davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1941-01-04
THIS AND THAT
By Charles E. TrdcetUeu.

Did you get a fish for Christmas?
Not one to eat, but one or more to care
for in the home aquarium?
Then it is about time to think of tank
management. or how to make fishes
happy although in limited quarters
1t is because hundreds of wellmeanlng
persons never give this thought that
thousands of goldfish and tropical speci-
mems die within few days, or weeks at
the most.
Even with the best of care there will
be a few casualties.
Life can never be perfect.
X
Within the confines of glass walls,
with few gallons of water, at the most,
We must attempt to duplicate natural
conditions.
That it can be done at all is a miracle
Yet any one who has seen a nicely
operating aquarium knows that, once
established, such tank almost takes
care of itself
The conditions which meet this de-
mand are as follows:
l. Good water to begin with.
2. Enough water per fish.
g. Enough plants.
f. Cleanliness.
5. Proper feeding
6. And, in the case of tropical speci-
mems, enough warmth Of water TO keep
the animals comfortable.
There are the rudimentS of proper
aquarium management in a nut shell, or
rather in a quart bowl if necessary.
Such a small container ought never to
be necessary. The smallest should be at
least gallons.
There are times, however, when a very
small bowl will do We refer to caring
for a pair of guppies, the happiest of
little tropical fishes.
A great deal of fun has been poked at
the guppies. Their name is the only one
familiar to many persons in the exotic
fish line.
They often are given to children.
A pair OF guppies in a quart of water
get along very nicely, provided the water
is kept at least at 65 degrees, preferably
at 70 degrees, and the other requirements
mentioned are met with reasonable sue
cess.
1t should be stated at once, though.
that ordinarily, no tank less than gall
Ions will do.
This is the common failure with the
humble goldfish which is sold annually
by the millions in this country. One fish
farm in Indiana sells 100000 of them
annually.
Think of that! You will find hun
dredS of them in local stores where such
merchandise is sold If you are for
tunate, and interested, you may spot the
tank truck in which they are transported
to this city. We have seen it often on
G street
Every goldfish, for good health, ought
to have at least gallons Of water.
This means that a 5-gallon aquarium
should have no more than three or at
most four ordinary sized goldfish
When we stop to think that this num-
Der. and sometimes many more, are
crowded into bowl which will not hold
Evening star., 1941-01-04
Quotes Washington
On National Unity.
To the Editor of The Sta

To the Editor Of The Star:
Factionalism creates division, and di-
vision prevents coordination in the con-
duct of human affairs. The word fac
tionalism implies something more than
a mere difference of opinion.
Undoubtedly, there are some who
claim that universal agreement on ma
tional problems is too much to expect
of human nature That is sheer nom
sense. Consider the medical profession.
Any new innovation III that science
which, by trial and practice, expands
the scope of preSent-day treatment, or
improves any method now employed, is
quite generally adopted by the majority
of practitioners. That is because they
are knit together by a common bond
unity of purpose.
What are the minority groups to which
I refer? Here are a few: % Those who
erect interstate trade barriers, either for
revenue or industrial protection. Can't
they see that tax barriers restrain free
trade and raise the cost of living?
90 Those petty little economic groups
who have only one end in view; to dis
courage competition by trade legisla-
ton, and induce council bodies to raise
license fees on small manufacturers, etc,
under the guiSe of needed revenue.
1t may be that present world con-
ditions will drive us together in a spirit
of true nationalism. We need not re-
linquish minority rights to agree with
George Washington, who said: IF we
mean to support the liberty and inde-
pendence which have cost us so much
blood and treasure to establish, we must
drive far away the demon of party spirit
and local reproach.'
ANIMON L. CHRISTENSEN.
IlpnNpr
Evening star., 1941-01-04
New Ship Program

The decision of the administration,
announced by the President yester-
day, to build 200 new merchant ships,
will be welcomed for two reasons
First, because the destruction of ton
mage by European belligerents rem
ders it probable, if not certain, that
the world will face shipping short
age after the war. Second, because
the new fleet, the first vessels OF
which will be completed within a
year, should make it possible for the
United States to transfer to Britain
Immediately additional cargo car
riers which she urgently needs to
replace her losses, and keep open the
life lines of empire.
Despite the war, and the with
drawal of many foreign vessels from
our shores, there has been no serious
shortage of cargo space on routes
over which American vessels may op-
crate, Albert E. Sanderson, transpor-
tation expert of the Bureau of
Foreign and Domestic Commerce
points out in the current issue of
Foreign Commerce Weekly. Our
shipping position today is far better
than it was during the first World
War. The tonnage under the United
States flag engaged in foreign trade
in September, 1889, was double that
similarly employed in August, 1914
In addition to the vessels in active
service, the tied-up fleet, in Septem-
Der, 1889, amounted to nearly 1,750,
900 tons, consisting mainly of old,
but still serviceable vessels built be-
tween 1914 and 1918. Many of these
are still laid up.
A comparison of construction fig
Evening star., 1941-01-04

