Evening Star Newspaper, July 7, 1937, Page 10

.{THE EVENING STAR With Sunday Morning Edition. WASHINGTO WEDNESDAY . THEODORE W. NOYES The Evening Star Newspaper Company. gnd Penneviiania, Ave. ) East 420 OT55 Nowth Michizan Ave, , D. C. _July 7, 1937 New Onicago Office: Rate by Carrier—City and Suburban. Regular Edition. 7 day St The EVening aid Qo month or 150 per week The Evening Star 10c per week 45¢ per month or 10c per week Night Final Edition, 70¢ per month 55¢ per month t the ach month or v rders may be sent by mail or tele phone National 5000. Rate by Mail—Payable in Advance. Maryland and Virginia, Pelly and Sunday. aily only Bunday All Other ‘States and Canada, Daily and Sunday_ 1 yr, $12.00; 1 mo. $1.00 only__ 1 yrl "s800: 1 mo. 2ac $5.00 1 mo. 50c Member of the Associated Press. The Assoclated Press is exclusively entitled to the use for republ patches in this bli erein. 1al dispatches Fun for Mr. Bigelow. If anybody can get any fun out of a tax bill, he is certainly entitled to it. And no one can blame Representative Bigelow of Ohio for his huge enjoyment of the spectacle presented in the Sen- ate’s most conservative committee—the District Committee—recommending a modification of the single tax as a method of raising revenue in the District of Columbia. He is having more fun out of it than a barrel of monkeys. And with good reason. Like a prophet crying in the wilder- ness, Mr. Bigelow proposed his single tax theory on every occasion when the tax bill was before the House District Committee and when it came before the House. Nobody woyld pay any attention to his plan. The members of the House— or a majority of them—represent rural districts, and to a farmer the single tax, a tax on land, is like a red flag to a bull. Whenever the farmer becomes enmeshed In the theories of the single tax and wakes up to the discovery of where it leaves him, he roars like a Bull of Bashan and wants to go places and do things. Mr. Bigelow’s overtures in the House in favor of a land tax were met with frigid dis- approval. But when the bill got before the con- servative Senate District Committee and an eloquent apostle of Henry George lectured its members on the glories of the land tax, the charmed Senators fol- lowed him like so many ! corporated in the District tax bi tax provision that, if tried at home, would find great numbers of legislators flying out of windows and landing on their necks. And so Mr. Bigelow is having the time of his life issuing statements. He is entitled to his fun, which he accepts with no illusions. Says he: The Senate bill is sound economics, as far as it goes, and it would be gratify- Ing if the Senate committee really knew what it was doing, which I doubt. Tut, tut, Mr. Bigelow, that is no way for the member of one branch of Congress to speak of the members of another branch of Congress. But you are doubt- less correct. It is a little difficult to picture the Congress of the United States going on record in favor of this modified single tax theory for the National Capital and then going home and explaining, to realistic constituents, how they came to adopt it. ————— Trans-Atlantic Flights. Regular air traffic over the Atlantic became a reality yesterday. That, it eeems, is the significance of the test flights made by two commercial flying boats operating between Foynes, in the Irish Free State, and Botwood, in New- foundland. In fifteen hours the Cale- donia crossed almost two thousand miles of water east to west. Only twelve hours was needed by the Pan-American Clip- per III for the negotiation of the trip in the opposite direction. The next step will be the develop- ment of a schedule for ordinary trans- portation of passengers, mail and freight. Of course, there may be some errors, some losses, some disappoint- ments. But few will be doubtful of the eventual success of the enterprise. In- deed, it is merely a question of time until private travel by plane over all the waterways of the earth will be a commonplace of human experience. Not even the accident which brought Miss Amelia Earhart and her navigator, Frederick J. Noonan, to an unknown landing in the mysterious Pacific will serve to retard inevitable progress. The whole world joins in the prayer for their rescue, confident that disaster no longer is a necessary penalty for riding the air. So much has been learned, so much has been gained in the past decade that it appears incredible that any reasonable effort in aviation should terminate in tragedy. ————— All that was promised was a ‘“new deal.” The work of making it a “better deal” will call for consideration. —oe—s ‘Annapolis vs. Baltimore. ‘The court victory Annapolis has scored in its fight to retain its status as the actual capital of Maryland is gratifying to many in Washington. For years residents of the ancient community on the Severn have viewed with growing uneasiness a steady transfer of State activities to Baltimore. State departments set up branches or head- quarters in the bigger city. Even the Governor found it necessary to maintain an office in the metropolis. And it could not be denied there was / much logic in the moves. About half the population of the State resides in Baltimore. It is more