davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1943-01-22
WESTERN AVENUE.

Dear Sir:
Il am a constant reader of This and
That, and confess it is the first thing I
turn to when I pick up my Star of an
evening
Your article deploring the careless
ness of some mortal souls. who have the
obnoxious habit of using the faces OF
those with whom they converse as a
backStop for the germs they so promis-
cuously spout forth, is timely.
AT this time, when we are all so
closely associated everywhere, especially
in public places, these careless folk are
a great menace, and too much stress
cannot be laid on the Importance of
being careful
1T is my misfortune to be compelled
to dine out Being fastidious patronize
one OF the best CafeteriaS in Washington.
The place is immaculate, the food very
good, if expensive. However, I am not
quawelmg with the expense angle, but I
cannot understand why the Health De-
partment permits these people, as we'll
as many others, running cafeterias in
Washington, to have their patrons dip
INTO general container for their silver
Il have stood in line and writhed at
the sight OF some one with cold blowing
his nose with nottoo-dry handker-
chief, or using the hands to cover his
mouth when coughing, and then imme-
diately dipping down into the container
to extract knives, forks and spoons.
This same condition exists in Gov
eminent cafeterias and is undoubtedly
most excellent and expedient way to
communicate disease.
Something must be done about it,
and that soon.
To change the subject, had a bird
visitor on Christmas morning 1t pecked
at the window where there was a holly
Wreath-Wanting the berries, no doubt
but flew away when it saw me.
1T was a beautiful gray bird with
fanliEe tail and light gray breast. I
think 1t was a catbird.
TT tapped on my window again few
days later, but became frightened when
it saw US in the room.
Il enjoy your column no end, and
have often wanted to write you and tell
you so.
Sincerely yours, E. G."
The bird which visited this correspond
ent on Christmas was a mockingbird.
not catbird
Catbirds have been gone from this
vicinity since the end of last October.
Unless, of course, our correspondent
was fortunate enough to be the host of
one of the rare catbirds which remain.
One was noted in Washington on
Christmas day, 1883, and one on Janu-
ary 13, 1839
In 1924 catbird was seen near the
Harvard street entrance of the National
Geological Park. This one was seen
from December 13, 1924, to January s,
1925.
One was later seen at feeding box
about block from that point. This was
on February 2. 1928.
Evening star., 1943-01-22
Efficiency Ratings" Condemned
BY Government EmplOye.

To the Editor OF The Star:
To improve the Federal service and
morale among Federal employees, I
would suggest the abolition of so-called
efficiency ratings, as it only gives
chance to petty chiefs to kill more time,
to vent personal grudges and play IA
Vorites, causing hereby many heart
breaks and nervous breakdowns. AS
most of the Government work does not
require any high degree of intelligence
nor unusual ability, and as the ability
to perform ones duties already has been
established by examination prior to ap-
pointment, there is no sense nor pur-
pose in efficiency ratings which have
nothing objective about them, but are
merely the subjective expression of per-
sonal likes and dislikes, a mere childish
Juggling with arbitrary plus signs and
minus signs
But until this silly efficiency rating
system is abolished safeguards should
be established to prevent its evil effects
by depriving the Board of Review of its
power to lower the rating of the appel
liant, by giving the latter the right to
appeal against unfair decisions, and bv
making it legally punishable for chiefs
or heads of bureaus to concoct false
testimony and underhandedly to in
fiuence the Board of Review against
appellants.
Evening star., 1943-01-22

about waist is warmer because It holds
body heat in better. Sleeves nay oe tied
at wrists also.
Drink large cupful of hot tea milk,
broth or plain hot water whenever you
feel chilled. 1t heats you quickly by
actually putting heat inside you.
A cold bed may be warmed IS min
utes before retiring with hot-water bag
or hot f1atiron, stovelid, or brick wrapped
in thick newspaper and placed first in
middle of bed and later at foot. Any Of
these may be left in bed all night but
should be wrapped carefully.
Flannel or fiannelette pajamas and
nlghtgoWnS are warmer than muslin.
Cotton or woolen socks help cold feet.
II cold linen sheets are too much of a.
shock, use cotton blankets or thin
Woolen ones. When you go to bed tuck
oeoclothes in under edge of mattress
on both sides from feet up to shoulders
and draw them snugly about neck-to
hold warmth in and keep the cold air
out. If bedclothes are not wide enough
to tuck in well, get wider spread or sheet
as top cover and tuck that in. If your
head feels the cold, wear a nightcap-
a knitted cap such as boys wear will
suit many persons, or one can be made
Of flannel or canton flannel or of silk.
Some men will need two, the outer of
unbleached muslin to hold the warmth
of the knit cap.
Children need fannelette pajamas and
socks, Or night suits with legs and feet
IN one piece.
EXPERIENCED.
Evening star., 1943-01-22

