davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1942-12-11
THIS AND THAT
By Charles z. TrdcetDeH.

Of the starlings know that they are both
good singers and great consumers Of
insects.
The English sparrow does the best he
can. but finds the going difficult.
This sparrow Is, after all, a seed-eating
bird, and only takes beetles and the like
at certain times Of the year.
AL species Of birds use insects to feed
their young.
That is why scraped and ground beef
Is acceptable at that time when placed
where the birds can get It,
1t is questionable whether, from now
on, any meat can be used for this pur-
pose, but it might be that few scraps
could be saved in the spring for the
birds
Although the weather has Opened
up by that time, so that many insect
forms are available, the new mouths to
feed offer special problem, even to the
liveliest parents
No matter how far they fly, and how
diligently search, there are never enough
worms and insects to stuff the hungry
young.
1t is then that handful Of ground
meat, placed out of the reach of dogs,
goes long way in keeping alive and
healthy the new bird crop.
In few weeks, month at the most,
the baby birds will be able to wrest their
own living from the landscape, but the
first weeks are vastly important, and
may mean the difference between MANY
new birds and few.
Hence any aid given the hard driven
parents at that time-spring and early
summer-will 60 long way toward
isuring more birds and, hence, a great
kill" Of insects.
1t Is questionable whether there could
be any agriculture without the aid given
by birds.
One good feature Of English sparrows
Is seldom mentioned.
1t is the picture they make in flight
at well-stocked feeding stations when it
SHOWS
All birds look larger and brighter In
the snow, but none Of them presents the
picture made by these omnipresent
sparrows.
II two or more stations are in opera
ton In the same yard, the birds will fly
from one to another in flocks.
These sweeps" across the snow are
picturesque and interesting from the
standpoint of flight.
1t was not for nothing that the British
adopted the term sweep" in describing
the flights of their aviators.
The birds have shown them the word
in action for centuries.
Few persons think Of the common
sparrows as sterling opponents OF flight;
yet they are, and may be seen as such
in any garden where two small feeding
] stations are in place.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1942-12-11
Huskin's Answers
To Questions
By Frederic J. Hdskin.

A reader cdn get the dnstDer to any
question OF fact by prittn1 The Zoe
ming Star Information Bureau, Fred.
eric J. Hdskin, director, Wdshtn1ton,
D. C. Please tnclose stamp for return
postage.
@. How long is q postal money order
valid?-G. M. B.
A. A domestic money order is valid
for II months dating from the end OF
the month in which 1t is issued.
Q. What Is the price Of farm land in
Ohio?-B. L. L.
A. The State Of Ohio Department Of
Agriculture says that the price OF gen.
eral farm land suitable for crop and
livestock purposes varies widely from SIS
to $125 per acre, depending upon i'm
provements, location, etc. Land contig-
uous to cities furnishing good market
facilities usually costs more.
@. What causes q hen to lay soft
eggs?-N. C. D.
A. A soft egg Is due to lack of lime
in the diet Of the hen. Poultry should
have access to crushed shells or other
forms of lime.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1942-12-11

President Coronel Fulgencio Batista
Is the representative and spokesman
of the people Of Cuba. He has come
to Washington in the name Of an
independent nation with which the
United States has been associated
In an especially significant way. To
understand the meaning OF his visit
it Is necessary to remember that, as
the Dictionary Of American History
remarks, Cuba is "strategically the
key to much Of the Western Hemi-
sphere" and has been important out
OF all proportion to her size and
population"
The island was settled by the
Spanish in 1915, thereafter becom-
ing q base for many expeditions to
the mainland" During the eighteenth
century 1T included all Spanish Gulf
territories from Florida to louisiana"
and the bonds formed in that period
never have been broken. For genera
lions the United States protected
Cuba against the danger of being
taken by expanding European pow
ers. Presidents Polk, Pierce and
Buchanan severally attempted to
purchase the whole country for an
nexation, but the administration at
Madrid refused to sell. Later, at the
time Of the so-called Ten Years War,
leading Cuban citizens repeatedly
made overtures to the United States
in behalf OF American intervention.
On April 20, 1898, Congress finally
authorized hostilities. Spain relin-
quished all claims to sovereignty
under the terms OF the Treaty Of
Paris on December 10 of the same
year.
Thrice since Cuba became indie
pendent the United States has been
obliged to take charge Of govern
ment affairs at Havana, but the
privileges OF big brother" role
rarely, II ever, have been abused.
Most Cubans freely concede that the
friendship of Leonard Wood, William
Howard Taft. Charles Edward Ma
COON, Enoch H. Crowder and Sumner
Wells has been q practical endow-
ment to their community. In educa-
ton. health, public works and finance
the constructive influence Of the
United States is manifest everywhere
throughout the island. The Platt
amendment, much abused as 1t GER
tainly was, had Its value to Cuba,
and even now, after 1t has been
repealed, It's helpful spirit is worth
maintaining rs an element in West
ern Hemisphere defense.
President Batista, OF course, does
not need to be told that he is vel
come. He knows from experience
that the policy Of the United States
In regard to all Latin American
countries Is honorable and sincere.
It 10 established on freedom, is
creatively mutualistic In character
and seeks to promote the progress,
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1942-12-11
DARLINGTON, Va.

