Evening Star Newspaper, August 24, 1936, Page 6

A6 THE EVENING STAR With Sunday Morning Edition, WASHINGTON, D. C. MONDAY. --August 24, 1936 THEQDORE W. NOYES.......... Editer The Evening Star Newspaper Company. Business Offce: 8t and Pennsylvania Ave York Office: 11 2 o8/ ke Nickifan Bludlo, Rate by Carrier Within the City. Regular Editior A4vc per month 60c per month (when B Sundays) The Sunday Star. 70c per month Khc per month ¢ ‘the end of each month. by mail or telephone Na- le in Advauce. yr. $10.00; 1 mo, 85¢ . .00; 1 mo.. 80c T .00: 1 mo. $0c All Other States and Canada. gr.. $12.00: 1 me. $1.00 5.00: | mo. T8¢ .00: 1 mo. 60c Member of the Associated Press. The Associated Press is exciusively entitled to the use for republication of all news dispatches eredited to it or not otherwise credited in this Baper and also the local news published herein rights of Dubiication of epecial dispatclies rein are alse reserved Times Do Change. The President leaves Washington to- morrow on a ‘“non-political” trip through the drought-stricken States of the Middle West, personally to inspect the front lines of the far-flung Federal army fighting the ravages of nature on the warpath. His visitation with Gover- nors, Senators, Representatives and his own lieutenants in active charge of the drought-relief work should acquaint him personally with what is going on and perhaps produce a program of some sort for presentation to the next Congress, One of his final acts before leaving Hyde Park was to sign an executive order increasing from $200 to $400 the maxi- mum loan to individual farmers from the Farm Credit Administration for Winter seed. Previously he had approved plans whereby the Resettlement Administra- tion is expected to spend about $70,000,000 on one type of drought-relief, while the W. P. A. is spending some $5,000,000 & month on other types of drought-relief. Minimum drought expenditures between now and next January are expected to be about $100.000,000. Five hundred thou- sand families, representing more than 2,000,000 individuals, will probably be receiving drought aid in one form or another before snow flies. Additional forms of aid may result from the Presi- dent’s trip. The fact that these plans are being placed into execution without specific legislation—although existing relief leg- Islation contains ample authority—offers an interesting commentary on the changes that a few short years have brought in executive power, springing from new conceptions of governmental responsibility. No such changes could have developed without the depression, of course, and the drastic delegations of power to the Executive which have been & part of the whole relief program. Just six years ago, almost to the day, President Hoover was confronted with the serious problem of a scorching drought, accompanied by widespread suffering among the inhabitants of a large area. He, too, as President, was taking non-political action to combat the drought. Unlike Mr. Roosevelt’s pro- posed conferences with the Governors of the drought States, Mr. Hoover's con- ference with the Governors was held at the White House. What he did probably represented the maximum that could be done under the authority the Chief Executive then pos- gessed. Congress then, as now, was not in session. No emergency legislation was obtainable. The Governors’ conference resulted in formulation of drought- fighting plans. The Red Cross was to spend about $5,000,000—a large sum of money in those days, but one-twentieth of what is being spent today. The rail- roads were offering fifty per cent reduc- tion on some freight rates as a measure of aid. Committees of citizens were to be organized in the counties and the Btates, with proper liaison with such agencies in Washington as the Federal Farm Board and the Federal Farm Loan Board in seeking easier credit facilities. Federal road-building funds, already appropriated, would not ordinarily be- come available until December. But efforts were being made to rush the road-building funds to the States that could arrange to put up their share of the dollars to match them. That was sbout all that could be done. The facil- fties of the Federal Government were made available, but the responsibility lay with the local communities. Some- how they met it then. But times—if not droughts—change. —_—ae Hatred of war was a characteristic of Thomas More who wrote “Utopia” and provided that in order to prevent tolera- tion of cruelty, butchery of animals for food must be done by slaves. Just how the supply of slaves was to be kept up temains a matter of conjecture. Queen Mary Victorious. The Cunard White Star liner Queen Mary has