davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1943-02-23
Precise Meanings Needed

In his Washington Birthday ami
versary address the President said
there are many Americans who
sneer at the determination to attain
freedom from want and freedom
from fear on the ground that
these are ideals which can never be
realized" This language seems un-
fortunately out of tune in an address
whose tone in other respects was
in keeping with the spirit OF the
occasion.
1t Is probably correct that there
are many" Americans who doubt
that the ideals of freedom from fear
and freedom from want can be at
tanned. For one thing, they do not
understand exactly what is meant by
these generalized expressions, and
there has been no attempt to give
precise definition of their meaning
Apparently they mean one thing to
one person, something else to an
other, and, as a result, there un-
uOuuJtuly 10 CeIIdllI dIIlOul1t VI
skepticism concerning them.
But it by no means follows that
those who entertain doubts are
hostile to the ideal of achieving
| freedom from fear and freedom from
want Nor does it follow that there
are many Americans who "sneer" at
| the Presidents determination to at
| tain these ideals. Certainly, so far as
| the vast majority is concerned, there
| is at most an honest difference Of
| opinion, arising out of the failure to
clarity the scope and meaning Of
these praiseworthy objectives. Some
how, this difference will have to be
composed, but the first step is to
recognize that there is a distinction
between sincere skepticism and the
attitude Of contemptuous disdain
imputed to the skeptics by the
Presidents choice of language.
If the feasibility of the objective
t envisioned by the President can be
demonstrated there will be very few
to stand off and sneer at the effort to
! attain it,
Evening star., 1943-02-23
Bonds or Bondooe

A member of the Delaware State
Legislature has introduced startling
blll-a proposed tax of five dollars
year on bachelors over thirty, the
money to be invested In War bonds
In the name of the State. The spon-
sor himself admits that there Is little
hope Of it's passage, and II by any
miracle lobby OF spinsters puts on
enough pressure to get it passed, the
Supreme Court probably would 20
into huddle in record time and de-
clare it unconstitutional, nobody
dissenting.
Members Of the great Delaware
Misogynist Club, as they sprawl in
wornout, but comfortable, old chairs.
with their shoes off and feet hoisted
on the mantelpiece, are not the least
bit worried What if those law
makers do go crazy enough to pass
it?" said the Chief Crouch, as he
dropped cigarette butt on the car
pet and ground 1t out with his heel.
I'VE will lose no members. Bachelor
hood is blessed estate, not to be
departed from lightly and for no
better reason than to save five dol
lars year. This great country is
spending countless billions of dollars
to maintain liberty; can you imagine
any of US baking at an extra dime
a week and nullify the whole project
by getting caught in the bonds of
matrimony?"
Evening star., 1943-02-23
The Afqhun

Through the long zero halt light Of
,Dinter,
When eDen the hearthlog eroDs
chill:
The lear mother climbs to the garret
To unrapel trayed uool by the sill.
Deep scented Nth thyme and dried
anise,
The turtleneck sWeater Tad Wore,
Neuer hearing that cau to Pearl Hdr-
Dor,
To greet death at the head OF his
corps.
The toque, NTH the trim scarlet tas-
sci, A.
She knitted iUhen Ddpsd began
To cut figure eiohts," little dreaming
OF his last blackout hours at b.
taan.
She saludoes all the moths lett her,
OF the gauntlets that guided her
Jim,
Ouer ski trails, before tar Bizerte
Had bugled his funeral hymn.
She unraUels and knits. Her gnarled
fingers
No,o fashion an afghan to hold
Tattered dreams that the moths LETT
to shield her
From the cold, from the lonely cold.
GORDON LECLAIRE.
Evening star., 1943-02-23
Hioh Points

