davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1947-12-01
$1,000, 1000 Airport Opens
Al West Virginia Capital
BY the Assoeiotsd Press

CHARLESTON, w. Va, Dec. l.
Special ceremonies marked the in
auguration of major commercial
airline service at Charleston's new
$7,000,00 Kanawha Airport today
Daily flights scheduled by Eastern,
Capital and American Airlines put
the State capital back on the COM
mercial air maps after an absence
of more than five years.
Guest of honor" certificates,
signed by Gov. Clarence w. Mead
ows, were to be handed to crew and
passengers of the first planes from
each line to land at the airdrome
The Capital Airlines' first arrival
today was christened "Capitaler
Charleston" by Mrs. Meadows, wife
of the Governor. American Airlines
first ship to touch Charleston on its
new schedule will be named Flag
ship Charleston"
Senator Jenner. Republican. of
Indiana was listed among passen-
gers on board the first Eastern Air
lines plane to make the new stop.
Charleston has been skipped by
commercial airlines ever since its
old airport was closed in May, 1912
Evening star., 1947-12-01

are expected to attend 30th an
niversary. banquet at the Maytiower
Hotel on December Is.
The dinner, held every five years
was attended in 1942 by 81 of the
1917 appointees. Since that time
the agency said, q have retired,
nine have died and four have been
transferred to other offices. Sixty
nine still are on. duty at the VA
central office here. Gen. Omar N
Bradley, who served his last day
as Veterans Administrator last Fri
day, will be an invited guest.
Evening star., 1947-12-01
Forouk's Physicion Arrives

NEW YORK, Dec. l. P.-Dr
Ahmed Nakiba Pasha, personal ply
sician to King Farouk Of Egypt, ar
rived by plane yesterday from Lon
don and said he would inspect hos
pitfalls In the United States. He also
will visit Queen Mother Nazly o.
Egypt, who is undergoing treatment
at the Mayo Clinic In Rochester
MINI
Evening star., 1947-12-01

fare and recreation purposes for
veterans in Washington area hos
pitals, was opened last week by
President Truman. The flowers will
be sold to .the public on Decem-
Der 8.
Evening star., 1947-12-01
VA Plans to Honor 80
For 30-Yeur Service

About 80 employees and former
Federal workers appointed to the
Veterans Administration in 1917
Evening star., 1947-09-27
Letters to The Star
Another View on Length of Skirts

Another View on Length of Skirts
To the Editor Of The Star:
I wish 70 express my opinion concerning the
Reverend A. Powell Davies. pastor of the All
Souls Unitarian Church A church hardly
seems the place to discuss the length of
women's skirts 1t is there we go for spiritual
guidance and teaching. If this. is what is
being discussed in churches, it is little wonder
that child delinquency is at the peak it is
today
To state that long skirts are Immoral"
hardly seems to describe a skirt. immortality
would no doubt grow out of the person wear
ing the skirt rather than the skirt itself or
its length DR.. Davies further likens American
womanhood to "a herd of ludicrous CATTLE I
am Of the opinion the American woman is
superior to any in the world. She sets stand
ard far above that in European countries
1t would also seem that DR.. Davies over
looked the fact that many textile factories in
this county are badly in need Of orders. In
some instances they rely upon Government
orders to enable them to continue employing
many people. If few inches on the bottom
of skirt would keep American citizens
from joining the relief lines, say: Add yards.
In my opinion to put our manufactures on
short hours, our designers without employ
ment, and curtail the sales of our retailers
will not solve the European problem and
certainly longer skirt will not make us q
country of immoral women.
DORIS s. WAYMAN.
Evening star., 1947-09-27

convert it into matter, Just as now he
converts matter into energy. In other
words, he may learn at last how to make
something out of nothing"
This prospect, as it materializes, is Ger
tain to have far-reaching social, economic
and political effects, nationally and inter-
nationally. The effects may be felt slowly,
but they will surely be felt, and many OF
our old concepts, our old habits of thought
our old patterns of individual and collec-
tive action will have to be abandoned
however gradually or reluctantly Henri
Bergson's dictum never has been so apt
as 1t seems now: "To exist is to change
to change is to mature, to mature is to go
on evolving ones self endlessly." The atom
just will not permit us to stand still
except at our own peril.
Evening star., 1947-09-27

