davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1941-01-31
River Plate PurIey

The first of the regional American
economic conferences contemplated
by the Panama Conference in 1889,
now being held in Montevideo by
Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Paraguay
and Uruguay, is bringing forth a
number of economic projects, chief
among which is one for a customs
union among the five countries. The
primary purpose of the meeting Is
to discover realistic means Of assist
ing land-locked Bolivia and Para
quay. Under the most favorable
circumstances both Bolivia and Par
aguay are at the mercy of their
neighbors, dependent as they are on
their favor not only in facilitating
transportation to and from world
markets but in providing markets
for some of their products.
There is no denying the urgent
need of both Bolivia and Paraguay
for relief. The Argentine delegation
has introduced projects under which
Argentina, Uruguay and Brazil
would grant tariff concessions to
Bolivia and Paraguay, and the
concessions would be restricted to
these two countries through partial
suspension of the mostfavored-
nation clause and the organization
of customs union. Such a project,
although perhaps contrary to strict
application Of the most st-favored-
nation clause, has sanction in the
economic resolution adopted by the
Pan-American Conference in Monte
video in 1888. That resolution
approved regional reductions of
tariffs in cases where regional trade
could be foStered thereby.
There is the possibility that the
Argentine proposal could provide
relief for Bolivia and Paraguay, both
of which are laboring under the
effects of their own war. over the
Chaco and under the losses of mar
ketS incident to the present conflict
in Europe. Paraguay. particularly,
could benefit by expansion of her
markets in Argentina, which main
tains protective tariffs against COM
petitive Paraguayan goods. The
United States, however, would expect
that if the tariff reductions granted
by the three powers to Bolivia and
Paraguay are ever extended outside
the customs union, the United States
also would receive the benefits. The
Argentine plan, although clearly ex-
perimental, may be worth a trial.
Evening star., 1941-01-31
Tax for Safety

Proposals to make use of the Dis
trict's gasoline tax fund to provide
additional police for traffic work
merit careful consideration, but there
seems to be no Justification for a
renewal of efforts to increase the tax
rate. When the tax was imposed in
1924 it was earmarked for street i'm
provementS. Since it was a tax on
one class of citizens, justice demanded
that its revenues be devoted primarily
to their interests. Since then other
uses have been added, all of which,
however, have had some relation to
highway purposes. These include
financing the Department of Vehicles
and Traffic and of the Division of
Trees and Planting, paying up to fif-
teen per cent of police salaries, main
tanning street lights, and, in 1941,
constructing roads in public parks.
Thus, there is precedent for paying
salaries of additional traffic police.
But need for an increase in the tax
has not been demonstrated. Accord
ing to estimates of Captain Miller of
the Accident Prevention Bureau,
ninety-two more officers, as requested
by some groups, would cost $l84,000
a year. Since 1880 the highway
revenues have doubled, and every
year there has been a surplus"
This extra money has not been un-
used, since additional highway work
is found for it eventually, but in the
fiscal year 1888 the excess amounted
to 81, ,185, ,167. An increase Of one cent
would bring an estimated additional
revenue of sl,3OO,000 the first year,
far more than Is likely to be needed
for highway purposes. For the fiscal
year 1910, gas tax revenues are eSti-
mated at $2,943 ,795, while the total
highway fund, which includes assess
ments for work done in previous
years and income from other vehicle
fees, is $5,042,69
There is no doubt as to the advis-
ability of employing more policemen
for the protection of lives and prop
erty. But there is no visible need
at this time for adding a s1,300000
tax burden to defray a s184,000
expense when surpluses over eSti-
mated needs are perennial.
Evening star., 1941-01-31

