davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1948-01-16
This and That
By Charles E. TsnceDeu
"pETuTSnA A

BETHESDA, Md
Dear Sir:
"I would like to know what to do about the
jays
"Just about the time think I have my feed
ing stations Strengthened out and all is plain
sailing, something happens.
First it was squirrels, and now 1t is these
pesky blue jays.
They come in every morning. just as am
enjoying the birds, and the others ny away.
II have tried shooing the jays away, but
this action also runs off the birds want.
"Is there any way of discouraging these big
jays?
"a friend of mine says to invert soap dish
or something of the kind over the seed.
do you think this would work7
yours very truly, A. de M"
Wire netting over bird feeding station may
keep jays out. 1t also keeps other species
away.
Above all, it introduces an ugly note, ugly
both physically and mentally.
The properly made bird feeding station
ought to be pretty thing to look at.
It ought to induce thoughts of peace and
plenty.
In the old horse and buggy days, popular
author of the "how to succeed" school wrote
one called Peace, Power and Plenty"
Those three words seem to typify a modern
bird feeding station in action.
There can be no peace, certainly, and not
much plenty, if some guests at free lunch
are to be turned away.
We believe, and always advise, that all the
guests be allowed to eat as they will.
This means, at times that the watcher will
not be as pleased as he is at others.
This is a good mirror of life.
Life is shall we say, definitely that way. Life
has its ups and downs; as the poet said, into
each life, some rain must fall" Uongfellow.)
,,lr
gray winter shruos, and its hungry small crea-
lures, attracted to the least hint of food, life
, unfolds minute by minute.
Who are we, who is any one, to put up q
stop sign for some that come, and hold out
welcome sign to others?
That is not natures way
She invites all to the feast, if not exactly on
equal terms, at least to the extent that she
seems to have no favorites.
The Darwinian survival of the fittest is only
terrible in tinnid minds, spoiled by too much
steam heat and concrete pavements.
In the world in which the furred and feath-
cred creatures live, the idea of existence is not
blurred.
It shines, for them as it would for us, if we
could cleanse our minds of the extraneous
things put into 1t by too many complications.
These complications are part OF life, too,
some one says?
Certainly not part Of the lives Of the wild
creatures, anu IlOt part ol tiic uscS VI uldlly
humans, either. If we have gained something
from our complicated, complex lives we have
lost something, too; the plea of the poet that
the world is too much with us, finds echo in
most living hearts, now and then.
One way we can simplify life is by certain
amount of resignation. Let us who like the
birds. and watch them with interest, resign
ourselves to the plain fact that blue jay Is
Just as hungry as cardinal Once we do
that, we may be ontlae way to major triunphs.
Evening star., 1948-01-16
Thinks Dorothy Thompson O. K.

To the Editor of The Star: ssEgsss.s@
: Referring to recent communication by
Mary B. Dawson don't worry about Dorothy
Thompson. She's doing all right. She isn't
seeing any, spooks. She is just working. over
time to protect catty, superficial thinkers like
Mary q. Dawson from the folly Of their own
blindness. Miss Thompson IS exposing the
menace of the American Communist Psrty with
clarity and thoroughness exceeded by no one.
Her work is not the product Of imagination,
her articles are docunented. Every time Miss
Thompson opens her mouth, she says some
thing Such person usually arouses the ILL
will of certain envious females. Miss Thomp-
son is brilliant woman, keen analyst. Her
words will be here to guide and teach when
Mary B. Dawson's feline attack long has been
forgotten. KNOTT A. SPOOK.
Evening star., 1948-01-16
Letters to The Star
Federal Pay Boost Advocated

Federal Pay Boost Advocated
TO the Editor Of The Star:
President Truman's blockage of Federal pay
boosts certainly is q step toward curbing infia-
tion but at the same time it also is quite
stride toward lowering the standard OF living
OF thousands Of already underpaid Government
employees
Why should Federal workers be the martyrs
in this case. the only workers. in America not
to have an increase in salary? A Federal clerk
gets just as hungry as a bricklayer, q Congress
man, or President; and his family is just
as entitled to normal standard of living as
the families of workers in other fields
The President should understand the strain
under which we are existing. He is at the head
of our Government now and could be quite
help in securing for Federal employees wage
increase that certainly is our due.
JOHN p. RYAN.
Evening star., 1948-01-16
A Growing Police Force

