davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1942-01-11

The can to reason together is de-
manded impe1atively today. To attempt
to muddle through or to depend upon
what We have of genius and experience
viii not serve US IN the present situation
Life Is not normal nor can we rest upon
what We proudly call our ability to meet
any situation that may arise. One Of
our most kindly critics has spoken of us
as "a people singularly self-con1dent,
much given to prodigal ways" This is
. Just and warranted estimate Of US.
Life has moved so swiftly and success
50 conspicuously has marked our course
that We have had little time for reflec-
ton. These latter years have not been
distinguished by habits Of reasoning to-
gether. We calculate, speculate and pro-
ject new and magnificent enterprises,
but to build them upon the sound basis
Of q well-reasoned course is not common
to VI. The recent long continued depres-
sion Il In demonstration Of this. Our
sudden thrust. against our win, into .
World War has changed all our calcula-
tionS. and our boasted American way OF
life suddenly has been halted. On every
band we solemnly are being admonished
to be prepared for hardships that will
alter many Of our convenient End easy
ways Curtailments here and there, en-
forced sacrifices we shall have to accept
and accept willingly. Such conditions
fcrce us to think, they call for reasoning:
and reasoning must lead us to many
wholesome and necessary changes Any
consistent survey Of our life these recent
weeks makes us conscious of many dis
crepancies. many deficiencies in our way
of life. We have parted company as
some one has said, with the old habits
and ways Of the fathers. their dress and
stately practices, but 'let us not part
with the strong and wholesome ideals
for which they stood" He then goes on
to say: III there be no nobility of
descent. all the more reason Is there
for nobility Of ascent"
There u not . department Of our life
that does not call for serious reflection
and appraisal. Take our home life. the
average American home life: Is there
not much about it that calls for thought
and deep reflection? Have We the as
surance that in these later years We
have used much of reason in the care
We have exercised for our youth? Are
We finding that the way of life We have
given to the young has produced results
that I'LL us with pride? / have talked
to hundreds Of these young men and
women in our schools and universities
and I And them largely disinusioned
and disheartened by what they ind in
the world about them. We have given
them luxuries, advantages, an excess Of
Evening star., 1942-01-11

widespread onicial acceptance OF the
cant" philosophy. 1t has pervaded most
of the Government departments, irclud-
ing the military services. 1t usually is
expressed by the older men who hold
the power. Very few men in the prime
Of life are found in high positions here,
even fewer than in the British services
and departments.
However, now that the automobile in
dustry no longer can make automobiles
and now that other big industries are
being denied material to make their
peace-time products. there will be re-
leased very big volume Of brain power
and managerial skill that is going to be
centered IN the design, production and
use Of weapons.
The basic strength Of the nation lies
in this brain power that is concentrated
in industry. When that power has had
time to center itself on the problems Of
war production, the record Of other ma
tions will begin to look inconsequential
by comparison. The sad part Of 1t is,
though. that this effort 10 tap the real
reservoir of engineering and managing
shil a industry has come 10 months
sttR The country ct about preparing
70 ASlat Q Wa1.
Evening star., 1942-01-11
okiio

When they ordered the bombing of
the open cities Of China and COM
manded systematic aerial attacks
upon Manila, the warlords of Japan
deliberately placed in jeopardy the
existence of Toxic, second largest
metropolitan center of the world.
The community thus hazarded has a
population in excess Of 6,500,00 and
covers an area of approximately 213
square miles. While it is true that
much of the Sitamati or downtown"
district has been rebuilt since the
earthquake of September /, 1923, the
outer circle of suburbs or villages"
representing traditional timber and
paper construction, would burn like
the proverbial matchbox, once a
fire were started. Recent efforts to
provide control for such an antici-
pated conflagration-by the intro
duction of barriers" Of concrete
buildings been hampered by
lack Of money.
But 1t is not merely the humble
homes of vast multitude of people
that the Nipponese military clique
has gambled. Much more important
from a strategic point of view are
the mills and factories in the neigh
borhood of Toxic. The great Full
Denki electrical equipment produc-
tion plant, for example, might be
proper target for raiding American,
British, Dutch or Chinese planes.
Manufacturing establishments turn
ing out goods valued at about $780,
0O0, 900 yen yearly are located within
the city's boundaries. The generality
Of the structures used for industrial
Evening star., 1942-01-11
A StQr Fell