@. Is it true that queen bee mates
only once and that the drone dies after
mating?-J. c. B.
A. The mating of the queen and drone
takes place in the air. After mating
has taken place the drone Immediately
dies. The queen mates only once.
@. For how long has the phrase "alma
mater" been in uSe7-L. K. B.
A. DR.. Philip Schaffe says that the
phrase has been in use since the 18th
century.
@. What is the source of the line
Whatever brawls disturb the street
there should be peace at home"p-T
J.B.
A 1t is from Love Between Brothers
and Sisters" by Isaac Watts.
@. Please give the origin of the dance
known as la conga.-M. B. NJ.
A. La conga is a derivative of the
rhumba, a dance which originated in
Cuba.
@. Is birth control practiced in Italy?
S. G. r.
A. 1t is absolutely forbidden. The
new penal code provides that whoever
distributes propaganda in favor Of birth
control is punishable with imprisonment.
Q. Please give the title of a perfect
short story.-M. c.
A. There are many that might be
included, but in form, scope and artis-
tic perfection, The Necklace" by Guy
de Maupassant, is by many critics re-
garded as the most remarkable short
story in all literature.
@. Please give the particulars Of the
Thomas Jefferson Southern Award
c. S.
A. E. P Dutton & Co., in conjunc-
ton with the Virginia Quarterly Review
will offer an annual cash prize of S2,5Oo
together with gold medal, to be known
as the Thomas Jefferson Medal for
the best book manuscript submitted by
a Southern author Gegardless of pres
ent reSidence). The manuscript need
not be Southern in setting or subject
The contest for this years award will
close on April 13, 1941.
Evening star., 1941-01-31
The Worlds Ordeal

Remembering this planets long or
deal
OF thrones dishonored, altdrs
smirched NTH shame;
Wars that hare set the centuries
afame;
Slaue n1arts and guillotinesj the fire
and steel
OF racks and torturing tolgs; the
blood -bathed heel
OF deSpotS, and the Iooter's
bludgeoning game,
Sometimes I aDonder, Is Hte's only
aim
To Uhirl, random, ntdd-rotdtino
lDheel7
But faith makes anS,0er: What Of
those 1oho climb
Far from the ,Dolf, the tiger and the
ape?
ShakeSpeareS, Da VinciS, KantS,
SptnosaS, Keats,
Whose 10ordS are radiant, and
Dhose HUeS sublime?
May these not finally, through the
Uain throngs cape,
Make men victorious after all d.
teatS2
STANTON q. CoBLENTZ.
Evening star., 1941-01-31
Member of the Associated Press.
Fixing Responsibility

In supporting the plan for an
unofficial municipal assembly for
Washington, Mrs. Roosevelt COM
planned that the District of Colunl-
bia is ''the hardest place to fix any
responsibility on anybody that 1
have ever lived in" She expressed
the opinion that a concentration
and coordination of civic efforts for
community betterment, through
some such organization as an Assem-
bly,, might result in more unified
pressure and thereby produce action
wherever needed.
Mrs. RooSevelts criticism has
merit. In her rounds of District
welfare institutions, she has had
ample opportunity to learn how
responsibility for conditions is
divided among municipal, Budget
Bureau and congressional authori-
ties-with District citizens standing
on the sidelines in the collective
role of taxpayers, without official
voice in the National Legislature
which governs them.
If the citizens assembly plan
should help to emphasize the un-
American status of disfranchised
Washingtonians, it will have served
a useful purpose.
While it is desirable. as Mrs.
Roosevelt points out, to bring about
a more unified civic front on Dis
trict problems, an assembly, of course
cannot be regarded as a substitute
for Washington's most pressing
need-the right of representation in
Congress, which makes its laws, and
in the Electoral College, which
selects its President. There is pend
ing at the Capitol the Summers reso-
luton proposing a constitutional
amendment to give such representa-
ton to the people of the National
Capital. Unless Washington has
elected representatives in Congress
who are directly responsible to voters
of the District, there will be con-
tinued evasion of responsibilities.
The Summers resolution would pave
the way for the only type of legiti-
mate unified pressure" at the
Capitol that could be expected to
get real results.
Evening star., 1941-01-31
THIS AND THAT
By Charles Z. Trdce1Deu.

