davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1941-10-29
Gasoline Tax Issues

In opening hearings before a
special subcommittee of the Senate
District Committee on the House
proposal to double the gasoline tax
in Washington, Chairman Burton
asked the witnesses to cOnfine their
testimony to such pertinent queS-
tons as why Washington needs the
Increase and how the revenues will
be spent. If this sensible line of
testimony is adhered to, the hearings
will not be muddled by illogical and
Irrelevant arguments regarding the
amount of gasoline taxes paid in
sundry other States and the need for
bringing the District tax in line"
Arguments of this superficial type
preceded the action by the House
last week in voting to increase the
local gasoline tax from two to four
cents a gallon, despite the fact that
the House District Committee had
recommended an increase of only one
cent per gallon. Assertions by COM
mittee members on the floor Of the
House that their investigation had
shown that a two-cent boost would
bring in more revenue than could be
expended in this period of priorities
and other construction difficulties
were disregarded by the House.
Chairman Burton is correct in his
hypothesis that the sole issue to be
resolved is whether the District at
this time has need for a 100 per cent
increase in gasoline tax proceeds
not whether certain other jurisdic-
lions have higher or lower rates. In
considering this need and its extent,
the subcommittee and the Senate
should keep in mind the important
fact that, as Highway Director
Whitehurst indicated yesterday,
many of the highway projects ear
marked for immediate action are
related directly or indirectly to the
emergency requirements of the Fed
eral Government and that it is only
reasonable to expect that they will
be financed wholly or in part by the
Federal Government, rather than by
local taxpayers. Few long-range
improvements of the type which
properly should be financed by gaso-
line taxes are being given right of
way. To collect from District motor
lists more taxes than actually are
needed now or will be needed in the
immediate future is an unfair impo-
sition on this voteless and unrepre-
sented community.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1941-10-29

by them in any previous conflict. Eng
land this year must complete her ad-
justment to the new modes of war or be
stalerfated in a military equilibrium with
Germany.
Recent conditions suggested that by
the immediate engagement of Americas
naval and air arms against Germany We
might not be compelled later to trans
port an expeditionary force to Europe,
possibility that may not now exist. En-
visioning situation that might prevail
few months later by reason of Ger
many's control of the continent, which
may make her economically self-con-
tanned, the supreme danger to America
is less Russian catastrophe than such
an enfeebling of the British morale as
may persuade England to conclude a
compromise peace. BY such a disaster
the United States would be isolated and
menaced by the full power and fury of
German nation that would regard Amer
lea as its most inveterate enemy and
with whom Cancellation would not be
considered. Such rational speculations
incline to the proposition that if the
American Army is to fight in this war,
the most logical front for it is the
Russian. The Soviet soldier continues
to demonstrate that his battle virtue
cannot be bettered, and his heroism
equals that of the Greeks at Salamis
where. for illustration, a warrior who
lost his hands, continued to fight with
his teeth.
If the Reich decides to weary the
English to an accommodation. and be
content in Western Europe with main
tanning only defensive war, Germany
can best be defeated and fastened to
submission by forces operating in the
East, the fighting, certainly. being syn
chronized with British continental CAM
paignS.
The Russian desire seems to be to
wage an unintermittent warfare against
the invader, allowing him no unmolested
instant, the only repose permitted him
deriving from an exhaustion of Russian
troops, who acknowledge no period to
fighting except death
This instants dominant interest of
America is, and our supreme concern
might be, the sustaining of Russia to
the full capacity of the Soviets to fight,
which would result in so considerable a
Slavic superiority that the Reich's armies
would be compelled to begin a retreat
that must eventually end in the sur
render of Germany The Congress of
the United States is determining the
fate of nations and Europe's future.
EDWARD CONN.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1941-10-29
Discusses Alleged Attempt
Against MIR. McLemore'S Livelihood.

