davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1940-03-17
Gov. O'Conor's Tex

Maryland citizens, undergoing the
hardship this week of paying State
income tax more than five times as
great as last year, have a right to
expect State officials, whose salaries
are tax exempt, to follow the example
OF Gov. O'Conor and pay the tax
anyway. AS the Governor said In
announcing his decision to waive the
exemption the law accords him, 1T
must be remembered that in paying
the tax we are simply supporting the
government which pays our salaries"
There long has been widespread
resentment among taxpayers against
the unfair discrimination In favor Of
public officials who do not have to
pay income taxes. According to
strict legal reasoning, they may not
be compelled to pay. but to the man
on the street they belong in the same
classification with the thousands of
other citizens working for a living
and should come under the law.
The excellent example set by Gov.
O'Conor was quickly followed by the
State Attorney General, who would
have been exempt under his own rul-
ing that officials who took their posts
before the new law was signed would
not have to pay the tax. The entire
staff of the State Law Department
also has waived exemption.
There can be no doubt that the
new Maryland law, which increases
the rate from one-half of one per
cent on earned income to two-and-
one-half per cent, and from one-half
OF one per cent to six per cent on
investment" income, works hard
ship on the taxpayer. The rate boost
was accompanied by a lowering Of
the exemptions, while the Maryland
policy of requiring full payment in
one lump sum was continued. Citi-
zens of the Free State were compara-
lively Indifferent last year while the
General Assembly was laying such
heavy burden on them. It was not
until this year, when the individual
citizen began to figure how much the
new law meant to him, that loud
protests arose. The inevitable de-
mands for a modification of the law
which will be presented when the
Legislature meets next January can
be expected to get a more sympa-
thetic reception If those who run the
State government follow the lead of
the Governor and pay the tax.
Evening star., 1940-03-17
A MOMENTOUS DECISION
By the Right Rep James T. Freeman D., D. D. c. L..
Bishop OF Washington.

Great events follow great decisions.
The moment comes now and again In
every life when we stand at fork In
the road, or face searching question.
or critical situation that calls for .
decisive answer, an answer that must
affect largely the future course Of life.
The Affirmative or the negative play an
important part in the most momentous
Of events. Among the stirring incl
dents that marked the tragedy of tho
first Holy Week, Is the record Of Pilates
vain endeavors to fnd q way out of
the dilemma in which he had been
placed by those who had brought Christ
to him for final judgment. We read
that on repeated occasions he sought
means by which to release the Nazarene.
The solemn admonition Of his wife who
sent to him the message: Have thou
nothing to do with that Just man."
moved him to mercy. Again, he saw In
an ancient custom that required him to
release unto the people prisoner whom
they would" an opportunity to escape
completely In crime that he believed
was born Of malice and hate. This was
his nnal appeal to the multitude that
clamored for the death Of Christ. To
this multitude he went In final appeal,
saying, Whom will ye that release
unto you, Barabbas "a notable prisoner),
or Jesus which Is called Christi" A de-
cision Of the multitude was thus sought
that the Roman governor might be freed
from the blame of condemnation. The
answer Of the multitude was decisive
and final: mot this man, but Barab-
bas," and it was upon this Judgment
that PLATE washed his >hands before
the people, saying: II am innocent Of
the blood Of this just person, see ye to It,"
A frenzied and ungovernable crowd
thus made its choice, and its choice has
had q lasting effect upon the whole
course Of the worlds history. The voice
Of the people here registered q Judgment
Evening star., 1940-03-17
More Police Needed

Reasons tor the recent wave OF
robberies in Washington and meas
ures necessary to deal with the prob
lem were discussed recently at a
conference Of local law enforcement
officials arranged by Commissioner
Melvin G. Hazen. Varied opinions
were expressed as to the cause and
cure of crime in the Nations Capital,
but there was general agreement by
police and prosecution officials that
the city needs more policemen ade-
quately to cope with Washington's
peculiar law and order problem.
Corporation Counsel Elwood H. Seal,
moreover, expressed the belief that a
more stringent vagrancy law would
help to curb crime here.
As matter of fact, the present
so-called "crime wave" has been con-
fined chiefly to robberies. It seems
highly probable that the severity Of
this winter over that Of year ago
has had something to do with the
upward surge Of robberies Of stores
and persons.
Major Ernest w. Brown for several
years has been asking for a larger
force. If the force is inadequate to
police the city properly under normal
conditions, it becomes even more in
adequate when the crime rate scars
to abnormal heights, as it has done
Of late in the case of robberies. In
such times Of emergency 1t is neces-
sary to detail special squads for extra
duty until the situation is under
control. This step already has been
taken by Major Brown, with appar-
emily effective results in most pre-
cincts. In the second precinct,
where records show crime to be
especially prevalent, additional pa
trolmen will be placed on vigilance
duty this week. The Metropolitan
Police Department now has a
strength Of approximately fourteen
hundred men. This Is an average
Of about two policemen per one
thousand of population. Some cities
boast a larger ratio than this; others
have a smaller one. depending on
geographic, economic and other con-
ditionS.
But Washington, being the seat of
the National Government, has a po-
lice problem unique among American
cities. Embassies must be guarded
continuously, visitors Of state must
be protected, diplomatic and other
ofncial funrtions must be provided
Evening star., 1940-03-17
The u. S. Cufeterius