1t may be seen how a scientist and
a careful amateur observer coincide in
their description of the nighthawk's
performance.
There is nothing magic about descrip-
ton, and yet great many persons seem
to have a terrible time of 1t. In most
cases failure is due to hurry and
lack of really careful seeing.
1t is one thing to notice something
and quite another to really see it.
Often persons new to bird obServa-
ton fail to understand that as precise
notes as possible are necessary, espe-
cially If one is trying to get information
from another.
1t will not do to speak of bird with
"orange" wings If you mean the cardinal.
The cardinal does not have orange
wings
True color blindness, on the part Of
observers, often prevents them from see
ing the real colors of the birds they look
at. Thus they are not to blame when
they give totally wrong coloration to
some bird they see. This does not help,
however, one who is trying to identify
the bird for them.
The amateur bird observer, who Is
not a scientist, and who does not think
he is, can do an astonishingly good
job of observing bird habits, If he will
really look at what he sees and really
know that he has seen it.
But too many persons, in all walks OF
life, fail to trust their own observations.
They have read just enough, and
seen just enough, to wonder if they
are right.
Sometimes they are SO intent in not
putting themselves into a position in
which others can poke fun at them for
some slight mistake, that they report
what they have read, not what they
really see for themselves.
This is a deep failure in any form
of knowing, whether through seeing or
| reading or hearing.
We learn not only by seeing and
reading and hearing, but especially by
being true to our own observations, SC
| long as we are quite sure that we have
seen what we think we have seen.
The oriter some years ago subscribed
to an aquarium magazine, with whose
| pronouncements he often disagreed. But
such was his respect for authority, or
| rather claims of authority, that he failed
| to register protest when his own findings
along these lines were directly opposite
to the words of the experts"
He was at first amused and later
amazed at the regularity with which the
magazine would reverse itself, months
later, and finally set down as gospel
truth in fish keeping the very findings
| he had discovered in the first place.
1t is solely matter of looking care
fully, plus a willingness to believe in
what you see, not because you have seen
it. but because you believe it is correct
ard right as you see it.
There is still plenty Of opportunity
in amateur bird watching to find out
things, because there are so many facts
which no one has yet discovered, even
after all these years.
Evening star., 1941-01-31
NICHOLS AVENUE Sc.

Dear Sir:
"a few summers ago was visiting a
relative in Baltimore and toward eve
ming as I sat On the porch I was struck
by the acrobatics of several birds.
ut was dark and I could not see
the birds well enough to decide what
color they were-they uttered no sound
except a rather raucous noise similar
to one have heard blue jays utter.
From what I could see I would say
the birds were perhaps bit larger than
a thrush-with swallow-like wings-and
they were powerful and swift flyers.
Their stunt was as follows:
"A bird would fly swiftly to quite a
good height, then fold his wings against
his body and dive straight down. Just
above the trees he would open his wings
and swerve out of his power dive
"He was falling so swiftly that on
opening his wings to break his fall
there was a whirring sound-and I had
the feeling that his wings would almost
be torn from his body.
"As he was silhouetted against the
evening sky I could see that his wings
appeared to be torn by the terrific force
of the wind breaking his fall.
"The birds evidently were delighted
by this performance, for Immediately
after one dive, they would fly swiftly,
in circles, to a height and dive again
and again.
II have always wondered what bird
this was-could you tell me with only
this brief bit of information?
Sincerely, D. w. F."
The above is very good description
OF the odd plunge of the nighthawk,
sometimes called the bullbat.
DR.. George GLADDEN., in Birds of
America" gives the following description
of it:
Appearing in the skies commonly in
the early evening (for his activities are
chiefly at the twilight hours, his flight
is erratic, as II be were beWildered, and
is punctuated by frequent repetitions
of short, nasal and utterly unmusical
call, usually uttered at the termination
of futtering dashes upward.
"His great flight performance, how
ever, Is his astonishing aerial dive, gen.
orally from height of several hundred
feet to within few feet of the tree
tops or the house tops or terra firma
itself
1T is preceded by no unusual eVolu-
tions that are discernible, though it is
executed at fairly regular intervals and
usually from a considerable altitude.
Having reached proper height by
his characteristic f1uttering fight, the
bird suddenly almost closes his wings
and takes his downward, almost perpen-
dicular plunge, the swiftness of which
rapidly accelerates until fairly dizzy
ing speed is attained.
The dive continues until the bird
seems to be within a few feet of the
tree tops or ground, when a sudden
spreading of the wings checks the descent
and the diver sweeps easily and grace
fully upward to renew his apparently
aimless wanderings."
Evening star., 1941-01-31

