Evening star. [volume], April 18, 1938, Page A-8, Image 8

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

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THE EVENING STAR
With Sunday Moraine Cditlaa
THEODORE IV. NOTES. Editor
WASHINGTON. D. C.
MOVDAT.April IB, 19S8
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Pax Mediterranean.
As a disillusioned world recalls the
Nine-Power Treaty, Locarno, Lausanne,
Stress, the Kellogg Pact and other post
war devices designed to nurture that
fragile plant known as world peace, it
will not incline to ascribe millennial
Importance to the Anglo-Italian agree
ment, the latest product of European
statecraft in the precarious realm of
International appeasement. Fashioned
primarily to extract the gunpowder with
which Italo-British relations have been
charged, the accord signed at Rome
Saturday night is heralded as the fore
runner of a far wider European new
settlement to embrace Great Britain,
France, Italy. Germany and Poland.
The new’ Daladier government will
move this week to rebuild France's fences
with Mussolini, on the broad lines of
Britain's arrangement with him. There
upon, as Poland's ally, the French would
Beck to bring Warsaw within the orbit
of a five-power compact looking to gen
eral continental security. In the lan
guage of a currently popular song, it's
“Nice Work If You Can Get It.” The
power-wielders on the Thames, the Seine
and the Tiber evidently think the effort
Is worth making. The Chamberlain
Mussolini bargain is a constructive and
commendable start along a path thickly
6trewn with difficulties and clashing
ambitions.
undisclosed in the document initialed
by Ambassador Earl Perth and Foreign
Minister Ciano, but clearly underlying
its text, is the hope dormant in both
British and Italian breasts that the
treaty will sap the Berlin-Rome axis
of much, if not all, of its potency. It
aspires at least to minimize its nuisance
value as a war-menacing contrivance.
Hitler is to go to Rome in May. He will
receive a spectacular welcome, if for no
other reason than to give Fascist politi
cal showmen a chance to prove they
can put on as good a circus as the Nazi
Barnums staged when Mussolini was in
Berlin. But that it will be the sour
wane of disenchantment and resentment
In which II Duce will toast Der Fuehrer
is not to be doubted. Anschluss has
Intervened since Hitler's visitation was
arranged. Tens of thousands of Ger
man troops are now garrisoned at the
Brenner, gazing gloweringly at their
"national comrades” living a minority
existence in the Tyrol under the fasces
Instead of the swastika. Amid all the
red fire which w'ill illuminate the
Capitoline Hill while Hitler is in town,
Italian indignation, hot, though un
expressed, will flame over the German
military occupation that ensued in Aus
tria, instead of the simple “racial” union
Which Hitler supposedly projected.
Thus Britain, which is spending
$7,500,000,000 on arming against the
aggressor powers, has every reason to
expect that Mussolini now welcomes an
entente with once profldious Albion as
a useful foil against an insatiable, East
bound Germany. The British, on their
part, acquire in Italy a potential friend
in case of Nazi pretensions, colonial or
otherwise, inimical to empire interests.
Of immediate concern in their give-and
take arrangement is British recognition
of the Ethiopian conquest, Italian re
nunciation of territorial, political or
economic aims in Spain, and mutual
acknowledgement of “vital'1 and “essen
tial” interests in the Mediterranean and
contiguous areas, including the Suez
Canal.
Mr. Chamberlain, whose policy of
trafficking with the dictatorships was
recently rebuked in a London parlia
mentary by-election, doubtless hails the
“realistic” Italian pact as a vindication
Of his program. Should II Duce’s word
turn out to be as good as his bond, such
hopes may prove to have been well
founded. There is one angle of non
European significance. Some of the
Prime Minister’s detractors contend that
proud Britannia has been blackmailed
into an agreement with the upstart of
Rome. It can be counterclaimed with
equal consistency that the Pax Mediter
ranean liberates British policy and sea
power for a firmer hand in the Par
East. Thus events of the week end may
eventually undermine not only the
Rome-Berlin axis, but the Rome-Berlin
Toklo axis as well.
Unity of the Americas.
Those leaders who are directing Europe
along paths of aggression must be struck
hy the regularity with which President
Roosevelt utilizes each new occasion to
emphasize that the United States, in
common with its sister republics to the
south, will not suffer the extension of
their activities to this hemisphere.
The President's latest warning, in a
Pan-American Day address to the gov
erning board of the Pan-American
Union, that the American republics will
not permit their peace "to be endangered
from aggression coming from outside of
our hemisphere” not only reaffirmed the
Monroe Doctrine, but declared the joint
responsibility of all the American nations
in repelling attacks from outside this
hemisphere.
