Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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McCORMICK MESSENGER. McCORMICK. S. C.. THURSDAY, DECEMBER 9, 1937 JVews Review of Current Events PLANS A BUILDING BOOM President Offers Program to Congress . • . Revision of Taxes Not Likely Before January Session Japan is pushing: her conquest of China not only in the Yangtse valley but also, and especially, in the nothern provinces. Here is seen a Japanese tank unit rambling along the road to Taiyuan. US. J&icJuuul I SUMMARIZES THE WORLE SUMMARIZES THE WORLD'S WEEK C Western Newspaper Union. Building Boom Wanted T> EVISION of the existing housing IN law in order to facilitate a building boom was asked by Presi dent Roosevelt in a special message to congress. He said such legisla tion would ease the flow of credit and open great reservoirs of idle capital to fight the business slump. The responsibility for the success of such a program he placed squarely on labor and industry. Specifically, the President recom mended changes in the housing act which would: 1. Reduce from 5% per cent to 5 per cent the interest and service charges permitted by the Federal Housing administration on loans made by private institutions. 2. Authorize the housing admin istrator to fix the mortgage insur ance premium charge as low as Vr of 1 per cent on the diminishing balance of the insured mortgage in stead of on the original face amount, and to V4 of 1 per cent on the diminishing balance of an in sured mortgage where the estimat ed value of the property does not exceed $6,000 and where the mort gage is insured prior to July 1, 1939. 3. Increase the insurable limit from 80 to 90 per cent in cases where the appraised value of the property does not exceed $6,000. 4. Facilitate the construction and financing of groups of houses for rent, or for rent with options to pur chase, through blanket mortgages. 5. Clarify and simplify provisions for the construction of large scale rental properties through facilitat ing their financing. 6. Grant national mortgage asso ciations “explicit authority to make loans on large-scale properties that are subject to special regulation by the federal housing administrator. 7. Remove the July 1, 1939, limita tion on the $2,000,000,000 permitted to be outstanding in mortgages, with congress eventually limiting the in surance of mortgages prior to the beginning of construction of individ ual projects. 8. Permit insurance for repair and modernization loans as provided previous to April 1 of this year when this provision of the housing act expired. —*— President Goes Pishing IJ AVING put the tax and housing problems up to congress. Pres ident Roosevelt left for Miami, Fla., where he embarked on a fishing cruise. Accompanying him was As sistant Attorney General R. H. Jackson, and the two discussed plans for legislation that would let the government proceed against the “bad” trusts without injuring those that are considered “good.” Other members of the angling party were Secretary Ickes and WPA Administrator Hopkins. —*— No Time for Tax Revision ••'TpHERE is no use kidding the country,” said Senator Bark ley, majority leader of the senate, as he gave out the sad news that it would be impossi ble to formulate and pass a tax revision bill in the brief time remaining to the ex traordinary session of congress. The senator had just been conferring with the President, and his statement dashed the hopes of those c oil who believe ailing Sen. Barkley business is in dire need of such assistance as revision or repeal of the tax on undivided corporate surpluses and capital gains. Mr. Roosevelt had said he was in favor of tax revision as soon as congress was ready for it. But such legislation must originate in the house, and the subcommittee of the ways and means committee that has been studying the subject had not yet reported. So it appeared almost certain that action must be postponed until the regular session which starts in January. This was highly displeasing to a large number of congressmen, and Representative Celler of New York called together some 60 of them to consider the* possibility of emergen cy action. “Business can’t wait,’* said Celler. Farm Bill Reported Y/f ARVIN JONES of Texas, chair- man of the house agricultural committee, submitted the house’s farm bill, together with a majority report defending the measure and calling for speedy enactment so that the rise of mounting crop surpluses which are depressing market prices may be offset. The house bill is less