davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1943-03-26
THIS AND THAT
By Charles +. Trdce1pell.

all about soil and planting problems
rushing in to plant a Victory garden.
Now. the idea of the Victory garden is
fine, but vegetables will not grow on old
sour soil, or where there is not at least
six hours of uninterrupted sunshine, or
within 30 feet of large trees
Many people will take up vegetable
gardening, just as they did In the last
war. with negligible results.
All they will get out of it is fun and
anticipation, and these are results very
much to be desired. it is true.
Song sparroWs, too, are very fond OF
grass seed.
No one need be afraid, however. that
the birds will eat it all, If planting is
! done in the manner suggested,
| At this time of year there are too many
other foods to be found. Not only are
many persons still feeding, but nature
| opens up her treasures of ants insects
and worms.
1t is great JOY. at this time OF year.
to see the first robins strutting around
the yard, looking for worms.
There is no other pose in all birdland
like it.
| Another outdoor pose which is all
natures. and therefore inimtabe is
that Of the squirrel, with it's tail curved
over its head, as it holds nut to its
mouth.
| Patching up an old lawn is mostly
matter of trying to fill in the bare spots
Books advise us to completely make
! over an old lawn-but how many persons
are going to do it?
Not many The best way is to put
ample seed in the bare spots If grass
refuses to grow at one point, dig down
to see if stones or old rubbish have not
worked their way to the surface
People who admire good lawns ought
to remember that turf is very soft
| and springy at this time of year. Much
damage can be done it by careless use Of
the grass. Digging dogs and children on
skates complicate the problem OF ordi-
nary lawn making.
Getting a good sward in the Washing
ton locality is not easy. at any time.
| Cooperation is very necessary. Surely
there is no one thing which makes a
neighborhood look as we'll as good lawns
everywhere
Spring rains usually take care OF the
watering problem for newly soWn grass.
but if they should fail it will be necessary
to use the ins spray Of the hose at
least every other evening. A great deal
more good seed is wasted by this failure
than through all the activities of the
| birds, dogs or children.
Do not try to keep the birds from
eating the seed. There is no practical
way. except to SOW so literally that there
will be plenty of young grass plants tc
grow into good turf
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1943-03-26
ARLINGTON, Va.

Dear Sir:
Recent spring rains. regular April in
March. led me to plant grass seed
Il am not sure that I am going to get
any results. however, since the birds are
eating it all up
rs there any way I can keep the birds
from eating up my grass seed?
Il do not begrudge them the seed, but
do want to get good grass in my bare
spots.
Two OF the birds ca ting my grass seed
are doves, You would not think such
large birds would eat such small seeds
Among the visitors are many snow
birds-juncos, believe they are called.
These are beauties. and would be worth
getting at any price, but l do want my
grass to grow.
Grass seed, at so cents pound, would
be pretty expensive bird food, wouldn t
it? Sincerely, NJ L."
There is not much danger Of sonebirds
getting all the grass seed il the seed is
put in properly.
Just throwing seed on the ground is a
waste, from the standpoint of getting
grass.
1t will. OF course. feed the birds
English sparrows will come for miles
to eat it,
If seed is Just sprinkled on the ground,
the first rain will wash it away.
The best way to plant 1t is to cover 1t
up. not more than a quarter of an inch
Then tread it down
Even this coverage will not prevent
the birds from getting it.
Enough will escape to give grass. 1t
must be remembered that nature herself
allows for certain number of seeds
which will not terminate.
Between the birds, and some seeds
being washed away, and some not ger
minating. the final result is only part
OF what is originally sowed. That is why
it is always good policy to put in a great
deal more seed than one wants to plant
The best way, We have found. is to put
In what one thinks Is sufficient, then &C
back and do it all over again
In this way the birds, washing and
the result in the end probably will be
good grass, or such reasonabl approa oh
thereto as the soil will permit.
There are other factors making for
poor grass.
Many suburban homes today are built
on old worn out farm lands
Nothing much will ever grow on them
again. until real fertilization is achieved
with planting and digging under, again
and again.
Few home owners are willing TO 20 tc
all this trouble
That is why 1t is somewhat dishearten-
ing to see people who know nothing a,
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1943-03-26
SoIvuqinq Feet
rom the Topeka Capital