ures is of equal significance. In 1914,
United States yards had under con-
struction less than 100000 tons of
merchant shipping. On December
l, 1910, more than 100000 tons were
on the ways. The new program an
nounced by the President will be an
addition to that of the Maritime
Commission, which is building many
new ships.
Since the United States has large
fleet of modern vessels under con-
struction, and since the tonnage
available today is sufficient to meet
our present needs, there should be
no delay in making available to
Britain as many of our older sur
plus" ships as she cares to acquire.
Evening star., 1941-01-04
Insists English People
Acknowledge Unpaid Debt.
Bakersfield, Calf.

To the Editor of The STAR
AS an Englishman, may I plead, in
answer to a letter in The Star signed
"One Hundred Per Cent American" that
it was not lack of honesty among the
English people which prevented payment
of debt of five billion, but difficulties
which we failed to surmount We ac-
knowledge the debt. More than that,
we acknowledged from the bottom of
our hearts an even greater debt to Amer
ica-the personal service and the lives
which were sacrificed in 1917 and 1918
in defense of the liberty which we both
hold dear
1 tried to point out when Stanley
Baldwin came over to arrange terms for
the payment of the British debt that a
trade agreement ought to be part of any
settlement For instance, the United
States might have agreed to take large
quantities of rubber every year at an
agreed figure. Instead of this, we were
left trying to make money by selling
rubber in ruinous competition with a
nation which had been neutral. The
price obtained was sometimes actually
below cost of production.
HERBERT P. CARTER.
Arlington, Va.
Evening star., 1941-01-04

decline, as for example when Crom-
wells troops occupied the town and
stabbed their horses in the beautiful
old church where IZaak Walton's
tomb now is a shrine. The castle
hall, Stilf standing, was the scene
Of the trial of Sir Walter Raleigh in
1903. Hundreds died of the plague
that year, additional hundreds in the
epidemic of 1866. Further losses were
occasioned by whole families depart
ing for America. Some of these set
tiers, inevitably, brought their tradi-
tlons with them to the apple country
of Frederick County. Their heirs did
not forget. So it happens that the
children of England's Winchester are
guests of the Mayor of Virginia's
Winchester at the beginning of l94l.
The bond which these youngsters
personify is something worth think
ing about.
Evening star., 1941-01-04

dren-surely the best stuff Of Europe if
We are ever to hope for a democratic
world overseas-have as much claim to
"a little canned milk" as French chill
dren, and it could hardly be Of military
advantage to the Germans I believe
Mr.. Hoover's proposition is that if any
OF his food shipments are of advantage
to the Germans, they stop Even if they
were, I'd say go to it, myself, if We were
honestly fighting for democracy and
humanity.
Finally, you admit that the feeding of
Finland, which you rightly say is in
different category, practically, is begging
down even though the British permit
food and clothing to pass through the
blockade, because of navicert red tame
and unexplained delays" Of course the
British are too concerned to undertake
the feeding of any non-fghting coun-
tries They have their hands full al
ready. They must delegate that crucial
and solemn task, or be everlastinplv
branded with cruelty. There is no need
for that; and, if We encourage them IN
think straight, they will see it. They
have already proved Mr. Hoover's capac-
lty and his honesty in the last war:
they know they can trust him. This is
their first desperate reaction. As Amer
leans, lucky, free blessed with plenty,
1t is our job to help them see what must
be done for these people and to get them
to let us do it. AS an American journal.
as leader of practical good will toward
the world, it is your privilege to lead us
to our world duty, to demand our right
to be human.
HILDRETH E. MUNSON.
Bakersfield, Calf.
Evening star., 1941-01-04
Bridge Problem

