davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1942-01-05
Unfortunate Controversy

It is most unfortunate that the
automobile labor-management con-
ference, meeting here with the o. p.
M. today, should have opened in an
atmosphere of controversy and sus-
picion.
The c. I. o. wing of organized labor
contends that 1t has submitted a
feasible plan for adapting available
machinery in the automobile in
duStry to war production, together
with plans for boosting the output of
steel, aluminium, copper and other
important materials, but that the
o. P. M. has done nothing about any
of these suggestions. Thus, in effect,
the o. P. M. is accused of willfully re-
fusing to boost defense production,
and industry Is charged by implica-
ton with failure to do its part in the
war effort.
To this charge the o. P. M. has as
yet made no reply. But the Auto
mobile Manufacturers Association
has taken vigorous exception to the
criticism. The first part OF this
answer consists of an assertion that
the industry has done an excellent
job under the circumstances and
that it is prepared to continue doing
so in the future. The second part
Is an attack on the c. I. O., whose
leaders are accused of scheming to
take over management OF the auto
motive industry, despite the fact
that they have led, tolerated or en-
couraged hundreds of sit-down
strikes, slowdowns and other forms
of production sabotage" which have
hampered the industry in the past.
In both cases, these charges and
the accompanying implications prob
ably overShoot the mark. It Is
undoubtedly true that our produc-
ton could have been greater, and it
is probably true that labor, industry
and Government all share In the
responsibility for the failure to pro-
.duce more. But this is water over
the dam. The war which lies in the
future cannot be won by indulging
in recriminations over what might
have been.
The imperative need Of the mo-
ment is not to fight over the mis-
takes of the past, but to make
certain that they are not repeated
in the future. To the extent that
this may require fixing of respon-
sibility, the responsibility should be
fixed. With that done, all three
members of the production team
labor, management and Government
should get down to the Job in
hand without further pickering.
Evening star., 1942-01-05
Frank Explanation Needed

Hearings before the House Subcom-
mittee inquiring into the transfer OF
established agencies from Washington
to make room for new defense agen-
cies have failed to elicit from those
questioned any information as to any
efforts, on the part of those order
Ing the transfers. to determine the
wisdom of the moves. On the other
hand, convincing evidence has been
offered as to the total absence of any
such efforts.
Twice the Budget Bureau, which
seems to have transmitted but not to
have initiated the orders for moving
established agencies, has been forced
to change its original plans. The
Patent Office is going to Richmond,
not to New York as first ordered. The
Wage and Hours Division of the De-
partment OF Labor is going to one of
two other cities, not to Pittsburgh as
originally ordered. Secretary Perkins
knew nothing Of the transfer of this
agency until a few minutes before
the orders were delivered to her de-
partment. And investigation of the
housing possibilities in Richmond is
being made after, instead of before,
the issuance of revised orders send
ing Patent Office workers to the Vir-
ginia capital.
No advocate of the transfers has
yet come to light. Every one ques-
toned regrets the necessity, without
seeming to know what constitutes
the necessity for the transfers. Aside
from appeals to the patriotism of the
workers, no convincing reason for the
sacrifice has been presented. The
transfer decision bears all the ear
marks of having been arbitrary,
reached without thorough investiga-
ton Of the attendant complications
and clothed with a mystery which
does nothing to bolster confidence in
Its wisdom. The people called on to
make the very real sacrifices involved
in the move certainly deserve the
explanation that thus far has been
denied them.
Evening star., 1942-01-05

way as far south as Kuantan, the
only important town on this side.
That Is over half way to Singapore,
but between lie 400 miles Of almost
impenetrable jungle. The real threat
Is along the west coast, looking to-
ward sumatra across the Straits OF
Malacca. This, for the most part, is
well-developed country, belted with
rubber plantations and studded with
tin mines. Here the Japanese have
not progressed 80 far, being still
some $50 miles from Singapore. But
they have already captured the main
port. Penang, and have overrun the
richest rubber and tin districts.
Furthermore, the British have been
unable to stop them, latest advices
reporting that. the natural barrier
of the Perak River has been forced.
And the Japanese drive into Malaga
Is only q trifle more than three
weeks old.
Heavy British reinforcements are
said to have arrived, with more on
the way. 1t is high time. If the
japanese are not to approach Singa-
pore. There. Of course, they would
run into q formidable belt of forti-
fications which might render the
siege long and costly. Yet the stakes
are SO great that nothing should be
left to chance. Every day is vital II
the threat to Singapore Is to be
stayed.
Evening star., 1942-01-05
Otis Skinner

