Evening Star Newspaper, April 10, 1937, Page 8

THE EVENING STAR With Sunday Morning Edition. WASHINGTON, D. C. SATURDAY __ April 16, 1937 “The Evening Star Newspaper Company. 11th St. and Pennsylvania Ave. New York Office: 110 East 42nd St. Chicago Cffice: 435 North Michizan Ave. Rate by Carrier—-City and Suburban, Regutar Edition. The Bvening and Sunday Star 2 AN Ser month or 15¢ per week ‘The Xvening Star 10c per week The Sunday Star -bc per copy Night Final Edition, Night Final and Sunday Star—.._70c per month Night Final Star. ~56¢ per month Collection made at the e; each month or ench week. Orders may be sent by mail or tele- phone National 5000 Rate by Mail—Payable in Advance. Maryland and Virginia. Dally and Sund: 1 yr. $10.00; 1 mo. 85c Daily only 1 yrl "$6.00i 1 mo., 50c Sunday only_ 1 yr., $400; 1 mo. 40c All Other States and Canada, Sunday. 1 yr, $12.00; 1 mo.. $1.00 $8.00; 1 mo., 7be $6.00; 1 mo., 50c Daily an, Daily only_. & il iyr Bunday only. 1 Member of the Associated Press. ‘The Associated Press is exclusively entitled to the use for republication of all news dispatches credited o it or not otherwise credited in this paper and also the local news published herein, All righis of publication of special dispatches herein are also reserved, e s, Beneficial Clarification. Representative Collins of Mississippi has clarified, with distinct benefit to the community, his position on the tax bills he has introduced. Taken together, the yield of these measures has been esti- mated as high as $12,000,000—which is about twice the amount of the possible deficit in 1938, computed on the provi- sions of the appropriation bill as it passed the House. Mr. Collins does not intend, he has explained, that all of the bills be enacted. With others, he believes they should be studied thoroughly and only those selected which would produce the revenues actually needed to balance ihe local budget. That is an eminently reasonable posi- tion. No one can defend excessive taxa= tion, and the enactment of all the rev- eoue bills would mean exorbitant and excessive iaxation, with punitive and harsh effects on the people of the Dis- triot. As Mr. Collins will doubtless be asked by the District Committee to give nis views in the forthcoming hearings, as author of the tax bills, his statement 1s of helpful significance. In line with his views and the views of others on the District Committee who have taken the same position, the task of the House District Committee becomes one of careful selection of the bills designed to raise the needed revenue while most equitably distributing the new burdens. This will depend, in turn, upon a careful analysis of each of the bills in the examination not only of proposed rates but of taxation principles involved. In proposing substitute taxa- tion for existing forms of taxation, care must be taken to prevent the change Irom representing a leap from the fry- ing pan into the fire by merely substitut- ing a greater and more inequitable tax nuisance for the one now existing. Thus, coupled with the consideration of the proposed increase in the gas tax is the kindred subject of diverting the proceeds of this special tax on motorists into the general tax fund. And in considera- tion of the income tax as a substitute for the tax on intangibles, the difficul- tiee of administering such a tax in the District—because of conditions peculiar io the District—must be studied along with the threatened evils of double taxa- tion, duplicate taxation and the curious discriminations which the bill would inflict. ————— Even the Japanese cherry blossoms eannot efface memories of Chaucer’s tribute to Spring as the time for men to “go on pilgrimage.” The cherry blos- soms mark a time for pilgrimage and the Japanese have excellent poets, some of whom may rise to the occasion even to the extent of promising an Oriental Chaucer who can find & theme in the ‘Western Hemisphere. ———— Dairy farmers who took notice of the Hershey strike called attention to the fact that delegated authority cannot prevent an economic disturbance from becoming everybody’s business if it goes too far. e e e Ball Foundation. There is nothing unusual about George A. Ball's decision to employ his wealth for religious, educational and charitable purposes. In America, if not elsewhere in the world, such philanthropies are the rule. I would be difficult to cite a single contradiction. Vast fortunes al- most invariably are accumulated only 1o be devoted to public benefit. Mr. Ball gives ten million dollars. But that is, relatively, a small sum as com- pared with the estimated total of private endowment of the common good in any average year. In 1936 approximately 2 hundred millions were distributed in the six cities of New York, Chicago, Philadelphia, Boston, Baltimore and ‘Washington—all for the promotion of definite social advantage. The donors in’each instance reflected the attitude which Benjamin Franklin summarized in his will when he said: “I wish to be useful even after my death.” Something fundamental in civilization 1s involved in the desire