davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1940-02-02
Poyin9 the Oil Companies

Valuation of the Mexican oil prop
critics which were appropriated from
the foreign-owned companies in
March, 1888, is going forward pur-
suant to the decision of the Mexican
Supreme Court in December uphold
ing the appropriation and directing
that compensation, determined in
accordance with Mexican constitu-
tional procedure, be made within ten
years.
The valuation now Is entirely
unilateral, the American oil compa-
mics having refused to participate,
preferring to stand on their figure of
$150,000,0 900 rather than be parties to
a procedure which, they at least felt,
was certain to produce a figure
nearer the preliminary Mexican
estimate of ten or fifteen million
dollars than their own.
At the same time that President
Cardenas reaff1rms Mexico's intention
to pay the foreign oil firms on the
basis of the procedure now under
way, he warns that when the value is
finally arrived at there will be no
further negotiation on the matter,
either with the companies or the
American Government. And he fails
to see any reason why the contro-
verSy should be submitted to inter-
national arbitration.
The effort to forestall, even before
1t occurs, any attempt by the United
States Government to resort to arbi-
tration is manifestly unwise on the
part of the Mexican President, for
the American Government has, as
yet, made no move toward arbitra-
ton. What course the American
Government will take will not be
known until the Mexican valuation
ic completed.
The American Government has
conceded Mexico's right to expropri-
ate properties of our nationals, but
insists, with all propriety, that ex-
preparation presupposes adequate
compensation, without which the ex-
preparation becomes sheer conf1sca-
ton. While there appears to be no
disposition on the part of this Gov
eminent to support any demands by
the oil companies which may be based
upon excessive capitalization of their
properties or upon uncertain future
values, this Government has already
obligated itself to insist upon ade-
quate compensation.
What constitutes adequate pay
ment is subject to widely varying
opinions, determination of which
may have to be left to some such
arbitral procedure as provided for by
the 1929 inter American treaty, to
which both the United States and
Mexico are signatories. If 1t appears
that arbitration is the only course
left to reconcile divergent valuations,
the most reasonable course Is to seek
the decision of disinterssted arbiters.
Mexico's fear that she may be re-
quired to pay sum which is beyond
her present capacity is understand
able, but 1t would be far better for
Mexico's position among nations to
accept an arbitral decision, even If 1t
is higher than she believes right,
than to close the door to amicable
settlement.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1940-02-02
Letters to the Editor

Letters to the Editor must
bear the name and address OF
the ,Driter. although the use OF
a pseudonyn for publication is
permissible. Please be brief!
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1940-02-02
Entered as second-class matter post once.
Washington. D. c.
Member of the Associated Press.

=. 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.
All rights Of publication of special dispatches
herein also are reserved
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1940-02-02
Expresses Appreciation

Expresses Appreciation
For Mile o Dimes Solicitors.
To the Editor Of The Star:
To the men who stood for hours In
bitter cold weather, soliciting dimes, We
think much praise should be given.
Surely theirs was = labor Of love.
January 30. Mrs. q. a. 3.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1940-02-02

@. What garden did Galsworthy say is
the loveliest one in the world?-F. T. M.
A. The Magnolia Gardens on the Ash
ley River, IL miles from Charleston, S. G.
They were laid out early in the 10Th CEN
fury by the Rev. John Grimke Drayton,
who brought the first azalea indica plants
from the Orient. Now there are millions
of azalea blossoms, camellias, wistaria,
roses, magnolia grandiflora, live oaks
with Spanish moss and pools, artistically
arranged to bring out the beauties of the
gardens. Galsworthy said: Nothing so
free and gracious, so lovely and wistful.
nothing so richly colored yet so ghostlike
exists, planted by the sons of men. Be-
yond anything I have ever seen, 1t is
other worldly. To this day have seen
no garden SO beautiful as Magnolia
Gardens"
@. Why was Bertrand Russell, the
philosopher, imprisoned during the
World War?-T. C.
A. After the World War began he took
an active part in the mo CONSUMPTION"
movement and was fined as the author
of leafiet describing an early Christian
conscientious director. This led to his
being deprived Of his lectureship at Trim
ity College, Cambridge. He was offered
post at Harvard, but was refused q
passport He had intended to give q
course OF lectures (afterward published
In America as Political Ideals, 1887.
but was prevented by military authori.
ties. In 1918 he was sentenced to Six
months imprisonment for an article he
had written in the Tribunal. ,u~
@. should like to learn SONS poadj0fS
on drafting . family budget chat u
practically. v.
!. See page IA Of today's Star. u
Evening star., 1940-11-18
Tunnhuuser'

