davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1941-12-10
ARLINGTON, Va.

Dear Sir:
"Anent yesterdays column:
There are two white squirrels in
Lafayette Park, and do they get the big
bulk Of attention and peanuts.
Furthermore, there's another white
squirrel that lives in the big tree in front
of my sisters house on Lawrence street
in Brookland, D. c.
Thus keeping the record up to date.
Sincerely, j. P. Y"
The location OF white and black forms
OF the ordinary gray squirrel are always
worthwhile. They serve 20 accent the
usual gray form.
The gray squirrel is, after all, the
normal, hereabouts, and the one to which
thousands of local residents are indebted
for many happy moments.
Owing to Washington's many small
parks and circles, most Of them filled
with great trees, the squirrel Is the one
true breath of animal nature which the
average city dweller is sure Of nowadays.
The horses are more or less gone from
the city. The cats stay indoors, realizing
with feline good sense that the roaring
highways are no place for them.
One seldom sees billy goat, or pony
any more.
Nor bears.
It may come as a revelation to new
comers to the National Capital that as
late as 1910 there were several chained
bears in the city, and these might be
met with almost any time and any place.
Then there were plenty of monkeys on
strings, held in leash by swarthy citizens
with small hand organs.
These organ grinders were not the men
with the street pianos. And, mentioning
the latter, how long has 1t been since
you heard one?
Few Of the older residents Of Wash
ington-and one does not have to be so
old, either-will soon forget the small
monkeys, dressed in little suits, with that
round cap over one eye.
The animals were on long leads, or
leashes, which enabled them to climb to
second story windows In all the sections
with row houses.
The animals extended a tin cup for
coins.
This was done with q great deal Of
the chattering which the creature used
in lieu Of talking. Perhaps 1t was his
way Of talking. At any rate he usually
managed to extract . coin or two from
some one leaning over the window sill.
The bears were not 20 numerous, 1t
must be admitted. Even memory cannot
exaggerate the appearance Of the bears.
These were usually Of the "waltzing
bear" sort. Whether 1t was really waltz
ing we do not know Perhaps it wasn't
II these great animals, held with . stout
chain, were able to wrestle, too. We do
not recall; certainly no exhibitions were
ever given In the streets
The foreign looking man who held
them always seemed to be in great
hurry.
Where he was hurryins to We never
knew.
Evening star., 1941-12-10
Letters to the Editor
Appeals for More" News
OF Events In War.

Appc4A Tor M0fe SeW0
OF Events In War.
To the Editor Of The Star:
How can there be any possible legiti-
mate excuse for the almost total sup
preston Of news in connection with the
war with Japan3 Can 1t be that our
Government is fearful that the American
people cannot take bad news. and will
lose heart II they hear it7
If that Is the idea. 1t Is rubbish. We
can take 1t, and We will not lose heart.
The same cannot be said Of patience.
That We can lose, and many are doing
it rapidly. We want to know what has
happened; We are tired Of hearing one
man say that half our feet is destroyed,
and another that our military loss is not
serious. As always happens when news
is suppressed, the widest rumors float
about, many Of them far worse than the
very worst news that could be printed.
II it is bad, let us have it and be done
with 1t. We are q democracy, not a
spoon-fed totalitarian country whose
citizens can be trusted neither with the
truth nor with the right to protest
against Its suppression. BY all means
clamp down on news likely to be of mill
tary value to the enemy, but use some
common sense and let us know as much
as possible about how the war Is going.
The country is united as never before
and will see this thing through until
Japan is destroyed forever as disturber
of world peace. With or without ade-
quate news, 1t will be accomplished-but
1t Is easier with news. B. G.
Evening star., 1941-12-10

