns to know bird by
its tail alone
Looking down on that feeder, the
observer is able to say, without hesita-
ton. There is the towhee," or THAT
is cardinal" or There's q blue jay
Most tails of birds are longer, and
narrower. than one might think of them
as being. This is easily seen when look
ing down upon just the tail alone.
The sun throws the shadow of the
house upon the side of the home mex
door
There upon the shadowy ridge pole
runs shadow squirrel its tail magni.
fed beyond all possible proportions. We
know the real creature-and we think
it is that extremely fat one-is just
above our head. making for that tree
close to the house
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1940-02-02
1t was squirrel day" In the yard.

It was squirrel day" In the yard.
Ten Of these active rodents had come
to take advantage Of the bird feeding
operations.
AS q result, the songsters literally
were driven away. Usually two Or three
squirrels feed with them In fullest har-
mony. 1t is nothing exceptional to see
one squirrel eating In the very midst Of
q flock of birds.
IDENTIFY, for the sparrows, cardinal blue
jays, starlings and others were all
perched in vines, on the fence and in
trees, waiting for the invasion to end.
Strictly speaking, it was pot an in
vasion, really, because all Of the rodents
lived in the neighboring trees, and no
doubt all OF them had been present
at the three feeding stations from time
to time.
The blanket of snow had driven them
to the yard at one time.
What was the use OF cleverly hiding
nuts, If one could not get to them?
So the best laid plans of mice and
men-and squirrels-go wrong.
Here was the disposition Of the 10
squirrels:
A very fat one at the stake feeder
in the rhododendrons.
Another fat one underneath, On the
snow.
Two large ones and one small one
at the feeder under the rose vine.
An extremely fat one hanging head
down about 6 feet above ground on a
huge locust tree.
Two very small ones-last summers
crop-cuddled up on branches Of the
same, high up, tails curled over their
heads.
Large squirrel on ground by Norway
spruces at rear of yard.
One medium large one at the maple
tree feeder, with six starlings.
Starlings are wise birds.
They flew away to porch roof. on
which some OF the snow had melted,
leaving an edge of mush.
In this they poked their bills, drinking
their fill
Wise, too. were some English sparrows,
which flew to the chimney, and perched
precariously by hanging onto the rough
edges of the bricks.
What were they doing there?
Warming their claws. undoubtedly.
In the meantime, the squirrels con-
tinued their possession of the feeding
places which had been intended for other
creatures
1t was not so much their numbers,
as their continual scampering from
point to point, which nonplussed the
birds.
Three or four squirrels do the same
thing, but this means an invasion at
a station only now and then.
Ten squirrels, on the other paw, meant
that no sooner had half dozen songs
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1940-02-02

Silver Shirt movement, were read
into the record by Representative
Hook Of Michigan, who now desires
to withdraw them because of "reser-
vations" concerning their anthem
ITCHY. Their elimination, however, is
prevented by Representative Keefe of
Wisconsin, who wants them "for-
mally expunged" by the House.
It is said that David Mayne, the
investigator" who wrote the letters,
was engaged, for a time at least, by
the committee on the recommended
ton OF "a very prominent individ-
ual" whose name thus far has not
been disclosed Also, it is reported
that one member of the committee
knew Of the existence of the letters
In advance of their release. They
seem to have been prepared with the
idea that their publication might
serve to put the committee out of
business. A third party purport-
eddy furnished them to Mr.. Hook.
Moreover, they are supposed to have
been bought from their author by
Harold Weisberg, a former agent of
the La Toilette Civil Liberties Com
mittee.
Just what the truth may be in the
circumstances is problematical. Mr..
Dies is understood to have requested
an inquiry into the facts, and the
average citizen will hope that his
appeal may be granted. The COM
mittee, it becomes increasingly clear,
has done valuable work.
1t has duty to itself and to the
public to call the parties to the al
legged forgery transaction before it
for questioning. Unless this be done
the whole controversy will remain
unresolved.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1940-02-02

