davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1940-12-16
THIS AND THAT
By Charles Z. Trdce1DeH.

They want to get what it has, so they all
chase after it.
When one gets the ball." the others
Immediately chase after him, and so the
sport goes, first one bird and then an
other in the lead
Even when they are feeding together
and they do not quarrel one-tenth as
much as some observers claim-tf1ey will
give up their food to indulge in this
chase.
1t is probable that anything unusual
in the bill of another draws their at
tention.
Then, since they are greedy, and so
envious, they go after the one with the
prize.
1t may be believed that cotton and
other nest-building materials appeal to
their nest-making instincts, which are
never entirely dormant.
Female English sparrows have been
seen carrying straWs as early as the
middle of February. Nesting begins
usually the first week of March. But
this does not mean that some rudments
of the instinct do not exist the year
around.
Birds which find the unusual, such as
the cotton, will fly around with 1t at any
time of year.
Careful watch of band of these hap
py, healthy and vigorous little creatures
Will show any one that the attention
which the carrier of the prize excites is
shared by the entire flock.
The birds will give up eating the
very best seed to go chasing after any
unWary bird which dares to approach
with piece of cotton in it's bill
Tissues used to clean the face are
prizes among all the birds. A sparrow.
in particular, seems to relish finding one
Of these
1t deliberately flies to the feeding place,
In order to show off its prize.
The other birds Immediately flock
around it, tearing at the tissue until
each one has bit in it's bill
If an individual bird is watched at
this time Of year, at least, it will be seen
that it shortly drops its prize and re-
turns to the seed.
This makes it look as if the fun of the
thing is all it is after.
1t is impossible for the person who
really admires bird life not to believe
that the English sparrows have real
sense of humor.
No doubt they enjoyed thoroughly the
attention they were attracting as they
went after the piece of cotton.
In the nesting time they would appre-
ciate similar pieces of cotton, tissues
and bits of odd lengths of cord and
string.
Random lengths of twine, especially if
colored, attract their attention. Such
bits need not be more than or 3 inches
long; there is some chance of danger
to the songsters in pieces which are
longer. They should be laid over a
branch OF tree, or put around the hook
on the clothes line post
Many other species appreciate this sort
OF help in the spring. Although winter
is still ahead of us. we must not forget
that spring, for the birds, begins with
the first of March.
Evening star., 1940-12-16
Shuke-up at Vichy

Although a momentous event has
happened at Vichy, Americans as yet
know too little about it to judge it's
full significance and foresee its larger
Implications The outstanding facts
which clearly appear are the political
downfall of Pierre Laval and the self
elevation of Marshal Petain to full
dictatorship. Despite his eighty-four
years, this still vigorous soldier has
grasped authority with a strong
hand. "I remain at the helm!"
he announces to his countrymen.
And evidently there is no one to say
him nay. Pierre-Etienne Flandin,
who succeeds Laval as Minister of
Foreign Affairs, is mere cabinet
member. Unlike Laval, he is neither
Vice Premier nor Petain's designated
successor. Those offices are abol-
ished by Premier Petain's curt say-so.
Henceforth, the marshal rules alone.
Perhaps the most revealing glimpse
of this tightly censored political coup
can be gained from a brief survey of
the three leading actors in the SEN
sational drama.
Pierre Laval stood, in the last an
alysis, for no one but himself. This
lone wolf was probably the most sin
lister figure in French politics.
Born in South Central France, he
typified local peasant stock
notorious for its shrewd cunning.
''Wily as an Auvergnat!" is French
proverb of long standing.
Laval rose to political power and
wealth by an extraordinarily supple
intelligence unhindered by scruples.
His parliamentary career was varied,
while the big business interests he
ably served rewarded him richly. But
he built up no personal following, be-
cause he could not inspire confidence.
Such a man could not have been
congenial to Marshal Pctain. He
presumably picked Laval in the great
crisis last summer as the ablest in
strument then available, but it is
unthinkable that he really trusted
his ambitious subordinate, whose
thirst for power was well known.
The Germans likewise presumably
used Laval, with no illusions as to his
dependability to them. Now, for rea-
sons as.yet undisclosed, he has been
abruptly discarded by both.
Pierre -Etienne Flandin, physically
Evening star., 1940-12-16
CHEVY CHASE, Md.

