Evening Star Newspaper, December 14, 1934, Page 12

A-12 = THE EVENING STAR, WASHINGTON, D. C, THE EVENING STAR With Sunday Morning Edition. WASHINGTON,D.C. FRIDAY.....December 14, 1934 THEODORE W. NOYES. .Editor —_— The Evenlng Star Newspaper Company 11ty 8t "and Pennsyivants Ave. New York Office: 110 East 42nd 8. 3 gan Build: ghicaso Office: Lake Michi ing. opean Office: 14 Rg‘rent St.. London. Englan Rate by Carrier Within the City. Regular Edition. ..45¢ ~er month Sunday 8tar s) ... B0c per month nday Star .. 65¢ per month 50 per copy v Star. .. Night Final fiiflnll and Sunday Star, 70c per month 55¢ per month of each mail or Final Sta: lection at the end Ilfn! . Orders may be sent by telephone NAtional 5000 Rate by Mail—Payable in Advance. Maryland and Virginia. and Sunday. .1 yr.. $10.00: 1 mo.. 88c ily only 1yt undav only. . 1¥r. £6.00; 1 mo., 50c $4.00: 1 mo.. 40c All Other States and Canada, lfl“! and Sunday, 1yr., $12.00: 1 mo.. $1.00 l only. v $82.00:1mo.. 75¢c junday oniy.... 1yr. $5.00i1mo. 50c %mber of the Assoclated Press. e Associated Press is exclusively en- fitied to the use for republication of all 2ews dispatches credited to it or not other- Wwise credited in this paper and also the local news published herein Al rights of publication of special dispatches herein #re also reserved The Issue? Bolemn warning to the Republicans that the G. O. P. cannot stage a ¢eomeback if it continues to wear a conservative guise was issued by Sen- ators Borah and Nye last night. ‘The opportunity and the need of rebuilding the party along liberal lines are at hand, they insisted. The need is here because the Democrats are really playing into the hands of big business and monopoly, both Sen- ntors contended. Both have been fore- most opponents of the N. R. A, as! administered, declaring that it has merely fostered monopoly. Senator Nye frankly asserted his lack of faith in the Democratic party. “It seems to me,” said the Senator from North Dakota, “that we waste much time when we contemplate a future for progressivism in the Democratic party.” Here is a heresy indeed. The New | Dealers probably will laugh at the suggestion that the Democratic party will fall back into the clutches of ! the conservatives. And yet Mr. Nye contended: Democratic party of today is reflect- ing, not Democratic policy, but the policy of a leadership which came into being two years ago.” Roosevelt, and the policies which it reflects have as their most severe critics Democrats, “the very Demo- erats who shall be again assuming | leadership of the Democratic party when its present leadership is gone from the White House.” While praising President Roosevelt for the battle he has waged since he | came into office, Senator Borah in-| sisted that the New Deal laws had in very truth played into the hands of big business. He backed up his as- sertion, declaring that a half million | more men and women are out of em- ployment this year than last; that 600 corporations, “enjoying monopo- listic power, the power to fix prices,” have made net gains in excess of 600 per cent, and that million-dollar in- comes of individuals are increasing while the smaller incomes are de- creasing. The burden of the contention of Senator Borah and of Senator Nye| was that the G. O. P. must stand for & greater distribution of wealth, which is pretty much the same thing @s saying that monopolies must go. ‘This, they contend, is the real op- portunity of the G. O. P. to make a clear-cut issue. For, they insist, the Democrats have failed to accomplish this result. On the contrary, they say, the Democrats have brought about a situation that really plays into the hands of bigger business and monopolies. Perhaps they have in mind the thought that business must go back into the hands of many business men, through free competition again, or éventually, when all business has been concentrated into a few great mo- nopolies the Government will step in and take them over. Indeed, it ob- viously would be easier for the Gov- étnment so to place a final controlling and proprietary grasp on industry if industry were so organized, rather than divided widely into millions of units. The suspicion has lodged in some places that several of the New Dealers do not look so much askance at the greater concentration of busi- ness, monopoly and price fixing, be- cause they vision the day when the Government will be called upon to step in and take over all industry. Mr. Borah and Mr. Nye see no opportunity for a real attack on monopoly end monopolistic tenden- cles in the conservative leadership of the Republican party. Nor do they believe that the people will ever turn again to the Republican party as long 4s the old conservative leaders remain in control. And yet, they insist, the chance for rebirth and revitalization of the party is at hand if it will firmly grasp the anti-monopoly issue. —e—— According to the figures of a Phila- delphia professor, there are 1,300,000 major crimes that go unpunished, not counting the majors created by Ruby Latoon of Kentucky. Make It Permanent. One of the many resolutions adopted in the closing hours of the National Conference on Crime was that the conference be made a continuing or- ganization with regular meetings. ‘That resolution should be made ef- fective. The corference here has been “The facts are that the That, he | sald, is the leadership of President | the people and which has been so punishment of a few of the more notorious characters of the Nation's underworld has provided incentive that will go a long way. The people are being taught that they are not faced with a hopeless problem, but merely a difficult problem that re- quires energy, training and the elimi- nation of rotten politics to effect a solution. For & good many years now the ridiculous fiction that the various rackets of the underworld are too well organized and too profitable to be