Evening Star Newspaper, July 30, 1937, Page 8

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The Associated Press is exclusively entitled to the use for republication of all news dispatches eredited to it or not otherwise credited in this paper and also the local news published herein, All rights of publication of special dispatches herein are also reserved. Morals to Adorn the Tale. The conferees’ reported agreement on the District tax bill ends most of their troubles. Enactment of the bill seems now to depend on House acceptance of the Tydings amendment, which has noth- ing to do with local taxes. If the House balks, the bill is placed in jeopardy. As for the taxpayers, they have been in Jeopardy for a long time, and remain in that position regardless of what hap- pens to the bill. The conferees have doubtless done the best they could with the material at hand in selecting the taxes finally to be imposed. But the resulting measure is not a sound bill for several reasons. Real estate taxpayers, whose heavy burden was recognized at the outset by the promises of all varieties of tax- boosting enthusiasts to spare real estate any further increases, now must pay a large proportion of the new taxes. The business privilege tax as finally shaped remains largely an experimental plan for Washington, with an extraordinarily high flat rate applying without quali- fication to all types of business. The revenue-raising powers of the measure are yet to be tested, and there is no agreement among the various estimators as to the weight of the new tax burden added to the community. If the tax bill as now shaped is spilled milk there is no use crying about it. Certain facts, however, may be borne in mind by the taxpayers. Outstanding among these is that the proposal of “substitute” forms of taxa- tion is merely a snare and delusion. The original proposition was to impose a series of substitute taxes that would more evenly distribute the tax burden. But no existing taxes have been repealed. Existing taxes have been increased, and to them have been added new taxes. Another fact to be borne in mind is that the Commissioners seem all along to have regarded the subject of taxes from the point of view of the tax coi- lector, not from the point of view of the taxpayer, and that if local citizens are inclined to express themseclves as to preference as how to be taxed, they must rely on themselves and not on others to speak for them. What has happened in regard to this tax bill has happened before and is, of course, characteristic of a condition under which the only persons deprived of a voice In tax legislation are those who must pay the taxes. Most of the members of Congress regard local legis- lation, including tax legislation, as an opportunity to express their views and opinions for consumption in their home districts. This explains the singular dis- regard of the wishes of local taxpavers and the proposed imposition in the Dis- trict of every conceivable form of taxa- tion invented by man, civilized and un- civilized. And the appropriation of new funds to hire new experts to disk up new taxes for the District has no effect whatever in changing this condition. The Commissioners may hire whom they please to think up new taxes for the District, but only Congress can select and impose the taxes. The demonstration of what Congress does with a local tax bill has been given and should be remembered. ——or—s 1t is generally understood that the Dis- trict of Columbia is entitled to the best airport facilities that can be provided. It is from this point as a common center that opinions appear more or less to diverge. Airports should be so big as to be beyond ordinary politics, e Maryland politicians still win on one point. They have all the prestige that goes with a high-class legitimate horse race. Strike Aftermath. Out of a recent strike in a packing plant on Maryland's Eastern Shore have come two developments that will be watched with more than local interest. One is the filing of a suit for damages by the packing plant agaimst the city and county in which it is located for losses incurred during the strike. The other is the discussion of a State-wide plan among farmers for co-operative marketing of their crops should strikes or other emergencies block their regular trade outlets in the future. Because its trucks were overturned during strike rioting, and other damage was suffered, the packing company claims 1% is entitled to $65,000 from the city and county under an old and seldom-invoked Maryland law providing that those juris- dictions are liable if property is taken away or destroyed “by any riotous or tumultous assembly of people,” provided local authorities have had ample notice that such disorder is likely to occur. Involved in the law is the same prin- ciple frequently used in anti-lynch legis- lation making localities liable to suit by /members of the family of lynch mob - 1ts Should the pu;nn{ company win suit the increase in police vigilance against strike disorders will be notable, for Maryland, it is reported, is not the only State in which such suits can be brought. As to the farmers, their