captured the blue ribbon of the Atlantic. She came into New York yesterday with a record of four days, seven hours and twelve minutes for the distance between Cherbourg breakwater and the Ambrose lightship—four hours and thirty minutes better than the speed of the French liner Normandie on her maiden voyage last year. The cifference in average speed was 30.01 knots, as com- pared with 29.64. But much more than a rivalry of British and French operators is involved in the competition for the mythical symbol of ocean supremacy. ‘The ‘struggle reflects the determination of the marine interests of the two coun- tries to perfect their services. With the Zeppelin Von Hindenburg traveling from Prankfort to Lakehurst on a.regular schedule, & new element has entered into the problem of trans-Atlantic traffic. ‘The maritime companies are meeting the threat by exerting their best effort. THE EVENING- STAR sadness is inevitable in the circum- stances. Natural patriotism prompts the wish that the Queen Mary carried the Stars and Stripes. The United Btates should have a merchant marine estab- lishment equal to its need. Instead, it 1s indicated that even such ships as now g0 to sea under American registration soon will be additionally handicapped. Some observers believe that the Nation is destined to witness an expensive ‘experiment in Government ownership and operation of existing lines. If so, it probably will be a long time before the blue ribbon will be won by any Amer- ican craft. Meanwhile, the Queen Mary may be expected to fly the imaginary pennant with credit to herself, her owners and the British people. Russia’s Blood Purge. No other verdict than that of guilty was possible in the case of the sixteen Russians accused of conspiracy to assassinate Joseph Stalin and other Soviet leaders. They made no defense; indeed, with one exception, they acknowledged their guilt frankly and even eloquently, though with self-re- proach as sinners who had strayed from the true faith. Smirnoff alone denied that he had participated in the plot, though he admitted that he was a be- liever in Trotzky's principles. He nevertheless accepted the sentence as that of his party. Two others, Olberg and Lurie, begged for clemency, for a chance to redeem themselves. These men have probably no chance whatever to escape facing firing squads. The evidence, apart even from their own acknowledgments, pointed clearly to their participation in a plot to destroy Stalin and to bring about a~ radical change in the course of the Soviet government. Not even an appeal made by the executives of the Second Interna- tionale for clemency—publication of which aroused vehement condemnation by the official press at Moscow—is likely to effect a modification of the sentences of death already pronounced. If these death sentences are carried out Soviet Russia will have conducted a “blood purge” similar in some respects to that of Hitler a little over two years ago, when many of the Nazi leaders and subordinates were put to death. But in that case there were no trials. The suspected men were shot without formal accusation, without proof. The Fuehrer conducted this savage elimination by personal command. His excuse was that only by such a drastic course could the established order be saved from revo- lution. In Russia there is at least the formality of hearing, with the fullest opportunity given to the accused to express them- selves in denial, extenuation, or admis- sion. That may be taken as a demon- stration of at least an orderly process. Meanwhile, the chief conspirator, from whom apparently emanated the inspira- tion for this attempt subversion, is for the present safe in exile. It may be significant that in his speech of con- fession Kameneff, one of the most re- spected leaders of the earlier bolshevist state, warned against Trotzky as an ambi~ tious scoundrel who would remain & dan- ger to the Soviet as long as he lived. . . Sic Semper Tyrannis. Mr. Blanton represented the seven- teenth district of Texas in the Congress of the United States. But to the people of Washington he represented a lot of things that had nothing to do with the seventeenth district of Texas or any- where else. He was tyrannical and un- just. He capitalized for his own polit- ical purposes a position of authority and power over politically defenseless citi- zens. He was willing to twist any fact which he could use to injure the people of Washington. He was willing to hide behind his congressional immunity to attack and blacken the reputation of decent citizens, and he enjoyed a certain immunity of his own because of his repu- tation as a fighter who made his own rules. He threatened