Evening Star Newspaper, July 13, 1936, Page 8

A-8 THE EVENING STAR With Sunday Morning Edition. WASHINGTON, D. C. MONDAY. - _July 13, 1936 THEODORE W. NOYES. The Evening Star Newspaper Company. Busin 11th 8t and Pennsylvs Chicaso: Oice: Lake Mi \cago. Office: Lake Mic Buropean Ofce: 14 Regent St. Rate by Carrier Within the City. Rej Edition. he Event The EVening and sunday iar (when 4 Sundays)- (when 5 Sundays) .. 65¢c_per month The Sunday Star._. 51 c Der copy Night Pinal and Night Final Star c per month Collection made af each month. Orders may be sent by mail or telephone Na- tional 5000 Rate by Mail—Payable in Advance. Maryland and Virginia, Sunday S c per month mo.. 50c 4.00; 1 mo. 40¢ All Other States and C: Datlv and Sunday_1 yr. $12.00 1 mo, Daily only__. $8.00: 1 Bunday only. $5.00: 1 mo. Member of the Associated Press. also the rights of publicati herein are also reserve: = — S ——— Reprieve for Austria. Germany and Austria have reached an accord whereby the Reich agrees to recognize the independence of the rem- nant of the Hapsburg monarchy, each country pledging itself not to interfere in the other’s internal affairs. On the face of the pact, Austrian sovereignty, as far as Germany is concerned, is thus guaranteed against violation for the in- definite future and danger of enforced union with the Nazi realm is correspond- ingly reduced. But there is an all- important proviso. Austria formally “professes herself to be a German state” and undertakes to “bring its political policies, especially in so far as they affect the German Reich, into conformity” with that profession. Elsewhere in the accord there is significant reference to “the mutual interests of these two German states.” Such pledges and such language strongly suggest that while Hitler for the time being renounces any intention to absorb Austria, he continues to look upon the Danubian neighbor as essen- tially German and has indeed persuaded the Vienna government to accept that status. It is thus difficult to believe that Austria has received anything but a reprieve. For undisclosed reasons it has been found feasible not to subject its independence to immediate execution. Many will fear that Nazification of the country has merely been postponed until such time as Austria’s own Hitlerites can accomplish it, for the agreement specif- ically recognizes the rights of “Austrian National Socialism.” Various versions persist as to the pre- cise motives that impel Hitler at this particular juncture to proclaim respect for Austria’s integrity. The most com- monly accepted theory is that Germany fears a new “encirclement” combination, including Italy and Russia, formed to preserve the status quo in Central Europe and cut off German expansion toward the Balkans, The Berlin-Vienna deal precedes by only a few days the meeting of the Locarno powers at Brus- sels and a later conference designed to restore the shattered “Stresa front.” By a shew of self-denial magnanimity to- ward Austria, Germany plainly seeks to knock the props from beneath the charge that she harbors aggressive designs to- ward weaker neighbors, Speculation is keen regarding the de- gree to which Italy is a partner in the German-Austrian move. It has Musso- lini’s unqualified support, for it relieves him, temporarily at least, of the menace of a powerful Germany at the Brenner Pass. One suggestion is that the way has now been paved for revival of the German-Italian-Austrian triple alliance as a counter-balance to the Anglo- French entente. To what extent the twin dictators of Berlin and Rome have pooled their interests for mutual ad- vantage should be partially revealed at the forthcoming Locarno and Stresa discussions, Europe nowadays is thankful for any- thing in the direction of peace-preserv- ing developments. If the accord with Austria denotes a complete reversal of German policy, it is a step of undeniable magnitude, but it is hedged by conditions that warrant some skepticism on that score. —————— Grain speculators started a heavy sell- ing movement on a prediction of rain in the corn-producing regions. Even the weather man is made to play a part in the practice of gambling. At least there is the satisfaction of knowing that while the weather man may make mis- takes he never cheats intentionally. e Germany and Austria have an under- standing that each will refrain from interfering with the other’s affairs. If the idea can be carried out it will be the foundation for a good neighbor policy on a large and influential scale. o New Bill of Rights. Representative Kent Keller of Illinois championed the cause of Washington school teachers against Mr. Blanton's infamous ' questionnaire when he ap- peared at the special meeting of the school board, called to discuss that historic document, and told the teachers to disregard it. In one of the final issues of the Congressional Record Appendix for the past session Mr. Keller has inserted a complete case history of the question- naire and its cousin, the “Little Red Rider,” and winds up with a seven- point bill of rights for Washington school teachers which he promises per- sonally to sustain. Against that time of future stress and strain, this “bill of rights” might be clipped out and saved for future reference. Its main pro- visions follow: 1. Mr. Blanton “shall not, with my consent or acquiescence, place the school teachers of the District of Columbia on trial without at least producing a war- rant to justify his actions.” 