Evening star. [volume], January 15, 1937, Page A-12, Image 12

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

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THE EVENING STAR
With Sunday Morning Edition.
WASHINGTON, D. C.
FRIDAY__January 15, 19 J7
THEODORE W, NOYES.Editor
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herein its also reserved.
The Independent Agencies.
The price of the independence of such
agencies as the Interstate Commerce
Commission and the Federal Trade Com
mission should be carefully weighed
before any legislation is passed placing
these agencies of government under the
administrative control of department
heads. It is urged by those supporting
the President's plan for reorganization
of the executive branch that these agen
cies will continue to function independ
ently so far as their judicial or ouasi
Judicial duties are concerned. There
may be serious doubt, however, that such
can be the case.
When the administrative control of
these agencies passes to a department
head, a member of the President's cab
inet, there passes with it the question
of appointment, promotion and demo
tion of the personnel. It is true that
the appointment of the members of these
commissions lies now within the hands
of the President and will so continue.
However, once these commissioners have
been appointed under the existing set
up, and confirmed by the Senate, the
direct control over them by the President
becomes attenuated, to say the least.
They are appointed for specific terms
of office.
me rigni oi me president 10 remove
members of these independent commis
sioners was challenged in the courts not
long ago in the case of the late Federal
Trade Commissioner William E. Hum
phrey. He was removed from office by
President Roosevelt because his ideas did
not run along with those of the Chief
Executive. No charges of lack of dili
gence or of wrongdoing in office were
filed against him. The Supreme Court
held that the President had exceeded
his powers in making the removal.
The country has come to look up to
the Interstate Commerce Commission
and the Federal Trade Commission
largely because of their independence
and their fairness in dealing with the
questions presented to them. The Fed
eral Trade Commission during earlier
administrations that were not, perhaps,
as willing as the present administration
to tackle the public utility problem, went
forward with independent inquiries.
These investigations into the public util
ities and into other problems have been
the basis for some of the New Deal
laws. An example is the public utility
holding company act. There may be
considerable doubt that if the Federal
Trade Commission hat} been directly re
sponsible to a department head in those
days its investigations would have been
prosecuted so vigorously. Or if they
were prosecuted the procedure might
have been along very different lines.
It becomes, therefore, an important
question whether the price of admin
istration under a cabinet officer is worth
the possible—the probable—loss of In
dependence in thought and action on
the part of these agencies of the Gov
ernment. They were set up by the
Congress originally with the intention
that they should be independent of poli
tical control, and as such they should
continue. Once, however, the power
over the personnel of these agencies has
been placed under a cabinet officer, there
seems to be no way in which their inde
pendence in the exercise of their quasi
judicial functions can be assured.
The organization of brain trust groups
is not an easy matter. Since philosophers
were first discovered the most active
minds have disagreed to an extent that
even caused heads to fall.
%
Nothing Romantic.
J. Edgar Hoover, director of the Fed
eral Bureau of Investigation, Department
of Justice, recently told the student body
of Notre Dame University: “There is
nothing romantic about crime.” The
verdict of such an expert, of course, is
eminently newsworthy. It merits the
consideration of all who are concerned
to understand the waves of lawlessness
which periodically sweep the world.
And crime certainly must be compre
hended. No solution of the problem of
anti-social non-conformity ever can be
achieved until the mental processes of
malefactors and the mental attitude of
their victims toward them have been
analyzed. To illustrate the difficulty, an
Incident of several years ago may be
cited. Half a dozen men were discussing
the celebrated Teapot Dome scandal. One
of the number told in brief outline the
cost to the Nation involved in the mis
management of the oU reserves of the
Navy. Then, when he had finished his
summary, another participant in the
conversation cynically demanded: “Isn’t
It human to take personal advantage of
public neglect? If the people refuse re
sponsibility for the protection of their
property, isn’t it natural for them to be
robbed?” The group gasped at the sar
donic frankness of the challenge.
But It is exactly that sort of eeooas- J
< • 4
sion to crime that leads to the compro
mise with criminals which society cus
tomarily permits. The poet Wordsworth
put into verse Rob Roy’s philosophy:
"The good old rule
Sufficeth them, the simple plan
That they should take, who have the
power,
And they should keep, who can."
