Evening star. [volume], June 27, 1936, Page A-6, Image 6

About Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972

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THE EVENING STAR
With Sunday Morning Edition.
WASHINGTON. D. C.
SATURDAY.J«»e 11, 1H*
THEODORE W. NOYES.MAY**
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The Platform.
A luncheon guest at the White House
on Thursday, Senator Norris was asked
afterward for comment on the Demo
cratic platform. "I do not care much
about what the platform is," he said.
“Roosevelt is the platform.”
That is a lucid and rather penetrating
Etatement, the truth of which becomes
even more apparent after a study of the
platform on which the President will
take his stand tonight. Roosevelt, the
dominant figure of his administration
and all it represents; the dominant
figure in the Nation's choice of depres
sion-born policies, overshadows explicit
differences in party planks which might
form the substance, in other times, of
Inter-party issues.
The Democratic platform itself is a
model of ingenious phraseology, admit
ting no weaknesses, promising all hope,
sailing between the Scylla of the Right
and the Charybdis of the Left with the
greatest of ease, taking advantage of pre
vailing winds and avoiding treacherous
cross-currents. But in every plank and
every nail it reflects the handiwork of a
President and an administration who
have started out on a certain course and
Intend to stick to it.
Examination of the individual planks
comprising the Republican and the
Democratic platforms may reveal no
great difference. There are a few. Even
fciore interesting differences are shown
in comparison of the 1932 Democratic
platform and the policies just enunciated
at Philadelphia. The significant, the
revealing view of the Democratic plat
form is not obtained by close scrutiny
of the planks, one by one, but by a
longer range view of the completed
article and what it represents.
What does it represent? No politically
inept slips on. possibly obvious issues re
garding cur.cacy, the Constitution, the
budget, fiscal policies or the 8upreme
Court. These have been taken care of
■by master builders, closely following the
carefully prepared blueprints of an
architect who knows his job. Youth,
labor, business, agriculture—all have
been “returned to the road to freedom
and prosperity” with the guarantee that
they will be kept on that road. The
letter and the spirit of the Constitution
are to be preserved. A balanced budget
is to be achieved, a sound currency,
stabilized to prevent harmful “fluctua
tions in value,” Is to be maintained
Peace on earth, good will to men and
the “policy of the good neighbor.’’
But the platform as a whole repre
sents formal and complete dedication of
the new Democratic party to the end
that the Federal Government shall shape
America to the particularized ideas of
those who happen to be directing its
policies. For protection of the Amer
ican home against kidnapers and bandits
and “malefactors of great wealth,” we
turn to the Federal Government. For
safeguarding the "thrift of our citizens,’’
we turn to the Federal Government.
Por security against the hazards of un
employment, old age. incapacitation by
crippling or blindness, we turn to the
Pederal Government. To “secure to the
consumer” fair value, we turn to the
Pederal Government. To make elec
tricity available at low rates, we turn to
the Federal Government.,, To maintain
our people in adequate housing at a
price they can pay, we turn to the Fed
eral Government. For the welfare of
the farmer, provision of new oppor
tunity, scaling down his mortgage,
disposal of his crops, we turn to
the Federal Government. To in
crease the worker's pay, decrease his
Working hours, “put an end to the
aweated labor of his wife and children,”
we turn to tne Federal Government. To
"take the American business man out of
the red,” we turn to the Federal Gov
ernment. To keep the youth of the land
In school, we turn to the Federal Gov
ernment. To stamp out the ‘‘concentra
tion of economic power.” we turn to the
Federal Government. To stamp out the
"concentration of economic power,” we
turn to the Federal Government. To
auccor those in distress from flood or
drought, we turn to the Federal Govern
ment To take care of those whom busi
ness does not employ, we turn to the
Federal Government, with an undefined
amount of co-operation from those an
tique instruments, the "State and local
government.”
And at the same time, "we are deter
mined to reduce the expense of govern
ment'—a government that by the terms
of the platform must necessarily become
a Gargantuan bureaucracy, responsible
for the abatement of all evil and the
policing of its citizens, their homes, their
business, their fortunes and their future.
