davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1941-03-23
Invasion Mechanical Genius Offers Unusual for

player simply would get the box in
front of the oncoming sphere. The
ball, striking the doors, would enter
the box and land with q thump
against a pad-backed by springs
at the rear. Then it would drop
into a small pipe leading through
the bottom of the box. Closed at
the bottom, the pipe would have a
side hole through which the player
could reach to lay his hand on the
captured pellet.
Base-runners, of course, would be
stealing bases two and three at a
time while all that was going on.
They would even be able to trot
blissfully across the plate while the
catcher was waiting for the ball to
hit the bottom of the pipe.
The baseball catcher" was
patented 80 years or more ago. To
date, obviously enough, it has not
found its way into the game.
Outfielders and inflelders, who
certainly could not be asked to haul
such q contraption around the field,
could take advantage of the product
of another inventors genius. So
doing, they would carry large
funnel-shaped trinkets, strapped to
their catching hands. Each would
be equipped with an ejector which
would flip the ball back into the
open air from which it came. Only
Evening star., 1941-03-23

players who could not raise their
hands to meet the ball would run
the risk of making errors with such
armament available.
Strange as those catching aids
may appear, they are just common
place when compared with the rig
gings inventors have created by way
of adding mechanical pitching to the
game. Patents have been issued for
more than 80 types of pitching
machines.
Centrifugal force, electricity,
springs, compressed air and giant
rubber bands-al these have been
utilized by designing men in efforts
to make human pitchers rarer than
cave dwellers. Only gunpoWder
seems to have been overlooked.
Patent No. 884,024 is typical. The
purpose of the equipment is de-
scribed as being ito cause the ball
to travel in either a rectilinear or
curvilinear direction, and to vary
the direction of the curve and the
amount thereof In close stimulation
of the balls delivered by the ordi-
nary expert pitcher in the game Of
baseball" The detailed description
of the device spreads itself across
five printed pages. 1t is accom-
panied by complicated drawings
which might portray a rocket for
flight to the moon so far as most
Evening star., 1941-03-23

players never would be chased be-
cause they hooked words together
insultingly.
Slots in Plate.
Consider the possibilities held by
patent 1858 ,o8S, granted at Wash
ington eight or nine years ago.
Among the objectives cited by the
inventor are "the lessening of de-
lays and the increasing of GER
tainty." This patent calls for the
lodging beneath the home plate of
electrical apparatus, including mo-
tor, a light bulb and fan. 1t pro-
poses that two small slots be cut in
the plate, each being at the side
and near the place where it begins
to come to point.
Light from the buried lamp would
shine upward through the slots,
casting twin beams from each side
Of the plate. If the ball, as it sped
past the batter, was lighted on its
under side by the beams, the UNI
pire-probably holding his head a
foot or so above the ground-would
call the pitch strike, and that
without a moment of hesitation.
The electric motor and fan beneath
the plates surface are intended to
draw air through a pipe from a dis
tant intake and to force it across
the tops of the lenses set in the
slots, by way of keeping them
cleared of dust.
Other "home-plate inventions in
clude device based on the roller
towel principle. It would cover the
face Of the plate with a clean sheet
OF paper. When soiled, new paper
would be drawn from a roll located
beneath the plate.
Another notable sound effect
would be added to the game if a
ben-ringing baseball, patented under
No. 172 ,315, were brought into play.
This ball has a hollow metal sphere
as its core. Within the sphere "a
clapper of one or more bells" are
positioned. with the bell within the
ball." the inventor states" a sound
is emitted whenever a ball is struck
or caught by a player"
A bat shaped like a question mark
has been assigned No. 838,257. The
inner surface of the curved portion
of the bat is filled with grooves
and ridges. It's use, the inventor de-
clared, brings assurance that foul
balls will not be hit and enables the
batter ito strike the ball In various
directions"
Evening star., 1941-03-23

