davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1942-08-13
Higher Food Costs

The announcement by the Office OF
Price Administration that food price
ceilings, presumably on hundreds OF
items, will be raised next month is
another evidence of the futility of
attempting to hold prices down while
costs are permitted to 60 up.
Prices on foods were frozen as of
the March level. But because the
administration took a political rather
than a realistic view of price control,
there was no comparable treatment
of wages and farm commodity prices
The result was that these costs con-
tinued to rise, and when food dealers
had exhausted the Stocks they had
on hand in March they could not
restock their shelves without paying
more for the replacements. Unable,
because OF the retail price ceilings, to
pass these increased costs on to the
public, many dealers, particularly
those whose selling price schedules
had been lowest in March, simply
stopped handling the more costly line
of foods, and this has obliged the
, OPA to take action.
It may be that the net result Of
the new ceilings will not bring a
marked increase in living costs But
it is one more breach in the wall
erected against inflation-a barrier
which cannot hold because It's de-
signers, for political reasons, have
been unwilling to make its specifica-
tions conform to the obvious needs.
And, as usual, the public foots the
hill
Evening star., 1942-08-13

does not wish to enter into competi-
ton with any other institution Of
important cultural significance. Yet
the Division of Manuscripts does
desire to make its files as complete
as possible. 1t especially wants the
correspondence of cabinet officers,
leaders in the Army and the Navy,
members of the Senate and the House
of Representatives, who, directly
or indirectly, have played influential
parts in the history of America. An
excellent example of the intelligent
generosity of distinguished donor
may be found in the gift received
recently from the widow OF William
E. Borah of Idaho-the whole vast
file of his papers from 1904 until his
death in 1910.
Evening star., 1942-08-13
The Personnel Problem

The monthly report of the Civil
Service Commission showing that
the Government added approx
mately $4,000 employees here in June,
bringing the total force to more than
269 900, is additional evidence point
ing to the need for a policy looking
toward greater use OF personnel from
non-war establishments for duties
connected with the war effort, and
the discontinuance of all non essen
tial hiring. The unchecked expansion
of the executive agencies has been in
progress for two years, and while
the recent report of the Tydings
committee cast serious doubt on the
necessity for some of this growth,
there is no sign of abatement. In
fact. the trend is the other way.
In an effort to curb this tendency,
the Tydings committee recommended
legislation to enable the Civil Service
Committee to shift employees be-
tween agencies, irrespective of the
wishes of the individuals involved.
Any move promising improvement is
welcome, but as a practical matter,
it is doubtful if such legislation,
standing alone, would produce
enough transfers to make it worth
while. The biggest hitch in any
large-scale transfer program is not
the unwillingness of workers to take
new jobs, but the reluctance of
agencies to give up personnel. AS
far back as February, the Budget
Bureau undertook a survey at the
direction of the President to de-
termine what establishments had
surplus employees available for duty
elsewhere. The results have not been
impressive. It is true that in some
instances the attitude of the workers
themselves may have contributed to
this state of affairs. but. primarily
the blame rests on administrative
officers. In this general connection
it also may be said that non-war
agencies are not entirely responsible
for the swollen proportions of the
executive branch of the Government,
since careless recruiting by war units
has contributed to this situation.
Senator Tydings Is understood to
be drafting legislation to make the
committee recommendations effec-
tive. Debate on that measure should
give Congress enough information on
the personnel situation~to determine
the steps that are necessary. OBJ
viously, a halt must be called to
present practices sometime.
Evening star., 1942-08-13
Bumper Farm Crops

In view of the food requirements
OF the United Nations, and our own
war needs, the disclosure by the De-
partment of Agriculture that farm
crops this year are expected to reach
a volume far above the average is
heartening news. The favorable
outlook, it explained, is due primarily
to the fact that the crop yield per
acre is about per cent higher than
that OF any previous year, and about
28 per cent above the pre-drought
period from 1922 to 1882. 1t is esti-
mated that the total volume Of all
crops this year will be about 81 per
cent greater than the average output
of the decade preceding the adoption
OF Federal crop control programs.
According to the departments es-
Inmates, grain production will be the
largest since 1920. The indicated
corn crop-2,754,OO0,oo 900 bushels
would be the biggest since 1882, and
the wheat estimate - 955, ,172 900
bushels-points to the largest output
since 1916. Production of rye, rice,
oats and barley likewise is expected
to attain a record or near record
volume.
Forecasts also indicate sharp in
creases in many other crops. Among
these are dry beans and peas, sugar
beets and cane, potatoes and vege-
table oil crops. Favorable growing
conditions for feed crops and pas
lures, furthermore, are helping to
boost the output of livestock and
livestock products to new peaks.
Great Britain depends on the
United States for approximately a
quarter of its foodstu1s, and other
United Nations are looking to this
country to supply part OF their food
deficiencies. Our help also will be
needed In feeding the hungry In the
Evening star., 1942-08-13
THIS AND THAT
Bu Charles E. Trace1reH.