Among the saddest sights in the
world are the last rites of news
paper. When q paper Is fatally
stricken by swollen expenses. de-
nciency Of subscriptions and atrophy
Of advertising accounts, there is q
definite formula for the proceedings
as soon as the last faint circulation
ceases. 1t consists Of getting out one
anal edition in a burst of glory, to
serve as tombstone. Not even the
hardest hearted sheriff has been
known to stop this custom, any more
chan he would break up a private
funeral.
Such was the case of the late
valsetz (Oregon) Star This monthly
oaper, the only one in the entire
numbering community Of valsetz, had
,een edited and published by twelve
lear-old Dorothy Anne Hobson, ably
assisted by Franklin Thomas Of the
same age, who served as compositor,
oressman, reporter, advertising So
.icitor and newsboy. For three years
It served the log rolling interests Of
Western Oregon without fear or
competition, as a good paper should,
until advancing age, with its extra
school and social obligations, gave
Dorothy Anne the Hobson choice Of
suspending or else. The final edition
Of the Valsetz Star Is out, with tho
traditional swan song, and It's mighty
presses, consisting Of . fifteen dollar
nultigraph machine. are silenced
forever.
Evening star., 1942-01-11
Capital SideIiehts
By Will P. Kennedy.

Attention Of the Downs subcommittee,
which for more than two months has
been holding hearings on decentraliza-
tion OF Government agencies and which
took notable exception to the transfer OF
the ma jor portion Of the Patent once
to Richmond, was directed to an incident
In the War Of 1912. DR.. William Thorn
ton, first commissioner of patents-"a
versatile physician Of Tortola, West In
dies" who drafted the plans for the
Capitol, prevented the destruction Of the
Patent once, then housed jointly with
the General Post Once in Blodsetts Ho-
tel the first building erected in WASH
ington under the lottery system. The
ONCE WAS created for him by President
Madison. After serious damage had
been done by the British to the Capitol
Building. a loaded cannon was trained
on the Patent once with the intention
of destroying it. DR.. Thornton then is
said to have taken Q stand in front of
the cannon and in q frenzy Of excite
ment exclaimed Are you Englishmen
or only Goths and Vandals? This is the
Patent Once. depository Of the ingenuity
and inventions of TIE American Nation,
in which the whole civilized world Is in
terested. Would you destroy it? If so.
f1re and let the charge pass through my
body" The effect upon the soldiers is
said to have been magical and to have
saved the Patent Once.
The subcommittee was impressed with
the recital that the patent law OF the
United States Is the very cornerstone OF
American industry, and that since 1840
the manufacturers Of the United States
have looked to the Patent Once for de-
cisions vitality affecting industry. The
Constitution itself provided for the
granting of patent monopoles and 1t IS
the only monopoly acknowledged by this
Government: Congress shall have
power to promote the progress of science
and useful arts, by securing for limited
times to authors and inventors the ex-
elusive right to their respective writings
and discoveries" This section was in
serted in the Constitution at the instance
of James Madison and Charles Pinckney.
The first legislative enactment was the
law of 1890 which was placed on the
statute books after George Washington,
in his first inaugural address to Congress
on January 9, 1870. had said: Il cannot
forbear intimating to you the expedi-
ency of giving effectual encouragement,
As we'll to the introduction OF new and
useful inventions from abroad as to the
exertion Of skin and genius at home
Evening star., 1942-01-11
Peuce for Finlund?

