Evening Star Newspaper, December 25, 1934, Page 6

{THE EVENING STAR . With Sunday Morning Edition. WASHINGTON,D.C. TUESDAY...December 25, 1834 N THEODORE W. NOYES. .Editor The Evening Star Newspaper Company Business Office: 11th 8t. and Pennsylvanis Ave. New York 110 East 42nd 8t Chicago Office: Lake Michigan Building. European Office: 14 Regent St.. London. ngl Rate by Carrier Within the City. Regular Edition, The Evening Star.. .- ¢ Evening and Sunday Biar o () dazs) o g 606 Der mouth ) and_Sun 5¢ per month when 5 Sundays) The Sunday Star .5c per copy ion, Night Fin: [jsht Final end Sunday Star, 70¢ per month ight Final Star. . . . b5c per month Collection made’ at ‘the end of each month. "Orders may be sent by mall or telephone NAtional 5000. Rate by Mail—Payable in Advance. Maryland and Virginia. ally and Sunday. .1 yr., $10.0 aily only. . J1yr, $6.0 Sunday only. Y All Other States and Dally and Sunday, 1 yr., $12.0 Iy only. 1yr. RO 1yr.. $5.0 Member of the Assoclated Press. The Associated Press is exclusively en- titied to the use for republication of all All rights of publication of special dispatches herein are also reserve B Christmas. ‘The world celebrates today the be- ginning of a new civilization, the most important event in modern his- tory. But some there may be who, while entertaining the Christmas spirit and participating in the annual Christmas festivities, may be unaware of the dominating character of the incident which opened the Christian era in the annals of mankind. And for these, if not for others, it should be worth while to review the debt which the race owes to the Babe of Bethlehem. Religion, obviously, in predominant part traces back to Him, and its in- fluence upon human conduct during nearly two thousand years had in- spiration in His birth, His life and His death. Law also derives from His teaching—the common principles of equity and justice which are the basic codes of all existing nations were founded in His philosophy of right- eousness and mercy. Art likewise is His creation, and the most highly gifted of painters and sculptors have devoted their genius to the interpretation of His person- ality and the representation of scenes from His career. Music, too, has been His servant, and the greatest compos- ers who ever have lived have em- ployed their talents in His praise. Literature and the drama, it need not be argued, have centered about His name—no other subject within the range of human comprehension has had more compelling attraction for writers as a class; the central theme of masters of poetry and prose alike has been the Son of God and His doctrine of life more abundant and Iree. Even science is obligated to Him, for it was He who taught the sanctity of truth. And the same may be said for commerce and trade, because His ethics have been the essence of fair- dealing—the fundamental factor of genuine prosperity and progress. It follows that Christmas is an oc- casion for rededication to Christ’s pur- pose, and if that be not its proper significance the day is, in fact, mis- used. Hence the repetition of the ancient appeal to maintain the Christ- mas harmony and practice the Christ- mas charity throughout the entire year. Surely the task is not too burden- some. Mankind, which already has done so much in the Savior's cause, is capable of even more notable vic- tories. War and revolution, poverty and crime are not beyond the power of His correction, and plain and humble men and women, like those who were among the first to heed His promises, can be His instruments in the present as .their forerunners were in the past. All that is needed is general acceptance of His one commandment: “That ye love one another.” And gains are being made. Even in the brief span which has elapsed since last Christmas day there have been advances, grateful for which, mankind, commemorating His com- ing, attains new understanding of the meaning of His covenant: “Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.” ———e—. Sam Insull has shaken hands with 80 many jurymen that in case of final acquittal he should have a good list of prospects for more discreet enter- prises in the future. —ee—. Railroad Safety. Two railroad trains collided early Sunday morning on the outskirts of Delaware, Ohio, causing the death of three trainmen and the injury of thirty-four passengers. But for a merciful chance the fatalities would have been much more numerous, for the conditions in which the trains col- lided were such as ordinarily to have caused a major catastrophe. The exact circumstances in which the wreck occurred are not altogether clear, there being mention in the first dispatches of a “connection” between the main line of the road and a “cut- off” over which an express was run- ning at high speed, with two engines, to make up for lost time. Subsequent information was given in a statement by the division superintendent of the iine, to the effect that “it was a case of the engineer failing to observe a red signal.” It had been thought that the major lines of this country were so equipped that such an error or failure could not lead to disaster, that dependence was no longer finally placed upon the vigilance of the engineer, that the roads were equipped with one of sever- al approved systems of automatic stops preventing the close approach of a train in headway to a point of danger. It may be that there was such a sys- tem at the point at which the colli- slon occurred in Ohio and that it was not compulsory or automatic, but sup- 4 = lost patronage, plementary, such a system as that for which the rail lines contended throughout the period when this ques- tion was agitated, prior to the adop- tion of a safety rule by the Interstate Commerce Commission, The whole matter of this step toward railroad safety has been confused in recent years, for the railroads, handicapped