Evening Star Newspaper, January 6, 1942, Page 10

Che Foening Htar With Sunday Morniag Edition. THEODORE W. NOYES, Editor. WASHINGTON, D. C. January 6, 1942 The Evening su: Newspaper Company. Main Ofllu llth 8t. lnd Pennsylvania Ave. New York Office:’ 110 East 42nd Chicago Office: 435 Nofl-h Michigan Ave. Delivered by Carrier—City and Suburban. tion. Evening and Sundey ;e b m6. or 18 per week e’ Evening Star___45c per mo. or 10¢ per week ‘The Sunday Star .-10¢ per copy N n. Night Pinal and Sund: ~85¢ per month Night Final "Star ~” 60c per month ivery. 5¢ per month 85 Ber montn at the end of each month or Orders may be sent by mail or tele- lhflne Nntlon-l 5000. Rate by Mail—Payable in Advance. Daily and Sun 170, $1200: 1mo. $1.00 Daily only Bunday only T 3500 1mer a6 Entered as second-class matter post office, Washineion. B & Member of the Associated Press. The Associated Press is exclusively entitled to the tise. for Tepublication of ll news dispaiches gredited to it or not otherwise credited in this paper and also the local news published herein. RIPTights. of Cpubiication "of ‘special dispatches herein also are reserved. Traffic Department The report of the Commissioners’ Special Committee on Reorganization of the Traffic Department gives offi- cial, though belated, recognition to the already widespread belief that Washington’s traffic administration and control system has not kept pace with rapidly growing demands of a city so important and so expansive as the National Capital. The study on which the report is based indi- cates that the chief reasons for the deficiency are the all-too-familiar ones, inadequate funds and inade- quate personnel. Thus handicapped, the department has been required to face daily increasing burdens and a multitude of new problems with an organization more suited to the needs of 1932 than 1942. Further- more, in other jurisdictions, State authorities administer such func- tions as motor vehicle registration and the issuance of permits to drive, while here these responsibilities are lumped with purely municipal duties of traffic engineering, control and education. Each official of the depart- ment has had to assume personal direction of more activities than one executive can handle efficiently. Much of the work has come under the supervision of a single deputy director, for example, and the chief clerk has divided his time between administrative duties and such oper- ating functions as installation of signals, street marking, inspection and supervision of parking meters. The Commissioners’ committee, composed of Highway Director H. C. Whitehurst and Assistant Engineer Commissioner Beverly C. Snow, has prepared what seems to be a sensible pattern for reorganization of the department in line with modern mu- nicipal practice. Three main divi- sions would be created—motor ve- hicles (registration and driving per- mits), engineering, (planning, sur- veys, accident analysis and preven- tion) and operations (signals, signs, inspection and parking meters)— each under & responsible head. In- stead of the present triffic safety education section, there would be a public relations section, with a chief thoroughly qualified to enlist public co-operation in traffic safety and en- forcement plans. Close liaison be- tween the Traffic and Highway De- partments would be maintained through an interdepartmental com- mittee. The whole plan is similar to the setups in Minneapolis and Pitts- burgh, it is pointed out. The Commissioners have approved the program “in principle,” but have announced they will take no steps immediately to obtain funds neces- sary to supply the added personnel involved in such a reorganization, due to “uncertainties” as to person- nel needed to effect the changes. Eight new employes are provided for under the 1943 budget, but twenty- eight others would be required to complete the reorganization. The exigencies of the traffic problem in Washington make it advisable that all obstacles in the way of early re- organization of the Traffic Depart- ment be cleared away as soon &8s pos- sible, so that Washington may have the type of modernized, efficient traffic administration and control so urgently needed here. Watching the Schools In proposing that air-raid wardens, special police or soldiers be given the task of maintaining watches in the smaller schools, Superintendent of Schools Ballou has suggested a sensible modification of the original plan to have teachers keep watch on a twenty-four-hour basis in all schools. 