broken up has shielded the authorities who are paid by the people to break them up. The Department of Justice and the effective work here and there by the police of some of the big cities are showing that the way to break up a racket is to break it up. The way to catch criminals is to catch them. And once there is a public demand for vigorous prosecution of the unceasing war against crime that demand will be answered with action—or the peo- ple will know why. ‘The sessions here of the National Conference on Crime have symbolized this demand for action. It is a senti- ment that should be encouraged in every way possible, for the great prob- | lem is not so much the eradication ot organized crime as it is to keep alive the sentiment which demands its | eradication. -t Carnegie Institution Exhibition. The Carnegie Institution of Wash- ington has announced for tomorrow, | Sunday and Monday its annual ex- hibitlon of research work in the physical, biological and historical sciences, with seven lectures by men engaged in these several fields of in- | quiry. Doubtless the occasion will bring together a large crowd of men and women possessed of the genius of appreciation—people who may not be scientists themselves but who are en- dowed with minds intelligent enough and hearts enthusiastic enough to re- spond to such an opportunity. And it is worthy of mention that in such a meeting there is symbolized the | basic foundation of progress of science | in America. Time was, not so very long ago, when research was isolated | from public concern and the little company of inquiriers dedicated to the quest of truth for its own sake were feared or neglected by the multitudes. Roger Bacon, for example, had no | are denied room for friends among laymen to defend him ! when he was imprisoned for believing | in the magnifying properties of con- | vex lenses, the inherent power in gun- | powder, the possibility of fiying ma- | chines and mechanically propelled | boats and the feasibility of the cir- | | cumnavigation of the globe. Instead, | such of his contemporaries as wers informed of his speculations cheerfully | joined in harassing him. Galileo, also, lacked popular support in the days when he was being persecuted by the Inquisition for agreeing with Co- pernicus in his doctrine of the revolu- | tion of the celestial orbs. William | Harvey, likewise, sought in vain for an audience to listen with patience to an exposition of his theory of the circu- lation of the blood; and Joseph Priest- ley, it is recorded, “incurred public odium” and had his home burned and his library destroyed by a mob for his “heterodox and liberal opinions” con- cerning the nature of air and the “corruptions” of religion. The Carnegle Institution itself is an example of the relation which latterly has developed between science and greatly responsible for advancement in | learning. It was established by a man who himself personified popular un- derstanding and appreciation of scien- tific labor. And for that reason, if | for no other, the annual exhibition of the Institution is important and in- teresting. B e Munitions profits may be curbed, but not to an extent that will compel people who insist on fighting to go | back to slings and arrows. e Home markets are to be protected except in the matter of importing our Iottery tickets. e The King of Siam. Few episodes in the annals of mon- archy outrival in novelty the tea- table discussions in an old English manor house now being carried on between the self-exiled King Prajad- hipok of Siam and a delegation of his subjects. That diminutive but de- termined monarch announced several months ago that he would abdicate his ancient throne if the Siamese Parlia- ment Insisted upon laws depriving the crown of its traditional power to de- cide whether or not persons sentenced to death should pay the penalty of capital punishment. As Pradjadhipok stood firm for the old-time royal prerogative, the Bang- kok government planned,to Jabor with him in person in Europe, where he has resided for the better part of the past yeéar as a means of recovering his health. To that end the speaker of the Siamese House of Representa- tives and two other delegates, together with the Siamese Ministers to Great Britain and France, began a series of conferences with the King at his home in the secluded English country- side this week. Pradjadipok is highly esteemed by his people. Until two years ago he was almost the world’s last remaining absolute monarch, but being & man of Western upbringing and generally modern ideals, he has fitted agreeably into the constitutioaal scheme under which Siam is now governed, with the apparent exception of his insistence upon the throne’s tra- ditional right of clemency in the case of condemned persons. The delegation that has traveled eight thousand miles to persuade the King to yleld on this score seeks to successful not, of course, in the elimi- nation of organized crime, but in creating public sentiment in favor of a movement which under wise leader- ship is capable of driving out much of the sort of crime assoclated with the past decade in America. It does not require much to create this sentiment. The fine work of the Pepartment of Justice in pursuit and 4 secure his assent to the American- derived idea that the executive and judicial branches of a government should be separate and independent. Respected and trusteg, as he is, Pradjadhipok’s people are anxious to retain him as their sovereign. All the circumstances would seem to sug- gest that somehow ways and means | will be discovered to keep him on the throne of Southeastern Asia’s inde- pendent little monarchy. Over its area of 200,000 square miles and 12,- 000,000 inhabitants he has ruled with enlightenment and to the country’s material welfare. It does not appear likely that on the single and relative- 1y minor issue that has been raised he would