of individuals io help the race constructively. The instinct traces back to the dawn of history. Men and women fortunate in the possession of material riches always have shared with others not so cir- cumstanced. The democratic philosophy of modern times originated in the prin- ciple of fellowship, and philanthropic enterprise has been one of the noblest fruits of the doctrine in’ practical ap- plication. It is impossible to appraise with comprehensive accuracy the con- tributions which George Peabody, An- drew Carnegie, John D. Rockefeller, Henry E. Huntington, Frank Munsey, Payne Whitney, James B. Duke, Julius Rosenwald, Milton Hershey, Augustus D® Juilliard, Cyrus H. K. Curtis, Edwin W. Bok, George Eastman, Mrs. Russell Sage, Mrs. Stephen V. Harkness and Mrs, E. H. Harriman have mad% to human progress and happiness. Foundations like those which bear the names of Brookings, Mil- bank, Guggenheim and Phelps-Stokes have capitalized advances which have been of immense significance to the Nation and its citizens. In the Federal City alone there are the Smithsonian Institution, the Folger Shakespeare Library, the Corcoran, Freer and Phillips galleries, to which soon will be added that of Andrew W. Mellon, and numerous other establish- ments created by private sponsors for public benefit. The Library of Congress has several “chairs” and supplementary funds given by generous friends who appreciate the need for money not ap- propriated by Congress. Similarly, the late Julius Garfinckel devoted his estate to the Young Women'’s Christian Asso- ciation; Canon Walden Myer and his sister left their home to the chapter of Washington Cathedral; Dr. de Oliveira Lima and Monsignor Arthur Connolly gave their collections of Portuguese, Irish, Canadian and American books to the Catholic University, and Mrs. Clem- entine Farr Duff, a kindly soul who lived and died totally unnoticed by even near neighbors, remembered seventy-three different organizations and individuals in a testamentary declaration of more than sixty pages of text. The list of examples of such socializa- tion is endless. Mr. Ball joins it with infinite credit to himself, his country and all classes and conditions of its population. e Olive Branch in India. British rule in India is a mingled record of sternness and concession. Once again conciliation is to be in- voked, this time to break down opposi- tion to the new constitution, which went into effect April 1. Rejecting the Magna Charta voted by Parliament in the hope of measurably gratifying India’s long- ing for independence, the Congress party, representing the native groups which demand complete liberation from the yoke of the Raj, decided to boycott the constitution. As a first step, the Na- tionalists declined cabinet office in the six provinces to which their recent elec- tion victories entitle them. Pandit Nehru, Congress leader, acting in co- operation with Mahatma Gandhi, then proclaimed that the party would not accept the constitution until provincial governors openly pledge themselves in advance not to exercise the power of veto over cabinet decisions. In support of this program, the Nationalists pro- posed resumption of the Gandhi civil disobedience policy, accompanied by threats of a nation-wide general strike. Realizing that a decade’s patient effort to pacify India through bestowal of dominion status can be utterly wrecked by the intransigent attitude of the Nehru-Gandhi cohorts, Britain is mov- ing promptly to propitiate them. Point- ing out that under the act establish- ing the constitution it is impossible for provincial governors, as representatives of the crown, to renounce the veto right, the British government suggests that the Nationalists are laboring under *“mis- understandings” which lend themselves to discussion. It is, therefore, intimated at London that the Marquess of Lin- lithgow, viceroy of India, would be happy to meet Messrs. Nehru and Gandhi for frank and friendly conference regarding differences which have arisen. As set forth in Parliament by the Marquess of Lothian, who played a prominent part in framing the constitution, it is felt that “the human touch” of personal contact might do more to effect an ad- Justment of views than legalistic postures or long-range controversy between Downing Street and Delhi. ‘Whether this olive branch will appeal to the Nationalists is problematical. They are in militant and unyielding mood. They definitely bar any initiative on their own part and await formal overtures from the British. The latter naturally shrink from moves which might savor too much of readiness to meet the Congress party’s demands, The tensity of the situation is refiected by Mr. Nehru's taunt that the constitution is “essentially of Fascist type,” despite its “democratic veil.” He insists that “we must fight the Government of India Act,” and boasts that “we shall put an end to it.” Unless this supreme en- deavor to create a contented India with- in the framework of the empire is to collapse like all previous ventures, John Bull plainly has need to draw heavily on his