davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1946-12-30
American Spending

At first glance, especially in world
that is largely poverty stricken, the
lavish spending of the American
people may seem startling to the
point of being not quite right. But
it is not surprising. In some ways,
it may even be regarded as inevi-
table-a natural result of the fact
that full employment during the war
years and full employment now, plus
an enormous pent-up demand for
all sorts of consumer goods, has en-
couraged a kind of money-to-burn
psychology.
The outlay of cash. at any rate,
has been seemingly carefree. Thus,
according to an estimate by the
Office of Business Economics in the
Commerce Department, Americans
have spent about $127 .000, 10000 in
the year now coming to an end. This
far exceeds all past records. being
$21 100000, 900 more than the total
for 1945, the previous all-time high.
Rising prices account for part OF the
increase, but only part. Volume OF
goods sold has gained substantially.
Actually, had more goods been avail
able-automobiles for inStance-our
1916 spending on both goods and
services would have been well
over $13O, 100000 900.
In other words, as the new year
approaches, the American pocket
book still has plenty OF cash in 1t,
and the demand for durable and
nondurable commodities continues
heavy. Moreover, as the Presidents
Council of Economic Advisers re-
ported the other day, this twin con-
dition-plenty of cash and plenty OF
demand-can be expected to remain
for "some years" provided there is
no international explosion or dis
astrous outbreak of major strikes.
Whether the actual dollar spending
will be as great or greater in 1947,
however, remains to be seen. Many
experts predict a considerable drop
in prices. But if that comes about
gradually-as part of the normal
process of steady production steadily
increasing supply and thus easing
the demand pressures that initiate
the cost of scarce items-the pros
perity picture will not be upset.
Accordingly, assuming reasonable
international stability and labor
management peace, American spend
ing is likely to remain lavish for
considerable period of time. 1t may
not seem to be in keeping with old
maxims about frugality, but 1t is to
be expected when demand and avail
Evening star., 1946-12-30
Single Tax Not Dead

| TO the Editof oI me star.
| j. B. Chamberlain's letter, What Be-
came of Single Tax" in The Star of
December 10, implying that Henry
Georges economic philosophy has joined
the dodo bird, is quite as exaggerated
as the premature announcement of
Mark Twain'S death.
! Mr. Chamberlain, who indicates a
| remembered interest in community
! collection of land values, need not go
| far to learn that his misnamed single
tax proposal is in fourishing good
health.
Almost innumerable individuals, or
ganizations, publications and schools
| have been carrying on the campaign for
economic freedom since the days when
| George himself led it. Perhaps the most
| active is the Henry George School of
! Social Science, chartered by the Uni
| versity of the State of New York. In
| its six-story building in New York City,
| dozens of daily classes study a variety
of courses in economics and social philo-
sophy. The school also operates extern
sion branches in about 10 other cities
throughout the Nation, and a CORE
spondence division in which hundreds
of students from all walks of life satisfy
their eagerness for enlightenment. The
school runs on a nonproft, no charge
basis, even its instructors being unpaid
volunteers. 1t derives its funds wholly
from voluntary contributions.
Now, more than ever, finding the cause
and cure for continuing poverty, de-
| preston and war is imperative if our
civilization is not to go the way of
! those that preceded it. The sole remedy
is free economy, which can be brought
about only through returning to the
people as rent the value they create in
community, thereby eliminating all
stif1ling taxes on production and in
suring the natural right of every pro-
ducer to the fruit of his labor. Despite
Mr.. Chamberlain's droll query, there are
still many who believe in and work for
individual liberty and free enterprise.
| s A. MAYERS.
Evening star., 1946-12-30

