davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1942-05-30
HOTEL CONTINENTAL.

Dear Sir:
please explain to me the carryings-on
Of what appears to be starting and
another some larger and grayish colored
bird on the Capitol Plaza.
The starting is going about grubbing
for worms, followed by this gray bird
into whose mouth the starting ever so
often drops a worm-and If not often
enough, the gray calls to the starting,
and if this call isn't answered, it hops
over and pecks at the startling.
If the startling flies away, the gray
follows swiftly. On two separate after
moons have seen these same birds or
two similar ones and their conduct is
puzzling to me.
Sincerely yours, ]. B."
Our correspondent had evidently never
seerf baby starting before.
The young startling is sort of dun COL
ored, and much larger than the parents
1t Is one Of the few offensive looking
bird babies. Most of the young of birds
as Of dogs and cats, make an instant
appeal.
So much cannot be said for the baby
starlings. They are large, overstuffed
of an indefinite color, between gray and
tan.
They peck at the parents necessarily
keep in touch with them at all times
and never seem to do anything else ex-
cept eat.
The Startling young are not in the
least attractive.
They are impudent and ugly. They
push and crowd each other and their
mothers and fathers. They are ugly
to other birds
Baby English sparFows on the other
limb, are almost always pretty, in the
way of babies the world and species
around.
We had an excellent opportunity sew
eral years ago to watch starlings feed
their young.
A small feeding station had been
placed on the upright of an arch. This
feeder was some 6 feet in the air.
Suet, raisins and ground beef were
placed IN the tray for the benefit OF
birds raising their young. The station
did a thriving business. drawing car
dinals. catbiyds. Knockers and many
others.
The starlings would bring the young
and park them on the top of the arch
Sometimes they would bring them di-
rectly on the edge of the feeding station
The big clumsy babies would keep up
constant squawking.
If they were not waited on instantly
they would peck at the parent. The
usual procedure was for the mother or
father to feed the youngster few bites
then to take a bite for itself.
While 1t was attempting to- do this
the baby would always squal and peck
and push and shove.
The action reminded an observer of
some human child, occasionally seen,
which hits its father or mother.
Evening star., 1942-05-30

close to our shores. AS the vigilance
along the Eastern Coast has in
creased in recent weeks, there has
been a noticeable falling off in ship
sinkings in that vicinity. Simultane-
ously there has been a renewal OF
submarine activity farther south,
especially in the Caribbean, the Gulf
and off South America. With so
large territory to cover, it is essen
tial that the Navy make use of every
available private craft in combating
the U-boat menace.
Evening star., 1942-05-30

duration Of the copper shortage.
Thus there is no question of cur
rency depreciation involved in the
transaction now proposed.
Thus, war has brought at least a
partial, temporary solution of the
silver problem, which has been de-
veloping since passage of the ill
advised silver purchase laws Of 1884
and 1889. Under these laws the
Treasury has been amassing huge
supplies of the metal in a subsidy
program fostered by the powerful
silver bloc. Secretary Morgenthau
and other officials repeatedly have
urged repeal of this silver legislation
without success. Since the over
supply of silver continues to grow
epace, it would seem only logical to
make some practical use of the
metal, as contemplated.
Evening star., 1942-05-30
Discusses Possible Improvement
In "Rationing" of Parking Space.
To the Editor Of The Star:

To the Editor Of The Star:
The departments which now are try
ing to encourage group driving could
do much along this line by revising their
methods of assigning parking spaces in
and around Government buildings.
In most cases parking permits have
been divided between divisions or Sec
tions and then distributed to individual
employees on the basis of rank and driv-
ing habits The distribution has been
quite unequal between different divisions
and departments and rapidly is becom-
ing more so in recent weeks as riding
habits have changed. believe that the
spaces could be used with greater eff
cheney by the departments if some sort
of priority were given to groups OF en-
ployes riding together.
Usually the amount of overtime in
each Government department varies
with the rank and responsibility of the
employe. Consequently there IS good
reason for assigning parking space to
top-ranking officials and for maintain
ing the priority of rank all along the
llllc. WllCII CiiPlOyCo oAS NP'
however, it would be advantageous to
assign spaces to groups OF employees
rather than to individuals.
I suggest that each group applying for
a space be assigned a priority number
based on the number of employees riding
together times their official status. For
example, four PISS or C. A. fps rid
ing together might be given the same
rating as five Pas or c. A. Fills.
The value Of this suggestion is in
dicated by the fact that five of us now
driving together have turned in three
parking permits which we no longer
need. Although we did not double-up
until required to do so by tire and gas
oline shortage, not one of the five would
care to go back to our former individ-
ualistic and wasteful habits. L. L. S.
Evening star., 1942-05-30
Small Boot Patrol

