davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1947-06-13
Double Talk on Double Toxution

The trouble in obtaining fair income
tax law for the District does not lie in the
committees of Congress but in the House
itself. The House District Committee rec
commended a relatively fair income tax.
But in the debate the House threw it in the
ashcan, substituting, by amendment, tax
monstrosity Now the Senate District
Committee has unanimously recommended
the same bill originally presented to the
House. The Senate, less impulSive than
the House, may approve It, Whether 1t
will ever get by the House itself is another
matter.
Ostensible reason for House opposition
to taxing Federal employees in the District
who claim domicile in the States, Is double
taxation. But this talk of double taxation
is double talk. It is smokescreen Tor
tax dodging Here is what Chairman
Dirksen of the House District Committee
had to say on the subject during debate:
What does the amendment Ito exempt
Government employees from the taxi do?
No. l, it specifically excludes all employees
of the United States In Washington from
the word and the definition resident
There are hundreds of thousands here.
Some of them have been here twenty-five
or thirty years. They have not been back
home. They say, however, that that home
is their domicile, but they live here twelve
months in year They enjoy the dement's
of everything the Nations Capital has to
offer. They enjoy the police protection,
the fire protection, the parks and the
rr1x~- L. and tn
business OF whether you are visitor or
soiourner in the District but can stay
here a lifetime. We have 1t pretty easy.
We have undertaken to say there will be
no double taxation. II you pay back nome
in thirty-two States, you do not pay mere.
II YOU do not pay in the sixteen States that
have no income tax or have no intangible
property tax we say that 1t Is only
fair that you should pay something to the
upkeep of the District OF Columbia.
But we say they must pay one tax some
where. 1t is contended that 1t Is double
taxation. 1t Is not. If you pay in Virginia
YOU do not pay here. If you pay in Mary
land YOU do not pay here. If you live IN
Illinois. my home State, where they have
no income tax tax, and II somebody says,
Sure, I have lived In Washington two or
three years, but vote in 1llinois-year
after year they enjoy the benefits down
here. Should they not pay few dollars
toward the support OF this Government?
OF course they should. But If Congress
is not willing to have them do 1t, then
Congress should abandon the local income
tax and find some other method of raising
the money.
Evening star., 1947-06-13
Potato Wastage Deplored

To the Editor of The STAR
In The Star for June 8, I read the article on:
"Why We Destroy Edible Potatoes" with more
than passing interest because of the great pub
licity that has been given it,
Destroying potatoes, of course, is nothing new,
and If you take the trouble to consult Afneri-
can agricultural magazines you will find that
Just as many thick-skinned potatoes have met
the same fate as those at Foley, Ala. Mil
lions of pounds of potatoes were destroyed last
fall and those potatoes might have been con-
verted into valuable livestock feed. These po-
tatoes, which the growers were paid by the
Government to keep off the market, were sold
to dealers for 10 cents bushel and then resold
for s1.69 bushel; and it is any mans guess
what the consuming public had to pay.
According to recent press reports, our wheat
bins are empty. Is 1t any wonder when millions
of pounds Of wheat exposed to the weather rot
ted for the want Of transportation facilities to
move it2 The pictures of these vast stock
piles are to be found in all the agricultural
papers OF the West 1t Is nauseating to behold
all this waste; yet the farmers are being urged
to produce more and more.
am of the impression we are making Ill use
of our blessings. LOUIS T. DILGER.
Evening star., 1947-06-13

with informed opinion in America, notably
with Herbert Hoover's recent advice that
a peace settlement with Japan be begun
at the earliest possible moment, even
though the Soviet Union prove recalcitrant.
Nevertheless, the resumption of japanese
foreign trade on private basis is note
worthy, taken In conjunction with other
steps toward its economic rehabilitation.
Furthermore, 1t all stands in melancholy
contrast with the situation in Germany
Yet something similar might be occurring
In Germany today If the economic policy
laid down under the Potsdam Agree
ment of two years ago, that OF treating
Germany as an economic unit, had been
honored and implemented. The nullif1ca-
ton of that policy and it's dire conse-
quences are made even clearer by what
goes on in Japan.
Evening star., 1947-06-13
Great Falls Project Urged