was an intensely practical person.
Her work demanded efficiency in
thought and deed, and she was equal
to it's rigorous requirements. Those
who knew her best always marveled
at the combination Of rich idealiSm
and quiet and matter-Of-fact skill
which characterized her career up to
the last.
But Sister Mary Elfrida would not
have desired a eulogy. She had her
earthly reward in the restored health
of her patients. Nothing else in this
world mattered to her very much.
The gratitude which multitudeS felt
for her labors she returned again in
terms Of increased love. Now she is
gone and Washington is the poorer
for her departure. What remains is
the example of her sacrifice, and
that will be a source Of inspiration to
other noble women for generations
to come.
Evening star., 1943-01-22
Pleasure Driving Check

by ordering preliminary inquiry
before suspected pleasure driving
VlolatorS are cited to local rationing
boards, District OPA Director Whit
ney Leary is introducing a welcome
reform.
Under this system, enforcement
officials will investigate each case
reported to the OPA, and no driver
Will be summoned for hearing unless
the possibility of violation is indi-
Gated by the evidence thus obtained.
The cityWide board proceedings
since the ban became effective nearly
two weeks ago have demonstrated
clearly the need for such action as
now is being taken. In many in
stances, car owners checked up when
parked near places Of amusement. or
under other circumstances that
pointed to a violation of the driving
order, have proved they were on
legitimate miSSiOnS-even at work
and although there was no difficulty
IN winning eXoneration, they were
inconvenienced by the hearings,
which also entailed a waste of time
by the boards.
Human nature being what it is,
there will be some violations of the
driving rule despite all efforts to the
contrary The great majority of the
public, however, is accepting the re-
striction with good grace, and seek
ing earnestly to comply. Officials
owe it to them to see that discretion
Is used in enforcement.
Evening star., 1943-01-22

time Of anxiety for the New Dealers.
The party is no longer flushed with
success at the polls. 1t took con-
siderable trimming in the November
elections for Congress and in many
Of the gubernatorial conteStS-al
though it succeeded in holding
slim control of the House. Mr.. Walker
has a real Job ahead of him to bring
into line disgruntled Democrats in
the West and the South, and some in
the industrial States of the East.
Evening star., 1943-01-22
Soldier Calls for Co-operati
In Sacrifices of Wartime.

To the Editor OF The Star:
I am disturbed about the story now
current that many people are troubled
over the new taxes. 1t seems to me that
if civilians earn the money they should
contribute through taxes without hesi-
tation
Take us, for instance We have a
story to tell and it is not a pretty one
A member of the Army Air Forces here
in Miami Beach, Fla, my salary is linn
tied.
AS a corporal I make $66 per month
less the usual deduction including my
War bond purchases and insurance. Next
month I have an opportunity to go home
on furlough but since my railroad fare
to Maine is over $50 guess will have to
walk part of the way.
But something deeper concerns me. 7
want to know just how my friends, now
overseas, are faring
I know that the Government is doing
its best in time of war And I will do
all I can to meet the emergency with a
smile. We all must make sacrifices and
the sooner we wake up to the fact that
we must cooperate, the sooner the end
of the difficult era" will be reached
Sure, We suffer But let us suffer to-
gether
That perpetual furlough' will come
some day, and when it does l shall en-
JOY it much the more,
CORPL. ROBERT BROCHu.
Evening star., 1943-01-22
Mr.. Wallace Steps Out