He also echoed the appeal broadcast
to all Latin Americans the preceding
evening by the American Ambassador
to Peru, Laurence A. Stelnhardt, for a
united front of the Americas against
Old World "predatory forces” and for a
marshaling of "public opinion in our
hemisphere against those who still be
lieve the law of the Jungle is man’s
destiny.”
Despite the decriers of inter-American
unity and solidarity—whose arguments
spring from diversities of race and social
characteristics—there is undeniable unity
of interest and of purpose between all
the peoples of the 21 American republics.
They have a common Interest in the
maintenance of free government and
democracy as well as economic prosperity
and social order. “We have learned in
this Western Hemisphere syhat com
munity of interest really means,” Presi
dent Roosevelt said. They all have a
common purpose, albeit in greater or
less degree, to bequeath to the next gen
eration. as Ambassador Stelnhardt put it,
"a civilization which will be fit for our
children to live in.”
That some of these peoples fall to
recognize their true interest, that some
of them may have been lured away from
their purpose in life does not detract
an iota from the need of each to depend
upon the support of all in the face of
common menaces.
Welcome, D. A. R.
The annual Congress of the Daughters
of the American Revolution brings to
Washington a representative cross
section of the womanhood of the Nation.
Patriotism prompts the gathering, and
the whole population of the United
States may be benefited by the program
arranged for it.
Especially in recent years there has
been a growing need for a quickened and
more active love of country. Too many
citizens have fallen into the habit of
thinking expediently, forgetting their
traditions and the welfare of their
neighbors in their anxiety for them
selves. A new psychological pattern has
been established. The essential phi
losophy of the founding fathers, ex
pressed in the Declaration of Inde
pendence and in the Constitution, has
been threatened by alien doctrines,
plausible but dangerous. It follows that
the D. A. R. may render a distinctive
service to American civilization by a
militant reaffirmation of an idealism
which recognizes no parties, no political
organizations, no group interests, no
class or sectional causes.
If It does nothing else, the 1938 Con
gress will remind the Nation of its
history. Much good should accrue from
mere mention of the glorious past. The
notion that democracy was a failure
from 1778 to 1933 richly deserves correc
tion, and the D. A. R. is possessed of
the knowledge, the experience and the
power required for the task.
Public attention, perhaps as never be
fore, will be centered on this week's
assembly in Constitution Hall. There
must be many who will hope that it will
bring forth a renaissance of practical
patriotic sentiment, a new and irresist
ible dynamic for the institutions and the
processes of freedom.
Forced Laughter.
There may be some merit In the Idea
of the Pollyanna-Ilke “little business
men” in Seattle who think that “what
this country needs” is more laughs.
But tired—and Government-harassed
—business men will be inclined to smile,
cynically, at the suggestion that we add
a National Laugh Week to our calen
der, already crowded with such things
as Eat More Cheese Week and Buy
More Prunes Week. The Seattle mer
chants have, nevertheless, gone so far
as to form a so-called National Laugh
Club and mapped a pretentious program
calling for the organization of Laugh
Lodges throughout the country.
The club's crest, it is announced, will
be a Grade A grin, from ear to ear. Its
mascot will be Little Audrey—the girl
who laughed and laughed—remember?
Its proposed Laugh Week slogan will be
“Laugh it off.”
"There's too much tension and moan
ing,” organizers of the club said in ex
plaining its existence. Then, coming to
the crux of the group's aims, they added:
"We’ll not only laugh at the things gen
erally considered funny; we’ll laugh at
the things at which we usually grumble.”
Among the items listed to be laughed
about, perhaps a little hysterically, are
Inequities of law and justice, taxes, un
ethical business and scarclty-makes
plenty theories. Washington, being the
source of such subjects, should be a fer
tile field for a Laugh Lodge organizer.
The tum-the-other-cheek philosophy
behind the plan, however, may have a
boomerang effect. Natural laughter,
like many other human activities, may
be a psychologically sound escape from
unpleasant circumstances. But forced
laughter not only probably has a bad
effect on the laughee, but unquestion
ably produces a jittery reaction in those
who are forced to listen.
The whole Laugh Week Idea seems
destined to be dismissed with a horse
laugh.
Play Ball!
It is reassuring in a world filled with
weighty affairs such as deficits, unem
ployment and warfare to have the
opening day of the baseball season roll
around.
This old American custom does much
more than provide entertainment, rec
reation and curbstone arguments. It
helps keep up morale. Bo long as the
umpires yell “Play ball” every April as
the big league season starts, there is a
feeling that the stars are still In thsir
course* and all is right with the world
somehow.
Surely the times cannot be so terribly
out of Joint if “Bucky” Harris and his
boys are out at Orifflth Stadium helping
the President start the 1938 pennant
race in traditional fashion.
