Evening Star Newspaper, October 12, 1935, Page 8

| THE EVENING STAR With Sunday Morning Edition. WASHINGTON, D. C. SATURDAY ............October 12, 1935 e THEODORE W. NOYES...........Editor —_— The Evening Star Newspaper Company. Business Office: ' t ennsylvania Ave. cago Office: e c| 3 .uo(;:‘c‘m Smce: 14 Regent St.. London. Enkiand. Rate by Carrier Within the City. Regular Edition. The Evening Starc_ ---45¢ per month The Evenu o and Sunt 600 per month 65¢_per month per coby -70c per month ~_55c per month each month. nwm Final and Sunday Star. of ‘b!mmlu or telephone Na- ight F.nal Star Collection made ai Orders may be sent tional 5000. Rate by Mail—Payable in Advance. Maryland ilv and Sunda nday only All Other States aily and Sunday..l yr. $1% aily oLy __. % nday only_. Member of the Associated Press. ssoctated Press s exclusively entitled to the Bee o Tepublication of all news dispaiches 5 a1 mew: g DIPIidhis of Coublication of special dispatches fierein are also reserved. Applying the Screws. Sanctions at Geneva have ceased to be a theory and become a condition. They are now in operation against Italy by virtually unanimous vote of the League Assembly, and it should develop promptly whether they are caplble‘or accomplishing their purpose of curbing Mussolini’s war against Ethiopia. The gcrews are to be applied in two ways. A general arms embargo has been im- posed upon Italy at the same time that all restrictions on a flow of weapons and ammunition to Ethiopia are re- moved. The Italians will not be seriously af- fected, at least in the immediate future, by measures to prevent their obtaining military replenishments from outside. Not only has Il Duce’s army taken the field well equipped with the implements of battle, but the Italian war industry is thoroughly organized and reputedly in possession of raw materials capable of sustaining it for some time to come. Mussolini has been preparing for his African adventure for the better part of a year. Munition factories have been operating at full blast. ‘Unemployment has been combatted mainly by putting men and women to work on production of the sinews of war. Of more importance and probable in- fluence on the campaign in Ethiopia is the lifting of the embargo on arms ship- ments to that hard-pressed country. The Ethiopians have no war industry. They are dependent exclusively on munitions from abroad. If they have the wherewithal to purchase them and the means of actually obtaining them, the military situation is destined sooner or later to undergo a radical change in Haile Selassie’s favor. With Italy’s armies pressing ever farther into the country and threatening to cut off Ethi- opia's sole outlet to the sea, the thin railroad line connecting Addis Ababa with Djibouti, the facilities for bringing war weapons into the country will be geriously, but not fatally, crippled. There would remain the overland route on the west, through the Anglo-Egyptian Sudan. With Britain in the van of the movement to make sanctions against Ttaly as severe as possible, no effort will be spared to permit Ethiopia to utilize to the fullest degree the possibility of gecuring arms by land if access to the Red Sea is no longer possible. Because of the reluctance of Austria, Hungary and Albania to join in sanc- tions, the League powers are moving to deprive Italy of aid from or through those neighboring countries. Rome has boasted that German supplies, via Aus- tria, would be available. There are no definite sign that Hitler is disposed thus to cross League plans. Of significance is a report that Britain may grant the Reich a loan in return for German non- interference with economic measures against Italy. Meantime arrangements are in progress to isolate Rome finan- cially, through suppression of foreign credits and loans. All along the line League purposes to check Mussolini are at last on the march. The world will not have long to wait to discover whether the device of sanc- tions is an effective mechanism for the enforcement of peace. o It is asserted that munitions trade responds to the law of supply and de- mand in sinister fashion. Even the nar- cotic agents will agree that so long as an article is desired for purposes however insane, some one is sure to be found willing to peddle it. B A beautiful new building is an evidence of the respect in which the United States Supreme Court is held by the public. Justice, however, is depicted as blind and therefore not to be affected by adjacent scenery. R The First Housing Project., Commissioner Allen is justified in his Jubilation over the headway that has been gained in launching the first of the “green belt” suburban housing projects in the vicinity of Washington. Under this plan work will start at once at Ber- wyn upon the preparation of the site of & group of low-cost but efficient hous- ings, accommodating a thousand fam- ilies. The outlay will be about $5,500,000. ‘The operation will call for the labor of all of the employables of the fluc- tuating group of approximately 2,000 transients. It will give work in addi- tion to a large number of skilled