Evening Star Newspaper, September 8, 1936, Page 8

THE EVENING STAR, WASH N, D. C., TUESDAY, SEPT EMBER 8, 1936 _—_—____—__———_l_———-—_——-——-_—__—- THIS AND THAT BY CHARLES E. TRACE’ELL.. THE EVENING STAR With Sunday Morning Edition. WASHINGTON, D. C. September 8, 1936 THEODORE W. NOYES.. «« Editor Yhe Evening Star Newspaper, Company. Business Office: 11th St and Pennsyivania Ave. New York ‘e: 110 East 42nd Bt Chicage Office” Lake Michigan Builsing, uropean Office’ 14 Regent St.. London England. Rate by Carrier Within the City. Regula e Evening Star -45¢ per month -60c per month 85¢_per month -5c per copy Oc per month . Z55¢ per month h_month. [fisht minal and Sunday 8t of eac! by mail or telephons Na- ight Final Star Collection made Orders may be sent tional 5000. Rate by Mail—Payable in Advance. Daily “only Bunday onl: All Other Sta Daily and Sunday__1 ¥ Daily only. .. Sunday only_! Member of the Associated Press. The Associated Press fs exclusively entitled to the use for republication of all news dispatches credited to 1t or not otherwise credited in this paper and also the local news published herein Al rights of publication of special dispatches herein are also reserved. _— Streets and Gas Tax. Capt. H. C. Whitehurst, Director of Highways, not only makes out a con- vincing case for Highway Department estimates but in a statement accom- panying his estimates discusses gaso- line tax expenditures in a fashion that should put an end, once and for all, to the occasional propositions at the District Building for further diversion of gasoline tax funds to general fund uses—such as payment of salaries of policemen in the Traffic Bureau There has been an amazing amount of gasoline tax diversion already. One result, coupled with diminishing appro- priations for highways out of the gen- eral fund, has been to overburden gasoline tax funds, thus cutting down the amount that should be expendable on highways. The gasoline tex ieve- nues were originally spent entirely on new paving and specific grading items. After a few years curbing and gutter work was added, plus new paving and & large part of resurfacing and repav.ng. Since 1933 there has been a gradual change over to the gasoline tax fund of all highway activities, including bridge work and the entire maintenance expense of the Department of Highwavs. In 1935 the personnel item of the De- partment of Highways was made & charge against the gasoline tax fund, and in 1936 part of the cost of street extension, previously borre from the general fund and assessments, was charged against gasoline taxes. The gradual assumption of highway expense by the gasoline tax is shown in the following percentagzes of total highway cost charged against the gaso- line tax fund: 1925—27 per cent. 1926—25 per cent. 1927—38 per cent. 1928—35 per cent. 1929—42 per cent. 1930—39 per cent. 1931—39 per cent. Diminution of general tax fund par- ticipation in highway costs has meant. as in other cases, reduced participation by the United States in Capital City street and highway expense. For the lump sum, of course, becomes a part of the general tax revenues of the Discrict. Just as the expense of Water Depart- ment supply and distribution gradually has been placed upon water taxpayers in the District, with the National Gov- ernment obtaining its water free, so the process of street maintenance and improvement expense is being shifted to the shoulders of the gasoline tax- payers. The National Government, of course, pays no gas tax. There are special reasons why this shift is in- equitable, The streets of the District conform to a scale established for the National Capital. The United States is owner in fee simple of the streets of the original city, which were dedicated by the land-owners with the ‘under- standing that they would be deve'oped and maintained by the National Gov- ernment, and the National Govein- ment, of course, is a heavy user of the streets. During the depression years the Dis- trict was placed on a par with the States in receiving grants for road- building, such grants enabiing the Highway Department to carry on a modest program of development. Now that highway grants to the District have been withdrawn, the Highway Department appropriations, in Capt. ‘Whitehurst’s opinion, have reached a “dangerous minimum.” Gasoline tax revenues, because they have been so heavily burdened by diversion,” may be inadequate without substantial addi- tions, or rather renewals, of appropria- tions from general funds. Despite the inadequacy of funds for needed highway use, there exists the parudox of a surplus in the gasoline tax fund, through failure to appropriate available revenues. Beyond the need for cash balances, such surpluses should not exist and all the money raised in gasoline taxes should be spent. —_—————— Labor day recalls the patriotic desire to efface “class consciousness,” including the kind of discrimination which leads to controversy as to the precise kind of organization that shall dominate. 