davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1941-05-15
A Burberous' Proposal

Chic Acosta, speaking In the Flor
ida House of Representatives the
other day on price fixing, brought up
an interesting point in favor of it.
In order to equalize payment for
services rendered, he proposed that
bald-headed men be charged only
half price for haircuts. Why should
they, he said, have to pay the same
as a hirsute concert pianist or a
bolshevik?
Florida BARRIERS are all in a dither
and are thinking of employing sort
of tonsorial lobbyist to put the screws
on the legislators and present their
views-namely, that it is not GUS
tomary to pay the handy man any
less for moving a sparse lawn than
a luxuriant one, as In either case the
same territory must be covered and
the job is by the square foot, and it
requires just as much skill to work
in desert as in jungle.
And what if the barber can do the
job quicker? Does he not suffer far
more mental anguish than could be
compensated by the price of half a
haircut, when he gets bald GUS
toner in his chair? When he starts
a dissertation on what is wrong with
the local ball team, he literally and
truly can get. no farther than first
base before the job is over and the
customer escapes.
Evening star., 1941-05-15
This Lovely Country

/ knotD this place; it iodkens secret
strings,
Although I haze not been this Ddy
before;
1t is as il ! Hued NTH these good
things,
And knep them WelLdS If per-
hdps q door
Strings wtde on ancient memories,
to shoD
Me long forgotten, yet familiar
Drys.
I tDonder ho,r it is that I c1n knotD,
Or how lost those 1hite, elusipe
days?
There is a certain quiet atmosphere,
A delicate perception like a fame,
Pale but intense, that seems to drd,o
me near,
And yet eludes me like a once-hedrd
name.
This grave and lovely country tDhere
roam
Must once hare been, long, long ago.
my home.
MARY WILLIS sHELBuRNT.
Evening star., 1941-05-15
Priorities Control

Just what the House hoped to ac-
complish by voting recently to set up
priorities division independent of
the Office of Production Manage
ment has yet to be explained ade-
quately. 1t is doubtful, as matter
of fact, whether the majority Of
members were fully aware of the sig
nifcance of the amendment which
Representative Cox, Democrat, of
Georgia attached to the Vinson pri-
critics bill, for the avowed purpose of
freezing" Edward r. Stettinius, jr.,
in his present post as director of pri-
critics at an increase in salary from
ST to $4,000 per year. Some of the
Representatives are said to have cast
their votes for the amendment in
the belief that Mr.. Stettinius and his
administration colleagues wanted
the change, but Mr.. Stettinius lost
no time in disowning the measure
with a warning that it would tend
to interrupt the careful co-ordina-
ton which has been so carefully
worked out" And william S. Knud-
sen yesterday threatened to quit as
o. P. M. director il, Congress insisted
on tying the hands of the o. P. M.
in such a manner.
In the light of these reactions, the
Senate Military Affairs Committee
acted with commendable dispatch
yesterday in eliminating the Cox
amendment from the bill and ap-
proving, instead, wider authority for
the o. P. M. in the designation Of
materials to be given priority for ma
tional defense and for aid to the
democracies. To take such authority
away from the o. P. M. and vest it in
a new agency responsible not to o. P.
M. but to the Joint Army and Navy
Board-since the latter would be re-
quired to pass on each priority Or
der-surely would be step backward
from the goal of centralized, CO.
ordinated command deemed essen
tial to an effective all-out defense
effort The Senate may be expected
to indorse the action of its commit
tee, and the House would do we'll to
recede from it's previous stand and
concur in the action taken yesterday
on the Senate side.
Evening star., 1941-05-15
Appeals for Humility and Wisdom
In Prevailing Crisis.
To the Editor of The Star:

