davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1946-12-06
Housing and Production

Viewed in broad perspective, the
departure from the Washington
scenes0f Housing Administrator Will
son Wyatt and Civilian Production
Administrator John D. Small is SYM
bolic of the changing times. With
the war nearly year behind us, the
trend is toward accelerated demobl-
lization of war-born agencies and
relaxation of controls tending to
regiment" private enterprise. CPA
is scheduled to join oPA and other
emergency organizations which have
become victims of the postwar
liquidation process.
There is difference in the man
ner and timing of Mr.. SmalPs res
ignation and that of Mr.. Wyatt,
however, that makes it plain that
Mr.. Wyatt's departure was not die
tated by any desire to conform with
the overall rehabilitation pattern.
Whereas Mr.. Small commented that
CPA's task of speeding industrial
transition from a wartime to a
peacetime basis is substantially ac-
complished, Mr.. Wyatt steps out at
a time when the problem OF vet
erans' housing is far from solved.
The housing expediter tackled
difficult job a year ago with COM
mendable energy and enthusiasm.
Armed, in addition, with extraordi-
nary authority by executive order,
he prepared what President Truman
terms a daring" emergency pro-
gram to provide homes and apart
ments for veterans. Materials were
channeled into this field by means
of strict priorities, premium irlcen-
tives and other measures. The Pres
ident's review shows that consider
able progress was made. But the
program has begged down in recent
months, despite Mr.. Wyatt's best
efforts toward resuscitation. The
collapse of controls on wide front
made it increasingly difficult to
maintain them on housing. Rising
costs put added burdens on builders.
Strikes and other factors have ag-
gravated shortages and slowed up
construction.
AS a final move. Mr.. Wyatt sought
to stimulate prefabrication of houses
through loans which the Recon-
struction Finance Corporation re-
fused to grant. on the ground that
they were unsound This impasse
eventually was dumped in Mr.. Tru-
mans lap, and he supported the
RFC "sound loan" stand. 1t is hard
to see how he could have done other
wise. It is his duty to weigh the
merits of such project against its
"effects on the whole economy" as
the President put it in his statement
accepting Mr.. Wyatt's resignation.
Thus rebuffed on his pet project,
Evening star., 1946-12-06
On the Record
By Dorothy Thompson

The threat OF Leon Jouhaux, secretary
general of the French Confederation OF
Labor, to the u. NJ General Assembly
that workers of "all countries would
act If the United Nations refused to
adopt positive measures in helping the
Spanish people" to overthrow the
Franco regime, is not idle. DR. Jose
Giral, prime minister of the Spanish
Republican government in exile, told
the New York Times Tuesday that the
Spanish people" are ready to reopen
the civil war, warning that, of course,
they would be doomed to certain defeat
without external aid
The entire Soviet bloc, together with
other European states. supports the
overthrow of Franco which can OBJ
viouslt only be accomplished by armed
Intervention. Whether or not all q. N.
members would support such a move,
the Soviet military forces certainly
would The end would be Soviet
puppet In Madrid
Picking Spain as the issue for the
terly, for no government can defend
him.
The internal French situation Is the
key TO the present moye-to unleash
civil war. AS write the French Assem-
bly, is meeting to elect President Of
Council for the interim government
which is to rule until January. when
the two assemblies meet to elect
President under the new constitution.
The chief candidates, so far, for Presi-
dent of the interim government is the
Communist, Maurice Thorez. On the
first ballot he failed to win majority,
but without an effective opponent it is
difficult to see how he could be de-
feated. The issue, in any case. will be
who heads the key interim ministries:
Internal affairs tpolice). foreign affairs.
finance, defense.
The civil war in Spain could not be
won by French troops; the French
Army. compared with any of it's prede-
cessors, is nonexistent But a French
government with Communists in key
positions would welcome Russian troops
The Confederation of French Trade
Unions, for whom M. Jouhaux spoke, is
Communist dominated. In case of
Spanish civil war, with France COM
mitted to armed Intervention. and with
the possibility that it might spread to
France itself, the probability of French
constitutional government being estab-
liShed in January is dubious. The di-
rection of France, and with it of Europe,
would most likely be decided by coup
,d'etat.
The pretense of any one to speak in
the name of the Spanish people" while
urging course that will mean second
Evening star., 1946-12-06
Coal Peace Tolks