Judging by the team’s showing in the
Southland, Washington will not figure
in the World Series this year. But that
has not prevented the opening game
from being a "sell out.” And despite
the dire predictions of the sports writers,
^ apparently well-founded, that the Na
tionals will finish no higher than fourth,
and perhaps lower, hope springs eternal
in the baseball fan’s breast. Is not
“Bucky” Harris, the one who piloted
Washington to the peak in 1924, at the
helm again? Of course he may be
handicapped by a none-too-strong pitch-*
ing staff and some veterans who surely
Will not be able to play in the' big
leagues much longer, but why let such
things cloud April pennant dreams?
Besides, who cares about pennants?
The important thing is that the Ferrells
and Weaver and Simmons and Goslin
and Bonura and the rest are “doing their
stuff’’ today. What a welcome change
from the doings of a lot of stuffy old
Congressmen!
The word “goofy” is hilariously em
ployed by a Senator, Rush Holt. Sena
tor Guffey may note the application of
letters with a grim realization that en
forced idleness is dangerous to a man
who ought to be legitimately employed in
seeking jobs for an active constituency.
When Mr. Holt says “goofy” he is sure to
be suspected of drifting into the influence
of the pun.
Illustrations are generously employed
to depict the beauties of race horses. A
horse is a splendid creature and is some
times more successful in engaging ad
miring attention than some of the fash
ion models so liberally displayed with
him in print.
» _ _
More blossoms will soon be in evidence
around the waters of this city's cele
brated and beautiful parkway. The
scene continues to be attractive and in
teresting despite the fact that it has
nothing to do with elections or primarys.
Other cities have their automobile
problems, but none of them compare
with those of Washington, p. C., where
every citizen of the United States feels
himself entitled to be treated as a guest
worthy of the highest consideration.
A girl eluded a bandit at Four Corners,
Md. She is eighteen years old. She ran
a mile through the woods and demon
strated that the athletic training made
available to her in school has asserted
its usefulness.
Mr. James Farley will compliment the
great aviation iftventor Orville Wright
on Saturday night. His subject will be
one in which a favorably impressed au
dience will leave him little chance for
any but the happiest references.
Numerous country theaters are already
In contemplation with every assurance
of hearty co-operation. What becomes
of all the shows built up in imagination
is another question for the mystical
querist.
Hollywood has had various shocks
from high water, but the press agents
are happy and Industrious while the
public regards their efforts with confi
dent pleasure.
Shooting Stars.
By PHILANDER JOHNSON.
The Eternal “Why!”
They tell us naught Is made in vain;
And maybe this is so.
The heat, the cold, the wind, the rain,
Each has its use, we know.
But why are whiskers waving light?
And why are mice and rats?
And why are monocles, so bright?
And why are funny hats?
And why are books nobody reads?
And why are earthquake shocks?
And why are flaunting noxious weeds?
And why are fancy socks?
They say that naught is made in vain.
We wonder with a sigh
Why man is moved thus to complain
And make inquiry, “WHY?”
Splendor Subordinated.
“Some splendid minds are never heard
from,” exclaimed the student.
“This fact,” said Senator Sorghum,
“is due to the habit some of us have
of putting enough gray matter into a
checker game to conduct a serious en
terprise.”
Handicap.
“Beauty of sound is always desirable,"
remarked the idealist.
"True,” said Miss Cayenne. “Yet a
man always handicaps himself a little
when he parts his name in such a way
as to make It sound like a piece of
poetry.”
“He who worries about the weather
cannot be called unfortunate,” said Hi
Ho, the sage of Chinatown, “unless it
exerts a direct Influence on his prospect
for food.”
Ancient Rule.
There must be some to disagree
As forth we try to go;
On earth or on the billowy sea
We’re asking, "Friend or foe?*
And how so e'er the battle swings
With courage so sublime,
You still will hear the man who sings,
"Twill be my turn, next time.”
Personal Motive.
"Your town must be fond of art to
have so much statuary.”
“No,” replied the suspicious person.
"One of the aldermen is interested in
a marble quarry.”
"We’kin silence Satan wif a hymn,”
said Uncle Eben, “unless he brings along
enough ragtime perfessors to drown out
de mwta."
President Is on Right Track
In His Economic Planning
To the Editor ol Thf Star:
Intense as is the position of The Star
as to the President’s message, I know
you will permit an emphatically dis
senting view:
1. The fact that a year ago, at the
height of the recovery program, there
were about the same number of un
employed as there were in 1932 indicates
that we are in a shrinking economy—
that is, the machine is replacing man
power and monopoly is keeping the floor
of prices too high. The first named
substitution of machine for man power
at a rapidly accelerating rate—we are
not now in a position to attack, or at
least an effective method of attack has
not been devised; the second, impairment
of purchasing power by an increasingly
higher floor of prices can, of course, be
curbed by stricter regulation of monop
olies. “yardsticks'’ like the T. V. A., etc.