plight is akin to that of consumers, allied tradesmen and other “innocent bystanders” who inevitably suffer during strikes, Labor has long realized that the pressure for early settlement that comes from the affected “bystanders” is one of the most valuable collateral results of strikes from its viewpoint. What the Maryland farmers are try- ing to do—and the State Farm Bureau and extension service have attended par- leys on the project—is to set up co-oper- ative marketing machinery so that if a concern which normally buys their produce is tied up by a strike they will be able to sell elsewhere. That was the problem the Eastern shoremen solved successfully. They were under contract to sell beans to the strike- bound plant. After much concern over the possibility of their beans growing overripe and dry on the vines a co- operative packing concern operated for and by farmers on a share-taking basis arranged for outside buyers. Farmers of other States, notably Vir- ginia, which embraces the lower part of the Eastern Shore peninsula, may be confronted with a similar problem at any time now that the effects of mod- ern industrial warfare have reached the tillers of the soil—last stronghold of rugged individualism. It is only natural that they, along with other “bystanders” take self-pro- tective steps as labor groups grow more powerful and their str spread. ) The Naval Reserve. Indicative of his abiding interest in national defense and especially in pre- paredness at sea, President Roosevelt an= nounces a highly commendable plan to build up the naval reserve so as to pro- vide eventually for 300.000 trained men, to supplement the enlisted and officer strength of the regular fleet in time of war. The increase would be gradual and be brought about by offering Sum- mertime training to youths of high school and college age, beginning pos- sibly with candidates as young as six- teen years. On completion of such courses, they would be assigned definite ratings for war service. Trainees would receive no wages, but they would be given free board, lodging, clothing and transportation. Mr. Roosevelt points out that the cost of the project will be relatively small and can probably be covered with a simple appropriation without specific legislation. The President is frankly anxious to forestall recurrence of the World War situation which found the United States Navy without any reserves of personnel at all and faced by the consequent neces- sity of suddenly enlisting some 350,000 officers and men, who had to be trained under emergency conditions. The Army, having learned its lesson in 1917-18, be- gan to meet the problem as long ago as 1920, with the result that our military reserve system is today in relatively sate isfactory shape. It is with a view to remedying reserve inadequacy in the Navy that Mr. Roosevelt is now moving. The underlying idea, of course, is that & trained reserve systematically devel- oped in peacetime would fit promptly into the naval organization in case of war. For the treaty fleet, scheduled for completion in 1942, a total personnel of 105,000 is planned, as compared to the 75,000 to 80,000 now maintained. But the existing naval reserve of 11,733 offi- cers and 36,655 men, inclusive of the merchant marine, is wholly incommen- surate with the fleet's needs five years hence. With both the Navy and the Ameri- can merchant marine about to assume greatly augmented dimersions, the Pres- ident’s reserve program merits the hearty and unqualified support which it may expect from Congress and the.country alike. Neither soldiers nor sailors can be stamped out of the ground overnight, If they are to be of value in the hour of national need, they must have had proper advance training in discipline and technical requirements. This is especially so in the case of a highly mod- ernized naval establishment. The world is now embarked upon the most exten- sive naval building race in peacetime history. Six sea powers are constructing at least 350 warships at a cost of hun- dreds of millions of dollars. Under such conditions, to say nothing of the wholly incalculable possibilities inherent in the international situation, the United States cannot afford to lag behind in elemen- tary preparation for naval adequacy, the provision of a numerically sufficient and trained personnel —————— One of the difficulties of politics again asserts itself in the case of the Supreme Court. Those who see advantage in a change are hard to convince, but so are those who find a multitude of objections. In the meantime there is one vacancy on which consideration can concentrate. o Chincoteague Round-Up. Fifteen thousand people yesterday turned out to watch the annual pony round-up on Chincoteague Island. The crowd was attracted by the authentic romance of the event. Legends of long ago had been revived by wide publicity. It was alleged that the wild equine pop- ulation of the isle’s marshes were de- scended from forebears who rescued themselves from Spanish galleons wrecked upon Virginian reefs undesig- nated centuries ago. Visions of colorful and adventurous antiquity were de- veloped in the public mind by