davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1942-01-15

land and that New England under Mr..
Lands, leadership has outstripped the
rest of the country in its successful pre-
paratory work? These are some of the
vital facts that Mr. Kent ignored COM
pletely concerning the qualifications of
Mr.. Lands.
Second Mr. Kent did not bring out the
important fact that Mayor La Guardia
now will be primarily concerned with
broad questions of policy and national
coordination while specific administra-
ton will be handled largely by full-time
Mr.. Lands. No man in the country
knows municipal problems and organiza-
ton as thoroughly as Mayor La Guardia.
As chairman Of the United States Con-
ference of Mayors he knows how to get
available man would have to spend years
in learning The Mayor has travelled
across the country inspecting civilian de-
fense at first hand. He has the direct
responsibility for civilian organization in
the country's largest city, providing
practical laboratory for national benefit.
Mr. Kent's prejudiced, one-sided analy-
sis, in other instances besides the two
cited, serves to weaken civilian morale.
In fairness and honesty he should set
forth the assets as well as the liabilities
In no other way can we have properly
informed public opinion.
CHESTER H. MCCALL.
Evening star., 1942-01-15

tionably will be shown by further
investigation to have been proper,
for not infrequently this happens
when q settlement is held up by the
Accounting Office. In such a volume
OF disputed items, however, there
almost inevitably will be many on
which the Government is entitled to
recovery. In recommending suits,
the Controller General seeks to avert
the possibility of the statute of
limitations preventing collections If
adjustment cannot be effected with
out litigation. Disbursing officers
and their sureties would be required
to defend some Of these prospective
actions, private individuals and con-
Germs the others.
Lax practices probably are to be ex-
pected in an era of vast govern
mental expenditures such as this
country has experienced in recent
years, and this tendency no doubt
will be accentuated as billions are
turned into the war program. 1t is
well therefore that the Government
has such an agency as the General
Accounting ONCE on watch for the
improper use Of funds.
Evening star., 1942-01-15
Spectre

The all that I might say to you today
Has long ago been said; this last
tareDeH
Is but q mere fornality, a play
OF ,Dords, song of summer pind In
shell,
And meaning less. This Is an end, at
last, =
So long rehearsed it seems less real
than dreams;
And only when this moment is long
past :
Will such fnality be 1uhat it seems.
But kno,o that in a day or month or
year
You 1piH be real beyond this mo-
ment's close;
The memory OF you ,oill be as clear
As ne,r-struck coin. Always the
faded rose.
Within q dusty uolume on the shelf
Means more than did the hving rose
itself. {
FREDERICK EBRIGHT. s
Evening star., 1942-01-15
Enemy Alien Curb

President Roosevelt's order under
which the nationals of enemy coun-
tries must register with the Justice
Department and procure identif1ca-
tion certificates is designed to pro-
vide the Government with a more
effective check on the movements Of
such persons and is a necessary war
time measure.
Basically, the plan is the same as
that followed in the first World War,
but supplemental regulations to be
issued by the Justice Department are
to call for more rigid restrictions
than were imposed then. AS out
lined recently by Attorney General
Biddle, the aliens must be photo
graphed as part of the Identification
process, and it also will be necessary
for them to obtain permission before
changing either address or occupa-
tion.
This registration will be in addi-
tion to that required of all non-citi-
zens a year ago after passage of the
Alien Registration Act, and will
affect approximately 100000 ma
tionals of Germany, Italy and Japan.
Needless to say, it will be carried out
by the Justice Department-as was
the first listing calmly and dispas-
sionately, and with due regard for
all the civil rights to which a citi-
zen of another country is entitled.
The attitude of the department
was summed up last night in a radio
address by United States Attorney
Edward M. Curran, who, speaking
for Attorney General Biddle, urged
that the people OF this country adopt
a sensible attitude toward aliens in
their communities, emphasizing that
mere alienage alone does not mean
disloyalty to America"
With the Presidents order en-
forced in this spirit, the law-abiding
alien need have no fears-in fact,
should welcome it as measure that
means greater security for the
United, statea
Evening star., 1942-01-15
Need for PIunnino
Washington, which owes its pie,