oper- atives of various trades. Thus both as to housing and relief of the needy this enterprise will be of value. In the planning of these housings the first consideration is economy consistent with efficiency. A mere shell, shoddily built, is a liability'and not an asset. Each house must be a completely self-con- tained home, with every essential to comfortable living. No other standard should be established in the effort to THE EVENING STAR, WASHINGTOX, view of the shortage of sanitary homes conducive to the maintenance of the social morale of the occupants. This will be the start upon an exten- sive project which will include groups of buildings in Anacostia, at Braddock Heights, Va.; at the junction of Wiscon- sin avenue and the District boundary and at the junction of Sixteenth strect and the District line. The Berwyn group is the first to be put in the way of im- mediate undertaking. It should in it- self serve materially in reducing the drain upon the relief resources by afford- ing a long period of work for a large number of men. That will be a welcome advance against the adversity of idleness which has so beset this community for several years. If the other projects are prompt in development and are pressed with the same vigor that is being exerted upon the Berwyn plan there will soon be no lack of occupation for those in the District who are willing and able to work. - ——— Columbus. “ The annivesary of the discovery of the Western World by Christopher Co- lumbus, October 12, 1492, has come to be widely observed. In South and Cen- tral America, as well as in the United States, it now is a custom to pay annual homage to the navigator who disclosed to mankind the wealth and beauty of half a planet. But the recurring occa- sion adds little to the glory of the achievement. It serves only to keep alive the legend of the great adventure. The fame of the admiral requires no renovation. He needs no advertising. Yet something even grander is com- memorated in the nations’ tribute to Columbus. The courage and lofty ideal- ism of the seekers for truth, the builders of civilization, all the bright company of prophets and sages, poets and paint- ers, scientists, explorers, are symbolized in him. He personifies the eternal quest of the dreamers and doers of the race for the treasures of the soul. In his heart stirred a curious and compelling impulse to penetrate the unknown, and in his mind there was unfaltering faith that it was knowable. The dark seas held no terrors for him, and in the end he proved the reality as well as the grandeur of his vision. But, like other pioneers, he received little reward. Into the path he had blazed rushed an army of exploiters of his find. A multitude of greedy and violent opportunists followed him into the paradise he had revealed and worked cruel havoc there. The lands he had claimed for Spain were robbed, enslaved and misgoverned until, long centuries later, universal revolution broke the spell. No sadder story ever was re- corded than that of the conquest of Mexico and Peru. Columbus, however, was safe beyend the reach of any part of the blame. The troubles of his later vears had removed him from responsi- bility for the crime; death finally had protected him from execration. Instead, he survives in his original role—a lonely, misunderstood ana misjudged character with the light ‘of immortality burning around him. The greatest personality of his age, he looms above the turmoil, mysterious perhaps but instinct with power, defeated but victorious. As an unparalleled seeker, then, he is remembered; and in honoring him mankind acknowledges its debt to all others who in different times and places have struggled upward out of the dark into the sun. Geneva, as a community, has combined politeness with profit and demonstrated that in this troubled world there can be such a thing as consistent neutrality. e Airmail is commended by postal au- thorities as socially correct. Aviation is no longer an infant industry. It is a debutante. e e John and James Roosevelt are true to family tradition. Even a collision with a railway train did not prevent them from going ahead smiling. e Subsidizing Foot Ball. Governor Davey of Ohio raises the perennial question of the subsidization of foot ball as a collegiate sport and he does so in terms that ensure country- wide attention, especially as his remarks are uttered at the season when foot ball is most definitely in evidence. The par- ticipation of the Governor in this dis- cussion arises from his efforts to reduce the State budget, by some $8,000,000, which involved a reduction of about a miliion and a quarter in the allot- ment of the State University. Now he declares, satirically, that foot ball is “the supreme purpose of higher educa- tion” and asserts that many of the mem- bers of the university gridiron squad are on the pay rolls of the State. It is admitted by the director of athletics at the university that some of the men are on these rolls, but he declares that they are earning their small stipends by actually working. There is little practical difference