Evening Star Newspaper, October 8, 1937, Page 8

A—S8 THE EVENING STAR Witk vy Morning Edition THEODORE W. NOYES, Editor WASHINGTON, D. C. October 8, 1937 The Evening Star Newspaper Company Main Office: 11th 8t. and Pennsylvania Ave. New York Office: 110 East 42nd Bt Chicago Office: 435 North Michigan Ave, Delivered by Carrier—City and Suburban Regular Edition Evening and Bunday, 65¢ per mo. or 15c per week The Evening Star-. 45¢ per mo. or 10¢ per week The Sunday 8t —-——----bc per copy Night Final Edition Kight Final and Sunday Star____70c per month Night Final Star 5Hhe per month Collection made at the end of each month or each week. Orders may be sent by mail or tele- phone National 5000. Rate by Mail—Payable in Advance Maryland and Virginia Daily and Sunday._ 1 yr., $10.00; 1 mo., 85¢c Dally only _______ 1 yr. $6.00; 1 mo. 50¢c Bunday only. 1 yr, $4.00; 1 mo. €Uc All Other States and Canada Daily and Sunday. 1 yr. $12.00; 1 mo. Daily only ______ 1 yr, $800; 1 mo., Bunday only _.___ 1 yr, $5.00; 1 mo., $1.00 Tbe 50¢c Member of the Associated Press The Associated Press is exclusively entitled to the use for republication of all news dispatches credited to it or not otherwise credited in this paper &nd also the local news published herein. Il rishts of publication of special dispatches herein are aiso reserved. _— No Conference Here! Diplomatic exchanges are under way between the United States and other hine-power treaty governments, pri- marily Great Britain and France, with @ view to convocation of a conference to consider Japan's aggression in China. ‘The proposed parley is the outgrowth of the League of Nations’ action in brand- ing Japan a treaty-breaker and calling for her chastisement, “conclusions” in which the American Government has formally concurred. London cables report that the United Etates is being sounded as to the ad- visability of holding the conference at ‘Washington, birthplace in 1922 of the {ll-starred agreement which sought to guarantee the territorial integrity and political independence of China. Anglo- French officials do not conceal their preference of this capital as the ap- propriate scene of discussions fraught with momentous possibilities for war or peace, From many standpoints, the convening of the treaty states—Britain, France, Italy, Belgium, the Netherlands, Portu- gal, Japan, China and ourselves—on our #oil would be undesirable and unwel- come. It would thrust this country auto- matically into a position of quasi-re- sponsibility for conference results, espec- ially if they should lead to war as the consequence of economic sanctions against Japan. As chief diplomatic officer of the host nation, Secretary Hull, in accordance with custom would be invited to be chairman of the parley. He can hardly be blamed if he shuns such an addition to the honors he already bears. The American public, eternally vigi- lant on the score of foreign entangle- ments, is prompt to discern in Europe's anxiety to have us sponsor & Japan- disciplining nine-power conference an eagerness to cast us in the role of re- triever of old world chestnuts from the Far Eastern fire. Senator Bomh at Boise yesterday reflected a widespread American view, current now not for the first time, that it is particularly our British friends who seek to make Uncle Sam the goat. The Idahoan may have been staying up nights with a new book entitled “England Expects Every Amer- ican to Do His Duty.” One need not identify one's self with the many soph- istries and prejudices of Mr. Quincy Howe's volume to understand American reluctance to fall into international traps at this critical hour. Japan cherishes too many American grudges, real and fancied, to warrant the totally unnecessary risk of inviting her vengeance anew by seeming to lead the band of her challengers at this tim Japenese grievances against the United Btates ramify back a full generation. They date from 1905, when this country, under another President Roosevelt, was chiefly responsible for inducing Japan to make what she regarded an unprofitable peace with Russia, In 1907 the Wash- ington Government was in the forefront of the international protest against annexation of Korea. In 1908-10 Amer- ican capitalists incurred Tokio's high displeasure by seeking to bring about internationalization of the South Man- churia Railway. From 1914 to 1919 Americans were foremost in criticizing Japanese occupation of Shantung, and, in 1921, at the Washington conference the United States finally effected the province's restitution to China. In 1915, our protests were loudest In denunciation of Japan's famous *“Twenty-One Demands” which em- bodied the domination of China now in progress. In 1918-19 this country left no stone unturned to discourage Japanese occupation of Siberia. In 1921, on America’s initiative, the Wash- ington conference was held, resulting in limitation of the Japanese navy to a 3— b6—5 ratio of inferiority vis a vis Great Britain and the United States, and in the nine-power treaty pledging