davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1942-09-02
Naval Medical Center

Dedication of the new Naval Medi-
cal Center at Bethesda, architec-
urally and in equipment and person.
mel one of the finest hospital and
research institutiony in the world is
a fitting reminder of the progress
made by the Navy's Bureau of Medi-
! cine and Surgery since the days of
wooden ships, when, under highly
unsanitary conditions, few men re-
covered from wounds and few from
serious illness.
The stated objective of the naval
medical service is to keep as many
men at as many guns for as many
days OF the year as possible It's
primary purpose, in other words, is
to maintain and improve the physical
efficiency of the United States Navy.
The naval surgeon always has been
in position of individual RESPONSE
bility differing from that of his ci-
william or his military contemporary.
At least until very recently, when
faster ships and better communica-
tions ameliorated the situation, he
has been of necessity entirely self
sufficient. The lives of his patients
have been in his hands. He has had
no specialist to call upon in difficult
cases, no finely equipped hospital
within easy reach. This naturally
has developed high degree of self
reliance. Even more, it has developed
scientific imagination and a high
degree of originality and a measure
of intuitiveness which were bound to
have their effects throughout the
world of medicine.
The past century has seen the av-
erage length of human life essen
TALLY doubled, largely through the
science of medicine Few institutions
have contributed more to this-by all
odds the most momentous event in
the history of mankind-than the
Bureau Of Medicine and Surgery, on
whose Tooth anniversary the Medi-
cal Center was dedicated.
Evening star., 1942-09-02
A Black Moment

Already numerous victims of prac-
tice blackouts have been reported,
casualties of the war just as much as
If they had been on the firing line.
A sad case occurred recently in
hospital at Omaha.
1t was in the paternity ward-that
is to say, the long last-mile corridor
outside the maternity ward, where
expectant fathers pace. 1t was be-
ing used as a pacing ground by two
men when, right at the height of
their ordeal, the lights went out for
a test blackout. To the horror of
impending paternity was added the
additional horror of darkness-dark-
ness fraught with peril. With a
slckenlng crash, the two PAGERS COL
lided with each other, completely
shattering what little was left of
their morale. So shocked were they
that when the lights went on, they
were barely able to assimilate the
news that during the darkness they
had quietly and efficiently become
fathers.
Far be it from hospital authori-
ties to do anything that might lose
the war-but can they not, in COM
mon humanity, issue expectant
fathers, along with their pacing
licenses, few feeble, half -burnt-out
flashlights to help them in their zero
hour?
Evening star., 1942-09-02

Chicago Tribune. They voted him down,
6S4 to 287 Perhaps If he had waited
few years and shown that he was really
neWspaperman, as others have waited
before him, or perhaps If the Depart
sending out FBI agents to cross-examine
editors in their of1ces (Which they re-
sented), the vote might have gone the
other way.
But that Is all water over the dam
now. The fate of the A. p. Is in the hands
OF the courts.
Evening star., 1942-09-02
Drafting Silver

The announcement that the
Treasury's stock of free" silver,
amounting to 1,350,0o0,OOO ounces,
is being "lend-leased" to industry
for use in war plants suggests that
the country at last may derive some
benefit from the fruits of a silver
policy which, from an economic
standpoint, has bordered on sheer
folly.
AS result of two congressional
enactmentS, the Treasury has been
buying all domestically mined silver
at Till cents an ounce, Since the
Treasury, by law, is prohibited from
selling any of this silver at less than
$1.29 an ounce, it has accumulated
huge and heretofore useless sur
plus of this metal.
While the Treasury was paying
Till cents an ounce for silver mined
in the United States, it also was
buying foreign silver on terms which
fixed the price at about 35 cents an
ounce, and this became the price
that industrial users had to pay
Recently the Government boosted it's
price for foreign silver to As cents
an ounce, a move apparently intend
ed to improve the financial condi-
ton of such silver-producing coun-
tries as Mexico. Under war condi-
tions this may be justified, but it
should be understood that the bene-
fits to Mexico and the other pro-
ducers are being assessed against
the American taxpayers and silver
consumers.
From the Treasury announcement,
1t is not entirely clear on just what
basis the Governments silver stocks
are being made available for indus
trial war uses. II the assertion that
they are being lend leased is to be
taken literally, it may be assumed
that the statutory disposal price Of
Evening star., 1942-09-02
lncitution

