davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1946-12-25
No. Virqiniu
From the st. Louis Post-Dispatch.


We get the principle, all right on
which a 5-year-old socked Santa Claus
in the jaw in New Britain Conn de-
partment store. Well" the youngster
said. che didn't bring me the bicycle he
promised me last year" We even accept
the principle. which is, evidently, that
promises are meant to be kept At the
same time there are extenuating circum-
stances which the youngsters ought to
bear in mind.
Life hasn't been all icebergs and sleigh
bells for Santa Claus these last few
years. Conditions at the North Pole
have been-let us face it-occasionally
unidyllic. Full employment was fine
objective which Santa set for himself,
but what with certain differences of
opinion in various parts of the world, it
didn't quite come off. With wars. peace
conferences normalcy, presidential CAM
paigning and other. frontier incidents
taking up so much of the supplies, he
1--WE can all join in on the chorus)
couldn't get the materials. And not even
Santa, for all his good intentions and
all his legerdemain. can make little red
wagon out of piece of board that Is
currently in use as a shillelagh.
But Santas good intentions were still
big enough to embrace all children
everywhere, and if he said he was going
to bring a bicycle, he really meant to.
If he failed to keep his promise, it was
due to conditions beyond his control.
Yes, Virginia, there is Santa Claus,
and this year there are even bicycles.
But no, Virginia, do not sock him be-
cause North Polar schedules, like South
Polar schedules and those of all inter-
vening horizons. have had recently to
be subject to change without notice.
Santa's best may have been disappoint-
ing on occasion, but he has done it. and
we wish We, could say as much for the
rest of U.S.
Evening star., 1946-12-25
This Changing World
By Constantine Brown

But when representatives Of the
Athens government begin talking about
"enlarging" Greek territories-a matter
of little import to population which
thinks chiefly in terms Of food and
clothing-the situation changes radi-
cally.
The American Government is anxious
to see an end to the incursions of guer-
rilla bands from Yugoslavia, Bulgaria
and Albania. 1t persuaded the Security
Council to senda commission to investi-
gate the situation on the spot and hopes
Moscow will order Marshal Tito to cease
his warlike activities, which endanger
Greek sovereignty. If order can be re-
established in that War-torn country a
great victory will have been gained for
the cause Of peace. But to take up the
cudgels for enlargement of present
Greek territory would stir up such q
tornado in the Balkans that it would
be impossible to avoid another war.
\ X
The question of the legitimacy of
Greek territorial claims is not even dis
cussed. Greece may have valid histori-
cal or strategic claims to portions Of
Albania and Bulgaria. Many wars have
been 1ougnt because OF the demands 1or
border rectifications in the Balkan racial
hodgepodge. That matter is entirely be-
side the point.
American policy is to prevent any new
outbreaks in the hope that future con-
flicts will be settled in the newborn U. N.
America is making every conceivable ef-
fort to give this organization life, but it
cannot succeed in an atmosphere Of
hostility.
This Government is determined to re-
fuse support to individual nations max
ing territorial claims which should be
presented to the United Nations for de-
bate and decision. Hence the somewhat
outspoken hints by Premier Tsaldaris
that America support Greece in its
claims for territorial enlargement fell
on deaf ears in Washington.
The argument that failure to satisfy
Greece's economic and financial needs,
together with her national aspirations
"a diplomatic expression for land-grab,
might make her another satellite OF
Moscow was received with mere shrug
of the shoulders.
Evening star., 1946-12-25

continue good for some time, the
present; abnormally high demand
and price for farm products must
adjust to the long-run situation at
home and abroad" In other words,
it is as certain as anything can be
that shrinkage is coming in the
extraordinary markets enjoyed by
American agriculture during the war
and the immediate postwar period.
In the circumstances, as Mr.. An
derson advises, farmers will be wise
to play it safe; generally speaking,
instead of yielding to the specula-
tive impulse. they will be better off
in the long run to invest their money
in debt retirement. bonds, replace
ment equipment, etc. In any case.
if they prefer to gamble. they will
not be able to say-when the de-
flation comes-that they were not
foreWarned,
Evening star., 1946-12-25

