Evening Star Newspaper, July 4, 1935, Page 6

THE EVENING STAR With Sunday Merning Editien. D. C. .July 4, 1935 WASHINGTO THURSDAY .....coe0iceeee «+..Editor THEODORE W. NOYES.... The Evening Star Newspaper Company. Business Office 11th St and Pennsylvanta Ave, New Yerk Office: 110 East 42 Chicaro Ofice’ Lake Mishigen Boudios. European Office: 14 Regent St.. London. England Rate by Carrier Within the City. Regular Edition. The Evening Star 45c per month The Evening_and Sunday Star when 4 Sundays. o S‘ 4 SL 60c per month unday Star undays .. 63cper munth The' Sunday SAF C per copy. Night Edition. Night Final and Sunday Star ...70c per month Night Final Star B¢ per month Collection made at the end of each month. Orders_may be sent by mail or telephone Na- tional 5000. Rate by Mail—Payable in Advance. Maryland and Virginia. Daily ard Sunda $10.00: 1 Daily only 6008 1 Sunday only 3400 1 mo.. 8¢ mo’. 50¢ mo.. 40 Daily and Sunday 1 yI. Daily only . Sunday only .. . 13 3508 Member of the Associated Press. The Assoctated Press is exclusively entitled to the use for republication of all news dispatches credited to it or not otherwise credited in this paper and also the local news published herein All bublication of special dispatches The House Speaks. In the fact that when showdown came on the holding company issue more than half of the Democrats in the House voted against the wishes of President Roosevelt there is ground for timely, sober reflections at the White House. To interpret the event as indi- cation of a definite repudiation of Rooseveltian leadership by the Demo- crats, as some of the overenthusiastic opposition have been quick to do, is certainly premature and probably en- tirely inaccurate. In the long run political parties, disinclined to suicide, stand behind their party leaders. Yet, conservatively estimated, the House vote | | Congress over the District as a some- must be rated as a definite rebuff to the man whose implication of a legis- lative wish was a year ago tantamount to its accomplishment and a definite warning that future legislation asked for by the President will probably be considered on its own merits and in the light of its probable effect upon the American voter. And this is very much as it should be. In full fairness to the President it is, of course, inconceivable that he entertains the slightest ambition to establish himself as a dictator in the modern political word. led to some of such implications by those who do not believe in his policies | are fairly attributable first to his con- viction that strong leadership has been necessary in a national crisis and sec- ondly to his natural belief that a vast majority of his fellow citizens have been behind him. But with all this granted there are questions to which the President, con- templating the year ambition for re-election, must in the the final | connotation of that | Outward indications which have | | ahead and his | light of recent events answer to himself: | Has the New Deal, hailed with such enthusiasm at its inception, taken on too strong a flavor of socialism for American stomachs? Is the Nation sat- isfied that the admitted exigencies of the past two and a half years have justified the amazing divergencies of his administration from the important planks of the platform upon which he was elected? Are the voters growing restless under such policies as “spend our way out of the depression,” “soak the thrifty,” “destroy the excess,” “abolish the utilities—control the banks —clamp down on business™ Is the country in favor of a prolongation of the spending of billions of borrowed dollars for the subsidization of idleness while hampering the enthusiasm and enterprise of industries which pay wages instead of doles? The way of America has not hitherto led along the paths selected by the New Deal. It is true that, in pursuing those earlier paths, we came into dark days. Yet the fact that we did so cannot be admitted as justification for the abandonment of the old compass points by which our course was charted, or the arbitrary selection of a new destiny for those who follow in our footsteps. And of this fact the voice of his own party, spoken in the House the other day, should be strong evidence to the President. e College quarrels do not lead to the rhetorical elegances of debate that might be expected. —————.———————— Justice William Hitz: In the shockingly sudden death of Justice William Hitz, which occurred yesterday, the District community loses one of its most valuable members. A native of Washington, he was long of great service to the Capital, both in the practice of law and for twenty years as & jurist. On the bench he displayed exceptional ability, manifesting a judi- cial temperament combined with a marked clearness of perception. To him gthe essence of the truth was of more moment than the mere technique of the law, and it was, in recognition of that quality that he was elevated from the Supreme Court to the appellate bench, with disregard for political affiliation, and in that higher arena of justice he demonstrated the capacity which had won promotion for him. A certain degree of unconventionality