Evening Star Newspaper, July 13, 1935, Page 8

THE EVENING STAR, WASHINGTON D. C, SATURDAY, JULY 13, 1935. #___—_—_____——_—_—_——L——l————-—!————-—————-——-——————————— THIS AND THAT BY CHARLES E. TRACEWELL. THE EVENING STAR With Sunday Morning Editien. WASHINGTON, D. C. SATURDAY .......o0e.....July 13, 1935 THEODORE W. NOYES. +...Editor ‘The Evening Star Newspaper Company. 11th St. B““dne?“ omlc"l:nl‘ Ave. 1P Ofice s 110, East 4204 8t. Chicago Ofice: Lake Michigan Building European Office: 14 Regent St.. London. Englan Rate by Carrier Within the City. Regular Edition. ;_'hh: Evening Star (w) Evening_and Sunday Y rt s month 47 6oc per month Star 65¢ per munth B¢ per copy ndays) and ~ Sunday unday: The Sunday Star Night Final Editios 70c per month 55¢ per month d of each month. Orders may or telephone Na- tional 5000. Rate by Mail—Payable in Advance. Maryland and Virginia. Dajly ard Sunday..l yr. $10.00: 1 mo.. 83¢ Daily only - 1 yrl. $6.00; 1 mo. 50¢ Sunday only $4.00; » 1 yr.. $4.00; 1 All Other States and Can: Dally and Sunda! 0 Daily only Sunday only Member of the Associated Press. The Assoclated 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 rights of publication of special dispatcnes herein are also reserved Another Peace Move. To the extent that American moral | pressure can prevent war between Italy and Abyssinia, the United States Gov- ernment is obviously intent upon ex- hausting every means at its command. Earlier in the week Secretary Hull in an interview with the Italian Ambas- sador manifested this country’s deep concern in peaceful adjustment of the | African controversy. In subsequent con- ferences with the British and French Ambassadors, Judge Hull signified the United States’ sympathetic interest in efforts of the League of Nations to effect an amicable settlement. Short of formal identification of the Washington Gov- ernment with these steps, no doubt was left that it supports wholeheartedly “col- Jective action” to avoid hostilities and the immeasurable consequences which might flow from them. Lest any question remain as to Amer- ica’s profound anxiety for the preserva- tion of peace, Secretary Hull has now taken occasion to stress the United States’ allegiance to the Kellogg pact. Though the statement which he issued on Friday is general in nature, it is a significant reminder to Rome that this country would regard an Italian attack on Abyssinia as a violation of the treaty to renounce war as an instrument of national policy. “The pact of Paris,” Secretary Hull points out, “is no less binding now than when it was entered into by the sixty- three nations which are parties to it. By form and designation it constitutes a treaty among those nations. * * * Furthermore, it is an agreement and a solemn obligation that the settlement or solution of all disputes or conflicts among nations, of whatever nature or origin, shall never be sought except by pacific means.” Then, for the benefit of all concerned, it is stated that “the United States and the other nations are interested in the maintenance of the pact and the sanctity of the inter- national commitments assumed thereby for promotion and maintenance of peace among the nations of the world.” Shortly after his election in 1932 Mr. Roosevelt observed that the sanctity of treaties is the corner stone of interna- tional relations. Secretary Hull's state- ment is a timely reafirmation of that position. It denotes commendable con- tinuity of American foreign policy. It is in direct line with Secretary’s Stim- son's invocation of the Kellogg pact against Japan's procedure in Manchuria. His action did not thwart Tokio's de- signs in North China, and the present proclamation of undiminished American devotion to the pact may not deter Mussolini from pursuing his war pro- gram in Africa. But the Hull pro- nouncement at least keeps the record | straight. It emphasizes the United States’ consistent belief in the principle of good faith among nations and in the solemn obligation incumbent upon them to respect their plighted word. If war comes in Africa, and complications ensue elsewhere, this Government will at least have the deep satisfaction of knowing that it left no proper stone unturned to prevent another world catastrophe. Occasionally a group of statesmen re- lieve their minds by singing. “The Good Old Summer Time” is not one of the sincerely sentimental selections.. Balloon Flight Failure. ‘Washingtonians have an especial in- terest in anything which the National Geographic Society and the United States Army Air Corps undertake, and 1t therefore was with profound regret that they heard of the collapse of the stratosphere balloon at Rapid City, S. Dak., yesterday. They had followed the development of plans for a second at- tempt to explore the remoter skies with the sympathetic enthusiasm of friendly spectators and had wished the enter- prise the fullest and most complete suc- cess. Hence their disappointment over the news of failure. But, as Dr. Gilbert Grosvenor