be- tween putting a foot ball star on a State pay roll and giving him a scholarship that enables him to maintain. himself while at work for his alma mater. Either one of these methods is undeniably a subsidization of sport., And it is, after all, simply a question of whether there is any particular harm in seeking to advertise the institution by this means, so long as the scholastic standards are maintained and the truly educational re- sources of the establishment are not unduly diminished thereby. ‘The ideal college or university foot ball team is one composed of men who are in college primarily for their educa- tion, intending to proceed from their graduation into business or professional pursuits for which they have been fitting themselves. But the competition for honors on the field is so keen that teams are strengthened by the enlistment of athictic young men who either cannot afford to enter college or university and who must be assisted toward their edu- cation, with foot ball as an incident. Or else the coaches go out and find good stout material somewhere and bring them up to the college fields meet the housing mnge, especially in | through the clp rooms with sufficient inducements in one form or another to make it worth their while. Everybody knows that this form of subsidy is practiced. Governor Davey, engaged as he is in a political fight, attacks the subsidizing foot ball system in a manner to arouse particularly keen attention. But he is not altogether happy in his manner of onset. If the men who are aided are actually working on the side for their maintenance, it is of little or no moment whether they are working for the State, assuming that they are actually earning their stipends, or for some private employer, or, in one capacity or another, for the institution itself. The whole question really is whether aid should be given to the ath- letes. assuming that such aid does not deplete the educational resources of the institution. It is of no moment whether that aid comes from the private pockets of enthusiastic alumni, from the insti- tution’s own miscellaneous funds or from the State’s funds, provided that no de- serving aspirant for an education who lacks in athletic skill is kept from his chance by this concentration of the resources of aid upon the playing squads. e Goose Goslin is no myth, but he con- tradicted the traditions of gender by laying some golden eggs for his ball team. e Censorship does not prevent transmis- sion of information that the climate of Ethiopia is bad and the topography con= fusing. e So far as the peace of the world is con- cerned a raid in Abyssinia is not so im- portant as a diplomatic controversy in Geneva. ———— As a jurist Judge Landis may be en- vied as well as admired. No umpire has delivered a decision which calls for a test on constitutional grounds. ————— Discussion of sanctions gives the subject of collective bargaining an international status. ————— Students are assembling to observe whether the world has benefited by the orations delivered last June. ———— One economic theory contemplates a system which provides work for almost nobody except paymasters. .- Shooting Stars. BY PHILANDER JOHNSON. Ethnological Congress. We listen to echoes of tomtom .and flute In a vast aboriginal space Where a necklace of teeth any beau will salute As a symbol of feminine grace. Ostentatious display both of feathers and gold To barbarous hearts have been dear— And maybe a different tale might be told If Barnum and Bailey were here. The lions would roar through mysterious nights, The serpents would cause us alarm, But we knew that some beautiful lady in tights X Would tame them and shield us from harm. If a riot was threatened some ringmaster brave Would holler, “Hey, Rube,” sharp and clear; Situations now grave might be easy to save If Barnum and Bailey were here. A disciple fine kept all members in line In the great ethnological crew. | The press and the pulpit in praise would combine In a high educational view. A love of display keeps the world on its way, But the price that we pay is too dear. We might have a pageant quite free from dismay If Barnum and Bailey were here. The World Bargains. “Your constituents more information about what they get for their taxes.” “Yes,” said Senator Sorghum, “the spirit of trade becomes constantly more dominant. Taxpayers never were so ex- acting about what they get for their money.” The Washed Oyster. The gentle oyster from his bed Is roused. The scientist declare He must be neat when he is led For debut on a bill of fare. And so they wash his face and say As they destroy the germs that grope, “Be thankful and be mute, for they May yet insist on using soap.” Disturbing the Home. “Do you think a woman's place is in the home?” “No,” answered Mr. Meekton. “I don't like to be interrupted with bridge parties when I am trying to get the children to sleep.” “Politicians are like stage magicians,” said Hi Ho, the sage of Chinatown. “They can always depend on finding a new audience for the old tricks.” No Safety First. The airplane rides with bombs to