davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1941-04-18
Ship Requisitioninq

Requisitioning of American cargo
ships for emergency defense pur-
poses has begun. While there is
ample authority under present law
for this action, the Maritime Com
mission lacks the power to seize and
use unsabotaged foreign vessels tied
up in our ports, except when America
is at war. There is urgent need, how
ever, for certain idle foreign ships,
such as the thirty-nine Danish YES
sells recently placed in protective
custody" and because of this
Admiral Land, commission chair
man, has recommended prompt pas
sage by Congress of legislation,
proposed on April 10 by President
Roosevelt, to extend the commits
sion's requisitioning powers. Sabot-
aged axis ships may be acquired
under the Espionage Act through
forfeiture proceedings.
The right to requisition and use
United States merchant vessels
derives from the Merchant Marine
Act, which provides that in a pro-
claimed national emergency the
Maritime Commission is entitled to
purchase or charter any American
owned bottom, subject, of course, to
"just compensation" for it's use. Mr..
Roosevelt, in his recent message to
Congress, pointed out that there
does not seem to be any comparable
provision with respect to foreign
owned vessels lying idle in our ports"
Under existing authority, the Mari
time Commission has requisitioned
four American freighters, one of
which was ordered into New York
Harbor Wednesday while en- route
to Boston from Ceylon.
The request for legislation to per-
NIT use of idle foreign ships is a
logical corollary of the program for
communicating American ships. 1t
Is the plan of the commission, it is
understood, to use the seized foreign
vessels as requirements for the
depleted American merchant marine,
thus releasing American ships for
the aid-to-Britain program. There
are about eighty-seven foreign YES
sells tied up in American ports that
would seem to be subject to purchase
or charter under the proposed
statute. 1t is probable that officials
contemplate applying the law only
to immobilized vessels, which include
those of the axis, Denmark, Norway,
France, Belgium, Lithuania, Estonia,
Greece and Yugoslavia. These acoui-
sltions, aggregating less than 100000
tons, would not. of course, solve
Brltain's shipping crisis, but they
would help to fill the gap until new
ships begin to slide down the ways,
Evening star., 1941-04-18
Suez CunuI Dancer

The artificial waterway connecting
the Mediterranean Sea with the
Red Sea has been called "the
Jugular vein" of the British Empire.
Perhaps the phrase is an exaggera-
ton, yet 1t would be an error to
underestimate the Importance of
Ferdinand de Lesseps' ditch through
the desert" at moment when Ger.
man armies are moving closer to
Port Said, "key to the Orient"
Many respected leaders of British
opinion were opposed to the plan
from the start. Few, If any, English
subscriptions for shares were received
by the sponsors in Paris until Prime
Minister Disraeli purchased the stock
held by the Khedive of Egypt in 1875.
Even after that date there was criti-
cism Of British participation in the
enterprise. Hendrix Willem van
Loon, in his Geography" declares:
England feared that this short cut
to the Indies and China and Japan
would seriously interfere with the
prosperity of her own good city on
the Cape Of Good Hope" Yet, the
same author continues, "the route
proved to be godsend for the trade
between Asia and Europe"
Some effort to settle the political
questions raised by the opening of
the canal was attempted in a con-
vention dated 1888 and signed by
Germany and Italy as well as by
Britain, France and Russia, Turkey,
Spain and The Netherlands, agree
ing that the ditch" should always
be open 'in war as in peace, to
every merchant vessel or warship
belligerent or neutral" and should
never "be subjected to blockade"
But England. not having formally
ratified the treaty, found it conven-
lent to disregard its terms during
the first World War. German and
other enemy craft were seized In the
canal when they sought to escape
capture by hiding" there.
1t also should be mentioned that
in 1896 Egypt granted to Britain the
right to station troops and air pilots
in the vicinity Of the canal, until
the two nations agree that Egypt
alone is strong enough to protect
the waterway" The arrangement so
summarized would seem to indicate
effective English control, but it can
not be forgotten that the Suez Com
pany is a private corporation, the
majority portion Of the ownership
and management of which, until
1868, is vested in French and Dutch
shareholders. Britain, even in the
present crisis, does not disregard the
law. Admittedly, a larger or more
compelling obligation may be that of
protecting the life line to Australia
and New Zealand: but whatever is
done will pe defensible on ethical
and expedient grounds alike.
Meanwhile, President Roosevelt
has authorized the American flag to
move in the Red Sea-which signi-
fies the use OF the Suez Canal by
the warships and the merchant YES
sells of the United States with all the
proper connotations Of such use.
Evening star., 1941-04-18
Lord Stamp