said, it was providentially fortunate that the giant bag burst when it did and not later. Had it given way twelve or four- teen thousand feet above the earth the passengers in its gondola almost cer- tainly would have been killed. The fabric, it seems, was not strong enough to hold one-eighth of the helium gas with which it was to be filled, and a tragic loss of life was avoided by the discovery of that fact in time. Now the question will be as to whether or not any safe balloon for stratospheric work can be perfected at the present stage of knowledge. Without wishing to add to the difficulties of the sponsors of the flight, it may be suggested that further experimentation in balloon construction would not be amiss. The American pub- lic does not favor “taking chances” un- necessarily, A mjn:ty opinion almost \ surely would be that a philosophy of caution is wise in the circumstances. Delay, of course, is inevitable. Mean- while, a careful investigation, Dr. Gros- venor has promised, will be conducted into the causes of yesterday’s accident. The inquiry, it may be hoped, will fur- nish guidance for the next attempt. if so, the cost will be justified. But in any event it is worthy of repetition that slow progress toward a final solution of the problem is to be preferred to hasty endeavors, which, because of their pre- maturity, may be doomed to disaster. The stratosphere, it is abundantly in- dicated by the achievements of Dr. Auguste Piccard, can be investigated. All that is wanted is a craft equal to the technical demands. Science, then, should concentrate on that vital aspect of the case. S “G” Men and Lobbying. Senator Black is not sure of the use he may make of the Department of Jus- tice “G” men in his lobby investigation, There are several Government agencies that may be called on to help his in- quiry. He may seek lo use some or all of them. But as a general proposition, the less use he makes, or attempts to make, of the “G” men as such the better it will be. The lobby inquiry is & good thing. | If it is successful in bringing out all the facts relating to the influences brought into play for and against the holding company legislation, so much the better. The public is entitled to know all there is to know about such matters. But the lobby investigation, after all, is just another investigation. There have been others like it before, and there will ! be others like it again. If the “G” men are brought into one sort of investiga- tion they will be brought into another. | is, or should be, manifest. The “G” men have achieved deserved glory and prestige for their success in actually arresting and sending to jail kidnapers and thugs and criminal | racketeers of one sort or another. They have won a reputation and standing | that is unique in this country. They are really demonstrating that crime does not pay. But there is nothing so quickly destined to becloud this prestige as to create in the publig mind the association between “G” men and the various fish- ing expeditions, political and otherwise, on which the House and Senate com- 1 mittees may occasionally embark. There is a practical consideration, in addition, which lies in the fact that the jurisdiction of Government criminal in- vestigators is rather sharply defined. If the Senate investigators came across strong evidence of bribery, or the viola- tion of some other Federal statute, the formal assignment of the Department of Justice to the case would be altogether appropriate. But such evidence should first be found. Lobbying, in the accepted sense of the word, denotes no violation of law. The headlines are full of the activities of lobbyists every day. freely admit spending $310,000, and prob- ably much more than that, in their fight against the holding company legis- lation. The United States Chamber of Commerce has spent money already, and will spend more, in fighting “share-the- wealth” taxation, and the chamber will be joined by other agencies just as willing to supply the munitions of war to pre- sent their case. Senator Black’s com- mittee will reveal additional detalls as it proceeds. Biit the lobbying, in the sense of seek- ing to influence legislation, is one thing. Bribery and other forms of criminal | skullduggery are something else again, and the use of “G” men should be re- | served exclusively for use in that field alone. ——e—————— After feeling the pulse of Congress Dr. Copeland prescribes a rest with a few ice packs and not so many hot- water bottles. — A public cannot fail to be puzzled when so many men of eminent re- sponsibility show an abrupt disinclina- tion to speak well of one another. College slang may be tempted to re.fer to an attempt to soak the rich as leaving the general political situation “all wet.” Alfred Dreyfus. With the death in Paris of Col. Alfred Dreyfus is written the final chapter of an amazing tale of injustice, persecution and ultimate vindication and atonement by a government. The story has no parallel in world history. ‘It