davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1943-01-13
Quotes Old Folk Saying
About Mistakes Of the Past.
To the Editor Of The Star

Az tne AoitoT OF Ihe Star:
Chickens come home to roost" is An
apt saying to apply to our present critical
fuel shortage. All through the booming
twenties, and the years of this present
administration, enough money has been
wasted to run pipe lines to every large
city in the country, as we'll as build
plants to convert the oil into its various
by-products. But every proposal and
demand to give supply equal to all
emergencies has been sidetracked in
favor OF some special group The same
is true of rubber. The rapid advance
and output of automobiles alone called
for synthetic rubber. Instead of allow
ing the formulas for this commodity to
become the personal property of special
interests, they should have been used for
the good of the public.
But they were not, and so the chickens
are returning to roost In idleness The
Government is faced with the loss Of
millions in revenue because of this lack
Of foresight. Thousands of places Of
business will be forced to close-they
depend on the autos for patronage. Tu0
the loss Of revenue from the oil lying
idle in the fields is q sizable item.
Along with these losses will come the
loss of employment by thosuands when
their employers are forced to close. The
Government will have to care for this
army by placing them in branches Of
work to which they are not adapted
BOsTONIAN.
Evening star., 1943-01-13
Library Budget Problem

1t probably is unnecessary to ex-
plain that the Washington Public
Library is not luxury. Most resi-
dents of the District OF Columbia
know that its facilities are, in effect,
as useful to the community as those
of any other imperative institution.
Especially in wartime, the library Is
integrated to every vital phase of the
city's life. 1t serves the Federal and
municipal governments, the Army
and the Navy, the universities and
colleges, the hospitals, the business
and industrial organizations and all
independent professional and cul-
tural groups Of the Nations Capital.
A reasonable point of view concern
ing its utility is represented in the
suggestion of a civic leader that the
library merits support as the public
schools do, the library indeed being
recognized by law as part Of the
educational system of Washington.
The accuracy of such an appraisal
is demonstrated by the constant in
crease Of reader demand since the
war began in 1899. Books and
periodicals of technical character
especially are wanted by men and
women endeavoring to improve their
talents for the performance of labor
requisite for victory. Such publica-
tions naturally are more expensive
than ephemeral literature. It follows
that the cut OF $4,000 in the budget
allotment for the purchase of new
titles and replacements during the
next fiscal year is a subject which
Congress well might wish to think
about constructively.
Other slashes in the library's re-
quest for operating funds perhaps are
unfortunate. It had been hoped that
money would be made available to
extend the service hours at the Chevy
Chase and Woodbridge branches and
to permit the opening of a badly
needed sub-branch at Langston Ter
race. The elimination of these items
evidently was in accordance with the
budget policy Of holding down oper-
ating expense and consequently is
understandable. Any decrease in
provision for new books and period
icals, however, Is a serious handicap
for the library In its effort to meet
the unquestioned requisition Of its
patrons. If there is any way to
restore that sum to the budget, 1t
should be taken.
Evening star., 1943-01-13
Hero and "Leqend"
1.-THE Message to Garcia" accordin

"The Message to Garcia" according
to the Dictionary Of American
History, is "a highly romanticized
legend popularized by Ebert Hub
bard's article in the Philistine,
March, 1899" But there was nothing
deserving OF criticism in the story of
what Andrew S. Rowan actually did.
He was q lieutenant in the infantry
who had been graduated at West
Point in 1881. 1t happened that
he had learned Spanish while
acting as Military Attache at the
American Legation in Santiago,
Chile. When courier was wanted
to convey certain oral communica-
ton to the Cuban rebel General
Calixto Garcia, he was recommended.
Disguised as IAN English sportsman
type commonly met in the late
nineties," he arrived at Kingston,
Jamaica, April %, 1898, the day be-
fore the United States declared war
on Spain.
Hubbard imagined details which
were fantastically inaccurate, yet the
main points Of his famous piece"
were true. Rowan made a dangerous
trip through the jungle to Garcia's
headquarters at Bayamo and thence
to the north coast of Cuba. Accom-
panied by two Of the revolutionaries,
he reached Nassau in the Bahamas.
Back in Washington by the middle
OF May, he was introduced at
cabinet meeting-and forgotten un-
til Congress gave him Distinguished
Service Cross in 1924. THE important
part of his mission was the informa-
ton he brought from Cuba"
Rowan later won distinction for
gallantry in action in the Philippines.
He retired in 1909 and settled in Cali
fornia, where his neighbors accepted
him as one Of themselves without
regard to the celebrity with which
the Sage Of East Aurora continued
to endow him. Millions Of copies of
Hubbard's pamphlet were circulated.
Their sale brought their publisher
fortune. Meanwhile, his hero lived
on a majors pension. The movies
dragged him from his voluntary
obscurity when he was old and Ill
and did not wish to be disturbed.
Much more congenial was the recog-
milton which came to him when inst
few weeks ago he was mentioned
with appreciation in relation to
Major General Mark w. Clark's ad-
ventures in North Africa.
Immortality is assured to all such
brave and intrepid soldiers, but
Rowan's feat in common fairness to
the man himself ought not to be
exaggerated. Dying at IS, he leaves
a name which does not need TO be
kept alive BY the devices Of fiction.
Evening star., 1943-01-13

