davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1942-12-17
A Modern Aiox

There is something heroic about
the picture of Ajax, a mere mortal,
standing vulnerably in the open and
hurting mad defiance at the light
ming, symbol Of the mighty power of
the immortal gods of Grecian my
thology. We root for him, and are
glad that he got away with it, over
looking any personal faults he may
have had. Let us, then, be equally
kind to the United States Weather
Bureau, which has just gone into the
defiance business in a big way. Let
us forget all the dismal weather it
has handed out. even when fair and
warmer IVES promised, and rally to
its support.
1t has officially declared war, and
against no picayune pushover Al
ready battered and bruised by harsh
criticism Of millions of domestic,
enemies, it has lifted up Its bloody
head and unfalteringly attacked the
tornado, opening the battle from
headquarters at Kansas CITY. AS
might be expected in war with an
aggressor which strikes with little
warning, the fight must at first be
defensive in character. 1t is in the
initial stage now-that of merely
broadcasting warnings and informa-
ton on how to take cover. The bu-
reau sympathizes with outraged
farmers as the invaders aerial might
destroys everything on the farm ex-
cept the mortgage, but offers no i'm
mediate relief. Yet with such cour-
age, one cannot help feel that the
day will come when the Weather
Bureau will take the offensive, search
out the lair of the tornado, and hit
it in the axis before it can start to
Spjn
Evening star., 1942-12-17

flown into China only by a cir
cuitous route across the northern
tip of Burma over very high noun
tain ranges, and once there must
be serviced with gasoline, oil and
spare parts brought in the same way
A successful Allied invasion OF Burma
from India would necessitate vast
concentration of warships and troop
transports, since the operation could
be conducted only by sea across the
Bay of Bengal With India still
seething with unrest, there is little
to indicate that an invasion of
Burma Is imminent. Therefore the
Chinese may have to hold their
Yunnan front through this dry sea-
son to the best Of their ability with
out much help from their Western
allies.
Evening star., 1942-12-17
CIO Serves Notice

At its recent meeting in Los An
geles, the international executive
board of the CIO-United Automobile
Workers adopted a resolution which
is of more than passing interest,
since it presents what seems to be
thinly yelled threat to use the strike
weapon as an instrument for coerc-
ing Congress.
According to reports Of the meet
ing, these labor leaders were con-
cerned with indications that the new
Congress might strike out or modify
the executive order limiting salaries
to $25 ,000-a move which was spon-
sored by the CIO and put into effect
by the President after Congress had
refused to legislate to this end
Now, as the auto workers view the
matter, any move by Congress to
reverse what the President has done
would be tantamount to notice that
there no longer exists an emergency
sufficient to hold unions to their no.
strike agreement. In other words,
II Congress should remove the salary
limitation, the auto workers would
assert the right to strike if they so
desired.
This is interesting from two stand
points. In the first place, the con-
tention that labor has right" to
ctriko IL, fir,,a ~ u,or u,ha, s,,ot
action would endanger the country,
Is a dubious one. But, be that as it
may, the Government has compen-
sated labor for relinquishing this
supposed right, the compensation
taking the form of the "mainte-
nance OF membership provision.
Under this provision unions have
been able to maintain their numeri-
cal strength and have accumulated
large financial reserves (through the
checkofD which are not subject to
taxation and which will be available
for union purposes In the future At
no time, however, has it been asserted
that the salary limitation order was
issued in exchange for the no-strike
pledge, and if this be a fair infer
ence from the auto workers resolu-
ton, it would be well to put the
record straight.
Secondly, there is the question Of
the propriety of attempting to re-
strain or initiate legislation through
an implied threat OF strike action.
Certainly, Congress could not afford
to yield to pressure tactics of this
sort, for If they can be used success
fully In one instance they could be
used with equal success In others. It
may very we'll be, of course, that the
action of the CIO leaders in this
matter should not be taken too liter
ally. Nevertheless, to the extent
that it indicates belief in their own
capacity to dictate national legis-
lative policy, it is an incident which
neither the incoming Congress nor
the general public should ignore.
Evening star., 1942-12-17
Mr.. Henderson's Fable Brings
Analytical Response.

