davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1942-11-02

O. What was the name Of the first
magazine ever published exclusively for
children?-S. Mob.
A. The first childrens periodical was
the Lilliputian Magazine, published by
John Newberry Q713-176D, a bookseller
of London for whom the John Newbery
Medal for children's literature is named.
@. Is the laying of cornerstones an
ancient custom?-B N.
A. The laying of a cornerstone is re-
ferred to as early as 1882 by Wyclif and
reference to the subject is to be found
in the Bible in Job 38vi.
@. What is the origin of the How
Old Is Anne" puzzle?-O. c. A.
A. In the column "On the Tip of the
Tongue" in the New York Press. the
puzzle appeared on October 16 1908, as
follows: Dear Tip: Mary is "a years old,
She is twice as old as Anne was when she
Anne now? John Mahon."
@. Is it essential to wear black to q
lullcl al VI u ClOSc n. +
A. 1t is no longer considered necessary
to wear black unless one sits with the
family but clothes that are dark and
inconspicuous should be chosen
O. Is it scientifically possible to pre-
dict earthquakes?-P. A.
A. The United States Coast and Ge-
odetic Survey says that there is no
present evidence of the possibility of
earthquake prediction. 1t is hoped that
at some future date, at least partial pre-
diction will be possible, but this stage Is
now far from being reached.
@. How much time elapsed between the
writing of the Bible and the invention Of
printing Pr. r.
A. The art of printing from movable
type was not discovered until more than
1,4O0 years after the latest work of the
New Testament was written. The Bible
was the first book printed and 1t Is
stated that nearly one billion copies of
the Word of God in whole or in part
have been printed since then.
@. What is the origin of the word
"plagiarism"?- D.
A. The Latin word "plagiarus" meant
"a kidnaper, a stealer, or abductor of a
slave or child" 1t was first used in the
modern sense of appropriation or copy
ing by Martial
@. Who were the Seven Sleepers?-
j. B. E.
A. The Seven Sleepers were seven no.
BILE youths of Ephesus, according to
legend who fled in the Decian persecu-
ton in AID. $50 to a cave at Mount
Celion. After 230, or in some versions
300 years, they awoke, but soon died and
their bodies were taken to Marseille,
France, in a large stone coffin which Is
still shown In Victor's Church. Their
names are: Constantine, Dionysius, John,
Marimian, Malchus, Martinian and
Serapion.
Evening star., 1942-11-02

this group Of Americans failed to
distinguish between the use Of our
traditional safeguards to protect the
legitimate rights Of citizens and
the use of them by enemy agents to
cloak their efforts to undermine
America.
The controversy over the tapping
Of telephone wires is case in point.
A strong effort was made to induce
Congress to enact legislation which
would permit Federal agents, under
certain conditions, to tap wires being
used by enemy agents. The pro-
posed legislation contained clauses
which amply safeguarded the rights
Of citizens, but the protests of those
who thought it was better to take
chances with saboteurs than permit
any wire tapping prevailed. The
bill did not become law.
Meanwhile, as has been disclosed
in the current Chicago treason trial,
the Germans were planning to cap
italize on this opportunity. In a
special sabotage school in Germany,
agents were being trained to cripple
our key industries. They practiced
blowing up rail lines and studied
buildings modelled after American
warehouses. Later, some of these
agents crossed the Atlantic and sue
ceeded in entering this country.
Happily, they were caught before
their plans could be put into effect,
but they were caught in spite of the
obstacles which the Well-intention
champions Of civil liberties had put
in the path of our own counter
espionage forces. With the full sup
port Of the President, our own agents
found ways to deal with the situa-
tion. But with the opportunity we
have had to acquaint ourselves with
the ruthlessness of the enemy, it is
to be hoped that we will not again
permit foreign agents to hide behind
the Bill Of Rights merely because
some individuals cannot distinguish
between a proper and an improper
application Of its guarantees.
Evening star., 1942-11-02
Telephone Economy

