Evening star. [volume], July 27, 1937, Page A-8, Image 8

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

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THE EVENING STAR
With Sunday Morning Edition.
WASHINGTON, D. C.
TUESDAY--July 27, 1937
THEODORE W. NOYES-...Editor
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Considered Legislation.
On the administration's "agenda" for
the remainder of the present session of
Congress are bills of vast importance.
They include the wages and hours bill,
the “ever normal granary” bill, the Presi
dent's reorganization bill, the bill to stop
evasions and avoidance of income tax
payments and the housing bill. They
are not the kind of bills which can be
rushed through, or should be rushed
through, at the fag end of a long, hot ses
sion. No measure which touches the
whole life of America more intimately
than does the wages and hours bill has
yet been offered. Granting that the
purpose is good, it is still something to
consider before power is invested in a
Federal board of five members to break
entirely an industry in this country, or
in any one section of it.
The farmers of the country have been
getting along well with the existing
statutes, some of which are temporary.
Congress has extended for another two
years the benefits granted under the soil
erosion act, which it put through as a
substitute for the old A. A. A. No new
system now enacted into law could have
application to the crops of this year.
It is too late in the season. For these
reasons members of the Senate Commit
tee on Agriculture insist that there
should be no hasty action aV this time
on the "ever normal granary" bill. Chair
tnan .QmitVt t Viq committnn V-i ■» ~ ~
it very clear that he wishes to enact
permanent legislation which will give
the farmers an even chance with the
Industrialists. But he does not believe
that Congress should hurry into such
legislation. He prefers to have his com
mittee make a more thorough inquiry
before acting, and the committee takes
the same attitude.
Congress assembled the first week in
January. It has been in session more
than six months. If it has not passed
laws dealing with labor and with the
farmers in all that time, it has not been
the fault of the rank and file of the
House and Senate. It has been because
the administration leaders were not will
ing to proceed, because President Roose
velt demanded first the passage of the
bill to enlarge the membership of the
Supreme Court. Months have been lost.
The blame for failure of legislation in
all that time rests not with Congress,
however, but with the President.
The administration may continue to
Insist that Congress shall pass these
measures of great importance in Mid
summer. It may even win and obtain
a mass of undigested legislation, hurried
through under whip and spur. There is
a growing spirit of greater Independence
on Capitol Hill, however, a growing de
termination to examine more closely
legislation proposed by the President.
If the President believes that it is
tmwise to put off legislation until next
Fall, an arrangement can be made for
a recess of Congress until October or
November. Or an adjournment may be
taken and the President call Congress
Into special session at some date in the
Fall. Whatever may be done, however,
whether there be a recess or Congress
sticks to the Job this Summer, let there
be an end to ill-considered and hurried
legislation.
Bo many Incidental considerations have
had to be taken up that solicitous friends
have almost forgotten to Inquire how
Mr. Rex Tugwell Is getting on in the
molasses business.
Cuba's Three-Year Plan.
Col. Fulgencio Batista, the power be
hind the throne In Cuba, announces
a three-year plan by which he expects
to accomplish the economic and social
reconstruction of the Caribbean repub
lic. Following the political upset, which
abruptly terminated the rule of Presi
dent Gomez, military influence remained
pronounced, even though Col. Batista,
who haa dominated the situation since
Machado's overthrow in 1933, professed
a policy of non-interference in civil af
fairs. The island's “strong man” has
now promulgated a legislative program
destined to effect regimentation of nearly
every phase of national life.
Under forms of “co-ordination,”
smacking somewhat of Italian and Ger
man Inspiration, the country's basic in
dustries, sugar and tobacco, are to be
subjected to strict regulation, affecting
capital, labor and distribution of profits,
and with a special eye to the Interests
of workers and small planters. There
is to be sweeping reorganization of the
currency and tax systems. Labor laws,
which already bar foreigners from em
ployment, will be tightened. A social
security structure provides for unem
ployment Insurance, old-age pensions,
hcapitalization, paid holidays for work
*r« and housing. The program compre
hends marketing and consumers’ co
operatives, agricultural adjustment, pub
lic health and educational reform, re
vision of the Judiciary, creation of a
merchant marine, reforestation and In
tensified control of natural resources.
While Cuba’s new deal envisions a
millennial future, those who must pay
the freight—primarily the business world
—are filled with anxiety concerning the
wherewithal for Batista’s grandiose
scheme. Announcement that it will be
rushed through Congress, which cus
tomarily does his bidding, does not allay
unrest. Capital has been in flight, doubt
less In anticipation of coming economic
revolution.' Heavy new taxation is in
sight to meet a mounting deficit. Float
ing indebtedness and public works obli
gations have reached record figures.