traditional genius for compromise, ———————— Twenty years makes a difference in the appearance of men and also in their opinions. President Wilson photographed with the genial Secretary Daniels and the rhetorically gifted Secretary Baker recall three well-meaning figures in fame who conscientiously meant to keep us out of war and were prevented by circumstances from doing so. Their biog- raphies are well worth studying. e “Camouflage,” “Liberty Cabbage” and other new terms came into existence during the World War. “War Tax” is one of the phrases that persist vividly in usage to this very day. Albert Bigelow Paine. The passing of Albert Bigelow Paine will stir a sigh of regret in the hearts of a numerous company of his country- men. His Boswellian services to Mark Twain, of course, insure his immortality; but it would be a mistake not to recog- nize the fact that he was himself a sub- stantial and eminently deserving literary figure. Perhaps, indeed, his fame would have been brighter had he employed his genius with less generous regard for his friend. His biographies of Thomas Nast and George F. Baker, his studies of Joan of Are, his travel books, his novels and even his children’s stories demonstrated his creative as well as his interpretative power. Self-taught all his life, he was a picture-minded personality—the world to him was graphic, and it was his pleas- ure through all of halt a century of steady labor to call attention to its beauty and romance. Mr. Paine began with the advaatage 3 ( THE EVENING STAR, WASHINGTON, D. C. SATURDAY, APRIL 10, 1937. of being typically American. Born at New Bedford, he was as characteristical~ Iy native as the verdant hills of Massa- chusetis and the sunny plains of Kansas. The patterns of his art were those of the domestic tradition. He valued the land and the people to which he be- longed, and their destiny was something with which he felt himself definitely concerned. Sensitive of spirit, he culti- vated a conscience, was democratic by choice, yet self-respecting by election. His style was as clear as it was unpre- tending. And the subject material he preferred never stood in need of apology. In tribute to his memory a final word must be added. Mr. Paine was gentle toward other authors. It happened that he knew the difficulties which writing men and women all too frequently en- counter, and it was instinctive in him to wish to be helpful to them in the solu- tion of their problems. His younger professional contemporaries especially are obligated to him for encouragement and sympathy never withheld, under- standing never denied. With such as these it will be & duty to keep his mem- ory green. ————— A threat to film a book deriding the Supreme Court in a manner of slap- stick familiarity may call for a decision by the highly responsible Will Hays. The contest of scholarship has been such that the public may be interested in hearing from the Dean of the Motion Picture Academy of Arts and Sciences. e — There is a theory that golf affects American life seriously, leaving two rooms and a kitchenette all that is necessary for a home and transforming the wide open spaces into landscaped sites for tees and bunkers, ——— When Postmaster General Farley, whose records affecting patronage are contemplated with g much respect, says something is “in the bag,” it should not be assumed off-hand that he means the mail bag. e Arizona has had its native sports in which a fight between a centipede and a tarantula was staged. Senator Ashurst will hardly succeed in inciting witnesses before the Senate Judiciary Committee to such implacable terms, ————— If “Mr. Dooley” were still available for interview, the Republican result in Michigan might prompt inquiry as to how far into details the Supreme Court can go in following the election returns. ——— Scientific forestry finds that radio dispenses with the need of managing timber in such a manner as to provide pedestals for a multitude of stump speakers. —— e Human nature has hitherto been a hindrance to gambling reform. No matter how crooked a game may be there are always persons ready to evade the police in order to play it. Shooting Stars. BY PHILANDER JOHNSON. Mr. Book Agent. My dear Mr. Book Agent, as you present New works for my mental improve- ment, I wish in your kindness that you would consent To a new intellectual movement. You've handed us Shakespeare in gen- erous style And others with genius prodigious ‘Who gently draw near with a tear or a smile Or perhaps with reminders religious. As your subjects you choose from the turbulent news While we're striving to live and to learn, oh, More sweet Pollyanna I wish you could choose, 5 And not so much Dante’s Inferno. Subtle Compulsion. “Do you take orders from any one?” “I like to keep up a show of antago- nism,” answered Senator Sorghum. “But what am I to do when & leader comes along who announces my own honest convictions before I have had time to express them?” “There need be no war,” said Hi Ho, the sage of Chinatown, “if genius can succeed in providing men with work as easily as it makes plans to call them to battle.” It Always Comes to This. ‘When politicians gather ’round With flow'rs or battle axes The question usually found Is “how about the taxes?” In music, literature and art Our interest relaxes. The matter closest to each heart Is how about the taxes? “Why do the neighbors refer io you as the bivalve family?” “I can guess,” answered Mr. Meekton. “I'm supposed to be dumb as an oyster and Henrietta wears a clam-shell hat.” Discordance. “What do you think of the professor’s idea that we ought to regard beer merely another kind of soda water?” asked the traveling salesman. 