davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1940-05-08

minds Of thoughtful citizens OF Eng
land from the moment Of Adolf
Hitler's assumption Of control Of the
Reich In 1888. He had written q
book, a most amazing book as the
world regards it now, in which he
had proclaimed a Nazi hegemony OF
Europe. With such warning, the
English public knew what to expect.
It was the will OF the people to fight
when 1t became clear that compro-
mise no longer was possible. The
hostage given was the existence of
the empire.
So, too, as Mr.. Chamberlain sug-
gested yesterday, democracy is in
volved. The discussion OF the Nor
wegian campaign in Parliament is
concession to traditional freedom
OF speech, and it does have connota-
tions OF peril. Yet England is Eng
land still, a nation in which liberty
continues to have meaning in prac-
tice. It is good that this is true.
Were 1t otherwise, civilization would
mourn the difference.
Evening star., 1940-05-08
Hostages

Elizabethan scholars in Washing
ton, reading Prime Minister Cham
berlain's speech in the House of
Commons yesterday, noticed that he
paraphrased Francis Bacon when he
said: I'm this debate we are giving
hostages to fortune"
The original version of this classic
axiom, first coined and used by the
man who either did not or did write
Shakespeare's plays, reads: "He that
hath wife and children hath given
hostages to fortune, for they are
impediments to great enterprises,
either Of virtue or mischief" It
may be found in Marriage and Sin
gle Life" an essay written in 1925,
the author being sixty-four years of
age and apparently well qualified
to discuss both matrimony and
distant condition of bachelorhood.
But the thought might be applied
to vast number of human problems,
not merely to those Of power politics
and domestic circumstance. A hos
tage is "a person or a thing given as
pledge" and 1t is the law of life
that whatever man may venture it
is required of him that he must risk
either himself or his possessions.
Great Britain, for example, gambled
with fate when again last September
she accepted the German challenge
thrown down for Danzig. The de-
cision was not lightly taken. Rather,
1t represented a conviction which
gradually had been growing in the
Evening star., 1940-05-08
Italian Imports

Whether by design or coincidence.
the Treasury Department chose a
highly significant time to announce
Yesterday the resembling OF a part of
the countervailing import duties on
Italian silk products. Such a move
IN itself Is not of world shaking i'm
portance. But it is important as a
possible indication of greater eco
nomic cooperation between the
United States and Italy, providing
that Mussolini does not decide to
enter the war actively on the side Of
Germany.
The Treasury action has been fore
cast for several weeks. 1t was de-
scribed as a purely technical matter,
involving only decision as to wheth-
er Italy was subsidizing her silk
exports. But it cannot escape in
ternational political significance,
following as closely as it does the
conversations between President
Roosevelt and the Italian Ambas-
sador, and between the American
Ambassador in Rome and II Duce.
Was Mussolini promised practical
benefits of an economic nature If he
were to stay out of the war, and is
the lifting of penalty duties on some
Italian silk products part of a pro-
gram which might help to induce
Italy to remain acknowledgement? It
Will be interesting to watch for the
answers to these questions as further
developments unfold.
Evening star., 1940-05-08
FOREIGN Silver

Some of the debate in the Senate
on the Townsend bill to end Govern
ment buying Of foreign silver has
avoided the basic issue, which is:
Shall the United States continue to
buy, at inflated prices, huge stocks of
foreign silver that can serve no USE
full purpose to US now or later, in
order to provide the purchasers with
good American dollars with which to
buy our exports? In other words,
should this Government continue to
subsidize our export trade through
the medium Of a "silver brick"
scheme which is filing the West
Point repository with great hoard
OF pretty metal Of declining value?
Those who argue in favor Of the
buying program picture the drastic
effect on our export business Of an
Evening star., 1940-05-08
So Far, So Good

