davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1942-06-27
THIS AND THAT
Bu Charles E. TraceUeu.

1t is always good to think Of the birds,
and to place such poison mixtures in
places where the songsters cannot get at
them readily.
Bait for cut-worms, for instance, Is
often bran. This should be put be-
meath a partly upturned brick, or under
a ledge OF stone.
The worms will be able to get to it, but
the birds will not Care also must be
taken in putting out rat poison to see
that neither dogs nor cats can get to it.
Poisons containing red squill are sup
posed not to harm larger animals, since
they can vomit it up (Which rats cannot
do), but the fact remains that it makes
them very sick, and might even kill
them.
The best thing to do is to take every
precaution, in the first place.
Reports Of Maryland yellow-throats
have come TO this column from time to
time this spring.
One was seen in nearby Maryland
Chevy Chase about halfway between
J1e Two country CluDS.
This fascinating little bird has way
Of peering al you from shrubbery which
Is unmistakable.
Another mark is the black mask it
seems to be wearing. This applies to the
male. The female has no mask.
The black on the male runs all around
the face.
There seems to be some dispute about
the name The older books called all
yellow-throats the Maryland yellow
throat, but nowadays an inclusive name
of Northern yellow-throat has been
adopted.
The name Maryland yellow-throat is
reserved for the bird found hereabouts.
Hr+
This is a sOngSter OF the shrubbery.
II loves to fly through bushes OF all
sorts. and by most of us will be found no
place else.
Ornithologists tell us that few birds
deserve protection more than this one.
This is all the more reason why a
wholesale loss of this fine bird is great
pity.
Its song has been written in so many
ways, using human words, that they re-
duce the whole thing to absurdity.
We are asked to believe that it says:
"Witchery, Witchery. witchery": that 1t
says: Follow me. follow me. follow me-:
that it says: II beseech you I beSeech
you. I beseech you,' and so on, through
a long list
The yellow throat is one of the favorite
victims Of the cowbird, which places its
eggs in the yelloW-throat nest.
1t is easy enough to understand now
the patient mother bird might be VIC
timized by the egg but how she can
mistake the large cowbird baby for one
OF her own is quite another matter. Yet
she does. and often feeds it to the neg
lect Of her own riehtful children.
1t may be that such lack of intelligence
is in some way responsible for the latest
tragedy in the Maryland yellow throat
family.
Evening star., 1942-06-27
Argues for Maintenance
OF WPA in Wartime.

To the Edltor'ol The Star
Today, there are about $4,000 unem-
ployed persons in this country. This fig
ure is increasing as thousands upon
thousands of workers are losing their
jobs in manufacturing plants which once
produced commodities for civilian use
and consumption, but which cannot be
retooled for war production.
Added to this condition is the fact that
there are hundreds of thousands of per-
sons who cannot share in existing war
industries because of age, limited skillS
and the lack of nearby war production
manufacturing plants. The gravity of
the latter situation is shown by surveys
made by the Bureau of Labor Statistics
revealing that SO per cent of the new job
opportunities in the next year will be
confined to 81 States and so per cent will
be in only six States.
Every able-bodied man and woman in
this country will be needed in our war
effort. But it will take time to smooth
out manufacturing and labor diSlocationS
eio"AAAS oN' Va o@AAf PAe PS'A ''Aoii ioi 'oVoi
war. Conditions of unemployment will
not be in the same localities and in the
same form as they were in the past The
same people will not be unemployed from
month to month. Some industries will
shut down and cause unemployment.
Others will increase production in other
places. These are some of the factors
which will account for the constant shift
and change in different sections OF the
country.
AS long as unemployment remains in
the seven figures, and all of the factors
cited here continue to exist there will
be national need for the continuance of
the useful WPA projects And as long as
human rehabilitation is essential, any
expenditure made to continue WPA and
similar agencies of Government is like
wise essential. This fact holds true in
times of war or peace. Upon this premise
rests the sound belief that WPA Is es-
sential to total American progress
W. D. H1NKENSON.
Evening star., 1942-06-27
Cliff Garden

This garden on the cliff aboue the
Is rauaoed By the constant wind
that blouS,
On taintino torolore, mint and
dropping rose
The naked sun looks do,on too
ardently.
Here, by the restless Uaters, far
from home,
IN bHghted beds as pititM as
graUeS,
The dwarted delphinium blooms
ADORE the udueS,
Uprooted from the fertile inland
The tortured garden neuer uhouy
dies;
Embattled still against the wind
and sun.
1t yields meaQer bloSSoming for
Who comes ,rith ,oisttu1 pictures in
her eyes
That blind her to the glory OF the
sea.
She seeks through hours OF IN.
auailing toll
To rear her dream upon an alien
soil
And cling NTH stubborn hands to
memory.
INEZ BARCLAY KIRBY.
Evening star., 1942-06-27
Dunbar Unforqotten