the prom- ise of “the greatest rodeo east of the Mississippi.” Nor were the attending throngs dis- appointed. The ponies were as wild as advertised. Also, they definitely “looked the part” assigned to them. Bright of eye, clean and lithe of limb, conspicu- ously healthy and energetic in every nerve and muscle, they testified for their s presumptive noble ancestry. Selling at an average price of forty-five dollars each, they appeared to be exactly what their sellers contended—“genuine bar- gains.” Of course, patient training will be necessary before the ponies can be re- garded as ideal domestic pets. For the present, some of their new owners will be apt to think of them as being so many equivalents of mischievous perversity. Yet it is a matter of record that Chinco= teague horses are amenable to reason. They are not incurable four-footed bolsheviks. It might be added that the round-up demonstrated a continuing enthusiasm for horses in an age theoretically dedi- cated to and dominated by machines. The ubiquitous motor car has a larger following probably, but not one more notably ardent. oo o Death on the Bay. With the casualties limited to two deaths and thres persons missing, the fire on the Baltimore-Norfolk steamer which occurred last night is less grave in results than at first appeared prob- able. Early reports indicated a hehvy loss of life and indeed the circum- stances of the- case indicated such a tragedy. It now appears that the fire originated in the cargo and the inflam- mable materials close at hand gave it a fierce headway in a short time. Inquiry into the circumstances at- tending this tragedy is required and it should be thorough, to the end of de- termining whether it might have been prevented by a more careful stowage of freight and a more dependable super- vision. The steamers plying the waters of the Chesapeake, from both Baltimore and Washington, carry large numbers of passengers whose safety depends upon the manner in which the boats are handled. There have been very few mishaps in these services. Their record is an excellent one. This disaster on the Baltimore-Norfolk boat is nevertheless a warning of the possibilities that should be heeded in the application of the most rigid system of supervision and an un- failing inspection throughout the entire period of every run. e Motion picture producers have given another name to “The Mikado.” Whether the opera can insist on its title as a part of the immortal work remains to be seen. s Japan and China without announcing the fact have what amounts to a war on their hands. China has been slow in getting ready, but may after a few starts try to organize on modern lines. ———oe—s Everybody has the deepest respect for radio, but the songs it is sometimes per- mitted to sing command sligfit respect as entertainment and none as current information. e Shooting Stars. BY PHILANDER JOYNSON. Those Primitive Reformers. When first Apollo smote the lyre And filled the world with song No swingtime band helped him inspire The numerous dancing throng. When Sophocles produced his plays With artistry secure There were no syndicates to raise The funds and book a tour. When Plato sat decwn for thought, 8o wondrous and so grand, Typewriting had not yet been taught. He did the work by hand. When Cincinnatus in the field Pursued his way serene He ngver had to help the yield A harvesting machine. They had no railroads built for speed, No telephones for talk, No comic supplements to read, No flivver cars to balk. Those good old-timers had their use; Their work was fine and strong; And yet we wonder how the deuce ‘They ever got along. Definition. “What is your idea of & true states- man?” “A true statesman,” replied Benator Sorghum, “is a man who feels the pulse of the people and then prescribes what he honestly believes is good for them instead of prescribing a patent medicine in which he is interested.” Jud Tunkins says mebbe it's & mistake to work a boy so hard that he gets an idea that it would be nice to grow up and do nothing but loaf. Speed. The motto “safety first” man heeds In business computations. A dollar goes so fast it needs Some trafic regulations. Like the Climate., “When your wife gets angry does she cry?” “Yes,” said Mr. Meekton, “it isn’t that warmth of temper I fear so much as the humidity.” “To achieve much wealth,” said Hi Ho, the sage of Chinatown, “requires talent, but to know exactly what to do with it needs transcendent genius.” Past and Future. Our history we must not neglect Because it shows us clearly How Human Nature may select Some- course that costs us dearly. We know when placing on display Each time of joy or sorrow That every ancient yesterday ‘Was once & dim tomorrow. “De man dat’s allus findin’ fault,” said Uncle Eben, “wouldn't be so both- eracious if he didn’ act so much like he'd io:‘md somethin’ to be proud d.'4 | STAR, WASHINGTO D. C, [ THE POLITICAL | MILL BY G. GOULD LINCOLN. Postmaster General James A. Farley, chairman of the Democratic National Committee, is talking now about a united Democratic party for the congressional elections next year, He has announced his support of Senator Duffy of