And a similar doctrine afflicts a vast
majority of those who take the romantic
view of revolt against civilization. Per
haps the most rankly heartless expression
now current in America is: "You’ve got
to give them credit for getting away with
it.” Packed in that bitter sentiment is
& contempt for principle which cannot be
too severely condemned. Yet it is uni
versal in contemporary usage. Thou
sands of citizens employ it in reference
to wrongdoers who know only too well
how to profit from toleration. It is a
basic fault of the democratic mind that
it leaves to professionals the business of
resisting the assaults of organized In
iquity and depravity. The way of the
transgressor is not hard. On the con
trary, it is rendered easy by lenient in
dulgence.
Mr. Hoover, therefore, is well advised
to insist on the ugliness and brutality of
outlawry. “There is nothing in any of
its phases,” he says, “which can be
riewed from a standpoint of honor or of
decent accomplishment.” The adven
turous vision of life without labor and
riches extorted from defenseless “suck
ers” Is a delusion. If only the average
individual will grasp that fact, there will
be hope for the cure of the prevailing
pestilence of crime. The proper answer
to anarchy Is rational realism.
An Eased Situation.
While it would be premature to con
clude that all danger of war in Europe,
as an outgrowth of civil strife in Spain,
has evaporated, the prompt clearing of
the atmosphere in the Spanish Morocco
affair injects a pacific note into a peril
ously delicate situation. At Monday's
New Year diplomatic reception in Berlin,
Chancellor Hitler took occasion to assure
the French Ambassador that Germany
has no intention of changing the’ status
quo either in Spain or in any of her
possessions, including Morocco. M.
Andre Francois-Poncet, speaking for the
Paris government, simultaneously in
formed Der Fuehrer that France on her
part has no ambition to alter the Spanish
map. Thus comes to an abrupt end a
development which, magnified beyond its
intrinsic proportions by bitter recrimina
tions in France and Germany, threat
ened to precipitate another Moroccan
crisis as grave as the Agadir episode in
1911. There is now a disposition in both
Paris and Berlin jto consider as a closed
incident the flare-up caused by circum
stantial reports that Germany had em
barked upon a military occupation of
Spanish Morocco, which would have in
troduced a new and provocative factor
into the Mediterranean situation.
impartial investigations reveal tnat
French alarm over German purposes,
while not wholly unjustified, was based
on exaggerated fears. German nationals
in considerable numbers have been and
still are active at Ceuta and at other
points in Spanish Morocco, but their
presence turns out to be only part and
parcel of the “volunteer'’ aid which the
Spanish insurgents are receiving from
Germans and Italians. German aviation
centers have been set up, and the port
of MeliUa is described as practically a
German naval base, with its airfield and
seaplane station occupied by German
technical staffs. German warships, too,
have been active along the Spanish
Moroccan coast for some weeks. There
Is also evidence that German engineers
are reorganizing the important Riff iron
mines and the lead mines near Melilla.
Even more suggestive than these mili
tary, naval and industrial activities is
the German propaganda among Arabs
and other natives. The Arabs are in
clined to anti-Semitism and correspond
ingly susceptible to Nazi agitation.
These German "cultural” efforts are
looked upon as a definite menace to
adjacent French Morocco.
Notwithstanding this impressive proof
of German interest in Spanish Morocco,
France seems satisfied that Hitler is not
laying the groundwork of any formal
invasion of the territory. Undoubtedly,
the Nazis have made haste to disavow
aggressive intentions in consequence of
unmistakable Anglo-French determina
tion to oppose them at all costs. Ber
lin has become accustomed since
1933 to successive International triumphs
achieved by employment of mailed-fist
methods. The vigor, unity and alacrity
■with which the Western powers have
called a halt to German adventures In
Spanish Morocco are altogether salutary.
They not only fortify the European peace
} structure at a psychological moment, but
serve notice that there is a limit beyond
which Nazi pretensions and bluffs will
not be allowed to go.
Some suggestions are to the effect
that the United States Supreme Court
will be permitted to go on reciting
speeches if it will be more prompt in
taking cues.
“The Hull Doctrine.”
Presumably with the Monroe Doctrine
In mind, one of the speakers at the
Inter-American Conference for Main
tenance of Peace acclaimed the eco
nomic policies of the United States' Sec
retary of State as “the Hull doctrine.”
Secretary Hull’s return from Buenos
Aires is a fitting occasion for public
commendation of his epochal and effec
tive efforts to cement friendlier ties
among the republics of the Western
Hemisphere. This country did not attain
in Argentina all of the objectives it
sought. But the primary goal was
reached—the creation of a peace system
designed to prevent war from arising
among the sister American republics.
