davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1945-01-23

The stage already is being set for
test Of political strength between Dem
ocrats and Republicans-through the
deaths OF Democratic Senator in Con-
necticut and Democratic Representa-
tive in Montana. And, early as it is
after the 1914 congressional elections.
the results in these two States will be
scanned as a possible straw in the wind
for the 1916 elections
In Connecticut, where the sudden
death of Senator Maloney, Democrat,
ha screated vacancy in the Upper
House, the Governor has no authority
to appoint Senator temporarily Either
the State Legislature must by law give
him that authority or a special election
must be called by the Governor-a Re-
publican. II an election is to be held,
1t may be postponed for from four to
six months. The attorney general of
the State ruled that, because of the
States soldier voting law, vacancy for
probate judge could not be held for
four months. The Legislature Is divided
politically with the Republicans having
a majority in the House and the Dem
ocrats majority in the Senate Since
Gov. Baldwin would have the appoint
ment-if a law were passed the Demo-
Gratis might defeat such a proposal in
the State Senate.
The Republicans, if it comes to
special election, may have chance of
winning the senatorial race in Con-
necticut. In the first place, there will
be no Roosevelt on the Democratic
ticket. no question of re-electing Com
mander in Chief. The President car
ried the State against Gov Thomas E.
Dewey by 5000 in total vote of 832,-
900. At the same time Gov Baldwin
was reelected by good margin. Fur
ther, in by-elections and city elections
in Connecticut last year the Republi-
cans did well.
Whom the Republicans will nominate
for the Senate is still uncertain. A
drive has been started for Representa-
tive Glare Boothe Luce, who won re-
election handily in a tough fight last
November, despite the concentrated ef-
forts of Democrats and the CIO-PAC
to defeat her Mrs. Luce would be a
glamorous addition to the Senate-and
if elected. the first Republican woman
ever to sit in the United States Senate
Former Senator Danaher, Republican.
who was defeated for reelection last
year, may make bid for the nomina-
ton, and also Harold E. Mitchell, Re
Evening star., 1945-01-23
Jupun Bottens Down

The ALLEGATION of funds equivalent
in value to nearly half a billion dol
lars for construction of underground
shelters to house government Offices
and other key installations indicates
the gravity with which our growing
air raids are regarded in Japan. But
this new construction program is
merely the material phase of wave
of perturbation that is sweeping
Japan and may produce a political
crisis of profound significance.
This incipient crisis is likely to
come to head during the next ses-
sion of the Japanese Diet, which
convenes today. Although Parlia-
ment has long since ceased to rep
resent even the modicum of popular
expression permitted under the Jap
anese political system as it existed
before the veiled military dictator
ship imposed during the past dec
ade, it is still useful symbol for
the registering of changes decreed
by the warlords who dominate be-
hind the scenes.
Thus far they have preferred to
operate behind parliamentary fic-
ton embodied in a cabinet stated
by their creatures, who, when dis
credited by the course of events,
could be sacrificed without involving
their principals in loss of face"
That was what happened last sum-
mer when Premier TOTO was forced
to resign in consequence of our first
notable victories in the Pacific. A
similar fate now appears likely for
his successor, Kuniaki Koiso, Japan's
second wartime Premier. In what
looks like an attempt to avert his
displacement, Koiso recently pro-
posed a viewpoint" program de-
signed to intensity Japan's war ef-
fort, but the indications are that
Evening star., 1945-01-23
Letters to The Star
ODT Director Explains Need for
Travel Reduction