finally choose to renounce his royal heritage. Pradjadhipok is pleasantly rerrembered in WV.ashing- ton from his visit here two or three years ago by many who will hope for the continued well-being of Siam under his beneficent and democratic sway. —_————— Continued School Overcrowding. Dr, Ballou’s report to the Board of Education reveals a continuing in- crease in the shortage of class rooms in the elementary schools, with in- creased enrollment overcrowding most of the senior and elementary high schools. Dr. Ballou does not go into great detail as to the results. But they are overwhelmingly apparent, and require no elucidation to the parents of the children who are vic- tims of the wretched conditions found in some of the schools, where over- | worked teachers labor with large, un- wieldy classes and where the children the activities which should accompany a rounded program of physical education. The significant point of Dr. Bal- lou's statistics, however, is the revela- tion of continued increases in class- room shortage and in enrollment, with very little school building in progress to take up the shortage or anticipate future growth. This con- dition results from the sharp curtail- ment in school-building appropria- tions during the period of the depres- sion. But its worst aspect is recog- nized in the fact that under the pres- ent system of appropriating for the District there is practically no prospect of a vetterment of these con- ditions. As long as iocal taxpayers are forced to shoulder the disproportionate part lof expense for maintenance and de- velopment of the Capital City, with con- tinued hedging by the National Gov- | ernment in meeting its own obliga- | tion, the amournt of revenue available for school construction is automati- cally and sharply limited. Enroll- ment will continue to increase and the community’s provision of adequate school facilities will continue to fall behind. It requires years to build a school in Washington. The Presi- dent’s description of the “hit-or-miss” fiscal relations policy in the District was apt. But there has been little of “hit” in the past years, and mostly ‘miss.” The deplorable condition in | the schools is merely one of many instances of the misses. ———————_ Although he meant to be sarcastic, Al Smith added to the spirit of Christ- mas cheer when he conveyed the as- surance, “You can't shoot Santa Claus.” ——— The numbers racket is reported to be so crooked that it does not even show - decent respect for the laws of chance. —————————— The Swiss Navy used to be a subject | of pleasant persiflage. This is not the case since airplane navies are pos- sible. SHOOTING STARS. BY PHILANDER JOHNSON. Propaganda. Each has some mercantile affair On which he must depend— A tonic to improve the hair Or clothes to press or mend. It may be wheels or rubber tires Which bids a song to rise. Each asks when something he admires ‘What do you advertise? A speech so very eloquent That makes us laugh or weep Leaves us to think that it is meant ‘To serve some motive deep. So when to anything we hark That's either gay or wise We pause and venture the remark, What do you advertise? Preparation. “What is your program for next Congress?” “I haven't any program,” answered Senator Sorghum. “All I have so far is & list of answers I must learn to give when anybody asks questions.” Jud Tunkins says instead of a radio he’ll turn on a phonograph. At least he'll know Avhat it’s going to say next. Baffling Attainment. Vain is the egotistic rage. ‘We mortals ne’er get through with it. We get the center of the stage And don’t knew what to do with it. Relief. “Why do you read so many maga- zines?” “For the detective stories,” answered Miss Cayenne, “It's a relief to turn from the police news and read about so many crimes that never really hap- pened,” “I am glad to learn,” said Hi Ho, the sage of Chinatown, “that my neighbor Hi Hat is running for office. I shall be entertained by his efforts to be polite and even affable.” The Glad New Year. ‘When Santa Claus has come and gone We still await another dawn Of happiness that will improve ‘This world and keep it on the move. Next we shall meet the cherub dear ‘Whom we salute as The New Year. And he will bring us, like as not, Some things that Santa Claus forgot. Perhaps this cherub will reveal Machine guns and & vest of steel. And, leaving Congress at a loss, Say “stick 'em up” or “come across.” “De biggest men kin fool deirselves,” said Uncle Eben, “I hears dem recitin’ ’bout Alexander de Great, who thought he had conquered de world when Har- lem and Foggy Botfom hadn't even been discovered.” ) THIS AND THAT BY CHARLES E. TRACEWELL. “Why not give up trying to be po- lite?” he asked. “It doesn’t pay in a large city.” One may think the speaker was mis- taken. ‘While it is necessary to sympathize with his attitude, upon occasion, as a gemeral proposition it is indefen- sible, ‘There is no place where courtesy is quite so desirable as in the modern city. There are so many contacts! 