Evening Star Newspaper, July 5, 1935, Page 10

THE EVENING STAR With Sunday Morning Editien. WASHINGTON. D. C FRIDAY ........ eeseencncs July 5, 1038 THEODORE W. NOYES..........Editer P e The Evening Star Newspaper Company. 114n 8t "aad Fenmrgivania Ave gen el e, MERE il Burboden Onite 14 Recent Bt % indoh Engiand Rate by Carrier Within the City. Rerular Edition. . ing Star BEES g o twnen 5 Busdars) o Sunday Star ceenn . Nieht Final Edition, Night Pinal and Sunday Star Nl%hl Final Sta or 456 per month ©0¢ per month -~ 68c per munth . ¢ per copy T R e ‘ollection made at the ehd of each month. ers may be sent by mail or telephone Na- tional 5000. Rate by Mail—Payable in Advanos. Maryland and Virginls, yr. $10.00: 1 mo.. 85¢ 3 } .. 500 3400 1 mex All Other States and Canada. Bally and Sunday 3 yr. $1200; 1 mo. S} ily “only .. § - S12.00: 4 mo. L0 Bindey om0 yE 8500: 1 men 8oe Member of the Associated Press. The tated Press 18 exclusively entitled to the use for republication of all news dispatches credited to it or not otherwise credi and also the local ne hts of publication of special dispatches erein are also reserved Revenue or Reform? Members of the Hguse Ways and Means Committee hav€ been reading the Constitution. They have particu- larly looked into what that document has to say about taxes. They have found, for example, that section 8 of the first article of the Constitution reads: “The Congress shall have power to lay and collect taxes, duties, imposts and excises to pay the debts and pro- vide for the common defense and gen- eral welfare of the United States.” President Roosevelt in his recent tax message to Congress laid down the proposition that taxes must be collected not only to raise revenue needed for the conduct of the Government and the safeguarding of the people, but to bring about a better social order. At a con- ference with Chairman Doughton and other members of the House Ways and Means Committee, the President is re- ported to have reaffirmed his concept of tax legislation as a social measure. Chairman Doughton seems to have some very definite and different ideas regarding the taxing power of the Fed- eral Government. He is quoted as saying, upon leaving the White House: “We have no constitutional right to levy taxes for any other purpose than to raise revenue. We feel that we can get more revenue without injustice to any individual.” Furthermore, the Ways and Means Committee of the House is likely to insist that it be allowed to draft its own revenue bill, after having obtained full data from the tax experts of the Treasury Department. The members have read in the Constitution also that “all bills for raising revenue shall originate in the House of Repre- sentatives. But the Senate may pro- pose or concur with amendments as in other bills.” No measure will have more interest for the people of the United States at the present session of Congress than the projected tax bill will have. This meas- ure, which apparently was conceived by the President as a social reform more than as a revenue raiser, is to be broad- ened in scope. It is to touch the incomes of persons who have less than ‘a million dollars annual income. It is to fall more heavily on moderate inheritances, and on corporation incomes. It is not to be merely a political gesture to appease the “share-the-wealth” advocates and their followers. It is to be a tax bill that will raise revenue to pay the huge debts which the New Deal administra- tion has amassed. If it is such a measure, then the people may the quicker turn from joy in Government spending to an earnest desire for some economy in government. Democratic leaders are not unmindful that the imposition of taxes on a large number of voters on the eve of a na- tional election may prove a political boomerang. How far are they willing to go, therefore, in the raising of revenue to meet the very real needs of the Federal Treasury, needs that grow greater with every New Deal expendi- ture? If the President believed that it would be possible to make a “soak-the- rich” and “share-the-wealth” gesture, and halt there, it may be that he over- shot the mark. There has been a vociferous demand for taxes that will more adequately meet the Government's needs. The estimates of what the administration’s program would raise have shown & meager $100,000,000 to $200,000,000. Starting next week the Ways and Means Committee of the House will begin the preparation of the tax bill. ‘Will it labor and bring forth a mouse? Or will it bring in a real revenue- Talsing bill? Italy is intent on reviving ancient glories. Mussolini is as willing to fight as Julius Caesar was, but not so indus- trious and effectual in a literary way. Army Promotions. Secretary Dern has urged enactment of the Army promotion bill on the ground that promotion in the Army has “reached a situation which, if permitied to con- tinue, will have an exceedingly bad effect on the morale of the commissioned personnel and upon efficiency of the service.” Indeed, the impossible situa- tion regarding promotion in the Army has continued for