davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1941-04-17
THIS AND THAT
BIZ Charles +. Trdce1Dell.

A correspondent recently wrote, IT am
glad I do not run feeding station If
it gives such an ugly view of bird
nature"
The reference was to the common OBJ
servation, that mockingbirds often chase
other birds away from the place where
food is put out.
The truth is that running feeding
station, as thousands have found out,
does not give an ugly view of bird nature,
but just the opposite.
The number of ugly viewpoints are so
very few, in contrast with the many
good and beautiful ones, that there is
something totally inspiring and uplift-
ing about the occupation.
Bird life, like human life, has its
villains, too, but they are very few, by
comparison.
Indeed, man, the mighty, may feel
properly humbled, in watching the birds.
In them ne sees, in the main, life
push others around, living and letting
live.
Often persons of good will refuse to see
how in many ways human beings have
violated the precepts of good behavior,
and not just across seas, either, but right
here at home.
Meddlers of all types have poked their
noses into the lives of others so much
that many persons have come to regard
this as normal. But the characters in
Cooper's Leather Stocking" tales would
be amazed at it.
One of the main reasons why feeding
the birds is good for invalids and shut
ins is that it presents so many uplift-
ing, inspiring sights.
| One might feed the birds at a small
window sill box for months on end
without ever seeing anything which
would lower the spirits Of the sick one
Small winged things would come and
| go, day after day, month after month
all fall and winter through, without
doing thing to upset either the diges-
ton or mind of the beholder.
1t cannot be gainsaid that the sudden
entrance of hawk into the scene woulo
give an altogether different picture. Al
| the same time it must be pointed out
that few hawks would dare to seize q
sparrow so close to a house.
The sometimes ugly dog in the
manger" actions of the mockingbird. anc
the forays of a small hawk-these or
dinarily comprise the ugly pictures at 6
bird feeding station.
And one may feed the songsters the
year around-yes, many are doing it
without having seen either of them.
The truth Is that 1t is not bird feeding
in itself. which presents the chance
of disheartening scenes. but simply the
heightened interest and sheer mass OF
observation which brings them to view
if any.
Probably not one person in hundred
who has not built up his own interest
by daily feeding of the birds would be
at the window when a purple grackle
flies down and pecks to death the three
Evening star., 1941-04-17

of the Presidents foreign policy, which
recently has suffered some major defeats,
but they contribute nothing to Clarity
ing of the situation which confronts the
United States today.
On Sunday Russia concluded a pact
with Japan which as completely
scrambled the balance of power in the
Pacific as the pact between Germany
and Russia did in Europe. Yet accord
ing to bulletin in The Star, Secretary
Hull declared that the Russian-Japanese
pact could be overestimated" and that
the policy of the American Government
remained unchanged. That is, the Gov
ernment of the United States will con-
tinue to arm Japan. will continue to play
fast and loose with Chang Kai-shek,
will continue its ventures in the Mediter-
ranean area without adequate prepara-
ton, will continue to operate on the as
sumption that Russia and Germany will
fall to fighting each other for the benefit
of Britain and the United States. This
policy is on a par with that of the ILL
starred Neville Chamberlain, and it will
bring the same fruits to the United
States that Chamberlain's policy brought
to Great Britain.
What is the planetary policy in es-
sence? 1t is appeasement in the Far
East and war in the Atlantic. But ap-
peasement is only another name for
war-war under disadvantageous con-
ditions with strong prospects for defeat.
What reason is there to believe that
Japan will accommodate its foreign policy
so that the United States can throw all
it's weight against Hitler and then
leisurely turn to Japan and dictate q
settlement in the Far East? The pathetic
nope that seems to be held in some
quarters that Japan can be weaned
away from the axis has little to rest
upon. Rather, the evidence seems to
indicate that Japan has been playing a
game with the United States, the same
kind of game that Hitler played with
Chamberlain before the war.
What is the alternative to the plane
tary policy? Common sense, not SYM
pathy, indicates a neutrality pact
between the United States and Russia.
Only such a pact can retrieve the
dangerous position that the United
States finds itself in today. 1t is true
that such a pact will increase the
prestige of Russia, but that cannot be
helped. That price will have to be
paid for the blunders and miscalculations
that have characterized American and
British policy to date.
Second, the United States ought to
slap an iron-bound embargo on Japan.
Japan is after the Dutch East Indies
anyhow, and it is stupid in the highest
degree to strengthen Japan so that she
is better able to seize those islands out Of
fear that an embargo would precipitate
an immediate Japanese attack on them.
Third, stay out of the war unless at
tackled. Staying out of the war will
confront the country with heavy prob
lens in foreign trade, but getting into
1t will bring insoluble problems. This is
q dangerous war, good war to stay
out Of. NJ. HOUSTON.
Evening star., 1941-04-17
cardinal fiedglings perched in the rose
vine on the fence

