davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1942-03-18
The Stakes Are Hiqh

The stakes are high in the fateful
lottery just completed. AS Selective
Service Director Hershey pointed out
in opening the drawing ceremony
last night, this is every ones war in
a very real sense. Every man, woman
and child has stake in the outcome.
Every man, woman and child stands
to lose or gain by what happens when
the final showdown comes.
The costs are great-in money, in
tears, in blood and in sweat. But
the stakes are greater still; so great
that to lose would mean utter
disaster for all of us. However, war
Is a grim game in which our chances
of winning increase in direct pro-
portion to the amount that we con-
tribute of our services and possess
sions and comforts. The lottery last
night dramatized but one serious
phase of the sacrifices which all
Americans must make to insure the
winning of the war. Since life itself
is not too great sacrifice to make
toward achieving victory, it is self
evident that lesser sacrifices-of
peacetime gains and conveniences of
many kinds-are little enough to
make if the reward will be the sal
vation of all that we as Nation
and as individual citizens hold dear.
With the enormity of the stakes
clearly in mind, every American will
make his contribution willingly,
whatever the sacrifice which it may
be his lot to render
Evening star., 1942-03-18

income tax payment late and see what
happens.
Many Of us have transferred from
other agencies to defense agencies. Are
We to suffer for it? Right now 1 would
change my job for any position in pri-
vate industry. Aside from the fact of
increased living conditions without
raises. aside from seeing better paying
jobs filled by incompetent people, aside
from the deluge Of employees hired
through political influence, aside from
tardy payrolls, what have We Govern
ment employees to kick about?
A VERY IRRITATED GOVERNMENT
EMPIOYE
Evening star., 1942-03-18
Letters From Home

Stanley Washburn, having served
with twenty different armies and
reported approximately a hundred
battles since 1904, writes to The
Star letter printed in an adjoining
column and recommended to the
thoughtful attention of all readers
interested to contribute to the win
ming of the war The author Is
familiar with his subject as few
other men could claim to be. He
speaks from greater experience than
most of his contemporaries have had.
With specific reference to letters to
soldiers at the front, he declares
that "the mail will move on ration
trains"
How different it was during the
First World War may be estimated
from these words. quoted from the
final report of General John j..
Pershing, commander-in chief of the
A. E. F. in France, 1917-1919: while
every effort was exerted to maintain
satisfactory mail service, frequent
transfers of individuals, especially
during the hurried skeletonizing of
certain combat divisions, numerous
errors in addresses. hasty handling
and readdressing of mail by regi-
mental and company clerks in the
zone of operations. and other condi-
tions incident to the continuous
movement of troops in battle, made
the distribution of mail an exceed
ingly difficult problem"
The difficulty. of course. has been
enhanced by the circumstances
Evening star., 1942-03-18
Discusses Free Trade Theory
In the Light Of Present Crisis.
To the Editor Of The Stal

To the Editor Of The Star:
The granting by the United States Of
q $4,000 credit to Brazil to aid re-
establishment Of crude rubber produc-
ton in its Amazon basin presages similar
aid to other Latin American countries
to stimulate production in the Western
Hemisphere Of raw materials for which.
in the past, we have depended upon Old
World sources.
In principle, the free-trade advocate
would oppose this type Of financial aid.
Noting that this same Amazon basin
once dominated rubber production, but
that control later passed to the Far
East. he argues that such q shift must
have obeyed natural economic reasons
and, therefore, should not be intefered
with artifically.
But If, following the free-trade theory,
each region produces only that which
it can produce more cheaply than it can
import, 1t must rely upon outside sources
for all other necessary items. This it
cannot safely do If exposed to the dan
ger Of frequent wars rendering these
sources inaccessible.
Did we know that, within one or two
years, the Malayan source again would
open, q plausible argument might be
advanced for relaxing the search for
new sources. But that we cannot know.
Faith in ultimate victory for the de-
mocracies may be absolute, but who will
prophesy how many years may pass
before that victory Is won? Who will
assure us that the Nipponese, before
evacuating Malaga, might not, in pur-
suit Of "scorched earth" policy, destroy
existing rubber plantations? And even
were immediate resumption Of Malayan
rubber production assured following VIC
tory, who will guarantee that the en-
suing peace will last, that no new war
will cut us of once more from Malaga?
Thus our free trader, if he be realist,
will concede that in this unpredictable
world we must have many strings for
each bow, and, although with an occa-
sional furtive sigh. will support his Gov
ernment's efforts to make the Western
Hemisphere economically independent
OF the Eastern Hemisphere
HARRY STARK.
OAytous Beach. Fla
Evening star., 1942-03-18
THIS AND THAT
By Charles Z. TracetDell.

