davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1940-09-11
Looms for Defense

If Americas program for a sweep
ing and all-incluSive defense system
is to be fully rounded out at this ses-
sion of Congress, it is well-nigh vital
that the Presidents proposal for a
$500,000000 increase in loaning au-
thority for the Export-Import Bank
receive prompt approval at the
Capitol
The bill is now in the Senate,
where opposition forces are attempt
ing to restrict the use of loans to
Latin American countries-which
are the ultimate objective of the
additional authority for the bank
to development in this hemisphere
of the materials necessary for the
security of the Americas; in other
words, tin and rubber This, of
course, is one very important pur-
pose of the projected loans. But it
is only part of the picture, and can
not properly be separated from as
sistance in the orderly marketing of
Latin American SURPRISES and the
expansion Of American opportunities
In. Latin American trade.
A total defense" as Senator Wag-
ner so aptly puts it, preSuppoSeS pro-
vision for all these points, and half
way measures mean a halfway
economic defense against totalitarian
incurSion in this hemisphere. The
United States is the Spearhead of
the campaign in the Americas Of re-
siStance to non-AmeriCan aggression,
and the United States, in order to
assure the support of its sister re-
publicS, must assist them at the
point which is vital to them-namely,
the marketing of their surplus prod
ucts with the least possible diSrup-
tion-for it is upon their export
trade that they live. If the United
States were to ignore the necessity
for such assistance it would leave
the door wide open to penetration
by the Nazi-FaScist system, which
takes advantage of the plight of
countries producing raw materials
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1940-09-11
ARLINGTON, Va.

Dear Sir:
you win. Squirrels do not like moth
balls!
You win on another point also Tt
was an awful lot Of work to climb more
than 80 trees and tie up over bushels
of moth balls.
But I had acquired infinite patience,
as when was kid circus showed on
a nearby lot, and I was given free
tickets every day for watering the
elephant with an eye-dropper.
THE drawback, though, about the
moth balls was that the squirrels
ganged up on me and wo.ked faster
than could, SO that just as tied up the
last moth ball they got the last nut.
But If the moth balls survive the
winter may have walnuts and hickory
nuts next fall.
Anyhow, I don't banker for the job
Of tieing up another bushels as that
is more than 10000 balls, so if they
don't survive frost and cold weather I
may just call it a day and let the
squirrels have the nuts, as will anyway
have a lot of fun watching them and
letting them think they are outsmarting
me. Yours truly, B. E."
sense of humor is the best humane
weapon we have against the squirrel.
There is something so comical and so
human about one of these rodents that
1t is impossible for a kindly person to
harm them
What other animal, for instance, has
such crouch as a squirrel?
1t will sit in tree and crate its teeth
at human beings and cats, almost shake
its paws at them, for no apparent reason
except that it does not want them
around.
The noise made by the animal when
indulgirg In this amiable action is
best represented by "crek, crek, crek."
1t is one of the distinctive sounds of
the woods and suburban areas. From
early light to evening it may be heard, as
some squirrel thinks its rights have
been infringed.
This is not the sheer animal rage of a
simply a crouch reaction, at once
humorous and kindly.
The human crouch, in most cases, is
not really angry, even when he COM
plains. Often others admit, and he
realizes himself. that his words are lust
his odd way Of having fun.
x
W. NyflIl NJ
ne is funny fellow.
The exception is when he is on a
rafter squarely above your head.
Then he tends to look villainous. a
cross between shark and a rat. That
lean mouth and pointed jaw are not
progressing from below.
With this exception, the squirrel is
one of natures true comics.
Everything he does is funny. You
know how 1t is with some people. Every
thing they say and do is greeted with
roars of laughter.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1940-09-11
Deplores House Action
On Draft Bill.