4IuSteeS OF CQe welfare and Rec.
reational Association have presented
a well-rounded reply to the report of
Acting Controller General Elliott,
which charged that the contract
under which the association operates
cafeterias and other facilities for
Federal employees is illegal, and that
improper expenditures have deprived
the Government of its share Of the
proceeds from these ventures.
To the contention that the asso-
citation, non-profit corporation,
has no right to occupy space on
public property, the trustees answer
that there is general authority for
such leasing that has been recog-
nized for fifty years.
Instead of owing the Government
nearly two hundred thousand dollars
as Mr.. Elliott alleged, the trustees
say that when the association &C
count was in dispute three years
ago, settlement was made for some
thing less than eight thousand. Fur
ther, 1t is added, more than three
hundred thousand dollars in cash
has been turned over to the Govern
ment since the association was Or
ganized in 1927, and in excess of two
hundred thousand has been ex-
pended for improvements in parks
and buildings.
1t is conceded that tennis courts
and swimming pools have been
operated at a loss, but this deficit,
it is argued, is met by the association
and not by the taxpayers.
A recommendation by Mr.. Elliott
that private concessionaires take
over the cafeterias is vigorously re-
jected by the trustees, who emphasize
that private operation already has
proved failure. In this connection,
too, while agreeing that there would
be an abundance Of bidders for the
profitable cafeterias, the trustees ask
who would want" those where loss
is likely
The row over the association, which
has drawn in also Secretary of Inte-
rior Ickes and Federal Works Ad-
'ministrator Carmody, with whom 1t
has contractual relations for opera
tions, respectively, in parks and
buildings, has disclosed wide differ
ences of opinion as to the steps
necessary for settlement, and the
path has not been made any easier
by the warmth of the exchanges
between the principals.
That some basis for agreement
should be found, however, goes with
out saying, and Of necessity it must
be one that will guarantee, in par
ticular, the satisfactory operation of
the cafeterias which flll a distinct
need.
Evening star., 1940-03-17

with special details to control crowds
and trafi1c, and parades and other
mass demonstrations staged to In
huence executive or legislative offi-
cials must be handled with care.
These special duties necessarily re-
suit In a reduction Of the force avail
able Tor regular patrol service. The
vagrancy problem to a considerable
extent alsois related to Washington s
status as the National Capital. Many
indigents come here to petition their
Government for aid and remain here
as burdens on the community. Hhe
District has broad vagrancy law,
but Its effectiveness has been greatly
diminished by court decisions re-
stricting its scope.
Suppression Of crime is the Joint
responsibility of the public, the po-
lice, the prosecutors and the courts.
Public apathy leads to police lethargy.
Without the support Of public opin-
ion, appropriations TO. law enforce
ment are bound to lag and that
means inadequate policing. It IS to
be hoped that the current cycle Of
robberies will serve to arouse support
IN Congress for Major Browns Oft
repeated request for q larger force
with which to handle the Capitals
extraordinary police requirements,
A hundred additional patrolmen
would not solve the crime problem
completely, Of course; but undoubt-
edly a strengthened force, carefully
selected, trained and directed, could
accomplish a great deal in COM
batting crime waves here.
Evening star., 1940-03-17
Labor Bourd Probe