With the scheduled completion this year
of the new fourteenth precinct station
house in Benning, there can be no doubt
of the need for additional policemen as
requested by Police Chief Barrett in the
District budget estimates.
It will take nearly eighty policemen to
place the new precinct in operation.
Seventy of these will be patrolmen and
the others will be officers. There has been
an acute need for this separate precinct
force in the Benning area since long before
World War II. Once sparsely settled, the
section has become one of the most thickly
populated districts in the Northeast. Yet
it's police protection has continued to come
from the distant eleventh precinct station,
on the other side of the Anacostia River.
It was not until Congress finally appro-
priated funds last year for construction
of precinct station house in Benning
that division of the old eleventh precinct
became practicable. This is a reorganiza-
tion that long has been overdue.
Besides the men needed for opening the
new precinct, Chief Barrett is asking for
enough recruits to bring the present force
to about two thousand men. This will
mean adding about two hundred police
men to the department. Eventually the
superintendent hopes to bring police
strength to twenty-five hundred officers
and men. That goal is large, but it can
not fairly be said to be overly ambitious
when measured by the ratio of 2.5 police
to each thousand Of population which is
the recognized public safety standard fixed
by many police authorities With Wash
ington's population approaching the mil
lion mark, it's police force must be kept
adequate to its increasing responsibilities.
Evening star., 1948-01-16
Child Guidance for Peace

To the Editor of The Star:
I appeal to all the members OF Congress
to enact laws to prohibit the manufacture
and sale of toy weapons, particularly toy fire.
arms.
Does not this game OF war in children of
tender years in many cases aid their entrance
into the juvenile delinquent group? Parents
apparently encourage these activities Yet
there are many constructive outlets for
child's energies, all kinds of toys to aid their
physical and mental alertness.
Let us build up the strength of the children
of our Nation through physical exercise. And
also let us build up the children's minds with
firm faith in justice and right thinking.
AN AMERICAN.
Evening star., 1948-01-16
Eclipse

Across the bending trn,ament,
Through thin ephemeral tides,
Denure and 1Dith t0onaarly grace
The ne1o moon glides.
The siluery-golden splendor shines
In the glory OF her hair,
And in the Dapory petals OF
A rose pinned there.
For only a hurrying internal
Men of the earth can trace
The shado1r OF the suns loUed one
Against his face.
ROSE MYRA PHILLIPS
Evening star., 1948-01-16
Compulsion to Vote Demanded

To the Editor of The Star:
I am opposed to granting voting rights to
anyone now. regardless of coming statehood,
claims of residents of the District OF Columbia
or the desires of aliens to become citizens, un-
til a great error in the Constitution has been
corrected.
The trainers OF the Constitution debated
with considerable heat the question as to who
should be allowed to vote. Many wanted to
confine the privilege along educational prop
erty or racial lines. But it finally was de-
cided to give this right 70 all male resident
citizens over 81.
1t was beyond human thinking at that time
however, that any citizen would become so
selfish as to neglect the right to vote. The
trainers of the Constitution should have pro-
vided some penalty for failing to exercise the
franchise Before the voting power is In
creased further, failure to vote Should be pun
ished. This would alleviate the lamentable
and tragic situation that now exists in our
country and which Is the cause Of many of the
legislative and executive problems which be-
devil us.
The right to vote should entail the response
bility to vote Liberty with obligations should
replaces license without obligations.
,1QEN =. MILLER
Evening star., 1948-01-16
Urges Government Economy

