davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1947-12-07
Will Voluntary Be Enough?

Owing to developing fuel shortage
Interior Department officials have laid
before Congress plans for a conservation
campaign that would include voluntary
curtailment of pleasure driving. Similarly
in the field of meat, Senator Flanders of
Vermont has suggested that the Repub-
licans can work out real" program of
effective control on a strictly volunteer
basis.
The accent in all quarters-Republican
and Democratic alike-is on the word
voluntary" But there is some reason to
ask whether this does not involve con-
siderable wishful thinking or a kind of
let-us-hope- fort best doubletalk keyed
to the forthcoming presidential campaign.
At any rate as far as fuel is concerned,
the Interior Department, though putting
the emphasis on volunteer action, would
like Congress to give the administration
discretionary reserve powers to ration and
fix prices in case of an unforeseen emer-
gency." AS for meat, Secretary Anderson
has testified that he cannot see how we
can 60 through the spring without some
kind of Federal control Indeed, even
Senator Flanders has acknowledged that
rationing might be necessary as "a last
resort"
It is understandable, of course, that the
general tendency is to favor voluntary
methods. But If the fuel and meat out
look is really as serious as some have
indicated, there is more than a little
reason to doubt that such methods will
be sufficient. Human nature being what
it is, people cannot be counted upon to
deny themselves the pleasures of driving
or of eating steak simply because of
appeals asking them to do so. They may
respond we'll enough to meatless Tuesdays
and eggless Thursdays, but their overall
reaction-especially when they are not
confronted with a ife-or-death crisis like
War-is likely to be less than satisfactory
if they are urged to make daily practice
of cutting down on their auto travel or
their purchases at the butcher shop.
In the circumstances, if the situation
actually contains emergency possibilities,
both Congress and the administration
ought to face that fact realistically. The
idea of voluntary programs may be we'll
worth trying, but at the same time,again
assuming emergency possibilities-there
should be foresighted action to have ade-
quate control measures in readiness in the
event that time proves them necessary.
It is absurdly inaccurate to identify such
measures with the police state. If America
finds that it must take them, it will not
be emulating the Soviets. 1t will simply
be acting to protect its own economy on
the basis of a mature and democratic
congressional decision.
Evening star., 1947-12-07
What Mr.. MoIotov Is Doing

For over week now the council OF For
eign Ministers has been meeting in Lon
don for two primary purposes. The first
is to draft peace settlement for Austria
and the second is to make definite be-
ginning on a German treaty. France,
Britain and the United States are ready
and eager to do both. But Russia is not.
On the contrary, through Mr.. Molotov 1t
is doing everything it can to do nothing.
Thus, Mr.. Molotov has suggested, and
then withdrawn the suggestion, that the
conference drop the subject of Germany
and arrange to take it up again In two
months. Thus, too, he has rejected all
proposals to consider compromises on the
Austrian question. His sole contribution
to the meeting so far has been to cover
it with boredom and futility by means of
his delaying tactics and his stale and
repetitious echoing of such hackneyed and
false Krennlin charges as that the western
powers are trying to "enslave" Austria with
economic aid.
Secretary Marshall has now answered
this with gloves-off language. Speaking
across the table from Mr.. Molotov, he has
said that Mr.. Molotov himself does not
really believe Mr.. Molotov's allegations.
Mr.. Molotov, he has said, is merely doing
what he is supposed to do-by hook or by
crook-to carry out his governments main
objective at this time. That objective, as
frankly acknowledged by the Kremlin con-
trolled Communist international, is to
disrupt the great cooperative movement
that is being launched for the economic
recovery of Europe"
Hence Mr.. Molotovs obstructionist con-
duct in London. Hence his undertaking
effort to make sure that the Foreign Min
listers will adjourn without accomplishing
Who can doubt what he is trying to do?
Who can doubt that he is seeking to pro-
mote Soviet policy designed to keep the
Red Army deep in Europe, to delay the
peace treaties as long as possible to impede
the continents return to normal, and thus
to prolong or create the kind of chaos that
could conceivably help to spread the Krem-
Inns dominance as far west as the English
Channel?
If Mr. Molotov and his government deny
this, and If they want the world to believe
the denial, then let them come forward
with proof of their good intentions. They
can do that easily enough, if they wish.
They have only to change their behavior
in London. They have only to cooperate
sincerely with France, Britain and the
United States in establishing European
peace that has been too long delayed
already. The situation is essentially as
simple as that What makes it grim is the
Kremlins apparent determination not to
let Mr.. Molotov unbend-not even little.
Evening star., 1947-12-07