Japan and other signatories to respect China’s sovereignty. In 1924 Congress passed the obnoxious law excluding Japanese immigration. In 1932 Secretary Stimson sought to induce Great Britain to join in protesting the occupation of Man- churia, and, when Sir John Simon’s devious . diplomacy frustrated action which might have averited today’s calamitous mess, America was left to oppose Japan's course single-handed. This is the record, rightly or wrongly, which persuades the Japanese people that America is the one nation that stands squarely across the path leading %o the realization of their ambitions. It is not only uncalled for, but it would be wantonly foolish, that the United States should now any more than i has already done ta irritate a great THE EVENING STAR, WASHINGTON, nation with which, if still possible, we sincerely desire to remain on friendly terms. Taking part in a nine-power conference is one thing. Assuming for- mai accountability for it is another, and something the American people feel no urge to accept. Autumn for the Poets. All American poets have appreciated the harvest season. Even William Cullen Bryant, who mourned the death of the flowers in “the melancholy days, . . . the saddest of the year,” was conscious of the happier picture in which: “Glori- ous are the woods in their latest gold and crimson.” Meanwhile, Henry Wadsworth Long- fellow told how: “Incessant Piped the quails from shocks and sheaves, And, like living coals, the apples Burned' among the withering leaves.” And John Greenleat Whittier, the Quaker bard, reported: “Autumn’s earliest frost had given To the woods below Hues of beauty, such as heaven Lendeth to its bow; And the soft breeze from the west Scarcely broke their dreamy rest.” But perhaps it is not imperatively necessary for mankind to be able to ex- press in verse its joy in the “third act of the eternal play.” Every one, it seems, is moved to gratitude by the spectacle of painted hills, emblazoned forests, rich fields yielding up their fruits, arbors heavy with grapes red and purple, orchards in which the boughs break from the weight of their own beneficence. ©One must be dull, indeed, not to respond to the challenge of such a triumph. Yet words, inadequate at best, are a poor acknowledgment. What, rather, is wanted is thought of the power repre- sented in the miracle. The harvest is no accident; it does not happen by chance; instead, it is a matter of cause and effect—of elemental, basic, universal law. Nature or God or both may be the explanation. The fact, called by what- ever name, is incontrovertible. Nations may be locked in strife, the race be split in twain by contest, but the clock con- tinues to tick, the planet does not cease to spin in its accustomed path, seeds sown by human hands and by the vagrant wind still prosper, the arithmetic of cosmic equity is not suspended, Autumn is as fair as ever. e Massachusetts Avenue. There will be general public gratifi- cation that the Zoning Commission has rejected an application for a rezoning of Massachusetts avenue which would per- mit the transformation of a residence into & commercial establishment, thus starting & process which would inevitably and soon result in the abandonment of that thoroughfare to business uses. For many years this street for almost its entire stretch from its eastern beginning, & mile or more from the Capitol, to its western end now far in the suburbs, has been kept “residential.” In earlier times, when street rallways were being de- veloped, applications for charters for the laying of car tracks were consistently denied, for it was recognized that such lines were almost inevitably followed by commercial developments. Other streets were given up to these uses, successively enlarging the commercial areas and re- ducing the residential. Massachusetts avenue alone was thus protected sys- tematically. With the adoption of the busses in partial substitution for rail lines the trend toward this transforma- tion increased, but although busses now operate in Massachusetts avenue the strictly residential character of the thor- oughfare has been maintained. In re- cent years it has become the seat of numerous foreign legations and em- bassies and there is in that fact an additional reason for its preservation from business development. The action of the Zoning Commission will be gen- erally approved as in the interest of the maintenance of at least one main thoroughfare of the Capital that is as- sured of freedom from commercial in- vasion. oot The title “Justice” is accorded Mr. Black, but whether or not he assumes it properly will still depend on the ques- tion of his right to help create a posi- tion with a $20,000 a year retirement salary and then assume it himself. The American people have been in a gen- erous mood, yet there are laws which should still be respected or definitely abrogated. —— e It is perhaps no time to introduce another note of war into current affairs, but it might be well to suggest that any- body with an extra