so long—since the World War—that its failure already to have disrupted the morale of the commissioned personnel reflects credit on the service. It is gratifying to be- lieve that this long-delayed measure is now assured of enactment. The Senate passed the bill recently; it has been reported from the House Military Affairs Commiitee with a strong recommenda- tion for passage and the House will probably reach it next week. Few measures affecting the military / establishment have come to Congress with such strong backing, It has re- ceived, of course, the full indorsement of the General Staff, which regards the bill as necessary not only on equitable grounds but to improve conditions in the Army. The President has indicated his approval. There was no difficulty in convineing the Senate of its merits. The principles of the measure have been discussed since the end of the World War, and the commissioning of many officers in the Regular Army de- veloped a so-called “hump” in the com- missioned personpel, & concentration of officers of equal rank and practically the same standing on the Army lists. The result has been, as Representative Hill points out, that there are thousands of officers who have not advanced in fifteen years beyond the grades in which they were originally commissioned. Thousands of officers are beyond the age which should have brought promotion, with captains in the age brackets of colonels and generals; with men who should have been majors and captains long ago still serving as first lieutenants. While some of the inequities in pay have been cor- rected previously, promotions in rank have become stagnant, presenting the possibility that efficient officers who were commissioned as lieutenants have little prospect of advancing beyond the grade of captain before retirement with age, while there are captains who might serve in that rank throughout their Army lives. ‘The bill now pending before the House will accelerate promotion of all officers below the grade of colonel, advancing some promotiens eight years ahead of the time required if existing conditions are left unchanged. Its enactment at this session of Congress will constitute one of the really important steps in improving conditlons within the Army. oot The Hapsburgs Return. The atmosphere at Doorn' must be thick with envy as its most distinguished resident, exiled ex-Kaiser Wilhelm, meditates upon the news from Vienna. The Council of State there has just approved the Austrian government's proposal for return of Hapsburg property to the former ruling family and for enabling the members of the banished dynasty to resume their domicile on Austrian soil. On all hands these steps are heralded as the forerunner of a | re-established monarchy, with 22-year- old Archduke Otto restored to his an- cestral throne as Emperor., It is true that the peace treaty of St. Germain bars the Hapsburgs from Austria, but these are days, as Germany is proving, with respect to the pact of Versailles, and Italy, with respect to the Covenant of the League, when treaties have become the merest scraps of paper. Only the formal approval of the Austrian Diet and signature of the President are required to validate re- habilitation of Hapsburg property and residential rights. While the govern- ment's proposal on its face does not contemplate restoration of the monarchy, it is acknowledged that young Otto, his ambitious and resourceful mother, former Empress Zita, and other royalists have been conducting actual negotia- tions to that end. From the archduke’s place of exile in Belgium it is announced that he expects to return to Austria as soon as the anti-Hapsburg laws are finally repealed and that his accession as Emperor may be looked for relatively soon afterward. The only stumbling block to immediate restoration is said to be Vice Chancellor von Starhemberg, who is credited with an ambition to serve as regent during a period of preparation for Otto’s enthronement. Austrian public opinion is divided as to the desirability of abolishing the republic and substituting & monarchy. Opponents include the workers and Nazi elements which would look upon an imperial regime as antagonistic to plans for German absorption of Austria. The monarchical, aristocratic and military elements which ruled in the heyday period before the war naturally rejoice that “injustice to the Hapsburgs” has at length been removed. Of primary importance will be Euro- pean reaction to the royalist program. The Little Entente succession countries —Czechoslovakia, Rumania and Yugo- slavia—only recently proclaimed that any attempt at restoration would produce a general mobilization of those countries and eventual military protest. France, the Little Entente’s protector, shares its views and Italy contemplates the situation with concern. Thus to the mass of other explosive material with which Europe reeks at this moment, Hapsburg aspirations add one more in- flammable factor. It was in another July, twenty-one fateful years ago, that there emanated from the same quarters the spark that set alight the world conflagration. Vesuvius has no doubt reminded many citizens of Italy that its states- manship should recognize local needs and provide Naples with a better volun- teer fire department. Lobbyists have always existed. Even .