davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1943-07-19
SILVER SPRING, Md.

Dear Sir:
"As one who enjoys outdoor life and
who loves animals and birds, I often see
amusing and interesting things in my
own back yard; here are some I have
noted:
"A while back, colored boy was raking
up trash and fallen leaves. He called
me, I just killed snake!' said, Funny
how every one wants to kill a snake?
How big was it?' He answered, oh
about as big as a good sized stick I'm
but good sized stick might be fence
post or telephone pole; anyway was
expecting something big.
"As walked toward him, he dragged
the dead snake from the pile, and said,
Here 1t is now. 1t was just the size of a
lead pencil.
Late in the afternoon few days ago,
I saw in the driveway robin pounding
away at something that had Tapping
wings, he would peck and peck and then
stab, and jump high in the air out of the
way OF tnOSe vigorous wings.
Il thought to myself Very soon he
will have killed that big butterfly or
moth, and then have a feast
But the onslaught continued so I
walked over to find out, and believe it
or not, it was baby bat, half dead and
chattering away. Nearby was another,
already dead, but I do not believe the
robin had killed it, for it did not look
battered
THE bird certainly would not eat the
bat, If it could kill it, so I picked it UP
carefully and placed 1t head up against
the bark OF big tree But that tiny bat
knew enough to turn himself right
around upside down with care, for
naturally his hooks and eyes must point
downward. 1 hope his mother found
him later, but how did her babies get
lost?
"a feeding shelf for the birds was our
great joy all winter A flock of blue
birds, often nine or ten at time, and
many other birds, we're our daily visitors
Il think the bluebirds we're my pets,
partly because l never had so many
before, and then they were so friendly
and did not quarrel, though they did
make faces at each other.
"On the shelf at all times were sun
flower seeds and other seeds, bread and
cracker crumbs, and best of all seedless
raisins, the latter especially for the blue
birds, and always there was a flower pot
saucer kept full of clean water.
The day before the fly screens were
to go in the windows. and the bird shelf
come out, male and a female bluebird
came to the perch, facing me at the
window. Then he hoped down on the
shelf, picked up raisin, returned to her
and gave it to her She ate 1t, and then
both flew away together, I hope to set up
housekeeping.
"A pretty little scene to end my winter
feeding
Thank you SO much for your daily
column.
Sincerely, E. B. F."
Evening star., 1943-07-19
Co-ordinutinq Effort

An important part Of the Presi-
dents executive order last week
abolishing the Board of Economic
Warfare is the new authority vested
with Mr.. Byrnes, as director of the
Office of War Mobilization, to CO.
ordinate the work of all our agencies
concerned with economic phases Of
the war effort in other lands and to
see that such work conforms to our
foreign policy as outlined by Secre-
tary Hull, Mr.. Byrnes is discussing
this matter with the agency repre-
sentatives today.
The necessity for such co-ordina-
ton of effort. as we'll as its conform
ity to policy laid down by the State
Department, is obvious. Achieving
it, however, is no mean job. The
agencies include the new Office Of
Economic Warfare. the Office of
Foreign Relief and Rehabilitation
Operations, the Office of Lend-Lease
Administration as we'll as the Treas
ury ana the various SUBSIDIARIES OF
the Reconstruction Finance Corpora
ton. Most of these have their own
agents in the field all over the world,
and unless there is the strictest
delineation of procedure, if not of
the precise functions for which they
are responsible, there is bound to be
overlapping, duplication of effort
and resultant confusion.
Fortunately, the President already
has laid the groundwork for this CO.
ordination. Early last June he
transmitted a letter to Secretary
Hull, the contents of which have
just been made public, setting forth
the broad considerations which
should govern the coordination Of
agencies concerned with economic
Evening star., 1943-07-19
Cutuniu