Abrogation of the Platt amendment
obliterated the United States’ political
influence in Cuba, but American capital
still predominates in the field of foreign
investments. The Hull reciprocity treaty
produced a favorable trade balance of
some $60,000,000 for the island last year.
American business men hope that the
advantages the Cuban people derive
from the pact may influence the Havana
authorities to modify the laws which
operate oppressively against employment
of Americans in Cuban industry. Be
cause of our economic stake and our
abiding desire for the nation's welfare,
American concern in the Batista three
year plan is deep. If it involves no
unfair discrimination against this coun
try, our interest ■will also be sympathetic.
Tammany.
With the sudden death of James J.
Dooling, its leader, the Tammany So
ciety, formally entitled the Columbian
Order, comes anew to a crisis in its long
career as the chief political organiza
tion of New’ York City. This society,
founded in 1789, as "a fraternity of
patriots solemnly consecrated to the in
dependence, the popular liberty and the
federal union of the country,” has dur
ing its 148 years of existence been the
major factor in the public affairs of the
largest city of the Newr World. Taking
title and form from the aboriginal in
habitants, it developed, with its thirteen
"tribes” which were the constituent frac
tions of its body, into a dominant power
in the control of metropolitan political
business. It has had some very able
leaders, and some who were capable of
enlisting the services of others whose
shrewdness and acumen contributed to
their success and the prestige and power
of the organization.
In recent years, with the growth of the
metropolis into a wider area than that
of the original city, which was confined
to Manhattan Island, Tammany's power
has waned and has been applied effec
tively only through coalitions. The lead
ership of Tammany has not of late been
the all-poient force it once was. Com
promises and combinations have been
necessary and those who wielded the
gavel over the central organization have
been forced to the adopton of expedients
altogether different from the methods
of the earlier bosses.
From Croker and Murphy to Dooling
was a long lapse in ability of control.
Both of these men exercised a potent
influence in not only municipal affairs,
but in national politics. The consolida
tion of the boroughs into the Greater
City brought into the municipal field
rival factors and while Tammany con
tinued to wield a large degree of power
in metropolitan matters it could not
always dominate. The successful defiance
of Tammany by La Guardia. gaining the
mayoralty through a combination of
borough support and Republican
strength, reduced the resources of the
‘'Hall” by the dispersion of patronage
and favors which were its substantial
sources of strength. Latterly the bene
factions of the Federal Government
through work-relief jobs and other forms
of public charity lessened its political
resources. The organized criminal
rackets, which once upon a time might
have rendered tribute, have also drained
the streams of supply.
jLeaaer uooung was a iar cunereni, type
from that established in the old days of
the "big bosses." He had a genuine
ability. He was gifted with a larger
degree of intellectual acumen than the
average Tammany chieftain. He was
indeed out of key with the rank and file
of the "Hall." Troubled by the dimin
ishing of patronage and perquisite
through the control of the municipality
by a fusion administration, chiefly the
product of the non-Tammany boroughs,
he became the spearhead of a weakened
army, and his lack of success bred dis
content within his own organization.
Now, within a few hours of his death,
Tammany Is seeking a new chief sachem.
No commanding personality Is In sight.
Conditions during the past decade or so
have not made for the development of
such a figure. But it may be taken as
assured that Tammany will continue,
perhaps that such a man as those who
have ruled the society with striking suc
cess in the past will be found. Yet the
thought persists that there will be no
repetition of the halcyon days of con
quering, dominating Tammany, because
conditions, municipal and national,
have changed completely.
It may be necessary for Senator Cope
land to step carefully to avoid treading
on the toes of New York promoters of
a great fair, or for New York to see that
so great an enterprise Is not embarrassed
by political conditions.
A Double Loss.
Washington lost two of Its most highly
esteemed citizens yesterday In the death,
within a few hours, of Murray A. Cobb
and Randall H. Hagner, the former In
Philadelphia and the latter in New York.
They were both members of this city’s
oldest and most distinguished families.
They were close contemporaries and were
intimate friends throughout their lives.
They grew up together and were edu
cated in the public schools of the Dis
trict. Both had myriads of friends. They
were members of the same clubs. They
! were of the same age and by a strange
fatality they passed upon the same day,
and in other cities than their birthplace.
They were in the same line of business
activity, having been in one sense life
i long comp*titor| and yet life long friends.
Each married a Washingtonian. Mr.