| the old serpent in Genesis is suspected of being a land agent intent on shoving the founders of the human race into remote realty. The Two Helens. ‘Tomorrow at Wimbledon, England, two young American women, Helen Wills Moody and Helen Jacobs, will meet in the final round of the international tennis tournament, each having yester- day won s match in the semi-finals, Thus the women’s championship is assured to America. The contest be- tween them is of particular interest because of their long rivalry on the courts. These two Helens, both Cali- fornians, in fact both residents of Berkeley, constitute a classic set-up for the concluding events at Wimbledon. Miss Jacobs has now reached her fourth final at Wimbledon and Mrs. Moody her seventh. They have met twice in finals on those courts, Mrs. Moody winning on each occasion. 'II.Jmhhanflu American champion and has included in her list of victories one over Mrs. Moody. The latter is ambitious to gain = seventh Wimbledon title as first woman tennis player of the world to exceed the record of Susanne Langlen, with whom she is now tied in terms of Wimbledon victories. 8o that tomorrow’s match will be particularly interesting to Americans in view of the rivalry be- tween these two remarkable players. Washington’s Fourth. ‘Washington's community Independ= ence day celebration last night at the Monument Grounds was a credit to the Capital, and the thanks of all the people who assembled there for the occasion, close upon a hundred thousand, should go to the committee of citizens who ar- ranged and managed it. The program was promptly started, there were no irk- some halts and the conclusion came on schedule. The ceremony of the massing of the colors was inspiring and beauti- ful. The addresses were eloquent. The pyrotechnics were thrilling in their” variety and splendor. No more could be desired. Those who arranged and conducted the program and those who by their contributions made it possible deserve the gratitude of the great mul- titude who completely covered the broad space of the north flank of the mound from the apex of which rises the national symbol of the First President, whose portrait in fire prdvided the climax of a display never exceeded for thrilling beauty in this city. Such co-operative service in behalf of the community is greatly appreciated. vt The Mystic Shriners linger pleasantly in memory for the reminder that the pursuit of happiness may honestly com- mand its moments of undivided at- tention. ————————— The reporters who are before the Maryland courts are neither blond nor blue-eyed, and so can expect little help from the feminine journalists who spe- cialize on emotional appeal. “Taxation without representation” is mentioned every Fourth of July. The voteless citizen of the District of Co- lumbia is in a position to remember it every day of the year. —_——————— European thrift is in evidence in this city’s thoroughfares, where an inexpen- sive type of automobile may occasionally be found tagged “diplomatic.” ——————— ‘What is called the “death sentence” for holding companies does not call for a neat parody of “They'fe Hangin' Danny Deever.” —_———————— Colleges have developed so many different opinions that valedictorian orators might be lined up by radio in Jjoint debate. It is unfair to try to make a crime interesting because a relative of some prominent personage has figured in it. Even the gangster is & bit of a snob. Abyssinia is to be punished. Events move so rapidly that there seems no time for its royal family to make intelli- gent inquiry as to what for. —_— re— Art galleries bring happiness, but ex- plorers continue to report nations that were buried in spite of their art. —_—————— A new deal is always pretty sure to find somebody ready to shuffle the pack and deal again. ——e——— Shooting Stars. BY PHILANDER JOHNSON. Yesterdays and Tomorrows. We saw the stars of glory Gleaming brightly in the sky. We heard that great old story ‘With a love that cannot die. ‘We all shook hands in greeting As we gathered round to say “Here’s another joyous meeting, This is Independence day!” Our lives have been in danger, Fortune recklessly we stake, But to fear each man’s a stranger; Bacred honor is awake. Memories that cannot perish Grow still brighter through the day. Happiness we truly cherish— This is Independence day. Ins and Outs. “Do you understand the ins and outs of European politics?” “No,” answered Senator Sorghum. “Getting in trouble seems easy, but getting out is a complicated process.” Jud Tunkins says he can’t see how anybody has the nerve to think of another war when the record of Fourth of July accidents shows we haven't even gotten over the lingering perils of 1776. Splendors Fade. ‘The Fourth of July’s pyrotechnic array Is oft like the orator’s text; A brilliant display that is great for one day And only waste paper the