To the Editor Of The Star:
The high cost OF living and of governing is
reflected in all civil and public budgets today.
A record peacetime Federal budget of nearly
40 billion dollars asked of Congress for the
next fiscal year reflects the impact of war
upon our recovery. Unsuitable demands Gre
ated by the former conflict require nearly 30
per cent Of the national budget.
But does the average citizen understand what
all these billions of dollars represent? am
sure very few of us do, because our own family
or business budgets are mere dots on paper
compared with such astronomical spending by
Government. just so We can realize how public
spending has grown in the past rs years, here
are some facts of the days when Uncle Sam was
fairly young man of about 100 years of
age:
The Forty first Congress appropriated, for the
year ending June 80, 1872, the total sum of
$174, 962. Population in 1870, scattered in 81
States and 8 Territories, was 38,558,371. The
District Of Columbia then sheltered 131, ,706 per-
sons. Exactly rs years later the census re-
cords an estimated population in the District of
938,45 for 1945. BY now d948) it must exceed
1000 900. And what is the present budget for
the District Government for next year? The
press has published the figures as $101, ,464, ,783,
which Is nearly 60 per cent of what the Federal
Government spent to administer the national
affairs of the whole United States rs years ago.
In 1910 the census man, when he counted
noses, found 131 ,s69,275 persons in America.
This is about 81 times greater population than
we had in 1870. Yet our national spending has
inc:eased more than 200 times In the past rs
years.
Plainly, something disastrous Is facing our
country. especially since our public debt keeps
mounting till it hovers around 260 billion dol
lars. These, of course are inaationary war
dollars. Excessive public spending inevitably
breeds imitation Somehow somewhere, this
must come to halt, or the bubble will burst,
and we may find ourselves in the throes OF
financial despair.
Capital spending must be limited to replace
ments and expansion and not for financing
current operations. sound business practice
cannot admit Of anything else right now. And
the Government should be the first to set busi-
ness an example.
CHARLES ALLEN RENTFRo.
Evening star., 1948-01-16
Barney Circle Traffic Officer

To the Editor OF The Star:
The Barney Circle rush-hour jam in the
morning is worse than ever. However. have
taken notice, the past several mornings, espe-
cially Friday around 8 am, the traffic over the
bridge moved with greater speed due to the
presence Of Metropolitan policeman who was
directing trafhc at the circle This oficer
should be commended for his fine work.
CAR DRIVER.
Evening star., 1948-01-16
Taxes as Causes of Imitation

To the Editor of The Star:
President Trumans proposal for $40 in
come tax credit to each household member
to be Offset by an increase of over So, 00,000,-
600 in the taxes on corporations shows a woe
full lack Of understanding of the incidence OF
taxation.
Income taxes, Federal and State, are basic
factors in the increase of living costs and gen.
eral imitation, as it is beyond human ingenuity
to devise any scheme of deriving revenues from
the products or profits Of industry wherein
the burden may not in general be passed on
to the ultimate consumer with, more often
than not, a considerable profit. The effect of
such levies may be taken to account for the
complacency to them on the part Of big busi-
ness and others having anything to sell aside
from their services and to afford some light
on the high gains of leading corporations de-
spite the heavy burdens of taxation they are
supposed to be carrying. Hence, as pointed
out by Senator Taft, adoption of the pro-
posed income tax shift would have an effect
quite opposite to the professed intention.
" Russia's anti-feudal land and social system
under one-party rule that brooks no blocs or
lobbies and gets revenue by processing raw
materials and selling the products to the
people, would have much less appeal to our
malcontents were we to abandon our destruc-
tive ways of revenue raising after the fashion
of Imperial Rome that helped greatly to her
collapse; make them constructive instead by
taking over the social values of the nations
land as due the people which would have the
further effect of curbing speculation and kiting
of prices in their source Of life; and remove
all restrictions on trade.
WALTER N. CAMPBELL.
Evening star., 1948-01-16

Letters for publication must bear
the signature and address OF the
,sriter, although 1t Is permissible for
Driter knotDn to The Star to use q
nom de plume. Please be brief.
Evening star., 1948-01-16

taste of his own medicine: it involves
simple justice and fair play in interna-
tional relations. Secretary Marshall's note
leaves no doubt about that.
Evening star., 1948-01-16
BY THE HAsKIN SERVICE.

