Evening Star Newspaper, January 20, 1937, Page 10

THE EVENING STAR With Sunday Morning Edition. WASHINGTON, D. C. January 20, 1937 THEODORE W. NOYES. The Evening Star Newspaper Company. iltg . and Pennsyivanta Ave New Pork Ofice: 130 Bast 42nd. Bt Chicago Office: 136 North Michizan Ave. Rate by Carrier—City and Suburban. Regular Edition, ‘The Evening ang Sundsy ST or 160 per week ‘The Evening Btll’ 10¢ per week 5¢ per copy 70c per month it bb; per m&n‘h each month or wee ers m!‘?'x,:"un'é by mail or tele- Shone- National 5000 Rate by Mxfl—hylhlo in Advance. Maryland and Virsinia. 3 ., Slfl 00; 1 mo.. 85¢ Irl "$6.00: 1 mol BOc yo. $4.00; 1 mo. 40c All Other States and Can: Daily and Sunday.. ey The Assoclated Press is exclusively entitled to the use for republication of all news dispatches credited to it or not otherwise Credited in this Daper and also the local news published herein Al Tights of publication of special dispatches heuln are also reserved. Inauguration. The founding fathers of the Republic provided no ceremonial formula for the induction of a Chief Executive. Pledged to the simple customs and manners of democracy and distrustful of the trap- pings of monarchistic display, they de- liberately chose to stipulate only that: “Before he enter on the execution of his office, he shall take the following oath or affirmation: ‘I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the office of President of the United States and will to the best of my ability pre- serve, protect and defend the Constitu- tion of the United States.’” Nothing is said in the basic charter of the Nation concerning addresses or speeches, processions or parades, recep- tions or jollifications of any kind. All such excrescences have developed in- formally, irregularly, unconventionally. None was purposefully planned by the architects of the Federal State. With- out exception, they represent the in- stinct of the people to celebrate victory, to express confidence in their designated leaders, to manifest patriotic interest in government, to show appreciation of their heroes. The usual inaugural address is merely an acknowledgment of cheers. George Washington attempted no oratorical effort. It remained for Thomas Jefferson to employ the occa- sion for a statement of ideals and prin- ciples and for Andrew Jackson to au- thorize what historians have called “a grand affair” But even “the boys” for whom Old Hickory bespoke “a good time once in four years” were sensible of the mean- ing of the word “solemn” as used by the framers of the fundamental law of the land. Invariably, it is a deeply impres- sive spectacle when the President places his hand on the Book and covenants with God and man to be faithful to his trust. ‘The crowd may be exuberant, the scene not notably dignified, yet the moment of consecration cannot be marred by any extraneous circumstance. A citizen, humble and plain in himself, is joining the immortals, becoming part of the annals of his country, assuming the posi- tion of a governor of human destiny, accepting responsibility for millions liv- ing and for millions unborn. Dull indeed would be the perception, the intelligence, the imagination and the sympathy of any observer not profoundly moved by an event so significant. The coronation of a king perhaps may be more compelling. Centuries of tra- dition combine to render it memorably distinctive. For America, however, the American fashion is best. It is, frankly, & carnival for the masses. But it would be unnatural if it were otherwise. The people are happy. Why, then, should they not stage their festival of Joy in their own way? Franklin Delano Roosevelt surely has no objection. Those who know him intimately understand the pleasure he will find in the ex- perience. To the population as a whole, not physically in attendance, the drama will be conveyed by press, radio and camera. Thus it may be suggested that today every living soul under the Star Spangled Banner will share in the inauguration program—particularly in that fraction of eternity in which a new chapter in the chronicle of the Nation reverently and sacredly begins. Aspiration and dedica- tion are the business of that brief tick of the clock—for Mr. Roosevelt and for his fellow Americans everywhere alike. The District of Columbia is something for this Nation to be proud of. Its treat- ment by the Federal Government is not. Inauguration Weather. Washington makes no apologies for the weather on this Inauguration day, for it bears no responsibility. It is deeply sorry for the unpropitious conditions in which 1t receives its thousands of guests, assem- bled for the great national ceremony of the induction of a President into office. It wishes that the day were clement, the atmosphere clear and warm. But this was not the fortune that the elements bestowed upon the Capital for this occasion. When the change was made in the national calendar, shifting the beginning of the presidential term from March ¢ to January 20, there was some hope, despite the fact that this particular time has very often been harsh and altogether disagreeable, that by good chance the tradition of a “January thaw” that