davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1941-12-02

he will not be seen all day in any yard,
nor every day, as far as that goes.
~
He is the perfect embodiment of the
American spirit of wanderlust.
Surely no aviation unit could adopt a
better insignia than the figure of this
outstanding, independent creature, whose
ways are so American, particularly in
that it likes to tell everybody when 1t
arrives.
This is one of the best and often most
amusing traits of the bird.
Other songsters-and we hope no one
will deny the jay the title of songster-
merely fly into the yard, without calling
attention to themselves, but such innate
modesty will not do for the blue jay.
He must give a yell, scream a defiance
at the world in general and the other
birds close by in particular.
He always scores hit with the other
birds, an observer may feel sure. They
never show any particular fear OF him.
but give place. which is exactly what he
wants them to do.
- r +
1t may be hoped that no one who has
fallen for the propaganda against this
bird will succumb to it any longer, espe-
cially if these large and handsome fel-
lows come to the home garden.
Careful watching not only will give the
observer many delightful and colorful
pictures, but also will reveal, we feel
iau ic hy
black as he has been painted.
Many observers rank this songster with
the cardinal. when it comes TO color, and
will be willing TO admit that there Is
really more fun to be derived from
watching it than from taking close-ups
of the cardinal.
This Is because the jay has more in
teresting habits.
It's way of seizing peanuts and cram
ming them into its laws" and flying
away with them and other bits of food,
and hiding them in crevices of the bark
Of trees
Well, no cardinal does that.
There is no need for playing one
species of against any other, however;
each bird. cardinal and Jay, mas ltS own
peculiar interests. The point is that
though most persons are willing to ad-
mire the cardinals many deprive them
selves of the interest of watching the
blue jays because they have accepted,
hook, line and sinker, the tales inimical
TO the best interests Of those birds.
If we have an interest in animal and
bird life, let US try to be fair to all OF
them, and not draw up blacklist, if we
can help it. A blacklist is not a very
nice sort of thing. The modern world
is so full of evil, at least of old evils
allowed to come TO the surface, that 1t
behooves each one of us 10 make strong
stand against accepting evil reports with
out checking with our own observation.
Evening star., 1941-12-02
Tunnels und BRIDGES

In recommending construction of
a tunnel across the Potomac River
to aid in solving transportation prob
lens arising from the huge Federal
office development in Arlington, the
Traffic Subcommittee of the House
District Committee properly has
pointed out that the financing of
such a project is a Federal obliga-
ton. The desirability Of having ad-
ditional facilitieS-Whether in tunnel
or bridge fOrm-iS becoming increaS-
ingly evident as the full magnitude
of the War and Navy building pro-
grams in nearby Virginia unfoldS.
Present plans call only for rear
rangement of existing roads and
opening of new thoroughfares on
both sides of the river SO as to pro-
vide more adequate approaches to
existing bridges. Obviously, these
emergency Improvements are related
directly to the defense program and
should be paid for by the National
Government.
Incidentally, there is need for addi-
tional means of access to the rapidly
growing district across the Anacostia
River. The Whitehurst report rec
commended a new bridge to AnacoStia
along the axis of South Capitol
street. This bridge would serve the
several military and naval establish
ments in the Anacostia section and
beyond The report also indorsed
proposals for a tunnel or bridge
across the Potomac River from Alex
andria to Shepards Landing, de-
signed to serve the same general de-
fense area in Anacostia Whether
tunnels or bridges are the more ad-
visable involves technical questions
which only engineers are competent
to answer The factor OF relative
costs also must be considered. In con-
nection with all such river crossing
projects, however, it is important to
remember that only emergency con-
struction is likely to obtain priority
rating now, and that such a rating
on proposed tunnels or bridges in
effect would stamp them as defense
connected undertakings. And the
financing of a tunnel or bridge in
this category clearly would be the
primary responsibility of the United
States Government, rather than Of
the local community.
Evening star., 1941-12-02
THIS AND THAT
BIZ Charles E. Trdce1DeH.