by their poor financial condition, have been given considerable margin in the observance of the safety rules on the ground of compulsory economy. For a long period the usual expla- 45¢ ey month | nation of a railroad wreck was that the engineer blundered. The signals were obscured by fog, or deranged by bad weather, or the man at the throt- tle was overborne with fatigue or was simply inattentive or incompetent. ‘These excuses did not satisfy the trav- eling public, and finally in response to an insistent demand for greater se- curity the automatic signal require- ment was made. Now it seems to be in abeyance. The railroads are making a bid for by installing more comfortable, faster trains, with greater luxuries of travel. Their percentage of safety remains high, perhaps higher than that of the highway motor or the airplane, both of which have taken toll of the rail lines in serious depletion of custom. Still the accidents continue, now a broken rail, now a misplaced switch, again an ob- scured or disregarded signal. With an established right of way, safe- guarded from intrusion, save at oc- casional grade crossings, which should have been abolished long ago, with constant and vigilant inspection, it would seem that the factor of safety would run steadily higher than that of the competing agencies of travel. Certainly a hundred per cent adoption and use of the automatic stop, even at the cost of slower headway, would be a bid for trade worth considering. The railroad that can say to the public “Our engineers cannot make mistakes because a dependable machine will not permit them to do so” will invite patronage even as against the rail- road that merely stresses the speed | of its trains. e Run Them Out! In 1932, in response to numerous re- quests from citizens of Prince Georges County, the county commissioners ordered that “Jimmy's Place” should be closed. The place was not closed and the order accumulated dust in the files of the county commissioners. The past election brought into of- fice a new board of county commis- sioners. It is a hopeful sign that they have, of their own volition, given the county chief of police instructions to close “Jimmy’s Place” and keep it clos- ed, and have backed up the order with a reminder that the county commis- sioners have the authority to remove any and all members of the county police force. Citizens of Prince Georges, long familiar with the institutionalized hold that this notorious gambling place has on the county, will await the results of the new county commis- sioners’ decision with more than or- dinary interest. So will the news- papers of Washington, anxious to of- fer what co-operation they can in ridding the city and its environs of a breeding place for crime and the headquarters of an underworld ele- ment of undesirable character. Does this decision mean action? Or is it merely another gesture, like grand jury reports of the past? Prince Georges County will be re- tarded in the commercial and resi- dential development in prospect for it as long as it permits its name to be associated with such establishments as “Jimmy’s Place.” And the myste- rious influence that “Jimmy's Place™” has come to exercise on the county is manifect in the fact of its practically undisturbed operation for the past twenty years. Alexandria County, in Virginia, now knnwx} as Arlington County, many years ago faced the same situation that faces Prince Georges today. “Border town"” establishments were operating across the river and local county authorities were unwilling, for various reasons, to stamp them out. A vigorous State’s attorney, aroused by articles in The Star and the ccm- plaints of decent citizens, initiated an investigation, accompanied by other action, which ran most of the rascals out—cleaned up the county. Similar opportunity awaits the county com- missioners and other officials of Prince Georges. If they are interested in protecting the property of taxpayers and in attracting the investment that means substantial development of the county they will, now that public sen- timent is behind them, sweep the cor- ners clean of underworld resorts. Some of the county officials claim that proximity to Washington makes possible the continued existence of Jimmy’s and other places. That is, of course, true. There is an undesirable underworld in every large city, and Washington is no happy exception. in the minds of Prince Georges County officials is whether their county is tof be made the refuge for Washington criminals. It is not to the best in- terests of the county that this should be true. ————————————— ‘What cannot be printed might be put across by radio. There has as yet been no conspicuous attempt to sue a microphone for libel. " ‘The point which should be uppermost J Ireland and Finland. Santa Claus arrived in the United States a day or two ago in unex- pected guise, laden with a gift from the Emerald Isle. He comes in the person of Sean O'Kelly, vice presi- dent of the Irish Free State executive council and second in command, under President de Valera, of John Bull's other island. The present which Vice President O'Kelly brings is the announcement that the Dublin government has de- cided to take its place alongside Fin- land and pay Irish debts in the United States. The obligations con- sist of the $10,000,000 which was ad- vanced by American citizens between 1919 and 1921 against bonds of the then so-called Irish Republic. Mr. O'Kelly states that the securities will be redeemed in full, with interest, and that it is planned to begin payments within the next two months, The bonds in question had the au- thority of neirher the United States ‘Government nor of the Irish Free State. The Jatter at the time had not yet come into existence, but the present government, looking upon the transaction as a sacred obligation of the nation, will waive