Evening Star Newspaper, February 12, 1931, Page 8

THE EVENING STAR With Sunday Morning Edition. WASHINGTON, D. C. THURSDAY...February 12, 1931 THEODORE W. NOYES....Editor a_Ave. Aand &t n Butlding. ;110 ice: Lake Mic! 2 .+ London, coc 14 Negent Rate by Carrler Within the City. 5c per month 60c per month llestion ma th ach mon Orders may be sent in by mail or telephone NAtional 5000, Rate by Mall—Payable in Maryland and Virgi 00; 1 mo., R IR R All Other States and Canada. E,‘J' 12.00: 1 mo., $1.00 da 1800 1mo., 78 : 1mo. Member of the Associated Press. Associated Press 1s exclusively entitled o the use for republication of all news dis- jes credited {0 it or not otherwise cred- in this paper and also the local news blished herein. Al rights of publication of pecial dispatches herein are also reserved. Advance. inia. The Union Station Robbery. In the daring robbery committed this morning at the Union Station, in which an undetermined value in Federal se- curities and possibly currency was taken, there was plain evidence of ad- vance knowledge of the shipment and careful preparation for the theft. In respect to the shipment, it is noted that such transfers of valuables are being made constantly by the Govern- ment between New York and Washing- “ton. A shrewd observer of the practice might conceivably ascertain the hour and the circumstances of the shipment and the arrival in this city. But the thieves may have had some further in- formation regarding the transfer than that which they could have picked up through watching past transactions. All' the circumstances in the case point to & prepared plan to take some of the precise shipment due in Wash- ington at about two o'clock this morn- ing. The thieves were waiting for the truck at the least guarded and observed part of the station platform, They had s car with running motor waiting for them immediately outside, very close at hand. If the procedure of transfer at station this morning was the same P RALS I belleving, as do probably a large ma- |except on the ground of economy, but jority of the residents of Washington, | that, of course, is & rather formidable that such a privilege would inevitably | exception. lead to abuses and add to the already | postal employes will cost something large trafic hasard in the National | more than $2,000,000. A survey was in- Capital. ‘While it is conceded that members | Saturday Ralf holidays for the entire of Congress, in carrying out their duties | Government personnel, but the results for the Government, should be as un- | have never been made public and there impeded as possible, the addition of | seems to be some mystery about the more than five hundred “privileged | findings. It is not believed that the re- motorists” to the long, list of those en- | port could have been very favorable, as joying diplomatic immunity would ob- | nothing has been done recently to revive viously hinder the proper enforcement | the half-holiday project. of traffic regulations which have been instituted to promote safety on the workers will naturally bring up the streets. As l matter of fact, with the ex-|portion of the Government personnel. ception of firemen, police and ambu- lances on emergency runs, there should | justified. The postal employes bill will be no privileged class of street users.|serve to revive active agitation for ex- Even the act of parking in a restricted | tension of the short work week principle zone can lead to serious consequences. | throughout the Government service, and A ‘“privileged car” left standing in front of a fire hydrant, for instance, prompt quenching of the blaze. If all that members of Congress want is to be enabled to park in front of Government buildings while transacting public business, it should be easy to accede to their desire. The setting aside of a special congressional section at each of these buildings would have the advantage of providing the space they seek without inconveniencing the public or adding to the dangers of traffic. Certamnly no congressional im- | munity is needed for this, and probably very little congressional persuasion will have to be brought into play for the prompt establishment of these zones. It is a simple solution of a simple problem. N Buildings on the Mall. A plan is in contemplation to destroy and replace in another situation the building popularly known as the National Museum.” may be the means of preventing the | Congress there is little doubt of a favor- «pld | 8ccept a majority where he could find Standing as it it. His plight was not relleved by the does across the line of Ninth street if [Nature of the legislation he had to that thoroughfare should be carried|SPOnsOT, a series of laws calling for ‘The half holidays for the stituted recently to discover the cost of Granting the half holiday for postal matter of discriminating in favor of & Such discrimination cannot long be if bills which already have been drawn for that purpose reach the floors of able vote. Bruening Rides the Storm. It is five months this week since the world was startled by the Fascists- Communist victories in the German Reichstag elections. The rise of Hit- lerism to the dignity of the chamber’s second strongest party caused shud- ders of apprehension not only in the Reich, but everywhere abroad. Hitler's avowed program of wrecking the treaty of Versailles, repudiating the Young plan and abolishing the parliamentary system, was revolutionary in every sense of the term. In the face of such a menace, bul- warked by a formidable Reichstag group, Chancellor Bruening's task was no bed of roses. Pitfalls awaited him. He had to govern by coalition in a house sorely divided against itself and through the Mall to unite the northern | ®Ven heavier sacrifices from already and southern lines of travel, it must, |Overburdened German taxpayers. short of physical removal to a new site, be razed. Erected about half a century [ Seemed to hang in the balance. A day, It has served & useful purpose and |OF tWo 8o his parliamentary foes ago, has in its time been a center of great public interest. Its halls have been visit- ed by countless thousands, indeed mil- lons, sclence and industry therein housed. Though somewhat eclipsed in public in- More than once Bruening's fate has staged a demonstration