davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1947-08-10
Births Reported
tFrom the D. C. Bureau of Vital statisti

WILLIAM William and Virginia Barden. girl.
Miliism and Beatrice Barmuth, girl.
Walter. and Helen Beliers. Bel; snti girl.
Louis and virginia Bio, girl.
Motifs and Zula Blalock, girl.
ssToa @ and and bOfotsy ts iesssfds Ross, airf f'ri'
Sonn and Gloria Boland. girl.
Calvert and Clara Buckler. girl.
ERA % and aaq Naomi mi ossnan ossRsaseT; strI alri
Frank and Barbara Chabot, girl.
Ersd and Josephine costigsn, girl.
Albert and md Helen lalifsis gdsards, dhcshi siri ffi
Hugh and Monica Farrow, gil.
Andrew and Ann Gerber. girl.
aoage ana and Seaasn arsenDelE ss GIRL
Wiley and Margafet Hall, girl.
Edward and Mary Heider, girl.
solsa 9snls and and Al%s Mas, HsndersoH sIS. girl
Kermit and Violet Hill, girl.
Vernon and Dolores Hill. girl;
PAU Paul. and ~ virginia ha Jackson; girl.
Leo and Mary Jordan, girl.
Joseph ana Elissbeth Ieete, girl.
Milton and Shirley Logan, girl.
James and Rosemary Mamakos, girl.
BENJAMIN ni. and nasn! Aton ton Market girl.
Archie and Mary Moore, girl
Louis and Anna Moschetto. sirl.,
William ana Lucia Murray, girl.
James and Florence Mcdonald, girl
Ieamsn and Geraldine McIamb, girl
Cecu and Josephine Owens. girl
Charles and Beryle Pledger, girl.
Norris and Cecilia Posner, girl.
Charles and Constance Quinn, girl.
Patrick and Lois Raiman, girl.
Jennings and Wilma Reed, girl.
William and Anita Reynolds, girl.
George and Grace Rickard, girl.
Richard and Edna Roger, girl.
James and Gladys Sanders girl.
Ralph and Nina Silloway. girl. =.
Randall and Wanda Smith, girl.
Jesse and Agnes Smoot, girl.
William and Helen Surber, girl.
pelbert and Frances Townsend, girl
Ralph and Margaret Waldron, girl.
Alfred and Pearl Weissler, girl
John and Dorothy Wheeler, girl.
William and Miriam Windsor girl.
Alvin and Elizabeth WOLF, girl.
John and Lee zirkle, girl.
Robert and Dorothy Boone, girl.
Harold and Ruth Brooks, boy.
Cecil and Hazel Cannon, girl.
Eddie and Viola Colbert. girl.
Eddie snd Isabella Couley, boy.
Harvey and Erma Freeman, boy.
Visal and Hannah Godbee, boy.
Clarence and Shirley Goodwin, boy.
Chsrles and Nettie Herbert, girl.
James and Thelma Joynes. girl.
John and Bertha Myles. girl.
William and Aurora Page, boy.
Arthur and Henrietta Presley, girl.
Eric and Elsie Williams, girl.
Joseph and Rosa williams, girl.
Johnnie and Mildred Wright, boy.
Evening star., 1947-08-10
Kaiser Liked Cornflowers

The cornflower is called 'Kaiser,
blumen" in Germany because it was
the favorite flower OF the late
Emperor Wilhelm.
Evening star., 1947-08-10
Oil Kills SEQ Birds

Millions Of sea birds have been
victims of oil dumped on the wa
ter by ships; the oil Aim on feath-
ers making 1t impossible for the
birds to rise from the water,
Evening star., 1947-12-26

