davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1940-04-02
The Fire Hoard

The Fire Hozurd
The circumstances under which
three persons died and nve others
were injured In an apartment house
fire early yesterday necessarily raise
very serious questions as to the ade-
quacy Of existing facilities for pro-
tecting the public against the fire
hazard
Eyewitnesses have said that the
interior of the building was virtually
consumed by the fire ten minutes
after it had been discovered. 1.-The
place went up like a matchbox" ac-
cording to Acting Fire Marshal C. G.
Achstetter, who expressed the belief
that only good fortune prevented
greater loss of life.
In the light of these descriptions
of the rapidity with which the fire
gained headway, 1t is difficult to
understand the report of a deputy
building inspector, made six months
ago, to the effect that the stairs, cor
ridors and partitions of the apart
ment house were fireproof, on the
basis of standard tests. District
Building Inspector John w. Oeh-
mann also indicated that remodeling
work on the building in 1925 did not
follow in every detail the plans which
had been submitted and approved.
These two aspects Of the fire present
immediate problems - first, whether
the tests to determine the fire.
resistant qualities OF buildings are
adequate, and, second, why the al
legged failure to follow the building
plans in this instance was not dis
covered at the time of construction.
Still more important considera-
tions are raised. however, by Colonel
Oehmanns additional statement
that under existing regulations the
burned building could not have been
constructed at this time, but that
the new regulations are not applica-
BILE to apartments constructed prior
to the date of their adoption. This
apparently indicates that numerous
other apartment houses in Washing
ton may be as much of a menace to
the lives of their tenants as the
structure which burned yesterday.
The installation of such improved
safety devices as outside fire escapes,
which are not required now on apart
ments three stories high, undoubt-
edly would tend to guard against
such tragedies as that Of yesterday.
These devices could not be installed
without difficulty and the expense
would be considerable, but If the al
tentative is to invite further needless
loss of life by fire there should be no
great difficulty In making the proper
choice.
1t is of the utmost Importance, in
answering the questions presented by
yesterdays fire, that the investiga-
ton now being made by District off,
cials be pressed vigorously and fear
lessly. And, If it should be found that
more is needed, congressional in
quiry, such as that proposed by Rep
resentative Bolles of Wisconsin, may
prove desirable.
Evening star., 1940-04-02
Alexandra Taxpayer
Seeks Advice,

To the Editor Of The Star:
As an Alexandria taxpayer, am seek
ing a bit of information. Why is there
such holdup in proper legislation re-
garding two-family houses in Alexandra?
On January 3, 1910, notices were sent
out to few property owners stating that
any apartment located in so-called "one-
family" homes would have to be discon-
tinued. A few Of the owners who
received these notices acted and at some
expense had the fixtures removed and
ousted the tenants. Then several cases
came to court and the court decided IN
favor of the property owners. Those
parties have the privilege of renting
their apartment in their homes, As do
those rs or more owners who had not
received notices at the time Of the
decisions.
This leaves those few who took out the
apartments In an unfair situation. They
are unable to replace the fixtures or the
apartments In safety until new ordi-
nanoes are acted upon by the City Coun-
a. n the meantime they ~ ioutuy
Evening star., 1940-04-02
Member of the Associated Press
Two Tax Possibilities

