davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1940-04-12
Cherry Blossoms
Through branches interlaced

Through branches interlaced with
cleaning sky
And blossoms delicate with shadows
shifting,
Softly. one by one, the petals drifting
Float lightly as q snow-white butterfly
Upon the tapping water, where they lie,
Their loneliness scarce lessened in the
rifting
From stem and golden heart by breezes
lifting:
In beauty they have lived; in beauty die.
Though short the Towering time and
swift the death;
No bounteous yield Of ripe and glistening
fruit,
Yet still the thirsting heart must be
content
In that which lifts the spirit, stops tina
breath:
To see exquisiteness SO absolute
ana gong such thing Of wonderment,
MARION a. ADD1NoToN
Evening star., 1940-04-12
Sees Pedestrians Caught"
When Lights Change.
To the Editor OF The Star:

10 tHe LultoI ol Inc cLdf
Reading the statistics on automobile
accidents during the first quarter Of
this year in The Sunday Star, noticed
no mention Of one factor that to my
mind might be of importance in finding
the answer to this problem. In fact,
have never even heard a pedestrian
complain of this wrong that prevails
in every city where there are traffic
lights. And if the police are aware of
it they never let it be known.
Many of the deaths and most of the
injuries are caused, we are told. by
pedestrians crossing on the red light.
Now, do good deal Of walking about
the District. I have never seen any
one cross on red light except when
there were no cars visible for some dis
tance. But I have seen a pedestrian
caught in the middle Of the street, Just
beyond the safety zone, and almost
without an exception the cars get up
speed without giving that person
chance to reach the curb-often pinning
him in between two lines of cars I
believe it is, therefore, plain why the
persons injured and killed are so often
over 60-they cannot make the speed
getting to the curb that the younger
ones can. often have had to Jump to
escape injury
1t may be that the driver feels that
the person was crossing against the
light and has not sufficient intelligence
to realize that he may have started on
a green light. But feel the real answer
is that the average automobile driver
typifies the spirit of our age-might
makes right. Whether it is Hitler,
policeman with club or gun against
helpless strikers, or a car against pc
destrian-it is all the same spirit-"I
am the stronger, so you better get out
OF the way"
This is not to say that the pedestrian
is never wrong. He often crosses the
street in the wrong place. But I repeat,
I have never seen pedestrian cross on
the crosswalk against a red light with
traffic coming. 1t may happen-but GER
tainly not as often as the car menaces
change E. B. MURPHY,
April I.
Editors Note: Traffic statistics re-
veal no deaths resulting from pedes-
trians being caught" by the red light
after starting across the street on the
green light. If any injuries were thus
caused, The Star is unaware of them,
The chief cause Of traffic deaths is
failure by pedestrians to observe the
safety rule of crossing the street at
cross walks)
Evening star., 1940-04-12
Denmark Not Forgotten

The eyes of the world may be
focused upon Norway for the mo-
ment, but the people of Denmark
need not be in any doubt concerning
the sympathy of democratic nations.
Their little kingdom, with an area
of less than seventeen thousand
square miles, could not offer effective
resistance to the Nazi war machine.
Lacking natural defenses, possessing
only small army and a still smaller
navy, advantaged by no allies near
at hand, familiar as it necessarily
was with the fate of Czecho- -Slovakia,
Poland and Finland, the Copenhagen
government was obliged to submit
without a struggle.
Denmark, however, is far from
being lost. The strength Of the weak,
as history proves, often is more
dynamic force than the strength of
the strong. During the Napoleonic
period, for example, the Danes suf-
fered very much the same coercion
as that to which they are subjected
today, but they survived the ordeal
and, in the Judgment Of the more
philosophic chroniclers, were advan-
tagged by it. Twice their ancient
capital was laid in ruins-in 1901 by
Nelson and in 1907 at the command
Of Canning-yet the destruction
served merely to provide opportunity
for the building Of fairer city. In
political affairs, the result of the
troubles Of the reign Of Frederick VI
was the replacement of absolutism
by constitutional processes. SINH
larly, when Slesvig and Holstein were
taken by Germany in 1854 there was
compensation in q renaissance Of
national feeling whose influence still
is felt In art and literature.
Little peoples, 1t seems, have a way
Evening star., 1940-04-12