1t is likely that the Indians got their
Idea of the feathered headdress from the
blue Jay.
When this real American bird erects
its head feathers and gives forth its
raucous war cry it really resembles an
Indian.
The effect is heightened by the black
line of feathers which makes pattern
around the neck and across the chest.
Surely there is no finer looking bird in
our gardens, these or any other days 1t
is possible to work up quite an affection
for it, despite the slur campaign which
has been carried on against it for many
years.
The charges against the jay are many.
1t is supposed among other things, to
kill the young Of other birds, and to eat
! their eggs.
A home garden observer may or may
not see either of these crimes committed
He may see, however, young cardinals
done to death by purple grackles.
He may witness the harassing of many
species by hawks.
In many years he may never see Jay
do anything more than cause the smaller
birds to scatter as he flies down to a
feeding station.
His war whoop, it must be admitted, is
enough to scatter EN-.
This same cry, however, often warns
the smaller birds of the presence of a
hawk.
Jays are not everyday visitors at every
| yard where feeding is carried on.
Sometimes they seem to have sort OF
visiting schedule. They will come TO one
garden every other day. or maybe twice
a week. In another they seem to prefer
daily visit at an exact time. In the
mer long at 8 o'clock sharp every morn
ing. In fall and winter they came, a
band Of six at o'clock, and remained
until exactly 7:20 o'clock.
This is the way blue jays do things.
Other observers report that they are
never to be seen on Fridays. From this
has arisen the legend, in some backwoods
uStliCtn, tidt tilcy so W sec tile ue'u OiI
| that day.
The association of the jay with st
Nick, however, is very unfair to the bird
He is by no means a devil. even a
| garden devil
He is just bird, and fine, outstanding
one. which some observers consider by
/ all odds the handsomest to come TO their
! gardens.
| One important feature of the jay is
/ that in this climate he is an all-the-
! year-around friend.
| He is not like the catbird, or the house
| wren, coming in the spring and leaving
! as summer ends.
The Jay is here all the time. although
Evening star., 1941-12-02
New Retirement Bill

The RamSpeck retirement bill,
which has just passed the House, is
the product of many months Of care
ful study and is an excellent measure.
Under the bill, employees who now
must wait to reach the age of sixty
eight to retire would be able to quit
at sixty, providing they have served
thirty years, or could take a reduced
annuity and retire at fifty-ive. Cor
respondingly. those groups now re-
quired to retire at sixty-tWo or sixty
five may continue in service un-
til they are seventy, the proposed
mandatory separation age for all
employees. Another option would
permit employees with fifteen years
service to retire at sixty-two. Cou-
pied with this is the right given the
Government to direct retirement of
employees eligible for annuities, If
their physical condition makes fur
ther retention in the service undeSir-
able. This is only fair, and as safe
guards are provided to prevent the
arbitrary removal of an individual
who is qualified to continue at work,
the proposal is not open to objection.
Another important provision is
that which graduates annuities in
proportion to the employees contribu-
ton to the retirement fund. At pres
ent, the maximum annuity, generally
speaking, is $1,000 annually, regard
less of the amount paid in. This is
an illogical situation, and has been
the source of dissatisfaction among
workers in the higher salary brackets
whose contributions, of course, are
larger than those Of the loWer-sala
ried personnel.
The new measure also provides re-
tirement coverage for employees out
side of the classification system, who
now are denied this protection, there
by meeting another need, and per-
mits members of Congress to qualify
for retirement benefits.
The added cost to the Government
for this liberalized program is eSti-
mated at s1s,oO0,OO0 annually. Re-
tirement expenditures now approx
mate $1O5, 100000, but much of this
represents deficiency cost resulting
from the failure of Congress to ap-
propriate for the fund for the first
decade of its existence. At the same
time, the employees also are carrying
a share Of the increased cost, as their
Evening star., 1941-12-02
Take Your Pick

The paperhanger of Europe is
doing his best to reduce the Ameri-
can standard Of living by requiring
the diversion OF peacetime money
and material to war purposes, and
the latest evidence Of his success
comes from a medium sized Office
with a big name-that of the Divi-
sion Of Simplified Practice of the
National Bureau of Standards of the
United States Department Of Com
merce. Lumber is needed for defense,
and to conserve the supply this Office
recommends that toothpicks be made
shorter, anywhere from a third Of
an inch to a half.
War is war, and all classes must
cooperate without complaint to help
win it. Families living on the wrong
side of the railroad tracks may be
hard hit, but during that lull in
the meal between the meat and the
dessert they should take a tighter
grip on their abbreviated tooth
picks and as they operate these
weapons think of all the training
camps that can be built with the
extra lumber saved. Families on the
right side Of the tracks should be
equally patriotic; that grapefruit
studded like a porcupine with hors
d'oeuvres mounted on toothpicks
will look just as attractive il the
quills are shorter. and the saving
in wood may give some officer a new
desk.
Evening star., 1941-12-02