The Board OF War Communlca-
tions has devised code OF long
distance telephone priorities which
went into effect yesterday. Limited
types OF calls and certain classes
of callers, it has been explained, are
to be given preferential treatment
"for the duration" Some such ar
rangement, obviously, was impera-
tive. The emergency demand upon
existing lines has been realized by
most persons who have had occasion
to use them in recent months. =
But the crowding of telephone
facilities is by no means limited
to long distance communication.
In Washington If not elsewhere
throughout the United States the
war has stimulated conversation.
Granted that much of the talk is
part Of the effort to win conclusive
victory over the Axis powers, there
certainly Is chatter and gossip and
persiflage which could be reduced
without peril to national endeavor.
A little incident will suffice to show
the wastage indicated. In a Gov
ernment department which shall be
nameless in this connection an i'm
portant administrative officer hung
up the receiver with the remark to
his secretary: That's the third time
this morning that I've heard the
same joke" Almost instantly the
bell rang again. "Once more, sup
pose!" exclaimed the harassed exec
utive. His secretary looked a ques-
ton while he answered and sighed
as she turned back to her work
when he had signaled that their ex-
pectations were fulfilled. Mean
while, matters of vital significance
remained neglected.
Practically every operator and the
generality of those whose duties in
volve the frequent use of the tele,
phone are agreed that a conversa-
tional economy is very greatly to be
desired under prevailing conditions.
All who wish to help are asked to
make only necessary calls and in
each case to talk only as long as
may be required for the business in
hand. The accommodation will be
appreciated by all concerned, once it
has become standard practice.
Evening star., 1942-11-02
Huskin's Answers
To Questions
BIZ Frederic J. HnSkin.

A reader can get the dnstDer to any
question OF fact by 1prittno The EDe-
ming Star Information Bureau, Fred
eric J. Hdskin, director, Washington,
D. c. Please inclose stamp for return
postage.
@. What is the meaning of the suff1x
grad" that is found in many Russian
place names?-P. E.
A. Grad" is form Of the Russian
: "gorod," which means town"
@. Please give description OF the flag
of the Free French.-R. G..
A. The Free French flag consists Of
the French flag with blue banner on
the same staff bearing the red Gross Of
Lorraine. This is a cross having two
crossbars, one slightly longer than the
other.
@. How much linen is supplied each
Pullman car?-E. H. D.
A. Pullman News says that each suit
the linen supply for one trip of carr
consists of $50 sheets, 200 slips, 200 towels,
porters' coats and car bags.
@. Where is Michelangelo's famous
statue of Moses?-G. E.
A. 1t is in the Church of s. Pietro in
Vincol, Rome. The statue was origi-
nally planned for the tomb of Pope
Julius II, but the tomb never was fin-
ished.
@. Does Japan have secret service?
M. P.
A. The Japanese organization corre-
spending to our Secret Service is called
Koto Keijibu.
Evening star., 1942-11-02
ALEXANDRIA,, Va.

Dear Sir:
There has been no mention in your
good column SO far as I know of a
curious habit of our squirrels. At least
we think they are the culprits.
"A month ago we noticed that branches
of our walnuts-f for squirrels trees were
turning brown while the tree was still
lush and green.
"On investigating, we found the limb
smoothly trimmed around by sharp OBJ
ject-presumably teeth. 1t looked for
all the world as If some one had ringed
the limb with a sharp pocket knife.
Sometimes the limb was cut almost
through and so dropped down, hanging
by thread of inner core, or dropped off
entirely.
perhaps a dozen or more small
branches were thus cut almost by
miniature saw. AS the trees are entirely
at the disposal of our wild squirrels, and
the branches were too high for humans,
we could only surmise that our small
imps had done 1t.
But why? When they can have the
run Of the place, and all the nuts they
can hold or hide away?
ALSO, should we kill all those big
brown furry caterpillars? Are they en-
emies or friends? Some are black with
dull coral markings-twice the size of
the big brown ones. Horrid things to kill.
1.-The Jap beetle grubs have no COM
junction in safely disposing of-as we
are literally eaten up by them this sum-
mer But how shall we know friend
from foe in the caterpillar family?
ALSO small Shiny inch-worm OF
some variety is on the marigolds-and
even walking into the house.
Cordially yours, E. L. c."
Squirrels, as a rule, do not injure trees
in any way.
The female will bite off small twigs
with leaves, for incorporation in the
summer nest"
These twigs would not be called
limbs" however, by most persons.
The gray squirrel, the one common
hereabouts, is not destructive to trees
in any way.
There might be an occasional specimen
which would do some damage, but he is
rare. All squirrels, if confined, will try
to gnaw their way out
There have been several cases of local
squirrels going down the chimneys of
houses shut up for the summer, and not
being able to find their way out again.
One home in the northwest section Of
the city had doors and window castings
gnawed to such an extent that the owner
had to spend several hundred dollars to
right the damage.
Il X X
The yellow -bellied sapsuckers will de-
stroy the limbs of trees, including the
walnut.
In most cases, however, the sapsucker
attacks in the early spring, usually in
February.
Evening star., 1942-11-02
Checkmutinq Suboteurs

