davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1940-07-04
UNEMPLOYMENT Aid

Approval by the President OF the
amended District unemployment
compensation law is cause for gen.
eral satisfaction in local industry, as
both employers and employees are
helped by the new legislation.
Workers thrown out of employ
ment now will draw eighteen dollars
weekly instead of fifteen, and the
compensation will be payable over
a period of nineteen weeks instead
of sixteen. Employers get tax cut
from 3 to 27 per cent-the rate that
is applicable generally in the coun-
try-and also will be able to take
advantage of the liberalization pro-
vision of the Social Security Act
that became effective January l,
last, under which the tax is levied
only on the first $4,000 of wages paid
any individual, rather than against
the total pay roll of a concern. This
taxable limit is the same as that in
force for the old-age insurance pro-
gram of the Social Security Act, and
was set by Congress a year ago when
a number of tax reforms were
adopted to spur business. Supple
mentary legislation was necessary,
however, before the District could
benefit.
The changes, it is estimated, will
save local employers $1,OOO,OOO an
nually, and at the same time will
slacken the growth of the unemploy-
ment compensation reserve fund,
which now is lowering around the
unnecessarily high figure of $2O,O0O,-
600, or just about five times the total
amount that has been paid out
since the law became operative on
January l, 1888.
Such huge surplus, incidentally,
is not peculiar to the District, but is
typical of the condition that prevails
in the States, and points to the ad-
visibility of Congress giving further
study to revision of the act in the
interest of all affected by it.
Evening star., 1940-07-04
New Methodist Bishop

A new Methodist bishop arrived in
Washington this week, to succeed the
able and well-liked Bishop Edwin
Holt Hughes, who has retired. The
newcomer is Bishop Adna Wright
Leonard, who comes here after his
second quadrennium in the Pitts
burgh area. Bishop Hughes formally
retired and Bishop Leonard was
named to succeed him here at the
Jurisdictional Conference of the
Methodist Church in Atlantic City
last month.
The Washington area embraces the
Baltimore Conference, and includes
Maryland in general, as well as parts
of Pennsylvania, Delaware and Vir-
ginia. 1t has been and will continue
to be one Of the important church
Evening star., 1940-07-04
Asks If United States
VIII Deal with Aggressors.
To the Editor Of The Sta,


OF more immediate concern than pos
sible future German control Of the
French and English fleets, following the
subduing of France, the administration
will have to deal with a situation that
may prove the most delicate that has vet
confronted the United States in steering
its course amid the shoals of the Neu-
trality Act.
With control of the French Atlantic
ports. the axis powers will be able to
trade directly with the United States,
as we'll as Latin America. They will
certainly be privileged to take advantage
OF the "cash-and-carry provisions of the
Neutrality Act. While it is undoubtedly
true that a vastly preponderant senti-
ment of the people of the United States
would be averse to dealing with Ger
many and Italy in any way to help
them in waging war, what would this
Nation want to do in the matter Of
selling them raw materials, gas and oil,
and even war supplies they might want,
II they should seek to run the British
blockade? The problem soon may have
10 be faced. H. D. MATTHEWS.
Seattle,
June %.
Evening star., 1940-07-04
Conscription Is American

General John j. PerShing, knowing
the horrors of war, wants his country
to do everything in its power to pre-
vent the European conflict from
spreading to American shores. That
is why he is advocating a stronger
Army and stronger Navy, and it is
for the same reason that he urged
Congress yesterday to approve a
broad system of compulsory military
training and to put it into operation
at once. AS a soldier who knows how
unfair it is to send green recruits
into battle against experienced foes,
the General of the Armies appealed
to the Senate Military Affairs Com
mittee to approve the pehding
Burke WadsWorth bill or some sim
liar plan for an immediate start in
preparing man power for national
defense. He was joined in his plea
by another veteran of the first World
War, Colonel William ]. Donovan,
and by other distinguished citizens.
Answering critics who have
charged that peacetime conscription
is 'un-AmericanP General Pershing
aptly pointed out that enforced mill
tary training would promote democ-
racy" by throwing men of all classes
into close contact in common en-
deavor-the preservation of the
American way of life. He might also
have reminded the committee that
Congress in 1892 passed a compulsory
service act which recognized the
principle that every able-bodied
male citizen owes military service to
his country.
The contention of some opponents
of conscription that universal mill
tary training would tend to create
a war psychology" that would pre-
cipitate us into the European con-
f1ict is fantastic. The program
undoubtedly would give rise to a
defense spirit, however; to a con-
sciousness of the gravity Of unpre-
paredness in materiel as we'll as in
man poWer-and this would be all to
the good The sooner that every citi-
zen senses the full import of recent
world events and realizes the respon-
sibilities which he must share in
protecting the Nation from the
devastating effects of those events,
the better will be Americas chances
of remaining at peace.
Evening star., 1940-07-04

