Evening Star Newspaper, January 18, 1937, Page 8

THE EVENING STAR With Sunday Morning Edition. WASHINGTON, D. C. January 18, 1937 THEODORE W. NOYES........__Editer The Evening Star Newspaper Company. 1 12 Ave. New' Poik Sicer TID East 42nd 8t Chicago Office: 435 North Michizan Ave. Rate by Carrier—City and Suburban, Regular Editton, The Evening and Sunday Star 65¢ per month or 15¢ per week The Evening Sta gc per month or 10¢ per week The Su ‘day Star. - ==-. bCDErcOPY Night Final Edition. 70c per month ight Final Sta A ¢ per month Collection made at the end of each month or each week. Orders may be sent by mail of tele- Bhone National 5000. Rate by Mail—Payable in Advance. Maryland and Virsinia. Bally ana Sunday_.1 yr. $10.00; 1 mo. S8e . ily only £6.00; 1 mo.. blc L AL 1 yo. $4.00 1 mo. 40c All Other States and Canada. ily and Suncay..l yr. $1% mo.. $1.00 aily enly_ 19r., "8 mo., " 78c unday onl; mo. The Assoclated Press s exclusively entitled to the use for republication of sll news dispatches credited to it or not otherwise Credited in this Daper and also the local news published herein All rights of publication of special dispatches herein are also reserved. Confused Reasoning. In none of its discussions is the fiscal relations report's conception of Wash- ington as the American Capital more confused than in its treatment of the ex- cessive amount of tax-exempt real estate held in the District by the Government or other institutions. The report’s fail- ure to give this factor any weight as a source of Federal obligation is one of its astonishing weaknesses. ‘The report seems to attach considerable significance to the statement that as- sessed values here showed little decline gince 1930, contrasted with the marked reductions in other cities. But the ex- planation of that lies in the assessor's refusal to apply any general reductions. Property values declined here as every- where else during the depression. Thou- sands of equities were wiped out. Many citles applied horizontal reductions in assessments to reflect depreciated values. The fact that assessments here retained their general level during the depression is no indication that property values did not decline. On the other hand, it is merely another demonstration of the high standard of local assessments. The contention of the report that Governmental removal of property to the tax-exéempt list increases the value of remaining property strengthens rather than weakens the collateral argument that a Federal obligation arises in con- nection with the ownership of tax- exempt real estate. effect of Government acquisition of prop- erty is to increase the value of remaining property, the long-range effect is to in- crease property values, and the tax load, until property ownership becomes pro- hibitive. A constantly increasing tax liability is being imposed upon a con- stantly decreasing taxable area. ) Thirty-eight per cent of District real estate is now tax exempt. Within a comparatively few years fifty per cent will be tax erempt. Within a not-too- distant future seventy-five per cent will be tax exempt and eventually the whole burden of Capital city maintenance will be borne by the small fraction of taxable property remaining with whatever help is available in other forms of taxation. It is illogical to argue that the constantly increasing needs of the Capital should be borne by the steadily diminishing percentage of private property, or that, even if it were equitable, it would be economically feasible. Nobody has seriously proposed that the Government tax itself. But there is a very real obligation on the part of the National Government to contribute both on the basis of an owner of tax- exempt real estate, paying a sum in lleu of taxation; and to contribute in recogni- tion of the excessive amount of real estate held and used both by the Na- tional Government and by the foreign nations or by national organizations in ‘Washington because Washington is the Capital of the United States. ‘The analogy frequently drawn between the National Government (the District’s chief industry) and the chief industry or industries of other cities is interesting and is sound as far as it goes. But it ends with the most significant difference of all—the fact that the District’s only large industry is not only exempt from taxation, but is exclusively in control of the city which it dominates. A Detroit might offer a General Motors or a Ford certain concessions in assess- ments or taxation of its properties in order to receive its benefits as an em- ployer. But the city would continue to exercise control and would cut its cloth to fit the pattern of its revenue avail- ability. Here our dominant industry is pictured by the report as entitled not only to excessive concessions—excessive to the point of eliminating any except Incidental contributions—while the dom- inant industry remains exclusively in control, not only of the taxes to be paid by the community but of the size and grandeur of the city the community is to support. That one fact alone is enough to con- demn the report and accounts for much of the condemnation already given