characterized Justice Hitz’s course on the bench. Intolerant of needless delays, he was impatient with the tactics of procrastination, To him the court was a medium of administration to be used for effect and not for defeat of justice. His decisions were couched in the plain- est terms, unmistakable as to their meaning. For he believed that the law should be stated in the plainest possible manner. And that, indeed, is as it should be always. Numerous cases of national impor- tance were tried before Justice Hitz in the course of his service on the lower bench and thus his,name is identified | of dictators, powerful or petty. THE EVEN with them in historical records. In all cases he bore himself with the same judicial poise and exercised the same scrupulous care for the exact dispensa- tion of justice as in those causes of wider import. For there was in his view of the law no difference in prin- ciple, whatever the social or political status of those involved. Which, again, is what it should be always. The tribute paid to Justice Hitz by the Attorney General is a fitting testi~ monial to his services and his character. Mr. Cummings said: “I am deeply grieved by the death of Justice Hitz. His judicial career was one of distinction. Coupled with his wide legal knowledge, he possessed en- dearing personal qualities of directness, friendliness and humor that were a characteristic reflection of the inner man. His death is a great loss to the Federal bench and will leave among his legion of friends a vacant place that cannot be filled.” The community's sorrow for the pass- ing of its talented son is assuaged by these words of recognition of the quali- ties that were his. Independence. During recent debate on the airport bill the District was condemned on the one hand for not going ahead as inde- pendent American municipalities have done and build its own airport, and, on the other hand, warned that “this is | one ten-mile square we are going to keep for the people of the United States. We are going to keep it free from dom- ination of voters. It is our Nation's Capital; it is where the Congress sits; it is where the laws are passed; it is where the Government, through its Con- stitution, wisely provided a place that should be controlled absolutely by the Congress of the United States.” In the past session the District has witnessed the results, not so much of the complete and absolute control by times negligent exercise of this control, which leaves the real power in the hands of a few individual members. The District’s demand for National representation is not based on the de- sire, as so often misstated, to change the letter or the spirit of the Constitu- tion's delegation to Congress of exclu- sive legislative power over the District. | The purpose of the National representa- tion amendment (which is printed else- where in today's Star) is affirmatively to give Congress unquestioned power under the Constitution to extend to the people of the District those American rights of citizenship which exist in rep- | resentation in Congress, representation in the National elections and the right to sue and be sued in the Federal courts. The adoption of such an amendment and the exercise by Congress of the powers contained therein would still mean that the ten-mile square is going to be kept “for the people of the United States.” and it would still be free from that fearful “domination of voters” which Mr. Blanton ironically suggests. It would still be the Nation's Capital, | where Congress sits and passes laws. The District would still be “controlled ab- solutely by the Congress of the United States.” The difference would be in the re- moval of that hated anomaly, taxation without representation; the people of | the District would participate as Ameri- cans in their own government. And that participation would again end, as it has done before, the triumphal rule It would tend to restore, rather than to diminish, the power and the duty of Congress— the whole Congress—“to exercise exclu- sive Legislation in all Cases whatsoever over such District.” e Efforts will be made during the battle over taxes to prevent habitual recipients of relief from regarding themselves as innocent bystanders. o A political boss sometimes succeeds in organizing one of the most tenacious of holding companies. Britain’s Anti-War Move. British statesmanship leaves no doubt of its determination to exhaust every means to prevent an Italo-Ethiopian war and salvage the prestige of the League of Nations. Diplomatic per- suasion having failed to alter Musso- lini’s purposes, even when accompanied by proffers of territorial aggrandizement, the London cabinet is now reported to be pondering more drastic methods to curb TItaly’s designs. Earlier in the week there were sug- gestions that Britain might go the length of closing the Suez Canal to Italian ships carrying troops, munitions and supplies to Africa. That would almost be tantamount to an act of war against the Italians. That it would so be regarded at Rome was manifested by the bellicose hint that Italy’s reply might be the razing of the British fortress of Malta by