To the Editor of The Star:
Public feeling over the present war
and Americas part in it is rising ike
tidal wave. More and more do we nno
the attitude that any means are justl-
fable to attain what we have seen nt
to term a just end. The blow below
the belt" is fast becoming one OF the
best weapons for some who feel that
they know, beyond any doubt, what is
right for our Nation and the world.
And in many quarters this very in
tensity of feeling is accepted as proof
of the Righteousness of the views which
prompt it.
But one of our Oldest precepts has
been: "The way of fool is right in his
own eyes; but he that hearkeneth unto
counsel is wise"
No man living today can know with
absolute certainty what is the best course
for him to take in his personal life.
He knows with even less authority what
is the right course for his nation In
any crisis All even the wisest can do
is to "hearken unto counsel" and do
what seems nearest right in the light OF
the facts.
This kind of decision, once made. is
neither vacillating nor weak, and having
been arrived at in the full light of all the
facts, 1t does not fear to have the op-
posing side present its views as often as
it will
Under what different circumstances do
we see the fate of America being decided
today! Hatred and fear vie with each
other as our prime motivations In this
great hour. No individual or nation so
motivated can be great. The bowling
voice that would silence every note of
opposition, the raging hatred that vents
itself even on fellow countryman be-
cause to him patriotism points q differ
ing path of action-who would say the
voice of wisdom ever sounded thus?
No man in our time can know who Is
right among those that are so freely Of
fering us counsel. We cannot silence q
single voice in all that number, and
know that we are not silencing the one
| who speaks the truth. Absolute knowl-
edge is vouchsafed to none of us, and
until such time as 1t Is, 1t would behoove
us all to pray for humility. ]. H.
Evening star., 1941-05-15
Misleading Statistics

During the debate on the Overton
plan in the House on Monday, Rep
: reSentative Tarver of Georgia raised
the point that "the District OF Co.
: lumbia has never invested one sin
gle dollar" in the capital cost of ST..
Elizabeth's Hospital, the National
/, Training School, the Columbia In
: stitution for the Deaf, Howard Uni
- versity and Freedmen's Hospital.
Yet large proportion of the inmates
n,pr benefciaries of these institutions
are from the District of Columbia.
'"o' The impression is thus given that
the people of the District have every
thing done for them and do nothing
toward the construction
rof these national institutions. Yet
It is perfectly we'll known that the
District of Columbia, a heavy con-
= tributor to the expenses of the
National Government through Fed
-eral taxes, has paid it's full propor-
ton of the capital cost of these in
. stitutions, and annually contributes
AS Mr.. Tarver was fair enough to
explain-to the maintenance cost on
a per diem or other basis.
aar To the capital outlay represented
In these and other national projects,
not only in the District but elsewhere
throughout the United States, the
District contributed in national taxes
in the fiscal year ended last June over
$50 900 000-which was more than the
sum contributed by any one of
tWenty-one of the States.
The essential difference between
the people of the District of Colum-
bia and the people of the States, in
contributions to capital investment
in national institutions, is that the
people of the District have nothing
to say about how, where or how
much of their national taxes or
local taxes are to be spent, while the
people of the States have everything
to say. The District has no repre-
sentatives in Congress. Seven States,
whose aggregate payments in ma
tional taxes are less than that of the
District, are represented in Congress
by twenty-four men. Which is the
more glaring injustice? The injus-
.tice to the people of the United
States pictured by Mr.. Tarver and
supported by statistics that, to say
the least, are grossly misleading; or
the injustice to the people of the
District, supported by facts that can
not be contested?
Evening star., 1941-05-15
Needed Investigation

In view of the criticisms of the
Federal Communications Commission
by Mark Ethridge in his address to
the convention of the National As
sociation of Broadcasters, a proper
regard for the public interest would
seem to indicate the desirability of
putting into effect the recommended
ton by Senator White of Maine for
a thorough Senate investigation of
the commissions activities.
Mr.. Ethridge, who had been desig-
mated by the President to make a
study of the radio industry, 'an-
nounced yesterday that he had re-
signed this appointment because of
the commissions action in issuing
new and drastic regulations affecting
the industry before his investigation
could be completed.
Long identified with radio, Mr..
Ethridge contended that the Presi-
dent had been deceived" concerning
troubles in the industry, and asserted
that the commissions new regula-
tions were harmful rather than
beneficial, and were inspired by bad
temper, impatience and vindictive-
ness"
These are charges of most serious
nature, and the public is entitled to
know whether they are well founded.
That determination can best be made
through the proposed Senate inquiry,
and all parties to the dispute, having
declared themselves interested only
in the welfare of the public, should
welcome such an investigation.
Evening star., 1941-05-15
Quotes Lines From British Poem
Stating the Issue of the Present War.