throw At those who dwell on earth below, Yet those beneath who are denied A chance—except to run and hide— May see the pilot, grown too rash, Into some mountain dash—and erash. Of war this feature is the worst; ‘There’s no such thing as safety first. “I's tryin’ to git to Heaven,” said Uncle Eben, “but when I looks foh a hitch hike most of de high power sinners is ridin’ de other way.” Bifocal Sports. - Prom the Worcester (Mass.) Evening Gazette. ‘That book of Lou Little’s on “How to ‘Watch Foot Ball” would be a lot handier if he had included a chapter on “How to Watch Foot Ball and Base Ball at the D. C. Possible Consequences Of the War in Ethiopia To the Editor of The 8 Now that the Italo-Ethiopian impasse has entered the phase of actual warfare, it behooves one to commence specu- lating on the potential results in store for the two parties directly involved. The question of ultimate military defeat or triumph on the one side or on the other is of slight importance. Either result will and can have but little bearing on the final settlement of the dispute. Italy’s grievances against Ethiopia are of long standing and have been at.least covertly recognized by the powers more than once. Then this important fact must be supplemented by Italy’s pressing need for territorial expansion to take care of her surplus population, on the one hand, and the injustice done her at Versailles in the failure of the allied powers to give heed to this need on the other. If all these factors be given their due consideration at the next peace con- ference, and this will have to be done in order to avoid a repetition of the pres- ent conflict in the future, ebviously some fair concessions will be made to Italy even if the latter should emerge de- feated from the war from the military point of view. Suppose now that Ttaly will eventually defeat Ethiopia and emerge triumphantly victorious in spite of the League’s eco- nomic sanctions, but because of failure to apply military sanctions. In that event England will feel constrained to step in and play the role of peacemaker, guaranteeing the inviolability of the in- tegrity of her own interests without regard for those of other powers. What will constitute a violation of that in- tegrity can be ascertained by a study of the peace formula offered by the Council’'s Committee of Five to the iwo warring nations shortly before the out- break of hostilities. In other words, England, it may be expected, will con- sider it a desire to encroach upon her own interests should Mussolini then as in the past insist on more than making Ethiopia a protectorate of the League of Nations, to which, of course, she will never yield. Wherefore Mussolini will find but two alternatives open to him: Either to accept that which he so defi- | antly rejected in the past, or start a second war, this time against the strong- est instead of the weakest power in the stances, financial exhaustion, above all, will force him to choose the former. If so, Italy will in the end have achieved military victory than would fall to her lot from military defeat. Thus, in the light of the above analy- sis, it bids fair to a conclusion that the League of Nations decide upon military as well as economic sanctions, in which | England will play the major part and for which she will most likely demand the lion's share as compensation, can result in but insignificant changes in of either nation. In other words, aside from man power and possible financial bankruptcy, Ethiopia stands to lose little, while Italy, facing the same loss of man power and economic chaos, stands to gain little from the war. Mussolini may, aggressiveness, and at least covertly | admit that Emperor Haile Selassie was | the wiser statesman of the two. MORRIS I. FELDMAN, e Logical Conclusion Of U. S. Neutrality ‘To the Editor of The 8tar: I find myself at variance with the dominant thought of the country «which in the impending world exigency. In the first place, I have but scant sympathy are demanding | benefits of civilization and avoid its re- sponsibilities. The decent and civilized sentiments of the world are against the slaughter of people whose only offense is that they happen to possess something | that a swagger nation wants; and at such a time we, the most capable and most resourceful of all nations, pass to the opposite of the highway and let humanity suffer and bleed. But what is the logical conclusion of | our neutrality position? We will not sell munitions to either of the warring parties, so we say, and we do so, of course, in the deluded belief that we are doing a humane and praise-worthy act. But what does such an attitude | mean if applied universally, and that is the test? It means that every nation, large or small, strong or weak, must go at all times armed to the hilt, though to | do so means crushing taxation, or stand at all times exposed to complete annihi- lation. This is neither fair, humane nor in keeping with ordinary common sense. Now, I am as much opposed to war as the next one, but I am more opposed obligations of civilization than I am to war. If we