The platform makes effective rhetorical
use of a famous phrase from the Dec
laration of Independence, in a man
ner suggesting that the time has arrived
for some amendment of an historic
document that in its original form set
forth, with others, these facts:
We hold these truths to be self-evident,
that all men are created equal, that they
a
•r* endowed by their Creator with cer
tain Inalienable right*, that among these
are life, liberty and the pursuit of happi
ness. That to secure these rights, gov
ernments are instituted among men, de
riving their just powers from the consent
of the governed. That whenever any
form of government becomes destructive
of these ends, it Is the right of the
people to alter It or to abolish it, and
to Institute new government, laying its
foundations on such principles and or
ganizing its powers in such form, as to
them shall teem most likely to effect
their safety and happiness. Prudence,
Indeed, will dictate that governments
long established should not be changed
for light and transient causes; and ac
cordingly all experience hath shown, that
mankind are more disposed to suffer,
while evils are sufferable, than to right
themselves by abolishing the forms to
which they are accustomed.
Nationalism Paramount.
Wllaonians, no longer influential in the
councils of the Democratic party, doubt
less view with chagrin 4he foreign affairs
plank of the Philadelphia platform. In
its renunciation of so-called Interna
tional Idealism, the New Deal's set of
1936 principles is almost Isolationist
enough to satisfy the irreconcilables of
1919-30. Senator Borah himself could
stand on them without doing violence to
his rock-ribbed conception of America's
duty utterly to disassociate Itself from
entangling commitments overseas. It
may be that the Rooseveltlans are de
liberately angling for the Idahoan's
favor.
For all practical purposes there is little
or no difference between the Democrats’
foreign policy and that with which
the Republicans identified themselves at
Cleveland. The G. O. P. specifically
opposes the United States’ entry into
the League of Nations or the World
Court. By conspicuous omission of any
advocacy of adherence, the Democrats
leave hardly less doubt of their negative
attitude.
The Philadelphia platform sets forth
that America, in its relationship with
other nations, "will continue to extend
the policy of the good neighbor.’’ It
reaffirms opposition to war as an instru
ment of national policy and advocates
settlement of international disputes by
wiMavJvsit s lie new lyeaitio nui euu
tinue to observe a true neutrality in
the disputes of others" and "to be pre
pared resolutely to resist aggression”
against this country. They will likewise
continue “to work for peace and to take
the profits out of war.” As a bulwark
against the possibility of American in
volvement in foreign conflict, they will
"guard against being drawn, by political
commitments, international banking or
private trading, into any war which may
develop anywhere.”
Naturally, the Roosevelt platform fore
shadows unflagging support of the
reciprocal trade agreement policy, which
is acclaimed as having fostered the in
crease in foreign trade achieved during
the present administration. To ward off
opposition charges that the reciprocal
program is injurious to American agri
culture and industry, the Democrats
avow that they will not fail to give |
"adequate protection" to farmers and
| manufacturers against unfair competi- !
tion from abroad.
World affairs are not destined to bulk
largely in the impending presidential
campaign. Both parties recognize that
domestic concerns at present preponder
antly absorb the attention and interest
of the American people. With the na
tionalist rather than the internationalist
point of view making the far livelier
appeal to the country's imagination,
the Republicans and Democrats alike
logically reflect that state of mind in
their respective platforms. Because of
grave problems of Its own clamoring for
solution, the United States, through its
two great political organizations, serves
notice that it plans for the indefinite i
future to concentrate on "home work.”
It is dedicated to what has not inaptly
been termed "enlightened nationalism.”
Having announced that he will make
the Supreme Court a campaign issue.
Senator Robinson of Arkansas will in his
process of demolition hardly find much
time for constructive statesmanship.
In fable crocodile tears are men
tioned. The modem camera hints that j
Democratic donkey smiles may be also
symbolical oi insincerity.
In impressing social distinctions under
the New Deal it becomes rather difficult
to render A1 8mith foot-of-the-class
conscious.
^ eary of Noise.
Dispatches from Cleveland and Phila
delphia have told of the weariness which
afflicts convention crowds after a few
days of noise. Nature, it seems, rebels
against prolonged demonstrations. Even
when the outbursts are spontaneous,
they are exhausting. And when they
are made to order, staged and promoted
artificially, they are positively enervating.
The radio audience also finds the hul
labaloo a tedious aggravation. Many a
tired listener metaphorically applauded
when delegates protested against the
exuberance of one of the seconders of
Governor London's nomination. A still
larger public must have been put to
sleep by the prosy and labored eloquence
of Senator Robinson's eulogy of the
New Deal. His colleague, Senator Bark
ley, had the grace to realize that the
paper assigned to him to read was too
lengthy—he omitted entire paragraphs
from the prepared text.