drastic than the senate version, but it was de nounced vigorously in a minority report which declared it was “un constitutional, unsound, un-Ameri can,” likely to “work to the detri ment of American agriculture,” and threatening to “dislocate” foreign and domestic markets. Both house and senate bills, it was predicted, would be modified be cause of the President’s implied threat to veto the legislation un less it was put on a “pay-as-you- go” basis. He insisted the farm bill must not interfere with his plan? to balance the budget. After French Throne A LARM of the French govem- ment over the plotting of the Cagoulards or “hooded ones” that led to the arrest of many rightists and the raiding of hidden stores of weapons and ammu nition was far from baseless. Evidently there was a real conspiracy to over throw the republic and set up a dicta torship and eventu ally a restored mon archy. The govern ment announced, however, that the plot had been wrecked. From his place of exile in Bel gium the Due de Guise, pretender to the throne of France, issued a manifesto announcing he had de cided to try to regain the throne. “Have the moral courage not to abdicate before present difficulties,” the manifesto appealed to French men. “Do not permit, in a moment of abandon, dictatorship of any kind to impose itself. “Certain of my ability to assure your happiness, I have decided to reconquer the throne of my fathers. France then again will reassume her mission in the world and again will find peace, unity and prosperity through a union of the people with a titular defender-king.” —*— Vinson to Be Judge PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT sent to *■ the senate the nomination of Rep resentative Fred M. Vinson of Ken tucky to fill a vacancy in the United States court of appeals for the Dis trict of Columbia. The post carries a salary of $10,000 a year, the same as paid a representative, but the ap pointment is for life and carries re tirement privileges. Mr. Vinson, who has been an outstanding tax expert of the house, is forty-seven years old and serving his seventh term. His home is Ashland, Ky. The President also nominated As sociate Justice D. Lawrence Groner of Virginia to be chief justice of the court, creating another vacancy. Croner will be succeeded by Henry White Edgerton of New York, whose nomination also went to the senate. Due de Guise Irvin S. Cobb. 2l_—about: How to Be Fair. S ANTA MONICA, CALIF.— Every time the heirs to an undivided estate start litigat ing, I think of a decision which had in it more wisdom, more common sense and more fair ness than even King Solomon’s inspired justice. I can’t remember whether ’twas a ruler upon the throne or a judge upon the bench who handed down this ruling. But two brothers fell out over a proper divi sion of their father’s possessions. Accord ingly, they carried the dispute to a higher court of the land. So his majesty, or his worship, or his honor, as the case may have been, said: “Let the older brother apportion the property into what he regards as two equal shares—and then let the younger brother have first choice of the shares.” But, of course, the lawyers couldn’t have favored the plan. It was too beautifully simple to suit any lawyer in any age. The Ameri can Bar association would just nat urally despise it. * • • Cemetery Salesmen. I RECEIVED a letter from one of our plushiest cemeteries. We have some of the plushiest ceme teries on earth; it’s a positive pleas ure to be dead out here. I was urged to invest in a highly desirable lot, for only a few thou sand smackers; or buy a perfectly lovely crypt—slightly more expen sive, but most luxurious. Through some private whim or pique, I failed to answer this tempt ing communication. Today I re ceived an appealing follow-up let ter. I gather that, if I neglect this splendid opportunity, I’ll live to re gret it. Or maybe I won’t. Such thoughtful attention merits response. I’m replying as follows: “Dear gents: Space in a grave yard is the last thing I shall require. When that time comes, somebody else will do the shopping. Trusting these few lines may find you the same, yours gratefully.” But if a representative calls in per son—as he will—I’m a gone gosling. Those slick talkers always do get me. You just ought to see my col lection of oil stocks. Now, there’s something that does need burying. * • • Making Juleps. S OME disputatious soul seeks to reopen the ancient debate over the proper recipe for mint julep. I decline the invitation. Since the Dred Scot decision nothing