davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1941-09-03
Hulf-Tone Inventor

Dying at eighty-seven, Stephen
Henry Horgan, once a resident of
Washington, lived long enough to see
his claims to fame admitted by the
leaders of the printing craft, to which
he devoted his life. If he were not
the sole inventor of the half-tone
process of photoengraving, he cer-
tainly was entitled to credit for per-
fecting the method by which illuStra-
tions may be employed in newspapers
and magazines printed on high
speed presses His first half-tone
picture appeared in the New York
Graphic on March 4, 1880. The
earliest of his cuts to be used in a
modern daily was a portrait of
Senator Thomas c. Platt, displayed
on the front page of the New York
Tribune for January 81, 1897.
Mr.. Horgan, a native of Norfolk,
Virginia, born on February 2, 1854,
had the advantage of thorough train
ing as photographer. Studying
engravingS of line drawings, he OBJ
served that shadows were achieved
by many fine lines arranged in close
proximity. He made a screen of
parallel lines on glass and set this
glass between a photograph and
sensitized metal plate The photo
graph was transferred to the plate
with its darker details broken into
hundreds of lines of uniform thin
ness. Later, these lines were crossed
by other lines of like dimensions. In
principle, the same technique re-
mains standard practice to the
present day.
But Mr. Horgan did not succeed
without opposition. Printers called
him an idiot" and James Gordon
Bennett, jr., fired" him. Yet he
persevered, and the results justified
his faith. He won celebrity not
merely for his mechanical achieve
ments. The editorial work which he
did, especially for the Inland Printer,
was noteworthy. 1t follows that he
will be remembered for his services
to culture as we'll as to those proc
esses of publication by which the
fruits of knowledge are best democ-
ratized.
Evening star., 1941-09-03
THIS AND THAT
BIZ Charles E.'Trdce1Dell.

leave and take up with another, not only
from season to season, but also in one
summer
There is another wren even larger
than the Carolina specimen. This is the
Florida wren, seen only in the penin-
sula south of the Suwanee River.
So we do not have to worry much
about seeing him!
In this vicinity we have the house
wren, Carolina wren, Bewick's wren, win
ter wren, short-billed marsh wren and
long-billed marsh wren.
The house wren, of course, is sum-
mer resident, never wintering here.
The Carolina wren is regarded as a
permanent resident. 1t may be lured to
feeding stations by putting out meal
worms, at intervals.
Bewick's wren is seen here only oc-
casionally, as straggler from the South.
The winter wren is fairly common
winter visitant, but it is so shy that it is
regarded as a rarity.
The long-billed marsh wren can be
olOllB IOJOIlldO anu JdoICl II
branch in the summer. The short
billed marsh species occasionally is seen
in migration, but is regarded as rare.
rr+*
The Carolina wren is one of the most
attractive of the wren family.
1t sings the year around.
Famous ornithologists have their own
way of phrasing the ordinary song.
Chapman says it says tea kettle"
Wilson heard it as Sweet William"
Audubon put it as "come-to-me."
Others think it says "Whee-udle."
We submit that such attempts to place
bird song on paper are almost useless,
giving neither the tone nor tune, nor
even the length of syllable.
Almost all the food of the bird is in
sects. In the South it tries its best to
eat the cotton boil weevil, but the job,
of course, is too much for 1t.
The jolly fat appearance of the Caro-
lima wren is equal in attractiveness to its
loud cheerful song, or songs.
The bird is distinct red-brown, at
close range or through glass. With
out the latter, it may appear just plain
brown, or sparrow-hke, at some little
distance.
At times it seems to be trying to
initiate some notes from the cardinals
song. Then again it may do a tolerable
tufted titmouse note. The titmouse ordi-
narily sings two songs. one a good
whistle, as if some one were calling a
dog, and the other soft dee, dee, dee"
Chester Reed says of the Carolina
wrens song. Loud and tinkling, and
utterly impossible to describe" Which
about says all that may be said, except
perhaps that if you hear a new and
different bird song of unusual loudness
and vivacity, coming from shrubbery,
keep sharp lookout for this fine wren
Evening star., 1941-09-03
johnson Island