Gradually we shall realize that the
survival of our civilization depends ON
the rebirth of Europe. In speaking OF
"ciyilization," I am not referring to any
particular political or economic system
but of congeries of values, slowly created
over the centuries since the collapse OF
the ANTIQUE world, which have perme-
ated and humaniZed each successive
system and given the civilization OF
the West its peculiar and creative
qualities.
That civilization to which. Willingly
or not we Americans belong, has never,
in its millenial history, been in such
crisis. The secession of Germany from
western civilization was its first obvious
catastrophe and the cause of the war,
the purpose of which should obviously
have been to compel Germany to return
to it. But the defeat of Germany did
not end the crisis The German prob
lem has not even approached solution,
nor have the moral and economic neces-
sites for solution been. until recently,
grasped by western statesmen. Instead
an apocalyptic concentration OF disaster
is now reaching its peak. Both morally
and economically, Germany is in worse
wav than Immediately after the war.
Throughout Germany almost total in
dustrial collapse is the result OF the
early directive to foster the export OF
coal while halting all steps to revive
other industrial activity. A high school
economist would have realized the in
terdependency of modern industrial So
ciety and that coal mining could not be
revived without adequately nourlshed
miners and without the tools and ma
chimes produced by other industries.
Now Europe freezes and its wheels are
halted for lack of German coal, ana
the outlook for the winter in Germany
itself is appalling. British and Swiss
papers predict bread riots, disorders,
and possible bloodshed.
! + 4
Morally the situation has deteriorated,
not only because hunger. cold and
cigarette black market are not con-
ducive to morality, but because anti
Nazism, purely negative concept,
devoid of any living faith, Is merely
nihilism.
None of this was unforeseen by this
column nor was it unforeseen that
Britain and the United States would
shortly be paying Preparations to Ger
many in frantic effort to put the
western zones on an economic basis
Evening star., 1946-12-30
Mrs. Bond

A great American balladist died
when Carrie Jacobs Bond came to
the end of her long career. Tradi-
ton affirms that she was descended
from John Howard Payne, the wan
derer who wrote Home Sweet
Home" Be the legend true or false,
her own compelling claims on re-
membrance are as valid as any ever
were. She was singer of and for
the people, and they will remember
her in the way that she would prefer
by singing her songs.
The number of Mrs. Bonds pro-
ductionS was close to two hundred.
But it was by THE End of Perfect
Day." II Love You Truly" and "Just
A-Wearying for You" that she won
fame and fortune. Each of those
three sentimental hits" has the
same undertone of melancholy.
They are sad songs, definitely in the
minor category. Yet it is not simply
because of their mournfulness that
they are popular. Their principal
quality is that of being plain. 4"
Average people can follow their
melody, comprehend their meaning.
They may not be classics" What
is more important is that they are
not eSoteric.
Mrs. Bond obviously interpreted
her own experience She knew what
suffering is. Her best efforts were
made when she was poor, friendless,
alone. Success came to her only
when it had been earned. Those
who perform her compositions long
decades hence will not be unmind-
full of that fact. She belongs with
Stephen Collins Foster and with
Ethelbert Nevin as melodist of the
American folk. Like them, she put
a sensitive and generous heart into
her work.
Evening star., 1946-12-30

able money are both high. AS for
the contrast in respect to the situa-
tion in other countries, that, too, is
to be expected. We are fortunate
people living in a uniquely rich and
productive land unravaged by the
recent war.
The question is whether we are
going to make the most of our
blessings. For the next five years
or so, we can have prosperity almost
without trying; but after that, when
the present exceptional demand has
tapered off, our economic vigor will
depend largely on the cooperation
and wisdom shown by all elements
among us. Without that, we may
return again to the spending levels
of the post-1929 depression.
Evening star., 1946-12-30
Well-Dressed President

To the Editor of The Star:
Star columnist McLemores recent, in
stride, facetious comment on President
Trumans cap constrained into focus the
presidential top-niche that is Truman's
up to now, namely, that of best
dressed tenant of the White House. And
this is apropos altogether.
Never before was the world so down.
side-up generally as now. over there"
people must build from the ground up.
Over here we trample one another into
the milk and honey with which our land
flows so bountifully as we battle among
ourselves in internecine strife for one
group overall supremacy. And in the
midst of this turmoil universal, it is
refreshing, if not heartening, to look
at likenesses of the President-on screen,
in newspapers and periodicals, because
of his dapper attire, snappy stride,
topped and illumined by an ever-smiling
countenance, regardless.
,.. RIENzI B. LEMUS.
Evening star., 1946-12-30
More JUDGES Needed

