davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1941-07-21
Traffic Courts

The National Committee Confer
ence of Judicial Councils has rem
dered constructive service to the
cause of law enforcement by making
a Nationwide survey of traffic court
conditions and proposing more than
fifty reforms designed to eliminate
"archaic practices and general in
efficiency" The report, which has
received the approval of the Amer
lean Bar Association, is bluntly
critical of the type of justice ad
ministered in too many traffic
courts-tribunalS described as "hope-
lessly inadequate to function effec-
lively as corrective agency in the
traffic accident problem"
During a two-year investigation Of
the problem, representatives. of the
committee conducted examinations
of courts in forty-four States and
sixty cities, where responsible
authorities were interviewed and
actual court proceedings observed
In addition, questionnaires were
sent to State attorneys general, to
traffic court judges and to thou
sands of justices of the peace. These
intensive and comprehensive in
quiries revealed many glaring defects
in the traffic court system as prac-
ticed in many jurisdictions, tending
to bring discredit upon the law and
to discourage respect for the courts.
When it is considered that approx
mately 100000 persons are ar
raigned in traffic courts every year,
the implications of such a trend are
not to be taken lightly.
The committee found that many
so-called trials were of summary
and superficial nature, ofttimes bor-
dering on "shakedown" tactics.
Physical conditions in numerous
courtrooms were criticized as dis
graceful. The inconvenience and
discomfortS to which traffic Offend
ers were subjected if they elected
to appear in court in minor cases
were cited among factors which are
bringing traffic courts into disrepute.
Another factor was the lack of COM
mon courtesy in handling the public
as demonstrated not only by lesser
court attaches but by some of the
judges themselves. Judges were found
to be inattentive and attendants were
generally discourteous in about one
third of all courts inspected. Ticket
fixing, custom destructive of even
handed justice and conducive to
graft-taking and other abuses, was
INDUCED in regularly in about half
the Jurisdictions investigated.
The findings of the committee are
of special interest to Washington,
for, unfortunately, some of the con-
ditions complained of in the report
are to be found in the local Traffic
Court. The recommendations of the
committee should prove valuable in
connection with plans for reorgan-
izing the Traffic Court along more
modern and efficient lines.
Evening star., 1941-07-21
Member of the Associated Press.
Confusion in Defense

The open split between the Office
of Price Administration and Civilian
Supply, headed by Leon Henderson,
and the Office of Production Man
agement on the question of reducing
next years output of automobiles and
allied civilian commodities serves to
emphasize the confusion of purpose
in the defense program which results
from the failure to vest authority
In any one responsible director.
The o. P. M. already has ordered
a 20 per cent initial reduction in
automobile production, and has set
up a Joint industry-labor committee
to recommend further reductions as
soon as men and productive facilities
can be shifted over to defense work.
Mr.. Henderson, believing that the
shortage, prospective and present, of
such vital defense commodities as
steel, nickel, copper and rubber is
so serious as to call for drastic action,
has ordered a tentative reduction of
SO per cent in the production of
automobiles, light trucks, mechanical
refrigeratorS and laundry equipment.
He has taken this step with a full
understanding of its diSlocating
effect on the industries in question,
but is firmly of the opinion that the
shortage of raw materials is SO
critical that no alternative is left.
1t is not for the layman to under
take to say which of these points of
view is correct, or where the line
should be drawn between them. But,
at the same time, it is obvious that
the determination must be made,
and the President could eliminate
much of the confusion which is
weakening the defense effort if he
would designate some one person to
head up the program, and give him
full authority to resolve such con-
dicts as this.
Evening star., 1941-07-21
Murxism and Unionism

