davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1941-02-17
Labor Board CHANCES

The procedural changes that the
National Labor Relations Board Is
making are indicative of the deter
mination of the new board members
to remedy conditions that have con-
tributed largely to the public disap-
proval Of the agency's policies.
The questionable grant of au-
thority previously conferred on the
executive secretary has been cur
tailed, and the functions Of that
office decentralized. Hearing meth
ods have been revised to give more
weight to the reports Of trial ex-
aminers, and less to the findings of
review attorneys who pass on these
reports before they become the basis
of board decisions. A new admins
trative agency has been created to
coordinate the work Of the regional
Offices through which the board
operates and to effect a greater de-
gree of supervision over the field es-
tablishments than heretofore has
been possible.
These changes will not serve to
separate the proSecutive- -investi-
gative and judicial functions of the
board. but it is safe to assume that
Evening star., 1941-02-17
Says Not All Pacifists
Hate England"

To the Editor of The Star:
Walter P. Whites indictment of paci-
fists, think, is justified to a certain
extent But he does not seem to know of
the work of such groups as the Friends
Service Committee or he could not make
the generalization that pacifism arises
in part out of a hatred of England. He
does not know of the Fellowship of Re-
conciliation. whose members are pledged
to strive to build a social order which
will suffer no individual or group to be
exploited for the pleasure or profit Of
another" in order to eliminate the in
justices which bring about aggression
and warfare.
Mr.. Whites criticism is just in so far
as a good many pacifsts actually do
propose doing nothing" But there is a
growing body of citizens who are trying
to foster an alternative non-violent
method of dealing with conflict and
aggression whose principles were laid
down by Jesus Christ and have been very
effectively demonstrated by such leaders
as William Penn and Mahatma Gandhi
There are pacifists who by no means
hate England" when they recognize
that murder and violence only postpone
the day of reckoning when the basic
injustices must be corrected, and that
Evening star., 1941-02-17
Says War "Would Disappear"
If Men Accepted Golden Rule.
JAMES E. EVEN.

To the Editor of The Star:
Buffalo Bill said Il have never known
an Indian to break a treaty or a white
man to keep one" The noble red
man." living close to Mother Nature, re-
manned untainted by the greed, rivalry
and jealousies which are the bitter fruits
of our commercial civilization.
War represents inner passions and
hatreds externalized; passions cannot be
removed through legislation. World
courts and leagues of nations are COM
mendable efforts to promote and pre-
serve peace, but they cease to function
when their purposes are no longer ac-
ceptable to greedy, imperialistic interests.
1t is understandable that the 'have-
not" nations, including Japan, Italy and
Germany, would regard with eager, en-
vious eyes those vast territories acquired
and firmly held by the British Empire
and our own United States. Power NAV
keep the "have-nots" in temporary sub
lection but only so long as the power
lasts.
If nations, like individuals, would seek
to practice the Golden Rule while obey
ing the commandment Thou shalt not
kill" war eventually would disappear.
EDMUND Z. GOLDsBOROUGH.
Evening star., 1941-02-17
Competitive Bidding

Current hearings before the Sc
curities and Exchange Commission
on the desirability of requiring COM
petitive bidding in the underwriting
of public utility securities will bring
nearer to solution a question that
has been widely discussed by invest
ment bankers for several months.
The commissions securities division
would substitute compulsory bidding
for new issues in place of the long
established practice of negotiating
sales to investment firms, which in
turn offer the stocks or bonds to the
public.
Investment dealers assert the pres
ent practice has proved satisfactory.
Under existing methods, distribution
of new securities to the buying pub
lie has been arranged privately be-
tween the companies putting out the
issues and the underwriters, COM
monty known as investment bankers.
Prices at which new offerings are to
be sold, interest to be paid investors
and other details are carefully ar
ranged. Naturally, the largest in
vestment firms usually bring out the
leading new issues, although they
often include the smaller dealers in
the selling group.
Here is where the Securities Com
mission enters a protest, contending
that there is a serious lack of free
market competition, that few firms
get far too high percentage Of the
new offerings, while placing the
Small dealer" in an unfavorable po-
sition. Concentration of the invest
ment banking business is unwhole-
some and contains the threat of
banking domination in utility finan-
cial policies" the commission de-
clares, holding at the same time that
competitive bidding Is the needed
remedy.
An overwhelming majority of in
vestment bankers dispute these and
other commission claims, asserting
that under the proposed change, the
strongest firms would make the
highest bids and continue to obtain
new issues. The higher the bids, the
Evening star., 1941-02-17
Clergyman Supports Fl. r. 1875
As Necessary Defense of U. S.