3. “I serve notice on Mr. Blanton that I '3 the ‘red rider’ must go, and that there shall be no more questionnaires.” 3. “I serve notice on Mr. Blanton and any supporters he may have that any attempt to continue the present political interference in the schools of the District of Columbia, or to extend that influence, will meet with every possible resistance of which I am capable.” 4. “He shall not insinuate a charge against the teachers or members of the school board without stating it clearly, so its truthfulness shall be put to the test.” 5. “He shall not establish any inquisi- tion before which to bring any school teacher, without the full authority of this House legally granted.” 6. “He shall not be permitted to fur- ther bluff and bulldoze the teachers under the pretense that his member- ship in this body gives him any right, power or authority further to persecute them, without denunciation of his pre- tension on the floor of this House.” 7. “He shall not apply any religious test without challenge of his right or any man’s right to do that thing for- bidden by the Constitution.” Dr. Cadman. The Rev. Dr. S. Parkes Cadman prob- able was the most notably famous Chris- tian leader of modern times. No other clergyman ever has been possessed of talent superior to his for the use of improved facilities for the preaching of the Word of God. He was among the first to take advantage of radio for sacred purposes, he wrote daily articles for many newspapers during many years, he published a lengthy list of books which appealed to multitudes of readers, he conducted a vast correspondence with thousands of inquiring strangers throughout the world and annually in the most active period of his career he went on mission tours which had the cumulative effect of making him per- sonally known to congregations in even the most distant communities of the earth. Perhaps the explanation of his suc- cess was to be found in his zeal. Dr. Cadman impressed the most casual ac- quaintance with the earnestness of his devotion to the cause of Christ. There was nothing in his life that was not dedicated to the extension of the King- dom, nothing that came within range of his vision was exempt from being em- ployed to that purpose. His spirit redched out to capture souls as Na- poleon advanced to take cities or occupy provinces. Every fiber of his body, every dream of his heart was pledged to the war on ignorance and sinfulness. He was tireless in his labors, relentless in the passion with which he drove him- self toward the goal of a Christian civili- zation equal to the need of struggling humankind. In the end he gave all that he had, all that he was, ‘rather than disappoint an assembly waiting to hear him speak. News of his death certainly will be sor- rowful tidings for his myriad friends. He had believed that “there are ten more good years left for me,” and thou- sands had shared his hope.' Yet Dr. Cadman would not wish any one to be too sorely grieved by his passing. All that he would desire would be that his work will go on. And that is assured. His example will inspire other crusaders. He will be remembered with a burning gratitude than which there could be no grander tribute. But it should be added that the qual- ity of statesmanship is wanted in any successor Dr. Cadman may have. The most compelling thought in his mind in the past two decades was that of the crying need for unity—national and in- ternational, secular and religious. Only a few weeks ago he told a dearly loved comrade: “God give us the genius to pull together!” —_— e It is not believed that the sale of military secrets to Japan involved any important information. A person willing in times of peace to be regarded as a spy would scarcely be above putting a documentary twist into the ancient gold brick game. —_————— Labor leaders have held secret meet- ings. It would be a relief to the straight- thinking American public if they could have a final session with loeked doors and come to amicable agreement without requiring public attention to compli- cated details of a bitter argument. — Baltimore's recent catastrophe calls attention to the infinite variety of ways in which alcohol may be mismanaged with fatal results. Beneficial Changes. Merit system extensions in the past have been accomplished mainly through the “blanketing in” process, under which the President brings a Govern- ment establishment into the civil service by executive order. An executive order just issued by the President and pro- mulgated by the Civil Service Commis- sion is designed to improve this process by establishing certain standards, hith- erto lacking. The President’s order should remove some of the