The indictment by Federal
grand jury in st. Paul of twenty-nine
officials and members of the Trot-
skyite, revolutionary Social Workers
Party climaxes a long and bitter
struggle between radical and con-
servative factions for control of the
General Drivers Union in Mime
apolis. While the charges of Sedi-
tiouS conspiracy we're brought only
against the party and its mem
bers, the list of those indicted reads
almost like a roster of the officials
of the union. Heading the list was
Carl Skoglund, an alien and con-
fessed former Communist, who was
removed from the presidency of the
union last October by court order,
following protracted litigation. Skog-
lund, during the court proceedings,
admitted that the union maintained
an armed defense guard" which
was referred to in the indictment as
an instrument of violence ito be used
to overthrow and put down by force
the constitutional Government OF
the United States" Indicted also
were the three Dunno brothers
Vincent, Miles and Grant-who
succeeded Skoglund in control of the
union. Vincent is said to have con-
ferred with the late Leon Trotsky in
Mexico in 1898.
The strife in the union over the
Marxist leadership finally led to
secession of the radical wing of the
union from the American Fedora
ton of Labor on June last. The
secessionists promptly were granted
a charter by the Congress Of Indus
trial Organizations. Daniel j. Tobin,
president of the A. F. of L. Inter-
national Brotherhood of Teamsters,
| charged that the Dunno brothers led
the group into the C. I. o. because
they faced custer proceedings for
radicaliSm. The Socialist Workers
Party, which the leftist union leaders
organized, adopted declaration OF
principles in 1888 which calls for
overthrow of the Government of the
United States in favor of workers
State" and for mass actions, propa-
ganda and agitation as means for
furthering It's revolutionary aim"
| The Governments criminal charges
Evening star., 1941-07-21
THIS AND THAT
The woodpeckers were in the ascend
BIZ Charles Z. Trdce1UeH.

The woodpeckers were in the ascend
ancy that day.
1t Is a curious thing that in the yard
where feeding takes place in the summer
there will be one species prominent one
day, another another, with a third on
some other day.
That is, there will be enough of some
one species at time to attract at
tention.
This day 1t was the woodpeckers.
There were both .downy woodpeckers
and the red-bellied woodpeckers.
They were drilling away at the trees
In all directions. You could hear the
rhythmical rat-tat-tat from early morn
ing until night.
The red on their heads fairly shone
through the leaves. The female downy
has no red on her. That is the surest
way to tell her.
A young red-bellied woodpecker want
ed to get into the coconut feeder swing
ing from the arch.
that feeder for one bird at a time.
A jay had it, much to the disgust of
the young woodpecker. You could tell
he was young by the lack of red Where
the red should have been there was
just a patch of brown. 1t was easy to
see, though, that in time the red color
would appear. Perhaps it was there
already, and that made the observer
sure of it.
First, the woodpecker flew to the top
of the arch, where he peered over the
edge and down at the blue jay.
1t is odd how clumsy a woodpecker
looks upon a horizontal support.
Somehow, they seem made for up
right limbs and boughs. On such, their
posture seems quite right. But on the
level they do not know exactly what to
do with themselves.
The woodpecker then flew to the other
side of the arch, where he looked down
at the jay again.
All this time the latter was busy ex-
eAoSNHAS ocCu 4iOiil IIlc VI
Of the coconut
There is just room enough on which
to stand, and into which to thrust the
neck.
A bird must hang on with its claws
while 1t bends its body forward.
All the time the shell is sWaying in
the wind. Squirrels are fond of this
feeding device. They take to it more in
winter, however. At least 10 of them
visited it last winter, and were to be
seen swinging at all hours Each rodent
had different method of getting to the
shell. No two methods were alike, and
no two squirrels used the same method
AS far as could be seen, there was no
passing on of knowledge to another.
The woodpecker seemed very much
chagrined that he could not frighten
the jay out Of the coconut.
He would hop back and forth on the
arch. and would peer down with a comi-
cal expression on his face.
An observer would not think, off hand
Evening star., 1941-07-21
Recalls Navy's Share
In First World War.
To the Editor Of The Star:

10 the Eoltor OF Inc Star:
large share of the praise due the
armed forces of the United States goes
to the Navy. Without the organization
that has been built up by years of train
ing, the hands of the Nation would be
tied by sheer inability to place soldiers
and marines where they could fight.
When the decree of the American Con-
gress was issued in April, 1917, messages
were speeded by wire and wireless to
every ship and station within naval
jurisdiction.
Shortly after our declaration of war
residents of Queenstown, Ireland, were
startled to behold a fleet of American
destroyers making their way into the
harbor. A cheering crowd lined the
water front and shouts from excited
thousands could be heard when Admiral
William S. Sims went ashore to greet
the British senior officers.
The destroyers were equipped with
depth-bomb rigging before they put out
to sea. One result of the operations
entered upon by the American destroyers
bore immediate fruit in the safe arrival
In France of an American squadron
bearing troops that later were to startle
the world by their daring deeds on the
field of battle. The entire convoy was
brought safely through the war zone by
destroyers from Admiral Sims command,
which had ventured far to sea in heavy
weather to keep the rendezvous.
ANITA FRENCH SANDERSON.
Evening star., 1941-07-21
Tells Of "Obligation" to Resist
"Softening Up" Americans.
To the Editor Of The Star:

Will widespread dread Of death defeat
America for Hitler? 1t will unless we
turn a deaf ear to the siren song of
Americas save-our skins at-any- price
advocates.
The Nazis, like their allies the Japa-
nese, have no fear of death, but they
know the value of softening up their
intended victims by showing them NOV
ing pictures of the murderous German
military machine in action But more
dangerous than the subsidized propa-
ganda and the paid agents of Hitler are
those Americans, however well meaning,
who preach the doctrine of the fear of
dying. The appeals they make to the
superstition and weakness of their fellow
citizens are abject attempts to confuse
the real issues of the international crisis
and are as unworthy as the telling of
terrifying ghost stories to little chill
dren
We owe our existence as great Ma
ton to patriots and heroes like Patrick
Henry, who inspired his countrymen
with his demand for liberty or death,
and George Washington, who led his
countrymen in battle to gain that
liberty. 1t is the obligation of our
journalists and statesmen today to steel
the Nations will by setting an equal ex-
ample of courage, vigor and resolute
sense Of duty. CYRUS s. EATON.
Cleveland.
Evening star., 1941-07-21

that bird faces could register different
emotions.
Their faces are different from those
of animals. Every one knows how a
dog can register differing emotions, in
Guiding such complex ones as jealousy
and shame.
BIrds have no such range. 1t Is i'm
to us as dog might. But there can
be little doubt that they are able to
instill into other birds something of their
feelings.
The woodpecker would fly to nearby
tree and from there look over at the
jay, then go back to the arch.
This show kept up for many minutes,
with the jay refusing to get out, and
the woodpecker to go away. There was
something so human in the scene that
1t was impossible to believe that the
birds did not understand the situation
in exactly the same way as the watcher.
EE
There are practically no fights what
ever at bird feeding stations.
Whether in winter, when the need Is
greater, or in summer, when the birds
simply eat because they find the food
"easy pickings," the songsters put on a
very good show of amicability.
In other words, food, which is one
of the prime causes of human warfare,
does not increase the belligerancy of
the feathered folk.
They are glad to find food, but not
unwilling to share it with each other.
And this holds, whether it is Sparrows
permitting other sparrows to eat with
them, or titmice to eat with the
nuthatches.
This is not to say that birds of one
species will not fly directly at other
birds, and frighten them away. They
will, and do, but when the other birds
come back, it is seldom that they are
pursued
The rule, regardless of species. is that
the larger bird intimidates, at least for
time, the smaller ones. There are, Of
course, many exceptions.
Doves will not tolerate blue iays
Starlings will drive other birds away
at small feeders in the air, but will put
up with other birds if the feeders are
on the ground.
One of the best reasons for. ground
feeding, whether just plain earth or a
feeder placed on the ground, is that
many more birds have an opportunity to
get at the food.
This many more" include more
species, all eating amicaby together.
English sparrows often dart right
under the chins of pigeons, for instance,
to snatch choice grain or seed. But,
then, one might expect that of English
sparrows, which are not afraid of any,
thing except a hawk.
The sparring which goes on at feed
ing stations must not be confused with
fights. 1t is part of jostling for food,
but it is not fighting, in any real sense.
1t is because bird feeding is so free
from untoward incidents, in the main.
that it is good sport for shut-ins and
lnvalids in general. Usually nothing will
happen which will ruffle their already
upset feelings.
Evening star., 1941-07-21

Washington to replace them, adding
further to the transportation problem
From all points of view it seems that
the logical and feasible solution is to
utilize the employees already in Wash
ington for the work that must be done
here and that cannot be done anywhere
else; and to assign work to persons
available elsewhere that can be done
In the localities where they live. 1t may
readily develop, on careful study, that
much Of the necessary defense work to
be required in the future need not be
done in Washington at all, and indeed
1t may develop that it can be done
much better in other localities, where
the potential employees are already at
hand AMP
Evening star., 1941-07-21

against the alleged conspirators are
the first to be lodged under the Smith
Act of June, 1910, which strengthened
the sedition statutes. This initial
test case will be watched with special
interest for that reason and also be-
cause it holds promise of a needed
housekeeping in Twin City labor
union circles.
Evening star., 1941-07-21
Praises Mr.. Lindbergh
For Sincerity.