technicalities and meet it dollar for dollar. Ar- rangements to do so earlier, Vic2 President O'Kelly explains, would have been made except that the business of compiling the necessary records Iproved w be a bigger job than was expected. Because of the circumstances that accompanied the raising of American funds to promote the cause of Irish “freedom,” the debt does not figure on tne books of the United States Treasury. The Irish Free State, there- fore, does not rate as a defaulter, along with the European nations that have accepted that stigma. But Erin's honorable gesture is none the |less notable on that account and merits due acknowledgement. With their proverbw: sense of humor, it may safely be assumed that the Irish will get a great kick out of squaring accounts witn America, while the | British “opprescor” remains a delin- quent, ———rae. Henry Ford’s orchestra has dis- carded the “old-fashioned fiddlers” and devoted the most accomplished musicianship to some of the old-time compositions that stand out in supreme admiration as classics. —————.—————— Japan’s gift of cherry trees may be temporarily covered with icicles. But the thaw will again reveal them as great examples of the straightforward diplomacy which, seeks friendliness rather than defiance. e Huey Long is said to contemplate a District of Columbia of his own somewhere in Louisiana. It cannot be a precise copy. Long may be relied on to provide his District of Co- lumbia with votes. —————— It would be a captious inquirer who demanded a sequel to Dickens’ “Christmas Carol,” showing whether Scrooge’s sudden revision of his busi- ness system was accomplished with- out getting the firm into the red. ———— In knighting that good actor, George Arliss, there is an inferential compliment to the taste of the Amer- ican public, before whom Mr. Arliss has for many years habitually appeared. ————— oo Ben Franklin was a contributor to | physical science, but it is as a phil- osopher and a statesman that he has his picture registered in the United States Patent Office. ———— | ence for “Peace on Earth and Good Will Toward Men” may do a little !.sometmng toward relieving agitation among statesmen who fear the worst. Facial expression is important. Wirephoto service will enable the public to know not only what an orator said, but how he looked when | he was saying it. s Washington is attracting so much attention on the musical stage that a political travesty may yet be at- tempted to be entitled the “Ziegfeld | Farleys.” oot SHOOTING STARS. BY PHILANDER JOHNSON. Worth Waiting For. The Christmas tree smiles in its pride. Too 300n it must be cast aside And taken forth, its beauty lost, Upon the junz heap to be tossed. But in the fieid the pine will grow Amid the sparkle of the snow And whisper as the wind blows drear, “It’s only just another year— “There will be Springtime blossoming And butterflies upon the wing. ‘There will be Autumn splendor, too, Ere Christmas trees arrive anew.” But, like the flow'rets of the May Or roses blushing sweet and gay Or like the forest’s golden cheer, The Christmas tree arrives each year. In Agreement. “Do you understand all your col- leagues are saying?” “Partially,” answered Senator Sorg- hum. “They etill seem in agreement that there is a Santa Claus.” Jud Tunkins says he likes the old songs pest 'cause the folks all know ’em so well that nobody is ’specially disturbed if he sings a little bit off the key. Moratorium. ‘The things we wish, the things we fear At home or far away In studious mood we ought to hear— But this is Christmas day. Of conquest far away And study hatred’s baleful fire— But this is Christmas day. Moderate Aspirations, “Is your boy Josh getting on in col- lege?” “Yes,” answered Farmer Corntossel, “but I'm afraid he isn't smart enough to be a foot ball coach. I guess we’ll have to be satisfied to see him grow up to be just a plain professor.” Why Argue. I saw a happy youngster pause To say with sparkling eye, “My dad believes in Santa Claus And so do I My dad can't make mistakes, because He's smart us he can be. If he says there's a Santa’ Claus, That goes with me.” “I iikes to hear a smart man talk,” sald Uncle Eben, “even when he ain't tellin' much. He shows dat he kin go on thinking in spite & disturbance even if he makes it hisselt.” The Christmas revelation of rever- | We should discuss the flerce desire) THIS AND THAT BY CHARLES E. TRACEWELL. 1t is a privilege to be able to look into the home of Templeton Jones today, and see that worthy man en- Jjoying his Christmas presents. Among these is a storm glass. Jones is enough of a countryman to have wanted one of these chemical barometers, once so universally es- wemjhy farmers. A all board has a thermometer and the storm or weather glass side by side. Most persons have seen them, but in recent years they are not so much in style, due to the competition of more scientific barometers. Templeton Jones, as an amateur meteorologist, had long wanted one of these glasses, but some how never got around to it. Perhaps it is unfair to call him amateur. Subamateur would be bet- ter, nearer the truth. His interest in the weather comes from long observation, and love of flowers. Like most unscientific persons, he has long thought that with an in- strument or two he ought to be able to predict the weather at least as well as the Weather Bureau. % Several good examples of anaeroid barometers, and a clipper ship glass, did not enable him to make good. h}{e 8till found prediction beyond im. Now that he has an old-fashioned | storm glass, he hopes to do better in this fascinating line. It is true that this sealed tube filled with distilled water, alcohol, and cam- phor, in the main, is no longer es- teemed as a weather forecaster. Perhaps it never was, amid scien- tific circles. During the early days of the Nation, however, it was very popular. A