began forty- one years ago, when a court-martial found that officer, who had pursued an honorable military career with brilliant success up to that time, guilty of high treason in the communication of military secrets to Germany and sentenced him to imprisonment for life at Devil’s Island, a place of torment. Four years later another court-martial at Paris acquitted of the identical charge Maj. Walsin Esterhazy, though it was eventually proved that he was guilty of participa- tion in the dealings for which Dreyfus had been condemned. In 1899 the high- est French court of appeal quashed the conviction of Dreyfus and ordered a sec- ond court-martial of the imprisoned of- ficer. That court found Dreyfus guilty “with extenuating circumstances” and sentenced him to imprisonment for ten years. He accepted a pardon on condi- tion that he should still be free to estab- lish his innocence. In 1903 he petitioned for a revision of his case and three years later the Court of Cassation quashed the conviction of 1899 and proclaimed his complete innocence. He was restored to military duty and during the Great War he rendered valuable and faith- ful service. . But for the intervention of Emile Zola, the literary idol of France, who stepped from his role of fiction writer to a pro- tagonist for the innocent officer, Dreyfus might never have been vindicated and freed. Zola's stirring charge of official conspiracy against the victim of racial prejudice and of the cabal of his guilty accusers awakened the consclence of the And the danger of such use of “G” men | The utility men | French people and aroused the govern= ment to corrective action, though he was compelled to flee to England for shelter during the storm which his charges in his letter in L’Aurore entitled “J'Accuse” evoked. “L'affaire Dreyfus” played havoc with ministries and increased the strain be- tween France and Germany which even- tuated in the conflict of 1914. Dreyfus ‘was cleared, and his accusers eventually suffered. Throughout the terrible ordeal of his martyrdom he bore himself bravely and manfully. France ultimately con- doned its fault, but it could not wholly correct the injustice of the persecution, ‘which brought forth some astonishing contrasts of human qualities and gave world prominence to the advocates of honest and fearless administration of the law who espoused the cause of Drey- fus, as well as to the schemers who sought to sacrifice an innocent man to shield themselves from discovery and punishment. France can properly do no less in full and final expiation for the cruel injus- tice from which Dreyfus suffered than to give him the full national honors of burial. B ] John D. Rockefeller no longer plays golf and has little to do except listen to the radio. It is not to be assumed, however, that parental authority is a direct influence over all the programs sent out from Radio City. e ——r—————— Rasselas, the Prince pf Abyssinia, as depicted by Dr. Johnson in pursuit of the phantoms of hope, is a poetic fiction, but no less melancholy in his attitude of life than the present real chief of the realm. . - . If Doorkeeper Sinnott has his way every baby will be enticed to listen to economic debates without discrimination because of any particular style of meal ticket. — . The men who wrote the United States Constitution had personal dignity as well as literary quality. They would be hard to equal in an effort to create a substi- tute work. A short and ugly word was regarded by Theodore Roosevelt as a sign of in- tellectual exasperation. At present its use is so common that there is no time for processes of expurgation. D One of the disadvantages under which scheme under which, after long and arduous service, he can be comfortably retired on a pension. s Retirement of submarines from war- fare might discourage the maladroit person who insists on painful historic reminiscences. e States does not escape the indiscrim- inate criticism likely at any time to be addressed to the umpire. S A tax-the-rich plan sounds enough until events show an increasing scarcity of wealth to be levied on. N Some able public men are inclined to regard a party platform only for its transitory value as a best seller. —— Shooting Stars. BY PHILANDER JOHNSON. Reform. ‘We have had much agitation, ‘We have mended lots of things And we have the compensation That a clearer conscience brings. But the tendency excessive, Both in sunshine and in storm, Makes us wish, in times progressive, That the climate would reform. When the mercury’s expanding To intemperate degrees, And past human understanding Are the costumes that one sees; ‘When we hit the silly season And the world is fiercely warm, Then we wish, with proper reason, That the climate would reform! The Uninteresting Speech. «“Shall I take this speech in shorthand or on the typewriter?” asked the stenog- rapher. “On the typewriter,” replied Senator Sorghum; “the noise of the machine will help to keep us both awake.” ‘The man who devotes his