Cobb had been a sufferer for many years,
invalided in Prance while he was serv
ing his country in war. His struggles
against his disabilities proved his gallant
spirit, which never faltered. Mr. Hagner's
illness was not protracted, indeed his
death came as a shock to his multitude
of friends.
Of these two men, sons of Washington,
contributors to its welfare and i^s ma
terial advancement, it may be said that
they were rich in their friendships and
that to them the Capital City owes a debt
of gratitude for their rare qualities and
their high character as citizens. The
coincidence of their passing upon the
same day constitutes a doubly heavy lass.
—--—--» *
The story becomes current that the
late Luke Wilson, himself a cancer suf
ferer, gave his country estate for the
purpase of promoting a system of in
vestigation of this mysterious malady.
Much money and service has been do
nated to this especial cause. The futile
researches with liquid air are recalled
and the lady with mice suppased to show
the progress of strange ailments will not
soon be forgotten. Whether the experi
ments can be conducted without danger
or offense to the adjacent community
is a question to be considered in con
nection with the plans that have been
definitely made with the avowed object
of human benefit.
It is demonstrated that the Navy can
utilize radio. The extent to which it can
monopolize facilities in any locality is
still a question of some importance. Ra
dio is a new proposition. A1 Smith, once
a candidate for the presidency, still slips
over occasionally into the practice of
pronouncing the word as if it were
spelled with two d's.
It appears that Vice President Garner
has ideas to present on Supreme Court
personnel even if he did not arrive to
participate in the festivities at Jefferson
Island, the name of which will give it an
independent claim to regard among
students of American history.
Japanese warriors did not mean to
become involved in evidences of dis
courtesy toward American girls. They
should make a study of the proceedings
in this country in which women so
directly and influentially participate.
Shootin" Stars.
BY PHILANDER JOHNSON.
Home, Sweet Home.
Music’s music as it is.
Anybody's taste is his;
Nothing argument can change,
Even when a little strange.
When you're feeling in your heart
Congressmen are due to start
To the home towns once again.
Seek no sentimental strain.
Home, Sweet Home, will not, they say,
Send them waltzing on their way.
Let a Sousa march be heard,
Firmly let their steps be stirred;
Soon to answer they must try
Questions like “and how?” “and why?”
Home, Sweet Home, with grace sublime.
Can’t be set to marching time,
And when questioning friends they meet
Home may not seem near so sweet.
Melodious Filibuster.
“Are you an admirer of music?”
“It Ijas its place,” answered Senator
Sorghum. "When time is required in
order to line up the opinions of a crowd,
nothing is more likely to succeed in
preventing hasty action than music. I
have sometimes thought of getting a
brass band to come up to the Capitol
and take the place of an ordinary fili
buster.”
Jud Tunkins says every boy would be
keen for the classics if Hector and
Achilles had put on the gloves and had
the kind of a mix-up that could be de
scribed on the sport page.
Selective Employment.
Make hay while the sun shines,
Is proper advice.
But I’d very much rather
Be cutting some ice.
Valuable Experience.
“Has woman's participation in politics
benefited the home?”
“It has,” replied Mr. Meekton. “Her
arguments at some of the meetings have
convinced Henrietta that there are peo
ple in the world Just as hard to get
along with as I am.”
"You will find,” said Hi Ho, the sage
of Chinatown, “that however you sepa
rate quicksilver, it runs together again
at the first opportunity. The same thing
is more significantly true of gold."
A Blissful Moment.
Out there where stars are sparkling
bright
Are snow flakes, eddying swift and
light.
The branches, where the north wind
i grieves,
Wear icicles instead of leaves.
The children gather 'round with glee
And help to trim the Christmas tree.
While Johnny very gravely states
That he expects a pair of skates.
The sleighbells sound in soft refrain;
The frost is on the window pane—
How fragile are the Joys we find!
How transient is each state of mind!
The old alarm clock's Jangling crash
Has sent another dream to smash.
"Good talkers,” said Uncle Eben,
"sometimes prides deirselves too much
on bein’ able to make de -time pass un
pleasantly.”
“Getting Along” in Asia.
From the Jndlantpolta News.
The Japanese might bear in mind that
though it Is hard for them to get along
with the Chinese, the Russian? may find
it easier.
A Real Necessity.
From the Florida Tlmee-Unlon.
The crying need of the world is a type
writer that will print the right letter
wbettMi^ou hit the right key or not.
r'
THE POLITICAL
MILL
BY G. GOULD LISCOLN.
