davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1944-11-16
This Changing World
By C0Hsf0HfiNs Br0,rn

England has been blitzed for more
than four years; even today the various
NAzi v weapons are hitting London
and its suburbs 1t q destructive speed
estimated at anywhere from TOO to
$500 miles an hour. Across the Channel
chaotic social and economic changes
such as the world has not seen since
the fall OF the Rornan Empire are
developing.
The British Empire is not as steady
as 1t used to be. But none OF these
new revolutionary conditions has af-
fected the tradition" the pride of the
British and particularly their Parlia-
ment
A select committee intrusted with
the planning Of q new House of Com
mons to replace the one destroyed by
the German blitz on May 10, lp41,
made its report = few days ago. Earl
Winterton, chairman Of the commit
tee, and the is members representing
all political parties in the United King
dom have concluded that while 4 new
building must be constructed at the
cost OF about $4,000 900, Britain's parlia-
mentary tradition must not be sacri-
need despite the many new-fangled
ideas which have appeared in modern
construction.
The new House of Commons, like
the one which has been DESTROYED, will
have room for only 34o members,
although the total membership of the
House at present is 615. When the
OLD house was built many years ago,
the membership did not exceed 800.
The committee decided not to in
crease the seating capacity because
they were unanimous that "the sense
OF intimacy and almost converse tional
form OF debate encouraged by the
dimensions of the old chamber should
be maintained. The present intimate
and traditional style of discussion is
firmly established in the customs and
affections Of the nation"
The fact that nearly half of the
representatives will have to continue
to stand near the doors or in the cor
rldors is OF little importance to the
committee, provided the old tradition
OF debate Is maintained.
But the select committee is progress
slVe enough not to frown on some of
the modern inventions involving heat
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1944-11-16
The Political Mill
By Gould Lincoln

The recent elections have given the
quietus to one proposed constitutional
amendment and an impetus to two
others. The first Is the proposal, adj
vanced in various forms, to limit the
term OF service Of the President of the
United States. The others are q pro-
posal to do away with the electoral
college and a proposal to have the
Senate ratify treaties by majority vote.
In q Congress dominated by Demo-
Gratis many Of whom rode to victory
on the coattails OF 4 fourth-term
President, it is clearly improbable
more likely impossible-that any at
tempt to 90 back to . two-term limi-
tation would succeed.
To submit q constitutional amend
ment requires two-thirds vote of both
houses of Congress. or proposed
amendment may be initiated by two
thirds OF the State Legislatures. Had
the Republicans elected Gov Dewey of
New York the picture might have been
very different. An amendment to limit
the service of q President then would
have had distinct chance of victory.
The attack on the electoral college,
on the other hand, was a foregone con-
clusion, growing out of the threat in
Texas and Mississippi and Louisiana
during the recent presidential campaign
Of some of the proposed electors to vote
for Democratic candidate other than
Mr.. Roosevelt. Representative Lea,
Democrat, of California already has
offered constitutional amendment
liquidating the electoral college. This
would mean that the ballots of the
voters would in the future be cast
directly for presidential and vice presi-
dental candidates. In many States
that is what the voters do now so far as
the face of the ballots is concerned.
But in those States the political parties
still name electors, who 60 through the
form Of casting the electoral votes of
the States for the President and his
running mate.
Mr.. Lea's proposal. however, does not
do away with the electoral vote of the
States as they now exist, one for each
Senator and Representative in Con-
gress. New York, for example, under
the Lea proposal would still have n
electoral votes and Maryland Is in de-
termining the election of a President.
In other words, it keeps away from a
popular-vote election.
In the original Constitution the elec-
tors chosen by the States were en-
powered to use their own Judgment in
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1944-11-16
Welfare Building Program

