davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1941-07-04
"ELLICOTT STREET.

Dedr Sr.
"I have noted with interest the various
theories regarding the bathing habits
of the cardinals that have appeared
from time to time in your column.
Having observed for several summers
the cardinals in my garden, can say
with absolute confidence that these birds
not only bathe, but bathe frequently.
However, I have never seen them
bathe in our bird bath.
IF the cardinals are around when
the hose is turned on in fine spray,
they Immediately proceed to take a
their feathers on end until they look
twice their natural size.
when they are thoroughly wet, they
fly up to the well arm, and pick and
preen until partly dry, then run into
the shower again, repeating the per-
formance several times.
X y
ALSO have seen the cardinals take
sponge baths, believe it or not.
They do it as follows-by darting
back and forth in thick foliage that
is dripping wet.
Il noted this many times, so did other
members of my family. At first I
thought something was after the bird,
as she was opening her wings alter
nately, turning and twisting in the
foliage, darting back and forth like a
shuttle; presently she flew up to the
well arm and began to dry herself.
Soon the male came and went through
the same maneuvers, and was joined
by the female who again spOnged her.
self with the wet and dripping leaves.
There was no mistake about it, they
were both enjoying themselves thorough
ly, and were soaking wet when they came
out. I do not doubt that wildbirds have
learned this trick long ago. and practice
it when no bath is available.
X X
There is pair of wrens building in
a coconut shell hanging on trellis in
our garden.
Il sawed the nut in half, cut hole the
size of quarter in the upper half, wired
the two halves together (after scooping
out the meat, of courSe) wired a loop
to hang it by, and 'Wrented' it without
difficulty to what appear to be very
satisfactory tenants.
I'VE have several feeders in our garden,
and this summer a pair of Carolina
doves comes every day. sometimes several
times a day, and feed in my window,
not seeming to be in the least disturbed
if I am sitting inside the room not a
foot away with the curtains pulled back,
and nothing but wire screen between
us.
One song sparrow has been with us
for three years, and is now so gentle that
he will feed without fear close to our
hands, and will ask for food if the
feeder is empty, by fiuttering his wings
and opening his mouth as young bird
will do.
Being something of shut-in, my
chief delight is the birds.
Sincerely, A. w. F."
x
A quarter, or 25-cent piece, is just
about right for measuring the entrance
for wren house.
This size hole will permit the wrens
to enter, but will keep out most If not
all of the English sparrows.
Evening star., 1941-07-04
Discusses Causes" of Crime
And Effects of Neglect of Children.

To the Editor of The Star:
Because of the current interest in the
local crime problem, one may be led to
assume that the condition recently has
become acute. Actually, such is not
the case. But, because of the nature of
some of the crimes recently perpetrated,
the public has become aware of the
real situation. Washington actually has
Jagged far behind other cities in COM
batting delinquency and subsequent
crime conditions.
The Nations Capital has long been
show place of elaborate buildings and
beautiful monuments. However, hidden
beneath this veneer there exist some of
the worst slum areas, as well as one
of the most inadequate juvenile court
systems in the entire Nation. These
facts long have been recognized, but no
active measures have been taken to
combat them. What does it matter that
the Juvenile Court Building is one of
the most attractive in the country, if the
1dGluUl6S arc 81 1lldutQudlC! LII lliC
present setup it is quite probable that
the existing facilities have been utilized
to their best advantage. The fact re-
mains, however, that these facilities are
very inadequate.
The present organization has no pro-
vision for medical examinations, either
psychological or psychiatric. The law of
cause and effect states that there can
be no effect without a preceding cause.
Realization of this has produced pro-
found changes in modern concepts OF
criminology. 1t has been proven that
a typical behavior always results from
causes inherent in the individual or his
environment.
1t is rather obvious that large pro-
portion of delinquents come from slum
areas but it is also obvious that all poor
people do not commit crimes. Individual
insecurity plus individual factors do pre-
dispose for delinquency. Now there is
less theorizing about crime as an entity
and the individual is studied instead.
In place of the absolute evaluation of
right and wrong, and the consideration
of the law as rigid measuring rod,
more relativistic attitude is assured The
offense is viewed in the light of the in
dividual that committed the offense.
About SO years ago, there might have
been some question as to whether medi-
cine had anything to do with children's
delinquencies. If they were trifling, the
fathers razor strop was deemed suffi-
cient punishment. If they were more
severe, confinement in jails was meted
out. Now it is recognized that children
are complex creatures and defy any
attempt at simplified reduction of their
behavior to any common denominator.
Diagnosis and treatment are the main
contributions that medicine, through
psychiatry, has to offer in the field Of
delinquency
Medicine long ago recognized that
disease could be controlled best by pre-
vention. This same analogy follows for
social evils. Crime cannot be controlled
only by building bigger ,jails or larger
police forces. The fundamental feet Is
Evening star., 1941-07-04
New Texas Senator