cardinal fiedglings perched In the rose
vine on the fence.
Disaster comes to birds as to all living
things.
The person who becomes peculiarly
interested in this amazing and ever
varied department of living must make
up his or her mind that some Ill things
will be seen.
Into each life some rain must fall, "
Longfellow wrote long ago. (By the way,
it is heartening to remember that RooSe-
welt, in his letter taken by Willkie to
Churchill quoted this sometimes dis
paraged poet. The truth is that Long
fellow was great poet, whose words
often have as much urgency now as when
he wrote them)
Persons dealing with life in the form
of birds at feeding station must expect
certain number of heartaches. The
same is true of pet dogs and cats, of
all life, for that matter.
In the main, the scenes at the smallest
or the largest station in the garden, or
on the sill, or even on the pavement
by the side of an apartment, will be
amusing, deeply satisfying, ennobling
and thrilling.
Birds are among the most wonderful
of all creatures. Their migrations are
themes for poet songs. eve wonder why
they have not considered the theme
more. Bryant, in ITO Waterfowl" took
full advantage of it,
Their beauty of feather and form, their
flying, their ability to handle themselves
in the air, their everyday lives, their
songs and calls, their treatment of each
other, their nests and young, their grace,
their peaceful lives, in the main
All these and many others make a
tremendous appeal to all persons with
sensitive, artistic natures, as well as to
those who are interested in the scientific
aspects of things.
Here is whole world, replete with
interest, beauty and excitement, yet one
which thousands upon thousands OF
human beings never know except in the
slightest way.
The beauty of bird watching is that
an ordinary human being can indulge
in it without being either a scientist
or poet or a philosopher, although il
appeals to all of these.
1t is possible for the lonely person ir
a strange city to pick out some sparrow
friends and be kind to them.
The modern family, busy with its
motorcars and theaters and dates,
nevertheless can find time to be inter
ested in the robins and the cardinals
and the chickadees and the scores ot
other birds which may be lured to any
suburban garden.
Bird watching is a great outlet for the
tried and harassed modern, in an age
when the burden of human woe steadily
mounts.
We have but to think of the horror
which man is achieving, to realize that
the very few ugly pictures We may see
IN bird feeding are but as brief shadow
| in the general glow of the sun.
Evening star., 1941-04-17
Lower Draft Aces?

The plan to amend the Selective
Service Act so as to bring younger
men into the Army for a year of
training is well worth the study
which President Roosevelt says his
aides are giving the matter Sugges-
tions for lowering of the minimum
draft age limit to perhaps eighteen
years from the present twenty-one
have been heard with increasing fire.
duency in military quarters, now that
the draft program is in full stride.
The immediate objective of the orig
inal legislation was the quick nobili-
cation for training of an initial de-
tense reservoir" of able-bodied
young men. Remarkable progress
has been made to date toward this
goal, with more than a million men,
including regulars, National Guards
men and Reserves, undergoing inten-
sive instruction.
In view of the magnitude of the
undertaking and the speed with
which it was effected, Americas first
peacetime draft is functioning eX-
ceedingly well. This does not mean
that difficulties have not been en-
countered in practice that were not
foreseen in the plans. One of the
main tasks of the draft boards has
been to administer the act with a
minimum of disturbance to indus
try, to education and to family
routine. 1t has been suggested that,
once the Army has attained required
strength, future increments might
better come from younger age
group. A youth of eighteen, it is
pointed out, is less likely to have
serious family and business obliga-
tions than one of twenty-one or
older. In all probability he has COM
pleted his high school course and has
not yet entered college. After he has
had q year of service with the troops,
and If the emergency then permits,
he can resume his education or
launch a business or professional
career. Military authorities claim
that the younger men are more
Evening star., 1941-04-17
Complains About Alleged Drift
OF New Deal Toward War.