the fiscal relations report. —————— Aviation is not just now in such high esteem as to cause a demand for stunt features during the inaugural demon- stration. e Spotless Town. Company is coming. In fact, it is already beginning to arrive, and in a couple of days Washington and the Dis- trict will contain visitors to the number of several hundred thousands from all walks of life and from all parts of the country. This inauguration influx of people will find a National Capital in some ways far more beautiful and im- pressive than they had imagined; in other ways they may be disappointed, especially if they traverse, as many will, streets away from the centers of events. On such occasions more or less of & A If the immediate | | gladsome host to the world in the gayest T mess seems unavoidable, as at any sort of a “party.” But how about starting in with premises as clean and as neat as humanly possible? Householders and owners of business establishments can, with a little forethought and inconsid- erable effort, do much to make externals cleanly and presentable. They can re- move, if they have the wish, a great deal if nnt all of the fascinating debris which is feund in greater or less qran- tities and at all times of year along sidewalks, in hedges, around trees and at other natural collecting points. Recently six “dead soldiers,” empty liquor bottles presumably cast by careless motorists, were discerned along a short stretch of parking in one of the better residential sections by an early morning dog-exerciser. Discarded newspapers, cartons and trash of all sorts are dis- coverable almost everywhere. The Cap- ital City does its level best toward keep- ing fitself clean, meaning that it does the best that Congress will let it. On an occasion like an inauguration its task in this, as in many other ways, is doubled and redoubled. It seems to some extent, at least, to be up to the indvidual. Any citizen who can and will do, or order done, a short stretch of cleaning up just before and of keeping clean during the few crowded days to come, does himself, his community and his Nation a distinct service. So far the weather is with him; it is hoped it will continue to be. And possibly the habit may remain. B “Business as Usual.” While the American people and Washington in particular are giving themselves over to presidential inau- guration ceremonials and celebrations which, fore and aft, will cover the period of a mere week, or less, London proclaims a program for the coronation of King George VI, which calls for eleven weeks of festivities. From May 5 to July 22, with hardly a breathing space in be- tween, the teeming metropolis and even the provinces will be the scene of recep- tions, banquets, balls, parades, garden parties, dinners, levees, military and naval reviews and a dizzy array of other events of varying degrees of glamour. The program provides for pomp and circumstance surpassing even the elab- orate arrangements projected for the coronation of Edward VIIL. In that fact is perhaps to be found the explanation of the more extensive and spectacular scheme planned for his brother’s en- thronement. Having survived the up- heaval which culminated in Edward’s abdication, it is obviously the purpose of the British government and nation to signalize to the world that the unhappy crisis which threatened the crown is an irrevocably closed incident. They have concluded there is no more practical way of sealing that momentous fact than to celebrate and rejoice at coronation time just as if the throne six weeks ago had not been rocked to its ancient founda- tions. The “integrity of the monarchy” having been preserved on the brink of disaster, John Bull finds it appropriate to comport himself with becoming pride and ritual. It is unquestionably in that spirit that Londontown, eschewing all semblance of sackcloth and ashes, will don its best bib and tucker as it plays and brightest “season” the Thames side, from Mayfair to White Chapel, has known in many a foggy day. From the four quarters of the thrill- seeking universe men and women are planing to flock to King George’s capi- tal. Americans doubtless will predomi- nate, along with “colonials,” in the pilgrim throng. There are sure to be those, here and elsewhere, who will de- tect in London's Brobdingnagian coro- nation preparations the motive of com- mercialism—a desire to make ignoble hay while the sun shines on a historic occa- sion. Be this as it may, Briton's inten- tion, despite the late royal unpleasant- ness, to do “business as usual” is compre- hensible and in no wise to their discredit. It was the spirit of “business as usual” that sustained them through four years of World War blood and tears. The determination to “carry on” at corona- tion time according to schedule is in keeping with the bulldog breed. ——————— The public has agreed to a “New Deal,” but is likely to object shifting the pack in a manner that might suggest leger- demain. ———s Things Not Seen. A blind man, passing along Pennsyl- vania avenue the other day, was heard to say to his companion: “I do not know. I never have seen that.” The theme of his remark