CNCu WuCu Vic dtCcULlOu OF the
American people is concentrated
upon the problems of war, a mo-
ment must be spared to express
appreciation for the life and services
OF the finest professional actor of
his time. Otis Skinner. dying at
eighty three, had earned the dis
tinction freely accorded him. Dur
ing more than sixty years of labor
in the theater he gave to the public
the high example of a player who
was qualified in terms of character
and personality to essay the very
noblest parts. No role that he at
tempted demanded of him any
spiritual exertion to which he could
not rise. Rather, 1t happened very
commonly that he endowed the
written patterns of his work with a
power drawn from his own devoted
soul.
Mr.. Skinner was born at Cam
bridge, Massachusetts,, June 28, 1853.
He was a Universahst clergyman,s
son, and it is pleasant to think that
it was from his father that he first
learned TO value the artistry of
English speech. His mother, 1t
seems, was doubtful of his success
in a thespian career because he
could not talk straight" But the
correction he required for such q
fault came to him promptly enough
when in 1876, at eighteen, he joined
the Museum Company in Phila-
delphia. His diary showed that he
studied no less than 120 differ
ent impersonations in his first twelve
months on the boards. It was thus
that he gained the training he
needed to associate on equal terms
with Edwin Booth, Lawrence. Bar
rett, John Drew, Helen Modjeska,
Ada Rehan, Minnie Maddern Fiske,
Maude Adams and Henrietta Cros-
man. He was the master of sixteen
leading roles out Of Shakespeare
blessed book, but he also could make
something memorable from such an
opportunity as that of Uncle Tom"
in the popular classic Of Harriet
Beecher Stowe. His "Shylock" was
famous and his Mister Antonio" a
Joy to see, but probably it was for
his magnificent representation of
Hail the beggar in "Kismet" that
he was most deservedly celebrated.
Nothing more gratifying ever was
done behind footlights in the United
States. It lives today In the recol-
lection Of a multitude Of play-going
oldsters as they observe efforts Of
younger and less competent "stars."
Yet there was nothing patronizing
about Mr.. Skinner. Up to the last
he still maintained his faith in the
theater as a great cultural institu-
ton to which all classes Of people
should be made welcome. His writ
ings reflected the generosity of his
mind and heart. The rich perfection
of his diction and style survives in
the genius of his daughter, Cornelia,
a distinguished artist in her own
right and the special Joy Of his last
seasons.
Evening star., 1942-01-05
Eyes on Singapore

The fall Of Manila and the retire.
ment Of General MacArthur's un-
broken but vastly outnumbered
American Filipino army to its last
ditch defenses on the Batan
Peninsula and the island fortress
of Corregidor emphasize the still
more vital campaign being fought
down the Malay Peninsula which
guards Singapore. Henceforth, Gen.
eral MacArthur's job will be to fight
a delaying action, keeping as many
Japanese troops and as much mech
anized equipment as possible from
being shipped from Luzon to Malaga.
London and Washington agree that
Singapore must be held at all costs.
If this key air and naval base should
fall into japanese hands, not only
would the nearby Dutch Indies be
threatened but Japanese warships
and submarines could enter the In
dian Ocean, imperilling British sup
ply lines between Suez, India and
Australia. Furthermore, the Japa-
nese would have acquired vast
natural resources of rubber, tin and
tropical products which would give
them the sinews of war for an in
definite period. The Far East might
have to.be reconquered, bit by bit, by
American and British armies and
fleets from distant Australian and
Indian bases. --.
Fortunately, Singapore itself is not
Immediately in jeopardy. It's coastal
defenses are so strong that direct
attack from the sea is almost un-
thinkable. Before Singapore can be
seriously menaced, it must be ap-
preached by land over the Malay
Peninsula, combined with enveloping
tactics by a Japanese conquest OF
the island of Borneo to the eastward
and the Dutch island of Sumatra on
the western side. The Japanese are
already well ensconced on Borneo
and have made tentative landings
on Sumatra. But the main thrust
must come down through Malaga.
Hence it is well to visualize the sort
of country through which the jap
anese must fight their way.
British Malaga Is an almond
shaped peninsula, about 400 miles
long and with an average width Of
100 miles, narrowing toward its
southern tip, at which lies Singapore.
Down the middle Of the peninsula
runs a backbone of mountains,
sometimes rising to a height of 1000
feet. The mountainous interior is
wild country, the mountains draped
with heavy forests rising out Of even
heavier jungle. Except for one or
two valleys, it is sparsely inhabited
by primitive aborigines, together
with an abundant population Of
tigers, crocodiles, venemous serpents
and annoying insects. This means
that large-scale military operations
can be conducted only along the
coasts.
These vary widely in character.
The east coast, facing the China Sea
and looking toward Borneo. Is in
hospitable and thinly settled. Japa-
nese light forces have made their
Evening star., 1942-01-05
Huskin's Answers
To Questions
BY frederic J. Hdsktn.

