davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1943-04-17
THIS AND THAT
By Charles E. Trdce1DeH.

ago, and have set out number besides,
mainly dwarf apples and pears.
Some of the roses bought have died
down to the sweet briar root, and / have
allowed one big sweet briar to remain,
which is covered in the fall with clusters
of tiny red pips.
Altogether, not withstanding my two
cats, it makes almost bird sanctuary.
*% *+
Half dozen pairs of cardinals, blue
jays in great numbers, mockingbirds.
sparrows of various kinds, English pre-
dominating; starlings and other birds
frequent my place, and many of them
nest here, either in the trees or in the
thorny ramblers
Last year seemed to be rather robin
year, although We have not seemed to
have had them to any extent before.
This year. however, have noticed one
robin that seems to be different from the
rest. noticed him first the night of the
6-inch snow, perched in black mulberry
tree just back of the house, and although
it was dusk, his breast seemed to glow
more redly than that of most American
robins.
Also he was singing as it showed
Il have seem him many times since,
hopping around Enthusiastically and
pulling invisible earthworms from the
ground as robins do. or perched along
the driveway by my side windows on the
east, but always alone
x
Sometimes he chirps as If he were
calling for another robin, but so far none
has come.
His breast is nearly as red as the male
cardinal and puffed out so that he looks
very fat.
The fluff below it is light. l have
wondered if he could be some other
variety robin, but he perches mainly on
the same side of the house, though not
in the same tree, where a pair of robins
brought up two broods of young last year.
Il watched them a great deal but my
main interest was in the nestlings-as
to the number, their feeding, learning to
fly, and whether the cats, who used to
like to run up those trees, were at all a
menace to the little birds
L certainly did not notice any differ
ence in the male birds from any other
robins then. but it might have existed.
However, I have wondered if this very
fat, red-breasted bird could be an Eng
lish robin, and if So if he would find a
mate among our native robins.
Il have seen no other robins this wear
on my place.
Yours for the birds and the flowers,
"G r."
The cardinal which few in the window
at night must have been a pet specimen,
which had been rescued by some one last
summer and brought up "by hand" in
the house.
The European robin is technically a
warbler. 1t is about 5 = inches long and
very plump
The American robin is a member of
the thrush family, and is 10 inches long.
Evening star., 1943-04-17

just, may prove unjust; that he may do
so because, in the long run, legislation
and administration reflect Americas
strength as well as our individual, human
weaknesses; that, in the long run, there
has been and there always will be equal
ity of rights, there has been and there
always will be equality Of opportunity.
there has been and there always will be
equality before the law.
Yes, these years have taught us that
this is Goods country" We know our
America!
America! She gives to every one the
right to rise;
To take part in making equal laws;
To hold his neighbor equal to himself;
To speak the truth, resent lie;
To serve no man or master, but by
toll,
To earn the right to call himself =
man."
Gods country?" Yes! A country that
never can. nor ever again viii try to.
escape its destingl r. z. WENzEL.
Evening star., 1943-04-17
On Being Sent q
1umbIeweed

Here on the dark marble OF the old
fireplace
You come to rest tncongruous
gift
To the East from the ipide regions OF
the West
The bleached color of the desert sand
is yours.
Lifted, you seem to float upon the
hand.
Along the insubstantial branch pale
1DingS
Are opened and empty on the air.
The seed has made the story whole.
No1O the brittle skeleton
Flo1Us to meet its unseen goal,
FOLLOWING the shape of some invisible
mind,
Lying reluctant and alone,
Like a 7,e,p-fdllen tree
Cdrued from thin iUory and bone.
SARA VAN ALSTYNE ALLEN. !.
Evening star., 1943-04-17
SATURDAY.
Getting Out of Debt