w OA TVSStUII(ISS
Representative Nichols of Okla
homa, chairman of the Tax Subcom-
mittee of the House District Commit
tee, indicated his belief yesterday
that refusal by the House to consider
the combination sales tax-income tax
bill for the District resulted from
failure by the House to understand
the bill or the situation which
prompted its introduction. If that is
correct, Mr.. Nichols is justified in
his feeling that the refusal by the
House even to consider the legisla-
ton is reflection on the District
Committee. Certainly it is a ref1ec-
tion on the House.
There should, however, be a fur
ther attempt by the House District
Committee to clarity the situation,
not merely for the information of
the members of the House, but be-
cause of the Importance of the mat
ter to the people of the District of
Columbia.
The local income tax. already am
biguous in defining those who must
pay the tax, has been so compli-
Gated by court decision relating to
another form of taxation that it will
doubtless exempt a substantial ele-
ment of the Districts population
all of those, in fact, who are voting
or legal residents of the States.
If such an exemption holds, the
present income tax is so grossly dis
criminatory in it's effect on the Dis
trict of Columbia that no fair
minded body of legislators would
permit it to remain on the books
without remedial amendment. The
proposed remedy is equitable, in so
far as principle is concerned, but
politically unattractive. The remedy
Is to tax all incomes earned within
the District-just as the States apply
the income tax to incomes earned
within the States-but by reciprocal
provision permit credits against the
State tax for taxes paid here.
This important amendment has
been referred to Mr.. Nichols sub
committee. Mr.. Nichols would per-
form a service to the District by
pressing it vigorously in the House.
The local income tax is levied for
the purpose of supporting the Ma
tional Capital. There should be no
exemptions for those who earn their
incomes within the District and re-
ceive the benefits of District resi-
dence-regardless of their legal or
voting residence elsewhere.
Fairness to the District, the de-
mands for additional revenue and
honest legislating therefore present
to the House the choice between two
possibilities:
First, amend the present income
tax to apply to all locally earned in
comes, without exemptions on the
basis of legal residence elsewhere, or,
second, repeal the dishonest, cum
bersome income tax now on the
books and enact in it's place COM
bination sales and income tax.
It is the duty of the House Dis
trict Committee to explain these al
ternatives to the House and to have
them considered on their merits,
honestly and without the petty
selfishness and spite that have
marked the course of tax legislation
for the District.
Evening star., 1940-04-02

The cost of driving a car in heavy
city trafilc is said to be about as high
as II the motorist were driving
through mud. Probably-and not 20
much fun. either. .~.~..- ... -.
Evening star., 1940-04-02

Members of Congress having sud-
den and urgent need of a policeman
next year might ponder over the
twenty-five badly needed ones who
will not be there"
Evening star., 1940-04-02
Letters to the Editor

Letters to the Editor must
Dear the name and address OF
the ,ortter although the use OF
pseudonym for publication Is
permissible. Please be brier
Evening star., 1940-07-01

Two women, whose homes are
thousands of miles apart, met at the
Goth annual convention of the
Women's Overseas Service League
at the Wardman Park Hotel today
and found they were in accord on
one notable subject-that the Unit
ed States should be "jostled" out of
its present apathy toward world de-
velopments.
They are Mrs. Marion E. Stenger,
who recently fled Paris where she
had lived since the end of the World
War, and Mrs. Lucretia Botsford of
Juneau, Alaska. Mrs. Stenger,
whose husband is attached to the
American Embassy in the French
capital, did not leave that city until
the Germans were almost at its
| gates.
Fears Doctrine of Hatred
II can now see the tremendous
plan that is being worked out" she
declared in an interview. History
is repeating and Germany is coming
to the fore as possible world domi-
nator. I believe that plan, although
we are slow to realize it, is being
worked out here with as much de-
termination as it is across the
ocean.
Our danger is not from the So
called fifth column" as we know
it, but from people who consider
themselves honest patriots, people
who are respected and prominent
in their community. That is to
say. people who indirectly aid Hit
Ter and the dictators by speaking
out in favor of such undemocratic
doctrines as hatred for races, classes
and religions. Such persons are
more dangerous than traitors"
Mrs. Stenger admitted this coun-
try is very late in its defense prep
arations, but she believes there is
hope to escape the disaster" If
haste is made.
Were Snug in Past.
Mrs. Botsford confessed that she
has been as "apathetic as any one"
in considering the plight of America,
but she agreed with all that Mrs.
Stenger said and pleaded in her own
behalf for speedy rearmament.
I'VE realize now the vulnerability
of Alaska" Mrs Botsford asserted,
but we have not thought much
about it in the past. Now that we
see the fortification program COM
mencing in Alaska we realize that
we have been SNUG in the past.
believing that it can't happen here.
We are afraid now that 1t can
happen here"
AS there is no branch of the
league in Alaska, Mrs. Botsford be-
longs to the San Francisco chapter.
She is at present acting recording
secretary for the convention. Mrs.
Stenger is secretary for the Paris
chapter. She is staying with friends
in Mclean, Va, with her two sons,
Jerome j., Is, and John Richard, IA,
Her husband presumably is in Paris
with Ambassador Bullitt, although
she has received no word from him
since she left.
Evening star., 1940-07-01
perior, If not equal, Of any other

