davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1940-03-13
THINGS ! Love

These sounds such joy to me they bring.
The first frog concerts In the spring;
The signing of the old pine trees,
Like deep-toned organ cadencies.
A babes first Hsping, falt'ring words:
At eventide the song Of birds;
And distant thunder's heavy roll.
But laughter's best to cheer the soul.
And these are scents so dear to me.
The sweetness Of the cedar tree;
A gentle rain on a summers day:
The pungent smell of new-mown hav.
At dusk the honeysuckle vine;
The Mondays wash just of the line:
The briny tang Of oceans foam,
But best is just the smell OF homeI
And these are thing which please nv eva
At night the star-besprinkled sky:
The first faint blush Of coming dawn.
With dew-bejeweled webs on lawn:
And hollyhocks all in a row;
Then winters fairyland Of snow.
With frost designs like rare old lacs.
But best OF ala smiling face.
BULA l. DEEB.
Evening star., 1940-03-13
Would Arm Civilians
To Fight Crime.
To the Editor of The Star:

To the Editor of The Star:
The crime situation in Washington
seems to get no better. The addition of
500 members to the police force might
be good investment.
In the meantime here is suggestion:
Why not make it possible for law-abiding
citizens to secure the right to carry arms?
Robbers are very brave when they are
sure their victims are unarmed. 1t would
be different if they knew that not only
the victim but probably many onlookers
were armed. AS the law now stands all
the advantage is given to the bandit.
Of course, great cry would 60 up
about the danger of arming large
number of citizens, but you will recall
that during the World War no such
dire results followed the arming of
few million boys, many of them with
criminal records There must be many
thousands of Washington citizens who
would welcome the opportunity to enlist
in this war against the criminal in which
our present police force appears in
adequate. ZIP,
March IL.
Evening star., 1940-03-13

as if they will never resort to any other
means. Even the short periods of peace
that intervened between conflicts are
used as preparation for new war.
1t seems that logic and necessity are
forcing the people of Latin America and
the people of the United States to the
conclusion that the interests of the
American states, collectively as we'll as
individually, lie in the Americas. 1t is,
therefore, time to part company with
quarrelsome old Europe and seek con-
genial association with people who hold
similar political ideals.
1t is hoped that the present cordial
feelings in the American republics will
develop into an enduring political, cul-
tural and economic cooperation among
themselves. After all, it is unnatural for
neighbors not to be neighborly.
March II. E. B. ACLAO.
Evening star., 1940-03-13
Progressive Step

In purchasing land for the future
extension of Sixteenth street, the
Montgomery County Commissioners
have taken a progressive step and
one that will prove of lasting benefit.
The purchase means that one Of
Washington's foremost boulevards
will be extended in logical man
ner, approximately due north, to
Georgia avenue beyond Silver Spring.
For several months an application
for permits to build on certain lots
that lay in the path of the proposed
extension was before the county
board. The officials were asked
either to purchase the lots for the
right of way Of Sixteenth street or
grant the permits so the owner could
construct homes on the land. It
would have been most unfortunate If
the latter course had been followed.
The alternative, had Sixteenth
street been blocked by the construc-
ton Of homes. would have been to
use some indirect route, such as East
Evening star., 1940-03-13
Suggest zone Dollar"
Finnish Relief Fund.
To the Editor of The Star:


Realizing the delicacy Of the position
of this Government giving direct aid to
the Films due to our neutrality laws and,
refraining from expressing my personal
opinion on the subject, the thought has
frequently occurred to me in the past
few days that there is nothing in our
law forbidding voluntary aid in any
form from individual citizens of the
United States.
Thus, as most every movement worthy
of its name has had an humble origin,
I am motivated to start movement to
be known as "The American 81 Relief
Fund" Volunteers would give no more
or less than 81 for each member of the
family.
And, further, 1t is my belief that the
sympathies Of our people for the brave
stand of the Finnish people to maintain
their freedom is SO great that the re-
sponse to this appeal will not only be
prompt throughout the Nation but it will
be sufficiently large to prove a material
and inspiring contribution to Finlands
independence. FRANK j. SLOAN,
Mount Rainier, Md.
March 10.
Evening star., 1940-03-13
Sherman Was Riqht