to go into the district of Representative Norton of New Jersey and encompass her defeat because she was fair enough and courageous enough to stand up for the rights of Washing- ton people. He threatened to go into the State of Oklahoma and defeat Senator Thomas, because he dared to champion the cause of the people of Washington. And now that the people of his own district have repudiated him at the polls, twice in succession, after a campaign in which he resorted to his usual flubdub and balderdash, the people of Washing- ton feel something akin to a holy joy in witnessing the spectacle of his defeat. And they are inclined to look kindly upon that great amendment to the Con- stitution which has spared them the prospect of a Lame Duck named Tom. —————er— An attitude of admirable dignity is assumed by Governor Landon in deplor- ing any attempt to make political capital of the drought afflicting farm belt States. Its discussion may be forbidden by po- litical ethics, but in the scientific analy- sis of abstract economics it can no more be evaded by college professors engaged in the analysis of intellectual duty than could a scholarly scrutiny of “the meta- physical aspect of the categorical im- perative.” Statesmen generally agree on the right of labor to organize, but do not succeed in preventing disagreement within the ranks of labor itself as to the kind of organization to be’selected. No False Colors. Wearing a Republican label, Senator Couzens has always identified himself with the Senate independents. He has never been a “regular” in the partisan sense of the word. Some of the New Deal measures have found in him an is important because of Senator Couszens’ prestige in Michigan and in the United States. Senator Vandenberg, Michigan’s other distinguished Senator, does not agree with his colleague but “I commend him for his candor.” And this candor is com- mendable under any circumstances, It comes from a man who has nothing to lose. “The outcome of my own candi- dacy for the Senate is neither important to the Nation or to me,” he says, “but I believe it is important that my many loyal supporters in Michigan be advised in advance of the primary of Septem- ber 15.” In other words, the Senator believes it is important to show his true colors, not to sail for a time under false ones. That may mean his defeat at the hands of Michigan Republicans who rebel at the thought of electing a Republican Senator who openly avows his strong support of the Democratic presidential nominee. But if he is defeated, he will go down with his colors flying, an honorable man. Protest is made against the transfer to Washington of any power which can more safely be administered by the States. The power to command repre- sentation in Congress is not included in the present discussion. Jail-breakers tried to desert the Rock- ville Jail and the State’s attorney is conferring as to what charges.to place against them. Considering the high cost of living it might be only fair to note an extra charge for board and lodging. —————————— Advice on so many different subjects is now demanded in print that special consideration is given to details of social propriety. Even the Siamese twins are not neglected in the distribution of advice on etiquette. —_—————————— Many tourists continue to go to Europe to be entertained under the impression perhaps that the mob demonstrations are something like the fake Apaches designed to provide a thrill for jaded night club patrons. When a Representative in Congress is unpopular in the District of Columbia, the voteless citizens here have the right to assume that he will achieve equal unpopularity at home and eventually be retired. In addition to promoting a spirit of international sportsmanship, Olympic games afford a means of keeping up a supply of high-grade amateur talent for the American theater. Communism is consistent in one re- spect. It invariably writes its entries in the ledger of history in red ink. —_—————— Shooting Stars. BY PHILANDER JOHNSON. A Leader Recognized. My Uncle Jim, he has us all Admirin’ him a heap. For we agree, he’s what you'd call A thinker mighty deep. He turns the tariff inside out With eloquence complete. He knows jest what he’s talkin' 'bout, That's where he has us beat. He tells what the effects will be Of duties low or high. And what the country's goin' to see Occurin’ by and by. His words are very far from small, Too fine for me and you. He knows the meanin’ of ‘em all— At least, we think he do. Tough Contract. “Why are you so silent?” asked the friend from home. “Anything I say,” answered Benator Sorghum, “leads to a charge that I am playing politics.” “Aren't