nearly the geo- graphical center of Maryland. Contemplating the future, Annap- olitans realized the time might not be far distant when a serious effort would be made to move the official seat of the State government to Baltimore. Under the circumstances the capital’s N THE EVENING leaders acted in a way which many county seats have found successful when they feared transfer of their official posi=- tion to some new center of population. The county seats enlarged their court houses—Annapolis had the State Legis- lature authorize a $1,000,000 bond issue to erect an office building there. The idea was to move many of the State offices back to Annapolis. Balti- more interests fighting the proposal filed a petition to force a referendum on the measure at next year's State election. Annapolis countered by carrying the issue to the State Court of Appeals, which upheld the act and ruled that it is not subject to a referendum. Throughout the controversy there has been evidence of widespread sympathy toward the effort to stem the tide of officialdom flowing into Baltimore—to keep the reins of Maryland’s government in the hands of the Colonial city where Washington resigned his commission, where so many Governors have resided in the rambling executive mansion and where our future admirals get their training. Washington knows how it feels when some one suggests moving the seat of the United States Government to the geographical center of the Nation. It would have hated to see Annapolis lose. oo A Veteran Diplomat. To have been on duty in the State De- partment forty-five years, under seven- teen different Secretaries of State, from Blaine to Hull, must be a unique career in the foreign service and one with few parallels in any branch of the Government. Such is the splendid record standing to the credit of Wilbur J. Carr, who has just been transferred from an assistant sec- retaryship of state to the ministership to Czechoslovakia. Beginning as a $1,000 clerk in 1892, Mr. Carr advanced through successive stages to the highest depart- mental post ordinarily available to “non- political” appointees. The progressive growth of the foreign service from a happy hunting ground for “deserving” party henchmen into an organization comparing favorably with the diplomatic and consular systems of other countries was coincident with Mr. Carr’s long tour of duty in the one-time triple department structure. That de- velopment, indeed, is due in no small degree to his persistent crusade in be- half of a career service, whereby capable young Americans, ambitious to follow diplomacy as a profession, could pursue it with some hope that politicians would not jostle them from the rungs in their laborious climb up the ladder. In the formulation and enactment of the Rogers law of 1924, which for the first time gave assurance of security to the for- eign service in the fields of pay, pro- motional prospects and pensions, Mr. Carr had an influential hand. Later, as budget officer of the State Department, he was a potent advocate before con- gressional committees of appropriations to safeguard the interests of service personnel and provide sinews for ade- quate American representation abroad, including suitable housing accommoda- tions. His activities as chairman of the Board of Efficiency Ratings and of the Board of Appeals and Reviews cast the As- sistant Secretary of State in roles which inevitably invited inter-service jealousies, rivalries and charges of favoritism. But his retention in office, under administra- tion after administration, affords ir- refutable proof that successive Secre- taries of State cherished him in unim- paired regard. In 1934, having reached retirement age, Mr. Carr, by executive order, was granted an extension of five years—a striking tribute to what Secre- tary Hull acclaims as his “devoted serv- ice.” The seasoned veteran of our “Depart- ment of Peace” is assigned to one of the most important of European listening posts at a critical juncture. His rich experience, ingratiating personality and wide knowledge of foreign relations will stand him in good stead at Prague and assure the United States effective rep- resentation there. The good wishes of a host of Washington friends will ac- company Mr. and Mrs. Carr in their newest field of usefulness. s A fear that many motion picture play- ers will go abroad because of a picture tax in this country is not formidable. So long as they make attractive pictures the public that pays will continue to be the Jjudge of what it gets for its money and will not allow sentiment to interfere with its enjoyment while there are funds to be applied to entertainment, T “Non-Objective Art.” From New York, source of many weird stories of a similar sort, comes news of another endowment of esthetic anarch- ism. Solomon R. Guggenheim, a copper millionaire, has established a fund the- oretically pledged to “the promotion and encouragement of art and education in art,” but actually, as the announcement of his attorneys indicates, designed to publicize the school of “non-objective” experimentalism associated with the name of Vasily Kandinsky, a Russian post-impressionist painter who, in 1911, wrote one of the most notably