There are many reasons why the
people of Washington should wish
to remember Paul Laurence Dunbar.
He was resident of the District of
Columbia in 1897 and 1893 while
serving as an assistant in the Library
of Congress. and some of his nObleSt
verses were written here during that
time.
Much more important, however, Is
the fact that Dunbar was an aNthen-
tic American singer and therefore
enjoyed by birth the right to be
appreciated in the Capital of the
United States. His life began at
Dayton, Ohio, June 27, 1872, and
ended in the same place. February
?, 1906 Between those two dates
In thirty-four yearS-he won for
himself as much Immortality as any
modern bard could hope to gain by
the exercise of his art. His achieve
ment is evidence of the reality of
opportunity in a democracy.
1t likewise may be cited to indicate
the contribution which citizens of
African descent are prepared to make
to American civilization. Dunbar's
father was slave in Kentucky who
escaped to Canada and at the out
break Of the Civil War Joined the,
55th Massachusetts, Infantry. The
poets mother also was a chattel in
her childhood and youth. No indi-
vidual. however. could have wanted
q richer endowment than Paul had
from his parents He was by nature
gentle, modest, earnest and sincere.
The one advantage that he lacked
most notably was that of robust
health.
But Dunbar did not permit the
handicap OF Illness to spoil his
dream. He was tireless worI.er
Evening star., 1942-06-27
HUNT AVENUE.

Dear Sir:
Il have been concerned about what
happened to the Maryland yellow
throats.
Il was at Coob Island on May Is and
II Chis is near the mouth Of the Wi
comico) and failed to hear a yellow
throat, although they were there last
summer.
s"When got home saw a news item in
The Star from some village In South
Carolina saying the Maryland yellow
throats dropped from the sky, dead and
dying, like rain-between 500 and a
thousand in this village
could it be this species was largely
lost for some reason while migrating?
any been observed in Maryland this
season?
VERY truly, F. H. D."
If intensive spraying of crops had been
carried on, and these warblers had eaten
shortly thereafter, they could have been
poisoned
The toll of birds by poison must be
very large.
1t is impossible to believe that yellow
throats. which are warblers. would be
lost in wholesale numbers as the result
of the rigors of migration alone.
Scientists tell us that thousands Of
migrating birds die annually, but these
deaths follow long flights over great
stretches Of water.
The birds, in other words, are so weak
ened by the muscular eXertion and the
lack Of food that they succumb upon
landing. Probably many OF them drop
into the water en- route.
Several years ago We saw wood thrush
fall on front porch of a Maryland
home.
This was about April IA. as We recall
which was some two weeks before the
usual arrival time for this species
We ran up on the porch and picked up
the bird.
1t was still warm. but unmistakably
dead
There were no particular signs of
emaciation. Either the trials of the flight
to the National Capital had been too
much for it, or it had picked up some
poison on the trip.
1t must be kept in mind that Warblers
and others eat insects. and it would be
poisoned insects and worms. rather than
grains. which would do the evil work.
Perhaps a bird. finding rather inani-
mate insects and worms already half
gone through the effects Of some poison
spray or DUST would think it had come
across a real find
The lethargic bugs would be- easy
pickings.' But they would carry in them
the seeds OF death.
Every care should be taken. in the
home garden, to protect the birds from
getting bait put out for any sort of
rodent or insect control.
Often bran and other materials are
used as the base for such bait.
Evening star., 1942-06-27

