davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1941-06-11

Lions Club, Kenesaw Cafe, 1914 pm
Luncheon, Junior Board of Com
merce, Annapolis Hotel, 1890 pm.
Luncheon, Washington Institute
of Public Accountants, Madrillon
Restaurant, 1890 pm.
Luncheon, Military Order of the
World War, Mayflower Hotel, 1870
pm.
Luncheon. Kiwanls Club, May
flower Hotel, 1890 pm.
Luncheon, Cosmopolitan Club,
Carlton Hotel, 1890 pm.
Evening star., 1941-08-16
Social Security Boost

secretary Of the Treasury Morgen-
thau has made three proposals
affecting the social security setup.
One of these-that coverage be
broadened to include such classes as
domesticS and farm helps not
new and the arguments for and
against it are more or less we'll
known. The others, providing for
an increase in the tax rate at this
time and the setting up of dis
mlSSaI" wage, are new and should
receive very careful scrutiny.
The Treasury head advances these
proposals as nter-inf1ationarv
measures on the theory that thev
would curtail consumer buying
power. And there is no doubt that
they would have that effect. but
there are other and no less important
considerations which should not be
overlooked.
While Mr.. Morgenthau does not
say SO in express language, his pro-
poSalS seem to rest on the assump-
tion that taxes of this sort should
be higher when business is good and
lower, or at least stable, when condi-
lions are bad. But If this Is the rea-
sonlng behind the proposals, 1t may
be questioned whether the coming
year is going to be a good one for
business and industry as a whole.
There is no doubt that certain
businesses and industries those
benefiting from defense outlays-are
going to enjoy period of greatly ac-
CELEBRATED activity. But there is also
good reason to suppose that thou
sands OF other concerns-those which
will not receive defense contracts
and whose normal activities will be
sharply restricted by material priori-
tles-are in for a long and lean
season. If it should be necessary to
carry forward the defense program,
these concerns, over a period of time.
probably will be able to adjust them
selves to changed conditions. But in
the meantime it might work a very
serious II not ruinous hardship to
subject them now to new and higher
taxes not based on earnings.
Evening star., 1941-08-16
Accident Investigation.

When a special House Subcommit-
tee was preparing its report few
weeks ago on conditions in Washing
tons Police Department, conSidera-
ton was given proposal to elimi-
nate, with other special details, the
newly organized Accident Prevention
Unit. Wisely, the plan was dropped
and did not appear in the final rec
concentrations of the subcommittee
but it has been revived in connection
with contemplated shifts in the po-
ice force and prompt protest has
been made by organized motorists
interested in safety.
While it may be necessary to reduce
the number of policemen assigned to
scout-car duty in order to increase
the number on foot, other means
than eliminating this unit should be
found. AND as many as possible of
the men who are retained on auto
mobile duty should be selected from
among those who have been espe-
cially trained in accident investi-
cation.
Similarly. abolition OF police sup
Evening star., 1941-08-16
Reserve Ordnance

Last-minute action by Congress
fortunately has saved from an i'm
properly directed economy ak the
larger portion of ST BAT ,OOO, 900 fund
sought by the War Department for
a reserve pool of special ordnance
upon which to draw in event of ex-
treme emergency. This reserve sup
ply of light and medium tanks,
anti-tank guns and anti-aircraft ar
tillery had been approved by the
House in passing the supplemental
defense appropriation bill, but the
Senate eliminated the big item upon
advice Of its Appropriations Com
mittee, members of which were said
to have feared that the additional
ordnance was meant for a shooting
war" by an American expeditionary
force. Such a theory would seem to
imply that war could be prevented
by depriving our troops of weapons
with which to fight a Shooting
war'-a fallacious, dangerous doc
trine even in time of peace and par
ticularly so in this era when nations
are attacked without warning and
without cause.
Senate and House conferees finally
agreed on compromise fund of
$3.50 100000, which, while consider
ably short of the figure urged by
Secretary Of War Stimson and
Undersecretary Patterson, should
provide an initial safety reserve of
late-model tanks and vitally needed
artillery. Moreover, these additional
orders will enable our ordnance
plants to expand production capacitv
and thus provide facilities which
would be Immediately available for
all-out activity If war should come
to this hemisphere The Senate did
some realistic reconsidering when II
accepted the compromise plan and
sent the defense bill to the White
House yesterday afternoon for sio-
nature.
Evening star., 1941-08-16
Too Efficient