incom- prehensible books ever to emerge from 8 press—“The Art of Spiritual Har- mony,” so called. Not even the author could explain his purpose. Critics put it into the words: “Color, form and space combinations without intellectual meanings.” They might have offered the synonyms “sense- less,” “inane,” “vacuous,” “moronic,” ¢ becilic.” But Kandinsky would not have been disturbed. He launched his move- ment with a declaration of independ- ence, assuring his readers that he did not expect to be understood. Like other revolutionaries, he was content to be abused and persecuted for his notions. Somebody some day, he knew, would ac- cept him. “It is a poor dog,” he might have said, ““that has no fleas.” Yet not even in his wildest moments did Kandinsky anticipate so generous a patron as Mr. Guggenheim, nu vision h STAR, WASHINGTON, probably was romantic enough to serve his immediate requirements, but it cer- tainly did not include a museum nor a propaganda financed with resources competent to attract an army of dis- ciples. The endowment, of course, will succeed. It is anything but “non-ob- Jective,” anything but “purposeless.” On the contrary, it is intended “to blaze a new trail in popular art appreciation.” The average citizen is to be “educated” to “enjoy” pictorial lawlessness. What the cultural consequences will be no one can tell. That they will signify a weak- ening of the sound and sane traditions of the people is foreshadowed by the specified intent of the donor. Yet there is no efficiency in despalir. The beautiful masterpieces of authentic art which Andrew W. Mellon has given to his country will provide an antidote for Kandinsky's lunacy and Mr. Guggen- heim’'s deplorable indorsement of it. Radicalism creates its own reaction in esthetics as well as in politics. —————————— Newspaper writers have to admit the passing errors of hasty composition and accept reminders of inadvertent blun- dering even when the effect totals into billions. But as “Tiny Tim” once re- marked for the benefit of an audience that has proved most heterogeneous, “God Bless Us Every One” and leave us still wary about bidding the Devil take the hindmost. r—oe— As time progresses Mr. Maury Maver- ick will have improved his opportunities to study a political situation which has become more or less complex. By con- ference with Senator Ashurst of Arizona, he will perceive that it is the way of wisdom to remain genial even when public sentiment declines to coincide with his personal plans. o One of the favorite home ditties of the famous newlyweds who unite in wedlock the houses of Rosevelt and Du Pont is said to be “The Love Bug'll Get You if You Don't Watch Out.” The rhythm is simple and the sentiment is calculated to disarm suspicion at a time when caution is admonished even in the selection of simple strains of gaiety. e The quotation “a plague on both your houses” would claim more respect in the present situation if there were not so many domiciles expecting benefits under a new system of organization. The ref- erence must often be expanded to in- clude more than two contestants for advantage. R e ‘When Senator Byrd of Virginia discov- ers 200 real estate projects undertaken by the Resettlement Administration he is naturally inquisitive as to whether they represent money saved or money that will call for more doubling up in the household. —————we. The wood lot on which the President expects to pay several hundred dollars taxes will come into use along about Christmas time to assist the season's generous display. It is earnestly hoped that no assertive overseer will allow the funds to go into a personal account. S Shooting Stars. BY PHILANDER JOHNSON. When Susie Sings. The precepts father offers, The warnings mother speaks, Oft find us idle scoffers As each his pleasure seeks; But there's no chance of missing One joyous vocal fling, The family has to listen ‘When Susie starts to sing. What aunts and uncles mention In praise or in attack Does not command attention, Authority they lack; But we cease to joyous ructation And form a silent ring, ‘When she plays the introduction Which denotes she’s goin' to sing. Our manner is devoted And a trifle overawed, We know it will be noted If we laugh and don't 4pplaud. The talent she is displaying Oft spoils our simple mirth, But for lessons he is paying Pop wants his money’'s worth. Sufficient Indorsement. “Do you feel that your efforts to serve your country are appreciated?” “I don't complain,” replied Senator Sorghum, “so long as the folks keep on re-electing me. About all a good many of us can hope for these days is an ad- mission from our constituents that they might have done worse.” Jud Tunkins says the man who goes looking for trouble never gets the kind he can actually enjoy. Standardized Production. If poets were made and not born The result would make many forlorn, For there isn't any doubt We'd be turning ’em out In fac'tries, noon, midnight and morn! A Fisherman’'s Wail. “I fished all day but only caught one fish.” “How do you account for that?” “Only on the theory that the fish had hydrophobia and was ready to bite any- thing.” “He who thinks only of himself,” said Hi Ho, the sage of Chinatown, “must not be surprised