supply of helium may as well hold on to it and keep it from getting into careless hands. s Nickels as a Commodity. It may be technically illegal to sell United States currency for a profit, but in some circumstances it will probably be reckoned as a legitimate enterprise. At any rate it has been undertaken in New York, and thus far without inter- ference by the authorities. With im- mense crowds assembling at the grounds where the World Series base ball games are being played there in a swarming rush of -people for the transportation lines after each contest. A great many of these folks lack the small change required for admission to the subway and elevated trains and & number of young men have gone into the business of supplying the coins needful for getting through the turnstiles. With large supplies of nickels, they hawk them at the rate of four for a quarter, and so eager are the home-goers for the earliest possible access to the trains that they have no difficulty in disposing of their “wares” at that rate. That means a twenty-five per cent profit on the trans- action, which is a pratty good gain, Some meticulous legalist of the Treasury Department may regard the business as {llegitimate, yet, prosecution is not likely to be unds If the game were the other way selling quarters for twenty cents, there would be more ground for action.. That would be in truth a depreciation of the currency. “Any one who has ever been in one of these after-the-game rushes for the pub- lic transportation lines after a “Series” game in New York will appreciate the willingness of the crowd to pay six and a quarter cents for a five-cent fare, in order to catch a somewhat earlier train. To the average New Yorker—indeed to the average resident of any of the im- mense cities of this country—such a premium is not too great to pay for the saving of fifteen or twenty minutes. It is an illustration of the old saying, “time is money.” And the time spent in the queue slowly moving past the change windows is rated by most metropolitans as utter waste, The truly wise base ball fan goes to the game prepared, with a pocket full of nickels, to be spent for car fare as well as for peanuts and other commodities usually appurtenant to the sport, but many others are not so provi- dent. This business brings anew to mind the fact that despite the trend of the times toward higher prices generally, New York still maintains the five-cent rail- road fare, which has been a slogan of the usually ruling party in that city. Transportation is about the only cheap commodity remaining in the big town. ——e—s One of the saddest news items that comes from the bleak depths of space is the one which tells of the death of Ray Henderson in an airship accident near Athens. He was a merry librettist, a facile comedian of words, and his loss will be felt even by many who will not recall the associations which surround his name. His fate is rendered doubly sad by its tragic circumstances. He wrote much, directly for the stage, also in loyal self-subordination to personali- ties he had learned to admire. As the cup of bitterness passes there will be many & pause for silent tribute to the memory of Ray Henderson. r—— Aged eighty-four, Ed Howe steps into the Beyond, unconscious of the brilliant memories he leaves behind. Some of his best thoughts were set down with fine precision and with no idea of their tenacious hold on popular recollection, His cherished wishes remain unfulfilled because his simplicity of expression found little time for adjustment. ————— After a period of exacting service as director of the United States Bureau of Air Commerce, Dr. Fred S. Fagg, Ir, will take charge of the Northwestern University'’s School of Commerce. He has acquired much valuable experience which he may be depended on to utilize with practical effect in his new rela- tionship. oot It is reported that Senator Norris is not seriously ill, but needs rest at a sanitarium in Michigan. In the mean- time he will have the good wishes of many friends who hope he is still able to read the newspapers, oo There are more school children than there is food to take care of them. Citizens will not stop to argue about politics while taking care of this strange situation. —————— Shooting Stars. BY PHILANDER JOHNSON. Departing Glories. The Autumn leaves are falling. . The same sad song we hear. And as we pause to think we find They did the same last year. Likewise, the year preceding, Oh, mourntul truth to tell! And also years and years before, The Autumn leaves all fell, The further thought arises To make the poet glum; They will go on behaving thus For many years to come, Bo of departing glories Why dismally complain? They fade and disappear, and then They all come back again. Valued Aide. “Solomon was the wisest of men.” “He certainly acquired that reputa- tion,” mused Senator Sorghum. “At any rate you've got to give him credit for maraging his publicity mighty success- fully.” Jud Tunkins says sometimes you have to give a boy a