Attorney General Jackson, in
ordering an investigation by the
Federal Bureau of Investigation to
determine If there has been a vio-
lation of the law, has taken proper
cognizance of the lobbying charges
against representatives of the Ma
tional Labor Relations Board which
grew out of the Smith committee
hearings.
Labor Board aides have been ac-
cused of attempting to block changes
in the Wagner Act and reduction of
funds for its enforcement, and it
now is up to the Justice Department
to decide whether the alleged acts
contravened twenty-year-old stat
ute which restricts such activities by
Federal employees and makes possible
removal from Office and punishment
for misdemeanor when violation
Is proved.
The Attorney General believes that
the law is so vague as to cast doubt
on the efficacy of any prosecution
instituted under its provisions and
agrees with the suggestion of Chair
man Smith that clarifying legisla-
ton should be sought to end all
question as to just how far spokes-
men for Government agencies may
or may not 60 in attempting to in
fuence congressional action. The ex-
listing law apparently covers only
those cases where appropriated
funds are employed for this purpose.
The subject is one concerning
which there should be left no room
for misinterpretation, for in the
past the law probably has been hon
ored more in the breach than in OBJ
servance.. For all practical purposes
there is no difference between at
tempting to bring pressure directly
to bear on Congress in behalf OF or
against particular legislation, or,
through public expression, seeking to
accomplish thessame purpose by in
direction.
Early in the Roosevelt administra-
tion an effort was made to end the
practice of going direct to Congress
in behalf of Federal agencies with
recommendations involving expendi-
lures by the issuance of an executive
order requiring such matters to be
cleared through the Budget Bureau.
This admonition is repeated each
year, but it is apparent that some
thing more is needed.
Evening star., 1940-03-17
AppIouding Assassination

When opinion is made subservient
to government 1t is apt to become
illogical. An excellent example of
what happens to the public mind
under arbitrary political control may
be found In German reaction to
news of the murder of Sir Michael
O'Dwyer by fanatical Indian ma
tionalist. The Nazi press .commends
the assassin. His deed, the Reich
newspapers declare, Opened India's
new fight for independence from
England's rule by force"
But the murderer himself is less
confident of the Righteousness of his
action. II didn't mean to kill him."
he told the London police. II did it
just to protest"
Meanwhile in Calcutta Mohandas
K. Gandhi, leader of the Indian non
cooperation movement, announced:
"Such acts have been proved to be
injurious to the cause for which they
are committed"
The Germans, too, ordinarily would
deplore assassination. It is merely
the seeming expedient of organizing
hatred for Britain that prompts off,
cial commentator Of murder as a
political device. Only a few months
ago the Nazi press printed pages of
foreign comment on the attempt to
kill Adolf Hitler in a Munich beer
hall, wrecked by a bomb planted
anegedly by "spies." Every word
deploring the plot against Der
Fuehrer was reproduced with ap-
proval.
In the present instance. however,
German intellectual honesty is
treated to a moratorium. II an
earthquake devastated England, the
Nazi, propaganda bureau probably
would rejoice over the disaster. It
doubtless would argue that it was a
sign Of divine favor toward Britain's
foes. Such is the natural result Of
tyrannical interference with the
normal development of opinion.
Black becomes white and crime
may be regarded as an heroic mani
festation Of patriotic virtue under a
dictator. Only in nations free from
the blight Of totahtarianism is con-
science at liberty to obey the ele-
msntal laws Of civilized Life.
Evening star., 1940-03-17

more deeply and poignantly significant
than any ever given by mankind. Down
through succeeding generations, again
and yet again, the question Of choice
between Barabbas, the embodiment Of
guilt and shame. and Christ, the SELF
giving Savior of mankind, has pressed
for an answer. what shall do then
with Jesus, which is called Christi" Is
the searching inquiry that has been
forced upon the tribunal that exists in
every mans mind.
Other decisions are Of lesser impor-
tance than the one we make as We ap-
praise the meaning and import Of the
Nazarene and His relation to our life.
His claims rise above those ever SUBJ
mitted by teacher, prophet or reformer.
He occupies q place in the whole scheme
Of Life that Is utterly unique. He Is
alone In the moral granduer Of His life
and In the sublimity Of His love. Higher
has human thought not reached" Is the
estimate OF . great scholar Is he meas
ures the stature Of Christ by the most
gigantic figures in al history. Measure
less in the beauty Of His life, incom-
parable in His teachings, illimitable In
the extent of His love, He challenges
every age and survives all the shifting
scenes and changing circumstances of
time.
Another Good Friday takes its place
In the worlds calendar; once again the
lonely prisoner stands before the bar
of the worlds judgment. To what place
shall we consign Him whom PLATE held
innocent and whom q multitude denied
while they clamored for the release of
q notable criminal, Barabbas by name?
Such trying, critical days as those
through which we are passing make the
decision of our modern world weighty
one. Shall 1t be the shifting standards
and moral values Of changing world,
or the exalted standards and moral val
ues of the unchanging Christ?
Evening star., 1940-03-17
Discretion

My life Is like . bell unrung.
But It's not for you to ring It:
A silver song - yet unsung;
Nor be 1t yours to sing It.
Oh. you would play with practiced
art
Upon the virsinals Of my heart
Unflnished strains-and 10 denart
Nor reck how taut you'd strins 81
&ARION u. ADDQNoToar
Evening star., 1940-03-17
Inter-Americun Bank

