davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1947-12-01

interception of a message, either by police
bent on catching criminal, or by bust
ness executive wishing to record sales
mans report or customers order, was
not ruled illegal by the high tribunal.
Strictly speaking. the FCC's original ban
on telephone recording could have been
considered as applying to the time-hon-
ored practice of having ones secretary
take down all or part of business con-
versation in shorthand, with or without
permission of the person on the other end
of the line. The electric recorder guaran-
tees complete accuracy of the message and
hence has come into widespread use in
private industry. 1t is. as the FEC has
said, an extremely useful device in the
conduct Of legitimate business operations.
OF course, with such a business recording
system, the person whose conversation is
being taken down is entitled to know that
fact. Under the 1CC-approved plan, the
recorder will flash an intermittent high
pitched "beep" as a signal that it is in
operation. This arrangement should meet
objections of those who, like the late JUS
tice Holmes, properly detest the dirty
business" of Illicit "eavesdropping." The
recording of telephone conversations by
consent of the parties concerned is not
wire tapping" in the invidious sense which
Justice Holmes presumably had in mind.
Evening star., 1947-12-01
Wire Topping by Consent

The effect of the Federal Communica-
tions Commissions formal approval of tel
ephone recorders is to "legalize" device
which has been standard equipment in
many governmental and business offices
for years. Why it took the commission so
long to make up its mind that such instru-
ments are useful and legitimate" in inter-
state commerce is hard to understand.
In its zeal to prevent wire-tapping
abuses, the commission always has taken
a very narrow view of the provision Of the
1884 FEC Act which makes it illegal for
unauthorized" persons to intercept and
divulge" telephone, radio or other commu-
nications of interstate nature. The Supreme
Court has ruled that this forbids the use
in court of any evidence obtained by tap
ping wires. But the ruling hinged on
Interpretation of the word "divulge." Mere
Evening star., 1947-12-01
Freedom Book

Many Washingtonians inspecting the
documents displayed In the Freedom
Train during its stop in Union Station last
week must have wished that all the ex-
hibited material might be kept together
permanently Much of the significance OF
the papers shown arises from their aSso-
citation with each other. Considered cor
porately, they represent single historic
development. Yet the documents now
touring the country belong to different in
stitutions and must be returned to them
when the train has completed its journey.
A way to maintain the unity of the dis
play, however, easily might be found. The
documents exhibited could be photo
graphed and reproduced in Freedom
Book, edited by such experts as the
Librarian of Congress and his staff, pub
lished by the Government Printing ONCE,
circulated as public document at cost OF
manufacture. Schools, churches and thou
sands Of private homes. it seems, would
desire copies. The reference value OF the
proposed volume to officers OF the Federal
Government and likewise to those OF the
several States, Is obvious. Nowhere else
can all this precious background OF our
democratic civilization be found in one
binder.
Senator Joseph C. O'Mahoney of Wyom-
ing, himself a keen student of American
history, has promised to introduce reso-
luton asking congressional authorization
for the anthology suggested. The Star
hopes that approval may be granted
promptly 1t believes that the Freedom
Train should have practical sequel in
the Freedom Book, in which the text of
all its documents and data relating to the
train as an enterprise of modern patriot
ism are preserved for the use of living
generations and their successors.
Evening star., 1947-12-01
The Atom and the Press

In appointing a special committee to
confer with the United States Atomic
Energy Commission, the American Society
of Newspaper Editors has taken timely
action to deal with a unique new problem
In the peacetime history of our free press.
The problem is to present the story of the
atom as fully and as accurately as possible
without at the same time uncovering and
publishing information that must be re-
stricted for the sake of national security.
AS outlined by David E. Lilienthal, chair
man of the Acc, the problem breaks down
into four main questions: W In gathering
atomic news from other than official
sources, how are newspapers to be guided
in distinguishing restricted from unre-
stricted data? CD How extensive and how
organized should be the Aces own infor-
nation service? (3) With secrecy rules
often precluding "the reportorial probing
which is so basic to the function of free
press" to what extent should the commits
sion be prepared to help reporters or
editors taking the initiative in developing
pertinent and significant material? And
a. what means should the Acc and the
press jointly employ to insure, under
security conditions, "the fullest possible
freedom of news handling" to keep the
American people well informed and pre-
serve the traditional public accountability
of government agency?
These questions make clear that the
problem is not simple one. Given the
kind of world we have, there can be no
doubt that certain phases of our atomic
project must be kept secret. At the same
time however, as Mr. Lilienthal has en-
phasized, the public and the press must
be assured that security measures are not
used to cover information which the
people of the United States have right
to and should know" In field as signif-
icant and far-reaching as this, it will be
of first Importance for our newspapers and
other media of mass education to be con-
stantly on the alert against unwarranted
secrecy-a danger that could strike at the
heart of our democracy and transfer to
the dictatorial control of few men a
power with preternatural potentialities for
either good or evil.
Mr. Lilienthal has repeatedly given voice
to this warning. He wants the people to
know. He holds that our way of life will
be gravely menaced unless the press, with
In carefully defined security limits, is free
to report, interpret and give meaning to
the towering story of the atom, and see tt
Evening star., 1947-12-01
The Star Commended