college education to con- vince him he doesn't know everything Just naturally. Compensation, We hear the story of distress Repeated o'er and o'er. “I want my taxes to be less And someone else’s more.” Improvements. “I understand Crimson Gulch has a new hotel.” . “Yep,” answered Cactus Joe. “Are the sleeping accommodations good?” “You're not supposed to sleep. We had the hotel put up so’s to have a com- fortable place to play poker all night.” “Few triumphs are complete,” said Hi Ho, the sage of Chinatown. “A victory too often leaves smouldering hatreds waiting to burst into flame.” Generosity. Dear Uncle Sam is generous with people near and far. The nations recognize him as a phii- anthropic star. He sends his contributions, which are easily obtained, 'To people who are needy, and his purse is never drained. “Credulity,” said Uncle Eben, “is what makes folks keep on believin’ all dey sees ong® billboards is gineter come trus THE POLITICAL MILL BY G. GOULD LINCOLN. President Roosevelt, from his home in Hyde Park, indicated he will decide whether to call a special session of Con- gress in November after he has con- ferred with his advisers in Washington, Presumably these advisers .include his own official family and leaders in Con- gress. He returned to Washington this morning. A special session of Congress, in the light of the President’s Chicago speech in which he virtually pledged the aid of the United States to other peace- loving nations to bring about and main- tain world peace, will find this coun- try’s foreign relations a major subject for consideration. The President’s pro- nouncement is a far step from the atti- tude of the isolationists who have been dominant since the defeat of American entry into the League of Nations, and later, the declination to adhere to the, World Court. It has a very different ring from that of the neutrality acts, put through Congress and designed to help maintain the aloofness of this Na- tion from world affairs. * %k x The President has not yet given defi- nite character to his suggestion that a “quarantine” be raised against those nations which are aggressors in the “wars” which are now progressing in the Far East and in Europe. The details of any such agreement are still nebul- ous. The declaration of the President, however, that if America is to remain at peace, it must take its part in pre- venting world conflict has struck a re- sponsive chord. In the first instance, which is perhaps the most important from & practical point of view, the foreign relations of this country are in the hands of the Chief Executive. * x x x Senator Borah of Idaho, a leader in the fight to prevent American entry into the League of Nations, who has been dubbed an isolationist par excellence, sees in any co-operation with China entry of the United States into war. He praises President Roosevelt’s determ- ination to keep this Nation out of war. But if any attempt is made by the ad- ministration to associate this Govern- ment with other governments in a “quarantine” against Japan, the Idaho Senator may be heard from. The same is true if an effort is made to deal with the nations which have been meddling In the Spanish civil war, so called. A conference, under the terms of the nine- power treaty, Borah believes, would have been more effective if it had been called before denouncing Japan as an aggres- sor nation. Senator Nye of North Dakota, another isolatignist and a determined supporter of “neutrality,” takes a gloomy view of the situation. It is his opinion that the country is fast drifting into war, and that the Roosevelt policies and the President’s failure to invoke the neutrality law are responsible. Beyond the shadow of a doubt, unless Japan shows herself willing to confer with the other signatories to the,nine- power treaty, pledging China's integrity, and expresses a definite hope of peaceful settlement, the whole foreign policy will be discussed in the halls of Congress. * X ok X Backers of the President's suggestion of concerted action against Japan ex- press confidence that such action will be effective, and that the surest way to keep this country out of war is by firm action now toward Japan. This is the view of Senator Pittman, chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee. * x x x The President’s speech on foreign relations, war and peace, has turned public attention for the moment from the case of Associate Justice Black of the Supreme Court. But this Black matter may come to the fore again with renewed fire if a special session of Con- gress opems soon. The President, who remained aloof from press conferences on his recent Western trip, said at Hyde Park that he had not yet seen Justice Black since Black returned frem Europe. The President did not say in so many words that he would have no further comment upon the Black-Klan row, but he intimated as much. That there will be a demand that the President express himself, however, in the light of Justice Black's admission that he was once a member of the Ku