jurisdictions, as all three branches of
Methodism, which recently united,
are strong in this area. The notable
accomplishments of Bishop Hughes
include the energy and enterprise he
displayed in helping to bring about
the unification.
In addition to carrying on the
exacting duties Of a bishop in a
territory of outstanding Importance,
Bishop Hughes was senior bishop of
the church. Bishop Leonard, who
attained his present rank in 1918,
does not have the senior rating of
Bishop Hughes, nor does he face the
problem of effecting a formal unfit
cation Of the denomination.
Nevertheless, many practical mat
ters concerning the unification,
which has been worked out in
principle, undoubtedly will demand
his attention. Bishop Leonard brings
to Washington a distinguished rec
ord of achievement in many sections
OF the country, including Ohio, New
York and the West Coast. His
church career also includes foreign
assignments in Puerto Rico and
Rome. In addition, he has found
time to write several books. Wash
ington hopes he will find inspiration
in his present assignment, for these
troubled times challenge the capacity
of the sh!eSSt church leadership,
Evening star., 1940-07-04
"HARLAN PLACE.


"At nightfall one evening, we had
wandered for a stroll in nearby WASH
ington, and as the lightning bugs be-
came luminous, 1t reminded us Of the
lowered lights of a theater and we
suggested we sit down on a grassy knoll
and listen.
"The trees outlined against a tawny
road gave the appearance of the edge
OF shivering scenery, as 1T parted on
the misty driveway we could quite believe
1t to be the stage.
1--WE were recalled from this picture
by the bass viol tuning up note or two,
then the first violin got In unison and
soon they seemed satisfied that all was
harmonious.
The full orchestra began with a SYM
phony OF melody, not discordant note;
there was leader, and his tone marked
the most rhythmic tune, incalculable.
perhaps, in our notation, but much like
the -eighths time Of the Finnish
songs.
mo natural music is inartistic, If we
enter into the spirit of it.
THE crescendos and diminuendos
would have been the envy Of a Dam
rosch or a Toscanini. There was q
whirring and rustling sound, and look
ing closely in the dim light we saw the
dropping and waving heads of tall
grasses - the audience - nodding and
whispering their approval.
The cat-tail flag figures stood criti-
cally erect, but their compa mons, the
leaves, bowed gracefully in apprecia-
tlon, endeavoring to soften the criticism
OF their escorts; yet, it seemed charac-
teristic of the cat-tail to receive all
things stiftly, not that he enjoyed it less,
but his dignity did not allow him to
show too much feeling.
This Introductory was like an ex-
preston of triumph las time set apart
for transport, then it was finished.
and then chorus of voices chanted
requiem to the day, slower, pathetic, yet
soothing, wishing to ease the pain, which
the orchestra already gave to the already
dying day.
This closed with little murmuring
splash and the water looked grieved as
the ripples passed over the surface, like
q childs face just before it cries.
"Al the audience rustled a SYM
pathetic applause.
The melody came forth again with
but three voices, clear and brilliant; we
tried to forget human conceptions and
floated into nature, and then one voice
could be nothing else but the sun, the
high soprano of the heavens. The con-
tralto was cooler. distinct In itself like
the moon; its reflection was modified, its
form changed, it was full and round
then would get into quarters and three
quarters, and some moments disappear
entirely.
"A duo of light and darkness was
alternately desirous for supremacy, but
Evening star., 1940-07-04
THIS AND THAT
By Charles E. Trdce,Dell.