economic front. Or if Germany has to
divert large part of her armed force
to head off Greece in Albania, Ger
many may have to abandon her grandi-
ose hopes of invading England.
And Russia still has Balkan aspira-
tions. Russia cannot well sit idly by
and watch Germany take over the
Balkans, as Germany already has taken
over Austria, Czecho-Slovakia and Hun
gary. Yet If Russia actually uses force
to check Germany in the Balkan Penin-
sula, the British hopes of an ultimate
victory over Germany are immeasurably
improved.
So If you ask yourself, what have
those Balkans to do with the United
States in general and with me in par
ticular?" The answer is, Everything"
tCopyrtght 1e4i)
Evening star., 1941-01-31
Truffic Huzurds

1t Is to be doubted that the diagram
showing the proposed rearrangement
Of streets in connection with the Pan
American Annex project will dispel
the fears of District officials and
many motorists that the closing of
a part of Virginia avenue will create
serious traffic "bottleneck" in the
vicinity of the Navy, Interior and
Pan-American Buildings. The dia-
gram presumably was made public
to support the contention of Secre-
tary of the Interior Ickes, the Fine
Arts Commission and the National
Capital Park and Planning Commits
sion that the rerouting of traffic
around the proposed annex and the
adjacent Interior Department "front
yard" would reduce, rather than in
crease, traffic hazards. The chart
will not be convincing to persons who,
from their own driving experiences,
have come to regard any interruption
to the free flow of traffic as a poten-
tial hazard
The diagram clearly shows that not
one but several Interruptions to the
free flow of traffic would be created
If this plan, approved by the two
commissions and by the President
but lacking approval of District
officials-iS authorized by Congress-
There would be bends in Eighteenth
and Nineteenth streets, which now
are straight; Virginia avenue would
be closed from Constitution avenue
to Nineteenth street; eaStbound Vir-
ginia avenue traffic would be diverted
into Nineteenth street and thence
into Constitution avenue by means
of right-angle left turn; westbound
Constitution avenue traffic seeking
entrance to Virginia avenue would
make right-angle turn into Eight
zenith street and then would be
diverted left by means of islands into
truncated Virginia avenue.
What seems to have been over
looked by the planners is that Vir-
ginia avenue in recent years has
become main highway link between
downtown Washington and the Rock
Creek Parkway, Georgetown and
points to the north and west. Much
commercial traffic which once clut-
tered Pennsylvania avenue in the
White HouSe-TreaSury area now is
routed over Virginia and Constitution
avenues, relieving congestion in the
busy financial, business and hotel
district. If bottlenecks of any kind
are created in the Virginia avenue
route, it is logical to suppose that
some Of this traffic will return to
Pennsylvania avenue. Certainly, Dis
Evening star., 1941-01-31
Tribute Paid to
President Roosevelt.
To the Editor of The Star

To the Editor of The Star:
We thank God for giving us Presi-
dent with wisdom and knowledge to lead
us every step of the way. Those who
listened to the inaugural speech of Presi-
dent Roosevelt could not have failed to
glimpse the goodness and sincerity in
his heart.
AS he stood with undaunted courage
and pledged himself for the third time to
the highest service of his country, the
desire of all the people was fulfilled.
This unprecedented event may never be
repeated in American history.
AS we enter the next four years with
Mr.. Roosevelt still at the throttle, !
share with thousands of other Americans
the confidence that he will give his very
best to every one of us in the future as
he has In the past.
MRS. A. M. WEATHINGTON.
Evening star., 1941-01-31

rials, previous indictments against
American and German combinations
charging restrictions in such impor-
tant military items as optical instru-
ments and tungsten carbide, which
is used extensively in the machine
tool industry.
1t is unthinkable that the United
States should not enjoy the unre-
stricted use of every product the
preparedness program demands, and
II artificial barriers are standing in
the way no legal enterprise should
be spared to remove them.
Evening star., 1941-01-31
Would Tax "Unearned Increment"