To the Editor OF The Star
In the strongest language I am per-
mitted to use in letter to a newspaper,
1 cry out to America: For Gods sake,
are you letting subversive activities in
this country defeat the cause of Amer
lean preparedness"
I have just listened to a radio broad
cast Of what the House of Representa-
tlves has done to the CONSUMPTION bill
the 60-day and other political measures.
The House, I am ashamed to admit, has
listened to the Communists and Fascists,
and the So-called 'intellectuals" of this
country condemn our one effort to Or
ganize an adequate Army for defense of
our country. Have these people ever
thought of the size Army needed by this
country to adequately defend our extern
sive borders? A million. trained civilians
is just the beginning.
write this not as a Roosevelt sup
porter, for I am definitely inclined to-
ward trusting my fate with the efficiency
OF Mr.. Willkie. But I write this as an
American! I am as eligible as any one
could possibly be for CONSUMPTION, and
am ready and willing. Are we going to
let politics November elections) and
anti-Americans soften us up? Conscrip-
ton would never have been thought Of
in America had we not awakened to the
realization of how soft and vulnerable
we are.
God bless America! God save the
politicians who would cause our decay.
And God help US all II they succeed.
September Z. BEN SMART.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1940-09-11
THIS AND THAT
BIZ Charles Z. Tr1ce11eil.

Once they get the reputation, they
have but to open their mouths, and every
body begins to laugh. When 1t is
realized that what they have said is not
really funny, then everybody roars. For
their not being funny is funny, too.
x**
The quick motions of the squirrel,
followed around by that big fluffy tail,
aimed by those two bright eyes, resemble
those of an agile clown.
But this fellow combines the abilities
Of a contortionist with those OF an
athlete
He is something of tightrope walker,
too. One of the standard sights along
suburban streets is squirrel walking the
electric light cables.
1t is an odd fact, in regard to this,
that so many people think this sight
unique.
Most persons who see it for the first
time think they have discovered some
thing unheard of. Probably this arises
because SO many persons really do not
observe nature, but must have it literally
thrown In their face. Thus when they
happen to look up, some day, and see
squirrel busily marching along a wire,
they naively believe that what they
have just seen simply must be new and
unheard Of, else they would have seen
1t before.
There is no way to outwit a squirrel
except by kindness.
The old heavy handed method will
not do with this animal. Certainly the
person who finds nature interesting to
observe will not resort to cruelty. There
is enough of that in the world already.
He will try to match his brains against
the Squirrels, feeling pretty sure in
advance that the animal probably is
smarter than he is, when it comes to
getting what it wants.
The rodent is working on solid ground.
as 1t were, because it wants nothing
except such things as nature intended
1t to have.
1t smells peanutS-ho, for peanuts,
then! If they are locked up in a garage.
the squirrel will try to get at them by
gnawing the door down. 1t will be your
fault, not his. if you keep the peanuts
in the garage
The thing to do is to remove them
indoors and hope that he will not
smell them there.
The nuts of the trees are in natures
keeping, really, no matter who owns"
the ground where they grow.
The squirrels see no reason why they
cannot have them.
Walnuts taste pretty good to a squirrel
these mornings. Their right to them is
as old as the hills. They probably
Will be able to outsmart whoever tries
to dispute them, provided, of course,
that unfair holds are barred
No person who likes to watch animals.
rather than kill them, will begrudge the
squirrels Their food
Their perseverance is interesting.
In humans it is an admirable trait
Why not in a squirrel. too?
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1940-09-11
Shadows March

Here at the waters edge, what quiet
light,
What muted glory resting on the seal
No clash resounds. InexorabIe night
Steals on the scene so imperceptibly
That none can say that now-or now
day dies,
Only that brightness wanes, that
through the air,
Dull-armored shadows march; that mists
arise
On oceans grazing fields and bivouac
there.
So darkness ends mans day upon shore
That skirts eternity. His morning sun
Has mounted, swift of flame, to noon be-
fore
He starts, dismayed, with all to do
undone
His brief hour slants to twilight. Drift.
ing sand
Impersonally smooths the trodden strand.
1NEZ BARCLAY KIRBY.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1940-09-11
Says Editorial
Shielded Republicans.