Klux Klan, seems pretty plain. With the President back in Washington, it is to be expected that Justice Black will have an opportunity to talk with him before long. ok ok x If a special session of Congress is called, the legislators will be expected to deal primarily with farm legislation —crop control—and with the wages and hours bill, both of which bogged down in the final windup of the last session. The President probably will want to know from Chairman Jones of the House Committee on Agriculture and from Chairman Smith of the Senate Com- mittee, whether a farm bill can be ready soon after the opening of a special ses- slon. The wages and hours bill, which ‘was sponsored in the Senate by the now Associate Justice Black of the Supreme Court and in the House by the late Representative Connery of Massachu- setts, has been whipped into shape in congressional committees already. It probably &ill be given still further con- sideration before being actually brought to the floor of either house. The meas- ure will meet strong resistance from some quarters. * K ok X What will be the attitude of those Democrats who broke with the Presi- dent over the court bill and other matters during the last session of Con- gress, in the event a special session is called? The President ignored some of them in his recent Western trip. He made references to those who give “lip service” to the New Deal and also to “doubting Thomases.” Will they now g0 along with the administration in its demands for the prompt passage of the crop control bill, the wages and hours bill, the Government reorganization bill? Will they fold up and stay inside the reservation, after having seen Roose- velt’s triumphal trip across the Con- tinent, and after the New York and Massachusetts elections? Or will they persist in the independent attitude they adopted last Spring and Summer? There are plenty of Democrats who are exercised over the financial status of the Government. There are those who will continue their demands for economy and attack heavy govern- mental expenditures. How far they will get is problematical. - ————— Altitude and Autos. Prom the Fort Wayne News-Sentinel, Traffic engineers say that in the future auto highways are going up in the air. Safety experts say that in the meantime many motorists are going even higher. Dairy Dialling From the Philadelphis Evening Bulletin. Indiana farmer says he dials only soothing music for his cows and they give more milk, but the charices are he has s radio in the cowshed use the wife and kids go in for jash D. C, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1937. THIS AND THAT BY CHARLES E. TRACEWELL, Small spiders come indoors these days. Some of them gain admittance through bouquets of flowers brought in for table decoration. Little spiders, these, hanging to blooms and leaves, all ready to drop into the salad or butter at the most Inopportune time. Larger specimens appear suddenly in living room and bed room, in the best- kept homes. They are all seeking refuge from the cold weather, which they know, in their strange way, is not far off. The writer here for many months had & pet spider living on a web, which it had spun from the spout to the stand of an old-fashioned clipper ship weather glass. This was a very handsome little ani- mal, which never grew any larger than one's little finger nail. Because of its relatively small size it lacked a great deal of the true spider- ishness which s0 often frightens people. * x % X Yes, a spider is an animal, not an This always comes as news to many. In fact, it is always easy to get a bet on the matter. Especially in a crowd there is always some one who knows, 30 he says, that a spider is not an animal. Largest and smallest of them, all are animals. So it may be realized that a pet spider is perfectly possible, no matter what one’s reactions to these curious creatures may be. True insects always strike the layman as rather unclean, Spiders, on the other hand—we hope not—seem rather clean, do they not? The way they scurry around, when frightened, gives even the greatest insect loather a firm understanding of the fact that they are not insects, though they do look very much like them, but are as much animals, in their way, as Fido or Tom. % %% ‘Those who do not fear spiders in the least might well let them alone, despite the temptation which comes to many to kill them on sight, as one does serpents. It may be believed that they rid the home of many crawling things, and in themselves constitute no real danger to any one. As far as our rather limited observa- tions of them go, they are rather ready to scurry away from a human, once they are convinced that the two-legged ani- mal has noticed them. So much publicity has been given to the famous black widow spider that per- haps it is asking t0o much of the average householder to let his indoor spiders alone. Yet it well may be possible to distin- guish between the harmful sorts and the perfectly inoffensive spiders. Harmful kinds are black. in most