Inc commissioners are asking
Congress for permission to take q
sensible shortcut in getting to work
on the much discussed but long de-
layed program of rebuilding some OF
our rundown public welfare insti-
buttons.
The deficiency appropriation bill,
Just sent to Congress with Budget
Bureau approval, requests $4,000, 900,
a. substantial part OF which would
be spent in. preparing architectural
plans for new buildings at CALM
ger Hospital, the Home for Aged and
1nfirm at Blue Plains, q new chill
dren's receiving home and a new
building at the Laurel, Nd, training
school. Three of these undertakings
are yet to be authorized by Congress,
though they have been generally
outlined to the House and Senate
Appropriations Com m i tees. IT
money is appropriated for plans now,
construction could begin within q
short time after the war is over or
as soon as materials and manpower
become available again. The District
already has $5,O0O,OOO invested in
Government securities and ear
marked for postwar construction.
The largest single project is to
replace the existing aggregation of
old buildings at Blue Plains by an
adequate structure, the cost Of which
might reach 100000 There was a
time, not long ago, when old-age
pensions were being discussed as a
substitute for institutional care.
They may in time relieve the pres
sure for such care, enabling more
older people to live at home. But
institutional care still is necessary
for a great many of those afflicted
with senile dementia, and under
present conditions their commit
ment to st. Elizabeths is the only
recourse in the District. An ade-
quate plant at Blue Plains would
provide proper facilities for their
care.
New construction in the District
sometimes requires three separate
appropriations and as many years
before it is begun. There must be
an appropriation first for site pur-
chase, another one for plans and
another to begin construction IF
Congress will approve the items rec
commended by the Commissioners in
the pending deficiency bill, the well
fare construction program will be
speeded by year or more. 1t is
gratifying to see the Commissioners
recommending this program and to
find the Budget Bureau approving
the policy behind it.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1944-11-16
HimmIer at the Helm

With Hitler apparently inactive
for the time being at least, if not
permanently, no other leader looms
so large in Germany, or is so power
full, as Heinrich Himmler. Shrill
little DR.. Goebbels is titular head of
total mobilization and still plays the
Propaganda Ministry's organ of
hate and deception, but he seems
to have become little more than a
nagging voice in the background.
AS for Goering, whose enmity for
the Gestapo chief has long been an
open secret, he is so much in eclipse
now that 1t is rare thing when he
speaks, even though he runs the
Luftwaffe, is supposed to be eco
nomic boss of the Reich, and was
once designated by the Fuehrer as
the crown prince of Nazidom.
Ever since the reported attempt
to assassinate Hitler last July 20,
the shadow Of the frigid and SIMS
ter Himmler has fallen over the
whole of Germany. His position has
grown so supreme, in fact, that he
appears now to be more powerful
than the Fuehrer himself, especially
in view Of the latter's significant
silence and the. mystery of his
whereabouts. Today the Gestapo
chief is not, merely the head of
legions Of secret police, but also
by virtue of the authority vested
in him during the past year-the
overall master of the Reich home
front. For years he has had behind
him the personal following Of hun
dreds OF thousands Of his terrorist
police and his SIS elite troops, but
within recent months this strength
has been vastly expanded to in
clude absolute control over such new
formations as the so-called peoples
army.
In some ways 1t is not surprising
that this baleful character has thus
come to the top in Germany. Az
long ago ~ 1899, after the failure
OF his mission % Britair's last am
bassador to Berlin, the late Sir
Neville Henderson declared that Il
K
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1944-11-16

and heavier blows to the japanese,
which Is the only way that the war can
be brought to victorious conclusion.
If the Battle Of the Philippines has
taught the Japanese anything, it is
that the battleship cannot be used
effectively except as a member of
well-balanced team, under conditions
which enable the other members of
the team to protect the battleship from
torpedo and bomb attacks until she
can bring her heavy weapons within
range of their targets We may pre-
sumo that the Japanese have learned
this lesson; but we also know that
what naval force they have left they
will use whenever opportunity offers.
X
AS for the loss of the T1rpitz, the
benefit we will derive from it is well
illustrated by the fact that the de-
struction of the Tirpitz was almost
Immediately followed by q raid on
Trondhjem Fiord by a small British
task force consisting of q cruiser. an
escort carrier and four destroyers, and
by the destruction of German con.
voy off the Norwegian coast. It should
now be possible to prevent the Ger
mans from using Norwegian coastal
waters almost altogether: with the re-
suit that German communications with
their Norwegian garrisons will be
greatly impaired. 5
Conveys to North Russian ports can
also proceed at far less risk, more
frequently and with less. escort. In
the Atlantic, as in the Pacific, reduce
ton of the enemy's naval power gives
US greater freedom of action; the
chance to do more things and to do
them oftener; to apply more sea-borne
power to the task Of the final defeat
Of the enemy.
These facts should serve to remind
us that it is by the use of sea-borne
power that re are in course Of reduce
ing Germany to submission, and that
1t Is by the use OF sea-borne power that
we shall eventually do the same to
the japanese. When the enemy ceases
to be able to resist our movement OF
that power by sea, he must then pre-
pare himself to defend his vital centers
against blows from any direction, blows
Of increasing force and coming ut
wholly unpredictable times ana places.
These aye conditions which cannot
Be- met BY any defense, which are IN
themD91yoo tantGxn68lnt - defeat.
6csssTssAA 1ol4.j
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1944-11-16
Prospects in Norway