weather glass was to be found on every front porch, carefully hung from a nail on the wall. The idea was to put the device where it would not be molested nor | get the rays of the sun, but where it would have free access to a good current of air. Even the most unscientific person | would know it was destined to be hung outdoors, for the accompanying Farenheit thermometer was so marked that it showed 60 degrees below zero. This fact made it usable almost anywhere in North or South America. Very few places ever show a lower reading than 60 below. * ok ok % The new fones' thermometer sticks to the tradition. Sixty below zero! Jones thought there probably never would be any need of it going quite that low in this vicinity. He hoped not, at any rate, but when he recalled last Winter he could not be too sure. What interested him was weather tube. It was fixed in a depression in the ‘wood alongside the thermometer, was kept in place by two brass clasps and was next to a plate bearing three in- scriptions. ‘The bottomamost one read “Fair,” the one about the middle of the tube, “Change,” and the label at the top said “Stormy Thus all weather possibilities, com- prised in three small words. the |a sign of clear weather. When you stop to think of it, Tem- pleton Jones thought, those words are almost all there is to weather changes. “Stormy” includes everything from rain, snow and hail to windstorms, hurricanes and the like. ‘The unknown inventor of this in- strument may not have been a com- plete scientist, but he was a good psychologist. He realized the impossibility of precise prediction. If you came somewhere near it, he must have figured, you did about as well as could be expected. * K ok X ‘When Jones opened his new toy, he found the snowlike substance in the tube congealed at the bottom, where it unmistakably predicted “fair.” ‘The moment he put it outdoors, on the north side of the house, the flakes began to rise, and soon were abreast the “change” designation. No doubt cold had some effect on the thing. Jones looked at the tube. Not only was it an interesting ! antique, as such things go, having ' been “invented” prior to 1800, and | very popular in Colonial America, but he saw something else in it. This was the fact that it was one of the earliest uses of alcohol to pre- vent freezing. The usual formula for these glasses was 2 ounces of absolute alcohol mixed with 2 ounces of distilled water. The latter would have frozen, if it had not been for the alcohol. ) In this total amount of liquid it was customary to dissolve 2 drams of camphor, a half dram of chlorate of ammonium and a like quantity of nitrate of potassium. The tube was then sealed. - ‘The ability of camphor to crystalize, evidently according to air pressure, the effects of temperature, winds and probably obscure electrical currents, was what made the storm glass func- tion. Camphor is soluble in alcohol, but not in water. Alcohol and water being present in equal quantities, the poor camphor was up against it as to what to do, whether to congeal, or to dissolve. That was the way Jones figured it out, at any rate. * X ¥ % He did not know whether he would ever be ambitious enough to attempt to follow out the ancient rules for telling the weather by the thing. One could go by the scale, he knew. but in the old times there appears have been more to it than that. Cold weather was indicated by the formation of feathery crystals at the top of the tube, and occasionally throughout the liquid. The crystals dissolved during warm weather, the greater part of the liquid being clear. Increasing wind and stormy weather indicated by upper portion of liquid Temaining clear and flakes rising to | the top. Approach of rain is indicated in cold weather if top of liquid becomes cloudy and thick. Rain is predicted in warm weather it crystals rise in otherwise clear | liquid. Even the comparative sharpness of | the crystals was studied, this being Breaking up of the points was held to mean unsettied weather. to| Right to Survive Is of Higher Order Than the Right to Live To the Editor of The Star: Sentiment without sense in social | or political economy is futility itself. It makes scapegoats instead of lead- ing to social progress. Recently the writer veiled a bit of gentle sarcasm | on this point rather too well, which led to the misleading headline *“Un- selfishness the Best Panacea’ thought quite the reverse of that in- tended! Motives, to be sure, have their place in life, much as power has its place in machinery. But without ade- quately designed social instrumental- ities to direct their application, mo- tives are as useless as power without a machine. It is not the character of the power, but of the machine, that can be shaped and designed to effec- tively attain a purpose. Similarly, our motives can only be used and directed, not changed in character. The same of civilized man. It has been truly said that unself- ishness is only farsighted selfishness in the struggle to survive—for, after all, the right to survive is of a higher order than the right to live. Perhaps this leads to “unselfishness” in a sense, but in serving the end of sur- vival—and survival is the crucial test of life—the individual's first social obligation is the business of looking after himself and family instead of making others do it for him. In prey- ing upon other forms of life for food the human method is not less selfish because it is less self-sufficient than other forms of preying, and no social implementation can evade this fact. Indeed, the human method stands alone as the only social method that is not, and cannot be, communistic (after the fashion of insect societies, for instance), but is fundamentally a matter of exchange involving that mu- tual but individual profit which re- sults from specialized accumulations of values on a principle of judgment