trestle above the Keowee River in the north
west corner Of South Carolina and awaited
the passing of the Crescent Limited, New
York bound.
Old man FAINT used to bring her down from
the Oconee hills toward the river, around
sharp curves and long straight stretches,
hanging on his whistle cord, blowing for the
crossings the curves the straightaways and
just for the sound of it. The pounding Of the
drive wheels on the rail joints and the screech
of the exhaust as steam escaped from hot
boiler, sent chills running up and down our
spines. Plumes of steam flying from clanking
cylinders completed the picture, as we hung
to our precarious perch a hundred feet above
the muddy river below.
Wings of progress now send modern engi-
neers sailing overhead high, wide and hand
some, doing 200-250-300 and on up to 800
miles an hour. I
Put steam whistle or good compressed air
signal on one of those high and fast babies
and you would have something. Waiting for
friends at the airport, how nice it would be
to hear the pilot whistle for the landing.
Then, you would know they were in, or hear
him highball, To-o-o-t To-o-o-t, as he gave
her the gun to take of and again as he made
his altitude. : t- .4.~-a- e9f
And, what beautiful music 1t would be at
q mile high to hear the Banshee wall OF a.
C-54 as he knocked OF his 3-4-5 miles
minute. =: 2i7s hs>@ asrA r@'a ),
Then, you'd have something. Shades OF
Old Man FAINT in his Crescent Limited
Let my good Arlington friend do little
worrying about sidewalks which are mighty
scarce, and people walking In the street buck
ing the car trafnc. N'est-ce pasP
co. DIA BEE.
Evening star., 1947-09-27
Mr.. Taft on Foreign Policy

Senator Taft's foreign policy speech at
Tacoma Is important, not only because it
comes from man who may be the next
President Of the United States, but because
it must surely express what is in the hearts
and the minds of great many Americans.
AS a political speech, it was not exces-
sively political. Senator Taft absolves the
Republican Party, as he has reason to do,
of responsibility for the fruits of foreign
policies put into effect during and after
the war. He says, as any one can see that
these fruits, in the main, have been evil
fruits. And where they have been good
he bestows most of the credit on his Re-
publican colleague, Senator Vandenberg
There is, of course. a certain amount of
partisan politics in this, but it is not at the
petty level. Neither is it devoid of justi-
fication. for the Democrats, having been
foreign policy is concerned. must expect
to be held responsible for the results. The
more important part of the Taft speech
dealt, however with the future rather than
the past
The Ohio Senator did not equivocate or
pussyfoot in discussing the ominous dead
lock in the Security Council. Although
asserting the belief that our foreign policy
should continue to be built around the
United Nations, he had this to say of the
Russian attitude: "If Russia in effect
withdraws from any real participation in
effective action by the United Nations, I
believe we should proceed without Russia
to perfect United. Nations which will
operate in limited field"
There is no mincing of words about that,
no refusal to face up to the realities of
the alternative which Is being forced upon
us by the mounting evidence that the
Russians are using the United Nations, not
to create peace, but to create chaos It is
a much bolder statement than has been
made by any of the other presidential
hopefuls, and 1t harmonizes with a con-
viction that is growing in the minds of
many people.
Senator Taft was hardly less candid in
dealing with the other really important
phase of his talk-the question of extend
ing economic aid to the suffering countries
of Western Europe.
He is in favor of granting assistance.
But if he has anything to say about it
and he will speak with very authoritative
voice when the program reaches the SEN
Evening star., 1947-09-27

Army for the caste distinctions carried over
from the Middle Ages, which place young
officer among an elite where he can dominate
subordinates. This caste system is a relic of
the Dark Ages, but still the Army leadership,
which gains all of the advantage, refuses to
yield on its vested rights to preference by
reason of rank
II the Army will reconstruct itself along
democratic lines as proposed by the Doolittle
Board and in accordance with our national
democratic traditions; if it will eliminate it's
degrading caste qualifications; if it will give
Its members the protection of the courts of the
land and not place them at the mercy of an
oficer elite determined to perpetuate itself.
II 1t will transform itself from Military Police
force into true technical corps of experts
and provide working conditions for its person.
mel which will maintain their sef-respect, there
Will be no problem Of volunteer recruiting, and
no need to threaten with a dangerous con-
scription program which will DESTROY our
liberties. H. C, HOLDRIDGE
Brig. Gen., U. S. A., retired.
Evening star., 1947-09-27
Differs With MIR. Ickes' Views