cases, and possess an air which might be called swaggering, were they humans. The average person, especially if he or she does not care for spiders, will be able to tell the big, bad spiders from the harmless sorts at one glance, * % ¥ x Small, grayish specimens, which usu- ally come indoors on bouquets, are not to be feared except by the most squeam- ish onlookers. ‘They are insect destroyers, and well may Le cherished for that purpose. An average house cat, by the way, is one of the best indoor insect destroyers. ‘Tom or Tabby will specialize on centi- pedes and related forms. Just where they acquire this taste is dubious, and it will be viewed with dislike by many humans, but it is good for a house, nevertheless. The cat which has a fancy for fresh centipede works up an uncanny ability at catching them, and becomes in time far better than any amount of so-called insect powder. The family will be seated in calm con- tent in front of the radio when sud- denly Tom, who has seemed fast asleep, darts into the air and jumps beneath the radiator. No one can see what he is after, but he can see it. Closer inspection by some interested member of the family soon shows that the cat has cornered one of the most universally disliked of all creeping things. He will eat it, too, unless prevented. Homes with cats, therefore, are prap- tically free from such vermin. ere ‘are many other forms of insect life which attract the attention of the domestic cat. xx ¥ x The spider, a brother animal, falls beneath Tom's paw, if it comes within reach. But mostly spiders are on ceilings, or walls, where even the spryest cat cannot get at them. The sight of an active spider on a ceiling will not conduce to the peace of mind of many persons, especially ab bedtime. ‘There is something about that form aloft which speaks volumes against peaceful slumber. It is not only the legend of spiders, and the sinister place they occupy in psychological interpretations, but rather & sure understanding of their inclina- tions to drop down later on which in- spires the would-be sleeper to ideas of destruction. Once the animal is spotted, it is impos- sible for sensitive persons to turn out the light and go to sleep, as the popular song of several seasons ago begged. No, the creature must be slain. Catching him, however, is distinctly another matter. He possesses many legs, and real ability at using them. He can move in all directions, and the ceiling is high—it will not do to strike him so that he falls directly into one’s face. * X % % Spiders which have enough sense to keep off ceilings and side walls of bed chambers may be allowed to live in peace in one’s house. They do no harm, and probably do some good, by ridding the premises of such living things as they deem their proper prey. Most of these will be far worse, in all likelihood, than the spiders, which, let us keep firmly in mind, are animals, not insects. Another animal which comes indoors at this season is the mouse, famous in song and story, but never very welcome, it would seem. Old Tom comes into his own here, too. WASHINGTON OBSERVATIONS BY FREDERIC WILLIAM WILE. President Roosevelt and Secretary Hull are ready to talk about equipping the nine-power treaty with the teeth neces- sary to give it biting effect on Japan. If that major diplomatic-dental operation is performed, the acquired molars un- doubtedly will be for economic grinding purposes. The country will be well ad- vised not to rush to the conclusion that the administration is already prepared to join in a boycott of Japan, including the shutting off of both her exports and imports. White House and State De- partment are moving cautiously in this fleld of “positive efforts to preserve peace,” because such a “quarantine” means nothing less than Nippon's strangulation, with al? that entails, in- cluding the strong probability that she would consider it a cause for war. Amer- icans may therefore rest assured that the Washington authorities charged with the grave responsibility of decisions are going to make haste slowly. They will look before they leap and be as certain as they can that the United States is truly united behind measures loaded with international dynamite, % ok x In many respects Mr. Roosevelt is patterning after his World War chief, Woodrow Wilson, in grappling with the crisis. F. D. R. wishes, just as Wilson did, to have public opinion with him up to the hilt before taking irretrievable steps. If during the next few days, or even weeks, there's a period of delay savoring of stalling or pussyfooting, the reason will be the President’s determina- tion to mobilize sentiment for his pro- gram. It was two years after the Lusi- tania and Wilson’s “too proud to fight” manifesto, before he called upon the Nation to throy its force “without stint” into the crusade to crush Kaiserism. After saying “A” at Chicago, it isn't to be expected that Mr. Roosevelt will wait anywhere near that long before saying “B.” No one who knows the Dutch in him believes that New