One of the eight original Greek
colonies of the Island of Fire,
Catania is the closest to Etna. 1t
rises venturously on the south slope
of the burning mountain, and "the
ground on which it stands, like the
paving of the streets and the ma
terial of almost all the buildings, is
formed Of the same lava that so
often caused the destruction of the
town" necessarily threatened with
a convulsion which may overwhelm
it utterly, the ancient community,
tracing its history back to 729 BIC,
maintains itself by the cultivation
Of the natural resources of the rich
"piana" sweeping west. TIE wealth
Of the resident "noblesse" has been
proverbial for centuries.
Many Of the aristocratic families
are Of remote Hellenic origin, never
completely Sicilianized. An observ-
ant visitor from America in the days
before the prevailing global strife
might see in Catania schoolyard a
boy or girl with features of perfect
Grecian deSign-a profile from an
antique coin come vibrantly alive.
The traditional types persist. 1t al
ways has been So When Hero
took the town in 476, he transplanted
the inhabitants to Leontini, replace
ing them with Syracusans and
Peloponnesians. Fifteen years later,
the intruders were expelled and the
authentic population came trooping
home. Catania was Athenian head
quarters during the siege of Syracuse.
1t was conquered by Dionysius in
403 and by the Carthaginians in 396,
but was delivered by Timoleon in
339. Marcellus improved it, and
Octavian sought to restore the losses
it suffered in the Servile contention.
During medieval times misfortune
continued to plague the citizens, yet
they never we're discouraged Occu-
Hi0u ny CliS 1OIl1S anu Dy GQe
Saracens, the city was retrieved by
Belisarius and by the Normans. Be-
cause it declared for Duke Tancred,
it was razed by Henry vi only to be
reconstructed under the patronage
OF Frederick II and later the Ara
gonese. The first Sicilian university
was established in Catania in 1444.
Cultural as we'll as industrial pros
pority thereafter distinguished the
nelghborhood. A fearful eruption of
Etna and Monti Rossi in 1869 and a
calamitous earthquake in 1893 did
costly damage, but those disasters
merely served to stimulate anew the
classic energies of the Catanian race.
The tourist from the United States,
passing through the suburbs on his
way to the crater of the mountain
of hidden flames, was reminded of
modern towns on his own side of the
Atlantic, so up-to-date were con-
siderable numbers of the villas and
cottages. One of the sights which
soldiers of the United Nations will
see is lava field which cut the road
to Messlna as recently as 1923.
Evening star., 1943-07-19
Letters to the Editor
Reasons for Planning Now
For Peace to Come.
To the Editor of The Star:


For Peace to Come.
To the Editor OF The Star:
The slogan Lets win the war first" is
not enough. And victory is not enough.
The war must first be won, surely, but
failure to win the peace would be as
tragic as 1t would be criminal. We must
keep faith with our fighting men and
with the oppressed peoples of the world.
Spengler's dire prophecy that "the end
of this war will be the beginning of ca
tastrophe' must not come true.
Why plan now?
Because sane and prudent men,
whether in business or in government,
know full we'll that 1t is common sense
and moral obligation to look far ahead
Nothing should be left to blind chance.
If we cannot make a detailed blueprint
at least we can gain proper perspective
Because when this war ends abruptly,
action must be taken swiftly and de-
cisions made when there is no time for
debate.
Because domestic problems will clamor
imperiously for attention, to the ex-
clusion of international problems.
Because there will be an inevitable
psychological "letdown," and many will
want to forget the larger obligations and
commitments.
Because serious disagreements and
rivalries will arise among the United
Nations far greater than any present
differences which cannot vitally impede
war which none of them can afford to
lose.
Because our fighting men have the
right to know the ultimate objectives for
which they are giving their lives.
Because the American people must be
fully enlightened and prepared to sup
port our Government and the peoples
Of the United Nations throughout the
world in the great task of building q
sound international order.
These are some of the imperative rea-
sons why we must plan now. All con-
fusion of thought and aim on the part
of the American people concerning the
fundamental issues of this global war
and this crisis of civilization must be
dispelled. Otherwise 1t will be almost
miracle If the world can escape chaos
and anarchy when the strain of war is
over and the sinister forces of world
revolution are let loose.
The certain prospect of hunger, dis
ease. economic collapse. unemployment,
lassitude, discomfort, despair and hate
should stir us to plan intelligently and
courageously to meet our international
responsibilities. Congress should take
the lead in engaging in a great debate
to enlighten the whole country. The
least we can do is to ratify the principles
of the Atlantic Charter. The most we
can do depends on our willingness to
think straight and plan now before it
is too late. The end of this war must not
prove to be "the beginning OF catas-
trophe."
PHILIP MARSHALL BROWN,
President, the American Peace Society.
Williamstown, Mass.
Evening star., 1943-07-19