To the Editor of The Star:
. One requisite for my daily well being Is q
daily newspaper of integrity. Travelling about,
I confess to disappointment in this matter.
On the West Coast of this great land had
a fine paper. But stopped off in Oklahoma
and there I found but one within my radius
and on arriving in Washington Bowie, that Isl
I settled down, rather skeptically to an eve
ming of perusing a local daily.
1t happened to be The Star Unconsciously
I coiled up in a big easy chair. relaxed and
had fun and pleasure OF high order until
bedtime.
The easy yet dignifed style; the type read
able size; the absence of lurid death scenes
and scandal; interesting columns; timely
news; editorials and even the classified section
held real information for me.
It seems The Star collects news not hys-
terra; facts, not prejudice. That's good for me.
That's good for every one That's good for
the anemic peace we are nursing in languid
laps, sustaining its gasping breath in mad,
fearful world.
To live in decadent era and society does
not make me despair, so long as there Is q
Star on the street corners, come sunset.
MARY SMITH BAKER.
Evening star., 1947-12-01

to be hoped that the Arab League and the Arab
Office, King Farouk and King Ibn Saudi and
King Abdullah of Trans-Jordan, who is the
brother of the late King Feisal, and even the
Grand Mufti himself, who once helped to dedi-
cate the cornerstone of the Hebrew University
in Jerusalem, will realize while there yet is
time what the protection and the propaganda
may involve.
To those who raise the question of need for
sending American or other soldiers to guard the
Jews of Palestine, it can be replied that the
Jews will assume responsibility for their own
perhaps with the voluntary help of many of the
Arabs when once the British government has
cleared out.
An Arab journalist more than Is years ago
Insisted: "The Arab people have not yet said
their last word on the Arab-Jewsh question
When this word has been said, it will not be one
of hatred and war, but one of peace and
brotherhood =" M. ZIONY.
Evening star., 1947-12-01

suits. But, though tried hard, T have not
succeeded in finding any trace of this unique
quality so far as our "streetcar life' Is con-
cerned.
The daily struggle to get aboard takes quite
a lot of ones energy, and I often wonder what
it will do to driver to repeat over and over
again "step right back in the rear" when
nobody moves or even listens. And the crowd,
near the middle door. gets thicker and thicker
every minute, and less willing to let any one
pass through. Have you noticed those news
paper reading men, belligerently jamming the
AISLE daring everybody to interfere with their
complacency? And have you also run into
those ladies engrossed in their favorNe maga-
zines while their umbrellas are protruding in
the aisle and their sharply pointed plastic bags
scratch you while you try In vain to move
obediently "back to the rear" And If you
stammer polite "excuse me-" they only give
you that dirty look" which makes you think
twice whether it is advisable to follow the
golden rule, Love thy neighbor" Cat least
where streetcar neighbors are involved.
If, finally, you have succeeded in getting
seat, you may rest assured that very soon you
will feel strange tickling in your neck, but
fortunately-it is only newspaper, which your
friendly countryman from behind you spreads
out so generously while your neighbor in the
meantime has stretched his legs SO far apart
that all that is left to you is to sit tight. other
wise the next curve and jerk will bring about
your downfall.
After all these experiences I came to the
conclusion that streetcars and buses are ideal
Fairgrounds" where good teamwork could be
exercised for the benefit of everybody. The
rules would not be too difficult ar4 could be
followed even by laymen and laywomen.
would like to suggest some: Clear the way to
the rear; move aside when somebody wants to
get out; keep reading material in such position
that it will not be bother to your neighbors,
and try to be good sport even under awkward
circumstances (such as being hit In shin
bone, getting run in ones best nylons and
being punched by the latest model OF
Partisan haD. ERNA I. KEEPER
Evening star., 1947-12-01
They Like Wushinqton