1t is not surprising that the initial plan met with opposition on the part of many teachers, nor is there the slightest reason to believe that this opposition evidenced any lack of patriotism on their part. On the contrary, the teachers as a class are as patriotic and as willing to make necessary sacrifices in behalf of na- tional defense as is any other ele- ment in the community. The difficulty in this instance, it seems, grew out of the confusion attending the issuance of the order for the vigil and the absence . of any adequate explanation of the necessity for fit. The latest proposal by the Super- intendent of Schools is that the watching of all elementary schools of eight rooms or less be taken over by local air-raid wardens, special police or soldiers, and it has been indicated that Qjvilian Defense offi- cials look with favor on this sug- gestion. Thus, there is reason to believe that the change will be made in the case of the smaller schools. If the policy of having the wardens, special police or soldiers maintain these watches in Kw case of the THE EVENING STAR, WASHINGTON, smaller schools is sound, however, it is difficult to see why it should not also be applied to the larger estab- lishments. Women teachers in par- ticular are ill-equipped for this sort of work, and many of them already are engaged in other and more appropriate forms of civilian defense activity. It is to be hoped that the Civilian Defense authorities, instead of being content with rectifying an error only in the case of the smaller schools, will see fit to go the whole way and assign the task of guarding schools which must be kept open to those who are best qualified to do the job. Strategic Burma After vital Singapore, Burma ranks next in the strategic picture of the vast battleground in Southeastern Asia. Although relatively little in the news, its importance hardly can be overestimated. Burma is best known to us as the gateway to the famous road which is Free China’s sole feasible line of communication with the outer world. But Burma means much more than this. It is the eastern bulwark of Britain’s In- dian empire, and is in itself of con- siderable significance with its wealth of natural resources, including oil, and its population of 15,000,000 in an area nearly as large as Texas. Japan’s seizure of French Indo- China and subsequent occupation of Thailand brings Burma into direct contact with the threat of Nipponese aggression. Indo-China touches Burma for about 100 miles along the upper course of the great Mekong River. Thence begins the Thai- Burmese frontier, which runs irregu- larly southward for fully 800 miles. This might seem to offer many opportunities for invasion, but a glance at a rellef map shows that the practicable sectors are limited. The upper Mekong rushes swiftly through narrow valleys, and pre- cipitous gorges, while the country on both sides is undeveloped moun- tainous jungle inhabited by wild tribes. This effectively prevents large-scale military operations be- tween Burma and Indo-China. Much the same is true of théadja- cent northern half of the Thai- Burmese frontier. This border is clearly traced by nature along the crests of heavily wooded tropical mountain ranges, likewise unde- veloped and virtually roadless. Here again military movements would be extremely difficult for large troop masses and would be even more im- practicable for mechanized equip- ment. The real field for major military moves is where Burma narrows to a long tongue of territory that reaches down into-the narrow Malay Pen- insula, which it bisects with Thai- land. This narrow projection, known as British Tenasserim, extends to within 300 miles of British Malaya. If Britain could pour enough troops into Tenasserim, the Japanese line of communication down the Thai side of the peninsula might be cut and the Nipponese invaders of Ma- laya isolated. At present, however, the Japanese have the initiative through their possession of the Thai railroad down the peninsula, which enables them to concentrate quickly against Tenasserim at many points. Presumably, therefore, the British are holding Tenasserim lightly, their chief frontier concentration being at Moulmein, where Tenasserim broadens into the bulk of Burma and where the broad Salween River forms a natural barrier against a Japanese push toward the great port of Rangoon, 100 miles behind. When Japanese planes tried to bomb Moulmein a few days ago, they ran into & hornet’s nest of British and American fighters and suffered se- vere losses. Indeed, the Royal Air Force is now carrying the war into Thailand, bombing Japanese air bases there. There are indications that heavy British reinforcements are pouring into Burma, not only to protect it from invasion but also to launch a possible counteroffensive into Thai- land, which would menace the Japa- nese operations against Singapore. Such