As entertainment, the Republican per
formance was a better show than the
Democratic. Postmaster General Farley
should have been wiser than to attempt
a six-day rally. It has been, in the
language of a child, "too much of a
muchness.” The oratory has- been repe
titious and nerve-racking, dull beyond
the power of words to tell. If the
Roosevelt administration had been as
confident of the people's approval as its
leaders assert, a better and wiser course
would have been that of the simple
declaration: “We have done the best
we could. If that is not good enough,
try something else." Instead, the pie
has been overbaked.
Perhaps Governor London la well
advised not to talk his head off. The
audience wants a rest from ballyhoo, and
the “Kansas Coolidge” may be smart
enough to recognize its respect lor dig
nified quiet. Just now the Nation prob
ably would like to hear from A1 Smith.
It has reason to expect that Herbert
Hoover will reply to those who kicked
his name around the Quaker City. But
there are no other exceptions to its
desire for a present rest from speeches
and “sound effects.’
Civil Service Planks.
If political platforms may be given
credence, civil service is about to enter
a new era.
The Republicans promise a merit sys
tem that will be "restored, improved and
extended.’’ Government employment,
the party pledges, is to become a career
service. Candidate Landon's footnote
amplifies this “extension” is to take in all
positions below the rank of assistant
secretary of the major departments and
the entire postal service.
Omitting all mention of the civil serv
ice In their 1932 platform, the Democrats
now promise civil service to “all non
policy-making posts, and extension of
the civil service to those agencies which
Hre to become permanent but which
"because of the emergency have been
exempt.”
These planks represent the result of
widespread and growing criticism of the
spoils system and are In no small meas
ure due to the efforts of Luther C.
Steward, president of the National Fed
eration of Federal Employes; William
Green, president of the American Fed
eration of Labor, and to such organiza
tions as the League of Women Voters,
the Civil Service Reform League and
others. Put into effect, the planks would
produce gains of incalculable worth to
the Government in years to come.
The proof of the pudding, however, is
in the eating thereof.
Much of the business of the Philadel
phia convention might have been done
by wire. Ancient rites and formalities
were insisted on because of the fact that
it is absolutely necessary to allot liberal
time to the political exhibitionist whose
patriotism finds its greatest reward in
an opportunity “to strut his stuff.’*
“Soviets everywhere!" is the cry of
sailors who find that they cannot go on
with shipping from France to northern
Africa. Soviets are promoting another
food scarcity without attempting to show
any economic advantage.
If the song “pluggers" get really in
earnest about campaign lyrics to super
sede the laws of a nation, they may
venture so far as to call on the Harvard
Hasty Pudding boys for a real 'knock
out.’’
Reporters In Philadelphia are not in
variably accurate in announcements ot
what is about to happen. News comment
is easier when it has the benefit of a pre
liminary “preiss conference."
— -- ■- ■ - ■■ —
It is the opinion of Key Pittman that
Franklin Roosevelt will be a 2-to-l bet
in November. Gamblers looking for tips
are hoping this is no idle "key note.'*
Shooting Stars.
BY PHILANDER JOHNSON.
Roundelay.
An orator who stands with trumpet voice
And calls a listening public to rejoice
What he has ascertained by eye and ear
Goes round unto the throat and comes
out here.
So music superficial or profound
Goes round and 'round and round.
It may come forth with a soprano grace
Or be released in baritone or bass
And be expelled with a sepulchral din
As if rain barrels had been hollered in.
The oratory with portentous sound
Goes round and round and 'round!
It's not of any great importance that
A tone meant to be sharp somehow goes
flat.
The songs of nations are of ancient style.
The same old patter brings the same
old smile
As theories that persistently abound
Go round and 'round and round.
Avoidance.
“Do you know any funny stories?’*
“Yes,-’ answered Senator Sorghum.
“Why don’t you tell one?”
“My wife don't let me. She says I
have already made myself so ridiculous
that what I need is to avoid laughter
instead of encouraging it.”
Time Killing.
Hour by hour and day
Clans are clustering!
Wonder how they get that way,
Fierce and flustering!
Habits very strong, they say.
Flicking sands of time away.
Featherdustering
Statesmen still are on display
Filibustering.
Technical Terms.
“Are you interested in radio?”
“Very much,” answered Miss Cayenne.
"I have even considered it in my attire.
In order to make it go as far as possible
I have directed the hair dresser to do
my transformation in a short wave.”
“I do not feel sorry for the pigs that
have been slain,” said Hi Ho, the sage
of Chinatown. “My sympathy is for
those who did not have a chance to eat
them.”
Cave of the Oracle.
Kentucky colonels gathered near
A cavernous display.
Photographers to one drew near
Who loudly had his say. .
One artist merrily enthused,.