1t ended In the conquering solo Of
night q grand weird air.
Then the triumphant symphonic
strains aroused us to the really glorious
beauty Of even an insect concert.
Sincerely, NJ q. M.
"P.S-Thank you so much for your
enchanting column. I turn to 1t for peace
after the struggle Of the world"
~ ~
Natural noises often have symphonic
quality.
Even in the city something of this
may be had when the hot bugs" in the
trees tune up.
They are beginning about now,
making sounds which often seem to be a
sort of winding up, then a running down.
Listened to rightly, as our correspond
ent listened, they become real musicians,
with capabilities.
1t is advantageous to have had some
musical education. Then one is able to
grasp the resemblances of these sounds
and these efforts to the tones achieved
by human musicians and the resulting
compositions.
Music is ordered sound, but this order
often seems disorder, especially in some
of the more modern compositions. Yet
1t is all relative. We were listening the
other day to good recording of Stravin-
skys "petrouchka" suite, regarded as
the very height of disregard for musical
principles. 1t seems very tame today.
One wonders why the audience of 1912
got so excited about it.
Fortunately, the insect and animal
musicians of the night know nothing
OF criticism or applause. The noises
they make are not music, in their minds
at all, and some human listeners may not
be able to hear them as music, It is
here as with Ballnese music. The first
time you hear it. you wonder If your
ears can be telling you correctly what
you hear. Some rhythm, you admit, but
scarcely music. You listen again, and
some order comes to you; you listen once
more, and the total effect of this strange
music leaves certain exaltation, lust as
a great symphony orchestra does.
You admit, at last, that somehow these
little men with drums and bells and
xylophones manage to work up to real
musical proportions the slightest of ma
terial. In other words, they are genuine
musicians, triumphing over odds, feel
Ing the depth of music just the same as
If they wore dress suits on a magnifi-
Gently lighted platform
t**
The possibilities of insect music are
all around us in the trees.
From now on, the city and suburban
and country scenes will be filled with this
music all night long.
There may be times when one can
not sleep; then it will be a good thing
to try to listen well to this music, to
appreciate its strange beauty.
Appreciation of the beauty and worth
OF little things is going down in the
world. The lights have gone out in
Europe. they are very likely to 60 out
here, unless we are true to ourselves.
Evening star., 1940-07-04
North Meadow

Today think the meadow knows
How once it lay beneath the sea-
That, aeons past, a glacier rose
Where now in cool tranquility
The daisies bud and clover grows.
Today the haze, so cool, so blue,
Brings back the ocean mystery
And grasses surge as If they knew
How wind-swept water swirls and flows.
The meadow, far from storms and tide,
BY secret nerves in earth's deep breast
Still feels in memory the sea,
A weight upon the heart close pressed.
SOPHRONIA FULLER.
Evening star., 1940-07-04
Fourth of July

1t is possible that the authors of
the Declaration of Independence did
not consciously anticipate the appli-
cation of their doctrine of freedom
to the conditions of today. Writing
In 1776, they probably did not realize
that their indictment of George III
might be valid after one hundred
and siXty-four years against tyrants
still more oppressive.
But so close was the aspiration of
the sponsors of American liberty to
the aspiration of the human race
in all ages that their words have a
compelling significance to the pres
ent generation of their heirs. The
universally of their philosophy like
wise was timeless. Not for any single
place nor for any single f1eeting hour
did they proclaim: "We hold these
p truths to be self evident, that all
men are created equal, that they are
endowed by their Creator with GER
tain unalienable Rights, that among
these are Life, Liberty and the
pursuit of Happiness"
The principle thus phrased having
been set forth, Jefferson and his
associates then stipulated: THAT to
secure these rights, Governments are
instituted among Men, deriving their
just powers from the consent of the
governed" BY implication they de-
sired it to be known that they recog-
nized no other equitable procedure
for the management of human af-
fairs. They rejected the hateful
theory that men may be enslaved to
their own benefit. With similar
forceful intent they denied that
there can be any other proper source
of sovereignty than that of the whole
people.
Specifically the authors of the
Declaration reserved the privilege
represented in the provision: That
whenever any Form of Government
becomes destructive of these ends,
1t is the Right of the People to alter
Government, laying it's foundation
on such principles and organizing
its powers in such form, as to them
shall seem most likely to effect their
Safety and Happiness" The thought
is repeated in order that it may not
be misunderstood: when a long
train of abuses and uSurpations,
pursuing invariably the same object,
evidence design to reduce them
under absolute Despotism, it is their
right, it is their duty, to throw off
such Government, and to provide
new Guards for their future secur-
ity."
But the freedom claimed in the
first great charter of American
democracy requires support in the
turbulent present as it did in the
historic past. To men of good will
everywhere it must be plain that the
totalitarian systems of aggression
which momentarily prevail abroad
cannot be permitted long to prosper.
civilization, it must be the business
of all righteous men to resist them.
Soon or late they will be defeated.
The alternative is shameful consent
to serfdom.
So it may happen in the near
future that those who love liberty
again may be obliged to offer for it
their lives, their fortunes and their
sacred honor. Let it not be forgotten
that some of the patriots who
cheered the Declaration at its first
reading shortly were to die for it.
Their sacrifice sanctified their cause
A like concession to a like result may
be indicated now.
What American flinches the i'm
plications of this Fourth of July or
those of any Independence Day to
follow?
Evening star., 1940-07-04
Britain and japan

