davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1942-07-11
Discusses Proposal to Permit
Block Booking" of Movies Again.


To the Editor of The Star:
wonder whether it is generally known
that movement has been launched to
get the Department of Justice to amend
the widely acclaimed consent decree"
whereunder movie exhibitors contract
for only those films which they see and
deem worthy of booking for their the
aters.
The consent decree" was devised by
the Government for the protection of
the movie-going public. 1t was felt that
under the old blind-buying" or block
booking" method OF purchasing films
from the studios, when exhibitors con-
tracted in advance for an entire years
supply of pictures sight unseen, the pub
lie was getting the short end of the deal
since the quality of the pictures could be
inferior without any resulting damage to
the studios exchequers.
Since the signing of the consent de-
cree" the quality of motion pictures has
reached new high, for now it is neces-
sary for each production to stand on its
own individual merits.
AS one of the paying customers, I
would like to lodge a protest against any
modification of the present law that
would flood the Nations screens once
again with lot of inferior "B" pictures.
understand that under the proposed
changes, exhibitors will be forced to con-
tract for films in blocks of 13. They will
be allowed to see five. The eight others
they will have to take sight unseen Re-
duced to more understandable terms
for every 13 pictures produced in Holly
wood. five will be worth while and eight
will be junk. This sounds like direct
slap in the face to the War Production
Board and to its desperate efforts to
conserve our supply of raw stock film.
Film contains gunpowder, and gun
powder should be used where it will
hit the enemy the hardest. Gunpowder-
containing films that hit entertainment
and propaganda targets are vitality i'm
portant to the war effort and should be
encouraged. GunpoWder containing
films that are produced merely to fill in
a double bill are a tragic waste of vital
war materials. If the proposed amend
ment to the consent decree" goes into
effect, eight out of every 13 films to come
out of Hollywood will be precious gun
powder going up in smoke without hit
ting any targets.
Why is not this plan to sabotage the
interests of 10000 900 moviegoers and the
efforts of the WPB aired in public? Why
is this move, which so vitality concerns
us all, confined to the motion picture
trade papers. which are read by small
minority? I feel certain that. once the
public becomes aware of the proposed
plan to amend the consent Decree" 1t
will rise up with clamor Of protest.
FRED ARMSTRONG.
Evening star., 1942-07-11
Differs with Correspondent
About Playing in Fountains.

To the Editor of The Star:
r C. Bell whose letter complained of
boys creating 'pandemonium" playing
in fountains, may be assured that We,
the people of Washington, will try to
help maintain the equilibrium of normal
living. We have been in Washington
long enough to know that to maintain
such balance we must. through nee
essity combat nature. Washington's
high humidity rate and heat tempera
ture will be felt shortly. So far we have
had unusually cool weather. The tenn
perature here gets up to 95 or 100 with
the humidity as high as the tempera-
ture.
We "old timers with 10 to Is years
experience behind us can appreciate
boys playing in the fountains. 1t makes
us wish, some of us, to be young enough
again once more to enjoy our own child
hood. And If it were spent in Washing
ton, all of lis would have played in the
fountains. CHARLES ALEXANDER.
Evening star., 1942-07-11
RossIyn Transfer PIon