Civil Service Commissioner Flemming
has confirmed predictions of Metropolitan
Area planners that Washington's popula-
ton will be little affected by postwar re-
ductions in Government personnel. Mr..
Flemming told the Washington Ministerial
Union that many of the citys wartime
employees are finding employment in pri-
yate industry in this vicinity. They have
pulled up stakes elsewhere to settle down
here as permanent residents.
This is not a new development in popu-
lation trends. 1t has been true of Wash
ington after every war. The tendency of
the city to become permanent host to its
wartime guests was especially marked after
World War I. Then, as now, there was a
curtailment of the Federal working force,
but population figures failed to reflect
comparable drop. The explanation lay in
the fact that many of the employees who
failed to find employment in some perma-
nent Federal agency succeeded in obtain
ing private jobs or went into business for
themselves in Washington or its suburbs.
Thus, population charts for the District
and vicinity show that leveling off
process occurs after each war, extending
over period of two or three years, and
that thereafter the census figures begin to
climb again in steady movement. Since
the close of hostilities in World War II the
Federal pay roll here has dropped from the
wartime peak of $4,000 to $4,000 as of
today. The fact is, however, that large
numbers of the $4,000 dropped by the
Government are now working in many of
the private business establishments which
serve the Federal establishment and its
employees. The exact number is not known,
OF course, but the census estimates leave
no doubt that the tendency is definite and
the total increment for the area substantial.
If past experience is an index, the Metro
politan Area faces a steady and healthy
growth in the next decade
Evening star., 1947-12-01
Wild Geese Flying

Aboue the harpest fields and lanes
Ihear at dusk the apild geese cry :
And see their Quipering totn0s that sprsdd
A fan against the sunset sky. :.
Remote beyond the haunts Of ndSs.
They soar a nerer ending guest * .
Throuqh boundless solitude abope-
Are theirs the hearts that k1aoap no restf
Deep tn the night their trumpet call
Against the hunters moon, blood rsd,'
Is like a summons, strange and toild, Y:
That beckons me far Overhead.
But though my feet are sdrth-boux
things,
Mn heart goes NTH ,oild geese tn Night:
It scars on high-becon1es part y,
OF dark ,Dings beating In the night.
WILLIAM ARNETTE WOFFCROS
Evening star., 1947-12-01

never been tagged by him, he has watched, from
his Office window, the manner in which he
works. Any out-of-town car is Immediately
towed away, no consideration shown to any one
regardless of the circumstances. Why not look
up his record? I for one would be interested
in knowing how many thousand tickets he
hands out during a months time. Just in front
of my window, have seen him issue Is to 80
in single day!
OF course, he is not the only "eager beaver" on
the force. For instance, the writer received
ticket from another policeman and paid SO
for parking his car in regularly marked park
ing space which was not long enough for his
car. The end of the car came over the parking
line and was less than so many feet from the
corner 1t must have been matter OF inches
as all four wheels were inside the marked area
ANOTHER READER.
Evening star., 1947-12-01
BY THE HAsKIN SERVICE.