The move by Vice President Wal
lace and the Board of Economic
Warfare, after losing control Of rub
Der imports, to take over certain Of
the functions and personnel of
subsidiaries Of the Reconstruction
Finance Corporation should have
some interesting epercuSSiOnS.
Mr.. Wallace acted on the basis of
his authority as chairman of BEW.
after Rubber Administrator JefferS
had taken control of foreign rubber
development away from BEW and
given it to Jesse Jones' RFC Rubber
Reserve Corporation. Just what lay
behind this development is not clear,
but it is safe assumption that the
transfer was not to the liking of Mr.
Wallace and his BEW associates, who
have enjoyed something less than a
cordial relationship with Mr.. Jones.
The Vice President was not con-
tent to let the matter drop, however,
and within ten days after losing
control Of the natural rubber pro-
gram he issued an order transferring
the functions of four RFC agencies
to the BEW. The agencies affected
are the Defense Supplies Corpora
ton, the Metals Reserve Company,
the United States Commercial Com
pany and the Defense Plant Corpo-
ration, and, as further step, the
Wallace order directs that employees
Of these agencies engaged in negoti-
ating and administering contracts
for the purchase and import of
needed commodities be transferred
to the BEW payroll. Apparently it is
intended to seek Civil Service ap-
proval OF this transfer order, but,
pending such approval, the Wallace
order authorizes BEW to use the
Jones employees for its own work.
This, to say the least, is an excep-
tional state Of affairs. The activities
of Defense Plant Corporation, for
example, are almost wholly within
ClIAo COullCly, WIlIle LIE 1uICJlO0 OF
BEW is supposed to be limited to the
acquisition Of strategic and critical
materials from abroad. Yet Mr.,
Wallace, as head of BEW, has not
hesitated to take the corporation and
certain Of its employees away from
RFC. incidentally, it is said that
most of the employees of Defense
Plant are also doing other work for
RFC, and it remains to be seen
whether the latter will be content to
lose them to BEW.
For the time being, Mr.. Jones, who
certainly is not reconciled to this
raid on his establishment, is keeping
his counsel. The Vice President has
scooped up the ball and is running
with it, but ahead of him lies a
cloudy jungle land where official
authority is intermiXed and over
Tapped. Mr.. Wallace may find that
the going is too hard and turn back
OF his own accord. If not, 1t is a
reasonably safe assumption that Mr..
Jones will take hand in the game
before the final whistle blows.
Evening star., 1943-01-22
OSIAS L. SCHWARTZ.
Gives Practical Advice
For Cold Weather Comfort.
To the Editor OF The Star;


There are many helps toward keep
ing warm in a cold house. If usual
warm clothing is not enough, wear hat
or cap and overcoat or bathrobe or
both, or a shawl about the shoulders.
Sit away from windows which are the
coldeSt spots. The floor is next coolest.
Don't let little children play on the
floor even if on rug. Have low plat
form for them if possible, such as 4-foot
square plywood on pasteboard boxes, or
fix a playpen on large bed, Guard
against fallsD
Put insoles in shoes Several thick
nasses Of newspaper will do Clothing
fastened about mack and hatted close
Evening star., 1943-01-22
SAMUEL IRWIN.
Sees Last" Year q Subject
OF Concern i'm Remote Future.
To the Editor OF The Star:

To the Editor OF The Star:
If for the sake of getting little more
tax money into the Treasury, and for
the sake of making it little easier for
the taxpayers to pay, we should write off
all taxes for 1912, we undoubtedly would
get more money in 1943 and it would be
easier for the taxpayers.
But what would We do when the last
year comes? At the end of the last year,
say some 10000 or 100000 years from
now, we would still have the 1912 taxes
unpaid and that seems to be the only
way we would suffer.
W. STANLEY FREEMAN.
Evening star., 1943-01-22
Chairman Walker

Postmaster General Frank c.
Walker, new chairman of the Demo-
cratic National Committee, began his
administration of the party's ma
tional organization with an effort to
breath new life into the politically
Wavering New Deal. describing the
"thirties" - during which the New
Deal took fornl-as "the glorious
decade"
Many Americans, who have watched
with concern the Capitalization Of
power in Washington the vast dis
tribution of Government subsidies,
the restrictions which have been
placed upon business enterprise, and
who have felt the increasing weight
of the hand Of the Federal tax collec-
tor, will dissent from Mr.. Walkers
description of the last decade. Yet
from the point Of view Of those who
believe the time has come in this
country when the people must rely
upon Government for nearly every
thing that touches their daily lives
the description is apt
Indeed. MI Walker himself sound
ed the keynote for these gentlemen.
For he said: Write it down as the
glorious decade in which the friendly
hand Of the Government in Wash
ington reached into every humble
American home to bring security and
confidence to families stricken with
adversely and dismayed by the fears
of fresh disaster" The hand Of Gov
eminent, however, has not been so
friendly where American business
enterprise is cOncerned-enterprise
which in the past has given the
people Of America the opportunity to
make an advance which has been the
wonder Of the world, and which today
is making possible a tremendous con-
tribution toward the winning OF the
war
II is not unnatural however, that
the new national chairman should
feel as he Goes. Three times Presi-
dent Roosevelt has been elected on a
New Deal platform. Mr. Walker has
been an ardent supporter Of the
President ever since he took lead
ing part in helping to win PennSyl-
vanias big delegation for Mr.. ROoSe-
welt during the Democratic National
Convention in 1882. He also went
along with the President on the third
term after his predecessor had
refused to do SO.
A year and a half hence there IS to
be another Democratic National Con-
vention at which another Preslden-
tial nomination Will be made There
Is no slightest doubt that with Mr.
Walker at the helm, the proper steps
will be taken to see that a majority
of the delegates will be New Deal
supporters.
Mr.. walker IS an amiablc man. He
has a host Of friends He will gain
more as he travels about the country
as national chairman and Pos.mas-
ter General. He is also tenacious
man. From the New Deal point Of
view, no better selection for national
chairman could have been made, He
Will stick as closely to the New Deal
as the President himself. But like
the President he is not unaware Of
present unpopularity, in many quar-
ters. Of the New Deal administration
And like the President, he is already
throwing out fcelers in the hope Of
renewing old friendships and tics
that have become strained.
The new chairman takes over at a
Evening star., 1943-01-22
Bread Slicing Problem
Seriously Considered.
EXPERIENCED.