Wiscon- sin, one of those who was counted against the President’s court bill, who comes up for re-election next year. In a speech delivered at Salem, Ill, on Wednesday, Chairman Farley was at some pains to say that, now the row in the Senate is over, he expected the Democrats to show a united front again. These pronouncements while politically wise are somewhat different from the speeches which the Democratic chair- man was making early in the Supreme Court bill fight. Even at a comparatively recent date, he and other strong ad- ministration followers were taking about the need of supporting the Presi- dent in this contest, as evidence of party loyalty. The implications were that if Senators and Representatives failed in their party loyalty, there might be re- prisals. Butenow the tenor of his speeches has changed, apparently. The word has gone forth that the party breaches must be healed. The wayward sons are to be welcomed again, * K K % Chalrman Farley, to show that he is not one to remember contests amony Democrats, went back to the days of 1932 and the Chicago convention when President Roosevelt was first nominated. He said in this connection, addressing his Salem audience: “There were other eminent candidates for the Democratic nomination for President. I recall, and you doubtless recall even more emphati- cally, the battle in many States between those who accepted our proposal and those who favored other candidates. That battle extended even to the na- tional convention in Chicago. It is typi- cal of Democratic habit and procedure that the bitterness of that fight was for- gotten when we went to the polls in No- vember. It goes without saying that the side that won held no bitterness toward those who opposed Franklin D. Roose- velt’s nomination. When the fight was on, each delegate was categoried in my mind, according to his position. It is, perhaps, a reflection on my memory to tell you that after my election as chair- man of the Democratic National Com- mittee I never thought of the difference between the Roosevelt delegates and the anti-Roosevelt delegates.” * ok ok % And then, bringing this magnanimous spirit down to date, the Democratic chairman continued: “Possibly there is an application of that outcome in refer- ence to the situation today. You may, perhaps, have noted the bitter character of some of the speeches made in a recent centroversy. Do not take these 100 seri- ously. The talk of a party split comes from the Republican side—from those who hope for a Democratic division as the only possible means of returning to power the party of privilege, that was turned out of office by you and nearly every other State in the Union five vears ago, and kept out by a still larger num- ber of States last year. “Earnest men in the heat of contro- versy are prone to exaggerate. If you believed half of what is said in the fury of debate, you would conclude that a majority of our public men ought to be in Alcatraz Prison instead of in office, “It is all part of our political habit, and while we give the authors of intem- perate utterances credit for sincerity when they storm and rage and call names, we know from experience that the tempers cool when the fight is over, We know further, also from experience, that no man or group in the Democratic party is stronger than that party. And I look to see even the flercest among those who are in opposition today fight- ing the Democratic battles of the future as vigorously as ever. I think they are making a mistake, and regret to see them in even temporary discord with the party principles and the party spirit. But, as T have frequently said. I have worked with these gentlemen before and anticipate working with them again.” * ok x % And there you have it. It will be in- teresting to see how other adminis- tration warriors feel about the recent strife over the court bill. Will thev be as willing to forget and forgive? What about the Governor of Pennsylvania, Gov. George Earle? He recently de- manded the political heads of all those who opposed the President in regard to his court program. Gov. Earle has been credited with having aspirations for the Democratic presidential nomination in 1940. He has been acclaimed at Demo- cratic meetings in the Keystone State as the next President. Considering the number of prominent Democrats, who doubtless will be influential when it comes to the election of delegates to the Democratic National Convention of 1940 and to the convention itself, who were opposed to the President in this court fight, the Governor of Pennsylvania seems to have said a mouthful. Then there was the Governor of Indiana, ‘Townsend, who expressed the opinion that his Democratic organization could not and would not support Senator Van Nuys for renomination. This attitude on the part of the In- diana Governor may have been natural. It is even said that the organization would have been against Senator Van Nuys had there been no court bill fight. But for the Governor of Indiana to have made his statement about not support- ing Van Nuys, which was emphatically made as the Governor was leaving the White House, in the midst of the court