From the Topeka Capital.
An example of what can and probably
will be done in salvaging the hundreds
of thousands of vessels sunk during this
war was the floating ]ast week of the
former Cunard liner Majestic. serving
more recently as British naval training
ship. This 56,OOO-ton vessel Is believed
to be the largest ever raised from deep
water. Damaged by fire before sinking
it is now being broken up for the high
quality of steel it contains, 1900 tons
already having been recovered and U.s.
ports and other openings in the hull en-
abling the ship, sunk off the coast of
Scotland, to be floated on the first pump
ing attempt
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1943-03-26
Fire Sufety-When?

The loss Of three more lives IN a
rooming house fire in Washington
brings into sharp focus once again
the ever present threat of disaster
that lies In the congested housing
facilities Of this wartime Capital
City. What is being done, and what
can be done to cope with the
problem?
1t is reported that In the case OF
the Swami street fire, building in
spectors had not yet reached that
block In their city wide tour. Agents
OF the fire marshal's office had been
there, however, and had issued a
notice that the number of occupants
must be reduced promptly.
But it Is notorious that building,
fire and other protective agency in
Spectors are far behind in their work
and the question arises how many
lives will be lost before some sound
sensible and practical solution is
evolved. with due regard to the in
adequacy Of housing accommodation
delays In inspection, delays In en-
forcement and delays in appropria
tons for facilities.
1t is rather ironic that District
officials Just this week issued a state
ment to show that progress was being
made on elimination Of fire hazards
as result Of checkups made during
January and February. This showed
many corrections were being made
by reason of extraordinary inspection
work being performed under the
stimulus of earlier housing disasters
here and elsewhere. 1t also revealed
that a rather startling number Of fire
safety deficiencies had been discov-
cred in the tours of the augmented
numbers Of inspectors.
The story once was that District
statutes were inadequate, but last
year teeth" supposedly were put into
the fire escape law Also. the story
used to be that the District had in
sufficient numbers of inspectors, and
some few have been added, but it is
reported that the special city wide
check now being made is possible only
at the expense of drawing into this
work electrical, plumbing and build
ing inspectors. What is happening
to electrical, plumbing and building
inspection now, no one knows
II it may be assumed that present
District fire escape regulations are
adequate, what is the answer when
fire escapes can not be provided be-
cause of priorities? Then there Is
the added fact that work is being
slowed because an adequate number
of clerical efficient workers
is lacking
On top Of this is the suggestion OF
one official that-granting proper in
spection-the District cannot afford
to 60 quite so far as to force eviction
Of thousands, or perhaps tens of
thousands. OF persons from present
places simply because of over crowd
ing or other safety deficiencies
since replacement housing is non
existent. I'VE can't put them on the
street" it is said But does this mean
that they must be left in establish
ments where their lives are In con-
slant danpero
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1943-03-26

out one room and turn on the lights
there. leaving the rest Of the house in
darkness, how are they going to know
when street lighting is resumed, unless
some one is stationed in the darkened
part of the house to watch for the
street lights?
Now as to those homes which have
radios: In order not to miss hearing
the "all-clear" announcement, it is
necessary to keep the radio tuned-in
during the whole period OF the AFRAID
test and the listener is compelled to hear
programs and advertising bally -hoos no
matter how disagreeable they may be.
II the radio is in a lighted BACKED
out room, reading is impossible If it
Is in part Of the house which is dark
ened by turning out lights some one has
to sit in darkness listening for the
'all-clear' announcement
Finally the radio, in the event OF
real air raid might go off the air. as in
Paris. Berlin and other cities in Europe.
In that case. watching for the relighting
of the streets would become the uni
rersal indoor sport.
All this is an unnecessary burden
upon home jewellers which could be
eliminated by an audible "all-clear"
signal--a system used in England and
other countries
l do not know what mastermind con-
ceived the radio street light method of
informing million people OF the all
clear but it seems to me as on a par
with an order issued by the powers
that be- in the District of Columbia
last April for an all-night blackout to
begin at o'clock pm.-when, of course,
it was broad daylight! Two days later,
it having occurred to the authorities
issuing the order that at 5 pm in April
it was broad daylight, they amended
the order by directing the blackout to
begin at 8 pm.
People, I believe. are willing to CO.
operate, but resent being the victims
of experimental orders which subject
them to unnecessary annoyance
CHARLES L. FRAILEY.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1943-03-26
No Repetition
From the Winnipeg Tribune.