Richard Wagner was the greatest
Of operate composers, and Tam
hauSer" is one Of the most deServedIy
popular Of his creations. Such is the
verdict of universal public today.
Yet when the majestic melodies of
the pilgrims Chorus" and the Song
to the Evening Star" first were heard
in Paris in March, 1861, they were
hooted by a mob. 1t was supposed
that a natiOnaliStic challenge had
been concealed in the libretto if not
in the score, and the chauvinistic
P French court of Napoleon III was
only too willing to believe the charge.
A later generation knows that the
sponsor Of the work was concerned
more definitely with the struggle be-
tween Christian idealism and the
remnants of paganism. His purpose
was the same as that which sub
sequently was to prompt the writing
of "ParSifal."
But a listener need not be familiar
with the circumstances under which
'Tannhauser" was produced. The
prOverbial visitor from Mars would
respond to grandeur of harmony so
patiently profound, so richly SYM
pathetic. Not often has it happened
that any composer has brought forth
such a lengthy sequence of tonal
pictures to crafty the Imagination
Of an audience. Wagner was indeed
a painter of coSmic concords. His
genius was graphic. That he was
devoted to Shakespeare in his boy
hood is a legend that is easy to
accept. His earliest attempt at opera
was based on Measure for Measure"
The composer, however, never was
entirely dependent upon reading for
his inspiration A voyage to London
gave him the materials for the
storms he was to represent in THE
Flying Dutchman" The spiritual
tempest in "Tannhauser," it safely
may be suggested, developed from an
experience or his own sensitive soul.
He shared in the struggle which is
the lot of all other men in their quest
for faith To hear the more i'm
pOrtant portions of the opera as they
are performed in the recordings
offered in the second music apprecia-
ton campaign of The Star is to dis
cover this search for an infinitely
noble and beautiful motive of human
life. 1t follows that, especially in a
time like the tumultuous present,
there is a medicine for the sorrowing
heart in Wagner's achievement. He
was one of those who strove to the
end that existence may be tolerable
in a bewildering world.
Evening star., 1940-11-18
FOretells DiSilluSionment
OF New Deal PartiSans.

To the Editor of The Star:
Now that all the shouting is over, it is
time for sensible people to do some tall
thinking.
During the campaign New Deal orators
dWelt upon the terrible days of 1882, and
yet no one has taken into consideration
the fact that the Republican adminis-
trations prior to the New Deal left the
country in such excellent shape finan-
cially that in spite of sixty billions of
dollars squandered we still are sound
economically.
I should like to have some Roosevelt
admirer advance a solution to the prob
lem of the depression which surely will
follow this current war boom. Does any
one believe the Government will be able
to prime the pump" and hand out ad-
ditional subsidies for the needy when We
are in debt seventy-five billions of dol
lars?
In 1914 and 1945 the people will real
ize that the backbone of the Nation was
broken in the grand years of the New
Deal, when a billion spent was just
drop in the bucket Then the great
humanitarian will lose his halo and
even the lowliest of laborers will bemoan
the headaches and remorse that always
follow . borrowed spending splurge.
HANK.
Evening star., 1940-11-18
United Responsibility