operations "in areas liberated from
enemy control" In pursuance of the
plan outlined, Secretary Hull has
established the Office of Foreign and
Economic Coordination, under di-
rection of Assistant Secretary Dean
Acheson. This agency already is ex-
ercising responsibility for co-ordina-
ton insofar as it concerns foreign
policy defined by the Secretary of
State in liberated areas. In Dean
Acheson's organization the Office of
Economic Warfare, the Lend-Lease
Administration the Office of Foreign
Relief and the Treasury, War and
Navy Departments are represented
1t is presumably an extension Of
this pattern with which Mr.. Byrnes
will be concerned in his discussion
with agency representatives today.
For the general policies stated by the
President concerning coordination
of effort in liberated areas would
seem to apply as we'll to other areas,
where the military influence is not
present. The President, in his letter
to Mr.. Hull, mentioned the cardinal
considerations which should apply.
They included leadership by single
agency (the State Department. in
effecting coordination in Washing
ton, and similar central point of
leadership in each foreign area.
1--WE must harness together mill
tary and civilian efforts" the Presi-
dent wrote" Only thus can we achieve
full mobilization for the prosecution
of the war, and adequately meet the
many problems developing in the
wake of our armed forces"
The same theories should prevail
everywhere in the world that our
representative are establishing eco
nomic fronts. Nor should this
theory of coordination under con-
trolling foreign policy be confined
merely to economic effort. 1t should
extend as we'll to the various agen-
cies concerned with political and
propaganda warfare.
Evening star., 1943-07-19

Q. What is the length Of the Russian
front?-B. L. S.
A. The Russian line extends from the
Arctic to the Black Sea and is the long
est war front on land in history
@. Who originated the polka?-E. L. H.
A. No one knows definitely. 1t Is
said to be of Bohemian or Polish origin.
Some writer's claim that Anna Slazak,
farm servant Of Elbstenitz near
Prague, created the dance about 1880.
@ What was the price paid by the
Government for land obtained from
private owners when the District 0.
Columbia was establshed?-C. FIR.
A. The Government agreed to pay 25
pounds an acre, which was considered
to be equal to S6666 in American money.
@. What Is the rank of a soldier who
completes the training in an Oficer
Candidate School?-M deb.
A. soldier who successfully COM
pletes the training provided in an Officer
Candidate School of the Army is COM
missioned second lieutenant in the
Army Of the United States
@. Where was Mary Queen OF Scots
buried?-M D.
A. Her embalmed body lay for five
months unburied and then was laid with
great state and reverence In PeterDCr-
ough Cathedral In 1912 it was removed
to King Henry Wis chapel In West
minister Abbey to sumptuous tomb
erected by her son James VI.
O. How many persons in the United
States are over 100 years old?-N. S.
A. According to the 1910 census, tflers
we're 3,679 persons 100 years old or over,
O. What became Of Pontius Pilats
after the Crucifxion?-M. R. E.
A. The last authentic word concerning
PLATE is in reference to his being sum-
moned to Rome to answer charges The
Emperor Tiberius died before PLATE
could reach the capital. His later life
and death are the subject of many leg
ends. The Abyssinian and Coptic
Churches believe that he afterwards
became a Christian and was martyred;
they venerate him as saint.
@. Are there any vitanlins in oystersf
Il. L. B.
A. Oysters are a good source OF the
vitamin B complex. containing both
riboflavin and thiamin. They also con-
tain vitamins A. c and D and are highly
valued for their sea salts, mainly iodine.
@. What is the highest village In the
Alps?-L. E. V.
A. Juf, Switzerland, is the highest
permanently occupied village In this
Alps. 1t is 6998 feet above sea level
St. Moritz has an elevation of 6,037 feet.
Evening star., 1943-07-19