entire life to “looking out for Number One” should not be surprised if he finds himself rated next to Nothing. Prize Package. Each day, as it dawns, like a prize pack- age seems, ‘With hope yet with fear we begin it. With treasure it's filled or with vanish- ing dreams— ‘We never know just what is in it. Placing the Responsibility. “It must be hard to learn to play polo,” said the hired man. “Well,” replted Farmer Corntossel, “jedgin’ from what I have seen of the game, it oughtn’t to be so very hard for the man; but it must take a heap of ex- pertness an’ close attention on the part of the small but active hoss.” Abreast of the Period. “Don’t hear of any horse thieves and cattle rustlers around Crimson Guich,” said the man who had returned after long absence. “No,” replied Piute Pete. “The place has been progressin’ right along with other towns. Now we have to organize fellows that repaint automobiles and change the numbers on ‘em.” Similarity. The weather—who shall doubt it— Like scandal grows extreme; ‘The more you talk about it The worse it's sure to seem. “De flatterer,” said Uncle Eben, “is like de cat who is slickest and purrs de most because he is stealin’ de cream.” ~ - & dictator labors is the lack of a reliable | Even the Supreme Court of the United | easy | Record Condemns the Uncontrolled Saloons To the Editor of The Star: . My attention is called to the letter published in The Star of July 6 by Mr. Walter Walton, who attempts to im- himself on the public as a “pro- hibitionist,” but discloses his wet status when he refers to “drys” as “fanatics.” ‘The “hidden bar” he refers to is noth- ing but a legalized “blind tiger” of the old days which was always recognized by wets and drys as a more objectionable system of retailing booze than the open saloon. The objectionable “blind tiger” and “speakeasy” were the exclusive stock arguments of the saloon interests for the repeal of the eightheenth amend- ment. “We prohibitionists” are opposed to both the saloon and the “blind tiger.” ‘We do not propose to compromise by conceding the right for either to exist. The police records contain the only reliable comparative information as to the extent of drunkenness under any system, and drunkenness is the only ob- jection ever raised against the liquor business, and that record condemns the present uncontrolled liquor business. Mr. Walton says, “Prohibition is dead because after trial it failed.” The police records bear incontrovertible evidence that “control” has failed more dismally than prohibition ever failed at its worst. I appeal to the records. Mr. Walton is not informed in the his- tory of prohibition or he would not even presume that that fight is over. In nearly every State in the Union, at some time, prohibition was resorted to for the protection of the health, morals and safety of their people. But by bribery and intimidation of enforcement and legislative officers and the corruption of courts. these laws were discredited and abandoned, but as a rule they usually returned to prohibition, and will do so again. Mr. Walton and his wet friends, whom he is ashamed to recognize, fear the re- turn to prohibition. But the worn-out scarcecrow for intimidating honest ob- jectors to the saloon has lost its fright- ening power and will no longer serve the liquor interests. Prohibition is on the road back. “You can fool all of the people part of the time and part of the people all of the time, but you cannot fool all of the people all of the time.” JOHN B. HAMMOND. Historic Tree Near Howard University To the Editor of The Star: At the northwest corner of Fourth and College streets northwest, near Howard University, stands a classic sycamore tree lifting its lofty branches above every tree in the vicinity. This tree, as a sapling, was presented to John M. Langston by Senator Charles Sumner at the time when he had just built his residence at this point in 1872. Four trees were in the collection presented go Prof. Langston by the Massachusetts Senator, but the sycamore and a sweet gum tree are the only ones of these to survive. This tree was planted by the hands of Frederick Douglass as a mark of esteem for Prof. Langston. Howard University will shortly place a label upon this tree bearing its scientific name and pointing out its historic distinction. This tree now stands on the premises of the writer. Many critics have declared it the most stately and commanding tree of its species in the District of Columbia. Senator Sumner further showed his in- terest in Prof. Langston's new home by marking the places and giving direc- tions for planting these trees so as to give the lawn the proper landscape effect. A magnolia grandifiora, among the choicest of ornamental trees, which stands at another spot on the premises, was sent to Prof. Langston by a friend from Paris, France. Its richest green and satin-appearing leaves and fragrant blossoms still flourish in full vigor after a lapse of over 67 years. KELLY MILLER. R Calls on Green to Act