Evening Star Newspaper, December 11, 1936, Page 10

' THE EVENING STAR With Sunday Morning Edition. WASHINGTON, D, C. FRIDAY_ --December 11, 1936 THEODORE W. NOYES ———————————————— The Evening Star Newspaper Company. 11th 8t. and Pennsylvania Ave. Office: Tt 2 k. Chicago. Offce’ uk-“l't'mn?-: Buaise. Rate by Carrier Within the City. ight ;Iml glfl Sunday Star....70c per month i ey ~__85c per month fi"é' ioction made 5 ths 7 each month. of Orders 287 be sent by mail or telephone Na- tional 5000. Rate by Mail—Payable in Advance. Maryland and Virginia. 3 Dafly and Sunday. 2.00 mo.. $1.00 Dail 2 38 ., 780 Binday” oty $5.00; 1 mos B0o Member of the Associated Press. ‘The Associated Press is exclusively entitled to the use for republication of all news dispatches credited to it or not otherwise credited in, this paper and also the local news publishe d herein. All rights of publication of apecial Emn s herein are also reserved. The King Steps Down. After a week of anxiety without paral- lel in the empire's venerable career, King Edward VIIT has renounced his ancient throne and made way for his brother, the Duke of York, who will reign as George VI. Thus ends abruptly the con- stitutional crisis which rocked the Brit- ish Commonwealth of Nations because the King-Emperor was determined to follow the dictates of his heart and marry the woman he loves rather than rule without her over the destinies of the mightiest realm the world has ever known. To the last it was hoped that means would prove discoverable to per- mit the beloved young monarch to solve the problem of wedding the object of his affections without making her his Queen. Neither the King’s desire to enter into & morganatic marriage nor Mrs. Simp- son’s willingness to restore him full liberty of action sufficed to produce a compromise which might have preserved Edward’s royal position. Thereupon, following the deepest heart-searching by all concerned, the King chose what he considered to be his only alternative, and abdicated. : History throughout generations yet unborn will concern itself with the pros and cons of this week’s tremendous events, but its final judgment as to the knightly, courageous and forthright manner of King Edward’s fateful deci- sion can hardly fail to enshrine his name in honorable memory. Nor will his part- ing plea to his late subjects for “under- standing of the reasons which led to it” fall on deaf ears. He concluded that his course is “best for the stability of the throne and empire and for the hap- piness of my people” Nowhere in the proclamation of abdication is there spe- cific mention of the romantic conditions underlying it, but Edward hints at them when he says that “the burden which constantly rests upon the shoulders of & sovereign is so heavy that it can only be borne in circumstances different from those in which I now find myself.” That - is his way of saying that he does not feel equal to the responsibilities of rulership while his marital ambition re- mains ungratified. Therefore he does not hesitate “to place public interest in the forefront” and declare that he is “conscious that I can no longer discharge this heavy task with efficiency or with satisfaction to myself.” Those are senti- ments which will assure Edward a warm place in the world’s esteem long after controversy over the wisdom of his ac- tion fades into the limbo of the for- gotten. In Great Britain, as in America, and elsewhere in the world, there has been a patural inclination to view Edward's dilemma from the human side—to en- vigion him as a man, rather than as a monarch, to overlook the paramount fact that the British sovereign is essentially a constitutional token of empire, who cannot at will flout laws, conventions and traditions. Progressively through the years the crown has come to be re- garded as the link between the mother country and the daughter peoples over- seas. It happens that today marks the fifth anniversary of the statute of West- minster, whereby the crown is specifi- cally designated as the symbol of the free association of the British Common- wealth of Nations. Under the relation- ship thus created, the Dominions are clothed with full partnership in all and sundry relating to the throne. It was the preponderance of Dominion hostility to King Edward’s matrimonial plans that strengthened the London govern- ment's determination to oppose them, in faithful, if unsentimental, pursuance of constitutional prerogative and duty. These days will not pass into British annals without due note of the role en- acted by Prime Minister Baldwin under immeasurably grave and delicate cir- cumstances. Captious politicians there will no doubt be, who will contend to the bitter end that the cabinet “hustled” unhappy Edward from his throne, to gratify longings for a more subservient monarch. But both at home and abroad, there must be countless thousands who consider that Mr. Baldwin conducted himself with statesmanlike-calm, con- sideration and sagacity, guided by a dis- onate desire to preserve unimpaired fundamentals of Anglo-Saxon de- mocracy, the fruits of Runnymede, at & moment when parliamentary rule and popular government all over the world are crumbling into disrepute or decay. That the throne of England remains in- tact and the British Empire united, still biflwarked by the 700-year-old blessings 6f Magna Carta, is this day a cause lish-speaking world and wherever men still venerate liberty and authority under law. tHe extent of giving sssurance that bad b example. Neither sovereign, as it hap- pens, expected to reach the throne. Both had other assignments, and neither ever 80 much as lifted a finger to attain the crown. Yet when the die had been cast it was instinctive in them to assume the burden and the obligation without com- plaint. History, seemingly, has repeated. The world, then,-will anticipate for Albert a reign comparable with that of George V. Not often in the annals of mankind has there been long unbroken continuity of policy in Britain, but it also is true that drastic changes are not com- mon. The new King is not an'innovator; his respect for established custom is one of his most notable characteristics; almost surely he will prefer to conform to what he considers a normal routine. When his great-grandmother Victoria was informed that she was Queen she said: “I will be good.” Bearing her con- sort’s name, her fourth successor might echo that sentiment. Albert has many assets for a regal role. His wife is immensely popular; their children are the idols of the people. Likewise, Queen Mary will lend her help. Premier Baldwin, of course, is committed to liquidate the existing disorder promptly and constructively. The cabi- net and Parliament must do their part to relieve prevailing tension. For the ultimate verdict which only time can write, however, the new head of the empire is personally responsible. He will understand the difficulties of his position and be earnest in striving to meet them. If he makes mistakes, it will be because he has been ill-advised. Few Americans know Albert intimately. But his record commends him to their good opinion. He did his bit in the World War, was president of the Wem- bley Exhibition, and is known to be keenly interested in economics and so- ciology, trade and commerce, the con- dition of labor, education, cultural prog- ress and the preservation of peace. Thus, he is esteemed a modern figure, corre- lated to the age in which he is called to leadership. The citizens of the United States wish him well. —_—ee. John Drinkwater, who wrote a truly great play about Abraham Lincoln, radios sympathetic comment on the abdication of King Edward VIII. A century hence the incident of which he speaks may provide the subject of a great tragedy, if a man of Drinkwater's genius can be found to write it. —_———— Robbers who infest the highways con- stitute a major problem, but something should be done to restrain the growing tendency to settle family disputes by the use of firearms. The Final Count. Final returns in the presidential elec- tion, official for every State in the Union except Rhode Island, where litigation has kept the voting machines under lock, show that 45,812,155 persons took part in the balloting. The figures for Rhode Island are unofficial, but approximately correct. Never in the history of the coun- try has there been such an outpouring of votes. More people, by the millions, who never before had exercised the right of franchise, went to the polls. Some of them were “regimented.” But such regi- mentation does not account entirely for the huge outpouring on November 3. The people were aroused. And not alone on one side. President Franklin D. Roosevelt re- ceived 60.7 per cent, Governor Landon, the Republican nominee, had 364 per cent and “others,” including Lemke, Thomas and Browder, had 29 per cent. The President’s vote reached a total of 21,751,612, while Landon received 16,~ 681,913 votes. Lemke, who ran third, had & mere 8913858, and Thomas, Socialist, was fourth with 187,342. The Communist vote, for Browder, was 80,181. The New Deal President’s plurality was 11,069,699, a record far surpassing that set by Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1983, when he had a plurality of 7,060,016. One fact disclosed by the final returns was that Roosevelt received approximately 5,000,000 more votes in 1936 than he did 4n 1932, and that Landon had about 1,000,000 more votes than were cast for Herbert Hoover four years ago. There seems no slightest doubt, from the returns, that President Roosevelt had support from all the so-called liberal and radical groups in the country. The So- clalist vote, for example, was slightly more than one-fifth of what it was in 1932. It would be difficult to believe that any of this Socialist vote went to Gov- ernor Landon, although some of it may have gone to Lemke. The Communist vote was three-quarters as large as in 1932, 8 With all this heterogenous vote assem- bled in the Democratic ranks this year —ior there were millions of “regular” Democrats and millions of former Re- publicans as well as the liberals—the question arises: Can the New Deal party stick together? Particularly, can it stick together if it has to follow another leader than Franklin D, Rogsevelt in 1940? Roosevelt has heen something more than President. ‘He has been a symbol as well. It is hard to pass that qualification on to another candidate.’ Hoover four years earlier was a little less than a million votes. That may be explained by the fact that a considerable number of persons who voted for Hoover four years ago voted for Roosevelt this year. The New Deal benefits to farmers, for example, were not distributed along party lines. The benefits distributed to the unemployed, directly and through work relief, fell alike on Republican and Democrat. These benefits, of course, may have won allegiance to the Democratic party. The Rarest Stamp. Priends of the Smithsonian, it would seem, should be delighted to hear that it has been proposed to buy the world’s rarest postage stamp for presentation to the institution. The project was an- nounced st the Second American Phila- telic Congress in Cleveland this week, and already there is valid reason to hope that it may be carried through to com- pletion promptly and efficiently. A large committee of practicing philatelists is being organized to raise the necessary money. ‘The Smithsonian stamp collection, as everybody knows, is the official deposi- tory of the Government’s philatelic treasures. It is internationally famous for its comprehensiveness and for the skill with which it has been put in order by its curator, Mrs. Catherine L. Man- ning. Thousands of men and women, boys and girls, from all parts of the country visit the display annually. It is one of the most popular attractions of the institution and appears to be des- tined to grow in its magnetic appeal as the years pass and philately prospers. But the celebrated Hind specimen—the unique one-cent black on magenta 1860 issue of British Guiana for which the late King George V bid in vain—would serve to advertise the Smithsonian phila- telic division as nothing else could. The stamp museum for which collectors have been working would become a reality with its acquisition. Thus, it might be said, the proposed gift may be regarded as a corner stone. The whole long- dreamed structure could be raised around it. ———————— In the present strange excitement some of the most important news of the pres- ent time is perhaps entitled to more attention than it has received; the re- luctance of Lloyd's to write insurance against war in Europe. In a condition such as prevails in Spain, even so mo- mentous event as King Edward’s abdi- cation may for a time be forgotten. —————— Any great event in English history is supposed to offer a theme for official poetry. There are times when the poet laureate might be encouraged to take a holiday. — e Fashions change rapidly. Judged by the fest of passing time, each is grotesque in turn. What makes each seem charm- ing in its day is one of the psychological mysteries. —————— Shooting Stars. BY PHILANDER JOHNSON. Learning. You've got to learn to calculate And use your memory, too, In order to participate In what the world must do. But too much toil's not good for men, Or so the wise folks say. So while we're learning now and then ‘We have to learn to play. When all the world seemed dark and grim Through weary hours and long. We heard the march of battle hymn But not the careless song. The happiness we shall pursue That has seemed far away. Our studies well resume anew And learn again to play. Emotionalities. “Your implacable adversary, when he attacked you, said he was speaking from the heart.” “I heard him,” answered Senator Sor- ghum. “Do you doubt his sincerity?” “No. Of course, the heart is a very important part of the anatomical equip- ment. But, after all, it isn't where a man’s brains are located.” Jud Tunkins says a racketeer, in spite of the fancy photographs, once he gets in jail, looks just about like the rest of the boarders. Common Humanity. Everybody wants to be A personage of high degree; Everybody wants a store Of wealth and maybe then some more; Everybody wants his say, Sometimes sad and sometimes gay. Everybody will, we're told, A difference from others hold. And yet, when simple truth you strike, We all seem pretty much alike. “My ancestral pride is saddened,” said Hi Ho, the sage of Chinatown, “by the discovery that I have more important things to learn from the modern news- paper than from the writings of Con- fucius.” ; Ways to Wealth, “Are there still. opportunities for s young man to make & fortune?” “Of course, there are,” said Mr. Dustin Stax. “More than there were when I was your age. The difference is that at present you havé to be tremendously cautious not to get into bad company while you're doing it.” Irresponsible Advice. This Old World, like a flivver, swerves Jefferson Memorial of Different Type Proposed To the Bdltor of The Mar. I read your editorial of December 3 on the proposed Jefferson Memorial with special interest. Since doctors do seem to be disagreeing, may I offer a proposal? Until about five years ago there stood on Jefferson street, which runs south from M street northwest between