To the Editor of The Star:
President Truman, In his recent speech at
Kansas City, stressed the fact that we have
shortage of electric power.
Hydroelectric plants should be used and
constructed right now.
Great Falls here has been discussed for years
as potential power producer; and, according
to your paper some years ago, the Dupont
interests took out a permit to build hydro
electric plant and had a permit issued for the
construction at cost of over $4,000 600, using
the present dam as foundation for the plant.
It has been understood that Congress merely
ordered that the permit be held up until 1t
could, be determined whether or not the Gov
ernment might use the dam for its own use.
It is not indicated that the permit OF the
Dupont people ever has been Cancelled.
The Virginia side from the river bank up
to the heights, 100 yards Or more, Is owned
by the Great Falls Power Co., which is
a subsidiary of the interests controlling over
40 hydroelectric plants over the country
Following the focusing of public interest
on the development of water energy to supply
the vital need, would this not be time to
feature the situation at Great Falls for power?
Since so much construction and development
of homes in the outlying sections of Washing
ton have caused further demand of power
and light, the Great Falls project would tie In
with the general public welfare to vitalize an
inert source of potential energy.
E. w. DICKLE.
Evening star., 1947-06-13
One Reason for Housing Shortages.

According to the Boeckh analysis, the cost OF
on-ste labor increased by $l925 on the frame
house. and by $1,000 on the brick house, lnclud-
ing overhead and an allowance of 10 per cent
for builders profit on the extra labor cost
On the brick house. according to the Boeckh
firm, the cost of masonry products rose by ap-
proximately 5000 between 1899 and April, this
year, including the builders overhead and
profit on this item.
On the frame house. the cost of lumber
products, including structural and finishing
lumber. flooring, millwork and all other ele-
ments, increased by approximately $1,000, in
cluding builders overhead and profit.
On the brick residence, the lumber cost in
crease amounted to $410o, including builders
overhead and profit.
The Boeckh report stated that In 1889 the
Evening star., 1947-06-13
Sweet News for Housewives

Secretary of Agriculture Andersons an
nouncement ending sugar rationing for
homes, restaurants and hotels Is pleasant
news, although it should occasion no great
surprise to those who have been watching
the steadily improving sugar supply Sit
uation. In fact, Mr.. Anderson had told
a congressional committee several weeks
ago that sugar might be taken off the
restricted list before the end of June, if
not earlier.
Although Congress was rushing action
on bill to abolish sugar controls through
legislative decree, the administration won
the race to break the welcome word to
impatient housewives and Institutional
users of the once scarce commodity. But
Mr.. Anderson contends the race develop
ment was just a coincidence. Actually,
the Secretarys announcement came close
on the heels of the disclosure that the
international Emergency Food Control
Council has allocated to this country an
extra $4,000 tons of sugar from the world
pool. That ALLEGATION inSures the United
States of 7150,000 tons of sugar for this
year, which is nearly 100000 tons more
The war thus is over insofar as ration
books are concerned. Sugar being the last
of the many items of food and other
necessities which were doled out on a
coupon basis during the war, ration books
now are relegated to the category OF
museum curiosities. Good riddance, now
that they are no longer needed-but with
out them America would have been in
bad way during the height of wartime
shortages.
Federal control of industrial sugar will
remain in effect for the time being, how
ever. That is a wise precaution against
inordinate raiding of grocery stocks by
large commercial consumers Once the
general situation has become stabilized,
the final elimination of emergency sugar
controls can be accomplished without
seriously affecting the sugar supply for
home Use
Evening star., 1947-06-13
And Then There Was One

To the Editor OF The Star:
Your cartoon on the front page of your
June 6 edition would associate E. H. Crump
with other so-called political leaders in this
country, with the suggestion that three out
of four had passed out of power because of mis-
feasance and malfeasance or loss of confidence
by their constituency.
Mr.. Crump needs no defense from anybody
in Memphis or the Midsouth, where he is
known intimately for his long service to the
people of his city, his State and section They
know him to be man of intelligence, probity,
high honor and great usefulness. Today, in
stead of being at the depth of his influence, he
is at his height. He stands for everything that
is correct in private and public life.
There is nothing that succeeds like success.
The people believe in him, and you are right
in the cut line, "And Then There Was One!"
There is one outstanding political leader in this
country who has served, and who is serving,
without compensation and whose only reward
is the satisfaction of raising the standard of
living and the happiness of his fellowman. Yes,
I agree "and then there was one"
CLIFFORD DAVIS,
Representative 10th Tennessee District.
Evening star., 1947-06-13
Tn Behalf of "Outside Talent"