O. How many naval ships has this country
scrapped since the end of World War II2-
M D.
A. The Department of the Navy says that
over 5000 ships have been scrapped since the
war ended
@. In the making of phonograph records how
does the popularity of classical music compare
with jaZz?-P. I. D.
A. At the beginning of this year the ratio Of
classical music to jazz on phonograph record
ings was 80 to 10 per cent.
O. Is the metric system used in European
countries to designate clothing sizes?-T. E. V.
A. European clothing sizes are for the most
part based on the metric system, i.e, where the
United States sizes are measures Of inches, the
European sizes represent the conversion OF
inches to centimeters. Mems socks and wom-
ems hosiery sizes are in inches however. One
inch equals 254 centimeters and one centimeter
equals 1897 inches. s
O. How many women veterinarians are there
in the United States?-W. S.
A. The Women's Veterinary Association says
that there are so. New York heads the list
with 13, followed by California with II, New
Jersey with and Michigan with 8. Connect1-
cut, Kentucky and Massachusetts, have each.
The States Of Arizona, Colorado Delaware, IL
linois, Kansas, Maine, Minnesota Maryland,
Nebraska North Carolina, Texas, Wyoming and
the District of Columbia have one each.
G. What is the standard length of railroad
rails?-O G. T.
A. At present the standard length Is SO feet,
having increased from 50 feet and before that
80 feet.
@. Where will the Yankees and Giants train
this winter?-M G. s.
A. The New York Yankees will train at St.
Petersburg. Fla, and the New York Giants at
Phoenix, AriZ
O. What is the history Of the Christmas
wreath?-E. T..
A. The use of the Christmas wreath is be-
lieved to be traceable to the pagan custom Of
decorating buildings and places of worship
at the feast which took place at the same
time as our Christmas. The wreath is not
used to such great extent in Europe as in
America, although decorations with evergreens
are popular.
G. Are there many college graduates TO be
found in the Federal prisons?-E. r. s.
A. The Department Of Justice reports that
in the fiscal year 1916, out of grand total Of
10,eo1 prisoners only 81 had completed the four
years Of college.
Evening star., 1948-01-16

Out of Difference to the $50 per cent
boost in price since 1910, it is felt that
amazing value" had best not be retained
in the new car ad, even for the laugh.
Evening star., 1948-01-16

In his annual two-line poem, Hirohito
counsels his people to emulate the pine
tree, but doesn't say whom to needle
Evening star., 1948-01-16

Concocting nightcap for himself, a
local householder picked up the baby's
formula in the confusion and built it up
with brandy. Claims he slept like child
Evening star., 1948-01-16

reproduction of shakespeare's own
handwriting leaves us, as always, amazed
that the bard could compose those death
less scripts with post-off1ce pen.'
Evening star., 1948-01-16
Questions and Answers

reader can get the answer to any question
Of fact BY writing The Eyenina star Information
Bureau, 3l6 street NE. Washington 2, D. c.
Evening star., 1948-01-16
Urges Underground Parking Places


To the Editor of The STAR
Every motorist is familiar with the almost
impossible task Of parking his car in down.
town Washington. If he Is lucky enough to
find a space, he carefully must check every
nearby sign and meter to escape a parking
ticket. The motorist is constantly being de-
priyed Of his parking space in the downtown
area. It seems as though bus stops get longer
and longer
What is being done to alleviate this situa-
ton? Not very much. Some privately owned
organizations have recognized the Importance
of furnishing parking space for their Gus
toners.
would like to suggest that the Federal Gov
ernment could build combination parking
area and bombproof shelter under the Ellipse
There are no trees to worry about, and when
the project was completed there would be just
as much space available as before for athletic
events. There are other areas all along the
Mall; lot of space under the Washington
Monument grounds could be used by the hun
dreds Of Federal workers in that section of
the city. There is enough room under the
Reflection Pool to park the cars Of all the tour
lists who come to see the Lincoln Memorial.
If private merchants can afford the money
to provide parking areas for their customers
and employees should think the District and
the Federal Government could do likewise.
BERNARD r. DORR.
Evening star., 1948-01-16

that she belongs to State that has made
tremendous strides In this direction
Miss Trammell's criticism Of the Dutch for
Giving too much with the past is based upon
ignorance Of the value of history. AL OF to-
days great events are traceable to past oc-
currences. "A knowledge of the history OF the
past enables one to understand current prob
LENS and to prepare effectively for the future
MILTON RUBINCAM,
President, Pennsylvania Historical Junto.
Evening star., 1948-01-16
Readers Differ ON Balcony

NeaQefS LINER Oh DdlCOly
To the Editor of The Star:
It seems that "a Star Reader" and George
Watrous, jr., are unusually sanguine as to
the length of President Truman's sojourn In
the White House. Here is one voter still for
him, and for the balcony If he wants it.
For person who has been so very modest
in his. requests for the many things he could
have demanded since the monumental Job OF
President of the United States was wished on
him, I, for one, think It will be fine for Mr..
Truman to have the balcony. 4 o.
As taxpayer for five generations ! do not
think this extra expense will mean so very
much and to my mind the balcony will i'm
prove rather than dishgure the Executive
Mansion. It will be such jolly place to wave
to the egg-rolling crowd at Easter after the next
presidential election. INDIGNANT.
Have read your valuable paper for the past
so years, and wish to cast my vote in favor
of the Commission of Fine Arts IN disappearing
the erection of balcony on the south portico
of our White House. The limitations Of the
c. of F. A. are clearly set forth in the letter
signed by Horace w. Peaslee in The Star OF
January IL. +-.
However, traditions and good taste mean
nothing to the New Deal clan. Designations
of public buildings, third terms, ETC., are only
obstructions that may be surmounted by public
officials who by chance and political preference
achieve the necessary authority.
, But, why mar the stately and majestic beauty
Of mansion for only whim and one sum-
mer? JOHN 9. PUBLIC.
Evening star., 1948-01-16