1t is becomingly increasingly evil
dent that, unless prompt remedial
measures are taken, the mounting
load of Municipal Court cases even
tually will defeat the basic purpose
for which that poor mans tribunal
was created in 1912, namely. assur-
ance of quick, simple and effective
administration of justice in minor
actions.
Chief Judge George P Barse, in a
year-end statement on the serious
dilemma confronting the overbur-
dened court. points out that new
cases continue to pile up at such a
rate that the present ten-man bench
cannot hope to keep abreast of the
work. During the past fiscal year, for
example, more than 1000 civil and
criminal cases were filed, or about
5000 more than in the previous year.
Furthermore, the workload increase
was especially great in the Central
Assignment Branch of the Court,
which handles civil cases involving
amounts ranging from $50 to $4,000
The result has been that principals
witnesses and lawyers in many of
these cases are haraSSed by delays
and inconvenience of the very type
that the court was created to elimi-
nate.
If the courts need for three addi-
tional judges was urgent last year
as Judge BarSe, the Attorney Gen.
eral, the Commissioners, the District
Bar Association and the Judicial
Council vigorously contended at
congressional hearings-the need is
greater than ever today. The Senate,
in the last days of the Seventy ninth
Congress, passed bill to provide
this additional manpower, but pres
sure of last-minute business pre-
vented House action on favorable
committee report. This bill should
be re-introduced promptly when
Congress reconvenes. so that the re-
lief required by the Municipal Court
in its developing emergency may be
forthcoming at an early date.
Evening star., 1946-12-30
The Surprising Mr.. Allen

Ihere were TWO surprises III IHe
exchange of letters between the
President and George E. Allen over
Mr.. Aliens resignation from the Re-
construction Finance Corporation.
One was sprung by Mr.. Allen. when
he reminded the President that he
had taken the job for one year only.
The other was the Presidents recol-
lection that Mr.. Allen was reluctant
to take the job at all.
All of which shows how wrong the
outsiders can be in passing judgment
on such things as Mr.. Aliens original
appointment to the RFC. Their
mental picture was of George
Allen painting for the job. For. it
was argued. if Mr.. Allen did not
himself want it, why would the
President take the risk of sending
his name to the Senate and incur
ring the general criticism which
followed that bold and unexpected
step? And if, on top of Mr.. Aliens
reluctance, he was willing to serve
for one year only, why did the Pres
ident run the risk for the sake of
mere temporary appointment?
The answer to such questions might
go far to unravel the mystery of
what it is that makes Mr.. Allen tick,
and tick so successfully in his rela-
tions not only with the President but
with the executives of a number
of private corporations who have
sought his cheerful presence on their
boards of directors. Casual acquain-
tance with Mr.. Allen only deepens
the mystery. Genial, unchangeably
good natured, ready with story to
tighten a point-all of these pleas
ant attributes go to make up what
amounts to the Allen legend. But in
other fields he has tended to hide his
light under bushel, except, perhaps,
to the intimate circle of his close
acquaintances.
Mr.. Aliens method of presenting
W GllS II cSlUcIit d IluillOCI VI lCSOil-
mendations concerning the future of
the RFC modestly suggests part au-
thorship, at least. Perhaps the hope
of obtaining such recommendations
prompted the President to put him
on the board for his brief stay. There
are others who will say. however,
that as the life of the RFC ends
automatically with the current fiscal
year and as Republican-controlled
Congress must enact the legislation
for its continuation, Mr.. Allen and
the President may have felt that
such legislation would be expedited
more by Mr.. Aliens absence than his
presence on the board. The propriety
of an RFC directors membership on
other boards has continued to cause
eyebrow lifting in Washington. Re
gardless of his prior arrangement
with the President for a one-year
term, this is probably as good time
as any for Mr.. Allen to take his leave.
Evening star., 1946-12-30
In Each Brief Hour

And now she kneD death could not bs
joreStalled.
More than je,0 brief months, at most
q year,
And ,Ue 1pllo Loped her shuddered then,
appalled,
That one pho held each breathIess
ddDn SO dear
Should knoao the end at hand and
Toe stood BY,
Helpless, AFRAID, wondering tohat shs
tDould do
Who matted the hour set for her to die
And cherished our o,Dn ltues more than
,De kne,n.
Each asked himself the question: Ho,s
tUould he
Spend his last year? Crotoding a life
time in,
Hurting discretion to the toinds? But
she
Went through each day as she had
al,Ddys done,
Unchanged. untrightened, NTH q quiet
p0tDer,
Hodrding eternity In each brfef houri
MAE WINKLER GOODMAN.
Evening star., 1946-12-30

the outcome of the civil war between
the still-dominant Kuomintang gov
ernment and the Communists, who
refuse to acknowledge the validity
of everything done by the National
Assembly. This profound schism in
the Chinese body-politic thus re-
mains the stumbling block to
Chinas evolution.
Evening star., 1946-12-30
Chino's New Constitution