They have covenanted to use the same
machinery in the event of war abroad,
which might endanger the preservation
of peace in the western world. Secretary
Hull resumes his duties in Washington,
“hopeful that the effort we hem made
A
will strengthen the hands of those who
are struggling to preserve peace in Eu
rope and elsewhere.” He is confident
that “the real significance of the Buenos
Aires conference will bulk even larger
as events progress.”
For the unquestionably far-reaching
moral and psychological benefits pro
duced by the conference, the American
Secretary of State, though he is, of
course, too modest to claim it for him
self, was, by universal consent, chiefly
responsible. Under his astute direction,
the Washington delegation comported
itself on all occasions with restraint, con
ciliation and tact. There was a studied
and successful effort to take Latin Amer
ican susceptibilities into account, and to
avoid suspicions that the Colossus of the
North was animated by any desire to
dominate proceedings or seek special
advantages. The net result is that the
United States’ prestige among our
southern neighbors emerges higher than
at any other time in pan-American his
tory. Secretary Hull is convinced that
the “welding of Inter-American friend
ship has now become a powerful, posi
tive force for peace throughout the
world.” He thus reflects President
Rosevelt's underlying motive in project
ing the Buenos Aires Conference—
namely, the belief that it would prove
an example of good neighborliness to all
nations genuinely devoted to the estab
lishment of warless international rela
tions.
The American people. Indissolubly
wedded to the policy of unselfish, cordial
friendship with the other democracies
of the west, are proud of the eminent
service rendered to that cause at Buenos
Aires by the Secretary of State, Assistant
Secretary of State Sumner Welles and
all of their coadjutors. What is not
inappropriately christened the “Hull
doctrine’’ opens & new chapter in inter
American history, which is destined to
be of lasting and world-wide beneficence.
The sense of humor possessed by
Goering is undeniable, although the
world might feel easier if he had been
content to gratify it by becoming the
editor of Fliegende Blaetter.
A new dance is being taught to the
Society of Musical Publishers and Com
posers. It is a dance number to replace
“Home, Sweet Home" in closing the eve
ning and is entitled "Scram.’'
Laws against weapon carrying are
laxly administered. It may be found
necessary to establish a rule that nobody
shall be permitted to carry a pistol ex
cept a policeman.
While seeking more authority, the
President also broadens his advisory en
tourage. In a spirit of proper prudence
| he demands not only power but guidance.
Hitler i* drawing the social line in so
many ways that there can be no great
surprise if he gets his wires crossed.
Shooting Stars.
BY PHILANDER JOHNSON.
Bigger and Better Investigation.
j Let us investigate each day
, And reach results as best we may.
Let us look into every cause
And give our views on natures laws.
Let us investigate the rules
Observed in various kinds of schools.
Let us inspect the Government
And learn what causes discontent.
Nor laU to find a reason clear
When drought makes harsh the atmos
phere.
Let us endeavor to explain
What planets wait with new domain
When this we leave. Let’s go into the
sky
And learn how stars move on and why.
In short, since knowledge is at last
So accurate and still so vast
From billions which the bankers lend
To fences neighbors ought to mend,
Let's bid our Seers—we might do
worse—
Investigate the Universe!
Polite Folitica.
"I have heard it said you would never
intentionally hurt the feelings of a
friend.”
“That's correct," answered Senator
Sorghum. “I’m willing to state my
views, but I don’t know of any worse
politics than needlessly hurtin’ any
body's feelins.”
Jud Tunkins says the store at the
crossroads has another of these business
problems owin’ to the number of folks
that aits an’ listens to the radio without
buying anything.
Time to Circulate.
When folks of business complain
And find of current cash a dearth,
Don't speculate in projects vain,
But Buy and Get Your Money's Worth!
A Kindly Attitude.
“Have you any objections to me as a
son-in-law?’* asked the young man.
“Yes,” replied Mr. Cumrox. “At pres
ent you’re cheerful and companionable
and I like you first rate.”
“Then why not have me in the fam
ily?”
“I don’t want to take a chance on
spoiling you. I don’t know how you
wpuld turn out after mother and the
girls had bossed you around for a few
years.”
“If you speak what is untrue,” said
Hi Ho, the sage of Chinatown, “you will
find difficulty in speaking truly. • For
the truth is sensitive and avoids those
who treat it with discourtesy.”
Let Them Blow!
The factory whistle lifts its note
There from its broad and grimy throat;
It sings for those who understand
The finest anthem in the land.