To the Editor of The Star:
A reader of The Star for 40-odd years
writes his first letter to the editor of
any newspaper.
The Star has not hesitated to con-
denim those things with which it has
disagreed, and some of those things
have been so-called New Deal" meas
ures. In its concentrations, The Star
has not criticized the House" or the
Senate" but the Democratic leader
ship.
In The Star of September 9th the
main editorial, where Danger Lies" is
a ringing denunciation of the House"
action on the compulsory military train
ing bill, and one which all true believers
in national defense will support whole
heartedly. You state that the foolish
effort at delay is serious matter; that
lit is in the inference which must be
drawn from the House vote rather than
the actual loss of time which would re-
suit from final approval Of the Fish
amendment that one finds the most
ominous threat to our national security;
that ut cannot be contended that -
a legislative body which at this critical
hour would postpone CONSUMPTION
has any adequate understanding of the
menace which confronts us today; that
"there can be no real security for this
Nation until its legislative leaders open
their minds to the truth and prepare to
act accordingly" and, finally, that ut
can only be concluded that Congress, for
selfish or partisan reasons, is gambling
on the future when other democracies
which have been the victims of bad
guesses by their leaders are disappear
ing from the family of nations"
I agree fully with your rebuke to those
who voted to obstruct national defense
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1940-09-11
How Questions
Are Answered

The incoming letters are opened,
stamped with date, and given to the
assignment desk. Here they are read
and distributed to the researchers ac-
cording to type Of inquiry. The answers
are not known offhand, but have to be
searched for. When the research work
is done and the replies have been typed,
the letters are read at the editorial desk
Tor accuracy, then sent to the depart
ment OF outgoing mail. Join the hosts
OF people who use The Stars Informa-
tim
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1940-09-11
Regrets WILKES Comment
On Destroyer Trade.

To the Editor Of The Star.
1t is a pity that Mr.. Willkie qualified
his Endorsement of the air base-destroyer
action of the administration, when he
must have known that whatever the
disapproval of other measures, this one
was Endorsed by the overwhelming ma
jority of our people. I cannot help feel
ing that there are many Americans like
myself, who had definitely decided to
vote for Mr. Willkie who are beginning
to doubt him. c. H. H. RUMBOLD,
Covington. Va.
September 7.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1940-09-11
Letters to the Editor

Letters to the Editor must
bear the name and address OF
the trriter. although the use Of
a pseudonynt for publication is
permissible. The Star reserves
the right to edit all letters NTH
q UietO 10 condensation.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1940-09-11

Editors Note: The official roll calls,
setting forth in detail the division OF
Republican and Democratic Uote on
the Fish amendment and on the Sc
lectiUe serDice bill itself, 1Uere pub
hshed in The Star OF September 8.
The Star editorial comment 1Das d.
rected at the danger of delay: did not
attempt to place responsibility either
tDith parties or personalities.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1940-09-11
Asks Reason for Capital
Letter Distinction.

To the Editor of The Star.
have noticed that in practically all
books and newspapers the word Pas
cism" is spelled with a capital "F," yet
democracy" is spelled with a small ID"
Why should this be-? Certainly, if Fas-
cism rates capital letter, democracy
does, too. LEOLA HESSOM.
September 1.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1940-09-11

Give Hundred on w. P. A. to Be
Trained for Defense" ran a recent
headline. That is news, and would
have been even better news II 1t had
been put into type a year or two ago.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1940-09-11

A Republican Senator is quoted in
your issue of September 8 as accusing
Henry A. Wallace of casting AN out
rageous slur" in asserting that Repub-
hcans were Constructing" national de-
Tense, and the Senator is further quoted
as follows:
The historical character of this &C
cusatlon is apparent from a check Of
Republican votes in House and Senate.
Whlch snow overwhelming support of
the national defense program. Demo-
Gratis, on the contrary, have led the oppo-
sition to the Presidents program. as
every reader of the newspapers is aware"
My check of votes on national de-
Tense measures as recorded in the Con-
gressional Record shows the reverse of
what the distinguished Senator alleges
Now what I and many other readers
Of the newspapers" and The Star in
particular, would appreciate, on the part
of The Star, is unbiased, nonpartisan
comment on national defense matters.
Why lambaste the House" and its leg
islative Leaders" when the vote of the
House on the most vital defense measure
was as follows:
For selective service:
Democrats ------------86l2 per cent
Republicans ------3O A"
For delay:
Democrats --------------26 per cent
Republicans 8612
The percentages given are of the votes
OF the membership of each party.
Why not give us the facts concerning
which party shows Overwhelming sup
port OF the national defense program"
and which party leads "the opposition?
Is there not in this great Capital Of
the Nation one newspaper upon which
lifelong resident of "voteless Washing
tom may rely for the truth, the whole
truth and nothing but the truth? MY
dependence for that virtue has for many
years been upon The Star. Please do not
fail US in your editorial comment upon
the most vital question of these critical
days-national defense. REF.
September 9.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1940-09-11
A Booklet on Astronomy