To the Editor Of The Star
Your recent splendid editorial on the
travel situation was most helpful in call
ing attention to one of today's most
critical problems transporta-
tion.
Our armies now waging two gigantic
wars. on two widely separated fronts,
need men and materials in tremendous
quantities If they are to win. Desper-
ately needed tools of victory must be
transported with speed and dispatch not
only overseas from both the East and
West Coast, but also over long distances
within the borders of our own country.
The strain on transportation has been
accelerating at frightening rate. More
than trillion ton-miles Of freight now
are being carried by American trans
portation, and railroads alone have in
creased passenger miles from 42,676, ,000,-
600 in 1918 and 22,651 900 900 in 1899, the
year the European war started, to more
than $4,000. 100000 in 1914. The most
amazing part of this performance is that
the railroad transportation job is being
done with just about 80 per cent less
equipment than was available duringthe
last war
The horse racing and convention ban
undoubtedly will help in easing the situ-
alton. But the big job of convincing the
general public that wartime travel is to
be avoided still remains. While the
public has responded rather generously
to our request in the past, the situation
now and for the near future remains so
critical that sharp reduction of travel
is necessary.
The big job ahead of us in this direc-
ton is to convince people that our don't
travel" requests mean you" Many of
the complaints that we receive about
crowded conditions, inconvenience, de-
lays, etc. are from people who would
hnd it very difficult to explain the abso-
lutte essentially of the trips they them
selves were making. 1t is so easy for
most of us to find reasonable excuses
for trips, but If each one of us asks him
self, How would the canceling of my
proposed trip adversely affect the win
ming Of the WARP" it is my belief that
travel would be so reduced that our
problem would be solved
j.. M. JOHNSON,
Director, Once Of Defense Trans
portation.
Evening star., 1945-01-23
This Changing World
BY Constantine BrOiOn

The Russian steamroller continues
to move ahead unchecked as the
Germans retreat as fast as available
means permit. The bulk of Western
Poland has been liberated while the
Red armies have made important
penetrations in Southern East Prussia
and Silesia
Military observers who, however are
not judging the military situation by
the thousands of localities which have
been occupied, point out that it would
be premature to talk about the defeat
of the Germans in the east or about
the disintegration of the German forces.
For the time being 1t appears to
them that the enemy is retreating In
an orderly fashion. This is particularly
obvious from the small number of
prisoners reported to have been cap
tured in the Russian communicates.
only $4,000, Germans have been taken
in IL days of fighting on a 7OO-mile
front extending from the Carpathians
to the Baltic Sea- Considering the
size of forces involved and the speed
Of the Red army's advance, <fis is a
very low figure, and shows that the
Germans have not been routed.
II
When the American and British
forces broke through the Atlantic Wall
last June about 10000 prisoners were
captured in the first II days, while on
July 7, month after D-day, Field
Marshal Montgomery announced that
no fewer than $4,000 Germans had
fallen in the hands of the Allies.
The Germans offered very stubborn
resistance to the Americana British
forces and during the first few weeks
of the Normandy invasion they intend
ed to dispute every inch of French
territory.
The deductions made in military
quarters from the fact that on front
much larger than the size of that on
the Atlantic coast only $4,000 men
have been taken after II days of fight
ing Is that the German high command
has ordered the bulk of the forces to
withdraw and create as much of a
vacuum as possible between them and
the Russians
Evening star., 1945-01-23
District Court Chunqes

In nominating Justice Bolitha j.
Laws to become chief Justice of the
District Court, President Roosevelt
has made a selection which will be
warmly indorSed by every one who
knows Justice Laws or who is even
casually acquainted with his work on
the bench.
A native of the District, Justice
Laws has taken an active part in
community affairs and in the Dis
trict Bar Association, of which he
is a former president. In six years
on the bench he has demonstrated
unusual ability and was especially
active in working out the pretrial
procedures which have contributed
Importantly to expediting litigation.
AS measure of his attitude toward
the solemn responsibility which a
man assumes when he takes place
on the bench, the following excerpt
from his decision in the Warning
jury fixing case is relevant: 1T is
the solemn duty of the judges and
lawyers who are part of the courts
- to demand that rugged honesty
shall be maintained by all engaged
in deciding disputed issues. If the
time comes when confidence in the
administration of justice is lost,
when the litigants despair of fair
trial in their tribunals, we shall con-
front one of the gravest menaces
which might affect our community,
even our country" With Justice Laws,
that is a doctrine to be practiced as
well as preached, and with the con-
currence and cooperation which he
unquestionably will receive from his
associates on the court, he may con-
fdently be expected to render con-
tinued distinguished service in his
now post.
In addition to the nomination of
the new chief justice. the President
also sent to the Senate the name of
Judge Nathan R. Margold of the
Municipal Court to fill the vacancy
created on the District Court by the
death of Chief Justice Eicher.
Although Judge Margold was
named to the Municipal Court a
little more than two years ago, he is
not widely known in Washington,
his previous service here having been
as solicitor of the Interior Depart
ment Prior to his appointment to
the Interior post in 1888, he had
taught law at Harvard and had
practiced in New York He is a
protege of Secretary Ickes and that,
more than any established reputa-
ton for judicial ability, seems to
account for his elevation to the Dis
trict Court. If confirmed he will
still have to convince local prac-
titioners of his equipment for the
heavier responsibilities of the new
post
Evening star., 1945-01-23
Eighty Per Cent Successful