Some governments in the Near and
Middle East are using poor psychology
in their diplomatic dealings with the
United States.
Aware Of this country's antagonism to
the expansionist policies of the U. S. s.
r., some representatives OF countries
which lie on the fringe OF the iron cur
tain" have made exaggerated requests
for economic assistance and territorial
expansion. When their demands were
questioned by the American Govern
ment they looked depressed and said
that unless their demands are met their
countries may 60 communistjc.
The American answer to this new type
Of diplomatic blackmail is that each
country must follow its own policy and
If the peoples in the Orient feel like be-
coming Communists there is nothing we
can do about it, The American Govern
ment is not prepared to bribe nations
into accepting any particular political
creed.
Such a situation developed last week
during conversations with the Greek
Premiel, Constantin Tsaldaris who
came to Washington to discuss ways and
means of improving the difncult situa-
tlOn IN Jfeece. .'
y
The State Department fully realizes
that the small loan granted Greece last
fall through the Export-Import Bank
was totally inadequate. Since UNRRA
soon will end its operations throughout
the world, the Greek government will
have to find other means to provide the
necessities for its hard-pressed people.
Mr.. Tsaldaris received most sympa-
thetic hearing from all whom he con-
tacted. The State Department is aware
Of the plight of the peoples from Italy
to Iran and is considering how to allie
viate these sufferings. The money
available to the Export Import Bank has
been almost exhausted because Of loans
granted or earmarked for many coun-
tries. Hence Congress may be asked for
special appropriations for a new relief
organization which will no longer have
an international, but an American,
character Meanwhile, everything possi-
BILE will be done to tide over the situa-
ton in Greece. .. .
Evening star., 1946-12-25
This and That
BIZ Charles Z. Trdcetpeu.

Birds Of America lost one of their
best friends when Senator Josiah w
Bailey of North Carolina passed away.
Senator Bailey's great love for them
all. and especially for the cardinal or
redbird, was a facet in a many-sided
personality.
1t was side unknown to many people
The popular idea is that statesman
must be all statesman. The politician
must be all politician.
Senator Bailey loved the birds of
America, and never lost an opportunity
to help them, both personally and as
legislator
His devotion to the cardinal was
famous among those who knew about
this side of his character.
He was proud of the fine book, Birds
of North Carolina
Several Christmases ago he presented
copy of this volume to the writer here,
with written inscription which praised
this column and the paper which pre-
sents it daily.
which somehow seemed to strike a
chord in his heart reserved for the
redbird alone.
His writing about the bird was q bit
old-fashioned, perhaps, but 1t was true,
and infused with deep understanding
of the romance of this species, and in
deed, of all bird life.
* ** X
We are privileged to present an
anecdote about the late Senator un-
known to any one else.
1t is slight story, perhaps but 1t
illustrates the affection of this learned
and understanding man for one of our
country's most famous native birds.
One day last summer we presented
letter from local resident telling
how he had found an injured cardinal
He said that he hoped to keep it until
it was WE'LL but did not know what to
do with it after that.
Down on his sick bed in North Caro-
lima, Senator Bailey read the letter and
our comment following.
He had relative get on the long
distance telephone and contact us in
Chevy Chase, Md. on Sunday morning.
Long distance calls are rare, in our
quiet life. and we wondered who on
earth could be calling us from the
Southern State.
We soon found that Senator Bailey,
struck by the article Che was daily
reader of this column wanted to know
if he might have the cardinal.
In his sickness, he saw an opportunity
to care for another i'll creature.
If the gentleman who had the bird
was agreeable, we we're told, we should
take it to friend in Washington, who
would Immediately convey it to the
Senator down South.
We contacted the man with the bird,
only to find that the cardinal had ex-
pired the day before.
So the telephoning came to nothing,
in a sense, but it showed the kind
heart of man who was never SO i'll
that he could not remember his favorite
of fayorites.
On this Christmas Day we shall not
see redbird without thinking of Sena-
tor Josiah Bailey, and we hope that
thousands of bird lovers, seeing redbirds
in their own gardens will remember the
good man who found this bird doing
something to his heart which no other
one could quite do
Surely the cardinal is q Christmas
bird, with his flaming feathers, and
his more sedate but lovely mate, both
symbols Of joy In living.
The cardinal has many common
names, but we feel that the list is In
complete until to 1t shall be added that
Of Senator Batleyis bird" Or simply,
'.Baileybird."
Evening star., 1946-12-25

mand of Congress something that he
knows he Is not going to get. The
recent election was a mandate for
legislative changes, and the proper
function OF the President would seem
to be to indicate in his message the
nature and extent Of revisions of the
laws which he can approve without
sacrifice of conviction
Evening star., 1946-12-25
Portal Pay Prospects
By Raym ond Mole,