1t is impossible even to begin to go somewhere without running into scores of persons. No matter how carefully one is shel- tered, or shields one’s self from the rude buffets of the crowd, personal contacts are many and varied. * K X X Politeness is the key to a happy meeting. In elevators, in the street, in stores, in public conveyances, the need for everyday, elementary courtesy is large. There are some situations, of cousse, which call for it in rather larger doses than usual. A ‘We leave out of discussion courtesy in traffic. That is a question all by itself. ‘What interests many more pointed- ly are the small-person encounters made aboard public vehicles of all kinds. At this season of the year there is likely to be found more indifference, perhaps, to the rights of others, in our public vehicles, than at almost any other season. This is all the more reason why that finest of all manifestations of courtesy, the human smile, must be brought into play. There is an old saying that you can catch more flies with sugar than with vinegar, and surely that applies to the grouchy man or woman aboard a street car or bus. Let us be charitable. Many of these personages, as they seem to think themselves, are ill. There is no telling an ill man from a well one, in many instances, by appearances. Some of the most insidious diseases of the sort which ruin lives begin so slowly that the victim has no way of knowing what is the matter with him. His friends, of course, give him no credit for being ill in any way. He does not “look” it to them. Since they go entirely by “looks,” he is in a bad way with them. EE I ‘The car or bus rider must reckon with these persons, and attempt to apply to them a real charity, perhaps such as they may not even get at home. Here is a man who does not move over, but insists on others crawling over his legs. Maybe the poor fellow is conva- lescing from a recent iliness, and sim- ply does not have the energy to leap up. He may feel so badly that he does not care to make any explanation, one way or another, And why should he, after all? Others ought not to jump at the conclusion that he must be a boor, simply because in a given situation he acts like one. Why is it that most of us imme- diately think the worst of other hu- man beings, given half a chance, in- stead of searching for a good inter- pretation of an action or word that may not please us? * ok ok ok This is one of the perpetual mys- teries of human conduct, it will seem to many, who have watched it in the everyday life. He is an exceptional person, indeed, who will stop to think up good expla- nations for the words and conduct of others, if such words and actions rub him at all the wrong way. If he is fair to himself, he will know from past experiences just how often he has misjudged others, especially by putting upon their acts and words the worst possible interpretations. If he is like ninety-nine out of a hundred persons, he will instantly jump to the worst possible conclusion at the very next opportunity. ‘Then he may regret it again, as he has done many times before. He may even wonder over himself, in that, knowing of this tendency in himself and human nature in general, he does not more carefully guard him- self against it. * k %k % One of the best ways to do this is to smile when anything goes wrong, or at least when any word or action of another so strikes one. The other is to say nothing. Which of these almost mechanical actions, if such they may be called, is the most important it would be impos- sible to say offhand. Conditions may make first one, then the other, paramount. Between these two methods it is al- most impossible to go wrong, that is, get into a fight, either physical, or merely wordy. Which of these is worse also is hard to say. To the peaceful person the fistic encounter over nothing much is unthinkable, yet no doubt one is often a great deal nearer to it than one is likely to realize. Are there not times, indeed, when even the most mild-mannered person wishes heartily to let a fist go into the jaw of another? No doubt the public at large would get alarmed if it knew just how many times a day the mild-mannered people of the earth long to hurl a fist in the direction of other human beings. However philosophical the tempera- ment may be, however mild the man, however kindly his disposition, he will at times feel inclined to resort to fisticuffs. * ® ¥ % He seldom will, fortunately for him, for no doubt such a man is no fighter. He appreciates the value of a smile, or silence. Experience has proved to him that in public places the best of the two is the latter. Even the most grouchy person is floored by the non-retort courteous. Even a smile, as efficient as it is, must take second placé to utter lack of reply. This mental vacuum, devoid of words, gives no fuel for future com- ment. If words are things, as some one has said, silence is nothing—except at times, of course. Mostly silence gives the grouchy per- son in public the happy belief that he is the victor. Since this satisfles him, it is the most efficient remedy possible, for it actually works. If the silent man believes in cour- tesy, as he goes along, at least to the best of his ability, his method has the merit of being at once practical and efficient. It works, WASHINGTON OBSERVATIONS BY FREDERIC WILLIAM WILE. ‘Though the idea is by no means new, President Roosevelt is unmistakably earnest in embarking upon his crusade to “take the profit out of war.” In disclosing his plans to the press at the White House he dwelt upon them with something that savored of evangelical fervor. His desire for their prompt consideration in Congress, despite the urgency of relief and recovery legisla- tion, speaks volumes. No one is better ) equipped than F. D. R. to weigh the question of war profits in the scales of experience. As Assistant Secretary of the Navy during the World War, he had opportunity to observe at close range the haphazard set-up of our| war-time plant, with its attendant shortcomings, including the excessive earnings of industry and the “unequal mobilization of human beings,” the twin evils which his “deprofitizing” scheme aims to eradicate. * ok ok ok Sooner or later, many Washington authorities are convinced, Mr. Roose- velt will initiate a movement to “take the profit out of war” on a world- wide scale. Armaments and muni- tions, as the Nye investigation has amply demonstrated, are internation- ally interlocking propositions. More- over, hardly any of the big arms in- dustries depend wholly upon their own countries for dividends. They look abroad for rich pickings, and the Nye revelations show that they are go- getters. The wide expectation is that one of these days President Roosevelt, in the idealistic spirit of Woodrow