10 Ihe EQlIor OF Ihe Star:
OF more concern than the rationing
OF sugar or the ban on driving to the
movies is the new sacrifice-slicing our
own bread.
Though the Chetnik bands of Yueo-
slavia, at latest reports, have learned
10 break their loaves-a little to each
soldier, and though the Albanians al
ways served their bread in pieces even
In peacetime, to the American this is a
new problem and must be met.
A booklet survey of human habits
showing how other nations survive
without sliced bread, and how to eat
substitutes such as spaghetti, etc, might
be issued for those overcome by the
new demand
Evening star., 1943-01-22
ChiIdren's Favorite songs One

Children's Favorite S ongs-One
hundred and eighteen nursery songs,
singing games, folk songs, patriotic
songs and Sunday school hymns,
complete with words and music. The
arrangements are in keys within the
range of children's voices. Among
the singing games included are-"The
Farmer in the Dell" The Mulberry
Bush" "Oats, Peas, Beans and Bar
ley Grow; London Bridge" "Old
Macdonald Had a Farm" and many
others The book Is bound in dur
able, gay-colored cover and is illus
trated Indexed for quick reference.
To secure your copy of this publtca-
ton inclose 25 cents in coin, wrapped
in this clipping, and mail to The Star
Information Bureau.
Name
Address
Evening star., 1943-01-22
Letters to the Editor

Letters to the Editor must
bear the name and address of
the 1Uriter, although the use of
a pSeudonyn1 for publication is
permissible. The Star reserves
the right to edit all letters NTH
a Uie1O to condensation.
Evening star., 1943-01-22

Q. What is the highest price ever
paid for seat on the New York Stock
Exchange?-W. S. A.
A The highest price at which mem
bership was transferred on the New York
Stock Exchange was on February 7,
1929, for s625, 900.
O. Who fired the first gun of the
Spanish American War2-F. w. c.
A. The first gun of the Spanish
American War was fired on April %,
1898, by the u S. S. Nashville across
the bow of the Buena Ventura, a Span
iSh merchantmen.
@. Why did the fairy select glass slip
pers for Cinderella?-T o. H.
A. In the original story Cinderella
had sable slippers, since sable was worn
only by royalty. The translator mistook
"vair," meaning sable, for "verre," mean
ing glass. -.-.s.. .-.
@. Is 1t true that patents are often
purchased by companies to prevent their
use?-B. T.
A. The Temporary National Economic
Committee in Monograph No. 81, cited
many instances of this kind.
@. What is the largest turkey known9
"A H
A. The largest turkey of which we
have any record was one exhibited by
Snowman at the Mississippi State Fair
in Jackson, Miss, in 1887 1t weighed
200 pounds and was Az feet tall.
@. Who invented the automat?-
w C. D.
A. 1t was invented by Max SielafY
and exhibited in Germany in 1896.
similar invention appeared In Sweden
about the same time. The first restau-
rant Of this kind in the United States
was opened in Philadelphia in 1907.
@. Where is the largest Indian reser-
vation?-K. C. A.
A. The largest Indian reservation h
the Navajo in Arizona, New Mexico, and
Utah, consisting of 16,617,o4s acres.
G. Why was the picture of Dc witt
Clinton chosen for the cigarette TAX
stamp?-C. T. P.
A. Although definite information In
not available, it is presumed that De
Witt Clinton's picture was placed on
the cigarette tax stamps because the
year 1876, in which the Internal Revenue
regulations required the issuance OF ths
cigarette stamp was the 5oth ami
versary Of the opening Of the Erie Canal
Of which De Witt Clinton was the chief
promoter.
@. Did the natives of Hawaii prac-
tice cannibalism?-E. A.
A. Cannibalism was unknown in the
Hawaiian Islands.
Evening star., 1943-01-22

The Ruml pay-aS-you-go plan is
not to be confused with the Rommel
plan. even though ROmmel is con-
tinualIy on the go, backwards, and
pays heavily for it.
Evening star., 1943-01-22
To the Editor NJ The star

To the Editor of The Star.
AS a newcomer in Washington I am
impressed by the courteous and cheerful
service of Capital Transit employees I
find their enduring and efficient work
source of daily inspiration.
From the bright morning crowds to
the weary homegoers and through
multitude of questions the patience OF
the drivers holds.
May we long enjoy this splendid CO.
operation!
APPRECIATIVE PASSENGER,
Evening star., 1943-01-22

Long before Chile broke with the
AXIS it had been giving their diplo-
mats q Chile reception.
Evening star., 1943-01-22
Readers Discuss Transit Service
From Different Angles.