The prompt and strenuous OppOSl-
ton of the Arlington County Board
to the plan to terminate Arnold line
buses at the RosSlyn loop, requiring
all passengers to change to Capital
Transit Company streetcars and pay
another fare, is indicative of public
reaction to be expected Of such a
drastic proposal. The announced
purpose of the plan is to conserve
gasoline and tires. The public is
willing to go to great inconvenience
to accomplish that objective. The
prospective results of the RosSlyn
move, however, would be not only to
make the public pay as much as
double the present fare for less salts
factory service but also to increase
to near-intolerable proportions con-
gestion and traffic hazards at the
transfer point. Washington's trans
portation experts should be able to
devise some means of conserving
gasoline and tires involving no such
Objectionable features.
1t is possible that the bus company
which would operate over a shorter
route, saving 850,0OO miles a year,
could reduce it's fare. The likelihood
is, however, that both the streetcar
line and the bus company would
fight any effort to cut fares. It is
possible, too, that, as the streetcar
company claims, sufficient equipment
Is available to handle the increase
In traffic it would be called upon to
carry. Long experience with street.
car bottlenecks, however, makes the
public skeptical of the kind of service
to be expected If more cars are added
during the rush hour at any con-
gested point.
1t also is apparent that there is
not sufficient space or facilities at
the Rosslyn loop for a transfer sta
ton. The Arnold bus line, which
handles about $4,000 passengers a
day, says 1t has bus a minute COM
ing through Rosslyn during rush
hours. There would be great con-
gestion and serious traffic hazards
If all passengers transferred between
streetcars and buses there.
Members of the Arlington County
Board, the County Public Utilities
Commission and officials of the
Arnold line are rightfully indignant
that a proposal so vital to them
should have been drawn up and
given serious consideration without
consulting them. District Traffic
Director William A. Van Duzer de-
veloped the idea as part of a plan
calling for bus terminal changes and
rerouting. Mr.. Van Duzer is admin
istrator of defense transportation
for the District of Columbia and the
entire plan, 1t is stated, was drawn
''in the interest of conserving gaso-
line and rubber while still giving
adequate and convenient transporta-
ton"
In all fairness, and to make up for
previous oversights, Washington au-
thorities should reserve decision until
they have the views of Arlington and
Arnold line officials and, above all,
the passengers affected. If this is
done, it will become clearly evident
that the Rosslyn transfer plan fails
to meet an important aim set forth
by It's author-that of providing
adequate and convenient trans
portation"
Evening star., 1942-07-11
Praises Editorial
On Censorship and Publicity.

To The Editor OF The Star:
An average reader wishes to express
qualification for your editorial Breaking
the News"
The doubt in the public mind over the
seriousness of the war the refusal to be-
come worried, hence cooperative, over
shortages, stems, no doubt from igno-
rance.
Washington itself is full of people who
look up gently. saying do you really
think it Is so bad?'
No need to go to the Middle West to
see gasoline wasted.
Meanwhile, the boys die We cannot
Evening star., 1942-07-11
Expresses Appreciation
Of Dehydration Article.
To the Editor Of The Star:

To the Editor Of The Star:
Due to my long service with the De-
partment of Agriculture, l was particu.
larly interested in the article on dehy-
dration written by Jessie FAINT Evans for
The Sunday Star. 1t is a wonderful sub
ject at this time. when the question OF
feeding our boys in foreign countries is OF
had no conception of this huge under
taking feel grateful to the writer for the
information she gave us.
LUCIE c. CARRAWAY.
Evening star., 1942-07-11

@. Is there a statement In the Bibls
that Peter was a married MANN. D.
A. Matthew xiii.14 says that when Jesus
came into Peters house He saw his wifes
mother sick Of fever. The name OF
Peters wife Is nowhere recorded.
O. How much Aim is used In producing
an ordinary moving picture?-F. D. T.
A. single ordinary picture requires
as much as mile and a half Of filrn.
A feature picture, with its many copies,
may require more than 500 miles of Aim.
@. How much food is needed q day
to keep a man alive?-P. F. G.
A. Human beings need three pounds
of food a day and four pounds of water
to keep their bodies alive.
@. At what altitude does pilot need
an extra supply of oxygen?-P. D. A.
A. The Army Air Corps says that on
high altitude flights pilot begins using
tanked oxygen at an altitude of about
$4,000 feet. However, some pilots can fly
as high as $4,000 feet before requiring 1t.
@. How high above sea level is the
White House?-E. D. N.
A. The Pennsylvania avenue front is
go feet above sea level The ground
slopes rapidly and the south front OF
the building has long flights of steps to
the lawn.
@. How did the oven bird get its
name?-R. Y. B.
A. 1t received its name from the
the ground and which has fancied
resemblance to an oven.
@. What President held diplomatic
post when a mere boy?-C w.
A. John Quincy Adams, born July II,
1857, held diplomatic Office at the
Court of st. Petersburg when only IL
years of age, and is reported to have
acquitted himself we'll.
@. Are any sections Of the United
States free from venomous snakes7-
K N. D.
A. Only the northern portion OF
Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont
are free from venomous snakes.
@. How long did the royal court Of
Portugal remain in Brazil?-P. C.
A. The Portuguese royal court was
transferred to Rio de Janeiro in 1903
and did not return to Portugal until
1921.
@. What is the origin of the symbol
resembling an r that appears in med
ical prescriptions?-G. c. L.
A. This character is reputed to BE-
originally the same as the symbol Of
Jupiter, which was placed at the top
of formula to pacify the king Of the
gods that the compound might be ac-
cepted favorably and have the desired
effect.
@. What is the name of the sword
carried by the Marines?-S. S.
A. The Mameluke sword. Following
the capture OF Derna, 1t. OBannon was
presented by Hamet with handsome
Mameluke sword with ivory handle and
curving blade. In commemoration these
swords were adopted by the Marine
Corps in 1925. and except for brief
period, have been carried by Marine
officers ever since.
Evening star., 1942-07-11