Wilson, will venture world leadership in an effort to make munition- mongering financially less attractive. America’s current effort at Geneva to bring about a world agreement for control of the arms traffic is evidence of Uncle Sam’s readiness to head the procession toward international co- operation in the munitions field. * Kk ok ok Washington Ambassadors of the great powers are eagerly trying to divine the true inwardness of Mr. Roosevelt’s purpose in bringing for- ward “deprofitizing” of war at this particular time. The diplomats at- tach special interest to the assurance that the President’s move is in no sense to be interpreted as “prepared- ness,” as well as to his statement that he has made his proposal now be- cause there are no war clouds on the horizon. Japan is certain to decode this as meaning that the United States does not anticipate any clash with her or conflict between Japan and the Soviet Union. Europe on her part will see in Mr. Roosevelt's affirmation a gentle reminder that the United States is not dreaming of becoming embroiled in Old World squabbles, * * ¥ X Washington’s visitors include V. V. , vice chairman of the Soviet National Economic Planning Council, which is in charge of the U.S. S.R’s second five-year plan. When Mr. Ossinsky visited the United States before he was in contact with Henry Ford in connection with the Soviet's great tractor industry. His present mission is for the purpose of observing late devélopments in American in- dustrial practice. Soviet factories recently turned out their first stream- lined vehicles. They are particularly anxious to keep abreast of American progress in the motor trade. Perhaps Mr. Ossinsky has some orders for American wares up his sleeve. * k x X Now that Gen. Douglas MacArthur is to retire as chief of staff in 1935, is rife as to his future that the present holder of that coveted blllet, Maj. Gen. Dennis E. Nolan, the ranking major general, will be appointed chief of staff. Gen. Nolan | has less than two years to serve be- | fore retirement age. That is the cir- | cumstance that may deprive him of | the Army's blue ribbon post. * % % ¥ Former Budget Director Lewis W. Douglas, who has just delivered a public broadside against New Deal spending, has been elected vice presi- dent and a director of the American Cyanamid Co., one of the country's leading chemical concerns. Ten years ago, when Uncle Sam was thinking of selling Muscle Shoals, the American Cyanamid Co. was among those who made a proposal to buy the property. Mr. Douglas was graduated from the Massachusetts Institute of Tech- nology, where he majored in metal- lurgy and geology, and for years was active in the management of his fam- ily’s copper mining interests in Ari- 2ona. Announcing that he has to “work for a living,” Mr. Douglas ex- plains that practically all his train- ing has been along lines in which the American Cyanamid Co. specializes, * x x Pennsylvania Democrats, like Penn- sylvania Republicans, seem cut out to be politicel Warwicks. Senator-elect Joe Guffey's dramatic move in paving the way for election of Representative Joe Byrns of Tennessee as Speaker of the House recalls that it was Key- stone Boss Boise Peenrose who threw the Pennsylvania delegation to War- ren G. Harding at a psychological moment at Chicago in 1920, and that it was a coup by Philadelphia Boss Bill Vare at Kansas City in 1928 that broke the resistance to Herbert Hoover’s nomination. People are won- dering how Guffey’s liegemen are to be rewarded under a Bymns speaker- ship. Penn Democrats in the old House did not hold a single chair- manship. If committee plums are now to be assigned them, other Demo- crats will have to be displaced from present seniority rank. * ¥ x X Announcement that a reciprocal trade agreement is now to be sought with the Netherlands revives interest in the old-time ambition of that country, one of the world's great colonial em- pires, to enjoy ambassadorial status with the United States. The Nether- lands has always resented the fact that European nations which it out- strips in population, area and com- mercial importance should be repre- sented at Washington by Ambassadors, while the Dutch have only a Minister here. Because of the Netherlands’ vast Far Eastern interests, she was one of the nine powers at the Washington conference of 1921-22. * x x % " Somebody once said you can prove anything by statistics. An anti-New Deal tabulation was published in New York the other day showing that P. W. A. and T. V. A. between them have caused a shrinkage of ,$1,773,736,250 in the market value of 20 utility securities during the past year end a half. Next day a New Deal enthusiast came back with figures in- dicating that 22 standard stock issues registered an increase in market value of $690,089,000 in the single month of November. (Copyright. 1934.) l Reckless Driving Cause | be given an opportunity to sing to- FRIDAY, DECEMBER 14, 1934, Of Heavy Traffic Toll To the Editor of The Star: ‘The rapidly mounting death toll of ‘Washington traffic is enough to make one’s hair curl. The saddest part of this lamentable situation is that many of these deaths could have been pre- vented if some one who was involved had used just a little care. The mo- torist is not alwnys at fault. However, it cannot be disputed that there is a decided increase in recklessness on the part of many drivers. There seems to be an impatience, an itch, an insane desire on their part to be some place else as quickly as they can get there. In 90 per cent of the cases there is no necessity for undue haste, but that makes no difference to these human maggots. Consequently if through the infirmities of age, the thoughlessness of youth or the day dreaming of mid- dle age some pedestrian wanders into their path it is just another case for the morgue. Some one has defined a gentleman as one who has consideration for others. Certainly