Preoccupied though she is with the
grim problem of survival in her home
islands, Great Britain is not prepared
to surrender her historic prestige as
great power in the Far East. No
other deduction is possible from Lon
don's reported rejection of the
japanese demand for closing of the
British Burma road, over which
Chang Kai-shek is receiving arms,
munitions and other sinews for
China's protracted war against the
neighboring island empire.
Except for such supplies as trickle
to them from Russia, the Burma
route is the life line of the Chinese
armies. They completed it year
ago, by dint of prodigious manual
effort, to the point where Chinese
territory joins Burma. 1t has effec-
lively served its purpose as virtually
the one dependable link Chang still
has with the outside world. Upon
the roads remaining open, con-
tinuance OF China's resistance now
almost exclusively depends.
In the House of Commons yester-
day Foreign Undersecretary Butler
made the cryptic statement that
Britain is considering Questions that
would arise with the United States"
If his majesty's government "in any
way" acceded to the japanese de-
mand respecting Burma. 1t has been
explained repeatedly that this coun-
try is in no wise committed to Joint
procedure with Great Britain in the
Far East. We are only pursuing "a
parallel course of action" Secretary
Hull has affirmed, because American
and British interests, rooted in inter-
national treaty rights, happen to be
identical.
Only last Monday Mr.. Hull declared
that the United States is standing
firmly on her Far Eastern policy
and not modifying it in the face of
Japan's recent proclamation of an
"Asiatic Monroe Doctrine" Our
position, he explained, is simple and
unchanged. 1t is based on respect
for existing treaties which support
the open door program, the integrity
of China and maintenance of the
status quo in the Pacific. A few
weeks ago, after reports that Jap
anese extremists were clamoring for
acquisition or control of the Dutch
East Indies, Secretary Hull reminded
all concerned that any interference
with existing territorial arrangements
in the Pacific area would be a mat
ter OF grave concern to the United
States. But at no stage has there
been any suggestion Of joint moves
with Great Britain to discourage or
thwart whatever plans Japan may
have within the expansive sphere
which Foreign Minister Arita on
June % pictured as a vast new
aggregation of satellite states in Asia
and the South Seas, to be dominated
by Japan.
Following the concessions extorted
from the British at Tientsin, Japan
has sought to bring pressure to bear
upon them at other points notably
Hong Kong. Nippon's armed forces
this week closed virtually all avenues
of communication between that
British crown colony and China's
Kwantung Province in an effort to
force acceptance of the Burma de-
mand. It may we'll be that, as on
past occasions, Downing Street will
evolve some sort of face-saving COM
promise with Toxic, but Britain ap-
parently is not ready to yield to the
latest Japanese claims, as respects
either Burma or Hong Kong, no
L,
Evening star., 1940-07-04
Wants Americans to Be
Pr0-American.

To the Editor Of The Star:
Is this America? Or is it a part Of
Europe? American news, even news of
the presidential campaign, plays second
fiddle to the European news that fills
the papers. Our own American needs
and interests are suffering through our
unpatriotic interest in foreign countries.
Almost every one is pro-Ally, or pro-
English, or pro-French, or pro-German,
or pro-Russian, or pro-something else.
Pro-Americans are few and far be-
tween.
Wasaington warned " against en-
Evening star., 1940-07-04
Says Republican Nominee
Is Independent.