if he discovers that he has devoted much thought to but little purpose.” The Swift and Slow. The race may not be to the swift, But none the less the chance is small For any one who will not lift His feet and try to move at all. “I hope dis talk "bout music speakin’ & universal language ain’ true” said Uncle Eben. “Some of dis jaszz sounds right quarrelsome to me.” b NEW BOOKS AT RANDOM BY MARGARET GERMOND. NORTHWEST PASSAGE. By Kenneth Roberts, New York: Doubleday, Doran & Co. A page from American Colonial his- tory is in this volume revitalized and romanticized by Kenneth Roberts in a novel that reconstructs from the frag- ments of knowledge concerning him the character and career of an heroic sol- dier of French and Indian War fame whose praises have somehow never been oversung beyond the limited boundaries of his native New England region. Perhaps the reason for the dearth of authentic biographical material relating to Major Robert Rogers is attributable to the sentimental disposition of later generations to clothe its heroes with many virtues and rob them of their vices. And the major, when judged by the prevailing rules of conventional con- duct, was more famous for his vices than for his virtues. But in measuring the full value of the man as he is pre- sented by Mr. Roberts, it is the better part of wisdom to recall Mark Twain, as does the author: “I have no special regard for Satan, but I can at least claim that I have no prejudice against him. It may be that I even lean a little his way, on account of his not having a fair show. All re- ligions issue bibles against him and say the most injurious things about him, but we never hear his side. We have none but the evidence for the prosecution, and yet we have rendered the verdict. To my mind this is irregular. It is un- English, it is un-American, it is French. * * * Of course, Satan has some kind of & case, it goes without saying. It may be & poor one, but that is nothing; that can be said about any of us.” It is with the fairness of Mark Twain's evaluation of Satan that Mr. Roberts approaches the task of recounting the fantastic career of a man born in an era when only those who were capable of attuning themselves to violent living could successfully combat the forces that leaders such as Rogers were called upon to conquer. * oK ok ok The story. which is in two parts and covers the two important phases of the major's life, is told in the person of Langdon Towne of Kittery, a young scapegrace whose ambition to paint pic- tures of Indians leads to his flight from Harvard to Portsmouth in the com- pany of two rough-hewn, whole-hearted friends, where the three of them gather more trouble and are compelled to flee for their lives from political enemies. Young Towne and Hunk Marriner seek refuge in the service of the crown and become members of the famous com- pany of rangers under the command of Major Robert Rogers. Thus is estab- lished, through an imaginary character, the contact which makes possible the Ilnllmale picture of the frontier hero of 759. Langdon Towne's arrival in the camp of the Rangers is timed to coincide with preparations for the historic expedition which left Crown Point on September 13, 1759, for the long northward march against the stronghold of the enemy at St. Francis. The first section of the book is devoted to this particular expedi- tion, and with meticulous detail the history of that famous forced march is recounted in terms which bring back to reality the rigors, the hardships and the personalities of & century and a half ago. Continuous action marks the story of the treacherous trek of the Rangers through the wild region between Lake Champlain and the St. Lawrence River with the French in pursuit and their Indian allies supporting flank movements from all directions. Mr. Roberts is gifted with the power to give life to his historic heroes, and his description of the compelling, dy- namic forces merged in the indefatigable, cold-blooded. hard-bitten, unmoral yet somehow noble character, makes vitally alive the fighter whose keen knowledge of his enemies and whose accurately timed strategy engineered the swift, devastating attack which wiped out the stronghold from which the savages of the north set forth to conduct their barbaric raids upon the villages and settlements of New England. Thrilling indeed is the description of the historic conquest of St. Francis, and equally as realistic is the record of the homeward Journey over a zigzag trail studded with tragedy and checkered with hardships and sufferings beyond the imagination of a generation whose conception of hardship is to be unable to possess a high-powered motor car. It was the ambition of Major Rogers to discover the great Northwest Passage to the Pacific. A handsome reward had been offered by the British government for the discovery of such a passage and Major Rogers believed that it was pos- sible to chart a route over land by fol- lowing the Indian trails west from the St. Lawrence River. He also believed that a vast territory beyond the western frontier would be opened for settlement if a northwest passage became a reality. Having little regard for the bungling, inefficient English officers