Thirtieth and Thirty-first streets, an eighteenth century house numbered 1047. This is said to have been the home of Thomas Jefferson for some period while he was Secretary of State. Now Jefferson was noted among other things for these: The planning of dis- tinguished homes, enhanced by what today would call “gadgets”; for the knowledge and collecting of native and foreign flowers, shrubs and trees; for his interest in city planning (notably our Federal City); in engineering projects, such as canals, and in all the then forth- coming inventions. Why not, then, as the Jefferson Me- morial in Washington, a house and garden on this site, which, even if not his home site for long, is at least rich in memories of him and of his interests? Such a house and garden could com- memorate the best of eighteenth cen- tury home-planning in the only con- siderable town which then existed in the now District of Columbia. The garden could contain those kinds of plants especially loved and introduced by him. Through this garden could be made to run a sector of that canal which was one of his dreams. Within the house, carry- ing out his dreams of applied science, could be put every possible convenience, which would enhance its usefulness with- out destroying its charm. For the benefit of those who may not be familiar with local landmarks, the fol- lowing is a list of landmarks known to Jefferson within actual sight of 1047 Jefferson street: 1. Original home of oldest lodge of Masons in District of Columbia. 2. House said to have been used for the drafting of the L’Enfant plan. 3. Home of Thomas Peter, who married Martha Washington’s grandaughter. 4. Birthplace of W. W. Corcoran. 5. Chesapeake & Ohio Canal. 6. Ferry across Potomac River, with river-front road and ford across Rock Creek, all used by the Southern members of the first and second administration to reach Philadelphia. 7. Square one of the Federal City (at Twenty-seventh and K streets). Because it would embody many of the tastes and interests of the “simple” Thomas Jefferson, I respectfully submit the above proposal for a memorial to him. ALICE COYLE TORBERT. Super-Patriotism Defeats Principles of Democracy To the Editor of The Star: Super-patriotism is a contradiction of two important principles of a democracy, which to some extent menaces the ex- istence of that form of government— namely freedom in education and the right of free private enterprise, regardless of race, color or creed. Super-patriots, in order to insure the allegiance of the citizens of a democratic nation to their government, advocate loyalty oaths for teachers and deportation of the foreign born. In order that the form of government mentioned be on a strong foundation it is essential for the citizen to understand clearly all points of view on a question or problem that may arise and from these facts reason for himself. This could be done only by impartial teaching in the schools. If, however, a point of view is forbidden to be expressed, as the super- patriots wish, the citizen may become a victim of subversive propaganda. The other faithlessness in a democracy as caused by the super-patriots is the plight of the foreign born. When foreign- ers come to a democratic nation they expect to contribute to the progress of the country by having full freedom to pursue the opportunities offered and be- come a success. Very few achieve this aspiration, and the majcrity of them become exploits of the large industrialists hoping to rise and attain wealth also. Many of these hopeful aliens misconceive a democracy when there is a prospect of their being deported, as proposed by the super-patriots. Thus a nation cannot be democratic if in the education of its citizens a side of an argument is left out and the right of its foreign born to achieve success is denied. ALBERT PRUSS. Correcting Error on Feast Of Immaculate Conception To the Editor of The Star. In column 1, page B-1, of The Star of December 8 reference is' made under the heading, “Churches Hold Mass,” to a Catholic feast, the Immaculate Con- ception. The last sentence reads: “The feast of the Immaculate Conception commemo- rates the miraculous mystery leading to the birth of Christ.” Kindly be cor- rected in this regard, as this feast commemorates the Immaculate Concep- tion of the Blessed Virgin Mary herself— that is, her own absolute purity from the first moment of her conception. The feast you refer to, which “commemorates the miraculous mystery leading to the birth of Christ,” is the Annunciation, on March 25, the conception of the Child Jesus, As Catholic readers of The Evening Star, we shall appreciate your correcting this statement. CATHERINE MARY NEUBECKER. Used Toy Collection and Distribution Annual Event Pittsburgh sets the rest of the Nation a good example through its annual used toy collection. Every child who has an abundance of toys is invited to contribute one or more of his toys to a collection to be distrib- uted to children who are not as fortu- nate. Many children tire of a toy when its novelty wears off and their parents lay it aside. These toys are then