Little beyond maintenance is pro-
vlded in the District appropriation
bill, reported yesterday to the House.
New construction is out for the war.
Taxes remaining the same, this con-
dition ordinarily would result in the
accumulation of a substantial sur
plus, representing what cannot be
spent because Of the unavailability
of materials. The avoidance of this
prospective surplus is one of the few
interesting parts of the bill just re-
ported.
Instead or setting the money aside
Tor rainy day-a sterile investment,
as the money would draw no inter-
est-the House Appropriations Com
mlttee wisely agreed with the Com
missioners to apply it to retirement
Of the Districts debt to the National
Government. This debt will amount
to $11.332,OOO at the close of the
current fiscal year and the pending
District bills stepped-up payment of
$6,500,000 (S2.8O0,OOO is being repaid
this year, will reduce it to S4,832 900.
1t is believed that this is sound
policy. After the war there is going
to be great accumulation of unmet
demands for normal community ex-
pansion, and it is probable that one
method of fighting postwar unem-
ployment will be through public
works During the years succeeding
the depression, the National Govern
ment'S policy of grants and loans has
been helpful to the District, as we'll
as to many other communities. The
Districts ability to take advantage
Of such policies after the war will be
increased if the slate can be wiped
clean now.
The advantages of public works
construction through the loan-and-
grant basis. shared by the National
Government with the local communi-
ties, are evident in reviewing some of
the advances made over the past
thirteen years. The District was not
always placed, as a borrower, in as
favorable a position as many other
local communities. But of about S3O.-
100000 received on the loan or loan
and-grant basis since 1880, the total
Indebtedness, including principal and
interest, amounted to something less
than S21 10000 At the end of 1914,
as stated above, payment of interest
and principal will have reduced this
debt to $4,832 900. While some local
tax reduction would be doubly well
come now, because of mounting Fed
eral taxes, it probably is better in
the long run to get out of debt while
the opportunity to do so is present.
This years hearings on the Dis
trlct bill reflect a courtesy and sim
cerity on the part of the subcom-
mlttee handling the bill that make
such a welcome change in attitude
from some of the performances in
the past. One feels that Chairman
Mahon, Representative Stefan. the
ranking minority member, and their
colleagues were actuated by a real
desire to be helpful and fair to the
people of the District. While no
appropriation bill is ever free of
some controversy, differences of
opinion were at least based on prin-
clple and not prejudice.
Evening star., 1943-04-17
Japanese-Americans Defended
Against Suggestion of Disloyalty.

To the Editor Of The Star:
Thousands of American born japanese
already wearing the uniform of Uncle
Sans Army and many others who re-
Gently have enlisted following removal
of the temporary ban on their acceptance
will be dismayed by the ill-considered
words just uttered by 1t. Gen. John l..
De Witt, chief of the Western Defense
Command.
Gen. De Witt, opposing sentiment fa-
voring the return of some Japanese
Americans to the West Coast, made the
astonishing statement that "Jap's a
Jap" regardless of whether he is an
American citizen or not.
Gen. De Witt rightly says that being
American is not simply matter of hav-
ing piece of paper testifying to ones
citizenship. He should remember, how
ever, that neither is it matter of ones
facial features, complexion or whether
ones parents happened to be Eskimos
or Hottentots. The Americans of Japa-
nese extraction to whom Gen. De Witt
refers were born In American surround
ings, brought up in the free American
atmosphere and educated in American
ideals. Relatively few of them even
learned the language of their parents
Most of these Japanese Americans
have had but one desire since Pearl
Harbor-to prove their loyalty and their
Americanism. Those on the West Coast
accepted evacuation without grumbling.
Many would have volunteered for Army
service had they not been banned. Now
that the ban at last has been lifted, q
Japanese American combat force is be-
ing organized which will fight for Uncle
Sam with q morale and courage equal to
those of any other unit of our Army.
BY its action, the Army has given
vote Of confidence to the Americans of
japanese descent. That is why 1t is
particularly untimely and unfortunate
that Gen. De Witt has seen fit to make
statement at odds with the policy
adopted by the War Department and the
Government.
CLARKE n. KAWAKAAlI.
Evening star., 1943-04-17
Farm Subsidies

The House. in an unexpected move
has given left-handed Endorsement
to Secretary Wickard's plan to use
$l00000,000 for incentive payments
to growers Of certain war crops whose
production exceeds specified mini
NUNS.
This action came after consider
able debate, devoted principally to
criticism of Mr. Wickard for prom
Using" incentive payments to farmers
without first obtaining congressional
approval of this proposed use of
funds. The debate also made it
clear, however, that, so far as none
tary inducements are concerned,
increased production of food crops
must be obtained either through
higher prices or some kind of incen-
tive plan. And, despite the sentiment
In Congress for increased prices, Mr..
Wickard is on sound ground in
preferring the incentive payment
method.
Under normal conditions there
would be ample reason to object to
any new farm subsidies. But with
the Governments wage and price
stabilization effort hanging in such
delicate balance, it seems essential
to avoid further advances in the cost
OF food, even at the expense of sub
sides. The justification for these
payments lies in the assumption
that, with respect to the specified
war crops, farmers will have to incur
unusually high costs in expanding
their output beyond current levels.
If we are to get this enlarged pro-
duction, and it is urgently needed,
there must be some means OF COM
pensating the farmers for their in
creased costs. To boost prices paid
by consumers would certainly tend
~.
Evening star., 1943-04-17
CHEVY CHASE, Md.