in force which was designed to unhorse him. A formal “no confidence” motion was submitted. drawn by the treasures of art and The Reichstag overwhelmingly rejected it. The Hitlerites and their Commu- nist and Nationalist allies proved it has been heretofore, it would be|terest in latter years by its neighbor powerless to obstruct the government's simple matter to devise & scheme to|structure, on the north flank of the economic reconstruction scheme. All take the tection and interference. = Institution, the “New Naiional Mu- loot with little chance of de-|Mall, also & branch of the Smithsonian Europe, _ especially France, breathes easier because of the now established Always after s theft, especislly of |seum,” it has remained, through s dis- | inability of his enemies to impede this character, it is easy to note how | tinct classification of exhibits, a mecca Chancellor safeguards have been neglected or omitted or weakened. In this case it is clear that the guardianship of the treasure in the stretch from the car to the post office precincts: was inade- quate. Presumably the reliance has for innumerable visitors to this day. ‘When erected the building was re- garded as a notable addition to the Cap- tal's architecture. Public, or at least official, taste was not then as sound as it has subsequently become. There was Bruening’s program of progress at home and peace abroad. 8chool children are described as more eager to learn than those of previous generations. The discussion of car fare may have some effect as a reminder upon the fact that the shift is|no standard of structural beauty that|‘that acquirement of education is a privi- behind a high barrier. for people to pass through that . A rallroad ticket to Baltimore, an instance, will yleld admittance to the inclosed space. One using such ‘means of passing through ould not need to take a t could easily effect conceal- the arrival of the treas- a familiar practice. In that the and er the ‘with the precious merely piled upon an open truck shortened, the guardiznship strengthened. In short, the percentage of chance, which is now in favor of the robbers, must be lessened. Tt is of little moment whether the loot in this morning’s theft was directly val- uable, or negotiable, or worthless to the thieves. The important fact is that they got the goods and got away. Even i not a dollar has been actually lost ples of architecture. Standing along: side of the Smithsonian, which pos- sesses a distinctive character and a quality exceptionally adapted to the park setting, it has always been a rather glaring offense to the eye. Hence there will be no repining over its passing, for the sake of its outward form and hue, But it 1s | conformed to the fundamental princi-|¢8¢ rather than an ordeal. o Pebruary is the month of heroic birth- days. The climate leaves the younger people on the farm more time to study the careers of men who began in hard- ship to prepare for achievements of his- toric brilliancy. R Convict labor in Russia may provide however fond may be the memories of | geserved punishment for offenders over door after the theft of |its service in affording an intimate VieW | there, This country sees no reason why of the wonders of modern science. In legislation now pending before free and self-respecting labor should be penalized to meet the competition, set Congress, and advanced by the Senate | up by such a system of production. the other day, provision is made for & commission to study the matter of the replacement of the museum in another site. It will be considered whether the new structure is to be located in the immediate vicinity of the present one, ‘which is to say in close relation to the Smithsonian. If that is the decision, the museum need not be placed within the Mall, but it can be adequately set in land to the south, as part of the project, not yet definitely adopted, of expanding the Government holdings D At the age of 84 Thomas Edison is still & hard-working man who has leisure only for an occasional reunion with old friends and a brilliant birth- dsy party once a year. B — SHOOTING STARS. BY PHILANDER JOHNSON. Big Business. to the Government in this case there |50uth of the Mall to correspond withi|Big Business we must admire! is serious danger in & condition of transfer practice that permits such a crime to be committed. —————— The Amenities of Politics. Tt s pleasant to take note of the sportsmanlike, gentlemanly and alto- gether friendly and good-natured cam- palgn now being waged in Chicago be- tween the incumbent and another Re- publican rival for the office of mayor. Big Bill Thompson, who apparently wishes to spend the remainder of his days as mayor, needs no introduction here and words in praise of that affable official are painting the lily. Judge John H. Lyle, the mayor's chief opponent in the campaign now under way, is a comparatively new star in Chicago's firmament, but he is also blazing his way to well won fame. ‘The campaign speeches of the rivals are examples of political gallantry, so devold are they of personalities and all forms of mud slinging. The forensic exchanges are notable for the manner in which they lift politics to & new and higher plane. In speaking of Mayor Thompson, for instance, Judge Lyle temperately de- clares: T'm tired of being decent about this . I can't be flithy like Jumbo was 8 cowl to that and I've found out what he did when his folks sent him out West health back. that's the nearest he ever got to honest-to-God cowboys—the big slob. ‘To which Mayor Thompson suavely Feplies: ‘This lly-livered reformer has at- wal Bill ——— A homicide mystery creates unlimited discussion 1] every possible angle. It is the nce in which publicity persistently pursued accomplishes the object for which it is employed. Congressional “Immunity.” ‘The Senate District Committee prob- ably saved the City of Washington much grief in the future when it eliminated the trafic bill that the extension on the north. It means the answer to desire In this connection attention should | Which all must cherish, now and then, be paid to the matter of the building | To help along our fellow men, immediately east of the “old museum,” | And earn the pralses which they give the Army Medical Museum. That|To those who make us glad to