that then rented for SIS or $40
a month was fine house, and the
day laborer who got as much for
his work as SIPS a day was playing
in luck.
The park had Its own ash and
garbage service, and even employed
watchman to keep out intruders
and undesirables. 1t was as ex-
elusive a settlement as one might
want or imagine, and its residents
were of the very highest type.
Earliest Homes.
Some of the earliest home owners
and residents included AMI l..
Barber and his partner, Andrew
Langdon, who lived at 1901 Hare
wood avenue, and David McClel-
land, who lived on the opposite
corner at what was then 1900 Hare
wood avenue. Barber, being a
promoter, did not reside in the park
for many years, for almost i'm
mediately thereafter he began to
develop Columbia Heights, and
about 1886 erected for himself a
castle-like stone residence at Thir-
teenth and Clifton streets, where
now stand the Clifton Terrace
Apartments. 1t was in this Columbia
Heights residence that Melville w.
Fuller later made his home after
he became Chief Justice of the
United States.
LIE Droit Park was not large
subdivision. There were but five
streets running north and south and
three streets running east and west.
The former were named beginning
from the east) lie Droit avenue,
Hardwood avenue, Linden street,
Larch street and Juniper street,
and the latter streets were called
Maple, Spruce and Elm. When the
| changing of the names of these
streets took place some years ago
LIE Droit avenue became Second
| street: Harewood avenue, which was
| originally section of old Harewood
road, was changed to Third street;
Linden street to Fourth. Larch to
Fifth and Juniper to Sixth street
Maple avenue is now T street;
Spruce street, U street, and Elm the
only street that still bears its
original name.
Two of the most important streets
seem to have been Maple and Hare
wood avenue. Of the many i'm
portant people who resided on Maple
avenue there were: w. Scott Smith
! correspondent; Arnold B. johnson
Evening star., 1941-03-23

at Florida avenue and Seventh
street.
Occupied by Officer.
At the north entrance to the ball
park is an old dwelling occupied for
many years by Lit. James Johnson,
and later by his son-in-law, Frank
T. De. Neale. To the east of the
ball grounds is old LIE Droit Park, at
one time one of the finest subdi-
visions in Washington, but which
has long since lost its indemnity in
name, for few besides the early
Washingtonian would know its
present location.
Prior to 1873, when this subdi-
vision made its appearance on the
map, the land included in the tract
consisted of four separate parcels.
One part belonged to Mr.. Miller,
another to David McClelland, a
third to Mr.. Prather and the re-
naming tract to a Mr.. Gilman. A.
L. Barber & Co., which firm in
cluded Amzi L. Barber and Andrew
Langdon, purchased these tracts
during 1872 and 1873 and turned
what was principally farm land and
commons into beautiful little vii
lage. to which some of Washing
tons best citizens moved. Prior to
this the McClelland and Gilman
properties had been improved, while
the Prather tract was used for
pasturage and the Miller tract was
an unCared-for public common.
The erection of buildings was
commenced here in July, 1873, and
by 1877 eight large brick residences
had been erected on the north side
and two on the south side of Maple
street, while 10 houses had been
erected on the north side and 10
on the south side of Spruce street,
the cost of the dwellings running
from $4,000 to s12 ,000-and one must
not forget that go years or more
ago a nice home could be bought
for $4,000 or a mansion for the
princely sum of $4,000. Other
houses soon followed until there
were soon so or more fine resi-
dences.
Homes in Vicinity.
Among the earliest homes in this
neighborhood, and one which is
standing today - is the David
McClelland home, now at the north
Evening star., 1941-03-23
By Ira L. Smith.

"Rick Ferreu ran down the third
base line, Topped fiat on his back
and wriggled under Joe Gordon's
high foul, which landed squarely
on the cushion of his catching box"
"Rolfe was safe on drive to deep
short, the bell beneath first base
ringing just before the throw from
Travis reached the bag"
Case went at top speed toward
the fence to take Dickeys long fly,
holding his funnel high over his
head to make the catch"
Leonard, working with fine
mastery as he made adjustments
behind the shield of the mechanical
pitcher, shot three strikes past Joe
Di Maggie"
Strange sentences like those would
make up the play-by- play report of
the seasons opening game at Grif-
fifth Stadium if inventors to whom
patents on baseball Improvement"
have been granted had their way.
Uncle Sam has given a few in
ventive men the right to go ahead,
if they can, and fill the Nations
baseball parks with strange sights
and unfamiliar sounds.
Ponderous files in the United
States Patent Office at Washington
reveal the scope and general oddity
of efforts launched by creative folks
to Improve" the national pasti1ne.
If those efforts were successful,
ball players would look like robots,
bells would ring on the playing
field, lights would flash strangely
at home plate and a piece of ma
chinery would surmount the pitchers
mound.
Gus Q. Fan, looking up from the
sports page, will mutter, ut can't
happen here" and return to q scan
ming Of early season dope. But 1t
is beginning to happen.
News columns recently have pre-
sented obscurely positioned items
showing that the inventors have
started to fifth column" their way
into the grand American game. And
nobody in this year 1941 can say
with certainty how well baseball
long free from the machine-age in
f1uence-will be able completely to
resist the trend toward change.
Machine in Action.
The first day of this years month
Of March saw an electrically-oper-
ated pitching machine go into bat
ting practice action against the St.
Louis Cardinals at their st. Peters
burgh, Fla, training camp. The
machine fired balls at the hitters
through an opening IN Q eese 90
Evening star., 1941-03-23