reckless drivers and speed flends have no claim to the term. I venture to say as just one illustra- tion, that three out of five cars travel- ing on Fourteenth street between Eu- clid and U streets are doing nearer 40 miles an hour than 22. And there ! have been many accidents and fatali- ties between those two points. A few days ago I was in a line of stalled cars. It was a frightful situa- tion. I imagine we were delayed a ‘whole minute! Well, sir, judging from the amount of horn blowing, yelling and gesticulating that minute’s delay must have caused a half dozen near strokes of apoplexy among those mo- torists. I thoroughly enjoyed the an- tics of the thing driving the car di- rectly behind mine. He was heavily upholstered in adipose tissue and if he had been possessed of cloven feet and & ring in his nose Mr. Swift or Mr. Armour would have had him in a lard can and sausage years ago. His little eyes nearly popped out of his head and his fat jowls fairly quivered with wrath as he pounded on his horn with his pudgy hands. He probably was in a hurry to get downtown to buy an elec- tric fan or a bathing suit for next Summer. He could not have had an urgent appointment to see some one for the person doesn't live who would want to see his hogship. Trucks seem to be taking more than their share of victims. They will con- tinue to do so as long as their owners send these juggernauts out on the crowded streets in the care of men, many of whom haven't sense enough to lead a poodle dog half a block. Most of us would like to see a mora- torium on traffic deaths. The trouble is there are far too many drivers la- boring under the delusion that there is a surplus of people here in Wash- ington. They seem to have a desire to emulate the tactics of the A. A. A. and plow this surplus under. 8. H. MUMFORD, —— Age Should Not Bar a Man From Employment | To the Editor of The Star: It is a pity every time that a per—‘ son goes to look for & job he must| turn back to his family record and | produce the year, the month, the week and day of his birth. It is a wonder that he is not asked whether it was before sunrise or after sunset,| before breakfast, dinner, or after supper, under what planet, etc. { Not long since I was looking in a family Bible and found that the en-, tire family had erased the vear and | day of their birth, Perhaps, after| all, a wise family! | A person's mental and physical condition determines his fitness for work. Some persons afe old when | born and others young at seventy, eighty, and even one hundred! There should be no age limit to a man's work as long as he has the ability, the physical endurance and intelli- gence to perform it. It is not the calendar that should govern those who have to do with employing per- sons, but the persons themselves. John, exiled on the Isle of Patmos, saw an angel with one foot on the land and the other on the sea swear- ing by Him that sat on the throne that time should be no longer. An end of calendars, old age and fam- ily recordsl A time of perpetual youth! It is embarrassing when applying for a position to have a calendar pushed | under your eyes and the question asked, where and when were you born? Suppose one replies, ask my parents? Tell them at that time you had a lapse of memory. That you do not remember. The question is not how well are you or how capable are you, but “how old are you?” If a person is in good all- round shape, give him a chance to work and earn a living and be in- dependent and look the world in the face courageously and unashamed— regardless of age. If & man is not allowed to work on account of his age, then he becomes one of the President’s forgotten men, so far as employment is concerned, and the Federal Government must provide old-age pension for him, for he must still eat, be clothed and sheltered. He must have some of the comforts of life and allowed to enjoy living! In the Old Testament persons were taught to rise up in respect be- fore old men. It is still true that the old deserve respect and consideration Irom their Government and fellow- citizens. There was a time when it was an honor to claim Roman citizen- ship. May it ever be true that any person can be proud of the Stars and Stripes and his citizenship in the United States of North America! W. J. HUBBARD. Calls for Carols by People Christmas Eve To the Editor of The Star: As the season for singing Christmas carols draws near, I remember the de- lightful Christmas eves when we, the people who attended the municipal Christmas tree, sang together the carols. But this beautiful tradition seems to have fallen under the ax of modern- ity. The carols were sung last Christ- mas and the Christmas before by a chorus and given to the crowd am] ers. It seems to me that it was ever so much more beautiful and inspiring when everybody sang. There must be others who feel about this as I do, others who should prefer to have the carols sung by the crowd gathered ‘round the tree. We go to the tree either because we have the Christmas spirit or are in search of it; and in either circumstance we are in the mood for singing. Please may we not be given again the joy of participation? May we not gether around the tree this Christ- mas eve? I should be very grateful for the restoration of this beautiful tradition. AUGUSTA KREINER. Profitable Losing. ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS BY FREDERIC J. HASKIN. A reader can get the answer to any question _of fact by writing The Washington Evening Star Information Bureau, Frederic J. Haskin, Director, Washington, D. C. Please inclose stamp for reply. Q. Was the Satvrday Evening Post originally the Pennsylvania Gazette? I l-o"why was the name changed? —B. P. A. As founded by Franklin in 1728, the periodical now known as the Saturday Evening Post was entitled the Pennsylvania Gazette. The name was changed in 1821 to avoid confu- sion because at that time there were six other papers in Philadelphia using the word gazette in their titles. Q. What Presidents of the United States have served wine in the White House?