davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1947-10-21
The Courts and the Covenants

For over twenty-five years litigation in
the District courts has failed to upset local
covenants. In the most recent case to
reach the Court of Appeals the majority
decision recalled that "in view of the con-
sistent adjudications in similar cases, 1t
must now be conceded that the settled law
in this jurisdiction is that such cove
nants are valid and enforceable in
equity by way of injunction"
But Justice Edgertons minority opinion
developed the contention that although
the United States Supreme Court had dis
missed for want of jurisdiction local
covenant case which reached it on appeal,
1t has never ruled on whether racial re-
strictive covenants are valid or whether
they are enforceable by Injunction. The
only thing the Supreme Court has decided,
he concluded, is that the Constitution and
the Civil Rights Act plainly do not make
them void
One important question involved in the
cases from the District of Columbia, which
the Supreme Court set down yesterday for
review this term, is whether COURTS can
issue injunctions to protect property agree
ments. It is possible that a decision on
that point might not affect the validity
of the covenants themselves. Enforceable
ity In the courts, at least, is probably the
chief point at issue.
In his letter printed elsewhere on this
page today, Leon A. Ransom selects for
his particular criticism a sentence from
a recent Star editorial: There is a very
sound theory behind the right of property
owners to agree individually or among
themselves as to the neighborhood they
prefer" He argues the theory, but does
not contest its existence as fact. The
Stars editorial was directed to the i'm
portance of acknowledging this and other
facts on both sides of the controversy and
in keeping the debate on level of mod
Grafton and restraint. Covenants, the
courts have held repeatedly in the District,
are valid. Contracts and titles have been
based on what the courts have held was
valid. Yet, If all of what the courts have
said in the past were rendered null and
void overnight by what some new court
might say, it is in the tradition OF our
people to accept 1t, and no one can reason
ably contest the rights Of a minority to
work for such a reversal.
Recognition of that great fact Is tribute
to the principles of government we hold
dear in this country. It is tribute which
renders cheap and offensive the constant
parroting of such epithets as "undemo-
cratic" "fascistic," etc., in relation to prac-
tices or laws with which one may not
agree.
Evening star., 1947-10-21

partly to factors In our emotional makeup
developed during the jungle need for self
preservation. Superstition and jungle emo
tions cannot serve us now; they hinder us.
They can be overcome by intelligence. How
to attain intelligence?
Mr.. Goldsborough and the friend he quoted
both search for Intelligent answers. In fiction,
the questing hero of "The Razor's Edge" re-
lentlessly pursued wisdom, going as far abroad
as India. What did he find? You may remem-
ber that he finally achieved the power to
serve his friends. But india" is in the heart
OF any individual searcher who overcomes the
jungle heritage.
Will preaching Love Thy Neighbor" help?
People enslaved by dogma, superstition, pre-
judice and passion love only their enslave.
ments. Only the free man can be a friend.
In the study of human relationships we find
many sources for theory; but how to apply
theory to life? The first step is searching
Within freeing our hearts; the second is ex-
perimenting in its use, practicing, with others.
The process Of overcoming is an art and science
which students of life practice daily in the
school OF life. MAURICE WEST.
Evening star., 1947-10-21
Letters to The Star
More on Mount Rainier Bus Fares

More on Mount Rainier Bus Fares
To the Editor Of The Star:
Replying to the letter of E. D. Merrill, which
appeared in The Star of October Is, appreciate
the fact that the Capital Transit Company Is
trying to meet demand for faster and more
direct service downtown from the Maryland
area which Is served by the present Riverdale
express service. However, cannot accept his
reasoning that an increase in fare is necessary
for the company to break even.
Mr.. Merrill states: "It (the Riverdale ex-
press service) does not have the advantage as
far as the company is concerned, of n-and off
travel, thus higher fare must be charged" In
this connection I would like to point out that
the Capital Transit Company is running ten
cent express service to the Mount Rainier
terminal at the present time which does not
provide on-and-of travel either but which
wastes 20 minutes of the commuters time in
making circuitous route apd stopping for
District of Columbia passengers. If they can
operate this service proftably, why can't they
operate direct service to Mount Rainier more
profitably?
believe that if Mr. Merrill will think OF the
possibility that service to the suburbs can be
put on the same basis as service within the
District, he will have made an inference more
In keeping with the requirements of solution.
THE CHEVERLY COMMUTER.
Evening star., 1947-10-21
No Job for Man Past 50