4 “It can’t be done,” answered Cactus Joe. “I never in my life met a man who could enjoy a pretzel with soda water.” As Civilization Marches On. As evolution goes its way We rise in Nature’s scale each day. None could foretell what life would be That first came crawling from the sea. Although the prospect seems a bore, ‘We've got to evolute some more, And so we pause and shed a tear And ask “Where do we go from here?” “De sluggard went to de ant,” said Uncle Eben, “and decided dat any ani- mal is foolish to work so hard an’ be 50 unffmforhble." Supreme Court CannotCure Economic and Social Ills To the Editor of The Star: For some weeks I have been reading in The Star articles by contributors con- cerning the legislation proposed by the President of the United States with reference to the Supreme Court. I have also listened to many speeches by Con- gressmen, Senators and others per- taining to this proposed legislation. I have read and listened with profeund interest to see if perchance some one might go to the root of the whole mat- ter, uncover the real cause of world un- rest and propose the true remedy, but I am still waiting for the denouement, The President’s proposal to secure from Congress legislation enabling him to stuff the Supreme Court in order to secure decisions by that honorable body in harmony with his own views and thus validate New Deal legislation which the court has rejected should be re- sisted by every member of Congress and every Senator regardless of party affilia- tion or possible political consequences to himself. The step proposed by the Presi- dent is one which will inevitably weaken respect for law and the courts and lead to strikes and mob violence which can only be held in check by martial law. The trouble in the social and industrial order of our day was not caused by the Supreme Court or the Constitution, and cannot be remedied by exercising po- litical control over the judiciary. The cause of the unrest in which class consciousness and class antagonisms are engendered lies deep down in funda- mental economic law and cannot be cured by any means except the discovery of the cause and its removal. Economic freédom can only be real- ized under certain definite fundamental conditions. These conditions are fully attained when every one has free ac- cess to air, sunlight and land, for these three things are necessary to sustain life. If deprived of any of these things man either sickens and dies or he be- comes a slave to a master. From their very nature air and sunlight cannot be monopolized and are, consequently, freely accessible to all, but land can be and is monopolized by being recognized legally as private property. ‘The remedy, therefore, for all our eco- nomic troubles can be secured by free- ing the land, which can easily be done by simply reforming our system of taxa- tion. The communal value of land, or the value created by population, is a capital investment belonging to all the people and the interest on this invest- ment can be collected periodically. This constitutes the only legitimate and scientific source of public revenue gnd is adequate for all necessary expendi- tures. Taxation on private property— that is, on those things that are pro- duced by labor, is not justified in ethics, since the product of labor rightfully be- longs to individual man. HENRY LINCOLN PECKHAM. Government Surrenders To the Sit-Down Strikers To the Editor of The Star: After all is said and done the sit-down strikes are a challenge to the laws of the land and to the authority of gov- ernment, and so far government has sur- rendered, and in place of orderly and authoritative government we are faced with anarchy and mob rule. The sole and paramount issue is not the questions in controversy between the strikers and their employers. These have faded out of the picture in face of the menacing principles involved in the law- less activities of the strikers, The ques- tion now is whether or not our country shall be ruled by irresponsible mobs, or under the laws of the land, upheld and enforced by responsible governments. These are matters that canont be com- promised or temporized with, because if they are government is likely to be over- thrown, and if those in control of the government are too cowardly or the gov- ernment is too weak to assert its su- premacy and authority, such government deserves to be supplanted, and dictator- ship is preferable to no government at all. Can any one doubt that when the first