an offensive presumably would be synchronized with a Chinese in- vasion from Yunnan into Northern Indo-China. Such an invasion could follow several river valleys, since the frontier cuts across the mountain ranges instead of following their crests. Large masses of Chinese regulars are stationed in Yunnan, and a common plan of campaign has been worked out under the system of unified commanhd among all the Allies in the Far East. The Chinese again have shown their mettle by their smashing victory over the Japanese at Changsha. A new battle front for Nippon thus may soon be opened, putting a crimp into their Singapore campaign. Local Red Cross Drive A campaign to raise Washington’s quota of the $50,000,000 war fund of the American Red Cross begins to- day. The amount sought from local subscribers is $750,000—a sum rela- tively small when judged in relation to the cause in which the money is to be spent. Far larger objectives in behalf of enterprises of mercy in foreign lands have Been attained without difficulty in the past. On this occasion the task should be easy, considering that the purpose to be served is that of the relief of the armed personnel and civilians of the United States exclu- sively. The budget includes such help as only the Red Cross is pre- pared to give to soldiers, sailors and marines on the firing line, wounded or sick, convalescing, perhaps perma- nently crippled. Provision is made for assistance to the needy families of men ennled in the battle for . freedom. The maintenance of rec- reation centers wherever required is & part of the program. Distribution of food and medical supplies in civil- ian communities which have suffered attack is listed under the heading of “civilian emergency relief.” All the educational endeavor of the 3,740 existing chapters of the national society is embraced in the drive, The present solicitation neces- sarily contemplates a reserve for emergency use in the event of any development for which extra re- sources would be demanded. With- out suggesting the inevitabllity of air raids upon the cities of the Atlan- tic and the Pacific Coasts, it never- theless is altogether possible that towns on both sides of the continent may be bombed. The Red Cross then would want money instantly avail- able. It is to protect the whole American community against a lack of requisite supplies and trained re- lief workers that a proper “surplus” is asked. Fifteen per cent of the sum contributed will be used in Washing- ton. The rest is for the national treasury of “the greatest mother in the world. The BrnTw;Case In recommending cancellation of the deportation warrant against Harry R. Bridges, the Board of Im- migration Appeals rejects completely the evidence assembled by the Gov- ernment in the eleven-week hearing at San Francisco. Special Examiner Charles B. Sears decided that the evidence identified the Australian- born C. I. O. official with the Com- munist party, and warranted his ex- pulsion from this country. The Ap- peals Board rejected this finding. Judge Sears, a former member of the New York Court of Appeals, based his conclusions on a nine-year record which included Mr. Bridges’ erstwhile editorial connection with the Waterfront Worker, a publication sponsored by the Marine Workers’ Industrial Union, reputed Com- munist party affiliate, and a state- ment by Harry Lundeberg, an Amer- ican Federation of Labor longshore- men’s official, that the defendant had admitted -being a Communist. The board, while not passing on the character of the Marine Workers’ Industrial Union, accepted Mr. Bridges’ contention that his associa- tion with the Waterfront Worker was subsequent to its control by the M. W. 1 U. The Lundeberg, testi- mony, the board said, was not to be believed, although Judge Sears had expressed the opinion it was impres- sive, despite the fact that defendant and witness are rivals in the labor world. At the same time, the board em- phasized the “forthright nature” of Mr. Bridges’ testimony, who flatly disclaimed any communistic tie-up. The presence of certain discrepan- cies was conceded, particularly be- tween statements by the labor leader in deportation proceedings two years ago, and some in the present case. The conviction was expressed, however, that “those errors are the honest mistakes of a witness relying on a human memory rather than a prefabricated defense.” Final dispo- sition of the case is up to Attorney General Biddle. The second case was instituted under a new law which subjects an alien to deportation for past mem- bership in a subversive organization. Under the old statute, requiring proof of active membership, Mr. Bridges was cleared at a hearing conducted by Dean