We do not expect to see the wood
thrush out our way until some time In
April, probably well after the 18th.
There was something definitely nice
about being able to expect this bird on
a set and predetermined date.
For at least five years 1t appeared In
Chevy Chase, Nd, on April %. but then
one year it came in two weeks ahead Of
that time.
Upon one occasion a specimen was
found dead on front porch in the next
block along toward the first OF April.
Thrushes usually settle down in that
particular block a few days before they
fly over to our block. 1t has plenty Of
huge oaks. we'll liked by all birds, and
by the thrushes in particular.
Any ones love Of birds may be traced,
We believe. to the first acquaintance
with the wood thrush.
Birds may be just birds before that,
but once you know the wood thrush the
rest Of them grow In stature with you.
Somehow all the birds are seen as
jewels, after you have become well
acquainted with the song, appearance
and beautiful manners of this particular
thrush.
1t is impossible, once you fall in love
with Q thrush, to look with indifference
upon any bird. for do they not all be-
long to the same great group?
OF some moderns 1t may be said Vita
Minis plus, manner minus" and the same
may be said Of many birds, but certainly
no one could apply the phrase to the
wood thrush.
Here Is one Of the finest of all living
creatures, range as you will from man,
the bomb thrower, through animals
fishes, insects.
The wood thrush is at once beautiful.
skillful, . master songster and a model
OF department. But his exquisite man
ners are not namby -pamby in any sense.
He Is still the capable bird, one. well
able to leave the woods and come to
settle down by our suburban homes,
despite his name. The name was given
to him In Colonial days. when, like his
cousin. the hermit thrush, he was q
true creature OF the wildwoods.
Today his name is more or less of
a misnomer, because he spends most Of
his time IN the summer around mans
dwelling places
He Is not only a fine musician, but
q courtly one. Few other birds strike
the observer in just this way. The wood
thrush is never staid. but Is at all times
IN everything he does. the true gentle
man. In this era OF the roughneck
rampant. real gentleman, one who is
50 completely 80 that he himself would
not know what you meant by the term
is . living presence to treasure more
than ever.
Look out for the wood thrush, then;
he and his mate are well worth watch
ing for, and will entertain and cheer
you in troublesome times, about which
they, thank God, know nothing. We are
glad that none Of the birds will ever
know just what rascaIs we humans are
Evening star., 1942-03-18
BETHESDA, Md.

Dear Sir:
Does the wood thrush come to town
this early?
Il saw q bird the other day that I
thought might be thrush, but 1t
seemed 50 much larger than had re-
membered the thrush.
II recall that each year you write
about the arrival of the thrush, but do
not have . good memory and cannot
think just what month 1t was.
I'VE had quite an argument in our
family about this, so please settle it for
us. One member said the thrush arrived
in March, and another in April, while a
third held out for May.
Il hope you will not think we argue
with nsts but only with words. We are
q great family to 'argufy' It is a custom
in our home to talk things over; perhaps
strangers might think we were going
at it hot and heavy, but it is just all in
fun. I think that II all people would
talk things over more there would be
fewer real disputes.
Let me know about the brown bird.
Sincerely yours, z. T. c."
The brown bird seen by our CORE.
spondent in the first few days OF March
was not q wood thrush.
It might have been either Q brown
thrasher or a fox sparrow.
The earliest the wood thrush is known
to have come to Washington and vicinity
was April 13.
Most springs it arrives almost on
schedule on April 49, During the last
few years it has been showing up earlier
and earlier. but this probably shows no
trend in particular. 1t just happens
that way.
The brown thrasher is sometimes
called the big thrush" but it is no
thrush at all. belonging to the catbird
and mockinsbird family.
It has way Of flirting its tail in all
directions. hence its name If you ap-
proach its nest you will have no trouble
understanding why 1t is called .
thrasher.
The fox sparrow, which has brown
back and striped stomach and breast. is
smaller than q wood thrush.
The thrasher usually comes to town
along about the first of April. but some.
times shows up as early as the first Of
March.
The fox sparrow stays here all winter
that is, some Of them do-and is pres
ent at this time. but is smaller than .
thrush. Its chest is more striped than
spotted. The latest the fox sparrow
stays here is May IL.
The fox sparrow and thrasher are both
scratching birds The wood thrush is
not scratcher, but selects his food
daintily.
The fox sparrow is inches long,
which makes him q rather good sized
sparrow
The brown thrasher Is 10 to IL inches
long.
The wood thrush is II to 81 inches.
which makes him just appreciably
longer than the fox sparrow.
Evening star., 1942-03-18
U. S. O. Booth-Union
Station