Time and time again it has been
remarked that the Nazi government
of Germany is prodigiously efficient.
When Der Fuehrer has undertaken
to do anything he commonly has
demonstrated a capacity for doing
it well-nigh perfectly. If there has
been any complaint in other coun-
tries concerning his methods and
techniques, 1t has been that they
are altogether too competent. He
has succeeded far beyond the an
ticipation and the desire of his
neighbors near and distant. Hence
the danger which he constitutes in
the considered judgment Of the
world.
But Adolf Hitler on occasion DEM
onstrates degree of efficiency
which, because of it's approximate
perfection, defeats his ends. For ex-
ample, he recently sent one of his
soldiers to England on business of
Importance. The mans name was
Josef Jakobs. He was born in Lux.
embourg in 1893 and had been 4
non commissioned officer in the Ger
Evening star., 1941-08-16
Discusses war Policy"
OF President Roosevelt.
To the Editor of The Star:

To the Editor of The Star:
What has bewildered me is the incon-
sistency of those who support President
Roosevelts foreign policy with species
of fanaticism while condemning his con-
duct of domestic affairs and agreeing
that he is plunging the Nation headlong
into political ruin and economic chaos.
Frank R. Kents column in The Star,
August 6, is a perfect illustration. Mr..
Kent writes: "A vast number of Ameri-
cans who have neither liking nor faith
in Mr.. Roosevelt, who regard his do
mestic policies as poisonously unsound
and believe that he has made dread
full mess of managing the country, are
willing to follow him in the conduct of
international affairs" To which Mr..
Kent adds: Sound as is his leadership
in the foreign field, what he is doing to
us at home Is a crime"
What strange confusion of thought!
Here are those who applaud every step
Mr.. Roosevelt takes toward war, and
only complain that he moves too slowly,
while at the same time they bitterly as
sail what he is doing at home.
While the Roosevelt revolution in the
political and economic life of the Nation
has been in progress, Mr.. Roosevelt has
used the psychology of war to accelerate
his revolution Are not the urgent de-
mand for socialization, RECOMMENDATION,
colossal debt, confiscatory taxation, i'm
minence of imitation bankruptcy, the
consequences of Mr.. Roosevelt'S foreign
or war policy?
There is this difference between do
mestic and foreign policy. As long as
we remain at peace and retain free
elections we have the means of arrest
ing a disastrous domestic policy. But
once the Nation has embarked in war,
there is no turning back. 1t must fight
to the bitter end whatever the con-
sequences.
commend to our rash politicians and
others who would lightly thrust their
country into foreign wars, the words of
Hermocrates to the Congress of Gela,
400 years &c: Vengeance is not
necessarily successful because wrong has
been done, or strength sure because it
is confident, but the incalculable ele-
ment in the future exercises the widest
influence, and is the most treacherous.
:. am not inclined to ruin myself
for the sake of hurting my enemies, or
so blinded by animosity as to think my
self equally master of my own plans
and Of fortune (that is fate) which I
cannot command" w r. WTLMOTH.
Evening star., 1941-08-16

port of the schoolboy patrol system
would be detrimental to safety. In
the sixteen years in which the pres
ent patrol arrangement has been
developed children of school age have
become, as a class, the safest resi-
dents of Washington, not only
through greater protection afforded
them, but because of the training in
traffic safety habits which the patrol
system has fostered. To remove po-
lice assistance from the plan would
eliminate one Of its strongest fea-
lures.
Faults may have been revealed in
public protection in Washington, but
the general welfare cannot benefit
if two of the strongest links are re-
moved from traffic safety enforce
ment, a matter which is concerned
with the violent deaths of nearly a
hundred residents a year and the
injury of thousands of others.
Evening star., 1941-08-16
August Midday