2. If, under this shrinking economy,
purchasing power is to be revived at all,
it must be done by Government spend
ing. The quickest and most effective
way, of course, would be by some pro
gram like the old C. W. A., but for any
steady revival of the long pull, P. W. A.
and W. P. A. otter the best possibilities.
However, for every extra man the Gov
ernment puts to work by "priming the
pump,” business will take out of em
ployment through the amazing advance
of machine substitution for man power.
Theiefore, the President's plan is sub
stantially a very moderate one, and its
chances for success are moderate and
largely dependent <a> on the control of
monopolistic prices, and (b) the degree
to which the added purchasing power
can be directed to the groups which
most need it.
But let us never forget one thing; it
is possible to have recovery, and a far
greater recovery than in 1936, and still
have 12.000.000 men out of work. I don't
know whether the President recognizes
this. If he does, then he should be de
voting his attention to a heavier pro
gram of taxation. For if business,
through accelerating technological ad
vances and monopolistic prices, cannot
increase employment—and obviously it
cannot—then Government must do so.
To do this, we must become reconciled
to embarking on a permanent program
of public works, financed by increased
taxation. And in this program of in
creased taxation two things are neces
sary ;
<a> The Government, must not pay
interest on its own credit. For example,
the interest on the $20,000,000,000 debt
contracted since the New Deal is $600.
000.000 yearly. A central government
bank, advocated by Andrew Jackson,
John Tyler and Daniel Webster, the
principles of which have been embodied
in a monetary control bill Introduced
by Representative Binderup of Nebraska,
and which has the support of more than
130 Congressmen, should be carefully
studied.
<b> Higher taxes in all brackets, espe
cially from $5,000 up. must be brought
into closer parallel with those of Great
Britain. A careful study of the whole
British taxation system would disclose
interesting lessons for us.
Finally, let us not deal in such balder
dash as that given out by Representative
Taber of New York. Says Oracle Taber;
"You can't prime the pump when the
^vell has gone dry." Here we are, the
richest country in the world—richest in
resources, and it is intimated the well
is dry!
The President is on the right track.
He is entitled to the thanks of the
American people. My only complaint
is that he was a little slow about it..
But when he does move—bov, does he go!
HUGH RUSSELL FRASER.
1 » » - —
Misinformation in
Jay Franklin’s Column
To thf Editor of The Star:
The amazing amount of misinforma
tion in the column “We. the People.”
which appeared in Tlje Star, April 14.
1938. prompts me to offer a few of the
more obvious corrections.
Contrary to the evidence. Mr. Jay
Franklin claims that “the non-interven
tion agreement is designed * * * to give
to France and England a monopoly in
supplying the Loyalist government with
the means of defense.”
In point of fact, as Capt. Anthony
Eden stated in the House of Commons
on October 31, 1937, the official figures
supplied by the Soviet government show
"Spain is now Soviet Russia's third best
customer.” Mr. Eden, at that time for
eign secretary, added that more war
material was reaching Barcelona and
Valencia than was arriving in insurgent
or nationalist Spain.
Furthermore, it is evident from news
dispatches by George Axelsson and
Hanson W. Baldwin, appearing in the
New York Times, April 13, 1938, that
the enormous quantity of bombing
planes and tanks recently shipped across
the Franco-Spanish frontier, although
marked “agricultural machinery," is in
reality war material “of Russian manu
facture or design.”
It is surprising that Mr. Jay Franklin
should be unfamiliar with these facts
which can easily be verified by a number
of other reliable news sources.
Finally, it may be helpful to point out
that Mr. Jay Franklin does the cause
of religious liberty in the United States
no service by parroting the odious phrase
of Hitler and Goebbels, “political Cathol
icism."
A cursory knowledge of the literature
of this subject will indicate that a num
ber of well-informed, patriotic Protestant
editors, diplomats and educators have
publicly expressed their preference for
the nationalist regime of Gen. Franco.
Among these true liberals I am able to
mention the following: *
The Hon. Ogden Hammond, former
United States Ambassador to Spain; the
Hon. Irwin Laughlin, former United
States Ambassador to Spain; the Hon.