for Strikers To the Editor of The Star: Each passing week indicates that more and more strikers are being mistreated, injured and in some cases even slain simply because they have taken steps to demonstrate their objections to star- vation wages, lengthy hours and lack of union recognition. In the midst of all this bloodshed and oppression, practiced by the National Guard in many instances, we would expect the leader of the American Fed- eration of Labor, William Green, to shout his protest against such terror and viciousness. Do we hear from Green on this subject? No! Instead we read of his drive against the Com- munists in the A. F. of L. unions. The Chamber of Commerce, the Na- tional Association of Manufacturers, the Daughters of the American Revolution are all doing plenty along this line— this is their province. The express duty of the president of the A. F. of L. is to protect the right of labor to strike and picket to better their conditions. Let others worry about the Reds. JAMES FOLEY. The President And Hoover Dam To the Editor of The Star: It is most interesting to read that President Roosevelt plans to attend the formal dedication at Hoover Dam. To visit & gigantic project which really works will be a thrilling experience. Of all the grand schemes launched during these two mad years of New Dealism, there has not yet been a single instance of a plan concluded or a project which actually works. A ‘Will Mr. Roosevelt be gracious enough to acknowledge in his visit that the Hoover Dam was conceived, launched and carried to success by Herbert Hoover? Under the firm and ironclad contracts which the New Deal took over there was no way left open for the muddling of this project. The only thing Roosevelt could change was the name. But it is still Hoover Dam—for it works! HARRY T. RUPERT. Marching Up Hill And Marching Down To the Editor of The Star: The following may interest you a little. In your issue of June 27 there appeared an editorial under the heading “Up and Down the Hill,” in which appeared the words “The King of France and his twenty thousand men, who marched up the hill and then marched down again.” This writer only refers to it from the standpoint of accuracy, as he heard it many years back in another country in the following wording: “The noble Duke of York had one thousand men, He marched them up the hill, and marched them down again. When they were up they were up, my boys, ‘When they were down they were down, ‘When they were half-way up, my boys, They were neither up nor down.” R. LAPPIN. Care of the eyes in everyday life is incidental with most persons. hu'l;they never think of them until they Everyday attention, - however, is the one best way ‘o prevent many minor inflammations, redness, soreness, which perhaps may lead on to worse ailments. It is probably because many persons fail to look at their eyes in this common sense way that they ordinarily neglect the best and most simple method of caring for them. This is simply cleanliness through the use of soap and water. Practically every one slights the eyes in the daily washing of the face. Many permit the jut of the eyebrows to keep water away from them. Some so remember their boyhood dis- like that they ordinary cheat still when it comes to the eyes. ‘They keep water not only out of them, but away from them. * ¥ * % It is not until a person, by reason of easily inflamed eyes, looks into this matter personally that he will be willing to feel that he has cheated when it comes to keeping the precious eye sockets absolutely clean. ‘Then he may realize that all uncon- sciously he has been treating them as if they were weak sisters, instead of the marvelous organs they really are. The eyes need not be pampered—in- deed, they demand as good ordinary care as the hands or face and about in the same way. The best fundamental care of the eyes is to see that they get their full share of soap and water. Yes, soap! This universal detergent need not be gotten into the eyes actually, should be given an opportunity to do its work on the eyelids. If the eyes are kept closed, without undue pressure, no soap or water will get inside the lids at all, except a trifle, which will do no harm, only good. The slight smarting is helpful. The main point (and it is here that many eI, as any one can see, upon occasion) is to actually wash the entire socket of the eyes. Unless attention is paid to this detail, it is the easiest thing in the world to wash without once getting a drop of water therein. Wherefore no amount of attention can be too great if one values the precious gift of sight. * ok % ok It might seem that such an act as using soap is so common that every one ought to know how to do it. Its use, however, is only comparatively new in the march of the centuries. It is said that in the days of good Queen Ann nobody used soap at all. It was looked upon as a sinful luxury by many. Its introduction to the public in Lon- don was viewed with vast suspicion. Before we smile in a superior