Both the Spokesmen for the coal
operators and William Green, Amer
ican Federation of Labor president,
have missed. the mark in their COM
ments on a prospective settlement
of the coal strike.
Mr.. Green, veicing concern at the
prospect of the. people continuing
to suffer during the crucial period
of midwinter because of lack of
fuel" asks this question: why not
arrange a conference of those who
manage and operate the mines and
representatives of mine workers and
Through a sincere and honest dis
cussion of the problem, find basis
of accommodation which will be
acceptable to all concerned and thus
bring about resumption of mining
operations?"
Boiling this down to simpler Ian
guage, Mr.. Green, speaking un-
doubtedly with the approval of
John L. Lewis, wants resumption
of negotiations between the miners
and the coal mine owners, with the
strike continuing until satisfactory
agreement is reached.
This is not acceptable for two rea-
sons-first, because it would amount
to condoning an illegal strike, and,
second, because the miners as a
matter of principle and national
necessity should return to work at
once, without waiting for the con-
clusion of what might be protracted
negotiations.
The statement of the National
Coal Association, representing the
operators, is equally fallacious in
that it appears to reject any Sugges-
ton for negotiations until the issue
as to "the sovereignty of the Gov
ernment" has been settled.
That issue is now in the hands OF
the courts and it will be sesSled
there Nor can the operators con-
tribute anything to its determine
ton by standing off at arms length
and refusing to have any dealings
with the miners unless and until the
courts take final action. With the
condition of the country as grave as
it is, both parties should stop this
verbal fencing and get down to a
discussion of the real issue-a re-
sumption of work, followed by the
opening of serious negotiations for
q new contract.
Evening star., 1946-12-06
DR.. Leo S. Rowe

1t is not an exaggeration to say
that DR.. Leo S. Rowe will be mourned
throughout the Western Hemisphere.
He was indeed a citizen of half the
world, if not the whole of it. His
services as director general of the
Pan American Union during the
most important quarter century in
modern times were widely useful.
He lived for his task. was dedicated
to it with all his soul. News of his
sudden and tragic death will come
as a shock to great numbers OF
people who never personally met
him.
DR.. Rowe's intellectual powers
were of very high order. He was
a scholar of distinction before he
began his public career. Skilled in
the philosophy of the common law,
he brought to his endeavors in
Washington competency for equi-
table judgment which made his
knowledge of the past dynamic
force of compelling value He knew
thoroughly the essential doctrines
of international comfy. 1t was
part of his equipment, too, that he
understood financial, industrial and
commercial problems in their larger
and more inclusive aspects. He
proved his talents notably in the
Treasury and State Departments
before he was chosen, in 1920, to
carry on the work developed by John
Barrett.
But DR.. Rowe's major achieve
ments were not mere negotiations
between governments. He was
man of wonderful heart, a simple
and kindly man who cared deeply
about humanity without regard to
condition or creed or class or any
other limitation. II the good
neighbor" ideal was symbolized by
any individual, he was that one.
His chivalry is. a legend that surely
will endure.
More important, however, is the
survival and progress of the cause
to which he gave his efforts. The
Evening star., 1946-12-06