D1nerS With MIR. lckeS' Views
To the Editor of The Star:
I have read The Star for more than 40
years, and feel bound to answer an article
by Harold L. Ickes. In his story he ridicules
our former President Hoover very unfairly.
II the truth were told, Mr.. Hoover is one
of the greatest men of our time When de-
feated, he knew the banking situation was
very bad and invited Mr. Roosevelt down
to Washington in an effort to adjust things,
But Mr.. Roosevelt's answer was: No,
The first thing Mr.. Roosevelt did was to
put everybody on relief and to this dav a.
great many persons believe the Government
owes them living, even if they do not
care to work.
Mr.. 1ckes also speaks of sending scrap iron
to Japan, and dare say every newspaper
was against it, Yet Mr. Roosevelt allowed IT.
The labor unions even went on strike against
loading ships with scrap iron in California.
In conclusion, will say have read numer-
GUS articles IN your paper by Mr. Ickes and
am OF the opinion that he has very narrow
or warped mind. B. D. sTROHECKER.
Evening star., 1947-09-27

@. Is there any foundation for the statement
that person sitting between two open windows
in an electric storm is in danger of being struck
by lightning?-E. l..
A. The Weather Bureau says that there Is
not much, but still little, truth in the state
ment that lightning follows draft 1t often
happens that lightning consists of number Of
separate discharges following each other over
a period of whole second, or even longer.
Each subsequent discharge follows the same air
the first discharge went through, hence the
discharges are drifted along with the wind, and
IN rare cases might be drifted inside house by
a strong draft. The draft causes very little
danger, but it does cause some.
O. What is the largest number Of countries
which were members of the League Of Nations
at any one time?-N. I. l.
A. The League of Nations had go members
in 1885, and at one time or another SO nations
were members.
Evening star., 1947-09-27
No STANDING Still

Now on display at the Museum of
Natural History in New York are the
worlds first man-made star sapphires
and star rubies. According to those who
have seen them, they are not Identical
with their real, nonsynthetic counterparts,
but they definitely seem to be. The
difference is that their backs have lines
showing that they are not the genuine
article. Otherwise, as far as surfaces are
concerned, manufactured one costing a
couple of hundred dollars or so appears
to be just as impressive to the average
eye as one found in nature and worth
many thousands.
Wholly apart from whatever signif-
canoe it may have for the jewelry business
this latest development in the field of
synthetics is merely another reminder of
the fact that we are entering an age when
there is likely to be a multiplication of
such wonders, and the wonders promise
to be far more important than man-made
gems. This is especially true as regards
the new frontier opened up by nuclear
science. As Chairman Lilienthal of our
Atomic Energy Commission has observed,
we probably have learned more about the
atom in the last thirty years than in all
the preceding centuries, and we are con-
tinuing to learn more and more, and the
more we learn, the greater becomes our
ability to work magic with the funda-
mental building blocks Of life and matter.
Actually, synthetic star sapphires are as
nothing compared with all the construc-
tive things that promise to flow from the
new world of science before us. The ex-
ploration and exploitation have scarcely
begun, but already it is possible to predict
with confidence great advances in health
agriculture. industry and virtually every
field of human interest and endeavor
Developments comparable to transform
ing lead into gold are altogether possible
theoretically, too, it is at least conceiv-
able that the day will come when man
viii hnd way to take energy itself and
Evening star., 1947-09-27
Time for Yes or No