so often prevailed shortly after the turn of the year would be maintained. There seems to be no valid meteorological reason for such a hope, save that very often in the past the final fortnight of the first month of the year has been mild and bright, just as early March has often been inclement and cold. ‘Those who are here for the first time will be grievously disappointed because of the failure of opportunity to see ‘Washington in its full glory. Those who have been previously in the Capital in n THE EVENING STAR Winter will know that this city is not exceptionally favored by the elements over others of the Atlantic seaboard. ‘Washington takes its bad weather along with the good, and is glad whenever there is mild temperature and clear streets at this particular season. Unpleasant as this day is, it might have been much worse. Some past In- auguration days have been atrocious in their severity. Notable cases are those of Grant’s second inaugural, in 1873; Taft’s, in 1909, and Wilson's second, in 1917. The two earlier ones of these were desperately bad, with excessively low temperature on the first occasion and with heavy snow and severe cold on the second. Many deaths occurred through exposure to the elements. This day is merely uncomfortable. It is, how= ever, greatly to be deplored that the skies are not bright, the streets dry and the air balmy. The chances are that four years hence such an Inauguration day will occur, whoever may be the cen- tral figure on that occasion. —or—s. The Supreme Court. Many doctors are ready to operate on the Supreme Court of the United States. ‘They range from members of Congress to leaders of labor and farm organiza- tions. The President of the United States has urged that something must be done to bring about more liberal interpretation of the Constitution by the court, in the light of changed conditions in American economy and American life. A difference of opinion exists whether the Constitution itself shall be amended, granting to Congress additional powers to legislate regarding social and eco- nomic questions, or the Supreme Court’s powers to declare acts of Congress un- constitutional shall be abridged. If current reports be true, the Presi- dent is planning a conference with members of the House and Senate, with officials of the Department of Justice and with others interested in this im- portant question. Senator George W. Norris of Nebraska has consented to head an informal committee to study the matter and perhaps to draft legisla- tion. No one has yet suggested that the Supreme Court be called in to give its advice. A constitutional amendment would be the most direct method of dealing with the problem. The President, who is looked to for leadership in the tangle of diverse opinions, said in his address to Congress at the opening of the present session he saw no need for constitutional amendment. This, however, is not the view taken by some of the Democratic leaders on Capitol Hill. The demand that the powers of the Supreme Court be curtailed comes from those who are disgruntled because of its decisions invalidating certain New Deal legislative acts. Once the powers of the court have been curtailed, however, no one can foresee to what extent this limitation on the independence of the courts may go. Other Congresses and other Presidents may make demands and put through legislation that may prove disastrous. The liberties of the people, so long a boast of America, may be en- dangered in a very real manner. One of the most common demands is that the Supreme Court be restricted in declaring acts of Congress unconstitu- tional. It is proposed that the eourt may invalidate an act only by a decision in which six of the nine of the justices concur in such a decision, or even that seven must concur. This does violence to the majority rule which runs through- out the philosophy of American Gov- ernment. It would have the effect of permitting a minority of the court to declare an act of Congress constitutional, and perhaps a small minority. There are two obvious departures from the majority rule in American Government. The first occurs within the Constitution itself, when it provides that a constitu- tional amendment must be submitted to the States by a two-thirds vote of each of the two houses of Congress and that such a proposed amendment can become part of the Constitution only when rati- fled by three-fourths of the States. The second is found in the provision that treaties with foreign nations must be ratified by a two-thirds vote of the Senate. There is nothing, however, which hitherto has been attempted to set the power of the legislative and executive branches of the Government over and above the judicial branch in the manner now suggested. Once that has been done a Legislature, ruled by the desires or the passions of the moment, may over- ride at will the true provisions of the Constitution and its guarantees to Ameri- can citizens. The Supreme Court on many occasions has been the defender of the citizen in times of stress, a de- fender of the poor and of the minority. ———— There should have been two special sec- tions in the inaugural parade