=
Stating the Issue of the Present War.
To the Editor Of The Star:
There has been some question about
whether or not the second World War
has produced poetry equal to that which
was written during the conflict of 1914
1918.
The following lines, I think, certainly
are worthy of consideration as an ex-
preston of the issue Of the prevailing
struggle:
Two thousand years ago a Man of
Sorrow
Proclaimed q faith that all His day
belied,
Charged us Herewith to build better
morrow
And, so believing, died
Now, when His foes, their German law
abiding,
Burn the world black and bleed it
white again,
One island has the honor of deciding
Whether He died In vain.
OF course, I must explain that the
author is Sir Robert Vansittart, chief
diplomatic adviser to the Foreign Secre-
tary since 1888. He has published a
number of volumes of verse, composed
while on active duty In the service Of
his country at home and abroad.
G. ST. @. w.
Evening star., 1941-05-15

For some reason or other, the rear
yard always presents a better bird pic
ture on Sunday than on any other day
of the week.
Last Sunday there was a big flicker
eating ants. several robins, a brown
thrasher, two jays, a pair of doves,
grackles, starlings, wood thrushes and
cardinals.
The sharp song of the wren came from
the lilac bush where the female of the
species was investigating neat house
hung especially for her.
The five notes of the Baltimore oriole
suddenly came through the trees. He
was close at hand. 1t had been five
years since we heard it last.
Favorite among all these birds, at
least for the moment, was a band of a
dozen English sparrows.
You may ask how this came about.
These sparrows are actively disliked by
many.
All winter we had fed at least four
dozen of them. Then when that sudden
rush of heat struck, the sparrows dis
appeared. They had gone back to town
to nest. 1t is said that these birds do
not like swaying trees and shrubs for
nesting. They prefer town conditions.
Their disappearance left a real lack
in bird affairs in our particular garden.
Than ono dow u,a ,,otioad half !, do1o,,
familiar brown forms at the feeding sta
ton on the stake by the dining room
window.
They were the advance band of the
returning sparrows.
So far, only dozen have come back
Probably no more will come until fall
Then the old band will get together
again.
In the meantime, we are enjoying the
dozen.
Surely in such limited numbers they
could offend no one, even the person
who has been sold" on the anti-sparrow
propaganda. Americans, by and large,
are such honest people, that they seldom
realize when they are merely repeating
ideas which other persons have planted
in them.
They say 'I hate sparrows," when all
the time they know nothing about SPAR
rows, and would like them very much, as
interesting birds, if they would stop
prattling what they have heard from
some one else.
Any one. seeing our yard that Sum-
day afternoon, would admit we had
birds, and plenty of them, including some
of the rare ones, as well as the more
common
And they also would have to admit, If
they were fair, that the English spar
rows, eating away at the seed, were just
about as interesting as any present.
There was no fighting among them.
This is one of the main charges against
them, that they are always fighting. An
other is that their song is ugly.
The only genuine charge against them
is that they tend to drive bluebirds and
other native songsters away from nest
ing sites.
This is true. But the sparrows did not
ask to be brought here, any more than
Evening star., 1941-05-15
A New Tox Plan