40 the 6ultOi u Ahc Sso4'
1t is comforting to learn that in the
hurly- burly of present defense activities
the Secretary of the Interior has found
time to devote to the task OF sabotagng
the Journalistic career OF one Hank NC
Lemore, columnist OF The star ana
McNaught Syndicate. Inc. Historians
undoubtedly will record this action on
the Secretary's part as the greatest
single contribution to the 1941 defense
program.
Multitudinous have been the demands
made upon the Childe Harolde in recent
weeks. what with the upswing in the
egg market and the doWnswlng In the
gasoline field, but the-little-man-Whos-
never-fair is not the one to shlrk duty.
This McLemore fellow had written
few lines which. although humorous,
had reflected upon the dignity OF the
Office of the Secretary. Ergo, it was an
attempt to sabotage our national defense
effort Ergo, this fellow must be re-
moved.
How? Well. as a graduate summa cum
laude from Wiretappers University, Class
of 1895, our extremely popular Secretary
realized full well that one must never
attempt by direct methods what can be
accomplished by indirection. Accord
inglv, he tossed off few ill-chosen lines
to McLemore's syndicate manager in
which he loosely stated that the elm
nation of Macs column would be in the
public, interest because of the great
amount of paper it would save. Also
cited as a reason for firing Hank was
the fact that he, Ickes, found the column
not funny.
All this, mind you, while the world is
on a rocket ship express to the dogs.
Harold has served his country up to
now much as Sockless Simpson served
our fathers in the past-he always was
good for laugh. His recent rumblings,
however, particularly in the McLemore
incident, are something else again.
If there remains in the field Of journal
ism any seed of the spirit of gallantry
that lowered in the days of Dana, Stef-
fens and Davis, the newspapermen OF
the country will not let the Secretary go
unanswered.
In this connection it is singularly I'M
fortunate that the punch-laden pen OF
HevWood Broun is not available at q
time like this Boy, would thousands
of us like to see him go to work on
That Ickes! BEAU SETON.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1941-10-29
THIS AND THAT
BIZ Charles E. Trace1ueH.

may bloom in late August, but much
depends upon the weather.
The seeds should be planted in full sun.
1t must be kept in mind that this is
another of Mexicos famous flowers 1t
is hot land, with all the sunshine in
the world, and its plants require it.
The seed catalogs say it is desirable
as a background in roomy borders"
This means, if We read out catalogS
Alright, that it is sprawly, that is, you
must be sure to give it plenty of room.
Like many wildly growing plants, it
can be staked, if a little ingenuity is
used. 1t is always possible to insert green
bamboo stakes in the midst of a clump,
and tie up the canes around it.
English flower encyclopedias list the
tithonia as hardy shrub. In this cOun-
try we cannot so regard it. While in the
South it will live the year around, this
far North it is not hardy, and must be
treated as an annual.
1t is only when we have such a late
season as the present that it blooms
well. The flowers are distinct shade,
but one which is more or less duplicated
in some of the newer calendulas.
=
Tithonus, in Greek legend, was the son
of Laomedon, the brother of Prima, and
spouse of Eos, the goddess of morn
(more often called Aurora.
The story is that Eos, in asking i'm
mortality for her spouse, forgot TO ask
at the same time for eternal youth for
him, so that in his old age he became
completely Shrunk and decrepit.
His cruel Immortality became such a
burden to him that he asked for relief,
and was changed into grasshopper.
In this way the clever Greeks &C
counted for the wrinkled, gnarled grass
hoppers, as well as told mankind that
not be worth it all, and that since youth
cannot last, then We cannot expect i'm
mortality. This, of course, was before
mankind received the lesson of the
Savior, who has promised eternal life
without the necessity of eternal youth.
= *x
The tithonia is distinctly not plant to
DuJ III Illt lOISSIOuIlO VI Illt SdlucIl.
And it will not produce large flowers
up here. Down South it gives larger
flowers but in Washington and vicinity
they must not be expected. About two
inches in diameter, or maybe little
larger, is all that the plants produce
| hereabouts. And these are at the tips OF
! the canes, in most cases.
| The tithonia is best used-When your
Florida friends send you some seed
as background planting, the farther back
/ the better, where they are out of the way
and maybe have a fence to help hold
them up.
/ Although the tint of the flower is the
distinct feature. the tithonia does make
/ nice plant, with rather thick leaves
T of an unusually dark deep green.
All in all, it is a plant well worth try
/ ing. but no one should expect too much
from it, so far from Mexico. and especial
/ ~ should not be disappointed if it does
not bloom well.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1941-10-29
WESLEY HEIGHTS.