you?” “Mebbe. But if I am, it's my turn once in a while to be dummy.” Success and the Sequel. The man who plans for his own way Will frequently go through with it And wonder next, for many a day, Just what he's going to do with it. Elevated. “You say our friend is rising in political life?” “Yes. He’s rising, all right. He used to be on the level, and now he’s known as the man higher up.” Perversity. Just when we most deserve good cheer, Some circumstance will interfere, And leave no chance of moments gay In what should be a holiday. There’s land to plow and seed to sow And folks to eat the things that grow. So, how can people think it right To waste good -time and start a fight! Jud: Tunkins says he don’t blame a man for bein’ a little superstitious, but there’s no sense in lookin’ for four-leaf clover when you might be cuttin’ alfalfa. “Truth does not always please the mul- titude,” said Hi Ho, the sage of China- town. “To be safe, fame must make its fictions entertaining but harmless.” Nefarious Pals. The lighthing bug with lantern dim To do the job lacks nerve and skill; 8o the mosquito follows him With burglars tools to blast and drill. *When y'ou tries to tell your troubles,” effective champion. Others have brought | from him sturdy opposition, His Repub- | licanism has never been as mirked as | his individualism, . But to say, that his candid declaration for President Roose- velt is not an important campaign devel- POLITICAL MILL BY G. GOULD LINCOLN. PALMOUTH, Mass, August 24—A couple of things have happened in the last couple of days, politically speaking. Gov. Alf M. Landon of Kansas, Repub- lican nominee for President, began his campaigning and gave some of the people of the East a chance to see him for the first time. At the same time, Lan- don stated the main issue of the presi- dential campaign as he sees it—whether “the American way” is to be kicked over- board. The Roosevelt New Dealers, he said, are intent upon having the Federal Govern- ment “restrict production, dole out jobs and parcel out business opportunities.” That, in Landon’s opinion, is not the American way. Furthermore, it is not the way the American people like. If he is right—and a great many people seem to think he is—the New Dealers may yet be in for a tough time in November. ‘The first stumping speech of the Gov- ernor of Kansas, delivered at his birth- place in Western Pennsylvania, was gen- eral in terms. He did not offer any panaceas. At the bottom of it was the theory that hard work, plus plenty of production, was what this country needs. It is not a new idea, although it seems to have been forgotten in recent years. One thing seems true. Gov. Lan- don has improved his speaking delivery, and his address went over the radio to millions of listeners in really acceptable fashion. Landon has two more main speeches to deliver during his present invasion of the East, one in Chautauqua and the other in Buffalo, both located in “up- state” New York. He is leaving New York City to a later date in the campaign. In that he is following precedent. Most presidential candidates have in the past made a speech in Greater New York as & kind of wind-up of their campaigning. As a matter or fact, the latter part of August is early for campaign speeches. Landon, however, has been little known to the country at large If the people are to see him it is essential that he do & lot of traveling, and in & country as vast as the United States he cannot do it all in a month’s time, The Republican candidate’s reception has been good up to date. There is a very natural curiosity to see this product of the great farming area of the country. There is a tremendous amount of in- terest in the campaign, which is consid- ered by many as the most important in years. Millions of voters have already made up their mipds what they are going to do at the polls in November. There are, however, as always, other millions who are still on the fence, ready to hop one way or the other, as a result of later consideration of the issues and the men involved in the election. Landon is making many brief, rear-end train speeches to crowds which gather along the route which his train takes. It seems a safe bet that even his principal speeches will be brief and to the point. When he delivered his acceptance ad- dress in Topeka a month ago, he spoke for only half an hour. His speech in Pennsylvania was less than half an hour in delivery, Forty years ago the late William Jen- nings Bryan of Nebraska, a neighboring State of Kansas, was rushing up and down the country seeking the presidency. He was opposed by the late William Mc- Kinley. Bryan was in a sense the New Dealer of that