From me W1nh1peK TFlbune
Whichever party is in power in the
United States when the peace treaties
are written. the United States Is 60
ing to be irretrievably committed to play
ing one world-wid role or other in the
postwar era. We profoundly hope that
there will be no repetition of 1918 to
1920 in which one party helped to write
the peace and the other promptly with
drew from making commitments. 1t is
to be hoped, in fact, that whichever
American party administration helps to
write the peace terms at the end Of this
war. that party Will remain in power
long enough to decide the manner In
which they are to be carried out.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1943-03-26
Appeal to Women

Once again the Government and
Industry are appealing directly to
American housewives to save waste
kitchen grease or fats so that they
may be converted into gunpowder,
explosives and medicines for our
lighting forces.
The individual housewife may feel
that the tablespoon or more OF waste
fsts that she salvages each day is OF
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1943-03-26
The Star Loses
A Subscriber.

Subscriber.
To the Editor of The Star:
I noticed that your paper did not
carry anything about the Hopkins Instl-
tute call house on Connecticut avenue
which was raided few days ago. l also
noticed that you gave very little publicity
to the Enrol Flynn trial. do not approve
Of this puritanical suppression of the
news. Therefore, please cancel my sub
scription Immediately.
Please do not print my name in the
paper T. c. G.
Editors Note:
The facts pertaining to the Hop
kins Institute" case were printed in
The Star, although the incident was
not played up"
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1943-03-26

Geographical Connotation Avoided
To the Editor OF The Star.
I have read several articles in The
Star about the naming Of the new
Alaskan highway.
Why not have name which will not
contain the name Of any particular coun-
try within 1t?
I think a name like Freedom road"
would be appropriate
ROBERT MILLER.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1943-03-26

The Japanese war lords, impelled
by recent happenings in the Bis
marck Sea. have ordered all soldiers
to learn how to swim. This is
prompted" says the government. "by
the fact that war operations in
greater East Asia are closely con-
nected with water" They said a
mouthful that time,
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1943-03-26

Letters to the Editor must
bear the name and address OF
the 'Uriter. although the use OF
q pseudonyn for publication is
permissible. The Star reserves
the right to edit all letters Nth
rie1C to condensation.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1943-03-26
Letters to the Editor
Justice Frankfurter Paws
Tribute to 1t. Sheldon.
To the Editor OF The Star.

Justice Frankfurter Pays
Tribute to It. Sheldon.
To the Editor OF The Star:
The friends of 1t William Du Bose
Sheldon, u S. n r., who died March
10 from illness contracted at Guadal-
| canal and at other South Pacific en-
gaeements will welcome the tribute pa i'd
him by the commanding officer of the
Pacific Fleet bombing squadron because
in that simple account they will recog-
nze the authentic Bill He had all the
gentler qualities-loyalty, modesty, high
courtesy. regard for the tender places in
life-to a degree unusual in so young a
person, and an unselfshness remarkable
in a person Of any age. In him SelflesS-
ness came from a deep insight into the
essential tragedy Of life and a deeper
dedication to it's mitigation. But in
Bill Sheldon these gifts OF gentleneSs
were united in rare measure with sterner
qualities likely to be missed by those
who knew only his quiet voice, his shy
hesitating manner, his finely sculptured
face and delicate physique. With time
one became aware OF deep reserves of a
strong, even stubborn, will and a ma
turity far beyond his years. He was
one of those whom William James
called the once born"
Ever since his student days he was a
leader Of men, affectionatelv called
Uncle Bill and behind thai name exer-
cisng a moral authority over his con-
hirh oinin n
recognize Gifts of character are rarer
than gifts of mind, and the sources of
such moral sway as Bill held over men
are not easy to fathom. If l may ven-
ture an expls nation Bill possessed such
moral authority because he had moral
superiority without moral snobbery The
clarity Of his mind achieved its full
powers because the motives Of his &C
tons and judgments we're swept cleaner
of droSs than is true OF most men.
The Greeks had such as Bill Sheldon
in mind when they said the good die
young. No one saw more clearly than
he the moral issues of this war, and he
felt his life belonged to his country not
as to devouring state but to an or
gained way for Leading civilized lives.
1t was like Bill to make his decision to
be part Of the war swiftly, silently and
alone. AS it was like him to endure,
after conspicuously gallant service in
combat. the vicissitudes Of illness far
from home and friends. without letting
them know That is hard for his friends
to bear now, but it was characteristic.
He kept his troubles to himself
If l have said anything exaggerated
or false, if have been guilty of the sem
timentslity which so easily overtakes
one in the first shock OF loss I ask Bills
pardon. There is no swifter way to
bury the dead. And Bill is some one
to think back upon, to measure ones
self by, to cherish in death as in life.
FELIX FRANKFURTER
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1943-03-26