The permanent national charter
voted by the National Assembly at
Nanking after several weeks of
strenuous labor is important, not
only in itself but perhaps still more
because of the attendant circum-
stances. Generations of experience
have taught students of politics that
the viability of any given constitu-
ton arises less from it's theoretical
excellence than from its suitability
to the people for whom it is de-
signed.
Bearing this pragmatic test in
mind, China's new constitution ap-
pears thirty five years after the out
break of the Chinese Revolution of
1911 which overthrew the decrepit
Manchu Empire 1t comes twenty
years after the Kuomintang Party
assumed its monopolistic role as
tutor" to the Chinese people until
the latter had become politically
mature. This temporary tutelage
was the idea of the late DR.. Sun
Yat-sen, the father of the revolu-
ton, who likewise sketched out the
permanent constitution that was
eventually to come into being.
What has chiefly hindered China's
political evolution = the split which
occurred more thai two decades ago
within the original revolutionary
nucleus. Then the Communists
seeded from the majority and went
into irreconcilable opposition, giving
rise to the chronic civil strife which
today continues to divide China. In
an endeavor to heal this breach
an all-party Political Consultative
Council was convened just year
ago and worked out the basis for
permanent constitution. But the
Chinese Communists refused to par
ticipate in the resulting National
Constituent Assembly, to which they
had agreed in principle.
Nevertheless, GeneralisSimo Chang
Kai-Shek went ahead and succeeded
in rallying all political groups ex-
cept the Communists to participate
In the National Assembly, which has
now formulated constitution vir-
tually Identical with the draft to
which the Communists had assented.
This, of course, represents a notable
success for Chang, since the consti-
tuition has broad national backing.
AS for the document itself, it is a
rather complex blend of western and
Chinese institutions. There is to be
President on the American model;
also a cabinet responsible to legis-
lature along British parliamentary
lines. Besides the western division
of powers into executive, legislative
and judicial, there is Control Body
with wide measure of supervisory
and censorial initiative; likewise an
Examination Body to insure COM
petence in civil service appoint
mentS, this last springing from the
ancient Chinese tradition of claSsi-
cal examinations.
How this complicated setup will
work in practice when the constitu-
ton comes into effect, just a year
hence, depends not merely upon its
inherent workability but also upon
Evening star., 1946-12-30
Letters to The Star
Sees True Americans VS.. Aliens
as Pressing Issue

To the Editor OF The Star:
Elizabeth L. Rinker expresses pride
in America and our Constitution, but
questions the Americanism of T..
OToole because he calls for an Irish
union May Miss Rinker continue to
uphold the Constitution and revere
those who founded and expanded
T. O'Toole displays an urgency for
self preservation amidst pressure
groups drunk with misplaced power,
unconcerned about his or Americas
welfare and safety. His call for an
Irish union is the method required
and fostered by those who solemnly
swore to serve America and uphold
and defend our Constitution. Is he
less an American than they?
We had Constitution that sup
ported mans right, in his old age, to
be secure in his liberties and the pos
session of his property amassed by
years of thought and toll as builder
and creator of wealth for America
and Americans. Such property, or
wealth, accumulated under the system
set up in our Constitution, recently
won two wars. Its existence is as
vital to our national security as men
and guns. It's destruction and dis
sipation and the prevention of expan-
sion and creation of new wealth are
menaces to our national security They
iy, for af
sabotage against America as much so
as the betrayal or destruction of a
fleet
Many now here, as Miss Rinker
states, are not true Americans. They
sell Americas safety for personal gain.
They care nothing for America or It's
Constitution and the rights of Ameri-
cans, nor have they liberation for
the commandment, Thou shalt not
steal" They are not the builders of
a prosperous and powerful America,
but rather are Saboteurs and wreckers
Of Americas welfare and safety.
Such persons have entered America
to propagate, displace Americans, take
power, darken our true lights and set
false ones. They enrich themselves
from the wreckage cast up by the
boisterous waves now pounding our
shores. Some sit in high places, their
retainers trading our common birth
right for pottage, content with what
falls to their grasp. But they are not
Americans. They do not uphold and
defend the Constitution, nor care
about Americas history or future.
Others pipe tune to which no patri-
otic American could march Gratui-
tously, they accept all benefits flowing
to them from the Constitution, but up
hold and defend those who destroy it.
Owl-eyed. they prate of the virtues of
Americas system, ignoring the treacher-
Gus looting and destruction Of America
by foreigners, with alien ideas. But
when their peculiar rights are endan-
gered, they noisily but specifically up
hold and defend those rights. Impru-
IDENTIFY, they fail to uphold the Consti-
tuition, which protects the rights and
welfare Of Americans. They gain no
wisdom from the handwriting on Baby
Ions ancient wall, nor from her de-
struction through open gates Of brass.
Neither are these Americans
Miss Rinker shall have her organiza-
ton or union of Americans, with whole
hearted allegiance to America and her
Constitution. Perhaps the tent of T.
O'Toole will be found pitched near hers
under the proper standard when it is
raised. CHARLES GALE. /.
Evening star., 1946-12-30