Evidence of the effectiveness Of the
traffic safety campaign which has
been carried on continuously by Off
cialS and citizens Of Washington for
more than two years is contained in
the statement made by the Assistant
Director of Traffic to the Eastern
Conference Of Motor Vehicle Admin
iStratOrs that the National Capital
now has the lowest pedestrian death
rate of any city in the 100000 pOpula-
ton class. This year such fatalities
have decreased II per cent here, as
compared with a national increase
of 7.3 per cent for all such cities.
But the gain still is not enough. In
October seven persons lost their lives,
four of them pedestrians, and 230
walkers and 1872 motorists were in
iured Accompanying these figures
are results of surveys made from time
to time over a period Of years. Five
years ago, it was found. 18 per cent Of
observed pedestrians were being de-
MED right of way by motorists With
in recent weeks 27 per cent were be
Ing interfored with while attempting
to make proper Gro sings. In 1884 Of
all walkers watched 36 per cent vio-
lated rules now incorporated in the
Eafety regulations. while five months
after pedestrian protection was
adopted only 11.2 per cent disobeyed
the regulations.
This puts the problem, along with
several others, directly on the door
step of certain types Of drivers. Il has
been obvious that most pedestrians
are making an effort to Cooperate
for mutual safety. But that some
motorists are not is evident.
Correction through more drastic
police action is limited by the ability
of officers to observe violations, and
later to obtain witnesses. But an eff
fective weapon remains in public
opinion which must be aroused to
sustained high pitch so accidents
may cease to be committed on
Washtngton's streets. Responsibility,
of course, is that Of each individual.
He must, for his own safety and be-
cause Of his duty as a citizen, know
his rights and responsibilities. EX-
ercising common sense in relation
to the former and observing the lat
ter thoughtfully is the only means
by which the desired community
safety may be achieved.
Evening star., 1940-11-18
THIS AND THAT
By Charles E. Trdce1UeH.

Dear Sir:
mot many days ago was thinking of
taking the liberty of writing you a line
to ask if you would not drive through
Rock Creek Park to see the beauty of
the autumn foliage, and to give your
many readers your impression of the
beauty to be found there.
To-day I find in The Star your letter
which shows your appreciation of that
wonderful place. My thanks are due
you for your interesting letter.
"Verv respectfully, A. C. A."
This good letter calls renewed atten-
ton to a wonderful place. indeed.
Rock Greek Park, including the Ma
tional Geological Park familiary and
properly known as the Zoo. is now in
the center of Greater WASHINGTON.
1t draws persons from all parts of the
city. therefore, eager to secure COM
munion with nature. Fortunately. this
meeting is one which may be achieved
by persons at all ages.
The toddler and the Old the young
and the middle aged men, women, bows
and girls all can meet as much nature
as they wish in Rock Creek Park.
There Will be wild animals, too Of the
smaller sorts, but if the Wayfarer de-
sires acquaintance with the greater
beasts, he can find them. too. nicely
housed and Gagged, in the grounds Of the
Zoo
Persons aWheeI afoot and on horseback
find themselves perfectly at home in the
great Rock Greek Park. which. though
wild enough for any one, yet possesses
attributes of civilization.
There are roads bride paths and walks
Of all kinds, with little bridges and other
helps to the traveller
This is as it should be A park is
after all, a park, a place inclosed. That
seems to be the primary meaning. In
English law a park is a piece Of ground
inclosed and stored with beasts Of the
chase, which a man may have by pre-
SCriptiOn, or the Kings grant
The second meaning was a tract Of
ground kept in the natural state. about
or adjacent to a residence. Both of
these basic meanings are familiar to the
readers Of Jane Austen.
A modern meaning, and one with
which We Of America are more familiar.
is piece Of ground. in or near a city or
town, inclosed and kept for ornament
and recreation.
The fourth meaning is military. and
is space occupied by the animals,
wagons, pontoons. etc, when brought to-
gether; also the objects themselves,
when grouped.
In small towns of America many per-
sons speak Of the chicken park. meaning
the inclosed runway where the chickens
are exercised
All Of these IDEAS Of park, il may be
seen, include that of incIosure as basic
Sometimes, as in a zoo, this IS secured
by a fence.
In many modern city parks, especially
those Of the size of our own Rock Greek
Evening star., 1940-11-18
Misguided Ordtory