1t may seem that J. Edgar Hoover,
director OF the Federal Bureau of
Investigation, was stating the obvi-
Gus last week when he warned that
the enemy agents operating against
this country are Clever. ruthless
and utterly heartless." But it is well
to remember that this truth, which
seems plain enough now, was the
subject Of = great deal Of contro-
versy only year ago.
Enemy agents were hard at work
last year, trying to break down our
war effort, but there were many
people in this country. including
some in high places. who refused to
face this fact. In their devotion to
the maintenance Of civil liberties.
Evening star., 1942-11-02
Pumpkins in the Field

The pines gold truttage can no
longer hide
Under tall corn, avoiding tho
approach
OF slanting sunlight Furnishing tho
side
OF many a could-be Cinderella
coach.
Along the stubble ro,ps uhere field
mice play,
Where shadows float beneath tho
hurried flight
OF migratory ,o4ngs, the plump nrrap
Giues to bro,Dn acres glad autumnal
light.
Watch no,o a small Aladdin n dts.
gutse
Among the cleaning pumpkins
stepping high
To choose q lantern almost t,ptce his
size,
And ,Donder meeting nonder In
his eyes.
ROSE MYRA PHILLIPS.
Evening star., 1942-11-02
The GIobuI Tradition

Major Otho Larkln Rogers OF the
United States Marine Corps was born
In the little town Of Goss in Missis-
sippi During the second half of his
life he made his home in the District
Of Columbia. Had any one prophe-
sled to him that he would die in the
Solomon Islands he would have been
amused at the unlikelihood Of such
a forecast. Perhaps, in common with
thousands of other Americans, he
might have dreamed Of pleasure
voyage to the romantic South Pacific.
But certainly he never contemplated
flghting for his country there. In
his own estimation the chance OF
falling In battle at Guadalcanal
would have appeared incredibly re-
mote. Yet such, it seems, has been
his destiny. The Navy Department
has reported him killed in action. He
Is one OF the casualties of this global
war.
Meanwhile, Major Rogers COM
panions in arms are holding the
line" In 80 other outposts. The from
tiers of the United States are in Ice
land, Newfoundland, Trinidad, Ii
IBERIA, Egypt, India, Australia, New
Caledonia, many other places strange
In the experience of living genera
tions of Americans. Ships flying the
Stars and Stripes are moving over
all the seven seas, while planes bear
Ing the same Spangled Banner pass
through the clouds of every CONT
nent. The defense of the right OF
democracy to survive in the world Is
not limited to the boundaries Of the
United States. Even the humblest OF
American citizens now appreciates
the solemn truth that freedom Is en-
dangered everywhere when 1t Is at
tackled in any neighborhood how
ever remote.
Major Rogers understood these
things. He was. one of q growing
number Of persons who gradually
have learned to think in universal
terms. But perhaps he did not
realize to the fullest extent the speed
with which events are happening. 1t
seems only yesterday that reasonably
thoughtful persons still believed in
neutrality. Sensible men and women
were opposed to including anything
like military drill in the program OF
the Civilian Conservation Corps.
When a relatively small sum Of
money was devoted to building
an airplane carrier under the
management of the Public Works
Administration there were critics
who expressed the thought that
such funds ought to be limited
to peaceful" projects exclusively.
One did not have to be a
fanatical isolationist to believe that
q global conflict was impossible. Even
close students Of the problems of ma
tional defense were skeptical OF the
feasibility of Japanese assault upon
Hawaii. The notion that Singapore
could be taken by land was rejected
by military authorities as late as the
time when the troops of the Mikado
occupied Siam.
It Is a function OF the human mind,
however, to make adjustments to
facts as they develop. A century ago
Americans were pioneers In every
geographical arsa. Their vessels
Evening star., 1942-11-02
Sees Confidence in Allies
Required for Victory.