The still of August midday fllS the
air,
Each leaf and blossom mottonleSS,
the sun
Directly overhead in azure sky,
While clouds, like tDhite sheep, sloUly
amble by.
The dust of country road lies un-
disturbed,
No birdping futters in the border
hedge;
Wild life of wood and field is not
abroad
This mindless noon. The cattle
droUSe beside
The meddo,U brook; the yearling
colts are turned
To pasture on the hill. A farm lad
fills
The Uater trough By hand, the tall
,DindmtH
Is silent. Nothing breaks the solt-
tude
OF country summer Uhen there is
no sound
OF bloUing pind across the slopinp
ground.
BILLY B. COOPER.
Evening star., 1941-08-16
Says Subsidies to Farmers
Are State Socialism"


What is the popularity of the in
dustry of agriculture which is supposed
to entitle it to the enormous subsidies of
taxpayers money at the hands of Con-
gress? 1t reminds one of the lavish sac
rifices made to heather gods in olden
times by superstitious men. 1t is difficult
to understand how Congress can justify
the mailing of billions of dollars of tax
payers money in separate checks as
rewards for raising certain crops, for
not raising other crops. and for the pre-
posterous purpose of raising farmers in
comes to the parity value of more pros
porous years.
The Government is under no obliga-
ton to provide prosperity to the hum
dreds of other industries. There is
nothing sacrosanct about agriculture.
If the profits in farming are not satis-
factory, it is the privilege of farmers to
go into some other occupation just as
other men do. Improvements in farm
machinery and transportation naturally
reduce the cost of all farm products, and
the public is entitled to this reduction,
but the Government comes into the pic
ture in order to fix prices on parity"
basis.
Meanwhile, these expensive subsidies
defeat their own purpose by keeping
millions of men in agriculture who would
otherwise turn to some other occupa-
ton. The whole procedure is an unfor-
tunate experiment in state socialism.
HENRY WARE ALLEN.
Wichita, KanS.
Evening star., 1941-08-16
Thinks Americans
Should Be Skeptical of England.

To the Editor of The Star:
I would like to call the attention of
your readers to news article appearing
In your paper, August II. 1t was headed !.
Britain Is Seen Planning to Take Initia-
tive in War-New Moves Held Aimed at
Stimulating United States Desires to
Speed Smashing of Nazis." 1t goes on
to say: THE unexpected resistance of
Russia has developed the belief that
the opportunity is now offered of taking
the offensive away from the Germans.
The active participation of America
Is now argued to be essential = = The
dead weight opposition of public opinion
in America to active warfare is fully
measured. An extraordinary program
seems to be unfolding, designed to stim-
ulate a reversal of American opin-
ion, 80
mo other objective save that of stimu-
lating America into a whole-hearted
desire to Jump in and make quick and
thorough job of smashing Hitler would
explain these new activities"
We know that Great Britain spent
millions for propaganda to get America
into the last war, and our common
sense tells us that she must be spending
millions for the same purpose now Who
can blame England? However, it would
seem logical for Americans to view
skeptically and coolly all these argu-
ments and pressure to get us into this
war-instead Of taking every word to
heart as unmitigated truth.
LEE c. BELL.
Evening star., 1941-08-16

jay as bold thief with an eye for ba-
con or potatoes, willing and able to steal
them while you are looking at him.
He is a great favorite in the lumber
camps. whose occupants gave him his
popular name. He has many other
names, including camp robber, meat
hawk, meat bird, venison bird moose
bird, Whisky John and carrion bird.
These names. as most popular names,
give ready clues to the birds character.
We suspect that they also tell of the
sneaking affection which the lumber
men have for this fellow, in his black,
white and gray feathers, which look
decidedly rumpled most of the time.
~
The blue jays have given us a varia-
ton this summer by being among the
most constant songsters at our feeding
station.
In years past they have appeared not
more than once a day, and that usually
in the early morning. All winter a few
of them showed up regularly at seven
o'clock in the morning and usually re-
manned just twenty minutes.
This summer there have been half a
dozen of them coming and going all day
long Now there are five babies, so that
the total jay population of the yard is
eleven jays.
Instead Of eating just few minutes
oil
during the day. They fly in with such
a shout that all other birds leave at
once, but we have never seen any of the
others harmed.
Since the jays do not eat at the sta
ton, the other and smaller birds can
fly in during the larger birds absence.
Careful analysis of the stomach con-
tents of jay birds shows that rs per cent
of the food is vegetable matter, includ-
ing acorns, beechnuts, chestnuts. Near
ly 20 per cent are grasshopperS, cater
pillar eggs and scale insects. Various
beetles make to about per cent. About
l per cent is made up of birds and their
eggs, mice. fish, snails.
Thus it can be seen that the blue jays,
while they can and DO at times kill
small birds of other species, snd eat the
eggs, as a rule are too busy with other
food.
Research shows, too. that jays do not
eat the seeds of poison ivy, and so do
not distribute these seeds.
We cite this because almost every
crime in the bird calendar has been
charged to the blue jay.
No doubt ones estimation of a bird
depends largely on what one has seen
personally We have never seen one
harm any other songster, so We look
upon the jay as an interesting, beautiful
and humorous bird.
We believe that too many persons
simply have made up their minds about
this bird from what they may have
read, and have refused to find 1t either
beautiful, interesting or humorous Let
them look for themselves, and find a
new bird friend.
Evening star., 1941-08-16