political ob- Jections raised against the “blanketing in” process of the past. One of these objections has been that a President, about to take leave of office, protects his partisans appointed to the Government service outside of civil serv- ice by “blanketing in” those partisans and giving them a civil service status. The President’s executive order yester- day requires that no employe may be “blanketed in” until he has served for at least sixty days. Another require- ment—the most important—is that em- ployes so covered into the civil service must pass non-competitive examinations. Another is that the employe must be recommended to the Civil Service Com- mission by the head of the establish- ment. These are all beneficial changes. Al- though any executive order may be set aside and superseded by a later execu- tive order, they are changes which should appeal to any President who sin- cerely desires to see the merit system THE EVENING STAR, WASHINGTON, extended. In the present case it is to be hoped that the clarification of the “blanketing in” process will be followed by executive orders actually transferring Government personnel into the eivil service. In this respect the President’s hands are in some cases tied by statutes specifically forbidding such action on his part. Those statutes should be repealed. Both party platforms indicate an inten- tion to repeal them. Public sentiment is being aroused to the dangers of a spoils system and the advantages which manifestly lie in extension and strength- ening of the merit system. ————————— Intimations that Mr. Farley is more eager to punish foes than he is to make friends is creating fear that he has not been reading his “Christmas Carol” with due diligence. —————— An up-to-date rule by Government is much to ask. Highway accidents are so numerous as to make it clear that many communities have not even caught up with the traffic regulations. ———— Romances in real life are related that recall in sincere wish a favorite epilogue of the Danish author, Hans Christian Anderson, “And they all lived happy ever after.” B Agriculture has been unable to go scientific far enough to calculate in ad- vance the value of the simple household thermometer as an index of crop produc- tion. e Many sets of initials are mentioned. A. F. of L. stands out as one of the oldest and most influential. Next to purchasable food supply the question of work and wages dominates the history of the world. e When the heat breaks all records it is impossible to contemplate a weather re- port with the complacency which attaches to a simple sporting announcement. e — Study of pictures of Joe Louis’ defeat reveals no moral lesson except possibly the often reiterated and consistently unheeded warning, “Never gamble.” e Shooting Stars. BY PHILANDER JOHNSON. Hymn to the Sun, Mr. Sun in the sky You come staring on high As the Eastern horizon grows pink. You grin with delight Though you know that all night I have scarcely been sleeping a wink. We hear with regret Of the pace you have set Where life was already to rough. As you grin every day, I will venture to say, Don't you think we've had trouble enough? The clouds disappear, Though we'd welcome a tear As a token of sentiment true, But as matters grow worse, Every day you disperse The tremulous clouds in the blue. “Merry Sunshine,” we'd sing, But the sorrows you bring Prove your friendship is only a bluff. If revenge is your quest Please observe our unrest— Don't you think we've had trouble enough? The Hardest Part. “Your work must cause you moments of indignation.” “Many of them,” said Senator Sor- ghum. “What do you regard as the hardest part of your job?” “Obeying instructions when the pho- tographer orders me to smile for another picture.” Disparity. In politics you may observe A curious state of things. An office seeker keeps his nerve Amid Fate's. frivolous flings! “Oh, jobs are fickle things!” said he. “And sadly I recall ‘That smart boy holds two or three While I hold none at all.” Tense Interest. “You find agriculture an interesting study?” “Tremendously interesting,” said Farmer Corntossel. “It's positively ex- citing to figure on whether it will pay me enough for crops I didn't raise to make up for my losses on those that I did.” “Deceit will seem to succeed for awhile,” said Hi Ho, the sage of China- town, “but a falsehood is like counterfeit money and can go only a little way without being detected.” The Bill and the Basket. How dear to my heart is the old market basket, 3 With which in my boyhood I went to the store. The cost was small, it seemed needless to ask it. My one-dollar bill was sufficient and more. In memory oft with affection I'm greeting That old market basket which grocers would fill With superabundance of things well worth eating, And I long for that marvelous one- dollar bill. “Some men,” said Uncle Eben, “seems to take advantage of de fact dat it’s easier to lift up your voice dan it is to lift up your hand for a lick of regular work.” Poetry, Punishment and Parole. From the Shreveport (La.) Journal The law is a contrary