OF the vehicles to be sold These disabled veter-
ans were amputees.
OF all the vehicles for sale only relatively
few appeared to be excellent bargains and the
most desirable type OF car. Naturally the
majority Of prospective customers were inter-
ested mainly in a chance to purchase one of
these. The disabled veterans, Of course, i'm
mediately selected these particular cars
But 1t is my understanding that disabled vet
erans (amputees) were awarded new cars free
by recent act Of Congress. II that is true, I
fail to see why they should be given special
concessions at these sales. At least one of
these disabled veterans, according to the an
nouncement, came from Norfolk, Va where
similar sale was being held that same day with
larger selection of cars for sale.
Being an ex-combat infantryman myself with
more than year Of front-line duty, certain
ly don't begrudge any disabled veteran anything
to which he properly Is entitled. Nevertheless,
II they were entitled to new cars they should
not be permitted to take their choice OF surplus
vehicles, all of which were advertised and dis
played as being subject to the same conditions
OF sale Also do not see what is to prevent
them from obtaining similar concessions at
other sales wherever held.
I realize of course that may be ignorant
OF the true facts in the case, but to keep the
record clear 1 think the WAA should explain
this policy, as it has caused some confusion and
resentment on the part Of other hopeful pur-
chasers. H. w. R.
Evening star., 1947-12-26

placable, as all Marxist bents must be
just does not allow for tolerance of royalty.
The two ideas-communism and king
ism-are mutually repugnant, even though
the Communists themselves like nothing
better than to kowtow to dictatorship
more arbitrary, more antidemocratic and
more absolute than any monarchy in
history. That is how life goes these days
behind the iron curtain, and there is
nothing Michael can do about 1t except
keep his fingers crossed and hope for
the best
It would be foolish thing, therefore,
to bet money that the Romanian cabinet
will let him marry Anne and still keep
his job. The point to be remembered
about communism is that love-like poetry,
art sports, philosophy, business and prac-
tically everything else-must hew to the
party line and that the Bucharest minis
ters, ever mindful Of the Kremlin, probably
are wildly unenthusiastic about sanction
ing something calculated to perpetuate
the royal dynasty. The Groza government
may surprise US, but Michael will be
lucky fellow, indeed, If he gets his wish.
Kingly romance and Red totantarianism
simply do not mix. Alas, for cupid caught
in the net of. Marxisn!
Evening star., 1947-12-26
MichueI's Romance

Now that King Michael is back in
Romania after his trip to London for
Princess Elizabeths wedding, reports from
Bucharest strongly suggest that his own
marriage plans may be headed for the
rocks. He would like to have the Princess
Anne of Bourbon-Parma for wife, but
under his country's laws he must first
get the permission of his cabinet. The
trouble is, though, that the cabinet is not
really his; it is really the property of the
Communists They own it in the sense
that they completely dominate the gov
ernment and run things as the Soviet
Union directs.
That is why Michael's romance faces a
doubtful future. The Romanian regime,
of course, may have nothing against Anne
It may even like her, but the fact Is that
its theological bent-undeviating and i'm
Evening star., 1947-12-26
Political Shukeup in Iran

With the Shahs appointment of a new
Premier, the political crisis in Iran which
followed the fall Of former Premier Ahmed
Qavam. seems to be on its way to
solution. The reasons for this shakeup
appear to be almost wholly domestic For
some time it has been obvious that Qavam
was losing the confidence of the Madjlis,
or Parliament, including an important
section Of his own party. In addition, he
had alienated army leaders and offended
the Shah. These combined antagonisms
rendered his fall from office inevitable.
Ahmed Qavam is veteran in Trans
political life which is complex and tur-
bulent. Political groupings tend to be
fluid, with emphasis on personalities.
wealthy landowner, Qavam typifies the
"old guard" in politics. which implies
astute political maneuvering, frank use
OF patronage, and Strong-arm measures on
occasion. That his enemies have it In for
him is shown by his arrest and the drawing
up of bill of complaints that include
displeasing the Shah by his naughty airs"
the summary arrest of high-ranking army
officers, antagonizing of the press by sup
preston OF newspapers and imprisoning
Of political opponents. There are likewise
charges of corruption which appear to have
some foundation. The indications are that
Qavam's political career is over.
What seems to have precipitated the
split within his own party was Qavam's
lack OF interest in the program of internal
reforms to which he and his followers
were pledged. It is to be assumed that
the new Premier, DR.. Ibrahim Hakimi,
will be more disposed to push the reform
program to completion. DR.. Hakimi is
also a veteran in Iranian politics. He
headed the government just previous to
that of Qavam and retired largely
because of his stanch opposition to the
claims of Soviet Russia I'd oil concessions
in Trans northern provinces. Qavam, his
successor, adopted temporizing policy
Evening star., 1947-12-26
Another Iron Mask?