Reports tnat progress Is UelIAS
made in talks looking toward a
peace settlement between Finland
and Russia will be welcomed In this
country, which thoroughly under
stands the distressing dilemma In
which the Finns were placed by the
outbreak OF the Russo German war.
When Hitler's armies smashed into
Russia last June, Finland had not
yet recovered from the battering re-
ceived at the hands Of the Russians
some eighteen months earlier. But
the Firms, despite their weakness.
had no substantial opportunity to
remain at peace. Under strong pres
sure from the Germans on the one
hand and threatened with the dan
ger of at least preventive occupa-
ton by the Russians to protect their
flank, they had no real alternative
but to make q choice between the
belligerents and enter the war.
Finland, with fresh memories OF
Russia's unprovoked assault in the
winter Of 1899, elected to side with
the Germans. As things have turned
out, this decision, from every stand
point, was unfortunate. But that does
not mean that there Is any reason
why q just peace cannot be ar
ranged between the Firms and the
Russians.
Certainly, such q settlement would
be greatly to the advantage of both
parties. Russia has nothing to fear
from Finland, for 1t is absurd to
believe that the Firms have any ag-
gressive designs against the Soviet
Union. And Russia, having hurled
back her German assailants by al
most superhuman efforts, could use
the troops now engaged with the
Firms to good purpose in pressing
home their counterattack on the re-
treating Nazis. Finland. at the same
time, Is in q desperate plight, accord
ing to reports reaching this country.
Her imports have been shut OF since
June %, and she has had to depend
largely on Germany for food since
that time But she can no longer
count on German aid in this respect.
Likewise. her military effort is ap-
preaching the point of exhaustion.
Under these circumstances, there
can be no doubt that the Firms, or
the great majority Of them, would
welcome a peace settlement which
would restore their original bound
aries and give reasonable assurance
of security in the future.
It is to be hoped that the govern
ments adhering to the United Ma
tions pact will lend their good Offices
to this objective, and there will be
no delay in seeking q Russo-Finnish
peace. Not only would just peace
be beneficial to both the Firms and
the Russians, but it also would mark
q significant first step toward at
tainment of the goal which the
United Nations have set for them
selves. And because of the close
ties between the United States and
Finland, made stronger by the love
and admiration Of our people for the
courageous Firms. this country ap-
propriately should take the lead in
working for such q peace.
Evening star., 1942-01-11
Price Bill Fiosco

The Senate farm bloc. riding
roughstod over administration lead
ers. has dealt an exceedingly heavy
blow to the praiseworthy effort to
keep wartime prices in this country
from rising to dangerously high
levels. In effect, the farm bloc has
converted the price-control bill into
q price-raising measure; or, as Sena-
tor Barkley expressed it, price
control bill has become farm-relief
bill
This has come about through the
enactment Of two amendments. The
first, passed by vote Of 48 to 81,
gives the Secretary Of Agriculture a
veto power over any ceiling that may
be fixed on a farm product. In other
words, price-control authority. so far
as it affects the farmer. Is taken out
of the hands of the price administra-
tor and lodged with the Secretary
OF Agriculture The greater damage
was accomplished, however, through
the second amendment. which was
passed by a 55-to-3l vote.
The effect of this second amend
ment is to forbid the fixing of a
ceiling on any farm commodity until
it has risen to approximately l20 per
cent of the parity price. Parity rep
resents the price in relative pur-
chasing power which the farmer
received for his products during the
base period 1909-1e14, selected be-
cause it was believed to be most
favorable period from the point of
view Of the farmer. This means that
the parity price is an adjustable
price. It rises as the cost of living
rises, so that the farmer, no matter
what he has to pay for the things
he buys, is assured of an income at
least equal to that which he enjoyed
in most prosperous period as long
as he receives prices for his products
equivalent to 1O0 per cent OF parity.
But the farm bloc has not been
satisfied to achieve parity. The
minimum below which ceilings could
not be fixed was first raised to ITO
per cent of parity and then other
qualifications were written into the
bill to assure the farmer higher
than parity price. And then, on
top of all this, came yesterdays
amendment which permits farm
prices to rise to 100 per cent Of
parity.
For the householder, according to
opponents of the amendment, this
means that food prices may go IS
per cent higher. For the public gen.
orally, it means. that final passage Of
the bill would bring an inequitably
depressed standard of living, since
everybody would have to pay higher
prices for anything produced on a
farm while profits from the sale Of
other commodities-the profits which
60 into the buying of farm goods
would be held down by price ceiling.
Thus, if the farm bloc has its way,
the farmers will enjoy an inflated
standard of living while the rest of
the country makes the economic sac
crifices called for by the war.
This is a most shortsighted legis-
lative step, benefitting a small but
influential minority at the expense
OF the majority. Dangerous econom-
ically, the philosophy of this bill is,
moreover, a disheartening negation
of the national unity that is essential
to successful prosecution of the war
Evening star., 1942-01-11
Whut Better to Fiaht for?