The neatest bridge trick of last
year, or of any year, was pulled off
near Walpole, Mass, by some one who
solved a seemingly insoluble prob
lem by grand coup. The problem
was how to take, not just few tricks,
but an entire bridge, weighing fifty
tons. This he did, One day it was
there, and the next day it was gone.
Bridge experts, called in hastily to
comment on the play, were at first
puzzled. There had been no kibitzers
to tell how the unknown declarer
had fulfilled his ambitious contract,
and they were forced to reconstruct
by inference not only his plan of
campaign but his very identity. BY
noting one. of his discards, a blow
torch, they succeeded. They traced
it to a modest young man, hitherto
unknown in the bridge world, and
found most of the span on his prop
erty four miles away from it's original
location. They decided that he cut
it up into tricks with the blow torch,
and with considerable finesse brought
them in one at a time while the
defense was asleep
The results will not be made official
until the scorekeepers hold session
in court. So anxious are they to
assure the presence of the declarer
that they have asked him to post a
modest bond of five hundred dollars
ten dollars ton-that he may be on
hand to assist them with their in
vestigation and receive court award
for his amazing bridge feat,
Evening star., 1941-01-04

even a gallon of water, It is no Wonoer
that thousands of these poor animals
gasp out miserable lives in a few weeks
after being taken into homes.
X X
The water for all fishes should be pure
water, but rot distilled water.
Washington water, and that of nearby
Maryland and Virginia, is good for fishes.
In the winter it is best to warm 1t up
gases which might be present, such as
chlorine, used in disinfecting it.
If the fundamental rules of good water,
to begin with, and just few fishes, are
adhered to. the real basis of successful
care of goldfshes and tropicals are met.
We must follow with enough plants
to help use up the carbon dioXide gas
created by the life processes OF the
fishes.
Several other gases are generated. All
of them lie heavily in the water. They
must be swept out in some way. Expert
enced aquarists know that forcing air
under pressure through a stone, which
breaks up the air into fine bubbles, is the
best way to sweep the water Of inlmlcal
| gases.
Short of that, good plant growth is the
next best bet. The aquarium without
any plants at all, as is so often seen, IS
an abomination both in the living room
and in nature.
Cleanliness of the tank means the re-
movaI of waste materials. This IS best
done with a Clip tube, as it is called, or
with a siphon.
This should be done about once week.
Some amount Of debris is natural. Ma
ture always has debris. But it must be
! remembered that an aquarium is very
little slice Of nature, after all, and that
some attention to this detail, on the part
of the owner, helps overcome the lmlta-
tions of space.
Feeding the fishes is a mooted topic,
but it may be said that all types may be
fed good manufactured food to the
amount per day that they will eat in 10
minutes. After the tank is established,
and going well. this amount may be fed
| two or even three times day, but this
comes with ones personal judgment: the
fishes should never be permitted to take
| charge here.
In the cases Of tropical specimens we
must keep the water at an even tempera-
ture, preferably about "a degrees, with
the exception Of guppies. which can stand
it slightly lower.
Whatever temperature is decided upon
the main thing is that it should be main
tanned both day and night. If you cam
not give the fishes this protection, then
you should 20 in for bridge or dogs or
movies, not tropical fishes.
Keeping the home aquarium is a
pleasant and interesting hobby, provided
you keep it successfully. If you do not
it is just worry and a bore. to say
nothing Of the fact that it simply spells
death to the fishes. When we think of
the millions Of fishes which are eaten
every year, and then Of the additional
millions which are killed through poor
tank management. it is easy enough to
understand how the popular expression
! of poor fish" arose.
Evening star., 1941-01-04
An Old Man Remembers

I remember, he said, it was early De-
cember;
The ice had scarce frozen the edge Of
the lake,
But snow on the bittersweet lay, I
remember,
Like sugar on berries atop of a cake;
The candlewood-pale waxen myrtle; the
sandalwood
Sweet of the cedar that hung in the
air;
$50 chary she was of it, lest some rude
vandal should
Pillage the feathery fan of it there;
The lurching white ducks as they Wad-
died while searching
For deep-hidden grain on the snow
covered ground;
The unceasing COO of the blue pigeons
perching
The barn roof where wind vanes went
circling around.
I remember, he said, it was early De-
cember
Her smile as she loosened the soft
coverlid
To show by the light of one bright glow
ing ember
The face of our son which the elder
down hid.
They were sleeping at last when I,
quietly creeping
Away from the room went to walk in
the snow,
And my heart leaped as high as the
rabbits were leaping
That day, remember . so long long
ago.
MARION H. ADDINGTON.
Evening star., 1941-01-04
The Overton PIun