perior, If not equal, Of any other
nation.
Under the pending 1910 building
program the Nevy will be provided
with 553 combat ships. Many of
these are of World War vintage and
others were constructed shortly after
peace was declared.
Cruisers 1857 900 Each.
The New York Shipbuilding Corp.
agreed to construct three cruisers at
cost of $18.657 900 each in its
Camden IN. j. yards.
The Navy awarded contracts for
10 destroyers to the Federal Ship
building & Drydock Co. These
ships will cost $7,159, TOO each for six
to be built at the Kearney IN. J)
yards. The company also took con-
tracts for two destroyers at $780,
900 each. The Kearney yards also
will be the scene of construction for
two other destroyers at a cost of
$5,277.O 1000.
The Bath Iron Works contracted
for six destroyers at Sc, 1913 200 apiece.
These will be built in the yards at
Bath, Me.
Naval officials estimated that
more than $lOO,OOO,OO0 would be
needed to arm fully these ships au-
thorized for construction today.
In addition, Mr.. Compton an
nounced the Navy would build one
heavy seaplane tender. This ship
was authorized in the 1941 appro-
priation bill. 1t Is expected to cost
$14, ,260, 900 and will be constructed
by the New York Shipbuilding Corp.
In its Camden yards.
Contracts Delayed.
The Navy admitted today that
contracts for three aircraft carriers
and two cruisers had been delayed.
However, officials expect to make
these awards in the near future.
Negotiations are under way but, it
Is understood, costs were higher than
the Navy had expected, hence the
negotiations have been held up
pending final agreement.
The Navy Department, in an
nouncing its new building program
said that through the cooperation
Of William S. Knudson, production
chief Of the National Defense Com
Evening star., 1940-07-01
the contracts were awarded

mission, the contracts were awarded
without delay.
Pursuant to preliminary negotia-
tions which had been carried on q
when come, as come and if basis
under the direction of former Secre-
tary OF the Navy Charles Edison, it
became possible to complete the
award Of these contracts immedi-
ately after receipt of information
that the President had signed the
bill"
This is the fourth award of ship
construction within the past three
weeks. the previous awards having
authorized starting construction on
AZ naval vessels" it was announced
Under the law, which is to remain
In effect for three years, the Presi-
dent In times of national emer-
gency may increase weekly working
hours in shipyards above 48, en-
ployes to receive not less than time
and-one-half for overtime, and
thereby cut the completion time of
ships by an anticipated 20 per cent.
Also, the Secretary of the Navy
may negotiate contracts for con-
struction of naval vessels or aircraft,
equipment and machine tools. with
out competition to save time other
wise consumed in advertising for
bids.
A national emergency" as de-
fined in the law is covered by Presi-
dent Roosevelt's declaration of a
limited national emergency last
September 8.
While the Navy defense program
was thus expedited, the Army also
geared up its work to high speed
and consumers started dong tr.eir
bit by paying higher taxes on beer,
liquor and cigarettes.
Meanwhile intensive specialized
training began for selected Army
officers and men. Numerous Re-
serve officers, mostly youthful lieu
tenants, reported for active duty
with troops and long deferred pro-
motions took effect for hundreds
OF Regular Army officers.
Evening star., 1940-07-01

for $5,977 900 each at the Union
Iron Works plant.
At a cost to the Government of
$7,431 900 each, the company has
agreed to build two destroyers in
its Staten Island plant.
This is the third naval award an
nounced within the last week. Under
the program as provided at this ses-
sion Of Congress, this Government
will have a fleet, on completion, su-
Evening star., 1940-07-01
Defense
Continued From First Page.)

(Mass) yards. Four of these ships
will cost $23,618,000 each. The other
four cruisers to be constructed in
the Quincy yards will cost $18,573,-
900 each.
To Build Four Destroyers.
Bethlehem also was given two con-
tracts for the construction of four
destroyers.
\ The firm will build two destroyers
Evening star., 1940-07-01

Shown they at the opening Womens Overseas
Service League Convention Park Hotel today
Mrs Marion Senger secretary of the Paris
league and Mrs Lucrea Botsfod Juneau Alaska league
member. Star Staff Photo
Evening star., 1940-02-15
| Byrd Reports
Magnetic Poles
Westerly Shift