OF cocktail lounges or theaters to
determine whether they Just dropped
IN on the way home from work. Nor
can they follow q motorist who is
giving a friend a lift to ascertain
whether he drives a few blocks out
OF the way enroute to his home. Any
attempt to do this would clutter the
ration boards with a multitude of
frivolous cases and would interfere
with proper handling of the really
important cases. As originally an
nounced, the restriction on pleasure
driving contemplated a blanket pro-
hibition, with the individual motor
lists being expected to establish the
legitimacy of their driving This, If
subject to proper administrative su-
pervision, is still the best plan.
Evening star., 1943-01-13
Hoskin's Answers
To Questions
By Frederic J. Haskin.

A reader cdn get the ansper to any
question OF fact BY icriting The Epe-
ming Star Information Bureau, Fred
eric J. HGsktn, director, Washington,
D. c. Please inclose stamp tor return
postage.
@. What Is the title OF the native
ruler Of Tunis?-E. 8. H.
A. 1t Is Bey, modern Turkish word
derived from the older beg" This has
been the hereditary title of the ruler
since about 1705.
@. Does the roadrunner build a trap
for rattlesnakes?-T. B. B.
A. This desert relative of the cuckoo
is credited with building hedge Of
thorn-covered cactus pads about coilcd
rattler. to prevent its escape. This is
just another nature myth, but the road
runner does feed principally on lizards,
small snakes and insects. It seizes them
expertly with its strong bill.
@. What city in the United States
uses the most coffee?-B. N.
A. New Orleans is said to consume
more coffee per capita than any other
large city.
@. What was the salary of Senators
in the first session of Congress?-E. U. IS.
A. They were paid at the rate of Sc
. day.
Evening star., 1943-01-13
1t Hos to Work

AS the pinch of the oil shortage
becomes more painful, more than
one investigation on Capitol Hill may
be undertaken in the understandable
ef1ort to find convenient victim and
roast him on the spot. But undoubt-
eoly the greatest public service that
can be rendered now is to persuade
the people that the fuel Oil shortage
IN the East is really serious, that It is
not going to get any better as long
as cold weather lasts and that the
individual citizen who relies on oil
for fuel will be injuring himself if
he imagines that more oil is Just
around the corner.
It is possible that the present
emergency could have been averted,
with proper foresight. But that is
true Of so many things, from Pearl
Harbor on down the long list of
losses and shortages from the war,
that 1t Is waste of time to talk
about things that could have been
done but were not done. The thing
to do now is to prevent actual suffer-
ing by making every effort to see that
fuel oil rationing works, and that
the available supply is divided as
equitably as possible.
In this connection, the OPA is
correctly insisting that there be no
discrimination by the dealers in
servicing their customers with oil;
that every consumer with valid cou-
pons must be given oil. That prin-
ciple Is sound, as long as there Is
enough OIL But it is obvious that
the dealer should not deliver his last
100 gallons to consumer who al
ready has 100 gallons, merely be-
cause this consumer asked first, and
pass up the customer whose tank Is
empty. Some modification in prac-
tice may be necessary, such as set
ting some maximum amount Of oil to
which a consumer Is entitled before
he can receive further deliveries.
The OPA is determined that de-
livery Of oil to the homes is the first
consideration, as it should be. Every
effort Is going to be made to see that
deliveries to the homes are main
tanned, even If 1t becomes necessary
to shut of commercial consumers.
BY concentrating available means OF
transportation on oil and with
pleasure" gasoline eliminated as a
drain on this transportation we may
be able to exist on hand-to-mouth
basis In fuel oil until spring, But 1t
IL going to require conscientious
conservation by everybody to accom-
plish even this. There is nothing
"phony" about the oil shortage.
Evening star., 1943-01-13
Rule of Reason