live structure is decidedly an intruder in|Amid the wonders that abound the park. group of scientific establishments of which it is & close neighbor. It was located there in the days when Govern- ‘ment constructions were begrudged sites on Jands that had to be bought for the purpose, when the parks were regarded as proper prey for any construction enterprise of a public character. It should by all means be razed and re- placed by a structure in another loca- tion related to the work which. s carried on within its walls. It is a branch of the War Department an{ as such should go with that establishmant when it is given its own permanent. home upon now under selective consideration. propriately be located y7i now that a policy of ™fig that space for a distinctive character of construc- which this area is to be put, and ex- traneous occupants, as far as possible, should be removed, just as the tempo- rary “war buildings” which now cover ters are provided elsewhere for their present tenants. ———————————— Modern affairs move rapidly and the stock market goes one way or the other of all kinds. The Shorter Work Week. Chief interest in the bill establishing a forty-four-hour week for postal cmployes, which now goes to the Presi- the Government. one of the several sites suigested and | prige involved. We statesmen naturally Certain classes of structures may ap- | yayers and we can't be expected to the Mall, | wejcome amateur tal tions has been adopted. But there|thing, butit needs discretion these days. should be no expansion of the uses to| Anybody who stops in & crowd to apol- country, and that its passage will set & wholesome example to private indus- tries. Here in Washington, however, It has no relationship to the | To make earth seem enchanted ground. We swiftly ride or fiy or sail, Defiant of the threatening gale, And may be happy, should it pleass Our minds to dwell in mystic ease. Yet this is not enough, we find, To cheer all hearts ‘mongst humankind. We hasten to relieve distress— And that's indeed Big Business. Professional Pride. “Why are you so resentful toward people who want to break into the Cap- itol and make speeches?” “Maybe,” saild Senator Sorghum, “there is some spirit of professional feel that we are the reliable speech- " Jud Tunkins says politeness is a good ogize is liable to get run over. A Slight Word of Encouragement. “I have heard you say you would not such & large area of the reservation are | consider marrying the best man alive,” to be razed as soon as permanent Quar- | remarked the sadly persistent man. “I repeat it,” sald Miss Cayenne. “But do you consider yourself the best man alive?” Improprieties. .l at a pace in keeping with the temper | A lecturer's talk we thought improper of a public accustomed to high speed | And so we did our best to stop ’er. At a rough show we went to snicker And never let an eyelash flicker! “Many may toll to make resplendent robes,” said Hi Ho, the sage of China- town, “When the task is completed, it dent for his spproval, lies in the effect | S¢¢ms small compared to that of finding that the measure will have in providing | ¢ Worthy to wear them.” a shorter work week not only for private industry but for the other branches of Senator La Follette cxplained to the Semate that the measure could be regarded as a step toward the shorter work week in the| Save those who feed the microphone. Shortened Working Time. For music and for words we call Untll, if we are let alone, No one will have to work at all “I ain’ superstitious,” said Uncle Eben, “‘cause I ain't got time to go down de one may wonder whether the bill will | 914 road dodgin’ ghosts an’ automobiles not hasten the long discussed step of | POth at once. formally putting into effect the Satur- immunity | 98 half holiday all the year round for Poor Celestial Shots. license | the entire Government service The | rrom the San Francisco Chronicle, short Saturday 1s mnow pretty well established during the Summer by re-|pard the earth for three years, but, like current executive orders. It is sald that meteors will now bom- war-time bombardments, they probably Mhummn'uch opposi= won't hit the right people. THE KVENING STAR, WASHINGYTON, D. C, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 1931 ; official’ business, found no favor with|tion to the year-round half holidays on the Senate committee, the committee | Saturdays for Government personnel, THIS AND THAT BY CHARLES E. TRACEWELL. Whoever originated the wisecrack, “When you hear about a new book, read an old one,” must have been read- ing book reviews. What is the a reader to think, when he finds two critics saying exactly the opposite things about the same volume? The recent most striking instance of this divergence of opinion occurred in the review by H. L. Mencken of Edgar Lee Masters’ “Lincoln, the Man” (Dodd, Mead), in the New York Herald Trib- une's “Books,” and in the review Ly Charles Willis Thompson of the same mk in the New York Times Book Re- W, Mr. Mencken thought it a fine book, Mr. Thompson just the flmm. Be- tween the two every reader will find plenty of room for his own judgment. o xR One's own judgment! After all, 18 not that the only criti- cism which really counts? Book reviewers exist simply for this, that they may bring a book to the in- dividual reader’s attention. ‘What they say about any given book matters little. Just as no one can live a life for another, so no one actually is able to read a book for anothgs. Every man has his own slants on life and living, so that he is incapable of criticism except along his individual lines, as it were. _ ‘Thus any one might have 8afely pre- dicted what Mr. Mencken would say about Mr. Masters’ life of Lincoln. Yet the reader who respects the in- tegrity of purpose of both the Messrs. Mencken and Masters will find that he is unable to say anything against the former’s review except that it may not be his, the reader’s, opinion, but the re- viewer’s opinion. * ok ok What else can any book review be except a personal opinion? And, as such, what good is it to you, the reader? 