In the closest senatorial contest In
Texas history, Governor w. Lee
O'Daniel appears to have won the
race for United States Senator. Rep
resentative Lyndon Johnson, who
claimed the support of the President
and campaigned on Roosevelt and
unity" platform, held substantial
lead in the earlier returns, but Gov
ernor ODaniel moved slightly ahead
in the final tabulations.
A former flour salesman, who
came to Texas about decade ago
from Kansas, Governor O'Daniel is
a comparative newcomer in the poll
tics of the Lone Star State. EN-
ploying a band of "hillbilly" musi-
clans, he used the radio with nota-
BILE success in selling his flour. The
program and its music enjoyed
great popularity and when Mr..
ODaniel asked one day whether the
people wanted him to be candidate
for Governor, he received about 50,-
900 kilograms and letters urging him
to run.
With his hillbilly band playing
an important role, he campaigned in
1898 as a businessman candidate,
easily winning the election. After
his Inauguration, he began regular
Cupdou M or,,i,,o broo 5co ct G from tho
Executive Mansion. These programs
included talks by the Governor, and
music from a string orchestra.
Though critics charged that he had
failed to carry out some of his cam
paign promises, notably the pledge
to provide thirty dollar -a-month
pensions for all Texans over sixty
five years old, Governor O'Daniel
Evening star., 1941-07-04
A Europe in America

The average American lake teens
with a variety of life, all engaged
in the overcroWded profession of
doing the best they can for them
selves. In sheer point of numbers
the animalculae come first, but they
lead harried life. Totally unarmed,
they become easy prey even to in
sects which, though partially armed,
fare not much better, being them
selves prey to such relatively insig-
nlflcant foes as tadpoleS and min
noWs. But before they get to first
base, millions of tadpoleS and min
nows are gobbled up by small perch,
bass or pickerel-that is, if the small
perch, bass or pickerel have been
able to escape absorption by larger
members of the same gang The
entire social system of the lake is
remarkably like that of Europe.
The boss is sure to be some old,
willy, evil-eyed swapping turtle and
associates of the superior race.
Slowly, secretly, he grows in power,
size and armament, preying on the
feebler while he is weak himself and
patiently awaiting the day when he
can take anything in the lake. The
other inhabitants, who easily could
have broken him when he was
mere egg, find it tough task
when he is thoroughly mechanical,
coated with impenetrable armor,
protected on the flanks by vicious
claws and preceded by spearhead
that can cut through almost any,
thing.
Evening star., 1941-07-04
Army Training

The arguments in support of the
proposal by 9General George c.
Marshall, Army chief of staff, for an
extension of the training period for
selective service men, ReserviStS and
the National Guard are most per-
suaSiVe.
1t has been shown by experience,
including the recent maneuvers in
Tennessee, that only relatively slight
progress has been made toward pre-
pairing the Army for the test of war,
and the attainment of that degree
of preparation is the basic purpose
underlying our entire national de-
fense effort. The maneuverS, accord
ing to observers at the scene, re-
vealed that the soldiers are we'll
advanced in physical conditioning,
but that in other respects, such as
skill in the use of modern weapons,
teamwork and command, great
deal remains to be done.
And it is doubtful if these Short
comings can be corrected during the
balance of the training year. That,
at least, is the belief of General
Marshall, and his opinion is entitled
to the highest respect.
1t is important to bear in mind
that the men now in training would
be called for service in event of war.
In any conflict in the near future
they would have to serve as the
backbone of the Army, and if they
should be returned to civilian life
before their training is completed
they would have to resume their
training after the beginning of hos
tilities. If that is to be our course,
1t means that we must gamble on
being given the time in which to per-
feet half-trained Army after war
has started. Certainly, the expert
ence Of the past two years argues
most strongly against the taking of
such risk.
In adopting the Selective Service
Act and kindred legislation we set
out to protect the Nation by raising,
equipping and training an Army in
advance of war. We assumed, and
nothing has occurred to invalidate
the assumption, that we would have
but little time in which to take this
precaution. If anything, the time is
much shorter now, and nothing
should be permitted to interfere
with the attainment of our original
objective.
General Marshall's other recon-
mendation-that geographical re-
strictions on the use of selectees
and guardsmen be lifted-turns upon
a more fundamental question of
national policy. But it is to be hoped
that Congress, should a formal re-
quest for legislation embracing this
proposal be submitted, will give most
earnest consideration to the fact
that General Marshall, as chief of
staff, is in the best possible position
to understand the requirements of
the Army. If he believes that full
freedom in the use of all classes Of
troops would make for the perfection
Evening star., 1941-07-04
THIS AND THAT
BIZ Charles E. TrdceUell.