The South Magnetic Pole has
shifted westerly from positions given
in observations since 1909, Rear. Ad-
miral Richard E. Byrd told the Navy
Department in a radio message yes
terday. His observations were made
while Bear was moored along
side shelf ice in the vicinity of
Drygalski Peninsula.
No definite position was reported
for the magnetic pole pending final
analysis OF observation recordings
He estimated it lay only few miles
from the position reported by Sir
Douglass Mawson in 1912 and was
west of three other positions sug-
gested by terrestrial magnetists, in
cluding that reported In 1909 by
Prof. David, who visited the region
The Byrd observations were made
1876 miles from the nearest of four
magnetic pole positions previously
reported. The admiral did not elab-
crate on his theory that the mag
netic pole was moving westward, but
recalled that magnetists are in
virtual agreement that the pole
covers an area Of 10 or more miles
and appears to shift from year to
year.
Evening star., 1940-02-15

Beyond that, the G. O. P. may
take its national convention to
Philadelphia, where, in 1776, the
independence of the country was
proclaimed and declared. For Phil
adelphia is one of the main
contenders for the convention.
Chicago is the other. It's been
many a long day since the Repub-
licans held a national convention
in the City of Brotherly Love,
although the Democrats renomi-
mated President Roosevelt there in
1895.
Philadelphia came forward with
a cash bid of $50, 900 for the Demo-
cratic National Convention -- but
failed to get it. Chicago made no
money bid but at the last minute,
through Democratic boss, Mayor
Kelly, promised to equal the con-
tribution of Philadelphia. This
gave Chicago the advantage-par-
ticularly as President Roosevelt was
believed to prefer the Windy City
and Chicago was chosen. Now
whether Chicago will be willing to
put up as much cash for the
Republican convention remains to
be seen. Philadelphia may advance
its bid to 5000. 900 for the G. o. p.
meeting. it Is said.
Chicago Logical City.
Chicago is the logical place, the
place most easy Of access and the
place best equipped for any national
political convention. For those
reasons many Of the Republicans
would like to 60 there. But the
Republicans might feel they were
cheapening their national meeting
If they took it to Chicago with no
money bid. after the city had agreed
to contribute $125, 900 to $150,o0o
for the Democratic convention.
Pennsylvania Is today a Re-
publican State. Illinois. on the
other hand, still remains in the
Democratic column. although there
was a material swing back to the
G. O: p. there in the 1898 elections.
Both are key States in the coming
national election. For some reason
or other it has been considered q
strategic move to hold national
political convention in State where
the party holding the convention
wishes to gain favor. Senator Guffey
of Pennsylvania, who is up for re-
nomination and reelection, was
most anxious to have the Democratic
National Convention 60 to Phila-
delphia.
The Republicans. pretty confident
of holding Pennsylvania, may feel
that it is to their advantage to take
their national convention to Illinois
this year and thereby strengthen, II
they can, their appeal to the Illinois
voters. Furthermore, Pennsylvania
has a potential presidential nominee,
a favorite-son candidate of its own
in Gov. James. Usually 1t is not
considered form in political circles
to hold q national convention in a
State which has contender for the
presidential nomination. An excep-
ton, of course, to this rule was the
Democratic convention in New York
in 1924 when former Gov. AL Smith
of that State was q very definite
candidate against William G. Nc
Adoo of California.
San Francisco in Market.
Atlantic City and San Francisco
are other cities which have made
inquiries at Republican headquarters
in regard to the party's national
convention. But so far their bids
have not been taken as seriously as
those of Philadelphia and Chicago.
The Republican National Com
mittee, when 1t meets in the Willard
Evening star., 1940-02-15