"How notherly she ts," the soldiers
said,
Not knoUing that her oldest son uas
dead,
That he had crashed in some far
tropic sea
While fighting for the cause OF
liberty.
"Hou pery kind she is," the sailors
thought,
Not knowing that her other son stu
fought
The enemy do,Dn some Anchdrted sky
For freedoms sake and unafratd to
die.
Her poice uas sweeter than a CRADLE
And there ,oas neuer any day too
long
While she could feed them, plan
their dancing-dates
And paDe them, smiling, through the
station gates.
With cheerful talk, she passed the
cookie jars
And no one knew her heart Dors
serpice stars.
ANoBEL ARMOUR.
Evening star., 1942-03-18
Quotes Lincoln In Behalf
OF Being Frank With the People.

To ths Editor Of The Star:
In an interesting letter to The Star,
Leonora Wood quotes from Abraham
Lincoln in defense Of the war policy of
his administration which was subject to
considerable criticism, just as today's is
receiving what seems to be ever-increas-
ing censure.
The quotation that follows, also from
Lincoln. demands attention: Il have
faith In the people, let them know the
truth and the country is safe"
Who can deny the truth of that great
utterance? And 1t naturally must be
conversely q fact that when men and
women of democracy are kept in the
dark, the Nation is unsafe.
EDMUND K. GOLDSBOROUGH.
Evening star., 1942-03-18

@ Which city In the world Is most
frequently visited by Pngrims?-D G. A.
A. Jerusalem has been visited by more
pilerims through the centuries than any
other city on earth.
@. Do male birds ever help to incubate
the eggs?-H. c.
A. Pairs Of birds which are colored
alike often share incubation or take
turns on the nest But If the male IS
more brightly colored than the female
he rarely helps. Male doves often brood
beside their mates and the rose-breasted
erosbeak takes the place Of the female
for two or three hours every morning
while she feeds. The males Of ostriches
and some other large tropical birds regu-
larly do all the incubating.
@. Please give an explanation OF the
term king pin" as used In bowling
P. E.
A. BY many bowlers the king pin Is
the head pin; In other sections 1t is the
No. S. The latter reason comes from tho
influence of the 9-pin game. where the
middle pin was the No. S and was called
the king pin.
@. In what parts Of the United States
does the gopherwood grow?-W. L.
A. The torreya. also known as goph-
er wood, stinking cedar and savin grows
in certain sections Of Florida and
Georgia. This tree. which. according to
legend, is related botanically to the trees
from which Noah built the Ark, Is not
found native anywhere else on the Amer
ican continent.
@. How many performances were
there Of Victoria Regina" with Helen
Hayes In New York City?-P. c. T.
A. Victoria Regina" played $40 per.
formances.
@. Where are the principal oil-pro.
ducing areas in the world?-C. N. F.
A. There are three main oil-producing
areas-in America, in the Near East and
in the Dutch East Indies.
@. What per cent of the population Of
Australia is British stock?-V. R.
A. About 88 per cent Of the population
is Of British stock.
Q. How many islands are there In the
Philippine group?-L. A. J.
A. There are about 1888 islands and
islets, Of which 462 have areas Of one
square mile or over.
@. Was the Cid . real person.
D. P. F.
A. Cid is . corruption Of the Arabic
"seygid," meaning "lord." This title was
given to Roderigo or Ruy Dias de Bivar.
l04o-109s, the national hero Of Spain
and champion Of christianity against
the Moors. His exploits. real and
legendary, form the basis Of several
works Of literature.
O. Why does the wind blow more in
March than in other months?-A M. E.
A. A difference in temperature causes
difference in the accumulation Of air. In
March the difference in temperature be-
tween the southern and northern por.
tions Of the United States is greater than
at any other time Of the year, hence the
difference in atmospheric pressure be-
tween these regions is then greatest and
the resulting winds strongest.
Evening star., 1942-03-18
Airport Jurisdiction