AS a perfect illustration of how
war spreads insidiously into un-
planned areas and works unforeseen
hardships, take the following: The
British government, in an attempt
to see that every one is provided with
afraid shelters, puts them up free
for all persons making less than five
pounds a week; those earning more
must pay for their own. Imme-
diately after this announcement
millions of wives, whose duty it was
to keep the home together, put the
bee on their husbands to apply for
free shelter, thereby inadvertently
starting disturbance which is rock
ing Britain more than any raids ever
did.
To get a shelter, the applicant
must swear that he makes less than
five pounds week; If he makes
false affidavit he receives another
form of shelter behind gray walls
and iron bars. On the other hand,
it was almost equally fatal for many
men to confess to their wives that
they had been earning more than the
minimum and had kept it as a trade
secret for years. The consequences
to Hitler's latest victim, the British
husband, are appalling. Paying for
an AFRAID shelter is only a small
part. What really hurts is the neces-
sity Of forking over so many shillings
week to his wife from now on,
while serving an indeterminate SEN
tence in still another dread shelter
the doghouse. The only good that
has come of it is a stiffening of the
morale of the male population.
Neville Chamberlain of Downing
Street may want to appease, but not
Bert Smith of Limehouse. Bert is
very grim these days. "All hi arsk,"
he says, "is a chawnce to get me
bare lands on that blighter 'Itler."
Evening star., 1940-03-13
Commends Improved Relations
Among American Nations.

Among American Nations.
To the Editor of The STAR
There is one encouraging sign which Is
emerging from the shadow OF the pres
ent European and Asiatic wars; that is,
the growing friendship between North
and South America.
The necessity of better relationships
of the people of this continent was rec
ognized by their respective leaders almost
from the beginning of their national
existence. Simon Bolivar, the great lib
orator, dreamed of uniting Americas on
humanitarian and political ideals. The
Monroe Doctrine was formulated by the
United States in 1923 with the avowed
purpose of preventing reconquest OF the
New World by European powers. But
mutual distrust resulted in erection of
figurative Chinese Wall against a salts
factory understanding between Latin
America and the United States. The
former feared the so-called yankee i'm
perialism"; the latter had no love for
Latin tradition.
It took a series of Establishments
and the present war to make them realize
that peaceful intercourse with Europe
is well-nigh impossible. Looking over
European history of the last three or
four hundred years, they find that
scarcely decade has passed in which
war has not redeemed the soil OF some
part Of Europe. The nations Of that
part of the world have become accus-
toned for so long to settle their differ
ences by means Of war that 1t appears
Evening star., 1940-03-13
The Rumspeck Bill

The Civil Service Commission has
presented an unanswerable case for
striking out the Keller Nichols
amendment which would withhold
the benefits of the Ramspeck civil
service extension bill from executive
agency employees here who claim
residence in the District or in certain
States. These States are those which
have more positions in the appor-
toned service than are prescribed
by law, and they would be affected
by the amendment so long as other
States have fewer jobs than the law
authorizes.
Reporting to Chairman Bulow of
the Senate Civil Service Committee,
which now Is considering the meas
ure, the commission declares that
the amendment is not administra-
lively feasible; cites some of the
problems that would arise in the i'm
possible attempt to attain a balanced
apportionment while bringing thou
sands Of employees under civil service,
and adds that it would cripple eff
cheney and destroy morale by setting
up barrier to the advancement Of
those to whom civil service status is
denied.
The commission also riddled one
of the principal arguments that was
used to get the amendment through
the House, showing that instead of
apportionment having been ignored
in the past, as sponsors of the
amendment charged, thereby per-
mitting the residents of some States
to profit unjustly at the expense OF
others in procuring Government en-
ployment, every effort has been made
to administer fairly the statute,
which, as q matter of fact, ignores
the principle of merit in parceling
out Offices on the basis of population,
and has no business in civil service
law.
An attack on the amendment al
ready is in prospect by Senators from
Maryland and Virginia which, with
the District, would be hit hardest
because the residue Of World War
Evening star., 1940-03-13
THIS AND THAT
By Charles E. Trace1ueH,