To the Editor Of The Star:
There will be mo peace to win If the
war is lost 1t Is true; but neither the
war nor the peace can be won without
the full confidence. mutual respect and
full participation Of all the Allies. The
kind Of peace for which we fight must
be determining factor In the way We
Highland to date the two don't balance.
It is to be hoped that Mr.. Willkie has
prodded Ia time and prodded effectively.
A. n.
Evening star., 1942-11-02
Disagrees With Opinion
That History Is Not Neglected.

That History Is Not Neglected.
To the Editor of The Star:
Knowing that had recently made an
informal survey of American history
instruction in some of our school systems,
friends in Washington have asked me to
reply to Prof. Erling M. Hunts cate
gorical denial that history is mot neg
lected," as noted in your editorial article
of October 49,
In reply to my address made before
number Of civic societies Prof. Ramer of
the educational department of Western
Maryland College made a similar denial
of neglect, in almost the same words.
Speaking as a former teacher of history
and with the approval of active and
capable teachers, charged such neglect
on wide scale; hence I believe that
Profs. Hunt and Ramer as "education-
lists" educators of the educators) have
not had opportunity to see what is ac-
tually happening under the so-caned
newer type" courses.
To get down to cases, Prof. Ramer
writes from Westminster, where, follow
ing complaints by prominent citizens I
questioned some Of the star graduates
of the Westminster High School. These
recent graduates couldn't answer the
simplest queries. The entire Colonial
period had been skipped over" and the
Revolution dismissed in a 45-minute Pc
riod. Apparently this American his
tory class" spent the year discussing
current events" and the hodgepodge of
social problems embraced in social
science studies" Asked how these prob
lens were solved, one graduate replied:
"oh, each one thought he had solved
them his own way" =
In practice, that which our frontier
thinkers" call fusion" or "integration"
of history with social studies looks more
like the confusion Of history with any,
thing created, or that may be created,
including idle ideas invented by the pu-
pills for consuming class time. The
theorists responsible for these newer
type courses" have concocted and actual
ly listed more than 800 "aims" for the
social science studies!
Twenty-odd years ago the Bolshevists
took up social studies with current
events, and threw history out of the Rus
sian curriculum as having no place in
this "ever-changing world" now note
that Stain has had the common sense
to restore it.
When asked the department of edu-
cation of an otherwise distinguished
university for "list of the best text
books on the teaching of American his
tory" got the following:
Teaching Social Studies" Teaching
Social Studies on the Secondary School
Levels" Teaching Social Studies in the
Secondary Schools" and Curriculum
Making in the Social Studies"
If this illustrates teaching more
American history than ever before" or
special emphasis" on the subject, then
heaven help us when we get real neg
lect!
Cases similar to that in Westminster
were observed In Alexandria, where one
American history" class had taken up
the study Of comparative religions
MATTHEW PAGE ANDREWS.
Evening star., 1942-11-02
Letters to the Editor

Letters to the Editor must
bear the name and address of
the 7Uriter, although the use OF
a pseudonyna for publication is
permissible. The Star reserUeS
the right to edit all letters Nth
q Die1U to condensation.
Evening star., 1942-11-02

The motto of France is, Country,
Family, Work." They have no coun-
try; large proportion of the fam
lilies are disrupted. but there is plenty
of work.
Evening star., 1942-11-02

