davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1942-12-26
The Tree-1o42

Once more the tree, a twinkling
courier,
Do,on- dripping starry magic, filings
its tidings
Upon the dark, as expectations stir
The ghosts OF laughter from their
sundry hidings.
Nurtured by fancy, rooted In Beth
lehem,
1t spreads its immemorial branches
under
The noon-p1le night, bearing on
every stem
The golden fruit OF loue and the old
Uonder.
Noto let the desolate eyes, the hearts
that tire,
Feed on this tree the little HOLY
Stranger -
Planted NTH angel-song and uhits
star-fre
Deep in the strap and litter OF q.
mdnger.
Upon this tree let all the broken feed.
And grotD into the stature OF their
need. MYRTLE ADAMS. :,
Evening star., 1942-12-26
building goal Of 100000 tons would
be achieved,

building goal Of 100000 tons would
be achieved.
During 1943, OF course, there will
be a great deal more work for our
merchant marine to do. The OPEN
ing OF each new combat front, or the
strengthening OF old ones, adds to
the burden on American shipping.
for the men sent to these outposts
must be supplied. 1t is to be sup
posed, however, that the improve
ment in our convoy methods both
on the sea and in the air, will con-
tinue and that the task of safeguard
ing the extended shipping routes,
while difficult, will not prove insur-
mountable.
In this connection a word of tribute
ought to be offered to the merchant
seamen who have been sailing these
ships in the face OF great danger
and incredible hardships. Their
performance has been a magnificent
one, and the Nation owes them a
greater debt than is generally real
lied. Had it not been for the
sacrifices they have made-for their
readiness to risk and lose their lives
the outlook certainly would be far
less encouraging than it is today.
Evening star., 1942-12-26
WLB Steps Aside

In his formal opinion, Dean Wayne
L. Morse, public member of the War
Labor Board, makes it clear that his
agency has no intention of inter-
ferlng in disputes between munich
palities and their employees. Beyond
this, however, it can hardly be said
that the opinion serves to clarity any
of the unsettled issues growing out
of the effort by municipal workers
to organize and bargain collectively.
Dean Morse removes any doubt as
to the position of the labor board
when he says that an attempt to
issue directive order governing the
conduct Of State or municipal agen-
cieS would constitute a clear in
vaSion Of the sovereign rights of the
political subdivisions of local State
governments" After disclaiming
jurisdiction in this categorical fash
ion, however, he then proceeded to
admonish the municipalities as to
how they should conduct their nego-
tiations with their employees and to
assert that, while the latter have no
right to strike, they are not without
the right to organize and participate
in limited" form of collective bar
gaining. Although undoubtedly we'll
intended, this somewhat ambiguous
advice. coming from one who con-
cededly has no jurisdiction in the
matter, is not apt to prove very help
full either to the employees or to the
municipalities.
The opinion then concludes with
the assertion that in event of a
disturbance" in municipality
which interfered with the prosecu-
ton of the war, "it is unthinkable
that the doctrine of sovereignty as
applied to local governments would
be so interpreted as to deny the
President as Commander in Chief
of the Army and Navy the power to
take such action in the premises as
might be necessary to carry on a
particular service"
This seems tantamount to saying
that, in event of a strike, the Fed
eral Government would be justified
in asserting a jurisdiction which 1t
admittedly does not possess in ad-
vance of a strike. From practical
standpoint, this line of reasoning
may be defensible. But, granting
this, there is reason to wonder why
Dean Morse considered it desirable
to cross that bridge before coming
to it.
Evening star., 1942-12-26
Shipping Outlook

Admiral Emory S. Lands report on
the progress Of our shipbuilding
program and the anti-submarine
campaign affords sound basis for
encouragement as the United States
moves into the second year of its
war at sea-
Our shipping losses to enemy sub
marines began in January of this
year and mounted rapidly through
May, in which month 100 American
vessels were sent to the bottom. Five
fewer were sunk in June, and there
after the losses fell off rapidly. In
November only seventeen vessels were
reported sunk, and but one sinking
has been announced for December,
although more undoubtedly will be
disclosed in the final tabulation. On
the basis of this record, Admiral Land
seems fully justified in his prediction
that, although losses may increase
during the winter months when con-
ditions are most favorable to sub
marine operations, we "are not going
to suffer the losses we have in the
past"
On the construction side, the pic
ture is no less bright. This years
shipbuilding goal Of 100000 tons
was met and exceeded, one Of the
few phases of our war program in
which expectations were realized.
Our building capacity, according to
Admiral Land, has been increased by
more than 600 per cent, and he indi-
Gated his confidence that next years
Evening star., 1942-12-26
THIS AND THAT
By Charles Z. TrucepeH.