common fault in building bird houses
is to get the entrance too large.
Three -fourths of an inch is about
right for the wren, and one inch-these
are diameters, of course-for the blue
bird house
Sparows find easy entrance to the
latter.
Since writing the first article some
time ago about never seeing a cardinal
take a bath, we have seen them do so
repeatedly.
1t is often this way When we wrote
about no wrens being in evidence this
year. the very next day there was a
fine family of them.
We would rather not say we had never
seen bear in the garden, although this
would be the truth, of course, for fear
that the next day there would be Mr..
Bruin, himself!
The closest we have come to a bear
| in Washington was down at the Zoo,
also in @ street, many years ago.
In the old days, bears on chains, led
| by men of dubious ancestry, were no
| uncommon sight.
Usually the bear, although very large,
simply shambled along, with the chain
clanking Just how the man managed
| to earn a living with the bears We did
J not know, but realize now that they
I probably put up mock wrestling shows
with them, or had taught them some
cinonla tricks alcO daOpipp
1t is an odd fact that birds do not
do as much bathing in hot weather as
earlier in the season.
This, at least, is our observation for
one yard.
The robins bathe the most, now, but
close watching has failed to reveal any
other species taking a bath.
Especially the song sparrow, among the
"bathingest' of all in the spring, has
been absent from his ablutions.
1t is seldom that one sees a squirrel
really taking bath, although they are
to be spotted often on the rim Of the
elevated basin.
x
esting of garden residents. They are
| always up to something, chasing each
| other, standing on their hind legs while
| they look sagaciously around them, hid
ing nuts in the ground or digging them
up and eating them, or perching on
some piece of garden furniture.
We believe they get a great deal of
| plain squirrel sport out of climbing TO
| the back or arm of a chair.
Few of them will actually take their
| perch in the seat, as a cat would.
Squirrels seem to prefer the lesser
| point of the back or arm.
| This no doubt appeals to them in
many ways, but one of them undoubtedly
is that the arm or top of the chair back
in just squirrel size.
| We feel that no one with a garden
! should want the squirrels TO leave, even
though they are sometimes drawback
| in the sport of bird feeding.
| The way to handle this situation is
to put up more feeding stations, and
use more food, particularly the sorts
which appeal to squirrels. A small sta
ton well stocked with peanuts in the
shell and sunfower seed will draw all
the squirrels, leaving the other feeders
| for the birds.
Evening star., 1941-07-04
Advocates Sending Forces Abroad
To Meet" Hitler Now.
r. ~. r5j.or ~ The C+or.