Dealer No. 1 started anything which he isn’t prepared to finish. %% x If anybody has any doubt about what's at stake for Japan in the way of a boy- cott, let him read Ambassador Hirosi Saito’s 1935 book on “Japan’s Policies and Purposes.” He points out that the United States buys more Japanese pro- ducts annually than any other country in the world, chiefly silk. Practically the entire export output of the empire’s all-vital industry goes to America. In turn, Japan buys our cotton, being the heaviest purchaser of it in the world. In 1934 she took more than Great Brit- ain, France and Germany combined. Ninety per cent of Japan’s motor vehicles are American-made. Altogether she buys more over here than all the rest of the Far East combined, including the Philippines. Senate Foreign Rela- tions Chairman Pittman and former Becretary of State Stimson do not ex- aggerate in suggesting that a boycott of silk imports and an embargo on cotton exports would sever Japan’s jugular vein, and sooner or later make it virtu- ally impossible for her to wage war in China or anywhere else. They're think- ing hard about all these things in Tokio this week. * k X x Our authorities view with mixed emo- tions the idea of holding a nine-power conference in Washington—or, rather, an eight-power affair, for Japan's chair presumably ‘would be vacant. To con- voke on American soil & parley called to curb and possibly punish the Japanese would mean this country’s assuming quasi-leadership of the whole critical business, with Secretary Hull as head man. Japan would almost be sure, under suc;nl circumstancey, to pl:ce the princi) ame for herb?omfl ure on our IE:M-I. Plenty &/ people, like Senator Borah, are already saying that ‘we are once again about to pull British chestnuts out of the fire. This may or may not be true, but London undoubt- edly would be happy to have Washing- ton play the leading role in the tragedy now developing. Your wary Uncle Sam fully understands this. That's one of the reasons why the striped-trousered old gentleman is watching his step. * ox ok x ‘This observer lays no claim to any gifts as a soothsayer, but in light of the sudden obscurity in which Mr. Justice Black is submerged, and the basic cause thereof, said scribe deposes and points out a few words recorded in this place on September 18, to-wit: “Americans are afflicted with notoriously short memories, even in the case of a major political stench like the Black Klan exposure. Other front page stuff comes along, and frequently the sensation of yesterday and today is tomorrow’s forgotten story. Administrations and politicians alw: bank heavily on this trait in the na- tional character. It has enabled more than one of them to get away with murder. * * * Such a development as the United States’ involvment in the Far East would ideally serve that pur- pose.” * X X X Because of Dixie's economic import- ance, as well as its political power, no single aspect of a possible Japanese boy- cott looms bigger in administration con- siderations than the effect such action would have on the Southland’s life blood —cotton. As this year’s crop is running between 16,000,000 and 17,000,000 bales, an embsrgo on exports to Japan would deal the South a serious blow. One thought is that the Government might compensate cotton growers by taking the crop off their hands at market prices and holding it until world trade channels are open again. Even If it cost the Treasury $500,000,000, that would be a mere flea-bite, compared to the bill we'd have to foot if the Japanese made the boycott a cause for war. * % ok X Former Budget Director Lew Douglas’ appointment as principal of McGill Uni- versity, Montreal, recalls long-standing Canadian-American university ties. Wil- liam Lyon MacKenzie King, present prime minister of the Dominion, re- nounced & distinguished professorial career at Harvard in order to enter Canadian politics. After being a fellow in political economy at the University of Chicago in 1896-97, he was a fellow in political science at Harvard for three years, including & traveling fellowship abroad. He received his A. M. at Cam- bridge in 1898 and Ph.D, in 1909. Sir Auckland Geddes, British Ambassador at Washington from 1920 to 1924, came here right after two years’ principalship of McGill. * k% Mrs. Martha Robbins Gold, for 18 years & popular figure on Capitol Hill as secretary to Senator Moses of New Hampshire, and since 1933 a member of the District bar, has just been admitted to practice in the Federal Court of Claims. She previously attained that status in the District Court of Appeals and the Supreme Court. The admission of Mrs. Gold and her law partner, Miss Pearl McCall, former assistant United States district attorney in Washington, to the Court of Claims was moved by Percy M. Cox of the Department of Justice division of claims. (Copyright, 1037.) r———s The Irrepressible. From the Macon Telegrsph. George Bernard S8haw has written a fifth act for one of Bhakespeare's plays, but pr wait until the long Winter set in before tossing off another of Psalms. ,vegetable carts. 