washington, winch owes Its pleas
ing design to the farsighted vision
Of the French architect and engineer,
Major Pierre L'Enfant, also owes a
debt of gratitude to the architects
OF today for their active interest in
protecting LEnfants city from the
blight Of hasty and haphazard de-
velopment growing out of war ext
gencies. The American Institute of
Architects is taking a leading part
in campaign to preserve the integ-
rity Of the basic city plan for the
National Capital, as laid out orig
inally by Major L'Enfant and as
amplifled and improved by such au-
thorized agencies as the National
Capital Park and Planning Commits
sion and the. Fine Arts Commission.
The Architectural League of New
York, in connection with this COM
mendable campaign, has placed on
public exhibition in New York City
models, maps and charts of Wash
ington, in commemoration of the
150th anniversary of LEnfant's
planning job.
The leagues members properly
pointed to the new War Department
Building in Arlington as an example
OF the type of emergency develop
ment which should be avoided. By
passing the planning agencies set up
by law, sponsors of that permanent
concrete structure would have placed
it at the front entrance to Arlington
Cemetery, but for the timely inter-
vention of President Roosevelt. AS it
is, the big building, now under con-
Struction near one end Of the ceme-
terry, has brought a train of traffic
and utilities troubles for authorities
on both sides of the river. The site
originally selected for this building
by the National Capital Park and
Planning Commission and approved
by Congress was in the so-called
Northwest Rectangle, along Consti-
tuition avenue and overlooking the
Potomac River. The rectangle plan
consequently has been left hanging
in air. Similarly, failure to consult
planning authorities led to difficulties
at Suitland, Maryland where sever
age, water and other facilities were
inadequate for a project of the size
at first contemplated. These in
stances have shown how necessary
it is that constant vigilance be main
tanned against hurried, planless con-
struction of permanent type which
will remain long after the war has
passed. Every one understands the
necessity for speed in wartime con-
Struction and every one appreciates
that other things become relatively
insignificant in comparison with war
necessities. But in building now
under the spur of war needs, it should
be the definite policy to adhere to a
type Of temporary construction that
will not constitute lasting scar on
the city.
Evening star., 1942-01-15
Finding Space

Nothing which has been said dur
Ing the discussion of the orders
transferring certain Government
agencies from Washington has
changed The Stars opinion that the
orders, especially as they relate to
the Patent Office, are unwise and
that they were issued before thor
Ough investigation had been made
of possible alternatives. But The
Star believes that the defeat yester-
day of the Senate resolution, which
would have delayed execution Of the
transfer orders, should end the pres
ent controversy. Nothing except
more anguish for the employees
affected by the transfer orders will
be gained by continuing the dispute.
The closeness of yesterdays vote
in the Senate, however, was sur
prising. And 1t should serve as
warning that when other transfers
are ordered, those responsible should
be prepared to make a better case in
support of such a drastic move than
they have succeeded thus far in
doing
In this connection, there is signifi-
canoe in the disclosures regarding
space finding possibilities made by
Chairman Downs of a House sub
committee on public buildings and
grounds. Chairman Downs has ad-
vised the President that the Federal
Housing Administration, by working
extra shifts and doubling up" in
various Offices, has just released
10000 square feet of space to other
bureaus. He expressed the opinion
that hundreds OF thousands" of
additional square feet of space could
be found by general adoption of this
logical and simple expedient and
urged the President to order a survey
for this purpose. It may well be, as
the President said at his press con-
ference, that few persons realize how
many new employees will be coming to
Washington in the next year or So
but it is becoming increasingly obvi-
GUS that few If any persons know how
much additional Office space could be
found by creating extra shifts, rear
ranging Office layouts and otherwise
making maximum use Of present
facilities. Such a survey should be
undertaken without further delay.
Evening star., 1942-01-15
THIS AND THAT
By Charles E. Trdce1pell.