1t is gratifying to learn from
Senator OvertOn Of Louisiana that
he will revive the plan he devised
two years ago for permanent and
equitable settlement of the problem
of fiscal relations between the Fed
eral and District governments.
Ever since Congress abandoned
the equitable principle of fixed
ratio for apportioning the expenses
of the National Capital between the
United States and the local commu-
nifty sixteen years ago, and turned to
the practice of making arbitrary
lumpsum payments from year to
year, the issue has caused repeated
controversy between the House and
Senate.
In 1888, after the lump sum had
been gradually whitfield down from
$9,500000 in 1881 to a low point of
S5,000 900, Senator Overton brought
forward a simple, fair and mathe-
matically precise formula. Getting
away from all conflicting opinions
over assessed value of Federal prop
erty, he proposed to measure the
Federal obligation by the percentage
of the total land area of the District
required for national purposes
The Senate promptly and over
whelmingly approved the plan, but
the House held out against it. Once
again compromise became necessary
to keep the wheels Of the city gov
ernment from stopping.
In the compromise the House
agreed to raise the Federal payment
from S5,0O0,OOO to $4,000 900, whereas
the application of the Overton
formula at that time would have
made the Governments share about
$8,O0O,0OO
The worst feature of the compro-
mise, however, was that it kept alive
the unscientific, arbitrary lump-sum
practice. It was understood at that
time that the issue would not be
reopened in 1899, and that under
standing was adhered to.
But it would be grossly unfair to
the residents of Washington to per-
nit the S6OOO,OOO figure, adopted to
break deadlock in 1888, to be used
Indefinitely in the face of expanding
Federal activities, which will continue
to reduce the taxable area of private
property while at the same time in
creaSing the burden of providing
water supply, fire protection and
other municipal services for enlarged
Government functions.
Senator Overton is fully justified,
therefore, in asking this new Con-
gresS to reopen the question and try
once more to settle the issue on a
basis that is fair and that could be
adjusted without difficulty as condi-
tions change. District residents will
be grateful to him for this latest eX-
preston of his intelligent considera-
ton of their fiscal problems.
1t IS gratifying also to note that
as he terminated his long senatorial
career yesterday, former Chairman
King of the District Committee ex-
pressed the belief that the present
S6,00O,000 Federal payment is made
quate. Former Senator King has
been in close touch with District leg
islation for more than a quarter of
a century, and, as a private citizen
in Washington, has signified his in
tention of keeping alive his interest
in the welfare of the National Capital
Evening star., 1941-01-04
Hoskin's Answers
To Questions
BU Frederic J. Hdsktn.

a reader can act the dnStDer TO any
ouestion OF tact by Drittng The Ere-
nina Star Information Bureau. Fred
eric !. HnSkin. diTectOr. Washington,
d. c. Please incIOSe stamp tor reply.
@ What is the largest Federal prison
in the United States?-J. F. N.
A. It is the one at Atlanta, Ga, which
has approximately 5000 inmates.
O Where was "Uncle Toms Cabin"
first published?-R. J. D.
A "JJncle Toms Cabin" or Life
Among the Lowly," appeared serially in
the National Era, an anti-slavery paper
of washington, D. c., in 1851.
@. When were the salaries OF Repre-
sentatives and Senators increased to
s1OOOO?-W. w.
A On March 4, 1925, the salaries Of
members of Congress were increased to
$4,000 a year. During the early years
of the depression there was a reduction
of $1,000 but this has been restored.
O What is the circulation of all the
daily newspapers in the United States?
M Z. B.
A. The aggregate circulation Of all
daily papers is 80 434,302.
@ How long has it been the custom
for the Governor of Kentucky TO appoint
colonels on his staff?-A. M. r.
A. Gov. Isaac Shelby started the order
during his second term as Governor, 1Ol-
lowing the War Of 1872 when he COM
missioned as honorary coloneIs all the
men who had fought in his regiment.
@. Where was Gen. Hugh S. johnson
educated?-C. r. K.
A. Gen. johnson was graduated from
the Oklahoma Northwestern Teachers
College in 1901, and from the United
States Military Academy in 1903. He re-
ceived an A. B. degree at the University
Of California in 1915 and a degree Of
Doctor of Jurisprudence in 1916.
O. What is a stratoliner?-L. c.
A. The term stratoIiner is used to re-
fer to a certain type of large BoeIrg
transport plane. Such planes are op-
Grated by the Pan American Airways and
the Transcontinental and Western All,
Inc.
@. How long have the Harvey restau-
rants been established?-T. S. M.
A. The first one was opened by Fred
Harvey in 1876 at Topeka, Kans.
@. Who laid the cornerstone Of Bunker
Hill Monuments. A.
A. The cornerstone was laid by Lafay-
cite in 1925, the 5Oth anniversary Of the
battle. The monument was dedicated
in 1913. Daniel Webster delivering the
Grafton.
@. Please give a brief history Of the
income taxi. K.
A. The first State income tax in the
United States was levied in 1643 in Mas
sachusetts. The Federal income tax law
first existed from 1862 to 1872 to help
finance the Civil War. Subsequently 1t
was abandoned until 1894 when the Con-
gress imposed a Federal income tax,
which was declared unconstitutional by
the Supreme Court in 1895. This de-
cision led to the adoption of the 10Th
Amendment, empowering Congress to
lay and TO collect taxes on income.
O. What is the most common min
eral?-A. G. r.
A. Quartz is the most common and
widely distributed Of all minerals and IS
found in almost every kind of rock.
Evening star., 1941-01-04
Letters to the Editor