1t is true that many men and women are peculiarly qualified to read books and to tell other people what they think of the work in hand. At the best, however, their judgment is only their judgment—and suppose it does not coincide with our own, or-does not enable us to know whether we will like the book or not? Liking the book is the best test. By this we do not mean approving of the book, or finding in it that mixture of interest and delight, and perhaps exal- tation, which comes from the great books (great for us). One may like & book, of course, with~ out approving it, without agreeing with it, without even finding it interesting. ‘When a reader can do all that, he is a cosmopolitan reader, and may congrat- ulate himself on being fair-minded. * ok ok X Not every one can detach himselt from his hobbles, his likes and dislikes, his beliefs, his life training, enough to be fair to the book which treats of hob- bies not his own, likes disagreeable to him, dissimilar beliefs, unfamiliar life histories. We know readers who snort—there is no other word for it—every time they read the title of a new book about Rus- sia. They never get as far as to read the book itself; no doubt they would have apoplexy or something if they did. Now such an attitude is wrong, festly wrong, from the reader’s point. Everything printed should be grist to his mill. Nothing should be strange to him. No matter what one thinks of the great Lincoln, he should, as a reader, be able to read the icono- clastic blographies written about him. Mr. Mencken, for instance, definitely states that Mr. Masters’ new work does not belong to the class of volumes pur- posely written to tear down and destroy. And that, of course, is exactly what one would exzeet Mr. Mencken to say, but—and it & very large one—one does not believe, from past reading in Masters, that the Illinois poet would do anything so puerile as tear down for the sheer pleasure of tearing down. “Spoon River” was not so written. He might be mistaken, but he is honest. * ok x X Book reviews, at the best, are con- fusing, and often misleading, not be- cause their authors mean them to be, but solely because in the very nature of things they cannot help being. Every reader reads with his own eyes, mind and heart. He brings to each book a lifetime of observation, what- ever fairness he has in his make-up, however much intellectual honesty he Ppossesses. What he thinks about & book as he goes along, whether it be hlcmm, novel, poem or whatnot, is dependent upon the type of man he is. His opinion, no matter how unfair or unworthy, will amount to somethi; in so far as he, himself, is concerned, but it will only amount to somethin; for others if he happens to be endowe: with superior qualities of mind and heart. Especially must he possess al- most uncanny abilities at trying to get at the likes and dislikes of others. * k kX It is right here that the average book review falls down. Life is essentially a selfish proposi- tion. Reading, as a reflection of living, is a selfish thing, too. Obscure movements in the mind may sway one reader—or one reviewer—to like & book, or to dislike it, whereas the next reader, not possessing this bent, or turn of mind, will feel the other way round about the book in question. Every reader must be, and is, his own best reviewer. No sensible reader de- pends upon any one élse’s opinion of a book. He knows from past experience that he ‘may differ from it as widely as_the sun from the moon. He knows that there is but one taste in the world which amounts to a whoop, whether it comes to books or drinks, bathing resorts or sports, and that is his own. He knows himself best, and knows, as the result of many years' reading, what is likely to please this precious person best when it comes to books. New books and old books do not so much matter. The book, whether old or new, is what counts, and if he likes it, that is all that matters. To such a person, book reviewers have little to offer, and he regards what they do offer with deep suspicion. THE AMERICAN CONSTITUTION 41787 and Today” BY RANDOLPH LEIGH, Director National and International Oratorical Contests, NOTE—This is one’of a series of articles dealing with the making and expansion of the Constitution and designed to aid participants in securing @ background for their work in the National Oratorical Contest. THE NEW JERSEY PLAN. The presentation of the small-State viewpoint was finally intrusted to Pater- son of New Jersey, who opened the at- tack on the Virginia plan on June 9. His argument, from the strictly legal standpoint. is well nigh irrefutable. He called the attention of the delegates “to the nature, structure and powers” of the convention of which they were a part. The convention was formed in pursuance of an act of Congress which provided that the delegates should con- fine themselves to the amendment of the Articles, The Articles of Confedera- tion, therefore, formed the proper basis of procedure. Any other course meant usurpation by the convention. “The people of America,” he added, “are -sighted and not to be deceived.” “The idea of a national (as against & federal) government never entered into the minds of the people. We have,” continued Paterson, “no power to go be- yond the Federal scheme, and if we had the le are ripe for no other.” The basis of the Confederation he held to be equal nom for each State, which the new plan destroyed. The Virginia or mnationalistic plan “could not be maintained,” he added, “in {edterene. 'fi use nra ese nation or as & confederacy. confederacy supposes soverelgnty in the members composing it, and sovereignty supposes equality.” The cleavage between the two groups was so complete that Wilson of Penn- sylvania made an address in which he urged that, in the event of the failure of all the States to agree on a new form of government, and in view of the al- ready apparent dissolution of the Con- federation, a majority, or even a major- ity of the States, should unite for their own safety. He again stressed the basic Jjustice of the argument for proportional representation. “All sauthority is de- rived from the people,” he said. “Equal numbers of people ought to have an equal number of representatives, and different numbers wmm different numbers of representatives.” This prin- ciple had been violated, he declared, in the Confederation, owing to the urgent circumstances of the times. Franklin succeeded in momentarily lessening the tension by pretending to take seriously