davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1940-12-05
TrufficCourt

Appointment of an additional
Judge to assist in relieving Traffic
Court congestion, as suggested by a
committee of the District bar, would
20 long way toward improving con-
ditions in this overburdened court.
The four judges of the Police Court
disposed of 27,8O9 traffic cases last
year. Meanwhile, as the load on the
court steadily increases with the
growth of the city, washington we'll
might consider another means OF
court relief-the violations bureau"
sometimes called the cafeteria
court" Such bureaus have been
tried out in about fifty large cities,
with varying degrees of success. In
communities where they have been
permitted to operate without political
interference and with proper consld-
Grafton of individual rights and of
the community welfare, the bureaus
have been able to handle, out of
court, up to eighty per cent of all
traffic cases.
Under the present collateral for
fixture system, Washington is utiliz-
ing precinct stations and the court
itself in thousands of cases yearly
which better might be disposed of
by a violations bureau. Of course,
only those cases should be handled
by the bureau which involve minor
charges. Major cases and those in
volving chronic repeaters of minor
offenses should be brought into
Traffic Court A violations bureau,
to carry out the basic purpose
of fixing penalties for traffic law
violations, should be a part of
the court and directly responsible
to the traffic judge in order to avoid
usurpation Of judicial functions
or adoption of improper procedures.
A written plea of guilty and a signed
waiver of trial should be required.
Thus, with a record Of the violation
on his permit, each of the accused
would realize that the true function
of Traffic Court Is the enforcement
Of safety rather than collection of
revenue.
Whatever the method Of approach,
steps should be taken to dispose of
as many minor cases as possible be-
fore they reach the court calendar.
Here is where the police, the prose-
cutors and the public can cooperate
in reducing the log-jam Of cases
which so seriously impedes the ma
chinery of justice in Traffic Court.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1940-12-05
Block That Bruin!

A captain of Philippine Scouts,
sentenced to fifteen years for con-
spring to sell military information,
voluntarily offered a remarkable
substitute for imprisonment. He
suggested that the authorities tinker
with his brain, and remove from it
that portion devoted to military Sc
crets, so that when approached by
agents of foreign power, he might
truthfully tell them that their guess
was as good as his. His offer was
declined with thanks.
No doubt the refusal was motivated
by inability to locate with sufficient
accuracy the exact part OF the brain
required for such specialized memory.
Quite often doctors are able either
to remove or stimulate brain tissue,
as the case may require, but are
under an obvious handicap if they
do not know what thoughts or am
billions reside i'm it. When the day
comes on which they can call their
shots with certainty it will be big
one in medical annals. The release
of the unfortunate scout captain will
ensue, but : that is not all. Even
more important will be the chance of
invigorating certain brain areas, now
hidden and dormant, which are sup
posed to make husband remember
to mail his wife's letters and notice
her new dress.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1940-12-05
Wants Freedom Defended
For Children's Sake.
To the Editor of The 81

To the Editor of The Star:
Freeborn men stand by, debating as
to whose fight this is, while destruction
upon destruction" is peing cried. Whole
nations are passing out of the picture
ere they so much as lift a voice or
stretch out hand tc defend cities
devastated between the suns.
Is this sickly state of mind craven
born of desire to shirk the RESPONSE
bility of free men or can it be defined
as just chaotic expression of the times?
The former United States Ambassador
to the Court of st. James, if correctly
quoted, seems to think that democracy
in Europe is hopelessly defeated and
that it is too late for us to do anything
about the matter. I hope that Mr.
Kennedy has been misquoted or that
his meaning has peen misunderstood
This too late" sleeping potion was not
brewed in the watts of the defenders
of liberty but in the stills of those who
would deny freedom of thought and
action to the human race.
We Americans enjoy a free heritage
and we are called upon to decide whether
this heritage shall descend to our pos
terity.
I think lit will take all to buy the
field"
MILO ELSON EMERSON.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1940-12-05
Calls Roll of Columns
With Praise for Only One.
To the Editor NJ The Gtar.