Dear Sir:
Last night about $50 o'clock things
were very quiet at my house. My hus-
band was out OF town and the children
were tucked in bed, and I was catching
up on back correspondence.
Suddenly there was quite conmo-
ton at the window. Some one or some
thing was beating on the pane. took
deep breath and advanced to the win
dow, put up the shade, and there.
demanding entrance, was a lovely car
dinal
HE waited, not too patiently, for me to
unlock the window, and open it, then
came right in, and made himself at
home. He stood on the radiator for a
few minutes to warm his feet, suppose,
and then flew from room to room trying
out every available perch.
1T was quite temptation to put out
the lights and 60 to bed, leaving him
posed on the old clock on the mantel Che
seemed to realize that he looked best
there) but I was afraid that with the
dawn he might realize that he had re-
sponsibilities elsewhere and injure him.
self batting against the walls and ceiling.
With the help of some neighbors, and
after letting in considerable cold winds,
we were able to get Mr.. Cardinal out into
the night
1T was lonely after he was gone. but
felt that I had done right in insisting
that he 60 back to the trees
Sincerely, j. L. M
Evening star., 1943-04-17
designations at owl

Inc ffteen men and women writer's
who have resigned from the Office
of War Information summarize their
issue as being 'the deep and funda-
mental one of the honest prepara-
ton Of war information" They
make it controversial by the expla-
nation that I'VE are leaving because
1t is impossible for us, under those
who now control our output, to tell
the full truth" Director Elmer
Davis, naturally, does not agree with
them and it is rather obvious that
the Owl dispute was at least compli-
Gated by some clash of personalities
The far broader issue, which is not
raised, involves the character of "war
information" which should be i'm
parted to the American people by
Owl, or any other such Government
agency, regardless of the honesty of
those in charge of preparing it..
1t is in this field, the field of
deciding where to draw the line in
making information available to the
public, that Mr.. Davis must exercise
the wisdom of a Solomon if he is to
make his office serve a really useful
purpose.
In the past the Owl has not hesi-
tated to issue war information to the
American people on subjects where
honest preparation" is not so much
a question Of fact as it is of opinion.
The Owls recent 12o-page booklet on
Battle Stations for All-The Story
of the Fight to Control Living Costs"
is submitted as case in point. This
interesting booklet is a very skill
fully prepared argument in support
of the administrations policy in
controlling living costs. But it is
one-sided, remaining silent on some
truths while eXtolling others.
1t is, in other words, propaganda
for the American people, doubtless
issued with honest convictions. But
1t is not the sort of war informa-
ton" which should bear the seal of
the United States Government. The
Governments official version of it's
tight to control living costs, if it
wants one, should be confined to
photography Of official acts by the
Government. And the judgment of
the people, as to the wisdom and
rectitude of its course, should be left
for them to form, without Govern
ment influence.
Unless the line is drawn between
factual information and information
issued to adorn the chosen facts. we
shall add to the existing evil of
Government sources of
TACT the even more dangerous evil of
Government Interpretation of the
facts. The control of news sources in
the executive departments and
agencies OF Government is to an ex-
tent justified by the war emergency.
The chief purpose of Mr.. Davis office,
in the field of domestic information,
should be to make this control func-
ton wisely and intelligently in the
public interest. When the Owl
leaves this field, as it has done in the
past, to experiment in molding public
opinion it gets on dangerous ground.
If the resignation of the fifteen
writer's leads to careful re-examina-
ton OF Owl policy in this respect,
they will have rendered a public
service.
Evening star., 1943-04-17

to break down the administrations
latest effort at wage stabilization.
But to Offset the added cost through
the so-called incentive payments,
while ultimately chargeable to the
public, would not be reflected imme-
diately in higher food costs. In these
circumstances it seems evident that
Mr.. Wickard is taking the best way
out of a bad situation.
Evening star., 1943-04-17

IT all those bright new dimes the
late John D. Rockefeller gave to
caddies and such could have been put
into a mile of Dimes" the oil magnet
could have reeled of mile in short
order all by himself.
Evening star., 1943-04-17