@. Is there a monument to the man
who originated the game of rugby?-C.
D. H
A. At Rugby there is a small stone
monument on which is inscribed: This
stone commentaries the exploit Of Will
liam Webb Ellis, who with fine disre
gard for the rules of football, as PLAYED
in his time, first took the ball in his
arms and ran with il, thus originating
the distinctive feature of the Rugby
game. A. D. 1929
O. How large are the sheets used IN
the Army?-J. r.
A. The standard size sheet for enlisted
men is So inches by l08 inches. Hospital
sheets are 70 inches by 108 inches.
@. Is John Howard Payne. author Of
Home, Sweet Home buried in this
country?-T. j. B
A. He is buried in Oak Hill Cemetery,
Georgetown.
O. What is the origin of the saying
ito get down to brass tacks &C. c.
A. Many years ago on the counter Of
general store, there were brass tacks
arranged in regular order to indicate
yard and fractions thereof. When ma
terial by the yard was sold, the sales
woman literally got down to brass
tacks" to measure the material.
O. Where was the first dental college?
S. H. R.
A. The Baltimore College of Dental
Surgery. chartered in 1910. was the first
dental school in the world. In 1923 it
was merged with the school of dentistry
of the University of Maryland.
O. What country manufactures the
most small arms?-C. B.
A. The National Rife Association says
that at the present time the United
States leads in the manufacture of small
firearms.
@. In what motion picture did Ruth
Chatterton appear frst?-A. J.
A. Her first screen role was in Sins
of the Fathers"
O. Who has had the largest vocabulary
of all time?-H H. R.
A. Cardinal Giuseppe Mezzofanti
1774-1849l is credited with having
known ia languages or dialects of which
he knew so thoroughly.
@. When Audubons Birds of Amer
lea was first published, what did it
sell for?-H G. R.
A. This magnificent collection Of COL
ored plates was sold for 81 900 a copy.
G. What are witch -balls?-T T. E.
A. Witch-balls were superstitious fad
Of 125 years ago. Glass makers found
that the curvature of certain types of
glass in ball form reflected various OBJ
jects far and near quite grotesquely.
They we're used at that time the same as
the crystal ball of the present and we're
called witch-balls because of their So
called supernatural power of divination
Evening star., 1941-12-02
Discusses "SlOw POkeS"
And Road Hogs" in Traffic.

To the Editor OF The Star
Amid all the debate over the traf1c
situation in Washington it is strange
that nothing has been said about one
of the major causes of the congestion.
That is the habit of many drivers in
covering a part of two lanes-a practice
especially pernicious where only two
lanes exist, for it makes it impossible for
one to pass on either side Of the SLOW
poke" who thinks only of himself.
Truck drivers particularly are given
to this practice. Bus drivers are even
worse offenders.
AS consequence we are getting only
50 per cent of the potential traffic flow
during the rush hours. Thousands OF
cars are moving along in single file on
streets wide enough for two abreast.
Another species of road hog" is rep
resented by the driver who enters an
intersection when he knows full well
that the trafic ahead Of him will leave
him marooned when the lights change.
II he is well advanced, he is in the way
of trafic bound crosswise; If not, he is
squarely in the crosswalk. forcing scores
of pedestrians to walk around him.
ELMER c. HELM.
Evening star., 1941-12-02
The Far East Gets Ready