To the EDITOR Of The Star:
I would like to add my protest against the
unemployment OF capable persons who have
reached the age Of IS. Speaking for myself,
I am over SO but look 10 years younger. -Four
months ago. ] was furloughed by the United
States Governmcnt-even though I have per-
n,anent status-and have canvassed the busi-
ness houses here in an unsuccessful attempt to
secure work. Everything is ok. until give my
age. As one example: went to the personnel
Office of a large local business house where I
found that the boss" was away for the day.
His secretary listened to my story and replied
that the boss" sure would be glad to see me,
because he had been hoping and praying that
man of my qualifications and experience would
show up, for they were at their wits end as to
where to find a good man. So went back the
next day and the "boss' sure liked my back
ground and the Job was practically in the bag
when he said, "By the way, you are about AZ
aren't your" I replied that was past so; I
Evening star., 1947-10-21
Korea and the u. N.

The Korean people would have a rea-
sonably fair chance of becoming their own
masters If the Soviet Union would cooper
ate in something like the procedures just
proposed by the United States to the
United Nations The proposal may be sum-
married as follows: CD A temporary U. N.
commission would be formed to supervise
elections to be held in the Russian and
American zones not later than next March
81; CD the elections would bring into
being an assembly representative of all
parties in the country; and 60 the assem-
bly, would establish an independent
national government which then would
negotiate for the withdrawal of our own
and Red Army occupation forces at the
earliest possible date.
There has been, no progress up to now
toward Korean independence because of
one very simple fact: The Russians stead
fastly have refused to work with us on a
program designed to create a genuinely
representative and free government.
Instead, they have insisted on an arrange
ment that would place the country under
the control of Communist minority and
thus make it puppet of the Kremlin.
The Soviet-American Commission in
Seoul has been deadlocked hopelessly over
this issue, and our proposal to the U. N.
General Assembly has been made as kind
of last-resort measure in an effort to get
action. The chances are that most men,
bers of the Assembly will respond favor
ably, but Russia apparently is determined
to keep on saying no.
A few weeks ago. just after Secretary
MarshalPs decision to carry the Korean
issue to the United Nations, the Russians
countered with proposal asking for the
simultaneous withdrawal of Soviet and
American troops early next year. But this
Superf1cially plausible idea-now formally
rejected by the State Department-needed
only moments inspection to be exposed
as propaganda maneuver. A Communist
regime-strictly under the thumb of the
Kremlin-already exists In the Red Army
zone, and it has at its disposal relatively
powerful armed forces. In our zone, on
the other hand. there Is no comparable
native regime and no armed forces worthy
of the name. The withdrawal of occupa-
ton troops, therefore, almost certainly
would mean that the Communists quickly
would take over the whole country The
Russians must know that the United
States never would accept such an
arrangement: their main purpose in sug
gesting it is merely to create little more
confusion, If they can, by making them
selves seem ready to get out Of Korea when
actually they are doing everything pos
Evening star., 1947-10-21
sible to impose a puppets role on that

sible to impose a puppets role on that
country.
To use the more polite language Of a
State Department spokesman. the Soviet
proposal puts the cart before the horse.
What the Koreans need most Of all is a
chance to hold fair and honest elections
and set up an Independent government of
their own free choice before the occupy
ing troops withdraw. That is what the
United States is asking for. The Russian
aim is to acquire another satellite by
giving the Communist minority domi-
nance over the majority. Common sense,
justice to sorely tried people, simple
decency in international relations, and
the basic principles of the United Nations
demand that the General Assembly do
whatever it can to prevent that
Evening star., 1947-10-21
Who's Who in HOLLYWOOD?