Then said in accents grave
“Alas! I've got my plates confused,
This is the Mammoth Cave!”
“Explainin’ is a long hard job,” said
Uncle Eben. “Things we don’t under
stand is what we does de most talkin'
about*
a*
Constitution Is the Real
Issue in This Campaign
To lh« Editor ol The Stott
The New Demis violent warfare
against the Supreme Court often is ob
scured by pointless demagogic mouth
ings. but beneath the noise and chatter
is a very clear conception of specific
objectives. President Roosevelt de
mands constitutional authority to con
tinue his outlawed program, but is un
willing to face the issue of a constitu
tional amendment.
His scheme to accomplish by indirec
tion what he does not dare attempt by
the ordained methods of constitutional
amendment was thus presented in Sen
ator Barkley's keynote address before the
Philadelphia convention, June 23, 1936:
"What we need is a ne* definition and
a new interpretation of interstate com
merce. Every article that is grown or
mined or fabricated in one State and
destined for another, by whatever means
of transportation, is an object of inter
state commerce.”
There is no way of knowing, of course,
who wrote this part of Senator Barkley s
speech. It epitomizes perfectly, however,
the thought which has motivated all
New Dealdom since the N. R. A. deci
sion of May 27, 1935. Here, in one para
graph, is the whole New Deal platform,
program and policy.
It is a proposal of breath-taking im
plications. It would bring every eco
nomic activity of the Ahierican people
| under the ^direct management of Wash
ington.
It contemplates the complete aban
1 donment and overthrow of the American
constitutional system, not by (mbmission
of the issue to the choke of the people,
but by the devious course of dictated
judicial definition.
Three or four Roosevelt appointments
to the Supreme Court of the United
States might accomplish this revolution.
As vacancies occur the President need
only demand, as a condition of appoint
ment, a meeting of minds upon a "new
definition and new interpretation of In
terstate commerce." In time, then, a
majority of the court would be com
mitted to the Roosevelt definition and,
thereafter, "every article that is grown
or mined or fabricated in one State and
destined for another" would fall within
the Federal jurisdiction. The totalitarian
state would be accomplished.
Here, in short, is a program for the
destruction of the Union by a method
which would deny to the people all
opportunity for debate and decision.
Such is the historic issue before Amer
ica in this campaign.
LAWRENCE 8ULLIVAN,
Says the Columnists Have
Missed Convention's Spirit
To the Editor of The Star:
This writer as he listens in on the
convention broadcast and afterward
compares it to the columnists of the
various papers, almost all of whom are
anti-Roosevelt, cannot but note , that
these writers have all decided an attack
upon the spirit of the convention by
trying to make it appear that the dele
gates are crying out in a loud voice
from a void within their souls, and that
their voices ring hollow. Possibly these
eminent gentlemen are possessed of
a quality for detecting the truthfulness
of one's acclamation and intoxication
from joy that this writer does not pos
sess. Yet when there is an attack there
must be something to attack, regardless.
After having spent two long years
upon the high seas during the World
War, this writer steamed into Norfolk
port shortly after the time of the sign
ing of the armistice, the entire crew
ignorant of the fact that peace had
been declared. Our sea-legs were out
of tune tc the sidewalks and our minds
out of tune to the wild disorder that
greeted us as we went ashore. When
realization came as to the reason, would
any one dare ask our feelings? Sud
denly out of space there settled in and
around us a joy—my God. what a joy!
Yet. in realizing then that we were
entering into a new peace, those feelings
were not greater in magnitude and
force than now listening in on the
Democratic convention and realizing
that the spirit that gives life still lives
in the heart of the New Deal.
Unfortunately there are those, like an
acquaintance this writer met a few
weeks ago, who hold a personal grudge
against our great President because
they were not counted in on the for- j
tunate in obtaining the position on
which their hearts were set. Out of 25
appointments there were 10,000 appli
cants. This man was embittered to the
point of not applying elsewhere, but
confidentially saying to me that he be
lieved the country would be far better
off under a continuation in office of the
President, but, "I’ll be damned if I
vote for him.”
Maybe he was a columnist.
W. H. WEAVER.
Recommends Oysters
For Convention Orators
To the Editor of The 8ter:
While listening over the.' radio to the
ranting* and ravings of Senators Bark
ley. Robinson and Wagner at the Demo
cratic convention I was irresistibly re
minded of oysters. I could fairly taste
and smell the succulent bivalves.