Pan-American Day this year, April
IA. will be celebrated in Washington
in terms more substantial than mere
good neighbor" oratory. On that
date, Secretary Hull announces, the
United States is prepared to sign a
proposed convention establishing a
$100,000,0 900 Inter American Bank for
the promotion of trade and financial
stability in the Western Hemisphere.
The enterprise is the result of action
taken last year by the Inter-Ameri-
can Financial and Economic Advisory
Committee of the Pan-American
Union, under the Craftsmanship of
Undersecretary Sumner Welles.
Secretary Hull, in proclaiming the
United States readiness to join its
financial resources with those of the
sister American republics, informs
the Welles committee that the estab-
lishment of the bank would be q
step Of major Importance in the
development of inter American
financial and economic cooperation"
With the leading nations of Eu-
rope, even while at war, competing
actively for Latin American business,
the hour is timely for intensive effort
on the part of the United States to
improve, by every sound method pos
sible, it's trade position everywhere
beyond the Rio Grande. There are
some authorities who do not think
our activities in that direction have
always been characterized by max
imum of wisdom or intelligence.
On Thursday of this week in New
York James s. Carson, chairman Of
the Foreign Trade Educational Com
mittee of the National Foreign Trade
Council, told the country that
our Latin good neighbors" have
their own brand Of genuine democ-
racy, particularly suited to their
background and that the United
States should lend the blunder" Of
trying to "sell" its system to the
southern republics. Our Latin friends
may not welcome exports of our
political ideals, but they need and
appreciate the practical assistance
of the Colossus of the North in the
solution of their economic problems.
The hundreds Of millions of good
American dollars" loaned to Latin
American governments and private
enterprises, many of which issues
are in default, testify that Uncle Sam
has not been reluctant to translate
into material terms everything con-
noted by the good neighbor" policy.
The Export and Import Bank,
whose lending capacity has just been
doubled by act Of Congress to $780,
Evening star., 1940-03-17

public sentiment inclined TO the celebra-
tion upon that date, to postpone 1t until
next year and the 18th Of April. There
are excellent reasons that could be urged
In favor of the latter - IN independent
nr0nodffnn~
Evening star., 1940-03-17

A. The Associated Press is exclusively entitled to
the use Tor republication Of all news dispatches
credited to It or not otherwise credited in this
paper and also the local news published herein.
herein also are reserved
Evening star., 1940-03-17

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Evening star., 1940-03-17

nessrhen do not object to Government
borrowing of money for use in buying
battleships and artillery. He will have
support, and little opposition, for any
plan Of public spending that is based
upon national defense.
Armament is the industry that has
sustained industrial activity at high
level in Germany and that now is ad-
vancing that activity in England and
France. British economists say that Of
all expedients used by the nations of the
world to create activity and jobs, arma-
ment is the only one with a uniform
record of success. There now is every
prospect that the United States will be
forced to continue its gradual expansion
OF defense spending and that this SPEND
ing will provide the continued support
for business that appears to be necessary
to check depression.
In fact, the new recovery program can
be set down now as ono that rests upon
armament and exports.
The spending theorists Of the New Deal
point out that this combination meets all
the requirements Of their spending the
cries and that in 1t lies just as much Of .
tonic for business as could be found in
the spend-lend bill or In more large-scale
public works or In more money for an
enlarged w. P. A.
But, Of course, people can't eat guns,
and there Is always the chance that q
war will end. The world cannot 60 ON
forever fighting and devoting the bulk
Of its productive enegy to creation Of
goods that the public cannot enjoy.
When the war and armament business
goes into tatlspin, tho highest ofacials
here shudder to think what will happen.
Evening star., 1940-03-30
Outside Venetian Blinds
Help Keep Room Cool

Outside Venetian blinds are excel
lent aids In reducing room tenn
peratures and in moderating the
glare Of direct incoming light. They
serve as blinds and awnings and
are decorative viewed either from
the exterior or the interior of the
home.
These blinds are designed and fln-
ished to Withstand severe exposure
and come In three styles. One il
designed with collapsible frame
and side wings for protection against
end light and is most practical where
windows are set deeply into the
house walls, another style attaches
to the face of the wall As we'll As
Evening star., 1940-03-30

within the reveal. while q third
comes for use on residence porches
either open or Of glassed-in con-
struction.
The blinds are constructed with
transverse rollers making it possible
to operate them from inside the
house without opening windows or
screens. They are suitable for any
style window except the open out
easement.