To the Editor Of Ihe star:
Clifford H. Newell, president OF the Federas
ton of Citizens Associations, recently voiced
his disapproval of Juggling people in from out
of town to fill District positions.
I certainly share Mr.. NewelIs viewpoint on
this matter insofar as there are people in the
District who have at least equal If not better
qualifications for the job. However, If an out
of-town applicant is better qualified and expe-
rienced for certain municipal job, believe it
is to the advantage of the taxpayers to hire
the oUt-of-town man.
This policy is indeed In line with the prevail
ing trend in American cities. Years ago, the
city of Detroit hired over $50 persons from
out of town to fill positions in its own depart-
ments In 1910 the cities of Bristol Conn.
and evanston, Ill., invited engineers from
Evening star., 1947-06-13
By Robert j. LeiOis
(concIuding Article In q Series OF

cost of residential construction of this good
quality was about equally divided between ma
terials and labor. In April, this year, the cost
ratio had changed to about 635 per cent for
materials and 365 for labor, on the frame
residence; and 60.8 per cent for materials and
1872 per cent for labor, on the brick residence.
Housing Costs Twice as Much.
The approximately 100 per cent increase In
the cost Of the frame house indicated by the
Boeckh figures compares with 80 per cent in
crease indicated by the NHA's index of build
ing costs in Washington for frame house.
Whatever the exact rise, it is plain that con-
struction costs have reached the danger point,
as tagging housing and commercial building
throughout the country seems to prove.
Incidentally, Washington builders report no
serious sackening in demand for homes-so
great Is the need here. Along with San Fran
cisco and Los Angeles, the Washington area Is
one of the few sections in the country IN which
new homes started in the first quarter OF this
year exceed the number started in the like
period in 1946.
In contrast to an increase of 31,6 per cent
here, the number of new houses started
dropped by 84 per cent in Philadelphia, per
cent in Dallas 20 per cent in Detroit, 43 per
cent in Chicago 10 per cent in New York, and
At per cent in Denver
Something to Look Forward To.
AS for the future, number OF favorable
factors are reported. Materials are in better
general supply, and are flowing much more
smoothly to projects under way. Some short
ages, such as in hardwood flooring, cast iron
soil pipe, plumbing fixtures and plaster, are
said to be due mainly to problems of distribu-
ton Production of gypsum board and lath,
and millwork, however, are reported to be still
inadequate.
Washington builders report that labor ef-
ficiency has improved and that material prices
seem to be leveling off, though not descending,
except in the case of lumber. Framing lumber
prices recently have fallen back to some extent,
though the price of other lumber products
has not been affected by this trend.
Meanwhile, the Government is pursuing its
campaign for voluntary price reductions, bank
ing on such decreases to reverse the present.
construction trend. Whether prices will fall
or rise still further, however, remains to be
seen. If they keep rising the public will stop
buying-as it has already stopped in some
vicinities.
Evening star., 1947-06-13
Sunday Morning on the Form

The barnya,d monarch shouts his uorld
GDake;
The 1Deathercock that poses like dancer p
Wheels suddenly In pt1dy, Uordless
dnSUer,
While pigeons clap approving iotngs ana
make
Com Portable sounds deep In their
nloonStone throGts;;
Barn spallotos shuttle II, the dust among
Their rattered nests, and chortle to their
young,
And Prince erhaIes amid discarded
oats.
Young Major tries impressive doggy odss
Among the co10s that pade across the
creek.
An hour passes. Milking oUer, sleek
Old Rusty ,cashes of the milk foam lace.
And after breakfast, in her best soprano,
Mother rehearses hymns at the piano:
- COSETTE MIDDLETON.ssA
Evening star., 1947-06-13
Jupun Resumes Foreign Trade