James M. Landis. It is worth mentioning that the action of the appeals board in re- Jecting the evidence, which Judge Sears said warrants deportation, runs counter to the course imposed on Federal courts. Recurrently these tribunals are admonished by the Supreme Court against substi- tuting their judgment for that of administrative agencies by challeng- ing findings of fact. That the hearing officer is best fitted to judge the evidence was stressed by Secretary of Labor Per- kins in upholding the Landis de- cision. On that occasion she said that personal contact with the wit- nesses gave the examiner the oppor- tunity to appraise both their veracity and the weight to be accorded their testimony. Block That Ghost Scattered throughout the British Isles are a number of caves, formerly used by Druids, then pirates and smugglers, and now as air raid shel- ters. This is an ideal arrangement, it would 'seem, as the caves are large, deep and absolutely bombproof. But, according to recent reports from Britain, the former users of the caverns, the Druids, pirates and smugglers, have lingered on in spirit if not in body and resent the in- trusion of moderns. The refuges are so haunted that it is said to be almost impossible to make effective use of them. TUnless “~bombing outside is devastating, most people prefer it to the eerie howls of the ghosts and the annoyance of being solemnly gazed at by long-bearded Druids and pushed around by un- patriotic pirates and smugglers who ought to move over to Germany, and carry on their war of nerves uluut the enemy. Something should be done. Cannot America help? Much strange cargo has gone from here to Great Britain, including a plane load of live frogs for medical research. Is it too much to hope, then, that a few ghostbreak- ers may also be sent from the hex district of Pennsylvania? One of the first and best New Year resolutions your Uncle Samuel could make (and possibly he did) is never again to let the wool be both pulled over }is eyes and stuffed in his ears. D. C, Of Stars, Men And Atoms Notebook of Science Progress In Laboratory, Field And Study By Thomas R. Henry. Parachute jumping is a relatively safe occupation. 8uch is the testimony of Lts. Willlam J. Tobin, Laurence J. Cohen and John T. Vandover of the Army Medical Corps in a report to the American Medical Association on the injuries in training sustained to date by American soldiers, During the past year, up tol August 1, there had been 4,490 training jumps, in which 121 men were injured. Only 32, however, were hurt seriously enough to require hospital attention. One was killed when, in & jump from 750 feet, both his main and emergency para- chutes falled to open completely. The majority of the injuries reported by the Army doctors were bone fractures, due to rough landings. The wind has proved the main hazard to the jumper, they say. If cross wind currents are strong the increased swaying of the parachute will cause the jumper to strike the ground unevenly. If one of the ankles hits the ground first and the wind is on the parachutist’s side, a vio- lent sheering force may be developed sufficient to break the ankle joint. Oscillation of the parachute due to in- experience of the jumper also may be dangerous, they point out. Wind cur- rents within 200 feet of the ground are most treacherous, they explain, because at that level the parachutist must pre- pare to land. Another danger is rough ground. If one foot lands at one level and another at a lower level or higher level there results an unequal distribu- tion of weight. One curious accident has occurred in the training program, the doctors report. The parachutist jumped in the usual manner from s plane traveling at approximately 120 miles an hour. His chute opened prematurely and became hooked on the tail of the plane, where he remained suspended for about 10 minutes. During this time he was spun around at terrific speed. Just before losing consciousmess he had the presence of mind to open his emergency chute. This opening had sufficient force to tear him away from the plane, but in doing so violently wrenched his left hip joint. Although accidents to date have been few, the Army doctors say, they probably will be much reduced in the future by improved training methods. During the course of ground training, they explain, there are two types of jumps—the plat- form and tower jumps. The platform Jumpe are made from levels of 4, 6 and 11 feet, but the latter height has been gen- erally discarded because of several in- Juries sustained by green recruits. In this phase of training the jumper, with harness attached, attempts to sim- ulate what actually takes place when he lands during s parachute