Just as many of Britain's small
fishing and pleasure boats gave
valiant service in the hour of need
at Dunkerque, so are Americas
yachts and other privately owned
craft being given vital wartime job
to do for the country whose colorS
they fly. According to Rear Admiral
Adolphus Andrews, commanding the
Eastern sea approaches, the Navy is
organizing a nondescript but for
midable fleet of small boats for Off
shore patrol duties in the battle
against U-boats.
ships being sought for this assign
ment must be large enough, he said,
to mount gun or use depth bomb.
They will be available not only for
offensive action against Axis sub
marines but for the spotting of
suspicious craft and the rescue Of
survivors of torpedoed vessels. The
small boats have the advantage of
being hard to discern through peri
scope When possible, it would seem
advisable to make use of the services
Of owners of the craft, for these pilots
usually are thoroughly familiar with
every inlet and cove Of the shoreline
where the boats have operated.
Many yachts already have been
taken over by the Navy for anti
submarine patrol work and they are
said to be playing an important part
ih making 1t exceedingly dangerous
for enemy submarines to venture
Evening star., 1942-05-30
Traffic Survey

Few citizens there are who at one
time or another have not vouchsafed
the opinion that, given the chance,
they could do something" about
Washingtons growing transporta-
tion problems. The rare opportunity
wished for will be afforded thousands
of them Monday, when they will be
asked to contribute to the Public
Utilities Commission certain data on
travel habits that should aid greatly
in bringing relief to the existing
over-burdened transportation situa-
ton.
One of the difficulties which have
impeded solution of the city'S war
time mass transportation problems
has been the lack Of up-to-date in
formation needed to obtain a COM
plete picture of transit conditions in
and near the District of Columbia. All
previous surveys and estimates have
been rendered obsolete by the kalei-
doscopic population changes of the
past year or two. 1t is for the pur-
pose Of obtaining reasonably
accurate picture of conditions today
that Chairman Hankin of the p U. c.
has asked for the cooperation of
100000 workers in public and private
industry in filling out origin and
destination" questionnaires.
To guard against mistakes due to
inadequate information, it was found
necessary to promulgate lengthy and
detailed instructions as a guide to
those filling out the missionaries.
Unfortunately, this has tended to
convey the impression that the data
sought from each person will be
voluminous and that much time will
be consumed in complying with the
commissions request. Actually, the
filling out of the card should take
but a minute or two. This small
sacrifice Of an employees time is ex-
pected to pay him material dividends
in terms of transportation benefits.
For example, officials hope that with
the requested information in hand,
they will be able to speed up bus and
streetcar traffic, relieve overcrowd-
ing and bring all-around improve
ment in the present difficult Situa-
ton.
The cooperation of employees,
employers and others whose partici-
patton in the survey has been en-
listed will pave the way for remedial
measures designed to get at the root
of Washington's war-induced trans
portation troubles. This co-opera-
tion, therefore, should be given
wholeheartedly as matter of civic
service.
Evening star., 1942-05-30
Urges Senator's Qualifications
For Candidacy as Sound" Economist
To the Editor of The Star.

Urges Senator's Qualifications
For Candidacy as Sound" Economist.
To the Editor Of The Star:
contend that to get the Federal Gov
ernment back on an economically sound
and otherwise sensible basis, the Demo-
Gratis themselves will have to do the job.
The only way that the Republicans
could hope ever again to get back in the
administrative seat, would be for them
to offer more lavish program of bo-
muses. subsidies, bureaucratic positions,
etc, which, of course, is out of the Ques-
ton.
I also contend that to do this Salvag-
ing job, there is no Democrat in the
country today who is better qualified
than Senator Harry Byrd. And I feel
that his successful management of his
own private business, his efficient and
forward moving administration of the
Governorship of Virginia, his constant
alertness as Senator to governmental
economy, coupled with his own funda-
mental honesty, is adequate justification
for this contention.
For Harry Byrd to be elected President,
of course, would mean that both the
anti-New-Deal Democrats and Republi-
cans would have to vote for him. But
then, isn't the sacrificing of party lines
far more desirable than the sacrificing
Of democracy, which certainly must fin
ally be the result, If things continue as
they have? J. ]. SPERRY.
Evening star., 1942-05-30
Memorial Day, 1912