Prom the Montreal tCansda) star:
One thing that must have struck any
one observing the United Kingdom scene
from afar-and 1t must have impressed
Hitler among these observers-is ths de-
termination Of the majority q the peo.
pae - preserve thoss ha4d-Won basie
Nbertaae that make the Dxttasa system
different froR others. -
Evening star., 1942-01-11

pOrtdnCe. 4ney always nave pr2cuCeO
the opposite approach.
Mr. Henderson set out to control basic
prices when others said that 1t could not
be done. The ceilings that he set, backed
with little more power than that Of per-
suasion, are much more effective than
anybody thought they would be. He
bearded the farm bloc in its center Of
congressional power and got away with
it when officials from President Roose.
welt down always in the past have been
afraid to make the attempt. He insist
ed that the automobile industry and
other industries could be converted to
war work when everybody else was argu-
ing that it could not be done. He now
is ready to teach the people Of the eoun-
try what 1t is like to be rationed-s very
unpopular but very necessary procedure.
He criticized Army-Navy procurement
methods when others shied away.
It Is not likely that Leon Henderson
will reap many rewards from his record.
The fact that he is young and that he
has been associated with the New Deal
very probably is to stand in the way OF
his selection for . job of getting results
from the whole defense effort. But
there is inside agreement that he does
deserve 1T least . measure Of recogni-
ton for showing what can be done when
the word cant" Is forgotten.
Any reporter who has sought to dnd
out why the Army and Navy and o. p.
II. and q. p. A. b. Do net show greater
results can testafy 70 the Strength and
Evening star., 1942-01-11
Member Of the Associated Press.

Entered as second-c1ass matter post once.
WASHINGTON. 2. c.
Evening star., 1942-01-12

to prevent bootlegging Of rationed
products. Under such circumstances
the rich eat and the poor go hungry.
Secretary Wickard said he be-
lieved his department, with It's tech
nical knowledge, was in a better
position than any other agency to
say what the prices should be to
secure the needed production. He
added frankly that the experience
his department has had with the
Once of Price Administration,
headed by Leon Henderson, con-
vinced him that the two agencies
could not work satisfactorily to-
gether on prices.
Farmers, the Secretary said, are
confused by the proposed split be-
tween production and price control.
This confusion, he declared, leopard
ICES the 1912 farm program. He
said farmers, like everybody else,
wanted to know If the agency ask
ing for increased production is in
a position to assure fair prices.
1T has been said," Mr.. Wickard
stated. that the Secretary Of Agri-
culture wants the power to control
prices so that farmers may be en-
abled. through him. to gouge con-
sumers. That is not true. Farmers
don't want high prices and inf1a-
ton"
The Secretary said the legal price
standards now In effect were, on the
whole, fair to both the farmer and
the consumer. He said he opposed
provisions in the Senate price bill
which would have the effect of in
creasing these price standards.
Evening star., 1942-01-12
Supreme Court Kills
Law for Furnishing
Debt Defau|ters
Penalties for Foilure
To Work Out Advances
Of Gosh Held Peonoee

The Supreme Court today invah-
dated a Georgia dept-collection law
which Furnishes by fine or imprison-
ment persons who fail to do work
for which they have been compen-
sated in advance.
"Such coerced labor is peonage,"
said the unanimous decision OF the
court which was read by Justice
Byrnes. Justice Roberts did not
participate in the case.
The Georgia law was challenged
BY Ira Taylor, a colored man Of
Wilkinson County. who allegedly re-
fused to work out" an advance of
$3.50 obtained from his landlord.
On conviction, the man was fined
$35, with the alternative Of serving
eight months in prison camp.
The Federal Government Joined
in the defendants appeal to the
Supreme Court, declaring the law
violated the Federal anti-peonage
statute and the slavery and due
process amendments to the Consti-
tuition. The Supreme Court knocked
out the law on the ground that it
was "repugnant" to the slavery
amendment and to the anti-peonage
statute.
State Defends Law.
The State of Georgia defended
the law on the ground that 1t was
not designed to punish for failure to
perform service or to pay debts, but
for fraudulenly procuring money.
Justice Byrnes said there was no
material distinction between the
Georgia law and an Alabama statute
which previously had been held by
Evening star., 1942-01-12
D. 6. Traffic Toll
Killed In 1912 5
Killed in same period Of 1941- 8
Toll for all of -95