jade. Here's a convict in a Middle West State who has been paroled because he was found to possess poetic genius—and that's the very thing for which he ought to be punished. Travel and Weight. Prom the Sacramento Bee. Travel broadens one, it is said. This is ::fieuhrly true of persons who have s D. C, THE POLITICAL MILL BY G. GOULD LINCOLN. Senator George W. Norris of Nebraska is the only “hold out” among the New Deal supporters whom the President has failed so far to persuade to become a candidate for office in order to strengthen the Democratic national ticket. Many predictions have been made that the veteran Progressive finally would permit himself to be drafted for the Senate race in Nebraska. He will agree to make the race, in the opinion of many observers. He declined to go into the senatorial primaries in his home State. So the Re- publicans have nominated former Rep- resentative Robert G. Simmons and the Democrats have nominated former Rep- resentative Terry Carpenter. Carpenter’s nomination did not suit a lot of the Democrats. Norris, if he runs, will have to run as an independent. He has always been a great vote getter in Nebraska, and in the past he has always run as a Republican. If he enters the race, and an appreciable number of Democrats stick to Carpenter, Simmons should have a good chance to win. * * ¥ % Senator Norris is an ardent Roosevelt man. It was he who called for “another Roosevelt” in the White House during & conference of Progressives held here in 1931. He supported President Roosevelt actively during the campaign of 1932. He is planning to campaign for the President again this year. Whether his entrance actively into the campaign, with a place on the ticket, will help the Democratic national ticket is a question. Many of the Democrats think that it would help, even though he would not be running as a Democrat. The job for the Roosevelt Democrats would be to persuade the voters to cast their ballots for Roosevelt, the Democratic nominee for President, and for Norris, the inde- pendent candidate for the Senate. It might be a tough job. Gov. Landon, the Republican presidential candidate, has a very considerable following in Nebraska to start with. There is a “draft Norris” bi-partisan committee at work getting petitions signed. They will be filed with the secre- retary of State of Nebraska, and Norris’ name will go on the ballot as an inde- pendent candidate, unless he files a declination to make the race. Norris has claimed in the past that he could do more for the President’s re-election if he did not himself become a candidate. But that is not the thought of the Roosevelt Democrats. * % % ® ‘The President and the Democratic high command, in their campaign, are gam- bling on the proposition that the country is growing more radical—they might call it more liberal. That has been the tenor of the President's own speeches up to the present time. If they keep along the same line of campaigning, they must compete with the Lemkes, the Coughlins and the Townsends. It may be a diffi- cult task to convince the radical fol- lowers of these gentlemen that they should really support Roosevelt. At the same time, such maneuvers may alienate conservative Democrats, many whom seem willing enough now to break away from the Roosevelt ticket. * X ¥ % It is 20 years since this country has seen a close election for President. Wood- row Wilson, running on the slogan “He kept us out of war,” defeated Charles Evans Hughes, now Chief Justice, by a margin of 23 electoral votes. Wilson's plurality in the popular vote that year was only 581941. Four years later, Warren G. Harding, Republican, ran away from James M. Cox of Ohio, his Democratic opponent, leaving him far behind. Harding had 404 electoral votes to 104 for Cox, and his popular vote plurality was more than 7,000,000 votes. In 1924 Calvin Coolidge received 382 electoral votes to 136 for John W. Davis, Democrat, and 13 for the late Senator La Follette of Wisconsin, Progressive. Coolidge’s plurality” over Davis in the popular vote was more than 7,300,000. La Follette’s popular vote was 4,801,258. Herbert Hoover’s electoral vote in 1928 Wwas 444 to 87 for Al Smith, and his lead in the popular vote was 6,375747. Four years ago President Roosevelt received 472 electoral votes to 59 for Hoover, and his popular vote plurality was 7,060,016. * X X ¥ Is the election to be another landslide this year, or will it be a neck-and-neck race until all the votes are counted, as it was in 1916? Both propositions have their supporters. The claims made by Chairman James A. Farley of the Demo- cratic National Committee and by Chair- man John Hamilton of the Republican National Committee are made more or less for political effect. Farley claims everything in sight, and so does Hamil- ton. It would be an amazing thing if either one of them proved correct in his present estimates of victory. For the voters seem far more evenly divided in their allegiance than they have been for a long time. ‘The popular vote for President need not necessarily determine the election. The