Come, ttmid self, tread rot tAs
beaten path,
Nor let your 1uanderfn0 test BE-
urged to stay!
Lite's highroads all conpsyge at one
dim shore;
You cannot miss It though YOU lose
the way.
Lite's hishroads all eonpsrcs st ons
dim shore, q&s
And time Is brieter than ~ spey
kno1u.
Let rs strike out across the rolling
plain
And CLEAN little glory a. We 90.
With laughter then peH brape the
moods beyond
And blaze trail-let tollop those
pho may,
Nor let US brood about the journev's
end:
We cannot miss It though ws lose
the ,Ddy.
PRUDENCE X. oRAREY. l
Evening star., 1942-09-02
THIS AND THAT
By Charles Z. TrnceireH.

OF a group. will be more capable than
others. 1t will know just where to look
for worms, what berries to eat and how
to get along in general
How can this be explained? 1t cannot
be explained among birds. any more than
1t can be explained among humans.
Some men are more capable from the
very start. They 60 directly and surely
to the point of every question. Others
tumble their way through life. Explain
1t as you will by pointing to better edu-
cation. etc, the fact remains that
every one realizes that there is, above
everything else, certain surety Of
approach.
be helpful to them to find moistened
bread and raisins put out for them.
The bread may be broken up, or put
on the lawn in the slice.
The raisins are best sprinkled in the
grass nearby.
This will insure them finding some
thing to eat 1t will be appreciated by
cardinals, catbirds, brown thrashers and
sparrows.
1t does no good to put foods in feeding
stations, If you expect the robins to get
it, They are not seed eaters, of course
and do not frequent feeding stations
We can never recall seeing robin at a
bird feeding station.
While America appreciates Its robin,
1t does not regard their songs as highly
as it should.
If two or more bird enthusiasts are
speaking about bird songs, nobody ever
praises the robin.
song, and many soft notes which. uttered
by themselves, give the creature the
ability to speak" as it were, a power
which not all songsters possess.
The robins, as group, do not do
much singing on these short appear
ances in the yard from now on. They
are too busy for that. But from time
to time they will utter some of those
minor notes. If these are distinctly
heard, they will be appreciated to their
full. They are easily lost, however, In
what is left of the general singing OF
the summer birds.
We feel that a great deal more atten-
tion should be paid by the average bird
lover to the songs of the robin.
They sing loudly and WELL their
music possessing a quality which might
even be termed rhapsodical
1t has resemblance to the music
made by the meadow lark
Robins, in their millions keep the soil
from becoming too sour from earth
worms.
Earthworm action is necessary, but
too many worms give q bad soil, and
this our faithful robins prevent.
1t is just one of the services they
| render America.
Evening star., 1942-09-02
Member of the Associated Press.
Library Needs

Richard Brlnsley Sheridan in THE
Rivals" has one of his puppets de-
clare: "A circulating library in
town is an evergreen tree of diaboli-
cal knowledge" But the date of that
opinion, so soundly Tory, was TITS;
and times have changed since then.
Especially in such a period of vast
events and prodigious alterations as
the immediate present, a city like
Washington might almost as we'll
attempt to get along without schools
and churches as without adequate
public library facilities. The need
for books in such a crisis is compar-
able with the need for trained intelli-
gence and brave and loyal character.
Nor is this merely a theory expert
mentally developed. Wartime de-
mands for increased service by the
Free Public Library" the Board of
Library Trustees has told the Dis
trict Commissioners, "call for an
appropriation of $s14,831 for the 1914
fiscal year or $65,28S more than the
current year fund" No less than
twenty-five additional employees are
required to do the work which patrons
of the library are requesting from
day to day. The increase in popula-
tion resulting from the effort toward
victory creates an urgent necessity
for rented space near the old Central
Library. Meanwhile, a final appro-
priation of 100000 is asked for the
completion of the new Central Lii
brary Building on Pennsylvania ave-
nue. at John Marshall place-a struc-
ture which, when finished, will be
used temporarily for Federal Offices.
With regard to money for books
per sc, the trustees explain that they
find themselves obliged to appeal for
85,0O0-a small amount when it is
realized that it Is figured at ten cents
per capita of population. Printed
material, it is reported, is more costly
now than it was few years ago.
Also, it is a fact that books are given
harder usage than they formerly
were. The hours of service are being
extended, branch libraries and sub
branches are being kept open during
a larger portion of the week, Sunday
service is to be maintained and en-
hanced in line with public sentiment
Among the problems for which at
least partial solution must be pro-
vided is that of newcomers and
transients to whom the library natur-
ally Is magnet. Included in this
group of patrons are men in the
Army and the Navy, both men and
women on the production front and
many strangers from South and
Central America and from Canada,
brought to Washington by the war.
The more closely the appropria-
tions needed for the library are
studied the more remarkable it seems
that they are not larger. All the
greater reason, then, for the hope of
the community that they will be
granted in full.
Evening star., 1942-09-02
Pointing the Way