Dear Sir:
"A friend of ours has in his back yard
a group of bright orange flowers growing
at the top of long stalks they must be all
of 9 or 10 feet high.
He did not know what the plant is,
but thinks it must be some sort Of zinnia,
he said.
Since I have never seen any zinnia
with such long stems, I am writing to
you to find out what this plant is, if you
know, which I guess you will. You
seem to know great deal.
This plant grows in my friends gar
den in a great mass or clump. While
do not think it is very pretty, really, the
shade or tint is unusual.
I'VE had quite an argument about
whether it is zinnia. He said it is, I
said it isn't. We depend upon you for
a settlement of this dispute.
Sincerely yours. L. T. S."
The flower is the tithonia, sometimes
called the Mexican sunflower, and at
other times the golden flower Of the
Incas.
1t is very popular in Florida, where
it always flowers.
In the United States it often is caught
by the fall frosts before the flowers
mature,
The long warm autumn this year has
enabled many plants to flower perfectly,
so that many gardeners are seeing the
blossoms for the first time.
AS far as we have been able to find
out, it is not a Zinnia, nor is it sun
flower, although the blossoms resemble
the single form of zinnia, and the leaves
much resemble those of the SunfloWer.
The height of the canes is distinctly
SunfloWer-like.
The tithonia is usually something of
disappointment. we believe, to most per-
sons living in this latitude.
This comes about because the plants
are rather sprawly, in their growth, and
often require stalking up in autumn
winds.
If the seeds are planted outdoors in
April or May. the plants grow so slowly
that the frosts in usual autumns catch
them before they have Powered.
Thus many growers hereabouts never
get to see the bright orange flowers, or
at most only few scattered blossoms.
In years when the fall is long and
warm, they will bloom perfectly, and
then the masses of blossoms at the top
of such tall canes. when there are few
flowers in the yard, are welcome and
interesting sight.
According to the seed catalogs. the
flowers resemble "a giant single zinnia
of vivid orange-scarlet"
In this climate many of the flowers
will be only about two inches in diameter,
scarcely giant in any sense of the
term.
Usual planting directions are for the
seed to be started indoors in March.
If these are set out as soon as all danger
of frost is over in the spring, the plants
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1941-10-29

@ Is the President of the United
States authorized to appoint the high
commissioner of baseball?-W. o.
A. The agreement between the major
leagues and the minor leagues requires
that in the event of the election Of a
new high commissioner, if no decision
is reached for certain period, tire
President is authorized to appoint a
man to occupy the position.
@. Who is called the typical An1eri-
can sculptor?"-H. J. H.
A. Daniel Chester French is so calei
because he received most Of his art train
ing in America and executed the statues
of so many notable Americans.
@. What two emperors agreed to Gi-
vide the world between them?-M. S Z.
A After the defeat of the army Ct
Alexander I at Friedland. in 1907. he
deserted the allies and in the Treaty Of
Tilsit he and Napoleon agreed to di- ia
the world Alexander was to rule the
East and Napoleon the West.
Q. Is it true that birds once had
flngers?-E. J. B.
A. The primitive bird called archae-
opteryx, connecting link with the rep
tiles. had teeth and three sharp-clawed
fingers on each wing.
@. Has any one ever repeated Benja-
min Franklins famous kite experiment?
H. H. L.
A According to the Franklin 1nsti-
tute, the only other map known to
science who attempted to repeat the
experiment was Russian scientist, now
deceased.
@. Where was the first post Office in
the United States?-S. c. A.
A. The first post Office in America was
established in Boston. The General
Court of Massachusetts on November s,
1859, designated the residence of Rich
ard Fairbanks as the place for all let
tiers from beyond the sea, or to be sent
thither."
@. How did cigar bands originate?-
M P. R.
A. They were first used in Colonial
times in Cuba to protect from stains the
fingers of the aristocratic Spanish women
who smoked them.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1941-10-29

full consideration of Congress. In
considering plans for the future,
Congress should also see to it that the
consolidated agency continues the
constructive activities of the c. c. c.,
such as conservation, health building
and physical training. and instruction
of youth in defense skills, and that
it maintain the high work standards
of the G.. C.. G..
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1941-10-29
Desirable Merqer