@ How long have sponges been known
and used? ?-F. F. NJ.
A. The many uses Of sponges were
known to the ancients. Passages in the
Bible prove that they were common in
Jerusalem. Roman soldiers sometimes
used them for drinking purposes, which
probably accounts for the fact that a
sponge was used to soak up the vinegar
they offered to Christ during the cruci-
fXion.
Q Is it possible for a plant to live
without roots and leaves?-B M V.
A. Lichens have no true roots. stems
or leaves. The whole body of the plant
absorbS moisture and food from the air.
O. How is the age of horse reckoned7
N w.
A. A horses birthday dates from Janu-
airy of his first year For instance, If
colt is born in June. 1887, his birthday
is recorded as the following January |.
1888, On January l, 1889, the colt Is
considered to be year old.
@. How many time zones are there in
the world?-K n G.
A. There are "a
@ How cid Waco, Tex, get It's name?-
c. j.
A. The city occupies the site of VIII
laee built by the Huaco Indians. who
are said to have chosen this spot because
no severe storms could break through
the ring of surrounding hills.
@. Who invented the teletype?-N. 7. H.
A. The teletype was demonstrated for
the first time in the plant of the
Rochester Tmes-Union December S,
1923, by the two inventors. Frank E.
Gannett and Walter w Morey
@. How much does il cost to operate
a Seven-tube radio set?-R. C. H.
A. A seven-tube radio set uses about
IS watts of electricity an hour The cost
would be about one-haf cent an hour,
or so cents for 100 hours These costs
would vary slightly in different cities,
depending upon local electrical rates
O. For whom was the island of Wake
named?-C. V.
A. 1t was named for William Wake.
commander Of the British schooner
Prince William Henry, who discovered
the island in 1896.
@ How large is Sydney Harbor?-
D. G. L.
A. Sydney Harbor extends inland for
20 miles. The total area Of water in the
port is l4,2o4 acres, or about % square
miles, of which approximately one half
has depth of not less than 80 feet.
Q. Is it practical to use mixture Of
anthracite and bituminous coal as house.
hold fuel?-L. K. D.
A. The Bureau of Mines says that a
mixture of anthracite and bituminous
coal is quite practical at any time A
mixture as high as $3.50 may be used
Evening star., 1942-06-27
Production Record

AS President Roosevelt aptly eX-
pressed it, there is little to give aid
and comfort to the enemy in the pro-
duction figures released at the White
House yesterday. Hitler and Hirohito
have been provided with convincing
evidence of what one despiSed de-
mocracy can do when it gets fighting
mad. The totals announced by the
President reflect the reaction of
Americas manufacturers, techni-
clans and workers to Japan'S treach-
cry at Pearl Harbor. That sneak
punch" served as nothing else could
have done to unity labor, manage
ment and other diverse elements into
determined army bent on attaining
impossible" production goals.
Certainly the Axis must have re-
garded as impossible the 50000-plane
objective announced by the President
in his message to Congress of May
Is. 1910, and the 60OOO-plane goal
fixed in his message of January 6
last. 1t is not surprising that many
persons, even in this country. re-
garded even the first figure as fan
taStic, in view Of the fact that at
that time our aircraft industry was
turning out only 4.500 planes a year.
When il is considered that America
produced 1000 planes during the
month Of May Of this year, the
progress which has been made in the
past two years assumes startling
proportions. At this rate we would
produce $4,000 planes in 1912. But
Mays rate undoubtedly will be eX-
ceeded in the months to come, for
officials have said the production
rate is steadily rising.
Similarly encouraging are the fig
ures on output Of tanks, artillery and
machine guns. More than 1900
tanks, 1000 pieces of artillery and
anti-tank guns mot including anti
aircraft guns and guns mounted in
tanks and $4,000 machine guns
came off the assembly lines in May.
And new plants are getting into pro-
duction almost with every passing
week. Ford's Willow Run bomber
factory, largest in the world, has just
begun operation.
The Presidents aim for 1943 is
l25,000 planes, $4,000 tanks, $4,000
anti-aircraft guns and 10000 900 tons
Of merchant shipping. In view of
what has been accomplished to date,
who can say that such totals are fam
tastic? To attain them, however,
will require the best efforts Of every
one concerned. There can be not the
slightest letup in determination, in
sacrifice and in hard work by any
group or individual. Rather. there
must be even greater eXertion and
even greater sacrifices by every
American There will be need for
more manpoWer, for more materials,
will to win" The task that lies
ahead is great, but even Hitler must
have begun to realize that it will be
done. Those 1,000plane raids on
Bremen, Essen and Cologne have
given him a previeW of things to
come, when the full might of the
United Nations is looSed against him
and his partners.
Evening star., 1942-06-27
Discusses Traffic Accidents
From Operators Point Of View.

