davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1942-03-16
A Serious CHARGE

The circumstances surrounding the
resignation Of Robert r. Guthrie as
chief of the textile, clothing and
leather branch of the War Produc-
ton Board are such as to call for
a full investigation and report to
the public by Chairman Donald M.
Nelson.
In a statement released after he
had rendered his resignation, Mr..
Guthrie said that there is strong
opposition in the War Production
Board to an all-out effort to speed
conversion of certain industries to
maximum war production. BY i'm
plication at least, he charged that
w. P. 3. officials drawn from these
industries are more concerned with
protecting their private interests
than with promoting the war effort.
This, coming from a man who has
had full opportunity to observe the
functioning of the w. P. B. at first
hand, Is a most serious charge, and
certainly is one which cannot be
ignored.
OF course, there may be another
side to the story. Mr.. Guthrie, 1t Is
alleged, was hostile" to industry, and
there also have been reports of per
sonality clashes" between him and
some of his associates.
1t should be fairly simple mat
ter to unearth the real facts of the
case, however, and Mr.. Nelson Is said
to have directed that full investi-
cation be made. When this inves-
tigation is completed there should be
no heSitancy in making the facts
public In their entirety. In a mat
ter of this kind the people, who are
being asked to make a total war eff
fort, clearly are entitled to know
whether the Governments direction
Of that effort is on something less
than an an-out basis. And II 1t is
shown that there is substance to
Mr.. Guthrie's accusation. they are no
less entitled to demand that the serv-
ices Of the obstructionists be dis
pensed with, and that without further
delay.
Evening star., 1942-03-16

age of available shipping are likely
to delay the movement of manganese
from far distant sources of supply
and reduce the volume Of deliveries.
The United States has on hand a
sizable stockpile, and there seems
no danger, in the immediate future,
of shortage. To prevent the pos
sibility of later interruption in steel
production, every effort should be
made both to increase domestic out
put of manganese and develop West
ern Hemisphere sources of supply.
Evening star., 1942-03-16
Miracle

NetDly incredible each time is the fact
That from this dark bulb and bar
rem stone
Should spring these tDhite narctssus
fotDers,
This dream OF stars and snotD full
bIotpn.
or that this air should be trans
formed to scent
or mater become the green blood
OF the leaf
And light Itself be caught In these
tDhite blooms,
Is miraculous beyond belief.
Strange that In this dead cone OF
the year
The four elements should 90 con.
sptre,
And out OF desolats bleakness, 90
dchieDe
This fragrant siirer mystery OF fire.
FREDERICK EgRIcEr.
Evening star., 1942-03-16
THIS AND THAT
By Charles =. TrncepeH.

Penny wasn't bothering about the tune.
She craned her neck.
''What Is Penny looking ate"
We looked toward the driveway.
There, on the edge, stood our first
robinl
He was rather on the lean side, but an
indisputable robin.
II there had been any doubt of It, his
warbled song, short but sweet, would
have proved 1t.
Somehow We always forget the robins
song. just how perfect 1t is. 1t has a
tune!
The bird hoped around on the lawn
for few hops, then went across the
driveway and disappeared.
Other robins had been reported, but
this was the first one we had seen:
probably 1t will be the last for few
days.
|. Hearing about other peoples first
robin Is not so exciting.
1t is ones own first robin" that really
counts.
We believe our correspondent Is right
in suggesting that somehow the birds
like best the sunflower seeds which they
pick off the heads.
1t is easy for any one to grow sun
flowers. In fact, every yard with a
corner in 1t ought to have one or more
groups of these old-fashioned but
nevertheless right up to the minute
plants.
as most persons do not know. They
range from the gigantic specimens. from
IL to Is feet high, to the dainty ones of
3 or feet, with small discs.
The older types, admittedly, will not
do for flower borders, but are always at
home In those spare corners which build
ers unfortunately leave behind garages.
These spaces are more or less waste,
anyway, and they might as well be
filled in with sunf1owers. They make q
nice background for such places. In the
autumn, after the flowers 60 to seed,
they are ready food for the birds at ex-
actly the right time.
"AcH AdAA anu WlILcI DIulB COlQ ana
SHOWS, the old stands of sunfiowers offer
rich nourishment to most of the seed
eating birds which winter with us.
Since the plants are tall. the food Is
always held up out Of the snow.
Birds eat safely from these natural
feeding stations.
The tough outer case protects the sweet
meat. No amount of rain or snow can
spoil it, once the bird gets within.
If there are many plants, some Of the
seed can be gathered and used on win
dow sills and the like.
These seeds are acceptable to the birds
at all times Of the year. Squirrels
like them. too, none better. One of the
best uses Is In summer, to lure the older
birds with their young. Cardinals, espe-
cially, appreciate these fat seeds, and
offer choice bits to their youngsters as q
first food after insects.
Evening star., 1942-03-16
RuiIroud Problem