sent over by the British government to lead the Co- lonials against the French, Major Rogers financed his own expeditions. This drain upon his resources, plus his un- heroic character when not leading his Rangers against the enemy, kept him continuously in debt. Winning the re- ward was therefore highly desirable. This dream of conquest and fortune, however, led to the difficulties which resulted in the spectacular episodes which brought the indomitable hero into disrepute and disgrace. It is with this later phase of his life that the second part of the book deals, and it is here that the lack of knowl- edge concerning the unpublicized side of his life becomes apparent. He went to London to seék the aid of influential men in furthering his plans to open the northwest passage. He succeeded in obtaining the governorship of Michili- mackinac—the territory which then marked the western frontier of the British Empire and which now is the State of Michigan—and returned to America. He organized and sent forth an exploring party which played him false, plotted against him and caused him to be court-martialed. He was exonerated, engaged in new ventures, joined forces with the Dey of Algiers, commanded British troops in America during the Revolution, was cast into prison for debt, sank to besotted drunk- enness and engaged in all the de- baucheries to which the flesh is subject. Eventually he faded so completely from public attention that his death was not recorded. Such are the known facts. Between and around these fantastic episodes in his life Mr. Roberts has woven a story that may or may not be true. Most of it seems plausible enough, and it is all in keeping with the character of the man as the author has studied him and en- deavored to present him in all of his rugged individuality, minus the white- wash of sentimental aversion to his vices and also minus overemphasis of his virtues. Like Satan, the major may have been a very bad man in many respects, but it is likely that if he had been a very good man, according to the stricter morals of civilization, he could never have achieved the victories which J D. C., WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 1937. THIS AND THAT BY CHARLES E. TRACEWELL. ‘The favorite old blue—somebody says pink—hydrangea is now in bloom every- where. The truth is, as most persons know, it blooms either blue or pink, according to whether the soil is predominantly acid or alkaline. Sometimes, when the earth in which & specimen is growing is neither one way or another, both pink and blue blos- soms will appear on the same stem. A popular way of getting them blue is to put nails in the sofl around the plant. A sweet soil gives pinkish flowers. These may be secured by the liberal use of hydrated lime, bonemeal or other alkaline medium. * K Kk Two good points about this favorite are that the blooms last a long time on the bush and present a good appearance even when withered. Those tidy gardeners who insist on picking off the faded flowers lose one of the real beauties of this plant. Often the faded blooms wither to a magnificent old rose, which remains pretty for weeks on end. Try leaving them to wither and drop off of their own accord. This way a garden novelty is secured, at the same time no harm is done, for this is a sterile plant, anyway. x ok Kk The name “hydrangea” comes from Greek forms meaning “water” and “ves- sel,” probably referring to the undoubted liking of the plant for plenty of water. It looks well and grows well with rhododendrons. If the soil is acid for the latter, it will give blue flowers on the hydrangea, of course. It would not be advisable to use alkalinizing material on specimens planted with the rhodies. These flowers bloom together. This hydrangea has been so popular that the esteem of some of the more finicky gardeners has been lost to it, since certain types of minds never find satisfaction in what is “popular,” no matter how worthy the plant may be. This hydrangea remains a very popular subject, however, which is just as well, because it is very easy to grow, is a sure bloomer, under most conditions, and is really very pretty. ‘What more could one ask? Just be- cause every one has specimens is surely nothing against it, in fact, merely at- tests to its good qualities. x %k ox X Tt is a fortunate thing for the average great American gardener that he does not take too seriously the specialist's likes and dislikes in garden materials. If he did, many of the best things he may grow would have to be left out, for it is possible to find at least one “spe- cialist” who has a few harsh words to say against almost everything he grows, or would like to grow. The man who likes a neatly trimmed privet hedge, for instance, can find a few sneering words against this favorite from the pen of one of America’s best and most liked writing gardeners. This spleen, however., has not kept any one who wants a sharply trimmed hedge from having it, as far as any one can see. The privet hedge is just as popular in the suburbs today as ever, although it must be admitted that the cold Winters several years ago gave it a natural criticism which has had repercussions. * ok ok ok There is no real need for buying