Dear Sir:
Being reader of your column, wish
to ask you If you have ever seen sparrows
wearing whiskers, moustaches and
boards?
MY sister did; last winter downtown,
and here is the story:
"As she was walking on Tenth street
NV, between F and G streets, she no
ticed piece Of white cotton Qike they
put in jewelry boxes about the size of
her hand, floating down from some up
stairs window.
"As 1t neared the street it was imme-
diately seized upon by a flock of street
sparrows with a great chattering and
noise.
They all grabbed at it and started to
pull. This attracted the attention OF all
pasSersby, and they stopped to see the
show.
when each sparrow had all he could
hold in his bill, he would fly off to his
domicile and come back for more.
"As each one flew off, the cotton
formed a beard, some long and flowing,
or moustache in all styles and whis-
kers, some long and some short.
1T was such a comical sight, that
those who saw them almost went into
Mysteries.
Presently the cotton disappeared and
W it the sparroWs. And so the show
was over
Sincerely yours, r. B. W."
4 -
For sheer fun, there are few birds
which can equal the English or house
sparrow.
That is why it is mistake, we believe,
ruthlessly to chase them away from feed
ing stations.
The person who gets grudge against
them, and runs them away at all seasons.
cuts himself off from a great deal of
honest amusement.
The English sparrow is a comic in
the best sense. This is true not only of
the individual bird but especially so
Of the birds as flock.
In other words, what is comical In
one is compounded in two or three
dozen; for what one does, the rest are
DOlIllS
out
This gets down to the very bottom of
burlesque. If there is something funny.
in the usual sense, in the actions of one
character in play, there is a great deal
more fun when everybody on the stage
is doing the same thing.
Then We have sheer farce.
House sparroWs are masters at this.
They are, We believe, among the few
birds which really try to be comical.
They join in the fun, one may feel
sure.
AS pointed out here recently, it seems
to be almost the only species hereabouts
which INDUCES in what might be termed
game.
This usually consists of one bird chas-
ing another.
The latter may have found a large
piece of bread, or bit of cotton, or
even paper.
The sight seems to excite the others
Evening star., 1940-12-16

A fine line on Hollywood mentality
and patriotism is contained in news
dispatch stating that movie magnates
are appealing to the Army to pur-
chase much-needed horses with the
least possible interference with an
essential civil industry" It appears
that the greedy old Army likes just
the sort of steeds that the studios
find most useful.
Evening star., 1940-12-16

At recent county fair, by a re-
markable coincidence, the man who
won the hundred-yard dash was the
husband of the lady who won the
rolling pin throwing contest. What
all-American caliber offspring this
couple should have!
Evening star., 1940-12-16
Insists Liberty Is Involved
In Relief Problem.

To the Editor Of The Star:
The public is hearing and reading much
about help for needy people in countries
impoverished by the war.
I wonder if there is not danger Of
losing sight of the important thing to
be done in the circumstances? Is it not
better to stop the trouble at its source
than to allow 1t to 60 on and then be
compelled, through sympathy, to expend
vast sums to relieve those who have been
brought to desolation? Is It not better
Evening star., 1940-12-16

The sun never sets on the British
Empire Cat least, not yeti, and there
has not been night since 1879 that
somewhere the opera "Pinafore" was
not playing. It is thought that both
will continue for some little time yet.
Evening star., 1940-12-16
Would Modify
Neutrality Act.


To the Editor Of The Star:
know my opinion may not be worth
much but I want to make a suggestion.
Since you have been stressing the i'm
minent danger to this country and to
England, why not hammer away at the
Neutrality Act? If it were relaxed by
the proper authorities then England
could be given more aid. I don't believe
there is any one in this country who
would want to see the Nazis be dominant
in Europe. I have a complete under
standing of Southern people and I think
can speak for them in this way. If they
understood the basic nature of German
people they would be Mortified at the
thought of German domination, no
matter what form of government they
happen to have.
KATHLEEN / oPPENFELDER.
Evening star., 1940-12-16
Letters to the Editor

Letters to the Editor must
bear the name and address of
the ,rriter, although the use of
a pseudonyn1 for publication is
permissible. The Star reserves
the right to edit all letters nth
Uie1O to condensation.
Evening star., 1940-12-16

