Indianapolis Times, Indianapolis, Marion County, 10 June 1940 — Page 11
| MONDAY, JUNE 10, 1940
" The Lnufisvpolis Tires
Hoosier Vagabond By Ernie Pyle
|
(Ernie Pyle is on vacation and at the request of . peaders we are reprinting some of his favorite columns.)
CARLSBAD, N. M., April 14, 1938.—For years I've been avoiding Carlsbad Caverns because somebody told me they weren't worth while. I've forgotten who said it, but he must have been out of his head. A trip through Carlsbad Caverns is not only worth while—it should be compulsory. It’s useless for anybody to try to describe what the caverns are like. You have to see them. The nearest I can come in description is to say that you feel like one of Walt Disney’s symphony children wandering in a dream world of unbelievable beauty. ; The cavern entrance is out on the desert, 28 miles from this town of Carlsbad. The country , is dry, sagebrushy, rolling and rattlesnaky (no snakes in the caverns, however). . Around the entrance the Government has built a group of distinctive stone buildings—Rangers’ homes, powerhouse, curio store, ticket office, and an elevator shaft building 87 stories high (three above ground and 84 below, ha, hal). 8 $ : | 2
Trip Takes Most of Day
_ There is just one trip a day-through the caverns. You start at 10:30 and get out around 3 p. m., during which time you walk about five miles. © costs $1.50 to go through, which seems too high.
Our Town EXCEPT sor AN Indianapolis hatter, whom I
‘consider the maddest in town, I wouldn't be able to jel you why men around here continue to wear soft . a y : |
> | Maybe you don’t know it, but Indianapolis men were the first, anywhere in, the State, to discard stiff hats and replace them with felts. And to this day, the trade classifies the capital of Indiana as a “soft hat town.” To hear the Mad Hatter tell it, it all goes back to iday, Feb. 26, 1852—the day Lajos (Louis) Kossuth turned up in Indianapolis. All the time he was here, he wore a big broadbrimmed felt hat, adorned (with a tassel. The Hungarian patriot, accompanied by a noisy and nervous enfourage, spent “four days here, dividing his time, for the most part, with the Governor, the Legislature, and the sympathetic and so- - called “Friends of Hungary,” all of whom turned up in plug hats to greet him. Gen. Kossuth also delivered a lecture in Masonic Hall and found time to attend church in Roberts Chapel: He even got around to the Sunday schools ‘in the afternoon. Everywhere he went, he wore his big felt hat.. The adventure netted him $1000, more or less, all of which he took home with him to aid the cause of Hungarian independence. The “bonds” he gave in exchange are treasured today as museum pieces. . # =
He Left His Mark
The Hungarian situation wasn’t changed much by Kossuth’s visit, but he certainly left his mark on men’s fashions around here. Indianapolis men were never the same after that, because almost immediately after his departure they took to wearing the “Kossuth hat.” It spelled the doom of the plug hat. The soft hat has been in style ever since. Which doesn’t mean that I'm unmindful of the hiatus when the derby threatened to supplant the felt hat. That was back in 1900, says the Mad Hatter.
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Washington
” KANSAS CITY, Mo, June 10.—In Washington, at such a time as this, officials, politicians and newspaper writers are constantly asking each other) what the country is thinking—as if “the country” might be some strange land, an isolated American Tibet, and not quite a part of the United States like Washington and New York. Well, this is part of the United Slates around net too. Practically everybody can read and hear. The result is that people in the Middle West seem to react to the war news in about the same way that the wise men in the East react to it. Go into any ‘man’s office here, or gather with a group around the luncheon table, and the conversation is no different from what it is in Washington right now—and it is just about as well informed, except about a few matters upon which officials in Washington hesitate to speak frankly because they fear “the country” wouldn’t understand.