In accusing Office OF Price Admin
btration officials OF "Gestapo"
methods in enforcing the ban on
pleasure driving, Representative Mil
Ter Of Connecticut probably has over
drawn the picture.
The question of what constitutes
Gestapo methods, of course, is some
thing that will vary with individual
Interpretation. Representative Mil
ler cited the case OF a doctor who
had been stopped twice in one night
by police who wanted to know where
he was going. This sort OF thing
undoubtedly is annoying, and in the
case of a doctor with his profess
sional insignia on his car would seem
to be unnecessary. But it takes quite
q stretch OF the imagination to read
Gestapo tactics into such an Incl
dent.
The whole problem narrows down
TO the fact that If there is going to
be a ban on pleasure driving there
must also be some means of enforce
ment. A majority of the people
probably would respect request to
discontinue all unnecessary driving,
but If the undertaking is to be sue
cess, and if those who comply will
ingly are not to be Disseminated
against, some method must be found
Of dealing with the minority who will
not cooperate. The OPA is attempt
ing to do this by making an actual
check on motorists operating their
cars under circumstances indicative
Of pleasure driving. Perhaps this is
not the best way Of doing the job,
but II there is more desirable and
equally effective method it has not
been proposed by any of the critics.
This does not mean that the
method currently in use cannot be
over emphasized. It was announced
yesterday, for instance, that the OPA
will not object If motorist on his
way home from work stops of for
few hours for a social visit or if he
drives a friend home, provided that
he does not go out of his way in
either event.
Such an Interpretation is sensible
enough in itself, but it is indicative
of the boundless confusion into
which an attempt to be too literal In
defining pleasure driving can lead.
Obviously the OPA cannot assign in
yestigators to trail people in and out
Evening star., 1943-01-13

@. Has 1t ever been proved that one
Of the Popes was q woman?-O M. p.
A. A story was current for several
centuries that q woman, Johannes An
glicus, born in Germany OF English par
entage, at one time occupied the papal
chair, between Leo w, who died In 855,
and Benedict III, who died in 858. There
is no known historical background for
this tradition which was spread princi-
pally by q French Dominican monk in
the 18th century. 1t was first refuted by
the French Calvinist David Blondell in
1647.
@. What is the origin Of the bugle call
In horse racing?-D. Z. N.
A. The first racing in America was
conducted under the auspices of officers
OF the British Army. Hence the bugle
call to the post was adopted and has
since been in the rules of racing. The
earliest racing took place about 17OO or
q little before on Long Island, N. Y.
Q. When did Winston Churchill see
his first battle2-G. r.
A. On his 2lst birthday. 1895. He was
serving in Cuba as q military observer
with the Spanish forces.
@. Is the flesh Of ostriches edible7--
A. w. g.
A. 1t Is. The flesh is especially deli
cate when the young are fed on poultry
food and Is similar to that Of the turkey.
Q. What country produces the most
inventions2-R T. NJ
A. More than four-fifths Of all the
inventions in the world have been pro-
duced In the United States each year.
Q. How should the military decora.
ton known as fourragere be worn?-
F. B. j.
A. The War Department says that
the French military decoration, tho
fourragere, is attached to the left shoul-
der by fastening the buttonhole thereof
to the left shoulder loop button, under
the shoulder loop, passing the fourragere
under the left arm, and attaching the
loop on the ferret into the shoulder loop
button, allowing the ferret 10 hang down
In front.
9. Can anything be added to water
IN which English ivy Is growing to keep
1t from becoming ill-smelling?-R. c. B.
A. The addition Of small amount Of
charcoal will tend to keep the water
fresh. A little charcoal should be added
from time to time.
Evening star., 1943-01-13
Oxen Against q Lowery Sky