@. Approximately how many new businesses
are set up each year?-K. M.
A. Between December 1914, and December,
1916, fully million new concerns were started.
according to the Department Of Commerce.
The net growth for the two-year period was
100000. The total number of firms in operation
at the end Of 1916 was $500 900, nearly 100000
above the prewar high of September 1s4l.
@. What is the present monthly pay of mid
shipmen at the United States Naval Academy
d. T.
A. Midshipmen were granted pay increase
from SIS to $78 month by the last Congress.
This was the first increase in % years.
@. Are there more bones in the arm or leg?-
E. U.
A, There are 80 bones in each arm and leg.
O. What proportion of ones income should
be allotted to savings in normal times?-L E. r.
A. This Is a debatable question and no arbi-
trary amount can fit all circumstances. In re-
cent years a figure Of 10 per cent Of disposabls
income has been frequently used.
Q. Is it possible for any Of the other planets
to pass between the earth and the SUM-
COL
A. Mercury and Venus are the only two
planets that can pass between the earth and
the sun.
@. How far north is the Russian city Of Via
divostok?-D. @. =
A. Vladivostok is situated in latitude 4a de-
grees II minutes north and has . severe
climate even though 1t is in approximately the
same latitude as the French Riviera.
Q. Who Is largely responsible for the music
festival development at Bethlehem, Pa
A. J.E
A. This festival grew out Of musical ira
ditions dating back to the early Morayian
settlement but owes Its present form mainly
to DR.. J. Fred Woole, organist and choir
leader, who organized the Bethlehem Choral
Union in 1882. After conducting the union for
two years he went to Munich, Germany, 70
study and was 50 impressed bya chorus and
orchestra celebrating the 200th anniversary
of Johann Sebastian Bach, that he vowed to
devote his life to Interpretation Of the masters
work.
O. How Is = pitcher plant able 70 sonsums
insects for food?-P. l.. r.
A. The pitcher plant digests its victims BY
pouring out a fluid from glands inside the
pitcher "a modified leaD which possesses mot
only the properties but also the composition
of gastric juice. After the food IL digested, y
is absorbed by the plant through cells tn the
bottom and lower parts Of the pitchers wallA
There are about IS different species OF pitcher
plants The largest Nepenths Rajah. has
pitcher large enough to hold . pigeon. :
Evening star., 1947-12-01
Opposes Luxurious Christmas
To the Editor Of The Star:

TO the Editor Of The Star:
Exchanging Of Christmas card greetings Is
an old and beautiful custom. 1t does its share
Of spirit-lifting. However, this year (of all
years. it seems to me that there could be some
exception to the rule. Remember always the
elderly the lonely, the shut-in yes.
But while human beings starve for lack Of
sufficient food are clothless for lack of clothing
is it not well to consider this custom in terms
of the thousands OF dollars spent in the United
States upon mere paper which, in three-fourths
of the cases, will not be utilized advantageously
thereafter?
AS we clothe ourselves-here in grand old
America-in the luxury of excess material,
spreading personal enjoyment among friendly
circles, do We really remember the less fortu-
nate? ELIZABETH HUMMER.
Evening star., 1947-12-01
But His Pension Was Cancelled
Curley Case Reaction

To the Editor Of The Star:
We are told that the pardon of Mayor Curley
of Boston is in the interest Of "even handed
justice"
Which "hand"-the right or the left?
As one citizen who has tried to 1--we
quiet, honest and industrious life, wish to say
that 1t is hard to understand how crime in high
places can be smoothed over so easily.
Is It any wonder that the land Is full OF
crooks and thieves, anarchists and Commu-
nists? DICK SMITH.
Evening star., 1947-12-01

it that his own commission is held &C
countable to the public for its acts.
This is an altogether wholesome and tradi-
tionally American attitude. 1t strongly
suggests that the forthcoming meetings
between the ASNE committee and the Acc
will be fruitful on the side of democracy
Evening star., 1947-12-01


daily routine
in our street.
cars and buses.
I have q great
admiration for
A m e ri ca n
t e a m W or k ,
which every
where has ac-
com phi S he'd
Evening star., 1947-12-01
Letters to The Star

Letters for publication must bear
the signature and address OF the
,Driter, although it is permissible for
1Driter kno1Un to The Star to use
nom de plume Please be brief.
Evening star., 1947-12-01

InlS Omcer,
a big husky in
dividual, could
well be used on
cutting down
the crime rate
in Washington
i n S t ad of
sneaking up on
harmless mo-
tor cars. While
tho uriter has
Evening star., 1947-12-01
'Streetcar Life

To the Editor OF The Star:
If I could speak directly to my fellow
passengers, I would say:
One OF the things which has aroused my
interest very much since have lived in this
l,
Evening star., 1947-12-01

"The film public" says a prominent pro-
ducer. "has come to expect the impos
sible." That would be pictures. The AS
are only improbable.
Evening star., 1947-12-01
Questions and Answers

reader get the to any question
Of fact by writing The Evening Star 1nformation
Bureau 316 street NE. Washington 2. D. G.,
Evening star., 1947-12-01
'' Eager Beaver Officer