startling columns in your paper last
Friday evening I have seen for manv
months
Mr.. Vile, rich in experience and with
a profound knowledge of men and world
analrs has an unusual capacity for
saying the things he thinks. What he
thinks about the war conditions and our
relations to them as stated SO forcefully
In this article, should challenge the
deepest thought and concern of every
American.
While I cannot bring myself fully to
believe his implications are wholly ac-
curate that the chances favor Germanv's
winning the war and therefore we should
get into 1t, yet say to myself, What if
these things are true?" Are we in Amer
lea fiddling while democracy is burning?
Mr.. Wile's remarkable article will
shock many of us into more thinking:
perhaps 1t may shock some into more
definite acting.
His remarkably strong article tends to
make me feel that we should give everv
possible assistance to the allies short of
actually going into the war. And this
includes the repeal of our prohibition
against lending credit for supplies to
England and France.
I heard DR.. Carruthers preach a chal-
longing sermon at the Covenant-First
Presbyterian Church Sunday morning on
the same theme of our going into war,
While he took an entirely opposite view
OF the situation from Mr.. Vile, yet from
the pulpit he paid Mr. Vile the highest
compliment ever heard given to
columnist from any pulpit. DR.. Car
ruthers' idea is that our going into war
is in accord with the wisdom of man"
while our staying out is in accord with
the wisdom of God" The disastrous
effect of our following the wisdom of
man" in the previous Great War is ac-
cepted by DR.. Carruthers as definite
evidence that we should now use the
wisdom Of God" In the present situa-
ton
His attitude is that in the life and
death struggle between the two funda-
mental PHILOSOPHERS exemplified on the
one hand by Germany and on the other
by the allies, our sympathy and our
help should be thrown in on the side
OF the allies. We should give them every
assistance possible to us short of our
participation In the war. We also
should prepare our own defenses SO
thoroughly that we can protect ourselves
in any emergency.
He holds this Is in accord with the
wisdom Of God" Then he thinks we in
the United States should definitely set
about the tremendous task Of putting
our house in order. This may take us
many, many years. but it is the Job that
IS before us. We should Christtantze
America on the basis Of the Fatherhood
OF God and Brotherhood Of man. and
then have our long range objective the
Americanization OF the whole world
through Christianixed federation Of
peoples.
April 8. W. D. JAMESON.
Evening star., 1940-04-12
Form Problem

Among the more surprising facts
developed by the census is that there
is farm at Fifty-ninth street and
Lexington avenue, New York. It is
on the seventh floor of a department
store, where there Is q greenhouse.
BY governmental definition, a farm
is any place where more than two
hundred and fifty dollars worth of
agricultural products are produced
annually.
It is not known whether or not the
proprietor of the store actually
planned it that way. Perhaps when
he built his metropolitan STRAIT
osphere farm it was merely noble
experiment, like buying a sweep
stakes ticket. If so, he surely chimed
the gong. He and associates are no
longer economic royalists; they are
farmers, by cracky. They have
moved out of the doghouse and into
the sacred ranks Of agriculturists.
BY a stroke Of fate a lowly member
of the untouchable caste has over
night been elevated to the dizzy
rank of Brahmin.
The advantages are enormous.
Presumably If the store should need
money, 1t may be obtained by refus-
ing to grow wheat. corn, tobacco or
other soil depicting crops. Doubt
less other stores will rush to get on
the bandwagon; soon the fraternity
of hoorwalkers will have to discard
their time-honored symbol Of identi-
hcation, the buttonhole gardenia,
and replace it with the humble but
vigorous hayseed bouquet.
Evening star., 1940-04-12

Of prospering despite their Affections.
When 1t happens that, as in the
case of Belgium. in 1914, they are
invaded and their tiny territories
are made battle-ground, they may
strike back or they may consent to
violation; but they need not offer
excuses, they have nothing to apollo
gize for. The Danes of 1910 are no
more embarrassed than their fathers
OF a century and a quarter ago. In
America especially they are under
stood and appreciated.
Evening star., 1940-04-12
ARLINGTON, Va.