Dear Sir:
II enjoy your column so much except
when you show a dislike for pigeons,
usual-and wrote on some Of their good
points.
II just had to ask II others besides
myself haven't noticed that during warm
weather the startling seems to be the
only bird which eats our Japanese
beetles in the grub form.
THE robin seems to specialize in earth
worms, but the startling is an expert at
cooking his ear, and under the grass
goes his def bill and out comes the white
grub.
For this alone, 1t seems to me, he
should be given special protection by our
Government.
column tonight was a question in
Haskin's column, asking whether the
English sparrows were of any value.
They, too, literally feasted and stuffed
on the Japanese beetles in our vicinity,
but they ate them in the adult stage.
Last summer I did not notice so many
eating them. but this year, especially
toward evening, they were on the lawn
and shrubs eating one after the other.
They seemed to have to pick at them
a bit before they could swallow them,
and when they did this on the sidewalk,
they'd take a little black piece off and
eat the rest Perhaps 1t was the head.
For while some grackles used to
come very early in the morning when
the beetles were thick on trees out front
and they would just grab the beetles and
down they would go.
Il noticed couple OF sparrows on the
sidewalk and now and then when the
grackles would knock beetle of and
1t would fall on the walk, the sparrows
them such a long time in comparison to
get it broken up.
Hastily, E. L."
4 X 4 X
Grackles, starlings and English SPAR
rows, often targets of dislike, are shown
man and agriculture.
Ornithologists have been telling us
for several years that none Of these birds
Is as black as it has been painted.
All Of them render true service to man
by devouring many insect enemies, es-
pecially Japanese beetles. which most OF
the songbirds will not touch.
1t would be interesting to know from
some OF the pigeon enthusiasts whether
these birds will eat Japanese beetles.
1t is noticeable that our correspond
ent, a pigeon fan" says nothing about
her favorites eating the beetles.
4
Experts who have made a close study
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1942-12-11
Military Mutrimony

Usually the war acts to break up
homes, at least temporarily, but
under special circumstances it may
actually strengthen home ties to a
point where they are absolutely UNI
breakable. These circumstances
arise when the home Is occupied by
Private Husband and Lieutenant
Wife, as in case reported from
Pineville, Kentucky, where the Mr..
Of the house is buck private in the
air service and the Mrs. has Just
been commissioned in the WAACS.
Assuming that even before the
war he knew who was boss in the
house, there may have been a few
lingering shreds OF doubt to cause
friction. Now they are gone with
the wind, simplifying the situation.
He can get to work wiping those
dishes, without argument. It will
be K. p, strictly In line Of duty. Home
will be more attractive, too, without
cigarette ashes all over the floor,
and he had better not offend IN this
respect; disobedience Of orders in
time Of war is a serious matter.
There will be no sneaking out to the
corner poolroom for a session with
the boys when things get too hot at
home; the penalty for AWOL is Sc
we're. If he behaves well, he may
expect an occasional pass to leave
the reservation, but even then should
use judgment on the right moment
to ask, preferably when the lieuten-
ant Is feeling on top Of the world,
having just had 4 new permanent.
Life will not be easy, but Private
Husband gets one break, in compen-
sation. He can grin when Lieutenant
Wife complains Of having nothing
to wear. Onicers buy their own uni
forms, out Of their own pay.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1942-12-11
Sonq of the ThistIes

We are the knights of the roadside
. Stouthedrted children of chance
Graded on earth's hard bosom.
Bred OF the minds ,oild dance.
Clad In our bristling drmor,
We are afraid OF none;
Braue In our purple bonnets,
Many tilt De hare ioon.
When wihter roars his challenge
He ictu not find US fed;
We shall hare sharpenef lances
Though he may leape Us dead.
ANNA M. PRIESTLEY.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1942-12-11

the prosperity and the peace Of the
entire world. The aid Of Cuba natu-
rally Is wanted to the end that this
aspiration may be translated into
accomplished fact.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1942-12-11
Old Fable About "Sharing"
Revived in Comment on Security,