as to time and place rather than of mere labor in production and distribu- tion. It is toward the maintenance of this mutuality in the profits of trade, so that “a fair exchange” shall be “no robbery,” that all our social artifices are, or should be, directed, particulariy the artifice of a medium of exchar.ge. Night Parking Ban An Entering Wedge To the Editor of The Star: ‘There is not very much time left before the parking ban on 50 miles of ‘Washington streets is scheduled to go inta effect. I should like to make the following comments on this topic be- fore final action ds taken and request that I be extended limited space in ‘The Star to do this. After the proposal of eliminating all-night parking on miles of Wash- ington streets seemed about to be re- scinded the District Commissioners suddenly decided to adhere to their original position. Some of the arguments, or rather reasons assigned, don’'t appear very plausible. Washington does have some cold weather, but there are never more than five or six snows of any considerable depth. Hence it appears too much of a penalty to exact where only 8 to 10 days at the most are within the span of these months. ‘It is further even more difficult to conceive just why parked cars should be responsible in any way for the fa- talities which have been rather nu- merous in this city. Possibly too much stress is placed on minor traffic in- fringements and not sufficient em- phasis on reckless driving. Furthermore, Washington is not on the same footing as medu&eother |rules of the game must be framed motives stir the savage breast as that | If then, this medium, for any reason, | distorts this delicate balance of fair- | ness and mutuality in benefit, some | one’s ability to discharge his prime so- | cial duty of seif-care is curtailed and | his motives become misdirected from | those practices of industry and thrift that are necessary to a trade system, toward other, non-social means of sur- vival. There is thus not a single human problem that can be approached with | the hope of successful solution while | the mledium of exchange is not wisely | conducted in the interest of fair play. Good intentions—*wishful thinking"— in this respect cannot suffice, for they can too easily “pave the road to hell.” Nothing short of adequate social ma- chinery can yield proper motives—can direct our unchangeable, cosmic urge into the proper social channels. The wisely and administered well, not on the supposition that the selfish pur- pose of winning will not be ever pres- ent, but with the certainty tnat such selfishness must always exist as the | very reason for the existence of rules | and officials to enforce them, or, in- | deed, of the game itself. Nor can we play this game of life by the lazy-minded device of turn-| ing the whole thing over to the umpire to let him make up the rules as he sees fit while the game pro- gresses. We all must understand and agree on the rules before we play, if we don't want to wind up in a fist fight after killing the umpire. If we want to get anywhere we shall have to get the horse around'’ in front of our cart again and face squarely the problem of changing our money and banking system. This means that we must cease confusing traditions with actual conditions and fequirements in this matter of living together, here and now. We have allowed the private activity of lending and borrowing at interest to become involved in the public or social busi- ness of issuing money and fixing the value thereof. This can and must be stopped. It is, indeed, the only political issue around which a new party can and will, if need be, suc- cessfully develop. ALDEN A. POTTER. in Baltimore, Philadelphia and Bos- ton. So even with cars parked there is still more room for traffic than in these and other cities. The writer has lived in and visited most of the large cities in this country and has never witnessed as much discussion of traf- fic and transportation difficulties as in this city of about 500,000 people. ‘Washington is now very congested as to the housing of its present popu- lace, The hotels, the apartments and rooming houses are full to capacity. Many of these people have purchased cars. There are not available at any price, much less a moderate price, fa- cilities in the downtown areas to house these cars now on the streets. Many of these people are of moderate means and they should be considered in making regulations. They are now a portion of the population. My view and that of those with whom I have talked is that, regardless of the state- ment made by the officials, this move to ban parking in these next months is simply an entering wedge, if it is evoked, and that it will be perpetu- ated. The effect beforehand has prob- ably been decided to be beneficial and the traffic officials will demand its continuance. PAUL BOONE. ——a 4 The Supreme Test. Prom the Grand Island (Nebr.) Independ- nt. €l Those who claim that courage is dead are referred to the case of the couple who met as partners in & bridge game and have decided to get married. | scrupulous inspections and economical State Lynching Leaders Lacking in Education To the Editor of The Star: ‘Two dead, probably a score wounded, $150,000 in public property destroyed and the city under martial law be- cause in men, white and black, civil- ization is such a thin veneer for prim- itive urges dating back centuries! All crime is revolting to those who feel themselves free-will agents in govern- ing their own conduct, but the action of a mob is specially repulsive because it destroys our carefully guarded and slowly won security, peace and economy. Attacks upon individuals who trans- gress the mores of the tribes of an- cient Aryans is deep-roted, and like- wise the capture of women by brute force is a custom among African tribes not yet risen to the grain-producing stage. Under