Many Washington residents knew
and admired Lord Stamp and his
gracious wife. They visited the
United States at regular intervals
and always were welcome. So active
were they that it is difficult to think
OF them as being dead. The circum-
stances of their passing are shocking
to contemplate. One of their sons
and three of their household servants
were killed with them in the explo-
sion of German bombs which fell
by chance upon their home in a
suburb of London.
Sir Josiah Stamp, as he was known
when his American friends first made
his acquaintance, was Britain's most
influential economist Yet he had
come within speaking distance of
middle age before he attracted atten-
ton as financial adviser to Prime
Minister David Lloyd George. His
background was distinctly and
proudly democratic Having gained
a clerkship in the inland revenue
office at sixteen, he gradually mas
tered the taxation problems of his
country in all their amazing intri-
cacy. His contemporaries believed
that a mind that could maintain its
sanity in such a labyrinth would be
national asset when applied to
other infinitely complicated issues.
Their judgment was right.
Without relinquishing his interest
in public service, Lord Stamp entered
into private business in 1919. From
that date onward he was a powerful
and respected figure in the chemical
industry, in railroad management
and banking. Never too much en-
gagged in commerce to feel obliged
to neglect his intellectual avocations,
he taught at London University,
Oxford and Cambridge; lectured to
scores of lay audiences on both sides
OF the Atlantic and even in Australia,
wrote more than twenty books on
diverse subjects, edited a statistical
journal, was president of a geo.
graphical society and Of an adver-
tising organization, gave of his time
and strength to a long list of social
causes of many different varieties.
For his government he participated
in the negotiations which resulted
In the Dawes plan and the Young
plan.
Lord Stamp, a Christian in practice
as well as in doctrine, deplored inter-
national conflict and did what he
could to prevent the development of
conditions provocative Of war. He
supported Prime Minister Neville
Evening star., 1941-04-18
THIS AND THAT
By Charles z. Trdce1Dell.

1t was early morning.
A robin was taking bath in the
sunshine.
The sweet smell of spring hung like
mild incense over the garden.
Americas favorite sp!ashed the water
high In his bath, the drops falling out
and down on the clump of narcissus at
the base Of the pedestal.
Our yard-and every yard-should
have more of these glorious flowers
Tulips may be on the wane, difficult to
get, but the narcissus is easy to have.
them this fall, provided the world has
not come to total wreckage by that time.
The snowbird and the white -throated
sparrow are still with us.
This is weeks later than usual.
Often the juncos (snowbirds) leave in
early March, but this year they seem to
be sticking around.
The old saying is that as long as the
snowbirds remain, there is some chance
of snow, since that is what they are
waiting for-more snow!
Let us hope that there is nothing to
this superstition.
The real spring notes of the white
throat are among the finest to be heard
at this time.
And, speaking of bird music
The morning chorus, although feeble
as yet, began the other morning at
exactly 4:30 am.
Again it was our friend, the robin,
whose unmistakable song waited over the
neighborhood.
There were few answering sounds. 1t
is not until the last of April, when the
wood thrush arrives. that the morning
serenade really begins.
Usually the wood thrush comes to
Washington and vicinity on April %.
Occasionally several come in few days
ahead OF time, but in the main they may
be expected the last few days of the
month.
This is the brown bird with spots on
his gray chest. He is one of the most
pleasant characters of birdland, and
surely one of the finest of all singers.
Beginners are likely to confuse the
wood thrush with the brown thrasher.
but the latter is a much larger bird
belonging to the mockingbird family
The marks upon its breast are rather
in the form of streaks.
II ~
The other morning the mockingbird
In our neighborhood was singing for
the first time this year.
The warmer weather and continued
sunshine had stirred him up.
No bird can equal him in continuity
Of song, as letter printed here recently
pointed out
He keeps it up all day long, and on
moonlit nights almost all night long.
Those best of sparrows, the song
sparrow and the ite-throated sparrow.
are at it now, although the former
has been singing its plaintive little bit
all winter.
Surely feeding the birds would be
Evening star., 1941-04-18