A number of recent naval and
military events combine to indicate
shat Norway may soon become an
important war theater. Indeed. it
Is by no means impossible that the
liberation of much or all of that I'M
fortunate country may be at hand.
The outstanding happening in this
series is of course. the destruction
Of the long-hunted superbattleship
Tirpitz, tracked to it's lair in north
ern ford and sunk by British
Earthquake" bombs. So long as that
naval monster remained afloat and
capable even of short runs to sea,
not only were powerful units of the
Royal Navy immobilized to guard
1t but also Allied or Russian troop
landings on the coasts of Northern
Norway were impracticable, thus
restricting Russian attacks to over
land operations from Finland over
rugged, desolate terrain.
Now that the Tirpitz is gone there
are no German warships of any size
In Norwegian bases, the shrunken
remnant of the German Navy being
concentrated in the Baltic to guard
against the Red Navy emerging from
the Gulf of Finland. Allied or Rus
sian landings have thus become pos
sible, and one such, made by Nor
wegian commands trained in Brit
ain, has already taken place to aid
the Russians advancing overland
through Finmark. Norway's most
northerly province Faced by this
intensified menace. the Germans
are evacuating Finmark and seem
ready to pull out of Tromsoe, the
adjoining province just to the west
ward. Together, Finmark and from
zoe constitute Northern Norway. a
region geographically isolated from
the rest of the country by a deep
ford which runs through lofty
mountains almost to the Swedish
border. Communications between
the extreme north and the rest Of
Norway are thus by sea. and the
sea route is passing under Allied
naval control. The taking of North
ern Norway by the Allies would re-
move fhe last German threat to the
sea route to Russia's Arctic ports,
formerly so harried by German
U-boats and bombing planes operat-
ing from numerous nearby bases in
Northern Norway.
Allied attacks on the rest Of Nor
way below the "wasp-waist" made
BY the ford just mentioned, where
"a stands the port Of Narvik. would
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1944-11-16

be more dimcult. Nevertheless, they
can be envisioned with 0ermany's
overstrained resources. The recent
destruction Of a German convoy
close In on the southern Norwegian
coast suggests that the Allied naval
blockade will become more severe
and German communications even
over the short sea run from Dem
mark may soon be rendered pre-
carious. Semi-isolation Of the Ger
man occupation forces in Norway
would be an important preliminary
to successful Allied invasion.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1944-11-16
Freedom-Of-Sea Action
By Maj. George Fielding Eliot