1932—43 per 1933—45 per 1934—71 per 1935—86 per 1936—94 per 1937—94 per cent. cent. cent. cent. cent. cent. Ethiopia Again. Like Banquo's unwelcome ghost, FEthiopia is about to turn up again to torment the soul of the League of Nations. The apparition is due for a re- turn engagement at Geneva when the Council convenes on September 18 and the Fall assembly is in session three days dater. Craving ardently the return of Italy to League activities,” the Geneva authorities envision a serious barrier to that consummation in the possible de- mand of ex-Emperior Haile Selassie for representation in an organization of which he apparently considers himself still a member in more or less good standing. There are even suggestions that the dethroned king of kings may be 22) on hand “in person” to present his claims. Mussolini has let it be known in effect that there is no room for Italy in a league which tolerates the presence of Ethiopia or any delegation pretending to speak in its name. On the eve of facing its new dilemma, Gefieva seems inclined to surmount it by the simple expedient of questioning or flatly reject- ing any Ethiopian credentials that may be offered. The ground would be that no organized, independent Ethiopian government any longer exists. But this project at once conjures up the delicate matter of recognizing Italy’s conquest and definitely wiping the Negus and his former realm off the map and the League rolls. Great Britain and France are anxious to propitiate I1 Duce, now that there is no more virtue in attempting to thwart him, but how to do so without violence to their League “principles” and damaging their respective political and territorial positions in North Africa causes London and Paris to ponder. With Italy linked in all but formal alliance with Germany, the -Western democratic powers may conceive it to be in their interest to keep diplomatic pressure, via the League, applied to Italy. By fostering the spirit of revolt in Ethiopia, Mussolini would be handicap- ped in organizing a black army for use in a Central European war. For these varfous and devious reasons, the powers that pull the strings at Geneva may de- cide it is “unethical” incontinently and finally to confer the order of the boot upon what until recently was the last remaining independent state in Africa. But the preservation of the League as at least a semi-going concern is useful for both the British and the French, and if they deem Italy’s return vital to that end, it is unlikely that they will shrink from one more face-losing step to assure continued Fascist partnership. Death Takes No Holiday. Death rode the highways and byways of this country yesterday, taking victims by the score. It was a holiday, which is the rich opportunity for the destroyer. The latest compilation of grim reports from all parts of the country shows 304 slain, 257 in motor car accidents, 20 by drowning, 12 in airplane crashes, 4 by trains and 7 from other causes. Doubt- less these figures will increase as the re- ports are completed and as the fatally in- jured die from their hurts. It has been estimated that no less than 21,000,000 passenger motor cars wefe on the roads in this country over the week end. If that is correct, probably fully 50,000,000 people were awheel. It may be contended that the death of 304 out of that great number of travelers is not a high percentage. It may be urged that many of these deaths were due to what have been called unavoidable acci- dents, breakages in the mechanism, un- foreseeable obstacles in the road. Grant- ing that, the fact remains that in vir- tually all cases speed was a factor in even these casualties, speed adding to the hazards of congestion, speed causing the crippling of cars, speed bringing the road obstacles into deadly contact with- out the chance of avoidance. ‘The great misfortune about this trag- edy of the highway is that the death toll is expected, that it is regarded as inevi- table. It should not be so viewed. There is no essential relationship between holi- day making and tragedy. People go forth upon the roads, perhaps with no particular destination, more often with definite objectives, to enjoy themselves. ‘Whence comes their pleasure? In visit- ing strange places, in visiting friends, in viewing unfamiliar scenery, in getting away from the ordinary routine? All those objects can be attained without speed, unless the routes are set too long for the time available at safe rates of progress. The great trouble, the grim fact of the matter is that many who go motoring on a holiday so set their courses that they must go at high- speed in order to make their objectives and return within the allotted time. They find the roads Jammed with cars, their schedules set awry. They try to make up the loss by speeding whenever they can do so. They cut corners, jump ahead, assuming grave risks against opposing