1t seems incredible yet it is true
that the career of an Austrian paper
hanger has so much affected the
world that even the tiny speck in
the wide Pacific known variously as
Johnson, Johnston and CORVALLIS
Island has become important.
Most reference books are silent
about the microscopic knob of rock"
which the Navy Department has an
nounced will be developed as an air
station for the defense of the United
States and its territorial possessions.
Lieutenant J. M. Brooks, on board
the U. S. S. Fenimore Cooper, found
it 'the highest point on a submerged
coral reef" That was in 1889 So
far in advance of Adolf Hitler, there
was no particular reason to bother
about barren reef only half mile
long and a quarter of a mile wide. 1t
was not until the Nazi dictator began
to encourage the military party in
Japan that the Government of the
United States considered putting
Johnson Island to use. Now, thanks
indirectly to Der Fuehrer, it will take
its place in the scheme of national
security which day by day is being
brought to perfection against the
threat of totalitarian aggression.
The new Navy station will be on a
line with Manila. 1t lies southeast of
the Midway Islands, north of Pal
myra, Washington and Jarvis Islands;
northeast of Rowland and Baker
Islands. Wake Island and the Mari
anas are due west. Hawaii is some
700 miles distant in the opposite
direction. The nautical designation
is: Latitude 16' So N; longitude
16s' So W.
OF course, Hitler did not intend to
teach the people of America the
necessity to protect themselves, their
property and their traditions, but
that is what he has accomplished.
BY such accidental processes history
is made, and Outstanding philoso-
pher is gratified by the spectacle Of
chance creating substantial and
valuable realities.
Evening star., 1941-09-03
The Tax Bill

The new tax bill, as revised by the
Senate Finance Committee, has been
changed in two important respects
from the form in which it left the
House.
Under the first of these changes
the exemption for married couples
would be reduced from $4,000 to
$500, and that for single persons
from $500 to $3.50. Coming at time
when defense outlays have reached
an unprecedented level and are
scheduled to go even higher, this
represents a desirable broadening of
the tax base. In the first place, it
Is expected to raise some 100000, 900
in additional revenue next year.
Thus, in addition to its Importance
from a revenue standpoint, the
broadening of the base also should
play significant part in the Gov
ernment's counter infationary ef-
forts. And, secondly, it is estimated
that approximately 100000 new in
come taxpayers would be created
through the lowering of exemption.
This body of new taxpayers should
serve as an effective brake on Con-
gress which has shown little disposi-
ton to curb unnecessary eXpendi-
lures as a partial offset to the huge
sums that must be spent on national
defense.
The second change contemplates
The abolition of the preferred status
enjoyed by married persons in the
eight community property States
Arizona, California, Idaho, Louisiana,
Nevada, New Mexico, Texas and
Washington. Under the laws Of
Evening star., 1941-09-03

There was some unknown bird in the
trees. singing song we had never heard
before. The melody went round and
round" reminding listener Of whirl-
ing wheel.
1t was not until several days later,
however, that we discovered what this
bird was We saw large songster in
the grass, apparently taking a sort OF
"dust bath" in the blades.
At first we thought 1t must be SPAR
row, but on bringing into play pair of
binoculars saw at once that it was a new
one.
This was proved when the bird started
to sing on the ground. 1t was our friend
of the whirling melody.
Inspection showed it to be rather on
the red-brown side, with a white line
above the eye, and capable looking
bill, slightly curved.
1t was by no means small bird, but
approximated almost inches in length.
1t was, we recognized, Carolina
wren.
This is the wren which the State of
South Carolina has adopted as its State
bird.
In the South it sometimes sings at
night. It has been called the mocking
wren because it so sings, and also be-
cause it seems to mock some of the
habits of the thrasher and the catbird,
notably the tail switching.
= *
1t seems to have two ordinary songs.
one which is often put on paper as tea
kettle, tea-kettle," etc. Others say it
says Joe Reaper"
1t has another song of two notes, about
which poetical persons have written en-
Enthusiastically.
1t is perfectly possible, of course, for
a real melody to be just two notes. The
Hawaiians, in many of their songs, have
shown how this may be done. One of
their most charming melodies has no
more, and there are several of them
which use three notes effectively. We
refer to the genuine, not the synthetic
Hawaiian songs. There is great deal of
difference.
After the wren had wallowed in the
grass for a time, it flew over into some
tall shrubbery, where it piped its song
again.
This song is bubbling, loud, but en-
tirely unlike the cascade of sound made
by the ordinary house wren. The latter
is seen hundred to one in this vicinity.
Of hand, the two birds scarce seem
related.
The Carolina wren is much more color
full, and much larger. 1t is said to be a
much more constant bird in its affec-
tions, remaining true to one mate for
life.
The house wren is anything but con-
slant. Both Jenny and her mate will
Evening star., 1941-09-03
Discusses Locations
For Statues of Heroes.
To the Editor Of The Star:

Recent correspondents favored placing
Gen. Washington's statue in La Fayette
Park, making there group of Revolu
tionary generals. 1t might be we'll, too,
to consider placing there also the stat
uary memorial proposed for La Fayette.
No other setting would be so appropriate,
and it could be done without crowding.
Let one face up Sixteenth street, the
other toward the White House.
AS added decades give perspective, 1t
may well be that 1t will seem incongru-
Gus that so many prominent sites are
occupied by memorials of personalities
in the War Between the States, and q
similar grouping of these might be made
around an enlarged Lincoln Square,
renamed Union Square, thus avoiding
reduphcation of memorial names. We
now have Washington Circle, Drive and
Monument, in addition to the name of
the city itself. If Sixteenth street must
have new name, would prefer there
fore to call 1t after La Fayette.
Some place needs to be kept for the
heroes which all hope our country will
continue to be blessed with. Woodrow
Wilson, still decried by his political
opposition, I think may figure among
them. AS for Jackson's memorial, 1t
seems to me the true place of honor for
that would be facing southwark form q
pedestal on the south steps OF the
Treasury Department. He 1t was that
fortified that institution and hxed It's
present location, Il u said, by . stab Of
Evening star., 1941-09-03

officers of the union pointed out that
any basis for disagreement that
might have existed prior to the Ger
man invasion of Russia had now been
removed and declared that all groups
in the labor movement should unite
in support of "every step necessary
to crush Hitlerism." BY a vote of
382 to S, the convention then adopted
a resolution urging full help for the
nations fighting Hitler.
In indorsing speedy aid to the
Allies, this union, one of the major
units in the Congress of Industrial
Organizations, has, by implication,
sharply repudiated the isolationist
stand of John L. Lewis, founder and
former president of the c. 1. o. With
a membership of more than 100000
skilled workers in hundreds of de-
fense plants in the United States
and Canada, it may be assumed to
reflect, fairly accurately, current
c. I. o. sentiment on the administra-
tion's foreign policies.
Yesterdays vote seems to mean
that Mr.. Lewis, in criticizing the
program for aiding nations resisting
aggression, and in urging a policy
of isolation, does not represent the
views of a majority of C. I. o.
members.
1t will thus be welcomed as a fur
ther indication that the American
people are ready to release the addi-
tional energy which the President, in
his Labor Day speech, warned will be
necessary to defeat Hitler and his
Nazi forces.
Evening star., 1941-09-03
Dissents From Praise
OF Political Commentator.
To the Editor Of The Star:

To the Editor Of The Star:
I read several letters in The Star for
August 20 coming to the defense Of
David Lawrence.
Not to be different, but in all sincerity,
+ have read Mr.. Lawrence's writings for
several years, and in more recent years
I have thought that he was teethed on
a pickle.
For one thing, I cannot forget his
prophecy in 1886 that President Roose-
velt would be defeated overwhelmingly.
On that no comment is needed.
In conclusion, I think the letters in
The Star of the date mentioned all re-
feet the anti-New Deal philosophy.
That il why they are 100 Per cent for
David LAWfanoo. I. B. g.
Evening star., 1941-09-03
Expresses Approval of Plan
For World Federation.