To the Editor OF The Star:
With our Nation approaching the
threshold of government by columnists,
the necessity to learn whereof they speak
becomes increasingly imperative Permit
me, therefore, to call upon the publishers
to be advised not only of the authority
on which these folk base their allega-
tons, but the motives engendering them.
This is important because with many
of us AL we know is what we see in
the newspapers" To De sure, Secretary
Harold L. Ickes gives an inkling of the
truth, but he speaks infrequently and
the columnists "jes keep rollin' along"
Almost before his words are heard
they are gone with the wind Off the
Record, On the Record, Today and To-
morrow on the Merry Go Round of One
Mans Opinion, joining the inferiority
complex of Dear Washington in the
Capital Parade. Only the Once Over is
required to see that We the People,
not understanding even Plain Economics
in This Changing World, are ground in
the Political Mill. In the face of all
these Washington Observations, I main
tain it is not Fair Enough that My Day
become 24-hour cauloron of confusion.
So, wrestling with This and That, who
can gainsay the wisdom of turning to
Stars, Men and Atoms in the hope of
encountering glimpse of Brave new
world? MRS. T.. E. KIDWELL.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1940-12-05
THIS AND THAT
BIZ Charles z. Trdce1peH.

angle worms. In the country districts
they can be seen flying after the farmer
at his pillow, in order to enjoy the worms
he turns up.
The herring gull is one of the greatest
connoisseurs of food in all birdland.
The way he opens clans is unique.
Diving down and seizing the clam he
flies aloft to between 40 and so feet, but
first being sure that he is over a hard
packed part of the beach.
He drops the shell, then flies down to
see If it has cracked open.
If it has not, the gull picks 1t up and
flies aloft to repeat the performance
until he gets the desired results.
Sometimes he will do this ten or twelve
times before he is successful
Gulls spend the winter here. In the
spring the herring gulls fly north and
northeast, where they breed along the
coast from Massachusetts northward, on
small coastal islands.
The ring billed gulls fly north and
northwest. They are more plentiful in
the West. Herring gulls occasionally are
found as far west as the Rockies, but
the ring-billed are much more numerous
in the West and around the Great Lakes
OrnithologiSts tell us that there is
always in a colony of herring gulls at
least one adult which delights in pecking
the young to death.
When the baby gull sees the older bird
coming toward it. it runs forward eagerly,
thinking it is going to get a choice
morsel of fish, or other deep sea delicacy,
but the cruel gull Immediately knocks
1t down with its powerful wings and then
proceeds to peck it out of this world.
Another wonder of the gull family Is
the way the parents know their own
children.
1t is said that the parent bird will fly
down to the beach, where literally thou
sands of young gulls are congregated,
and will walk along looking for its own,
which it cannot know by appearance,
since they all look exactly alike.
Hundreds of young gulls run forward
for food. but the parent will not stop
until it comes to its own rightful heir
or heirs, which 1t knows by some instinct
or sense probably that Of smell.
Young herring gulls. If turned over on
their backs, are likely to stay that way
for many minutes.
1t is possible to turn over a whole row
of them in this manner before the first
one begins to struggle upright.
Gulls are larger than terms, have a
slightly hooked bill and a tail which is
square-cut or rounded. The mantle
of gull is the upper surface of the
wings and the broad strip of back sep
arating them.
The herring gull is the basis of COM
parison among the gull family. The
adult is to be known by its black wing
tips and f1esh-colored legs. The ring
billed is smaller, has the black ring
around the bill and has yellow or green
legs.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1940-12-05
Urges Poll Of Taxpayers
To Decide For or Against Underpass.
To the Editor of The Star:

To the Editor OF The Star:
Because of the fact that the city of
Washington is a voteless city, city that
pays more taxes than any one of 10
States, and also the most generous in
charity, giving more than any other
city of its size in the United States,
would it not be an act of justice to the
citizens to conduct poll on outstanding
questions which are SO arbitrarily decided
against their protests?
Such poll regarding the Scott Circle
underpass would be interesting and en-
tightening, giving the thinking, intelli-
gent taxpayers an opportunity to express
their sentiments. I live at Scott Circle,
I have checked on the traffic at all
hours and agree with hosts of automo-
bilists, bus and taxi drivers who have
expressed their opinion that an under
pass is not needed at Scott Circle but
rather intelligent traffic regulation such
as they have in large cities.
Let those who are going to pay for
1t decide whether their city shall be
defaced or not.
A SUBSTANTIAL TAXPAYER.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1940-12-05
Sumpter Smith

Washingtonians who have followed
with interest the development of the
$13,OOO,000 Washington National Air
port at Gravelly Point have heard
with regret that Lieutenant Colonel
Sumpter Smith, chairman of the In
terdepartmental Engineering Com
mission in charge Of the project, has
been ordered back to Alabama for &C
tive duty.
1t is to be regretted that Colonel
Smith, who has fought long and
hard to make the new airport q
world model, has had to leave with
out seeing his great undertaking
completed. That is one of the pen
alties imposed by wars and prepara-
tions for wars.
Nevertheless, it is fortunate that
Colonel Smith was able, in the last
hours before his unexpected de-
parture, to complete much important
work which will insure completion Of
the airport in accordance with the
high standards set for this project.
He was able to Complete arrange
ments for opening the airport for
emergency service December IS, for
extension and paving of the critical
east-West runway, for runway light
ing and emergency operation facili-
ties, and for the awarding of con-
tracts for concessions which are eX-
pected to start the project off with a
net operating profit of 100000 dur
ing its first year.
Colonel Smiths efforts have not
gone without recognition. The
Washington Air Derby Association
early this year awarded him its tro-
ply for 1939-an award which goes
annually to the person contributing
most to the advancement of aviation
locally during the preceding year.
Other Washingtonians will wish to
join with national aviation leaders
in thanks to Colonel Smith for the
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1940-12-05
ARMY WAR COLLEGE

Dear Sir:
THE gulls that come to the War Col
lege grounds every fall excite my Curl
osity; but the War College library is
rather weak on such lore.
MY limited research indicates that
these visitors are herring gulls. Is that
correct?
And if those of gray plumage are the
young birds, is the fact that they are
larger than the older and whittier birds,
due solely to their more fluffy feathers2
How are the males distinguishable
from the females?
do they eat grass seeds or other
vegetable matter in addition to their
normal diet of fish, or do they frequent
our grounds merely to get out of the
water?
1T seems to have been good year for
gulls-they appear larger than in former
years.
Thanking you for such information
as you may give me, am
Every sincerely, N. B. r."
Gulls are wonderful birds and WASH
ington is fortunate in having many Of
them.
At the Army War College may be seen
both the herring gull and the ring billed
gull. The larger white ones are the her
ring gulls.
These birds look very much alike,
except that the ring-billed gull Is
slightly smaller, its 20 inches in length
comparing with the "a inches of the
herring gull. AS its name suggests, the
ring-billed gull has definite dark ring
around the bill
The gray gulls are the young-you can
tell by the degree of grayness their
approximate age.
They are two years old before they
achieve adult plumage.
The young are not heavier than their
parents, they just look that way.
Actually they would weigh somewhat
less. in fact.
Their feathers are just fluffler.
1t is impossible to tell the males from
the females. with these gulls, as there is
no difference in size or color, as is usual
among birds.
In most of the songbirds species, the
males are usually brighter, except in a
few species. wherein the males are duller
than the females.
This is probably due to the fact that
such male birds hatch the eggs, while
the females fly around and have a good
time
The duller coloring of the males, in
such cases. gives them protection while
on the nest.
Neither herring nor ring billed gulls
eat grass or grass seeds.
They are after grubs, centipedes, milli-
pedes and other insects in the grass, and
are especially to be found around garbage
pals.
These birds are great scavengers.
The ring-billed gulls are very fond of
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1940-12-05
New Apportionment