To the Editor Of The Star:
BY the fortnight statements of fact
contained in his latest letter to the
President, Charles A. Lindbergh once
again has shown that he is absolutely
sincere in his public demonstration of
devotion and loyalty to the country Of
his birth.
The Scriptures tell of another man far
greater than Mr.. Lindbergh or any
other man of history whose honesty and
sincerity were Knocked, whose name was
slandered, whose face was spat upon
when he cried out in despair, God
forgive them for they know not what
they do" FREDERIC FROST.
Evening star., 1941-07-21
Leningrud

The capture OF cities is not a
primary objective in modern war,
but there are several reasons why
the Nazi dictator of Germany might
wish to occupy the capital of the
departed czars. A poet long since
declared, Human hands built
Rome, divine hands created Venice;
but he who sees ST. Petersburg may
say: This town is the work of the
devil" Even under its present
name, the place allegedly still bears
the mark of Satanic architect.
Peter the Great selected the site
without any consideration OF suita-
bility save that of proximity to the
Baltic. A number of marshy islands,
at the mouth of the Neva River, were
chosen for the foundations of what
It's sponsor arbitrarily decided to
make "the northernmost metropolis
of the world" The new community,
It was announced, would be "a win
dow through which the Russian
people might look into civilized
Europe" First of the imperial struc-
lures to be built was fortress whose
cannon were aimed at the SWedeS.
In the shadow of that bastion, begun
on May 16, 1903, the mobiles from
"somnolent" Moscow were COM
manded to erect residences for them
selves. Count Golovkin put together
the pioneer brick house in ITO. The
Emperor constructed small brick
cottage which he called his palace
the following year. BY his orders
the seat of government was re-
moved to the paradise" dedicated
to his patron saint in ITO.
But st. Petersburg never became
a place that anybody loved. Two
thousand criminals deferred" from
Siberia were the first inhabitants,
brought in as laborers and permitted
to continue at their toll until they
dropped from exhaustion. Wheel
barrows were unknown, and the
workmen scraped up the earth with
their hands, and carried it
in their shirts or in bags made of
mating" Materials had to be i'm
ported from Finland or the south.
"Every large vessel on the Neva was
forced to bring thirty stones, every
small one ten, and every peasants
cart three, towards the building" OF
the new capital. so many laborers
lost their lives in the difficult task
80 that it was reported that the
city was raised on bones"
st. Petersburg, however, persisted
In spite of the difficulties of its loca-
ton, it's construction, its govern
ment. The gradual improvement OF
the harbor stimulated trade. Fac
tories were put up along the river
banks, and a miserable proletariat
found Improbable employment in
them. The first strike mentioned in
the chronicles occurred among tex
tile hands in 1749. Labor troubles,
political disturbances, mutinieS
among the army and navy con-
tingents stationed nearby, masSacres
of mobs and by mobs, isolated acts
of tyranny and resultant violence:
these constitute the calendar OF tht
town during the better part OF two
centuries. "GoYernors and governed
Evening star., 1941-07-21
Huskin's Answers
To Questions
By Frederic J. HdSkin.