Washington and, indeed, of the
Republic itself, are still being care
fully taken care of by the colored
Elks, who now occupy it as their
home.
No subdivision in the District of
Columbia ever got off to a better
start than did this one. In addition
to the erection there of a fine type
Of dwelling, more than $4,000 was
Evening star., 1941-03-23

west corner of Third street and
Rhode Island avenue. The eastern
part of this stately old home was
erected after McClelland joined
forces with Barber and others in
laying out this subdivision, but the
western part is much older and
probably preceded the new part by
a number of years.
McClelland, the owner, was an
Evening star., 1941-03-23

early spent in purchasing and
planting ornamental shade trees
and hedges and about S50,000 in
street Improvements, including
sewer and water mains. When we
consider that this was anything but
a prosperous financial period, We
will realize more fully what the
expenditure of such an amount of
money must have meant. The house
Evening star., 1941-03-23

engraver, and evidently with an eye
to the artistic. took much pains in
beautifying the spacious grounds
surrounding his residence. The old
fashioned garden, still plainly
visible from the Rhode Island side
of the property. is in itself a re-
minder of the past glory of the
neighborhood. The lockwood plants,
worked into designs typical of early
Evening star., 1941-03-23
Historic Grounds Were Once Known
AS Beyer's Park, Noted Resort Here
LIE Droit Area Long Associated With That
Section of City, While Boundary Sewer
Ranked as Engineering Marvel
By John CIagett Proctor

probably all baseball fans know the baseball playing
opens Washington April IA
baseball will in Washington
Evening star., 1941-01-25

Further, this animal had advanced
greatly in size, for it was about as
large as collie dog. Then the
third one, centuries later. 1t had
three toes on each foot, two of which
were elevated from the ground and
the fourth type had reached a stage
of development where one great toe
on each foot was ample to carry the
larger animal over the ground.
Baby horses are known as foals
When their mother weans them they
are referred to as Weanlings. A
young female horse is a fllly, ma
ture one a mare. A young male is
a colt, mature male stallion.
Males used as work horses. are
called geldings. Since we have so
many pictures on the screen, of
horse races and stories using the
various names mentioned above, you
will find it easy to understand the
in your memory.
d Thoroughbred horses are bred for
speed: some for saddle horses. They
are about 5 feet at the WitherS or
more professionally known as 14l2
to 1872 hands.
The weight will vary from 900 to
1,100 pounds. The form will be
graceful The legs will be long and
slender and the horse so streamlined
from the tip of his nose to the end
of his tail. that he will attract favor
able attention wherever seen.
Usually the color of these horses
is bay or brown; sometimes black,
chestnut and gray coats are found.
This color is usually uniform and
the characteristic form of the animal
Evening star., 1941-01-25
Natures Children
Thoroughbred Horse
(Equus caballus)

has been maintained for years
through most exacting selection.
Thoroughbreds are always loved by
their owners. And this horse is
gentle and friendly toward those it
likes; quite sensitive when those who
are cruel and do not understand,
are present.
1t is we'll established now that the
thoroughbred was brought to this
high degree of development in Eng
land, individual records of over 200
years having been kept.
Man o War in May, 1920, galloped
a mile in 1859 minutes. He won
in race money for his owners, $249,-
465 and established his record as the
greatest horse of his breed. His
posterity is living up to the standard
he made through years of obedient
training. The elder Man o War
was one of the most famous and
beloved of thoroughbred horses, not
only by those who understood these
marvellous animals, but by those who
have seem them race.
Evening star., 1941-01-25
By LILLIAN COX ATHEY.