The representations now being
made by the Office of Price Admin
istration to halt the prospective
increase in railroad freight rates be-
cause of the effect 1t inevitably will
have on living costs emphasize once
more the necessity for a definite
wage policy for industry generally.
AS the result of a settlement die
tated by the White House to avert q
Nation wide strike, the carriers face
an additional wage outlay approx
mating $685., ,oo0, 900 annually. The
Interstate Commerce Commission
boosted passenger fares 5000, 900 to
absorb part of this increase, and
followed this up few days ago by
raising freight rates to cover the
rest. It is this latter impost that
the Price Administration now has
asked the I. C. C. to defer.
The Q. P. A. is consistent in taking
this step, as Administrator Leon
Henderson repeatedly has warned
labor against wage demands that
carry the threat of imitation. and a
corresponding danger, of course, lies
in a huge rate increase that would
be passed on to the consuming public.
At the same time, however, the ques-
ton that naturally presents itself is
why the views Of the Price Admins
tration were not sought when the
rail wage question was at issue sew
eral weeks ago. At that time, the
Presidents Emergency Fact-Finding
Board, which brought about the
agreement between the carriers and
the brotherhoods, said that the rail-
roads would need additional reve-
nues, and commented on the infla-
tionary aspects of the situation. That
phase, however, was ignored in driv-
ing through a settlement.
The railroads-and, it must be said,
with Justice on their side-have taken
a stand against the proposal. but
they unquestionably would per-
form a valuable public service by
waving the higher freight rates II
that course Is at all possible, seeking
instead to meet the pay advance out
of current revenues. In this connec-
ton, an arrangement has been sug-
gested by an O. P. M. spokesman under
which lines unable to pay the new
scale without more revenue would
draw a subsidy from the United
State Treasury. 1t Is to be hoped
that this suggestion will be firmly
rejected. for the Government already
Is committed to an overabundance
of subsidy payments. Once begun it
Is hard to see where this proposed new
one would ever stop.
President Roosevelt announced
within the past week that the subject
of wage control is under study, and
the problem that now has been raised
makes it clear that such action can
not be taken too soon. In the ofhng
are the c. I. o. wage demands in
little steel" and the automotive in
dustry, and unless the brakes are
applied trouble can be expected.
Evening star., 1942-03-16
'BERwYN HEIGHTS, Md.

Dear Sir:
"This and That Is appreciated at any
time, and more than ever now.
Here is one for the book. A goldfinch
has been eating sunfower seed at the
window shelf. I suppose this isn't 50 re-
markable since sunhower seed Is said to
be one Of their staple foods. But 1t Is
most interesting to watch.
His bill is too small to crack the seed
and eat the meat at one operation as
the purple finches do. He picks seed,
crushes it, and strips the meat from the
pieces of shell.
He eats about one seed to four con-
sumed by his raspberry cousin. The
purple hnches have been here since
January S. think they are more
plentiful than last year.
"The number Of juncos and white
throated sparrows seems to be less. Our
cardinals and jays attended conven-
ton, think, last fall, but they are back
now.
'T treasure q beautiful picture in my
mind of Mrs. Cardinal perched atop q
tall sunfower which had gone to seed.
"It was a bird-planted sunhower and
the head was about inches across. She
perched atop the tall stalk, crest up, and
picked seed from the head of the plant.
"The light was just right to bring out
her dainty coloring. If only I could
paint it.
There is a vireo's nest in a small gum
tree about Is feet from this window.
Strips Of paper towel are woven into the
outside OF the nest. Isn't that clever7
Sincerely. Z. p. B."
Juncos suddenly showed up In our yard
on the afternoon OF March 9.
This was . red-letter day, too, on ae-
count of our FIRST robin.
The snowbirds came in the middle Of
the afternoon.
We had sowed some grass seed the
day before, and 1t was this they were
after.
At first glance we thought them Eng
lish sparrows and said, well, there are
the Sparrows after the seed"
A second glance revealed their round.
white stomachs. Somehow these birds
always make us think Of Napoleon In the
snuffbox portrait.
These were the first juncos we had
seen for several months.
The FIRST robin of the season appeared
at exactly $40 am.
Penny discovered 1t first.
She was looking out the window, her
eyes attracted by Q squirrel going up
q tree.
Cats eyes narrow at such sights.
The radio was giving out With some
organ music. Some piece by an Ameri-
can composer. We hate to say 50, but
modern American composers seldom II
ever have any tune.
Evening star., 1942-03-16
Manganese Program