the suggestion that the territory of all the States be pooled, and that, under a redivision, each State be given the same amount of territory as all the others. He smilingly offered a part of Pennsylvania to New Jersey and another part to Delaware. He then added that representation might also be based on contributions to Cen- tral Government. Repeated votes showed that unless some form of compromise could be a arrived at, the convention would result in a complete failure. The large States became alarmed at a& sudden turn in sentiment toward the small-State view- point, particularly as a result of ti insistence of the Virginia and Sout Carolina leaders on having slaves counted in determining the total pop- ulation to be represented in each State. ‘The injection of the slave representa- tion issue brought from Gerry this stinging rejoinder: “Property is not to be the rule of representation. Why, then, should the blacks, who are prop- erty in the South, be in the rule of representation, more than the cattle and horses of the North?” Finally the Great Compromise was agreed upon, whereby representation in the Senate was by States and in the House by vopulation. in his only expression of opinion in the meeting, secured one representative for each 30,000 of pop- ulation as the basis for the Lower House. Some distribution had to be made before a census could be taken. Hence the division of 1787, with pro- visions for alterations on the basis of actual census returns. It must be borne in mind that there were approx- imately 737,000 slaves, mostly in the South, and that by agreement five tizens in the census returns of 1790 (round thou- sands being used for States) follow: States Representatives Population - in 1787 by Census of 1790 Virginia 750,000 Maryland . North Carolina EEUTT T T Totals...... 65 8,920,214 Actually, the first apportionment was on the basis of one representative for approximately each 60,000 inhab- ‘J?m instead of one for each specified ‘The extent of the shift of representa- tion in a century and a half is shown in & comparison between New York and Virginia in 1787 and today. On’ the basis of its actual population, New York was underrepresented in the first apportionment. She was certain- ly entitled to virtually the same num- ber of spokesmen as Massachusetts, the two States being almost the same size. But New York was unrepresented in the convention for almost half of its duration, Hamilton feeling that his views were not well received and the other New Yorkers not being inter- ested enough to stay on. Gerry, on the other hand, fought for an increase in even the tentative representation allotted his State until a census could be_taken. Rhode Island and North Carolina were not immediately affected by this temporary allotment for the first Con- gress under the Constitution, because they did not ratify the Constitution until after the Government was set up. (Copyright, 1031 s Favors Second Canal. From the Los Angeles Evening Express. This city and all the ports of the Pacific Coast can rejoice over the con- clusions of Lieut. Col. Dan I. Sultan, Army Engineer, who, having just com- pleted the survey ordered two years ago Congress, reports not only the practicability but the necessity for a ship canal across Nicaragus, to sup- plement the Panama Canal, ca- pacity of which already has been about reached. ‘What followed completion of Panama Canal is a matter of record, in large part written in the thousands of in- dustries, the mammoth office and mer- cantile buildings, the many schools, churches, theaters and auditoriums, the hundreds of thousands of dwellings for the increased population that have been added here since the canal was opened and ships began to use of the :-i)nrbor that had been prepared for em. And what Panama Canal did, a sec- ond canal will do. In fact, Col. Sultan may be understood to say that it is his” belief the second canal will do more. It will make a shorter route be- tween the coasts, he says, reducing the sailing time from one to three days, a great economy to ship owners and ship- pers. The question before the Government appears to be whether enlarge Pan- ama Canal, installing locks, or dig a second canal across Ni gua, right to do so having been secured by treaty negotlated by the late Willlam J. take as much time to install new locks for the enlargement of Panama Canal as to dig the larger canal across Nica- ragua; that a second canal will be of inestimable value to commerce, and, from the milif point of view, insure the national defense, since an enem; to separate the forces on the Atlantic and Pacific would need to destroy two canals instead of only one, a thing thought to be wholly improbable of ac- complishing. ————— ‘Weakling. From the Omaha World-Herald. It ke now that can- not pust op an mand ‘The resourcefulness of the sive group in the Senate; its to think up stratagems with which to tle up tion or treaties or any other measures which they .‘!}'m'“i been n requesting Secretary Hyde of the Department of Agriculture to utter the word “food” in connection with the :ropoufl relief loan of $20,- 000,000. mmly from the Sec- retary of Agris backing up the statements made by Republican Leader ‘Watson and Democratic Leader Robin- son saying that of course a farmer in the d ht-stricken area who com- plied with the terms of the law and borrowed money could use it for “food,” clothing and medicine would lay this latest move of the ition in the dust. To decline to reply to the Senate resolution or to attempt an evasive answer would merely be to give the Republican and Democratic leadership of the Upper House a slap in the face. * ok K K From a political point of view an eva- sive answer or & repudiation of the statements made by Watson and Robin- son would lfi]pfll’ to be not only un- timely but silly and childish. It has been clear for days that no eement could have been made had there not been assurance given Senator Robinson and Senator Caraway that the $20, 000 loan fund could be used A frank admission on the of Mr. Hyde that the loan can 80 used would cut the ground from under the feet of the Senators who are attacking the administration and the compro- mise. In addition, the people in the drought-stricken area are themselves entitled to know whether the