slim, with a mean yellow eye and q
much longer and powerful bill.
Grackles and hawks are the only
birds which are not welcomed to our
feeding stations, because they both in
timidate and chase away smaller birds.
Neither starlings nor English sparrows
do this. Both species eat amicably
enough with other birds.
Starlings mostly fight among them
selves. Even when they drive the downy
woodpecker away from the suet, they
do not harm the downy in any way.
Driving it away from food is evil, too,
but it is not as bad as pecking out eyes
or killing. 1t must always be kept in
mind that nowadays thousands of home
owners feed the birds, especially in win
ter, as compared with a few persons
few years ago. All activities have their
ups and downs, their vogues; and this
is an era of bird feeding.
Birds driven from one garden simply
go to another, now.
The gardener interested in bird life
and what real gardener isnt?-should
chase away all grackles the moment
they appear.
He might take small period in which
to admire the birds glistening feathers,
and its physical fitness.
Surely, it is fine specimen of physical
birdhood
Long, tall, slim, its neck muscles and
that long bill make wonderful team.
Do not overlook that eye
If ever a bird had an evil eye, the
grackle has it,
Yellow, malignant, it becomes almost
"scary" if you are close enough to it to
see it plainly.
One formal inspection will be enough.
Immediately run out and shoe the
grackles away, and keep them shooed
away until they give up the neighbor-
hood.
1t is by far the best plan, for there
is no good in grackle, as far as this
column can see, except from the grackle's
standpoint. Now, female English SPAR
rows are cute, and old starlings intel
ligent and interesting, but there is little
to be said for grackle.
Robins with eyes picked out probably
are baby robins, which are as large as
their parents. They can be told gen.
orally by the very spotted chests, which
show their relationship to the wood
thrushes.
After robins grow up they lose the
spots, and become the birds we know
best. Is there bird better known and
more generally liked? This column has
still to see the first robin in the home
grounds. What a day that will be!
Cardinals sing their spring song, titmice
whistle for their dogs-havent you
heard them, just at real light?-but not
until that first robin appears in ones
own back yard or front yard or side
yard can spring really be said to have
arrived.
Evening star., 1940-03-13
Attack by Innuendo

Recent days have witnessed the
development of what appears to be
widespread and co-ordinated ef-
fort to undermine public confidence
in the Federal Bureau of Investiga-
tion. In the waxing fury OF this
attack, conducted principally by in
nuendo, the splendid record of the
F. B. I. in smashing the major GRIM
inal gangs which infested the coun-
try has been conveniently forgotten.
BY some mysterious alchemy this
agency, once hailed as the nemesis
OF the gangSter, has been transmitted
into a vague but sinister threat to
the American way of life.
For the most part, the criticisms
have not been directed specifically
to the F. B. I. as such, nor to it's
record. The critics, on the whole,
have preferred to deal in suggestive
generalities, possibly realizing that,
in the absence of supporting evi-
dence, they are more difficult to an
swer, and, therefore, more damaging
than direct charges. There has been
much talk, for example, of wire
tapping and eavesdropping by "Gov-
ernment police To guide public
suspicion more directly to the target
without actually making a specific
charge, this has been followed by
assertions that "if" the F. B. I. has
been tapping any wires it should be
investigated. Other thinly yelled
charges have been aimed at the
bureaus recently created General
Intelligence Division, the implication
being that this is sort of American
Ogpu set up by Director j. Edgar
Hoover to pry into the personal af-
fairs of law-abiding citizens as we'll
as those who are beyond the law.
But the complaints neglect to men,
ton the fact that this division was
established under an order issued by
President Roosevelt last September
designating the F. B. I. as central
clearing agency for the investigation
OF espionage, sabotage and other sub
versive activities. Nor do they state
that there is not the slightest evi-
dence of any abuse of power by this
agency.
Senator Norris of Nebraska has
made specific complaint concerning
the manner in which F. B. I. agents
arrested certain persons who were
under indictment in Detroit for
technical offense. These men were
seized at five am. and taken to court
at three pm. on the same day. The
manner of this arrest, Senator Norris
has said, was designed to brighten"
the men and "to fill their hearts with
fear and trepidation." This COM
plant was referred to Attorney Gen.
eral Jackson, who is certainly no
enemy of liberalism, and, after an
investigation, he fully exonerated
the F. B. I.
The Star believes that the F. B. I.
has performed, and is still perform
ing, an important and difficult task
in an efficient manner and with ap-
propriate restraint. If that is not the
case, if it has abused its powers or if
it is menacing traditional liberties, it
is entitled to specific charges and a
day in court. In the meantime, it
should not be made the victim of a
movement which has all the ear
marks of a smear" campaign.
Evening star., 1940-03-13