for Maine and Vermont, with allegorical pageantry {llustrating New England’s effort to out- Burbank Burbank and transplant any- thing from an elephant to a sunflower. —_————— Feelers From Europe. Distinguished European visitors, on various missions bent, are landing on American shores. Mr. Walter Runciman, president of the British Board of Trade, which corresponds to our Department of Commerce, has arrived in New York and presently will be a week énd guest at the White House. He will be followed shortly by Sir Otto Niemeyer, a director of the Bank of England and former chairman of the League of Nations’ Financial Committee. In a few days the newly appointed Ambassador of France, M. Georges Bonnet, will take up his duties in the United States. Although M. Bonnet, former French minister of finance and commerce, is the only one of the trio with official credentials, there is ground for assum- ing that American-European economic and financial issues are the subjects to which not only the French envoy, but also the gentlemen from Britain, will ad- dress themselves at Washington in one form or another. This prospect is not dimmed by Mr. Runciman's smiling as- surance that he is here on vacation and ) has purely “social” purposes in mind in accepting Mr. Roosevelt's hospitality. On’ Sir Otto Niemeyer’s behalf it is afirmed that he is concerned only with routine Anglo-American banking matters. The importance of these European wayfarers and their arrival at this time strongly suggest that their respective governments desire at least to feel out American sentiment on war debts, on continued participation in currency sta- bilization, on neutrality and trade rela- tions, and, perhaps most of all, on the United States’ readiness to support in- ternational efforts for more equitable distribution of raw materials and food supplies as an indispensable guarantee of world peace. Many American au- thorities acknowledge that concessions by the “have” nations to the “have not” countries—those lacking in natural resources—are essential if powers like Germany, Italy and Japan are to be dissuaded from satisfying their needs by aggressive war. ‘Whether the objective can best be approached through an international economic conference is doubtless to be one of the topics of impending dis- cussion. The interest of the Govern- ment and people of the United States in practical methods for preserving peace is profound. They will not turn a deaf ear to suggestions looking to American collaboration, provided always that this country is not asked to entangle itself in commitments that would lead to em- broilment in the political intrigues of Europe and the Far East. As to war debts, too, the British and French states- men are sure to find Washington in re- ceptive mood for consideration of pro- posals looking to possible readjustments, though revisions contemplating whole- sale cancellation will not meet with favor. The Government’s reciprocal trade program, which is expected to bulk conspicuously in conversations with the British visitors, is a guarantee that Uncle Sam is ready to conclude with John Bull the same mutual tariff ar- rangements negotiated with nearly a score of other countries. —_————————— ‘Theaters are said to have plans for moving into the suburbs where rents may be lower and parking space more abundant. Actors were never so abun- dant nor good plays so scarce. A hew type of current interest drama may be developing in which performers make up their speeches as they go along. B Science was never so alert. A meeting of funeral directors may be called to explain the marvelous preservation of the mortal remains of Lenin for the benefit of fanatical worshipers. There are tricks in all trades, even politics. —r———— ‘While much deference is being shown to masterful woman, nobody thumbs the pages of history to revive the impres- sions made by Carrie Nation and Dr. Mary Walker, who were giantesses in those days. ————————————— Aviation is in its infancy. Its adoles- cence should be watched to keep it out of bad company. r————————— Shooting Stars. BY PHILANDER JOHNSON. Dramatic Novelty. I'd like to go and see a show In which the villain tough ‘Was hissed and jeered as he appcared Smooth, but with morals rough. I long to find the virtuous mind Awarded honors high ‘While dull defeat waits on deceit And lovers cease to sigh. I'd like to hear a tale sincere Of Virtue glorified. But now they slam an epigram Across with sinful pride. I wish blank verse they would rehearse As in the days of yore— This “modern wit"—it makes no hit. I've heard it all before. Since wickedness in charm grows less And only can repeat The ancient scraps picked up from chaps With words more bold than neat, Why not return to plots that yearn Good manners to display? For decent speech alone can teach True novelty today! No Diversion. “You took your small sons to the Zoo.” “Yes,” answered Senator Sorghum. “By way of recreation?” “It didn't seem like that. Before they got through asking questions I felt as if I had landed somehow as the prin- cipal witness before an 1nvesugaling committee.” Jud Tunkins says he likes the idea of being