This year the monuments UiH rise
To ShGdotUed skies,
Darkened By planes, noisy NTH hail
OF bullets, S1Oitter than the gale.
This year When the long list is read
OF deuthless dead,
On honor's roll, countless ne1D names
Will shine like uotiue candle flames.
This year America tDiH gaze
Across sea-tDays
And garland NTH nnuttered prayer
The graDes OF her sens sleeping there.
CHRISTIE JEFFRIES.
Evening star., 1942-05-30
A New Memorial Duy

The passing OF time has the effect
of enlarging the significance of the
national holidays of the American
people. Even when, as this year, it
is considered expedient to curtail
formal ceremonies, parades and ora
tions, an ever-increaSing public is
brought into contact with the tradi-
tions observed. The annual COM
memoration of the heroic dead repre-
sents an instance of the gradual
expansion indicated.
Decoration Day originated in the
South with homage to soldiers killed
in the War Between the States. It
was merely a neighborhood affair at
the start. So, indeed, it might have
remained indefinitely had not Gen
eral John A. Logan, then commander
in chief of the Grand Army of the
Republic, adopted its central concept.
In 1868 he appointed May 80 for the
decorating of the graves of soldiers
wherever they might be found
throughout the Union. One Com
monwealth after another accepted
his stipulation until practically all
the Nation joined in the rites of
remembrance. The war with Spain
and the First World War added to
the number of the fallen to whom
the universal debt of gratitude was
due. Coincidentally, the meaning of
patriotism changed and altered as
history was made. Slowly but very
surely it has been established that,
whether he wish it or not, each
citizen of the earth is related in bonds
of circumstance to every one of his
innumerable contemporaries.
The conflict of 1898 was fought to
terminate tyranny in the little island
of Cuba. Hostilities continued during
only few months. BY the date of
their close America had assumed a
new position among the great powers.
Without conscious or deliberate de-
sign, the United States took on i'm
perial responsibilities. To what ex-
tent those new obligations were COM
pelling may not have been appre-
ciated at the first, but they appeared
in clearer outline after the outbreak
of the conflict between Germany and
Austria and the Triple Entente in
1914. Less than three years after
Serajevo, President Woodrow Wilson
pledged American resources, human
and material alike, to make the
world safe for democracy" That
solemn choice was imperative then,
and no other decision was possible
on December 7, 1941. Few if any in
dividuals now would argue that it is
feasible to maintain an isolated in
dependence in planet whose small
est village IS threatened by outlaw
dictators bluntly proclaiming their
determination to bring the whole of
the globe into subjection.
Memorial Day in 1912 then neces-
sarily is observed in the light of a
manifest destiny which the United
States must fulfill. It is not a day
for the ceasing of work, nor for
neglect of any duty involved in the
national effort. The living comrades
OF the heroic dead Of past crises
salute them with gratitude on the
assembly line and on more than
twenty different battlefronts. But
they do not pause to mourn. There
Is no leisure for tears in such
moment as the Vita present. All who
have gone before would want the
new significance of May 80 to be
expressed in action-to the end that
the civilization for which they sacri-
feed them selves does not reriSh
Evening star., 1942-05-30

Judging from recent registrations
and other inconvenience, Americans
can, and will, "take it" just as well as
anybody else. All they ask is that a
thing be properly planned and well
managed.
Evening star., 1942-05-30
Again Advocates Tipping
With War Stamps.

