davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1940-09-17
The Speukership

Representative Sam Rayburn of
Texas brings to the speakership of
the House all the qualities necessary
to give to that high legislative office
the prestige and power which it
signifies. While the speakership in
recent years has not held the some
what dictatorial sway over the House
that it possessed in the days of
Uncle" Joe Cannon and Champ
Clark, it still affords an opportunity
for strong party leadership for those
disposed to exercise it to the fullest.
Mr.. Rayburn has demonstrated
capacity for whipping party members
into line-just as the late Speaker
William B. Bankhead had-and, as
majority leader, he has achieved this
objective by persuasive personal
appeal, rather than by threat or
other coercive political tactics. Be-
cause of these commendable attri-
butes, combined with his personal
popularity among members Of both
parties, his elevation to the presiding
chair Of the House was but natural.
Mr.. Rayburn is the second Texan
to hold the speakership. The first
was his close friend, Vice President
John Nance Garner. He is not with
out experience in his role with the
gavel, for in 1911 he was elected
Speaker Of the Texas House of
Representatives. He Is a seasoned
law-maker, having served fourteen
consecutive terms in Congress. Al
though he assumes his new post
relatively late in a historic session,
with most Of the major legislative
battles behind him, he did not side
step heavy responsibilities in those
battles. In fact, he was in the thick
of the legislative skirmishes leading
up to adoption Of neutrality, defense
and other momentous laws, and
hence is we'll equipped to carry to
conclusion the administration pro-
gram still pending. For that reason,
the scramble to select a man to
succeed him as majority leader of
the House becomes of secondary
Importance.
Evening star., 1940-09-17
A Fighting Speech

His Coffeyville speech yesterday
showed that when Mr.. Willkie gets
down to the real issues on which the
campaign should be fought, he be-
comes an effective campaigner re-
lying on the vigor of attack rather
than the subtlety of defense.
If he got away to a false start In
too readily accepting Secretary Wal
lace's alluring challenge on the "ap-
peasement" issue, which, in the minds
OF most Americans, Is no issue at
all-he recovered himself gracefully
yesterday. His delivery showed dis
tinct Improvement over the accept
ance address. He was more at ease,
more sure of his ground and of him.
self. AS the theme of his attack,
the domestic record Of the President
to date and the plainly threatened
result of continuation of New Deal
policies was far more apt to impress
his listeners than careless inferences
thrown back at Mr.. Wallace as to
the Presidents role at Munich. For
Munich is over and done with and
the Gle Is cast. 1t is the future of
the American system Of government,
under policies so vigorously pursued
by the President and the New Deal
administration to date, that should
concern the American electorate now.
The campaign. If Mr.. Willkie is
wise, will be directed to these do
mestic issues-not carried into the
field of foreign relations, where the
President and his administration are
far less vulnerable, and on which
there is far less difference of opinion.
At Coffeyville yesterday Mr.. Willkie
turned his fire on some of these
domestic issues, in which the treat
ment prescribed by Mr.. Roosevelt
seems even more dangerous in its
eventual effect than the original all
ment. He was not tossing duds at
his opposition when he declared
that "all of the relief money in
the world will not help the unem-
ployed to become hopeful and self
reliant citizens; that safety with
out sacrifice" is gold brick" illu-
sion; that the New Deal has been
inimical to private enterprise; that
Mr.. Roosevelt has surrounded him.
self with 'cynics who scon at our
simple virtues; that the "cynics"
have "purged members of Congress"
who tried to be independent of the
New Deal machine; that relief money
has been used to manipulate votes;
that there has been too much con-
centration Of power in Washington
under the New Deal. These and
other weaknesses -of~the Roosevelt
administration are fair game for the
Republican candidate. He would do
we'll to direct his future attacks to
such vulnerable points.
Evening star., 1940-09-17