@. Who painted ths Madonna Of the
Harpies" and why Is 1t 70 ealIed7-M. P.
A. Paintings OF Many Lands and
Ages" says: The Madonna Of the Hsr-
pies is one o. the finest examples Of
Andrea del sartos Art. Hsrs ths Ma
donna stands On . pedestal decorated
with harpies, from vntch comes the
name of the picture. 4 feeling Of m
an-pervading atmosphers n produced
by the careful rendition a Hight and
luminous shadow. The Madonna and
other figures have large. dsep-set eyes
and . certain dreamy quality that u
peculiarly Del serto'a.-
O. How old are the Andrews s,sters,-
T. c.
A. La Verne h as years old. Maxene.
7s, and Patty, a.
@. What Is the name Of the high ex-
plosive that 10 abbreviated TNT.?-
c. 8, H.
A. 1t Is trinitrotoiuene.
Q. How many farms are there In the
United States?-M. c.
A. According to the census Of 1910,
there were 6,o96, 100 farms In the United
States.
@. At what season Of the year do most
people visit Mount vernonp-E. r. A.
A The six months beginning in April
account for about 80 per cent Of the
visitors.
@. How many copies of "Mollie Dar-
ling" were sold?-E. M. J.
A. This song, by Will S. Hays Of Louis
vile. KY, had sale of 1000 900 copies.
@. Has MaysviIe, Okla, a memorial
to Wiley Post?-D. J. r.
A. The town has a school building
dedicated to the aviator which stands
on the spot where he made his first
parachute jump.
@. How much sausage does the aver
age person eat?-P. C. H.
A. Per capita consumption Ia the
United States in 1910 was Il pounds.
@. When were cub airplanes hrst
used?-D. w.
A. The first cub airplane was test
flown on September 10, 1881.
@. How many trailers has the Gov
ernment bought or built for defense prof.
ects?-C. E. j.
A. Since January l, 1941, 4,70o trailers
have been sold to the Government TOO
OF which have been recently contracted
for. The Government has manufac-
tured SO, 3,401 trailers for living quarters
of defense workers. There are 29,40l
used for civilian purposes.
c. Why are Blue Point oysters so
called?-H. P. E.
A. The oysters are taken from Great.
South Bay. near the village of Blue
Point, Long Island.
Evening star., 1941-12-10
The Court Bill

Adv1ceS from the Senate District
Committee indicate that the McCar-
ran bill to merge municipal and
police courts here will be taken up
this week, and in view OF the i'm
provement in judicial procedure the
legislation will make possible, 1t is
important that consideration be ex-
pedited.
The bill, approved by the Justice
Department and members of bench
and bar, passed the House several
weeks ago. It puts the consolidated
court under direction of a presiding
judge; broadens civil Jurisdiction to
cover cases involving $4,000, as
against the present limit of $1,000,
and creates an intermediate court of
appeals to deal with appeals from the
newly-constituted tribunal. All Of
these provisions have merit. The
presiding judge will be responsible
for keeping the docket current, which
should make for speedier disposition
OF litigation.
The increased jurisdiction in the
lower court will relieve District Court
OF the necessity of handling a huge
volume of small cases, and the ap-
pellate procedure will insure litigants
fuller hearing than they receive
at present, because appeals will be
granted as matter of right, while
now it often is necessary for the
Court of Appeals to deny petitions
for review.
Although members of the courts
here already have given their ap-
proval Of the measure, the Senate
District Committee proposes to hear
any further views before reporting
out the bill. That it will be welcomed
by the bench was emphasized in a
speech a few nights ago before the
Northeast Conference of Citizens As
sociations by Police Judge George D.
Nelson, who pointed out its impor-
tance In ending congestion.
Evening star., 1941-12-10
Stain Improving
Russian Army Morale
Reporter Explains How Troops
Are Encouraged by Rewards
And New ScuIe of Promotions
BIZ A. T. Steele,

BIZ A. T. Steele,
Foreign Correspondent of The Star and Chicago
Daily News.
KUIBYSHEV, Dec. 10-The changes
and reforms in the Russians armed
forces during recent weeks reveal strik-
ingly how Joseph Stain and his generals
theoretically are meeting the special
problems created by the German in
vasion This prompt adaptability to the
needs of the moment regardless OF how
they may clash with the pre-War concept
of organization and tactics has had much
to do with the amazingly sturdy Soviet
stand against the most powerful war
machine the world ever has seen.
One of the reasons for this quick f1ex-
ibility is the Capitalization of control.
There is no doubt that from the begin
ming Stain directly and actively has
supervised general military operations on
the Soviet side. Britons and Americans
who have talked with him, all comment
on the precision and detail of the Soviet
Premiers knowledge of the military situ-
alton. The Russian flexibility has shown
itself in the way the Red Army has con-
tended with the German blitz war and
encirclement tactics.
The Russians have profited from their
mistakes as they arose and one by one
have solved the riddles Of Hitler's meth
DDS In the absence of equality of arma-
ment the Russians have had to strain
their ingenuity. But Hitler's armies no
longer roll headlong over the Russian
countryside. They pay heavily now for
every kilometer gained.
Among the most recent changes have
been the measures taken to encourage
a maximum Of effort and morale among
Russian soldiers and officers The desig-
nation Of outstanding infantry and
mechanized and cavalry units as guard
divisions" in which the troops get double
pay and other benefits is one Of these
measures.
Naturally other units Of the army are
being urged to serve their all and so
gain similar status.
A new scale of promotions was an
nounced last week which also gives the
soldiers and officers more to fight for.
Automatic elevation Of rank is now
greatly accelerated for those at the front
and Is even more rapid for any one
wounded in action.
Changes in organization and personnel
are taking place in the Soviet armed
forces. the most conspicuous OF which
was the transfer OF Marshal semeon
Timoshenko to the command OF the
southern front when things began to 60
sour there. AS q result of this and
other shifts in command most Of the
weakest spots in the Russian line have
been made stronger. BY putting Marshal
Semeon Budjenny and Marshal KLEIN
enty E. voroshilov in charge Of the or
ganization Of reserve armies, Stain
showed how urgent and important was
that task. Some Of these reserves
rushed through training already are
seeing action though the problem OF
adequately equipping the entire. huge
force will be q formidable one
tcopyrsht. 1s41 by Chieaso Daily News)
Evening star., 1941-12-10
Gasoline Tax