day. He had many notions which did not fit in with “the American way.” In that year, as now, the Demo- cratic party, whose presidential nominee Bryan was, was split. The Cleveland Democrats, so-called, put a ticket of their own in the field. This year the anti- Roosevelt Democrats, who correspond to the Cleveland Democrats of 40 years ago, have not put a second Democratic ticket in the field, but they have organized for a fight to prevent the re-election of Franklin D. Roosevelt. Senator James Couzens has tossed a bomb into the political cauldron in Michigan. The veteran progressive—who happens to be the wealthiest man in the United States Senate and one of the wealthiest men in the country, has de- clared himself unequivocally for the re- election of President Roosevelt. He did not join the Democratic party—for he is running for the Republican senatorial nomination. He merely followed the course several other Republican Senators adopted in 1932—among them Hiram Johnson of California, George W. Norris of Nebraska and the late Bronson Cut- ting of New Mexico. Couzens has as an opponent in the Republican senatorial primary, former Gov. Wilber M. Brucker. Couzens’ decla- ration in favor of Roosevelt may have the effect of taking away from him a number of Republican votes. On the other hand, it may bring to him the votes of many supporters of President Roosevelt. There have been rumors for ® long time that Chairman Farley of the Democratic National Committee was anxious to have Couzens nominated and indorsed by the Democrats. Couszens has always been a great vote getter in Mich- igan, particularly in Detroit, the big city of the State in which he lives and of which he was once mayor. Couzens’ declaration in favor of Roose- velt and against the Republican national ticket will be considered a great “break” for the New Dealers’ party in Michigan, which has shown signs of returning to its old Republican moorings. If he re- ceives the Republican nomination for Senator and campaigns, as he promises to do, for Roosevelt thereafter, the situa- tion will' be greatly mixed up in that State. It is true, however, that & man may command many votes for himself that he cannot transfer to another candidate. The junior Senator from Michigan, Senator Arthur H. Vandenberg, is out for .the Republican national ticket. In- deed, he is expected to be one of the Republican party almost up to the open- ing of the national convention in Cleve- land, If he had made a strong bid for the nomination, as he was urged to do by many of his supporters, he might have had the prize. But he constantly backed away from the suggestion that he be a candidate. Had Vandenberg party nominee, it is doubtful “WASHINGTON, - .- C, MONDAY, AUGUST 24, 1936. THE THIS AND THAT BY CHARLES E. TRACEWELL. Out our way the old question of whether to prune shrubbery has been settled in the negative evidently. ‘We all like it overgrown. No resident has wielded a pair of prun- ing shears on any shrub for years, with the exception of privet. ‘We have large and billowy spireas, plump lilacs, gangling spruces, rampant pussy willows, Around every porch and solarium is & gigantic ruff of leafy material, almost hiding the garden from view. As much as we may want to see the flowers and watch the birds, we hate to touch this luxuriant growth, the product of many years’ increase, * * x ¥ No doubt the shrubs are satisfied. Even the demands of tidiness would not cause their friends to touch them. Those long straggling branches of forsythia, shooting up at random in the midst of the round of the bush, give an effect of horticultural skyrockets. We do not care. Where they lop over the walk they shall be trimmed, but not otherwise. Such is the universal devotion to large shrubbery. The great argument for shrubs per- mitted to grow this way is that it is supremely natural. The shrubs themselves like it, and if any one doubts it, let him pass along our streets, and look the shrubbery over. It is natural with a vengeance, ‘The vengeance lies chiefly in the mos- quitoes which find such undisturbed bushes their natural habitat. These pests like water only at times. Mostly they prefer dry land. Land be- neath large shrubs is as dry as it is possible to find. This is one of the mysteries of old shrubs, how well they get along on so little water, since their leafy surfaces keep all except the heaviest downpours from their roots. In such & season as this many a large shrub has gone for months on end with- out a drop of water, owing to the spread of the leafy boughs. It is needless to say that few shrubs get fertilized. Perhaps not one common shrub in & thousand ever gets a bit to eat, except