davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1949-11-07

single, all-inclusive motive which some
writer's formerly believed sufficient to ac-
count for migratory practices. Many birds
mate and breed in the coolest portions of
their range. The notion that need for
warmth-or for lights an imperative
for the feathered tribes is contradicted
by the tendency OF numerous varieties to
prefer cold to hot climates, dark months
to those burning bright
Recent speculation by professional orni-
biologists has suggested that a combina-
tion of circumstances is responsible A
useful inherited instinct dating from re-
mote antiquity is one factor. Perhaps an
Unborn challenge to attempt the gruelling
ordeal Of flying hundreds or thousands of
miles as test of strength and power Of
survival is another. The Arctic tern, for
example, may simply emulate a human
athlete when 1t migrates from Alaska to
Patagonia annually, just to keep in con-
dition. Nobody really knows. William
Cullen Bryant left the riddle to the In
finite when he wrote of the "long wan
dering, but not lost waterfowl: There is
a Power whose care teaches thy way"
Evening star., 1949-11-07

merely spending your weekly 40 hours at a
squared away nat top, you are not Of the
upper crust. AS mountaineer friend used to
say. That's all there are to it,"
Chances are there is buzzer close by and
you may be one short, two longs or some
other audio signal, but there's one thing
certain, you are not operating the push
button.
When some one calls you on the phone
they don't say, Hes in q meeting" nor do
they ask who's calling please?" with a
honeyed voice whose teeth you could kick
in with pleasure.
There's a carpet in front Of that diagonal
desk, too. The poor devils from behind the
right angle desk often find themselves on it,
more's the pity. you'll do what say or I'll
downgrade you, so help mel" says the dag
onal to right angle. and poor old right angle
sinks back and does as he is told.
The years pass. He can't afford to retire
until he is decrepit or half dead at 70, or
maybe one day diagonal buzzes his buzzer
and directs that some right angle 60 around
and take up collection for flowers for old
man so in so.
It's great life. but how is your desk
placed? QUADRO.
Evening star., 1949-11-07
The Scenic, Polluted Potomac

Harold A. Kemp, District sanitary engi-
neer, has laid down a readily attainable
program for the cleaning up of the scenic
stretch of the Potomac River from George
town to Great Falls. Difficult though 1t
the broader path OF the river downstream
from Georgetown, joint efforts by the
District, Maryland and Virginia can make
the river safe for recreation above Key
Bridge within . reasonable period. The
work should be begun without further
delay.
Mr.. Kemp, fortunately, is in a position
to give determined leadership to the anti
pollution drive. As the newly elected
chairman Of the Interstate Commission on
the Potomac River Basin, he can bring
the weight of the commission behind the
reasonable program which he outlined last
week to the American Society of Civil
Engineers. He described plans of the COM
mission for ridding the upper Potomac of
raw sewage, industrial waste and eroded
soil. Already many Of the communities
along the river above the District line
have become interested in the concerted
campaign to clean up the river to its
sources. The Interstate Commission not
only Is showing how this can be done, but
is aiding local authorities in obtaining
public support for bond issues or other
financing arrangements for sewage treat
ment plants and similar projects.
While these publication measures far
upstream will assure cleaner Potomac
at Great Falls, definite action also will
have to be taken below the Falls to pre-
vent reinfection of the waters. The Poto-
mac Valley from the Falls to Key Bridge
is one Of the more beautiful sections of
the river. Overlooking this valley, on the
Virginia palisades, the Federal Govern
ment and the State of Virginia are building
the George Washington Memorial Park
way, which eventually will reach to Great
Falls. other parkway projects are devel-
oping on the opposite side of the river.
The old Chesapeake & Ohio Canal has
been preserved for recreational purposes.
But the river itself needs urgent atten-
ton II 1t is to be made wholly safe for
recreation. Mr.. Kemp rightly calls for the
complete elimination Of sewage from this
part Of the river-whether 1t Is Of the raw
or the treated variety. The job Is the joint
responsibility of the District, Maryland
and Virginia, all of whose citizens will
benefit from the cleanup program. The
Interstate Commission is the logical agency
to coordinate the various jurisdictional
efforts and to keep the undertaking in an
active status. ~
Evening star., 1949-11-07
Mr.. Churchill on SIonq