To the Editor OF The Star:
Dorothy Thompson has fallen from
grace. She praises the Beveridge plan
to give social security to the British
people and denounces the Roosevelt plan
to limit incomes in the United States to
$4,000 per year.
In England, according to Stuart Chase,
less than 200 persons have more than
$4,000 after taxes are paid. Since that
statement was made in his book The
Road We Are Travelling" we'll informed
people here in America say the number
now is we'll below 1O0 Other informed
people, commenting on the Beverage
proposal, say that the Roosevelt social
security plan, already In operation, In
many respects, far excels the one hoped
for in England. Miss Thompson's rever-
sal, perhaps, can be answered by the
radio comedians who got of this one
during the time of Huey Longs share
the wealth" plan:
IF you had $1,000, 900, would you give
half of 1t to the poor?"
"Yes."
IF you had $4,000, would you give
halt Of it to the poor7"
Eyes"
If you had $4,000. would you give
half Of It to the poor7"
NO
'Why?"
II have $4,000
CHARLES Il. NAoo.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1942-12-11

thew were first prtnted?-B. r. E.
A. In England, the usual price Of .
folio church Bible was 80 shillings about
$3.50 in the early years of the 18th CEN
fury At that time books were commonly
sold in quires or sections ready for bind
ing. For some time later book prices
were calculated on that basis, according
to type setting and page size. The pur-
chaser had to bear the expense OF binding,
@. Is there record of the number Of
times that the late De Wolf Hopper
recited Casey at the Bat"7-F NJ
A. He is said to have recited 1t over
$4,000 times.
@. Who was the English woman who
for many years masqueraded as an army
doctor?-H. w. E.
A. DR.. James Barry, 17o5-1s65. She
was inspector general Of the Army Med.
ical Department and was known as the
most skillful of physicians and the most
hayward Of men," Her sex was not dis.
covered until her death. The motive for
the masquerade is said to have been love
for an army surgeon.
@. How much material Ii there IN an
Orientars turban2-R. N. D.
A. Such a turban may consist Of from
10 to 20 yards Of the softest and finest Of
muslin.
@. Is the fiamingo native to Florida'
p. r. B.
A. 1t never breeds in the United
States. There are three great breeding
colonies, two in the Bahamas, and ono
in Cuba, whence 1t visits the south
Florida coast occasionally. The Bahamas
government has protected the large COL
ony on Andres Island for more than
80 years.
Q. How many parts are there in .
locomotive7-E. D. P.
A. According to the American Asso-
citation Of Railroads, q recent actual
count Of the parts in q modern Pacific
type steam locomotive showed about
$4,000 parts, excluding the tender. The
number, OF course, varies with the type
and with construction details.
@. Why does 1t take longer to fly from
New York to California than from Cali
fornia to New York?-B N.
A. Because q plane must fly against
prevailing westerly winds. 1t takes about
Is per cent more time and about Is per
cent more gas to travel from east to
west than in the opposite direction.
@. Has the name "rayon" been
adopted oficially for artificial Sikh
o. H. D.
A. This cellulose product was OH
cially named rayon by the National Dry
Goods Association and other bodies in
1924.
Q. How many soldiers are implied by
the term 800 troops"?-L. Y.
A. The War Department says that
the expression 800 troops" means 500
men. When used In the singular num-
Der. the word troop" designates q GER
tain number Of men.
@. How many days did 1t take for the
news OF the surrender at Yorktown to
reach England?-K. N.F.
A. The tidings Of this disaster to the
British reached London on November
IS, 1881, 81 days after CORVALLIS sur
render Of October 10. North, the Prime
Minister, Is said to have exclaimed on
hearing the news, % God, 1t Is all
over"
@. Who Is the present Ambassador
from China?-R. NJ
A. DR.. Wei Tao-ming is the new envoy
from China. Nine. Wei Is one Of the
outstanding women Of China, the first
lawyer and the first woman Judge that
country ever had
Q. How much wider is three quar-
tiers than single bed?-L. r.
A. A three-quarters bed is 4s inches
wide a standard single he'd 40 tnebe.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1942-12-11

Children's Favorite Song-Just of
the press. A collection Of lib nursery
songs, singing games. folk songs, pa
triotic songs, Christmas carols and
Sunday school hymns sung and loved
by children everywhere. Complete
with words and music. Arrange
ments are in keys within the range Of
children's voices. Directions for play
ing the singing games are included.
Every child will find his favorite in
this new publication. To secure your
copy inclose Is cents in coin, wrapped
in this clipping, and mail to The Star
Information Bureau.
Name
Address
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1942-12-11
Letters to the Editor