brought to con- Mystery of Winter is just as much a mystery as ever. We refer particularly to the wild birds which spend the entire day in any garden at feeding stations. There can be little doubt that, in any given case, these are mostly the same birds, with some additions day after day. Yet nothing is surer than that these birds do not sleep in the same yard. Invariably they fly away and invari- ably to the South. In the morning about time they may be seen another matter. * * % % It may not be more than a block in that direction. It may be 10 blocks. It may be a mile, or even 10 miles. Anybody’s guess is good, for we believe no one really knows. No matter how many evergreens, dog- woods or shrubby material a given garden contains, these positively do not shelter the birds which have fed in the yard during the day. It seems, in this matter, that the birds do not care to sleep where they have eaten. They demand, in other words, separate eating and sleeping quarters. *x x ‘This may be nothing but strategy on their part. Pure creatures of Nature, they may have some idea in the back of their small heads that they are “putting one over” on other birds by deliberately flying away from their feeding grounds. There can be little doubt, as stated, that, in the main, the birds which patronize any given set of feeders during the Winter are the same birds, day after day, and week after week. There will be additions, of course, from time to time, especially of different species. If we accept the statement that the background birds at most feeding stations are English sparrows, a fact easily proved, whether in city or suburbs, it is easy enough then to spot the dif- ferent species which arrive, such as cardinals, chickadees, juncos, mocking birds, blue jays, Carolina wrens, titmice, 7 am. returni .| even Carolina doves (we have one at this time). Certain actions seem to indicate that these additional birds are precisely the same as came last year, but one cannot be positive about this. * % % x Just why the birds will not seek shelter in the same yard is a mystery which we have not solved. As far as we know, there is no attention paid to this interesting feature in any of the orthodox bird books. It is taken for granted that the birds come and go as they will. Free as the wind—that describes them. They come with the wind in the morning and go with the wind at night. Their comings and goings have about them a singular happy quality, freeing even the most anxious human mind from anxiety. No doubt this is one of the real inner reasons why man loves the birds, that they free him from worry or anxiety. It is easy enough to see how these flyers are in the care of a higher providence. Some- times it is not so easy for ourselves. Our free will helps and hampers us, and makes us incline to disown our own re- lationship to Providence at the times, alas, we need it most. ‘The most careless person, watching the birds come and go as they please, cannot help but believe that they are singularly free and unusually healthy, so that, bar- ring accident, they will arrive on time nignt” """ to many a human, immersed in typically human cares, such as they are. The bird watcher trusts for his birds. Surely he ought to do so for himself. The poet spoke of the divine care which leads the bird’s flight “aright” in the huge course of migration. ‘The little migration each evening from the eating grounds to the sleeping place is no less interesting, and even more so because the exact course thereof is unknown, * % % All that the determined bird observer can know of the birds which come to his feeding stations which he daily keeps provided with mixed grains and seeds, bread crusts, suet and the like, is that he believes most of the birds have been there before and surely will come again tomorrow. Each evening, if this phase happens to interest him, he will see his birds depart one by one and in little bands of a dozen or more, always going in the same direction and almost always over prac- tically the same route, as much as such a thing can be determined. If his birds fly South, might he not expect birds from some other feeding grounds to sleep in his evergreens? He would not, however, poke his nose, via flashlight, into his trees, shrubs and evergreens, to see if he is right. He respects the birds and refuses to bore them or himself with such prying. He feels that if other birds came to his yard to sleep he could see them enter, just as he sees his own flocks fly away each evening. x k% % It must be kept in mind that there is still plenty of light when the birds guuuuy abandon the feeders for the Y. ‘This is about 3:45 o'clock at this time of year, while a few birds, principally English sparrows and several cardinals, remain for 15 minutes to half an hour thereafter, the bulk of the birds fly to their roosting places. At ¢ o'clock, of course, it is still very light. One wonders just why the song- sters choose to leave so early. After Christmas time they will begin to stay later and later, so that by February they will be remaining until around 5 pm. and sometimes