Q. How many naval ships has this country
scrapped since the end of World War II2-
M D.
A. The Department of the Navy says that
over 5000 ships have been scrapped since the
war ended.
Evening star., 1948-01-16

Approves Congressman as People
To the Editor of The Star:
Being young man, have been brought up
with certain amount Of contempt and ridicule
for most vital part of our Goyernment-the
Congress.
The ridicule and degradation of our law
makers have been carried out by both press
and radio to such an extent that the casual
observer or the superficial reader easily can be
misled into believing that the honorable gen.
tlemen from the 48 States of the Union are
bunch of crooks, crackpots and morons.
May, therefore suggest that all members Of
Congress participate more actively in serious
public forums and discussions and thus not only
give large number Of people opportunity to
hear and meet their representatives. but also
give them chance to enlarge their knowledge
and background?
have had the honor Of hearing and meeting
a number of Representatives and Senators, and
they have given me the impression that they
are intelligent, realistic people. READER.
Evening star., 1948-01-16

Q. In the making of phonograph records how
does the popularity of classical music compare
with jazz?-P. I. D.
A. At the beginning of this year the ratio of
classical music to jazz on phonograph record
ings was 80 to 10 per cent
The journal. (Caldwell, Ohio) 1934-1961, 1948-05-13

DONGANNON - Mrs. Walter
Stewart, Mrs. w. E. Blackburn,
Miss Ressie Jordan attended the
funeral services of Robert Slater
at his home near Centerville,
Wednesday, Also called on Mrs.
Nan Carrel and Mrs. Mary o.
Brien.
Miss Velca Linger was a recent
guest of Mrs. Clara Hughes.
Mrs. Clara Hughes spent Sat
urday afternoon with Miss Res
sic Jordan.
Mrs. Eddie McMannis spent
Thursday with her mother, Mrs.
Roy Mincks.
Ressie, Vina, Paul and Aline
Jordan spent Monday evening
with Mr.. and Mrs. Bert TrimbIe
of Swift.
Mr.. and Mrs. Francis Stewart
and family of Hackney Ridge Wis
tied his parents, Mr.. and Mrs. Ed
Stewart, Sunday.
Mr.. and Mrs. Floyd Mincks
spent the weekend with her par
ents, Mr and Mrs. Arthur Lum-
bats Of Stafford. \
Mrs. Mary Johnson, Mrs. Paige
Flesher, Mr.. and Mrs. Stanley
Johnson, all of Beverly, called on
Mrs. Maggie Raney, Tuesday, and
found her getting along nicely
after suffering two light strokes
parently ..
The journal. (Caldwell, Ohio) 1934-1961, 1948-05-13

SARAHSVILLE-We are hav-
ing plenty of rain and cool
weather at present writing.
During the recent Sunday night
wind and hail storm a roof was
blown off a hog house Of Pete
Robinson's and twelve pigs were
drowned, he also lost a valuable
horse.
Mrs. Mildred Robbins has re-
turned to her home at Columbus
after visiting her mother, Mrs.
Luna Butler.
Mrs. Walter Miller has returned
to her home after spending sew
eral weeks with her sons, Gene,
who is much improved at the
White Cross hospital, Columbus.
Russell Johnson, Canton, spent
the past week with his parents,
Mr.. and Mrs. Walter johnson.
Mr.. and Mrs. Harley Robinson
of GAINESVILLE were recent guests
of relatives here.
Mr.. and Mrs. Dick Rhinehart
Of Hazelwood, S. c., are visiting
Mr.. and Mrs. Fred Davis.
A deer has been reported seen
at the Mike Varhola strip mine.
Saturday shoppers at Caldwell
were Mrs. Emma Kirkbride,
Mary Spence, Violet Bunting,
Francis Kirkbride, Eli Rogers,
George Mclaughlin, Jesse Butler
and Ford Archer.