davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1940-11-23
Origin of Species

Mother Nature, in her task of max
ing the world endurable, maintains
fine sense of balance. She does not
permit any one species to overwhelm
it to the exclusion of all others. In
sects, while almost inconceivably
numerous, she keeps small, and a
prey to others. Elephants and whales,
colossal in size, breed slowly and are
relatively scarce. She uses tricky
methods, when necessary, to keep
each kind within normal bounds.
When there was an excess of hogs,
for instance, she cleverly employed
the New Deal to lombard their own
ers with swarm of Government
checks. AS these could be caShed
quicker than bacon, very few hogs
survived.
If Darwin were alive today he
would not have been unduly alarmed
at the recent discovery of a skunk
with wings, made by an enterprising
naturalist who had the strange ami
NAL mounted as proof of new terror
about to be visited upon mankind.
He would have lost no sleep over the
prospect of the skunk, hitherto slow
but painfully sure, becoming air
minded and thrice as deadly. The
author of the "Origin of Species"
would have investigated more closely
the origin of this new calamitous one
and found the truth lot quicker
than his descendants, namely, that
while Nature was not quite able to
prevent the enterprising naturalist
from creating the marvel by the use
of a stuffed skunk, a pair Of eagles
wings, pot Of glue and sense OF
humor, she knew better than to give
1t actual life.
Evening star., 1940-11-23
Name
State
Eurly Snow

The trees, in autumn robes Of red and
gold,
Now shiver in the cold,
And on the farther height
They stand like hoary chieftains, capped
with white
Their sisters in the valley still in bright
And festival array.
Such beauty comes but once, on an
enchanted day.
The sun comes tardily upon the scene
To lay brighter sheen
On autumn's priceless crown,
While from my windows, high above the
town,
AS from an eagles eyrie, look down
And scarce believe my eyes,
My heart caught up in sudden wonder
and surprise.
Might I be borne in spirit, far above
Self-pity and self-love
To view the world below
Beauty, alike of height and depth to
know
The puny thing that is my soul would
grow
And soar to heights unknown,
BY true humility exalted to 4 throne.
ANNA NJ. PRIEsTLEY.
Evening star., 1940-11-23
Mr.. Cudohy's Explanation

John Cudahy, United States Am
bassador to Belgium, may be regarded
with reason as an authority on events
in the country of the Walloons and
the Flemings during the German in
vaSion last spring. He was on the
scene and enjoyed facilities for un-
derstanding what he heard and saw.
Particularly, he had access to the
court at Brussels and to King Leopold
III in the field. Qualified by his
position and by his experience, he
now volunteers to explain the capitu-
lation of May %.
The story he tells is credible on it's
face. Four military forces were
operating on Belgian soil during the
last seventeen tragical days." Over
only one Of these forces had the
King control. His allies withdrew,
the French to the south and west,
the British to Dunkerque. Finally,
his ministers fled. General Bellotte,
commissioned to lead the last futile
counter attack, was killed by an
army truck in traffic accident. The
Dutch had been defeated, and the
Belgians undoubtedly faced annihi-
lation." Mr.. Cudahy argues: There
comes time when one human being
charged with the responsibility of
the lives of many others has no other
course but surrender" Leopold, the
Ambassador believes, was caught as
General Robert E. Lee discovered
himself trapped at Appomattox.
Specifically, the King knew well
that his army, in frenzy of despera-
ton and despair, might revolt and
become a riotous rabble. He knew
that no military purpose could justify
further carnage, and he knew he
would be guilty of homicide If he
asked Of his exhausted soldiers fur
their hopeless resistance" MI.
Evening star., 1940-11-23
Letters to the Editor
Discusses Sending Food
To Conquered Nations.

Discusses Sending Food
To Conquered Nations.
To the Editor Of The Star:
The American people now have heard
both sides of the argument for and
against private shipment of food through
the British naval blockade to starving
people in the areas now occupied by
German troops. First, there was the
propaganda issued by the Hoover relief
organization which urged shipment of
American food to prevent wholesale
starvation, death and disease" among
the conquered peoples this winter. Sec
ond, there was Britains response on
November 10, when j. B. Priestly, a
member of the British Ministry of
Propaganda, during a transatlantic
broadcast told American listeners that
the British government will not permit
American food supplies to reach these
peoples-"not until German troops are
removed from the conquered areas"
The British government knows that
the German government will not with
draw its troops Therefore. the British
probably feel that they have effected
another obstacle to the Hoover organi-
zation plan. The British government
leaders undoubtedly believe that the
people deprived of food will revolt against
the troops. This would suit the British
purpose. On the other hand, II the
people should revolt against the block
ade, therefore carrying a hatred of the
British through the years, the British
strategy would have failed.
But it is not Americas business to
interfere with the British blockade even
though that blockade has helped to
drive American enterprise, American
shipping and American traders away
from the markets of Europe. Britain
today, as in the past, controls the seas
She finds her shipping only slightly
handicapped; she has not lost much
of her overseas trade; she has gained
many ships, most of them transferred
to her, at her request, by neutral coun-
tries. No other country not at war can
send materials over waterways con-
trolled by the British unless they have
navicerts issued by the British govern
ment.
1t is truly unfortunate that women
and children must suffer hunger, disease
and death. If England were isolated by
a German blockade, there would be
the same kind of sympathy that is be-
ing conveyed to the peoples of German
occupied areas. British Americans here
would be agitating that America send
supplies of food to the hungry and sick
English people. The Gallop poll, If in
existence then, might show pre-
ponderance of sentiment in favor Of
feeding the English people. However, the
September poll shows that So per cent Of
Americans oppose sending food to the
other unfortunate victims Such is war!
F. G. F.
Evening star., 1940-11-23