You see, when 1 was a youngster down
on the Eastern Shore of Maryland Wil
liam Jennings Bryan was usually run
ning for President on the Democratic
ticket and I used to attend the rallies
in his behalf. I realize that in those
days I was listening to the same sort
of claptrap from the Democratic spell
binders that I listened to from Philadel
phia. viz., "intrenched greed—special
privilege—malefactors of wealth” and
blah, blah, blah ad infinitum. There
were two notable differences in their
technique: The politicians gave the
Eastern Shoremen free oysters before
the "speaking"—roast oysters and raw
oysters and lots of them. They were
cheap down there. The other exception
was: The speaker always rung in the
phrase, "The Democracy stands for
white supremacy."
If Joe Robinson could have gargled
his throat with a nice juicy oyster Just
before he bawled "We have balanced
the budget except for extraordinary ex
penditures” he probably would not have
strangled and coughed as he did Just
after making that extraordinarily ab
surd announcement. This is intended
as a tip to Jim Farley to always serve
free oysters at the Democratic rallies
this Summer and Fall. They seem to
have a soothing effect on the throat of
the spellbinder and also enable the
listeners to comfortably swallow the
class hatred doctrines being preached
to them. And when Barkley, Robinson,
Wagner et al. pull out 'the tremolo stop
and. in quavering voice, speak of Mr.
Hoover starving our poor women and
children the listeners will actually weep
if they have Just been fed a couple of
dozen roast or raw oysters. Oh, by all
means, get some oysters, Jim. get some
oysters! 8. H. MUMFORD.
Interesting to Remote Posterity.
Trom the Wichita Basle.
Our public debt is now $32,643,000,000.
That is of interest to America's tax
payers up to and Including the class of
1973.
THIS AND THAT
BY CHARLES E. TRACEWELL.
Shock attending an accident in the
streets, whether one is knocked down
by a car, injured in a collision or hurt
while riding on a public vehicle, often
is one of the moat serious consequence*.
Sometimes it is the mast serious con
sequence, all the more so because no
one, not even the patient or doctor, can
put his finger squarely on the trouble.
This is something to keep in mind, in
thinking of the possibility of accident
in modem traffic.
While it may be believed that the in
habitants of the United States are suf
fering from an acute case of traffic
“jitters.” this is mild mental trouble in
comparison with the effect of shock In
some cases.
The writer here knows of one such
case, that of a tall, strong fellow, a
marine in the World War, who Went
through five major engagements, even
had a machine gun shot out of his
hands, without suffering a scratch.
Washington traffic, however, was too
much for him.
An inveterate motorist, one day he
was walking when struck by a car round
ing a circle.
He was painfully injured, being
knocked unconscious at the time, but
these injuries were but the forerunner
of an obscure mental difficulty.
He discovered that he could not con
centrate on his work. Just where or
how this effect car^e about only a psy
chologist could tell, and probably not he,
psychology being In the confused state
it if in today.
* * * *
We call attention to this case. In order
to warn those indifferent to traffic dan
gers that the physical side of injuries
may not be all.
No one is so brave or so strong that
he can sav positively what the amount
of his suffering may be if he geta into
any sort of street accident.
Broken bones may not be all!
Let this warning be kept in mind, by
the person who walks, by the jierson
who drives, for there is no telling
whether one will be walking or driving
or being driven when the time comes.
Education is the key to the situation.
The education of those who drive and
of those who walk. The first part of
this program has been carried forward
with increasing vigor year by year. There
can be little doubt that it Is getting re
sults, although far less than it should,
alas!
Integral with the education of the
motorist must go the education of the
person who walks or is carried, the
latter mostly in public transport.
The individual Is the one concerned,
but you would never know it by watching
him in the street!
What is lacking in all the crazy walk
ing you see everywhere?
Why is it little children will run
squarely out into the street?
Lack of education of the individual to
the real dangers of modern traffic—
This is the answer.
* * * *
If we will not cut down the speed of
motor vehicles, which is the real remedy,
then we must concentrate more and
more on the education of all persons,
motorists and those afoot and those
being carried in public vehicles, in the
plain dangers of the road.
The open road!
Walt Whitman wrote a poem about
it. which remains a model of its kind.
But the road he wrote of was a lazy
road, a road filled with dust In Summer
and chickens crazily crossing it as they
pleased, and white picket fences, and
an old spring and a well house and
cows and sheep along the way.
Such roads still exist, but they are
concrete now and are filled with ele
ments of speed and its dangers.
It isn't any fun any longer to walk
along most country roads. Motorists say
It isn't any pleasure to drive along them!