jump. He is taught the method of landing to take up shock. The instructions are to land equally on the balls of the two feet so that this shock, which is transmitted through the ankles, knees, legs and hips, may be partially absorbed. A man is supposed to land with the legs shoulder- width apart, the ankles held firmly, but not rigidly, and to fall forward in a roll, £0 that the shock may be broken at the knees and ankles. Two types of tower jumps are used. In one, known as the “harness” or “con- trol” jump, the student is attached to the harness with an open chute con- trolled by cables. He is allowed to fall through 250 feet and lands on a rubber steel spring mattress. The other is known as the free-tower jump, in which the jumper is hoisted to the top of a tower 250 feet high in an open chute and then dropped. This exactly simulates a parachute jump. R R A “cold meter” has just been réported to the American Medical Association. Tested in one of New York's largest department stores and in subways, rail- way cars, factories and hospitals by two Cornell Medical College doctors, it prom- ises to measure the likelihood of catch- ing cold in a given environment. It is based, according to the report of Drs. John C. Torrey and Michael Lake, on a device known as the Wells air cen- trifuge, which collects large samples of air from which it is possible to isolate and cultivate bacteria. Bacteria do not cause colds. Most types of those maladies are believed to be due to infinitestimably minute living particles, filterable viruses, which con- stantly are present in the air but which could be detected only with extreme difficulty, if at all. Drs. Torrey and Lake found, however, that the prevalence of colds among the employes of the department store, of which careful records were kept, varies with the prevalence in the atmosphere of a “bug” which can be isolated and counted. It is known as the “alpha hemolytic streptococcus.” It is present in most persons’ mouths and throats most of the time and is the prevalent organism thrown into the air by respira- tion. Closely associated with it is the slightly different “gamma hemolytic streptococcus,” and Drs. Torrey and Lake found that there correlations with cold prevalence were slightly better when the numbers of both types were combined. Bacteriologists long have had a rough test of the purity of drinking water supplies—the prevalence of a micro- scopic organism known as Esch. coli. Presence of other disease-causing germs is assumed 1if this bug is found in con- siderable numbers. The streptococci count, the two ex- perimenters say, may serve the same purpose for the air. ‘The big department store ofl&ed an excellent testing ground. It has from 11,000 to 20,000 employes, depending on the season. Vast numbers of customers constantly are crowding through ft. “Density of crowds and presence of colds,” they report, “are the two impor- tant factors influencing pollution of the air by bacteria originating in the human respiratory tract, but of the two the latter seems to have the greater impor- tance. During December the store is more crowded. than at any other period, but the peak for the prevalance of strep- tococel of oral origin came two months Iater-when the crowds were smaller but colds more prevalent. In December the total count for streptococci was inéreased only- slightly over that for October, when the crowds were much smaller, and was far lower than that for February, when the presence of colds reached a peak for the year.” The correspondence mm-yn strep- TUESDAY, JANUARY, 6, 1942 THIS AND THAT By Charles E. Tracewell. “CHESAPEAKE STREET. “Dear Sir: “I saw what I thought was a robin in the yard the sther day. Do you think I could possibly have seen a robin? I know they come esrly, sometimer, but did not know they ever came this early. Yet it looked to me like a robin, but I was at considerable distance, and could not swear to it. The bird was on the ground, and was eating something. I tried to see if I could detect the typical robin movement after worms, but had to confess to myself that I couldn't see that. “What do you think I saw? “With best wishes, I remain, “Sincerely yours, T. T. D.” * * %% The bird this correspondent saw prob- ably was a female cardinal. At 50 to 100 feet this fine bird may easily be mistaken for a robin from the back view. The coloring of the back—at such & distance—is a great deal like that of the female robin, in a similar position. The fact that the bird is on the ground is robin-like. At such a distance the crest of the mother cardinal would not be noticed. Cardinals love to eat off the ground, just as robins do. But they do not go after worms, of course, and