The announcement that Mrs.
Elinore M. Herrick has resigned as
New York regional director of the
National Labor Relations Board to
accept a job as director of personnel
and labor relations for the Todd
Shipyards Corporation is of more
than passing interest.
Mrs. Herrick is not the first labor
board official to transfer directly
into the field of labor relations
work. But the others, for the most
part, have gone out to work for
unions. Her action marks the first
time that labor board official of
any prominence has resigned to
accept corporate employment.
In her nine years with the board
and its predecessor agency Mrs.
Herrick has established a reputation
as an able and an impartial labor
relations expert. Since the fall of
1885 she has participated in the
handling of 8,153 cases, involving
1,628,968 workers, and has retained
the respect and confidence of both
employers and employees.
AS result of this long and sue
ceSsful experience, there is every
reason to suppose that her work
with the Todd corporation will
serve to safeguard and improve the
good relations which have existed
for several years between that con-
Germ and its employees, which now
number around 100000. With unions
and the guarantees OF collective
bargaining privileges fully estab-
lished in the pattern of our indus
trial life, 1t will become increasingly
important in future years to smooth
out the difficulties which have beset
employer-employe relations. To ac-
complish this, ways must be found to
build up mutual confidence and to
stimulate the growth of real sense
OF responsibility on both sides of the
collective bargaining table. In her
Evening star., 1942-09-02

The robins have returned from the
woods several weeks in advance of the
usual time
Does this mean an early winter?
Only time can tell. In the meantime,
the robins are back, after an absence
of three weeks. The time was spent in
the surrounding forests, getting ready
for the trip south.
They did a little moulting, for one
thing. just few feathers lost, among
the young robins, and more from the
older ones.
The large robins swept back to our
lawn just the other day.
There were dozen of them, all of a
sudden, where there had been none at
all
Could one of these fat. chesty birds
be Lilly Belle, the robin which had been
brought up by hand?
1t would be interesting to find out.
This particular bird was perched on
the back of chair.
Tive hoped she-sat there as If by
right.
When we came out into the yard the
other robins flew away, but this one
remained
Hello, Lilly Belle" we called.
The bird cooked its head and replied,
"Chirp"
We thought we recognized the pc
culiar infection of the pet, but were
not sure. How could one be?
The robin sang and hoped from one
side of the back of the chair to the
other.
1t replied, after a fashion, but maybe
it was just bolder robin than most.
1t was impossible to be sure We did
not go forward, for fear of frightening
it away.
Certainly 1t was A. fine bird, and
looked so large and fat that it seemed
impossible that it could be the robin
released month ago.
The younger birds left our neighbor-
hood one morning, evidently all to-
gether, taking Lilly Belle with them.
When we stop to think of the great
trip before them, 1t is evident that they
must make some preparation for it.
We believe that this is the way the
younger robins prepare for the fall
migration. They know, instinctively,
that they must get some experience.
The trip also calls for a banding to-
gether. Robins do not fly south indi-
vidually, but 60 in small groups, from
dozen to four or five dozen specimens.
BY flying around, in an experienced
fashion, they get all the training they
need. and they get 1t quickly, which is
called for especially this fall, if the
migration is to begin sooner than usual.
In flying together the young birds get
plenty of exercise, and learn the ways
OF gathering food by watching each
other
1t pobably is true that one bird. out
Evening star., 1942-09-02
A Familiar Rinq