direction of Frederic j. Haskin in the
columns of 252 daily newspapers. A
total Of 81 1922 votes was cast.
AS a result of these selections a
booklet was printed containing the ia
vorite poems of the people In this PAM
phlet there is not a single sonnet, vii
lanelle, rOndeau or sestina Most of
the poems are simple lyrics, such as
"A Psalm of Life THE Village Black
smith" THE Barefoot Boy" odd Iron
Sides" Paul Revere's Ride" Charge
of the Light Brigade" and Barbara
Frietchie"
These poems have technique in about
the same degree that a summer cottage
has architecture. In writing them, it
Is clear that the authors were not con-
cerned with elaborate and involved
rhyme schemes, nor with the exact de-
tails of technique.
The people as a whole may not be
judges of classical poetry, but in coun-
try such as ours their choice in poetry,
as in most other things, is a matter of
first importance. 1t is evident that they
prefer THE Village Blacksmith" to the
sonnets of Shakespeare; and by analogy,
if we had to sacrifice "Traviata, ;" "Serag-
lio," "Parsifal' and "Fidelo," or the
simple lullabys which millions of moth
ers sing to their babies, together with
the songs of happy children, the spir-
ituals of the Negroes, and the popular
melodies which appeal to the hearts
of humble folk everywhere, which would
be the greater sacrificeP Which have
the greater power in uplifting and sus-
tanning the spirits of the people?
January 26. H. P. STODDARD.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1940-02-02
Fucts Wanted

The debate on the Dies Committee
in the House Of Representatives yes
terday may have been Ineligible to
those who participated in it, and
even to those who patiently listened
to 1t, hut the public at large is frank
II puzzled. Forged letters, apparent
~ were employed In an effort to
dlscredit tho coammittee's chairman.
These traudulent documents. alleg-
10 con ctlng Ar. Dies with the
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1940-02-02
The Supreme Court

It may we'll be doubted whether
any man has ever given expression
to more enlightened statement of
the functions of the Supreme Court
past, present and future-than that
enunciated by Chief Justice Hughes
yesterday on the occasion Of the
tribunals 150th anniversary.
The mere fact that the court has
survived for century and half.
the Chief Justice said, implies "the
persistence of the deep and
abiding conviction that amid the
clashes of political policies, the out
bursts of passion and of the preju-
dices growing out of particular in
terests, there must be somewhere the
quiet, deliberate and effective deter
mination of an arbiter of the funda-
mental questions which inevitably
grow out of our constitutional system
and must be determined in contro-
versies as to individual rights"
Mr.. Hughes freely conceded that
the court is subject to the human
limitations of the men who from
time to time make up it's membership
and acknowledged that there have
been and will continue to be acute
differences of opinion among the
justices. But these, he said, are
merely evidences of the courts vital
ity, the essential thing being that
"the independence, the fearlessness,
the impartial thought and ,conscien-
tious motive of those who decide
should both exist and be recognized"
The Chief Justice also made it
clear that the work of the court is a
continuing task. He paid tribute to
the contributions of eminent prede-
cessors," but added the thought that
"the service of individuals however
important in their day soon yields
to the service of others who must
meet new problems and carry on in
their own strength" Between this
philosophy and that expressed on
the same occasion by Attorney Gen.
eral Jackson when he said that, as
the underlying structure of society
shifts, 'its law must be reviewed and
rewritten in terms of current condi-
lions if it is not to be dead science"
there is little essential difference.
When it is recalled that MIR. Jack
son was in the forefront of the rash
effort to remake the Supreme Court
by increasing its membership, an
effort which, If successful, would
surely have destroyed public conf
dence in the independence of the
tribunal, it is distinctly encouraging
to discover so little essential differ
ence now between his own under
standing and that of the Chief
Justice as to the main function of
the court in the future. This is,
perhaps, the most significant aspect
Of the Supreme Courts anniversary.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1940-02-02
Discusses Americas
Economic Problem.