traffic. Perhaps some of them—indeed assuredly many of them—are to some degree under the in- fluence of liquor, which makes them reck- less and foolhardy. Or they are merely out for the supposed pleasure of speeding and taking chances, hilarious in their indifference to the perils to which they expose themselves and all others on the road. “East, West, home’s best,” runs an old thyme. Surely on a holiday, especially one that follows a Sunday, with a two- day span for speeding, that distich is true and should rule the conduct of the people who have regard for their own lives and those of others. ————— ‘The once dominant aspiration to “get rich quick” has seemingly been com- plicated by a desire to get killed quick. Camera Artists. ‘When the camera first was invented painters as a class, especially in France, recognized in it an instrument of com- petition. It was, they believed, a ma- chine which in the course of time would relegate pencils and brushes to oblivion. Mathematically efficient, almost uni- versal in application potentially, demo~ cratic and popular in connotation, it might be expected . to revolutionize esthetic practice. The threat had much to do with bringing into existence the impressionist and post-impressionist schools of art. But the panic was unjustified. Dur- ing more than sixty years camera- makers have continued to improve their products. Today they have achieved a perfection of development which appears to be impossible to excel. By the in- vestment of relatively little money a photographer may equip himself for the taking of pictures which are as clear and sharp as etchings and in many respects equally satisfying. A new pic- torial technique gradually has been created by thousands of craftsmen work- ing independently in Europe, the Far ~ ' East and America. The annual salons in which their best prints are shown prove their right to be considered artists in the full and also in the exact mean- ing of the word. Yet painting has not suffered. The experimental extravagances of the fol- lowers of Cezanne, Van Gogh, Gauguin, Matisse and the other “wild men” who revolted against academic methods be- cause of their fear of camera competi- tion are disappearing. A revival of draughtsmanship is taking place. In the matter of color, too, there is a distinctive trend back to “normalcy.” The present tendency, maintained through another decade, should have the effect of restor- ing order where chaos’ momentarily pre- vailed. Meanwhile, the Old Masters re- main what they always were—classics untouched by passing whims and fashions. Perhaps the centenary of Daguerre's famous paper before the Academy of Arts and Sciences, an event which will occur on August 19, 1939, may furnish an occasion for an international exhibi- tion to illustrate the values which the camera has added to civilization. The suggestion is one which photographers might care to consider. —aee Economic problems relate to practical Ppolitics closely enough to make it plain to agriculture that, under the laws of chance along with other laws, the man who guesses wrong is going to get the worst of the straw vote. In every calcu- lation, however elaborate and profound, there is a possibility of human error that must be considered. ———— Scientists are meeting to discuss use and conservation of energy, with the gssurance, however, that “the Third World Power Conference” will have little if anything to say about European politics. A mechanistic era has its ad- vantages. e Drunken drivers figure so frequently in the news that prohibition sentiment may revive sufficiently to demand that a temperance pledge be included among | the documents a chauffeur is required to carry. Labor day was never meant to imply class consciousness. The most intelli- gent tact, however, cannot prevent some labor leaders from believing themselves | naturally endowed with greater gifts of leadership than others. ——r———— . In Europe a remarkable number of people are shot because of politics, which has become so absorbing as to supplant the ordinary love affair which over here still remains the chief homicidal motive. —————— A method of vociferous salutation 1s essential to a dictatorship to such a de- gree that it is not always clear whether a powerful person is a political leader or only a cheer leader. Shooting Stars. BY PHILANDER JOHNSON. . The Reluctant Scholar. Oh, Willie's teachers all declare Since he’s getting bigger It's very strange he does not care To read or write or figger. But Willie's father said that he Has felt fierce agitations Through reading things that proved to be Extreme exaggerations, And Willie's father said that once His heart was deeply smitten And that he proved himself a dunce ‘Through things that he had written. And Willie’s father further spoke And said his gifts tremendous For figgering were what left him broke ‘When he sought wealth stupendous. To be effectively employed A proper education ‘With