martyrdom for them, and offering no
choice except another despotism more
bloody and cruel than that under which
they now suffer, is beside the point.
The pretense that Spain threatens world
peace-a country which could not de-
fend itself against the mighty Russian
armies. to say nothing Of picking fight
with any great power, is also beside
the point. So is the profound hypocrisy
of the charges against Franco from
the mouths Of those who most violently
make them. OF what is he accused?
OF heading government Imposed" or
the Spanish people by force?
What sort of government has Poland?
What sort Bulgaria, Yugoslavia. Hun
gary, where rulers trained for years in
the Soviet Union and imported for the
purpose rule with hand as ruthless
as Frances? Has he concentration
camps? Which of the new democra-
cies" does not?
In Poland even American citizens are
in Jail and kept incommunicado from
their Embassy. Does he have secret
police or party janissaries suppress all
opposition, and rule by combination OF
official propaganda, peoples courts, -
and veiled or naked terrorism? From
this viewpoint there are worse spots
than Frances Spain.
But all this is beside the point In
world where every humanistic principle
is violated, the people become but masses
to be pushed around, starved, expropri-
ated and slaughtered at will, and where
the more precious words have become
so void of meaning that one hesitates
to utter them. Unbridled forces have
been let loose that no longer yield to
considerations of reason or pity.
lead the blind. In world which is in
fun state of revolution, our states
men" think to restrain passions and
suppress vast organized movements of
men by appeals to the courts and by,
as it were hangings in effigy. Without
the foggiest notion even of how, in fact,
to uphold the law, situation is created
which is bound to lead to total lawless-
ness, as factories close, rails halt. homes
freeze, lights dim and millions are
thrown into idleness
Law, our statesmen" should know,
can function only in conditions condu-
Give to law. and no such conditions OBJ
tain in Nation threatened by. and
presently to be engaged in, what
amounts to general strike, and in a
world given over to the terror of vio-
lent minorities backed by mighty state
and armies.
Is civil war to be invited even in the
United States? Are we dreaming of q
red Christmas?
released By the Bell Syndicate Inc,
Evening star., 1946-12-06
This Changing World
By Constantine Brovn

on the good faith OF the signatories.
as was the case with Danzig.
The other consideration believed to
have caused Mr.. Molotov to slow down
is the reported difficult situation In the
Ukraine, which has many explosive po-
tentials.
There is an increasing number OF re-
ports, which have q ring of truth, that
the Ukrainian people, who have been
seething for the last few months, have
translated their discomfort into an open
rebellion.
Observers who are reporting these
matters from the border states say
there is rot a general uprising as yet.
But in the last few weeks there have
been many ominous movements on the
part OF the land tillers in that area,
which is regarded as the bread basket
Of Russia. There have been many such
rebellions since Stain took over the
helm. They have always been ruth
lessly suppressed by the NKVD forces
This time, however, the situation Is
made somewhat more difficult because
a number of demobilized soldiers are
involved and they know as we'll as the
police force how to handle weapons.
r. II
So long as Stain was guiding Russia
with an iron hand, these uprisings were
mostly local In character. They were
quelled by blood baths and wholesale
deportations. But it appears that ru-
mors about Stalin's health have been
spread throughout that area. The
Ukrainians pride themselves on not be-
ing true Russians and for long time
have been strongly nationalistic.
This factor, linked with the dearth Of
consumers goods, is said to have pro-
duced another wave of discomfort which
for the time is being translated into
local uprisings. They are being put
down chiefly by the NKVD, but in sew
eral instances the Red Army, which in
the past has never been used for police
purposes. had to be called In.
Until the riddle of Stain is solved
the domestic situation in Russia will be
smoldering. This is one Of the fore
most concerns of Foreign Minister
Molotov and his assistant, Vishinsky,
who probably realize that, until this
matter is cleared up, it is advisable to
deal more carefully with the nations
outside the iron curtain.
Evening star., 1946-12-06

There Is good deal of speculation and
guessing In Washington oficial circles
ais to why Soviet Foreign Minister Molo-
tov has been more easy going and CO.
operative in recent days. Speculation
in some quarters attributes this apparent
change to two probable causes: The pri-
vate reports Molotoy may be receiving
regarding Prime Minister Stains health
and the reported difficulties the Russian
government is again encountering In the
Ukraine.
Under these conditions, Molotov and
his deputy, Andrei Vishinsky, who can
appraise the international situation bet
ter than anybody else In the u. s. r. r.
and realize the worldwide implications
If Stain were out OF the picture, may
have decided that for while at least
Russia should slow down on her tough
policy TO this must be added the
conviction Of the Russian representa-
tives In New York that America Is not
in the same yielding mood as she was
year ago.
The top Soviet representatives realize
that engaging Russia IN major interna-
tional dificulties at time when
she may have to face serious success
sion strife would cause the country to
lose all the enormous advantages Russia
has gained in the international field
since she became associated with the
western powers.
Great Importance is attached to the
concessions Mr.. Molotoy has made so
lar in New York, particularly in yielding
the veto power in armament control
after that power has been used in draft
ing the rules and regulations for the
inspection teams. However, should cir
cumstances warrant a change in policy,
the whole thing could be thrown in the
junk heap when the rules for the teams
are drafted.
The same thing can be said about
the Trieste agreement. That matter
can represent genuine settlement
only If all the parties involved are sim
cere in applying the provisions Of the
treaty Observers in Washington point
out that If Marshal Tito OF Yugoslavia
decided eventually to rush matters on
a wink from Moscow he would be able
to do so. Incidents which could be
taken advantage of could always be
created, The whole agreement depends
Evening star., 1946-12-06
The Anglo-Americaa Merger
By RAYMOND Moley

