davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1940-01-08
Budget Reform

The proposal to be offered today
by Chairman Harrison of the Senate
Finance Committee for creation Of a
Joint congressional committee to
survey contemplated appropriations
in the light of anticipated revenues
is significant step in the right
direction.
Budgetary reform in this country
has been a slow and painful process.
Prior to the passage Of the Budget
and Accounting Act Of 1921 there was
virtually no effort made to shape re-
quests for appropriations so that
they would bear some relation to
expected revenues in any given year.
Enactment of the Budget and Ac-
counting Act resulted in notable i'm
provements, but still the appropriate
ing functions of Congress continued
to be exercised with little if any re-
gard for the whole problem of
financing the Governments opera
tions.
It would be the duty of Senator
Harrisons proposed joint committee
to estimate total revenues and then
seek to adjust the total budget re-
quests to this income figure. There
is no indication, howeter, that the
committee, if established, would be
given authority to hold appropria-
tions down to the level of revenues,
or to insist upon the raising of addi-
tiorial income to Offset excessive ex-
penditures, but nevertheless its rec
concentrations would have the value
of supplying all Congressman with a
comprehensive view of the income
outgo figures.
There is cause for qualification in
the fact that the Republicans-at
least those in the Senate-appear to
be strongly behind the plan Of the
Democratic committee chairman.
This indication of Republican devo-
ton to sound fiscal practice is mini
mized, however, by the fact that the
minority members have announced
their opposition to the Presidents
proposal to raise $3.50, ,0o0, 900 for de-
fense purposes through enactment of
special taxes. The Republican posi-
ton is that retrenchment can be
achieved through decreased govern
mental expenditures for normal
activities, but unless they propose to
carry this retrenchment to the extent
of eliminating the deficit-a drastic
bit of economizing which appears
extremely improbable in view of the
minority party's record at the last
session-there does not seem to be
any justification for the Republican
opposition to new taxes, even In an
election year. .
The soundest proposal yet to come
from the Senate u that by Senator
Evening star., 1940-01-08

mobile, and that diversion Of such
revenue into general or unrelated
special funds constitutes class legis-
lation. A similar amendment was
defeated two years ago at Richmond.
But finding the means for carrying
out an intelligent and comprehensive
twenty-year plan makes reconsidera-
ton timely,
Evening star., 1940-01-08
ILLEGAL Expenditures

Controller General Browns criti-
cism of the lax disbursing procedure
in Government agencies, result
ing in illegal expenditures of ap-
propriated funds, has familiar ring.
The same charge was made two
years ago, in more emphatic terms,
by then acting Controller General,
Richard N. Elliott, and drew a warm
rejoinder from Secretary of the
Treasury Morgenthau, whose de-
partment was one Of those singled
out for particularly severe criticism.
Mr.. Elliott, a Republican hold-over,
was assailed by the Treasury head
for Swapping at the heels of ad-
ministrative officers of the Govern
ment." There probably will be less
umbrage taken at the remarks of
Mr.. Brown, a New Deal appointee.
Mr.. Brown states his case plainly.
Akin to the situation at the time Of
the World War, the economic emer-
gency of recent years has brought
into Federal service civilian officials,
charged with disbursing duties, who
have mo experience or knowledge of
the legal restrictions placed by law
upon the Governments accountable
officers" When expenditures, unlaw-
fully made, eventually are detected
as the accounts move through the
General Accounting Office, for audit
ing, and restitution is sought the
officers responsible fall back on Con-
gress for special legislation to vail
date the accounts.
The Controller General, who be-
lieves that the Capitalization of dis
bursing functions under the Treas
ury in 1888, may be contributing to
existing conditions, points out that
Government officials can guard
against improper disbursements SIM
ply by asking the General Account
ing Office for pre-audit in doubtful
cases. In the past year, there were
seventeen hundred requests for ad-
vance decisions included in the near
ly eleven thousand cases of all sorts
that came before the General Ac-
counting Office.
In the well-remembered admins
tration reorganization bill which
would have wiped out the General
Accounting Office, the pre-audit
procedure came in for particular
condemnation, because of the power
it vested in the Controller General,
but it is rather evident that the prin-
ciple should have even wider appli-
cation.
The Controller General urges Con-
gress to effect reform in this field,
both by forcing the bonding of such
accountable officers as are not now
required to give surety for the funds
in their charge, and by being less leni-
ent in passing special legislation to
relieve culpable officers of the neces-
sity for reimbursing the Government
where funds have been improperly
paid out.
It will occasion no surprise if this
recommendation is needed. Ger
tainly, it should be.
Evening star., 1940-01-08
Virginia Looks Ahead