# 8 #
Hitler Victory Feared
Normally, sectional interests differ greatly and the clashes of these interests provide much of the grist for ordinary political controversy. But so far as I have observed in a few days outside of Washington, a sense of national urgency has submerged normal differences to a large extent. As one businessfan said, what seemed so important a few weeks ago, such a dispute among coal dealers in his community, now becomes a minor matter beside the great national task which confronts us all. Relative values have changed overnight. Middle West “isolationism” is as obsolete as the League of Nations,
My Day
HYDE PARK, Sunday.—On Friday we went to Boston to see my new grandchild and, like every proper grandmother, I feel I must record my enthusiasm. He is a sweet baby with a nicely shaped head and ears that lie flat against his head. His hair is so fair that it hardly shows. He refused to open his eyes for me, so I don’t know their color, but I surmise it’s blue. I was only allowed to see him through a glass window, so I am looking forwafd to seeing him next in his own home and knowing more about him. I am sure he is going to be a real person ‘very soon. «On the whole, our | family works and plays hard, but there is one member who takes his : job so seriously that not even #he advent of a baby curtails his working hours. Don’t think John lost one hour. I am-glad of this, for there is a real obligation on every one of these days to do our job, whatever it may be, a little better than we have done it before. | In that way we may contribute more jobs for people and be a steadying influence to those people who feel that, because we. face troubled times, none of the -daily routine of life is important. There never was s BI RE nr sd ook Sas Tine for any of us to do a differen .of wor wha ox an at, the call will
Not because the trip isn’t worth it, but because the caverns belong to “Us, the People,” and the Government makes a profit at that price. The temperature of the caverns is 56 degrees, day and night, winter and summer. The natural ventilation is perfect. The Government has made the caverns one of the best shows on earth. The trails are soft and easy to walk on, and in only a few places do you still have to go down steps. There are no ladders to climb. The entire route is electrically lighted. There are thousands of lights in the caverns, yet you never see a street light nor a switch. Rangers don’t bore you to death with lectures every few feet.
Cafeteria ‘Below Ground
After an hour of walking, you've seen some wonderful sights. But you're not even yet in what the Rangers consider the cavern proper. You hit it about 11:30, an hour before lunch. : You walk through a narrow passage, and come out into a big room about 150 feet across. Millions of stalactites hang from the ceiling. Stalagmites by the thousands rear up from the floor. It is a sort of Santa Claus room. : For an hour you Wander in this world that surely can be nothing on or of this earth. Then at 12:30 you suddenly come out into a big room of civilization, 750 feet beneath the surface. White tables and benches stretch as far as you can see. In the center is a little cafeteria settlement. You eat and rest and talk for 45 minutes, and then step back into the dream world for two more hours.
ab (Continued tomorrow.)
By Anton Scherrer)
Around the turn of the century, a weil-dressed man—“fit to kill,” they used to call it—wore a woolen suit of dark color, like as not a navy blue. (It’s still a good seller, they tell me). The coat had padded
shoulders. The starched white shirt was held together |
with studs, and the .collar and cuffs were stiffly laundered. e rest of the outfit consisted of toothpick shoes, fleece-lined underwear (in two pieces), an Ascot tie, heavy socks (held up, perhaps, with the help of. garters, but in all probability, not) and, of course, a derby hat, without which nobody could be a dressed-up man. The derby hat didn’t last long. At that, it was long enough—almost a quarter of a century. In 1915, it showed signs of petering out. Ten years later, we were back to soft hats again. At least, 98 per cent of us were and that’s about where we stand today, says the Mad Hatter. ! 8 2 ”
Era of the Brown Derby During the reign of the derby hat, a few Indianapolis men ventured wearing colors. For some strange reason, they took to brown derbies, but despite its
high and inspired origin, the practice never amounted
to anything around here. It left its mark, however, because when soft hats returned, the lid was off ahd we had. everything from Corot grays to powder-blues, including the| whole gamut of browns. The gravybrown still survives. Which leaves me just enough: room to tell you where we stand with respect to caps. Caps, according to the Mad Hatter, have a relation to automobiles because all signs indicate that the sale of caps increased in proportion to the automobile business. Which doesn’t mean, of course, that everybody who wears a cap owns an automobile. Statistics are treacherous that way. The best thing is to have nothing to do with them. The Mad Hatter terminated the interview with the prediction that only 80 per. cent of all Indianapolis men are going to wear straw hats this summer, no matter how hot it gets. He attributes it to the Friday, back in 1852, when Lajos (Louis) Kossuth blew into Indianapolis. °
By Raymond Clapper
Very few indeed want to go to war. But that isn’t the question, for it is assumed quite widely that if the Allies shoyld by & miracle hold on, and drive the war into a stalemate, we would go in some months hence. Not that such intervention is desired—it is rather a fatalistic feeling that grows out of a realization here, as well as in the East, that a Hitler victory would be extremely bad for us. No longer is it generally felt that “this is Europe’s war.” Last winter when anyone said that it would be a serious thing for us if the British fleet were lost, he was put down as a British propagandist. This war has been an education to the people of this country. They show it by advocating defense and higher taxes. We now realize, as few did earlier, that we have profited enormously, and have been able to lead a comparatively peaceful life in this hemisphere, largely because it has been to Great Britain's self-interest to use her sea power to protect the Monroe Doctrine.