was not indicated, the subject not disclosed. But his thought, caught in the mind of a stranger, stirred a ques- tion. The sightless, surely, have a claim upon the sympathy of all whose eyes are not “bereft of light.” So much, so many lovely and gracious things are denied to them. It seems a natural instinct in their fellows to pity their handicap, their tragic disability. And yet, as the poet Keats suggested in the line “Heard melodies are sweet, but those unheard are sweeter,” there is compensation for the philosophic blind. Beauty, of course, they miss—the deli- cate first flush of dawn and the wist- ful last glowing ember of the depart- ing sun as evening falls; the active, lithe and ardent glory of little children dancing; the green and golden tapestry of a forest glade in Spring and the russet majesty of the same vista in Autumn; Mount Blanc and the Parthenon; Kil- larney and the Pyramids; Niagara and the towers of Manhattan; Grand Canyon and the Sistine Chapel; ten thousand masterpieces of Nature and of Nature's master. But God grants imagination to his undiscouraged children. The things not seen, the things not feasible to see are of supreme importance to the sentient soul. Fritz Kreisler once declared: “In ages to come, men will hear melodies to which they now are deaf.” He, with his mar- velous genius, could guess the future of music. Similarly, Homer and Milton, A HE EVENING STAR, WASHINGTO M —— s e R THIS AND THAT BY CHARLES E. TRACEWELL. bankrupt of the powers of physical eyes, looked out on infinity and beheld the wonders of eternity. The universe was theirs in dreams. And they were con- tent to “argue not against Heaven’s hand or will, nor bate a jot of heart or hope.” Misfortune, yes; but blessing, like- wise, 1s the blow that staggers the frame and bruises each tingling nerve. “Life beats us all,” yet what does it signify, what difference does it make, what loss or sorrow does it inflict so long as the spirit does not surrender? Each in- dividual is fated for pain; all, then, pro- videntially, should appreciate the com- mon humanity which suffers agony yet smiles at destiny. The understanding, the comprehension of the blind is worth its cost. ——————— A man may be learned in the law and yet unfamiliar with the red tape accom- panying a license to shoot ducks. The solicitor of the Department of Agricul- ture may have to consider a case of un- lawful duck shooting by a Supreme Court Justice. So many questions are referred to the Department of Agriculture that it may be necessary to create more cabi- net offices in order to relieve the pressure. vt During the inaugural parade the band will, by request, play “Happy Days Are Here Again,” the first two or three meas- ures of which use the notes of “The Star Spangled Banner” in doublets. The se- lection is not only cheerful, but patri- otically appropriate. — e Employers who overwork their men are reprehensible; so are men who try to evade the responsibilities of fair dealing. A group seeking especial pay roll favor is likely to do so at the expense of other groups, no less deserving. Preparedness against war at least makes conquest more difficult. No nation can expect to compel a neighbor | to stick up its hands at the mere sight of armament. P ———— Gamblers are said to provide a special bodyguard for big winners. It is inti- mated that these privately employed guardians are better paid than the regular police. e eeee Legal vengeance on kidnapers cannot prevent psychologists from holding out hope for the man who is naturally a killer. ——oe—s Madrid is the more dangerous in be- coming a point of congestion to which all the disorders of Europe seek to con- tribute, e Investigations may seem too frequent, but there is a natural curiosity as to what an American aviator would at this time be doing in Spain. Shooting Stars. BY PHILANDER JOHNSON. A Sad Superiority. The cynic sat and viewed the play, His face was all unmoved; And yet his silence seemed to say He sternly disapproved. In vain the repartee would flow, He sighed with darkening brow, “"Twas funny twenty years ago. It isn't funny now. “And mademoiselle, with gauzy skiit, She makes the chappies stare; But I to bygone years revert. That self-same girl was there, When I sat in the foremost row, And she, I will allow, Was pretty twenty years ago. She isn't pretty now. “No matter where I journey, I Must hear the same old chaff, And still I pause and wonder why Men ever deign to laugh. How things have changed they do not know. ‘This plodding world, I vow, Was merry twenty years ago. It isn’t merry now.” A Delicate Competition. “Didn’t Crimson Guich take up the idea, just for novelty, of offering a prize for the toughest-looking man?” “Yes,” answered Cactus Joe. “But the enterprise fell through. There wasn't anybody who would have had nerve enough to face men who was maybe jest lookin’ for trouble and formally an- nounce to one of them that he had won the prize.” Jud Tunkins says politeness may be misunderstood. He said “howdy-do” to a stranger and a policeman thought he must be some kind of a smooth villain lookin’ for a victim. Reward of the Unrighteous. The good