for labor than his predecessor has
demanded they are doomed to dis
appointment.
Perhaps the biggest question, as
Mr.. Murray takes over the presidency
of the C. I. O., is whether he or Mr..
Lewis, operating behind the scenes,
will be the real directing head of the
organization. That is matter which
time alone can determine with GER
tainty, but those best acquainted
with the soft-spoken new chieftain
will be quick to assert their belief
that Mr.. Murray, granting that he
and Mr.. Lewis see eye to eye on most
of the basic labor issues, still will be
the leader of the C. I. o. in fact as
well as in name.
Evening star., 1940-11-23

Cudahy reports that King George VI,
and the British and French general
STATS "had been advised for several
days" that the Belgians could not
continue the struggle. At the end
Leopold declined to desert his people.
His government escaped to Paris,
where it refused to sanction" his
decision to terminate the useless
slaughter. Certainly, another result
would have been preferred by every
body concerned excepting only Adolf
Hitler; but there was no opportunity
for preference in the circumstances.
Judgment on the part played by
Belgium in the second World War
obviously must be deferred until all
the evidence can be gathered for
examination by unprejudiced his
torians. Meanwhile, Mr.. Cudahy's
explanation is testimony whose i'm
portance cameo be underestimated.
Evening star., 1940-11-23
Urges Conclusion Of
Dies Investigation.
Norwood, Va.

To the Editor Of The Star:
As taxpayer-voter In one of the
States it Is my sincere hope that the
Congress, with a record vote of ap-
probation and thanks, will retire the
Dies Committee on Un-American Ac-
tivities. Mr.. Dies and his committee
have completed their task of exposing to
public print activities of representa-
tives of foreign governments. Now that
their work is done. the Congress could
recall to active duty the committees
chairman, Representative Dies. After
all, his constituents in Texas elected
Mr.. Dies to the House of Representa-
tives, and there he can carry on his
work as servant of the people, and of
his own supporters as well. The Con-
gress is well aware of the efficient and
quiet manner in which the Federal
Bureau of Investigation is conducting
its probe of subversive activities and I
am fairly certain that large number
of people will agree with me when I
say that any further assistance that
the Congress can give that sofilcial
branch of tine Federal service will be
more than well repaid someday.
r. G. F.
Evening star., 1940-11-23
Sniper Mystery

Police believe they have solved the
mystery Of the "sniper murders"
which have terrorized large section
Of the community and aroused gen.
eral public indignation in recent
~ weeks. They have in custody Bal
= timorean against whom they have
built a strong circumStantial case.
The principal link in the chain OF evil
dence against this suspect is the find
ing of ballistics expert that bullets
allegedly fired into a tree by the
+ prisoner during recent target prac-
tice" came from the revolver used In
= the murder of four colored men and
. the wounding of several others.
Police claim they have other cor
roborative evidence against the man.
II the sniper mystery has been
solved at last, police as well as public
will breathe sighs of relief, for the
fiendish killings have put a severe
strain on the Police Department.
With a force already hard pressed
to keep pace with the demands made
upon it by the growing city, such
one-man crime waves as that at
tributed to the sniper require con-
centration of patrolmen in the af-
fected area, with a corresponding re-
f duction of patrol work in other sec
tions of the city. But many parts OF
the District already are being pa
trolled inadequately, due to shortage
of men; and because men cannot be
spared from their regular assign
ments it sometimes becomes neces-
sary for policemen to do double duty.
Major Ernest w. Brown, superin-
tendent of police, repeatedly has
asked for at least. 100 additional men,
but Congress has been unwilling to
respond. Last year the House voted
against any increase, but the Senate
finally succeeded in getting the con-
ferees to approve an increment OF
fifteen patrolmen. This year Major
Brown again has asked for mini
mum of 100 new officers, but there
are reports that the Commissioners,
in their efforts to keep within budget
requirements, have approved a much
smaller increase. This Is unfortu-
nate, if true, for it is false economy
to save money at the expense of ef-
fective law enforcement. An aroused
public opinion is Major Browns best
ally in his efforts to obtain a more
adequate police force for Washington.
It is regrettable that 1t often takes
a crime wave or a sniper hunt to
stimulate public interest in police
problems.
Evening star., 1940-11-23