employment has kept them far over
quota. They undoubtedly will be
Joined by representatives Of more
than a dozen other States which find
themselves also caught by the pro-
hibition.
The issue Is broader that that,
however. The Ramspeck bill is a
thorough-going merit measure which
Government employees as a whole long
have urged. Nothing should be per-
mitted to destroy its effectiveness,
and unless 1t Is knocked out the
Keller-Nichols amendment will do
lust that.
Evening star., 1940-03-13
THE Busic Question"

In deciding that the District gov
ernment does not have authority to
tax intangible personal property
(and presumably the income) of a
Federal'employe who lives and works
IN Washington but who is "domi-
ciled" in Massachusetts,, the United
States Court of Appeals declared
that the "basic question" in the case
was not that of taxation as against
escape from it," The courts reason
ing in this respect is interesting.
Any one seeking exemption from
taxation in the District by asserting
legal residence in a State, the court
said, would have to pay or would be
subject to the payment of similar
taxes in that State. Since persons
domiciled in the District would not
have to pay any State taxes, the
tribunal concluded. there is no un-
just discrimination as between them
and those local residents who escape
payment of District taxes because
they are domiciled elsewhere.
That reasoning, as applied to indi-
viduals, is plausible in those cases
where District residents domiciled
in the States pay taxes to the States
comparable to those paid here
by persons domiciled in the District.
But one flaw in this argument arises
from the fact that in many cases
those claiming State domiciles would
escape the District levy while paying
nothing to the States because the
latter do not assess taxes which are
levied in the Capital.
The courts reasoning, however, is
faulty in another and more impor-
tant respect. It is quite true that
taxation as against escape from it"
by individuals is not "the basic ques-
tion," for the real issue concerns the
effect of the appellate decision on
the relationship between the District
government and that of State, such
as Massachusetts,.
AS result OF the tribunals ruling,
assuming it to be applicable to the
local income tax, the District now
faces the prospect of being obliged
to provide number of expensive
services for thousands of people liv-
ing in the community who cannot be
taxed on their incomes to help defray
the cost of these services. Massachu-
sets, in turn, theoretically will re-
ceive substantial revenue from
these same people. Since in most
cases the States will give nothing in
return but an opportunity to vote, it
would seem that the real basic ques-
ton is whether the District, as a
result of the courts ruling, may not
have to furnish free services for
which the States will receive COM
pensation in the form of taxes that
ought to be payable here. If the
answer to that question is in the
affirmative, and it can hardly be
otherwise, there arises case of gross
discrimination against the District
government which supplies another
potent reason why the States,
through Congress, should make
larger Federal contribution to the
expenses of the National CAPITAL
than iS rou, tho coco
Evening star., 1940-03-13
IRIS STREET.

Dear Sir:
II often read the articles you write
about birds, etc. did not see the piece
in the January 1s paper about the blue
birds being scarce in this part OF the
country.
II lived in Cumberland, Nd, with my
uncle. He loved birds and especially
bluebirds and used to build boxes for
them until the English sparrow was
brought to this country.
''They would fight the biuebirds away
from their boxes until my uncle pulled
all the boxes down as he did not like
the English sparrow.
II live in Shepherd Park NV, and we
see the grackle or starlings fight the
bluebirds and the robins until they kill
them.
Last summer we found so many dead
robins along the street and they looked
as If their eyes had been picked out.
Sometimes they were still alive when
we found them, but we never knew just
what killed them. Perhaps you could
inform us.
Every respectfully, M. s. H."
The grackle probably was responsible.
This is one of the meanest and de-
structive of all birds.
Beside the purple grackle, the one we
have around here, the startling is an
angel.
Chester A. Reed, in his bird guide,
says: "All the grackles are very similar
in appearance, the colors varying with
different individuals of the same species.
Their habits are alike, too and I con-
slider them one of the most destructive
of our birds"
A great many people set up great
pow-wow against the starlings and Eng
lish sparrows, but never say word about
the grackles, mostly because they do
not get up early enough to see the evil
work the birds do.
Neither starlings nor English SPAR
rows are in the same class with the
grackle when it comes to downright
meanness.
Both starlings and English sparrows
chase away other birds, If they can, but
they seldom attack them or harm them
physically.
The grackle, on the other wing, lit
orally loves to harm other species.
We have seen them set upon fledgling
cardinals and peck their eyes out and
tear their legs of.
They do this before startled on
locker has time to rush out of the house
to the poor fledgling's rescue.
If you find bird with an eye out, it
is the result either of grackle's nefari-
GUS work or of an air rifle.
If it is both eyes, it was grackle.
Starlings and grackles must not be
confused. While they are both black,
the resemblance ends there. The star
ling is a short, heavy fellow, very squat
in appearance, with a stubby tail.
whereas the grackle is long, lean and
Evening star., 1940-03-13
Another Comment
On international Brigade.
To the Editor OF The Star:

A recent letter from Edward Young
enlightens readers on the difference be-
tween the International Brigade now
fighting for Finland on the Mannerheim
Line and the unit with the same name
that fought in Spain. Thanks to Mr..
Young, we now can look at pictures Of
the former without seeing the shadows
of the Red flag with hammer and sickle
leading the column.
Perhaps MIR. Young has never heard
Of the old adage, Right will prevail over
might" If had fought with the OUTFIT
In Spain, I certainly would keep quiet
about 1t. WORLD WAR VET.
March 6.
Evening star., 1940-03-13

Dorothy Lamour had to enter a
hospital recently. Bet she found
those tricky hospital bed garments
rather different from a sarong.
Evening star., 1940-03-13

a, The Associated Press Is exclusively entitled to
tne use Tor republication of ell news dispatches
paper End also the local news published herein
A.! rights OF publication Of special dispatches
Evening star., 1940-03-13

Japan's filters over the activities
of the Salvation Army are about on
q par with Russia's nervousness at
the nearness Of frightful Finland.
Evening star., 1940-03-13
Two Virginia Delegates
Praise Star News Coverage.

To the Editor Of The Star:
I represent Fairfax County in the Vir-
ginia General Assembly and I wish to
express to you and to The Star my very
deep appreciation for the splendid news
service provided by The Star for the
people of Northern Virginia during the
recent session of the Assembly.
Your special correspondent, Mr.. Alex
ander Preston, is, in my opinion, an ideal
person for this assignment. No news
paperman in Richmond worked harder
or kept in closer contact with what was
being done. I was immensely impressed
by the understanding which Mr.. Preston
acquired of the facts, as well as OF the
forces which were responsible for making
the facts. The fairness and accuracy
of Mr.. Preston's dispatches left nothing
to be desired, and I am sure that the
people of Northern Virginia have, as
result, much clearer conception of the
work of this Assembly than they have
ever had of any previous Assembly.
wish to congratulate The Star on this
achievement. FRANCIS P. MILLER.
March IL.
To the Editor OF The Star
I desire to take this opportunity to
thank you for the very splendid coverage
of the Virginia Assembly through the
efforts of Alexander Preston, your able
representative.
I have heard many favorable COM
ments in Arlington since my return in
regard to your paper and I wish to say
that I found Mr.. Preston a young man
of splendid ability, willing to cooperate
at all times and sincere in his efforts to
fairly represent the news value OF the
story. He was untiring in his efforts
and earned the good will Of the General
Assembly, and particularly of those from
the northern section.
CHARLES r. FENWICK.
March IL.
Evening star., 1940-03-13

@. What is the religious afilliation of
j. Edgar Hoover?-J. R. R.
A. Mr.. Hoover is Presbyterian.
Evening star., 1940-03-13
Letters to the Editor

Letters to the Editor must
bear the name and address OF
the Driter. although the use OF
a pseudonym for publication is
permissible. Please be brief!
Evening star., 1940-03-13

O. Where is the largest oil refinery
in the United States?-J. w.
A. The worlds largest oil refinery Is
located at Baton Rouge, La, and Is
owned by the Standard OIL Co. Of Louisi.
ana.
@. How can obtain q booklet of
puzzles, tricks of magic and other parlor
pastimes?-J. A.
A. See page Az of today's Star.
Evening star., 1940-03-13
Member Of the Associated Press,

Entered as second-clsss matter post ONCE,
washington. D. c.
Evening star., 1940-03-13

Collection made at the end Of each month or
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