as nature supplies it. *x %% Many of the old favorites, massed in foundation plantings, are further pro- tected from moisture and fertility by house overhangs and awnings. Shrubs demonstrate then their ability to go long periods without food or drink, nevertheless sending forth their blossoms in their season, and berries, if they have any. It is due to the fact that roses are shrubs, after all, that they do so well without water, provided they get enough sunshine. ‘The hardier varieties, planted next to 2 wall on the south, are singularly im- mune to black spot and other rose troubles. The location keeps rain off the leaves, as well as from the roots, but many of the good bushes bloom amazingly, pro- vided they are in clay soil. * * ¥ % Practically all the common shrubs be- loved of the people (who show their pref- erence by planting them) do well regard- less of conditions. That is one reason, and one of the very best, why people love them, and like to have them close to their homes. Many common things, such as the Japanese barberry, are excellent for eless do well, although com- mon sense tells the owner that perhaps they should be cut back some after all. Still they do well. What strikes the owner as overgrown really means nothing to one of these creations of nature. Too luxuriant a growth over the years simply means to it that it has a bit more stalk than it has leaves for, and hence must make both ends meet by cutting down on the number of leaves per foot of bough and branch. All goes back to the roots. Each root system has a certain maxi- mum of tissue above ground it can sup- port. If the shrub—almost any variety— is kept well trimmed, it will become and remain bushy, well covered with leaves— round, in a horticultural sense. If the branches are permitted to grow a8 they will, in time they become so0 long that the root system cannot support the mass of leaves which the boughs other- wise might grow. Hence the shrub, as a plant organism, solves the problem presented its roots by not growing on as many leaves. They are more sparsely presented, almost to the point where the long branches look bare. While shrubs in this shape are not always in the best manner of the species, they do give height, often a de- sirable characteristic, at the same time have a definite character of their own, which oftentimes is lacking in the favor- ite shape of the shrub. It is well 1if an entire neighborhood permits itself to become overgrown in this way, for then the community takes on a luxuriant appearance, without the contrast of sharply cut-back shrubs here and there, which simply would point out the theoretically better appearance of the avell-trimmed shrub. The inherently tidy mind will want tidy appearing shrubbery, perhaps, but this attempt to trim and cultivate nature has always gone overboard at last. Such care is simply too much trouble. Especially shrubbery close to a house, where s0 much of it is, is hard to get at, to prune, to water, to fertilize. Ends of branches are sharp, and have a dis- agreeable way of poking the intruder in the eye. Solution, more often than not, lies in leaving them alone, to grow as they will. The householder from time to time will say, “I ought to prune that bush.” but he does nothing about it. Hands off, he feels, is a good policy. *x % Slight pruning of boughs which far outsoar their mates may be made at any time, but any real trimming should be reserved for late September, or very early Spring. If the latter, care must be taken to refrain from cutting off the arriving flower buds. Better to wait until immediately after the shrub blooms. Perhaps the best way, all things con- sidered. as many a householder and many & community has found out, is not to prune at all. but to permit the shrubs to grow as they please. This is not as lazy as it sounds, but common sense, based on knowledge of shrub habits, and keen observation. WASHINGTON OBSERVATIONS Gov. Landon in his “opening gun” as Republican candidate for the presidency defined a little more zlearly than it has been stated before what political ob- servers here consider the outstanding issue between the two major parties. This is the question as to how far “free- dom of enterprise” shall have play in helping to shape the economic and polit- ical life of the United States. More votes will be determined by the answer to this question, it is believed, than by any other problem that confronts the electorate in the coming elections. The Republican candidate in his West Mid- dlesex speech, in the opinion of observers here, placed the fundamental which he maintains should guide the progress of a republic in sharp contrast with that