To the Editor Of The Star;
In your December IL edition you quote
Leon Henderson. He gives an example
of what would happen under a straight
percentage cut in fuel oil. Suppose" he
said, that there were two homes, pretty
much alike, standing side by side. The
owner of one home had insulated his
dwelling and had taken other steps to
conserve fuel Last year he used 1000
gallons of OIL His neighbor, however,
had been extravagant in his use Of oil
and had consumed 1000 gallons. If the
Government had decreed that the con-
sumption Of oil was to be cut fat one
third on percentage basis, the careful
householder would have been allowed
only 662 gallons, while his careless neigh
Dor would have gotten twice as much"
Let us call this careful householder
Mr.. A and the careless householder
Mr.. B.
Could it be that Mr.. A had money to
spend for extra wall insulation, weather.
stripping and storm doors and windows?
Mr.. and Mrs. A live in this sung little
chicken coop all by themselves.
But Mr.. B had wife and three small
children. He didn't earn as much money
as Mr.. A and the doctor and hospital
took lot Of the money he did earn. 80
he hadn't been able to do all the insu-
lating of his home that he would liked
to have done. On account Of small
Evening star., 1942-12-17
THIS AND THAT
By Charles Z. TrdceDeu.

The world Of Dickens, it has been
called
Now that the whole real world Is at
war, the world of Dickens is well worth
keeping in mind
1t is Christmas time, too, and that is
another reason for remembering Dickens,
especially his Christmas Carol"
AS Christmas draws near, even in a
world of war, millions will read and re-
read it,
1t will do you no good to sneer at the
wonderful story 1t has lasted too long
and is too good for that. Get it out and
read 1t over. 1t is something that Hitler
never has read, we are willing to bet.
Hans Christian Andersen made one of
his characters, a dwarf, say: "One thing
human is more to me than all the wealth
In the world" 1t was because Dickens
felt the same way, because he loved men
and women who tried to live decently,
and hated those who did not, that he is
still famous even in world at war
Charles Dickens had many faults as
man, just as his novels have many
faults as works of art. His stories are
melodramatic and theatrical, especially
as contraSted with the smooth, delicate
flow of Jane Austen's stories. The char
acterizations of Anthony Trollope are
more natural. His cathedral series of
stories in some ways gives more genuine
picture.
Yet it is unquestioned that Dickens
made his men and women live as neither
the clergyman's daughter nor the post
not too critical finds in Dickens a world
unique. When he finishes reading one
of Charles Dickens stories, he has a
mental picture of characters who seem
as real as any Of the zeal persons he
knows in his daily life. If we try to find
how this is done, we have a great task
cut out for us. All we can say is that
the characters, as odd as they seem, are
authentic The trick, if there is trick,
probably lies in the minute descriptions
given by the writer, who described his
characters to their very last button, and
the streets of London to their last cobble-
stone
There was, of course, something else.
1t was genius.
Dickens had it.
1t may be that you do not feel at home
in the Dickens world.
A great many people do not.
That is their loss. II they will take
the trouble to inquire at any long estab-
lished book store they will find out that
the books written by Charles Dickens
are still big sellers, although they may
not be best sellers" any longer This Is
because Dickens was real novelist. A
real novelist has to be widely read, to be
one. He cannot write book for just a
few. If he is to be ranked as a great
writer, he must make his appeal to great
numbers. He depends upon the masses
as much as politician. 1t cannot be
claimed, however, that the novelist with
the largest circulation is the greatest
novelist. There are calculations and cir
culations. Nobody knows Just how it is
done, but there are novelists who, by
some trick of timeliness, appeal to large
audiences during their lifetime, and are
later forgotten.
Evening star., 1942-12-17