and owning and caring for any except the plants the individual gardener prefers, but there are an amazing number of Americans who try to model their yards on other people’s likes and dislikes. This is all very well, as far as it goes. It makes sure that the “latest” in plants will get a fair trial. It enables the newcomer to gardening t¢ make a very good show right from the start. It keeps alive, too, the spirit of ad- venture which ought to be a part of all home gardening. In some ways, however, it makes for the very same things, planted in exactly the same way, wherever you go. Follow- ing the leader, in gardening as else- where, allows for no individuality, no likes or dislikes based on personal pref- erence and nothing else. Even after an amateur has tried rose growing and found out that it is too much trouble, as far as he is concerned, he will stil desire to stick to it, because he thinks rose growing “the thing” to do. Now that is decidedly not the reason for keeping on trying to grow roses. Nor is the work successful rose culture entails the reason. The real reason is, or at least should be, that one really likes roses. Also that one is determined to succeed, despite the “bugs,” the black spot and the score or more other troubles which beset bush roses, from blasted buds to off-color petals. L Rose growing is supposed to be “the thing,” however, so many an amateur keeps on trying, despite the fact that his blossoms are really failures and he knows it. Let him give up roses, then, and stick to such flowers as do not require dusting every week. Let him be sure of his ground, then go ahead with what he likes at all times. That is the one sure way of getting pleasure out of amateur home gardening. Inspection of many such gardens brings home the plain fact that many people are well-grounded in this es- sential! They do plant and grow what they like, and let the ambitious writers *go hang.” as far as they are concerned. The amazing thing about gardening, the one which shows the immense vital- ity of the earth and the things which grow in it, is that almost any one at all can garden very successfully without any recourse whatever to writers. This is - established everywhere, so firmly that one may pause to wonder to whom writers on garden subjects write, after all, since so many home owners do not know even the names of the flowers they grow so successfully. They write, of Zourse, for all those persons—and they are many—who some- how never find anything real until they read about it somewhere. Base ball and the sports pages have demonstrated this for many years. Most persons who go to the ball game never quite feel they have seen the game until they have read all about it after- ward, and talked it over, either with the writer—who also saw the game—or other spectators. It is the same with plays and all other occupations of mankind. We like to read about what we do and see and hear. We are not so much ‘“eve-minded” as word-minded, and always crave more of the same. To all such let us address a plea for the common hydrangea and express the hope that it will be grown by every- body. as it deserves to be, and that the blossoms will never be cut off, but al- lowed to wither away over the weeks to the fine mellow color which time and Nature alone can give. WASHINGTON OBSERVATIONS BY FREDERIC WILLIAM WILE. Recovery, as exemplified by Americans’ ability again to spend money on world travel, is producing a windfall for the State Department. Passport fees col- lected during the fiscal vear of 1937, just ended, will total approximately $1.500.000. That's enough to pay nearly three times the $17.500 salaries of all our 16 Am- bassadors and $10,000 salaries of 38 Ministers. In the Federal year that wound up last week, 168,760 passports were issued—37,690 more than during the previous year, an increase of 28.6 per cent. March, 1937, showed an increase of 87.7 per cent over March, 1936. Dur- ing fiscal 1930, which rates as the boom year, 209211 passports were issued, as against 163904 in 1931. Thus the 1937 total shows passport business running between the 1930 peak and 1931. It is approximately 58,000 passports ahead of 1934, the lowest depression year, when 110.214 of Uncle Sam's credentials were marketed. Increase in passport appli- cations and incidental correspondence has been due in considerable degree to unsettled conditions, especially in Spain and Central Europe, where growing num- bers of Americans have applied for the protection of their Government. * ok % X No political topic momentarily arouses livelier discussion than the reported slump in C. I. O. stock, as far as John L. Lewis’ status with the administration is con- cerned. The Fourth of July week end produced a whole crop of developments indicating that the movement, which seemed to be sweeping everything before it, has been suddenly held up. The President’s ‘“plague on both your houses,” Secretary Perkins’' declaration that sit-down strikes are “unsuitable” to the Americgn system, Governor Earle’s pronouncement against violence, Gov- ernor Davey's refusal to invoke strong- arm methods against the independent steel magnates and Secretary Roper's warning against autocratic control of