self-sustaining, but the man who laughs at his own jokes overdoes it. “Great magnificence of attire,” said Hi Ho, the sage of Chinatown, “Is prompted by the vain hope that the vestments and jewels will be mistaken for the man himself.” Reward of Thrift. The best reward of Thrift, If you will heed it, Is giving folks a lift ‘Who really need it. Making a Distinction. “You advise a man to attend to his business?” “Certainly,” answered Mr. Dustin Stax. “Suppose he is making a business of stock speculation?” “That ism't attending to his business. That's trying to guess other people’s business.” Overwhelming Knowledge. The magazines still come to view ‘With grave opinions aptly told. If I thought all of them were true I'd know more than my head could hold. “In dese days,” said Uncle Eben, “when & joy-ride starts an ambulance jes' natchelly jines in as & part of de per- cession.” X WASHINGT A Soliloquy for Inauguration Day To the Editor of The Star: At dinner the other night some one asked: “Whom do you consider our greatest President to date?” ‘Washington was given first place by us for the reason that back in those uncharted days he made so many pro- nouncements that have stood the test of experience in such a way as to make his wisdom seem more than human in many cases. We can never minimize the need that existed in that time for such far, clear vision, but surely the world has never seen a day so fraught as today with need of wise leadership—spiritual vision that plerces far into the future and plans practically for a step by step ad- vance—brave enough to attempt the correction of errors wherever they may be found to exist, knowing there is no evasion of the fact that nothing is ever settled until it is settled right. As we look at recent pictures of the President we realize that he looks more, mature than he did four years ago. He will carry tremendous responsibilities for the next four years. May it be that he shall not be unduly aged by any unnecessary burden, opposition, compli- cation or sorrow. That he occupies a position than which there is none greater in the world should be a humbling thought to all of us. Theodore Roosevelt once said: “There is no position great enough to honor a man unless the man is great enough to honor the position.” I believe this to be true and that it is a helpful thought to people in all walks of life. Because the office of President of the United States has become so increasingly great for any one man to fill alone, it is evident that the greatness of our President is dependent upon the spiritual stature of the people he serves and with whom he works. Jesus never called His followers by a more meaningful name- than that of friends. It is well that our President has chosen this as his favorite and—as I like to feel—his natural way of ad- dressing us. May the years that lie ahead prove the vital reality of thls expressed friendship. Could our Nation envision and deter- mine to achieve a spiritual advance comparable to the material advance of the last 100 years, the whole world would be set forward unbelievably. Our wealth would be freed for constructive use—our material possessions might become uni- versal blessings. As every natural law that makes pos- sible our present electric light has been in the world since the dawn of crea- tion, just so truly every spiritual law necessary to the development of world brotherhood and peace on earth is here waiting for the seeing eye, the un- limited patience and the unyielding purpose of an Edison. Would to God that history of the fu- ture might record our President as the greatest to date. He has known the cheer of an almost unanimous vote and the gallant good wishes of his opponent. There is much in bipartisan politics that is a sore trial to a large per cent of our people, but if this form is best to insure liberty and freedom for all, may it always continue. Yet there are some of us who are middle-aged who have faith to believe we shall live to see the day when it will be conducted with more dignity and much more honor. Oh, that all the people might remember that peace is for men of good will! CORDIE SHORT LA RUE. Sportsmanship and Racial Prejudices To the Editor of The Star: The article “Jews’ Attack on Big Fight Grows,” by Eddie Brietz, appearing in the sports section of The Sunday Star, January 10, 1937, doubtless caused many a sportsman, irrespective of creed, color, race, or personal prejudice, to reflect upon the meaning of the term sports- manship. I dare say that most all of us who ponder the question will unanimously agree as to the real meaning of sports- manship. In deep feeling and honest thinking, uninfluenced by prejudice or other pressure, sportsmanship is com- mon to all of us. We are agreed that sportsmanship is the force that motivates a feeling of fair play. Further, I believe, we all agree that how far the individual will carry out his honest convictions of sportsmanship is dependent upon exter- nal pressure, usually prejudice. Where prejudice is absent, sportsmanship is manifest in its pure form. Where pre- judice is present, sportsmanship is dis- torted, deformed—even ugly to the dis- cerning