The announcement by the War
Production Board Of plans to in
crease the domestic output of man
ganese to 100000 tons annually will
be welcomed as another important
step toward lessening the dependence
of our war industries on distant
countries for their supplies of certain
essential raw materials. Production
of a ton of steel requires, on the
average, fourteen pounds of man
ganese In the manufacture of steel,
manganese serves both as a deoxi-
dizer and purifying agent, and as an
essential alloying element. No salts
factory substitute for manganese has
yet been found. In 1887, consumption
in the United States totaled 100000
tons, and this year, with steel pro-
duction headed for an all-time peak,
at least 100000 tons of manganese
will be needed to meet the require
ments of the war effort.
Domestic manganese deposits are
low grade, and their recovery has
presented difficult engineering and
technical problems. For this reason,
United States production in the past
has been comparatively small. In
1910 domestic output amounted to
approximately 10000 tons. During
the past year the Bureau of Mines
and the Geological Survey, in CO.
operation with private groups, have
developed methods which, it is said,
will produce high-grade concentrates
from domestic ores. These tech
niques will be used in the new plants
to be established under the manga
nese program Of the War Production
Board.
The bulk of manganese ore con-
sumed In the United States comes
from foreign countries, with Russia,
Africa and British India the prin-
cipal suppliers. Some manganese La
also imported from Cuba and Brazil.
The spread OF the war and the short
Evening star., 1942-03-16
Criticizes State Department
For Attitude Toward vichy Regime.

To the Editor of The Star:
I wonder how many of your readers
have noted Lin Yutang's graceful plea
that the verb 'to kurusu" be Included
in the English dictionary with the noun
"quisling." His list Of nations and
statesmen who have "kurusued" each
other in the past decade Is sickening but
incomplete. Is not vichy Hitler's "kur-
usu"?
1t seems to be Vichys mission to hold
our State Department in parley while
the Axis forces worm nearer and nearer
to the next blitz goal. At the moment
the next one may be Madagascar.
If the Free French should repeat on
Madagascar their coup of st. Pierre and
Miquelon, viii our State Department re-
peat their apologies to 'kurusu"- -vichy2
Or viii 1t begin, at last, to perceive that
the Atlantic charter applies to the peo-
pie Of France?
MRs. EARL II. BARBER.
AsaAing. NAsA
Evening star., 1942-03-16
The Argentine Elections

Seminal results of the Argentine
congressional elections held on
March ! permit definite analysis
of the outcome in that important
political contest. The outstanding
features are the sharp contrast in
popular sentiment between BuenoS
Aires and the provinces, and a gen.
eral decline of the Radical party.
The first of these factors is nothing
new, because the great metropolis
on the banks of the Plate estuary
has always stood somewhat apart
from the rest of the country. 1t is
Argentina's one big urban center,
the provinces being predominantly
rural. Buenos Aires large working
class element tends to vote Socialist,
but outside the metropolis, which is
also the national capital, the Social
list party hardly exists. The two
nationwide parties are the Radicals,
representing chiefly the middle
classes, and the Concordancia, a
coalition of conservative elements
headed by the great landowners and
big business interests.
Acting President Castillo is Con-
cordancia's standard bearer, and the
recent elections were fought largely
on the issue of his foreign policy of
neutrality In the World War, which
the Conservatives strongly favored
while the Radicals advocated a break
with the Axis powers and whole
hearted Pan-American cooperation.
During the electoral campaign, Cas-
tillo strained his executive authority
to the limit by declaring a state of
emergency under which speech max
ing or editorials about the war were
forbidden. The consequence was the
curious spectacle of campaign con-
Quoted in silence on the burning issue
everybody was thinking about.
Early. returns from Buenos Aires
showed that the Conservatives were
faring badly. which led commen-
tatorS TO expect the Radicals would
increase their already strong repre-
sentation and control the next Con-
gress. But final results showed that
the big winners in the capital were
the Socialists, who headed the poll,
with the Radicals a close second and
the Conservatives bad third with
only one-fourth of the total vote.
The provinces went strongly Con-
servative, with the Radicals trailing
behind their showing in the previous
election. Apparently, the Radicals
will lose their plurality in the next
Congress to the Conservatives. Con-
cordancia, however, failed to get its
hoped-for majority. The Socialists
will hold the balance of power, and
they are expected to vote with the
Radicals on matters affecting foreign
policy, since they also are anti-Axis
and opposed to the governments
policy of strict neutrality.
Acting President Castillo thus pre-
sumably will continue to be faced with
congressional opposition. However,
it will not be as strong as in the pres
ent Congress. and the decline of the
Radical party undoubtedly will dis
appoint many observers in the United
States and other parts of Latin
America as well. CaStillo'S foreign
policy apparently has been indorsed
by the provinces, and the hold of the
Conservatives has been strengthened
over Argentine political life. What
this may portend for Argentina's
part in Pan-American affairs and its
attitude toward the United States
remains to be seen.
Evening star., 1942-03-16