Consolidation OF the National
Youth Administration with the Ci-
villain Conservation Corps, recon-
mended by President Roosevelt in a
letter to Federal Security Admins
traitor Paul v. McNutt made public on
Monday, seems under present condi-
tions a logical and desirable move.
With the defense program creating
hundreds of thousands of new jobs,
there is no longer a place for two
Federal youth agencies. A merger
of the two organizations should re-
suit in substantial savings, through
the reduction in overhead and other
expenses, and would therefore be
fully justified on the score of econ
omy alone.
In his letter to Mr.. McNutt, the
President expressed the view that the
War Department should be relieved
from all activities which may in
any manner interfere with its main
objective-preparatio for defense"
Since it's establishment eight years
ago, the C. C. c. has been under the
administrative supervision of the
War Department. Through the
Regular and Reserve officers assigned
to C. C. c. camps, the Army has
contributed much to the efficiency
of the corps. 1t is to be hoped that
&c Il i,oic CT 70
troll from the War Department to
the Federal Security Agency will not
be followed by any impairment in
morale and disciplinary standards.
The C. C. c., for the present fiscal
year, has been given an appropria-
ton of approximately S247 100000.
Due to the declining enrolment,
which has made possible the closing
Of many camps, Director McEntee
recently announced that he planned
to return to the Treasury substan-
tial part of his current funds. The
N. Y. A. appropriation for this year
is somewhat less-about $150,00O, 900.
Though no official estimates have
been made as to the amount Of the
savings that are expected to accrue
from the proposed merger, the coun-
try has a right to expect stable
economies, and a substantial reduc-
ton, during the present emergency,
in Federal youth appropriations.
Administrator McNutt and Budget
Director Smith are now drafting
legislation to consolidate the C. c. G.
and the N. Y. A. In view OF the
urgent need for economies in non
defense expenditures, this legislation,
when introduced, will merit the care
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1941-10-29
Expresses Appreciation
OF Mr.. MOrley's Commentaries.
To the Editor OF The Star

To the Editor Of The Star:
I should like to express my apprecia-
ton of the articles you publish by Felix
Morley. The fact that he appears now
and then to be what is falsely termed
'isolationist' makes it all the more i'm
portant that his measured voice in oppo-
sition to single-track thinking (Which
will certainly lead to singlertrack gov
ernment be heard. Frankly, I have
very little faith in the American press.
I regard the influences bearing upon it
as hopelessly one sided. and the caliber
of its "commenta tors" is far below the
standards of scholarship and intellectual
integrity that I would follow. Thus 1t
is with a feeling of some satisfaction
that 1 buy The Sunday Star, which still
manages to print the word of a calm and
reasonable interpreter of events.
May I add that 1 think our country is
in one of the most deplorable conditions
in it's history? Spiritually. intellectu-
ally and physically we are, I believe,
approaching bankruptcy. Certainly,
therefore, we are in desperate need OF
writer's, commentators, editors, speakers
and others influential in forming opinion,
who at the very least will remain calm,
hold to the facts, forgo hates and fears
and aid each other in keeping open the
channels of communication. In this
service 1 think you have made an i'm
portant contribution by publishing the
essays of Mr.. Morley. F. N. PILLING.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1941-10-29
Expresses Appreciation
OF Hospital Article.
To the Editor of The Star:

wish to commend the article in
The Star on the subject of Hospitals
in the District of Columbia" 1t is by
this kind of article that public attention
is brought to conditions which need cor
rection. I hope more information may
be published concerning hospitals and
welfare organizations so that the public
may be informed of their strengths and
iuadequacies. HERBERT EBY.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1941-10-29

Premier TOTO has charted for ia
pan IAN answering course of con-
tinuous expansion" Perhaps like
the course embarked on by that frog
who, envious of the OK, eventually
busted himself.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1941-10-29
Hoskin's Answers
To Questions
BIZ Frederic J. HdSkin.