Inc general mODlllZatlOn OrQer
Issued by the Governor General of
the Netherlands East Indies lends a
touch Of urgency to the program Of
immediate preparedness for any
eventuality in the American. British
and Dutch portions of the Far East.
The great British base at Singapore
| and the British advance post at
Hong Kong are both admittedly on
a war footing, while our forces in the
Philippines are being placed in
state of emergency. Everywhere, a
grim mastering OF troops, planes and
warships is taking place.
The armed strength of the Neither
lands Indies is not numerically great,
considering the vast extent of this
island chain extending along the
Equator for more than 5000 miles.
With resident white reservists and
native militia formations, it undoubt-
edly exceeds 100000 There is also an
excellent air force and small but
competent navy. 1t should be re-
membered that the seats OF Dutch
colonial power. Java and Sumatra,
are close to Singa pore and thus could
work in close liaison with the British
forces there.
All this offers dark background
to the amiable attitude of Ambassa-
dor Nomura and Special Envoy
Kurusu, who have had another con-
versation with Secretary Of State
Hull, thus confirming the statement
given out by the official Domei News
Agency in Toxic that the Japanese
cabinet has decided to continue ne
gotiations with the United States,
despite great difference in views
between Japan and America"
This resumption of diplomatic &C
tivity after what had been inter-
preted as deadlock in negotiations
has given rise to some faint optimism
here. Yet there seems little In the
general picture on which genuine
optimism can be based.
The basic factors in the current
crisis are only too clear. America
and the other Western powers have
taken firm stand against the pro-
gram of aggression which has been a
fixed policy Of all japanese govern
mentS for years and which aims at
nothing short Of domination over the
whole Far East. Any further armed
moves by Japan in almost any quar-
ter, including an attack on the
Burma road, undoubtedly would be
met by countermoves OF the Western
powers which almost inevitably
would bring on open hostilities with
in very short time.
What makes the present situation
most serious is the fact that Japan
cannot afford to sit still and do moth
ing even for few months, because
the economic sanctions imposed on
her by America and the associated
powers are crippling her economic
life In way which in the long run
would make it impossible to conduct
an offensive war on a large scale.
Unless the japanese government is
willing to scrap its program Of ag-
gression and make a genuine ar
rangement with its diplomatic an
tagonists, it must strike soon If it is
to strike at all But there is no sign
that Japan is ready to make so
complete a change in its foreign
policy.
Evening star., 1941-12-02
Calls for Crusade
Against Hitler.

The latest news from France indicates
that the puppet Vichy government is
adopting the racial theology of the Fas-
cist governments France is "Aryaniz-
ing" more and more of the French state.
There is evidence everywhere in the
Hitler dominated world that the pagan
gospel of the survival of the fttest is
becoming the social creed The only fit
race is the pure German No incurably
sick persons nor any i'll of mental dis
orders would be allowed to live.
The Christian practices and philosophy
have no place in a Hitlerian world.
There would be no need for hospitals for
the mentally i'll nor sanatoria for the
tubercular for treatment of cancer, in
fantile paralysis or for other degenera-
tive diseases or permanent physical de-
formities
Despite the isolationists. all true Amer
leans with open eyes should welcome op-
position to Hitler with the zeal of the
crusaders who labored to secure the
Holy Land from infidels. Never was
Christianity engaged in a more JUS
tifiable struggle against godlessness.
Human slavery was outlawed less than
100 years ago. Labor has attained
speaking freedom within the century.
Today "Aryanization" is anti-Christ and
threatens to roll back civilization to an
other period of human slavery and dark
ness. To defeat organization" and Hit
Ter should enlist the sacrifices Of every
loyal American. E. B. HENDERSON.
Evening star., 1941-12-02

contribution goes from 3h to per
cent of salary.
The advantages that accrue to the
Government, as we'll as to the en-
ployeS, from a sound, wellrounded
retirement plan frequently have been
emphasized. Early approval Of the
legislation by the Senate is desirable
Evening star., 1941-12-02

employe to gain an honest livelihood,
because of the abuses of few, is
shotgun statute that may miss those at
whom it is aimed but hits many others.
1t is unjust to the employees and may
undermine efforts to attract new ones.
Let Congress study direct methods Of
dealing with the abuse of influence, but
let the Hatch bill die a well-deserved
death. WILLIAM T. PLUMB, Jr.
Evening star., 1941-12-02
Letters to the Editor

Letters to the Editor must
bear the name and address OF
the Uriter, although the use OF
a pSeudonym for publication is
permissible. The Star reserves
the riqht to edit all letters Uith
q rie7U to condensation.
Evening star., 1941-12-02
Proposes Use
OF Justice Holmes Residence.