In Land Values.
To the Editor Of The Star:
The President, In confronting the new
Congress with the prospect of further
colossal deficit, expressed a fear that
too great boost in taxes would inter-
fere with the full use Of our productive
capacities"
With the kind of taxes he had in mind
there is ample ground for his fear. But
what of the "unearned increment" in
land values that serves private privilege
as q basis for constant interference with
the full use of our productive capacities
through excessive charges for the use
of the earth, without which there can
be no production?
The Federal Government derives no
revenues from levies on land values, al
though in early years of the Republic it
was largely supported by taxes on real
estate, in sums apportioned to and col
lected by the several States. 7 am not
aware of any constitutional bar ever
raised against such levies. Presumably
they were abandoned under pressure of
real estate interests, the same as are
now organized in opposition to such
taxation. Opposition to taxes on land
improvements that are included in the
term real estate" may be justified, but
as to the land apart from all traceable
improvements, the case is different, as
its value is due not to anything done by
the holder, but to the presence and
activities of the people, and hence is
clearly earmarked for public use.
Bills for the diversion of percentages
of such values to Federal use have been
presented to Congress in recent years
The situation that now confronts us
should make it first duty of Congress
and the administration to adopt some
such measure.
WALTER N. CAMPBELL.
Evening star., 1941-01-31
ChideS Congress
For Waste of Time.

To the Editor of The Star:
May suggest that The Star publish
every day on its front page the editorial,
Control of the Seas" until Congress
acts on the "ease and loan" bill?
Of great help in overcoming dilatory
tactics also would be the daily appear
ance in The Star of the heart of the
testimony given by Secretaries of State,
War, Navy and the Treasury and by
Mr.. Knudsen. America accepts the ad-
vice of these men. qualified specialists
in the field of defense. Why should
Congress waste time, valuable time, ask
ing the opinion of every Tom, Dick and
Harry? Or, wasting time in useless de-
bate, time that cannot be recalled? The
Evening star., 1941-01-31
Warns Against Disasters
If Isolationists Prevail.

To the Editor Of The Star:
Will the isolationists please answer this
question: What is the United States 60
ing to do when it becomes too late to
save itself?
Do the isolationists propose to copy
Hitler in thinking that they can whip
the world? Such will be the job that
the United States will have to tackle, if
Great Britain, Greece and China are
defeated.
Let the American people wake up to
the realization of the destruction that
the isolationistS are leading this Nation
into before it is forever too late.
WILLIAM H. HARGROVE.
Evening star., 1941-01-31

Italians now are treating grains of
seed wheat with electric shocks to
improve the yield. Their morale also
seems to yield more and more under
British shocks.
Evening star., 1941-01-31

iSolationiStS have said all they can say,
all there is to say.
Congress alone has the power to ap-
propriate funds, so it has the last word.
Some one person must have the author
ity and responsibility to act instantly
when action is called for In the interest
Of American safety. Our people dem
onstrated on November that they have
confidence in our President.
FRED P. PATTON.
Randolph, Utah.
Evening star., 1941-01-31

trict highway and traffic authorities
should be given full opportunity to
study and report on the Virginia
avenue proposal before any drastic
experimenting Is done with such an
important artery.
Evening star., 1941-01-31

The Army has had to order
quantity of gray hair-for mat
tresses. The personal needs of old
timers in the Army for gray hairs
will, as usual, continue to be sup
piled by recruits.
Evening star., 1941-01-31

Cigars in Spain are said to be
made of straw, bark, leaves, cork
and a trace Of tobacco. The late
Vice President Marshall would have
been pleased to note that in Spain's
bid for recovery the five-scent cigar
plays such an important role.
Evening star., 1941-01-31
Pierce City, Mo.
Doubts Accuracy of
Star Article.


Star Article.
To the Editor Of The Star:
Concerning an article in The Sunday
Star of December %, discussing new"
words used in Southern Maryland and
Virginia, may I ask what part of Southern
Maryland and what class of people Prof.
A. L. Hench visited or associated with to
obtain such new words as he attributes
to dear old Southern Maryland?
1 have lived in Southern Maryland my
entire life. and taught school IA years
a few years in one of the little red school
houses of the past. My pupils are now
scattered but among them are bankers,
lawyers and teachers. The people I
have associated with and contacted
never used such words. M. s. U. B.
Waldorf, Md.