We have wonderful roads, but nobody
enjoys them. Surely something is wrong
here. The roads are made tor man. not
man for the roads. Somehow the accent
la misplaced. The roads are made for
motor cars simply. The more of them
and the faster they go—
Well, the sum of Injuries and deaths
is staggering. The whole traffic prob
lem is perplexing, since it is so tied up
with some of the best and some of the
worst of man's proclivities.
While the experts wrestle with the
problems, It behooves the average man,
whether motorist or otherwise, to watch
out, both while riding and afoot. The
man who operates a car is often a very
careless pedestrian, because he has for
gotten. if he ever knew, the plain find
manifold dangers which threaten him on
sidewalk or In crossing the street,
m m 0 «
Individual realization of the constant
dangers of modern traffic Is the best
solution of the problem for the indi
vidual.
We do not mean in theory, or in dis
cussion, but actually while walking
along. The danger Is there and what
safety there remains will be there, too.
If the individual constantly keeps in
mind the dangers as they come up.
The modern attitude of the driver is
“Watch out!” When he replaces that
with a basic idea, that he simply will
not hurt any one, the traffic problem
will be solved. At present he does not
seem to care. He has power and speed
at his command and he uses It, and
everybody must "watch out.”
Well, let those who walk watch out,
then.
It is a good tip. and one which we all
1 must heed, not In the living room or on
paper, but on the street, in the street,
while the dangers actually menace
Once this Idea of constant danger gets
Into all people's heads there will be a
decided lessing of traffic accidents.
As it is today, thousands of people,
though they read about accidents of
others, never give the possibility of acci
dent to themselves a thought, until It
I happens. Then it is too late. Or is it?
* * * *
We city people are so used, as a class,
to sitting comfortably in easy chairs,
that we ride around town at all hours
as unconcerned as If we were at home
at the dinner table. You see old ladles
in busses as trusting as If the Lord were
personally in charge of the vehicles
when all the time in command of the
bus is a very much harassed young man
who spent his early years on a nearby
farm, in all probability, a young fellow
who has to pilot his lumbering craft
through the traffic, watch the curb for
passengers, let passengers off, make
change, sell tokens and passes with one
hand and guide with the other, try to
tell the difference between those on the
curb who want to get on and those who
don't, but who still make out as if they do.
Well, it’s a great strain, it would seem,
and all is not gold that glitters in the
life of the modem bus driver. All the
taxi men curse him and his vehicle. They
take other streets, so they say. to get
out of his way. Passenger vehicle drivers
call his bus a nuisance. What they
sometimes call him wouldn’t bear re
peating.
What we are getting at is that modern
traffic is an individual problem, as well
as a mass problem. A cut in the head
when a car knocks you down may not be
as bad as the shock and its final re
sults. If it Is to be every’ man for himself
on modem city streets, then It plainly
behooves every one to keep that fact in
mind when actually in the streets and
to think danger and how to escape it.
Don't think you are safe Just because
you are in a vehicle, private or public.
You can be hurt that way just as well
as another. Don t we know it! So say
we all, and the only thing to do, and
even it may not work, is to realize that
modem traffic is a personal, individual
problem, not just something for highly
paid experts to solve around a mahogany
table in a fine big marble building.
STARS, MEN AND ATOMS
Notebook of Science Progresg in Field,
Laboratory and Study.
BY THOMAS R. HENRY.
Utilization of a death ray band of the
invisible light spectrum is making pos
sible for the first time germ-free hos
pital operating rooms and meat storage
plants.
The new device, demonstrated for the
first time last week at a New York meet
ing of engineers, was developed in the
research laboratories of the Westing
house Lamp Co. and promises to be a
notable factor in such important fields
as the prevention of food spoilage.
It is based on the principle that a
certain narrow band of invisible light is
deadly to bacteria and fungi, but has
practically no destructive effect on tissue
molecules. Contrary to popular belief,
ultra-violet is not just one form of in
visible radiation, starting with wave
lengths just shorter than the shortest
visible light waves, but a whole family
of radiation bands.
Thus the longer ultra-violet rays are
notable chiefly for their capacity to cause
fluroescense. A piece of rock irradiated
by these in the dark becomes self-lumi
nous and the color of its glow is an
important means of determining the
mineral nvike-up. Next come the ao
called anti-rachitic rays, which germi
nate vitamin D in the human body and
in foods, and which can be used to pre
vent or cure rickets in children. Then
comes the band of ultra-violet which is
especially effective in killing germs, but
which does not produce blistering sun
burn. After this band in the spectrum
come the painful sunburn rays.