utterly lack the feeding characteristics of robins. The size of the female cardinal, too, might confuse an observer at some distance. While she is not as fat as a robin, the female cardinal is no small bird. The soft coloration of the female is obscured in certain lights. * % *x Of all the birds which come to local gardens, especially in winter, there is none prettier than the female of the cardinal species. Her mate is so much showier, however, that commonly he gets all the praise and attention. We have tried to right that state of affairs here, over the years; praise has been consistent for the female cardinal, because she deserves it. She is the only bird we know which looks as if she has been wrapped in an old Paisley shawl. There are rose and green and brown tints, mixtures, with some olive thrown in for good measure. Paisley, by the way, is a town in Ren- frewshire,, Scotland, not far from Glas- gow. At one time they did a rushing business in the shawls which came to be known by the name of the piace around the world. Somebody got the idea for the shawl, and this idea spread all over the globe. In recent years, in our own South, somebody got the idea of putting candle- wick spreads on the market, and thou- sands of people are now engaged in their making. It is a thriving and real in admirable | business. Fifty years from now, 100 years, what will it be? We suppose shawls are still made in Paisley, but they are no longer the fash- fon. Yet if you have ever seen a real one, you will never forget the exact com- bination of colors. %% ‘Well, the female cardinal bird is much the same. Once you have watched her carefully, at close range, you will begin to under- stand the fascination of the subdued, even if you have never thought about it before. One of the silly things about life is that most of us go on pretending that we know it all, most of the time, if by no more than the habit of refraining from saying that we do not know. We will not admit, for instance, that we have not studied the colors of cer- tain flowers, let us say the gladiolus. Then all of a sudden we are confronted for the first time with a vase of them in a window, and we realize that we have missed something. But if any one were to have asked us before if we had realized how beautiful the flowers really are, most of us would have popped up instant!y, with the exclamation, “Oh, of course, aren't they wonderful!” % oxx The female cardinal must be examined, at close range, and with loving care, before most of us are willing to admit that she really is a far prettier bird than her mate. He, certainly, is the more vivid. If one’s idea of beauty hinges around vividness —and many a person's idea does—then the male cardinal takes the prize. If, on the other hand, the more subtle colorations strike the individual heart and mind as best, the female will win | hand down. A lone bird in the garden is a sort of musical conductor. That is why it is important to have a feeding station close by a window, so | that the postures of this conductor may | be studied. ‘There may be no song at lhe time. Human or bird may be a conductor without making personal music. The orchestra conductor seldom plays an instrument himself. The female cardinal twists and turns on her perch. If she had an orchestra before her, she would not make the mistake of some human conductors, of trying to “show off.” No, she would interpret the music according to the composer’s wishes, without any personal craving for applause. (Toscanini, take notice.) It will not be long now before the robins come. In the meantime, let us be satisfied with the cardinals, and the jays, the song sparrow, and the titmice, chicka- dees, and nuthatches. That ought not to be very hard, to be satisfied with such beauties. Everything in season, with the robins due just a little later. Letters to Suggests Practical Means For Conserving Auto Tires. To the Editor of The Star: War's imperative demands require that the ufmost of service be gotten from motor vehicle tires, and all owners and drivers should feel impelled to adopt means for securing the maximum of service. As an automobile mechanic who spe- cialized for two years on the repair and adjustment of brakes and steering ap- paratus, I list here the factors which are the most destructive to tires. First: Improperly adjusted and aligned wheels, with the resultant wobbling with its scouring action are the most potent of all causes of excessive tire wear. The injury to tires from the scouring action which results from wobbling is greatly aggravated by the coarseness of the sur- face of the majority of roadways. Second: Improper inflation. Insuffi- cient pressure materially increases