next. Overhead. “Have you a heavy overhead?” “Yes,” answered Mr. Dustin Stax. I invested heavily in office equipment and now it requires a heavy pay roll outlay to keep enough clerks to occupy the desks.” Enlightenment. The lightning bug, old petient friend, Is out n flashing beauty. He does not séem to condescend ‘Where wits are swithand clever. The lightning bug asks no applause For honest, plain endeavore “Money,” sald Uncle Eben, “doesn't grow on trees. folks dat "ud be and pick it.” " 5 THE EVENING STAR, WASHINGTON, D. C, FRIDAY, JULY 5 1935. Protests Busses as Substitutes for Trams %43 i ¥ g 5 8 g, &g g : storms, especi- snowstorms; the wearying waits due to the intervals between cars (which run in apparently sacred groups of three), and the wild swaying of the cars E fortable, with their wide aisles, clean seats, head room and doors wide enough to permit the exit or entry of several persons at once. exchange? Aisles so narrow that passage up them must be made sidewise, crab fashion; seats that too often soil light clothing, seats with so little knee room that & passenger in an outside seat must rise and stand in the alsle to let an “inside” passenger out, thus further blocking the aisle. The narrow doors make loading and unloading slow, and the ceilings are so low that roomiest of the busses are most unpleasantly hot in hot weather. I was astonished to read in The Star of Saturday, June 29, that the busses are warmer in Winter and cooler in Summer than the cars. Often they are the former, but by no stretch of the imagination are they cooler in Summer. Low roofs and engine heat attend to that. In addition, they are often nauseatingly full of gas. In the Chevy Chase coaches smoking was once confined to & rear compart- ment, but it is now done in any seat. On this day on which I write I rode in & coach in which a man was smok- ing on the front cross-seat directly be- hind the driver, his smoke drifting across the face of the young girl who shared the seat. There are still many of us of all ages and both sexes who object to a morning ride in close quar- ters with tobacco smoke, and some of them it nauseates. It has been pointed out that the doing away with platforms and (so-called) safety zones will make for greater pro- tection for the bus er. True, but how about the traffic situation, with big busses weaving in and out among other machines to draw up to the curb? How about the traffic situation, anyway, with enough busses to carry the erstwhile street car passengers added to the jam of rush-hour traffic? How about so many more vehicles to slip and skid when the streets are dangerous with ice or sleet? I have heard many comments by Chevy Chase commuters on the ex- pected change from street car to bus. T have yet to hear one expressing any- thing but dismay at the prospect. If we must have busses, helpless as we are in the matter, need we be told that we want them or that we think them safer or more comfortable, or, in face of the transferring and rerouting, more con- venient. FAITH BRADFORD. Why All the Persecution Of the Holding Companies? To the Editor of The Star: As one of the many thousands of in- nocent investors in utility holding com- pany stocks, I should appreciate it if some one would explain the reason for the vindicative spirit of the administra- tion toward that particular industry. I am not attempting to defend the utilities. Undoubtedly some of them were guilty of serious mistakes during the hectic boom days. But were the utilities the only ones? For instance, what of the large rail- road holding companies? I happen to know of one of the most prominent in that field that has loans of many mil- lions of dollars to closed banks in one of the largest cities in Ohio, with no chance of these ever being paid. And the stock pyramid of this particular or- ganization ran up to dizzy heights. Yet, instead of condemnation, some of the New Deal agencies have been conferring with its officlals on a proposed reor- ganization with Government assistance. Other examples could be cited in the same and other industries. But for some unexplainable reason the New Dealers apparently have decided to take it all out on the utilities, and thus those who thought they were investing in the safest and most essential industry must suffer. And confidence musi be further undermined, recovery retarded and thus practically every one penalized indirectly. Pray tell me why? A, J. WHITTEN. Cleveland, Ohio. Approves Star Editorial ‘And Why Not a Woman?’ To the Editor of The Star: This is to thank you for your splendid editorial, “And Why Not a Woman,” on the occasion of the election of Mrs. Henry Gratton Doyle to the presidency of the Washington School 5 Hurrah for real democracy! Do you realize what it means to have an out- standing newspaper come out with such generous recognition of a woman’s abil- ity to mount to the top? I wish hun- dreds of American editors would ask the above question. It would not be long before women would be considered worthy of the full citizenship status which men enjoy in this so-called “land of the free and the home of the brave.” The men on the Washington School Board are to be commended for break- ing away from tradition and releasing a woman’s capacity to do greater things, ROSE ARNOLD POWELL. Subway Inquiry and City’s Crowded Streets ‘To the Editor of The Star: I read in your paper where the peo- ple’s counsel of Washington has asked Mrs. Norton to introduce a bill for THIS AND THAT “BY CHARLES E. TRACEWELL. move on into the realm of complete ad- miration. * % ¥ % Then one happy Summer you wake up to the fact that this is & most charm- ing creature, indeed. Suddenly it outweighs, in your eyes, the fine cardinal, the scrappy blue jay, the sleek catbird, the glossy flicker, ‘The thrush of the home garden all at once comes into its own in the mind of the gardener. He sees it for what it is, the very fin- est of them all. They talk a great deal about New York's “finest” meaning policemen. There were some of them down here during the Shrine convention, and we could not go eragy about them. Very nice fellows, but not any particularly better than our own police, as far as we could see. ‘The bird “finest” are thrushes. In announcing this preference we do not ask that others agree with us. No one, however, could say the wood As far as this observer is concerned— and we know many others—the thrush is the leader. This pre-eminence comes about not only because of its song, but peculiarly on account of its sheer charm. It grows on an observer. The thrush, in any of its varieties, is possessed of “it,” in the somewhat silly sense of the slang of several years ago. It has appeal. 1t will make this felt at the first meet- ing, but the real test comes upon fur- ther acquaintance, in open competition with all the other birds. The more there are, not only the mer- rier, but the easier for thrush conquest. It may take time, however, for your honest thrush is lacking in the flashy appeal of such scarlet fellows as the cardinal or handsome blue jay. He has no cap on his head, like the cardinal or catbird. He is not small, to attract those who mnmb. ordinarily, to the lure of the e. Many persons like sparrows and juncos for no other reason. The thrush is a fair-sized bird, not a swashbuckler like the robin. Yet he is no small creature, such as the titmouse. The red-brown tone of his back, his handsome gray chest speckled with black dots, his general demeanor, all tend to make a bird of unusual merit, one whose appearance is that of cleanliness to an exceptional de, gree, This is no small point, everything con- sidered. Many persons regard birds with somewhat prejudiced eyes. Per- haps in their childhood they heard that most of them carried l!ice. In keeping canaries they found the same trouble, perhaps. Thus there grew up in their minds the belief that birds, as a class, were unclean., * * x Nothing in Nature, of course, has the cleanliness which man can give him- self, ‘The invention of soap, the use of hot water, clean linen, towels, clothes, offer man the means of being clean in a way Nature never contemplated. The cleanliest of her creatures, in a natural state, know nothing of being finicky, in the human way. Grains of black dirt, such as fly through the air and land in feather and fur, remain there, and the creatures know nothing about them. Every dog owner knows that the dog needs a good bath at least once a week. Priends of cats, while declaring their pets clean, will admit that if they lie for a few hours on a clean bedspread they will leave black marks behind. Paws are not lily white, by any means. And so it is with the birds. Their feathers, which at a distance seem as clean as the proverbial lily of the flelds, readily would give forth dust and dirt it subjected to scientific cleaning. Per- haps man goes out of his way to be scientific, at times, and most of us would think he would in this, if he sought to clean the feathers of living birds. Yet the cleanliness of the creatures must remain an objective, and the bird which strikes the observer as really being clean, in our sense, is the bird which wins the hearts of all. (B The thrush fills this bill. A vacuum cleaner used on him could not make him look any trimmer or neater, he is so spick-and-span in his suit of rust, gray and dots. This is combined with an eye milder than in most birds. A bird’s eye is famous, as a way of looking, but as the real thing it is not so famous, perhaps. Most observers pro- fess to find something “fishy” in it, which it is at once disrespectful to fish and birds. The fish eye is “fishy” in the human | sense simply because man has stuck too closely to facts. How else could a fish's eye be but “fishy”? Looked'at honestly, the eye of a fish is simply a disk, without eyelid. Often it is a very beautiful construction, fairly looked at, with grasp of function, and not with mere prejudice. Man often prejudices himself with words, of which “fishy” is a good example. Not every bird eye is really pleasant. Many a one is much more “fishy” look- ing than that of any fish. The eyes of the wood thrush, however, are really pretty, in their way, bright