- reader can get the dnstDer to any
question OF fact by tCrittng The EDe-
ming Star Information Bureau, Fred
eric J. Haskin, director, Washington,
D. C. Please incloSe stamp for reply.
@. What cities own and operate radio
stations?-M. T. E.
A. Five cities in the country own ani
operate radio stations, exclusive Of police
and fire radio facilities. They are as fol-
lows: WNYC, New York City; WRR,
Dallas; WAX, Jacksonville; WCAM,
Camden, and WSUN In st. Petersburg.
@. Where was the first cement road
laid in the United States?-G. c. M.
A. The first concrete road was built
at Bellefontaine, Ohio, in 1893-94.
@. How much did Tom Thumb weigh
at birth? Was he an only chtld?-T.
S. c.
A. Tom Thumb weighed 91a pounds at
birth and had two sisters of normal
size.
@. Please give the date of the
Chincoteague pony pennlng,-J. z. S.
A. The pony penning at Chincoteague
Island, Va, will be held on Thursday,
July 81.
@. What privileges do Indians have
relative to crossing the international
boundary?-J. M.
A. The courts and Congress have
recognized the right of Indians to cross
and recross the Canadian border under
the provisions of Article III of the Jay
treaty of 1894 between the United States
and Great Britain. 1t should be under
stood, however, that Indians crossing
the Canadian border are not immune
from the requirements of law regard
ing the duty on imports or exports.
@. Who holds the speed record on
land?-R. w.
A. According to the American Auto
mobile Association, John R. Cobb holds
the world speed record on land, which
is that of 3697 miles per hour on
August %. 1889, at Bonneville, Utah.
Evening star., 1941-07-21
Letters to the Editor

Letters to the Editor must
bear the name and address OF
the 1Uriter, although the use OF
a pseudonynl for publication is
permissible. The Star reserves
the right to edit all letters Nth
q Uie1U to condensation.
Evening star., 1941-07-21
ties Definition Of Democracy

To the Editor Of The Star:
Reading an article by Lynn w
Landrum in the Dallas Morning News,
July IS, concerning the recent election
of Gov. O'Daniel as successor to the late
Morris Sheppard, I noted a striking
definition of democracy. The writer ex-
plains:
"Democracy-Democr with a little
d is that form of popular government
in which the people retain a large
measure of power to make their own
mistakes, instead of having mistakes
made for them by somebody else"
This definition seems particularly
Illuminating at this time and in the
District Of Columbia, where there is a
complete absence Of democracy. Us.
Quotes Discussion Of Decentralization"
BY Spokesman Of Government Employees.
To the Editor Of The Star:
I should like to bring to the atten-
tion of all readers of The Star an edi-
torial statement by James D. Burns,
president of the American Federation of
Government Employees, printed in the
Government Standard for July II.
1t reads as follows:
Decentralization is rapidly becoming
the principal topic of conversation
among Government employees in Wash
ington. Newspaper columnists charge
that group of influential lobbyists
seeks to have many Government agen-
cies moved outside Washington.
What the actual intention may be
with respect to decentralization is not
clear, but certain facts stand out.
First, the morale of employees in
Washington is being greatly damaged
of positive information. Men who have
lived here for years, established homes
here, and have all their contacts here,
And the thought of short-notice trans
fer to some other city far from welcome.
Security and stability are among the
chief desires of the human race. It
may be that no drastic steps are con.
templated, but the rumors are not re-
assuring.
Second, Washington has about as
many Government employees now as it
can comfortably accommodate, either
with respect to Office space or living
space. The saturation point has not
been reached, but it is in sight.
Third, whatever is done about it
should be done not on impulse but with
the most minute attention to the factors
involved, human and otherwise Long
established Government agencies have
their place in the Nations Capital and
rightfully belong here. If they are
moved away now it will be only mat
ter Of time when they will be moved
back again.
Fourth, the Government, under
many current appropriations, is liable
for the cost of transporting household
goods and furnishings of Government
employees who are moved to new places
of duty at the Governments instance.
The transportation expense of moving
large numbers of employees and their
families about would be tremendous, and
moreover it would tie up transportation
facilities urgently needed to handle de-
fense production. Moreover, while en-
ployes comfortably settled here were
being moved elsewhere, thousands Of
new employees would be pouring into
Evening star., 1941-07-21
Flags of the United States-All

Flags of the United States-Au
Americans love the Stars and
Stripes, but many are woefully
ignorant of its history, the rules
to be observed in showing it
formal respect and honor, of how
properly to display it on various
occasions. This book will set you
right on all matters pertaining to
the American Flag. Also in
cludes information on State flags.
Elaborately done in colors. To Sc
cure your copy of this publication
inclose 20 cents in coin wrapped
in this clipping and mail to The
Star Information Bureau.
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Address