The House Judiciary Committee Is
to be commended for reconsidering
its unwise action in sidetracking the
Hatch clean politics bill by a secret
ballot a week ago.
But yesterdays action only took
the bill from pigeonhole, other
wise referred to as "the table" and
brought 1t back before the committee.
The committee should proceed with
out delay to vote on any amendments
members may have in mind and
report the bill to the House. Failure
to take this next step would make of
yesterdays action an empty gesture.
All that the supporters of the bill
are asking is an opportunity to let the
full membership of the House vote
on it. If, however, the measure is
kept In committee until there is no
longer time to act before adjourn
ment, the country will be unable to
escape the conclusion that its oppo-
nents feared they could not convince
a majority of their colleagues in an
open debate.
A majority of the House could
force the bill to the floor by signing
the discharge petition, to which one
hundred and twenty-five of the re-
quired two hundred and eighteen
signatures had been attached up to
yesterday. It is to be hoped, how
ever, that the committee will render
this course unnecessary by proceed
ing to act on the bill. That, more than
anything else, would clear the air of
the confusion that followed the secret
ballot of last week. The vote then
tabled the bill, fourteen to ten, but
yesterday, on publicly announced
roll call, the original action was re-
versed, fourteen to eleven.
Executive sessions are essential
when committees reach the point of
perfecting the detailed provisions Of
legislation, but this experience with
VAAS AAooNAA bAAA CA1OOAu VOA4VAACC
bers Of Congress that when the time
comes to vote on controversial ques-
tions, the recorded roll call is the
safest and fairest course.
One of the chief arguments raised
by opponents of the bill now Is
that the Federal Government is
undertaking to usurp the power
of the States to control their
employees. If the bill applied to
all State workers, this argument
might have some merit. But it ap-
plies only to employees paid in whole
or in part from Federal funds. Hav-
ing restricted the political activity of
its own workers, why should the Fed
eral Government exempt thousands
Of other employees working on Fed
eral-aid programs for State govern
ments?
Evening star., 1940-05-08

abrupt termination Of the silver ac-
quisitions. But the proponents over
look the facts that the buying has
been going on steadily since passage
OF the Silver Act In 1884, that more
than 2,000,000,000 ounces OF foreign
silver have piled up during that
period, that the act directs that the
buying must not stop until the silver
stocks amount to one-fourth of the
monetary value Of the silver and gold
boards combined, that this ratio is
as tar from attainment now, due to
gold purchases, as 1t was in 1884 and
that this absurd pyramiding process
cannot 60 on forever. The subsidy
might as well end now as later-for
the economic effects of cessation are
likely to increase in seriousness as
the worlds silver market declines
and Uncle Sans stimulants are little
more than shots in the arm.
It should not be forgotten, more
over, that the principal beneficiary
Of our silver policy today is Mexico,
whose government has just rejected
our proposals for an impartial arbi-
tration Of the appropriation grab"
Adoption Of the Townsend bill might
help to bring Mexico to her senses.
At any rate, there no longer is any
basis for the argument made in
previous years that repeal OF the
foreign silver purchase provision
might offend friendly nations. China
and Canada would not be affected.
The Star hopes that the Senate
quickly will pass the Townsend bill
and that the House will complete the
job OF repeating the ill-advised for
eign silver purchase clause.
Evening star., 1940-05-08
SoIt Solution

Among lesser known odd facts is
the surprising one that Oklahoma is
within mile of salt water: that is.
; II one is careful to measure that mile
IN the right direction, which is
straight down, where the brine is
found In conjunction with oil. Upon
being brought to the surface, 1t has
been customary to separate it from
the oil and let it run off into local
rivers, where it has had a twofold
effect on the community. On the one
hand, 1t has killed stock, vegetation
and fish; on the other, 1t has served
as the basis for new and flourishing
profitable industry-that of suing
the petroleum companies for heavy
damages.
One oil concern finally ran out of
aspirin and decided to solve its head
ache by breaking out its drilling ma
chinery and sinking deep dry shaft
down to permeable sand, and let the
brine drain of. Surprised geologists
were therefore given the task of
locating nice, dry, convenient spot
for a barren well. They responded
nobly, and instructed their employ
ers to drill at the southwest corner
OF subsection @, Section A, Lot eleven
OF Township twenty.
Perhaps the astute reader will
have guessed the sequel. II not,
suffice 1t to say that the harassed oil
company hit a gusher which is re-
morselessly and relentlessly bringing
IN every day two thousand six hun
dred barrels Of oil, the same number
Of dollars and very nearly as many
salty tears.
Evening star., 1940-05-08