To the Editor Of The Star:
A columnist says that If any one can
tell why the people refuse to borrow
the billions of dollars that lie idle in
our banks today, that person will have
the answer to the riddle Of depression
and unemployment.
Businessmen do not borrow to expand
their enterprises or start up new ones
because they know they cannot make
q profit out of the investment since
there is not enough money in the hands
of the people to purchase food. clothes,
houses, comforts, education for their
children, books, plays, clubs church
memberships, ETC., for which their souls
are starving. know because IS per
cent of the people of this country have
less income than our family has and
there are many things we need which
we cannot afford.
Are there not patriots among the
Halves" who could prime the pump of
industry and trade so that our Govern
ment need not bankrupt itself by con-
tinuing to substitute the Have Nots"?
There are only three courses open to
us-(D investment of the idle billions
by philanthropists with no prospect of
immediate returns, ca Government
pump printing as at present, or 90
new economic system wherein goods
would be manufactured for use and not
for profit.
Our present impasse cannot go on
forever, nor can we conscientiously con-
tinue to let people starve in the midst Of
potential plenty.
January n AMERICAN WOMAN
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1940-02-02
Library Report

The annual report of the Librarian
OF Congress, signed this year by
Archibald MacLeish, successor to DR..
Herbert Putnam as head of "the
greatest establishment of its kind in
the world" is document of curious
fascination. It may not be easy
reading, but there can be no question
about its attraction for scholars who
are interested in the gradual democ-
ratization of the cultural fruits of
civilization.
In the beginning the Library prob
ably was merely reference collec-
ton for the use of members of the
National Legislature Now, however,
1t serves much larger purpose. It
is, in effect, the photographic center
of the United States. To illustrate
the current trend it will suffice to
mention the fact that Mr. MacLeish
acknowledges gifts to the law divi-
sion from the American Bar Associa-
ton, the American Judicature Socie-
ty, the American Law Institute, the
Association of the Bar of the City Of
New York, the Brooklyn Bar Associa-
ton, the California Judicial Council,
the Carnegie Corporation of New
York, the Carnegie Endowment for
International Peace. the Chicago
Law Institute, the Council of State
Government of Chicago, the Dauphin
County Bar Association of Pennsyl-
vania, the District of Columbia Bar
Association, the Harvard Law Review
Association, the Kansas Legislative
Council, the Maritime Law Associa-
ton, the Massachusetts, Bar Associa-
ton, the New York Law Institute,
the North Carolina Bar Association,
the Philadelphia Bar Association, the
Yale University School of Law, the
Association Japonaise des Juristes de
Langue Franchise, Toxic; the Ordre
des Avocats q la Cour d'Appel,
Bruxelles; the Secretariat Of Foreign
Relations, Guatemala; the Institute
Civico Militar, Havana: the Institute
Panamericano de Geografia . His
= toria, Mexico City: the League O.
Geneva; tho Peace 49,,
Library. The Hague; tho eociea!
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1940-02-02
Cites Errors of
War Prophets.
To the Editor Of I

To the Editor Of The Star:
If the present war does nothing else,
it should certainly make an end of the
military prophets-for all time, let us
hope. Military writer's, and particularly
those who wrote for the newspapers, pre-
dicted that the opening of the war would
be accompanied by mass air raids on
communication centers, on manufacture
ing districts, and even on the great cities
themselves.
When London and Paris did not COL
lapse into flaming ruins according to
schedule, the war prophets solemnly an
nounced that great battles between the
Maginot Line and the West Wall might
be expected any day. When these also
failed to take place. the imminent in
vasion of Holland, Belgium and Switzer-
land was foretold. Again nothing hap
pened. but our war correspondents were
not discouraged or even embarrassed,
although the list OF their inaccurate
prophesies would fill columns. When last
heard from they were still busy proph-
esying once again that the small neutral
nations would be invaded, and that the
war would break out in full force in the
spring. 1t would be interesting to know
why correspondents do not have a more
realistic appreciation of the situation.
For 1t appears obvious that the spring
will see no outbreak of serious fighting,
but instead the signing of a treaty of
peace.
The war has reached an ironic i'm
passe. Unemployment has increased in
England since the war, because British
industry has produced more war material
than can be disposed Oh The death rate
among the civil population of Great
Britain is actually higher than in the
British Army in France. Sooner or later
the French and the British will force
their governments to end this absurdity
OF war in which neither side will at
tack, and from which, therefore, no result
can be expected. The Germans have
offered peace before and doubtless it can
be arranged on the basis of reconsti-
tuted Polish state. Finally, it is quite
apparent that the only victor in this war
will be Russia.
Let this be concluded with an historical
parallel. Between 174O and 1853 Austria
and Prussia fought three bitter and
bloody wars, which nearly ruined both
contestants. In 1778 they declared war
fourth time-the War of the Bavarian
Succession. It was Frederick the Greats
last war, and neutral critics confidently
expected another titanic struggle. The
war began in June, the opposing armies
marched into Bohemia, settled down in
entrenched lines-and there they stayed.
The observers were astounded but they
assured every one that the war would
commence In earnest in the spring of
Tito. But when spring came instead of
fighting, Austria and Prussia made peace.
Thus the war ended without q battle.
because both sides finally realized that
their war aims were not worth the ire
mendous cost 1t would take to achieve
them. In other words, they acknowl-
edged that the end must justify the
means. HARVEY s. FORD.
January II,
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1940-02-02
Urges Religious instruction
In All Schools.
To the Editor of The Star:

To the Editor Of The Star
Anyhow, there is one thing the world
can thank Communism for and that
is the invaluable lesson that if life is
imperfect with God, it is infinitely more
imperfect without Him! One gathers
this from many remarks recently by
people in high places who are so i'm
pressed with this fact that they are
Drawing the danger of being considered
slightly on the crack-brained reformer
side by stating in no uncertain terms
their conviction in this matter.
Apparently even the intelligentsia Is
beginning to realize that religion is
nothing other than the rules Of the
game Of life, formulated to preserve
order, decency and genuine happiness
which comes from peace of mind. It is
neither empty form nor something
apart. The sooner the world in gen.
eral appreciates this, the sooner it will
advance to real civilization.
The most practical way to accomplish
this without raising the old spectre Of
mixing religion and education is to have
the leaders of churches Of all denomina-
lions get together and formulate plan
for sending teachers Of their various
faiths into all schools and have certain
periods devoted to religious instruction.
Parents could designate which religion
they wished their children taught and
the children of parents not wishing
religious instruction should at least be
given . thorough grounding in ethics.
Most Of the mistakes humans make
are because Of ignorance. The time is
long past due when vital education for
living should be given Its proper place
In educational curricula.
January -. MRS. I. MOORE.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1940-02-02
Says Peoples Choice
Is for Simple Lyrics"


To the Editor OF The Star:
Poetry is q distillation. It is the wine
of the spirit. Technique is merely a
shell-the cask into which the wine is
poured. Putting water into the cask
cannot make Chateau Dor champagne,
and detailed perfection of technique
alone cannot create poetry.
Poetry is fluid, flexible, adaptable,
varied and tinged with the character
and personality of the author. Tech
nique is inflexible, mechanical, wholly
impersonal and extremely limited in
its individual adaptability. It is rea-
sonable to- assume that poetry existed
long before there was technique, as we
now understand 1t. Technique grew
from poetry; poetry could not have
possibly sprung from technique.
I know high school students who un-
derstand the technique of the sonnet
as well as Keats understood 1t, but this
understanding does not transform them
into the likeness of Keats; it doesn't
even make them poets. These compe-
tent and intelligent students are tech
nicians, but they are not craftsmen;
they are capable writer's of verse, with
out being poets; they have commenda-
BILE talent and aptitude, but they do
not have creative artistic power or
genius. It Is this creative artistic
power, this genius, this wine Of the
spirit which makes poetry more i'm
portant than its technique. 1t is this
artistic rover which makes n simple
lyric by Shelley sublime. while my me-
chemically perfect sonnet is commonplace
Shelley was poet: am writer Of
verse. It was this that had In mind
when I first made the comment that
poetry is more important than its tech
nique. I am sorry I did not In the f1rst
place elaborate my statement.
In 1879 . Nationwide favorite poem
poll was eonductedssy and under the