battle, was scarcely wise. The up- shot for the present seems to have been to give Van Nuys support which he might not have had. It may have created a situatiorn in which, if Van Nuys is not nominated by the Democrats, there may be a strong chance for the Republican nominee for the Senate to win in that State next year. Certainly Republicans in Indiana have begun to look the field over with the idea that if Van Nuys is not nominated they will enter the lists for the senatorial nomination with a great deal of real interest. ok ox X Representative Snell of New York, the Republican leader of the House, recently wrote to the Attorney General asking whether he intended to take any steps against those who sold copies of the Democratic National Convention book, autographed by President Roosevelt, at $250 a copy to corporations. Under the law corporations ‘are forbidden to make contributions to political committees and campaign funds. These books were sold for the benefit of the Democratic Na- tional Committee. Several corporations were found to have paid as much as $10,000 each for these books, at $250 a copy. It israther tough to ask the Attor- ney General to take steps against those who were acting for his own party. But it looks strongly as though this sale of books was nothing more nor less than an attempted evasion of the law. It will be interesting to see how the law can be made to cover these sales and legality established. Going back to Chairman Farley of the: Democratic National Committee for a moment, it is evident that he has not lost “his -zeal for political prophecy—even though slipped a cog when he pre- 2] FRIDAY, .JULY 3 THIS AND THAT BY CHARLES E. TRACEWELL. ‘Those who used quick, flashy fertilizers on their lawns a month or s0 ago now want to know how to correct what hap- pened—a too sudden growth, all tops, with no substance below. Everything was fine, so long as the top growth held up, but afterward the grass began to die out. You see, not enough roots were grown to take care of all those bright green tops. ‘Water, and more water, is the only answer, ‘Water, even more than fertilizer, is what grass needs, especially when the hot days come. A complete fertilizer, so called, may do some good, as tending toward a more complete growth of the entire grass plant. Even this, however, is not so desirable at first as an ocean of water, on any lawn, and especially one which is suffer- ing from application of & one-sided fertilizer. * x k x It is easy enough to see now that fertilizers which make luxuriant top growth—and nothing else—are not good for a lawn in the long run. This “long run” of the average lawn is not very long, after all; it amounts to no more than five or six months at maximum, After that, as before it, the lawn is not in as good shape, and no one expects it to be, unless incessant work is put on it, as they do on golf courses. No matter what types of grasses are grown, fertilizers should be used which make for good root growth as well as growth of blades. While flashy results may be secured from incomplete fertilizers, in the end they leave a lawn looking worse than before. LR I B 2 Still, a great deal may be done by applying water, rather than fertilizer of any sort, after the thinning process arrives. Water is the life of all living things. Especially plant life. Plants of all sorts need water, and plenty of it. There are, of course, certain exceptions, but they are not many, and only serve to point the rule. Water in quantities is the perfect so- lution of the lawn which has received no fertilizer at all, or only such incomplete ones as tend to leave the grass looking worse than before Every one interested in lawns knows the need of watering, but not all realize it at the time needed! Often Nature takes care of the problem, through her yns, but even in a rainy season the precipitations may not be spaced prop- erly, so far as the lawn is concerned; dry areas of dying grass may arrive before the necessary rain. R There is no real solution, in such cases, except the garden hose. As tiresome as its use is, it is the best medicine, is always ready, and promises to deliver the desired results. In recent years it has come to be felt that actual burning of the grass, on very hot days, is partly responsible for poor lawns. Experiments have been made with sprays which cover a lawn with a fine mist during the hottest part of the day. It is plain that such equipment is for the few. Most householders will have to get along with ordinary sprinkling. The belief that using the hose during the sunny hours “burns’ the grass is only true if a perfunctory typical sprinkling is indulged in, If enough water is put on to be a real watering, not just s “sprinkling,” there will be no chances of harm coming through use of the hnse at any time of day. We have seen lawns so withered and yellow that no sign of green showed in them anywhere, yet were watered vigor- ously from noon to 4 o'clock on & blis- tering Summer day, with the result that by next morning a great deal of green was visible. This happened to be the only time the hose could be used. It was put to work the next day