“Some folks,” said Uncle- Eben,
“prides darse’f on bein' foresighted so
much dat dey ain’ got no reopeck foh
duties dat comes any near-der dan day
afUr tomanor-"
Doubts Comparisons in
D. C. Financial Report
To th* Editor of Tht Star:
I have not had the time to go over
the Jacobs fiscal relation report very
carefully, but one table that I noticed in
particular makes one doubt very much
the comparisons presented therein. I
refer to the table comparing the real
estate taxes of Washington with those
in 17 “representative and comparable’’
cities on a house appraised by them at
$7,000.
Previously in the report it is stated
that the rents in Washington are higher
than elsewhere.
Take the first and highest city, Jersey
City, and see what the tax of $391.23
would mean to the property owner. In
Washington a house costing $7,000 will
rent for $50 or $55 a month. Put the
Jersey City rent equal to the lower figure
of $50. On an average occupancy of
eleven and a half months a year, the
yearly rental would amount to $575.
The owner would pay the agent 5 per
cent, or $28.75, commission on the rent
collections. Depreciation at 2 per cent
(income tax allowance rate) on the im
provements of $5,500 would be $110,
insurance at Washington rates (the re
port states these are low) on $5,000 cov
erage Is $5, the taxes as given are $391.23.
Thus, with repairs, the owner’s expenses
are $534,98, leaving him a return of $40.02
(57 per cent) a year on his $7,000 in
vestment. It does not seem plausible
that people will invest money in this
manner.
ii me owner lives in ine nouse me
Interest at 6 per cent is $420, insurance
5. water rent (estimated) $12, and taxes
$391.23, making his home cost him $78.19
a month to live in without counting re
pairs, heat, gas and electricity, but In
cluding depreciation.
When one applies the results above,
it creates doubt as to the statistics in
the report. It creates doubt as to the
method used, or the conclusions reached
by the committee. Doubt in one part
creates doubt in the whole of a statisti
cal report. C. E. SHEETZ.
Inferiority Complex of
Disfranchised District
To th* Editor of The Star:
Although not a resident of the District
of Columbia, I was born there in 1875.
That d^te of birth and the fact that my
father was considerably prominent in
the affairs of the District of Columbia
and the City of Washington during that
era is probably the reason that the affairs
of that small section of land ceded by
the State of Maryland holds for me not
Uncertain interest.
The citizens of the District of Colum
bia would seem to demonstrate a most
excellently developed case of inferiority
complex.
This condition may be the natural
result of the fact that they have no vote,
and are. hence, citizens of the -United
States of America by courtesy only.
They are taxed without representa
tion. they are tolerated as citizens by the
Representatives of the Congress (Senate
and the House), whose constituents are
free citizens of the Nation, with the right
to express disapprobation on law enact
ments which might “disfranchise” them,
as they have the citizens of the District
of Columbia.
In fact, the condition of the citizen
of the District of Columbia is comparable
to that of those indentured men who,
many years past, did do much to build
a Nation. But with the vast difference
that the indentured servant was only
held for four years as more or less of a
slave, while in the District of Columbia
it is a life sentence for the individual
and his offspring.
There must be something undeniably*
true in that this inferiority complex is
real.
I do not know how many of the several
hundred thousand residents of the Dis
trict of Columbia are native-born, but
there are surely a sufficient number to
have produced a two-fisted, fighting
leader who would lead them out of
political servitude.
After all. the Senators and Repre
sentatives on Capitol Hill and their
constituents are only human beings.
There is actually no reason why a citizen
of the District of Columbia who pays
his heavy taxes, does his day’s work and
dons the military uniform when wars
come, should bend the knee to a greater
extent than does anv citizen of the 48
States. GRANT SHEPHERD.
La Plata, Md.
Poor Pay Scale for Lower
Rungs of Federal Ladder
To the Editor of The Star:
An administration which repudiates
its promises invites doubt. An adminis
trator who pledges that he will balance
the budget, then coolly says he didn't
mean the real budget, naturally will find
his further prognostications eyed with
mistrust. The current Government re
organization, viewed in the light of prior
events means what?
The papers say that the Brownlow
committee specifically recommended that
the proposed new set-up should provide
for finding able people who can be
brought into the Government especially
on the lower rungs of the ladder, and for
insuring opportunities for training and
promotion to able persons in the service.
Obviously, those who need training and
opportunity are not the top-rungers.