Democrats start with a big advan- tage in the popular vote because of the “solid South,” where the great mass of the population votes Democratic and few votes are cast for the Republican ticket. Going back into history, it is found that James A. Garfield of Ohio, Republican, won from Winfield S. Hancock of Penn- sylvania, Democrat, by 214 electoral votes to 155, although his lead in the popular vote was only 7,018. In 1876 the popular vote for Samuel J. Tilden of New York, Democrat, was larger by 252,224 than the popular vote for Rutherford B. Hayes of Ohio, Republican. Hayes was finally de- clared elected, although the matter was bitterly fought in Congress and in an electoral commission. In 1888 Benjamin Harrison of Indiana, Republican, de- feated Grover Cleveland of New York, Democrat, with an electoral vote of 233 to 168, although Cleveland's popular vote was the larger by 98,017. It is therefore perfectly possible that the President may have a larger popular vote this year and still lose to Gov. Landon, depending upon how the vote is apportioned among the States, or vice versa. * ok ok X The Democrats are making this year a great drive to line up the Negro vote for Roosevelt. In past elections the Negro vote has been very largely Repub- lican. Two years ago, however, the Democrats in the first Illinois district, ‘which has a heavy colored vote, elected Representative Mitchell, the first colored man ever to be elected to Congress on a Democratic ticket. The Roosevelt ad- ministration has been very friendly to the Negro voters, and a great many of them have been on relief. They will be told that if the Republicans win they need expect no more Government relief. In some of the Northern States the Negro vote may turn out to hold the balance of power. * ok % % Up in New Hampshire, former Senator George Moses, Republican, is seeking to stage a comeback, fighting for the nom- ination for the Senate seat now held by Senator Keyes, another Republican. New Hampshire’s youthful Republican Gov- ernor, Bridges, has his heart set on win- that Senate seat. He is a go-getter easily defeat both his older in the primary. - MONDAY, JULY 13, 1936. THIS AND THAT BY CHARLES E. TRACEWELL. Goldfish constitute an innocent recre- ation, one which has surprising reaches and depths (no pun intended) for the person interested in Nature. ‘That a great many people have found this out is not a secret, but it still may amaze some to learn that their numbers include opera singers, successful news- paper women, editors, hard-headed busi- ness men. All of these, and many more, find something restful and interesting in con- templating the finny fellows in their small watery world, and in helping them attain a larger life and real piscatorial happiness. 7 Freedom, of course, is impossible for them, under the circumstances, but it will ever remain the belief of many that the goldfish, if given their choice, would choose to remain right where they are, provided they receive proper care. We wish to make it plain here that today we are not speaking of exotic, or so-called tropical fishes, which in the past five years have enjoyed a remark- able vogue. Present indications are that this vogue is waning, and that the humble goldfish (specimens of which were sold here re- cently for 1 cent) is coming into its own again. A decade ago Philadelphia was not only the city of brotherly love, but also the city of the fancy goldfish. With the aid of officials of the Bureau of Fisheries here, goldfish enthusiasts of the neighbor city managed to breed such fine specimens as the world had not seen before. They were especially adept at handling the egg-shaped specimens which, because of their shape, have cramped internal organs, thus rendering them very hard to raise, owing to undue pressure on stomach, swimming bladder, heart and other organs and structures. The World War, and the coming of the tropical fishes into prominence in the affection of fish fanciers the world over, rendered the goldfish, in its many var- iations, a back number. Millions of them still were sold, but mostly to children and adults who could not “see” spending more than a few cents for a fish. To all such persons the idea of paying several dollars for a small fish was absurd. As to what they would have said concerning such a price as $75 for a pair of Angel fishes there is no word. Probably it would have been “pre- posterous.” * ¥ ¥ x The goldfish is a good fish because it is bright, long-lived, healthy and active. These last three attributes, unfor- tunately, depend on two factors, both of which may be and quite often are vari- able. The first is ancestry, which is beyond the control of the purchaser, in 999 cases out of a thousand. (The thousandth we will speak of later in this article.) The second is care, wholly dependent upon the owner. The purchaser of goldfishes will do well to take his or her time, and not permit the girl with the net to hurry the matter. A good way is to spend half an hour simply looking over the tank, watching the various inmates, and mentally select- ing good