The significance of this ultra-violet
wave length specificity is just beginning
to be recognized by bacteriologists and
the potentialities still largely are unex
plored. A significant development re
ported by Dr. Harvey C. Rentschler, di
rector of the research laboratory of the
Westinghouse Lamp Co., is the germ
free operating room such as recently has
been fitted up in the Duke University
Hospital. One of the nightmares of the
surgeon is the possibility of infection
from air-bome, invisible organisms dur
ing an operation. By flooding the room,
or the space around the operating table,
with the germ-killing rays, the air can
be rendered absolutely sterile. The
radiation bands, however, must be very
sharply defined or they will produce
irritating effects on the exposed flesh.
By a long series of experiments it was
found possible to concentrate a lethal
band of radiation which would not In
jure tissue.
Of more practical significance is the
use of the bacteria-and-mould-killing
rays for the preservation of meat and
other foodstuffs to offset partially the
billions of dollars’ worth of food spoilage
every year. This is a notable factor in
high food prices. Tests have definitely
established the effectiveness of the
germicidal ray in preventing the growth
of moulds and bacteria on the surface
of meat aged at relatively high tem
perature and high humidity, and in ra
tarding the growth of mould on bakery
products. It is expected greatly to re
duce the costs of refrigeration. Meat
can be aged at from 10 to 15 degrees
higher temperatures and in about one
third of the time.
The new ray device also has consid
erable application to the baking indus
try. Exposure to the germicidal rays has
lengthened the mould-free life of bread
and cakes as much as two days under
the most adverse conditions, such as
high humidity and temperature. Even
during hot Summer weather it now will
be possible, the inventors claim, for
bakers to make deliveries only once in
two days instead of once a day, and
at the same time give the grocer or the
consumer better assurance against
mould loss.
The germicidal radiation also is very
effective for the purification of condi
tioned air. The method is to install
several lamps inside the air duct. Air
in any particular room location may be
kept sterile by installing lamps over that
spot and flooding it with radiation. An
other possibility is Insect control. The
common house fly is attracted by the
radiation and often will remain In the
area of exposure long enough for the
rays to have a lethal effect, which re
quires several minutes. The radiation
repulses fmit flies, roaches and the grain
weevil, these insects refusing to enter
the area of exposure. Some day clothes
closets may be irradiated to protect gar
ments from moths.
The germicidal region in the ultra
violet is only one of the death-dealing
bands in the spectrum. One can be
found in the infra-red and another in
the radio-frequency region. But the
other two either are too exj>»nsive, cause
prohibitive heating, or are too danger
ous for general use.
Prom the information available It
appears that in general the lethal effect
of the ultra-violet energy Increases as
the length of the wave length decreases.
This progression, however, is limited
from a practical point of view by the air
absorption of the shorter wave lengths.
This is in the nature of a photo-chemical
reaction and results In the formation of
ozone and oxides of nitrogen, both of
which are objectionable.
A fine compromise is necessary to con
centrate those rays which kill but do
not destroy or damage. 7oo Intense a
radiation extended too far into the
lethgl region damages tile host while
speeding up the death of the Invading
organism.
Swapping.
From the Sioux Fall* Ariue-Le ider.
Standard Oil has had to accept 40,
000,000 harmonicM In Germany as pay
ment for oil. If this practicr eaptinues
with a variety of products Rockefeller
may have to open a few drug store* to
dispose of hla wares.
% t
If ANSWERS TO
QUESTIONS
BY FREDERIC J. HA SKIN.
A reader can get the answer to any
question of fact by writing The Evening
Star Information Bureau, Frederic J.
Maskln. Director, Washington, D C.
Please inclose stamp for reply.
Q What kind of automobiles can be
entered In the “world's worst automo
bile races?—M L. A.
A. This show la called the International
Congress of Dare Devils It Is said that
automobiles worth more than $50 cannot
enter these races.
Q. How much money was spent to
prepare the Texas Centennial Exposi
tion?—a. A. *
A. About $35,000,000 was spent to make
this an outstanding event. The build
ing* are for tho most part permanent
structures, designed In Artec and mod
ern classical style. Most of the buildings
are air-conditioned.
Q Where are the tents for the Ring
ling Circus made?—G. G.
A. They are made at the Winter quar
ters of the circus In Sarasota. Fla.
Thirty-two trained canvas workers are
kept busy throughout the year. There
are more than 300 canvas structures in
the Ringllng outfit, all of which must be
renewed each year.
Q. How many chapters has the Amer
ican Red Cross?—G. 8. A.