some restraint should be enjoyed, And prudent moderation, And that is why his father, kind, ‘When others cry, “The Silly!” Observes, “He has a cautious mind; I have great hopes of Willie!” Quotations. “You don’t use many quotations from Shakespeare.” “No,” replied Senator Sorghum. “Quo- tations of that sort would command more respect nowadays if Shakespeare were listed on the stock exchange.” A Debt of Art. “The professor says that music owes a great deal to Rossini,” said the young woman, “What's Rossini?” “That,” replied Mr. Cumrox, “is prob- ably Italian for ‘rosin.’” Microbephobia. I shudder now whene'er I hear A lengthy scientific term. I wonder if this thing called fear Is also carried by a germ, An Art Experiment. “Lady,” said Plodding Pete, “kin I hang around the barnyard awhile?” “What for?” “I have been studyin’ up on interpre- tive music an’ if dere is any way of makin’ sound take de place of reality I want de benefit. Lemme stop an’ listen to de pigs grunt an’ de hens cackle, ‘cause sumpin’ tells me dat’s as near as I'm goin’ to git to real ham an’ eggs.” Mixed Emotions, “Your father was very indignant with you for runnin’ off an’ goin’ fishin’?” “Yes,” replied the country boy; “partly indignant and partly envious.,” The Average Epicure, The epicure provokes a smile; He babbles on and will not hush; He talks champagne and reedbirds while ‘The doctor feeds him oatmeal mush, “De cause of numerous sccidents” said Uncle Eben, “is de fact dat de less & man Rnows about a piece of ma- chinery de more fascination dar is in runnin’ it.* J Federal-Owned Subway Should Prove Profitable. To the Editor of The Btar: People’s Counsel W. A. Roberts et al. have from time to time suggested that gu solution to Washington'’s grim traf- c problem lies in the building of rail- way subways. W, J. Dermott, a consult ing engineer, while admitting that sub- ways would help to ease the traffic situ- ation here, has given us the benefit of his technical advice, in that the building of subways would be a tremendous une dertaking, of tremendous expense to, the District of Columbia. It is only logical to assume that others of the professional life of the District, especially those who are. engineers in the technical fleld, will agree with Mr. Dermott. It will take considerable more money than the Con- gressional District Appropriations Com- mittee has been willing to appropriate for our welfare in the past. That means it will take more than the whole- hearted support of the District asso- ciations and the District Automobile Association’s 10bby combined to convince Congress that it should part with up- ward of & million dollars for the con- struction of an electrically-operated undergroudd railway system. And it might even take a toll of more lives in street mishaps to prove to those old die- hards on Capitol Hill that subways are the one emergency need of the moment. Of course, it is assumed that were Congress to make an appropriation, through the Distrist Appropriations Committee, providing for the construc- tion of such a gigantic enterprise, that it would be entirely a Government owned and operated underground rail- way system. And it is also assumed that the subway would pay for itself after five years’ operation. . Perhaps in less time. In other words, the United States Government would be reimbursed during the first flve years of operation for the amount of money it poured out into such an adventure, and thereafter they—or it —would be “in the money.” If New York City's Eighth avenue subway can be operated by the city at a profit to the city, why isn't it possible for the Federal Government to make a similar experi- ment here and profit thereby. Let's assume that approximately 50,000 com- muters ride the subways twice a day at the rate of a nickel—five cents—a trip. Two trips, 10 cents. The daily subway receipts would be in the neighborhood of $5000 a day, or $1532500.00 per annum. Let's assume, too, that over- head and other essential operating ex- penses account for $100,000 a year. The Government would be ahead $1,432,500.00 annually. That would be a nice, tidy sum for the United States Treasury. It is quite noticeable that a five-cent subway fare would materially affect the fares of the surface car system. But in such a case Capital Transit could profit with a five-cent fare by eliminating the pass system so indispensible just now. FREDERIC G. FROST. Golden Rule Principle Is Needed in Human Relations To the Editor of The Star: ‘There is reluctance on the part of our great public utility corporations to accept the Golden Rule as a guiding principle in human relations, although some of the clearest thinkers and most far-seeing business men indorse it unequivocally. For instance, Roger W. Babson is quoted as saying, “Only the Golden Rule will save this country—not the rule of gold.” And Edison, whose many inventions are used, but whose urgent advice is ignored, called the Golden