Look for the dimple, then. and find a
mighty fine member of the sparrow clan.
It is winter visitant of varying
abundance. Some years it will be COM
mon enough; in others, 1t will be rare.
1t has been many years since we have
seen one out here in Maryland.
Although the tree sparrow has, among
its popular names, various ones referring
to it as "chippie," it must not be con-
fused with the chipping sparrow.
Tree sparrows are called, in various
parts Of North America. snow chippies,
winter chipbirds, winter chippies, tree
buntings, Canada sparrows, winter SPAR
rows and Arctic clippers.
They are slightly less than six inches
long, and are in color a combination of
gray, rusty and black on the upper parts,
somewhat streaked, with gray on the
under parts.
The spot is dusky, and at the upper
edge Of the light breast.
This Is most engaging bird, well
worth looking for at all times, and very
rewarding when seen, since it is so fat
and round in appearance, and extremely
cheerful at all times.
The chipping sparrow is not so fat and
has yellowish stripes on the head.
In certain lights, the tree sparrow
almost seems to have tiny crest, hut
this is merely a ruffled appearance of
the top of the head.
Just how the tree sparrow got it's popu-
lar name is difficult to understand, be-
cause the bird is most frequently seen
on the ground.
Even its nest, in many instances, is on
the ground, although it may be placed in
a low tree or in shrubbery. From three
to five light greenish- blue eggs are laid
These are evenly speckled with reddish
brown.
It has been estimated that an adult
tree sparrow eats about one-fourth of an
ounce of weed seed day. On this
basis, it has been computed that these
birds in any of our large agricultural
States. would consume more than 700
tons in year
The purple finch is favorite with all
suburban homeowners.
The female is plain olive-gray bird.
It is the male which vows" his be-
holders, being a deep wine-purple, at
times very rosy in color, almost brilliant,
when viewed at window box feeding
station.
He likes best fairly open forest, with
plenty of cedars and frs, but will come
from time to time to any yard where
there are other birds.
He is not hard to see.
Most persons who have never seen him
before recognize him instantly.
The facial expression Of this finch
resembles that of cardinal, slightly on
the angry side. Ruffled head feathers
aid in this. as well as make the bird
cardinal-like in appearance.
Evening star., 1942-01-15
Criticizes Mr.. Kent's Comment
Concerning Appointment of Dean L

Criticizes Mr.. Kent's Comment
Concerning Appointment Of Dean Lands.
To the Editor Of The Star:
In his column in The Star January IL
Frank Kent presents certain OF his con-
clusions concerning the once of Civilian
Defense which are misleading.
First, Mr.. Kent depreciates with faint
praise the new executive director Of o.
CD, James M. Lands. Mr.. Kent begins
by saying, 80 far as Mr.. Lands person.
ally is concerned, there is nothing to be
said in criticism of him" Mr.. Lands
may be a nice enough fellow personally,
Kent implies But then Mr.. Kent goes
on to say, ". there is nothing in
the Lands record as a lawyer and a
teacher to stand him out as an organizer
on the large scale required by o. c. D."
Why did not Mr.. Kent tell the public
that Dean Lands estahli.ASd an excel
lent record as a FederaI ofiicial In the
Federal Trade Commission and the Sc
curities and Exchange Commission OF
which he was chairman? Why did not
Mr.. Kent tell the public that Mr.. Lands
has been in charge Of the organization
Of civilian defense activities In New Eng
Evening star., 1942-01-15
Urges Removal Of Treasures
Accumulated in Washington.

To the Editor Of The Star:
The writer feels that something should
be done, and done quickly, in the matter
of removing from Washington the price
less Americana accumulated here.
suggest that a suitable fireproof storage
house, far removed from Washington. be
found, and that the contents of the Ma
tional Museum, Smithsonian Institution,
National Gallery of Art. Corcoran Art
Gallery, Congressional Library, Carnegie
Institute, Pan-American Building, Folger
Shakespeare Library be stored there.
Then, after these buildings have been
vacated, our defense agencies incoming
personnel could move right in. The
several bureaus now slated for other
cities could hold their present spaces.
The prime thought in the writer's mind
Is the security of the American peoples
priceless Americana; 1t cannot be re-
placed, nor would any amount Of in
surance coverage in the way of money,
have any significance whatever.
MAI. WILLIAM B. WILLIAMS.
Evening star., 1942-01-15
The Island Of Juvu