10 the EDITOR OF Inc star:
Many thanks for giving such promi-
nence to H. G. Wells The Peace Which
Is to Come" in The Sunday Star August
81 The proposal for world federation
often has been dismissed as visionary,
but if any one can read Mr.. Wells and
not recognize it as an overdue measure
in the development of civilization he is
to be deplored.
Every business enterprise is made pos
sible only by the relegation of various de-
cisions and powers to appropriate bodies.
And every business enterprise repre-
sents the willingness of hundreds of
men to subjugate their ideas to those
which are most practical for the enter
prise as whole. The existence of State,
county and city governments represents
the same wisdom. And so with the Gov
ernments of the individual nations.
To say that cooperation among men
is impossible beyond national borders is
to erect fictitious limit to mans ca
pabilities. The present war is magnifi-
cent example of the unwillingness of ma
tions to abrogate their rights to kill and
plunder; of their unwillingness to estab-
lish a world government which would
have control of the seas, of commerce
and all international relations. To pre-
serve our selfish nationalism at such a
cost is to make human sacrifice on the
altar of false god. And to future gen.
erations it doubtless will seem as foolish
as the terrible sacrificial rights per-
formed in the temples of pagan deities.
The tendency of developing civilization
shows us that the consolidation of states
is progressive. At one time England was
divided into warning provinces, as were
Italy, Germany and most other countries.
To say that we now must call a halt to
this consolidation, and remain forever
as we now stand is to attempt to stem the
tide of human development. That is i'm
possible. World federation inevitably will
come. Are we willing to watch the
slaughter of our entire generation rather
than accept it now? j. H.
Evening star., 1941-09-03
Says Nations Have No Choice
About Involvement in War.

Says Nations Have No Choice
About Involvement in War.
To the Editor of The Star:
In his address to the America First
Committee. Carnegie Hall, August 20,
DR. Henry Noble MacCracken, president
of Vassar College, after recounting the
probable cost of our entry into the world
conflict, concluded that We had better
stay out of it,
The cost of involvement. as estimated
by the speaker, is indeed sufficient to
give us pause: Three hundred billions of
dollars, 100000 men under arms, 100,-
900 airplanes, thousands of ships and
equipment, an aftermath mot including
casualties of war; of bombed cities, ex-
hausted resources, with, at least, 40
100000 deaths due to disease and starva-
ton.
In response to self-propounded ques-
ton as to whether We could win such a
war, and, if we could, whether we should
DR.. MacCracken seemed inclined to favor
the Wilsonian formula of peace with
out victory"
Peace without victory!
We had about forgotten that noble
conception in the absolutely ruthless
wars of today.
But about deciding to stay out of
this war" Isn't that about like deciding
to have no dealings with a brigand or
highwayman? They are not nice people
And, aside from the probability of being
relieved of our belongings, we might get
messed up.
II there is any one thing that the wars
of Europe have shown us, it is that at
tackled nations are not allowed to pick
the time nor place of involvement.
No, we are not going to war" but the
indications are that the war is coming
to us.
1t is the judgment of those seemingly
IN the best position to appraise the mill
tary, political and economic situation
that Hitler, after getting what he really
wants from Russia, probably will at
tempt invasion of England, and, if Sue
cessful there, then look westward. He
needs no further casus belli from us-we
have given him plenty.
Suppose an attempt is made to estab-
hsh bases in South America or an Ameri-
can ship is sunk with or without loss OF
American lives. Are we going to be too
proud to fight? That never has been
the American way.
WILBUR H. CLOSE.
Evening star., 1941-09-03
Rebuff for Mr.. Lewis

In approving a resolution yester-
day favoring all-out aid to Great
Britain. and other nations resisting
aggression, the United Electrical,
Radio and Machine Workers of
America have provided additional
evidence that President Roosevelt
has the backing of the bulk of Ameri-
can labor in mobilizing the resources
of the United States to help free the
world from the Nazi menace. In a
report to its members, meeting in
convention at Camden, New Jersey,
Evening star., 1941-09-03
End of q Controversy