In Enthusiastically f1ambOyant
language, John L. Lewis has asserted
that this Nation faces war or depres-
sion if it continues "chained to
Frankenstein" of military expendi-
lures. In a limited sense, that state
ment is correct Certainly, we face
the possibility that we may have to
put our new armament to the test of
conflict, and it is equally true that
a prosperity erected on an expanding
war industry is likely at some time
to give way to depression.
But Mr.. Lewis, in keeping with
his already familiar attitude on the
question of national defense, wholly
ignores the even greater danger
which faces the United States. At
no point in his annual report to the
c. I. o. did he indicate that he has
the slightest conception of the dis
aSter which can befall any country
in this War-mad world which is not
fully prepared for the test of battle
that may come at any time. Mr.
Lewis, it is true, calls for a national
defense adequate to the defense of
our Shores" but that is an utterly
meaningless expression. Perhaps he
considers our present Navy sufficient
for the kind of defense he has in
mind; possibly he would approve of
some increases, but in any event it
must be assumed that he cOntem-
plates a preparedness effort sub
stantially below that which we are
now making. Otherwise, his protest
against current expenditures for
arms would be SenseleSs.
But this is a matter concerning
which the great majority Of Ameri-
cans have made up their minds.
They have witnessed the defeat of
other nations which sought security
in what was considered a minimum
defense; they have observed the ter
rible oppression and suffering which
has been the lot of these defeated
peoples. With the exception of Mr..
Lewis and the few for whom he
speaks, it has become abundantly
clear to all that the risk of defeat in
battle is much more to be feared
than running the risk of war or
depression which is involved in our
Evening star., 1940-11-18
Pun-Americun Relations

It was constructive criticism Of a
most friendly sort which an eminent
South American journalist, Senator
Enrique Santos of Bogota, Colombia,
offered to the people Of the United
States in an address last week
before the Washington Board Of
Trade. In this country in COnneC-
ton with the award to himself and
three other distinguished neWSpa-
permen from Latin America Of the
Cabot prizes for promoting inter-
American friendship, Senator Santos
deplOred the lack Of sympathetic in
tereSt in and understanding Of Latin
American affairs that has prevailed
in the United States in the past.
Friendship" he said, lis based on
knowledge. which does not exist, un-
fortunately; at least it does not exist
in the United States. To the
people Of the United States, Latin
America is a vague COngIOmeratiOn,
of whose limits and language they
are uncertain He expressed regret
that the North American press does
not devote more space to news and
information from the southern re-
publics-"other than catastrOphes."
Senator Santos called attention to
an especially weak point in our past
relations with Central and South
America, a weakness having to do
with that foundation stone Of inter
national comfy and unjty-trade.
While North America and. in fact,
other democratic lands have failed to
make the most of commerce OppOr-
tunities in the Latin American cOun-
tries, Germany has spared no effort
to seize the advantage and to exploit
it to the fullest. This economic
blitzkrieg," as Senator Santos termed
1t. has been Waged with COnSummate
skill and cleverness by Nazi statesmen
who we're, at the same time, Nazi
diplomatistS. American statesmen
have not been properly trained to
meet this economic diplomacy, and
they have, of course, been handi
capped by tariffs and other trade re-
strictiOnS.
But Senator Santos is far from
pessimiStic about the future. The
war is bringing about an understand
ing and solidarity that is diSpelling
differences and making the hemi-
sphere strong. The good neighbor'
program is producing results. The
appointment of Nelson Rockefeller
as co-ordinator Of commercial and
cultural relations between the United
States and Latin America is real
istic step toward intercontinental
Evening star., 1940-11-18
Electoral College
Abolition Opposed
Reader Says Institution
Restricts Operation of
Political Machines
To the Editor of The Star:

To the Editor of The Star:
Senator Lodge of Massachusetts has
made a serious mistake in proposing to
substitute the popular vote of the en-
tire electorate Of the United States in
presidential elections, instead of the
present system of voting by States,
through the so-called electoral college.
Anything that enlarges the voting dis
trict Weakens the effect of the individ-
ual vote. The ward. the town or city,
the county, the State and finally the
whole Union Of States. represent the
progressive enlargement of the voting
unit. and in the same scale the gradual
submergence of the voting power of the
individual. The larger the unit, the
greater the danger of influences that
would end in the destruction of the
Republic itself.
The State of New Jersey offers an in
teresting example of popular vote ver-
sus votes by political subdivisions Be-
cause of conditions in Jersey City, under
Mayor Hague. the popular vote of the
State was for the third-term candidate
for President, but both houses of the
State Legislature will be Republican. be-
cause in voting for members of the Leg
islature. the effect of the votes in jersey
City does not extend beyond the limits
of Hudson County. in which Jersey City
is located The 20 other counties viii
be represented in the Legislature by
members of their own choice.
This voting by county units permits
the political disease of Jersey City to be
limited, by a political quarantine. to
Hudson County. It also tends TO pre-
serve the principle Of home rule
In the electoral college, a political
disease which may be epidemic in any
State. is limited in its effect. il the
election Of President. to the electoral
vote assigned to that State. The whole
system of our Federal and State gov
ernmentS is a device 10 protect the peO-
pie from their own follies and weak
nesses. The great need today is an
electorate with a more intelligent in
terest IN public affairs and with higher
standards OF morality.
The foresight of the men who framed
our Federal Constitution was marvellous.
Every one of the moves Of recent yoars
tending to increase the powers of the
Federal Government was a move toward
the destruction Of the Republic.
The amendment providing for a Fed
eral income tax, without a limit. was A
serious mistake.
The amendment providing for the
election of members of the Senate by
popular vote in the State instead of by
the State Legislature has not improved
the personnel Of the Senate.
The prohibition amendment was such
9larlng mistake that 1t was repealed
The misnamed child labor amend
ment that has been hanging fire for
Is years is a yeiled attack on the family
and should not be ratified.
1t would be better TO amend the WAYS
of the people than to amend the Con-
stitution. JAMES EMERY BROOKS.
Glen Ridge, N. ].
Evening star., 1940-11-18