see through the fog at Kiska-but the
Japs can.
Bad news is soft-pedaled; yet, If we
know anything 1t is that no American
will leave his home and habits for a
vague theory-but he will walk out of
If properly aroused and angry-and how
fast-if he thinks pal is getting licked
So, go on pressing for the right kind
of censorship and publicity Propaganda
will not be so necessary, If the facts are
properly presented. S. M. SWING.
Evening star., 1942-07-11
Calls Attention to Landlords Side
Of ROOming House Problem.

To the Editor of The Star:
The public has been reading in The
Star these past few weeks quite lot
about the rooming and boarding house
controversy. The Rent Control Board
seems always to favor the tenants in
the rooming and boarding houses. The
Rent Control Administra ton says at the
present time the rooming and boarding
house operators are not entitled to any
advance in rates.
If this be the case, then at what time
would they be justified in asking for a
little more for rooms and board?
Your own paper stated few days
ago that living costs had gone up Is
per cent this past year.
There are a lot of rooming and board
ing houses in Washington, operated by
good reliable owners, who at times
have to stand for a lot of humbug,
and at times insults from undesirable
tenants.
What does the average rooming and
boarding house operator get for all the
work of trying to make other people
confortable--a bare living.
DISGUSTED.
Evening star., 1942-07-11

The Children's Book -- Every
mother with young children
will want a copy Of this new
offering-b ecause 1t contains
stories and verses she knew and
loved when she was child. 1t
will bring back memories and the
children will love the outline
drawings OF little animals, the
riddles, paper folding, scrambled
names and other interesting
pastimes. To secure your copy
of this new booklet inclose 10
cents In coin wrapped in this
clipping and mail to The Star
Information Bureau.
Name
------------------
Address
Evening star., 1942-07-11

The price of furs has now been
fixed. The purpose is to keep hus-
bands from being skinned unduly.
Evening star., 1942-07-11

@. Please give an estimate OF the
number OF vehicles that are available
for public transportation7-G. S. T.
A. According to the War Production
Board, there are only total OF 100000
public transportation vehicles in the
United States, including buses and street,
elevated, subway and railway cars.
@. What race Is increasing most rap
idly in the United States?-I. w. E.
A. The present rate OF increase OF the
Indian population exceeds that OF any
other racial group in the country.
@. Which is the highest town in the
world?-M. B. B.
A. Potosi in Bolivia, which lies at
an altitude Of almost $4,000 feet, Is
probably the loftiest town IN the world.
Evening star., 1942-07-11

Girls in Slacks would be more at
tractive If there were more slack In
the girls.
Evening star., 1942-07-11
Huskin's Answers
To Questions
BIZ Frederic J. Hdsktr,.

A reader can get the nns,oer to any
question OF fact by nritin0 The Epe-
nino Star Information Bureau. Fred
eric J. Haskin, director, Washington.
DC. Please tnclose stamp tor return
postage.
Evening star., 1942-07-11
Letters to the Editor

Letters to the Editor must
bear the name and address of
the Writer, although the use OF
a psendonyn1 for publication is
permissible. The Star reserpes
the right to edit all letters Nth
a DietU to condensation.
Evening star., 1942-07-11