measure 000,- for food. of relief contained in the compromise | does permit them to buy food out of the loans made to them on security. The administration has been opposed to a “dole,” 1o free food distribution by the Federal Government. mise agreement does not free food; it specifically provides for loaning the money to the farmers in the drought-stricken area with security iven and accepted by the Government. dent Hoover has said that the fund will be handled fairly and sympathet- ically by the Secretary of Agriculture. It the Senate likes the word “food,” why not use the word food? The Sen- ate opposition has been haggling over terms, holding up the relief measure for more days. The administration would make a political mistake now to be put in the position of splitting hairs and haggling itself. * % % If the Congress is able finally to put through all the appropriation bills— after the relief measure has been dis- of—by March 4, and there is no special session of the Congress made necessary by the failure of any of these measures, it may be possible for those in charg: of remodeling the Senate Chamber to go right ahead and put through their plans which call for mov- ing the Senate Chamber out to the north wall of the Capitol. Not only are plans now in hand for the construc- tion of what has been called the most beautiful legislative hall in the world, but for letting the light of day into the Senate Chamber. Three great windows, forty feet high, at the north end of the Chamber will provide this u.g‘;:. mal as well as the skylight above Chamber, LR Senator Copcland of New York, who 2t one time was health commissioner for the greater city, has worked for year8 on the proj to get the Senators more daylight in the Cham- ber and a connection with the fresh ;Ll"n( outdoors. A hfl% ml{hllrl dollars been appr for change. However, it will require eight or nine months to do the work of construction. For last two has Te has bee: to go ahead with this work of remodeling the Senate Chamber. It is the New York Senator’s hope that the remodel- ing may be done during the coming Summer. He is one of those who are against a special session of the Congress this Spring and Summer. Senator Copeland tells a story about an institution for the blind, which was built without outside windows in con- siderable part. The theory was that if the blind could not see there was little reason for having windows to let in daylight and that artificial light would do as well. When the blind inmates began to sicken and dle, it was that they needed the light of day for health purposes as well as do those who can see. It is the contention of Senator Copeland that members of the Senate, | ing long hours in the Senate chamber each day, where the daylight comes now darkly through a skylight and artificial lights are used constantly, are givl their health and shorten- ing their lives. Under these conditions, it is natural, he said, that many mem- bers of the Senate should absent them- selves from the chamber whenever they are able to do so. ‘The plans for the Sehate chamber re- modeling have been revamped, so that the Vice President will sit facing north instead of south, as he now does. The Senators will face the south, with their backs to the north wall and the great windows provided in the plan. The galleries will be rearranged, with the press gallery working rooms extending the full width of the building back of the Vice President’s chair. The gal- leries themselves will contain more seats for the press and for the visitors. * ok ok X Many of the Senators, when they can, leave the chamber for the golf links or for some other form of exer~ cise in order to keep themselves in shape for their work. Senator Copeland that if the remodeling of the chamber goes through, it will not be 50 necessary for them to leave the ses- sions of the Upper House. Newest member of the Senate, Frank C. Part- ridge of Vermont, like a number of his colleagues, 1s fond of the out-of-doors. He is a great walker. Borah of Idaho takes his exercise on horseback. Sena- tor Partridge besides being a walker is & veteran fisherman and hunter. He walks to the Capitol and in the Capi- tol grounds, setting a good pace. In Proctor, Vt., his home, the Senator used always to walk to and from his office, a matter of half a mile, or two miles a day, including his trip in the middle of the day. He is a wood sawer, too. He saws, splits and piles several cords of wood each year at his home. Here in Washington he has tackled the med- icine ball in the gymnasium provided for the Senators. But it is a poor sub- stitute for outdoor exercise which he has had at home. * ok ok ok A veteran Democrat, Edward G. Hoff- man of Fort Wayne, Ind., has passed on. Mr. Hoffman was secretary of the Democratic National Committee from 1916 to 1920 and in 1908 was Demo- cratic candidate for the Senate in In- diana. Indiana has held on to the job the | of secretary of the National Committee for a mumber of years. Charles G. Greathouse of Indianapolis is the pres- ent secretary. The Democratic National Committee, through Jouett Shouse, executive chairman, has sent & message of sympathy to Mr. Hoffman's family. * x kX Lincoln day, today, has been made the occasion of a rededication by Re- publicans everywhere to the G. O. P. it appears. In addition to an address Y | by radio over a Nation-wide hook-up which President Hoover is to deliver at 10 pm., members of the cabinet, members of Congress and other officials of the Government will deliver ad- dresses in many parts of the country, among them Vice President Curtis, Secretary Wilbur, Secretary Doak and Senator Reed Pennsylvania. The Republican National Committee lists a score of such speeches to be delivered RN ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS BY FREDERIC J. HASKIN. devoted | of weights and measures was by act of Oengress. In 1875 Ym ington to serve in fiuwnc'gl that relates to ln{rr:nl- your your name and your mdmmdufly and inclose 2 cents, in coin or stamps, for reply. Send to The Evening Star Information Bureau, Frederic J. Haskin, director, Washington, D. C. te s How did golf derive its name?— B.%.. 