Italians are subject to a number
of different diseases, the latest Of
which appears to be Buqbuq fever.
Evening star., 1940-12-16
l44 Recipes for
Homemade Candies

Running all the way from Boston
creams to Turkish delight, this booklet
of tested recipes includes II kinds Of
fudge, nougats, several kinds of taffy-
almost every candy you ever heard Of.
The home kitchen is the ideal place to
make fine, pure, delightful candy for the
Christmas stocking, for gifts, for the
holiday table, for the Sunday school
party. All Of the candies in this booklet
may be made in any home kitchen with
out special equipment. To secure your
copy inclose 10 cents in coin, wrapped in
this clipping, and mail to The Star In
formation Bureau.
Name
-------.--..--------..
Street
City
State
Evening star., 1940-12-16
Thinks America
Should Strike Now.

To the Editor Of The Star:
The fall of England would be the
most staggering blow ever delivered to
civilization and the effects of such a
catastrophe would not be long in reach
ing our shores.
Hitler wants no negotiated peace From
his own frank statements we learn that
we, in common with Britain, are a de-
cadent capitilistic democracy that will
soon be destroyed The time for delay
is past. Action is necessary at once.
Shall we waver and temporize and thus
make eventual defeat or stark isolation
inevitable, or shall we strike at once,
assured of victory?
The answer of any unhyphenated
American is-strike. P. v. WADE.
Evening star., 1940-12-16
Recalls James Bryce
As Best" Ambassador.
To the Editor Of The Star:

To the Editor Of The Star:
Newswriters are under pressure and
superlatives are tempting. These factors
explain, I assume, Constantine Browns
reference to Lord Lothian as the best
Ambassador the British have ever had
in this country. Should we forget so
soon the late good and great James
Bryce? Author of "The American Com
monwealth," he was friend of the
American people and an admirer of their
institutions. During his term of six years
d907-1913) he made some sort of record
IN negotiating about dozen treaties
disposing of difficulties between the
Usonian and British governments. His
departure from this country was gen.
orally regretted and his services to his
own land were recognized by his being
made a viscount and being given an
honorary degree by oxford University.
w. L. McATEE.
Evening star., 1940-12-16
Wants German Consulates
Raided by F. B. /.


To the Editor Of The Star:
An article in the December Readers
Digest, by Albers Grzesinski, reveals that
Hitler has in this country large and
increasing army of spies and saboteurs,
headed by the best and experienced
talent of the German nation. These are
working under our protection in what
is called diplomatic immunity"
1t is supposed, of course, that
nations diplomats are high and noble
class of men who would never stoop to
the abuse of such privileges, but when
the nations established these courtesies
throughout the world, Hitler and his
gang had not come on the scene.
Now since this gang has appeared,
twiddle our thumbs?
If So then Hitler is right when he says
that democracy is the wrong form of
government for a successful nation. Why
not wake up?
Let the F. B. l., in cooperation with
the police departments of the Federal
cities, secretly and simultaneously raid
the German consulates.
What effect would such move have
on Hitler and his cohorts? 1t would
upset their whole world scheme
Hitler openly boasts that he has
nothing to fear from America. I can
think of nothing more ridiculous than
to be spending all the billions we are
for arming against an enemy and at the
{voa IvySN ar1v IN $lN%
enemy to maintain an army well trained
and organized in our midst.
ALLEN w. ALDERMAN.
Suggests Plan for Aid
To Britain.
To the Editor of The Star:
have read in the paper that the
British will need credits in the United
States to aid in the purchase of further
munitions, planes. ETC., next year.
All America can help to provide part
of the credits which the United States
Government is reluctant to extend in
the shape OF loan to the British. Over
the United States in department stores,
in drug stores, in grocery stores, British
products are on sale. Chinaware, soaps,
toiletries, durable CLOTH tweeds, hosiery,
cotton materials, jams, marmalades, oat-
meal, ETC., all made in England and Scot
land. Made despite horrors of bomb
ing raids! Made despite tragedy of
death and destruction! Brought to the
United States past U-boat blockades!
If thousands of people over the United
States would consistently purchase some
British-made products the weight of our
financial aid to the British would be felt.
AS much as may lay in each persons
power, should not aid be extended to
the British? MRS. r. K. GARNETT.
Little River, Fla.
Evening star., 1940-12-16
Member of the Associated Press.