@. At what altitude does pilot need
an extra supply of oxygen?-P. D. A.
A, The Army Air Corps says that on
high altitude flights pilot begins using
tanked oxygen at an altitude of about
$4,000 feet. However, some pilots can fly
as high as $4,000 feet before requiring 1t.
The Hagerstown globe., 1942-05-15
DISPELLING THE FOG
CHARLES NICHOLSON
PUBLICITY DIRECTOR DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL COMMITTEE

armed forces may be assured Of
the right to vote at the approach
ing election in November, 1912"
1t so happens that months ago
the President of the United States
advised the Department of War
and the Department of the Navy,
suggesting that adequate steps be
taken to insure against the loss by
the men in our armed services of
their right and prerogative to vote
next November. The Attorney
General communicated with both
the martial departments, telling
them of his consultation with the
council Of state governments,
recommending that the council
suggest to state officials that they
examine their statutes on the vot-
ing of absentee men in the services
and advise them where necessary
sentees in all elections with the
minimum of inconvenience and
without requiring any participa-
tion by the military and naval au-
thorities. The Judge Advocate
General of the Army suggested a
bill, which he drafted, for adoption
by the States, with the idea of
having a general measure that
would cover all of them.
The war services issued informa-
ton to their enlisted men, suggest
ing that each should communicate
with. the Secretary of State in the
state in which he claims residence,
of the local election officials at
The Hagerstown globe., 1942-05-15

Washington, D. c.. May Is. -
Not since the Davey Lewis-Tydings
campaign of 1888 have the ranks
Of Maryland labor been as stirred
politically as today. This time
Maryland is not directly concerned
but the Eighth Congressional Dis
trict of Virginia.
However, the fight now develop
ing there is going to be one of the
most important political battles of
the country. For in that district
a top-flight labor man (as we'll as
businessman) has declared himself
as candidate to unseat profess
sional labor-baiter, Congressman
Howard Smith.
To run again the strongly en-
trenched Mr.. Smith. who has serv-
ed six terms, labor has selected
Quick-witted and cultured Emmett
Dawson. former Mayor of Alexan-
dria, and secretary treasurer of
the International Association Of
Machinists.
Behind Davison's decision to go
out and do battle with Smith was
Sydney Katz. CIO counsel for Mary
land, District of Columbia and Vir-
ginia. Dawson was most reluctant
until persuasive Sydney went to
work on him, promising that CIO
labor in Maryland would back him
to the hilt Dawson Immediately
checked with his own AF of L
unions and they reported that in
sofar as this particular campaign
was concerned the AF Of L and
The Hagerstown globe., 1942-05-15

Under the heading of adjourned
politics might be listed the publ
cation Of story telling that Chair
man Martin of the Republican Ma
tional Committee had stolen a
march" on the Democrats by in
Producing a resolution designed
to give Republicans the credit of
making certain that soldiers, sail
ors and marines will have a chance
to vote in the coming elections.
Actually the business of securing
the safety of the franchise for the
armed service men has been in the
mill as routine administration ac-
tivity for months.
The Elections Committee of the
House of Representative has had
under consideration for a month a
measure introduced by Congress-
man Barnes of Illinois, to this eff
tect:
Whereas, The right of all eligi,
Bile citizens to vote is vital to ma
tional welfare as it is to the states:
Now. therefore, be it resolved by
by the Senate and House Of Repre-
sentatives in Congress assembled,
that this matter be called to the
attention of the Governors and the
legislatures of the various states,
with the recommendation that cog
nizance of these acts be taken and
that prompt and appropriate steps
and action be set in motion SC
that the fullest facilities and op
portunities may be provided to
the end that all persons in the
The Hagerstown globe., 1942-05-15
MARyL AND MERRy-GO-ROUND-
---- By DREW PEARSON
By DREW PEARSON

CIO were as one unit behind the
former mayor of Alexandria.
Before this came to a head,
however, there was a general feel
ing, particularly in Maryland, that
no labor man should run against
Congressman Smith. At one Of the
meetings where this opinion was
expressed, Katz declared he was
in sincere agreement, but added
that in the event no one as strong
as Dawson showed up, then the
AT of L machinist should be the
unanimous choice of labor rather
than let the contest go by default.
#*#H#
POLITICAL CALM
Things are so quiet on the Mary
land political fronts in this year of
congressional and gubernatorial
primaries that you can almost
hear a vote drop. That is the opin-
ion of all who watch the weeks
slip by toward the time when
Maryland's six Democratic repre-
sentatives on Capitol Hill must
stand UP at the polls and ask for
another helping.
This quiet is very much to the
incumbent's liking. For it means
cash in the pockets of those who
ordinarily are shelling out to win
friends and influence people.
The only stir at all is in the 4th
District in Baltimore where Con-
gresham John Meyers seat is be-
ing contested by such political
adopts as Ex-Magistrate Joe Wyatt
The Hagerstown globe., 1942-05-15