In an age when the can opener
ranks No. among the kitchen
utensils in thousands of American
homes, the high initial value of the
canned food ration points comes as
something OF a shock The authori-
ties have been assuring us there
would be plenty of food for every
body, in spite of rationing. But two
cans (No. 217 size) OF tomatoes will
cost forty-eight points, the limit per
person per month. Does that sound
like plenty of food for everybody?
The thousands of people, especially
in the cities, who live for the most
part on food that comes out Of cans,
are the ones due for the rudest
awakening under the point system.
They must suddenly change living
habits as well as diet. To others, the
rationing will mean added incon-
venience. Housekeepers will have to
spend more time in the kitchen.
planning meals and preparing them.
Fewer things must be made to last
longer.
But 1t would be mistake to con-
clude that the high value placed on
points for canned food reflects any
alarming scarcity OF food at present.
Canned food is being subjected to
strict rationing because canned foods.
packaged foods and dried fruits are
most needed by our fighting men and
Allies. What we are doing Is to
assure an equitable distribution
among the civilian population of
what is left in canned and processed
food after providing an adequate
supply for the men in the service.
What is left for the civilians amounts
to about half Of what we have been
accustomed to. And strict rationing
Is the only way to make it 60 around.
Already there have been complaints
that the points are too high: that
the tremendous new demand for
fresh vegetables will prove too great
a strain on supply; that already over
crowded restaurants will break down
under the strain of feeding additional
thousands Of patrons now unable to
prepare their own meals. Many of
these predictions may be accurate.
Perhaps we are in for a tough time.
But what of it? BY this time most
Of us are ready to accept small in
conveniences without complaint, for
the most burdensome Of these are as
nothing compared with the real
sacrifice demanded of the men who
go to the fighting fronts.
Rationing Is as new to the Gov
ernment officials who administer It
as to the consumers whom it affects.
They will make mistakes, they will
be found wrong in their estimates
and they will fail to anticipate trains
OF complications set in motion by
new restrictions. But all Of this is
an inevitable part of war. Most of
our people will realize that fact and
accept 1t with a minimum Of grum-
bling.
Evening star., 1943-02-23

that the United Nations have the
duty Of sustaining the front Of
human decency." No responsible
authority doubts his affirmation
that: IF the child life of these de-
mocracies is to be saved it must be
saved now" He testifies to the con-
viction of millions when he insists:
1T Is hollow promise that these
people will receive food after the war
is over. 1t means little to a mother
who sets her table only to watch her
children wilt"
But can supplies be sent to the
occupied territories without helping
Hitler and his partner in aggression?
Mr.. Hoover answers that food has
been going through the blockade to
Greece under Swedish and Swiss
supervision for nine months and that
Germany and Italy receive no ad-
vantage from it," The former Presi-
dent supports his contention from
his experience in feeding Belgians
during the First World War. Not by
a single hour was the defeat of the
Kaiser and his allies postponed by
the soup kitchens OF Brussels. That
appears to be a matter of history.
and the principle it represents still
should be valid.
Certainly, no harm is likely to ac-
crue from a careful examination of
what Mr.. Hoover proposes. The
alternative to giving humane con-
sideration to the plight of the help
less children of the conquered coun-
tries would be an ethical fault of a.
sort which America hitherto never
has been willing to commit.
Evening star., 1943-02-23
The BelIomy Report

The Government once more Is
charged with wasting manpower on
non-essential and duplicating func-
tions, the latest accusation coming
from the Bellamy committee set up
by President Roosevelt to formulate
draft-deferment policy for Federal
workers. Completing a two-month
study, the committee concludes that
thousands of able-bodied men could
be released to the armed forces il the
Government put its own house in
order by wedding out superfuous
activities. improving employment
practices and substituting persons
not eligible for military duty for en-
ployes liable to service, wherever pos
sible.
Getting down to cases on the sub
ject of waste-and, it Is safe to say,
only scratching the surface-the
committee lists unnecessarily COM
plicated registration procedure for
entering and leaving non military
Government buildings; maintenance
of duplicate files; circuitous handling
of correspondence; use Of redundant
forms for many activities: repetitive
auditing Of fiscal affairs and COM
pilation of useless reports.
This theme, with variations, has
been repeated for months, notably by
the Tydings and Byrd committees of
the Senate and the Civil Service
Commission. That the Presidents
committee finds such conditions con-
tinuing after SO long time, is prima
facie evidence of lack of effort to
effect improvement. In conformity
with a provision of the emergency
war pay law, the Budget Bureau at
present is conducting a study aimed
at operating economies, and perhaps
it is with this in mind that the
Bellamy committee urges that bureau
efforts along this line be intensified.
If further incentive is needed, the
committee comment should provide
it.
The draft-deferment plan pro-
posed by the committee Is substan-
TALLY the same as that ordered for
Federal employees in September by
the War Manpower Commission, al
though the mechanics differ. Defer
ment still would be governed by the
individuals Importance to the war
effort, and the determination of his
status would rest in the Manpower
Commission, as at present.
The report indicates that occupa-
tional deferment had been granted
to approximately $4,000 men, as OF
December, and thu committee says
that on the whdte, deferment re-
quests have been moderate and
conservative" To critics, the COM
mittee asserts thas the Government
"is not a draft eVader's paradise, as
has been loosely charged"
Evening star., 1943-02-23
WESLEY HEIGHTS.