Scientists state that half peanut
contains all the extra calories needed
for the energy demands of an hour of
brain work. Tell that to the average
baseball bleacher fan who must mas
ter-mind for his home team for
couple Of hours. A whole bagful
scarcely replaces the expended men,
tai energy.
Evening star., 1943-04-17
Mother of Three Enlisted Boys
Urges More Planes for Gen. Macarthur.

urges wore PldneS Tor zen. Macarthur.
To the Editor OF The Star:
I hope you find space to print these
few words from mother who has three
sons fighting in the Pacific somewhere" )"
I'm proud they are there doing their bit.
They also are buying bonds each month
and sending them home.
Yes, I'm proud of those sons out there
facing death. They are proud to be
there, but am not proud to think that
they lack sufficient planes and ammuni-
ton to fight with.
Gen. Macarthur still begs for more
planes. For Gods sake, send him planes
and more planes. We have them So
why is he denied what he needs over
there to protect our boys and our
country? A MOTHER,
Evening star., 1943-04-17

Hitler is said to have called in the
leaders OF his Balkan satellites "for
conference" These political bellhops
will probably heed the summons this
time-perhaps several more times
but eventually Adolf will discover
bench emptied of those who have
gone elsewhere for better Jobs.
Evening star., 1943-04-17
Huskin's Answers
To Questions
By Frederic J. H1sEtn.

A reader can get the ans,ner to any
question OF fact by ,Driting The Epe-
ming Star Information Bureau, Fred
eric J. Haskin, director, Washington.
d. c. Please inclose stamp for return
postage.
@. What was the amount OF the total
sales OF War bonds and War stamps last
year?-F. L. w.
A. The total sale of War bonds. series
E, F and G, in 1912 amounted to $685.
SAL 900. The total sale of War stamps
in 1912 amounted to 1858 ,254,000.
@. What is the name OF the rare plant
that grows only in the mountains OF
HaWaii?-N. T. G.
A. 1t is the mamaki, a paper null
berry.
@. What Is walk-over race?-J D. E.
A. 1t is stake race in which all
horses entered except one have been
withdrawn, leaving that horse to walk
over the distance and be credited with
a win.
Evening star., 1943-04-17

The Japs claim many sinkings Of
American ships-but when the truth
comes out, it in turn sinks most OF
thesaeclaims.
Evening star., 1943-04-17

". is tne EngllSn language Taught III
Japanese schools?-E. L. H.
A. English is taught in Japan's high
schools.
@. Please give the dimensions of the
largest lobster ever caught on the East
Coast.-L. L..
A. According to Fish and Wildlife
Service, the largest lobster on record
weighed AZ pounds 7 ounces dive
weight 1t was feet 5i2 inches long,
19al inches girth.
@. Did any members of the Roman
Catholic Church participate in the draft
ing of the Constitution or sign their
names to it's. H.
A. OF the Signers of the, Constitution,
Thomas Fitzsimmons and Daniel Carroll
were Roman Catholics.
O. How is it possible for person to
hold his breath for 20 minutes?-A, w. S.
A. The laboratory technique calls for
the subject to overbreathe for three
minutes and then to inhale three deep
breaths of pure oxygen. After that the
subject who receives no other special
chemical aid sits as quietly as possible
without breathing.
@. What kind Of dog Is husky7-
o. B. F.
A. These dogs are the result OF cross
ing Eskimo dogs, which probably have
considerable wolf inheritance, with SUCH
breeds as Great Dane, Newfoundland or
German shepherd.
t. When was the game OF cribbage
invented?-J. T. G.
A. Cribbage seems to be an improved
form of a game called 'noddy" invented
by Sir John Sucking in the 18th century.
@. Are men or women more subject
to sunburn?-M. r. j.
A. Blondes are much more sensitive
than brunettes to sunlight, and women
are less sensitive than men.
@. What was the real name Of Molly
Pitcher?-S. r. V.
A. Mary Ludwig. She first married
John Hays and he was the husband
whose place she took when he was
wounded while manning cannon. The
name Molly Pitcher derived from the
fact that she carried water in a pitcher
to the thirsting soldiers of the Revolu-
tionary War.
O. On what night of the week do most
people listen to the radio?-J. J.
A. The largest number of persons
listen on Sunday evening between and
IL pm.
O. Are many teachers receiving
salaries less than $500 year?-R l.. T. =
A. For the school year 1923 the
number of $4,000, or nearly in every l00s
@. Does a deserter from the Army
lose his citizenship?-L. S. D. =,
A. The War Department says that a
deserter from the Army in time of war
is deprived of citizenship. -.
@. Who invented III ampag p
S. M. P.
A. Dom Pierre Perigon, Benedictine
monk in the Abbey of Hautvilliers.
France, discovered the process of putt
ting the bubbles in the wine Of that
region more than $50 years ago. W.
2u
G. Is it true that saccharin may cause
cancer?-I w. B. ,iq
A. The National Cancer Institute says
there is no evidence indicating that
saccharin is concerned in the cauSation
of cancer While it is true that some
chemicals derived from coal tar ar1
known to cause cancer in man and ex-
perimental animals, experimental work.
has shown that hundreds of such chem
icals are devoid Of cancer-p producing
properties ~
Evening star., 1943-04-17
Letters to the Editor