A. It has over 3,000.
Q Are Herriot. Briand. Callaux. Poin
care and Tardleu Socialists?—J. H. C.
A. Herriot Is a Socialist. Briand
started as a Socialist, but was read out
of the party because he took office under
a bourgeoisie government. Callaux was
a Radical-Socialist, and Poincare and
Tardleu. have been classed as Nation
alists. Parti* are not clearly defined
in France as here. Coalitions and
changes In leadership break down many
party lines and about the only real dif
ferentiation is the Left and the Right.
Q. What is the derivation of the
word hocus-pocus?—L. G.
A. It is an imitation of Latin, and was
coined probably in the seventeenth cen
tury as a form of Incantation by Jugglers.
Q What is the name of the town In
South Carolina where trees are subject
to police regulations?—E. H. L.
A. All trees in Summerville are sub
ject to police regulations and no tree Is
ever cut in the town unless it is neces
sary for the preservation of other trees
or because of a dangerous condition in
the tree. An ordinance says: "It shall
be unlawful for any person to injure or
destroy any living tree or sapling within
the corporate limits of the town except
through permission of the Town Council.
Q. Who were H. G. Wells' parents?
—E. W.
A. His father was a professional crick
eter and kept a small china shop. His
mother, the daughter of an Innkeeper,
was a lady's maid before her marriage
and became a housekeeper when her
husband’s business failed.
Q What was the inception of the Big
Brother movement?—S. R.
A. In 1904 Ernest K. Coulter, clerk of
New York's first Juvenile Court, pro
posed to the Men s Club of the Central
Presbyterian Church that each of the
members take a personal interest In one
boy who had been arraigned In the court.
Out of this grew the Big Brother organi
zation which now includes Jewish,
Protestant and Catholic membership.
Q Who discovered saccharin?—M. R.
A It was discovered in 1879 by Fahl
berg and Remsen.
Q How many bees weigh one pound?
—H. C, F
A. The Bee Culture Laboratory says
that there are approximately 5,000 bees
In a pound. In shipping bees, two to five
pounds go in one package.
Q. What doctor performed the opera
tion that restored the sight of Dr. Axel
Munthe?—H. R.
A. Dr. Alfred Vogt of Zurich Is the
physician who performed the operation
on the author.
Q. What is the name of the Govern
ment organization that has charge of
prison factory building?—L. M.
A. It is known as Federal Prison In
dustries, Inc.
Q Please give some infonnation about
bakelite— H. H.
A. Bakelite is an artificial material
used in the preparation of varnishes
and as a substitute for amber and hard
rubber. It is formed by chemical reac
tion between carbolic acid and for
maldehyde and was discovered by L. H.
Baekeland. It is made in two initial
forms, distinguished by the letters A
and B. Bakelite A is soluble and fusible;
bakelite B is insoluble but plastic so that
it can be molded. Both of these Initial
forms are changed under the action of
heat and pressure to bakelite C. which is
hard, insoluble, infusible, and possessed
of high insulating properties.
Q. What are some of Demosthenes’
choicest orations?—J. L. G.
A. Some of his chief orations are the
three 'Philippics." three "Olynthiacs,”
"On the Peace,” "On the Embassy,” “On
the Affairs of the Chersonese." and "On
the Crown.” The last is a defense of his
career and by many is considered his
masterpiece.
Q. Who is now President of Mexico?
—I. I.
A. Lazaro Cardenas, the present Presi
dent of Mexico, was elected for the six
year term beginning December 1, 1934,
by a majority of 2,185,000.
Democratic Platform a
Constitutional Preamble
To ib« Editor of The Sts.-:
While the Philadelphia convention
was awaiting a platform its orators em
ployed part of their unlimited leisure in
dismantling the Landon-Borah compro
mise at Cleveland. This labor of love
seems now to have been altogether un
necessary. For the New Deal manifesto
has made all other platforms as ob
solete as the model T Fords which are
to celebrate its birth. It is not, strictly
speaking, a platform at all. but the pre
amble to a new Constitution. The old
preamble, unless memory falls us, had
something to say about our inalienable
right to life, liberty and the pursuit of
happiness. For "liberty" the new pre
amble substitutes "safety" and strikes
out altogether that glamorous word
• pursuit.” Pursuit involves danger, de
mands initiative (often lacking or mis
directed), consumes energy (sometimes
wasted), and not infrequently ends in
disheartening or tragic failure. So a
provident Government will see to it that
each of us gets his proper portion
of safety and happiness — all neatly
wrapped in cellophane—and we shall
like it. Perhaps. R. D. MILLER.'
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