Only about six thousand dollars
remain to be raised in order to assure
the purchase of the land for the
Cleveland Park area branch of the
Washington Public Library A meet
ing of members of the committee
sponsoring the project last night
brought out the fact that a number
of individuals and organizations
have promised help-and not yet
sent in their checks OF course, it
is hoped that these friends of the
effort now may be heard from.
The committee also learned that
there still are some residents of the
community who have not been
solicited. Included among those to
whom no special invitation hitherto
has been extended are many families
whose sons and daughters are over
seas and whose names for that rea-
son eventually will be listed in the
roster of Army, Navy and Marine
Corps personnel which will be en-
shrined in the new library building.
These family groups particularly are
asked to contribute as their means
permit.
With approximately four-fifths Of
the necessary total already in hand,
it ought not to be difficult to obtain
the rest of the money wanted. There
no longer is any question of the
project failing. 1t is 80 per cent
successful at the present moment.
But the library hearings at the Capt.
tol soon are to begin, and it there
fore very much is to be desired that
the fund should be completed
promptly. If the community will
regard the matter as a subject for
emergency consideration, the result
should be both gratifying and
conclusive.
Evening star., 1945-01-23

The Russian penetration of the
sacred soil Of the Reich which Hitler
has told his fellow citizens would never
be invaded by the Russian hordes" has
undoubtedly caused 4 deep impression
throughout the Reich. But for the time
being the German home front Is still
holding and Is not likely to break unless
the Wehrmacht suffers an overwhelm-
ing defeat In the near future.
And this cannot happen unless the
German high command is compelled to
engage the bulk of its forces in series
of major battles. The strategy Of the
German propaganda machine Of telling
the whole truth to its people and paint
ing the blackest possible picture Of the
situation in the east Is aimed at tough
ening the resistance Of the population
which is directly menaced by the steam
roller of our ally.
In the meantime, according to reports
from the front, the Germans are rush.
ing further reinforcements to the east.
Since the middle OF November the
Germans have been withdrawing troops
from Norway While the exact figure is
not known, 1t Is believed that at least
six and possibly eight divisions including
Elite Corps, have been moved to Eastern
Germany. According to other reports,
some troops who had been identified a
few weeks ago in the west are now to be
found on the eastern front.
The stalemate in italy also may enable
the German high command to with
draw a substantial number of troops
from that sector. If the need for man
power In the other main theaters of
operation becomes very great it is not
unlikely that Field Marshal Albert
Kesselring will be ordered to guard the
approaches to the Reich from the south
with only few divisions placed in the
Alps and bring the bulk of his forces
either to the Siegfried or the Todt lines.
Weather conditions in Italy are now
favorable for such a manuever and the
Allied high command would not be sur
prised to hear that the Germans are
pulling out of Northern Italy under
protection OF strong rear guards formed
by Italian troops trained in the Reich
and assisted by few German divisions
Evening star., 1945-01-23
Fire Of Pine

Who burns these spiny cracking timber
cones
And resinous boughs against an epe-
ninD's cold,
Burns more than pine: q seasons
memories
Are captured in this fre's core OF
gold.
Sweet punoent smoke and hungry or
dnge flame
Are more than IRE In the crate this
night,
For here the heart looks in the burning
b0ughs
And sees gone summer in this singing
light.
A Lost bright time that might hare been,
A phrase remembered tn an instanfs
fash;
But last sparks die, the heart turns
tcedrilv afray,
The crimson ennbers fdH to posoderv
blue ash.
FREDERICK EpRIo1T.
Evening star., 1945-01-23
The Russian Offensive
By Maj. George Fielding Eliot