The destruction Of the German battle
ship Tirpitz by Raj planes has pro-
duced an effect on the naval situation in
the Atlantic which is comparable in
character. though not in scope, with the
results of the great naval battle of the
Philippines late in October.
The Japanese and the Germans were,
up to the time of these events, using
their surface navies as "fleets in being"
They were not bringing them out to
fight. They were holding them safely
behind mine fields and Notifications
where they could be in readiness for
favorable opportunity to fight. In con-
sequence, everything that the Allies did
which could be affected by sudden
appearance, of the fleet in being" had
to be protected by force adequate to
deal with that fleet.
The American forces in the Pacific
Ocean could not make q major move
unless the bulk Of the powerful striking
units of our fleet were at hand and
ready to deal with the Japanese fleet
If it did attack This imposed a heavy
StTdlH OH our ITcCOOIu VI dCIAOu.
The Allied forces in the northern
waters of Europe could not make major
move unless a naval escort capable OF
dealing with the Tirpitz plus such
smaller German ships as might be in the
vicinity were available. Thus battle
ships had to be used to escort conveys
to Murmansk, and the Russians could
not use amphibious power against the
Germans in Norway because the Rus
slams had no battleships available In
those waters.
What are the conditions now In these
two theaters?
In the Pacific our naval situation has
been eased to this degree: That we need
not now provide against the imperial
fleet as 1t was, but only as 1t is. We can
strike from our calculations the slaips
we know to have been lost, including
the very heavy losses the Japanese have
sustained In destrpyers during their
attempts to reinforce Leyte.
II 1t may be said that the Battle Of
the Philippines has tended to shorten
the war in the Pacific it is for this
reason: That 1t enables us TO use more
power more effectively It Is an &C.
ctlrrence therefore which calls for more
effort rather than lese; Whieh presenfs
" With = chance - dsai marc haows
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1944-11-16

Ne we're given 1 gun and told TO
take two shots at the foremost
Nazis, he would FIRST shoot Hmm
Ter, then Won Ribbentrop and brain
Hitler with the butt of the rife"
Sir Neville, in other words, with q
measure Of prescience, saw in the
Gestapo chief potentially the most
dangerous man In the Reich -.
Judgment which clearly seems to
be receiving strong confirmation
now.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1944-11-16
The Labor Outlook

IL the PRESIDENT accepts the reSig-
nations of three public members OF
the War Labor Board his first con-
sideration obviously will be to select
requirements or to set up some
other machinery to maintain labor
industry relations on 4 reasonably
even keel for the duration of the
war.
Chairman william H. Davis, Vice
Chairman George w. Taylor and
Public Member Frank p. Graham
have asked the President to relieve
them of their WLB duties. All of
these men have served on the board
since it's creation shortly after
Pearl Harbor. and their departure
would leave vacancies which could
not be easily filled. However, if the
President should prefer a minimum
change in the wartime regulatory
agencies dealing with labor prob
lens, qualified men would be avail
able to replace the outgoing public
members. AS an alternative to this,
OF course. Mr.. Roosevelt may incline
toward comprehensive reorgani-
cation OF the agencies dealing with
wartime labor questions. This
course would present number of
possibilities, and also would raise
many new problems. To a consid-
cradle extent. the War Labor Board
functions under provisions of the
War Labor Disputes Act, which re-
mains in effect until six months
after the end of the war and the
Wage Sterilization Act, which does
not expire until next June 30. The
limitations imposed by these laws
would have to be taken into &C
count, and entirely new legislation
might be deemed necessary. Then
there are other problems-the need
to meet complaints from both labor
and industry against the present
system, the working out of a suit
able device to replace the Little
Steel formula If that is to be aban-
doned, the minimizing of risks that
inevitably would accompany COM
prehensive shake-up of the regu-
latory machinery, etc.
These difficulties may persuade
the President to tamper as little as
possible with the existing mocha
nism, which, with all it's faults.
might have functioned great deal
less satisfactorily. But if there is
to be a general overhaul, it Is inn
portant to think in terms of post
war labor relations, even though
primary consideration must be given
to war-related problems.
When the fighting ends this coun-
try will have to make a decision
between retaining some measure of
Government supervision Of labor
disputes and a resumption of "free
collective bargaining" which might
easily lead to industrial chaos. It
would be futile. of course, at this
stage to set out any preconceived
ideas as to what should be done
and what should not be done in
this field after the war. Yet the
question will not be out of the minds
of forward-looking men in labor,
industry and Government. They
know that something will have to
be done to curb differences between
management and labor leading to
extensive strikes and lockouts dur
ing the postwar years if this country
is to take its rightful place in the
world. And if the answer is to be
found through a process of trial
and error. as seems likely, there is
much to be said for a considered
and cautious trial of the various
possibilities as the war goes into its
concluding stages.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1944-11-16
Very Big, Indeed