- In appearing before the House
: Ways and Means Committee last
week Leon Henderson, administra-
tor of price control, and Mariner S.
Eccles, chairman of the Federal Re-
ie serve Board, presented tax proposals
that represent an improvement, in
two important particulars, over the
plan suggested by the Treasury ear
- 1ier for raising the $4,000, 100000 ad-
ditional revenue needed to help
e finance the rearmament program.
One was a recommendation for a
>tbroader income tax base. The other
was a proposal for higher excise
taxes on durable consumers goods,
Z as a means of lessening competition
between the public and the Govern
tlent for these products.
Both officials urged the imposi-
-, ton of heavy excise taxes on auto
: mobiles and other durable consum-
erS' goods. If the output of such
goods is curtailed through high
taxes, more skilled workers, plant
capacity and raw materials would be
released for armament production,
thus speeding defense, it was claimed.
Both also opposed increased taxes on
admission tickets, cigars and cigar
cites, and the imposition of excise
1evies on telephone bills, candy,
chewing gum and matches. Produc-
ton of such goods, obviously, entails
~ little conflict with the requirements
of rearmament.
-, To secure a broader income tax
base they recommend that the ex-
emption for married couples be re-
- duced from $4,000 to $1,500 and that
:. for dependents from $400 to $500.
81 Lowering of these exemptions would
greatly increase the number of per-
sons subject to the Federal income
: =. tax and tap new source of revenue.
II More moderate increases on income
q and surtaX rates on personal incomes
in the lower brackets also were rec
= commended. Under the Treasury
% proposal the middle brackets would
. carry the bulk of the increased load.
~ A major defect of the Treasury
n plan is it's failure to provide a
broader tax base and its tendency
to concentrate the new tax burden
>on the middle income group. In
~ addition to the broader base, the
3. Henderson-Eccles proposal has the
= further merit of seeking curtail-
: ment of the production of consumer
. goods that compete with the Gov
- ernment's defense needs. In writing
the new tax bill, Congress should
Evening star., 1941-05-15

lean republics, Mr.. Rockefeller is we'll
fitted to advise the o. P. M. on the
essential requirements of South and
Central American countries, and in
the interests both of hemisphere
solidarity and hemisphere defense it
is to be hoped that the Nations pro-
duction chiefs, in fixing priorities,
will carefully consider these needs.
That the war has had far-reaching
economic repercussions in Latin
America is we'll known. In addition
to losing most of their European
markets, the American republics have
been cut off from their former
sources of many raw and manufac-
tured materials. To maintain eco
nomic stability, it is essential that
Latin American countries be able to
secure The industrial and consumer
goods which they need. For without
these materials, they will face in
creasing economic difficulties and
thus become more vulnerable to eco
nomic penetration by the totalitarian
powers.
The requirements of the American
republics are comparatively small
1t Is estimated that these amount to
less than two per cent of our iron
and steel production, from four to
five per cent of our construction and
textile machinery, seven per cent of
our mining and we'll drilling machin-
cry and less than two per cent of our
motor vehicle output. AS Mr.. Rookie
feller pointed out in a recent address
before the Economic Club of Chicago,
hemisphere solidarity can best be
furthered by sharing the available
goods with our neighbors." Though
the requirements for our own
defense, and those of Britain must
be given priority, every effort should
be made, as part of the good neigh
Dor policy, to meet the needs of the
American republics.
Evening star., 1941-05-15

@. What is meant by red dog and
blue pup currency?-H. w.
A. These were picknames applied to
State bank notes in the era following
the end Of the Second United States
Bank when the circulating medium was
largely the badly secured and huctu.
ating paper of the wildcat banks.
@. Where is the Amelia Earhart
Lighthouse?-J. c. B.
A. The lighthouse in memory of the
famous flyer was constructed in 1888
on Rowland Island, 1900 miles south
west of Honolulu.
@. When was the Foreign Trade
Zones Board organized?-H. F. e.
A. The Foreign Trade Zones Board
was created by an act of Congress
approved June 18, 1894. The board is
composed of the Secretary of Commerce,
chairman; the Secretary of the Treas
ury and the Secretary of War.
@. Who was the first person electro
cuted for crime in New York State?-
E. S. W.
A. The first person electrocuted in
New York State was William Kemmler,
who was put to death on August 6,
1890, for the murder of Matilda Ziegler.
@. How many men did the State Of
South Carolina contribute to the Con-
federate Army?-R. G
A. South Carolina furnished 62,83s
effective soldiers out of total enroll
ment of 71,0S3. 1t has been estimated
that % per cent of these were killed
or died ir prison.
Q. What were the dame schools7-.
c. L. B.
A. This type of school was trans
planted from England to some Of the
American colonies. 1t was usually con-
Quoted by young woman in her hons
where children we're taught the alpha
bet, the hornbook, elements of reading
and moral and religious subjects.
@. From what poem Is the line II do
not look for holy saints to guide me
on my way?"-H. A. L
A. 1t liz from "A Pilgrims Way" by
Rudyard Kipling.
@. How much tea is used In the
United States2-P. j.
A. In 1910, more thsu 100 million
pounds Of tea was consumed.
Evening star., 1941-05-15
Britain and Jupon

