davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1940-11-29
THIS AND THAT
By Charles Z. Trace,DeH.

1.-THE first fault OF the starting is that
he prefers hole for nesting site. 10 or
more feet above the ground. This trait
puts him battling with our martins,
bluebirds. red-heads flickers and wrens
for nesting places, and he is SO persistent
and fights such long hours that he
usually succeeds in his aims.
"Our native birds do most of their
nest building before 10 o'clock in the
forenoon, while starlings work from day.
light to dark.
Again both the sparrow and the
starting fill the nesting cavity completely
full, and locate their eggs in the center
and use the same nest for years. Our
native birds seldom use an old nest,
and the few that do always remodel the
structure. Both these European birds
lay from four to six eggs at time and
bring forth three to four broods per
season, while our native birds seldom
hatch but one nest of young, and II two
periods of incubation, the eggs in the
second nest are seldom the usual number
laid with the first set.
Both the sparrow and the starting
are the only two birds in America that
can bring forth a sturdy nest of young
surrounded by population of mites so
numerous the nest almost moves. None
OF our native birds can survive this
untidy housekeeping
- Il
"Ornithologists clam the startling is
the cause Of our small number of red
heads. but I feel this is not the cause
OF this shortage. The blue jay is not
hole hester. and he is rare, also, while
the crested f1ycatcller, a hole nesting
bird, is still common in season.
"Starlings not only eat other birds
eggs, but like the crow and purple
grackle, eat the young also, even down
to our common domestic pigeon.
That starlings cut off newly set
plants feel is faulty observation. If
the startling Is seen near a newly set
plant he is there for the grub or cut
worm, and 1 don't think molests the
plant.
1T has been suggested that this bird
NC pun Oll Iilc sdIlle llSI ana uSeO lOf
food. When dressed for food, the little
body only weighs 2 ounces per bird.
In 1881 1 saw at Kingsville, Ontario,
flock of starlings estimated at
100000, of which $4,000 were killed
out of the flock in two months by the
Italian citizens Of Onterio"
Ht+
The article quoted is credited to DR..
r. w. Shilling. The doctor says that
the startling and English sparrow are
wonderful examples of the ability of all
life" to accommodate itself to a new
environment. The fact is that these two
alone, of many European birds tried
here, have been able to survive. We do
not imagine that the startling finds its
wings too long, nor its tail too short, and
its dangerous looking long sharp bill"
no doubt serves its purpose Those long
wings help make this bird one of the
most wonderful of all flyers.
We do not think many Americans will
want to bother with catching and eating
starlngs, which, as the good doctor
says, weigh only ounces ger bird,
dressed. His observation about our song
birds working on their nests only until
10 am. is interesting. We wonder if it
Is true.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1940-11-29

system, must be assigned to traffic
work now. A permanent assign
ment, therefore, would not affect the
need for more judges.
There is human element in judges
as in other men. 1t Is not unreason-
able to suppose that one definitely
interested in traffic problems would
perform this work with closer atten-
ton to justice and public interest
than would be the case of an indi-
vidual who assumes an uninteresting
or distasteful job as duty, knowing
the assignment is for only month.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1940-11-29
Protests License
To Hitler Operatives.

fTOtcStS License
To Hitler Operatives.
To the Editor Of The Star:
From my reading of letters to the
editor it seems that a spirit of resent
ment is rising against the dilly- dallying
of our Government in the matter of
prompt aid to Britain, which we all
acknowledge to be-if for no higher
reason-purely in our own self-defense.
Call it selfishness or patriotism, or both,
as you prefer; but we are seriously, even
if not yet imminently. confronted with
a very ominous condition.
An article in the December issue of
the Readers Digest opened my eyes to
our utter folly in allowing Hitler's spies
and saboteurs" full license to operate
undetected in the United States, cloaking
their nefarious schemes under "diplo-
matte immunity" If any who read this
have not read that article, by all means
do so, and then ask yourselves why our
State Department with such man as
Mr.. Hull at the head, allows such thing
to 60 on?
Is it not evident that we must either
help Britain to our very utmost, or else
face the same treacherous enemy
without Britain? Meantime, we are
fooIshly giving that enemy every OPP
portunity to work to our detriment.
ONE OF A MULTITUDE.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1940-11-29
Interval