specimens. Then come back later in the day, or the next day, and do the whole thing over again, this time with an eye to pur- chase. Many healthy fishes are secured by haphazard purchase, it is true, but if so the new owner owes a great deal to good fortune, and not so much to his own brains. Do not purchase a fish with folded fins, or with a dorsal fin (the one on top) which is lowered and crumpled up. These are signs of fish ill health. Do not buy a fish which shows white spots any place on fins or body. We do not mean white (really silver) color, but the strange added whiteness which is either fungus or the so-called “ich” (pro- nounced “ick,” not “itch”) so prevalent on tropical fishes. Emaciation may or may not be a sign of ill health. Often it is simply a sign of lack of food. We will never forget the poor fish we saw in a tank with a thousand others one cold Winter day. It was hollow-bellied, and hump-backed, both signs of old age, or lack of food. This fish swam close to the glass and eyed us repeatedly. It was the only one which did so. Dropping back that way later, we watched the same fish detach itself from the mob, and swim along the front glass, eying us again. It was a terrible looking animal, but its actions won it a new home, where, within two weeks, it became an entirely different creature. Its stomach filled out, its back leveled off, and its colors became mag- nificent. It simply had been starved al- most to death. Today it is the peppiest goldfish we have ever seen, one which tolerates no other fish in its tank. * ¥ ¥ % Good care in the home aquarium means three things: 1. Not too much crowding. 2. Not too much, but enough, food. 3. Care as to water temperature. Two gallons per average small goldfish is an ideal, which may be violated after one has had experience in handling these animals. The beginner had best stick to it. If he violates it, let him be sure that each inch of fish, excluding the tail, has at least 1 gallon of water. ‘The question of feeding is one which destroys more millions of goldfishes a: nually than any other, except the viola- tion of No. 1 above. ‘The little tin box of prepared food which the salesman hands you may seem sufficient, but often the fishes do not find its contents so. Every goldfish owner should have three or more differ- ent brands, and feed them alternately. If this diet is supplemented once or twice a week by chopped angleworms fresh from the garden, or whole specimens not more than an inch in length, the fishes will respond amazingly in growth, color and activity. It is not impossible to breed goldfishes in a small aquarium. It was done re- cently in Washington in a 4-gallon aquarium, and the young fishes now are growing up into splendid fellows. This is the “thousandth case,” of which we spoke earlier, when the ancestry of the fishes is known. x k% Care as to water temperature, with goldfishes, means this: Never flop a goldfish from water at 60 degrees, let us say, into water at 70 degrees. Have a small floating ther- mometer, priced 10 or 15 cents, and use it always. When a fish is brought home, take the temperature of the water it is in, and do not transfer it without seeing that the water into which it goes is the same, or almost the same within 2 de- grees. It is some trouble, of course, but it helps save the fishes. Fishes often die weeks later from obscure maladies due to these sudden changes, which are never found in nature. When giving the fish fresh water, from time to time, be sure it is the same temperature as that which they are in. These little attentions are really not little, but big, in the care of all aquarium fish, goldfish as well as their more ex- pensive tropical cousins. People who say, “Oh, I do not see what you can see in a fish,” have never been able to keep them long enough to find out that every fish has a personality of its own, and a character worth studying and knowing. WASHINGTON OBSERVATIONS BY FREDERIC WILLIAM WILE. ‘There are indications that strong pres- sure is being brought to bear upon Gov. Landon to make his speech of accept- ance on July 23 a model of brass tacks utterance, devoid of pussyfooting. The idea is that he should come forward with plans and specifications conspicuous for a minimum of generalities and a maxi- mum of concrete statements. So far Landon has enacted more or less the role of a sphinx, as far as any categorical revelation of his political faith is con- cerned. The time has now come, it is generally agreed, when the G. O. P. nominee must climb down from the heights of obscurity and uncertainty about his views and proclaim them in chapter-and-verse terms. The Kansan will make a serious mistake, it is argued, if he takes refuge in sweeping denuncia=- tion of Rooseveltism either in the con- stitutional realm or in such fields as agriculture, relief, monopoly and Federal expenditure. In each and all of these branches of public controversy and na- tional interest politicians think that the obligation plainly” confronting Landon is to leave the country with no shred of doubt as to where he stands