The House Committee on Un-American
Activities has undertaken an investigation
ostensibly designed to filter out the Com
munists in Hollywoods motion picture
industry.
A certain amount of skepticism with
regard to the methods and the motives
OF this committee is understandable For
its methods and its apparent motives have
not always been above reproach. In this
instance, however, the committee chair
man, Representative Thomas of New Jer-
sey, has got his committee off to sane
start. He says his committee has learned
that Communists have had considerable
success" in penetrating the motion picture
industry. But he emphasizes the points
that the committee does not believe the
majority of the industry has been affected
by the Communists, and that their success
in certain segments is no ground for con-
demning the entire industry.
This is reasonable preliminary state
ment. It may be, of course, that the
Hollywood investigation will turn out to be
another witch hunt. But If Chairman
Thomas opening remarks can be taken at
face value, his position and that of his
committee compare very favorably, in
deed, with that OF the group of Hollywood
celebrities, so-called, who have filed pro-
test against the investigation.
Processing to be shocked and outraged"
by the attempts Of the committee to
smear" the motion picture industry, these
protestants contend: Cd That any in
vestigation into the political beliefs of the
individual is contrary to the basic prin-
ciples of our democracy, and (2) that any
attempt to curb freedom of expression and
to set arbitrary standards of Americanism
is in itself disloyal to both the spirit and
the letter of our Constitution.
This is too big dose of tripe to be
swallowed. In this setting, it smacks too
much OF the party line. If there are Com
munists in Hollywood, and there undoubt-
edly are, they ought not to be permitted
to hide behind the Bill Of Rights. They
are in well-chosen position to exercise
dangerous influence over American
thinking and they ought to be exposed
for what they are.
Evening star., 1947-10-21
Hampton to the Nation

Inc git OF historic HAMPTON near
Towson, Maryland, to the Government
OF the United States insures the preserya-
ton OF one OF the greatest country houses
still extant. Charles Ridgely, its builder,
began work in 1888, at the end of the
Revolution. His principal assistant was
John Howell, an amateur architect of
sound judgment as we'll as intelligent taste,
The two men complemented each other
In their talents. Choosing the style now
known as Georgian Colonial, they main
tanned a classic simplicity, yet added
occasional touches which they rightly felt
were needed for enrichment Later hands
perhaps supplemented the design with
details, but the basic theme never was
spoiled. The capacious central hall, the
graceful square corner rooms, the tall
windows, the balcony with Chinese Chip
pendale balustrade-all these features
have the semblance of authentic music in
conception and satisfying skill in execu-
tion.
Numerous legends cluster around the
place. The first owner married Rebecca
Dorsey, woman of rigid evangelical views
who considered beautiful mansion in the
light of a wicked and willful SIM When
Hampton was opened, Charles held a re-
ception downstairs while his wife con-
Quoted a prayer meeting above No chill
dren brought the couple together and,
dying soon, Ridgely left the estate to his
widow and his nephew Jointly. Rebecca
continued to occupy the house, while the
other heir cultivated the expansive ter
raced gardens from an older, nearby resi-
dence. The amount of money which sub
sequently went into the site reached q
prodigious total. An indication Of the
wealth of the family may be found in the
fact that distinguished artists were en-
gagged to paint the portraits of the men,
bers of successive generations. Perhaps
the best of such pictures is the Lady
With Harp" by Thomas Sully, now in
the National Gallery by generosity of Mrs.
Georg Vetlessen of New York-a canvas of
memorable charm and power of attraction
The Nation owes to another benefactor
OF our own time the preservation of Hamp-
ton as possession of the people. Mrs Ailsa
Mellon Bruce is carrying on the philan-
thropy of her father in this contribution.
The gift brings with 1t an endowment for
necessary renovations and improvements.
Evening star., 1947-10-21
@. What is the Audubon law?-M. N. r.
A Many States have adopted what is ktaou
Poets in Foil