Send today for the booklet, AsTRON-
OMY, which tells about the earth. sun.
moon, stars and planets. In question and
answer form this publication SURVEYS
the entire field of astronomy from, the
earliest times. 1t is illustrated, indexed.
and is authoritative. This booklet car
r1es the answers to more than 500 of the
questions most frequently asked our bu-
reau. To secure your copy inclose 10
cents in coin, wrapped in this clipping.
Name
Street
City
State
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1940-09-11

Q. Why are imitation windows
painted on barns?-D. HIM.
A. The custom was brought to the
united States from Europe. 1t was
started there in order to avoid window
tax and at the same time to give an
appearance of af1uence.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1940-09-11

@ How much hydrochlortc acid is
there in the stomach?-N. T.
A. The gastric juice secreted in the
stomach contains OF to GA per cent Of
free hydrochloric acid.
The Wilmington morning star., 1940-07-10
1t Might Happen Here

To get the picture Of what has befallen
France, one might substitute the United States
for that former great nation with General
Pershing at the head Of a dummy govern
ment, instead of Marshal Petain. It makes
one shudder, naturally, but it is within the
realm of possibility if Hitler should prevail in
Europe and meet equal success on this side of
the Atlantic later on.
The government in France, which is to be
headed by the hero of Verdun, will be a
puppet government. Petain will be merely
the agent of Berlin, commissioned only to car
ry out orders issuing from the German CAPT.
tai. The life Of France, and the lives Of French
men, will be regulated for the sole benefit of
the Nazi regime which Hitler has endowed with
supreme power. The Ian will be a feudal
state, the people serfs.
And that America might be reduced to the
same condition is not impossible. Any land
which comes under the thumb of the fuehrer
can exist only in this subservient state. If
America is to avoid the fate of France it
must settle down seriously and unitedly to
dustries and its manpower to defense on a
oSo4S W414S1 a AN &SSAA4 ~ HStSy
or departmental chickering's. It must centralize
it's defense authority so that controversies,
now so frequent between separate arms of the
service, cannot thwart national impregna-
bility.
France was forced to surrender largely by
the ineffciency of its leaders who could not
lay aside personal prejudices or hopes of per-
sonal profit, and so held production of necess-
airy military equipment far below par during
the time that Hitler had Germany fully organ
lied for war. France lacked tanks, planes,
shells, guns, when the test came, because the
men in whose charge production had been con-
centrated would not yield to the advice OF
their industrial engineers for capacity produc-
ton. They were pickering about gun bores and
plane types When they should have been turn
ing them out, as their engineers designed
them, as fast as their plants could produce
them on 24-hours-a-day shifts.
Something of this sort is seen in this coun-
try. Unless it is halted now-not at some re-
mote time in the fu+ure-the United States
will have no reason to hope that it can defeat
the forces of totalitarianism whenever they
make up their minds that an American cam
paign promises them success. No high total
of appropriations can turn the trick, howeve
hard congress works to provide money for de-
tense. It will take high pressure production,
high pressure training, on a unified program
to make this country safe.
The Wilmington morning star., 1940-07-10
Tax Consciousness