'Dear Sir:
For years your column has been of
great interest to me and my family. At
first we were interested In your tropical
fish stories, and although I hac three
aquariums at the time, eventually they
were given up, principally because OF
the expense involved.
Il have kept record of my bird
visitors as to when they arrive in the
yard each year.
my sister gave me the book entitled
Birds of America and so I have been
able to identify SO different varieties.
All this winter / have had twelve or
thirteen female cardinals and two males
feeding at the yard and window feeders.
"Al last summer the mockingbirds and
cardinals brought their young to the
window feeder for raisins and peanuts
At the window feeder we keep the choicer
tidbits, and at the yard feeder chick
feed and bread.
During the summer months we save
watermelon, honeydew and canteloupe
seeds for winter use.
* X
Because the titmice have become so
friendly at our window feeder, they have
become our favorites
"A year or SO ago they became so
tame they would fly in the kitchen WIN
dow to eat peanuts from saucer on the
window SILL
But one day my little visitor be-
came confused and flew against the wall
Realizing that the bird might have been
hurt, I stopped the practice. How
ever, the titmice do light on our hands
to get the peanuts we hold out to them
I'VE serve them two kinds of pea
nuts-the jumbo and the Spanish. 1t is
interesting to watch them select the
large ones first. and after they are gone,
then come the smaller kernels. Believe
1t or not, titmouse took a small pea
nut, flew to nearby dogwoOd tree, re-
turned to the supply, dropped the small
one and took larger peanut and flew
away
I'VE were interested in the letter of
F. P Of Alexandria, in your column of
~'&oAS StA @os al NliASll lac IcltIIGu 10 al
'albino cardinal
I'VE are sure the same bird visited our
yard on Sunday, February 49, and sew
eral times since that time.
We thought it was a cardinal, whether
male or female We did not know.
1T was feeding with cardinals.
I'VE have tried to keep our birds in
mind when we plant trees or shrubs.
endeavoring to select berry bearing
bushes.
This section is being built up so
fast, with resultant removing of trees,
that unless We make plans to keep our
birds they may leave us.
please excuse the length of this let
ter, but want you to know how we en-
Joy your articles, and then to tell you
how proud we are of our birds.
Sincerely yours, w. H. L."
Planning to keep your wildbirds is a
most excellent thing, and there is no
better time than now, the annual plant
ing time.
Evening star., 1940-04-12
The Navy Bill

Despite the spread of war in Europe
and the protests of responsible
administration officials, the Senate
Appropriations Committee, in the
name of economy, has reported
favorably to the Senate a badly
battered Navy bill-a measure car
rying an appropriation even lower
than that approved by the House. It
is interesting to review the whiting
processes to which this vital security
program has been subjected since it
emerged from the Navy Department
some months ago. AS drawn up last
May-before the outbreak of the
European war-the bill called for an
appropriation of $1,160, ,000, 900, most
ly for new ship construction and
plane purchases. When the measure
left the Budget Bureau it had been
reduced to SLOTS, 100000. After the
House had finished hacking away at
it the figure had shrunk to $967 ,000,-
900. The Senate committee pared
the sum down to 1868, ,797,478 and
passed it on to the Senate yesterday.
The Senate committee, fortu-
nately, eliminated no major projects
from the House bill and it disagreed
with the House recommendation
that work on two new battleships
be delayed until completion by the
Navy of study of the advisability
of building 650O0-ton battleships
instead of the planned 45,000-ton
type. The committee urged that
construction of the two 4500O-ton
capital ships and Of the other
vessels-including two cruisers, an
aircraft carrier, destroyers and sub
marines-be started without delay.
But the committee recommended
only $l,500,000 as the first INSTALL
ment on the battleship work,
although Admiral Harold r. Stark
and other experts had reiterated
that five times that amount would
be needed. The committee is to be
commended, however, for approving
a special request by the President
for $8,250,000. with which to improve
shipbuilding facilities.
1t is interesting to compare the
fate in this same Congress of another
bill, one providing aid for the farm
ers. AS it left the Budget Bureau,
the farm bill called for an appropri-
alton of $7s8,929,519 but as it passed
the Senate recently the measure had
been inflated beyond the billion
dollar mark. Thus, while the Navy
bill was being trimmed by $1l5,0O0,-
600, the farm bill was expanding by
more than $2OO,000,000, to provide
additional benefits for farmers. The
farmers undoubtedly will appreciate
that, especially in an election year.
But it is extremely doubtful that the
great majority of the American peo-
pie, now deeply concerned with the
threat to national security of world
af1ame with war. will appreciate the
unwise economy practiced on de-
fense appropriations by legislators
who have shown themselves willing
to pour out millions of Federal funds
to meet purely sectional demands.
The Senate-and particularly those
members of it who have been inclined
to scott at suggestions of further
aggression in Europe and elsewhere
would do we'll to ponder carefully
upon the latest developments across
the Atlantic before taking any step
that might handicap the Navy in
executing efficiently its vital mission
of guarding our shores.
Evening star., 1940-04-12
C0mmends Senator Barkley
For Courtesy to Senator Harrison,

