davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1941-04-28
CHEVY CHASE, Md.

Dear Sir:
Monday morning, as I parked my car
at Twenty-fourth and r streets NV,
noticed a robin making frantic dashes at
the wheel of a truck parked two car
lengths ahead of me.
Intrigued by the birds actions, and
curious as to the reason for them, l got
quietly out Of the car and tiptoed to
point where I could observe that the
object OF his vicious lunges was a very
shiny hub cap on the truck wheel, in
which it was quite evident he observed
his own reflection.
That reflection was apparently the
object OF his displeasure and Of his
wild attempts to get what he construed
as an enemy.
The robin noted neither my approach
nor my presence, I watched him, fasci-
mated, for several minutes, when he was
scared away by motorist alighting
from a nearby car.
"As I watched him there came to my
mind your recent reference in your COL
umn to letter from one OF your fans
about bird Ca cardinal, believe it wss)
that came to the fans home and bat
tered away at his reflection in a window
The robin was the sirst bird I have
ever seen engage in combat with his re-
Election. 1t was an interesting expert
ence for me-
Sincerely yours, c. M. A."
1t is fortunate for mankind that all
birds do not fight their reflections in
window panes.
What a time OF it we would have!
As it is, perhaps not one -hundredth OF
one per cent of the songsters engage in
this queer activity.
The rest Of them are minding their
own business, in a world which increas-
ingly tends to mind everybody else's
business.
Here again the birds set us a good
example.
If man would draw up list of the
virtues of the birds. and try to model
himself after them, he might be a great
deal better off.
Take going TO bed early and getting
up early. Daylight saving, as We say.
The birds have been doing it all these
centuries.
They go to bed with dark, and wake
up at the universally sensible time.
when light comes
Human moralsts have been telling us
for many years that we should do the
same, but do We do it7 We do not. Even
| that sensible man. Benjamin Franklin,
/ failed to live up to his own words in
| this regard.
The birds have lived according to day.
light saving for so long that you couldn't
get them to change.
Even in captivity, under artificial con-
ditions which one might think offhand
would cause them to live topsy -turvy.
they 60 right ahead waking up with first
Evening star., 1941-04-28
Where Help Is Necessary

The Presidents suggestion that
the National Government bear the
cost of capital outlayS in the District,
with the District assuming the cost
of maintenance, has been given prac-
tiCal application in the revised Over
ton Hunter bill, which was favorably
reported to the House from the Dis
trict Committee last week.
AS amended the bill now provides
that after determination Of the size
of the Federal payment, IAN amount
at least equal to that sum be appro-
priated for capital outlayS. The bill
is improved by this amendment, for
in addition to adoption of fixed
method of measuring each years
Federal obligation to the District,
there is assured a fixed amount for
capital expenditures. This would be
of great help in wise advance plan
ming.
The President having indicated
his interest in the matter, it is to be
hoped that he will use his influence
in making this legislation a part Of
the administration legislative pro-
gram. obtaining for it the special
consideration that would come with
a special rule and the support OF the
House leaders, without whose active
backing it is apt to fail, The wise
decision by Chairman Randolph of
the House District Committee to
withhold the bill today-District
Day-obviouSly reflects his desire to
obtain this support in advance OF
formal debate on the measure.
The danger to the District now is
not that the measure would fail
after fair consideration Of its pro-
visions on their merits. The danger
to the District is that without a Spe-
cial rule debate on this measure, as
so often has been the case in the
past, would merely become the We
hiCle for discussion of a great many
irrelevant matters relating to the
District and that the legislation
would perish for lack of considera-
tiOn.
Every important piece of legiSla-
ton which gains favorable consid-
Grafton in the House these busy days
requires consideration under a spe-
cial rule and the support Of the
House leadership. This legislation,
of such vital Importance to the Dis
trict, will require administration
support before it can even obtain a
fair hearing in the House. And the
only person able to command that
support is the President.
Evening star., 1941-04-28
after a mere 100000 get defense jobs.