Q. Is there type OF blood that can
be used for all kinds OF persons?-S. r.
A. There is one type Of blood which
can be used for transfuSlons to persons
having any other of the types This Ia
sometimes called the universal type.
@. Does the drawing OF window
shades actually save fuel?-L. C. J.
A. Recent studies indicate that the
systematic drawing Of cloth shades. by
reducing heat loss through window
panes, results in an average saving OF
10 per cent Of fuel
@ How many spiders does it take Ia
produce pound of silk?-V F. B.
A. About $1,000 are needed.
O. What is the distance between
Europe and Africa at Gibraltar?-H H.
A. At Europa Point, Spain is only 49,,
miles from the coast of Africa.
Q. What was the number Of cigar
cites produced last year in the United
States?-E. L. H.
A. The number was 235 900 900 900.
@. Is there a scientific word which
| means fear of having chidren"?-
! WIG.
| A. The word "maieusiophobia" means
fear Of childbirth"
Q. How much shipping space is saved
by Gehydrating foods?-S M
A. Removing the water. on the aver
age, reduces 10 tons of food to one tor
and cuts the space required by so TO 90
per cent, depending on the food product.
Q. How thick is the wooden deck NJ
a battleship?-H G..
A. The Navy Department SAYS that IL
is approximately 81 inches thick Ths
frequency of renewals depends upon thu
wear to which it is subjected Decks
made OF teakwood last about Is years
Decks made of yellow pine or Douglai
fir last from to 10 years.
@ Are there any tigers in Africa
G. R. s.
A. The tiger is not native to any
part of Africa
Q. Is there any inscription on thu
graves of unknown soldiers of the First
World War buried in American ceme-
teries in France?-M. A.
A. The markers on the graves of un-
known soldiers contain these words:
Here Rests in Honored Glory an Ameri.
can Soldier Known but to Cod
Q. What are wind matChes?-R s. 8.
A. A wind match Is a type NJ match
which burns with a hot flame in ths
vino. 1t has a longer end than tbs
ordinary match.
Q. Is it possible to grow coffee COM
merciallv in the United States?-A !.
A. The Department Of Agriculture
says coffee cannot successfully be grown
in the United States
@. Who built the Hanging Gardens
of Babylon?-T. L. C,
A. addition says that they were con-
structed by Nebuchadnezzar to crafty
his wife Amvtis who felt weary of the
fat plains Of Babylon and longed for
something to remind her of her native
Median hills
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1943-03-26

Victor Hugo explained Napoleon's
downfall with the phrase. God was
bored with him." If Bonaparte was
merely tiresome, what can be the
divine reaction to Hitler?
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1943-03-26
New Air Raid Test Signal System
Criticized as Absurd and announcement