at the same time, in the same sort of heat. Within a week this lawn was green all over, the grass nice and thick. The recovery was so complete, simply through the use of plenty of water, that persons who saw the lawn only at the beginning and end of the treatment scarcely could credit their eyes. * % Water is, of course, not just water— 1t is fertilizer, too, and the very best sort. It is fertilizer, in essence, because it makes available to the plant whatever fertilizer is in the soil. All plants take their meals in the form of soup. o Fertilizing elements might be packed solid around the roots, and not one grain of it would benefit the plant until it had been put into solution. ‘Water is the very life blood of a plant, whether tree, shrub, flower, or grass plant, When we water a lawn, we are doing the one essential thing. Not that mira- cles will always be worked. Nature has something to say about that. There may arise conditions, such as too much shade, when a great deal of water will seem to cause grass to grow spindly and thin. The lawn beneath the tree is the worst possible situation. Even sod taken from a shady meadow may not do well at home. In many such cases the failure, however, is due to lack of consistent watering. Heat itself may injure such tender blades, and a cooling of the shady lawn with plenty of water is in order at all times when the thermometer reaches into the 90s. X ok % Lawns given too rapid growth by In- complete fertilizers, causing top growth only, at the expense of the root and flowering systems, is best brought back by the continued use of added water. Great heat makes this necessary, often, even when natural rainfall seems fairly steady. It will be found that consistent watering will do more for such a lawn than added fertilizer. This may be put off until August 15, or thereabouts. The thing to do at. this time is to get the sod in a good receptive condition. Grass grows rather crazily at this time of year. One week it will need cut- ting three days after mowing; the next, owing to differing heat and water con- ditions, the same length of blade will not be attained for 7 or 8 days. Bringing back the lawn which has been overstimulated by poor selection of fer- tilizers must be done slowly, with plenty of water the “best bet.” After that, a complete fertilizer imay be put on, care taken to rake it down thoroughly, and to water it in with the hose at once. It is not often possible to get fertilizer on a lawn immediately before a heavy rain. The best way is to put it on by hand, whenever one has the time, then rake it down carefully, and water it at once. WASHINGTON OBSERVATIONS Y BY FREDERIC WILLIAM WILE. ‘Will Rogers used to say that the United States never lost & war or won a con- ference. Uncle Sam hasn't been going to war lately, but he remains a glutton for conferences. Taking cognizance of that fact, the State Department has just set up a brand new and special “Division of International Conferences.” It will be headed by Richard Southgate, who hitherto has combined the duty of “pro- tocol” officer, consisting principally of chaperoning new envoys and other dis- tinguished foreigners, with that of con- ference supervisor. Within the past year or two, world parleys have become the fashion to such an extent that Secretary Hull finds it necessary to assign some- body to look after them as a whole-time job. President Roosevelt hasn't swal- lowed the European bait which would tempt him into calling an economic con- ference, but in innumerable other fields this country is going in for international conclaves in a big way. Within a month, American delegates have been sent to an Inter-American Conference on Educa- tion in Mexico City, a Congress on Popu~ lation at Paris, a Congress on Hepatic Insufficlency at Vichy, a Congress of the Deaf and Dumb at Paris and the First International Congress of Infantile Psychiatry, also in the French capital. * X X % Guessing {s already lively as to where President Roosevelt hopes to find the six self-effacing aides whom Congress is expected to vote him. Diogenes’ quest for an honest man rates as child’s play compared to F. D. R.s task of locating a sextet of able seamen who “possess high competence, great physical vigor and & passion for anonymity.” On the score of competence and vigor, the White House might have no' trouble in securing qualified talent right here in Washing- ton. But this community of push, pull and publicity is not overpopulated with shrinking violets. When the reorgani- zation scheme was first broached, it was suggested that the gumshoe men might even be appointed without making their identities known. With & thousand live- ‘wire newspaper men and women on duty hereabouts, it's extremely doubtful if, or for very long, half a dozen presidential pussyfooters would be able to gratify a “passion” for dodging the limelight. x X K X Members of Congress who resent hav- ing their noses held to the grindstone assert vociferously that it isn’t either hot weather or homesickness that whets the desire for adjournment. They claim to be inspired by & far sounder reason— namely, the anxiety to avoid ill-digested