has stirred up as much bitter contro versy south of the Ohio river. North of the Ohio river doesn’t count. The Yankee conception of a julep is calculated to make a host of sleeping Kentucky brigadiers rise up from their respective Bourbon casks and start giving the rebel hiss. , Naturally, the only perfect julep is the Paducah julep. Just drop in next summer and sample the real product on its native heath—not at a saloon, where the bartender is likely to have heretical ideas, such as using preserved fruits and even putting the sugar syrup in first, which amounts to downright crime —but in the private home. • * • Western Superiority. I N BORNEO, tigers slay such an incredible host of natives that the yearly mortality is proportionately almost one-tenth as great as the average number of persons who will be wiped out in traffic fatalities on American highways during any giv en 12 months. In India, owing to the refusal of those benighted Hindus to destroy any living creature, 20,000 inhabi tants annually.are killed by venom ous serpents, whereas, in this coun try, in 1936, we spent only 15 billions for crime, or 18 times as much as we spent on national defense, yet managed to let many poisonous hu man snakes go free to build up mur der statistics. In Japan, geisha girls are govern- mentally licensed and protected, which is indeed an affront to the principles of an enlightened people who patronize so-called world’s fairs that are dependent on unabashed nudity for popular favor, and shows dependent on foul lines and nasty situations. IRVIN S. COBB. Copyright.—WNU Service. 500 Women at Science Meet Not a single man among the 500 scientists at a conference in Mos cow, Russia. All the speakers as well as all the members of asso ciation were women. One was V. P. Lebedeva, a professor of medi cine. Another, Professor M. L. Rokhlina, stated that the number of women students in the univer sities had grown from 16,700 in 1914 to 183,000. Half the total num ber of doctors in Russia are wom en. Most of the women “scientists” are found in medicine, chemistry and biology. Berlin’s Sidewalk Cafes Are Popular. Pre pared by National Geographic Society, Washington. D. C.—WNU Service. T HE baffling element of Berlin’s character is its extreme simplicity. One anticipates complexities which do not exist. The city is as un affected and logical as the lan guage spoken by its inhabitants. Before one ^an begin to compre hend what makes Berlin tick, preconceived ideas of capitals must be cast aside. Gradually, out of the confused outlines of the vast mass, emerges a recognizable pat tern. Behold the anomaly of an urban agglomeration with a total popula tion of some 4,220,000, a city which can boast one of the most highly perfected transportation systems in the world, with every convenience contributed by science, and yet which contains within its limits the following: Twenty thousand cows (providing a third of the milk supply), 30,000 pigs, 10,000 goats, 700,000 chickens, 180,000 rabbits, 5,800 people keep ing bees, only three or four build ings that you can find as much as ten stories high, twelve windmills still functioning, and more than 100,- 000 little gardens, the harvests of which include such imposing yearly figures as 46,000 tons of potatoes and proportionate quantities of other vegetables and grains. Such items would appear fantas tic to the dweller on narrow, rock- ribbed Manhattan. The Schreber Gartens. These little “Schreber Gartens” afford city workers easily accessible contact with the land which is so dear to the German heart; they pro mote bodily fitness through exer cise, and minimize food cost. Beside each garden is a neat little house for storing equipment. Here centers the odd-hour and week-end life of a substantial number of fam ilies. During times of crisis, these wee shelters have even housed many who would otherwise have been roofless. The so-called “Schreber Garten” movement, which has spread to most cities of Germany, was found ed in 1864 by a philanthropist who named it in honor of Schreber, a famous physician of that day. The land is owned in some cases by the city, in others by the state, and is furnished to its users (together with implements and seed) at a nominal price. Trees and rivers, more rivers and more trees. Therein lies Berlin’s greatest hold on the hearts of its dwellers. The two rivers, Havel and Spree (pronounced “Shpray”), with their eccentric twistings and turnings, form a network of waterways which piakes it possible to reach many parts of the city by water. These small streams and their tributaries, connected by canals with the Elbe and the Oder, give communication for transport of freight by steamer and barge to the farthest corners of the land. Berlin has, except for Duisburg, the largest shipping tonnage of any inland city of Germany. More than five million tons of goods arrived at the port in 1935 and 1,300,000 tons were dispatched. Through the watery lanes, under gracefully arched bridges—of which Berlin has 1,006, even more than Venice itself!