W. Cameron Forbes, former Governor
General of the Philippines; Mr. Ellery
Sedgwick, editor of the Atlantic Monthly;
Mr. Gault MacGowan of the New York
Sun; Mr. H. L. Mencken, editor of the
Baltimore Evening Sun; Prof. Robert
Davis of the history department of Mid
dlebury College, Vt.; Prof. James Lowe
of the Georgetown University School of
Foreign Service, and Dr. A. Hamilton
Rice, director of the Archeological In
stitute of Harvard University.
This enumeration, which could be
greatly expanded, sufficiently proves the
faulty assumptions upon which Mr. Jay
Franklin’s column rests.
JOSEPH F. THORNING,
Chairman, Department of Social
Sciences, Mount St. Mary's Col
lege, Emmitsburg, Md.
Maryland Politics and
The Reorganization Bill
To the Editor ot The Star:
I was surprised at the statements of
Mr. Eugene Casey at the Young Men’s
Democratic Club of Montgomery County
as appeared in Washington newspapers
on Wednesday, April 13, stating that all
citizens who sent telegrams against the
reorganization bill were backed by Wall
Street or Liberty Leaguers.
I wish to state that my friends and
I sent telegrams to the Senators and
Representatives of Maryland, against the
bill, and we are not tied to any or
ganization.
The reason we opposed the bill Is
haeauaa if the Mil was paaaad all parsons
THIS AND THAT
BY CHARLES B. TRACEWBLL.
It will help the bird watcher In the
amall garden if he has a list of the
approximately forty songsters most likely
to be heard and seen in it.
What are the birds actually observed
in a local yard, as distinct from the
scores and scores of species pictured in
the big bird books?
Looking through those large volumes,
while a delightful occupation, is some
thing like hunting for that proverbial
needle in the haystack.
It is needless, too, in most cases, for
only about forty species come to most
gardens hereabouts, and you will have
to look sharp to identify that many in
a year's time.
We are speaking, of course, of the
average observer, and not of the pro
fessional ornithologist.
* * * *
In the main, here are the birds you
may look for from now on, with their
lengths given in inches:
Hummingbird, 34; Maryland yellow
throat. 44; goldfinch, 5; house wren, 5;
Carolina wren, 5; black and white
warbler, 54; chickadee. 54; brown
creeper, 5'!; English sparrow, 54 ; indigo
bunting, 54; nuthatch, 6; tufted tit
mouse, 6; junco. 6; purple finch, 64;
oven bird, 6 4 ; pewee. 64 ; song sparrow,
64; downy woodpecker, 64; fox spar
row, 64; bluebird, 7; scarlet tanager, 7;
barn swallow, 7; white-throated sparrow,
74; yellow-breasted chat, 74; wood
thrush. 74; Baltimore oriole, 8; towhee,
8; starling. 8; cowbird, 8; catbird, 84;
cardinal, 84; hairy woodpecker, 94;
red-bellied woodpecker, 94; robin, 10;
mockingbird. 10; brown thrasher, 11;
flicker, 11; bluejay, 114; pigeon hawk,
11 to 13; dove. 124; purple grackle,
124; pigeon, 16; crow, 194.
* * * *
If you see a bird and don’t know
what it is, the chances are that it is
one of the above.
A word needs to be said about the
so-called standard lengths. The orni
thologist regards these as being taken
from the tip of the bill to the end of
the feet, stretched out behind.
A bird ordinarily is not seen In such
an attitude, but the measurements are
helpful in a comparative way.
The English sparrow and the robin
are known to every one, and so may
be taken as standards. Others birds
are either smaller than an English spar
row, or larger; and. if larger, then how
much larger are they, and how do they
compare in size with a robin?
Once the would-be bird identifier has
solved these small problems to his own
satisfaction, all he has to do is decide
as best he can how long the strange
bird is, and then look over his list.
This will be a big step toward Iden
tification.
* * * *
It must be made clear that this list
is by no means iron-clad, either as to
Inclusion or exclusion.
Some of the species given here may
never come to your garden, wherever
it is.
Some that are not given may arrive,
almost any morning.
The list Is offered as a probability, to
save time in looking up a strange bird.
Used in this way, It will prove a real
help.
* * * *
One has something else to do, of
course, besides watch birds.
It may be that many more species
than enumerated came to one nearby
Maryland garden in eight years, but if
they did we did not see them.
The oven bird, for instance, was never
seen but once, in September two years
ago.
The cowbird, similarly, was a one
time visitor.
We were very fortunate to see the
beautiful indigo bunting.
What was that piece of blue paper
doing on the driveway? It was no blue
paper, however, but the bunting, whose
color resembles that of the paper which
commonly comes wrapped around ab
sorbent cotton.
* * * *
Some of these birds live here the year
’round; others come from the South
at times well knowif to bird lovers—
the male wren April 15, and the female
a few days later; the wood thrush usually
on April 28; the bluebird on March 15.
or thereabouts; the robin early in
March, or even February.