Dear Sir:
"I wish you would tell me how to at
tract the hummingbirds to my place next
summer.
II have definitely given up the idea
of having a Victory garden, not because
do not want one, but because my soil
Is not right, and have too many trees.
when the man said over the radio
that no one could grow vegetables within
80 feet of great trees, that let me out,
because I have many fine, grand trees,
and they shade the yard almost all day.
so have compromised on humming-
birds! We won't be able to eat them, but
I hope they will feed our souls, as poet
once said.
It have heard that certain flowers will
attract humm.ngbirds, but I do not know
what they are.
"One summer we had one pair, and
they intrigued us every evening, just be-
fore dusk, when they flew around.
II have never forgotten those two
birds 1t doesn't seem to me that enough
attention is given the hummingbirds.
Most people want to talk about the
larger birds, whereas these are among
the most entertaining and appealing
birds I have ever seen.
"It may be that they do not get so
much attention because they do not sing,
Sincerely, H. T"
=
If one has to give up the idea of a
Victory garden-and many will, on ac-
count of acid soil and too much shade
no doubt hummingbirds are an excellent
compromise.
They cannot be eaten, as our CORE
spondent succinctly points out, but they
make mighty pretty watching.
The best way to attract them is to
plant flowers and vines which they par
ticularly like.
Many bell-shaped blossoms fall into
this category. Chief among them are
garden. and the gladioluses. 1t is too bad
that in recent years the thrips, those
great pests, have made the growing of
gladioluses more difficult because there
Is no flower the hummer likes more.
The great spikes of blossoms. filled
with both nectar and small insects, pro-
vide the smallest of our summer birds
with all the food they require.
The shape Of the flowers is ideally
suited to the long bills of the birds. The
colors, too, in most instances, appeal to
them.
All in all, the gladiolus is a surefire
hummingbird attractor, as well as being
one OF the stateliest and loveliest of the
summer blooming bulbs, more properly
corms.
Hence, II one is determined to have
hummingbirds, he should be equally de-
ternined to have gladioluses first.
1t is unfortunate that this, too, is 8
n-loving plant, just as all our vege-
tables are.
It is possible, however, to grow few
Evening star., 1943-02-23
THIS AND THAT
By Charles E. TrdcepeN.

OF them, even in a shady yard, because
there will always be some small spot
where the sun plays for six or more hours
a day.
Sandy soil is ideal.
There are few garden pictures more
appealing than a spike of some good
variety of gladiolus with the dew on it,
and hummingbird at it, standing still
in the air before each opened blossom in
turn, going up and down the spike re-
peatedly.
The popular impression is that this
dainty bird eats nothing but nectar or
the sweet substance secreted by the
flower.
1t is shame to spoil this tradition, but
the hummingbird is more partial to the
insects (maybe some of them are thrips)
which run around in the throat of the
blossom. Like all birds, it must feed its
babies on insects, as these are the baby
food" of all young birds, whether insect
eating or seed-eating.
Then, too, there is nothing "sissifed"
about the hummingbird 1t fights at the
drop of a hat and will not tolerate
larger birds--and of course, all of them
are larger-around its nest. Fortunately
for the hummer, its nest Is so small that
most persons and birds never find 1t.
The petunia is best planted, for hum
mingbird attraction purposes, in a win
dow box
Here the birds like to come in the
evening, their favorite time.
AS one is seated behind the screen, the
hummers come up, and do not mind ones
presence in the least. Here it is possible
to hear the famous humming, which is
not very loud.
We have always had best results with
pink petunias.
Other plants which attract these birds
are the false dragon head, the scarlet
sage, and such vines as the cardinal
climber and the trumpet vine.
The cardinal climber is a small vine,
with deep red flowers. 1t is not as popu-
lar as 1t once was, but is still entitled to
a place on fence, If for no other reason
than that the hummingbirds Like it.
Red and pink gladioluses, by the way,
are best for attracting hummers.
X
Small glass tubes, or vials, filled with
sugar solution, will attract humming-
birds.
They also lure small insects.
These tubes could be easily purchased,
in the past, and probably will again be
on the market this spring. In the past
they were held with copper wire, which
is out" of course, but they could be
| held with string.
They are best attached to the branches
of some shrub which can easily be seen
from garden seats.
Some of these vials are highly colored
with fared mouths, but ordinary plain
| glass tubes may be used. They grow
very untidy looking unless some atten-
| ton is given to keeping them clean.
Evening star., 1943-02-23
Soldiers Three and Stranger
Meet by Chance at Press Club.

