davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1944-04-06

terested, not only because great
numbers of American troops are in
the United Kingdom but because
similar wildcat strikes have plagued
our country as we'll and seem doubly
unjustified and inexplicable when
located in what amounts to a war
zone AS Ernest Bevin, British
Labor Minister, has declared, such
irresponsibility can do more harm
than a major Nazi bombing attack
destroying England's communica-
tions. Some day, perhaps, some
psychologist historian, analyzing
these reckless acts in democracy
acts decried by most leaders of
labor-will be able to tell us exactly
what it is that makes free men thus
abuse and endanger their freedom.
For the present, for want of a better
explanation, it must be written
down as a blind and lamentable lack
of self-discipline-the kind of con-
duct that can carry liberty so close
to anarchy that liberty itself even
tually dies.
Evening star., 1944-04-06

the expected invasion from the west,
the German general staff has been try
ing to get to a solid line to defend the
eastern and southern walls of the Eu-
ropean fortress with comparatively
small number of divisions.
The Carpathians and Bulgaria south
of the Danube appear strategically to
be the best positions available. Even If
the Rumanian oil fields have to be lost
in the event the Rumanian govern
ment surrenders-the Germans believe
they can hold the eastern front on a
line extending roughly from the Dvian
River to the Danube. They will resist
the Russian offensive in this area while
the best of their troops will be detailed
to fight the Allies in the west.
The German generals apparently fig
ure that the Russians, once resettled in
pre-1941 territory, will be less eager to
continue large-scale offensives because
they will be long way from their
supply centers.
But while the next few months will
witness bitter struggle between land
based Nazi forces against American
Evening star., 1944-04-06

f943, recently enacted and known as a
$4,000, ,000, 900 tax bill.
War expenditures show consider
able deviation also from the official
figures. The original January, 1943,
estimate for the 1914 fiscal year was
500, ,700, 900 900. While this was revised
downward to $92, 900 900 900 in October,
1943, and retained at the same amount
In the January, 1914, official estimate,
indications are that war outlays for the
current fiscal year will approximate
10000, ,000, 900.
There has been little change in non
war expenditures. Hence the net re-
suit is that the total excess of expenses
over receipts will be $19,600, 100000 less
than originally estimated. This is So
600, 100000 more than the $4,000, 900 900
OF additional taxes recommended by
President Roosevelt in his 1943 budget
message and $4,000, 100000 more than
the Treasury's tax proposal of 1943
amounting to $10,600, 100000. This has
been largely accomplished by $780,
100000 increase in receipts and So
100000 reduction In war expenses.
The withholding tax has brought in
about $500, 900 900 of the increase in
revenue, while renegotiation refunds
amount to about $4,000, 900 900, and
about $500 100000 comes from the new
revenue law recently passed.
It Is believed that the peak In war
expenditures has been reached and
while revenues might decline somewhat
the possibility is that this decline will
be offset by the reduction in war ex-
penses.
1t may be said that our financing of
the war Is proceeding better than antici-
pated and that the amount of taxes
Evening star., 1944-04-06
Flowers for Hospitals

Many residents of Metropolitan
Washington surely will be glM to
help the Red Cross in its effort to
obtain colorful flowers and plants
for the Identification of local and
nearby hospitals in which soldiers,
sailors and marines are under treat
ment. The need for such graceful
decoration of wards and corridors
otherwise barren of any touch of
natural loveliness must have i'm
pressed all who have visited sick or
wounded veterans. Similar endeav-
ors in other cities have been sue
cessful to notable degree, and the
Nations Capital certainly will not
fail it's boys in the sacred Easter
season.
The Gray Ladies are to have
charge of distributing the plants,
the Red Cross Camp and Hospital
Council Service is sponsoring the
solicitation and the Red Cross Motor
Corps will operate a transportation
system from the collection center at
Western Market, Twenty-first and X
streets NV, to the hospitals tomor-
row and Saturday.
Evening star., 1944-04-06
The Political Mill