The scarlet tanager usually gives one
only a glimpse, almost always in the
trees, where its feathers strike one as
much "redder" than those of the more
friendly cardinal, which stays with us
the twelve months through.
The Baltimore oriole may select A
bough hanging out over the garden, and
if she does, you will see one of the
most beautiful bird nests in the world.
The little Maryland yellow-throat and
the yellow-breasted chat will not be seen
more than a few times during the sea
son, and usually in shrubbery.
Keep the English sparrow well in
mind. No matter what any one thinks
of him, he is the key-bird of the garden;
all birds are to be measured against him.
and, once the size is determined, the
list to be searched is not even forty
songsters. We hope no one will dispute
the inclusion of the crow; scientifically,
according to his syrinx muscles, he is a
songbird; actually, his call from the
sky is mellow.
WASHINGTON OBSERVATIONS
BY FREDERIC WILLIAM WILE.
BPhind the scenes of purely domestic
strife over pump-priming and taxation,
a diplomatic battle royal is raging at
Washington over the question of lifting
the embargo on arms for Spain. It's
been in progress for several weeks.
Unable, as it appears, to make any dent
on the State Department and the White
House through the regular channel of
Ambassador de los Rios, the distracted
Loyalist government seems to have de
cided to employ highly placed American
politico-legal talent to bring pressure
on the administration. To that end,
according to circumstantial reports just
published for private circulation, Spain
drafted the services of two prominent
Washington lawyers. At first it engaged
a formerly potent figure in the New
Deal and later a retired Democratic
Ambassador. So far. even the earnest
efforts of.these influential advocates have
not availed to budge President Roosevelt
and Secretary’ Hull from the position
consistently maintained throughout the
Spanish conflict—a cast-iron embargo on
war supplies to either belligerent. The
Loyalists yearn to have the American
prohibition lifted, not only because it
would permit shipments from the United
States, but because, it's believed. Great
Britain and France might be induced
by our example to remove their bans on
munitions for Madrid and Barcelona.
* * * *
Eleven college professors, students,
teachers and journalists have just joined
in a public appeal to the Washington
Government immediately to grant the
Spanish request. ‘‘Such action," the
petitioners assert, “is essential not only
to save the democracies of Europe, but
to protect our own democracy and to
safeguard us from imminent Fascist
assault on democracy in Mexico and
South America." Commodore L. E. O.
Charlton, formerly British Air Attache
at Washington, an eye-witness observer
of the Spanish war, has just sent this
word to American Loyalist sympathizers:
“Because of the overwhelming superiority
of up-to-date war material placed at
Franco's disposal by the totalitarian
states, he has been able to break down
Republican resistance on the Catalonian
front in an endeavor to separate that
province from the rest of Loyalist Spain.
But the struggle is by no means over.
The time is now ripe for a counter at
tack by the people's army, since insur
gent commounications are unduly ex
tended and their forces disorganized
after so much open fighting. There is
still a possibility that the tide will turn
again in favor of the republic if the
leadership is wise. There is no im
minent danger of a debacle, and during
the ensuing months a great deal may
happen to change the outside com
plexion of affairs.”
* * * *
Mrs. Roosevelt, without wish or sanc
tion on her part, finds her name
occasionally announced in a manner
indicating to the uninformed that the
President's wife is a “Lucy Stoner.”
Advance notices, and even programs of
meetings at which the First Lady is to
speak, frequently describe her as “Mrs.
Eleanor Roosevelt.” She prefers being
called “Mrs. Franklin D. Roosevelt,”
not having been emancipated into the
habit of scorning to use the name of
the man she married. The Secretary
of Labor, Frances Perkins, who is Mrs.
Paul Caldwell Wilson, is a “Lucy Stoner.”
* * * *
Overseas Writers, Washington’s select
bowing down on their knees to the New
Dealers would receive jobs and those
opposed would lose their jobs without
regard to efficiency or saving to tax
payers.
We suggest a “New Deal” ticket in
the fall elections in Montgomery County.
We believe the ticket would get quite
a socialistic and communistic vote.*
If we have to vote for President Roose
velt’s philosophy as Mr. Casey states, on
the Democratic ticket in Montgomery
County, and not for men to run the
county in an efficient manner, then we
shall have to vote the Republican ticket.
It is our strong belief that Mayor
Jackson will be our next Governor and
Senator Tydings will be re-elected Sena
tor, as he is one of the best on the Hill,
and we shall use our best efforts to see
that this ticket is elected.