legislation which is inescapable in an end-of-the-season rush. After seven dicted & few months ago about the out- come of the court bill fight. In his Salem, Ill, speech, he said that the opposition, if. it could, would make the people “doubtful of their President.” He continued: “I have at times in- dulged in political prophecy. Let me embark again on that more or less peril- ous sea. I want to go on record now as telling you that both houses of Con- gress after the 1938 election will be just as stanchly Democratic as they are now.” Whether intentionally or not, Mr. Far- ley seems to have answered the third- term talk when he said: “President Roosevelt has announced publicly thal his one remaining desire, after & lifee time of public service, is to turn over his desk to his successor with the coun- try prosperous and at peace.” That is a worthy wish. No time for turning over the desk was specified by Mr. Far- ley, though undoubtedly he mesnt Jan- uary 20, 1941, months of cantankerous service, which has left bodies and minds tired and nerves frazzled, Representatives and Sen- ators contend that Congress is in no condition to give important matters that dispassionate and analytical study which the country expects and has a right to demand. If, under White House whip and spur, both houses are driven to precipitate action, the guess is already hazarded that there may be another cycle of Supreme Court decisions de- claring unconstitutional certain laws en- acted not wisely, but in haste. * X ok ¥ Nobody in Washington takes a live- lier interest in the impending contest for the America’s Cup than Senator Arthur Capper. It recalls his cub reporter days, exactly 45 years ago this Summer, when he arrived in New York City as & tender- foot looking for a newspaper job. A typesetter fresh from the composing room of the Topeka Daily Capital, the young Kansan was recommended to the old New York Tribune by Senator Tom Platt. As a maiden news-gathering assignment he was flabbergasted to dis- cover that he was to proceed to Long Island Sound and do a 600-word story on a yacht race. “I didn't know the difference between a yacht and a prairie schooner,” says the Senator, “but with the aid of that helping hand which seasoned newspaper men always lend a beginner I got away with it, and held my job six months, leaving New York to become the Topeka Capital's first ‘Washington correspondent, in the Winter of 1892-3.” L Whether by coincidence or design, President Roosevelt's plan to create a naval reserve of 300,000 men for war- time service is sprung at the moment of grave tension in the Far East, with its ever-present possibilities of world-wide complications. In any event, the re- serve project is notice t6 all concerned that the United States Navy doesn’t in- tend to be caught unprepared in an in- ternational emergency. Mr. Roosevelt's program to assure the fleet an adequate personnel follows close on the recent re- statement of American foreign policy— including the declaration that “there can be no serious hostilities anywhere in the world, which will not one way or another affect interests, rights or obligations of this country.” The word “obligations” is interpreted in some quarters as having particular significance at this critical Juncture. * Xk % Interior Secretary Ickes thinks the heavy increase in traffic to the national parks is indisputable proof of revived prosperity. Preliminary reports indicate that 1937 travel to the Federal recrea- tional domains will break all records. The National Park Service states that from October, 1936, to July, 1937, visi- tors numbered 3,419,544, a gain of 22 per cent over the same period of the previous travel year. Park tourists are also spending more money than ever before. Shenandoah National Park, Virginia, with 631,745 guests, shows the biggest increase—66 per cent. The Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina-Tennessee, the Yosemite National Park, California, and Yellow- stone come next, in the erder named. * X K X ‘When the latest Soviet trans-polar flyers were in Washington, they said that none of the American notables they'd met gave them a greater thrill than Shirley. Temple. They sat beside her through a private filming of her newest picture at and counted it & ! ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS BY FREDERIC J. HASKIN, A reader can get the answer to any question of fact by writing T'he Evening Star Information Bureau, Frederic J. Haskin, Director, Washington, D. C. Please inclose stamp for reply. Q. Are more of the drivers of automo- biles in the United States the owners of new or used cars?—H. §. A. More than half of the owners of automobiles are operating used cars. In 1936 10,606,000 automobiles were sold. Of these 6,590,000 were used cars, X Q. When is the National Twin Con. vention to be held this year?—E. M. C. A. It will be held at Fort Wayne, Ind. August 28 is registration day, with s banquet for twins in the evening. Aue gust 29 is the big day. Last year ahout 1,800 twins attended, and ten or twelve thousand visitors were on the grounds at Triers Park. Q. Is the king snake immune to the poison of other snakes?