The old National Defense Media
ton Board, set up to deal with labor
disputes prior to this countrys en-
try into the war, foundered on the
rocks of its clash with John L. Lewis
in the captive coal mine case. Mr..
Lewis challenged the boards (and
the President's) authority, denounced
its personnel, and finally had hts
way. Since scoring that triumph
Mr.. Lewis has had little to say, but
recently there have been indications
that he is getting ready to 60 into
action again. this time against the
National War Labor Board, successor
to the Inflated mediation board.
The journal of the United Mine
Workers, which reflects Mr.. Lewis
sentiments, had this to say last week:
1--WE do not believe the War Labor
Board, as presently constituted, pos
sesses the understanding and the in
dustrial experience and knowledge of
human equations to be trusted with
this overall responsibility of setting
up wage controls. That language has
an ominously familiar ring.
Two days ago spokesman for the
Construction Workers, District so,
United Mine Workers, also con-
trolled by Mr.. Lewis, addressed a
group of truck drivers whose strike
is threatening serious interference
with steel production in the Pitts
burgh area. 'If you stay out for four
days." he told the truck drivers, you
will paralyze the whole coke situa-
ton. Stick to it and I'll take
your case up with John l.. Lewis.
There is one man who will get action
for YOU
The fact that we are at war, that
men are dying every day on the bat
tie fronts, means nothing to this
labor leader. He is interested in par
alyzing the production of coke for the
steel mills: Back of him, capable of
restraining such interference with
the war effort but making no appar-
ent attempt to do so, stands Mr..
Lewis. What will the next move be?
That is question which the War
Labor Board and the people of the
country may ask with genuine
concern.
Evening star., 1942-09-02

the thinning out of trafIic and those who
do use their cars in the comparatively
thin volume are less likely to have acci-
In the rate change, no matter what
kind of cards they hold.
On the other hand, it is pointed out.
the continued use of tires after they
have become worn, the use of obsolete
and badly worn cars which will be diff
cult to replace, driving in dimouts and
blackouts, as well as the share-th the car
the use Of the roads and streets by the
greatly augmented fleets of Government
cars, both civilian and military, many
of which are driven not too carefully,
all will tend to offset reductions in
claims.
The Insurers Association of the Dis
trict Of Columbia an organization made
up of agents and brokers of stock COM
panies, has had this matter under con-
sideration for some time, and as a result
OF the committee report soon to be made
is expected to recommend that as q
practical means Of meeting this situation
IN the District the Safe-driver- r-reward
system be increased and hroadened,
This safe-driver-reward system has
been in force for some years among
most of the large companies. Under 1t
the driver of private car operating
for a year without obligating his in
surer to make a claim payment is re-
funded Is per cent of the premium cover
ing bodily injury and property damage
liability.
The Insurers Association Committee
will recommend that this refund for
claim free" policyholders be increased
to Is per cent, that the collision dam
age to your own carr premiums be in
cluded in the computation and that the
safe fe-driver-reward system be extended
to include commercial ears which now
are not eligible
The committee feels that by the use
of this relatively simple method the
undoubtedly just demand of the public
for some form of rate reduction can be
made without complicated revision of
the rate structure and with q real benefit
to those WHO are entitled to it, namely,
the claim free" drivers.
L. C. CRAWFORD,
Chairman of the Committee.
Evening star., 1942-09-02

S1.29 an ounce has been waived, and
in that event the tons of surplus
silver which the Government has
stored UP in the course of the pro-
gram to subsidize the silver -produc-
ing States can be put to work on a
satisfactory basis. But the fact that
we had to wait for the most ruinous
war in history to find any kind of
an outlet for this silver hoard is
conclusive evidence that the policy
which we have been pursuing is an
economic absurdity.
Evening star., 1942-09-02
Discusses Problem of Reduction
OF Automobile Insurance Rates.