Campaign Blotted Out
Officials at Washington have not spelled out the dangers of the situation as it may specifically affect the Western Hemisphere, and the implications of a Hitler victory are still understood only vaguely. Nevertheless there is a definite realization that they wouid be bad. The concern—it is not hysterical but it is strong—over the effects of an Allied disaster have almost blotted out the Presidential campaign. Nobody seems to care very much, the usual attitude being that Mr. Roosevelt will be re-elected anyway and that it matters little what the Republicans do, unless: the war should end quickly. Mr. Roosevelt is damned very little now, and that more often by faint praise. Domestic issues which created so much bitterness seem incidental. Defense is the great need and anyone in the White House today would receive wide support.
: By. Eleanor Roosevelt
But the fact that we do our daily jobs well will make it easier for anyone who has to take our place, and will make us more efficient in anything else we have to take up. Besides, going on with the daily routine, keeps our feet on the ground and that is sorely needed in times like these. Two extremes have come to me in the last few days. One was a young man who announced to me that all talk of a “fifth column” was ridiculous and that there was no such thing in the United States. This, just because he and his friends and those with whom he had talked, did not happen to touch any “fifth column” activities. On the other hand, a woman suggested that we all go out and learn to shoot and sleep with a gun beside our beds in preparation for parachute troops or riots in our neighborhoods. Both of these attitudes are obviously silly. We want to take proper precautions through the constituted authorities but, in other ways, we want to go on with our daily life and our daily job in calm security. We returned here late Friday night and yesterday was a fairly busy day. I spoke at the luncheon meeting in Poughkeepsie of the county Democratic Women’s Voters League. After that, Miss Thompson and I dined with a friend and had a most beautiful drive while the new moon played hide and seek among the clouds. : ; ; i Today the sun is playing hide and seek, but the weather is mild and everything .is beautifully green. Mr. Smith, our nearest farm neighbor, sent us some
86%
Gallup Finds 63% Favor Aid to Canada
By Dr. George Gallup
PRINCETON, N. J., June 10.—Men in every state in the Union—representing the military manpower of the United States—served notice on all concerned today that the overwhelming majority of Americans of military" age are prepared to volunteer.for the defense of this country if it should ever be attacked. That fact is revealed today in
lic Opinion. Men in all walks of life—from the fumber camps of the West Coast to the fields and offices of New England—and between the ages of 21 and 45 were asked: “If the United States is attacked, would you personally volunteer to fight?” Their replies indicate that, in
defense, American sentiment has’ changed little since the days of the “Minute Men” of Concord and Lexington, or since the days of 1812, when Americans took up arms against the last invasion of the United States in more than 125 ‘years. Here is the way they answered the question: Would Volunteer ........ 86% Would Not Volunteer 7 Undecided -. 7
Applied to the total manpower “of the United States, within the age limits of military service, the survey indicates that this country would have a potential volunteer force of nearly 22,000,000. Of course, no national defense plans in existence contemplate such a gigantic military force. If this country were attacked millions of men would be required for service behind the lines, preparing <supplies for the armed forces and carrying on the functions of civil live. But even so, the survey indicates that the vast majority of American men are prepared, mentally and psychologically, for the ultimate sacrifices of national defense if the occasion should arise.