8. . A" It is probably from the Dutch word “kolf,” meaning club. Q. What is the gait of an elephant u.lll"ed when it is faster than a walk? 8. A. An increased pace is s fast shuf- jfle. not a trot, canter, gallop, lope or jump. Q. Must dinner guests remain until the guest of honor has departed?—D. K. A. Emily Post's Etiquette says that this is no longer considered obligatory. While the guest of honor usually de- parts first, should he remain beyond the convenience of some of the guests, it is permissible for them to depart. Q. How long is it belleved that the statues of our Nation's heroes which are being carved in the Black Hills will last?—N. W. A. It is estimated that the memorial will endure 500,000 years. Q. What was the average age of our soldlers in the World War?—J, P. A. According to statistics compiled by the Veterans' Bureau, out of 500,- 000 officers and enlisted men serving in the World War, the average age was 24.95 years, Q. What is the best type of food to plant in a duck marsh where the water is slightly brackish?—cC. P. H. A. The Bureau of Biological Survey says that the best type of food, and particularly the only type to plant in the duck marsh described, is widgeon grass. Wild rice, which is ordinarily grown in marshes, cannot be success- fully raised where the water is brack- ish to any degree. Q. How is the President of the Re- public of Austria elected?>—F. L. A. The present government of Aus- tria, under the constitution of October 1, 1920, consists of a Parliament of two houses—a Bun it of 46 mem- bers, chosen indirectly, and a National- rat elected by direct vote for four years, These two houses elect a Presi- dent to serve for four years, and eligible to two terms only. The present Presi- dent of the Republic of Austria is Dr. Wilhelm Miklas, inaugurated Decem- ber 9, 1928, for four years, Q. Why has America its present sys- tem of weights and measures?—H. H. A. In the early Colonial days of America the weights and measures used by the colonists were naturally those of the mother country, and in most cases coples of the home stand- ards were brought over and intrusted to the care of special officers of the Commonwealth. In the English col- onies it was usually the yard of 1588 that _was employed. At the time of the Revolution the new country nat- urally continued with its existing Brit- ish standards, and, although the Con- stitution gave Co the ures, n g was ediately Thomas Jefferson in 1790 suj Congress the establishment system. question was again taken up in Congress in 1817 and 1830. On July 28, 1868, the metric system done. in a deci- States joined with a number of in the establishment of the Interna- tional Bureau of Weights and Meas- ures in Paris. . Q. Who is now chief of staff of the Army?—L. K. A. Gen. Douglas MacArthur. Q. Is there a money loss through the souring of milk?—C. M. A. It is estimated that there is a $40,000,000 loss yearly through the souring of milk and the developing of unpleasant flavors. Q. How many stamps, bills and seals bear the ure of George Washing- ton?—H. M. C. A. The Post Office Department says that there are approximately 12,000,000~ 000 2-cent stamps bearing the portrait of George Washington issued annually. ‘The Treasury Department says thal from July 10, 1929, to June 30, 1930, there were 751,152,000 dollar bills issued bearing the portrait of Wash- ington. The Bureau of Internal Rev- enue says that there are two stamps in use bearing the portrait of Wash- ington. One is a $100 documentar stamp and the other a $100 stoc transfer stamp. During }930 29,640 of the documentary stamps were sold and 13,600 stock transfer stamps. Bureau of Engraving says that there have been two seals made bearing the portralt of Washington in the last year. ‘These seals have been made for the use of the Bicentenmial Commis- sion, which has charge of the cele- bration of Washington's birthday an- niversary. Q. Who founded the University of Heidelberg?—M. McC. . It was founded by the elector, Rupert, I, the bull of foundation being issued by Pope Urban VI in 1385. Q. How long have there been castes In India?>—W. W. C. A. It is not known definitely just when castes originated in India. Rec- ords are not available until the Vedic Arya period, about 1200 B.C. were then in existence. Q. Who was the mythological charac- ter who could never be harmed while his feet were on the ground?—K. A. W. A. It was Antaeus, & intic wrestler, who was finally killed by Hercules. Q. What are essential ofls?>—S. W. A. They are chiefly the volatile prin- ciples of plants, and are used in per- fumery and medicines. Q. How long had Alexander Hamil- ton and Aaron Burr been unfriendly be- fore they fought the duel which cost Hamilton his life?—B. O. N. A. The rivalry between Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr began when they were studying law. Alexander Hamilton completed his study and a ed the bar examination first. iter fix the standard of weights and meas- | taled 2,5 when the election of Burr and Jefferson was thrown into the House of Repre- sentatives, Hamilton, although Jefferson, threw his influence in favor of him and secured the defeat of Aaron Burr. _Still later when Burr ran for the office of Governor of New York and was defeated, he blamed this defeat on Hamilton and challenged him to a duel, Q. How much newsprint does Canada produce in a year?—W. 8. A.In 1930, Canada’s production to- . ule bridge type of Vide and the drhewass.of them sre an vewas lifted into the afr. % ==y World Is Moved by Romance Of Royalty Attention which is given in this coun- try to the romance of Prince Lennart of Sweden, involving royalty and the common people of the country, as rep- resented by Praulein Karin Nissvandt, daughter of a Swedish industrialist, is justified by universal interest in tales of fiction. Official disapproval of the match and renunciation of crown claims by the young man add to the interest expressed. There are predictions of a happy ending. “The King business,” advises the Omaha World-Herald, “doesn’t offer much of a future for an ambitious young man. Even the perils of farm- ing are less hazardous. And with Karin at his side, love at his doorstep and youth at his command, Lennart is mak- ing the choice the world approves in 'pan{elrnng romance to royalty, cabbages ngs. “There is a belief,” declares the Oak- land Tribune, “that the main trouble with most modern princes is