In little off-the-cuff talk in London,
Winston Churchill-who is anything but
stuf1y writer or speaker-has just put
what is vulgarly called the double whammy
on people who play fast and loose with the
English language. Apparently he is not
keen about expressions like "cookin' with
gas" "infant-icipating," "hi, babe" hello
toots," "smackeroo," rug cuttin'" and
similar linguistic extravagances which
some individuals employ under the impress
sion, that they are, being colorful and
creative. He takes q, dim view of such
innovations. Indeed, vigorously warning
against their immoderate use he admon-
ishes all Of us to realize that slang-if un-
restrained-can do real harm to our tongue
and to the civilization it represents.
What Mr.. Churchill favors, as general
rule, Is the employment of the old tried
and-true words-and the shorter the bet
ter. Words, that is like those in Shake
speare or the King James version of the
Bible-the nouns verbs, adverbs and ad-
jectives that ring out beautifully through
the ages and serve as eloquent reproaches
to such queer and articulately ignorant
modern phenomena as Broadway column
lists, radio script-writers, bobby 1--WE
artists and beboppers Certainly, people
who like the English language pure and
undefiled, without the dilution of vul-
garisns and smart t-aleck phrase coming,
will be delighted to know that they have
this man on their side, at least up to a
point. I.
As far as the United States is concerned,
however, Mr.. Churchill's position is not
likely to have any appreciable influence.
In many respects, our country seems al
ways to have agreed with George Eliot that
Correct English is the slang OF prigs who
write history and essays" Something in
our national atmosphere, in the makeup
Of our. population in the hurly -burly of
our way Of life,, apparently has been i'm
pelling us to develop type of speaking
and writing all our own. In. fact land
Colonel Mccormick and his Chicago Trib-
une), Illinois sin an act adopted in 1925
has already decreed that "the of1cial Ian
guage" of the State shall be known as
the American language, and not as the
English language"
Actually, although Illinois seems to have
carried the matter to legal extreme, it
is probably inevitable-and good-that
English in the United States has been de-
veloping distinctive flavor. After all,
although much of our slang has been de-
plorable, some of it-and Mr. Churchill
undoubtedly would agree-has been 50 In
spired and vivid as to lend new color and
strength to the language wherever spoken,
here or abroad. Beboppers and the like
70 one side, there il thus something to be
Evening star., 1949-11-07
To Protect Drivers and Public

i Traffic Director George E. Keneipp's
proposal that all motorists involved In
serious accidents be re-examined to deter
mine their fitness to drive has lot Of
merit. Since there are practical consider
ations against periodic re-examination Of
all drivers, the plan to recheck the driving
qualifications Of those whose cars have
killed or injured people is a reasonable
compromise.
Mr.. Keneipp's latest proposal is sub
stitute for his recent recommendation that
all drivers over sixty-five be re-examined
whenever they apply for renewal Of their
permits. That suggestion had lot Of
merit, too, judging from experience with
such tests in other jurisdictions. New
Jersey, for example, found that nearly
10 per cent of all older drivers had I'M
corrected sight, hearing or other defects
that impaired driving ability. But vigor-
Gus opposition developed to the plan to
institute similar tests here, the chief COM
plant being that they would be dis
cfiminatory." J.
Under the substitute plan, however,
there would be no discrimination as to
age groups Every driver who became in
volved in fatal accident or one resulting
In serious injury to some one would be
required to demonstrate that he was
qualified to continue to operate an auto
mobile. There were nearly five thousand
such accidents here last year. If the
drivers in all those accidents had been re-
examined, 1t is probable that many Of
them would have been found to be in need
OF new glasses or hearing aids For eye
sight and hearing often fail without the
victim of the defects being fully aware
of the changes.
The disclosure Of such deficiencies would
be to the advantage of the drivers affected,
as we'll as definite contribution to the
safety Of the general public.
Evening star., 1949-11-07
Warns of Toxicity
Characterizing New Drug
To the Editor of The atar.