Rule principle.” Remarkable words of re- markable man. Recently many of our public utilities have transferred the responsibility of their pension system to outside concerns, and the older and pioneer employes are left with more or less inadequate and uncertain pensions. Now, by applying the Golden Rule, an idea at once pre- sents itself to solve the problem. It is to adopt & normal minimum for the pension system, except that those whose positions pay less than this mini- mum may be retired on full pay. Such a modification would not add to the difficulties and dismal outlook of the old and faithful employes and their families, but would redound to the benefit of all, including the company itself. For an adequate pension system acts as a great stabilizing force in the community, improving business and economic and social condition. Many good Americans feel that something should be done con- structively, and the Golden Rule is con- structive. And if accepted as “this great principle” and used by our great corpora- tions, it would build up the country as no other law could—-and it would be con- stitutional. With all our boasted civilization, mar- velous mechanical and technical develop- ment, ingenious inventions and mate- rialistic intellectuality, our people are no happier, rather less so. Indeed, material progress alone, from its very nature, can- not bring real happiness. But the golden rule can bring happiness, in which is no fear or false foundation. R. 8. WHITE. Mind Singly Occupied Not Capable of Understanding To the Editor of The Star: The world-famous Gladstone once de- clared: “To save Armenia is to serve the civilization of the world.” But short-sighted as well as ever “belated diplomacy,” like corporations without soul, could not guess or feel that re- jection of Gladstone’s warning might resuly in wars and tribulations of in- creasing proportions. ‘The present martyrdom of the little Spain, in its turn, is another warning to dull civiliza- tion. Not merely to “humanize” the civil war in Spain, but to recognize the actuating motives—conflicting iceologies —moving the belligerents into action, is the demand of the hour, because they are samples of similar forces now exist- ing potentially in all countries, and deal- ing with them scientifically in Spain would save or prevent bloodshed later on a much larger or more universal scale. This problem is perhaps even bigger than either Gladstone or Disraell could have handled in a manner satis- factory to the whole world, because neither men had that broader outlook that some of us born in a later genera- tion have developed. Mere pro-Judaism, pro-Germanism, pro-Communism or pro-Fascism, each of these singly oc- cupying one mind, is not fit to grasp the present dilemma; it needs a mind large enough to understand their re- spective claims, their relative merits to tion as several phases of human mind’s aspirations or idealism, and the ability to appreciate some little good that is sure to be in each, and harmonize and utilize them for the greater good of . a universal humanity. The existence of this type of mind in the Old World is ngt_to be expected. Even an Armenian or & Jew, mentally developed in the free atmosphere of America, is a different gt he was &s “this great | The lady of the housé opened the ‘basement door for the gas meter reading man. “I don't see how you read the meter last month,” she said, “because there was nobody in the house to let you in.’ The meter mtm took & small mirror from his pocket. “It's got to be sunny” he smiled, walking out on the driveway and flash- ing a beam through the basement win- dow, right on the series of little dials and hands. “But can you see the figures from here?” the householder asked. The reader put his looking glass back into his pocket. U “We don't have to lee\e'em." he con- fided. “We can tell by the position of the hands. You could, too, if you had read as many as I have.” LR The ups and downs of industry are shown no more strikingly anywhere than in gas. Electricity gave gas lighting a solar plexus blow, but the industry came back strong with refrigerators and gas heating for, houses, so that the battle may be called about even to date. ‘There are many Washingtonians who recall vividly the old gas fixtures for lighting. Those were in the days when most of the streets and all of the alleys of Washington were lit by gas light. Children looked forward each eve- ning to seeing the gas lighter make his rounds, reaching up with a short stick, or wand, to prod the light into activity. This, of course, was a comparatively recent development. In the older days the lighter had to climb each post individually, and light the burner with a match. The dog trot at which these warkers went always intrigued the children -of the neighborhood. The lighter had many blocks to go, and- evidently had duties to attend to elsewhere, for often as not he fairly ran his route. *x x * % It must