man Army, attached to the meteor
illogical service. On the orders OF
his idolized leader" he proceeded
to Britain in search OF information
which would be Of value to the Nazi
forces. Dressed in civilian clothing
and with a parachutist's helmet, he
descended from the sky in the man.
ner Of the not-forgotten Mr.. Hess.
For use in the work he was to do
he carried a wireless transmitting
and receiving set, a large sum of
English money, an emergency food
ration, even small spade to be en-
ployed in buryirg his flying kit.
That equipment, however, was his
undoing. Arrested within twelve
hours after he landed, he could not
explain the impedimenta with which
ne was burdened. The provisions
intended to make feasible the
prompt and effective performance of
the duty to which he had been as
signed were evidence Of his character
as a spy. Tried by a secret court
martial, he was convicted under the
universal laws of war and sentenced
10 De shot. A firing squad disturbed
the rocks In the Tower of London
with the volley which took the life
OF another victim of Hitler's talent
Tor gadgets. Perhaps the lesson of
the incident for his foes is that the
variety of human intelligence known
as mother wit" still is an asset worth
possessing. OF the quality so desig-
mated the democracies, so it seems,
have their share.
Evening star., 1941-08-16
THIS AND THAT
By Charles E. Trdcepell.

A certain fluffy fatness is the only
thing which distinguishes baby blue
jays from their parents.
They are as large as the older birds.
or even larger, but their fluffy overall
fatness gives them away.
This and their ciamoring for food.
They will perch on the roof of the
feeding station without making a move
to feed themselves.
There they will give squawk after
squawk, when it is quite apparent that
the mother and father are paying no
attention to them whatever
AT last the jay babies realize this.
One by one they will fly into the
feeder and begin to eat by themselves.
The older birds have forced them
to it.
There are few young birds more COL
orful than the jays
The f1edglings are duplicates of the
parents, except that they lack the lean
muscularity of the latter.
There are, after all, few more colorful
birds in this locality.
Usually the jays do not make regular
visits to feeding stations, but content
themselves with irregular trips.
They never eat in the station. They
take a sunf1ower seed, or several of
them, to a nearby shrub or tree Most
birds take their seeds many feet away.
The jays are content with a few feet,
often not more than one foot
They will sit on branch of rhododen-
dron, hold the seed with their claws,
and then hammer off the outer shell
with their strong bills.
Usually this process takes no more
than six strokes, after which they de-
YOUR the meat with great relish.
Here again the jay is vigorous fell
low. Not all seed eaters manifest their
happiness with their food so plainly.
1t was interesting to note. watching
the young jays. that they ate while in
the feeding station something which no
older jay does.
Nor did We see the young birds pack
their bills with seed to carry away.
Mature blue jays often pack away half
a dozen or more seeds, which they de-
YOUR at leisure, or even hide in crevices
for future use.
Here, as in all such hiding, much
food is never found again by the hider,
for the simple reason that it is eaten
by some other and usually smaller bird
before the owner" gets back.
There are other jays in the United
States, including the California jay,
the Florida jay and Steller's jay. but
the big blue jay is the only one We see
hereaboutS.
Another one is the Canada jay, often
called the Whisky Jack. He sometimes
is found in Northern Maine and in the
Adirondacks.
This is jay which most persons who
like our local blue jay would be mighty
glad to have pay them a visit
All accounts of it picture the Canada
Evening star., 1941-08-16