mile In the air Is as nothing to any
feathered thing. -
But In the main the birds stick closely
to the chosen beat. That Is why one
may feel sure that 1t Is the sans
thrushes he hears morning after morn.
Ing
The arrival Of the wood thrush means
that spring is really here.
Tree leaves have told us that, too,
but somehow the ringing tones Of the
thrush notes make human listeners
quite sure Of It.
Human listeners no doubt have the
greatest appreciation of the birds song,
because they have minds which can
understand.
While mans psychology is responsible
for many great things. 1t also brings
about his downfall, as we were told
long ago..
AS we listen to the wood thrush, we
may pause to wonder If there is any
such greatness in intellectually as man
kind has always told himself there is.
These creatures Of the wild, the birds
and the tigers and the lions and thou
sands Of others. cannot think, as we can
think, and therefore they have no wars.
Is that fair deduction? Heaven knows.
But 1t is pretty sure that the so-called
brutes merely kill to eat. while God
alone knows why man kills.
*EH
The song Of the wood thrush brings
the listener back to the sensible things
Of this world, the fresh air, and the
light, and the goodness of good men
and women, to faith and happiness and
true worship.
You do not have to be philosopher
to find something more in this song
than just notes. The notes are there,
all right, but over and above them is
message to suffering humanity. Ill
with its own weight of wisdom.
1t Is good, on the first return of these
birds, to listen to them carefully, and
try to get this supreme message.
The very sight of this bird is a 10Y,
and this is not difficult, for it is a
AAASAANAJ SASoeAAC, AlOAAC SlIlCc IL
has given up being forest bird and
taken to suburban living.
Suburban dwellers rightly pride
themselves on their wood thrushes. Few
OF these birds live In the city. But 1t
was not so many decades ago that none
of them lived In the suburban areas, but
stuck closely to the woods, hence their
name
In time they may settle in town, who
knows?
In the meantime, let us enjoy the
sight and sound of this marvellous bird.
All thrushes, of course, are gentlemen
and gentlewomen. There is something
IN their fearless air and perfect poise,
together with their quiet ways and real
music, which sets them somewhat apart
from all other birds.
II you live in the suburbs, join the
happy ranks of those who keep the last
few days Of April each year as a sort
OF tryst with nature. Learn to know
the wood thrush song, and add some
thing interesting and beautiful to your
life! +..5..qa4 al
Evening star., 1940-05-08
Sees Need for Action Here
Axainst Hitler Menace.

TO the G0ltOr OF Inc 5bar.
In recent communication Fred Vetter
very aptly likens Herr Hitler to rattle
snake. Reminding us that this snake Is
in his own hole, Mr.. Vetter admonishes
the allies (and us, inferentially) to walk
around the hole. Under different condi-
tions this would be advice with which no
one could quarrel. It is notorious fact,
however, that this snake refuses to stay
in his hole On the contrary, he has for
some time been running over the whole
neighborhood, striking our friends and
neighborsAsome Of them fatally, and
terrorizing the community generally. He
has even been known to look menacingly
in our direction. Under these circum-
stances, is 1t surprising that We should
show concern and feel sympathetic to-
ward efforts being made to put an end
to this danger? It now begins to look as
though we either may have to assist
pretty soon in that undertaking, dis
agreeable though it may be. or else have
dire need in the near future for q much
more ef1cient remedy for snake bite than
has yet been discovered.
May 8. J. r. HAoIIL.
Evening star., 1940-05-08
THIS AND THAT
By Charles E. Tracemell.