The lease-lend bill should receive the
support of every Senator and Repre-
sentative OF both parties since the rank
and file Of both parties are behind this
bill for the preservation of our DEM
ocratic system and our republican form
of government. This is no time for iso-
lationism or partisan obstructioniSm;
this is no time to gamble with our ma
tional safety.
1t is true that We may become involved
in the war if this bill passes 1t is GER
tain that Hitler will involve us in it in
his own time If it fails. Britain is
fighting our war. If Britain falls, we
shall be left alone to face a victorious
axis that has eight men in armed service
to our one, navy two and one-half
times the size of ours, a merchant marine
more than four times as large as ours,
ship-building capacity seven times as
great as ours, an airplane capacity
greater than ours, a greater investment
in Latin America than ours.
The defeat of Hitler. the liberation of
the German people and other oppressed
peoples of Europe is not an ideanstic
humanitarian effort but grim neces-
sity for our own self-defense
Convoy our ships to Britain, if neces-
sary, and whip Nazidom now or run the
risk of a defeat at the hands of the
Nazis later. And do not exempt
ministers from military duty.
T. j. RAY, Jr.,
Minister, Bath County, KY, Presbyterian
Churches.
SharnSbllrg XIV
Evening star., 1941-02-17
Memoranda

GrundSir tUrote his toilSonle memo
rdndd
In stone waH notes he jotted near
and far
Upon the fertile acres of the farm:
No1D added gears append inScrtptiUe
charm
To GrandSir'S olden signature of toll,
For Uaried vines hare set their
loUely coil
OF friendship round about the
Sterner stones,
While scattered nuts and bits OF
pine tree cones
Attest these 1UallS are squirrels
feeding ground;
The sunlight sends pleasant
tDarmth around
In creUiceS; the ShadoWS of the birds
And kindred clouds are like familiar
words
OF daily greeting to the stonework:
clear
And readable Time torttes each
phrase, as here
And there 1t adds gentle, nesoer
note
To memoranda GrdndStr Urote.
JESSIE NJ. DOWLTN.
Evening star., 1941-02-17

those now in authority will make
every effort to establish a procedure
based on an attitude Of impartiality
not always present in the past.
This rearrangement is the first
major accomplishment Of the board
since its reorganization was accom-
plished by the appointment of DR..
Harry A. Mills as chairman, and it
is a definitely encouraging indica-
ton of improvement yet to come in
its administration. BY abandoning
partisan role and assuring litigants
Of a fair hearing, the board can
strengthen public confidence in its
operations and obviate the principal
reason for changes in the Wagner
Act itself.
Evening star., 1941-02-17

more the public will be forced to pay
for new flotations as they are mar
keted. Dealers further assert that
competition already exists between
underwriting firms and declare that
the commissions present rigid regu-
lations are ample to protect investors.
This is not the time for expert
menting with long-tested methods
Of raising new capital, bankers told
the commission. The head of the
Investment Bankers Association has
suggested that some disinterested
agency, such as the House Commit
tee on Interstate and Foreign Com
merce, might hear both sides of the
lively controversy. The idea has
merit. Certainly decision of such
Importance, involving possible con-
gressional recommendations should
not be reached hastily by the Securi-
ties Commission.
Evening star., 1941-02-17
Criticizes IsoIatiOnistS
For Waste of Precious Time.