Half q century ago the Russian Empire was
preparing for war with Japan. The Star on
December 3, 1897 reported
Russians from San Francisco that
Getting Reody agents of the Gear were
buying large quantities Of
army supplies" and that travellers had noticed
that the garrison at Vladivostok has been
largely reinforced by the arrival Of troops on
steamers and sailing vessels from the Black
Sea-" Meanwhile the Japanese were increasing
their sea power. Observers skilled in appraisal
of conditions in the Orient thought "the i'm
pending conflict" might begin "as early as next
summer" The "cold" war actually became a
"hot" war on February 8, 1904, when Japan
struck without formal warning at Port Arthur.
Front page space was accorded in The Star
Of December A. 1897 for statement issued by
woman convicted Of
Opposed to murder and awaiting
CopitoI Punishment execution at Atlanta.
bill to abolish the
death penalty for females which then was
under discussion in the General Assembly Of
the State, she said. seemed "a mighty good
proposal. Women the lady then explained,
"are rarely guilty of deep, dark crime, such as
ought to be punished" with hanging Women
are so much better than men y they ought
not to be placed on the same plane. Wom-
en- suffer a heap from the crimes men commit.
which are never told in the courthouse. The
man usually starts the trouble, but he is more
cunning than a woman and hides it. He covers
his tracks like q fox. The woman Is different;
she is what she Is, and all the world knows 1t"
Grover Cleveland in his message to Congress,
published in The Star for December S, 1897,
warned the National Legis-
Advice from lature: while the Con-
The President gress may not find it an
easy task to reduce the ex-
penses of the Government, it should not en-
courage their increase" The President added:
These expenses will, in my judgment. admit
Of a decrease in many branches without
injury to the public service. It is a command
ing duty to keep the appropriations within the
receipts : and thus avoid deficit
Public entertainment in Washington in
grandfather's youth was rather more varied
than it is half a century later.
Mony The Star on December /, 1897.
Attractions let it be known that When
London Sleeps" was at the
Academy of Music, The Salt Of the Earth"
at the Columbia Theater, Down in Dixie at
the Grand Opera House, Hanlons "Superba'
at the New National Theater, and the Bograph
at Willard Hall Musical events advertised in
cluded recital by Katharine E. Oliver at the
Congregational Church, q concert by the Legion
Of Loyal Women ut the Church Of Our Father,
q concert at the Confederate Veterans Hall
and a musicale at the E street Baptist Church.
Evening star., 1947-12-07
The Alden Riots

The serious rioting at Alden is interesting
for no less than three reasons First, 1t
reveals the extent of the repercussions Of
the Palestine issue on the relations of Jews
and Arabs in the Near and Middle East.
Second, the manner in which the riots
were put down indicates the new technique
of Britain's imperial defense system
Third, attention is called to one of the
most complex links in Britain's chain of
empire.
The colony of Alden bears, both physically
and strategically striking resemblance
to Gibraltar 1t is a rocky peninsula
connected with the mainland by spit OF
low ground The central cone. an extinct
volcano, has been almost impregnably
fortified Alden possesses a fine harbor
which renders 1t the chief bunker station
and port of call for the water route from
the Mediterranean via the Red Sea to the
Indian Ocean and beyond. Alden was cap
tured by the British in 1889. It's impor
tance was vastly increased by the opening
of the Suez Canal, three decades later
Although Alden itself lies some distance
from the entrance to the Suez Canal.
domination over the narrow straits was
enhanced by acquisition OF Perrin Island,
lying directly in the straits. Meanwhile
Britain was building a veritable network
of control over the local tribes. This
sphere OF influence extends along the
entire southern coast of Arabia, which is
effectively cut of from the rest OF the
peninsula by a wide belt Of appalling
desert. The only important native coun-
terweight to the spread of British influ-
ence has been the Arab state Of Yemen,
Just to the northwest. However, relations
have been regularized for many years.
Alden, like other parts of Southern
Arabia, has a Jewish element that has
been there since ancient times Although
these Jews traditionally have been subject
to certain restrictions, their relations with
the Moslem Arab majority generally have
been peaceful. The fierce rioting which
broke out against them in Alden itself and
nearby parts of the Alden Protectorate
was thus as unexpected as it was sudden,
revealing the intense feelings aroused In
the local Arabs over Palestine, far
distant issue that Is to them OF no direct
concern.
The riots appear to have taken the
Evening star., 1947-12-07
And Still Champion