Looking forward to the traffic
needs of twenty years hence, a spe-
cial committee is preparing a de-
tailed report, to be submitted to the
Virginia General Assembly this year.
Resulting from the findings of
Statewide planning survey such as
Is being made in the District of
Columbia at the present time, the
Virginia report will contain recon-
mendations for maintenance, devel-
opment and planning on the basis of
actual traffic needs. Benefits to be
derived from such application of the
survey are many, but most important
is the placing of the highway pro-
gram on a practical, long-term foun-
dation, rather than permitting It to
be guided principally by political or
personal influence.
Virginia has approximately forty
six thousand miles of highways un-
der direct control of the State. OF
this, nine thousand miles are in the
primary system. Estimates place the
cost of surfacing all the roads in this
system, with a minimum of two oiled
lanes, at $296,OO0OOO. Spread over
the twentyyear period such a pro-
gram is not as prodigious as might
seem. More than $20,000,000 a year
is being spent now on the States
highways, and if the special commits
sion's recommendation for a consti-
tutional amendment to prevent di-
version Of gasoline taxes can be
adopted, the cost can be placed en-
tirely upon those who benefit most
directly from the Improvements.
1t is the proposed amendment to
protect highway revenues which
promises the most bitter fight on the
report. A f1ve-cent tax is now levied
on gasoline in Virginia. AS in many
other States, efforts have been made
In the past to guarantee that funds
80 derived shall be used for highway
purposes only. This is based on the
contention that the tax was intended
to reimburse the State for rapid mod
ernization and high maintenance
costs made necessary by the auto
Evening star., 1940-01-08
Balkan Qualification

Balkan CIurificution
The meetings at Venice between
Count Ciano and Count Csaky,
italian and Hungarian foreign min
listers, respectively, may help to
clarity muddled Balkan situation
and to develop out Of the confusion
something of a common front against
Soviet Russia.
What has passed between the two
foreign ministers under the heading
OF Balkan peace" discussions is not
yet fully revealed, but reports of the
discussions are significantly unani-
nous In suggesting that Italy, con-
trary to her previous policy of
squirting Hungary on to revision
by force If necessary-of her frontier
with Rumania, now is counseling
Budapest to refrain from bringing
the question of Pennsylvania to
head In present disturbed conditions.
AT the same time King Carol caps
the warning recently delivered to
Soviet Russia by his Prime Minister,
George Tatarescu, with a clear pro-
nouncement, which also appears to
have been obliquely addressed to
Hungary, that 'Rumania will resist
resolutely any invasion whatsoever
Of her territory.
The belief that Italy may be press
ing for truce in the Hungarian
Rumanian dispute in fear of Russia
is supported by an editorial in
Giornale dTtalia by Virginio Gayda,
frequently Premier Mussolini's voice
In foreign affairs. Signor Gayda,
less circumspect than Count Ciano,
forthrightly stated Italy's policy to-
ward Russia. Italy will have no
objection, he said, to Communism's
expansion within the Soviet Union
itself, but IF Communism tries to
advance toward the vital interests
of Europe and Italy, Fascism will
reply in the proper manner"
If Italy is apprehensive of a Soviet
move through the Balkans-and
there is now considerable evidence
that she is-the effort to bring Hun
gary and Rumania more closely to-
gether would be a logical conse-
quence Of that fear. Whether
1taly's advice to Hungary will be
needed depends not alone on the
Budapest government but also on
Germany, for Hungary more than
any other European country right
now is subject to pressure from
Berlin. It is scarcely conceivable
that Hungary would attack Rumania
without the approval, tacit or ex-
pressed, Of Hitler, or that she would
refuse to abide by German decision
to invade Rumania.
At this moment-and the state
ment cannot govern more than the
immediate future-Germany does
not seem disposed to start a move
ment to invade Rumania.
The question that arises is the
point at which 1taly-and Hungary
would consider their interests
menaced by Russian march
against Rumania. If the speeches
of King Carol and his Premier truly
signify Rumanian intention to fight
for Bessarabia, Red invasion Of that
province might we'll involve Italy and
Hungary Immediately. The fate not
only of Bessarabia but Of Rumania
as a whole would be at stake as soon
as Rumanian troops resisted the
Russian advance, and Russian occu-
patton Of Rumania would bring the
Russian bear still closer to Hungary
and Bulgaria, strengthening its in
fluence, if NOT its rule, throughout
Southeastern Europe.
Evening star., 1940-01-08
Good Will Guild Head
COmmends Star Article.