President Roosevelt, apparently, is in
tent upon binding up the party wounds
which grew' out of the terrific battle
over his Supreme Court program. He
has called in to see him in recent days
some of the leaders who so strongly
opposed his court bill, as, for example,
Senator Burke of Nebraska. Undoubtedly
the President will be met half way or
even more than half way. It has not
been the desire of these Democrats to
tear down either the President or the
Democratic party.
* * * *
Reprisals by the administration against
those Democrats who opposed the court
bill could only lead to a war of wide and
extended scope. In many of the States,
North, South, East and West, Demo
cratic Senators are found who stood
firm against the court bill and forced its
abandonment—New' York, New England,
Indiana, Ohio, Missouri, Wyoming, Ne
vada, Nebraska, Maryland, Iowa, Vir
ginia, North and South Carolina—in fact,
the opposing Democratic Senators hailed
from every section of the country. If
party warfare grew out of this contest—
it would tear the Democratic party wide
open. It might be more disastrous than
the split in the party growing out of the
slavery question in 1860 or the sound
money question in 1896.
-T- T- T ^
Next year there are twenty-eight
Democratic Senators who come up for
re-election and only four Republicans.
In that group of twenty-eight Demo
crats are included not only many
of those who opposed the President’s
court plans, but also several of the men
who took a leading part in that oppo
sition, among them McCarran of Ne
vada, Van Nuys of Indiana, Clark of
Missouri and George of Georgia. Other
opponents of the court plan m this list
are Tydings of Maryland, Smith of
South Carolina, and Gillette of Iowa,
and counted against the plan. Lonergan
of Connecticut and Adams of Colorado
and others. If the Democratic organiza
tion, dominated by the President and
Chairman James A. Farley of the Demo
cratic National Committee, undertakes
to hamstring these Senators and to pre
vent their renominajion, the campaign
of 1938 is likely to be one of the most
bitter ever waged. Republicans will re
turn to the Senate under conditions of
division in the Democratic ranks, be
yond the per-adventure of a doubt.
Whether the breach in the party is to
be healed effectually, however, may de
pend to a certain extent upon what is
done with other measures of the Presi
aems program, i tie court bill was not
the only item on the list of controversial
nature. The President's bill for the re
organization of the executive depart
ments has stirred up another hornet's
nest in Congress. It may be resisted —
and will in certain features—as strenu
ously as was the court bill. The wages
and hours bill is another that will bring
a test.
* * $ iff
Many of the Southern Democrats in
Congress look askance at the wages and
hours bill. They feel that the proposed
labor standards board might, by a wave
of the hand almost, put an end to in
dustries in their home States. Wages
have been lower In Southern mills than
in Northern. If they should be made
the same, while it might be considered
fair in some quarters, it would be con
sidered distinctly unfair in the South,
not to mention disastrous. The wages
and hours bill is the unfinished business
of the Senate. And it is the purpose of
the administration leaders to drive it
through that body as quickly as possible.
If ever there was legislation which should
have the most careful scrutiny, it is this
measure.
If the Congress quits, however, without
passing a labor bill or a farm bill, a
number of embarrassing questions may
be asked. Why, for example, was Con
gress in session for six or seven months
without acting on such measures? The
answer is that Congress was tied up,
waiting for the President and the Senate
to finish their fight over tire court bill.
The administration could have had early
consideration of farm and labor legisla
tion—if it had been willing to lay aside
the court bill. Having butted its head
against a stone wall without accomplish
ing the legislation it demanded, the ad
ministration is now demanding that
measures of great importance be rushed
through by a weary and overheated
Congress.
* * * *
Col. James Roosevelt, son of the Presi
dent and one of his secretaries, is not
to try for the Democratic nomination
for governor next year, in the opinion
of one of the best political observers and
writers in Boston. John D, Merrill of the
Boston Globe. Writing in his newspaper.
Mr. Merrill said after a recent visit of
Col. Roosevelt to Massachusetts:
"James Roosevelt made it plain on his
visit here that he would not be in 1938
a candidate for Governor of Massachu
setts, but would support Governor Cur
ley for re-election. Mr. Roosevelt had
previously made similar statements, but
perhaps they were not so direct and
unequivocal as were his answers to ques
tions asked him Thursday.
* * * *
“It is generally accepted that the Pres
ident's son has political ambitions and
believes that this State, where he main
tains his residence, is the most promising
place in which to set out to gratify
them, but it is equally likely that he has
often been accused of doing things for
political effect when, as a matter of
fact, he had no such aim in mind. In
recent weeks stories have been circu
lated that he would run for Governor,
for Lieutenant Governor or for Congress
in the 1938 primary. He has now taken
himself out of the governorship, for
1938 at least, and there is no real evi
dence that he intends to try for any
of the other posts with which his name
has been associated.