Fat porcupines come down now when
they will
And chipmunks learn again to search
for food.
No laughter startles night things here
at dusk,
No sturdy arms bring in the mornings
wood.
In vain the lordly mountains now invite
Their playmates back from cities and
from school,
Their winter life has claimed them-thev
forget
The scent of pines, the icy, trout-filled
pool.
Yet suddenly-as churchly windows nrht
At service time, but knew no light ~
fore
So instant violets shall spell the new.
AS childrens feet again approach thi,
doorl
VIRGINIA SCOTT MINER
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1940-11-29

side world. 1t is inconceivable that
Prince Saionji would have permitted
his country to ALLEVIATE itself as COM
pletely as it has from the democratic
nations of the Western World. Evil
dence of this was his opposition to
the German-Japanese alliance signed
last September.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1940-11-29
Wants Many Christmas Lights
To Show That America Is Free.
To the Editor OF The Star:


1t won't be long before Christmas is
here and it's not too soon to start making
plans. I think we all should make it a
point to string up more colored electric
lights this year than ever. Those lights
give cheer in the darkened night, and we
need all the cheer and courage we can
get. A blaze of lights in every home will
serve as symbol that one democracy has
not been BACKED out; that there is one
country where there still is peace on
earth and good will to men"
In other lands there can be no such
cheerful symbol. A gaily bedecked
Christmas tree would only be an invita-
ton to an enemy bomber. Over here we
can string up lights wherever we please
and no dictator can forbid us.
ONE AMERICAN.
Mitcbel1yi11e Nd
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1940-11-29

A New York financial expert de-
clares: "The United States can safely
carry a debt limit of sixty billion or
more" This reminds one vaguely Of
the story of whether the man was
good for the drink or not. HAS he
had IT," HE has" Then he NJ
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1940-11-29

To the Editor OF The Star:
Certainly it is becoming more and
more evident that we are being drawn
into actual involvement in the present
war. The latest demands for a greater
portion of our fleet for England, the
latest antagonists in the Far East, the
latest incidents near South America are
certainly in line with the usual trend of
events which precede a war move The
fallacy in our defense program is DEM
onstrated by our willingness to sacrifice
our own fighting power to aid a bellig-
erent. Out latest advances into territory
which does not concern us indicate our
lack of neutrality. How can one say we
are trying to keep out of war? The peo-
pie demand better display of this
promised policy to keep our men at peace.
ROBERT PASSION.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1940-11-29

A Missouri college professor was so
absent-minded that he nailed him
self up in his own attic. Too many
people do this same thing mentally.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1940-11-29
Letters to the Editor

Letters to the Editor must
bear the name and address OF
the 1Oriter, although the use of
a pseudonynl for publication is
permissible. The Star reserves
the right to edit all letters NTH
q rietU to condensation.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1940-11-29

-. The Associated Press is exclusively entitled TO
the use for republication of all news dispatches
credited to 1t or 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, 1940-11-29
Words and Music for
Christmas Hymns

"Adeste Fidelis," 20, Little Town of
Bethlehem" Glad Christmas Bells"
THE First Noel" and Silent Night" are
few of the Christmas favorites included
in the collection of Isl of the bestowed
hymns of all denominations. An ideal
booklet for Sunday school and home
use during the holiday season. Complete
with words and music, this book is by 8
inches in size and has an attractive dur
able colored cover. Indexed for quick
reference. To secure your copy inclose
20 cents in coin, wrapped in this clipping.
and mail to The Star Information
Bureau.
Name
Street
----------------------
City
:
State
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1940-11-29
Asks Consideration

Asks Consideration
For Pedestrians.
To the Editor Of The Star:
How valuable is the time of 50O0
Washington pedestrians, as against the
time Of 100000 Washington motorists?
AS a resident of Virginia, where a
pedestrians time has some value, this
thought comes to me when walking in
Washington. Many of the trafac lights
give the pedestrian about one-fifth of
the time and the motorists about four
dfthA Z. n. T.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1940-11-29
Readers Take Issue With
Art Show Critic.