sit-down strike occurred in Detroit had Governor Murphy issued a ringing declaration that he was not concerned with the issues between the strikers and their employers, but under orderly condi- tions would do what he could to see that Justice was done, he nevertheless, would, under his oath of office and manifest duty, enforce the laws of the State and the decrees of the courts against the lawless acts of the strikers with every resource at his command, even to call- ing upon the President, if need be, for the assistance of the United States Army, that these strikers would not have evacuated the plamts peacefully and submitted their grievances to an im- partial board for consideration and de- cision, with the results that these sit- down strikes would not now be “spread- ing over the country like a prarie fire, doing incalculable damage to the eco- nomic life of the Nation, demoralizing the social order and undermining the laws and the authority of government itself. ALEXANDER SIDNEY LANIER, —————— Dangerous Trend Toward Centralized Government To the Editor of The Star: The current and recent developments in national politics have undoubtedly attracted the attention of hitherto in- different Americans. But what should be of major concern is the dangerous, hasty and highly questionable trend toward centralization of government activities and influence. This consid- eration from the pen of an administra- tion supporter is neither contradictory nor groundless. From a brief study of twentieth century European history, and even in view of political tendencies in this country within the last ten years, a cautious observer will discern a definite and lurking menace. Docility on our part is not too puerile for us to practice, by any means, The repressive and intrinsically destructive centralization of an exaggerated nation- alism across the Atlantic ought to warn us agamnst its intrusion here. That the loss of basic personal liberties is not unlikely to follow, where consent readily yields to servile compliance, next to a cowering collectivism, and finally to a dictatorial compulsion, should keep us alert whenever additional power is sought by one party or authority. The States have already ceded too many of their chartered powers and duties to a seemingly all-provident Washington, Prodigal Federal bounties have engen- dered a general feeling of lazy reliance and dependence. “Passing the buck” from local to State unit, and from State to Federal obviously cannot continue for- ever. True, we enjoy a passing respite while this “reorganization” progresses, but the crux of the matter is that Amer- ica is not infallible in the long run, unless our united vigilance wards off any undemocratic encroachments. Powers conferred may be penalties deferred. JOHN J. PHILIPSEN. —————— Farmers in the Shade. From the Milwaukee Sentinel. Senator Norris thinks the time has come when farmers should have a place in the sun. If we were farming, we'd want, 8 place in the shade. 4 THIS AND THAT BY CHARLES E. TRACEWELL. Even people who ordinarily are not interested in the weather pay some at- tention to it at this time of year, for wet and dry, their alternation, and espe- clally the rains, are reslly what make Spring. That fine rain, following on what had been an unusually dry season, lured many & person to speak of the weather. It is impossible to garden, even in the most amateur way, without paying some attention to meteorological conditions. ‘The owner of one shrub, or a few rose bushes, comes in time to look skyward, especially to see if the hoped-for rain is on the way. Not only is the use of the garden hose a nuisance this early in Spring, but it means that budding shrubs, trees and flowers, to say nothing of the grass, will not be getting the right conditions for their best growth. Most of them will pull through, of course, with or without benefit of natural precipitation, for Nature has, given them a wide tolerance to inimical conditions, but it probably is true that water from the clouds is much better water for them than that from the faucet. Those who have watched growing things for years know perfectly well that there is a difference. Just what is lacking in reservoir water Is something for chemists to fight over., To most gardeners there will be little doult that something is lacking, as far as best plant growth is concerned. The fact that few persons are willing, In using the garden hose, to put on as much water as Nature would, even in a brief rain, undoubtedly has a part to play in this lack. It is by no means all, however; certain chemical make-up or the lack thereof, in hydrant water seems a sure fact to many. * ok ok ok Hence it may be taken for granied, quietly without argument, that no amount of sprinkling with the hose will do growing things as much good as a half hour’s good rain. In & fundamentally dry Spring, when the earth has become powder dry and quite cracked in spots, there is nothing to cheer it and the heart of the gar- dener like a complete rain—one which drips merrily off eaves and runs in little rivulets down