after mere 1000 600 get defense JOBS.
1t all refuses TO make sense.
Does Mr. Wickard realize that there
are no skilled workers in agriculture, yet
the veriest unskilled laborer must re-
ceive 81 for eight hours time, while the
work must be taught and supervised?
Does he realize that small employers
cannot afford to pay such a wage for
indifferent help? The consequence is
there are many unSkilled workers who
will not make an effort to be worth the
pay so largely" imposed on the employer
by a theorist. Agriculture should be
taught in trade schools, as we'll as brick
laying. carpentering, etc. Every one is
not fitted Tor white collar jobs and those
who are so fitted will find the needed
education.
I've trained one colored boy to be
useful about a small place. paying 50
day from the start two years ago. with
the result that every one in the entire
community is trying to get the boy. But
these people will not, or cannot teach as
patiently as is necessary for such train
ing, much less pay 81 day while teach
ing.
Wages should be graded in farm and
garden work as in other trades, ac-
cording to skill. A hod carrier does not
get the same wage as the skilled brick
layer. so if the unemployment situation
is not to continue a racket. the scale
Of pay should be according to what a
man is worth, not by his needs.
A suggestion would be to stop en6ow-
ing all these people and let them do the
work crying to be done on every farm
and in every home in the country.
There seems to be something radically
wrong all along the line in regard to
defense and unemployment.
With billions being appropriated, yet
not being used for war materials, and
little work getting done where is the
money going?
Yes, the public is alarmed, but what
can we do about it? MRS. J. G.
Purcellville, Va.
Evening star., 1941-04-28
Their Docs

In the remarkable volume of first
hand narratives of the war in Eng
land" edited by Allan A. Niche
and Walter Graebner and published
by Harcourt, Brace and Company
under the title Their Finest Hour"
American readers will notice partic-
ularly two stories concerning helpless
animal friends.
The first of these tales is told by
Sergeant Jack Wadsworth; veteran
of the retreat to Dunkerque. I'VE
went into the village" he says, but
mo sooner were we settled down
than 1 was sent for and detailed to
take a section out to forked road
at midnight and set up anti-tank
guns covering one of the forks. The
company dug in in the darkness, and
my officer told me that we were
now covering a main line. We lay
there till dawn. Though Jerry was
shelling heavily, I nearly fell asleep
at the guns once or twice. What
kept jerking me back each time I
drowsed was little stray dog we
had picked up. He was cuddled
under my arm and kept on showing
his cold nose against my wrist. 1t
was funny thing about those dogs.
Scores of them followed us through
the retreat. We used to think it was
because they knew we were English.
At night they slept with us in barns,
huddled up against the men they
had picked out. There was one we
Evening star., 1941-04-28
Ship Seizures

A striking example of inter-Amer-
lean solidarity in action is the unani-
nous approval by representatives Of
the tWenty-one Western Hemisphere
republics Of plan to take over and
use immohilized foreign vessels in
American ports. The United States
already has thirty-nine Danish,
twenty-eight Italian and two Ger
man merchant ships in protective
custody" as a result of a recent wave
of sabotage, and the House Merchant
Marine Committee has reported ia
vorably an acknowledgements
bill to permit use of idle foreign
tonnage for national defense. Mexico
and Chile also have seized axis ships
to avert sabotage and other Central
and South American countries have
been studying the problem.
Because the vital questions of
hemisphere tranquility and security
were involved in the port disturb
anceS which have taken place and
which have been threatened, the
American Economic and Fl
nancial Advisory Committee, acting
under authority of the Havana and
Panama agreements for hemisphere
cooperation, decided to consider the
matter with view to unified action.
The plan finally approved was sug-
gested by Foreign Minister Guanl OF
Uruguay. 1t will now go to the va
rious American governments for rati-
fication.
In addition to the SiXty-nine axis
and Danish ships in North American
ports. there are ninety-six Italian
and German vessels laid up in Gen.
tral and South American waters. An
undetermined number of French,
Swedish, Belgian and Dutch craft
also are stranded on this side of the
Atlantic. 1t has been indicated that
the United States does not intend at
French ships With the Pan-Amer-
lean merchant marine in need of re-
placements and additions, and with
the aid-Britain program demanding
an ever-increasing supply of tonnage,
1t would be absurd for the American
republics to permit idle ships to rust
and rot in their Waters-and remain
potential magnets for saboteurs. 1t
Is proposed that the owners of requi-
sitioned ships be compensated in &C
cordance with international law and
domestic statutes. The right to use
seized ships in national and interna-
Evening star., 1941-04-28
Wants President
To Lead in Crisis
Writer Objects to Delays
While Powerless Public Waits
For Mr.. Roosevelt to Act
To the Editor OF The Star:

To the Editor OF The Star:
In 1888 bold, aggressive leader swept
the people along with him as he closed
the banks and set about reorganizing
bewildered and terrified country. Today
the peril is far greater and the need of
bold, aggressive leadership far more
urgent. Are we going to get that leader
ship? The first steps have been in the
right direction.
The destroyer deal was not made after
waiting for the public to signify its sp-
proval If President Roosevelt had
waited, those destroyers probably would
still be on this side of the Atlantic. After
the trade" was made, the people ap-
plauded. The lease-lend bill also was
set up and implemented without first
waiting for public opinion to point the
way, and again the people gladly fol-
lowed leadership they could see was go
ing somewhere. That lease-lend bill Is
but hollow promise If our aid piles up
on our wharves or rusts at the bottom
of the Atlantic because We do nothing
to see that it reaches its destination
safely Will we get the leadership we
need so sorely?
Timorous leadership, waiting for the
public to say: Go ahead" will be more
disastrous to us in this hour than would
actual weakness. We cannot wait for
Congress to lead-it is too fond of the
sound of its own voice Nor can we wait
for the public to lead the way. History,
especially the history of the past la
months, emphasizes the fact that the
people themselves cannot lead. They
rise or fall by virtue of the strength Of
their leaders. There is no exception to
this. A leader we must have, if we are
to reach any goal
That lesson must come home to our
representatives Even though the re-
sponsibilties seem too heavy for one
man. yet there can be no shrinking now.
What We do in the coming months.
whether we are to be "the arsenal of
democracy" with all that that implies;
whether we are to make large promises
and follow them by small acts, is up to
the President and to him alone. There
is no use trying to minimize that fact.
Unless he leads this country with ag-
gressiveness. boldness and disregard for
opposing opinions. as Abraham Lincoln
led it, we will become, not the arsenal of
democracy but the graveyard Of democ-
racy.
There is no man in the world today
who has shown greater capabilities for
the kind of leadership we need than
Franklin Delano Roosevelt. He has the
confidence of the people. In spite of
polls and apparent vacillations, they will
give him substantial support and follow
his leadership when he strikes out boldly
1t is timidity and uncertainty in the
leader that breeds the same qualities in
his followers. DIR. OLIVE SWEZY.
Berkeley, Calf.
Evening star., 1941-04-28

@. How many children are playing IN
current shows in New York Citya Do
they attend school?-E. g. P.
A. There are 80 children appearing in
9 productions. Most of them attend the
Professional Children's School.
@. What do the letters NC" on air
planes representa-. A. V.
A. The number and letters on air
planes are similar to those on automo-
bile licenses. They simply represent the
license number issued by the Depart
ment of Commerce for commercial
planes. The initials NC" are used for
civil aircraft only, as military and ma
val aircraft have different insignia. IN"
means nationality and signifies that the
plane is an American plane. Each ma
ton has such an identifying initial. For
instance. Great Britain uses &c" and
France uses b" c. means that 1t is a
classified aircraft which has complied
with the airworthiness requirements of
the Department Of Commerce.
@. Has the war greatly increased ths
number of marriages in England?-C.
B. F.
A approximately 100000 weddings
took place last year in England and
Wales This is nearly 100000 more than
in the last year before the war.
@. Please give the legend Of Medusa.
i. J. o.
A. Medusa, in Greek mythology, was
the chief of the Gorgons. She was a
beautiful maiden, specially famous for
her hair. She violated the temple Of
Athene, who thereupon transformed her
terrible that all who looked on 1t were
turned to stone. She was slain by Per-
seus. who succeeded in cutting of her
head by looking at its reflection in his
shield.
@ What is the origin of the word
vaudeville?-E. r. A.
A. The word is corruption of the
French Vau de Wire, picturesque To-
cality in Normandy, where number Of
popular humorous songs were written
in the 18th century.
@. How many schools use motion pie
lures in their curriculums7-C. p. 3.
A. In 1910 over 5000 schools used
Aims.
Evening star., 1941-04-28
tional trade on the high seas is "re-
affirmed"