One of the amazing facts OF nature
is how quickly young birds learn to fly.
Lilly was just weeks old, two OF
which had been spent more or less in
a big box with screen over It,
Here she was, flying with all the skill
Of an~expert.
Persons who adopt baby birds at first
almost expect to have to teach them
how to fly
will do all the teaching that is neces-
sary.
This was Lilly Bellies first sustained
flight but she made 1t as expertly as
II she had flown for miles.
She lit on top of the Toulouse, where
she looked around as If very much
satisfied with herself.
She kept chirping, using her softest
and most pleased note. This one is
much softer than the call OF greeting,
and especially much more gentle than
the tone OF hunger.
Once launched into the aerial world,
what world it is.
A mockingbird suddenly swooped down
on her from nowhere.
He seemed to light squarely on her
back, but Lilly Belle did not stop to
argue the matter.
She took off with professional swing,
q 70 nOlo cf ovd
shrubs at the rear of the yard.
There she sat chirping
Kind neighbors took a hand at this
juncture. They would just move her
along bit, with rake and broom
At the first touch of the broom on
the honeysuckle. away went Lilly into
the next yard.
She was getting farther and farther
from the home base, with night coming
on with its customary strides.
BY this time 1t was plain to be seen
that Lilly Belle was not going to come
| down.
She circled closer and closer to the
maple tree, then made good landing
| high up, and there remained.
Nothing or nobody could coax her
| down.
She kept on calling, but remained put
Finally she went to sleep, her claws
hooking over small branch the muscles
automatically closing the claws as the
legs relax. 1t is natures provision tc
hold bird securely when it is asleep
The next morning, there was Lilly
Belle, chirping for breakfast.
At first she would not come down
and when she did, she was rather wary
but soon advanced for the customary
breakfast.
Bread and milk, especially whole
wheat bread and milk, she indicates, Ii
! just little bit better than worms.
Evening star., 1942-08-13
Letters to the Editor
Differs With MIR. Kent
On Sales Tax in California.

Differs With Mr.. Kent
On Sales Tax in California.
To the Editor Of The Star:
I have just been reading an article In
The Star by Frank r. Kent regarding
the sales tax.
His principal argument is all about
how California loves 1t, that prices are
no higher and people don't mind it.
Mr.. Kent gets his information from
the Los Angeles Times which is a good
paper, but may say it is to their interest
toboost it, as all the big stores advertise
in the Times, and the big stores like it
because they collect and per cent from
a per cent tax. That makes q lot of
clear profit on big business.
A small business man In Los Angeles
has a different experience. I should
know; had one for 10 years until 194l,
dealing in fresh fruit, drinks, candies,
ETC., where sales are small. and know
how hundreds Of other small business
men Jared, as it was like drawing blood
trying to get that cent tax.
This information is first hand Mr.
Kent is depending on what he has been
told
1t is, as Mr.. Kent says, tax on the
poor, and not the rich, and the rich
big businesses want 1t because they
can make lot of extra easy money
hope have not offended Mr.. Kent,
as this Is the first time I ever wrote
about anything to the papers.
JOHN BENSON.
Evening star., 1942-08-13
A FuIse Issue