provocation those urges become dominant and we are forced to suffer the far-reaching effects of two crimes. All too many men, today, lack the restraining effects of ade- quate training in religion, with the sanction it carries, and broken homes, unsupplemented by adequate schools, have let loose in a complex civilization of intimate contacts a horde of semi- savages who imperil soclety. ‘That “due process of law” guaran- teed in the people’s own Constitution fails to protect them from the dis- graceful lynching spectacle, argues for a national supplement for inadequate State scheol systems. The nine States in which 295 white and 2,258 colored people have been lynched between 1889 and 1932 are at the bottom of the list of 48 States in educational rank. They took the lives of 43 per cent of all whites and 78 per cent of all Negroes lynched in that period. As worthy of rec ition as may be the conduct of the Wfficers intrusted with law enforcement, their lives, public property, the lives of others and the national sense of shame that ensues, far outweigh any cost in money necessary to try a national | standard of education upon the basis of per capita expenditure in other sections of our country. CHARLES M. THOMAS. The Soft-Coal Smoke Nuisance | To the Editor of The Star: | I note by The Star that Congress | will be asked to enact a law with teeth | { in it to enforce the law and eliminate the smoke nuisance in the District. This rounds very good, but upon reading just what sort of a bill is| about to be presented, it would seem that a large force of inspectors would diagnose the heating equipment of all buildings, including private residences, | and make a charge for it, compelling | the owners to put their heating planbs‘ in order. ( This is very good, but just as long | as soft coal is burned there will be the soot and smoke. Rail locomotives are given the most remedies applied, yet the soft coall produces smoke. | Scientific firing may reduce the amount of smoke, but much of the private residence firing is done by the | housewife, and her knowledge of housekeeping does not require her to take a course in smoke elimination | It .s no secret- that all buildings in the District are being ruined by the smoke and soot, even the sidewalks | and streets are covered | According to Mrs. Pitney and per-| sonal experience, “before the war| soft coal could not be used in the| District.” Now that the war is over let us return to the good old days and keep out the roft coal and the smoke nuisance will be obsolete. Much of the agitation depicted inj vour paper is directed against the locomotives. This might be called a necessary evil, but the locomotives do not fre- quent the residential sections or the location of expensive Government buildings. Besides, the principal road running into the District will be electrically operated in a short time. | The only solution is to strike at the source, and make it a misdemeanor to burn soft coal PAUL SWEET. Suggests Removal of The Post Office Tower To the Editor of The Star: I hope, with many others, that some day in the future the Government will remove the old Post Office on Penn- sylvania avenue and erect a building in harmony with the structures now under construction or already com- pleted in the triangle. Accepting the reported attitude of the President that he does not favor tearing down at this time buildings that are useful in supplying the Gov- ernment with much needed floor space, I wish to call the attention of your readers to a suggestion given to me by my friend, Col. Martin of the Library of Congress, who said: “The chief objection to the old Post Office is the way the tower cuts across the skyline of the triangle group. Why not remove the tower? The resulting mass, while still out of harmony in architectural details, would fill the space more acceptably and the omis- sion of the tower would permit the building to fill the space without dis- turbance to the general skyline.” I took occasion recently to examine the building from Pennsylvania avenue and Eleventh street and concluded that the tower could readily be cut off at the level of the main cornice. The roof behind the tower could be filled in, with, perhaps, a couple of dormer windows added in the new portion of the roof. A glance at the building would, I believe, convince any one interested in the subject that this change could easily be made and without great expense. ALEXANDER B. TROWBRIDGE. Must Pay for Stolen Goods in Pawnshops To the Editor of The Star: About 10 days ago I had a watch stolen, which was found in & pawn- shop. I have been informed by the police department that in order to recover my watch I must pay the amount which the pawnshop man loaned on this watch. Inasmuch as the owner of this pawnshop can certainly get no title to the watch, since it was stolen property, it seems outrageous to me to have to pay this man any money for the return of my own watch. It certainly seems very bad policy to refund pawnshop dealers in the District of Columbia money which they may lend on jewelry, watches, etc., brought in to them by colored people. In view of the fact that the Police Department co-operates in this way with the pawnshop dealers, it makes it very easy to dispose of stolen property, inasmuch as the man mak- ing a loan on stolen property is prac- tically guaranteed by the Police De- partment that he will get whatever money he loaned on the property. I have taken up. this matter with both Maj. Brown, superintendent of the Police Department, and the dis- trict attorney’s office, and both in- form me that if I want my watch back I must pay the pawnshop man the amount he loaned on same. 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 uar'np Jor reply. Q. Why is ?eember 25 celebrated as the date the birth of Jesus Christ?