man has no pleasures rude, But dwells in honest quietude, We very seldom speak his name— But gangsters all are known to fame. “No man,” said Hi Ho, the sage of Chinatown, “can fail to respect our an- cestors if he will but remember that to them we owe some of our noblest thoughts and the memory of brave deeds.” Patience Needed. “Yes, sir,” said Farmer Corntossel, “all we need to do now is to send the right man to Congress.” “Why delay?” “We've got to be a little patient. boy Josh ain't out of college yet.” My Things Related. For relativity we’ll seek In calculations very grave And at the budget take a peel, Discovering how to spend and save. We hope for a contented mind As we on mathematics look, And make the market basket find Proportionate with the pocketbook. “Long words an’ big figgers,” said Uncle Eben, “is liable to use up so much time splainin’ ’em dat it's too late to do much when you gits around to usin’ de information.” ’ A THE POLITICAL MILL BY G. GOULD LINCOLN. President Roosevelt begins his second term of office as Chief Executive on Wednesday. He will be the first Presi- dent of the United States to be inaug- urated—after an election—on January 20. This is due, of course, to the adop- tion of the “lame duck” amendment to the Constitution, which fixed the new date for the beginning.of the presidential term. A great deal of water has run over the dam since he first took office on March 4, 1933. The New Deal has be- come an accomplished fact, in a great many respects. Much of the New Deal legislation and many of the New Deal agencies and activities are to be made permanent, if the administration has its way. Generally speaking, this was to be expected following the vindication of the administration at the hands of the voters on November 3 last. * ok ok % The Roosevelt second term virtually began on January 5 when the new Con- gress convened and the next day the President delivered his address on the state of the Union. Some of the recom- mendations made by the President in that message already have been written into law or put on their way to speedy enactment. The neutrality law relating to the Spanish civil war was put through in the twinkling of an eye. More re- cently the Senate has passed the bill providing for the continuance of the Reconstruction Finance Corporation for another two and a half years. Included in this authorization was the extension of the life of several other Government agencies which have drawn money from the R. F. C. These other agencies are the Commodity Credit Corporation, the Export-Import Bank, the R. F. C. Mort- gage Corporation and the Electric Home and Farm Authority. The passage at arms over the exten- sion of the so-called emergency agencies of the Government arose in the Senate over the passage of the R. F. C. bill. Twenty-two Senators, under the leader- ship of Senator Byrd of Virginia, sought in vain to limit the life of the R. F. C. and the other agencies involved to July 1,1938. The Byrd amendment, however, was snowtd under by a vote of 52 to 23. It may have been unfortunate for Byrd and other Senators who believe that there should be a great curtailment in Government activities and Government spending, now that the emergency has passed, that the first test came on a bill dealing with the R. F. C. The operation of that agency, under the direction of Jesse Jones, has been hailed far and wide as a major success of the adminis- | tration, * ok ox % - Byrd made no attack upon the R. F. C. Rather did he praise its operations. But he insisted that it would be better to | limit the life of this agency and the others which draw their money from it to a year and & half, or until the close of the next fiscal year. The Virginia Senator quite naturally feared that if new and extended life were given to this emergency agency of the Government similar action might be expected on the extension of other emergency agencies. Furthermore, he argued that if there is to be a real reorganization of the execu- tive branch of the Government in an- other, permanent bill, with the reorgan- ization going into effect perhaps at the beginning of the next fiscal year, it would be unwise to grant the extension for two and a half years. Byrd is ardently in favor of govern- mental reorganization. He made refer- ence in the Senate debate to the great expansion of the Federal Government during the last few years. This expan- sion, he said, has been as great outside of Washington as it has in the Nation's Capital. Mr. Byrd is one of those who believe that there should be a great cur- tailment in Government expenditures as well as a reorganization of the Govern- ment departments and other agencies. It is for that he proposes to fight. And it is in that particular his reorganiza- tion plans differ considerably from those of the President and his special commit- tee on reorganization. The President has estimated that a saving of approximately $30,000,000 only can be expected from the proposed reorganization. * * ¥ % Referring to the present rate of ex- penditures, Senator Byrd told the Sen- ate: “As the emergency passes I do not believe that the country will