—glide along wooden barges, heavy-laden carriers of coal, building materials, petroleum, and an infinite variety of other prod ucts. Large numbers of fruit barges come in from the provinces, bring ing apples, pears, and peaches in their holds. In some cases these loads are marketed directly from the barges, which find mooring at advantageous points within the town. Berliners Love Trees. The banks of the rivers are plant ed densely with trees. Rows of lin dens or plane trees line the majority of the streets. The public parks are standing armies of trees in close formation, through which cut beguil ing avenues and paths. The most numerous membfei of the tree family is the linden. Also in large numbers are found most of our familiar American trees, such as maple, elm, horse chestnut (much beloved by the German), oak, acacia, poplar and birch. A census of trees standing in streets and squares alone—entirely exclusive of the parks—totals half a million. The Berliner’s love of trees is so deep that in many cases, where city appropriations have not pro vided the necessary funds, private citizens have paid for the planting of their own streets. Venerable, and in many cases un beautiful, landmarks of a bygone day are being sacrificed to the de mands of traffic. Scaffoldings clamber over the facades of many old buildings which do not have to suffer demolition but are going through a much-need ed face-lifting operation. The town hall, a mammoth red-brick struc ture, has recently emerged, rubi cund and a bit garish, from an all-over bath performed by steam and cleansing acids. Many Old Buildings Saved. Where possible, worthwhile old buildings are being preserved. The march of time has not yet intruded on the neighborhood of the Nikolai church, where one comes across such architectural oddities as the Knoblauch Haus—literally “Garlic House”—with its vivacious rococo exterior, and its pretentious con temporary, the Ephraim house. One learns from the archives of the Markisches museum that this latter was built by one Veitel Eph- riam, an enterprising racketeer of Frederick the Great’s time. He aided an embarrassed state and likewise amassed his own fortune by coining debased “thalers,” nick named “Ephraimites,” which he struck from copper with only an onion-skin thickness of silver sur face. The most striking change ob served in the physical aspect of the city is that on Unter den Linden. This wide avenue, because of build ing this new subway, has been de nuded of its famous shade trees. Their roots were too deeply sunk in tradition and earth to make their lot tenable when the human moles began their burrowing. These dignified patriarchs wer^ carefully dug up and placed in other more hospitable locations. Their place has been taken by a quad ruple row of fresh little upstarts. Shockingly callow and insufficient they look. It was Dorothea, wife of the Great Elector, who caused the wide boule vard to be laid out, and who her self planted the first linden tree in 1681. Perhaps it would have been only fair for her generation to name the avenue for the electress instead of for the tree she planted How ever, they made amends by giving her name to the street which paral lels Unter den Linden one block north. In 1690 an ordinance was passed by the Elector Frederick III forbid ding the burghers of the neighbor hood to allow their hogs to root around on the public street, as they were injuring the trees! Changes in Latter Days. Berlin did not escape the west ward-pushing urge which has pos sessed continents, countries and cities. Oldsters of today tell of open fields and woodlands in western areas where now stretch illimitable acres of concrete streets and business blocks. The inexorable thrust of building enterprise has encircled lakes and linked once widely sep arated communities into an urban entity. In the galloping twenties of the postwar period came the realization of the realtor’s dream of a Berlin Broadway—“Berlin in Light.” The Kurfuersten-Damm sowed its wild oats in the lurid early