Foreign Secretary Anthony Eden's
blunt warning that British economic
restrictions would not be eased unless
Japan recognizes British rights in
China comes as heartening indica-
tion that the policy of parallel
action" between Britain and America
in the Far East will be vigorously
maintained
Speaking before the House of Com
mons, Mr.. Eden underscored his
statement by an emphatic YES" in
answer to question from the floor
asking if "thiS policy will be pur-
sued with determination in the
future"
The Churchill government has
stood up to Japan consistently and
with increasing determination ever
since last autumn. The turning
point came with the diplomatic
showdown over the Burma road.
When Britain stood with her back to
the wall after the Dunkerque disaster
last summer, Japan openly flouted
British interests in China and prac-
tically forced Britain to close China's
main supply line to the outer world
for three months
AS October II, the expiration date
of the agreement, neared, japanese
official Spokesmen joined a vociferous
DreSS can,naiur, ~, i,,c;etioo +Lo+ 49,
Burma road remain closed. The mat
ter went so far that it seemed Japan
was bent on making 1t a vital issue,
with semi-offlcial warnings that the
reopening of the Burma road would
be deemed hostile act.
To all this, Britain gave a decisive
answer by the authoritative voice of
her Prime Minister. Speaking before
packed House of Commons on
October Z, Mr.. Churchill announced
that the Burma road would be
reopened on schedule. Amplifying
his curt announcement, the Prime
Minister went on to say that Japan's
new Axis allies would be unable to
help her so long as the British and
American fleets were "in being"
And from the full benches of the
House came back the roaring echo:
They will bel"
That has been the keynote of Brit
aims Far Eastern policy ever since.
Singapore and Hong Kong have been
greatly strengthened, Australia and
New Zealand have been modified.
and Anglo-American understanding
IN the Orient has been evidenced in
many ways, notably by the staff talks
held in Manila not long ago. Japan
has been put on notice by Britain,
the Dominions, the United States
and the government of the Neither
lands Indies that further japanese
aggression in the Far East would be
firmly resisted.
NOW, the British government has
gone a step further in reasserting
rights in China which the Japanese
have so often and seriously infringed.
This parallels the action of our own
Government, which has at least kept
the record straight by protesting
against japanese entertainments on
numerous occasions and by keeping
our armed forces in China even after
Britain had withdrawn hers to Hong
Kong. Mr.. Eden's announcement
indicates that more vigorous policy
may henceforth be expected in the
future. That implies a still closer
parallel between the Far Eastern
policies Of Westminster and Wash
ington.
Evening star., 1941-05-15
Needs Of Lutin America

The appointment Of Nelson A.
Rockefeller as an advisory repre-
sentative on the Priorities Board of
the Office for Production Manage
ment plainly evidences the. desire of
the administration to make available
to the American republics goods OF
vital Importance to their industries
that can be obtained, under present
conditions, only in the United States.
As co-ordinator Of commercial and
cultural relations between the Amer
Evening star., 1941-05-15

It is not too much to hope that
some day it may dawn on radio an
nouncers, not to mention writers,
that a Congressman" may be a
member of either house of Congress
and if he be of the lower one, then
his title is Representative.
Evening star., 1941-05-15

A Senator recently asked District
resident witness, What do you lose
by not having vote?" 1t would seem
that a proper reply to this might
have been the counterquestion, "Just
what would you lose, Senator, If yours
were taken away"