A report from Ottawa to the effect that
the Royal Canadian Mounted Police are
plagued by the question of what to do
about Igor GouZenko calls to mind the
case Of the Man in the Iron Mask. There
are points of resemblance between the
problem of the Soviet cipher clerk who
betrayed Stains spies to the Dominion
government and Louis XIV's mysterious
prisoner in the Bastille. Nobody knows
even now who the royal guest" really was
The reason for his incarceration is as much
unexplained in 1947 as between 1898 and
1703. 1t was in the former year that the
stranger was brought to his cell and it
was in the latter that he died.
The mask, despite Voltaires insistence
that it was metal, actually was black velvet
Its wearer was not treated as criminal
On the contrary, he was entertained"
with difference which suggested that he
might be of regal blood-perhaps natural
brother OF the sovereign Of France Other
theories identified him with the Duke of
Monmouth, claimant to the throne of
England; Moliere, the dramatist; Able
Pregnant, Count Mattioli and "Eustache
Danger" Andrew Lang tried to dispose
OF him by affirming that he was "only a
valet" but the politeness with which the
prisoner was treated by the governor of
the Bastille contradicted Lang'S assertion
Significant above everything else, how
ever, is the fact that the Man in the Iron
Mask cheerfully connived in the creation
OF the mystery which surrounded him. He
submitted to his fate with a serenity so
patiently sincere that it provoked inquiry
at the time and still remains challenge
to investigation. His situation it seems,
was almost precisely that of Mr.. Gouzenko.
Louis XIV kept him under lock and key
for his own safety just as the Canadian
police are keeping the former Russian
Embassy attache in hiding. If he were let
go free, he surely would be assassinated
by the Bolshevik agents whose operations
he disclosed. Like his French prototype,
he is safer in confinement than he would
be at liberty. His case, moreover, is COM
plicated by the danger to which his wife
and two children also have been exposed
by his confession"
Evening star., 1947-12-26
This and That
BIZ Charles E. TraceUell

A correspondent wants to know about the
best field glasses or binoculars to get for
watching the birds.
1t is difficult subject to tell another about
and even harder to find good glass to suit
the individual
Watching the BIRDS at best, is not always
easy; the creatures have way Of making
such nervous, quick movements, that unless
the observer knows his own eyes he is in
danger Of making them hurt, glass or no glass
That Is one reason why the home observer
is fortunate, for he may put the bird feeding
station close to the window.
There will always come times, however
when one wants to get clearer view, maybe
to see If the creature really has q white bar
when the books say he has, and so on
Il 4
It should be said at the outset that no
binocular or field glass, sporting glass, or
what have you is going to be perfect
To expect to see perfectly, even with the
best glass ever built is to expect too much
The glass is an auxiliary, not always neces-
sary in itself. The best bird watching is done
close up.
You have to get as close as you can, If you
really want to see the best
This Is automatic Some of the great bird
men have never used glasses.
There is always the need for one, Of course
cropping up at the most unexpected moment
Usually the glass is somewhere else!
BY the time it has been retrieved from book
case, drawer or table the bird has changed its
position, or even flown away.
This will not apply so much of course
when the bird watcher takes to the lanes and
fields.
He is looking for new ones" and many of
these will be in high tree tops. Then some
sort of seeing aid is very much in order.
Even from the dining room window the good
glass will come in pretty handy.
And now you think 1t is time we should
tell just which glass to get?
Here goes:
Binoculars of about eight power with wide
field and good light.
Any honest seller of such articles ought to
be able to know just what is what in these
respects.
If the glass can be put into focus too
sharply the thing is hard to handle; if it will
not draw to bead, as it were, the fine points
of the birds may not be seen.
\ x
Too much magnification is not 50 good,
because such glasses require too steady nerves
to handle properly.
Good results may be secured with a pair
Of old-fashioned opera glasses.
These may not be more than three or four
power, but they do very nicely, II one does
not expect too much.
Let us repeat that caution: Do not expect
too much.
1t Is not likely tnaC you Will De SatlSned no
matter how much you pay for glass, if you
expect to see too perfectly.
We doubt If there is any glass that will give
universal satisfaction, because birds move so
constantly and so quickly.
But If one is satisfied to see better, not
perfectly. then good glass ought to be real
aid to bird watching, either at home or in the
field.
There Is little doubt that many glasses are not
adjusted properly, as to each side But here
is tip: Lacking perfect adjustment, use
just one side, with one eye. In this way
sharpness Of vision may be secured. It Is the
principle used by gunners, by the way.
Evening star., 1947-12-26
Criticism of WAA Procedure