Private trading between Japanese hrmS
and foreign business concerns has been
approved by our Government and Will be
inaugurated In midAugust. Announced
simultaneously by the State and War De-
partments here in Washington and by
General MacArthur's headquarters In
Tokyo. this move marks noteworthy step,
both in the restoration of Japanese eco
nomic life and its integration with world
economy.
Hitherto, all of Japan's foreign trade
has been channeled through the official
United States Commercial Company, an
RFC subsidiary. Proceeds from sales OF
japanese goods were applied to that coun-
try's indebtedness for supplies furnished
bv the United States since the armistlce
of August, 1e45 Henceforth, foreign trad
ing on a private basis will be permitted
and encouraged. Owing to Japans limited
facilities, only 400 foreign trade repre-
sentatives will be admitted, but the
procedures set up for their activities
emphasize unrestricted contact with the
japanese producers, reduced controls over
commercial arrangements, and m1nlmized
participation by our official agencies. While
Japan remains in the status OF an enemy
nation, it will be necessary that controls
be maintained. But many of these will be
relinquished at the earliest possible date,
in many cases before the signing OF the
peace treaty
There is a rather notable difference
in emphasis between washington and
Tokyo as to the practical Importance OF
this STEP The joint communique here
expresses the expectation that "this i'm
portant step in the peaceful economic
rehabilitation of the new Japan will be
far-reaching. 1t should be possible
very rapidly to build up the true supply
nd-demand relationship between japan
and other countries in the Far Eastern
economic orbit"
General Macarthur qualities this official
optimism Though hailing the step as
partially lifting the economic blockade OF
Japan" he characterized it as merely
palliative" adding: at falls far short of
full economic solution. This can only be
attained through the medium of peace
treaty, and the sooner this Is accomplished,
the better, not only for Japan but for the
world"
General Macarthur thus alig1s himself
Evening star., 1947-06-13
Time TO Call Its Hand

The State Departments sharp note 10
the Russians in Hungary, together WIN
its equally sharp statement on poltlcal
suppression in Bulgaria, makes this mucn
clear: That the United States, now tending
more and more to call things by their
right names, is determined to hold the
Soviet Union accountable before the world
for breaking solemn agreements and
making a mockery of the democratic
process.
What has been happening in Hungary
and Bulgaria is fundamentally the same
as what has happened elsewhere in the
Soviet orbit. Stated simply, 1t represents
a Moscow-led drive to promote MoscoW's
dominance by denying democracy to the
peoples of that part of the world. At the
moment in Bulgaria, 1t has expressed itself
In the arrest of Nikola Petkov, head OF the
duly elected opposition to the Communist
controlled government-an arrest now fol-
lowed by the braZen expulsion OF twenty
three of Petkov's party colleagues from the
national legislature. Similarly, but even
more arrogantly, it has expressed itself IN
Hungary in the form of Russian -engin-
eered coup placing the minority Commun-
lists in power by ousting a Stockholders
regime that had been freely chosen by the
overwhelming majority of Hungarians.
All this political dirty work, of course,
has been justified by the Russians and
their Communist puppets. The thing has
been done, they say, to head off con
spiracy" by the Communist majority
party in Hungary and the Communist
minority opposition in Bulgaria to collab-
crate with 'Subversive foreign and domes-
tic elements" in undermining democracy.
In its statement on the Bulgarian situation,
the State Department, in effect, has
branded this as lie AS for the Hungarian
coup, our note describes Moscow's role in
it as fragrant" and 'unilateraT viola
ton of the Yalta Agreement and of the
statutes under which Britain and the
United States, as we'll as Russia, are mem
bers of the Allied Control Commission in
Hungary. Further-with British backing
the note demands that the Soviet Union
agree to the prompt creation of a special
three-power body to investigate the So
called conspiracy" Otherwise our Gov
ernment will consider taking further
action"
Further action" presumably would
mean a direct presentation of the Hun
garian case to the Judgment of the United
NatioAs-in the General Assembly, the
Security Council or both. We cannot let
the issue drop If Russia rejects special
Evening star., 1947-06-13
An Alarming Picture