Ayeader can get the anstcer to any
question: Of fact by s0rstin1 The Epe-
ming Star Information Bureau, Fred
eric J. Hdskin, director, Warrington,
d. c. Please inclose stamp for reply.
Q. What Is the statement Of President
Roosevelt in the Bibles given to the SOL
diers?-C. s. L.
A. 1t Is as follows: AS Commander
Chief ] take pleasure in commanding
the reading Of the Bible to all who serve
In the armed forces OF the United States.
throughout the centuries men of many
faiths and diverse origins have found II
the Sacred Book words of wisdom, coun-
sci and inspiration. It Is Q fountain Of
strength and now. rs always. an aid In
attaining the highest aspirations Of the
human SOUL"
q. In what year did the Iron Men Of
Brown University play football?-S. G. D.
A. The Brown Iron Men played In the
fall OF 1926. Eleven men went through
an undefeated season and for most Of
their games, there were no substitutions.
Q. What percentage Of leather used in
the United States is made into shoes?
H. H. NJ
A. Approximately 30 per cent goes into
footwear.
Q. Have the Chinese always worn
queues?-R. s. A.
A. The queue (pigtaiD together with
the shaving Of a part Of the head was
forced on the male Chinese throughout
the Manchu dynasty Q650-1912) as q
badge Of servitude and submission to
the Manchus. Since 1912, the queue
gradually has been disappearing.
@. How large is the Christmas tree
that was on display at Rockefeller Plaza
during the holidays?-E. T. H.
A. The tree was 80 feet high and had
q mile Of wiring in its bouehs. 1t re-
quired as much electricity to light 1t for
q single night as the average home uses
in az years.
@. What was the gist Of the Treaty
Of Washington and the Rush -Bagot
Treaty?-B. H. w.
A. The Treaty of Washington u922)
related to the limitation Of naval arma-
ments Of the five powers: United States,
Great Britain, France, Japan and Italy.
The Rush-Bagot Treaty Q81O brought
about the disarmament Of the line be-
tween the United States and Canada.
Evening star., 1942-01-05
THIS AND THAT
~ Charles +. TyGcesreu.

sell, u not q creature 70 come TOO close
to, evidently.
Crows have long been the victims
Of an active smear campaign.
You might as well argue that black Is
white ~ to tell country dwellers that
there is no particular harm in crows.
They say they know better, and maybe
they are right.
As something to watch, however, .
crow Il . sort Of circus.
He Is intelligent, and at the same
time he Il comic In the real sense.
While he does not display exactly
the same sort Of good humor that the
Jay does, the crow undoubtedly Is .
comedian of sorts.
Part Of this Is due to his size and
his gait on the ground.
Once in the air, he Is as graceful as
anything that fies. Few birds can outdo
him when 1t comes to sheer flight.
"AS the crow fies' Is no haphazard
saying. It means something, and speaks
volumes for the power and poetry Of
motion which the big bird employs.
Surely the cav Of the crow is . pleas
ant sound at any time of year.
Most persons who have taken up the
habit Of observing birds as q recreation
and hobby will find that listening to
crow music has its good points, one of
them being that it Is never overdone
Who that likes music has not shrunk
now and then, from the tune endlessly
played, or the banal attempts to be
different in the rendition Of an old mel
ody? Often the ornamentation Of q song
Is hopelessly inartistic The listener won
ders how . young man who can play as
well Is the performer-whatevsr his
name may be-at the same time does
not possess enough real musical under
standing to realize that what he is doing
Is just boresome
The crow is . real musician, in his
way.
Somehow his simple melody seems to
mt into the immensity Of the sky Just
little better than the young mans
efforts do into the ballroom.
The crow is pleasing himself. He is
not perspiringly trying to get "hanki."
Maybe THAT Is why the crow Is q real
musician.
Like few human singers, he simply
stands up and sings. He does not try
to WOW" his audience on . final high
note on which he nearly splits.
Tho crow sings because he likes to
sing. and because he is enjoying him.
self up there in the frosty air.
The listener below, In bed or barn. can
revel with the black musician and eet
satisfaction from his listening.
He and the crow are one In musical
satisfaction.
This Is more real satisfaction than a
symphony can give you, sometimes.
We like what Gilbert Chase Of the
Library Of Congress has said in his fine
new book. The Music of Spain:
To be offered . fandango for q
fugue, or seguidilla for . symphony,
Is an a1ront only to . pedant."
We are sure that crows wouldn't know
. pedant If they. saw one. Let US hope
We can all be Is wise as crows and Mr..
Chase.
Evening star., 1942-01-05
MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