The fight fans and the critics have been
bearing down pretty hard on Heavyweight
Champion Joe Louis and his split decision
victory over Jersey Joe Walcott, all of which
merely serves to reinforce the notion that
are tickle lot.
Those who think that Jersey Joe won the
fight and should have had the champion
ship have something on their side of the
argument. He went into the ring the
underdog with most Of the experts" pre-
dieting he would last about four rounds.
Instead, he stood up and fought the cham
pion, had him on the floor twice and was
going strong at the final bell Undoubtedly
he deserves the plaudits that have been
coming his way. Judging from televised
broadcast of the fight, however, this cor
ners vote would have gone to Louis. He
was not the Brown Bomber of old, but,
champion that he is, he got up from that
stunning fourth-round knockdown to carry
the fight to the challenger, and he was
getting better as the fight went along.
What is surprising is not that there
should be a debate over the merits of the
decision, but that the tone of the criticism
should be so hostile to Louis; that great
champion should have left the ring to the
accompaniment OF boos aimed at the deci-
sion in his favor.
There have not been many fighters who
measured up to Joe Louis. For decade
he has taken on all comers and he has
licked them all. Throughout that time
there Is nothing he has done or said which
reflects discreditably on him.
When the fight was over and the battered
champ had retired to his dressing room a
reporter asked him if he thought Walcott
was "second-rate" fighter Friday night.
Louis, ever a man of few and simple words,
pointed to himself, and said: II was"
1t is that feeling for honesty, that scorn
of alibis, which sets Joe Louis above the
average Of his trade. In this book, how
ever one totals up the points on the score
cards, he is still great champion.
Evening star., 1947-12-07

responsibility for dealing with the possible
repercussions of our program was dis
missed as an attempt to becloud the issue
Obviously, it was unthinkable that Amer
ican boys might become involved in po-
licing bunch of Arabs.
Today, of course, all that is changed
Under our leadership, the United Nations
has taken over the Palestine problem and
prescribed partition as the solution. While
the consequences Of this decision are not
yet fully apparent, reports from all over
the Middle East already demonstrate that
Britain's fears were grounded in real
istic appraisal Of the temper of the area
For these consequences, whatever they
may be, we cannot dodge our full measure
Of responsibility.
Britain, meanwhile has washed her
hands of the Palestine problem-theo-
retically, at least. She has announced her
troops will be withdrawn August /. She
abstained from the U. N. vote on the par
tition plan. She has expressed no opinion
of the projected solution.
She still, however, Is carrying on for us
in Palestine, as through much of the
Middle East. In the Holy Land, she has
committed her troops to trying to MAIN
tain order until the moment of their de-
parture. The same soldiers who worked
last year to quell Jewish underground ter
rorism now are working to control Arab
violence.
The partition of Palestine seems
reasonable though undeniably risky effort
to cope with problem too complex and
passion-ridden for perfect solution. It
fixes heavy new responsibilities on the
United States. In learning to discharge
them effectively, we might begin by study
ing the British performance in this crisis.
Evening star., 1947-12-07
Bv William, A. Miller