Every line or this animal shows 1t
to be thoroughbred. 1t is believed
that domesticated horses are de-
scended from wild horses of Asia.
Some scholars centend that they
came from 'Africa, but there is
abundant evidence that the FORE
bears of these Wild horses once en-
joyed life in North America. 1t is
said that when America was first
visited by white men, there were no
horses.
There is something so final and
convincing with fossils. There is no
way to get around this evidence.
And fossils have been found show
ing the stages of development of
the horse, from very small animal
about II inches high to the stature
of a wild horse.
The wee Eohippus possessed four
toes on its front feet and three with
the indication of another, on its
hind feet. This is believed to be
the first horse. The second one had
three toes, every one of which
touched the ground when he walked.
Evening star., 1941-01-25
Living Costs in D. c.
Reported Down SIiqhtIy

Between September Is and De-
cember IS, 1910, living costs in the
District declined O.3 per cent, Sec
retary of Labor Perkins reported
today. For 33 large cities surveyed
by the Bureau of Labor statistics,
living costs during this period in
creased an average of 0.3 per cent.
Though living costs in the Dis
trict declined fractionally, rents in
creased slightly. The percentage
increase for all rents under $50 was
OF, and that for rents above $50
was OIL. Of homes renting for $50
or less, only "a per cent reported
rent change In the $50 to S49.99
bracket, 62 showed a rent change
and in homes costing over $50, the
percentage of rent changes was 81.
Evening star., 1941-01-25
J. 6. StuhImun on Duty
With Navy Department

James G.. Stahlman, publisher of
the Nashville (TennD Banner, to-
day is on duty in the Navy Depart
ment with the Press Section. The
former president of the American
Newspaper Publishers Association
was called here for an indefinite
tour of duty in the department.
A World War veteran, Mr.. Stahl-
man holds a commission as lieu
tenant commander in the Naval Re-
serve. He was named a lieutenant
in 1926 and three years ago was pro-
NOTED to lieutenant commander.
During his assignment here, the
Banner will be managed by E. B.
Stahlman. jr. the publishers brother
Evening star., 1941-01-25
SITUATIONS MEN.

ACCOUNTANT, exp; books started. kept
part time. audits statements, tax service;
local refs: S12.5O mo. RA. 2544.
LAW STUDENT, ambitious. hard working.
wishes work in law Office or Govt. depart
ment: best ref. Box 30i, SlI. Sp. Md
P Q. -
MAN. young, wants job in gas station on
any kind OF Job; good worker. Phone WI.
6G26. 26'
MAN. young. experienced. graduate Swed-
ish Institute of PhysiOth herapy, desires pO-
sition as masseur-va!et with gentleman.
Box "f2-G, Star. %
MAN young. wants work as electrician.
carpenter or plumbers helper. Call Ran
dnlnh onHE
Evening star., 1941-01-25

! But you were going to turn me
over to the police?"
| Il was I had convinced myself
that was the only thing to do. You
would have been Strengthened out
quickly" Crosley's hand moved to-
ward the telephone GAS a matter
of fact, I'm going to telephone the
police now. I'm surprised that you
did not think of it before"
Kelly reached out. stayed the
other mans hand. Wait. You
haven't heard all the story"
Can't Offer Help.
Kelly began from the very first
moment He talked swiftly, brus-
quely. James Crosley's face mir
rored its incredulity when Kelly
finished. John ODian!" he ejac-
ulated And he duped me into
allowing him complete freedom"
Kelly said, Nov you see that We
can't call the police. We must
avoid scandal at any cost. Added to
that there would be the danger. I'm
not sure about John ODian. There
was a wild look about the man
when I saw him" kelly's shoulders
hunched bit. I'VE can't afford to
lose any time about this. We can't
go blindly searching for Sherr. We
have to use our heads. try to out
maneuver John ODian. He won't
harm her. but of course even that
is not positive"
rs that what is making you so
desperate?" James Crosley said
softly.
1T is. I haven't the least idea
where she might be. That's why I
came down here to see you. And
you can't help me. can you?"
NO. Madigan; I'm afraid I can't"
Kelly was thinking desperately.
He knew that the next move was
his. He quickly reviewed what he
already knew, attempting to sift
something from his knowledge. He
strode to the window. He stood
there looking out at the street. His
mind was confused. The people be-
low him moved in an endless stream.
He saw taxi stand just below the
window. That brought back memo
ries. Then suddenly Kelly straight
ened. A taxicab had ierked to a
stop and driver piled out. Tim
Grogan! Kelly swung around.
Come on, man! I've an ideal"
Recalls First Visit.
James Croslev jumped up from
his desk. He was instantly alert.
What is it?"
You'll know in minute" Kelly
said decisively. He jerked open the
door and was striding swiftly past
the now thoroughly bewildered sec
retary. She had half risen from her
chair, then she saw James Crosley
following Kelly. Her boss was strug-
Cling into his coat.
Cancel all appointments" Cros-
lev directed distinctly. IF any tele-
phone calls come for me, try to
pump whoever is on the other end,
but don't give any information
about me"
The two men swiftly descended to
the street Out in the sunlight. Kelly
glanced quickly around. Tim Gro
gan had not moved
Tin! Tim Grogan!"
The taxi driver swung around.
His eyes focused on Kelly's ap-
preaching figure.
Mr.. Madigan!' Tim leaped for
ward. He could see the urgency In
Kelly's stride
Kelly grasped Tins arm. Think
now, Tim" he said abruptly Where
did you take me the other night,
before We went to Sherbyville?"
Before Sherbyville." Tim mur-
INJURED. wait minute :. get so
many . ~
Come on. man! Think" Kelly's
grasp tightened.
ut was Elm street, wasn't it?"
That's it. Come on. Get that
hack of yours rolling. To Elm
street"
Copyright 1e41. Chicago Daily News, 1nc.)
Tomorrow-Kelly finds Sherr, but
Iiy1So,- -
Evening star., 1941-01-25
Dinner to Honor D. O. Reed