To the Editor Of The Star:
1t was an act of the finest sportsman
ship and the highest magnanimitv on
the part of Senator Barkley when, as
Democratic leader of the Senate, he
congratulated Senator Harrison on the
manner in which he directed to a Sic
cessful conclusion the recent Senate ac-
ton on the Trade Agreement Act. Evi-
IDENTIFY, Senstor Barkley, an experienced
legislator himself, realized the many
barriers and opposing obstacles that
confronted Senator Harrison and so
appreciated the skill and patience with
which he brought this historic piece of
legislation to happy consummation.
Here is Senator Barkley's generous
estimate of Senator Harrison's work: II
am sure that not only the members of
the Senate, but likewise the American
people, appreciate his skill, diligence,
patience and persistence in fostering
this legislation. Personally, I want to
thank him"
With characteristic modesty, Senator
Harrison upon the Senate floor, in &C.
knowledging the words of his co-worker,
Senator Barkley, conveyed his thanks
to the Senator in this informal way: Il
thank the Senator, but let it go at that.
1t is through now"
The tribute of Senator Barkley re-
minds the outside world and those who
sit on the sidelines watching the pro-
gress of legislation here in the Capital,
that too often are we inclined to forget
that high type of leadership that brings
legislation of this unusual character into
a safe harbor. And while 1t is altogether
fitting that tribute should be paid to the
President and Secretary Hull for their
vision, courage and craftsmanship in
the matter of reciprocity, at the same
time it is unfortunate that in the stories
of the passage of the Trade Agreement
Act. there is little mention made of the
leadership displayed through the debate
by the Chairman of the Senate Finance
Committee, Senator Pat Harrison CT
Mississippi,
It should never be forgotten that
without that careful and tactful direc-
ton of Senator Harrison, this piece of
legislation for which the President and
Secretary Hull so valiantly fought, might
have failed Of passage. Only a man
who could have drawn to himself the
greatest loyalty of the members Of his
own committee, the great Finance Com
mittee Of the Senate, could have accom-
plished this result.
Throughout the debate on this great
measure, with infinite patience he main
tanned his fine poise and yet, without
bitterness or rancor, met the onslaught
Of the opponents Of this measure. In
deed, his kindness, tolerance, frankness
and understanding Of the other fellows
point Of view make his leadership in
any matter of legislation always irre-
sistible. JOSEPH P. TUMULTY.
April q.
Evening star., 1940-04-12
Letters to the Editor

Letters to the Editor must
Dear the name and address O,
me Urtter although the use OF
q psendonyn for publication Is
permissible. Please be brietI
Evening star., 1940-04-12
Vile Article On War
Called Thought Provoking.

To the Editor Of The Star:
You are to be commended for PUBLISH
ing, and Frederic William Wills Is to be
commended for writing one Of the most
Evening star., 1940-04-12

@: Is the house in which Clara Barton
was born still in existence?-E. D.
A. The house in which she was born
is still standing and is located 3la
miles north of North Oxford, Mass.
Henderson daily dispatch. (Henderson, N.C.) 1914-1995, 1940-08-15
Laurinburg Ships
l9l,7O0 Melons To
New York Mark ct
Daily Dispatch Bureau,
In the Sir Walter Hotel.