by openly declaring ourselves In state
Of war in its behalf. We refuse to believe
that a declaration of war would speed
us in our defense efforts.
Arguing that we cannot possibly send
men abroad; we ask where would they
land? Actually, if we do not need to
send men, then there is so much the less
excuse for our not giving the immense
moral support which would instantly
come from a declaration of war Never
before in our history have we had such
chance to fight without shedding our
own blood, and never before has our
fate so utterly hung upon victory for our
cause.
Honest confession is good for the
soul. An open declaration of war is
good for the fighting spirit of any ma
ton; 1t would galvanize us as nothing
else could.
Imagine any soul in Greece or Britain
being downhearted at the news that
the United States Of America has de-
clared itself, with all its might and re-
sources, enlisted in the war till freedom
knows salvation Imagine the various
neutrals in the danger zone, pressed hard
between intense hatred of the axis and
equally intense fear of it, Fastening to
sign up with it upon news that we, also,
are joining the forces of freedoml
No, we will not declare war anytime
soon. But the day may come when we
shall bitterly regret our delay and our
tragically complacent dreams!
BOILING SOMERVILLE,
N0rWo0d Va
Evening star., 1940-11-23
Mr.. Lewis Steps Down

The election of Philip Murray to
succeed John L. Lewis as president
of the Congress of Industrial Organi-
cations accomplishes change OF
leadership which is more superficial
than real.
In personality, there is vast diff
ference between the two men. MIR.
Lewis, abiding by pledge to treat
the reelection of President Roose-
welt as a vote of no confidence in
himself as leader of the c. I. O.,
has stepped down from the presi-
dency of his labor organization in
the same dramatic fashion that has
characterized his direction Of its af-
fairs. He is essentially a master
Snowman, and as the spotlight shifts
to another player, Mr.. Lewis, be his
retirement permanent or temporary,
stands out as the most colorful and
the most forceful figure to appear on
the labor movement stage in this
generation.
Mr.. Murray, an Irishman born in
Scotland, is the product OF another
school of labor leadership. Like Mr..
Lewis, he has worked his way to the
top from a lowly place in the mines,
but he lacks the physical traits and
the gift of vivid phraSeology which
have made his predecessor headline
figure. Conservative in appearance
and restrained in speech, Mr.. Murray
has achieved his place in the labor
movement by a smoothness OF man
ner and an indefatigable capacity for
work.
In a word, he is the antitheSis OF
Mr.. Lewis in external mannerisms,
but fundamentally there is little to
choose between them on the question
of industrial unionism. 1t is not
likely, for example, that Mr.. Murray
will describe william Green, presi-
dent of the American Federation of
Labor, as "poltroon" and traitor"
two of Mr.. Lewis favored epithets-
but at the same time it is just as i'm
probable that he will retreat from the
lines already laid down by the c. I. o.
founder in order to effect a reunion
with the parent labor organization.
Nor is there any reason to believe
that Mr.. Murray will prove less ag-
gressive in dealing with employers.
In all probability he will prove to be
more tactful-perhaps less irritating
than Mr.. Lewis, but If there are
those who expect the new president
Of the c. !. o. to be content with less
Evening star., 1940-11-23
THIS AND THAT
BIZ Charles Z. Trdce.peH.