Division of the Labor Department. six
years ago, and by the Supreme Court
decision, two and a half years ago, in
the Tennessee Coal, Iron g. Railroad
case.
The issue is material only in cases
where the total work week exceeds the
40-hour limit in the wage-hour law.
The seriousness of this wave of litiga-
ton is illustrated by the cases of some
companies where the claims exceed their
working capital In one instance the
claim is $4,000, 900: the net worth of the
company. $4,000 900, and the working
capital, 100000.
Enforced mergers may take place,
which once again shows how some New
Deal laws actually accelerate the growth
in size so deplored in New Deal economic
philosophy.
There are many estimates of the
amounts involved, running into billions.
1t is too early to know what this may
cost industry in the end.
Whatever is lost by industry will cut
into Government income. The Treasury
is facing not only the loss of millions
in income-tax revenues, but the possible
payment of billions in reimbursements
to war contractors. The effect on the
budget from this double drain will be
serious.
Congressional relief may be possible
in connection with future payments, but
there is not much optimism among law
yers about water over the mill or, to be
more exact, money past the portal.
This legal deluge cannot help but de-
press business prospects for 1947. And,
what is most serious, it may well precip-
itate failures which will materially and
psychologically depress the entire econ
omy. This is an expensive Supreme
Court.
(Released by the Associated Newspapers.>
show, all of which is supported by the
welfare fund of the Variety Club.
Surely all those citizens of the COM
munity who may be approached to aid
the club in any way should find it
privilege to do so.
I, as one interested in the home and
its patients, wish to take this oppor-
tunity to thank The Star and the COM
munity and George Edgar Bedell, jr.,
for the beneficent activities of the
Variety Club. F. G. G.
Evening star., 1946-12-25
On the Record
By Dorothy Thompson

Whom of all men man chose
Is Sharon's rose.
Have mercy, Lord,
On us all because
Having seen Thee
Perversely We Thee love;
Unnaturally we be
Constrained by Thy laws;
Most fearfully we move
As wielders of Thy sword
Against us, Lord!
Thou born today
Among the poor and lost,
Forgive us all,
Miserable, our sin;
Note that we hear Thy call,
Though minding cost.
And fearing, come not In.
Be patient, Lord, we pray,
On Christmas Day!
Be patient. Lord,
As vert on the cross:
Recall, Lord, thieves
Suffered also with Thee;
Forgive each one who grieves
His sad self made loss;
Heal us, blind, to see.
Heal deaf to hear Thy word;
Be newborn, Lord!
fRele ased BY the Ben Syndicate. Inc J
Evening star., 1946-12-25
Portal Puy Grub


clusions to be drawn from the mass
OF suits now being filed to recover
damages under the Wage-Hour Act.
One is that Congress did very
sloppy days work when it enacted
this law in 1898. Those were the
days when social reform laws were
drafted by coterie of brain trusters
operating out of the White House,
and when Congress was expected to
do little more than sign on the
dotted line. The Wage Hour Act is
a case in point, for so loosely was
that statute drawn that even at this
late date no one can say with Ger
tainty what its basic provisions
mean.
The other is that the Federal
Courts. filled over the years with
men who adhered in the main to the
New Deal philosophy, have picked
up where the 1888 Congress left off
and are writing their own version of
what they think the law should have
said. In consequence of this judicial
law making-a sin for which the
"old court" was so roundly de-
nounced by the New Dealers during
the fight over the Presidents Su-
preme Court bill-something ap-
preaching half a billion dollars in
damage suits have been filed against
employers by unions, and it is esti-
mated that claims ultimately will
run into the billions.
1t is one thing to file suits, how
ever, and something else to win
them. Already there are indications
that the litigious unions may be
overreaching themselves. In any
event, District Judge Picard, whose
decision in the Mount Clemens pot
terry case started the stampede to-
ward the courts, has characterized
the wave of suits as "hysteria," and
a prominent labor attorney has eau
toned unions against "overfiam-
boyance."
It seems evident enough that the
Supreme Court, in a series of deci-
sions eliminating in the Mount
Clemens case, has read into the
Wage-Hour Act a meaning not writ
ten into it by the Congress. Yet 1t
is also fact that the court has not
gone as far as some of the more
eager litigants seem to believe. The
question at issue has to do with the
meaning of work time" First. the
court held that travel time in the
mines was work time. Then it held
in the Mount Clemens case that
under certain conditions walking
time"-time spent in walking on
company premises after punching
time cards-also was work time.
And now some of the unions are try
ing to designate as work the time
spent in almost any activity on COM
pany property.
1t would not seem, however, that
the Supreme Courts ruling supports
these more extreme claims. Fur
thermore, the court in the Mount
Clemens case specifically conceded
the applicability of the doctrine of
"de minimis which trifling
period of time spent in nonproduc-
tive activity on company premises
need not be treated as work.
ALI in all, it is bit premature to
be proclaiming the death of indus
try as a result of the present rash
of portal pay grabs. The unions no
doubt will get all that they can.
But the last word has not yet been
spoken either by the courts or the
Congress.
Evening star., 1946-12-25
Thoughts Of Christmas
at Home

