davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1940-11-16
Fort Drive

In the ten years in which plans
for the Fort Drive, one of Wash
ington's major parkway develop
ments, have been taking shape great
changes have come about both in
community, park and transportation
needs and in methods of meeting
them. When the plan for the drive
first was conceived it was pictured
as a strip of park connecting the
sites of the Civil War forts which
were built in a ring on the heights
defending the central part of the
city. A series of roadways through
this strip was considered merely Incl
dental and only for the purpose of
making the parks more accessible.
Today the picture has changed.
While the route itself remains the
same, growth Of the city and in
crease in the demands put upon the
normal transportation routes avail
able have brought about change in
the concept of the future possibilities
OF the Fort Drive, and 1t is con-
ceived now as a double strip road
way, free of grade crossings, by which
crosstown and through traffic may
be accelerated and diverted around
the more congested sections OF the
city. This plan is similar to the great
belt routes which have become
identified in recent years with West
chester County, New York, although
similar constructions are to be found
in most large cities.
With ninety per cent OF the neces-
sary land already acquired, and the
Park and Planning Commission pre-
pairing to ask Congress for authori-
cation to begin work Immediately on
two sections Of the route, the District
Commissioners have wisely decided
to call a public hearing on the whole
project. This will be preceded by
submission of the planning commits
sion's complete outline of the plan,
including estimates of cost, which
so far have been based largely on
personal opinions. These have varied
greatly, some ranging as high as
$1500O,OOO Cooperation of the cit
izens of Washington in determining
planning and financing policies in
project of such magnitude is most
desirable. It is a program which
holds much promise, but which can
be carried out only through civic CO.
operation in laying foundations
which will stand the test of years
in fulfilling the communitys re-
uuirements.
Evening star., 1940-11-16

corning the manner In which the
Wagner Act should be applied in Ger
tain cases, and 1t is generally believed
that Doctor Mills, upon assuming
office, will see eye to eye with Doctor
Leiserson on most Of these questions,
thus making possible the institution
Of some long-awaited improvements
in the boards procedure and In its
personnel setup.
Doctor Mills will go to the Labor
Board with an excellent background
IN industrial relations. A member of
the old Labor Board, which served
prior to adoption of the Wagner Act
in 1885, he has also served as chair
man Of the Board Of Arbitration in
the mems clothing industry and has
twice been designated by the Presi-
dent to serve on fact-flnding boards
in railroad labor disputes. He has an
excellent reputation as an educator,
and more recently has served as
labor disputes arbiter for General
Motors and the United Automobile
Workers. and as director of the
Twentieth Century Funds survey of
collective bargaining in America.
In nominating Doctor Mills to this
important post, it seems evident that
the President is making an earnest
effort to bring about an improvement
in the American industrial relations
picture, and Doctor Mills will take
over his new duties with the heartiest
good wishes of those who believe that
the exercise of a little better judg-
ment in the administration of the
Wagner Act would have prevented
much of the bitterness that has
grown up around it.
Evening star., 1940-11-16

supplies which the island so des-
perately needs. The destitute popu-
lace Of Martinique is 1ubilant, while
some local optimists even dream Of
prospective boom through closer
economic relations with the United
States and encouragement of the
American tourist trade.
Some minor points remain unset
tied, notably the ultimate disposition
Of those hundred or more American
built airplanes. But the basic issue
seems to be definitely decided. How
ever loyal the local officials may be
to Vichy, they will not venture to
make trouble for either the British
or ourselves. American diplomacy is
certainly to be congratulated on hav-
Ing successfully handled this deli
cate issue without resort even to
threatening language.
Evening star., 1940-11-16
The Labor Bourd