of his opponents. As these contrasts are more sharply drawn in the minds of the voters, as the distinctions to which Gov. Landon has called atten- tion are more carefully analyzed and amplified both by him and by other speakers during the closing two months of the campaign, the line of cleavage between the two parties on this deep fundamental principle of republican government will become more and more clear cut and the final result will be determined by the people’s reaction and answer to this question. LR More than ordinary significance, as political circles here view it, is attached to the action of a group of Virginia “Jeffersonian Democrats” in organizing themselves to oppose the re-election of President Roosevelt on the ground that they “are unwilling to submit our beliefs to the dictates of those who no longer carry out the principles of our party and observe its pledges.” What the effect of this revolt from the Democratic party will be on the political situation in Vir- ginia and whether it will be the signal for similar “kicking over the traces”’ by Democratic groups in other States, is & moot question at the moment. Aside, however, from any immediate effect in the realm of practical politics, & senti- mental import is implicated with the act due to its local setting, to the fact that it occurred in Virginia, the State which is popularly known as the “mother of Presidents”; in Virginia, the home of Jefferson himself, the man whose demo- cratic principles are being upheld and w"}?'ufi“&r O'Brien to seek boh 3 or Vice President ahd Senator, just defended at this time by this particular group of Democrats. * x k% Scanning the political horizon in all directions, well-trained political observ- ers here are of the opinion that the greatest doubt as to the outcome of the elections lies in a majority of the Mid- western States and in the great Com- monwealths of New York and Pennsyl- vania, While there will be other battling territory, the importance of the large group named, the fact that the sum total of their electoral vote bulks large, makes it certain that intensive campaigning will be conducted there by both parties. ‘The political leaders will not neglect other and outlying fields, but it is believed that more and more as the campaign draws to a close they will concentrate on the territory mentioned. One of the indications pointing in this direction is the recommendation of Chairman Farley to President Roosevelt that he deliver at least one of his political speeches in Ohio, when he sets forth in October to wind up his campaign, ** xS Defense of the present-day industrial mobilization plans of the United States Army, as opposed to the nationalization of munitions manufacture, is made by Maj. Gen. William H. Tschappat, chief of ordnance of the Army. The War De- partment is convinced, he says, in an article in Army Ordnance, that in the event of war American industry must produce the major portion of the required munitions and that, therefore, it should be prepared so far as practicable for its war mission. “Planning for the defense of the Nation is today more vital and more to the point,” he asserts, “than at any time since the close of the World War.” The Army ordnance chief adds that while he does not believe present conditions abroad “will result in & war of world-wide extent in the immediate future, 1t is serious enough to warrant us in maintaining our plans in a status which will permit of their being put into effect on short notice,” This is a subject which, it is believed, will come up for active debate in the next session of Congress, following the extensive hear- ings which have been held on all phases ‘When sador of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, made an unannounced visit to the New York Stock Exchange the other day, it called for some about on thie part of the officials’ ge ¥g Egs& 2ERTE ] "ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS BY FREDERIC J. HASKIN. A reader can get the answer to any question of jact by writing The Evening Star Information Bureau, Frederic J. Haskin, Director, Washington, D. C. Please inclose stamp for reply. Q. Does Maine vote for presidential electors in September?—A. H. A. It does not. The State election is held in September, but presidential electors must be chosen on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November, Q. Are there more than one specles of penguins at the South Pole?—J. M. H. A. There are at least four. Q. What is kapok?