To the Editor Of The Star:
Loyal Americans who were fortunate
enough to listen to the G. o. P. con-
vention must have been deeply stirred
to hear man nominated for the presi-
dency who was politically independent
and who became the peoples choice on
his own merits. l.. EARLE HEALEY.
July !.
Evening star., 1940-07-04
Huskin Service
To Star Readers

A reader can obtain the answer to
any question Of fact by writing to The
Evening Star Information Service, Fred.
eric j. Haskin, director, Washington,
D. c., sending stamps for reply.
Inclose 10 cents in coin, wrapped In
this clipping, for a copy Of:
Evening star., 1940-07-04

The Associated Press is exclusively entitled to
the use for republication of ell news dispatches
credited to it or not otherwise credited in this
paper and also the local news published herein.
All rights of publication of special dispatches
herein also are reserved
Evening star., 1940-07-04
Letters to the Editor

Letters to the Editor must
bear the name and address OF
the 1Uriter, although the use OF
q pseudonyn1 for publication is
permissible. The Star reserves
the right to edit all letters Nth
DieD to condensation.
Evening star., 1940-07-04
Common Household Pests

A booklet advising how such pests az
ants, moths, flies, mosquitoes, cock
reaches, termites, mice and rats can
best be exterminated.
Evening star., 1940-07-04
Rate by Mail-Payable in Advance.
Member of the Associated Press,

Entered as seeond-class matter post office,
Washington. D. c.
The Wilmington morning star., 1940-01-03
STOP, LOOK AND LOVE"
is FEATURED AT BIJOI

A are chance to stop, look and
laugh awaits you down at the :Bi-
jou theatre, where stop, Look
and Love-" the gay new Goth Cen
tury-Fox picture, is showing today.
A fine cast, headed by Jean Rog-
ers, William Frawley, Robert KEEL
lard, Eddie Collins, Minna Com
bell and Cora Sue Collins, plays
out this human and hilarious ro-
nance Of a pretty girl who had
no beaus, because her meddling
mother chased them ali away by
trying to help rope them into
matrimony the minute they set
foot inside the parlor.
And, as if that weren't enough
to put up with, the poor girl is
also afflicted with a kid sister and
brother, who are always hanging
around at the wrong time.
The program also includes a
Vitaphone musical comedy and the
current chapter of 1.-The Daredevil
Of the Red Circle"
The Wilmington morning star., 1940-01-03
CLOSES
H0NCKONG PORT
Step Taken AS Necessary DE-
Tense Measure After Pa
troll Gives Alarm

HONGKoNG, Jan. 2. Up =
Great Britain closed Hongkong
harbor today as a necessary de-
Tense measure" after an alarm was
given by an off shore patrol.
The cause of the alarm was not
disclosed and was under investiga-
ton. British harbor officials for
babe ships of all nationalities to
leave or enter the harbor, normal
ly one of the worlds busiest, pend
ing further orders from the Brit
ish admiralty.
British authorities have made
incoming and outgoing ships use
certain channels entering or leav-
ing the harbor and to pass through
a boom gate since Sept. S. Two
United States gunboats are in port
but no American merchantmen.
The British also announced
withdrawal of two more gunboats
from their Yangtze river patrol,
leaving only three of their original
10 boats on the river. Eight other
boats were withdrawn previously
and their officers and crews freed
for active duty in the European
war.
The Wilmington morning star., 1940-01-03
Mrs. Mary M. Billiard
Funeral Rites Planned

Funeral rites for Mrs. Mary Mon
tague Billiard, of PIP North 18th
street, who died at her home Mon
day afternoon at 2:15 o'clock after
an illness of several weeks, will be
held from the st. Mary5s Catholic
church this morning at 10 O'clock,
The Rev. Father J. A. Manley will
conduct the services. Burial will fol
low in the family cemetery at Mon
tague, N. c.
Active p%allbearers will be: D. A
Lockfaw, w. K. Gaylor, W. B
Long, Harold Hooper, David Lucas
and Jack Wallace.
Honorary pallbearers will be.
Paul Baschon, E. L. Watkins, ]. j
Allen, Sr., Will Shehan, DR.. Paul A.
L. Black, George Lucas and T. E.
Henry.
She is survived by four daughters
Mrs. Mae Atkinson, of Norfolk
Mrs. L. J. Beard, Of Rocky Mount
Miss Elizabeth Billiard and Mrs. G
F. Elfe, of Wilmington and a sis
ter, Miss Carrie Montague, of GUAM
tico, Va.
Mrs. Billiard was the daughter
Of the late Patrick and Mary Mon
tague, Of Montague, N. c., and was
the widow of Marcus M. Billiard.
She was a member Of St. Mary's
Catholic church and was a resident
Of Wilmington for the past "a
years.