sist upon his nomination, merely points
up Mr.. WILKES prediction.
Il y 4
With Mr.. Willkie out of the presi-
Dental picture, there remains a list of
potential nominees which includes Gov.
Bricker of Ohio, Gen. Douglas Mac
Arthur and Comdr Harold E. Stassen,
former Governor of Minnesota. Possibly
their supporters will increase their eff
forts to line up delegates for them. In
deed, that seems the likely course. But
the hand writing Is on the wall-and 1t
says Dewey"
With the great mass of Republican
leaders and organization workers op-
posed to denomination of MIR. Willkie,
his only chance was to show that he
had the support of the rank and file
voters. He picked Wisconsin for the
test. 1t was the claim of his friends
that the great mass of independent
voters, who are not closely affiliated
with either the Republican or the
Democratic party, would rush to his
standard. Wisconsin is known for it's
independent voters. One wing of the
Progressive party there, or its leaders,
was supposed to favor his nomination.
His opposition was divided three ways,
between Dewey, Macarthur and Stassen.
Yet the Willkie delegates ran behind
all the rest.
+
What happened to the Willkie sup
port which landed him the nomination
four years ago and gave him 22,3O0,O00
on election day? It was aIienated
In large part by Mr. WILKES own
tactics. Further, many Republicans de-
cllned to think of him further as
Republican.
But the Republican party owes Mr..
Willkie debt. 1t was he who took the
Evening star., 1944-04-06
Gould Lincoln

lead in the fight to wipe isolationism
from its banner. He demanded that the
party stand for international collabora-
ton after this war, for the maintenance
of peace. And that is the stand it has
now taken, in party pronouncements,
and will take when 1t writes its plat
form next summer. For this Mr.. Willkie
has fought steadfastly and collrageously
and he will continue to fight, even
though he has withdrawn from the
presidential race. Indeed, he may be in
position now to be more effective than
as candidate himself.
-
One mistake into which Mr.. Willkie
fell, and which has been repeated by the
Democrats, was that Mr.. Willkie alone
OF the Republican presidential possibil-
tiles really stood for international coll
liberation. The charge has been made
many times that Gov Dewey, for ex-
ample, is at bottom an isolationist. Mr..
Dewey's own speeches and statements
have given this the lie. He supported
the Mackinac Island foreign policy reso-
luton. He went so far as to declare he
would favor an alliance between the
United States and Great Britain, to
take in also Russia and China, after
the war. Mr.. Dewey has presented no
blueprint for foreign policy. But neither
has Mr.. Willkie or President Roosevelt.
1t. Comdr. Stassen has presented a
blueprint for International collabora-
ton. Gov. Bricker has said he supports
the Mackinac resolution.
Mr.. WILKES withdrawal from the
race may have one beneficial result for
the Republicans. 1t may lessen bitter
ness in the Republican preconvention
campaign, and so make for united
party. 1t was obvious that Mr.. Willkie
disliked many Republican leaders, and
they disliked him.
Evening star., 1944-04-06

lished base on the Island of Lissa,
which would represent an approach to-
ward Split from Southern Italy. From
Marshal Tito's communiques we learn
that Allied commandos and Partisan
forces have possessed themselves of the
Island Of Hvar and are fighting the
Germans on the islands of Sulet and
Brac. The three last named islands
cover the direct approaches to Split.
Lately Allied air attacks have been di-
rected against the railroad running
down from the north to Split, which
would be the main German supply line
for their garrison in the town. We have
also bombed rail and road communica-
tions running directly inland from Split.
X \, +
The central stronghold of Marshal
Tito's power lies in the mountainous
area south and southwest Of Jajce-
roughly go miles northeast OF Split. This
Evening star., 1944-04-06
Constantine Bro1Vn