To the Editor Of The Star:
AS a teacher of art in the Sidwell
Friends School, hasten to write my first
letter to a newspaper with the hope that
it may be published before National Art
Week comes to an end December /.
The main exhibition of National Art
Week has been unfavorably viewed by
The Stars art critic The urgency of
this message is due to theTact that per-
haps many persons. easily influenced by
printed opinion, will lose the opportunity
that this exhibition affords. Such loss
would be unfortunate.
I wish to tilt no adjectives with pro-
fessional critics, so rather than state my
opinion. will give my experience. For
two days have brought classes down to
the Departmental Auditorium. I have
observed these children, ranging from 8
to Is years. The names signed to pic
lures or sculpture meant nothing to most
of them, so their problems were simpl.
fed. In the limited vocabulary Of youth,
they "loved" certain things-they hated"
certain things-they thought the whole
exhibit was perfectly SWELL" They were
thrilled" to see artists at work. to learn
"how things were done" There was a
vast and vital enthusiasm heard from
a 12-year-old:
What love about that picture is it's
SO real. come from out there and I
know" Another 12-year-old: II think
I like these abstract hne-y pictures a
lot" And from 15-year-old: you know,
these surrealist things really can give
you things to imagine"
need not point the obvious to teach
ers who may read this. The wide range
of style in oil, water color and print; the
chance to see artists modelling, weaving,
carving, painting; the really splendid
showing Of sculpture and ceramics and
beautiful crafts objects, provide a thrill
ing experience for your classes and you.
There is no atmosphere of "embalmed
masterpieces" The children catch the
spirit of American art in the making.
GRACE B. ETHEREDGE.
To the Editor Of The Star:
American Art Week should reveal the
public's reaction toward art.
1ilCAC LOW dlC OIl
able paintings and other works OF val.
liable art which can meet the innate
longing for beauty.
1t is unfortunate that so many persons
condemn modern art totally because 1t
is not to their liking.
I have felt that the artist has been
more or less driven to paint the sordid
as well as the beautiful, due to the fact
that the public was not supporting him
when clinging to beauty alone as his
inspiration. inadvertently he has sensed
a responsibility to try to make all under
stand struggle as he has seen it.
Something very good is coming out Of
this period unless miss my guess. In
the meantime 1t is interesting to see the
various interpretations of life in ex-
hibitions.
MARTHA MOFFETT BACHE.
To the Editor of The Star.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1940-11-29
MARTHA MoFFETT BACHE.

To the Editor of The Star;
am writing this letter as a protest to
what seems to us, the faculty and student
body, the unfair and devastating review
Of the National Exhibition Of American
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1940-11-29
Sees Nation Headed
For War.

Mitchellville, Md.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1940-11-29
Member of the Associated Press.

Entered as socond-class matter post ONCE,
Washington. D. c.
Evening star., 1940-06-16
Whitehurst Opposes House
Probe of Traffic Conditions
Highways Chief Tells Randolph
Two Surveys Will Cover Field

The sweeping investigation of
traffic conditions in Washington
proposed in resolution pending
before the House Rules Committee
Is unnecessary, Capt. H. c. White
hurst. director of highways, in
formed Chairman Randolph of the
House District Committee yester-
day.
Capt. Whitehurst, in a letter to
Representative Randolph, pointed
out that the Highway Department,
IN conjunction with the Department
of Vehicles and Traffic, now is con-
Quoting highway planning survey,
and that the 1941 District Appro-
priation Act directs the Commits
sioners to make a study of off,
street parking facilities.
II would say that these two sur
veys, taken together, will cover the
entire field said Capt. Whitehurst.
"On the completion of the surveys,
it is hoped that we will be in a
position to draw very definite conclu-
sions as to highway improvements
and as to what changes in traffic
control and regulation are most de-
sirable. The results will, of course,
be brought to the attention of your
committee"
Capt. Whitehurst also called at
tention to a traffic investigation
made by subcommittee of the
House District Committee in 1896,
which resulted in many valuable
recommendations" some of which
have not yet been carried out The
use of that subcommittee report,
Evening star., 1940-06-16
779-7on Base
|Of Scott Statue
IOHers Problem