tional trade on the high seas is re
affirmed"
In effect, the agreement would ere
ate huge new pool of shipping on
which the American nations could
draw for their own merchant marine
needs. Individual nations preSum-
ably could use the acquired vessels
as requirements for ships released to
the British, by sale or otherwise, if
they so desired. This is the plan
contemplated under the requisition-
ing bill now before Congress. With
more than 100000 tons of British
shipping sent to the bottom of the
sea by enemy action since the out
break of the war, and with Allied
and neutral losses approXimating
nearly 100000 tons last month, it is
obvious that the fate of Britain, and
hence of the democracieS of the
world in general. depends largely or
what is done in the months ahead to
keep the British supply lines open.
Evening star., 1941-04-28

called our air raid warning, a
little black and white mongrel. He
could spot the difference between
dive bombers and any others. When
we were in a village he would come
pelting into the billet as they came
over and bury his nose and Shiver
against the man he had been fol-
lowing"
Mrs. Lillian Margaret Hart is re-
SponSible for the second narrative.
1t is very brief and there may be
persons who can read it dry-eyed.
The warning went" the author ex-
plains. Il hurried back to the house,
because, though I'm not warden or
anything, somebody needs to show
the neighbors the way to the shelter
under the vicarage. The siren
hadn't hardly ended when l heard
a Screamer coming down. hurried
the last people into the shelter-or
what 1 thought was the last. Then
I sent Gyp and his friend Bob, the
black dog, upstairs to my kitchen.
They always crawl under the scullery
table during raid -. Terrible loud,
it sounded, and coming awful close
N""". They foundGyp -" way up on
the roof of the vestry, and the black
dog was just hanging over a broken
rafter there. I hope they died quick,
too -. I don't think l want to come
back to Bethnal Green road to live
George says we won't try to set
up a proper home-at least till the
wars over y. l don't think he's
got the heart, not right now any
way"
In the literature Of the criSi, Of
1941 the chronicles of the lowly and
the humble who do not require to
be taught kindlinesS should be in
cluded
Evening star., 1941-04-28
Quotes washington's Warning
Against Attachment" to Europe.


To the Editor Of The Star:
I believe every interventionist from
President Roosevelt and the writer's of
your syndicated articles down to the
man in the street have quoted George
Washington in defense of their cause.
Therefore. I hope you will print the
following quotations taken from WASH
ingtons farewell address, showing his
true foreign policy:
Observe good faith and justice to-
ward all nations. In the execution of
such a plan nothing is more essential
than that permanent, inveterate an
tipathies against particular nations and
passionate attachments for others should
be excluded The nation that indulges
toward another an habitual hatred or
an habtual fondness is in some degree a
slave. So likewise passionate attach
ment OF one nation for another produces
variety of evils. How many opportuni-
ties do foreign influences afford to tam
per with domestic factions to practice
the arts Of seduction, to mislead public
opinion, to influence or awe the public
councils? The great rule of conduct for
us in regard to foreign nations is in ex-
tending our commercial relations to have
with them as little political connection
as possible. Europe has set of primary
interests. which to us have none or a
very remote relation. Hence she must
be engaged in frequent controversies,
the cause of which are essentially for
eign to our concerns. Our detached and
distant situation invites and enables us
to pursue different course. Why quit
our own to stand upon foreign ground?
Why, by Intervening our destiny with
that of any part of Europe. entangle
our peace and prosperity in the tolls OF
European ambition, rivalship, interest,
humor or caprice?"
This philosophy, believe, is as true
today as 1t was on the day II was written.
AMERICA FIRST.
Evening star., 1941-04-28
April Winds

These are the steeds, iphose cttdty
ouilopfng hoots
We heard IN Wirter lanes. fheS
plagued our dreams
By laundering In hordss across orr
roofs
With savage netghS ersseendotn1
into screams.
Their 1tId, stoitt feet at last are
tanned and shod,
Their fierce throats docile, attertre
no sound,
Their daring natures reconciled to
plod
Where spring is stretotno gold along
the ground.
The steedS, that charged doton from
the winter hills,
Tread gently nop through Aprtps
ddfodtls.
sUDrE STUART HAGrR.
Evening star., 1941-04-28
Objects to Unnecessary" Increase
In school Costs" In Washington.
-. 49,. ra;..r - III. st.r.