Ii LneTe Is one Clear leSSOIl W Ue
learned from the primary elections
which now have been held in twen-
ty-four States, it is that those indi-
viduals who have tried to make an
issue of pre-war isolationiSm have
been barking up the wrong political
tree.
The most direct test of the weight
which the voters attach to this Ques-
ton was provided in the district rep
resented in the House by Hamilton
Fish. Despite a before-Pearl Harbor
voting record which was isolationist
in the most literal sense of the word,
despite associations with individuals
whose pro-Nazi sympathies have
been definitely established, and de-
spite the determined efforts of the
titular heads of his own party to de-
feat him, Mr.. Fish was renominated
by a better than two-to-one vote
over three Republican opponents.
Wendell Willkie led the Republican
fight against Mr.. Fish, and few
days before the primary he said that
to renominate him would permit the
Democrats to "use Fish's record as a
symbol of Republican political phi
losophy." The best evidence of the
absurdity of this statement is the
fact that three other New York Con-
gressmen-all Democrats-also were
easy winners in their primary con-
tests, although they, too, had been
attacked on the ground that they
were isolationists and had obstructed
the preparedness effort prior to Pearl
Harbor.
Here and there, 1t is true, an isola-
zionist has been defeated. But in
the overwhelming majority OF cases
where this issue has been raised the
voters have repudiated it, thereby
justifying the inference that purely
local factors were responsible for the
two or three defeats which have been
recorded.
Certainly, it is abundantly clear
that the people by and large are not
going to retire Congressman merely
because they opposed steps which
they thought were leading the coun-
try to war, provided they have sup
ported the war effort since the at
tack on this country. In the light Of
what has happened, there is no
doubt that these isolationist men,
bers OF Congress were mistaken in
their judgments. But to very con-
siderable extent they reflected the
attitude of their constituents, and
the voters are not going to punish
Congressman for errors of Judgment
which were shared by many Of the
people.
Under all of the circumstances,
the best course now would be to drop
this effort to keep alive the dissen-
sions Of last year. What is needed
Is complete concentration on the
single purpose of winning the war
and any purge effort which creates
disunity and hampers the attain
ment Of that objective is harmful to
the country. The primary returns
have shown that the people feel this
way about 1t, and the politicians
would do well to accept their verdict
Evening star., 1942-08-13
Where Liqht Is Needed

Everywhere in the East people are
wondering what is going to happen
this winter if the fuel oil shortage
cuts off heat from their homes. Or
will there be one? Some of them
have followed the advice of Govern
ment spokesmen and converted their
furnaces to coal. Others are unable
to convert because of lack of sup
plies or the labor to do the convert
ing. Others are just sitting back
and waiting without doing anything
about it.
The same situation applies in
commercial establishments. Some of
them have gone to great expense to
convert to coal because they were
advised to do so. Others have not.
Some would like to convert but are
unable to undertake the extensive
construction necessary. Those who
have not converted enjoy a COM
petitive advantage over those who
have. They still believe they will get
oil-and oil may be available to them
because their competitors have con-
verted
Fuel oil dealers are as confused as
their customers. They do not know
what the situation will be and they
hesitate to give any advice. Many of
them have their oil storage tanks
full, but cannot deliver Oil to con-
sumers until September Is. Every
body with an oil heater would like to
buy oil now, but no deliveries are per-
mitted And it is difficult to see the
logic in condition which keeps oil
stored in dealers tanks, during the
precious months when it is not
needed, instead of storing it in con-
sumers' tanks-with the possibility
that dealers can replenish their
supplies later on.
Secretary Ickes is petroleum CO.
ordinator, but has no authority over
Joseph B. Eastman, the defense
transportation administrator, or over
Leon Henderson, the price admins
traitor and head of the rationing
system. Fuel men complain that
while all three agencies are vitality
concerned in the fuel shortage, they
do not seem to be able to get to-
gether and that contradictions,
rumors and alarms have left them
completely befuddled. There is talk
OF fuel rationing and talk Of restrict
ing oil to industries essential to the
war effort. And no one person in the
Government is responsible or can
speak with authority.
Somebody is always thinking up
another job for Elmer Davis and his
Office of War Information. But here
is job that somebody should under
take now-present the stark realities
of the situation as it appears to be
shaping up for next winter and spare
no details. 1t is hard to believe that
after all this time many unknown
quantities about the oil situation
can remain. And ii the forecast errs
onthe side OF pessimism, that sin will
be soon forgiven.
Evening star., 1942-08-13