* * * *
“If and when he decides to be a
candidate for office he will have to
make a hard fight. Perhaps his wisest
course would be to give up his place in
Washington, come back to Massachu
setts, begin on the lower rounds of the
political ladder and look for gradual
promotion.
“Although he should not be adversely
criticized because he wants to start near
the top. Whenever he tries to do so he
will have to face the determined opposi
tion of Democrats who have had to work
hard for every advance and often have
failed to reach anywhere near the top.
“Possibly, Mr. Roosevelt might get the
Democratic nomination for Congress
from the ninth Massachusetts district,
which Is now represented by Robert Luce,
Republican.”
* * * *
Democratic politics in New York City
are almost at fever heat. The nomina
tion for mayor is causing all the trouble.
Senator Copeland and Grover Whalen
are for the time being, at least, the con
tenders for the nomination. Copeland
is poison to the Roosevelt administra
tion in Washington. It may be recalled
that the administration upset the apple
cart in New York's mayoralty election
four years ago, backing “Joe” McKee
for the post although Tammany had its
regularly nominated Democratic candi
THIS AND THAT |
BY CHARLES E. TRACEWELL.
-uear sir: vvniie we are talking about
cat* as bird killers, let me mention the
bluejay, one of which kills more birds
than are killed by two cats. The blue
jay will also eat the eggs of numerous
bird families, and is largely responsible
for depletion of song birds in the suburbs.
"The bluejay Is a bully, but Is actually
courageous, too, and thrives like the
sparrow around human domestic estab
lishments. He is a noisy bird, also, and
eight or ten of him will congregate In a
large tree around 5 o’clock in the morn
ing and deprive many a light sleeper of
his night’s rest, making as much noise
as a bunch of crows. An occasional
jay is enough.
"And speaking of crows, the starling,
in my opinion, is now a worse and more
expensive pest than the crow was even
m the hey-dey of the crow, when a con
tinuous belt of them would fly over
Washington for hours.
"I state this from observation in my
childhood, and while time ordinarily
seems longer to a child than as meas
ured by adults, still I believe I am
correct.
♦ * * *
"At this time of year and extending
through the corn maturing season, at
least, millions of starlings are roosting
in the Blue Ridge, sweeping across the
adjacent country during the day and
feeding on grain produced by human
labor.
‘T stayed overnight at Waynesboro,
Pa., a few years ago, and rising in the
early morning, I saw great clouds of
these birds, reaching far into the dis
tance. flying low across the farms, rain
ing down to alight in the corn fields,
where the corn was in full tassle.
"I walked through a corn field later,
myriads of these birds flying up at my
approach, and I found the husks turned
back from the tips of the ears and nearly
onp-quarter of the grain at the ends
of ears eaten.
i was 101a Dy the iarmer that these
birds roosted on the mountains near
Blue Ridge Summit at night, and ranged
for 20 miles or more in their depreda
tions during the day. I understand the
starling was introduced into this coun
try in about 1890, and that stunt is now
Wasting farm products worth billions
per year. I have no doubt.
"A flock of starlings will clean the
fruit from a cherry tree in very short
order. I have an idea that they eat bird
eggs and the young of other birds, but
am not informed on this.
"There should be a bounty on star
lings. the same as for crows, but pos
sibly rated by the dozen instead of singly.
"The bluejay should be discouraged
by bird lovers as much as passible, and
feeding devices ought to have a grill
that would exclude the jay. but allow
the smaller birds access to the food.
"Let us give every possible support to
any measure adopted to exterminate the
starlings on the streets and buildings of
the city, and our food w'ill not then be so
expensive, even if the Government does
put up the cost. Very truly, H. L. W."
* * * *
What our correspondent says about
bluejays and starlings may be true, and
.vet many a city and suburban bird lover
would miss them from the scene, if the
measures advocated were to be carried
into effect.
The jay, certainly.
One of the first paintings by the gTeat
Audubon was of the bluejay, and each
bird was depicted eating an egg of some
other bird.
No doubt with their vigor and strong
bills they manage to kill and devour
many a fledgling of other species, too.
Yet of all the fascinating birds which
come to the amall garden, this Is easily
first, In the opinion of many watchers.
It is at once beautiful and interesting.
As far as our observations go. It remains
In one garden only a few minutes each
day. Last Winter we had four visit the
yard every morning—except Friday—and
while these patronized the feeding sta
tions, they ate very little, and never
remained in the garden more than 15
or 20 minutes, after which they disap
peared until next day.