modern fashion over that let us realize that still thousands of persons do not know how to handle soap, as common as it is, as cheaply purchased, in America, at | any rate, as widespread its use. They smear around with a cake or bar | as it formerly was called, achieve a sort | of scum on their hands, and then wipe | this all over the face and hands. Of the making of a real lather they seem to have no proper idea. Yet this is the one secret of the use of soap provided that a good soap is used in the first place. Of the making of soaps there is no end. There are STARS, MEN but it | heavy soaps, light soaps, soaps that will lather freely and others that require much work often to little purpose. Given a good article, the right way to handle it is in order. This is nothing more nor less than—to handle it. ‘The hands must be used to work up the lather. The thicker and higher the mound of lather the better, for it is only when its due proportion of water is worked into the bubbles or cream that soap can do its best work in carry- ing away germs and dirt. Perhaps not every one realizes that modern medicine places heavy stress on the use of soap. If it is used to wash away the oil which causes poison ivy, for instance, as given off by the plants, little harm will result. The oil is combined and then washed away. It must be done at once, of course, A thorough washing with soap and hot water is one of the best possible preliminary treatments of wounds and cuts. Surgeons wash the hands many times and for many minutes before operations of all types. It has been revealed that certain sorts of germs will stand many minutes of such washing, so that the action must be carried on for a longer time in order to do any good. In comparison with this true surgical cleanliness, it will be readily realized how sketchily the average person washes hands and face. Yet if he takes the trouble to work up a real lather, within the scope of his soap, he will do a great deal more than many a person does in this every day duty. % % The hands must be rubbed back and forward with the lather between until the limit of its water absorption seems | reached. Now the user has but started. Let him carefully balance such lather as he has achieved in the left palm, | | taking care that none drops off. Then let him permit a small amount of water to fall into the cupped palm of the right | hand. This immediately is poured slowly onto the mound of lather, to be further whip- ped into it. The whole operation may be repeated as many times as the user has patience for, but usually he ends it when great gobs begin to fall off his hands. It is now high time to apply the lather to the face, and in doing so atten- tion must be particularly paid to the eye sockets and the eyelids, since these are | the parts ordinarily missed, to which missing is due part, at least, of the ordinary inflammations of the eyelids so common. With the tips of the fingers the lather must be carefully rubbed along the exterior edges of the lids so that nothing at all is missed. The slight massage will be beneficial as well as the removal of oil and dust which settle on all things | in this curious world. Handfuls of water will remove all soap and this should be done to the eye sockets first of all, so that the eyes may be blinked shut and opened time after time to permit some water to enter. No one need fear water in the eyes if it is good water, such as we have here, The use of alternate handfuls of hot and then cold water, time after time, | i Taue 1 948 since g It increases circulation and | | tends to restore tone. These eye baths, is helpful in some cases of every day irritation. as part of the daily ablutions, are so simple that many persons will overlook them. That they may be missed, even | when one washes one’s face, unless one | | thinks about them, is patent on all sides. AND ATOMS Notebook of Science Progress in Field, Laboratory and Study. BY THOMAS R. HENRY. There will be a total eclipse of the moon, visible over most of North Amer- | ica, Monday night. The moon will enter the earth’s shadow at 10:12 pm, Eastern standard time, and the phenomenon—even rarer than a total eclipse of the sun, but not so spectacular nor of much astronomical interest—will continue for several hours. At no time during the eclipse will the moon completely disappear, but its color probably will be deep red because of the passage of the sun’s rays through the atmosphere of the earth and their refraction into the earth’s shadow. This cuts out most of the blue rays of the solar spectrum, which also is that of the moon since moonlight is only reflected sunlight. For nearly an hour before the eclipse starts the moon’s light will be weakened slightly by the penumbra surrounding the shadow proper. About three min- utes after the start the shadow will begin making an increasing indenta- tion on the left side of the disk of the full moon and this will continue pro- gressively for about an hour before the entire orb