in the Axis subdued or occupied coun-
tries.
Although the American people by no
means desire to impose upon the law
abiding italian aliens in this country
any undue or harsh treatment, neverthe-
less the action taken by our Attorney
General appears questionable as to its
wisdom in view of the considerations
due to the Axis-conquered nations fight
ing for our cause as much as for their
own. In the opinion of those who
understand this situation, such recogni-
ton could i'll serve the true benefit of
the united cause
However good may have been the in
tention and the hope that this conces-
sion would work in our favor, 1t may
backfire to our surprise when these
courageous people hear, as hear they
will, that the Americans are showering
the Italians with compliments instead of
bombs.
The present situation in the Yugoslav
provinces and in Albania and Greece, oc-
cupied by Italy, naturally must dis
grace the Italian nation.
We reproduce here the latest authen-
tic underground report, dated Septem-
ber 4, 1912: "The situation between two
f1res-ls hopeless. In the province of
Ljubljana with the population of 100000
are now $4,000 Italian soldiers. Our
greatest distress, however, is this: Al
rnQHu hoo
years we are fighting, dying Over Is
per cent of the entire population has
been deported, confined, shot; and still
neither England nor America have said
anything about the Slovenian frontiers,
or the Slovenian Primorje (Julian
Province), or Goriza and Triest? Make
England and America tell us about this,
that we may know what we are fighting
for and dying?"
If the reader will not mind to COM
pare this outcry with the proclamation
of our appeasing policy toward the
Italians, our contention will become
obvious. RAYMOND WESTER.
Quotes Physician
On poison" Of Alcohol.
In recent publication entitled I'VE
the People, Yearbook Of Public Opin-
ion," DR.. Oswald C. j. Withrow makes
the following statement: TT is heart
breaking to watch the early passing OF
many of the members of my profession
through the alcohol route. How incon-
sistent we are! We keep a close watch
upon drinking water and milk for germs,
but We allow people to pour poison down
their throats with impunity. For alco-
hol is poison, and every bottle Of booze
should have affixed to 1t the skull and
crossbones in flaming red.
II defy any member Of the medical
profession to cite single case where
alcohol has been Of value as drug,
which could not have been helped as
much or more by some other drug. - .
I have been appalled, at the potency
Of the poison, alcohol"
Let us abolish the cutse Of liquor, and
thus improve the health and moral
stamina Of our people. We need EN-
cheney to fight this war and. also to
work for . better world after the war.
x. Y.z.
Evening star., 1942-11-02
Flags of the United States To

every true American the flag of the
United States is subject of pride.
A story has been wrought into its
every fold, and each thread has some
lesson to tell of sacrifices and heroism.
Flags of the United States" a 36-page
publication, gives the history of our
national emblem. There is section
devoted to the Flag Code, set of
accepted rules on displaying the flag
on various occasions. Also includes
information on the subject Of State
flags. Done in full color. To secure
your copy of this booklet inclose 20
cents in coin. wrapped In this clip
ping, and mail to The Star Informa-
ton Bureau.
Name
Address
Evening star., 1942-11-02

See Harm In Concession
To Italian Aliens.
To the Editor Of The star:
The recent reclassification Of the
100000 Italian enemy aliens as friendly
aliens, as announced by the Attorney
General, has not caused here . much
dianay q no doubt Y did and will cause
Evening star., 1942-08-09

Listen, Stevie. You and l will go out to
Alumni Field this afternoon and we'll tell
Taylor confidential that your dad always passes
the lugs that date up Lucinda"
HE won't believe that! Everyone knows my
father is honorable to the point of being an
utter disgust. Besides it's Benny Garrison that
Lucinda is droopy over"
Don't worry" said Skinny. Those foot
ball morons believe anything tell them
Don't forget, Stevie, that am prodigy And
Lucinda will want to go to the prom with
Taylor - you just don't understand female
psychology"
We'll, maybe that will satisfy her"
Satisfy her! Say, girls commit mayhem
every night over that guyv'
90 SKINNY and l walked out to the foot
ball field where they were having spring prac-
tice and watched. We followed the plavers
into the shower room, and sat around while
they dressed.
Taylor" Skinny said, I'VE have little
Evening star., 1942-08-09

4 got it, Steviev' he said Buy me a soda and
III tell you"
So bought him soda and watched him
drink it, since only had dime and he passed
on his super colossal brain wave
We'll provide Lucinda with a counter
attraction" Skinny said, that being the way
he talks all the time
"Yeh?" said, pretending caught on.
''You know Bill Taylor?' Skinny asked.
We'll, don't know him personally" ad-
mitted, although I'd sure have liked to. He's
the best quarterback the college has.
WELL said Skinny, Taylor is mental
cripple - lame-brain If he fiunks any of his
mid-terms, he can't play football. The only
guy who would funk him is your dad. Your
dad has no compromise clause in his constitu-
ton about athletes
wished Skinny would talk American, but
knew he was insulting my father 50 l said,
"Yeh! Well. my dads fair marker"
Don't get feverish,' said Skinny.
whats that have to do with Lucinda?"