To the Editor OF The Star:
On behalf of the Good Will Guild OF
the Good Will Industries wish to thank
The Star for the very excellent article
by Mrs. Jessie FAINT Evans about Eliza
beth Smith, the little crippled orphaned
colored gill who does such excellent
repair work on dolls at the Good Will
Industries, which appeared in The Sun
day Star Of December IT..
Such articles are sos helpful in &C
quainting the public with the aims and
operation OF the Good Will Industries in
providing employment for the crippled
and the elderly who cannot find work
elsewhere. FANNY F. HERRECK,
President, Good viii Guild.
January 8.
Evening star., 1940-01-08
Fair Exchange

A famous Persian tentmaker, poet,
and general all-around philosopher
of the twelfth century, Omar Khay-
yam, once remarked, Il often won-
der what the winners buy one half
50 precious as the stuff they SELL"
Eight centuries later the question
was settled, and the answer turns
out to be sheep, according to
information supplied by officials of
the State Reformatory at Leadville,
Colorado. Mingled with the goats. in
their charge was a flock Of sheep
or, considering their locality, per-
haps they were wolves in sleeps
clothing.
The inmates, who at first could
see no good reason for the presence
of these animals, finally decided that
they were an undeveloped natural
resource and a basis Of trade.
Hemmed in by q policy of encircle-
ment, and having no cash on hand,
they somehow conceived the notion
of barter and by contracting foreign
agent, swapped sheep for wine.
All would have been well had the
authorities been orthodox and fol-
lowed the customary procedure of
counting sheep only at night just
before doing OF. But such was not
to be. An impromptu wideawake
daytime tally revealed shortage Of
a hundred and fifty sheep, and Z
surplus of wine in the little brown
stone jug. The blockade has now
been frightened but little hope 10 en-
tertained of recovering the sheep,
which are gone with the wine.
Who remembers the old gag to
Evening star., 1940-01-08
Suggests Meeting COasting
Problem in Modern Way.

ffODlcm IN MO0efn way.
To the Editor Of The Star:
have read The Star for about 20
years; my father was subscriber as far
back as can remember, and my grand
father, who was born in Washington 90
years ago, started reading The Star soon
after it was established in 1852. In all
of this time none of us, to my knowledge,
has addressed letter to you. have a
thought, however, which might be timely
and sufficiently important to warrant q
little space.
refer to the question of children
coasting on the city streets. I know
something about this since I am the
father of three children of coasting age,
one of whom was knocked from his sled
by car last year. but fortunately was
not hurt. drive car and twice already
this year have narrowly missed children
on sleds
The Police Department has earnestly
tried to cope with the situation by roping
of few streets. This, however, is not
enough. I Ihave noticed that the children
coasting on the streets not roped of are
usually small children. They are un-
doubtedly staying close to their homes
and are not allowed to 60 as far as the
regular coasting places. A remedy for
this would be to have great many more
streets blocked for the coasters, OF course
avoiding the blocking of important thor
oughfares or arterial highways as much
as possible. Then I think it should be
absolutely against the law for any one to
those provided. think we could even
60 further and at small expense build
regular tracks in some of the parks and
Fairgrounds. In most of the suburban
towns around the city I am sure there
would be citizens who would donate the
use of large field for the purpose dur
ing the few weeks when We have snow,
In these communities the county or mu-
nicipal police should see to 1t that no
coasting is done except on the provided
hills or fields. 1t is in these outlying dis
tricts that there is the most danger be-
cause Of the speed Of the traf1ic. I think
that most parents would be willing to
pay llIlcS II GIlCA CAASA CA WCAC Sou6llo
disobeying such law If the plan would
be the means of preventing most Of the
Shedding accidents occurring every year.
I know would and have three of them
to pay fines fog
In some communities there are special
problems to face. For instance, in one
small town the citizens were informed
that the ;xoad which is the only place
for coasdng, could not be blocked this
year as It. had been taken over by the
State and State highways cannot be
closed for any purpose" OF course the
matter was dropped and all coasting was
done in the midst of fast moving traffic.
For who is there who will tell his boy or
girl to stop coasting altogether after all
the years we spent doing it ourselves2
We did not have the heavy automobile
traffic to worry about. This is modern
problem and should be faced in modern
way. If it costs little of the taxpayers
money, what Of 1t? We are establishing
relief funds for everything else under the
sun, why not this?
Vienna, Va. w. D. HARKNESS.
January 4.
Evening star., 1940-01-08
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. Please be briet!
Evening star., 1940-01-08
More Low-Cost
Houses Urged.