To III. Editor of The Star,
I read with interest the front-page
article in The Star for June % concern
ing Maj. Edward J. Kellys order to the
tention" 70 prevention of traffic viola
tions on the part of streetcar and bus
operators
Speaking for myself and. I believe. for
the majority of Capital Transit opera
tors. We have no objection to the most
strict surveillance TO which Maj. Kelly
may subject us.
However. in the same article YOU state:
so far this year IS persons have been
fatally injured in such 'bus and street.
carr accidents"
This is a more or less general state
ment. but the inference il makes is
certainly unfair to the Capital Transit
Co. and its several thousand operators
If it had been proved by witnesses
that any Of these Is deaths were the
direct responsibility of an operator, that
operator would have been held, at least,
on a technical charge of manslaughter
You do not mention any operator being
charged with manslaughter in the above
accidents Therefore, it is natural
assumption that the party or parties
fatally injured by buses and streetcars
were themselves responsible for the acci-
dents.
The harsh criticism of the Capital
Transit Co. and its operators. by both
the Police Department and the press,
seems unfairly placed.
If a Diamond taxicab strikes and kills
a pedestrian are the drivers of all Dia-
mond taxis condemned? Is the Da-
mond Cab Co. condemned? Of course
not!
If Greyhound bus runs off the high
way, overturns and kills several pas
sengers, are all Greyhound OPERA tors
accused of carelessness, incompetence or
inexperience? Is the Greyhound line
ridiculed before the public? OF course
not!
If you print this, those readers who
give the following paragraphs a little
honest thought may be able to prevent
similar accidents happening to them or
to their friends.
Do you realize that when you step
between two parked" streetcars either
to cross the street or to get to load
ing platform on the other track you are
a potential suicide? In the first place,
when you step between two streetcars
a third car might strike either of the
others and crush you to death between
them. Even if you do get between the
cars safely you may step directly into
the path of an oncoming car and be
crushed to death in an instant
Don't get out of bus and Immediately
walk around in front of it to cross the
street unless you want to wake up play
ing on golden harp" Suppose some
other vehicle collides with the rear Of
the bus just as you start in front, where
are you? Maybe you can get clear of
the bus, but you are very apt to step
in the path of oncoming traffic-and
there you are!
One last warning: Don't step into the
path of an oncoming streetcar or bus
with the thought that they have good
brakes, they can stop" Certainly, we
have good brakes, but there may be any
one or dozen other factors which might
make 1t impossible for us to stop before
We had killed you.
The above applies only to pedestrians.
Evening star., 1942-06-27
Eastern Front

Whatever may be the military sig
nificance Of the siege of Sevastopol,
there seems to be no doubt that the
German attack southeast of Kharkov
is Of major strategic Importance
Moscow stresses the strength of
the German forces and admits the
loss of KupyanSk, an important rail-
way junction on the line running
north from RoStov to the upper Don.
This line was cut by the Germans in
their big drive last autumn, but the
Russians soon recovered it and have
held it through the winter as their
main communication behind their
southern front. If the Berlin claim
to have captured a second railway
junction point at Izyum, some thirty
miles south of Kupyansk, is correct,
the Russians have likewise lost the
end of a cross line which served as
the chief feeder for TimoShenko'S
thrust at kharkOv month ago.
By this latest advance of some sixty
miles, the Germans for the first time
have broken ground not covered by
the high mark of their drive last
autumn. incidentally, the salient
which TimOShenkO drove into the
German front southwest of KharkOv
has been abolished. With their lines
thus improved and Strengthened, the
Germans are now in a position to
drive for the line OF the middle Don
River, which lies less than $50 miles
beyond.
The big River Don in its lower
reaches makes sharp eastward
bend before turning sharp westward
again and emptying into the Sea of
Azov at RoStov. The Russians will
thus fighting with their backs to a
broad stream with few bridges. That
would be replica of their situation
last autumn when they defended the
eastern bend of the lower Dnieper.
Nevertheless. TimoShenko can be de-
pended on to resist vigorously, be-
cause the eastern elbow of the Don
is only about so miles from the Volga,
mightiest of Russian rivers, and in
that space lies region Of heavy in
dustry centering around the city Of
Stalingrad. Lastly, Rostov would
then be dangerously outflanked and
could be assailed by the Germans
from three sides.
The heroic defense Of SevaStopol
continues amazingly, yet it is difficult
to see how the Crimean naval base
can resist much longer against
Sledge- hammer assaults and bonn
bardments of incredible intensity
which shake the windows of Turkish
towns 200 miles across the interven-
ing stretch of the Black Sea. The
fall of Sevastopol would compel the
Russian Black Sea feet to retire east
ward and would probably permit the
Germans to use the western half of
the Black Sea for Water-borne trans
port, thus greatly easing their COM
municationS problem.
BY and large, the picture on the
eastern front is not a cheering one.
The Germans seem to have concen-
trated vast forces along the whole
southern segment and to be expend-
ing them in a mighty effort whose
strategic aim is not yet fully dis
closed. 1t remains to be seen
whether the Germans are strong
enough to extend their offensive in
the central and northern sectors,
from Moscow to Leningrad, or
whether they have been so weakened
by year of terrific attrition that an
all-out offensive along the entire
eastern front is no longer practicable.
That is a question which the ensuing
weeks should answer.
Evening star., 1942-06-27
Huskin's Answers
To Questions
Bu Frederic J. HdSkin.