long submit to Federal expenditures at the rate of 10 per cent of our present national in- come for normal expenses, excluding re- covery and relief, of the Federal Gov- ernment alone. If the Secretary of Commerce is correct when he estimates the gross income of the country, as he did the other day, then the Federal Government is spending 10 per cent of that income alone for normal expenses. That does not include taxation imposed by different municipalities, States and other taxing units.” Senator Carter Glass of Virginia, who had charge of the R. F. C. bill in the Senate, insisted that he did not con- sider the measure a precedent for the extension of the life of other govern- mental agencies. He intimated that he might be found standing shoulder to shoulder with his colleague in a fight to reduce governmental expenditures and in opposition to the continuance of some of the other agencies. Nevertheless, the ease with which the majority of the Senate ran over Scnator Byrd and his protests seems to augur a tough time ahead for those members of Congress who desire greatly to curtail Government expenditures, as well as to bring about a reorganization of the governmental structure, * ok % x ‘The Republicans, in the opinion of Chairman John Hamiiton of the G. O. P. National Committee, must get into closer touch with labor and its needs and aspi- rations. The Republican chairman was speaking to the Woman’s National Republican Club in New York on the occasion of its 16th birthday anniversary when he voiced this opinion. He said that he believed the Republican party has ““lost the pulse of the people” and the confidence of the great mass of the American people. Mr. Hamilton'’s statement regarding labor may or may not interest labor. Generally speaking, labor went over in a mass to the Democratic cause in the last presidential election. The Demo- cratic party made a special play for the vote of labor, organized and unorganized. If the Republicans are to make a similar attempt to gain the support of labor, it looks as though the workers are sitting in an enviable spot. With both major parties ready to make concessions to labor, the demand for a new labor party in the field of politics may shrink. Just how the Republican party is to show its friendship for labor under the present circumstances is not quite clear, for the Republicans are in small minorities in the law-making bodies of the country, particularly in the National Congress. It would appear, however, that if this effort to get in touch with labor and to regain the confldence of the working people of the country is to go forward, it must be in connection with proposals for legislation regarded as beneficial to labor. The suggestion of Chairman Hamilton seetna, Alsg, in Uns with damands made '/ JANUARY 18, 1937 Enthusiasm is one of the greatest forces in the world, not only because it gets things done, but particularly be- cause it makes people happy in the doing. This is true, whether the matter is a great one or a very small one, an impor- tant thing or what many might be in- clined to consider a very small thing. Perhaps enthusiasm shows at its best in the smaller matters of life, when it lifts the humdrum and the commonplace into the realms of the exciting. Masters of enthusiasm, we might call those persons who have the rare ability to put it to work in their daily tasks and entertainment. Every one knows such a person. No matter what the work is, he man- ages to infuse it with that certain elation of spirit which makes his friends think of him as “the happiest man in the world.” * % x % And perhaps he is. Who knows? For this personal enthusiasm rubs out the raw spots, puts happiness where routine makes many another miserable, and enables him to exist happily in a very curious and what seems at times to be a very terrible universe. ©One has but to stop for a few minutes, and _consider the universe, or even so small a thing as the world, compara- tively, to feel a sudden cold chill come over the spirit. This chill may communicate itself to the very physical body. It is felt at its fullest, perhaps, in those waking moments at night, when untoward happenings of the past day have left the mind in a harassed state. Then, all of a sudden, the lowness of spirit communicates itself to the physical body, and a real chill comes over the latter. * % ok * The enthusiast has the one sure cure for these depressions. He does not, except in a sense, have to resort to that expedient of mankind, constant activity, in order to prevent his mind from going on curious journeys. Life and death, as such, present him no problems, because he carefully over- lays life with that certain aura of happi- ness, known as enthusiasm, thus blotting out all else. This is the secret of his success, and every one else must envy him, for he has a most precious possession. If he runs around a great deal, it is not in the running that he finds solace, but rather in the spirit of gay adven- ture which he brings to his running. Those who think he is but a variant of the old man, the great common man, who hides his difficulties under a load of movement and constant