The President advises his press
conference that all should realize
that America is at war and should
adjourn politics" If only those at
the top will do that thing, this alone
should prove one of the great mass
adjournmentS on record.
Evening star., 1942-03-16

@. How many Jews are there In the
United States?-L. G. z.
A. According to the census Of religious
bodies taken In 1886 and published In
ls4l, jews In communities where there
are congregations number 4,64I,fs4.
@. Where Is the Forest Of Fame 10
cated2-A. 3. D.
A. 1t Is at Mount Vernon, Wis. The
Forest Of Fame was begun on Arbor Day,
1916, by the late John Sweet Donald. It
consists Of trees from the birthplaces Of
former Presidents Of the United States,
famous generals and other prominent
persons.
@. Is 1t true that snow can be used In
making pancakes7-M. r.
A. Freshly fallen snow is used Ia max.
ing snow pancakes as well an fritters.
One cup Of newly fallen snow La gen.
orally used for each pint Of milk In the
batter. The air in the snow serves as
leaven.
Q. How much radtum i there In the
world?-D. v. s.
A. There are little over 1000 grams
Of radium In the world.
@. What was the solitaire" that
formed part of the colonial costume
worn by men7-W. K.
"A. The solitaire. was the broad black
ribbon introduced from France In the
time OF Louis XIV, worn close around ths
throat, apparently to protect the coat
from the powdered wig. According to
advertisements in the American news.
papers, 1t was much worn in the Colo
nies.
@. Where is the highest tide In the
world2-N B.
A. The largest known periodic tides In
the world occur on the Atlantic coast in
Minas Basin, Bay of Fundy. where the
mean rise and fall is approximately 10
feet.
Q. Is there Philippine fiag7 If 80.
please give description.-B. ". 6.
A. The Philippine flag has at the left
a white triangle on which there Ia a
golden sun and three golden stars, one in
each corner of the triangle. These rep
resent the three largest islands. The
field Is divided by q line drawn from
the apex Of the triangle to the middle of
the opposite side, blue above, red below.
Q. Why are Minneapolis and st. Paul
called the Twin Cities?-B. B.
A. Minneapolis and st. Paul are called
the twin cities because their city limits
adjoin. Minneapolis, in Hennepin Coun-
ty, is separated from st. Paul in Ram
sey County, partly by an artificial land
boundary and partly by the Missis-
sippi River.
@. Has there ever been q disastrous
volcanic eruption in Hawaii?-B. l..
A. Volcanic disasters such as have
occurred in other parts of the world are
unknown In Hawaii even though the is
lands are considered to be the deposit
Of five volcanoes, two Of which are. still
active.
Evening star., 1942-03-16

European advices declare that Hit
Ter, harassed by the Reds, is forced
to dip deep into reserves trained for
his spring push" There is an an
cient saying that "he who sups with
the devil needs long spoon"
Evening star., 1942-03-16
Letters to the Editor

Letters to the Editor must
bear the name and address of
the tDriter, although the use OF
q pSeudonyn for publication Is
permissible. The Star reserves
the right to edit all letters NTH
a Diea1 to condensation.
Evening star., 1942-03-16

1t will be happy day for the
U. s. A. when It's press carries a story
of the arrival Of its Secretary Of War
somewhere on the battle front "for
an inspection Of offensive operations"
instead Of "defenses."
Evening star., 1942-03-16