But you will find in the President’s
"adoption” of the recommended measures
no mention of the lower rungs. On the
contrary he seeks only key post salary
increases. In other words, the chosen
few are to be even more handsomely re
munerated. a step which is no doubt
commendable. But what of the average
employe. Apparently the rung he. is on
is to be greased. Or perhaps the Presi
dent deems it not inconceivable that
opportunity for the little fellow, like
demdcracy, has in it the potentiality
of becoming "a great dream.”
J. H. BYERS.
Director Van Duzer Favors
Publicity of License Losses
To the Sdltor of The Star:
In 1936 there were 197 fewer personal
Injuries and 14 less deaths in motor
vehicle accidents than in 1935. We be
lieve the principal reason for this re
duction is the policy to suspend drivers’
permits for excessive speed and the daily
publicity given by the newspapers in
publishing the names of those who have
been convicted in Traffic Court for
traffic violations and also the names of
those whose permits have been sus
pended.
By this publicity you are carrying a
traffic story each day which, we believe,
is more effective than periodic cam
paigns. W. A. VAN DUZER.
Director of Vehicles and Traffic.
Not an Economic Problem.
From the Winston-Salem Journal.
“Common Cold Costly.” Just another
of those things whose cost is not de
termined by the law of supply and
demand.
Banners in 1936.
Prom the Saclnaw Me vs.
The economists say 1936 was a banner
year. Well, there certainly was a lot of
\
THIS AND THAT |
BY CHARLES E. TRACEWELL.
What are aome of the general meas
ures which a person can take to help
prevent catching the common cold?
Being told that one should “keep in
good condition’’ is unsatisfactory.
A great many persons, through in
heritance and blood and tissue forma
tions, find it impossible to ward 06 colds
by such means.
It is just the same as telling the fear
some person to “be brave.”
Good advice, undoubtedly, but one
wants the “how.” too.
There are certain things which almost
any one can do which will help prevent
one from catching a cold, or at least
reduce its severity.
That they will be "sure-fire” or that
they will ward off all colds, is another
matter. What they will do. in all prob
ability, if persistently followed, is to
cut down the number per year and
the severity of each case.
Any relief, to a cold sufferer, is very
much worth while.
It is being realised more widely every
year that, just as the race is not always
to the swift, so the catching of a cold
is not, in itself, a sign of inferiority or
lack of condition. Multiplicity of respira
tional diseases has made sure that there
are plenty of “bugs” to insure one or
more colds a year to practically every
body. The outdoor, athletic type of man
is Just as liable to "catch” g cold as any
one else, and If the cold happens to
turn into something more serious, he
probably is worse off than the sedentary
type.
General measures which have been
found helpful are as follows:
1. Keep warm at all times.
2. Particularly avoid getting the feet
wet.
3. Do not perspire and then dry off in
a cold place or in a wind.
4. Minimize starches and sugars in
the diet.
5. Get vitamin A in some form.
6. Use cool water <not necessarily cold)
as far as possible in bathing.
7. Drink plenty of water.
8. Use orange Juice as freely as pos
sible.
9. Avoid sneezers and persons with
colds.
10. Utilize ultra-violet light if possible.
It will be realized at once that when
general measures are set down so suc
cinctly they lose some of their power
through their very brevity.
They are, in other words, so easily
disputed!
It must be kept in mind that no dis
ease has had as much battle done over
it as the so-called "common cold.” In
this both physicians and their patients
have taken part—and sides. Everybody
has a "sure cure” for a cold, but what
is one man's medicine is another's poi
son. or at least is useless, to put it
mildly. And any useless remedy is
harmful in that it prevents a real one
from being given in most instances.
* * * *
Whatever may be the primary cause
of any given cold, there is one sure
thing, and that is that a feeling of chill,
or cold, is at some time in the process
a very prominent symptom.
There is some reason for believing that
if one keeps warm at all times and takes
steps to become warm immediately a
sense of chillness is felt, much will be
done toward warding off the disease.
There are a hundred wavs in which
one may get cold during the day, espe
cially in Winter. Do not laugh at
draughts. The trouble they cause is a
real one, too often, and comes about
simply because they chill the skin sur
faces.
Advice to avoid getting the feet wet
is centuries old and has never been
Improved upon. Rubbers and galoshes
are nuisances, true enough, but they do
the work of keeping the feet dry.
Overheated vehicles and other too
warm places may put one into a sweat,
and if one then proceeds to dry off in
the cold afterward trouble may arise.