stand up and say to the world that we will do our part in the preservation of the peace of the world, we will not be called upon to use more than our professional fighting equipment, for our action in concert with the other peace-loving nations of the earth will or would end this Italian junker expe- dition into Africa before it sets fire to be involved as sure as gun is iron. We can’t remain aloof and witness the de- struction of civilization, and there is no fool notion. Certainly, to wage war is a dreadful thing, but there is something more dreadful than war—the stultification of the latter affliction under our present moral leadership. JOHN W. HESTER. Legal Division, R. F. C. ) Appreciates the Services of Two Writers for The Star ‘To the Editor of The Star: I wish to extend my sincere apprecia- tion to two of your writers, Constantine Brown and Frank H. Simonds, who, in their individual style, throw a little light on the other side of the Italo-Ethiopian conflict instead of swallowing the ego- ism of England. May they keep it up to show the credulous people of this country that the United States of Amer- ica is an individual Nation and not a part of England. I see no reason why, for the sake of England, prejudice must exist between the citizens here. More power to Messrs, Constantine Brown and Frank H. Simonds. LYDIA FORCELLA. Proposes ‘Badge of Shame’ For All Reckless Drivers To the Editor of The Star: The current safety campaign mar- shaled by The Evening Star should be paralleled in every American community. To your splendid array of safety in driving suggestions might be added a “badge of shame” for reckless drivers, ‘The tags could read “wild ass of the road” or a similar humiliating phrase. This badge to be shown prominently upon the automobiles of persons who have been convicted of reckless disregard of life. A compulsory period of from 30 to 90 days should be imposed by police courts to bring about the desired results, A. WM. VANLJEMAN, SATURDAY, hough y W iew to | ¢ gh probably only with a view | depths of the tissue layers, here so nicely world. The writer believes new circum- | no more, or at most little more, from | present Italo-Ethiopian war, unless the | therefore, vet regret some day his super ! is not unusual) with respect to our part | with the idea that we should accept the | | mass—approximatel; to our ducking and dodging the ordinary | all of Europe, in which event we will | use of kidding ourselves into any such | the sense of moral responsibility in a | civilized world. We are likely to suffer | OCTOBER 12, 1935, THIS AND THAT BY CHARLES E. TRACEWELL. There is a peculiar satisfaction about planting tulip bulbs. ‘What is nicer, in a gardening way, than a basket full of fat ones, the pick of the crop? That was whal the people who sold them said. and they look it, to be sure. The planter will feel certain next Spring, he hopes. In the meantime, with crisp Autumn windsgat his heels, he enjoys running his fingers through the basket of them. Before he plants them he delights in looking them over for imperfections. Like the famous snakes in Ireland, there are no imperfections. The people who sold them said they were perfect and, sure enough, they seem to be, each bulb fat and husky, with its neat, clean dress of outer skin. ek ok % It is a pleasure to peep into the paper bags into which the varieties are packed. Some bulbs run a little larger than others, but it is impossible to tell from the mere size how large the flowers will be. These smallest ones now next May may produce the largest flowers of all. These veritable jumbo bulbs may turn out the smallest. Size and color, even length of stem, are immutably set in the mysterious rounded off. * % % % If the stock planted is good stock, there is sure to be a good floral return with tulips. No flowers, certainly no bulbs, are more sure-fire. No doubt that is the basis of their charm for many. Who is not tired of fooling around with plants that do not quite come off, as the book reviewers say? You know how it is with books, especially novels. If we can believe the reviewers of the Nation and, of course, we can, there are any number of stories appearing in ich the plot does not quite “come off.” Characters, too, according to them, have an equally bad habit of not quite coming off. They do not—still according to the reviewers— “come alive.” That is another favorite phrase of the Nation's book reviewers. | It seems against the unwritten law for them to declare that a book man or woman is just alive, or not alive, and let it go at that. No, they do not “come alive.” * X x X It is so with flowers, Heaven knows. Some of them never come alive in 10 vears, though all that time they mope along in the flower border. Every one has these plants and every one wants to know what to do about | them “How can I make it bloom?” is the e | standard question the territorial and political status quo | 1 The plant stubbornly refuses to bloom. There is a great deal of talk about sex | and the like, but the plant is obdurate. Plant it as close as you please to other plants, and