harmony. The visits to this country
of Latin American military chiefs
following the Panama and Havana
agreements, should make for security
Other moves for Pan-American CO.
ordination and cooperation un-
doubtedly are in prospect. 1t is
unfortunate that it is taking the
repercussions of war to bring about
the mutual good will that the plati-
tudeS of peaCetime never could
achieve in the Americas. Once this
unity is gained, by whatever process,
the peoples of the Western Hemi-
sphere must never suffer it to Ian
OIlich
Evening star., 1940-11-18
THE LISTENING pos
Criticizes Willkie for Reference
To Private Capital.
To the Editor OF The Star

To the Editor OF The Star:
Wendell Willkie, in his radio talk last
Monday night, said with regard to build
inc new plants and machinery for the
defense program: The building of new
plants and new machinery for the de-
fense program should be accomplished
by private capital There should be
no Matchmaking under the guise of
defense of any American industry with
a consequent outlay of Federal funds" 8"
I read into the above quotation that
the speaker would leave it to private
capital to decide as to how fast to carry
out our defense program. The same
representatives Of business could decide
As to whether aid was to be given Britain
and how quickly and in what quantity.
No wonder that Britain greeted the
news of Mr.. Roosevelts election with
great JOY. j. MARTIN SCRANAGE.
Evening star., 1940-11-18
Offers Suggestions to Relieve
Traffic Congestion.

Traffic Congestion
To the Editor Of The Star:
One hears arguments for and against
bridges and tunnels to span the Potomac
and Anacostia Rivers. One or two s-ruc-
lures probably could be used to great ad-
vantage, but certainly this will not al
leviate the congestion of traffic that is
so prevalent in the downtown section of
Washington. At first glance the auto
mobile is blamed for this condition. but
I do not believe this to be the funda-
mental cause. Our transportation IA
cilities are inadequate at the present
time to meet the demands made upon
them by so great city, and the prob
lem will become more Washing
ton growing at the pace it is. The best
time to reCtify prevailing conditions is
now.
suggestion to this end would be 10
eliminate the trolley tracks from the
main arteries. BY this I do not mean
the elimination of the trolley car. as I
am one Of those persons whose preferred
mode of transportation is the streetcar.
The tracks could be depressed begin
ming in front of the Treasury Building on
Pennsylvania avenue and continuing
through G street to the opposite side of
the Civil Service Commission Building.
and in this way all cars would be able to
move through the G street tube. the
trolleyS having the right Of way to them
selves. The same is true Of Fourteenth
street. where the cars could subway from
the foot of the hill at Pennsylvania ave-
nue. and ascend between K street and
Thomas Circle. Stairways could be To-
Gated on the sidewalks for passengers to
descend to the loading platforms This
most certainly would reduce a great
many pedestrian accidents.
The cost of these improvements could
be assessed against the Capital Transit.
whose operating costs would be lowered.
together with the merchants in the
downtown area whose selling opportuni-
ties would be enhanced by more favor
able traffic facilities, and if need be. some
of it could be borne by the people of
Washington, as they would benefit by
such plan in the long run.
GEORGE ACKER.