they look to is Gen. de Gaulle, the only
French general who had the foresight
before the war to stress the necessity of
preparation for tank warfare, the only
French general who undertook an Of
fenslve in the war, the only leader who
never tagged. Within one day after
the surrender of France he told the peo-
pie of France, Nothing is lost-let us
keep on f1ghting!" He gripped the mag
ination of the French people He Gre
ated an army of Fighting French long
before Girauds name was known to
most OF us.
Yet, we evidently are committed to
keep the ultra-conservative Giraud in
the No. position. We compromised in
dealing with Darlan, Peyrouton and
company, and we keep on compromising
with the reactionary Giraud
The fear of creating another Ma
poleon I, which may be the basis of this
compromise, Is as stupid as 1t is childish.
The British people long temporized with
Chamberlain for fear of the courageous
Churchill, but they finally saw their
error. How long will we be blind? How
long will we ignore the feeling of the
French nation? Or are we clandestinely
nourishing the desire to keep France
down and provide her with "substan-
tial though dull leadership, lest she
reassert her greatness under the strong,
courageous, proud and dignified leader
ship of De Gaulle? If that be the case
We have already circumvented the At
lantic Charter by ignoring the wishes Of
metropolitan France.
We are backing the wrong horse
ALEXANDER S. WINNETT.
Evening star., 1943-07-19

Letters to the Editor must
bear the name and address of
the Uriter, although the use OF
a pseudonynl for publication is
permissible. The Star reserves
the right to edit all letters 1uith
q uleW to condensation.
Evening star., 1943-07-19

Secretary 1ckes declares that the
per capita wealth of each man.
woman and child in this country
is $4,000. Now if he could only tell
us how to convert that into points
and coupons.
Evening star., 1943-07-19

II ever country could remark to
departing guest with utter sincerity
"Good-by, come again." the United
States could say this to Nine. Chang
Kai-shek.
Evening star., 1943-07-19

The mountain fastness of Sicily's
interior, say the Axis, will stall the
United Nations drive. At least it
should prove more effective than the
fastness of the Italian retreat.
Evening star., 1943-07-19
Hoskin's Answers
To Questions
By Frederic J. Huskin

~ S0Sf ~ y. 11uShtH.
A reader can get the ansuer to anu
question OF fact by ,Oriting The Eue-
ming Star Information Bureau, Fred
ERIC j. Hask'n. director, Wnshinyton,
d. c. Please inclose stamp for return
postage.
Q. How many Army camps are there7
p. z.
A. AS of April 15 1s43, there were
approximately 500 military posts, camps.
and stations and approximately $50 Army
Air Forces stations In the continental
United States.
@. Why are the faces of prisoners OF
war always turned away from the cam
era?-N. T. E.
The War Department says that the
publication of photographs showing rec
ognlzable features of prisoners of war
Is not permissible under existing inter-
national agreements.
@. When IS the earth farthest from
the sun this year?-J. M. A.
A. The earth was farthest from the
sun on July 4. at 6 am. The distance
at that time was 94,452, 900 miles.
@. What portion of church income
goes for missions and benevolences?-
c. H. P.
A, According to census returns, for
each s5,87 spent for local self support
81 was spent for benevolences, missions
and so forth.
@. Please give some information about
the oil bird-P R M.
A. This bird Is found in Northeastern
South America and lives in colonies in
caves, salying forth at night to seek
It's food of oily seeds. The young be-
come extremely fat and are gathered by
the Indians, who try out the grease
found in their bodies and use 1t as a
substitute for butter.
Evening star., 1943-07-19