The poets haze picked the taH to It's bare
bones
and glo,oing ,oere the uords they used
to tell
OF flaming autun,n-taDny, russet, gold,
OF tingling, heady air. Nop ,ohere they
tell
The leaves lie crumpled, Hteless; and no
line
OF perse can bring their uipid color back
Or make them dance again. And epery
tree
Stands naked, gaunt, and desolately
black
The poets haze picked the fall to its bare
bones
And, toordless noto, inspect the skeleton
Until the ,ot1ter shrouds tt In pure phtts
For them to drape their sno,Dy phrases
on. ELEANOR OWEN PENICK.
Evening star., 1947-10-21
An 'Undemocratic Premise
(See Editorial: "The Courts and the

(See Editorial: 'The Courts and the
Covenants.")
To the Editor Of The Star:
Your apologize editorial of October is, 1947.
entitled "Mr. Newell on Race Relations" over
looks the fundamental weakness and fallacv of
NeWelPs statements in Brookland last week.
Let me try, In statement publicly, TEMPER
ately and with restraint imposed by the ma
ture OF the subject" to answer both YOU and
Mr.. Newell
We disagree with your undemocratic premise
that there Is very sound theory behind the
right OF property owners to agree Individually
or among themselves as to the type of neigh
borhood they prefer" If that right depends
upon an assertion of a so-called right" to
prevent others from exercising similar priv
llege because OF their race color, religion or
ancestry. As lawyer 7 will be the first to
defend the right of any individual to choose
the neighborhood in which he desires to make
his home because of the character and accom-
pishment of his surrounding neighbors, or his
right to include or exclude any one from his
home and from private associations with him,
his right to refuse to sell or rent his property
to any person he deems undesirable, for any
reason, and his right to refuse to associate
with any of his neighbors for any reason
it may seem to the rest of U.s.
But, as an American cannot and will not
even with frank but courteous exchange of
viewpoints" concede his right to "agree-(with
other property owners)-among themselves as
to the type Of neighborhood they prefer" If
that means exclusion by racial or religious
categories of persons of similar tastes, abilities
and attainments. Mr. Newell has q right to
select Brookland, Chevy Chase or "Foggy Bot
TOM for his home, but he has no right to
agree with others that may not select the
same neighborhood. And I further deny that
he has the right to legally impose his own
prejudices upon his successors in title by means
OF restricted covenants upon the ownership or
occupancy OF the land, when such successors
may not necessarily subscribe thereto
The entire purpose of the suits now pending
before the Supreme Court Of the United States
Is to determine that agreements among indi-
v1duals, who arrogate unto themselves posi-
tion Of superiority based upon their race or
color, to deny to others the same opportunities
claim for themselves under our economy, are
undemocratic and fascistic in that they tend
to perpetrate and perpetuate an aristocracy
based upon false theories.
This Is what Mr.. Newell seems to advocate.
I sincerely hope that you, in your zeal for the
presentation Of views with dignity and with
regard for the sensibilities of others who may
disagree with him." not lose sight Of the
fundamentals of our Constitution which guar
antee to each citizen the right to acquire, own
and use property throughout the United States.
LEON A. RANSOM.
Evening star., 1947-10-21
Gambling in Grain