Let child be enthroned for this day.
Let his laughter ring
Oper the music the angels play,
Oper the anthems they sing;
where the LIGHTED tree at eDenfaH
Shines round his bed,
A olory wiu couer him like q sta,rl
Couer his tousled head.
Let a child remember this lopely night
When he is old,
Thoughts OF Christmas at home UtH
enhance his delight
A thous1ndtold.
For this holy time let no child be OPP
pressed,
Let him 90 his irdy tUith a song IN hts
breast. LEILA PIER KING.
Evening star., 1946-12-25
Bilbo a Piker?

To the Editor OF The Star:
ITO him that hath it shall be given"
Men in power are always being offered
presents and only few refuse them.
Before Mckinley was nominated for
President. friends raised $4,000 to pay
of his debts and then plunked mil
lions into his campaign fund. Similar
assistance, I am told, was offered to
other gentlemen OF the highest political
eminence. Compared with them Bilbo
u . piker. OLD-TIMER.
Evening star., 1946-12-25
Letters to The Star
Denies Golden Rules Power
in World Government

To the Editor of The star.
Edmund K. Goldsborough December
20) states, tirst, that "the Nazarene's
perfect plan for world peace may be
summed up in the Golden Rule; and,
secondly, that "if our civilization hopes
to survive, this plan sooner or latef
must be adopted"
But the Nazarene had no "plan for
world peace" nor did He consider world
peace likely eventuality. On the con-
trary, the gospels represent Him as
foreseeing humanity rent by hatred,
anarchy and war-even until the "last
day." He had no message for society,
but only for men, To the individual
who asked: What must do to be
savcd?" He could answer with assurance.
Salvation for the sinner was His concern
and peace of heart-but not social peace.
Weapons of war were banned" Well,
yes. But He believed that society would
reject His teachings in this matter and
have eternal recourse to the sword, as
one of His own little band did, together
with the great bulk Of Christians to this
day The Nazarene counseled nonre-
sistance to evil, not because He knew
that this teaching would be practised
universally, but although He knew it
would not. The counsel of nonresist-
ance would not lead to world peace: But
1t would bring salvation to those who
lived by it,
Indeed, the idea that the preserva-
ton of civilization depends upon the
spread Of the Golden Rule reflects
very widespread and idealistic point of
view. Unfortunately, it is disproved by
the facts. A moments reflection will
show that we do not depend upon the
goodness of humanity to insure civil
peace in our own community. We de-
pend upon law and government. Take
away law and government from any city,
and anarchy steps In. This Is self-evi-
dent. Yet, II we cannot depend upon
the Golden Rule to maintain peace in
our own cities and Nation, how can we
expect the world to be converted by
this moral principle? Noiif world peace
ever becomes an actuality, it will be the
result Of world government, with .
world police to maintain "law and or
der" everywhere, as Emory Reeves and
Mortimer Adler, among others, 50 bril-
liantly have demonstrated.
To sum up: Civil peace within any
community (be 1t town. city, state, ma
tom always has depended, as 1t will
continue to depend, upon government
under law World peace will come only
in SO far as society is able to extend
the sway of law over the earth. Whether
or not such worldwide peace under gov
ernment ever will be established, the
counsels of the Nazarene always will
offer eternal life to all who desire eternal
truth. But as long as the church con-
tinues its centuries old appeasement of
the civil power-that world" which its
Master warned against-the gifts Of
fered in His name will remain, not bread,
but stones. WOLFGANG LETT.
Evening star., 1946-12-25
Rent Increase Resisted