as late as 5:30 o'clock. Right now they go shortly before 4 o'clock, so there is practically an hour of light in which they might eat more seed. They do not; they fly away to rest. 8uch is the hidden and universal order of Nature. * * % % If other birds flew in at this time, just as the feeders are flying into roosting places farther South, their arrival would be plainly visible and their positions in shrubs and evergreens easily seen. They do not arrive and they are not seen. It may be that none of them roosts near dwellings, but chooses a site more removed, especially in groves and forests, of which there are plenty near enough to even the largest cities. It is wonderful to think of them, these thousands of feathered mites, huddled up on the branches, in snow and ice, in driv- ing rain, in the wind which whips the branches on which they perch. This thought is another of those ties which bind of which we hear so much, especially in regard to purely human relationships. These ties are broader and reach farther; they may stretch from & warm home to a cold forest, and take in all creation, if we will. WASHINGTON OBSERVATIONS BY FREDERIC WILLIAM WILE. If the United States Chamber of Com- merce speaks by the book, business earnestly hopes that the incoming Con- gress will watch its step in the matter of perpetuating or extending New Deal laws. Much of the emergency legislation enacted by the two previous Congresses will automatically expire in 1937. Ac- cording to the chamber, business trusts that any measures proposed henceforth will give due consideration to the present pace of recovery and to the steady prog- ress toward reabsorption of the unem- ployed. In other words, the business view is that House and Senate should look at things in the light of changed economic conditions, remember that the back of the depression is broker, and not rush anew into action that was jus- .tifiled only when prosperity was still around that elusive corner. Between the lines of these wishful generalities lies, in particular, the longing for Congress to steer clear of fresh regimentation plans or moves of any kind that hamper “free enterprise.” No less ardent than the de- sires of commerce and industry on this score are their expectations that Presi- dent Roosevelt will signal prompt and definite retrenchment in the relief fleld and other spending areas, looking to the earliest possible balancing of the budget. On progress in that direction business places paramount emphasis. * * X *x Industrial leaders will observe ‘closely the fate of the Federal incorporation bill sponsored by Senator O'Mahoney, Democrat, of Wyoming. They are espe- cially interested in the first of the three titles of that husky document of 78 printed pages. Title I is the product of Charlton Ogburn, general counsel of the American Federation of Labor, It deals broadly with former N. R. A. provisions regarding collective bargaining, women in industry, thild labor and co-related matters. Mr. O’'Mahoney believes his proposition is Constitution-proof. The kernel of it is: “Since the Constitution gives Congress the power to regulate commerce among the States, and since that commerce is carried on, to the ex- He particularly welcom: port. President Roosevelt’s attitude has not been disclosed, but there are no in- dications that the underlying provisions and purposes of the measure run counter to White House policy. Senator O'Ma- honey’s proposals for distribution of cor- poration surpluses were written into the revenue act of 1936, almost & year after thing savoring of such & campaign as the Bourbons of France have unceas- | ingly waged, or as the partisans of for- mer Spanish King Alfonso and of the young Austrian Archduke Otto main- tain, might seriously embarrass Uncle Sam and lead to a decision that Mr. ‘Windsor’'s presence here is undesirable. Canada’s proximity is a factor that would militate against the wisdom of the former monarch’s choosing this country as & haven of refuge. The gen- eral effect on Anglo-American relations would also have to be considered. * * % % Republican Vermont has “no pride in the companionship of Maine,” according to a letter which Mrs. L. A. Heidel, vice chairman of the Democratic State Com- mittee of Vermont, has addressed to President Roosevelt. “Our pride in the vindication of the New Deal principles,” she says, “Is as great as if our State were among those which made victory pos- sible. It is our bitter regret that our hopes, our prayers and our efforts to carry Vermont were not rewarded. It is galling to endure the feeling of isola- tion which our enemies have forced upon us. It is maddening to lag behind when the whole country is marching forward. ‘We refuse to accept defeat and we renew our efforts for the day when we shall be among the Democratic States. Even in our hour of humiliation, we send as our offering among the flowers gathered for your national bouquet a red clover blos- som from the Democratic women of ‘Vermont.” * ok x % One of Capitol Hill's formerly well- known and long-respected figures, Clay- ton F. Moore, has just passed away