To the Editor of The Star:
think the year has come for the
Capital Transit people to wash the
windows of their buses and streetcars
They are dirty inside and out and have
been so for over six months. They were
clean when the bus or streetcar was new,
but not once have I known them to be
clean since.
Manpower shortage might be an ex-
cuse, but they seem to be able to have
attendants enough at the track switches
and general sweeping crews when snow
and ice come along.
FRANK S. OAKLEY.
Evening star., 1943-01-22
Member of the Associated Press

a., Inc Associated Press is exclusively cult.cd 10
w use IoF fepuoncatlon OF &li news dispalcnes
paper bba ara also the local news published hcroIn
herein also are reserved N7'0'' '~''e'
Evening star., 1943-01-22

O. Who were the parents Of Robert
Trumbull who wrote The Raft"?-
D. S. r.
A. The father of Robert Trumbull
was Ollie Mack of the Irish comedy team
of Murray 6z Mack. His mother was the
former actress Sydney Hamilton who is
now an art designer in Los Angeles. His
father is dead.
Evening star., 1943-01-22

Q. OF what metal is the new l-cent
piece being made?-P. S.
A. The new l-cent piece Of the same
size and design as the present coin will
be made of zinc-coated steel.
Evening star., 1943-01-22

@. Is it true that emeralds must be
mined by hand?-E. L. H.
A. Emerald crystals are very fragile
until ripened by exposure to the air,
For this reason they must be removed
from the mine by hand and machinery
cannot be used.
Evening star., 1943-01-22

@. Who fired the first gun of the
Spanish American War?-F. w. c.
A. The first gun of the Spanish
American War was fired on April %,
1898, by the U. S. S. Nashville across
the bow of the Buena Ventura, a Span
ish merchantmen.
Evening star., 1943-01-22
Huskin's Answers
To Questions
BIZ Frederic J. HdSkin.

reader can get the unstoer to any
question OF fact by t0riting The Epe-
nina Star Information Bureau, Fred
eric J. HGSkin, director, Washington,
D. C. Please incloSe stamp tor return
postage.
@. Do the owl, rattleSnake and prairie
dog share the same burrow?-E. d. l.
A. Although this is commonly re-
ported, it is untrue. Rattlesnakes prey
upon the young of the prairie dog and
the latter makes short work OF the owl.
Evening star., 1943-01-22

Q. Did the natives OF Hawaii prac-
tice cannibalism?-E A.
A. Cannibalism was unknown in the
Hawaiian Islands.
Evening star., 1943-01-22

@. Why did the fairy select glass slip
pers for Cinderella?-T o. H.
A. In the original story Cinderella
had sable slippers, since sable was worn
only by royalty. The translator mistook
'vair," meaning sable, for "verre," mean
ing glass. rrs..
Evening star., 1943-01-22

Address
Evening star., 1943-04-18

in use can be made wholly public. 1t
would not be desirable for anyone to
wait on the sidewalk and simply open
the door of any already occupied taxi
which happened to stop nearby. The
interior of a taxi is too shut-in and
hidden; the city is too noisy. too I'M
aware, to promise protection.
Suggested fss Safety
AMONG suggestions for protective
measures one from a Great Lakes
city suggests that certain taxi driv-
ers of high character be appointed
wardens, wear especial uniforms or
arm bands and have an emblem on
their cars. With these drivers any
combination of passengers could ride
in safety. For that matter, it seems to
me that it would be perfectly safe to
ride in taxi sedan of a recognized
company. Any car. which has plenty
of windows, and in which the driver Is
seated inside with his passengers, in
stead of outside and divided from
them by a partition, should be safe.
Another taxi safety-angle concerns
the young. woman-v volunteer worker
who must 60 home through long dark
streets or blacked-out parkways. She
can be very safe in the taxi of a reoog-
nized company or well known garage,
if she will fasten the doors, and put up
the windows too far for anyone to
reach in and open the door.
Released By Ths Zen Syndicate. Ina