they refuse to come up to romantic expectations. Too many wear derby hats instead of crowns, ride in sport cars when they might be prancing over the country- side on a white charger and achieve publicity at Monte Carlo and the night clubs rather than in the fields where dragons may be fought and beautiful maidens rescued. So the world ap- plauds Gustav Lennart, who becomes a plain “mister” for the sake of a girl he met when he was 15 and she 13. Later, when the appropriate and official frowning has been done, and old King Gustav makes Mr. Lennart Wilhelmsson a count, it will be understood the ‘ob- Jections’ were largely those of policy and tradition. For the world which loves & lover and would have its princes romantic includes, in this case, a very human granddad, who is King Gustav.” * ok ok “Well, what is a kingdom when a youth’s in love?” asks the Albany Eve- ning News, adding the comment as to the Swedish romance: “What is all the world, indeed, when Cupid, the optician, fits you to rose-colored glasses and assures you that hitherto your vision has been all wrong and that these are ‘what you have lacked a long time. The g:lsnce and princess style of literature always appealed to us democratic Americans and we like this story of the prince who gives up his throne to marry the commoner. And, just to be sentimental, we aren't so sure that the prince is not showing good sense, for a throne is only a throne and “king- dom just for two’ is a better empire.” “The voice of rebellion against the modern profession of royalty” is heard by the Cincinnati Times-Star as it quotes the answer of the grandson of King Gustav to the question as to his plans for the future, “First of all, I am going on with my agricultural train- ing.” The Times-Star continue: n a world where dictators boss the realm or premiers do all the hard work, the ‘ruler’ and his sons can be no more than personable ornaments. True, princes do have to dedicate hospitals and orphan asylums, but their low opinion of this calling was expressed recently by the Prince of Wales, when he went on strike against any more dedications. At present, Wales is headed for South America on the sort of mission he likes, stimulating trade. Take away his royal credentials and ‘Wales would become a_ supersalesman, as Prince Lennart might become one of the first farmers of Sweden. As it and file of their countrymen. Thus royalty in 1931 finds a useful niche in a world which has outgrown it.” Suspecting that Gustav, now over 70, who is spokesman for the royal house, “in spite of his dignified bearing, has a twinkle in his eye and pathy for the 0! the Cleyeland News ment: o “However it turns ‘qut, Prince unw is prepared to go k and supj his bride, who, rich own right, ren'l:ymneefl? Ro' suppor is a gradua culture and PEOPO s nfir farmer in case §h from the palace. He 8go and Commoner the right spirit in & young man of good sense and breeding. Meanwhile, every one hopes the stern grandparent will relent—or that he is playing the for the benefii of the youngsters - selves. The Swedish royal match is occupying the center of world interest Jjust now.” * ok ok % Calling the prince “a sensible boy,” the Charleston (S. C.) Evening Post says of the romance: “What does the great-great-grandson of Jean Baptiste Bernadotte, whose father was a petty attorney in Pau, mean by objecting to the marriage of his grandson to & ‘commoner’? Miss Karin Nissvand the prospective bride, is doubtless as good blood as ever were the Berna- dottes, and her papa certainly is better able to set the young people up than the little French lawyer to do for his son, who, as a matter of fact, ran away and enlisted in the Marines and had the good fortune to make friends with one Napoleon Bonaparte. And the boy is a grandson, too, of a Roma- noff czar of all the Russias, if that is anything to help him along. It might be thought that these royalties would unbend a little, considering the that have happened to their class the past few years. Young Lennart, anyway, ought to get along, even if farming is in as bad a state in Sweden as it is in America.” “In popular fancy,” suggests the Dayton Daily News, “there are few happy marriages of state. Many mon- archs have used their progeny as mere political pawns, but Gustav of Sweden is noted for his kindhea: ess. His people are willing to reject the harsh old code that the ‘human’ side of a royal life must be lived solely to fur- ther the welfare of the state. They hope he will write the characteristic g:lnppy ending’ to this real life ‘fairy o “Americans rather like to see the claims of royalty flaunted and disre- garded,” says the Allentown Morning Call. That paper concludes: “It has ever been the dream of commoners that the good prince will find and marry the beautiful maiden and that they will live hxppu}y! ever after. It is an {deal that is ld as an ideal because it rarely “happens.” —— e Do Best Work. From the Dallas Journal. Seeing is really living, Booth Ta: kington says, after having been saved from blindness by an operation at Johns Hopkins. All Americans will rejoice with the novelist that he has come out of the dark ordeal to a promise of light, and those thoysands who hold him their favorite writer will join in hoping that the promise will be fully realized. ‘This has been a more tragic and more searching experience than the suthor of Penrod has ever known. It is such an experience, such a test of the spirit, as should put deeper meaning into any new books that he may be able to white from this time. To have faced the darkness, gone down in it and come out of it, is such drama as only the man who has done that, and hax whe gift of expresston, could put into &hy story of life. The classic sonnet of John Milton, Who'wll‘xkc;l.llt\ d“knui:l’ '.l;aml: of the most_poignant poems e 3 Tarkington may now be better m write for us the long-awaited great American novel. Gun Fodder. From the Fort Wayne News-Sentinel. Before our gunmen beat their ma- chine guns into roller skates, let them give attention to the decree by a Paris ij.sh!nn expert of a royal blue evening uit for men, “to be worn with pale blue crepe de chine underwear.” With. Dotted Lines. From the Charlotte News. WI:;‘n Senator :l!el:ln becomes ex- Senator Heflin, we have e inten- tion of o