@. How much ice cream is eaten in the
United States?-W J. H.
A. Consumption amounts to 275 100000
gallons year, or 9,5OOOeO 900 portions.
These figures do not account for the
amount made at home.
@. What is the source of the expression
Where ignorance is bnss"?-K. B.
A. Thomas Gray's poem. "On Distant
Prospect of Eton College contains the
lines, Where ignorance is bliss, It's
folly to be wise"
Q. Please give the origin Of military
training in public schools-H. L. c.
A. On December 2, 1861, the CITY
Council of Bangor, Me, was authorized
by Isaiah Stetson, the mayor. to intro
duce military drill into such of the
public schools of the city as the COM
mittee deem expedient."
@. How many times has Goering been
married?-S. F. F
A. His first wife was Baroness Karin
Fock, who died in 1892. In 1885 he was
married to his present wife, who was
Emmy Sonnemann, an actress.
Q. What salaries do the secretaries to
the President receive?-C. Mp.
A. Each receives $4,000 a year.
Q. How does Baltimore rank among
the 10 largest cities in the United
States?-C. T. H.
A. The city, with a population of
854,144, ranks seventh.
@. How many years will the sun con-
tinue to shine?-E. C.
A. The rate at which the sun is
pouring out energy has been computed,
and from this fact it has been estimated
that the sun at its present rate can
exist for some IS million million years
before the sub-atomic supply of energy
is exhausted.
c. What is the meaning Of the word
Kremlin?-G. l.. K.
A. 1t is the Russian word for citadel,
O. What disease was called the kings
evil?-T. L. N.
A. This name was applied to scrofula.
which 1t was formerly believed could be
cured by the royal touch.
Q. Please give the origin of the ex-
preston Eat, drink, and be merry
r. M. w.
A. Soul, thou hast much goods laid up
for many years; take thine ease, eat,
drink, and be merry" Luke xiile.
Then I commended mirth, because a
man hath no better thing under the sun.
than to eat. and to drink, and to be
merry" Ecclesiastes Wills.
Evening star., 1941-08-16
Believes Draftees Have Reason to
Complain Considering Labors Attitude.


To the Editor Of The Star:
inconsistencies abound in our defense
effort. That perhaps is to be expected in
view of the fact that a minimum OF
planning was possible. However. there
are certain things that, for the morale
of our draft-age citizenry if nothing
else, need immediate rectification.
A year ago Congress saw fit to induct
the youth of this country for a one-year
period of military training. The neces-
sity and urgency of such move was,
and is, appreciated by the majority Of
those affected. This past week the same
Congress extended the training period
from one to two and one-half years.
Senator Wheeler, Mr.. Lindbergh and
others repeatedly have decried our de-
fense effort as an attempt to lead us into
war. 1t is significant that in the minds
of young men at least patriotism and the
preservation of Americanism is very
real thing.
From the beginning strikes have been
rampant and other than for an occa-
oAoifoA SiioW VI Sti ticlistIi lilc SOfcIIlIIicut
has done little to curb labor's incon-
siderate demands. Recently the union
workers of shipbuilding plant busy with
defense orders struck and thereby held
production to standstill. The reason
for the strike is unimportant.
We have heard much about labor's
rights in a free democracy. We have
heard little or nothing of the rights of a
free man to determine his willingness or
unwillingness to fight or give up two and
half very important years.
Why Is 1t that the Congress blandly
will vote to retain q man In service
without asking his wishes IN the matter
Evening star., 1941-08-16

In one day, according to Herr
Goebbels, the Nazis downed 24O Brit
tsh and Russian planes, against a loss
Of four. 1t is possible that recent
rumblings heard at Hanover may not
be British bombs at ALL but merely
Baron Munchausen turning over in
his grave.
Evening star., 1941-08-16

and not have the courage it takes to
control labor in its denial of response
bility?
We are getting tired of hearing about
patriotism and not seeing it demon
strated.
If you hear draftees grumbling and
wonder why, reflect moment and it
may be that you will understand their
reason. They definitely have good cause
to complain in the light of the above.
JOHN c. MUILMAN, Jr.
Evening star., 1941-08-16

Glass tires running on glass
bridges are prophesied for the not
too distant future. Possibly our
Secretary Of the Interior may hit on
glass tanks visible to all and sundry
so as to show who has got how much.