has become immersed in the shadow. Then will begin the period of totality, during which the moon is ex- pected to remain faintly visible as a dull, reddish globe. The moon will be darkest at about midnight, when it reaches the center of the earth’s shadow. This phase of the total eclipse will continue until 12:50, when the left edge of the disk will emerge from the shadow and soon re- sume its full moon intensity. After this stage the edge of the shadow will gradu- ally recede until the disk is completely cleared at 1:47 am., except for a light penumbra, which will linger faintly for another hour. The beginning of the eclipse will be visible generally in Africa, Southwestern Europe, the Atlantic Ocean and North and South America. The ending will be visible over the Atlantic, both the American Continents and the eastern part of the Pacific. In some ways a total eclipse of the moon is the opposite phenomenon to a total eclipse of the sun, which occurs when the moon’s shadow gets between the sun and the earth. The first can take place only during a full moon, and the latter only at a new moon. The moon must be directly on the opposite side of the earth, in a straight line, from the sun for a lunar eclipse, while nearly the contrary is true for a solar eclipse. There are approximately 29 partial or total lunar eclipses every 18 years, and during the same period there are 41 solar eclipses. * x x % Why does & baby smile and what does it find to smile about? Dr. Wayne Dennis, psychologist of the University of Virginia, set out to answer this question by rearing two identical twins in his home at Charlottesville about a month old. There are, as he explains in his re- port of the experiment in the Journal weeks of life. One is that the act is an instinctive response of the infant to a human presence or voice—an element | ! States more generally than hanging for of behavior inherent in the human or- | ganism and coming with it out of the unknown. The other is that the first smiles are set off by some other, and unknown, stimulus and, through the mechanism of the conditioned response of behavioristic psychology, transferred to persons because they are in some way associated with this unknown stimulus. The smile is evidently an indication of contentment—but why should the presence of some one be especially con- ducive to a small baby’s satisfaction with life? Dr. and Mrs. Dennis cared for the two babies in a fashion not cal- culated to arouse any emotional feeling toward them. They did what was re- quired for the comfort of the infants without any smiling, talking, or fondling of their charges. They tried to act as much as possible like “baby-tending machines.” The object was to reduce to a minimum the association between themselves and any consecutive pleasant experience on the part of the children. ‘The smiles, nevertheless, appeared and grew more and more frequent as the days went by. They came most often when one or the other leaned over the bed, so that the infant could see the face of the adult. There were no smiles as responses to their voices alone. Various considerations, however, led them to the conclusion that the smile at the adult was not a primary response of the child, even though no other stimulus was so effective. For one thing, the smiles became more frequent as time went on, presumably as the con- ditioning became stronger. The re- response came, they found, before any attention actually was given the child but when the adult was in a position preparatory to doing something for it. “Smiling,” Dr. Dennis concluded, “is a conditioned response to any stimulus that brings about cessation of fretting, unrest or crying.” The mere sight of the adult is associated with the ending of discomfort. It is the dominant ob- ject in the pattern. The reason the in- fant doesn’t respond with a smile to the mere sight of other things associat- ed with the cessation of discomfort, such as a nursing bottle, is that this is never in its direct line of vision. The parent, or nurse, who has to bend over the baby to feed it or dress it, almost monopolizes the fleld of vision. As one emerges from babyhood the conditioned response—that is, smiling at a human being—has become so firm- ly woven into the pattern of things that it persists while the primary stimulus has dropped out. So it becomes almost automatic to greet one with a smile. —_———e———— —— G-Men and Radio. Prem the Toledo Blade. If the G-men get much beiter they will have to go on the radio as an advertisement of scrap tobacco or some kindred necessity. The Shifting Crown. ¥rom the Miami (Fla.) Herald. It is with some regret we note the passing of the world heavyweight boxing crown blck‘ to just a piain dguier. i slot. ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS By Frederic J. Haskin. A reader can get the answer to any question of fact by writing The Washing= ton Evening Siar Information Bureau, Frederic J. Haskin, Director, Washing- ton, D.C. Please inclose stamp for reply. Q. How are the girls selected to carry the famous Vassar daisy chain?