Nomination of Doctor Harry A. Mil
lis to succeed Chairman J. Warren
Madden of the National Labor Rela-
tions Board, and the resignation Of
Board Secretary Nathan Witt, well
may prove to be significant steps to-
ward establishing the Labor Board in
the role it originally was intended to
fll-that Of an agency for the pro-
motion of better industrial relations.
No reasonable person can doubt
that the Labor Board composed of
Chairman Madden, Donald Wake
field Smith and Edwin S. Smith soon
lost it's chance to achieve the ulti-
mate purpose of the Wagner Act.
Not only did the board succeed in
hopelessly antagonizing the vast ma
jority of employers, but important
segments of labor also became num-
bered among its critics. In an OBJ
vious effort to bring about a house
cleaning at the board, President
Roosevelt appointed William M.
Leiserson to succeed Donald Wake
field Smith when the latter's term
expired, but no secret is made Of the
fact that Doctor Leiserson generally
found himself to be in the minority
when he endeavored to secure ap-
proval of reforms One OF his early
efforts was designed to bring about
the removal of Mr.. Witt, who was
considered by Doctor Leiserson to be
unqualified for his post, but the new
member presumably was overruled
by Chairman Madden and Edwin
Smith.
It Is also known that Doctor
Leiserson was in fundamental dis
agreement with his associates con-
Evening star., 1940-11-16
Martinique Agreement

Press dispatches from the West
Indies and official statements in
Washington combine to indicate that
the vexatious problem concerning
Martinique is practically solved. The
problem arose out Of Frances col-
lapse before the German onslaught
last June, when a number OF French
warships took refuge at Martinique,
one laden with American-made air
planes and another with refugee gold
from the Bank of France. The issue
threatened to become acute when the
local government announced its ad-
hesion to the Vichy regime in France,
which was both anti-British and
subservient to Berlin. Taking no
chances, Britain established naval
blockade OF the island. The poSSibil-
ity of an armed clash disturbed our
own Government, determined as it is
to keep the war out of the Western
Hemisphere. Meanwhile, the block
AIDED island, which grows little beyond
sugar and tropical fruits, was in dan
ger of starvation.
Behind the scenes, elaborate
three e-cornered negotiations have evi-
dently been going on between the
American, British and Vichy govern
ments. That Washington and Lon
don saw eye to eye in the matter
became obvious when American war
ships and seaplanes took up patrol
duty of Martinique, replacing the
British blockading squadron, which
disappeared from the scene, presum-
ably for more pressing duties else
where. Our warcraft based their
activities on the nearby British island
Of st. Lucia, where we have acquired
q naval station under the terms of
the recent Anglo-American agree
ment.
Shortly after this, Rear Admiral
Greenslade, senior member of the
American board surveying sites for
naval bases on British territories in
the Western Hemisphere, went to
Martinique, where he conferred di-
rectly with the French colonial au-
thorities. Those face-to-face nego-
tiations were obviously successful.
The Martinique government an
nounces consolidation Of good re-
lations" with the United States.
simultaneously, our Treasury Depart
ment announces that it has released
frozen" French funds here sufficient
to allow Martinique to purchase from
us the food, gasoline and medical
Evening star., 1940-11-16
Ski Compony-HuIt!

The Army is planning to train ski
troops this understanding never
done here beforehand no doubt the
authorities are wondering how to 60
about it. So will lot of drill SER
geants, who have already grown gray
before their time teaching recruits
how to do squads right and who must
now resume this Herculean task with
beginners wearing wooden shoes
capable Of tripping up an entire
company.
The two most important problems
in skiing are how to turn and how
to stop. There are at least two fancy
turns, the Christiania and the Tele-
mark, which look good in the news
reels, and about two dozen other
nameless ones, the latter being turns
head over heels or heels over head
and so on until stopped Profess
sionals, when they want to halt, do
it by a clever braking action Of the
skis alone. Amateurs often do it by
breaking the skis along with a stray
bone or two, and if this does not
suffice, excess speed may be reduced
by showing the head in a snowdrift
and plowing with the nose until the
skier comes to well-deserved rest.
Unfortunately, the best solution to
the ski problem cannot be used in
the Army. It is that of a brilliant
amateur named Elmer Higginbottom,
who planned to watch the mistakes
of others and profit by them. This
he did with notable success. Stand
ing on a hilltop and observing one
amateur after another pile up like
jackstraws at the bottom, he un-
strapped his skis and walked home.
Evening star., 1940-11-16
George Washington's Plea
For Defense Quoted.