@. Do many people in Pennsylvania
speak Pennsylvania Dutch?-R. T. H.
A. In the center of the Pennsylvania
Dutch area which comprises Lehigh,
Berks and Lebanon Counties, between
so and 65 per cent of the total inhabi-
tants can speak the language, and be.
tween 80 and IS per cent use it con-
stantly.
@. Who wrote mo. 10 Lullaby Lanep"
How many copies have been sold?-
E. T. c.
A. The song is by Bob Warren and
Bob Carleton. To date more than $4,000
copies have been sold and it has been
recorded by some of the leading Or
chestras
@. How long has caviar been con-
sidered a delicacy?-J. j.
A. Soviet archaeologists exploring in
the Crimea have unearthed vats and
stone platforms on which caviar was
prepared for shipment to Roman gour-
NETS as far back as the days of Lucullus
@. What will remove stains from
white marble table and bureau tops?
e. P. E.
A. Some stains may be removed from
white marble by making a paste Of
borax and lemon juice. After it has
been rubbed into the marble and left
to dry, 1t should be rinsed off thoroughly.
@. How many new restaurants are
opened annually?-E. j. T.
A. Five thousand new restaurants
are opened annually, many of which
soon go out of business.
@. When were the first metal vessels
made in this country?-C. H.
A. The first metal vessels built were
the Chatham and the Lamar, con-
structed in Savannah, Ga, in 1887 and
1888 of iron imported from England.
@. What is a harmattan?-T. G. L.
A. 1t is hot, dry, dust-laden wind
which blows along the Guinea Coast
from the central parts of Africa in
December, January and February.
@. What famous book is known as
philosophy of clothesp-H T. M
A. Carlyle referred to "Sartor Re-
sartus" (The Taylor Patched as
philosophy Of clothes, using the term
clothes" symbolically to signify the
outward expression of the spiritual.
Evening star., 1941-04-18
Another Spring

Each year he matched the ,0ild geese
flying south;
He paused each tau to Dish them
safe return
Another spring; then matted through
the long
And lonely space OF ,ointer, doing
chores
And chopping pood and dreaming
by the fire.
His heedtul ears mould hear the first
far cry
OF migratory foul, and he t0ould lie
Apake for hours listening to the
flight
OF his toild, feathered friends. He
felt they kneto
He marked their transient passage
t,Dice q year
With deep -,otshseg from JeT-
Dent heart.
This spring he Is not here. The Uild
geese fy
Above the farm in silence. Do they
knotu
He slept last pinter underneath the
snoto?
BILLY 3. COOPER.
Evening star., 1941-04-18

worth it If it were for nothing else than
the song sparrow.
He is one of the best of all the birds,
one which holds his friend steadfastly.
He has no bright colors, but probably
more has been written about him, and
more scientific study put upon him, than
almost any other bird.
We are glad to report that the maple
tree attacked by the yellow bellied sap
sucker does not seem to be hurt.
One branch has not bloomed, as yet,
but the rest of the tree seems in prime
shape. Maybe 1t is too early to tell
about the damage.
Trees often fail to show any results
from inimical influences until at least
one or often two full years from the
time of attack. Thus, after severe
drought, trees will bloom and leaf out
the same as usual. 1t Is not until the
next year that. despite plenty of water,
the damage from the drought shows up.
So, too, it is common observance that
when too many roots are cut off, III
street paving and putting In cutters and
curbs, the tree does not show the effects
of the loss for one or two years. Then
it dies and must be replaced.
The English sparrows and pigeons are
having a fine time eating the fresh grass
seed recently placed in bare spots in
the lawn.
1t seems, from city-wide observance,
that the sparrows are making the most
of seeded areas everywhere. Fortunately
for them, few persons pay any particular
attention to them.
The person who has put out grass seed
may lament the appetites of the birds.
The friend Of birds, at least, will meet
this situation by planting more seed
than he thinks the spots demand.
He provides, in other words, for the
birds.
1t is impossible to chase them away.
Perhaps bands Of pigeons should be
shooed from such spots. 1t will be
found that merely rapping on the
window will frighten them away. They
are such large birds, and have such
appetites, that they seem to be in danger
of consuming all the grass seed put out,
unless they are disturbed at it.
One of the interesting small phe-
nomena of the bird garden at this time
Is the way the yellow is showing up at
the front of the white stripes on the
forehead of the song sparrows.
Whereas this has been just touch,
all winter long, now it is turning
genuinely yellow, giving an altogether
different appearance to this sparrow.
There is another way. too, in which
he is different.
During the winter the song sparrow
was fat, fluffy little bird, his feathers
pushed out and up to keep him warmer
by increasing the air spaces between
feathers.
Now that the weather is warm, he
has laid his feathers down closely, giving
him a streamlined modern touch which
makes him different and quite up-to-
date look.
Evening star., 1941-04-18
Higher Taxes