The person who must wage ceaseless
warfare against colds will do well to
remember that dry cold is not as bad
as wet cold with subsequent drying.
Perspiration should be kept up. if possi
ble, until one can take a cool bath and
have clean linen.
* * A *
Advice to minimize starches and sug
ars. the carbohydrate foods, in other
words, is always met with a great wail
of derision from many.
But the cold sufferer from experience
usually may prove that a stuffing on
these particular foods often precedes a
cold.
Whatever part nutrition may play in
the common cold, there can be little
doubt that many a person who at any
time “catches” one will feel that “some
thing he ate” had something to do
with it.
This is such a common belief that
many will suspect there is "something
to it” and act accordingly. The whole
matter is so wound up with the subject
of relative alkalinity and acidity of the
system that the average person can do
little besides give respectful attention to
the scientists. He will have his own
ideas, however, and if he feels that any
particular thing in his diet has been
eaten freely every time he "catches”
cold, he will be doing only the part of
wisdom to discontinue that thing if he
is so unfortunate to come down ill.
^ ^ ^ ^
The use of concentrated vitamin A
extracts in one form or another is
another subject about which there is
dispute. But some who have used them,
and for the first time in their lives got
along without colds, will not be diverted
from what seems to be the truth to
them. No doubt there are some persons
who get special benefits, as such prod
ucts supply a special need.
The use of artificial sunshine, the so
called ultra-violet light, is another pro
cedure not without criticism, but here
again there are to be found persons who
are willing to swear by such lights and
who believe that they have received great
benefit.
The use of citrus fruits, especially the
orange, seems common sense to many.
If it is good for babies, it is good for
their elders and is commonly so found.
It is with this fruit as with cod liver
oil. For many score years physicians
gave their patients cod liver oil with
out knowing just why it was "good''
for them. The vitamins in orange
juice do the trick, too.
The good cold fighter will avoid the
sneezer as he would the devil. The
sneezer is, in truth, the modern devil.
He ought to keep himself at home and
shut up, both for his own sake and that
of others, but he will not. Hence the
universal spread of colds.
The cold susceptible who carries out
these measures, or at least some of them,
as best he can, will find that he gets
real benefits. Not that he will never
have a cold. Who can promise him
self that? But the chances are that if
he catches cold he will not have as bad
a one as he might have had, or as he
used to have, which is the only real
standard of comparison.
WASHINGTON OBSERVATIONS
BY FREDERIC WILLIAM WILE.
Little doubt remains that President
Rosevelt's staggering reorganization plan
will provoke the most strenuous legisla
tive contest the New Deal has so hr
had to weather and one of the bitterest
storms in modern congressional history.
It will find party lines broken In all
directions. » Early indications suggest
that Senator Byrd. Democrat, of Vir
ginia will be the rallying point for the
opposition, which is expected to be more
effective in the Senate than in the
House. The chairman of the Senate's
own Committee on Federal Reconstruc
tion is not hostile to all the features
of the administration program, but is
ready to fight some of Its outstanding
provisions, especially abolition of the
controller generalship. Senator Byrd
contends this agency should be con
tinued as something wholly independent
of the executive department. The Vir
ginian's view that a mere regrouping
of agencies means neither simplifica
tion nor economy is widely held on
Capitol Hill. That the report will be
subjected to microscopic examination
and to critical fore and aft fire is a
foregone conclusion. One of the com
monest shafts leveled at the project is
the twofold charge that it makes for
too centralized executive authority and
for expansion of an already swollen and
expensive bureaucracy.
* * * *
Probably the phase that will encoun
ter the least resistance is the plan to
create two new cabinet offices and to
give the President six special adminis
trative aides. It is universally admitted
that Uncle Sam's general manager, the
overworked head of the greatest busi
ness on earth, is seriously understaffed
and requires the expert assistance now
planned. There is no more arresting
thought anywhere in the voluminous
reorganization report than the descrip
tion of the qualifications these helpers
must have—“high competence, great
physical vigor and a passion for anony
mity.” Just where F. D. R. is going to
find shrinking violets and super men
that measure up to these composite
requisites is a question. In his “school”
for Washington news writers, just before
the reorganization bombshell was sprung,
the President stressed the "anonymity”
virtue which his proposed lieutenants
must possess. They are apparently to
be the last word in taciturnity, as well
as self-effacement. It was suggested
that even if their identities are ever re
vealed, people who try to establish con
versational contacts with them may dis
cover that the White House mystery
men will not even say “good morning”
when asked a question.