2 2 2 ” HE survey found little if any
evidence of “jingoism”— little or no desire to rattle sabres
EXPECT SEWER APPROVAL SOON
Plans Now in- Engineer’s Office, Says Warfleigh League President.
The four-year-old fight for sewers in the Warfleigh district is about to come to a satisfactory conclusion, Stephen A. Clinehens, president of the Warfleigh Civic League, said today. : This group which is modeled after
the City form of government with different boards and departments has fought constantly for sewers in its community. “The plans are in the engineer’s office now for lateral sewers and only need the O. K. of the Works Board before actual construction can begin,” Mr, Clinehens said.
Depend on Wells
In the past, home builders in the area have found it necessary to build dry wells and septic tanks which have proven unsatisfactory. With the establishment of main and lateral sewers Warfleigh residents expect a boom in new home construction. Because of the low location of the community, trees, shrubbery and lawns grow thickly, making ideal home sites. The one problem which remains to delay the sewer construction, according to Mr. Clinehens, is the WPA rule that property must be 50 per cent built up before improvements can be made with WPA labor. :
Progress Is Noted
This ordinarily would forestall any construction on parts of Pennsylvania Ave. and Meridian St. However, letters from the property owners stating that the lots will be built up if the sewer is installed are being accepted by the WPA. If the property owners do not sign them the sewers will be placed
how, Mr, Clinehens said. “However, we want the whole section done at once so that we can have our streets improved,” he added. “There is no use in paving
up next year to dig sewers,” he said. “If we can have all the sewers installed, we can go ahead with our plan) to improve every street in
Warfleigh.”
COLLEGE BUILDING , OFFERED TO U. S.
Times Special .
Oakland City College has offered the use of the Cronbach building on the campus to the U. 8. War Department for any educational or military training purposes it ma; desire. I During the last World War, the building was converted into a military barracks and 100 men were quartered thére. For three years after the war, over 200 wounded and
Cs
fresh asparagus for lunch. I wish I didn't have to
tation
gassed soldiers lon. courses in. the
an important nation-wide survey ° by the American Institute of Pub-
in the remainder of Warfleigh any-
streets now and then tearing them |
OAKLAND CITY, Ind. June 10— |
-
The Gallup Poll
the essential matter of national ~~
ould Volunteer if U.S. Invaded |
The American people are opposed to entering the war in Europe, recent nation-wide studies by the American
Institute of Public Opinion have shown.
But if the United States should be attacked the men of America would
spring to arms in overwhelming numbers—without waiting to be drafted. That is the reply of men from 21 to 45 in a nation-wide survey just completed. Eighty-six men in every hundred said they would volunteer.
for the fun of it. The great majority of Americans are still opposed to sending an Army and Navy abroad to fight in the present European war, as successive Institute surveys have shown. Nonetheless, the survey indicates that America’s unwillingness to enter the war in Europe is no sign of a “peace at any price” sentiment in the United States. “rd volunteer if any" nation made the slightest gesture against the United States,” is the way their verdict is expressed time and again. Others frequently remark that they would want to be certain in their own minds that “we hadn’t provoked the attack, but, once certain, I'd volunteer in a minute.”
~ Sectionally, the great willing-
~ ness to volunteer for the defense
of the United States was found in ‘the South and in the seaboard
Lamp. Post in Town Blows Up
Times Special : NEW HARMONY, Ind. June 10. —Last week a street here caught fire and now a lamp post has blown up. The bottom part of the post
was shattered and headlights in cars parked nearby broken. The cause of the explosion has not been established but it is believed to have been caused by a short circuit.