Fascist guns. More plausible than mooted closure of the Suez Canal is news that the British cabinet is now studying the ad- visability of an economic blockade of Italy in the event that she goes to war in Africa. To that end Britain would invoke article sixteen of the League Covenant, providing for sanctions against an aggressor nation. London is said to be sounding Paris as to the wisdom of such a recourse. Since the British patched up their behind-the-scenes naval deal with the Germans there has been a distinct coolness in France toward Britain, accompanied by certain indica- tions that the Paris government is in- clined to support Mussolini in resisting British efforts for pacific settlement of the Ethiopian controversy. The Italians evidently take the block- ade threat seriouslv, for there was a hastily convoked conference of admirals in Rome under Il Duce’s personal di- rection on Wednesday. Hitherto Mus- solini has proceeded on the theory that he could flout League authority as far as his African plans are concerned and that Geneva would prove no more of & htrduwmflnthmitdmmflume NG of Japanese activities in Manchuria. Economic sanctions against Japan were discussed in connection with the Far Eastern crisis. They never reached the stage of practical consideration, because Great Britain revealed no enthusiasm for the project, especially in view of the United States’ detachment from the proposition. Should the British on the present occasion espouse the de- sirability of invoking article sixteen to check italy in Africa, Mussolini mey dis- cover that the League after all is a more potent piece of machinery for preven- tion of aggressive war than he pretends to regard it. Italy is far from self-sufficient in the realm of the sinews of war. A League blockade which would shut Italy off from vital supplies is a specter designed to give Mussolini pause in his plans to subjugate Abyssinia. —— e Filibustering. A new form of American filibustering in behalf of “Cuba Libre” has just been thwarted at Havana by the detention and depBrtation of a group' of fifteen liberals from this country. In earlier times the filibusters went down to the island stealthily to assist in the rebellion of the insurgent Cubans against Spanish rule. This present group of Americans went there to “investigate” the Men- dieta-Batista regime and, in the lan- guage of the leader in a statement to the press, to carry to Cuba “the warm- est greetings of unity and support for the Cuban people in their struggle for complete independence.” This Govern- ment cannot, of course, sustain such an enterprise. It has by cancellation of the Platt amendment to the treaty of recognition wholly withdrawn from any participation in the affairs of Cuba and has recognized the present regime as the government of the island. Suppose a party of Russian Com- munists were to land in New York with the avowed purpose of conducting an “investigation” of American affairs, with the purpose of aiding in the overthrow of this Government by an incitation to rebellion on the part of those dissatis- fied with the existing system. They | would undoubtedly be at once detained and deported. The Cuban government has acted precisely as this Government | would do in the circumstances. The United States Government forty years ago sought to prevent the organi- zation in and departure from this coun- try of parties of armed filibusters, although the preponderant sentiment here was sympathetic with the Cuban insurrectionists. It may not now go so far as to stop the formation here and departure from its shores of groups of | “investigators” and sympathizers with the Cuban opponents of the established regime. But it can and should manifest to the Cuban government its approval of its action in evicting these would-be trouble makers. e Slum clearing projects always claim respectful attention, although gangsters who used to gather in low dives now make a point of patronizing the best hotels. ———— e College officials do not manage the olive branch as competently as the old village schoolmaster managed the birch rod. e Shooting Stars. BY PHILANDER JOHNSON. Letters of Fire. If on Sunday a-fishing you sinfully go, And birthdays unheeded pass by; If great anniversaries wearisome grow, At least keep the Fourth of July. That old Declaration resplendent still glows, Like a rocket that crosses the sky. Each spark, like a paragraph, brilliantly shows The sense of the Fourth of July. If you do not read it with reverent care You'll still comprehend if you try, The meaning of wghat we shall write on the air In flame on the Fourth of July. Rules of the Game. “Are you afraid of Communism?” asked the constituent. “No,” answered Senator Sorghum. “All Communism seems to me is an effort to change the rule of the game so that instead of letting every man ante for himself, we put all the wealth into a jack pot to be won by the luckiest player.” Jud Tunkins says folks that practice law have a hard time proving that practice makes perfect. The Busy Keyboard. Phenomena now on display Become a serious matter. Ghost writers that were once so gay Like evil spirits chatter. The typing that we