somehow aware when snow Is going to
visit community. This would not be
any stranger than some of the other
movable things the birds do. 1t might
be that they catch the very feel" Of the
air at such times.
Cynics have right to call all this
hokum II they choose. Maybe the snow
birds just happen to be around when it
SHOWS. and the temptation to associate
their name with the phenomenon is too
much for most people.
H&A +
1t may be that snow makes people
more bird-conscious. and they happen to
notice the snowbirds, which have been
there all the time.
In our yard we ought to notice juncos
when there is no sign of snow and
hasn't been any for q long time. They
are well worth noticing at any time.
Despite its distinctive appearance the
junco's dress Is such q modest one that
the bird is often overlooked at some lit
tie distance.
The fore and upper parts Of this bird
are slate-colored gray, and the under
parts are white. The bill is small and
the wings are long and somewhat
rounded. The tail is shorter than the
wings. The female resembles the male,
but the slate color is considerably
lighter When both sexes are close by
each other there Is no difficulty in tell
ing them apart. Some white shows when
they fly. The white feathers at each
side of the tail show in flight.
There is some dispute as to what the
word "junco' as applied to this bird really
means. But it most likely comes from
the Latin "juncus," meaning "a seed"
Ornithologists say that the junco de-
serves rigid protection owing to its serv-
ice to agriculture. About go per cent of
its food is weed seeds. and the rest of it
Is composed Of harmful insects. The
The bird is very fond Of caterpillars.
-
The snowbird Is not very much given
to eating out of the trays of feeding
stations, although he will sometimes do
it. Mostly he likes to eat of the ground.
where he generally will be found
He seems particularly fascinating to
children. No one should miss calling
their attention to these handsome birds,
because they have a special fondness
for the junco, and in this way their at
tention Is attracted favorably to other
birds.
1t will not be necessary to make any
special provisions for juncos at feeding
stations They will eat seeds of various
kinds and may even sample bread
crumbs
They will be attracted by old ANIMALS
which have been left standing with their
seed pods.
There are few more interesting bird
sights in the home winter garden than
the snowbird. Their colors blend per-
fectly with the dull gray sky of snowy
winter day and also with the snow. No
day comes too cold for them. The more
snow, the better, as far as snowbirds are
concerned. They did not get their name
for nothing.
Somehow the slate -colored junco is a
particularly welcome bird at Christmas
time. 1t is at this season that more
people than usual throw out food for the
birds, and it is pleasing to think that
they will see such handsome songsters
who have come all the way from the
far north to see them.
Evening star., 1942-12-26
Letters to the Editor
Believer in Freedom for India
Defends Congress Party.

Believer in Freedom for India
Defends Congress Party.
To the Editor of The Star:
With the appointment OF Ambassador
William Phillips as President Roosevelts
personal representative at New Delhi,
it is to be hoped that there will be some
Qualification of the Indian problem. Since
the arrest of Gandhi, to put it frankly,
we have been on the wrong side Of the
fence Some one must find the answer
to Wendell Wilkes question, What
about India?"
The key weakness in the picture lies
in the failure of the United Nations to
provide dynamic political strategy
which would utilize the immense latent
energy lying unmobilized in India's
385 900, 900 people. Furthermore. due to
censorship and distortion Of facts,
wholly erroneous impression of the ALL
India Congress party has sprung up.
Let us examine the case for the Con-
gress party. Is it genuine peoples
party, representative of the integrating
dynamic of national consciousness in
India? Facts would seem to indicate
that this is the case. For so years the
Al-India Congress party has proved its
leadership-under Gandhi and Nehru-
in the direct-action struggles of the
Indian masses toward economic integra-
ton and independence. The mass civil
disobedience campaigns Of 1919-1922 and
1930-l934 bore fruit in 1887 when the
Congress won in out of II provinces.
Congress leaders were given key posi-
tions throughout the provinces; for the
first time Indians themselves had voice
in shaping vital social and economic
policies in their country.
Programs of land reform at once were
put into practice. Co-operatives were
encouraged. Congress leaders struggled
to reconcile the internal contradictions
of India and to shape the rising mass
consciousness into political and social
unity. BY 1888 millions of Indians had
been indoctrinated with new deal"
ideas and had attained some measure
of political and economic emancipation.
Since India is $500 rural, initial efforts
were aimed at reform of the primitive
agricultural system Over 800 900 900 of
India's people live in some 100000 viii
lagos; about third live in villages Of
500 inhabitants each. Wages for the
farmer are roughly about cents a day;
the average income is seldom over $50
year. The agricultural debt roughly,
amounts to over $3000,000. The new
Indian Congress called upon provincial
committees to form agrarian programs
for the abolition of feudal levies. Steps
were taken in a number of districts to
implement q progressive economic tran
sition by radical alterations in the exis-
tent land-tenure system. in such man.
ner as to bring about equalization Of
debt. Programs of rural co-operatives
were closely integrated with cooperative
industrialization projects. In addition,
reforms in education. housing, roads and
transport, sanitation, medical relief and
social service were carried out by the
Congress members. In some districts,
Congress ministers voluntarily reduced
their salaries to aid In these reforms;
Evening star., 1942-12-26
Possible Neqotiutor