Dear Sir:
II wonder II you would like to hear
about my crow-feedtng station7 You
have written lot about birds, and how
to feed them, and at the same time
get the most fun out Of 1t, but ! have
never heard you say anything about
feeding crows, Or your readers, either.
Perhaps some Of them might regard crow
feeding as going . bit too far. but !
can assure you and them that there
Is no bird more -ewarding than the
crow.
II have big box on pole, about 100
feet from my home. We are in the
woods here. but there is plenty OF room
and the crows are not afraid to fly
down. They will not come close to
. house.
Il use corn, and get plenty Of crows
all Of the time. I feel that may be
benefiting the crows, myself and the
farmers hereabouts, because am keep
ing the crows OF them.
Tho crow Is q beautiful bird, up-
standing In every way, as smart as you
has been pictured.
Recently in driving through the
grounds Of the National Zoo noticed
. flock Of crows near the duck ponds.
They made quite picture on the grass.
do not understand how some people
can praise chickadees and yet at the
same time have only harsh words for
the crows. What do they want nature
to do, Just please them and meet their
sometimes silly ideas?
"A crow, looked at honestly, is q splen-
did bird, glistening and capable, and .
magnificent flyer. would advise all
persons who live in the country, farmers
or just dwellers, to cater to the crows.
It Is . useful deed, and an amusing
recreation.
Respectfully yours, F. de 8. L."
-
Any one who watches birds with an
open mind can agree with our corre-
spondent In his praise OF crows.
These are. indeed, wonderful birds,
and As he points out. one has to 60
no farther than the Zoo to see them.
Sometimes . few fly over suburban areas,
when their soft caws come floating down.
Some observers would smile at the idea
Of these crows being beautiful, but
actually they are; many smaller birds
with regulations Is singers have far
less musical cries.
A nearer scarcely would call the crows
call song, but certainly 1t Is . pleasing
defamation Of some sort, . melody on
one note, with variations. We always
have thought of the famous Air on
the g string" when We heard . crow.
Tho tone somewhat resembles q mellow
cello. Yet there are tinges of the bas-
soon here. too. The combination is
almost unbelievable. musically speaking.
yet easily credible when the black musi-
clan Is floating around up there.
Crows are seldom seen at bird-feeding
stations of the usual sort, mainly because
these are mostly close to dwelling places,
and crows. through long association with
man, are not too ready to come too
close. They are wise old birds. certainly.
Man. Is currently demonstrating him
Evening star., 1942-01-05
Letters to the Editor
Discusses DR.. McCartney's Letter
Protesting Against War Posters.