and categorically wherein he promises the American people a better deal than the New Deal. Topeka advices foreshadow that the Governor plans to measure up exactly to these requirements 10 days hence. * ¥ Xk % Latest under the political sun is the launching of a 1940 Lehman-for-Presi- dent boom. It has just been sprung by Dr. Thomas Parran, jr., newly appointed surgeon general of the United States Public Health Service, who utilized the occasion of the recent dedication of & New York State tuberculosis hospital to pitch the Governor’s hat into the ring. Commenting upon Lehman’s decision to run foreanother term at Albany, Parran acclaimed him as “a progressive and humane Governor” and voiced the hope that the country would have the oppor- tunity four years hence to vote for him for President. The Lehman boom, such as it is, got away to a flying start with the tumultuous reception that followed the New Yorker's seconding of Presi- dent Roosevelt's renomination at Phil- adelphia. The demonstration apparently inspires Chairman Farley to hope that Mr. Lehman will make some speeches far afield from the Hudson during the campaign. * ok kX Evidence that Hoover influence is 100 per cent behind the Landon-Knox ticket is supplied by the fact that Ray Benja- min of California, long & confidential political associate of the former Presi- dent, has recently been in Topeka for counsel with the G. O. P. standard bearer. The suggestion is that Chairman Hamilton may place Benjamin in charge of the campaign on the Pacific Coast. Another ex-Hoover lieutenant, James Grafton Rogers of Colorado, former Assistant Secretary of State, has also been in consultation with Gov. Landon. Presumably he was summoned to give some advice on the foreign affairs end of the Governor’'s acceptance speech. ErE Father Coughlin has joined Chairmen Farley and Hamilton as a starry-eyed long-range political forecaster. The De- troit radio priest is quoted as having predicted at Chicago the other day, apparently in all seriousness, that Rep- A s resentative Lemke will carry Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania and Michigan and that his chances are “3 to 1.”. The leader of the National Union for Social Justice professes complete confidence that Mr. Roosevelt will not be re-elected. The President will lose New York, according to Father Cough- lin, because of having “forced” Gov. Lehman into the national political picture. * ok x % No campaign development exceeds in interest the disclosure that the influ- ential Democratic Omaha World-Herald, which for half a century, successively under William Jennings Bryan and the late Senator Gilbert M. Hitchcock, was & power in Midwestern politics, will, under new ownership, support Landon for President. The paper’s attitude may not only vitally affect Roosevelt fortunes in Nebraska, but make a Norris- Carpenter-Simmons senatorial race far less of a walk-away for the pro-Roosevelt progressive than it has hitherto seemed to be. Politicians wonder, too, whether the World-Herald's example may not prove contagious and inspire other corn belt journals to desert the New Deal. * Xk X X One of the gratifying signs of the times is that the Nation’s business thus far has continued to expand, with little regard for the traditional uncertainties of a presidential campaign year. A lead- ing financial magazine ascribes this sit- uation to the fact the confidence in re- covery has been restored to a degree that discounts the election factors that ordi- narily retard trade every four years. Things like the drought and possible labor turmoil in the steel industry loom as far more ominous clouds on the eco- nomic horizon than anything likely to be produced by the quadrennial political upheaval * % x x Reports that Commodore A. B. Ran- dall, captain of the Manhattan, flagship of the United States Lines, will be a guest of President Roosevelt aboard the Sewanna in North Atlantic waters are accompanied by the suggestion that he may be slated to become a member, or possibly the head, of the new United States Maritime Commission. Specula- tion about the set-up of that body in- cludes gossip that one of its objectives, sooner or later, is to explore the prac- ticability of launching a great trans- Atlantic liner capable of carrying the stars and stripes to sea under conditions which would challenge the supremacy of the Queen Mary and the Normandie. * ok k% ‘Washington patent authorities, includ- ing officials and lawyers, are much in- terested in the suit brought by the West- inghouse Electric & Manufacturing Co. against the Radio Corp. of America over rights to the television inventions of Vladimir K. Zworykin. It’s expected that the case will provide one of the most important tests of patent laws ever held. Conway P. Coe, commissioner of patents, in a recent broadcast revealed that the United States Patent Office has issued more than 2,000,000 patents. The present series, beginning with patent No. 1, began exactly 100 years ago this month, the initial grant having been made on July 28, 1836, to United States Senator John Ruggles of Maine for an ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS BY FREDERIC J. HASKIN. A reader can get the answer to any question of fact by writing The Evening Star Information Bureau, Frederic J. Haskin, Director, Washington, D. C. Please inclose stamp for reply. Q. How many words were telegraphed from the Democratic Convention at Philadelphia?