We have yet to see any particular
harm these fellows did to other birds,
but that, no doubt, was due to the fact
that the other Wintering specimens
were adults.
The beautiful wings and tail of this
bird are beyond compare. Few other
species can equal it. Even the splendor
of the cardinal scarce is as lovely to
the eye.
As for “pep,'' verve, whatever one
wants to call it, the jay is in a class by
himself. His cries are loud, but not
unmusical, even the most strident of
them, while at times he can make as
soft a note as any bird, seeming to say,
‘ Pussy, pussy, pussy,” or the like.
The starling is a mast interesting
garden bird, provided it does not come
in too great numbers.
Its economic consequences are another
matter, but the gardener who feeds the
birds may feel that he is not concerned
with these, that they will be taken care
of by others, and will work themselves
out over the years, just as the crow prob
lem was settled.
We doubt whether starlings eat the
eggs of other birds, or injure their young,
but no doubt some measure of all this
may be laid at the doors of most birds.
Even Jenny Wren, tiny creature, is
said to deliberately toss eggs out of nests
every chance she gels.
We feel that what has lessened bird
life in the suburbs everywhere is the
increase in human population.
While there are many wild birds faith
ful to man, seeming to love his homes,
his hedges and his very presence, there
are many of the shyer sorts, rare crea
tures, indeed, which will not keep to the
built-up localities.
As long as a suburban .section presents
a truly rural appearance, the birds come
in great numbers, but as soon as all the
possible lots in a block have been built
on, the number of motor cars increased,
and people are more in evidence, their
numbers begin to decline. This may not
be noticeable at first, and. of course, is
influenced by such things as the thick
ness of shrubs, and the amount of berries
they present, the number of feeding sta
tions kept running and well filled, the
comparative quietness, and so on.
Nevertheless, the birds will decrease in
number, not so much the standard
species, as cardinals, robins, thrushes
and the like, but in such things as
chickadees, titmice, nuthatches and the
rarer types of woodpeckers.
There are always at any feeding sta
tion. and no matter where located, cer
tain guests which the bird observer
might wash had remained away. Pigeons
and squirrels are certainly among these.
English sparrows, some say. Blueiays
and starlings, others. Yet a few of all
these are not harmful in amateur bird
feeding, it is only when they increase
to great numbers that they become a
nuisance.
At least let us have a few jays, please.
This is a brave, handsome, intelligent
bird. and. like most brave, handsome, in
telligent creatures, at times is cruel.
STARS, MEN AND ATOMS
Notebook of Science Progress in Field,
Laboratory and Study.
BY THOMAS R. HENRY.
Probably science has Just started to
explore the possibilities of one of its
newest brain children—the photo-elec
tric cell.
More than 150 uses to which it already
Is being put are listed in the report on
technological trends and their social im
plications just issued by the National
Resources Committee. Among its po
tentialities is the disturbing one of
eventually displacing a million or more
workers in industry.
It is based on the fact that certain ele
ments will set up electric currents when
light falls upon them. This is essen
tially what is done by the rods and cones
of the human retina. The photo-electric
cell can •'see" Just as well as the eye
itself—in fact, very much better, for it
never grows tired, never wavers in its
attention to what is going on. never is
"color blind,” never is attacked by dis
ease.
It can’t, of course, be hitched up to a
brain. It can't make a choice of what
it will do in response to a certain light
impulse. One photo-electric cell can
do only one thing—or a very limited
number of things—for which it is spe
cifically designed. But in thousands of
industrial operations there is no room
for choice either.
The list of its uses, admittedly far
from complete, cited by the committee,
in itself constitutes a most impressive
story:
Industrial—Reversing rolls in steel
mills, removal of soaking pit covers,
control of cut-off saws, furnace tern
lexeme bvniMui, upiai/mg-uimi/ onnvuco
for motor travel, smoke Indicator in
smoke stacks, detecting fine cracks in
polished surfaces, opening doors for
trucks, automatic operation of mine
ventilating doors, warning signals on
rolls in tire factories, remote control of
machines, safety protection of machines,
detection of flaws in products, alarm for
water hardness, analysis of card records,
operating fire and smoke alarms, de
tecting breaks in paper, automatic
weighing of batches, control of chemical
processes, leveling elevators, Inspecting
storage battery caps for vent holes,
sorting electrical resistances, controlling
thickness of wares, rejection of dull razor
blades.