The reason lot of vegetables have
failed to come up in various Victory
gardens may be that they died young
from laughing at the agricultural
get-ups of some of the farmerettes.
Evening star., 1943-07-19

In 1918 the entire western front
was but four hundred and sixty eight
miles long. In this war a fast tank
can cover that distance in twenty
four hours, and sometimes does.
Evening star., 1943-07-19

Common Household Pests-Au the
essential facts regarding ordinary
pests have been gathered into one
compact booklet. There is no need to
be tormented by flies and mosquitoes
all through the summer, or to have
your clothes devoured by moths
These and other pests can be cheaply
and easily controlled. This 32-page
booklet also contains information on
carpet beetles, termites, f1eas, crickets,
Wasps, rats and mice. To secure your
copy of this publication inclose 10
cents in coin, wrapped in this clip
ping, and mail to The Star Informa-
ton Bureau.
Name
Address
Evening star., 1943-07-19
Seeks Relatives
OF John Frederick Parker.

To the Editor Of The Star:
When John Frederick Parker, the un-
happy policeman who is alleged to have
deserted his post and permitted the
assassin, John Wilkes Booth, to get into
the box of President Lincoln and murder
him, died, he left two daughters: Mrs.
Lalley and Mrs. Keyworth. I am anx-
ious to get in touch with some OF their
descendants, If any Of them are living.
Information in my possession may be OF
interest to them, If they have, as I be-
ieve they do have. an honest interest
in clearing their ancestors name of
malicious ana UNANIMOUSLY false accusa-
ton.
My interest In this is historical, for
am writing the history Of the assassin
alton Of President Lincoln. and 1t is my
purpose to establish the good repute Of
this much -maligned man.
Mr.. Parker, I believe and his family
were members of st Paul's Lutheran
Church. At least the noted DR.. Domer,
so long its minister. buried him. It may
be that some Of the older members Of
that congregation can put me in touch
with descendants Of Mrs Lalley and Mrs.
Keyworth.
DAVID RANKIN BARBEE.
Editors Note: Mr.. Barbee may be
addressed at 1888 Twenty-eighth street
N.W.)
Evening star., 1943-07-19
Preference for De GaulIe
Set Forth in Terms Of Protest.

To the Editor OF The Star:
1t seems that Our Government is
committed to serious error In definitely
backing Gen. Giraud. He Is q brave
French general-but that Is all. The
people Of metropolitan France are not
stirred BY his name. The leader whom
Evening star., 1943-07-19

@. What is the length Of the Russian
front?-B. L. S.
A. The Russian line extends from the
Arctic to the Black Sea and is the long
est war front on land in history.
Evening star., 1943-10-21
k1edzjW1TE ID CO
FIGHTING MEN 4

Recently commissioned in the Ma
rine Air Corps were Second Its.
James Sharp, I'd. son of Chester j,
Sharp, 5l13 North Sixteenth street,
Arlington, Va, and Frederick M. C.
Gobel, son of Frederick L. G. Gobel,
1901 Massachusetts, avenue NV. 1t.
Sharp, who attended Virginia Poly
technic Institute, enlisted as an
aviation cadet in September, 1912;
1t. Gobel enlisted in August, 1912.
Col. Benjamin w. Mills, 430l Kay
wood drive, Mount Rainier, Md, has
been assigned to the requirements
section at headquarters, Army
Ground Forces. He formerly was
secretary of the Trade Research
Council of Washington and is a
member of the board of directors
of the National Rifle Association
QUANTICO. Va.-Sergt. H. E
Ross, Marine Corps. whose wife
lives at 3716 Jennifer street NV.
has been promoted to staff sergeant
here. He enlisted In the Marine
Corps In April, 1912 Promoted to
sergeant from corporal were D. L.
Fuller, whose wife lives at 403
Wilkes street, Alexandria, Va, and
Ernest Giacalone, son of Joseph
Giacalone, 1437 Fairmont street
NV. Sergt. Fuller enlisted In
March, 1943, and Sergt Giacalone
enlisted in January, 1912
Evening star., 1943-10-21