reader can get the dnSUer to uny
question of fact by 1Criting The EUe-
ming Star Information Bureau, Fred
eric J. HaSkin, director, Washington,
d. C. Please incloSe stamp for reply.
O. How much has the cost Of living
increased in the past two years?-A. B.
A According to the Bureau of Labor
Statistics (September 30, 194D, living
costs are rs per cent higher than they
were two years ago when war broke out.
Two thirds of this rise has come since
the beginning of 194l.
@. When was "Shipwreck" Kelly's last
year on the University of Kentucky foot
ball team?-C. D. H.
A. The fall of 1881 was the last season
that he played,
@. Has any country a square flag?-
PSK.
A. The flag of Liechtenstein is exactly
square.
@. How old is President Roosevelts
dog?-H. A.
"A. L dlId, VIC oNObOlC, 10 q yCdL anu Oi4C-
half old.
G. What is fifth wheel?-H R w.
A 1t is a wheel-like plate or segment
attached to the front axle of a vehicle
and rotating about a kingbolt to facili-
tate making turn.
@. Please explain the significance Of
the position Of a horses feet in an
equestrian statue?-B. D.
A. Absolutely no significance attaches
to the position Of the feet of a horse in
such a statue.
G. How far is it by airplane from New
York City to LiSbon?-M. J. C.
A. The airline distance between Now
York City and Lisbon is $500 miles.
@. Who took the leading part in Victor
Herbert's The Wizard of the Nile" when
it was produced in New York in 1862
L. c. D.
A. Frank Daniels played the leading
role in the comic opera.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1941-10-29
Letters to the Editor.

Letters to the Editor must
bear the name and address of
the 1rriter, although the use OF
a pseudonym for publication is
permissible. The Star reserves
the right to edit all letters with
q rieV to condensation.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1941-10-29

president Toughens His Attitude
Toward Labor Problem" ran a recent
headline In the past it has been a
little bit tougher than custard pie,
but not quite so tough as liver.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1941-10-29

1t seems that fifty million French
men were wrong, and that is why
fifty Frenchmen at a time are
bumped of occasionally these days.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1941-10-29

The Associated Press is exclusively entitled to
the use for republication OF all news dispatches
credited to il 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. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1941-10-29

II Duce reiterateS his intention to
keep fighting, according to most re-
cent dispatches. Whose intention,
BenitO?
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1941-10-29
Tells of Hope for Resistance
To Labor Leaders at White House.

To the Editor OF The Star:
President Roosevelt's open Endorsement
of Mayor La Guardia for third term as
Mayor of New York City, despite the fact
that he is opposed by regular nominee
of the party of which the President is
titular head, gives the worried, long
suffering public some hope to believe
that he will be equally fortnight and
emphatic in dealing with John L. Lewis.
If the President can refuse the plea
for impartial silence from such faithful
henchmen as Senator Wagner, Gov. Leh-
man, Chairman Flynn and former Post
master General Farley, to all of whom
he owes mountainous debt of gratitude
and loyalty, then there is some reason
able expectation that he will play the
Dutch uncle to any and all labor leaders
who attempt to apply the checkoff to
the White House.
THOMAS E. MATTINGLY, M. D.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1941-10-29

Household Helps-NeW ideas on
decoration painting, household
utilities, floors, carpets and furni-
ture are included in this up-to-
date aid TO the homemaker House
cleaning can be simplifed almost
unbelievably by the labor and time
saving suggestions set forth in this
booklet. 1t is really a household
encyclopedia. To secure your copy
inclose 10 cents in coin. wrapped in
this clipping, and mail to The
Star Information Bureau.
Name
Address
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1941-10-29

Asks Information
OF IsOlatiOnist Leader.
To the Editor of The Star:
Is Senator Wheeler receiving salary
during these weeks of touring the coun->
try speaking? How long can Senator
remain away from the Capitol Who
is paying his expenses? A. &c.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1941-10-29
Member of the Associated Press.

Entered as second-class matter post office.
Washing ton D. c.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1941-10-29

@. Has any country a square flag?-
P S. K.
A. The flag of Liechtenstein is exactly
square.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1941-10-29

c. When was "Shipwreck" Kelly's last
year on the University of Kentucky foot
ball team?-C. D. H.
A. The fall of 1881 was the last season
that he played.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1941-10-29
Rate by Mail-Payable in Advance.

Daily and Sunday yr.. $1,000 mo, S. &C
Daily only ---------1 VI, $500; l mo, 15t
Sunday only --------1 yr.. So 90; mo-, soc