to harass the imperial authorities,
the shift in the Congress war atti-
tude comes at q most inopportune
moment for Britain. It does not
seem improbable that the new stand
Is designed to synchronize with
Britain's desperate struggle for sur
vival in her home islands and with
the perils menacing the empire in
the Mediterranean, at Suez and in
the Red Sea.
While the resolution, which would
nullify the original proffer of war
support, praises Britain's bravery
and endurance" and disclaims any
purpose Of embarrassing her, it en-
phasizes that this self-imposed re-
straint cannot be invoked to the
point Of self-extinction" Appar-
entity the Congress is disinclined to
60 further than agree not to lend or
aggravate "non-violent resistance.
In other words, independence advo-
Gates are willing to refrain from re-
volt, but to do nothing to help Brit
ain beyond this.
Early in August the British gov
ernment issued a new Statement Of
intentions" toward India. On its
face, 1t appeared to offer larger con-
cessions than ever before. There
was a repeated pledge to concede
dominion status" after the war.
The need for Indian economic and
military aid was frankly admitted.
In return for it, India was promised
postwar free and equal partner
ship" in the British commonwealth
Of nations.
The Gandhi resolution, which in a
way reopens the whole question Of
India's relation to the empire, cate
gorically charges that Britain has
no intention Of recognizing Indias
independence" That the Churchill
government because of it's domestic
plight and empire danger in the Mid
die East may feel impelled to enter
into more binding covenants looking
to Indian independence is undoubt-
edly contingency that must now be
contemplated.
With Japan's ever-growing threat
to Hong Kong, French Indo- China
and the Dutch East Indies, the ALL
India Congress appears to discern
fresh opportunity to use high pres
sure for realization of self-rule.
Thus, the imperial government,
pressed and perturbed at home and
abroad, is confronted anew with a
problem of gravest magnitude In
mystic and restless India.
Evening star., 1940-09-17
Takes Wallace To Task
For Attack on Willkie.
To the Editor of The Star:
Bu Thomas r. Henri.

1t may be that in undertaking to
identify Mr.. Willkie with Hitler, Mr..
Wallace was but taking a leaf from the
book of one-time Mayor of Chicago,
who based his campaign upon the pro-
nouncement that if King George v
should come to Chicago he, the Mayor,
would bash him in the snoot.
Certainly what was said of the Mayor
is Of larger application: you've got to
get them to stand still under the gaso-
line torch before you can sell them the
old Indian remedy"
But the American people have been
consuming the old Indian remedy for
more than seven years, and the patient
is not only further from recovery than
when it accepted the representation Of
the chief doctor as to his skill, and be-
lieved in the recovery which he guar
anteed If given complete control, but has
q big unsettled account for the expert
ments which he and q corps of half
baked interns (Some Of whom may be
known to Mr.. Wallace) have been con-
Quoting upon the patient.
Maybe it is time to discharge the doc
tor and let him take his interns with
him.
HARRISON TnGHNdAN.
September 10.
Evening star., 1940-09-17
THIS AND THAT
By Charles Z. Trace,oell.

TIE gentle doves no longer co.," says
the song about Sierra Sue"
That may 60 all right in a song, but
1t Is not good ornithology.
Doves are far from gentle.
They are, in fact, good fighters. We
have often seen them drive blue jays
away from feeding stations.
And when a bird can do that, 1t can
not be classed as gentle, because Jay
is q formidable foe, even able to worst
cats.
No, doves are not gentle, but they are
fne birds, just the same.
Gentleness seems to be going out, any
way; perhaps birds which "live dan
gerously" have q better chance in nature.
The dove has no fighting equipment,
unless 1t can be clasSed, among the
species, as the bird whistling bomb.
This whistling sound is made by the
wings as the creature takes of from the
ground or perch.
1t is a popularity seemingly reserved
for this species alone. Even the pigeons.
its relatives, do not have it.
kf+t
When a dove makes itself into q sort
Of feathered whistling bomb for few
seconds, it intimidates its foes
Aside from that it can flutter its big
wings at some other bird, and rush for
ward with bill outstretched.
This is about as far as bird combat
goes, In most cases. None Of the birds
seem able to get foe down and pum-
mel him. which perhaps is just as good;
hitting foe when he is down can be
reserved for the lordly human species
Doves, unlike pigeons, are welcomed
visitors to gardens where feeding is
going on.
Some specimens remain here the year
around. AS with most birds, the couples
seem to separate during the cold months.
Usually just one dove will come to a
feeding station where mixed seeds and
grains are put out for the songsters.
Grain is what they are after.
No sight in the yard is more pleasing
than this bird, as it waddles or glides
through the grass.
Somehow it reminds one of a little
tank-the kind on wheels-as it comes
across the lawn toward the station.
It's legs are so short that they cannot
be seen. This Is fat bird, rather wide,
and weighing almost as much as a
medium sized pigeon.
It's markings give 1t the name of turtle
dove. Other names are Carolina or
mourning dove.
1t is customary to regard this birds
cry as a sort Of lament. but perhaps this
Is just because it is contralto, and this
type Of voice always has something Of
woe about it.
In tragedies it Is the usual thing to
give the heavy tragedy lead to the low
voiced woman.
Evening star., 1940-09-17