Java, a main objective Of the
japanese thrust southwark, is the
most densely populated island in the
world. It also is one of the richest
terrains to be found anywhere under
the sun. Lying just south of the
equator and in important strategic
relation to Australia and the Philip
pines, it represents a portion Of
mountain range whose western ex-
tremity is in the hills of Belgium
the same chain that includes the
Himalayas and the Alps.
But the peaks of Java differ from
those Of India and Switzerland in
that they are volcanic in character.
The most dramatic explosion of
modern times occurred in August,
1883, when Krakatau, in the Straits
of Sunda, blew up with a crash the
vibrations of which went round the
globe again and again for weeks.
At any moment another eruption of
equal magnitude may occur. Mean
while, the volcanic ash spread over
the entire island contributes to the
fertility Of the soil, supporting BIT
people to the square mile. Rice,
coffee, sugar, tea, coconuts, soya
beans, sweet potatoes, peanuts, corn,
tapioca, pepper, cocoa, tobacco, many
different fruits are cultivated even
on the edges of craters reeking with
sulphurous fumes.
The industry of the crowded in
habitants of Java is proverbial. 1t
happens also that the island is ia
nous for the artistic skill of its resi-
dents. Their dancing, their batik,
their work in leather have earned
them celebrity unexcelled in the
Pacific area. It is believed that their
puppet plays and "wayang" dramas
date back to pre- Hindu days. The
themes of them may be discerned in
such ancient architectural monu-
ments as those of Prambanan and
Boroboedoer, vast temples decorated
with intricate carvings Of symbolic
significance, the triumphs Of sculp-
tors who flourished a millennium ago.
Nobody knows for certain when
Java first was settled, but fossilized
remains, allegedly human, discovered
by DR.. Eugene Dubois on the left
bank of the Bengawan River near
Trinil in 1891, have been considered
to belong to the Pleistocene Age.
Earlier settlers from the Asiatic
mainland built with sun-dried bricks,
like the Sumerians and the Assyrians,
before the dawn Of the Christian era.
A great Hindu kingdom was de-
veloped at Palembang in the four
teenth century, and q Moslem con-
quest is supposed to have taken
place about 1478. The pioneer Euro
Evening star., 1942-01-15
Hoskin's Answers
To Questions ~
BIZ Frederic J. HdSkin.

A reader can get the dnsuer to s.%
question of fact by t0rtting The Sre-
ming Star Information Bureau, Fred
eric J. Hdskin, director, Washington,
D. c. Please inclose stamp for reply.
@. What materials may be used for
blackout purposes?-S. S.
A. Civilian Defense authorities say
that such things as blankets, quilts,
bedspreads. rugs. carpets. draperies, dark
oilcloth, overcoats. slip covers and the
like may be found adequate. Any dark
color such as dark blue, brown, dark
green, wine. and other shades can be
used.
@. Why is China sometimes referred
to as the Middle Kingdom?-L. v. A.
A. The name is a translation of
Chung Kuo, from the notion that China
is the hub Of the universe or the center
of the world. The present Chinese
name for the country is Chung hua
min Kuo, or Middle Flowery Republic.
@. Which is the oldest parish In the
United States?-R. E. A.
A. The Parish of St. Augustine in
Florida. 1t boasts full set of records
dating back to 1894.
Evening star., 1942-01-15

@. Where do We get the expression,
Peace at any price"?-T. G.
A. Lord Palmerston sneered at the
Quaker statesman John Bright as a
peace price" man and the ex-
extreme pacifst.
@. What substance will neutralize
the effect of magnetic. P.
A. There is no known insulator for
magnetism.
O. I have been told that Buenos
Aires, Argentina, is six months ahead
of New York in fashions. Why Is this
SOC. R.
A. 1t is because of the differences
in season, Buenos Aires being in the
Southern Hemisphere, that the latest
modes from Europe make their appear
ance there six months before they are
shown in New York.
@. In what year was the hymn,
what Friend We Have in Jesus"
written, and by whom?-A. B. ].
A. The hymn is by Joseph Scriven.
He composed it for his mother to COM
fort her in a time of special sorrow,
not intending any one else should see it.
A friend visiting him while he was Ill
came across it. Scriven was born in
Dublin in 1920. The hymn was prob
ably written about 1855.
n ic rocnl1ocfiOv, fhat ", fhA
early days in California there was man
who called himself Emperor. Have you
any information?-A. L. o.
A. 1t was Joshua Abraham Norton who
called himself Emperor of the United
States. An English Jew, he arrived in
San Francisco in 1849 and for nearly 80
years, until his death, his fame rested
upon his career as Emperor Norton I.
@. What is the elevation of the Sea Of
Gailee?-G. B. D.
A. The surface of the Sea of Gailee Is
$50, feet below that of the Mediterranean.
@. Will you please tell me what part
of speech my" is?-H. z.
A. The word my" is the possessive
case of the personal pronoun the nomi-
native case of which is "I." The word
my" is used as a pronominal adjective
in the sentence, This is my reply TO
your question"
@. How large are muskrat houses?-
D. G.
A. Muskrat houses built of stalks roots
and peaty plant remains may be as much
as or feet in diameter and more than
4 feet high. Each house has one or more
nests, rarely more than three.
@. What is the origin Of the word
"fascism"?-C. D. E.
A. Fascism is term derived from the
Latin fasces, the bundle Of birch rods.
bound together by thong and contain
ing an ak in the middle. which was car
ried by nctors before the higher Roman
magistrates as symbol Of executive au-
thority.
@. What is the origin of the term poet
laureate"2-E. C. r.
A. The laurel tree in ancient Greece
was considered sacred to Apollo, patron
of poets. It was the custom to crown
poets who had won distinction with q
wreath of laurel and thus the word
laureate" came to mean ''honored" or
eminent"
Evening star., 1942-01-15
ALEXANDRIA, Va.