PURDUE TRUSTEES BACK DEFENSE AID
LAFAYETTE, Ind. June 10 (U. P.).—The Purdue University Board of Trustees was on record today as
favoring university assistance in the national defense program. In its quarterly session, the Board adopted a resolution authorizing the university president and the president of the trustees to any steps “which in their judgment would enable the university to contribute effectively to the program of national defense.” Approximately 105 students will enroll in Purdue for summer flight training under the CAA. The school has the largest field artillery unit of any university in America rand extensive shop and laboratory
states. But even in the traditionally isolationist Middle West the vote averaged more than 4 to 1. Men in the wealthier and in the middle-income groups proved more willing to volunteer for national defense than men in the lowest-income groups. But here too, the difference were almost negligible. Many of those who said they would not volunteer, moreover, remarked that they had large families dependent upon them or were incapacitated in some way. The survey found no difference in the replies of men under 30 years of age and those between 30 and 45, a fact which indicates that the widespread campaign for pacifism and non-resistance during the last generation has had little, if any, effect on the willingness of younger Americans to defend their nation against attack.
U. S. ENLARGES 2 FOREST AREAS
Lafayette and Pleasant Run Preserves to Add Total Of 3686 Acres.
The National Forest Reservation Commission at Washington today approved the purchase of an additional 3686.22 acres of forest land for the Lafayette and Pleasant Run National Forests in Southern Indiana. The approvals were for the purchase of 1539.61 acres for the Lafayette Forest at $8049.91 and 2146.61 acres for the Pleasant Run Forest at $11,420.54. These additions will bring the land now owned by the Federal Government in Indiana to about 37,686 acres in the two adjoining forests and about 27,000 acres more are under option for purchase this year. In the area there are about 600,000 acres of forest land which could be purchased and included in the preserves. The forests were started in 1935 when the first 34000 acres were purchased. No additional land has been purchased until this year. . The forests now are staffed by about 15 persons outside of the
FURTHER question in today’s survey shows that
the majority of Americans have reached the conclusion, also, that an attack on Canada by a foreign nation would be a thrust at the security of the United States.
President Roosevelt has stated that the Monroe Doctrine applies to Canada just as it does to Latin America, and the Institute survey reveals that nearly two Americans in three of fighting age say they would volunteer if Canada were attacked and the United States came to her aid. Voters were asked: “If Canada is invaded and the United States goes to her aid, would you personally volunteer to fight?” The answers are: Would Volunteer to Defend Canada Would Not Volunteer . Undecided .-
Since a survey reported in the
Between sundowns on June 22 and 23, the air around the Boy Scout Reservation will crackle with “CQs.” A A A “CQ” is a general inquiry call used by radio amateurs who transmit both with code and by radiophone. Some night when you're twisting your short-wave dial you might hear: “CQ, CQ, CQ, calling CQ.” That means an amateur radio station operator wants to talk with anyone. On June 22 and 23 the Indianapolis Radio Club will participate, for the first. time as a club, in the annual field day of the American Radio Relay League by setting up stations at the reservation. The League is the national organization for amateurs with which clubs like the local one is affiliated. Each year the League sponsors a national field day as a training for operators in times of emergencies such as floods, tornadoes or earthquakes. Field days have been held annually by the League for about 10 years. There are some 200 clubs in the League. During the 24-hour period, the winning club is the one which contacts the greatest number of other clubs. The Federal Communications Commission requires the clubs to keep logs on the day’s activities. The log will list each person talked to,
facilities which could be utilized, a Board spokesman said.
Jobs for June Graduates
two Civilian Conservation Corps camps located there.
the operator's mame, the time and length of transmission.