CLARENCE H. SMALL.
club of newspaper men of international
experience, is host at luncheon today
to two of its own members, Franklyn
Wait-man <35 > and Charles Michelson
*69>. who will presently be hurling high
explosive at each other as publicity direc
tors. respectively, of the Republican and
Democratic National Committees. Both
men degenerated from reporters into po
litical press agents. Waltman has Just
left the Washington Post and Michelson.
long-time Washington correspondent of
the old New York World, resigned that
post, a couple of years before its collapse,
to collaborate with John J. Raskob and
Jouett Shouse in "smearing'’ the Hoover
administration and eventually bringing
it down in ruins. Waltman's job. pre
sumably. is to do likewise to the Roose
velt. regime. In the G. O. P. service,
he becomes a colleague of another well
known Washington ex-newspaper man,
William Hard. Until recently, executive
assistant to Chairman John Hamilton,
"Bill" is now attached to Dr. Glenn
Frank, chairman of the Republican
Policy Committee, at Chicago.
* * * *
Apropos the recent retirement of
Ambassador Hoffman Philip from the
foreign service, a grand story is told of
some red-blooded action by him during
the World War. while he was counselor
of the American Embassy at Constan
tinople. He was also in charge of allied
interests at the Sublime Porte. About
the time the British army and navy
were making their ill-starred attack on
the Dardanelles and facing stubborn
Turkish reistance organized by the fa
mous German general, Liman von San
ders. Constantinople figured that the
British operations at Gallipoli might
be checked or even abandoned if several
thousand Tommies in Turkish captivity
were interned at the Straits, where they
would come under fire of their own
guns. When Hoffman Philip heard of
this fiendish plot, he quietly informed
the Turks that if any British prisoners
were sent to the Dardanelles, he'd go
with them. The plan was dropped.
Mr. Philip, native Washingtonian, was
Ambassador to Chile and previously
Minister to Persia and Norway.
* * * *
From one of the leading matadors of
the House of Representatives, who played
a prominent role in smashing the re
organization bill, comes this revealing
observation: “All I did was to try to be
useful, as Congress moves into normal
constitutional responsibility in preserv
ing proper co-operative relations with
the President. That is some job."
* * * *
Next Wednesday afternoon, April 20,
has been set aside for Senate memorial
services for the late Joe T. Robinson of
Arkansas, majority leader, who passed
away last July. Speeches will be made
by Senators Caraway and Miller of
Arknasas, Barkley of Kentucky, McNary
of Oregon. Borah of Idaho, Bailey of
North Carolina, Byrd of Virginia, Byrnes
of South Carolina, Connally of Texas,
Guffey of Pennsylvania, Harrison of
Mississippi, Hatch of New Mexico, La
Follette of Wisconsin, McKellar of Ten
nessee, Pittman of Nevada and Vanden
berg of Michigan. Legislative business
will be suspended while the memorials
on the “life, character and public serv
ice" of the much-beloved “Joe” are being
delivered.
* * * *
Herbert Putnam, librarian of Congress,
has informed Mrs. Virginia White Speel,
veteran Republican national committee
woman for the District of Columbia,
that the Library will welcome for tempo
rary exhibit the original of the letter,
in her possession, addressed by President
Ulysses S. Grant to Gen. White, Mrs.
Speel’s father, with reference to a third
term in the White House for the Union
generalissimo. Extracts from the letter,
never before made public, were repro
duced in this column last winter. The
Library of Congress, in malting an ex
ception for the document, evidently feels
it deals with a matter of widespread
current public interest—the wisdom of
a third presidential term.
(Copyright, 19.38.)
Congressional Pep.
Prom the Indianapolis Newt.
There is not a dull moment in Con
gress nowadays, which must leave the
dull members somewhat dated.
ANSWERS TO
QUESTIONS
By FREDERIC J. HASKIN.
A reader can get the answer to any
question of fact fry writing The Evening
Star Information Bureau, Frederic J.
Haskin, Director, Washington, D. C.
Please enclose stamp for reply.
Q. What is the most traveled highway
in the United States?—E. G.
A. The American Automobile Associa
tion says that United States Highway
No. 1 in the vicinity of New York City
has the heaviest traffic.
Q. Who said that the Government
cannot be ruined by one administra
tion?—T. R.
A. Abraham Lincoln said: “While the
people retain their virtue and vigilance,
no administration, by any extreme of
wickedness or folly, can very seriously
injure the Government in the short
space of four years.’’
Q. How long does It take the sun’i
heat to reach the earth?—O. R.
A. It is estimated that it requires only
about 499 seconds for the light from
the sun to reach the earth.