spectator. Sportsmanship and prejudice are opposing factors, their ratio being of an inverse nature. The article referred to offers an excellent example of this. ‘The article pleads its case under the petticoat of democracy, American dem- ocracy; yet it admits of the attempt to destroy the interests of a single person, Max Schmeling. If this is sportsman- ship or democracy, I, for one, want no part of it. Yet I love both the spirit of sportsmanship and democracy. A critical analysis of the proposed fight shows that the participants are neither Jewish nor Nazi in politics or by profession. The fight is scheduled to be fought in neither Palestine nor Nazi- land, but in the United States. Further, American citizens, business and Govern- ment will be almost purely the only benefactors financially. American fight promoters, Jewish or Nazi or not, will get their cut. Braddock, a United States citizen, will get a big cut. New York business, probably largely Jewish, will get its cut. By the time city, State and Federal Governments and managers tap Schmeling’s coffers he will have precious little that Naziism could possibly get its hands on. Sportsmanship dominated Naziism during the recent Olympiad. Result was that despite anti-Nazi press activity in the United States not one Jewish par- ticipant was treated unlike other par- ticipants. This talk of boycotting the proposed Braddock-Schmeling fight is neither American nor sportsmanlike. Its origin and motives are obvious. America is noted the world over for its spirit of sportsmanship. Let us crystallize our sentiment against any clanism that attempts to give the world a distorted picture of that American sportsmanship! F. D. SUTTENFIELD. ————————— Young Thieves Playing Havoc in the District To the Editor of The Star: I wish to call your attention to the conditions which exist and are daily and hourly growing .worse in regard to the juvenile delinquency with its injustice on society and at the growing expense of the merchant. Being a member of the Washington Board of Trade and the Southeast Busi- ness Men's Association, I have attempted through these channels to curb this situation, but find that after the police round up these junior criminals they are immediately released by the Receiv- ing Home to again prey on new as well as their former victims. DAY, JANUARY 20, 1937. THIS AND THAT BY CHARLES E. TRACEWELL. Last year the fox sparrows did not arrive in the yard until early March, about a week before the bluebird. It is impossible to remember at this time which was the most excjting bird adventure, the advent of the scratching sparrow or the arrival of the bluebird. One of the finest things about bird watching is that every part of it, if one is really interested, is on a par with every other part. That first fox sparrow—what a pleas- ure its identification was! The sight of the first bluebird, a real bluebird, for the first time in a life— that, too, was something fine. And every other recognition of a new bird, one which the observer has never seen before, takes on an extreme im- portance, utterly unknown to all the very fine persons who, for one reason or another, have not yet come to this find indoor-outdoor recreation. * % % This January we have what we sus- pect is a fox sparrow, but it has remained so far back in the yard that it is im- possible to identify it. 1t is true it hops back and forth as it scratches in the leaves, and that ought to be identification enough, but somehow we doubt the proof. It may be some other bird, which is using this method of scratching for its dinner, much in the same way a hen utilizes her feet. There is lacking in this particular bird's efforts the somewhat comical effect achieved by the fox sparrow. ‘There is nothing to prove, however, that it is not one of these different SPAITOWS. For nothing is surer in bird watching than that there are exceptions. That is why it is unsafe to say “no” when some one announces that there is a robin staying in his garden this ‘Winter. While few robins Winter here, oc- casionally one of them does. Several reports have come to this desk during the past two Winters of robins remain- ing, usually in country districts, where there are plenty of barns. Yet we have never seen a robin here- abouts at this time of year. One must beware of confusing a young c:;‘dninnl male, born last Summer, with a robin. Although such a young male really looks nothing at all like a robin, with its rusty chest, it lacks the brilliant coloring of old cardinal males. Hence the newcomer to bird observa- tion, seeing one of these young fellows at some distance, may not realize just what it is and think he is seeing the bird he knows best, the American robin. The young cardinal male has a crest, but quite a small one in comparison with the one of the older birds. * K X X It is never good to be too positive in the sport of bird watching. Especially in such an unusual Winter as the present has been, with its varying days of cold and warmth. The recent spell of almost Spring-like temperatures led many a cardinal to sing its true Spring song. This song, which has been written as “cheer, cheer, cheer,” rather