Characterizing New Drug
To the Editor Of The Star:
was surprised to read the advertisement
for Inhiston, which you ran in your news
paper November 2. While realize that this
Is just an advertising promotion stunt, It
seems to me that there should be some ex-
pert medical cei,soring or editing Of such
advertisements in a reputable newspaper, by
a scientist or physician familiar with the
material.
The reason feel so strongly on this SUBJ
ject is that from our extensive experience
with the anti-histamine preparations in the
last four years, we have found that even
under constant supervision, we quite often
see toxic reaction in patients from these
preparations. Although there will be much
good from these drugs when used in the
treatment Of common cold, we viii continue
to see more and more Of the cases that will
manifest severe reactions from them These
reactions might range from slight feeling
of drowsiness to nausea, jitteriness and even
convulsive manifestations In high dosage.
It is my thought therefore, that In all
fairness to your readers, they should be in
formed Of the toxicity Of this drug as well as
the fact that it, is available now to the
general public
LESTER s. BLUMENTHAL, M. D.
Evening star., 1949-11-07
Late Chrysonthemums

todlk the garden rop Dhtle overhead
I see the dark geese turn their shifting
1uedges,
TO south,Dard, then their cry is dead
Along the reach OF sky;;.th naples seal
loped edges
Notch pattern against the blue, and here
At rny feet, a rainbotp's pot OF gold
Pours out sunny-minted coin, all my
arms DiH hold, ssf
While perfume, strange and rare
Filled NTH tang OF tooodsnaoke, leatsnscks,
frost,
Drifts on the air;
At last ! knoD that summer is nerer lost.
lALMA robson H1oBEE.
Evening star., 1949-11-07
Wants Story of ,Heroism
OF Capt. Rios Printed.

To the Editor OF The STAR
I have Just listened to broadcast by
Robert Montgomery, the movie actor during
which he told story about pilot-a hero
who several years ago rescued over 100
children from flooded town and a flooded
airport.
That same hero-pilot now lies in a local
hospital, near death and unwilling to live.
because he crashed into an airliner and
killed IS people.
Before the stupid remarks of any more
Congressman are printed and before those
remarks and possible stupid actions can in
fiuence the investigating boards, wish you
would obtain the story about Capt. Rios.
as told by Robert Montgomery, and print
it.
think a human interest story about
Capt. Rios, the victim of some inhuman
remarks, would do some good both to your
readers and to your own sense Of fairness.
A PILOT.
Editors note: Reference to Capt. Rios
heroism was made in story printed in The
Star Saturday,
Evening star., 1949-11-07
Migration Of Birds

Once again millions of birds are moving
south, and the annual mystery Of migra-
tion is under discussion. The problem Is
as ancient as humanity. Primitive peoples
ages ago named the seasons according to
their observations of the departure and
the return of birds. The author of the
Proverbs and the author of the Book OF
Job only reflected the common sense OF
wonderment at the way of winged crea-
lures in the sky. Homer mentioned the
flight of the crane, Anacreon the reap
pearance of the swallow. Hundreds OF
skilled ornithologists have studied the
riddle during at least an entire millennium,
yet, as Dr. Arthur marlborough Thomson
conservatively puts it, There still remains
much about migration which is unknown" !"
The difficulty of seeing the birds en-
route is major handicap. Most species
travel by night and far above the ground.
Their passage through given neighbor-
hood is indicated only by the fact that
few stragglers are seen for few hours
and then are gone. That they follow
standard trails" Is evident, and Washing
ton lies in one such traditional track.
Equally strange in human estimation is the
curious fact that successive generations
head to identic targets in the tropics or
beyond in the fall and as definitely aim at
the same objectives in the northern zones
in the spring. Pursuit Of food has been
offered as an obvious explanation, but the
birds take OF before their supplies decline
and often come back before the insects
upon which they feed are available.
Neither is an inherited instinct for
nestisk In long-established retreats the
Evening star., 1949-11-07
Mr.. Hughes Not in State Legislature
In New York After World War l.

Mr. Hughes Not in State Legislature
In New York After World War l.
TO the Editor Of The STAR
On November The Star carried news
announcement of memorial proceedings,
honoring the late Chief Justice Charles
Evans Hughes, scheduled for the following
day in conference. room Of the Supreme
Court Building. The list of eminent members
Of the bar expected to participate included
this paragraph:
John Lord O'Brian. former assistant at
torney general and an associate of Mr..
Hughes in the New York State Legislature
after World War I, will describe the jurist's
career and his place in American history"
But when was the late Charles Evans
Hughes anybodys associate in legislature
of New York State? Certainly not "after
World War T. For from 1917 until called
to be President Harding's secretary Of state
in 1921 the late Chief Justice engaged ac-
lively in the practice of law in New York.
On leaving President Coolidge's cabinet in
1924 Mr.. Hughes returned to New York City
and headed the law firm of Hughes, Rounds.
Gould g. Schurman until summoned to be
Chief Justice of the United States by Presi-
dent Hoover in 1881. RIENzI B. LEMUS.
Evening star., 1949-11-07
Calendar
Year
1850
1860
1870
1880
1890
1000
11,7O0,OO0,OO