OF Justice Holmes Residence.
To the Editor Of The Star:
With every newspaper carrying stories
Of the great need Of space for Govern
ment ofiices, dormitories. quarters for
service clubs, ETC., there still stands va
cant the residence of the late Justice
Oliver Wendell Holmes. q large four
and-a-half-story residence. the property
of the Federal Government. It seems to
be in good repair but badly neglected,
and it does seem as though some use
might be found for 1t. NJ v.
Evening star., 1941-12-02

HaSkin Quiz BOok-Contains $50
questions and ansWers-questions
people have asked-the answers
are from careful research and are
accurate. The subjects covered are
art, history, Biographies. Bible.
sports and games, politics and
government, literature and Ian
guage, music familiar sayings,
science. geography abbreviations.
Junior and super qulzzes See how
many You can answer To secure
YOUR copy lnclose 10 cents in coin,
wrapped in this clipping, and mail
to The Star Information Bureau.
Name
Address
Evening star., 1941-12-02
Huskin's Answers
To Questions
BIZ Frederic J. Hdsktn,

reader can get the 1nslDer to any
question OF fact by writing The Epe-
ming Star Information Bureau, Fred
eric J. Haskin, director, Washington,
d. c. Please incloSe stamp for reply.
Evening star., 1941-12-02

TeOQeT can GET me QnS1UeT 10 uHy
question OF fact by Uriting The EUe-
ming Star Information Bureau, Fred
eric J. Haskin. director, Washington,
d. c. Please incloSe stamp for reply.
O. Which of the justices of the SUI
preme Court are MaSons?-T. J. D.
A. Justices Black Reed, Douglas
Byrnes and jackson are members OF the
Masonic order
Q. Where is the largest Negro COM
munity in the United States?-T. M. C.
A 1t is Harlem, in New York City, with
a population OF nearly 500 900.
q. What State capital was moved by
2 United States marshal Up n orders
from Washington?-E. D. H.
A. The territorial capital of Idaho was
removed from Lewiston to Boise in May,
1865, by United States Marshal j. H.
Alvord, under orders from Washington,
d. c.
@ Was Martin Luther ever married?-
F. H
A. Martin Luther married in 1928
catherine Won Bora former nun. They
mad three sons and two daughters.
@ What food is used most widely?-D.
H M
A. Rice is more extensively grown and
more widely used than any other food
stuff.
@ How long have jockeys worn dis
tlnctlve clothing?-E B. H.
A. In the original charter of the
Maryland Jockey Club l745p it is pre-
scrlbed that jockeys be dressed in cap,
silk Jacket, pantaloons and half boots.
Evening star., 1941-12-02

Q Where is the largest Negro COM
munlty in the United States?-T. M. c.
A. 1t is Harlem, in New York City, with
a population Of nearly 10000.
Evening star., 1941-07-09
Police Deny Delay
In Starting Search
For Miss Strieff
Congressional Probers Call
Fionce, Who Charged
Six-Hour Lopse

Continued From First Page)
Evening star., 1941-07-09
Arcade Laundry Striker
Held in Tire SIashinq

A 25-year- striker at the Ar
cade Sunshine Laundry Co today
was charged with slashing tires of
automobiles of two non-striking
employees at the plant.
The man was identified by police
as Jesse Purvis, Colored, 800 block
of v street NV. The automobiles
were those of Rose Moran. floor
supervisor in the f1atWork depart
ment, and George Schmucker. man.
ager of the rug department. The
cars were parked on the company
lot adjacent to the plant, at 735 La
mont street NV.
Purvis appeared in Police Court
before Judge George D. Nelson and
pleaded not guilty to charge Of de-
stroying private property. He de-
manded a jury trial, for which nc
date was set. Bond was fixed al
5000.
The company has posted re-
ward of $50 for information leading
to the arrest and conviction Of any
one defacing property of the laun-
dry or its employees in future
Negotiations in the week-old
strike continued today following an
all-day conference between COM
pany representatives and agents of
the striking Cleaners and Laundry
Workers Union. Local 1873. at Ma
Dalo ~
in Baltimore yesterday.
Evening star., 1941-07-09

units marching 185 miles in four
days, or a little better than 46 miles
day.
German military writer's pictured
the operatio as proceeding on two
fronLs-the Schnelle Truppen fierce
ly pounding the fortified Russian
line at the advanced front, and the
slower German infantry masses en-
gaging in widespread mopping up
action along an inner front.
One of the principal tasks of the
front-line panzers was to keep the
Russians from making 2 firm stand
any where and thus insure that a
war movement is maintained, the
Germans said.
At the present moment, the au-
thorltative commentary Dienst aus
Deutschland said, great masses of
troops are being moved up where
"at a given moment they can be
thrown into further operations.
Earlier reports spoke of secret
task" which awaited some Nazi
troops.
The commentary said the high
commands short communicates on
the Eastern situation camouf1aged
preparations for new decisions of
arms.
These comments were linked with
statements that the Stain Line, de-
scribed as Russia's last defense
line" was being attacked.