successfully, is seldom heard at this time of year in this climate. Yet that morning of the heavy rain which began at 7 o'clock a cardinal sat on a shrub at the rear of the yard aud poured forth this song as if it were April instead of mid-January. A pretty, happy song it is at any time 1t is heard, loud and clear, but possessing that indefinite quality, which belongs to all bird songs, of sweetness despite loud- ness. * k % % The birds will be holding their own parades today. They will fly from one feeding station to another in every neighborhood where people think in advance of their small feathered friends. One of the best feeding devices we have seen recently is a series of porch boxes. These have been used in lieu of a rail. Many homes do this. This long chain of boxes has been sprinkled with seeds and grains, and the birds have not been slow to find the food. The earth in the boxes makes a perfect floor for them. They seem to enjoy these boxes mightily and chirp and sing as they eat in them. Surely this is a happy thought, to utilize boxes which otherwise would be bare and useless during the cold months. Small pans of water could be sunk in one of the boxes, and another kept well pulverized, so that the small visitors might take dust baths, even in Winter. On the large bird reservations and sanctuaries, where shelters of boughs are built for them, steps are always taken to incorporate a supply of real dust, so that the songsters may have the benefit of this important aid to bird health. * x ¥ x Some one wants to know if we have ever seen bluejays on Friday. The old story down South, he says, is that on Fridays these handsome, bold birds fly away to take a lesson in deviltry from ‘the devil himself. This is an interesting legend, which shows how legends are built on observa- tion of animal characteristics, with efforts | to “explain” them. Every bird watcher knows the bluejay, with its beautiful colors and bold ways. ‘The jay has quite a reputation as a bad, bold fellow, yet every one who has watched it for any length of time comes to have a real admiration and even fondness for it. Its size enables it to bluff smaller birds, even fight cats more or less successfully. This accounts for its relationship, in legend, to the devil. The fact that it is believed to be in- visible every Friday is due to two facts, no doubt; the first, that Friday has an evil reputation; the second, that blue- jays, as a species, are not constant visi- tors to gardens at this time of year in this latitude. They are bold, piratical fellows. per- | fectly able to get their own dinners in the woods and fields, and usually only pay brief visits to gardens, even when | feeding stations are installed. Hence some bird observer who hap- | pened to look out on a Friday and saw | no jays concocted this legend, which has stuck, as such legends usually do. | Sure enough, you probably won't see any bluejays on Friday. see one on Monday, either! WASHINGTON OBSERVATIONS BY FREDERIC WILLIAM WILE. ‘When Franklin D. Roosevelt accepted his first nomination at Chicago in 1932, he intimated that his presidency would be marked by innovations—that prece- dents would be smashed and created in many directions. With no tradition has he broken more conspicuously than the | one which holds that the White House is a killing job and generally wrecks its occupant. F. D. R. enters upon his sec- ond term fully as fit as, if not fitter than, when he first took office. He tackles an- other cycle of the New Deal in the prime of physical vigor and intellectual power. Except for those tell-tale evidences of | wear and tear, which come to any man of his age in a post of grave responsibility —crowsfeet, thinning hair and the like— the President evinces few signs that executive burdens are exacting any spe- cial toll from him. In recent times he has shown a tendency to overweight, but is said to have shed 9 or 10 pounds of excess ballast since November. His billion-dollar smile, hearty laugh, res- onant voice and bubbling good nature persist. His buoyancy, optimism and self-confidence are unimj . Ex- ternally and spiritually, he radiates at every point strenuous well-being and contentment. A cast-iron worryproof temperament may be the fundamental explanation of the President’s triumph over the ravages of time. * X ¥ % In an autographed letter addressed to the foreign service and just published in its Journal, President Roosevelt re- cords that, among other things, the Na- tion in November O. K’d his conduct of our relations with the outside world. He writes: “The vote of confidence re- cently given the administration by the people of the United States is evidence of their approval of its foreign policy, particularly the efforts taken in the in- terest of world peace and the trade agreements program. I thank the for- eign service for the effective assistance it has given to the Secretary of State and to me in these matters.” * X ¥ * Only events will show whether the next phase of the New Deal is to find the President steering right or left. Unless his inaugural address sheds definite light on the subjéct, opinion as to his future direction will