Letters to the Editor must
bear the name and address of
the 1Uriter, although the use of
a pseudonym for publication is
permissible. The Star reserves
the right to edit all letters Nth
UielU to condensation.
Evening star., 1943-04-17

Map of the United States-Printed
in five colors, 21 by % inches in size.
The reverse side is filled with timely
material such as insignia of the Army,
Navy and Marine Corps; 1910 popula-
ton figures of States and 200 leading
cities; six economic maps; travel dis
tance table. Invaluable to those who
wish to familiarize themselves with
their country. A thorough grasp OF
geography is a first requisite of good
citizenship. To secure your copy in
close Is cents in coin, wrapped in this
clipping, and mail to The Star In
formation Bureau.
| Name
Address
Evening star., 1943-04-17

Dear Sir.
Like many other subscribers to The
Star, read your articles every evening.
"Of course, outside the District there
must be more birds than in the center OF
the city. Also, have two lots, each so
by 200 feet, and have allowed a number
Of native trees, black and white mulberry,
as well as some ash trees, to grow.
There were several fruit trees on the
place when I bought it nearly IL years
Evening star., 1943-04-17

G. Is the English language taught in
Japanese schools?-E. L. H.
A. English is taught in Japan's high
schools.
Evening star., 1943-04-17
WEST KIRKE STREET.

Dear Sir:
Robins, robins, robins!
Three every day. Stayman's winesap
apples are the bait. put out three every
day. I cut them in half and stick them
on wire nails driven vertically in the
window sill.
THE robins and meckingbirds are the
only ones which eat the apples; but they
come every day and many times a day
They eat every scrap of apple and carry
away the skin
Il have another kind of apple 1t is
the size OF an apple, made of peanut but
ter and suet and bird seed, and all the
birds eat thls-the goldfinches, the nut
matches, the chickadees especially.
This apple was present to me. I
should think such an apple could be
made by anybody There is a 2-inch
square of wire netting in the center to
hold it together.
Yours truly, L. V. NJ"
X
Evening star., 1943-04-17

@. Please give the dimensions of the
largest lobster ever caught on the East
CoaSt.-L. L.
A. According to Fish and Wildlife
Service, the largest lobster on record
weighed AZ pounds ounces dive
weight. 1t was feet 5l2 inches long,
18a4 inches girth.
Evening star., 1943-04-17


afford. But the important thing is that
l was permitted to discover for myself
that all OF these suggestions were as false
to my" America as they were fatal to
my own, individual well-being.
And so, today, as those who bear my
name and those of my neighbors make
history in the very outposts of our So
called civilization, feel reasonably GER
tain why they have gone, and what they
have gone to do. The years upon this
American soil, under the American way
OF lfe," have taught us all a definite
and distinct philosophy.
They have taught us that flesh, blood.
JOY. heartache, aspiration, hope, despair,
failure and success make no distinction
between creeds or cults, between races
or religions-between capital and labor.
plenty and penury, Catholic and Protest.
ant, Jew and Gentle. They have taught
us that no man can develop into a
farmer and succeed with the methods of
the fisherman; that no man can pass
as an expert plumber, having studied
only the textbooks provided for the
preacher; that no man can gain recog-
milton or make reputation as surgeon
when his whole capacity, training and
experience fit him only as stevedore.
But these years have taught us, also,
that within the limits Of our respective
abilities, aspirations and willingness to
work, any man here, in America, may
reach the very height Of his fullest
capacity for service and achievement:
that he may do 50. notwithstanding the
fact that, temporarily, there may be
selfishness. inefhciency or even dishon-
esty In some department Of Government:
that he may do so. Notwithstanding the
fact that, for : time, laws intsnded to be