When the Potsdam Agreement was
made, 16 months ago, the author OF this
column sought the opinion of an econ-
omist intimately familiar with Ger
many and respected throughout Europe.
He said the agreement could not work
out.
His opinion has now been justified
by the facts. Potsdam has failed.
The same expert says, this week, that
the new Anglo-American agreement
has a good chance to work and. what
is more, that it is likely to bring Russia
to a satisfactory solution of the German
problem. For the Russian zone des-
perately needs union with the Anglo
American zones AS the industry of
Western Germany develops, the Rus
sian need for its products will increase.
The Russian zone is mainly agrtcul-
tural, with only one big industrial CEN
ter-the Berlin area. 1t has some
Ignite, or brown coal, but the amount
Is not sufficient for the 25, ,O00, 900 in
habitants of the Russian zone. The
Russians have rather stupidity removed
much industrial equipment, which they
have been unable to use profitably and
which has sharpened their dependence
on outside help. That outside help
must come, to great extent, from the
American and British zones.
The French zone is primarily agri-
cultural, with small cities and not over
100000 inhabitants This area will be
almost elf-sufficient. Exploitation of
the resources of the Saar Basin should
enable the French to supply any neces-
sary help without economic loss.
The American zone is mainly agri-
cultural, with about 100000 In
habitants. It's southern portion is
self-supporting It's industrial areas.
Frankfurt and Mannheim- dwigsha-
fen, contain the bulk Of the German
chemical industry and most Of the ma
chine-tool plants. It is officially esti-
mated that the American zone will need
outside nelp to the extent Of $500 000,-
600 for the first year, and half that for
two more years.
The greatest problem is the British
zone. It's center is the greatest indus
trial area of Europe, the Ruhr Basin.
In normal times 1t lived by selling coal,
Evening star., 1946-12-06

iron, chemicals and finished products
to the rest of Germany, with comfort
able margin for export. Much of this
industrial plant has been dismantled
as a war potential. The area desperately
needs food, which will cost $3.50, 600 900
annually for two years, and half that
for two years more.
The merger of the British and Ameri-
can zones will go long way toward
the establishment of German self
Gates that official claims that in three
years two-thirds of Germany will be
sufficient are too optimistic. It
is still true that all Germany will re-
quire two or three billion dollars in In
verse reparations and that most OF this
the United States will have to bear.
Payments may have to be made for seven
or eight years.
The Anglo American merger makes
our economic position in dealing with
the Russians much stronger than before.
The Russians will soon seek some agree
ment with the British and Americans
But the radical land reforms which the
Russians have performed In Eastern
Germany will make merger difficult.
Also, German currency and banking
problems must be settled so that the
same monetary unit which prevails
within the British American zones will
be valid and exchangeable in the Rus
sian zone.
These differences can be settled after
not too long delay. There is no rea-
son why Russia should not follow the
example of the two great powers by
merging its zone and thus improving
the economic basis for future repara-
tions.
released BY Associated Newspapers)
Evening star., 1946-12-06
Question Of Ethics

There is nothing in the Virginia
law which makes illegal the loan
broker activities Of John Locke
Green, treasurer of Arlington Coun-
zty. There is ample reason, how
ever, to look with misgiving on the
ethical character of those transac-
tions.
AS treasurer, Mr. Green handles
the county's funds. Some years ago,
unable to arrange in full the re-
quired collateral protection for coun-
ty deposits in Arlington banks, he
opened accounts at banks in Orange
and Charlottesville. In recent years
he has made no attempt to arrange
with Arlington banks for increased
collateral, with the result that the
deposits in the t-of-county banks
have reached substantial proper
tions. This arrangement, except for
the obvious fact that 1t is poor busi-
ness. for Arlington, would not be
subject to serious criticism.
But Mr.. Green has not stopped
there. He has also entered into an
agreement with the Orange and
Charlottesville banks, where he de-
posits the money of the people OF
Arlington, under which he acts as
loan broker in Arlington for those
banks, receiving the usual brokerage
commission. In other words, Mr..
Green, In his official capacity as
county treasurer, deposits substan-
tial amounts Of county money in
banks at Orange and Charlottesville.
Then he turns around and in his
unofficial capacity Of loan broker
arranges for those banks to lend
their funds back to residents OF
Arlington, at profit, of course, to
Mr.. Green.
The treasurer has not disclosed
the amount of his loan brokerage
profits, contending that this Is
nobody's business. One would think,
however, that the taxpayers OF
Arlington, who pay him $1,000 a
year as treasurer, would feel that
it is some of their business. At the
least, they should be concerned with
the ethical aspect of that sort of
activity on the part OF a public
official.
Evening star., 1946-12-06