Food and chemical processes—Con
trolling levels of contents of tanks and
bins, controlling drinking fountains,
operating doors of refrigerators, opening
stable doors for animals, tooth paste
filling machines, bottle fillers, control of
coffee roasters, candling eggs, moth con
trol in orchards, sorting raisins at 1,000
a minute, sorting lemons, beans, etc.;
eliminating green peaches from cannery
stock, sorting cigars, control of acidity
and alkalinity.
Light control—Control of factory,
school room, store and office lighting,
electric signs, flood lighting and deco
rative effects, turning on store or win
dow lights at the approach of a pedes
trian or a patrolman, automatically turn
ing on parking lights on autos at dusk,
lighting signs on a roadway at the ap
proach of cars.
date in the field. Mayor La Guardia,
the fusion candidate, with the Republi
can support, rode into office. If the
present row keeps up in this Democratic
city, the mayor may repeat hii perform
1 ance of four years a*o.
b
Counting and measuring—-Counting
automobiles, radios, refrigerators, etc., in
a production line, traffic in tunnels, on
bridges, etc.: people passing or entering
(theaters, etc.), animals, live stock, etc.,
in stockyard pens, recording beats of
master clock, tabulating statistics, quan
tities, measuring lamp candlepower,
astronomical measurements, color meas
urement, projectile velocities, calipering
steel balls, boiler-gage level alarms,
counting of printed items on cards,
totalizing and analyzing, counting in
gress and egress of honey bees from hive.
Visual reproduction — 'Facsimile'’
transmission of photos, maps, newspa
pers, etc.: enabling blind to read ordi
nary print, photography of wild-animal
life, automatic photographing of sneak
thieves, burglars, etc.
Safety uses—Protection of personnel
operating punch presses and other dan
gerous machines, protection of elevator
doors, preventing car from starting un
less all passengers are clear of threshold;*
detection of icebergs, ships, etc., through
fog; safety doors in mines, remote con
trol of dangerous processes, protection
of jails, penitentiaries, etc.; protection of
electrical machinery, traffic signal oper- J
ation, auto-speeding detectors, street- ]
lighting control, detection of dangerous
gases in tunnels, hold-up protection,
banks, etc. (closing of safety steel shut
ters), fire alarms, smoke alarms; safety
protection of oil burners.
Grading—Cigars, tile, beans, vege
tables; detecting missing labels, inspect
ing tin plate, calipering small parts, color
comparison, adjusting auto neaangnus,
detecting flaws In products, sorting
checks and bills, matching false teeth.
Traffic applications—Railroad signals
(European), street traffic lights, elevator
leveling, elevator door safety control,
elevator safety stops, routing mail bags
and letters, counting street traffic, check
ing up bridge-toll collections, speeding
subway traffic, checking up theater pat
ronage, detecting dangerous gas in tun
nels, lighting air beacons and airfields,
controlling wind indicators from pilot
vanes, detecting automobile speeding by
two photo-cells in roadway, horse-oper
ated signals for bridlepaths, parking
lights on automobiles lighted at dusk,
head lamps dimmed at approach of an
other car, headroom alarms for tunnel
and bridge approaches, adjoining street
signs and displays controlled by traffic
light, swing-briige pin-lock safety in
dicator, identifying and recording
freight car numbers, checWng auto
crankcase oil at service stations, adjust
ing illumination in vehicular tunnels,
calling gas station attendant when car
stops.
Printing, publishing, etc.—Automatic
machine setting of type, from typewrit
ten copy; automatic control of accurate
trimming, accurate cut-offs for labels,
bags, etc.; automatic stops for presses,
preventing paper breaks; adjusting den
sity of printing, counting of sheets and
forms in binderies, control of paper
thickness and moisture during manufac
ture, matching the colors of inks and
papers, controlling uniformity of color
during printing runs, providing perma
nent unfading color records, measuring
glare and opacity of paper, safety-first
devices around presses.
Sound production—Sound-picture re
cording. sound-picture reproduction,
light-beam transmission, the “talking
ANSWERS TO
QUESTIONS
BY FREDERIC J. MASKIV.
A reader can get the answer to any
question of lact by writing The Evening
Star Information Bureau, Frederic J,
Haskin, Director, Washington, D, C.
Please inclose stamp for reply ‘
Q. What is the origin of the phrao
which President Roosevelt used con
cerning Senatoc Robinson, ending "ha
has kept the faith ’?—T. C.
A. The President paraphrased a pas
sage from the bible, the seventh verso
of chapter 4, II Timothy: "I have fought
a good light, I have finished my course,
I have kept the faith.’’
Q At what age are women most suc
cessful?—W. H.