tionary effect of wage rates is permitted
to control policy. Such sophistry was
involved in the Presidents remark that
the Little Steel raise could affect the cost
OF living but slightly: for this is true
only as to its direct effect on the cost of
steel. 1t neglects entirely the effect on
the problem Of "pirating" labor under
war conditions Of full employment
1t would be Of no avail for Congress
to give OPA power to freeze industrial
wage rates that are already relatively
too high: for the wage advances which
most affect the inflationary spiral are
not within the control of any organized
labor-unless lower wage rates be COL
Aectively demanded in a complete re-
versal Of union policies! 1t is the pirat-
ing Of labor out of the unorganized, low
wage farm group, where men have re-
manned only for lack of alternative op-
portunities, that entails the necessity for
rising cost OF living to keep farm labor
producing on the farm. So If industrial
wages be advanced In hourly rate, as by
the time-and-a-half rule, the result is to
increase the pressure for pirating farm
labor and so for higher farm prices.
The farm bloc has put itself in need
lessly bad light by aping the parity"
theory of labor leaders as to prices and
wages; the theory that business must be
maintained IN the pattern that was
usual to some peacetime base period.
As true parity was not maintained In
peace. SO under full wartime employ
ment, conditions governed by peacetime
unemployment cannot be maintained
without dragooning farm labor. Farm
wages must rise and with them farm
prices.
The thing needing emphasis under
these war conditions is that fully en-
/. ployed labor can maintain its living
standards and efficiency at much lower
hourly rates of pay than is the case when
only partial employment is available. 1t
is the total pay over year or more, and
not the hourly rate that fixes the stand
ard Of living; but it is the hourly rate
that Is the basis of wage negotiations
and agreements and so of, the cumu-
lative increase in purchasing power as
the needs OF civilians, which are es-
sential to the conduct of war, are pirated
by the Unsuitable demand for munitions
Notwithstanding the Presidents opin-
ion to the contrary. as expressed in his
veto OF the rubber bill, it Is only after
all reasonable civilian requirements have
been met that military needs can he
taken care of. This was the whole basis
OF the now forgotten British blockade
of Germany; and 1t easily may become
the basis of the defeat of Russia by
German invasion of Siberia via the oil
fields north of the Caspian Sea to cut the
Trans Siberian Railroad at Omsk, q
scant 800 miles beyond the Kuibyshev-
Tshkent Railroad and Lake Aral. The
war industries OF the Ural Mountains
cannot feed the Russian people.
FARMER.
Evening star., 1942-08-13

Lilly Belle. the young robin being
brought up by hand, decided to spend
the night in the trees.
Nobody knew this, of course, except
Lilly Belle.
She seemed much as usual. that eve
ming, except that there was perhaps an
extra glitter in her eyes.
Every one thought that was the result
of the liver fed her during the day.
1t is all bosh. evidently about baby
birds eating their weight in food every
day.
Lilly doesn't eat even the weight OF
her tail feathers, but she seems in fairly
good condition.
A little liver, saved from the family
dinner, made a fine meal for her.
Liver contains iron and vitamins, such
as an ordinary robin would get from the
bugs and worms it might pick up.
Lilly eats worms, too, and the ugliest
looking beetles, together with bread and
milk-her favorite-lamb, never beef,
and no raisins, thank you.
\
Sudden sharp sounds startle birds.
A chair, an old one, kept in the tool
house, suddenly scraped over the floor,
caused her to take off instantly.
1t was in this same Toulouse that the
robin was lost for full day, before she
finally decided to chirp, telling of her
presence.
just why she remained silent for "a
hours must be a mystery. 1t was dark,
it was true, behind the old chest where
she had fallen.
1t was even darker when she finally
gave her presence away.
This particular evening, when Lilly de-
cided to spend the night out-only no
one knew 1.-THE young robin was peck
ing away at the dirt beneath the maple
tree by the Toulouse
No wonder grass will never grow be-
meath maple trees. Not only is their
foliage thick, but their roots fairly
permeate the ground almost to the sur
face. Thousands of small hair roots
traVel this way and that in search OF
moisture and food
Lilly Belle found it good pecking.
She tried an ugly looking gray worm.
Many Of the outdoor creatures are gray,
no doubt for camouf1age purposes.
Lilly pecked the gray worm into three
pieces, then decided against all three
1t was about o'clock by the clock
really just 7 o'clock.
There was plenty OF light left.
Lilly pecked away, when suddenly a
small stone was pushed by the foot OF
her attendant.
Whizz!
Away went Lilly, launched into the al,
as If by a catapult.
Evening star., 1942-08-13

conquered nations of Europe after
they have been freed from the Nazi
rule.
The humber crops revealed by the
Department OF Agriculture would
indicate, therefore, that the United
States, during the coming year, not
only will have an ample food supply,
but that it will be able to continue
and expand its shipments to our
allies.
Evening star., 1942-08-13