labor and industry alike—all these things combine to convince observers that C. I. O. has reached its zenith and that its direction from now on will be down- grade. Congressional and executive re- action against the move to bring the civil service within the C. I. O. orbit Fas been particularly marked. Intimations that strikes and collective bargaining would not be tolerated in the Federal bailiwick are straws showing how the wind is blowing. Failure to bring the independent steel industry to its knees helps to destroy the myth of invincibility which was associated with Lewis and all his works. * ok % ¥ Undoubtedly another factor that plays a part in undermining C. I. O.’s position at Washington is the financial alliance between the Lewis organizations and the Democratic Nationa! Committee. This embraces $600,000 or $700,000 in contributions to the 1936 campaign fund and the $50,000 loan by the United Mine were so vitally important to the Amer- ican Colonies. In a volume published separately the first publication of the court-martial of Major Rogers appears, with valuable historical notes and other explanatory documents and a complete bibliography. This second volume is & part of a limited edition of “Northwest Passage,” signed by the author, and the two form a biography and history that is perhaps the most complete and authentic work yet produced covering the life of the famous ranger. Workers. Administrationists are hear- ing it sald in many quarters, friends and foes alike, that such deals savor of a mortgage on the New Deal and the Democratic party, and create the im- pression, justly or not, that the Govern- ment, under the circumstances, cannot present as stern a front in labor strife as it might otherwise offer. Few au- thorities expect an open break between President Roosevelt and Mr. Lewis, though such a possibility is already hinted. But there’s no lack of signs that ‘Washington's meteorological mugginess contrasts with a falling temperature in White House-C. I. O. relations. * kX X Amid lively speculation as to whether Bob Wagner will run against Mayor La Guardia next Fall, and where Mr. Roose- velt's sympathies will lie, should that delicate situation arise, politicians won- der who would succeed Wagner in the Senate should he defeat La Guardia. The most diverting suggestion is that Governor Lehman might appoint Al Smith to fill the unexpired senatorial term. Such a selection would cause no New Deal hats to be tossed. but it’s not outside the range of possibilities. Leh- man and Smith are warm friends. Ex- cept for Al's support in 1932, Lehman might not have been nominated for Governor. It was on that famous occa- sion, at the Syracuse State convention, that Roosevelt and Smith met for the first time after Chicago, and Al ad- dressed F. D. R. affectionately as “You Old Potato.” * ok kK “House Votes Gas Control.” reads a recent headline. It doesn't refer to im- pending Supreme Court debate, but to a measure placing regulation of inter- state shipment and sale of natural gas under the Federal Power Commission. * ok Xk X Hardly any Latin American news in vears has produced greater satisfaction in Washington than Argentine Foreign Minister Saavedia Lamas' Independence day speech at Buenos Aires. The Nobel Peace Prize winner acclaimed the Mon- roe Doctrine as the most effective bul- wark of defense for the American re- publics against anti-democratic forms of government now rampant in Europe. The declaration is all the more welcome and surprising because for the better part of half a century Argentina has been an outspoken foe of Monroeism and actively combated it ‘at successive pan- American conferences. Senor Saavedra Lamas said that Latin Americans can learn all the lessons they need in de- mocracy by following its progress in the United States. * ok ok X Recent official shifts in the State De- partment disclose Secretary Hull's de- termination to surround himself with specialists. Undersecretary of State Welles is an outstanding Latin American authority. Counselor Moore is the ideal liaison with Congress. New Assistant Secretary of State Wilson is a League of Nations expert and Assistant Secre- tary Messersmith, who succeeds Wilbur J. Carr, is a walking encyclopedia on Central Europe. Assistant Secretary Sayre is Hull’s right-hand man on re- ciprocal trade agreements. Three vet- erans keep the Secretary up to the minute on the Far East—Stanley K. Hornbeck, chief of that division in the department, and Ambassadors Grew and Johnson, respectively, at Tokio and Nanking. .k kX Despite labor unrest, industrial sta- tistics continue on the upgrade. BSteel * 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. Were the snow scenes in the movia “I Met Him in Paris” taken in Switzer= land?>—E. W. A. The scenes were taken at the resorg Sun Valley, Idaho, where an Alpine vile lage was constructed. Q. How many miles of lighted airways are there in the United States?—cC. K, A. In 1936 there were 22,245 miles, Q. What are some of the highest prices that have been paid for flags in this country?