To the Editor of The Star:
Recently, while reading some of the
private papers, messages and other man
uscripts of George Washington, came
upon the following from his fifth an
nual address to the Congress, on Deem
Der 3. 1893. It seems apropos in view of
world conditions.
Il can not recommend to your notice
measures for the fulfillment of our du-
ties to the rest of the world, without
again pressing upon you the necessity
of placing ourselves in a condition of
complete defense, and of exacting from
them the fulfillment of their duties
toward US The United States ought
not to indulge persuasion that, con-
trary to the order of human events, they
will forever keep at a distance, those
painful appeals to arms, with which the
history of every other nation abounds.
There is a rank due to the United States
among other nations, which will be
withheld, If not absolutely lost, by the
reputation of weakness.
If we desire to avoid insult, we must
De aple 10 repel II, II we desire to secure
peace, it must be known that we are
at all times ready for war. The docu-
ments which will be presented to you
will show the amount and kinds of
arms and military stores now in our
magazines and arsenals; and yet, an
addition even to these supplies can not
with prudence be neglected. as it would
leave nothing to the uncertainty Of pro-
curing of warlike apparatus in the mo-
ment Of public danger"
GEORGE p. GROVE.
Evening star., 1940-11-16

What are some Of the worries Of new
comers to the sport Of feeding the song
birds which winter hereabouts?
who takes up this combined indoor -out-
door activity tends at one time or other
to worry about 1t.
Here are some of the common per-
plexities:
/. That birds will freeze their eyes to
the metal II wire suet containers are
used.
2. That the songsters will be overfed.
8. That they will lose their instinct to
ind food In nature.
4. That squirrels will harm them.
5. That pigeons will eat up all the
food.
6. That sparrows will drive away the
choicier species.
Z. That cats will drive them all away.
8. That hawks will harm the feeders.
8. That they will be slain with air rifles.
10. That they cannot find grit.
II. That they will die unless they can
find water.
70. That bird feeding activities will
kill the grass.
Some of these are true, some false,
some in doubt.
We will take them one by one. It is
only in the past year that any one has
worried over the possibility of bird
getting an eyeball frozen to the cold
wire of a suet feeder.
Wire soap dishes and containers of
similar shape are much used. These are
crammed with beef suet, either in the
chunk or chopped up. and anixed with
a nail to tree trunk.
Every one recalls the cruel old prac-
tical joke Of country towns, when the
victim was persuaded to put his tongue to
the frozen metal spout Of the pump.
The warm flesh and cold iron reacted
instantly to fix the tongue so that it
could not be withdrawn except by strip
ping away some of the tissue.
1t is exactly on this theory that birds
are supposed to have their eyes frozen
to the metal wires, and hence lose them
when they frantically tear themselves
loose.
\ \ 4
While we have never seen this happen,
we suppose it might occur.
At least there is enough plausibility
to this worry to give the friend of birds
pause, when he seeks to establish q suet
feeder.
Net bags may be used, or small
chunks Of suet simply nailed to a tree
or arch. 1t is possible to form small
baskets OF woven work, so that the birds
which particularly care for suet will
be able to get their favorite dish with
out running the chance of any such
danger
Wooden feeding stations are in all
ways the best. Metal ones play a poor
second.
That birds can be overfed at q feeding
station is not much of a worry, really.
They are high-powered food motors,
and with their demand for great inner
heat and their constant activity there
Evening star., 1940-11-16
Asks Aid for Chinese
Afflicted by War.
To the Editor Of The Star

To the Editor Of The Star:
China needs and deserves American
philanthropy on the same large scale
as other countries, after more than three
years Of devastating war.
Fifty million Chinese at the very least
are now experiencing starvation and its
horrible consequences with the winter
season only just beginning.
The churches of America are prac-
tically the only agency ministering to
these millions of victims in the so-called
penetrated areas, behind the lines al
most wholly out of reach of the Chinese
National Governments help. The
Church Committee for China Relief is
the official agency Of the American
churches in forwarding funds for this
relief service. It commands the devot-
ed and eficient service of hundreds Of
missionaries continuing steadfastly at
their posts in spite of danger and with
utmost sacrifice of their own well being.
Present relief funds at their disposal
have become nearly exhausted. The
central committee in Shanghai has min
imum requests from throughout North
ern and Eastern China totaling over
SIPS 900 United States currency. Such
funds will cover elementary require
ments only to the end of December.
Generalissimo Chang Kai-shek re-
Gently appealed by radio for help to
these millions of Chinese who must be
saved for the new China being born in
the midst of war.
Thwarting starvation in China is q
constructive positive service to the VIC
TINS of war and to the whole world com.
munity. It is as noble as medical relief
service, education or other forms Of
social reconstruction. Let no one think
of it as merely palliative-the saving Of
human lives and preventing pestilence
and other possible consequences of
wholesale privation. And the spirit of
mercy prompting such service has wider
ramifcations than In the immediate sal.
vation Of those most directly aflicted.
The Church Committee for China Re-
lief, los East Twenty-second street, New
York, N. Y, appeals for Nationwide re-
sponses. Each and every dollar means
one life saved for one whole month.
FRED ATKINS MOORE,
Director, Church Committee for
China Relief.
Evening star., 1940-11-16
State
The Unchunqinq