The new apportionment Of Repre-
sentatives in Congress, based on the
1910 census figures, reflects the shift
of population in the United States
during the past decade. In the
changing pattern revealed by the
census return, two developments,
from the point of view of apportion-
ment, are of major Importance. One
is a continuation of the westward
movement, which has given the Pa
cific Coast and Mountain States an
increased proportion of the popula-
ton of the United States. The sec
ond is the slowing down of the
migration from rural to urban areas.
For the first decade since 1880, the
proportion of the population resid-
ing in urban areas has failed to show
a substantial increase. AS result,
during the past decade, the popula-
ton in the more rural Southern
States has increased more rapidly
than in industrial Northern States.
Under either of the two formulas
on which the Census Bureau has
computed its apportionment tables
that of major fractions, and equal
proportions - California will gain
three seats in the House BY the
method of major fractions, which
was used in 1880, Arizona, Florida,
Michigan, New Mexico, North Caro-
lima, Oregon and Tennessee will each
win a House vote. Ten States will
lose House member each. They are
Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa,
Kansas, Massachusetts, Nebraska,
Ohio, Oklahoma and Pennsylvania.
The method of equal proportions will
give the same results except that the
representations of Arkansas and
Michigan would remain unchanged.
Though some States will either gain
or lose a member by apportion-
ment based on the 1910 population
figures, the shifts are not likely to
affect, in any important way, the
balance of power between the two
political parties. In order that rep
resentation may reflect, as accurately
as possible, population trends of the
past decade, Congress should take
prompt action to make the new ap-
portionment applicable to the House
to be elected in November, 1912.
Federal apportionment merely as
signs the number of seats in the
House by States. Congress has no
authority, under present laws, to
specify how this number shall be dis
tributed within the State. Though
the usual custom is to elect repre-
sentatives from districts of approx
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1940-12-05

Men heap gray carts in Maryland
With sun-dried golden corn.
This frosty winter morn
The punched up corn stalks stand
Like huddled girls who whisper as thew
wait
Their turn. The silo fills.
The ribbed and fruitful hills
Now bare red shoulders to their fate
We stop the engine in our car
And breathe wordless prayer.
The hills are Gods affair
The hills, and woods, and evening star
ELIZABETH STANLEY.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1940-12-05

mately equal population, this practice
is not always followed. New York
and Illinois have not enacted redis-
tricting legislation for several years,
with the result that the population,
of individual districts now varies
greatly.
To assure an equitable representa-
ton of its voters in the House, each
State should redistrict on the basis
of 1910 population.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1940-12-05
Letters to the Editor

Letters to the Editor must
bear the name and address OF
the 1Driter, although the use of
a pSeudonym for publication is
permissible. The Star reserves
the right to edit all letters NTH
q UietU to condensation.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1940-12-05
Gives View on Motto
OF Air Corps.

To the Editor of The Star:
I have just noticed Mr.. Probert's letter
in The Star of November 81 about the
meaning of the Air Corps motto, cut
vivi VIOLENT" His translation, "As real
men let them fly" does not seem to me
correct, and I suggest That men may
fly" as the meaning which those who
chose the motto intended. We certainly
ought to be clear in our own minds as
to the meaning of this motto
The uses of the Latin word tut" take
up more than IL columns in Lewis &
Shorts Dictionary, but ain order that"
would be most natural in this case.
HERBERT P. CARTER.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1940-12-05

work he has done here and in wish
ing him well in his duties as air off,
Ger Of the Thirty first Division,
Louisiana National Guard, now called
into Federal service.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1940-12-05
Wants Funny Man"
Self Punished,

To the Editor Of The Star:
The following appeared on your edi-
torial page on November 81:
Fire might well scan the list of once
independent little nations which used to
chant, We are neutral, and are going to
remain So"
This no doubt was written by the
funny fellow who said. Il may be hanged
some day SO I'd better go and hang my
self straightaway."
Apparently he hasn't done it yet.
Please remind him
WILLIAM r. HAYES.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1940-12-05
Discusses Problem
OF Parking.
To the Editor of The Star:

To the Editor of The Star:
The Traffic Department is again ask
ing the people for advice about the
parking facilities. 1t does seem to me
that traffic director should know how
to avoid this terrible parking situation.
For 20 years have heard parking situ-
atoms discussed In this city, but nothing
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1940-12-05

is ever done. Where in the world are
the people going to put their cars If
this city keeps on increasing as it has
in the past five years?
If the Federal Government wants its
employees to come to work in cars. it
should provide them with parking places
JAMES N. GALLAGHER.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1940-12-05
Correct Form
In Letter WRITING

The Handy Letter Writer is an up-to-
date compilation of accepted standards
and model forms for all kinds of CORE
spondence. Complete sections on both
business and social communications.
Covers the general rules of diction,
punctuation, grammar, correct styles of
address, proper salutations and closings.
A special section on formal communica-
tions with Government officials and dig
nitaries. This distinctive 48-page booklet
offers more than 80 sample letter forms.
A help in every home. To secure your
copy inclose 10 cents in coin, wrapped in
this clipping, and mail to The Star IN
formation Bureau.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1940-12-05
Member Of the Associated Pres

The Associated Press is exclusively entitled to
the use for republication Of all news dispatches
credited to 1t not otherwise credited in this
paper and also the local news published herein
AL rights Of publication OF special dispatches
herein also reserved.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1940-12-05

@. What is the altitude Of Phoenix
and Tucson, Ariz.?-E. P. r.
A. The elevation of Phoenix, Ariz, Is
1901 feet above sea level and that Of
Tucson is 1888 feet above sea level.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1940-12-05

@. Was American lumber used in con-
structing buildings in Tokio?-W. P. E.
A. In 1920, when an American firm
received contract to build modern steel
Office buildings in Japan, $4,000 piles Of
Oregon pine were shipped to form foun-
dations in Toxic.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1940-12-05

Q. Please give the sponsor and the
cost of John L. Lewis speech on Octo-
Der 25.-H. C.
A. The broadcast was sponsored by
the National Committee of Democrats
for Willkie and cost about s45 900.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1940-12-05

@. Who won the first prize in the o.
Henry memorial collection OF short sto-
ries for 1940?-J. G. M.
A. Stephen Benet was the winner of
the first prize for his story entitled Free
dom Is Hard-Bought Thing"
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1940-12-05
Strength From the Hills

State
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1940-12-05

A reader can get the anstoer to any
question OF fact By ,Driting The EUe-
ming Star Information Bureau, Fred
eric j. Haskin. director, Washington.
d. c. Please tnclose stamp for reply.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1940-12-05

@. What is a fsc ! year?-E. B. C.
A. It is any II consecutive months
used as period of financial accounting
by an individual or a corporation. The
fiscal year of any business concern may
or may not coincide with the calendar
year.
The Daily Alaska empire. [volume] (Juneau, Alaska) 1926-1964, 1940-05-02
GARNER FOR
PRESIDENT
STATEMENT
Headquarters in Dallas.
Texas, Issue Remarks
on Campaign

DALLAS, Texas, May 2.-"Garner
for President heaquarters says that
the Vice Presidents race for the
Presidency, is based on the assump-
ton that President Roosevelt will
not be a candidate for a third term.
The statement was made in connec-
ticn with a, harmony agreement"
reached between Garner and third
term factions in Texas.
The agreement calls for the pledg-
ing of the Texas Democratic delega-
ton to Garner, with the provision
that they endorse the administra-
ton and refuse to join any stop
Roosevelt movement.
A statement was issued which
praised Mr.. Roosevelt as our Great
President" Said the statement: I'VE
have proceeded from the beginning
upon the assumption that President
Roosevelt will not be candidate
for Third term, and that Mr.. Garn-
er as Vice President, and as the
Presidents most loyal and effective
aid in all the great constructive and
progressive achievement of our DEM
ocratic administration, is his natural
and logical successor"