OBJECTS TO unnecessary lnCrea@
In school Costs" In Washington.
To the Editor Of The Star:
In view of inevitable increase in taxes
for essential defense purposes, 10 Is
nv belief that certain basic costs OF
Government should be kept at a min
imum during the emergency period. I
refer particularly to the cost of public
education in the District OF Columbia.
1t has come to my attention that a
plan for increasing basic school costs
in the local schools will be submitted
shortly for congressional approval. Spe-
cifically, the plan is to add an assistant
principal in junior high schools having
an enrolment exceeding 1000 and
create a position of guidance director.
These positions are to be created in
MAY, 194l, and the salaries for the
present will be paid out of funds which
have been saved from past appropria-
tions, and which apparently are to be
saved out of future appropriations. II
the schools have been able to save enough
money to pay for so many additional
Offices, then past appropriations must
have been excessive and should be cur
tailed at once. In view of the fact that
the birth rate has been steadily declin-
ing and this decline will soon be re-
f1ected in reduced public school popu-
lation 1t is difficult to understand how an
increased administrative staff can be
justified.
am not in favor of any action which
would cause our system of public edu-
cation to be less efficient, but I do not
believe that a period of reduced pupil
population, period of national emer-
gency and increased taxation, and a
period of public school building shortage
in certain areas and building repair needs
in other areas is the time to add un-'
necessarily to administrative costs. 1t
is too bad that the tax-paying Washing
ton public Goes not have voting voice
in such matters. L. C. GALLOWAY.
Evening star., 1941-04-28
Praises Mai. Eliot's Interpretation
OF Bad News" From the Front.

To the Editor Of The Star:
The recent article by Maj. George
Fielding Eliot entitled Warns Against
Defeatism" is a valuable contribution to
the war literature of the day and should
be a great aid in bolstering national
morale.
Maj. Eliot points out that after q pc
riod of good news from the war zone
British successes in North Africa and
the Mediterranean-ou high hopes have
been dashed by the current bad news
from Africa and the Balkans He goes
on to say that "it is situation made to
order for a major German propaganda
effort just as it is made to order for our
own appeasers and defeatists." He warns
of resurgence of defeatism In this
country, which the axis will reinforce
by every means in its power.
Maj. Eliot points out that setbacks
for the British in the Balkans and North
Africa are not decisive; that for the
Germans to win the British Isles must
be conquered, and that if and when the
news gets worse, instead of indulging in
defeatism and appeasement, we should
redouble our efforts to see that Britain
should not succumb.
Maj. Eliot's article is a wholesome
tonic to bolster the faint-hearted and
fearsome. Fear saps the will 1t is the
precursor of defeat.
Hail to Maj. Eliot! More strength to
his arm and his pen and his tongue.
May his good work 60 on and may he
help the American people to act with
courage and determination
PETER 3. OLNEY,
New York City.
Evening star., 1941-04-28

Australia boasts than in $50 years
its sheep have increased from a mere
10 to more than 115,000,000. Nazis
can point with pride to comparable
accomplishment in little more than
a decade.
Evening star., 1941-04-28
Letters to the Editor

Letters to the Editor must
bear the name and address OF
the tCriter, although the use OF
a pSeudonyn1 for publication is
permissible. The Star reserves
the right to edit all letters tUith
q Uien to condensation.
Evening star., 1941-04-28

Permanent Garden Flowers-An
Illustrated booklet which tells how
and when to start them, what var
rieties TO select and how to raise
with maximum success. These
permanent plants of the flower
garden, once established, last for
years with little care and attention.
Add to the beauty Of your home.
To secure your copy inclose 10
cents in coin, wrapped in this
clipping. and mail TO The Star In
formation Bureau.
------------------
Name
--------------------
Address
Evening star., 1941-04-28

The Associated Press is exclusively entitled to
the use for republication Of all news dispatches
credited TO It or not otherwise credited in this
paper and also the local news published herein.
All rights OF publication of special dispatches
herein also reserved
Evening star., 1941-04-28

1t is evidently bad luck to give
defensive line a name beginning
with the letter IN" Witness
Maginot. Mannerhein and Metaxas.