Advocates Sending Forces Abroad
To Meet" Hitler Now.
To the Editor of The Star:
The most harmful doctrines with which
the American spirit has ever been
drugged are those asserting that we must
not fight until We are attacked and that
American men must not be sent away
from our shores to fight.
The course of the war has shown the
folly of relying on such counsels of
cowardice. OF all the countries that have
faced Hitler, from the time of the Nazi
attack on Poland up to the Nazi attack
on Russia. England alone has fought
wherever she could find the enemy and
England alone remains free and fights on.
The other countries, which waited for
Hitler to bring the war to them, are now
Nazi provinces. Germanys cardinal prin-
ciple is to fight in any country but her
own. Japan follows the example Of her
German partner.
England has ample historic precedent
for pursuing policy of carrying the fight
to the Nazis. 1t was that same policy on
the part of the British which started
Napoleon along the road to Waterloo
In 1909, when Spain was on the verge of
falling to Napoleon, Sir John Moore di-
verted the aggressor with the small Brit
ish force which was in Spain. The little
British Army made a valiant stand at
Coruna before it was driven into the sea,
and Spain was saved. The British lost
a military genius in Sir Johns death at
Coruna-his burial after the battle has
been immortalized in Charles Wolfes
famous poem-and they lost a number
of men, but the setback they gave Ma
poleon's plans spared countless other
lives in the long run.
We have committed ourselves by law
to do everything necessary to defeat
Hitler short of war. Since we naturally
will fight when we are attacked, short
of war" simply means that We are re-
luctant to send our forces to fight abroad
lest some of our finest manhood die in
battle. Death in war is horrible, but no
more so in Africa or Asia than in New
York or California. Must we wait until
the bombs rain down on the skyscrapers
of Manhattan and crumble San Fran
cisco into the dust or shall we send our
forces now to meet Hitler wherever he
is vulnerable on land, at sea and in the
air? Must we wait until the millions of
people in the rest of the world who would
gladly fight with us have all been con-
quered? Risking a few American lives
now will save hundreds of thousands of
American lives later.
CYRUS s. EATON.
Cleveland, Ohio.
Evening star., 1941-07-04
'as reelected for a second term last

was reelected for a second term last
year.
The results of the election Satur-
day show that Governor O'Daniel
still has large following among the
masses of the voters in his State.
To what extent his successes have
been due to the use of mountain
music" and his mastery of radio
technique, and to what extent to
political ability, is not altogether
clear. A colorful figure, he now en-
ters the national political arena as
the sixth Senator to be elected by
Evening star., 1941-07-04

OF the national defense in what he
calls "the most efficient manner"
that fact alone should carry great
weight with Congress.
In examining these proposals
against the background of domestic
policy, we can i'll afford to close our
eyes to the fate which has overtaken
other nations that lost touch with
reality in preparing their defenses.
Evening star., 1941-07-04

that the roots of crime are founded in
juvenile delinquencies. The RESPONSE
bility therefore rests with the juvenile
court adequately to recognize and meet
this responsibility. E. E. H.
Evening star., 1941-07-04
Huskin's Answers
To Questions
BIZ Frederic J. HaSkin.

By Frederic j. HaSkin.
A reader can get the anSlCer to any
question Of fact By tCrittng The EUe-
ming Star Information Bureau, Fred
eric J. HaSktn, director, Washington,
&c. Please incloSe stamp for reply.
@. How many unemployed are there
in the United States?-N. w.
A. The last estimates of three private
organizations varied from 5,4l2OOO to
8,35O,O00.
@. What is the principal cause of ac-
cidental deaths?-H. R. H.
A. Of the 92623 accidental deaths in
1899, almost third were from auto
mobile accidents, over one-ffth we're
from falls.
O. How much money is being spent
in the building industry?-L. T. r.
A. 1t is estimated that new construc-
ton in the United States during 1941
will amount to ,8O0O000O0, giving the
building industry its most prosperous
year since 1929.
N. S.
A. Most of the vanilla in the world
comes from Madagascar and other
French islands.
G. What boxer was known as Britains
Horizontal Lion?-N. B. H.
A. This was Phil Scott, Britains for
mer heavyweight champion. He is now
an AFRAID warden.
O. How did the Columbia River re-
ceive its name?-T. w.
A. The Columbia was named for the
ship of the rivers discoverer, Capt.
Robert Gray.
@. Have the coarse outer leaves of
lettuce any particular food value?-
I. M S.
A. The outer leaves of lettuce may be
as much as three times as rich in call
cium as the inner, more tender leaves.
Evening star., 1941-07-04
Letters to the Editor

Letters to the Editor must
bear the name and address OF
the tDriter, although the use OF
q pSeudonym for publication is
permissible. The Star reserves
the right to edit all letters lUith
q Ule1O to condensation.
Evening star., 1941-07-04