j. Monroe Johnson, Interstate
Commerce Commission member will
be the principal speaker tonight at
a testimonial dinner and dance
given by the Sergeant Jasper Post
of the American Legion in honor of
it past junior commander, Douglass
o. Reed. The dinner will be held
in the Colonial Hotel, beginning at Z
o'clock.
Evening star., 1941-01-25
SITUATIONS WOMEN.

BOOKKEEPER, full charge several years
EXP. best Of refs Please grant interview.
Box No 3S2C. Star.
LADY, "6 yrs. age, desires sec-et ariaI
work. grad business coNege. Lew.s Hotel
Training School Il yrs hotel and sta-.Stl-
cal exp Box 259-G. Star. 2G'
STENOGRAPHER. TYPIsT, exp. part
time work or typ.ns 10 DO al home. En-
059l.
TEMPORARY POSITION for few mon hs
experienced typISt dIcta phone. S-eHnCra-
pher. Box 212-G, Star 20
Evening star., 1941-01-25
W. c. T. u. Meetino

The West End Women's Christian
Temperance Union will meet at the
home of Mrs. j. Luther Frantz, 222
Eighth street S.W., at 8 pm, Mon
day. 1t will be the groups regular
monthly meeting.
Evening star., 1941-01-25
SITUATIONS DOMESTIC.

GIRL. colored wants ghW exp. with
children. Franklin S699
GIRL. colored wants days work or ghw;
prefer no Sundays: good reference. Dupont
GIRL. colored good education desires job
in Doctors Office. pvt. home. Metropolitan
5f32. Sun. or Monday.
GIRL. colored. wishes 3 morns or Sats
work; city refs; neat. clean, good cook.
After 80 pm, Adams 3742
GIRL. colored wants permanent part-tIme
WORK in afternoons. Call Hobart 5544
GIRLS, two. colored, reliable: nursemaid.
day work; % cents hour. Carfa-e- regular
work preferred; references Republic 377g.
GIRL, white settled, wishes Job in adult
family; NV. section; live II. reasonable.
Box 2S0-G, Star.
AdIi3 MAID or mother helper, 90 plan cooking.
20lh 3rd 81. ". Apr. 8 ",;'
WAITRESS, colo-ed, dining or Iuachroom
helper after school by high school C,rl;
honest and relable' references. MI 274S.
WOMAN. colored. wants INV; say NIGHTS.
30S 3rd st. Sc
WOMAN. cQS1red. wishes days Work Iaun-
dry or Cleaning willing worker. District
4SS4
WOMAN. coIored. wants part-.ime or days
Work; reliable cook, plain cooking, no Sun
days; refs. Franklin 3774.
WOMAN. colored. days work, laundry work
Q! pa!t time. 1881 11th 81. NV. Adams
WOMAN. m.ddle-aged. urgently needs
houseVoTk; 25c hour VIII go anywhere
Mrs Garland. 1119 Eye s.. NV.
Evening star., 1941-01-25
Marriage by a. hy,
Appointment O Se"se' sto'n

The thus Kelly Madtgan pilot
ball player meets adventure Uhen he Sherr ODtan
OF unceS manhandng her the street. Sherr
$4,000 Immediately Kelly
till after the does he get the hoe story Serrs
Ueddng
uncle guardian, John OBen
o after
Kelly after he Sherr then Sherr
their apartment By three Who bind and
the butler and drug Kelly in his sleep He Shers law
gun him. Kelly sits doWn, unaarmed BY the
x.
James Crosley wdened He seemed like what he The
grtrnne that had made mouth hard line relaxed.
You brittle beggar"
Cosy leaned forward Il time His blue
directly Kelly. what is your game?"
ame? KeyS eyebrows lifted The proceeding