The Russian winter offensive is now
beginning to strike pay dirt.
The preliminaries are over, and the
reduction of the all-important German
flank positions in East Prussia and
Prussian Silesia is in progress. If these
thanking bastions give way. the state
of the German armies in the east and
of Germany itself will be a desperate
one.
1t will be recalled by readers of these
articles that the original German plan
for their eastern defense was based on
the possession of two great flanking
fortress natural fortress of
East Prussia and the U-shaped ram
part of the Carpathian Mountains.
The Russians, unable to carry East
Prussia by assault in August and un-
willing to fight in that unfavorable
terrain during the ''soft" months of
autumn. did not make the cardinal
error of trying to drive in between
the two bastions in those soft months
when the Polish plains become a
quagmire, devoid of hard-surfaced roads
Instead they undertook the weary
task of outflanking the Carpathians
and penetrating into the Hungarian
p1dnl. A1l1S 1lAldiAy lCoultCu al OldW-
ing off considerable German forces to
the Middle Danube for the defense Of
the approaches to Vienna and to
Prussian Silesia from the south.
X X ~
Then the Russians launched their
major offensive, with concentrated at
tacks against East Prussia and deep
penetration of the lightly defended
Polish plain south OF East Prussia
which has brought them right up to
the frontier Of Prussian Silesia on the
north and east. It is now becoming
apparent that at the fringes of the in
dustrial district of Silesia, the Germans
have created new southern bastion
for their front, for the Russian adj
vance has been temporarily checked
along this line
But the new Silesian bastion- is
neither as large nor as formidable in
natural strength as that of East Prus-
sia. The right wing of Marshal Konev's
army group, tapping round the initial
front Of German resistance, has driven
into German territory and is reported
only Is miles distant from the rail-
way center of Oppeln, which controls
the main railway lines connecting the
mines and industries Of Silesia with
the remainder Of the Reich. II Oppeln
falls to the Russians. the Silesian In
dustrial area becomes useless to Ger
many save as Its production can be
used In its own defense.
Meanwhile, to the north. the reduction
Evening star., 1945-01-23

OF East Prussia is going ahead with
considerable rapidity The fortress of
Insterburg, exposed by the preaching
OF the Niemen River line at Tilsit. has
fallen to Marshal Cherniakovsky. Mean
while, Marshal kossovsky-apparently
in tremendous strengths we'll over
the southern frontier of East Prussia
and the news that the great fortress
OF Allenstein has fallen comes as these
words are being written.
Allenstein is the key fortress defend
ing the approaches to Konigsberg from
the south, just as -Insterburg Is on
the east. 1t is. therefore, hardly too
soon to say that the German defense on
East Prussia has collapsed.
Should the industrial district Of South
eastern SileSia be likewise cut of by
the capture of Oppeln, surrounded and
overrun, the Germans have little choice
save to fall back to the Oder, or per-
haps to some prepared defensive line
east of that stream.
Their eastern defense was, as already
pointed out, based on holding thanking
positions from which q powerful coun-
terattack could be directed against q
penetrating Russian force at an appro-
pirate moment. No doubt the Germans
counted on Russian supply difficulties,
increasing as the Russians pushed west
ward across the Polish plains, to slow
the Russian momentum. and 30 bring
about the classic opportunity for q
countereffort.
But if any German co1nteroffensive
is to make its appearance, 1t will have
to come very soon. Probably 1t cannot
come soon enough to save East Prussia:
whether it can come soon enough to
save the Silesian industrial area is
becoming more doubtful with every
hour that passes.
Once more, therefore, the German
high command must draw upon its
dwindling reserves -of manpower: once
more it must reshufie its allotments to
its several fronts, and make one more
desperate effort to stave of the day of
reckoning toward which it is being SO
inexorably driven.
fCopyright, I945)
Evening star., 1945-01-23
Mr.. Jones Wos Riqht