To the Editor Of The Star:
the third term-with aid Of the deficit
billions-has been bagged and salted,
but this has not put an end to speeches
by Harold Ickes nor marred his bril-
liant technique. He is still the great
objector.
He has decided that Charles Lind
bergh is not only un-American but
actually, as No. Nazi wants Hitler to
win" Yet the New Deal would have
created special aviation post for this
ignoble character, well knowing his pri-
vate views, on proviso that he suppress
them and deliver only speeches ghosted
in the New Deal laboratory.
Gen. Robert Wood now receives the
distinction of being called a Hitler
stooge" The list of others with the
hardihood to oppose Ickes or disagree
with the New Deal in some of its sillier
moments are dismissed lightly as
"(NazD fellow travellers
The New Deal is a prime example Of
a cult that should never mention "fel-
low travellers" 1t failed to cast off the
American Youth Congress until 1910,
having previously encouraged it or re-
manned stupidity ignorant of its vicious
character. 1t cultivated and employed
fellow travellers in all walks of govern
ment. 1t loved them SO much it actually
imbibed some of their philosophy. And
its Labor Department handling Of the
vitation to Nazi bunds and other Down
With Everything" groups to try their
stuff in this country.
Nor should any spokesman prate of
America Next Committees, who recalls
the New Deals action" in sit-down
strikes, which led the radical leaders of
that unsavory experiment to boast that
washington is back of U.s." In its defer
ence to group pressure and frequent
violation Of the will of the people the
New Deal has shown itself the original
Us Only Committee. The present strike
situation, an off-shoot of its indecisive-
ness, is proof Of its inability efficiently
to conduct war.
The New Deal to declare its wish to
mess in another European conf1ict-pre-
sumably for prestige and glamor and to
cover Its domestic blunders to date
would oppose the will of IS per cent Of
the people. When. therefore, it pins
strange labels llpon certain puhlic char.
acters and attacks those who mildly ex-
press the peoples preference, the in
ference is that it wants unopposed au-
thority to plunge into war If it sees fit.
BY clever strategy and gradual build-up
1t seems to think it may bring the peo-
pie to its "closer-to-war" way of think
ing. WALTER BAHNSEN.
Evening star., 1941-04-17

@. When did Chang Kai-shek adopt
Christianity?-J. c. H.
A. He was baptized into the Christian
church on October %, 1880.
@. Who invented the fly swatter7-
M. C. B.
A. Apparently the earliest patent
granted for a fly swatter was on May l8,
1880, to M <. Taylor. San Antonio, Tex.
@. How was Mussolini wounded in
the World War?-C. C. r.
A. He was ordered to fire shell from
a trench mortar. The gun exploded,
killing four privates, and wounding Mus
solini so severely that he was confined
to the hospital for seven months.
@. Is there any country governed en-
tirely by Negroes?-L. c. M.
A. Liberia, on the southwest coast Of
Africa, is both peopled and governed by
Negroes. All electors must be of Negro
blood and owners of land.
@. What was the first great mystery
Story?-L. T. S.
A. "The Castle of Otranto: A Gothic
Romance" by Horace Walpole, published
in 1865, was the forerunner of modern
mystery stories. It's influence was even
manifested in the work of early Ameri-
can writer's, including Charles Brockden
Brown, Edgar Allan Poe and Nathaniel
Hawthorne.
c. For whom is the Spingarn Medal
named?-T. R. M
A. 1t is named for the late Joel Elias
Spingarn, the author, who instituted in
1918 this award of gold medal for the
highest or noblest achievement by an
American Negro during the preceding
year or years.
@. Please give some information about
the British Library of Information in
New York City-T. S. M.
A. The British Library of Informa-
ton is an official library in the field of
British affairs, open to the public. 1t
answers questions relating to the well
fare, culture and national life Of Great
Britain, the British Commonwealth,
India and the colonial dependencies.
The library has on sale official publica-
tions which range in subject from
gardening to government. Recognized
libraries may borrow books and docu-
ments for their readers without charge.
Evening star., 1941-04-17
Do You Remember?