reader can get the ansUer to any
question OF fact by Writing The Eve-
ning Star Information Bureau, Fred
eric J. HdSkin, director, Washington,
DC. Please inclose stamp for return
postage.
@. When did Japan declare war upon
China?-W. M A.
A. There was no declaration OF war by
Japan when she started operations
against China in July, 1887.
O. Who is the most prolific writer OF
best sellers of modern times?-G. G.
A. Edgar Wallace, who died in 1882.
is so regarded He was a prolific author
OF fiction, especially of mystery stories,
of which he wrote more than $50.
O. How many pins does 1t take to
weigh l ton?-M. T. H.
A. 1t takes about 1000 ,000
@. What is the significance of slam
ming the door in the face of the Kings
messenger at the opening of the British
Par!ia ment?-R A.
A. This is an ancient tradition, In
voked occasionally to show the inde-
pendence Of the House of Commons.
Evening star., 1942-06-27
Letters to the Editor

Letters to the Editor must
bear the name and address OF
the 1criter. although the use Of
q pseudonym for publication is
permissible. The Star reSerres
the right to edit all letters 1rith
UielU to condensation.
Evening star., 1942-06-27

The Associated Press is exclusively entitled 10
the for republican, ton OF all news dispatches
credited 10 II or not otherwise credited IN This
paper and also the local news published herein.
AL rights OF publication Of special dispatches
herein slso reserved
Evening star., 1942-06-27
Haskin Quiz BOOk-The popu-

HdShin 0uIL booh- lie pOpu~
larity of the quiz is not a passing
fad. The answering of questions
is the oldest form of education
of finding out about things. 1t is
a check upon ones knowledge.
The particular value of the ques-
.tions in this publication is that
they have actually been asked by
various persons-and are on sub
jects that every one wants to
know about. See how many you
can answer. To secure your copy
of this publication inclose 10
cents in coin, wrapped in this
clipping. and mail 10 The Star
Information Bureau.
Name
Address
Evening star., 1942-06-27

O. How many pins does 1t take to
weigh ton?-M. T. H.
A. It takes about 1000 900.
Evening star., 1942-06-27
Member of the Associated Press

Entered as second-c matter post Office,
WASHINGTON, D. c.
Evening star., 1942-05-01
Caravan
Continued From Page B-30

Mrs Robert Kintner, Mrs Randolph
H. Miner and Mrs. Marshall Lang
horne.
The Greek Minister and Nine
Diamantopoulos were among the
diplomats witnessing the giant bene-
fit to collect relief funds for those
In our fighting forces. Mrs. Clar-
ence Norton Goodwin, Mrs. Robert
Low Bacon, Comdr and Mrs. John
Gingrich, Comdr and Mrs. Douglas
Diblon, the chairman of the United
States Shipping Board and Mrs.
Emory Scott Land and Sir Gerald
Peel we're with the British missions
The Attorney General and Mrs.
Francis Biddle were others of the
cabinet circle to attend the unique
benefit and also there was the
chairman of the Board of Governors
of the Federal Reserve, Mr.. Mar
riner S. Eccles.
Mr.. and Mrs. John Hay Whitney,
who gave gay party Wednesday
afternoon for the stars, were on
hand to see the performance. Their
party, like Mrs. Roosevelt's, was out
Of doors, In the charming garden
OF their place. Mount Eagle, on Wis
consin avenue, which they have
leased from Mr.. and Mrs. George L.
Harrison of New York. The latter
formerly was Mrs. Cary T. Grayson,
who, with the late Admiral Grayson,
Evening star., 1942-05-01

restored the place and gave 1t bach
its original name of Mount Eagle.
Dinners Are Given
Before Performance.
Mrs. Frederick Sterling, wife OF
the former United States Minister
to Sweden, was chairman Of the
committee of women assisting Mr.
George A. Garrett, who was general
chairman of the benefit. Mrs
Sterling had guests dining with her
at the Blair House and later at
tended the gala opening.
The Undersecretary Of Commerce
and Mrs. Wayne Chatfield- Taylor
also had guests dining with them
and going with them to the per-
formance.