in ‘Washington at the age of 45. The son of former Mayor and Representative J. Hampton Moore of Philadelphia, he was for 16 years clerk of the Ways and Means Committee and served successively under Cbairmen Green, Fordney and Hawley, playing a prominent role in the hearings and other preliminaries which led enactment of both the Cumber and Hawley-Smoot bills. Few men had more expert knowledge of the tariff with a furnished residence. has a path of fame. Foundation has presented the college with tablets of marble taken from ground over which once walked Pericles, Plato, Demosthenes and St. Paul. These will occupy places near paving stones from many other historic spots of the world. celebrated Broadway. record set by Frank Bacon's “Lightnin’* and ranks second to the long-run record of “Abie’s Irish Rose.” ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS BY FREDERIC I. 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. Please name some citles that use * parking meters.—J. W. A. Among the cities where these have been installed are: Oklahoma City, Miami, Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston, El Paso, Kansas City, St. Petersburg, Salt Lake City and Toledo. Q. Why were the early writers such poor spellers?—S. A. A. Before the introduction of printing, there was no standard of spelling in Europe. Spelling phonetically produced widely varying results. The English language has the fewest definite stand= ards of spelling, or to put it differently, the most exceptions to established rules, Q. What is the salary of the Speaker of the House of Commons in Great Brit= ain?—S. B. N. A. He receives 5000 pounds a year, He 15 a member of the privy council. On va- cating his post, he receives a pension of 4,000 pounds, and is raised to the peerage. Q. How long has coca-cola been on the market?—E. J. H. A. It was first sold at a soda fountain in Atlanta, Ga., in 1886. Q. What college has & path of fame? —H. G. A. Rollins College at Winter Park, Fla., The Near East Q. Is “The Little Colonel,” heroine of Annie Fellows Johnston's popular series, a real person?—H. K. A. The character of “The Little Colo- nel” was drawn from Hattie Cochran, who is now Mrs. Albert Dick of Louis- ville, the mother of two grown sons, Q. When were Mason jars first pat- ented?—W. P. B. A. J. L. Mason invented the Mason- style jar in 1858 and secured a patent on November 30 of that year. original Mason jar was made to seal on the jar itself; that is, the body of the Jar came to a flat, horizontal surface at the point where it joined the neck of the jar. The Q. Please give the population of the large cities in Spain.—C. F. A. Madrid had about 1,003,000 inhab- itants before the present siege; Barce- lona, 1,060,000; Valencia, 341,500; Seville, 236,000; Malaga, 184,000; Bilbao, 171,000; Murcia, 164,000; Granada, 122,700; Cordoba, 112,200. 200,000; Zaragoza, Q. Which of the plays at present rune ning on Broadway has had the longest run?—E. R. A. On December 4, “Tobacco Road” its third anniversary on The play now equals the Q. Is it true that the Berkeley High School Bees were undefeated for 15 or 16 years?>—F. J. K. A. The Berkeley High School Bees foot ball team played 108 games without defeat. The team began in 1923 and the first defeat since then was on Septeme ber 17, 1936. Q. What was the value in American money of the Napoleon, a gold coin of France?—H. M. A. It was worth about $3.86. It was a 20-franc piece, bearing the head of the Emperor Napoleon. Q. In what yvears was Eugene Debs a candidate for the presidency?—V. V. F, A. In 1900, 1904, 1908, 1912 and 1920, Q. What trees and flowers grew in Palestine in Bible times?>—E. B. S. A. The International Bible Encyclo- pedia lists the following as growing in gardens in Palestine in Bible times: Oleander, . plane, carob, hawthorn, sumach, laurel, vitex (species of verben: broom, myrtle, buglos, scabiosa, squills, thistles, acacia, arbutus, oleaster, styras (mock orange), Judas tree, caper, rocke rose, villosus (poppy), crocus, cyclamen, narcissi, anemones, ranunculus, gladioli, iris, orchids, flax and borage. Q. Are there many Communists and Socialists among the student bodies of the well-known colleges?—J. W. A. A poll taken at Harvard shows that there are 105 Communists and Socialists among its students. Other polls show: University of California, 270; Yale, 131; Dartmouth, 107; Williams, 34; Princeton, 64; Columbia, 197; University of Chi- cago, 411. Q. How does bituminous coal differ from anthracite in make-up?—W. V. A. Anthracite contains from 93 to 95 per cent carbon, and 2 to 4 per cent hy- drogen. carbon and mors hydrogen. Dry bitu- minous contains 84 to 89 per cent carbon, and 5 to 6 per cent hydrogen; caking bituminous contains 80 to 85 per cent carbon and 5 to 6 per cent hydrogen. Bituminous coal contains less But He Gets Somewhere. From the Battle Creek Enquirer-News. The United States has no monopoly on boondoggling. Take, for instance, the fellow who plans to swim all the way from England to America—in the Queen Mary’s swimming pool. A Rhyme at Twilight By Gertrude Brooke Hamiiton