When at long last Germany pre-
pares to surrender, somebody must
do for the German people approx
mately what Prince Max of Baden
did in 1918. They necessarily must
have a spokesman at the moment
when the war is ending, and the
question of who that representative
will be is an attractive subject for
speculation even now. John Ferris,
writing for the Associated Press, puts
forward the name Of DR.. Hjalmar
Schacht, explaining that he might
approach the Allies with an offer
for a negotiated peace, either as an
agent of Hitler or in the hope of out
maneuvering and succeeding him."
Such a suggestion is logical enough
to merit consideration. The former
president of the Reichsbank is known
to the leading political and financial
characters of America as well as to
those of Europe. He commonly is
understood to be psychologically in
uSpSll0CllU Vi Pal W ilbl1oooAOllo. AAAo
critics refer to him as "opportunistic
and ambitious" and both adjectives
are justified by historical evidence.
DR.. Schacht was born in little viii
lage in 'Holstein, January %, 1877.
His parents had been residents of
New York and he grew up in home
where an atmosphere of interest in
the whole world and in modern
methods of thought and action pre-
vailed. Educated at Hamburg, Berlin,
Leipzig, Munich and Kiel, he became
while still very young a distinctive
member of an advanced group of
practical theorists. In progressive
sequence, he was secretary of a
foreign trade organization, archivist
of the DreSdner Bank, an officer of
several other financial institutions
and commissioner of currency under
Stresemann. He headed the Reichs-
bank from 1923 to 1880 and from 1888
to 1885, Meanwhile, he was Minister
of Economics from 1884 to 1887.
Mr.. Ferris, discussing his record,
declares: "Dr. Schacht is a tangle of
contradictions; liberal in the days
of the empire who became super
patriot and annexationist during the
First World War; later Democrat,
then a Nationalist and, finally, a
Nazi; supporter of the Young plan
and later one of its wreckers; the
man who stabilized the German
money market in 1924 and ten
years later the financial organizer
of the Nazi state. He has
unshakeable confidence In himself
Evening star., 1942-12-26

often their British secretaries drew twice
the salaries they drew.
short time ago the world. to quote
Wendell WILKES words, was shocked
to hear Prime Minister Churchill state:
I'VE mean to hold our own. I have not
become the Kings first minister in order
to preside over the liquidation of the
British Empire Mr. Churchill un-
doubtedly loves England (and the British
Empire) as much as Chang Kai-shek
loves China-or Nehru loves India. 1t
may be that his preoccupation with his
own particular responsibility blinds him
to the larger view. A man who carries
responsibility for the immediate well
fare Of a multitude of people, as the
Archbishop of Canterbury recently
pointed out, is not morally at liberty
to think with detachment about the
ideally best organization of the world.
Nevertheless Mr.. Churchill is going to
have to think-and think seriously
about India soon. AS Pearl Buck once
remarked, in a very profound sense, In
dia is the test case of western democ-
racy.
In the century stretching ahead a
free India must take her proper place
as a shaping agent in the postwar
world-the -dimensional world Of
tomorrow, with its dawning creed of
freedom and equality for all colors,
races and creeds. MN
Evening star., 1942-12-26
CHEVY CHASE, Md.