>—E Y. A. There appears to be no good reason why the 25th of December should be celebrated as Christmas day except that this was throughout the civilized world an almost uni- versal time of feasting, and that it seems appropriate for the event of the Nativity to be universally observed Jjoyfully. It is far more probable that the birth of Christ occurred either in October or in March. Q. Why do people who are not Christians observe CHristmas?—G. C. A. Non-Christians frequently join in the social observance of the day. To them, it simply has no religious sig- nificance, Q. Were candles used at Christmas- time first in this country or in Eu- rope?—C. G. A. The custom was introduced into this country from Europe. In Scan- dimvm, particularly, it is usual to Place candles in the windows on Christmas eve to light Kristine, who brings the gifts. Bayberry candles are particularly appropriate because | they are green, aromatic and an em- blem of triumph, Q. Is Christmas mentioned in Shakespeare’s plays?—C. H. A. It is mentioned but twice and | then incidentally. Yuletide was, how- ever, an important time in his life, because it was then that his plays were produced by command at the courts of Queen Elizabeth and James I, with Shakespeare in the casts, Q. Does the giving of presents at Chnst_mas commemorate the gifts of flev‘me men to the Christ child?— A. It is thought not. It springs from an old custom of priests putting on board of all out-going ships boxes for alms. These were opened at Christ- mastime and masses said for the givers of the alms. The box was called Christ mass box and from this comes the custom of Christmas boxes and gifts, Q,_ Where does England get her mistietoe?—R. F. A. The mistietoe so extensively used in England at Christmas is largely derived from the apple orchards of Normandy, but some comes from the apple orchards of Herefordshire, Q. How far from Jerusalem is Beth- lehem?—O0. N, A. It is 6 miles. Q. How 'ong has the custom of sending Christmas cards been prac- ticed>—H. B. 8. A. The sending of Christmas cards by way of friendly greeting and re- membrance has grown up since about 1860. Q. How long have we had Christmas seals?—E. T. A. The Christmas seals were intro- duced into this country from Denmark in 1907, by Miss Emily P. Bissell of Wilming- ton, Del. Since 1917 the seals have been solely distributed by the National Tuberculosis Association. QR.' Where 1® Christmas Island?— . R. B. A. This is the name given to three oceanic islands, of which the most im- portant is situated 200 miles south- east of Java. This island, which is supposed to have been originally a coral atoll, and to have been raised by volcanic forces, rises to the height of nearly 160C feet and is in shape an irregular quadrilateral 9 miles long and about 9 miles wide. It was annexed by Great Britain in 1888 the C. The first ones were adapted | Q. Of what materials are Christ- mas tree ornaments made?—W. G. M. A. Most of the so-called Christmas tree ornaments are made of glass. The industry is centered in a town called Lauscha, in Germany, and it is almost entirely a home Industry. La- metta (tinsel), cotton, wood, papier mache and metal are also used in the manufacture of various lines of Christmas tree ornaments. Incident- ally, several attempts have been made to manufacture blown giass Christ- | mas tree ornaments in this country but they were entirely unsuccessful. Q. What does White Christmas mean?—H. K. A. It refers to a Christmas day when it is snowing or when the ground is covered with snow. Q. What is the story of “The Birds' Christmas Carol”?—S. N. A. This Christmas tale by Kate Douglas Wiggin tells the story of the gentle little invalid, Carol Bird, and how the uproarious Ruggles family threw aside the society manners pain- fully acquired for the occasion and thoroughly enjoyed their Christmas dinner at the Birds’. After a happy day, Carol listens to the Christmas chimes and then sleeps away her life. Q. When were Christmas trees first | used in the United States?>—G. G. A. The exact date is not known, | but it was shortly after 1840, when | England first used trees in the cele- | bration of Christmas. Q. How many kinds of Christmas holly are there?—R. G. A. There are four kinds of Christ- mas nolly, two of which are not in | reality a true holly. First, native | American holly, grown along the East- ern and Southern Atlantic Coast from | Cape Cod to Texas for about 50 to 100 miles inlard. Second, European holly (more g'ursy and larger leafed), grown in Gregon for Christmas deco- | ration. Third, » California holly—this is not a true helly. California holly |is known as toyon, or Christmas berry. The leaves are nearer like the mountain laurel and the plant is grown along the coast of California and in the foothills. Fourth, Oregon holly and Oregen grape; the leaf is similar to the true holly, but is not a | holly. It is the native barberry. Q. When were Christmas carols first collected and printed?>—G. A. A. There are two manuscript col- lections of carols which may be dated ;Clrcl 1500-1535. It is evident that | Christmas songs had a wide appeal; | they pleased both the devout and the roisterers, and it is ineyitable that they should find their way into print. The earliest printed collection is prob- ably Wynkyn de Worde's “Christmas Carolles Newely Enprinted” (1520). Only a single leaf is extant. It con- tains two complete carols—one a hunting song, with no reference in it to Christmas, and the other a boar's head carol. Q. Where was the first lighted out- door community Christmas tree dis- played>—R. S. B. | A. The first one of record was |erected and lighted in Madison Square, New York City, in 1912, Q. Who is Befana?