Atop the Hill the oren stop for
breathing,
Their red Hanks blottine out the
lo1Dery sky
In one bdck-brdcinp Dedge of heap.
ing muscle
To hold the laden rick from coast
ting by
Until against the leaders rump the
farmer,
Striding loose -jotnted, prtcked hts
ready goad.
Again beneath the yoke the stout
necks straiohtened
And do,on the hillside creaked tho
topping load.
They left the sky line to unbroken
greyness,
They left the meado,o shorn to
stubble sods;
As IN his fathers fathers day the
farmer
Tickled. each step, thick hides
,oith knototng prods.
He kneD his oren trusted him for
ooadino
As much as for the wdter In their
trough
And for the oats and hay IN Their
tull n,anger
And for the yoke his hands laid on
and Of.
The man and oren leaue the hill to
silence
And 90 to their oton peace In house
and stall.
Safely iOtthin ,otde lofts the hay l.
0drnered
Before on yopning fields the sloio
rains tdll
GERTRUDE ROBINSON.
Evening star., 1943-01-13
ROCK SPRING ROAD.

Dear Sir:
TT has very recently been my privilege
to observe several tree spsrrows IN the
weed patches in Roachs Run Bird Sane
tuary located in Virginia 4 short distance
south of the Highway Bridge. Since
these sparrows have apparently not been
seen in the Washington area for several
years, this observation would seem to
be an event of suficient Importance to
be called to the attention Of your column
Incidentally, several competent observers
have reported the presence Of these birds
in the weed patches in this and other
areas farther down the Potomac.
1.-THE tree sparrow breeds In the far
North. During the winter season II
migrates South and regularly reaches
the Northern and Middle States. Pos
sibly the recent zero weather induced 1t
to visit the Washington area this winter.
This bird is approximately the size
Of an English sparrow or song sparrow,
1t has q distinctly reddish-brown cap
and some brown on its back and wings.
1t has two well defined wing bars. 1t
has 4 conspicuous dark or black spot
dn some lights resembling a dimple)
centered in the upper portion Of its dull
white breast.
Should these birds remain In this
area during the remainder of the winter
what are the probabilities that they will
come to our window feeding stations
particularly If we should have a SUBJ
stantial snowfall?
"As has been stated in your column
approximately 10 species Of sparrowa
area. They are all natives except the
imported English thouse) sparrow. Prob
ably the best beloved Of the native spar
rows in this area is the song sparrow
To merely name some of the others: Our
regular winter visitor - the white
throated sparrow, the migrant fox spar
row and the early spring arrivals-the
field and the chipping sparrows. The
closely related junco (snowbird) should
also be included in the list.
"Any one who is inclined to dispose
Of the sparrows in his yard or garden
should take the time and trouble to dif.
ferentiate between the English sparrow,
and the native sparrows. The differences
are fairly obvious to any one giving q
little attention to the matter. A moder-
ate amount Of study and observation viii
demonstrate that there is little that Ii
Objectionable in the conduct and habit.
Of our native sparrows. They are plain
hard-working bird citizens who 60 about
doing good for mankind: they are thu
salt of the earth. To give but a single
illustration, 1t Is estimated that the tree
sparrows, in one agricultural State, an.
nually consume approximately S75 ton.
of weed seed. Furthermore, the native
sparrows play an important part a.
vocal soloists and as part of the aviar
chorus: the simple, sweet lay Of the
song sparrow, the plaintive whistle Of tn
white-throat, the CHEEKY trill of the fielt
sparrow and the plain chorus part o
the chipping sparrow.
THE readers Of your column already
know what has been stated above. Per-
nit me to urge that these friends of the
native sparrows make 1t point to
Evening star., 1943-01-13
THIS AND THAT
By Charles =. Trace,oeH.