There seems to be disposition
at the White House to diSapprove
the action of Jesse Jones in making
public the extraordinary exchange
of letters between the President and
himself. The thought is, apparently,
that Mr.. Jones should have kept
quiet about the political deal in
which he was to be supplanted by
Henry A. Wallace. Then, by the
simple expedient of filing the letters
away-and it was not planned to
release them-the White House
could have kept the public from
learning of the unadmirable politi-
cal motives behind this cabinet
Shake-up.
AS the larger aspects of the affair
come to public attention, however,
it is perfectly evident that it was
not only the right but the duty of
Mr.. Jones to force showdown. For
there is more at stake in this matter
than the reduction of high public
office to the level of political prizes.
There is more involved than the
choice of man as Secretary of
Commerce who is a self-styled foe
of many important business inter-
eSts. These things, important
though they are, are of less conse-
quence than the question whether
Mr.. Wallace is the proper person
to determine the future policies of
the far-fung and powerful Federal
lending agencies. This has nothing
to do with the integrity of Mr.. Wal
lace, which is not challenged by
any one. The sole question, is
whether, by temperament, training
and philosophy, he is qualified for
such a post, and there is a great
deal of evidence to support the be-
lief that he is not qualified.
These lending agencies now con-
troll from thirty to forty billion dol
lars. The man who directs them is
virtually beyond the control of
Congress, which created them. but
which never dreamed they would be
turned over to a man of Mr.. WAL
lace's views. Once in charge of these
agencies, Mr.. Wallace would have
what amounts almost to a. power of
life or death over American business,
and it has been made clear that he
sought the position because he
wanted this power. How he would
exercise that power is a matter Of
opinion. In the statement which he
issued in connection with the an
nouncement of his nomination, Mr..
Wallace outlined program from
which no one would dissent. and he
spoke without disapproval Of private
business. But the effect Of this is
greatly weakened by his past utter
ances, in which Mr.. Wallace has
appeared neither as businessman
nor as friend of private industry
in the accepted sense.
The apprehensions in Congress are
clearly reflected in the move by
Senator George to divorce the lend
ing agencies from the Commerce
Department before confirming Mr..
Wallace in the cabinet post. The
feasibility of such an effort, espe-
cially in view of the danger of a
presidential veto. remains to be de-
termined. There is also doubt that
Mr.. Wallace would want the Com
merce post without the power over
American business which accom-
panies control of the lending
agencies. The fact that this doubt
exists, however, is one important
reason why this badly handled affair
deserved to be brought into the open
where it can receive the searching
examination that it so obviously
requires.
Evening star., 1945-01-23
RuroI Accident
m the Arlington (Minn.) Enterpris

From the Arlington tMinn) Enterprise.
Andrew Roine, War Bond Chairman,
first to 60 over the top in his area.
worked hard to sell his bonds, but it
didn't take one of his cows long to eat
up 500 one. With the bond In his
pocket for delivery to neighbor, Roine
stopped to feed calf in his barn and
while STOPPING over the COW gobbled
up the bond In quick order He was
able to save just small corner which
hs is sanding to Warrington for re-
naaooment.
Evening star., 1945-01-23
Menus Without Teors
By David Laurence

From the Christian Science Monitor.
Word comes from Paris that restau-
rant menus there may soon be printed
in English as well as in French, so that
American and British GIs can read
them. The idea augurs well for the
future,
Evening star., 1945-01-23
Very Surprising!

From the sprinsneld Republican.
II American citizens can be expelled
from the State Of California BY military
order, in war emergency, solely because
Of their ancestral connections, II win Be
surprising II the supreme Court rules IN
favor q A2ntsomsry Ward.
Evening star., 1945-01-23
Wants Normal Time

To the Editor OF The Star
One way to save electricity would be
to put the Government back on stand
ard time. We were taken of to save
electricity. 1t does exactly the opposite.
We get up an hour earlier, thereby hav-
ing to use more Juice and we stay up
just as long as we did before. So where
is the saving?
Any one knows that an hours con-
sumption of electricity by the American
public amounts to huge amount, and
people simply will not 60 to bed any
earlier. So let's do away with this fool
ish idea which only wastes electricity;
and, incidentally, we will have fewer
accidents on the streets.
What do you think, folks? rs you is,
or Is you aint" in favor of this?
BESSIE /. KOEHL.
Evening star., 1945-01-23
Compliments Rabbi Metz

Compliments Rabbi Metz
To the Editor Of The STAR
1t is with much gratitude and great
appreciation, that I am writing to you
to thank you for publishing the article
Il Shall Not Die" by Rabbi Solomon
H. Metz
In this war torn and chaotic world,
full of death and destruction, it is good
to be buoyed up by thoughts that afford
us spiritual comfort.
MRS. HENRY oXENBURG.