There seems to be in the very infiec-
tionS a note Of doom.
Among the great singers, the beautiful
contralto voices will be remembered the
longest, we believe.
The dove has low voice, all right, but
after one has heard it for a while, 1t
seems to lose some Of this tragic accent,
and become just voice, one not in the
least lugubrious.
We are well aware that this explana-
tion will not satisfy those who refuse to
listen closely until voice becomes IA
miliar.
The world has united for centuries to
regard the 600" Of the gentle dove" as
sad beyond words. Those who are used
to accepting all things as they are
handed down-and 1t has many good
points-will continue to hear this birds
voice as mournful. Mourning dove-is
not that its popular name? But those
Of us who like to relate sound to place,
and are willing to make our own con-
structions, within reason, will come to
feel that this sound Is exactly right and
quite as cheerful as the gay piping of
the smaller birds.
Well, almost. 1t is true that the con-
tralto quality still holds something
which is related to unhappiness, but We
have only to look at the dove, quietly
going about its own business, without
harm to others. to see that it is by no
means a tragic figure, but, indeed, quite
q happy one.
Even the one-legged dove which came
to the station for several years was by
no means tragic.
He enjoyed his food and got along very
we'll with the scores Of sparrows, cardi-
mails, jays and others which came to the
feeding place every morning at first
light. Its missing leg seemed in no way
a particular handicap.
This dove did not come in the winter,
but appeared only in the very early
spring
This year it failed to show up.
There is probably no bird which gives
more honey something or other to an
entire neighborhood than a "coodling
doo,' as the Scotch call it.
It's nest usually is placed low down in
trees. Few birds build worse nests. Just
how the eggs, one or two, white, manage
to stay in is something of a mystery.
'Dove bills and feet do not seem adapt
ed to nest building.
This bird is great eater of weed
seeds. and for that reason alone ought
to be protected by all persons who ap-
preciate the help which the birds give
agriculture.
More than that, however, it is pecu-
liarly home bird, great satisfaction
in every neighborhood. we'll liked and
admired by all persons who believe in
the niceties of living.
Evening star., 1940-09-17
Unfinished Memorial

Approval by the Fine Arts Com
mission of a plan to landscape the
area about the Navy and Marine
Memorial under a $4,000 w. p. A.
grant is one more step toward COM
pletion Of one of the Capitals most
beautiful monuments, which also has
been called one of the Nations few
unique works of sculptural art.
While the current project will
greatly improve the appearance of
this most neglected memorial to the
sea-faring sons of the Republic, the
fact should not be obscured that
landscaping will not constitute its
final completion. Vision Of sea gulls
above the crest of rolling waves, of
course, is an ideal symbolization of
the purpose Of this memorial. But
no amount of planting will finish it
in an artistic sense. Such work can
only be regarded as hiding the un-
completed condition of an outstand-
ing work of art. As originally con-
ceived, the spreading base upon
which the sculpture rests was to
have been sheathed in polished green
granite, an exceptionally appropriate
foundation.
When Ernesto Begni del Patti, the
artist who designed the memorial,
died last December he had devoted
fifteen years of his life in vain effort
to obtain completion of his great
work He had cut his own fee in
half, giving the rest to the fund for
providing a base. Time after time
success seemed at hand and six
months before his death he had seen
the President sign a bill authorizing
100000 for this purpose. But the
necessary appropriation never was
forthcoming.
Although this may not be a propi-
tious time for such an expenditure
as would be necessary to provide a
suitable base, and even though land
scaping will result in vast improve
ment over the present environment,
1t is to be hoped the unfinished con-
dition will not be forgotten, and
that in the years to come the me-
mortal will be properly completed.
Evening star., 1940-09-17
At the Crossroads