Literary history is filled with accounts
of successful novelists who enjoyed much
popularity and made fine living. A
momentary circulation is interesting and
worth while but it does not necessarily
show the true position of book. Time
alone can do that.
To be true novelist. the writer must
be able to say something which will make
the same appeal over the years.
1t is an interesting thing to note that
stories written hundred or more years
ago have very little in them which strikes
the reader as strange.
This is because the writer's were too
busy with human beings to bother much
with the setting.
II we take story by Jane Austen we
discover that it is concerned mainly with
people. They ride in carriages, rather
than in automobiles, but aside from that
little item they seem no different from
the folks in the latest best seller" No
different in essentials, that is.
While the sale of sets has gone down
In recent years, there are still many sets
of Dickens sold.
There is no law, happily, requiring one
to read Dickens.
The fortunate point is that so many
still do.
And at this time of year there is moth
ing in the whole world of Dickens so
good as the Christmas Carol"
Dickens wrote many Christmas stories.
He wrote one year for many years and
most Of them are we'll worth reading.
Not one of them, however, has ever
held the same place in the affections of
readers as the famous christmas Carol"
The world has taken this Christmas
story to its heart in an unmistakable way.
There are innumerable editions of it.
Even in the last year several editions
OF 1t in phonograph records have been
placed on the market.
II you find it too much trouble to read
you can just listen to it, which is easy
enough.
"A Christmas Carol" is super-Dickens.
FAiAiC ~ 40 oil DiChCIkS, IL lS I1OL DIS I1uCH
so as his longer works. That is, 1t does
not contain as much of the, at times,
overdone sentences. These long, involved,
and too much so" sentences are the
stumbling block of all persons who do
not like Dickens. Such sentences go bet
ter when read aloud, perhaps, than when
read silently. At times they become
slightly boresome to even the confirmed
Dickensian.
While the Christmas Carol" contains
such sentences, with the true Dickens
flavor, they are not rubbed in, as in the
novels. The whole story is told more
succinctly, and even the sentence struc-
ture gains by it..
In world at war Dickens christmas
CAROL is good reading, not only for the
story, but also because it gives a perfect
picture of the English spirit at its best,
that sturdy spirit which told the Nazi
monster that it could come no farther.
1t was this spirit which, in defiance of
death, told the brute in man that freedom
and the love of freedom still live in the
world and made possible the continued
celebration Of Christmas as we know it.
Let us not forget this when we reread
"A Christmas Carol"
Evening star., 1942-12-17
Yunndn Front

increasing japanese activity in
Southwestern China may give the
answer to the much debated question
where Japan intends to strike next
For several months the japanese
have been inactive except for their
repeated attempts to strengthen their
holds on New Guinea and in the
southern Solomons. Those opera
tions, costly though they have been
in ships and men, account for only
a minor fraction of Japan's naval
and military strength. Meanwhile,
the rainy season which held up cam
paigning from India to Southern
China has been over for more than
a month, but the japanese have not
taken advantage of the fact.
About fortnight ago, the long
dormant Yunnan front famed into
fresh activity. When fighting begged
down there last spring under the
torrential monsoon rains, the Japa-
nese had penetrated along the Burma
Road about 100 miles into Yunnan
Province, pushing across the Sal
ween River at that point and going
as far as the next natural barrier
the Mekong River. Chungking re-
ports about 10000 japanese troops
in this sector, we'll equipped with
tanks and artillery, with at least two
more divisions apparently on the
way from Burma. The immediate
aim of the invaders is to push the
Chinese farther northward up the
Salween in order to guard their
flank for subsequent push across
the Mekong and deep penetration
into Yunnan Province along the
Burma Road.
Such a campaign, if it consisted
wholly of frontal attacks, would be
extremely difficult. Western Yunnan
is series of mountain ranges run
ming almost due north and south.
Between the close-packed ranges lie
narrow valleys, little more than
gorges, through which run swift,
deep rivers. The Salween and the
Mekong are merely the first of those
barriers. Two or three other sizable
rivers lie behind.
Such terrain Is ideal for the Chi
nese defenders. However, from the
Mekong eastward, all those rivers
flow out of Yunnan across the bor-
der into French Indo-China, which
is in Japanese occupation. 1t would
thus be tactically possible for Japa-
nese forces in Indo- China to execute
flanking operations up each of those
valleys as the main japanese push
along the Burma Road reached the
upper river courses. In that way,
the heart of Yunnan might progress
sively be penetrated.
This prospect seems to be bother
ing the Chinese high command.
Chungking newspapers are renewing
their appeals for rapid strengthen
ing Of the American air force in
China and for the launching Of
joint Anglo American offensive
against Burma with the double pur-
pose of taking the pressure OF yum
nan, and of reopening the Burma
Road, China's former lifeline with
the outer world.
Desirable though such develop
ments undoubtedly are, their real
nation is extremely dinhcult. At
present, American airplanes can be
Evening star., 1942-12-17
Suggests Way to Conserve
Space in Crowded Trains,
o the Editor of The Star.

To the Editor of The Star:
Although am native Washingtonian,
1t Is necessary for me to travel by train
not infrequently on week ends some
times northward and sometimes south
ward.
1t is true that the trains are crowded,
but 1t seems to me that there would be
quite few more people seated If serv-
icemen and civilians alike would refrain
from lying lengthwise on the seats, and
also refrain from using the seats in
front as footrests
Couldn't we all be little more con-
siderate Of each other In this manner?
v. II. 8.
Evening star., 1942-12-17
Huskin's Answers
To Questions
BIZ Frederic J. Hdskin.