the risk of rim cuts and damage from strik- ing rough or sharp obstructions on the road. The shock-absorbing effect of the rubber surface is reduced greatly in a soft tire. Third: Excessive speed, especially around curves. Perfect traction is im- possible to obtain, with any type of tread. After passing s speed of 25 miles per hour, the slippage of tires mounts at a greatly accelerated rate, as the higher the speed the poorer the traction. The wear from slippage is aggravated from the excessive generation of heat in the body of tires. Diligent attention to the elimination of the causes of excessive wear will give greatly increased service. HENRY J. THOMAS. Mountain Home, Tenn. Quotes President Wilson en Need Fer “Radical Change” in Policies. To the Editor of The Star: Winston Churchill's address to Con- gress merits all the applause bestowed upon it, but it is “given to us to peer into the future,” even if he does not think so. The past is a preface to the future, and the cause of this war is the same as that of the first World War and will be the cause of the next one unless “we the people” of this and other countrigs acquire at least an elementary knowledge of economics and compre- hend that, as Woodrow Wilson said: “Some radical change we must make in our laws and practice. Some recon- struction we must push forward, which & new age and new circumstances im- ‘War and most of the other flls with which humanity is afflicted are chronic ills and a radical remedy is the only cure for them. To the Editor of The Star: Charles A: Lindbergh, 'ho demon- This great Nation, unlike Nazi Ger- the Editor Haskin's Answers To Questions By Frederic J. Haskin. A reader can get the answer to any question of fact by writing The Eve- ning Star Information Bureau, Fred- eric J. Haskin, director, Washington, D. C. Pleass inclose stamp for reply. Q. What were the first messages sent by telegraph and telephone?—C. H. J. A. The first by telegraph was, “What hath God wrought?” and by telephone, “Mr. Watson, please come here; I want you.” Q. Is Bidu Scyw [y lelnen singer?— C.R.S. A. No. Miss Sayao is Brazilian. She is the only Metropolitan Opera star from South America. Q. Are there any circumstances in which it is correct for a bride to send an engraved card of thanks for her wedding presents?—C. S. T. A. Emily Post says: “It would not be possible to overemphasize the inexcusable rudeness of the bride who sends a printed or engraved card of thanks for wedding presents sent her.” Q. When was the Salvation Army started in the United States?—M. R. T. A. George Railton was sent from Eng- land to organize the Salvation Army in the United States in 1880. HANDY LETTER WRITER— Correct forms for invitations, ac- ceptances, regrets, congratula- tions, and all kinds of business and other correspondence, from engagement announcements to death condolences, are to be found in this practical 48-page booklet. Also includes a special section on formal communica- tions with Government officials and dignitaries. More than 80 sample letters on how to say it in writing. To secure your copy of this publication inclose 10 cents in coin, wrapped in this clipping, and mail to The Star Information Bureau. Q. What does the court cry “Oyez” mean?—D. J. 8. A. It means “Hear ye.” It came into our language from the Latin through old Prench. The cry usually is uttered three times, to demand silence in & courtroom. Q. When was Angelus Temple in Los Angeles founded?—J. B. G. A. The Angelus Temple, erected as the principal meeting place for the services | conducted by Aimee Semple McPherson, was dedicated in 1923 with an audience of over 5,000. At the dedication services $100,000 was raised for the temple. Q. How long did it take Keats to write the “Ode to a Nightingale”?—C. M. T. A. The poem was written in three hours. Q. What proportion of the body is Letters to the Editor must bear the name and address of the writer, although the use of a pseudonym for publication is permissible. The Star reserves the right to edit all letters with a view to condensation. those principles we are guilty of up- holding the narrow, stifling policies which have all but wrecked the Old ‘World. Mr. Lindbergh, with millions of patri- otic men and women who upheld his views, should be congratulated, not con- demned. They demonstrated their pa- triotism by abandoning their personal views regarding our involvement in war to support their President and country, following the attack on Pearl Harbor. We now are united as a people. Former differences and disagreements must be forgotten in our march toward victory. Past rancors and resentments have no place in present plans. EDMUND K. GOLDSBOROUGH. Sees Early