New Afraid Test Signal System
Criticized as Absurd and Inconvenient.
To the Editor Of The Star:
I fail to understand why the "all-clear"
signal has been discontinued and why,
in lieu thereof. persons in their homes
are required to depend on radio an
nouncement or the turning on of street
lights to inform them that an air raid
is over.
The absurdity of this system TO say
nothing of the inconvenience to home
dwellers) seems to me apparent
There must be In Washington and its
suburbs many homes without radios
How do persons living in such homes
learn Of the AL clear? If they black
out all their rooms. how can they see
any street lights come on7 II they black.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1943-03-26
Huskin's Answers
To Questions
BIZ Frederic J. HdSktn.

reader can get the unstDer to any
question OF fact By Drtting The Eoe-
ming Star Information Bureau. Fred
eric J. Haskin, director. Washington
D. c. Please inclose stamp for return
postage.
@. What is the average salary OF en-
ployes in the Federal Government
w. B. j.
A. According to the Civil Service
Commission, the average annual salary
is approximately s1,871. The average IN
the District of Columbia is $2066 and
the average outside the Capital is 81 1888.
@. How many civilians were killed IN
airplane accidents last year?-W E. K.
A. The Civil Aeronautcs Administra-
ton says that 1903 people have been
killed In civil aviation accidents in the
United States since January l, 1912.
Q. What is the most prolific creature
on the earth?-S. L. F..
A. 1t is believed that the queen Of
the white termites is the most productive
Of all land creatures 1t laws at least
10000 eggs a dav
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1943-03-26

Dictionary-An upto date. authori-
tative publication of 10000 words in
common use. An outstanding feature
of this popular-p priced dictionary is
the special supplements containing
current words and phrases, curious
word origins words derived from per-
sons, words derived from places.
everyday errors, long words. and
guide to compromising. A handy sized
volume for home, Office or school. To
secure your copy Of this publication
incloSe 25 cents in coin, wrapped in
this clipping. and mail to The Star
Informa ton Bureau.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1943-03-26

@. What is the distance between
Europe and Africa at Gibraltar?-H H.
A. At Europa Point Spain is only ~ 4,
miles from the coast of Africa.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1943-03-26

@ What was the number Of cigar
cites produced last year in the United
States?-E. l.. H.
A. The number was 235 5000 900.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1943-03-26

@. How many spiders does it take Ia
produce pound OF silky. F. 3.
A. About $1,000 are needed
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1943-03-26

G. Is there scientific word which
means fear of having children"?-
W F. G.
A. The word "maieusiophobia" means
fear OF childbirth"
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1943-03-26

sered 1T the Post Once, Washington. d. c.,
as second-class mail matter.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1943-03-26
Address

Name
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1943-03-26

Q. How much shipping space is saved
by Gehydrating foOds?-S. M.
A. Removing the water. on the aver
age, reduces 10 tons of food TO one tor
and cuts the space required by so 10 90
per cent, depending on the food product.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1943-01-08
Red, White and Blue
Pie Is Offered at
House Restaurant

By the Associated Press.
Victory pie" made its ap-
pearance yesterday on the manu-
in the House restaurant.
1t turned out to be combina-
ton of minced pie and cherry
pie, which, with meringue on
top, took on a patriotic red,
white and blue appearance.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1943-01-08
River Terrace Project
Gets Time 10 Convert
TO Coal Furnaces =
WPB Allows Continuance
Of Cos Heotine Pending
New installations

The War Production Board, having
won a court fight with residents Of
the housing development at River
Terrace, Md, over use of gas in that
area, announced today that it would
allow the affected citizens time to
convert their homes to use Of coal
furnaces.
"Coal-fired furnaces are on hand,
ready for installation to replace the
gas-fired equipment which was In
stalled despite the prohibition in
L-3l,' the WPB said. -.
THE War Production Board will
permit gas deliveries to the homes
to be continued for a temporary
period until the physical work of in
stalling the coal-flred equipment has
been completed" 80
The "L-31" referred to is a limi-
tation order issued by the WPB
prohibiting gas companies from
Servicing space heaters installed in
new residences if the foundations
had been completed after March /,
1912.
The River Terrace residents
claimed they were entitled to service.
pointing out that the footings had
been poured prior to March l.
They brought suit to contest the
validity of WPB order which pro-
| hibited the Washington Gas Light
Co. from making deliveries. Justice
F. Dickinson Let's in District Court
yesterday dismissed the tenants
| suit.