Action of a subcommittee of the
Senate District Committee in halv-
ing the amount of the gasoline tax
increase provided in House-ap-
proved bill is based on a realistic
appraisal of the highway improve
ment situation existing here at this
time. In recommending an increase
from two to four cents per gallon in
the gasoline tax, the House ignored
the fact that this doubling of the
tax will produce far more revenue
than can be spent on highway con-
struction in this era of priorities.
Furthermore, it overlooked the all
important additional fact that the
limited number of projects which
are eligible to receive right-of-way
now are essentially emergent in
nature and, since they are defense
related undertakings, should be
financed completely or in part by
the Federal Government.
The Senate subcommittee properly
listed these projects IN tne emeT-
gency category: The grade separa-
ton structure at Maine avenue and
Fourteenth street Southwest, the K
street elevated highway to Key
Bridge in Georgetown, the widening
and extension of independence ave-
nue. to the Memorial Bridge, the
widening and extension of Twenty
third street so as to make a new
approach to the Memorial Bridge
and the construction of new bridge
across Anacostia River along the line
Of South Capitol street. Urgent i'm
prcvements Of this type are the only
ones that are likely to receive the
Evening star., 1941-12-10

Letters to the Editor must
bear the name and address Of
the 1oriter, although the use OF
a pseudonynt for publication is
permissible. The Star reserDes
!. the right to edit all letters 1Utth
DieU to condensation.
Evening star., 1941-12-10
Huskin's Answers
To Questions
BIZ Frederic J. HdSktn.

A reader can get the onstDer to any
question OF fact by Drtting The EUe-
ming Star Information Bureau, Fred
eric J. HdSkin, director, Washington,
D. c. Please inclose stamp for reply.
@. What is the motto of the United
States Coast Guard2-K. L.
A. 1t is "Semper Paratus" always
ready.
@. How many migrants 60 to CALI
fornia looking for work?-C. J. B.
A. During the first nine months Of
194l, the entrance Of IS, ,452 persons was
reported, all OF whom were Ia need of
manual employment.
@. Is it true that toys are used in the
Army for training purposes?-J. c. H.
A. Blocks, toy trucks, and miniature
buildings help the Quartermaster Corps
train soldiers. With carefully scaled
toys, the soldiers learn how to solve
difficult problems in transportation, dis
tribution and storage.
@. Where is King Carol OF Rumania
In eXlle?-E. M H.
A. He is living in Coyoacan, a suburb
of Mexico City.
@. How large is Surinam?-M. r
A. Surinam Netherlands or Dutch
Guiana is $4,000 square miles, or about
the size of the State of Florida.
@. What caused the death Of AL Lass
man. New York Universitys 1928 foot
ball captain?-L. T. B.
A. He was drowned on July 6, 1890,
in Long Lake, Me, after saving the
lives of three campers who were in his
charge.
@. How many A. & p. stores are
there?-H. H. A.
A. In 1910 the Great Atlantic b Pa
cific Tea Co. had some 10000 outlets In
38 States and the District OF Columbia.
Evening star., 1941-12-10
Freedom of Expression