A. In the biographies of well-known
women given in "American Women." the *
majority of those listed were born in
1890, making them 47.
Q Is rum naturally brown In color?
—W. W.
A. The natural product is colorless
The rich brown color is given bv the
addition of caramel and the aging in
casks.
Q. What is the Texas town that ha*
an amateur circus that has been very
successful?—c. E.
A. Gainesville, Tex., has a community
circus, made up of local talent, that ha*
given some ninety performances in the
last seven years. The performers are
amateurs in the sense that none of them
receives pay.
Q What is the origin of the term, red
cap, applied to station porters?—H W.
A. The use of the term dates from
Labor day, 1890, when John Williams,
a colored porter in the New York Cen
tral Station, tied a piece of red flannel
on his cap so that his patrons could
identify lnm in the crowd.
Q. What is fuller's earth?—R W. P.
A It is clay relatively high in mag
nesia.
Q. When was “Gone With the Wind”
published?—B. G. T.
A. In July, 1936.
Q. Please give the nam® of a Gov
ernment expert in cryptography—E J.
A. Colonel William F. Friedman Is a
cryptanalyst of the War Department at
Washington, D. C.
Q. Who wrote “Silent Night, Holy
Night'?—G. E. M.
A. It was written by Josef Mohr, art
assistant priest, and an organist. Fran*
Gruber. Josef Mohr was ordainpd a
priest ih 1814. Four years later he went
to Oberndorf and there met Fran*
Gruber who acted as organist. Desiring
some new music for Christmas servicp, ,
the two collaborated and on Christmas
day, 1818. the song was sung In the
parish church of St. Nicholas at Obem
dorf.
Q. What is the medical term for ath
lete's foot?—N. F. C.
A. It is epidermophytosis.
Q. What was thp real name of the lata
Jack Curley?—W. H.
A. The publicity agent arid sports
promoter was named Jacques Armand
Schule.
Q. What is the origin of penny post- -
age?—W. H.
A. Sir Rowland Hill 11795-18791 in
1837 published a pamphlet, “Post Offr®
Reform.” in which he advocated an
adhesive postage stamp and a low and
uniform rate between all places in th®
British Isles. In 1839 Hill was attached
to the Treasury Department for th®
purpose of putting his projected reform ;
into execution, and in the year, 1840,
a uniform penny rate came into force.
Q. Was Samuel Insull at one tlrr"
Thomas Edison's private secretar ? .
—J. H.
A. Mr. Insull came to America in 1881
as the private secretary of Thomas Edi
son. whose business affairs he managed
for many years.
Q. Are library books dangerous as car
riers of disease germs?—S. D.
A. Studies recently made show that '
library books are not important as car
riers of disease. Disease germs do not
live long outside the body. Books may
be disinfected by sprinkling a few drops
of formalin through the books and plac
ing them in a closed container for
twenty-four hours. For disinfecting a
single book, it may be placed open and
the formalin may be placed on blotting
paper in the container with it.
Q. What three States collected the
largest amount of revenue from sale of
alcoholic beverages in J936?—H M.
A. According to current report the
States were as follows: New York with
$41.416.229 08, Pennsylvania with $29,
233.470.24, and Ohio with $26,706,927.74.
Q. Are rikishaws disappearing In
Tokio?—H. E.
A. Faster moving vehicles—buses,
trolley cars and taxis—are rapidly dis
placing rikishaws in Tokio. In 1905
there were 100.000 rikishaw men in the
city, while now only a few hundred
remain.
A Fine Booklet About Coins
EVERYBODY'S COIN BOOK tells all
about rarities and oddities in coins,
famous collections, high-priced coins
and instruction on how to start and
build up a coin collection It contains
notes on the development of metallic
money; how to read collectors' cata
logues; how to distinguish tlie rare is
sues; covers gold, silver and paper money
from Colonial times—information that
will interest all collectors, amateur and
professional. This is a fascinating book- •
let on a fascinating subject. Order your
copy today. Inclose TEN CENTS to .
cover cost and handling.
Use This Order Blank
The Washington Evening Star
Information Bureau,
Frederic J. Haskin, Director,
Washington, D. C.
I inclose herewith TEN CENTS In
coin <carefully w’rapped' for a ropy
of EVERYBODY'S COIN BOOK.
Name_
Street or Rural Route
City _
State ...
book,” automatic merchandiser aays
‘‘thank you” when purchase is made.
Scientific instrument*—Color analv*
ers, color matchers, light-intensity —,
meters, exposure meter*, combustion in
dicator, measure Instant of eclipse, meas
‘ ure jpdth of eclipse path.
A