Entered as second-class matter post office.
Washington, D. C.
The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1940-11-15
QUESTIONS TO TEST
YOUR KNOWLEDGE

Can you answer seven Of these
test questions Turn to the wo-
mans page for the answers:
l. The capital Of Turkey is
lstanbul, Smyrna or Ankara?
2. Have Deanna Durbin and
Mickey Rooney ever appeared to-
gether in feature photoplay
3. OF the five most common
names Of men who enlisted in the
World War, did Smith, Jones.
johnson, Williams or Brown
rank first?
4. Which Nobel prize in 1899
was won by the Nansen Interna-
tional Office for Refugees at
Geneva
5. Complete the proverb:
Shoemaker stick to your last
s. Which is heavier, helium or
hydrogen gas?
I. To cause a forest to grow
on treeless land is called -
5. Did Patrick Henry make his
famous liberty or death" speech
in Richmond, Williamsburg, or
Philadelphia?
9. Name the carpenters son
who founded religion.
10. For what is Fannie Crosby
remembered
The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1940-11-15
Only a New Bridge Will Do

Whatever the of the collapse Of the Narrows
bridge il will be engineers of the country who will deter
mine the facts The profession itself is probably more
interested in the bridge tragedy than the aman
Engineers will offer many explanations for the collapse
and provide the collective opinion largely will
determine the character or construction of future suspension
bridges is to be hoped they get together and make
known their weeonsidered opinion. Meanwhile, plans
must be made for new bridge
The Washington Toll Bridge Authority is bearing the
heaviest load following the tragedy II not only has to
provide for demolition of the remaining portions of the
bridge but must prepare plans for structure, and
make adequate financial commitments to finance any
greater and better Narrows crossing. The problems
many and difficult but not insurmountabe Meanwhile,
il well if the proper authorities make complete and
thorough check of the leading up TO the bridges
destruction Some convincing decision regarding il due
the public thorough airing of all angles is demanded
In addition TO its other problems the state officials
continue to provide adequate ferry transportation
until such time bridge is erected. They have
made good emergency effort but must rest content
with the present set Traffic to the peninsula of such
proved proportions that it must be cared for properly
the future Operation of the Gig Harbor-Pt. Defiance
ferry is not enough. At the first opportunity shuttle
service, Sixth PIT Fosdck should be inauguraed
The distance shorter the time element is important and
if traffic is to be maintained peak such service must
later be provided Meanwhile the toll authority
bepeaks and should have the hearty cooperation of all
concerned.
The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1940-11-15
FRIDAY, NOV. Is

Good and evil aspects are &C
tive today. II is wise TO delay
important matters until the af-
ternoon. In the morning the mind
may be open to perplexities and
uncertainties.
Heart and Home: Good news
from those on the seas is pre-
ssged by the stars. Letters and
cheering messages should come
to mothers and to girls whose
sweethearts are in the navy. This
evening may be disappointing for
romance or social contacts Girls
are counseled to prepare for
wsge-earning vocstions. In the
postwar re-establishment of eco
nomic stability women will be
even more numerous than they
have been in business and the
professions.
Business Affairs: American in
ventors are to win great acclaim
by their contributions TO war
mechanisms of many sorts.
Chemists also will prove their
ingenuity in aiding government
efficiency. Proof of speed in pro-
duction will be evident next
month when many factories will
turn out amazing results Of in
tensified industry. Projects of a
colonizing character will be pro-
NOTED in the spring
National Issues: The Panama
Canal is to provide subjects for
discussion in legislative assem-
blies and among the whole peo-
pie. The stars presage a sensa-
ton which will bring severe cri-
ucism upon those who direct the
guarding OF the great waterway.
Costly work is TO be authorized
as a safeguard for shipping As
the administration proceeds 10
map the program for the future,
great events are presaged.
international Affairs: Russia
comes under CONFORMATION
which indicates discomfort among
the people under the Soviet gov
eminent. Disease. deception and
poverty will cause troubles. but
while many executions take
place there will continue TO be
plenty Of war service under IN
favorable conditions. Disagree
ment with the Axis powers is
prognosticsted as the spells of
aggression are claimed. The
Russian bear viii not have
much chance TO hibernate.
Persons whose birthdste il is
have the sugury Of a year Of
quiet contentment. Artistic or
literary interest should be for
tunate.
Children born on this day will
be high strung and intuitive.
They may be independent and
difficult To guide. Many are in
simsd - Sunuv 0sosse impnlDes.
The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1940-11-15
PULSE OF
THE PU BLIC
&c MILLION CAN'T
BE WRONG ON r. ID. X.