6y FTSuSTLC y. HuSHJU.
A reader can get the dnSiper to any
question OF fact BY tDriting The EDe-
ming Star Information Bureau. Fred
eric j. Haskin, director, Washington,
D. C. Please inclose stamp TOR return
postage.
@. What was the origin of the word
"Katzenjammer" in the old comic strip,
Katzenj jammer Kids?-C. B. M.
A. Katzenjammer is a German word
for hangover" and means literally eats
wailing"
@. Is steel produced in the United
States ever used for razor bladesG-T.
L. A.
A. Our steel is suitable for razor
blades and many manufacturers have
used 1t for a long time.
@. Please give the date of the big fire
at Seward, Alaska,-A. P.
A. The fire at Seward, Alaska, oc-
Cured November %, 194l, with an esti-
mated loss of 81 100000.
@. What was the motto Of the Con-
federate States?-W. c.
A. The motto of the Confederacy was
"Deo Vindice" signifying God Main
tains."
Evening star., 1942-12-17
TestifieS to Willingness
To Ride With Dickerson Engineer.

10 bne Hdltor OF Inc star.
In reference to the sentence imposed
upon the engineer responsible for the
Dickerson Md wreck, my sympathy
goes out to him. Here we have an Ameri-
can citizen. with 80 years Of consistent
and competent service to his credit. He
must have been well-esteemed when
he was chosen to run the Presidential
Specials
We all know that ap accident will make
any OF us unusually careful in the fu-
ture. Now in this time of need for man
power, why not put him right back on
an engine again? With all the years of
experience behind him he would be more
conscientious and careful than ever
before.
gladly would ride with this engineer
and feel perfectly safe. Surely there are
thousands Of other people that would
also. r =. MacNICHOL.
Evening star., 1942-12-17

Dictionary-Webster's Modern Die
tionary and Word Book is an authori-
tative publication of 10000 words in
common use. 1t also includes special
supplements not contained in other
acknowledgements derived from per-
sons and places, short words, long
words, curious word origins, foreign
words and phrases, and official guide
to compounding. To secure your copy
of this publication inclose 25 cents in
coin, wrapped in this clipping, and
mail to The Star Information Bureau.
Name
Address
Evening star., 1942-12-17

@. How did the term mine" referring
to an obstruction in a harbor originator
&C. S. N.
A. In ancient warfare a subterranean
passage excavated under the wall of
besieged fortress either for the purpose
of entering or of destroying the wall was
called a mine. Later the term was ap-
piled to subterranean gallery where
gunpoWder was placed to blow up an
enemy fort. Hence, a receptacle filled
with explosives sunk at the entrance Of
harbor and provided with machinery
by means of which it explodes when an
enemy vessel attempts to enter.
@. How much nickel will the use OF
the new formula for fve-cent pieces
save?-B. N.
A. 1t is estimated that the new nickel
made from silver, copper and manganese
will save ABS tons of nickel a year.
@. How many ships in our Navy have
borne the name Wasp?-S. VA.
A. There have been seven Wasps in
the United States Navy The first was
q SiOop-Ol-"dI Uullb LII loUO, JIlP seventh
a carrier of 70 planes which sank of the
Solomons
@. How does the island OF Britain
compare in size with the United States?
&C. T.
A. Britain is about 1/4o of the size
of the United States.
@. Where is mercury produced?-
R. T. S.
A Spain produces about half the
worlds mercury. Most Of the rest comes
from Italy and Sicily.
@. How much do 1000 one dollar bills
weigh?-M. P.
A. Two pounds and one and one-half
ounces.
@. What is the Red Route"?-R F. G.
A. The Red Route connects Alma Alta
and Ayaguz IN the Soviet Union with
Chungking, China. Over this route
some supplies go to China from Russia.
Q. How much water must be fur
nished for fighting man?-G. M.
A. A fighting man drinks three quarts
Of water day.
@. Do woodpeckers injure trees? -
9. N
A. Woodpeckers seldom injure trees.
They destroy injurious tree insects.
Q. What part Of the sap from sugar
cane Is water?-N. r. D.
A. sugar cane sap is approximately
30 per cent water. 16 per cent sugar and
per cent molasses and impurities.
@. Why do some bittersweet vines have
no berries7-B. KE
A. 1t is probable that they were raised
from seed. Such plants usually wait
until they are very old to produce berries
There is no way to remedy this habit of
bittersweet vines.
O. What poem begins, "She stood be-
fore her fathers gorgeous tent" and on
what is the poem based?-C. T. U.
A. The poem beginning: "She stood
before her fathers gorgeous tent. to
listen for his coming" Is from "Jeph-
thah's Daughter" by Nathaniel Parker
Willis. The poem is based on Jephthah's
vow, Judges, xi, verses 80, 81.
Evening star., 1942-12-17