much enjoyed— Alas! Life seems to lack it! Cash registers are now employed To help along the racket. Agreeability. “Why don't you try to make yourself agreeable?” asked the reproving friend. “My dear,” said Miss Cayenne, “a desire to be agreeable has spoiled my disposition. You can't be agreeable to some people without saying sharp things about others.” Fight Attire. When men contend in anger hot In public perturbation, ‘The prize ring interests me not In fistic demonstration. It has been whispered here and there Among the pros and antis, That pugilists frock coats will wear While statesmen don the panties. “It's funny,” said Uncle Eben, “but you cant get a man to act near as grateful foh honest, sensible advice as he is foh a bundle of no-"count informa«~ tion '*at de hosses.” S ’ STAR, WASHINGTON, | to pull THE POLITICAL MILL" | By G. Gould Lincoln. Just where does President Roosevelt stand today with the House of Repre- sentatives, that body which comes once every two years from the “grass roots”? Does the “sock” which the House handed the Chief Executive, when it turned down cold his demand that the “death sentence” clause be retained in the pub- lic utility holding company bill, mean that it has declared its independence, legislatively speaking? These are ques- tions to which administration leaders would like to know the answers. Frankly, some of them are puzzled. * ok ok X They are not sure whether the mem- bers of the House—meaning, of course, the Democratic members—are through with taking orders from the White House in regard to legislation, or whether they have been pried away from White House allegiance merely on this one subject. The administration leaders know that the House members received thousands of letters from con- stituents who have money invested in the holding company securities urging them to oppose the “death sentence” clause of the administration bill, if not the whole bill. They are inclined to figure that the House members parted with the President in much the same state of mind as they did when the soldiers’ bonus and other veteran legis- lation was up. They hope that it is a merely temporary reaction. But the administration leaders are not sure. * xX X X ‘There is looming ahead of the admin- istration, and particularly of the ardent New Dealers, another test in the House which has so recently clouted them. It will come when the T. V. A. bill is taken up, probably Monday. This measure has been reported from the Military Affairs Committee in a form which does not please the New Dealers a little bit. The House committee has taken away powers demanded by the New Dealers to permit the Government to go into many and large operations in competition with private power and distributing companies. In some measure, it is like the fight over the holding company bill, since both involve electric power. In the T. V. A. case, however, there is the added question of putting the Government more and more into business—into busi- ness which has hitherto been left to | the private citizens. The T. V. A. bill has passed the Senate. The Senate has been more inclined to be restive under administration dicta- tion than the House. But it is noticeable that the Upper House passed both the holding company bill and the T. V. A. in form which was highly acceptable to the President and his New Dealers, | It remained for the House Committee on Interstate and Foreign Commerce the holding company bill pieces, and then for the House itself to put the finishing touches on that work. And it remained also for the House Military Affairs Committee to tamper with the administration’s T. V. A. bill. What is the House going to do about this? There are predictions that the House will go right ahead and back up its committee. If it does, it will be sock number two for the President at the hands of this hitherto docile gather- ing, in which the Democrats have some- thing more than 3 to 1 of the mem- bership. ok ok x Coupled with increasing reports that | the President has been “slipping” in many parts of the country, the attitude of the House is not only puzzling, it is WOrrying. would have been better, perhaps, to have allowed Congress to get away from Washington a little sooner. The House has ordered a lobby in- vestigation in connection with the pas- sage of the holding company bill. The Senate is in the process of putting through a resolution for its own in- vestigation of lobby activities. In the House the investigation was forced be- cause Representative Ralph O. Brewster, Republican, of Maine, charged openly on the floor that one of the youthful New Dealers, Thomas Corcoran, attor- ney with the R. F. C., had threatened construction on the Passamaquoddy Dam would be halted if Brewster did not vote with the President. The dam is located in Brewster's district, and the project is expected to cost in the neighborhood of $40,000,000. Some of Mr. Corcoran's friends have indignantly denied that he ever made any such threat. They say that if he said anything to Brewster it was to tell him that his legal services in connection with the “Quoddy” project would no longer be required—and ex- plain that