Raleigh, Aug. l5.-NeW Workers do
not have the fun Of Switching water
melons from ncighburing patches, but
they have This summer eaten almost
two hundred thousand shipped from
the LallrinbuTg section.
Harry T. WcScott, marketing spe-
cialiSt Of the State Department Of
Agriculture, did not give Il break
down showing how many of them
were consumed in the Harlem sector
nor how many seeds were picked
from Yankee ears after melon leaStS;
but he did Indicate that this season
was quite Il successful one from the
Tar Heel melon growers point Of
view.
Paintings were up some ten per
cent in comparison with last year
and prices were relatively high when
compared with some Of the earlier
districts, WeScott said.
Figures on truck shipments were
not available, but checkup OF rail
movements showed that GA car loads
went to 81 towns and cities in ID
states, the District Of Columbia, and
CANADA.
New York's 1911 700 Watermelons
in 2l3 cars constituted about one
third the total shipments. Pennsyl-
vania and Massachusetts received
1855 and &c cars, respectively. Balti-
more received more shipments by
boat,
MELONS averaging &c pounds and
larger, all varieties, U. S. No. |
grade or shipments containing high
percentage of No. Is ranged gen.
orally from 500 to 5000 car, us
ually melons averaging SO 10 80
pounds of larger brought premium
prices late in the season with sales
at as high as S275 to $500 car"
Wescott said.
The three principal varieties this
season were Tom Watsons, Cuban
Queens and Virginia Greys. WeScott
said that Il few years ago practically
all the melons grown commercially
were of the Tom Watson variety.
Henderson daily dispatch. (Henderson, N.C.) 1914-1995, 1940-08-15
Railroads Emerging From
Doldrums, Says Babson
CONTINUED From Page One)

NNOllllLlbSS IO'lt L 49,
current prices. From these few
rough statistics, readers can see that
railroad securities may be oVersold.
1t may be that Il constructive trans
formation is taking place in this in
dustry-thC ncrVc-CCnter Of our ma
tional defense.
1t looks to me as though railroad
investors are due for their first
"breall" in years. 1t is generally sup
posed the excess profits" tax bill
will call for taxes on profits in eX-
cess Of CD average earnings since
1896 md-or GU Il varying percent
age on invested capital. Congress
finally seems to realize that these
taxes must be liberal" because speed
on the defense program is vital. Con-
gress understands that it is better to
let industry make a dollar out OF
the program and get the job done
quickly than it is to spend months
fighting induStrialists and not get
ting the defense job done at all!
Rails Get Tax Break"
So it now looks as though bust
ness men would be given the option
of picking the method of excess
profit" taxation they prefer. The rail-
roads would naturally choose the
"invested' CAPITAL method inasmuch
as the maximum earned in recent
years is the 1910 expectation of
about per cent. Consequently, the
excess profits tax should not skim
the cream from the looked-for in
crease in railroad traffic ana rev.
enues. The excess profits tax will,
however, raise the dickens with
many an industrial company. The
rails, therefore, stand a chance of
regaining some of the popularity they
lost during the long years that they
have languished in the dog house.
Railroad traffic is now running on
ly slightly under the 1887 level. Over
the next six months it promises to
reach new highs since the Great De-
Henderson daily dispatch. (Henderson, N.C.) 1914-1995, 1940-08-15

she felt the web closing in on her.
She had been afraid that she would
be caught on Terry's wedding
night.
why did you decide to turn
states evidence, Miss Alderman?
the tones of the chief prosecutor
asked behind Mina's retreatlng
form. You didn't come as soon as
you sensed that there might have
been a masquerade on hand that
night. Therefore, it wasn't the fact
that Miss Nevins shot your sister
that brought you. What did,
then? ?"
Sue Ackerman's eyes were OLD
and tired and defeated. Il might
have come when I discovered that
unwittingly had helped Nina
kill Clarabell. I might have-but
didn't. For this is a hard world
and Nina had promised to pay me
we'll for that night. She had been
getting radio money. Then she
WEIGHED She wouldn't give me
anything. And came"
Linda looked at the woman in
horror. Could life become so cheer
less and dreadful that a woman
could forget honor, decency, kindll-
ness? Had Sue ever been young
and eager and hopeful?
! She must not think of that now.
She must go home. And she must
go straight to Roberts apartment
and tell him that she was wiser
now. She must forget her pride.
If he had made a VOW to Billie
Anne that he could not break, she
could raise her head higher, catch
a bugle on the wind and walk on.
But first she must know.
May we run you down to your
house," Ronald was asking her.
and she nodded. A subway would
be stuffy on this summer night and
she had spent so much money on
taxicabs and clothes lately that her
bank balance We; C.Ccc = the zero
mark.
In the car Sarah said, Linda,
you noticed my handkerchief,
didn't you? And you noticed it was
like the one on exhibit in the case?
The brand really is mine. Nina
must have helped herself. But I
didn't mention the matter because
there are hundreds and thousands
of people in town who use the same
kind. Does that clear up every
thing? Once again, I beg your par
don -