care, are barking up the wrong tree. * It is his enthusiasm, which he puts into all that he does, which leads him gn the paths of happiness in the every- ay. And this not for himself, alone, but for all who know him, and meet him, though unknown. His happiness radi- ates itself to others, not just because it is simple and uncompound happiness, for many have that, but because it is based on enthusiasm, which is catching. The difference is easily seen in physi- cal matters. A sneeze, for instance, is not communicable, but a cough is. -A yawn is “catching.” It is fortunate for mankind that a person who sneezes does not communicate the mental urge to all who hear him to do likewise, else the spread of colds and other respira- tional diseases would be multiplied a thousand-fold overnight. Every one knows how it is in a thea- ter. Some one coughs. Then some one else coughs. Persons who study such things say that such suggestibility varies, but that practically all persons feel the urge, although many resist it successfully. Every one is acquainted with the con- tagion of the yawn. It is possible to set a whole room full of company a-yawning within a few minutes by simply indulging in one openly. In fact, even behind the hand, the yawn has the power to suggest yawning to others. It is a curious thing to watch its spread. These are pure mental suggestions, based on physical acts. * K ok k Enthusiasm, in its turn, is catching, but in a good way. The master of enthusiasm, as we shall call him, is able to make other human beings feel better, simply by suggesting to them that they, too, become en- thusiastic. This is not done by words, of course, but by deeds and attitudes. If such a person ever descended to the usual way of making speeches, of writing “how” books, of fondly patting himself on the back and blowing his own horn, he would lose all possible power of making others happy. It is because some persons, alas, have done this, in the double fond hope of making some money for themselves and helping others, that their eflorts com- monly result only in the first achieve- ment. The master of enthusiasm, bless him, never for a second suspects that he is anything out of the ordinary. If he did, his power over us would be lost. As he is, he is able to help all who come in contact with him, simply be- cause of his bubbling enthusiasm for whatever he is doing. * x ko * Occasionally, one of these hopelessly mature persons who was born old, smiles as if to say, “Very nice, but rather childish.” It is true. There is a certain good childishness to the master of enthusiasm which sets him apart from all the rest. Whatever he does, or whatever he is interested in, he does with a single en- thusiasm, as if it were the one thing in the world he wanted to do, as if it were the most interesting possible thing at the time. It is the attitude of good play, and it is precisely because he brings the play spirit to harassed mortals, that he assumes a tremendously big place in the scheme of things. In him no one has to suspect double dealing, or selfish motives. His acts may be accepted by the most suspicious as wholly free from ulterior motive. Caesar would have found him to be a good man to have around. * x % x The rest of us can do no less. The master of enthusiasm helps us all by his mere living, because everything he | does he does the same way. Enthusiastically! If he buys a necktie, he bubbles over it. He tells everybody he meets about | it. Divine enthusiasm, mother of gods and men, functions for a necktie as well as a war. This man makes the everyday have a new importance. The humdrum he shows not to be so humdrumish, after all, but fit subject for a poem, if the right poet should come along. * He removes suspicion, wariness, craft, guile, shrewdness and similar tiger traits, from all his hearers, for the time being. | He makes them men at last. WASHINGTON OBSERVATIONS BY FREDERIC WILLIAM WILE. Coincident with plans for Federal re- organization some intensive inquiries have been under way in Washington on the subject of educating young Amer- ica for Government service. They have been conducted on behalf of Harvard University by Dr. William Bennett Munro, former professor of American history and government at President Roosevelt's alma mater and now occu- pant of the same ehair at California Institute of Technology. Dr. Munro is making his soundings in connection with the fund of several million dollars placed at Harvard’s disposal by former Representative Littauer of New York for establishment of a school of government. Dr. Murno has put in his time here con- sulting with leading members of the executive, judicial and legislative branches, with a view to ascertaining their ideas of what ought to be taught in a school of government and what type of students should be sought. He has accumulated a fund of information des- tined materially to help in shaping the curriculum and general scope of the scheme. Dr. Munro was proud to dis- cover that a sizable group of his one- time students is now prominent in national life. They include Undersecre- tary of the Interior West, Senators Gerry of Rhode