The Supreme Court decision re-
versing the contempt convictions by
California courts of the Los Angeles
Times and Harry Bridges, C. I. o.
longshoremens chief is a well-rea-
soned judgment.
The Times was held in contempt
Of Los Angeles Superior Court for
editorial discussion of three criminal
cases in which the defendants had
been convicted but not sentenced.
The same tribunal found the labor
leader guilty because of publication
Of telegram to the Secretary of
Labor in which he condemned issu-
ance of an injunction against the
c. I. o. in labor war, and declared
enforcement would provoke a ship
ping strike on the Pacific Coast In
both instances, the prosecution was
based on the contention that the liti-
cation was in state of tendency,
and that the published comment had
tendency to influence the course
of justice
While the Supreme Court divided,
five to four, in deciding the cases
which had been hanging fire for more
than year, the record indicates
that the California courts had taken
a strained view of what constitutes
contempt, particularly insofar as the
Times was concerned The ruling
there as to tendency had such
sweeping implications that literal
construction seemingly would have
served to prevent a publication from
expressing any views on matters in
litigation short OF their final adjudi-
cation by the Supreme Court, and it
is worth noting in this connection
that the Supreme Court, while other
wise at odds, agreed unanimously
that two of the editorials involved
were not contemptuous.
In the editorial on which the court
divided, the Times opposed an ap-
plication for probation by two men
convicted OF using strong-a arm tactics
on non-union workmen. This con-
stituted attempted intimidation
which the court had a right to pun
ish, in the opinion of the minority
read by Justice Frankfurter. The
majority, however, speaking through
Justice Black, pointed out that the
policy Of the Times was so we'll
known that 1t was inconceivable any
Judge in Los Angeles would expect
anything but criticism If the defend
ants were placed on probation, and
that the editorial expression conse-
quently was not designed to affect
the ultimate decision.
Virtually the same line of argument
was followed in the Bridges case, the
minority holding that the strike
threat was intimidation, and the ma
jority saying that the court issuing
the injunction was not blind to the
possibility Of strike, even in the alb
sence Of the Bridges statement, and
was not swayed by it.
Going beyond the purely factual
aspects of the two cases, the Supreme
Court also found that the tendency"
test applied by the California courts
to measure contempt was defective,
and that something more than the
likelihood that an evil will result is
required before restraint may be i'm
posed on liberty of expression.
"For the First Amendment does
not speak equivocally," Justice Black
said. 1T prohibits amy law abridging
the freedom of speech or of the
press 1t must be taken as a COM
mand Of the broadest scope that ex-
plicit language, read in the context
of liberty-loving society, will allow"
Evening star., 1941-12-10
"PurtiuI BIuckouts"

NO CITY along tNe S6dDOdIQS VI
the continent has absolute security
now against air raids. RecogniZ-
ing that fact, there should be un-
dertaken at once an intelligent pro-
gram Of educating the civilian pop
ulation in what to do when danger
tmpends. There should be drills,
with ample warning, in complete
blackouts. Police officers should,
during such drills, enforce the black
out regulations. A few complete
blackouts will teach the people
what is expected Of them; ample
warnings of such drills will eliminate
the danger Of panic. And when the
actual danger impends. blackouts
may be ordered with some assurance
that the precaution will be effective.
Partial blackouts" are cut from
the same pattern that has outlined
most civilian defense" measures.
Civilian defense, as now constituted,
Is partial defense" Civilian defense
Is being conducted as a part-time
job by the Mayor Of New York, who
is being given the part-time assist
ance of Mrs. Roosevelt. Civilian
defense is the part-time concern Of
a host Of part-time co-ordinators,
who depend upon part-time volun-
teers. The aims of civilian defense
have been poorly and unskillfully
presented to a confused and be-
fuddled public Here in Washington
1t is the part-time job OF the Com
missioners, who have been disgrace
fully handicapped by lack of funds
and who only recently were able to
dig up the money from contingent
funds to hire an administrator.
The time has come to change all
that. Civilian defense is a vital part
OF national defense. Now that we
are in this war, people must be
taught by drills what is expected Of
them. They will learn quickly
enough, but the administration Of
the program should be in the hands
Of Army authorities who have
thought it Throughout voluntary
civilians who know little or nothing
Of the technical aspects OF adequate
preparation
Here in Washington we lack an
adequate afraid signal alarm. Peo-
pie would not recognize one If they
heard 1t. Depending on ordinary
police and fire sirens is unsatisfac-
tory. For whenever these sirens are
used for normal purposes, confusion
Is inevitable. No signals are available
because the Commissioners have no
money with which to obtain them.
They have no funds for any civilian
defense training. They will not get
any funds until there is recognition
by the authorities that the time has
come for all-out civilian defense;
that the time for play-acting with
defense is gone and that prepara-
tions and education must be under
taken in earnest.
What the Nationwide program
demands now Is efficient, profess
sional, full-time direction. Mayor
La Guardia, in this Office, is a mis-
At. Civilian volunteers will perform
intelligently and loyalty all the tasks
they are assigned to do. But they
must be taught by people who know
what is expected of them and who
have the means available for teach
ing them. Let there be an end
Of partial blackouts" and partial
defense.
Evening star., 1941-12-10