the gutters. The gardener is rather fussy about his rains. He demands that they be com- plete, but not drenching, especially at this time of year. He does not want his precious grass seed washed out before it has had time to germinate. Once the leaflets, tiny and green, push their way above the soil, they can stand a great deal of washing. On all except the steepest terraces these baby grass plants will hold fheir own. Grass seed, on the other hand, is light as a feather. It is eaten by birds and easily blown away by winds. Even when planted properly a heavy washing rain takes heavy toll of it, especially on ter- races and lesser slopes. The gardener wakes in the night and wonders if the rain is harming his grass seed. Every bustling sound of the wind he takes for increased vigor of rainfall and shrinks to think of what his newly seeded patches will resemble next morn- ing. He cannot walt for it to get light, but must strain his eyes out the window in the dark, hoping to see the extent of the damage in the night. * ok ok ok ‘What relief it is, with light, to note no harm was done at all! Garden worries often are so. Perhaps 1t is true in regard to them, and as with many of life’s troubles, “most of them never happened!” Garden worries are little worries, after all. They are the result of extra activi- ties which most amateurs, at least, need never have known about. If they do happen they still are not worth worrying about, but who is there interested in this phase of life who has not seen persons too concerned over the fate of their roses? Not that roses are not worth worrying over. ‘They are, one may be convinced, but not by the average amateur grower, There is a real and proper difference. The amateur who wants true happiness in his garden might as well make up his mind to this, if he lives hereabouts, Let him have roses and let him love them, but let him refuse to worry over them if they do not always live up to his expectations. More plain garden grumbling comes about because of roses than because of any other dozen plants put together, * ok ok ok Don't be a garden grumbler! Tt isn’t necessary. As long as there is soil and sun and water, there always will be plenty of growth to cover up one’s natural mis- takes. This is the happy way to look at things. Since gardens are for happiness, or at least ought to be, it is plain horti- cultural common sense to look on the sunny side of the picture. If the climbing rose which is supposed to bloom “all season long” only throws one good blooming and half a good one, do not be really disappointed. If the gladiolus bulbs get the thrips and you do not want to bother with control methods, let the experts worry along with them. Grow something else. As beautiful as the gladiolus is, and as worthy of all effort, do not let it spoil your Summer. Nature is large. She contains multi- tudes, as the poet said (of himself). Success and failure in the plant world does not carry the same rewards and penalties as in the man world. In Nature a failure is just a failure. In our man-made world a failure is something to grumble over and wrangle about tor days on end. Tt was your fault— No, it was your fault— I told you not to prune those bushes back so much— ‘What is the matter with my peonies? The buds are frozen, sort of, and won't open—— It must be those pesky little ants—— Why don’t you do something else— Grumble gardens are not worth the time and energy, to say nothing of the mceney spent in them. Don’t grumble in your yard. Spring- time is against it and common sense is against it. Smile, gardener, smile! STARS, MEN AND ATOMS Notebook of Science Progress in Field, Laboratory and Study. BY THOMAS R. HENRY. A new disease with a very high death rate, almost indistinguishable from tuber- culosis in its manifestations, is reported by the Public Health Service. This malady is coccidoidal granuloma, caused by a fungus in the soil whose spores are breathed into the lungs. There is also evidence that a person may be infected through the skin as the result of a cut or scratch. Up to the present, the disease has been almost localized in five counties in California where the fungus has obtained a foothold in the soil. ‘The first case was reported from Buenos Aires in 1892 and two years later an apparent but anomalous death from tuberculosis was reported from California. Since then, the Public Health Service reports, there have been 450 cases, with 224 deaths in that State. More than 300 of these cases were from the five coun- ties. The chief victims are outdoor laborers who come in close contact with the soil. No transmission from man to man, or from animal to man, ever has been observed. The fungus may attack any tissue of the body, but has about the same order of preference as the tubercle bacillus— lungs, bones, nervous system and skin. The great majority of the victims to date have been men over 25 years of age. All races are affected, but during the past five years the number of Fili- pinos attacked by it has doubled. At present, the Public Health Service report points out, coccidoidal