Civil Service Needs Careful, Dependable ”
Workers, the Same as Private Business
By HARRY B. MITCHELL President, U. 8. Civil Service Commission Uncle Sam is America’s largest employer. On his payroll are nearly a million, American citizens. About one-third of these are in the Postal Service. Nearly 90,000 work in the Department of Agriculture. Contrary to public belief, seven of every eight Federal employees work outside of Washington, D. C. Every year more than half .a million persons file applications for civil service posi- _ tions. Less than half of these pass the examinations. Many who fail to pass do s0 beca of inadequate preparation. In addition to : clerical 2nd trades , Mi 11 examinations, the Mr. Mitch Civil Service Commission holds many examinations for professional and scientific positions. : : These positions require the same kind of training and experience which thoughtful citizens demand
were given rehabili-|of
professional workers in privese)
When you go to a private physician you want one who is competent to do a good job. That is what Uncle Same expects of his employees. 3 About 40,000 persons receive Federal appointments each year. The, examination requirements are practical. They are also sufficiently high to obtain employees fully competent to render satisfactory service to the American people. When a person is: appointed to a Federal position, there are a number of ways to get ahead. These are not particularly different from the requirements met by successful individuals in private life. 1. Do your present job well. Countless individuals in the Federal service hold high administrative positions who not many years ago were pounding a typewriter or adding columns of figures. They did good work. Promotions followed. Today they reap the re-) ward of doing their first job better than their competitors. 2. Prepare for the job ahead. Some day, perhaps, soon, the job ahead will be vacant. Then the boss
igh o
hic look around for someone to fill Hv : %
cial knowledge; get this knowledge. It may require training in a business school or university; get it. Find out what you need to fill the job ahead and prepare accordingly. Be ready when the opportunity comes. 3. Always be dependable. When Elbert Hubbard wrote “A Message to Garcia” he emphasized a daily need in every American office and work shop—dependability. When you give your word, keep it. When you are assigned to a task, finish it in a satisfactory way. Get a reputation for being dependable and it will bring cash returns and satisfaction returns. 4. Safeguard your health. An employee who is constantly reporting sick is not much of ‘a business asset. Modern competition requires the services of energetic employees capable of regularly doing a full day’s work. This is possible only if an employee guards one of his most precious possessions—his health. 5. Get along with people. This is a social world. Most workers must mingle with other workers. There is a knack in dealing with others in a businesslike but friendly manner. The employee who can at all times get along with his associates
has mastered one important ele=|.
ment of success.
Indianapolis Times ‘last week showed 84 per cent saying the United States should fight, if necessary, to keep a victorious German Reich from taking over the British, French, or Dutch possessions in Latin America, there is gradually being outlined a picture of just what the American people do desire to defend. More than a year ago, after comprehensive surveys of American opinion, the Institute reported three strong desires the mind of the average American (1) to assist England and France by measures short of war in case of a European conflict (2) to keep out of a European war ourselves and (3) to build our own national defenses. To these three principles a fourth must now be added—to prevent any extension of European power in North America or Latin America.
I+'s Radio Amateurs’ Cue If You Hear 'CQ' Calling 'CQ’
' Copies of the logs are sent to the League which compiles them and determines the winning club. The local club was formed in 1914. Now it has 75 members. Each Friday at 8 p. m. they meet in the clubrooms at the Insley Mfg. Co. D. M. Davis is club president. About 25 members will participate in the field day, operating in shifts since the outing runs for a full day. The field day primarily is a training ground for emergencies because of the special problems the operators encounter. In the open they have difficulty getting a power supply, they must use low power since high power sets are too heavy to carry around. Some of the operators will use batteries for power, others have gasoline motors to drive generators. Noble Burkhart, club treasurer, is going to use the latter. . In order to obtain satisfactory ree ception and transmission better aerials must be used than ordinarily. Many operators rig them between trees or buildings for the day.
‘Mr. Burkhart is going to use a ninefoot kite carrying 1000 to 2000 feet
of wire, favorable. On the field day all members of the club instead of using their individual call letters will use the club station’s letters—W9JP. They also will follow their “CQ” calls with the words “fleld day” if they're using phones or with the letters “FD” if broadcasting by code.
TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE
1—Who was the first President of the United States to wear artificial teeth? 2—What does blitzkrieg mean? 3—What is “Das Rheingold?” 4—Pago Pago is the capital of which island possession of the United States? 5—Name the State University at Ann Arbor? : 6—Which scientist advanced the theory of relativity? 7—Is Texas, South Dakota or . Wyoming called the ‘Coyote State?” 8—Which French sculptor made the Statue of Liberty in New York Harbor? : Answers
1—George Washington. 2—Lightning war. 3—An opera by Wagner. 4—American Samoa. 5—University of Michigan. 6—Einstein. 7—South Dakota. 8—Bartholdi.
providing the wind is
ASK THE ‘TIMES
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