in the Indian Ocean, because Sinea-
pore was closer to oil supplies, or wheth-
er the Japs intended, all along, to start
an offensive against India.
The reported presence OF large mum.
ber of barges in the area might indicate
Japanese offensive plans. So might
the reported concentrations Of men and
ships in the Andsman Islands in the
Gull OF Bengal. It Is assumed that the
approach Of the monsoon season will
be as much Of handicap to the enemy
as 1t Is to us. Heretofore, important
military operations under torrential
rains have been considered impossible.
There still are few weeks before
the monsoons start and 1t Is possible
that the Japanese viii attempt to util-
ize the time to the best advantage and,
while the British are engaged In Mani
pur Province, q Japanese surprise land
ing may be attempted in the Cult of
Bengal between Madras and Calcutta.
The British and American air forces
in India, however, are mofe powerful
than the Japanese and many military
observers believe such q landing attempt
would be crushed by Allied aerial power.
Nevertheless, the japanese have never
hesitated to take risks when they prom
ised good dividends.
The operation In India may develop
on dangerously large scale II the
native restlessness Is transferred in
to a general rebellion. British ex-
perts on India, however, discard this
possibility; it has never happened be-
fore and the British say the Indians
are not sufficiently homogeneous to
enable the enemy propaganda to cause
a mass insurrectiorl.
AT the same time, a continued Japa-
nese penetration Of Indian soil and
reinforcement of their military estab-
lishments in the Indian Ocean may
necessitate substantial increase in the
number of the British metropolitan
troops in that area.
Evening star., 1944-04-06
Complains About Movie Prices
To the Editor Of The Star:

To the Editor Of The Star:
cheerfulIy will pay the necessary
Government-imposed tax on admissions
to the movies, but strenuously oppose the
additional unconscionable tax levied by
our private interests.
At neighborhood movies, with an after
noon base rate Of Is cents, the Govern
ment first imposed tax Of 8 cents and
the theaters dutifully followed with a
tax OF cents. This tax now is doubled
both by the Government and the private
interests. In due time the Government
tax will be removed, but it is doubtful
whether the too-easy public will benefit.
Just another sizable peeve. When a
movie comes along bit above the ordi-
nary, up goes the price. OF course, that
policy never is permitted to work in
reverse. Many B picture masquerades
as an product, but can any one in
dicate just when and where the adrnis-
sion price has been reduced even a frac-
ton of cent?
Our movie interests seemingly are not
at all satisfied with greatly increased
patronage all over the country, but in
the past few years have been boosting
their prices, without anything in the
nature Of legitimate reason.
SAML. SALOMAN.
Evening star., 1944-04-06
Strikes in Britain

It is hard to understand the kind
Of thinking responsible for the wild
cat strikes now sweeping the United
Kingdom. Perhaps there is no
thinking behind them at all. Per-
haps they reflect a hysteria of sorts
or some perverse emotional reaction
to the strain of life in a world that
has been long at war. But what
ever the explanation, there can be
no doubt that they are wholly and
even dangerously out of keeping
with the stern realities of the hour
with the great and portentous
fact that soon, from the very islands
where these disturbances are taking
place, mighty British and American
armies may be launched upon the
most fateful military undertaking in
history.
In Belfast, despite this fact, 10000
men have not heSitated to leave
their jobs in shipyards, aircraft
plants, munitions works and the
water front, their chief grievance
being the governments refusal to
release five individuals sentenced to
short prison terms for Illegally
striking. Similarly, in the York
shire coal mines, some 10000 remain
idle. protesting a minor pay detail
and ignoring the appeals of their
union leaders to return to work, In
numbers, all this may be small, but
proportionately and from the stand
point of the United Kingdoms
uniquely important strategic posi-
ton and the British peoples physical
closeness to the actual theater of
combat, 1t seems worse than the
worst wartime labor dispute yet ex-
perienced in America, the more so
because the most critical and de-
cisive events in the struggle against
Hitler are in the making and because
now, as never before, our Allied
battle forces need the all-out, un-
tagging support of our Allied home
fronts.
How the British government will
handle this situation is the business
of the British alone. We can be
pretty sure 1t will be taken care of
in one way or another. Meanwhile,
Americans cannot help being In
Evening star., 1944-04-06
Letters to The Star
Criticizes Private Interests for
Slum Clearance Activity.
To the Editor of The Star:

To the Editor of The Star:
have been following your articles on
slum clearance for the city of Washing
ton with great interest. l think The
Star on the whole has given very fair
interpretations of this situation and the
many proposals now before Senator
Burton's committee.
The Senator has manifested patience
and ability to preside over various
groups, many of them rather vehement
In their protests, while others have at
tempted to high-preSsure and initiate
their own programs on "blighted areas"
Washington at the moment is the
"no-man's-land" for a colossal blitz-
kreig on all public housing. The tactics
are easily defined by the actions of their
chief exponent, Herbert Nelson, execu-
tive vice president of the National As
soclatlon of Real Estate Boards, who
represents the Nations realtor interests
on 'the Hill"
just now Washington is the No. l
guinea pig in housing. If the pattern
OF working through civic realty sub
DIVISION groups works here, it will
sweep across the country If the mort
gage bankers join forces with the local
real estate board in the fight on all
public housing, they will do the same
IN other cities. They calculate the pat
tern ultimately will abolish all publicly
nnanced housing In this instance.
these businessmen have grabbed. the
ldea OF working for civic betterment
TO achieve their ends. Hence. they now
crusade for the slum-clearance program
Tor Washington in glowing terms.
PrlVate interests have held full swav
IN these "blighted areas" for many
years, and theyshave not done an en-
tlrely creditable job. In many in
stances, exhorbitant rental fees have
peen charged for two and three room
dwellings in tumbledown buildings
minus decent plumbing equipment. One
wonders what suddenly has stimulated
thelr apparent civic interest. Why have
they been so long getting around to
the 1oea OF cleaning up and doing what
was thelr own job? There can be only
one answer: There is big money in
the slum-clearance contract and, by
obtaining this contract and getting an
appropriation Of taxpayers money from
Congress, these big businessmen now
propose to build our cities and clear
our slums.
WIZ Sucn a program as set forth
by private builders insure decent living
for lower-income people? Will it in
sure people with wavering income in
postwar unemployment reasonable. re-
spectacle housing-not on any rent
certificate basis? Does it guarantee the
Negro people housing that is conven-
iently located and not showed out to
the sticks where they will need long
streetcar trips to get to and from their
work?
1t is to be hoped that Senator Burton
will realize that any decision that his
committee makes on this matter will be
regarded carefully by all.
FRANK G. sTARBECK, Jr.
Evening star., 1944-04-06

words, the, excess of expenditures will
be lessened by that big sum.
The foregoing figures are derived by
expert analysis from study of the
way the revenues are coming in and
from the rate at which expenditures are
being made. Official estimates have
consistently overestimated expenses and
underestimate revenues.
X X X
The budget receipts for the current
fiscal year were estimated in January,
1943, as likely to be $33, 800 000,000 and
while there was revised official esti-
mate in July, 1943 after the enactment
of the Current Tax Payment Act of
1s43, the estimate was officially revised
again in January, 1914, and placed at
$41, 200 100000 in the current 1914
budget. Now it turns out the collections
will be about $43, ,3o0, 900 900, of which
only $500, ,000, 900 will be received in this
fiscal year from the Revenue Act of
Evening star., 1944-04-06
Report on GuIIinqer

The Holman subcommittee which
investigated Gallinger Hospital and
the committee of three physicians
which made an investigation at the
request of Commissioner Mason
reached conclusions as to conditions
In the psychopathic department
which in some respects are not far
apart.
The contrast between the reports
lies in the method of investigation
and the determination of underlying
causes. The Holman subcommittee's
investigation was superficial leaned
toward SensationaliSm and headline
hunting and put the blame on few
individuals.
The committee of doctors, headed
by DR.. Winfred Overholser of st.
Elizabeth's, found that the buildings
housing the psychopathic wards
were improperly designed, that there
was no evidence Of professional neg
lect, but that five doctors were doing
the work Of eight and less than
forty attendants are available for
duties requiring, by sound standards,
eighty or more. eve marvel that
they do so WELL" said the investiga-
tors. The "penurious standards"
under which the hospital has been
operating invited tragic accidents
which have been avoided only by
luck and hard work. "The entire
personnel deserve commendation.
Money, time and a sympathetic
understanding are the great needs"
While the poverty Of the place is
conspicuous" it is, considering per-
sonnel shortages, clean and soap
and water are not spared"
The Holman committee investiga-
ton disregarded expert testimony.
It deliberately refused to take note
of the unselfish work, under extraor-
dinary difficulties, of the hospital
personnel. It lodged the truth that
the doctors committee emphasized
the deplorable atmosphere of
poverty" which is the result of a
sustained lack OF adequate appro-
priations, resulting in general ac-
ceptance, as unavoidable, of condi-
tions at the hospital.
What has been found by the
doctors to be true about Gallinger
applies to other institutions in the
District, suffering from a starvation
diet over the years under practice
which has seen the Federal payment
steadily reduced in proportion to the
growing needs of a swollen popula-
ton. Until that policy is supplanted
by a more generous and understand
Ing willingness on the part of the
exclusively controlling Congress to
share Federal City expenses, there
Is no real hope of any immediate
reforms at Gallinger or in any other
municipal institution.
Evening star., 1944-04-06
Strikers, Politicians Condemned.
To the Editor of The Star.