Capt. H. c. Whitehurst, director
OF highways, yesterday anticipated
that some contracting firm will en-
counter an unusually interesting bit
OF engineering when the time comes
for proceeding with construction of
vehicular underpass for Scott
Circle.
The base for the statue of 1t.
Gen. Winfield Scott in the circle
there, Capt. Whitehurst has found,
weighs 1l9 tons and it is all In one
piece. Going back to an 1873 report.
he found detailed description of
the statue, showing the base was
quarried as one stone. The statue
will have to be moved from the
circle during the subway construc-
ton.
. Provision for construction of the
Scott Circle underpass, which would
run in the line Of Sixteenth strsst,
was contained In the ls4l District
supply bill.
Evening star., 1940-06-16

(See WELFARE, Page BIZ
Evening star., 1940-06-16
Donovan 10 Recommend
S1.75 Realty Tax Rate

Clearing away any possible doubt
about the real estate tax rate for
the District for the fiscal year be-
ginning July l, Maj. Daniel j. Dono
van, District auditor and budget
officer, yesterday prepared to submit
to the Commissioners recommen-
dation for continuation of the 81 is
rate.
Formal action is expected to be
taken soon by the Commissioners.
This is essential this year since
Congress did not fix the rate in
passing this years supply bill, al
though it was understood there
would be no change.
According to estimates used at
the time of the Senate and House
conferences on the supply bill, the
District would wind up the new
fiscal year with a deficit of approxi-
mately s725,000. If the receipt of
100000 in the second payment of
the 1941 income taxes. due in Octo-
ber, 1912. were considered as a part
o. - l941 finances. however. the
District would end the 1941 fiscal
year with paper" surplus of about
SITS, 900
Maj. Donovan said he would not
have final figure until after he has
compiled accounting figures for this
fiscal year, after June 30.
Evening star., 1940-06-16
PoIice-Firemen
Retirement Bill
Maybe Revised
Minimum Age Limit,
Fiscal Safeguard
Are Favored
BY JAMES E. CHINN.

A House-approved bill providing
for voluntary retirement of District
police and flremen after Is years
service may be rewritten by spe-
cial Senate subcommittee, which
yesterday completed hearings on the
measure.
Senator Overton of Louisiana, the
subcommittee chairman, said he
personally approved amending the
bill to fix minimum age limit for
voluntary retirement and to limit
the appropriation for those pensions
to $4,000 a year.
The Commissioners, through Mai.
Daniel j. Donovan, auditor and
budget officer, also offered to aban-
don their opposition to the legisla-
ton If it is revised to prevent
heaVy drain on the municipal
treasury.
The Commissioners, according to
Maj. Donovan, want the period of
service for voluntary retirement ex-
tended to 80 years, or else an
amendment allowing retirement
after 25 years service only II the
applicant has reached 55 years of
age.
Lusk Opposes Bill.
| Only opposition to the bill regis
tered at the hearing came from
Rufus S. Lusk, president of the
Washington Taxpayers Association.
who declared the 25-year voluntary
retirement plan could cost the Dis
trict about $336,000 year. He
pointed out 1l2 f1remen and 1lo po-
licemen would be entitled to retire
at once.
Since police and firemen are now
retired at any time they are dis
abled in line of duty, Mr.. Lusk de-
clared the purpose of the bill "is to
permit them either to quit at a COM
paratively early time in life in order
to take it easy or else to get an
other job"
Maj. Donovan admitted that 112
firemen and 11o policemen would
be eligible to retire at once if the
House-approved bill is enacted. but
pointed out that poll conducted bv
representatives of the Police and
Fire Departments showed that only
~ OF the 222 would apply for re-
tlrement this year. The retirement
OF this number, he said. would cost
the District about $4,000 a wear
Civic Units Back 1t.
William T Kruglak, secretary of
Local No. 36 of the International
Association of Firehghters, sup
ported Maj. Donovan's figures. John
l.. Werheim, president of the local.
and Frank L. Asch, chairman of
the Legislative Committee of the
pollcemen's association. urged that
the bill be approved without amend
ment.
Support also was given the bill
IN It's present form by Mrs. Ernest
Howard of the Columbia Heights
Citizens Association, who point
ed out the organization had unan-
lmously indorsed it.
The bill passed the House Nav q.
1t would give any fireman or any
member Of the metropolitan. park
or White House police forces the
privilege of retiring at half paw
regardless Of age after Is years
service.
Since the minimum age for ap-
polntment to the Police or Fire De-
partments is % years, it would be
possible under the proposed legisla-
ton for a man OF Al to be retired.
The subcommittee has been told,
however, the average age of those
appointed in either department is
n, making the average voluntary re-
tirement age So.
Evening star., 1940-06-16
Bund Concerts