lot OF CONFUSION IN the PUBIC mlnd
will be ended If the impending conference
between the President and leaders of the
Senate and House definitely settles the
question whether there is going to be a
special session of Congress.
Though not saying so directly, Secretary
Marshall and Undersecretary Lovett have
strongly indicated that such meeting will
be necessary for this reason: That France
and Italy-and to lesser extent others
among the sixteen nations cooperating in
the long-term Marshall recovery proposal
are desperately in need of food and
fuel, but have practically no dollars left
to buy them from us. Accordingly, since
the long-term program cannot take effect
for many months, the plain implication is
that Congress will have to meet before it's
regular session in January to authorize
stop-gap or interim aid in order to save
the hard pressed countries from the danger
of collapsing before the year ends
For some weeks past, however. ever
since Mr.. Lovett first suggested it, the
President has fought shy of the idea of a
special session. though eonceding that one
might be necessary. He may have excel
lent reasons for this. It may be that he
feels the situation can be met without
calling back Congress. 1t may be, for ex-
ample, that enough stop-gap aid can be
arranged through our Export-Import
Bank, the World Bank and the projected
redistribution of about half of the $780,
100000 in gold looted by the Germans and
now controlled by special Anglo-French-
American Commission. Nevertheless, con-
sidering the conflict in official views and
attitudes on this subject the American
people cannot be blamed if they are con-
fused or have doubts about the urgency of
measures like the newly launched drive to
conserve food. Doubt and confusion will
be widespread until the administration
makes up it's mind, one way or the other,
and gives clearer picture of just what
has to be done.
Certainly, If stop-ga aid is needed, if 1t
requires legislative action, and if the ex-
ecutive branch can draw up a clear-cut
program to get that action before the end
of the year, then there ought to be a
special session of Congress at the earliest
feasible moment. Such session, besides
dealing with emergency, measures, would
have the added virtue of permitting the
Senate and House to get started on the
long-term Marshall plan before January.
1t is plan that will require great deal
of study and debate, and the sooner work
begins on 1t, the sooner will concrete prog
ress be made toward a. solution of the
enormously complex and all-important
problem of European recovery.
Despite numerous signs to the contrary,
of course, the President may have good
cause to decide against a special session.
If so, the time is about here for him to
act accordingly. AS things stand, his SEEM
ing indecision and vacillation, when con-
trasted with the tocsin-like notes sounded
by highly placed members of his own
official family, serve only to befuddle the
public at large 1t will be fine thing all
around if the White House meeting on
Monday clarifies the situation in way
every one can understand.
Evening star., 1947-09-27
This and That
BIZ Charles E. Trace1Cell
SILVER SPRING

SILVER SPRING.
Dear Sir:
1--WE have lot of good birds out here and
T am wondering what is the best way of keep
ing some of them during the winter.
"I know enough about them to realize that
many I see are going to leave in a few weeks
but I know that some will remain.
II am not exactly sure about procedure. Do
have to put up feeding station? Is it neces-
sary to get certain kind of food?. Should
put out water, along with food?
"I am sure that your answer to these ques-
tions will help me and thousands Of others who
have just moved to the suburbs.
Sincerely, p. j. L."
**
Just as etiquette is common sense in action,
so feeding the wild birds is not at all difficult.
One does not have to join anything, although
some persons might like to make you think SO.
One does not have to erect feeding station,
as nice as that can be.
No, feeding the wintering birds-of which
there are some 10 species in and around Wash
ington-may be nothing more than throwing
food on the ground.
And that food may be just plain bread, or
raisins, or chicken scratch feed.
Water and dust baths are appreciated by
many Species especially when winter winds
dry up small pools and puddles.
X X
So it may be realized that there is nothing
mystical about this business.
From child to grandfather or grand
mother, anyone can feed the birds.
1t requires no particular gifts, but, like SO
many pleasant ccupations-knitting, for in
stance-pays large dividends.
The most active person, and the most seden-
tary, each finds something rewarding In
study of our birds.
Even the bedfast person, if not too i'll, may
discover a whole new world waiting for him
just outside his window.
But though no feeding station is required,
the addition of one to the garden Is pleasant,
and the birds like to be covered while eating
in rain and snow.
The formal feeding station may be almost
ANYTHING from table to box on post.
There are many forms, some of which may
be purchased, others of which many be made
by the enterprising.
The basic feeding box has roof, a floor
and self feeding box or hopper at the rear,
pouring the grain and seed into the tray.
One of these on a stake outside window,
becomes an ever increasing source OF interest.
X
Various mixtures of 'wildbird food" are to
be purchased, but sunfower seed, mixed with
chicken feed, will do very well.
The best commercial foods should be supple
mented with beef suet, moistened slices OF
bread, and raisins.
1ne laIteT Will "pe eaCeH Uy CdIGlIldIS anu Gllc
mockingbirds that choose to winter with u.s.
Starlings like bread, so do not put out too
much of this, or you will have the yard full
of starlings all winter.
A shallow tray of water is helpful. In the
cold it is best placed in the sun some little dis
tance from the feeding place.
Any pie or cake pan will do.
Dirt beneath some shrub should be kept
constantly stirred up, so that certain birds may
enjoy dust bath when they choose.
All in all, interest in the birds is enjoyable
and profitable. .&r
No individual. and no organization, owns the
birds
They belong to America.
Evening star., 1947-09-27
New Patterns on the Lond