—E. R. A. Kapok is the down from the seed pods of the Randoe tree, grown chiefly in Java, but to some extent in Ceylon and the Philippine Islands. The United States imports around 700,000 tons per year. Due to its resilience it is used in the manufacture of pillows and mat< tresses. Its buoyancy makes it useful in the manufacture of life preservers. It has been found that it is an excellent insulating material for both heat and sound. Q. Where did Billy Sunday, the evangelist, preach his last sermon? Were there any conversions?—M. L. A. On October 27, 1935, his last sermon was preached at a Methodist Church in Mishawaka, Ind. There were 30 con- verts, Q. Please explain the slang phrase, “Behind the 8-ball."—J. M. M. A. The Nationa! Billiard Association of America says: “It is generally con=- ceded that the 8-ball is the most diffi- cult for the player to see clearly in the execution of his shot. This, because it is black, naturally, the edges of the ball, or in fact any part of the ball, do not stand out as clearly as coloreds ‘Therefore, professional players, if pose sible, avoid being forced to play the 8-ball from a difficult position or with the cue ball a long distance from the 8-ball, because it is more difficult to see clearly. In reality, this fact was what started the now common saying, ‘bee hind the 8-ball’ used in the player's vernacular in the sense that being in any kind of a difficult point on the table, many times calls for the remark that one is ‘behind the 8-ball’ In other words, they use this to explain any difficult situation which may confront them in the game.” Q. Were the original Siamese twins really Siamese or were they Chinese?— J. W. L. A. Siam was the place of their birth, but both parents were Chinese, Q. Please give the names of some deep lakes—W. H. R. A. Lake Baikal has a reported maxi- mum depth of 5300 feet; Crater Lake, 2,000 feet; Lake Tahoe, 1,650 feet; Lake Chelan, 1,500 feet. Lake Superior exceeds 1,000 feet while Lakes Huron, Michigan and Ontario each exceeds 700 feet. Q. What is an Italian greyhound?— | M. R. A. This is a fancy variety of the true greyhound in miniature. The dogs should not exceed 7 to 7' pounds in weight, and the females 5 pounds. Symmetry of head and neck is essential to perfection. They range from black through the blues to fawn and even all white. Q. When was Alsace-Lorraine given this name?—P. §. A. The term came into use after the Peace of Prankfort in May, 1871, It was used to describe the country formed by | INjmarck out of the whole of Alsace | and part of Lorraine, both provinces hav- ing been annexed from France. These two countries had had a separate exist- ence since the fifth century, when after 450 years of Roman domination and civilization, they were invaded by the Germans, Q. How many kinds of wild roses are there in this country?—H. G. A. Some 20 species of wild roses grow in North America. Q. Where was John Hay, the states- man, born?—L. G. A. He was born in Salem, Ind. Q. What is ionization?—M. 8. A. Tonization is the modern theory of electric conduction that an electric cur- rent consists of the motion of minute particles of matter which are charged positively and negatively, the motion of the oppositely charged particles being in opposite directions. These charged par- ticles are called ions, and they are in no case identical with molecules; in fact, it rarely happens that a molecule as such is charged. The formation of these ions is called jonization. Q. Who were the parents of President Gomez of Cuba?—L. C. R. A. He is the son of Maj. Gen. Jose Miguel Gomez, the second President of Cuba, who held office from 1909 to 1913. His mother was Dona America Arias de Gomez, a noted philanthropist. Q. Is poverty the chief factor in caus- ing delinquency among young people?— E. L. A. According to a report entitled “Can Delinquency Be Measured,” compiled by the Research Bureau of the Welfare Council of New York City, severe poverty is not a decisive factor in causing de- linquency. It was found that as many children from families with incomes of $50 a week or more were on probation as delinquents as there were from poorer families, 5 Q. How tall is King Edward and what does he weigh?—J. B. W. A. He is 5 feet 9 inches in height and weighs 130 pounds. ‘thing to mitigate this trying condition. Diplomatically it was suggested that it might be a good idea for the students to be transferred to some quieter and less disturbed academic center in another country. * ok k% War Department officials expressed pleasure that the national rifie and pistol matches which open at Camp Perry, Ohio, today and continue until Septem-~ ber 12, are reported to be the largest attended of any of these competitions. Army officers and representatives of police forces from all parts of the United States will be present, it was stated, the