To the Editor Of The Star;
Wiseacres who consider themselves
authorities on military strategy might
read this factual story with profit.
An excellent spirit Of camaraderie per-
vades the National Press Club bar and,
stimulated by spirits or merely seeking
fellowship, it is not unusual to join
others, even strangers, at their tables.
These table visitations. prefaced with
tom there. So when espied the three
soldier boys, seated alone and not ap-
pearing too much at home, I asked if I
might join them. "Of course" they
said.
One, first lieutenant, was a short,
stocky fellow of about 35. He did most
Of the talking and seemed to be watch
ing out for his younger friends in a
fatherly way The second soldier was
q sergeant who had been a salesman in
civilian life. The third a second lieu
tenant, was about % and looked like a
movie star. This youngster was slender
and although seated, you could see he
was tall. His hands were milk white, with
long tapering fingers and well-groomed
nails. Inclined to be taciturn, he never
theless was cheerful and he laughed a
lot He had been an accountant before
going into the Army There was an in
definable toughness about his character
which belied his apparent physical
softness.
We talked about inconsequentials.
did not ask from whence they had come
or where they were going, realizing such
questions are highly improper and often
dangerous.
A tall, cadaverous- looking civilian
came to the table shortly and asked if he
might join the party. "Of course" The
cadaverous one was slightly tipsy, al
though by no means obnoxious. 1t soon
developed that he had definite ideas
about military strategy, Army procedure
and the right" program for defeating
the enemy This fellow, in fact, talked
with conviction about Rommel's future
movements, he was that brilliant. Among
his military obsessions was the number
of uniformed men In Washington. He
thought they all should be out In the
field, fighting,
The soldiers said nothing.
Now, as a matter of fact" the tipsy
one asked, wouldn't you fellows like to
be away from your desk Jobs, out in
action9 If were young again and in
the Army, that's where I would like to
be- 1t must get monotonous at desk
all day and, besides, they need young
fellows like you out in the field"
The soldiers continued to say nothing.
But the tipsy one persisted in his con-
victions about the right" program for
Evening star., 1943-02-23
Consideration Indicated

Herbert Hoover, speaking in New
York on Saturday, outlined a plan
for feeding the starving children of
the Axis occupied countries of Eu-
rope. Food supplies from South
America and ships of Swedish regis
try, the former President said, could
be enlisted toward the solution Of
a problem which unquestionably
troubles the heart Of every sensitive
American.
The issue, however, is complicated
by difflculty not easily hquidated,
Mr.. Hoover Is correct In his belief
Evening star., 1943-02-23

the Army to adopt, that program being,
naturally, his own.
After a while, the second lieutenant
asked: 'Where is the wash room?"
He was told it was just outside the
door at the rear of the bar.
But he did not stand up Immediately
Instead, his older comrade, seated be-
side him against the wall, stood up and
pushed the table out. The youngster re-
manned seated.
After putting the table aside, the first
lieutenant picked up pair of crutches,
heretofore unnoticed. He handed the
crutches to his brother officer who after
some commotion and with the assistance
of his soldier friends, at last stood up,
the crutches supporting him. He had
only one leg. The other had been shot
off in action.
The tipsy one gulped with astonish-
ment and slithered out into the darkness
perceptibly abashed.
EUGENE KELLY.
Evening star., 1943-02-23

deavor such as has not been mani
Reformation. Millions of people now
realize, as perhaps few did previously,
the imperative challenge of ignor-
ance and greed, intolerance and
cruelty to every soul.
When victory has been accom-
plished, American University will be
among those institutions rising to
meet this challenge. Meanwhile, the
golden jubilee of Bishop Hursts
foundation is being celebrated with
determination to carry on" through
the crisis as he would desire it to-
faithfully, confidently and success
fully,
Evening star., 1943-02-23
Address