The new tax program by which the
Government hopes to raise in current
revenues approximately two-thirds
Of the 100000 which it expects
to spend in the next fiscal year will
impose heavy burden on the Nation.
In all, it is planned to raise a total
Of S12.667, ,000 00O-the largest tax bill
shat has ever been presented to the
American people in single year.
But If this prospect seems an un-
happy one, the alternatives are much
bleaker. The tax program which has
been outlined by Secretary Morgen-
thau has two basic obiectives. One
Evening star., 1941-04-18

injustices that have characterized the
foreign policies of the Allies since the
end of World War No. l, is it not true
that civilization, the things that most
men hold dear, has its only chance,
slight though it be, in the survival of
the British Empire? Can America pre-
serve its institutions or maintain its
standards of living with Europe, Asia
and Africa under the domination of
German tyranny and terror? I do not
think so.
If the foregoing is anything approx
mating correct statement of all that
is at stake, what becomes of the argu-
ment that those of us who want to go to
the aid of England are warmongers? If
civilization is at stake, how ironical it is
that employers and laborers should be
fighting and wrangling over profits and
rightsl
Mr.. Chamberlain built his reputation
and attained the premiership of England
on social welfare activities, but he
neglected national security. Because he
failed to place first things first, he will
occupy very indifferent place in his
peoples history. France forgot its
business, and now repents in sackcloth
and ashes, flguratively speaking.
Let us profit by the experience of
others rather than acquire knowledge
after trouble has overtaken us. Let us
consolidate the American and English
naval and air forces now and not wait
to be forced to fight it out with the axis
powers alone. Conveying ships carry
ing aid to England is only a halfway
measure and will prove ineffective. 1t
will merely serve to infuriate, not to
hurt. Germany. JOHN w. HESTER.
Silver Spring, Md.
Evening star., 1941-04-18

Chamberlain's endeavors to zap
pease" Hitler at the time when it
seemed that such a policy might be
efficacious. Then, the final decision
having been reached, he devoted
himself to the struggle to defend
democracy without further conces-
sion. In a certain sense, he and his
family were symbolic of Britain.
Their tragedy is not conclusive.
Evening star., 1941-04-18
Letters to the Editor

Letters to the Editor must
bear the name and address of
the tDriter, although the use of
q pseudonynl for publication is
permissible. The Star reSerUes
the right to edit all letters aUith
q U1etD to condensation.
Evening star., 1941-04-18
Objects to Training" Soldiers
For Swing "CamnaipnS.o

For Swing Campaigns"
To the Editor Of The Star:
1t seems that the Army is going to
fight jazz war and fox-trot its way
to victory. It's swingtime for the Ma
tion's defenders.
The papers are flooded with pictures
Of scantily clad cuties in Army parades
as drum majorettes, of chorus girls in
cantonments teaching the boys ballet
steps, and there have been tons of print
and pictures about the brave girls who
are being drafted" to campaign on
Saturday nights with the soldiers on
the new drill field-the dance floor.
If this situation actually exists, 1t is
something to worry about. Chorus boys
aren't tough campaigners. For their
own protection trainees should have old
fashioned sergeants. Jazz soldiers will
fight comic opera war.
- r. aNRYTH
Evening star., 1941-04-18

Household Budget B Ooklet-
Planned thrift is the only way to
meet rising costs. Changed social
and economic conditions demand
proper balance of income and
outgo. This practical booklet con-
tains expert guidance on the di-
vision of income among rent, food,
clothing and savings; model
budgets for every income group
To secure your copy inclose 10
cents in coin, wrapped in this clip
ping. and mail to The Star Infor-
nation Bureau.
Name
Address
Evening star., 1941-04-18
Asks for Further Evidence
OF Count Ciano's Cleverness,