". WnaL IS Ine average age OF the
surviving veterans of the Civil War;
A. D.
A. The average age of the less than
100 surviving veterans of the Federal
Army in the Civil War is more than 96
years.
@. How many radio stations are there
in Brazil?-G. A.
A. There are 66 broadcasting stations
in Brazil.
Q. How many persons died in 1910 as
result of Fourth of July celebrations!-
D. F. A.
A. Only eight deaths were reported in
1910 as due directly to the celebration
of July 4th.
@ What is the derivation of the word
nincompoop?-E. A. L.
A. 1t is a corruption of the Latin term,
non compos mentis, meaning not of
sound mind.
@. How did the British Navy at the
end of the 1914-1918 war compare with
her present navy?-T. c.
A. At the close of the World War,
Great Britain had 1888 ships and boats
of all kinds, including 433 destroyers and
1O9 cruisers. Now Great Britain has
some 376 ships of the principal types, of
which no more than 230 are destroyers.
c. What proportion of the tin used in
the United States is for tin cans?-V. B.
A. More than half of the tin used in
the United States goes into the making
of tin cans.
@. Who was Ivan the Terrible?"-
S. R. R.
1584 was Grand Duke of Muscovy,
crowned the first Car of Russia. He
was noted for his cruelty.
@. What is plasma and for what is it
used?-W. S.
A. Plasma is the fluid portion of the
blood remaining after the corpuscles are
removed. 1t is helpful in transfusions
for hemorrhage, shock and burns.
G. Which is longer, the Pacific, Allan
tic or Gulf Coast line?-P. T.
A. The Atlantic Coast is 1888 miles
long, the Gulf, 1885 miles long and the
Pacific 1866 miles long.
O. Picchiatelli is often mentioned in
the war newS-what does it mean?-
c. G. V.
A. Picchiateln is the Italian word for
bombers.
@. Who first used the expression:
"Those who would give up essential lib
erty to purchase little temporary safety
deserve neither liberty nor safety?"-
S. r. r.
A. Benjamin Franklin was the author
of this statement
@. Is it true that venom from the
African splitting cobra will cause blind
neSs?-J. B. H.
A. If this discharge is received in the
eye it will almost Immediately cause
blindness, and in some cases death. 1t
has been observed that venom from this
reptile can be accurately directed for
distance of eight feet.
@. When was the blockade against
Germany lifted at the time of the last
World War?-J. P.
A. The blockade of Germany was off,
cially lifted by Great Britain in June,
1919.
@. Was Joaquin Miller the real name
of the poet?-F. J. r.
A. This was the pen name of Cincin-
natus Heine. He assumed the name
when he published his first book, in
consequence of his having written an
article In defense Of Joaquin Mu-ietta,
the Mexican brigand.
Evening star., 1941-07-04

Constitution Of the United
States - Intelligent citizenship
begins with a thorough knoWl-
edge of the Constitution and its
forerunners-the Declaration of
Independence and the Articles of
Confederation. For a better un-
derstanding of these great docu-
ments every American should
have a copy at hand. Today as
never before, We should have a
deep appreciation of our rights
and privileges. To secure your
copy of this patriotic offer in
close 10 cents in coin wrapped in
this clipping and mail to The
Star Information Bureau.
Name
Address
Evening star., 1941-07-04

@ What is the derivation of the word
nincompoop?-E. A. L.
A. 1t is corruption of the Latin term,
non compos mentis, meaning not Of
sound mind.
Evening star., 1941-07-04

@. How many persons died in 1910 as
result of Fourth of July celebrationst-
D. F. A.
A. Only eight deaths were reported in
1910 as due directly to the celebration
Of July 4th.
Evening star., 1941-07-04

@. How many radio stations are there
in Brazil?-G. A.
A. There are Sc broadcasting stations
in Brazil.
Henderson daily dispatch., 1941-12-04
OPM Official
Urges Douglas
Dam Approval

Washington, Dtc. i.-(AP)-The
office OF production management
warned today that refusal Of Con-
gress TO approve construction OF the
Tennessee Valley A~uthority'S Douglas
dam would be an I~rrcparable blow
10 the national defense nrogram.
Director William l., Bait OF the
OPM materials division told a press
conference that such a refusal by
CONGRESS would close the IVA area
from further consideration Tor no"
defense industries, mean an even
more rigid blackout in the southeast
later than that now in effect ana
prevent expansion OF existing mum
tons plants.
The House appropriations COM
mittee yesterday eliminated TINS
dam, on the French Board river
from a new IVA defense develop
ment which also embraces Fonta'la
dam in North Carolina, despite PreSI-
dent RcuseNelt'S personal tppef4.