There Is no progress In eternal things:
The star points beaming from the arch
of night,
The blue -floored lake, the SHOWS un-
earthly white,
And crystalline translucency of springs:
The evening song some hidden wood.
bird sings,
Trembling Of lovers lips, and swallows'
flight,
And melody Of childhoods shril do.
light
For these are times own chaneeless
offerings.
Only in mans especial work, the lift
OF tower and bridge, the craft Of stage
and throne,
And puff Of engine, can we cry. "Ad-
vance!"
But years take ruinous tribute for each
gift,
Though, where wrecked columns strev
their wormy stone,
The grass still rears Its green and death.
less lance.
STANTON A. COBrENTR.
Evening star., 1940-11-16
THIS AND THAT
By Charles r. Tr1cetueu,

| is not much chance Of them getting too
| much food.
In the past five years, with three feed
ing stations kept filled all day long all
autumn and winter, we have never
found but one dead bird beneath feed
| ing platform. That one, we were con-
vinced, had Just flown in, starved, and
the plenty Of food could not save 1t.
No one need worry over the belief Of
some that feeding the wild birds will
cause them to lose their instincts IN this
regard.
They take what they find. and the mo-
ment they cannot find it, they fly away
to hunt again. We cannot overturn the
habits Of centuries in a few months or
even years. There is absolutely no
chance whatever of spelling" the birds
In this respect by being kind to them.
AHA*
Squirrels, while a mild nuisance at
feeding stations-unless you like squir-
rels-will not harm birds.
Usually the songsters will scatter at
the approach Of one Of these bushy-
tailed rodents, but in few minutes
they will come back and eat on all sides
of the animal.
That pigeons will eat up much Of the
food at station stocked for the smaller
birds there can be no question at all
The worst part of it is that often they
are pet pigeons, with plenty OF food at
home.
That English sparrows will tend to
drive away choicier species is true, but
on the other hand the dyed-in-the wool
friend of birds will hesitate to sully his
own character by being unkind, even to
English sparrows.
There is surely enough nastiness and
cruelty in the world today to cause any
one who tries to do good to the creatures
to hesitate long and well before derriv-
ing these sparrows, cousins of the beauti-
full cardinals, Of food or killing them.
The cat is perpetual worry, espe-
cially to those persons who dislike cats.
Observers who like cats, too, as well
as BIRDS know full well that not one cat
out of ten is bird catcher. 1t is pos
sible to have both dogs, cats and birds
in the yard at the same time without
any of them harming the others. The
other day we had two dogs and cat
eating together amicably on the back
porch, while not 10 feet away were 50
songbirds busy at feeding station.
Hawks are menace to smaller birds.
If one is spotted overhead, it should be
driven away, If feasible.
Air rifles Of all kinds are a menace
to the sport of bird feeding, as well as a
real danger to the eyesight of those who
handle them. That this latter is uni
versally understood accounts for the fact
that few persons need worry about them
in regard to bird feeding activities.
That feeding the birds will ruin the
grass in circle for about 10 feet or so
is true, but this is easily overcome by
removing the feeder at the beginning Of
April and putting in plenty Of fresh
grass seed. Owing to the fertility at
that spot, the grass inside of q month
will be greener than ever.
Evening star., 1940-11-16
Wants Ere Left Free
To Decide on Help for Britain.