it still refuses to burst into | flower. One of the fine things about tulip bulbs, which must go into the ground at this time, if one is to have blooms next Spring, is that they seldom refuse to bloom. Even a half-way good bulb gives a good return for the money. If one is fortunate to get really good bulbs. cram- med with vitality, they will bloom their heads off. STARS, MEN | filling | slightly | few Hence the satisfaction of tulips is un- ending, provided one has the good sense to renew the plantings occasionally. It is true that you hear stories from your friends of now they have not pur- chased a tulip bulb in 40 years, how they even do not transplant them at all, how the flowers increase in size and number year by year. The curious fact is that one’s own experience does not bear out these tall tales. One hesitates to call one’s friends a liar, or several liars, but really that is what they are when they insist on telling how they have gotten more wonderful results than Uncle Sam. If dear old Uncle Sam, with all his dollars throws away fine big bulbs which, to the lay eye look perfect, and plants fresh ones all the time, there must be ! something in it. And there of course. Old bulbs may do very well, in fact, astoundingly well, considering the inimical factors and the overcrowding with which they have to contend. Seldom, however, can they equal in splendor the first blooms of fresh new bulbs. It must be understood that this phrase, “fresh, new bulbs,” only means bulbs which have reached the peak of their productivity, There are various trade names for such bulbs, but even the amateur gardener knows them | when he sees them. If a bulb, by com- parison with others one has seen, strikes | the observer as being larger, better, cleaner and more plump, then the chances are that he is about to plant some pretty fine tulip bulbs, indeed. e This is the sort that gives the home gardener an inward glow of satisfaction, | one which makes up for all the cold, dis- agreeable work of planting them. It is not generally realized, perhaps, that the point of 40 degrees Fahrenheit | on the thermometer is one of the very | coldest. This is a curious thing how a tem- perature which does not read very low, | as temperatures go, nevertheless can be one of the most eminently disagree- able the average skin can encounter, | It is a fact that homes are harder to heat, explain it as you will, when the | outside temperature stands at 40 degrees, | than when the outdoor thermometer reads 20 degrees. The majority of bulb plantings in the Fall, \n preparation for the glory of next Spring, take place at a tempera- ture of around 40 degrees. The hands get raw and red. the eves water, but the bulbs must go into the ground. So many inches down. just so, | a nice flat place for the bulb to rest, so that there will be no air beneath it A bit of sand in the bottom, if possibl but it is not necessary, then a care in with finely crumbled e and the whole pressed down firmly, but | not too firmly. And there reposes a tulip bulb, one of Nature's finest jobs, a masterwork of the Creator, all its beauty wrapped up snug within the outer scales, rezdy to rest untl the ve first touches of warm her. before oiher things know it, in the Spring that is to come. A tulip bulb is nothing now, its beauty lies in the future, hence it is the flower of hope, whose fruition shall thrill u other flowers do. Is 1t not ri then, that its colors shall be the clearest, the truest of all the lovely Spring flowers? AND ATOMS Notebook of Science Progress in Field, Laboratory and Study. BY THOMAS R. HENRY. The sun’s planets, including the earth, may have resulted from condensation of gas particles in a great cloud which once | extended to the limits of the orbit of | Pluto. This is the theory of the origin of the solar system advanced by Prof. Bertil Lindblad of the Stockholm Observatory | to replace the generally accepted hy- pothesis of an ancient star collision. Mathematical analysis of the probable behavior of gas particles in such a nebula | shows that bodies of the size and dis- tribution of the planets might very have resulted from condensation in a time period approximately equal to the earth’s age. Thus, he shows, gas particles with a mass of about a quadrillionth of a gram that of those par- ticles forming the vast clouds of obscur- ing matter in the Milky Way—would come together in the course of about a billion years to form bodies the size of the smallest known asteroids. These tiny bodies, in turn, would tend to be pulled together to form objects the size of the planets. The particles around the sun respon- sible for the zodaical lights, Prof. Lindblad believes, constitute the last remnant of this great solar cloud. Even now it may be in the process of con- densing into a new planet. This hypothesis is one of several ad- | vanced in recent years to replace the theory which attributes the origin of the solar system to the passing of another star very close to the sun. This would have raised enormous tides on the sun’s surface, some of them so great that the matter forming them