The final compromise plan for the
new War Department building in
Arlington represents an eminently
satisfactory solution of a problem
that threatened to disturb the whole
future course of orderly planning in
the Nations Capital. To President
Roosevelt must go the credit for
working out the compromise, for it
was largely through his persistent
interest in the matter that the con-
troverSy has reached a happy end
ing. Returning from his meeting at
sea with Winston Churchill, the Pres
ident was aStounded to learn the de-
tails of the hastily-conceived scheme
for a gigantic reinforced concrete
War Department office building at
the front entrance to Arlington Ma
tional Cemetery-on land reserved
for park and memorial purposes. He
lost no time in making it plain to
Army sponsors of the project and to
congressional leaders that he con-
sidered the plan Objectionable in the
extreme. Especially was he con-
cerned over the fact that authorized
planning agencies and the Budget
Bureau had not been consulted in
the preparation of the plan.
The revised plan, which has re-
ceived the approval of the National
Capital Park and Planning Commis-
sion and the Fine Arts Commission,
calls for erection on the site of the
proposed quartermaster depot, along
Columbia Pike, of an office building
half the size of that originally advo-
Gated by the War Department. 1t
will be of pentagonal shape, and one
unit will be of the artif1cially lighted
and ventilated solid block" design
In which Mr.. Roosevelt has expressed
interest. 1t is the intention to use
the new building for storage of files
and other documents after the pres
ent emergency is past.
The President has wisely reiterated
Il1o OCUC1 G1ldU U4lC 1NOl UIlWCSU
Rectangle development will proceed.
This is a vital step in carrying out
the long-range plan of Washington.
Tardiness in the appropriations for
land acquisition and construction in
the Northwest Rectangle was re-
sponsible for the ill-advised and hap
PLY defeated Arlington Farm plan.
Under the program as now visual
lied, work will go forward on the
Northwest Rectangle development,
west of the new Interior building,
with view to completion of that
project as originally planned. If
necessary, the buildings for the War
and Navy Departments to be con-
structed in the Rectangie may be
enlarged to accommodate growing
personnel when more normal times
return. The revised project, more
over, preserves the splendid vista
from Arlington Cemetery to the
Potomac River and harmonizeS in
general with the program for de-
velopment of the Virginia approaches
to Washington. Even with a half
size building in the new location,
however, there will be serious traffic
and utility problems to be met.
These difficulties undoubtedly can be
worked out through continued CO.
operation among executive, legisla-
tive and planning authorities in the
spirit of compromise recently in
evidence.
Evening star., 1941-09-03
Comments on Denial
OF Right to Speak Freely.
To the Editor Of The Star:

To the Editor of The Star:
Charles A. Lindbergh has been denied
the right of free speech in various parts
of this country, which is direct violation
of democracy and an actual approach to
Nazi-ism, which system we so bitterly
condemn. Our so-called New Deal, far
from encouraging free speech, seeming
ly Is endeavoring to stifie any and all
ideas which do not coincide with its
theories.
Who remembers Voltaire's famous his
torical utterance: IT disapprove of every
thing you say but shall defend to the
death your right to say it?"
EDMUND K. GOLD6BOROUGH.
Evening star., 1941-09-03

A Confederate veteran at one
breath puffed out 90 of the 95 can
dies on his birthday cake. Now if he
will only refrain from burning the
other three at both ends.
Evening star., 1941-09-03
Letters to the Editor

Letters to the Editor mast
bear the. name and address of
the tDriter, although the use of
q pSeudonyn, for publication is
permissible. The Star reserves
the right to edit all letters NTH
a UietU to condensation.
Evening star., 1941-09-03

Parliamentary Lava 32-page
booklet covering in simple terms
every phase of the rules of order.
How to organize new association,
how to preside, how to conduct
elections and reorganizations.
Model constitution and bylaws to
guide the formation Of new So
cieties. To secure your copy in
close 10 cents in coin, wrapped
in this clipping, and mail to The
Star Information Bureau.
Address
Name
Evening star., 1941-09-03

O. What is cordite?-H. D. N.
A. 1t is a smokeless powder adopted
as standard propellant for guns by the
British government in 1887. Cordite is
composed Of nitroglycerin, guncotton and
vaSeline.
Evening star., 1941-09-03

@. When we're newspaper titles first
copyrighted?-H. w. G.
A. In 1643 Parliament appointed IL
censer who gave copyright protection to
English newspaper titles.
Evening star., 1941-09-03

@. Has the freezing of japanese credits
in this country affected tea imports?-
J. B. R.
A. Yes, but only japanese and For
mosa teas, which represent but a small
portion of total tea consumption-17,-
100000 pounds, compared to 100000
pounds of black tea Curtailment Of
green tea imports probably will cause an
increase in shipments of black tea re-
quired from Java, Sumatra, Ceylon and
India, according to the Tea Bureau.
@. Does the Vatican City have a fire
department?-H T. E
A. A modern fire department was in
stalled in 1910 after two mysterious fires
in the Apostolic Chancellery.
Evening star., 1941-09-03

The Associated Press is exclusively entitled to
the use for republication of all news dispatches
credited TO 1t or not otherwise credited in this
paper and also the local news published herein.
All rights of publication of special dispatches
herein also are reserved
Evening star., 1941-09-03

Many a motorist wishes that traf-.
&c police would grow up, and cease
their childish pastime At playing tag.