Needlework-with our country
at war there is q real need for
sewing and knitting-you can do
your part by contributing your
services to this worthwhile work.
II you are not handy with q needle
either knitting or sewing-get
yourself a copy Of our booklet on
NEEDLEWORK. The instructions
are simple - Illustrations are in
cluded to make the directions
clear. To secure your copy of this
publication incloSe 10 cents In coin,
wrapped in this clipping, and mail
to The Star Information Bureau.
Name
Address
Evening star., 1942-03-16

The Associated Press is exclusively entitled to
the use for republication of all news dispatches
credited to 1t or not otherwise credited in this
paper and also the local news published herein:
All rights Of publication Of special dispatches
herein also are reserved.
Evening star., 1942-03-16

as whipping boy to suffer all the blows
that might better be directed against the
multiplying follies of certain other
branches Of the administration. For a
change, give us Americans the tools and
We will finish the job. Let those who are
eager to help do their bit, and let Mr..
Mellett make straight their way.
ROBERT SEIDEL.
Complains About Alleged Discrimination
Against Government Personnel.
To the Editor Of tn. Star:
7 read with interest the recent article
by David Lawrence and also noted
Philip Murray's statement to the effect
that the Smith amendment to eliminate
the 40-hour week and costly overtime
pay would deny American working men
and women appropriate payment, long
guaranteed by statute, for extra hours
Of work. Why, I wonder, are not these
statutes made to apply to civil service
employees instead of 1899 Federal
statute prohibiting extra compensation
for overtime work?
The President, to whom Federal en-
ployes must look as organized labor does
to MesSrs. Murray and Green, was said
to view with disfavor the Smith amend
ment. Why is it that the. administra-
ton repeatedly chooses to thwart all
efforts to oblige organized labor to bear
its rightful share of the sacrifices which
we all should make for the successful
prosecution Of the war?
The Federal Government is supposed
to be model employer" However, the
administration does not hesitate to ex-
ploit Government employees by ordering
them to work overtime, and contribute
the equivalent of to II weeks annu-
ally without additional compensation, to
say nothing Of time and half or double
pay for this extra effort, privilege
apparently reserved for organized labor.
No columnist or editorial writer has
chosen to comment on this injustice to
Government employees, nor the fact that
nothing has been done to enable them
to meet the rising cost Of living. On the
contrary, our compensation seems to be
continual verbal blasts from grandstand-
playing Congressman who prefer to
point out all the terrible things Coy
ernment employees are alleged to be,
rather than expending their efforts on
the more vital everyday legislative tasks
50 necessary to expedite the progress Of
our war effort.
Despite the weak bargaining position
OF civil service employees, we are human
beings and deserve to be considered as
such. rather than as a suppressed mi
nority. to be buffeted about and brow
beaten. A CIVIL EMPLOYE.
Evening star., 1942-03-16
Urges Elimination
OF Record Appendix.

TO the Editor OF The Star:
have heard 1t suggested that In these
days when we are being urged on all sides
to use paper sparingly, the Government
might set an example by onitting the
appendix to the Congressional Record.
The saving In paper and labor would be
considerable; the value OF the appendix.
at present, seems negligible.
CoNsXRvKR.
Evening star., 1942-03-16
rha rreninr Star Nexsnaner Company.
Rate by Mail-Payable In Advance.
Member of the Associated Press.

Entered as second-class matter post once,
Washington. D. C.
Evening star., 1942-03-16

G. Has there ever been q disastrous
volcanic eruption in Hawaii2-B. L.
A. Volcanic disasters such as have
occurred in other parts of the world are
unknown In Hawaii even though the is
lands are considered to be the deposit
Of five volcanoes, two Of which are. still
active.
The Daily Alaska empire., 1942-11-17
TWO BASES ARE TAKEN
 BY BRITISH
Port Derna, MakiIi 0ttu. pied-No Report of
 RommeI's s Army

CAIRO, Nov. 17.--British troops occupied Port Derna, l50 miles short of Bengasi, and Makili yes terday and other units of the British Eighth Army swept by in pursuit of the broken army of Marshall Erwin Rommel along the .ibyan coastal road.
 The position of Rommels shat cred forces is not given in to- lays communique but they were last reported stretched out along he road to Bengasi and Fl Agheila. ] mass of battered trucks and quipment. The Fl Agheila area is jome 400 miles from the main Axis t Tripoh.
 Neither is the whereabouts of Rommel's remaining planes given in today's communique. Perhaps he had no remaining planes"
 The United States Middle East Headquarters announce that fight r planes have secuted the desert kies without finding any signs of nemy craft.