Approval by the Commissioners Of
the Randolph boundary bill, follow
ing closely on acceptance of the
plan by the Virginia Assembly,
smoothS the way for early settle
ment of the long-controverted
District-Virginia boundary problem
as well as the question Of who is to
exercise jurisdiction over the WASH
ington National Airport. The Ran
dolph bill originated with the
National Capital Park and Planning
Commission. which long has been
interested in obtaining a permanent
settlement Of the boundary contro-
versy. This is the first concrete pro-
posal which has received the indorse-
ment of representatives of the three
jurisdictions commemorative Federal
Government. the District and
Virginia.
The proposed legislation would do
two things: First. it would place the
airport entirely within the boun-
daries OF the State of Virginia, it's
status to be like that of any other
Federal reservation in Virginia, with
certain exceptions. Second. it would
establish a so-called boundary line
OF convenience" between the District
and Virginia all the way from Chain
Bridge to Alexandria, the new line to
be the present high-water mark on
the Virginia shore.
In voting to approve the Randolph
bill, the Legislature at Richmond
reserved the right to enforce the
Virginia alcohol control law at the
airport. which would prevent the
sale Of liquors at the restaurant
there; the right to collect State
gasoline taxes on sales of fuel to
automobiles but not to airplanes,
and the right to serve civil and GRIM
lnal process papers on airport prop
erty. At the same time, the Assembly
authorized the Governor and the
State Attorney General to enter into
additional agreements with the Fed
eral Government, including, possibly,
waiver OF all Virginia property and
income taxes and business licenses at
the airport.
Policing Of the airport would be
the responsibility Of the Federal
Government. exercised through the
Civil Aeronautics Authority, with the
United States Commissioner at Alex
andria having criminal jurisdiction.
Conflict Of police Jurisdiction
throughout the length of the vir-
ginia shore opposite the District
also would be eliminated, the pro-
jected boundary giving Arlington
County authorities control to the
water line and District authorities
supervision over all Of the river to
the present shore line. Federal police
would have charge over all Federally
owned property on the Virginia
shore. This compromise arrange
ment would put an end at last to
the intolerable mo mans land" con-
fusion which too long has prevailed
IN certain areas across the river. All
in all, it seems to offer a sensible
solution, at one stroke, of the related
problems of airport jurisdiction and
boundary location and, therefore, the
plan merits prompt and favorable
consideration by Congress.
Evening star., 1942-03-18
Letters to the Editor
Calls "Objectors" to Patriotic Cause
So Many Human Bottlenecks."

SoAS OUJCNkVID W 1AulOtC O2V39
So Many Human Bottlenecks."
70 the Editor Of The Star:
During the Revolutionary War there
were many people in the colonies with
strong English sympathies who were .
real hindrance to the American cause.
They were called Tories" and the name
became q synonym for traitors.
During the Civil War there were peo-
pie in the North whose sympathies were
with the cause Of the South. They were
called "Copperheads," and the name still
is used in application to chronic objec-
tors of good cause
In this war for freedom and humanity
and righteousness the fifth columnist
is real enemy in our midst, a snake in
the grass, and he is made prisoner OF
war.
What shall we call the cynics, grum-
blers, slackers, chislers, hoarders, strik-
ers, appeasers, profiteers, the chronic
objectors to the restrictions Of their
pleasures and greeds. They are slowing
down our defense efforts and lengthen-
ing the duration Of the war. They are
menace.
We need q comprehensive word with
which to label those among US who are
doing so much to lower our morale.
word has come into common use
during this war to express the obstacles
and hindrances that occur 50 often IN
our war production. We call them bot
tlenecks"
If you should try to keep a mental
record Of the people you meet from day
to day who are grumbling and complain
ing about the restrictions to their old
way Of living, to the rise in prices, to
the necessary changes in their habits
and comforts, you will be surprised and
alarmed at their number. Do they love
their country and value their freedom?
They are our human bottlenecks.
Hitler and the treacherous Japs are
not the only evils we must fight If we
are to keep our freedom and our stand
ard Of living.
One Of the things that Winston
Churchill said in his speech before the
United States Congress, in talking about
our enemies, was the sentence: What
kind of people do they think we are?"
We can we'll ask ourselves: What kind
of people are we?"
God put a mark on Gains forehead
as q punishment for his sin.
We cannot put a physical mark on
those among us who are not going AL
out" with this war; but we can say
what we think about human bottlenecks.
E. M. DICKINSON.
"Tardy" Distribution Of Salary Checks
Irritates Government Worker.
To the Editor Of The Star:
I am writing in protest against the
delay in getting paid by the Govern
ment. It seems about time something
were done about it. For the past three
pay periods, checks have been tardy. I
suppose with things the way they are at
present, nothing should be said about
such trif1ing matters. 1t may be .
trifling matter to those who get their
pay on time, but to those of us who
have to meet bills and have nothing to
meet them with, 1t does matter. Loan
companies don't give hoot whether you
have your check or not, as long as you
meet your obligations on the 9Th or 23rd,
and If you don't they simply charge you
additional interest. Why shouldn't We
charge the Government . penalty for
svsfy check delayed7 T1y sending your
Evening star., 1942-03-18
Huskin's Answers
To Questions
Bp Frederic J. Hdsktn.