Letters to the Editor must
bear the name and address OF
the 1Driter, although the use OF
a pSeudonynl for publication is
permissible. The Star reserves
the right to edit all letters NTH
q UieaU to condensation.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1942-12-11

1t? England already has had for a gen.
surpassed in its liberality anywhere. 1t
may come as surprise to some readers
to know that not a few of the most
appreciated of these services were in
stituted by governments of which Mr..
Churchill was a prominent member.
Although the ignorant persist in describ-
ing him rs Tory" Mr.. Churchill has
spent most of his period Of constructive
craftsmanship in extreme radical gov
ernments under the leadership OF Mr..
Asquith and Mr.. Lloyd George. In his
capacity as president Of the Board of
Trade in government which abolished
the powers of the House OF Lords some
80 years ago. he set up the famous
British employment exchanges" and
out work benefits based on q former
Beverage report.
The present report Is the outcome Of q
feeling shared by all parties, and by all
classes, including those who have some
slight wealth left, that nothing is too
good for the heroic English workers who,
apart from those doing the actual fight-
Ing, have lived and toiled IS to so hours
week and more under almost indescrib-
ably arduous conditions, inadequately
clothed, underfed, in perpetual blackout
and cold, under frequent bombing night
and day.
1t Is interesting to read that Mr..
Grafton would like to see variants Of
the Beveridge plan adopted by all the
United Nations" England lives by trade
and must compete in world markets.
The cost Of the Beveridge plan falls ulti-
mately on industry, and, If it. raises the
cost Of production, may be impossible
to maintain. It's success or failure is
therefore almost inevitably linked with
what other countries may decide to do.
ANGLO-AMERICAN.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1942-12-11

The age benefits and the invalids'
benefits were increased last May l by a
per cent st-of living bonus, because
the inflationary spiral has been at work
In wartime New Zealand just as 1t has
in wartime United States. The five per-
cent was added also to the widows bene-
fits, the orphans benefits, the miners
benefits and the special BENEFITS which
90 to the Maoris-the descendants Of tho
New Zealand aborigines
New Zealand provides sickness bene-
fits, emergency benefits and unemploy-
ment benefits. The whole system is ad-
ministered by the Social Security De-
partment. which also takes care Of five
classes Of health benefits-medical bene-
fits, pharmaceutical benefits, hospital
benefits, maternity benefits and special
other benefts-dental services, home
nursing services and domestic assistance.
The New Zealand government pays the
costs Of medical consultations and pro-
vides medical and surgical specialists for
the social security beneficiarieS when
they seem warranted.
AhC AadtcAAAty plO6IdIu 10 u BOCQ
example Of the breadth Of the New Zea-
land system.
The government Of New Zealand has
made contracts with all but two Of some
200 private maternity hospitals in the
dominion to provide hospital services in
relation to maternity BENEFITS. Under
these benefits, mothers receive IA days
Of disqualification. and this term may be
extended by payments under the hos
pital benefits feature Of the social secu-
rity system. The government has ar
rangements also with representatives Of
the medical profession to pay the doc
tors fees connected with maternity.
The fees from the social security fund
must be accepted by the New Zealand
doctor In full satisfaction of his claims
in maternity cases, with this exception
Officially recognized obstetric special
lists whose names are published for gen.
eral information are permitted to charge
the patient an additional fee beyond
the SIS pounds which is the state fee for
attending q normal confinement and
giving post-natal advice. Only six doc
tors In New Zealand have declined to
work under this scheme.
The war has put certain strains on the
system because of the large percentage
of men who are serving in the army and
therefore are unable to contribute much
to the public revenues. A high state
income Is essential for carrying out this
sort Of program for equalizing . coun.
tryS wealth.
Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1942-12-16
Imported Portuguese Stemware

The importer from whom bought this glass received
notice that shipment had arrived from Portugal but
required aarge payment take of stock Sans took
of the Shipment off his hands for cash. which
for the extremely low price sell this beautiful glass
All hlnd-bovn of cleaning crystal have
slender graceful plain twisted Subtle shades of
amethyst, coppcry rose turquoise, emerald and green
Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1942-12-16
THE FINAL CLOSE-oUT
masterpiece
recording s

FIVE FOR 15c
Your opportunity to make up for Christmas, at
small cost! All arc in perfect PLAYING
condition Many top-ranking favorites included.
Some Of the Mau) Fine TiflcS
Moonlight Sonata
Maiden With the FIsxen Hair
Jeanne With the Light Brown Hair
Ay, Ay, Ay
Prelude in Minor
Hymn 10 the Sun
Morning Love Life
Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1942-12-16
Cube Crosley Radio
A Fine Gift


Dandy model to provide YOU with
many hours of entertainment. Ex-
cellcntIy constructed with RE-.
amPliher and fine superficial speaker
.. new bulIt-in CrosIey-Magna loop
antcnna. Gets both American and
foreign stations. Grand gift item at
Sans 'bang-up" price!
Evening star., 1942-01-10
TIVE EVENINGS Rl6N Ll6HTS.