This column had not thought to print
an article about the arrival Of the wood
thrush this year.
But when the frst strain Of that
beautiful song struck sleepy ears at
4:45 am, April 80. 1t was irresistible.
The very voice Of the outdoors, with
all its true sweetness and light, uncon-
taminated by man
That is the wood thrusf's song, say
Ing that 1t is good world, after all,
II man would let 1t alone.
A4
These best Of birds arrive in our block
usually on April %.
This year they were two days late.
One year they came on April "A, but
that was exceptional. Usually they ny
first to the avenue Of oaks to the west,
block away, where they are heard for
a day or two before coming over our
way.
One thrush Is enough, OF course, and
at first it is impossible to tell Just how
many Of them there are.
These birds migrate In pairs. settling
down that way in their new territory.
We do not like to say home, because
1t is no more home to them than was
the South from which they came.
4 X ~
The song of the wood thrush, speckle-
breasted fellow in a brown suit, Is like
none other.
1t consists Of four groups Of three
notes, or triolets.
These are given In a loud, clear and
sweet tone, with sort of flute-nke
quality. At times 1t has double quality.
that is. the bird seems to be striking
two notes at once
There Is a measurable space Of time
between the four groups of groups of
three, varying with the individual singer.
While the song pattern of the melody
and 1t is a real one-is the same with
all these thrushes. the way it is rendered
is entirely individual. There are varia-
tions, as 1t were; these birds Swing"
the melody. Many persons still do not
know what the term Swing music"
means. They think 1t has something
to do with rhythm, but what is implied
Is that the artists swing away from the
written melody, that is, they improvise.
1t Is this spirit of free improvisation
which makes modern swing music, and
to that extent 1t is a good influence In
the music world, say what one Will
against it.
The wood thrush is an artist In
every sense.
His tune and his method are ideally
fitted to his world.
His audience, of course consists OF
two worlds, that of birds and that of
men.
Mostly his bird audience is composed
Of other thrushes, which is as 1t should
be. He calls to his mate, and he issues
challenge to other thrushes to keep
out Of his territory.
A pair of birds which settles down
in given neighborhood will remain
there until next fall. This does not
mean that they do not do great deal
Of flying around. Perhaps any pair Of
birds ranges q wide territory, since a
Evening star., 1940-05-08
Wisturiu Doorwuys
Even as everlasting hills endure,

Even as everlasting hills endure,
The pale-blue fragrances shall always
stay
Within the heart. Nor miles, nor years
shall lure
The essence Of such memories away.
Across the inland prairie's Haunting
fields,
Beyond the far horizons fading line,
The inward eye beholds the clustered
yields
OF iridescent fountains from the vine.
Precious the season. dear the towering
tides
Bearing upon full bosoms the return
OF sweet wistaria that almost hides
The low familiar house. Long hours
burn
With desire for voices that are stilled,
And welcoming lintels where tho blooms
are spilled.
ROSE MYRA PHILLIPS.
Evening star., 1940-05-08
The Big Troin's' Future