To the Editor of The Star:
On December II, the War Assets Administra-
ton held sale of surplus vehicles for veterans
and other qualified purchasers There were SO
set-aside vehicles for sale with about 1000
would-be purchasers. The sale was conducted
by drawing numbers. The person who held
the first number drawn made his selection, then
the next person whose number was called made
his, and so on until all the vehicles were dis
posed Of This method probably is as fair as
any, although any buyer easily could bring ad-
ditional persons with him to draw numbers for
him simply by furnishing them with miniature
copies of his discharge. The original discharge
should be demanded in each case and notice
of the awards stamped upon it at the time of
the sale. This might be helpful in curbing
speculation, as undoubtedly many veterans
have bought and sold several vehicles obtained
at these sales.
That however, is not the main purpose Of
this letter. At the sale referred to, before any
numbers were drawn 1t was announced that
three 100 per cent disabled veterans were pres
ent and that they would be given nrst choice
Evening star., 1947-12-26
To Keep Ahead in Science

The President has taken a common
sense step In establishing the 1nterdepart-
mental Committee for Scientific Research
and Development. The need for such
unit is 50 obvious that the surprising thing
ts that it has not been in operation long
before this.
AS explained in the executive order Gre
ating it, the new committee will be made
up of representatives of the numerous Gov
ernment agencies active in scientific work
of one type or another, ranging from soil
enrichment studies to the development OF
atomic energy Its chief purpose will be
To cd-ordinate what is being done In order
to avoid waste or overlapping and to pro-
mote the fullest possible efficiency and
progress.
To that end with John r. steelman
designated to act as his iaison man, the
President has directed the committee to
"perform for the entire Federal estab-
ushment functions similar to those now
performed by committees and boards
which coordinate programs within single
departments or among limited groups OF
departments" Accordingly, 1t will be ex-
pected to carry out such duties as the
following: % Make special studies and
recommend changes in administrative
policies to increase the Governments ef-
fectiveness in all fields of science; (2)
encourage collaboration among the various
agencies engaged in work on kindred
projects; 90 seek the advice of qualified
nongovernmental groups, and "a draw up
comprehensive reports on current prac-
tices relating to Federal support for re-
search, such as grants and contracts for
basic research"
These points speak pretty much for
themselves. If the Presidents interdepart-
mental committee discharges its respon-
sibilities with energy and imagination, 1t
can make a contribution of great impor-
tance to the Nation. 1t can do so by acting
as kind of central clearing house and
over-all co-ordinator pulling together the
many complex scientific enterprises now
being carried out by the different agencies,
frequently in wasteful duplication or with
out any reference to each other In that
way 1t can achieve considerably more than
q saving of dollars and cents through i'm
proved administrative policies and proce-
dures 1t can bring about rich dividends by
encouraging the kind OF efficiency and
collaboration that we must have to speed
up our progress in research and develop
ment having vital bearing on the health,
wealth and safety Of our land.
The Presidents committee, of course, is
not enough in itself. 1t is no substitute for
q separate agency with special powers and
ample funds to operate Systematically and
on a permanent basis for the peacetime
mobilization of our actual and potential
scientific talent. Such an agency has been
advocated repeatedly by the President, but
last summer he vetoed legislation for
National Science Foundation because OF its
questionable administrative features.
There should be renewed, compromise
effort along this line. Certainly, If the
interdepartmental committee is needed
as 1t ts-we need even more, much more, a
permanent Federal organization to keep us
from tagging behind any power in this
intensely scientific age.
Evening star., 1947-12-26
Hiqh Cost of DRIVING