Island and Bulkley of Ohio, Representatives Bacon of New York and Wigglesworth of Massachusetts, and two or three members of the California dele- gation. The Pasadena professor even heard talk of a “Munro bloc” on Capitol Hill. * ok x * ‘When the Right Hon. Sir Walter Run- ciman, M. P., president of the British Board of Trade, visits Washington dur- | ing the coming week end, the White House will be host to a typical British “career” statesman of the caliber the New Deal reorganization scheme aims to breed in the United States. Sir Walter, though long one of the leaders of the British shipping industry, has been in politics and Parliament for the better part of 40 years and held cabinet rank most of that time. He was presi- dent of the Board of Trade, the gover- ment branch which corresponds to our Department of Commerce, during the early years of the World War, when John Bull and Uncle Sam had many clashes over shipping matters. Among Minister Runciman’s claims to distinction is his proprietorship of one of John Bull's islands—the Isle of Eigg. A distinguished Cambridge graduate, he rates as a pos- sible future Tory prime minister. * x x % Representative Robert Luce, Repub- lican, of Massachusetts plans today to signalize his return to the House, after absence during the previous Congress, by discussing President Roosevelt's re- cent message on the state of the Union. in other quarters that the Republican party seek new and more liberal leader- ship. Just what can be done about the matter of leadership is something of a mystery. There are those, however, who are intent upon getting rid of a certain set of old and familiar faces in the G. O. P. organization. These are the men and women who have been in key positions, many of them on the national committee, and able to control in Repub- lican conventions. A good deal of quiet work is under way, too, at present, to bring about a new set-up, if it can be dona. His friends say his remarks will be in the nature of “a reply to the speech from the throne,” and more or less unique in that respect. The cultured Bay Stater intends to devote himself s A George Washington Parke Cuse Federal judiciary. Mr. Luce, the son of a judge, confesses to an inherited respect for all and sundry connected with the bench and the administration of justice, and presumably will attune his remarks to that key. He was in Con- gress continuously from 1919 to 1935 and once was in the running for the speaker- ship. * % ok x Administration leaders are naturally elated over having won first blood in the fight for adoption of the President's re- organization plan. They interpret the smashing defeat of Senator Byrd's at- tempt to curtain the life of the Recon- struction Finance Corp. as an omen that the Roosevelt idea will prevail on all major occasions during the drive to revamp Federal machinery according to | White House plans and specifications. Despite the drubbing he took on the | R. F. C. proposition Senator Byrd is ex- pected to resume unbowed his struggle for reorganization based on economy, as against the Roosevelt proposals, which are founded on efficiency. The Virgin- ian's crusade is directed especially at dismantling the cumbersome and costly Federal machine set up during the de- pression in the name of emergency. The general impression is that had Senator Byrd chosen as his first object of attack a less popular and efficient target than Jesse H. Jones’ well-managed organiza- tion he would not have been thrown for 50 big a loss. e Represeniative Joseph A. Dixon of ©Ohio, Democratic newcomer to the House from Nick Longworth's old Cincinnati district, confesses to three pastimes which constitute his “source of recrea- tion.” They are his grandchildren, base ball and golf. Mr. Dixon proudly records these hobbies in his congressional auto- biography alongside the fact that in his first venture in politics in 1936 he won the primary nomination over two oppo- nents by a huge majority, and then was elected as the first Democrat sent to Congress in 50 years from the supposedly invincible Republican stronghold “over the Rhine.” He is a clothier by occupa« tion and an active Elk. * ok ok % Although the Republicans are outnum- bered by House Democrats in the ratio of nearly 4 to 1, the rules of the lower branch give the opposition a 50-50 divi- sion of debating time. Thus, the emaci- ated host of G. O. P. faithful, which Minority Leader Snell shepherds, has speechmaking opportunities in the new Congress far beyond its numerical proportions. Snell says there’s no lack of seasoned spellbinders within his thinned ranks. He plans to send them into the oratorical trenches on every legitimate occasion and to the full limits that the clock permits. * % x X Charles A. Edison, son of the Wizard of Menlo Park, who has just taken office as Assistant Secretary of the Navy, reverses the order to which Washington officialdom in recent times has become accustomed. He is giving up lucrative business opportunities to enter the Fed- eral service. It's usually just the other way about. One of the fundamental purposss of ks Roossvalt reOrgaLIALOR ) | of two mighty tribes, 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. Where are the horses racing in Miami at present?