Q. Who won the award in the Metro
politan Opera auditions over N. B. C.?—
L. M.
A. John Carter and Leonard Warren,
both of New York, were chosen in the
final audition and rereived contracts
with the Metropolitan Cpera Co., silver
plaques, and checks for $1,000.
Q. Is there a large amount of salt
in the world or could the supply be ex
hausted?—W. M.
A. The quantity of available salt seems
inexhaustible. It occurs in practically
every country. About 20 million tons is
produced and consumed annually in the
world. Of this amount, about seven mil
lion tons is produced in the United
States.
Q. How was P. T. Barnum's famous
elephant, Jumbo, killed?—F, W C.
A. Jumbo, the famous African ele*
phant, was killed on September 15. 1885,
on the Grand Trunk Airline track, half
a mile east of St. Thomas. Ontario. His
keeper was leading him along the track
when a freight train came up behind
unnoticed and ran him down. Jumbo
was injured so badly that he died in 30
minutes. His value was estimated at
$300,000.
Q. For whom is the new United States
destroyer Warrington named?—F. W. T.
A. The vessel is the second destroyer
to be named Warrineton in honor of
Commodore Lewis Warrineton. U. S. N„
who received the thanks of Coneress
and was awarded a special medal for
his distinguished service in command
of the U. s. Corvette Peacock during
the War of 1812.
Q Please give the names of soma
class B medical schools.—W. J.
A. According to the American Medical
Association, there are no class B medical
schools.
Q. What is the name of the flyer who
brought back the bodies of Will Rogers
and Wiley Post?—L. E. K.
A. Joe Crosson. ace pilot of the Far
North, brought the bodies of Will Rogers
and Wiley Past, back to the United
States from Alaska.
Q Who is coach of the Washington
Redskins?—A. A.
A. Ray Flahertv is the coach of this
professional football team.
Q. Are there any streets In Paris
named for famous Americans?—L. M.
A. Among those so named are the Rue
Washington. Rue Franklin. Rue Lincoln.
Avenue du President Wilson and Avenue
Myron T. Herrick.
Q. Why is De Witt Clinton's likeness
on tobacco tax labels?—M. D.
A. De Witt Clinton advocated the
construction of the Erie Canal. The
canal became a political issue and Clin
ton was elected to the governorship of
New York on the strength of it. In the
first year of his third term. 1825-1828. he
opened the canal for navigation. As a
mark of honor his name was used on
the revenue stamp on cigarette packages.
The New York delegation in Congress
requested that Mr. Clinton be honored
in that manner.
Q. What is the origin of the word
rodeo?—E. J. R.
A. It is derived from the Spanish word
"rodear,” which means to encompass.
Q. Did scalping originate with the
American Indians?—R. S. L.
A. The practice of scalping is not
primarily an Indian one as it has been
noted among the ancient Scythians as
far back as the time of Herodotus, nor
was it known to all the American tribes
of Indians. The spread of the practice
of scalping in the central and western
parts of the United States was a result,
of the encouragement in the shape of
scalp bounties offered by Colonial gov
ernments.
Q. What has become of "Prince Mi
chael Romanoff?"—C. J.
A. Harry Gerguson is now in Holly
wood. where he had a small part in a
recent motion picture. He is also'writing
a book of memoirs.
Q. What State leads in the per capita
consumption of wine?—E. W, G.
A. In 1937, California led with a per
capita consumption of 3'3 gallons.
Louisiana was second with 1.5777 gallons
per person.
Q. How many vibrations a second are
made by the wings of a fly and a bee?—
J. C. K.
A. The fly’s wing vibrates 330 times
per second while the vibration of a bee's
wing is 190 times per second.
Q. In what State is there a large
statue of Dr. Sun Yat-sen?—E. J.
A. An enormous steel and granite
statue of the father of the Chinese Re
public has been erected in Chinatown,
San Francisco.
Q. Is Albuquerque, N. Mex., a travel
center?—R. B. L.
A. There are twenty-seven transconti
nental and State trains w-hich stop at
Albuquerque daily. Eight airplanes a day
come in at the Mesa Airport and trans
continental motor traffic is routed
through the city, which has always been
a mecca for tourists.
Q. Who founded the International Red
Cross?—R. s.
A. The idea which is associated with
the Red Cross had its origin in a pub
lication of Henri Dunant's at Geneva in
1862. He had witnessed the bloodshed in
the Italian war and gave an account of
the wounded left dying on the field for
lack of medical care. An international
convention was called In Geneva in 186i
and there the fundamental principles of
the Red Cross were laid down. After
overcoming enormous difficulties the
Swiss Federated Council was induced
to call a diplomatic council. On August
8, 1864, the Geneva convention, so
called, laid down certain principles ta
which almost all countries now adhere.