The high cost of driving has put such
a dent in the average family budget that,
If the present trend continues, the day
may come when there is not even one car
in every garage. That, at least, is the
after studying mass of data on the rising
cost of sundry items entering into the
household budget The figures indicate
that more money is being spent for food
and shelter these days than in the past
and relatively less is going for automobiles.
Bureau statisticians say that today's city
worker needs $500 year to support
family of four, according to modest but
currently adequate" American standard of
living Last June he needed only $3,458.
Most Of the budget increase has gone into
absolute essentials (of which owning and
driving motor car Is not listed as one).
The statistics show that whereas the
average city family in March, 1946, was
spending 1927 per cent of its budget on
food and 9.8 per cent on transportation,
the same family in June of this year was
spending 1854 per cent on food and only
per cent on transportation. 1t is as
sumed that the disparity has continued in
the past six months.
IT inexpensive cars do not return to the
market as current inventories are
scrapped," the bureau states, "the budget
pattern will necessarily be changed in the
near future toward lower percentage
Of automobile owners, with related changes
in all other segments of the budget"
What the bureau is trying to say is that
more and more people are going to become
pedestrians or mass-transportation riders
If the high cost Of driving old cars or
buying new ones keeps up. If this state
of affairs goes far enough, 1t may even
become necessary for junior to plod his
weary way to school or to the corner
grocery in the quaint old manner of the
premotor era. This frightening possibility
should be enough to convince any one of
the gravity of the outlook-from the
statisticians' viewpoint, at any rate.
Evening star., 1947-12-26
Thot Free Greek Government

Proclamation of provisional Demo-
cratic Government Of Free Greece" by the
Greek Communist guerrilla organization
does not come as surprise. The move
had been forecast months ago by Greek
Communist spokesmen and had been gen.
orally expected on all sides. The only
question was when. and under what cir
cumstances, the step would be taken.
For the moment, the move makes little
difference in the military situation The
mountainous border regions where the
guerrillas operate are now in the depth OF
rigorous winter, which reduces campaign
ing to minimum. Perhaps the general
call to arms OF all Communist partisans
will produce fare-ups in other parts
OF Greece, but the government troops
strengthened by fresh equipment under
our aid program, should be able to handle
such outbreaks without too much difficulty
The real military test will presumably be
deferred until the spring, especially II
Greece's Communist dominated neighbors
albania, Bulgaria and Yugoslavia) extend
diplomatic recognition to the new Red
regime and furnish it openly the support
VilCy 4loFO previously SAsSAA uAANSA SSFSA'
Such recognition in the near future is
not certainty 1t might precipitate
showdown situation in the Balkans for
which Moscow is as yet unready. For, OF
course, it should be understood that every
move in the Balkan game is predetermined
in Moscow. The Red regimes in the Bal
kans are but pawns on diplomatic chess
board that, in the last analysis, is world
wide. We should, therefore, evaluate the
Balkan situation within that larger frame
of reference.
1t is this fact which permits variety
of interpretations on the significance of
this move. Long experience has shown
that Soviet strategy often masks its over
all objective by shifting pressures from one
point to another. 1t is, therefore, conceiv-
able that the setting up of Free Greek"
regime may be feint to distract attention
from other diplomatic offensives that are
in preparation, meanwhile confusing Mos
cows opponents and further complicating
the general situation. If Moscow really
intends to concentrate on the Balkans, we
may expect to see, first, recognition of the
new regime by its Balkan satellites and
then by Moscow itself. That latter eventu-
ality would be indeed serious. It would be
major challenge to the western powers,
especially the United States Greece would
then become second Spain and the
chances OF world conflict would be
ominously accentuated.
For the moment, the problem continues
to be localized. The new Red regime is
obviously fy-by- might affair, existing
precariously on the very fringe of Greek
soil and liable at any moment to be evicted
beyond the border. Until the strength of
the regime has been tested by the legal
Greek government, an attitude of watch
full reserve may be the most profitable.
Evening star., 1947-12-26
ChiId's First Christmas

He sits at first, awestruck, beside the tree
Then reaches out a small, exploring hand
TO touch golden bauble or to snatch
Exciting bits of cleaning shuer strand.
He cannot kno1u the Christmas story yet.
For him it is q day of feeling, seeing;
But something of its glory touches him
And spreads glow throughout hts
little being.
He only knops the tree is fragrant, tall,
The day is one of magic and surprise.
He feels the bright enchdntment OF tt all,
And Christmas stars are shining tn
his eyes.
ELEANOR OWEN PENICK.