failure to solve the internal problems Of
the countries starting them.
The Japanese victories Of the past
were used mainly to keep internal econ
omic conditions from getting out Of
hand. If economic problems could have
been solved otherwise, the need for con-
quest would have been eliminated. When
the present conflict is over we must be
willing to help Japan to achieve full
production for peace and not for war and
be willing to help the other countries Of
the Far East to develop their resources
and to raise the standard Of living Of
their peoples.
CLARENCE ARAf6TRON0
Evening star., 1941-12-10
Finds Different Meaning
In Saviour's Saying.


To the Editor Of The Star.
Relative to Christs statement, II came
not to send peace, but sword think
that further study will reveal to Duane
E. Fox that the Nazarene did not intend
the word sword" literally, but rather as
a figurative term to describe the division
that would be created between those who
believed in Him and those who did not.
And as evidence for this opinion I quote
from st. Luke concerning the same sub
ject: Suppose ye that I am come to
give peace on earth? tell you, nay; but
rather division: For from henceforth
there shall be five in one house divided,
three against two, and two against
three"
Certainly that great Teacher, who told
His apostles to Love your enemies and
admonished them when asked If they
might invoke fire from Heaven to destroy
His enemies, "Ye know not what manner
of spirit ye are Of For the Son of Man
Is not come to destroy mems lives, but to
save them" would not have contradicted
Himself to justify war.
agree that if it were possible we
should turn our thoughts from war to
the philosophy of that great Being dur
Ing Christmas time. J. J. SPERRY.
Evening star., 1941-12-10
Expresses Resentment
Against Taxing Improvements.
To the Editor of The Star.

hx0nlSk 4AAAu& upAVvCHlChso.
To the Editor OF The Star:
II buy . piece of land from another
person, paying him the price he asks and
receiving therefor . title deed, the land
is mine. BY what right, then, does the
county tax me for owning my own
property?
And I have improved my property by
the erection of . house. To the best of
my ability keep my premises in order,
and for this am taxed, while just across
the lane from me there is large idle
lot overrrn with rats and grown up with
weeds and brambles and scattered with
neighborhood trash. This lot, I under
stand, Is not taxed as much as are my
premises.
Under a sane system of taxation there
would be no necessity for the penaliza-
ton of useful citizens.
Therefore, in consideration OF these
thoughts, have typed across the face Of
my tax bill the following note to the
county authorities: This bill is paid
under protest The annual rental value
of all the land in the county is produced
by all the residents Of the county and,
therefore, belongs to them, and if this
rent were collected by the county for the
Evening star., 1941-12-10

use of the county, instead Of being al.
lowed to 90 into private hands, ther.
would be no necessity for taxes. AS it 1.
now. We, the citizens of the county. pay
twice as much as We need to in order tt
make up for the theft of our rent BY
private individuals"
ELIZABETH MAGIE PHILLIPS.
Arlington, Va.
Evening star., 1941-12-10
New Testament-With the words

New Testament-With the words
of the Saviour printed In red,
makes an ideal gift at this season,
and will be appreciated by every
one who reads the Scriptures
This unusual volume also contains
specially prepared section giving
the names of trees, waters, noun
tains, musical instruments and
birds that are named in the Bible.
This novel edition contains 254
pages printed on thin Bible paper
and is bound In a flexible black
cover. To secure your copy incloee
20 cents in coin. wrapped in this
clipping, and mail to The Star
Information Bureau.
Name
------------------
Address
Evening star., 1941-12-10

A reader can get the onsUer to any
question OF fact by tDrtting The Eue-
ming Star Information Bureau, Fred
eric J. Haskin, director, Washington.
D. C. Please inclose stamp for reply.
Evening star., 1941-12-10

@. What is the motto of the United
States Coast Guard2-K. L.
A. 1t is "Semper Paratus" always
ready.
Evening star., 1941-12-10

Address