Those future costs are costs for which
commitments are being made today, and
the Government in underwriting the system
is morally and politically obligated to sup
ply the necessary cash to meet these costs"
The tables evidence and the passages
last paragraph stultify the first paragraphs
definition Of annual cost, II not govern
mental accounting itself. The promises-to-
pay listed in the table, being sums "for
which commitments are being made today"
are accruing today, and truthful account
Ing would treat the amounts Of those ac-
cruals as present costs Of government.
Those amounts are not so treated either
In the Governments accounting, or in the
definition Of annual cost which the minority
members Of Ways and Means have provided.
The present accounting has bipartisan sup
port. it appears, but it Is not better ACCOUNT
ing because Of that fact.
Honesty Of Policy Questioned.
government cannot ignore. in it's ac-
counting, its own accruals of liability, with
out being dishonest, and a government
which has public debt Of $256, ,000, 900 900
cannot do so without being also very unwise.
DR.. Nourse has spoken about monetary
and fiscal tricks" being "a slippery road to
misery" submit that the Governments
present incurring OF OASI liability, unac-
companied by estimates of the amount of
liability being presently incurred, constitutes
q monetary and fiscal trick that deserves
the prompt attention of 10000, 900 OASI
registrants. and Of all others. The true
cost Of H. r. 5000 is not. in any year, "the
sum Of the amount paid out in benefits
and the cost Of administration" but is the
(estimatedD net increase Of present liability
for future benefits, plus the cost Of admins
tration, and minus the interest income Of
OASIS reserve fund To be sure the latter
is reserve-method definition of annual
cost, whereas the former Is ''pay-as-you-
go" definition: but use Of the reserve-method
definition is essential If there is to be truth
full accounting by the Government, and
recognition Of the true costs Of pensions by
the public.
GEORGE BUCHAN ROBINSON.
Evening star., 1949-11-07
Right to Challenge
Held Inalienable
tn the Editor n The n ar.

7 think it is fortunate that all educators,
especially those concerned with training
teachers to educate our children for life In
democracy, do not feel as President Eugene
A. Clarke Of the Negro teacher training coll
lege here In Washington. I agree with
DR.. Paul Cooke that It Is the inauenable
right Of every spirited American man or
woman to speak and challenge as he sees
at. ALICE DAVENPORT.
Evening star., 1949-11-07

said for such phrase-making. The trick
is to keep it within the bounds of modera-
ton lest it be the equivalent of what the
theater people call "b. o. foppo."
Evening star., 1949-11-07
Letters to The Star

Letters for publication must bear
the signature and address of the
,oriter, although 1t IS permissible for
,oriter known to The Star to use
q nom de plume. Please be briet.
Evening star., 1949-11-07
The Desk on the Diagonal
Is the One That Really Matters.
To the Editor OF The Star:

The Desk on the Diagonal
Is the One That Really Matters.
To the Editor OF The Star:
A well known correspondence school used
to run an advertisement with an illustration
Of two men at desk. One man, the execu-
tive, was sitting there in all his power and
glory, his right hand clenched into q fist,
looking as If he had just banged this lethal
weapon upon the well polished mahogany.
The left hand with arm extended. elbow
stiff, gripped the edge Of the desk in an
attitude Of impeccable authority and threat
ening impeachment. Brows knit and head
thrust forward toward the other man on the
other side Of the desk. almost ahject in the
misery of his very existence, completed the
picture.
The caption used to clinch the argument
for tearing off the coupon and sending it in
by the next mail said, Which side Of the
desk are you on now?"
Today In the socalled white collar age"
with thousands enduring the drudgery Of q
sedentary existence. the question is different,
but the implication is about the same:
Is your desk on the diagonal?"
That, my friend, Is the acme Of perfection,
the senith, the summit. the peak. II you fSs
Evening star., 1949-11-07