Wilmingtonians are as anxious as Americans
anywhere in the country to do their share in
paying for defense. But they are rebellious at
the predisposition in some quarters to hike the
cost of commodities above the defense tax
which went into effect on July 1. They COM
plain, for example, that they are compelled to
pay five cents more a carton for cigarettes,
above the fve-cent tax.
Dealers report that wholesalers are charg-
ing them an additional nickel a carton. Does
this mean that the wholesalers are imposing
the tax, as well as the retail dealers, thus hit
ting the purchaser twice, or merely that they
are Selling the opportunity for larger profits?
In either case the buyer is the victim Of injus-
tice. And it is on the buyer the government
must depend for defense funds.
It is not the purpose to do injury to any firm
or business. But it would seem that there is
something here which calls for investigation by
federal revenue agents. Cigarettes are not the
only item upon which the price had advanced
in excess Of the tax, but are chosen as an illus
tration only because of their wide use. The
government cannot afford to allow the tax con-
seriousness of the people to be weakened by any
tendency toward profteering.
The Wilmington morning star., 1940-07-10
The Water Carnival

Wrightsville Beach is preparing for a bigger
and better water carnival this year than has
ever been held there, according to Bernard
Solomon, the executive director. There will be
an aquacade, swimming contests, races by sail
and motor boats and-by no means the least
important-a baby parade. Many features of
an interesting and thrilling program are still to
be determined, but we may be sure the event
will surpass all previous high marks.
1t is fortunate that a full month still inter-
venes before the starters gun for the first con-
test will be fired. With so much time at their
disposal the promoters and the many commit
tees with special duties will be able to smooth
out all kinks in their arrangements and see to
it that the carnival moves with the smoothness
of a well oiled machine.
It also will be possible to exploit the carnival
more widely and assure larger attendance and,
consequently, greater success.
The Wilmington morning star., 1940-07-10
Local Defense Council

The primary purpose of the Wilmington De-
tense C~o-ordinating Council, which was organ
lied with Sheriff c. David Jones in command
on Monday night, is to form a cooperative
group to lay a plan of action to take effect in
event Of invasion, sabotage, fire or other dis
~aster."
This, of course, means that the council will
direct the activities of an organization whose
functions will be those of a home guard, and
in which there will be opportunity for service
for all loyal Wilmingtonians.
An executive committee is to be named and
a general plan of action to be drafted. 1t is,
therefore, too soon to say what the council will
map out for each unit within its Jurisdiction;
but it is to be assumed that whoever wants to
do a good job in protection of the city in any
emergency will be given his chance.
There will be great personal satisfaction in
this for many citizens who, because Of age or
other obstacle, are unable to perform active
military duties, should it become necessary to
raise a large force of men at arms, but who
The Wilmington morning star., 1940-07-10
Port Terminal Urqed

The recommendation OF a special committee
to the county commission that Wilmington pro-
coed with the construction of public port
terminals is in keeping with the best interests
of the city. It is inconceivable that final
action by the city and county will be con-
trary to this recommendation.
At a meeting early in June in which dele
cations from the city, county and port COM
missions participated, and the whole port
situation was discussed, the chairman, Cyrus
Hogue, named the special committee to look
into available sites, probable cost and DOS.
sible commerce, with instructions to report
its findings and make recommendations for
or against public facilities. It was brought
out at that session that private terminals
would not be placed under a handicap through
competition with a public terminal nasmuch
as the project would build its business in
commodities not handled by them; that the
prime object of the undertaking was to at
tract new to the port which, be-
them now, were reaching tidewater elsewhere.
particularly at Norfolk and Charleston.
1t is with the object to draw additional
to Wilmington that this committee
has recommended public terminals be built.
Although events in Europe have changed the
picture somewhat since that meeting in early
June, there is no good reason to believe that
the enterprise has lost any of its potential
benefits for the city and port. Foreign COM
merce is at a standstill, but coastal trade
must 60 on, as must trade among the Ameri-
cas-. If Wilmington is to have its fair share
of this business, there must be additional
facilities on the waterfront for taking care
of cargoes which can be made available when
they are built.
A strong public sentiment reinforcing the
recommendations of the committee will make
a favorable decision easier for the authorities
who must take final action on the project.