be understood that there are many thousands of gas lights still in use in Washington, particularly in some of the older sections of the city. But the heyday ‘o( the Welsbach mantle is over. Many recall pleasantly those lamps, the very latest thing of their day and era. Usually the lamp was placed in the center of the room, on the “library table,” in order to be directly under the gas fixture. From the latter ran a cloth-covered tube, most often green in color, to the lamp. The mantle was lit by the appli- cation of a match. Timid members of the household slightly dreaded this task, owing to the almost inevitable “pop” which accom- panied it. ‘There was an art in applying the lighted match at precisely the right second, when the mixture of gas and air was at the proper pitch. The light was a grateful one, easy on the eyes, with a soft quality which electricity had a hard time to match. It was a great forward step in household illumination. The lamps themselves were more artistic than anything which had preceded them. * % % % Then there were the gas logs, so- called, which were often installed in the parlors of those days, and in the “sitting room.” Usually they were installed in place of coal-burning grates in fireplaces. Speaking of coal fires, there you have something nice, but a great deal of trouble, and so the people of that day STARS, MEN | old-timers. | culties. | ever. devil of running the logs st “high,” and thus quickly vitiating the air in the room, and the deep blue sea of turning the burners down very low, thus allow- ing them to “smell.” . % x % ‘There are many of these devices still in operation, doubt with much sat- isfaction to t! owners, but in the main they have been replaced with the radiant heaters, which do not neces- sarily have to be placed in chimneys, although it is still best to do so, if pos- sible. e ‘The old logs gave a cheerful light as well, of course, and often-no other light was required in the sitting room, where- in conversation was the great occupa- tion and entertainment. Many will believe that America lost something when it lost its old-time, old-fashioned, if you will, ability to talk things over without getting “mad” about it all. Those were the days when even poli- tics, at least in everyday conversation, did not breed rancor in the better circles. It was possible to say what you thought, then, without having a fist fight over it, or some old friend freeze up on you till the next campaign. x % ¥ % Recollections of gas would scarcely be complete without some mention of the gas range, or cooking stove, which has held its own against all comers, and gone right ahead, what with insulated ovens, oven controls, new designs and the like. Perhaps the men of the house- hold appreciate the insulation and con- trols as much as any one. The oven control device is a really uncanny ap- paratus, one of the essential modern wonders. In the old days gas ranges shared the honors with coal ranges. People took their gas ranges with them, wherever they moved. (They still do that in some cities.) Many a fudge-making party was held around the gas-stove in the days now called Victorian. Nobody knew then they were to be called “Victorian,” whether or no. All they knew was that the right sort of person could make the right sort of “fudge,” that Victorian | delicacy, along with Welsh rabbit (often erroneously called “rarebit”) was the centerpiece of many an evening's en- tertainment. Usually there was some one young lady who could make fudge better than the rest. and to her went the job, culminating in the ticklish business of dropping a ball of the mixture into a cup of cold water, to see if it were of the right consistency to cool quickly. Properly made fudge hardened in a few minutes, had an even gloss to it, and a wonderful taste. Ask any of the It will be a question with them, whether fudge ever tastéd as good since, or whether it ever can be made as well on any other sort of stove. The gas industry is a wonderful ex- ample of the inventive genius of man, and of persistence in the face of diffi- ‘When electricity “came in,” many predicted that gas would “go out,” but it has come in stronger than Similarly, radio did not kill the phonograph, although it almost did. Today the most wonderful disk records of all time are being made and sold and piayed. AND ATOMS Notebook of Science Progress in Field, Laboratory and Study. BY THOMAS R. HENRY. A real man’s world is the land of the Isneg, primitive mountain “head hunt- ers” of the Philippines, as described in a report to the Catholic Anthropological Conference here by the Rev. Morice Vanoverbergh, & missionary who has been stationed among them for the past 10 years. There it is the wife’s job to support her husband. A man who soiled his hands with labor would be disgraced. He prefers to starve. In the midst of plenty he is helpless, unless there is a woman to get his food for him. Father Vanoverbergh