remain a matter of divided speculation. The White House attitude toward legislation designed to clip the wings of the Supreme Court should pro- vide the earliest indication of policy trend. Having received colossal vindi- cation at the polls, the President would be justified, many supporters insist, in hewing precisely to the line hitherto pursued. Others argue that having accompllshed major objectives, except in labor relations, it would be logical for the President to content himself with achieved gains rather than embarking police rounded up a large group of col- ored juveniles after I reported the jim- mying of a window in my place of busi- ness and the subsequent theft of an air compressor, spray gun, clothes, etc. Seven of these youths boastingly admit- ted. the housebreaking and theft and were turned over to the Receiving Home, then immediately released in the custody of their parents, who rarely know their ‘whereabouts or activities. Today they are members of a gang composed of well-matured youths and adults numbering in excess of 20 or 30. Their activities are growing bolder daily and they can be seen carrying their loot of various stealings, pilferage and re- cently hold-ups. Shall we, the people, let this un- Jjustifiable intrigue and band of thieves conflnulummulmmuchdlyu’. upon new fields of conquest. His recent utterances disclosed Mr. Roosevelt in moderate mood, compared to “intrenched greed,” “economic royalists,” “princes of privilege” and similar thrusts of earlier times. There’s little or no talk nowadays of Roosevelt dictatorship. His new primary interest is believed by many to have become service in the cause of world peace and democracy. To those twin ideals the unchallengeable master of the New Deal is widely expected henceforth ardently to devote himself. As one diagnostician puts it, he spent the last | four vears in organizing recovery, and from now on will concentrate on assur- | ing himself a place in history. * kX X ‘There’s only one woman United States Senator, but there are now no fewer than 21 members of the Senate who have | woman secretaries, an all-time high. Dean of the senatorial co-eds is Miss Cora Rubin. Senator Borah's efficient chief of staff. Few people in Washing- ton have a keener knowledge of Uncle Sam’s external affairs than Miss Rubin, who was clerk of the Foreign Relations Committee under the Borah chairman- ship. Senatorial secretaries are towers of strength to their bosses. They not only require to know the ropes at both ends of Pennsylvania avenue, but to keep in closest touch with constituents and conditions back home. Woman adjutants | of Senators prove to be the full equals of their male colleagues in all these directions. They are especially adept in the role of buffers. * X X X It's a long way off, but Republicans | continue to cogitate over their 1940 for- | tunes and who is to lead them out of the wilderness. The very latest to be honorably mentioned in this long-range connection is Thomas E. Dewey, New York City’s vigorous special prosecutor, who has just embarked upon a fresh crusade to stamp out rackets. He is establishing the same kind of reputation that proved to be the stepping stone for Charles Evans Hughes’ rise to the gov- ernorship at Albany and later to high national honors. Dewey is young, force- ful, ambitious and politically talented. His friends are convinced he’s going places. * % kX Senator Robert R. Reynolds, Democrat, of North Carolina has joined the grand army of newspaper columnists. He is producing for a sizable group of Tarheel weeklies a bright and breezy piece en- titled “In Washington.” Writing is not a new pastime for the first citizen of Asheville. He was an editor of the University of North Carolina weekly in college days at Chapel Hill and is the author of two travel books, “Wanderlust” and “Gypsy Trails.” * k x ¥ Sir Otto Niemeyer, a director of the Bank of England, who is shortly ex- pected in Washington, is one of Europe’s outstanding international financiers. He has been associated with the Old Lady of Threadneedle Street since 1927, be- sides being a director of the National Bank of Egypt, the Credit Anstalt of Vienna® and the Banque des Pays de I'Europe at Paris. Sir Otto is also a factor in the armaments industry as a member of the board of Vickers-Arm- strong, Ltd. For many years he was the leading spirit in the Financial Commit- tee of the League of Nations. His alma mater is Balliol College, Oxford, famed incubator of British prime ministers. * KX X It was remarked at the Capitol today that it's just about 20 years ago that the Democrat who beat Charles Evans Hughes for the presidency was also be- ing inaugurated for a second term. One of the young men who helped Woodrow Wilson win re-election in 1916 was a member of his little cabinet, an Assistant And you may not | ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS BY FREDERIC J. HASKIN. A reader can get the answer to any question of fact by writing The Evening Ster Information Bureau, Frederic J. Haskin, Director, Washington, D. C. Please inclose stamp for reply. Q. How many people of 60 years or more are there in the United States? —C.D. 8. A. In 1930 the census showed 10,385,026. The number is somewhat higher at present. Q. What proportion of Christmas sav- ings is actually spent for Christmas gifts? —H. L. A. Nation's Business says that studies of the subject indicate that about 42 per cent is used for Christmas purchases, 25 per cent goes into permanent savings, 12 per cent into tax payments and 8 per cent into year-end commitments. The remainder is not accounted for. In 1936 there were about 7,500,000 Christ- mas savings accounts amounting to & total of $355,000,000. Q. What are the names of the leading companies interested in television?