Brewster had been consulted as a lawyer regarding certain phases of the project. The investigation begins Monday. = * ok ok % If Mr. Corcoran made any such pass at Mr. Brewster as the Maine Repre- sentative says he did, it should make cold shivers run up and down the backs of some of our leading Democratic poli- ticians. The very idea of halting con- struction on the “Quoddy” project would seem like threatening to take candy away from a child. Maine has ordinarily been a Republican State—quite Republican. But Maine slipped badly and has elected a Democratic Governor and {wo out of the three Representatives in theNational House. “Quoddy” is to keep Maine Democratic, or at least that is the way Democratic politicians figure it, and also some of the Republicans. How would it help the Democratic party to stop work on “Quoddy”? But then no one believes that Mr. Corcoran could have stopped work on “Quoddy,” even if he wanted to. As a matter of fact, Vice President Gar- ner is setting off today the spark which is to dynamite that project into the course of construction, right from his office here in the Capitol. But, aside from the Bréwster charge against Corcoran, there have been plenty of stories floating around the Capitol about the lobbying of administration officials in support of the President's legislative demands. How much evi- dence will be produced remains to be seen. Unless a Democratic Congressman is pretty sore, he is not likely to come forward with a statement that the ad- ministration had sought to put pressure on him to vote for a certain measure. How much could he expect at the hands of the administration after he had done anything like that? The answer, of course, is “nothing.” This particular administration has much more to pass out in the way of favors than any other administration ever had—jobs, contracts and money. * x % % The Senate investigation of lobbies in connection with the holding company bill is being launched by the friends of the administration bill. They are going to try to make it appear that the unholy “power trust” has been doing things to the people and the Congress in this fight. There is plenty of reason to believe, however, that there will be strenuous efforts on the part of some of the Sena- tors to go into the lobby of the admin~ istration in support of the President’s demands. With these lobby investigations loom- ing up, how much will the administra- tion feel like seeking to put t‘e “heat” D. C. THURSDAY, to | | There is feeling that it | > £ S that in practically every case he believes JULY 4, 1933. THIS AND THAT _— BY CHARLES E. TRACEWELL. The man who specializes in making unpleasant remarks in ordinary con- versation is a problem to the fair-minded person who despises the underhand in any form. Such remarks, however accompanied by smiles, are at bottom notning but a subtle form of sly nastiness, yet they are so common that they are accepted as a part of everyday talk in all circles. The wight who hies the family out for a ride on Sunday afternoon and con- sumes three-fourths of the trip taking pokes at the doings, sayings and foibles of those in the back seat—what is he but an- unregenerate fool at whom it is hard to get back? The fellow whose lips are curled in a perpetual sneer, which he tries to hide by disguising with a smile, while he seeks to find an entry for the thrust of a mental lance—what is he but an uncompromising nuisance? The joke about him is that often he really does not understand what he is trying to do himself. If you were to tell him that jealousy and envy were at the bottom of his disposition, in that he actively resents any advantages or gifts of another, he would tell you with some heat that he did no such thing, that no one could view the successes and achievements of others with more real equanimity. His words speak louder than his actions, however. His words give him away, and all those who have heard him know it, however much he rationalizes himself to himself. * ox ok x The fact that he invariably disguises his attacks with smiles fools nobody. ‘The fact that few persons know how to answer him proves nothing except that nastiness in this world is its own reward, since there seems to be none other. The fair-minded man will search long to find any other. The usual answer of the victim in all such cases is an attempt to counter- attack, which is just what the culprit is looking for. is for this reason, above all, that he is 50 invariably pleased with himself. Possessing a mind which enables him to deal out sly nrental wounds, not only without regret, but with genuine pleas- ure, he is happy when he finds that his victim is one of those persons who is not at all expert at the same tactics. The genius of the fellow lies in his almost unerring ability at picking ‘em. He can tell the fair-minded people miles off and never misses a chance to “take them down a peg or two.” Something in his own disposition hates ‘em. He | believes that he is doing the world a service by lambasting ‘em. * o * % The only real way for the victim to get the best of him is to use Gandhi tactics of non-resistance. If one completely ignores his