Editor, The Times. In re-
spouse TO a recent letter in The
Times, I wish to comment on it
in a form of disagreement. The
letter stated that the initiative
to increase the pay Of teachers
had been defeated partially be-
cause of what some teachers had
said regarding the visit of Wen
dell L. Willkie here in Tacoma.
Before the appearance of the de-
feated candidate, the faculty
members expressly told the stu
dents to act respectful toward
Willkie, even though we might
not agree with him nor his
party.
Not once did a member of the
faculty tell the students to go
out and cheer for President
Roosevelt nor did they lead such
a cheer, Those students or per-
sons that did. did so on their
own accord. At the time he
appeared here, we were not so
sure that he would not return in
the capacity Of president of the
United States, and fortunately
or otherwise he did not.
As for the remark of suffering
under the New Deal. " it seems
that about twenty-six million
persons heartily enjoyed the
form of suffering accorded them
during the last eight years. and
they are going to enjoy II for
another four years. Twenty-siX
million sufferers can't be wrong
RAYMOND DAHL
The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1940-11-15
in
Stamps
Nozis Rule Europe's
River Of Destiny"

THE Danube river, pictured on
L the Rumsnian stamp above,
one o, q recent Boy Scout semi
postal series-is German again.
for the first time since 1918. This
Is Hitler's lifeline, and up it must
come the supplies necessary 70
continue the war. Only Soviet
Russia IS in a position TO contest
Nazi rule Of this important water
Way.
Control OF the Danube and It's
valuable river commerce Is a rich
prize for Germany. Grain, MIN
erals, coal and OIL vii De trans
ported into Germany by Danubisn
bsrges. The Danube valley is the
-oresdbssket- OF central Europe
The l7So-mils long river serves
he people Of SIX nstions-Cer-
many, Hungary, Yugoslavia, Bull
CARA. RumsnIs and Bessaraola.
reclaimed by Russia Three Of
Europe.s most important cities
Vienna. Budapest, and Belgrade
are situated on its BANS.
Hitler mas already absorbed
Austria and Czechoslovskia, Doth
Dsnunisn states Control Of ire
river may open the vsy tox tz-
, trar oxpaoeaon 60
The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1940-11-15

eath some person or persons
unknown. The navy announced
Vhen Il bought said Graf, they
would Be used "eXperimentsllv
We. Z the navy is going 70
Judge the wartime efficiency
ard possi biIities 81 all fshboats
BY the results obtained from
what We can see and hear 81
Majestic alas. we fear our
navy Is going 10 cheat itself Of
the best available
The Tacoma Yacht club
staged one OF its classic SAL
boat races last weekend the
162-mile Toliva Shosl event
Briefly. Rad Pratsch's Keteh
White Cloud was the winner and
Martin Stockwelrs sloop Mar
june was a close second.
The remarkable feature was
that nobody else participated in
the traditional annual event. and
thereby missed what was de-
eiared 10 be the most era flying
bit Of breeze and sailing to be
found hereabouts in a year!
Saw a friend Of ours again the
other day. He's the plump and
dignified seal who paws fire.
quent visits to the harbor.
He was-for the moment
kibitzing a gang Of English
sailors painting the side of their
ship (Which looked mighty like
a captured German. incidental
lyl We watched him for
while as he effortlessly bobbed
casually and slowly along on the
tide. then we whistled a chirp
and after a long and distsin-
ful stare. he submerged and
disappeared.
Jess Berkheimer is one of the
deans among oldtime steam
boatmen. Less known. however.
is howcome he's called Barrel
Stoker Berk."
Seems he ran out Of fuel one
time-in the days Of yore when
the Aberdeen and the NIultno-
NAH were holding impromptu,
Observation-Disclosures races all over
the map-and he chopped up
his cargo Of empty beer bar
rels to feed his 5 te m {.
Simple as that. but the tag has
stuck 10 these many, many
years.