the EdIG0f OF The Slar.
Lake many another tenant, I was
denied the renewal of my lease-even
at top rental-in the expectation, I sup
pose, that rents could be Increased be-
fore long. The apartment where I live
was built after OPA fixed rentals, and
so the owner was able to set the price
as high as he chose. For two rooms "out
in the sticks" we pay an unjustified rent,
but again, like many another, we were
glad to be able to get any apartment at
all. Surely rents that were fixed after
the OPA went into effect should not
be increased. F. M. p.
Evening star., 1946-12-25
Christmas, 1916


more than three decades of human
experience have declared their be-
lief that this Christmas is the hap
piest since the start of the First
World War in 1914. The faith thus
indicated seems to be shared by a
majority of the younger generations.
1t is true, of course, that tensions
still exist in many different quarters
of the globe. The threat of a mis-
use of atomic power continues to
prevail. Serious differences between
groups of nations remain uncor-
rected. Civil conflict disturbs GER
tain countries. Strife between or
ganized workers and organized in
dustry has not been eliminated.
Racial and religious contentious
have not been educated away
Poverty, greed and crime darken
thousands of lives.
It would be mistake to suppose
that the need for the Holy Child
of Bethlehem has passed. He is as
much required in 1946 as ever He
was in the long centuries that are
gone without the brotherhood of
men of good will, which He symbol
ICES, there can be no peace worth
having. His message-the meaning
of His birth and the meaning of His
DEATHS the greatest force in civil
ization. It answers the broken atom;
it rebukes the skepticism of those
who doubt that humanity can solve
its problems. The first Christmas
marks the beginning of new cove
nant between the Creator and man
kind. When the people of the world
have learned the significance of that
tremendous compact, the dissensions
between governments and classes
and selfish groups will cease.
And the lesson is feasible to learn.
Righteousness and fellowship are
not impractical ideals. They are
within the reach of any individual
who is willing to cultivate their
spirit. Benjamin Franklin, the most
notably pragmatic of men, once
spoke of "a. good conscience" as
being "a continual Christmas" If
his judgment were sound in his own
time, it also is sound today. Recent
history has proved that the leaders
of nations can work together con-
structively when they sincerely
desire. The same observation applies
in even the smallest family circle.
Charitableness in thought, good
manners in action, loyalty to prin-
ciples which have stood the test of
the ages, confidence that civilized
society deserving of the name can be
achieved-all these factors are COM
petent of development by any
earnest person.
Much already has been accom-
plished. AS President Truman said,
a "brave beginning has been made"
The twelve months now closing have
been marked by progress. There is
logical reason for hope as never
before within the memory of the
generality of Americans. Christ's
doctrine indeed has been vindicated.
The trials through which humanity
has moved to its present advanced
position have demonstrated it's ele-
mental power. Call it by whatever
title one may choose, the conception
of peace won through good will, first
announced by the heavenly host
when the Holy Child was born, is the
central reality to which humanity
must be devoted Through it will
be gained the spiritual unity I'M
perative for the progress still to be
attempted.
Millions of people perceive this
reality. It is because of that glimps-
ing of the basic truth that they are
happy on Christmas in 1946.
Evening star., 1946-12-25
Strikes-And Democracy

Strlkes-And Democracy
To the Editor Of The Star:
May a descendant of seven genera
tions OF American pioneers, and for 40
years a member of the Typographical
Union, suggest plan by which it will
remove the causes of strikes?
Each of our Representatives and
Senators should nominate one candidate
for a labor-management supreme court.
Then each should vote for Is Cor sol,
the Is receiving the most votes to serve
for year or two, deciding all ques-
tions as to wages, hours, working con-
ditions and jurisdiction. It may also
allot certain percentage of profits
say. is per cent to Is per cent-to be
divided among workers in the same pro-
portion as wages. And 1t would satisfy
our American sense Of justice and be