The Pennsylvania State College,
researching on memory, has dis
covered clue to its workings. Just
as current of electricity in a wire
will line up the molecules to form a
pathway, so current of thought
lines up certain molecules in the
brain for its transmission. The
more times the thought occurs, the
more readily the obliging molecules
obey. When it becomes habit, the
particular strings involved stay so
close to base that they form a per-
manent chain, ready for use at any
time.
Some of these peewee particles, say
the scientists, are harder to align
than others. This fits in with OBJ
served facts. Everyone has heard
of workers who forget to work, but
hardly anyone of workers who for
get to draw their pay. Their money
molecules, the little rascals, see to
that. The aggregations of atoms
supposed to make a man mail that
letter for his wife are especially
averse to discipline. They are prac-
tically Bolsheviks and cannot be
bothered to transmit orders originat-
ing not even in their own brain, but
in another. To avoid unnecessary
suffering, wives should not blame
husbands for recalcitrant molecules
over which they have no control.
Why not line up some of their own
postal protoplasm and mail those
letters themselves?
Evening star., 1941-04-17
Argues for Neutrality Pact
With Soviet Russia.
To the Editor of The Sta

To the Editor OF The Star:
Dorothy Thompson says that viewed
on planetary scale, Hitler's attack is
q tweezer movement, while Roosevelt's
policy represents pincer movement on
the whole of the European continent, or
rather peninsula that is what
Europe is: peninsula of Asia" Such
statements as this may be soothing to
the wounded vanity Of ardent advocates
Evening star., 1941-04-17
Expresses Support for Ban
On Smoking In Restaurants.
To the Editor of The Star

I wish to express my approval Of the
letter signed "A Non-Smoking Teacher"
published in your columns recently.
certainly would be glad to see smok1
ing prohibited In all lunchrooms and
at lunch counters. 1t is certainly dis
gusting to us who do not smoke to be
almost choked with smoke while eating.
I.hope others will express themselves on
the subject. MRS. q. o. WILCOX,
Evening star., 1941-04-17
Huskin's Answers
To Questions
Bu Frederic J. Hdsktn

reader can get the ans,Der to any
question OF fact by tDriting The EDe-
ming Star Information Bureau, Fred.
eric J. HaSkin, director, Washington,
D. c. Please incloSe stamp for reply.
@. When were the first press bulletins
given on the air7-J. J. K
A. On November 2, 1920, press bull
letins on the HardingC Cox election were
broadcast over Station KDKA In Pitts
burgh.
@. Please give the official motto of the
Northwest Mounted Police.-A. H. r.
A. The motto Of the Royal Canadian
Mounted Police is Maintain the Right"
This IS emblazoned in French on the
insignia of the organization.
@. Where was the first skyscraper In
the United States?-C. P.
A. The first skyscraper was the Home
Insurance Building, erected in Chicago
In 1883.
@. What is meant by the expression
"the pearl on India's brow"?-M. l.. C.
A. 1t refers 70 the island Of Ceylon.
@. Is Rosa Bonheur's famous paint
ing called THE Horse Fair" in the
United States?-S. w. A.
A. The original painting is in the
Metropolitan Museum of Art in New
York City.
@. When was MY Country, It's of
Thee" first sung?-W. L. D.
A. The song America" was first used
in 1882 at children's Fourth of July
celebration in Boston.
@. Does the Lord Mayor Of London use
a gold mace?-E. D. K.
A The remarkable mace or scepter
of the Lord Mayor of London is of
crystal and gold set with pearls. The
head dates from the 18th century, while
the mounts of the shaft are early
medieval.
@. What is the name of the rose town
in Texas?-B. r. N.
one third of the Nations supply of COM
mercially grown rosebushes. The city
has over 100 nurseries and each year
holds the Texas Rose Festival.
Evening star., 1941-04-17
Successful Public Speaking-A

Successful Public Speaking-A
simple, practical booklet for the
average person who wishes to de-
velop the ability to express himself
publicly; will instruct you on over
coming your shortcomings. How to
plan and deliver speeches, how to
improve your voice. how to attain
self-confidence. The art of pub
lie speaking can be acquired. To
secure your copy inclose 10 cents
in coin, wrapped in this clipping,
and mail to The Star Information
Bureau.
Name
Address
Evening star., 1941-04-17

Young King Peter II seems to have
come into q kingdom and very
rapidly passed out Of same.
Evening star., 1941-04-17
Letters to the Editor