—E. D. A. President Wilson was the last President to serve wine in the White House, the prohibition amendment becoming effective before the end of his administration. During the ad- ministration of President Hayes no wine was served. Apart from this, wine has been served before prohibi- tion by each President. Q. When were ice cream cones in- troduced?—C. E. A. They are supposed to have ap- peared first at the St. Louis Exposi- | tion in 1904, Q. Do stars really fall?—R. P. | A. Falling stars, or meteors, are small bodies which approach the | earth from outside space at a high velocity. They shine only when they enter the outer atmosphere of the earth and become heated by mcuon‘ in falling through the air, They are | then called falling stars. Most of them burn completely up before they reach the earth’s surface. Those that reach the surface are called meteor- ites. Q. Is Armenia an independent re- public?—G. 8. A. 1918 the independence of the republic of Armenia was recognized, but in 1920 a Bolshevik movement set up the Armenian Socialist Soviet Republic, and Armenia is now in- cluded in the U. 8. 8. R. Q. What are the absolute ceiling. ballonet ceiling, etc., as used in avia- tion?—J. W. A. Absolute ceiling—the maximum height above sea level at which a | given airplane would be able to main- | tain horizontal flight under standard | alr conditions. Ballonet ceiling—the | altitude from which a pressure air- ship with empty ballonets can return to sea level without loss of operating | pressure. Service ceiling—the hexght‘ above sea level, under standard au" conditions, at which a given airplane | is unable to climb faster than a small | specified rate (100 feet per minute in | the United States and England). This | specified rate may differ in different | countries. Static ceiling—the alti- | tude in standard atmosphere at which an aerostat is in static equi- | librium after removal of all discharge- | able weight. | Q. Is there any desk manual avail- | able that includes a dictionary, rules | for office practice and an atlas?— R.G.F. . A. “The Executive’s Desk Book,” published by the John C. Winston Co., Philadelphia, is a practical manual of correct usage in business, official and social activities. In addition it con- | tains a simplified dictionary, an atlas, | rules for filing, preparing manuscripts and bibliographies, and a chronology: of events. Q. What European countries re- mained neutral during the World War?—W. T. A. The Netherlands, Switzerland, Norway, Sweden, Denmark and Spain. | Q. What are the 10 best moving pictures of 1934?—J. W. A. The list compiled by Film Daily, after a poll of the leading dramatic critics throughout the United States, is as follows: “Little Womer,” “The Thin Man,” “The House of Roths- child,” “Dinner at Eight,” “One Night of Love,” “Men in White,” “It Hap- pened One Night,” “Judge Priest,” “Only Yesterday” and “Little Miss Marker.” Q. How long does it take a pine or spruce tree to grow big enough to cut for a Christmas tree?—G. K. A. They grow about 1 foot a year in a climate similar to New York State. Trees are marketable when they are from 6 to 10 feet tall. Q. What is the law which prevents putting Babe Ruth’s picture on an issue of postage stamps?—M. Z. A. The Post Office Department says that it is against the law to portray the likeness of any living being on & United States postage stamp, Q. What are saccharine tablets made of?—L. P. A. Saccharine is the imide of ortho- sulphobenzoic acid and is called sci- entifically orthobenzoicsulphinide. It was discovered by Ira Remsen and C. Fahlberg in 1879 in the course of an investigation carried out at Johns Hop- kins University, Baltimore, Md. It is a coal tar product. It must be remem- bered in using it that it is many times sweeter than sugar. About l4-grain tablet is sufficient for a cup of coffee or tea. Q. When leaving cards at the White House, is the rule of one of the wife's and two of the husband’s followed, or should the woman leave one of her cards for the President?—T. C. A. The rule holds. One of the wom- an’s cards and two of the man’s should be left. Q. What is the mean temperature in Buenos Aires?—V. M. A. Buenos Aires has an average ane nual temperature of 61.1 degrees Fahr~ enheit; the average for January is 73.7 degrees; for July, 49.2 degrees Fahrenheit. The rainfall is 37.9 inches, well distributed throughout the year. Light frosts occur during the cold months. Q. In the course of recovery have people shown more interest in replac- ing their automobiles or their houses? —E.T.C. A. Much more interest has been shown in replacing automobiles. While automobile sales mounted rapidly after the low point of depression, hg\;fie building continued to be at low ebb. Q. How many persons attended the wedding of Princess Marina and the Duke of Kent?—F. L. A. The ceremony was performed in the presence of 1,400. Q. To what extent has the value of railroad locomotives manufactured declined during the depression?—B. M. A. The value of steam locomotives manufactured in 1929 was $70,961,473 and in 1933 it was $2,827,931. Q. When did Bismarck die and what was the inscription on his tomb? —J.C.G. A. Bismarck died in Friedrichsruh on July 28, 1898, at the age of 83. In his last words he expressed his devo- tion to his old Emperor and his dis« like of his new master by choosing the following inscription for his tomb: “A true German servant of the Eme peror William 1.” Q. What character in mythology was changed into a heliotrope?