The Moscow press reports that the
largest salt mine in the Soviet Union has
met its production quota two months
ahead Of schedule. One trusts the parole
board will take this into account.
Evening star., 1949-11-07

The CIO and It's lefties come to parting
OF the ways, and in dramatic circum-
stances, with Phil Murray bravely han
ding an electrical union without rubber
gloves.
Evening star., 1949-11-07


Of Vatican City?-T McR.
A. Although the church and the square
are within the boundaries Of the state Of
Vatican City, they are not considered part
Of the Vatican.
@. What is done with the large quantities
OF blood that come from animals slaughtered
in stockyards?-H E. F.
A. The blood is utilized in several ways
The greatest percentage is used in stock
feed and for fertilizer It is high in
nitrogen and is not used in concentrated
form for either purposes, but is incorporated
with other ingredients Blood albumen Is
used in connection with finishing feathers
and in adhesives for medical research by
pharmaceutical houses. A small percentage
from Federally inspected plants is utilized
in blood sausage, tongue sausage and similar
blood products.
Q. When was the United States Maritime
Commission created?-W. N. r.
A. The United States Maritime Commis-
sion was created by the Merchant Marine
Act Of 1896 to carry out the provisions Of
this act which is sometimes called the
Magma Carta Of the American Merchant
Marine. The Commission Is an independ-
ent establishment of the executive branch
Of the Federal Government.
@. Were sails ever used to propel trains?
L. D. M.
A. Experimental cars equipped with sails
were tried out on both the South Carolina
Railroad and the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad.
@. Has Europe any trees that compare
in size with the big trees Of California;
T. n. w. -.
A. While there is none 50 large rs the
California sequoia, large specimens are
found in sections Of Russia and in the for.
ested parts of Germany and the Balkans.
Q. Why are cakes made with buttermilk
or sour milk usually lighter than those made
with sweet milk?-O. B. T.
A. This is because the Tactic acid in these
milks softens the gluten, that part of the
hosr which causes toughness In baked
products.
O. In what States is there no State sales
tax on purchases?-C. E. F.
A. The following States have no State use.
retail or manufacturers sales taxes Della
ware, Florida. Georgia, Idaho, Kentucky.
Maine, Massachusetts,, Minnesota, Montana.
Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New
Jersey, New York. Oregon. Pennsylvania,
South Carolina. Texas, Vermont, Virginia,
Wisconsin.
@. Is AirsickneSS encountered to any
great extent among airplane passengers?-
j. M. q. : j..
A. Physicians connected with atrlines
have reported that fewer than one out of
100 airplane passengers suffer from air.
sickness.
Evening star., 1949-11-07

The late bard whose snappy verses saved
the frigate Constitution should be with us
now. The Navy needs him, and ringing
poem OF about two hundred stanzas
Evening star., 1949-11-07
Old-Age Pension Accounting
Challenged As Misleading
To the Editor Of The Star:

To the Editor Of The Star:
Two very influential forces In the old-age
pension matter have been Cd the admins
tration's wish for higher benefits, and (2)
the private insurance companies wish for
"pay-as-you-go" operation of the program
and lower d.e. "frozenD tax rates. Both
forces have had their ways with H. R. 6000
since that measure almost doubles the OASI
benefits, yet like the present statute, treats
pay y-as-you-go." and avoidance of reserve
accumulation; as satisfactory. even desir-
able.
The difficulty with this situation is that
the operation of these forces, and of un-
acceptable governmental bookkeeping that
these forces have produced, Is jeopardizing
OASIS chance to provide successful and
enduring program of old-age insurance A
passage in the recent unanimous report of
the minority members Of Ways and Means
throws ample, though presumably unin-
warning. That passage (p. 166 Of Report
No. 1900, 81st Congress, 1st Session. Union
Calendar No. $3.50 says:
Minority Report Quoted.
THE cost in any year of the proposed
legislation is the sum of the amount paid
out in benefits and the cost Of admins
tration. Today benefits amount to approx
imately 100000, 900 year and administra-
ton costs approximately 100000. 900 4
year. =.
According to advice from the actuary
assigned to the committee, the cost Of H. R.
5000 will increase approximately as follows:
Evening star., 1949-11-07
Questions and Answers

A reader can get the answer to any question
of fact By writing The Evening star Information
Bureau 316 Eye ST. ne. Washington 2, D. c.
Please nclose three g, cents for return postage.