# your home, heated by fuel oil, is not as
comfortable this winter as you would wish, and
you cannot get all the gasoline you want for
your car. the steel shortage is the reason.
The paradox exists in the United States that,
although the Nation Is producing more oil and
gasoline than ever before. there is not enough
to 90 around. The truth Is supply has not
kept step with the demand. And this goes
back to steel again.
For steel is needed to exploit new wells, to
build refineries, to construct new pipelines, to
launch new oil tankers, to expand the capacity
Of the oil and gas business generally.
This business was in straitjacket during
the war, for 1t was forbidden to expand mate
rally. except to aid the war effort directly.
The result is that in the face of tremendously
increased demands for fuel oil and gasoline,
the industry finds itself with four to five
year old plant and insufficient steel to mod
ernize.
Enormous Growth in Demand.
Briefly, the threatened fuel oil and gasoline
shortage is directly traceable to: The squirt
in demand that has outstripped even estimates
made just few months ago; transportation;
the lack Of adequate box cars; the conversion
of railroad locomotives from coal to oil; bunker
oil for ships and the greatly increased mechan-
ization Of farm machinery to grow food. and
for other purposes.
Oficials of the oil and gas division of the
Interior Department, who keep their fingers
close to the pulse Of the petroleum industry,
put it this way:
The United States is consuming 100000 bar
rels of petroleum products more this year than
last. And 1946 produced and consumed in this
Nation more oil than at the peak OF the war and
more than the entire world consumed in any
pre-war year.
Evening star., 1947-12-07
The Loyalty List

That Attorney General Clark's task Of
compiling a list of organizations deemed
to be "totalitarian, Fascist, Communist OF
subverSive' was not an easy one is best
indicated by the furry of criticism which
has been evoked by publication of the list
Some of the ninety-one organizations
and schools on the list object strenuously
to their inclusion there Chairman Thomas
of the House Un-American Activities Com
mittee and others feel that the list is
inadequate in that too many subversive
organizations were left off. Finally, there
are those who have no quarrel with the
list itself, but who object to its compila-
tion and publication as being somehow in
conflict with our American concepts.
All of this points to the conclusion that
the Attorney General has made a pretty
good beginning.
Certainly, if there is to be any real
attempt to weed out disloyal Federal en-
ployes, it is important to know what
organizations are considered to be sub
versive. 1t is equally certain that If
membership in such an organization is to
be one test of an employees loyalty, then
the list should be made public so that
Federal workers can know the risk they
run in joining or retaining membership
in any organization on the list.
The complaint that the list is not suffi-
GENTLY inclusive raises a more difficult
question There is some reason to believe
that Mr.. Clark leaned over backward to
give the benefit of the doubt to suspected
organizations in close cases. If so, this is
not surprising, considering the delicate
nature of his task. And it also should
be remembered that this list is not final
The Attorney General has indicated that
a continuing watch will be maintained to
spot additional subversive groups and to
detect those which, having been named
on this list, may resort to the familiar
subversive technique of cropping up in
some other place under new label.
If the Attorney Generals assurance is
to be taken seriously, however, II it is not
designed merely to take the wind out of
the sails of those who would have gone
to 60, it should satisfy the criticism that
the subversive list is inadequate.
After all, it is not always simple matter
to determine whether particular organ
ization is under the domination Of Com
munists or other disloyal elements. Where
there is real ground for doubt, The Star
believes that doubt should be resolved in
favor of the security of the country. But
this does not mean that every group, con-
cerning which there might be some Suspi-
cion should be added to the prescribed list.
And this remains true even though the
thrust of the Attorney Generals action is
not primarily against the organizations in
question, but rather is intended as one
means of guiding the Government in
apprasing the loyalty of individuals who
want to work for the Government.
Evening star., 1947-12-07
Spend and Elect