T ^ T »
Honors for the brightest witticism of
the political season belong to Senator
Ashurst. Democrat, of Arizona. When
asked about the probable reaction of
Congress to Mr. Roosevelt’s budget pro
posals, the towering chairman of the
Senate Judiciary Committee opined that
“Congress will have the courage of the
President’s convictions.” A good many
people think the same spirit of ac
quiescence, Irreverently known as the
rubber stamp system, will eventually
prevail regarding Government reorgani
sation. Senator Ashurst is famed as the
Capitol’s cleverest word wizard. One of
his celebrated observations was at the
expense of a former colleague from a
Southern State, who was addicted to
speeches distinguished for quantity
rather than quality. "I never listen to
the gentleman from -said Sena
tor Ashuxstk "without r—ntit Ballsy's
a .
comet, which was a million miles long and
of no material substance whatever.”
* * * *
8enator Norris’ acceptance of the lead
ership of a conference on amendment
of the Constitution assures a hard, sus
tained drive in that direction. The vet
eran Progressive has a unique reputa
tion for keeping everlastingly at things.
Rebuffed time and again in connection
with Muscle Shoals and lame duck leg
islation. his stick-to-itiveness persisted
until the time at long last when he saw
both T. V. A. and the twentieth amend
ment enacted into the law of the land.
It was at the 1931 Power Conference in
Washington, over which Norris presided,
that the Nebraskan uttered his long
range dictum that "what the country
needs is another Roosevelt in the White
House.”
* * * *
Suggestions are afloat in diplomatic
quarters that the thing now nearest to
Secretary Hull's heart is a world con
ference to promote the cause of peace
through more equitable distribution of
raw materials. The chief of the State
Department, who is back at his desk,
wearing with characteristic modesty the
laurels he won at Buenos Aires, is cred
ited with the belief that until theres
a fair division of natural resources be
tween the 'have” and "have not” na
tions the causes of war will never be
eradicated. Here and there the guess is
hazarded that some proposals along these
lines may feature the clarion call for
world peace, which many authorities
expect President Roosevelt's inaugural
address to keynote.
* * * *
With recall to Havana of Cuban Am
bassador Patterson and simultaneous
arrival in this country of American Am
bassador Caffery, relations between the
United States and Cuba would seem to
be on the verge of an overhauling.
There’s no suggestion that Mr. Caffery,
who has made an enviable record at
Havana under chronically difficult cir
cumstances, is to be supplanted. Since
the recent impeachment of President
Gomez and installation of a government
dominated by the army. Washington is
anxious for an up-to-date, close-range
picture of the situation on the island,
such as Ambassador Caffery is in posi
tion to paint.
* * * *
That striking literary flavor which dis
tinguishes the Government reorganiza
tion report is attributed to the journalist
member of the President's committee,
Louis Brownlow. Prior to his World War
presidency of the District of Columbia
Commissioners Mr. Brownlow was an
active newspaper man. Once upon a
time he served under “Marse Henry”
Watterson on the Louisville Courier
Journal and afterward was on Urey
Woodson’s Paducah News-Democrat. He
also sat in the press gallery as Washing
ton correspondent of the Nashville
Banner. Following his municipal career
here, Brownlow dedicated himself ex
clusively to civic affairs, becoming suc
cessively city manager of Petersburg, Va.,
and Knoxville, Tenn., and chairman of
the Public Administration Committee of
the Social Science Research Council.
Those reorganisation report references to
“passion for anonymity,” "the wander
ing independencies and Irresponsible and
headless ‘fourth branch’ of the Govern
ment.” and “the old and recurring in
solence of office" are believed to be prod
ucts of Brownlow * newspaper pen.
(OaaviisM. 1MT.) I
& •
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. Are more patent medicines prepared
for women’s use or for men’s?—H. N.
A Facts and Frauds In Women’s Hy
giene says that for every patent medicine
offered for the exclusive use of men there
are a hundred offered for women alone.
Q Who was the outstanding athlete
Of 1936?—M. R.
A. In a poll conducted by the Asso
ciated Press. Jesse Owens, famous Negro
sprinter and broad-jumper, was named
the outstanding athlete of 1936. The
second selection was Carl Owen Hubbell,
pitcher of the New York Giants.
Q. Is California the only place where
redwood trees grow?—T. M.