day of jazz, but has now settled down to a smug, bourgeois middle age. The Emperor William Memorial church (built as a monument to Kaiser William the First and his wife, Kaiserin Augusta), which forms the root of the West Berlin section, is as out of place amid its surrounding cafes, restaurants, and movie palaces as Trinity church is in the hubbub of lower Broadway. Neon signs make a vivid imprint on the night aspect of the city. Step gayly up the Kurfuersten-Damm or Friederich-Strasse at any time aft er dark and you will find yourself wooed by the variegated, pulsing effulgence of a host of danc«i halls, ball houses and cabarets. Haus Vaterland on the Potsdamer Platz, twelve years after its much- advertised construction, is popular with travelers. They flock in of evenings—visitors from abroad p* from the provinces of Germany CLASSIFIEb DEPARTMENT . i PECANS Pecans—Highest cash prices paid for Pecans, prompt returns. Make shipments •r write Sonthera Pecan Co., Qattman, Ga. Qualify of Hope Hope quickens all the still parts of life, and keeps the mind awake in her most remiss and indolent hours. It gives habitual serenity and good humor. It is a kind of vital heat in the soul, that cheers and gladdens her, when she does not attend to it. It makes pain easy and labor pleasant.—Addi son. Don’t Neglect Minor Throat Irritation Don’t take chances. Rub on sooth ing, warming Musterole. Relief gen erally follows. Musterole gets such marvelous re sults because it’s NOT just a salve. It’s a “counter-irritant”—easing, warming, stimulating and penetrat ing-helpful in drawing out local congestion and pain. Used by millions for 80 years. Recommended by many doctors and nurses. All druggists’. In three strengths: Regular Strength, Chil dren’s (mild), and Extra Strong. Approved by Good Housekeeping. Priceless Time A wise man can find nothing of that value for which to barter away his Time.—Howe. StJoseph GENUINE PURE \SPIRIN Read to Consider Read not to contradict and con fute, nor to believe and take for granted, nor to find talk and dis course, but to weigh and con sider.—Bacon. GET READY FOR WINTER DRIVING No section of our population is more dependent upon the automo bile as a means of transportation than the residents of the smaller communities and rural districts. Yet each Fall, many car own ers cause themselves a great deal of trouble and expense by neglect ing one or all of the simple yet necessary steps to assure proper operation of the car in Winter weather. A minimum Winter protection program should cover: 1. Complete change to correct grade of lubricants for motor, transmission and differential. 2. Motor timed up, including ad justing of carburetor, valves, distributor, sparkplugs, genera tor and all electrical equipment. 3. Drain and flush cooling system. Refill with suitable anti-freeze solution. Selection of motor oil and greases for Winter driving is par ticularly important. You must select an oil which will permit easy starting, that will lubricate the motor throughout the entire driving range of speeds and will continue to do so for a reasonable mileage. For many years Quaker State Winter Oils and Greases have been recognized as the highest quality and most generally satis factory Winter lubricants on the market. Through Quaker State’s highly developed methods and equipment it is possible to produce a motor oil which will have a satisfying body over the 400-degree range of temperature it will meet. That is, when the motor temperature is way below zero, the oil will still be fluid enough to allow the motor to turn easily and also to flow freely to all the bearings. Yet this same oil has enough body to stand up and to give the motor proper lubrication when the temperature inside the cylinder wall reaches 400° and over. As with any other product you buy, you get what you pay for. An oil of Quaker State quality is necessarily expensive to make. This does not mean, however, that Quaker State is more expensive to use. Being pure, concentrated lubrication, it stands up longer in service. It gives more miles per quart and at the same time gives the bearing surfaces safer protec tion. You will want to step into the car, even when the mercury is hiding in the bulb and press the starter with every expectation that the motor will start off with its usual Summer zest. This sure starting, plus motor protection, is only pos sible by preparedness.—Adv. WNU—7 49^—37 666 LIQUID. TABLETS SALVE. NOSE DROPS FEVER first day Headache, 30 nitrates. try , 'Rub-My-TI«n”-WorW , « Best lien—I