To the Editor Of The Star:
It seems to me the fighting Irish over
here, as some have called themselves,
would do well to let the intelligent peo-
pie Of Ere attend to their own affairs,
as am confident they can do peacefully
If left to their own good judgment. That
old adage united we stand" Is out Of
date now even In the q. s. A. There
are 50 many component parts in the
makeup Of the different nationalities.
L. F. C.'s kind advice might be ap-
preciated If extended to q northern
Irishman, but I fail to see southern son
Of Fire accepting 1t.
Fire is an independent country and
has the same rights as all other countries
to protect her possessions. She Is small
nation; but she is going to live up to
her reputation. She was under Eng
lands heel long enough. Now she Is
neutral and minding her own business.
She intends to see that no other coun-
try win gain . foothold on her soil.
That Is what England u trying to do.
Evening star., 1940-11-16
Food Credits for Spoin

1t is obviously in expectation that
Spain will do nothing to hamper
Britain's war effort that Washington
authorities have under consideration
a reported Madrid government re-
quest for a $100,000,000 food loan.
Under the circumstances, a decision
must await the results of the sudden
and somewhat mysterious visit which
Generalissimo frances foreign min
lister, Ramon Serrano Suner, is now
making in German occupied France.
Should he enter into any commit
ments at Paris, whereby Spain would
undertake to advance axis interests,
public opinion in the United States
would strongly deprecate American
aid to the Spaniards, no matter how
serious their plight.
Spanish relations with the axis
powers are close. They date from
the time the republic succumbed to
General Franco, primarily because
of the German-Italian military sup
port which he received. The intimacy
has extended into the present Euro
pean war. 1t was manifested by
Hitler's recent meeting with the
Spanish leader in the Pyrenees.
There have been recurrent reports
that his civil war totalitarian allies
were urging Franco to permit pas
sage OF their troops across Spain
for an attack on Gibraltar. Only on
Thursday, at Boston, Secretary of
the Navy Knox declared that I'VE
are reliably informed that Germany
has whole division in civilian
clothes in Spain itself" Access to
the Spanish Peninsula, with it's
strategically placed ports, would i'm
mensely facilitate axis designs in the
Mediterranean and on Northern
Africa, as would a foothold on Span
ish islands in the Atlantic for use
as naval and air bases.
So far there have been no overt
acts indicating that the Madrid gov
ernment is lending itself to German
Italian plans. If for no other reason
than that she is the motherland of
much of Latin America, our inclina-
tions would be strongly in the direc-
ton of rendering Spain such succor
in her grave hour of want as may
be feasible. She has already received
an Export-Import Bank credit of
some $13,OO0,000 for purchase of
American cotton. Further credits,
especially for food, will unquestion-
ably depend, in view of the British
blockade, on safeguards against the
possibility of any such supplies
reaching Germany or Italy. To what
extent General Franco is in position
to furnish necessary guarantees is
point which is doubtless engaging
Washington's careful scrutiny A
new irritant that might complicate
the situation is the mysterious charge
by Spain that the United States has
barred its official news agency, E. F.
E.-a charge denied by the State De-
partment-and the threat to gag"
American correspondents in Spain, in
asserted retribution.
Amid the tragic economic condi-
tions which Spain faces at the out
set of winter, American sympathies
60 out to her in full measure. But
1t cannot be made too clear that the
United States will be no party to
any relief plans that might work
directly or indirectly to the dis
advantage of the cause which en-
battled Britain personifies at this
critical moment. The triumph of
that cause is of paramount concern
to the whole Western World, includ-
ing the southern democratic peoples
who are proud of their Spanish
ancestry.
Evening star., 1940-11-16
SugHests Gradual Elimination
OF Column Writerx

SugHests Gradual Elimination
OF Column Writer'S.
To the Editor Of The Star:
The election is over. Unity and peace
are certainly the wish OF all. You can
assist by omission of the efforts Of So
termed columnists, their publications
and their tintypes-a consummation de-
voutly to be desired.
To render the process less painful.
First, omit the pictures. Second, move
the text to the women's section. Third,
discontinue publication Of the women's
section. Fourth, roll your own. Politics
is adjourned. DELANO LUCE.
Evening star., 1940-11-16

The Italians have claimed-and
they are very snappy claimers-cap-
ture Of the Greek town Of st. Nicho-
las. It probably is not nearly so i'm
portant as the little village of Santa
Claus, Indiana.
Evening star., 1940-11-16

A coast artillery sergeant was
kissed by Martha Raye, who visited
Camp Upton as patriotic enter
tainer. When you have been kissed
by Martha, you have been kissed.