AS Nation we have been a prodigal
spendthrift with our most vital resource.
The United States Soil Conservation Serv-
ice estimates that every year from 1895 to
1880 million acres Of Americas topsoil
went down the drain, both literally and
figuratively. The service estimates that
half our Nations farmland has been dam
aged by wind and water erosion.
Now it is certain that the tide has turned
A new pattern of contours and terraces
has been made on the land. Old-time
farmers were proud of their straight fur
rows, but science has proved that the fur
row which curves with the contour of the
land is the way to save topsoil. In a re-
cent announcement the sCS says that
we have some 400,000,0OO acres of good
cropland. The balance of the country's
1,060,000,000 acres of farmland is best suited
to grazing and forestry.
To the Soil Conservation Service estab-
lished in 1885, goes credit for waging
winning battle. Today all the States and
Puerto Rico have soil conservation dis
tricts, governed and run by the partici-
pating farmers. More than 1000 districts
cover approximately S75, 900 acres of
cropland, pasturage and woodland. Nearly
100000 farms, representing two-thirds of
the total, are included. Now the waving
lines on the landscape are becoming COM
mon. The new pattern represents better
agriculture and more security for our
Nation. e..
Evening star., 1947-09-27
An Overdue Master Plan

The comprehensive planning task winch
confronts Harland Bartholomew, city plan
ming expert, and the National Capital Park
and Planning Commission is one that has
long been scheduled by the commission,
but never completed Hampered ever since
Its creation in 1925 by limited personnel
and limited funds, the commission has
been forced to attack the planning prob
lem in patchwork manner. 1t will be the
responsibility of Mr.. Bartholomew to as
semble these separate, but related plans,
bring them up to date and integrate them
into the first real master plan to be pub
hshed since that of the Mcmillan Commits
sion in 1901.
The first master plan" for Washington
was that of Major Pierre L'Enfant, the
French architect employed by George
Washington to design the Capital City.
L'Enfant's plan covered only about one
tenth of the area of the District of Colum-
bia-the so-called "old city," between
Florida avenue and the Potomac River.
He saw no need to concern himself with
street, park or residential section develop
ments beyond those limits. Nor did his
successors in the planning field see the
need for revision and extension of the
original plan until after the Civil War.
It was not until 1893 that any definite
move was made to plan the orderly growth
of the Capital beyond the "old city" That
year there was created special Highway
Commission, which prepared layout of
streets for the remainder of the District.
This plan was revised in 1898
It was the creation by Congress of the
Mcmillan Commission in 1901. in conhec-
ton with the Districts centennial celebra-
ton, that really brought the first major
modernization of the LEnfant plan. The
Mcmillan plan set the pattern for the
Identification of Washington in the Fed
eral triangle, the Mall and other areas.
The next major planning step was the set
ting up of the zoning Commission in 1920.
This was followed in 1924 by creation of
the National Park Commission, which be-
came the National Capital Park and Plan
ming Commission two years later. Excel
lent planning progress has been made by
the latter commission, but until Congress
last year passed the Redevelopment Act
and implemented it this year with STE, 900
sppropriation-the commission had been
unable to produce, in one document, the
overall program it so much desired to
issue as general guide.
The Redevelopment Act directed the
commission to prepare master city de-
velopment plan as a preliminary to the
job of making detailed plans to rid the
city of blighted sections in the congested
downtown areas. Mr.. Bartholomew will
devote his efforts to the preparation of
the new comprehensive plan, not to spe-
ciic details of alley redevelopment or the
like. The plans for slum clearance and
redevelopment of blighted parts of. the
city will come later. Mr.. Bartholomew is
well qualified for the mission assigned to
him, for he has been advising the commits
sion on planning matters almost since It's
establishment. His job should not be too
difficult In view of the fact that much of
the groundwork already has been laid by
the commission in its continuing studies
of local planning problems.