overheard all the hard-won traits Of
civilization which mankind has so pain
fully gathered over thousands Of years.
Let us keep our minds clear and clean,
because we may need every iota Of them
to combat those who deserve combating.
In the meantime, we will refuse to
snarl at English sparrows, for these little
birds are birds, after all; they did not
ask to be brought here, and, once here,
they are simply making the best Of
things.
America has been the land Of oppor-
tunity for them, too.
The way they manage to get living,
either In the city, suburbs or country, Is
open to admiration.
And when you speak Of pretty song
sters, you must include the female Eng
lish sparrow.
The way one Of these soft gray breasted
birds can pun itself out in cold weather
makes 1t one of the prettiest Of all the
birds which winter with us.
We have no doubt at all that many a
person who thinks that he or she dislikes
English sparrows has admired female
English sparrow under the belief that 1t
was rarer species of sparrow.
When 1t comes TO sheer good looks, the
female Of the English sparrow species
does not have to take her hat off to the
female of the song sparrows, or the
white-throated sparrows, or any other of
the 10 species of sparrows which come
10 this area.
The female English sparrow is a real
charmer.
Given half chance, she will win the
heart of any bird lover.
If she is not given that opportunity,
how can she be to blame?
Her husband is not a charmer, it must
be admitted He is considerable of a
roughneck, as the vernacular has it, only
his roughness is centered in the great
black spot beneath his chin.
1t gives him a villainous appearance
which no doubt has had much to do with
the contempt which the entire family
inspires among some friends of birds.
H%H
There is no better sight in the yard
than that of band of these sparrows
feeding with a squirrel
They will be around the feeding sta
ton SO thickly that the very ground is
black with them, when all of a sudden
Mr. Squirrel arrives, causing a great
uprising Of the cloud of birds.
No sooner has he turned his back, how
ever, than the sparrows f1utter down one
after another to the ground, many OF
them being within two or three inches
of the bushy-tailed rodent. This per-
formance is repeated time after time, as
the animal makes his sudden jerks ano
darts. But it is all in good fun, ano
nobody is harmed in the least, and cer-
tainly not the sparrows. 1t is just an
! other game to them.
Evening star., 1940-11-23

Do birds ever play games?
The only species which does 1t, we be-
lieve, is the English sparrow.
Often one of these birds will seize q
feather out of another and fly away
with 1t.
Then all the others will take after 1t,
in a merry set-to which has all the
aspects of sport
There seems to be no Ill will among
the birds. First one grabs the feather.
then another, each one flying as far as
1t can before being caught.
Sometimes big crust Of bread will
serve as the football, or, more properly,
the billball
We watched this game carried on for
Is minutes or more the other day, as q
male English sparrow wandered in to
the feeding station beneath the Van
Fleet rose vine. He carried big crust
of bread.
Already there were so or more of these
sparrows feeding.
1t could not have been food, therefore,
which lured them, and which made them
all give up the seed and grain to 60 after
the bread crust.
There was plenty Of bread on the other
side of the yard @
~
They were attracted, evidently, by the
exceptionally large piece of bread the
stranger had, and especially by his ap-
pearance, which was odd, to put it mildly.
The piece of bread was almost as large
as he was, but he had no difficulty in
flying with it.
Here and there he went over the yard,
with the entire pack after him, all of
them chirping and chattering away.
AS one bird seized the bread the others
gave over the chase after the original
bird and went after the one which had
the ball.
There is a new book about birds in
which the author says that the finest
bird she ever had in her garden was an
English sparrow.
1t is not at all difficult to work up
enthusiasm for these birds. While they
do not have the appeal of the chickadees
and the nuthatches and the titmice, or
the bluebirds or the cardinals, they do
have their own charms.
If an observer really lives up to that
good name, and is willing to observe them
carefully, without prejudice, he will dis
cover that there is much to be seen in
this sometimes despised species.
1t has become a fashion, among some
persons to snap and snarl at these gam
ms of the bird world There is enough
snarling in the world, we may feel, with
out permitting such trait to enter the
good combined indoor-outdoor sport of
bird feeding.
Let us keep our i'll will for those who
really deserve it, the barbarians who not
only bomb women and children and the
sick in hospitals, but who willingly cast
Evening star., 1940-11-23
Makes Plea for
Community Chest.


To the Editor of The Star:
We who have health and jobs owe
much to society. Our payment of taxes
is but small part of this obligation.
Soldiers, police and firemen quite fire.
quently pay with their lives. Consider
well the blessings and advantages today
of American citizenship with untold suf-
fering and hardship in almost every
other civilized country. Let us not be
SNUG. We can merit these advantages,
this higher plane of living only in so far
as we live up to the ideal expected of
men and women whom God has seen fit
to so bless. We are Christian people.
What then is our path of duty? First,
thou shalt love the Lord thy God with
all thy heart and all thy mind and all
thy soul and thy neighbor as thyself."
Some of our neighbors are less fortunate
than we. Through no fault of their own
they have scarcely the barest of necessi-
ties for keeping bodies and souls together.
If we are Indifferent to their hardships,
their disappointments and their suffer-
ing, then we are not good neighbors, we
are not Christians and we are unworthy
of America. This Nation cannot be
strong and united with such sel1shness
and cold indifference to ones neighbors.
Our strength lies in our humanity to
man, our answering devotion to high
ideals. That is the very essence of our
method of government and it is the
spirit that has guided and will guide this
mighty Nation through all dangers.
The Community Chest is the very best
means of helping the unfortunate in this
land of plenty. The workers and repre-
sentatives of the Community Chest are
most worthy and efficient. The cost Of
operation is reduced to the very mini
mum compatible with high efficiency
Give now in the name Of humanity.
Why waitf A GOOD SAMARITAN.