To the Editor of The Star:
On April 4, in the second of John T.
Whitaker's series, he gives the impress
sion that Count Ciano is quite intelli-
gent man. Following is brief quota
tion from the article which gave me
that impression: 'Italys youthful For
eign Minister has independence of mind
and is the only italian left who will
speak the truth to Mussolini. Ciano
opposed Germany's invasion of Poland,
insisting at Berchtesgaden that the Brit
ish and French would fight until Hitler
in fury cried, You ass, you son of an
ass
Worse, Ciano opposed Italy's entry
into the war Consequently the Germans
have thrown Ciano out of the foreign
Office . ."
After reading the seventh of the series
of articles by Mr.. Whitaker, find that
I have to reverse my opinion of Ciano
The writer makes him out worse lass"
than the Germans had indicated The
writer tells how Ciano idolized the SIM
pie, overgrown Ettore Mutt and how the
two bribed the Greeks to treason, but
how they finally double-crossed Ciano.
The worst of it is that Ciano, according
to the article, knew that he would be
double-crossed, but couldn't make Mus
solini change his plans.
should like more definite appraisal
of Ciano If he is so clever, as the
article of April indicates, why couldn't
he make Mussolini change his mind, or
better, why didn't he choose more
Trustworthy Greek traitors?" I recog-
nize the conflict of my words trust
worthy" and traitors"
WILBUR ALBERTSON,
Evening star., 1941-04-18
Huskin's S Answers
To Questions
BIZ Frederic J. HdSkin.

A reader can get the dnsper TO any
question OF fact by 1Drtttng The EDe-
ming Star Information Bureau, Fred
eric J. HaSktn, director, Washington,
D. G. Please incLose stamp for reply.
@. Has unemployment in England in
creased or decreased since the war be-
gan?-C. B. c.
A. On December 9, 1910, there were
705,279 unemployed in Great Britain
the smallest number since unemploys
ment records were first kept in 1921.
@. How many different stamps have
been issued by the Post Ofice?-G. L. M.
A. The Post Office Department says
that there have been $50 postage stamps
issued from 1847 up to March, l94l.
@. What constitutes q quorum in
Congress?-A. w. B.
A. A quorum is one more than one
half of the membership of the House
or the Senate. A majority Of the mem
bers present is necessary to pass legis-
lation.
@. Is there German air transporta-
ton system in South America?-E. B. H!
A The German Condor Air Line
operates an extensive network of air.
ways on that continent.
@. When was the Kentucky Derby
first broadcast?-L. L.
A. The first broadcast of the Ken4
lucky Derby was presented on May Isl
1926, over Station WHAS, Louisville,
The first chain broadcast was in May,
1928.
@. How much money is spent for
funerals in the United Ststes?-H. c. R.
A. 1t is estimated that burial ex-
penses amount to between $500 000, 900
and $500, 900 900 year.
@. What is the oldest doll in the
world?-J. r. M.
A. The Oldest doll in the world Is
Corinthia, owned by Miss Frances Del
Mar, New York portrait painter. This
6-inch terra cotta-like doll was ex-
cavated from the ruins of Corinth and
is over 1000 years old. Miss Del Mar
owns the famous Laura Starr collection
of rare and unusual dolls.
Evening star., 1941-04-18
Advocates Consolidation Of Strength
OF England and America Against Foes.

To the Editor of The Star:
Your editorial in today's issue, "The
Convoy Question" is both interesting
and timely. You conclude: "We ought
not to blind ourselves to the fact that
this is a decision which may have to be
made-sooner perhaps, than is generally
realized"
Now, there is but little, If any, use
in further ducking or lodging this issue.
1t Is now confronting us and its decision
cannot be safely delayed. Within the
next few weeks England may be beyond
help of an effective kind. Certainly, 1t
is manifest that she will be out of con-
tinental Europe, leaving Germany in
complete control, barring enigmatical
Germany will pursue England into Asia
and Africa rather than concentrate upon
the British Isles. do not think SO, for
their objective is to crush England before
our aid can become really effective; in
short, to give the Knockout blow this
spring or early summer.
OF course, realize that public opinion
COllti Olo III d dCiiNSidSyt, tiidt VIC A1ofC
step by step in our thinking. However,
some individuals in democracies do not
think in inches, but in furlongs, and it
is the duty of those capable of thus
thinking to blaze the way, to assume the
lead. You state the measures, progress
sively taken, by this country to protect
this hemisphere as well as to aid Eng
rY-l- A.
but the issue has not yet been clearly
and effectively stated.
Concedins al the imperfections and
Evening star., 1941-04-18

@. How many different stamps have
been issued by the Post Ofice?-G. L. M.
A. The Post Office Department says
that there have been $50 postage stamps
issued from l847 up to March, l94l.
Evening star., 1941-04-18

A reader can get the ansDer TO any
question OF fact by tortttng The Epe-
ming Star Information Bureau, Fred
eric J. HaSkin, director, Washington,
D. c. Please incIose stamp for reply.
Evening star., 1941-04-18

@. What is harmattan?-T. G. L.
A. 1t is hot, dry, dust-laden wind
which blows along the Guinea Coast
from the central parts of Africa in
December, January and February.