and alert, of the precise type to har- monize with feathers and general de- meanor. ‘The thrush is chesty, without being as puffed out as the cocky robin. All in all, the wood thrush which comes to our gardens hereabouts on April 26 to 28 every year, and stays for several months, is the best bird of the season, to say nothing at all this time of possessing the most melodious song. WASHINGTON OBSERVATIONS BY FREDERIC WILLIAM WILE. Until yesterday’s White House agree- ment with House leaders, there were unofficial hints that President Roese- velt might assent to letting wealth- tax legislation ride, for disposal at # special session of Congress in the Fall. The idea would be for House and Senate to wind up for the Summer with passage of «the utility, T. V. A, A. A. A, and banking bills, allowing August, Sep- tember and October to be devoted to calm study of the tax program, with a view to enactment, say, in November. No signs are forthcoming at the White House that F. D. R. favors any such schedule. All that can be gleaned about executive Summer plans is that there are none, and that none will be made until Congress has definitely charted its course, Mr. Roosevelt, despite the slings and arrows of the recent past, bears up good-humoredly. He craves a respite from the rigors of Washington, political and atmospheric, but physically and temperamentally shows little or no trace that they are proving irksome. His re- cent “fiilibuster” press conference, the day after the House revolt on the utility bill, found the President in gayest of spirits. He cut the figure of a man in whose lexicon the word “worry” doesn’t exist. LEER] Discussion of the cause and effect of the administration’s setback on holding companies legislation is unabated. Politicians have decided that the true inwardness of the episode lies in what it represents with respect to the future. They figure that it is inconceivable that so large a number of Democrats, facing contests for re-election on another Roosevelt ticket in 1936, would have of his pet measures if they were not assured that the home folks sympathize with such an attitude. The correspond- leaders radiate confidence, in late events at the OCapitol, that they can go to the country with winning prospects. i are keenly interested rea effort an economic : E g Louisiana expects to tour the State with his sound trucks in the course of his coming Nation-wide “share-the- wealth” crusade, which is to be inaugu- rated in Attorney General Cummings’ home town of Stamford, Conn, on July 13. * % xx Senator Hattie W. Caraway, Democrat, of Arkansas, is no longer the only Mrs. Caraway to adorn the political scene. The Woman'’s National Republican Club at New York has just elected Mrs. Henry R. Caraway as its president. She an- notnces a unique plan to organize vic- tory for the G. O. P. in '36, in so far as woman voters can make that possible. Mrs. Caraway proposes to educate an army of Republican sisters in the arts of campaign oratory. Regular training schools for t purpose are to be estab- lished in at least 27 States, Mrs. Cara- way says experierice has shown that woman spellbinders are welcomed on the hustings and introduce a note of novelty that appeals to voters of both sexes. LI Revision of certain provisions of the proposed act, brought about mainly by Senator Carter Glass, sky- rocketed bank stocks on the New York Stock Exchange this week. Some lead- ing shares shot up from 1 to 60 points. WFive issues were lifted to new highs for the year. Operators attributed the bull movement particularly to the amendment giving banks of deposit the right to participate in security under- writings. * k ¥ x In Washington this week there was & notable conference of the Nation's leading forestry and plant authorities, assembled to consider the urgent neces- sity of combatting the Dutch elm disease recently introduced into the United States. It has killed many thousands of elm trees since 1930 in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut, and has been found in Maryland, Virginia, Ohio and Indiana. In a letter to President Roosevelt the conference described the disease as & menace to the economic welfare and natural beauty of the coun- try. Mr. Roosevelt is urged to make $2,500,000 immediately available from work-relief funds to combat the pest. It is claimed that several thousand men now on relief rolls could be thus use- fully employed. * x % Recently announced retirement of Edwin 8. Cunningham, American con- sul general at Shanghal, after 37 years of official duty, calls attention to the fact that from now on there are likely to be recurring cases of retirement of 65 provided by mohnq‘cvm o portant posts both ashington the diplomatic and consular branches in the field will be affected. (Copyright. 1935.) The Indians, to & man, favor the pro- posal of Representative Dies of Texas to drive all the foreigners out of the Musical Plagiarism. Prom the Philadelphis Inqulrer. Mr. Damrosch predicts a return of the music giants. But even if they dont return, their works will survive in the ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS By Frederic J. Haskin, A reader can get the answer to any question 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 large is the town in which the Dionne quintuplets live?