To the Editor of The Star:
When tipping at restaurants, why not
say it with war stamps instead of coins?
Washington being city of "eaters out"
is admirably suited for widespread
movement of this kind. Since the stamps
come in convenient tip size, dimes and
quarters, it is an easy way to help the
Government, also the recipient, at the
same time.
If the idea caught on, the restaurants
and night clubs themselves might keep
war stamps on sale for this purpose.
Much money could bs raised In this
way to help ths var effort. re. N. Z.
Evening star., 1942-05-30
Mexico Enters the War

MEXICO is q full-nedged recruit in
the planetary grouping against ag-
gression-the twenty-seventh men,
ber of that worldwide grand alliance
known as the United Nations. Before
special session of the Mexican Con-
greSS, President Manuel Avila Ca
macho called upon the legislative
branch OF government to grant him
authority to make formal declara-
tion of war upon the Axis powers
Germany, Italy and Japan. He like
wise asked for special wartime au-
thority, including the suspension of
constitutional guarantees and the
right to issue executive DEGREES with
the force of ordinary laws. The
Mexican Chamber of Deputies al
ready has granted the request and
favorable action by the Senate is
expected promptly.
Thus does our southern neighbor
place itself on formal war footing.
For most practical purposes, Mexico
has been belligerent ever since
May %, when President Camacho
declared his country to be in "a state
of war" with the Axis in consequence
of two unprovoked sinkings of Mexi-
can tankers by Axis submarines. The
President made this clear in his
address when he cleared up "unfore-
seen interpretations" of legalistic
differences by saying: "The state of
war Is war. Yes, war, with all it's
consequences" And Mexican dip
lomatS throughout the world have
been instructed to inform the gov
ernments to which they are accred-
tied that Mexico considers itself a
belligerent ally of the United Nations.
In some respects, Mexico's bel
ligerency will merely confirm its very
benevolent neutrality toward the
United Nations in general and the
United States in particular. The
intimate agreements already arrived
at between Mexico City and Wash
ington insured the close cooperation
of the two governments, while Mexico
had long since broken diplomatic and
economic relations with the Axis.
Still, formal war with the Axis means
that Axis property, including ships,
can now be taken outright and used,
instead of being merely sequestered,
while Axis nationals in Mexico can
be treated as enemy aliens. This is
especially useful in restraining the
activities of the japanese colony,
concentrated on the west coast.
The diplomatic effects of Mexico's
war declaration upon Latin America
will undoubtedly be important. To
begin with, the entire continent of
North America, from the Arctic north
to the Isthmus of Panama, is now
formally united in a common cause.
AS yet no South American republic
has declared war on the Axis, though
all save Argentina and Chile have
severed diplomatic relations. But
Brazilian warships and planes are
already shooting at Axis submarines
on sight to halt their depredations on
Brazilian shipping-a condition of
near belligerency similar to ours be-
fore Pearl Harbor, when identical
orders were given to our naval and
air forces, for similar reasons.
Mexico'S action normally should in
tenSify the anti-Axis trend through
out South America, even in Argen-
tina, where the iSolationist policy of
the Castillo government confronts
strong political opposition. The con-
sequences of Mexican belligerency
undoubtedly will have consequences
as manifold as they are far reaching.
Evening star., 1942-05-30

Suggestions that the national elec-
tions be suspended for the duration
meet with cold favor. 1t is impor-
tant In a democracy to keep 'em
polling.
Evening star., 1942-05-30
Letters to the Editor

Letters to the Editor must
bear the name and address of
the ,Criter, although the use of
q pSeudonyn1 for publication is
permissible. The Star reserves
the right to edit all letters 1uith
q UieU to condensation.
Evening star., 1942-05-30
Huskin's Answers
To Questions
By Frederic J. HdSkin.

A reader can get the anstcer to any
question OF fact By ,0rtting The Eue-
ming Star Information Bureau, Fred
eric J. Haskin, director, Washington,
d. C. Please fncIoSe stamp for return
postage.
@. How long has sugar been an ar
ticle of household use?-W. A. E.
A. Sugar became an article of house
hold use in the reign of Elizabeth. Be-
fore that time the sweet crystals we're
largely used for medicinal purposes
O. What nobleman was hanged with
a silken rope?-M. B.
A. Lord Laurence Shirley Ferrers was
the last nobleman In England to suffer
felon's death. He was tried for
murder and pleaded insanity, but was
found guilty, and dressed in a suit
embroidered in silver he was taken in
his own carriage from the Tower of
London to Tyburn to be hanged It is
said that as a special concession to his
request the rope used was of silk.
Evening star., 1942-05-30

Dispatches from returning. corre-
SpondentS state that Russia is on a
100 per cent war footing" That is
percentage hard to surpass, and it
usually gets its poSsesSor somewhere.
Evening star., 1942-05-30