War workers here from such towns
as Pittsburgh, Cleveland and other
soft-coal-burning cities probably get
homesick on occasion. However, if
they will just shut their eyes and
take few deep breaths momentary
relief may be had from this nos
ta1ria
Evening star., 1942-12-17
Letters to the Editor

Letters to the Editor must
bear the name and address OF
the 1Driter, although the use OF
q pSeudonynl for publication is
permissible. The Star reserves
the right to edit all letters Uith
a Uie1U to condensation.
Evening star., 1942-12-17


Every once in q while some one
hears Of an enviable citizen who has
Ave good tires, bin full of coal, a
spare pair Of rubber heels and a
whole carton of safety matches with
sandpaper on both sides Of each box.
Evening star., 1942-12-17

The fuel oil dealers who used to
have fun pasting up War stamps in
odd moments now have all they can
do to paste up rationing coupons.
Evening star., 1942-12-17
Popular Song Disapproved
BY Believer in Righteousness.

To the Editor of The Star:
As a standard bearer OF the cause OF
Christ, I register strong disapproval OF
the song so universally sung: Praise
the Lord, and Pass the Ammunition"
What travesty on religion in general
and on our loyalty to Christ in particu-
lar! 1t is even an effrontery toward
God.
Righteousness is at stake In the
world. Whoever wins this war will win
1t for righteousness.
Why not: Praise the Lord and He
Will Give the Victory?
The world is being made ready for
peace and good will among men, and 1T
will come.
Not by might, nor by power but by
my spirit" saith the Lord OF Hosts.
ESQ.
Evening star., 1942-12-17

children he had to have heat in all of
his house-couldn't shut of rooms as
Mr.. and Mrs. A were able to do.
And SO, because Mr.. B had q family
and less money he shouldn't have enough
heat to keep some of his house livable?
No one in moderate circumstances land
any one using only 1000 gallons of oil
for heat in this vicinity is not in more
than very moderate circumstances is
spending money for unnecessary heating
oil.
Interest on the mortgage and taxes
are fixed and taxes do increase but I'll
bet Mr.. Henderson his "A" card that
every 2,000-gallon oil consumer for house
heat knows this is the only chance he
has of cutting his house expenses and
he cuts as much as he can.
So, poor Mr.. B. with his wife and three
children, should suffer because Mr.. B
couldn't afford to 60 in for more insula-
ton for his Jerry-built house 1t doesn't
make sense. EX-HOUSEHOLDER.
Evening star., 1942-12-17
Friendly Greetings
For 9Oth Birthday.

TO The Editor Of The Star:
On the occasion of the Goth anniver-
sary of The Star, allow me to congratu-
late you.
I am 46 years old and have been a
reader of The Star since I was H.
Always I have found your paper free
from .sensationalism, crooked advertise
ments, etc. In fact, never answer an
advertisement unless it was printed in
The Star, and therefore I always have
received my moneys worth.
OF course, I do not always agree with
your editorial policy, but I still believe
that The Star is the best paper pub
lished in Washington or in any other
city, for that matter. REALIsT.
Evening star., 1942-12-17
Some Furnaces Held Non Convertible ;
Writer Finds Others Need Materials.

To the Editor of The Star:
With all this discussion of the fuel oil
situation and the necessity for the con-
version of oil-burning furnaces to coal
burning furnaces. one phase of the mat.
ter is scarcely touched on. This phase is
the fact that many furnaces cannot be
converted.
A second question is that, in view of
the fact that the Government practically
has cornered many kinds of material,
where is the material to come from with
which to convert heating units?
1t seems impossible today to purchase
common wood stove, coal stove, or even
cast iron CRATE for fireplace What
is the Government, with its dire threats,
going to do about this feature Of the
question? Will it release man-hours and
materials to do this work and do it
promptly? VIM. B. RAINSFORD.