A. While the Pacific Coast is the only
place to which redwoods are indigenous,
there are a number growing in England.
Early English navigators took young
trees home and transplanted them suc
cessfully.
Q. How many words were included in
Noah Webster's original dictionary?
-J. T.
A. Webster's first dictionary contained
38.000 words and his second almost twice
that number, or about 70.000.
Q. Is Dr. Henry Moskowitz the hus
band of Belle Moskowitz, who was one
of A1 Smith's close advisers?—N. B.
A. Dr. Henry Moskowitz died in De
cember at the age of 57. He was the
second husband of the late Mrs. Belle
Moskowitz. He was an educator, pub
licist, industrial arbitrator, philanthro
pist and writer.
Q. Who is the Stuart pretender to the
British throne?—M. N.
A. He is Prince Rupert of Bavaria. He
is 67 years old and lives near Munich.
He is also pretender to the Bavarian
throne and is an uncle of King Leopold
of Belgium.
Q. When did Sarah Bernhardt first
appear in this country in •‘Camille"?
—H. L. W.
A. Mme. Bernhardt made her first
American appearance in •'Camille” at
Booth's Theater, 1880. in French, under
the original title, “La Dame aux Camel
lias.”
Q. Has travel to Mexico increased
much since the new roads have been
built?—C. J.
A. In 1932, according to figures of the
Mexican secretariat of the interior, 1.364
visitors to Mexico were listed as tourists.
In 1935 the total was 38.829, while it is
estimated that during 1936 there were
50.000 tourists who visited Mexico.
Q. How is corn used in the manu
facture of motor cars?—R. W. H.
A. It is one of the principal farm
products consumed in building cars,
being used in manufacturing the butyl
alcohol and butyl acetate from w’hich
is msde the solvents for lacquers used
in painting the machines.
Q. How fast can Henry Scott play the
piano with mittens -on his hands?—H.
M. W.
A. The pianist, at a performance in
New York City, played 268 notes in six
seconds while wearing mittens.
Q. How many New York City girls
made their debuts this Winter?—W. H.
A. There were approximately 250 deb
utantes.
Q. Who succeeded the late Gus Gen*
nerich as President Roosevelt's body
guard?—H. W.
A. The position is now held by Thomas
E. Qualters.
Q Do most Jewish people adhere
rigidly to a kosher diet?—F. R#
A. A survey shows that not more than
15 per cent of the Nation's Jews are strict
observers of the orthodox food laws.
Q. How long does it take to go by air
plane from the Croydon Field in England
to Le Bourget Field in France?—R. M
A. It now takes one and a half hours.
Planes which are being built will take
10 minutes off this schedule.
Q. What is jerry-building?—L. W.
A. It is building construction in which
shoddy, improper and unsatisfactory ma
terials and methods are used.
Q. Since the World War. when did
the railroads carry the highest number
of passengers?—H. D.
A. In 1920, when 1,234,8*2.048 passen
gers were carried by Class 1 lines.
Q. Isn’t it true that most of the Bibles
that are sold are bought bv women?—
L. G. F.
A. Salesmen say that women buy four
out of every five Bibles that are sold in
this country.
Q. What is the average temperature
during the Winter in Miami, Fla?—R.
S. W.
A. The average Winter temperature
for Miami is 69.6 degrees; average mini
mum temperature, 63.3, and average
maximum, 75.8.
Q. Is it true that art criticism is pro
hibited in Germany?—H. J. W.
A. On November 27 Dr. Joseph Goeb
bels, propaganda minister, prohibited all
art criticism, stating that writers must
confine their efforts to description.
Q. How much money Is spent on the
numbers game?—E. R. L.
A. A conservative estimate is $300,000,
000 annually'.
1 Running Crave Risks.
From the Inditnmpolii Newt.
Sometimes it looks as if some of those
fellows in Europe were trying to see
how close they can come to general war
without starting one.
Twilight
By
Gertrude Brooke Hamilton
Storm.
A sunny yet tumultuous day;
Clouds pile on the horizon rim.
Bare branches bend before the wind,
Blue skies are shadowed by wild gray.
■ Great drops of rain the heavens
o’erbrim;
Then torrents sweeping unconfined,
Obliterating all the view
Until the streets are dark as night;
Then the rain slackens, winds dla
down,
Between the clouds the sky shows blue,
The tempest passes; and sunlight
Floods all the glistening streets «f
town.
80 may heart-storm turn day to night
and pais -to make way for sunlight.
A • A