~ AnSA % OilllSIdilS AO1lOe1nnGQ.
To the Editor of The Star:
There are two kinds of governments
by which men and nations are ruled in
the world today: Government by the
people or rule by one man.
Loudly, vociferously, on the Fourth
OF July, Armistice Day or other occa-
sion suitable for table humping, do we
proclaim our fealty to that Government
for which the revolutionary fathers
fought and died, and which Lincoln
prayed would not perish from the earth.
What are the facts?
Well, in this climactic year of 1914
the year that probably will test the
right OF any popular government to sur
WE'VE have the following: Steel oper-
ators in the Pittsburgh district hope
to persuade" the strikers to return to
work. (Steel, the most essential indus
try for backing the boys who are fight
Ing and dying for our war in foreign
landsD
Inc special Interagency Deferment
Committee is unable to agree on who
or what class are to be deferred.
Congress is in vacation. (They prefer
to call it Easter recess") It affords
opportunity, of course, to talk things
over with those (of voting age) back
home.
Strikes, as usual. Politics, as usual.
Disagreement, as usual.
What is it going to take to wake us
up to the fact that war is what Sher-
man said it was? Another Pearl Har-
Dor? Casino? Perhaps a national serv-
ice act might help.
WILBUR H. CLOSE.
Evening star., 1944-04-06

remained or did not remain in the race.
From the moment it became known
that Mr.. WILKES delegate candidates
in Wisconsin's primary had suffered a
devastating defeat at the hands of the
voters, the jig was up. Following as
it did on the heels of Mr.. WILKES fail
ure to capture a large percentage of
the New Hampshire delegation-in ter
ritory believed to be strongly pro-Will-
kie-the Wisconsin result said in plain
English that he could not be nominated.
Mr.. Willkie, during his two weeks
campaign in Wisconsin, repeatedly de-
clared that upon the result of the pri-
mary there would depend the Repub-
ican presidential nomination. The over
whelming support which the voters gave
to Gov. Dewey-although he has de-
clared himself no candidate again and
again-plus the evident determination
of Republicans in other States to in
Evening star., 1944-04-06
Maj. George Fielding Eliot

area is connected with Split by high
way on which the Germans hold two or
three places, notably SIM and Livno.
SIM has recently been visited by Allied
bombers and Is under attack by Marshal
Tito's ground forces.
What this seems to add up to is a
plan to clear the island approaches to
Split from the sea and to open the road
from the Jajce area to Split and then
make combined attack on Split itself,
If this plan could actually be carried
out, Tito would have both seaport
and road connecting it with his main
centers OF power, and thus could be
directly supplied and reinforced from
Southern Italy. In that case he would
become very much greater threat to
the German garrisons and supply lines
in the Balkan peninsula than he is now.
Moreover such an accomplishment
could not fail to have a profound moral
and political effect throughout the Bal
kans, and especially might serve as a
further encouragement to those clements
in Bulgaria which are trying to pull that
country away from the German alliance.
In fact, such an improvement in the
Partisan position might compel the Ger
man high command to make another
one of those painful decisions with
which they have so frequently been con-
fronted of late-either to withdraw from
exposed positions or send more troops
from their rapidly dwindling reservoir
of reserve. So far, these decisions have
generally been in favor of sending in
more troops and hanging on; but that
Is a process which cannot go on for
ever. and which, as we have just seen
on the south Russian front, may carry
with 1t heavy penalties. In Yugoslavia,