To the Editor of The Star:
Conditions today are not similar to
those existing in 1917 1t seems to be
the opinion of some people that the
first World War was fought in vain, that
that all We got out of it was the loss of
lives and money But who can say what
conditions would be today had Germany
won? Just because the victors did not
follow up the advantage gained by the
war and because of human errors COM
mitted thereafter by way of certain
treaties which have led to this war. GER
tainly isolationists cannot be given credit
as good prophets. All this piffle about
foreign entanglementS, appeaSementS,
negotiated peace theories is pure twaddle
and too much time is spent during these
precious f1eeting hours of an extreme
emergency listening to the babble of
iSolationists of today on the lease-lend
bill. None of us wants war. but these
paclflsts would have us do nothing but
prepare ourselves to defend America in
the future. All we'll and good, yet these
shortSighted people certainly do not take
into consideration the inevitable collapse
Of our standard of living due to the
heavy taxation to maintain such a
mighty armed force down through the
ages. No, England must be helped to
our last full measure.
JAMES E. EVEN.
Evening star., 1941-02-17
The Debate Beqins

The lease-lend bill, upon which
debate is scheduled to start in the
Senate today, has been materially
improved by amendment without i'm
pairing its central purpose of facili-
tating the extension of all necessary
aid to the opponents of aggression.
The adopted amendments, designed
to safeguard the proper powers OF
Congress, have been sponsored or
willingly accepted by the administra-
tion leaders, and for this reason
there is ground for hope that the bill
will be passed in the Senate by
substantial non-partisan majority.
There are, of course, a number Of
Senators still opposed to the meas
ure despite the concessions which
have been made, and many of them
have amendments of their own
which will be offered before the final
vote is taken. These amendments,
and the arguments advanced in sup
port of them, should and undoubtedly
will receive careful consideration, but
no additional amendment should be
approved unless its sponsor can show
that it would not serve to defeat the
central purpose of the bill At least
three of the amendments now being
discussed by the opponents of the
measure seem to belong to the class
which is prescribed by this test.
One of these is the proposal to sub
stitute for the present bill measure
which would merely authorize the
setting up of credit upon which the
British could draw-a plan which is
subject to the objection that it con-
templates no assistance to the Brit
ish during the next few months, when
their need of help is apt to be great
est. The other proposals have not
taken definite form, but they seem to
call for outright legislative prohibi-
tions against the transfer of any part
of the United States Navy to Britain
or the use of American warships to
convoy shipments abroad.
Both of these proposals are of
dubious validity in that they seem
to constitute an attempted invasion
by the Congress of the field of exclu-
sive authority given to the President
as Commander in Chief of the Army
and Navy. In addition to this con-
stitutional objection, however, these
proposed amendments clearly seem to
belong to the class which might tend
to nullify the basic purpose of the
bill, and if that is correct they should
be rejected by the Senate. Certainly,
in the case of these amendments, the
burden of proof is upon their spon-
Sors to show that they would not be
destructive rather than beneficial in
their effects.
Evening star., 1941-02-17
Boys Club Compuiqn.

The annual campaign of the Met
ropolitan Police Boys Club was
launched on Thursday last. It's goal
is hundred thousand dollars for
the support of work from which
no less than sixteen thousand five
hundred Washington youngsters cur
rently are benefiting. Twelve hun
dred volunteer solicitors are can
vaSsing the city for subscriptions. AS
explained by Federal Security Ad-
ministrator Paul V. McNutt, the
money is needed for the maintenance
of facilities and programs for the
constructive use of leisure time
enterprises without which the COM
munity, in the judgment of its youth,
would be merely a collection of
houses"
But the cause represented in the
Police Boys Club drive really does
not require much exposition seven
years after its pioneer start. It's
objective, as set forth by Major
Ernest w. Brown, has been ito reduce
petty crime, juvenile delinquency,
and to give the underprivileged boys
a decent chance in life" The result
may be indicated by the fact that
there has been remarkable decline
in the number of arrests of young
offenders. Even more important,
perhaps, is the relation of mutual
confidence which has been estab-
1ished between the children and the
forces of law and order in the
Nations Capital. The bond of faith
thus brought into existence is con-
tribution to the welfare of the entire
city.
1t is a privilege as we'll as a duty
to help in such an activity. The
alternative would be neglect of an
opportunity to strengthen democratic
civilization in the Federal Center Of
the United States. Especially in the
present period of worldwide turmoil,
the defense of the Nations social
institutions and organizations of
every sort is imperative. The Police
Boys Club is symbol Of the concept
of service for which America must
be willing, If necessary, to make sub
stantial sacrifice.
Evening star., 1941-02-17
THIS AND THAT
BIZ Charles z. Trdce1oeH.