There Is a city In China named
"Heiho." It may be that Nippon has
q number whose names later on with
propriety may Be changed to "Ouch-"
Evening star., 1942-05-30

Favorite Hymns-A collection
Of the best loved hymns of all
denominations. Includes Isl
hymns, complete with words and
music. Your favorite is prob
ably among them. The book is
6 by 9 inches in size, and has an
attractive, durable, colored cover.
Completely indexed. To obtain
your copy inclose 20 cents in coin,
wrapped in this clipping, and mail
to The Star Information Bureau.
Name
Address
Evening star., 1942-05-30

To mix up little baseball jargon,
in the shipbuil6ing business every
strike" is a "balk," allowing the
enemy to advance a base.
Evening star., 1942-05-30

and transportation facilities is the order
OF the day. but such economy ought to
be based upon common sense adjust
ments and not merely on a shift of the
burden from business firms to individ-
uals. BUSY WORKER.
Evening star., 1942-05-30

=, The Associated Press is exclusively entitled TO
credited to it or not otherwise credited in this
paper and also the local news published herein.
All rights of publication Of special dispatches
herein also are reserved
Evening star., 1942-05-30

Entered as second-class matter post once
Washington, D. C.
Evening star., 1942-05-30

q. Under what circumstances were the
following words used: Sink or swim, live
or die, survive or perish. give my heart
and my hand to this vote"2-D. E. A.
A. Sink or swim, live or die, survive
or perish, give my heart and my hand
to this vote" is from the eulogy on John
Adams and Thomas Jefferson delivered
by Daniel Webster.
Evening star., 1942-05-30
A. Benjamin Franklin.

@. Will the camera tour to Jasper
National Park in Canada be held this
summer?-J. D. C.
A. 1t will be conducted in two sec
tions, leaving Montreal on June 40 and
June 27. Ivan Dmitri, Norris Hardness
and w. H. Robinson will conduct the
expedition which is made under the aus
pices of the magazine, Popular Photog-
raphy.
Evening star., 1942-01-18

the best Of his ability, remaining
quietly loyal to the President and to
his conception of duty despite the
outcries and the whispers Of those
who sought to disparage both his
capabilities and his integrity,
In the light of these circumstances
it is gratifying that the President,
in assigning Mr.. Knudsen to new
duties, took occasion to say: "Bill
Knudsen is one of the great produc-
ton men of the world and his &C
ceptance Of this new post means
that he can give his entire time to
the direction and expediting Of pro-
duction, a field in which he has no
equal The country is already i'm
measurably indebted to Mr.. Knudsen
and in accepting this assignment at
my request, he is undertaking one
of the most important tasks of the
war"
Evening star., 1942-01-18
The Duke of Connuuqht

He who was known as "the Soldier
Prince" has died at 81, and the world
is distinctly poorer for his passing.
Third and last surviving son of Vic
toria, brother Of Edward VII, uncle
of George v and great-uncle Of Ed
ward VIII and George VI, it was the
theoretical destiny Of the Duke of
Connaught to play q secondary role
in the drama Of modern Britain;
yet it must not be thought that his
work was unimportant. The con-
trary is true. He was a most notably
helpful servant of the House Of Wind
sor, the crown and the empire.
The record of his life was one of
devoted labor. No man of his time
was more deeply conscious of his
duty. Neither was any of hts con-
temporaries more unassuming.
The dignity which the Duke con-
sistently displayed was natural
garment which he wore against the
Evening star., 1942-01-18
bombproof hangers and were easy prey
to the enemy.

bombproof hangers and wDre easy prey
to the enemy.
One compelling reason now exists to
assure that the United States In the
months ahead will start to provide the
weapons required to win the war.
This reason is found in the fact that
the big mass production industries Of the
Nation are no longer to be able to
make peacetime gadgets. II they are to
continue to exist as going concerns they
must devote their attention to production
Of war materials. As q result, the plan
ming and management brains Of the Ma
ton finally viii be assigned to the job OF
designing and manufacturing OF wea-
pons.
When this shift occurs the Govern
ment will need only to decide the types
of weapons it wants and in what guam
titles. The big corporations can take
over at that point and can get results
once they have geared their factories to
the new type of production. The only
trouble : is that the start is late and
American losses probably will be unduly
large owing to that fact. In the end
sometime in 1943-the productive power
of this Nation will begin to be felt.
Until then it Is defensive war for
the most part.