Dear Sir:
There are several purple fnches on
the feeders for the past few days.
They have never been here at this
time OF year before. I thought they only
stopped on their way North in the spring
Sincerely, r. j. B."
-
ARLINGTON, Va.
Dear Sir:
las stated IN your column recently, We
do not usually see purple finches in these
parts until February. However, during
the past 10 days one, and then several
female purple finches, and lastly a male.
appeared at our window sill bird lunch
counter.
AT first and while the females were
visiting us, wondered If they were not
pine siskins. But they were too large
and were cracking sunnower seed in the
manner Of the cardinals. In an old issue
Of the National Geographic is an excel
lent photograph OF female purple finch
eating sunf1ower seed After carefully
viewing these birds at close range, and
consulting the authorities, I was forced
to conclude that my birds were and ere
purple flnches. My conclusion was fur
ther confirmed when the male appeared.
1--WE are told that tree sparrcws like
hereabouts in winter. We regularly have
small flocks of white -throated sparrows
usually mixed with juncos) and several
song sperrows feeding close by, but we
have not identified tree sparrow. We
are told that the tree sparrow Is a plain
sparrow, slightly reddish above, with q
conspicuous dark spot on its breast. But
where are they to be found?
This morning we had at least two
cedar wexwings added to the picture of
the bluebirds on the rim of the bird
bath. Yours, A. H. N"
Purple finches are fairly common win
ter visitants, as well as abundant spring
migrants.
Suburban dwellers in nearby Virginia
and Maryland see them mostly in the
early spring.
In some winters-and this evidently Is
one-they appear much earlier. as our
correspondents have found out.
This does not mean that every garden,
by any means, will have them.
These finches sometimes are seen in
the fall, too.
In early May, some years, they may
be seen in numbers in the city trees.
The average Of their time with us Is
from about the last of August to the last
of May, with more of them being seen
in February and March than at any
other time.
The tree sparrow has a dark spot on
It's breast which has been described as a
dimple.
This gives the idea very well. The spot
is so dark that 1t looks depressed, and so
resembles g. dimple. as commonly under
stood.
Evening star., 1942-01-15
Cites Biblical Story
OF Daylight Saving.
To the Editor Of The Star:


I enjoyed the letter on daylight saving
by Mrs. Common Sense printed in The
Star Tor January 10. I have often
wondered just why members of Congress
should waste time upon such q silly idea
when all the brains they have might
better be applied to national defense.
Unless some of them have such an in
nuence with the Lord as Joshua is cred-
tied with, there is not much hope of their
altering the rotation of the earth upon
its axis to save daylight. Monkeying
with the clock will not do it, especially
for those who work in 24-hour shifts, as
one Congressman points out.
1t would be very simple matter to
change working hours 50 that many
might work during daylight hours with
out disturbing the clocks and upsetting
all other vocations.
would like to call the attention of
members of Congress who are interested
In this question to Joshua's method of
daylight saving-the first on record, so
Tar as am aware. From the book of
Joshua, chapter x, verse IL, I quote :
Then spake Joshua to the Lord in the
day when the Lord delivered up the
Amorities before the children Of Israel,
and he said in the sight OF Israel, Sun
stand thou still upon Gibeon, and thou
Noon in the valley of Ajalon."
And the sun stood still, and the moor,
stayed. until the people had avenged
themselves upon their enemies. Is not
this written in the book of Jasher? So
the sun stood still in the midst of heaven
and hastened not to 60 down about .
whole day."
And there was no day like that before
it or after it, that the Lord harkened
unto the voice Of . man; for the Lord
fought for Israel" H. B. BRADFORD.