— W. H. A. They are the Radio Corp. of Amer- ica, Farnsworth Television, Inc., and Philco Radio & Television Co. Q. How many members, and for what term, has Nebraska’s unicameral Legis- lature?—E. T. A. The State constitutional amend- ment in Nebraska which provided for the unicameral Legislature stated that there should be not more than 50, nor less than 30, members. The amount allowed for salaries was $37,500. This was to be divided among the members. The number of members has been fixed at 43, so that the salary is about $872 a year for each member. The members are elected on a non-partisan ballot for two-year terms. A roll call may be held on the demand of any one member. Q. How much prize money and how many scholarships were awarded in the Fisher Body coach contest last year? —E. M. A. In 1936 prizes totaling $50,000 were awarded by the Fisher Body Craftsman's Guild. In addition to the four $5,000 | scholarships, there were 802 State and national awards and 18 all-expense trips | to the guild convention. Q. What proportion of adults have syphilis?—E. G. A. According to a statement of Gen. Thomas Parran of the United States | Public Health Service, one adult in 10 is infected by syphilis at some time dur- ing his or her lifetime. Q. Is Fort Belvedere, the country resi- | dence of former King Edward VIII, his private property?—J. E. A. This is crown property and was relinquished upon abdication. Q. Please give some information about the Ringling Art Museum.—H. G. A. The John and Mabel Ringling Art Museum, at Sarasota, Fla., was dedicated October 2, 1931. The beautiful building includes the north wing with nine gal- leries devoted to paintings of the Italian, Dutch and other European schools. The left wing is devoted to French rooms and an eighteenth century gallery. There is also an early American hall and other galleries devoted to English seventeenth and eighteenth century painting and a rare collection of Spanish masterpieces. The large auditorium has a stage with moving picture equipment. Q. Are any Americans included among the writers whose works will be printed by fi:; Soviet State Publishing House? A. Theodore Dreiser and Sinclair Lewis are among the American writers whose | works are included in this project. | Q. How many dogs are there in this country?—W. J. A. An unofficial census estimates the total of American dogs as approximately 15,000,000. Q. What are the United States Food and Drug Administration specifications | for mayonnaise?—W. W. A. Mayonnaise must contain not less \ than 50 per cent of edible vegetable oil and enough egg yolk to make the sum of the percentages of oil and egg yolk not less than 78 per cent. Q. Please give some information about Nan Wood Honeyman, new congressional Representative from Oregon.—H. J. A. Nan Wood Honeyman of Portland, Oreg., was born at West Point, N. Y., July 15, 1881. Educated in the Portland schools, she was graduated from St. | Helen's Hall, later attending the Finch | School, New York, and studying music under Edward MacDowell. In 1907 she | married David Tayvlor Honeyman, sec- retary-treasurer of the Honeyman Hard- ware Co. They have three children. Mrs. Honeyman was elected Representative | to the Oregon State Legislature in 1934 | and alternate to the Democratic National | Convention in 1936. Q. How many copies of “Anthony Ad- verse” have been sold?—H. W. | _A. The novel has had a total sale of 750,000 to date. Q. Please give Arthur Brisbane’s defi- nition of good advertising—H. G. A. Mr. Brisbane’s analysis of effective | advertising was: .“It must be seen. It must be read. It must be understood. It must be believed. It must gause the reader to want the thing advertised.” Q. What is meant by finmare?—R. B. A. It is a word coined from Societa Finanziaria Marettima, the name of the holding company of the Italian merchant marine. A Rhyme at Twilight B Gertrude Brooke Hamilton Manna. As T rested under an old fir trec ‘The scales of a pine cone fell down on me. Stealthily moving a space to look I espied, high up in a spicy nook, A red squirrel using his teeth to peel The conical fruit for his evening meal. Very still I kept, to watch out his game; And, %resenuy, straight down the trunk e came Bushy tail aloft, o'er the snow he leapt And into a hole in a stump he crept ... As the night closed down on the wood L and me I fancied how cosy that hole must be! Secretary of the Navy named Franklin D. Roosevelt, to whom this noon, far the second time, Chief Justice Hughes administered the presidential ocath. (Coprright, 1037