would have been torn loose entirely and drawn out into space to form the planets. Under the old theory solar system, and hence possible abodes of life, would | be very rare in the universe. ~Under Prof. Lindblad’s theory they might be | very common. The - oldest porcupine remains yet found in Noth America have been iden- tified in material gathered from the Snake River Valley of Idaho by Dr. C. Lewis Gazin, Smithsonian Institution paleontologist. The deposits belonged to the late Pliocene or early Pleistocene period of the geologists, at about the stari of the great Ice Ages more than 2,000,000 years ago. . This porcupine left only a part of its lower jaw in the rock as a record | for posterity, but this was enough for Dr. Robert W. Wilson, paleontologist of the California Institute of Technology, to place it in the proper family. It was evidently a somewhat larger, heavier creature than either of the two porcupine species now found in the United States. Hitherto the creatures have been consid- ered relatively late arrivals on this con- tinent, although they have a greater antiquity in South America. Other bones gathered in the area indicate that South American animal types were penetrating far northward at the time. Fossils of both the extant species of porcupines go back only to cave or vol- canic fissure deposits dating from the Middle or late Ice Age period. Hitherto only one fossil representing an extinct species of porcupine has been recorded on the continent. This was a rather complete skull obtained from a volcanic fissure in Arizona and dated from the late Pleistocene period. ‘The indications are the porcupines may have been in North America even in the early Pliocene period, or more than 10,000,000 vears ago. Hitherto, however, the tangible evidence of this has con- of two testi found in the ¢ well | | Michigan. Niobrara River region of Wyoming and paleontologists are in doubt as to whether these could not be assigned more prop- erly to an ancient beaver. No additional remains _ever have been found in the arca. The remains identified by Dr. Wilson are closer to the present porcu- pine than to the older animal. ¥ | A great shallow sea lay over a large part of the Northeastern United States 300,000,000 vears ago. Tentative recon- struction of the geography of the so- called Devonian Age is made possible by discovery of similar and approximately coeval fossil deposits in Northwestern New York, Southeastern Ontario and Northeastern Michigan, according to a report to the Smithsonian Institution by A. S. Warthin of Vassar College and G. A. Cooper of the staff of the National Museum. This ancient sea, they have determined, covered most of New York, Ontario. Michigan and the surrounding country, “ but with a great island, or possibly an area of very shallow water, elevated in the territory now covered by most of | Lake Erie, Ohio, Indiana and Southern The approximate outlines of J this low island now can be determined | by the remains of the coral plantations | which fringed its shores. In Michigan | certain colonial corals formed huge heads as much as 50 feet in height. These were not connected to form a single reef, | but made innumerable low mounds on the sea bottom. These mounds are reflected especially in the topography around the present Alpena, Mich, in the form of small, | conical hills. On the margins of the coral masses a variety of other creatures lived. Sea lilies were especially abun- dant. Some of them were of large s and great beauty. There is probably no known Devonian locality so productive of fossil sea lilies, and many of the specimens collected for the National Museum represent species new to science. o Remorseless Time. From the Burlington (lowa) Hawkeve Gazette. One of the tragedies of stage life is that juvenile actors grow up. A talented boy actor recently had to quit at the | age of 50. | ———t e eee Unconvineing. From the San Antonio (Tex.) Evening News. At Geneva that blahblahbrous dipio- mat’s denunciation of “barbarous” Ethi- opia leaves the intelligent League coun- cilors cold. A Rhyme at Twilight By Gertrude Brooke Hamilton I Listen In What constitutes the talk of the town As these flaming Autumn suns go down, ‘When the cocktail hours come aglow And the clubs abound in converse low? | Do they talk of new crashes, Of fresh scandal splashes, Of murderous slashes, Of fierce jungle dashes, Of late Roman flashes, Of war, and world clashes? That I might indite a timely rhyme Of shock, or thrill, or “perfect crime,” 1 listened in where the wise ones chat— Six men the { New Mexico | Arizona and New ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS By Frederic ]. 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. Will there be a rodeo in New York City this Fall—R. 8. G. A. The rodeo will be held in Madison Square Garden from October 9 to 27. Q. Why are some Tuaregs called black and others called white Tuaregs?