To the Editor Of The Star:
Your editorial OF last Saturday, Gambling
In Grain," seems to me to impugn the motives
OF the President for demanding that wheat
futures brokers require their customers" to
deposit margins equal to third of the pur-
chase price of the wheat they are said to be
purchasing in the wheat future market "for
future delivery" and for calling grain gam
blers" those who operate the wheat pit. The
editorial also speaks of essentially unfair and
factually unjustifed charges Of the sort made
by the President"
The editorial offers no facts bearing upon
either proposition, but imputes to the President
"the timeworn whipping technique"
Credit recent Chicago Board of Trade reease)
and charges him with 'hguratively beating
them (the said grain gamblers) over the head,
for faults that are not basically theirs"
The editorial speaks of selling grain "in terms
Of future delivery" One wonders why 1t did
not speak Of selling grain "for future delivery -
which is the Technology customarily used by
the future traders. It may be that the editor
is aware of the fact that the wheat future
market is not a market for the future delivery
Of wheat Possibly the editor was thinking of
the cash wheat Market" where actual wheat
is sold for spot or for future delivery while the
President was speaking OF the wheat futures
market" where no wheat is handled at all, but
where betting is done on price changes be-
tween two points of time.
What Is needed Is less heat and more light
on the facts The editorial concludes with the
hopeful words, 1T is not for nothing that they
welcome the Attorney Generals inquiry into
their operations and feel sure that they will be
absolved." That is hardly to be hoped I per-
sonally know, and there are many living wit
nesses to the fact, that the said grain gambl-
ers" made determined attempts to head of
Senate hearings on S. 831, June July, 1899, on
margin requirements. If they now welcome an
investigation, that makes it unanimous The
public welfare requires that the fundamental
facts Of this mysterious futures trading" be
brought out into the light OF day.
ERNEST D. MacDOUGALL.
Editors Note: The editorial did not "impugn
the motives" of the President for ordering the
commodity exchanges to increase their margin
requirements. 1t did not attempt to pass judg-
ment on that order, which it mentioned only
Incidentally. It's main point was that Mr.
Truman seemed to be ION decidedly weak
ground in-blaming much of the increase in
food prices on gambling" in grain. It de-
scribed this as gross oversimplifcation" 1t
sought to show that other forces-chiefly the
law Of supply and demand and the perhaps un-
avoidable policies of the Government itself
have been primarily responsible for the re-
cent rise in wheat. The Star believes that It
is essentially unfair and factually unjustifed"
to suggest that the high cost Of living can be
traced largely to the speculative operations OF
grain traders. Mr. MacDougall has misread
both the thesis and the temper Of the editorial
Evening star., 1947-10-21
What Men Can Do

TO the Editor o. The Star:
read in the paper that during a debate
between women fashion editors and some men,
woman told the men "the new look is
here to stay and there's nothing you the mem
can do about it" but claim the men can do
something about it by refusing to foot the
clothing bills.
Also think it was unfair of the women to
compare 1920 styles with 1947. Why didn't
they model 1916 styles?
MRS Z. g. YATES.
Evening star., 1947-10-21

PSSfAS Va AN
rope. If this is
true, would it
not be better
to shift to this
end their i'm
mense political
war chest, in
stead Of at
tempting to
t h W art t h e
~, ~ 80 49,
Evening star., 1947-10-21

m o n y. Y e S,
harmony 4 re-
quires UNDER
standing. But,
W e ca n n o t
IS i m ply love
each OF h e r"
due partly to
s u p e r stitions
which are our
jungle inheri-
Evening star., 1947-10-21

Letters TOR publication must bear
the signature and address OF the
aor1ter, although it is permissible for
1orater kno,Dn to The, Star to use a
nom de plume. Please be brief.
Evening star., 1947-10-21

Says writer on law for the laity, many
Americans don't know for sure that they
are married" However, wet stockings
hanging like Spanish moss in the bathroom
are commonly regarded as conclusive
evidence.
Evening star., 1947-10-21

Remember" said the late James Gordon
Bennett, to the hedgling Journalist many
good story has been spoiled through
generalization" But not In Moscow
Pravda, as far as we know,
Evening star., 1947-10-21
On Seeing Ourselves

70 the Editor of The Star:
agree with E. K. Goldsborough's letter to
The Star of October II, wherein he says, in
effect, that "this warning world" receives no
aid from superstition in the struggle for har-
Evening star., 1947-10-21

Concentration" "a grouping of the center
against both extremes. However, if the
De Gaullist movement continues to gain
momentum, it is hard to see how the
splitting OF the French people into two
extremist camps can be allayed.
Evening star., 1947-10-21

In the long run the British peer who
wants to take Churchill's cigar away from
him may find the loss of an arm is no
small inconvenience.
Evening star., 1947-10-21
SUGGESTION for Unions

To the Editor of The Star:
The trade unions claim they are solidy
behind the Presidents policy OF aid to the
Evening star., 1947-10-21
Questions and Answers

reader get the answer to any question
Of fact by writing The Evening Star Information
Bureau. 316 street NE, Washington 2. D. c.