granuloma hardly offers a health problem for the public at large and the report is in the nature of a warning of the presence of a new and deadly malady in the country. * ok k% In & rock-strewn, closely-grazed goat pasture in Northern Turkey three years ago H. L. Westover, plant explorer of the Department of Agriculture, found a new kind of alfalfa—a form which crept like a vine along the ground instead of growing upright. He obtained a single root. The pasture was far too closely grazed to hope to obtain any seed. This creeping alfalfa now has been successfully propagated by forage crop specialists, who obtained nearly 3,000 plants from the single root. Tested in the arid, almost barren Nebraska sand- hills, this alfalfa developed a strong root system for binding the soil and greatly increased the amount of pasturage. It is a poor seed producer and never grows high enough for mowing. * ok Rk Vaccination or inoculation of planis with mild forms of virus diseases to pre- vent dangerous infections with severe forms may become an important factor in agriculture. Until recently it was believed that the only hope for immunity or resistance to disease in plants was through the exist- ence of inherited characters which would be emphasized by breeding. Re- cently, Dr. James Johnson of the Bureau of Plant Industry of the Department of Agriculture has announced that toba.co plants recovering from tobacco streak, a common plant virus disease, acquire a considerable degree of immunity against new infection. The recovered plants, however, remain carriers of the infection to healthy plants. This offers the possibilities that plants grown from root stocks, such as potatoes, or from cuttings may be protected by immunization of the planting stock. * ok Kk Just around the corner is the “age of glass.” Such is the prediction of Dr. A. F. Greaves-Miller, professor of engineer- ing at the University of North Carolina, in & report just made public by the American Chemical Society. “We have records of a stone age and - an iron age,” says Prof. Greaves-Miller. “Why should we marvel at the fact that we will, in my opinion, very definitely enter the glass age in the next 10 years. We are much better equipped for def- inite entrance into this age than our ancestors were for entrance into the stone or iron age. “The new tunnel under the Hudson River is to be lined with glass, indicating the increased use of this material in huge construction projects, and glass will be employed on an unprecedented scale in the buildings to be erected for the New York World’s Fair in 1939. There was a time when glass was used only for windows and ornamental purposes and the saying, ‘as fragile as glass,” was a household phrase. ‘As strong as steel’ was used to emphasize durability. Now the slogan ‘as strong as glass’ might well be used instead.” —— Bad Manners of Autograph Seekers at the Eddy Concert To the Editor of The Star It seems to me a pity that the enthus- fasm (if that's the word) of American Youth makes it necessary to enclose our greatest artists with a high board fence to keep them from suffering loss of life or limb, but that seems to be exactly the case. ‘When young ladies who are supposed to have the best social background, and have reached the age of accountability, are so foolish as to pounce on a singer as they did at the close of Nelson Eddy's concert it is thoroughly disgusting. If those same young ladies would only stop to think what their reaction would be toward a young man who made himself a public nuisance, perhaps they would realize what others think of them. The solution for all this wailing and gnashing of teeth may be in establishing one month out of each year for stars of the various professions to do nothing but autograph programs, or iittle boys’ pants, and refuse to touch a pencil the other* eleven months of the year. In the meantime some one should start, & movement to get the parents of the Nation to instill into the hearts and minds of their young a little of the old- fashioned self-respect. ‘WILMA K. OTTEN. -t Hiiler’s Bodyguard From the Worcester Gazette. Hitler is to have a regiment of six- footers as a bodyguard. Now, if a scrim- mage should develop, one of the guards can easily pick up Der Fuehrer and carry him safely off tackle for a touch- down behind matchless interference. Vl'he Mayor’s Allies. From the Duluth News-Tribune. Mayor La Guardia has confounded his Democratic foes by getting the whole Nazi press to help him win strength for his re-election campaign. —— Trailer Times. Prom the El Paso Times. This is not the Stone Age, to be sure. But as you may have gathered from watching the trailer whiz past, it is the rolling stone. age. Proposal for an Entente. From the Milwaukee Sentinel. Maybe the “nine old men” ought to go fishing with the President. No better way of getting acquainted has been discovered. 1 (1779-1837). 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 inciose stamp for reply. Q. When will the English Derby be run?—E. A, A. The race will be run on Wednesday, June 2. Q. What is the name of the religious order that broadcasts the “Passion Play"” and “Ave Maria” hour?