—R. H. A. This non-poisonous American snake, which kills other snakes by con- striction, is immune to the poison of the rattlesnake family, but not to that of the coral snake, which is of a different type, Q. Who published the first movie magazine?—C. R. A. In 1910 J. Stuart Blackton began the publication of Motion Picture Maga- zine, Q. Did the first Du Pont who mi- grated to America receive financial en- couragement from Napoleon to erect a powder plant in this country?—H. L. A. The first Du Pont to come to the United States was Eleuthere Irenee ciu Pont, the son of a famous French rad- ical intellectual. He had had an excellent, education and had specialized in chem- istry. One of his father's best friends was a supervisor of gunpowder mani- facture for the French government. Dis- gusted with the powder he purchased for hunting purposes it occurred o young Du Pont that America might be & good country in which to start a powder business. He returned to Fra to get material and financial backing. “Merchants of Death,” by Engelbrecht & Hanighen, s “He was aided by the political situation in Europe. Napoleon was letting no opportunity pass which promised to hurt his most formidable enemy, England. If young Du Pont could set going a successful powder mill in the States, England, which sold most of this product not only to America, but to all the world, would be harmed. Therefore the First Consul gave orders that all possible aid be given to Du Pont. So government draftsmen made plans and government arsenals manu- factured machines for the new enter- prise. And plentiful capital was forth- coming. The affair started with favor- able auspices.” Q. How many songs did Will S. Hays of Kentucky write?—E. M. A. Mr. Hays wrote 354 songs. One hun- dred of his compositions reached or ex- ceeded 75,000 coples. His most famous song, “Molly Darling,” was reprinted in six languages and sold more than one million copies. Q. Who was the first Jew to inherit a British peerage?—M. G. A. Louils Samuel Montagu. He the eldest son of the first Baron Swa; ling. The second Baron Swaythling wa born in 1869 and died in 1927. was Q. Is brass a good conductor of elec- tricity?—R. M. B. A. The National Bureau of Standards says that brass is a good conductor of electricity, though not so good as copper. Q. Please explain what is meant by saying that a child has an inferiorit; complex—W. M. A. By Inferiority complex is meant n group of feelings based on a sense o one’s inferiority or inability to meet ce: - tain situations. An inferiority compic may show itself in many ways. A chi may drive himself to success in anoth- field in order to prove his superiority ¢ he may show his inferiority complex 1 bullying smaller children. The best w¢ to help the victim of such a complex is t aid him in achieving real success in line with his best talents and developing him into a person who is socially acceptable and who has a secure position among his fellows, Q. What States prohibit fishing by means of bow and arrow?—W. R. H. A. Kentucky specifically prohibits the taking of game fish by means of bow and arrow. Many other States, including Wisconsin, indirectly prohibit the taking of game fish except by rod, hook and line, Q. Is there any prize offered for illus- trating children’s books?—F. T. B. A. A new award, the Randolph Calde- cott Medal, will be presented annually to the artist of the most distinguished pic- ture book for children published in the United States during the year. The donor is Frederic G. Melcher, editor of Publishers’ Weekly. Q. What were the late Thomas A. Edison’s favorite songs?—F. W. C. A. Among them were “The Sweetest Story Ever Told,” “Kathleen Mavour- neen,” “When I'm Gone Youll Soon Forget,” “Ill Take You Home Again, Kathleen,” and “Would That We Two Were Maying.” Q. What puts out the fire when the soda acid fire exteinguisher is used, the gas formed or the water>—C. T. H. A. In using soda and acid fire extine guishers, when the acid and the soda solutions are mixed, carbonic acid gas is formed and this creates considerable pressure and propels the water through the hose with great force. Carbonic acid gas does not support combustion and when carried along with the water helps to extinguish the fire. Q. What is the rate of postage on first-class mail to China via the Clipper airplanes?—J. A. A. It is 75 cents for each half-ounce. delightful experience. The Russians were much amused by the little screen queen’s remark, as movie folk mobbed the flyers for autographs. Quoth 8hir- ley: “So they get after you, too! Isn't it awful?” * K ok X Another State Department veteran, Just transferred to the field after 27 years of service, is Clinton Edson Mac- Eachran, who has been appointed Consul General at Halif@. After filling many administrative posts at home and abroad, he has been chief clerk of the department for the past seven years, a tour of duty that brought him into ine timate touch with giembers of the fore eign service in Washington and through= out the world. MacEachran is a native of Massachusetts and a graduate of Tufts College and Georgetown Law School. Iy A (Copyright, 1937.) @ A