A reader can get the dnsDer to any
question OF fact by tDrtting The Ere-
ming Star Information Bureau, Fred
eric J. Haskin. director. Washington.
d. c. Please inclose stamp tor reply.
@. How many people are now in Gov
ernment service?-A. ON.
A. According to . report Of the Census
Bureau, there are now 6,S6l 900 men and
women In Federal. State and municipal
government service. This means that
out Of every II workers In the Nations
labor force is on the public payroll.
Q. Are tires and tubes rationed In
Canada?-H. K.
A. Canada has practically the same
regulations about the rationing of tires
as are in effect in the Omitted States.
Q. What Is the name Of the son re-
Gently born to the Duke and Duchess Of
Gloucester7-V. N.
A. The son Of the Duke and Duchess Of
Gloucester has been named william
Henry Andrew Frederick.
Evening star., 1942-03-18
Macarthur to Australia

The transfer of General Douglas
Macarthur from the Philippines to
Australia and his elevation to
supreme command over the United
Nations forces in the entire South
Pacific area is an event Of great sig
nif1cance, both for what it imme-
diately does and fo- what it
eventually implies. Interest in the
move is enhanced by the War De-
partment's statement that it was
made "in accordance with the request
Of the Australian government" and
that the order was sent to Mac
Arthur three weeks ago but was
delayed in execution at the Generals
request until he could make proper
arrangements for carrying on the
defense of the Filipino
positions in Bataan Peninsula and
on Corregidor. This implies a we'll
considered strategic plan rather
than sudden decision due to the
impact of current events. Although
the order was issued from Washing
ton as Singapore was falling. Java
had not yet been attacked. Further
more. it may be assumed that the
request of the Australian govern
ment had been made still earlier.
The Navy had just made its devas-
tating attacks on the japanese bases
on the Gilbert and Marshall Islands,
which undoubtedly helped to protect
the great conveys Of American troops
and materiel that the War Depart
ment has officially announced as
now In Australia "in considerable
numbers" and as comprising both
air units and ground forces.
All this helps us to visualize the
strategic pattern that is developing
down under" Everything indicates
that the period of mere Allied defense
IN the South Pacific is drawing to
close. and that the United Nations
are about to pass to at least what
military men call offensive defen-
sive," as prelude to a sustained
offensive in the full strategic sense.
Hard-hitting. resourceful General
Macarthur, who has so successfully
taken the measure of his Japanese
opponents, is the ideal commander
in-chief for the coming campaign.
And besides his technical uualifca-
tions should be set the enormously
important factor Of heightened mo-
fale. In Australia, as in the United
States and the Philippines. his has
become name to conjure with.
News dispatches report that the
whole Commonwealth is electrified
with exultant enthusiasm and halls
MacArthur's presence as a sure har-
binger Of victory. At a supremely
critical moment when japanese
armadas are said to be bearing down
on Australia for attempted invasions,
this mighty spiritual uplift for the
defenders cannot be overestimated.
What the new generalissimo's first
moves will be are. of course, pure
speculation. He can be counted on
70 act with the same combination of
skill and vigor as that which he has
already displayed on Bataan. At
the same time. it should be remem-
bered that Macarthur is no wizard
10 work miracles and pull victories
out of q conjurer's hat. He must
have the men, the planes, the ships,
and all the rest Of the complex