reports a typical conversation with a widower: Iam a very poor man. How can you be poor when you have so much fertile land at your disposition? But I have no wife. B Does that make any difference? Certainly, I need a woman to till my flelds. Are you not healthy and strong enough to do that yourself? How could I do that? Do you expect me to plant the seeds and grub up the weeds? Wouldn't that be funny. That is woman's work. Without a woman we can do nothing. I cannot help it, but that is the custom. This, it is explained in the report, is a curious instance of the tenacity and tyranny of convention. Once the Isneg were a flerce and warlike people. About the most important business in life was head-hunting. During this period there was developed a rigid—and, on the whole, fair—division of duties between the sexes. Perhaps the men carried the heaviest burden. They were the war- riors and protectors. It was their duty to obtain heads with which to appease the spirits and thus bring good fortune to their families. This required all a man’s energies. The relatively less important duty of providing food for the families fell on the women. The distinction became crystallized, and a matter of rigid discipline. Similar distinctions are re- ported by anthropologists among many primitive peoples. Times changed. The man’s function as protector was taken over by the constabulary. Private wars were pro- hibited. The highly honored practice of head-hunting became a capital offense— although it still occasionally is practiced. ‘The man was left with nothing to do. But the original purpose of the sex differentiation long had been forgotten. It was woven inextricably into the Isneg way of life and become a matter, not of convenience, but of right and wrong. An unconquerable inhibition against demeaning himself with wom- an’s work had been incuicated into the male Isneg. About the only thing he can do without disgracing himself is to clear a fleld for cultivation. After that it is all up to his wife. Vanoverbergh. “The Isneg are ilving in ‘one of the richest provinces in the Philippines agriculturally and neverthe- less these last years famine has desolated .the land at every turn. “Once when I went to visit some ‘friends 1 found three of them—a widower and his two sturdy sons—living together in a houss surrounded by the X most fertile fields Imaginable. They complained that they were starving to death because there were no women to till the soil. The year 1928 was a lean one all over the province, but the men preferred to squat down in their houses and feed on the flowers of the coconut tree rather than earn a little rice a day by doing work which easily could have been done by boys 12 years of age. them.” The choice between light work and starvation, Father Vanoverbergh ex- plains, has driven even some of the men to labor with their hands—but it does not seem right to them. Once he ex- plained to a group of these men the movements of the sun and said that around the North and South Poles there is darkness six months of the year. They became very envious of the Eskimo. “What a fine place—not to have to work for six months,” they commented. “We wish we were living in a place like that.” The attitude of the women is largely one of mute acceptance. They have been taught from infancy that it is their lot to be the toilers. They probably would be the first to ridicule any man " caught working in the fields and the wife of such a man would be pitied for hav- ing to put up with such a queer husband. The very richpess of the Isneg land, Father Vanoverbergh explains, is largely responsible for the genesis of this atti- tude. Normally enough food to live on cap be obtained with very little effort. In the old head-hunting days the small amount of garden work necessary was probably not an injust imposition on the women. Among tribes of kindred stock in a neighboring rocky and un- fertile habitat the men are hard workers and are relatively prosperous. The re- quirements for obtaining food were so hard that it never was possible to turn them over entirely to the women and men had to be both cultivators and head- hunters at the same time. As a result the rigid sex differentiation never arose. Safety Shapes. ’ From the Humboldt Times. Doctors are credited with saying that thin people live longer. Maybe it is because the less they stick out the harder it is to clip them with a fender. Hikers and Runners. From the Indianapolis Star. Hiking is reported as the favorite diversion of State Governors, to say nothing of their inclination to “run for something.” Not Always -Possible. ‘ Prom the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Mr. Henry Ford says ;:Ae way t:hfleep going is to keep going. It's good oS- ophy, even if it wouldn't work with a flat tire. Plain ?Fuket. the Omaha World-Herald. The W. P. A. foreman who was fired h strong language appar- This | work, they complained, was too hard for | 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. What is the religion of Earl Browder, th; c;mcmunm candidate for President? A. Mr, Browder says that he has no religious affiliation, but that he comes from Methodist stock on his father's side, His grandfather was a circuit-riding minister in Kentucky and Kansas. Q. What is a trial horse, in the vernacular of the prize ring?