@. Why is presiding officer called
chairman?-L. L. C.
A. In ancient times, chairs were used
only by chiefs and kings, others stand
ing or sitting on the floor. Therefore
to occupy chair means to hold the
place of authority.
@. Where was Wagners Tristan und
Isolde" first produced?-WM.
A. The opera had its premiere in Mu-
Mich on June 10, 1865, under the baton
| Of LISTS son-in-law, Hans Won Bulow.
@. Is st. Petersburg, Fla. named for
the former capital OF Russia?-D. E. Y.
| A. The city was named for st. Peters,
burg, Russia, by Peter Devens, Rus
sian engineer who built the first rail-
road into the town.
@. What painting was designed for
dissecting room?-I. E. d.
A. THE Anatomy Lesson" by Rem
brandt. 1t was painted for Doctor Tulip,
well-known surgeon and burgomaster.
@. Which is cooler, light paint or q
dark paint?-N. B. w.
"A. White and light paints are the
coolest. Any dark paint absorbs nearly
as much radiation from the sun as
black, the result being a marked In
crease In temperature.
@. What was the Battle Of the Three
Emperors?-M. r. "
A. The Battle Of Austerlitz, 1905.
The emperors were Napoleon I, Alexan-
der I of Russia and Francis II of
Austria.
@. Is 1t correct to use the word
"drapes' in referring to draperies?-
E. P. S.
A. The abbreviation Is not in good
usage.
@. How long is 1t before an oyster
is large enough for market?-G c. r.
A. Two to five years is required for
an oyster to reach marketable size.
depending on the locality.
@. In tuning piano, are al the
wires of an individual note adjusted to
the same frequency?-M. L.
A. All strings employed for one note.
whether they be two or three, are tuned
in unison, which means the same ire
quency.
@. At what rate Is the boiling point
OF water lowered with altitude7-S. B.
A. The boiling point is lowered ap-
proximately 1910 degrees =. for each
1000 feet Of altitude. At an elevation
Of 125oo feet 1t Is impossible to cook
potatoes by boiling. for no higher tenn
perature than 100 degrees r. can b
obtained in an open vessel. On Mount
Blanc 1t is even difficult to make tea.
G. How long have pajamas bsen
worn?-C. N. T.
A. This garment is Mohammedan In
origin. It was used in India centuries
ago. Pajamas were advertised as new
fashion in London in 1893 and, probably.
were introduced into the United States
soon thereafter.
@. Does wood rot more quickly In
salt water than in fresh?-C. r. l..
A. The Forest Service says wood to-
tally submerged in fresh water or salt
water will last indefinitely from the
standpoint of decay. However. in salt
water the wood would eventually be de-
stroyed by marine borers even II heavily
treated with preservative.
Evening star., 1942-08-13
Tells Of Confidence in Refraining
From "Peacetime Indulgence"

To the Editor Of The Star:
believe our country to be in grave
danger. I believe that before we sub
stantiate by force our right to our way
OF life, millions of our people will be
killed And I believe that each time
one of us refrains from doing thing
which gives no aid to those actually
fighting, we reduce by just that many
the number who eventually will lose
their lives.
And know that the thought that
the life OF some American boy has been
spared by your restraint is far more
uplifting than the pleasure derived from
some usual peacetime indulgence.
CHAS. p. STEARNS.
Evening star., 1942-08-13

Letters to the Editor must
bear the name and address of
the Driter, although the use OF
a pseudonym for publication Is
permissible. The Star reserDes
the right to edit all letters Nth
a DieU to condensation.
Evening star., 1942-08-13
Offers Appreciation Of
Editorial on Justice In Virginia.

Congratulations on the fine editorial,
Virginia Justice" In your issue Of Au-
gust 3. The District OF Columbia would
be much finer place to live In II We had
few men OF Gov. Darden's type In the
prosecutors ONCE.
Evening star., 1942-08-13

Canning and Observation-Disclosures
a four-page special supplement on
how to save sugar in canning and
preserving, and substitutes for sugar.
Tells how to make fine jellies, jams.
marmalades. fruit buffers and pickles;
how to bottle fruit juices and salt
down fresh vegetables. The canning
season is here To secure your copy
of this publication inclose is cents in
coin. wrapped in this clipping, and
mail to The Star Information Bureau.
Name
Address