sallies, not as if by intent, but solely as the result of poor hearing or preoccupation in something else, he will not know ex- actly what to make of it. Not that he will totally give over trying. He is nothing if not persistent. But the fury will be taken out of his covert assaults on the citadel of the soul. He will not exactly like the proceedings or his part in it and will come in time to space his attempts at wider intervals. Not that he will ever give up, of course. All the time he will be lying in wait, splendid appetite and a craving for real blood. He will not quit, but he will be slowed down considerably, and that is some- thing in such a case. Often it is all the poor victim desires. The real joke of this personality is that he is a jolly good fellow if there STARS, MEN He knows what to say! It | like a tiger for a kid, with a | ever was one. He wants to shine in the light of his own good esteem and usually has no trouble in finding it, just as long as he can wag his tongue. * * ¥ % Anything that will slow him down, therefore, will cause him to lose caste with himself. This is an achievement, a victory for mind. Talking back to him in his own lingo is the surest way not to achieve it. Back talk is but fuel for his fire. «Lack of reply, in every case, floors him; not altogether, as we have ex- plained, but in part, at least. If one has been given a “lift” by the wight and must submit to attempted wit and humor by the block, both for the sake of a free ride and also in an attempt to be courteous to one’s host, it is good tactics to look out at the scenery and be tremendously interested in it. All the time he is working hard to think up some remark which will cause the flush of indignation or some other goofy (so he thinks) feeling on your part. Do you, then, as the old-timers put it, keep looking steadily at old Mrs. Hol- lender’s nice new picket fence, with its reminiscence of New England. “What do you suppose such a fence costs?” you ask, casually as possible. Just for an instant he is onto you. | You can see by the glitter in his eye that not for worlds would he permit Mrs. Hollender's fence to detract his attention from the main point—which is making game of you. His pride in fence lore, however, makes him relax for just a second, and then he is lost. Before he knows it himself he is engaged in a display of his vast fund of information as to fences, fencing and more fences. He would have you understand, al- though you may be at something of a loss to know why he cares whether you | do or not, that he is just the one person in the world to give estimates on such jobs. Not that it is exactly in his line, you understand, but the world i5 hiy ( widow of Silver Dollar Tabor?>—F. M. B, oyster, as he is fond of saying. He is so busy trying to take the meas- ure of all things with his own rule that he forgets that other people have other standards and other means of measure- | ments, some of which he knows nothing about at all. el All such persons, basically, are sad . cases of exalted ego, in that they have their own standards and insist on apply- ing them to all and sundry, when the truth is that they will not fit but par- ticular cases. Thus, in their efforts to wrest others to fit their own ideas, they show their ignorance of the vastness of this world, its multitudinous characters, shows, mo- | tives, means, ends. They would have you like unto them, | and, finding your difference, insist on prodding at the points of divergence, little realizing that these very points | distasteful to them are your true glory. These are the most intolerant of per- sons and 1n some senses the meanest, since what they do is totally unnecessary and wholly sneaking. They are the walking anonymous letters of life and they deserve the universal fate of all such, to be torn into bits and cast into the waste basket, accompanied by a vul- gar but hearty epithet. Since it is scarcely possible, however, for fair-minded persons to treat others | so, when old-fashioned courtesy demands something different, the best thing to do is not to hear, if possible, and to | divert his waggish attention to some- thing else. Since he is fairly simple- minded, he usually goes off on the false scent to the infinite happiness of the hare. AND ATOMS Notebook of Science Progress in Field, Laboratory and Study. BY THOMAS R. HENRY. The strange story of a man who not | only miraculously survived a shrapnel wound almost certain to be fatal, but | who lived for 13 years without its exist- ence being suspected, although he con- sulted some of the foremost medical men of three continents, is revealed in the last issue of the Medical Bulletin of the Veterans’ Administration. The case record is appropriately pre- sented in the form of a medical detec- tive story. The subject was an Ameri- can officer serving in the A. E. F. Early in October, 1918, he was wounded in action under circumstances that brought him a decoration for bravery. He was struck in the chest either by a machine gun bullet or a piece of shrapnel which penetrated his right lung, took a slant- ing course through the body, and came out in the lower part of the