Secretary Of the Navy Forrestal and
Fleet Admiral Nimitz have presented
thoroughly alarming picture of what will
happen to the Navy Ii the II per cent
budget slash voted recently by the House
is permitted to stand It is picture far
different from the one presented to the
House by its Appropriations Committee.
The committee assured the House that
the $377 100000 cut which it recommended
in Navy funds would not take "a ship of
the ocean or an airplane out OF the air"
That assurance undoubtedly had much to
do with the House decision to approve the
reduction.
But Secretary Forrestal and Admiral
Nimitz are authority for the assertion that
ships will have to be taken of the ocean
and planes grounded unless Congress
restores most of the amount chopped off
the naval budget by the House Nor are
these unimportant ships and planes. In
cluded will be three Essex class aircraft
carriers, two escort carriers, battleshlp,
six cruisers, sixteen destroyerS, nine sub
marines and one hundred and twenty otner
vessels. Moreover, four carrier air groups
and four patrol squadrons would have to
be eliminated, three major naval air sta
tions and several smaller air bases would
have to be closed and approximately one
hundred thousand officers and men would
have to be Topped off present naval
strength.
This is but q part of the picture given
the Senate Appropriations Committee by
Mr.. Forrestal and Admiral Nimitz. The
whole perspective in the light OF the in
creasingly tense international situation
was given behind closed doors. What was
made public however, is enough to worry
those who appreciate the danger OF weak
ening our armed forces at time when
Russia and her satellites are watching
closely for any signs of weakness or in
difference or weariness on our part
There is no validity to the argument
heard in some quarters that navies already
are obsolete, that no large navies are left
against which our own fleet might be
required to do battle. This is not so much
a matter of being prepared to fight sea
battles If necessary as it Is question OF
slogistcs-of being able to build up and
maintain supply and operational bases Tor
ships and aircraft. The Japanese Navy
was virtually nonexistent during our In
vasion of Okinawa, but we could not have
done that Job without seapower. Further
more, naval and military experts agree
that any further reduction OF naval
strength next year will gravely imperil our
foreign policy and handicap our occupa-
tional forces and other missions in carry
ing out that policy.
Secretary Forrestal and Admiral Nimltz
cannot fairly be regarded as alarmists or
warmongers. They deliberated carefully
before making their estimate of the effects
of the proposed House cut. Their disturb
ing evaluation represents the consensus OF
our top-ranking naval and military author
tiles. Such expert advice Is far more
reliable than the opinions OF any con-
gressional committee. Congress Will put
itself in the position of risking national
security in,the face of authoritative warn
ings if it fails to grant the Navy It's MIN
imum immediate needs.
Evening star., 1947-06-13

ell over the country to apply for the
position of city engineer The city of Rochester,
N. Y, once came to our own District Build
ing to hire man to become Rochester's mu-
nicpal administrator. Only three months ago,
the city of Tacoma, Wash, hired one of our
local librarians for responsible position in
Tacomas city library.
believe we should encourage our Commis-
sioners to appoint the best qualified individual
to all city positions irrespective of where he
lives in the United States. However, I would
be inclined to urge the Commissioners to require
District employees to live in and pay taxes to
the City of Washington once they have accepted
a municipal position. JOHN E. HOBSON.
Evening star., 1947-06-13

How much would it cost to reproduce given
house. built in Washington in 1899, under to-
days higher cost conditions?
To get an impartial answer, this question was
submitted to E. H. Boeckh & Associates. con-
sulting valuation engineers who issue monthly
construction cost statistics for % American
cities, of which Washington is one.
OF the six standard construction cost in
dexes summarized each month by the Com
merce Department, the Boeckh index is the
only one which provides statistics designed to
be adjustable to local conditions in selected
cities.
For this reason, it is presumed to reflect
Washington costs more accurately than cost
indexes based on a national average.
To show the upward progression OF costs,
the Boeckh firm estimated reproduction costs
for September. ls45; September, ls46 and
monthly month estimates from that time
through April, this year, on frame house
costing $1,000 in 1889, and on a brick house
costing $500 in 1889.
One Reason for Housing Shortages.
Evening star., 1947-06-13

three-power investigation. II international
agreements are TO mean anything II
democracy Is to have chance in Europe,
If we are not to acquiesce in never
ending series of fait accomplis serving the
spread of Communist totalitarianism, then
the opinion of the world must now be
marshalled against such things as the
coup in Hungary. The time is here to call
MoscoW's hand