twenty lone republics of the newer
half of the globe, with Canada not
overlooked, were to him single So
ciety, varying only In minor respects,
sharing an identic destiny, adj
vancing comparatively toward a
mutual prosperity as well as peace
and freedom. All the monument
that he would wish is that Of the
continuance of the movement to
which he belonged. The best trib-
ute possible to pay to him is prac-
tical support of the pan-American
program.
Evening star., 1946-12-06
This and That
By Charles E. Tracewell

There are two main classes of adven-
ture seekers. Members of one 60 to the
South Pole or some place. The others
stay home and take things as they
come.
Templeton Jones belongs to the latter
group.
He has nose for adventure. just as
some have noses for news.
His ideas of adventure, Of course, are
strictly his own. Others-especially
class l adventurers-might not think
watching a man juggle cup OF coffee
without spilling any was much of an
adventure.
that time he was waiting all the way
downtown on bus to hear q Spanish
speaking lady call out "adios," only to
have her say ''good-by" at last.
Jones has his own way of assessing
adventure. He begins in the mind and
is perfectly willing to let his adventure
end there
That is why he doesn't have to go
out of town or capering to night clubs
or wandering through the woods
Adventure, he knows, is how you
find it.
Take that bright morning recently,
while ne was on his way to work
It was an ideal morning for adven-
ture, in the Templeton Jones way.
Even he could not call the live car
dinal on the fence an adventure. except
in way of speaking.
x* ~
n,,t ft,a aaa1 eo,,irraJ ~, A., s+.,.t
He was adventure.
He was as dead as Dickens doornail.
He was right in the stream of traffic.
Most people, thinking adventure Is
around the corner or in the next
county or at the North Pole or some
place, would have passed by without
hearted person would have said, Poor
thing" to himself
Lily fingered persons would not have
wanted to soil their fingers. Therefore
they. too, would have passed on.
Others, filled with modern ideas of
germs, might have slnrunk from contact
with such an object.
A. u 4
Templeton Jones looked up and down
the street.
He was somewhat timid about his
good deeds being seen by men.
He would much rather that they were
not The man who hides his light
under q bushel is much more likely not
to have 1t put out.
Jones looked and saw no one, which
was what he desired.
He knew that If the squirrel re-
manned where 1t was it would be passed
over hour after hour by scores and
hundreds of motor cars
Hour after hour, until at last, maybe
by nightfall or two nightfaIls, 1t would
be flatter than sheet of paper.
n
Templeton Jones walked over.
He looked down at the poor beastie,
done to death by earelessness and in
difference
He picked it up and carried it over
to the parking, where he found a
natural depression.
In It he placed the squirrel, and COW
cred it neatly with leaves.
He stood up and looked around.
Cars had begun to stream into the
block again.
Jones looked at them as they passed,
and one man looked over, as much as
to ask, Just what are you doing there,
mister2"
Templeton Jones was glad he didn't
know.
Some adventures are peculiarly your
own.
Evening star., 1946-12-06
Street PIuyer

Who is the player IN the street
That here beneath my tDindoir played,
Breaking the midnight into halpes?
And tohy am / afraid?
Perhaps l hare not get escaped
From the dark dream that bound
ME
There is no reason to belieUe
The enemy has found me -.
4 sound OF breath and UillosD,cood
rs scarce thing thought to fear,
But ap1to is he tuI,o knoags, irlso kr0Ds
The song I mould not hear2
YETzA GILLESPIE-