America, said President Roosevelt
In proclaiming October 16 as registra-
tion day for selective service, stands
= at the crossroads of its destiny" And
America has made its fateful choice.
1t has decided on hard and difficult
course-peacetime conscription-be-
cause its people are of the opinion
that democracy is worth fighting
for, if necessary. Coincident with
the signing by the President Of the
historic draft bill yesterday, sixty
thousand National Guardsmen an
swered the call to active duty and
General Marshall announced plans
= for induction of other Guard units.
Many Of these civilian soldiers will
have started their year of training
under War Department auspices
when millions OF other men between
the ages OF twenty-one and thirty
five, inclusive, register for possible
service one month hence. A few
weeks later the first contingent of
draftees will be on their way to join
the Guardsmen and the Regulars in
an epochal mobilization of the Ma
tion's man power for defense of all
that Americans hold dear.
In this mobilizatio of might there
will be no discrimination. A true
cross section of our able-bodied
young men will be represented in the
ranks of the recruits. All will stand
on an equal footing, all will have an
equal opportunity to serve their
country In it's hour of need. This,
then, is real democracy in action
militant in defense of its cherished
rights; determined to sacrifice COM
forts and pleasures of a complacent
existence in order to insure those
comforts and pleasures to future
generations in free America. And
there will be opportunities for those
not In uniform to serve and to Sacri-
fice. Labor and capital must con-
tribute their shares to preparedness.
Production for defense must be
speeded up. More millions must be
expended, more taxes levied. None
must be permitted to shirk the re-
sponsibilities which a foreign-born
emergency has thrust upon the
Western Hemisphere 1t is in that
aroused spirit that America, finding
itself "at the crossroads of its des-
tiny" turns its face fearlessly to-
ward the dangers that threaten
from without, resolved to become so
strong within that those dangers
will never materialize.
Evening star., 1940-09-17
Problem of Small Business

BY surveying the problem of small
business in the United States, the
Temporary National Economic Com
mittee has performed a valuable
service The study, conducted for
the T. N E. c. by the investment
banking section of the Securities and
Exchange Commission, has been
under way for more than year, and
the final report, described as "a COM
plete diagnosis of the problem of
small business" has now gone to the
Government Printing Office for early
publication. In commenting on the
report, Senator Joseph C. O'Mahoney,
chairman of the T. NJ E. c., points
out that small business enterprises
those with assets of less than $780,
000-"constitute the most impor-
tant segment of our national econ
omy," and urges that legislators and
businessmen should both give
thought to the solution of their
troubles.
In his statement that the "princi-
pal obstacle to the prosperous de-
velopment of small business is the
difnculty experienced by small busi-
nessmen in securing venture capital"
Senator O'Mahoney stands on more
controversial ground. A good deal.
of course, depends on the amount Of
risk implied in the term venture"
capital. Bankers have long insisted
that there is plenty of private in
vestment capital seeking employ
ment in sound industry today. Be-
cause Of Government competition,
and the increasing Government con-
trolls over business, they point out,
the opportunities for such sound in
vestments in industry have been far
fewer than they were a decade ago.
To meet the credit needs of small
business, the T. N. E. C. offers two
plans. One is the enactment of leg
islation to insure loans made by local
banks to businessmen The other is
through the establishment of re-
gional loan corporations, to be
financed jointly by the Government
and private capital. Here, again,
there will be a wide difference of
opinion. Two Government agencies
are already making loans to both
large and small businesses-the Fed
eral Reserve System and the Recon-
Nruction Finance Corporation. Many
will argue that it is neither wise nor
necessary to set up another agency,
In which the Government would own
Evening star., 1940-09-17

the preferred stock, to lend money
to businessmen.
That continued recovery requires
a greater flow of capital into industry
seems quite clear. This flow is essen
tisl to lsrge-scale unemployment,
and the successful accomplishment
of the ,rearmament program. For
this reason it is OF vital importance
that Congress and the administra-
ton give every possible encourage
ment to the investment of private
capital in productive enterprises both
large and small.
Evening star., 1940-09-17
Would Have America
Do More for Britain.
To the Editor of The Star.