WMAl, 2:00-hetropota opera: Molan
"Mscjc Flute" broadcast in English (the sea-
sons first such opera by Alexander NpnlS'
Rosa Box Charles kuman, Js'mila Novofna,
John Brownlee, Natalie BodanYa. Karl laufkefter
and Frederick 5ehorr Bruno Walter conducts.
WJsv. 4:oO-hatnee at headowbrook
Avino Reys band, Actress K. 7. Stevens and the
6O.voits Bergen College 6ee Club p'eVle~ the
collegiate Arm Amerita festival.
WRc, 4:3O-Air Youth for Defense: Young
Americas part in building me Nations air
WN, 5:oo-Sunset Serenade: Glenn Miller,
Orchestra in the first Of weekly series.
WHV, 500-cleveand Symphony; The musIt
Of 6ustsvs Mailer which appears TO be re-
.urqinq, receives an added boost from A'tur
Rodzinski's men with The playing Of the Sym,
phonY No. I.
Wnc, 7:OO-Ths Week Of War: Robert ST.
John speaks from London; William Hiilman and
Earl Goodwin from Washington, Upton Close
from San Francisco.
WJSV, 7:0O-People's Platform: Four ex-
pe1s are queried on The War in The Far East. "
WPC, 73O-EIery Queen: The verbose de-
lettis returns 10 the air with The Song Of
Death and the help Of those old armchair
sIeufhs, Lem O. Sfoopnaue and Lanny Ross.
WWDc, 7:45-J. N. Eizade, Philippine Com.
missioner, Is interviewed by Mr.. Wingo.
VOL, 8:00-Amerita Preferred: new time
and day for the Defense bond show. VoIinisi
kischa EIman plays portion Of Weniawski'
D minor concerto, Meditation" from "Thais,
Espejo's Gypsy Ar." Milton Katims. conducts
the orchestra.
Wt, 8:Oo-pIayhouse: 4 girl newspaper re.
porter thases her windblown hat down the
street and runs smack into adventure.
WJSV, 830-Hobby Lobby introducing 4
musical baker, an expert In Inducing sleep, 4
A,year-old trumpetst
WMAL, S:30-Ted Steele Variety Show: Mr.
Steele NJ Cs a new musicale.
VOL, o00-Chitago Theater: The song,
from Gilbert and SulIivans n. NJ 5. Pinafore
WEV. 9:00-F't Parade: Second guest song
stress by special request Of service men is
Dotte lamour
WWDc 9:30-league Of Nations Association
Meeting: Talks by Dr.. James 7. ShofweII, Dr.
Frank Boudreau. Daniel {. Roper. Clark Eithel
beroer and Melvin D. HiIdreih.
WhAL. t0:00-The Orchestra Presents: The
n B. {. Orchestra donates 10 Tho Red Gross I
mobile blood donor service ihe orchestra mem
bers cwn blood and a musical program con
dutted by Dr. Frank Blatk
WM, t0:00-Sporfs NewNeeI Bill Stern!
Evening star., 1942-01-10
Angler Hooks Airp|one,
But 1t Got Awov

Just after a shark fisherman
placed his heavy tackle across the
bay near East London. South At
rica. a military plane appeared.
roared across the water from the
sea, became tangled with the tackle,
zoomed upward and disappeared at
200 miles an hour.
All the tackle and kites disap-
peared, but the shock snapped the
hook fastening the shoulder brace
on the angler to the rod saving his
life but landing him fiat on his
back,
Evening star., 1942-01-10

guest is H. Y. Kaltsnborn, who discusses sports
as Z defense effort.
WRC. 10:l51ommittes for the Celebration
Of the Presidents Birthday: Postmaster General
Frank {. Walker speak,, and The Army Band
plays for special lnfantiIe Paralysis founda'
iion program entitled This Man Know"
WRc. 10:30-Hot Copy The amateur sleuths
are on the scent Of a garbage ratketeer.
VOL, ll:00-The final portion Of the basket
ball game between the Hoyas Of Georgetown vs..
Long Island University. 10 be followed immedi-
ately by BIT Of the Canisus collseetoIqate
enuaueuent.