To the Editor of The Star:
The letter by "A Reader" in regard to the
motor policeman covering the area from Penn
sylvania avenue to street on Fifteenth street
certainly hit the nail on the head.
Evening star., 1947-12-01

Success story, in the later Hollywood
style: Penniless as q youth, he saved up
enough in few years to become Connie
Evening star., 1947-12-01
Mr., McLemore in Outer Darkness

Mr.. McLemore in Outer Darkness
To the Editor Of The Star:
Since 1919 have been a constant reader of
The Star. Your editorial page, where editorials
on national and international news and prob
lens are presented in fair and unbiased man.
ner is, in my humble opinion, one of the finest
editorial pages printed today.
In more recent years the companion page
with articles of national interest contributed by
such writer's as Gould Lincoln, David Lawrence,
Frank Kent, Dorothy Thompson and others has
provided Star readers with excellent coverage
Of national and world affairs. And last but GER
tainly not least should be mentioned the COL
,mn of Letters to the Editor" space Of which
I have availed myself on several occasions in
the past % years.
You will note that in the above enumeration
OF contributing writer's have failed to mention
one of your present contributors In the person
OF Henry McLemore. 1t does seem pity, with
the supply of newsprint still limited, that valu-
able space must be given to the uninteresting
ramblings of this queer character. For ex-
ample, his article appearing In The Star OF
Monday, November "a: "McLemore Gets Sec
retary Who's Too Efficient" I wonder how
many Star readers care whether he has Sec
retary or not. So long as he writes continually
and eternally OF himself, why should he have
need for a secretary?
1t is entirely possible that I may be one OF
those persons who is missing something In the
lighter vein of life, but cannot see where the
expenditure Of present valuable column space
in your fine paper merits what you and your
reading public receive in return from the pen
of this "ilustrious" writer.
After all though, it's your paper, consequently
your space; and everyone has his own liking, all
of which goes to make up this great democracy
of ours. 7. CANFIEAD JENh1No.
But His Pension Was Cancelled
To the Editor of The Star:
was q civil service employe for quarter OF
a century before being retired because OF
physical disability.
MY pension is barely adequate to provide
shelter, clothing and an average OF 1000 calorles
day.
It irks me to have to pay an exorbitant IN
come tax to furnish material for the black
markets of Europe, but the crowning indlgnlty
is to be taxed to provide tax-free Disability
pensions for the likes of Bennett Meyers.
A HUNGRY ANNUITANT.
The Wilmington morning star., 1947-02-04

to recede from their uncompromising and
~belligerent altitude"
The wonder is that this step was not
taken long ago. General Marshall has
shown great patience in his role OF media
tor, but ii is questionable it his kindness
was worth while. The factions made ii
plain, when they violated their first truce,
brought about under General Marshalrs
guidance, that they either had no under
standing Of what a truce means or con-
sented to ii with tongue in cheek, without
intention to obey its terms.
Their altitude wa Identical in each sue
ceeding truce. The fact seems TO be that
the time and effort spent in trying 10 e.
feet a peace between the two forcs was
wasted.
The Wilmington morning star., 1947-02-04

ers, in industrial production and in the
national economy.
The American Economic Foundation has
made an earnest effort to measure these
losses in five Of the chief postwar strikes
The Foundations conclusions are neces-
sarily incomplete. because Of the many
intanqibles involved, but the total arrived
at is greater than most people realize.
Two examples serve the present pur-
nose. Ii is shown that between Septem-
Der |, 1916 and September 80, l946, more
than ia, 900, 900 man-days were lost be-
cause Of strikes, according TO the Bureau
of Labor Statistics. ASSIGNING 8 hours
TO each day, and assuming that the lower
fiqure Of 81 per hour was the AVERAGE
wage this means that more than $685.
OOO,O 900 was lost in direct wages alone
to say nothing Of the infinitely greater
loss in production Of goods, related lay
offs in other industries. ETC.
In the coal strike in The Spring Of l946.
waq loss 10 miners, according 10 the
Bituminous Coal Institute, totaled Sl45.-
OOO,OOo. But that was only the start OF
it. According 10 the CPA administrator
the secondary cost, measured in lost pro-
duction affecting all Americans, was ST.
600, DOC, 900.