Is it better to wait until the British
have been eliminated as force for pre-
serving our way Of life, or act now and
share the burden with them? I am no
lover of the British-quite the reverse
but they are fighting our enemy, the
enemy of our civilization as we'll as
theirs And it is to our vital interest
that they win.
For the benefit of those who would
not send one of our boys to fight the
battles of Europe" our soldiers do not
appear to be needed, at this time, at
least. But every airplane, destroyer, or
anything else that will help the British
to tame Hitler and his wild men should
be gladly sent them-now-not for a
price, but as our small contribution to 4
common cause.
Would that be an act Of war? OF
course 1t would. And we should have
the courage and common sense to real
ize that it is our surest way to help re-
store sanity to . world gone mad-and
at the cheapest possible price. The al
tentative is Mr.. Milquetoast trying to live
happily surrounded by cutthroats.
1t amazes me that no great newspaper
such as yours, that have read, has Wig
orously demanded such action, and at
tempted to educate the people to the
necessity. In the case of the Congress
I can understand why it has not done so
politics. But II Is no credit to their
patriotism that they apparently put
their ambition to be reelected above 1t.
September 10. F.E.s.
Evening star., 1940-09-17

steel and concrete Notifications We
have now the means for making it ad-
visable for him to stay on his own side
Of the Atlantic, whether England stands
or falls.
Even If he conquers England, he will
have gone as far as he can; the Western
Hemisphere will be sealed against con-
quest. Furthermore, even in domina-
ton Of all Europe, he will still not hold
the balance of power; that passed into
our hands with the transfer Of the bases.
What the English Navy was to the world,
this string Of Notifications will become.
Aggression must then come to a halt
and turn back upon itself.
That the islands themselves might
come under German control is also
precluded. Just how could Germany
take possession or establish control, with
our ships and planes operating from
those bases to prevent seizure? We
have forbidden transfer Of sovereignty.
depending on our word alone to enforce
the edict. Now we are in a position to
make good our word, and we seem to
have less faith in method and means
than We had in policy alone.
Our primary objective is defense; de-
fense of our mainland, Of civilian life
and property. 1t must be alright and
watertight. 1t is immeasurably en-
hanced by the acquisition of the bases;
to have retained the destroyers would
neither have guaranteed nor greatly
furthered it. Let us for once consider
first principles first Must we forever
lose sight of the forest for humping into
the trees?
DOROTHY FORD MAYHEM.
Cambridge Mass.
September 9.
Evening star., 1940-09-17
Turbulent lndiu

Italy'S attack on Egypt, with the
attendant threat to Britain's life line
to the East, clothes with ominous
significance the latest news from
India. The Steering Committee of
the All-India Congress, spearhead of
the independence movement, has
adopted a resolution, sponsored by
Mohandas Gandhi, withdrawing q
conditional offer to cooperate in
prosecution of the war. The resolu-
ton condemns London for taking
India into the war without previous
consultation.
Although the Independence party
is expected to bide its time, AID not
take advantage Of current exigencieS
Evening star., 1940-09-17
Dcy's Ending

Now from the sunset-steeples
Ring down the bells Of night,
And fence and farmyard glimmer
With window-stars Of hight.
From barn and field and pasture
BY path and pasture lane,
Come farmers home from farming
To sup and sleep again.
They look on smoking chimneyx:
They smell the fiame-charred wood,
Rewards are these for labor.
They know that these are rood.
For men to dreams returning,
The weary dreaming best,
The hearth Of evening brightens
The rafters Of the west;
And sunset bells down Ginning
Upon the darkling land
Speak only to the weary.
The weary understand.
BRANsoN 1LAn