Prom the Topeka Capital.
Gov Blue Of Iowa charges the Democrats
with attempting to corrupt the American
people" nothing particularly new from a
Republican but nevertheless statement worth
considering AS he explains 1t, IF it Is a
crime to bribe a public ofhcer, 1t is also
crime for the Government to bribe whole
segments Of the country by grants intended to
influence the outcome Of the election"
That is precisely the unhappy situation
instituted in this country when the New Deal
rose to power and patterned after ever since.
Spending public money for the benefit OF
citizens is one thing; spending public money
for no purpose other than to attempt to
influence elections is something else.
As some of the former New Dealers are
revealing in their books and magazine articles,
many of the millions poured out from Wash
ington were distributed with the sole intention
of winning votes-not to serve genuine and
legitimate need.
Evening star., 1947-12-07
Why Gasoline Is Getting Scarce
The Real Shortage Is Not in Petroleum Its Products
but in the Steel Needed to Supply Them

The demand has grown at an almost unbe-
lievable rate. In the first eight months Of this
year-the latest figures available-in the face
OF industry and Government warnings Of q
threatened shortage, 10000 new central heat
ing oil furnaces have been shipped for installa-
tion This compares with 100000 in 1916. And
each home-heating unit requires between 40
and so barrels of oil in season.
This makes for new demand for 100000 600
barrels year. August shipments were II per
cent higher for oil heating furnaces for homes
than the previous year. There have been SINH
lar increases in petroleum products generally
The railroads are using AZ per cent more
Diesel oil for their locomotives now Public
utilities require 46 per cent more for the gen.
Grafton of electricity now than last year. Nine
out OF ten new locomotives use diesel oil
Plant Enlargements Are Tagging.
Then there is the agricultural demand for
petroleum products to drive combines tractors
trucks and other farm equipment The farm
demand is up more than 100 per cent over the
prewar level.
The octane gas reflneries, set up during the
war to aid Americas air might, do not increase
the basic capacity, but mean only perfection
in the refining process.
The petroleum industry, permitted to use
steel only for what was directly concerned with
the war effort, did not expand its basic plant
materially. And now it is not getting enough
Steel There have been few new installations.
Almost 80 per cent of the new homes use oil
or gas heat. The result is that the industry
must have more steel to expand its basic plant.
1t is now operating practically at plant ca
pacity.
There is plenty Of oil in the world. But the
facilities for getting it out of the ground and
to the consumer have not kept up with demand.
Evening star., 1947-12-07
Indianapolis Echo

Two Navy captains involved in the loss of the
cruiser Indianapolis with s83 men in ulid-1s45
were passed over" for promotion to rear ad-
miral by the Navys first postwar selection
board. Capt. Charles Mcvay III, who was in
command OF the torpedoed ship, was judged
guilty Of negligence by court-martial. Capt.
Norman Gillette, responsible for protecting
shipping in the Philippine area, was otncially
reprimanded. McVays sentence. which would
Evening star., 1947-12-07
Flying Notes
Movie Formulas

HOLLYWOOD.-Tay Garnett, veteran d.
rector go years. says the movie industry is
going to throw story formulas out the win
dow" Look at our biggest successes" he
suggests. Pictures like Going My Way and
Lost Weekend were all unconventional stories.
They had just one common element-complete
honesty. The French, the Italians and the
English are giving us run for the market
They came out of the war with a great sense
of realism"
Evening star., 1947-12-07
Overseas Briefs
PeniciHin
Names For B.36s?

LONDON.-The British medical journal sug-
gests penicillin may lose its value because va
rious typs of bacilli are developing immunity
to it. However, Sir Alexander Fleming dis
coverer of the drug, says this can generally
be overcome by giving larger doses. Mr.. Flem-
ing predicts that drugs to supplement or even
replace" penicillin will be developed before its
usefulness falls of seriously.
Evening star., 1947-12-07
Philippine Police

MANILA-Reliable informants say the Phil
ippine national police will be transferred from
army to civilian control about January / and
that an American Army officer may be in
actual If not formal charge.
Evening star., 1947-12-07
Russian Business

MOSCOW.-The possibility OF considerably
bigger business between Russia and Belgium
and Luxembourg is seen as the result of talks
with trade experts from the two western coun-
tries going on here.