—L. 8. A. Tuaregs are Berber nomads in the middle Sahara. There are about 300,000, The litham is a common article of their attire. It is a cloth wrapped about the face as a protection from the dust of the desert. The noble Tuaregs wear biack lithams while the servile Tuaregs wear white: hence, black Tuaregs and white Tuaregs. Q. What are the names of the moun= tains which overlook Vienna?—T. S. A. The Kahlenberg and the Leopolds- berg. From their summits are impres- sive views of mountains, city and the Danube plain. Q. What was the first school of me- chanic arts in this country?—F. P. C A. The Franklin Institute for the pro- motion of mechanic arts, founded in Philadelphia in 1824, was the first school of its kind in the United States. Q. In which of the Western States are most of the dude ranches?—E. M. A. They are mostly located in Colo- rado, Wyoming, Montana, Arizona and Wyoming and Montana Colorado has 25 and Mexico about that have about 75 number. Q. When did Italy acquire Eritrea and Somaliland?—J. A. E A. The entrance of Italy into the colonial field took place in March, 1870, when the Port of Assab in what is now Southern Eritrea, together with the neighboring region, was purchased from Sultan Berehan of Raheite for 1880 pounds by the Italian Rubattino Steam- sk Co. The British opposition to this purchase being overcome and the pro- tests of Egypt and Turkey disregarded, the region was declared an Italian colony by decree of July 5, 1882. By 18388 an an protectorate over whole of the 1 Coast had been recognized by the Suitan of Aussa. Various Italian posse s on the Red S¢ toral were united into one province January 1, 1890, unde title of Eritrea. h der the influence of when the portion e: S liland protecto: within the Italian sphere in 1889. In August, 1892, the Sultan leased several ports to Italy for 50 years and on Janu- ary 13, 1905, the Sultan ceded his sov- ereign rights in return for the payvment of a lump sum of 144,000 pounds. By an arrangement in 1907 with the Emperor, Menelik IT of Ethiopia, the Benadi Coast obtained a suitable hinterlan Q. In cock fights. do the fowls have to be the same size?—H. T. R A. Cocks within an ounce of eac are said to fall and are matck Those which do n fall in fight wha a called byes matched in the main. This has a upon each battle, a main, or for the W battles. the most Q. For how long a time are super- intend parks appointed? —H. W. 8. A. All park superintendent positions in the National Park Service are under cvil service. An examination for suc positions has not been held, however, as it is the practice to fill such vacancies by the transfer or promotion of employes already within this service who are thor- familiar with policies and procedure. Superintendents are ap- pointed permanently and not for a speci- fied term of years. The retirement age is 70 years. Q. Please give some information about Tangier Island in Chesapeake Bay.—K. J. A. The island was discovered and named by Capt. John Smith in 1608. Be- tween 1650 and 1666 it came into pos- session of two Cornishmen who brought 14 families of fishermen there. The original population has increased until there are now 2100 inhabitants. The 1sland is 2': miles wide and 4 miles long. The streets are only 8 feet wide and are intersected with canals through which goods and supplies are tran ported by boats. There are no automo- biles or telephones. The island is crowded and, in many instances, several families occupy the same house. Tangier is called the soft-shell crab capital of America. Q. What prominent minister was once a blacksmith?>—R. S. A. Robert Collyer (1823-1912), Ameri- can Unitarian clergyman and author. Born in England. he became at 14 a blacksmith. In 1849 he joined the Methodists and for the next 10 years combined his labors as a blacksmith with | preaching. Q. Why are railway passenger cars | called coaches?—C. F. A. The first cars were built in the style of coaches. Coaches took the name | from Kocs, Hungary, where they were first made. Q. What are Aberdeen Angus cattle? —E. G. A. They are a breed of beef cattle of Scotch origin, which has gained increas- ing importance in cattle-raising regions of this country. The cattle are black and hornless and produce a high grade of beef. When bred for the purpose, they produce a good quantity of milk. Q. How long is the Congo River?—W, E L. A. It has a length of about 3,000 miles and drains an area of more than 1400,« 000 square miles. Q. Please give the address and names of officers of the Farmers’ Independence Council of America.—J. L. A. The officers are: President, Dan Casement; secretary-treasurer, Dr. E. V., ‘Wilcox; executive vice president, Stanley P. Morse. The organization has head- quarters at 166 West Jackson boulevard, Chicago, Ill. Q. How many volcanoes are there in Java?—P. R. A. There are 43 volcanoes on the ise land. Several are still active. Q. Was Lincoln's address at Gettys- burg heard by the entire audience? There were no amplifiers in those days.—H. S. B. A. We have the testimony of the war Governor of Pennsylvania—Andrew G. Curtin. He says that Lincoln “pro- nounced that speech in a voice that all the multitude heard.” Q. Do the Ethiopians have straight or kinky hair?—I. T. A. They have eurly hair, neither nor kinky. ¢ .