Evening star., 1948-09-01
Cooperation an American Habi,

(MISS) ESTHER A. ROBERTS.
Cooperation an American Habit
To the Editor of The Star
Some persons seem to be worried about the
effect which the Thatcher Farm Conservation
Project will have on foreign countries. They
fear that foreigners will get the idea that our
competitive economy, capitalism, is normally
cooperative. Well, it Is!
How else can we account for the fact that
citizens move from one State to another at
will and, if INDECENT, are cared for by the
State to which they come? Go to our Union
Station and watch the people pouring in from
other places If they don't make good, D. c.
residents will help them.
There is nothing new to America about CO.
operation. The Thrasher Farm Project is
on larger scale; that is all. This kind of
thing has been going on since Colonial days
and all through our expansion westward. Folks
chipping in to help neighbor bnild better
house or gathering to quilt bedspread Co.
operation was an early American practice.
1t Is typical American practice.
However, the Thrasher Project was not
inaugurated to show cooperation. 1t is a
conservation move, an attempt to awaken a
wide interest in trying to conserve our
national resources.
I am not worrying too much about what
people abroad think about what we do and
why we do it. American ways are sound,
and like them! LAURA K. POLLOCK
More Comfortable Clothes for Men
To the Editor of The Star:
Now that a new heat wave has moved in
upon us-this time from the Midwest and not
from Capitol Hill-after Mother Nature kindly
afforded us a most enjoyable and lengthy res
pite in the usual summer heat. an old thought
recurs to me, about mems clothing. Because
OF convention, mems attire differs little In
summer and winter Despite the many ad-
vances of this modern age, the men, through
apparent custom, still unnecessarily and I'M
duly are subjected to suffering from the sum-
mer's heat and humidity because of their
attire.
wonder what would be said If the men
were to dress as clothing-free as do the women
during these summer months Would they
Immediately be charged with indecent expo
sure and lacking propriety? Yes, have heard
how our ancestors wore tight-ftting panta
looms, breeches waistcoats and the like, and
probably were not as comfortably and sensibly
clothed as we are today. But, after all, didn't
the women likewise dress uncomfortably with
long skirts and much apparently unnecessary
clothing in those days, and haven't they shed
them for clothing affording greater comfort?
If the women have shed the old attire and
now dress as they choose, why can't we men
do likewise? Would we no longer be looked
upon as being gentlemen If were to discard
outdated convention for reform, and dress
more sensibly in accordance with the weather?
If a man sheds his coat and necktie, opens
his shirt collar and turns up his sleeves, he is
then looked upon as cad" Right? Coat
less men are still taboo in many restaurants
ETC., as are naval officers while on active duty.
Come now, ladies, don't look aghast but
give us your opinions. not the cold shoulder or
icy stare. And yet don't put the heat on us,
as we already are hot enough because Of this
hot stuff"-our clothing. If you women can
dress eft to KILL" why can't we men do like
wise? 1t is bad enough to suffer because Of
the sweltering heat, but 1t is even worse to
look with envious eyes upon the women in
"cool" attire. Are we men to remain crazy
with the heat?" ROBERT EMMETT BURKE.
City Temperatures From Virginia
To the Editor of The Star:
Now that the weather is the topic of the day.
may suggest that the City Weather Bureau
correct a ridiculous situation. The figures
which they report as official Washington tenn
peratures are derived from a thermometer To-
Gated in Virginia, that Is, at the National Air
port. Could we not have the city Office tenn
perature readings as Official for they are at
least taken in Washington? P. K.
Flamingoes' Sanctuary in Park
To the Editor of The Star:
To enjoy the color symphony Of pink
flamingo flock. some now journey to Amazon
headwaters. Flamingoes once we're fairly COM
mon in Florida Audubon describes them as
numerous" An 1892 record is About 1000"
They were wantonly slaughtered, for the fun
of killing, by thoughtless tourists. Now they
have been absent for some decades from the
Everglades Keys. One, recently returning was
shot, left to rot. Now that we have Everglades
National Park fiamingoes may RETURN may
even nest. Few bird experiences thrill more
than a ng-legged famingo incubating. The
nest is in penthouse location, atop a foot
high. mud-and-sticks column. Most fascinat-