From a national standpoint, the
outstanding feature of Maryland's s
primary was the nomination of
Walter Johnson, baseball's popular
Big Train," on the Republican ticket
for Congress. That event meant
more in the far corners of the land
than the outcome of the States chief
political battle over the Democratic
senatorial nomination.
In the latter vigorous and at times
bitter struggle, Senator Radcliffe
emerged victorious over Democratic
National Committeeman Howard
Bruce. The loser already has assured
Senator Radcliffe of his support, and
it is to be assumed that the party
factions involved will unite, as they
have in the past, in an effort to
defeat the Republican nominee,
former Governor Nice, in the general
election.
The vote was generally regarded as
a test of strength between the Dem
ocratic leadership of Senator Tydings
and Mayor Howard w. Jackson of
Baltimore, and that of Governor
O'Conor and Mr.. Bruce. Probably the
significance Of the outcome will
be seen in coming months. It makes
Senator Tydings' assurance of con-
troll of the State convention doubly
sure. And 1t may mean that Mary
lands delegates to the national con-
vention will go instructed to vote for
Senator Tydings as a favorite son
candidate for President. It is likely
to mean also that Mayor Jackson will
be the party's next nominee for
Governor.
Political fortunes of two members
OF the House District Committee
were at stake, and the outcome
indicates that one member, Repre-
sentative Kennedy, will not return.
The other member involved, Repre-
sentative D'Alesandro, was renomi-
mated. Apparent defeat of Mr..
Kennedy, and nomination of Mr..
johnson and of some other Republic
ans said to be strong, have caused
some observers to predict that
Maryland's congressional delegation.
which has been all Democratic since
Senator Radcliffe's election in 1884,
may not remain so after November.
No matter how bitter the cam
paigns may be for the other offices
at stake, the national spotlight in
November will include MIR. Johnsons
race against Representative Byron
IN the sixth Maryland district.
Mr.. Johnson just did manage to get
into the political arena in 1888, filing
for county commissioner in Mont
gomery County at the entreaties of
his friends a few moments before
the deadline. He was elected despite
Democratic landslide In the county.
His future has suddenly become one
of the big question marks of Mary
land politics.
Evening star., 1940-05-08
Thinks Psychology Factor
Will Defeat Germany.

40 the E0ltor OF Inc star.
In recent edition of The Star there
appears letter of Mr.. Fred Vetter say
ing he is interested in the military situa-
ton of the war and not the moralities
mentioned in an earlier letter of Mr..
Elliogen. May not present third view,
the psychology Of the situation?
Prior to the first World War the Ger
man Empire was lush with wealth.
Thanks to the energy and genius of her
subjects, her merchant ships piled the
high seas conveying German-made goods
to the ports of all the world, her ma
tionals owned and operated banks, in
surance companies and profitable mer-
camille establishments in all impor-
tant cities. Literacy was higher in Ger
many than in any other nation. The
German family enjoyed the foods and
fabrics of the universe. Art and culture
fiourished. Yet, with all of these things
they were unhappy. Being late in
achieving national unity, they did not
enjoy welt politiks" Because of this
they embarked on the fatal mission Of
acquiring their goal by force OF arms.
They wanted to accomplish in few
months that which could be accom-
plished only in several generations. BY
virtue Of their frenzy and efficiency they
occupied the territories of many peoples.
Each conquest, instead of bringing them
a benefit, only brought in more people to
share their madness and misery and
weaken their wonderful unity. II you
live long enough with your conquered
victim you are bound to get his view
point. Although their powerful armies
were intact and undefeated on the field,
psychology got them In the end Like
all other emotions, the zeal and ardor
Of blood lust must end.
The world is now witnessing a fresh
generation of Germans. BY reason of
their forbears they are not so well of
as the German were in 1914. In fact.
peoples all over the world are not so well
on, and for the same reason. This young
German generation has invented some
new slogans and "Lebens-
rarum," but the same restless emotions
are now driving the fresh German legiors
to spill the blood Of their fellow man.
The same psychology which ended the
first World War will end this one. The
French and English know this. They
know that reckless speed oh their part
would simply play the Nazi game. Lick
ing powerful German Army Is next to
impossible, but time itself will lick the
German state Of mind The allied task
is not to throw the Germans out of
Poland, Austria, Czecho-S -Slovakia, Dem
mark and Norway. Their task is to keep
Germans pinned in and of the high seas
until the young German father begins to
think of preserving the blood in the
cheeks OF his children rather than spill
ing the blood Of his innocent neighbors.
When this occurs the Germans win take
themselves out of the small nations
which have been the victims Of their
dynamic efficiency. The German high
command knows this better than any
one else. Hence their necessity to
achieve cheap victories In the field.
May4. J. H. B1LBREY.