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. What is the theme song used in the motion picture, “Lost Horizon”?—A. R. A. It is entitled “Lost Horizon,” and was written by Dimitri Tiomkin, but has never been published. Mr. Tiomkin wrote the entire score for the picture, Q. How much schooling did Al Capone have?—D. A, A. He left school in the fourth grade to help his parents, and soon learned to prowl the streets and alleys, pillaging Even in his early youth he was smart, shrewd and a leader of childhood gangs. Q. Are Red Caps paid by railroads or terminal companies?—L. G. A. They are paid by neither. They de- pend on the passengers for their compen- sation. Red Caps are known as station porters and the union is affiliated with the American Federation of Labor. Q. Did Yellowstone Park close on Sep- tember 26?—M. T. A. At the request of President Roose- velt, the time has been extended two weeks, unless snow makes the roads im- passable. Q. Where did the men who are boot= legging coal come from?—S. B. A. Practically all of them have spent their lives in the anthracite region. They are for the most part former miners or sons of miners. X Q. What kind of a college is the Uni« versity of New Zealand?—P. Z. A. It is an examining and not a teache ing body. Q. What has become of the Indian tribes which inhabited Virginia?—F. R. A. Of the some sixty-four tribes which have been listed as residing in Virginia since the days of Capt. John Smith only five are left, the others having been killed off in war or dissipated until their remnants were absorbed by other tribes or having migrated elsewhere, Q. When water boils away, what be- comes of {t?—H. E. B. A. It changes from liquid to s gas, which floats away in the atmosphere, Q. How many operators do Western Union and Postal Telegraph Companies employ?—C. J. H. A. Western Union employs 1434 chief operators and 11363 regular operators. Postal Telegraph employs 334 chief operators and 5,614 regular operators. Q. What words in the English language will rhyme with the word, month?—F. K. A. There is no word which rhymes with month, Q. What is Geerge Klingle's real name? —C. 8. B, A. Mrs. Georgiana Holmes signs this pseudonym to her poems, Q. What ship did Lafayette come to this country on during the Revolution? —H. A. P, A. Lafayette purchased and fitted up the ship La Victoire (the Victory) for his trip to America. Q. Please explain the sudden disap- pearance of ice from fresh-water ponds in the Spring—S. 8. D. A. As ice melts, changes occur in the crystals within. The crystalline struc- ture of a block of ice is not apparent, owing to the close contact and perfectly regular arrangement of the crystals, but when a piece of ice is exposed to radia- tion from any luminous source, disinte- gration gradually takes place, and by the use of a lens numerous small crystals may be seen, studding the interior of the block; as the heat continues, these erys- tals expand and finally assume the shape of six-rayed stars of exquisite beauty. Then, although it cannot be seen with the naked eye, the block of ice has changed its structure and is partially melted long before its surface shows any change. What appears to be a sudden disintegration has actually been going on for some time within the block. Q. When was the first keyless watch made?—C. H. M. A. About 1680. Most watches, however, were key-winding well into the nine- teenth century. Q. When —E. R. A. White men first came in contact with it im 1779 when Lieut. Richard Bagnall of Sullivan’s Indian exposition secured several ears from Indians west of the Susquehanna River. was sweet corn discovered? Q. What will keep moisture from pene- trating a brick wall?>—W. C. B. A. The National Bureau of Standards says that the application of a solution of*ten ounces of paraffin to a gallon of benzol in several coats, applied at in- tervals of not less than 24 hours at & time when the brick wall is thoroughly dry, has proved sufficiently effective in most cases to prevent water from com- ing entirely through the wall. Before applying this to the wall, the soft and porous places should be repaired. This solution of benzol and paraffin is highly inflamniable, and should not be used near open fires. —— e The Care of Pets. This 32-page booklet is a compilation of the best information and suggestions obtainable from governmental and other authoritative sources on the care of all kinds of pets—how to feed them, houss them, train them, exercise them, breed them and looking after their minor ail- ments. If you have any pets in your home you will find this booklet of real practical help. Send for your copy today. Inclose 10 cents to cover cost and handling. Use This Order Blank The Washington Evening Star Information Bureau, Frederic J. Haskin, Director, ‘Washington, D. C, - I inclose herewith TEN CENTS in coin (carefully wrapped) for a copy of the booklet on CARE OF PETS, Name. P State. (Fjease order by mail only.)