This is shown, in many cases, by the
immediate desire to give something in
return.
The person who cannot accept CRATE
fully always wants to give in return, to
even things up, as it were. He does not
want to be beholden, as people used to
say.
But being beholden to another is the
very essence of a truly grateful receiver.
1t means that his gift is unique.
BY refusing to pay him back, by means
of another gift, you signify that he has
done something which no one else could
do, not that the article of the gift NAV
not be duplicated, but that the precise
way in which he does it cannot be dup
Heated.
Hence the really grateful receiver will
refrain from going out and purchasing
another gift, in kind, to pay back" his
friend.
He will accept, and let sufficient time
60 by to show that in his mind, at least,
the gift was different.
This, it seems to some, is the very
essence of giving and receiving.
Mans psychology is such, however, that
he often fails to realize this, Just as he
refuses to understand, although he has
been saying it for 1000 years, that he
should do to others as he would like
them to do to him.
A gift of clothes to a poor person is
made without any idea on the part of
the giver that the gift will be returned
in kind
So the idea is, among so-called equals,
that such acceptance, by mere thanks,
without attempting a return, is the
prerogative of the really poor person.
1t may be that many persons, when
they Immediately go out and purchase a
gift for some one who has given them
one, believe that by such action they
show that they are not poor.
But they are poor in spirit. They re-
fuse to allow the other the simple pleas
ure of giving without thought of re-
ceiving
The moment they make a return, In
kind, they break up one of the pleasant
CoG OA4dAl4o VI GIlOuSIlG III lIlS WOTIu.
They plunge an unalloyed good back
into barter. Barter was given up by
civilized man long ago. 1t only returned
when mankind began to plunge back
ward into barbarism again.
4
We like to think that feeding the win
ter birds is royal gift, and that the
birds receive 1t in a truly regal manner,
that is, they simply eat and fly away.
They show their thanks by coming
back the next day for more.
1t is a great compliment they pay us.
They waste no words, and wouldn't if
they had any: they receive a gift as it
was meant; they enoble us by their ac-
ceptance.
Their songs are their words of thanks,
and their happiness is our reward.
Among the many lessons which the birds
can give us, if we will but heed, this is
one of their best.
Evening star., 1941-02-17
SIXTEENTH STREET.

Dear Sir:
"Some time ago you spoke of the birds
accepting the seeds and other articles of
food put out for them, and then flying
away without word of thanks.
Suddenly realized have been doing
the same thing for years-eagerly turn
ing to your This and That column, en-
joying it, and then leaving without a
word of thanks.
Now I want to say, thank you, it has
been a real pleasure to follow the
thoughts of one who has many ideas
that I agree with and has the ability to
put them on paper.
When one addresses an audience, it
is easy to know If his words are pleasing
by the applause; but if one is writing
for the papers or broadcasting over the
radio, only fan mali tells the tale.
Il wish you were a neighbor that
might talk birds to, but we will go on
as heretofore for many years, I hope,
you maintaining a feeding station for
birds and humans and we birds and
humans enjoying your largess daily.
Sincerely, R. F."
y
Thanks, Mr.. F.
At one time in the history of the world,
the question of gifts and the proper re-
ception of gifts, was one uppermost in
the minds of intelligent men.
Seneca, "On Gifts" held a treasured
place in the libraries of cultivated per-
sons for two thousands of years.
In recent years destruction has been
high In the worlds thought, so that such
cultured theme seems somewhat old
fashioned.
The time may come soon, let us hope,
when such themes will be restored to
their proper place in mans mental per-
spective. For Of the giving of gifts, and
their reception, there is still no end;
none of us can do anything decent. but
1t is gift to some one; most often the
reception is good, but now and then we
all receive slap in the face when we
think We ought to be thanked.
The amazing thing is that some per-
sons seem constitutionally incapable of
being honestly glad to receive a gift.
They not only render no thanks, but
they actually return evil for good.
They seem to resent being helped, for
instance. They take the help, all right,
but they refuse to give any thanks for it.
No doubt they have the idea that to
admit help makes them less important
to others, as we'll as in their own minds.
Hence it follows that the ability to be
properly grateful is one Of the rarest in
the world. 1t is much easier to give, in
this sense, than to receive.
Giving is easy enough.
Anybody can give away something.
And it would seem even easier to accent
1t, but common observance shows that the
person who accepts gratefully, without
humiliation, but still without resentment,
is very rare.
Evening star., 1941-02-17
Far Eastern Crisis