—E. J. A. It was estimated by telegraph com- pany officials that total wordage for the week was about 4,000,000 Q. How was the Goodnight herd of buffalo started?—O. M. A. The famous Goodnight herd in the Panhandle of Texas was started in 1878 when Col. Charles Goodnight, at the re- quest of his wife, to save some of the bison that were being rapidly extermi- nated by the hide hunters, captured two wild calves, one male and one female, on Wagon Creek, in the Pala Duro Can- yon, where he had established the JA Ranch. The following year Mrs. Good- night’s brother, Leigh Dyer, roped three more calves and a neighbor captured two full-grown bison which he presented to Mrs. Goodnight. From this group of seven came the herd which now numbers about 225. Q. How far is the race track Epsem Downs from London?—C. S. A. It is 14 miles southwest of London. Q. Do the notes on a piano accordion become strained?—C. V. H. A. They do, but can be repaired. Q. What is the new Top to Bottom road in California?—E. J. A. It is the Lone Pine-Mount Whitney road, which brings within easily nego- tiable access Mount Whitney, the high- est elevation in the United States, and Bad Water, the lowest point, situated in Death Valley National Park. Q. Has New York City the greatest number of expensive buildings in this country?—E. R. W. A. There is a greater number of large and costly buildings on Mahhattan Island than upon any other equal area in the world. Q. How many dolls has Queen Marie of Rumania in her collection?—H. M A. Queen Marie’s collection includes more than 1,300 dolls dressed in national and historical costumes. Q. Who were the Poor Men of Lyon? —E. C. A. The followers of Peter Waldo were so-called. Q. How deep are oil wells drilled? K A. Present equipment permits drill- ing to more than 15,000 feet. Several oil wells in the United States have been drilled to depths greater than 10,000 feet, or about 2 miles. Q. Who are the men said to run America?—E. H. A. Arthur D. Howden Smith in his book, “Men Who Run America,” lists the following: Morgan, the du Ponts, the Weyerhaeusers, Astor, Rockefeller, Ald- rich, Baker, Lehmans, Gifford, Ecker, Clement, Babst, Taylor, Ford, Prince, Firestone, James, Sarnoff, Hearst, Doherty, Cord, Porter, Harriman, Odlum, Zemurray, Dollar, Hartford, the Swifts, Mellon and Berwind. Q. What is the Gaelic name of Edin- burgh?—R. L. A. The Gaelic name of the city is Dunedin. Q. Who was the professor who testi- fied in a Government case that man is at his peak of efficiency at 22?—M. H. R. A. Dr. Walter R. Miles, medical pro- fessor of Yale University and gerontol- ogist, in defending the Government's railroad retirement plan made the state- ment that man reaches his peak of physical efficiency at 22 and declines steadily thereafter. In a study of the mental and physical capacity of groups of all classes Dr. Miles found that effi- ciency dropped rapidly after subjects reached 55, and in a number of investiga- tions mind and body began to fail much earlier. Q. How is mahogany distinguished from birch?—A. B. A. Mahogany has slightly larger pores and s a depth and beauty of grain which birch lacks. Q. What is the relationship between the English royal family and the Belgian royal family?—G. W. T. A. The present King of the Belgians is the great-grandnephew of King Leo- pold, II. who was the first cousin of Queen Victoria. Q. What is the opening date of the Institute of Public Affairs in Virginia? —E. R. A. The program began on July § at the University of Virginia, Charlottes- ville. Q. For whom is Newport, R. I, named? —E.R. P. A. The city is named in honor of the English admiral, Christopher Newport (under James I). Q. When was the Ford Motor Co. in- corporated?—G. W. J. A. On June 16, 1903. Q. How long has Mexico been free from Spain?—S. D. A. She won her independence in 1821. A century of internal strife followed, under emperors, presidents general and dictators. A Rhyme at Twilight Gertrude Brggkc Hamilton At Evening Bell. I w:lkeig with Fear, a gray ghost at my side. Then thru the stillness of the dusk I prayed, And seemed to hear the echo clamoring In lrol:;i.' appealing cry—afraid!— afraid! And then a wave of strange awe silenced me. z held“!my breath, still kneeling in my soul. The stillness grew, till it enfolded me. A church bell from afar began to toll. My ghost was laid, deep down beneath the sod. In starry dusk I walked at peace with God. the father of our present patent system. The life of a mechanical patent is 17 years. It can be extended only by a special act of Congress. Such extensions are very rare and have been made only six times during the past 50 years. The tees in these cases were all World 'ar service men. (Copyright, 1936.) A