More Low-Cost
Houses Urged.
To the Editor of The Star:
Quite frequently, In the columns OF
your paper, you have devoted consider
able space to Washington's deplorable
housing situation. I know that am
only one Of your many readers who hope
that you viii continue your efforts 70
Evening star., 1940-01-08

Who remembers the old gag to
the effect that the only thing Finn
was 1T for was to milk Z reindeer?
Evening star., 1940-01-08

The Associated Press is exclusively entitled to
the use for republication Of all news dispatches
credited to it or not otherwise credited in this
pa per and also the local news published herein
All rights Of publication Of special dispatches
herein also sre reserved
Evening star., 1940-01-08

better the living conditions Of the people
of our community.
What could be more disgraceful than
to find in the Capital of the most pros
porous nation on earth that thousands of
people are forced to live in slums and
tenement dwellings that seem strangely
out of place in the Goth century?
With Congress undoubtedly intending
to vote more and more funds for national
defense, it seems to me thaksAt should
not neglect the houses in Which the
American people live, A people well fed,
well clothed and we'll housed is strong
and healthy people, and constitutes
very powerful factor in nullifying the
plans of any possible aggressor. Fur
thermore, construction of houses not
only gives homes to the American
people, but jobs to the American people.
More loN-cost housing projects are an
urgent need and will become ever more
so. A WASHINGTONIAN.
Iop,,orv Q
Evening star., 1940-01-08
Answers Letter on
Use of Liquor.

Answers Letter on
Use of Liquor.
To the Editor of The Star:
In answer to the article of G. D. Cecil,
December 80, concerning liquor, I will
quote from the word of God, Proverbs,
XXI, wine is mocker, strong drink Is
raging: and whosoever is deceived there
by is not wise" BIBLE STUDENT.
January 2.
Evening star., 1940-01-08
Aroused by Picture
OF Homeless Men.

Aroused by Picture
OF Homeless Men.
To the Editor Of The Star:
One of the most horrible" stories I've
seen in print, was that published in The
Star with a picture of men keeping warm
over grating on the corner of Sixth and
E streets.
Why should the Capital OF the richest
country on earth have things like that
occur? And I'm not Red, either.
January 4. D. d.
Evening star., 1940-01-08
Member of the Associated Press

Entered as second-class matter post office.
Washington, D. c.
Evening star., 1940-01-08

Rate by Mail-Payable in ADVANCE.
Daily and sunday1 yr. S12. 90: mo-. ST 90
Daily only y---------1 yr. $500 ] mo-. $50
Evening star., 1940-01-08

Collection made at the end Of each month or
zach week Orders may be sent by mail or tele-
phone National 5000.
Evening star., 1940-01-08
Would Compel Payment
OF War Debts.