IN 1US ldIeSG pndSe, Llle lOng-QrdWn-
out crisis in the Far East displays a
familiar pattern. For months we
have seen periodic aggressive moves
by Japan, usually accompanied by
bellicose language on the part of
official spokesmen and the govern
ment-controlled press. When the
threatened poWers-America, Britain
and the Dutch Indies-have coun-
tered by protective measures, the
Japanese government has issued re-
assuring statements and has slowed
down the tempo of its forward policy.
But the policy itself is not aban-
doned. Never Is there a retreat;
always the temporary pause is fol-
lowed by fresh aggression and prov
ocation.
Last week the situation looked
especially tense. Singapore and Hong
Kong, Britain's strongholds in the
Far East, were openly girding them
selves for immediate trouble. Down
under" in Australia, Sir Robert
rooke-Popham, British commander
in chief for the Far East, consulted
with the Commonwealth Advisory
War Council. The meeting was ad-
mittedly grave, and Immediately
afterWard the Acting Prime Minister,
Mr.. Fadden, and John Curtin, leader
of the Laborite opposition, issued a
joint statement warning the Aus
tralian people that "the war has
moved into new stage of the utmost
gravity. There is need for the great
est effort for preparedness that
Australia has ever seen to put
Australia on the most effective foot
ing to resist possible invasion"
While Australians were thus rally
ing to face imminent peril, Dutch
shipping in the Far East was seeking
safety in their own or neutral ports
simultaneously, our diplomatic and
consular representatives. through the
Orient issued renewed warnings to
Americans to evacuate this danger
zone. Everything seemed to portend
that the breaking point was at hand.
Then the familiar shift happened
Toxic issued an official statement
minimizing the current tension,
especially with the United States,
and hoping that "all japanese ma
tionals on the American continent
will pursue their business undisturbed
by such sensational reports" Admiral
Nomura, the new japanese envoy at
Washington, expressed qualified op-
timisn, no fresh japanese aggres-
sions occurred, and the Australian
government announced that the in
ternational situation affecting the
commonwealth had not deteriorated
further.
The long dreaded climax is thus
again apparently postponed. But the
crisis itself persists, because the basic
clash of interests between Japan and
the Western powers remains. Those
powers still hope for peace. AS Lord
Halifax, the British Ambassador, re-
marked after a conference with Sec
retary Hull, 'The objective is to keep
the situation from going to pieces"
Yet how can this objective be at
tanned if Japan maintains its aggres-
sive policy against nations which are
reSolutely standing their ground?
Unless one side or the other gives
way, a collision seems inevitable.
Evening star., 1941-02-17

to Japan, and there is a general realiza-
ton that Japan is the ally of powers
seeking the destruction of the empire
and may at any moment actively engage
in the war.
To that end both Australia and New
Zealand are strengthening their defenses
as rapidly as possible and are contribut-
ing materially to the defenses of Singa-
pore, the Dutch East Indies and other
areas of the Southwestern Pacific. To
the same end they are keeping In close
touch with the United States.
tcopyright, the Chicago Daily Nevsl
Evening star., 1941-02-17

hatred of Germany. or a vengeful mill
tary victory, only make the correction
of these injustices more difficult than
they are right now. They feel that they
themselves must share in the RESPONSE
bility for the deplorable condition of the
German people. Hence they are re-
solved not to lapse into the hypocrisy
of participating in war which will kill
the very people who are most in need
of help and leave the basic injustices
untouched. ARCHER S. TAYLOR.
Evening star., 1941-02-17

Think what a really UNITED
Balkans" so desired by Turkey, could
accomplish for the peace of Europe
and of the world. II those five ma
tions ever got firmly together no one
could lick them!
Evening star., 1941-02-17

If you see good guy getting beat
up by a couple of gorillas, be sure
that before you go to his assistance
you inquire Of him, "Just what are
your peace ains?"
Evening star., 1941-02-17
Letters to the Editor

Letters to the Editor must
bear the name and address of
the 1Oriter, although the use OF
pSeudonynl for publication is
permissible. The Star reserves
the right to edit all letters NTH
UielU to condensation.