Dear Sir:
Il wonder If your many readers have
noticed the unusual number of snow
birds this year?
''The junco is one of my favorites and
believe of most people who are at all
interested in bird life.
These small, trim birds came shortly
before the SHOWS and have been here ever
since. Some of them probably will re-
main all winter. In my yard, sincerely
hope. There are other birds which are
shower and some great deal brighter,
but few which surpass this one.
Persons who know nothing about
birds are invariably attracted by the
snow bird. which shows that just ordi-
nary folk have good eyes and real under
standing.
II have heard that the name 'junco'
means 'seed-eater.' Is this true? Some
one told me that this junco bird is some-
times very wild, but have never seen
it IN this state. In my yard 1t is q model
of department.
Sincerely yours, T. v. S."
The junco Is very popular bird The
species we have around here is the slate
colored junco, which has an average
length of 6A inches. 1t is chubby
little bird with distinct line where the
dark gray of the back and sides leaves
off and the comparative white of the
breast begins.
Belonging to the sparrow family the
snowbird often is seen feeding with
white-throated sparrows and others
Ornithologists tell us that there are 1l9
kinds of sparrows on our continent north
of Mexico.
AS we watch the snowbirds in the yard,
let us keep in mind their tremendous
flying range.
They have been observed from the
Gulf Of Mexico to Alaska.
Juncos will not fly away from English
sparrows, but quite evidently do not like
them as we'll as they do the white
throated sparrows.
We have noticed that the snowbirds
do not like English sparrows in large
numbers. They will remain feeding
when two or three sparrows fly in, but
will leave in hurry when a band of
several dozen swoop down.
When there are bands of sparrows in
the yard, flying from feeding station to
feeding station, the juncos will select
a site less fancied by the sparrows.
A favorite place in our yard Is the
arch in which hangs coconut shell filled
with sunfower seed There are two
stone steps here. Seeds kicked out Of
the shell by squirrels are found by the
juncos on these stones. They seem to
like this way of feeding very much.
There is scarcely time of day when
several juncos cannot be seen hopping
there.
There is a popular tradition to the
effect that whenever snowbirds sud-
denly appear in yard that it is going
to snow.
There must be something to this belief,
because it is so widespread. All such
folk beliefs are based on observation
and as usual thing such observation is
very shrewd. 1t may not always work
out that way. but the average Is high
enough to make 1t seem true.
1t may be that these neat birds are
Evening star., 1942-12-26
Complains About Snow
UnremOved From Sidewalks.
To the Editor Of The Star

To the Editor Of The Star:
What has become Of the law requiring
property owners to remove snow from
sidewalks within IL hours after 1t has
stopped falling?
Your paper has reported several per-
sons having been injured from trying to
walk on the snowy sidewalks.
We workers who must 60 to work by
starlight simply have to slide part Of the
way, every minute expecting to get hurt.
Is there no remedy for the present,
and perhaps future, condition OF the
streets and sidewalks?
MES F. q. SINGLETON.
Evening star., 1942-12-26
Huskin's Answers
To Questions
Bu Frederic ]. Hnskin.

A reader can get the anstoer to any
question OF fact by tpriting The Epe-
ming Star Information Bureau, Fred
eric J. Hdskin, director, Washington,
D. c. Please inclose stamp TOR return
postage.
@. How many pages are there in Con-
gress?-R. L. P.
A. There are II pages in the Senate
and Al in the House.
@. What Is the birthstone for Decem-
ber?-E, ]. w.
A. The turquoise. This stone was
mined as far back as $500 BIC. and be-
heved to possess power to protect the
wearer from injury by falling, especially
from horseback.
Q. What Presidents besides Lincoln
were born in log cabins?-L. McN.
A. Presidents Jefferson, Jackson, Fill
more, Buchanan, Garfield and Arthur
were born in log cabins.
Evening star., 1942-12-26

New Testament-What Is more In
keeping with the spirit of Christmas
than the Christian doctrines set down
by the Prince of Peace? The need
for religion-right thinking and right
doing-seems to be the only hope Of
mankind in this chaotic world. The
New Testament with the words of the
Saviour printed in red is the beacon
light for all. To secure your copy of
this popular offering inclose Is cents
in coin, wrapped in this clipping. and
mail to The Star Information Bureau.
Name
Address
Evening star., 1942-12-26
Reports Waste and Inefficiency
In War Production Work.