Monday.
pm.-Navy Band, Navy Yard.
500 pm.-Marine Band, Marine
Barracks.
7:30pm.-N avy Band, United
States Capitol.
800 p.m-Marine Band, Marine
Barracks.
Tuesday. .
800 pm.-Marine Band, Home for
Incurables.
700 pm-Soldiers' Home Band
Soldiers Home Band
stand.
7:30 p.m.-Navy Band, West Po-
tomac Park.
Wednesday.
7:30 pm.-Marine Band, United
States Capitol.
Thursday.
II is am.-Navy Band. Navy Yard
l:30 p.m.-Marine Band, Marine
Barracks.
500 pm.-Navy Band, Naval Hos
pital.
700 pm.-Soldiers' Home Band,
Soldiers Home.
7:30 p.rn.-Marine Band, West Po-
tomac Park.
Friday.
200 p.m,-Navy Band, st. Eliza
beth's Hospital.
800 p.m.-Marine Band, Naval
Hospital.
Saturday.
200 pm.-Marine Band, Marine
Barracks.
TOO pm.-Soldiers Home Band,
Soldiers Home.
Evening star., 1940-06-16
Did You Lose Scow,
Artificial Right Arm,
Cheese, Whisky, Bell?

If variety is the spice of life,
the existence of the Metropoli-
tan Police Departments chief
property clerk should be we'll
flavored. One of this officials
duties is the compilation and
posting of lists of lost or stolen
articles recovered by police.
According to the current bull
letin, unclaimed items now on
hand include: One bronze din
ner bell, one 12-foot gray scow
81 Lincoln pennies, one artif1c'<
right arm. one 5-pound car
ton of American cheese. one
pint of whisky and one brass
rail.
Evening star., 1940-06-16
Search Began for Aliens
On District Pay Roll

Search for any aliens who may
be on the District pay roll was start
ed yesterday by officials of some de-
partments, in compliance with in
structions from Budget Officer
Daniel j. Donovan.
A provision of the 1941 District
supply bill provided that no part
Of the appropriations might be used
to pay the compensation of any
alien or employe who had not de-
clared his intention Of becoming a
citizen.
Evening star., 1940-06-16
New Welfare Board
Aide Will Be Named
By Commissioners
Half Dozen Applicants
Under Consideration
For Sc, 500 Post

appointment of a welfare expert
to serve as principal assistant direc-
tor of the Board of Public Welfare,
new s6,500-a-year post which is
established under the Districts 194l
supply bill, may be made soon by the
Commissioners.
A half dozen names have been
under consideration for the post.
Among those said to be subject to
special consideration are Conrad
Van Hyning, now of Amherst, Va,
who recently completed more than
two years service in a welfare
(See WELFARE, Page B-2.)
Evening star., 1940-06-16

he declared, would probably OBJ
viate the necessity for other hear
ings on this matter"
The investigation called for in the
resolution before the Rules Com
mittee was introduced by Repre-
sentative D'Alesandro, Democrat, of
Maryland. member of the District
Committee. 1t provides for creation
of a special five-man committee to
conduct the inquiry.
Evening star., 1940-06-16
Hearing Set Wednesday
On Bentley Appointment

A Senate judiciary subcommittee
will hold hearing at 10:30 am.
Wednesday on the nomination of
Judge Fay Bentley. who was re-
appointed recently by President
Roosevelt for another term on the
bench of Juvenile Court.
The hearing will be presided over
by Senator McCarran, Democrat, of
Navada, who became chairman of
the subcommittee when Senator
King, Democrat, of Utah asked to
be excused because of work on pend
ing legislation. Other subcommittee
members are Senators Chandler,
Democrat, of Kentucky and Austin,
Republican, of Vermont.
Evening star., 1940-06-16

Products shipped from Ceylon to
the United States in the last year
were valued at t20,075,000.