spread the gospel among their friends,
neighbors and acquaintances.
Sincerely yours, A. H. F."
&.A AAA
How much would you guess q tree
sparrow weighs?
Not more than seven-tenths of an
ounce!
Yet this mite, with his thousands Of
companions, manages to eat vast quanti-
ties Of weed seeds, as our correspondent
says, making him one OF the farmers
most valuable helpers.
Scientists tell us there are l19 kinds
Of sparrows In North America north of
Mexico.
This includes climatic variations. Ac-
tually there are only 81 species, not
counting the English sparrow. which is
really not . sparrow at all, but . weaver
inch, and Is classified in different fam
lily from Americas sparrows
The English sparrow, however, has
earned his right to be called American as
well as sparrow.
Not to call him sparrow seems rather
straining point, since he looks as
sparrow-like as any song sparrow,
white-throat, or what have you (We
may add, in passing, that this is the
first time in 20 years that this column
has ever used the expression, "or what
have you.')
We feel certain that our corre-
spondent's mention of persons who
might feel inclined to dispose of the
sparrows in their yard does not include
killing Of house sparrows, either.
These little birds, properly seen, are
birds as we'll as any, and almost always
win the admiration and often affection
Of persons who are willing to watch them
closely.
They are shortly seen to be no ways
near as black as painted. As q matter
Of fact, in recent years the pendulum
OF dislike Of this bird among bird lovers
has swung clear over. Now most per-
sons are willing to accept them, since
there seems to be little else one can do
Good food at feeding stations brings
out the color and sheen of their coats
and makes them altogether different
birds from the famous street arabs
OF the horse and buggy days.
Their habits are meritorious enough
with the exception of the tendency to
drive native birds away. AS we have
often stated here, our native birds are
not simpletons; they may be driven
away from one yard, but they 60 to
another, or to the woods.
The decline in numbers Of our native
birds can only be laid at the door OF
the English sparrow by q person VIII,
does not care to look thoroughly into
the matter. There are scores of reason,
for this decline, and many mysteries ir
it, too.
The English sparrow, or finch, cousir
to the cardinals, Is very fine little bird
and We sincerely hope that, In this day
Of too much killing, no one will go ou
Of his way to kill these splendid birds
If tree sparrows are around, there Il
every likelihood that they will come t,
feeding station properly stocked anc
kept filled. They prefer small seeds
There is on record an instance of 8
tree sparrow flying in at an open window
and eating from a saucer of feed on Q
radiatc~. while quite evidently enjoying
the +
Evening star., 1943-01-13
Map Of the United states-A large

Map Of the United States-A large
colored map, Il by 28 inches In size.
Familiarize yourself with the geog-
raphy and history Of your country,
the largest cities, the capitals Of
States, our detached Territories, and
the location of places mentioned In
the daily news. The reverse side of
the map gives 1910 population figures
of States and 200 leading cities. An
other timely feature is the insignia
Of the Army, Navy and Marine Corps.
An excellent map for school, home or
ONCE. To secure your copy inclose Is
cents in coin, wrapped IN this clip
ping, and mail to The Star Informa-
ton Bureau.
Name
Address
Evening star., 1943-01-13
Discusses Education
In Preparation for Work.


In Preparation for Work.
To the Editor Of The Star:
Having taught school for 10 years
and never having lost interest in educa-
ton, was attracted to the column
Of Dorothy Thompson in The Star of
December % in which she takes issue
with . statement by Mrs. Roosevelt on
the value of so-called useless knowl-
edge"
Now would like to add the weight Of
my testimony to the columnist's view
that useless" knowledge rs q matter
OF fact Is most useful and also the weight
OF my testimony to Mrs. Roosevelt q
point when she says: Il don't believe
people can get by without working in
the world of the future"
I am glad. this issue has been raised.
Maybe it will give me an opportunity
to get across vital principle that I
have held for years and never lost an
opportunity to advance.
Mars Is terrible fellow, but he brings
about changes which no other agency
can. 1t is no wonder that we are re-
minded that when he is in the saddle
we are to look up and lift up our heads
for then our redemption draweth. nigh. "
Thirty-odd years ago in a treatise on
economics / described what called
"the lucky combination that unlocks
the wheels Of progress, namely, the edu-
Gated and intelligent mind, directing the
trained hand, engaged in actual work,
with leisure for experiment and re-
search"
In the treatise referred to urged that
all young people be taught some useful
and necessary trade or occupation along
with intellectual training. I further
urged that industry should be SO organ
lied that every person able and willing
to work should be guaranteed the op-
portunity to do 20, in order that every
one might live = normal life, and be able
to develop all faculties-physical. In
tellectual, social, moral, spiritual.
These cardinal principles were not
popular "a years ago and only slowly
have been gaining ground, but they are
making much more rapid progress now
since Mars has taken . hand. They
are being talked about everywhere by
many people. Vice President Wallace
has demanded full employment a. .
postwar measure. Wendell Wilkie also
has declared for employment for all. 30
likewise President Roosevelt advocates
freedom from want. Many others are
seeing the Light. 8. L. HOOVER.
Evening star., 1943-01-13
Letters to the Editor

Letters to the Editor must
bear the name and address OF
the Uriter, although the use OF
a pseudonyn1 for publication is
permissible. The Star reserves
the right to edit all letters NTH
a Die,D to condensation.