charge, he also was booked as driv-
ing without a permit, following a
collision on the Highway Bridge
with a car operated by Robert
Richardson, 81, of Arlington, accord
ing to police records.
Both drivers were treated at Emer-
gency Hospital and released, but
Miss Bernice Doll, rs, OF Port
Allegheny, Pa, a passenger in
Richardson's car, was admitted to
the hospital with an injured right
ankle and left knee.
Earlier yesterday. car driven by
John G. Attilis, 18, Of Alexandria
was involved in a collision with
streetcar operated, according to
police, by Howard H. Hart, Al, 1125
Maryland avenue NE. The acci-
dent happened at Third street and
Pennsylvania avenue NV. The mo-
torist was treated at Casualty Hos
pital for abrasions Of both knees
and right hand and a passenger in
the auto, Miss Avis Bell, 18, OF 206
E street NV. was admitted to the
hospital with abrasions of both
knees.
In an accident early today, car
driven by Clarence J. Taylor, col
ored, %, 1889 Fourteenth street Sc,
ran over the sidewalk, smashed into
a lamppost and caused injuries to
the driver and two passengers, ac-
cording to police reports. The driver
received minor cuts; Ruth Mack,
colored, "a, 319 Fifteenth street Sc,
lacerations of the left eye, and
George Hill, colored, %. 243 Tenth
street Sc. a fractured leg. The
latter was admitted to Casualty Hos
pital.
Evening star., 1942-01-12
Bomb in Auto Injuries
Citv Official in Florida
~ the Associated Press.

1y the Associated Press.
TARPON SPRINGS, Fla, Jan. II.
Explosion of q charge Of dyna-
mite, which police said had been
planted under the floorboard OF his
car, yesterday injured City Commis-
sioner Mike Smarkos, liquor dealer
and sponge fleet operator.
Mr. Smarkos was admitted to the
city hospital with severe leg in
juries.
The bombing came on the eve Of
today's municipal election in which
a mayor commissioner and two city
commissioners will be elected. Mr..
Smarkos is not up for reelection,
being q holdover member.
The dynamite was hidden under
the drivers seat, with wires attached
to the transmission to set 1t OF,
Police Chief E. E. Gnann said. Fin
gerprint clues are being sought by
Investigators.
Mr.. Smarkos, a native Of Greece,
has lived here since 1922.
Evening star., 1942-01-12
Baltimore Couple,
Two Soldiers Die
In Auto Collision
Two Other Persons Are
Seriously Hurt in Crosh
Near ElIieott City
BY the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press.
ELLICOTT CITY. Md. Jan. a.
Two Frederick County soldiers and
a socially prominent Baltimore
couple were killed, and two otner
men, one a soldier, were injured late
last night in an automobile collision
flve miles west of here on U. S.
Route 40.
The dead:
John K. Culver, jr.. ~. Garrison,
Md. Baltimore suburb.
Mrs. Culver, 20.
Pvt. Charles s. Bowers, 20, Bruns-
wick, Md.
Pvt. Harry w. Rohrback, jr., %,
Brunswick.
Two Critically Hurt.
Charles B. Carroll, jr, %, also Of
Garrison, descendent Of one Of
Maryland's first colonial families,
who was q passenger in the Culver
car, was seriously injured and ad-
mitted to st. Agnes Hospital, Bal
timore.
Pvt. Albert c.. Dutrow, d. of
Frederick. a passenger with the
other soldiers. also was admitted to
St. Agnes Hospital with critical in
juries.
State Trooper w. NJ. Boiler said
papers found on the bodies of the
soldiers indicated they had just been
granted furlough from Fort
George G. Meade. Third Corps
Army headquarters said the men
had just started a Today leave.
Dies on Way to Hospital.
Trooper Boiler said Mr. Culver
and the two soldiers we're killed in
stantly. Mrs. Culver died en- route
to the hospital.
Mrs. Culver, the former Miss
Miriam A. Beard, made her debut in
Baltimore in 1887 and was the
daughter of Mrs. E. Read Beard,
prominent Maryland horsewoman
and the former owner of Blockade,
three-time winner of the Maryland
Hunt Cup.
The Culvers were married at the
brides home on New Year Day.