—A. M. A. Clytie, daughter of Oceanus, who pined away for love of Appolo, was changed into a heliotrope. Repeal’s Anniversary Brings Arguments Over Its Benefits Wide differences of opinion are found | throughout the country as to the re- sults achieved through repeal of the prohibition amendment. In some in- stances it is felt that State laws, hast- | | ily enacted, have failed to meet the demand for proper control of the | liquor traffic. There are some warn- | ings that, unless improvement is! shown, there will be a new move in the direction of prohibition. A sub-| stantial number of newspapers recog- nize benefits under the new era. “Except in the matter of taxation and in protection for dry States, prom- ised in the repeal amendment,” says the Kansas City Times, “the Federal authority is now out of the liquor pic- ture. The States will have to handle it as best they may. They cannot find | an excuse in the rate of the Federal tax, which has only a nominal re- lation to bootlegging; but they can expect and demand that the Federal authority make good on its obligation to the legally dry areas in their rela- tions with the wet. Drastic revision of State control laws. many of which were hastily enacted, is the Immediate requirement.” “Repeal has proved an_economic | benefit,” comments the Providence Bulletin. The New York Times states that “apparently the popular verdict strongly favors a continuance of the experiment now in progress.” The Times adds: “As to the Tesults achieved by one year of such experi- ment, opinion naturally varies. Certain gains seem clear. Legalized hypocrisy has been ended. Revenues which for- merly entirely into the coffers of an illicit industry have been par- tially diverted to Federal, State and local governments at a time when they have greater need of funds. Boot- legging, while still a serious problem in | many communities, now meets increas- ingly severe competition based on eco- | nomic grounds. Congestion of cases in the Federal courts has been reduced. Less certain is the effect of repeal on the use of hard liquor and the cause of temperance.” Belief that it is too early to form a judgment as to the results of repeal is ‘expressed by the Youngstown Vin- dicator, while the Newark Evening News voices the opinion: “To a great many it is disappointing that the legalized sale of liquor in numerous States, among them our own, has brought back the old saloon, call it by any other name you wish. That prob- ably was inevitable to the custom of this and other sections. It is even probable that some of those who prom- ised the elimination of the saloon did so0 with their tongues in their cheeks. But within the States there is the power to banish the saloons, as such, the moment public opinion counsels that action. On the social side the benefits of repeal are positive. Drink- ing no longer has to be furtive because illegal. It no longer need be feverish, begotten by uncertainty where the next drink is coming from once the oasis of the speakeasy is left behind. Drinking is not greater under repeal than before. This is the testimony of the best trained observers.” “The bootlegger, born of a wide- spread and natural desire for bever- ages forbidden by law,” observes the Cincinnati Times-Star, “is being kept in business by high prices on legal liquor, due for the most part to ex- cessive taxation. When lawmakers. in their enthusiasm for vast revenues, slapped high imposts on liquor they in effect subsidized the bootleggers and prevented the flow of revenue that would have followed reasongble taxes. Secretary Morgenthau still clings to the theory that efficient enforcement is all that is needed. Members of Congress who are now drafting bills to lower present liguor taxes take a more realistic view of the problem.” Further changes in State laws are suggested by the Indianapolis News, the St. Joseph (Mo.) News-Press, and the Philadelphia Evening Bulletin, while the Rochester Times-Union and the La Crosse (Wis.) Tribune find defi- nite disadvantages under repeal. The Topeka Daily Capital says: “It is possible that people during the era of bootleg liquor felt they were getting too much of a good thing, that boot- leg palled on the taste, and that people in large numbers came to let it alone. National prohibtiion was refused en- forcement by the States, and conse- quently bootlegging ran wild. Yet when the facts are known it may answer to wets and drys that the prohibition era, ineffective as it was, accomp- lished something definite for sobriety and temperance.” Approves Shotguns as Weapons for Starlings To the Editor of The Star: Congratulations upon your cour- ageous editorial, “The Steadfast Star- lings,” in your issue of Tuesday. Your position is absolutely right. Palliatives have been tried and failed. What is now needed is more backbone and less wishbone. This case presents an opportunity to “kill two birds with one stone.” By supplying a picked squad of metro- politan police with shotguns, loaded with fine bird shot, they can quickly drive out the pests and use the birds killed for delicious potpie to be served at the city’s relief kitchens. The American Game Association during its entire twenty-three years, while primarily concerned with the restoration of wild creatures of intere est to those who enjoy the chase, has taken an active interest in the promo- tion of measures to protect song and insectivorous birds. We are utterly opposed to promiscu- ous slaughter o. any kind, but when a species, either native or alien, becomes 50 much of & public nuisance as have: the starlings in Washington, it is time to cast maudlin sentiment to the winds and approach the problem in a busi~ nesslike way. SETH GORDON, ¢ Fresident, American Game Assoct ation. ——————— In the Mode. Prom the Davenport (Iowa) Times, An Indiana {ancier has paid $315 in rewards to date for the return of & disappearing police dog. It is just another recovery policy that runs into money. ——— The Up-to-Date Granny. Prom the Saginaw Daily News. It's getting 50 the only way - ma will have the aroma ot hgn“endn about her will be to put it in the cigarette. P .