Letters to the Editor must
bear the name and address OF
the ,Driter. although the use OF
q pseudonynl for publication is
permissible. The Star reserves
the right to edit all letters NTH
q Ute1D to condensation.
Evening star., 1941-04-17

readily adaptable to Army routine
than men in their thirties.
While it is not too soon to be CIV
ing consideration to the draft age
problem, it would be unwise to at
tempt any major revision of the law
until the process of building up
basic land force fitted to the needs
of the present crisis has been
completed.
Evening star., 1941-04-17

A reader can get the anstUer to dnr
question OF fact by Drfting The Eve-
ming Star Information Bureau, Fred.
eric J. Haskin, director, Washington,
D. C. Please inclose stamp for reply.
Evening star., 1941-04-17

@. Where was the first skyscraper in
the United States?-C. P.
A. The first skyscraper was the Home
Insurance Building, erected in Chicago
In 1883.
Evening star., 1941-05-16
CreeI Wants Cables
And Radio Censored
Without Press Curb
World War News Chief
Declares Voluntary Plan
Will Work Big Harm
Rx the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press.
NEW YORK, May 16.-George
Creel, chairman of the Committee
on Public Information in the World
War, advocated censorship of cables
and radio without restriction on the
press in an article in Golfers. He
said such a censorship will not
touch opinion in any degree, but
will prevent communication
between potential enemies and their
undercover agents in the United
States"
With the adoption of his proposal,
Mr.. Creel said, there will be no
impairment of peoples confidence
in the news"
Referring to his World War ex-
perience and present censorship
methods, Mr.. Creel said that was
the result of the voluntary censor
ship that hurt us most, just as 1t
will work irreparable harm today If
the foolish plan is not discontinued.
When the public knew that some
thing was being kept from them the
conviction grew that great deal
was being hidden, and this feeling
lent itself to the manufacture and
spread of every variety of wild and
disintegrating rumor."
Mr.. Creel said that In the World
War virtually everything we asked
the press not to print was seen or
known by thousands, making Sc
crecy a Joke. AS the present vol
untary censorship is carbon copy
of the old, the joke may be ex-
pected to persist
He said the prohibitions In news
reporting asked by Secretary OF the
Navy Knox ARE virtually the same
prohibitions that we laid down In
1917, and every whit as unnneces-
sary."
THE arrival and departure of
ships and planes are about as secret
as the trips of sightseeing bus.
Until war comes to these shores,
or expeditionary forces are sent
abroad, the movement of troops pos
Evening star., 1941-05-16

at Lorient, In France. They also
attacked docks at Ijmuiden, the
Netherlands, q communique said.
Many fires were said to have been
started In the industrial section of
Hanover. manufacturing city 80
miles south of Hamburg.
The loss Of four of the attacking
planes was acknowledged.
New Attack Indicated.
The rumble of exploding bombs
and gunfire on the German-occu-
pied French coast rolled across
Dover Strait for several hours be-
fore dawn today. indicating to OBJ
servers on the British shore that
the r. A. r. was carrying out
heavy attack.
At one time Calais appeared to
be the target and later the British
bombers seemed to be concentrating
on Boulogne and points further in
land.
From the sounds audible here 1t
was judged the attacks were car
ried out on an unusually large scale.
Air sparring continued throughout
today over the Channel and 1t was
Evening star., 1941-05-16

On the BeIeony-sIeepyheod in seer
suoker-two-piece pojonos with one
Of those full, comfortable butcher boy
jackets. Blue and teorose print, all
very feminine with its fresh touches Of
cotton Ioce. Sizes to IA S1.95
Other Pajamas- as------sII5 to sl.95
GIRLS FURNISHINGS, FOURTH FLOOR.
On the sond-your youngest in over
oils. CHEEKY yellow, blue or green
stripes that can "toke it" in the tub
Sizes z to s 6---------------S1.15
IuyrNur App.rr1 FnusrH FLOOR
Evening star., 1941-05-16

announced authoritatively that three
German fighters were shot down of
the southeast coast.
Dogights between formations Of
German Messerschmitts and British
fighters over the English Channel
were reported.
Messerschmitts made two ma
chine-gun attacks this afternoon on
south coast town, causing much
excitement but no casualties. One
raider fed to the sea trailing smoke
after a burst of anti-aircraft fire.
Night Raids Light.
Nazi aerial activity overnight was
described officially as comparatively
light and confined largely to coastal
areas. Two raiders were reported
shot down by British fighters in a