—H. W. A. A trial horse or pork-and-beaner is one who fights with champions in train ing or “set-ups.” Q. When did the Literary Digest make its first large presidential poll?—T. T. A. It was made in 1924, and foretold the election of Calvin Coolidge. Q. Who originated the expression, almighty dollar?—C. J. A. The earliest use of this Americanism is attributed to Washington Irving. It is found in “A Creole Village,” published in 1837. Ben Johnson is credited with a similar phrase, almighty gold. Q. What was the name of Barnum's hame in which he died?—J. McG. A. He died at Marina. His first home in Bridgeport, called Iranistan, was de- stroyed by fire. It was replaced by Waldemere. Barnum built his final home, Marina, facing Seaside Park, Bridgeport, of which he was one of the donors. Q. For whom was Staten Island named?—E. T. ~ A. It was named Statten Eylandt by Henry Hudson in 1607 in honor of the states general of the Netherlands, by whom he was employed. Q. What city had the lowest suicide rate in 19352 The highest?>—F. K. R. A. Kalamazoo, Mich., had the lowest rate in that year and Macon, Ga., the highest, Q. How long has liberty, equality, fraternity been the motto of the French republic?>—B. N. A. It dates from the first revolution, July 14-15, 1789. It was later accepted as a declaration of political principles. Q. Who was the man in Canada who left a bequest of $500,000 to the Toronto woman bearing the largest number of children?—L. F. G. A. Charles Vance Millar, a bachelor and wealthy lawyer and miner of ‘Toronto, made a will providing this sum for the woman producing the most chil- dren by October 31 1936, 10 years after his death. His relatives contested the will and it is under litigation. Q. How adequate are our recreational facilities?>—F. W. A. The land-planning committee of the National Resources Committee has estimated the need for State and county recreation areas at 10,000,000 acres. The present total is only 4,000.000. The figure was based on the theory that for every 100 city residents there should be one acre of recreational land. Q. When did Opie Read edit Arkansas Gazette?—W. H. A. The humorist was editor of the Arkansas Gazette from 1878 to 1831, the Q. Is a song popular now as long as i¢ was before radios became so general?— | J. G A. Before 1925 the life of a song hit was 16 months and total sales averaged 1156134 copies. Since 1931 a song is considered a hit if its popularity is sus- tained for three months, with total sales of around 200,000 copies. Q. It ¥ true that tea is served In London theaters?—E. L. B. A. Between acts at matinees tea is served by the ushers on small trays that fit between the seats. Q. Is any effort made to find unex- plr;ddc&.shells in the war zone in France? A. A company is still at work in the war zone locating and destroying unexe ploded shells. It sends out special trucks fitted for handling explosives and each shell located is taken to an exploding ground. In the last six vears 1.450.000 tons of shells have been found. Another 167.000 tons of shells have been de= stroyed. Q. What is the name of the county in California noted for its display of wild flowers?>—E. R. A. Kern County, Calif., grows 108 varieties of wild flowers. In the Spring the pattern of colors is so vivid that it can be seen at a distance of 22 miles, Q. When did 13 stars appear on 25« cent pieces?—W. D. H. A. The 13 stars were used on quarter dollars from 1836 through 1892, —————— Napoleon’s Lock. From the New York Sun A lock of Napoleon's hair is on display in a show window on Fifth avenue. It would be interesting to know if it was the one that always hung down over his forehead. ———————— Sunflowers. From the Lowell Leader. And just as the floral emblem of the Landon campaign has been chosen, along comes a medical authority to say that among the causes of hay fever must be included sunflowers. ——re—. Safety in Spain, Prom the Humboldt Times, Things are so bad in Spain these days that the passerby has to duck into the bull fight arena to get out of harm's way. A Rhyme at Twilight By Gertrude Brooke Hamilton The Quest. Questing, deflant, the poise of her head. Questing what—life? Deflant ‘gainst fate? Her existence has known neither dead- ness nor hate; Yet quest and deflance are in her light tread. It is not a quest for high honors or fame On which her wide search for some far thing is built; No aggression toward man gives her proud head its tilt; For others that fail she has no word of blame. She':ul;mnx perfection. Yet she is but Anqdzfl'uhernvnweakmnmtm in her way. » » -