Authorities at Scotland Yard, I'M
able to call on Sherlock Holmes, are
said to be greatly worried over the
current epidemic OF jewel thievery
in Britain. They are afraid that
the thieves may branch out into
something really serious, like steal
ing food.
Evening star., 1946-12-30
Too Lute?

From the Vancouver Sum-.
Probably it is too late to stem the tide
by voluntary abridgement of power on
the part of rough handed and misguided
Qabor) leaders. The best hope is that
wiser heads both in Congress and in. the
Labor movement will be able to soften
the collision when it comes.
Evening star., 1946-12-30

1t is regrettable that at the time
of life when so many successful men
can begin to afford to dress we'll they
have lost their figures, their erect
carriage and, in many cases, their
hair
Evening star., 1946-12-30

Shorn of all the political and dip
lomatic angles. the desire of the
Schleswig Holstein provincials to
become reunited with Denmark can
be resolved into the simple phrase:
when do we eat?"
Evening star., 1946-12-30
Buttery for Al

From the Arkansas Gazette.
When Congress meets, the Republicans
will be in there pitching, and President
Truman will catch 1t.
The Nome nugget., 1946-01-04
SeaWeed Textiles Are Latest British Synthetic

Scientists look ahead to the not-very-distant time when seaweed obtained in British particularly round the Scottish coas-wll provide large quantities of textile materials transparent paper, plastics and foodstuffs" writes Arthur Nettleton in recent issue of Saturday Night.
 At Leeds University, solution obtained from weed has been forced through spnneres and drawn off in the form of thread Initial setbacs such the dis covery that the threads dissolved in soap solution have been So confident British ndustri- aists about the ultimate commercial value of seaweed that scheme to further the investigations and to pro- mote commercial uses, has been set in motion. by the British Government"
The Nome nugget., 1946-01-04

powerful labor unions, Andrew J. Higgins cast himself in the role of a bystander. His story was that in dustrial disputes had made it practically impossible for him to operate at profit.
 I am not taking up a cudgel for Higgins or either of the labor or qanizations. The sQuabble has not been settled yet and some new factors may be introduced. The detail of the news that interests me most is MT. Higgins offer to sell his plants to the unions. His proposition may have been sea- soned with irony, but I am per- fectly serious. I think it is a splen- did idea.
The Nome nugget., 1946-01-04
All the Essentials

Just think: here stand three modern plans; new ones. They shelter acres of desirable ground with water frontage. They have installed power, transmission lines, assembly equipment and tools. Such buildings can be adapted conveniently to the manufacture of many different items on a vol ume production scale. Labor is abundant and more workers are arriving daily
 Working capital is no longer a problem to working people, The unions have fabulous wealth, not even nicked by taxation. Senator Edward V. Robertson of Wyoming recently named a dozen unions. whose treasuries, he said, con- tained more than 16O million dol lars all told. With men, money and machinery, the idea is feasi- ble. One of these idle plants might be kept very busy sub-contracting Higgins thrilled orders.