when he fiattened Young McGuf-
fey" in Harlem fight club. That
wasn't swimming, but 1t was perth
nent to Sir James M. Barrie's IA
nous address on Youth and Cour-
age" naming young Bernard Cecil
Freyberg as an exemplar of knightly
virtues. This adventure serial start
ed when young Freyberg left his
home at Wellington, New Zealand,
at the age of II and apprenticed
himself in the fighting trade in the
army of Pancho Villa in Mexico. OF
somewhere in the Mesquite, he was
late in getting the news of the start
OF the World War, but the day the
word reached him he headed for the
main event. With difficulty he pro-
NOTED enough pesos to get to San
Francisco-but only enough. Lon
don was still long way of.
The papers had news of a big coast
swimming meet. He could swim like
fish. He entered the meet and won
the money prize, which was lust
about enough to get him to New
York. When it seemed that the only
way to get to London was to swim,
young McGuffey obligingly took him
on for the Harlem bout, with a nice
gate. kid Comtyoomph" was a
silly name, but so was young Nc
Guffey after the fight was over.
And so, like Dick Wilmington, he
got to London, but with no thought
of turning back.
At Gallipoli he swan 2 miles from
a British destroyer and planted
flares to fool the Turks and swan
back in a hail of bullets. That
brought him the D. S. o. He was
transferred to the western front, and
they handed him the Victoria Cross
for recapturing French village with
small naval battalion.
He was wounded IA times, and that
was what licked him when he later
tried twice to swim the British
Channel, in August, 1925, and a year
later. On the first try, he came
within 600 yards Of his goal, In a
rough sea, but the wounds pulled
him down. When he married, in
1922, the Hon. Barbara McLaren, Sir
| James M. Barrie was his best man.
He is so years old, still a middle
weight, as in that Harlem war of
brief duration, and one of the most
authentic of the still surviving
heroes of the World War.
Released by Consolidated News Features)
Evening star., 1940-02-15
The Political MiII
PhifodeIphio's Bid for 6. o. ?. Convention
"A Problem os Republicans Meet Tomorrow

HotN tomorrow, will have no third
term problem to confront it-unless
1t be the third-term nomination of
President Roosevelt. The members,
however, will quite naturally have
something to say to each other, II
not to the public, about the candi-
dates for their own party nom!na-
ton for President and Vice Presi-
dent. The country. by this time,
has had a chance to see something
Of and to hear something from the
leading contenders. Thomas E..
Dewey Of New York has just made
swing across the continent to
speak in Portland, Greg. He has in
the past visited the Middle West
and New England. Senator Taft Of
Ohio has done even more travelling,
and Senator Vandenbcrg Of Mich
igan already is more widely known
to the country, than either Of his
two principal opponents. Repre-
sentative Joe" Martin Of Massa-
chusetts. the Republican leader of
the House, has come up in recent
days as the most prominent dark
horse" candidate, and he, too, has
been doing bit Of travelling. Take
it by and large, the committee
members will have plenty to talk
about, even besides that burning
question-"Will he run AGAIN."
President Roosevelt has gone of
on a Today vacation trip without
satisfying the curious about his
future plans. He has virtually said
though not in such words-"It's
nobody's business but my own" At
least that is the impression that
has been left. Never before, Ger
tainly in the last so years, has
any prominent potential presidential
candidate left the country in doubt
on such a late date as has Mr..
Roosevelt. Some insist he has made
1t extremely plain he is not going
to run again to succeed himself and
that he is, therefore, entirely right
not to say another word.
But for the sake of argument and
in line with the hopes of the third
term draft brigade. suppose that the
President does finally make 1t known
he will be candidate. Almost 1t will
have the appearance of coup d'etat
so far as the Democratic party is
concerned at least, One Of those
secret strokes by which governments
have been held in power or over
thrown in the past.
Kennedy Steps Back.
Ambassador Joseph E. Kennedy,
who has from time to time been put
forward as possible dark horse or
compromise candidate for the DEM
ocratic presidential nomination, has
nipped in the bud q move to put his
name forward for presidential
honors. He has declined fatty to be
entered in the Massachusetts, pri-
mary, where Postmaster General
Farley already has become a candi-
date for the State delegation. Mr..
Kennedy returned to this country
from England not long ago, pro-
claiming that President Roosevelt
must be reelected because Of the
situation abroad. Had he allowed
his name to be entered in Massa-
chusetts Immediately it would have
been said-whether accurately or not
that the New Dealers were seeking
to take from Mr.. Farley the Bay
Evening star., 1940-02-15
Amos Burg to Lecture
On Grand Cunyon Trip

Amos Burg, author and explorer,
will lecture on Down the Grand
Canyon in Rubber Boat" tomorrow
night at Constitution Hall to men,
bers Of the National Geographic
Society.
Mr.. Burg will describe how, in his
flimsy craft Charlie" he negotiated
the Colorado River from the Green
River in Wyoming to Lake Mead
the new lake formed by the con-
struction of Boulder Dam.
The lecture will be illustrated with
motion pictures.
Evening star., 1940-02-15

Roosevelt than for the nominal ton
OF some other candidate. Particu-
larly is this so if they are convinced
that Mr.. Roosevelt will not in the
end run again. What they desire is
to be able to control their delega-
tions when the right time comes. At
the same time they have no wish
whatever to break with the dispenser
of all things in Washington.