back. He was knocked down and his legs were paralyzed, but he does not appear to have lost consciousness. He was taken to a field hospital where the paralysis of his legs continued for a week and he showed considerable difficulty in breath- ing. Then he was sent to a base hos- pital where, as so often happened, “all the records in the case were lost.” In January, 1919, he was back in the United States where he remained hos- pitalized for a year. charged, with an allowance of one- tenth disability. was reported as “good.” Apparently he had been treated only for the wound in the lung and this condition had cleared | up satisfactorily. His hospital record in the United States was fairly com- plete, but what happened to him in the three months between the battle casualty and his return from France is a com- plete mystery. Actually the piece of shrapnel had cut the man's right kidney completely in two. It must have caused an internal hemorrhage from which not one man in a million could possibly have sur- vived. He had lain for hours on the battlefield without medical attention. The pain must have been unendurable. Yet none of the Army doctors who treated him had any suspicion that any- thing was wrong with the kidney. The man resumed his former job. He had been earning more than $20,000 a year when he enlisted in 1917. His work took him all over the United States, to Spain and to South America. He was able to carry on his work success- fully, the only physical difficulty being weakness and sometimes pain in the legs. From time to time during the next few years he went to a Veterans’ Bureau clinic for examination. Each time his complaints were essentially the same and each time, apparently, all the at- tention was paid to the old wound in the lung. At the same time he consulted some distinguished private physicians in the various countries he visited. None apparently even ' suspected the split kidney. The great difficulty appears to have been the personality of the man himself, Every time he appeared for examination he made light of his real sufferings. under members of the House on the T. V. A. bill? It all may be & little bit cramping. h SO SEE Then he was dis- | His general condition | “Patient feeling fine” is a frequent note in his American hospital record. But the pain in his legs was growing | worse. It became so severe that he could not sleep. Finally, in 1932, an X-ray examination was made of the kidneys and the evidence was such that | an exploratory operation was undertaken. | ‘The surgeons could hardly believe their eyes at the condition actually revealed. By all the laws of nature the man should have been dead 13 years ago. Actually he had led a very active life and, since his discharge from the Army, had never even been in a hospital. “It appears incredible that such an injury could have escaped diagnosis,” says the report in the Medical Bulletin by Drs. Julius H. Hurst and Fred H. Clark of the central office staff. “There is a possible excuse, however, in the large margin of error which must be alowed for the personal equation. Most physicians know patients so imbued with courage that they will undergo un- flinchingly and uncomplainingly pain which is intolerable to the average indi- vidual. Op the other hand, there are persons in whom the mere application of the blood pressure armlet induces | an attack of hysteria. The records afford indisputable evidence as to the category in which this patient belonged. We have his continually reiterated repe- tition running through his year of hos- pitalization of ‘feels fine,’ ‘feels perfedtly well,” etc. “Why with such a splitting injury to the kidney did not the patient bleed to death? Did he lie so long, shocked and unconscious, on the field of battle that primary union took place? In some way the kidney hemorrhage was stopped. How, we do not know, except that we may infer it was not stopped by opera- tive interference since there is nothing in his Army records to suggest that injury to the right kidney was even suspected.” In their discussion of the case the two physicians point out that in all the records of the A. E. F. only 129 cases of kidney wounds of any sort are re- ported, and more than 50 per cent of these proved fatal. A Rhyme at Twilight By Gertrude Brooke Hamilton Life’s a Circus Just & carnival of colors set within the Tope And a multitude of humans each within his scope. Some as clowns upon the sawdust, Some with drum and fife, Some outside the tent left whistling— Poor peep-Toms of life, Some as barkers, some Some on high trapeze, Some in box or gnndsund glory, Others like trained fleas. Just a lonz p.nde ‘and pageant, full of d mirth. Andmmtwmywplun—mw show. on earthl ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS By Frederic J. Haskin. A reader can get the answer to any Qquestion of fact by writing The Washing= ton Evening Star Information Bureau, Frederic J. Haskin, Director, Washing= ton, D.C. Please inclose stamp for reply. Q. How many thoroughbreds are there in the United States?