—V. N, A. They are now at Hialeah Park. After March 7 the racing will move to Tropical Park, where it will continue until April 3. Q. Does plastic surgery have an effect on the character of people whose disfig- urements have been removed?—L. L. A. Dr. Maxwell Maltz, in “New Faces— New Futures,” cites many cases where changes for the better are soon apparent. Q. Are there many left-handed golf- ers?>—W. H. J. A. Approximately 5 per cent of all golfers are left-handed. Q. Do bicycles in Bermuda have to be licensed?—F. 8. M. A. They do. Last year licenses were issued for 18,500 bicycles and it is ex- pected that 17,000 will be licensed in 1937, Q. How many Filipinos were made homeless by the typhoon in the Philip- pines in December?—C. R. A. The resuiting floods made 80,000 Filipinos homeless and caused a heavy loss of life. Q. Who referred to society as consist- ing of two classes, the bores and the bored?—E. W. A. Byron in “Don Juan” says: “So- ciety is now one polished horde, formed the bores and bored.” Q. What children are eligible to the Hershey Industrial School?—E. S. K. A. This school is a permanent none sectarian institution for the residence, physical and moral welfare, maintenanc ) | support and education of poor, healthy, white, male orphans (an orphan being a child whose father is deccased) ad- mitted between the ages of 4 and 8 years, for instruction in useful trades and occupations, and to make provision for their further education. Q. Who is president of the Society for the Suppression of Vice?—L. M. K. A. John S. Sumner is president of the organization. Q. When did Blackstone live?—C. P. A. He was born in London, July 10, 1723, and died in 1780. No biography of | importance has been published concerne ing the best known of legal scholars. Q. What color is jasper>—F. T. A. It is red, brawn and green in color. It is impure, slightly translucent crypto- crystalline quartz with a dull fracture, It is found chiefly in Egypt and Russia. Jasper is used for mantels, tables, pillars, potiery, vases, jewelry and statuettes, Q. Has the child labor amendment bee come a law?—M. B. A. It has not been ratified by a suffi- cient number of States to become a law. Q. Has there been an increase in the speed at which freight cars are run?— B.D. A. The speed has been materially in- creased. Some trains operate from one terminal to the other, where it is 400 or 500 miles, at an average speed of about 43 miles an hour. Q. Who are the majority and minority | leaders in the House in the new Cone | gress' F. R. L. A. The majority leader is Sam Ray- | burn of Texas and the minority leader | is Bertrand H. Snell of New York. Q. How did Arlington come into the possession of the Robert E. Lees? —W.C.T. A. Mrs. Lee inherited it from her tis, who built the mansion. The property came to him as a direct descendant of Martha Washington. Q. Wouldn't it be possible for employ- ers to minimize losses through pay roll robberies by a:iNanging to have their employes’ bank accounts credited with the money due in wages or salaries each pay day?—D. W. S. A. A practice somewhat as that de scribed has been adopted by some eme plovers, and obviously it eliminates ene tirely pay roll robberies. Q. Why is Charles Carroll always re ferred to as of Carrollton?>—H. W. A. He was elected a member of Con- gress in 1776 and was among the first signers of the Declaration of Indepen- dence. When he wrote his name. some one said: “There are many Charles Carrolls and the British will not know which one it is.” He at once added to his name “of Carrollton,” and was ever afterward known by that title. Q. How many trees and shrubs are on the Capitol grounds at Washington, D.C.>—M. L. A. More than 800 trees and 3,500 shrubs surround the Capitol Building. T A Rhyme at Twilight By Gertrude Brooke Hamilton Hearths. Outside a world of sleet and snow; Within a bright log fire aglow. The children chestnuts roast, Or sweet marshmallows toast, As flames throw on the wall Quaint shadows to enthrall; And all man’s daytime fear Melts in the ruddy cheer. 'Neath cottage roof or castled dome The hearth-fire is the heart of home. scheme is not only to persuade more men of the Edison type to accept Govern- ment posts at Washington, but to stick to them as career members of the civil service, at salaries commensurate with chances in private life. Everybody thinks that’s a good idea except pol- iticians, who thrive on patronage. k. Reserve officers of the United States Army resident in the 2d Corps Area (New York, New Jersey and Delaware) having asked about their status, should they enroll as combatants in the Spanish civil war, have been officially informed by Maj. Gen. Frank R. McCoy, com- manding the area, that the entry of a Reserve officer into the military service of a foreign country, or his departure from the United States for such a pur- pose, will be considered ground for immediate discharge. Notice to this effect, quoting Army regulations, was recently ordered sent to 1600 Reserve officers in the second area. (Copyright, 1037.)