To the Editor of The Star: q.
The recent news item to the effect that
the insurance commissioners of the New
England States, New York, New Jersey.
Pennsylvania and Maryland would meet
on September 16 with representatives OF
insurance companies to consider reduc-
tions in automobile rates as result of
gas rationing has further intensified in
terest in this matter
District of Columbia motorists and
truck owners are keenly concerned with
this subject and the question at once
arises: Why isn't the District of Column
bia to be represented at this meeting?
Are the people of the District being
deprived of a voice in this discussion
because of the failure of the District
government to make necessary funds
available?
At any rate the subject of reduction
Of automobile rates has been a matter
of discussion ever since the tire shortage
and the gas rationing resulted in a re-
duction in traffic flow conservatively esti-
mated at from 20 to 80 per cent.
The average owner and driver in the
District, as we'll as out of it, feels that
some reductions must be in order since
he knows that he is using his car much
less than heretofore and that when he
does use it the greatly reduced volume
of traffic makes it obvious that fewer
accidents are to be expected. Further
more the 40-mile per-hour speed limit
which generally is being observed and
enforced, as well as the great reduction
in commercial deliveries emphasizes the
equity of some reduction in rates.
This feeling is borne out in the Dis
trict by statistics which show that for
the months of May. June and July the
total number of accidents was reduced
from 4166 in 1941 to 2,794 in 1912, while
the number of persons injured fell from
1882 to 1,086 and property damage cases
from 5000 to 1910.
The above figures seem clearly to make
a case for auto-rate reductions, but how
equitably to accomplish such reductions
is another matter. Insurance companies
can pay claims only if they receive
adequate premiums and if rates are not
below an equitable level. Rate making
OF any kind is a complex business and
cannot be disposed of arbitrarily If the
companies are to receive an income
adequate to pay claims and reasonable
justice is to be done to the various
classes of drivers
1t has been suggested that rates be
reduced for holders of "a" cards only.
This plan is subject to attack on the
ground that the ration unit may be in
creased at any time and increased use
of cars so rationed would result. Fur
thermore the "A" card holders may
secure B, c and S cards next month and
a readjustment would then be required.
Furthermore, why should "A" card hold
ers only be favored? 3D." &C" and rs"
card holders are supposed to drive vary
ing amounts and this variation should
be recognized.
Furthermore, it seems most obvious
that the accident reduction is due to
Evening star., 1942-09-02
Huskin's S Answers
To Questions
BY Frederic J. Hdskin.

reader can get the anstoey to anv
question OF fact BY pritino The Epe-
ming Star Information Bureau, Fred
eric J. Hdskin, director. WASHINGTON.
d. c. Please inclose stamp for return
postage.
@. What proportion OF the British
people is engaged in war work?-L. @.
A. 1t is reported that two out OF
every three persons between the ages
OF IA and IS are working full time in
the armed forces, civilian defense or war
industry. -
@. How long does dollar bin usually
remain In circulation7-T. r. A.
A. The average life Of . dollar bill IL
nine months. -
@. What is the lowest State?--E. Z. q.
A. Delaware has the lowest average
elevation. It's surface. II leveled, would
be only 80 feet above the sea. :
Evening star., 1942-09-02

work with Todd, Mrs. Herrick, to a
large extent, will be pioneering in
this field, and the experiment is one
which should be followed closely by
other employers and other groups of
EMPLOYEES.
Evening star., 1942-09-02
Letters to the Editor

i Letters to the Editor must
bear the name and address of
the 1Driter, although the use OF
:. a pseudonyn1 for publication is
permissible. The Star reserves
the right to edit all letters 1pith
a Uie1D to condensation.
Evening star., 1942-09-02
Handy Letter Correct

Handy Letter Writer Correct
forms for invitations, acceptances,
regrets, congratulations and all kinds
Of business and other correspondence,
from engagement announcements to
death condolences. are to be found in
this booklet. Includes a special sec
ton on formal communications with
Government officials and dignitaries.
More than 80 sample letters on how to
say 1t in writing. To secure your copy
inclose Is cents In coin, wrapped in
this clipping, and mail to The Star
Information Bureau.
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