—C. D. A. This is a figure, generally rep- | resenting an old woman, which is ex- hibited in Italy on the day of Epiph- any by children, or in shops where things for children are sold. It sym- bolizes the ancient woman of Pal- estine, who, saying she would see !them upon their return, would not |leave her work to see the Three Wise Men bearing their gifts to the Infant, Jesus. They returned another | way and she is supposed to be still | seeking them. She is supposed to | watch over children and fill the stock- ings which they hang the night be- fore Epiphany, as Santa Claus does | in Protestant countries. Yote for Cotton Curtailment Accepted as ¥ ‘The favorable result of the refer- endum on the Bankhead cotton con- trol act evokes no surprise from news- paper observers. It is generally ac- cepted that, in so far as cotton pro- ducers are concerned, the act has been most beneficial. Criticism of the act is largely centered around the argument that continued restriction of output will mean the loss of the foreign market in that commodity. “Not unexpected were the reports | coming in from the cotton growing States that a vast majority of the farmers had voted in favor of con- tinuance for another year of the Bank- head cotton control act,” says the Savannah Morning News, while the Watertown (N. Y.) Daily Times as- serts that “no one can be greatly surprised,” and the Syracuse Herald calls the returns “surprising only in the overwhelming size of the majority vote in favor of the continuance of the Bankhead cotton control act.” “It is universally acknowledged that the control act has been definitely helpful in bringing about the present profitable price range of cotton,” ob- serves the Atlanta Constitution, and the New Orleans Times-Picayune points out that “the actual growers of cotton in great majority evidently feel that they have been helped by it and that its continuance through another crop year is desirable.” ‘The Columbus Evening Dispatch suggests, however, it seems that “a popular vote of any kind on the Bank- head act would not prove or disprove its economic soundness,” while the Roanoke World-News thinks the ref- erendum “was much like asking & group of kids about a Christmas tree laden with presents, whether they are in favor of Santa Claus.” “All the Nation has an interest in this matter,” contends the Shreveport Journal. “It means a wholesome price for cotton, the basic product of the great Southland, and that will have a beneficent influence all over the coun- try, and even abroad.” The Kansas City Times expresses the opinion that “as conditions in the cotton belt have improved materially in the last two years while Govern- ment control was in force, many felt it should be given further trial be- fore rejection,” but the Portsmouth (Ohio) Times cynically notes that “in the long run, cotton production may regret having taken a narcotic instead of bearing the pain while Na- ture took its course.” The Atlanta Constitution, on the other hand, declares: “Every interest in the South wili be benefited by the wise action of the cotton producers. ‘The assurance it brings of good prices for the staple next year will bring a stabilization that will enable Southern business and industry to expand with confidence that healthful and pros- perous conditions lie ahead in the South.” “When you witness such a body of individualists as Southern cotton farmers voting themselves headlong into such regimentation as this,” holds the Charlotte (N. C.) Observer, “you have a unique phenomenon in the form of a changed public attitude to- " This situation should certainly be|ward the corrected. A latter of Course only 40 per cent “took the trouble to express their opinions” and the Man- chester (N. H.) Union likewise re- marks on this “indifference.” The Providence Evening Bulletin, never- theless, regards the vote as “decisive.” In speaking of the benefits derived from the act the Birmingham News reports that in Alabama “farmers are said to have large quantities of peas, potatoes and sorghum on hand” grown on the land retired from cotton. “In other words, the Federal program, in many cases, has :ucceeded in bring- ing about a commendable rotation and diversification of crops,” adds this paper. “How long curtailment of acreage can be continued without an irrepar- able loss of foreign markets is a dis- puted question,” says the New York Times, and the Columbia (S. C.) Rec- ord, the South Bend Tribune and the Lowell Courier-Citizen are also con- cerned about this point. In this connection the Asbury Park | Evening Press calls attention to the fact that “cotton exports fell*10'; per cent in quantity, but increased 23 per cent in value.” The Wall Street Jour- nal quotes Mr. Davis as blaming cur- tailment of exports on “exchange re- strictions, loss of purchasing power abroad and nationalism.” New Law Needed for Five-Wheel Killers ‘To the Editor of The Star: What is the difference between the killing of a human being with a ball from & gun or pistol by another human, or being knocked down and killed by a human being sitting on top of four wheels with his or her hands on another wheel? What is the difference? The human that takes a gun and shoots down another, or a club and kills a human, has to go to jail, have a long prison experience, and occa- sionally electrocuted, while the hu- man who knocks down and kills with his or her five-wheeled machine can g0 free. There must be something wrong with the laws. Why not have a law for these last-named Kkillers? These are the times for new things. Get busy, some one, and give us a new law in this new year of 1935, ex- pressly for the five-wheel killers. - M. A. R. STOTTLEMEYER. No Feline Prejudice. Prom the La Crosse (Wis.) Tribune. A mouse that sings like a canary has appeared in a Western Massa- chusetts home. It will be all the same to the cat. One Way to Begin, Prom the Los Ankr.e‘h;":im':-y. s An expert pi war. To which might be added: ‘Throwing bombs at Japanese farmers in Salt River Valley. ——————— No Passing at Present. Prom the Detroit News.