wife lives at 31l6 Nineteenth street
NV, recently arrived here for duty
He is a graduate of Central High
School and Virginia Military In
stitute, and was an instructor at
V. M. I. before entering active
service in November, 1910.
First 1t. John E. O'Brien is an
other Washington officer who has
been assigned here. His wife lives
at 27l3 Blaine drive, Chevy Chase,
Md. 1t. OBrien is a graduate OF
Georgetown Preparatory School and
attended Georgetown University. He
was manager of the Washington
Office of the Life Insurance Co. of
Evening star., 1943-10-21
Tw This Old Home-Mixed
Cough Relief. Surprising!

Then get ~ ounces Of Pinex from
any druggist. This is a special COM
pound Of proven ingredients. in con-
centrated form. we'll known for
prompt action in throat and bron-
chial irritations.
Put the Pinex into a pint bottle,
and add your syrup. Thus you make
a full pint Of really splendid cough
syrup. and you get about four times a.
much for your money. 1t never spoils.
and children love its pleasant taste.
And for quick relief. it's a wonder.
1t loosens the phlegm, soothes the irri-
tated membranes, eases the soreness.
and makes breathing easy. II not
pleased, your money will be refunded.
Evening star., 1943-10-21

Virginia before entering active serv-
Ice In February.
MOREHEAD STATE TEACHERS
COLLEGE, Ky.-Among those re-
Gently enrolled at the Naval Train
ing School (electricaD here are four
men from the Washington area
They are Irving Gilbert jackson
whose wife lives at 6700 Sixth street
NV; william Carl Rees, jr., son OF
Mr.. and Mrs. w. c. Rees. 317 Var
mum street NV: Victor Frank Scu-
den, son of Mr.. and Mrs. A. Scuden
1927 Georgia avenue NV. and Mel
vim Sherman, 1922 Alabama avenne
Sc.
Evening star., 1943-10-21

PENSACOLA, bradford F.
Hagie. %, son of Floyd o. Hagie,
5032 Lowell street, and Ernest Cor
nish Baynard, 20, son of Mrs. E.
C. Baynard, 1924 Edmunds street,
recently were awarded their wings
and commissioned-Hagie an en-
sign in the Naval Reserve, and Bay
nard a second lieutenant in the
Marine Corps Reservoir compile
ton of the flight training course at
this Naval Air Training Center.
James William Bailey, 5706
Fourth street NV, and Joseph
Roger ODonnell. 3755 Minnesota
Evening star., 1943-10-21

FLORENCE, S. C-First 1t.
Charles Flavius Spencer, 2153 Cali
fornia street NV, has been pro-
NOTED to captain here, where he
is serving as base qVartermaster.
Capt. Spencer attended Western
High School and American and
North Carolina Universities. He en-
tered the Army in June, l94l, and
was commissioned in August, 1912,
from officer candidate school at
Camp Lee. Va. Mrs. Spencer, the
former Olga Dmitrieff, resides in
Florence.
WENDOVER FIELD, Utah.-Lt
Col John A. McCrary. jr.. whose
Evening star., 1943-10-21

Cut Down on Chilly Drofts with
Mortite Utility Tape nsuIotes,
weotherstrips, plugs up cracks. Easy
to handle, unroIIs like q ribbon Roll
Of about 80 teet-enoueh for five
average windows