—G. C. A. There are only about 10,000 thor- oughbreds in the country. Q. Please give a brief history of re- form schools in this country—H. G. A. Beginning ‘with the last quarter of the nineteenth century, a number of States established industrial schools or State homes for the correction and training of delinquent youth. The re- formatory for older adolescents had its birth in 1869, when the New York State Legislature enacted legislation and ap- propriated funds to build the New York State Reformatory at Elmira. Q. What is the significance of the term “alma mater"?—L. M. A. The name signifies bounteuos mother and was given by the Romans to certain goddesses, especially to Ceres and Cybele. It is now applied to uni- versities and colleges, which are regard- ed as the foster mothers of those who have attended them. Q. Is the percentage of old people in- creasing?—H. M. A. There were 34 per cent more people over 65 years of age in 1930 than in 1920, Q. What is the oldest English colony? —K. McD. A. Newfoundland is the oldest Eng- lish colony. Discovered by John Cabot June 24, 1497 (Cape Bonavista), it was in August, 1583, formally occupied by Sir Humphrey Gilbert, and by the treaty of Utrecht, 1713, acknowledged to be British. Q. What became of the jewels, ward- robe, etc., of the late Elizabeth Tabor, A. The estate was auctioned at a Den- ver warehouse, where Mrs. Tabor had stored her belongings. A group of wealthy people of that city bought the mementos and will give them to the Colorado State Historical Society. Among them was the $7,000 wedding dress in which Mrs. Tabor was married in Washington to Senator Tabor. Q. How many geysers and hot springs has Yellowstone Park?—M. R. A. There are 100 geysers and more than 4,000 hot springs, mud volcanoes and incrusted bubbling pools. Q. How many countries have used railroad trains on their stamps?—J. M. A. More than 40 countries have at one time or another used pictures of their steam locomotives on stamps. Q. Who mother?— W. B. L. A. Her mother is said to have been named Cleis, and this was also her daughter’s name. was Sappho's Q. Did Robert Louis Stevenson spend any time at Saranac Lake, N. Y.2— J. M. A A. The author spent the Winter of | 1887-88 there under the care of Dr. Ed- ward L. Trudeau. Some of his finest essays were written during that period. Q. Was Paul Revere a Mason?—F. G. A. He was, and as grand master of the fraternity laid the corner stone of the new State House in Boston in 1795. Q. Please describe the course of the Redwood Highway.—L. M. A. It begins at San Francisco and ends at Grants Pass, Oreg. From Crescent City, Calif, to Eureka the highway passes close to the Pacific Coast, now high up on the cliffs and again down by the sea. It passes through 100 miles of ancient redwood forests. Q. From what poem is the line, “As we journey through life, let us live by the way”?—F. F. J. A. It is from the “Drinking Song,” by Walter Watson, Scotch poet. Q. Is Ralph Connor, clergyman and author, living?—G. 4 A. The Rev. Charles W. Gordon, Win- nipeg writer and minister, who uses the pen name Ralph Connor, is living and was recently honored on King George's birthday anniversary by being made a commander of the Order of St. Michael and St. George. Q. How old was Alabama Pitts when he was sent to Sing Sing?—G. M. A. At 19 he was sentenced to serve & term of from 8 to 16 years, but'was released at the end of 5 years. Q. What is the oldest college woman's club in the United States?—H. F. D. 'A.The L. L. S. Society at Oberlin College, which celebrated its centenary Ln June, is said to be the oldest of its ind. Q. Please give information about the sinking of the Sultana at the close of the Civil War—E. C. B. A. In the Spring of 1865 the Federal transport Sultana was busily engaged carrying the released Federal soldiers from Vicksburg to their homes. On April 27, 1865, she arrived at Memphis. While steaming along some 80, miles above that point her boilers suddenly exploded and she sank almost immedi- ately. She was carrying 2134 paroled Union soldiers. About 1,900 perished. Q. How many members has the Boys’ Club of America?—E. C. A. The membership is 252,000, divided among 278 clubs in 141 cities. Q. Please give a biography of John Newbery, for whom the Newbery Medal for children’s literature is named.— H.J.N. A. John Newbery (1713-67) was & famous English bookseller and publisher, son of a poor farmer of Waltham St. Lawrence, in Berkshire. He attended the village school, but educated himself mostly by reading. In 1730 he entered the service of William Carnan, editor of the Mercury, at Reading. After the death of his employer he married his widow. Later he opened a book shop in London and a publishing house in St. Paul's church yard. He started several newspapers and was the first publisher to issue books especislly for the young. Q. For whom is Ann Arbor, Mich, named?—S. C. W. A. It was named in honor of Ann Allen and Ann Rumsey, wives of two of the founders. ’Qé vBlhen did Eugene Sandow die?— 'A. He died October 14, 1025. His desth was due to injuries he received when he attempted to lift his car out of the m’d. Q. How many people visited the Wl'.l- ington Monument in May?—L. B. A.In May, 1935, 83033 people wére taken up in the elevatér in the Momu- menj, -