TO The EdltOl OF The StAr.
In recent weeks I have noticed various
contributions to your Letters to the Edi-
tor" column discussing issue of the Euro
pean war debts and the idea behind Sem
ator Lundeen's committee for securing
payment of these war debts.
May take this opportunity to sup
port the MAKE Europe Pay War Debts
Committee? I believe this committee
to be wholly unselfish in trying to drive
home to Americans the idea Of demand
ing full payment from the warning ma
tions of 1914. E. S. L.
January 3.
Evening star., 1940-01-08

G. Who commanded the first United
States air unit to engage in fighting on
the western front?-M. s. L.
A. Maj. B. M. Atkinson organized the
1st Pursuit Group at Villeneuve-les-
Vertus, France, and commanded this
group, which was the first American air
unit to see active duty at the front.
@. Where can I obtain a. reliable
almanac that is inexpensive?-J. r. B.
A. See page Al o1 today's star.
Evening star., 1940-01-08

MT. ELLIS Was 81 cuCCcSoAu AA AAA6AAe
out the facts that the most noted
offender, the so-called unrecognized
ambassador from Soviet Russia, Ludwig
c. A. X. Martens born Of German par
ents in Russia and sent here by Chi
cherin, was deported.
But that was 20 years ago. And
America took long nap, thinking she
was independent of Europe. The, new
war and the Dies committee revelations
may stir us to recognition Of the stu
pidity Of any such attitude of mind.
We may be half brother to the world.
even the crucible of God, but it Is NOT
yet time to forget the words OF two
Presidents. Said Theodore Roosevelt:
1--WE have room for but one language
here and that is the English language,
for we intend to see that the crucible
turns our people out as Americans OF
American nationality and not as dwell
ers in a polyglot boarding house." And
1t was woodrow Wilson who said: Some
Americans need hyphens to their names,
because only part of them has come
over" Which means many people in the
United States have not the American
spirit
The administration is not favorable
to the Dies committee and Mr.. Murphy,
as Attorney General, has started what
seems rival investigation. But the main
thing is for the people to awake to what
is goirS on. And to that end the power
full aid of the press is constantly needed.
January 5. PAUL MOORE.
Evening star., 1940-01-08
rhe Evening Star Newspaper Company.

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Evening star., 1940-01-08

Prices Effective January l, 1910.
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Evening star., 1940-01-08
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Evening star., 1940-01-08

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The Wilmington morning star., 1940-08-31
Hitler's Hard Task

1t must be true that German raids are caus.
ing heavier damage in Britain than London
dispatches reveal. News reels shown at local
moving picture theaters are proof of this.
Whole blocks of homes and stores in ruins;
industries shattered, bomb craters in high.
ways, and sinking ships tell, not a different,
but a more graphic story than the official
communiques. And there can be no doubt
that Hitler has not struck the peak of his air
attack. He is thought to have five divisions of
a thousand warplanes each on the continent
for raids across the channel and may at any
time hurl larger numbers into the battle than
at any previous time.
But it must not be forgotten that among the
chief objectives of the Nazi air battle is to
demoralize the British people, to lower their
morale, to bring them to so desperate a pass
that they will no longer obey their militant
government but be ready for submission.
Since the war began Hitler has depended
largely on terror. He has hoped to find it as
effective against the British as in other con-
ouered countries. But thus far he has been
unable to shake the stern courage of the Brit
ish people. They watch their homes crumble,
and laugh. They bury their dead, and grid
themselves for more fighting. They defend
their capital, their important cities and in
dustries with amazing zeal and skill, and find
time to counter-attack.
1t is probably true that the Royal Air force
is causing as much havoc in Germany and
German-held countries as Nazi war birds in
England. This valiant flying force has de.
stroyed essential war materials in Europe,
gasoline, munitions, communications, commu-
nications, and Ereyed on troop concentrations
and airfields. Hitler has suffered severely
from British bombing raids. To keep the
enemy harried at its base, no less than to de-
fend their own country, is the strategy OF the
British war command.
So, any estimate of the battle now in prog
ress would be inaccurate if based solely on
British physical losses or loss of civilian lives.
It must take into consideration that Hitler has
failed to quench the spirit of the British or
lower their morale. AS long as the British
people can laugh at disaster and 60 on in
creasing their air force despite losses, can
60 on with the manufacture of war needs, and
hold the British navy intact to resist invasion
and prevent blockade, Hitler cannot hope for
ultimate victory. And every day the British
hold out now, with bad flying weather Just
ahead, brings him nearer to final defeat.