his place Of residence by which he
can exercise his right to vote.
In these activities to insure
that every American citizen in
uniform should have and exercise
his constitutional rights next No
vember the thought was not pres
ent of stealing a march on the op-
position. In fact, the proposition
was regarded as simple part of
the functions of the Federal Off
cial, and there was no political i'm
plication anywhere along the line.
That interesting note was only
sounded by the Chairman of the
Republican National Committee a
month or two late.
The chairman of the minority
party was quoted in the news
papers as stating that "it is i'm
pOrtant, however. for the forthcom-
ing congressional elections to be
considered and ways and means
discussed as to how best they may
be conducted under the unusual
conditions. The leaders want the
views and advice of the men and
women of the National Republi-
cam Committee on this important
question. They will get those
views at the Chicago meeting"
We Democrats are delighted, OF
course, that the minority repre-.
sentatives in and out of Congress
have finally awakened to the urg.
ent necessity of dealing with this
problem, even though instead OF
Continued on page ~
The Hagerstown globe., 1942-05-15
FEAR SHORTAGE OF
APARTMENTS, HOMES
HERE DURING YEAR
Several Thousand More
Workers Will Get
Jobs Locally

When the national defense indus
tries in Hagerstown call for more
workers this summer, private
homes will be needed to house the
increased population, it was stated
today by several men familiar with
the housing problems of the COM
munity. That there is a definite
scarcity Of housing facilities in
Hagerstown and surrounding COM
munities is known fact, and the
situation is becoming more acute
as time goes on.
Large numbers of persons are
coming into Hagerstown where
they are obtaining jobs in the var
ious plants. Apartments are at a
premium, it is stated, and several
hotels are renting rooms by the
mouth. The situation is expected
to become more serious as gas ra-
tioning becomes effective and au-
tomobile tires wear out. 1t is said
that more rooms are being rented
today than ever before in the his
tory of the town.
About a year ago, an article
printed in local newspaper stated
that Hagerstown would probably
become boom town" in 1912 or
1943, provided the war continued.
This statement was disputed by
several groups who offered statis-
tics to prove that planned con-
structiOn would be more than am
pie to take care of the demands.
The fact remains. however, that
the demand today is greater than
the supply, and it is questionable
whether or not the new homes be-
ing constructed will meet future
needs. 1t is estimated that at least
several thousand more workers
will be employed here this year,
and a fairly large percentage of
these new workers will come from
outside the county.
The Hagerstown globe., 1942-05-15
PART-TiME LABOR

The United States Employment
Service announces that many re-
quests have been received for part
time employment, and employers
having openings for this type of
workers are urged to contact the
local agency at once. Many of
the applicants are employed at
night and are available for several
hours work each day. Night
workers have also applied for part
time day jobs.
The Hagerstown globe., 1942-05-15
SQUAW KS!

Registration clerks working this
week on gas rationing cards, re-
port an unusual large number of
"squawkers" = motorists who con
vinced themselves (but not the
registrars) that they rated more
units than assigned them. Appar-
emily many OF these citizens have
overlooked the fact that we are at
war and conservation of gasoline
is duty to our country. 4
The Hagerstown globe., 1942-05-15

and Ex-Congressman Ambrose
Kennedy. To date, the activity is
nothing above stir with cagey
John going about his business as
though he were one of the Mary
land Senators instead of a repre-
sentative.
So far Mayor Jackson and Gov
ernor Herbert O'Conor have only
gone to the extent Of exchanging
ugly looks But this unwritten
truce may bust loose at any time
and when it does the initiative
must and will come from City Hall.
Howard is not one to sit by and let
things go by default, while Herby
is not one to start a row which
he thinks he has on already.
This studied complacency on
the part of all is smart politics es-
pecially for those now in office.
@H&*#
MARYLAND AND PERU
While all America was cheering
the naval news from the South Pa
citic last week, the cultured, gem
ial president of Peru, Javier Pra-
do was at Annapolis singing the
praises of the naval academy inso-
far as his own country's modest
fleet is concerned. For Peru
proudly boasts that its own naval
training school at La Punta Gallo
is "a small Annapolis" Returning
to Washington from Annapolis,
President Prado said: For better
or for worse, depending on which
Continued on page A.