Discusses DR.. McCartney's Letter
Protesting Against War Posters.
II the Editor Of The Star:
A letter addressed to the President Of
the United States by the Rev. DR.. Al
bert J. Mccartney, minister Of the
Covenant First Presbyterian Church, as
published in The Star Of December rs
last has attracted much attention.
We all could fully agree with DR.. Nc
Cartney in principle. had he merely
stated his objections to the new war
posters depicting some "ape-like figures"
Of the enemy abroad and asking the
proper authorities in Washington that
they be withdrawn from public gaze.
should consider such . demand justi-
fable and reasonable, inasmuch IS I
feel Though I have not seen the named
posterI that 1t is below the dignity of
the American Government to engage in
any such petty rabhle-rousing tactics at
. critical time ike the present. To
awaken the American populace to .
keener realization Of the perilous plight
We are In (Which ostensibly is the sole
purpose thereof other methods should
be evolved.
We easily can surmise that DR.. Nc
Cartney does not like the war at all.
None of Us likes 1t. It was thrust upon
us. We were caught unawares, fairly
swept Oh our feet Against our will We
find ourselves in the midst of the fray.
And fight We must with all our might
d Sa,k Nh
time for speculation, for theorizing or
soft-pedaling. The enemy is upon u
With all the ruthlessness, savagery and
demoniac artifice he can devise. So We
must strive With al the means at our
command to ward OF this cruel on
slaught.
A distinguished Christian divine like
DR.. Mccartney should be fully aware Of
the part Of religion in war and the duty
that is ours at this time. If We are to
wage battle to save mankind, civilization
and the very religion We profess. True
1t Is, religion Is . most potent instru-
mentality for peace and harmonious or
der among men and nations. Its ulti-
mate purpose Is the unincation Of the
entire human race into one common
brotherhood under the benign protection
Of one universal Father. Yet. 1t Is said,
there is no peace for the wicked. You
cannot make peace with . ferocious
beast ready to devour you. It Il either his
life Of yours.
do not believe DR.. Mccartney speaks
the sentiments Of thousands" by assert
ing that the calling q ugly names
across the waters have gotten u into
war" On the contrary, 1t was rather
the complacency, the slowness to anger
and failure to be alert. on the part Of
the leaders and legislators In the United
States, who kept on shouting from the
housstops, I'VE viii never go to war, and
never care what happens in Europe, or
elsewhere; We are 1t safe distances
over the vast expanss Of water here and
can well afford to stay home at AL
haSards."
They forgot that by reason of modern
devices the whole world today Il shr,mk
into one compact neighborhool and
that no frontiers nor oceans can count
- barriers between the existing nations:
and that none Of them may claim self.
suhlciency and safety.
The ae.f.aNsAd Niuoan kafaxanknss Dnvn -
Evening star., 1942-01-05
Price Control

Under the spur OF war ana rising
living costs, the Senate Committee on
Banking and Currency has unani-
mously approved a price control bill
which, while still deficient in several
respects, is a better measure than
that passed by the House. The COM
mittee's bill, under tentative agree
ment, is scheduled to be brought be-
fore the Senate Wednesday, and
there is every reason why it should
receive this prompt consideration.
On the first of December. as point
ed out in the committee report. the
Bureau of Labor Statistics index OF
twenty-eight basic commodities al
ready had increased approximately
81 per cent over the August. 1889,
level. Wholesale prices generally had
risen about % per cent and the cost
OF living II per cent. Even more
alarming than the total advance"
the committee stated, "was the accel-
Grated rate of increase" And that, it
may be noted, was before the war
engulfed this country. If the cost of
living is to be maintained, now that
hostilities have begun, it is essential
that price control bill be passed,
and that with all possible dispatch.
The Senate committee, following
the advice of most of the witnesses
to appear before it, decided to vest
price control authority in a single
administrator and strengthened his
hand by authorizing him to enforce
price DEGREES through a licensing
system, which had been rejected in
the House. If price control is to be
effective in wartime, it would seem
to be essential that the administrator
have this authority. In other impor-
tant and constructive changes, the
Senate group eliminated the board of
administrative review which was es-
tablished in the House bill, provid-
ing instead for limited form of
judicial review, and removed House
restrictions on the administrators
authority to buy or sell commodities
as a means Of carrying out the pur-
pose Of the act
The disappointing feature Of the
committee bill is its failure to deal
forthrightly with the question of
farm prices and wages. In the first
respect, it is probably little better
than the House measure but it still
permits farm prices to rise to 10
per cent of parity, and the wage
issue, vitally important from a cost
standpoint, Is neatly sidestepped
through a meaningless declaration
that it shall be the policy OF Govern
ment agencies dealing with wages
ITO work toward a stabilization of
prices and the cost Of production"
Thus, the committee seems to ac-
knowledge that prices cannot be held
down II wages are permitted to go
up, but this phase of the problem,
despite its importance, is left to the
vagaries Of chance.
This avoidance of two basic aspects
q price control is greatly to be re-
Evening star., 1942-01-05

gretted. It is necessary, however. to
face the fact that at this time there
is very little chance that Congress
will deal adequately with either OF
these issues and 1t would seem better,
under existing conditions, to secure
prompt passage Of an imperfect bill
rather than subject the country to
the disastrous consequences that
would follow a failure to enact any
price legislation.