Letters to the Editor must
bear the name and address of
the 1Uriter, although the use of
a pSeudonyna for publication is
permissible. The Star reserves
the right to edit oil letters 1rith
q UielC TO condensation.
Evening star., 1941-01-04
No More Boby Talk?

From the New York Times:
In matters that concern the defense
program, it is time that the public were
treated like grown-ups.
Evening star., 1941-01-04
Uncle Sons Almanac, lo4l
A Storehouse of information

Uncle Sam is the greatest practical
scientist of our age. Almost daily Gov
ernment experts dig out new facts of
science, new inventions of service and
convenience. Drawing upon every source
of governmental research and scholar
ship, our Washington Information Bu-
reau has compiled UNCLE SANS AL
MANIAC for 1941, a booklet which will
find welcome in every home. Its IS
pages present a wealth Of practical
knowledge. a complete calendar for
every month, complete figures on the
1910 election; in fact, information on
over 100 subjects. Every member Of the
household will find some use for this
booklet every day in the year. To secure
your copy inclose 10 cents in coin,
wrapped in this clipping and mail to The
Star Information Bureau.
Name
Street
City
State
Evening star., 1941-01-04
Member of the Associated Press.

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 are reserved
Evening star., 1941-01-04

@. Where was Uncle Toms Cabin"
first published?-R. J. D.
A. "UncIe Toms Cabin" or Life
Among the Lowly," appeared serially in
the National Era, an anti-slavery paper
of Washington, D. c., in 1851.
Evening star., 1941-01-04

O. What is the largest Federal prison
in the United States?-J. F. N.
A, 1t is the one at Atlanta, Ga, which
has approximately 5000 inmates.
Evening star., 1941-01-04

@. When were the salaries OF Repre-
sentatives and Senators increased TO
sIOOOO?-W. w.
A On March 4, 1925, the salaries Of
members of Congress were increased to
$4,000 year During the early years
of the depression there was a reduction
Of $1,000. but this has been restored.
Evening star., 1941-01-04

A reader can get the anSt0er to any
question OF tact by l0rittng The Ere-
nina Star Information Bureau. Fred
eric J. HnSkin. director Washington,
u G. Please incIoSe stamp for reply.
Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1941-04-07
INDIGESTION

Gas trapped IN he stomach az Fuilsi nay AZ Ike
hair on The hsaEt A. The nrst Irn a distress
smart men ard vuneh depend on Bel-aas Tahlt;s 70
aruns uedrinef known ~ acid indlFesfirnl II the
YiRsT DOSE Decent Prove Bsf-sas hett-r return
bottis 70 u and receive DOUBLE Money Back sse
Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1941-04-07
Ice Barrier
Record Jams Hold Up
Navigation Season

PORT HURON. April Eft
forts TO open the 1871 navigation
season INTO Lake Huron today
were being hampered by the worst
ice conditions in % years. It was
reported here.
Coast Guardsmen Clement (.
Richardson. Of the 81. Clair Flats
station. reported ice damned l. "a
20 feet high VA, blocking The north
channel Of the s.. Clan Riyer.near
Aigonac.
TIE earliest opening OF naHga-
ton in The upper lakes wa, re-
ported when ore frc|chfors moved
out Of Eseanaba saturday with
raw materials Tot defense orders
Two freIghters cleared from Buf-
falo yesterday TO open that port,