Victory Retarded By Demand for Retaliation. To the Editor of The Star: How should a highly civilized nation conduct its warfare with an admittedly immature people, less than a century old in the ways of the West? After Pearl Harbor and Manila, there are many who demand retaliation by in- discriminate bombings of Japanese civil- {an population and “burning their cities off the face of the earth.” Is such an attitude worthy of us? In dealing with a people morally younger than ourselves, should we ever forget | that actions speak louder than words— even the words of the many missionaries we have sent them, to whose Christian philosophy most of us subscribe? Some day the war will end. When the military clique which led Japan to this awful catastrophe has either been crushed or else thrown out by revolution, we will want to negotiate peace with some one who truly speaks for the great mass of Japanese people. ‘The less bitterness and hatred we stir up among the civilian population, as by bombing and burning non-military ob- Jectives, the less demand there will be from these proud and fanatically patri- otic people for a long-drawn-out, last- ditch war, and the greater the chance that & moderate business or professional element may oust the jingoists and sue for an early peace. ROBERT S. FIELD. Vineland, N. J. ‘Wants Patent Office Workers Protected in “Contractual Obligations.” To the Editor of The Star: On December 27 the Commissioner of Patents informed the Ratent Office per- sonnel that the Patent Office is being moved to Richmond. This is an official order insofar as the workers in the office are concerned. In prompt and proper compliance with this order, those ‘workers have been leasing homes and apartments at Richmond, the commence- ment of these leases being at the mercy of the real estate men there. On January 4, the newspapers report that discussions at congressional hear- ings reveal opposition to the removal of Patent Office. If those who still are discussing the removal of the Patent Office are doing 0 in the interest of the office personnel, then it is suggested that they first assume the contractual obliga- tions on the realty leases already signed. R PATENT EXAMINER. blood?—A. F. N. A. Physiologists vary somewhat in their estimates of the total quantity of blood in a man’s body, but it probably amounts to about one-tenth of the weight of the body. In & man weighing 150 pounds there would be from 12 to 15 pounds of blood. Q. When was Lily Langtry last in this country?—C. D. H. A. The actress’ last tour of the United States was in 1915. Q. What is the best time of year to visit Death Valley, Calif.?>—E. E. C. A. Although it is visited throughout the year, from November 1 to May 1 is the ideal time to enjoy the valley. Q. When did foreign trade begin?— C.D.R. A. The first foreign merchants of his- tory were the Arabs, who carried goods and bags of silver from one region to another. Their trade was carried on by land. The first maritime carriers of goods were the Phoenicians, through whom the corn and wine of the Nile and the oil, silk, dyes and spices of Western Asia were exchanged. Q. In what years did Chicago May flourish as a criminal?—E. J. H. A. She was known to the police of two continents about 1900 as the accom- plice of Eddie Guerin, bank robber and sponsor of forged checks. Q. What music is used by the 21 whistlers in the motion picture “Man at Large”?—E. B. A. It is “In the Hall of the Mountain King,” from the “Peer Gynt Suite, Opus 46, No. 4,” by Edvard Grieg. Q. Does a bird’s song originate in the larynx?—E. C. M. A. The bird’s song apparatus is unique. Unlike sound in other vertebrates, bird song does not originate in the larynx at the upper end of the trachea or wind- pipe, but in & special organ, the syrinx, peculiar to birds. This is situated con- siderably farther down in the body, at the lower end of the traches. The larynx is present, but lacks vocal cords. Twelfth Night Hearth Twelfth Night we burned our Christ- mas greens And watched the flames weave magic scenes. The cedar curled its fingers tight As though to hold the flery light, But soon left only clean white ash, A puff of smoke behind the flash, The tiny sticks of sturdy pine Seemed but to bend and intertwine Their loving arms that stretched above, A pledge of loyalty and love. The tinsel trimmings gave welrd- light And brought the fire an added rite. Strange blues and green and copper. sh Their last gay vift of color made. - Soon every image rested low : Within the ember-footlights’ glowy Swirling wreaths in a smoky pall. Yet festal incense filled the hall And brought a rich remembering, | The Roly birthnight of & King. # —NETA STORY SMITH. 3 t i i