—T. A. A. Vassar College gives the the fol- lowing explanation: “The basis on which the students are chosen for the daisy chain is beauty, though we cannot hon- estly say that the most beautiful girls are always chosen. We remember one time when a very beautiful girl was omitted, the reason being that she was s0 tall that no one else could be found to walk with her. They are chosen by a committee of seniors and they would not be willing to acknowledge that popu- larity or anything but beauty is a basis on which the girls are chosen.” Q. How many times has the heavy- weight title changed hands since Corbett won from Sullivan?—B. E. R. A. Twelve times, not counting the Hart-Root, the Burns-Hart and the Johnson-Burns fights, which could be considered elimination bouts as Jeffries | retired for lack of a suitable opponent. Q. How high are the center poles in the Ringling Circus?—R. S. A. They are 55 feet tall. The greatest height from the ground to the peak of the tent (at the center pole) is approxi- mately 48 feet. This height decreases to 16 feet at the side walls. Q. Was William Green, president of | the American Federation of Labor, ever | a laborer?>—T. F. L. A. He was a miner. His father was a miner and came to this country five vears before the son was born. William Green began to work in the mines at the age of 16. Q. What percentage of Vermont's population is native white?—E. K. A. Eighty-seven and eight-tenths per cent of the State's population is native white. Q. What is the slot man on a daily newspaper?—L. S. A. He is the head of the copy desk. This desk is usually semi-circular or horseshoe-shaped. The head of the desk sits at the center of the inside curve and his position is known as the The copy editors sit “on the rim.” Q. Where is the memorial known as the Trench of Bayonets?—K. V. E. A. It is near the battlefield of Verdun in Eastern France. Q. Is Pago Pago considered a good harbor?—C. C. A. Pago Pago Is the most valuable harbor in the South Pacific and pos- sibly in the entire Pacific Ocean. It was ceded in 1872 by the native King to the United States for a naval and coaling station. Q. How many people have ascended Grand Teton Peak in Wyoming?—J. G A. The total number of ascents made Q. Please give some details about the Zeppelin LZ-129—S. B. A. The LZ-129 has four 16-cylinder Daimler-Benz Diesel oil motors of 1,200 horsepower each. Her cruising speed will be 80 or 81 miles per hour. She will weigh 100 tons dead weight and about 220 tons loaded. The lifting gas capacity will be 7,300,000 cubic feet. Si teen ballonets of synthetic goldbeate: skin will hold the gas. A 5500000~ candlepower searchlight will aid night flying. There are 25 two-berth cabins equipped with running hot and cold water. In the center is a social hall, reading and writing room, and dining room. A 2-ton apparatus will obtain water from the atmosphere by means of silicon dioxide. Q. Is electrocution used in the United capital punishment?>—N. F. A. Fourteen States, Alaska, Hawalii, Puerto Rico and the Federal Govern- ment employ hanging, while 20 States and the District of Columbia employ electrocution. Q. What is marginal land? ginal?>—A. P. O. A. Marginal land may be defined as land whose productivity just about equals the cost of production. Submar- ginal land is land which is even less productive than marginal land. Mar- ginal land may vary from year to year due to climatic conditions or the crop prices. Submar- Q. What do the initials S. T. D. mean after a man’s name?—C. T. A. Doctor of sacred theology. Q. How many large waterfalls has Brazil?—H. 8. A. There are 378 important waterfalls in that country, only 154 of which have been roughly measured, and have a potential force of at least 50,000,000 horsepower. Q. How long has the American Bar Association held annual (onventions? —G. N. A. The convention in Los Angeles from July 15 to 19 will be the fifty- eighth. The association’ has about 30,000 members. Q. Please explain the ski-u-mah yell of the University of Minnesota.—E. C. H. A. It originated in the early days of rugby at the university. When two squads were playing against each other, siss-boom-bah was used by one team when it made a touchdown. The other team invented ski-u-mah, using an In- dian expression of exultation, ski-oo. A Rhyme at Twilight By Gertrude Brooke Hamilton Around the Campfire As the logs fall to bright ashes Those around the glow Lounge at ease and in gay flashes Jest and stories flow: ‘Tones enriched by life’s swift drama Work a merry spell As a traveler of glamour Has his yarn to tell. Slim ringed fingers in quick action Politician fair Throws, with quips from a live faction, Laughter in the air. And an actress famed and witty, ‘While the embers dance, Sings a blithe and naughty ditty Of a game of chance. A musician, softly moving, Lifts his bow. Low, sweet— “To thy chamber window roving Love hath led my feet.” Melody and campfire ashes,