TO the Editor Of The Star:
Would you pay $50 for a 50 item in a
store, or pay 500 for $25 of service?
You and I and the rest of the people
in this country are doing that and will
keep on doing it just as long as we let
it go. 1t is you and and the rest of us
who are paying the bills for carrying on
this war and We will be paying for a
long time yet. Why then should we pay
such large sums for what is in reality
sabotage?
At the Ravenna (Ohio) arsenal door
was to be hung. A foreman told my
cousin: you and could have hung that
door In one hour" 1t took number Of
men one whole day to hang it at a labor
cost Of near $50 instead of 81.
A Government engineer told me OF
visit to an Eastern plant. He said the
men were only rs per cent eficient. How
many lives of the men in service have
been lost due to ineficiency? How
many will loose their lives because sup
plies do not reach them?
Another Government inspector told
me that such things are common. Just
as long as we put up with such waste it
will continue. 1t is sabotage of subtle
nature. Most men do not realize 1t and
1t should be brought to their attention
and stopped. Should not the public be
informed Of this? Public opinion will
stop It. DIR. VINCENT G. THOMAS.
Cleveland, Ohio.
Evening star., 1942-12-26

1t is stated that former Senator
Brown, if, when and as he becomes
its head, is expected to cut the red
tape out of OPA" If he succeeds,
that will be ranked as a major
operation.
Evening star., 1942-12-26

and, it well might be added, very
little faith in any other individual.
Like Talleyrand, he is a genius Of a
sort, and in crisis such persons have
chances to exhibit their talents.
Evening star., 1942-12-26

@. How much silk is obtained from a
single cocoon?-B. N.
A. Each cocoon yields from 500 to
1900 yards of silk in continuous thread.
O. What railroad in this country was
built to large extent, by Chinese la
borers?-E. P.
A. Shiploads of coolies came over from
China to take part in the building of
the roadbed of the Union Pacific.
@. Was Cruden, the author of the we'll
known Bible concordance, insane?-F. T.
A. Alexander Cruden was three times
confined for insanity. He adopted the
title of alexander the Corrector" hop
ing to correct the morals of the Nation
especially in regard to swearing and
Sunday observance. His first COM
pendium of the Holy Bible was pub
lished in 1850.
@. What is meant by the white mans
burden"?-G. F.
| A. The term is used to refer to the
self-imposed duty of the so-called en-
of the backward peoples of the world.
! @. How large is Sable Island, which is
known as the Graveyard of the At
lantic?-W H. C.
A. The island, which lies 118 miles
southwest CT Halifax, Nova Scotia, is
sinking and its length has been reduced
from 40 to a present 18 miles. Sand
bars extend for several miles at each
end and because of the enormous toll
of shipping two lighthouses, watch
towers and mounted patrols are required
to guard this dangerous section of the
ocean.
@. In what localities does the greatest
variety of minerals occur?-V. L.
A. Three such localities are noted,
Pribram in Czechoslovakia, the Franklin
area in Northern New Jersey and the
Crestmore area near Los Angeles, Calf.
One hundred and forty minerals have
been identified in the Franklin area.
c. How old a word is "protein"?-
A. X w.
A. This term was coined in 1889 by
Dutch chemist, G.. j. Mulder.
@. What percentage of patents have to
do with automobiles?-D. L. B.
A. Of all patents registered, nearly
one-fifth are applicable to automobiles.
G. Why are Dalmatian dogs known as
coach dogs?-F. B.
A. The most widely known character
istic of this breed of dogs is their habit
of following horses and Of running un-
derneath the axles of moving carriages
or coaches.
@. What is the source of the line, "I
| love thee to the level of every days most
quiet need"?-E. N. B..
A. 1t is from Elizabeth Barrett Brown
ing's "Sonnets From the Portuguese"
G. How much time has been lost this
year in strikes?-A. B. V.
A. During the first 10 months OF 1942
the average number of man-days per
month in all industries because of strikes
was 396,Sos.
@. Did the Germans make more than
one gun of the Big Bertha type during
the last war?-C. j.
A. During the First World War the
Germans made seven guns of the type
known as the Paris gun, misnamed by
many the big Berthas" All of these
guns had an original caliber or diameter
of 210 NM, or 814inches. Later several
of them were rebored after they had
been worn out at the original caliber to
Evening star., 1942-12-26

Letters to the Editor must
bear the name and address of
the ,Driter, although the use OF
a pseudonyn1 for publication is
permissible. The Star reserves
the right to edit all letters ,pith
DieD to condensation.
Evening star., 1942-12-26

When Goering gives up his medals
for the Nazi scrap drive, 1t will in
dicate that the final scrap Is near.