—W., H. A. In 1909 a large flag manufacturer received $2,500 for a cardinal's flag. In 1918 the J. L. Hudson department store of Cleveland paid $2,500 for a 90x200= foot flag to celebrate the armistice. Q. Will the National Preaching Mission hold meetings again this Fall>—H. W, A. Meetings will be held in various cities from September 26 to December 5, Q. What is the status of the laws regulating the sale of fireworks in various States?>—H. J. H. A. Kentucky, Michigan and Towa have laws prohibiting retail sale of fireworks. New Jersey has recently passed a law barring sales to individuals, but permit- ting municipal and civic organizations to arrange displays by posting bond. Twenty-one States have enacted restric- tive legislation, while 384 cities and towns have local ordinances banning sales. One hundred and seventy-two other come munities restrict the trade. Q. How many plays did the late William Gillette write?—T. W, A. The actor wrote thirteen plays, adapted five and collaborated in tws. Q. Please give some information about the Julia Ellsworth Ford Foundation. A. The Ford Foundation was estabe lished as a non-profit-making organiza= tion in 1934 by Julia Ellsworth Ford for the purpose of encouraging better hooks for young people. Mrs. Ford is well known as a writer, traveler and philan- tropist. To further the production of better books for children, the founda= tion conducts a contest each year making cash awards for outstanding juvenile manuscripts. These are open to all authors, published or unpublished. The address of the organization is 257 Fourth avenue, New York City. Q. Where are radium refineries loe cated?—E. W. A. The only one in the world now in active operation is at Port Hope, Ontario, Q. How many Negroes live in Harlem? —T. K. A. It is estimated that 250.000 live in that section of New York City. Q. Please give the history of “Taps.” —E. L. 8. A. The air for “Taps” was composed by General Daniel Butterfield. One day in July of 1862, when the Army of the Potomac was in camp at Harrisons Landing on the James River, Virginia, General Butterfield summoned his bugler and after whistling some new tune asked the bugler to sound it for him. This was done, not quite to his satisfaction at first, but after repeated trials, changing the time of some of the notes which were scribbled on the back of an envelope, the call was finally ar- ranged to suit the general. He ordered then that it should be substituted in his brigade for the regulation “Taps” (extinguish lights), which was printed in the Tactics and used by the whole Army. This was done for the first time that night. Some time later permission was given to substitute it throughout the Army of the Potomac for the time-hon- ored call which came down from West Point. In the Western Armies, the regulation call was in use until the Autumn of 1863. One of General But- terfleld’'s reasons for changing the call was that he considered the old “extin- guish lights” non-musical and not suge gestive of rest and sleep. Q. How should gourds be preserved? A. The gourd should be washed thor- oughly and dried. Then spar varnish or white shellac should be applied to bring out the various colors. Q. Please give a brief history of news= paper photography.—E. K. A. Alfred McClung Lee in the Daily Newspaper in America says: “The first illustration in the New York Sun. on September 14, 1833, was a two-column cut of “Herschel's Forty-feet Telescope which was a wood engraving made by hand. During the Civil War the New York Herald's war maps were engraved in twenty pieces by twenty engravers. Then came the process of sketching on a thin layer of chalk coated over metal, the chalk plate; this relief molded a cast for printing long used because of its cheapness. In the early 1870s primitive photo-engraving became a reality. The New York Daily Graphic, established March 4, 1873, carried photo-engraved line illustrations from its inception, and it celebrated its seventh anniversary in 1880 by using one of the first half-tones, a 72-line cut of a Shantytown on upper Fifth avenue, the first half-tone printed in a newspaper. Q. With how many persons do Presi« dent and Mrs. Roosevelt shake hands in the course of a year?>—G. T. A. Last year the President and First Lady shook hands with 16,500 persons at regular White House functions. Q. What is the Elizabethan style of architecture?—W. M. A. Tt is the style transitional between Gothic and Renaissance, which pre- vailed in England in the Elizabethan era. The best examples of the style are found in the great country houses built during the Queen’s reign. Char- acteristic features are long galleries, large windows and tall decorated chimneys. Q. What is the significance of the edelweiss?—R. H. A. The flower is an emblem of purity in literature and painting. Q. What does the art term impasto mean?—W. R. H. A. This is the application of very thick oil color to the surface of the canvas. The purpose of impasto is to give the effect of relief, force and so- lidity to the objects. —_— production rose last week from 75 to 762 per cent of capacity. Electric power output was the highest since January 23. Carloadings of 773,733 cars were 60,145 better than in the corresponding week last year. Retail sales averaged 3 to 6 per cent above the previous week and from 10 to 20 per cent above 1936. (Copyrisht, 1937.) . ,