Prem the Memphis Commercial Apssal
"a. Qoebbels these days talks Ike /
man who knows he is such big liar
that &c cannot AFFORD to believe any.
thing ~ says.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1944-11-16
Thinks Security Unneeded

links Security Unneeded
To the Editor Of The Star:
If plenty of work and big wages are
going to be provided for everybody
after the war as both presidential can
didates proclaimed during the cam
paign, then why was it that they both
were so concerned about broadening
social security legislation after the war?
According to the impression I have,
social security was designed to tide
over during unemployment and GER
tainly ought not to be needed with
plenty of work and big wages prevail
ing. J. j. SPERRY.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1944-11-16
Regrets Churchill-Stalin Interest

Regrets Churchill-Stalin Interest
To tho Editor Of The Star:
Many Of the people who voted for
the fourth term on November have
had the temerity to suggest that the
election Of Mr.. Roosevelt was a wonder
full thing because Churchill and Stain
SO earnestly desired it.
The feelings of Churchill and Stain
In this matter are easily understood,
Most Of the intelligent people in the
United States were opposed to Mr..
Roosevelt for the same reasons that i'm
PEELED the Russians and the British to
tear their shirts for his reelection.
Churchill and Stain both are de-
voutly patriotic, and their patriotism is
highly commendable. But patriotism in
Russia cannot be translated into a
love for America, and every schoolboy
has heard Of Benedict Arnold.
Elaboration of this viewpoint would
be futile; the New Dealers never would
accept 1t, no matter how convincingly
1t might be presented; and for those of
us who love our country as Churchill
and Stain love theirs elaboration is not
necessary. ROBIERRE.
Comments on Federal Voters
To the Editor Of The Star:
l cannot agree with your analysis of
the significant Republican vote In the
outlying suburbs of Washington, D. c..
1 am Virginian by birth and have
been in the Government service in
Washington for IS years. My memory is
very fresh about the way the New Deal
in 1888 and up to the outbreak of the
war packed all Government ofiices with
employees who did not come in through
civil service, but through the personnel
offices Of the various bureaus through
letters from their political chiefs. I
saw these long lines in the Interior De-
partment, Public Works, etc.
AS time went by these new temporary
jobs became permanent. A magic wand
was waved over the temporary employees,
and they all became civil service en-
ployes and very civil service-minded
forevermore. Soon they began to de-
mand all the status and more salaries
than those who came into the Govern
ment years before through the front
door. Is
Now at this date they all feel securely
entrenched and safe in being independ-
ent about their voting.
From my personal experience and
close observation of these people and
politics, large percentage of people
VINO were New Dealers changed after
seeing the New Deal operate at close
range-and think the Republican vote
In the outlying suburbs proves this.
Most all Of these areas you mention in
your editorial Federal Voters" went
Democratic in 1940-and suspect that
you would md they went 20 in 1882.
Having worked in the midst of New
Dealers for the past 10 or II years, /
really feel qualified to pass on their in-
efnctency and demoralizing office ad-
ministration. G.. IN
To the Editor Of The star: S
Your editorial, entitled federal vot-
ers." published November o, was read
With great deal Of appreciation. You
We're obviously answering your own
columnist, Frank Kent For an other.
wise fair and accurate newspaper, which
seemingly always appreciates its great
obligation to the public, have always
Deem at loss to understand your publ
cation Of his writings. HALE BO0dS.
$50 e
A. \ - - s
Evening star., 1944-05-10
ltuIiun Prisoners

Ever since the Badoglio govern
ment became co-belligerent on the
side of our Allied forces, the status
of Italian war prisoners has been
more or less anomalous, but this will
be cleared up now by the joint Brit
ish and American plan permitting
them to volunteer as members of
special service units performing
noncombat duties against the COM
mon enemy. In fairness to the
many thousands of individuals in
volved and in recognition of Itaty'S
changed position. some such meas
ure has long been necessary, the
more SO because it has the addi-
tional virtue of promising to release
large numbers of our own troops for
combat assignments.
Under the new plan, as explained
by the War Department, the volun-
teers will take prescribed physical,
mental and loyalty tests and, upon
passing, will be placed in units
stated by commissioned and non
commissioned italian officers under
British and American command.