—A. A. K. A. They were born at Corbeil, Ontaria, Canada, This might almost be referred to as a crossroads, as there are only & few houses and a church. Callandep is the nearest town of any size. This is located about 180 miles north of Toronto. Q. Will there be a Harmsworth Trophy boat race this year?—J. B. A. No challenge was made this year and, consequently, there will be no Harmsworth Trophy race. There was no race in 1934, Q. How many people in the United States have permits to drive automo- biles?—J. 8. A. More than 7,600,000 drivers are licensed in the States which require applicants to show fitness to operate a motor vehicle. Q. Is illiteracy in Turkey decreasing?— AY.P 'A. Tlliteracy has fallen from 85 per cent to 42 per cent. Q. How much money is sent by Amer- ican Catholics to the Vatican?—B. C. A. The Catholic churches of the United States pay a tribute to the Pope of Rome known as Peter’s Pence. This is an en- | tirely voluntary contribution. American ! bishops presented to Pope Pius more than $1,000,000 in gifts from their dio- ceses during 1934. Ggfinwsk Oliver Lodge’s wife living?— A. Lady Lodge died in 1029, Q. Please give a biography of Rimski~ Korsakov.—G. F. A. Rimski-Korsakov, a Russian musi- cian and composer, was born at Tikhvin, in the government of Novgorod, in 1844. While a midshipman in the Russian Navy he wrote his first symphony, which was produced in 1865. He became pro- fessor of composition and instrumenta- tion at the St. Petersburg Conservatory in 1871, and held that position until his death, in 1908. During 1886, and until 1890, he acted as conductor of Russian symphony concerts in St. Petersburg. He wrote 13 operas and many other com- positions. Q. How many junior colleges are there in the United States?—S8. B. A. There are more than 500, enrolling over 100,000 students. Q. In Italy, in early days, how many languages were spoken?—W. A, A. At least nine. Q. What kind of wood may be usec to make Venetian blinds?—K. K. A. The slats, which are 2 inches widc | and % inch thick, may be made of bass, white pine, California redwood or West- ern cedar. These woods must be light i dry and thoroughly seasoned to preven. warping. Q. How did Robinson Crusoe keep ac- count of the passing of time on hi desert island?—E. V. A. As soon as he landed he set up a post, on which he cut a notch each morn- ing. He says: “Every seventh notch was as long again as the rest, and every first day of the month as long again as that long one, and thus I kept my calen- dar, or weekly, monthly and yearl reckoning.” Q. What is a periodic sentence?—E. N A. A sentence in which, for rhetorics effect, the several clauses are 30 ar ranged as to suspend the interest unt’ the very last words. Q. When is the Lake Placid Hors Show?—G. F. A. This event will take place on Augus:. 16, 17 and 18. Q. Who was Highland Mary?—E | L. M. | 'A.She was a sweetheart of Rober | Burns, to whom he addressed some of hi: finest poetry, including “My Highland Lassie,” “O Highland Mary” and “Thou | Ling'ring Star.” She is said to have been & daughter of Archibald Campbell, a Clyde sailor, and to have died young about 1784 or 1786. Nothing authentic is known of her, and there is little re- liance to be placed in the few indica- tions that Burns gave in his poem or in his letters. Q. What is meant by an Ansac?— B. D. A. Tfisls:memberofi.heAum\um and New Zealand Army Corps in the ‘World War, or used as an adjective, per- taining to that organization. The word was formed from the initials of the corps named. Q. Please describe the design on the new White House china.—D. O. A. The new dinner service consists of more than a thousand pieces of ivory- colored china, bordered in dark blue and gold and bearing the President's crest. The blue border of each piece is studded with 48 gold stars and the gold band is incrusted with motifs taken from the Roosevelt coat of arms. The china service includes ten dozen each of large place plates, luncheon plates, bread and butter plates, coffee cups, tea cups, after- dinner coffee cups, soup cups and bouillon cups and plates. Q. What is the inscription on the Spanish-American War monument in Arlington Cemetery?—C. W. A. On the monument to the soldiers and sallors of the Spanish-American War is the inscription: “This monument is dedicated in sorrow, gratitude and pride to the soldiers and sailors of the United States who gave their lives for their country in the war of 1898-1809 with Spain by the National Bociety of the Colonial Dames of America, in the name of all the women of the United States, 1902.” A Rhyme at Twilight B Gertrude Bmoyke Hamilton Town Lullaby Sleep, tired city of mine, Night with its respite is here, The sun has gone down ‘To nocturnal hue High o’er the town’s fevered breast. Stlence will fall by and by, Slumber will come To mansion and slum, Avg winds from the faraway sky,