—W. E. R A. The Franciscan Society of Atone- ment at Graymoor Monasterv, Garrison, N. Y., broadcasts the “Ave Maria” hour and during Holy Week presented ihe “Passion Play.’ Q. How much has the per capiia nse of lumber increased since 1932?—T. N A. In 1932 the per capita consumption of softwood lumber was 79 feet; of hard- wood lumber, 15 feet. In 1936 the per capita consumption of softwood lumber was 148 feet; of hardwood lumber, 29 feet. Q. Why do circus people refer to all clowns as Joey?—H. M A. The name has reference o Joseph Grimaldi, the famous English clown Q. What is the Le Brun Traveling Scholarship?—L. W, A. It was established by Pierre L. Le Brun to.promote the artistic, scientific and practical efficiency of the architec- tural profession and entitles the winner to a six months’ trip to Europe for ad- vanced architectural studies, Q. Can vegetables be grown commer= cially without soil?>—J. N. G. A. Government experimental stations of the Bureau of Plant Industry are growing fine-quality vegetables and flow- ers without soil. A California expert has produced tomatoes that on an acre basis would show over 200 tons per acre, as compared with truck garden produc- tion of five ions, and potatoes showing 2,465 bushels, as compared with a farm crop of 120 bushels per acre. Several commercial installations of this chemical agriculture are now in operation. Q. Who wrote the story called “The Thirty-nine Steps” from which the movie was made?—E. H. A. John Buchan, who is Lord Tweeds- muir, Governor General of Canada, is the author of the book. Q. Are there more Negroes in the South or in the North?—E. C. D. A. The South has 57.1 per cent of the Negro population. The North has 41 per cent and the West has 1.9 per cent. Q. Ts much advertising carried in color comic sections of newspapers?— A. In 1936 newspapers carried 17,639« 916 lines of advertising in their comie sections. Q. What kind of rope do cowbovs use for lariats? How should a new rope be treated?>—A. E. F. A. Cowboys usuallv prefer a three- strand hemp rope, although rawhide 13 used occasionally. Three-strand silk giant has been recommended by some. To prepare the rope stretch it- between | trees or posts, using weights, for a dav or two. Grease the rope with tallow or vaseline, to which an equal amount of melted paraffin is added. Q. Hasn't it been said of the United States that the earth here is so kind that when you tickle her with a hoe she laughs with a harvest?—R. F. D. A. There is such a saying, but it was first said of Australia in Douglas Jerrold's “A Land of Plenty.” Q. How do Lewis and Green differ about labor organization?—V. D. A. John L. Lewis believes that the union should be organized vertically. In other words, that all of the members of one industry should belong to a given union. William Green, on the other hand, believes that workers should be organized hcrizontally and that all members of a craft should belong to the same union Under this plan in a given industrial plant there would be a number of unions represented. Q. What covering is used on the At- lantic cables?>—E. A. K. A. They are covered with a thin layer of an alloy of nickel and iron known as permalloy. There is some copper in this mixture, Q. What were the names of the floai in the 1915 Proteus Parade, Famous Lovers of the World, at New Orleans” —A. M. D. A. Leading the parade was the King of Proteus, mounted on a roval car symbolic of the sea caves in which the sea god has his home. Next cama the title car with Venus, goddess of love, riding the sea in a fabled shell of mytr ology. The other floats were named a* follows: Pyramus and Thisbe, Antony and Cleopatra, Sigurd and Brunhilde, Daph- nis and Chloe, Launcelot and Guinevere, Fakir Ahmed and Keagan, Hero anc Leander, Fridthof and Ingeborg, Aucassin and Nicolette, the King of Tsu and Prin- cess of Tse, King Ringard and Ingelborg, Francesca and Paolo, Romeo and Juliel, Dante and Beatrice, Hiawatha and Min- nehaha, Stradella and Hortensia, Shah Jehan and Mumtax Mahal, Gabriel and Evangeline. Q. Why do so many Englishmen ad- dress one another by their last names and without the usual “Mr.”?—C. D, S. A. Under English etiquette, a gentle- man without a title is never addressed as “Mister” except by women and by his Juniors. In writing, “Esquire” is alwavs appended to his name. Q. Was Fred D. Fagg, jr., director of the Bureau of Air Commerce, in ihe aviation service during the war?—1,. J A. Mr. Fagg served as second lieutenant., pilot 92d Aero Squadron, A. E, F, 1917-8. = s e A Rhyme at Twilight By Gertrude Brooke Hamilton, Evensong. Good-night, beloved. Though you rest In other shelter than our nest § Deep in each star your eyes I see, And the bird vespers bring to me Familiar strains of the prayer-hymn You loved to sing as light grew dim. And when the dusk breeze cooler blows Somewhere I know your eyelids close. My Angels still a vigil keep Round and about you as you sleep; The while I whisper In twilight, Good-night, beloved one, good-night! A p