@. In the current war, did the United
States or Germany declare war first?-
s. T. F.
A. Both declarations were made on
December II, 1941. The German dec
laration was delivered at noon, or 5
am. (E. S. To- while that of the United
States against Germany was signed by
the President at sos pm.
O. How long have checks been used?--
J. M
A. What is considered to be the oldest
check is dated August IA, 1875. 1t reads
as follows: MFR. Thomas ffowles. I de-
sire you to pay unto Mr.. Samuel Howard
on order upon receipt hereof the sumo
of nine pounds thirteene shillings and
sixe pence and place it to the account OF
Yr. servant, Edmund Warcupp."
@. Does the 17-year locust lay It's eggs
underground?-N. e. E.
A. The eggs are laid on trees, In mid
summer. In six or seven weeks they
hatch into larvae which drop to the
ground, bore into the soil, and live for
II years, sucking the sap from tree roots.
Afterward they bore to the surface and
emerge as adults. 27' T
@. What is the longest time that the
breath can be, ,held?-gW. S. H.
A. What is believed to be record was
established last year by Eugene J.
Frechette, jr.. student at Wesleyan
University, Middletown, Conn. He sue
ceeded in holding his breath for 40
minutes seconds.
@. Did Gen Knudsen receive his CONF
mission directly from civilian 1ife?-
B. j. D.
A. The War Department says that 1t.
stoned directly from civilian life on
January %, 1912
@. When and where was w. L. White,
author of They Were Expendable."
born?-W. B. P.
A. William Lindsay White was born
in Emporia, Kans., in 1900. He is the
son of the celebrated owner of the En-
poria Gazette, William Allen White.
@. What Is the area Of the Sargasso
Seam. D. C.
A. In August the Sargasso Sea In
cludes an area about 1000 by 1000 miles,
varying in distribution and density with
the seasons and weather. The area ro-
tates slowly. It's origin still is mystery,
@. What college did Helen Keller at
tend?-D. Y. K.
A. Radcliffe College. Because OF her
blindness her textbooks were printed In
Braille and she wrote examinations on
her typewriter.
@. Where Is Martin Luther buried2--
T. H.
A. Luther died on February 1s. 1546,
at Eisleben, where he had been born SO
years before. On February "a he was
inferred In the Castle Church at Wit
tenberg, where his life work had been
done.
Evening star., 1943-02-23
BOYS and Girls Wanted
To Help in Homes and Gardens.

To the Editor of the Star:
The children of the District have done
a fine job of collecting salvage. But
they could help wonderfully here II
they would organize to help the busy
mothers, whose husbands and grown
sons have gone off to war, to keep up
their homes and gardens. 1t is almost
impossible to get windows washed, and
even last summer, some people had to
cut their grass by electric light. We
always have been so proud of our city,
and because there is a war going on, we
don't want our houses to look like we
had just moved out.
GLADYS V. TAFT.
Evening star., 1943-02-23
Explanation of Few" Returns
OF Income Tax Blanks Suggested.

To the Editor of The Star:
I am rather amused at all the furor
about how few income tax returns have
been filed compared with last year and
the strange inference that this means
there will be tax strike
The lack of returns readily can be ex-
planned by an important change In the
tax law: The elimination of The re-
quirement that the return pe sworn to
before notary.
Hitherto, taxpayers who prepared their
returns late have had to wait in line
to swear to them or else pay a notary
for the service. But now taxpayer who
can make out his own return Goes not
need to consult any one, and can just
take his time about making out the re-
turn. There seems to be no reason why
any one should mail his return before
March ID or, If he Is afraid the mail will
be delayed, he can mail it on March 13
and be perfectly safe. Therefore, the
Treasury should look for an unprece-
dented number of returns to arrive on
March IA and IS. H. H. HOWE.
Evening star., 1943-02-23
Columnist's Criticism
Approved.

To the Editor Of The Star:
would like to commend Frank Kent's
splendid article in which he disagreed
with the theory that so long as our war
effort Is being carried out successfully,
all blundering and extravagances on the
part OF the administration should be
overlooked. III. spERRY.